Mar 15, 2025 Today I learned about a new book that sheds light on the Five Power Defense Arrangements (FPDA), one of the world’s oldest minilateral security arrangements. The book, written by scholar Ang Cheng Guan, delves into the history and future trajectory of the FPDA, particularly in the evolving
Mar 14, 2025 I recently came across news about the Federal Trade Commission’s request for more time before proceeding with a case against Amazon, citing resource constraints. However, the FTC quickly changed its stance, stating that they are fully prepared to litigate the case. This incident raises concerns about the
Mar 13, 2025 Today, I came across news highlighting the financial prowess of Singaporean mothers, showcasing their improved ability to manage both family responsibilities and financial matters. The global digital x-ray market is predicted to reach $7.56 billion by 2032, although high costs are hindering its growth. Investment firms are
Mar 12, 2025 I recently came across news detailing Citigroup’s downgrade of U.S. stocks due to bearish signals triggering a shift in their view to neutral from overweight, while upgrading China stocks to overweight. The market saw a significant selloff following the S&P 500 breaking its 200-day moving average and
Mar 11, 2025 In recent financial news, there has been a focus on Russia’s growing presence in Southeast Asia, highlighted by a summit meeting between junta chief Min Aung Hlaing and President Vladimir Putin. This engagement, including naval exercises and technology showcases, has drawn attention to Moscow’s increasing influence in
Mar 10, 2025 I recently read about the recent T-Bills auction where demand remained high at $20.1 billion, leading to a drop in 6-month T-Bills yields to 2.75%. This raised the question of whether T-Bills yields will go back up to 3.0% and if fixed deposits or money market funds
Mar 09, 2025 I recently learned about the Atlanta Fed’s Nowcast experiencing some issues related to its projection for the first quarter of 2025. The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta provides an estimate of current-quarter growth based on the latest data, and the recent projection looks concerning due to a
Mar 08, 2025 Recently, there has been a focus on China’s soft power trajectory in Southeast Asia, especially considering the perceived gap left by the U.S. assistance freeze and policy uncertainty. A new book titled “Rising China’s Soft Power in Southeast Asia,” edited by Leo Suryadinata, delves into China’s efforts
Mar 07, 2025 I recently came across news indicating that the U.S. economy is at risk of stagflation due to recent policy decisions. The strong economy inherited by the new administration is facing the threat of increased inflation and slower real growth, which could negatively impact consumers and investors. The
Mar 06, 2025 I recently heard about various financial and industry news updates from around the world. In Singapore, there is a call to cap the number of F&B licenses due to a high number of closures in 2024. Businesses in Singapore are also looking towards investing in solar energy