US, China impose further tariffs, escalating trade war
The United States and China escalated their acrimonious trade war on Thursday (Aug 23), implementing punitive 25 percent tariffs on US$16 billion worth of the other’s goods.
China
Russian military braces for massive war games in the east
Russia’s military forces in the country’s east were put on high alert Monday ahead of massive war games that also involve China and Mongolia, the largest show of power in nearly 40 years, the Russian defense minister said.
Stocks reach new all-time high, despite Trump’s trade threats and Fed criticisms
Stock markets hit a new all-time high Tuesday as they approached the longest bull market in modern history, despite President Trump’s recent statements on trade and monetary policy that have unnerved some business leaders.
Global dividends jump to record high in the second quarter amid trade war concerns
Global dividends jumped 12.9 percent year-on-year in the second quarter to $497.4 billion, hitting a new record, according to a report on the Janus Henderson Global Dividend Index.
Amid Vatican talks, China official says foreign forces can’t control religion
Religious matters in China cannot be controlled by foreigners, Beijing’s seniormost official for religion wrote in a Communist Party journal, amid talks with the Vatican to resolve a dispute over the appointment of Catholic bishops.
Pentagon: China Boosts Nuclear Readiness
China added significant numbers of bombers to its military forces in the past year as part of a large-scale military buildup targeting the United States, a Pentagon’s report on the Chinese military says.
Wall St. rallies on solid earnings, U.S.-China trade talks
U.S. stocks rebounded on Thursday with the Dow posting its biggest percentage gain in over four months, as positive earnings and waning trade jitters buoyed investor confidence.
Chinese bombers likely training for US strikes: Pentagon
Chinese bombers are likely training for strikes against US and allied targets in the Pacific, according to a new Pentagon report that also details how Beijing is transforming its ground forces to ‘fight and win.’
Turkey braces for hard times amid currency crisis, US spat
Some Turks are reacting with defiance to their plunging currency and an escalating trade and political dispute with the United States – an indication that they are ready to endure economic pain and risk further deterioration in a key, yet troubled alliance dating from the Cold War.
China Shuts Down Six Churches, Forces Members to Leave by Bribing, Threatening Jobs
China’s Communist Party forced six churches in Beijing to shut down after attempts to bribe members to leave failed, a new report has revealed.
Pence unveils Space Force to counter Russia, China
Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday announced the first steps in the Trump administration’s bid to establish a standalone military Space Force by 2020, including creating an elite group of space troops in the same vein as current special operations forces.
‘Mobster mentality’: China slams Trump’s trade moves, retaliates with 25% tax on U.S. products
China said Wednesday it will impose a 25-percent tax on hundreds of U.S. products, the latest retaliation in a trade war that’s raising anxiety among American farmers and other businesses about their prospects for the rest of the year.
China Shutting Down Churches, Seizing Bibles in ‘Ambitious New Effort’ to Eradicate Religion
China is in the midst of an ‘ambitious new effort’ to lessen or even eradicate the influence of Christianity and religion from the country, according to an investigation by the Associated Press.
Farm groups praise $12 billion aid package, urge pullback on trade fights
Key agricultural trade associations praised the Trump administration Tuesday for providing $12 billion to support farmers hurt by an ongoing trade war, but urged the administration to dial back that fight.
Nikki Haley Slams Human Rights Council as ‘Greatest Failure’ of the UN
U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley said Wednesday the United Nations’ Human Rights Council is the ‘greatest failure’ of the international organization given its continued support to dictatorial regimes and entrenched bias against Israel.
Race for Russian warship’s ‘5,500 boxes of gold’ – rumoured to be worth US$133 billion – after wreck found in waters off South Korean island
Divers off the South Korean island of Ulleungdo have discovered the fabled wreck of the Dmitrii Donskoi, a Russian warship that was sunk in 1905 and is rumored to still contain 5,500 boxes of gold bars and coins said to be worth US$133 billion.
$152,237,500,000: Merchandise Trade Deficit With China Hit Record Through May
The U.S. merchandise trade deficit with China set a record through May, hitting $152,237,500,000 for the first five months of 2018, according to data released Friday by the Census Bureau.
U.S. says to slap tariffs on extra $200 billion of Chinese imports
The Trump administration raised the stakes in its trade war with China on Tuesday, saying it would slap 10 percent tariffs on an extra $200 billion worth of Chinese imports.
Israeli Company Plans Lunar Landing Next Year
Israeli company says it will soon attempt to become the first private entity to land a spacecraft on the moon.
China pledges $15 million to Palestinians amid major push for Mideast influence
China will provide Palestinians with more than $15 million in aid, President Xi Jinping told top Arab officials Tuesday, as Beijing seeks to build its influence in the Middle East and Africa.