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Police charge India wrestling chief with sexual harassment

Indian police have charged Wrestling Federation president and BJP lawmaker, Brij Bhushan Singh, with sexual harassment and stalking following protests by top wrestlers. Despite one accusation being withdrawn, investigations continue, and promises of new WFI elections are in place.

TikTok to spend billions in SE Asia as e-commerce move pays off

TikTok’s CEO Shou Zi Chew announced plans to invest billions in Southeast Asia, riding on the success of the company’s e-commerce branch, TikTok Shop. In just a year, TikTok Shop has made significant market share gains in the region, amassing a gross merchandise value of $4.4 billion in 2022 from $600,000 in 2021. The growth has been attributed to the app’s captive audience and aggressive expansion in markets with large TikTok user bases.

Pyongyang faked popular South Korean website to steal data: spy agency

North Korea’s phishing attack involved creating a fake Naver site to steal personal information. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service warned of increasingly sophisticated hacking methods and urged vigilance. North Korea has targeted various sectors, including cryptocurrency theft and sensitive information hacking, posing a global IT threat.

Chinese couple charged with murder of South Korean influencer

A Chinese couple running a medical clinic in Cambodia has been charged with murder after a South Korean influencer’s body was found. The couple claimed she died during treatment.

Record 110 million people now forcibly displaced: UN

A record 110 million people have been forcibly displaced worldwide due to conflict, persecution, discrimination, and climate change, according to the UN. The increase of 19.1 million from the previous year is the largest ever recorded. The UNHCR chief called it an “indictment” of the world.

Ubisoft sets sights on VR, AI shakeups in future of gaming

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot bets on AI and VR as the future of gaming, applauding Apple’s investment in VR and emphasizing Ubisoft’s expansion into film and TV streaming.

IMF, World Bank are key counterweights to China: Yellen

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen stated that international financial institutions reflect American values and counter unsustainable lending from countries like China. She sought congressional support to increase US lending to these organizations for the benefit of developing countries.

Meta guru says ChatGPT-style AI is out-of-date

Yann LeCun, the chief scientist for Meta (formerly Facebook), declared that generative AI, such as ChatGPT, had reached a dead end and announced a new AI project called JEPA. LeCun aims to move beyond generative models and develop AI that can conceptualize abstract ideas, challenging the existing hype around generative AI capabilities. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg emphasized the company’s focus on developing AI that better reflects human understanding of the world. Meta has taken a more discreet approach to generative AI compared to its rivals, while also releasing open source AI models requiring less computing power.

Before a federal judge, Trump denies mishandling US secrets

Former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to multiple criminal counts, including mishandling classified information, in his first court appearance. Trump dismissed the charges as politically motivated and accused President Biden of interference in the 2024 election. The indictment alleges that Trump violated the Espionage Act and conspired to obstruct investigators. Despite mounting legal woes, Trump remains the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican primary, with strong backing from Republican voters.

Europe takes lead over US on crypto regulation

The EU has taken the lead in crypto regulation with the adoption of comprehensive rules, while the United States has cracked down on major crypto exchanges. The EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation aims to combat illegal practices and protect investors, receiving praise for bringing clarity to the industry. In contrast, the US regulatory landscape remains uncertain, prompting some companies to flee to Europe. The US must resolve its regulatory situation quickly to retain its position as the largest market. The industry hopes that American legislators will realize the potential loss of business, jobs, and revenues without proper regulation.