Posts by Kim Browne
The Democrats Are Having a False Reckoning Over Joe Biden
Or, at least it should have. Biden’s campaign sputtered on for weeks after the debate, during which many of the voices that whispered their regrets to Tapper and Thompson—or are crying out publicly for a reckoning now—either said nothing or actively defended Biden’s capacity to run. Why? Biden, they contend, held the party hostage. “It…
Read MoreThe Republican Budget Bill Rips College Away From the Working Class
The changes to the Pell Grant program increase the number of credit hours that are required to qualify as a full-time student, from 12 to 15, and cut off aid entirely for students attending less than half-time. For most college programs, that effectively requires one additional class per semester to get the maximum loan, around…
Read MoreTrump Isn’t the Godsend That Fishermen Had Hoped For
One of the problems that existed before Trump’s reelection, according to Schumann, is that government data on fish populations is often out of date. So, for example, fishermen might be given limits on a species that was in trouble three years ago and has now bounced back. Massive layoffs among the scientists at NOAA Fisheries…
Read MoreSTI inches up on Friday, tracking regional indices
[SINGAPORE] The Straits Times Index (STI) edged up on Friday (May 23), tracking regional indices. The STI closed up 0.1 per cent or 2.33 points at 3,882.42. Across the broader market, advancers outnumbered decliners 232 to 213, after 1.2 billion shares worth S$1.2 billion changed hands. The trio of local banks closed higher on…
Read MoreEco-Shop jumps on debut, minting a new Malaysian billionaire
[KUALA LUMPUR] Shares of discount-chain Eco-Shop Marketing gained on their debut on Friday (May 23) as Malaysia’s biggest initial public offering of the year created a billionaire. The stock jumped as much as 10.6 per cent in early trading, before paring gains to close 6.2 per cent higher at RM1.20. Eco-Shop, which sells household items…
Read MoreCyclical, structural factors can affect current advantage of US dollar assets although outlook is stable for now: MAS chief
[SINGAPORE] The outlook for the structural advantage of US dollar assets looks to be relatively stable at present, said Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) chief Chia Der Jiun at the Qatar Economic Forum on Tuesday (May 20). However, he cautioned that whether this continues to be the case depends on the fiscal trajectory and policies…
Read MoreRedBird Capital agrees to a £500 million deal to buy UK’s Telegraph newspaper
The current government’s decision to allow foreign state-owned investors to own up to 15% of British newspaper publishers helped unlock a deal Published Fri, May 23, 2025 · 05:06 PM [LONDON] RedBird Capital Partners, the US fund that bought Britain’s Telegraph newspaper in partnership with UAE-owned IMI, will take control of the publication after agreeing…
Read MoreTrump’s Angry New Attack on Harvard Is About to Blow Up in His Face
After raging at Harvard earlier this month, President Donald Trump is now revoking the university’s right to receive foreign students. The administration sent an unhinged letter to Harvard making the announcement while demanding extensive information about international students, a grotesque abuse of power. The White House statement justifying this seethed with angry, McCarthyite nonsense. We…
Read MoreMorgan Stanley says Singapore market is a ‘safe haven’, raises price target for this sector
[SINGAPORE] Analysts from Morgan Stanley are strong on Singapore equities, as the market continued to outperform global stocks year to date – with a total return of 13 per cent. The local market has recorded such outperformance since 2024, pressing on as investor allocations shifted more defensively amid higher global trade uncertainties this year. “Singapore’s…
Read MoreOnlyFans owner in talks to sell to investor group at about US$8 billion value: sources
[LOS ANGELES] OnlyFans owner Fenix International is in talks to sell the porn-driven company to an investor group at a valuation of around US$8 billion, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. The group is led by the Forest Road Company, a Los Angeles-based investment firm, the sources said. Reuters could not identify the…
Read MoreYangzijiang Shipbuilding down 6.1% amid steep fall in Q1 order wins
The shipbuilder’s Q1 order wins make up just 5% of its US$6 billion target for FY2025 [SINGAPORE] Shares of Chinese vesselmaker Yangzijiang Shibuilding fell on Friday (May 23) as its Q1 order wins plunged to US$300 million from US$3.3 billion in the year-ago period. After the midday trading break at 1.05 pm, the counter fell…
Read MoreJapan pledges immediate rice relief for consumers to prevent shift to foreign brands
[TOKYO] Japan’s new agriculture minister pledged on Friday to quickly move rice from government stockpiles to store shelves where they would be offered at prices significantly lower than current levels, seeking to stem a consumer shift to cheaper, foreign brands. Soaring rice prices, due in part to crop damage from extreme heat and additional demand…
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