Business

Business & Economy

Turkish military staff in Russia for S-400 training

ANKARA; 22 May 2019; AA: Turkish military personnel are currently receiving training in Russia for the use of the S-400 air defense system, Turkey’s defense minister told reporters in Ankara.

"We’ve sent personnel to Russia for S-400 training that will begin in the coming days and will span the following months," Hulusi Akar said on Tuesday.

Expert calls for U.S.-China engagement, not "Cold War-like" confrontation

SAN FRANCISCO, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The United States and China should solve their problems through engagement rather than confrontation, said a U.S. expert.

Progress has been made in the U.S.-China relationship through engagement at all levels, but this is sometimes "missing or misunderstood in the conversation on U.S.-China relations," said Andy Rothman, an investment strategist at San Francisco-based investment firm Matthews Asia.

OECD cuts global growth forecast as US-China tensions rise

22 May 2019; AFP: The OECD on Tuesday cut its forecast for the world economy, urging governments to resolve their trade disputes as the latest flare-up in the US-China trade war threatens to crimp global growth.

"Governments must act urgently to reinvigorate growth that benefits all," the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said as it pared back its forecast for global growth to 3.2 percent this year from 3.3 percent earlier.

Trade tensions, policy uncertainty continue to hinder economic growth

UNITED NATIONS, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The global economy is experiencing a broad-based growth slowdown amid unresolved trade tensions, high international policy uncertainty, and softening business confidence, according to the United Nations World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) mid-2019 report, released Tuesday.

The growth outlook in all major developed economies and most developing regions has weakened due to a confluence of both domestic and external factors, according to the report.

Washington first US state to legalize human composting

22 May 2019; AFP: Washington on Tuesday became the first US state to legalize human composting after its eco-friendly governor signed a bill to that effect in a bid to cut carbon emissions from burials and cremations.

Under the new law that will go into effect in May of next year, people who die in the state will have the option to have their bodies transformed into soil suitable for use in gardening. The process is called recomposition.

Russia to make every effort to improve relations with US

MOSCOW, May 22. /TASS/: Moscow is interested in having good relations with Washington and will make every effort to improve dialogue, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told reporters on Wednesday.

"Russia is interested in having positive relations with America and will make every effort to that end," he said.

According to the senior Russian diplomat, Moscow made its approach clear during US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo’s visit to Sochi on May 14.

China's big three airlines seek 737 MAX payouts from Boeing

22 May 2019; AFP: China's three biggest airlines have filed claims seeking compensation from Boeing over the grounding and delayed delivery of 737 MAX 8 aircraft following two deadly crashes, Chinese state media reported on Wednesday.

The reports in various state-run media that China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, and Air China would seek payouts from the American aerospace giant come against the backdrop of an escalating US-China trade war.

Russia urges US not to fan tensions in Persian Gulf

MOSCOW, May 22. /TASS/: The United States is fanning tensions in the Persian Gulf in the hope somebody may lose one’s nerve, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told the media on Wednesday.

"It is essential to avoid fanning tensions, contrary to what the United States and some of its allies in the Persian Gulf have been doing in the hope that somebody will lose one’s nerve," Ryabkov said.

China could weaponise rare earths in US tech war

22 May 2019; AFP: The US has hit China where it hurts by going after its telecom champion Huawei, but Beijing's control of the global supply of rare earths used in smartphones and electric cars gives it a powerful weapon in their escalating tech war.

A seemingly routine visit by President Xi Jinping to a Chinese rare earths company this week is being widely read as an obvious threat that Beijing is standing ready for action.

Americans believe war with Iran is coming: Poll

22 May 2019; DW: More than half of Americans believe the US will go to war with Iran "within the next few years," according to a new Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll. Fewer than 40% approve of President Donald Trump's handling of the crisis.

US President Donald Trump's administration has ratcheted up its "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran in recent months, raising concerns that the United States and Iran are on a path to war.

Subscribe to Business