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☆ Friends From the Old Neighborhood Turn Rivals in Big Tech’s A.I. Race
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Cade Metz | Nico Grant | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Today, they are two of the most powerful executives in the tech industry’s race to build artificial intelligence. Dr. Hassabis, 47, is the chief executive of Google DeepMind, the tech giant’s central research lab for artificial intelligence. Mr. Suleyman, 39, was recently named chief executive of Microsoft AI, charged with overseeing the company’s push into A.I. In 2010, they were two of the three founders of DeepMind, a seminal A.I. research lab that was supposed to prevent the very thing they are now deeply involved in: an escalating race by profit-driven companies to build and deploy A.I.

Persons: Mustafa Suleyman, Hassabis, Demis, —, Suleyman Organizations: National Health Service, Queen Elizabeth’s, Google, Microsoft, Big Tech, DeepMind Locations: Syrian, Cypriot, London

☆ A 33-year-old man turned a Japanese farmhouse into a mountainside Airbnb retreat for $25,000 — here's how he did it
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Claire Turrell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewSingaporean Xian Jie Lee, 33, moved to Japan in 2012 to study political science. Xian Jie LeeShu told Lee that he could rent a farmhouse in a village called Ryujinmura. "I removed the tatami (traditional straw floor covering) in the inner room and fell through the floor," Lee said. Xian Jie LeeWhile renovating the guesthouse, Lee turned his own home into a café three days a week to earn extra income. Xian Jie LeeLee has also been able to participate in unique experiences himself.

Persons: —, Jie Lee, Lee, Shu, Wayakama, Xian Jie Lee Shu, who'd, shoji, Lance Yeo, Xian Jie Lee, he'd, Xian Jie Lee Lee Organizations: Service, Business, YouTube Locations: Japan, Kyoto, Wakayama, Singapore

☆ Eco-friendly data centers help drive $6.3 billion of green investment in Southeast Asia, but report shows more needed
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Dylan Butts | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The analysis, conducted by Bain & Company, GenZero, Standard Chartered and Temasek, found that $6.3 billion of green investments flowed into the region, representing a 21% year-on-year increase. Last year, Malaysia attracted large-scale green financing of over $500 million for at least two data centers, according to the Monday report. watch nowThe move came after the Singaporean government unveiled a sustainability standard for data centers operating in tropical climates. Despite these efforts, Singapore's overall green investments fell in 2023 to $0.9 billion from $1.2 billion a year prior. Green investment towards power in the region fell by 14% year-over-year for the second year in a row.

Persons: Singapore —, Kimberly Tan, GenZero's Tan Organizations: Istock, Getty, Bain & Company, GenZero, Chartered, International Energy Agency, Singapore Locations: Asia, Temasek, Malaysia, Singapore

☆ A man named Brick is being caned in Singapore for illegally sneaking into the country on a small boat: local report
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Brick, 26, is an Indonesian man who is set to be caned nine times for trying to illegally enter Singapore. Caning is a judicial punishment in Singapore that can be given to male offenders who are below 50. AdvertisementA 26-year-old Indonesian man was sentenced to 18 months in prison and nine strokes of the cane in Singapore for illegally entering the island nation by swimming, local media reported. Singaporean outlet Channel News Asia identified the man by only one name — Brick — and reported that he approached Singapore on a small boat called a sampan in June 2023. Given his latest sentence, the total rises to 34 cane strokes and 68 months in prison.

Persons: —, Brick, Brick's, Michael Fay, Fay, Singapore's, Halimah Yaacob Organizations: Service, Channel News Asia, CNA, Business, Staff Locations: Indonesian, Singapore, Batam, Indonesian Embassy

☆ After life-changing losses, these millennials are now trying to help others preserve their loved ones' legacy
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Clement Tan | In Clemtan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Nicholas Worley, founder of Inalife, with his three toddler sons at home in Hong Kong. Nicholas Worley | InalifeIt wasn't until he became a father that Nicholas Worley rekindled the idea of preserving memories of his loved ones and their legacies. The death of family members, a failed business partnership and the Covid-19 pandemic played a part in helping three millennials plunge into new businesses that help others memorialize relationships and preserve their family legacy. The company provides digital storage for photographs, video and audio clips of family members so the family can view them now or in the future. Nicholas Worley Founder of InalifeIn July last year, he finally launched Inalife, hoping to break even in about two years.

Persons: Nicholas Worley, Worley, granddad, Inalife Worley, he's, Haresh Tilani, Terence Chia, Tilani, Chia, It's Organizations: Inalife, Subscribers, University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School Locations: Hong Kong

☆ I went to the elite personal training gym for traders that works your mind and your body at the same time. This may be the future of fitness.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-06 | by ( Hilary Brueck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

AdvertisementHer exercise space is a funhouse for grown-ups, located in the middle of downtown Singapore's financial district, the Asian banking capital. It's the NeuroTracker, a brain game developed more than 14 years ago by a Canadian visual perception scientistRelated storiesIt's still a somewhat controversial device. This is ostensibly training my brain to focus, and improving my working memory. Pro athletes in the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB have incorporated Neurotracker into their training to level up. Brain training for longevity is still squishy science, for nowBut this training could soon be rolled out wider, buoyed by some research that suggests benefits.

Persons: I'm, Anna Milani, Milani, Lee Sidebottom, Sidebottom, aren't Organizations: Service, NFL, Premier League . Fighter, Business, US Air Force, Manchester United, Atlanta Falcons, Pro, NBA, NHL, MLB Locations: Singapore, Singapore's, Mexico City

☆ A millennial forged his mom's signature and sold her Rolls-Royce to pay off debts racked up on nightclub dancers
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

In August 2022, Singaporean Liu Kuei Liang forged his mom's signature on sales agreements, court documents seen by Business Insider show. He pleaded guilty to forgery in a Singaporean court, and on March 22 was given a 12-week prison sentence. But on August 16 that year, Liu's mother alerted the police, and he was charged with forgery. In court, Liu's defense attorneys said his mom had offered him the use of her cars "as and when required." AdvertisementThey also pointed to the fact that as the case moved forward, Liu's mom forgave her son, the case summary says.

Persons: Royce, Liu Kuei Liang, —, Liu, Autoart, Brenda Chua, Liu's, Chau Organizations: Service, Business, Royce Locations: Autoart Singapore, Taiwan

☆ Wirecard tried to destroy its whistleblower. Now, he's founded a startup to protect others who speak out.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( Riddhi Kanetkar | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewBeing a whistleblower was antithetical to everything Pav Gill had done during his nine-year stint as a corporate lawyer. When Wirecard headhunted the Singaporean native to be its head of legal, Gill took up the position enthusiastically. Despite the fruitful outcome, the experience of being a whistleblower traumatized Gill. AdvertisementThis realization was the driving force behind Gill setting up his startup — Confide — a platform for 'internal whistleblowers' to raise issues within their organizations. AdvertisementGill anticipates that this model will work best for companies with over 50 employees, and ideally above 250 employees.

Persons: —, Pav Gill, Gill, foraying, Wirecard, Gill's, don't, " Gill, they're Organizations: Service, Allen, Business, Financial, Directive, EU Locations: Wirecard, Asia, Singapore, ESG

The Chesapeake 1000 – the largest crane on the East Coast – is needed in the Patapsco River where a 984-foot cargo vessel slammed into the bridge Tuesday. Live updates: The latest on the Baltimore bridge collapseIn addition to the crane, three heavy lift vessels are expected to start arriving Friday, US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told CNN. This appraisal is critical in determining how small to cut the bridge pieces so cranes can lift them, he said. In addition to the human toll, the destruction of the Key Bridge and closure of the Port of Baltimore could lead to widespread economic fallout. In this NTSB handout, an investigator examines the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge from the cargo vessel Dali on March 27 in Baltimore.

Persons: Francis Scott Key, Pete Buttigieg, Wes Moore, Julia Nikhinson, ” Moore, Shannon Gilreath, Moore, Maryland Sen, Chris Van Hollen, Buttigieg, “, Jennifer Homendy, Homendy, Marcel Muise, Dali, Peter Knudson, CNN’s Justin Lear, Andy Rose, Sarah Dewberry, Chris Isidore, David Goldman, Greg Wallace, Elise Hammond, Tori B, Powell, Sania Farooqui, Chris Boyette Organizations: CNN, Maryland Gov, Authorities, US Coast Guard, National Transportation Safety, Army Corps, Maryland Department of Labor, National Transportation, NTSB, India’s Ministry, External Affairs Locations: Patapsco, Baltimore, Maryland, Port, Port of Baltimore, America, New York, New Jersey, Vedika Sud

☆ Who ends up holding the bag for the Baltimore bridge collapse?
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Catherine Thorbecke | Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Marine insurance companies will be on the hook for much of the costs. These insurance companies are backed by insurance companies of their own – a type of business known as a reinsurer. The potential cost of insurance claims from the bridge collapse could be between $1 billion and $3 billion, analysts at Barclays wrote in a note Wednesday. “But other than that, the economic impact of what has happened will be enormous, but not recoverable from the ship,” Davies said. Maryland lawmakers, meanwhile, are drafting an emergency bill to provide income replacement for Port of Baltimore workers impacted by the bridge collapse.

Persons: Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key, ”, John Miklus, Dali, Brendan Holmes, Miklus, Loretta Worters, Worters, Martin Davies, ” Davies, Joe Biden, Francis Scott Key, it’s, ” Biden, Scott Olson, Davies, Bill Ferguson Organizations: New, New York CNN, American Institute of Marine Underwriters, “, Barclays, Grace Ocean, Britannia, Indemnity, International Group, International, CNN, Insurance, Costa, Maritime Law Center, Tulane University, “ Maersk, Federal Highway Administration, Infrastructure Investment, Jobs, Biden, . Workers, Robins, Repair, Port, Maryland Locations: New York, Singapore, Costa Concordia, Italy, Danish, Baltimore , Maryland, Maryland, Baltimore

☆ Baltimore key bridge collapse: Recovery efforts continue for 6 presumed dead after Baltimore bridge collapse as investigation gets underway
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Elizabeth Wolfe | Yahya Abou-Ghazala | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Recovery efforts are now underway for the missing people, who are presumed dead. People from El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico among the missing: Miguel Luna, an immigrant from El Salvador, has been identified as one of the missing, according to the nonprofit Miguel Luna, an immigrant from El Salvador, has been identified as one of the missing, according to the nonprofit CASA . Ship blacked out before crash: Just minutes before impact, there was a “total blackout” of engine and electrical power on the ship, according to Clay Diamond, executive director of the American Pilots Association. Eight construction workers were believed to be mending potholes on the bridge when it fell, according to officials. A specialized team will also determine who was controlling the vessel and who was on the ship’s bridge at the time of the crash, she said.

Persons: Francis Scott Key, James Wallace, Wes Moore, “ We’re, Jennifer Homendy, Richard Worley, Miguel Luna, Petén, Clay Diamond, Diamond, “ It’s, ”, Pete Buttigieg, Joe Biden, US Sen, Chris Van Hollen, Buttigieg, Luna, DALI, “, ” Moore, Dali, Tasos Katopodis, Moore, CNN’s Melissa Alonso, Flora Charner, Sarah Engel, Jack Forrest, Allison Gordon, Elise Hammond, Jennifer Henderson, Betsy Klein, Jamiel Lynch, Sean Lyngaas, Mary Kay Mallonee, Lauren Mascarenhas, Pete Muntean, Tori B, Powell, Rachel Ramirez, Amy Simonson, Aditi Sangal, Michael Williams Organizations: CNN, US Coast Guard, Baltimore City Fire, Divers, Maryland Gov, Guard, Transportation Safety, National Transportation Safety, Baltimore Police, CASA, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mexican Embassy, American Pilots Association, Reconstruction, Vital, Transportation, El, Maritime, Port Authority of, Infrastructure Security Agency, Coast Guard, for Disease Control, Gov, Association of Maryland Pilots, ”, NTSB Locations: Baltimore, ”, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, San Luis, Camotán, Washington, US, Patapsco, El Salvadoran, Maryland, Port Authority of Singapore

☆ The Dali was just starting a 27-day voyage.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Claire Moses | More About Claire Moses | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Dali was less than 30 minutes into its planned 27-day journey when the ship ran into the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday. The Dali, which is nearly 1,000 feet long, left the Baltimore port around 1 a.m. Eastern on Tuesday. The ship had two pilots onboard, according to a statement by its owners, Grace Ocean Investment. Before heading off on its voyage, the Dali had returned to the United States from Panama on March 19, harboring in New York. The Dali sustained damage at the time, but no one was injured.

Persons: Dali, Francis Scott Key Organizations: Grace Ocean Investment, South, Hyundai Heavy Industries Locations: Sri Lanka, Baltimore, United States, Panama, New York, South Korea, Antwerp

☆ What we know about the Baltimore bridge collapse
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Holly Yan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —A massive cargo ship plowed into Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday, causing the 1.6-mile bridge to crumble like a pile of toothpicks and plunge cars and people into the frigid water below. Here’s what we know about the catastrophe:Why did the bridge collapse? The Patapsco River is about 50 feet deep under the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Wiedefeld said. The water temperature in Baltimore Harbor near the site of the bridge collapse was about 46 to 48 degrees Fahrenheit on Tuesday morning. The Francis Scott Key Bridge lies in shambles after a massive cargo ship crashed into one of its pillars overnight in Baltimore.

Persons: Francis Scott Key, DALI, Dali, Wes Moore, it’s, Paul J, Wiedefeld, “, ” Wiedefeld, James Wallace, ”, It’s, Andrew McCabe, ” McCabe, McCabe, we’ve, Akbarzai, Andy Rose, Derek van Dam, Monica Garrett, AnneClaire Stapleton, Louis Mian Organizations: CNN, Francis Scott Key Bridge, Maritime, Port Authority, Synergy Marine, Ltd, Maryland Gov, Maryland Transportation, Baltimore City Fire, Sonar, Synergy Group, National Weather Service, Reuters, University of Minnesota, FBI Locations: Singapore, Maryland, Patapsco, Baltimore, “, Baltimore Harbor, Harford County

☆ TikTok: Is it really Chinese?
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Is TikTok Chinese? In March 2023, CEO Chew was repeatedly pressed by US lawmakers on whether TikTok was Chinese. According to TikTok’s own website, its subsidiaries around the world are all structured under Bytedance Ltd.Is ByteDance Chinese? At last year’s congressional hearing, Chew didn’t directly answer any questions about whether ByteDance is a Chinese company either. That means the Chinese government now owns 1% of Beijing Douyin Information Service, which is the domestic Chinese unit of Bytedance.

Persons: TikTok, Shou Chew, Trump, Chew, Jose Luis Magana, Musical.ly, TikTok’s, ByteDance, Zhang Yiming, Liang Rubo, Zhang, Liang, Jinri, Chew didn’t, Shannon Stapleton, Zhang Fuping, Xi Jinping, Wu Shugang, Shu Yuting Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, TikTok LLC, TikTok Ltd, ByteDance Ltd, Bytedance Ltd, Tianjin’s Nankai University, ByteDance, Carlyle Group, General Atlantic, Susquehanna International Group, Reuters, Communist, Cyberspace Administration, Beijing Douyin Information Service, Chinese Communist Party, National Intelligence Law, Commerce Ministry Locations: China, Hong Kong, United States, Beijing, California, Los Angles, Singapore, Delaware, Culver City , California, Cayman Islands, Shanghai, Chinese, TikTok

☆ Singapore claims to have world-class talent. One executive living and working here for 17 years shares why this is true.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Sponsor Post | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Darul Kisai, director of manufacturing and supply network operations, has dedicated 17 years to Procter & Gamble's Singapore plant. P&G benefits from the contributions of dedicated, top-tier talents like Kisai, who chose Singapore to pursue a meaningful career. Darul Kisai, manufacturing and supply network operations director, P&G, Singapore. "Singapore and P&G serve as magnets for top talent because they offer a platform where individuals can contribute significantly both professionally and personally." Here to stayFor those contemplating a move to Singapore, Kisai suggests conducting thorough research on potential employers and the country itself.

Persons: Kisai, Kris LeBoutillier, he's, I've, Darul Kisai, — Organizations: Singapore, Procter, Gamble's, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT, Procter & Gamble, Insider Studios, Singapore Economic Development Board Locations: Gamble's Singapore, Singapore, Asia, Malaysia, US, Darul Kisai, Darul, New York City, Pakistan

☆ I visited the ExploreAI summit in Singapore. Here's how AI is helping businesses solve real-world problems.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Sponsor Post | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

I attended the ExploreAI summit on January 29, which marked the successful conclusion of the AI Trailblazers initiative. Minister Josephine revealed AI Trailblazers 2.0 to advance Singapore's National AI Strategy 2.0 and deepen AI use across Singapore. The event marked the successful conclusion of the AI Trailblazers initiative — an effort to help Singapore-based organizations develop 100 generative AI (GenAI) solutions over 100 days. Minister Teo announced plans to build on the success of the first AI Trailblazers program with AI Trailblazers 2.0. This collaboration between AI Trailblazers and Google exemplifies Singapore's dedication to using AI for the betterment of everyone, from residents to businesses.

Persons: Josephine, Kris LeBoutillier, he's, I'm, Mark Micallef, John Ang, Temus, Ang, Tan, Keow, —, Long Yin, What's, Josephine Teo, Teo Organizations: Google Asia Pacific, Singapore's Ministry of Communications, Information, MCI, Digital Industry Singapore, Smart Nation Group, Enterprise Singapore, Google, Southeast, of Information Technology, Nanyang Polytechnic, People's Association, AI, Ministry of Communications, Insider Studios, Singapore Economic Development Board Locations: Singapore, Asia, ExploreAI, Southeast Asia, Temus

WASHINGTON (AP) — If some U.S. lawmakers have their way, the United States and China could end up with something in common: TikTok might not be available in either country. But while U.S. lawmakers associate TikTok with China, the company, headquartered outside China, has strategically kept its distance from its homeland. Since its inception, the TikTok platform has been intended for non-Chinese markets and is unavailable in mainland China. Some have insisted they be called “global companies” instead of “Chinese companies.”But for TikTok, this may not be enough. “America’s foremost adversary has no business controlling a dominant media platform in the United States.

Persons: TikTok, Joe Biden, Zhiqun Zhu, ” Zhu, Alex Capri, Hinrich, ” Capri, Capri, Zhang Yiming, Mike Gallagher, ”, Gallagher, “, Sen, Tom Cotton, Shou Zi Chew, beholden, Chew, Nancy Pelosi, ” Chew, Thomas Zhang, Zhang, It's, Donald Trump, Trump Organizations: WASHINGTON, Bucknell University, “, National University of Singapore, Hinrich Foundation, Chinese Communist Party, CCP, Communist, Wired, Republicans Locations: United States, China, Beijing, Hong Kong, U.S, Washington, there's, Chinese, Chew

☆ At 23, she landed a job at a 3-star Michelin restaurant. Less than 2 years later, she left to run a food stall in Singapore.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Marielle Descalsota | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Shanice Lim left a Michelin-starred restaurant to run a hawker stall in Singapore. She decided to follow in her grandmother's footsteps and run her own hawker stall. nasi lemak stall in singapore Marielle Descalsota/Business InsiderLim said her efforts have paid off and that she now has a base of customers who don't hesitate to pay SG$5 for her nasi lemak. I wanted to put my brand out there so everyone could have good nasi lemak," Lim said. There isn't much money to be made running a hawker stall.

Persons: Shanice Lim, Lim's, —, Shanice, Lim, Lim's nasi lemak, Marielle, nasi lemak —, Khir Johari, hawker, KF, it's, It's, nasi lemak, Seetoh, nasi, she's, Elizabeth Chan, lemak, Chan, har, wasn't Organizations: Michelin, Service, Culinary Institute of America's, hawker, Business, SG, National Environmental Agency, NEA, Singapore Food Agency, singapore Marielle Locations: Singapore, Culinary Institute of America's Singapore, Singapore —, European, Zen, Malay, lemak, Bedok, hawker, Urban, New York City, nasi lemak, singapore

☆ Who will buy TikTok from ByteDance?
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

At $100 billion, there are few companies that could afford to buy TikTok outright. Citing people familiar with the matter, the Journal wrote that Kotick “floated the idea of partnering to buy TikTok to a table of people that included OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.”CNN couldn’t independently confirm the report. Its one go at the social media scene, the buggy and short-lived Ping, was one of Apple’s biggest flops. And any tech executive or private equity investor thinking of buying TikTok would need to be prepared to enter the social media quagmire. A key question in assessing the value of a TikTok deal is whether China would allow ByteDance to export its algorithm — the secret sauce that keeps TikTok users glued to their phones.

Persons: CNN Business ’, There’s, Joe Biden’s, who’d, Dan Ives, ” Ives, Who’s, ”, Gene Kimmelman, OpenAi, Bobby Kotick, Activision Blizzard, “, Sam Altman, ” CNN couldn’t, Altman didn’t, doesn’t, quagmire, They’d, Mark Zuckerberg, Shou Chew, It’s, Trump, —, Brian Fung Organizations: CNN Business, New York CNN, Senate, Microsoft, Department, Google, ” Meta, Facebook, Street Journal, Activision, ” CNN, Kotick, Apple, Oracle, Walmart, Communist Party, ByteDance Locations: New York, United States, Beijing, Europe, China

☆ They met in culinary school and renovated a $444,000 public housing apartment together. The kitchen was the heart of the project.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Amanda Goh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Colin Yong, who works in the food and beverage industry, lives in a cozy, five-room public housing apartment in Singapore with his wife. But she wasn't always keen on it because she preferred a new house," Yong said. But my wife wanted more shelving and everything, so we learned to meet in the middle." Amanda Goh/Business InsiderWarm, dim lights create a soothing atmosphere that puts people at ease. Amanda Goh/Business InsiderNot settling for lessThe couple has one tip for other first-time homeowners: Don't settle for less.

Persons: Colin Yong, —, It's, homeownership, Yong, they're, Eddy Kur, Amanda Goh, I've, wasn't Organizations: Service, Housing, Development Board, BTO, Amazon Locations: Singapore, Hougang, Amazon Germany

☆ Eras Tour: Singapore defends Taylor Swift’s exclusive Southeast Asia stop after neighbors cry foul
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Singapore is drawing fans from all over Southeast Asia and beyond to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, much to the annoyance of the city-state’s regional neighbors. “[Our] agencies negotiated an arrangement with her to come to Singapore and perform and to make Singapore her only stop in Southeast Asia,” Lee said at a press conference in Melbourne while on a state visit to Australia. I don’t see that as being unfriendly.”“If we had not made such an arrangement, would she have come to more places in Southeast Asia? Southeast Asia fans dig deep to see SwiftThe Eras Tour is a multi-continent extravaganza that surged to become the highest-grossing tour of all time – and Swift is making Singapore a lot of money. I never really spent big like six-digit (Philippine peso) amounts for someone else, just Taylor Swift,” Suizo said.

Persons: Taylor, Swift, Joey Salceda, Lee Hsien Loong, “, ” Lee, Edward Tong, ”, Srettha Thavisin, Taylor Swift, hasn’t, Edmund Ong, Yun Liu, Errol De Asis, Gilliane, Christel Kaye Kuan, Yedda Mendoza, ” Suizo, it’s, Granada, That’s Organizations: CNN, Southeast, Singapore –, ”, Singapore, Coldplay, World Bank Locations: Singapore, Southeast Asia, Melbourne, Australia, Bangkok, Thailand, Philippines, Asia, Maybank, ASEAN, Gilliane Granada, China, Granada

☆ Singapore brokered a deal with Taylor Swift, so she wouldn't take the Eras Tour to other Southeast Asian countries. Now, a Philippines lawmaker is calling it out.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-02 | by ( Eve Crosbie | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewThere's a feud between Singapore and neighboring government officials — and it's all down to Taylor Swift. "Some $3 million in grants were allegedly given by the Singapore government to AEG to host the concert in Singapore. AdvertisementFans of US singer Taylor Swift arrive for the first of the pop star's six sold-out Eras Tour concerts at the National Stadium in Singapore on March 2, 2024. Taylor Swift performs at the National Stadium on March 2, 2024 in Singapore. He claimed he was told the Singapore government offered $2 million to $3 million per show in exchange for exclusivity.

Persons: —, Taylor Swift, Joey Salceda, Swift, Salceda, Rosland Rahman, Ashok Kumar, Srettha Thavisin, Angel Zhong Organizations: Service, Business, Philippines, Department of Foreign Affairs, Singapore, AEG, The Straits Times, Getty, GMA Network, Association of South East Asian Nations, Sky News, BBC News, CNA, Finance, RMIT University, Forbes Locations: Singapore, Philippines, Southeast Asia, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Bangkok, Thailand

☆ 3 friends who got tickets to all 6 Taylor Swift shows in Singapore said they used spreadsheets, 4 devices, and a network of extended relatives to do it
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Shubhangi Goel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Taylor Swift is kicking off her Singapore concert series. One Singaporean told CNA she got tickets to all six Swift shows in Singapore. She and her friends had to tap into an extended network of relatives to pull it off. AdvertisementFor Nat Jaafar and her two friends, watching Taylor Swift perform in Singapore was a must-do. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: Taylor Swift, —, Nat Jaafar, Jafar Organizations: CNA, Swift, Service, Channel News Asia, Business Locations: Singapore, Southeast Asia

☆ Skull and Bones, Singapore's first major video game title, launches to mixed reviews after decade-long wait
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Dylan Butts | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Justin Farren, Creative Director at Ubisoft Singapore, reveals "Skull & Bones" during the Ubisoft E3 conference at the Orpheum Theater on June 11, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. Ubisoft Singapore officially launched its first major video game, Skull And Bones, for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on Friday, ending an unusually long development saga that spanned over a decade. Ubisoft Singapore received a grant from the Economic Development Board in 2016 to aid in the development of an "AAA" game title from the city-state. The "AAA" game classification refers to titles that are produced and distributed by large, well-known publishers that will typically have high development and marketing budgets. According to data collected by market research company YouGov in 2020, at least three-quarters of the population in Singapore plays video or mobile games, which jumps to 90% among those aged 18 to 24.

Persons: Justin Farren, Jean, Francois Vallee, CNBC's Organizations: Ubisoft Singapore, Ubisoft, Orpheum, PlayStation, Economic, AAA Locations: Los Angeles , California, AAA, Singapore

☆ Singapore pledges to support households and companies as costs rise; budget deficit widens in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

SINGAPORE — Singapore's budget deficit widened more than expected in 2023 but the country expects a small surplus in the 2024 financial year, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong said in his budget speech on Friday. The budget deficit for 2023 was revised to $2.67 billion (3.6 billion Singapore dollars), representing about 0.5% of its gross domestic product, Wong told parliament. Wong said a small surplus of SG$800 million is expected for the 2024 financial year, which runs from April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025. In his budget speech, Wong announced that the city-state will increase support for households and companies in as the country continues to grapple with higher prices. The total bill for these added household measures will come up to an additional $1.41 billion, or 1.9 billion Singapore dollars.

Persons: Lawrence Wong, Wong, Singapore's Organizations: Finance Locations: SINGAPORE

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