Posts by Liam Redmond
Megan Rapinoe takes issue with US men’s soccer’s World Cup campaign slogan
Former US women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe mocked the US men’s national soccer team World Cup campaign in a recent podcast episode last week. The US team unveiled “Never Chase Reality” as its campaign heading into the 2026 World Cup. The 90-second film featured narration by Marcello Hernandez. The squad said in a release that “’Never Chase Reality’…
Read MoreHong Kong’s financial resurgence fuelled by surge of offshore wealth
Strong net fund inflows of HK$7 trillion brought the city’s managed assets back up to HK$35.1 trillion at the end of 2024 [HONG KONG] The turnaround in Hong Kong’s financial stature has come swiftly, abruptly and decisively. The city’s thriving banking sector hints at the cause: Exceptionally high, double-digit growth in wealth and investment management…
Read MoreBank Indonesia keeps rates steady, focuses on rupiah stability
The bank also leaves its deposit and lending rates unchanged at 3.75% and 5.50%, respectively [JAKARTA] Indonesia’s central bank held its policy rates unchanged for a third straight meeting on Wednesday (Dec 17), maintaining its focus on supporting the rupiah currency while it assesses the impact of its earlier easings. Bank Indonesia (BI) kept the…
Read MoreTop Glove Q1 profit surges more than 600% as costs fall
The glove maker reports a drop in operating expenses to RM842.9 million for the quarter [SINGAPORE] Malaysian glove maker Top Glove on Wednesday (Dec 17) reported a 605 per cent jump in net profit for the first quarter of its 2026 financial year, driven by higher plant utilisation and cost optimisations. Net profit weighed in…
Read MoreTop Hong Kong crypto exchange HashKey makes market debut
[HONG KONG] Hong Kong’s biggest licenced cryptocurrency exchange began trading on Wednesday (Dec 17) as the city pushes to become a global hub for the technology despite Beijing’s tough stance on it. While trading and mining of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies is banned in mainland China, eye-catching adverts for the sector are a common sight…
Read MoreICE rejects Rep. Ilhan Omar claim son was pulled over by feds, pressed for citizenship proof: ‘Absolutely zero record’
The head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) rejected a viral claim from Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., that her son was pressed for proof of US citizenship by agency personnel after stopping at a Minnesota Target over the weekend. Omar had told CBS’ Twin Cities affiliate that her son was subjected to a traffic stop-type encounter by ICE agents on Saturday…
Read MoreHans Patuwo gets GoTo shareholders’ nod as CEO amid investor push for Grab deal
[JAKARTA] Shareholders of Indonesia’s digital giant GoTo Group have approved the appointment of Hans Patuwo as president director and chief executive officer. The appointment was approved at GoTo’s annual general meeting of shareholders on Wednesday (Dec 17), formalising Patuwo’s succession of Patrick Walujo. The management change comes as investors increasingly push the company to pursue…
Read MoreHigh coffee prices are changing how consumers take their daily brew
The median price of a regular cup of coffee on menus across the US has risen almost 20% since early 2023 [LONDON] Global coffee prices rose to record highs this year, sending the cost of cappuccinos and lattes soaring. But a caffeine habit is hard to kick. So instead of giving up their daily brew,…
Read MoreLouis Vuitton sues unit of SGX-listed ValueMax over alleged trademark infringement
[SINGAPORE] Global luxury and fashion goods company Louis Vuitton has sued a wholly owned subsidiary of mainboard-listed ValueMax Group in the Singapore High Court for trademark infringement and passing off. Louis Vuitton, known popularly as LV, is taking issue with some jewellery being sold by ValueMax Retail, which LV claimed to be in direct competition…
Read MoreThieves snatch 40-foot inflatable Santa from family-owned Christmas tree lot
A group of Grinchy thieves managed to snatch a 40-foot-tall and 20-foot-wide inflatable Santa Claus from a family-owned Christmas tree lot in Arizona, according to reports. The theft occurred sometime between Saturday night and Sunday morning at Kraemer’s Tree Lot, which has operated at its Phoenix location during the holiday season for 25 years, according…
Read MoreApollo weighs potential US$12 billion sale of Atlas Air
[NEW YORK] Apollo Global Management is exploring a potential sale of its aviation company Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, according to sources familiar with the matter. The US investment firm is in the early stages of considering a potential divestment of Atlas Air and may seek to value the business at more than US$12 billion, including…
Read MoreAmazon in talks to invest in OpenAI, source says
AMAZON is in discussions to invest in OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, in a potential deal that could value the artificial intelligence company at over US$500 billion, a source familiar with the matter said on Tuesday. The potential deal comes at a time when OpenAI is laying the groundwork for an initial public offering that…
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