Singapore's economy grew slower than initial estimates in the fourth quarter of last year, on downward revisions in construction and manufacturing but the city-state was still hopeful of a pick up in activity in 2024.
British inflation unexpectedly held steady at 4.0% in January, defying forecasts of a rise, official data showed, offering relief for the Bank of England (BoE) and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak too ahead of a national election expected this year.
The Japanese economy unexpectedly shrank in the fourth quarter of 2023, entering a technical recession as sticky inflation and a weak yen weighed on private spending, which largely offset improved export demand.
Japan unexpectedly slipped into a recession at the end of last year, losing its title as the world's third-biggest economy to Germany and raising doubts about when the central bank would begin to exit its decade-long ultra-loose monetary policy.
Faced with diminishing job prospects as the economy slows, Chu Yi is choosing to "lie flat", a Chinese term used to describe people who work just enough to afford to spend their time on what they enjoy.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Wednesday said it was "critically important" the United States fulfill its promises to support Ukraine, warning that failing to do so would embolden Russian leader Vladimir Putin to attack other countries.