IMF Reaches Staff-Level Agreement With Egypt, Opening Path to $3.8 Billion in Funding 
DOJ Reaches Settlement With Blackstone’s LivCor Over Alleged Rent Price-Fixing 
South Korea Central Bank Warns of Rising Financial Stability Risks Amid Won Volatility 
FDA Approves Mitapivat for Anemia in Thalassemia Patients 
Gold Price Breaks $4,500 as Safe-Haven Demand and Rate Cut Bets Fuel Rally 
Platinum Price Surges Past $2,000 as Demand and Supply Dynamics Tighten 
Japan Plans $189 Billion Bond Issuance as Record Budget Signals Expansionary Fiscal Policy 
China Keeps Benchmark Lending Rates Steady as Economic Outlook Remains Cautious 
Nvidia to Acquire Groq in $20 Billion Deal to Boost AI Chip Dominance 
Asian Stock Markets Trade Flat as Holiday Liquidity Thins and BOJ Minutes Watched 
Warner Bros Discovery Weighs Amended Paramount Skydance Bid as Netflix Takeover Battle Intensifies 
Wall Street Ends Higher as S&P 500, Nasdaq Extend Gains Ahead of Holiday Week 
Global Markets Rise as Tech Stocks Lead, Yen Strengthens, and Commodities Hit Record Highs 
U.S. Dollar Slips as Yen Finds Support on Intervention Signals and Geopolitical Risks Rise 
BOJ Governor Signals Gradual Rate Hikes as Japan’s Inflation Nears 2% Target 
Uber and Baidu Partner to Test Robotaxis in the UK, Marking a New Milestone for Autonomous Ride-Hailing 
Sanofi to Acquire Dynavax in $2.2 Billion Deal to Strengthen Vaccine Portfolio 
South Korean tech companies are bolstering efforts to develop "metaverse" platforms to address continuously increasing demand as the pandemic fuels demand for online activities,
Among them is SK Telecom Co., South Korea's largest mobile carrier, which partnered with K-pop girl group STAYC to produce digital versions of its members on its Jump AR mobile app.
The app allows users to take videos and photos next to STAYC members as if they were physically there.
South Korea recently launched a metaverse alliance between 17 industry leaders, such SK Telecom, Korea Mobile Internet Business Association, and Hyundai Motor.
The alliance will establish ethical and cultural practices, share technology trends insights, and launch joint metaverse development projects.
