Posts by Mark Darwin
Apple sidelines AI news summaries due to errors
APPLE pushed out a software update on Thursday (Jan 16) which disabled news headlines and summaries generated using artificial intelligence (AI) that were lambasted for getting facts wrong. The move by the tech titan comes as it enhances its latest lineup of devices with “Apple Intelligence” in a market keen for assurance that the iPhone…
Read MoreChina used more coal power last year in blow to climate efforts
CHINA’S fossil fuel power plants increased generation to a record last year, as the boom in clean energy failed to keep pace with surging electricity consumption in the world’s second-biggest economy. Output from thermal plants, predominantly powered by coal, rose 1.5 per cent in 2024 from the previous year, according to data from the National…
Read MoreGold headed for weekly gains on revived hopes of Fed rate cuts
Gold prices firmed on Friday (Jan 17) and were headed for a third straight week of gains after US data this week hinted that the Federal Reserve might continue easing interest rates this year. Spot gold was flat at US$2,715.21 per ounce as at 0047 GMT, hovering near a more than one-month peak hit on…
Read MoreMarco Polo Marine responds to Sias on why it increased wages, bonuses despite revenue decline
INTEGRATED marine logistics company Marco Polo Marine said that the increase in its wages, salaries and bonuses in FY2024 was “in line with the expansion plans” that the group had undertaken in recent years. The company was responding to questions from the Securities Investor Association Singapore (Sias) ahead of its annual general meeting on Friday…
Read MoreMarco Polo Marine responds to Sias on why it raised wages, bonuses despite revenue drop
INTEGRATED marine logistics company Marco Polo Marine said that the increase in its wages, salaries and bonuses in FY2024 was “in line with the expansion plans” that the group had undertaken in recent years. The company was responding to questions from the Securities Investors Association (Singapore), or Sias, ahead of its annual general meeting on…
Read MoreRio Tinto, Glencore discuss potential combination in mining’s biggest-ever deal
RIO Tinto Group and Glencore have been discussing combining their businesses, which if successful would rank as the largest-ever mining deal and create a behemoth to rival longstanding leader BHP Group. Rio and Glencore have recently held early-stage talks about a deal, according to sources familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified…
Read MoreStocks to watch: Mapletree Logistics Trust, City Developments, Frasers Property
THE following companies saw new developments that may affect trading of their securities on Friday (Jan 17). Mapletree Logistics Trust (MLT): Its trustee, HSBC Institutional Trust Services, has entered into a purchase agreement to divest a property at 8 Tuas View Square for about S$11.2 million, 39.8 per cent above its latest valuation. The proposed…
Read MoreAmerican Express to pay US$230 million to settle US charges over deceptive sales practices
AMERICAN Express said on Thursday (Jan 16) it will pay about US$230 million to settle US criminal and civil probes into alleged deceptive practices in selling credit card and wire transfer products to small business customers. The credit card and travel services company agreed to pay US$138.4 million, including about US$108 million in fines, and…
Read MoreSchroders to cut 3% of workforce in bid to revive growth
SCHRODERS plans to cut as much as 3 per cent of its workforce, as new chief executive officer Richard Oldfield looks to revive the UK’s largest standalone asset manager. The firm is cutting about 200 jobs that are mostly in technology, according to a source familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified…
Read MoreLarger language models are not necessarily better as companies seek returns on AI investments
Small language models – streamlined versions of larger ones – are expected to gain popularity LARGE language models (LLMs) – artificial intelligence (AI) systems such as ChatGPT that process vast amounts of text data to comprehend and generate human language – have been touted as a game changer with the potential to make workers far…
Read More