AI actor Tilly Norwood’s world is expanding with the ‘Tillyverse’

AI actor Tilly Norwood’s world is expanding with the ‘Tillyverse’

The digital world of the first AI actor, Tilly Norwood, is expanding. AI talent studio Xicoia, which created Norwood, has announced plans for a “rapid expansion” for the digitized actor. The developments include a digital universe dubbed the “Tillyverse,” where ”Tilly and a new generation of AI characters will live, collaborate and build careers.” The…

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Manulife launches new Singapore equity income strategy

Manulife launches new Singapore equity income strategy

The portfolio is ‘constructed to balance income stability with capital appreciation’ [SINGAPORE] Manulife Investments on Tuesday (Mar 3) announced the launch of a new Singapore-focused equity and income growth strategy under the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) Equity Market Development Programme (EQDP). Manulife said the Singapore Opportunities Income Strategy aligns with EQDP’s broader market-building efforts,…

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Wall St opens lower on fears of protracted Middle East conflict

Wall St opens lower on fears of protracted Middle East conflict

Published Mon, Mar 2, 2026 · 10:42 PM [NEW YORK] Wall Street’s main indexes opened lower on Monday (Mar 2) as investors braced for a prolonged Middle East conflict that threatened to disrupt global trade routes and reignite inflationary pressures. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 183.5 points, or 0.37 per cent, at the open…

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Iran crisis puts Asia on alert for LNG scramble and US$100 oil

Iran crisis puts Asia on alert for LNG scramble and US0 oil

The region’s petrochemical refiners could also experience disruptions to feedstock supply; economic growth could take a hit [SINGAPORE] Asian markets, including Singapore, could face an intense scramble for liquefied natural gas (LNG) if the conflict in Iran escalates and threatens supply, analysts told The Business Times. The region’s petrochemical refiners could also face disruptions to…

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UMS buys out aluminium alloy products supplier

UMS buys out aluminium alloy products supplier

The acquisition is not expected to have a material impact on its FY2026 net tangible assets or earnings per share [SINGAPORE] Precision engineering group UMS Integration has bought the remaining 30 per cent stake in Starke Singapore, a privately held aluminium alloy products supplier, for S$8.2 million. Announcing the acquisition, which converted Starke into its…

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Compliance, risk and private markets roles top banking hiring demand for 2026: Morgan McKinley

Compliance, risk and private markets roles top banking hiring demand for 2026: Morgan McKinley

This comes amid ongoing regulatory demands and a stricter governance landscape in the financial services sector [SINGAPORE] Banking hiring is set to “stay active but cautious” in 2026, with competition strongest for specialists in financial crime, regulatory reporting, risk and private-markets functions. The increased demand is due to regulatory scrutiny and private-markets growth, as well…

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Iran strikes disrupt thousands of flights; Dubai Airport hit

Iran strikes disrupt thousands of flights; Dubai Airport hit

Published Mon, Mar 2, 2026 · 07:00 PM [DUBAI] Thousands of flights have been disrupted in the wake of the escalating conflict engulfing the Middle East, with Dubai’s main airport – the world’s busiest aviation hub – effectively shut down after it was hit by a suspected aerial strike. There have been more than 2,300…

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Singapore and Korean firm collaborate on nuclear energy

Singapore and Korean firm collaborate on nuclear energy

The parties will conduct joint studies of small modular reactors for potential applications in the city-state [SINGAPORE] The Energy Market Authority (EMA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power to collaborate on civil nuclear energy capabilities. EMA said in a media release on Monday (Mar 2) that this is…

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