Union finance

BERLIN (Reuters) -Bavarian premier Markus Soeder put himself forward on Sunday to run as the conservative candidate for German chancellor in a September election and said he would settle the question soon and amicably with his rival, the Christian Democrat (CDU) chief. Pressure is mounting for a swift decision on whether Soeder, leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU), or the CDU's Armin Laschet should stand for the two-party bloc in the Sept. 26 election, making them the candidate to succeed Angela Merkel. "Markus Soeder and I had a long conversation before today. We declared our willingness to run for the chancellorship," CDU leader Armin Laschet told a joint news conference. Laschet lags Soeder in opinion polls but, as leader of the larger CDU, effectively has first refusal and enjoys the support of some powerful state premiers. With September elections nearing, conservatives are pressing for a decision on the candidacy to end speculation which is highlighting divisions. ... » Learn More about Bavarian leader joins race to run as German chancellor candidate

BERLIN (Reuters) -Germany's Christian Democrats (CDU) backed party chairman Armin Laschet on Monday to run for chancellor at a September election, and asked him to speak to his Bavarian rival to agree a single candidate for their conservative bloc quickly. Laschet said he would contact rival Markus Soeder, who lead's the CDU's Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), later on Monday to settle on a candidate to succeed Chancellor Angela Merkel "very soon". After months of speculation, the candidacy question came to a head on Sunday when Soeder, Bavarian premier, put himself forward. Pressure is mounting for a swift decision on who should stand for the two-party bloc as the candidate to succeed Merkel, who has ruled out standing for a fifth term. "There is broad support for Armin Laschet as candidate for chancellor from CDU and CSU," CDU Secretary General Paul Ziemiak told a joint news conference with Laschet after a meeting of CDU party leaders. As the larger ... » Learn More about German CDU backs Laschet to succeed Merkel as chancellor

SINGAPORE - The Singapore Cycling Federation (SCF) is shifting gears to prioritise high performance with the aim of forming a men's continental cycling team by 2023 and having a Singaporean rider feature in the 2030 Tour de France, It has appointed a high performance director, Australian Shayne Bannan, for at least the next three years to help it achieve those goals. The 59-year-old was previously general manager of GreenEdge Cycling, now known as Team BikeExchange, a professional outfit that competes on the International Cycling Union (UCI) World Tour, the top road cycling circuit. Please subscribe or log in to continue reading the full article. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month Latest headlines and exclusive stories In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months* Subscribe now *Terms and conditions apply. ... » Learn More about Cycling: Australian Shayne Bannan is Singapore federation’s high performance director

PRESS RELEASE The Thiager and its sister company Tadoo , have announced they will enter a strategic partnership with the Bangkok-based fintech company, Masii. Having joined forces with Masii, The Thaiger aims to provide its 6 million-plus monthly users with exclusive deals and packages such as the Thailand re-entry package , comprising of the Certificate of Entry (COE), Covid-19 Travel Insurance and a Covid-19 Test. Sapir Matmon, of Tadoo, says “This tie-up will allow us to provide our readers with all-inclusive packages specifically designed to make the whole process of coming back to Thailand as simple as possible. And by booking through us, all service fees will be waived – a saving of more than 1,000 Baht. We’re confident you won’t find a better price in the market right now.” “We can provide everything you need to enter Thailand hassle-free and within 12 hours, which is the fastest in the market.” Says Maxwell Meyer , CEO of Masii. ... » Learn More about The Thaiger joins forces with Masii to bring you hassle-free Thailand re-entry packages and much more

SINGAPORE - Technology firm Ascent Solutions has invested more than $1 million to develop a solution that aims to improve transparency in the transport of commodities. The company, which provides Internet of things (IoT) software to the logistics industry, spent about two years working on a "digital twin warehouse" service. The solution will allow its clients to track the movement and storage of goods in warehouses in real time using computer vision - an area of artificial intelligence. Mr Huang Yihang, Ascent's head of corporate strategy, said on Monday (April 12) the solution can create greater accountability in trade finance - financial instruments and products that facilitate international trade and commerce - and help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) secure funding to do business. "The solution will enable firms to ensure that what is supposed to be in the warehouse is really there, and it can help to create more visibility on the ground," he said, during a visit ... » Learn More about Tech firm develops solution for real-time tracking of warehouse goods

SINGAPORE - Trade associations and chambers (TACs) here can do more to help companies tap opportunities that arise from digitalisation and improve their capabilities, said Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing on Friday (Feb 12). They play a critical role in the national effort to introduce firms, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, to new technologies, and to help them adopt these, he added. He was speaking at the opening ceremony of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry's (SCCCI) live streaming studio at the Trade Association Hub in Jurong, on the first day of the Chinese New Year. The studio is an example of what TACs can do on this front, to help companies navigate challenges arising from the Covid-19 pandemic , added Mr Chan. SCCCI president Roland Ng said the studio expects to support live streaming for up to 50 activities in its first year, including trade associations' annual general meetings, product launch events and international ... » Learn More about Singapore trade associations play critical role in helping firms tap opportunities from digitalisation: Chan Chun Sing

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The European Union has imposed sanctions on eight Iranian militia commanders and police chiefs, including the head of the elite Revolutionary Guards, over a deadly crackdown in November 2019, the bloc said in its Official Journal on Monday. The travel bans and asset freezes are the first EU sanctions on Iran for human rights abuses since 2013 and their preparation was first reported by Reuters last month . The bloc, which also hit three Iranian prisons with asset freezes, blacklisted Hossein Salami, head of the Revolutionary Guards, the most powerful and heavily armed security force in the Islamic Republic. "Hossein Salami took part in the sessions that resulted in the orders to use lethal force to suppress the November 2019 protests. Hossein Salami therefore bears responsibility for serious human rights violations in Iran," the EU said. About 1,500 people were killed during less than two weeks of unrest that started on Nov. 15, 2019, according to a toll ... » Learn More about EU sanctions elite Iran commander over 2019 protests

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The World Bank Group will have committed $2 billion in financing by the end of April for COVID-19 vaccines in some 40 developing countries, World Bank Managing Director of Operations Axel van Trotsenburg said on Friday. The $2 billion is part of a pool of some $12 billion that the World Bank has made available overall for vaccine development, distribution and production in low-and middle-income countries, van Trotsenburg told a World Bank forum. David Malpass, the World Bank's president, said in separate remarks (https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/speech/2021/04/09/remarks-by-world-bank-group-president-david-malpass-to-the-spring-meetings-2021-development-committee) to the lender's development committee that the bank expects this to expand to $4 billion worth of commitments in 50 countries by mid-year. But public health officials at the same forum warned that a race between the coronavirus and the vaccines meant to stop it could be lost if the pace of ... » Learn More about World Bank says to commit $2 billion to vaccines in developing countries by end-April

GENEVA (Reuters) -The COVAX vaccine facility has delivered nearly 38.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to 102 countries and economies across six continents, six weeks after it began to roll out supplies, according to a statement on Thursday. The programme offers a lifeline to low-income countries in particular, allowing them in the first instance to inoculate health workers and others at high risk, even if their governments have not managed to secure vaccines from the manufacturers. But there have been some delays, the GAVI vaccine alliance and World Health Organization said in a statement. Reduced availability of delayed some deliveries in March and April, and much of the output of the Serum Institute of India, which makes the AstraZeneca vaccine, is being kept in India, where daily infections surpassed 100,000 for the first time on Monday. The Caribbean island of St. Lucia became the 100th country to receive vaccines through COVAX. Iran, also battling a record rate of ... » Learn More about COVAX vaccines reach more than 100 countries, despite supply snags

Continuously mitigating credit risk and fraud in operational processes and systems has become a prevailing problem for the financial sector. As businesses deal with the aftermath of the lockdown, lenders may expect a surge in working capital loan requests from entrepreneurs hoping to recover from these trying times. Covering more than the Financial Sector, The Republic Act (RA) 11521 is the law relating to Anti-Money laundering and also includes real estate developers and brokers as well as offshore gaming operators and their service providers. The push for recovery and the demand for business loans means all covered sectors have to improve credit compliance as well as strengthen Anti-Money Laundering (AML) practices to ensure that members and employees comply with the law against fraudulent acts. Framedia Inc., a family-owned and well-respected Filipino company, pioneered the first full-service AML certification in the country. Accredited by the Anti-Money Laundering Council ... » Learn More about Framedia continues to lead the digital learning innovation in PH