Distressing Global Report on Civil Freedoms

President Trump expressed support for labeling protesters as domestic terrorists and praised Elon Musk for doubling Tesla's vehicle output in the US within two years. Musk announced plans to produce self-driving "cyber-cab" vehicles in Texas next year. Trump declared on Truth Social that he would buy a Tesla to show support for Musk, calling him a "truly great American," despite Musk's unpopularity among ordinary Americans. Full Article

On Tuesday, markets were volatile as investors grappled with President Trump's tariff commitments, resulting in stocks initially dropping before recovering later in the day. The S&P 500 index fell 1.5 percent before ending 0.8 percent lower, nearing correction territory. Concerns over escalating tariffs against Canada caused market fluctuations, with tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite index also closing lower. Analysts anticipate continued market volatility due to uncertainty surrounding trade policies and economic growth, as fears of a global...

Audrey Michelin, Senior Director of Account Management APAC at OpenX Australia, has a diverse background in media roles, from Ad Ops at ARN to leading digital product teams at MCN. In her current role, she drives double-digit revenue growth in ANZ and Asia, implements process improvements, and fosters diversity through industry contributions like The Women in Programmatic Network. Known for her leadership style and commitment to mentoring, Michelin also holds a national record in deadlifting...

Standard Chartered and Chong Hing Bank are not accepting mortgage requests from potential homebuyers at the Le Mont residential project in Tai Po, according to property agents. While Standard Chartered declined to comment, Chong Hing Bank stated that they evaluate mortgage loan applications based on the property's value, quality, and the applicant's repayment ability. This decision by the banks is a setback for China Vanke, the developer of the project, as they face significant debt...

A Panama-flagged tanker was boarded by seven armed individuals in the Philip Channel, Indonesia, while sailing eastbound, with the vessel managing to continue its journey despite the incident. Ambrey, a maritime security specialist, recommended ships passing through the Singapore Strait to secure access points and conduct deck patrols to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Full Article

The beauty industry is undergoing a significant transformation, with an expected global market value of US$590 billion by 2028 and a 6% annual growth rate. The demand for personalized, sustainable, and technologically advanced beauty experiences is driving this change, creating opportunities for startups in the Asia region to innovate and disrupt the industry. Strategic partnerships between startups and established industry leaders are key to overcoming challenges and fueling the beauty tech revolution in the SAPMENA...