Posts by Swedan Margen
Competition watchdog flags Agoda’s Singapore website, mobile app for potentially misleading features
[SINGAPORE] Singapore’s competition watchdog has raised concerns with Agoda over several design features on its Singapore website and mobile application that were found to be potentially misleading. A number of these concerns related to how the presentation and ranking of the search results on Agoda failed to reflect that they were influenced by money that…
Read MoreJulius Baer’s new CEO takes on old guard to revamp Swiss bank
[ZURICH] On his first day as chief executive officer, Stefan Bollinger told staff at Julius Baer Group that they should not be afraid to speak up and reach out to him if there was anything that needed changing. He received more than 1,000 e-mails. The response underscores the mood at a storied firm that has…
Read MoreVance Boelter: Minnesota Suspected Assassin Arrested after Extensive Manhunt for Killing Dem. Lawmaker and Husband and Shooting Another
Vance Luther Boelter, the suspected political assassin, was arrested on Sunday after an extensive manhunt for the gunman accused of killing a Minnesota state legislator and injuring another, according to the local sheriff. Boelter, 57, a former appointee of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, was being sought by police for allegedly opening fire on Senator John…
Read MoreAbu Dhabi state oil firm makes US$18.7 billion bid for Australia’s Santos
[SYDNEY] Abu Dhabi’s state-owned oil company is leading a takeover bid for Australian energy group Santos, valuing it at US$18.7 billion, the two firms said on Monday (Jun 16). Santos’ board said it plans to unanimously recommend the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company’s offer to shareholders if it can agree on the takeover terms. Adelaide-based…
Read MoreNippon Steel shares rise after Trump approves US$14.9 billion US Steel bid
[TOKYO] Nippon Steel shares rose on Monday after US President Donald Trump approved its US$14.9 billion bid for US Steel, clearing a key hurdle in its 18-month pursuit and securing access to a vital market for its growth strategy. The approval capped a tumultuous process marked by union resistance and two national security reviews. Shares…
Read MoreMalaysia’s oil giant Petronas looks abroad to help cut production costs
[KUALA LUMPUR] Petroliam Nasional (Petronas), Malaysia’s state-owned oil and gas company, is looking to expand output from more affordable assets abroad in an effort to cut production costs and rein in declining profits. Petronas, as the company is known, is seeking to produce oil at a break-even level of US$50 per barrel, from US$60 to…
Read MoreLeonard Lauder, billionaire heir to cosmetics empire, dies at 92
[WASHINGTON] Leonard Lauder, who built Estee Lauder into one of the world’s biggest cosmetics makers and catapulted himself into the top echelon of wealthiest New Yorkers, has died. He was 92. Lauder died on Jun 14 surrounded by family, according to a statement by Estee Lauder. In almost 40 years running the New York-based company…
Read MoreIndonesia bourse mulls extending trading window by one hour
The Indonesian stock market currently operates in a seven-hour window of 9.00 am to 4.00 pm Published Mon, Jun 16, 2025 · 11:06 AM [JAKARTA] Indonesia’s stock exchange will consider extending trading hours, in its latest effort to draw foreign investors to South-east Asia’s biggest economy after heavy sell-offs earlier this year. The local bourse…
Read MoreNo need for travel e-SIM or roaming: Singapore telcos offer generous cross-border data bundles
[SINGAPORE] More local telcos are offering “borderless” mobile plans at record low prices to woo an increasing number of globetrotting consumers. Such plans allow consumers to use a generous bundle of mobile data across borders without paying more, or activating a travel e-SIM or roaming feature. The latest to jump on this trend is M1,…
Read MoreSome SGX-listed energy stocks surge as oil prices rally on Israel-Iran conflict
[SINGAPORE] Shares of oil and gas companies listed on the Singapore Exchange (SGX) such as Rex International and RH PetroGas rose by more than 6 per cent at the market open on Monday (Jun 16). This comes on the back of global crude oil prices surging amid escalating conflict in the Middle East between Iran…
Read MoreBank of Japan to weigh slowdown in bond buying cuts after volatility rises
[TOKYO] The Bank of Japan (BOJ) is set to consider whether to taper its bond purchases at a slower pace while also leaving its benchmark interest rate unchanged, in a decision that will be closely scrutinised by the bond market. All 53 BOJ watchers surveyed expect no change in the BOJ’s 0.5 per cent interest…
Read MoreGold glimmers near two-month high as Middle East conflict escalates
[BENGALURU] Gold prices rose on Monday (Jun 16), nearing a two-month high as investors sought refuge in safe-haven assets after intensified clashes between Israel and Iran stoked fears of a broader regional conflict. Spot gold gained 0.4 per cent to US$3,447.07 an ounce, as at 0021 GMT, after hitting its highest level since Apr 22…
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