In the news...

The EU considers adding new members. A European Commission paper to be published today will map out membership (paywall) for six western Balkan countries in the bloc by 2025, among them Serbia, Montenegro, and Albania. Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker pledged in September to expand the union after Britain leaves.

SpaceX launches the world’s most powerful rocket. The Falcon Heavy will lift off from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center between 1:30pm and 4pm ET. The test flight—capable of carrying a large robot or a partial human-exploration mission to Mars—will instead carry a Tesla Roadster.

Mike Pence arrives in Japan. The US vice president’s three-day visit will focus on the allies’ security measures in the face of North Korea’s nuclear threats. He’s expected to meet with prime minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday and later head to the Winter Olympics in South Korea.

The US stock plunge continued fueling a global sell-off. After the Dow declined 4.6% yesterday (Feb. 5) and the Nasdaq and S&P 500 also fell, drops were seen in Asia-Pacific nations today (Feb. 6). Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell more than 5%, while South Korea’s Kospi and Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 were each down more than 3%. S&P 500 futures also fell, suggesting more pain is in store. Bitcoin continued its fall as well.

Singapore and Malaysia announced a stock-trading link. By connecting Bursa Malaysia and the Singapore Exchange by year’s end, it will help lower trading costs and encourage cross-border investment, authorities from the neighboring countries said. Also close to being finalized: a project to build a high-speed rail line between the two nations.

Australia’s central bank held rates steady. The Reserve Bank of Australia left the cash rate on hold at 1.5%, saying consumer spending remains a concern even as business conditions were positive. It noted that inflation is below 2% but is expected to improve as the economy strengthens.

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