Amazon Stock Rebounds After Earnings as $200B Capex Plan Sparks AI Spending Debate 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
FDA Targets Hims & Hers Over $49 Weight-Loss Pill, Raising Legal and Safety Concerns 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Nvidia Nears $20 Billion OpenAI Investment as AI Funding Race Intensifies 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Prudential Financial Reports Higher Q4 Profit on Strong Underwriting and Investment Gains 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Toyota’s Surprise CEO Change Signals Strategic Shift Amid Global Auto Turmoil 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Alphabet’s Massive AI Spending Surge Signals Confidence in Google’s Growth Engine 
SoftBank Shares Slide After Arm Earnings Miss Fuels Tech Stock Sell-Off 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Rio Tinto Shares Hit Record High After Ending Glencore Merger Talks 
Indonesia plans to import 200,000 metric tons of raw sugar to strengthen government food reserves as domestic white sugar prices rise ahead of Ramadan, the National Food Agency announced.
The country’s estimated white sugar production for 2025 is 2.6 million tons, while demand is projected at 2.84 million tons. As of early February, Indonesia had 842,000 tons of white sugar in stock.
National Food Agency chief Arief Prasetyo Adi emphasized that the imports are aimed at bolstering reserves rather than compensating for a production shortfall. The government intends to use its stockpile to stabilize market prices, which have exceeded the regulated ceiling. In early February, white sugar prices averaged 18,365 rupiah ($1.12) per kilogram—around 5% above the government's price cap.
The additional imports, set to arrive gradually throughout the year, will be managed by state-owned food companies. According to Arief, the sugar reserves can sustain domestic demand for up to five months.
Indonesia has also allocated a separate import quota of 3.4 million tons of raw sugar for industrial use in 2025. The government remains committed to achieving food self-sufficiency within the next four years.
By reinforcing sugar reserves, Indonesia aims to stabilize supply and prevent further price hikes, ensuring affordability for consumers ahead of the fasting season.
