Finance news

Auto industry: The mood in the German auto industry is improving

Car manufacturers see a reason for hope in the tariff agreement with the USA. Nevertheless, US trade remains a source of uncertainty.

Rising seas: Japan makes pitch to Pacific Island nations caught in US-China rivalry

Japan is positioning itself as a partner for Pacific Island nations struggling with rising seas and caught between the US-China rivalry, with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledging on Wednesday to help fight climate change and boost maritime cooperation. Speaking at the inaugural Island States Ocean Summit in Tokyo, Takaichi made a direct pitch to Pacific leaders, presenting Japan as a reliable partner that upholds the rule of law at sea and delivers consistent support. “Japan will continue to..

US floats new tariffs on 60 economies over forced labor, including China

China celebrity dog stolen, sold for US$25 and eaten; owner sues, stymied by weak pet laws

A celebrity dog in central China was stolen and slaughtered, leaving its owner seeking justice but confronting gaps in the country’s legal protections for pets. Guo, a travel influencer from Henan province, raised Chutou, an eight-year-old Border Collie known for his intelligence, energy and gentle temperament. The dog had amassed more than 1.5 million followers on mainland social media after accompanying Guo on years of journeys across China, from snowy mountains to deserts, often guarding him.

US Federal Reserve: New Fed Chairman Warsh plans reforms under the supervision of predecessor Powell

Kevin Warsh announces fundamental changes - and wants to protect the independence of the central bank against political pressure.

Fugitive Hong Kong charity director sued in US over real estate ‘shell game’

A wanted director of a scandal-hit Hong Kong charity who fled the city is facing a sweeping 14-count civil lawsuit in the United States over an alleged multimillion-dollar property scheme that the plaintiff described as a “shell game”. In a complaint for damages and equitable relief seen by the South China Morning Post, developer Joseph Lee Daniell accused Jacob Lam Hay-sing, the founder and director of the now-defunct Hong Kong charity, Christian Zheng Sheng Association, of defrauding him of...

Morning Briefing: Why the hype about artificial intelligence is not over

One record news story about AI follows the next, and at the same time the US stock markets reached record highs again yesterday. How long will this last? Maybe that's the wrong question.

Iran War – the current situation: USA and Iran attack each other in the Gulf region

Despite the ceasefire in force, there are renewed attacks on each other. Tehran says it is retaliating after a US attack on an unloaded oil tanker.

60 Minutes correspondent fired after clashing with bosses over US show

CBS News has terminated the ⁠contract of 60 Minutes correspondent ⁠Scott Pelley, two sources at ⁠the network said on Tuesday, joining more than half a dozen departures in recent weeks. “Your antipathy to the future of the show has come through loud and clear. And I have heard you,” the show’s ‌executive producer, Nick Bilton, wrote in a Tuesday email to Pelley that was seen by Reuters. “I therefore write on behalf of CBS News, Inc. (“CBS”) to inform you that your employment with CBS is...

China’s AI chip demand pushes South Korea into a rare surplus with top trade partner

South Korea has emerged as a rare bright spot among East Asian economies trading with China, as booming demand for memory chips pushes its balance with its largest trading partner back into a surplus. The country’s trade position with China had strengthened steadily this year, swinging from a US$764 million deficit in December 2025 to a US$1.1 billion surplus in February, before widening further to US$3.8 billion in May, according to data from South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and...

US Federal Reserve: New Fed Chairman Warsh hires co-author of “Project 2025”.

Kevin Warsh brought two conservative experts to his side at the start. One of them was involved in “Project 2025” and wrote a chapter on the restructuring of the central bank.

US and Iran exchange new attacks as sides locked in stalemate

Gulf hostilities flared anew on Wednesday, ⁠with the US military saying Iranian missile attacks ⁠on Bahrain, Kuwait and other regional targets were either thwarted or ⁠failed as diplomacy between Washington and Tehran showed little progress. Two Iranian missiles shot at Kuwait fell short or broke apart in-flight, several ballistic missiles aimed at regional targets failed and three missiles heading for Bahrain were intercepted, US Central Command said. Since the conflict began in late February,.

Singapore arrests 3 Chinese nationals after woman, child locked during hotel robbery

Three men have been arrested after they allegedly robbed a woman and locked her and her child on a balcony at Marina Bay Sands (MBS) in Singapore. The police said on Tuesday that they were alerted at about 7pm the day before to a case of robbery with hurt along Bayfront Avenue. According to preliminary investigations, a 45-year-old woman visited the area after agreeing to exchange S$50,000 (US$39,000) worth of cash for foreign currency with someone she spoke to on a messaging platform. The...

Iran War: US military: Iranian attacks repelled in the Gulf region

Despite the ceasefire in force, the situation between the USA and Iran is escalating again. Tehran says it is retaliating after a US attack on an unloaded oil tanker.

Found out a trader made $1M betting on US military strikes before they happened and its completely legal

I saw this on the house.gov website earlier, and I thought it was wild. Basically, there's documented evidence of a single trader who made nearly a million dollars betting on US military strikes against Iran. 93% success rate. He was placing bets hours before each attack happened. October 2024, June 2025, February 2026. Congress is now investigating, and subpoenas are being discussed. On top of that 38 separate accounts made over 2 million dollars on one strike alone after loading their accounts

The US military wants to showcase battle-ready laser weapons by 2028

A directed energy demonstration is expected to occur during the summer of 2028, as part of a series of planned Golden Dome-related events.

US government appeals against judge’s order for Trump tariff refunds

The Trump administration on Tuesday formally appealed against a judge’s order for refunds of the US president’s global tariffs after they were struck down by the Supreme Court earlier this year. At stake is some US$166 billion in revenue. A refunds system handled by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has already begun to process repayments. Last month, the CBP said in a court filing that it was on track to process about US$85 billion in repayments, with US$20.6 billion approved for...

Canada and Mexico tell US they want free trade deal renewed

Canada and Mexico on Tuesday called for a 16-year renewal of the North American free trade agreement with the United States, in hopes of binding the three countries to a pact that US President Donald Trump has openly questioned. The agreement is vital for Canada and Mexico, as the US is their main trading partner and the destination for 75 and 80 per cent of their exports, respectively. In a letter Monday, Ottawa’s minister in charge of Canada-US trade Dominic LeBlanc said: “Canada recommends...

Trump team abandons US$1.8 billion ‘slush fund’ to compensate supporters

The US Justice Department on Tuesday dropped a contentious plan to create a US$1.8 billion compensation programme that critics had denounced as a “slush fund” for President Donald Trump’s political allies. “We are not moving forward with the fund,” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said during testimony before a House committee. The about-face is a setback for one of Trump’s most divisive second term initiatives, which had drawn criticism from Democrats, legal experts and numerous Republicans

Anniversary in North America: 250 years of the USA: 25 places from 25 decades

Civil War, Gold Rush, Civil Rights, Route 66: US history is rich in symbols and turning points. A travel timeline that begins with the Declaration of Independence in 1776...

Trump-Netanyahu relationship under growing strain over Iran: ‘you’re crazy!’

They went to war together against Iran, but Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu’s relationship is under strain after the US president reportedly called the Israeli premier “crazy”. Trump unleashed a profane tirade over the phone at Netanyahu over Israel’s threats to bomb the Lebanese capital Beirut, fearing it would undermine talks with Tehran, the Axios news outlet and ABC News reported. It underscored the increasingly shaky ties between two right-wing allies with lots to lose politically from.

+++ USA +++: US government abandons compensation fund for Trump allies

Trump orders voluntary security tests for new AI models +++ Trump names interim successor for secret service coordinator +++ The news blog.

US Crude Oil Inventories Continue Downward Plunge But Gasoline Surprises

The American Petroleum Institute (API) estimated that crude oil inventories in the United States fell by 6.75 million barrels in the week ending May 29. In the week prior, US crude oil inventories fell by 2.8 million barrels. Analysts had expected a 3.6 million draw. Despite the sharp dropoff of the last several weeks, US crude inventories have risen by 16 million barrels so far this year, according to API data. Inventories in the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) continue to draw down in an

Crude Gains as Peace Deal Doubts Grow

Oil prices rose as doubts emerged over a US-Iran peace agreement.

Trump’s AI order seeks security safeguards without slowing race with China

US President Donald Trump signed a long-awaited executive order on artificial intelligence (AI) on Tuesday, which asked technology companies to voluntarily share advanced models before they are released, signalling a shift in the administration’s largely laissez-faire approach to the industry. The voluntary framework allows the government to vet powerful new AI systems up to 30 days before their public release, but stops short of mandating review regulations, which were reportedly considered. It

Evacuation of the President: After shots: Trump wants to come to the press dinner again

It was a shocking moment in April when the US government had to be evacuated after shots were fired at a gala dinner. The meeting of the US capital's press will be rescheduled in July - and Trump wants to come.

Chemicals: EU approves sale of BASF paints business to Carlyle under conditions

The EU Commission is allowing the billion-dollar deal between BASF and the US financial investor Carlyle. But Carlyle has to sell a key business to achieve this.

Rubio says US and China must keep talking despite deep differences

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said “significant irritants” remained in the US-China relationship but that Washington and Beijing needed to keep talking to stop flashpoints from erupting. At a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Tuesday, Rubio said both countries – the world’s two largest economies and most powerful militaries – must communicate to “de-escalate potential points of conflict that could lead to something broader”. “The Chinese government and the US government have to..

USA: Son buys stocks, father drives up prices: These examples show how the Trump family makes money

Stock market trading, gifts worth millions, “bribe funds”: The US President is probably using the power of his office more aggressively than ever for private benefits. Data shows extremely noticeable stock purchases.

Artificial Intelligence: Trump: Early access to new AI models for US government

Donald Trump abolished security requirements for artificial intelligence after moving into the White House. Now there is another decree that is supposed to give the government advance access.