Kopi With YP: Your Minimalist Morning Brief, 8 Mar

Get up to speed and stay smart with the latest business, tech, and local news in under 2 minutes 

Business

Trump sends pharmaceutical stocks plummeting with his standalone tweet, saying that he is working on “a new system where there will be competition in the drug industry”.

SGX proposes to bring back its midday break so as to boost minimum bid size and a wider forced order range.

Part-time CFO? Companies especially SMEs and startups, lacking the resources can now hire part-time CFOs to manage costs and to draw on their expertise.
 

World

Japan’s economy grew for the fourth quarter straight thanks to the weaker Yen strengthening its exports sector, propping its GDP up by 1.2%.

China’s plans to be self-sufficient and build their own high-tech industry proves to be a worry for western businesses who have expressed their misgivings.
 

Local

DSA admissions will soon exclude the academic criteria. In 2018, the focus will expand to not only sports and artistic talents, but specific areas such as languages or science.  

Young couples in Singapore to get HDB homes faster with shorter waiting time and transaction period.

Singapore will pilot its Enterprise District concept in Punggol, with a focus on digital and cyber security industries.

Firms will have to pay an increased minimum salary for their local workers if they plan to hire foreign talents for a job.
 

Tech

Buying a Prada wallet through Whatsapp? Net-A-Porter is developing a technology whereby WhatsApp users can buy luxury good through the app.

Uber’s Travis Kalanick announced his search for a COO who can partner with him after the ride-hailing company is left doing damage control after a series of missteps.