Morning Briefing: Top stories from The Straits Times on July 12, 2026

BN extends control over Johor with landslide victory. Will it push for a general election?

Caught by IRAS: Doctor earned millions but reported monthly salaries of $5k and $6k

US military launches new round of strikes against Iran

Why this former cop left a 23-year career to start a fried chicken eatery with $50,000

Matcha, beef rendang and Japanese pasta: 15 eats to try at Circle Line’s new stations

Over 2,500 appeals to waive EC income ceiling in past 5 years; 845 appeals approved: HDB

More builders look to robots to tackle Singapore’s construction labour crunch

Staying awake during spine surgery can be a safer treatment option for the elderly

After years of caring for their ill parents, they quit their jobs to care for other caregivers

How a Singapore international school became an immigration flashpoint in Sapporo

https://str.sg/a7Xx

Can Singapore replicate Cape Verde’s strategy to achieve its World Cup dream?
https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/can-singapore-replicate-cape-verdes-world-cup-success

#Wang
Cape Verde’s strategy to achieve its World Cup dream

https://youtu.be/cHVbqIxIXIY?is=gQeJ7jqGehdDZJ25

This movie scene has nothing to do with trading but it has everything to do with how to become a good trader.

(Put subtitle/caption on to understand to absorb all the dialogue in)

https://youtu.be/ANfm-v_-MKE?is=pwVVeVW-Rh3ZUnR5

What happened in China this week

1. China's 2026 to 2030 Dual Carbon Action Plan targets non fossil energy reaching 25% of total energy consumption.

2. Temporary ban on helium exports as Beijing pushes for self sufficiency.

3. Draft revision to the E-Commerce Law would impose fines of up to 5% of revenue for serious anti competitive conduct and formally bring gig workers under legal protection.

4. National Essential Medicines List expands from 678 to 794 medicines.

5. New wage reform blueprint aims to support employment, raise household incomes and stimulate consumption.

6. 102 Hong Kong IPOs in 2026, 59 winners, 41 losers, and one stock up 1,311%.

7. Xiaomi's third EV is a reconfigurable SUV that doubles as a living room.

8. Han's CNC guides for up to 280% profit growth as AI boom accelerates.

For more insights, read [Premium]: https://growthdragons.substack.com/p/growth-dragons-weekly-ai-agents-battleground

Big Tech is paying for the AI boom, and chipmakers are cashing in

https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/article/big-tech-is-paying-for-the-ai-boom-and-chipmakers-are-cashing-in-chart-of-the-day-114043038.html

Bipartisan housing affordability bill is now law, despite Trump's protest
https://finance.yahoo.com/real-estate/article/trump-refused-to-sign-it-but-the-bipartisan-housing-affordability-bill-is-now-law-100000072.html

What the housing affordability bill means for buyers and sellers
https://finance.yahoo.com/personal-finance/mortgages/article/what-the-housing-affordability-bill-means-for-buyers-and-sellers-190225969.html

Big bank profit engines expected to roar into earnings as Main Street keeps spending
https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/article/big-bank-profit-engines-expected-to-roar-into-earnings-as-main-street-keeps-spending-133238691.html

'Market is becoming more discerning': Wall Street weighs next catalyst for AI trade
https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/article/market-is-becoming-more-discerning-wall-street-weighs-next-catalyst-for-ai-trade-114052280.html

Nvidia's Forward P/E Has Actually Fallen as Its Stock Price Rose. Here's How That's Possible.
https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/nvidias-forward-p-e-actually-012200498.html

CrowdStrike Just Completed a Stock Split. Is the Stock a Buy Now?
https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/crowdstrike-just-completed-stock-split-223000167.html

Amazon Is Spending So Much on AI That Even Its Cash Isn’t Enough. Why Investors Shouldn’t Be Worried.
https://finance.yahoo.com/technology/ai/articles/amazon-spending-much-ai-even-164502983.html

#Bloomberg
What China Understands About AI and Energy That the US Doesn’t.

As the United States and China compete for dominance in artificial intelligence, energy is emerging as a critical battleground. Former Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson warns that while the US still leads in AI technology, electricity shortages could become a major constraint as data center demand surges. Former US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns says China’s enormous investments in transmission, renewables, batteries, and power generation are already reshaping global supply chains, while Hoover Institution senior fellow Elizabeth Economy argues Beijing’s clean-energy strategy is as much about economic and geopolitical power as climate policy. Together, their assessments point to a growing reality: the AI race may depend not just on chips and software, but on generating enough power to sustain the technology.
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More on #Bloomberg Television and Markets

https://youtu.be/i5UJ3ugs0dY?is=OM5wWtyfHGduxpHU

Three new Circle Line stations draw early morning crowds on opening day
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/three-new-circle-line-stations-draw-early-morning-crowds-on-opening-day

S’pore banks hit record highs, DBS tops $70 for the first time
https://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/spore-banks-hit-record-highs-dbs-tops-70-for-the-first-time

Stranded oil tankers finally reach S’pore after months stuck in Mid-East amid US-Iran tension
https://www.straitstimes.com/business/oil-tankers-previously-stranded-in-the-middle-east-arrive-in-spore-as-us-iran-tensions-rise

If you’re coveting a used gold Rolex, now could be your moment
https://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/if-youre-coveting-a-used-gold-rolex-now-could-be-your-moment

#ColdFusion
Fake Revenue


For the longest time, big tech was seen as the perpetual money printer but now things have changed. The AI frenzy has drained free cash flow and driven these companies to employ interesting accounting practices.

https://youtu.be/nZmoq_XJW6Y?is=Mtt19rzQy0wNnzQD

S-Reits maintain pockets of resilience despite headwinds in H1
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/s-reits-maintain-pockets-resilience-despite-headwinds-h1

Singapore banks’ battle for wealth talent goes beyond private bankers
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/singapore-banks-battle-wealth-talent-goes-beyond-private-bankers