Chinese tourist arrivals to Japan plunge 41% in January amid simmering tensions
Impact ripples through Japan’s retail sector, with falling duty-free sales at top department stores highlighting the pain for the industry
· Bloomberg
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Newest first · UTC+11:00China and South Korea team up on a vexing issue: their fast-ageing populations
After years of tense relations, the two nations are finding common ground over their need to adapt to an era of ‘super-aged societies’
· Yeon Woo Lee
Transcript: How a private equity pioneer lost its grip on the market it invented
Michela Tindera, Alexandra Heal and Antoine Gara
Chinese and Indian tourists to boost Europe’s travel market amid US slowdown
This is the first sign of a decline in the post-pandemic boom in American travel to Europe, driven by a strong US dollar
· Reuters
Caso Epstein abala já desgastada imagem do Deutsche Bank
Em retrospecto, pode-se dizer que as relações comerciais com Jeffrey Epstein não foram uma boa decisão do Deutsche Bank.
· Dirk Kaufmann
First NCC meeting on AML/CFT held at CBSL - DailyNews
The first meeting of the National Coordination Committee (NCC) on the Prevention of Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) in Sri Lanka was held recently at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
· Gayan Abeykoon
IMF support should continue to governance reforms - COPF Chairman - DailyNews
Committee on Public Finance Chairman (COPF), Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dr. Harsha de Silva stated in Parliament yesterday (17), that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) should continue its engagement and extend support beyond financial measures to governance reforms.
· Gayan Abeykoon
HNB strengthens education financing with Imperial College Partnership - DailyNews
HNB PLC, the leading private bank in Sri Lanka announces a strategic MoU with Imperial College of Business Studies to introduce a structured education loan programme. This partnership is designed to support students seeking quality academic pathways with flexible financial solutions.
· Gayan Abeykoon
Seylan Bank opens 290th ‘Pahasara’ Library at Sujatha Balika Vidyalaya - DailyNews
Seylan Bank PLC marked another milestone in its flagship Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)initiative by opening its 290th ‘Pahasara’ Library at Sujatha Balika Vidyalaya recently under the patronage of Seylan Bank Director/Chief Executive Officer, Ramesh Jayasekara,Assistant Director of Education Chintha Pe…
· Gayan Abeykoon
Pan Asia Bank posts Rs.4 Bn PAT for second consecutive year - DailyNews
Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC reported a strong financial performance for 2025, marking a year in which the Bank reinforced its position among Sri Lanka’s steadily expanding financial institutions.
· Gayan Abeykoon
Shares - Colombo Stock Exchange ( Market Statistics on 17.02.2026 ) - DailyNews
Sri Lanka’s most Trusted and Innovative media services provider
· Gayan Abeykoon
Creeping commitment? Israeli NGOs warn of plan to grow Jerusalem into West Bank
Around 2,780 housing units are planned for the Geva Binyamin settlement on the West Bank side of the separation barrier
· Agence France-Presse
"Файлы Эпштейна" заставляют Deutsche Bank сильно нервничать
Оглядываясь назад, приходится признать, что для Deutsche Bank было явно не самой лучшей идеей вступать в деловые отношения с американским финансистом Джеффри Эпштейном. Как передают СМИ, у него там было открыто около 40 счетов, и он с их помощью управлял значительной частью своих активов. Сейчас это обходится крупне…
· Дирк Кауфманн
Apa Peran Deutsche Bank dalam Kasus Epstein?
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Tens of thousands line streets for Hong Kong’s Lunar New Year night parade
Float parade to mark start of the Year of the Horse begins with an East-meets-West street party
· Wynna Wong
Chinese e-commerce giant Shein could face EU ban over ‘childlike sex dolls’
Investigation will also look at the systems the online retailer uses to ensure illegal products are not being sold in Europe
· Finbarr Bermingham
Cabinet approves US$ 50 Million for Digital Transformation Project - DailyNews
The Sri Lankan government has finalized negotiations with the World Bank Group to secure a US$ 50 million loan (provided in Special Drawing Rights – SDR) to fund the Sri Lanka Digital Transformation Project.
· Thushan Jayasuriya
Can Indonesia’s US$762 million Ramadan stimulus boost spending and growth?
The package, which includes fare cuts and food handouts, is meant to keep people travelling and shopping, and help shore up early-growth momentum
· Resty Woro Yuniar
Government moves forward with USD 400 million World Bank reform financing - DailyNews
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the Government of Sri Lanka’s proposal to secure USD 400 million from the World Bank to support its ongoing economic reform program. The funding will be provided under the Sri Lanka Resilience, Stability, and Economic Reform Program over a three-year period from 2026 to 2028.
· Supuni Kulasinghe
How Hong Kong will signal gallop towards prosperity with Lunar New Year fireworks
As the city prepares to welcome the Year of the Horse, the SCMP takes a look at the highlights of the spectacle and where best to watch it
· Ng Kang-chung
Strong Lunar New Year demand fuels China’s gold jewellery market
Retailers offer small discounts to spur holiday sales but are set to raise prices after the festival, as investment banks issue bullish outlooks
· Zhu Wenqian
China’s tech self-sufficiency progress evident in these 2 companies
GigaDevice and Montage carve a niche in the semiconductor sector, with the global memory supercycle boosting their fortunes further
· Ann Cao
Sam’s Club cracks China market formula even as foreign retailers shut shop
The warehouse retailer opened 10 new stores in 2025, accelerating expansion in smaller cities like Zhangjiagang and Yangzhou
· Zhu Wenqian
Russia emerges as unlikely growth market for Japan tourism as China pulls back
New visa centres in Moscow and St Petersburg reflect a sharp rise in Russian demand as Chinese arrivals fall amid diplomatic tensions
· Julian Ryall
Can Hong Kong lead a digital gold trading revolution with blockchain innovation?
Beyond banks, asset managers, fintechs and crypto firms are racing to launch innovative tokenised gold products for investors
· Aileen Chuang
Year-end bonuses shrink in China amid slowing growth, report finds
As China heads into the Year of the Horse, its firms’ bonuses have slowed to a trot, with many employees missing out completely
· He Huifeng
Beware excessive ‘fire energy’ in Year of the Horse: Hong Kong feng shui masters
Soothsayers warn of potential volatility in coming lunar year, with city having to navigate geopolitical tensions even as its economy improves
· Lo Hoi-ying
Israeli government approves new West Bank land policy
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Israel is 'advancing the annexation of the West Bank'
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FT: РФ привлекла бывших "вагнеровцев" к диверсиям в Европе
Вербовщики и пропагандисты, которые ранее работали на частную военную компанию (ЧВК) "Вагнер", стали "основным каналом" для организации диверсий, совершаемых в Европе по заданию Кремля. Об этом сообщила в воскресенье, 15 февраля, британская газета Financial Times (FT) со ссылкой на источники в западных спецслужбах и…
· Жан Рофе
Mahiyanganaya to be developed as industrial and commercial city - DailyNews
The Mahiyanganaya Ceramic Corporation land will be developed as an industrial and commercial city. This decision was reached following a special inspection visit made by the Minister of Industries and Entrepreneur Development Sunil Handunnetti to the factory premises recently to initiate the development of the 96-ac…
· Gayan Abeykoon
Prime Lands Residencies posts Rs. 1.50 Bn PAT - DailyNews
Prime Lands Residencies PLC (CSE: PLR) reported strong financial performance for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, keeping shareholder expectations intact.
· Gayan Abeykoon
Purchsing managers’ indices up in Jan. 2026 - DailyNews
Sri Lanka’s private sector activity continued to expand in January 2026, although at a slower pace compared to the previous month, according to the latest Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
· Gayan Abeykoon
Seylan Bank appoints two new Directors W.D. Batagoda and Ramani Samarasundera - DailyNews
Seylan Bank PLC has strengthened its Board of Directors with the appointment of two professionals, W.D. Batagoda as a Non-Executive Director with effect from December 26 and Ramani Samarasundera as an Independent Non-Executive Director with effect from January 26.
· Gayan Abeykoon
DFCC Bank commences community engagement calendar with ‘Ride for Life’ initiative - DailyNews
DFCC Bank PLC marked the start of its 2026 wellbeing and community engagement calendar with its annual Ride for Life initiative, uniting employees and clients across the country to raise awareness on mental health and support Sri Lanka’s 1333 Suicide Prevention Hotline.
· Gayan Abeykoon
HNB elevates home loan solutions in partnership with Groundworth - DailyNews
HNB PLC, the leading private bank in Sri Lanka announced a strategic partnership with Groundworth Pvt Ltd through the signing of a MoU to promote home loan financing for a landmark mixed development project in Colombo.
· Gayan Abeykoon
Shares - Colombo Stock Exchange ( Market Statistics on 16.02.2025 ) - DailyNews
Sri Lanka’s most Trusted and Innovative media services provider
· Gayan Abeykoon
Savouring Serendipity - DailyNews
Foreigners exploring the vibrant streets of Colombo in true adventure style from the buzz of Pettah Market to the ocean breeze at Galle Face Green, every turn bringing a new story to discover.
· Gayan Abeykoon
له پاکستانه د درملو واردولو په اړه د طالبانو د پرېکړې پایلې
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भारत में एक आम आदमी को कितना महंगा पड़ता है कैंसर का इलाज
कैंसर - यह नाम सुनकर एक आम व्यक्ति को जितना डर लगता है उतना ही ज्यादा उनका परिवार इसके खर्चों को लेकर परेशान होता है. भारत में आज भी इसके इलाज में एक आम इंसान की सारी जमा पूंजी खत्म हो जाती है लेकिन कई बार तब भी रोग ठीक नहीं हो पाता.
· रामांशी मिश्रा
Traffic gridlock in Hong Kong as crowds throng last day of Lunar New Year fair
Roads surrounding flower market at Victoria Park and connecting tram and bus routes grind to a halt amid crowds seeking last-minute bargains
· Oscar Liu
Thailand’s economy rebounds despite tourism decline, pandemic
Lagging regional peers since the pandemic, the Thai economy has faced multiple headwinds, including US tariffs, high household debt and a strengthening baht
· Reuters
China’s Xi prioritises ‘AI-plus’ and consumer spending to counter economic risks
Previously unreleased comments by Xi urge income growth and tech breakthroughs, potentially setting stage for measures ahead of March’s parliamentary meetings
· Frank Chen
‘Disgusting’: pre-made Lunar New Year meals lose lustre for Chinese families
Food fight between star influencer and restaurant chain becomes a hot potato at reunion dinner tables as hosts pick quality over convenience
· He Huifeng
Hongkongers make 1.4 million outbound trips ahead of Lunar New Year
Longer holiday, Valentine’s Day overlap drive 21.6 per cent increase in outbound trips from 2025
· Ambrose Li
School economics class: The challenges of a weight-loss economy
PublishedFebruary 16 2026
Hong Kong banks lure wealthy clients with gold, mahjong sets, fireworks
HSBC, Hang Seng Bank, Standard Chartered, Citibank and DBS offer the metal to select clients while it hovers near a record high
· Enoch Yiu
Hong Kong stocks rise to wrap up best lunar-year performance in eight years
As market closes for Lunar New Year, benchmark hits 32 per cent gain since the Year of the Snake began in January 2025
· Yulu Ao
New think tank launched to bridge talent gap in Hong Kong studies
Hong Kong Future Economy Institute’s director says focus on global topics at local universities has led to fewer people researching pressing local issues
· Leopold Chen
ADB appoints Sona Shrestha as Director General for South Asia - DailyNews
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has appointed Sona Shrestha as Director General of its South Asia Department (SARD), where she will lead the development and implementation of ADB’s strategy and operations in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
· Gayan Abeykoon