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Labour pledges to renationalise UK railways
Labour pledges to renationalise UK railways
by  AFP

Britain's main Labour opposition on Thursday vowed to renationalise the UK's much-maligned rail services within five years if it wins a general election due later this year. Labour has been pretty light on policy detail as it tries not to blow a huge lead over Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Conservatives in opinion polls, and return to power after 14 years in opposition.

US to give Micron $6.1 bn for American chip factories
US to give Micron $6.1 bn for American chip factories
by  AFP

Micron is set to receive up to $6.1 billion in grants from the US government to help build its semiconductor plants in New York and Idaho, the White House said Thursday. Micron is set to invest up to $125 billion across both states over the next two decades "to build a leading-edge memory manufacturing ecosystem," according to the White House.

BHP launches $38.8 billion takeover bid for rival Anglo American
BHP launches $38.8 billion takeover bid for rival Anglo American
by  AFP

Australian mining giant BHP confirmed on Thursday a $38.8 billion takeover bid for British rival Anglo American, a colossal deal with the potential to fundamentally reshape the sector. Its longtime rival Anglo American has a market value of about $36 billion.

The Myanmar 'water brothers' salvaging shipwrecks on the tide
The Myanmar 'water brothers' salvaging shipwrecks on the tide
by  AFP

Diving into the darkness of the Yangon River, Than Nyunt starts another murky sortie in his months-long mission to salvage a sunken ship using the power of the moon. He says he has salvaged around 40 ships, from cargo boats to passenger ferries, since he started diving over four decades ago.

Asian markets mixed as global rally stalls, eyes on yen
Asian markets mixed as global rally stalls, eyes on yen
by  AFP

Asian equities were mixed Thursday as investors turned cautious after the past three days' sizeable gains, with Meta's warning that it will spend far more than expected this year fuelling worries that the latest tech-led rally may have gone too far. Tech titans Microsoft and Alphabet are due to report later in the day.

Tough times for Argentine factories as consumers penny-pinch
Tough times for Argentine factories as consumers penny-pinch
by  AFP

Argentina's factories, like many economic sectors, are floundering as consumers hit by sky-high inflation and shrinking income buy fewer goods. In February, Argentina's economic activity slumped for a fourth straight month as self-described "anarcho-capitalist" President Javier Milei's budget-slashing plans took hold.

Car giants vie for EV crown at Beijing's Auto China show
Car giants vie for EV crown at Beijing's Auto China show
by  AFP

Chinese car giants locked in a cut-throat price war descend on the capital for the start of the Auto China show Thursday, vying to draw consumers and headlines in the world's biggest electric vehicle market and abroad. Beijing's Auto China show, which lasts until May 4, will see dozens of firms square off in a bid to draw customers at one of the country's biggest car shows.