Economy

Trump eyes huge 'woke' cuts in budget blueprint
Trump eyes huge 'woke' cuts in budget blueprint
by  AFP

US President Donald Trump on Friday eyed massive cuts targeting "woke" and "wasteful" spending in his first budget blueprint since he returned to power, while boosting defense and border security. Trump would also massively cut foreign aid even while stepping up defense spending to $1.01 trillion and pouring money into homeland security as part of his anti-immigration drive.

US ends duty-free shipping loophole for low-cost goods from China
US ends duty-free shipping loophole for low-cost goods from China
by  AFP

The United States on Friday ended a tariff exemption for goods shipped from China worth less than $800, dealing a major blow to popular e-commerce sites such as Shein and Temu, whose cheap items consumers have come to rely on. The move threatens to hammer the business model of several large firms that ship cheap goods from China -- including fast-fashion titans Shein and Temu.

Australians vote in election swayed by inflation, Trump
Australians vote in election swayed by inflation, Trump
by  AFP

Australians will cram voting booths on Saturday to pick their next government, deciding a hard-fought election shaped by living costs, climate anxiety and Trump tariffs. "The cost of living -- it's extremely high at the moment.

Grand Theft Auto VI release postponed to May 2026: publisher
Grand Theft Auto VI release postponed to May 2026: publisher
by  AFP

The much-awaited release of Grand Theft Auto VI, the latest instalment of the popular video game series, has been postponed by several months to May 2026, its publisher said Friday. "With every game we have released, the goal has always been to try and exceed your expectations, and Grand Theft Auto VI is no exception," it said.

EU wins post-Brexit fishing row with Britain
EU wins post-Brexit fishing row with Britain
by  AFP

The European Union on Friday won a landmark case against Britain at the world's oldest arbitration body over post-Brexit rights to fish sandeels, a tiny North Sea species. In March, Britain ordered all fishing to stop, arguing that sandeels were integral to the marine ecosystem of the North Sea.