Category Archives: Macau

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J Affect Disord. 2022 May 17:S0165-0327(22)00575-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.05.061. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Although the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has greatly impacted individuals mental health and quality of life, network analysis studies of associations between symptoms of common syndromes during the pandemic are lacking, particularly among Macau residents. This study investigated the network structure of insomnia, anxiety, and depression and explored their associations with quality of life in this population.

METHOD: This online survey was conducted in Macau between August 18 and November 9, 2020. Insomnia, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and quality of life were assessed with the Insomnia Severity Index, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire, and World Health Organization Quality of Life-brief version, respectively. Analyses were performed to identify central symptoms and bridge symptoms of this network and their links to quality of life.

RESULTS: 975 participants enrolled in this survey. The prevalence of depressive, anxiety and insomnia symptoms were 38.5% (95% confidence interval (CI): 35.5%-41.5%), 28.8% (95%CI: 26.0%-31.7%), and 27.6% (95% CI: 24.8%-30.4%), respectively. Sleep maintenance had the highest expected influence centrality, followed by Trouble relaxing, Interference with daytime functioning, Irritability, and Fatigue. Five bridge symptoms were identified: Sleep problems, Restlessness, Irritability, Severity of sleep onset, and Motor activity. The insomnia symptom, Sleep dissatisfaction, had the strongest direct relation to quality of life.

CONCLUSION: Insomnia symptoms played a critical role in the distress symptom network regarding node and bridge centrality as well as associations with quality of life among Macau residents. Close attention to these symptoms may be critical to reducing risk and preventing exacerbations in common forms of distress in this population.

PMID:35594975 | DOI:10.1016/j.jad.2022.05.061

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Network analysis of depression, anxiety, insomnia and quality of life among Macau residents during the COVID-19 pandemic - DocWire News

Macau E&M Holding (HKG:1408) has had a great run on the share market with its stock up by a significant 67% over the last three months. Given that stock prices are usually aligned with a company's financial performance in the long-term, we decided to study its financial indicators more closely to see if they had a hand to play in the recent price move. Particularly, we will be paying attention to Macau E&M Holding's ROE today.

Return on equity or ROE is a key measure used to assess how efficiently a company's management is utilizing the company's capital. In short, ROE shows the profit each dollar generates with respect to its shareholder investments.

View our latest analysis for Macau E&M Holding

The formula for ROE is:

Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations) Shareholders' Equity

So, based on the above formula, the ROE for Macau E&M Holding is:

11% = MO$26m MO$236m (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2021).

The 'return' is the yearly profit. One way to conceptualize this is that for each HK$1 of shareholders' capital it has, the company made HK$0.11 in profit.

Thus far, we have learned that ROE measures how efficiently a company is generating its profits. Based on how much of its profits the company chooses to reinvest or "retain", we are then able to evaluate a company's future ability to generate profits. Assuming all else is equal, companies that have both a higher return on equity and higher profit retention are usually the ones that have a higher growth rate when compared to companies that don't have the same features.

At first glance, Macau E&M Holding seems to have a decent ROE. On comparing with the average industry ROE of 8.0% the company's ROE looks pretty remarkable. For this reason, Macau E&M Holding's five year net income decline of 2.6% raises the question as to why the high ROE didn't translate into earnings growth. Therefore, there might be some other aspects that could explain this. These include low earnings retention or poor allocation of capital.

Next, on comparing with the industry net income growth, we found that Macau E&M Holding's earnings seems to be shrinking at a similar rate as the industry which shrunk at a rate of a rate of 2.6% in the same period.

Earnings growth is a huge factor in stock valuation. What investors need to determine next is if the expected earnings growth, or the lack of it, is already built into the share price. This then helps them determine if the stock is placed for a bright or bleak future. Has the market priced in the future outlook for 1408? You can find out in our latest intrinsic value infographic research report

Despite having a normal three-year median payout ratio of 40% (where it is retaining 60% of its profits), Macau E&M Holding has seen a decline in earnings as we saw above. So there might be other factors at play here which could potentially be hampering growth. For example, the business has faced some headwinds.

On the whole, we do feel that Macau E&M Holding has some positive attributes. Yet, the low earnings growth is a bit concerning, especially given that the company has a high rate of return and is reinvesting ma huge portion of its profits. By the looks of it, there could be some other factors, not necessarily in control of the business, that's preventing growth. While we won't completely dismiss the company, what we would do, is try to ascertain how risky the business is to make a more informed decision around the company. You can see the 4 risks we have identified for Macau E&M Holding by visiting our risks dashboard for free on our platform here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Is Macau E&M Holding Limited's (HKG:1408) Recent Stock Performance Influenced By Its Fundamentals In Any Way? - Simply Wall St

Myanmar exported more than 144,034 metric tons of rice and over 106,912 metric tons of broken rice in April, according to the Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF) on Saturday.

The country exported those rice to 22 countries including Cameroon, China, Angola, the Philippines and Poland, while it exported the broken rice to eight countries including Belgium, China and Spain, official data showed.

The MRF said Myanmar has shipped over 244,826 metric tons of those exported rice and broken rice in April via sea routes, while it has exported the rest 6,120 metric tons of those rice and broken rice via land border gates.

During the countrys six-month interim budget period, which started on Oct. 1 last year and ended on March 31 this year, Myanmar exported more than 1.4 million metric tons of rice and broken rice, official figures showed.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Southeast Asian country has been shipping most of its exported rice and broken rice via sea routes, said the MRF data.

In Myanmar, rice is the most cultivated crop followed by beans and pulses as second most cultivated crops, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

Myanmar exports its rice to China, Japan, European Union countries, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, African countries and Middle Eastern countries, according to the MRF.

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Myanmar exports over 144,034 metric tons of rice in April - Macau Business

The U.S. Justice Department on Tuesday sued former Wynn Resorts CEO Stephen Wynnseeking to compel him to register as a foreign agent. The lawsuit alleges the casino mogul lobbied Donald Trump in 2017 on behalf of the Chinese government, which sought the return of an exiled businessman.

In the complaint filed in federal court in Washington D.C., the Justice Department said Wynn engaged in those efforts at the request of Sun Lijun, a former Vice Minister of Chinas ministry of public security, and did so to protect the operations of casinos in Macau owned by Wynns company. The government in Macau had restricted the number of gaming tables and machines that could be operated at Wynns casino, the complaint alleges, and he was scheduled to renegotiate licenses to operate casinos in 2019.

The action marks the first affirmative civil lawsuit under FARA in more than three decades, Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Departments National Security Division, said in a statement Tuesday, referring to the Foreign Agents Registration Act, Bloomberg reports.The law, which has been invoked in criminal cases, requires individuals to register with the U.S. attorney general before lobbying on behalf of foreign nationals.

The department said it had advised Wynn repeatedly over the last four years to register under FARA, and it is suing now because Wynn refused to do so.

Wynns lawyers rejected the charges and said they would contest the suit. Steve Wynn has never acted as an agent of the Chinese government and had no obligation to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, Reid Weingarten and Brian Heberlig said in a statement. We respectfully disagree with the Department of Justices legal interpretation of FARA and look forward to proving our case in court.

The Justice Department brought a civil lawsuit against Wynn because charging him with a criminal violation would have required the government to prove he willingly violated the law, according to Bloomberg.

Elliott Broidy, a former Trump fundraiser who pleaded guilty to illegal lobbying, sought Wynns help on behalf of Sun, according to the lawsuit. Broidy had been cooperating with prosecutors in their investigation of fugitive businessman Jho Lows push on behalf of China for the U.S. to extradite Guo Wengui, a wealthy exile who criticized Chinas government.According to the court filing, Wynn told Trump during a June 2017 dinner about the Chinese governments desire to have the businessman removed from the US, and gave the mans passport photos to Trumps secretary.

The case is Attorney General of the US v. Stephen A. Wynn, 1:22-cv-013712, US District Court, District of Columbia.

Steve Wynn stepped down from Wynn Resortsin 2018 after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct. In March, the Nevada Supreme Court said a lower court lacked jurisdictional standing when it ruled in 2020 that state gaming regulators dont have jurisdiction over Wynn after he left Wynn Resorts on his own. The seven justices unanimouslyruled that Clark County District Court JudgeAdriana Escobarshould not have decided the matter because the Nevada Gaming Commission had not yet ruled on a 2019 request by the Gaming Control Board to have Wynn declared formally unsuitable to hold a gaming license.

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Steve Wynn sued by US to force his registration as a Chinese foreign agent after alleged lobby to protect Macau operations - Yogonet International

Chinas total box office earnings this year have reached 15 billion yuan (2.22 billion U.S. dollars), largely generated by films released during the week-long Spring Festival holiday ending on Feb. 6.

Topping the yearly revenue chart was The Battle at Lake Changjin II with 4.06 billion yuan, according to data from film data platforms.

The Battle at Lake Changjin II is a sequel to the 2021 film The Battle at Lake Changjin, Chinas top-grossing title of all time that earned a whopping 5.77 billion yuan.

Set during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953), The Battle at Lake Changjin tells the story of Chinese Peoples Volunteers fighting bravely in freezing weather as part of a vital campaign at Lake Changjin, also known as Chosin Reservoir.

Comedy Too Cool To Kill came in second with 2.62 billion yuan. Nice View, also a domestic feature, ranked third with 1.38 billion yuan, immediately followed by animated film Boonie Bears: Back to Earth that raked in 971 million yuan.

The top four earners were all released on Feb. 1, the Spring Festival or Chinese New Years Day.

It took 139 days for the yearly box office total to hit the 15-billion-yuan milestone, much slower than last year due to COVID-19.

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China's yearly box office total hits 15 bln yuan - Macau Business

Malaysians have an increasingly positive perception of China in 2022 compared to 2016, according to a Kuala Lumpur-based opinion research firm.

A study by Merdeka Center found that adult Malaysians view China more favorably, citing personal experiences, Chinese investments in Malaysia and future cooperation as among the factors that have contributed to an increased positive perception, the research firm said in a statement on Thursday.

Of those surveyed, 70 percent of the respondents perceived relations between Malaysia and China as good, compared with 67 percent in the 2016 survey.

When asked which countries helped Malaysia the most during the COVID-19 pandemic in the past two years, China stood out at 50 percent, followed by the United States at 12 percent, Saudi Arabia at 6 percent, Britain at 3 percent, and Japan at 2 percent.

China provided various forms of aid during the pandemic with vaccines being the most high profile item. Malaysia also uses several Chinese developed vaccines, including Sinovac, which is being filled and finished in Malaysia.

This survey was carried out in cooperation with the Institute of China Studies at the University of Malaya, with the data collection being carried out from March 17-26 this year.

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Positive perception of China grows among Malaysians - Macau Business

The human and climate induced threats to flamingos which inhabit Kenyas alkaline Rift Valley lakes have mounted, hence diminishing the migratory birds population, local officials and scientists have said.

Caroline Mwebia, the deputy park warden at Lake Nakuru National Park, said that habitat destruction, climatic stresses, pollution and predation have emerged as existential threats to the survival of flamingos.

Some of the challenges facing flamingos are related to habitat degradation, pollution of wetlands and fluctuation of lake water levels, Mwebia told Xinhua at Lake Nakuru National Park, a world renowned flamingo habitat located 200 kilometers northwest of the Kenyan capital Nairobi.

According to Mwebia, Kenyas alkaline Rift Valley lakes are crucial habitation for flamingos and other migratory birds, where they feed on alga bloom, insects and crustaceans and later fly back to Lake Natron in neighboring Tanzania to breed.

She said the migration of flamingos from Lake Natron to Lake Nakuru and other Rift Valley lakes including Elementaita, Bogoria and Magadi peaks from April to June.

Mwebia said that Kenyas alkaline lakes are a popular destination for two flamingo species, greater and lesser flamingos, amid plenty of food including the blue-green algae and a host of invertebrates.

She noted that unpredictable weather patterns have disrupted migration of flamingos from Tanzania to Kenya, adding that curbing lake pollution and increased public education is key to strengthening protection of the migratory birds.

Evelyn Silali, the assistant research technologist at Lake Nakuru National Park said that rapid urbanization, habitat loss and fragmentation and declining lake water quality have escalated threats to survival of flamingos.

Silali said that Kenya has domesticated international treaties on protection of migratory species as part of concerted efforts to save flamingos which sustain tourism besides stabilizing ecosystems.

She added that the government has focused on public awareness campaigns, evidence-based research and pollution mitigation in large water bodies as part of efforts to boost conservation of flamingos.

Paul Gacheru, the Sites and Species manager at Nature Kenya said the country should leverage some policy and legal instruments, reconfigure infrastructure development in order to minimize threats to flamingos and other iconic migratory birds.

In particular, Gacheru said that the flight path for the flamingos should be protected to avert encroachment while engaging local communities to conserve wetlands is key to boost population of the migratory birds.

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Kenyan scientists sound alarm over threats to flamingos - Macau Business

Melco Resorts & Entertainment has announced the launch of a new family-friendly attraction, Super Fun Zone, at its Macau integrated resort Studio City.

The facility, expected to open at the end of June, will cover 29,600 square feet and feature five themed zones across four levels. These include the Mountain Zone with various balancing and climbing activities; Under the Sea Zone with 50 gaming spots and a 5-meter freefall ride; Forest Zone with three large treehouses connected by rope bridges, plus a tube slide and electric-powered kart racing; Space Station Zone with a giant hanging net play platform spread across two levels; and an Outer Space Zone described as a galaxy-like playground for toddlers and parents.

Super Fun Zone will also include new F&B options, party rooms and other facilities that Melco says will further complement the hospitality offerings of Studio City and promote further economic diversification.

Since opening in 2015, Studio City quickly established its leading position as Asias entertainment capital with its world first entertainment options, exceptional gourmet dining experiences and high-energy retail environments, said Melcos Chief Operating Officer Macau Resorts, David Sisk.

With the exciting launch of the Super Fun Zone at Studio City, we are pleased to introduce another new and unique attraction for our guests. Melco will continue to invest in and promoteeconomic diversification by providing the most innovative entertainment offerings and facilities for the enjoyment of our visitors and guests and for the continued long-term development of the integrated tourism and leisure industry in Macau and the Greater Bay Area.

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Melco promoting economic diversification with launch of new family attraction at Macau's Studio City - IAG - Inside Asian Gaming

Standing on a podium and holding high golden trophies, a grey-haired couple posed with laugh at the Macao Grand Prix Museum of the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR).

After the award ceremony, the couple also experienced motorcycling on screen, photographing in the virtual costumes of their favorite racers, and maintenance of the racing vehicles.

These interactive experiences make the whole visit very special and unforgettable, said the wife, a Macau resident surnamed Chan, who chose to come to the museum on Wednesday, the International Museum Day, for free.

The museum said it received nearly 900 visitors on Wednesday thanks to the free ticketing policy and promotional activities, such as interactive games and gifts with unique elements of the museum.

The Macao Grand Prix Museum is among the over 30 museums scattered in Macau that showcase the citys unique culture and history over the past four centuries where the East meets the West.

Li Xi, executive associate dean of the Faculty of International Tourism and Management of the City University of Macao, said the origin of museums in Macau can be traced back to a museum of maritime affairs and fishery founded in 1920 when Macau was still under the Portuguese rule.

After Macaus return to the motherland in 1999, museums of various subjects mushroomed, including museums of maritime affairs, telecommunications, as well as museums of historical figures, history and arts, he said.

Macaus museums of night watches and Ne Zha, a Chinese mythological figure, embody typical Chinese cultural elements, while museums of Catholic arts and Portuguese-style residences display the heritage of Western culture in Macau, according to Li.

Exhibits at more comprehensive museums such as the Macao Museum and the Macao Museum of Art show the historical process of integration between Eastern and Western cultures in the city.

According to a survey released by the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) under the Macau SAR government, the popularity of visiting museums among all cultural activities rose 60.6 percent among local residents in the second quarter of 2021.

This year, in celebration of the International Museum Day themed The Power of Museums, about 20 museums in Macau will jointly host a carnival on May 29, offering interactive activities to the public, such as treasure hunting at the Handover Gifts Museum of Macao and a virtual journey of maritime spice trade at the Maritime Museum.

In May, the Macao Government Tourism Office organized a series of workshops at museums. The Macao Museum of Art, for example, offered painting workshops to children aged between five and 10, where teachers guided the children through exhibitions of the museum and taught them to paint.

George Leung, one of the students, said this special course was very attractive because it not only helped him better understand the exhibits, but also taught him to integrate the painting skills into his own works.

The office said it encourages museums to keep innovating and inject vigor into the tourism market.

The different museums of Macau provide multiple choices for tourists and help increase their understanding about Macaus history and culture, becoming an important source of unique memories, said Li.

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Macau's museums boosted by tech innovations, interactions with visitors - Macau Business

The U.S. Justice Department on Tuesday sued former Wynn Resorts CEO Stephen Wynnseeking to compel him to register as a foreign agent. The lawsuit alleges the casino mogul lobbied Donald Trump in 2017 on behalf of the Chinese government, which sought the return of an exiled businessman.

In the complaint filed in federal court in Washington D.C., the Justice Department said Wynn engaged in those efforts at the request of Sun Lijun, a former Vice Minister of Chinas ministry of public security, and did so to protect the operations of casinos in Macau owned by Wynns company. The government in Macau had restricted the number of gaming tables and machines that could be operated at Wynns casino, the complaint alleges, and he was scheduled to renegotiate licenses to operate casinos in 2019.

The action marks the first affirmative civil lawsuit under FARA in more than three decades, Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Departments National Security Division, said in a statement Tuesday, referring to the Foreign Agents Registration Act, Bloomberg reports.The law, which has been invoked in criminal cases, requires individuals to register with the U.S. attorney general before lobbying on behalf of foreign nationals.

The department said it had advised Wynn repeatedly over the last four years to register under FARA, and it is suing now because Wynn refused to do so.

Wynns lawyers rejected the charges and said they would contest the suit. Steve Wynn has never acted as an agent of the Chinese government and had no obligation to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, Reid Weingarten and Brian Heberlig said in a statement. We respectfully disagree with the Department of Justices legal interpretation of FARA and look forward to proving our case in court.

The Justice Department brought a civil lawsuit against Wynn because charging him with a criminal violation would have required the government to prove he willingly violated the law, according to Bloomberg.

Elliott Broidy, a former Trump fundraiser who pleaded guilty to illegal lobbying, sought Wynns help on behalf of Sun, according to the lawsuit. Broidy had been cooperating with prosecutors in their investigation of fugitive businessman Jho Lows push on behalf of China for the U.S. to extradite Guo Wengui, a wealthy exile who criticized Chinas government.According to the court filing, Wynn told Trump during a June 2017 dinner about the Chinese governments desire to have the businessman removed from the US, and gave the mans passport photos to Trumps secretary.

The case is Attorney General of the US v. Stephen A. Wynn, 1:22-cv-013712, US District Court, District of Columbia.

Steve Wynn stepped down from Wynn Resortsin 2018 after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct. In March, the Nevada Supreme Court said a lower court lacked jurisdictional standing when it ruled in 2020 that state gaming regulators dont have jurisdiction over Wynn after he left Wynn Resorts on his own. The seven justices unanimouslyruled that Clark County District Court JudgeAdriana Escobarshould not have decided the matter because the Nevada Gaming Commission had not yet ruled on a 2019 request by the Gaming Control Board to have Wynn declared formally unsuitable to hold a gaming license.

Go here to see the original:

Steve Wynn sued by US to force his registration as a Chinese agent after alleged lobby to protect Macau operations - Yogonet International