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Singapore is gearing up to make bold regulatory changes to breathe new life into its struggling stock market. Second Minister for Finance Chee Hong Tat has outlined plans to overhaul the system. Here's how Singapore plans to rejuvenate its stock market here.
TikTok is back in the spotlight as it is faces a potential ban or forced sale in the United States due to national security concerns tied to its Chinese parent, ByteDance. Singaporean CEO Shou Zi Chew is spearheading the company's defence against the potential ban, which involves complex legal and constitutional issues. The outcome of the court case will decide if TikTok must divest from ByteDance or face a nationwide ban. More on TikTok's issues in the US and how its Singaporean CEO is leading its defence here.
Singaporeans Wynnette Yip and Magdalene Huang share their stories of moving to Sweden – one grapples with cultural shocks, while the other enjoys a fulfilling new lifestyle. Their stories provide unique insights into the challenges and rewards of Singaporeans relocating abroad.
Google's Pixel Pro 9 Fold promised top-notch durability but did it deliver? Popular tech YouTuber Zack Nelson’s extreme durability tests show the foldable smartphone has several weaknesses. Here's why prospective buyers of Google's Pixel Pro 9 Fold should handle the device carefully.
Maggi, originally a Swiss creation, has become a household name in Malaysia. From its humble beginnings to its current status, find out how Maggi made an impact on Malaysian culture.
Economy class syndrome, or deep vein thrombosis (DVT), is a serious health issue resulting from prolonged immobility, commonly exacerbated by long flights. Symptoms include pain and swelling, with severe cases leading to pulmonary embolism. Both economy and premium class travellers are at risk if they remain inactive for extended periods. This how you can minimise DVT risk on your next flight.
The global coffee market is experiencing significant price hikes due to environmental and market changes. Interestingly, the "king for fruits", the durian, infamous for its strong odour, is playing a role in this economic shift. Here's how the durian and market shifts are contributing to the global coffee shortage here.
Amazon is tightening its return-to-office (RTO) policy, requiring employees to be in the office five days a week starting next year, up from three days. This move contrasts with other tech companies' more flexible approaches and has sparked backlash from employees who prefer remote work. More on Amazon's move to full-time office work in 2025 here.
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Will more companies follow after Amazon's full-time office work move in 2025?
TikTok’s Singaporean CEO Shou Zi Chew fights against US ban in court
TikTok’s future in the US hangs in the balance as Singaporean CEO Shou Zi Chew battles national security laws. Will ByteDance be forced to sell or face a ban? REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq/Pool
The Biden administration has enacted a law demanding that ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, divest its U.S operations by mid-January or face a ban.
TikTok is hotly contesting this legal issue in federal court to avoid a ban in the US.
Shou Zi Chew, TikTok's 41-year-old Singaporean CEO, is at the forefront of this battle.
Chew has a notable background, including stints at Facebook, Xiaomi, and investment firms before joining ByteDance in 2021.
His role at TikTok involves managing the company's response to US regulatory pressures and defending against accusations that its data practices pose a national security risk.
Chew has been vocal in his defence of TikTok, testifying before US Congress and addressing concerns directly through media and social platforms.
Despite his efforts, the company faces a challenging legal environment, as judges scrutinise the implications of the law for both TikTok and broader constitutional rights.
The outcome of these legal proceedings could have significant ramifications for both TikTok and its parent company ByteDance.
If the law is upheld, TikTok may be forced to find a new owner or face a nationwide ban, potentially altering the app's future in the US and affecting its global operations.
Chew's leadership will continue to be critical as TikTok navigates these complex legal and political challenges.
The surprising link between durian and coffee price hikes
Coffee prices are rising due to a combination of environmental impacts and market shifts. The durian is playing a role in this economic shift. (Photo: Getty Images)
Why is your coffee getting more expensive?
It’s not just inflation.
Coffee prices are skyrocketing due to a mix of climate issues and market changes.
A 2021 frost in Brazil ruined Arabica crops, leading buyers to Vietnam.
However, Vietnam’s drought forced farmers to switch from coffee to durian, driving up fruit prices and affecting coffee exports globally
There's a hidden danger lurking in those cramped budget airline seats
Economy class syndrome, or deep vein thrombosis (DVT), is a severe condition linked to long periods of immobility, often experienced during long flights. (Photo: Getty Images)
Economy class syndrome is more than just a discomfort – it's a serious risk.
Also known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), it can develop from long periods of immobility.
Up to 100,000 Americans die from DVT annually, often linked to long flights, and any extended period of sedentary activity, like sitting for hours at a time, as in video gaming or during lockdowns.
DVT commonly affects the deep veins in the legs or pelvis, but can occur in other parts of the body.
Symptoms include swelling, pain, warmth, and skin colour changes, though some people experience no symptoms.
Untreated DVT can lead to pulmonary embolism, a severe condition where a blood clot travels to the lungs, potentially causing death.
While economy class seating is often blamed for DVT, the condition can affect anyone who is immobile for long periods, regardless of seating class.
Therefore, prevention strategies are crucial for all travellers.
Experts recommend regular movement, hydration, and support stockings.
Did Google's new Pixel Pro 9 Fold smartphone survive this extreme durability test?
Google's latest fordable smartphone Pixel Pro 9 Fold has been put to the test by tech YouTuber Zack Nelson of JerryRigEverything. Despite Google's marketing claims of superior durability, the device reveals several weaknesses. (AP Photo/Juliana Yamada)
Is the Google’s Pixel Pro 9 Fold really as tough as it claims?
Google's new phone was marketed as "super durable," but recent tests tell a different story.
The rigorous durability tests of popular tech YouTuber Zack Nelson of JerryRigEverything reveal the phone struggles with scratches, dust, and bending.
According to Zack Nelson’s durability tests, the expensive phone is not without flaws.
From easily scratched screens to a lack of dust protection and bending vulnerabilities, the phone falls short of its durability promises.
From Singapore to Sweden: Cultural shock and new beginnings
Wynnette Yip found Swedish attitudes toward marriage surprising after moving from Singapore. (Photo: wynnyyyy/TikTok via Malay Mail)
Wynnette Yip, a Singaporean living in Sweden, experienced significant culture shock over the Swedish approach to marriage and cohabitation.
In Sweden, many couples opt for cohabitation ("sambo") rather than formal marriage, which contrasts sharply with the traditional marriage expectations in Singapore.
Yip was surprised that in Sweden, having children does not necessarily prompt couples to marry, according to Malay Mail.
Her video highlighting these differences garnered widespread attention and sparked discussions about cultural norms and personal choices regarding marriage.
In contrast, Magdalene Huang, another Singaporean who relocated to Stockholm, Sweden, has no regrets about her move.
Huang, who sought a more balanced lifestyle and flexible work environment, found that life in Sweden offered a satisfying change from the high-pressure career scene in Singapore, according to AsiaOne.
Huang's decision to move was driven by her curiosity about life abroad and a desire for new experiences.
She appreciated the support from her employer in facilitating the relocation process, which helped ease her transition.
Despite initial challenges, such as adapting to severe weather and navigating life alone, Huang has embraced her new life in Sweden and found it enriching.
Yip’s and Huang’s stories highlight the diverse experiences of Singaporeans adjusting to life in Sweden, providing unique insights into the challenges and rewards of moving abroad.
Singapore’s new home sales are down to their lowest since February after only 208 new private homes were sold in August, a sharp drop from July. (Photo: Getty Images)
Singapore's new home sales have sharply declined, reaching their lowest level since February.
As Singapore navigates a dynamic economic landscape, investors are increasingly looking to dividend stocks for stable returns amid fluctuating market conditions. In this context, selecting the right dividend stocks can provide a reliable income stream, especially when these stocks offer yields of up to 7.2%, making them attractive options for those seeking steady cash flow in uncertain times.
Germany's car industry on Friday urged Brussels and Beijing to avert tariffs on imports of China-made electric vehicles through a negotiated deal, after the European Commission received enough support from its member states to implement them. Sources told Reuters on Thursday that Germany would vote against the tariffs, as its industry has a high interest to keep good relations with China, one of Germany's top trading partners and the world's biggest car market.
Philip Han believes his robots can revolutionise the coffee business in Shanghai and beyond. Founded in 2018 in the eastern Chinese metropolis - the city with the most cafes in the world, according to the local government - Shanghai Hi-Dolphin Robot Technology's mission is to reduce the cost of brewing a good cup of Java and bring down its price: a win-win situation for both business owners and customers. The company's solution is Cofe+, a self-contained cuboid booth equipped with all the equipm
Hong Kong is set to overtake Switzerland as the world's top destination for wealth management in the next couple of years, but growing competition does not leave room for complacency, according to Joseph Chan Ho-lim, the undersecretary for financial services and the treasury. He cited the World National Center in Asia's findings, which predicted that Hong Kong will overtake Switzerland by 2027-28 as the world's number one hub for cross-border wealth management. "Despite our strength and ranking,
China's meteoric rise as the world's powerhouse of electric vehicle production makes Western efforts to curb their exports a tough sell -- and means they could even stifle the fight against climate change, analysts warn.But without a steady stream of electric vehicles on Europe's roads, analysts say, that goal will be tough to meet.
It would be wise to focus on EOG & FANG stocks as the crude price is favorable despite BKR's weekly rig count report stating that the tally is declining.
Archer-Daniels-Midland Co is idling its only soybean processing plant in Iowa for weeks in the thick of a record U.S. harvest, the grain merchant told Reuters, tightening supplies of soymeal fed to livestock. The temporary closure eliminates a market for farmers to sell their soy as low crop prices slash incomes and removes a source of livestock feed for buyers in the U.S. and overseas. Expectations for the shutdown helped push cash soymeal prices at the Gulf export terminal to their highest level in a decade.
Audi's Brussels plant is assembling an 80,000 euro electric SUV, which turns out to be too expensive for Europeans. After 2025, production will probably relocate to Mexico. Workers and unions are not happy.
The Indian market has been flat over the last week but is up an impressive 45% over the past year, with earnings forecast to grow by 17% annually. In this dynamic environment, identifying dividend stocks that offer a stable income stream and potential for capital appreciation can be a prudent strategy for investors seeking to balance growth and income.
Rising tensions in the Middle East add new uncertainties for the global economy even as policymakers start to congratulate themselves on having steered it out of a bout of high inflation without triggering recession. Israel, which has been fighting with Hamas in Gaza for almost a year, has sent its troops into southern Lebanon after two weeks of intense airstrikes, escalating the conflict in the Middle East. The following sketches what we know about how this could play out on the world economy in the weeks ahead.
The Swiss market recently ended modestly higher, with investors displaying caution amid Middle East tensions and awaiting inflation data for further guidance. In this environment, identifying high-growth tech stocks requires a focus on companies that can navigate economic uncertainties while leveraging innovation to drive future performance.
The European Union backed tariffs of up to 45% on imported Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) on Friday as it looks to counter Beijing's subsidies for automakers now targeting Europe. "Beyond the imposition of tariffs, we have to continue going forward in this negotiation, since it is important to protect a sector as strategic as the automobile sector while avoiding an escalation of trade measures, which could be detrimental to all."
BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The European Union will press ahead with hefty tariffs on China-made electric vehicles, the EU executive said on Friday, even after the bloc's largest economy Germany rejected them, exposing a rift over its biggest trade row with Beijing in a decade. The proposed duties on EVs built in China of up to 45% would cost carmakers billions of extra dollars to bring cars into the bloc and are set to be imposed from next month for five years. The Commission, which oversees the bloc's trade policy, has said they would counter what it sees as unfair Chinese subsidies after a year-long anti-subsidy investigation, but it also said on Friday it would continue talks with Beijing.
HOUSTON (Reuters) -Oil prices surged on Thursday as concerns mounted that a widening regional conflict in the Middle East could disrupt global crude flows. Brent crude futures settled up $3.72, or 5.03%, at $77.62 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures settled up $3.61, or 5.15%, to $73.71.
Spot premiums for 380-cst high-sulphur marine fuel at Singapore, the world's largest bunker hub, have surged due to the tight supply available for prompt deliveries, market sources said. The price strength for the fuel, which is used to power ships, has been keeping refuelling costs high for vessels calling at Singapore and other ports in the region. Delivery dates in the first half of October could command premiums of over $60 a metric ton to Singapore cargo quotes this week, the highest in 2024 so far for a delivered pricing basis, according to data from the market sources.
STORY: Toyota is putting back plans to make electric vehicles in the U.S. That’s according to reports by Japan’s Nikkei newspaper. It says output now won’t start there until the first half of 2026, instead of late next year. A company spokesman later said that early 2026 was now likely. The Japanese auto giant plans to make electric SUVs at a plant in Kentucky. It has invested some $1.3 billion in the facility to prepare for production. It’s all part of moves to introduce five to seven battery-electric models in the country over the next two years. Reuters sources have previously said that supply disruptions and corporate governance issues were likely to delay the start of production. EV sales have seen a slowdown worldwide, partly due to diverging policies on support for purchases of the zero-emission vehicles. The Nikkei says Toyota has also abandoned plans to make Lexus-branded EVs in North America by 2030. It says the firm will instead ship the premium cars from Japan.
We recently published a list of 11 Hot EV Stocks to Buy Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) stands against the other hot EV stocks to buy now. Just like any new technology, there is a lot of skepticism about the electric vehicle (EV) […]
