March, 2021

• 18 March

  Atlanta shootings put spotlight on crimes against Asians in US

  

  Bloomberg At least eight people were killed in shootings at three Asian massage parlors in the Atlanta area, sparking questions about how the US can curb the discrimination and violence against Asians that has escalated during the coronavirus pandemic. Police arrested Robert Aaron Long, 21, in connection with all three incidents. Atlanta area authorities said at least six of the ...

  Read More »
• 18 March

  Johnson’s global Britain blueprint hit by China human rights row

  

  Bloomberg Prime Minister Boris Johnson insisted the UK must be ready to increase trade with China, in the face of criticism that his government is putting commercial deals ahead of security and human rights. Setting out his principles for the UK’s future foreign and defense policy, Johnson told Parliament his administration would defend its values as well as its interests. ...

  Read More »
• 18 March

  Denmark dispatches vessel to West African Gulf to fight piracy

  

  Bloomberg Denmark will send a naval vessel to West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea to aid the fight against rampant piracy. The decision follows a call by A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S and shipping industry groups for a more assertive international response to kidnappings that occur in the region. The waters in the area are the most dangerous for seafarers worldwide, accounting for ...

  Read More »
• 18 March

  Merkel’s bloc sinks amid calls for health minister’s removal

  

  Bloomberg Support for German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative bloc slumped to its lowest in a year as discontent over the government’s handling of the vaccination rollout mounts and some opposition leaders called for her to fire the health minister. The stuttering pace of inoculation, irritation with months of lockdown restrictions and a scandal over allegations that some conservative lawmakers profited ...

  Read More »
• 18 March

  Goldman, Citi lead US banks plowing billions into China

  

  Bloomberg Goldman Sachs Group Inc. led US banks plowing billions of fresh cash into China last year, undeterred by political turmoil as the world’s second-largest economy further opens its $50 trillion financial market. The bank’s “cross currency outstandings” rose 33% to $17.5 billion last year in China, covering a broad array of cash and financing to companies and government entities, ...

  Read More »
• 18 March

  HSBC closes main Hong Kong office after multiple Covid cases

  

  Bloomberg HSBC Holdings Plc’s main Hong Kong office was closed until further notice after three people working in the building tested positive for Covid-19 amid a renewed wave of infections among the city’s business and expatriate community. The Center for Health Protection has published a formal notice requiring visitors who stayed at the building for more than two hours between ...

  Read More »
• 18 March

  DBS raises $1.2bn for ESG, Barbell products

  

  Bloomberg DBS Group Holdings Ltd.’s private bank raised more than S$1.6 billion ($1.2 billion) from two in-house products, including a new one targeting sustainable investing. The Barbell Income Fund, which invests in stocks, bonds and cash, drew about S$970 million in less than six weeks after introduction, Southeast Asia’s largest bank said in an emailed release. The other product based ...

  Read More »
• 18 March

  NatWest charged over cash deposits linked to gold dealer

  

  Bloomberg NatWest Group Plc faces landmark money laundering charges for failing to properly monitor a company’s account that received cash deposits totaling $365 million. The bank failed to conduct proper due diligence and oversight of the company’s account over a five-year period through 2016, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said. The charges relate to NatWest’s relationship with Fowler Oldfield ...

  Read More »
• 18 March

  Pakistan hires banks for international bond sale

  Bloomberg Pakistan has hired banks for a possible foreign-currency bond offering. The government has mandated Deutsche Bank, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Credit Suisse group and Standard Chartered, the people said. The South Asian nation is looking to raise funds after reaching an agreement with the International Monetary Fund on resumption of a $6 billion bailout program that was secured in ...

  Read More »
• 18 March

  Hong Kong bankers work around clock as IPOs, SPACs surge

  

  Bloomberg Hong Kong’s bankers are working around the clock as the region’s companies rush to go public. Initial public offerings (IPO) in the city have already hit almost $11 billion, a close to 500% jump from a year earlier, with video streaming platform Bilibili Inc. and search giant Baidu Inc. among companies preparing multi-billion dollar deals. Digital roadshows and clients ...

  Read More »