AsiaPresswire

9/5/22

AsiaTop Announces Ambitious Global Expansion and Web3-Based Tradable Loyalty Programs

Hong Kong, September 05, 2022 – (SEAPRWire) – AsiaTop Loyalty, one of the largest loyalty rewards solution companies in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, after its USD 10 million fundraising round, AsiaTop Loyalty has announced a rapid market expansion plan across Asia Pacific and Europe, leveraging web 3.0 and Metaverse.

With its headquarter incorporated in Hong Kong, and part of its market expansion plan across Asia Pacific and Europe, AsiaTop is planning to open a Singapore office and to further collaborate with its strategic investor in London after the recent USD 10 million fundraising round. Early this year, AsiaTop has successfully launched AsiaTop 2.0 App with an innovative loyalty-as-a-service model to merchants for their CRM and membership programme. With the newly launched AT Bird Metaverse, AsiaTop has developed a long-term strategy by leveraging the Web 3.0 ecosystem to foster the connectivity and new experiences for the engagements of customers and merchants.

“Our customer base has reached over 1 million of active users, whilst well supported and served by over 50,000 merchants, positioning AsiaTop as an unicorn and the largest loyalty solution company in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area,” said Andy Chen, the CEO of AsiaTop Loyalty.

He also added: “With our headquarter founded in Hong Kong (the city that ranked #1 Fintech Hub in Asia for 2021), we are also eyeing on other fast growing markets such as Southeast Asia countries, including Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore. Riding on our strong strategic partnership with Syndicate Capital Group as well as other strategic investors, we are seriously considering exploring business opportunities and capital markets from London and other European countries. AsiaTop is entering into Web 3.0 ecosystem to increase our data driven customer engagement and to boost our revenue and marketing ROI. AT Brid Metaverse is one of our priority projects, which is probably the 1^st ever tradable loyalty NFT in Hong Kong and Great Bay Area. We expect the AT Bird Metaverse will boost our ROI by up to 12x through gamified customer experience.”

About AsiaTop

AsiaTop Loyalty is a leading loyalty rewards solution provider with consumer app that will be shared by 70 million of population in the Greater Bay Area. It provides a convenient and affordable consumer coupon platform for hundreds of thousands of merchants and partners, including those in Hong Kong. AsiaTop was ranked first in the 2021 Deloitte Hong Kong Technology Fast & Rising Star Program. It was also the winner of IFTA Fintech Achievements Award.

Social Links

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asiatoployalty/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/at.reward/

Media Contacts

Brand: Asiatop Loyalty Limited

Contact: Andy Chen

E-mail: andy.chen@asiatop.asia / info@asiatop.asia

Website: https://en-asiatop.com/

SOURCE: Asiatop Loyalty Limited

The article is provided by a third-party content provider. SEAPRWire ( https://www.seaprwire.com/ ) makes no warranties or representations in connection therewith. Any questions, please contact cs/at/SEAPRWire.com

Sectors: Top Story, Daily News

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source https://netdace.com/top-story/asiatop-announces-ambitious-global-expansion-and-web3-based-tradable-loyalty-programs/

9/4/22

三一國際(00631.HK)公布中期業績，收入大增53.1%，國際化拓展成效顯著

HONG KONG, Sep 5, 2022 – (亞太商訊 via SEAPRWire.com) – 國內領先的礦山裝備及物流裝備製造商三一國際(00631.HK)公布2022年度中期業績。公告顯示，截止2022年6月30日,公司實現營業收入約76.3億元，同比大增53.1%；淨利潤約9.1億元，同比增長11.7%。剔除2021年出售新疆子公司的1.5億元一次性收益影響，淨利潤的增速達37.1%。在營業收入大幅增長的同時，國際銷售也迎來爆發式增長，收入達19.3億元，同比大增121.9%。

根據公司業績公告，報告期內，全國煤礦智能化建設全面提速，礦山智能化技術加快應用，國家持續推進港口綠色發展規劃，公司以電動化、智能化的科技創新産品助推全球礦山及港口建設。同時，公司持續推進國際化、電動化及數智化戰略，經營業績大幅增長，經營質量持續改善。

國際化方面，公司堅持「以我爲主，本土經營，服務先行，平臺賦能」的國際化戰略，國際化拓展進程加快，銷售實現大幅增長。其中，礦山裝備國際銷售大增130.9%，寬體車國際銷售增長迅速，國內出口市佔率第一。物流裝備持續拓展歐美、東南亞市場，國際銷售大幅增長113.6%。

研發方面持續致力於提高智能化、電動化、國際化新品以及數據、算法、軟件等方面的研發能力，並在無人駕駛、智能港口及機器人領域持續投入。上半年，研發費用增長23.9%，研發費用率達5.5%。

上半年，公司智能化、電動化研發成果顯著。智能掘進機井下性能優越，自動化使用率高達72%。採煤機薄煤層及中厚煤層型譜進一步完善。中大噸位SKT105S寬體車實現批量銷售，並持續加快新能源寬體車的研發落地。批量交付自動化軌道吊和輪胎吊。中標厦門港海天碼頭自動化岸橋項目。完成無人平板車全作業場景的路測，自動駕駛和智能化水平行業領先。布局電動正面吊、電動堆高機、電動集卡、電動抓鋼料機、電動重叉等全系列電動港口設備等。

新業務方面，機器人業務營業收入5.5億元，同比增長36.9%，AGV、系統集成及立庫實現新能源、光伏、化工、電池拆解及離散製造業等行業突破。智礦業務無人駕駛寬體車已在3個礦山開展無人駕駛商業合作，累計完成50台無人駕駛車輛部署，運營里程10萬公里，電動化車隊運營規模國內第一。

source https://netdace.com/acn-newswire/%e4%b8%89%e4%b8%80%e5%9c%8b%e9%9a%9b00631-hk%e5%85%ac%e5%b8%83%e4%b8%ad%e6%9c%9f%e6%a5%ad%e7%b8%be%ef%bc%8c%e6%94%b6%e5%85%a5%e5%a4%a7%e5%a2%9e53-1%ef%bc%8c%e5%9c%8b%e9%9a%9b%e5%8c%96%e6%8b%93/

Liz Truss expected to be named Conservative leader, new UK PM

Liz Truss waves on stage after a Conservative leadership election hustings at Wembley Arena in London on Aug 31, 2022. (KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH / AP)

LONDON – Liz Truss is expected to be named leader of the governing Conservative Party and Britain's next prime minister on Monday, poised to take power at a time when the country faces a cost of living crisis, industrial unrest and a recession.

Long the front runner in the race to replace Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, if appointed, will become the Conservatives' fourth prime minister since a 2015 election. Over that period the country has been buffeted from crisis to crisis, and now faces what is forecast to be a long recession triggered by sky-rocketing inflation which hit 10.1 percent in July

After weeks of an often bad-tempered and divisive party leadership contest that pitted Truss against Rishi Sunak, a former finance minister, Monday's announcement at 1130 GMT will trigger the beginning of a handover from Boris Johnson. He was forced to announce his resignation in July after months of scandal.

On Tuesday, the winner will travel to Scotland to meet Queen Elizabeth, who will ask the new leader to form a government.

Long the front runner in the race to replace Johnson, Truss, if appointed, will become the Conservatives' fourth prime minister since a 2015 election. Over that period the country has been buffeted from crisis to crisis, and now faces what is forecast to be a long recession triggered by sky-rocketing inflation which hit 10.1 percent in July.

Foreign minister under Boris Johnson, Truss, 47, has promised to act quickly to tackle Britain's cost of living crisis, saying that within a week she will come up with a plan to tackle rising energy bills and securing future fuel supplies.

ALSO READ: UK's new PM faces 80s playlist: recession, unrest, inflation

Speaking in a TV interview on Sunday she declined to give details of the measures she says will reassure millions of people who fear they will be unable to pay their fuel bills as winter approaches.

She has signaled during her leadership campaign she would challenge convention by scrapping tax increases and cutting other levies that some economists say would fuel inflation.

Union Jack flags are seen in front of the Elizabeth Tower, known as Big Ben, beside the Houses of Parliament in London on June 24, 2022. (FRANK AUGSTEIN / AP)

Veteran Conservative lawmaker David Davis described the challenges she would take on as prime minister as "probably the second most difficult brief of post-war prime ministers" after Conservative Margaret Thatcher in 1979

That, plus a pledge to review the remit of the Bank of England while protecting its independence, has prompted some investors to dump the pound and government bonds.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies cast doubt last month on Britain's next prime minister having room to make large, permanent tax cuts.

ALSO READ: Macron tells Truss: Britain and France will always be friends

'Second most difficult post-war brief'

Truss faces a long, costly and difficult to-do list, which opposition lawmakers say is the result of 12 years of poor Conservative government. Several have called for an early election – something Truss has said she will not allow.

Veteran Conservative lawmaker David Davis described the challenges she would take on as prime minister as "probably the second most difficult brief of post-war prime ministers" after Conservative Margaret Thatcher in 1979.

"I actually don't think any of the candidates, not one of them going through it, really knows quite how big this is going to be," he said, adding that costs could run into tens of billions of pounds.

A demonstrator holds up a placard as they protest outside the British energy regulator Ofgem, which put up the price cap for gas and electricity by around 80 per cent for most households, in London on Aug 26, 2022. (ALASTAIR GRANT / AP)

First, Liz Truss will turn to the urgent issue of surging energy prices. Average annual household utility bills are set to jump by 80 percent in October to 3,549 pounds ($4,084), before an expected rise to 6,000 pounds in 2023, decimating personal finances

Truss has said she will appoint a strong cabinet, dispensing with what one source close to her called a "presidential-style" of governing.

First she will turn to the urgent issue of surging energy prices. Average annual household utility bills are set to jump by 80 percent in October to 3,549 pounds ($4,084), before an expected rise to 6,000 pounds in 2023, decimating personal finances.

Britain has lagged other major European countries in its offer of support for consumer energy bills, which opposition lawmakers blame on a "zombie" government unable to act while the Conservatives ran their leadership contest. read more

In May, the government set out a 15-billion-pound support package to help households with energy bills as part of its 37-billion-pound cost-of-living support scheme.

READ MORE: UK PM candidate Truss: Junk food taxes 'are over'

Italy has budgeted over 52 billion euros ($51.75 billion) so far this year to help its people. In France, increases in electricity bills are capped at 4 percent and Germany said on Sunday it would spend at least 65 billion euros shielding consumers and businesses from rising inflation.

source https://netdace.com/latest-news/liz-truss-expected-to-be-named-conservative-leader-new-uk-pm/

Society Pass (Nasdaq: SOPA) Founder, Chairman and CEO, Dennis Nguyen, to Speak at the Wild Digital Southeast Asia 2022 Conference on 07 September 2022

SINGAPORE, Sep 5, 2022 – (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) – Society Pass Incorporated (Nasdaq: SOPA) (“SoPa”), Southeast Asia’s (“SEA”) leading data-driven loyalty and e-commerce ecosystem, today announced that Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dennis Nguyen will speak at the Wild Digital Southeast Asia 2022 Conference at 11:30 AM (GMT +8) on Wednesday, 07 September 2022 at Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He will participate in the panel discussion titled The New Roll-Up Play: Evolution of Ecommerce Aggregators in SEA. Bringing together some of the eCommerce roll-up industry’s most influential thought leaders for the panel discussion, Mr Nguyen along with the other speakers will explore the core trends and technologies shaping the future of digital eCommerce aggregators, strategies for maintaining industry dominance in SEA as well as how one can gear up to a successful exit.

Southeast Asia presents huge opportunities given the rapidly increasing mobile and internet penetration in the region, paired with very attractive young demographics. The market opportunity for e-commerce companies is expanding at an ever-increasing rate in SEA, where a surge in digital adoption is driving user and merchant uptake as well as creating new technologies and accompanying business models.

Society Pass’s success up to this point has been built through offering unique value for both consumers and merchants, along with a sophisticated software infrastructure supporting that exchange. Society Pass consumers easily search and order anything they want through the Company’s various interconnected mobile and web platforms. Society Pass’s strategic alliances, delivery arrangements, and payment processing are also done within the platform, reducing the inconvenience of checkout for consumers.

About Society Pass Inc

Founded in 2018 as a digitally-focused loyalty and data marketing ecosystem in the fast-growing markets of Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, which account for more than 80% of the SEA population, and with offices located in Angeles, Bangkok, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Manila, and Singapore, SoPa is an acquisition-focused e-commerce holding company operating 6 interconnected verticals (loyalty, digital media, travel, telecoms, lifestyle, and F&B), which seamlessly connects millions of registered consumers and hundreds of thousands of registered merchants/brands across multiple product and service categories throughout SEA.

Society Pass completed an initial public offering and began trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker SOPA in November 2021. SOPA shares were added to the Russell 2000 index in December 2021.

SoPa acquires fast growing e-commerce companies and expands its user base across a robust product and service ecosystem. SoPa integrates these complementary businesses through its Society Pass loyalty platform and circulation of its universal loyalty points or Society Points, which has entered beta testing and is expected to launch broadly at the beginning of 2023. Society Pass loyalty program members earn and redeem Society Points and receive personalised promotions based on SoPa’s data capabilities and understanding of consumer shopping behaviour. SoPa has amassed more than 3.3 million registered consumers and over 205,000 registered merchants and brands. It has invested 2+ years building proprietary IT architecture to effectively scale and support its consumers, merchants, and acquisitions.

Society Pass leverages technology to tailor a more personalised experience for customers in the purchase journey and to transform the entire retail value chain in SEA. SoPa operates Thoughtful Media Group, a Thailand-based, a social commerce-focused, premium digital video multi-platform network; NusaTrip, a leading Indonesia-based Online Travel Agency; Gorilla Networks, a Singapore-based, web3-enabled mobile blockchain network operator; Leflair.com, Vietnam’s leading lifestyle e-commerce platform; Pushkart.ph, a popular grocery delivery company in Philippines; Handycart.vn, a leading online restaurant delivery service based in Vietnam; and Mangan, a leading local restaurant delivery service in Philippines. For more information, please check out: http://thesocietypass.com/.

Media Contacts:
PRecious Communications
sopa@preciouscomms.com

source https://netdace.com/acn-newswire/society-pass-nasdaq-sopa-founder-chairman-and-ceo-dennis-nguyen-to-speak-at-the-wild-digital-southeast-asia-2022-conference-on-07-september-2022/

和鉑醫藥-B（02142.HK）：營收大增11.5倍，多管線獲重大突破，顯現巨大創新力

EQS 新聞 via SEAPRWire.com / 2022-09-05 / 10:27 UTC+8

和鉑醫藥-B（02142.HK）：營收大增11.5倍，多管線獲重大突破，顯現巨大創新力

來源：格隆匯

8月31日，港股醫藥公司和鉑醫藥發佈中期業績，報告顯示其2022上半年，營收大增11.5倍，實現了跨越式的增長。

在行業景氣度並不高漲的當下，和鉑醫藥卻能異軍突起取得如此驚人的業績增長，其中的深層次原因值得探究，或可借此進一步挖掘公司的長期價值。

多管線達成里程碑事件，豐富產品矩陣構建核心競爭力

作為新一代創新藥企業的引領者，和鉑醫藥以極快的速度研發出了一系列的創新藥物。2017年時，公司僅有1項自主研發產品，但至2022年，公司已經擁有高達16項自主研發產品。和鉑醫藥不僅擁有世界上稀缺的全人源重鏈抗體HCAb平台，更有全新的第二代全人源抗體發現平台H2L2，以及免疫細胞銜接器平台HBICE®。依託此三大技術平台，和鉑醫藥已經形成了獨具特色的創新而差異化的產品管線，管線內擁有多個全球首創和潛在同類最佳的優質自研資產。並且值得注意的是，公司的創新產品大多針對當前其他公司難以攻克的靶點和路徑，開闢出了創新藥的新時代。

值得注意的是，除了上述藥物外，公司目前已有部分藥物即將進入商業化階段。進展最快的巴托利單抗(Batoclimab) HBM9161，預計2022年下半年/2023上半年就重症肌無力（MG）適應症提交BLA申請。

同時，針對幹眼症的特那西普(Tanfanercept) HBM9036也已經完成了III期臨床試驗首次期中分析。

綜合來看，和鉑醫藥目前既有臨近商業化階段的藥物，同時技術平台又不斷研發出一系列差異化創新產品。全球授權的項目也接踵而至，可以判斷，其營收將不斷擴大，可持續造血能力將極大提升；另一方面隨著潛力藥物的臨床推進加快，在收穫期到來之時，公司將迎來管線的全面爆發，屆時其價值將真正顯現。

技術平台長期價值顯現，實力獲多方認可

進一步探究公司豐富管線的背後，可以發現和鉑醫藥的技術平台在其中起著關鍵作用。從技術上來看，和鉑醫藥的三大平台無疑是領先行業的，具體可以看到，全人源抗體發現平台H2L2，經典雙重雙輕鏈抗體技術平台，開發的產品安全性、成藥性和親和力均具有競爭優勢。

全人源重鏈抗體發現平台HCAb則是和鉑的獨門絕技，其可產生全人源僅重鏈抗體，分子量小腫瘤穿透力性強，並可以有效解決雙抗中的錯配問題。

免疫細胞銜接器平台HBICE®則是公司發力特色雙抗管線的關鍵，通過聚焦T細胞啟動的“第一信號”和“第二信號”，將CD3雙抗和4-1BB雙抗齊頭並進。

三大技術平台持續迭代升級，向多元化應用場景邁進，開發眾多創新領域產品，由單抗到雙抗、ADC、NK、Car-T等一系列前沿創新產品。優秀的平台也獲得了市場的認可，從中報數據可以看到，公司報告期內營業收入達2760萬美元，同比上升11.5倍。對於一家biotech企業而言，能取得這樣的成績實屬亮眼。

深挖高營收背後的原因，可以看到，公司在過去的半年裏，達成了多起商業合作。不僅與阿斯利康訂立了一項最高交易金額達3.5億美元的全球對外授權協議，更通過多元化創新合作商業模式，與多家跨國機構簽訂合作協議，包括在ADC方面與LegoChem和映恩生物達成項目合作。CAR-T方面與哈佛醫學院附屬醫院Dana-Farber合作開發。和波士頓兒童醫院合作開發創新性抗體療法等。

上述合作都來自於公司技術平台及內部研發，尤其是與阿斯利康的合作，於臨床前早期便完成了全球性的對外授權。相較於目前中國創新藥企習慣於在臨床階段授權“出海”的做法，臨床前授權需要藥物發明者擁有更加扎實的早期研發能力，更為強大的專利技術壁壘以及更為充分早期數據驗證。

反觀阿斯利康能夠在競爭激烈的CLDN18.2市場中選中HBM7022這一臨床前資產，可見和鉑醫藥在全球創新格局中獨樹一幟。同時，由於節約了龐大的臨床試驗開支，大大降低了開發成本，因此這次交易也能夠為公司實現更加豐厚的投資價值回報。

除此外，公司還與恩凱賽藥、華蘭基因、百圖生科、信達生物等多家機構達成合作，在NK細胞療法、雙抗、人工智慧等領域進行探索和創新。

值得注意的是，和鉑抗體平台的商業合作模式不僅限於純粹的技術授權，同時還與其它產業創新引領者和學術機構，在下一代創新療法上進行共同發現和共同開發。通過這樣的模式，不僅能最大化平台的商業化價值，也能實現更高的創新效率。

目前，該平台已獲得超過50個行業及學術界合作夥伴的認可。可以預見，基於和鉑目前已經構建的合作範本，其抗體平台未來將有潛力，可以創造更多的收入，同時拓寬公司研發工作的範疇。

小結

隨著我國創新藥企研發實力的增強，很多創新藥企業已經步入2.0階段，逐漸與國際接軌，開始填補尚未滿足的適應症空白，其議價能力也更強。這其中，那些佈局開發難度較大的創新靶點的企業，以及高壁壘創新技術平台的企業，無疑是下一個十年最值得關注的企業。

在一眾企業中，和鉑醫藥已經顯露了其價值，開發的產品已經產生了較好的營收，獲得了國內外眾多合作夥伴的認可。基於此優勢，和鉑醫藥後續在板塊估值修復時，也大概率將是市場資金關注的焦點所在，有望享受市場給予的估值溢價，具備領跑行業的潛質。

文件: 和鉑醫藥-B（02142.HK）：營收大增11.5倍，多管線獲重大突破，顯現巨大創新力

2022-09-05 此新聞稿由EQS Group via SEAPRWire.com轉載。本公告內容由發行人全權負責。

瀏覽原文: https://ift.tt/VcIwoYC

source https://netdace.com/eqs-newswire/%e5%92%8c%e9%89%91%e9%86%ab%e8%97%a5-b%ef%bc%8802142-hk%ef%bc%89%ef%bc%9a%e7%87%9f%e6%94%b6%e5%a4%a7%e5%a2%9e11-5%e5%80%8d%ef%bc%8c%e5%a4%9a%e7%ae%a1%e7%b7%9a%e7%8d%b2%e9%87%8d%e5%a4%a7%e7%aa%81/

A sustainable garment hub in Vietnam designed to reduce the carbon footprint of making a T-shirt

If you’ve ever checked the label on that new shirt you just bought, there is a good chance that it was made in Vietnam. After years of rapid growth, the country is now the world’s second-largest exporter of textile and garment after China. Textile and garment manufacturing accounts for no less than 16 per cent of Vietnam’s GDP and employs some three million workers.

The apparel industry as a whole, however, is a significant source of carbon emissions. As a major player of the global supply chain, Vietnam’s textile and garment industry is taking steps to become more sustainable even as it maintains its growth momentum. Enter forward-looking initiatives such as the Aurora Textile Industrial Park.

A pioneering “green” textile hub

Located in Vietnam’s northern Nam Dinh province, 130 km from Hanoi, Aurora covers a total area of 520 ha and is well-connected with seaports and airports by new roads.

It is one of the few industrial parks in Vietnam that meets the strict infrastructure requirements to accommodate fabric-dyeing operations. The first phase, of which construction is now complete, is expected to produce 1 billion metres of fabric annually and reduce the country’s dependence on imports.

“We believe that the success of Aurora IP also shows the success of Vietnam’s economy as a whole in terms of attracting more foreign capital into the textile industry,” says Mr Tran Quoc Viet, chairman and CEO of Cat Tuong Real Estate Group, Aurora’s developer.

source https://netdace.com/latest-news/a-sustainable-garment-hub-in-vietnam-designed-to-reduce-the-carbon-footprint-of-making-a-t-shirt/

Mali releases three women from among 49 detained Ivorian soldiers

A picture shows a woman walking in front of the hospital in Gao, Mali on Oct 14, 2020.
(MICHELE CATTANI / UNOCHA)

BAMAKO/ABIDJAN – Three women, who were among 49 Ivorian soldiers detained in Mali, were released on Saturday, state television said, around seven weeks since the arrest of the troops sparked a diplomatic spat between the West African neighbors.

The soldiers were detained at the Malian capital Bamako's international airport on July 10. Mali's junta said they had flown in without permission and were seen as mercenaries.

The soldiers were detained at the Malian capital Bamako's international airport on July 10. Mali's junta said they had flown in without permission and were seen as mercenaries

Cote d’Ivoire, which has repeatedly requested their release, says the soldiers had been deployed as part of a security and logistics support contract signed with the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali.

ALSO READ: UN troop rotations in Mali to resume on Monday

Both Malian and Ivorian state TV said three women in the group had been freed.

The women are expected to fly into Cote d’Ivoiret's commercial capital Abidjan via Togo later on Saturday, according to the Ivorian broadcaster, which gave no further details.

Mali is struggling to rein in an Islamist insurgency, which took root after an uprising and a coup in 2012 and has since spread to neighboring countries, killing thousands and displacing millions across West Africa's Sahel region and coastal states.

The military junta ruling Mali since August 2020 has been at odds with regional and international neighbors for failing to hold promised elections and delaying a return to constitutional rule.

READ MORE: Militants attack Mali military base, situation 'under control'

source https://netdace.com/latest-news/mali-releases-three-women-from-among-49-detained-ivorian-soldiers/

No escape from biggest bond loss in decades as Fed keeps hiking

WASHINGTON (BLOOMBERG) – Investors who might be looking for the world’s biggest bond market to rally back soon from its worst losses in decades appear doomed to disappointment.

The United States employment report on Friday illustrated the momentum of the economy in the face of the Federal Reserve’s escalating effort to cool it down, with businesses rapidly adding jobs, pay rising and more Americans entering the workforce.

While Treasury yields slipped as the figures showed a slight easing of wage pressures and an uptick in the jobless rate, the overall picture reinforced speculation the Fed is poised to keep raising interest rates – and hold them there – until the inflation surge recedes.

Swaps traders are pricing in a slightly better-than-even chance that the central bank will continue lifting its benchmark rate by three-quarters of a percentage point on Sept 21 and tighten policy until it hits about 3.8 per cent.

That suggests more downside potential for bond prices because the 10-year Treasury yield has topped out at or above the Fed’s peak rate during previous monetary-policy tightening cycles. That yield is at about 3.19 per cent now.

The Treasury market has lost more than 10 per cent in 2022, putting it on pace for its deepest annual loss and first back-to-back yearly declines since at least the early 1970s, according to a Bloomberg index.

A rebound that started in mid-June, fueled by speculation a recession would result in rate cuts next year, has largely been erased as Fed chair Jerome Powell emphasised that he is focused squarely on pulling down inflation.

Two-year Treasury yields on Thursday hit 3.55 per cent, the highest since 2007.

At the same time, short-term real yields – or those adjusted for expected inflation – have risen, signaling a significant tightening of financial conditions.

Mr Rick Rieder, the chief investment officer of global fixed income at BlackRock, the world’s biggest asset manager, is among those who think long-term yields may rise further.

The Friday labour report showing a slowdown in payroll growth allowed markets a “sigh of relief”, according to Mr Rieder.

He said his company has been buying some short-term fixed-income securities to seize on the large run up in yields, but he thinks those on longer-maturity bonds have further room to increase.

The employment report was the last major look at the job market before this month’s meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee.

The upcoming holiday-shortened week has some economic reports set to be released, including surveys of purchasing managers, the Fed’s Beige Book glimpse of regional conditions, and weekly figures on unemployment benefits.

US markets will be close Monday for the Labour Day holiday, and the most significant indicator before the Fed meeting will be the consumer price index release on Sept 13.

But the market will parse closely comments from an array of Fed officials set to speak publicly over the coming week, including Cleveland Fed president Loretta Mester.

She said on Wednesday that policymakers should push the Fed funds rate to more than 4 per cent by early next year and indicated that she does not expect rate cuts next year.

Mr Greg Wilensky, head of US fixed income at Janus Henderson, said he is also focused on the upcoming release of wage data from the Atlanta Fed before the next policy-setting meeting.

On Friday, the Labour Department reported that average hourly earnings rose 5.2 per cent in August from a year earlier.

That was slightly less than the 5.3 per cent expected by economists, but it still shows upward pressure on wages from the tight labour market.

“I’m in the 4 per cent to 4.25 per cent camp on the terminal rate,” Mr Wilensky said. “People are realising that the Fed won’t pause on softer economic data unless inflation weakens dramatically.”

“You need to remain humble about your ability to forecast data and how rates will react,” said Mr Wilensky, whose core bond funds remain underweight Treasuries. “The worst is over as the market is doing a more reasonable job of pricing in where rates should be. But the big question is what is going on with inflation?”

source https://netdace.com/latest-news/no-escape-from-biggest-bond-loss-in-decades-as-fed-keeps-hiking/

Expereo 任命新的總法律顧問和企業銷售高級副總裁作為持續投資策略的一部分

阿姆斯特丹, Sept. 04, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE via SEAPRWire.com) — 作為全球領先的託管網絡解決方案提供商，Expereo 歡迎總法律顧問 Sujata Kukreja 和企業銷售高級副總裁 Scott Zarriello 加入其中。最近的任命都是持續全球投資策略的一部分，可根據客戶的需求進一步為所有地區度身定製解決方案和體驗，同時在世界各地維持同樣的一流服務。

Expereo 行政總裁 Irwin Fouwels 表示：「Expereo 的驚人增長軌跡由大量人才的流入而推動。我很高興宣佈透過 Sujata 和 Scott 的加入來擴展領導團隊，他們將在全球各地建立無縫的客戶解決方案方面發揮重要作用。Scott 為我們動態的銷售領導團隊帶來他的經驗和才能。作為我們在美洲的企業銷售新高級副總裁，他將進一步發展美國市場的潛力。」

Sujata Kukreja 從 Knauf 加入 Expereo ，她領導亞太區的業務，管理法律和 ESG 合規、治理和風險管理。她在全球提供實際和創新監管解決方案方面擁有豐富經驗，對 Expereo 的持續擴展和國際業務營運至關重要。

Expereo 新的總法律顧問 Sujata Kukreja 說道：「我對確保企業以道德和可持續的方式發展充滿熱情。我很高興能在新職位上運用我的專業知識，成為 Expereo 持續成功故事的一部分。」

Scott Zarriello 從 Vodafone 加入 Expereo ，擔任全球銷售和美國營運副總裁，領導高級策略銷售團隊提供外判和管理服務。他在科技和電信行業擁有超過 30 年的經驗，將有助於調整 Expereo 的全球銷售策略，同時為地區客戶需求提供定制解決方案和服務。

Expereo 新企業銷售高級副總裁 Scott Zarriello 評論說:「提供客戶增長和蓬勃發展所需是我的首要任務。我很高興能加入 Expereo 團隊，並繼續發展公司在全球範圍內的連接專業知識和創新解決方案」

關於 Expereo
Expereo 是全球領先的網絡託管解決方案提供商，包括全球互聯網、SD-WAN/SASE 及加強型互聯網。Expereo 在全球擁有廣泛的影響力，是 30% 的財富 500 強公司值得信賴的合作夥伴。它為 190 多個國家／地區的企業和政府網站提供支援，透過互聯網的敏捷性、靈活性和價值以及最佳的網絡性能，協助客戶提高生產力，並加強他們的網絡及雲端服務。

Expereo 於 2021 年 2 月被 Vitruvian Partners 收購。該國際成長資本及收購公司從領先的歐洲私募股權公司 Apax Partners SAS 手中，收購了 Expereo 的多數股權。

如欲了解更多詳情，請瀏覽： www.expereo.com.

Emese Csikai
高級客戶主任
emese@grammatikagency.com

source https://netdace.com/globenewswire/expereo-%e4%bb%bb%e5%91%bd%e6%96%b0%e7%9a%84%e7%b8%bd%e6%b3%95%e5%be%8b%e9%a1%a7%e5%95%8f%e5%92%8c%e4%bc%81%e6%a5%ad%e9%8a%b7%e5%94%ae%e9%ab%98%e7%b4%9a%e5%89%af%e7%b8%bd%e8%a3%81%e4%bd%9c%e7%82%ba/

9/3/22

IAEA: Zaporizhzhia plant loses main external power line

In this May 1, 2022 file pohoto, a Russian serviceman guards in an area of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in territory under Russian military control, southeastern Ukraine. (PHOTO / AP)

VIENNA – The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Saturday that the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine has once again lost connection to its last remaining main external power line but the facility continues to supply electricity to the grid through a reserve line.

The agency's experts stationed at the Zaporizhzhia plant were told by Ukrainian staff on Saturday that the facility's fourth, which is also the last still operational, 750-kilovolt power line was down. A similar incident occurred last week amid shelling on the plant.

The Zaporizhzhia plant, one of Europe's largest nuclear power plants, has been controlled by Russian forces since early March, but its Ukrainian staff has continued to operate it

The three other main external power lines were lost earlier during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, according to an IAEA statement.

The plant is now relying on a reserve line, which links the facility to a nearby thermal power plant, to deliver electricity to the external grid. The reserve line can also provide backup power to the plant if needed, IAEA said.

ALSO READ: IAEA experts to stay permanently at Zaporizhzhia plant

The IAEA also said only one of the Zaporizhzhia plant's six reactors remained in operation.

The IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi said on Friday that six members of the agency's expert mission remained at the Zaporizhzhia plant, including four who will leave next week and another two who will stay there as the agency's continued presence in the longer term.

According to the IAEA, the experts will "carry out detailed and continuous work to assess the physical damage to the plant's facilities, determine the functionality of the main and backup safety and security systems and evaluate the staff's working conditions, in addition to performing urgent safeguards activities on the site."

The Zaporizhzhia plant, one of Europe's largest nuclear power plants, has been controlled by Russian forces since early March, but its Ukrainian staff has continued to operate it. Ukraine and Russia have traded accusations of recent strikes on the facility.

ALSO READ: China 'concerned' by situation at Zaporizhzhia nuke plant

source https://netdace.com/latest-news/iaea-zaporizhzhia-plant-loses-main-external-power-line/

Russia reports over 50,000 COVID-19 cases for 2nd day running

People wait to undergo a free rapid antigen test for the coronavirus disease at a testing center in the GUM, State Department store in Moscow on Jan 31, 2022. (NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA / AFP)

MOSCOW – Russia recorded more than 50,000 new daily COVID-19 cases for the second day running on Saturday, the government's coronavirus task force said.

Over the last 24 hours, 51,699 cases were detected across Russia – the most in a single day since March 9.

On Friday, Russia's caseload passed the 50,000 mark for the first time in almost six months.

Infections rose in July and August as new highly-transmissible variants of the coronavirus swept across the country.

The task force said 92 people had died with COVID-19 over the last 24 hours.

Britain

Britain's medicines regulator on Saturday approved Pfizer/BioNTech's updated bivalent COVID-19 booster shot for people aged 12 years and older.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said the decision was based on data from a clinical trial that showed a booster dose with the bivalent Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine triggers a strong immune response against both the Omicron and the original strain.

In this file photo taken on Jan 10, 2022, a health worker shows a vial of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine against the coronavirus disease COVID-19 at a vaccination center in Santiago. (JAVIER TORRES / AFP)

Pfizer and BioNTech

Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech have filed proceedings at the High Court of England and Wales, seeking a judgment that their COVID-19 vaccine, based on mRNA technology, does not infringe on CureVac's European patents, according to a regulatory filing on Friday.

In July, CureVac had filed a patent lawsuit against BioNTech over its use of mRNA technology, seeking fair compensation from the company and two subsidiaries for infringement of its intellectual properly rights.

Pfizer and BioNTech later filed a complaint with a U..district court, seeking a judgment that they did not infringe US patents held by CureVac.

Pfizer and BioNTech are also facing patent infringement lawsuits from other companies.

Last month, rival mRNA vaccine maker Moderna filed a patent lawsuit against the companies related to their COVID-19 shot

source https://netdace.com/latest-news/russia-reports-over-50000-covid-19-cases-for-2nd-day-running/

Smart tools help SMEs grow amid inflation and cash flow woes

SMEs in Asean are increasingly tapping on digital solutions

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) today face new challenges, even as they’re recovering from over two years of pandemic disruptions.

“Managing cash flow is one of the biggest priorities for us, and for SMEs in general,” says Mr Brando Tan, director of Band World (Asia), “with global challenges such as high inflation and rising interest rates that will continue in the months ahead, and the rising cost of goods and utilities.”

Band World is a Singapore-based wholesaler and retailer of musical instruments. The company purchases woodwind and brasswind instruments from across the world and distributes them across South-east Asia.

“As an SME, we have limited cash,” he says. “While we definitely want to grow our business and capture opportunities when they arise, we also need to be prudent with our business decisions.”

Mr Tan’s sentiment is echoed by others. The Asean SME Transformation Study 2022, launched late last month, found that maintaining a healthy cash flow is an immediate business concern for 44 per cent of SMEs in the region.

UOB, professional services firm Accenture and business analytics company Dun & Bradstreet collaborated on the study. It surveyed 1,500 SMEs from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, with equal representation from each country.

Over half (54 per cent) of SMEs surveyed said that their existing cash flow can only sustain them for less than six months.

source https://netdace.com/latest-news/smart-tools-help-smes-grow-amid-inflation-and-cash-flow-woes/

The Growhub Innovations Company Announces Joint Project with Koufuku Group to Explore Asean Market Penetration

SINGAPORE, Sep 3, 2022 – (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) – The GrowHub Innovations Company (“The GrowHub”), Asia Pacific’s only Web3-enabled plug-and-play ecosystem builder for food traceability and carbon credits, and KOUFUKU GROUP, a Japanese food company with over 50 years of history, have signed an MoU partnership for a joint project on market penetration using The GrowHub’s proprietary Web3 technology.

This partnership will further enhance Japan’s food traceability for Japanese consumers by enabling access to blockchain-driven technology solutions. The GrowHub’s Web3 technology provides food manufacturers with an evidence-based understanding of the conditions necessary for market penetration of their products in the ASEAN market. In addition, GrowHub can also help food companies meet market penetration requirements.

Dr. Daiki Nakaoka, the Country Head of GrowHub Japan, said, “The ASEAN market, which is expected to grow significantly, is attractive to many food manufacturers. However, the question and challenge of whether and how to gain acceptance of their products in that market is always a hurdle that is not low for food manufacturers to expand. This project would be one example that GrowHub’s unique Web3 technology demonstrates it can answer such questions to the food manufacturers and help them solve such challenges.

To ensure safety, provenance and traceability, GrowHub uses a proprietary blockchain-enabled technology platform that provides rich data-driven insights to agrifood producers and third-party solution providers by allowing partners to integrate directly into an existing system through GrowHub APIs. The information recorded on the blockchain is secure and non-reversible giving true transparency to the ecosystem.

About The GrowHub Innovations Company

The GrowHub Innovations Company ( www.thegrowhub.co ) is Asia Pacific’s only Web 3-enabled technology plug-and-play ecosystem builder focusing on food traceability and carbon credits. The GrowHub has strong and exclusive relations with the government bodies in Western Australia and Singapore – Food Innovation Precinct Western Australia (FIPWA) and PEEL Development, Shire of Murray. Currently in eight markets across Australia and Asia Pacific, The GrowHub offers access to trusted premium products at affordable rates through the development of new agri-food and blockchain technologies emerging from our innovation centre at FIPWA. With the capital, network and expertise, we use technology to improve the experience of “farm-to-fork”. From crunching data to enable producers to improve yields, to leveraging statistics to enable better transportation of produce, to the information on the quality of food you pay for at the table, our blockchain technology allows for full food traceability across the supply chain – so that you can trust in the food you eat.

About KOUFUKU GROUP

KOUFUKU GROUP was founded in 1968 as a rice shop and has been supporting food, beauty, and health in Japan for more than 50 years. Amidst growing social awareness of food safety and security, we have been aiming to create new value as a manufacturer that consistently provides delicious and safe food products, supports consumers’ eating habits, and maximizes the any further potential of food products. Furthermore, we also engages in businesses that focus on the happiness and future of people by developing high-quality health and beauty products and researching biomass for the beauty and health as well as the creation of a sustainable society. Under the corporate identity of “Science Materials and Create Happiness,” our business activities aim to realize a sustainable society, an extension of healthy life expectancy, a beautiful and glowing lifestyle, a safe and renewable food distribution, and carbon neutrality by the year 2030.

To find out more about GrowHub please visit: https://thegrowhub.co/

For Media Enquires, Please Contact:
PRecious Communications for GrowHub
growhub@preciouscomms.com

source https://netdace.com/acn-newswire/the-growhub-innovations-company-announces-joint-project-with-koufuku-group-to-explore-asean-market-penetration/

9/2/22

Denmark health minister expects winter without COVID curbs

In this undated photo, customers at the Mikkeller's Warpigs, a craft brewpub in Copenhagen's former Meatpacking District show the opening page of their "Corona pass,” an app on their mobile phone that shows the result of recent antigen tests for COVID-19, as they order drinks. (TOM LITTLE / AFP)

COPENHAGEN / LISBON / OTTAWA – Denmark is preparing to go through the coming winter without any coronavirus restrictions even with an expected rise in infections, Health Minister Magnus Heunicke said on Friday.

The Nordic country expects to be able to avoid lockdown measures due to new improved booster vaccines, greater immunity in the population and being able to better track the spread of the virus through measures such as waste-water testing

The Nordic country expects to be able to avoid lockdown measures due to new improved booster vaccines, greater immunity in the population and being able to better track the spread of the virus through measures such as waste-water testing.

"We are well prepared. The strategy and goal is a completely open society this coming winter," Heunicke told a press briefing.

Denmark will receive 4.5 million doses in September of the COVID-19 booster vaccine updated to target the Omicron variant, with the first deliveries due to arrive next week, he said.

From Sept 15 authorities will begin offering a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose to those aged over 50 and vulnerable groups.

While Denmark saw a slight increase in COVID infections over the summer the number of cases now appears to be on the decline, Danish health authorities said.

The European Union's drug regulator on Thursday backed two separate COVID-19 vaccine boosters updated to target the Omicron variant, ahead of an anticipated rise in infections this winter.

Developed by Moderna and the team of Pfizer and BioNTech, the new so-called bivalent shots combat the BA.1 version.

Portugal

Portugal will start vaccinating people with booster shots against COVID-19 on Wednesday along with the seasonal flu shot ahead of an expected rise in infections after the summer, the head of the health authority DGS said on Friday.

The two boosters to be used are manufactured by BioNTech-Pfizer and Moderna. They have been upgraded to protect against the new COVID-19 variants and were approved on Thursday by the European Medicines Agency.

The so-called bivalent shots combat the BA.1 version of Omicron.

"In this autumn-winter season people should protect themselves against severe forms of COVID and influenza," DGS chief Graca Freitas told reporters. "The vaccination campaign will start on Sept 7."

The priority will be those over 80 years old and people with underlying health problems, she said.

Portugal has carried out an internationally praised vaccine rollout, and although the nation experienced a surge in cases due to the fast-spreading Omicron variant in the first few months of this year, deaths and hospitalizations were well below levels seen in earlier waves.

A healthcare worker dons a bouffant cap as staff treat patients suffering from coronavirus disease at Humber River Hospital's Intensive Care Unit, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on April 29, 2021. (COLE BURSTON / AFP)

Canada

Canada confirmed 20,843 new COVID-19 cases for the week of Aug 21-27, the Public Health Agency of Canada said on Friday.

According to the weekly update issued by the PHAC, the number of total COVID-19 cases and deaths in Canada reached 4,179,337 and 44,085 respectively. The daily positive rate during the week averaged at 10.8 percent, and daily tests per 100,000 people were 61.

The agency said a detailed report on 4,060,184 cases showed that 191,565 cases, or 4.8 percent, were hospitalized, and of those hospitalized, 15.4 percent were admitted to intensive care units.

READ MORE: Canada confirms over 25,000 new COVID cases in one week

COVID-19 modeling studies published recently showed that without Canadians' collective efforts in achieving high vaccine coverage and adhering to public health measures, the country could have accumulated up to 34 million cases, 2 million hospitalizations and 800,000 deaths as of April 2022, the PHAC said.

source https://netdace.com/latest-news/denmark-health-minister-expects-winter-without-covid-curbs/

FBI found more than 11,000 govt records at Trump’s Florida home

An aerial view of former US president Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate is seen, Aug 10, 2022, in Palm Beach, Florida. (STEVE HELBER/AP)

WASHINGTON – The FBI recovered more than 11,000 government documents and photographs during its Aug 8 search at former US president Donald Trump's Florida estate, as well as 48 empty folders labeled as "classified," according to court records that were unsealed on Friday.

The unsealing by US District Judge Aileen Cannon in West Palm Beach came one day after she heard oral arguments by Trump's attorneys and the Justice Department's top two counterintelligence prosecutors over whether she should appoint a special master to conduct a privilege review of the seized materials at Trump's request.

One of the records, released on Friday, provides a little more detail about the 33 boxes and other items the FBI found inside Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate, as part of its ongoing criminal investigation into whether he illegally retained national defense information and tried to obstruct the probe

Cannon deferred ruling immediately on whether to appoint a special master but said she would agree to unseal two records filed by the Justice Department.

Former US Attorney General William Barr, who was appointed by Trump, questioned the usefulness of such an appointment.

"I think at this stage, since they've already gone through the documents I think it's a waste of time" to have a special master, Barr said in an interview on Fox News.

Barr, who left the post in late December 2020, defied Trump by not backing his false claims that the presidential election that year had been stolen from him.

In the interview, Barr added that he saw no "legitimate reason" for Trump having documents at his Florida estate if they were classified.

ALSO READ: Report: FBI sought nuclear documents in search of Trump's home

He added, "I frankly am skeptical of this claim (by Trump) that 'I declassified everything.' Because frankly I think it's highly improbable and second, if he sort of stood over scores of boxes not really knowing what was in them and said 'I hereby declassify everything in here,' that would be such an abuse, show such recklessness that it's almost worse than taking the documents."

Armed Secret Service agents stand outside an entrance to former US president Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate late on Aug 8, 2022, in Palm Beach, Florida. (TERRY RENNA / AP)

One of the records, released on Friday, provides a little more detail about the 33 boxes and other items the FBI found inside Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate, as part of its ongoing criminal investigation into whether he illegally retained national defense information and tried to obstruct the probe.

It shows that documents with classification markings were at times co-mingled with other items such as books, magazines and newspaper clippings.

Also found were unspecified gifts and clothing items.

Of the more than 11,000 government records and photos, 18 were labeled as "top secret," 54 were labeled "secret" and 31 were labeled "confidential," according to a Reuters tally of the government's inventory.

"Top secret" is the highest classification level, reserved for the country's most closely held secrets.

There were also 90 empty folders, 48 of which were marked "classified," while others indicated that they should be returned to staff secretary/military aide.

There were also 90 empty folders, 48 of which were marked "classified," while others indicated that they should be returned to staff secretary/military aide

It is not clear why the folders were empty, or whether any records could be missing.

The other record that was unsealed is a three-page filing by the Justice Department updating the court about the status of its investigative team's review of the documents seized.

That filing, dated Aug 30, said investigators had completed a preliminary review of the materials seized and will investigate further and interview more witnesses.

READ MORE: Justice dept: FBI seized top secret documents at Trump's home

The Justice Department's criminal investigation could be potentially put on pause if Cannon agrees to appoint a special master to come in and conduct an independent third-party review of the seized records.

However, Cannon signaled at Thursday's hearing she might be willing to permit US intelligence officials to continue reviewing the materials as part of their national security damage assessment, even if a special master is appointed.

The Justice Department has previously said in court filings it has evidence that classified documents were deliberately concealed from the FBI when it tried to retrieve them from Trump's home in June.

The Justice Department also opposes the appointment of a special master, saying the records in question do not belong to Trump and that he cannot claim they are covered by executive privilege, a legal doctrine that can be used to shield some presidential communications.

source https://netdace.com/latest-news/fbi-found-more-than-11000-govt-records-at-trumps-florida-home/

Gazprom stops gas supply via Nord Stream pipeline indefinitely

This file photo taken on Nov 8, 2011 shows a view of the gas pipeline prior to an inaugural ceremony for the first of Nord Stream's twin 1,224-kilometre gas pipelines through the Baltic Sea, in Lubmin, northeastern Germany. (JOHN MACDOUGALL / AFP)

MOSCOW – Russia's largest gas producer Gazprom announced Friday that it had stopped its supply of gas via the Nord Stream pipeline for an indefinite period due to malfunctions at a compressor unit.

READ MORE: New Russia gas halt tightens energy screws on Europe

The company said in a Telegram post that an oil leak was detected during joint maintenance work with Siemens at the only remaining Trent 60 gas compressor unit of the Portovaya compressor station.

It added that all gas flows via the Nord Stream pipeline would be completely stopped, until problems related to the operation of the equipment would be eliminated.

According to Gazprom, it had received a warning from Russia's state technology and ecology watchdog Rostekhnadzor concerning the fact that the detected malfunctions "do not allow for the safe trouble-free operation of the gas turbine engine."

ALSO READ: Gas through Nord Stream 1 flows at reduced 20% capacity

source https://netdace.com/latest-news/gazprom-stops-gas-supply-via-nord-stream-pipeline-indefinitely/

IAEA experts to stay permanently at Zaporizhzhia plant

Photo taken on Aug 22, 2022 shows the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. (PHOTO/XINHUA)

VIENNA – International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Grossi said Friday that two of the agency's experts would remain permanently at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine.

Grossi told reporters upon arriving in Vienna after a visit to the facility that six of the 14-member IAEA mission remained at the Zaporizhzhia plant after the team completed a visit there on Thursday.

We have seen military activity around the plant, and I was able to see – myself and my team – impact, holes, markings on buildings of shelling.

Rafael Grossi, IAEA director-general

Four of the six experts will leave the plant next week, while the other two will stay there as the agency's continued presence in the longer term.

READ MORE: Russia: Zaporizhzhia recovers from Ukraine-claimed power-off

Earlier this week, Grossi led the IAEA mission to the Zaporizhzhia plant, which suffered strikes in recent weeks and raised international concerns about its safety.

The chief of the UN nuclear watchdog said at Friday's press conference that "We've seen what I requested to see, everything I requested to see" during the visit.

"We have seen military activity around the plant, and I was able to see – myself and my team – impact, holes, markings on buildings of shelling," he said, expressing concerns for the plant's physical integrity, power supply and personnel conditions.

ALSO READ: Ukraine sets up crisis center to deal with Zaporizhzhia situation

Grossi said he expects to produce a report on the situation of the Zaporizhzhia plant early next week. He will also brief the UN Security Council on the issue next Tuesday.

source https://netdace.com/latest-news/iaea-experts-to-stay-permanently-at-zaporizhzhia-plant/

US stocks fall again as hiring slows

NEW YORK – Wall Street stocks ended the week with losses on Friday as an early-session rally fizzled following government data indicating employers slowed the pace of hiring in August.

Data showed the US economy added 315,000 jobs last month, which was in line with what economists were expecting, but lower than the 526,000 posted in July.

Stocks initially rose on the report as markets bet the moderating employment situation would ease pressure on the Federal Reserve to hike interest rates.

But markets reversed course midday after Russia’s move to halt natural gas deliveries to Germany sharpened worries over a European recession.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 1.1 per cent lower at 31,318.44.

The broad-based S&P 500 fell 1.1 percent to 3,924.26, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index shed 1.3 per cent to 11,630.86.

The lower close marks a third straight weekly loss and follows several days of declines after Fed chairman Jerome Powell speech last week saying the central bank will continue act “forcefully” to cool the economy.

“This has been a day which has succumbed to what has been a cautious sentiment throughout the week and really, since the Jackson Hole statement from Chair Powell,” said Bill Northey of US Bank Wealth Management.

“The Federal Reserve is going to carry through on a mission to address inflation at the risk of potentially creating a much weaker economic environment as we conclude 2022 and early 2023,” Northey said. AFP

source https://netdace.com/latest-news/us-stocks-fall-again-as-hiring-slows/

Diverse capabilities, infrastructure help drive chips industry in Singapore

As the world marches steadily towards a smarter, more mobile and connected future, Singapore as a semiconductor hub has kept in step, plugging itself higher up the value chain over the decades.

The Republic’s semiconductor industry is one of the region’s most diverse, having drawn global giants and an ecosystem of small and mid-sized firms up and downstream.

source https://netdace.com/latest-news/diverse-capabilities-infrastructure-help-drive-chips-industry-in-singapore/

G20 Digital Ministers yields consensus on 3 priorities

JAKARTA, Sep 3, 2022 – (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) – The Digital Economy Ministers Meeting (DEMM) was held in Nusa Dua, Bali, Thursday (September 1, 2022). It was the culmination of the Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG) meetings, as one of working group of the G20 that focuses on issues related to the digital economy and highlights the role of digital transformation on economic and social growth.

Communication and Information Minister Johnny G. Plate opened the 2022 G20 Digital Economy Ministers’ Meeting in Nusa Dua, Bali province, on Thursday (September 1, 2022). (ANTARA PHOTO/Hafidz Mubarak A/foc/uyu)

The DEWG itself discussed three priority issues of the digital economy at the G20 Indonesia Presidency, including digital connectivity, digital skills and literacy, and cross-country data flow.

The Minister of Communication and Informatics, Johnny G. Plate, said the DEMM has produced a document called “G20 Digital Economy Minister Meetings 2022; Chair Summary”.

The document summarizes agreements between the ministers for the digital economy on the three priority issues of the DEWG.

“The document shows that for all substantive content, the Indonesian Presidency (G20) has reached consensus from all DEWG members in accordance with DEWG priority issues,” Plate said at a press conference, Thursday afternoon.

It also summarizes all ideas and dynamics that developed during the series of G20 DEWG meetings presented by representatives of G20 member countries over the past six months.

The formulation of concrete steps in the document will be presented as input for President Joko Widodo in leading the G20 Summit which will be held in November.

On the first priority issue regarding connectivity and post-COVID-19 recovery, Plate said the meeting agreed on the need for a people center in an effort to strengthen digital connectivity. The meeting, he said, also agreed on the importance of digital security as the key to business sustainability.

“The meeting also welcomed various initiatives of the G20 Indonesia Presidency, such as the G20 Digital Innovation Network (DIN), G20 Digital Transformation Expo (DTE), and the smart village and island initiative together with ITU,” he said.

On the issue of digital skills and digital literacy which is the second priority issue, the DEMM meeting succeeded in compiling the “G20 toolkit for measuring digital skills and digital literacy”.

The document is useful for standardizing the measurement of literacy indicators and digital skills for more objective public policy making and encouraging international cooperation in overcoming gaps between countries, responding to the challenges of a digital future.

“The presidency has also succeeded in compiling a compilation of reports on policies and recommendations to increase meaningful participation of vulnerable groups in the digital economy, as well as a summary document of practices and policies on digital skills and advanced digital literacy,” he said.

On the issue of free data flow with trust and cross-border data flow, Johnny said the DEWG forum has recognized the efforts of the Indonesian Presidency to initiate discussions on the principles of justice, transparency and legitimacy proposed by Indonesia.

“This is a new principle base in cross-border data governance. We all know that data contains at least two important things. The first is that the data has a high economic value, and the second is that the data is related to geopolitics and geostrategy as well as the sovereignty of each nation and state,” he explained.

The DEMM meeting was attended by digital ministers from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Singapore, Cambodia, South Africa, Japan, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. Meanwhile, Australia, Germany and Spain were represented by ministerial representatives.

DEMM was also attended by representatives from international organizations, including the Secretary General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Under Secretary General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and The Pacific (UNESCAP).

Written by: Rizka Khaerunnisa, Uyu Liman, Editor: Suharto (c) ANTARA 2022

source https://netdace.com/acn-newswire/g20-digital-ministers-yields-consensus-on-3-priorities/

Seventh Belt and Road Summit draws to successful close

HONG KONG, Sep 2, 2022 – (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) – The seventh Belt and Road Summit, jointly organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), concluded yesterday (1 September). Continuing in the tradition of being a formal, substantial and high-quality event, the summit saw state leaders and senior officials, regional government leaders and business leaders gathered to explore the business potential of the Belt and Road Initiative, and to drive synergies and create a win-win situation through multilateral collaborations such as the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

The seventh Belt and Road Summit, which ran under the theme “Heralding a New Chapter: Collaborate and Innovate”, attracted more than 80 government and business leaders to share their insights.

More than 19,000 participants from over 80 countries and regions attended online or in-person.

The 38th Prime Minister of New Zealand, John Key, Aswin Techajareonvikul, CEO and President of Berli Jucker PCL, Liu Liange, Chairman of the Bank of China, and Rod Eddington, Chairman of Infrastructure Partnerships Australia, JP Morgan’s Asia Pacific Advisory Council and Non-Executive Chairman of Lion shared their insights at Business Plenary “Collaborate for a Bright New Era”.

As one of the major celebrations to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR, the summit saw more than 80 senior government officials and business leaders from the Belt and Road region gathered to share their insights under the theme “Heralding a New Chapter: Collaborate and Innovate”. For the first time, the summit was held in a hybrid format, overcoming geographical boundaries by allowing those who were unable to attend in person to participate virtually. More than 19,000 attendees representing over 80 countries and regions participated online or at the physical event.

More than 800 one-to-one matching sessions

The business matching and project pitching sessions at the summit remained popular among project owners and attendees. More than 280 investment projects from the Belt and Road region and beyond were presented at the summit, covering four main areas, namely: (1) energy, natural resources and public utilities; (2) innovation and technology; (3) urban development; and (4) transportation and logistics infrastructure. The projects focused on areas such as smart city development, data centres and e-commerce related investments. More than 800 one-to-one business matching meetings were arranged for project owners, investors and professional service providers to pave the way for collaboration agreements.

Real opportunities in RCEP but some challenges

Multilateral collaboration creates more frequent cross-border trade and investment, and is becoming more important than ever in driving a strong recovery in the Asia-Pacific region following the pandemic. The RCEP, which came into effect this year, stands as the largest free trade agreement in history, accounting for 30% of the world’s population and GDP. Combined with the joint effort of more than 180 countries connected through the Belt and Road Initiative, it will further strengthen regional economic integration around the world. In the Business Plenary titled “Collaborate for a Bright New Era”, business leaders from economies along the Belt and Road and the RCEP shared their insights and explored how these initiatives and agreements can complement each other to drive strong economic growth and promote cross-border collaboration between businesses of all sizes.

The 38th Prime Minister of New Zealand, John Key, shared his views on the RCEP. “One of the things that are challenged is the supply chains. China is a really a huge market, and we source a lot of goods from China. We can see the impact the breaking down of those supply chains has had on global inflation.”

Aswin Techajareonvikul, Chief Executive Officer and President of Berli Jucker Public Company Limited, shared that the Thailand enterprises have well received the potential of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). “It is in tune with our 20-year strategy and Thailand’s ongoing projects for economic development under the Thailand 4.0 economic model. We are able to expand trade and investment to our neighbouring countries. We can also better link with the world market, especially for the CLMV countries [Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam].”

Liu Liange, Chairman of the Bank of China, said: “Most of the members in the RCEP are located in important junctions along the Belt and Road. This not only fosters connectivity between value chains and supply chains, but also further expands the ‘social circle’ of the Belt and Road Initiative, engaging more countries and businesses in the construction of the Belt and Road and in broader collaboration, as well as forming the dual-engine of the Belt and Road Initiative and RCEP within the region.”

Belt and Road Initiative drives consumption and Infratech development

Global economies are pushing to achieve post-pandemic economic recovery. At the same time, countries around the world are striving to build stronger global business connections with the help of macro measures such as the BRI, the RCEP and the GBA development.

The demand for high-quality, innovative and sustainable infrastructure around the world has given rise to many new business opportunities. These innovative projects will be led and driven by visionary industry leaders as they usher in a new era of infrastructure development. In the “Faster, Greater Infrastructure” session of the thematic group discussions, business leaders who had turned futuristic concepts into reality and envisioned some of the world’s most important infrastructure projects exchanged their views.

Founder and Managing Director of Emaar Properties and Founder and Director of Noon.com, HE Mohamed Ali Rashed Alabbar, said: “I really believe that a link such as the Belt and Road Initiative and its effects on human life, economic progress, quality of life, job creation and exchange of cultures and knowledge and unity to the world – it is going to be incredible.”

Chief Marketing Officer of Hyperloop TT Robert Miller addressed the current trends in infrastructure technology (infratech) development. “Infratech is really underfunded and underdeveloped. Hyperloop really falls into the category of infratech where there is a longer time to profitability. So we need patient investors from both public and private sectors. Meanwhile, governments everywhere are looking at reducing carbon emissions. One of the biggest polluters is the transportation industry: 23% of all carbon emissions worldwide come from transportation. Europe, the United States and countries in Asia are all looking how to decarbonise the transportation industry. Hyperloop TT could be a massive driver in that decarbonisation,” he said.

The seventh Belt and Road Summit was made possible by its Strategic Partner, China International Capital Corporation (CICC); Regional Banking Partner, Bank of China (Hong Kong); and Platinum Sponsors, China Mobile International and China Unicom.

Image download: https://bit.ly/3edlV6t

About HKTDC

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn

Media enquiries
Please contact HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Clayton Lauw, Tel: +852 2584 4472, email: clayton.y.lauw@hktdc.org
Sam Ho, Tel: +852 2584 4569, email: sam.sy.ho@hktdc.org

Yuan Tung Financial Relations:
Agnes Yiu, Tel: +852 3428 5690, email: ayiu@yuantung.com.hk
Tiffany Leung, Tel: +852 3428 2361, email: tleung@yuantung.com.hk
Wong Hing-fung, Tel: +852 3428 3122, email: hfwong@yuantung.com.hk

source https://netdace.com/acn-newswire/seventh-belt-and-road-summit-draws-to-successful-close/

9/1/22

百奧賽圖今日登陸港交所硬核技術打通新藥研發全鏈條

HONG KONG, Sep 2, 2022 – (亞太商訊 via SEAPRWire.com) – 近年來，隨著人口老齡化程度加深及慢性病人數的不斷增長，社會對醫療保健的需求不斷增加，在中國政府鼓勵創新的系列政策支持下，底层创新生物医药领域已成為資本市場公認的風口。

今日，作為臨床階段生物技術及臨床前研究服務創收公司，百奧賽圖正式登陸港交所主板，股份代號：02315.HK，由高盛與中金公司聯席保薦。據悉，百奧賽圖以專有基因編輯技術、轉基因小鼠平台、綜合動物病患模型及高通量體內抗體發現平台為依託，經過多年的發展，已經建立涵蓋早期靶點認證及抗體生成到臨床開發的全鏈條綜合研發實力。

硬核技術加持底層創新能力助力多元服務創收

根據招股書，百奥赛图依托自主研发的ESC/HR、EGE系统和SUPCE三大基因编辑核心技术，近乎实现任意长度、任意位点的精确基因组编辑，处于国际领先水平。公司不僅通過基因編輯服務獲得商業回報，亦在此基礎上開發了專有全人抗体RenMice平台及基因模式動物平台。

百奧賽圖的RenMice平台涵蓋兩個全人源轉基因小鼠系列（RenMab及RenLite），在全球擁有多元化客戶群。營業紀錄期間，公司已與14家知名製藥企業（例如德国默克、美國Xencor、百濟神州、君實生物、信達生物等）達成授權及試驗合作協議。

基因編輯技術驅動雙業務線並舉不斷擴寬收入來源

百奧賽圖憑藉專有基因編輯技術、轉基因小鼠平台和高通量體內抗體發現平台為依託,生成綜合動物病患模型，進而以動物模型爲基礎爲國內外客戶提供模式動物以及臨床前藥理藥效CRO服務。

根據弗若斯特沙利文的資料，營業紀錄期間，百奧賽圖與全球前10大製藥公司中的9家建立長期的合作關係，并为全球200多家合作伙伴完成了500多个药物评价项目。於2021年,公司海外銷售收入佔比高達36%。2022年前4個月,該比重進一步提升至超過45%。可以預期，該等模式有望不斷拓寬公司的盈利渠道，為其帶來源源不斷的收入。

基于自主研发并拥有完全独立知识产权的全人抗体RenMice平台，百奧賽圖将单抗和双抗开发技术平台、动物体内药效筛选平台、强大的临床开发能力有机整合在一起，形成了独具特色、涵盖药物研发全流程的新药研发体系。

百奧賽圖致力於與全球合作夥伴一起通過技術與思路的創新實現新藥開發的目標，公司啟動了大規模體內抗體發現和篩選計劃-「千鼠萬抗」計劃並建立起強大的臨床及臨床前產品管線，通过合作开发/转让开发大大加速药物研发进程。截至2022年4月底，已对外转让/合作24个抗体分子，合作方包括荣昌生物、华润生物、日本Liberothera等。同时，自主研发的YH003和YH001创新药物分子進入国际多中心臨床II期，优异的临床数据很好的驗證了其體內藥物篩選模式，極具行業壁壘。

盈利能力穩健持續提升在港上市有望繼續擴大市場份額

財務方面，百奧賽圖的收益主要來自於提供基因編輯服務、臨床前藥理藥效評價、模式動物銷售及抗體開發。於2021年，該公司實現收入3.55億元，較2020年增長40%；2022年前4個月，實現收入1.17億元，較2021年同期增長達到67%。公司毛利率持续稳定增加，在2020-2021年期间分别为65.9%及69.8%，接近70%的高毛利率远超同业。特别是抗体发现业务发展迅猛，2021年度百奥赛图的抗体业务同期增速达115%，數據十分亮眼。

作为市场中掌握着基因编辑独特技术且有营收的生物技术公司，百奧賽圖具備世界一流的服務、技術及产品，此次登陸港交所，有望在香港資本市場的強大助力下，深入推進全球化佈局，進而擴大業務規模及市場份額，實現更高的戰略目標，創造更豐厚的商業回報。

source https://netdace.com/acn-newswire/%e7%99%be%e5%a5%a7%e8%b3%bd%e5%9c%96%e4%bb%8a%e6%97%a5%e7%99%bb%e9%99%b8%e6%b8%af%e4%ba%a4%e6%89%80-%e7%a1%ac%e6%a0%b8%e6%8a%80%e8%a1%93%e6%89%93%e9%80%9a%e6%96%b0%e8%97%a5%e7%a0%94%e7%99%bc%e5%85%a8/

Global bonds tumble into their first bear market in a generation

SYDNEY – Under pressure from central bankers determined to quash inflation even at the cost of a recession, global bonds have slumped into their first bear market in a generation.

The Bloomberg Global Aggregate Total Return Index of government and investment-grade corporate bonds has fallen more than 20 per cent below its 2021 peak, the biggest drawdown since its 1990 inception.

Officials from the United States to Europe have hammered home the importance of tighter monetary policy in recent days, building on the strong hawkish message from Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell at the recent Jackson Hole symposium.

Soaring inflation and the steep interest rate hikes deployed by policymakers in response have brought to an end a four-decade bull market in bonds. This has created a particularly difficult environment for investors this year, with bonds and stocks sinking in tandem.

“I suspect that the secular bull market in bonds that started in the mid-1980s is ending,” said Mr Stephen Miller, an investment consultant at GSFM, a unit of Canada’s CI Financial. “Yields are not going to return to the historic lows seen both before and during the pandemic.”

The very high inflation that the world now faces means central banks will not be prepared to deploy the sort of extreme stimulus that helped send Treasury yields below 1 per cent, he added.

The simultaneous swoons for fixed income and equity assets are undermining a mainstay of investing strategies over the past 40 years or more. Bloomberg’s bond gauge is down 16 per cent in 2022, while MSCI’s index of global stocks has seen a larger decline.

This has pushed a measure of the classic 60/40 portfolio – where investments are split by those proportions between stocks and bonds – down 15 per cent so far this year, on track for its worst annual loss since 2008.

Back to the ’60s

“We are in a new investment environment, and this is a huge deal for those expecting fixed income to be a diversifier to risk off in equities,” said Ms Kellie Wood, a fixed-income money manager at Schroders in Sydney.

Swaps traders now see almost 70 per cent odds that the Fed will deliver a third-straight hike of 75 basis points when it meets in just over three weeks.

Other central bankers at Jackson Hole, from Europe to South Korea and New Zealand, also indicated that rates would continue to rise at pace.

Still, fixed-income investors are showing plenty of demand for government bonds as yields rise, aided by lingering expectations that policymakers will need to reverse course should economic slowdowns help cool inflation. In the US, options markets are still pricing in more than one 25-basis point rate cut next year.

“I would not characterise the current trend as a new secular bond bear market but more of a necessary correction from a period of unsustainably ultra-low yields,” said Mr Steven Oh, global head of credit and fixed income at PineBridge Investments.

“Our expectations are that yields will remain low by long-term historical standards and 2022 is likely to represent the peak in 10-year bond yields in the current cycle.”

Schroders is also starting to see some value in government bonds as yields rise and it positions portfolios for the real risk of severe economic slowdowns, according to Ms Wood.

“In the not-so-distant future, there is going to be a cracking opportunity to be buying bonds as central banks guarantee us a global recession,” she said. BLOOMBERG

source https://netdace.com/latest-news/global-bonds-tumble-into-their-first-bear-market-in-a-generation/

AscendEX Lists Mogul Productions, a DeFi Movie Platform

New York, NY, September 01, 2022 – (SEAPRWire) – AscendEX is excited to announce the listing of Mogul Productions under the trading pair: $STARS/USDT. Trading begins at 1:00 PM UTC on September 1^st. Mogul Productions is a decentralized movie-based NFT platform that connects filmmakers, fans, and investors. A blockchain-based platform allows movie enthusiasts worldwide to participate in the script-to-screen process.

DeFi for Movies

Mogul Productions brings the entertainment industry to the next level. The platform incentivizes participation by using technology, NFTs, and crowd-funding mechanisms with a mission of promoting transparency in film financing. Mogul’s production team and advisors are award-winning Hollywood veterans who have produced a wide range of films. With influential movies and exclusive rewards, Mogul Productions aims to be an innovative film financing platform that gives everyone a voice in the world of entertainment.

The Fan Engagement Token

The STARS token is the utility token throughout Mogul’s community-building process. It allows users to complete in-app payments, vote on key decision-making for film production and entitles holders to govern 50% of generated profits with a 5% discount on NFTs purchasing. The token is redeemable for incredible rewards such as limited-edition movie posters, rare NFTs, and real-world movie props, providing fans with complete insider access to the world of filmmaking.

About AscendEX

Launched in 2018, AscendEX is a global cryptocurrency exchange, servicing over 1.5 million retail and institutional clients globally, through its comprehensive product suite including spot, margin, and futures trading, wallet services, and staking support for over 200 blockchain projects such as Bitcoin, Ether, Solana, Cardana, and more. With the new listing of STARS token on AscendEX, it opens a new entry point for investors and film fans of all stripes to get paid to stay healthy and active!

For more information and updates on AscendEX, please visit:

Website: https://ascendex.media/3AYT1Ad

Twitter: twitter.com/_AscendEX

Telegram: t.me/AscendEXEnglish

Medium: medium.com/ascendex

For more information and updates about Mogul Productions, please visit:

Website: https://www.mogulproductions.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mogulofficial_

Telegram: https://t.me/mogulproductions

Media Contact

Brand: AscendEX

Contact: Dan Mulligan, Director of Digital Marketing

E-Mail: dan.mulligan@ascendex.com

Website: https://ascendex.com/en/global-digital-asset-platform

SOURCE: AscendEX

Sectors: Top Story, Daily News

source https://netdace.com/top-story/ascendex-lists-mogul-productions-a-defi-movie-platform/

askST: What is a digital bank and how do their offerings differentiate them from traditional ones?

SINGAPORE – Two new digital banks have just opened for business here amid heightened competition among local and foreign lenders and fintech service providers despite slowing economic growth.

Policymakers still see more room for new digital bank entrants following the arrival of GXS Bank and Trust Bank this week. The Straits Times explains why.

source https://netdace.com/latest-news/askst-what-is-a-digital-bank-and-how-do-their-offerings-differentiate-them-from-traditional-ones/