Hong Kong high-rise inferno kills 44, hundreds still missing

Asian markets continued their upward momentum on Thursday, extending a global rally driven by growing confidence that the US Federal Reserve will deliver a third consecutive interest rate cut next month. Despite earlier concerns about overheated tech valuations, risk appetite returned strongly, lifting shares across major Asian exchanges and boosting assets like bitcoin.

Sri Lanka’s central bank is relying on a $350 million loan tranche from the International Monetary Fund to boost foreign reserves, as the country faces higher-than-expected vehicle imports since a five-year ban was lifted in February. 

Britain’s centre-left Labour government is preparing to announce a tax-raising budget on Wednesday aimed at curbing national debt, strengthening public services, and restoring confidence among financial markets and voters. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to reduce NHS waiting times and ease the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, even as the hard-right Reform UK gains momentum.

Asian stocks extended a global rally on Wednesday after another round of weak US economic data strengthened expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates again next month.

Bangladesh has transformed from a coastal economy into a rising maritime nation through modernisation, innovation, and sustainable development, said Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain.

Asian markets advanced on Tuesday after a series of dovish remarks from US Federal Reserve officials boosted hopes of another interest rate cut next month. The upbeat sentiment was further supported by a tech-driven rally on Wall Street, easing recent concerns over an AI market bubble.

Saudi Arabia has emerged as Bangladesh’s largest source of remittances in the first quarter of the current fiscal year, with inflows rising 43.7% to $1.2 billion — up from $859 million during the same period last year.

Canada and India have agreed to restart stalled talks for a new trade deal, the Indian government said on Sunday, after discussions between the two countries paused following a diplomatic spat two years ago.

Oil prices slipped on Monday, extending last week’s losses, as progress in Russia-Ukraine peace talks and a stronger U.S. dollar pressured the market.

Asian markets mostly edged higher on Monday, lifted by renewed optimism that the U.S. Federal Reserve may move forward with another interest rate cut, easing nerves after a volatile week driven by concerns of a tech-sector bubble.

Bangladesh and China are set to enter a new phase of accelerated trade and investment cooperation, with both countries preparing to deepen industrial integration and diversify economic engagement in response to shifting global dynamics.

Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT), the parent company of the Daily Mail, has reached a £500 million ($654 million) agreement with US-Emirati consortium RedBird IMI to acquire The Telegraph newspaper, the company announced Saturday.

Asian markets struggled to make headway on Wednesday as a bout of nerves over AI valuations held back investors ahead of an earnings update from chip titan Nvidia.

Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed said Tuesday that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has expressed overall satisfaction with Bangladesh’s ongoing economic reforms, while stressing the need to accelerate progress in several key areas.

Asian markets fell sharply on Tuesday, mirroring losses on Wall Street as investor worries mounted over lofty tech valuations ahead of Nvidia’s earnings this week. Concerns are growing that the massive investments fueling this year’s AI-driven market rally may not deliver returns as quickly as expected.

Japan’s economy contracted by 0.4 percent in the July–September quarter, government data showed Monday, marking the first decline since early 2024. The drop was smaller than market expectations of a 0.6 percent fall and followed a revised 0.6 percent expansion in the previous quarter.