The dollar hit a three-year low on Thursday as President Donald Trump eyed candidates to succeed Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell, fueling bets of cuts to US interest rates.But Wall Street rose handsomely, lifting the S&P 500 to near a closing record, following solid earnings from chip company Micron and a signal that the White …
Environmental groups raised concerns Thursday over a $6 billion Indonesian EV battery megaproject backed by Chinese giant CATL which is set to open on a once-pristine island, as Jakarta exploits its huge supply of nickel.Indonesia is both the world’s largest nickel producer and home to the biggest-known reserves, and a 2020 export ban has spurred …
Environment fears over $6 bn Indonesia EV battery project: NGOs Read More »
At a minimalist Los Angeles matcha bar, powdered Japanese tea is prepared with precision, despite a global shortage driven by the bright green drink’s social media stardom.Of the 25 types of matcha on the menu at Kettl Tea, which opened on Hollywood Boulevard this year, all but four were out of stock, the shop’s founder …
Global matcha ‘obsession’ drinks Japan tea farms dry Read More »
Thailand’s government has announced a plan to tighten the rules on selling cannabis, the kingdom’s latest attempt to restrict the drug, three years after it was decriminalised.The kingdom was the first country in Southeast Asia to decriminalise the drug when it removed cannabis from the list of banned narcotics in June 2022.The intention was to …
Thailand makes new proposal to restrict cannabis sales Read More »
Global stocks were mixed Wednesday as markets weighed lingering worries about the Iran-Israel conflict while Nvidia surged to a fresh all-time high on bullishness over artificial intelligence.Analysts cited not only concerns that the ceasefire between Iran and Israel could break down, but leaked US intelligence that said strikes had set back Tehran’s nuclear program by …
Nvidia hits fresh record while global stocks are mixed Read More »
Chinese Premier Li Qiang warned on Wednesday that global trade tensions were “intensifying” as he addressed the opening ceremony of the World Economic Forum.Officials including Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong are among those attending this week’s gathering in the northern port city of Tianjin, known colloquially as the “Summer Davos”.Li said the global economy was …
China’s premier warns global trade tensions ‘intensifying’ Read More »
Most equities extended a global rally Wednesday after Iran and Israel agreed to a ceasefire that ended more than a week of hostilities, while the dollar struggled to recover from a sharp drop stoked by bets on a US interest rate cut.However, wariness over the agreement by the Middle East foes helped oil prices climb, …
Stocks rally as Iran-Israel ceasefire holds, oil claws back some losses Read More »
Oil prices sank for a second straight day and stock markets mostly rose Tuesday as a ceasefire between Iran and Israel appeared to be holding firm.Crude futures slumped in volatile trading after US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire, extending Monday’s steep losses in oil after Iran’s response to the US attack did not hit …
Oil slides, stocks rise as Iran-Israel ceasefire holds Read More »
A $45 million corruption trial against 41 people including state officials began in Vietnam on Tuesday, part of the communist state’s wide-ranging anti-graft drive.The so-called “burning furnace” campaign against corruption has swept up dozens of senior government figures, including two presidents and three deputy prime ministers, as well as top business leaders.In the latest case, …
Vietnam puts 41 on trial in $45 mn corruption case Read More »
Virgin Australia climbed sharply as it re-entered the local share market Tuesday, a dramatic comeback from near bankruptcy more than four years ago.A 30-percent chunk of Virgin Australia, one of the few domestic rivals to Qantas, was sold in an initial public offering this month at Aus$2.90 a share to raise Aus$685 million (US$444 million).The …
