Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
Peru Moves to Declare State of Emergency at Chile Border as Migrant Tensions Rise 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Minneapolis Leaders Push Back as Trump Escalates Rhetoric Against Somali Community 
Apple Alerts EU Regulators That Apple Ads and Maps Meet DMA Gatekeeper Thresholds 
Trump Administration to Secure Equity Stake in Pat Gelsinger’s XLight Startup 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Trump Administration Plans Major Rollback of Biden-Era Fuel Economy Standards 
EU Prepares Antitrust Probe Into Meta’s AI Integration on WhatsApp 
Taiwan Opposition Criticizes Plan to Block Chinese App Rednote Over Security Concerns 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Flights Briefly Grounded at Philadelphia International Airport After Bomb Threat Resolved 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
New Zealand’s government will introduce a NZ$190 million ($112 million) Social Investment Fund in its 2025 budget to deliver targeted support for vulnerable populations. Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced the initiative ahead of the official budget release scheduled for May 22.
The fund aims to back 20 evidence-based initiatives over the next year, with an integrated tracking system to measure the effectiveness of each program. Willis emphasized the importance of data-driven decision-making, noting the fund represents a shift towards smarter and more transparent government spending.
“This fund is about early, smarter investment with clear accountability,” said Willis. “It’s focused on making real differences in the lives of people who need support the most.”
The government plans to use data to identify at-risk groups that may place long-term financial pressure on public services and the federal budget. This approach aligns with broader fiscal goals, including a previously announced reduction in baseline spending to NZ$1.3 billion, down from an earlier estimate of NZ$2.4 billion. The reduction is expected to help the Treasury forecast an operating surplus, excluding the financial position of the government-run accident compensation scheme.
Currently, New Zealand allocates around NZ$7 billion annually to purchase social services from non-government organizations. Over the next two to three years, the government anticipates shifting significant funding from traditional service models to the new Social Investment Fund. This transition is expected to empower communities and providers to collaborate with the government on innovative approaches to social support.
The fund is a central part of the government’s broader strategy to ensure long-term sustainability in public spending while improving outcomes for vulnerable citizens.
