Why are Asian stocks described as 'choppy' and what key factor is driving investor jitters?

Asian stocks are described as 'choppy' because they struggled for direction on Thursday, nursing steep weekly losses amid mounting investor jitters around the AI trade — particularly after a deep selloff in South Korean stocks that wiped more than $2 trillion from the country's equity market and raised concerns about returns from massive AI spending.

What did the Federal Reserve decide on interest rates, and how did its communication affect market uncertainty?

The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady in a split decision, leaving bond markets questioning where rates are headed; Fed Chair Kevin Warsh vowed to contain inflation but declined to offer guidance on future action, welcoming recent yield increases without committing to ratify them with policy moves — resulting in confusion over whether the Fed will proceed with further hikes.