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While Maricopa County election officials initially categorized the problem as a “hiccup,” it took hours before a solution was identified early Tuesday afternoon. According to the poll, 46% of voters said their family’s financial situation is worse than it was two years ago. Civil rights groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the NAACP, filed a similar complaint Friday against state election officials. The app and portal had been down for part of the morning and the state's election hotline also briefly experienced issues. In Columbus County, election officials allegedly were harassed by an “observer following one-stop workers” and photographing or filming the workers, it said.

☆ Cathay’s outgoing boss can flash half-decent card
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

HONG KONG, Nov 9 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Cathay Pacific’s (0293.HK) new boss has reason for optimism. The outgoing chief executive can flash a half-decent report card. He navigated the Air China- (601111.SS) and Swire Pacific-backed (0019.HK) company through backlash from Beijing after employees took part in the 2019 Hong Kong protests. The $6 billion airline has seen a modest rebound of travellers since Hong Kong dropped hotel quarantine requirements. Since Tang’s appointment in August 2019, Cathay has logged a negative total return of 16%.

☆ Volkswagen Group of America CEO lays out company's plans for new EV lineup
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | 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 EmailVolkswagen Group of America CEO lays out company's plans for new EV lineupPablo Di Si, president and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, joins 'The Exchange' to discuss Volkswagen's new EV model, financing concerns related to increasing interest rates and the supply chain strains with EV development.

By the end of Election Day, approximately 21,000 total interviews will be conducted. Civil rights groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the NAACP, filed a similar complaint Friday against state election officials. The app and portal had been down for part of the morning and the state's election hotline also briefly experienced issues. In Columbus County, election officials allegedly were harassed by an “observer following one-stop workers” and photographing or filming the workers, it said. Share this -Link copiedSunny weather in most battleground states on Election Day It’s a bright and sunny Election Day in many battleground states!

How the midterm election outcome could impact Biden's agenda Nov. 8, 2022 02:02 Read the full story here. Civil rights groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the NAACP, filed a similar complaint Friday against state election officials. The app and portal had been down for part of the morning and the state's election hotline also briefly experienced issues. In Columbus County, election officials allegedly were harassed by an “observer following one-stop workers” and photographing or filming the workers, it said. Share this -Link copiedSunny weather in most battleground states on Election Day It’s a bright and sunny Election Day in many battleground states!

☆ Singapore Airlines expects 2023 airfares may decline as rivals add capacity
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( Jamie Freed | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SummarySummary Companies Airline reported record quarterly revenue in Q2Passenger yields were 32% above 2019 levels in Q2Bookings strong through Lunar New Year period - executiveNov 7 (Reuters) - Singapore Airlines Ltd (SIA) (SIAL.SI) expects passenger yields, a proxy for airfares, could decline in 2023 as rival airlines bring back planes idled during the pandemic and add capacity, a senior executive said on Monday. The airline on Friday swung to a second-quarter profit and declared its first dividend in three years as international borders reopened and travel demand rebounded strongly in the three months ended on Sept. 30. SIA's passenger yields across its group airlines were 32% higher during the quarter than during the same quarter in 2019 before the pandemic decimated air travel, according to Reuters calculations based on the respective financial results. The airline's shares were trading 1.5% higher at 0315 GMT on Monday, having risen by as much as 3% in early trading to the highest level since June. Reporting by Jamie Freed in Sydney; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Christopher CushingOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Factbox: Australia Inc roiled by raft of cyberattacks this year
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] A woman uses her mobile phone as she walks past in front of an Optus shop in Sydney, Australia, February 8, 2018. The data exposed included home addresses, drivers' licences and passport numbers. AUSTRALIAN CLINICAL LABSAustralian Clinical Labs Ltd (ACL.AX), one of the country's largest pathology providers, said unit Medlab suffered a breach that exposed data of about 223,000 patients. TELSTRAAustralia's largest telecoms operator Telstra (TLS.AX) suffered what it called a small data breach, which exposed data of about 30,000 current and former employees dating back to 2017. Compiled by Jaskiran Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Sherry Jacob-PhillipsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Factbox: Australia Inc roiled by raft of cyberattacks since late 2022
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/3] A woman uses her mobile phone as she walks past in front of an Optus shop in Sydney, Australia, February 8, 2018. AUSTRALIAN CLINICAL LABSAustralian Clinical Labs Ltd (ACL.AX), one of the country's largest pathology providers, said unit Medlab suffered a breach that exposed data of about 223,000 patients. TPG TELECOMAustralia's No.2 internet service provider TPG Telecom (TPG.AX) said it had been notified of unauthorised access to a hosted exchange service that hosts email accounts of up to 15,000 business customers. CBACommonwealth Bank of Australia CBA.AX said its Indonesian unit, PT Bank Commonwealth (PTBC), had been hit by a cyber incident involving unauthorised access of a web-based software application used for project management. IPHAustralian intellectual property services provider IPH Ltd (IPH.AX) said it had detected unauthorised access to a portion of its IT environment, compromising information including administrative documents and some client documents.

☆ Medibank says hacker accessed data of 9.7 mln customers, refuses to pay ransom
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 7 (Reuters) - Medibank Private Ltd (MPL.AX), Australia's biggest health insurer, on Monday said no ransom payment will be made to the criminal responsible for a recent data theft, wherein around 9.7 million current and former customers' data was compromised. Highlighting findings of the firm's investigation to date, Medibank confirmed that name, date of birth, address, phone number, and email addresses for around 9.7 million current and former customers were accessed in the data theft. Koczkar added that paying a ransom could encourage the hacker to extort customers directly, hurting more people. The insurer reiterated that business operations remained normal during the time of the cyberattack, with customers continuing to access health services. Medibank warned its customers must be vigilant as the criminal may leak the data online or attempt to contact customers directly.

☆ Medibank says hacker accessed data of 9.7 million customers, refuses to pay ransom
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

☆ OCBC profit surges 31% in record quarter for Singapore banks
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( Anshuman Daga | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Net interest income grew on higher net interest margin and loan growth was sustained," Group CEO Helen Wong said in a statement, adding that asset quality was healthy, with no indication of systemic stress. OCBC's net profit increased to S$1.6 billion ($1.13 billion) in July-September versus the S$1.55 billion average estimate from four analysts, according to Refinitiv data. On Thursday, OCBC's larger peer DBS Group (DBSM.SI) reported a forecast-beating 32% jump in quarterly profit to a record high while UOB Group (UOBH.SI) also posted a record quarterly profit. The bank's net interest margin, a key gauge of profitability, increased 54 basis points to 2.06% in the quarter. ($1 = 1.4214 Singapore dollars)Reporting by Anshuman Daga; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Sam HolmesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Singapore bank OCBC's Q3 profit surges to record on rates
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Anshuman Daga | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The results rounded up a strong showing by Singapore banks after larger peer DBS Group (DBSM.SI) reported a forecast-beating 32% jump in quarterly profit to a record high and UOB Group (UOBH.SI) also posted a record quarterly profit. Singapore banks, which boast one of the strongest capital buffers in the world, have effectively weathered the COVID-19-induced slump and are now benefiting from rebounding Asian economies. Singapore-based OCBC's net profit increased to S$1.6 billion ($1.13 billion) in July-September versus the S$1.55 billion average estimate from four analysts, according to Refinitiv data. "Net interest income grew on higher net interest margin and loan growth was sustained," Group Chief Executive Helen Wong said in a statement on Friday. The bank's net interest margin, a key gauge of profitability, increased 54 basis points to 2.06% in the quarter.

☆ Australia sees spike in cyber attacks from criminals and states
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Lewis Jackson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY, Nov 4 (Reuters) - Cyber attacks against Australia from criminals and state-sponsored groups jumped last financial year, with a government report released on Friday equating the assault to one attack every seven minutes. The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) received 76,000 cybercrime reports last financial year, up 13% from the previous period, according to its latest annual cyber threat report. The ACSC, part of the intelligence-collecting Signals Directorate, reported 95 cyber incidents impacting critical infrastructure last fiscal year. Business losses attributable to cyber crime rose on average 14% over the period, with the average crime costing a small business A$39,000 ($24,540). The jump in attacks and damages is making insurers wary and premiums in Australia jumped 56% year-on-year in the second quarter, according to Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc (MMC.N).

☆ Wealth darling DBS channels Singapore’s success
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Una Galani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MUMBAI, Nov 3 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Singapore’s status as a financial centre is thriving, and DBS Group (DBSM.SI), the city-state’s $63 billion wealth darling led by Piyush Gupta, is reaping the benefits of its home market’s success. It makes the Lion City’s pragmatism a key pillar of support: Singapore generated 62% of DBS' total income in 2021. DBS’ wealth management business is attracting money at a rapid clip: net new asset inflows amounted to S$15 billion during the first nine months, doubling from a year ago, Gupta noted. The bank’s annualised return on equity hit a record high of 16.3% too. The bank’s return on equity also hit a new record high of 16.3%, up from 13.4% in the prior three-month period.

☆ DBS profit soars 32% to a quarterly record on rising interest rates
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SINGAPORE, Nov 3 (Reuters) - DBS Group (DBSM.SI) on Thursday reported a forecast-beating 32% jump in quarterly profit to a record high and forecast a bullish outlook, as higher interest rates boosted net interest margins at Southeast Asia's largest lender. Net profit at DBS came in at S$2.24 billion ($1.58 billion) in July-September, beating an average estimate of S$1.97 billion from four analysts, according to Refinitiv data. The bank's return on equity rose to a record 16.3% and net interest income surged 44%. Its net interest margin, a key profitability gauge, improved to 1.90% in the quarter from 1.43% a year earlier. Last week, local peer UOB Group (UOBH.SI) beat market estimates with a record quarterly net profit of S$1.4 billion after net interest income swelled and credit allowances declined.

☆ Late Bed Bath & Beyond CFO Dropped From Suit Alleging Collusion With Ryan Cohen
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Jennifer Williams-Alvarez | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

“There’s plenty of grief in his family, and us making it even worse didn’t seem worth it,” Mr. Toll said. Gone are claims from the original 24-page complaint that Mr. Arnal and Mr. Cohen colluded to boost the company’s share price. Bed Bath & Beyond and Mr. Cohen, along with JP Morgan Securities LLC, are still named as defendants in the suit, which seeks class-action status. Mr. Cohen unloaded his entire stake in Bed Bath & Beyond in mid-August. Bed Bath & Beyond shares traded around $4.05 on Wednesday, down more than 70% since the beginning of the year.

☆ Late Bed Bath & Beyond CFO Dropped From Shareholder Suit
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Jennifer Williams-Alvarez | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

Gone are claims from the original 24-page complaint that Mr. Arnal and Mr. Cohen colluded to boost the company’s share price. Bed Bath & Beyond has said the lawsuit was without merit. Bed Bath & Beyond and Mr. Cohen, along with JP Morgan Securities LLC, are still named as defendants in the suit, which seeks class-action status. Bed Bath & Beyond shares traded around $4.05 on Wednesday, down more than 70% since the beginning of the year. Mr. Toll said he hadn’t heard from Bed Bath & Beyond or Mr. Arnal’s estate leading up to the filing of the amended complaint.

[1/2] A woman uses her mobile phone as she walks past in front of an Optus shop in Sydney, Australia, February 8, 2018. This week 37 countries, including Australia, will meet at the White House with the goal of tackling ransomware and other cyber crime. Australian cybersecurity insurance premiums rose by an average of 56% year-on-year in the second quarter, said insurer Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc (MMC.N). The average Australian cybersecurity base salary is A$105,000, according to jobs website Glassdoor. Neil Curtis, an Australian cybersecurity executive of U.S. technology contractor DXC Technology Co (DXC.N), who runs a programme retraining military veterans in cybersecurity, said he had requests for about 300 trained personnel in the next six months.

☆ Ransomware hackers hit Australian defence communications platform
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( Renju Jose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Hackers have targeted a communications platform used by Australian military personnel and defence staff with a ransomware attack, authorities said on Monday, as the country battles a recent spike in cyberattacks across businesses. "I want to stress that this isn't an attack or a breach on defence (technology) systems and entities," Thistlethwaite told ABC Radio. "At this stage, there is no evidence that the data set has been breached, that's the data that this company holds on behalf of defence". Thistlethwaite said the government will view the incident "very seriously" and all defence personnel have been notified, with suggestions to consider changing their passwords. A Defence department spokesperson told Reuters in an emailed statement the department was examining the contents of the impacted data set and what personal information it contained.

☆ Australia pathology data stolen as hacking epidemic widens
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( Byron Kaye | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SYDNEY, Oct 27 (Reuters) - One of Australia's largest pathology providers said hackers stole medical data of thousands of patients, the country's second such breach in two weeks, deepening fears about how companies collect sensitive customer information. 1 health insurer Medibank Private Ltd (MPL.AX) said criminals took data of all 4 million of its customers. [ read more read moreACL said it first knew of unauthorised access to the IT system of its pathology unit, Medlab, in February and received advice that no information was compromised. 1 grocery chain Woolworths Group Ltd (WOW.AX) then revealed that the data of millions of customers using its bargain shopping website had been compromised. Australia has said it plans to fine companies up to A$50 million ($32 million) for failing to prevent data breaches, but Christie said damages awarded for thefts of medical data were typically higher than for other personal data because of non-economic harm like mental health repercussions.

☆ Temasek shifts president, CFO in management shuffle
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Oct 26 (Reuters) - Singapore's Temasek Holdings said on Wednesday President Tan Chong Lee will resign to take up the role as chief executive officer at its fund management firm 65 Equity Partners. In a slew of management changes announced by the investment giant, Leong Wai Leng will step down as the chief financial officer after 16 years to lead the Singapore market team as president. The company's deputy CFO Png Chin Yee will replace Leng from Jan. 1, 2023, it said in a statement. It has in recent days seen stock markets tumble in the face of higher interest rates and inflation. Reporting by Savyata Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh KuberOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Corporate Australia suffers fourth major hack since September
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Oct 27 (Reuters) - Australian Clinical Labs (ACL.AX) said on Thursday its Medlab Pathology business suffered a data breach that affected about 223,000 accounts, marking corporate Australia's fourth major hack since September. "Given the highly complex and unstructured nature of the data-set being investigated, it has taken the forensic analysts and experts until now to determine the individuals and the nature of their information involved," ACL said. The ACSC also notified the company in June that Medlab's information had been posted on the dark web, which ACL subsequently sought to find and permanently remove. "We apologise sincerely and deeply regret that this incident occurred... We want to assure all individuals involved that ACL is committed to providing every reasonable support to them," ACL Chief Executive Officer Melinda McGrath said. Reporting by Shashwat Awasthi; Editing by Anil D'Silva and Devika SyamnathOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Here are Wednesday's biggest analyst calls: Tesla, Microsoft, Disney, Amazon, Alphabet & more
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Bank of America downgrades Whirlpool to underperform from neutral Bank of America said there has been a severe drop in appliance demand. Bank of America reiterates Uber as buy Bank of America said it's staying "constructive" on Uber heading into earnings on Nov. 1. Morgan Stanley upgrades Discover to overweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley upgraded the stock on a potential buyback resumption. " Morgan Stanley reiterates Disney as overweight Morgan Stanley said Disney shares already have baked in macro risks. Morgan Stanley reiterates Tesla as overweight Morgan Stanley said it's seeing signs that Tesla is "taking steps to become a bigger player in its own battery supply chain."

☆ Paying off hackers is common, says top Australian govt cybersecurity firm
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Byron Kaye | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SYDNEY, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Corporate insurers routinely pay hackers a ransom for the return of stolen customer data, a top Australian government cybersecurity provider said on Tuesday, as the country's biggest health insurer revealed the growing scale of a recent breach. "In what other sphere of life do you see reputable corporates pay millions of dollars to criminals and somehow it's all okay?" On Tuesday, Medibank said the criminal had shown data of another 1,000 customers and added that the number was likely to grow. 2 telco, Singapore Telecommunciations Ltd-owned (STEL.SI) Optus, said last month about 10 million customer accounts, equivalent to 40% of the Australian population, had data taken by a hacker demanding payment. The federal government has meanwhile said it would introduce fines of up to A$50 million for companies on the receiving end of data breaches.

It said on Wednesday that all personal and significant amounts of health claims data of all its customers were compromised in the breach reported this month, a day after it warned the number of customers affected would grow. Medibank, which covers one-sixth of Australians, said the estimated cost did not include further potential remediation or regulatory expenses. "Our investigation has now established that this criminal has accessed all our private health insurance customers' personal data and significant amounts of their health claims data," chief executive David Koczkar said in a statement. Medibank, which also withdrew its fiscal 2023 policyholder growth forecast, reported an after-tax profit of about A$394 million for fiscal 2022 in August. A person claiming to be behind the Optus hack later withdrew the demand over concerns about publicity.

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