US rig count - 958

HOUSTON (AP) — The number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. increased by eight this week to 958.

A year ago, just 463 rigs were active.

Houston oilfield services company Baker Hughes said Friday that 766 rigs sought oil and 192 explored for natural gas this week.

Among major oil- and gas-producing states, New Mexico gained four rigs, Oklahoma increased by three and Louisiana, Ohio, West Virginia and Wyoming each gained one.

Texas declined by one rig.

Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, North Dakota, Pennsylvania and Utah were all unchanged.

The U.S. rig count peaked at 4,530 in 1981. It bottomed out in May of 2016 at 404.

=============================

Related stocks: Keppel Corp, Sembcorp Marine & Cosco

Russia is expelling a lot of USA embassy staffs in Russia.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/russia-orders-us-cut-diplomatic-staff-says-seize-093237700.html

The fight is on.  The USA imposed a new sanction against Russia and Russia expelled the USA embassy staffs.

Tit-For-Tat is nothing new but Russia is able to take on the USA because China is supporting Russia's economy by buying oil and gas in RMB.

Russia will station in Syria permanently now.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/putin-signs-syria-deal-cementing-russias-presence-half-113942368.html

The USA has no control over Syria now because Russia will be in Syria for a long time.  It won't be easy to overthrow Assad now and the USA has to accept that Assad will be at the helm of Syria for a much longer time than expected.

SGX praised ex-ceo Magnus Bocker but omitted the petition against him.

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/bocker-was-a-driving-force-for-change-sgx

https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/petition-to-remove-magnus-bocker-as-the-ceo-of-sgx

SGX should just keep its mouth shut.  The truth was Magnus Bocker had a disgraceful departure from SGX but SGX still wanted to honour him.  His passing on won't wipe out his disgraceful departure.

We can forgive but we cannot forget.

Singapore stock calls for 28 July 2017

A fruitless gold shop robbery in Malaysia! Robbers left in frustration!

It pays to install shattered proof glasses in gold shop.

USA is creating false intelligence against North Korea again.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/u-general-north-korea-icbm-threat-advancing-faster-203432119.html

Yes, the USA is doing it again.

China is just sitting right beside NK but China is not afraid of any missile attack from NK.  The USA is so far away but is constantly afraid of NK's threats.

The USA has THAAD systems on its homefront and also in the overseas military ground.

So tell us honestly, what are you really afraid of, USA?

Singapore elected president status is sealed. Let's not waste time on it anymore.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/tan-cheng-bock-no-objection-chief-justice-hearing-appeal-case-reserved-presidential-election-131154386.html

Tan Cheng Bock is fighting the war alone and we know he will lose for sure because the EP status is already sealed.

Why fight this war when the majority of Singaporeans don't care at all?  Our poll shows that Singaporeans know who's our first elected president but we don't dare to tell our AG that.  AG's declaration is definitely against our common consensus that an elected president must win in an open election with a majority vote count.  Instead, our AG has created a new definition that an elected president can be an appointed president who has exercised an elected president's power.

Let's just revert back to the appointed president system so that we can save our time and effort to vote for a reserved elected president as such a president won't command the same respect as an openly elected president.

South China Sea won't be peaceful anymore!

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/britain-plans-send-warship-south-china-sea-move-002530690.html

The UK wants to join in the "fun" now.

The western countries are never part of Asia but they want to control Asia in the name of FON (freedom of navigation).  They cannot cite a single case of China stopping any commercial ship sailing in South China Sea but will carry on with their smearing and fearmongering campaigns against China.

I think China should change its strategy of not forming a strategic alliance like NATO because it is very difficult to fight alone.  An APTO (asia pacific treaty organization) is definitely welcome in Asia to stop the western countries from meddling with or controlling Asia.

We also need AMF (Asia monetary fund) to handle any financial crisis in Asia because IMF is too prejudiced.  Even though IMF has indicated that it will move its HQ to Beijing in the future, we must always be on our guard because IMF places more stringent requirements on Asia countries than western countries.  Just look at how the IMF treated Thailand and Indonesia during the asia financial crisis.  Now, look at how IMF treats EU especially Greece.

https://www.rt.com/business/397424-imf-move-beijing-decade-lagarde/

Singapore stock calls for 27 July 2017

FED doesn't raise rate in July but may start QE tapering in September.

How will QE tapering affect the market?

QE tapering is reducing its bond purchases or rollovers (reinvestment of its bond proceeds upon maturing) on a monthly basis.

As bond price and yield are inversely related and demand affects the bond price, the yield will stay low when the bond price is high.  When there is lesser demand for the bond, the bond price will fall and the yield will go up.  This is almost the same as hiking interest rate without literally hiking rate.

Hiking rate literally will affect currency movement and short term rate but QE tapering will only affect long term rate and is more neutral for the currency and stock market.

On the whole, the interest rate will still go up albeit slowly.

Noble Group plunges heavily today after profit warning and asset sales.

https://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/07/whats-left-for-noble-group-after.html

https://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/07/noble-group-update.html

We did warn about Noble Group on a few occasions.  It is not surprising that its P&L won't look good because it had sold off its golden goose.

Don't think that a company can be saved whenever a white knight appears.  Sometimes, the white knight is also ignorant about the company and the industry.  The white knight is financially strong enough to pull the plug but an ordinary retail investor can wipe out his life saving.

China has taken over a Sri Lanka port.

http://en.people.cn/n3/2017/0726/c90000-9246810.html

China has been buying up ports over the world and also set up a port alliance for its BRI (Belt Road Initiative).  This will greatly reduce Singapore strategic importance that the USA values because the USA can contain China shipments by sealing the Strait of Malacca from Singapore.

Stockbank blog has just received a top 75 Singapore investment blog award.

We've been informed by Feedspot that we've been awarded a top 75 Singapore investment blog award.

http://blog.feedspot.com/singapore_investment_blogs/

We will strive to continue to provide articles that are of interest to our readers.

Our top 3 readers come from Singapore, USA and Russia.

Yes, Russians like to read our blog and we don't know why.  We are surprised that Malaysians are not in our top 5.

Nonetheless, we are happy to receive our first award.  Thank you for your support.

What's left for Noble Group after selling income generating businesses?

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/noble-group-said-seek-buyers-085506625.html

This is really getting worrisome as Noble sells off its income generating businesses.  Noble will be left with negative cashflow assets that nobody wants.

Sigh!

Singapore stock calls for 26 July 2017

Flooding in China.

In Singapore context, this will be just ponding as defined by our minister. Heehee!

Quantum communication can be operational 24 hours soon.

http://en.people.cn/n3/2017/0726/c202936-9246537.html

Way to go, China!

China is really becoming a high technological country now with excellent achievement in quantum technology.

India fired at Pakistan again!

http://www.kashmirvision.in/news/pakistan-summons-indian-envoy-over-border-tensions

India is stirring troubles for its neighbour again.  The China-India border skirmish is not settled yet and India is attacking Pakistan again.

Sigh!  This India is such a bully and must be taught a lesson!

Singapore stock calls for 25 July 2017

AFP news agency is still recalcitrant about correcting its false reporting.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/china-urges-asean-to-reject-outside-interference-9062252

The whole world already knew that PCA was not a true international court and it was not part of the UN or backed by UN.  However, AFP news agency still insists that PCA is UN-backed till today even when UN has declared that PCA is not related to UN.

We had some postings about PCA before.

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2016/07/icj-has-declared-that-it-is-not.html

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2016/07/un-has-publicly-declared-that-pca-is.html

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2016/07/the-truth-about-south-china-sea-ruling.html

China has given India its harshest warning!

http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2103864/chinas-defence-spokesman-warns-india-not-take-any

China had recently conducted live firing exercise for 11 hours on 5000m higher Tibet plateau in preparation for a war with India.  This live firing exercise was to demonstrate that its military equipment and weapons could operate well in a high altitude environment and its military personnel could function properly without any sickness.

China has carefully selected a certain race to be stationed in a high altitude area.  This group of people possess a special DNA that can function very well in a low oxygen environment.  You will know what I'm saying when you've been to a high altitude area.

A war break out between China and India is highly probable if India doesn't withdraw its troops from China's border soon.  China is losing its impatience because President Xi must resolve this before the 19th party congress.

Wow! We can charge our HP with my clothes in the future!

http://en.people.cn/n3/2017/0724/c90000-9245730.html

No more power bank! Heehee!

Australian foreign minister showed her ignorance of China-India border skirmish.

http://en.people.cn/n3/2017/0724/c90883-9245817.html

Quote:

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop reportedly said, "My understanding is that this is a long-term dispute ... Australia's position is that territorial disputes should be resolved peacefully between the claimant countries."

"It is right to say that territorial disputes should be resolved peacefully, but I must point out that such a saying is not applied to the situation in Doklam because there has been no territorial dispute at all at the site where the incident takes place," spokesperson Lu Kang said.

End Quote.

When you don't understand something, it's best to keep your mouth shut!  Maybe Australia is trying to embark on a smearing campaign too.  However, India had already acknowledged that it intruded China's border territory to stop the infrastructure development.

Australia has proven itself to be a less trustworthy country again. Why?

Australia supported PCA ruling against China but openly ignored PCA against itself.

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2016/09/australia-declares-that-pca-has-no.html

India must do a reality check or else it will suffer tremendously.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/china-warns-india-not-harbour-illusions-border-stand-042140857.html

It is without a doubt that the border skirmish is in favour of China because India encroached on China's territory.

UN security council resolution states that any country can embark on military action against any incursion.  Therefore, China has been very restrained in dealing with India by not invoking military action against this incursion.

India was badly defeated in 1962 for invading China's border when both countries' powers were not significantly apart.  However, China's economic size and military power have progressed tremendously and the 2 countries are widely apart now.  India's land size is only 1/3 of China and its economy is about 20% of China's economy.

Therefore, India will suffer a humiliating defeat which is worse than 1962 when both countries go to war and both countries will not use any nuclear weapon for this war.

Singapore stock calls for 24 July 2017

Smearing campaign against China by BBC.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-40701121

BBC is following CNN in fake news productions by stating that Vietnam stopped its oil drilling after China's threat.

Let's look at BBC recent reporting.

BBC reported false news about China-India border skirmishes when it stated that China was the first to remind India that China was not the China of 1962.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-40478813

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-40653053

The true fact was India was the first to remind China that India was no longer the 1962 India.  Subsequently, China retorted by stating that China was also not the 1962 China.  BBC omitted the timelines of the statements to create a false impression in its reporting.

Let's look at the timeline reporting below.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/not-the-1962-india-anymore-jaitleys-response-to-china/articleshow/59387725.cms

http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2017/06/30/india-of-2017-is-different-from-the-india-of-1962-arun-jaitley_a_23009944/

India Arun was the first to state that India was no longer the 1962 India on 30 June 2017.

http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/china-retaliates-to-arun-jaitley-saying-this-is-not-the-india-of-1962-war-1719900

Then, China retorted on 3 July 2017 by stating China was also not the 1962 China.

However, BBC chose to omit the timelines in its prejudiced reporting and accused China of threatening India.  Shame on you, BBC!

US Navy was at fault for the container collision.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/uss-fitzgerald-crash-7-american-sailors-killed-navys-own-fault-philippines-cargo-vessel-a7852681.html

We had already stated clearly that the US destroyer was at fault because it didn't observe international maritime laws. CNN had just released its investigation outcome.

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/06/usa-destroyer-collision-was-due-to.html

Baltic dry index - 977

Today, Friday, July 21 2017, the Baltic Dry Index climbed by 13 points, reaching 977 points.

Baltic Dry Index is compiled by the London-based Baltic Exchange and covers prices for transported cargo such as coal, grain and iron ore. The index is based on a daily survey of agents all over the world. Baltic Dry hit a temporary peak on May 20, 2008, when the index hit 11,793. The lowest level ever reached was on Wednesday the 10th of February 2016, when the index dropped to 290 points.

==============================

Related stocks: Sembcorp Marine, Cosco & Pan Ocean.

US rig count - 950

HOUSTON (AP) — The number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. decreased by two this week to 950.

A year ago, just 462 rigs were active.

Houston oilfield services company Baker Hughes said Friday that 764 rigs sought oil and 186 explored for natural gas this week.

Among major oil- and gas-producing states, Louisiana gained four rigs, California increased by two and North Dakota and Utah each gained one.

Oklahoma and Texas each declined by three, New Mexico fell by two and Alaska decreased by one.

Arkansas, Colorado, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Wyoming were all unchanged.

The U.S. rig count peaked at 4,530 in 1981. It bottomed out in May of 2016 at 404.

=======================

Related stocks: Keppel Corp, Sembcorp Marine & Cosco

USA is forcing China to take Taiwan by force.

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national-news/2017/07/13/499383/aits-chairman.htm

The USA mooted the idea of performing navy port of call in Taiwan and passed a provision last month.  Thereafter, the USA upped its ante by trying to make it a legislation for its navy to establish the port of call in Taiwan.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/china-slams-us-defence-bill-over-taiwan-provision/articleshow/59633295.cms

This is against the one China policy and anti secession law in China.  If China doesn't invoke its anti secession law after USA port of call in Taiwan, the Chinese won't trust the communist party anymore.  Therefore, China has to take Taiwan by force to satisfy its nationalistic sentiment.

I don't understand how the USA congress can have the power to intrude and contravene another sovereignty.  If this practice is allowed in the international arena, any country can do the same and China can also pass a legislation in its parliament to violate the sovereign of USA.  Even ICJ which is under UN cannot accept and rule on any case that will violate another sovereignty.

Singapore stock calls for 21 July 2017

Hail storm killed goats in Spain.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4706398/Hail-stone-storm-Spain-killed-sheep-wrecked-cars.html

Freak weather caused by global warming. Sigh!

Failure of the North & South Korea talk, Why?

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/no-korean-military-talks-north-snubs-souths-call-011540288.html

The NK snubbed the SK because NK knew that SK couldn't decide on any terms and conditions since SK was no longer a sovereignty in the eyes of the NK.

Why did I say so?

Well, this is so easy to see.  If NK is willing to stop its nuclear development in exchange for the removal of THAAD and US troops in SK, is SK able to make that decision?

The answer is a resounding NO.

The real crux of the problem is actually between USA & NK.  Therefore, SK cannot engage NK in any discussion because it cannot make any decision on behalf of USA.  The NK knows this but SK doesn't even understand its own position.

As long as the USA is in the picture, there will NEVER be a peaceful resolution between NK & SK.

Do you eat USA beef? Mad cow disease is detected in USA cow now!

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-cattle-bse-alabama-idUSKBN1A32IY

I don't eat USA beef because it is laced with ractopamine.

The USA has mad cow disease now! So watch out for your health!

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2016/11/what-do-you-get-for-being-staunch-usa.html

Political battles are playing out in China!

Have you ever wondered why billionaires in China are getting into troubles?

http://variety.com/2017/biz/asia/wanda-leeco-add-to-darkening-sentiment-china-financial-markets-1202498324/

This is because President Xi is getting rid of the cohorts that belong to the corrupted system.  President Xi is engaged in a dragon-tiger battle in which Xi is the dragon and Hu, Li and Jiang are the 3 tigers.

Let me give you a synopsis of the corrupted system.

Jiang Zemin wielded powers in the military and finance industry.  President Xi managed to wrestle the military power from Jiang prior to taking down his key henchman, Zhou Yong Kang.  Currently, Jiang Zemin is under house arrest (I verified this with my China relative.).

Li Peng wielded powers in the electrical power and finance industry.  President Xi removed Li Peng's daughter from the power industry.

Hu Jin Tao wielded powers in the electrical power and water industry.

Most of the China billionaires are not true entrepreneurs and they amassed tremendous wealth through political powers with their connections.  Wanda's Wang Jian Lin was closely connected to Bo Xi Lai who was taken down by Xi because Bo Xi Lai was Zhou Yong Kang's henchman.  Wang Jian Lin would follow Bo Xi Lai wherever Bo was posted and Bo would approve Wangda's malls in prime districts.

President Xi had ordered banks to terminate all financing to Wangda which caused Wang Jian Lin to sell his company assets to raise funds.  There will be more troubles for Wang Jian Lin because the government is checking his accounts for money laundering.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/chinas-curbs-wanda-investors-fret-123813928.html

Leeco's founder also got into troubles because of his background.

http://variety.com/2017/biz/news/chinese-court-seizes-millions-assets-leeco-jia-yueting-1202487399/

Jack Ma of Alibaba is very worried now because he is also closely associated with the old guards.

President Xi survived 2 assassinations (one gunshot and one intoxication) while trying to get rid of the 3 tigers.  Jiang was believed to be the mastermind of the assassinations.

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/chinese-city-leadership-shake-signals-xi-power-play-021744915.html

Singapore stock calls for 20 July 2017

Nam Cheong defaulted on its bonds!

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-07-20/nam-cheong-stops-servicing-428-million-debt-as-it-restructures

It is not surprising to see Nam Cheong defaulted on its bonds.  Please refer to our previous posting on Nam Cheong.

https://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/03/what-happened-to-nam-cheong-today.html

OMG! Hail storm in Tokyo!

This is just like in the movie the day after tomorrow.  Climate change is really scary.

World's first electric and autonomous bus completed road test in South China.

Wow! China electric and autonomous bus will be on the road faster than any country including Singapore.

When you conduct military exercise in South China Sea, be prepared for China to conduct military exercise near your sea too.

http://www.asianage.com/india/all-india/190517/india-singapore-navies-conduct-joint-exercise-in-s-china-sea.html

India and Singapore conducted military exercise in the South China Sea in May 2017.  Therefore, it is not surprising to see China conducting exercises in Indian ocean too.

http://en.people.cn/n3/2017/0718/c90000-9243240.html

Do you believe in past life or reincarnation?

http://totalalive.com/girl-remembers-past-10-lives/

There is a girl who remembers her 10 past lives and her past lives stories have been verified by a renowned UK anthropologist.

There are many cases of reincarnation in this world and I will just highlight a few amazing stories here.

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2016/10/amazing-russian-boy-who-claimed-to-be.html

There is also a China village which is renowned for reincarnation as most of the reincarnations happened in nearby regions.

http://english.china.com/travel/keywords/travelogue/252/20160525/667076.html

Singapore stock calls for 19 July 2017

Singapore non-oil domestic exports (NODX) - Part 4

Singapore NODX increased 8.2% in June YOY.

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/singapore-nodx-8-2-june-022800800.html

Year on year changes:

June 2017: 8.2%
May 2017: -1.2%
Apr 2017: -0.7%
Mar 2017: 16.5%
Feb 2017: 21.1%
Jan 2017: 8.6%
Dec 2016: 9.1%
Nov 2016: 15.6%

https://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/06/singapore-non-oil-domestic-exports-nodx.html

Foreigners' feedbacks are more important to SIA than logical rationale.

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-airlines-to-review-serving-nuts-on-its-flights-after-toddler-has-allergic?xtor=CS11-86?xtor=CS11-86

SIA may stop serving peanuts in its planes because of a toddler's allergy.

Parents should understand their own child's health and it is incumbent upon them to make sure that their kids don't eat a certain food.  However, parents have no right to demand airlines not to serve peanuts.  Can we demand NTUC not to sell peanuts or peanut butter because our kids are allergic to them?

Service providers have the right to sell/serve but we've the right to reject or not to buy.  By insisting the service providers not to offer them is not a democratic solution but a selfish act.

There are many allergies and we can't ban all the food.  If someone complains to SIA of chilli allergy, is SIA going to ban chilli?  If someone complains to SIA of seafood allergy which is very common, is SIA going to ban seafood too?

I must say SIA has no logical rationale.  No wonder it is losing to other airliners.

US stock market is the world's most expensive!

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-us-stock-market-is-the-worlds-most-expensive-2017-07-18?siteid=yhoof2&yptr=yahoo

How far do you think the US stock market can rise further when it is already the most expensive?  If the corporate earnings cannot match the stock market expectations, then a crash is imminent and unavoidable.

The stock market is so high because of QE and the unwinding of QE is going to begin soon in the USA.

Do you notice that the USD has been falling?

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/dollar-falls-after-senate-republicans-abandon-bill-to-replace-obamacare-2017-07-18

What's the impact of USD depreciation?

USD fell heavily yesterday (Tues) because of Trump's medical care reform rejection in congress.  Trump will have problem pushing for his tax reform and fiscal policies in congress too as he is losing support and confidence.

Commodities will spike up because these are priced in USD and buyers can buy more commodities with cheaper USD.  When the demand increases, the price will go up.

Japan is pushing for TPP again after its failure to join OBOR initiative.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/14/business/trans-pacific-partnership-trade-japan-china-globalization.html

http://www.cnbc.com/2017/07/13/vietnam-malaysia-stand-in-the-way-of-japans-trans-pacific-partnership-dream.html

Without the USA, TPP is useless as its economic size and benefits will be reduced significantly.

Japan is blaming Vietnam and Malaysia for standing in the way of TPP (ex-USA).

Hahaha! Good luck to Vietnam and Malaysia as these 2 countries will have to compromise a lot in this new round of talk.  Japan will not compromise as it is the biggest economy in the new TPP.

Singapore stock calls for 18 July 2017

The truth about China-India border skirmishes.

It was without a doubt that India encroached on China's territory because it wanted to stop the infrastructure development on China's border.

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/06/india-and-china-are-having-border.html

India felt threatened by the infrastructure development which would allow China to move troops to the China-India border rapidly.  However, this is not an excuse to enter China illegally to stop the development.  A country cannot tell another country what to do or not to do in its own country.

India also felt threatened by China's dam developments but India had no right to interfere in any constructions in China.  India can only blame its own geographical limitations.  Just like Singapore, we do not have water resources and have to rely on Malaysia for water.  However, we know we have no right to demand Malaysia to supply Singapore with water.  Therefore, we build new water and desalination plants to produce clean water for ourselves.

India thought it could bully China because of the upcoming 19th congress party.  It had been a China practice to maintain peace and order prior to the 19th congress party but China deviated from this practice this time.  China became more assertive by amassing more troops and conducting live firing exercise to show its determination to protect its border from any incursions.

http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2102965/china-flexes-its-military-muscle-tibet-close-border

India knew that it was no match for China and had been defeated by China before in 1962.  Therefore, India had to fabricate and spread some false news through its media and other online channels to garner support for its illegal actions.

After seeing China's assertive stance against India's incursion prior to the 19th congress party in China, India had decided to soften its aggression and try to ease the tension through the diplomatic solution.

http://www.firstpost.com/india/india-china-border-row-nsa-ajit-doval-likely-to-visit-beijing-for-brics-nsas-meeting-on-27-and-28-july-3811461.html

India will be meeting China on 28 July to resolve this matter.

Singapore stock calls for 17 July 2017

PM Lee was ostracized in G20 summit.

What's the point of attending the G20 when Singapore was isolated by other major countries?

Major countries didn't want to communicate with Singapore in G20 because Singapore was not part of G20.  Singapore only attended G20 as an observer.

Singapore extolled good relationship with China but President Xi didn't even interact with PM Lee during the break time.

Protest against PM Lee is useless.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/singapore-protest-demands-inquiry-pm-family-feud-161146864.html

This protest against PM Lee is useless because 70% of Singaporeans voted for this one-party system.  PM Lee had already declared no abuse of power in the parliament and the parliament fully supported him.  With the AG and Parliament rallying behind him, he is untouchable.  Therefore, 30% of Singaporeans can only suffer in silence.

If this group of people had a real interest in Singapore, they should also protest against AG's declaration of Wee Kim Wee as our first elected president which was against our common consensus but they didn't.

I wonder why.

Look like Donald Trump is only a 1 term president.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/trump-losing-public-support-poll-130048321.html

If his public approval rating continues to drop like this, he will only be a 1 term president.  Therefore, his focus will be to garner as many business deals as possible for his own business before the party is over.

Baltic dry index - 900

Today, Friday, July 14 2017, the Baltic Dry Index climbed by 12 points, reaching 900 points.

Baltic Dry Index is compiled by the London-based Baltic Exchange and covers prices for transported cargo such as coal, grain and iron ore. The index is based on a daily survey of agents all over the world. Baltic Dry hit a temporary peak on May 20, 2008, when the index hit 11,793. The lowest level ever reached was on Wednesday the 10th of February 2016, when the index dropped to 290 points.

==============================

Related stocks: Sembcorp Marine, Cosco & Pan Ocean

US rig count - 952

HOUSTON (AP) — The number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. remained unchanged this week, staying at 952.

A year ago, just 447 rigs were active.

Houston oilfield services company Baker Hughes said Friday that 765 rigs sought oil and 187 explored for natural gas this week.

Among major oil- and gas-producing states, Texas gained three rigs, Utah increased by two and Colorado and North Dakota each increased by one.

Alaska, Louisiana and Oklahoma each declined by two.

Arkansas, California, Kansas, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Wyoming were all unchanged.

The U.S. rig count peaked at 4,530 in 1981. It bottomed out in May of 2016 at 404.

==========================

Related stocks: Keppel Corp, Sembcorp Marine & Cosco

Singapore stock calls for 14 July 2017

Bigger container ships bring in more containers into Singapore but with fewer port calls.

http://www.seatrade-maritime.com/news/asia/box-volumes-at-singapore-port-increase-8-5-in-june.html

Singapore increases its container volume by 8.5% at 2.6m TEU in June 2017 compared to 2016.  However, the number of ships' calls drop 3.8% month on month to 3378 ships.

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/energy-commodities/singapore-june-marine-fuel-sales-fall-to-their-lowest-this-year

This conundrum is caused by larger container ships which can carry more TEUs.  Therefore, our containers increase but the ship port calls drop which affects the bunker sales.

Climate change will be disastrous for Asia. Find out which countries are the most affected!

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/adb-warns-climate-change--disastrous--for-asia-9031202

The Asian countries most affected by climate changes are Myanmar, Philippines, Vietnam, Pakistan and Thailand.

Therefore, think twice before you invest in these countries especially property investments.

Hahaha! The USA has to get used to China's spy ship now.

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/chinese-spy-ship-reportedly-lurking-051200989.html

When the USA sends its P8A to spy on China, it must also get used to being spied on.

This is a fair game.  When you spy on others, you will also be spied on by others.  If you go to other people's backyard, other people will also go to your backyard.

Why does Indonesia want to move its Jakarta capital?

http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/indonesia-studying-plan-to-relocate-capital

Jakarta is under serious threat from rising sea level and is constantly flooding because 40% of its land is under sea level now.  With the breakage of the iceberg in Antarctica, the sea level will rise a further 10cm in the foreseeable future.  This is the problem of global warming.

The next capital under siege is Bangkok.  Bangkok is sinking about 5cm per year and with the rising sea level, flooding will become a serious threat to this capital.  Foreigners who bought BKK condos will have problems cashing out their properties.

UFO teleported itself in a square portal.

Amazing technology!

Wow! S$100m for a Singapore penthouse!

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/singapore-penthouse-sale-over-72-043611407.html

Are we living in stratospheric or what?  When does a Singapore penthouse become so highly priced?

I know Singaporeans won't buy this penthouse because S$100m can get a good class bungalow with a big land.

Any foreigner who can pay $100m for a penthouse is no ordinary person but paying for a Singapore penthouse at this price does sound like an inane decision.

One trillion tonne of iceberg broke off Antarctic.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4688662/Trillion-ton-iceberg-snapped-Antarctic-ice-shelf.html

If larsen C section breaks off in the future, the sea level will increase by 10cm.  OMG!

Singapore stock calls for 13 July 2017

Wave energy technology is being developed in China.

http://en.people.cn/n3/2017/0711/c90000-9240120.html

Producing electricity by harnessing sea waves is already happening in China now!

This is the latest renewable energy development after solar and wind.

Kudos to China!

Singapore stock calls for 12 July 2017

Noble Group update.

http://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/goldilocks-raises-stake-in-noble-group-to-819-from-503

The Noble group has been spiking because of the appearance of a white knight from Abu Dhabi.  Goldilocks has accumulated more than 8% share in Noble.

However, Noble is unlikely to recover to its past glory days because of the weak commodities industry.  Noble has to sell its golden goose to beef up its financial fundamentals and without the golden goose, it won't be able to make the same incomes like before.

There has to be a major restructuring in the business model now to position itself for the next upturn.

Oil prices may fall below $40!

http://www.cnbc.com/2017/07/11/oil-prices-may-fall-below-40-without-a-clear-buy-signal-goldman-says.html

Why are we not surprised?

We already knew that oil prices won't go higher in the future.

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/05/oil-prices-wont-go-higher-in-future.html

OMG! Islamic law permits sex with animals!

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Mystery lights in Tokyo sky.

http://www.asiaone.com/asia/mystery-lights-appear-over-tokyo-sparks-fear-and-confusion-among-netizens

My best guess for this is either a lightning ball or earthquake light.

A lightning ball moves in a slow and abnormal way.  Please look at the lightning ball picture below.

Earthquake lights can look similar to lightning ball too.  Please see the picture below.

If the strange light is related to an earthquake, then Japan is in trouble because there'll be an impending earthquake soon.

We cannot let Japan get away with this!

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/japan-protests-koreas-comfort-women-heritage-bid-091722371.html

The comfort women were forced to be sex slaves and there's not a single drop of doubt about it.  We cannot let Japan whitewash this inhumane historical war event.

We must not be like our PM Lee who didn't understand WW2 history well enough and asked Japan to stop apologizing.

Singapore stock calls for 11 July 2017

Facial recognition system installed in a toilet.

Facial recognition system has widespread applications!

Can you believe it? China installs facial recognition for the toilet.

Alibaba is launching its automatic retail shop soon.

China has really advanced a lot over time.

Who would have thought that China would be so technologically advanced!

Singapore doesn't even have this yet.

Singapore stock calls for 10 July 2017

India is an unfriendly neighbour!

India enjoys bullying its neighbours.  First, it encroached on China's territory to stop China's infrastructure development in June and lied about its encroachment until China showed the border picture.  Now, it is firing at Pakistan.

https://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/06/india-and-china-are-having-border.html

Wow! China is going to commercialize quantum communication next month.

http://en.people.cn/n3/2017/0710/c90000-9239382.html

No more tapping or hacking in China soon!  Great job!

OMG! Singapore didn't support banning of nuclear weapons!

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/911999/122-countries-adopt-global-treaty-banning-nuclear-weapons

OMG! Singapore abstained from voting for this nuclear weapons ban treaty! Why?

Did the USA pressure Singapore from voting? Or Singapore supports nuclear weapons?

More sanctions on North Korea won't work.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/u-given-china-draft-u-n-north-korea-190521886.html

Let's face it and take a time out to re-examine all the sanctions imposed on NK.

Ever since sanctions were imposed on NK, NK's nuclear and missile technologies were advancing year after year regardless of the sanctions.

Therefore, it's pretty obvious that sanctions don't work at all because China and Russia will continue to support NK and Kim knows it better than the USA.

Therefore, USA has to work cordially with China and Russia to resolve the NK's issues.

Civilian death tolls are increasing in Iraq and Syria but UN doesn't care.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/us-led-strikes-claim-another-119-civilian-lives-144056338.html

Only western lives are highly valued by the world and other lives are not especially those middle eastern lives.  Nobody will care about innocent lives lost in Iraq and Syria because UN allowed these innocent lives be killed by unilateral actions from the USA.

Baltic dry index - 822

Today, Friday, July 07 2017, the Baltic Dry Index decreased by 7 points, reaching 822 points.

Baltic Dry Index is compiled by the London-based Baltic Exchange and covers prices for transported cargo such as coal, grain and iron ore. The index is based on a daily survey of agents all over the world. Baltic Dry hit a temporary peak on May 20, 2008, when the index hit 11,793. The lowest level ever reached was on Wednesday the 10th of February 2016, when the index dropped to 290 points.

=======================

Related stocks: Sembcorp Marine, Cosco & Pan Ocean

US rig count - 952

HOUSTON (AP) — The number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. increased by 12 this week to 952.

A year ago, just 440 rigs were active.

Houston oilfield services company Baker Hughes said Friday that 763 rigs sought oil and 189 explored for natural gas this week.

Among major oil- and gas-producing states, Oklahoma and Alaska each gained four rigs. Louisiana and Texas were up two apiece.

New Mexico and Utah each declined by one.

Arkansas, California, Colorado, Kansas, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Wyoming were all unchanged.

The U.S. rig count peaked at 4,530 in 1981. It bottomed out in May of 2016 at 404.

==========================

Related stocks: Keppel Corp, Sembcorp Marine & Cosco

Indonesian man can lay eggs!

Did he insert something inside his anus or what?

If those are white faeces, he has a serious medical condition which is a lack of bile in his digestive system.

USA is trying to pressurize China to whip North Korea but in a wrong way.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/u-bombers-challenge-china-south-china-sea-flyover-043839588.html

The USA is trying to force China to whip North Korea with this flyover but it will not succeed because China will retaliate in another way.

The political tactic now is to create stinging issue against your opponent and use it for negotiation.  Both countries know this and will create troubles for each other.

Russia and China have stopped the USA motion in UN already.  The USA has to understand that UN cannot approve any motion without Russia and China approvals.

It's official now because of high court ruling! Wee Kim Wee was our first elected president!

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/tan-cheng-bock-constitutional-challenge-elected-presidency-fails-070236394.html

The high court states that Attorney General Chamber was right to declare that Wee Kim Wee was our first elected president.

This is indeed a historically changing event for Singapore as the definition of elected president has changed in Singapore context.

Singapore stock calls for 7 July 2017

US must work with China and Russia to resolve North Korea's threat.

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/u-led-bid-condemn-north-230958294.html

The USA will always meet objections in UN when it doesn't work with China and Russia in resolving any issue.

UN is not a subsidiary of USA and USA cannot lead UN per se.  UN will become a useless organization when there is a non-consensus.  This is the reality for UN.

A North Korea war is not a simple affair.

If a war breaks out in North Korea due to the USA, it won't be a simple affair.  Why?

This is because the North Korea war will drag China, Russia, South Korea and Japan into it.  When there are so many countries involved in a war, it will definitely get messy and cannot be easily controlled.

NK will definitely attack SK and Japan while China and Russia will support NK for its fight against the USA.  Therefore, the USA is unlikely to attack NK without approvals from China and Russia.  Asia will be in a big chaos because of this NK war.

Do we really want a war that is in Asia?

Bermuda Triangle produced a new island in just 60 days.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/3912243/bermuda-triangle-new-island-dangerous/

This new island is created in just 60 days in Bermuda Triangle and is not pushed up from the seabed.

Scientists do not understand the formation of this new island because it has a lot of shells on it.  This is abnormal because the new island is formed in just 60 days.

USA issues war threat against North Korea.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/north-korea-says-icbm-carry-nuclear-warhead-u-024638495.html

The USA won't attack NK unless it has permissions from China & Russia because China & Russia will support NK if a war breaks out.

NK is strategically important to China & Russia.

Singapore stock calls for 6 July 2017

Did PM Lee lie in the parliament?

Just look at this FB screenshot and decide for yourself.

Lee Hsien Yang and Lee Wei ling insist that PM Lee has abused his power.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/lee-hsien-yang-lee-wei-ling-declare-social-media-pause-keep-much-evidence-reserve-013847765.html

Both claimed to have more pieces of evidence of PM LEE's power abuses but they won't be showing in public.

Abuse of power is a serious offence!  Any offender must be brought to justice.

North Korea's ICBM testing has the support from Russia & China.

How did North Korea get the ICBM technology?

It is Russia that transferred the ICBM technology to NK but ICBM technology alone is not enough to make it a success as GPS is needed to guide the ICBM.  Therefore, China let NK use the beidou GPS for the ICBM testing.

Why did China and Russia help NK to develop the ICBM?

I have to attribute this to the USA for forcefully installing the THAAD system in South Korea.  China and Russia are helping NK so that they will have a bargaining chip to negotiate with the USA to remove the THAAD system from SK.  This is a political tactic that I've mentioned previously in my post below.

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/07/the-ulterior-motive-behind-freedom-of.html

When you don't have any bargaining chip, you have to create a stinging issue and use it to negotiate with your opponent.

Singapore stock calls for 5 July 2017

PM Lee declared no abuse of power!

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/lee-family-war-rumbles-singapores-parliament-debates-062642277.html

It is not surprising to reach this outcome due to the "ownself checks ownself" policy.  Furthermore, LHY and LWL cannot be present to refute PM Lee and present their own versions.

The Singapore drama is over and life will return to normal because Singaporeans only regard this as an entertainment.  Singaporeans don't really care much about politics nowadays.  When we don't care about our first elected president, why would we care about the Lee family squabble?

Nigeria forcefully evicted Taiwan office and Taiwan was just returning the favour.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2017/07/02/2003673712

This is what Taiwan deserved for not recognising the one-China policy and for rejoicing the US port of call.

A forced eviction is the most humiliated political incident.

https://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/06/usa-is-trying-to-stirring-troubles.html

A slightly different picture of the Lee family's network.

I've found a slightly different Lee family's network with Ho Peng Kee on it.

I don't know which one is correct as there's a lot of fake news out there.

PM Lee said there's no NEPOTISM but research showed otherwise.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/pm-lee-parliament-allegations-abuse-power-siblings-entirely-baseless-064009524.html

I found this Lee family network picture online.

Maybe PM Lee should explain the relationships above.