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EU gives Germany free pass over defence spending
EU gives Germany free pass over defence spending
by  AFP

Germany will escape EU punishment for breaking the bloc's budget rules because of a defence spending exemption, the European Commission said on Tuesday. Germany's public deficit is expected to be above three percent in 2025, but it will not be punished because it is "fully explained by the increase in defence spending", the EU executive said.

US retail sales miss expectations as consumers see higher costs
US retail sales miss expectations as consumers see higher costs
by  AFP

US retail sales grew at a slower pace than anticipated in September, government data showed Tuesday, as higher prices added to affordability concerns while firms grappled with an uptick in business costs. On Tuesday, Commerce Department figures showed that September retail sales were up 4.3 percent from a year ago.

EU says must 'step up' against China rare earths 'racket'
EU says must 'step up' against China rare earths 'racket'
by  AFP

The European Union must ramp up efforts to break its dependence on China for rare earths faced with export curbs that amount to a "racket" by Beijing, the bloc's industry chief Stephane Sejourne said Tuesday. China, the world's top producer of rare earths, in October announced new controls on the export of the elements, used to make magnets crucial to the auto, electronics and defence industries.

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