Oil prices continued their decline on Monday as investors balanced the possibility of a US interest rate cut against emerging hopes for a Ukraine peace agreement that could ease sanctions on major Russian oil producers. Brent crude fell 58 cents, or 0.9 percent, to $61.98 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) slid 60 cents, … Read more
BEIJING — Bitcoin mining in China is quietly resurging four years after Beijing imposed a sweeping ban on cryptocurrency activity, as miners in energy rich western provinces exploit low cost electricity and a boom in private data centers. The rebound, supported by industry trackers and equipment makers, has pushed China back into the top ranks … Read more
LONDON — Global stocks climbed Monday while the dollar slipped as investors grew more confident that the Federal Reserve could move toward a December Fed cut, even as policymakers remain split on the timing of further easing. The cautious optimism set the tone for an event heavy week that includes US retail sales data, producer … Read more
CHITOSE, Japan — Cranes tower over fields of lavender and dairy farms on the northern island of Hokkaido, where Japan has launched what officials call Japan’s high stakes gamble to rebuild its semiconductor industry and stake a claim in the global race for advanced chips. Billions of dollars are flowing into new factories, research centers … Read more
NEW YORK — A turbulent week on Wall Street ended with a glimmer of optimism after a sharp US market rout driven by hotter than expected economic readings and renewed anxiety over high flying technology valuations. Despite losses across major indexes, comments from a top Federal Reserve official and selective strength in the artificial intelligence … Read more
JOHANNESBURG — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa formally closed the G20 summit in Johannesburg on Saturday, striking a gavel to mark the end of a two-day gathering that drew attention for a U.S. boycott and disputes over the handover of the G20 presidency. Ramaphosa rejected a US proposal that would have him pass the presidency … Read more
WASHINGTON — FBI Director Kash Patel is under scrutiny after ordering a SWAT team to provide security for his girlfriend, a rising country singer, during her performance at a National Rifle Association convention in Atlanta earlier this year. The unusual deployment, paired with Patel’s frequent use of government resources during his first months leading the … Read more
WASHINGTON — On January 21, 2025, President Donald Trump unveiled what he described as a “monumental undertaking” in artificial intelligence, the Stargate Project, a $500 billion joint venture bringing together some of the leading companies in AI technology. The project unites OpenAI, Oracle, SoftBank, Microsoft, Nvidia, Arm, and MGX, an AI investment group backed by … Read more
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan — China plans to expand trade and investment with Tajikistan, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during a visit to the Tajik capital on Saturday. Wang pledged to increase imports of high quality agricultural products from Tajikistan and encourage Chinese companies to invest in the landlocked Central Asian nation. “China will remain a … Read more
WASHINGTON — The United States economy is exhibiting an unusual trend that is raising concerns among Federal Reserve officials. Despite robust economic growth and high productivity, job creation has slowed significantly this year, leaving policymakers grappling with how to steer the economy. US companies have sharply reduced hiring, uncertain about the impact of sweeping economic … Read more
