The Business Times

The US Federal Reserve has raised interest rates for the first time since 2023, marking a shift in monetary policy after an extended pause. The move affects borrowing costs for mortgages, credit cards and business loans across the American economy, and investors are watching closely for signals about the central bank's next steps on inflation.

The Thai government has declared a two-day public holiday for civil servants as severe floods batter the country. The move could affect the timing of a court ruling, since closures may push back official proceedings. The decision highlights the scale of the flooding crisis and its knock-on effects on government business and the justice system, with attention now on whether the ruling will be delayed.

SpaceX is preparing for the 14th test flight of its Starship rocket, which the company describes as a milestone mission. In parallel, NASA has updated the timing of its mission to the International Space Station, a programme closely tied to SpaceX hardware. The developments point to a busy stretch for commercial spaceflight, with Starship's progress relevant to both future lunar missions and NASA's station logistics plans.

The Central Bank has announced six key measures aimed at facilitating foreign trade. The steps are intended to simplify procedures for importers and exporters, according to the announcement reported by Tehran Times. Details of the individual measures have not been widely discussed yet, so their practical impact on businesses and trade flows remains to be seen.

Oil-field service companies are preparing to report quarterly results that are expected to show how the war has affected their business. Investors and analysts will be watching the earnings season in the energy sector for signs of how conflict-driven costs, supply disruptions and shifting demand for drilling and oilfield services have filtered through to the bottom line of major providers.

Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan says the city can offer AI governance solutions to major economies. He argues Hong Kong's regulatory approach and experience with emerging technologies position it as a useful reference point as governments worldwide grapple with how to oversee artificial intelligence development.

An influx of AI companies expanding in Singapore is putting pressure on the city-state's office rental market. Growing demand for space from tech and AI firms is tightening supply and pushing rents up, raising concerns about costs for tenants and the broader commercial property market.

A psychologist says business leaders are suffering under the pressures created by artificial intelligence, according to a Forbes report. Leaders face constant pressure to adopt AI tools, keep pace with rapid change, and answer to boards and employees expecting an AI strategy. The piece suggests this sustained demand is taking a measurable toll on executives' mental wellbeing.

A letter to the editor in the Tampa Bay Times argues that the United States needs more immigrants, not fewer, for the sake of the economy. The writer contends that immigration supports economic growth, likely referencing labor shortages and demographic pressures facing American businesses and the workforce.

Investors and analysts are weighing whether AI-driven commerce could significantly alter Meta's business model. The discussion, picked up in financial coverage, focuses on how artificial intelligence might change the way Meta monetizes its platforms beyond digital advertising, its core revenue source. No concrete company announcement accompanies the debate, so the scale and timing of any shift remain speculative.

Singapore's largest property agency, PropNex, is outlining plans to expand its business beyond its core residential brokerage operations, according to The Business Times. The company, led by chief executive Ismail Gafoor, is weighing diversification into adjacent segments as the Singapore housing market matures. Details of the strategy and its scale have not yet been made fully clear.

The Hawai'i Department of Health announced changes to its deposit beverage container program, which affects the redemption rates paid on bottles and cans returned under the state's recycling scheme. The update touches consumers, retailers and recyclers across the islands, though the department has not detailed the exact rate changes or their timing in the initial announcement.