BANGKOK -- Thailand's central bank slashed its key interest rate by 25 basis points on Wednesday, marking the first cut in more than four years and a move long encouraged by the government to shore up a sluggish economy.

The Bank of Thailand's monetary policy committee voted 5-2 to reduce the one-day repurchase rate to 2.25 percent, after the rate had been hiked to a decade-high of 2.5 percent since September 2023. (Thailand-Central Bank-Rate)

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TOKYO -- Japan's Ministry of the Environment has raised the nationwide bird flu alert to the highest level after detecting highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds in two towns in Hokkaido Prefecture of northern Japan.

The decision followed the detection of the virus in two separate instances in Hokkaido. On September 30, the virus was found in the carcass of a falcon in Otobe Town and on October 8, the virus was detected in droppings from wild ducks in Betsukai Town. (Japan-Bird Flu)

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JAKARTA -- Indonesia's central bank has maintained the interest rate at 6 percent after reducing it by 0.25 percentage points last month, said Governor of Bank Indonesia Perry Warjiyo on Wednesday.

At a two-day meeting from Tuesday to Wednesday, the Board of Governors of Bank Indonesia also decided to keep the deposit rate unchanged at 5.25 percent and the lending rate at 6.75 percent. (Indonesia-Interest Rate)

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HONG KONG -- When running for office more than two years ago, John Lee, now chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), emphasized a "reform mindset" and "result-oriented" government. In his third policy address delivered to the HKSAR Legislative Council Wednesday, the word "change" once again took center stage.

In his speech, which outlined the city's strategic priorities for the coming year, Lee announced a series of initiatives designed to deepen reforms and explore new growth areas, including measures to build an international gold trading market, promote high value-added maritime services, and improve the admission scheme to attract more quality talent. (Hong Kong-Policy Address-Economy) Enditem

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