U.S. and global oil and gas prices surged higher Monday as concerns grew that attacks by Israel and the U.S. on Iran could spiral into a broader war and disrupt global energy supplies. The U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Saturday that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of other senior government officials while talks between Washington and Tehran over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program were reported to be ongoing. European benchmark Brent crude oil surged by as much as 13% in early trade on Monday,…
Posts published in “Business”
Japanese companies will finance investments valued at $36 billion in energy and minerals projects in Ohio, Texas and Georgia as part of a trade agreement that will cut U.S. tariffs on Japanese imports to 15%, according to the Trump administration. The announcement is part of Japan’s 2025 agreement to invest $550 billion over the next four years at the direction of the U.S., with the funds aimed at rebuilding and expanding core American industries. In October, the Trump administration provided details on Japanese investments of up to $332 billion to…
Dear reader, as you read this, the curtain is rising on the most significant and heartwarming moment of the year for countless Chinese families. Wanderers have returned to their nests, and lights are glowing in millions of homes. The opening act of this grand festival is, and always will be, the Nianyefan – the Chinese New Year’s Eve reunion dinner. It is more than just a carnival for the taste buds; it is a totem of emotion and belonging. However, if we zoom out and look at the rising steam…
The total box office for the 2026 Chinese New Year film season (including pre-sales) has surpassed 1 billion yuan ($144.7 million) on Tuesday, the first day of the Chinese New Year, with Pegasus 3 temporarily ranking first on the holiday box office chart, followed by Scare Out and Boonie Bears: The Hidden Protector, according to CCTV News on Tuesday. The lineup for the 2026 Chinese New Year features a diverse mix of genres and themes, including comedy, action, animation, and science fiction. Currently, Pegasus 3 leads with over 400 million…
The dazzling performances by humanoid robots at China’s 2026 Spring Festival Gala made headlines on multiple overseas media outlets, and their video clips flooded social media platforms within hours. Reuters noted that the four companies showcasing their products at the Gala demonstrated the China’s cutting-edge industrial policy and push to dominate humanoid robots and the future of manufacturing. The report also mentioned that Elon Musk said he expects his biggest competitor to be Chinese companies as he pivots Tesla toward a focus on embodied AI and its flagship humanoid Optimus. …
Japan is preparing to lift long-standing restrictions on lethal weapons exports, marking another step in the erosion of its post-war arms export taboo. While the reform creates new diplomatic and commercial opportunities and allows deeper security cooperation with regional partners, Japan’s defence industrial base remains small, costly and capacity-constrained. Domestic procurement demands and labour shortages mean exports will likely remain modest, limiting the policy’s practical and strategic impact on regional military balances. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government is looking to loosen Japan’s long-standing restrictions on weapons exports, marking another step…
The Office of the President of Uruguay on Saturday posted a recap on Instagram of President Yamandú Orsi’s seven-day state visit to China, which took place from February 1 to 7, highlighting achievements in five areas: diplomacy, production, science, education, and cooperation.The post, published on the very day Orsi concluded his China visit, described the visit as a successful “historic” official trip, noting that it consolidated Uruguay’s position as a strategic partner on the world stage. The post outlined achievements across various sectors over the seven-day period. On the diplomatic…
China’s YH-1000S, a self-made hybrid unmanned cargo aircraft, the world’s first of its kind, has completed its maiden flight in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, its developer said on Tuesday. According to the China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics, YH-1000S was equipped with a high-performance hybrid power system, jointly developed with a new energy vehicle manufacturer, during the debut flight. This aircraft boasts shorter takeoff-landing distances, increased payload capacity and extended flight ranges, compared with its predecessor YH-1000, which made its maiden flight in May last year. Designed to meet the demands…
High-level visit expected to boost trade dialogue, co-op: industry rep China is a key market for Uruguay, especially for the agricultural and food sectors. It is one of the main destinations for Uruguayan beef and plays a central role in the diversification and scale of our exports, Christian Shaw, head of market access and development of the National Meat Institute of Uruguay, told the Global Times in an exclusive interview on Monday. The remarks were made on the sidelines of the ongoing state visit of the President of Uruguay Yamandu…
Few ideas in global finance generate as much anxiety as de-dollarization. To some Western observers, any attempt to reduce reliance on the US dollar is automatically framed as a political challenge to American power. Yet for much of the developing world, the conversation is far less ideological and far more practical. The push to diversify global payment systems and promote the use of local currencies is not about confrontation; it is a response to economic realities that many countries have lived with for decades. The dominance of the dollar has…