The Afternoon Update with Lynlee Foo

Age is just a number, and when it comes to starting a family, that saying rings truer now more than ever. Technology strides and the wider availability of fertility treatment services have opened up the possibility of parenthood later in life. Data show that there is an upward trend in the number of women in Singapore aged 45 and above who give birth each year, with demand for assisted reproduction services rising. Fertility specialistand medical director atSincere Healthcare Group, Dr Lim Min Yu, shares his perspectives about the risks of In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) for older couples, what to consider when embarking on an Assisted Reproduction journey and how best to increase the odds for IVF success. 

Recent surveys show that in Asia, one in three organisations paid the ransom in a cyberattack, but was unsuccessful in recovering their data Specific to Singapore, almost 50% of organisations were reportedly hit by cyberattacks between 1 and 3 times in 2023 and could not recover even after paying ransom, further perpetuating the lucrative ransomware cycle. So what should be done in the event of a ransomware attack? How can businesses avoid being held ransom by ransomware? Chua Chee Pin, Vice President of Southeast Asia and Korea, Veeam, a company specialising in data protection, backup, and disaster recovery solutions for virtual, physical, and cloud-based workloads, tells us more. 

Over the past five years, the Eco Money segment has reported on record breaking temperatures, green bonds, blue bonds, brown bonds, and even rhino bonds - and shared the latest news and views when it comes to sustainability investment. In the last episode of Eco Money, Rachel Kelly reflects on key topics covered and highlights from the segment.

The Asia Pacific air transport maintenance, repair and overhaul or MRO services market size is accounted for US$29.40 billion in 2024 and is projected to be worth around US$48.81 billion by 2034. What are the trends shaping the MRO sector? What are the innovations in this aviation space? French multinational company Thales is a global provider of aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul solutions. In Singapore, its avionics business started in the early 1980s and has since supported the aerospace industry and regional airlines. Thomas Mouveaux, General Manager, Thales Aviation Global Services, shares his insights. 

Nvidia's shares hit a record high of $138.07 on October 14, 2024, driven by strong AI chip demand and positive analyst reports. In addition, Nvidia's top customers, such as Microsoft, Meta, Google and Amazon, have been unveiling technologies and products that require hefty investment in the chip maker's products. With demand for Nvidia’s Hopper and Blackwell platforms remaining strong, many analysts have maintained their "buy" ratings, raising price targets on Nvidia with expectations for more success.  Dan Chang, Investment Specialist and Trading Representative at PhillipCapital, gives his take about this explosion to the upside, and includes a technical analysis as well as his suggested trading plan. 

Imagine a future where AI manages your finances, books your vacations, and even drives you to work. The possibilities are endless. By 2028, this industry is expected to explode, reaching a staggering USD29 billion in 2028, as compared to USD 5 million in 2023.  AI agents represent the next phase of artificial intelligence. In the next two years, countless AI agents will be inside businesses, taking on tasks far beyond simple conversations. Integration and automation specialist Boomi recently introduced AI agents as part of its integration platform as a service offering. David Irecki, Boomi's Chief Technology Officer for Asia Pacific and Japan, shares more about the potential of AI agents and how businesses can prepare for the widespread adoption of AI agents.

Over the weekend, the Chinese central government said that there is room to increase debt and the deficit, and that more stimulus is on the way. The comments come against a backdrop of a series of measures unveiled in recent weeks that have included interest rate cuts and liquidity injections for banks, all aimed at kick-starting China's dragging economy. Gary Ng, Senior Economist at Natixis, shares more about the highly anticipated briefing on fiscal policy that was light on specifics.  

World Mental Health Day is observed on October 10 every year. This year’s official theme, “It is Time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace,” highlights the importance of fostering supportive work environments. There have been efforts to promote positive mental health at the workplace such as offering access to counselling, mental health days, and employee wellness schemes to support overall wellbeing. While such initiatives are a step in the right direction, a new survey brought to light that nearly half of Singapore employers are hesitant to hire staff with mental health conditions. Dr. Oliver Suendermann, Vice President, Clinical atmental health technology company Intellect weighs in on the findings of the survey the company jointly conducted with ASEAN Human Development Organisation. He also discusses what leaders should do beyond providing mental health resources at the workplace.

Musical theatre has been a popular form of entertainment for centuries, and with advances in technology, new possibilities are emerging for live entertainment providers to enhance the theatrical experience.  As the world of musical theatre continues to evolve, we look at trends in the business of  international theatre productions in Singapore and the region. Entertainment industry veteran Chantal Prudhomme, who is Chief Executive Officer of production company Base Entertainment Asia, shares her experience and the changes in musical theatre.

Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy management and automation, is recognised by Time Magazine as the “World’s Most Sustainable Company” in 2024 and is part of Dow Jones’ Sustainability World Index for 13 years in a row. How are tech leaders like Schneider Electric supporting digitalisation efforts to accelerate growth towards achieving sustainability goals?  Yoon Young Kim, Cluster President for Singapore and Brunei at Schneider Electric shared his insights and talked about the company’s role in bridging the green gap and the ways it is helping companies enhance energy efficiency and sustainability.