Category: 3. Business

  • Dollar Hits One-Month High Ahead of US Payrolls: Markets Wrap – Bloomberg.com

    1. Dollar Hits One-Month High Ahead of US Payrolls: Markets Wrap  Bloomberg.com
    2. Dollar advances with US jobs data, Supreme Court ruling in view  Business Recorder
    3. FX Today: Focus shifts to US Nonfarm Payrolls  FXStreet
    4. Some Gains for the Dollar Ahead of 2026’s First NFP  FXEmpire
    5. U.S. Dollar Analysis: DXY Rebounds Ahead of the NFP Release  FOREX.com

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  • House prices and rents went up in Q3 2025 – News articles

    House prices and rents went up in Q3 2025 – News articles

    In the third quarter of 2025, house prices in the EU went up by 5.5%, while rents increased by 3.1%, compared with the third quarter of 2024.

    Compared with the second quarter of 2025, house prices increased by 1.6% and rents by 0.9%. 

    This information comes from data on house prices and rents published by Eurostat today. This article presents the main findings from the more detailed Statistics Explained article on housing price statistics.

    House prices and rents in the EU followed a similar behaviour between 2010 and the second quarter of 2011 but have since evolved differently. While rents have increased steadily, house prices have followed a more variable pattern, combining periods of decline, stagnation and rapid increases. During the last decade, between 2015 and the third quarter of 2025, house prices in the EU increased by 63.6% and rents by 21.1%.

    Source datasets: prc_hpi_q and prc_hicp_midx

    As regards national data, when comparing the third quarter of 2025 with 2015, house prices increased more than rents in 25 of the EU countries for which data are available. Over this period, house prices more than tripled in Hungary (+275%) and have more than doubled in 11 countries, with the largest increases seen in Portugal (+169%), Lithuania (+162%) and Bulgaria (+156%). Finland was the only country where house prices decreased during this period (-2%).   

    During the same period, rents increased in all the 27 EU countries, with the highest rise registered in Hungary (+107%), followed by Lithuania (+85%), Slovenia (+76%), Poland (+75%) and Ireland (+74%).

    House prices and rents, change between 2015 and Q3 2025. Bar chart - Click below to see the full dataset.

    Source datasets: prc_hpi_a, prc_hpi_q, prc_hicp_aind, prc_hicp_midx

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  • Scientists develop stronger, longer-lasting perovskite solar cells

    Scientists develop stronger, longer-lasting perovskite solar cells

    The study, published today in the journal Science, focuses on understanding how the chemical structure of the amidinium ligand controls the formation of the low-dimensional perovskite phase atop the conventional three-dimensional perovskite.

    These highly ordered layers form a smooth, stable protective layer that prevents tiny defects from forming, allowing electrical charges to flow more efficiently and preventing the devices from degrading under heat or light.

    Using this approach, the team developed solar cells with a power conversion efficiency of 25.4%, while maintaining over 95% of performance after 1,100 hours of continuous operation at 85°C under full sunlight.

    Professor Anthopoulos said: “Perovskite solar cells are seen as a cheaper, lightweight and flexible alternative to traditional silicon panels, but they have faced challenges with long-term stability. Current state-of-the-art perovskite materials are known to be unstable under heat or light, causing the cells to degrade faster. The amidinium ligands we’ve developed, and the new knowledge gained, allow the controlled growth of high-quality, stable perovskite layers. This could overcome one of the last major hurdles facing perovskite solar cell technology and ensure it lasts long enough for large-scale deployment.” 

    This research was published in the journal Science

    Full title: Multivalent ligands regulate dimensional engineering for inverted perovskite solar modules

    DOI: 10.1126/science.aea0656

    URL: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aea0656 

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  • MAS Proposes Legislative and Regulatory Changes to Facilitate Dual Listings on Global Listing Board

    MAS Proposes Legislative and Regulatory Changes to Facilitate Dual Listings on Global Listing Board

    Singapore, 9 January 2026… The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) is seeking feedback on proposed amendments to the Securities and Futures Act 2001 (SFA) and draft regulations to facilitate dual listings on the Global Listing Board (GLB). The GLB, to be set up for the purpose of dual listings on SGX and Nasdaq, was announced on 19 November 2025. The proposed amendments aim to minimise friction for dual listings in three ways – to enable the use of a single prospectus; to align initial public offering (IPO) timelines between the U.S. and Singapore; and to permit issuers to conduct certain activities in a manner similar to practices in the U.S., such as when making forward-looking statements.

    2. The regulations will streamline the listing process for issuers seeking a dual listing on the Global Listing Board.

    a. The use of a single set of offer documents will be facilitated by requiring that the Singapore prospectus contains information that is in line with that already required for listing in the U.S. 
     
    b. Alignment of the IPO timeline between the U.S. and Singapore will be facilitated by shortening the registration process in Singapore. 

    3. The regulations will also include safe harbour provisions in line with practices in the U.S. market to facilitate the publishing of forward-looking statements, the undertaking of share repurchases and the execution of pre-determined trades. These safe harbours do not provide a valid defence against fraud or dishonesty and will only apply if certain conditions are met.

    4. The proposed amendments to the SFA provide MAS with the flexibility to, should future opportunities arise, adopt a similar streamlined regulatory framework for dual listings from jurisdictions that have disclosure requirements that are comparable to and in line with international disclosure standards.

    5. Aside from the above, MAS is proposing other amendments to facilitate the offering process for all listings. The key amendment is to permit issuers to engage retail investors earlier in the IPO process. This will support bookbuilding efforts, as well as give investors more time to familiarise themselves with the issuers and their intended offers. Specifically for issuers seeking a dual listing on the Global Listing Board, the proposal will allow them to align the timing of their engagement with retail investors in both the U.S. and Singapore. 

    6. MAS and SGX will make the final decision on all listings and prospectus registrations in Singapore. MAS will also continue to work with the relevant authorities in Singapore to investigate and take action against breaches of disclosure requirements and market misconduct occurring in Singapore under the SFA. 

    7. SGX RegCo has issued a consultation paper dated 9 January 2026 to seek feedback on the listing rule book for the Global Listing Board.


    8. MAS invites views and suggestions from interested parties on the proposals set out in the consultation paper which is available here . Comments may be submitted via the FormSG link by 8 February 2026.

    ***

     

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  • Consultation Paper on Proposed Amendments to the Securities and Futures Act and Regulations in Relation to the Global Listing Board

    Consultation Paper on Proposed Amendments to the Securities and Futures Act and Regulations in Relation to the Global Listing Board



    This consultation paper seeks feedback on proposed amendments to the Securities and Futures Act 2001 and draft regulations to facilitate dual listings on the Global Listing Board.

    Consultation Number:


    P001-2026


    Start Date:


    09 January 2026


    Closing Date:


    08 February 2026




    This consultation closes at 11.59 PM on 8 February 2026.


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  • Have your say on drug and alcohol services in Walsall

    Have your say on drug and alcohol services in Walsall

    Published on

    Walsall residents and stakeholders are invited to have their say on the needs of people affected by drug and alcohol use in Walsall.

    The Beacon in Walsall town centre.

    Walsall Council arranges drug and alcohol support services to help people cut down, stop using substances and stay in recovery. This is done by understanding what is needed in Walsall, deciding what services are required, and then buying and monitoring those services.

    People affected by drugs and alcohol often need a wide range of support. This can include medications and counselling, as well as help with mental and physical health, housing, benefits, employment, and building positive family and social relationships.

    The Council is required to re-commission services when contracts come to an end. The current contract (with The Beacon) ends in March 2027. Residents and stakeholders are invited to share their views to help the Council ensure that the best possible drug and alcohol service is commissioned for communities.

    “ Our drug and alcohol services are important to residents across the borough in helping them access the support they need to help them recover and stay in recovery. Whether you have used the service or not, or if you’re a professional or volunteer working with people affected by substance use, we would like to hear from you. “

    Councillor Gary Flint, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Health and Wellbeing

    Walsall Council

    To complete the survey, visit: https://online1.snapsurveys.com/nzf2xr 

    The survey closes on 20 February 2026.

    If you need help to complete the online survey or would like a copy of it in another format please contact us.

    The Beacon currently provides drug and alcohol services for both young people and adults. The service includes needle exchange, one-to-one and group support, prescribing and detox, testing and treatment for blood-borne viruses, help accessing other health and care services, and support into employment. Support is free and confidential. Residents can refer themselves or professionals can refer clients to the service online via the Change Grow Live website. For more information, please contact thebeacon.walsall@cgl.org.uk or call 01922 669840.

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  • Govt notifies base prices, spectrum volumes for 5G auction

    Govt notifies base prices, spectrum volumes for 5G auction

    A representative image showing a telecommunications tower. — Reuters/File
    • Spectrum fee reflected in licence in equivalent Pakistani rupees.
    • PTA to conduct auction via transparent and competitive process.
    • Base price for 1 MHz paired spectrum in 700 MHz fixed at $6.5m.

    ISLAMABAD: The federal government has notified the base prices and spectrum volumes for the auction of next generation mobile services (5G), The News reported on Friday.

    A formal policy directive has been issued via the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication after approval by the auction supervisory committee, chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.

    The policy states that the spectrum fee will be reflected in the licence in equivalent Pakistani rupees, with the US dollar to Pakistani rupee conversion based on the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) TT selling rate prevailing on the day preceding the auction date.

    Under the directive, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) will conduct the auction through a transparent and competitive process, covering six spectrum bands.

    The auction will include 15 MHz of paired spectrum in the 700 MHz band, 36 MHz of paired spectrum in the 1800 MHz band, 20 MHz of paired spectrum in the 2100 MHz band, 50 MHz of unpaired spectrum in the 2300 MHz band, 190 MHz of unpaired spectrum in the 2600 MHz band, and 280 MHz of unpaired spectrum in the 3500 MHz band.

    The base price for 1 MHz paired spectrum in the 700 MHz band has been fixed at $6.5 million. For the 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz bands, the base price for 1 MHz paired spectrum has been set at $14 million each. In the case of unpaired spectrum, the base price has been fixed at $1 million per MHz in the 2300 MHz band, $1.25 million per MHz in the 2600 MHz band, and $0.65 million per MHz in the 3500 MHz band.

    Under the notified payment terms, a one-year moratorium from the date of licence issuance will apply, during which no payment or markup will be payable. Upon completion of the moratorium, licensees may either pay 100% of the spectrum fee by the first anniversary of licence issuance or opt for a deferred payment plan.

    Under the deferred option, at least 50% of the total spectrum fee must be paid by the first anniversary, while the remaining 50 per cent will be payable in five equal annual instalments starting from the second anniversary.

    The deferred amount will carry a cumulative markup at the rate of one-year KIBOR plus three per cent per annum, with the applicable KIBOR determined as per the rates prevailing on the relevant payment dates, as published by the State Bank of Pakistan.

    Early repayment of the outstanding balance, in full or in part, will be permitted without any prepayment penalty, though markup at the prescribed rate will apply up to the date of final payment.

    Successful bidders will be issued new spectrum licences for a period of 15 years. The licences will also incorporate provisions for spectrum trading and spectrum sharing in line with the approved regulatory framework.

    Following the completion of the spectrum auction, all existing Cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs) will be required — within a timeframe to be determined by the PTA — to comply with a spectrum rationalisation plan.

    The plan, to be issued by the PTA in consultation with the Frequency Allocation Board (FAB), aims to ensure optimal utilisation of contiguous spectrum holdings in the 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz bands.

    The PTA will issue an Information Memorandum (IM) detailing the auction mechanism, including eligibility criteria and procedural steps for participation. The auction will be conducted within the minimum reasonable time following the issuance of policy directive.

    The spectrum assignment will be technology-neutral, allowing its use for all existing and future advanced mobile technologies in line with the Government of Pakistan’s policy framework. Both existing CMOs and new entrants will be eligible to participate, subject to an overall spectrum cap of 40 per cent of the total spectrum available post-auction.

    Additionally, a cap of 55 MHz (2×27.5 MHz) will apply to aggregate low-band IMT spectrum holdings — comprising the 700 MHz, 850 MHz, and 900 MHz bands — including both existing and newly acquired spectrum. Further band-specific caps of 140 MHz in the 2600 MHz band and 200 MHz in the 3500 MHz band will also be enforced.

    Terms and conditions relating to phased Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS) network rollout — covering parameters such as the number of cities, sites, fibre-to-the-tower connectivity, and enhanced Quality of Service (QoS) standards — will be incorporated into the licences by the PTA, as recommended by the advisory committee. These measures are aimed at accelerating mobile broadband penetration and improving service quality nationwide.

    Existing CMOs that participate in and secure spectrum through the auction will have their current network rollout obligations replaced with new obligations, along with revised financial instruments, in accordance with the mechanism outlined in the Information Memorandum.


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  • Emergent BioSolutions, PANTHER Partner to Advance Africa CDC-Led MpOx Study – Africa CDC

    Emergent BioSolutions, PANTHER Partner to Advance Africa CDC-Led MpOx Study – Africa CDC

    GAITHERSBURG, Md. PARIS, Addis Ababa, January 8, 2025 – Emergent BioSolutions has announced a collaboration agreement with PANTHER to provide additional financial support to continue progressing the Africa CDC-led ‘MpOx Study in Africa’ (MOSA). This initiative aims to advance research into effective treatments for patients diagnosed with mpox, a virus for which there is currently no dedicated antiviral therapy.  

    Launched in 2024, MOSA is a double-blind, platform-adaptive clinical trial designed to evaluate potential treatment options for mpox across multiple African countries. The study initially received funding from the European Union and Africa CDC, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) being a major area of focus.  

    An independent data and safety monitoring board (DSMB) completed its initial review of MOSA safety data in December 2025, after the first 50 patients were randomised, and recommended continuing the trial, with no safety concerns identified.  

    “We applaud Africa CDC, the DRC investigators, and PANTHER for their efforts in reaching this important milestone and are proud to support the advancement of the MOSA trial,” said Simon Lowry, M.D., chief medical officer, head of research and development, Emergent. “Emergent is committed to collaborating with research partners around the world to study medications that address global health threats.”

    As the study continues, Africa CDC and PANTHER intend to extend the study to new countries, including a site in Uganda, and enrol patients to reach the next milestone.

    “This study represents a critical step in generating evidence to inform mpox treatment and strengthen Africa’s capacity to respond to emerging health threats,” said Africa CDC Director General, Dr Jean Kaseya. “Africa CDC will continue working closely with partners whose collaboration and support are essential in advancing research and improving preparedness across the continent.”

    Since the beginning of 2024, the continent has reported more than 61,383 confirmed cases and 296 deaths across 32 countries, according to Africa CDC. Africa has both major mpox clades, Clade I, which is endemic to Central Africa and causes more severe illness, and Clade II, which is more prevalent in West Africa, while recent outbreaks have featured subclades like Clade Ia, Ib and Clade IIa and IIb.

    About Emergent BioSolutions  
    Emergent’s mission is to protect and save lives. For over 25 years, it has been at work preparing those entrusted with protecting public health. The organization delivers protective and life-saving solutions for health threats like smallpox, mpox, botulism, Ebola, anthrax and opioid overdose emergencies. To learn more about how Emergency helps prepare communities around the world for today’s health challenges and tomorrow’s threats, visit their website and follow them on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.   

    About the Pandemic Preparedness Platform for Health and Emerging Infections Response (PANTHER)

    PANTHER is an African-led pandemic preparedness platform for health and emerging infection response. Bringing together leading African and global researchers and public health teams, it aims to create regional hubs and clinical research platforms to support preparedness and rapid response to emerging infectious diseases globally, particularly in Africa. For more information, visit https://pantherhealth.org.

    PANTHER is sponsoring MOSA as part of the MPX-RESPONSE Project that has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation programme under grant agreement 101115188.

    About Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)

    The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is a public health agency of the African Union. It is autonomous and supports member states in strengthening health systems. It also helps improve disease surveillance, emergency response, and disease control. Learn more at: Africa CDC and connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

    Investor Contact:  
    Richard S. Lindahl  
    Executive Vice President, CFO, Emergent
    lindahlr@ebsi.com  

    Media Contacts:  
    Assal Hellmer  
    Vice President, Communications, Emergent
    mediarelations@ebsi.com  

    Jessica Ilunga
    Communications Officer, PANTHER
    media@pantherhealth.org  

    Margaret Edwin
    Director of Communication and Public Information Africa CDC

    EdwinM@africacdc.org

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  • Australian shares finish flat ahead of US jobs report

    Australian shares finish flat ahead of US jobs report

    The Australian sharemarket has finished flat heading into another important US jobs readout and a potential blockbuster Supreme Court ruling on the legality of Donald Trump’s trade war.

    The S&P/ASX200 index on Friday ended three points lower at 8,717.8, a drop of 0.03 per cent, while the All Ordinaries dipped about a half-point to 9,045.9.

    For the week, the ASX200 dropped 10 points, or 0.1 per cent, in its second straight week of losses.

    Four of the ASX’s 11 sectors finished higher and six finished lower, with utilities flat.

    Energy was the biggest mover, rising 2.1 per cent as oil prices rebounded. Brent crude was changing hands at US$62 a barrel, after falling below $US60 shortly after the US strike in Venezuela.

    The Australian dollar was trading for 66.95 US cents, down from 67.03 US cents on Thursday at 5pm.

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  • PSX sees mixed activity amid cautious trading

    PSX sees mixed activity amid cautious trading

    KARACHI (Dunya News) – The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Friday recorded a mixed trading activity as investors seem to be cautious on last day of the business week.

    The current index stands at 185,594.71 point, showing an increase of 51.70 points or 0.03% as investors have adopted a wait-and-see approach ahead of the weekend.

    The market reached a high of 186,180.32 points and a low of 184,987.26 points during the session, reflecting mixed investor sentiment.

    The previous close was recorded at 185,543.01, indicating only a slight change in overall performance.

    In previous session, the benchmark KSE-100 index closed bearish, losing 975.70 points, a negative change of 0.52 percent, to settle at 185,543.01 points compared to 186,518.72 points on the previous trading day, according to PSX data.

    During the session, the ready market witnessed a trading volume of 1,433.986 million shares with a traded value of Rs 91.336 billion, against 1,329.490 million shares valuing Rs 86.587 billion in the previous session.

    Out of 481 active companies in the ready market, 209 advanced, 245 declined, while 27 remained unchanged.

     


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