ECB expected to cut rates again as Trump trade war rumbles on

ECB expected to cut rates again as Trump trade war rumbles on

[FRANKFURT] The European Central Bank (ECB) is expected to deliver its seventh-straight interest rate cut this week as US President Donald Trump’s volatile trade policies add to headwinds for the sluggish eurozone. Even before Trump unleashed his on-off tariff onslaught on the world, the ECB had been bringing borrowing costs down as inflation eased. Worries…

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Thailand’s stalled cash handout scheme sours voters on ruling party

Thailand’s stalled cash handout scheme sours voters on ruling party

[BANGKOK] Rungthiwa Pimphanit waited months for a long-promised cash handout of 10,000 baht (S$395) from Thailand’s ruling party, which she backed in 2023 elections, but now the scheme to stimulate a stalling economy has been put on ice. “I’m very disappointed and angry,” said the 34-year-old government employee from the northeastern province of Nong Bua…

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Chinese economy stays challenged but some consumer stocks offer potential: BOA

Chinese economy stays challenged but some consumer stocks offer potential: BOA

[SINGAPORE] While headwinds persist for the Chinese economy and consumer confidence stays low, a select range of stocks could defy broader market trends and outperform their peers, said the Bank of America (BOA). Despite improved market sentiment, the Chinese economy remains saddled by challenged consumption growth and elevated youth unemployment alongside deflationary pressures, BOA analysts…

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Why Daydreaming is Essential for Creativity and Mental Health

Why Daydreaming is Essential for Creativity and Mental Health

I recently found myself in that familiar state—lost in a daydream, mentally wandering through fields of possibilities while the world continued around me. “I fell asleep and ate the flowers for a couple of hours,” as the saying goes. This mental departure from reality, this temporary escape, is something we often feel guilty about. But…

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