Posts by Mark Darwin
Your iPad Could Be Your Best Employee
Ever thought your iPad could be more than just a gadget for watching videos or playing games? Believe it or not, it could be your next best employee. With the right apps and a bit of know-how, your iPad can handle a lot of the tasks that keep your business running smoothly. From managing projects…
Read MoreVolkswagen sues India to quash ‘enormous’ US$1.4b tax demand, legal filing shows
Volkswagen has sued Indian authorities to quash an “impossibly enormous” tax demand of US$1.4 billion, arguing that the ask is contradictory to New Delhi’s import taxation rules for car parts and will hamper the company’s business plans, court papers show. Volkswagen’s unit, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, also told the High Court in Mumbai that the…
Read MoreTrump tariffs target loophole used by Chinese online retailers
President Donald Trump’s new trade levies against China, Canada and Mexico include a broadside against e-commerce, with apparent plans to extinguish a long-held tariff exemption for packages worth less than US$800. Trump’s executive orders directing 25 per cent levies on Canada and Mexico – plus a 10 per cent duty on China – specify that…
Read MoreTrump’s oil tariffs a boost for European and Asian refiners
US President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs on Canadian and Mexican oil imports will offer European and Asian refineries a competitive advantage against their US rivals, analysts and market participants told Reuters. Trump on Saturday (Feb 1) ordered 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports and 10 per cent on goods from China starting…
Read MoreSingapore-based office S-Reits report stronger operational performance
ACCORDING to data from JLL, leasing activities in quality office developments in Singapore improved in the fourth quarter of 2024. Rental and capital values are expected to stay stable in the first half of 2025, and recover in the latter half of the year. CBRE predicts a modest rise in Core Central Business District Grade…
Read MoreBonds gain in January as Trump’s return drives topsy-turvy month
FOR all the trepidation coursing through the bond market at the start of 2025, Treasuries are up on the month as traders remain on watch for how Donald Trump’s tariff and immigration policies will develop. After a rollercoaster stretch, the Bloomberg US Treasury index is up about 0.6 per cent this month through Thursday (Jan…
Read MoreApple scraps work on Mac-connected augmented reality glasses
APPLE has cancelled a project to build advanced augmented reality (AR) glasses that would pair with its devices, marking the latest setback in its effort to create a headset that appeals to typical consumers. The company shuttered the programme this week, according to people with knowledge of the move. The now-cancelled product would have looked…
Read MoreVenmo for Business: Smart Move or Major Mistake?
Thinking of using Venmo for your business? It’s a tempting option with its ease of use and popularity. But is it really the best choice for handling business transactions? Venmo for Business offers some unique features, but there are important factors to weigh before diving in. Let’s explore whether Venmo is a smart move for…
Read MoreSingapore will continue to work with US counterparts to comply with export controls: MTI
THE Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) said on Saturday (Feb 1) that Singapore’s customs and law enforcement agencies will continue to work closely with US counterparts on export controls. This comes as questions were raised over whether DeepSeek gained access to Nvidia chips that were subject to export controls through Singapore intermediaries. In a…
Read MoreJPMorgan plans US$4 billion US gold delivery amid tariff fears
JPMorgan Chase will deliver gold bullion valued at more than US$4 billion against futures contracts in New York in February, at a time when surging prices and the threat of import tariffs are fueling a worldwide dash to ship metal to the US. The bank, which is by far the world’s biggest bullion dealer, was…
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