[2026-05-19 00:45 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Zero Hedge

Title: "Scale Matters": NextEra, Dominion To Merge In Utility Megadeal Aimed At Grid Expansion To Power AI Boom

Snippet: As power demand surges on the back of data-center buildouts, with hyperscalers expected to unleash about $700 billion in capex this year to expand AI infrastructure and maintain an edge over China in the AI compute race, NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy are moving to scale up. The utilities agreed to a $67 billion all-stock merger that would create the world's largest regulated electric utility network.

Read full article: https://www.zerohedge.com/ai/scale-matters-nextera-dominion-merge-utility-megadeal-aimed-grid-expansion-power-ai-boom

[2026-05-19 00:44 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The National (UAE)

Title: G7 finance ministers hold Paris talks in bid to contain Hormuz crisis | The National

Snippet: The G7 finance ministers gathered in Paris on Monday for a meeting on tackling the world economy's structural fault lines – but one issue loomed large: alleviating the economic fallout from the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz.

Read full article: https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/europe/2026/05/18/g7-finance-ministers-hold-paris-talks-in-bid-to-contain-hormuz-crisis/

[2026-05-19 00:30 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Zero Hedge

Title: "Shockingly Bad" Chinese Econ Data Stuns Wall Street, Sparks Hard Landing Concerns

Snippet: Confirming our Sunday preview, overnight China reported growth data which slowed across the board in April with investment resuming declines, retail sales missing sales and growing at the weakest rate in 4 years while industrial production rose at the slowest pace in three years, calling into question Beijing's reluctance to add stimulus to the economy as a global energy crisis hits factories and consumers across the world.

Read full article: https://www.zerohedge.com/economics/shockingly-bad-chinese-econ-data-stuns-wall-street-sparks-hard-landing-concerns

[2026-05-19 00:22 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The National (UAE)

Title: ADGM posts 57% increase in assets under management in first quarter | The National

Snippet: Abu Dhabi’s ADGM posted a 57 per cent increase in assets under management in the first quarter of this year amid strong business momentum, as well as the continued flow of capital and talent to the emirate’s financial centre.

Read full article: https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/economy/2026/05/18/adgm-posts-57-increase-in-assets-under-management-in-first-quarter/

[2026-05-19 00:00 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 92]

Source: The National (UAE)

Title: Has the UK become ungovernable? | The National

Snippet: Here’s a quick quiz question: what country has the fastest-growing economy in the G7? The answer is, the UK.

Read full article: https://www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/comment/2026/05/19/uk-british-politics-broken-keir-starmer-wes-streeting-labour-conservatives/

[2026-05-18 23:46 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Manila Times

Title: World Bank approves $350M loan for Bangladesh energy crunch

Snippet: DHAKA. Bangladesh — The World Bank said on Monday it has approved a $350 million loan to help Bangladesh manage rising fuel import pressures and strengthen energy security after shortages linked to the Middle East war.

Read full article: https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/05/18/news/world/world-bank-approves-350m-loan-for-bangladesh-energy-crunch/2346373

[2026-05-18 23:25 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Zero Hedge

Title: Key Events This Week: Nvidia Earnings, FOMC Minutes And Global PMIs

Snippet: Looking at the week ahead, Nvidia’s earnings on Wednesday, with a market capitalisation now of $5.46tn, will be the main event. In economics, we have the global flash PMIs on Thursday, along with inflation data from Canada tomorrow, the UK on Wednesday, and Japan on Friday. From central banks, the highlight will be the FOMC minutes on Wednesday.

Read full article: https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/key-events-week-nvidia-earnings-fomc-minutes-and-global-pmis

[2026-05-18 23:16 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: RT News

Title: Why world attention is turning eastward as global leaders visit China

Snippet: By William Jones, a special commentator for CGTN, is a former Washington bureau chief for Executive Intelligence Review News Service and a non-resident fellow of the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies

Read full article: https://www.rt.com/news/640139-global-leaders-visit-china/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=RSS

[2026-05-18 23:16 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: RT News

Title: Why world attention is turning eastward as global leaders visit China

Snippet: By William Jones, a special commentator for CGTN, is a former Washington bureau chief for Executive Intelligence Review News Service and a non-resident fellow of the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies

Read full article: https://www.rt.com/news/640139-global-leaders-visit-china/

[2026-05-18 23:10 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: CNBC

Title: Bank of England does not need to hike interest rates, says IMF — it may even need to cut

Snippet: Renewed inflationary pressures in the U.K. since the outbreak of the Iran war have upended monetary policy expectations, with the Bank of England forecast to hold, if not hike, interest rates this year.

Read full article: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/18/bank-of-england-interest-rates-inflation-imf-gdp.html

[2026-05-18 23:10 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Zero Hedge

Title: The Question This Week Is "Does Trump Go Back To The Well On Bombing Iran?"

Snippet: By Benjamin Picton, Senior Market Strategist at Rabobank

Read full article: https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/question-week-does-trump-go-back-well-bombing-iran

[2026-05-18 22:32 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Jerusalem Post

Title: Avi Bluth signs West Bank security amendment, go ahead to implement terrorist death penalty bill

Snippet: IDF Central Command chief Maj.-Gen. Avi Bluth on Monday signed an amendment to the West Bank’s security regulations, allowing the approved death penalty law for terrorists to go into effect.

Read full article: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-896519

[2026-05-18 22:30 UTC+10:00] [South China Morning Post] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: China and Russia hold trade expo as Putin and Trump visits draw global attention

Snippet: Expo in Harbin highlights expanding economic ties amid rising geopolitical and trade uncertainties

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3353980/china-and-russia-hold-trade-expo-putin-and-trump-visits-draw-global-attention

[2026-05-18 22:30 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: China and Russia hold trade expo as Putin and Trump visits draw global attention

Snippet: Expo in Harbin highlights expanding economic ties amid rising geopolitical and trade uncertainties

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3353980/china-and-russia-hold-trade-expo-putin-and-trump-visits-draw-global-attention?utm_source=rss_feed

[2026-05-18 22:00 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: As China’s yuan emerges as a global currency, Beijing faces a balancing act

Snippet: China’s top foreign exchange regulator said in an article that authorities would seek to keep the yuan ‘basically stable’

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3353975/chinas-yuan-emerges-global-currency-beijing-faces-balancing-act?utm_source=rss_feed

[2026-05-18 22:00 UTC+10:00] [Tommie Fang] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: As China’s yuan emerges as a global currency, Beijing faces a balancing act

Snippet: China’s top foreign exchange regulator said in an article that authorities would seek to keep the yuan ‘basically stable’

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3353975/chinas-yuan-emerges-global-currency-beijing-faces-balancing-act

[2026-05-18 21:42 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Zero Hedge

Title: Futures Slide After Bond Yields, Oil Prices Jump Around The Globe

Snippet: Futures are lower, but off their overnight lows as markets focus on soaring global yields after US/Iran talk progress remains stalled (but at least armed hostilities did not resume contrary to some speculation). Yields also spiked on rising oil prices, concerns of an extra budget in Japan and continued political chaos in the UK.

Read full article: https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/futures-slide-after-bond-yields-oil-prices-jump-around-globe

[2026-05-18 21:19 UTC+10:00] [AI (artificial intelligence)] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Guardian Australia

Title: Anthropic to share Mythos cyber flaw findings with global finance watchdog

Snippet: Startup has declined to release Claude Mythos AI model publicly amid fears it could be used by hackers

Read full article: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/may/18/anthropic-ai-claude-mythos-cyber-financial-stability-board-fsb

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

Source: BBC News

Title: UK growth forecast upgraded by IMF but risks remain

Snippet: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has upgraded its forecast for the UK's growth this year, but warned the Iran war and "domestic uncertainty" could hit the economy.

Read full article: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2p72mmddyo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss

[2026-05-18 20:59 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: Australia orders Chinese investors to divest from rare earths company Northern Minerals

Snippet: The company will force divestment from two individuals and four companies due to Chinese affiliation

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3353989/australia-orders-chinese-investors-divest-rare-earths-company-northern-minerals?utm_source=rss_feed

[2026-05-18 20:59 UTC+10:00] [Rare Earths] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: Australia orders Chinese investors to divest from rare earths company Northern Minerals

Snippet: The company will force divestment from two individuals and four companies due to Chinese affiliation

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3353989/australia-orders-chinese-investors-divest-rare-earths-company-northern-minerals

[2026-05-18 20:34 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: RT News

Title: Smartphones linked to plunging global birth rates – FT

Snippet: Smartphones and weaker face-to-face relationships could be contributing to plunging birth rates worldwide, particularly among young people, as global fertility is declining at a record pace, the Financial Times has reported, citing researchers and demographic data.

Read full article: https://www.rt.com/news/640122-smartphone-fertility-decline/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=RSS

[2026-05-18 20:34 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: RT News

Title: Read Full Article at RT.com

Snippet: Smartphones and weaker face-to-face relationships could be contributing to plunging birth rates worldwide, particularly among young people, as global fertility is declining at a record pace, the Financial Times has reported, citing researchers and demographic data.

Read full article: https://www.rt.com/news/640122-smartphone-fertility-decline/

[2026-05-18 19:15 UTC+10:00] [Business / The economy] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Age

Title: Trump’s war is crippling one of the world’s richest nations

Snippet: In Qatar, a desert peninsula protruding into the Persian Gulf, natural gas turned the country from a pearl-diving backwater into one of the world’s wealthiest nations.

Read full article: https://www.theage.com.au/business/the-economy/trump-s-war-is-crippling-one-of-the-world-s-richest-nations-20260518-p5zxy0.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed

[2026-05-18 19:00 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 92]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: South Korea stifling Samsung workers’ US$400,000 bonus strike risks wider crisis

Snippet: Seoul is considering using a rarely used emergency power to halt a strike that could cost the economy US$67 billion

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3353960/south-korea-stifling-samsung-workers-us400000-bonus-strike-risks-wider-crisis?utm_source=rss_feed

[2026-05-18 19:00 UTC+10:00] [University of Seoul] [Factuality: 92]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: South Korea stifling Samsung workers’ US$400,000 bonus strike risks wider crisis

Snippet: Seoul is considering using a rarely used emergency power to halt a strike that could cost the economy US$67 billion

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3353960/south-korea-stifling-samsung-workers-us400000-bonus-strike-risks-wider-crisis

[2026-05-18 18:55 UTC+10:00] [Oil] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Guardian Australia

Title: Oil prices rise and bonds wobble as Iran war stokes inflation fears

Snippet: Trump warning over peace talks drives up crude price as UK gilts hit by uncertainty over Starmer leadership

Read full article: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/may/18/oil-prices-rise-bonds-iran-war-peace-talks-inflation-trump-crude-gilts-starmer

[2026-05-18 18:37 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Local Spain

Title: Spain mulls tighter mortgage requirements

Snippet: The Bank of Spain is considering imposing stricter rules for securing a mortgage, while acknowledging this could have an impact on young and lower-income buyers in the country.

Read full article: https://www.thelocal.es/20260518/spain-mulls-tighter-mortgage-requirements

[2026-05-18 18:30 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: Why Asia’s rental housing markets outside Japan are luring investors

Snippet: While Japan remains the most developed market, property investors are finding new opportunities elsewhere in the region

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3353926/why-asias-rental-housing-markets-outside-japan-are-luring-investors?utm_source=rss_feed

[2026-05-18 18:30 UTC+10:00] [property] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: Why Asia’s rental housing markets outside Japan are luring investors

Snippet: While Japan remains the most developed market, property investors are finding new opportunities elsewhere in the region

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3353926/why-asias-rental-housing-markets-outside-japan-are-luring-investors

[2026-05-18 18:02 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: CNBC

Title: Britain’s prospective next PM tries to placate bond markets after sell-off, gilts steady

Snippet: U.K. gilt yields steadied on Monday after coming under heavy selling pressure last week, as traders gauge whether a challenge to Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership poses a threat to the country's fiscal stability.

Read full article: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/18/burnham-gilts-inflation-starmer-interest-rates-bonds.html

[2026-05-18 17:18 UTC+10:00] [All News] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Korea Herald

Title: Seoul shares rebound from deep trough on chip gains

Snippet: South Korean stocks closed higher Monday, rebounding from a steep decline the previous session, as investors scooped up major chipmakers, including market heavyweight Samsung Electronics. The local currency gained ground against the greenback.

Read full article: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10740263

[2026-05-18 17:12 UTC+10:00] [Australian police and policing] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Guardian Australia

Title: Police running out of room to store illegal cigarettes they’ve seized amid Australia’s booming illicit trade

Snippet: Inquiry into black market hears cost of destroying vapes has also soared, with some requiring manual dismantling

Read full article: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/may/18/illegal-tobacco-cigarettes-vapes-australia-police-run-out-storage

[2026-05-18 16:55 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: CNBC

Title: Treasury yields rise amid global bond rout as inflation fears grip investors

Snippet: U.S. Treasury yields continued their ascent on Monday as global bond markets sold off amid concerns of resurgent inflationary pressures.

Read full article: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/18/treasury-yields-inflation-bond-rout-oil.html

[2026-05-18 16:35 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South Korea

Title: Seoul shares rebound from deep trough on chip gains

Snippet: SEOUL, May 18 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks closed higher Monday, rebounding from a steep decline the previous session, as investors scooped up major chipmakers, including market heavyweight Samsung Electronics. The local currency gained ground against the greenback.

Read full article: https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260518007700320

[2026-05-18 16:03 UTC+10:00] [All News] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Korea Herald

Title: Business lobbies urge Samsung union to call off strike over economic risks

Snippet: Six major business groups warn prolonged walkout could disrupt chip exports, weaken investment, hurt Korea’s broader economy

Read full article: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10740193

[2026-05-18 15:54 UTC+10:00] [All News] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Korea Herald

Title: KOICA, Turkey partner on tourism education in Tajikistan

Snippet: Since 2017, I have covered South Korea’s political and economic landscape as a reporter, with a focus on foreign affairs, inter-Korean relations and security.As a foreign affairs reporter, I closely follow developments from the Ministry of Unification, the Foreign Ministry and the Defense Ministry, tracking shifts in diplomacy, military policy and North Korea’s evolving posture.

Read full article: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10740178

[2026-05-18 15:49 UTC+10:00] [All News] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Korea Herald

Title: North Korea's Kim holds first division-brigade commanders’ meeting amid military revamp

Snippet: Since 2017, I have covered South Korea’s political and economic landscape as a reporter, with a focus on foreign affairs, inter-Korean relations and security.As a foreign affairs reporter, I closely follow developments from the Ministry of Unification, the Foreign Ministry and the Defense Ministry, tracking shifts in diplomacy, military policy and North Korea’s evolving posture.

Read full article: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10740173

[2026-05-18 15:44 UTC+10:00] [All News] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Korea Herald

Title: [Photo News] Hana expands social-impact internship

Snippet: Ham Young-joo (second row, ninth from left) poses with officials and participants during a ceremony marking the launch of this year’s Power On Innovative Companies Internship program at the group's headquarters in central Seoul on Friday. The program, aimed at expanding support for social innovation companies, provides 2.3 million won ($1,530) in monthly wage support for three months to 250 companies, with an additional two months of support if interns are hired full-time.

Read full article: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10740165

[2026-05-18 15:33 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Manila Times

Title: Diesel, gasoline prices to go up May 19

Snippet: MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy on Monday said that diesel and gasoline prices will go up on Tuesday, May 19, due mostly to the market reacting to developments in the Middle East.

Read full article: https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/05/18/news/diesel-gasoline-prices-to-go-up-may-19/2345847

[2026-05-18 15:27 UTC+10:00] [News] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Michael West Media

Title: China’s economy loses steam as domestic demand drops

Snippet: May 18, 2026 15:27 | News

Read full article: https://michaelwest.com.au/chinas-economy-loses-steam-as-domestic-demand-drops/

[2026-05-18 15:24 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The National (UAE)

Title: Death-penalty law for Palestinians in West Bank takes effect in Israel | The National

Snippet: The death-penalty law passed in March by the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, has come into effect after an army commander signed an order implementing the measure, Israeli media has reported.

Read full article: https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2026/05/18/death-penalty-law-for-palestinians-in-west-bank-takes-effect-in-israel/

[2026-05-18 15:04 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 92]

Source: Middle East Eye

Title: CNN: Iran eyeing control over key internet cable routes

Snippet: CNN reported that Iran is seeking to expand its regional influence by focusing on submarine internet cables that carry communications and financial data between Europe, Asia and Gulf countries following tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Read full article: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/cnn-iran-eyeing-control-over-key-internet-cable-routes

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

Source: CNBC

Title: Novo Nordisk’s next obesity battlefront: Winning beyond America

Snippet: Novo Nordisk has told CNBC how it is preparing to go "all in" on launching its Wegovy pill outside the U.S, as the battle for dominance of the weight-loss market goes global.

Read full article: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/18/novo-nordisk-wegovy-pill-launch-eli-lilly-foundayo-weight-loss.html

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

Source: CNBC

Title: Why a small UK lender has major U.S. credit firms on edge

Snippet: The collapse of Market Financial Solutions continues to reverberate across the broader financial services sector, echoing the implosion of U.S. auto parts supplier First Brands last year. It comes amid deepening fears that stress in niche credit markets could spill over to the broader banking system.

Read full article: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/18/mfs-private-credit-insolvency-banks-failure-collapse-barclays-mortgage.html

[2026-05-18 14:53 UTC+10:00] [Business / Companies] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Age

Title: Ex-transport minister, directors allegedly kept market in the dark about airline’s dire straits

Snippet: Rex Airlines directors, including a former federal transport minister, knew the failed airline was publishing an “unreasonable and unsupportable” profit forecast before reversing course and revealing a $35 million loss in 2023, lawyers for the corporate regulator told a court on Monday.

Read full article: https://www.theage.com.au/business/companies/ex-transport-minister-directors-allegedly-kept-market-in-the-dark-about-airline-s-dire-straits-20260518-p5zy4r.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed

[2026-05-18 14:39 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: AP News

Title: Asian shares slip and oil prices gain as Iran talks stall

Snippet: A person walks in front of an electronic stock board showing Japan’s Nikkei index at a securities firm Monday, May 18, 2026, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Read full article: https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-china-trump-iran-e7b781e8e2394be6486fa5f006e5e06e

[2026-05-18 14:20 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Nikkei Asia

Title: Thailand's Q1 GDP growth picks up, bucking trend among ASEAN peers

Snippet: A gas station in Bangkok. Thailand's GDP growth accelerated in the January-March quarter, but high fuel prices are expected to weigh on the economy in the April-June quarter. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)

Read full article: https://asia.nikkei.com/economy/thailand-s-q1-gdp-growth-picks-up-bucking-trend-among-asean-peers

[2026-05-18 14:10 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Nikkei Asia

Title: China's retail sales grow at slowest pace since COVID pandemic

Snippet: A staff member stocks a freezer with meat products at a supermarket in Beijing. © Reuters

Read full article: https://asia.nikkei.com/economy/china-s-retail-sales-grow-at-slowest-pace-since-covid-pandemic

[2026-05-18 14:01 UTC+10:00] [Sydney] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Guardian Australia

Title: ‘Quieter and cleaner’: Sydney to trial electric ferry after two-year delay, with new fish market route slated for 2029

Snippet: NSW transport minister says contracts signed for 24-metre, battery electric ferry to be trialled for 12 months from 2028

Read full article: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/may/18/sydney-electric-ferry-trial-new-fish-market-route