Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
2024 Expected to be the Hottest Year on Record
According to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), 2024 is "virtually certain" to surpass 2023 as the hottest year since global records began. This announcement comes just ahead of the COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan, where countries are expected to discuss increasing funding to combat climate change.
Record Temperatures Driven by Climate Change
From January to October, global temperatures were significantly above average, and only an unprecedented drop in temperatures would prevent 2024 from becoming the hottest year recorded. C3S Director Carlo Buontempo emphasized that the main cause of this record is climate change, which is impacting all continents and ocean basins.
2024 will also mark the first time the planet exceeds a 1.5°C increase in global temperature compared to the 1850-1900 pre-industrial period. This milestone highlights the urgency of addressing climate change, as carbon emissions from fossil fuels remain the primary driver.
Urgent Action Needed at COP29
ETH Zurich climate scientist Sonia Seneviratne expressed concern over the slow pace of global climate action and urged governments at COP29 to accelerate efforts to reduce fossil fuel dependence. The 2015 Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming to 1.5°C, but C3S now predicts the world will exceed this limit around 2030.
Extreme Weather Events Intensified by Climate Change
The impact of rising temperatures is already evident. In October, catastrophic flooding in Spain, severe wildfires in Peru, and devastating floods in Bangladesh underscored the increasing frequency of extreme weather events driven by climate change.
