Merry Gel Sigui

Apple will pay $500M to settle claims of deliberately slowing down older iPhones, with consumers receiving around $25 per affected device. The settlement covers iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, 7, 7 Plus, and SE models running iOS 10.2.1 or later, purchased before December 21, 2017.

Asian share prices rebounded after the Bank of Japan and U.S. Federal Reserve committed to protecting markets from coronavirus economic damage. BOJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda pledged to stabilize markets through emergency measures, while the Fed promised to mitigate financial market volatility.

Two major South Korean electronics manufacturers, Samsung Electronics and LG Innotek, have temporarily closed their factories in Gumi after employees tested positive for coronavirus. Samsung's Gumi factory, which produces Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy S20 phones, will be closed until Sunday, with specific areas disinfected and reopened on Tuesday.

[Major car manufacturers like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Tesla are pivoting to online sales platforms to counteract coronavirus business disruptions. With Chinese factories shut down and consumers avoiding showrooms, automakers are expanding digital purchasing options to sustain revenue and connect with customers during the pandemic.]

The International Monetary Fund and World Bank have developed contingency plans to provide financial assistance to countries struggling with the coronavirus pandemic. IMF spokesman Gerry Rice stated they have various financial instruments to support nations facing economic challenges from epidemics or natural disasters.

Facebook has filed a federal lawsuit against marketing firm oneAudience, alleging improper access to user data through a malicious software development kit. The company claims the firm exploited the "login with Facebook" feature and collected personal information without user authorization across multiple internet platforms.

Tech giant Apple receives special approval from Indian government to launch its first dedicated store in the country by 2021. After years of selling through third-party retailers, Apple will now directly operate stores, signaling a major strategic move into the Indian market. CEO Tim Cook highlighted India's unique demographic potential during the announcement.

Bob Iger unexpectedly stepped down as Disney CEO, with Bob Chapek taking over the role. Shares dropped 2.1% in premarket trading as analysts questioned Chapek's content experience and ability to lead the media-entertainment giant.

Singapore's largest companies like CapitaLand and Temasek Holdings are implementing hiring freezes and salary cuts to mitigate financial pressures caused by the coronavirus outbreak, demonstrating corporate resilience and solidarity during challenging economic times.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index dropped 4.3% on Wednesday, marking its steepest fall since 2016 due to coronavirus concerns. The peso weakened against the dollar, and local companies like Jollibee are experiencing significant market impacts from the outbreak.