U.S. Fed rates, gold, Nikkei 225, HSI

An aerial view of Singapore’s skyline. Tong Thi Viet Phuong | Moment | Getty Images Spot gold prices rose to a fresh record Thursday after the U.S. Federal Reserve overnight kept its benchmark rate steady at a target range of 3.5% to 3.75%. The bullion rose more than 3% to breach the $5,500 per ounce…

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Malaysia and Indonesia block Elon Musk’s Grok due to obscene, non-consensual content

Nikolas Kokovlis | Nurphoto | Getty Images Malaysia and Indonesia blocked access to Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence chatbot Grok over the weekend due to concerns that the tool was being used to generate non-consensual, sexually explicit and obscene content.  Malaysian regulators ordered temporary restrictions be placed on the chatbot from xAI on Sunday following “repeated…

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5 major trends set to shape travel in 2026

Traveling is no longer just about the destination – or even the journey. It’s about the experience you walk away with. Since the end of Covid, experience‑led travel has continued to evolve, shifting away from checking off landmarks and more towards meaningful trips that help travelers connect with the people and places they visit. CNBC…

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More Singaporeans are living paycheck to paycheck

Customers buying groceries at a supermarket in Singapore. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Singapore’s reputation for financial prudence and high savings is showing signs of strain.  Rising costs and a growing prioritization for experiences and self-care are taking precedence over long-term financial planning, experts observed.  “At the end of every month, when my salary…

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