Bank Indonesia independence questioned as Prabowo nominates nephew to board
Thomas Djiwandono’s nomination comes amid fears that monetary policy autonomy may fall victim to the president’s ambitious economic targets
· Reuters
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Newest first · UTC+11:0058% more applicants per job in Hong Kong in 2025 amid AI takeover of roles
Jobsdb Hong Kong says competition even keener for frontline roles, but some jobs hit by AI, with technology automating many repetitive processes
· Leopold Chen
Baby bust: China births plunge 17% in 2025 to historic low as population shrinks
With Beijing having accelerated family-support policies and childcare subsidies, analysts warn that structural reforms are vital to arrest the deepening slide
· Luna Sun
Rs. 2,000 note: Central Bank explains security features and how to verify authenticity - DailyNews
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has issued guidelines to help the public easily verify the authenticity of the Rs. 2,000 commemorative currency note, released on 28 August 2025 to mark the Bank’s 75th anniversary.
· Supuni Kulasinghe
23 dead, over 60 missing after massive fire destroys Pakistan shopping centre
Police say the market’s layout and presence of flammable materials such as carpets and blankets kept the blaze going throughout the weekend
· Reuters
China’s securities regulator clamps down on speculation to prevent sharp swings
CSRC signals it wants a slower but longer stock market rally after trading volumes and margin financing hit record highs
· Yulu Ao
Harbouring ambitions: China’s port giants make waves with record growth
Record container volumes drive ambitious expansions at Shanghai and Ningbo ports as Beijing bets on smart hubs and regional integration to weather global volatility
· Carol Yang
Vietnam's Communist Party congress meets to pick new leaders - DailyNews
Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party is meeting to pick new leaders and set key targets for the young, fast-growing economy.
· Supuni Kulasinghe
2-day Hong Kong Marathon could boost mega-event economy: lawmakers
Organisers also urged to design routes through less congested areas, such as Kai Tak and Northern Metropolis, to reduce traffic disruptions
· Leopold Chen
China’s Davos sales pitch: stability, reliability and not being Trump
Vice-Premier He Lifeng is expected to pitch China as a reliable partner on Tuesday, contrasting Beijing’s stability with Trump’s unilateralism before US president’s address
· Xiaofei Xu
The fast-growth mirage of Modinomics - Asia Times
In the hushed corridors of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF), a comforting refrain echoes: India, they insist, is the world’s
· Bhim Bhurtel
Hong Kong eyes slice of booming ‘NewSpace’ economy as professional services hub
Chief Executive’s Policy Unit reveals that it recently hosted a high-level round table on the space economy
· Lo Hoi-ying
China hits 2025 GDP target – but quarterly growth drops to 3-year low
China logs 5 per cent GDP growth in 2025, 4.5 per cent in fourth quarter as Beijing acknowledges ‘long-standing issues and new challenges’
· Sylvia Ma
purportedly
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has launched a fresh critique of his country’s work ethic, questioning why employees take an average of “almost three weeks” of sick leave annually instead of working harder to boost the dwindling national economy.
· RT
Fires
Firefighters cite lack of ventilation in Pakistan shopping mall
2026 corporate earnings forecast to grow 10%- BRS - DailyNews
Bartleet Religare Securities (BRS) has projected that earnings for Sri Lanka’s listed entities will grow by 10% year-on-year to reach LKR 765 billion in 2026. In their January 2026 strategy presentation, the firm set a year-end target for the All-Share Price Index (ASPI) at 23,500 based on a market price-to-earnings…
· damith
Coconut production records notable YoY increase - DailyNews
Coconut production sustained its growth momentum, recording a notable year-on-year increase in November 2025 and achieving a positive growth during January to November. However, this growth also reflects the base effect following the sharp production decline in 2024, Central Bank’s recent Weekly Economic Indicators …
· damith
Tokyo Cement seeks approval for low clinker cement - DailyNews
Tokyo Cement is currently seeking regulatory approval to introduce low-clinker cement to the local market. Widely adopted in Europe for its environmental benefits, this sustainable alternative offers a crucial solution to the rising costs within the construction sector.
· damith
Manoj Akmeemana appointed Deputy Chief Executive Officer at SDB bank - DailyNews
SDB bank welcomes Manoj Akmeemana as its Deputy Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant leadership appointment as the Bank continues to strengthen its executive capacity to support long-term growth, sharper execution and stronger institutional resilience.
· damith
People’s Bank celebrates Thai Pongal with religious observance - DailyNews
People’s Bank conducted Thai Pongal celebrations at its Kotahena and Pettah branches under the patronage of People’s Bank Chairman, Prof. Narada Fernando and Chief Executive Officer/General Manager, Clive Fonseka.
· damith
Mercantile Investments empowers communities expanding reach to 90 branches - DailyNews
Mercantile Investments & Finance PLC (MI Finance), one of Sri Lanka’s most trusted non‑bank financial institutions with a legacy of over 60 years, expanded its footprint to 90 branches by December, reiterating a commitment to accessibility, customer convenience, and community empowerment.
· damith
READ MORE: Musk sues OpenAI and Microsoft for $134 billion
Elon Musk is asking OpenAI and Microsoft to pay him damages amounting to $134 billion, according to a court filing submitted by his lawyer on Friday. The US-based billionaire claims that the company behind ChatGPT obtained “wrongful gains” from his early financial support.
· RT
Financial literacy will be central to the UK’s future prosperity
PublishedJanuary 18 2026
· Lucy Rigby
Bankeinbruch in Gelsenkirchen: Vernehmung Tausender Kunden
Der Einbruch war spektakulär: Ende Dezember stiegen die Täter in die Sparkassen-Filiale im Gelsenkirchener Stadtteil Buer ein. Sie überwanden alle Sicherungssysteme und bohrten von einem benachbarten Parkhaus aus ein großes Loch in den Tresorraum der Bank im Westen Deutschlands. Dann räumten sie dort unbehelligt die…
· Deutsche Welle
China’s advances in AI fuel tech stock boom, help it shake off economic malaise
China’s rise recasts the country from a low-cost base to a credible US tech challenger, just as global capital hunts for next growth engine
· Bloomberg
Hong Kong crime film exhibition at old Yau Ma Tei police station a hot ticket
More than 80 per cent of tickets for January sold, says Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries Drew Lai
· Harvey Kong
Hong Kong steps up bid to become global gold trading hub with Shanghai agreement
Two cities set to sign memorandum of understanding at the 19th Asian Financial Forum next week, paving way for cross-border gold trade clearing
· Oscar Liu
Hotel conversions gain traction in China’s office market amid high vacancies
In Hangzhou, one office building now houses around 10 hotels, alongside restaurants, photography studios and second-hand luxury stores
· Zhu Wenqian
Can China’s cosmetics brands rival K-beauty and refashion global markets?
Once the top export market for South Korean cosmetics, Chinese firms lead at home and have made headway overseas – but gaps remain
· Yeon Woo Lee
In wake of Trump post, calls mount for China to impose rate cap on online loans
Beijing tightened oversight of China’s online lending market last year, but many are still borrowing, especially those of younger generations
· Sylvia Ma
Israeli settlers empty last Bedouin village in West Bank
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SHKP sells all 229 Sierra Sea units on offer as buyers cautiously return
Last weekend, SHKP sold all 213 units on offer at the same project, underscoring that demand was returning to the market
· Zhang Shidong
Scam, corruption cases spark Chinese debate about future of virtual money
The Chen Zhi arrest might push bitcoin prices down temporarily, but analysts said other factors will have greater sway in the long term
· Kandy Wong
FT: США думают над работой "Совета мира" и в Украине
Американские чиновники предлагают расширить действие "Совета мира", созданного с целью воплощения в жизнь мирного плана для сектора Газа и возглавляемого президентом США Дональдом Трампом, на Украину, Венесуэлу и другие кризисные регионы мира. Об этом пишет со ссылкой на источники британская газета Financial Times (…
· Кристиан Таль
Philippines enters its ‘hour of danger’ in Marcos vs Duterte clash
Analysts warn of a ‘very messy year’ ahead as coup fears swirl, the economy falters and political warfare rages out in the open
· Raissa Robles
Trump names Blair, Rubio to Gaza ‘board of peace’
Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, envoy Steve Witkoff and World Bank President Ajay Banga will also be on the panel chaired by the US leader
· Agence France-Presse
FT: ЕС разрабатывает двуступенчатую модель членства
Брюссель разрабатывает предложения по реформированию системы присоединения к ЕС, действующей со времен холодной войны, и хочет заменить ее на двухступенчатую модель, которая может ускорить вступление Украины в случае мирного соглашения Киева и Москвы. Об этом в пятницу, 16 января, сообщила газета Financial Times (FT).
· Михаэль Роштанд
AI is reshaping US-China tech race – can electricity tilt the balance?
Already home to world’s largest power system, Beijing moves to lock in advantage through record investment
· Luna Sun
Hong Kong plans to build Northern Metropolis logistics hub for smart, green growth
Hub will focus on high-value goods, e-commerce and low-altitude economy, with authorities to gauge interest in the cluster’s first site this year
· Fiona Sun
आर्थिक संकट से जूझ रही हैं जर्मनी की कई स्थानीय सरकारें
श्टुटगार्ट से करीब आधे घंटे की दूरी पर दक्षिणी जर्मनी में बसा वाइसाख, कुछ समय पहले तक जर्मनी की सबसे अमीर नगर पालिका हुआ करती था. लगभग 7,700 की आबादी वाला शहर लग्जरी कार बनाने वाली कंपनी, पोर्शे का डेवलपमेंट सेंटर भी है. इसके अरबों डॉलर के मुनाफे से नगर पालिका को काफी फायदा मिलता था. जिसके वाणिज्य कर से जमा होने वाल…
· साबीने किनकार्त्ज
Galloping horses theme of Hong Kong’s Lunar New Year fireworks display
Jockey Club will sponsor show as part of campaign to celebrate the equine zodiac throughout the Year of the Horse, from races to exhibitions
· Jess Ma
Ex-Hong Kong Disneyland boss to take reins as CEO of Kai Tak Sports Park
Andrew Kam will take over from CEO John Sharkey, who is stepping down after a nearly 10-year stint
· Ambrose Li
Number of registered companies in Hong Kong reaches record 1.56 million in 2025
According to Companies Registry, 195,343 were newly registered local and redomiciled firms, while 99,406 dissolved over the same period
· Lam Ka-sing
Canada, China hit reset button on relations with tariff agreement
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the deal, which features a mutual reduction in tariffs on goods, including Chinese EVs
· Ji Siqi
China dominates global humanoid robot market with over 80% of installations
AgiBot and Unitree help China capture bulk of global deployments in 2025 as market heads for sixfold growth by 2027, report says
· Iris Deng
Hong Kong’s finance chief warns of market volatility, pledges support for families
Amid market swings, Financial Secretary Paul Chan urges fiscal prudence and vows to review child tax breaks to tackle record-low birth rate
· William Yiu
Opinion | China’s economy is struggling – even as its hi-tech sector booms
China’s pivot to a tech-driven economy is thrilling, but its success will be judged by how it improves people’s everyday lives
· Ningrong Liu
[In This Economy] Welcome to the wait-and-see economy
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· Chay Hofilena
China’s slowing growth, bilateral tensions top US business concerns
Survey by American Chamber of Commerce in China finds that expectations for Sino-US ties have ‘improved significantly’
· Ralph Jennings