Alibaba Group has pledged 3 billion yuan ($431 million) to promote its Qwen AI app during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, significantly outpacing similar campaigns by rivals Tencent and Baidu and marking a major escalation in China's competitive AI landscape.
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) is poised to grant its inaugural stablecoin issuer licenses in March, with approvals expected for only a select few firms. The move transitions the city's digital asset framework from sandbox testing to a formally regulated market, focusing on stringent risk controls and credible use cases.
President Trump's apparent endorsement of a weaker dollar is not mere rhetoric but a strategic pillar of his economic agenda, aimed at boosting US competitiveness and narrowing the trade deficit, with significant implications for global central banks and currency markets.
UK Labour leader Keir Starmer urges sustained engagement with Beijing, countering Donald Trump's call for Western disengagement and highlighting deepening geopolitical divides.
Iran has summoned the ambassadors of all European Union member states in Tehran in a sharp diplomatic protest against the bloc's move to formally designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.
Iranian officials confirm active review of diplomatic channels with Washington, signaling potential de-escalation as military posturing continues in the Gulf region.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announces plans to send food and essential supplies to Cuba, vowing to pursue diplomatic channels for fuel shipments despite recent U.S. sanctions threats.
India's latest budget proposal maintains its stringent 30% tax on crypto gains and 1% TDS, while introducing a new penalty regime for non-compliance with transaction reporting, including daily fines and a flat $545 charge for errors.
With a partial government shutdown underway, House Speaker Mike Johnson confronts a dual crisis: securing passage of a federal funding package and mediating an intensifying political battle over the scope and tactics of Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.
After years of relentless growth, a cooling trend is taking hold in several Western U.S. housing markets. We examine the metros where prices are falling, what's driving the change, and how prospective buyers can navigate this shifting landscape.
The Kospi index plunged over 5% in its sharpest drop since April, halting program trading and dragging down chip giants Samsung and SK Hynix. The selloff, fueled by global risk-off sentiment and doubts over AI spending, tests the resilience of one of the world's hottest equity markets.
A Nevada court has issued a temporary restraining order against prediction market platform Polymarket, blocking it from offering event contracts to state residents. The ruling marks a significant early victory for state gaming regulators amid a national debate over who should oversee these fast-growing markets.
Iran has summoned the ambassadors of all European Union member states in Tehran in a sharp diplomatic protest against the bloc's recent decision to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. The move, triggered by the IRGC's alleged role in suppressing protests, deepens Iran's isolation amid heightened regional tensions.
The S&P 500's 1.4% rise in January 2026 aligns with a decades-old market indicator, the 'January Barometer,' which historically signals strong full-year performance. Analysis of the past 40 years shows an 80% probability of gains through December following a positive January.
Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, meeting with China's top diplomat Wang Yi in Moscow, reiterated Russia's firm support for Beijing's position on Taiwan, calling it an 'inseparable part' of China. The talks underscore deepening strategic coordination between the two powers amid global tensions.
At a Singapore aviation conference, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford publicly accepted the NTSB's findings that agency failures contributed to a mid-air collision that claimed 67 lives, vowing to implement safety reforms.
Despite a cautious market outlook, shareholders of Hong Leong Industries Berhad have seen their investments nearly triple over the past five years, driven by robust earnings growth and consistent dividends.
The UK's economic recovery faces a significant drag from recently implemented fiscal tightening, with growth forecasts remaining subdued for the coming year, according to a leading economic forecaster.
Israel is set to partially reopen the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, allowing limited pedestrian movement for Palestinians. The move, a condition of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire, comes amid ongoing tensions and a continued ban on foreign journalists.
As the EU's landmark 'Next Generation' fund nears its final payout deadlines, its ambitious goal of modernizing the bloc's economy is being hampered by bureaucracy, skills gaps, and questions over long-term sustainability, despite pockets of innovation.
