Malaysia has trimmed its growth forecast mainly due to plunging oil prices. A miscalculated assumption has messed up the 2016 budget, which has the government groping for damage-control measures. One of the key outcomes were increasing the household spending of the country, which can give the sluggish economy a much-needed boost.
Legal & Regulatory
Apple Patents Smaller Camera Modules For iPhones And iPads
Lesser light falls on the small smart-phone image censor and thus the image quality appears better in larger cameras. But smart-phone industry is in the trend for getting slimmer. Apple has recently been awarded with a patent that is capable of providing better image quality through small, spherical curved lenses. The patented imaging gears are suitable for iPhones and iPads.
Facebook Prohibits Unlicensed Private Gun Sales On Its Sites And Instagram, Warns For Compliance With Local Regulations
Facebook users will soon be prohibited from coordinating private firearm sales using its platform and also through Instagram. The step evokes strict policies on regulating promotional posts on unlicensed gun businesses . The new rule is only applicable for person-to-person firearm sales, licensed gun dealers will be permitted to use the social network.
SARB Increases Benchmark Rates, Commercial Banks Follow Trait, Job Cutting Feared
South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has announced increasing key interest rates by fifty basis points to 6.75% on Thursday. It has also slashed down growth forecast to 0.9%. SARB has increased the interest rates for the second time with an interval of weeks. However, the rate hike will influence the Banks’ expenses and banking industry may witness job cutting as cost minimization effort.
Oxitec’s Gene Modified Mosquitoes Appear As Lone Mean To Fight Against Spread of Zika Virus
WHO on Thursday has warned for probable spread of Zika virus across the North and Central American countries. Ahead of rising concerns for Zika spreading, drug makers and scientists have commented that manufacturing of an appropriate vaccine may even require a decade. These warnings has opened a huge business potential for Oxitec, an Intrexon subsidiary. Oxitec’s gene modified mosquitoes are capable of ensuring security against Zika for large populations.
Latest News
Aedes mosquitoes are the bearer of Zika virus which is available across the US. WHO warns the US for a probable Zika virus induced epidemic. Brazil has appeared as the most Zika affected country. The US and other governments have issued a travel alert for the pregnant women forbidding to visit the Zika prone region. The travel alert has offbeat the organizers of the Rio de Janeiro olympic scheduled to be held in August.
The MTA has banned hoverboards from the New York City transit system for safety reasons. According to the latest rules, riders will not be allowed to bring the two-wheeled motorized devices on buses, subway platforms and trains
President Obama has rolled out a new set of regulations that lifts the Cuban trade embargo to a certain extent. The relaxed rules allow easy facilitation of trade, travel and finance between the two governments, a move taken to end the age-old cold war between them. While the embargo cannot be lifted completely unless Congress gives their consent, the Obama administration is convinced that this is a step in the right direction for improving the condition of the island.
Introduction of risk based regulation centering Basel III accord has pushed up costs of fund. As an aftermath, the January 20 auction of the UK sovereign bonds has witnessed the lowest demand in nearly seven years. Ahead of rising concerns over the increasing challenges in the UK gilt market, many of the world’s biggest banks are shrinking their bond-trading activities. However, concerns of the investors and dealers have been communicated to the regulators concerned through a meeting held on Tuesday.
The policy making committee of the Federal Reserve Bank has announced keeping key interest rates unchanged on Wednesday. The inflation rate exists below predictions and job growth remains satisfactory. But ahead of global economic turmoil and considering strong Dollar outlook, Fed has decided to let the tightened monetary policy to go further. However, it hints for hiking interest rates during its next meeting scheduled to be held in March.
Wynn Palace, an under construction casino, is widely expected to attract Chinese consumers and thus transform Macau to a popular tourist region. The casino project has been expected to be completed by June 25 followed by a revision on deadline. But work progress seems to be slow and the contractor for the $4.1 billion project is probably going the miss the extended time frame further. Steve Wynn, founder of Wynn Macau Ltd. has sent a letter to the construction company cautioning to count compensation up to $200 million if it fails to meet the revised deadline.
Presence of lead beyond acceptable has plagued Ohio and as the aftermaths, the schools of this remain closed for the straight 3rd day. Before Ohio, Michigan has reported tumbled with the same issue. But after conduction of investigation, the Ohio EPA strongly believes that the operator in water treatment plant of Sebring village has presented falsified test reports. The agency has sought legal assistance from the US EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division.
Food and Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) under the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has recalled mislabeled uncured pork pepperoni. Referring it as a Class II hazardous situation, FSIS advices Whole Foods customers to return the purchased products or just throw them away. But the recalling has taken place as consequences of changed ingredients from supplier’s behalf.
The lawsuit claims a penalty of $18 million as well as the returning of $2 million royalty payment because Jay Z was not abiding by the agreement that he would promote his signature fragrance. Parlux Fragrances claimed that they have lost millions from potential sales and development costs and demanded a compensatory fine.
