05 Oct 2025

China's housing market showed mixed trends in September, with new home prices rising slightly while resale prices continued to fall. Despite traditional buying months and multiple government support measures, the sector remains fragile. Defaults by developers have left a significant inventory of unsold and unfinished homes. Analysts suggest the market may not stabilize until 2026 or 2027, as weak incomes, unemployment concerns, and high secondary-market listings dampen demand. Reduced household wealth has limited spending, while declining business confidence further challenges the job market and economic recovery.Read more

05 Oct 2025

Florida has approved donating a 2.63-acre property near downtown Miami for the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library. Valued at INR 5.5 billion (USD 66 million) but potentially worth USD 360 million, the site is currently a Miami Dade College parking lot next to the historic Freedom Tower. Governor DeSantis emphasized the benefits for Miami and Florida, while Eric Trump described the library as a lasting tribute to his father's legacy. Presidential libraries preserve historical records, often feature museum exhibitions, and are generally located in a president's home state.Read more

05 Oct 2025

The UAE housing market is shifting from being driven mainly by location and price to lifestyle-oriented features. According to Property Finder data from 2024-25, residents now prioritise amenities that blend comfort, convenience, and exclusivity. Balconies, maids' rooms, central air conditioning, and covered parking rank among must-haves, while shared gyms, pools, and pet-friendly policies reflect community-focused living. Buyers lean toward premium features like private pools, waterfront views, and gardens, whereas renters prefer practical conveniences. This divide underscores the challenge for developers: catering to both long-term buyers and short-term renters. Projects aligned with these evolving lifestyle preferences are set to lead the UAE property market.Read more

05 Oct 2025

German retail sales fell by 0.2% in August, driven by a 2.0% drop in online and mail-order purchases and a 1.0% decline in non-food retail. Analysts had expected growth, but a revised 0.5% fall in July reflects a continued cooling in consumer activity. Thomas Gitzel, chief economist at VP Bank, attributed the slowdown to cautious household spending amid economic uncertainty. Despite monthly declines, retail sales were up 1.8% year-on-year, showing that overall consumer demand remains steady, though short-term confidence and spending patterns are influenced by caution and concerns about the broader economic situation.Read more

05 Oct 2025

Typhoon Bualoi caused significant damage in northern central Vietnam, with property losses estimated at USD 303 million. Nearly 170,000 homes were affected, while roads, schools, and offices suffered damage. Tens of thousands of households faced power outages, and over 34,000 hectares of crops were destroyed. Industrial facilities largely avoided major harm, though some large factories were in the storm's path. The typhoon disrupted transport services and school operations in Hanoi. Vietnam's coastline remains highly vulnerable to typhoons, with previous storms causing severe losses and fatalities.Read more

04 Oct 2025

Indonesia's state utility PLN has begun building a 92 MW-peak floating solar power plant on the Saguling reservoir in West Java, around 180 km from Jakarta, as part of its renewable energy expansion. Scheduled to start operations in November 2026, the plant will generate more than 130 GWh of electricity annually and cut carbon emissions by 104,000 tons. It forms part of Indonesia's broader plan to add 42.6 GW of renewable energy by 2034, with 17.1 GW coming from solar. PLN CEO Darmawan Prasodjo called the project a milestone in Indonesia's clean energy shift. Investment details were not disclosed.Read more

04 Oct 2025

Dubai's real estate market reached a historic high in Q3 2025, posting the largest ever quarterly sales volume and the second-highest value, with 59,228 transactions worth AED170.7 billion, up 17.2% and 19.9% year-on-year respectively. Data from DXBinteract showed sales in the first nine months hit AED498.8 billion from 158,200 deals, marking a 32.3% rise in value and 20.4% in volume compared to 2024. Apartment sales led the surge, while plot and commercial transactions also grew strongly. Villas dipped in volume but prices continued to climb, with the median hitting AED1,685 per sq ft. Luxury sales stood out, including a villa sold for AED250 million.Read more

04 Oct 2025

Serica Energy has agreed to acquire Prax Upstream, the operator of the Lancaster oilfield in the UK North Sea, for USD 25.6 million. The deal includes a 100% interest in Lancaster, a 40% operated interest in the Greater Laggan Area, a 10% interest in the Catcher Field, and a 5.21% interest in the Golden Eagle Area. The acquisition is expected to generate an additional USD 50 million in free cash flow by 2026 and add around 11 million barrels of oil equivalent to Serica's reserves. This step strengthens Serica's operational presence and financial position in the North Sea.Read more

04 Oct 2025

With the recent announcement of the government shutdown, tourists are facing mixed experiences at national parks and historic sites. Status of Liberty and Ellis Island remained open despite New York Governor Kathy Houchul's decision to fund operations. President Jimmy Carter's gravesite in Georgia, Philadelphia's Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, and Atlanta's Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park is all shut. While roads and trails largely stayed accessible, visitor centers closed, raising safety concerns. Past shutdowns, like at Joshua Tree in 2019, saw vandalism and damage, fuelling calls from former superintendents to close all parks during shutdowns.Read more

04 Oct 2025

Moldova's GDP grew by 1.1% in the second quarter of 2025, driven by construction, energy, and IT industries. The first quarter had seen a 1.2% contraction, indicating early-year challenges. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development expects GDP growth of 1.5% this year and 3.8% next year, supported by European Union programs. The central bank's interest rate cut to 6% aims to boost investment and economic activity. Agriculture, remittances, and IT continue to be major contributors, with the IT sector playing an increasing role in supporting the country's economic stability and gradual diversification.Read more