The Bank of Japan said that it would start to offload its huge portfolio of exchange-traded funds, a sign of growing confidence in the economy despite challenges including President Trump’s tariffs, the Wall Street Journal reported. The multiyear program of purchases “was a necessary component of the large-scale monetary easing policy implemented to achieve the 2% inflation target,” Gov. Kazuo Ueda said at a news conference Friday. But now, with the economy improving and markets working smoothly, “there was no longer a need to continue the measure,” he said.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has made an interim stop order against the RELI Capital Mortgage Fund, a registered managed investment scheme operated by RELI Capital, CapitalBrief.com reported. ASIC said the order was to "protect consumers and retail investors from acquiring a product that may not be suitable for their financial objectives, situation or needs." As of 31 December 2024, the fund held $50.9 million in net assets under management.

The European Union proposed sanctions against Chinese and other foreign companies buying Russian oil, as part of a package of measures intended to show President Trump the bloc is ramping up economic pressure on Russia and its backers, the Wall Street Journal reported. The EU also would impose new banking sanctions, blacklist additional companies aiding Russia’s military and speed up its plan to phase out purchases of Russian liquefied natural gas. The measures will need the backing of all 27 member states, which isn’t guaranteed.

Nearly five years after initiation of insolvency proceedings against the Videocon group, the petroleum ministry Thursday moved the Supreme Court seeking intervention in the case, the Economic Times of India reported. The ministry has sought recovery of $525.62 million towards its "legitimate sovereign claims" against debt-laden Videocon Industries, even as it raised allegations that Vedanta group company Twinstar Technologies' bid has no provision to clear the government's dues.

Taiwan’s central bank held rates steady again, as the island’s strong economic performance so far this year gave it room to extend its pause, the Wall Street Journal reported. The Central Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan) kept its benchmark discount rate at 2.000% on Thursday, marking a sixth consecutive hold. It maintained the secured and unsecured loan rates at 2.375% and 4.250%, respectively. The central bank attributed the decision to the island’s overall steady economic performance, which also gives it room to respond to the potential impact of U.S. trade policies.

Ocean shipping companies say importers and exporters won’t have to pay surcharges when new fees are imposed next month on Chinese ships at U.S. seaports, the Wall Street Journal reported. Some businesses fear price increases are coming anyway. Peter Friedmann, executive director of the Agriculture Transportation Coalition, which represents American farmers, said ocean carriers can’t pass on extra costs today because trade flows are falling and carriers are fighting for market share. They will have to pass on those new costs eventually, he said.

Indonesia’s central bank surprised markets by continuing its rate-cutting cycle amid domestic political uncertainty and ahead of a closely watched Federal Reserve meeting, the Wall Street Journal reported. Bank Indonesia lowered its benchmark seven-day reverse repo rate by 25 basis points to 4.75% on Wednesday, following back-to-back cuts in July and August. The move came on the cusp of a highly anticipated Federal Reserve meeting, where investors widely expect a 25-basis-point cut. The U.S.

If the government's proposed "fatal accident penalty fee" to eradicate industrial accidents becomes a reality, 97 out of 100 domestic construction companies would lose all their annual operating profits or record massive deficits from just one penalty, according to a commentary in The Chosun Daily. This means that even one or two penalties could push most construction companies to the brink of bankruptcy.

South Korea's Presidential Office said on Tuesday that tariff talks with the U.S. have been stalled for a while, but President Lee Jae Myung is determined not to force Korean companies to sustain losses by rushing to sign a trade deal, Reuters reported. The countries have been struggling to overcome obstacles to finalize a trade deal agreed in July. Details of the broad trade agreement still need to be hammered out, especially around a $350 billion investment fund. "We cannot do everything the U.S. wants. ...