United News of Bangladesh

Asian stocks mostly slipped on Wednesday after Wall Street’s record-breaking run took a breather, with U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell cautioning that stock prices are “fairly highly valued.” Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.4% to 45,300.30 in morning trade, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 dropped 1.0% to 8,756.30 and South Korea’s Kospi slid 1.1% to 3,448.44. In contrast, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 0.6% to 26,305.02, and the Shanghai Composite edged up 0.2% to 3,829.91. On Wall Street, the S&P 500 lost 0.6%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 88 points, or 0.2%, and the Nasdaq composite sank 0.9%. The decline ended a three-day streak of record highs for all three indexes. Markets have surged since April, but some analysts warn stocks may have climbed too quickly and become overpriced. Powell noted that the Fed faces a tricky situation, with job market concerns rising even as inflation remains above the 2% target. His remarks were the first since the central bank cut its benchmark interest rate last week. “Essentially the Fed Chairman confirmed what we already knew — that the central bank remains between a rock and a hard place in managing inflation risks and a weakening job market,” said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade. The Fed has signaled more rate cuts later this year and into next, but policymakers remain cautious as lower rates could fuel inflation further. Investors are now waiting for Friday’s U.S. inflation report, expected to show a slight pickup in consumer prices. Wall Street futures dip after record-high streak, eyes on Fed Technology stocks weighed heavily on Wall Street. Nvidia dropped 2.8% after pulling back from gains made on news of a partnership with OpenAI. Amazon slid 3%, while Microsoft lost 1%. The S&P 500 closed at 6,656.92, down 36.83 points. The Dow Jones fell 88.76 points to 46,292.78, and the Nasdaq tumbled 215.50 points to 22,573.47. In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury slipped to 4.11% from 4.15% a day earlier. Oil prices edged higher, with U.S. benchmark crude rising 14 cents to $63.55 a barrel and Brent crude up 13 cents at $67.76. In currency trading, the dollar strengthened to 147.77 Japanese yen from 147.56 yen, while the euro fell to $1.1801 from $1.1818. Source: Agency 

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng on Monday expressed the hope that the U.S. side will work with China to promote the stable, sound and sustainable development of bilateral economic and trade ties. When meeting with a U.S. congressional delegation led by Representative Adam Smith in Beijing, He said phone talks between the Chinese and U.S. heads of state last week had provided strategic guidance for the stable development of bilateral ties in the next stage. As the two countries have broad space for cooperation and extensive common interests, it is hoped that the U.S. side will engage in candid communication with China, and jointly build up mutual trust and dispel misgivings by following the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, He said. He called on members of the U.S. Congress to play a positive role in facilitating the shared development of both countries through opening up communication channels and helping enhance dialogues. 

Despite campaigning in 2024 on promises to protect Black jobs and strengthen the economy, President Donald Trump’s policies have so far failed to deliver tangible gains for Black Americans. During one of his final rallies before last year’s election, Trump warned that Black workers were losing jobs at unprecedented rates and pledged that returning to the White House would reverse the trend. However, with Trump in office since January, key economic indicators show worsening conditions for Black communities. Black unemployment has risen to 7.5% in 2025, the highest since October 2021, while homeownership has dropped to its lowest level since 2021, according to Redfin. Census Bureau data also show the median Black household income fell 3.3% last year to $56,020—roughly $36,000 below the median white household income. The widening economic disparity has political implications. Black Americans, historically early indicators of broader labor trends, are facing disproportionate federal layoffs, with many government positions held by Black workers affected. Critics argue Trump’s focus on tariffs, spending cuts, and immigration enforcement has prioritized wealthy interests over the middle class. White House clarifies $100K H-1B visa fee won’t affect current holders as Trump plan sparks concern Some Black voters who supported Trump in 2024, motivated by concerns about inflation and affordability, now feel alienated. Surveys show economic stress remains high in Black households, and political analysts warn that continued neglect could jeopardize Republican prospects in key races. Meanwhile, concerns over discriminatory policies, including proposed National Guard deployments to cities led by Black mayors and redistricting efforts, have heightened tensions. Many voters say Trump’s administration appears more focused on immigration enforcement and consolidating power than addressing the financial struggles of Black Americans. Source: Agency 

The Bank of Japan on Friday kept its benchmark interest rate steady at 0.5%, a widely expected move as inflation remains above the bank’s target but overall economic growth shows only moderate momentum. The decision came after a two-day policy board meeting. In a statement, the central bank said: “Japan’s economy has recovered moderately, although some weakness has been seen in part. Overseas economies have grown moderately on the whole.” The move follows a decision by the U.S. Federal Reserve earlier this week to cut its policy rate by 0.25 percentage points, bringing its short-term rate down to about 4.1%, its first rate cut since December. Japan has long battled deflationary pressures, but consumer prices have now been rising consistently. Government data show inflation holding between 2.5% and 3%, slightly above the Bank of Japan’s 2% target. Honda Prize 2025 Awarded to Dr. Kenichi Iga of Japan The central bank cautioned that exports could slow due to higher tariffs linked to U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade policies. While shipments surged earlier this year ahead of the new tariffs, that momentum is now fading, the statement noted. Domestic political uncertainty was also flagged as a risk factor, as Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba steps down and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party prepares for an election to select his successor. Five candidates are expected to contest, with the party vote set for early next month. Meanwhile, Japan’s stock market has been rallying. The Nikkei 225 hit another record high on Thursday, boosted by the Fed’s rate cut, though shares slipped slightly in Friday’s morning trade. Source: Agency 

Asian markets were mostly higher Thursday, driven by technology stocks, following a mixed session on Wall Street that left indexes close to record levels after the Federal Reserve cut its main interest rate. Japan’s Nikkei 225 climbed 1.3% to 45,365.98, boosted by tech firms such as Disco, Tokyo Electron, and SoftBank. Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan began its two-day policy meeting, with no changes in interest rates expected. South Korea’s Kospi rose nearly 1.3% to 3,455.98, supported by gains in chipmakers SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics. China’s markets showed mixed performance: Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 0.2% to 26,856.02, while the Shanghai Composite gained 0.5% to 3,893.95 amid optimism over U.S.-China trade talks and a potential TikTok deal. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 dropped 0.5% to 8,778.60 after data showed August unemployment steady at 4.2%, with overall employment declining. India’s BSE Sensex rose 0.4%, and Taiwan’s Taiex added 1.1%. Asian shares mixed as Wall Street slips from record highs, focus shifts to Fed rate cut On Wall Street Wednesday, the S&P 500 slipped 0.1%, the Dow Jones rose 0.6%, and the Nasdaq fell 0.3%. The Fed’s first rate cut of the year met expectations, but its updated projections suggesting two more cuts this year and one in 2026 drew investor attention. Fed Chair Jerome Powell cautioned that projections are not guarantees, highlighting challenges from a slowing job market and persistent inflation. In commodities, U.S. crude fell 10 cents to $63.95 per barrel, Brent lost 10 cents to $67.85. The dollar rose to 147.07 yen, while the euro slipped to $1.1813. Source: Agency 

Asian markets traded mixed Wednesday after U.S. stocks pulled back slightly from record highs, with investor attention fixed on the Federal Reserve’s expected first interest rate cut of the year. Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.2% to 44,995.79 in morning trading. The Finance Ministry reported exports to the U.S. fell 13.8% in August from a year earlier, marking a fifth consecutive monthly decline as auto shipments slumped under President Donald Trump’s tariffs. Although Washington lowered tariffs on Japanese vehicles and parts this week to 15% from 27.5%, they remain well above the previous 2.5%. Japan’s overall exports were nearly flat in August, slipping 0.1%, as growth to Europe and the Middle East offset U.S. weakness. Elsewhere in Asia, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.7% to 8,812.80, South Korea’s Kospi slid nearly 1.0% to 3,415.71, and Shanghai’s Composite dipped less than 0.1% to 3,858.74. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained nearly 0.9% to 26,662.13. On Wall Street, the S&P 500 slipped 0.1% from its latest record, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 125 points, or 0.3%, and the Nasdaq lost 0.1% after hitting a record high the day before. Stocks have rallied on expectations that the Fed will begin cutting rates Wednesday to support a slowing job market, which officials now see as a greater threat than inflation pressures from tariffs. While inflation remains above the Fed’s 2% target, investors anticipate further rate cuts through year-end and into 2026. 10th Belt & Road Summit marks decade of cooperation, investment and trade success In corporate news, New York Times Co. fell 1.6% after Trump filed a $15 billion defamation lawsuit against the paper and four journalists. Oracle gained 1.5% amid speculation it could play a role in a deal to keep TikTok operating in the U.S. The S&P 500 closed down 8.52 points at 6,606.76. The Dow dropped 125.55 to 45,757.90, and the Nasdaq slipped 14.79 to 22,333.96. In bond trading, the 10-year Treasury yield eased to 4.03% from 4.05%. U.S. crude lost 8 cents to $64.44 a barrel, while Brent fell 9 cents to $68.38. The dollar rose to 146.69 yen from 146.40 yen, while the euro slipped to $1.1852 from $1.1867. Source: Agency 

The 10th Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong (Sept 10-11) drew around 6,200 participants from governments, global organisations, businesses and media to celebrate 10 years of progress under the Belt and Road Initiative (B&RI). Jointly hosted by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the flagship event carried the theme “Collaborate for Change – Shape a Shared Future.” In his opening remarks, HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee noted, “Over the past 10 years, more than 45,000 people from over 120 countries and regions have participated in the Summit. Together, they have presented over 2,800 projects along the Belt and Road, shaping a shared vision through collaboration and connectivity, which are the fundamental values of the Belt and Road Initiative.” This year’s summit produced a record 45 memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and commercial agreements between governments and enterprises. Including deals concluded ahead of the summit, their combined value is close to US$1 billion. Highlighting Hong Kong’s role as a key platform for the B&RI, Lee said, “Hong Kong is the ideal Belt and Road hub. As the only world city that converges both the China advantage and the global advantage, Hong Kong stands as the premier gateway for co-operation, bridging people, trade, business, education, culture and values across the region, connecting Asia and the world.” Lee also outlined Hong Kong’s strengths in finance, legal services, competitiveness, connectivity, sustainability, and talent. He noted that under the Belt and Road Scholarship and related schemes, more than 4,000 students from Belt and Road countries pursue higher education in Hong Kong each year. FAA proposes $3.1 million fines for Boeing over safety violations The summit featured thematic sessions on legal services, trade, insurance, architecture, green finance and logistics, aimed at building a greener and more interconnected future. Alongside, Hong Kong is hosting major Belt and Road-linked events such as the Future Investment Initiative PRIORITY Summit, the Saudi Super Cup, and next year’s first global edition of LEAP East, a major Middle Eastern tech expo. Over 20 other activities — spanning business, arts, music, sports and academia — are also taking place, including the “Wonders of Imperial Carpets” exhibition at the Hong Kong Palace Museum and a Belt and Road concert by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra on Sept 27. Source: Agency 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is seeking $3.1 million in fines against Boeing over safety violations, including the January 2024 midair blowout of a door plug panel on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9. The violations occurred between September 2023 and February 2024, the FAA said Friday. In the January incident, a paneled-over exit door, known as a door plug, detached shortly after takeoff from Portland, Oregon. None of the 171 passengers or six crew members were seriously injured, and the pilots safely returned the plane to the airport. A 17-month investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board attributed the incident to lapses in Boeing’s manufacturing and oversight, along with ineffective FAA inspections and audits. The FAA cited hundreds of quality system violations at Boeing’s Renton, Washington, 737 factory and at subcontractor Spirit AeroSystems’ facility in Wichita, Kansas. Read: Boeing fighter jet builders launch strike after rejecting contract offer The regulator also found that a Boeing employee pressured an FAA-authorized Designated Engineering Representative to certify a 737 Max despite non-compliance with safety standards to meet delivery schedules. Boeing has 30 days to respond and said it is reviewing the proposed penalty, emphasizing safety and quality improvements implemented under FAA oversight last year. The 737 Max, Boeing’s bestselling jet, has faced persistent scrutiny following crashes in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people. Source: Agency 

Postal traffic into the United States has plunged by more than 80% after the Trump administration scrapped a long-standing tariff exemption for low-cost imports, the United Nations postal agency said Saturday. The Universal Postal Union (UPU) said it has begun rolling out measures to help postal operators worldwide calculate and collect duties after Washington eliminated the “de minimis exemption” for parcels valued at $800 or less. According to the UPU, 88 postal operators have suspended some or all services to the U.S. until a solution is found. “The global network saw postal traffic to the U.S. come to a near-halt after the new rules took effect on Aug. 29, 2025, placing the burden of customs duty collection on transportation carriers or U.S. Customs and Border Protection-approved companies,” the agency said. Data exchanged through the UPU’s electronic system showed traffic from its 192 member countries had dropped 81% on Aug. 29 compared with the week before. The agency, based in Bern, Switzerland, said “major operational disruptions” occurred because airlines and carriers refused to collect duties, while foreign postal operators lacked systems to link with U.S.-qualified partners. Ahead of the change, the postal union had written to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warning about its impact. Asian shares rise as Wall Street steadies on tech rally, weaker dollar The exemption, first introduced in 1938, had long allowed lower-value imports to bypass customs. The Trump administration argued it had become a loophole exploited by foreign businesses to avoid tariffs and by criminals smuggling drugs into the country. Under the new rules, purchases that once cleared customs duty-free are now subject to origin-based tariff rates ranging from 10% to 50%. Exceptions remain for U.S. residents receiving gifts worth up to $100 and souvenirs up to $200 from overseas trips, the White House said. The UPU stressed that members were not given sufficient time or guidance to comply with the July 30 executive order that ended duty-free eligibility for low-value goods. Source: Agency 

Asian stocks mostly advanced Thursday after a rebound in technology shares lifted Wall Street and a softer U.S. dollar made regional assets more attractive. Japan’s Nikkei 225 gained 1.2% to 42,437.37, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 added 0.6% and South Korea’s Kospi edged up 0.2%. Taiwan rose 0.7% and India’s Sensex climbed 0.6%. However, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 1.1% to 25,006.22 and Shanghai’s Composite dropped nearly 2% to 3,738.32 amid concerns of tighter regulatory controls. On Wall Street Wednesday, Alphabet jumped 9.1% after easing fears in its antitrust case, fueling a broader tech rally. The S&P 500 rose 0.5%, ending a two-day slide, while the Nasdaq added 1% and the Dow slipped 0.1%. Bond yields also eased after weak U.S. job openings data boosted expectations the Federal Reserve could cut rates this month. The 10-year Treasury yield retreated to 4.22% from 4.28%. Nippon Sanso Holdings launches unified global brand logo under “NIPPON SANSO” name Lower rates could support growth but also risk fueling inflation, especially as tariffs raise import costs. In commodities, U.S. crude fell 42 cents to $63.55 a barrel, while Brent lost 35 cents to $67.25. The dollar edged up to 148.24 yen, while the euro slipped to $1.1653. Source: Agency