DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

Now, faced with unprecedented attacks in state legislatures, transgender rights leaders acknowledge they are playing defense — and two of the biggest groups are joining forces to counter the onslaught. “This is going to be a defense game — and a movement-strengthening game,” said Andy Marra, executive director of the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund. Many of laws ban gender-affirming medical care for trans minors or bar trans athletes from competing on girls’ and women’s scholastic sports teams. The national political environment — in regard to LGBTQ+ rights — has changed dramatically since then. Marra, who has been active in the LGBTQ+ rights movement for 20 years, says she remains optimistic in the face of current setbacks.

Persons: —, ”, Andy Marra, Rodrigo Heng, Lehtinen, Marra, Ken Paxton, Greg Abbott, Abbott, ” Marra, Heng, “, Lehtinen —, “ We’ve, He’s, Ileana Ros, Ros, Rodrigo, ” Ros, Bud Light, influencer Dylan Mulvaney Organizations: Transgender Legal Defense, Education Fund, Republican, National Center for Transgender Equality, Trans, Texas, Gov, GOP Locations: U.S, New York, Washington, North Carolina

☆ Largest survey of transgender people in the US reveals key insights at a time when trans rights are under attack
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Chandelis Duster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Results from the largest survey of transgender people in the United States were released Wednesday, revealing key insights into their lives and experiences at a time when trans rights have increasingly come under attack. The 2022 US Transgender Survey Early Insights report, conducted by the National Center for Transgender Equality, polled an “unprecedented” 92,329 binary and nonbinary transgender people ages 16 and older living in the US, its territories or military bases, according to the report. Respondents were surveyed on issues including their family life, health care, employment, education, housing and public accommodation. While many transgender people surveyed who have transitioned said they were satisfied with their lives, the report also noted transgender people continue to face disparities and discrimination across the country. The 2022 US Trans Survey is a follow up to the 2015 US Trans Survey, which included more than 27,700 respondents across the US, its territories and its military bases.

Persons: Rodrigo Heng, Lehtinen, NCTE, ” Heng, “, –, Scottie Andrew Organizations: CNN, National Center for Transgender Equality, Survey, Black Trans Advocacy Coalition, Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance, TransLatin@ Coalition Locations: United States, Florida, Virginia , Texas, North Carolina

It said China plans to tap offshore funds held by Chinese state-owned enterprises and also local funds. Elsewhere in Asia, South Korea's Kospi rose 0.6% to 2,478.61 and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 added 0.5% to 7,514.90. ADM also said it expects to report profit for the full year of 2023 that’s below what analysts were forecasting. That in turn has relaxed the pressure considerably on the stock market and helped it to rip higher. In other trading, U.S. benchmark crude oil rose 9 cents to $74.85 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Persons: Seng, Tan Boon Heng, “, ” Tan, Sunoco, Archer Daniels Midland, Tesla Organizations: Bloomberg, Mizuho Bank, Nikkei, Bank of Japan, U.S ., Dow Jones, Nasdaq, Technologies, NuStar Energy, ADM, American Airlines, Intel, Procter, Gamble, Federal Reserve, Treasury, New York Mercantile Exchange, Brent Locations: BANGKOK, Asia, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, China, South, U.S

☆ Singapore's 'ice cream uncles' are disappearing. Blame old age and bureaucracy.
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-24 | by ( Amanda Goh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Most hawkers collect their ice cream and dry ice from wholesale distributors around the country. Lester Ledesma for Business InsiderLiang is one of Singapore's remaining traditional ice cream sellers and part of a bygone era. Buying one from one of Singapore's "ice cream uncles" is almost a right of passage. But Liang, Tan, and many other traditional ice cream sellers in the country find themselves working well into their golden years. In addition to the ice cream cart, the ice cream hawkers often also use big cooler boxes for additional storage.

Persons: hawking, —, Liang, Lester Ledesma, Insider Liang, Kenneth Goh, Chip Guan Heng, Goh, Koh Poh Koon, That's, Koh, Tan Ah Hock, He's, " Tan, Tan, There's, Wang, she's, Chan Yong Leng, Chan, TikTok, Darren Tan, it's Organizations: Service, Business, Insider, Singapore Food Agency, SFA, Social Service Office Locations: Singapore, Orchard

☆ Gold soars past $2,100 to new record — and analysts don't expect it to stop there
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Gold prices notched a new record on Monday for a second day in a row — with spot prices touching $2,100 as the global rush for bullion appears set to continue. Gold prices are on course to hit fresh highs next year and could remain above $2,000 levels, analysts said, citing geopolitical uncertainty, a likely weaker U.S. dollar and possible interest rate cuts. Gold tends to perform well during periods of economic and geopolitical uncertainty due to its status as a reliable store of value. He estimated that gold prices could reach up to $2,200 by the end of 2024. "There is simply less leverage this time around vs 2011 in gold ... taking prices through $2,100 and putting $2,200/oz in view," said Nicky Shiels, head of metals strategy at precious metals firm MKS PAMP.

Persons: Heng Koon, Nicky Shiels Organizations: Markets, Global Economics, Markets Research, CNBC Locations: Israel

TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares traded mixed Tuesday after a rally on Wall Street that was led by gains in Microsoft following its announcement that it was hiring Sam Altman, former CEO of OpenAI, the ChatGPT maker. On Wall Street, the S&P 500 gained 0.7% to 4,547.38, coming off its third straight winning week. Microsoft said it will also continue its partnership with OpenAI, as fervor around artificial-intelligence technology and the huge profits it’s expected to create wow Wall Street. This week is relatively light on reports that could sway the hopes on Wall Street that have underpinned that drop in Treasury yields. In energy trading, benchmark U.S. crude fell 61 cents to $77.22 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Persons: Sam Altman, Seng, ” Tan Boon Heng, Australia's, Kospi, Lowe’s, Brent, Stan Choe Organizations: TOKYO, Microsoft, OpenAI, Mizuho Bank, Dow Jones, Nasdaq, Federal Reserve, Traders, Nvidia, Deere, HP, Treasury, New York Mercantile Exchange, U.S ., AP Locations: Shanghai, Beijing, U.S

SINGAPORE (AP) — Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Sunday he planned to bow out and hand over power to his deputy, Lawrence Wong, late next year, before the 2025 general election. He has served as head of the long-ruling People's Action Party, or PAP, and as prime minister since 2004. Therefore, I intend to hand over to DPM (Deputy Prime Minister) Lawrence before the next general election,” Lee said at a party conference. I will do my best to help him fight and win the next GE (general election),” Lee added. Lee is the eldest son of Lee Kuan Yew, who became Singapore's first prime minister and built the resource-poor city-state into one of the world’s richest nations during 31 years in office.

Persons: Lee Hsien Loong, Lawrence Wong, Lee, Wong, “, Lawrence, ” Lee, PAP's, Heng Swee Keat, Heng, Lee Kuan Yew Organizations: SINGAPORE, — Singapore, Party, GE, COVID, Finance, PAP Locations: Lawrence

His death has been memorialized as an egregious hate crime that helped fuel the LGBTQ+ rights movement over the ensuing years. In 2011, the military scrapped the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that kept gay, lesbian and bisexual service members in the closet. Several activists interviewed this week by The Associated Press evoked Matthew Shepard as they discussed broader developments. The act expanded the federal hate crime law to include crimes based on a victim’s sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. It is a popular choice for high school theater productions but has faced opposition due to policies resembling Florida's “Don't Say Gay” law that have surfaced in various states and communities.

Persons: It's, Matthew Shepard, we've, Kevin Jennings, “, you've, they're, we’ve, ”, Ron DeSantis, “ We’re, ” Shannon Minter, Rodrigo Heng, Lehtinen, ” Heng, James Esseks, Esseks, ” Esseks, Kelley Robinson, —, James Byrd Jr, Barack Obama, Shepard, Shepard's, Judy, Matthew Shepard’s, Shelby Chestnut, Chestnut, Cathy Renna Organizations: of Wyoming, U.S, Supreme, Republican, Lambda, GOP, National Center for Lesbian Rights, National Center for Transgender Equality, American Civil Liberties, HIV, Human Rights, Associated Press, Matthew Shepard Foundation, Transgender Law, New, National, Task Force Locations: Vermont, Texas, Colorado, Florida, Laramie , Wyoming, New York City

☆ Malaysia prepares to make rain, close schools as haze worsens
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Malaysia's air quality was deteriorating, particularly in the western part of Peninsular Malaysia, with 11 areas recording unhealthy air pollution index (API) readings, the department's director general, Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar, said in a statement late on Monday. Malaysia said last week fires in neighbouring Indonesia were causing the pollution although Indonesia has denied detecting any smoke drifting over its borders into Malaysia. Schools and kindergartens must stop all outdoor activities when API readings reach 100, and close when they reach 200, he said. The environmental group Greenpeace, meanwhile, called on countries in the region to introduce legislation to stop plantation companies causing air pollution. Singapore, which prides itself on its clean air, passed a cross-border air pollution law in 2014 that makes those who cause haze both criminally and civilly liable.

Persons: Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar, Wan Abdul Latiff, Heng, Chun, Rozanna, Robert Birsel Organizations: of Environment, Malaysian, Greenpeace, Greenpeace Southeast, Thomson Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Indonesia, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, Greenpeace Southeast Asia, Singapore

☆ Malaysia Prepares to Make Rain, Close Schools as Haze Worsens
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

Persons: Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar, Wan Abdul Latiff, Heng, Chun, Rozanna, Robert Birsel Organizations: Reuters, of Environment, Malaysian, Greenpeace, Greenpeace Southeast Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Indonesia, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, Greenpeace Southeast Asia, Singapore

☆ Singapore is the world's 6th Blue Zone — and a look at its urban planning helps explain why
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Amanda Goh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Singapore is the world's sixth Blue Zone, according to Dan Buettner, a journalist who popularized the term. In the Netflix series "Live to 100," Buettner shows how the country is designed to encourage its residents to live healthier. Policies on housing, transportation, and hawker centers come together to create what he calls a "Blue Zone 2.0." The original five Blue Zone regions include Okinawa in Japan, Ikaria in Greece, Sardinia in Italy, Nicoya in Costa Rica, as well as Loma Linda in California. "You share tables and you're interacting with the stall user, interacting with the person next to you," Buettner told Fortune.

Persons: Dan Buettner, Buettner, Amanda Goh, Chan Heng Chee, Chan Organizations: Netflix, Service, World Bank, Housing Development Board, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Transportation, Singapore, Hawker Locations: Singapore, Wall, Silicon, Okinawa, Japan, Ikaria, Greece, Sardinia, Italy, Nicoya, Costa Rica, California

☆ Strategist explains what's behind the U.S. dollar's strength
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailStrategist explains what's behind the U.S. dollar's strengthHeng Koon How, head of markets strategy at UOB, says foreign exchange market moves in the past month have been mostly driven by interest rate differentials.

Persons: what's, Heng Koon

☆ Gold prices to breach all-time highs? Some expect bullion to hit $2,500
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Spot gold prices hit a record intraday high of $2,072.5 on Aug. 7, 2020, according to data from Refinitiv. We also see a return of physical gold jewelry demand from China and India as both economies stabilize and retail spending returns. Gold prices tend to have an inverse relationship with interest rates. "We also see a return of physical gold jewelry demand from China and India as both economies stabilize and retail spending returns," Heng said. Chinese retail gold demand has been resilient in 2023 even as consumption of other commodities remained weak, Citi said in a July report.

Persons: Sven Hoppe, Bart Melek, Melek, David Neuhauser, Neuhauser, Randy Smallwood, Heng, Heng Koon, UOB Heng, Citi's, Doshi Organizations: Getty, Refinitiv, CNBC, Securities, U.S . Federal, Livermore Partners, Fed, Wheaton Precious Metals, greenback, Markets, Federal Reserve, Citi, Commodities, Future Publishing Locations: U.S, China, India, Yichang, Hubei province

☆ Singapore state investor Temasek posts negative annual return, its first since 2020
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

This was just its fifth one-year total shareholder negative return since 2003. Singapore's state investment company Temasek recorded its first annual shareholder negative return since 2020, weighed by a challenging macroeconomic and geopolitical environment. Net portfolio value came in at $382 billion Singapore dollars ($284.77 billion), compared to S$403 billion a year ago. Still, Temasek's decline in annual shareholder return in 2022/23 compares relatively favorably with global stock market returns. Its three-year total shareholder return stood at 8%, while its 10-year return was at 6% and 20-year return at 9%.

Persons: Lim Boon Heng Organizations: Temasek Holdings, Temasek, Singapore Locations: Singapore, Asia, Japan, China, Russia, Ukraine

LAUNCESTON, Australia, June 22 (Reuters) - Commodities had a mixed reaction to the latest stimulus measures aimed at boosting the Chinese economy's stuttering post-pandemic recovery. Still, iron ore imports have remained fairly steady in recent months. Commodity analysts Kpler estimated that arrivals in June would be in the order of 98.73 million metric tons, which would be slightly higher than the official customs figure for May of 96.17 million tons. OIL GAINSIn contrast to iron ore's lacklustre response to China's latest stimulus measures, crude oil and copper performed better. Asia's crude oil imports are expected to remain robust in June.

Persons: Lim Boon Heng, LPR, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Commodities, Xinhua, Brent, U.S, . Federal, Refinitiv Oil Research, Shanghai, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LAUNCESTON, Australia, Singapore, Beijing, China, May's, India, South Korea

The Michelin Guide added 17 food stalls and two restaurants in Singapore to its Bib Gourmand list this week. In total, 79 dining establishments in the city-state were named to the list, an increase from 67 last year. The Bib Gourmand category recognizes inexpensive dining establishments, which are selected by anonymous inspectors, according to a company press release. Three more stalls are in Adam Food Center — Adam Rd Noo Cheng Big Prawn Noodle, Bahrakath Mutton Soup and Selamat Datang Warong Pak Sapari, which is known for its Malay noodle dishes, according to Michelin. The complete selection of Michelin-starred restaurants in Singapore will be announced on June 27 at an awards ceremony.

Persons: Kok Sen, nasi lemak, Du Du Shou Shi, Heng Kee, De, Heng, Fried, Huat, Chun, Wei Chilli Ban, Cheok Kee, Adam, Noo Organizations: Michelin, Coconut, Geylang Bahru Market, Food Center, Adam Food Locations: Singapore, Geylang

☆ Ahead of Blinken's Beijing visit, Singapore urges the U.S. and China to stave off conflict
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

SINGAPORE — Singapore renewed calls for China and the U.S. to cool tensions, warning of "great costs and hardship across the world" if these feuding global powers do not step back from the brink. The comments come as U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is reportedly preparing to visit Beijing for talks this week. China rejected U.S. defense officials' request for dialogue at a security summit in Singapore two weeks ago. "Unbridled and unchecked competition with no guardrails will generate great costs and hardship, across the world. "It is every country's interest, especially the U.S. and China, to develop a new architecture that enables inclusive and sustainable development."

Persons: State Anthony Blinken, —, Heng Swee Kiat, Heng Organizations: U.S, State, Asia New Vision Locations: Beijing, Singapore, China, U.S, SINGAPORE — Singapore, South Carolina, Asia, Taiwan Strait, South, ASEAN

☆ Singapore's love affair with air conditioning shows a Catch 22 of climate change
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Thankfully, Chee said, his home has five air conditioners – one in each bedroom and a larger unit in the living room. “I drank plenty of water, took cold showers and kept the air conditioning on for the entire weekend. Indeed, in this city, air conditioning has become almost a way of life. But Singapore’s love affair with air conditioning has an enormous cost. Here are some possible solutions 02:39 - Source: CNNBreaking the loopStill, experts say there are ways to break the air conditioning doom-loop.

Persons: Chee Kuan Chew, ” Chee, “, Mo Kio, Chee, Lee Kuan Yew, Edgar Su, Suhaimi Abdullah, Matthias Roth, Roth, Radhika Khosla, ” Khosla, Heng Chye Kiang, Smart, Heng Organizations: CNN, Reuters, Economic, International Energy Agency, Urban, United States Environmental Protection Agency, National University of Singapore, United Nations, Montreal Protocol, Oxford University’s Smith School of Enterprise, Environment, Bloomberg, Getty, Singapore’s National Environment Agency, NEA, ”, National University of Singapore’s School of Design Locations: Singapore, New York City, Japan, United States, ”, Kigali, Montreal, Orchard

☆ Singapore's Temasek cuts compensation for staff responsible for FTX investment
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Singapore state investor Temasek Holdings said on Monday it had cut compensation for the team that recommended its investment in the now-bankrupt FTX cryptocurrency exchange, as well as for its senior management team. The move comes around six months after Temasek initiated an internal review of its investment in FTX, which resulted in a writedown of $275 million. "Although there was no misconduct by the investment team in reaching their investment recommendation, the investment team and senior management, who are ultimately responsible for investment decisions made, took collective accountability and had their compensation reduced," Temasek Chairman Lim Boon Heng said in a statement posted on Temasek's website on Monday. Temasek did not detail the amount of compensation cut. Temasek also said last year it had conducted "extensive due diligence" on FTX, with its audited financial statement then "showed it to be profitable."

May 29 (Reuters) - Singapore state investor Temasek Holdings (TEM.UL) said on Monday it had cut compensation for the team and senior management that recommended its investment in the now-bankrupt FTX cryptocurrency exchange. "Although there was no misconduct by the investment team in reaching their investment recommendation, the investment team and senior management, who are ultimately responsible for investment decisions made, took collective accountability and had their compensation reduced," Temasek Chairman Lim Boon Heng said in a statement posted on Temasek's website on Monday. The move comes around six months after Temasek initiated an internal review of its investment in FTX, which resulted in a writedown of $275 million. Temasek also said last year it had conducted "extensive due diligence" on FTX, with its audited financial statement then "showed it to be profitable". "With FTX, as alleged by prosecutors and as admitted by key executives at FTX and its affiliates, there was fraudulent conduct intentionally hidden from investors, including Temasek," Lim said in the statement on Monday.

TAIPEI/BEIJING, April 6 (Reuters) - Taiwan was keeping a close watch on a Chinese aircraft carrier and threats to inspect ships in the Taiwan Strait on Thursday after Beijing condemned a meeting between Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The meeting took place at a low ebb of U.S.-China relations and despite threats of retaliation from Beijing, which claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own. In March of last year, the Shandong sailed through the Taiwan Strait, just hours before the Chinese and U.S. presidents were due to talk. However, Taiwan is also concerned about China's announcement late Wednesday that its maritime safety administration is to inspect ships in the Taiwan Strait, including possibly boarding them. Defence Minister Chiu said Taiwan will react if Chinese patrol ships cross the Taiwan Strait's median line, which normally serves as an unofficial barrier between the two sides.

☆ China's Tencent wants to expand its presence in Singapore — and Chinese tourists are a big reason
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-03 | by ( Kimberley Kao | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Budrul Chukrut | Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty ImagesTencent is expanding its presence in Singapore — and China's a big reason. The Chinese tech giant has struck new partnerships with Singapore businesses such as ride-hailing app Grab through its digital messaging app, WeChat/Weixin. In Grab's mini-program, Chinese travelers can also choose to pay via WeChat/Weixin Pay in Chinese yuan. "Chinese travelers represented the largest group of non-Southeast Asian users using the Grab app in 2019," he added. Singapore did not tighten travel restrictions for Chinese travelers after China announced the easing of its border controls.

☆ Ukrainians trying to clear land mines turn to Cambodia for help
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Fifteen Ukrainian deminers are being trained by experts in Cambodia who are among the world’s best because of experience from clearing the leftovers of nearly three decades of war. The Ukrainian deminers are being hosted by the Cambodian Mine Action Center, a government agency that oversees the clearing of land mines and unexploded ordnance in Cambodia. Cambodia was littered with land mines and other unexploded ordnance after almost three decades of war ending in the late 1990s. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen pledged in a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in November to send Cambodian demining experts to help train their Ukrainian counterparts. Several other countries, including the United States and Germany, have already provided Ukraine with demining assistance.

☆ Pay attention to upcoming Fed meetings, says UOB
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailPay attention to upcoming Fed meetings, says UOBHeng Koon How of United Overseas Bank discusses the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's hawkish 75 basis point interest rate hike.

☆ People with disabilities rate the top 10 cities that are easiest for them to travel around
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Goh Chiew Tong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

The Valuable 500, a business coalition, released its list of the top 10 most accessible cities in the world. Over 95% of pedestrian walkways, taxi stands and bus shelters in Singapore are also accessible to wheelchair users, seniors or other individuals with disabilities. United StatesLas Vegas The "sheer number" of accessible hotel rooms in Las Vegas makes the city a stand-out choice for travel. Orlando Orlando is well known for being home to iconic theme parks such as Walt Disney World, SeaWorld and Universal Studios Florida. Amsterdam is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world, with an extensive network of bike lanes.

Search resuls for: "Heng"

25 mentions found