International

The UK economy unexpectedly contracted in October, exacerbating fears of a prolonged economic slowdown as businesses and households grapple with uncertainty. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), gross domestic product (GDP) fell by 0.1% month-on-month, defying economists' expectations of a modest 0.1% increase. This contraction follows a similar 0.1% decline in September, marking the second consecutive month of negative growth and raising concerns about the country's economic trajectory. The ONS attributed October's decline to reduced output across all key sectors. However, on a three-month rolling basis, GDP showed a slight increase of 0.1% for the period ending in…

Chinese leaders reaffirmed their commitment to boosting the nation's economy by unveiling plans for more aggressive fiscal policy and moderate monetary easing at a high-level economic planning meeting that concluded Thursday. The meeting, led by President Xi Jinping, highlighted the government's determination to stabilize growth despite growing external pressures and domestic challenges. State-run CCTV reported the meeting after the mainland stock market closed. The iShares China Large Cap ETF (FXI) briefly rose 0.8% in premarket trading before paring gains. The annual economic conference highlighted the need for increased government spending, a higher fiscal deficit and the issuance of very long-term…

South Korea has found itself in the global spotlight after a stunning series of political events this week, raising concerns about the future of Asia's fourth-largest economy. President Yoon Suk Yeol's sudden announcement of emergency martial law on Tuesday evening, followed by a swift reversal a few hours later, has injected new uncertainty into the country's economic and political landscape. Analysts warn that the fallout could worsen South Korea's already difficult economic outlook, but some believe the turmoil could pave the way for brighter prospects if deeper instability can be avoided. President Yoon initially justified the declaration of martial law…