China Takes the Helm of APEC 2026 China is preparing to host the 33rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting in 2026, positioning the event as a platform to reinforce regional stability and growth. Senior officials describe the gathering as an opportunity to project confidence at a time of global economic fragmentation. The meeting will
A Bridge Once Praised Now Under Fire President Donald Trump has reignited tensions with Canada by threatening to block the opening of a major cross-border bridge linking the United States and Canada. The move stunned policymakers because Trump publicly supported the same project during his first term. The bridge, designed to ease congestion and strengthen
Tourism Becomes a Central Economic Engine The Philippines has officially emerged as the largest tourism economy in ASEAN, according to new regional data. The milestone reflects years of recovery efforts, infrastructure investment, and rising domestic and international travel demand. Tourism leaders say the ranking highlights not only visitor numbers, but the sector’s growing economic weight.
Climate Adaptation Is Now an Urgent Global Priority As climate impacts intensify, adaptation has moved from a long-term concern to an immediate necessity. Even with aggressive emissions cuts, rising temperatures and extreme weather will persist for decades. Governments and communities are increasingly turning to technology to manage these risks. From early warning systems to artificial
A Second Term Focused on Power, Speed, and Leverage Donald Trump’s second presidential term has moved faster and more aggressively than his first, particularly in foreign policy. Having already tested the limits of executive authority during his earlier presidency, Trump returned to office with fewer restraints and a clearer sense of leverage. Rather than gradual
Liquidity Surges While Productive Investment Stalls China’s financial markets are witnessing a powerful rally in metals prices, even as the real economy continues to struggle. With limited opportunities in property, equities, and consumer spending, surplus liquidity is flowing into commodities instead of productive investment. Copper, gold, and silver have all surged to record or near-record
Russia Launches Coordinated Attacks on Energy Infrastructure Russia has carried out one of its largest coordinated assaults on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in recent weeks, triggering widespread power outages. Ukrainian officials said drone and missile strikes targeted power plants, substations, and transmission networks across multiple regions. The attacks underline Moscow’s continued reliance on infrastructure warfare as
Washington Sets a Summer Deadline for Ending the War The United States is urging Russia and Ukraine to find a path toward ending the war before the start of summer, according to Ukrainian officials. The push reflects growing impatience in Washington as the conflict drags on with no decisive military breakthrough. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
China’s Slowing Growth Masks a New Competitive Phase China’s economy is entering a complex transition phase where slower domestic growth coincides with a more aggressive export strategy. While headline indicators suggest deceleration, Chinese manufacturers are expanding global market share at an accelerating pace, intensifying competition across Asia. This apparent contradiction reflects the limits of China’s
Wartime Momentum Gives Way to Sluggish Growth After several years of defying Western expectations, Russia’s economy is showing clear signs of stagnation. The surge driven by military spending following the invasion of Ukraine has begun to lose steam, revealing deeper structural weaknesses that had been masked by wartime demand. Economic growth has slowed sharply as