Posts by Liam Redmond
Japan’s Nikkei trims 2025 surge as tech stocks take a breather
[TOKYO] Japan’s Nikkei share gauge edged lower on the final trading day of 2025, dragged down by the technology sector that has been a key driver of the year’s massive gains. The benchmark Nikkei 225 Index slid 0.4 per cent to close at 50,339.48 on Tuesday (Dec 30), while the broader Topix lost 0.5 per…
Read MoreChina fires rockets towards Taiwan in war games simulating blockade
China fired rockets toward Taiwan on Tuesday and deployed new amphibious assault ships alongside bomber aircraft and warships to encircle the island on the second day of its most extensive war games aimed at rehearsing a blockade. The Eastern Theatre Command said live-firing would take place until 6 p.m. (1000 GMT) in the sea and airspace of…
Read MoreChina vows to stabilise grain, edible oil production in key meeting
Beijing seeks food security in the face of economic challenges and pressures from urbanisation [BEIJING] China must stabilise grain and edible oil production, improve grain varieties and enhance quality, state news agency Xinhua said on Tuesday (Dec 30), following a meeting of the annual Central Rural Work Conference from Dec 29 to Dec 30. The…
Read MoreUS approves Samsung, SK Hynix chipmaking tool shipments to China for 2026: sources
Trump’s administration has been re-examining export controls that it thought were too relaxed under the Biden administration [SEOUL] The US government has granted an annual licence to Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix to bring in chip manufacturing equipment to their facilities in China for 2026, two sources familiar with the matter said on Tuesday (Dec…
Read MoreTexan, 21, charged with trying to provide material support to ISIS: feds
A Texas man allegedly tried to give bomb-making materials to an agent posing as an ISIS member after his terrorist-sympathizing social media account was discovered during an undercover NYPD investigation, authorities announced Monday. John Michael Garza Jr., 21, allegedly brought bomb-making materials to a meeting with an undercover agent posing as an ISIS “brother” last…
Read MoreTrucker slapped with charges in fatal driving incident previously immigrated to US illegally: source
A trucker who allegedly killed three in a reckless driving incident in Virginia immigrated to the US illegally in the nineties, according to a federal law enforcement source. El Hadji Karamoko Ouattara, a 58-year-old immigrant from Africa, is being charged in connection with the fatal crash after running his tractor-trailer off the side of Interstate 81 and…
Read MoreUltraGreen.ai gets regulatory approval for its products in Malaysia and the Philippines
This facilitates the company’s delivery of surgical technologies to healthcare systems in South-east Asia, UltraGreen.ai says [SINGAPORE] Surgical technology firm UltraGreen.ai has secured dual market regulatory approvals for two of its products less than a month since its trading debut on the Singapore Exchange. It clinched approvals for Verdye, a fluorescence dye used in fluorescence-guided…
Read MoreLakers’ LeBron James receiving uncharacteristically low All-Star vote totals
The returns from the first round of 2026 NBA All-Star Game voting were released on Monday, and Association watchers had to scroll down a lot further than usual to see where LeBron James ranked. According to the NBA’s PR team, James received just 536,555 votes from fans — a number that was roughly 70,000 less…
Read MoreChinese firms make strong Hong Kong debuts, capping bumper listings year
With more than 300 companies filing for IPOs, the momentum is set to carry into 2026 [SINGAPORE/HONG KONG] Several Chinese companies that raised about HK$7 billion (S$1.2 billion) combined in initial public offerings (IPOs) rallied strongly on their Hong Kong debuts on Tuesday (Dec 30). This rounded off a resurgent year for listings, as the…
Read MoreKamala Harris Launches ‘Fight for the People’ PAC
Kamala Harris, former vice president and failed presidential candidate, has revealed plans for a political action committee called “Fight for the People,” describing it as a vehicle to travel, speak out, and support Democratic candidates through fundraising efforts. The text blast, sent under the subject line “My Decision – Kamala Harris,” outlines her motivations and…
Read MoreCanadian actress, 48, seeks medically assisted suicide after lengthy battle with crippling mental health issues
A Canadian actress and comedian is seeking a medically assisted suicide after a long-term battle with several crippling mental health issues, according to reports. Claire Brosseau, 48, is suing for the right to die through Canada’s Medical Aid in Dying program after struggling with manic depression, anxiety disorder, substance abuse disorder, chronic suicidal ideation, and…
Read MoreLTA awards Obayashi Corp S$281m contract to design and build new Brickland MRT station
The new Brickland station, between Chao Chu Kang and Bukit Gombak stations on the North South line, is targeted to commence passenger service in 2034 [SINGAPORE] The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has awarded a civil contract for the design and construction of the new Brickland MRT station and viaduct to Obayashi Corporation at a contract…
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