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GDP

Finland to spend 3.2% of GDP on defence by 2030 despite austerity

FILE PHOTO: Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo arrives at the White House ahead of a bilateral meeting with Finland's President Alexander Stubb and U.S President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., U.S., October 9, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard/ File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo arrives at the White House ahead of a bilateral meeting with Finland's President Alexander Stubb and U.S President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., U.S., October 9, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard/ File Photo

Australia to raise defence spending to 3% of GDP by 2033

Sailors stand on board HMAS Canberra, facing the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, ahead of the Kakadu International Fleet Review, a biennial maritime exercise marking 125 years of the Australian Navy, in Sydney, Australia, March 21, 2026. REUTERS/Hollie Adams
Sailors stand on board HMAS Canberra, facing the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, ahead of the Kakadu International Fleet Review, a biennial maritime exercise marking 125 years of the Australian Navy, in Sydney, Australia, March 21, 2026. REUTERS/Hollie Adams

Portugal, unlike Spain, rejects separate European army

FILE PHOTO: Portuguese Defence Minister, Nuno Melo speaks with Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles during the La Toja Forum on global challenges in Lisbon, Portugal, April 1, 2025. REUTERS/Pedro Nunes/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Portuguese Defence Minister, Nuno Melo speaks with Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles during the La Toja Forum on global challenges in Lisbon, Portugal, April 1, 2025. REUTERS/Pedro Nunes/File Photo

Italy says EU should consider pausing budget rules if Iran war flares up again

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni speaks at the lower house of Parliament to report on her government’s actions and is expected to speak on the latest developments in Iran, in Rome, Italy, April 9, 2026.
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni speaks at the lower house of Parliament to report on her government’s actions and is expected to speak on the latest developments in Iran, in Rome, Italy, April 9, 2026.

Benin finance minister Wadagni seeks his own mandate in election

Romuald Wadagni, Benin's finance minister and the ruling party candidate for the presidential election, waves after presenting his platform in Cotonou, Benin March 21, 2026. REUTERS/Charles Placide Tossou
Romuald Wadagni, Benin's finance minister and the ruling party candidate for the presidential election, waves after presenting his platform in Cotonou, Benin March 21, 2026. REUTERS/Charles Placide Tossou

World Bank’s Banga sees some degree of lower growth, higher inflation due to war

World Bank President Ajay Banga said the impact of the war would depend on the severity and duration of the disruption to energy markets.
World Bank President Ajay Banga said the impact of the war would depend on the severity and duration of the disruption to energy markets.

Israel says economy lost over $73 billion during two years of war in Gaza

Palestinians displaced during the two-year Israeli offensive in Zawayda in the central Gaza Strip, on March 23.
Palestinians displaced during the two-year Israeli offensive in Zawayda in the central Gaza Strip, on March 23.

US economic growth sharply lower than estimated in fourth quarter

For the full year of 2025, us GDP growth was 2.1 per cent, just a touch below the 2.2 per cent previously estimated.
For the full year of 2025, us GDP growth was 2.1 per cent, just a touch below the 2.2 per cent previously estimated.

The AI doomsday report that shook Wall Street – and why its critics have a point

According to the blog post by Citrini Research that illustrates the impact of AI in a hypothetical future, the technology makes companies so productive that they fire many of their white-collar workers. 
According to the blog post by Citrini Research that illustrates the impact of AI in a hypothetical future, the technology makes companies so productive that they fire many of their white-collar workers. 

Economists raise Singapore growth forecast for 2026 to 3.6% from 2.3%: MAS survey

This is a significant upgrade from their previous prediction of 2.3 per cent in the December survey.
This is a significant upgrade from their previous prediction of 2.3 per cent in the December survey.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.