[2026-04-17 05:30 UTC+10:00] [Local] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Daily News

Title: South Asia remains fastest-growing region, India continues as growth engine – World Bank

Snippet: Despite headwinds from global energy market disruptions triggered by the Iran war, South Asia continues to be the world’s fastest-growing region, with India acting as the principal engine of growth, according to the latest report by the World Bank.

Read full article: https://dailynews.lk/2026/04/17/local/981056/south-asia-remains-fastest-growing-region-india-continues-as-growth-engine-world-bank/

[2026-04-17 05:25 UTC+10:00] [Business / Markets] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Age

Title: ASX set to dip, Wall Street steady; Oil prices climb

Snippet: The US stock market is holding near its record high as Wall Street waits for more clues about what will happen in the Iran war before making its next big move.

Read full article: https://www.theage.com.au/business/markets/asx-set-to-dip-wall-street-steady-oil-prices-climb-20260417-p5zolv.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed

[2026-04-17 04:44 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: ABC News

Title: Fears of another lockdown amid fuel shortages and recession risk

Snippet: Melbourne butcher Raj Gurung is preparing for the worst.

Read full article: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-17/fears-of-another-lockdown-amid-fuel-shortages-recession-risk/106568312

[2026-04-17 04:39 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The National (UAE)

Title: Middle East faces one of sharpest downgrades since global financial crisis, IMF warns | The National

Snippet: The Middle East’s economic outlook has sharply deteriorated following the outbreak of the Iran war, with the International Monetary Fund warning that the region faces one of its steepest growth downgrades in years and rising risks of further decline if the conflict persists.

Read full article: https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/economy/2026/04/16/middle-east-faces-one-of-sharpest-downgrades-since-global-financial-crisis-imf-warns/

[2026-04-17 04:08 UTC+10:00] [Italy] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Guardian Australia

Title: Armed robbers hold 25 people hostage at Naples bank before fleeing through hole in floor

Snippet: Thieves believed to have escaped into sewers after holding staff and customers in Crédit Agricole branch for two hours

Read full article: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/16/armed-robbers-hostages-naples-bank-flee-hole-floor-sewers

[2026-04-17 04:01 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: New York Post

Title: Germany eyes harsher sick leave rules to save economy from absenteeism epidemic

Snippet: They say calling out sick is nothing to sneeze at.

Read full article: https://nypost.com/2026/04/16/world-news/germany-eyes-harsher-sick-leave-rules-warns-four-day-week-hurts-economy/

[2026-04-17 03:38 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: New York Post

Title: Hope of the American Dream is still alive — but optimism greatly differs by demographic: survey

Snippet: More than half of people still believe that the American Dream is possible for those who want it — but optimism about achieving it greatly differs by demographic.

Read full article: https://nypost.com/2026/04/16/lifestyle/the-american-dream-still-persists-despite-financial-stress-new-survey-suggests/

[2026-04-17 03:24 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 92]

Source: BBC News

Title: Naples bank robbers hold 25 people hostage then vanish through tunnel

Snippet: Several armed men robbed a bank in broad daylight in Naples, holding 25 people hostage before making their escape via a tunnel.

Read full article: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c05d216rj85o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss

[2026-04-17 03:21 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: AP News

Title: ‘Credit card chaos’? Financial institutions bet big on repeal of first-of-its-kind Illinois law

Snippet: Ben Jackson of the Illinois Bankers Association speaks during a news conference at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, Ill., on April 15, 2026. (Jerry Nowicki/Capitol News Illinois via AP)

Read full article: https://apnews.com/article/credit-card-law-illinois-swipe-fees-repeal-effort-b1de876ba4dc1d4e5b839bf786a768a2

[2026-04-17 02:29 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: New York Post

Title: Taylor Swift’s viral gingham skirt set is finally back in stock

Snippet: When Taylor Swift joined Travis Kelce at last year’s Tight End University kickoff event wearing a green gingham crop top and skirt by Hunter Bell, her set swiftly sold out.

Read full article: https://pagesix.com/2026/04/16/style/taylor-swift-hunter-bell-skirt-set-is-back-in-stock/

[2026-04-17 02:18 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Jerusalem Post

Title: Settlers block Palestinian pupils' path to West Bank school with barbed wire

Snippet: Dozens of Palestinian children have been unable to go to school in the West Bank this week because of barbed wire erected by Jewish settlers across the path they normally use.

Read full article: https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-893285

[2026-04-17 02:15 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Nikkei Asia

Title: From insurance to rail sector, 110 Japan firms join emissions credit market

Snippet: Rail operator Hankyu and a MS&AD Insurance Group member will take part in the emissions credit market. (Nikkei photo montage)

Read full article: https://asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/environment/climate-change/from-insurance-to-rail-sector-110-japan-firms-join-emissions-credit-market2

[2026-04-17 02:11 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Manila Times

Title: Australia to boost defense spending over growing threats

Snippet: CANBERRA — Australia will raise its defense spending to 3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2033 as armed conflicts flare worldwide, Defense Minister Richard Marles said on Thursday.

Read full article: https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/04/17/world/asia-oceania/australia-to-boost-defense-spending-over-growing-threats/2321752

[2026-04-17 02:05 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: RT News

Title: Dozens taken hostage in Italian bank heist (VIDEO)

Snippet: Armed robbers took around 25 people hostage during a bank heist in the Italian city of Naples on Thursday, local media reported.

Read full article: https://www.rt.com/news/638513-hostages-italy-naples-bank-heist/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=RSS

[2026-04-17 02:04 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Nikkei Asia

Title: China's unfinished buildings continue to haunt real estate market

Snippet: Unfinished apartment buildings in Zhengzhou, part of a complex that was scheduled to be completed at the end of 2022. (Photo by Kentaro Shiozaki)

Read full article: https://asia.nikkei.com/business/markets/property/china-s-unfinished-buildings-continue-to-haunt-real-estate-market

[2026-04-17 02:02 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Manila Times

Title: Financial resilience low among Filipinos

Snippet: ERROR 404 page not found Click here to go to the home page

Read full article: https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/04/17/business/top-business/financial-resilience-low-among-filipinos/2321886

[2026-04-17 02:02 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Manila Times

Title: Companies get more time to file financial statements

Snippet: ERROR 404 page not found Click here to go to the home page

Read full article: https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/04/17/business/top-business/companies-get-more-time-to-file-financial-statements/2321916

[2026-04-17 01:47 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: CNBC

Title: Retail traders pile into Allbirds after odd AI pivot. History shows it won't end well

Snippet: Retail traders stampeded into Allbirds after the troubled shoemaker slapped an artificial intelligence label on its business, a set-up that market history suggests rarely ends well once the initial hype fades.

Read full article: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/16/retail-traders-pile-into-allbirds-after-odd-ai-pivot-history-shows-it-wont-end-well.html

[2026-04-17 01:36 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: New York Post

Title: Bruce Willis’ former Beverly Hills home sells for $41.25M — in one of LA County’s priciest 2026 deals

Snippet: Bruce Willis’ former Beverly Hills home has sold off-market for $41.25 million, sources told The Post.

Read full article: https://nypost.com/2026/04/16/real-estate/bruce-willis-former-beverly-hills-home-sells-for-41-25m/

[2026-04-17 01:25 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Zero Hedge

Title: "It's Really Illiquid": Goldman COO Warns Retail About Private Credit And The "Perception Of Liquidity"

Snippet: Speaking at Semafor’s World Economy event in Washington, D.C., President and COO of Goldman Sachs John Waldron warned that some managers have oversold how easy it is to get money out—especially to retail investors, who’ve helped balloon the market into a $1.7 trillion behemoth just as the space faces growing scrutiny and tighter conditions, according to Semafor.

Read full article: https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/its-really-illiquid-goldman-coo-warns-retail-about-private-credit-and-perception-liquidity

[2026-04-17 01:19 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: Hong Kong leader John Lee, EU officials meet to discuss trade, cooperation

Snippet: EU ambassador describes lunch meeting as a ‘constructive and in-depth exchange on EU-Hong Kong relations’

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3350369/hong-kong-leader-john-lee-eu-officials-meet-discuss-trade-cooperation?utm_source=rss_feed

[2026-04-17 01:19 UTC+10:00] [European Union] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: Hong Kong leader John Lee, EU officials meet to discuss trade, cooperation

Snippet: EU ambassador describes lunch meeting as a ‘constructive and in-depth exchange on EU-Hong Kong relations’

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3350369/hong-kong-leader-john-lee-eu-officials-meet-discuss-trade-cooperation

[2026-04-17 01:00 UTC+10:00] [US-Israel war on Iran] [Factuality: 90]

Source: Guardian Australia

Title: Wall Street seems to have decided the recession risk is over. Can the Australian market do the same?

Snippet: Experts say US market ‘may have run ahead of itself’, while the ASX 200’s more modest recovery is due in part to Australia’s reliance on fuel imports

Read full article: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/17/wall-street-seems-to-have-decided-the-recession-risk-is-over-can-the-australian-market-do-the-same

[2026-04-17 00:54 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: AfricaNews

Title: Fuel shortages loom as Strait of Hormuz crisis threatens global economy

Snippet: Europe could face flight disruptions within weeks as fuel supplies tighten amid the ongoing crisis affecting the Strait of Hormuz, according to the head of the International Energy Agency.

Read full article: http://www.africanews.com/2026/04/16/fuel-shortages-loom-as-strait-of-hormuz-crisis-threatens-global-economy/

[2026-04-17 00:15 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: CNBC

Title: TSMC and ASML post-earnings stock moves could be a sign of what's to come from chip companies

Snippet: Two of the biggest names in chip manufacturing, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. and ASML, both reported strong earnings this week as demand for artificial intelligence chips remains sky high.

Read full article: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/16/taiwan-semi-tsm-asml-stock-earnings-ai-chips.html

[2026-04-17 00:04 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The National (UAE)

Title: Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris says Iran war pause won't derail UAE property boom | The National

Snippet: Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris expects the UAE property market to bounce back strongly and “continue booming”, as he announced a Dh30 billion ($8.17 billion) expansion of a "mini city" real estate project between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Read full article: https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/property/2026/04/16/egyptian-billionaire-naguib-sawiris-says-iran-war-pause-wont-derail-uae-property-boom/

[2026-04-17 00:00 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The National (UAE)

Title: The Iran war has neither derailed nor stalled the Gulf's progress | The National

Snippet: Adversity can build character, but more often reveals it. Over the past few weeks, as Iran attacked civilian targets in the Gulf region, the world has seen the foresight of nations that have spent years preparing for such a possibility and their resilience in withstanding it. The UAE’s decades of forward-looking strategic investment across vital areas of national interest – from diversifying the economy, to building partnerships with global businesses and universities, to bolstering national defences – helped it to

Read full article: https://www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/comment/2026/04/16/the-us-israel-war-with-iran-has-neither-derailed-nor-stalled-the-gulfs-progress/

[2026-04-16 23:21 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: CNBC

Title: ECB keeps markets guessing on rates with two weeks to go, warns of ‘layer cake of shocks’

Snippet: With less than 2 weeks remaining until the next European Central Bank meeting, the bloc's policymakers appear undecided on the future of interest rates.

Read full article: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/16/ecb-interest-rates-hike-inflation-iran-washington.html

[2026-04-16 23:00 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 90]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: Trade tensions make rest of world less keen to invest in US and China, survey finds

Snippet: US and China have ‘suffered the most’ amid global decline in outbound investment appetite due to heightened geopolitical tensions

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3350343/trade-tensions-make-rest-world-less-keen-invest-us-and-china-survey-finds?utm_source=rss_feed

[2026-04-16 23:00 UTC+10:00] [foreign investment] [Factuality: 90]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: Trade tensions make rest of world less keen to invest in US and China, survey finds

Snippet: US and China have ‘suffered the most’ amid global decline in outbound investment appetite due to heightened geopolitical tensions

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3350343/trade-tensions-make-rest-world-less-keen-invest-us-and-china-survey-finds

[2026-04-16 22:45 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Zero Hedge

Title: "The Roaring 2020s Are Back": S&P Futures Hit New Record With Nasdaq Up 12 Straight Days On Iran Truce Optimism

Snippet: Stock futures are edging higher on continued optimism about an extended truce in the Middle East, while Taiwan Semi's solid results have sparked another leg higher in AI trade. As of 8:15 am ET, S&P 500 futures rose 0.1%, while Nasdaq 100 contracts +0.2%, and on pace for a 12th day of gains.

Read full article: https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/roaring-2020s-are-back-sp-futures-hit-new-record-nasdaq-12-straight-days-iran-truce

[2026-04-16 22:35 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: CNBC

Title: New York Fed President Williams worries war will slow growth, aggravate inflation

Snippet: New York Fed President John Williams expressed concern Thursday about the Iran war's impact on the economy, saying it already has shown signs of hiking prices and slowing growth.

Read full article: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/16/new-york-fed-president-williams-worries-war-will-slow-growth-aggravate-inflation.html

[2026-04-16 22:31 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 92]

Source: AfricaNews

Title: Middle East crisis tests African economies [Business Africa]

Snippet: After a strong 2025, African economies are facing a new threat: the war in the Middle East. The African Development Bank warns it could cost the continent up to 1.5 percentage points of growth this year.

Read full article: http://www.africanews.com/2026/04/16/middle-east-crisis-tests-african-economies-business-africa/

[2026-04-16 22:30 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: China’s PBOC raises leverage ratios for foreign lenders to support outbound investment

Snippet: Beijing’s move to lift offshore-loan quotas seen helping stabilise yuan against weaker US dollar while accommodating a surge in net financing via ‘panda bonds’

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3350350/chinas-pboc-raises-leverage-ratios-foreign-lenders-support-outbound-investment?utm_source=rss_feed

[2026-04-16 22:30 UTC+10:00] [Gary Ng] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: China’s PBOC raises leverage ratios for foreign lenders to support outbound investment

Snippet: Beijing’s move to lift offshore-loan quotas seen helping stabilise yuan against weaker US dollar while accommodating a surge in net financing via ‘panda bonds’

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3350350/chinas-pboc-raises-leverage-ratios-foreign-lenders-support-outbound-investment

[2026-04-16 22:29 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Manila Times

Title: Luxury group Kering seeks to make Gucci 'unmissable' again

Snippet: FLORENCE — French luxury group Kering promised Thursday to make its flagship Gucci brand once again "unmissable" and boost production of leather goods as it seeks to turn around its financial performance.

Read full article: https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/04/16/entertainment-lifestyle/luxury-group-kering-seeks-to-make-gucci-unmissable-again/2321967

[2026-04-16 22:18 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: CNBC

Title: UK eases rules for hedge funds in sweeping overhaul of short selling rules

Snippet: The U.K.'s financial watchdog has eased restrictions on hedge funds after relaxing rules on short selling, and slashing administrative and reporting requirements.

Read full article: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/16/fca-uk-hedge-funds-investors-short-sellers-red-tape-rules-regulation-financial-conduct-authority.html

[2026-04-16 22:00 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: Black market workarounds for Claude scale up as Anthropic tightens ID checks

Snippet: Chinese developers are bypassing new ID checks as demand for Claude remains strong despite official restrictions

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3350321/black-market-workarounds-claude-scale-anthropic-tightens-id-checks?utm_source=rss_feed

[2026-04-16 22:00 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: Black market workarounds for Claude scale up as Anthropic tightens ID checks

Snippet: Chinese developers are bypassing new ID checks as demand for Claude remains strong despite official restrictions

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3350321/black-market-workarounds-claude-scale-anthropic-tightens-id-checks

[2026-04-16 21:18 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The National (UAE)

Title: Two global investors with almost $700bn in assets set up base in ADGM | The National

Snippet: Two global alternative investor managers with almost $700 billion in assets have set up base in Abu Dhabi’s ADGM, despite the war-driven uncertainties.

Read full article: https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/economy/2026/04/16/two-global-investors-with-almost-700bn-in-assets-set-up-base-in-adgm/

[2026-04-16 20:18 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 90]

Source: The Moscow Times

Title: Russian Central Bank Governor Warns of Unprecedented Labor Shortage

Snippet: Russia is facing a labor shortage for the first time in its modern history, Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina said Thursday, warning that an overheated economy is driving inflation and complicating interest rate policy.

Read full article: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/16/russian-central-bank-governor-warns-of-unprecedented-labor-shortage-a92517

[2026-04-16 20:07 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: RT News

Title: BBC unveils ‘devastating’ wave of job cuts amid financial strain

Snippet: British state broadcaster the BBC is set to cut between 1,800 and 2,000 jobs – about 10% of its workforce – as part of efforts to reduce operating expenses.

Read full article: https://www.rt.com/news/638490-bbc-jobs-axed-costs/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=RSS

[2026-04-16 20:00 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: China fast-tracks hydrogen strategy to ‘scale-up’ phase in high-stakes energy transition

Snippet: China targets ‘bold innovation’ as falling renewable-energy costs allow it to leverage 50 per cent share of global green hydrogen production capacity

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3350313/china-fast-tracks-hydrogen-strategy-scale-phase-high-stakes-energy-transition?utm_source=rss_feed

[2026-04-16 20:00 UTC+10:00] [solar] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: China fast-tracks hydrogen strategy to ‘scale-up’ phase in high-stakes energy transition

Snippet: China targets ‘bold innovation’ as falling renewable-energy costs allow it to leverage 50 per cent share of global green hydrogen production capacity

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3350313/china-fast-tracks-hydrogen-strategy-scale-phase-high-stakes-energy-transition

[2026-04-16 19:58 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: AP News

Title: Rescuers try to save stranded whale Timmy with the help of air cushions

Snippet: A stranded whale blows water as it got stuck on a sand bank in Kirchdorf on the island Poel, Germany, Thursday, April 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

Read full article: https://apnews.com/article/germany-humpback-whale-stranded-baltic-timmy-facbc201aebbf1687b44665f6e8e3425

[2026-04-16 19:53 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: AfricaNews

Title: Ukriane: Russian strikes hit Kyiv’s Podilsky district

Snippet: The attack struck Kyiv’s Podilskyi district, just south-west of the city centre, where rescuers pulled survivors from the rubble as fires broke out in nearby buildings. The area, on the right bank of the Dnipro River, includes the historic Podil neighbourhood and surrounding residential zones, some of which were heavily damaged.

Read full article: http://www.africanews.com/2026/04/16/ukriane-russian-strikes-hit-kyivs-podilsky-district/

[2026-04-16 19:30 UTC+10:00] [Business / Consumer affairs] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Age

Title: Bread, milk and fresh vegies: Grocery inflation is creeping back

Snippet: Fresh vegetables, bread, milk and eggs will be among the first items in the grocery basket expected to cost more after the price of fuel and fertiliser doubled because of the US-Israel war on Iran, forcing some farmers to plant fewer crops.

Read full article: https://www.theage.com.au/business/consumer-affairs/bread-milk-and-fresh-vegies-grocery-inflation-is-creeping-back-20260415-p5zo3d.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed

[2026-04-16 19:23 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: BBC News

Title: What's happening to the UK economy and how does it affect you?

Snippet: Politicians often talk about the importance of economic growth.

Read full article: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0j7p38jg15o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss

[2026-04-16 19:16 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The National (UAE)

Title: China's Jereh Group to invest in UAE clean energy and industrial sectors | The National

Snippet: The UAE Ministry of Investment and China's Jereh Group have partnered to develop a clean energy and industrial platform in the Emirates as part of sustainability efforts.

Read full article: https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/economy/2026/04/16/chinas-jereh-group-to-invest-in-uae-clean-energy-and-industrial-sectors/

[2026-04-16 18:34 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Jerusalem Post

Title: Over 20 sarcophagi belonging to ‘Chanters of Amun’ discovered during excavations near Luxor

Snippet: A collection of painted sarcophagi and papyrus scrolls dating to Egypt's Third Intermediate Period (c. 1077–664 BCE) was discovered during excavations in Seneb's tomb in the Kurna area on the west bank of the Nile River near Luxor, Egypt's Tourism and Antiquities Ministry said in early March.

Read full article: https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-893122