AFP

US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping spoke Thursday, with both sides agreeing to talks to prevent an all-out trade war over tariffs and global rare earth supplies.Trump said the call reached a “very positive conclusion” and that they agreed to meet in person — but Beijing issued a more muted readout saying …

Trump, Xi hold long-awaited phone call on trade war Read More »

Gamers finally got their hands on Nintendo’s new Switch 2 on Thursday, the console that could score record early sales for the Japanese “Super Mario” creator.The device, which features a bigger screen and more processing power, is an upgrade to the Switch that became a global phenomenon with hit games such as “Animal Crossing”.The original …

Gamers get hold of Nintendo’s hotly awaited Switch 2 Read More »

The Indonesian government is allowing environmental damage including deforestation and violations against Indigenous people to go unchecked around a multi-billion dollar industrial park on a once-pristine eastern island, a report said Thursday.Indonesia is both the world’s largest nickel producer, and home to the biggest-known reserves, and a 2020 export ban has spurred a domestic industrial …

Indonesia allowing nickel industry abuses to go unchecked: report Read More »

Hundreds of protesting Myanmar tribespeople march up a hillside to a cavernous facility where a Chinese joint venture’s giant milling machines stand ready to grind up the rocks of their ancestral homeland for lead ore.Demand for the heavy metal is forecast to rise, driven by its use in the batteries needed for the global energy …

China lead mine plan weighs heavily on Myanmar tribe Read More »

Asian shares mostly rose Thursday after soft US economic data boosted expectations the Federal Reserve will soon cut interest rates and put the focus on key jobs figures coming at the end of the week.Investors were also keeping track of developments in Donald Trump’s trade war and signs of movement on possible talks between the …

Most Asian markets rise as US data feeds rate-cut hopes Read More »

Stock markets advanced Wednesday despite data showing US private sector job growth slowing last month, reviving fears about the economy.Investors also shrugged off US President Donald Trump’s tough words on China and his doubling of tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum.Separate figures on Tuesday showed that US job openings unexpectedly rose in April, somewhat …

Stocks rise despite weak US jobs data Read More »