BT Lens On

U.S. election-related legal battles, political developments in Austria, rising tensions involving North and South Korea, impacts of U.S. tariffs on Chinese exporters, and Singapore's efforts against foreign disinformation campaigns.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@sph.com.sg )  Recording enginee...

Significant global events include U.S. diplomacy in the Middle East, Europe's immigration policies, and advancements in Asia's defence. For market insights, watch Seatrium and AcroMeta. Visit BT.SG.   Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@sph.com.sg )  Recording engineer: Joann Chai Pei Chieh Produced...

Key global events include Beirut residents fleeing over potential strikes, street battles in Ukraine, and Indonesia's new 109-member Cabinet. Malaysia faces a mental health crisis, and an oil leak off Singapore adds environmental concerns. For investors, Singapore Post and Sabana REIT are stocks to watch. Stay informed at The Business Times Newsdesk. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to sta...

The United States has charged a former Indian intelligence officer for allegedly directing a foiled plot to assassinate Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. European Union leaders agreed to use all their leverage, including trade, development aid and visa policy, to speed up returns of migrants illegally entering the bloc. In Asia, Malaysia has passed a law allowing children born overse...

The mayor of a major town in south Lebanon was among 16 people killed; Australia’s net employment surged 64,100 in September from August; MPs debate the move to halt German insurer Allianz’s planned offer for Singapore’s Income Insurance and Singapore’s key exports continued its upward climb. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim /...

In the US voters in Georgia turned out in record numbers as the battleground state opened early voting for the Nov. 5 presidential election. Italy's government plans to raise 3.5 billion euros from domestic banks and insurers. North Korean state media said today around 1.4 million young people joined or returned to the army this week. Japan's official campaigning kicked off today for a snap electi...

The UN Security Council urges the upholding of UNIFIL which Israel refuses; trade negotiations between the EU and China stall; Australia urges its citizens not to travel to Israel and Nvida is set to overtake Apple as the world’s most valuable company. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@sph.com.sg )...

The United States said overnight that it will send US troops to Israel along with an advanced US anti-missile system. A public inquiry into the death of a woman who Britain says was unwittingly killed by the Novichok nerve agent begins today. China is holding large-scale military exercises surrounding Taiwan and its outlying islands. North Korea’s artillery units near the border with South Korea h...

Oil prices jumped about 4% overnight on a spike in U.S. fuel use before Hurricane Milton barrelled across Florida. The Dutch economy minister says he wants to form a European Union "coalition of the willing" to strengthen their domestic computer chip industries. Beijing has accused Taiwan President Lai Ching-te of undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, while ASEAN leaders meeting in...

North Carolina lawmakers passed legislation overnight that will make it easier for residents affected by Hurricane Helene to vote. EU envoys agreed to give Ukraine up to 35 billion euros as part of the bloc's share in a larger planned loan from the Group of Seven nations. In Asia, Ratan Tata, a former chairman of Indian conglomerate Tata Sons hailed as a visionary business leader, has died. South...

Israeli tanks and troops conduct a new ground operation; the British Foreign Secretary meets with leaders in Bahrain and Jordan this week; China imposes taxes on imports of European brandy and the daughter of Singapore’s founding father dies. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Lee Kim Siang / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@sph.com.sg )  Reco...

HDB flat dwellers, get ready for your new cat overlords. Because it’s now finally legal to have a pet cat while living in public housing in Singapore. Starting September 1, 2024, the government is rolling out a cat management framework, which sets up rules in place for HDB cat ownership. For the cat lovers among us, it’s been a long time coming. In this episode of Lens on Singapore, we have a look...

Fighting intensifies in the Gaza war, a year after it begins; Britain set up a new Regulatory Innovation Office to boost growth; Samsung reports disappointing results and public housing prices continue to climb in Singapore. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Lee Kim Siang / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@sph.com.sg )  Recording engineer: Jo...

The Israeli prime minister vows victory, a year after Hamas’ Oct 7 attack; Europe’s largest economy’s 2024 growth forecast shrinks; Malaysia’s prime minister excludes wealthy students from education subsidies and the South Korean prime minister is set to visit Singapore. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Lee Kim Siang / Claressa Monteiro...

The union representing 45,000 striking U.S. dockworkers at East and Gulf coast ports reached a tentative deal. In Europe, France's new prime minister, Michel Barnier, will increase corporate tax on the biggest companies in the country and on wealthiest individuals. Turning to Asia, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un threatened to use nuclear weapons and destroy South Korea permanently if provoked whi...

Israel pressed forward on two fronts yesterday, pursuing a ground incursion into Lebanon against Hezbollah that left eight Israeli soldiers dead and conducting strikes in Gaza that killed dozens; Typhoon Krathon has brought Kaohsiung, a city of 2.7 million people, to a standstill for the past three days; Singaporeans’ voluntary top-ups to CPF accounts hit more than $3 billion in the first eight mo...

Iran said early today that its missile attack on Israel was finished barring further provocation. In Europe, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will push for a reset of relations when he meets the European Commission. Turning to Asia, The newly elected Japanese prime minister pledged Tuesday night to stick to the vital Japan-U.S. alliance while India states that it does not share the vision for a...

Israeli ground forces crossed into southern Lebanon, marking a significant escalation of an offensive against Hezbollah militants; Shigeru Ishiba is set to be voted in by parliament as Japan's next prime minister and unveil his cabinet; from October, more people will benefit from government healthcare subsidies, including at public hospitals, specialist clinics and dialysis centres. Synopsis: A ro...

California Governor Gavin Newsom on Sunday vetoed a hotly contested artificial intelligence safety bill. In Europe, Austrian voters handed a first-ever general election victory to the far-right Freedom Party. In Asia Residents of Nepal’s flood-hit capital returned to their mud-caked homes on September 29 to survey the wreckage. In Macao the sole candidate in the election for Macao’s next leader ha...

U.S. efforts to secure a Gaza ceasefire remain stalled after nearly a year of fighting. In Europe, trade unions led protests across Spain overnight. In Asia News a Hong Kong court sentenced a former editor of a shuttered news publication to 21 months in prison while China’s top leaders have pledged stronger support for the economy. In Singapore, the disruption of train services between Jurong East...

Israel is preparing for a possible ground operation in Lebanon; Sri Lanka’s new President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday that he will soon resume discussions with the International Monetary Fund; Citibank will close its last branch in Singapore as it focuses on serving customers online and advising affluent clients at its wealth hubs. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your...

U.S. President Joe Biden addressed world leaders at the United Nations for the final time. U.N. nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi said he had sensed a greater willingness by Iranian officials to engage with the agency. In Asia, China’s financial regulators have announced a broad raft of measures to support a slowing economy, Sri Lanka’s new President Anura Kumara Dissanayake dissolved Parliamen...

Israel's military said it launched airstrikes against Hezbollah sites in Lebanon yesterday, which Lebanese authorities said had killed 492 people; Japan’s meteorological agency issued a tsunami advisory this morning to remote islands south of Tokyo; and in Singapore, SMEs facing long-drawn or complicated governmental procedures can soon approach a new office for help to streamline approval process...

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris leads Republican rival Donald Trump by 5 percentage points in an NBC News poll. The United Nations General Assembly adopted a "Pact for the Future" on Sunday, which U-N Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described as a landmark agreement. Sri Lanka elects a new president, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, continuing a multiday U.S. visit, praised the United Sta...

Hezbollah vowed to keep up daily strikes on Israel despite this week’s deadly sabotage of its members’ communication devices; the founder of a Taiwanese pager company linked to the detonation of thousands of pagers targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon was questioned; a new high-tech shipyard to build and repair ships has opened in Gul Road in Singapore’s west. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to...