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LONDON, Sept. 08, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Ship Lease, Inc. (NYSE:GSL) (the Company) announced today that the Companys Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend of $0.546875 per depositary share, each representing a 1/100th interest in a share of its 8.75% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Shares (the Series B Preferred Shares) (NYSE:GSLPrB). The dividend represents payment for the period from July 1, 2020 to September 30, 2020 and will be paid on October 1, 2020 to all Series B Preferred Shareholders of record as of September 24, 2020.

About Global Ship Lease

Global Ship Lease is a leading independent owner of containerships with a diversified fleet of mid-sized and smaller containerships. Incorporated in the Marshall Islands, Global Ship Lease commenced operations in December 2007 with a business of owning and chartering out containerships under fixed-rate charters to top tier container liner companies. On November 15, 2018, it completed a strategic combination with Poseidon Containers.

Global Ship Leaseowns 43 containerships, ranging from 2,207 to 11,040 TEU, of which nine are fuel-efficient new-design wide-beam, with a total capacity of 245,280 TEU and an average age, weighted by TEU capacity, of 13.2 years as atJune 30, 2020.

Adjusted to include all charters agreed, and ships acquired or divested, up toAugust 06, 2020, the average remaining term of the Companys charters atJune 30, 2020, to the mid-point of redelivery, including options under the Companys control, was 2.3 years on a TEU-weighted basis. Contracted revenue on the same basis was$659.1 million. Contracted revenue was$743.6 million, including options under charterers control and with latest redelivery date, representing a weighted average remaining term of 2.6 years.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements provide the Companys current expectations or forecasts of future events. Forward-looking statements include statements about the Companys expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, intentions, assumptions and other statements that are not historical facts. Words or phrases such as anticipate, believe, continue, estimate, expect, intend, may, ongoing, plan, potential, predict, project, will or similar words or phrases, or the negatives of those words or phrases, may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that may be incorrect, and the Company cannot assure you that the events or expectations included in these forward-looking statements will come to pass. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including the factors described in Risk Factors in the Companys Annual Report on Form 20-F and the factors and risks the Company describes in subsequent reports filed from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, you should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Investor and Media Contact:The IGB GroupBryan Degnan646-673-9701orLeon Berman212-477-8438

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Global Ship Lease Declares Quarterly Dividend on its 8.75% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Shares - GlobeNewswire

SINGAPORE - Apple unveiled its world's first floating spherical store at Marina Bay Sands on Tuesday (Sept 8) in a preview for the media before its official opening on Thursday.

Surrounded by emerald waters and built entirely of glass, Apple Marina Bay Sands (MBS) is made up of 114 pieces of reinforced glass held together by 10 narrow mirror-like columns known as mullions. Store visitors get a 360-degree view of Marina Bay, from the ArtScience Museum to Marina Bay Financial Centre to the wide open sea, and encounter no sharp corners or obstructive columns while inside the orb.

Apart from showcasing Apple products, the interior of the dome holds the Forum, an events space centred on a video wall which will serve as the stage for Apple's in-store events, featuring Singapore's artists, musicians, and creators.

Apple Marina Bay Sands, Apple's third store after Orchard Road and Jewel Changi Airport,also features baffles - spherical strips of metal that act as massive blinds - that protect visitors' eyes from the sun's blinding rays and create a night-time lighting effect.

An oculus or clear space in the ceiling lets in shafts of light for a touch of drama.

Spread across three levels, the MBS store also has an underwater boardroom at its Basement level for entrepreneurs and developers to receive training and advice.

The MBS store represents Apple's unique and continuing relationship with Singapore, and is also a culmination of 20 years of Apple's retail design globally, Apple's senior director of worldwide retail Chris Braithwaite told The Straits Times.

"Apple has a deep and rich history in Singapore, having opened our first corporate office (here) nearly 40 years ago in Ang Mo Kio," said Mr Braithwaite, who worked with global architectural practice Foster + Partners to take the concept of the floating store from first sketches in 2013 to final realisation earlier this year.

"Singapore is special to us because it is an incredibly vibrant city which has a very clear vision and a continuous flow of passions and ideas which Apple can relate to," he added.

An oculus or clear space in the ceiling lets in shafts of light for a touch of drama. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

The MBS store is manned by a 148-strong team which includes "Apple geniuses", who are trained technical support personnel.

The store will open to the public on Thursday from 10am with safety measures in place such as a mandatory mask-up, temperature checks and social distancing. Visits to the MBS store will be by appointment only through this website.

Apple says that each non-transferable online reservation admits only one person, and visitors may have to queue before they can enter the store. From Friday, walk-ins will also be allowed.

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Apple's floating glass store to open at Marina Bay Sands on Sept 10 - The Straits Times

SINGAPORE -The one-year shareholder return of Singapore'sinvestment company,Temasek, fell into negative territory in its latest financial year, with its net portfolio value taking a dip from last year's record high as well.

Temasek's net portfolio was valued at $306 billion as at March 31, 2020, 2.2 per cent lower than last year's record $313 billion, it said in its annual review on Tuesday (Sept 8).

Temasek's final portfolio performance results, which confirm the preliminary figures released in July, reflected the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on global financial markets in the last quarter of its financial year.

Its one-year return for shareholders came in at -2.28 per cent, compared with 1.49 per cent the previous year. Over the longer term, its total shareholder return over 10 years was 5 per cent, down from 9 per cent a year ago.

The last time Temasek's one-year return for shareholders was negative was in 2016, when it fell to -9.02 per cent on the back of declines in the share prices of listed investments.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Temasek noted that its one-year shareholder return was -29.6 per cent in 2009 during the global financial crisis, and -18.8 per cent in 2003 amid the severe acute respiratory syndrome or Sarsepidemic.

Temasek's investments benefit Singaporeans through the Net Investment Return Contribution (NIRC) to the annual Budget. Under the NIRC framework, the Government can spend up to half of the long-term expected investment returns generated by Temasek, sovereign wealth fund GIC and the Monetary Authority of Singapore - the three entities tasked to invest Singapore's reserves.

Temasek's annual review also showed that unlisted assets made up their highest-ever share of 48 per cent of its portfolio in the past financial year, as the investment firm continues to increase its exposure in non-listed companies.

Financial services remained the largest sector in Temasek's portfolio at 23 per cent, as it increased exposure in the payments sector and other non-bank financial services companies to benefit from the acceleration in digitalisation of financial services.

In particular, it increased its investments in payment providers PayPal, Mastercard and Visa, and also put money in Blend, a United States-based digital lending platform for mortgages and consumer banking.

Temasek International chief executive Dilhan Pillay said that while the firm is watchful on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, it is committed to a future of sustainable living.

"We recognise the urgent need for businesses with innovative solutions to improve lives and increase social resilience. This has led us to accelerate our investments into low-emission and resource-efficient companies, including in the areas of energy, food, waste, water, mobility and urban development."

In the past year, Temasek backed Singapore-based solar energy firm Sunseapand increased its exposure to alternative protein firms such as Impossible Foods.

The firm also closed the year with carbon neutrality, and has committed to halve the net carbon emissions attributable to its portfolio by 2030.

In its annual report, chairman Lim Boon Heng noted the significant uncertainty and complexity ahead, and reaffirmed Temasek's commitment to strengthening its capabilities and introducing new strategies to enable the firm and its portfolio companies to weather the storm and prepare for the future.

"We will continue to invest in our network to add value to others, even as we derive greater value from working together," he said.

The technology and life science sectors were also areas where Temasek was active over the past financial year, capitalising on growth trends in these areas.

Among its tech investments were Duck Creek Technologies, a US-based software provider to the property and casualty insurance industry, and Chinese data solutions firm MiningLamp.

Meanwhile, it also backed firms in the life sciences and healthcare industry, such as integrated healthcare system CareBridge, and biopharma companies developing drugs and therapeutic solutions like Transcenta.

Geographically, Temasek stayed anchored in Asia, with the region accounting for 66 per cent of its underlying assets, unchanged from last year. China and Singapore remained the top two countries by concentration, at 29 per cent and 24 per cent respectively. But the investment firm also continued to grow its portfolio in North America (17 per cent), "where we see opportunities in line with key structural trends".

Temasek invested $32 billion over the year and divested $26 billion of assets during that time.

Looking ahead, the unpredictable paths of Covid-19 and geopolitical issues pose near-term challenges, said Temasek deputy chief financial officer and head of financial services Png Chin Yee.

"We will stay watchful and remain disciplined in our investment approach, as we focus on building a portfolio that will benefit from policy tailwinds and is resilient in the long term," she said.

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Temasek's 1-year shareholder return turns negative, more uncertainty ahead with Covid-19 - The Straits Times

Posted courtesy of theInstitute for the Study of War.

The Kremlin and Alexander Lukashenko consolidated control over the international information space ahead of a likely crackdown.Belarusian authoritiesstripped accreditation from at least 17 international journalists working in Minsk and demanded they leave the country on August 29.[1]The journalists worked formajor Western news organizations including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL),the BBC, the Associated Press, Reuters,Agence-France Presse, Germanys ARD television, DeutscheWelle, and Radio France.[2] Belarusian authorities arrested at least two RFE/RL journalists while they were reporting live on air in Minsk on August 29.[3]Belarusian authorities additionally blocked Naviny and Nasha Niva two of Belarus remaining independent news agencies-and arrested the operator of theKYKYBelarusian news siteon August 28.[4]Independent Belarusian media and foreign journalists are crucial for covering protests and security force responses in the absence of a free media space. Lukashenko partially blocked the internet on August 9 and Russian personnel began running Belarusian state media on August 19.[5] Lukashenkos coordinated effort to consolidate control over the Belarusian information space, primarily targeting international coverage, may be a prelude to a crackdown against protesters.

Belarusian authorities did not try to disperselargeprotestsin Minskfor the first time in a week on August 29.Approximately ten thousand women marched in Minsk on August 29.[6]Riot police and security troops cordoned off the protest route and blocked at leastfourmetro stationsonthe route but did not detain or disperse protesters.[7]Security forces detained at least one male protester but did not use force against female protesters.[8]Belarusian forces contained and dispersed small protests and resumed detaining protesters between August 19-28.[9]The absence of crackdowns on August 29 may encourage more Belarusians to participate inthe largeplanned protestsin Minskon August30.

ISW will continue monitoring the situation and providing updates.

[1] https://www.voanews.com/press-freedom/belarus-revokes-accreditation-least-17-journalists-covering-post-election-turmoil

[2] https://www.voanews.com/press-freedom/belarus-revokes-accreditation-least-17-journalists-covering-post-election-turmoil

[3] https://twitter.com/HannaLiubakova/status/1299703908500230148

[4] https://lenta;https://kyky(.)org/news/ne-nadetsya-na-peremeny-a-delat-ih-nadya-zelenkova-o-tom-chto-budet-s-delom-sashi-vasilevicha

[5] http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/warning-moscow-sets-conditions-kinetic-intervention-belarus-through-new-information

[6] https://meduza(.)io/feature/2020/08/29/desyat-tysyach-zhenschin-proshli-marshem-po-tsentru-minska-omon-pytalsya-im-pomeshat-no-ne-smog

[7] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-belarus-election-protests-women/women-march-through-belarusian-capital-calling-for-lukashenko-to-step-down-idUSKBN25P0OP;https://twitter.com/HannaLiubakova/status/1299705163909869575

[8] https://twitter.com/HannaLiubakova/status/1299705163909869575

[9] http://www.iswresearch.org/2020/08/warning-lukashenkos-security-forces.html;https://www.iswresearch.org/2020/08/warning-lukashenko-appears-to-resist.html;https://www.iswresearch.org/2020/08/warning-opposition-continues-to-unify.html;https://www.iswresearch.org/2020/08/warning-lukashenko-targets-opposition.html

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Warning: Lukashenko and the Kremlin Consolidate Control of Belarusian Media Space - Critical Threats Project

COVID-19 made us go through different phases such as not being able to go places like school, work, outside and other businesses. We were told we couldnt go places like we used to go. COVID-19 has increased. The past months of isolation might be for nothing as COVID- 19 increases.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said, We have made so much progress here in Chicago in containing the spread of the virus, protecting our health system and saving lives, and in general, the virus remains under control locally. The numbers of deaths and cases were getting better, but now its getting worse. Lightfoot said, Chicago has also seen an increase in its percent positivity rate the percentage of people tested who are positive for COVID-19 after weeks of decline. The virus is spreading tremendously, but its also under control at the same time. Its under control because everyone is trying to maintain the protocols.

As they work on this vaccine many people are losing their lives and many people die a day from COVID-19. Although we are not going back a phase, the mayor still made important changes that we need to follow. Mayor Lightfoot warns that we could go back to phase 3.

Although we aren't back at phase 3 yet, she has put in place new restrictions for gyms and restaurants and some businesses. Some of the restrictions for bars, restaurants, gyms and personal services are a precautionary move in response to a recent increase in community cases of the virus. Some restrictions started Friday, July 24 at 12:01 a.m.

According to the Lightfoot administration: The new upcoming restrictions have changed a lot like indoor fitness class size will be reduced to a maximum of 10 people. Lightfoot said, Also Personal services requiring the removal of face coverings will no longer be permitted and Lightfoot added,Residential property managers will be asked to limit guest entry to five per unit to avoid indoor gatherings and parties.

They also made a change about school which is going to be remote learning. People may hope we're going to find a vaccine for this virus and everything is going to be back to normal, but it has not happened yet. Although this is like a nightmare, there is hope 2021 will be a better year.

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Editorial: The mindset of 2020 Free Spirit Media - The Real Chi