Embezzlement of $12 Billion! Vietnam’s Richest Woman on Trial for Massive Corruption

Pham Nhat Vuong, Vietnam’s wealthiest woman and a prominent real estate mogul, is currently on trial for her involvement in a massive corruption scheme involving the embezzlement of $12 billion. This landmark case, which implicates nearly 90 other individuals and involves the forgery of hundreds of loan documents, marks one of Asia’s largest financial fraud cases. The ongoing trial, part of Vietnam’s broader anti-corruption efforts, has already seen numerous arrests and could result in severe penalties for the accused, highlighting the government’s commitment to combating corruption at the highest levels.

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Son of Asia s Richest Man, Once Lost 216 Pounds, Gains It Back: Losing the Battle for Family Heir

Anant Ambani, son of Asia’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani, has faced health challenges and intense scrutiny over his ability to take on a significant role within the Reliance Group, amidst a lavish pre-wedding party attended by global celebrities. Despite significant weight loss, doubts about his capacity for leadership have persisted, overshadowed by the achievements of his siblings, especially his sister Isha, who has made substantial contributions to the family business. The succession battle within the Ambani family highlights the complexities of wealth, privilege, and expectations, with Anant’s future role in the conglomerate still uncertain.

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Germany’s Defense Ministry Uses “1234” as Password, German Media Can’t Hold Back

The German Defense Ministry faced criticism for using a simple password “1234” for accessing sensitive information, following a controversy over a leaked audio discussing potential assistance to Ukraine in attacking the Crimea Bridge. This incident led to scrutiny from the German media and raised questions about the security measures in place within the ministry. The leaked recording, which discussed deploying “Taurus” cruise missiles and the strategic importance of the Crimea Bridge in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, underscored concerns about the level of confidentiality and security vulnerabilities within the German military.

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Facebook and Instagram Experience Global Outage, Affecting Hundreds of Thousands of Users, Restored Within 2 Hours

A significant global outage affected Meta Platforms’ services, including Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger, impacting hundreds of thousands of users. The disruption, which lasted about an hour, was felt worldwide, with reports of service interruptions coming from multiple countries. Meta swiftly resolved the issue, apologized for the inconvenience, and assured that steps were being taken to prevent future occurrences. Notably, the outage sparked widespread reactions across the internet, including comments from notable figures and concerns among Meta employees.

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Solving Battery Fire and Explosion Issues, Water Batteries Expected to Hit the Market Within 5 Years

Scientists from Liaoning University in Shenyang, China, and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia have jointly developed an innovative “aqueous metal ion battery,” also known as a “water battery.” This breakthrough technology, which utilizes water as the electrolyte, addresses the significant safety risks of fire and explosion associated with traditional batteries. The design of water batteries enables easy disassembly for material recycling, enhancing their environmental friendliness. While currently offering a lower energy density compared to lithium-ion batteries, ongoing research into new nanomaterials for electrodes aims to improve this aspect significantly. Water batteries promise to be a safer, more sustainable, and potentially cheaper alternative to existing battery technologies, with the potential to replace lead-acid and gradually lithium-ion batteries. This development is expected to have a profound impact on the battery industry, promoting safer energy storage solutions and sustainable development.

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Sea View Properties in Huizhou, Weihai, and Other Locations Experience Price Drops: Transactions for 145 sqm at 250,000 RMB, Large Number of Second-Hand Homes for Sale

The allure of sea view properties in Chinese cities like Huizhou and Weihai is diminishing, with significant price drops observed. Initially sought after for their picturesque views and investment potential, these properties are now facing a market adjustment. Notable instances include transactions for 145 sqm properties at just 250,000 RMB. A combination of overdevelopment, a shift in market demand, and the practical challenges of maintaining such properties has led to a large inventory of unsold second-hand homes. Despite past popularity, driven by idealized living and investment expectations, the reality of high vacancy rates, maintenance issues, and a cooling market has resulted in decreased values. This trend highlights the changing dynamics in China’s real estate market, particularly in previously booming vacation spots.

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Indian Government Compensates Influencer Couple with 1 Million Rupees, Couple Changes Tune to Praise India as a Great Country

A Spanish travel blogger and her husband, after experiencing a traumatic assault in India, initially criticized the country’s safety. Following a compensation of 1 million rupees from the Indian government and the arrest of some suspects, their public stance shifted to praising India as a great country. This incident has sparked debate over the couple’s change in tone and highlights ongoing concerns about safety for travelers, especially women, in India amidst a backdrop of frequent sexual assault cases.

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Is China’s Fourth Aircraft Carrier Nuclear-Powered? Navy Political Commissar Says: Will Be Announced Soon

China’s upcoming announcement of its fourth aircraft carrier has sparked speculation about its propulsion system, with significant interest in whether it will be nuclear-powered. While China’s existing carriers use conventional steam turbines, the potential for a nuclear-powered carrier offers advantages in range, stealth, and power. Recent statements by Navy Political Commissar Yuan Huazhi have intensified speculation, although technical challenges and the need for further experience and development in nuclear propulsion remain. Regardless, the development and capabilities of China’s fourth carrier are seen as indicative of the nation’s growing naval strength and technological prowess.

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Surpassing GPT-4, Former OpenAI Executive Launches “Strongest” Large Model

Anthropic, an AI startup, has launched its most advanced AI model, Claude 3, surpassing its predecessors and competitors like OpenAI’s GPT-4 and Google’s Gemini Ultra in performance and speed. Claude 3 is available in three versions: Opus, Sonnet, and Haiku, with Opus being the most capable. This model introduces multimodal support, allowing for the analysis of unstructured data like photos and documents. Despite its high cost, the model has undergone successful A/B testing with several companies. Anthropic, supported by major tech firms and having secured significant funding, is emerging as a leading player in the generative AI market, addressing challenges such as bias and model safety while competing in both the enterprise and consumer sectors.

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Wall Street Journal Reporter’s Experience with Vision Pro One Month Later: The Novelty Has Worn Off, Hard to Avoid Gathering Dust

Joanna Stern, after a month of using Apple’s Vision Pro, noted a decrease in usage frequency and expressed skepticism about its value for personal purchase, citing a high price point and limited utility beyond initial excitement. Despite enjoying its application for in-flight entertainment, Stern highlighted the broader issue of VR headsets losing appeal over time, suggesting that Vision Pro might face a similar fate of being underutilized.

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