Good morning.

🇺🇦 Ukraine cannot join NATO and must accept territorial losses, according to the US Secretary of Defense whose comments were closely followed by an announcement by President Trump that he and Russia’s Vladimir Putin had met by phone and agreed to start negotiations on Ukraine’s future. Cut out of discussions, NATO allies and Ukrainian leaders were left shocked at the announcements which concede to two of Russia’s main demands before negotiations begin. [More - Bloomberg]

Trump is also signaling that the US will provide no troops or military aid to secure Ukraine after any peace deal and that any ongoing US military support would be conditioned on repayment, possibly by supplies of rare earth minerals. This places the entire burden on Europe and strips Ukraine of revenue for reconstruction, further weakening the post-conflict situation in Europe. Bloomberg has a deep financial analysis of the costs of the likely outcomes.

Ways to stay informed…

Just a few minutes here today will save you hours each week

Try it out - api.decis.ai 

Key Metrics

WTI is $73.52 (Down)

Low |--------- < ----------| High

Wheat is $185.794 (Up)

Low |--------- > ----------| High

EuroDollar is $1.04 (Down)

Low |---- < ---------------| High

YuanDollar is $0.14 (Unchanged)

Low |---------- < > ---------| High

Graphs are illustrative to show comparative price over last 180 days

Metrics via AlphaVantage updated Feb 12 2025 21:16 UTC

Asia Stability Ratings and News Summary

More Unstable

🇦🇫 Afghanistan, 🇦🇲 Armenia, 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan, 🇧🇩 Bangladesh, 🇧🇹 Bhutan, 🇰🇭 Cambodia, 🇨🇳 China, 🇹🇱 East Timor, 🇬🇪 Georgia, 🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan, 🇱🇦 Laos, 🇲🇻 Maldives, 🇲🇳 Mongolia, 🇲🇲 Myanmar, 🇳🇵 Nepal, 🇰🇵 North Korea, 🇵🇰 Pakistan, 🇵🇭 Philippines, 🇰🇷 South Korea, 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka, 🇹🇼 Taiwan, 🇹🇯 Tajikistan, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan

More Stable

No countries were more stable over this period

Unchanged

🇧🇳 Brunei, 🇮🇳 India, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇹🇲 Turkmenistan, 🇻🇳 Vietnam

Asia News Summary

Singapore's stock market is poised for a positive opening, buoyed by the resilience of its economy and a strong performance of the Singapore Dollar against major currencies. This optimism is further reflected in the real estate sector, where billionaire Quek Leng Chan's GuocoLand has secured a prime condominium site, indicating robust demand in the property market. Additionally, Cube Highways is set to acquire NIIF's Athaang Infrastructure Road assets for $725 million, underscoring Singapore's commitment to infrastructure development. The city-state is also taking strides in environmental sustainability, with authorities emphasizing the need for innovative solutions to reduce carbon emissions [SOURCE - RTT News].

In India, the economy continues to show promise, with industry leaders expressing confidence in growth prospects. The country has achieved a milestone of 100 GW of solar power generation, moving closer to its clean energy goals by 2030. This achievement is complemented by a proposed amendment to the goods and services tax (GST) law aimed at reducing the tax burden on small and medium-sized enterprises, which is crucial for promoting entrepreneurship and job creation [SOURCE - Livemint].

India's defense sector is also witnessing significant advancements, with plans to procure combat vehicles and fighter jet engines from the US, reflecting a growing strategic partnership. The Indian Air Force is set to receive another Russian S-400 air defense system, enhancing its military capabilities [SOURCE - Dawn].

Meanwhile, in China, President Xi Jinping has emphasized the importance of deepening ties with Thailand, citing unprecedented changes in the region. China's domestic economy is showing signs of growth, with consumer inflation picking up and holiday-related spending boosting economic activity. The government is also focused on increasing residents' incomes to stimulate further spending [SOURCE - Bangkok Post].

However, China is grappling with ongoing trade tensions, particularly with the US reimposing sanctions on Iran, which could impact oil flows to China. The repercussions of these sanctions are being felt by online retail giants like Shein and Temu, who are facing challenges due to tariffs [SOURCE - ABC News].

In Vietnam, the higher education sector is facing scrutiny due to a scandal involving the forgery of university documents for exchange programs abroad, highlighting the need for greater oversight. Additionally, Nokia has been awarded a contract to modernize the air traffic management communication network, aiming to improve safety and efficiency in the country's aviation sector [SOURCE - VNExpress].

Oceania Stability Ratings and News Summary

More Unstable

🇫🇯 Fiji, 🇰🇮 Kiribati, 🇲🇭 Marshall Islands, 🇳🇷 Nauru, 🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea, 🇼🇸 Samoa, 🇸🇧 Solomon Islands, 🇹🇴 Tonga, 🇻🇺 Vanuatu

More Stable

No countries were more stable over this period

Unchanged

🇦🇺 Australia, 🇫🇲 Federated States of Micronesia, 🇳🇿 New Zealand, 🇵🇼 Palau, 🇹🇻 Tuvalu

Oceania News Summary

Australia has recently taken significant steps to combat hate crimes, enacting new laws that impose mandatory jail time for individuals who perform Nazi salutes or engage in similar behavior, with penalties of up to three years in prison. This legislative move follows a controversial incident in Melbourne where a man was charged for waving a Hezbollah flag at a protest, highlighting the government's commitment to addressing hate and extremism in society [SOURCE - NDTV].

In parallel, Australia is enhancing its international relations, particularly with Indonesia, by sending a high-level business delegation aimed at strengthening investment ties [SOURCE - The Bali Times]. This initiative underscores Australia's strategic focus on regional partnerships amidst evolving geopolitical dynamics.

On the energy front, Australia has resumed its role in global markets by sending its first shipment of liquefied natural gas to Europe since 2022, reinforcing its position as a key player in energy supply [SOURCE - Azer News]. However, the nation faces economic challenges, with inflation rates declining but still lagging behind New Zealand in terms of overall economic growth [SOURCE - RNZ].

In response to growing concerns about rural communities, Australian banks have committed to keeping regional branches open until 2027, addressing fears of economic decline in these areas [SOURCE - Michael West Media]. Meanwhile, the government is contemplating a potential retreat from rising sea levels in the Cocos Islands, reflecting the urgent need to address climate change impacts [SOURCE - The Sun].

New Zealand is grappling with its own economic challenges, as the unemployment rate has reached a four-year high of 5.1%, prompting concerns about the government's ability to stimulate growth [SOURCE - Digital Finance Analytics]. In an effort to attract foreign investment, the government is planning to loosen visa rules, although this has met skepticism from the Labour party, which fears it may not yield the desired economic benefits [SOURCE - Asia One].

Additionally, New Zealand's finance minister has expressed optimism about the country's trade ties with the United States, despite potential threats from tariffs [SOURCE - CNBC]. This sentiment is echoed by calls for New Zealand to take a more prominent role in international aid efforts as the US retreats from global development initiatives [SOURCE - The Daily Blog].

In Fiji, rising concerns over the increasing traffic to pornographic websites have alarmed authorities, prompting discussions about the implications for societal values [SOURCE - Scoop]. Furthermore, the funding of Fiji's Truth Commission has come under scrutiny from former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry, who questions the government's transparency in this matter [SOURCE - RNZ].

In the Solomon Islands, landowners have initiated legal action against the government and a Chinese company over a 2019 oil spill disaster, which has had devastating effects on local ecosystems and livelihoods. This lawsuit seeks to hold both parties accountable for their alleged negligence in managing the environmental crisis [SOURCE - Scoop].

Carpe tomorrow!