In recent years, Southeast Asia has grappled with unprecedented challenges that have strained the unity and effectiveness of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Heightened geopolitical tensions, persistent divisions over the crisis in Myanmar, and slow progress on a binding Code of Conduct for the South China Sea have exposed the bloc’s limitations in navigating complex regional dynamics. While political …
A typical mortgage holder coming to the end of a fixed rate deal in the second half of this year will see monthly payments rise by around £220. Mark Harris, chief executive of mortgage broker SPF Private Clients, said: “Borrowers due to come off cheap fixes face a real payment shock.” The Bank expects house prices to fall “modestly’ in …
The billionaire chairman of JP Morgan, Jamie Dimon, has called Bitcoin a “hyped-up fraud” and the financial equivalent of a “pet rock” as financial chiefs turn against digital currencies. Mr Dimon called cryptocurrencies a “waste of time” in comments at the World Economic Forum in Davos. It's a technology we think will be deployable.” Speaking to CNBC, Mr Dimon added …
The Australian jobs market has defied cooling economic conditions, with the unemployment rate edging down to 5 per cent in December. Key points: Unemployment edges down to 5pc, its lowest level since June 2011 Part-time employment growth outpaced full time jobs, which fell by 3,000 over December. "Labour market continued to track well to end 2018, but the spare capacity …
