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Altiostar and NEC Demonstrated O-RAN Open Fronthaul at Global O-RAN ALLIANCE Plugfest Hosted by Bharti Airtel in India

ruth
5 minutes

TOKYO, Nov 13, 2020 - (JCN Newswire) - Altiostar and NEC Corporation (TSE: 6701) today said that they participated in the first plugfest event in the India region for the O-RAN ALLIANCE. Hosted by Bharti Airtel (Airtel), India's largest integrated telecommunications services provider, the goal of the O-RAN Plugfest was to test and demonstrate the growing maturity of the O-RAN ecosystem. Airtel, Altiostar and NEC teamed up for this project to demonstrate the world's first interoperability testing and integration of massive MIMO radio units (O-RU) and virtualized distributed units (O-DU) running on commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) servers. The project featured a commercial end-to-end Open Fronthaul interface based on O-RAN specifications. This demonstration was comprised of control, user, synchronization and management plane protocols, including 3GPP RCT and performance cases. The purpose and scope of this demonstration was to show O-RAN option 7.2x split integration between a virtualized O-DU from Altiostar and an NR O-RU (i.e. 5G radio unit) from NEC. The demonstration also showed how this integrated setup can be used in an end-to-end EN-DC network setup (i.e. 5G non standalone arch...

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Hitachi Develops IoT Platform for the High Value-added Buildings Required for the New Normal

ruth
7 minutes

TOKYO, Nov 13, 2020 - (JCN Newswire) - Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501) announced that it has developed an IoT platform that brings to buildings the high added value required for the new normal, including high efficiency of building management and improved comfort for building users. Hitachi will launch the IoT platform in 2020 as a new Lumada(1) solution in the field of buildings, in Japan.Hitachi's IoT platform for buildings was developed using Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Dynamics 365, two cloud platforms of Microsoft Japan Co., Ltd.. Moving forward, Hitachi will deepen its Collaborative Creation with Microsoft Japan under its newly commenced partnership system, the Lumada Alliance Program(2) to develop solutions in the field of buildings and accelerate the overseas expansion of these solutions.In recent years, continuous supplies of large office buildings in urban areas cause intensification of competition for gaining tenants. In addition to this, workstyle reform has progressed due to the spread of COVID-19 infection. These changes surrounding buildings have accelerated the moves to improve the high added value of buildings and realize smart buildings by leveraging digital technolog...

SeaPRwire
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CNB nabs largest heroin haul in 19 years, with drugs seized worth nearly $2 million

aseanpr
3 minutes

SINGAPORE - In its largest heroin bust in 19 years, the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) seized 14.1kg of the drug in an operation that also saw officers haul in a significant cache of other drugs. In 2001, CNB recovered 14.9kg of the drug. The drug bust on Wednesday (Nov 11) saw about 2.8kg of crystalline methamphetamine, also known as Ice, 7.5kg of cannabis, 323g of Ecstasy fragments, 28 Ecstasy tablets, 1,008 Erimin-5 tablets and cash amounting to $12,629 seized from multiple locations. The total amount seized is estimated to be worth close to $2 million. Three men and two women, aged between 29 and 55, were arrested for their suspected involvement. Speaking to the media at the CNB headquarters on Friday, Superintendent Aaron Tang, CNB's director of intelligence division, said: "Even with movement restrictions due to the Covid-19 situation, drug traffickers are still taking huge gambles and exploiting the situation so they can profit off addiction and misery." The action started on Wednesday afternoon after CNB officers intercepted a vehicle near Siglap Road and arrested two men, aged 55 and 50, and a 52-year-old woman. All three are Singaporeans. In their vehicle, officers found ...

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Jail, fine for ex-national footballer who molested Tinder date’s friend

aseanpr
3 minutes

SINGAPORE - A former national football player was sentenced on Friday (Nov 13) to 18 weeks' jail and a fine of $1,000 for offences including molesting his Tinder date's friend. The incident happened after Mohammad Imran Sahib Mohamed Ibrahim Sahib met a woman on the online dating platform and they went clubbing together in 2018 with one of her female friends. After the night out, the married man decided to take both women home in his car. But after dropping off his date, he molested the victim when they were alone. The victim and her friend cannot be named owing to a gag order. Last month, District Judge Kan Shuk Weng convicted the 38-year-old Singaporean after a trial of two counts of molestation and one count of using criminal force on the victim. On Friday, Judge Kan said that one of the acts of molestation took place while the car was on the move, reducing the victim's chance of escape. She noted that the father-of-three is a first-time offender and had contributed to Singapore's sporting scene when he was a national football player. In her submissions during the trial, Deputy Public Prosecutor Chee Ee Ling said that when Imran and the two women left a club called Baliza in Raf...

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Debrief: New Tech.Pass work pass scheme a response to stiff competition for global tech talent

aseanpr
4 minutes

What's the story In a bid to raise its attractiveness to top-tier foreign tech talent, Singapore is launching a new work pass next year called Tech.Pass, which will be valid for two years and have the option to be renewed once for another two years. Pass holders can start and operate a business, serve on the board of directors of a Singapore-based company or be a shareholder or investor in companies here. They can also take up lecturing roles in institutes of higher learning, serve as a mentor or adviser to companies here, and conduct corporate training. Applications for it will start in January, and for a start, 500 places will be available when it is launched. Candidates for Tech.Pass must meet various criteria to show that they are high-level professionals in the tech industry. Renewal has stringent requirements too. The Economic Development Board will administer Tech.Pass, with the support of the Ministry of Manpower. Tech.Pass builds on the Tech@SG programme, which was introduced last year and which spells out more flexible requirements for foreign professionals to apply for an Employment Pass (EP) that applies to those with a fixed monthly salary of at least $4,500. Why it ma...

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Fujitsu: Establishment of Joint Venture Aimed at the Development of Therapeutics for the Treatment of Coronavirus Disease

ruth
8 minutes

TOKYO, Nov 13, 2020 - (JCN Newswire) - PeptiDream Inc., a public Kanagawa-based biopharmaceutical company (TSE:4587), Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702), Mizuho Capital Co., Ltd. which is a consolidated subsidiary of Mizuho Financial Group, Inc., Takenaka Corporation and KISHIDA CHEMICAL CO., LTD. have agreed today to establish PeptiAID Inc., a joint venture company that will research and develop peptide therapeutics capable of neutralizing both the current SARS-CoV-2 virus (Coronavirus Disease "COVID-19") and potentially any future Coronavirus ("CoV") outbreaks that may occur. With the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic posing an unprecedented global challenge, there is a significant need for efficacious therapeutics for this disease. The public has high expectations for a slate of new vaccines, however, even with an effective vaccine against COVID-19, the existence of effective therapeutic agents will be indispensable to the proper control of the disease going forward. Furthermore, it is becoming increasingly paramount to prepare for any future CoV pandemics that may occur, in addition to the current COVID-19. PeptiDream has been applying its proprietary Peptide Discovery Platform Sys...

ACN Newswire
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POWER WEEK ASIA 2021: Lifelike Virtual Conference for Power & Energy Experts

indie
4 minutes

SINGAPORE, Nov 13, 2020 - (ACN Newswire) - The 6th annual POWER WEEK ASIA Virtual Conference (15 - 18 March 2021) is now open for registration. Across 4 days, we will be broadcasting live interactive presentations, in-depth panel discussions, and networking sessions from leading experts across the world. POWER WEEK ASIA attracts the industry leaders from national power companies, government regulators, policy makers, renewable & IPPs, investors and suppliers from around the globe. With C-level speakers and attendees all under one roof, it offers the chance to learn the success strategies and pitfalls of notable power projects. The conference features 20+ engaging sessions covering government regulation & policy, market liberalisation, energy mix & integration, fossil fuels in power market, demand & supply, renewable energy outlook, energy transition, utility-scale solar development, wind energy, tariffs, energy storage, smart grid technologies, mini-grid & microgrid, digitalisation, electric vehicles, power trading, project finance, project development, energy efficiency and many more. Join in from wherever you are online either live or watch the sessions on-dem...

SeaPRwire
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A third of the world’s air routes have been lost due to Covid-19

elean
6 minutes

SYDNEY (BLOOMBERG) - Before the coronavirus, a decades-long aviation boom spawned a network of nearly 50,000 air routes that traversed the world. In less than a year, the pandemic has wiped almost a third of them off the map. Border closures, nationwide lockdowns and the fear of catching Covid-19 from fellow passengers have crippled commercial travel. As thousands of domestic and international connections disappear completely from airline timetables, the world has suddenly stopped shrinking. The crisis is unwinding a vast social and industrial overhaul that took place during half a century of air-travel proliferation. In years to come, overseas business trips and holidays will likely mean more airport stopovers, longer journey times, and perhaps an additional mode of transport. Even when an effective vaccine is found, the economic reality of the recovery may mean some non-stop flights are gone for good. With borders effectively shut from Europe to New Zealand, the bulk of the world's dropped routes are inevitably cross-border. But thousands of domestic legs have also been axed, reflecting the pressure airlines face at home as they cut jobs and retire aircraft to find a cost base th...

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Fed chief warns vaccine not immediate cure to economic risks with Covid-19 resurgence

elean
3 minutes

WASHINGTON (BLOOMBERG) - Three of the world's top central bankers warned on Thursday (Nov 12) that the prospect of a Covid-19 vaccine isn't enough to put an end to the economic challenges created by the pandemic. "We do see the economy continuing on a solid path of recovery, but the main risk we see to that is clearly the further spread of the disease here in the United States," Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said during a panel discussion at a virtual conference hosted by the European Central Bank. "With the virus now spreading, the next few months could be challenging." Mr Powell was joined on the panel by Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey and ECB President Christine Lagarde. Both echoed his caution, and added to recent warnings from other central bankers against complacency. Mr Bailey called recent vaccine news "encouraging" and said he hoped it would reduce uncertainty but added "we're not there yet." Ms Lagarde said while it's now becoming possible to see past the pandemic, "I don't want to be exuberant." The words of warning come as much of the US and Europe is enveloped in a new wave of coronavirus outbreaks. In the US, hospitalizations are at record highs. In Euro...

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WeWork losses mount but ‘seismic shift’ in office use seen helping recovery

elean
3 minutes

NEW YORK (REUTERS) - WeWork Companies' revenue declined in the third quarter but its cash burn slowed, a company memo showed on Thursday (Nov 12), with management confident the shared-workplace provider can weather the hit to the office sector from Covid-19. Quarterly revenue slid 8 per cent from the second quarter to US$811 million (S$1.09 billion), while the company posted cash burn of US$517 million, less than US$671 million a quarter ago, WeWork said in a memo to employees seen by Reuters. WeWork also said it successfully exited 66 locations that were open or were to be opened and that it amended 150 lease arrangements that resulted in an estimated reduction of US$1.5 billion in long-term liabilities. WeWork said member retention improved and renewal rates stabilized with the loss of desks in September at its lowest level since March when Covid-19 shut down businesses around the world and left offices vacant. The pandemic has accelerated a "seismic shift" in the office sector that has put flexibility - an industry byword for the short-term leases the company embraces - and WeWork at the forefront, the memo signed by chief executive Sandeep Mathrani and chief financial officer B...

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Wall St ends sharply lower as pandemic fears resurge

elean
3 minutes

NEW YORK (REUTERS) - Wall Street ended sharply lower on Thursday ((Nov 12) as US coronavirus infections surged and investors weighed the timeline for the mass rollout of an effective vaccine. New York became the latest state to introduce stricter social distancing rules on Wednesday, as new infections in the country surged above 100,000 for an eighth consecutive day. The blue-chip Dow was pulled down by industrial and financial companies sensitive to economic growth, with Boeing and Goldman Sachs each down more than 2 per cent. Airlines and cruise operators, among the hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic, also fell. Even after Thursday's drop, the S&P 500 has gained almost 2 per cent this week, buoyed by positive vaccine trial data that increased expectations of a quick economic recovery. Stocks have also benefited from expectations that a divided Congress will keep President-elect Joe Biden from enacting tax hikes that would hurt corporate profits. "The reality is that we don't know what the new normal is going to look like, even when we do recover from the coronavirus, and that is still a ways away," said Tom Martin, senior portfolio manager at Globalt Investments in Atlanta. ...

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S-E Asian stocks regain shine on optimism over travel

elean
3 minutes

HONG KONG • South-east Asian stocks, hit particularly hard by the shutdown of tourism and other service industries, are making a comeback as optimism grows over a return to travel. The MSCI Asean Index has surged 14 per cent in an eight-day winning streak, almost double the 7.4 per cent rally in the MSCI Asia-Pacific Index over the same period. At its highest since March, the gauge of South-east Asian shares has narrowed the gap with its peers but still remains down about 14 per cent for the year. The broader Asian gauge is up 8 per cent. Investors are jumping on South-east Asian stocks as part of a global rotation into value and out of growth sectors after positive results from a Pfizer vaccine boosted sentiment. Governments across the region are looking to ease social distancing measures, with Singapore and Hong Kong announcing on Wednesday that they will start an air travel bubble, replacing quarantine with Covid-19 testing from Nov 22. "The vaccine news opens up sectors under great stress like airlines and hotels," Mr Leon Goldfeld, head of multi-asset solutions for the Asia-Pacific at JPMorgan Asset Management, said in a press briefing. "What we've seen is a massive rotation i...

ACN Newswire
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DAVE Alliance Set To Redefine How Big Data Companies Collaborate

indie
4 minutes

SINGAPORE, Nov 13, 2020 - (ACN Newswire) - CyberVein, the next generation big data and technology company, recently announced the Data Analytics and Valuation Engine (DAVE), aimed at connecting big data, cloud storage, blockchain and Artificial Intelligence (AI) companies, associations, universities and outspoken data activists. CyberVein has called on the industry to join the alliance's mission - create a new standard for data ethics and data monetization.As the next step, CyberVein will expand on what the DAVE alliance entails and how it will work in practice. DAVE adheres to the principle of co-creation, especially when it comes to cybersecurity and intercommunications. The Alliance's objective is to unlock the true value of data by creating a new standard and monetizing it, allowing both businesses and individuals to reap the benefits of big data analytics. Each member of the Alliance serves as a thought-leader, a subject matter expert and a service provider for its respective area of expertise, such as onsite or cloud storage, AI/ML algorithms, (cloud) computing, distributed hardware, and big data collection and processing."Imagine the DAVE Alliance as an open archive of metad...

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Edvantage Group (0382.HK) to be included in MSCI China All Shares Small Cap Index

indie
3 minutes

HONG KONG, Nov 12, 2020 - (ACN Newswire) - Edvantage Group Holdings Limited ("Edvantage Group" or the "Group", stock code: 0382.HK), the largest private higher education group in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area ("GBA"), is pleased to announce that the Group will be included as a constituent for the MSCI China All Shares Small Cap Index with effect from the market close of 30 November 2020.MSCI (Morgan Stanley Capital International) Indexes are one of the benchmark indexes commonly used as stock selection criteria for investment among global investors. Being one of the MSCI Indexes, MSCI China All Shares Small Cap Index is designed to measure the performance of the small cap segment of the China market, covering companies with good operational results and solid potential, which is of relatively high reference value. The Group believes that Edvantage Group's inclusion in the MSCI China All Shares Small Cap Index represents the capital market's recognition of the Group's performance and value, and it is expected to expand the shareholder base and increase the trading liquidity of the Group, resulting in realisation of the value of investment of the Group and enhancement...

ACN Newswire
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HKTDC initiatives enhance digital experience for SMEs

indie
10 minutes

HONG KONG, Nov 12, 2020 - (ACN Newswire) - The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) has upgraded its hktdc.com Sourcing platform in the run-up to the HKTDC Autumn Sourcing Week | ONLINE virtual exhibition, helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) capture global business opportunities and adapt to digital sourcing models in the post-pandemic new normal.Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) Deputy Executive Director Benjamin Chau said the HKTDC has launched various initiatives, including the revamped hktdc.com Sourcing platform and its HKTDC Autumn Sourcing Week | ONLINE (ASWO) virtual fair, to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) adapt to digital-sourcing models in the post-pandemic new normal and assist them in capturing global business opportunities.Autumn Sourcing Week | ONLINE, which opens next Monday (16 November), welcomes 2,600 exhibitors from 33 countries, including 37 pavilions. It offers a one-stop online sourcing platform for buyers and suppliers to continue to explore more business opportunities across 11 industries including electronics, houseware, lighting, outdoor lighting, eco tech, gifts and premiums, toys, baby products, stationery, ...

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China Dynamics Launches First Electric Accessible Minibus in Hong Kong

indie
3 minutes

Mr. Cheung Ngan, Chairman of China Dynamics (Eighth from left), and Mr. Fung Ho Yin, Owin, Deputy Director of Environmental Protection Department (Seventh from left) and other officiating guests, officiate at the launch ceremony for the first electric accessible minibus in Hong Kong.The Pure Electric AI Accessible Minibus features seats developed by China Dynamics that can be arranged according to customers' requirements. The vehicle is also equipped with a low platform and easily accessible passage way that suit the needs of people with disabilities and the elderly. In the photo are Mr. Cheung Ngan, Chairman of China Dynamics (First from left) and Ms. Rabi Yim Chor-pik, Chairman of Direction Association For the Handicapped (Second from left).The 7m Pure Electric AI Accessible Minibus is powered by high-performance lithium iron phosphate batteries, emits no pollutant when in operation, and only requires 30 to 60 minutes of charging time to achieve a range of 200 kilometers. In addition, the minibus is fitted with features that are a first for such vehicles, including automatic emergency braking system, lane departure warning system and fatigue driving alarm, helping to substantiall...

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Zhaoke Ophthalmology Announced First Patient Completes Three Year Enrollment in Phase III CHAMP Study of NVK-002

indie
4 minutes

HONG KONG, Nov 12, 2020 - (ACN Newswire) - Zhaoke (Hong Kong) Ophthalmology Pharmaceutical Ltd. ("Zhaoke Hong Kong") is pleased to announce today that the first patient has completed three year enrollment in the Phase III CHAMP (Childhood Atropine for Myopia Progression) study carried out by its partner, Nevakar Inc. ("Nevakar"). The CHAMP Study is an FDA drug trial that evaluates the ability of its lead compound, NVK-002, to slow the progression of myopia in children. NVK-002 is a proprietary, investigational, preservative-free eye drop administered nightly and intended for patients ages three to seventeen. NVK-002 is a novel and first-to-market pharmacologic treatment for slowing the progression of myopia in children. It is currently under clinical evaluation in the CHAMP study and has entered Phase 3 clinical trial in the US and Europe. The CHAMP trial follows ground-breaking studies conducted in Asia that concluded that low doses of atropine could be used to slow the progression of myopia in children. CHAMP is a 576 subject, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-masked study evaluating the effects of NVK-002 on myopia progression in children. The study duration is three years,...

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Pacer Ventures set to solve the funding gap for African Startups

indie
2 minutes

The UN projects that Africa will have a population of 1.68 billion people by 2030, while the GSMA Mobile Economy Report states that 84% of Africa's population or 1 billion people will have access to a SIM connection by 2025. "We see a huge opportunity to support early stage founders who are making meaningful contributions to their local economies and communities by leveraging the high mobile penetration on the continent," said Gbemi Akande, General Partner at Pacer Ventures. The firm has already begun to support early stage founders by participating in seed rounds, including VPD.Money and others.With an average cheque size of six figures, Pacer Ventures is positioned to add substantial value to its portfolio companies. According to Antoinia Norman, General Partner at Pacer Ventures in charge of Southern Africa, "We won't just write a cheque, we will enable founders to work in and on their business, by supporting them along every step of their journey, with resources and access to markets."The General Partners of Pacer Ventures have over 30 years of combined experience in entrepreneurship and start deal flow sourcing. The key differentiator is the fund's focus on sourcing high poten...

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Singapore-Hong Kong air travel bubble has some first flights sold out

aseanpr
3 minutes

SYDNEY (REUTERS) - The opening of Asia's first "travel bubble" allowing tourism without quarantines since the coronavirus pandemic hit has sparked a surge in searches and bookings for travel between Singapore and Hong Kong, stirring hopes the model could be rolled out more broadly. Some of the first flights between the two cities, starting on Nov 22 on Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific Airways, have already sold out, amid a quota of 200 daily travellers that will rise to 400 on Dec 7. In the three hours after details were released on Wednesday (Nov 11), flight searches for Hong Kong to Singapore grew by 300 per cent, followed by a 200 per cent increase in Singapore hotel searches, according to Trip.com data. "I think in the short term, people who want to travel are, like, shaking in their pants right now to sign up to travel," said Mr Jameson Wong, APAC director of travel data firm ForwardKeys. "Christmas has been popular (for bookings), as offices will be closed." Airfares between the cities have risen by about HK$1,000 (S$174), or 35 per cent, since the travel bubble was announced last month, Daiwa analyst Kelvin Lau said in a note to clients. One-way Singapore-Hong Kong tick...

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Asean Summit: Singapore calls for equitable, steady, affordable supply of Covid-19 vaccines to region

aseanpr
3 minutes

SINGAPORE - The region has to ensure an equitable, steady and affordable supply of Covid-19 vaccines for its people once these are available, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Asean Summit on Thursday (Nov 12). He made the call for "vaccine multilateralism" as he stressed the importance of regional cooperation to mitigate the pandemic's long-term impact at the meeting held remotely this year. He added that Singapore supports global vaccine initiatives such as the Covid-19 Vaccine Global Access (Covax) Facility, whose members include many Asean states as well as the country's external partners. "Many leading vaccine candidates are being developed by our external partners, as well as our Asean member states too," PM Lee said. "We should work with them to facilitate the production and distribution of vaccines to meet the needs of our region." Singapore will contribute US$100,000 (S$134,900) to the Covid-19 Asean Response Fund, which helps member states procure the medical supplies and equipment needed to combat the pandemic. On the economic front, leaders should redouble efforts to enhance Asean's competitiveness in the post-Covid-19 world, Mr Lee added. He noted that there a...