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Asian stocks today: Markets remain mixed after Trump’s Iran remarks; HSI down over 76 points, Kospi gains 1.5% – The Times of India

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Asian stocks today: Markets remain mixed after Trump’s Iran remarks; HSI down over 76 points, Kospi gains 1.5% – The Times of India


Asian markets ended mixed on Thursday, after US President Donald Trump’s comments on Iran, saying that he was told “on good authority” that plans for executions in Iran have stopped. At the same time, oil prices dropped sharply, falling more than $2 a barrel.Hong Kong’s HSI was up 76 point or 0.28% down at 26,923. Nikkei plunged 230 points or 0.42% to trade at 54,110. Shanghai and Shenzhen ended down 0.33% and up 0.41%. In South Korea, Kospi was up 1.5% or 74 points.US benchmark crude slid $2, or 3.4%, to $59.75 a barrel. Brent crude, the global benchmark, fell $2.31, or 3.5%, to $64.21 a barrel.Shares of Toyota Industries rose 6.2% after reports said Toyota Motor had increased its buyout offer for the company to 18,800 yen ($118.61) per share. US futures were little changed. The future for the S&P 500 rose by less than 0.1%, while futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged down by less than 0.1%.On Wednesday, Wall Street closed lower for a second consecutive session. The S&P 500 fell 0.5%, the Dow slipped 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite dropped 1%.Losses were led by Big Tech stocks, even as most shares on Wall Street advanced. The sector came under pressure as investors pulled back from the artificial intelligence rally and amid warnings from some critics that valuations had become stretched. Nvidia shares declined 1.4%, while Broadcom fell 4.2%.Bank stocks also weakened. Wells Fargo sank 4.6% after reporting quarterly profit and revenue that missed expectations. Bank of America fell 3.8%, and Citigroup dropped 3.3%.Energy stocks provided some support to the broader market. Exxon Mobil gained 2.9%, and Chevron rose 2.1%.Investors continued to seek safe-haven assets as geopolitical uncertainties remained elevated. Gold prices slipped 0.8% on Thursday but stayed close to their previous record levels.In the bond market, the yield on the US 10-year Treasury fell to 4.14% from 4.18% late Tuesday, reflecting increased demand for safer assets. Bond prices move inversely to yields.In currency trading early Thursday, the US dollar strengthened to 158.63 Japanese yen from 158.46 yen. The euro weakened slightly to $1.1636 from $1.1645.



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World’s biggest condom maker Karex set to raise prices due to Iran war

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World’s biggest condom maker Karex set to raise prices due to Iran war



Malaysia-based Karex produces more than five billion condoms a year and supplies global brands like Durex and Trojan.



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I was left with an £8,000 vet bill when my insurer cancelled my pet policy

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I was left with an £8,000 vet bill when my insurer cancelled my pet policy


Tesco Pet Insurance, who provided the cover, says “the cost of claims is one of a number of factors that can affect the price of a policy at renewal” and also noted Tilly’s age had been reflected in the quote. It says the couple had a more comprehensive policy, which typically costs more than basic levels of cover, and that alternative options were presented to Fawcett and Neild.



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Britain ‘mustn’t cut ourselves off from China trade opportunities’, CBI chief warns

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Britain ‘mustn’t cut ourselves off from China trade opportunities’, CBI chief warns


The UK must not “cut ourselves off” from trade opportunities in China despite security and business risks, the head of the Confederation for British Industry has warned.

CBI chief Rain Newton-Smith highlighted that British businesses see increased trade with Chinese firms as an opportunity to drive growth.

Her remarks came as business leaders were questioned by MPs on Parliament’s Business and Trade Select Committee regarding the UK’s economic relationship with China.

Last December, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer admitted China poses security threats to the UK but urged for greater business ties.

Ms Newton-Smith, chief executive of one of the UK’s largest business groups, was positive about the Government’s engagement with China.

“You can’t have a growth strategy without a strategy for China,” she said.

Starmer admitted China poses security threats to the UK but urged for greater business ties (Ben Whitley/PA)

“China has the biggest contribution to global growth, is the third largest trading partner, and the world’s largest consumer market.

“The UK is second largest exporter of trade and services.

“We are mindful as all businesses are of security risks but it is really important that we have a strategy towards China.

“This Government has increased the economic engagement with China and including business within this does help us as a country.”

She added: “If we think about the future economy, there is a huge market in China and I think we mustn’t cut ourselves off from some of the opportunities there, even if in some areas there are difficult conversations and negotiations that need to be had.”

Peter Burnett, chief executive of the China-Britain Business Council, told the committee: “There are risks associated with technology advancement, AI, industrial development that they need to assess.

“Increasingly you will find them saying that they need to engage more in China to understand those risks and to develop some of the technologies along some of those risks themselves.”



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