Posts by Liam Redmond
LTA awards S$199 million Downtown Line 2 contract to China Railway Tunnel Group
[SINGAPORE] The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has awarded the final contract for the Downtown Line 2 extension, it said on Monday (Mar 16). The S$199 million contract, won by China Railway Tunnel Group, is for the design and construction of the tunnels between the existing Bukit Panjang station and the upcoming DE1 station on the…
Read MoreFire contained in vicinity of Dubai airport after drone attack, flights suspended
Gulf Arab states have faced more than 2,000 missile and drone attacks since the outbreak of the US-Israeli war on Iran on Feb 28 Published Mon, Mar 16, 2026 · 10:13 AM A FIRE caused by a drone attack on Monday (Mar 16) near Dubai International Airport had been contained with no injuries reported, but…
Read MoreJD.com’s European push pits Chinese retailer against Amazon
The push into foreign markets comes at a time when Chinese companies are competing for share at home Published Mon, Mar 16, 2026 · 09:08 AM [LONDON] JD.com is launching in the UK and other European countries, part of an overseas expansion as China’s answer to Amazon faces intense competition in its home market. The online…
Read MoreWorld’s top central banks are about to confront fresh inflation threat as war jolts oil
Much hinges on how long the conflict lasts, something markets are struggling to gauge [FRANKFURT] The world’s top central banks convene this week, facing a renewed inflation threat from the war in Iran and the possibility that they will be forced to delay interest-rate cuts and in some cases, consider hikes. Changes are not imminent…
Read MoreEQDP’s expansion to pre-IPO private firms could boost listing pipeline: observers
This will give such companies access to growth capital, and prepare them better for public markets [SINGAPORE] Allowing private companies to tap the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) Equity Market Development Programme (EQDP) could strengthen the pipeline of listings, noted industry observers. The proposal comes as a newly formed workgroup supported by MAS and the…
Read MoreIran holds the key to reopening global energy markets
Middle East oil output has fallen by up to 10 million barrels per day as prices spike Published Mon, Mar 16, 2026 · 12:24 AM [DUBAI/BAGHDAD] When Saudi Aramco told its oil buyers in a letter that it had no clear idea which port it would use for April exports, it laid bare a new…
Read MoreEmergency oil reserves to flow to Asia immediately: IEA
Published Sun, Mar 15, 2026 · 11:56 PM THE International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Sunday (Mar 15) that oil from a record stockpile release will be made available in Asia immediately as buyers in the region clamour to replace barrels lost to war-related disruptions in the Middle East. The agency released a statement after…
Read MoreUBS set to face Swiss government decision on capital in April
The state will also decide on a proposal for capital backing of the lender’s foreign units Published Sun, Mar 15, 2026 · 11:21 PM THE Swiss government is set to decide in April on how much additional capital it wants UBS to hold, as the administration finalises new regulations following the collapse of Credit Suisse.…
Read MoreIran war may hasten Reits’ waning popularity
A more hawkish tone from the Fed this week could further weaken sentiment towards real estate investment trusts [SINGAPORE] The timing of UI Boustead Real Estate Investment Trust’s (Reit) mainboard debut couldn’t have been less fortunate. When its units began trading on Thursday (Mar 12) afternoon, there seemed to be little doubt in the market…
Read MoreBahrain’s Alba shuts 19% of aluminium capacity as Hormuz disruption continues
Published Sun, Mar 15, 2026 · 07:32 PM [LONDON] Aluminium Bahrain, known as Alba, said on Sunday (Mar 15) that it had initiated a shutdown of three aluminium smelting lines accounting for 19 per cent of its capacity to preserve business continuity amid ongoing disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. The closures are the latest…
Read MoreUS airline CEOs urge Congress to end stand-off, pay airport security officers
The partial government shutdown comes amid an expected record-breaking spring travel period Published Sun, Mar 15, 2026 · 06:17 PM [WASHINGTON] The CEOs of major US airlines urged Congress on Sunday (Mar 15) to move quickly to end a 29-day partial government shutdown that has forced 50,000 airport security officers to work without pay, warning…
Read MoreOil poised for further gains as Middle East conflict threatens export facilities
Published Sun, Mar 15, 2026 · 05:59 PM [SINGAPORE] Oil prices could extend gains at Monday’s (Mar 16) open with the US-Israeli war against Iran having entered a third week, putting oil infrastructure at risk and keeping the Strait of Hormuz shut in the world’s largest supply disruption. US President Donald Trump threatened further strikes…
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