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In early trading, the US dollar fell 0.3% against the Japanese yen (USD/JPY), currently trading at 157.16, down about 30 points from Fridays close.U.S. Senate Minority Leader Schumer: The continuing resolution announced today is a responsible choice.On August 3, Iranian Foreign Minister Araqchi spoke by phone with the Iraqi Foreign Minister, discussing the latest developments in the region, ways to strengthen bilateral and regional cooperation, and the most important issues of common concern to both countries.On August 3rd, US President Trump stated on Saturday evening (Eastern Time) that he would suspend a new round of attacks on Iran, awaiting the resumption of negotiations to end the war and restore cargo transport halted in the Strait of Hormuz. This is the latest example in a series of US presidents threatening large-scale attacks only to cancel them later. This sudden shift has become a prominent feature of the five-month-long US-Iran conflict. According to statistics, similar "scripts" have played out eight times so far. 1. April 7th: Trump announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran less than two hours before the "deadline." At that time, he demanded Iran submit, or face attacks on bridges and power plants—which he claimed would mean "the destruction of an entire civilization." 2. April 21st: Trump announced an indefinite extension of the ceasefire agreement with Iran, just one day before the agreement expired, the same day the US launched attacks on Iranian oil tankers. 3. May 18th: After issuing harsh threats to Iran over the weekend, Trump stated he was suspending a large-scale military strike plan because "serious negotiations" were underway. By May 27th, the negotiations had broken down, and the US resumed attacks. 4. June 11: After two days of mutual attacks, Trump escalated his threats further, saying the U.S. would "strike hard tonight" Iran and "take full control" of its oil and gas industry. However, hours later, Trump posted on social media that negotiations had made a breakthrough and canceled the strikes. 5. June 17: Trump and Iran signed a preliminary agreement requiring a permanent cessation of hostilities and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, while launching a 60-day countdown to negotiations to reach a final agreement on the future of Irans nuclear program. 6. July 7: Following Iranian attacks on merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz, Trump launched new strikes against Iran while attending the NATO leaders summit in Ankara, Turkey. He then again threatened to "get the job done," saying he believed the ceasefire was over. 7. July 27: Trump said he had paused two weeks of intensive daily strikes against Iran to give negotiations another chance. During the 13-day strikes, the U.S. military targeted key military and commercial facilities as tensions along shipping routes continued to escalate. 8. August 1: After telling reporters that the United States would strike Iran “severely,” Trump said on social media that he had canceled the planned strike, claiming that Middle Eastern allies had reached a framework agreement to end the war, including reopening the Straits.On August 3, according to US media Semafor, a Senate continuing resolution introduced by Senators Collins and Murray has been passed. The bill would provide government funding until December 11. The bill blocks a new rule that would allow the government to cancel funding to states such as blue states. Collins stated that the bill "prevents the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) from enacting its proposed rule regarding federal financial aid." Murray stated, "This bill blocks the implementation of this corrupt new OMB appropriations rule during the continuing resolutions validity period. This proposed rule would systematically politicize federal funding and allow Trump administration officials to cancel appropriations at any time for any reason."

Nasdaq-listed 26 Capital Will Seek A $2.5 Billion SPAC Transaction With A Casino in Manila

Haiden Holmes

Jun 16, 2022 10:50

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Wednesday, the CEO of 26 Capital Acquisition Corp said that the company remained dedicated to its $2.5 billion acquisition of the Philippines' largest integrated casino-resort, despite a control dispute involving the present owners.


Okada Manila, a 44-hectare (108-acre) property owned by companies of Japan's Universal Entertainment Corp, decided in October to combine with 26 Capital and go public in the United States.


However, the transaction has been involved in a protracted battle between Universal and its former chairman and founder, Kazuo Okada.


This conflict took a dramatic turn on May 31, when Okada's Filipino partners, aided by private security guards and local police, gained physical possession of the $3.3 billion casino in the Philippine capital.


"I anticipate Universal will regain control of Okada Manila in the near future," Jason Ader, chairman and chief executive officer of Nasdaq-listed 26 Capital, told Reuters. Both sides want to finalize the deal.


After the Philippine Supreme Court declared in April that Okada should be reinstalled as chairman of the casino's owner and operator, the casino was seized.


Tiger Resorts, the domestic subsidiary of Universal, has challenged the verdict and what it called a "illegal and brutal" acquisition.


A U.S. listing would provide Okada Manila with access to a variety of finances, clients, and lenders, according to Ader, who added that investors believe the Philippines has the potential to become one of the world's top gaming markets.


In a statement, Vincent Lim, a spokesman for Okada Manila's current administration, denied any violent takeover and said that since Okada's return, hotel occupancy rates and casino gaming activity had increased. "His reappearance has restored and revitalized consumer and shareholder trust."


The Philippines' casino industry has begun to recover from the epidemic, with total gaming revenues increasing 14 percent to 113 billion pesos ($2.12 billion) in 2021, albeit still below the record-breaking 256 billion pesos in 2019.


In contrast, Macau, the largest gambling hotspot in the world, continues to suffer under Beijing's "zero-COVID" policy.


Okada was removed from the boards of Universal and its Philippine subsidiary in 2017 on suspicion of misappropriating corporate cash, which he denies.