Weekly Insider

Good morning everyone, let’s welcome the long weekend with the biggest stories of the week.

Green Giants Unite Temasek and Norinchukin Bank Launch $173M Food-Tech Fund!

Guess what? Singapore's Temasek and Japan's Norinchukin Bank are teaming up to make a big splash in the world of agriculture and food tech! They're launching a super cool fund called Seviora T3F Strategy, with a whopping US$173 million ready to invest in startups across Asia-Pacific. But here's the twist: they're not just about making money – they're all about making a positive impact, too! ♻️

This fund isn't just any old piggy bank – it's focused on fighting climate change by greening up the food and agriculture industries. Think solar-powered farms and high-tech food production methods!

And get this: They're not alone on this mission! With other big players joining in, this fund is set to grow bigger and better. Talk about planting the seeds for a greener future! Why all the fuss about food and farming? Well, did you know that agriculture and food systems are responsible for a whopping one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions? 😱🌍 It's time for a change, and these folks are leading the charge!

Employers Take the Lead in the US!

Companies are calling the shots now! Employers in the US are flexing their muscles, making layoffs, dragging remote workers back to the office, and being pickier than ever when it comes to hiring. But why? 🤔

Well, even though the job market seems hot with a record number of jobs being added, wages aren't rising as fast as they used to. Plus, more people are applying for each job, making it easier for companies to find replacements. Also, Workers aren't jumping ship like they used to. With confidence in the job market shaky, they're sticking around, even if it means settling for part-time gigs or multiple jobs.

So, what's the vibe now? Employers are feeling the power! They're becoming more demanding with their staff, whether it's dragging them back to the office or toughening up their hiring process. It's a whole new ball game out there! 💼 Let’s keep a look out job seekers and how it will impact Singapore.

Mexico Takes the Lead: Farewell China, Hello New Export Champ!

China – Mexico is stealing the spotlight in the US market! 🇲🇽🇺🇸

Mexico has snagged the top spot as the US's biggest exporter, leaving China in the dust for the first time in two decades. But wait, what's the deal with China? Well, it seems like they've hit a bit of a rough patch. The US-China trade deficit hit its lowest point in over a decade, signalling a shift in trade partnerships.

What's behind this epic showdown? Let's break it down: First off, remember those tariffs from the Trump era? They made Chinese imports pricier than a rare Pokémon card. Add in some climate rules from the Biden administration, and suddenly, Mexico is looking like a more attractive option for manufacturers. Plus, there's been some political drama between the US and China, pushing manufacturers to set up shop in Mexico instead. It's like a real-life game of musical chairs, but with factories!

And hey, it's not just Mexico getting all the attention. South Korea and India are stepping up their game too, trying to woo American businesses. It's a fierce competition out there! China might be down, but it's not out. They're still a big player in the manufacturing game, supplying parts for products made elsewhere.

So, what's next for the US-China trade saga? Who knows! But one thing's for sure: With twists and turns like these, it's bound to be an exciting ride! 🎢✨

China's Price Plunge Sparks Economic Roller Coaster

China's consumer prices just plummeted like a roller coaster drop, sending shockwaves through the economy! 😱

Here's the scoop: Consumer prices took a staggering 0.8% dive in January, the biggest nosedive since the 2009 financial crisis! 📉 Even the experts didn't see this one coming! They were only expecting a 0.5% dip. Talk about a surprise! And it's not just consumers feeling the pinch – factory prices dropped 2.5% for the 16th month straight! Ouch!

China's pulling out all the stops: pumping money into banks, launching big construction projects, and even shaking up the stock market to stop a massive sell-off. President Xi Jinping's rolling up his sleeves, and heads are rolling in the securities world! Despite the chaos, the stock market's showing signs of life, inching up for the fourth day in a row. And the yuan's holding steady against the dollar. But China's been in a bit of a pickle lately, with prices dropping left and right. It's hard to get people excited about spending money when prices keep falling! 😔

If China doesn't turn things around soon, they are in for a bumpy ride. Falling prices could squeeze wallets even tighter, spelling trouble for everyone! China's got some serious work ahead to get back on track! 🚀

Oil Drama: Norway's Fund Boss Throws Shade at ExxonMobil's Climate Lawsuit!

The big boss of Norway's whopping $1.5 trillion oil fund just threw some serious shade at ExxonMobil! Why? Because they're being super aggressive about suing shareholders over climate stuff! Not cool, Exxon!

Nicolai Tangen, the CEO of Norway's oil fund, is not having it. He's worried about Exxon's behavior and what it means for shareholder rights. Get this – Norway's oil fund is one of Exxon's top-10 shareholders! That's some serious dough – $5.4 billion worth! Here's the deal: Some shareholders wanted Exxon to set better climate goals, but then they backed off. But Exxon's like, "Nah, we're still suing!" They're worried those shareholders might try again in the future. This move by Exxon has investors raising their eyebrows. Will it scare off other small investors from speaking up in the future? 🤔

Norway's oil fund is no stranger to speaking up about climate stuff. They've supported green proposals at other oil companies and even made some of their own last year! Go, Norway! And it's not just Exxon feeling the heat – Chevron's in the hot seat too! Norway's oil fund wants them to step up their climate game, just like they did at COP! Let's hope these big oil giants listen up and make some changes for the planet! 🌎

Here at BizBrew, we want to wish everyone a happy Chinese New Year! Enjoy collecting those Ang Paos!!!

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