Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Oil prices to soften: analysts
Oil prices to soften: analysts
By Ryan Huang | Posted: 24 August 2011 0023 hrs
SINGAPORE: From the Arab Spring to the debt crises in Europe and the US, world events are conspiring to soften the outlook for oil prices.
It could not have come at a better time to help many economies recover.
Celebrations in Tripoli mark new freedoms for the people of oil rich Libya and anticipation that the country will regain its role as a major exporter to the world.
Goldman Sachs said production could recover more quickly than forecast and this should pressure prices downwards as world economic growth slows.
Dominic Schnider, head of commodity research at UBS, said: In the short run, let's say towards the end of the year, we have the potential that actually crude oil prices, when we talk about WTI, (will) head towards US$70. That would imply a drop in Brent prices towards US$90.
"The weakness that we're likely to see is really related to the softness in demand. Economic activity could contract in one of the quarters, and I think that's going to weigh on overall crude oil consumption.
"So it's lower demand and the outlook that some of the Libyan problems that are likely to be solved and adding to additional supply that is likely to weigh on markets."
Oil prices spent most of the first half of this year above US$100 a barrel. That has hurt companies and consumers, and put some economies on course for recession.
The last few weeks, however, have witnessed a definitive move lower, with some analysts forecasting oil could drop to as low as US$70 in the short term.
Economists said a sustained drop in oil prices will help to buffer the turmoil in financial markets.
Leong Waiho, senior regional economist at Barclays Capital, said: "Refining centres in Asia and relatively industrialised economies in Asia will benefit the most.
"Singapore clearly fits into this camp with large refining presence ... for exports. But also the likes of Taiwan and Korea, which are relatively high on the energy intensity scale, will also stand to benefit significantly."
If oil prices remain low for the next six months, we could start to see lower petrol prices and electricity tariffs. For example, some expect petrol prices to drop as much as 10 percent over the next 12 months.
- CNA/al
- wong chee tat :)
By Ryan Huang | Posted: 24 August 2011 0023 hrs
SINGAPORE: From the Arab Spring to the debt crises in Europe and the US, world events are conspiring to soften the outlook for oil prices.
It could not have come at a better time to help many economies recover.
Celebrations in Tripoli mark new freedoms for the people of oil rich Libya and anticipation that the country will regain its role as a major exporter to the world.
Goldman Sachs said production could recover more quickly than forecast and this should pressure prices downwards as world economic growth slows.
Dominic Schnider, head of commodity research at UBS, said: In the short run, let's say towards the end of the year, we have the potential that actually crude oil prices, when we talk about WTI, (will) head towards US$70. That would imply a drop in Brent prices towards US$90.
"The weakness that we're likely to see is really related to the softness in demand. Economic activity could contract in one of the quarters, and I think that's going to weigh on overall crude oil consumption.
"So it's lower demand and the outlook that some of the Libyan problems that are likely to be solved and adding to additional supply that is likely to weigh on markets."
Oil prices spent most of the first half of this year above US$100 a barrel. That has hurt companies and consumers, and put some economies on course for recession.
The last few weeks, however, have witnessed a definitive move lower, with some analysts forecasting oil could drop to as low as US$70 in the short term.
Economists said a sustained drop in oil prices will help to buffer the turmoil in financial markets.
Leong Waiho, senior regional economist at Barclays Capital, said: "Refining centres in Asia and relatively industrialised economies in Asia will benefit the most.
"Singapore clearly fits into this camp with large refining presence ... for exports. But also the likes of Taiwan and Korea, which are relatively high on the energy intensity scale, will also stand to benefit significantly."
If oil prices remain low for the next six months, we could start to see lower petrol prices and electricity tariffs. For example, some expect petrol prices to drop as much as 10 percent over the next 12 months.
- CNA/al
- wong chee tat :)
Raised income ceiling not applicable to EC projects launched before Aug 15
Raised income ceiling not applicable to EC projects launched before Aug 15
Posted: 24 August 2011 2010 hrs
SINGAPORE: Prospective buyers of units at current executive condominiums (EC) projects, are requesting that the recent income ceiling increase, also be applicable to those bought before mid-August.
The qualifying income ceiling for ECs was raised from S$10,000 to S$12,000 a month, for projects launched for sale from August 15 this year.
Property agent ERA said that after the recent announcement, they received numerous queries from buyers interested in EC projects launched before 15 August. Online netizens have also expressed their wish to buy units in such projects.
On it's part, ERA emailed the relevant authorities to ask if exceptions can be made.
The National Development Ministry then replied, saying that the income ceiling will remain at S$10,000 per month for these earlier projects. This is to ensure the ruling is applied consistently within, and that buyers are treated fairly.
The Housing and Development Board has also responded, saying it is studying the feedback.
Mark Teo, Senior Group Division Director with ERA, said: "I really do think that the relevant authority can study the situation again. Because to allow them to buy, I think it probably doesn't affect the original buyers."
-CNA/ac
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 24 August 2011 2010 hrs
SINGAPORE: Prospective buyers of units at current executive condominiums (EC) projects, are requesting that the recent income ceiling increase, also be applicable to those bought before mid-August.
The qualifying income ceiling for ECs was raised from S$10,000 to S$12,000 a month, for projects launched for sale from August 15 this year.
Property agent ERA said that after the recent announcement, they received numerous queries from buyers interested in EC projects launched before 15 August. Online netizens have also expressed their wish to buy units in such projects.
On it's part, ERA emailed the relevant authorities to ask if exceptions can be made.
The National Development Ministry then replied, saying that the income ceiling will remain at S$10,000 per month for these earlier projects. This is to ensure the ruling is applied consistently within, and that buyers are treated fairly.
The Housing and Development Board has also responded, saying it is studying the feedback.
Mark Teo, Senior Group Division Director with ERA, said: "I really do think that the relevant authority can study the situation again. Because to allow them to buy, I think it probably doesn't affect the original buyers."
-CNA/ac
- wong chee tat :)
SingTel, SAP launch cloud-based computing solutions for SMEs
SingTel, SAP launch cloud-based computing solutions for SMEs
By Amanda Feng | Posted: 23 August 2011 1748 hrs
SINGAPORE: SingTel and enterprise application software manufacturer SAP on Tuesday announced its launch of a cloud-based business management solution for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
SingTel and SAP said in a joint statement that the "SAP Business One hosted on SingTel PowerON" will allow SMEs to streamline and manage its sectors ranging from sales to customer relationships on-the-move via Internet-enabled smartphones, tablets and Pcs.
It added that the improvements in productivity, increased business agility and reduced operating costs are perks that SMEs will get when utlilising the cloud-based solution.
The President of SAP Southeast Asia, Tim Moylan, said: "SMEs need to be empowered with innovations like mobility, on-demand services and cloud solutions, so that they can keep their costs low, steadily grow their business and stay ahead of the competition."
The solution is offered on a monthly subscription basis. SMEs do not need to make upfront investments in equipment and can avoid the ongoing costs of managing and maintaining complex systems and hardware. This is expected to save SMEs up to 60 per cent on their operating costs.
SAP Business One on SingTel cloud for 5 users (including set-up cost and subscription) will cost around $13,000 per year.
Traditional on-premise deployment of similar services for 5 users (including licences, hardware/operating system, maintenance and set-up costs) could cost around S$33,000 per year.
- CNA /ls
- wong chee tat :)
By Amanda Feng | Posted: 23 August 2011 1748 hrs
SINGAPORE: SingTel and enterprise application software manufacturer SAP on Tuesday announced its launch of a cloud-based business management solution for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
SingTel and SAP said in a joint statement that the "SAP Business One hosted on SingTel PowerON" will allow SMEs to streamline and manage its sectors ranging from sales to customer relationships on-the-move via Internet-enabled smartphones, tablets and Pcs.
It added that the improvements in productivity, increased business agility and reduced operating costs are perks that SMEs will get when utlilising the cloud-based solution.
The President of SAP Southeast Asia, Tim Moylan, said: "SMEs need to be empowered with innovations like mobility, on-demand services and cloud solutions, so that they can keep their costs low, steadily grow their business and stay ahead of the competition."
The solution is offered on a monthly subscription basis. SMEs do not need to make upfront investments in equipment and can avoid the ongoing costs of managing and maintaining complex systems and hardware. This is expected to save SMEs up to 60 per cent on their operating costs.
SAP Business One on SingTel cloud for 5 users (including set-up cost and subscription) will cost around $13,000 per year.
Traditional on-premise deployment of similar services for 5 users (including licences, hardware/operating system, maintenance and set-up costs) could cost around S$33,000 per year.
- CNA /ls
- wong chee tat :)
Luxury home prices in S'pore down 1.7% in Q2
Luxury home prices in S'pore down 1.7% in Q2
By Arthur Sim | Posted: 22 August 2011 2258 hrs
SINGAPORE: Luxury home prices in Singapore fell 1.7 per cent in the second quarter of the year from the first three months, the biggest drop in CBRE's list of cities in its Asia Luxury Residential report.
CBRE said that no new luxury residential projects were launched in Singapore during the second quarter as existing projects continued to struggle to attract buyers.
Luxury home rents fell by 1.9 per cent quarter-on-quarter due to the large stock of projects completed and available for rent.
CBRE noted that while prices for luxury homes continue to decline slowly, other segments are likely to remain stable.
On the upside, the transaction volume of luxury homes (based on CBRE's basket of transactions in the primary and secondary market) actually rose 23 per cent to 9,059 units in the second quarter, compared to 7,336 in the previous quarter.
CBRE's Asian Luxury Residential Capital Value Index rose by 2.5 per cent in the second quarter, compared to a rise of 5.5 per cent in the first quarter.
It noted that price appreciation in Hong Kong moderated to 8.9 per cent in the second quarter, from 14 per cent in the first quarter.
CBRE said capital value growth eased in most first-tier cities in China following the implementation of further restrictions on home purchases.
Prices in Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City were static as demand from end users was dampened by more stringent mortgage policies.
- CNA/al
- wong chee tat :)
By Arthur Sim | Posted: 22 August 2011 2258 hrs
SINGAPORE: Luxury home prices in Singapore fell 1.7 per cent in the second quarter of the year from the first three months, the biggest drop in CBRE's list of cities in its Asia Luxury Residential report.
CBRE said that no new luxury residential projects were launched in Singapore during the second quarter as existing projects continued to struggle to attract buyers.
Luxury home rents fell by 1.9 per cent quarter-on-quarter due to the large stock of projects completed and available for rent.
CBRE noted that while prices for luxury homes continue to decline slowly, other segments are likely to remain stable.
On the upside, the transaction volume of luxury homes (based on CBRE's basket of transactions in the primary and secondary market) actually rose 23 per cent to 9,059 units in the second quarter, compared to 7,336 in the previous quarter.
CBRE's Asian Luxury Residential Capital Value Index rose by 2.5 per cent in the second quarter, compared to a rise of 5.5 per cent in the first quarter.
It noted that price appreciation in Hong Kong moderated to 8.9 per cent in the second quarter, from 14 per cent in the first quarter.
CBRE said capital value growth eased in most first-tier cities in China following the implementation of further restrictions on home purchases.
Prices in Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City were static as demand from end users was dampened by more stringent mortgage policies.
- CNA/al
- wong chee tat :)
More affluent women splurging on high-end performance cars
More affluent women splurging on high-end performance cars
By Valarie Tan | Posted: 28 August 2011 0401 hrs
SINGAPORE: Forget designer shoes and handbags. More affluent women in the Asia Pacific region are splurging instead on high-end performance cars.
The world of hot wheels is no longer just for the men.
Meet business consultant Nguyen Tuyet, who drives a Porsche 911-GT3, a street legal race car.
She has even beaten men with her super fast timings on the Formula One Spa Track in Belgium.
Nguyen said: "I was always interested in driving fast. I would prefer to go for a driver training or go for a tracking in Europe than buy a handbag."
She also disclosed how fast a motorist can easily chalks up.
Nguyen said: "On a straight (road), you can reach 300. That's the thing about women. We don't check the absolute speed. We drive and we just want it to be smooth."
Rich women buying luxury fast cars is the latest trend throughout the Asia Pacific, especially China, where women make up one-third of Maserati sales.
And two in 10 Ferrari buyers are female.
In Singapore, women bought nearly 30 percent of the 300 Porsches sold in the first half of 2011.
Christer Ekberg, Managing Director of Porsche Asia Pacific, said: "Female drivers appreciate different things. We do a lot of collaborations and joint venture activities with other companies that cater to female customers.
"We even have customers who want their car, the interior leather of the car, in the same colour as their favourite lipstick or their favourite handbag."
Porsche expects the female market share to grow to 40 percent in the next 10 years.
- CNA/de
- wong chee tat :)
By Valarie Tan | Posted: 28 August 2011 0401 hrs
SINGAPORE: Forget designer shoes and handbags. More affluent women in the Asia Pacific region are splurging instead on high-end performance cars.
The world of hot wheels is no longer just for the men.
Meet business consultant Nguyen Tuyet, who drives a Porsche 911-GT3, a street legal race car.
She has even beaten men with her super fast timings on the Formula One Spa Track in Belgium.
Nguyen said: "I was always interested in driving fast. I would prefer to go for a driver training or go for a tracking in Europe than buy a handbag."
She also disclosed how fast a motorist can easily chalks up.
Nguyen said: "On a straight (road), you can reach 300. That's the thing about women. We don't check the absolute speed. We drive and we just want it to be smooth."
Rich women buying luxury fast cars is the latest trend throughout the Asia Pacific, especially China, where women make up one-third of Maserati sales.
And two in 10 Ferrari buyers are female.
In Singapore, women bought nearly 30 percent of the 300 Porsches sold in the first half of 2011.
Christer Ekberg, Managing Director of Porsche Asia Pacific, said: "Female drivers appreciate different things. We do a lot of collaborations and joint venture activities with other companies that cater to female customers.
"We even have customers who want their car, the interior leather of the car, in the same colour as their favourite lipstick or their favourite handbag."
Porsche expects the female market share to grow to 40 percent in the next 10 years.
- CNA/de
- wong chee tat :)
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
Heavy rain expected over parts of S'pore
Heavy rain expected over parts of S'pore
Posted: 15 August 2011 1051 hrs
SINGAPORE: Moderate to heavy thundery showers are expected over the southern, western and central parts of Singapore between 10.15am and 11.30am.
National water agency, PUB, said flash floods may occur in low-lying areas.
It advises the public to exercise caution.
-CNA/ac
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 15 August 2011 1051 hrs
SINGAPORE: Moderate to heavy thundery showers are expected over the southern, western and central parts of Singapore between 10.15am and 11.30am.
National water agency, PUB, said flash floods may occur in low-lying areas.
It advises the public to exercise caution.
-CNA/ac
- wong chee tat :)
HDB to launch 8,000 flats in Sept and 4,000 in Nov
HDB to launch 8,000 flats in Sept and 4,000 in Nov
Posted: 15 August 2011 1214 hrs
SINGAPORE: The Housing and Development Board (HDB) said it will launch 5,500 Build-To-Order (BTO) flats in September and 4,000 BTO flats in November. The flats will be in different towns, such as Punggol, Sengkang, Hougang, Yishun, and Jurong East.
These two launches will bring HDB's total BTO supply this year to 25,000 flats.
HDB will complement the September BTO launch with the launch of at least 2,500 flats under a Sale of Balance Flats Exercise. Taken together, HDB will launch a record 8,000 units in September.
For 2012, HDB will launch another 25,000 BTO flats.
Besides new towns like Punggol, flats will also be built in mature estates, such as Kallang, Whampoa and Tampines.
HDB also said that the changes to new income ceilings for the purchase of flats and executive condominiums announced by the Prime Minister at the National Day Rally last night, will take effect immediately.
With the revision of the household income ceiling for executive condominiums to S$12,000, the CPF Housing Grant will also be tweaked. It ranges from S$30,000 for those with household incomes of not more than S$10,000 to S$10,000 for those earning S$12,000.
There is no change to the S$10,000 income ceiling for the Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS), which was just raised a year ago.
HDB said it will also increase the supply of rental flats for low income Singaporean households. Some 57,000 units will be available by 2015, compared to 46,000 currently. Another 4,000 rental flats will complete construction by next year.
-CNA/ac
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 15 August 2011 1214 hrs
SINGAPORE: The Housing and Development Board (HDB) said it will launch 5,500 Build-To-Order (BTO) flats in September and 4,000 BTO flats in November. The flats will be in different towns, such as Punggol, Sengkang, Hougang, Yishun, and Jurong East.
These two launches will bring HDB's total BTO supply this year to 25,000 flats.
HDB will complement the September BTO launch with the launch of at least 2,500 flats under a Sale of Balance Flats Exercise. Taken together, HDB will launch a record 8,000 units in September.
For 2012, HDB will launch another 25,000 BTO flats.
Besides new towns like Punggol, flats will also be built in mature estates, such as Kallang, Whampoa and Tampines.
HDB also said that the changes to new income ceilings for the purchase of flats and executive condominiums announced by the Prime Minister at the National Day Rally last night, will take effect immediately.
With the revision of the household income ceiling for executive condominiums to S$12,000, the CPF Housing Grant will also be tweaked. It ranges from S$30,000 for those with household incomes of not more than S$10,000 to S$10,000 for those earning S$12,000.
There is no change to the S$10,000 income ceiling for the Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS), which was just raised a year ago.
HDB said it will also increase the supply of rental flats for low income Singaporean households. Some 57,000 units will be available by 2015, compared to 46,000 currently. Another 4,000 rental flats will complete construction by next year.
-CNA/ac
- wong chee tat :)
Sunday, August 14, 2011
System Updates
Reconfiguration of modem, router & switches.
Will be monitoring closely for any issues.
- wong chee tat :)
Will be monitoring closely for any issues.
- wong chee tat :)
Thursday, August 11, 2011
TTSH launches system to track surgical tools
TTSH launches system to track surgical tools
By Vimita Mohandas | Posted: 10 August 2011 2257 hrs
SINGAPORE: In its bid to become more efficient, Tan Tock Seng Hospital recently launched the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for surgical set tracking.
It now takes the hospital staff a minute to recall a contaminated surgical set, down from about eight minutes previously.
This technology, which costs some S$147,000, was developed jointly with A*STAR.
The RFID technology notes the movements of surgical sets by tracking where the sets have been in real-time.
The automated system has helped cut the amount of time spent on recalling contaminated surgical sets by 87 per cent.
As a result, Tan Tock Seng Hospital said potential infections are better contained.
Not only that, the RFID technology has also improved staff's productivity.
Nurse manager Han Tiew Peng said: "In the old system without RFID, we could have used about eight to 10 staff members to recall about 700 sets in a potential case.
"But now with RFID, a lot of time has been saved using fewer staff and less time because we can actually use the current set location with RFID technology to trace the sets. The staff can then go to the location and retrieve the sets immediately."
With this technology, staff members can log on to find out the place where the surgical sets can be found.
And by looking at the number of sets in store, they will also be able to know how many surgical sets will be distributed to the operating theatres.
The automated system can now capture information which previously had to be done manually, like patient information.
It also highlights to staff any expired equipment.
For a start, the hospital has tagged about 300 surgical sets and aims to increase the number to about 3,000 by the end of the year.
- CNA/wk
- wong chee tat :)
By Vimita Mohandas | Posted: 10 August 2011 2257 hrs
SINGAPORE: In its bid to become more efficient, Tan Tock Seng Hospital recently launched the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for surgical set tracking.
It now takes the hospital staff a minute to recall a contaminated surgical set, down from about eight minutes previously.
This technology, which costs some S$147,000, was developed jointly with A*STAR.
The RFID technology notes the movements of surgical sets by tracking where the sets have been in real-time.
The automated system has helped cut the amount of time spent on recalling contaminated surgical sets by 87 per cent.
As a result, Tan Tock Seng Hospital said potential infections are better contained.
Not only that, the RFID technology has also improved staff's productivity.
Nurse manager Han Tiew Peng said: "In the old system without RFID, we could have used about eight to 10 staff members to recall about 700 sets in a potential case.
"But now with RFID, a lot of time has been saved using fewer staff and less time because we can actually use the current set location with RFID technology to trace the sets. The staff can then go to the location and retrieve the sets immediately."
With this technology, staff members can log on to find out the place where the surgical sets can be found.
And by looking at the number of sets in store, they will also be able to know how many surgical sets will be distributed to the operating theatres.
The automated system can now capture information which previously had to be done manually, like patient information.
It also highlights to staff any expired equipment.
For a start, the hospital has tagged about 300 surgical sets and aims to increase the number to about 3,000 by the end of the year.
- CNA/wk
- wong chee tat :)
Apple most popular employer among fresh grads
Apple most popular employer among fresh grads
Posted: 11 August 2011 1257 hrs
SINGAPORE: Apple, the maker of the iPhone and iPad, is the most popular employer among entry-level jobseekers in Singapore.
This is the second consecutive year that the technology giant clinched the top spot in the annual survey by JobsCentral.
Close to 40 per cent of the more than 3,200 local university students and graduates surveyed chose it as the company they would like to work for.
CEO of JobsCentral, Lim Der Shing, said Apple's cool factor doesn't just affect the sales of its products, but has clearly spilt over to have a positive influence on its image as an employer.
But Mr Lim added, "Just like the popular gadgets that Apple produces, it's yet to be seen whether it's a passing fad or a trend that's here to stay."
While Apple is the employer of choice overall, Google appears to appeal most to the crème de la crème among the respondents.
Among those who received or expect to graduate with a First Class Honours or Summa Cum Laude, the majority expressed that they would like to work for Google.
Last year, Google came in second in the rankings among these top students, trailing behind Apple.
The National University of Singapore (NUS) displaced Singapore Tourism Board (STB) as the top government employer.
STB has been the most popular employer in the public sector, according to the survey, for the past three years.
The survey also looked into the salary expectations of fresh graduates.
Similar to last year, most respondents picked a range between S$2,500 and S$2,999 as their expected monthly salary for their first job.
However, a greater percentage of respondents this year (33 per cent) selected the S$3,000-S$3,499 range compared to last year (27.8 per cent).
While only 15.8 per cent of the respondents expected more than S$3,500 for their first job last year, 21.9 per cent of this year's respondents expect at least S$3,500 for their first job.
- CNA/cc
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 11 August 2011 1257 hrs
SINGAPORE: Apple, the maker of the iPhone and iPad, is the most popular employer among entry-level jobseekers in Singapore.
This is the second consecutive year that the technology giant clinched the top spot in the annual survey by JobsCentral.
Close to 40 per cent of the more than 3,200 local university students and graduates surveyed chose it as the company they would like to work for.
CEO of JobsCentral, Lim Der Shing, said Apple's cool factor doesn't just affect the sales of its products, but has clearly spilt over to have a positive influence on its image as an employer.
But Mr Lim added, "Just like the popular gadgets that Apple produces, it's yet to be seen whether it's a passing fad or a trend that's here to stay."
While Apple is the employer of choice overall, Google appears to appeal most to the crème de la crème among the respondents.
Among those who received or expect to graduate with a First Class Honours or Summa Cum Laude, the majority expressed that they would like to work for Google.
Last year, Google came in second in the rankings among these top students, trailing behind Apple.
The National University of Singapore (NUS) displaced Singapore Tourism Board (STB) as the top government employer.
STB has been the most popular employer in the public sector, according to the survey, for the past three years.
The survey also looked into the salary expectations of fresh graduates.
Similar to last year, most respondents picked a range between S$2,500 and S$2,999 as their expected monthly salary for their first job.
However, a greater percentage of respondents this year (33 per cent) selected the S$3,000-S$3,499 range compared to last year (27.8 per cent).
While only 15.8 per cent of the respondents expected more than S$3,500 for their first job last year, 21.9 per cent of this year's respondents expect at least S$3,500 for their first job.
- CNA/cc
- wong chee tat :)
Asian govts likely to hold back raising interest rates, analysts say
Asian govts likely to hold back raising interest rates, analysts say
By Rachel Kelly | Posted: 10 August 2011 2257 hrs
SINGAPORE: Asian governments are expected to hold back on raising interest rates for at least the next few weeks.
This follows the Federal Reserve's downbeat assessment of the US economy, and its stated intention to keep interest rates near zero for another two years.
Analysts said it is likely that regional governments will also keep interest rates on hold.
However, regional economies could be falling to the dilemma of interest rates being too low, but inflation being too high, and analysts said that real negative interest rates could be a problem.
In China, for example, inflation hit a three-year highs of 6.5 per cent in July.
Alvin Liew, senior economist at United Overseas Bank, said: "Certainly with that announcement, even though some of the central banks have some tightening bias, they may need to put it on hold for at least the next few weeks to look at how the market is going to pan out.
"One that is coming up the earliest would be Bank of Korea. I think market expectations are they will put their interest rate hikes on hold until more clarity in the financial markets.
"But, we do still see that some of the banks have a bias to some of the tightening.
"For example, in terms of China, we do see interest rate hikes sometime in Q3, but obviously the financial markets are not helping."
While Asian markets rebounded following Tuesday's Federal Reserve statement, further volatility is widely expected.
Mr Liew added: "If any data comes out that is more negative from the US, be it a jump in initial job claims or some negative comments coming out from the Senate due to the S&P downgrade, that could again send the markets down."
Wong Sui Jau, general manager at Fundsupermart, said: "On a fundamental basis, there is nothing wrong with Asia.
"But because US is such an important part of the world, so what we are likely to see (are) markets (starting) to stabilise going into next week because investors have some time to adjust and absorb the negative as well as the positive news."
- CNA/ck
- wong chee tat :)
By Rachel Kelly | Posted: 10 August 2011 2257 hrs
SINGAPORE: Asian governments are expected to hold back on raising interest rates for at least the next few weeks.
This follows the Federal Reserve's downbeat assessment of the US economy, and its stated intention to keep interest rates near zero for another two years.
Analysts said it is likely that regional governments will also keep interest rates on hold.
However, regional economies could be falling to the dilemma of interest rates being too low, but inflation being too high, and analysts said that real negative interest rates could be a problem.
In China, for example, inflation hit a three-year highs of 6.5 per cent in July.
Alvin Liew, senior economist at United Overseas Bank, said: "Certainly with that announcement, even though some of the central banks have some tightening bias, they may need to put it on hold for at least the next few weeks to look at how the market is going to pan out.
"One that is coming up the earliest would be Bank of Korea. I think market expectations are they will put their interest rate hikes on hold until more clarity in the financial markets.
"But, we do still see that some of the banks have a bias to some of the tightening.
"For example, in terms of China, we do see interest rate hikes sometime in Q3, but obviously the financial markets are not helping."
While Asian markets rebounded following Tuesday's Federal Reserve statement, further volatility is widely expected.
Mr Liew added: "If any data comes out that is more negative from the US, be it a jump in initial job claims or some negative comments coming out from the Senate due to the S&P downgrade, that could again send the markets down."
Wong Sui Jau, general manager at Fundsupermart, said: "On a fundamental basis, there is nothing wrong with Asia.
"But because US is such an important part of the world, so what we are likely to see (are) markets (starting) to stabilise going into next week because investors have some time to adjust and absorb the negative as well as the positive news."
- CNA/ck
- wong chee tat :)
Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for August 2011
Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for August 2011
Published: August 09, 2011 | Updated: August 10, 2011
Version: 1.1This bulletin summary lists security bulletins released for August 2011.
With the release of the security bulletins for August 2011, this bulletin summary replaces the bulletin advance notification originally issued August 4, 2011. For more information about the bulletin advance notification service, see Microsoft Security Bulletin Advance Notification.
For information about how to receive automatic notifications whenever Microsoft security bulletins are issued, visit Microsoft Technical Security Notifications.
Microsoft is hosting a webcast to address customer questions on these bulletins on August 10, 2011, at 11:00 AM Pacific Time (US & Canada). Register now for the August Security Bulletin Webcast. After this date, this webcast is available on-demand. For more information, see Microsoft Security Bulletin Summaries and Webcasts.
Microsoft also provides information to help customers prioritize monthly security updates with any non-security updates that are being released on the same day as the monthly security updates. Please see the section, Other Information.
Bulletin Information
 | Executive Summaries |
| Exploitability Index |
| Affected Software and Download Locations |
The following tables list the bulletins in order of major software category and severity.
How do I use these tables?
Use these tables to learn about the security updates that you may need to install. You should review each software program or component listed to see whether any security updates pertain to your installation. If a software program or component is listed, then the available software update is hyperlinked and the severity rating of the software update is also listed.
Note You may have to install several security updates for a single vulnerability. Review the whole column for each bulletin identifier that is listed to verify the updates that you have to install, based on the programs or components that you have installed on your system.
How do I use these tables?
Use these tables to learn about the security updates that you may need to install. You should review each software program or component listed to see whether any security updates pertain to your installation. If a software program or component is listed, then the available software update is hyperlinked and the severity rating of the software update is also listed.
Note You may have to install several security updates for a single vulnerability. Review the whole column for each bulletin identifier that is listed to verify the updates that you have to install, based on the programs or components that you have installed on your system.
| Windows Operating System and Components |
| Microsoft Office Suites and Software |
| Microsoft Developer Tools and Software |
| Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance |
Other Information
Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool
Microsoft
has released an updated version of the Microsoft Windows Malicious
Software Removal Tool on Windows Update, Microsoft Update, Windows
Server Update Services, and the Download Center.
Non-Security Updates on MU, WU, and WSUS
For information about non-security releases on Windows Update and Microsoft Update, please see:
| • | Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 894199: Description of Software Update Services and Windows Server Update Services changes in content. Includes all Windows content. |
| • | Updates from Past Months for Windows Server Update Services. Displays all new, revised, and rereleased updates for Microsoft products other than Microsoft Windows. |
Microsoft Active Protections Program (MAPP)
To
improve security protections for customers, Microsoft provides
vulnerability information to major security software providers in
advance of each monthly security update release. Security software
providers can then use this vulnerability information to provide updated
protections to customers via their security software or devices, such
as antivirus, network-based intrusion detection systems, or host-based
intrusion prevention systems. To determine whether active protections
are available from security software providers, please visit the active
protections Web sites provided by program partners, listed in Microsoft Active Protections Program (MAPP) Partners.
Security Strategies and Community
Update Management Strategies
Security Guidance for Update Management provides additional information about Microsoft’s best-practice recommendations for applying security updates.
Obtaining Other Security Updates
Updates for other security issues are available from the following locations:
IT Pro Security Community
Learn to improve security and optimize your IT infrastructure, and participate with other IT Pros on security topics in IT Pro Security Community.
Security Guidance for Update Management provides additional information about Microsoft’s best-practice recommendations for applying security updates.
Obtaining Other Security Updates
Updates for other security issues are available from the following locations:
| • | Security updates are available from Microsoft Download Center. You can find them most easily by doing a keyword search for "security update". |
| • | Updates for consumer platforms are available from Microsoft Update. |
| • | You can obtain the security updates offered this month on Windows Update, from Download Center on Security and Critical Releases ISO CD Image files. For more information, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 913086. |
Learn to improve security and optimize your IT infrastructure, and participate with other IT Pros on security topics in IT Pro Security Community.
Acknowledgments
Microsoft thanks the following for working with us to help protect customers:
| • | Yngve N. Pettersen of Opera Software ASA for reporting an issue described in MS11-057 |
| • | Lostmon Lords for reporting an issue described in MS11-057 |
| • | Makoto Shiotsuki of Security Professionals Network Inc. for reporting an issue described in MS11-057 |
| • | An anonymous researcher, working with TippingPoint's Zero Day Initiative, for reporting an issue described in MS11-057 |
| • | Stephen Fewer of Harmony Security, working with TippingPoint's Zero Day Initiative, for reporting two issues described in MS11-057 |
| • | Michal Zalewski of Google Inc. for working with us on defense-in-depth changes included in ms11-057 |
| • | Grischa Zengel (Zengel Medizintechnik GmbH) for reporting an issue described in MS11-058 |
| • | LinLin for reporting two issues described in MS11-060 |
| • | Sven Taute for reporting an issue described in MS11-061 |
| • | Lufeng Li of the Neusoft Corporation for reporting an issue described in MS11-062 |
| • | Alex Ionescu of Winsider Seminars & Solutions Inc. for reporting an issue described in MS11-063 |
| • | Nico Leidecker and James Forshaw of Context Information Security for reporting an issue described in MS11-066 |
| • | Adam Bixby of Gotham Digital Science for reporting an issue described in MS11-067 |
| • | Zheng Wenbin of Qihoo 360 Security Center for reporting an issue described in MS11-068 |
| • | Michael J. Liu for reporting an issue described in MS11-069 |
Support
| • | The affected software listed have been tested to determine which versions are affected. Other versions are past their support life cycle. To determine the support life cycle for your software version, visit Microsoft Support Lifecycle. |
| • | Customers in the U.S. and Canada can receive technical support from Security Support or 1-866-PCSAFETY. There is no charge for support calls that are associated with security updates. For more information about available support options, see Microsoft Help and Support. |
| • | International customers can receive support from their local Microsoft subsidiaries. There is no charge for support that is associated with security updates. For more information about how to contact Microsoft for support issues, visit International Help and Support. |
Disclaimer
The
information provided in the Microsoft Knowledge Base is provided "as
is" without warranty of any kind. Microsoft disclaims all warranties,
either express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability
and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event shall Microsoft
Corporation or its suppliers be liable for any damages whatsoever
including direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, loss of business
profits or special damages, even if Microsoft Corporation or its
suppliers have been advised of the possibility of such damages. Some
states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for
consequential or incidental damages so the foregoing limitation may not
apply.
Revisions
| • | V1.0 (August 9, 2011): Bulletin Summary published. |
| • | V1.1 (August 10, 2011): For MS11-059, corrected restart requirement information in the Executive Summaries section. For MS11-065, corrected key note in the Exploitability Index for CVE-2011-1968. For MS11-068, revised Server Core notation for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2. |
- wong chee tat :)
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