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Apr 17 2026POLITICS

China Balances Middle East Peace Talks While Welcoming Trump

China is moving quickly to calm the fighting in Iran, all while getting ready for a meeting with U. S. President Donald Trump next month. The country’s top leader, Xi Jinping, will meet the president in mid‑May, and China wants to keep its ties with Iran strong without upsetting Washington. Becau

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Apr 17 2026SCIENCE

China’s Space Team Extends Their Stay Beyond the Stars

China’s latest space team has decided to spend a little more time floating around in space than originally planned. The three astronauts, who took off from a launch site in China’s Gobi Desert last fall, were supposed to come back in April after six months. Now, they’ll stay up there for another mon

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Apr 16 2026FINANCE

Global Money Talks: Japan and US Boost Currency Coordination

Japan and the United States have decided to increase their discussions about currency values following a meeting between their top finance officials. This move comes as both countries watch the Japanese yen hover near a key level that triggered past currency interventions. Japan’s finance minister p

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Apr 15 2026BUSINESS

Japan’s Big Move to Keep Oil Flowing

Japan has announced a new plan worth 10 billion dollars aimed at ensuring a steady supply of oil from Asia. The government will invest in projects that help secure shipping routes and storage facilities near key suppliers. By doing so, it hopes to reduce the risk of shortages caused by political ten

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Apr 15 2026BUSINESS

Naphtha Shortages Hit Japan’s Factory Floor

Japanese firms that rely on naphtha, a key oil by‑product used in adhesives and paints, are cutting orders or lowering production after delivery delays and price hikes. The trouble began last week when more than a dozen companies, including Toto and Asahi Kasei, warned that their supplies were unrel

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Apr 15 2026POLITICS

Japan Opens Arms Trade to Allies, Drawing Global Attention

Japan is set to relax its strict arms export rules, a move that has caught the eye of countries from Poland to the Philippines. The decision follows President Donald Trump’s uncertain stance on defense commitments and the ongoing conflicts in Iran and Ukraine, which have strained U. S. weapon suppli

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Apr 12 2026TECHNOLOGY

Rare‑Earth Tensions: How China’s Moves Shake U. S. Tech Power

China tightened rules on key minerals like gallium, germanium and neodymium in 2025‑26, saying it needed to guard national security. The U. S. and the EU reacted by bolstering stockpiles, speeding up domestic projects, and seeking new suppliers. Prices jumped, but many saw the shock as short‑term.

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Apr 11 2026FINANCE

Japan takes a close look at private credit risks but sees no big problem yet

Japan’s finance chief recently shared her view on private credit, a fast-growing but shadowy part of finance worth about $2 trillion worldwide. She pointed out that Japan’s own exposure isn’t large and doesn’t pose a big threat right now. Still, she’s keeping an eye on how things move, especially as

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Apr 09 2026POLITICS

China's Moon Plan: Why 2030 Could Be a Gamechanger

China is racing to land astronauts on the moon by 2030, and it’s not just about planting a flag. While NASA’s Artemis program grabs headlines with crewed flybys, Beijing’s ambition reflects a bigger push for space leadership—one that mixes technical skill, strategic timing, and quiet rivalry. The c

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Apr 07 2026ENVIRONMENT

China Steps Up Energy Push While Middle East Tensions Rise

China’s leader Xi Jinping wants the country to build a stronger energy system fast. The push comes as conflicts in the Middle East shake up global fuel supplies. China isn’t talking much about the war itself but wants to make sure its power stays steady no matter what happens abroad. Xi didn’t ment

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