China launches crewed spacecraft Shenzhou-12 in historic mission

Published

4 years ago

June 17, 2021

China has marked a major moment in space history

Launching a spacecraft carrying three astronauts, the mission is now on to complete the country’s space station by the end of next year.

It will be the longest stay in low Earth orbit by any Chinese national.

As part of its plans to have a fully crewed space station by December 2022, China successfully launched the first core module earlier this year.

There is no official announcement yet on when the other sections of the space station will launch, but the module is expected to operate for at least 10 years.

Chinese astronauts have long been excluded from the international space station, due to US political objections and legal restrictions.

The three-month stay for the three men will be the longest for any Chinese astronauts, and one focus will be seeing how they handle their relatively long time in orbit.

During their sojourn on the cylinder-like Tianhe, slightly bigger than a bus, the three men will test the module’s technologies, including its life-support system.

The Tianhe, which means “Harmony of the Heavens”, is a cylinder 16.6 metres long and 4.2 metres in diameter.

The men will also be monitored for how they fare in space physically and psychologically for an extended period of time.

Trump’s “very productive” deal: What’s behind the U.S.-China agreement?

US and China agree to new terms amid trade war, following productive talks between Treasury Secretary Bessent and Vice Premier He.

Published

15 hours ago

May 12, 2025

Ahron Young

US and China agree to new terms amid trade war, following productive talks between Treasury Secretary Bessent and Vice Premier He.

The United States and China have reached a new agreement amid an intensifying trade war between the world’s two largest economies. This comes after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng held their first in-person talks since the imposition of heavy tariffs on both sides.

President Trump has described the discussions as “very productive,” signaling cautious optimism as financial markets remain volatile and American consumers feel the pinch of rising prices. Secretary Bessent addressed reporters after long negotiations, underlining the urgency both sides felt to de-escalate the stalemate.

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News

U.S. and China strike surprise trade deal

US and China reach a significant trade deal amid tensions, signaling thawing relations, while the UK secures symbolic concessions; insights from economist Tim Harcourt.

Published

15 hours ago

May 12, 2025

Ahron Young

US and China reach a significant trade deal amid tensions, signaling thawing relations, while the UK secures symbolic concessions; insights from economist Tim Harcourt.

In a stunning development amid rising tensions, the United States and China have agreed on a new deal as part of their ongoing trade war.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng held the first in-person meetings in years, signaling a potential thaw in relations.

President Trump called the talks “very productive.”

Meanwhile, the UK has managed to score key trade concessions from the US, including on autos, jet engines, and steel—although the benefits may be more symbolic than substantial. Could this deal impact Australia’s trade position?

We unpack the details with Professor Tim Harcourt, Chief Economist at UTS and host of The Airport Economist.

News

Inflation data, earnings reports, and market trends to watch

Investors focus on inflation data, trade meetings, Fed remarks, retail sales, and key earnings reports this week.

Published

22 hours ago

May 12, 2025

Ahron Young

Investors focus on inflation data, trade meetings, Fed remarks, retail sales, and key earnings reports this week.

In Short:
Inflation data will be a key focus this week, alongside trade meeting results and important earnings reports. Investors will monitor Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s remarks and various economic indicators, including retail sales and sentiment surveys.

Inflation data set for Tuesday is expected to be a focal point this week.

Investors will also assess the results of recent U.S. and Chinese trade meetings following a quiet Friday that saw stock declines for the week.

On Thursday, remarks from Fed Chair Jerome Powell will be closely monitored as he faces pressure from President Donald Trump regarding interest rate decisions.

Retail sales figures will also be released on Thursday, coinciding with Walmart’s earnings report.

Key earnings announcements this week include those from Cisco Systems, Alibaba Group, Deere & Co., Applied Materials, and Take-Two Interactive.

In addition, consumer and small business sentiment surveys, along with data from the homebuilding and manufacturing sectors, may also draw interest.