Headline news for September 18, 2025: The Fed cuts rates for the first time since December. France braces for mass strikes, the Philippines stands firm at Scarborough Shoal, Japan’s Nikkei hits records, New Zealand GDP contracts, and Singapore travellers get passport-less QR clearance for JB trips.

Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.

Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro (claremb@sph.com.sg)

Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

Produced with AI text-to-speech capabilities

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S2E75: NZ Economy Shrinks, China Spending Slows, Malaysia Rolls Out QR Border Clearance