Asia Business

Oil prices tumble as markets shrug off Iranian rebuttal to US

Crude oil prices slid more than seven percent Monday while Wall Street stocks advanced after markets shrugged off Iran’s rebuttal to the US weekend attack on Iranian nuclear facilities.Iran announced it had launched missiles at a major US base in Qatar, with explosions ringing out in Doha and projectiles seen streaking overhead.But Qatar described the …

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Asian countries most vulnerable to Strait of Hormuz blockade

Around 84 percent of oil passing through the Strait of Hormuz is destined for Asia, leaving the economies of China, India, South Korea and others vulnerable should Iran blockade the crucial trading route over US strikes on its nuclear sites.Around 14.2 million barrels of crude oil and 5.9 million barrels of other petroleum products pass …

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Japan’s high-tech sunscreens tap into skincare craze

When YouTuber Hannah Price set out to compare Japanese and Australian sunscreen, she wasn’t expecting her deep dive into the subject to rack up over two million views.The huge number of people poring over Price’s video shows the growing interest in skincare products from Japan, much like the K-beauty phenomenon from South Korea.It includes sun …

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South Korea counts on shipbuilding to ease US tariff woes

Asia’s fourth largest economy South Korea is facing gruelling tariffs by US President Donald Trump, but its shipbuilding industry could prove a useful bargaining chip.Already hit by sector levies on steel and car exports, Seoul is laser-focused on negotiations over a 25 percent country-specific tariff that has been suspended until July 8.AFP takes a look …

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Global stocks mixed, oil lower as market digests latest on Iran

Global equities were mixed Friday, while oil prices retreated as markets weighed the latest developments in the war between Iran and Israel.Markets rose after US President Donald Trump said he would allow for up to two weeks before possible US military action against Iran.But on Friday afternoon, Trump expressed doubt that European powers would be …

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World Bank and IMF climate snub ‘worrying’, says COP29 presidency

The hosts of the most recent UN climate talks are worried international lenders are retreating from their commitments to help boost funding for developing countries’ response to global warming.Major development banks have agreed to boost climate spending and are seen as crucial in the effort to dramatically increase finance to help poorer countries build resilience …

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EU bars Chinese firms from major state medical equipment contracts

The European Union on Friday banned Chinese firms from government medical device purchases worth more than five million euros ($5.8 million) in retaliation for limits Beijing places on access to its own market.The latest salvo in trade tensions between the 27-nation bloc and China covers a wide range of healthcare supplies, from surgical masks to …

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Monsters and memes: Labubu dolls ride China soft-power wave

Small, fuzzy and baring sharp teeth, Chinese toymaker Pop Mart’s Labubu monster dolls have taken over the world, drawing excited crowds at international stores and adorning the handbags of celebrities such as Rihanna and Cher.Beijing-based Pop Mart is part of a rising tide of Chinese cultural exports gaining traction abroad, furry ambassadors of a “cool” …

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