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The Straits Times
straitstimes.com > business > companies-markets > chip-stocks-jump-on-ai-optimism-dow-ends-at-record-high

Chip stocks jump on AI optimism; Dow ends at record high

1+ day, 2+ hour ago   (633+ words) Traders working on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, in New York City, on Jan 6. Published'Jan 07, 2026, 05:53 AM Updated'Jan 07, 2026, 05:54 AM NEW YORK - Wall Street ended higher on Jan 6, as chip stocks surged on renewed AI optimism, Moderna rallied and…...

The Straits Times
straitstimes.com > world > europe > bulgaria-celebrates-entry-into-euro-zone-lev-currency-banished-into-history

Bulgaria celebrates entry into euro zone, lev currency banished into history

6+ day, 9+ hour ago   (288+ words) Published'Jan 01, 2026, 10:54 PM SOFIA, Jan 1 - EU member Bulgaria marked its entry into the euro zone on Thursday with a display of euro coins on the facade of the central bank in Sofia and fireworks to celebrate a long-awaited milestone. As of…...

straitstimes.com
straitstimes.com > world > europe > bulgaria-joining-euro-area-is-powerful-symbol-for-europe-ecb-president-christine-lagarde

Bulgaria joining euro area is powerful symbol for Europe: ECB president Christine Lagarde

6+ day, 21+ hour ago   (452+ words) The Balkan nation becomes the latest country to join the world's biggest currency zone Published'Jan 01, 2026, 06:19 PM Updated'Jan 01, 2026, 06:52 PM SOFIA " European Central Bank president Christine Lagarde said Bulgaria joining the euro area on Jan 1 is a testament to Europe's ability to…...

The Straits Times
straitstimes.com > singapore > spore-car-sharing-service-shariot-pauses-vehicle-rental-services-until-further-notice

S’pore car-sharing service Shariot pauses vehicle rental services ‘until further notice’

1+ week, 11+ hour ago   (383+ words) Published'Dec 31, 2025, 08:38 PM Updated'Dec 31, 2025, 09:16 PM SINGAPORE " Car-sharing company Shariot announced on Dec 31 that it has paused its vehicle rental services "until further notice. Shariot said in a Facebook post on Dec 31 that the move is "part of an internal business restructuring…...

The Straits Times
straitstimes.com > business > economy > fed-minutes-say-most-officials-see-likelihood-of-further-rate-cuts

US Fed minutes reveal deep divide, caution over more rate cuts in 2026

1+ week, 23+ hour ago   (719+ words) Following the minutes" release, the likelihood of a January rate cut dropped slightly, to about 15 per cent. Published'Dec 31, 2025, 05:29 AM Updated'Dec 31, 2025, 08:31 AM WASHINGTON - Most US Federal Reserve officials saw additional interest rate reductions as appropriate so long as inflation declines over…...

The Straits Times
straitstimes.com > world > united-states > trump-says-he-still-might-fire-powell-as-fed-chair-pick-looms

Trump says he still might fire Powell as Fed chair pick looms

1+ week, 2+ day ago   (433+ words) Published'Dec 30, 2025, 06:45 AM Updated'Dec 30, 2025, 11:23 AM PALM BEACH, Florida " US President Donald Trump teased that he has a preferred candidate to be the next chair of the Federal Reserve, but is in no hurry to make an announcement " while also musing that…...

The Straits Times
straitstimes.com > business > strong-job-market-wealth-gains-to-underpin-spore-retail-spending-in-2026-economists-say

Strong job market, wealth gains to underpin Singapore retail spending in 2026: Economists

1+ week, 5+ day ago   (1063+ words) Singaporeans took advantage of the strong Singdollar to travel overseas. Published'Dec 27, 2025, 05:00 AM Updated'Dec 27, 2025, 09:07 AM SINGAPORE - Consumer spending in Singapore is likely to remain robust in 2026, supported by improving job prospects and steady investment returns, economists said. In 2025, consumers here spent…...

straitstimes.com
straitstimes.com > asia > east-asia > japans-cabinet-approves-record-785-billion-budget-vows-to-keep-debt-in-check

Japan’s Cabinet approves record $1 trillion budget, vows to keep debt in check

1+ week, 6+ day ago   (333+ words) Japan already has the highest debt burden in the developed world, at more than twice the size of its economy. Published'Dec 26, 2025, 09:59 AM Updated'Dec 26, 2025, 11:18 AM TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Cabinet on Dec 26 approved a record US$785 billion (S$1 trillion)…...

straitstimes.com
straitstimes.com > asia > east-asia > japan-pm-reassures-markets-with-fiscal-discipline-in-next-years-budget

Japan PM reassures markets with fiscal discipline in next year’s budget

1+ week, 6+ day ago   (453+ words) Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said that her fiscal policy means strategic spending with a long-term perspective. Published'Dec 25, 2025, 06:05 PM Updated'Dec 25, 2025, 06:06 PM TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sought on Dec 25 to ease market concerns over her expansionary fiscal policy, saying…...

The Straits Times
straitstimes.com > asia > east-asia > taiwans-economy-is-rich-but-its-workers-are-not

Taiwan’s economy is doing well, but many of its workers are not

2+ week, 5+ day ago   (1065+ words) Published'Dec 18, 2025, 09:10 AM Updated'Dec 18, 2025, 08:52 PM TAIPEI " After working full-time for four years, Taiwanese marketing specialist Sandy Chien decided to go freelance so that she can take on side gigs.' The 28-year-old wanted to supplement her income in other ways, as her…...