Business
– Strong non-oil and gas exports helped Indonesia post a trade surplus of $10.61 billion in the first nine months of 2026, Statistics Indonesia (BPS) announced on Monday. The non-oil and gas sector produced a $34.21 billion surplus between January
– South Africa’s FirstRand, the second-largest lender in Africa, has joined a growing list of continental banks seeking to buy into Kenya’s banking industry. Half of Africa’s top 20 banks are building a multi-billion-shilling war chest for the market. They
– South Korea’s monthly exports reached a record $115.3 billion in October, up 93.7% from a year earlier, as semiconductor sales surged. Data released on Sunday by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources showed chip exports alone soaring 259%
– Kenya aims to raise its annual coffee output to 150,000 metric tonnes, with new climate-resilient varieties expected to play a central role. Production is projected at about 60,000 metric tonnes in the 2025/2026 season, well short of that target.
Travel
– Türkiye aims to become the world’s sixth-highest-earning country in tourism revenue, backed by a larger budget allocation for the sector in 2027. The 2027 central government budget draft sets tourism funding at $244.5 million, up from $188.4 million this
Sports
Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal and Erling Haaland are among the 30 nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. Organizers announced the men’s shortlist on September 8 before the awards ceremony in London on October 26. Ousmane Dembélé, Rodri and

