Lunar New Year kicks off with global celebrations
Millions of people across East and Southeast Asia are starting celebrations for Lunar New Year.
Thailand's economy improved in October, with exports rising 14.2% and a trade surplus of $1.4 billion. Private consumption and tourism also contributed to growth, though challenges remain for some sectors, according to the Bank of Thailand.
Thailand’s economy showed signs of improvement in October, driven by tourism, exports, and private consumption, which were bolstered by the government's economic stimulus measures, according to the Bank of Thailand on Friday.
Exports, a key economic driver, rose by 14.2% in October compared to the previous year, while imports increased by 17.1%, resulting in a trade surplus of $1.4 billion, the Bank of Thailand (BOT) reported.
Industrial production grew in line with both domestic demand and exports, excluding automobiles, the BOT stated. The current account surplus stood at $0.7 billion in October, slightly higher than the $0.6 billion surplus in September.
Private consumption saw a 0.8% increase in October from the previous month, while private investment rose by 4.5%, according to the central bank. Government spending also surged.
Tourism, another major contributor to the economy, supported the service sectors, though structural challenges continued to affect business and household income for certain groups, the BOT said. In a surprise move at its October 16 review, the BOT cut its policy interest rate by 25 basis points to 2.25%. It also raised its 2024 GDP growth forecast to 2.7% from 2.6%, but reduced its 2025 growth forecast to 2.9% from 3.0%.
The economy grew by 3% in the July-September quarter, marking the fastest pace in two years, but officials and analysts highlighted increasing challenges to sustaining this momentum into the next year.
The iconic Dubai Fountain will close for five months starting in May for a major upgrade, enhancing its technology, choreography, and sound system. Visitors can expect a more spectacular show when it returns in October.
Apple is reportedly working on a version of AirPods Pro with integrated cameras, set to launch as early as 2027, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. While the cameras won’t be featured in the upcoming AirPods Pro 3, the new tech aims to enhance AI-driven features and spatial audio integration.
Public sector strikes are causing major disruptions across Germany, including halted public transport in Frankfurt, as workers demand higher pay and better conditions.
Elon Musk has called for the shutdown of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and Voice of America (VOA), arguing that the U.S.-funded media outlets serve as government propaganda tools and waste taxpayer money.
Oxford researchers unveil a scalable quantum supercomputer capable of quantum teleportation, paving the way for next-gen tech with enhanced security and computational power.
Blue Origin, the space exploration company founded by Jeff Bezos, is laying off 10 percent of its workforce - approximately 1,400 employees - in an effort to streamline operations and reduce bureaucracy, CEO Dave Limp announced in an internal email.
It seems Apple is ready to show off something new. In a tweet on Thursday, CEO Tim Cook told Apple aficionados to "get ready to meet the newest member of the family."
Estée Lauder and L’Oréal are facing challenges in the Chinese market as local beauty brands gain popularity. Rising competition, shifting consumer preferences, and economic factors have impacted sales, forcing global cosmetics giants to adapt their strategies.
Chinese tech stocks fell after reaching multi-year highs as AI-driven gains slowed. Traders locked in profits amid economic concerns, with Alibaba and Baidu retreating from their intraday peaks.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment