Exclusive | All eyes on latest Hong Kong investment darling HKIC
HKIC set to come up as key highlight in finance chief Paul Chan’s budget blueprint, sources say
· Jeffie Lam
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Newest first · UTC+11:00Aid groups petition Israeli Supreme Court as Gaza, West Bank work ban nears
Seventeen international aid groups said they have petitioned Israel’s Supreme Court to allow them to keep working in the Gaza Strip and other areas in the occupied Palestinian territory, where the Israeli government is set to halt their life-saving work next month.
· Al Jazeera Staff
‘No sugarcoating it’: Inflation continues to climb, rate rise tipped before budget day
The Reserve Bank is under increasing pressure to consider a rate rise before the next federal budget in May after new figures showed inflation growing through the start of the year.
· Shane Wright
Breaking: Inflation in January slightly hotter than expected
The largest contributor to annual inflation in January was housing, up 6.8 per cent. (ABC News: Sharon Gordon)
· https://www.abc.net.au/news/gareth-hutchens/12002796
FSS chief urges foreign financial companies to join efforts to invigorate market
The chief of South Korea's financial watchdog said Wednesday that foreign financial companies operating here are urged to support efforts to vitalize the local financial markets.
· Yonhap
'Inevitability' of another rate hike after hot inflation
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FSS chief urges foreign financial companies to join efforts to invigorate market
SEOUL, Feb. 25 (Yonhap) -- The chief of South Korea's financial watchdog said Wednesday that foreign financial companies operating here are urged to support efforts to vitalize the local financial markets.
· Park Sang-soo
Gov't devises 2.1 tln-won support package for petrochemical restructuring
The government announced Wednesday a 2.1 trillion-won ($1.45 billion) financial package to support the restructuring project of Lotte Chemical Corp. and HD Hyundai Chemical at the Daesan industrial complex, the first authorized project of a broader self-rescue plan of the ailing petrochemical sector.
· Yonhap
Fresh inflation data deals hammer blow to Aussie households
Property News: Suburbs where house values rose most in the past 12 months.
· Daniel Jeffrey
Trump expected to 'claim victory on the economy' in State of the Union
US President Donald Trump is due to address Congress for the annual State of the Union speech.
· https://www.abc.net.au/news/elissa-steedman/103913586
KOSPI tops 6,000, one month after breaching 5,000
SEOUL, Feb. 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's benchmark stock index breached the 6,000 mark on Wednesday, one month after topping the 5,000-point threshold amid an extended rally in chipmakers.
· Choi Kyong-ae
US wants stable trade ties with China but does not trust it, lawmakers clarifyCongressional hearings reflect bipartisan concern and highlight persistent advanced tech market tension as key Trump-Xi summit looms.
Congressional hearings reflect bipartisan concern and highlight persistent advanced tech market tension as key Trump-Xi summit looms
· Khushboo Razdan
Exclusive | Tech hub, aerospace industry set for major boost in Hong Kong budget: sourcesGovernment insiders say finance chief Paul Chan’s budget speech will boost development of San Tin Technopole and emerging ‘NewSpace’ sector.
Officials eye ‘tripartite cooperation’ between developers and tech firms to drive Northern Metropolis progress
· Olga Wong
Can Paul Chan’s budget help Hong Kong’s economy strike a purple patch?
South China Morning Post examines how political and economic factors will shape budget and what Hongkongers can expect from it
· Matthew Cheng
Register now: Applications open for the World's Top Fintech Companies 2026
Applications are now open for the fourth edition of CNBC's World's Top Fintech Companies list, produced in partnership with market research firm Statista.
· Tasmin Lockwood
Grim warning on economy by Australia's top accounting group
Australia's accountants are warning sluggish productivity levels are threatening the nation's living standards, economic growth and competitiveness.CPA Australia, the peak professional accounting body, says the federal government must take steps now to lift productivity levels instead of kicking the can down the st…
· Richard Wood
Gov't devises 2.1 tln-won support package for petrochemical restructuring
SEOUL, Feb. 25 (Yonhap) -- The government announced Wednesday a 2.1 trillion-won (US$1.45 billion) financial package to support the restructuring project of Lotte Chemical Corp. and HD Hyundai Chemical at the Daesan industrial complex, the first authorized project of a broader self-rescue plan of the ailing petroche…
· Kim Na-young
US embassy in Israel will provide consular services to settlers in occupied West Bank
The US State Department will begin providing on-site consular services to Israeli settlers in West Bank settlements for the first time, according to a statement released on Tuesday by the US embassy in Jerusalem.
· https://www.facebook.com/middleeasteye/
(EDITORIAL from Korea JoongAng Daily on Feb. 25)
Foreign media warn of Korea stock risks as debt-fueled trading grows
· Yi Wonju
How major US stock indexes fared Tuesday, 2/24/2026
The U.S. stock market rose after getting a reminder that the artificial-intelligence technology boom may also have an upside.
· https://apnews.com/author/the-associated-press
US embassy to offer its first consular services at an Israeli settlement in the West Bank
JERUSALEM (AP) — The U.S. embassy in Jerusalem plans to offer consular services for the first time at an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank.
Appeals court questions shifting reasons for Trump’s EPA killing clean energy contracts
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) building is seen in Washington on Sept. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)
· https://apnews.com/author/michael-phillis
US will offer passport services in West Bank for first time
The United States will provide on-site passport services this week in the West Bank town of Efrat, marking the first time American consular officials have offered such services in the region, US officials said on Tuesday.
Australia news live: bomb threat at PM’s residence ‘very troubling’, Gallagher says; tennis boss Craig Tiley leaving for US
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· https://www.theguardian.com/profile/nick-visser,https://www.theguardian.com/profile/caitlin-cassidy,https://www.theguardian.com/profile/josh-butler,https://www.theguardian.com/profile/adam-morton,https://www.theguardian.com/profile/natasha-may
Korea Herald [Ajaypal Banga] Creating jobs for 1.2 billion youth
The world moves on different wavelengths. Some are high-frequency shocks -- wars, emerging technologies, market panics -- that spike quickly and dominate our attention. Others are low-frequency forces that move slowly but relentlessly: demographics, globalization, water and food scarcity.
· Korea Herald
Joblessness looms large, is SL prepared to address it? - DailyNews
There is public concern now regarding the move by a powerful garments manufacturing company to close down one of its factories in Thulhiriya. The company appears to have considered the relocation of the factory to India considering market gains. Still, it has threatened the employment opportunities for 1400 people l…
· Gayan Abeykoon
Overseas Realty records Rs 9.2 Bn PBT - DailyNews
Overseas Realty (Ceylon) PLC released the 4th Quarter Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year ending December 31, 2025 delivering strong financial performance recording Group Revenue of Rs. 11,944 million, reflecting a 49% increase over the previous year and Group Profit Before Tax of Rs 9,266 million.
· Gayan Abeykoon
TWC Capital advises CBL Group on USD 25 Mn Indonesian acquisition - DailyNews
TWC Capital (PVT) LTD, the corporate financial advisory arm of TWC Holdings, acted as the exclusive buy-side financial adviser to CBL Group on its acquisition of PT Tri Jaya Tangguh Indonesia (TJT), a large-scale coconut processing facility in Indonesia, with an investment exceeding USD 25 million.
· Gayan Abeykoon
MAS Thulhiriya facility shut for long-term operational resilience - DailyNews
MAS Holdings announced that the company’s strategic decision to cease garment manufacturing operations at its Methliya facility in Thulhiriya is part of a broader effort to re-position the business in response to the prolonged contraction in global apparel demand and evolving market conditions. The company said that…
· Gayan Abeykoon
NDB Bank spearheads clean-up initiative at Negombo Lagoon - DailyNews
NDB Bank recently spearheaded a large-scale environmental clean-up initiative at the Negombo Lagoon, reinforcing its long-term commitment to environmental sustainability through its ongoing ‘Adopt a Lagoon’ programme in partnership with Clean Ocean Force.
· Gayan Abeykoon
ComBank partners David Pieris Automobiles to offer leasing packages for GWM and BAIC vehicles - DailyNews
Driven by a commitment to elevate customer lifestyles while making the best in mobility accessible to all, the Commercial Bank of Ceylon has entered into a strategic partnership with David Pieris Automobiles (Pvt) Ltd., to promote the GWM and BAIC range of vehicles marketed by the latter, via a specially structured …
· Gayan Abeykoon
RDB Bank appoints Asoka Bandara, Wasanthe Nandasiri as Board Directors - DailyNews
RDB Bank, a government owned premier development bank has announced the appointment of its new Directors. The newly appointed Board brings together a team of experienced professionals with diverse expertise in finance, development, governance, and management to guide the Bank towards achieving its strategic vision o…
· Gayan Abeykoon
David Pieris Solar partners HNB to promote renewable energy solutions - DailyNews
David Pieris Renewable Energy (Private) Limited (DPRE), marketer of David Pieris Solar and the renewable energy arm of the David Pieris Group, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB) to promote the adoption of solar energy solutions among customers in both the domesti…
· Gayan Abeykoon
Shares - Colombo Stock Exchange ( Market Statistics on 24.02.2026 ) - DailyNews
Sri Lanka’s most Trusted and Innovative media services provider
· Gayan Abeykoon
Four years of war in Ukraine leaves Russia a 'spent force', analyst says
Topic:Unrest, Conflict and War
· https://www.abc.net.au/news/laura-tingle/9711054
Ramadan markets an 'antidote to hate' amid anti-Muslim rhetoric
Topic:Multiculturalism
· https://www.abc.net.au/news/max-walden/11029686
As Epstein Brokered Rothschild Bank Deals, DEA Ran Secret Probe Into $50M Laundering Scheme
A newly uncovered DEA document from the DOJ's Jeffrey Epstein files release reveals that Epstein was the subject of a secret, 5-year investigation by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) on suspicions of laundering approximately $50 million through a web of illicit drug and prostitution networks - yet federal prosecuto…
· Tyler Durden
ASX set to rise as Wall Street rebounds
The US stock market is rebounding after getting a reminder that the artificial-intelligence technology boom may also have an upside.
· Stan Choe
Ozempic maker sheds $US475b and weight-loss crown after disastrous trial
Novo Nordisk’s next-generation weight-loss drug CagriSema has been labelled obsolete before it even hits the market after the pharma giant’s trial results failed to match the performance of existing obesity drugs from rival Eli Lilly.
· Colin Kruger
‘No nice-to-haves’: Albanese demands ministers find billions in savings for May budget
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has demanded ministers find savings and delay spending to avoid adding fuel to the inflation fire ahead of a budget that insiders say will be pitched as a belt-tightening exercise.
· Paul Sakkal
Zelensky and EU leaders honour war dead as Ukraine marks four years
Ukraine marked four years since Russia’s invasion with a church service in Kyiv. President Volodymyr Zelensky stood beside European leaders and ministers to honour those killed. Candles were lit as prayers were read for soldiers and civilians lost since February 2022. Zelensky said Vladimir Putin had not broken Ukra…
· AfricaNews
IFRS and the boardroom
IN many boardrooms, financial statements are treated like a sealed envelope. They are opened briefly, reviewed for key figures, then quietly set aside once the auditors have signed. The assumption is simple: accountants prepared the numbers and auditors checked them, so everything must be fine.
· Floyd Paguio
China's consumer market sees a strong start to the Year of the Horse
CHINA’S Year of the Horse Spring Festival holiday concluded on Monday and unleashed a surge in tourism and consumer spending, with multiple key indicators reaching historic highs.
· Global Times
China becomes global box office champion so far in 2026
CHINA has overtaken North America as the world’s top-grossing film market for the time being, with its 2026 box office revenue (including presales) surpassing 7 billion yuan (about $970 million) as of Saturday, slightly higher than North America’s $938 million, according to online ticketing platforms.
· Global Times
AI, robotics fuel new year spending surge
CHINA’S consumer market has kicked off the year with a surge in demand for high-tech products, as strong sales of drones and artificial intelligence (AI) glasses, combined with heightened interest in robots following their appearance at the Spring Festival Gala, fuel a broader wave of technology-driven spending.
· Global Times
Takeaways from Trump's address: Sales mode on economy, heavy on patriotism, dark turn on Democrats
In a marathon State of the Union address, President Donald Trump ticked through claimed victories, insisting the U.S. is “winning so much” even as his approval slips, and blasting Democrats as “crazy” for remaining seated rather than standing to applaud.
· https://apnews.com/author/steven-sloan
IDF in pursuit of terrorist following attempted ramming near Jerusalem tunnel
Israel Police announced the detention of a suspect who is being investigated for an attempted ramming occured at a checkpoint in the West Bank near Jerusalem on Tuesday afternoon.
Four Iranian civilians killed after military helicopter crashes into market
A routine morning in a central Iran market turned into a disaster Tuesday when an Iranian army helicopter crashed into a fruit and vegetable bazaar in Isfahan province, killing four people and prompting an emergency response as officials blamed a mechanical problem for the deadly impact.
US Fed officials wrestle with Supreme Court's tariff ruling
US Federal Reserve officials are trying to determine the impact the Supreme Court's rejection of President Donald Trump's tariffs will have on inflation and interest rate decisions.
· Kyle Fitzgerald