Latest from Malaysian Reserve
Malaysian Reserve
an hour ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
TSMC affiliate VIS may expedite production at US$8b Singapore fab
TAIWAN Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.'s smaller affiliate Vanguard International Semiconductor Corp. may accelerate the chip production schedule at its new $7.8 billion joint venture in Singapore on greater customer demand for hedging against geopolitical risks. VIS may be able to push production at the new plant, which makes mature chips, to as soon as late 2026 versus the originally announced schedule of the first half of 2027, VIS Chairman Fang Leuh told reporters at a company event on Saturday in Taoyuan, Taiwan. VIS broke ground for the facility in the fourth quarter of 2024. 'Over the past few months many customers have shown greater interest in our new 300-millimeter Singapore plant due to geopolitical uncertainties,' said Fang. VIS's new plant is a joint venture with Dutch firm NXP Semiconductors NV. While the Taiwanese company does not make the most cutting-edge AI chips, it is a key supplier in making chips for automotive and industrial use. Both TSMC and VIS are adding capacity outside of their home turf partly due to growing concerns from global chip users over China's persistent threats to unite with self-governing, democratic Taiwan, by force if necessary. But overseas expansion has not always been smooth. TSMC recently said it is pushing back the construction of its second fab in Japan due to worsening traffic conditions in the area. An NXP executive said last December that the two companies are working on a phase-two expansion of the facility though the plan still needs formal approval. Fang said that VIS is currently focusing on getting the first plant ready and it is not currently considering a second phase yet. The trade war and tariffs have created additional challenges, Fang added, but he still expects VIS to see business grow mildly in US dollar terms year-over-year in the second half. –BLOOMBERG
Malaysian Reserve
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Malaysian Reserve
Fahmi: Only platform providers can block social media content and accounts
KUALA LUMPUR — The act of blocking or removing social media content or accounts can only be carried out by the platform providers themselves, said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. He said the government has no authority to instruct social media platform providers to take such actions, which are only carried out if the content or account is found to have violated the law. 'When a piece of content or an account is taken down or blocked, it means the platform acknowledges and complies with existing laws and believes that the content has breached those laws,' he said at a press conference after launching the Nadi Aspirasi Nasional Bersama Anak Muda (NANBA) programme here today. Also present were Community Communications Department (J-KOM) director-general Datuk Ismail Yusop and Batu MP P. Prabakaran, who is also chairman of the Special Task Force Committee for the Indian Community Transformation Unit (MITRA). Earlier, in his speech, Fahmi said 173,642 pieces of content had been taken down by social media platform providers from Jan 1 until yesterday. Fahmi, who is also Lembah Pantai MP, said 51 per cent, or more than 90,000, of the total involved online gambling, while over 43,000 were scam-related, with the remainder linked to other criminal activities. He said Facebook was identified as the platform with the highest number of online gambling and scam advertisements, followed by TikTok, while Telegram was found to be the weakest in managing scam-related issues. 'Of the content requested for removal on Telegram, half were scams, but the platform did not take down all of them. So we need to be firm with these platforms. 'Telegram representatives will be in Kuala Lumpur this week to continue discussions with MCMC (Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission), covering, among others, scams, online gambling, child sexual abuse material, prostitution content, and copyrighted films or TV episodes previously accessible via various Telegram channels,' he said. However, Fahmi noted that Telegram operates with limited human resources — around 50 personnel — despite having more than one billion user accounts worldwide. Meanwhile, the NANBA programme, inspired by the Tamil word for 'friend', is a strategic J-KOM initiative that reflects the MADANI government's commitment to strengthening ties with the Indian community, particularly youth, while expanding the inclusive and effective delivery of government information. The programme also serves as an effective two-way communication platform to enhance public access to information related to policies, initiatives and various opportunities offered by the government, in addition to showcasing ongoing efforts to deliver services and information directly to the people. — BERNAMA
Malaysian Reserve
2 hours ago
- Health
- Malaysian Reserve
Japanese diet may help in fight against depression, study shows
TOKYO — The rate of depressive symptoms was lower among working-age people who consume a Japanese-style diet including rice, miso soup and fish, the first study of its kind recently showed, Kyodo News Agency reported. The Japan Institute for Health Security assessed the benefits of a traditional 'Japanese-style diet' comprising of soy products, cooked vegetables, mushrooms, fish, seaweed, and green tea, along with a modified version that added fruit, fresh vegetables and dairy products. While there are few studies on the Japanese diet's impact on mental health, such assessments of the Mediterranean diet — which consists of vegetables, whole grains, olive oil and fish — and depression have previously been conducted, the institute said. 'Further research is required, but we hope the evidence shown among Japanese people can be used for public health measures in workplaces and areas concerning the prevention of depression,' it said in a press release. The self-reported study was conducted among 12,499 employees from five companies, of whom 88 per cent were male with an average age of 42.5 years. A total of 30.9 per cent of the cohort exhibited depressive symptoms, but those who followed a typical Japanese diet were found to be less likely to do so. The researchers made efforts to isolate other potential factors that could influence the results. The institute said certain foods in the diet could be linked to improved well-being. Seaweed, soy products and the folic acid in vegetables assist in releasing neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, while oily fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids has anti-inflammatory effects. — BERNAMA-KYODO
Malaysian Reserve
2 hours ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Xlence as Diamond Sponsor of The Trading Show 2025 in Casablanca
Award-winning CFD broker to showcase cutting-edge multi-asset technology and thought leadership on 12–13 July at the Hyatt Regency Casablanca DUBAI, UAE, June 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Xlence, a rapidly expanding worldwide CFD broker, has been named a Diamond Sponsor of The Trading Show 2025, which will be held on July 12 and 13, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Casablanca in Morocco. This sponsorship marks the end of a record-breaking quarter for the company. At the Smart Vision Summit in Oman in March 2025, Xlence was named the Fastest-Growing FX Broker. This showed that Xlence was making progress in extending market access and innovation across North Africa and beyond. The Trading Show is Africa's biggest event, bringing together institutional investors, brokers, fintech pioneers, and exchanges to define the region's financial future. The broker aims to strengthen its ties with North African traders by attending the event in Casablanca. Nicolas Georgiou, PR & Communications Lead at Xlence, remarked, 'Casablanca is quickly becoming a hub for CFD trading in North Africa.' 'Our Diamond Sponsorship shows that we are committed to this area for the long term and gives traders a chance to try out our conditions and talk to our team directly.' Morocco's rapid adoption of electronic trading and the Casablanca Stock Exchange's record-breaking success in 2024 make it an ideal location for Xlence to expand. The broker's cloud-native architecture and dedication to trader education make it a suitable choice for both institutional and retail clients seeking performance, transparency, and scalability. About Xlence Xlence is a global CFD broker committed to delivering a transparent, innovative, and comprehensive trading experience. Headquartered in Dubai and expanding globally, Xlence combines cutting-edge platforms with professional support to help traders excel in dynamic markets. Website: Media ContactNicolas Georgiou – PR & Communicationsinfo@ 96199856 Risk Warning: All trading involves risk. Please ensure you fully understand the risks involved. Logo – View original content:
Malaysian Reserve
4 hours ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Protesters rally in Thai capital to demand premier's resignation
THAI protesters began to rally in Bangkok on Saturday to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra (picture), as the fallout continued from her controversial phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. Demonstrators gathered at the Victory Monument junction, a key intersection in the capital, waving flags as monks prayed and chanted on a stage. Organizers brought the rally forward by six hours, with crowds expected to become larger as the day progresses. Paetongtarn has resisted calls to step down after a leaked call with Hun Sen was released in which she criticized her army, prompting a key coalition ally to defect and her government to nearly collapse this month. The political turmoil compounds woes of Southeast Asia's third-biggest economy, which has been hurt by US tariff threats, a tourism downswing and a consumption slump. The crisis has also weighed on international investors, who have dumped a net $2.3 billion of Thai stocks this year. Thailand's benchmark stock index has slid 21% this year — among the worst performers globally — largely on concerns that US threats of a 36% tariff will worsen the economic slowdown and hurt company earnings. The gauge tumbled 2.2% on Friday as some investors cut their exposure of domestic stocks ahead of the weekend street protest. 'Domestic politics have returned to trigger extreme volatility in the stock market again,' said Nariporn Klangpremchitt, an analyst at Thanachart Securities Co. Investors are selling off Thai stocks on concern the protest and political uncertainty 'will affect the government's stability and economic policy implementation,' she said. A coalition without Bhumjaithai Party, formerly the alliance's second-biggest group, commands a very slim majority. That could complicate passage of key bills in July, including a controversial proposal to legalize casinos and the next fiscal year's budget. The rest of Paetongtarn's coalition allies have pledged to remain for now. –BLOOMBERG
