News

Is the U.S. desperately trying to make China happier after trips to Taiwan?

Published

3 years ago

July 4, 2023

Another big-name U.S. official is heading to China. First, it was Secretary of State Antony Blinken a few weeks ago, now Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will be making the trip

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will be visiting Beijing from July 6-9 to meet with senior Chinese officials on a range of issues, including U.S. concerns over China’s counterespionage laws.

Her’s is the second trip of a high-ranking U.S. official in a matter of weeks, following Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s trip just weeks ago.

These two trips stand in contrast to the recent diplomatic norm where U.S. officials would be more likely to visit Taiwan, the self-proclaimed independent nation state off the coast of China.

Speaker of the house Kevin McCarthy visited the territory earlier this year, and his predecessor Nancy Pelosi did so in 2022.

Both visits brought strong condemnation from the Chinese government, and Blinken and Yellen’s trips may reflect a change in tactic by Washington to ease tensions between the two countries.

Tensions which have only grown in recent years, in no small part due to China’s stance on Taiwan, which China rejects its claims of independence, regarding it as a rebellious part of the larger country.

Business leaders such as Bill Gates and Elon Musk have also begun making the trip to China as well in recent months.

Bruce Wolpe of the U.S. Studies Centre said Yellen’s trip was part of President Biden’s push to stabilise relations between the two countries as he would not want to inadvertently escalate into a military conflict through poor communication.

He also said it would be a good opportunity for Yellen to gauge the strength of China’s economy, which has slowed ever since battling to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.

Money

AI fears rattle global markets and investors

AI developments cause market volatility, with European software and US tech firms facing significant declines amid rising uncertainty.

Published

7 hours ago

February 16, 2026

Harvey Vargas

AI developments cause market volatility, with European software and US tech firms facing significant declines amid rising uncertainty.

Global stock markets are experiencing heightened volatility as concerns about AI disruption sweep across industries. Investors are closely monitoring which sectors could be most affected as the technology continues to evolve.

Recent announcements from major US AI companies sent waves through international markets, highlighting the interconnected nature of global finance and technology. European software giants such as Dassault Systèmes and RELX saw significant declines, underscoring the global reach of AI developments.

UBS analysts warn that the impact of AI disruption could intensify in 2026 and 2027, with potential ramifications for a wide range of sectors.

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News

One Nation matches coalition as Liberal backing slides

One Nation’s support hits 23%, equaling Coalition; Labor leads at 32% as Liberals reach record low.

Published

7 hours ago

February 16, 2026

Harvey Vargas

One Nation’s support hits 23%, equaling Coalition; Labor leads at 32% as Liberals reach record low.

One Nation has surged to match the Coalition under Angus Taylor, each claiming 23 per cent of primary vote support. This is the first time the party has tied with the Liberals, signalling a major shift in voter sentiment.

The Coalition’s backing has dropped from 28 per cent in January to a record low, while Labor gains ground with 32 per cent of the vote. Analysts say this could reshape the political landscape ahead of the next election.

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News

Iran and U.S. restart nuclear negotiations with diplomacy in focus

Iran-US nuclear talks restart; diplomacy favored amidst economic interests and potential energy deals, mediated by Oman, amid high stakes.

Published

7 hours ago

February 16, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Iran-US nuclear talks restart; diplomacy favored amidst economic interests and potential energy deals, mediated by Oman, amid high stakes.

Iran is pursuing a new nuclear agreement with the United States aimed at delivering economic benefits to both sides, as negotiations restart over its long-running nuclear programme. With tensions simmering for years, both nations are signalling a desire to avoid military confrontation and stabilise the region.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says President Donald Trump prefers a diplomatic path forward, while Iran has indicated it is open to compromise in exchange for sanctions relief. The renewed talks mark a significant moment in efforts to de-escalate one of the world’s most volatile geopolitical flashpoints.

Oman is mediating the discussions, which are focused exclusively on Iran and the United States, even as Washington increases economic pressure and Tehran promotes potential deals in energy and mining to sweeten the negotiations.

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