Wednesday, 27 Nov 2024

Asia

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Brexit deal defeat boosts European banks

LONDON (Reuters) – European shares closed the day in positive territory on Wednesday as British Prime Minister Theresa May’s resounding defeat in a parliamentary vote on her Brexit deal gave a boost to continental banks. Analysts and investors interpreted the outcome as a positive for the market, making a “softer, later” Brexit more likely despite […]

SocGen warning, Huawei frictions weigh on European shares

MILAN (Reuters) – A profit warning from Societe Generale and U.S. frictions over Chinese tech giant Huawei weighed on European shares on Thursday, although the worries gradually faded and a rising Wall Street helped indexes pare losses or close a shade higher. The pan-European STOXX 600 index ended the day up 0.04 percent after having […]

Singapore-Malaysia relations still good despite disputes, says KL Foreign Minister

PUTRAJAYA • Ties between Malaysia and Singapore are still “good”, Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said yesterday, despite ongoing air and maritime disputes between the two countries. “Our relations with Singapore remain good. There are some issues but we are talking to each other, and that is very important,” said Datuk Saifuddin, according to a […]

Will new tax spur economic reform in UAE, Saudi Arabia?

Five percent value-added tax will be imposed on food, clothes and fuel, while housing and school fees are exempt. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are ringing in the new year with the introduction of a five percent value-added tax (VAT) on most goods and services, in an effort to boost revenue and revive […]

Euro slips to two-week lows as weak data weigh

LONDON (Reuters) – The euro huddled at a two-week low against the dollar on Thursday as weak euro zone data pulled the single currency below a key market level, while the pound stabilized as British policymakers seek consensus on how to exit the European Union. “Euro zone data has been quite disappointing and that is […]

Two caught smuggling bak kwa in packets of durian-flavoured biscuits at Woodlands Checkpoint

SINGAPORE – Two travellers were caught trying to smuggle bak kwa into Singapore in packets of durian-flavoured biscuits last Saturday (Jan 12). On Thursday, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said its officers detected two separate cases of Singaporeans attempting to sneak in the barbecued meat treat at the arrival bus hall at Woodlands checkpoint. Officers […]

Opposition politician Lim Tean submits cheques ahead of bankruptcy hearing

SINGAPORE – Opposition politician and lawyer Lim Tean, who owes US$150,000 (S$203,000) to a Shanghai businessman, sent in two cheques to settle the debt on Wednesday (Jan 16), ahead of a bankruptcy hearing on Thursday. The bankruptcy hearing has been adjourned for two weeks and if the cheques clear, Mr Lim will avoid bankruptcy, which […]

Taiwan says it won't bow to pressure amid China tension

TAIPEI (REUTERS) – Taiwan will not bow to Chinese pressure and called for international support against Beijing’s “out-of-control actions”, a presidential spokesman said on Thursday (Jan 17), after Beijing urged companies to change the way they refer to the self-ruled island. “As for China’s related out-of-control actions, we need to remind the international community to […]