Makana 360 Daily Report – 18 January 2026
📌 Vietnam – Communist Party congress meets to select new leadership
Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party convened its five-year congress to appoint new leaders and set key economic priorities. Incumbent General Secretary To Lam is seen as the leading contender after launching reform initiatives in 2024. Despite strong export performance and rapid growth, Vietnam faces corruption challenges and uncertainty linked to potential U.S. tariffs, while sustaining foreign investment and meeting a 10% growth target for 2026 remain critical.
📌 Spain – Deadliest train crash in over a decade kills at least 21
At least 21 people were killed and dozens injured after a high-speed train derailed near Córdoba and collided with another train. Around 400 passengers were on board both trains. Authorities launched an investigation, describing the incident as highly unusual, while rescue teams faced difficulties due to severe damage to the carriages.
📌 China – Economy meets growth target amid export boom
China reported 5% economic growth last year, meeting its official target, supported by a record trade surplus. However, growth slowed in the final quarter, exposing continued weakness in domestic consumption and the property sector. Analysts described a “two-speed economy,” while China also recorded its lowest number of births since 1949, deepening demographic and economic concerns.
📌 Top Global Events
• New England Patriots — 4M mentions & engagement (Veteran pass rusher extension expected).
• La Liga — 2M mentions & engagement (Real Sociedad defeats Barcelona 2–1).
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