According to Indian media ET: Zee Entertainment has re-opened merger negotiations with Sony Group.

Prime Minister of Thailand: Urges the interest rate decision-making committee to hold an emergency meeting to consider lowering interest rates.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Shmeygar: The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is a struggle between democracy and autocracy.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Shmeygar: After the US Senate approved aid, Ukraine is waiting for support from the House of Representatives.

Prime Minister of Thailand: Thailand’s economy is at a critical stage.

[Toyota Motor Co.’s union is reported to seek higher wages and bonuses] Toyota Motor Corp.’s union is preparing for annual salary negotiations with the Japanese automaker. During the negotiations, the union is reported to ask for higher wages and bonuses, seeking to pay employees the equivalent of 7.6 Monthly salary bonus. The amount unions are demanding would be a significant increase from last year, which saw the highest per capita wage increase since 1999.

Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki: Noting that there are some views that the new Personal Savings Account Scheme (NISA) plan leads to capital flight and the weakening of the yen. Does not comment on stock prices. Will pay close attention to stock market trends.

According to a Reuters survey: All 38 analysts interviewed said that the Bank of Korea will keep the basic interest rate unchanged at 3.50% on February 22.

Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki: The government is not considering increasing defense spending.

Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki: Pay close attention to foreign exchange fluctuations with a high sense of urgency.

According to a Reuters survey, the Bank of Korea is expected to keep the benchmark interest rate unchanged at 3.50% in the second quarter of 2024 and lower it to 3.25% in the third quarter, the same as the January survey.

Reserve Bank of Australia meeting minutes: If the economy weakens during the interest rate hike cycle, it will not rule out a shift to interest rate cuts.

RBA meeting minutes: Risks are balanced between high inflation and slowing demand.

RBA meeting minutes: It is important to make it clear that a rate hike is not ruled out.

Reserve Bank of Australia meeting minutes: Considered whether to raise interest rates or keep interest rates unchanged.

RBA meeting minutes: Worried that it will take some time for inflation to return to target.

According to the Times of Israel: The Israel Defense Forces said that 12,000 Hamas fighters were killed in the Gaza war, a number twice that claimed by the organization.

Capital One Financial confirmed it will acquire Discover, with the deal set to close in late 2024 or early 2025.

Market news: Venezuelan President Maduro warned ExxonMobil not to enter disputed waters.