Tokyo : Japanese households will see their budgets further squeezed by a new wave of price hikes scheduled for October on food and services, while freelancers and those self-employed may have to shoulder higher tax burdens under a new invoice system. The persisting effects of a weaker yen, which inflates the prices of imported raw materials, […]
Read MoreBankrupt Sri Lanka’s economic recovery was “not yet assured”, the International Monetary Fund warned Wednesday, after the first review of its $2.9 billion bailout aimed at repairing the island nation’s ruined finances. The Washington-based lender of last resort said Sri Lanka had been unable to meet its revenue targets and ensure growth although it had […]
Read MoreKUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia will increase palm oil exports to China by 500,000 tonnes a year as it faces pressure from new European Union restrictions targeting deforestation, a senior minister told AFP on Monday. The trading bloc introduced new rules this year that ban goods from land that has been deforested. It is a move […]
Read MoreBy Claire Huang SINGAPORE – Consumer prices in Singapore rose at a slower pace for a fourth straight month in August, but economists believe the trend could falter if oil prices stay elevated and disruptive weather patterns lead to higher food prices. The analysts also expect policymakers to stay vigilant, but do not see a […]
Read MoreTashkent: The TIR system now connects Uzbekistan to China’s coastal city of Qingdao, offering a new fast, cost-effective and secure trade route. Uzbek TIR trucks carrying blackcurrants departed from Samarkand and transited Kazakhstan before entering China through Khorgos and transversing across the country to Qingdao. It also marks the first time that an Uzbek truck […]
Read MoreKabul, Islamabad: The Torkham border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan reopened to pedestrians and vehicles early Friday, a senior official told AFP, more than a week after it was closed following a gun battle between frontier guards. “The clearance of trucks is in process and Afghan citizens are entering Afghanistan after clearance and passing immigration […]
Read MoreBy Edna Mohamed Climate-induced catastrophes have devastating global effects, from intense heatwaves to heavy rainfall. In 2023, record-breaking heatwaves hit much of continental Europe and resulted in wildfires and flash floods that took lives. In China, typhoons have forced school closures and evacuations. Meanwhile, in South Asia, rising temperatures and longer monsoon seasons are increasing […]
Read MoreAsian markets mostly fell Monday as investors turn their attention to a key US inflation report later in the week, hoping for a reading that will ease concerns about the Federal Reserve’s interest rate plans. While Wall Street and European shares enjoyed a bright end to last week, Asia continued its weak run, with China’s […]
Read MoreIslamabad: Pakistan on Monday said the Taliban administration had tried to encroach on its territory with the construction of an ‘unlawful structure’ and accused Afghan forces of “indiscriminate firing” in an incident that led to the closure of the main border transit point last week. The Torkham border crossing between the neighbouring nations has been closed […]
Read MoreNew Delhi: Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni outlined Italy’s plan to pull out of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) during a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the G20 summit, Italian media reported on Sunday. Italy, seeking to minimise any backlash from the decision from Beijing, would as a replacement aim to revitalise a strategic […]
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