In a significant leap towards modernizing its immigration control processes, Vietnam has recently launched its automated immigration system, Autogate, at major airports across the country. The system was officially deployed on August 1, 2023, at Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat International Airports and will be introduced at Da Nang, Cam Ranh, and Phu Quoc International Airports from August 15, 2023.
Coinbase CEO: SEC Request Could Have Spelled the End of US Crypto Industry
In a recent revelation, Brian Armstrong, the CEO of Coinbase, the largest cryptocurrency exchange in America, disclosed that the company was asked by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to halt trading on all cryptocurrencies except for Bitcoin before facing a lawsuit in June. Armstrong claimed that complying with this request would have been catastrophic for the entire crypto industry in the United States.
Qatar Airways Scores a Whopping $1.2 Billion Profit Fueled by the World Cup
The global airline industry has experienced a resurgence in profits amid a strong demand for leisure travel and the excitement of major events such as the World Cup. Notably, Qatar Airways emerged as a standout performer, recording a staggering $1.2 billion profit for the past fiscal year, driven primarily by the success of the FIFA World Cup held in Qatar.
Beer Sales Slump in Asia Puts Heineken’s Profit at Risk
Heineken, the Dutch brewing giant renowned for its eponymous beer label and a portfolio of more than 300 brands, including Tiger beer and Amstel Lager, faced disappointing earnings and a cut in its financial outlook for the first half of 2023. The main culprit behind the decline in net profit was the sluggish demand for beer in the Asia Pacific region, which typically represents the company’s most profitable market.
WhatsApp Unveils Emotion-Packed Video Messaging
In a bid to enhance user engagement and foster more meaningful connections, WhatsApp, now under the ownership of Meta, has introduced an exciting new feature – video messaging. This latest update allows users to record and send video clips directly within the messaging app, bringing a whole new dimension of emotion and personalization to their conversations.
From Twitter to X: Elon Musk’s Vision for the Ultimate “Everything App
In a surprising turn of events, Elon Musk announced the rebranding of Twitter to X, revealing that the change represents a much grander vision than a mere name update. The tech mogul explained that the move is aimed at creating an “everything app,” an all-encompassing platform that will revolutionize the way people communicate, transact, and interact online.
Indian Media Pioneers Multilingual News Anchor Powered by AI
The world of media and journalism is constantly evolving, and India has just taken a significant leap into the future with the introduction of its first full-time virtual news anchor, Sana.
Netflix Drops Its Ad-Free $10 ‘Basic’ Plan
Netflix, the popular streaming service that revolutionized the way we consume entertainment, has made some significant changes to its subscription plans, leaving many subscribers disappointed. The latest move by the streaming giant involves the removal of its $10 Basic tier, the most affordable option for viewers who preferred to avoid pesky ads during their binge-watching sessions.
Spain Antitrust Watchdog Slaps Amazon and Apple with $218 Million Fine for Collusion and Anti-Competitive Practices
Amazon and Apple, two of the biggest names in the tech industry, have been slapped with hefty fines by Spain’s antitrust regulator. The fines, amounting to a total of €194.1 million ($218 million), were imposed due to allegations of colluding to stifle competition on the Amazon website in Spain. The regulatory body, known as CNMC, stated that the companies had signed contracts in 2018 that included anti-competitive clauses, ultimately impacting the online market for electronic devices in Spain.
Binance Embraces Lightning: Faster and Cheaper Bitcoin Transactions Now Available
Binance, one of the leading cryptocurrency exchanges in the world, has announced the completion of the integration of the Bitcoin Lightning Network onto its platform. This integration allows Binance users to utilize the layer-2 scaling solution for Bitcoin withdrawals and deposits, providing them with faster and cheaper transactions.
