In 2022, the resident total fertility rate in Singapore reached a record low of 1.05, falling below the previous high of 1.1 in 2020 and 1.12 in 2021. Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), told Parliament on Friday, “This was partially due to the Tiger year in the Lunar calendar, which is typically associated with fewer births …

US President Joe Biden chose former Mastercard CEO Ajay Banga to run the World Bank, with the expectation that the India-born executive’s ties to the private sector and emerging economies can accelerate the 77-year-old institution’s makeover to better handle climate change. Banga, now 63 years old and a citizen of the United States, was nominated by Vice President Joe Biden …

Concerns regarding TikTok’s acquisition, use, and disclosure of personal information have prompted Canada to begin a joint federal and provincial inquiry, the Privacy Commissioner of Canada announced on Thursday, February 23. The federal privacy regulator, together with provincial counterparts in Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta, will investigate whether TikTok’s methods comply with Canadian privacy rules, according to a statement from …

Friday, February 24, state media said that North Korea conducted a test launch of four strategic cruise missiles as part of an exercise aimed to demonstrate its ability to mount a nuclear reprisal against foreign forces. State news agency KCNA reported that an operational strategic cruise missile unit of the Korean People’s Army fired four “Hwasal-2” missiles in the vicinity …

Wednesday, February 22, JPMorgan Chase & Co. stated that it should not be held accountable for a former executive’s ties with Jeffrey Epstein in a lawsuit alleging the largest US bank of aiding its former client’s sex trafficking organization. JPMorgan stated in a court statement in Manhattan that communications between former executive Jes Staley and Epstein did not support the …

Thursday, February 23, Japanese Emperor Naruhito delivered his first public birthday address since succeeding to the throne nearly four years ago. After delays caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, he solicited solidarity for those battling inflation and the pandemic. “Many people are experiencing problems in their daily lives as a result of the epidemic and rising prices,” Naruhito remarked while standing …

Nikkei Asia reported on Thursday, February 23, that Apple’s Chinese contract manufacturer Luxshare Precision Industries Co Ltd will assist develop the iPhone maker’s long-awaited augmented reality (AR) device. Luxshare has taken over the AR development team in Shanghai, which was previously controlled by Taiwan’s Pegatron, according to a source quoting people familiar with the subject. Luxshare is the first company …

On Wednesday, February 22, 2022, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) awarded Taylor Swift the World Recording Artist of the Year. This was Swift’s third time receiving the award, establishing her as the most successful artist in the organization’s decade-long existence. Swift has won the award earlier in 2014 and 2019, and ranked between second and third in …

In 2022, the Metropolitan Bank & Trust Corporation (Metrobank) recorded a net income gain of 48% due to the resumption of corporate and consumer financial activities. The universal bank also ended the year on a positive note, with fourth-quarter earnings reaching P9.3 billion, a 55 percent gain from the previous year. This boosted Metrobank’s net income for the year to …

Human rights groups have urged Malaysia to probe conditions at migrant detention centers following the government’s report that 150 foreigners, including seven children, perished at the facilities in 2014. Foreigners lacking proper licenses to remain in Malaysia, especially asylum seekers, are often detained. It is home to millions of unauthorized migrants and more than one hundred thousand Rohingya refugees. According …