Day: December 1, 2021

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Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan’s Telephone Call with Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Hayashi Yoshimasa

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan had an introductory telephone call with Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Hayashi Yoshimasa on 1 December 2021.

 

Minister Balakrishnan congratulated Minister Hayashi on his appointment as Foreign Minister. Both Ministers reaffirmed the warm and friendly relations between Singapore and Japan, and noted that this year marked the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between both countries, which was a significant milestone. The Ministers also exchanged views on regional and international developments, including on the evolving global COVID-19 situation.

 

Minister Balakrishnan said that Singapore looked forward to strengthening cooperation with Japan in areas of mutual interest including the digital economy. Minister Balakrishnan also welcomed Japan’s efforts to strengthen its engagement of the region, including with ASEAN, and invited Minister Hayashi to make an Official Visit to Singapore.

 

 

 

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Singapore

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Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Thailand proposed “3Cs”: Complementarities – Connectivity – Coordination for the future of sub-regional development cooperation in ASEAN at the “ASEAN High-level Forum on Sub-regional Cooperation for Sustainable Development and Inclusive Growth”

On 30 November 2021, H.E. Mr. Thani Thongphakdi, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Thailand, delivered an intervention at the “ASEAN High-level Forum on Sub-regional Cooperation for Sustainable Development and Inclusive Growth”, organised by Vietnam in hybrid format. Thailand, as a member of the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), was invited to speak in Session 1 under the topic of “Recovering together: Advancing sub-regional cooperation in ASEAN”.

Permanent Secretary emphasised the need to reset the scene of sub-regional cooperation in ASEAN to embrace those emerging “Mega-Trends” such as digital transformation and climate change, as well as the repeated waves of COVID-19. He therefore proposed “3Cs” for the future direction of cooperation on this matter, namely (1) “Complementarities” between the development agendas of sub-regional frameworks and ASEAN’s key initiatives; (2) Connectivity through synchronising the development of sub-regional economic corridors with the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025 by focusing on physical and digital infrastructure development and regulatory compatibility; and (3) Coordination between ASEAN and sub-regional frameworks as well as cooperation with external partners and private sector. He also highlighted the role of ACMECS in supporting the implementation of the “3Cs” and in advancing priority areas for sustainable development in the Mekong sub-region.

Initiated by Vietnam, the Chair of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Taskforce in 2021, the forum was aimed to serve as a platform for ASEAN Member States, sub-regional frameworks, external partners, international orgnanisations, and private sector to exchange views on opportunities and challenges in ASEAN’s sub-regions. Key points from the Forum included the need to synchronise ASEAN’s development strategies with those of sub-regional frameworks, the importance of partnership with external partners and private sector, as well as priority areas that would contribute to the resilient and sustainable COVID-19 recovery, including public health, digitalisation, supply chain connectivity, sustainable development, and low-carbon and green economic development.

 

 

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Thailand

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Thailand and Canada celebrated the 60th anniversary of the diplomatic relations reaffirming commitment to enhancing cooperation and driving forward the new decade of relations.

On 29 November 2021, Deputy Permanent Secretary Chulamanee Chartsuwan had a bilateral meeting with Assistant Deputy Minister Paul Thoppil, Global Affairs Canada, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during the visit to Thailand to attend the bilateral activities on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary APEC Informal Senior Officials’ Meeting (ISOM) in Phuket.

During the meeting, both sides committed to deepen Thailand-Canada relations, which commemorated the 60th anniversary of the diplomatic ties this year, and discussed ways to further enhance multi-faceted cooperation on numerous issues of shared priorities, such as trade and investment expansion; climate change; education particularly in science, technology and innovation; COVID-19 response as well as economic and social recovery.

Additionally, both sides exchanged views on Thailand’s APEC host year in 2022, the opportunities and challenges of joining Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement of Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTTP), as well as the changing regional landscape and regional challenges.

On the same day, H.E. Mr. Vijavat Isarabhakdi, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, hosted the reception in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Thailand-Canada diplomatic relations, with Mr. Thoppil as the guest of honour. Other distinguished guests included Ambassador of Canada to Thailand, Chairman and Members of Thailand-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group, Members of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and representatives of relevant government agencies as well as Thai and Canadian private sectors.

 

 

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Thailand

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SEVEN ARRESTED AND 49 INVESTIGATED FOR ILLEGAL GAMBLING, HORSE BETTING AND REMOTE GAMBLING ACTIVITIES

The Police have arrested seven men, aged between 37 and 53, and are investigating 45 men and four women, aged between 37 and 83, for their suspected involvement in illegal gambling, horse betting and remote gambling activities in three enforcement operations.

 

For the first operation, on 29 October 2021, officers from Central Police Division conducted an enforcement check on a shophouse unit along Norris Road, which was suspected to house illegal gambling activities. Upon entry into the unit, two men, aged between 37 and 53, were found to have allegedly organized illegal gambling activities for nine other men, aged between 37 and 67, who were found within the unit. Gambling-related paraphernalia such as poker cards were found and seized for investigations. Seven men were arrested under the Common Gaming Houses Act, while the remaining four men are investigated for offences under the Common Gaming Houses Act. All eleven men are assisting with investigations into breaches of safe distancing measures under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020.

 

For the second operation, on 20 November 2021, officers from Woodlands Police Division conducted an enforcement check along Marsiling Road. During the operation, a man and a woman, aged between 60 and 62, were allegedly acting as bookmakers by collecting and placing bets for two men and one woman, aged between 52 and 61, who had allegedly placed bets on horses with the bookmakers. Cash amounting to $1,100, two mobile phones and betting paraphernalia were seized. The three men and two women are assisting with investigations into offences under the Betting Act.

 

For the third operation, on 20 and 21 November 2021, officers from Central Police Division conducted a series of enforcement checks along Bendemeer Road, Beach Road, Sago Lane, New Market Street and King George’s Avenue. During the operations, 13 men, aged between 50 and 82, were found allegedly acting as bookmakers by collecting and placing bets through physical and remote means for 25 men and two women, aged between 46 and 83, who had allegedly placed bets on horses with the bookmakers. Cash amounting to S$13,000, a mobile phone and betting paraphernalia were seized. The 38 men and two women are assisting with investigations into offences under the Betting Act and the Remote Gambling Act, as well as breaches of safe distancing measures under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020.

 

Under Section 7 of the Common Gaming Houses Act, the offence of gaming in a common gaming house carries a fine of up to $5,000, a jail term of up to six months, or both. The offence of being the owner or occupier or of which he/she has the use temporarily or otherwise thereof keeps or uses a place as a common gaming house under Section 4(1)(a) of the Common Gaming Houses Act carries a fine of not less than $5,000 and not more than $50,000, and a jail term of up to three years.

 

For non-compliance with safe distancing measures under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020, offenders may be jailed for up to six months, fined up to S$10,000, or both.

 

Under the Betting Act, any person who is found to be involved in bookmaking shall be liable on conviction to a fine of not less than $20,000 and not more than $200,000 and shall also be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years. Under the same Act, any person who bets with a bookmaker shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both.

 

Under the Remote Gambling Act, any person involved in unlawful remote gambling shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both. Any person involved in providing unlawful remote gambling service for another shall be liable on conviction to a fine not less than $20,000 and not more than $200,000, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to both.

 

The Police will continue to take tough enforcement actions against illegal gambling and horse betting activities. Members of the public also are advised to take the prevailing safe distancing measures seriously. Those found engaging in illicit activities, or in breach of safe distancing measures, will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

 

 

Source: Singapore Police Force

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17th ASEAN COF (Nov 2021, Online)

Seventeenth Session of the ASEAN Climate Outlook Forum (ASEANCOF-17)

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22, 23, 24, 26 November 2021, ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre
 

Consensus Bulletin for December-January-February (DJF) 2021/2022 Season

The ASEAN Climate Outlook Forum (ASEANCOF) is an avenue to collaboratively develop consensus-based seasonal climate outlooks and related information on a regional scale. The forum’s outlook and its activities contribute significantly to one of the key roles of the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC), which is to conduct climate and seasonal prediction for the ASEAN region through pooling the expertise of ASEAN National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs). In 2021, the ASEANCOF Working Group was established with the goal to guide and support the long-term development of ASEANCOF, in particular with regard to the implementation of objective outlooks.

The seventeenth session of ASEANCOF (ASEANCOF-17) was organised by the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) in conjunction with the ASEANCOF Working Group. Representatives from the NMHSs of ASEAN Member States created a consensus forecast for the boreal winter monsoon 2021/2022 in the ASEAN region. The consensus for December-January-February (DJF) 2021/2022 outlooks was achieved through an online session, which included presentations from NMHSs and Global Producing Centres (GPCs) of seasonal outlooks, questionnaires and discussions regarding the current conditions and predictions for the Southeast Asia region. In particular, the forum considered the possible influence of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) on the climate system over Southeast Asia.

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Conditions and Outlook

Recent analyses of sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies over the equatorial Pacific indicated below-average SSTs across most of the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. Most ENSO indicators are now in line with La Niña conditions. The international climate outlooks predict that La Niña conditions are likely to prevail during DJF 2021/2022. The La Niña conditions are expected to be weak to moderate during this time. Conditions are predicted to weaken in boreal spring 2022.

The current Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) state is neutral and is expected to remain neutral for DJF 2021/2022.

The onset of the Northeast Monsoon season is expected to be or has been near-normal for much of the region, although the onset was earlier than normal for Viet Nam. Over much of Southeast Asia, the strength of the Northeast monsoon is expected to be near normal or stronger than normal, based on model predictions and supported by the current La Niña conditions.

Overall, the tropical cyclone frequency is expected to be above-average for the Bay of Bengal, while near-average around the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea and the Western North Pacific (WNP). This is based on model predictions. During La Niña events, there tends to be more tropical cyclones than average, however, the late onset of the La Niña event as well as its predicted strength means that the increase is not expected to be significant in DJF 2021/2022 for much of the region.

Taking into consideration the national level forecasts, the present state of the climate, and the forecasts available from the GPCs and other global centres, the forum agreed on the following consensus-based outlook for DJF 2021/2022 for the Southeast Asia region:

RAINFALL

Over much of the Maritime Continent, near- to above-normal rainfall is expected. In particular, above-normal rainfall is predicted for central parts of the Philippines, while near- to above-normal rainfall is predicted over Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei Darussalam.

Over Mainland Southeast Asia, a mix of below- to above- normal rainfall is predicted. Below- to near- normal rainfall is predicted over northern Myanmar, northern Lao PDR, and northern Viet Nam. Above-normal rainfall is predicted over southern Lao PDR, while near- to above-normal rainfall is predicted over parts of southern Myanmar, southern Thailand, parts of Cambodia, and southern Viet Nam. Elsewhere in Mainland Southeast Asia rainfall is predicted to be near-normal.

TEMPERATURE

Over much of the Maritime Continent, near- to above-normal temperature is predicted. Near-normal temperature is predicted for Brunei Darussalam and northern Philippines, with near- to above-normal and above-normal temperature predicted elsewhere.

For Mainland Southeast Asia, a mix of below- to above-normal temperatures are predicted. The highest likelihood of below-normal temperature is over southern Lao PDR and southern Viet Nam. The highest likelihood of above-normal temperature is over central Myanmar, followed by northern Thailand and northern Lao PDR.

Refer to Annex A for reference on what is meant by “above, near, or below normal” in the outlook. For more information on the boreal (Northern Hemisphere) winter monsoon outlook and further updates on the national scale, the relevant NMHSs should be consulted (see Annex B).
 

Consensus Maps for DJF 2021/2022 Season

The following maps provide the probabilistic outlooks for DJF 2021/2022 season in terms of tercile categories of “Above Normal” (AN: upper tercile), “Near Normal (NN: middle tercile) and “Below Normal” (BN: lower tercile).
 

PROBABILISTIC RAINFALL OUTLOOK

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PROBABILISTIC TEMPERATURE OUTLOOK

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Meeting Documents

ASEANCOF-17 Outlook Bulletin
 

Acknowledgements

The Forum would like to convey its appreciation to the National Meteorological Services of the ASEAN Member States for sharing their national-level forecasts, the Global Producing Centres, the Southeast Asia Regional Climate Centre – Network, and other partners of ASEANCOF for sharing their products and expertise, and WMO for their continued support of ASEANCOF.

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Capitalworks Emerging Markets Acquisition Corp Announces Pricing of $200 Million Initial Public Offering

NEW YORK, Nov. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Capitalworks Emerging Markets Acquisition Corp (the “Company”), a special purpose acquisition company, today announced the pricing of its initial public offering of 20,000,000 units at a price of $10.00 per unit. The units will be listed on The Nasdaq Global Market (“Nasdaq”) and will begin trading on December 1, 2021, under the ticker symbol “CMCAU”.

Each unit issued in the offering consists of one Class A ordinary share and one-half of one redeemable warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Class A ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share. Once the securities comprising the units commence separate trading, the Class A ordinary shares and redeemable warrants are expected to be respectively listed on Nasdaq under the symbols “CMCA” and “CMCAW”. No fractional warrants will be issued upon separation of the units and only whole warrants will trade. The offering is expected to close on December 3, 2021, subject to customary closing conditions.

Barclays is the sole book-running manager for the offering. The Company has granted the underwriters a 45-day option from the date of the final prospectus to purchase up to an additional 3,000,000 units at the initial public offering price to cover over-allotments, if any.

A registration statement relating to the securities became effective on November 30, 2021. The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus, which forms a part of the registration statement. Copies of the prospectus may be obtained, when available, for free by visiting EDGAR on the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, copies may be obtained, when available, from Barclays Capital Inc., c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, New York, 11717, by email: Barclaysprospectus@broadridge.com, or by telephone: (888) 603-5847.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About Capitalworks Emerging Markets Acquisition Corp

Capitalworks Emerging Markets Acquisition Corp is a newly organized blank check company, incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (the “Business Combination”). While the Company may pursue an acquisition opportunity in any industry or geographic region, it intends to focus on high-growth companies operating in select emerging markets, with the ability to replicate their business models sustainably across other emerging markets or translate their products, services or technologies to developed markets.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements,” including with respect to the initial public offering and search for a Business Combination. No assurance can be given that the offering discussed above will be completed on the terms described, or at all. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s registration statement and preliminary prospectus filed with the SEC. Copies are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

Capitalworks Contact
Cody Slach, Alex Thompson
Gateway IR
(949) 574-3860
CMCA@gatewayir.com

SOURCE: Capitalworks Emerging Markets Acquisition Corp