live Iran-U.S. peace agreement on a knife-edge - Middle East conflict
A peace agreement between Washington and Tehran is yet to materialise, with U.S. President Donald Trump saying that negotiations are incomplete and a...
China’s economy ended 2024 on a stronger note than expected, driven by government stimulus measures. However, with rising tensions with the United States and ongoing domestic challenges, the outlook for 2025 remains uncertain.
China’s economy wrapped up 2024 with stronger-than-expected growth, bolstered by government stimulus efforts. However, challenges on the horizon—such as strained relations with the United States and weak domestic demand—raise questions about the recovery prospects heading into 2025.
According to recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics, China’s economy grew by 5.0% in 2024, meeting the government’s annual target. The fourth-quarter growth, in particular, was the strongest in over a year, reflecting the positive impact of the government’s support efforts.
Quarter-on-quarter, China’s GDP rose by 1.6%, a slight improvement from the previous quarter’s revised 1.3%, highlighting the effectiveness of Beijing’s efforts to stabilize the economy amidst ongoing challenges.
Despite the positive growth figures, China continues to face significant hurdles. The country’s property crisis remains unresolved, local government debt continues to rise, and domestic consumer demand remains weak. On the international stage, tensions with the United States are escalating. President-elect Donald Trump, set to take office next week, has proposed new tariffs on Chinese goods, which could further destabilize China’s export sector—a key driver of the country’s growth.
Although China reported a trade surplus of $992 billion in 2024, the yuan has been under pressure, hitting a 16-month low. Analysts point to a combination of factors, including a strong U.S. dollar, declining Chinese bond yields, and concerns about increased trade barriers.
December’s economic data suggests that Beijing’s stimulus measures are beginning to yield results. Industrial output and retail sales showed solid gains, spurred by government efforts and the seasonal boost from preparations for the upcoming Lunar New Year.
The inaugural Enhanced Games began in Las Vegas on Sunday (24 May), launching one of the most controversial experiments in modern sport, in which athletes openly compete using performance-enhancing drugs banned under traditional anti-doping rules.
A peace agreement between Washington and Tehran is yet to materialise, with U.S. President Donald Trump saying that negotiations are incomplete and an Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman saying that a deal isn't imminent.
A "largely negotiated" memorandum of understanding on an Iran peace deal would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday, though the Iranian Fars news agency disputed that claim.
Police fired tear gas and clashed with protesters in central Belgrade on Saturday, as tens of thousands gathered to demand early elections and an end to the more than decade-long rule of Serbia's President Aleksandar Vučić.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday (25 May) that there have been 200 suspected deaths linked to the rare Bundibugo strain of Ebola that have been recorded in eastern DRC.
Chinese President Xi Jinping praised the “unbreakable friendship” between China and Pakistan as he met Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Beijing on Monday, a day after companies from both countries signed cooperation agreements worth $1.22 billion.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday (25 May) that there have been 200 suspected deaths linked to the rare Bundibugo strain of Ebola that have been recorded in eastern DRC.
A second group of Australian women and children linked to the Islamic State group has departed a refugee camp in north-east Syria and may return to Australia, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported on Friday.
Pope Leo XIV has issued a historic apology for the Catholic Church’s past role in legitimising slavery, describing it as a “wound in Christian memory,” as he released a landmark encyclical addressing human dignity in the age of artificial intelligence.
Rescuers pulled two people from the rubble of a collapsed building under construction in the Philippines, raising the death toll to three. Search and rescue operations continued after scans detected signs of life beneath the debris.
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