Russia steps up military lifeline to Syria's Assad
In recent weeks Russia has stepped up supplies of military gear to Syria, including armored vehicles, drones and guided bombs, boosting President Bashar al-Assad just as rebel infighting has weakened the insurgency against him, sources with knowledge of the deliveries say.
Iran has $100 billion abroad, can draw $4.2 billion
Iran has about $100 billion in foreign exchange assets around the world, of which it will be able to draw $4.2 billion under last year's nuclear agreement with six world powers, a senior U.S. administration official said on Friday.
China's Hebei closes more than 8,000 polluting firms in 2013
China shut down 8,347 heavily polluting companies last year in northern Hebei province, which has the worst air in the country, state news agency Xinhua said on Thursday, as the government moves to tackle a problem that has been a source of discontent.
French companies, unions question Hollande's new vision
French business raised doubts on Wednesday over Socialist President Francois Hollande's plan for public spending cuts and structural reform to revive the euro zone's second largest economy.
Russia rouble float may hurt investors now but help in long run
Russia's move towards a flexible rouble exchange rate may well prove a boon for the struggling economy, but foreign stock and bond investors should brace for short-term losses as the currency finds a new level.
China urges IMF to give more power to emerging markets
China called on the IMF on Wednesday to stick to a commitment to give emerging markets more power at the world body after U.S. lawmakers set back historic reforms that would give developing countries a greater say.
China grants gold import licenses to foreign banks for first time
China has granted licenses to import gold to two foreign banks for the first time, sources said, as moves to open the world's biggest physical bullion market gather pace
Greece hopeful, but any debt relief likely to be symbolic
Greece expects the euro zone to provide some debt relief to Athens later this year but the impact on its vast liabilities will be little more than symbolic.
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