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UK budget tests Labour govt's credibility
UK budget tests Labour govt's credibility
Economy
by  AFP

Britain's centre-left Labour government unveils its annual budget Wednesday, with expected tax rises to curb debt and fund public services threatening to further dent its weak poll ratings. Reeves hiked a tax on businesses in her inaugural budget last year -- a move that has been blamed for Britain's weak economic growth.

Belgium prepares for three days of national strikes
Belgium prepares for three days of national strikes
Economy
by  AFP

Belgium faces closed schools and disrupted train and air travel as unions call for three days of strikes starting Monday to protest the government's proposed spending cuts and labour law changes. Trains and public transport begin striking Monday, with national railroad company SNCB expecting to run two out of three trains, or just one out of three on some lines.

Asian stocks rise as US rate hopes soothe nerves after torrid week
Asian stocks rise as US rate hopes soothe nerves after torrid week
Economy
by  AFP

Asian markets mostly rose Monday as fresh hopes for a US interest rate cut provided some calm after last week's rollercoaster ride fuelled by worries of a tech bubble. That has been compounded in recent weeks by falling expectations the Federal Reserve will cut rates for a third successive time next month as stubbornly high inflation overshadows weakness in the labour market.