Business and Economy
Japan auctions emergency rice reserves as prices soar
AFP - 3m ago
The Japanese government began a rare auction on Monday of its emergency rice stockpiles in a bid to help drive down the …
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Hong Kong, Shanghai lead losers on mixed day for Asian markets
AFP - 35m ago
Shares in Hong Kong and Shanghai sank Monday on a mixed day for Asian markets after data showing Chinese consumer prices …
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China-US trade war heats up as Beijing's tariffs take effect
Mar 10 2025
Beijing's tariffs on certain US agricultural goods in retaliation for President Donald Trump's latest hike on Chinese …
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Energy industry meets after Trump tears up US green agenda
Mar 10 2025
Top energy industry figures converge on Houston this week for their biggest gathering since Donald Trump returned to the …
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7-Eleven to explore sell-offs with Couche-Tard ahead of potential merger
Mar 10 2025
The Japanese owner of 7-Eleven said Monday it had agreed to jointly explore store sell-offs with Alimentation …
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Trump declines to rule out 2025 US recession
Mar 10 2025
President Donald Trump declined Sunday to rule out the possibility that the United States might enter a recession this …
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Mexico president says 'dialogue prevailed' in Trump tariff dispute
AFP - 8h ago
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum credited "dialogue" Sunday for her US counterpart Donald Trump's decision to offer …
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After Poland spat, Musk vows Ukraine can keep Starlink
AFP - 6h ago
Billionaire industrialist and senior White House advisor Elon Musk vowed Sunday to maintain Ukraine's access to his …
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US ends waiver for Iraq to buy Iranian electricity
AFP - 10h ago
The United States has ended a sanctions waiver that allowed Iraq to buy electricity from neighboring Iran, in line with …
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China-US trade war heats up with Beijing's tariffs to take effect
AFP - 16h ago
Trade tensions between the world's two leading economies are set to escalate on Monday, as Beijing begins levying …
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US takes rivalry with China to the high seas
AFP - 22h ago
The United States may still have the world's most powerful navy but it seems to have realised that this is no longer …
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New LIV CEO O'Neil predicts golf will 'open up again'
AFP - 23h ago
The new CEO of LIV told AFP the world of golf will eventually "open up again" and the Saudi-bankrolled league has an …
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China consumption slump deepens as February prices drop
AFP - 23h ago
Consumer prices in China fell last month for the first time in a year, with authorities in the world's second-largest …
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US shipbuilders, a shadow of what they were, welcome Trump's support
AFP - 24h ago
Shipbuilding has been in steady decline in the US since the end of the Cold War but some in the industry now hope for a …
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Nigeria seeks to cash in on soaring cocoa prices
AFP - 24h ago
Booming cocoa prices are stirring interest in turning Nigeria into a bigger player in the sector, with hopes of …
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'Grieving': US federal workers thrown into uncertain job market
Mar 08 2025
Unprecedented cuts to the US government overseen by President Donald Trump's billionaire advisor Elon Musk are sending …
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Trump's tariff rollback brings limited respite as new levies loom
Mar 08 2025
US President Donald Trump imposed vast tariffs this week on key partners Canada and Mexico, roiling cross-border ties …
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Trump says dairy, lumber tariffs on Canada may come soon
Mar 07 2025
US President Donald Trump said Friday that he could impose reciprocal tariffs on Canadian dairy and lumber within days …
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From critic to investor: Trump welcomes crypto leaders to White House
Mar 07 2025
Donald Trump on Friday doubled down on his embrace of cryptocurrencies as he hosted top industry players at the White …
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Global stocks mixed as Trump shifts on tariffs weighs on sentiment
Mar 07 2025
Global stocks were mixed Friday as President Donald Trump's unpredictable tariff tinkering weighed down sentiment even …
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US Fed chair flags policy uncertainty, in no rush to adjust rates
Mar 07 2025
US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell flagged high uncertainty Friday surrounding President Donald Trump's economic …
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US hiring misses expectations in February as jobs market faces pressure
Mar 07 2025
The United States added fewer jobs than expected in February and unemployment ticked up, government data showed Friday, …
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US Fed chair flags policy uncertainty but in no rush to adjust rates
Mar 07 2025
US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell flagged high uncertainty Friday surrounding President Donald Trump's economic …
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Greenland's mining bonanza still a distant promise
Mar 07 2025
Before it could cast its first gold bar, Amaroq had to build a port and housing, repair a road, and ship over equipment …
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Cadillac win final approval for F1 place in 2026
Mar 07 2025
Cadillac have received final approval to become the 11th team in Formula One from the 2026 season, motorsport's …
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Shares slump on Trump tariffs tinkering, jobs
Mar 07 2025
World stock markets were mired in the red on Friday as investors digested a US jobs report and President Donald Trump's …
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Thousands stranded as massive WWII bomb blocks Paris train station
Mar 07 2025
The unearthing of a 500-kilogramme World War II bomb near tracks outside Paris on Friday halted traffic and stranded …
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Now a believer, Trump hosts White House crypto summit
Mar 07 2025
Donald Trump on Friday hosts top cryptocurrency players at the White House, a political boost for an industry that has …
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Tears, ruined plans as WWII bomb halts Paris-London trains
Mar 07 2025
From missed funerals to scrambled birthday plans, the travellers caught in the cancellation Friday of Paris-London …
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US stock markets rise as investors track Trump tariffs, jobs
Mar 07 2025
US stock markets rose but European shares mostly fell on Friday as investors digested a jobs report and President Donald …
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Trump tariffs: What's been done and what is to come?
Mar 07 2025
It was another roller-coaster week in US President Donald Trump's trade war as tariffs against China came into force …
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US hiring misses expectations in February, jobs market sees pressure
Mar 07 2025
The United States added fewer jobs than expected in February and the unemployment rate ticked up, government data showed …
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Australian casino firm strikes deal to avoid liquidity crunch
Mar 07 2025
Australian casino operator Star Entertainment said Friday it has reached an agreement to sell its stake in a major …
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Thousands stranded as WWII bomb paralyses Paris train station
Mar 07 2025
The unearthing of a 500-kilogram World War II bomb near tracks outside Paris on Friday halted traffic and stranded …
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Stock markets, bitcoin down as Trump policies roil markets
Mar 07 2025
Global stock markets tumbled and the dollar retreated Friday as uncertainty over US President Donald Trump's trade …
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Japan, Britain stress free trade in Tokyo talks
Mar 07 2025
Britain and Japan stressed the importance of free trade in talks in Tokyo on Friday amid an escalating battle of …
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Sri Lanka signs $2.5b debt deal with Japan
Mar 07 2025
Sri Lanka signed a deal with Japan Friday to restructure $2.5 billion in loans, marking the first agreement with …
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Asian stocks, bitcoin down as trade uncertainty roils markets
Mar 07 2025
Asian stocks tumbled Friday following a tough day on Wall Street as uncertainty over US President Donald Trump's trade …
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China tariffs aimed at Trump fan base, but leave wiggle room
Mar 07 2025
China's retaliatory tariffs against US farm produce from corn to chicken are designed to hurt Donald Trump's voter base, …
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Apple step closer to seeing end of Indonesia iPhone sales ban
Mar 07 2025
Indonesia approved local certificates for more than a dozen Apple products on Friday, the industry ministry said, moving …
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China to 'firmly counter' US trade pressure, foreign minister warns
Mar 07 2025
China's foreign minister on Friday vowed Beijing would "firmly counter" US pressure, after Donald Trump heaped tariffs …
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China's exports start year slow as US trade war intensifies
Mar 07 2025
China's exports grew slower than expected in the first two months of the year, official data showed Friday, as a …
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China tariffs aimed at Trump fan base but leaves wiggle room
Mar 07 2025
China's retaliatory tariffs against US farm produce from corn to chicken are designed to hurt Donald Trump's voter base, …
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Trump backs off Mexico, Canada tariffs after market blowback
Mar 07 2025
US President Donald Trump on Thursday delayed some tariffs targeting Canada and Mexico, leading Ottawa to halt an …
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China will 'firmly counter' US trade pressure: top diplomat
Mar 07 2025
China's foreign minister on Friday vowed Beijing would "firmly counter" US pressure, after Donald Trump heaped tariffs …
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Australian casino firm scrambles for cash to survive
Mar 07 2025
Troubled Australian casino operator Star Entertainment said Friday it is trying to sell its stake in a major resort to …
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Deja vu on the Moon: Private US spaceship again lands awkwardly
Mar 06 2025
Second time unlucky: A US company's lunar lander appears to have touched down at a wonky angle on Thursday, an …
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US and European stocks gyrate on tariffs and growth
Mar 06 2025
Wall Street stocks resumed their downward slide on Thursday amid uncertainty over US President Donald Trump's shifting …
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Trump car tariff pivot and Detroit's 'Big Three'
Mar 06 2025
After an outcry from Detroit, President Donald Trump has granted one-month tariff exemptions on most auto imports from …
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Trump says Musk should use 'scalpel' not 'hatchet' in govt cuts
Mar 06 2025
President Donald Trump responded Thursday to growing criticism over unprecedented cuts to the US government overseen by …
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Trump backs off Mexico tariffs while Canada tensions simmer
Mar 06 2025
Donald Trump said Thursday he was pausing some of the sweeping new tariffs on Mexican imports, amid continued trade …
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Peru farmer confident ahead of German court battle with energy giant
Mar 06 2025
A Peruvian farmer suing a German energy giant in a "David and Goliath" battle over climate change damage, says he has …
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Trump to welcome crypto elite at White House
Mar 06 2025
US President Donald Trump, who has multiple ties to the crypto industry, will host the sector's top players at a White …
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ECB chief warns of 'risks all over' as rates cut again
Mar 06 2025
European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde warned Thursday the eurozone faces "risks all over" amid US tariff threats …
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US signals broader tariff reprieve for Canada, Mexico as trade gap grows
Mar 06 2025
The United States hinted Thursday at an expanded reprieve for Canada and Mexico from President Donald Trump's steep …
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US trade gap hits new record in January as tariff fears loomed
Mar 06 2025
The US trade deficit surged to a new record in January, government data showed Thursday, as imports spiked while tariff …
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Scandinavians boycott US goods over Trump's Ukraine U-turn
Mar 06 2025
Scandinavian consumers outraged by US President Donald Trump's Ukraine policy turnaround have begun boycotting goods and …
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ECB lowers rates again but hints more cuts in doubt
Mar 06 2025
The European Central Bank cut interest rates again Thursday to boost the struggling eurozone but suggested easing could …
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Philippines' Palawan approves 50-year ban on new mining permits
Mar 06 2025
The local government in a resource-rich Philippine province has unanimously voted in favour of a 50-year ban on new …
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What we know about 'gigantic' Alaska gas pipeline plan
Mar 06 2025
President Donald Trump said this week that Japan and South Korea were looking to work with the United States on a …
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Taiwan says TSMC investment 'historic moment' for US ties
Mar 06 2025
Taiwanese chipmaking giant TSMC's plan to invest $100 billion in the United States was a "historic moment" for Taiwan-US …
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Ukraine titanium mine hopes US deal will bring funds
Mar 06 2025
In a barren, yellow-and-grey moonscape, heavy machinery grinds away at a titanium mine in the heart of Ukraine.
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DeepSeek success shows China's 'ability to innovate': official
Mar 06 2025
The shock entrance of DeepSeek in the race to develop advanced artificial intelligence has put the world on notice as to …
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China vows to fight US trade war 'to the end'
Mar 06 2025
China vowed to fight a trade war with the United States "to the end" on Thursday, as tariffs from Washington buffeted …
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7-Eleven owner seeks to fend off takeover with buyback, US IPO
Mar 06 2025
The Japanese owner of 7-Eleven announced on Thursday a raft of new measures to fend off a takeover by a Canadian rival, …
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Chinese economy faces rising international 'uncertainty', official says
Mar 06 2025
China's economy is facing growing "uncertainty" in the international environment, as well as insufficient domestic …
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Asian markets rally on US tariff reprieve, possible China stimulus
Mar 06 2025
Asian stocks climbed on Thursday as investors welcomed US President Donald Trump's auto tariff delay and were expecting …
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Acquittal of Fukushima operator ex-bosses finalised
Mar 06 2025
Japan's top court said Thursday it had finalised the acquittal of two former executives from the operator of the …
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Strikes hit Lufthansa profits, Olympics dent Air France
Mar 06 2025
German airline giant Lufthansa said Thursday its 2024 profits dived during a turbulent year marked by strikes, rising …
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Lufthansa 2024 profits dive amid strikes, rising costs
Mar 06 2025
German airline giant Lufthansa said Thursday its 2024 profits dived during a turbulent year marked by strikes, rising …
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Asian markets rise on Trump auto tariff reprieve
Mar 06 2025
Asian markets climbed on Thursday after US President Donald Trump announced a one-month tariff delay on auto imports …
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Debate over rates pause mounts as ECB set to cut again
Mar 06 2025
Massive German spending pledges and uncertainty caused by US trade policy are fuelling expectations the European Central …
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US firm targets Moon landing with drill, rovers, hopping drone
Mar 06 2025
A drill to search for ice. A 4G network test. Three rovers and a first-of-its-kind hopping drone.
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Trump pauses tariffs for autos as Trudeau call yields no breakthrough
Mar 06 2025
Automakers received temporary reprieve Wednesday from US President Donald Trump's tariffs targeting Canada and Mexico, …
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Global stocks rally on German defense push, US pause on auto tariffs
Mar 05 2025
Global stocks rallied on Wednesday, buoyed by Germany's plan to massively boost spending on defense and a move by the …
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Trump tariffs reverberate through Mexico's industrial belt
Mar 05 2025
For decades, Mexico's industrial borderlands boomed thanks to growing trade with the world's largest economy next door. …
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Deluge of Trump tariffs seen hitting household budgets
Mar 05 2025
Consumer items ranging from avocados and strawberries to electronics and gasoline look poised for price hikes in the …
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Trump suspends tariffs for autos as Trudeau call yields no breakthrough
Mar 05 2025
Automakers received a temporary reprieve Wednesday from US President Donald Trump's tariffs targeting Canada and Mexico, …
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Chinese hackers indicted in US for Treasury breach, other attacks
Mar 05 2025
Twelve Chinese nationals, including two public security ministry officers, have been indicted for a series of hacking …
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Minerals, mines, hydrocarbons: Greenland's key but limited resources
Mar 05 2025
The vast autonomous Danish territory of Greenland, coveted by US President Donald Trump, is believed to hold untapped …
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Stocks rally on tariff relief hopes, German spending plan
Mar 05 2025
European and Asian stock markets rallied on Wednesday, buoyed by Germany's plan to massively boost spending on defence, …
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US signals possible exemptions in Canada, Mexico tariffs
Mar 05 2025
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said an announcement on Canada and Mexico tariffs was expected later Wednesday, …
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Swiss lawmakers vote to enshrine cash in constitution
Mar 05 2025
Swiss lawmakers voted Wednesday in favour of enshrining cash in the country's constitution as mobile and card payments …
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US official says possible Canada, Mexico tariff relief on 'categories'
Mar 05 2025
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said an announcement on Canada and Mexico tariffs was expected later Wednesday, …
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Panama president says Trump 'lying' about reclaiming canal
Mar 05 2025
Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino on Wednesday accused his US counterpart Donald Trump of "lying" about Washington …
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Mind the wage gap: China's subway farmers highlight inequality
Mar 05 2025
Elderly Chinese farmers carrying enormous baskets of vegetables squeezed into a subway station as its doors opened …
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EU asked to say how much funding given to Musk firms
Mar 05 2025
The EU faced questions on Wednesday over how much of its money goes to tech billionaire Elon Musk's companies as …
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Stocks rally on hopes of China stimulus and tariff relief
Mar 05 2025
Markets rallied Wednesday as investors welcomed China's economic targets and a US official signalled that President …
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Trump tariffs leave Mexican tequila producers with sour taste
Mar 05 2025
Mexico's booming tequila industry was left reeling Wednesday after US President Donald Trump slapped sweeping tariffs on …
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China eyes five percent growth despite US trade war
Mar 05 2025
China set an ambitious annual growth target of around five percent on Wednesday, vowing to make domestic demand its main …
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Asian stocks rally on hopes of China stimulus
Mar 05 2025
Asian markets rallied on Wednesday as investors welcomed China's economic targets which they hope will offset the impact …
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US tax agency weighs firing half of its 90,000 employees
Mar 05 2025
The US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is considering letting go up to half of its approximately 90,000 employees, a …
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What TSMC's $100 bn investment in the US means for Taiwan
Mar 05 2025
Taiwanese chip-making giant TSMC plans to invest a whopping $100 billion in the United States, after US President Donald …
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China says to hike defence spending by 7.2% this year
Mar 05 2025
China's defence spending will rise by 7.2 percent in 2025, the same as last year, Beijing said on Wednesday, as its …
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Musk fails in bid to block OpenAI becoming for-profit business
Mar 05 2025
A US judge on Tuesday denied Elon Musk's request to prevent OpenAI from becoming a for-profit business in a loss for the …
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Asian stocks rebound on China stimulus package
Mar 05 2025
Asian markets were mostly up Wednesday as investors weighed bullish growth targets announced by China despite its …
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China eyes 5 percent growth despite trade war
Mar 05 2025
China on Wednesday set an annual growth target of around five percent, vowing to make domestic demand its main economic …
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Europe's Ariane 6 rocket launch rescheduled to March 6
Mar 05 2025
The first commercial mission of Europe's new heavy-lift rocket Ariane 6 has been rescheduled for Thursday, French …
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China sets annual growth target of around 5 percent
Mar 05 2025
China on Wednesday set an annual growth target of around five percent, vowing to make domestic demand its main economic …
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Trump tariff uncertainty overshadows growth promises: analysts
Mar 05 2025
President Donald Trump's tariffs and the retaliation they attracted will likely weigh on US growth and boost inflation, …
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Tech giants object as YouTube set to dodge Australian social media ban
Mar 05 2025
Australia's plan to exempt YouTube from a world-leading teen social media ban is "illogical" and a "mockery", rival tech …
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China targeting growth of 'around 5 percent' in 2025: official document
Mar 05 2025
China is pushing for economic growth of "around five percent" in 2025, an official document seen by AFP on Wednesday …
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