In Beijing, the US and China tiptoed around tech and critical minerals
Summit addressed the top and bottom layers – geopolitical framing and trade mechanics – but left the strategic middle layer largely implicit
· Winston Mok
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Newest first · UTC+11:00Paris Mint to issue first solid-gold coins in a century
PARIS — The Paris Mint said Tuesday that it would soon start selling solid-gold coins for investment, the first since it quit making Napoleons and Louis a century ago.
· Agence France-Presse
Analysts divided on oil’s next move after latest US strikes in Iran | The National
Live updates: Follow the latest news on US-Iran war
· Shweta Jain
(News Focus) KOSPI finishes above record-breaking 8,000-point level buoyed by U.S.-Iran peace deal prospects
SEOUL, May 26 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) wrapped up Tuesday's trading session above 8,000 points, as foreign investors returned to net buyers of local stocks on expectations that the United States and Iran may be nearing a deal to end the war in the Middle East.
· Deok-Hyun Kim
By Lois Maskiell
Lois Maskiell is a journalist and producer in the ABC Canberra newsroom. She has also worked as a reporter and homepage editor at The Australian Financial Review in Sydney.
Pakistan offers up 3 state-owned power distributors in privatization push
A power grid station of Islamabad Electric Supply (IESCO) in Islamabad on April 16. © Reuters
· Adnan Aamir
Unitree’s IPO progress spurs stock buying of firms with exposure to humanoid robot maker
As the robot manufacturer moves a step closer to its IPO, stocks of its investors and supply chain makers have shot up
· Zhang Shidong
Unitree’s IPO progress spurs stock buying of firms with exposure to humanoid robot maker
As the robot manufacturer moves a step closer to its IPO, stocks of its investors and supply chain makers have shot up
· Zhang Shidong
Alipay launches payment tools for AI agents that shop for you
Chinese fintech giant looks to dominate the transaction layer of the emerging ‘agent economy’ as AI evolves to executing real-world tasks
· Wency Chen
Alipay launches payment tools for AI agents that shop for you
Chinese fintech giant looks to dominate the transaction layer of the emerging ‘agent economy’ as AI evolves to executing real-world tasks
· Wency Chen
South Korean Starbucks boss apologizes for ad campaign that evoked massacre
SEOUL — South Korean retail tycoon Chung Yong-jin on Tuesday issued his second apology in two weeks as Starbucks’ local operation faces a backlash over a recent marketing campaign that was widely perceived as mocking victims of a bloody military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in 1980.
· Associated Press
Samsung Asset draws record W2.4tr for Korea’s first single-stock leveraged products
Samsung Asset Management said Tuesday it will launch Korea’s first single-stock leveraged products tied to Samsung Electronics and SK hynix on Wednesday.
· Choi Yeon-jae
China's aircraft maintenance market in focus as fleet growth slows
A GE Aerospace's aircraft engine, used in COMAC C909 jets, is displayed at the MRO Greater China event in Beijing on May 26. (Photo by Wataru Suzuki)
· Staff Writer
Ferrari shares fall 7% after luxury carmaker launches first fully electric vehicle
Shares of luxury carmaker Ferrari fell sharply on Tuesday morning, shortly after the company launched its first fully electric vehicle.
· Sam Meredith
Aguia wins final approval to launch Brazil phosphate sales
Aguia Resources has cleared the final regulatory hurdle needed to launch commercial sales of its Pampafos phosphate fertiliser product in southern Brazil, opening the gate to the company’s first meaningful revenue stream from the operation.
· Penny Taylor
Samsung to allow employees to use outside AI models starting June
SEOUL, May 26 (Yonhap) -- Samsung Electronics Co. will allow its employees to use generative artificial intelligence (AI) models developed by other companies, such as ChatGPT, starting next month, according to an internal memo Tuesday.
· Kang Jae-eun
Presidential office says gravely aware of economic conditions weighing on people's livelihoods
SEOUL, May 26 (Yonhap) -- The presidential office is gravely aware that current economic conditions could weigh on smaller businesses and people's livelihoods, the office said Tuesday.
· Park Boram
Less than 10% of Chinese public worried about AI destroying jobs: survey
Public attitudes towards AI are ‘strikingly positive’ in China, with only a small minority worried it will lead to fewer job openings, survey finds
· Ralph Jennings
Less than 10% of Chinese public worried about AI destroying jobs: survey
Public attitudes towards AI are ‘strikingly positive’ in China, with only a small minority worried it will lead to fewer job openings, survey finds
· Ralph Jennings
Think tank revises up S. Korea's 2026 growth outlook to 2.5 pct on robust exports
SEOUL, May 26 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's economy will likely grow at a sharper-than-expected pace of 2.5 percent this year thanks to strong exports, mainly led by the semiconductor industry, a state-run think tank said Tuesday.
· Kim Na-young
Tax Authority wants army tech veterans tied to Israel
A Knesset bill currently being formulated by the Israel Tax Authority is set to affect all veterans of the IDF's technological units, and tie them, and any tech company they found, to Israel for tax purposes, for 10 years after their discharge.
· ELA LEVI-WEINRIB/GLOBES/TNS
Iran-US negotiations stalling around nuclear program, financial relief, mediators say - report
Negotiations between Iran and the United States slowed on Monday, mediators told The Wall Street Journal, as discussions surrounding Iran's nuclear program and financial relief stalled the process.
· TZVI JASPER
PLC Resources fires first drill shots into major WA gold anomaly
PLC Resources has wrapped up the first-ever drilling campaign at its Rochefort gold prospect in Western Australia’s Murchison region, completing a reconnaissance reverse circulation (RC) program and demobilising the rig from site.
· Penny Taylor
Rubio looks to repair lens on US-India ties amid Quad talks, energy deals
The US secretary of state’s trip aims to mend bilateral relationship, focusing on trade, defence and Quad unity
· Biman Mukherji
Rubio looks to repair lens on US-India ties amid Quad talks, energy deals
The US secretary of state’s trip aims to mend bilateral relationship, focusing on trade, defence and Quad unity
· Biman Mukherji
VinFast founder's son takes over as EV maker recalibrates global expansion
Pham Nhat Quan Anh, left, eldest son of Vingroup founder Pham Nhat Vuong, right, has taken over as chairman of VinFast as the EV maker recalibrates its global expansion strategy.
· MAI NGUYEN
Korean submarine makes historic Pacific crossing as Seoul eyes Canada’s $39.6b deal
Since 2017, I have covered South Korea’s political and economic landscape as a reporter, with a focus on foreign affairs, inter-Korean relations and security.As a foreign affairs reporter, I closely follow developments from the Ministry of Unification, the Foreign Ministry and the Defense Ministry, tracking shifts i…
· Jung Min-kyung
OpenAI boss downplays jobs apocalypse as ‘threats of violence’ hit Aussie tech giant
OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman downplayed the threat of AI killing jobs just days after WiseTech informed the police of “threats of violence” against its CEO, who is using the technology to replace thousands of its workers.
· Colin Kruger
42 conglomerates under tight scrutiny on heavy debts; Samsung tops list
SEOUL, May 26 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's financial watchdog said Tuesday it has placed 42 highly indebted conglomerates under closer watch for debt reduction efforts, with Samsung Electronics Co. topping the list for the first time in eight years.
· Kim Boram
Samsung bonuses, cheap loans stoke chip-belt housing boom
Property prices near Samsung, SK hynix campuses already outpacing broader Seoul area market
· Jo He-rim
CNBC Daily Open: Markets optimism tested by fresh Iran strikes
Hello, this is Leonie Kidd writing to you from London. Welcome to today's edition of the Daily Open newsletter.
· Leonie Kidd
Critical Resources jags rich gold and fresh upside in NZ
Critical Resources has kicked off its gold hunt across the Tasman in style, bagging high-grade rock-chip assays up to 5.42 grams per tonne gold (g/t) and defining a major new 600-metre-long soil anomaly at its early-stage Lammerlaw gold project in Central Otago, New Zealand.
· Murray Ward
Nongshim targets India’s rapid-delivery market with Blinkit tie-up
Nongshim is stepping up its push into India through a partnership with Blinkit, the country’s largest instant delivery platform.
· Lee Han-gyoul
S. Korean financial firms, pension funds' overseas private debt investments near 56 tln won
SEOUL, May 26 (Yonhap) -- South Korean financial companies and pension funds' investments in overseas private debt funds totaled nearly 56 trillion won (US$37.2 billion) this year, data showed Tuesday.
· Kim Boram
Capitalism trumps climate: Why BHP’s green ambitions turned to empty promises
May 26, 2026 — 3:22pm
· Elizabeth Knight
Samsung consumer electronics union asks court to block vote on pay deal
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· Victor Barreiro Jr.
Customs agency to ease rules on U.S. crude routed through third countries
SEJONG, May 26 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's customs agency said Tuesday it has simplified regulations to allow U.S. crude routed through third countries to remain eligible for benefits under the bilateral free trade agreement (FTA), in line with efforts to stabilize the supply amid tensions in the Middle East.
· Kang Yoon-seung
Herald Media Group hosts charity golf tournament for Hangeul promotion
Herald Media Group, publisher of The Korea Herald and Herald Business, held a charity golf tournament Thursday to support the global promotion of Hangeul, the Korean writing system.
· Jung Seo-young
ClearVue cracks booming Indian solar market with major glass pact
ClearVue Technologies has cracked open the Indian market after signing a manufacturing and distribution agreement with Aria Glass Industries, giving the smart building materials company a direct local pathway into one of the world’s biggest construction markets.
· Doug Bright
Asian shares and oil are trading mixed as an Iran war deal remains uncertain
A person stands in front of an electronic stock board showing Japan’s Nikkei index, seen through the glass wall of an office building Monday, May 25, 2026, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
· Elaine Kurtenbach
Port Fairy pool to be demolished due to 'financial madness' of repair bill
Tue 26 May 2026 at 2:32pm
· Jean Bell
S. Korea, China hold 3rd round of export control dialogue
SEOUL, May 26 (Yonhap) -- Trade officials from South Korea and China have held talks to discuss the two countries' export control measures affecting bilateral trade of rare earths and critical minerals, Seoul's ministry said Tuesday.
· Kim Na-young
Viking locks in driller for Nevada tungsten blitz
Viking Mines has officially cleared the runway for its highly anticipated assault on American critical minerals, signing a contract with US-based contractor DrilCor for a maiden 63-hole reverse circulation (RC) drilling campaign at its highly prospective Linka tungsten project in Nevada.
· Murray Ward
Infini lights up next-generation uranium targets in Canada
Infini Resources has narrowed its hunt for a district-scale uranium discovery at its Portland Creek project in Newfoundland, Canada, after completing the first modern helicopter-supported geophysical survey across the broader tenure.
· Penny Taylor
[Vantage Point] When independent directors stop being neutral
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
· bcalica0379
Finance ministry to prepare post-Middle East crisis growth strategy for H2
SEJONG, May 26 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will seek to promote a post-Middle East crisis growth strategy in the second half, focusing on bolstering supply chains and strengthening energy security, the finance ministry said Tuesday.
· Kang Yoon-seung
Democrats feud over stock trading as they sharpen anti-corruption case against Trump
DALLAS, Texas — After three terms in the US House and two unsuccessful campaigns for the US Senate, Colin Allred said he’s heard plenty about voters’ suspicions that politicians are just trying to make a buck in Washington.
· Associated Press
Review of older drivers’ fitness to drive is sorely needed
Readers discuss the urgency of assessing aged drivers’ abilities, raising children capable of questioning AI, and seafood safety
· Letters
India's trade minister says visit by Canada's Carney reset ties after 2023 killing of Sikh activist
OTTAWA, Ontario — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's recent visit to India has helped pave the way for a complete reset of Canada-India relations, India's trade minister said Monday. The ties were strained under Carney's predecessor in the wake of the 2023 killing of a Sikh activist in Canada.
· Associated Press