insert_link Business / Economics Sri Lanka cuts key interest rates, seeks China deal Sri Lanka's central bank cut interest rates Tuesday as the prime minister visited China seeking a debt restructuring deal crucial to maintaining an IMF bailout. Transport minister and government spokesman Bandula Gunawardana said Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena was in Beijing, the island's biggest bilateral creditor. "We are in the final stages of restructuring our foreign debt and the prime minister is in China for this purpose," Gunawardana told […] today26 March, 2024
insert_link World UK Sanctions Chinese Company and Two Individuals Over Cyber Attacks The UK government has unveiled new sanctions in response to cyber attacks it says were carried out by hackers linked to the Chinese State. A company and two individuals said to be connected to a Chinese state-affiliated group have been sanctioned, over hacking campaigns targeting British lawmakers. The Chinese Embassy has rejected the claims. Simon Gaitán reports. today26 March, 2024
insert_link World Beijing says it will safeguard equal treatment for foreign-funded firms Beijing says it will safeguard equal treatment for foreign-funded firms, so more can invest in the country with "confidence and peace of mind", according to the commerce vice minister. The remarks come as senior Chinese officials are meeting executives from global companies in Beijing. Laura Westbrook has more. today25 March, 2024
insert_link World Japan and US to upgrade military pact The US and Japan are expected to announce a major security pact update when leaders from the two countries meet in Washington next month, according to the Financial Times. Reports expect it to be the biggest security upgrade in 60 years as both countries look to counter China’s military positioning in the region. Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo. today25 March, 2024
insert_link World India rejects China claim on Arunachal Pradesh as ‘absurd’……… India's Foreign Ministry has accused China of making 'absurd claims' on Indian territories. The comments come a week after Beijing protested Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to a frontier region that borders China. Neha Poonia has more. today20 March, 2024
insert_link World A fresh set of national security offences is coming into force in Hong Kong A fresh set of national security offences is coming into force in Hong Kong, after lawmakers unanimously approved a new law on Tuesday. Authorities say it is necessary for stability, but critics fear will further erode civil liberties. Laura Westbrook reports. today20 March, 2024
insert_link World Vladimir Putin’s gold strategy explains why sanctions against Russia have failed By Robert Huish, Dalhousie University There are more than 16,000 sanctions imposed against Russia. Yet the Russian economy and war machine grew by 3.6 per cent in 2023 and is projected to grow another 2.6 per cent in 2024. Nearly six per cent of Russia’s gross domestic product goes towards military spending. At a time when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scrambling to acquire arms, funds and […] today19 March, 2024
insert_link World China’s top diplomat, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, will visit Australia next week China's top diplomat, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, will visit Australia next week in a sign of a further thaw in relations after years of tensions. It comes as China is reportedly considering removing tariffs on Australian wine, raising hopes that nearly three years of stiff duties would end. Laura Westbrook has more. today14 March, 2024
insert_link Science & Technology China says will take ‘all necessary measures’ to protect interests after US TikTok vote China on Thursday slammed the approval of a US bill that would ban TikTok unless it severs ties with its Chinese parent company, vowing that Beijing would "take all necessary measures" to protect the interests of its companies overseas. The short-video app has soared in popularity worldwide but its ownership by Chinese technology giant ByteDance -- and alleged subservience to Beijing's ruling Communist Party -- has fuelled concern […] today14 March, 2024
