22 January 2021
COVID-19 UPDATE
Hungary, UAE first countries to register Russia’s Sputnik V for emergency use
Indonesia’s population size, geographical extent make vaccination a very challenging task
KLM shedding another 1,000 jobs, on top of 5,000 layoffs in 2020
Norway will help ailing LCC but expects private investors to pitch in too
2021 tipped to deliver many more closures in UK hospitality sector
Malaysia extends MCO to February
New wave of pandemic, border policy jeopardising recovery of retail industry
KFC in Holiday Plaza, Johor, yet another COVID-19 casualty
MALAYSIA
Airlines
Struggling AirAsia plans to raise RM454 million
Banks
AmBank, Sabah Development Bank assist state’s SMEs
CIMB and Ant's TNG Digital in talks to raise US$150 million
Economy
Fitch Ratings head explains rationale for recent downgrade
Islamic capital markets
Green SRI Sukuk Grant Scheme renamed, now open for application
Judiciary
CA judge’s application to challenge committee’s decision on closed-door inquiry was premature
Media
The Vibes preparing counter-suit against Meat Cartel
Property
Bintai Kinden diversifying into sector
UOA REIT’s net rental income down 11%
Technology
Acceptance of eJamin by tech-savvy judiciary, general public ‘encouraging’
Exodus of MDEC executives bound to happen, sooner or later
Tort
Parents of teenage amputee file suit against Ampang Hospital, health ministry
ASIA
Technology
Alibaba not in the clear despite founder’s reappearance
Tourism
Sri Lanka reopens, but daily visitors capped at 2,500
AUSTRALIA
Media
Google threatens to limit services if planned code becomes law
Real estate
Investa-Manulife JV to take ownership of landmark tower in Sydney CBD
Second-largest landlord Vicinity Centres takes A$570 million hit to portfolio
EUROPE
Autos
BMW embarks on push to cut complexity
Media
In European first, Google and French publishers agree general framework over copyright
SINGAPORE
Insolvency
Eagle Hospitality Trust entities file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in US
Technology
Singapore Exchange-backed iSTOX expects more than 20 listings on platform
UK
Autos
Lotus and Renault’s Alpine join forces on electric sports car
Consumer goods
Millions in line for pay rise after Unilever pledge on living wage
Evidence
SC: Email attachments not covered by legal professional privilege
Oil and gas
PE fund HitecVision in exclusive talks to buy Exxon’s upstream assets in North Sea
Property
Bath and Canterbury among top five most desirable places to live
Retail
Next, frontrunner in race to buy Topshop, pulls out
US
Earnings
Investors likely to pay more attention to CEOs’ forecasts than actual results
Oil and gas
Baker Hughes’ Q4 profit beats Wall Street estimates
Real estate
PayPal co-founder buys Miami estate for US$18 million
Technology
IT pioneer IBM’s Q4 revenue disappoints
Joby Aero may go public through SPAC merger