[2026-05-21 16:35 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: CNBC

Title: Japan’s megabanks post record profits, but analysts warn growth may slow as risks mount

Snippet: Japan's largest banks posted record annual profits in their latest financial results, but earnings growth could slow as credit costs rise and geopolitical risks cloud the outlook, analysts say.

Read full article: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/21/japan-megabanks-profits-growth-risks-sumitomo-mitsui-mizuho-mitsubishi-ufj.html

[2026-05-21 16:30 UTC+10:00] [Business / Companies] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Age

Title: West Wits bags A$74.4M funding for South African gold push

Snippet: West Wits Mining has bagged a major ZAR 875 million (A$74.4M) senior funding deal with two of South Africa’s most heavy-hitting financial institutions, Absa Bank and Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking.

Read full article: https://www.theage.com.au/business/companies/west-wits-bags-a-74-4m-funding-for-south-african-gold-push-20260521-p5zzkp.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed

[2026-05-21 16:26 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South Korea

Title: S. Korea, IDB discuss bilateral cooperation building on AI

Snippet: SEOUL, May 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) agreed to seek closer cooperation in carrying out development projects in Latin America using artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, the finance ministry said Thursday.

Read full article: https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260521007600320

[2026-05-21 16:15 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South Korea

Title: Offshore retail investors to be allowed ETF trading via omnibus accounts: chief regulator

Snippet: SEOUL, May 21 (Yonhap) -- The chief of the country's financial regulator said Thursday his agency will soon revise regulations for offshore retail investors so they can buy and sell exchange-traded funds (ETFs) via so-called omnibus accounts, a move aimed at attracting more foreign capital into the domestic stock market.

Read full article: https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260521007300320

[2026-05-21 16:00 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South Korea

Title: Financial firms vow support for shippers hit by Middle East war

Snippet: SEOUL, May 21 (Yonhap) -- The chief of the country's financial regulator said Thursday that local insurers and other financial firms will provide full support to small and mid-sized shipping companies hit by the war between the United States and Iran in the Middle East.

Read full article: https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260521003600320

[2026-05-21 15:55 UTC+10:00] [National / NSW] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Age

Title: Second mega-club in firing line over dirty cash claims

Snippet: The financial crimes watchdog has ordered the state’s second most profitable club to appoint an external auditor to assess whether it has left itself open to criminal infiltration, as it broadens its crackdown on money laundering in suburban clubs.

Read full article: https://www.theage.com.au/national/nsw/second-mega-club-in-firing-line-over-dirty-cash-claims-20260521-p5zzg8.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed

[2026-05-21 15:55 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South Korea

Title: Presidential office pledges active support for reasonable labor-management settlement

Snippet: SEOUL, May 21 (Yonhap) -- The presidential office on Thursday pledged to provide active support for companies and labor unions to settle negotiations in a reasonable manner, emphasizing the impact that labor-management disputes can have on the economy.

Read full article: https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260521006800315

[2026-05-21 15:18 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Jerusalem Post

Title: Gov’t approves 250m. NIS plan to preserve West Bank heritage sites ahead of Six-Day War anniversary

Snippet: The government on Wednesday approved a 250 million NIS plan to preserve heritage and antiquities sites across the West Bank, Jordan Valley, and the Judean Desert, ahead of the anniversary of the Six-Day War in June.

Read full article: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-896868

[2026-05-21 14:45 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Manila Times

Title: DA files complaints with Ombudsman vs Public Works officials, private contractors over ghost road projects in Davao Occidental

Snippet: MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has filed complaints with the Office of the Ombudsman against several Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials and private contractors over ghost farm-to-market road (FMR) projects in Davao Occidental.

Read full article: https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/05/21/news/da-files-complaints-with-ombudsman-vs-public-works-officials-private-contractors-over-ghost-road-projects-in-davao-occidental/2348798

[2026-05-21 14:40 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Manila Times

Title: Google unveils smart glasses, taking on Meta

Snippet: MOUNTAIN VIEW, California — Google on Tuesday unveiled the design of new smart glasses, returning to a market the tech giant tried — and failed — to crack more than a decade ago.

Read full article: https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/05/21/business/sunday-business-it/google-unveils-smart-glasses-taking-on-meta/2348797

[2026-05-21 14:10 UTC+10:00] [All News] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Korea Herald

Title: HD Hyundai joins TerraPower’s Natrium reactor supply chain

Snippet: HD Hyundai said Thursday that its shipbuilding arm HD Hyundai Heavy Industries signed a framework agreement with TerraPower to supply key components for next-generation sodium-cooled nuclear reactors, strengthening its push into the global small modular reactor market.

Read full article: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10742776

[2026-05-21 14:02 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: AP News

Title: As America hits 250, many Brits say one man defines it: Trump

Snippet: A man walks along the south bank of the River Thames backdropped by the Elizabeth Tower, known as Big Ben, of the Houses of Parliament, in London, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File)

Read full article: https://apnews.com/article/trump-britain-250-america-king-7a13dbcba29b2fdfc52640dfd8b0bea8

[2026-05-21 14:00 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The National (UAE)

Title: Why the logic of trade must change | The National

Snippet: For decades, globalisation rested on a comfortable assumption: goods would flow. Oil through Hormuz, containers through Suez, grain across the Black Sea and semiconductors out of East Asia. The system was imperfect but efficient, rewarding speed, scale and the cheapest route. That era is not ending — it has ended.

Read full article: https://www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/comment/2026/05/21/hormuz-red-sea-trade-economy-energy-middle-east/

[2026-05-21 13:58 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 95]

Source: The Manila Times

Title: 'Very strong' El Niño expected late 2026 could worsen food, energy inflation, according to market study

Snippet: MANILA, Philippines — The country could face renewed pressure on rice prices and food security as the risk of a very strong El Niño continued to rise, Metrobank Wealth Insights said, potentially disrupting agricultural output across major rice-exporting countries.

Read full article: https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/05/21/business/very-strong-el-nio-expected-late-2026-could-worsen-food-energy-inflation-according-to-market-study/2348791

[2026-05-21 13:50 UTC+10:00] [Unemployment] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Guardian Australia

Title: Australia’s unemployment rate jumps to 4.5% in ‘tentative signs labour market is buckling’

Snippet: Surprise rise in jobless rate will give Reserve Bank more reason to delay another interest rate hike at June meeting

Read full article: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/may/21/australia-unemployment-rate-jumps-job-market-rba-reserve-bank

[2026-05-21 13:29 UTC+10:00] [Editors' Pick] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Rappler

Title: DA sues DPWH officials over ‘ghost’ farm-to-market roads in Davao Occidental

Snippet: This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Read full article: https://www.rappler.com/philippines/department-agriculture-sues-dpwh-officials-ghost-farm-market-roads-davao-occidental/

[2026-05-21 13:07 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Nikkei Asia

Title: Malaysia, Singapore exports surge on AI boom, defying Mideast shock

Snippet: A container terminal in Singapore. The city-state's benchmark nonoil domestic exports grew 24.5% year on year in April. © Reuters

Read full article: https://asia.nikkei.com/economy/trade/malaysia-singapore-exports-surge-on-ai-boom-defying-mideast-shock

[2026-05-21 13:00 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South Korea

Title: Gov't seeks to complete 70 pct of tasks for S. Korea's MSCI inclusion in H1

Snippet: SEOUL, May 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korea plans to complete at least 70 percent of the tasks required in the first half for inclusion in the developed market status under Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI), the finance ministry said Thursday.

Read full article: https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260521004500320

[2026-05-21 12:34 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South Korea

Title: Seoul stocks sharply up late Thu. morning on tech rallies

Snippet: SEOUL, May 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks traded sharply higher late Thursday morning as Samsung Electronics averted a strike and other market heavyweights advanced on hopes for a possible agreement between the United States and Iran to end the war in the Middle East.

Read full article: https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260521004900320

[2026-05-21 12:25 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: AP News

Title: Asian shares surge, tracking Wall Street's tech rally

Snippet: A currency trader talks on the phone near a screen showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) and the foreign exchange rate between U.S. dollar and South Korean won, left, at the foreign exchange dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

Read full article: https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-rates-oil-nvidia-kospi-d42265575e6ca7edd4fea8edce5a74f3

[2026-05-21 12:24 UTC+10:00] [All News] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Korea Herald

Title: NH NongHyup deepens Indonesia push with Mayapada parternship

Snippet: NH NongHyup Financial Group said Thursday it had signed a strategic partnership with Mayapada Group, a prominent Indonesian conglomerate spanning banking, health care, property, retail and media.

Read full article: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10742675

[2026-05-21 12:21 UTC+10:00] [Politics / Federal] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Age

Title: Unemployment climbs to highest level in almost five years

Snippet: There are signs the war against Iran, the surge in inflation and the Reserve Bank’s hikes to interest rates are starting to hit the jobs market.

Read full article: https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/unemployment-climbs-to-highest-level-in-almost-five-years-20260521-p5zzf9.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed

[2026-05-21 12:17 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 92]

Source: The Jerusalem Post

Title: US State Dept. watchdog investigates Gaza aid group over emergency aid spending

Snippet: The US State Department’s oversight body is investigating the now-defunct Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and its use of millions of dollars in emergency aid funding, the Financial Times reported Wednesday, citing three people familiar with the inquiry.

Read full article: https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-896919

[2026-05-21 12:00 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South Korea

Title: Watchdog calls on financial firms to push for customer-centered digital transformation

Snippet: SEOUL, May 21 (Yonhap) -- The country's financial watchdog said Thursday financial firms have been asked to proceed with their push for digital transformation with customer protection in focus.

Read full article: https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260521003400320

[2026-05-21 11:50 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: ABC News

Title: Financial lifeline for NSW businesses, communities hit by highway closure

Snippet: Thu 21 May 2026 at 11:50am

Read full article: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-21/great-western-highway-financial-support/106699634

[2026-05-21 11:00 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Manila Times

Title: The world built more coal power in 2025, but used less

Snippet: BANGKOK, Thailand — The world built and commissioned more coal power in 2025, but used the polluting fuel less, with the United States the only major economy to substantially increase generation, analysis showed Thursday.

Read full article: https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/05/21/world/asia-oceania/the-world-built-more-coal-power-in-2025-but-used-less/2348752

[2026-05-21 10:55 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Zero Hedge

Title: New Fed Chair Pledges 'Regime Change' To Fight Inflation - Here's What That Could Mean In Practice

Snippet: Authored by Kevin Stocklin via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),

Read full article: https://www.zerohedge.com/political/new-fed-chair-pledges-regime-change-fight-inflation-heres-what-could-mean-practice

[2026-05-21 10:54 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 90]

Source: CNBC

Title: Nvidia says it has ‘largely conceded’ China’s AI chip market to Huawei

Snippet: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said the company has "largely conceded" China's artificial intelligence chip market to Huawei, as U.S. export restrictions continue to reshape the global AI semiconductor landscape.

Read full article: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/21/nvidia-jensen-huang-china-ai-chip-market-huawei.html

[2026-05-21 10:27 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 92]

Source: Nikkei Asia

Title: Elon Musk's SpaceX IPO excludes China as a market but warns it is a threat

Snippet: Elon Musk’s SpaceX is seeking to raise up to $80 billion in an IPO that would value the company at a $2 trillion. © Reuters

Read full article: https://asia.nikkei.com/business/markets/ipo/elon-musk-s-spacex-ipo-excludes-china-as-a-market-but-warns-it-is-a-threat

[2026-05-21 10:27 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 92]

Source: Nikkei Asia

Title: Elon Musk's SpaceX IPO omits China as a market but warns it is a threat

Snippet: Elon Musk’s SpaceX is seeking to raise up to $80 billion in an IPO that would value the company at a $2 trillion. © Reuters

Read full article: https://asia.nikkei.com/business/markets/ipo/elon-musk-s-spacex-ipo-omits-china-as-a-market-but-warns-it-is-a-threat

[2026-05-21 10:00 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South Korea

Title: Seoul to seek financial support for Mideast partners amid geopolitical crisis

Snippet: SEOUL, May 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's finance minister said Thursday the country will seek to provide financial support to partners in the Middle East facing temporary liquidity shortages due to the prolonged conflict in the region.

Read full article: https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260521001900320

[2026-05-21 09:00 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: Hong Kong’s Central Asia pivot to boost belt and road role, analysts say

Snippet: Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are logical destinations for city to pursue business opportunities amid geopolitical uncertainty, analysts say

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3354240/hong-kongs-central-asia-pivot-boost-belt-and-road-role-analysts-say?utm_source=rss_feed

[2026-05-21 09:00 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: Hong Kong’s Central Asia pivot aims to boost belt and road role, analysts say

Snippet: Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are logical destinations for city to pursue business opportunities amid geopolitical uncertainty, analysts say

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3354240/hong-kongs-central-asia-pivot-boost-belt-and-road-role-analysts-say

[2026-05-21 08:58 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 92]

Source: South Korea

Title: (News Focus) Samsung wage deal eases fears of economic shock, global chip supply disruption

Snippet: SEOUL, May 21 (Yonhap) -- Samsung Electronics Co., the world's largest memory chipmaker, and its largest labor union reached a last-minute wage agreement, easing concerns over potential damage to South Korea's export-driven economy and disruptions to the global supply chain.

Read full article: https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260521001100320

[2026-05-21 08:50 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Zero Hedge

Title: West Virginia Has America's Highest Gas-Price Burden

Snippet: Americans are still paying elevated prices at the pump in 2026, but the biggest financial burden is falling on states with lower household incomes rather than the highest fuel prices.

Read full article: https://www.zerohedge.com/personal-finance/west-virginia-has-americas-highest-gas-price-burden

[2026-05-21 08:19 UTC+10:00] [Sport / Soccer] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Age

Title: Football Australia to post $15.3 million loss as full scale of financial troubles revealed

Snippet: The true extent of Football Australia’s financial turmoil can be revealed, with the game’s governing body set to post a staggering loss of $15.3 million - almost double the previous record deficit of $8.3 million set last year.

Read full article: https://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/football-australia-to-post-15-3-million-loss-as-full-scale-of-financial-troubles-revealed-20260521-p5zzas.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed

[2026-05-21 08:01 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South Korea

Title: (EDITORIAL from Korea Herald on May 21)

Snippet: Beyond a bonus disputeSamsung Electronics conflict underscores Korea's widening labor market inequality

Read full article: https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260521000600320

[2026-05-21 08:00 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: New York Post

Title: Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Lee Cronin’s The Mummy’ on VOD, An Extremely Nasty Take On A Classic Monster Movie Formula

Snippet: Pinging the Qualitative Gore Index deep into the red this week is Lee Cronin’s The Mummy (now streaming on VOD platforms like Amazon Prime Video), a grosser-than-gross goop ‘n’ spew ‘n’ splatfest in which Lee Cronin is NOT the mummy, because that apostrophe functions as possessive, not as a contraction.

Read full article: https://decider.com/2026/05/20/lee-cronins-the-mummy-stream-it-or-skip-it/

[2026-05-21 07:26 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: ABC News

Title: Gen Zs who approach share market like 'lottery ticket' could pay more tax

Snippet: Topic:Federal Government

Read full article: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-21/gen-zs-take-a-lottery-ticket-approach-investing-cgt-changes/106698386

[2026-05-21 07:22 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: AP News

Title: SpaceX reveals plans for what could be the biggest-ever sale of stock to the public

Snippet: SpaceX’s latest version of it’s mega rocket Starship is prepared for a test flight from Starbase, Texas, Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Read full article: https://apnews.com/article/spacex-initial-public-offering-musk-da83ecf78085755a522b8376254a8273

[2026-05-21 07:20 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Zero Hedge

Title: Lowe's CEO Warns Housing Market "Most Difficult" Since Financial Crisis As DIY Project Demand Crumbles

Snippet: Home improvement retailers such as Home Depot and Lowe's warned this week that consumers remain reluctant to splurge on big-ticket home improvement items, as elevated mortgage rates, high home prices, energy inflation, weakening sentiment, and broader macroeconomic uncertainty weigh on demand.

Read full article: https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/lowes-ceo-warns-housing-market-most-difficult-financial-crisis-diy-project-demand-crumbles

[2026-05-21 07:16 UTC+10:00] [National] [Factuality: 100]

Source: 9News

Title: Con-woman Melissa Caddick's victims share 'small pot' last cash

Snippet: Investors defrauded by Melissa Caddick who have recouped losses through a class action will not benefit from a final payout from liquidators of her property.Caddick was a self-styled financial advisor who conned 55 family and friends out of $23 million between 2012 and 2020 and lived a life of luxury through her investment scam.The 49-year-old disappeared in November 2020, days after her luxury home in Sydney's affluent east was raided by ASIC agents investigating her Ponzi scheme.LIVE UPDATES: Trump's bizarre

Read full article: https://www.9news.com.au/national/melissa-caddick-con-woman-victims-share-small-pot-final-cash/eba54293-a47c-4d12-9e82-10dbffea4a6d

[2026-05-21 07:00 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South Korea

Title: Producer prices rise at fastest pace in 28 yrs in April on oil cost surge

Snippet: SEOUL, May 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's producer prices increased at the fastest clip in more than 28 years in April due mainly to higher petroleum and raw materials prices stemming from the ongoing Middle East crisis, central bank data showed Thursday.

Read full article: https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260520011900320

[2026-05-21 06:50 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: AP News

Title: Michigan's aging population could have serious consequences

Snippet: An aging population, rising retirement rates and a stagnating labor market could have serious consequences for the state and its residents if left unaddressed, state demographers said Friday.

Read full article: https://apnews.com/article/michigan-aging-population-labor-market-tax-revenue-bd582393425aa96633949ea5b4b2f287

[2026-05-21 06:30 UTC+10:00] [All News] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Korea Herald

Title: [Lee Jae-min]Sixteen years on the fence: Time for Korea to come down

Snippet: This project has had quite a journey — it started as an American idea, was dropped by America, and was then picked up and brought to life by Japan and Australia. It is the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which finally entered into force in December 2018.

Read full article: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10742231

[2026-05-21 06:16 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: AP News

Title: How major US stock indexes fared Wednesday 5/20/2026

Snippet: The U.S. stock market bounced back after pressure eased on Wall Street from the bond market and oil prices gave back some of their big gains.

Read full article: https://apnews.com/article/wall-street-stocks-dow-nasdaq-0a2d8550772c20a7e44c982145a22278

[2026-05-21 06:13 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Middle East Eye

Title: Iran stock market reopens after nearly three-month shutdown

Snippet: Iran’s stock market reopened this week after a closure lasting nearly three months, with trading resuming under controlled conditions and investor restrictions.

Read full article: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/iran-stock-market-reopens-after-nearly-three-month-shutdown

[2026-05-21 05:29 UTC+10:00] [World] [Factuality: 100]

Source: 9News

Title: $52 billion bank giving 'lower-value human capital' the flick

Snippet: Auto news: These are Australia's safest roads.

Read full article: https://www.9news.com.au/world/ai-workplace-changes-standard-chartered-ceo-bill-winters-says-8000-lower-valuehuman-capital-to-be-replaced/2c93a77e-eaa0-4110-916c-46c275c578d9

[2026-05-21 05:19 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Jerusalem Post

Title: Supreme court gives Gaza NGOs 30 days to submit employee lists, backs Israel registration rule

Snippet: Israel’s Supreme Court of Justice has rejected a petition filed by AIDA, an umbrella organization representing 19 international non-governmental aid organizations operating in Gaza and the West Bank, against government NGO registration requirements.

Read full article: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-896889

[2026-05-21 05:14 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The National (UAE)

Title: Standard Chartered CEO's 'lower-value human capital' comments draw ire | The National

Snippet: Standard Chartered chief executive Bill Winters has sparked concern at the global bank after talking of redundancies, with artificial intelligence replacing "lower-value human capital" – despite efforts to explain the remarks away.

Read full article: https://www.thenationalnews.com/future/technology/2026/05/20/bill-winters-comments-ai-lower-value-human-capital/