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Russia cuts interest rates from two-decade high as economy slows
Russia cuts interest rates from two-decade high as economy slows
by  AFP

Russia's central bank on Friday cut its key interest rate to 20 percent -- down from a two-decade high of 21 percent -- as the economy slows and officials say months of rapid price rises are coming under control. The bank had come under increasing political pressure this year to cut interest rates, which businesses said was throttling the economy and killing investment.

Germany faces two more years of recession if US trade war escalates: central bank
Germany faces two more years of recession if US trade war escalates: central bank
by  AFP

Germany could face two more years of recession if a trade war with the United States escalates sharply, the central bank said Friday, a bleak warning for Europe's struggling top economy. Trump's tariff blitz stands to hit export power Germany hard, as the United States was Germany's top trading partner in 2024, receiving huge quantities of its cars, pharmaceuticals and machinery.

Amazon agrees to tackle fake reviews in UK: regulator
Amazon agrees to tackle fake reviews in UK: regulator
by  AFP

Amazon has agreed to clamp down on fake online reviews of products advertised on its UK site, Britain's competition regulator said Friday. The regulator said that around 90 percent of UK consumers use online reviews when deciding on a purchase.

India's central bank cuts rates more than expected to boost growth
India's central bank cuts rates more than expected to boost growth
by  AFP

India's central bank cut interest rates more than expected on Friday, citing muted inflation and a need to kickstart economic growth amid concerns about the impact of US tariffs. Easing price concerns have also allowed the RBI to concentrate on growth, with retail inflation dropping to a near six-year-low of 3.16 percent in April.

Vietnam exports up as US tariff threat lingers
Vietnam exports up as US tariff threat lingers
by  AFP

Vietnam's exports rose sharply last month, official figures showed Friday, as the communist country tries to negotiate relief from swingeing tariffs threatened by US President Donald Trump. Despite the tariff uncertainty, the United States remained Vietnam's number one export market with $57 billion in the first five months of 2025 -- up from $44 billion over the same period a year ago.

'No doubt' Canadian firm will be first to extract deep sea minerals: CEO
'No doubt' Canadian firm will be first to extract deep sea minerals: CEO
by  AFP

The head of submarine mining pioneer The Metals Company told AFP he had "no doubt" the Canadian firm would be the first to to extract coveted minerals from the deep seas, with help from Donald Trump. Q: How important is it to be the first to extract minerals from the deep sea?

Asian markets wobble as Trump-Xi talks offset by Musk row
Asian markets wobble as Trump-Xi talks offset by Musk row
by  AFP

Asian markets stuttered Friday as optimism from "very positive" talks between presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping was wiped out by the stunning public row between the US leader and Elon Musk. Asian equities fluctuated in early business, with some observers suggesting traders were positioning for what could be a volatile start to next week in light of the row and upcoming US jobs data.

Norway adopts tourist tax to combat overtourism
Norway adopts tourist tax to combat overtourism
by  AFP

Norwegian lawmakers approved Thursday the introduction of a tourist tax to help finance infrastructure improvements as a boom in visitors has led to worries about overtourism. The funds raised by the tax will go exclusively to improve tourism infrastructure. phy/rl/jhb