China’s economy expanded at an annual rate of 5.4 per cent in the January–March period, the government announced on Wednesday, driven by strong export performance ahead of US President Donald Trump’s rapid escalation of tariffs on Chinese goods.
Kazakhstan has unveiled a major rare earth discovery in its Karagandy region, potentially containing up to 20 million tonnes of reserves. Announced ahead of the EU–Central Asia Summit, the find could elevate Kazakhstan’s global standing in critical minerals, though experts urge caution as further studies are needed.