Economy

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China’s Inflation Recovery Loses Steam as Factory-Gate Prices Remain in Deflation

Weak consumer demand and prolonged producer price declines highlight ongoing economic strain ahead of key policy meetings

China’s Property Downturn Deepens as S&P Slashes Sales Outlook for 2026

Ratings agency warns oversupply, falling prices, and weak confidence are pushing the housing market further out of reach of recovery

China Condemns UK Visa Expansion for Hong Kong Residents After Jimmy Lai Sentencing

Beijing accuses London of political interference as Britain widens migration pathway amid worsening freedoms in Hong Kong

U.S. Signals Imminent UN Payment as Mounting Arrears Fuel Global Funding Crisis

Washington prepares an initial payout toward billions owed to the United Nations, while pressing for deeper reforms amid warnings of a looming cash shortfall

Cambodia’s Tourism Struggles Amid Scam Hub Stigma and Regional Tensions

Recovery efforts underway as arrests target cybercrime operations and visitor numbers from key markets slump

U.S. Urges Americans to Exit Iran as Washington and Tehran Prepare for Critical Oman Talks

Security alert comes amid military buildup in the Gulf and fragile diplomacy over Iran’s nuclear program and regional influence

RBI Holds Rates at 5.25% as U.S. and EU Trade Deals Brighten India’s Growth Outlook

Central bank pauses after aggressive easing cycle, shifts focus to liquidity and transmission as India targets over 7% GDP growth

Stephen Miran Steps Down From White House Economic Role After Fed Tenure Ends

Rate-cut advocate exits Council of Economic Advisers as his Federal Reserve term expires, opening the door for a new Board appointment

Senate Banking Showdown Puts Fed Nominee Kevin Warsh on Ice

Democrats and at least one Republican push to pause confirmation until Justice Department probes into Jerome Powell and Lisa Cook are resolved

China’s Quirky Consumer Trends Reflect Deeper Economic Unease

Frowning “crying horse” toys fly off shelves while the viral “Are You Dead?” app faces government crackdown

Reserve Bank of Australia Hikes Interest Rates as Inflation Reaches 18-Month High

First rate increase since 2023 lifts benchmark to 3.85% as policymakers respond to accelerating prices, tight labor markets, and stronger economic growth

Johnson Signals Shutdown End in Sight as House Prepares Crucial Vote

Speaker Says He Has the Numbers to Reopen Government by Tuesday, Even Without Democratic Support

China’s Manufacturing Sector Picks Up Pace in January as Private PMI Hits Three-Month High

Factory output and export orders strengthen ahead of Lunar New Year, even as rising costs and weak confidence cloud the outlook

Oil Prices Sink Sharply as U.S.–Iran Dialogue Calms Supply Shock Fears

Brent drops more than 4% after Trump signals progress with Tehran, while rising global supply adds further pressure

Trump Endorses Bipartisan Senate Funding Plan to Keep Government Running as Shutdown Deadline Nears

President backs six-bill spending package funding most federal agencies through September, while lawmakers split off Homeland Security for a short-term extension to avert an immediate shutdown.

Trump Set to Reveal Next Federal Reserve Chair After Months-Long Search to Replace Jerome Powell

Following a five-month selection process that began with 11 candidates, President Trump says he will announce his pick Friday morning, with Kevin Warsh emerging as the leading contender amid intense market speculation.

U.S. Dollar Tumbles 1.3% After Trump Welcomes Weaker Currency, Marking Sharpest Daily Drop in Nearly a Year

Greenback hits lowest level since early 2022 as president signals comfort with depreciation following a 10% annual slide

Australia Inflation Climbs to 3.6%, Strengthening RBA’s Case to Keep Rates Higher for Longer

Consumer prices hit a six-quarter high as housing costs surge and policymakers warn that interest rate cuts remain unlikely in 2026

China’s Factory Profits Return to Growth in 2025 as Beijing Tames Price Wars and High-Tech Sectors Surge

Industrial earnings snap a three-year losing streak, led by manufacturing and smart electronics, even as mining slumps and domestic demand remains fragile

Japan’s Prime Minister Signals Market Action After Yen Whiplash Sparks Intervention Fears

A sudden jump in the yen, rising bond yields, and election-driven fiscal promises put Tokyo under pressure as officials warn speculators and debate how to fund sweeping tax relief.

U.S. Shutdown Risk Intensifies as Senate Standoff Over DHS Funding Deepens After Minnesota Shooting

Democrats threaten to block a $1.2 trillion government funding package unless Homeland Security spending is removed, while Republicans refuse to budge ahead of Friday’s shutdown deadline

China Keeps a Low Profile at Davos, Yet Shapes the Global Conversation

While Western leaders dominated the headlines, Beijing quietly positioned itself as a pillar of stability as trade tensions, shifting alliances, and economic uncertainty redefine the world order

House Clears $1.2 Trillion Funding Package as Shutdown Deadline Nears

Lawmakers move final spending bills to the Senate with just days to spare, but political and weather risks still loom

Japan’s Inflation Slows to Multi-Year Low as Food Costs Dominate Election Debate

Headline prices cool, but elevated rice costs keep living expenses in focus ahead of Feb. 8 vote

Bank of Japan Lifts Growth Outlook as Election Nears, Keeps Rates at 0.75%

Central bank signals cautious optimism on wages and prices while political and market pressures build

India’s Concert Generation Is Powering a New Consumer Economy

Young spenders, global artists, and live events are turning music fandom into a serious growth engine

South Korea’s Growth Loses Momentum as Fourth-Quarter Expansion Undershoots Forecasts

Construction slump and export pullback drag GDP below expectations despite resilient consumption and easing inflation

Japan’s Export Momentum Slows in December as U.S. Shipments Sink Sharply

Weaker demand from the U.S. drags export growth below forecasts despite strength across Asia and a rebound in imports

Powell Steps Into Supreme Court Showdown Over Trump’s Attempt to Remove Fed Governor Lisa Cook

Rare appearance by the Federal Reserve chair underscores high-stakes legal fight over central bank independence and presidential authority

China Holds Key Lending Rates Steady as Growth Slows and Deflation Deepens

Beijing opts for targeted stimulus over broad rate cuts despite weak demand, sluggish credit growth, and mounting pressure on the economy

Japan Heads to the Polls Early as Takaichi Seeks a Stronger Mandate

Snap election aims to convert record approval ratings into parliamentary strength before economic pressures and geopolitical tensions intensify

Trump Signals Support for Hassett but Boosts Warsh Fed Chair Odds

Former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh emerges as front-runner as Trump hints he wants Hassett to remain in his current role

Trump Proposes $1 Billion Buy-In for Permanent Seats on New Global Board of Peace

Draft charter outlines paid permanent membership, U.S.-led governance, and a Gaza reconstruction mandate

Khanna Revives Bill to Curb Wall Street Landlords as Trump Signals Support for Housing Crackdown

Proposed legislation targets institutional investors in single-family homes amid rising affordability concerns and shifting political rhetoric

China’s Economic Momentum Cools as Q4 Growth Slips to Multi-Year Low

Consumption weakens, property investment deepens its slide, and policymakers face rising pressure to rebalance growth

Some BOJ Officials Eye Earlier Rate Hike Amid Weak Yen and Inflation Pressures

Policymakers consider moving faster than markets expect as Japan faces persistent price pressures and currency depreciation

Global Financial Stability at Risk as Trump Challenges Federal Reserve Independence

European central bankers warn that political pressure on the Fed could trigger systemic risks and higher global inflation

U.S. and Denmark Clash Over Greenland’s Future but Commit to Ongoing Dialogue

Deep divisions remain over sovereignty and self-determination as Washington presses strategic claims

Iran’s Growing Unrest Puts Russia on Edge as a Key Ally Wobbles

Tehran’s instability threatens Moscow’s regional influence, security posture, and strategic ambitions in the Middle East

Trailing in Polls, Trump Pivots Republicans Toward Populist Economics With Uncertain Payoff

Credit card caps, housing limits, and corporate crackdowns mark a sharp shift from conservative orthodoxy as Democrats hammer the GOP on affordability

Talk of U.S. Control Over Greenland Could Trigger Historic Global Fallout, Arctic Leader Warns

Former Icelandic president cautions that any attempt to seize Greenland would fracture Western alliances and destabilize the global order as Trump intensifies Arctic rhetoric

World’s Top Central Bank Leaders Rally Behind Fed Chair Jerome Powell

ECB, Bank of England and other monetary authorities warn that political pressure on the Federal Reserve threatens global financial stability

Oil Jumps Over 2% as Trump Halts Iran Talks and Signals Support for Protesters

Crude prices rally on geopolitical risk after the U.S. president cancels meetings with Tehran and warns of consequences amid escalating unrest

Meta Slashes VR Teams and Shuts Studios as Zuckerberg Redirects Billions Toward AI

Reality Labs layoffs and studio closures highlight Meta’s retreat from the metaverse and an aggressive push into artificial intelligence and wearables

U.S. Action in Venezuela Redraws the Risk Map for Guyana’s Oil Boom

Trump’s intervention is easing pressure on a century-old territorial dispute just as Guyana cements its status as a global energy hotspot

Fed Chair Powell Says Criminal Probe Is Political Pressure, Vows to Defend Central Bank Independence

Jerome Powell links DOJ investigation tied to Fed headquarters renovation to White House frustration over interest rates, triggering market jitters and bipartisan backlash.

Japan Weighs Snap Election as Ruling Party Moves to Dissolve Parliament

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s strong approval ratings prompt the Liberal Democratic Party to consider an early vote just months into her term.

China’s Tech Bet Falls Short as Property Slump and Trade Pressures Weigh on Growth

AI, robotics, and electric vehicles are expanding fast, but their scale remains too small to counter real estate losses, rising job risks, and growing exposure to global trade tensions.

Strait of Hormuz Risk Returns as U.S.–Iran Tensions Put Global Oil Flows on Edge

Markets brace for potential disruption at the world’s most critical energy chokepoint, with analysts warning of price shocks but downplaying the odds of a full shutdown.

Senate Moves to Rein In Trump’s Military Authority After Venezuela Operation

Bipartisan vote signals growing resistance in Congress to unilateral military action, following the U.S. strike that led to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

White House Revives Greenland Push as Trump Signals Strategic Takeover Talks

Washington prepares for sensitive talks with Denmark as security, minerals, and Arctic influence place Greenland at the center of a growing geopolitical dispute.

China’s Inflation Ticks Up to Multi-Year High in December as Demand Improves, But Deflation Pressures Persist

Consumer prices climb at the fastest pace since early 2023, while producer prices remain in decline, highlighting an uneven recovery in the world’s second-largest economy.

Euro Zone Inflation Holds Steady at 2% in December

Core prices ease as ECB stays cautious, signaling potential room for future rate cuts

Private Payrolls Rise 41,000 in December as Small Businesses Lead Hiring

Job growth rebounds after November decline, signaling resilience in the U.S. labor market as 2025 ends

House Moves Closer to Vote on Extending Obamacare Subsidies Despite GOP Resistance

Bipartisan procedural maneuver sets up showdown over health insurance affordability as millions face higher premiums

Trump Administration Halts $10 Billion in Child and Family Aid Over Fraud Allegations

Federal funding freeze targets five Democratic-led states as officials cite large-scale misuse and tighter oversight of social programs

Iran Unrest Escalates Amid Economic Crisis as U.S. Intervention Threat Looms

Protests across the country intensify as Tehran struggles with a collapsing economy and rising tensions with Washington

Why Moscow Is Proceeding With Caution After the Fall of Its Venezuelan Ally

Russia weighs geopolitical upside against the loss of a key partner as U.S. intervention reshapes power dynamics in Latin America

Denmark Enters Crisis Mode as Trump Renews Push for Greenland After Venezuela Strike

Fresh remarks from President Trump revive long-standing tensions over the Arctic territory, alarming Danish and Greenlandic leaders and raising concerns across NATO

San Jose Mayor Breaks With Party Line to Oppose California Billionaire Wealth Tax

Democratic Mayor Matt Mahan warns a proposed one-time 5 percent tax on billionaires could damage Silicon Valley’s innovation economy and ultimately raise costs for working families.

OPEC+ Holds the Line on Oil Production as Geopolitical Strains Intensify

Producers opt for stability over intervention after prices slide sharply and internal tensions mount

Rubio Clarifies U.S. Strategy for Venezuela After Maduro’s Capture

Secretary of State signals pressure-driven transition, rejects claims of direct U.S. rule while highlighting oil leverage

South Korea’s Lee Heads to Beijing for High-Stakes Talks After North Korea Missile Launch

State visit aims to stabilize regional security and deepen economic ties as tensions rise on the Korean Peninsula

Denmark Pushes Back Against Trump’s Greenland Claims

Copenhagen warns Washington to end territorial threats, citing NATO protections and Greenland’s clear rejection of any sale

Swiss Bar Fire Claims Dozens of Lives, With Teen Victims Among the Dead

Police confirm victims as young as 14 in one of Switzerland’s deadliest recent tragedies as nation prepares to mourn

Cuba Reports Dozens of Nationals Killed During U.S. Operation in Venezuela

Havana condemns the raid that led to Nicolas Maduro’s arrest, calling it an act of state terrorism as tensions escalate across the region

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January 5, 2026

Economy

Singapore Posts Fastest Quarterly Growth Since 2021 as Manufacturing Surges

Factory output led a sharp economic rebound in the final quarter, pushing full-year growth well above official expectations despite mounting global trade risks.

Fed Could Cut Rates Faster Than Markets Expect in Early 2026, Warns Mark Zandi

Moody’s Analytics chief economist says labor market cracks, inflation uncertainty, and rising political pressure could force three rate cuts before midyear

House Republicans Demand Testimony From Minnesota Governor as Expanding Fraud Probe Intensifies

Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison summoned to Congress amid allegations of billions in stolen social services funds and widening federal investigations

Trump Opens Second Term With High-Profile Vetoes, Blocking Bipartisan Infrastructure Bills

Colorado water pipeline and Florida land expansion projects halted as lawmakers accuse the president of political retaliation

Fed Minutes Reveal Deep Divisions Behind December Interest Rate Cut

A narrow vote, rising dissent, and conflicting views on inflation and growth highlight how close policymakers came to holding rates steady.

Khanna Pushes Nationwide Fraud Probe as Wealth Tax Backlash Erupts in Silicon Valley

Facing sharp resistance from tech leaders over a proposed billionaire tax, the California lawmaker calls for bipartisan oversight to restore trust and ensure public funds are not lost to waste or corruption.

China’s Factories Return to Growth as Manufacturing Rebounds After Months of Contraction

December data shows factory activity expanding for the first time since March, beating forecasts and signaling stabilizing demand despite ongoing pressure on smaller firms.

Ro Khanna’s Wealth Tax Embrace Triggers Silicon Valley Revolt

As California labor groups push a billionaire tax to fund health care, the tech industry turns on one of its longtime allies

Europe Faces a Defining Choice Between AI Leadership and Climate Commitments

Fund managers warn energy constraints and regulatory pressure could force Europe to rebalance sustainability goals as the global AI race accelerates

America’s Economy Is Growing Fast but Many Households Feel Left Behind

Strong GDP numbers clash with rising costs job anxiety and a widening gap between winners and losers

Justice Department Uncovers Over One Million New Epstein-Related Files, Delaying Full Disclosure

Missed legal deadline, mounting political pressure, and bipartisan outrage intensify scrutiny of DOJ transparency

Kim Jong Un Showcases Naval Expansion and Missile Power in Rare Dual Military Display

North Korean leader inspects nuclear submarine construction and oversees long-range missile test as regional tensions intensify

Fed Rate Cuts Are Lagging Global Peers, Says Top Fed Chair Contender Kevin Hassett

White House economic advisor argues strong growth and AI-driven productivity gains give the U.S. room to ease policy faster

Holiday Shoppers Are Still Spending, but Only When the Deals Are Right, Says Tanger CEO

Strong outlet traffic and heavy promotions help retailers offset weaker consumer confidence and ongoing price concerns

Singapore Inflation Holds at 1.2% as Falling Power Costs Offset Service Price Pressures

November price data undershoots forecasts while strong exports and growth signal economic resilience

U.S. Asserts Control Over Seized Venezuelan Oil and Tankers

Trump confirms Washington will retain crude cargoes amid intensified pressure on Maduro’s government

Denmark Moves to Confront Washington Over Greenland Envoy Appointment

Trump’s decision to name a special U.S. representative for Greenland reignites sovereignty and security tensions

Kremlin Criticizes European and Ukrainian Tweaks to U.S. Peace Proposals

Moscow warns adjustments do little to advance a long-term resolution to the Ukraine conflict

Fed’s Hammack Signals Stability in Interest Rates for the Coming Months

Cleveland Fed President emphasizes inflation concerns and a cautious approach to monetary policy amid slowing rate cuts

China Holds Key Lending Rates Steady as Economic Momentum Softens

Central bank maintains loan prime rates for a seventh month, signaling caution amid weak data and a fragile property sector

Orbán Rejects EU Plan to Tap Frozen Russian Assets for Ukraine Aid

Hungary’s prime minister says legal and political resistance has stalled proposals to unlock hundreds of billions of euros for Kyiv

Bank of England Delivers Fourth Rate Cut of 2025 as Inflation Cools

Benchmark rate lowered to 3.75% after tight committee vote, offering relief to borrowers while sparking debate over the pace of easing in 2026

Japan Inflation Cools Slightly but Stays Above Target for Nearly Four Years

November price data reinforces expectations of a Bank of Japan rate hike despite fragile economic growth

EU Locks In €90 Billion Ukraine Aid Plan for 2026–2027 After Months of Debate

Bloc agrees on joint borrowing to sustain Kyiv’s finances while shelving plans to use frozen Russian assets

Bank of Japan Pushes Interest Rates to Three Decade High as Bond Yields Break 2% Barrier

Historic policy shift accelerates monetary normalization, lifts government borrowing costs, and reshapes outlook for the yen, inflation, and growth

EU Commits Over $105 Billion in Fresh Funding to Support Ukraine Through 2027

Bloc agrees on joint borrowing plan after months of debate, reinforcing long term financial backing while avoiding use of frozen Russian assets

U.S. Greenlights Record Arms Package for Taiwan as Security Pressures Intensify

$11.15 billion defense deal boosts Taipei’s military readiness while sharpening geopolitical tensions with Beijing and regional allies

China’s Youth Turn Back to the State as Government Jobs Attract Record Interest

Economic uncertainty, private-sector layoffs and fading faith in advanced degrees are pushing millions toward civil service careers

Japan’s Export Growth Hits Nine Month High as Overseas Demand Outperforms Forecasts

Strong shipments to Europe and the U.S. offset China weakness, offering a rare bright spot for the Japanese economy

The Rise of the Appetizer Economy as Diners Downshift Spending

Food inflation is reshaping restaurant behavior, with consumers choosing smaller plates, promotions, and value-driven menu items over full entrees

Ukraine Signals Willingness to Drop NATO Bid as U.S.-Led Peace Talks Gain Momentum

Zelenskyy floats major concession in Berlin negotiations as Washington’s envoys report progress toward ending the war with Russia

India’s Inflation Ticks Higher in November as Food and Fuel Relief Fades

Rising prices for essentials lift consumer inflation from record lows, even as the central bank maintains room to support growth

Thailand Rejects Ceasefire Claims and Presses On With Military Action Against Cambodia

Fresh airstrikes and border clashes continue despite U.S. intervention, exposing deep fractures in ceasefire efforts and raising regional stability concerns

Leah Rosenfeld

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December 15, 2025