U.S. imposes 12.5% Section 301 tariffs on selected South African exports; economist Madikizela warns agriculture and manufacturing face reduced competitiveness

ASEAN+3 should accelerate AI, energy and digital payment integration to limit dollar dependence, regional research institute AMRO says Thursday

ASEAN+3 economies—ASEAN member states plus China, Japan, and South Korea—should accelerate integration of artificial intelligence, energy infrastructure, and digital payment systems to limit dependence on the U.S. dollar as AI reshapes global commerce, the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) said Thursday, citing a commentary by its economists.

Global EV sales reached 24% of worldwide car sales in H1 2026, the International Energy Agency said, even as the broader auto market weakened. http://v.aa.com.tr/4014458

Global electric vehicle sales accounted for 24% of worldwide car sales in the first half of 2026, the International Energy Agency said, even as the broader auto market weakened.

Indonesia's Prabowo launches subsidized housing loans for 62,000 homes worth 880 billion rupiah ($48.7M) in Central Java, expanding low-income housing access across 36 provinces.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Thursday inaugurated the mass signing of subsidized housing loans for 62,000 homes worth 880 billion rupiah (about 48.7 million U.S. dollars) in Batang, Central Java, with beneficiaries at 165 locations across 36 provinces, as part of efforts to expand housing access for low-income families.

Bank of Japan holds benchmark interest rate steady at 1% after two-day policy meeting, with majority vote to maintain the highest level since 1995.

The Bank of Japan decided by majority vote Friday to hold its benchmark interest rate steady at 1 percent following a two-day board meeting. The rate remains at its highest level since 1995, last raised from 0.75 percent in June after the BOJ's March 2024 exit from negative rates.