Volkswagen Atlas bets on real third-row comfort for families
German carmaker targets Korea’s growing family SUV market with spacious third-row seating, child-friendly practicality
· Byun Hye-jin
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Economy & Finance
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Newest first · UTC+10:00Chinese man earns US$7,400 monthly selling fried rice at night market while dressed in a suit
Stylish 19-year-old attracts customers by striking a variety of poses as he works with his wok, dangles unlit cigarette from his mouth as gimmick
· Fran Lu
Chinese man earns US$7,400 monthly selling fried rice at night market while dressed in a suit
Stylish 19-year-old attracts customers by striking a variety of poses as he works with his wok, dangles unlit cigarette from his mouth as gimmick
· Fran Lu
Prolonged Mideast war feared to lead to price hikes: finance ministry
SEOUL, May 15 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean economy continues to be on a recovery path on the back of strong chip exports, but the prolonged Middle East crisis is raising concerns over inflation and growing financial burdens on households, the finance ministry said Friday.
· Kang Yoon-seung
Major Bank Faces Legal Heat Over Allegations Of Debanking Conservatives
Capital One is under fire once again over allegations that it has denied banking services to gun retailers and other customers viewed as politically conservative, even as President Donald Trump’s executive actions seek to curb such practices.
· Tyler Durden
[Breaking] Kospi trading above 8,000 points for first time in history
South Korea’s main stock index, the Kospi, broke above the 8,000 mark for the first time ever during intraday trading on Friday. The milestone came just seven trading days after the index first surpassed 7,000.
· Lee Sun-young
KOSPI hits another historic landmark of 8,000 on AI rally
SEOUL, May 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's stock market opened a new chapter Friday, topping the historic landmark of 8,000 points, driven by a continued rally of large-cap tech shares.
· Kim Na-young
(LEAD) Hana Financial buys stake in No. 1 crypto exchange operator Dunamu
(ATTN: ADDS more details in last 4 paras, image)
· Park Sang-soo
Terrorists hurl rocks at vehicle in West Bank, prompting search for attackers, IDF says
Troops of the 636th Combat Intelligence Collection Battalion killed one of the terrorists involved in the attacks and injured another.
· ARIELLA ROITMAN
Hana Financial buys stake in No. 1 crypto exchange operator Dunamu
SEOUL, May 15 (Yonhap) -- Hana Financial Group Inc., one of South Korea's major banking groups, said Friday it has decided to buy a stake in the country's top crypto exchange operator Dunamu for 1 trillion won (US$669 million), the largest-ever investment by a bank into a virtual asset operator.
· Park Sang-soo
Slain pregnant mom’s torment revealed in heartbreaking texts before killer husband Chris Watts’ attack
Harrowing texts between Shanann Watts and a friend reveal the pregnant mom’s extreme emotional distress in the days before her husband killed her and their two daughters.
· Daniel Cody
Hongkongers queue round the clock for new Swatch-Audemars Piguet collection
‘Royal Pop’ ceramic pocket-style watches, a collaboration between luxury watchmaker and affordable brand, set to go on sale on Saturday
· Wynna Wong
Hongkongers queue round the clock for new Swatch-Audemars Piguet collection
‘Royal Pop’ ceramic pocket-style watches, a collaboration between luxury watchmaker and affordable brand, set to go on sale on Saturday
· Wynna Wong
[Graphic News] ChatGPT leads Korea AI app market
New data from Wiseapp Retail shows ChatGPT has pulled far ahead of rivals in both user base and growth in Korea’s generative AI app market.
· Nam Kyung-don
Import prices drop in April for 1st time in 10 months: BOK
SEOUL, May 15 (Yonhap) -- Import prices fell for the first time in 10 months in April on a decrease in oil prices amid the Middle East conflict, central bank data showed Friday.
· Kim Boram
Hochul agrees to lower threshold on second home tax for NYC, sneaks in new levy on property purchases
A controversial new tax on second homes in New York City was quietly lowered from $5 million to a “market value” of $1 million — increasing the number of homeowners who will get squeezed as part of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s never-ending budget negotiations.
· Vaughn Golden
Where Cerebras' monster debut puts in among tech's biggest IPOs
Cerebras Systems narrowly missed joining Facebook-parent Meta and Alibaba as one of the few companies to have ended its first day trading on Wall Street with a market cap of over $100 billion.
· Jonathan Vanian
Giannis Antetokounmpo next team odds: Market doubts a depature from Milwaukee
Could this finally be the end of the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade saga?
· Sean Treppedi
AI-powered bank founded by Peter Thiel protégé wants to replace humans with code — will it work?
A 25-year-old protégé of billionaire Peter Thiel has built an AI-powered national bank that’s mostly run by code instead of humans – a radical departure from the traditional banking system that has endured for decades.
· Thomas Barrabi
How major US stock indexes fared Thursday 5/14/2026
The U.S. stock market rose to more records after Cisco Systems joined the parade of companies reporting fatter profits for the start of 2026 than analysts expected.
· The Associated Press
Palestinian President Abbas pledges elections, reform at Fatah conference
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has pledged to reform the Palestinian Authority (PA) at a Fatah party conference in the occupied West Bank, pledging to hold long-delayed presidential and parliamentary elections.
· Mariamne Everett
Beja swords remain 'cherished tradition' in Sudan market
Beja swords, particularly the traditional kaskara straight-bladed sword, remain a cherished cultural symbol in eastern Sudan, especially within the Kassala market, where they are valued as heirlooms and symbols of status.
· AfricaNews
ASX set to rise as Wall Street climbs again
The US stock market is rising toward more records after Cisco Systems joined the parade of US companies reporting fatter profits for the start of 2026 than analysts expected.
· Stan Choe
Chalmers’ Budget in search of more productivity and less rent-seeking
Don't pay so you can read it. Pay so everyone can!
· Harry Chemay
Sydney’s $33 billion ‘quiet giant’ where jobs and homes are battling for space
A stretch of prime land from the southern end of Sydney’s CBD to the airport and Port Botany, which new modelling shows generates $33 billion for the state’s economy each year, is under increasing pressure from competing development, illustrating growing friction between jobs and housing across the city.
· Megan Gorrey, Matt O'Sullivan
LA condo sales plummet to 20-year low in latest grim sign for housing market
The condo market in Los Angeles has gone ice cold as rising costs stall demand — fueling concerns that it could spell doom for the rest of the city’s housing market.
· Ross O'Keefe
Bessent discusses investment board, expanding US-China trade with Trump in Beijing
President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on Thursday and discussed topics ranging from market access for U.S. businesses in China to the Strait of Hormuz.
· Gregory Svirnovskiy
Separate Peace? Saudi Arabia Floats Regional Non-Aggression Pact With Iran
Are regional Gulf countries seeking to forge there own separate peace deals with Iran, apart from the United States? That's what fresh Thursday reporting in the Financial Times suggests.
· Tyler Durden
Cerebras shares skyrocket 89% in debut as AI frenzy sends chipmaker’s market cap above $100B
Shares of chip designer Cerebras Systems soared 89% above the initial public offering price on their Nasdaq debut, extending the market’s unrelenting frenzy for companies seen as the biggest beneficiaries of the artificial intelligence boom.
· Reuters
Cerebras almost doubles in Nasdaq debut, topping $100 billion market cap after blockbuster IPO
Cerebras Systems soared in its Nasdaq debut on Thursday, opening at $350 after selling shares at $185, well above the company's expected range. That values the chipmaker at over $100 billion.
· Jordan Novet
Saudi Arabia floats non-aggression pact with Iran and regional states: Report
Saudi Arabia has floated a non-aggression pact between Iran and Middle Eastern states based on a 1970s agreement that eased tensions in Europe during the Cold War, The Financial Times reported on Thursday.
· Middleeasteye
Saudi Arabia suggests Middle East non-aggression pact with Iran
Saudi Arabia is reportedly floating the idea of a non-aggression agreement between Middle East states and Iran as part of discussions on how to manage regional conflict, according to the Financial Times, citing two western diplomatic sources.
· Middleeasteye
How Social Security recipients could score a nearly 4% cost-of-living boost
Here’s an upshot to inflation.
· Brooke Steinberg
Stagflation taking shape in PH
THE Philippine economy is beginning to show signs of stagflation as slowing growth, elevated inflation, and weakening labor market conditions increasingly converge, HSBC Global Research said.
· Niña Myka Pauline Arceo
The dangers of stagflation
STAGFLATION is one of the most dangerous economic conditions which combines the worst of both worlds: weak economic growth and persistently high inflation. Businesses struggle as demand slows, while ordinary families suffer from rising prices of food, fuel, transportation, and utilities.
· Ej Qua Hiansen
Reshaping the economic map of Asia under the shadow of war
THE closure of the Strait of Hormuz on March 4, 2026, was not merely a localized military maneuver; it was the moment the “Asian Century” hit a wall of physical reality. With Brent crude surging past $120 per barrel and liquefied natural gas (LNG) spot prices in Asia jumping by over 140 percent, the conflict has met…
· Imran Khalid
How much? NATO chief calls for ‘Ukraine tax’ bigger than members’ economies
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte wants NATO members to cough up 0.25% of their GDP for Ukraine. This figure seems minuscule, but how much hard-earned taxpayer money does it add up to?
· RT
How much? NATO chief calls for ‘Ukraine tax’ bigger than members’ economies
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte wants NATO members to cough up 0.25% of their GDP for Ukraine. This figure seems minuscule, but how much hard-earned taxpayer money does it add up to?
· RT
Global economy heading towards 'adverse scenario', IMF says | The National
The Iran war is threatening to exact a major hit on the global economy as negotiations for a lasting ceasefire remain at an impasse, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned.
· Kyle Fitzgerald
Is China set to benefit from new US Fed chair Kevin Warsh’s policy vision?
The appointment follows White House pressure on the central bank to lower interest rates – a move analysts warn could have unintended consequences
· Sylvia Ma
Is China set to benefit from new US Fed chair Kevin Warsh’s policy vision?
The appointment follows White House pressure on the central bank to lower interest rates – a move analysts warn could have unintended consequences
· Sylvia Ma
Crisis in Sudan: 19.5 million struggle with food insecurity
Customers buy vegetables at a market in Omdurman, on the outskirts of Khartoum, Sudan, Sunday, April 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Stephen Colbert on Trump tanking the US economy: ‘Experts call it the poop chute’
Late-night hosts discussed Trump’s trip to China with Elon Musk, Maga lies over the Iran war and manosphere trends
· Guardian staff
Japan ride-hailing app Go to launch Tokyo market's largest IPO this year
A taxi with an advertisement for hailing app Go. The company launched its ride-hailing service in 2020. (Photo by Takeshi Hashimoto)
· Staff Writer
Disgraced ex-Newsom aide Dana Williamson to cop guilty plea in corruption case
A top Democratic aide to California Gov. Gavin Newsom gubernatorial hopeful Xavier Becerra is expected to plead guilty to federal charges of conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud.
· Zain Khan
‘It’s like stealing’: Palestinian family’s seized property listed on Booking.com
West Bank home described as ‘ideal for outdoor gatherings’ is among 41 listed rentals in illegal Israeli settlements
· Julianborger
Cisco CEO says tech is entering a 'networking supercycle' as stock pops 14% on strong AI demand
Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins told CNBC on Thursday that skyrocketing demand for artificial intelligence tools and equipment is powering the industry toward a "networking supercycle."
· Samantha Subin
Iraq sought financial assistance from International Monetary Fund as result of Iran war
Iraqi officials have approached the International Monetary Fund to secure financial assistance due to the conflict in the Middle East, a source close to the IMF said on Thursday.
· REUTERS
Stars flying into Cannes in private jets 'obscene', say ex-pilots
CANNES, France — Climate activists are urging movie stars to fly economy or take the train to Cannes after saying private jets burned two millions of litres of kerosene getting them to the film festival last year.
· Agence France-Presse
Army stings and monetary incentives behind RSF defections in Sudan | The National
Sting operations by Sudanese army intelligence, including the use of financial incentives, are behind a string of high-profile defections to the military from the rival Rapid Support Forces, The National has been told.
· Hamza Hendawi