News monitor

Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has paid out 5.2 billion baht (US$156 million) in flood relief to 683,286 households, and will ask the Cabinet on Tuesday, October 20, for …

The UN Interim Force in Lebanon has become part of the fabric of south Lebanese villages after decades spent monitoring border hostilities and supporting local communities.

Government performance measurement is not just about evaluating results. It also helps to shape officials' conduct, while oversight and accountability provide institutional safeguards for exercising public power.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Saturday called on the international community to strengthen cooperation in medicine, make better use of the world's traditional medicine resources, and jointly address challenges to human health.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18 — Alumni bodies have been urged to strengthen their support for schools, with Finance Ministe...

LENGGONG, Oct 18 — The Perak state government has welcomed the approval of seven of the 10 priority projects it su...

KUDAT, Oct 18 — The increased federal allocation of RM18.7 billion for Sabah under Budget 2027 will support effort...

MANILA, Philippines — Inflation has emerged as the most urgent concern of Filipinos, with 71 percent calling on the Marcos administration to address rising prices immediately, while 81 percent disapprove of its …

The US secretary of state says various conflicts are impacting global energy prices, including the US war on Iran and attacks on Saudi Arabia by Yemen's Houthis.

US President Donald Trump is expected to drive hard bargains on tariffs and critical minerals in his return to the Asean summit in Manila next month, with Washington seeking greater economic and …

Cambodia and Kazakhstan are seeking new mechanisms to translate their commitments to strengthen bilateral relations into concrete actions, with a focus on trade, investment, technology, finance and other areas of mutual interest. …

However, another pundit says this would come with political risks, and Pakatan Harapan would be better off holding the state election concurrently with GE16.

Malaysia can take a leaf out of the UK’s book to enhance protection of its submarine cables from damage caused by intentional or reckless actions, with tougher penalties.

The 78-year-old mayor says masked settlers attacked him as he joined Palestinian olive farmers in the West Bank alongside French and Belgian representatives.

The International Monetary Fund projects that Japan's nominal gross domestic product, measured in U.S. dollars, will be overtaken by India and Britain in 2027, falling from fourth to…

The Para Commuters’ Network late on Friday slammed the World Bank Group and its proposed “major overhaul” of the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP) as “anti-commuter by design.”In a statement, the commuter …

​MORE than half of registered voters say they would likely reject candidates involved in the flood control scam, while the biggest group wants a broader investigation into infrastructure projects corruption, the Pahayag …

APEC 2026: 30 days to go until Shenzhen hosts world leaders

MANILA, Philippines — Caloocan City 2nd District Rep. Edgar Erice revealed on Saturday that he voted against the proposed 2027 national budget, alleging that political considerations influenced the allocation of public funds …

For decades, diamonds have shone as the glittering emblem of Botswana. For China and Botswana, the precious stone offers a fitting metaphor for a friendship that has endured across decades.

More than 32,000 protesters had taken part in some 140 actions nationwide outside Paris shortly after midday on Saturday.

The IMF said AI, propelled by spending on data centres and microchips, has helped cushion the economic shock caused by the war in the Middle East.

TACLOBAN CITY — Northern Samar posted the highest economic growth rate in Eastern Visayas in 2025, with its economy expanding by 4.6% from 3.4% in the previous year, according to the Philippine …

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 17 — The Madani Government has increased the allocation for religious affairs to RM3.1 billion unde...

Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, 71, made the remarks on Saturday and said the Egyptian constitution 'would not be touched'.

GEORGE TOWN, Oct 17 — A total of 202.3 hectares of land have been reclaimed at Silicon Island since reclamation wo...

國際貨幣基金與世界銀行年會近日在泰國曼谷舉行。 圖：（中央社檔案照片） Newtalk新聞 國際貨幣基金（IMF）和世界銀行（World Bank）在泰國曼谷的年會接近尾聲。IMF總裁喬治艾娃今天表示，IMF有責任協助因伊朗戰爭導致價格衝擊而陷入困境的低收入國家。 法新社報導，本週在泰國首都舉辦的會議聚集來自全球各地財政部長、中央銀行總裁及其他高層官員。 喬治艾娃（Kristalina Georgieva）在沙烏地阿拉伯財政部長賈丹（Mohammed Al-Jadaan）也出席的記者會中表示：「這次會議交織著樂觀和擔憂…樂觀來自全球經濟的韌性、人工智慧（AI）的前景、亞洲的活力。但是人們也意識到AI引發疑慮，此外還有通貨膨脹、高負債水準、戰爭以及氣候風險，在在令人憂心。」 IMF這整週一直在警告，在各國央行必須專注於降低通貨膨脹，而且很可能需要透過調升利率來達成的同時，高負債水準和飆升的債券殖利率正在緊縮金融環境。 自從2月底美國、以色列發動對伊朗的戰爭以來，全球能源價格急劇上揚，德黑蘭的報復行動以美國在波斯灣的盟國為目標，並且減少石油和天然氣供應。 這波價格上漲已經蔓延全球，推升各類經濟體的通膨壓力。 IMF指出，最深受衝擊的是那些無法搭上AI投資熱潮的低收入石油進口國。 喬治艾娃說：「世界各地的人們，尤其是貧窮國家的民眾，都不喜歡通貨膨脹。通膨就像是對窮人徵稅。」 她也提到，全球利率和債券殖利率上升導致低收入國家的債務償還支出不斷攀升。 喬治艾娃指出，低收入國家債務償還金額占政府收入的比例近年來已經從8%升高至14%。而IMF有責任在必要時協助各國重整債務、協助國內資源調動、引進國際資金、營造私人投資條件。延伸閱讀：黃國昌批賴清德支持長者免健保費 網友看不下去留言嗆「不要偷換概念！」賴清德酸蔣萬安「屏東學校就能領鮮乳！」大讚周春米「五星縣長」零舉債！藍白硬闖65歲以上免健保費！她轟：付錢的是你的小孩！健保垮了誰都救不回趙少康二訪沈伯洋 藍提案開除黨籍！黃暐瀚驚：這是國民黨？還是共產黨中央委員？王惠美現身藍營造勢掀關注！喊挺核電卻不談魏平政「握手就走」

Ulanqab, a city in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, is known as China's "potato capital" and "oat capital." Today, it is tapping its abundant wind and solar resources to power the …

Prime Minister Hun Manet’s official visit to Azerbaijan from October 12 to 14 resulted in agreements to strengthen trade, investment, education, defence and other areas of bilateral cooperation, including the establishment of …

GEORGE TOWN, Oct 17 — The remaining eligible taxi, rental car and school bus drivers nationwide will receive the R...

Many delegates to ⁠the International Monetary Fund’s steering ⁠committee walked out of a meeting on ⁠Saturday when Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov addressed the group in Russian, three sources familiar with the …

National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) Governor Chea Serey met German Ambassador Silke Rofer Friday to discuss international uncertainties putting pressure on the Cambodian investment environment. The post NBC, Germany discuss Cambodian investment …

BUTTERWORTH, Oct 17 — The Communications Ministry and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC...

Kristalina Georgieva cited global economic resilience, AI and Asia as sources of optimism, while warning of inflation, debt, wars and climate risks.

TIANJIN, Oct 17 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s five-day working visit to China has...

Le Minh Hung says the government will continue to push for double-digit growth while maintaining macroeconomic stability.

A new global platform for investment, capital formation and economic partnership will launch 3-4 December in Bali, ...

Party secretary-general Faiz Fadzil says the 2027 budget and the coalition's record of governing the state are among the factors that can influence voter support.

Newtalk新聞 法國社會動盪再次迎來關鍵節點。備受關注的黃背心運動再次發出號召，呼籲公眾於17日重返街頭。然而，就在民怨急劇上升的同時，國際金融體系對法國經濟健康狀況發出了嚴厲警告。 與以往不同的是，這次抗議展現出罕見的跨階層與跨領域聯合趨勢，青年組織、農民團體、環保倡議者以及部分主要工會都已明確宣布加入，試圖將生活成本危機、教育資源匱乏以及公共服務縮減等多重社會訴求匯集為一場大規模的社會抗爭。然而，就在民怨急劇上升之際，國際金融體系卻對法國的經濟健康狀況提出了嚴厲警告。 國際貨幣基金組織（IMF）總裁格奧爾基耶娃（Kristalina Georgieva）13日公開警示，面對持續走高的主權債務與居高不下的財政赤字，法國需要「時間」才能「重新贏得金融市場的信任」。格奧爾基耶娃發出警告的背後，是法國當下極其嚴峻的宏觀經濟與政治現實，法國公共債務占 GDP 比重已接近 120%，長期借款利率一度逼近 5%，債務利息正快速吞噬國家預算。在政治上，國民議會缺乏穩定多數，導致 2027 年國家預算案談判定論難決。反對黨在議會內阻擊緊縮法案，使得政府難以形成穩定、可信的財政整頓方案。格奧爾基耶娃指出，法國需要時間將債務與赤字降至「能讓民眾與投資者均充分信任」的水平。這凸顯出金融市場對法國財政可持續性的擔憂日益加劇，主權融資成本上升的風險近在眼前。格奧爾基耶娃的表態凸顯了法國政府眼下面臨的嚴峻國際壓力。債務與赤字雙高使得國際市場日益加劇對法國財政可持續性的擔憂，主權融資成本面臨上升風險，不幸的是，結構性改革阻力極度壓縮可供政策調控的迴旋空間，雖然政府知道財政收緊與整頓勢在必行。與金融市場的警示遙相呼應的，是法國社會底層及中產階級對生活質量下滑的深層焦慮。黃背心（Gilets Jaunes）運動將焦點鎖定於生活成本、教育體系現狀以及公共服務質量等核心民生議題，種種危機引發了廣泛共鳴而成聯合陣線。黃背心運動最初於 2018 年因燃油稅及購買力問題爆發，隨後演變為對稅制公平與政治代表性的廣泛抗爭。本次重返街頭，其訴求已超越單一步驟的能源價格，全面延伸至教育、公共服務以及青年一代的前景保障。青年與學生群體因就業前景暗淡、住房成本高昂及教育資源分配不公而選擇全面介入。面對生產成本飆升與能源轉型的雙重陣痛，農民團體與環保人士罕見地站在同一戰線。主要工會的參與賦予了抗議更強的行業聯動能力。但分析人士也指出，集會地點不明確、歷史遺留的組織協調缺陷、各團體間的訴求差異，以及不同世代能否將共同的不滿轉化為持久的政治力量，仍是決定抗議規模與影響力的變量。社會抗議與國際金融機構的警告雖然分別來自不同領域，卻共同凸顯財政緊縮與民生訴求的「惡性循環」在根本上突出當前法國所面臨的兩難困境，為了回應 IMF 的警告並恢復國際金融市場的信任，法國政府不得不考慮削減公共支出、控制財政赤字。然而，街頭抗議者所訴求的正是增加公共服務投入、改善教育資源以及提供購買力補貼。這次抗議的政治意義，在於生活成本問題可能再次成為連接不同社會不滿的共同議題，抗議行動不僅是對法國政府社會治理能力的一次大考，更是在宏觀經濟壓力與微觀民生痛點交織下的一次集中爆發。政府若選擇財政緊縮以迎合市場，勢必進一步加劇社會矛盾，而若為了平息民憤，維持社會保障與公共服務的基本功能勢必增加財政支出，則可能推高債務，導致國際金融評級降級和市場信心流失。面對「市場規則」與「街頭呼聲」的劇烈碰撞，法國主流媒體將其歸結為同一種「結構性危機」的兩極，呈現出深層次的視角撕裂。右派與財經媒體如《費加羅報》、《世界報》財經版聚焦於「國家的信用死局」。他們強調政府處於「減赤字、合規規、加預算」的致命三角壓迫中。儘管街頭訴求在道德上具有合理性，但在經濟上卻是「無米之炊」。法國債務占 GDP 比重已接近 120% 的危局，債務利息正吞噬越來越多的財政赤字，若不實施結構性緊縮，國債收益率飆升將引發金融市場的懲罰性報復，最終導致民生保障迎來更猛烈的強制性崩塌。左派媒體如《解放報》、《人道報》及 Mediapart將矛頭直指「緊縮教條」。他們批判，IMF 要求的「緊縮」正是導致公共服務崩潰和生活成本危機的根源。他們認為政府數十年來不斷削減醫院、學校、交通等公共部門資金，才逼得青年、高中生與農民上街。政府為了贏得泛化的「市場信任」，卻徹底喪失了國內的「社會信任」。如果執政者只看金融評級機構的臉色，而無視購買力暴跌和底層死活，社會的劇烈動盪將讓任何經濟改革都無法落地，強調「社會信任比市場信任更優先」的左派媒體呼籲不要通過「削減公共開支」來平抑赤字，而應通過「對超額利潤徵稅、恢復富人稅」等方式籌措資金，既充實財政，又撫平社會憤怒。政治分析家則診斷法國已陷入「制度性死鎖」，認為這代表了法國「制度與統治力」的癱瘓。議會碎片化導致行政失效，法國公眾雖然承認債務危機的存在，但拒絕為此買單。當 IMF 警告「時間不多了」時，街頭卻高喊「我們的生存等不及了」，這折射出社會對財富分配公平性的深刻不信任。社會抗議與國際機構的警告，共同勾勒出法國政府當前面臨的兩難困境，若聽從 IMF 削減開支，街頭抗爭恐面臨失控，順從街頭增加支出，金融市場或將在次日給法國扣上「高風險國家」的帽子。宏觀經濟數據所呈現的增長、赤字或債務，並不能直接回答普通家庭如何應對食品、住房、交通及教育支出的現實難題。對於法國當局而言，IMF 並沒有將「市場信心」與「社會信任」設定為必然對立，兩者可能要求不同的政策優先順序，但如何設計一套既能逐步恢復財政可信度、又不會將整頓成本過度轉嫁給普通民眾的方案，正考驗著執政者的最終智慧。延伸閱讀：IMF報告揭台灣今年GDP成長率高居亞太之冠 AI熱潮成關鍵推手聲援抗議學生集會遍地開花 法國逾16萬人上街示威民調：法國極左、極右將進入第二輪總統投票 勒龐可望擊敗梅朗雄法總統大選瑪麗勒龐維持領先！ 台灣問題附和北京的「他」進決選慘遭碾壓....WINNER宋旻浩當兵「無故缺勤102天」！兵務廳證實「須重補服役」