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Czech beer culture eyes UNESCO listing as pubs take hit
Czech beer culture eyes UNESCO listing as pubs take hit
by  AFP

Going to a pub several times a week to meet friends, media consultant Gabriela Galetkova hopes Czech beer culture -- which is taking a hit as bar visits dip -- will be internationally recognised. For me, Czech beer culture is about meeting people in a typical Czech pub," the 54-year-old told AFP in a Prague bar serving the trademark Pilsner lager with thick froth.

Leading garment producer Bangladesh holds crisis talks on US tariffs
Leading garment producer Bangladesh holds crisis talks on US tariffs
by  AFP

Bangladesh's interim leader called an emergency meeting on Saturday after textile leaders in the world's second-largest garment manufacturing nation said US tariffs were a "massive blow" to the key industry. Interim leader Muhammad Yunus "convened an emergency meeting... to discuss the US tariff issue," the government said in a statement.

Fractious Republicans seek unity over Trump tax cuts
Fractious Republicans seek unity over Trump tax cuts
by  AFP

US senators were set to vote Saturday on unlocking trillions of dollars for sweeping tax cuts promised by President Donald Trump, despite bitter infighting among the majority Republicans over the savings that will be needed to fund them.

America's passion for tariffs rarely pays off, economists warn
America's passion for tariffs rarely pays off, economists warn
by  AFP

Long before Donald Trump's "Liberation Day" announcement, the United States had toyed with imposing high tariffs throughout its history, with inconclusive -- and sometimes catastrophic -- results. During his first term in office, Donald Trump reopened the tariff ledger and decided on new measures against China, many of which were maintained under his successor, Joe Biden.

Vital European defence startups still facing hurdles
Vital European defence startups still facing hurdles
by  AFP

Opportunities and investment have surged for European defence startups since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, industry players say, with shifts by governments and investors shaking up a sector long a byword for ponderous development. But the urgent need to develop state-of-the-art battlefield tech -- a constantly moving target in the crucible of Ukraine -- continues to run into hurdles.

US soybeans, energy: Who is hit by China's tariff retaliation?
US soybeans, energy: Who is hit by China's tariff retaliation?
by  AFP

US agricultural exports, fuels and manufactured goods are set to take a hit from China's blanket retaliation against President Donald Trump's sharp tariffs, with both sets of measures due to take effect next week. But China likely has more confidence to retaliate this time compared with Trump's first presidency, when he engaged in a tit-for-tat tariff war with Beijing.

California to defy Trump's tariffs to allay global trade fears
California to defy Trump's tariffs to allay global trade fears
by  AFP

California Governor Gavin Newsom said Friday that he will seek agreements with the rest of the world to avoid the expected retaliations against US President Donald Trump's tariffs. "Donald Trump's tariffs do not represent all Americans, particularly those that I represent here in the fifth largest economy in the world, the state of California."

Trump tariffs offer opportunity for China
Trump tariffs offer opportunity for China
by  AFP

In unleashing global tariffs, President Donald Trump has vowed to remake the world to benefit US workers. "Unlike previous presidents, President Trump fully understands the nature and scope of the problem -- and the existential threat posed by China -- and what needs to be done," Smith said.