Updated October 25, 2026: International headlines this weekend span a closely watched Serbian election, a proposed technology investment in Malaysia, an energy supply change in Southeast Asia and fresh corporate developments across Europe, North America and Asia. Here are ten developments investors and business readers are following.
1. Serbia votes in a tight contest between Vucic’s party and a student-backed movement
Serbia held a snap parliamentary election on October 25, with President Aleksandar Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party facing a student-backed opposition list after nearly two years of protests. Early turnout was reported at 27.3% by 11 a.m., compared with 15.1% at the same point in the 2023 vote. The election follows public anger after a railway-station canopy collapse in Novi Sad killed 16 people in 2024. No final result was confirmed at the time of writing, and official tallies were expected after voting concluded.
2. Bank of Israel rejects Netanyahu’s cryptocurrency proposal
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel should prepare for potential international financial sanctions by developing alternative financial channels, including cryptocurrency. The Bank of Israel publicly pushed back, saying crypto cannot bypass sanctions and warning that preserving ties with major trading partners is important. The proposal drew criticism from opposition politicians and more than 100 economists. The debate has put the country’s international banking relationships and investor confidence at the centre of a political argument ahead of an election.
3. Indonesia reduces pipeline gas supplies to Singapore
Indonesia began cutting pipeline gas exports to Singapore by 31 million standard cubic feet a day from October 24, a reduction of about 9%, to prioritise domestic power needs. Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said the city-state expects parties to honour commercial supply contracts and that its gas importer would protect its contractual rights. The cut is a new test of regional energy arrangements; the duration of the reduction and its eventual effect on Singapore’s supply mix were not established in the initial announcement.
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4. Malaysia draws a proposed US$50 billion technology investment
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son had selected locations in Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia for a proposed US$50 billion investment spanning artificial intelligence, new technologies and data centres. Anwar said he had spoken with Son by video call on October 20. No public timetable, financing structure or project-by-project breakdown was announced, so the figure represents a proposed investment plan rather than completed spending. If carried out, it would add to Malaysia’s effort to attract digital infrastructure and higher-value technology projects.
5. UBS employee group warns of up to 12,000 jobs at risk
The Swiss Bank Employees Association warned lawmakers that 10,000 to 12,000 of UBS’s roughly 34,000 Swiss jobs could be at risk if the bank relocates, is sold or merges amid debate over tougher capital requirements. The warning is conditional: UBS has not announced a plan to leave Switzerland. The bank is also completing its integration of Credit Suisse, making the debate important for employees, regulators and the country’s financial sector.
6. US changes tariffs on selected Canadian imports
President Donald Trump signed an order on October 23 modifying tariffs on certain Canadian goods. Some agricultural, forestry, packaging and machinery products are due to receive relief from October 30, while other Canadian product categories were added to the tariff list. The change is selective rather than a broad removal of trade barriers. Businesses that rely on cross-border supply chains will need to check how the revised product categories apply to their shipments and costs.
7. Volvo Cars plans 2,500 more job cuts after a steep quarterly loss
Sweden’s Volvo Cars reported a much larger-than-expected operating loss for the third quarter and said it would cut a further 2,500 jobs, mostly in Sweden. The new reductions come on top of 3,000 cuts announced earlier. Volvo shares fell about 24% on October 23, marking a record one-day decline, as investors reacted to weaker demand, US tariffs, cost pressures and the company’s cash burn. Management said the additional measures are part of a broader effort to lower costs.
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8. Apple’s first foldable iPhone reaches stores with limited supply
Apple began selling its first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, on October 23. The device carries a price of about US$2,000, and pre-orders sold out quickly in several markets, with some delivery estimates pushed into January. The launch expands Apple’s lineup into a category where Samsung and Huawei already compete. Early reviews have noted the large-screen design as well as questions around camera features, software support and whether the premium price will attract buyers beyond early adopters.
9. China urges Washington to halt proposed investment restrictions
China’s commerce ministry on October 24 urged the United States to stop expanding restrictions on American investment in Chinese companies working in sensitive technologies. Beijing said the proposed rule could disrupt commercial ties. The measure remains a proposal, not a newly implemented blanket ban. If advanced, the rules could affect investment decisions and compliance obligations for some US investors and companies with exposure to China’s technology sectors.
10. OUE REIT agrees to buy more of Sydney’s Salesforce Tower
Singapore-listed OUE REIT agreed to acquire a further 50% stake in Sydney’s Salesforce Tower from China’s Ping An for A$864 million, or about US$606 million. The deal would raise OUE REIT’s ownership to 69.9%. The transaction is being watched as a reference point for prime office-property valuations while financing costs remain a concern and many office assets face uneven demand. Completion remains subject to the transaction process.
What to watch
Investors will track the confirmed Serbian election result, details and timing for Malaysia’s proposed investment, the practical impact of Indonesia’s gas reduction, and any formal policy steps on US-China investment rules. For companies, the key signals are how trade measures affect costs, whether restructuring improves profitability and how quickly large projects translate into operating results.
Also Read: US Stock Market Weekly Review: S&P 500, Nasdaq, Dow (Oct 19-23, 2026)
This article is for informational purposes only and is not investment advice. Onetrader is not registered with SEBI as an investment adviser or research analyst.
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