Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Apple Alerts EU Regulators That Apple Ads and Maps Meet DMA Gatekeeper Thresholds 
Trump Administration Tightens H-1B Visa Vetting With New Focus on Free Speech and Censorship 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Flights Briefly Grounded at Philadelphia International Airport After Bomb Threat Resolved 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Australia Releases New National AI Plan, Opts for Existing Laws to Manage Risks 
National Guard Member Killed in White House-Area Shooting Sparks Terror Probe and Immigration Review 
Australia Moves Forward With Teen Social Media Ban as Platforms Begin Lockouts 
Trump Calls for Permanent Pause on Migration After National Guard Shooting Near White House 
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
California Launches Portal for Reporting Alleged Misconduct by Federal Immigration Agents 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Britain’s government has unveiled new proposals aimed at streamlining the home-buying process to boost the housing market and make property ownership more accessible. Under the planned reforms, the average transaction time could be reduced by around four weeks from the current five-month process. The key change involves requiring property sellers to publish search and survey details before listing their homes, allowing buyers to make faster and more informed decisions.
The proposed measures also include the potential introduction of binding contracts for both buyers and sellers. This change could significantly reduce the number of failed transactions, which currently affects nearly one in three property deals before completion. According to government estimates, these improvements could save first-time buyers an average of £710 ($957) and make the process less stressful and costly overall.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) welcomed the government’s initiative, noting that the existing home-buying system is often slow, inefficient, and expensive. By ensuring greater transparency and reducing administrative delays, the reforms aim to create a more stable and reliable housing market.
The government has emphasized that homebuilding remains one of its top priorities, with a target of constructing 1.5 million new residential properties over the five-year term of the current parliament. A UK-wide consultation will soon be launched to gather feedback on the proposed reforms. However, the changes will not directly affect Scotland, where property transaction laws operate differently.
These new measures are designed to modernize the property market, improve consumer confidence, and make homeownership more attainable for thousands of aspiring buyers across the UK.
