Asian shares mostly lower, China gains on GDP rebound

Shares fell Monday across most of Asia following a retreat on Wall Street, but benchmarks in Hong Kong and Shanghai rose after data showed the Chinese economy grew a solid 2.3% in 2020. The stronger than expected performance for the world's second-largest economy helped counter growing wariness among investors...

China economy grows in 2020 as rebound from virus gains

BEIJING (AP) — China eked out 2.3% economic growth in 2020, likely becoming the only major economy to expand as shops and factories reopened relatively early from a shutdown to fight the coronavirus while the United States, Japan and Europe struggled with disease flare-ups. Growth in the three months...

China reports its economy grew 2.3% percent in 2020 as its recovery from the coronavirus pandemic accelerated

Impeachment complicates the early days of Biden's presidency

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden already faces the daunting task of steering a newly announced $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill through a closely divided Congress as the pandemic and its economic fallout grow. Now Biden will have to do it with President Donald Trump’s impeachment...

Asian shares mixed following Biden speech, Wall St retreat

Asian shares were mixed on Friday after a late slide in several Big Tech stocks left major indexes lower on Wall Street. U.S. futures were trading slightly lower after President-elect Joe Biden announced his plans to propose a $1.9 billion package to help along a recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. Biden...

Impeachment complicates the early days of Biden's presidency

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden already faces the daunting task of steering a newly announced $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill through a closely divided Congress as the pandemic and its economic fallout grow. Now Biden will have to do it with President Donald Trump’s impeachment...

German economy shrank 5% in pandemic year 2020

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The German economy, Europe's largest, shrank by 5% in the pandemic year 2020, ending a decade of growth as lockdowns wiped out much business and consumer activity. As dreary as the numbers were, the drop was smaller than many had expected, and a high savings rate suggested...

China 2020 exports up despite virus; surplus surges to $535B

BEIJING (AP) — China’s exports rose in 2020 despite pressure from the coronavirus and a tariff war with Washington, boosting its politically volatile trade surplus to $535 billion, one of the highest ever reported. Exports increased 3.6% over 2019 to $2.6 trillion, an improvement on the previous...

Asian stocks gain as markets watch for Biden stimulus plan

BEIJING (AP) — Asian stocks advanced Tuesday as investors watched for details of President-elect Joe Biden's promised economic stimulus plan. Shanghai, Tokyo and Hong Kong were higher. Seoul declined while Sydney swung between gains and losses. Overnight, Wall Street declined following a string of...

N. Korea's Kim adds title: General secretary of ruling party

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was given the title of general secretary of the ruling Workers’ Party formerly held by his late father and grandfather, state media reported Monday, in a move apparently aimed at bolstering his authority amid growing economic challenges. The...