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You can plan early and make use of digital tools to lock in your preferred exchange rates A desire to travel amid financial concerns has led Singaporeans to adopt smarter budgeting strategies, says an expert. For public relations professional Gretchen Lee, travel – be it solo or with friends – is not a luxury but a priority. She packs her bags and jets off to another destination every three months. The 33-year-old is already eyeing four trips next year: Two longer holidays lasting up to two weeks each and two quick weekend getaways. How does she afford to do so? Ms Lee, who declines to share her monthly income, sets aside about $9,000, inclusive of flights and accommodation, for her trips annually. She also does not spend on luxury items. “I’d much rather spend (the money) on things like good food, travelling or attending concerts.” Her method is practical: After trips, she cuts back on expenses to rebuild her travel fund. “I eat cheaply for a couple of months, avoid unnecessary purchases, and consciously skip cab rides in favour of public transport.” These little changes help her save up for the next holiday without feeling like she’s sacrificing too much, Ms Lee explains. Hungry for travel Despite finances being the top concern for 73 per cent of Singapore residents, travel remains a priority, suggests findings from UOB’s Asean Consumer Sentiment Study 2024. Their other concerns were work-related matters (56 per cent), health and well-being (38 per cent) and geopolitical tensions (38 per cent). The majority (83 per cent) of Singapore respondents took at least one leisure trip abroad in the past year – whether with friends, family, or by themselves. Conducted online in June, the regional study polled 5,000 participants aged 18 to 65 from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Ms Lee is not alone. “Post-pandemic, the desire to travel has remained robust as people prioritise experiences, family connections, and mental well-being,” says Ms Choo Wan Sim, head of Personal Financial Services, TMRW Digital, UOB. But how they’re travelling is changing. Ms Choo observes that Singaporeans are becoming savvier when it comes to travel budgeting. For example, they are opting for budget airlines, hunting for travel deals, or taking shorter, more frequent trips. What are some easy ways to save money when travelling? One of the simplest ways to stretch your travel budget is to take advantage of the many promotions and discounts available, says UOB’s Ms Choo. Yet, many travellers miss out simply because they don’t take the time to look for these cost-saving opportunities. Planning early is key. She advises travellers to keep an eye out for flight and hotel deals, and pre-purchase essentials like attraction tickets, transport passes, or eSIMs on travel platforms like Klook. Embedded SIM cards, better known as eSIMs, are digital versions of physical SIM cards. For UOB customers, the Rewards+ platform on the UOB TMRW mobile application offers a one-stop solution with over 1,000 regional deals, Ms Choo says. These include deals and digital coupons from popular merchants such as dessert cafe After You in Thailand and eatery Oriental Kopi in Malaysia. Ms Choo notes that the platform’s popularity has surged, citing a nearly 20 per cent year-on-year increase in the number of UOB customers using the Rewards+ platform to search for deals. A strong exchange rate can make a big difference to your spending power abroad, says Ms Choo. For example, the Japanese currency hit a record low of about 120 yen against the Singapore dollar in July. But travellers may have missed the chance to lock in the favourable rate as they were unaware that they could use multi-currency cards and digital wallets such as YouTrip and Wise to do so, she says. “UOB FX+ is another multi-currency product that makes it easier for travellers to monitor and act on favourable exchange rates,” Ms Choo adds. Using the UOB TMRW app, users can set alerts for their preferred exchange rates, convert currencies ahead of time, and use the UOB FX+ debit card to spend or withdraw cash in their destination country. The service has seen a surge in uptake this year, with over $1 billion in currency conversions on the UOB TMRW app from January to October 2024. This is nearly three times more than the same period last year. Unexpected costs can quickly derail a holiday budget, especially when common expenses are overlooked, Ms Choo says. This includes failing to account for daily transport costs and seasonal price increases during peak travel periods. To avoid such pitfalls, she advises travellers to do careful research ahead of the trip. Ms Lee, who describes herself as a planner at heart, agrees. “I book transportation, accommodation, and activities – like concerts or theme parks – as early as possible. (This way), I know how much I’ll be spending on the trip.” It also helps ensure a more accurate budget and avoid the stress of last-minute expenses, she explains. Related stories What are some tools that can help maximise your travel spending? Beyond searching for deals, savvy travellers like Ms Lee make use of credit card rewards to reduce costs while enhancing travel experiences. For example, she uses a credit card that allows her to customise the rewards category based on her needs. When Ms Lee is not travelling, the self-proclaimed foodie uses the food and beverage category. This enables her to redeem her credit card rewards at her favourite restaurants. But when a trip is on the horizon, Ms Lee switches gears. “(On my banking app), I can easily shift the category from dining to travel to consolidate all my upcoming holiday purchases, including flight and hotel bookings,” she explains. This allows her to earn up to 10 air miles per dollar. Ms Lee is also intentional about her overseas spending. On a June trip to Japan, she stocked up on clothing from Japan brand Uniqlo. “The haul would have easily cost at least 20 to 30 per cent more if I had bought the same, or similar, items in Singapore,” Ms Lee says. UOB’s Ms Choo has more tips for stretching travel dollars. “When overseas, travellers can accelerate their rewards by opting for cards like the UOB PRVI miles card, which offers up to three miles per dollar on overseas spending,” she says. “Multi-currency cards that charge zero foreign currency transaction fees are (also) useful for saving on conversion costs.” One example, Ms Choo says, is the UOB FX+ debit card that now offers 3.25 per cent cashback on all foreign currency spend, with no cashback cap, until Dec 31. Rethink Your Wealth is a series that provides practical insights and answers on wealth-related topics, to help you transform the way you approach finances. This is the eighth of a nine-part series in partnership with Please note that the views expressed in this article do not represent financial, investment or legal advice. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you. Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards Spin the wheel now
The government has notified the telecom cyber security rules, that aim to safeguard India's communication networks and services, through a host of measures including specified timelines for telcos to report security incidents and make disclosures. The rules also empower the central government/ its authorised agency to seek traffic data and any other data (other than the content of messages) from a telecom entity for the purpose of ensuring cyber security. Telecom entities would also be required to adopt telecom cyber security policy, that would include security safeguards, risk management approaches, actions, training, network testing, and risk assessment. "The central government, or any agency authorised by the central government, may, for the purposes of protecting and ensuring telecom cyber security, seek from a telecommunication entity, traffic data and any other data, other than the content of messages, in the form and manner as may be specified by the central government on the portal; and direct a telecommunication entity to establish necessary infrastructure and equipment for collection and provision of such data from designated points to enable its processing and storage," according to the rules framed under the new Telecom Act. The government and any agency authorised by it to collect data under these rules, as well as persons with whom such data is shared, will place adequate safeguards to ensure that such data is stored and maintained in strict confidentiality and prevent any unauthorised access, it said. The rules clearly outline telecom cyber security obligations. "...no person shall endanger telecom cyber security by misuse of telecommunication equipment or telecommunication identifier or telecommunication network or telecommunication services or by fraud, cheating or personation; transmitting any message which is fraudulent; committing or intending to commit any security incident; engaging in any other use which is contrary to the provision, of any other law for the time being in force; or any other means which may have security risk on telecom cyber security," according to the rules," it said. Under the rules, every telecom entity will be required to implement specified measures to ensure cyber security, including adopting a telecom cyber security policy (security safeguards, risk management approaches, actions, training, best practices and technologies, to enhance telecom cyber security). The policy, it said, should also encompass telecom network testing including hardening, vulnerability assessment and risk assessment, identification and prevention of security incidents among other aspects. The policy should entail a rapid action system to deal with security incidents including mitigation measures to limit the impact of such incidents; and forensic analysis of security incidents to ensure learnings from such incidents and further strengthening telecom cyber security. Telecom entities would be required to appoint a Chief Telecommunication Security Officer, and report security incidents within six hours to the Centre along with "relevant details of the affected system including the description of such incident." In 24 hours of becoming aware of the security incident, telecom entities would be required to furnish information on a number of users affected, duration, geographical area, the extent to which the functioning of the network or service is affected; and the remedial measures taken or proposed to be taken. As per the rules, a manufacturer of equipment that has an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number, will register the number of such equipment manufactured in India with the government, before the first sale of such equipment. A telecommunication entity has been defined as any person providing telecommunication services, or establishing, operating, maintaining, or expanding a telecommunication network, including an authorised entity holding an authorisation.U.S. Energy Development Corporation (USEDC), an exploration and production company focused on the development of energy projects throughout North America, provides its outlook on the oil and gas markets in the wake of Donald Trump’s successful presidential bid and the Republican party securing control of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. • Deal Flow: Evaluated over 800 oil and gas opportunities, with strong deal flow continuing into Q4. • Capital Deployment: On track to deploy 100% of the projected $750 million announced earlier this year. • Focus Areas: Continued investments in the Permian Basin, recognized as one of the premier regions for predictable productivity and returns. • Improved Efficiencies: U.S. Energy continues to see wells decrease in cost per lateral foot while maintaining productivity, driving margin expansion. Matthew Iak, USEDC Executive Vice President, provides the following insights: Despite the geopolitical uncertainty in the U.S. and the rest of the world in 2024, the energy markets have remained relatively stable, and deal flow has been strong. It is almost paradoxical that during a tumultuous year, globally and domestically, the energy market’s remarkable achievement has been its truly unremarkable stability. For USEDC, we continued to see a steady, attractive deal flow, many at advantageous price levels for companies with a solid capital structure and robust infrastructure. We anticipate that our teams will evaluate 800-plus deals of all sizes in 2024 and expect to deploy 100% of the projected $750 million announced earlier this year. We continue to actively pursue and invest in deals within the Permian Basin, recognizing it as one of the best areas for predictable productivity and returns. In our recent Oil & Gas Market Update, “‘Drill Baby Drill’: Breaking Down the GOP’s Plan for Oil & Gas Dominance,” we highlighted how the post-election political landscape stands to open significant doors for oil and gas companies. With that said, questions around the current rule-making and regulatory environment remain to be answered, and we will be watching potential changes in this space closely. Proposed Department of Labor regulations could pose challenges across various sectors, while potential tax changes, like the elimination of certain tax treatments by the IRS, such as the 1031 deduction, promise a chilling effect on the oil and gas and real estate markets. This administration could drive positive change in the energy sector if it is able to foster more peace in the Middle East, maintain a strong dollar which makes oil more affordable in the U.S. and increases revenue from international buyers, maintain competitive corporate tax rates and policies, and unlock federal oil leases to boost production. A certainty in the U.S. economy for the past several years was the explosion of energy demand for data centers in almost every major market in the U.S. The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) and the seemingly exponential increase in electricity demand driven by these technologies has completely changed the conversation around domestic natural gas production. For the U.S. to continue to be the world’s leader in AI, data centers, and digital currency production, we also must be the world’s leader in affordable energy and energy infrastructure. Other energy sources, such as nuclear, present compelling options for meeting these demands sustainably and reliably over the long term. However, in the near term, natural gas stands out as a highly viable fuel source due to its extensive reserves – estimated to last for centuries under current consumption rates – and strong pipeline infrastructure. In the upcoming term of the new administration and beyond, it is going to be critical that our government and industry be pro energy in all forms. Conversations in Washington, D.C., Austin and other state capitals should take a long-term view and embrace all energy sources, fossil, nuclear and renewable. Signaling a long-term commitment to a pro-energy economy could make energy companies open to larger, longer-term investments in generation, pipelines and infrastructure that keep us ahead of our international competitors. For now, industries seem to be returning to long-term plans knowing they have at least four years with a pro-energy, pro-business administration. USEDC looks forward to making the most of this opportunity on behalf of the company and our partners. Source: U.S. Energy Development CorporationVikings run over Falcons 42-21
NoneThe Prime Minister said the season was a time to remember the importance of “being there for one another”, including in “the more difficult times”. He also expressed hope for “peace, particularly in the Middle East as the birthplace of the Christmas story” amid spiralling conflict across the region. The message comes after a challenging first five months in office for the Labour Government and against the backdrop of a flatlining economy and rising inflation. Sir Keir said: “This Christmas, people will be travelling up and down the country. Heading home, visiting relatives and loved ones to celebrate together the hope and joy of this special season. “It’s a time to remind ourselves what’s really important. Family. Friendship. And fellowship between all people. “Being there for one another – in these celebrations, as well as the more difficult times.” To our military and veterans, the whole nation thanks you for the sacrifices you make to keep us safe. My government will serve you as you have served your country. I wish you and your families a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year. pic.twitter.com/LphMZog6np — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) December 22, 2024 The Prime Minister sought to strike an optimistic note following another year of political upheaval for Britain, which saw Labour win a landslide victory after a surprise election called by Rishi Sunak in the summer. After taking office in July, the new Government made a series of unpopular decisions as ministers confronted the realities of creaking public services and strained national finances. As well as dealing with the economic inheritance, Sir Keir said he needed to fix a “broken society” which manifested itself in summer riots across the country after the Southport knife attack. Sir Keir said: “This Christmas, I will be hoping for peace, particularly in the Middle East as the birthplace of the Christmas story. “I’ll be looking towards a better, brighter future for every person and celebrating the joy and wonder that Christmas brings. “So, from my family to yours, I hope you have a very merry Christmas.” The message comes after revised official figures released on Monday indicated that UK gross domestic product (GDP) showed no growth between July and September. Downing Street defended the Government’s record so far when asked about the data, telling reporters: “We had to take those tough decisions to lay the foundations of growth such that we can then deliver the higher living standards over this Parliament that people want to see.” The Prime Minister also used his message to thank those spending Christmas serving others, including in the NHS and emergency services, the armed forces, churches and charities. “I know that this is not an easy time for everyone, and my thoughts are with all those who are lonely this Christmas. “Having a tough time, missing a loved one. You are not alone,” he said. Meanwhile, Kemi Badenoch said Christmas was a time to reflect on “all that’s happened in the year” and “support all of those people who need our assistance”. “I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone, not just in the Conservative Party or in my constituency, but across the country,” the Tory leader said. “For all that you have been doing in your communities, supporting each other and helping to keep all our towns, villages and places going. “I think that Christmas is a time for us to reflect on all that’s happened in the year. “Sometimes we have amazing years. “Sometimes, like when I lost my dad, we have difficult years and we’re commiserating, but we do it together. “But it’s a time for us to support all of those people who need our assistance, who need our help, who need our support.” She added: “And I’m looking forward to 2025. “I wish you all the very best for the New Year and all of the exciting things to come.” Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: “This year, I’ve had the chance to spend time with some amazing young carers. “Incredible young people who will spend this Christmas doing what they do all year round; looking after loved ones who are ill or disabled. “Carers embody the Christmas spirit of love, selflessness and generosity. “So I hope we can all take some time to think of them, and keep them in our hearts. “And wish them – and everyone – a Christmas full of peace, joy and love.”
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Sorber scores 22 as Georgetown beats Coppin State 83-53Agriculture Department orders testing of the nation's milk supply for bird fluAlphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Shares Purchased by Mesirow Financial Investment Management Inc.
Mississippi State overcomes early deficit to down Prairie View A&MDo it Best Successfully Completes Purchase of True ValueAnalysis-Trump's crypto team takes shape but questions remain over who will drive policyNone
NoneSorber scores 22 as Georgetown beats Coppin State 83-53
Samsung is the world's largest smartphone vendor, according to Statista , and it's likely that you have heard nothing but praise for its devices in recent years, especially the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra . However, a benefit of not being as constrained as iOS is the fact that Android comes in various flavors, from different manufacturers, and at every price point. Each manufacturer throws its own skin on top of Android and bundles in exclusive features. While Samsung itself boasts a wide catalog of devices, some people might not enjoy the One UI skin, or could find the designs of most current-gen Samsung phones uninspiring and similar. Thankfully, worthwhile competition from brands like OnePlus, Google, Asus, and others means options go far beyond a Samsung Galaxy. For this list, we've stuck with smartphones that feature premium specifications — but don't worry, there is a healthy selection of budget friendly Android phones as well. From a device that folds in half, to a smartphone geared towards gaming, here are some of the best Android phones you can buy that aren't made by Samsung. We've based our list on reviews from experts in the industry, and you can find out more about our methodology at the end of this read. Amidst countless forgotten Google products that tend to get shelved, the Pixel lineup of devices has surprisingly stuck around. Being manufactured by the same company that develops Android has its benefits, including day one software updates and an experience devoid of any bloatware. The Pixel 9 Pro rivals the likes of the iPhone and Galaxy S24 Ultra, and features a 6.3-inch 120 Hz OLED display, capable of soaring way up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness. Our review of the Google Pixel 9 Pro talks about its excellent and reliable-as-ever camera setup, and how the suite of AI features hopes to add value to an already mature operating system. For big phone lovers, the 6.8-inch screen of the Pixel 9 Pro XL, and its bigger battery, should bring an enjoyable media consumption experience. Both phones are powered by Google's in-house Tensor G4 chip, which, while not known for the highest of numbers in synthetic benchmarks, still offers one of the smoothest ways to enjoy Android. Google promises up to seven years of Android updates for its Pixel 9 series, which, alongside 16GB of RAM, should help with future-proofing. The smaller Pixel 9 Pro starts at $999, and you can max these devices up to a terabyte of storage. You also get access to a year's worth of Gemini Advanced for free, so at least you get to experience all the AI features before handing out a separate subscription fee to Google. Since the brand's inception in 2014, OnePlus phones have never skimped out on their internals. The OnePlus 12 is a similar story, and packs in performance that matches flagships from Samsung and Apple — all the while undercutting most premium smartphones by a decent margin. Pricing starts at $799, for which you get 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, with an option to double the internal capacity and bump the RAM to 16GB. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 under the hood delivers enough power to run demanding titles like "Genshin Impact" smoothly. The OnePlus 12 also sports one of the most impressive smartphone displays — a 2K 120 Hz LTPO panel with an insane peak brightness of 4,500 nits. The phone runs on top of OxygenOS, which is an interface that has garnered a name for being snappy, despite slowly straying away from the look and feel of stock Android over the years. As explored in our review of the OnePlus 12 , the 5,400 mAh battery makes this a two-day phone, and OnePlus' signature fast charging technology means you'll be able to top it back up in just minutes. Cameras have always been a sensitive topic for OnePlus smartphones, and while the OnePlus 12 isn't coming on top of other flagships, it has a commendable setup consisting of wide, ultrawide, and periscope sensors. Starting out humbly with a pair of transparent wireless earbuds, Nothing now manufactures a variety of products, including smartphones. The Nothing Phone 2 prides itself on being a looker, thanks to the glyph interface and a unique see-through back panel. The front of the smartphone houses a 6.7-inch 120 Hz OLED display. To achieve its price tag of $599 while maintaining high-end specifications, the Nothing Phone 2 opts for an older Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor and 8GB of RAM, which is upgradable to 12GB alongside extra storage. We tested games like "Call of Duty: Mobile" and "Asphalt 9" in our review of the Nothing Phone 2 , and the device managed to keep up without dropping any frames. An unintended advantage of being a smaller brand is the fact that Nothing hasn't spent copious resources on designing a heavy layer on top of Android. Nothing OS sticks close to how Google envisioned Android, but doesn't shy away from adding a touch of personality in the form of widgets and subtle UI tweaks. Despite being launched a while ago in 2023, there is nothing (pun intended) quite like this device, unless you're fine with the less powerful yet newer Phone 2a and 2a Plus. The rumored Nothing Phone 3 should follow the same principles and offer a unique way to experience Android. While any modern smartphone with relatively decent specifications can handle games, there exists a niche for dedicated gaming handsets — and the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro is the latest in the series. It builds on top of its predecessor and brings upgrades under the hood. The phone is powered by the new Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, and comes with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. The phone will start at $1,199 and is slated for release in early 2025. Where most phones max out at 120 Hz, the ROG Phone 9 Pro takes its refresh rate all the way up to 185 Hz. With a peak brightness of 2,500 nits, the 6.78-inch AMOLED screen of the ROG Phone 9 Pro should suffice any content consumption needs as well. Asus has been trying to refine the ROG Phone ever since its inception, such that it doesn't cater to just gamers. The ROG Phone 9 Pro has a 50-megapixel primary shooter, and as highlighted in TechRadar's review the six-axis gimbal stabilizer helps capture sharp images even in poorly lit environments. Gamer-specific features of the phone include two ultrasonic buttons on the side that can replicate the R2 and L2 trigger buttons in games that support customizable controls. You also get a secondary USB-C charging port and a grid of LEDs dubbed "AniMe Vision" at the back that can be used to display text, GIFs, and even interactive games. Despite myths surrounding foldable smartphones , we've been seeing more options in the market than ever before. The OnePlus Open is the company's first foldable, and reviewers everywhere have had nothing but praise for its combination of premium hardware and thoughtful software. The device starts at $1,699 and comes with 16GB of RAM and half a terabyte of storage. Powering the OnePlus Open is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, while the circular camera housing features a triple-lens setup. The cover display is a 6.31-inch AMOLED 120Hz panel, which is just as useful as any other slab-style phone. The nearly square 7.82-inch display on the inside boasts a 2K resolution and refreshes at the same smooth 120Hz. Both displays bring 2,800 nits of peak brightness, and feature LTPO technology, allowing them to dynamically adjust the refresh rate to preserve battery. Tom's Guide praised the OnePlus Open for its overall value proposition, since folding phones don't come cheap. Moreover, OxygenOS brings features like Open Canvas that makes it easier to multitask on the OnePlus Open's display when unfolded. A major omission with this device is the lack of wireless charging, but as explored in our review of the OnePlus Open , it lasts a full day and then some on a single charge, and the 67W fast charging comes in clutch. We've seen some of the best and worst Samsung phones over the years, and while it's true that the company's lineup of devices is stronger than ever before — it would be unfair to turn a blind eye to the dozens of other great releases that happen each year. This list was crafted based on reviews from trusted sources like TechRadar and Tom's Guide. We conduct detailed testing of many smartphones here at SlashGear as well. Major points of consideration include specifications, display quality, and battery life — all of which are factors that differentiate good smartphones from the best ones. For this list, we picked Android phones that each have something unique to offer. Foldables like the OnePlus Open rival Samsung's own Galaxy Fold series, and bring a new way of interacting with your apps, while phones as pure as the Pixel 9 Pro are proof that you don't need a ton of bells and whistles to attract prospective buyers. Options like the Nothing Phone 2 and OnePlus 12 offer flagship-grade internals for less money, too. Even though the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro isn't here in the U.S. yet, it's worth waiting for its release in January 2025 since it does bring meaningful improvements over its predecessor.Kelowna, Vernon teams crowned B.C. U18 curling champs in Kimberley