Latest news with #Reserves
Straits Times
15-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
MAS records net profit of $19.7 billion, fuelled by investment gains
Find out what's new on ST website and app. MAS had swung back into the black with a net profit of $3.8 billion from a net loss of $30.8 billion the year before. SINGAPORE - A better-than-expected growth in Singapore's financial sector has propelled the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to generate higher net profits driven by investment gains. The MAS said on July 15 that it recorded a net profit of $19.7 billion in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, MAS had swung back into the black with a net profit of $3.8 billion from a net loss of $30.8 billion the year before. The central bank's managing director Chia Der Jiun told a media briefing the $19.7 billion net profit was driven by investment gains of $31.4 billion from the management of MAS' foreign investments. This was partially offset by a negative currency translation effect of $3.4 billion. It also took into account the net expense of $8.3 billion, mainly from money market operations to manage banking system liquidity, after offsetting interest income from Reserves Management Government Securities (RMGS). RMGS is a type of non-marketable security issued by the Government to MAS to facilitate the transfer of excess Official Foreign Reserves (OFR) to the Government for longer-term management by GIC. Excess OFR arises when MAS accumulates reserves that are above what is required for conducting monetary policy and supporting financial stability. Mr Chia said the currency impact was due to the Singapore dollar's appreciation against the US dollar. Despite the year-to-year fluctuations, the average annual net profit over the past decade was $14.8 billion, Mr Chia told a media briefing. He warned that the MAS's investment performance may be affected by global economic uncertainties in the coming year.
Leader Live
28-06-2025
- General
- Leader Live
Flintshire Council raises flag to mark Armed Forces Day
The ceremony took place at Ty Dewi Sant in Ewloe, with council chairman Councillor Mel Buckley, Armed Forces Champion Councillor David Evans, Captain Wyn Evans from the Reserves, and Army Cadets all in attendance. They gathered to mark Armed Forces Day and to recognise the dedication of service personnel, past and present. Cllr Buckley said: "The UK Armed Forces defend the country and its interests. "Every day of the year they are busy working around the world, promoting peace, delivering aid, tackling drug smugglers, providing security and fighting terrorism. "Armed Forces Day is a chance to show our support for the people who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving troops to service families, veterans and cadets. "We are proud to fly the flag which symbolises our support for the Armed Forces and an opportunity to show thanks in recognition of the sacrifices made by members of our armed forces, whether past or presently serving." READ MORE: How much money Flintshire Council has been given to remove chewing gum from streets The council will reaffirm its support by re-signing the Armed Forces Covenant at its July meeting. This pledge aims to ensure that service members and their families are treated fairly and not disadvantaged because of their service. National Armed Forces Day Wales will be held on June 28 and hosted by Monmouthshire County Council.
Daily Express
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Speed up surveys for Sarawak native customary land, Nurul Izzah says
Published on: Friday, June 27, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 27, 2025 By: FMT Reporters Text Size: PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar said that for communities such as the Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, and Penan, land is more than just a place to live. PETALING JAYA: PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar has called for the expedition of land surveys and ownership approvals for native customary land in Sarawak, and a halt to the issuance of new licences on disputed land. She said for communities such as the Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, and Penan, land was more than just a place to live. 'It is their source of livelihood, a place for worship, where they celebrate their customs and raise their families. Most importantly, it is part of their soul and identity. 'I urge that the process of surveying and granting ownership of native customary land be expedited, and that no new licences be issued on land still under dispute,' she said in a statement. Citing veteran advocates like Harrison Ngau and the late Bill Kayong, she said their unwavering spirit must live on. 'This spirit shines through their struggle – never afraid despite pressure, never silent even when sidelined. Their resilience reminds me that this is a fight worth continuing, to defend the native customary rights that form part of Sarawak's soul and history.' Although native customary rights are recognised under federal law and the Sarawak Land Code, Nurul Izzah said only a fraction of such land had been formally surveyed and allowed legal ownership. 'Many remain unresolved. As a result, the majority of indigenous communities are vulnerable to encroachment, forced eviction, and exploitation,' she said. She also criticised the expansion of oil palm plantations and logging activities which she said had come at the expense of these communities. 'Land is leased to large companies without consultation, without consent, and without proper compensation,' she said. While courts have repeatedly affirmed native rights based on ancestral customs and in line with the Federal Constitution and international human rights standards, she said enforcement remained inconsistent. 'This has forced many indigenous people to face serious legal, bureaucratic, and financial challenges just to have their rights recognised. 'All development must receive free, prior and informed consent from the land's original owners, and fair compensation must be given to any affected or displaced community,' she added. Last month, the Sarawak government affirmed its commitment to recognising and protecting legitimate native customary rights over land, in accordance with land laws. Deputy premier Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said that since the New NCR Land Survey Initiative began in October 2010, up to April 30 this year, a total of 1,200,766 hectares had been surveyed perimetrically. 'Of this, around 935,760ha have been gazetted as Bumiputera Communal Reserves (Agriculture) under Section 6 of the Sarawak Land Code. These surveying efforts are based on applications from the communities involved,' he said. Awang Tengah said that since 2017, surveying efforts had also covered individual lots for land titles in gazetted areas where claimants had applied and were ready. He added that as of April 30, 99,438 individual lots had been surveyed, covering 118,749ha, with land titles issued or in the process of being issued. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Mirror
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
The Traitors' Leanne Quigley admits she can't marry fiancée yet for sad reason
EXCLUSIVE: Traitors star Leanne Quigley would tie the knot with fiancée Sophie right now, but after her partner's heartbreaking cancer battle, she wants to walk down the aisle with her own hair grown back The Traitors winner Leanne Quigley has revealed she would marry fiancée Sophie Jones "today" if she could - but they will wait until Sophie's hair totally grows back, following her gruelling cancer battle. Leanne, 28, a former soldier from Holywell, North Wales, who appeared as a Faithful in the third season of the show, says, 'I would get married today if I could. But Soph has been going through her hair growth journey. As soon as she feels comfortable and ready, then we will get married. Ideally, it will be the end of next year or maybe the start of 2027.' Speaking exclusively to the Mirror at the British LGBT Awards 2025 at The Brewery, London, Leanne adds: "Sophie's doing great. This is the first thing she has been able to come to with me without having to wear a wig. It feels very special.' Of their plans to tie the knot following their 2021 engagement, she says: 'I would have to be close to home. We took the twins abroad on holiday and it's not the most stress-free of experiences - so it will be as close to home as possible!' Sophie, also a former army recruit, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer last year, just weeks after Leanne finished filming on the BBC show, after finding a lump in her breast. Thankfully, after a journey which Leanne previously told the Mirror was 'utterly terrifying' as initially they 'didn't know if she'd live' - Sophie was given the all-clear, earlier this year. Leanne is happy and looking to the future, but admits, it's been 'the worst time of their lives'. 'We went from a huge high to the lowest blow. She was going through treatment then The Traitors came out, so it was quite turbulent. But we are very lucky.' Now the TV star, who shares twin sons, Harley and Hudson, 2, with her partner, who gave birth to their boys, would also like to start IVF soon and expand their family 'We'll probably try next year. There's no guarantee it will work, so I think the sooner the better. But I would like the kids all to be close in age, I would definitely want to drink at the wedding though, so I think we'd have to wait.' Leanne has also toyed lately with the idea of rejoining the army part-time, which she misses a lot, but says taking on risks in dangerous warzones would be a different ballgame, now she's a mother. She says, 'I was chatting to my mum the other day and I asked her if I should join the Reserves again, which is basically going back part time. It is a big thing, leaving. I was there for 12 years - we were like a big family. 'It is different now, though. Before, I was fearless. I wasn't scared of anything. Now I am a mother, I am scared of everything. Everything I do, I think about them.' The turbulent and fast-changing situation in the Middle East makes it an even more terrifying prospect, admitted the bubbly blonde. 'I'm not going to lie, it is pretty scary. That's why there's an element of me wanting to join back up so I know what's going on and can help in some way. But now I am a mum. I am scared of everything and just want to protect them. She adds, 'In one way I want to go back more because I'm worried the shit is going to hit the fan and I want to do what I can. And in another way, it makes me want to go back less because I need to be here for my family.'
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Oregon senators back bill combatting ban on transgender military members
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley are co-sponsoring a bill that would ban discrimination against transgender military members. would prohibit the Department of Defense from banning transgender service members from the military and would ban the department from listing gender identity as a qualification for service. Additionally, the bill would ban the department from denying necessary health care on the basis of gender identity and bans the department from discriminating against service members based on their gender identity. Oregon Sen. Merkley re-introduces Equality Act to ban LGBTQ+ discrimination The bill comes after President Trump signed an executive order in January, banning transgender people from joining or continuing to serve in the military. As a result, the senators say the Department of Defense forced active-duty service members to self-identify for voluntary separation by June 6, noting service members in the Reserves have until June 7. As the ban is being challenged in federal court, the Supreme Court has allowed the Department of Defense to implement the ban, which the senators say will threaten the careers of thousands of service members. Newberg vineyard workers arrested in targeted ICE raids: Salinas 'Service members sign up to protect our country with patriotism and bravery,' Sen. Merkley said. 'Banning highly-skilled transgender service members endangers the safety and security of our nation and takes us backward in our march towards equality.' 'Drumming out Americans from military service because of rank prejudice undermines our national defense and is a cruel slap in the face to transgender people,' Sen. Wyden added. 'This bill acts on the core principle that equal treatment of Americans based solely on their ability to do the job must guide the armed forces and any other walk of life.' The Fit to Serve Act was led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and co-sponsored by other senators, including Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
