U.S. | DD News

June 18, 2024 3:28 PM

China accuses U.S. of “malign intention” to discredit its COVID vaccines

China's embassy in the Philippines accused the U.S. military of "hypocrisy, malign intention and double standards" in response to a report of secret U.S. campaign to undermine confidence in a Chinese vaccines and other aid during the COVID-19 pandemic. The remarks made by the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in Manila on Tuesday were in response to a investigative report that said the U.S. military launched a clandestine programme during the COVID pandemic to discredit China's Sinovac inocul...

June 15, 2024 4:10 PM

US VP announces $1.5 billion for aid for Ukraine at peace summit in Switzerland

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris announced more than $1.5 billion in aid in part for Ukraine's energy sector and its humanitarian situation as a result of Russia's 27-month invasion of Ukraine. The announcement was made as Harris attended a Ukraine peace summit in Lucerne, Switzerland, where she was to meet Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and address the summit's plenary session. The $1.5 billion includes $500 million in new funding for energy assistance and the redirecting of $324 mill...

June 14, 2024 9:35 AM

Asian stocks slide, yen wobbles ahead of BOJ verdict

Asian stocks fell on Friday as investors pondered the outlook for U.S. rates after the Federal Reserve tempered its rate-cut views even as inflation came in softer than expected, while the yen was shaky before the Bank of Japan's policy meeting. The dollar was hovering near a one-month high on the back of the hawkish tone from the Fed this week, while political uncertainty in Europe kept the euro under pressure. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was 0.48% lower. Chines...

June 7, 2024 5:02 PM

China strongly opposes U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, urges withdrawal

China is strongly opposed to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and urges Washington to withdraw them immediately, the defence ministry said on Friday. The ministry said it had lodged a complaint to the United States over the matter. "(China's military) will continue to strengthen its military training and exercises, and resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity," it added in a statement. The U.S. State Department approved the sale of F-16 fighter jet spare and repair parts to T...

June 5, 2024 4:08 PM

U.S. strategic bomber drops precision weapon in drills with South Korea fighters

A U.S. B-1 strategic bomber joined South Korean and U.S. fighter jets in a training mission over the Korean peninsula on Wednesday, dropping a guided JDAM weapon used with so-called bunker-busting munitions, the South's defence ministry said. The drill comes a day after South Korea said it was resuming all military activities along the border with the North after suspending their 2018 military pact that aimed at easing tension and preventing military clashes. The JDAM, or Joint Direct Attack M...

September 16, 2024 6:16 PM

Asia shares nudge higher as US, EU inflation data loom

Asian shares firmed on Monday as investors braced for a busy run of inflation data that could set the scene for a European rate cut as soon as next week and a U.S. policy easing within just a few months. Holidays in Britain and the United States made for thin trading ahead of Friday's figures on core personal consumption expenditures (PCE), the Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation. Median forecasts are for a rise of 0.3% in April, keeping the annual pace at 2.8%, with risks on the ...

May 24, 2024 3:03 PM

Global stocks slide as rate worries dent risk appetite

Global stocks slipped on Friday after robust U.S. and German economic data bolstered prospects of interest rates staying higher for longer on both sides of the Atlantic. MSCI's global share index, which recently hit intraday highs after a rush into artificial intelligence stocks ignited by strong results from $2.6 trillion chipmaker Nvidia, fell 0.2% and was set for a 0.9% weekly loss. Europe's Stoxx 600 share index was 0.7% lower in early dealings, down 1% over the week. Premier ...

May 20, 2024 6:10 PM

Israel vows to broaden Rafah sweep amid heavy fighting in parts of Gaza

Israel made a new push in central Gaza on Monday, bombarded towns in the north of the Strip and said it intended to broaden its military operation in Rafah despite U.S. warnings of the risk of mass casualties in the southern city. Gaza medics said at least 23 people had been killed in the latest fighting, and residents said battles were intense in Jabalia in the north of the Palestinian enclave. Israeli tanks also carried out a limited incursion into areas of Wadi Al-Salqa and Al-Karara near D...

September 16, 2024 6:09 PM

Rise of Sea Drone Warfare Challenges U.S. Navy Strategy

The U.S. Navy's efforts to build a fleet of unmanned vessels are faltering because the Pentagon remains wedded to big shipbuilding projects, according to some officials and company executives, exposing a weakness as sea drones reshape naval warfare. The lethal effectiveness of sea drones has been demonstrated in the Black Sea where Ukraine has deployed remote-controlled speed boats packed with explosives to sink Russian frigates and minesweepers since late 2022. Yemeni-backed Houthi rebels hav...

May 1, 2024 11:24 AM

South Korea discusses joining part of AUKUS pact with US, UK and Australia

South Korea has held talks about joining part of the AUKUS defence deal between the U.S., Britain and Australia, Defence Minister Shin Won-sik said on Wednesday, only weeks after the pact said it would consider including Japan. Formed in 2021, AUKUS is a two-stage security pact to counteract China's growing power in the Asia Pacific region. While a first stage to give Australia nuclear submarine technology is limited to the core trio, they have raised the possibility of other countries j...