The potato-shaped loophole in free trade

Heavy snowfall in Victoria, with 63cm recorded at Mt Hotham, stranded over a dozen drivers and passengers overnight until rescue workers intervened. Victoria Police reported 13 rescues, with one individual suffering minor injuries from a vehicle rollover. Meanwhile, snow also blanketed parts of New South Wales, enhancing the ski season's start, particularly in Orange and other elevated areas, with ongoing snow showers expected throughout the weekend and into the coming week, especially in alpine resorts....

Gen Z's Economic MalaiseGeneration Z faces significant economic challenges, with nearly half feeling that future planning is “pointless,” according to a Credit Karma poll. Factors such as high unemployment rates for young adults, rising student debt, and increased reliance on buy now, pay later services contribute to their financial despair. Experts suggest that despite these difficulties, young adults should focus on investing early to harness the benefits of compound interest, while adopting a proactive financial...

Sonam Raghuvanshi's father claims her innocence after her arrest by UP Police for allegedly hiring hitmen to kill her husband during their honeymoon in Meghalaya, accusing local authorities of lying. Meghalaya's DGP stated that Sonam surrendered in UP after the murder of her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, whose family disputes the arrest claims, asserting that she was not properly questioned. The Meghalaya CM praised the police for their rapid investigation, revealing that three assailants have been...

Israel intercepted the Gaza-bound boat Madleen on Monday, carrying activists including Greta Thunberg, who aimed to raise awareness of food shortages in the blockaded territory. Following the interception, Israeli officials stated that the boat was redirected to Israeli shores, with passengers reported safe and unharmed but the limited aid onboard to be transferred to Gaza through approved channels. Amid growing international pressure for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, reports indicate ongoing violence, including Israeli attacks...

The Venta Maersk's 2018 voyage marked the first container ship journey from Asia to Europe via the Northern Sea Route, suggesting a shift in shipping patterns due to climate change. However, seven years later, the route remains underutilized, with only 3 million tonnes of cargo transported compared to the Suez Canal's 1.57 billion tonnes in 2023, as shipping lines cite economic, geopolitical, and environmental risks. While some smaller operators are exploring the route, major companies...

SINGAPORE: Income Insurance's chairman Ronald Ong will retire from the company's board but remain with NTUC Enterprise, its parent company. Ong, who has been with Income Insurance since 2018 and became chairman in 2019, will not seek re-election at the upcoming annual general meeting on June 24. Under his leadership, the company navigated significant changes, including corporatisation and enhancements to digital capabilities, while also facing challenges such as a blocked takeover bid by Allianz. Full...