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Government bonds, which typically perform well when there is a dash for safe havens, sold off under intense pressure. The dollar rose to an almost one-month high of 132.85 yen while the euro fell 0.64% to $1.0726. Chinese equities fell on Monday, while the offshore yuan touched a one-month low against the dollar. European Central Bank and Bank of England policymakers will also be making appearances. Gold edged higher, with investors banking on the precious metal's safe-haven appeal as concerns about an economic slowdown linger.

MUMBAI, Feb 6 (Reuters) - The Indian rupee was headed lower against the dollar on Monday after a better-than-expected U.S. jobs report prompted investors to bet on more Federal Reserve rate increases. The 1-month non-deliverable forward suggested that the rupee would open at 82.35-82.40 to the dollar compared with 81.8275 in the previous session. "We continue to expect two more 25 basis points fed funds rate hikes in March and May, and we continue to expect no rate cuts in 2023." Goldman Sachs's call for no rate cuts this year compares to CME futures indicating shallow rate cuts later this year. "Oil prices are a big positive for the rupee, but we doubt that will have a large impact," the trader said.

☆ A Swedish-made fighter jet could tip the scales against Russia in Ukraine, but it might not get there any time soon
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-05 | by ( Sebastien Roblin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +16 min

Ukraine's air force remains in the fight almost a year after Russia's shambolic invasion. Sooner or later, Ukraine must induct new jet fighters into service — and they sure aren't buying them from Russia. JAS-39 Gripen: background and capabilitiesA Swedish JAS 39 Gripen at Bobo, Norway in October 2018. A Hungarian Air Force JAS-39 Gripen in August 2010. JAS-39 Gripen vs. F-16A US Air Force F-16 takes off from Aviano Air Base in Italy in June 2020.

☆ 36 Hours in Bangkok
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( Finn-Olaf Jones | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

11 a.m. Eat on the river’s west shoreCross the river on the public ferry (from 13 THB) to Icon Siam mall. The first floor has arguably the world’s best food court. Thais flock to the locally run stalls that have replaced so many of Bangkok’s much-missed street vendors. Many stalls don’t have names and just have one specialty, like spicy shrimp soup or pad thai, often made by that vendor’s family for generations. After lunch, visit the top floor balcony to discover a light-and-mirror art installation called “Infinity Forest,” and one of the best views over the river.

[1/2] Men walk past an electric board displaying Nikkei and other countries' indexes outside a brokerage in Tokyo, Japan January 16, 2023. After $14 trillion was wiped off world shares in 2022, $4 trillion has been added back this month. "Markets are in this Goldilocks-scenario of OK growth, slowing inflation and softer monetary policy," said Richard Dias, founder of London-based investment consultancy Acorn Macro. Major central banks have added almost 3,000 basis points to global borrowing costs in this tightening cycle to date. "We've had a monumental rally in government bonds based on expectations we've reached the peak in interest rates," he said.

☆ Don't rule out further inflation surprises yet, and here are 3 ways for investors to predict them, Goldman Sachs says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Ryan Hogg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Inflation is beginning to moderate in developed markets, but potential data surprises remain a risk to investors. Goldman Sachs suggests three areas that investors can watch in order to help predict these inflation surprises. Commodity prices, currency movements, and regional inflation figures are key areas to look for future surprises. But, according to Goldman Sachs, surprises still abound and can shock markets if too much bullishness is priced in. "The significant slowdown in global headline and core inflation that we anticipate in 2023 will likely eventually lower market sensitivity to inflation surprises," Goldman analysts wrote.

☆ COVID curbs over, China's tourists hit Thai beaches for first time in 3 years
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-22 | by ( Kwang Jirapornkuhakan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Colorful umbrellas are seen in a restaurant as tourists enjoy a beach in the island of Phuket in Thailand January 19, 2023. Previously, when I was here, I ate mango sticky rice, which was delicious. Back in China I kept thinking about the mango sticky rice here. The Chinese return was welcomed by businesses, despite some wariness about a huge spike in COVID infections in China after Beijing ended its zero-COVID policy. The Thai government is expecting at least five million Chinese tourist arrivals this year, with some 300,000 coming in the first quarter.

☆ How Charlie Javice's Frank Sale to JP Morgan Wound up in Allegations of Fraud
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-21 | by ( Katherine Long | Jack Newsham | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +21 min

Her financial aid startup, Frank, was featured in the New York Times, CNBC and Wall Street Journal. After leaving the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton business school, Javice traded on her reputation, bolstered by glowing profiles, as a successful entrepreneur. In a 2018 interview with Insider, Javice claimed Frank secured an average of $28,000 for its users, and was helping students get "thousands off their tuition." "Charlie's first company fizzled after 18 months, so after losing all her investors' money, she convinced every one of them to fund her next company, Frank." At Frank, Javice admitted she sometimes painted a more positive picture of the company's health than was supported by the facts.

The only HIV vaccine in a late-stage trial has failed, researchers announced Wednesday, dealing a significant blow to the effort to control the global HIV epidemic and adding to a decadeslong roster of failed attempts. “I don’t think that people should give up on the field of the HIV vaccine,” Fauci said. Fauci said that a critical limitation of the Mosaico vaccine was that it elicited what are known as non-neutralizing — as opposed to neutralizing — antibodies against HIV. As with the Thai trial, the hope is to channel research findings into future HIV vaccine development. To prove a vaccine works, researchers must recruit participants who remain at substantial risk of HIV over time.

☆ INDIA RUPEE Rupee likely to inch up on upbeat Asian cues
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-16 | by ( Nimesh Vora | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MUMBAI, Jan 16 (Reuters) - The Indian rupee may open marginally higher against the U.S. dollar on Monday, supported by a further uptick in Asian currencies after last week's rally. The rupee was likely to open at 81.25 per dollar compared with 81.3250 in the previous session. However, it was fairly obvious that rupee will not be repeating the kind of rally it saw last week, he said. Portfolio outflows and likely decent support (for USD/INR pair) at 81 should keep rupee in check, he added. Foreign portfolio investors have taken out $1.8 billion from Indian equities so for this month and $116 million from debt.

☆ Analysis: China's rapid reopening brings joy and woe for world markets
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Yoruk Bahceli | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

The impact of the reopening of the world's second largest economy on financial markets, hit by double-digit losses last year as inflation and interest rates jumped, is critical. Being touted among the top buying bets on recovery hopes are emerging markets, commodity currencies, oil, travel and European luxury companies. The boost to world growth from China's reopening was expected to hurt the safe-haven dollar but benefit the euro. INFLATION CAUTIONBut a boost from China's reopening raises some concerns about inflation. China is the world's leading importer of oil and many other commodities -- oil prices have risen 10% since mid-December to almost $84 .

☆ ExxonMobil sells Esso Thailand stake for $603 million
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BANGKOK, Jan 12 (Reuters) - ExxonMobil (XOM.N) has agreed to sell its two-thirds stake in Esso Thailand (ESSO.BK) to Thai energy firm Bangchak Corporation (BCP.BK), the companies said in separate statements, in a deal that values the shares at 20.1 billion baht ($603 million). ExxonMobil said it would "continue to supply the Thailand market with branded finished lubricants and chemical products through a new company to be formed." Bangchak said it would initially acquire ExxonMobil's 65.99% of Esso Thailand and then launch a tender offer for remaining shares, held mainly by institutional funds. Bangchak said it would purchase 2,283,750,000 shares of Esso Thailand (ESSO.BK) at an indicative price of 8.84 baht per share. "This investment is a step towards greater energy security, balancing our long-term strategy," said Bangchak chief executive Chaiwat Kovavisarach.

Tun Min Latt is in pre-trial detention; his lawyer could not be reached for comment. Min Aung Hlaing’s two children face no legal action over the assets, according to the two people with knowledge of the case. They added that Thai authorities did not consider them relevant to the investigation against Tun Min Latt. The discovery of the documents indicated close ties between Tun Min Latt and the Myanmar junta chief’s family. Since the coup, Min Aung Hlaing’s forces have launched a bloody crackdown on dissent, killing thousands of opponents, according to the United Nations, which accuses Myanmar's troops of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

☆ Dollar stands firm while traders await CPI
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( Tom Westbrook | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The U.S. dollar was steady elsewhere, loitering just above a seven-month low on the euro at $1.0737 in the lead-up to U.S. inflation data due on Thursday. The dollar was steady at 132.23 Japanese yen and $1.2161 per British pound . U.S. government bond yields, which have been attracting investors to the dollar, fell overnight and upbeat sentiment in equities lifted stockmarkets. "Another downward surprise to the core CPI would cement the deceleration trend," Commonwealth Bank of Australia strategist Joe Capurso said. The Singapore dollar has scaled 19-month highs this week and the Thai baht nine-month tops in anticipation of tourism picking up as China's borders open.

☆ German inflation surprise hits brakes on dollar's slide
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( Tom Westbrook | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SINGAPORE, Jan 4 (Reuters) - The euro nursed losses on Wednesday and has helped the dollar to make a strong start to 2023, after a surprise slowdown in German inflation rallied bunds and sent the common currency sliding. The euro fell 1% overnight, its sharpest drop in more than two months, and it hovered near three-week lows at $1.0550 early in the Asia session. Along with a nervous mood as U.S. stocks fell, the move gave the dollar a broader boost and stopped a rising yen in its tracks. The jump tapped the brakes on a three-month slide for the index. Headline German CPI fell to an annual 8.6% in December, from 10% the previous month, against expectations for 9.1%.

☆ More victims recovered from Cambodia casino hotel fire
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

POIPET, Cambodia — The confirmed death toll from a massive fire at a casino hotel complex in western Cambodia rose to 25 on Friday as the search resumed for victims, officials said. The blaze at the Grand Diamond City casino and hotel in the town of Poipet on the Thai border started around midnight Wednesday and was extinguished more than 12 hours later on Thursday afternoon. The Grand Diamond City casino complex has 500 employees, and it had 1,000 customers Wednesday, according to a report from Soth Kimkolmony, a spokesperson for Cambodia’s National Committee for Disaster Management. Many of those inside, both customers and staff, were from neighboring Thailand, which sent firetrucks and emergency workers to help. Khmer Times, a Cambodian English-language news website, quoted Poipet city governor Keat Hul describing the chaos when the fire broke out.

☆ Indian rupee ends 2022 as worst-performing Asian currency
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Anushka Trivedi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MUMBAI, Dec 30 (Reuters) - The Indian rupee ended 2022 as the worst-performing Asian currency with a fall of 11.3%, its biggest annual decline since 2013, as the dollar rocketed on the U.S. Federal Reserve's aggressive monetary policy stance to tame inflation. Most traders and analysts expect the currency to move between a tight 81.50-83.50 range in the first quarter. Equity inflows would be a key metric to watch for the rupee for foreign investors as well, analysts said. But considering several uncertainties heading into 2023, such as tight monetary policy conditions, likely recession in some economies and an ongoing geopolitical conflict, gauging the direction of share markets had become tough, they added. If we get a selloff in Indian shares, I'll be less optimistic on the rupee," said Christopher Wong, FX strategist at OCBC Bank.

☆ Eight bodies found in ruins of Cambodia casino fire
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Kwang Jiraporn Kuhakan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] A general view of the Grand Diamond City hotel-casino where a fire broke out, in Poipet near Thailand border, Cambodia, December 30, 2022. REUTERS/Athit PerawongmethaPOIPET, Cambodia, Dec 30 (Reuters) - Cambodian rescue teams recovered eight bodies on Friday from the charred rooms of a casino-hotel where a fire killed at least 27 people a day earlier, with more than 20 people still missing. Safety standards in Cambodia and other parts of Southeast Asia can be well below international standards and poorly enforced. Rescue teams said they had to move slowly through the smouldering remains of the building in case it collapsed. Those in Poipet are hugely popular with short-term Thai visitors as gambling is illegal across the border and unlicensed casinos operate underground there.

One of Asia's most popular travel destinations, Thailand is seeing a much-needed tourism boom, with 1.75 million visitors in November, quadruple the number received for the whole of last year when flights and foreign arrivals were limited by the pandemic. Russian arrivals in November represented about 60% of the number who visited in the same month in 2019. A top destination for Russians is Phuket, where they account for about a quarter of the island's visitors, helped by direct flights to there and Bangkok, according to Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). "In the evening you'll see Russian families strolling in the park along with locals," he said, adding some were staying until March. ($1 = 34.6200 baht)Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng and Orathai Siring; Editing by Martin PettyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Weed’s next frontier is in Asia
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( Thomas Shum | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

HONG KONG, Dec 23 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Asia is beginning to warm up to the use of cannabis. Thailand legalised marijuana cultivation at home in 2022, while South Korea, Japan and Malaysia are paving the way for pharmaceutical applications. South Korea was the first country in East Asia to legalise pharmaceutical cannabis, and Japan, Malaysia and Taiwan are all considering similar moves. If American experience is any guide, regulated pharmaceutical use will inevitably trickle into the recreation market, boosting aggregate demand. Cannabis in Asia will burn slowly, but where there is smoke there may eventually be fire.

☆ Thai power price hike to hurt business, competitiveness - business group
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BANGKOK, Dec 23 (Reuters) - Thailand's decision to hike electricity prices by 20% in early 2023 will push up inflation and undermine the country's competitiveness as the economy recovers gradually from the pandemic, a leading joint business group said on Friday. The business group urged the government to delay the price hike as manufacturers would be forced to increase the price of goods, said the group, which includes representatives from industry, banking and commerce. Surong Bulakul, vice chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said higher power prices could increase inflation to 3.5% next year, from 3% currently forecast, with interest rates on the rise. On Monday, the central bank said it would continue to raise rates for a while to help the economy and curb inflation. ($1 = 34.70 baht)Reporting by Orathai Sriring, Kitiphong Thaichareon Editing by Kanupriya KapoorOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Most economists expect Thailand will see stronger GDP growth in 2023, analyst says
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailMost economists expect Thailand will see stronger GDP growth in 2023, analyst saysKasem Prunratanamala of CGS-CIMB Securities says foreign investors are more optimistic about the Thai market in 2023.

☆ Thai king's hospitalised daughter stable 'at a certain level' - royal palace
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BANGKOK, Dec 19 (Reuters) - The eldest child of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn is in a stable condition "at a certain level", with doctors using medication and equipment to support her lung, heart and kidney functions after she suffered a heart problem, the palace said on Monday. The princess was taken ill and lost consciousness on Wednesday while preparing her dogs for a competition in northeastern Nakhon Ratchasima province, the palace said. Princess Bajrakitiyabha is one of three children of King Vajiralongkorn who have formal titles, making her eligible for the throne under a palace succession law and the country's constitution. In its statement, the palace said her "condition is stable at a certain level" and her heartbeat was being controlled by medicine, but her heart contraction was still weak. The princess was born on Dec. 7, 1978 as the daughter of the king and his first wife, Princess Soamsawali.

☆ Asian FX bulls return as easing China COVID curbs improves outlook - Reuters poll
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Upasana Singh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Long positions on most other emerging Asian currencies also firmed, with those on the Malaysian ringgit and South Korean won at around two-year highs, a fortnightly poll of 10 analysts showed. Elsewhere, sentiment on China's yuan was mostly neutral, while investors turned bullish on the Philippine peso for the first time since July 2021. Long positions on the Thai baht were at their highest level since late February, while those on the Singaporean dollar were highest since early February. A turnabout of that impulse should benefit high-beta, risk-sensitive and commodity-linked FX," Barclays' analysts wrote in a note. The poll uses estimates of net long or short positions on a scale of minus 3 to plus 3.

☆ Australia imposes sanctions on Iran, Russia over human rights violations
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa/File PhotoSYDNEY, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Australia's foreign minister on Saturday said the government would place targeted sanctions on Russia and Iran in response to what it said were "egregious" human rights violations. Seven Russians involved in what the foreign minister said was the attempted assassination of former opposition leader Alexei Navalny would also have human rights sanctions imposed on them, she said. In addition to human rights sanctions, Wong said Australia was placing further targeted financial sanctions on three Iranians and one Iranian business for supplying drones to Russia for use against Ukraine. "The supply of drones to Russia is evidence of the role Iran plays in destabilising global security. Australia's previous Liberal-National coalition government first imposed Magnitsky-style sanctions - measures that impose financial penalties and travel bans against individuals - in March against 14 Russian individuals.

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