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Blinken, Austin visit Australia on last leg of Pacific blitz
Blinken, Austin visit Australia on last leg of Pacific blitz
Business and Economy
by  AFP

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin visited Australia Friday on the final leg of a Pacific tour designed to reinforce Washington's standing in the region. Pentagon chief Austin comes to Australia from Port Moresby, where the United States signed a defence agreement earlier this year giving troops access to key military facilities.

Ethiopian Airlines facing 'real challenges' despite Covid success
Ethiopian Airlines facing 'real challenges' despite Covid success
Business and Economy
by  AFP

Ethiopian Airlines successfully weathered the Covid pandemic by shifting its strategy, but Africa's only profitable carrier still faces "real challenges" in sourcing parts and staying competitive at a time of inflation, its CEO told AFP. The 2022-2023 financial year ending June 30 "was a very successful year," Mesfin Tasew said in an interview in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.

Chip giant TSMC determined to 'keep roots in Taiwan': CEO
Chip giant TSMC determined to 'keep roots in Taiwan': CEO
Business and Economy
by  AFP

Chip giant TSMC said it is determined to "keep its roots in Taiwan", as it launched a massive new research and development facility in the northern city of Hsinchu on Friday. At the Friday launch of its R&D facility, chairman Mark Liu said the centre will "develop world-leading technologies in the semiconductor industry more actively to explore 2-nanometre and 1.4-nanometre technology".

Dutch race to put out blaze on car ship
Dutch race to put out blaze on car ship
Business and Economy
by  AFP

Authorities were racing Thursday to prevent a possible ecological disaster off the Dutch coast where a blaze raged aboard a car carrier ship for a second day. - 'Very concerned' - Officials said the fire could rage "for days", raising the spectre of an ecological disaster on a nearby chain of islands, which include Terschelling and Ameland, where the fire was first reported.

Bank of Japan to allow 'greater flexibility' in controlling bond yields
Bank of Japan to allow 'greater flexibility' in controlling bond yields
Business and Economy
by  AFP

The Bank of Japan on Friday eased its grip on its ultra-loose monetary policy in a small step towards normalisation as inflation accelerates and the yen comes under pressure against other major currencies. The currency has been hammered for more than a year as the BoJ refused to shift from its policy, even as central banks around the world pushed up interest rates to fight surging inflation.

Tainted love: Misinformation drives 'vaccine-free' dating
Tainted love: Misinformation drives 'vaccine-free' dating
Business and Economy
by  AFP

In a private dating group on Facebook, Renee flaunts herself to like-minded singles as a fit, adventurous Kizomba dancer who at 35 exudes "inner child vibes." A prospective match's vaccination status determines compatibility not just for Renee, a self-employed Australian, but for many posting in "unvaxed singles" groups that have cropped up on Facebook.