SeaPRwire

Cryptocurrency XRP dives as Ripple faces SEC charges

elean 25 12 月

3 minutes

NEW YORK • Cryptocurrency XRP crashed on Wednesday after the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged associated blockchain firm Ripple with conducting a US$1.3 billion (S$1.7 billion) unregistered securities offering. XRP, the third-biggest cryptocurrency by market value, plunged almost 40 per cent to about 26 US cents, bringing its total weekly losses to more than 50 per cent and wiping out around US$10 billion in market value. The SEC maintains that Ripple's chairman, co-founder and former chief executive officer Christian Larsen and current CEO Brad Garlinghouse "failed to register their offers and sales of XRP or satisfy any exemption from registration". The two also orchestrated personal unregistered sales worth US$600 million, the SEC alleged. Ripple has rejected the charges, saying XRP is a currency and does not need to be registered as an investment contract. Mr Garlinghouse called the case "an assault on crypto at large" in a message to staff that was posted on the company's blog. The SEC did not want to foster innovation in the digital asset space, he said. Financial regulators around the globe are still grappling with how to regulate bitcoin, XRP and rival cr...

KIEYYUEL’s disposable nitrile gloves – No.1 in the medical industry

pandora 24 12 月

3 minutes

GUANGDONG, CHINA, Dec 24, 2020 - (ACN Newswire) - The 2020 China (Dongguan) International Forum & Exhibition on Epidemic Prevention and Health Industry Development was held at the Dongguan Guangdong Modern International Exhibition Center, sponsored by Dongguan Municipal People's Government, with guidance from the China Chamber of Commerce of Medicines and Health Products Importers and Exporters. The scope of this medical epidemic prevention exhibition included mask equipment and raw materials, mask products and epidemic supplies, sterilizing and disinfecting equipment, big health products and comprehensive services, and more. Invited by Chang'an Town Economic Development Bureau, Shenpu Technology, with its four business representatives presented a comprehensive collection that became a highlight of the exhibition once again for its excellent product quality, abundant variety and comprehensive certification.Shenpu Technology's main brand KIEYYUEL can be divided into more than ten series: disposable masks, N95 face masks, FFP2 respirator masks, FFP3 filter masks, disposable nitrile, latex and vinyl gloves, protection suits, operation gowns, goggles, face shield, disposable non-...

All travellers from South Korea to serve 14-day SHN at dedicated facilities: MOH

aseanpr 24 12 月

2 minutes

SINGAPORE - From Sunday (Dec 27), all travellers entering Singapore with a travel history in the past 14 days to South Korea must serve a 14-day stay-home notice (SHN) at dedicated facilities. The new measure kicks in from 11.59pm on Saturday, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Thursday, due to the sustained surge in cases in South Korea. The measure will also apply to returning Singapore-based travellers under the reciprocal green lane arrangement between Singapore and South Korea because of the increased risk of community spread. On Nov 2, travellers from South Korea were allowed to serve their 14-day SHN at a place of residence. Travellers from Hong Kong, Fiji, Sri Lanka and Thailand are still allowed to apply to opt out of dedicated SHN facilities and serve their 14-day SHN at their place of residence, said the Health Ministry. They would need to fulfil criteria such as occupying their place of residence alone. MOH said: "As the global situation evolves, we will continue to adjust our border measures to manage the risk of importation and transmission to the community. "Any changes to border measures will be updated on the SafeTravel website." More on this topic Related Story ...

Marco Fanger – Arbitly’s New CEO Take Charge

pandora 24 12 月

3 minutes

Dublin, Ireland – Incorporated in the United Kingdom (UK), Ireland and North America, Arbitly is a cryptocurrency arbitrage trading platform for individual investors and traders under UK and Ireland's jurisdiction. The platform is designed by seasoned experts who understand all the complexities of the cryptocurrency market. Major Announcement Alexander Black has stepped down from the position of the Chief Executive Officer; it comes as a follow up of the recent board meeting. The decision for Black to step down came largely to do with the family commitments. However, it is also seen as a strategic move for the enterprise's benefit, which would gain through someone more committed person. Alexander Black, the company's founder, has been the CEO ever since the company was begun in January 2020. The business saw significant growth during his tenure, especially in the past 3 months. Here is what the exact words of Alexander Black were before leaving the meeting, "I am proud to be the part of the Arbitly Brand. And now I believe it is the right time for me to step back and hand it over to someone equally passionate and capable. Having family commitments, I believe it will be the best thi...

A great way to have a vacation at home

aseanpr 24 12 月

5 minutes

Craving for a decadent slice of the Parisienne epicurean experience filled with luscious pastries and canapes paired with glasses of bubbly or missing that sun-kissed Balinese vacation by the pool nestled in verdant greenery? Although travelling overseas is not possible currently, those who want to satiate their wanderlust can stand a chance to do so with the staycation prizes^ of American Express and Singapore Airlines’ The Perfect Vacation at Home Draw. The draw is held in conjunction with the landmark 20th anniversary of the Card partnership between the leading credit card company and national carrier. American Express and Singapore Airlines started their partnership in the 1980s. PHOTO: ST FILE For two decades, travelling around the globe on Singapore Airlines has been made more enticing through an enduring alliance with leading credit card company American Express. Associated with KrisFlyer, Singapore Airlines’ frequent flyer programme, the series of co-brand credit cards include the American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Credit Card, American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card (‘Ascend’), American Express Singapore Airlines PPS Club Credit Card and...

Secondary school students bone up on business concepts with Web app by UBS Singapore staff

aseanpr 24 12 月

3 minutes

SINGAPORE - Secondary school students in an entrepreneurship programme are getting a fillip from a Web app developed by volunteers from Swiss investment bank UBS. The app tackles business concepts such as expenditure and revenue. The Secondary 3 Normal (Academic) and Normal (Technical) students are from local youth development charity Halogen Foundation's Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship programme, which is designed to help them learn business fundamentals. The programme consists of a hands-on curriculum run over the course of a year in local schools. The break-even analysis Web application developed by UBS Singapore staff is meant to help young people undergoing the entrepreneurship training better understand how their expenditure and revenue play a part in the financial performance of their business concepts. UBS Singapore and Halogen Foundation, a charity that focuses on building young leaders and entrepreneurs, are into their fourth year of collaboration as at this month. Mr Mayank Mehra, who heads UBS' Asia-Pacific client reporting delivery department, said: "We had several brainstorming sessions internally and together with Halogen to conceptualise the application and pr...

MND investigating alleged breach of Covid-19 measures at actor Jeffrey Xu’s birthday celebration

aseanpr 24 12 月

2 minutes

SINGAPORE - Mediacorp artistes are being investigated for possible breaches of safe distancing measures after a group gathered at a residence to celebrate actor Jeffrey Xu's birthday. In response to queries from The Straits Times, the Ministry of National Development (MND) confirmed the probe, saying it had been alerted to the incident. "Investigations are ongoing in respect of possible breaches by the various parties," a spokesman said, without identifying the individuals implicated. "MND and other government agencies take a serious view of such breaches, and will not hesitate to take firm action against those who are found to have violated safe distancing measures." Mediacorp celebrities - Xu, Shane Pow and Terence Cao - apologised on Wednesday (Dec 23) via the broadcaster after photos of them apparently breaching Covid-19 regulations were posted on social media. One picture, reportedly uploaded on Oct 3, showed 13 people standing close to one another, with Xu holding a cake. No one was wearing a mask. Under current Covid-19 regulations, social gatherings have to be limited to groups of five outside a residence. Households may receive up to five visitors at any one time. From Dec...

Lawyers engaged to represent man accused of murdering Felicia Teo, who disappeared 13 years ago

aseanpr 24 12 月

3 minutes

SINGAPORE - A team of lawyers have been engaged to represent a man accused of Ms Felicia Teo Wei Ling's murder in 2007, a district court heard on Thursday (Dec 24). Lawyer Shashi Nathan of Withers KhattarWong told the court that he and his team - Ms Tania Chin and Ms Laura Yeo - will be defending Ahmad Danial Mohamed Rafa'ee. The case has been adjourned to Dec 31. Ahmad, now 35, is accused of murdering Ms Teo, 19, at a Marine Terrace flat in the wee hours of June 30, 2007. The Singaporean is said to have committed the offence with another man, Ragil Putra Setia Sukmarahjana, now 32. Ragil is still at large and the two men are believed to be friends with Ms Teo. Ms Teo's disappearance in 2007 made headlines when her family and friends refused to believe the teenager had run away. She had left her home in Bras Basah on June 29 that year, the last time her parents saw her. Closed-circuit television footage later showed her entering a lift in a Marine Terrace housing block with two men. Ahmad and Ragil are said to have killed her the next day. Ms Teo's mother lodged a missing persons police report on July 3, 2007. Officers began investigating and they initially classified Ms Teo's disa...

Cryptocurrency XRP crashes after US regulator charges Ripple

elean 24 12 月

3 minutes

NEW YORK (REUTERS, BLOOMBERG) - Cryptocurrency XRP dived on Wednesday (Dec 23) after the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged associated blockchain firm Ripple with conducting a US$1.3 billion (S$1.7 billion) unregistered securities offering. XRP, the third-biggest cryptocurrency by market value, plunged almost 40 per cent to about 26 cents, bringing its total weekly losses to more than 50 per cent and wiping out around US$10 billion in market value. The SEC maintains that Ripple's chairman, co-founder and former CEO Christian Larsen and current CEO Brad Garlinghouse "failed to register their offers and sales of XRP or satisfy any exemption from registration." Larsen and Garlinghouse also orchestrated personal unregistered sales worth US$600 million, the SEC alleged. Ripple has rejected the charges, saying XRP is a currency and does not need to be registered as an investment contract. Garlinghouse called the case "an assault on crypto at large," in a message to employees that was posted on the company blog. The SEC didn't want to foster innovation in the digital asset space, he said. Financial regulators around the globe are still grappling with how to regulate Bitco...

US stocks end mostly up, shrugging off Trump stimulus threat

elean 24 12 月

3 minutes

NEW YORK (AFP) - Wall Street stocks finished mostly higher on Wednesday (Dec 23), shrugging off a batch of mostly weak economic data and comments from President Donald Trump that risked derailing a giant economic relief package. Consumer confidence fell as incomes and spending declined, and new home sales slumped, according to government and private data. Meanwhile, the outgoing president sharply criticised the US$900 billion (S$1.2 trillion) economic relief package and called for stimulus payments to be lifted to US$2,000 from US$600, raising the possibility he could veto the long-debated measure. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.4 per cent to 30,129.83. The broad-based S&P 500 advanced 0.1 per cent to 3,690.01, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 0.3 per cent to 12,771.11. Investors looked past the risk the stimulus Bill could die and instead focused on the possibility of a richer package. "If there's any change, it's to make the Bill more stimulative," said Art Hogan, chief market strategist at National Securities, adding that after four years of watching Trump, markets are accustomed to "watching what he does not what he says." "Nobody on either side of ...

Asia’s capital markets may see vaccine trade next year

elean 24 12 月

3 minutes

HONG KONG • A coronavirus vaccine trade could emerge in Asia's capital markets next year, with dealmakers confident that the record-breaking pace of raisings in the past year should be maintained in the new year. Equity capital markets (ECM) deals in the Asia-Pacific region, including Japan, totalled US$439.1 billion (S$586 billion) this year, the highest ever, accounting for 41 per cent of the world's total of US$1.06 trillion, according to Refinitiv data. The contribution by the Asian region to the global total value of capital raisings was the most since 2010, and advisers attributed this to some countries - led by China - emerging from the pandemic faster than the rest of the world. In Asia, healthcare deals recorded the strongest growth in the past year, up 148.6 per cent in terms of money raised, and bank executives believe the global roll-out of the coronavirus vaccine will see the sector dominate the local capital markets again next year. "There is a window of opportunity for Covid-related trades to raise money in 2021," said Ms Selina Cheung, head of greater China ECM at UBS. "We expect to see more health-related and vaccine companies coming to the market in the first half...

Bottlenecks take toll on container shipping trade

elean 24 12 月

0 min

LONDON • Container shipping, the backbone of the global trading system, is showing signs of fatigue as the pandemic descends into its darkest days. Carriers reaping the biggest profits in at least a decade are struggling to operate reliably as bottlenecks worsen around ports from southern England to Shanghai, contorting supply chains for everything from car parts to cosmetics to medical equipment. Just 50.1 per cent of container vessels arrived on time last month, down from 80 per cent a year earlier, and the lowest level in records dating back to 2011, according to a service reliability index compiled by Copenhagen-based Sea-Intelligence, an analysis and data provider. Delays can add costs, induce operational headaches and restrain revenue for the shippers of cargo - companies like Costco Wholesale. The Issaquah, Washington-based chain of 803 warehouse-size stores on four continents expects the situation involving container shortages and late deliveries to persist for a few more months. "There are instances of 50 per cent or 100 per cent or even more sale increases of an item, and if we could procure more, we'd have even higher sales," Mr Richard Galanti, Costco's chief financial ...

Company Briefs Xiaomi

elean 24 12 月

2 minutes

Xiaomi Smartphone maker Xiaomi's market value has exceeded the US$100 billion (S$133 billion) mark, a figure the firm fell far short of when it listed two years ago. The shares rallied as much as 9.1 per cent yesterday to a new high in Hong Kong, making it the 13th stock in the Hang Seng Index with a market capitalisation above US$100 billion. It ended the day 7.6 per cent higher, with a market value of HK$802 billion (S$138 billion). BLOOMBERG Allianz Allianz's real estate unit will take a majority stake in a portfolio of buildings owned by British Land in London's virus-roiled West End district. The insurance giant is paying £401 million (S$718 million) for a 75 per cent interest in the properties in Marylebone. The deal is due to complete next month. It is the latest sign of global investors willing to bet on the long-term resilience of the world's biggest business districts even as the coronavirus pandemic has reduced their appeal. BLOOMBERG Airbus Airbus said it stands to lose over US$5 billion (S$6.7 billion) worth of orders if AirAsia X's debt restructuring scheme goes through, court documents showed. It joins over a dozen creditors that have challenged the Malaysian low-bud...

Schools to distribute TraceTogether tokens to students

aseanpr 23 12 月

3 minutes

SINGAPORE - Schools will be distributing the TraceTogether (TT) tokens to students so that they will be able to participate in the national contact tracing programme, said Minister-in-Charge of the Smart Nation Initiative Vivian Balakrishnan. This move will complement efforts to distribute the tokens in community clubs (CCs) islandwide, and Dr Balakrishnan added that the Government intends to distribute five million tokens by the end of February. "We will also be distributing tokens through the schools... Those of you with children or students, don't worry. You don't need to rush down to the community clubs. You can also collect a token in school in due time," he said on Wednesday (Dec 23). He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a TT token distribution exercise at Kampong Kembangan CC in Eunos. In a release on Wednesday, the Smart Nation and Digital Government Group (SNDGG) said that more details on this will be shared later, and that students do not need to have their tokens when school reopens next year. The tokens have been distributed to the public since September in CCs. Since late October, they have been distributed one constituency at a time to prevent long queues ...

SIA trials new app to verify Covid-19 test results of passengers; adopts industry framework for potential vaccine passport

aseanpr 23 12 月

5 minutes

SINGAPORE – Flag carrier Singapore Airlines (SIA) has started trials of a new service which will allow for quicker verification of Covid-19 test results, potentially paving the way for the introduction of vaccine passports. Rather than check health certificates manually for their authenticity, immigration staff will be able to scan a QR code using an app that was developed by a Temasek-linked technology company. This will in turn shorten the time needed for travellers to clear immigration and improve their travel experience amid the ongoing pandemic, said the carrier on Wednesday (Dec 23). The new service can also be used to verify the Covid-19 vaccination statuses of travellers and potentially act as a vaccine passport of sorts, ahead of the expected introduction of vaccine-related travel rules by aviation authorities worldwide. SIA worked with the International Air Transport Association (Iata) on the new service as part of a push to introduce industry-wide standards in the reopening of borders. The airline's acting senior vice-president for marketing planning JoAnn Tan said: "Covid-19 tests and vaccinations will be an integral part of air travel for the foreseeable future. "We ar...

Male nurse jailed 16 weeks for assaulting nursing home resident

aseanpr 23 12 月

3 minutes

SINGAPORE - Angered by a nursing home resident who was throwing a tantrum, a male nurse assaulted the 67-year-old man and caused him to be hospitalised for seven days. After Flores Alvin Jay Vargas, 36, kicked and threw punches at the wheelchair-bound resident, he told another nurse not to reveal what he had done. On Wednesday (Dec 23), the Philippine national was jailed for 16 weeks after he pleaded guilty to one count of assault. He is no longer working at the All Saints Home in Jurong East. Deputy Public Prosecutor Niranjan Ranjakunalan told the court that the incident occurred at around 6pm on May 25, 2019. The resident, who was left with brain trauma injuries after a 2017 traffic accident, had requested for a knife to cut an apple. He threw a tantrum when his request was turned down, said DPP Niranjan. The resident then repeatedly pressed the call bell next to his bed, and Vargas approached him to explain why staff could not hand him a knife. However, the resident continued pressing different call bells, and he pulled and tore Vargas' shirt while the nurse was attempting to take a handheld bell away from him, added the DPP. "The accused became angry and punched the victim, who...

SFA recalls Crab Brand Black Pepper Seed after excessive levels of bacterium detected

aseanpr 23 12 月

1 minute

SINGAPORE - Bacteria that cause food poisoning have been detected in a black pepper seed product from Indonesia, prompting the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) to direct the recall of all affected products. The presence of Bacillus cereus exceeded microbiological standards stated in the Singapore Food Regulations during a routine sampling of the product, said SFA on Tuesday (Dec 22). The affected product is in 50g and 90g bottles of Crab Brand Black Pepper Seed that expire on Nov 1, 2021, and Oct 1, 2021, respectively. They were imported by Siem Trading, which has been directed to recall the affected bottles. Eating food contaminated with the food-borne bacterium can result in abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting. It is typically found in soil, vegetation and in the intestinal tracts of insects and mammals. Consumers who have bought the product are advised not to eat it, added SFA. Those who have eaten the product and have concerns about their health should seek medical advice. Affected parties can contact their point of purchase for inquiries. More on this topic Related Story SFA directs recall of 2 'gluten-free' cereal products for containing the protein Related Story SFA re...

Man arrested after attempting to leave shophouse gathering via roof, 14 others probed

aseanpr 23 12 月

1 minute

SINGAPORE - The police are investigating 15 people who were found at a shophouse located along North Bridge Road on Dec 20 for breaching safe distancing measures. A 29-year-old man, who was part of the group of Singaporeans, was also arrested for committing a rash act. Preliminary investigations revealed that the 12 men and three women, aged between 22 and 40, had gathered to drink alcohol on Dec 19, said the police in a statement on Wednesday (Dec 23). When police officers arrived at the two-storey shophouse following a police report, the 29-year-old man allegedly attempted to leave the building via the roof. He was later arrested. "Upon further checks, there were 14 other persons found in the shophouse, 10 of whom were hiding on the rooftop," said the police. Investigations are still ongoing. For non-compliance with safe distancing measures, offenders may be jailed for up to six months, or fined up to $10,000, or both. If found guilty of doing a rash act, the 29-year-old man can be jailed for up to six months, or fined up to $2,500, or both. More on this topic Related Story 53 people charged with flouting Covid-19 safe distancing measures Related Story Courts & Crime: Read more s...

Google, Facebook, coordinated antitrust response: Report

elean 23 12 月

2 minutes

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Google and Facebook worked together to help fend off an antitrust investigation into the two tech giants which dominate digital advertising, according to a media report citing a draft of a state lawsuit. The Wall Street Journal, which cited a draft version of the complaint filed by 10 US states without redactions in the public version, said Tuesday (Dec 22) the two firms agreed to "cooperate and assist each other" in responding to an antitrust probe. The case filed last week was among three separate actions filed by state and federal antitrust enforcers against Google. A separate case has been filed against Facebook over its acquisition of two rival messaging applications. Facebook dismissed the allegations, saying agreements between the two firms were not aimed at harming competition but offered choices and benefits for advertisers and publishers. "Any allegation that this harms competition or any suggestion of misconduct on the part of Facebook is baseless," a Facebook spokesperson said. Google did not immediately respond to an AFP query. But the Journal quoted the tech firm as saying there was nothing improper or exclusive about its arrangement with Facebook. ...

Wall Street ends mostly lower despite new stimulus plan

elean 23 12 月

3 minutes

NEW YORK (AFP) - Worrisome US economic data and concerns over a new coronavirus variant in Britain hit Wall Street and led US equities to close mostly lower on Tuesday (Dec 22). The retreat came amid choppy trading in a holiday-shortened week and despite the overwhelming approval in Congress of a new US$900 billion (S$1.2 billion) relief package that includes another round of direct stimulus cheques, extra unemployment benefits and airline worker payment support. But the spike in US Covid-19 infections in recent weeks undermined consumer confidence, which fell for the second straight month, while existing home sales fell for the first time in six months. And investors also focused on Britain, where a fast-spreading new strain of Covid-19 has prompted some 40 countries to ban travel to Britain. The benchmark Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.7 per cent to finish at 30,015.51, while the broad-based S&P 500 slipped 0.2 per cent to 3,687.26. However, the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index bucked the trend, gaining 0.5 per cent to end at 12,807.92, a new record. "Worry over the impacts of the virus and the subsequent new restrictions are tamping down some of the early enthusiasm that ca...

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