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Suno is a music copyright nightmare
theverge4d ago

Suno is a music copyright nightmare

AI music platform Suno's policy is that it does not permit the use of copyrighted material. You can upload your own tracks to remix or set your original lyrics to AI-generated music. But, it's supposed to recognize and stop you from using other people's songs and lyrics. Now, no system is perfect, but it turns [...]

#TECH
Apple@50 in a world@war
philstar4d ago

Apple@50 in a world@war

A reel circulated recently online explaining the origins of the ubiquitous internet symbol @ for “at,” tracing it back to medieval monks seeking a shortcut and to merchants using it to mean “at the rate of,” and then finally to a coding convention adopting it to link a computer user’s name to his or her domain or location.

#TECH
globenewswire_fr4d ago

Taurox (TAUX) Maintains Strong Development Momentum with Multiple Key Updates

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, April 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Taurox continues to demonstrate impressive execution speed, delivering consistent development updates shortly after its launch. The project has rolled out several important features and improvements in recent days, further strengthening its position as a leading AI-powered decentralized trading protocol.

#TECH
World Bank flags Philippine inflation shock, growth risks amid Middle East war
mb4d ago

World Bank flags Philippine inflation shock, growth risks amid Middle East war

The Philippines is facing an inflationary shock that could spill over to slower economic growth, potential job losses, and more capital market outflows amid a prolonged Middle East conflict, according to the World Bank. The global oil price and supply shock wrought by the war in Iran would “raise inflation and weaken economic activity, reducing household incomes through lower purchasing power and fewer earning opportunities” in the country, the Washington-based multilateral lender said in its Philippines Monthly Economic Developments report for March 2026, published last April 2. The World Bank said domestic price pressures “are likely to intensify further” as the United States (US)-backed war waged by Israel against Iran “poses a negative terms-of-trade shock for the Philippines.” The report noted that the Philippines’ heavy reliance on imported oil and fertilizers passing through the Strait of Hormuz makes it vulnerable to supply disruptions that could slow growth and fuel inflation. World Bank estimates showed that a 10-percent increase in global oil prices could raise headline inflation by about 0.3 to 0.5 percentage point (ppt), with further upside risks from second-round effects such as higher transport fares and wage hikes. Inflation is expected to jump to a 19- to 20-month high in March, when the war erupted. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) forecasts an average inflation rate of 5.1 percent for 2026, above the two- to four-percent target range deemed manageable and supportive to economic growth. The World Bank warned that “if oil prices remain 60 percent above the 2025 average, nominal household incomes could fall by 3.3 percent.” The lender anticipates that the forthcoming March inflation data, which will be out on Tuesday, April 7, “will reveal the magnitude of the impact of higher oil prices, shaping the inflation outlook” that reflects the pass-through of the global shock to domestic costs. For the World Bank, the BSP’s upcoming monetary policy meeting on April 23 “will signal how it attempts to navigate between weakening domestic growth and increasing inflationary pressures.” The BSP last month signaled potential interest rate hikes even as its policy-making Monetary Board (MB) maintained the policy rate at 4.25 percent during a rare and surprise off-cycle decision. Despite government actions to address the crisis, including the state of national energy emergency declared by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the World Bank said the Middle East conflict has “dampened” investor sentiment in the Philippines, where risks stemming from the country’s external vulnerabilities are rising. For instance, tourism prospects are hampered by flight disruptions in key aviation hubs and increasing travel costs, while “foreign investment flows will likely remain subdued given heightened uncertainty arising from geopolitical tensions,” the lender said. The report noted that commodity market disruptions stoked fears of slower growth and higher inflation, prompting foreign investors to sell Philippine assets and driving a 5.7-percent drop in the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) between mid-February and mid-March, in line with regional market declines. It added that the Philippine peso also weakened against a basket of its major trading partners’ currencies last February in real effective, or inflation-adjusted, terms, indicating that the domestic currency’s purchasing power relative to trading partners has declined. The oil-vulnerable peso eventually slid to record-low levels against the US dollar before March ended. The World Bank also pointed to tighter domestic funding conditions in late March as long-term government bond yields increased amid softening investor demand. The Philippine government borrows more locally to fund, together with tax and non-tax revenue collections, its expenditures on public goods and services. The latest Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) data showed that rates of five-year government securities (GS) climbed to 5.717 percent last month from 5.557 percent in February, while seven-year yields jumped to 6.473 percent from 5.859 percent a month ago. Meanwhile, 10-year treasury bonds (T-bonds) fetched a higher 6.786-percent yield last March compared with February’s 5.893 percent, while 25-year bonds were issued with a high annual interest rate of 7.4 percent during the month. The World Bank also cautioned that government plans to temporarily suspend oil excise taxes and pass a supplemental budget for 2026 “would have significant fiscal implications,” including foregone revenues equivalent to more than 0.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) if fuel taxes are reduced.

#STOCKS
Maya pushes ahead with IPO as Iran conflict threatens timeline
mb4d ago

Maya pushes ahead with IPO as Iran conflict threatens timeline

**media[91012]** Maya Innovations Holdings Pte. Ltd., the fintech arm of telecommunications giant PLDT Inc., is maintaining its ambition to pursue a $1 billion initial public offering as early as this year, even as escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East threaten to disrupt global capital markets. Manuel V. Pangilinan, PLDT chairman, president, and chief executive officer, confirmed that while the preparations for the listing are underway, the timing remains sensitive to external shocks. “It’s” (Maya IPO) hard to say because of Iran. But it’s already in process,” Pangilinan said in an interview. He noted that the ongoing conflict involving Iran has introduced a layer of uncertainty that makes it difficult to commit to a firm date. While PLDT has penciled in the third quarter of 2026 for the debut, Pangilinan suggested that the volatility triggered by the war could force recalibration of that schedule. Maya Innovations, formerly known as Voyager Innovations Holdings, serves as the parent company for Maya Bank Inc. and the popular Maya Philippines e-wallet and payments platform. The shareholder structure is currently led by PLDT with a 40 percent stake, followed by private equity firm KKR & Co. at approximately 30 percent. Chinese tech giant Tencent Holdings Ltd. maintains a 15 percent interest, while the International Finance Corporation holds 10 percent. The proposed IPO is expected to serve as a primary exit mechanism for several of Maya’s early-stage investors. However, PLDT has signaled a different strategy, expressing an appetite to potentially increase its ownership by acquiring stakes from its co-investors should the opportunity arise. Internal deliberations at Maya have focused on a dual-listing strategy involving both the Philippine Stock Exchange and a United States (US) bourse. The company has historically leaned toward a US listing—likely on the Nasdaq—citing deeper pools of capital and more sophisticated valuation models for fintech enterprises. The Philippine Stock Exchange is attempting to counter this trend of domestic tech firms seeking overseas capital. PSE President Ramon Monzon has been vocal about the risks of local companies becoming “orphans” in the vast US market, where smaller international firms often struggle to gain the attention of institutional analysts and fail to qualify for major indices. To keep high-growth companies like Maya and its primary rival, Mynt—the operator of GCash—on local shores, the PSE is developing a specialized financial technology board. This new board is intended to mirror the Nasdaq’s flexibility by relaxing traditional listing requirements, such as immediate profitability, to better suit the lifecycle of technology-driven startups. Monzon noted that GCash previously weighed a US debut before ultimately favoring a domestic listing. He cautioned that while private equity pressure often drives the push for a US presence, the long-term liquidity for Philippine firms in New York remains a significant concern. Despite these warnings, Maya’s leadership continues to weigh the allure of a higher valuation against the stability of its home market as it watches the horizon for a stabilization of global geopolitical risks.

#STOCKS
Oil supply risks, inflation data set to pressure local stocks
mb4d ago

Oil supply risks, inflation data set to pressure local stocks

Investors are bracing for volatile week as the persistent conflict in the Middle East overshadows local equities, with upcoming inflation data expected to reveal the extent of the economic damage. The Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi), which has struggled to maintain the 6,000 level, faces renewed pressure from elevated oil prices and a weakening outlook for domestic consumption. The release of March inflation figures on Tuesday will serve as critical barometer for the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Analysts expect the headline rate to test the upper limit of the central bank’s 3.1 percent to 3.9 percent forecast range, with some warning of a surprise move beyond four percent. The surge in global crude costs, sparked by the conflict now entering its second month, has already begun to filter through to local pump prices and utility rates. “Uncertainties over the conflict in the Middle East are still expected to weigh on investors’ sentiment,” said Japhet Tantiangco, research manager at Philstocks Financial. He noted that military threats between the United States (US) and Iran have cast doubt on claims that the hostilities would conclude within weeks. While Iran’s decision to allow safe passage for Philippine-bound oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz has provided some relief, the broader geopolitical risk remains high. The prolonged nature of the conflict is complicating the recovery for Southeast Asia’s fifth-largest economy. Online brokerage 2TradeAsia.com observed that even a near-term ceasefire would not provide immediate economic relief. The firm cited the time required for supply chain disentanglement, the rerouting of tankers, and the rebuilding of inventories as factors that will keep costs high for months. The BSP’s ability to support growth through monetary easing appears increasingly limited. With inflation risks ticking higher, the central bank’s room for maneuver is more constrained than it was last year. This leaves the economy vulnerable to “demand destruction,” where elevated prices for fuel and basic services stifle the household spending that typically drives Philippine gross domestic product. Market participants are shifting toward defensive positions as they anticipate the weakest summer consumption figures since the pandemic. “We note that even a near-term ceasefire would not deliver immediate relief,” 2TradeAsia.com said in a note to clients. “Headline inflation and Bangko Sentral policy risks have ticked higher on the back of the shock.” Investment houses are recommending stocks with resilient business models to weather the volatility. COL Financial maintains a buy rating on Puregold Price Club Inc., citing its status as a pure-play grocery retailer that offers protection against inflationary spikes. The brokerage expects Puregold to sustain growth through its continued store expansion. In the telecommunications sector, Unicapital Securities has a buy rating on PLDT Inc., pointing to stable earnings. Analyst Peter Louise D. Ganace said the company’s performance remains aligned with forecasts, supported by 5G adoption and enterprise demand, providing a hedge for investors as broader market sentiment remains bearish.

#STOCKS#ECONOMY
Not just business news
philstar4d ago

Not just business news

Even those who previously focused on economic and business news only now need to follow all the news. And this includes not just politics but now even VIP celebrity coverage of visits to a private island. (Where’s the list)?

#STOCKS#ECONOMY