Posts by Liam Redmond
Singapore has no choice but to double down on trusted-hub status amid US-China friction: NUS dean
NUS professor Joseph Liow notes that the Manus episode reflects the wider geopolitical pressures facing S-E Asia [SINGAPORE] As geopolitical fragmentation threatens to disrupt global commerce, Singapore has “no choice” but to double down on its identity as a trusted, neutral global hub as a key differentiator, said Professor Joseph Liow, dean of the NUS…
Read MoreGoogle loses court fight against US$854,250 Italian fine over gambling advertising
Published Thu, Jul 16, 2026 · 05:41 PM [BRUSSELS] Alphabet unit Google on Thursday (Jul 16) lost its fight against a 750,000 euro (US$854,250) fine imposed for gambling advertising on its YouTube video platform four years ago as Europe’s top court sided with Italy’s communication authority. Google had challenged the fine handed out by an…
Read MoreChina’s advanced manufacturing sector set to benefit from AI up-cycle: Bank of Singapore
Lender expects ‘robust’ growth in AI-related spending to boost electrical machinery and equipment industry [SINGAPORE] China’s advanced manufacturing sector will emerge as a key beneficiary of the artificial intelligence up-cycle, said the Bank of Singapore (BOS). Sectors that the private bank identified as potential beneficiaries include electric vehicles, solar equipment, industrial machinery and robotics. BOS…
Read MoreFewer vessels travel through Hormuz after US resumes blockade
Kpler data shows nine vessels crossing the strait on Jul 15, down from 13 the previous day Published Thu, Jul 16, 2026 · 04:54 PM [SINGAPORE] Fewer vessels travelled through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday (Jul 15), the first day after the US reimposed its naval blockade on Iranian ports with both countries escalating…
Read MoreIran war leaves crisis-weary European airlines ready for a shake-out
Renewed Middle East volatility has raised fresh doubts over whether weaker carriers can generate enough cash during the summer to survive the winter Published Thu, Jul 16, 2026 · 04:35 PM [LONDON] As renewed conflict in the Gulf drives up oil prices, airline investors and industry executives see mounting signs that Europe’s financially weaker carriers…
Read MoreAustralia to boost scrutiny of Big Four accounting firms after wave of scandals
Published Thu, Jul 16, 2026 · 04:04 PM [SYDNEY] Australia on Thursday (Jul 16) announced plans to increase its oversight of the Big Four accounting firms after a series of high-profile governance failures in the industry, most recently by KPMG whose staff have been accused of misusing confidential information to win contracts. The government said…
Read MoreMacquarie upgrades STI 12-month target to 6,000, giving its top picks
[SINGAPORE] Macquarie upgraded its 12-month target for Singapore’s benchmark Straits Times Index (STI) to 6,000, pointing to a “healthy cocktail” of macro economic tailwinds, rising domestic interest rates, and supportive government market initiatives. In a Wednesday (Jul 15) note, the financial services firm said that the new target implies a 14 per cent total market…
Read MoreMacquarie upgrades STI 12-month target to 6,000, names its top picks
[SINGAPORE] Macquarie upgraded its 12-month target for Singapore’s benchmark Straits Times Index (STI) to 6,000, pointing to a “healthy cocktail” of macroeconomic tailwinds, rising domestic interest rates and supportive government market initiatives. In a Wednesday (Jul 15) note, the financial services firm said the new target implies a 14 per cent total market return from…
Read MoreCoal dominance, fiscal constraints to temper South-east Asia’s clean energy boom
But there is also interest in ‘coal flexibility’ schemes, where coal plants complement renewable sources [SINGAPORE] Even as South-east Asia hit a record in renewable energy investments last year, the region’s reliance on coal and fiscal constraints remain key obstacles to achieving a clean energy transition. South-east Asia invested US$17 billion in renewable energy last…
Read MoreQuiet market, low offers: MLT defends slow pace of S$1 billion divestment plan
Investors want the Reit to cut losses and accelerate exits in China, but its manager says it will not panic sell [SINGAPORE] The manager of Mapletree Logistics Trust (MLT) has defended the slow pace of its S$1 billion portfolio divestment ahead of its annual general meeting, blaming a slow property market and low-ball offers. The…
Read MoreTSMC to invest another US$100 billion in US as Q2 profit blows past forecasts
Published Thu, Jul 16, 2026 · 11:28 AM — Updated Thu, Jul 16, 2026 · 08:46 PM [TAIPEI] Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), the world’s main producer of advanced AI chips and a major supplier to Nvidia, pledged on Thursday (Jul 16) to invest a further US$100 billion in the US state of Arizona and…
Read MoreTSMC‘s second-quarter profit seen hitting record on AI boom
Published Thu, Jul 16, 2026 · 11:28 AM [TAIPEI] TSMC, the world’s largest manufacturer of advanced AI chips, is expected to notch a fifth consecutive quarter of record earnings on Thursday (Jul 16), with a 59 per cent surge in net profit for April-June, driven by booming global demand for AI infrastructure. Analysts said demand for…
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