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ECB tipped to pause one last time before June rate cut
ECB tipped to pause one last time before June rate cut
by  AFP

Buoyed by falling inflation, the European Central Bank is expected to keep borrowing costs on hold one last time Thursday while laying the ground for a first interest rate cut in June. Like other central banks, the ECB is now weighing the best time to switch gears and support economic growth through lower rates -- without endangering the progress on inflation.

'Panama Papers' trial to begin eight years after tax scandal
'Panama Papers' trial to begin eight years after tax scandal
by  AFP

Twenty-seven people are set to go on trial on Monday for money laundering in connection with the "Panama Papers" tax evasion scandal, which revealed how many of the world's wealthy stashed assets in offshore companies. The fact that part of its laws against money laundering did not exist when the Panama Papers revelations emerged could complicate efforts by the judiciary to achieve convictions.

US nuclear industry upbeat on small reactors, despite setback
US nuclear industry upbeat on small reactors, despite setback
by  AFP

Despite the recent cancellation of a next-generation US nuclear plant, backers of the carbon-free power source remain hopeful new projects will come on line by the end of the decade. Another project in development is by Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation, which has selected Gadsden, Alabama for its Micro-Modular Reactor (MMR) assembly plant, which is supposed to go on line in 2027.

Yellen, Premier Li express hope for US-China cooperation
Yellen, Premier Li express hope for US-China cooperation
by  AFP

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Chinese Premier Li Qiang sounded a hopeful note on bilateral relations at the start of their Sunday meeting in Beijing. While in Beijing, Yellen will also meet with the city's mayor Yin Yong and Chinese Finance Minister Lan Fo'an on Sunday.

Trump hosts fundraiser in Florida in funding match with Biden
Trump hosts fundraiser in Florida in funding match with Biden
by  AFP

Donald Trump is holding a major fundraising event in Florida on Saturday, hoping to lay down a new marker in a swaggering, high-stakes race for large donations with Joe Biden. Trump, 77, will attempt to raise nearly twice as much at the Florida fundraiser on Saturday evening -- between $43 and $50 million, according to US media.

Denmark holds 'funeral' for a polluted fjord
Denmark holds 'funeral' for a polluted fjord
by  AFP

A fjord in the east of Denmark received last rites on Saturday from a group of local activists in an effort to draw attention to the poor health of the country's coastal waters. A report in 2022 by the University of Southern Denmark concluded the 22-kilometre (14-mile) fjord was in a "poor environmental condition" because of high levels of nitrogen run-off from fertiliser use on farms.

'Breakfast at Tiffany's' copy on sale in new York for $1.5 million
'Breakfast at Tiffany's' copy on sale in new York for $1.5 million
by  AFP

A diamond-covered edition of Truman Capote's seminal novel "Breakfast at Tiffany's" is on sale for $1.5 million to mark the centenary of the author's birth. And while the artist admits the $1.5 million price tag "sits uncomfortably" -- she believes the book can be displayed rather than sit "in a box on a shelf."