Japanese motor maker Nidec will not receive an unqualified audit opinion for its annual securities report by the end of October, as its auditor PwC Japan cannot complete the audit in time. The company faces a listing review.
Malaysian customs seized about $12.1 million worth of advanced AI chips this month at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Authorities suspect a smuggling syndicate used the country as a transit point to bypass export controls on US-origin chips.
Gulf states are working on a peace deal to prevent a renewal of war between Iran and the US, aiming for the Strait of Hormuz to reopen within four days of sanctions being lifted. The plan also includes Houthi forces withdrawing from Yemen. The US is aware of the progress but seeks Iran allowing UN weapons inspectors back into the country.
UK Chancellor John Healey is set to deliver his first budget on October 28, 2026, with business leaders, trade unions and bond traders uncertain about its contents. Healey has promised to provide "breathing space" for consumers, but some key decisions may be postponed to a later spending review. The budget's reception will significantly influence Prime Minister Andy Burnham's political agenda.
The UK's 2026 budget is under scrutiny as questions arise about the true Chancellor of the Exchequer, John Healey.
Chancellor John Healey's first budget on Oct 28, 2026, may include tax raids on banks and Amazon, with welfare changes deferred.
Chancellor John Healey acknowledges the UK faces a "difficult moment" but will offer temporary cost of living support and signal future reforms.
The UK Budget on Oct 28, 2026, may include a first-time buyer scheme, a minimum wage increase, and new levies on banks, with details on energy support.
Dubai-based Mashreq Bank is injecting $125 million into its Hong Kong operations to bolster its presence in China-related business, according to CEO Ahmed Abdelaal in an interview.
Rio Tinto has proposed increasing CEO Simon Trott's target remuneration package by 56% to £9.8 million ($13.06 million) as the mining sector competes for top talent. The board is adjusting incentives tied to long-term business outcomes and shareholder returns, with maximum remuneration potentially rising 63% to £18.3 million. The proposal requires shareholder approval.
London Stadium is seeking to increase its capacity and host more events to boost revenue and offset losses, potentially challenging Wembley's dominance. The venue's owner, the Greater London Authority, aims to host up to 24 concerts annually, up from the current limit of 10, as part of efforts to reduce annual losses of around £19 million.
Sharp price swings in European government bonds, particularly French OATs, followed a hawkish European Central Bank statement on September 10. Yields on French 10-year bonds surged over 40 basis points in late September, attributed to hedge fund carry trades.
Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev said regulatory uncertainty in the US is hindering the commitment of substantial assets to tokenized markets, despite a temporary SEC exemption for on-chain stock trading. He believes further rulemaking or legislation is necessary for long-term certainty. Robinhood offers around 200 stock tokens on Robinhood Chain, structured as tokenized debt securities.
Brent crude futures rose 1.62% to $115.70 per barrel and WTI futures gained 1.34% to $101.20 on Wednesday. Renewed Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including a claimed strike on the Ras Tanura refinery, reignited supply fears. Falling U.S. inventories also supported prices.
Thousands rallied outside Portugal's parliament on Tuesday to protest a deepening housing crisis and recent police operations against activists. The demonstrations highlight Portugal's severe home affordability issues, with prices and rents surging while wages lag. Protesters demanded the government scrap a bill speeding up evictions and ending rent caps.
Jio Platforms shares jumped 21% on their Mumbai debut Wednesday, marking a strong start for India's largest-ever initial public offering. The listing values the digital and telecoms unit of Reliance Industries, backed by Meta Platforms and Alphabet's Google, as one of India's biggest companies by market capitalization.
China has begun construction on a massive floating artificial island, described as aircraft carrier-sized, for scientific research. Shanghai Jiao Tong University signed a contract worth over 2.7 billion yuan ($405 million) for the project.
India has become a significant exporter of ammunition and weapons to Europe since the Ukraine war began, but analysts warn that New Delhi has not yet secured a lasting presence in the continent's defense market. A recent report indicated India is now the third-largest arms exporter to Europe, driven by ammunition demand.
Two major unions in Victoria have withdrawn support for the Labor government ahead of the state election. The Australian Services Union launched attack ads against Premier Ben Carroll, calling him a liar, while the Electrical Trades Union will not fund a statewide campaign for Labor, diverting resources to a royal commission defense.
South Korea saw a 13% increase in births in August compared to the previous year, reaching 23,703 babies. This marks the highest August figure since 2019 and the 26th consecutive month of growth. The total fertility rate rose to 0.87. The increase is attributed to more marriages and a larger population in their 30s.
Sir Robert McAlpine has been selected for a £133 million contract to refurbish the Bank of England's Grade I-listed headquarters in London. The main works are scheduled to run until November 2030, with the scope to be developed in sections.
CK Asset Holdings sold a vacant Hong Kong shopping mall and parking spaces for an "exceptionally cheap" price, according to analysts. The developer completed the mall five years ago but never leased it out.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand unexpectedly held interest rates steady on Wednesday, sending the New Zealand dollar tumbling more than 1%. The decision, made by a narrow vote, came despite market expectations for a rate hike. This move precedes policy announcements from the U.S. Federal Reserve and the Bank of Canada later in the day.
South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb is investigating a data leak following a breach of its internal mobile system. The exchange discovered the incident on Tuesday and has notified authorities, stating that customer virtual assets remain secure as the trading system is separate from the compromised work system.
Americans are bearing the largest share of global fuel inflation caused by the Middle East war, with additional costs estimated at $471 per person, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. The report highlights the U.S. portion of $160 billion in global fuel inflation, attributing it to high oil consumption and slow transition from fossil fuels.
Standard Chartered's third-quarter pretax profit surged 27% to $2.25 billion, driven by strong client activity in volatile markets. The bank also raised its full-year income growth target for 2026 to above 7%.
Standard Chartered's third-quarter pretax profit surged 27% to $2.25 billion, leading it to raise its 2026 income growth target.
Standard Chartered's net profit rose 46% to $1.5 billion, driven by cross-border trade loans and wealth management, beating forecasts.
ByteDance is accelerating its push into embodied artificial intelligence by stepping up recruitment for robotics talent. The company is hiring for around a dozen robotics positions within its Seed team, which focuses on AI research and large language model development.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday about the war in Ukraine, Stubb's office said. The leaders emphasized the need for direct discussions to end the conflict, which has direct implications for European security.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian PM Jonas Gahr Stoere spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the war in Ukraine.
Norway and Finland leaders called Putin on Oct. 27 to convey messages for future negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.
Norway and Finland leaders held a frank discussion with Putin on ending the Ukraine war, stressing direct talks are needed for European security.
Two Nordic leaders directly urged Putin to end the Ukraine war, linking the call to upcoming peace talks.
Putin lectured Nordic leaders on Russian history for most of a 90-minute call, offering little on an immediate ceasefire.
European Union officials plan to hold high-level talks with China on currency policy in the coming months, seeking to persuade Beijing to stop holding down its currency. The discussions follow an agreement to cap Chinese hybrid car exports and aim to address fears of a new trade shock impacting the bloc's struggling industries.
Japan's $26 billion "oshikatsu," or fandom, economy is growing rapidly, fueled by digital transformation and a changing definition of fame. The economy encompasses spending on goods and content related to specific people and characters.
The Cheesecake Factory reported strong third-quarter results, with revenue up nearly 14% and comparable sales rising over 15% year-over-year. CEO David Overton attributed the growth to new menu items, a rewards program, and social media engagement. The company's earnings report came days after it was mentioned in a political dispute between former President Barack Obama and President Donald Trump.
U.S. News & World Report named Midland, Michigan, the best city for retirees for a second consecutive year. A HousingWire analysis of the top 10 cities found that eight have median single-family home prices below the national median, with Altoona, Pennsylvania, being 60% lower.
Foreign capital flowing into US assets for AI-driven returns could weaken the dollar's traditional safe-haven role if the trade unwinds, analysts say. A selloff in US equities, credit, or rates could leave the dollar vulnerable, potentially benefiting currencies like the yen and franc.
A survey by Singapore bank DBS found that 88% of businesses are using or piloting tokenized money, with stablecoins being the most adopted instrument. The adoption is driven by a desire for improved liquidity management and access to new markets.
