TOKYO -- Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda died of heart failure at a hospital in Tokyo on Oct. 22 at the age of 90, local media reported Monday.
Born on July 16, 1936, in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture, Fukuda was the eldest son of former Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda and graduated from Waseda University. (Japan-Yasuo Fukuda-Passing Away)
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SINGAPORE -- Singapore plans to raise its statutory retirement age from 64 to 65 and its re-employment age from 69 to 70 on Jan. 1, 2029, a year ahead of the previously scheduled 2030 timeline.
The plan is among six recommendations released Monday by the Tripartite Workgroup on Senior Employment. The government has fully accepted the recommendations. (Singapore-Retirement Age)
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BANGKOK -- Thailand's exports grew for the 27th straight month in September, primarily supported by sustained global demand for electronics and artificial intelligence infrastructure, official data showed on Monday.
Exports, a key driver of the Southeast Asian country's economic growth, expanded 24 percent year on year last month to 38.44 billion U.S. dollars, edging down from a 24.3 percent gain in August, according to the Ministry of Commerce. (Thailand-Export)
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ISLAMABAD -- The State Bank of Pakistan on Monday raised its key policy rate by 50 basis points to 12 percent, citing rising risks to inflation and the macroeconomic outlook.
The decision was taken by the central bank's Monetary Policy Committee, which noted that the intensification of the conflict in the Middle East, low prospects for its near-term resolution and worsening El Nino conditions were keeping global commodity prices at elevated levels. (Pakistan-Policy Rate) ■



