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 start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro...

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 overseas to Malaysian mothers to be eligible for citizenship. Australia prime minister Mr Anthony...

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 / Claressa Monteiro ([email protected])  Recording engineer: Joann Chai Pei Chieh Produced...

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 election on October 27. According to the police in the republic, no threatening items were found aboard...

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 ([email protected])  Recording engineer: Joann Chai Pei Chieh Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro Produced...

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 have been ordered to be ready to fire. And in Singapore,  the trial of Leader of the Opposition...

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 Laos deepened the grouping's relationships with several key partners on the second day of its...

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 Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol delivered a message of hope on how a unified Korean peninsula will...

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 ([email protected])  Recording engineer: Joann Chai Pei Chieh Produced and edited by: Lee Kim Siang & Claressa...

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 at the history of cats in Singapore, and break down what the new rules mean for all of us. ...

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 ([email protected])  Recording engineer: Joann Chai Pei Chieh Produced and edited by: Lee Kim Siang & Claressa Monteiro Produced by:...

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 ([email protected])  Recording engineer: Joann Chai Pei Chieh Produced and edited by: Lee...

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 while in the Middle East, Asia-Pacific nations are rushing to evacuate thousands of their citizens...

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 months of the year. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business...

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 an “Asian Nato” called for by Japan’s new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. In Singapore, individuals...

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 round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Lee Kim Siang...

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 has pledged to diversify the economy and in Singapore news train services between Jurong East and...

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 and Buona Vista stations will last several more days. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines...

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 day by The Business Times.  Written by: Lee Kim Siang / Claressa Monteiro...

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 Parliament and called for a parliamentary election. And in Singapore, the Attorney-General’s Chambers said...

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 processes and cut red tape. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business...

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 States’ return of nearly 300 antiquities to India. And in Singapore news, more car loans have been...

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 start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Lee Kim Siang / Claressa Monteiro...

Hand-held radios used by armed group Hezbollah detonated yesterday across Lebanon's south; Sri Lanka's presidential candidates wrapped up their campaigning yesterday, 48 hours before the election; researchers here have made a breakthrough in reversing the age of women’s eggs, paving the way for greater success in assisted reproductive technologies such as IVF. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Lee Kim Siang / Claressa Monteiro...

U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris called overnight for an end to the Israel-Gaza war. The European Union announces a new team, Japan’s Nippon Steel hits an acquisition roadblock, North Korea fires more weapons tests and in Singapore the island is gearing up for the F1 race this weekend.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Lee Kim Siang / Claressa Monteiro ([email protected])  Recording engineer: Joann Chai Pei...