Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) hit a US government roadblock in attempting to sell an artificial intelligence (AI) chip tailored for the Chinese market, according to people familiar with the matter, part of Washington’s crackdown on the export of advanced technologies to the country. AMD had hoped to gain a green light from the Commerce Department to sell the AI processor to Chinese customers, according to the people. The chip has lower performance than what AMD sells outside of China and was designed to meet US export restrictions, they said. But US officials told AMD that the chip was still too powerful and that the company must obtain a licence from the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security in order to sell it, the people said. AMD did not have an immediate comment, while the Bureau of Industry and Security declined to comment. It is not yet clear whether AMD is applying for a licence. The United States has been working to limit Chinese access to cutting-edge semiconductors that can develop AI models – and the tools used to manufacture those chips – out of fear that Beijing will gain a military edge. President Joe Biden’s administration unveiled an initial set of export controls in 2022 and strengthened them in October 2023 to include more technology and curb sales to intermediary nations that might undermine the ban. The tighter controls restricted the sale of a processor that leading AI chipmaker Nvidia had designed specifically for China – in compliance with the initial 2022 version of the export rules. The company has since developed new customised, less-powerful products for the Chinese market to align with the 2023 restrictions, and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo has said she is looking into the specifics of those components. The 2022 US ban prevented both Nvidia and AMD from selling their most powerful AI chips to China, forcing them to find workarounds. Nvidia immediately responded with a reduced-performance modified model, whereas AMD has not publicly discussed its efforts to develop a new AI processor for the country. AMD had less of a foothold in the Chinese AI chip industry than Nvidia, which had a large share of that market prior to the ban. When the restrictions took effect in 2022, AMD said it did not expect to be materially affected by the rules. But AMD is now going after the AI chip market more aggressively. In December, it launched a new MI300 line-up that will challenge processors from Nvidia. The China-tailored product has been referred to as MI309, according to the people. It is not clear which Chinese customer was trying to buy the AMD AI chips. That factor could influence whether the company is able to secure a licence, should the chipmaker choose to move forward. Leading Chinese tech firms, including Tencent Holdings and Baidu, have said they have stockpiled enough powerful chips from Nvidia – the types that are now subject to US controls – to advance their chatbots’ capabilities for another year or two. Meanwhile, Huawei Technologies is developing its own AI semiconductors and chipmaking capability that could eventually help Chinese companies fill the gap created by the US ban.      Source: BLOOMBERG

Pharmacy chains CVS Health and Walgreens will soon begin selling a commonly used abortion pill —mifepristone — expanding availability of the drug that is at the center of legal challenges surrounding abortion rights. American drugstore chains CVS Health and Walgreens said they will soon begin dispensing the abortion pill, mifepristone, in states were abortion is allowed. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in January 2023 finalized a rule to allow greater access to mifepristone, including by extending its availability across major pharmacy stores. The FDA labeling had previously limited availability owing to safety concerns. CVS Health and Walgreens have now completed the procedure in keeping with the FDA rule change that will allow them to sell mifepristone. The drug, along with a second pill, misopristol, is used for medical abortions, a term used to describe a method where a pregnancy is terminated with the help of the two pills instead of surgery. More than half of pregnancies are terminated by way of medical abortions in America, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights. Biden praises greater access to abortion pill “With major retail pharmacy chains newly certified to dispense medication abortion, many women will soon have the option to pick up their prescription at a local, certified pharmacy—just as they would for any other medication,” US President Joe Biden said.  “I encourage all pharmacies that want to pursue this option to seek certification,” he said. CVS Health, the nation's largest drugstore chain, said they will start filing prescriptions for mifepristone in Rhode Island and neighboring Massachusetts in the weeks ahead. Walgreens will begin dispensing the medication within a week. The chain will start with some locations in New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, California and Illinois. Biden has made abortion rights a critical issue of his presidential campaign. He has released abortion-focused ads and has sought to portray his main rival, former President Donald Trump, as being one who could threaten Americans' personal freedoms. Access to medical abortion a big issue in election year The news comes as the US Supreme Court is set to consider whether to restrict access to mifepristone, with a decision that could upend the FDA's approval and regulation of the drug that has been considered safe for many years. A ruling is expected in July. Access to medication abortion, especially by mail, which was also one of FDA's 2023 rule change, has become a topic of heated debate. The Supreme Court in 2022 overturned Roe v. Wade that constitutionally protected abortions. Many conservative states, such as Tennessee, have since enacted total abortion bans. 

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi on Thursday said that the number of family cards of the state-run Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) would be increased considering the selling of essential items among the mass people at subsidized rates. Commerce Minister said this while inaugurating the sale operations of essentials of TCB as the chief guest at Tejgaon in capital Dhaka marking the Holy Month of Ramadan. "Ours such kind of operation aims at delivering essentials among one crore families at affordable price. Such essentials would be sold ahead of Ramadan. The prices of commodities have increased worldwide putting an impact on the local market also.  Considering the interests of the mass people, the Prime Minister has been trying her best to sell essentials among the commoners at an affordable price. We're working to this end" he said.  He informed that such operations of TCB would continue until March 30 while efforts are there so that the family card holders get their essential items at ease side by side there is distribution of more cards. Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Tapan Kanti Ghosh, TCB Chairman Brig Gen M Ariful Hasan, Dhaka North City Corporation 25 number ward councilor Abdullah Al Monjur were present, among others, on the occasion. Marking the Holy Month of Ramadan, some one crore families across the country including Dhaka are getting five essential items at subsidized rates from today. These items are edible oil, sugar, dates, chickpeas and lentil. The operations will be conducted in two phases while the first phase was inaugurated today. Under the operation, the price of per kg sugar is Taka 60, per kg lentil is Taka 70, per litre soybean oil is Taka 110, per kg chickpeas is Taka 50 while per kg dates is Taka 100. One consumer will be able to buy highest 2 kgs of lentil, 2 litres of Soybean oil, one kg each sugar, chickpeas and dates.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested 39 people on charges of selling and consuming drugs from different areas in the capital. During the operation, 8332 pieces Yaba, 2 kg 219.5 grams Heroin, 7 kg 735 grams Cannabis were seized. As part of regular anti-narcotics operation, Dhaka Metropolitan Police conducted operation in various areas of the capital from February 11,2023 to today 6 am in the morning. Under the Narcotics Control Act,  31 cases have been registered against the arrested in the concerned police stations.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) crime and intelligence department arrested 38 people on charges of selling and consuming drugs in various areas of the capital Dhaka. During the arrest, 1004 pieces of Yaba, 71 grams of Heroin, 10 kg of 550 grams of Cannabis, 5500 Tapentadol and 150 bottles of phensedyl were seized from them. From Monday, 23 January 6.00 am. in the morning to 6.00 am. this morning, Dhaka Metropolitan Police conducted an operation. 24 cases under the Narcotics Control Act have been registered against the arrested in the concerned police station.

The state-run Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) today (Sunday) started selling essential items to some one crore families across the country at a subsidized rate centering the Holy Month of Ramadan.    Commerce Ministry Senior Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh inaugurated such operations at Shishu Kalyan Primary School at Fatullah and Station Road Haque Stall Mills area in Narayanganj. Commerce Ministry Additional Secretary AHM Shafiquzzaman, TCB Chairman Brig Gen Md Ariful Haque, Deputy Commissioner of Narayanganj Md Monjurul Hafiz were present, among others, on the occasion.    Speaking on the occasion, the Commerce Secretary said that the sale of essentials began today throughout the country through family cards under the special arrangement by TCB following directives from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The essential items would be provided in two phases centering the Holy Month of Ramadan.    Under the first phase, some five types of essential items will be sold till March 31 across the country at an affordable price while the sale of TCB goods in the 2nd phase will commence from April 3.    Official at the TCB said that they have started sending their items at district level since March 8 to make this initiative a success while the essential items have been kept at the government godowns in the district level under the supervision of the district administration.    In the first phase, each family would be entitled to enjoy two litres of soybean oil at Taka 110 per litre, two KGs of sugar at Taka 55 per KG, five KGs of onion at Taka 30 per KG and two KGs of lentil at Taka 65 per KG. In the 2nd phase, each family would get two KGs of chickpeas at Taka 50 per KG in addition to the items being given in the first phase. Source: BSS AH

In an effort to keep the supply and price of onion normal in the country, state-owned Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) will start selling it soon at a fair price. The task force committee of the Commerce Ministry took the decision at a meeting held at the Commerce Ministry on Sunday, said a handout of the Ministry issued on Monday. “TCB will start selling onion through trucks and it will continue until the new onions arrive in local markets,” it said. The meeting also discussed the prices and supply of essential commodities. The government will take stern action if any attempt is made to increase the price of onion artificially and hoard it illegally as there is no logical reason of price hike and supply crunch of onion, it said. Besides, Commerce Ministry monitoring team and Directorate of the National Consumers Rights and Protection have started market monitoring strongly. Committee members were present at the meeting while President of the Task Force Committee and also the secretary to the Commerce Ministry Dr Mohammad Zafar Uddin presided over it.  Source: UNB AH

The mobile court of National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate has fined Aarong Uttara branch three lakh fifty thousand taka over allegation of selling dresses at one thousand three hundred taka which were seven hundred taka just seven days earlier. Besides, it has also ordered the store to remain shut for next 24 hours. Under overall supervision of Consumer Rights Protection Directorate Deputy Director Manjur Mohammad Shahriar the drive was conducted by Assistant Director Md. Abdul Jabbar Mandal on Monday. In this regard Mohammad Shahriar said, a buyer named Mohammad Ibrahim bought a punjabi at a cost of 700 taka from Uttara branch Aarong on May 25. He had to buy the same quality of punjabi at a cost of 1300 taka on May 31. As he complained to Consumer Rights Protection Directorate the drive was conducted. He said, a commodity worth 700 taka has turned 1300 taka within seven days difference. We have come to inspect and we have asked them in this regard. We have closed the outlet for 24 hours and fined three lakh fifty thousand taka. He also said, Aarong is a brand. Buyers have confidence and belief that they sell good quality local products. Capitalizing this they are cheating with the buyers which is against the consumer act. Uttara Aarong branch accountant Anisur Rahman said, the complain is not true. There were two different qualities of cloths for the two punjabis though those were almost same to look. Our senior officials are dealing the matter. During the drive Consumer Rights Protection Directorate also fined two other organizations 50 thousand taka each. AH    

National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate has fined five meat traders in capital’s Mirpur for selling beef and mutton at higher prices and for not attaching the price list. Abdul Jabbar Mondal, Assistant Director of Dhaka district office of the directorate conducted the drive at Barabag kitchen market in Mirpur on Friday. During the drive ‘Maa gosto bitan’ was fined five thousand taka, ‘Rana gosto bitan’ was fined three thousand taka, ‘Nasir meat store’ was fined five thousand taka and ‘Sattar meat store’ was fined three thousand taka. About the drive Abdul Jabbar Mondal said, the drive was conducted at Mirpur as part of the special drive during Ramadan. There most of the shops were seen selling beef at higher price than the government fixed price of 525 taka per kg. They were selling beef from 550 to 600 taka per kg. Besides, no price list was attached in the shops. Five meat selling shops were fined for their activities. The drive will continue for interest of the people. Meanwhile, Dhaka South City Corporation has fixed the prices of meat after holding meeting with meat traders association for the month of Ramadan. According to the new decision price of beef is fixed at 525 taka per kg, beef of foreign variety is 500 taka per kg, buffalo meat at 480 taka per kg, mutton is fixed at 750 taka per kg and price of sheep meat is fixed at 650 taka per kg.  AH

The ruling Awami League has started selling its nomination forms for the parliamentary seats reserved for women. Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader inaugurated the selling of nomination forms around 10am on Tuesday at the AL President's Dhanmondi political office in the city. The aspirants can submit nomination forms till Friday, sources said adding that Tk 30,000 has been fixed for each nomination form. Out of 350 seats in parliament, 50 are reserved exclusively for women. According to the proportion of number of seats in the parliament, 43 seats will be allotted to the Awami League, four to the Jatiya Party, one each to the BNP and the Workers Party while the independent candidates may receive one seat if they join the votes. On Monday, the Election Commission said that the election schedule for the reserved seats will be announced on February 17. MHK