All is calm at Satoshi Yamazaki’s rice farm, with its freshly planted rows of vivid-green seedlings, but a row over the cost of the staple in Japan is threatening to deal the government a blow at the ballot box.Shortages of the grain caused by a supply chain snarl-up have seen prices almost double in a …
Rice prices Japan’s hot political issue, on and off the farm Read More »
Asian shares were rattled Thursday after Donald Trump said he would impose unilateral tariffs on partners in the next two weeks, reigniting trade war fears soon after reaching a deal with China to dial down tensions between the superpowers.The mood was also shaded by geopolitical concerns after the US president said personnel were being moved …
Asian shares stumble after Trump’s latest trade threat Read More »
Misidentified bones that languished in the drawers of a Mongolian institute for 50 years belong to a new species of tyrannosaur that rewrites the family history of the mighty T-Rex, scientists said Wednesday. This slender ancestor of the massive Tyrannosaurus Rex was around four metres (13 feet) long and weighed three quarters of a tonne, according …
New T-Rex ancestor discovered in drawers of Mongolian institute Read More »
Summer McIntosh bagged her third world record in days on Wednesday, clocking 4min 23.65sec to better her own 400 medley record at the Canadian Swimming Trials in Victoria.The 18-year-old Canadian prodigy, a three-time Olympic gold medallist, laid down another impressive marker ahead of next month’s World Championships in Singapore with a dominant performance.McIntosh’s blistering time …
Canada’s McIntosh breaks 400m medley world record Read More »
US President Donald Trump touted “excellent” ties with China on Wednesday, saying the superpowers reached a deal after two days of talks aimed at preserving a truce in their damaging trade war.Trump said on his Truth Social platform that China would supply rare earth minerals and magnets — vital elements for US industries — while …
Trump touts ‘done’ deal with Beijing on rare earths, Chinese students Read More »
Wall Street stocks mostly fell Wednesday despite positive movement in the US-China trade conflict, while oil prices rallied on growing tensions between Washington and Tehran.Following two days of talks in London, top US and Chinese negotiators announced a “framework” agreement late Tuesday that included Chinese concessions on rare earth materials along with Washington allowing Chinese …
US stocks rally fades after China trade framework, oil prices jump Read More »
Residents of a town near Vancouver were on stand-by to evacuate Wednesday as Canada’s devastating wildfire season worsened, with officials warning weather conditions through the summer were ripe for further blazes. A state of emergency has been declared in Squamish, British Columbia, just 64 kilometres (40 miles) north of Vancouver, a city where the greater metropolitan …
Canada town near Vancouver ready to evacuate as fire nears Read More »
Residents of a town near Vancouver were on stand-by to evacuate Wednesday as Canada’s devastating wildfire season worsened, with officials warning weather conditions through the summer were ripe for further blazes. A state of emergency has been declared in Squamish, British Columbia, just 64 kilometres (40 miles) north of Vancouver, a city where the greater metropolitan …
Canada town near Vancouver ready to evacuate as fire approaches Read More »
China is counting on one crucial advantage as it seeks to grind out a deal to ease its high-stakes trade war with the United States — dominance in rare earths.Used in electric vehicles, hard drives, wind turbines and missiles, rare earth elements are essential to the modern economy and national defence.AFP takes a look at …
Rare earths: China’s trump card in trade war with US Read More »
Cash-strapped Sri Lanka on Wednesday announced a 15 percent increase in the electricity price to shore up revenues for the state-run utility, in line with conditions imposed by an IMF bailout.The Public Utilities Commission said it allowed the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to charge the higher rates from Thursday, six months after a controversial reduction …
Sri Lanka raises electricity price in line with IMF bailout Read More »
