ECB’s Nagel encouraged but warns against ‘over-optimism’ on inflation target
BERLIN – ECB policymaker Joachim Nagel said on Friday he was encouraged by recent data on inflation in a number of euro zone economies but warned against over-optimism as the European Central Bank works to bring inflation down further to…
New Zealand consumer confidence dips in March, survey shows
SYDNEY – Consumer confidence in New Zealand dipped in March, with declines seen across nearly all sectors as consumers remained cautious on spending, ANZ-Roy Morgan data showed on Friday. “The economy is improving under the hood, but we’re at the…
Fed’s Collins says it is clear tariffs will drive inflation up near term
Federal Reserve Bank of Boston President Susan Collins said on Thursday that Trump administration tariffs will drive up U.S. inflation but it is unclear how persistent that upward pressure will be. “It looks inevitable that tariffs are going to increase…
RBA to hold rates steady in April, but cut again in May
BENGALURU – The Reserve Bank of Australia will keep its cash rate unchanged on Tuesday as it waits for concrete signs of easing inflation, according to a Reuters poll of economists, who mostly still expect two rate cuts this year…
US Democrats raise regulatory concerns over Trump family crypto venture, WSJ reports
Five Democratic senators, led by Elizabeth Warren, sought answers regarding World Liberty Financial, a crypto project backed by President Donald Trump and family, and its newly announced plans to issue a stablecoin, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday citing…
South Korea exports to rise for second month on chip boost; tariff risks loom: Reuters poll
SEOUL – South Korea’s exports likely rose in March for a second straight month on a growth in chip sales, a Reuters poll found on Friday, but economists warned of weakening momentum due to U.S. tariffs. Outbound shipments from Asia’s…
RBI to cut rates again on April 9, then just once more in August
BENGALURU-The Reserve Bank of India will cut interest rates at a second straight meeting on April 9, with just one more cut expected in August, which would mark the shortest easing cycle on record, a Reuters poll of economists found….
US to provide short-term funding for program tracking abducted Ukrainian children
WASHINGTON -The U.S. State Department said on Thursday that short-term funding was being given to an initiative documenting abducted Ukrainian children, after Republican President Donald Trump’s administration decided to pause the program on January 25. The U.S. government-funded initiative led…
Core inflation in Japan’s capital accelerates, stays above BOJ target
TOKYO -Core consumer inflation in Japan’s capital stayed above the central bank’s target and accelerated in March on steady gains in food costs, data showed on Friday, keeping alive market expectations of a near-term interest rate hike. Service-sector inflation also…
US Senator Sanders to force Senate votes on blocking arms for Israel
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders said on Thursday he would force votes next week on resolutions that would block $8.8 billion in arms sales to Israel, citing the human rights crisis faced by Palestinians in Gaza after Israel’s bombardment…
US investigates Stanford, University of California schools over affirmative action
The U.S. Department of Justice on Thursday launched investigations into Stanford University and three University of California schools to ensure they comply with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down race-conscious admissions. The 2023 ruling effectively prohibited affirmative action…
BOJ board at loggerheads over inflation, US tariff risks, March summary shows
TOKYO -Bank of Japan policymakers were at loggerheads this month over how soon they should raise interest rates again as some focused on domestic inflationary pressure and others on uncertainty over U.S. tariff policy, a summary of opinions at its…
US Attorney General Bondi tells Fox News many judges need to be removed
WASHINGTON -U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said on Thursday that many of the judges who have recently ruled against the actions of U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration were unable to be impartial and needed to be removed. “Many judges need…
Hong Kong derivatives trading surges to record on turbulent markets and hedge fund interest
HONG KONG – Big swings in stock markets and hedge fund activity have propelled Hong Kong’s derivative trading to unprecedented highs. The number of outstanding futures and options contracts on the city’s bourse has reached 22 million so far this…
FAA moves to protect aircraft owners private information
WASHINGTON – The Federal Aviation Administration said Friday it was making it easier for airplane owners to keep information private like their name and address after Congress approved legislation over privacy concerns. The FAA said that starting on Friday, private…
Musk says a great wrong is being done to Tesla staff, customers -Fox News
Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk said on Wednesday that a great wrong was being done to Tesla employees and customers when asked on Fox News’ “Special Report with Bret Baier” about incidents at dealerships that include arson attacks. Tesla has…
Israel conducts first strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs since truce
BEIRUT/JERUSALEM -Israel on Friday carried out its first major airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburbs in months, retaliating for an earlier rocket launch from Lebanon in the most serious test of a shaky ceasefire deal agreed in November. The strike targeted…
US car buyers face higher prices, less choice under Trump’s tariffs
LONDON/WHITE LAKE, Michigan – Major automakers can deal with President Donald Trump’s tariffs on U.S. auto imports in a number of ways, but all of them lead to higher prices, fewer choices of models or limits on features for consumers,…
Star Entertainment’s Sydney casino licence suspension extended till September
Australian embattled casino operator Star Entertainment said on Friday that its casino licence for Star Sydney will remain suspended until at least September 30, as advised by the New South Wales Independent Casino Commission (NICC). Star also noted that the…
US aid agency sending teams to Thailand for earthquake recovery, says source
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Agency for International Development will send some teams to Thailand to help with recovery efforts following an earthquake that hit southeast Asia, a source familiar with the matter said on Friday.