(NEW YORK) The US dollar fell against most major currencies yesterday, still reeling from the US Federal Reserve's continued commitment to keep interest rates low for an 'extended period', while the yen slipped after the Bank of Japan eased policy.

FOR years, Singapore set its sights on becoming the 'Switzerland of the East' - as much for economic wealth and standard of living targets as for prowess as a financial hub.

IT WAS not very long ago that Courts Singapore was delisted from the SGX. So, many will remember the low exit offers that its owner Singapore Retail Group (SRG) made in 2007 and 2008.

IN his letter 'What constitutes a Singapore company?' (BT, March 16), Mr Denis Distant queried The Business Times' interpretation of whether the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) can invest in a company that is listed in Singapore.

THE message finally seems to be sinking in among Asian businessmen that things are never going to be quite the same again in the aftermath of the financial crisis and global recession.

COMMERCIALLY traded energy is what classical economists used to call a 'basic good'

IF GEOGRAPHY is destiny, then both Iraq and Afghanistan are fated to be plagued with difficulties in their respective neighbourhoods.

IN CONTRAST to Tuesday when the Straits Times Index's rise provided the main talking point in an otherwise dull market, yesterday's session saw the broad market provide the main talking point while the index chalked up a 22.87-point rise to 2,919.3, its eighth rise in nine days.

FRASERS Centrepoint Trust (FCT)'s recently renovated Northpoint (NP) and its recently acquired Northpoint 2 (NP2) were officially opened last week.

ONE job of presidents is to educate Americans about crucial national problems.