January, 2023

• 3 January

  Thai businesses prep for return of Chinese tourists with caution

  

  Bloomberg Chinese tourists accounted for nearly a third of Thailand’s visitors prior to Covid, so their pending return has local businesses hoping for a much needed boost. But a full recovery from the crisis remains a way off. Thai government and industry estimates on Chinese visitor numbers for next year range from 3 million to 5 million — a wide ...

  Read More »
• 3 January

  Brazilian president urges peace in politically divided society

  

  Bloomberg Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva retook the helm of Latin America’s largest democracy promising to bring back the economic inclusion and prosperity that marked his first two terms as Brazil’s president between 2003 and 2011. It won’t be easy: Brazil grew more politically polarised over the past two decades, with trust in his Workers’ Party eroded by corruption scandals. ...

  Read More »
• 3 January

  Helicopter collision in Australia leaves 4 dead

  

  Bloomberg Four people have died and three are critically injured after a mid-air collision involving two helicopters near the Sea World theme park on Australia’s Gold Coast. Queensland Police said it appeared that one helicopter was taking off and another was landing when the incident occurred on Monday. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is appealing for witnesses and has sent ...

  Read More »
• 3 January

  Japan says Chinese military drone spotted near Okinawa

    Bloomberg Japan’s Defense Ministry said it spotted a Chinese military drone near the Japanese islands of Okinawa and Miyakojima on New Year’s Day. The unmanned reconnaissance aircraft, which the ministry identified as a WZ-7 drone, flew from the East China Sea towards the Pacific Ocean before circling back and heading west, the ministry said in a statement. The aircraft ...

  Read More »
• 3 January

  Ukrainian strike kills 63 Russian troops in occupied town

  

  Bloomberg A Ukrainian strike on a Russian military facility in the occupied eastern town of Makiyivka killed 63 troops being housed there, Russia’s defense ministry said, making it one of the deadliest losses acknowledged by Moscow. Ukraine warned that Russia may launch more attacks over the Orthodox Christmas holiday later this week even as it downed all 39 Shahed drones ...

  Read More »
• 3 January

  China’s Qin seeks better US ties

  

    Bloomberg New Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang sought better Sino-US ties in a phone conversation with Secretary of State Antony Blinken on New Year’s Day, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing. Qin, who served as China’s ambassador to the US prior to his new job, looked forward to maintaining a close working relationship ...

  Read More »
• 2 January

  NY governor promises to reduce crime

  

    Bloomberg New York Governor Kathy Hochul promised to reduce crime, improve affordability and stem the state’s population loss as she took the oath of office for her first full term. Hochul’s inauguration capped a remarkable ascendancy in New York politics, becoming the first woman to take the state’s top office in her own right, after inheriting it in 2021 ...

  Read More »
• 2 January

  BOK’s governor flags need to keep focus on inflation

  

    Bloomberg The Bank of Korea (BOK) should keep its policy focus on fighting inflation and be ready to help stabilise markets, Governor Rhee Chang-yong said in a New Year speech. Inflation is the most important factor for people’s livelihoods and is expected to remain elevated, Rhee said, according to a transcript of his remarks released by the BOK. The ...

  Read More »
• 2 January

  Croatia joining euro shows its appeal endures: Lagarde

  

    Bloomberg European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde said the currency union’s newest member proves that the euro has lasting appeal. “Croatia worked hard to become the 20th member of the euro area, and it succeeded,” Lagarde said in a statement. “It shows the euro is an attractive currency, which brings stability to its members.” The Adriatic country of ...

  Read More »
• 2 January

  ECB raises Deutsche Bank capital bar in leveraged loan crackdown

  

    Bloomberg Deutsche Bank AG confirmed it faces a higher capital requirement as its main regulator pushes lenders to dial back the risks they face in the lucrative business of leveraged finance. The German lender must hold common equity Tier 1 capital equivalent to 10.55% of its risk-weighted assets this year, up from 10.43% at the end of September, it ...

  Read More »