News

Singapore on ‘knife’s edge’ amid COVID-19 flare-up

Published

5 years ago

May 12, 2021

Singapore is in the grips of its worst COVID-19 flare-up in months, prompting the co-chair of its coronavirus task-force to warn the city state is on a “knife’s edge”.

Lawrence Wong believes the number of community cases could go “either way over the next few weeks”.

Mr Wong, who is also the Education Minister, says “we have a chance of getting things under control by the end of the month”.

Your COVID-19 questions answered:

How effective is the COVID-19 vaccine? #vaccineqnsanswered #vaccinationSG pic.twitter.com/YGSDlPSOxm
— Singapore Government (@govsingapore) May 8, 2021

“PRUDENT DECISION”

Singapore recently tightened its restrictions, reducing the number of people allowed to gather, while also extending the quarantine period from 14 to 21 days for most inbound travellers.

Hannah Clapham is an Assistant Professor at NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health in Singapore.

The epidemiologist says it was a “prudent decision” to introduce these kinds of measures.

“I have been very impressed from the beginning of the commitment and determination to contact tracing that has gone on in Singapore,” Ms Clapham told Ticker News.

The infectious diseases expert says Singapore has a “really impressive” contact tracing and isolation program that swings into action when there is an uptick in cases.

AIRPORT CLUSTER

Ten new community cases were recorded in Singapore on Wednesday, including seven that are linked to a cluster at Changi Airport.

A number of the cases in this cluster are breakthrough infections, meaning the patient contracted the virus despite being fully vaccinated.

“So when we look at the numbers, when we see a lot of infections in vaccinated people, we have to remember that a lot of people have been vaccinated because we were worried about their risk of transmission,” Hannah Clapham told Ticker.

She says it is “really reassuring” that “we have seen much milder cases in vaccinated individuals”.

News

Big Tech earnings spark investor unease over AI spending

Investors monitor Big Tech’s AI investments, with Meta thriving while Microsoft and Tesla face uncertainty over growth and returns.

Published

3 days ago

January 30, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Investors monitor Big Tech’s AI investments, with Meta thriving while Microsoft and Tesla face uncertainty over growth and returns.

Investors are reacting sharply to Big Tech earnings this week, sending a clear signal that massive spending must translate into real growth. Markets are becoming less forgiving as companies pour billions into artificial intelligence, data centres and future tech while returns remain uncertain.

Meta has delivered a standout performance, posting a 24 percent jump in revenue for the December quarter, fuelled by AI-powered advertising. The company is doubling down on its strategy, with aggressive investment in AI and infrastructure expected to drive a further 33 percent growth this quarter.

Microsoft and Tesla tell a more cautious story. Microsoft reported only modest growth in its Azure cloud business, raising questions about its exposure to OpenAI, while Tesla plans to double spending on AI and autonomous driving. Analysts warn of a widening gap between bold AI ambitions and what investors expect in returns.

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News

Federal Reserve holds interest rates amid economic uncertainty

Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady, balancing inflation and jobs, as some governors advocate for a cut. #FederalReserve #InterestRates #Economy

Published

4 days ago

January 29, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady, balancing inflation and jobs, as some governors advocate for a cut.

The Federal Reserve has opted to keep interest rates unchanged, marking the first pause since July. Officials are showing little urgency to resume cuts, even after previous rate reductions.

Two Fed governors opposed the decision, calling for a quarter-point cut, highlighting ongoing debates within the rate-setting committee, which includes both appointed governors and regional bank presidents.

Concerns over the job market and persistent inflation continue to weigh heavily on the Fed’s policy decisions, leaving economists and investors closely watching the next moves.

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#FederalReserve #InterestRates #Economy

News

Trump warns Iran as U.S. naval forces approach amid rising tensions

Trump urges Iran to resume nuclear talks or face stronger U.S. military response amid economic struggles and tensions rise.

Published

4 days ago

January 29, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Trump urges Iran to resume nuclear talks or face stronger U.S. military response amid economic struggles and rising tensions.

U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Iran to return to nuclear negotiations, warning that failure to do so could result in a far more severe military response. Posting on Truth Social, Trump signalled a hardening stance as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to rise.

Trump confirmed that a U.S. naval strike group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln is moving towards Iran, as protests grow inside the country over alleged government repression.

The show of force comes amid heightened regional instability and mounting pressure on the Iranian leadership.

#Trump #Iran #USForeignPolicy