Singapore revises PR scheme to attract investors, entrepreneurs

A government scheme which attracts investors and entrepreneurs by granting them permanent residence (PR) status for investments has been revised.

Under the updated Global Investor Programme, next-generation business owners and founders of fast-growing companies from certain industries, as well as family office principals, will qualify to apply for PR status in Singapore through the programme. Currently, only established business owners and entrepreneurs are eligible to apply under the programme. The changes take effect on March 1.

NY Fed accepts $55.75 bln at overnight repo operation

Jan 28 (Reuters) – The New York Federal Reserve on Monday accepted all $55.75 billion in bids from primary dealers at an overnight repurchase agreement (repo) operation. For more details, see: here (Reporting By Karen Brettell; Editing by Andrew Heavens)

The donkey could become an endangered species in Nigeria

A member of parliament is pushing for a law to save the remaining donkeys.

The donkey could soon become an endangered species in northern Nigeria.

Hundreds are sold for slaughter in rural markets every week as the demand for their meat and hides grows.

One MP is pushing for a new law to protect the remaining stock.

Al Jazeera’s Ahmed Idris reports from Dandin Mahe.

The evolution of the Happy Meal

New York (CNN Business)McDonald’s efforts to modernize its restaurants and improve its digital capabilities are paying off.

Globally, sales at stores open at least a year jumped 5.9% in the fourth quarter, marking the biggest increase in more than a decade. They also grew 5.9% for the year. In the United States, that figure was 5.1% for the quarter and 5% for the year.
New CEO Chris Kempczinski attributed the boost to McDonald’s aggressive growth plan, which the company has been following since March 2017. McDonald’s has been rapidly remodeling stores to include digital kiosks, expanding delivery capabilities and developing new technologies to hold on to existing customers and bring in ones.

Thanks to the plan, McDonald’s (MCD) sales surpassed $100 billion last year, making 2019 “a year of significant milestones,” according to Kempczinski.
The burger chain has made technology a priority.

Last year, McDonald’s announced the purchase of two artificial intelligence companies, both designed to boost sales at drive-thrus.
And Kempczinski has leaned into the company’s technological ambitions. Since stepping into the CEO role in November, he has created a new digital customer engagement team, led by the company’s first-ever chief digital customer engagement officer. Kempczinski also formed a Digital Advisory Council, made up of leaders from across the company, to work with the team and make sure it’s making progress toward company goals.

U.S. says approximately 210 citizens being relocated from Wuhan

BEIJING (Reuters) – Approximately 210 U.S. citizens are being relocated from China’s Wuhan city, the center of an outbreak of a new coronavirus, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a statement released via the U.S. embassy in Beijing on Wednesday.

Those on the aircraft from Wuhan will be screened several times and evaluated upon arrival in California, it added.

McDonald’s Unveils Two McChicken Breakfast Sandwiches

McDonald’s Corp. announced the launch of two new sandwiches nationwide as part of its breakfast menu changes.

Starting Tuesday, McDonald’s Chicken McGriddles and McChicken Biscuit breakfast sandwiches are available to customers across the country for a limited time.

The fast-food giant in a statement noted that the new breakfast sandwiches will be available as early as 6 am, and 7 days a week.

Chicken McGriddles come with soft, warm griddle cakes in sweet taste of maple, paired with McChicken. Further, McChicken Biscuit is a warm, buttery biscuit paired with McChicken sandwich.

The company said the sandwiches are available at participating restaurants for a limited time while supplies last.

The new menu items add to McDonald’s breakfast innovations over the years, comprising the classic Egg McMuffin in 1971, breakfast burritos in 1991, McGriddles in 2003, and 2015’s introduction of All Day Breakfast.

Separately, McDonald’s said its Owner Operators are testing a Crispy Chicken Sandwich and Crispy Chicken Deluxe Sandwich. The new Crispy Chicken Sandwich is being tested in Houston and Knoxville.

Recently, Bloomberg reported that McDonald’s is adding monosodium glutamate or MSG, a controversial flavor enhancer, to its newly testing fried-chicken sandwich.

As per the report, the company will be adding the ingredient in tests of a Portuguese sausage and a soup base in select locations in Hawaii, as well as more crispy chicken fillets in Augusta, Georgia, and Seattle.

Wuhan virus: Japan to send charter flight to Wuhan to bring citizens home as virus spreads

TOKYO (REUTERS) – Japan’s government will send a chartered flight to Wuhan, the epicentre of a virus outbreak in China, on Tuesday (Jan 28) night to evacuate its nationals wishing to return home.

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi told reporters the flight can carry around 200 passengers, but added about 650 Japanese citizens are hoping to come back to Japan.

Motegi said the government is making arrangements for additional flights that will leave for Wuhan as early as Wednesday.

Victoria’s Secret Owner Jumps on Report Les Wexner May Sell Brand

Shares of L Brands Inc. jumped on Wednesday morning following a report by the Wall Street Journal that the founder Les Wexner may step down and sell the beleaguered lingerie brand.

Discussions are underway and could result in a full or partial sale of Victoria’s Secret, the Journal said, citing people familiar with the matter.

The stock surged as much as 16% to $23.80 in early trading. The shares have posted four consecutive annual declines in value, including a 29% drop in 2019.

Wexner, 82, has come under increasing pressure to turn the chain around as upstarts like Aerie and ThirdLove take market share from Victoria’s Secret. The appeal of his company’s push-up bra aesthetic has faded against competing products that are marketed as more comfortable and body-positive.