President Prabowo on the 8th presided over ground‑breaking for 11 Chinese‑funded downstream mining projects at Weda Bay Industrial Park, Central Halmahera, North Maluku. Total investment is about $10.2 bln; projects cover power batteries, nickel‑cobalt materials, electrolytic aluminum, new‑energy construction machinery and commercial vehicle manufacturing.

The $1.8 trillion private credit market is facing renewed refinancing stress as loans issued during the low-rate period—especially in 2021–22—come due. Steve Kupenheimer, partner and head of private investments at Lord, Abbett & Co., said loans underwritten and priced when benchmark interest rates were near zero are most exposed; as that cohort matures borrowers will face greater refinancing pressure and higher default risk. Kupenheimer said he believes we are in a relatively elevated default cycle, with current default rates around 3–4% versus roughly a 2% historical average.

German government projects inflation to rise to 2.7% in 2026, reach 3.0% in 2027 and then ease to 2.2% in 2028.