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Asian stocks rebound on China stimulus package
Asian stocks rebound on China stimulus package
by  AFP

Asian markets were mostly up Wednesday as investors weighed bullish growth targets announced by China despite its sluggish economy and the looming prospect of a global trade war. "Investors don’t like tariffs, and they are deeply uncomfortable with President Trump's new world order, which is weighing on market sentiment," said Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB trading platform.

Europe's Ariane 6 rocket launch rescheduled to March 6
Europe's Ariane 6 rocket launch rescheduled to March 6
by  AFP

The first commercial mission of Europe's new heavy-lift rocket Ariane 6 has been rescheduled for Thursday, French company Arianespace announced, after an "anomaly" forced a last-minute postponement. But minutes before Monday's blast off from Europe's spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, the company found an "anomaly" in one of the refuelling pipes.

Trump tariff uncertainty overshadows growth promises: analysts
Trump tariff uncertainty overshadows growth promises: analysts
by  AFP

President Donald Trump's tariffs and the retaliation they attracted will likely weigh on US growth and boost inflation, according to analysts, but, beyond that, uncertainty surrounding the levies threatens to overshadow optimism about his future policies.

Tech giants object as YouTube set to dodge Australian social media ban
Tech giants object as YouTube set to dodge Australian social media ban
by  AFP

Australia's plan to exempt YouTube from a world-leading teen social media ban is "illogical" and a "mockery", rival tech giants Meta and TikTok said Wednesday. While a host of countries from France to China have mooted similar measures, Australia's looming ban would be one of the strictest in the world.

Advocacy group fears US will steer broadband cash to Musk
Advocacy group fears US will steer broadband cash to Musk
by  AFP

An internet rights group on Tuesday raised alarm over reports the United States may steer billions of dollars to Elon Musk's Starlink by making changes to a rural broadband deployment program. Starlink is a unit of Musk's SpaceX company.

Trump gives Chevron a month to 'wind down' Venezuela operations
Trump gives Chevron a month to 'wind down' Venezuela operations
by  AFP

The United States on Tuesday gave energy giant Chevron just one month to stop its operations in Venezuela, delivering a heavy blow to cash-strapped authorities in Caracas. But a Treasury Department unit said Tuesday that Chevron must stop pumping within 30 days, a timeframe industry insiders described as unrealistic.

Hong Kong firm offloads Panama ports after Trump pressure
Hong Kong firm offloads Panama ports after Trump pressure
by  AFP

Under fierce pressure from US President Donald Trump, Hong Kong firm Hutchison said Tuesday it had agreed to sell its lucrative Panama Canal ports to a US-led consortium. CK Hutchison Holdings said it would offload a 90-percent stake in the Panama Ports Company (PPC) and sell a slew of other non-Chinese ports to a group led by giant asset manager BlackRock.

China to unveil 2025 growth goals eyeing trade war woes
China to unveil 2025 growth goals eyeing trade war woes
by  AFP

China's leadership will on Wednesday unveil their growth goals for the coming year as they eye a mounting trade war with the United States and deepening economic doldrums at home. Top of the agenda will be Premier Li Qiang's delivery of the government's "work report" to delegates, in which Beijing will unveil its economic growth goals for the coming year.