Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Australian Government to Slash Student Debt by 20%, Benefiting Millions
The Australian government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, has announced plans to cut student loans by 20%, providing debt relief for around three million Australians. This initiative is set to erase approximately A$16 billion (US$10 billion) in student debt, aiming to ease financial strain amid rising living costs.
Enhanced Budget Measures Target Cost of Living
Building on the May budget's efforts to tackle living costs, the debt reduction plan will complement other relief initiatives, including cheaper medicines and expanded rental assistance. These efforts underscore the government’s commitment to alleviating financial pressures on Australians, particularly recent graduates.
Significant Loan Relief for Graduates
The government estimates that graduates with an average loan of A$27,600 will see about A$5,520 removed from their balances. This policy change is expected to take effect on June 1, 2025. Alongside this cut, adjustments will raise the annual repayment threshold, reducing the amount owed yearly for those with existing student loans.
Free Technical Education in the Future
Albanese also pledged to expand educational access if reelected in 2025, committing to annually 100,000 free places at Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutes. "This is a time for building, building better education for all," he emphasized in a speech in Adelaide.
