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  • China signals tolerance for stronger renminbi

    China signals tolerance for stronger renminbi

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    China has fixed the renminbi at its strongest level against the dollar in 15 months, a move that analysts say signals its tolerance of a gradual appreciation as its soaring exports stoke tensions with trading partners.

    The People’s Bank of China on Monday set the renminbi at 7.03 to the dollar, the strongest fix since September 30 2024. The currency has strengthened by almost 4 per cent this year against the greenback but has weakened against the euro and other currencies.

    The relative weakness of the Chinese currency has been a bugbear for American and European leaders, who see it as unfairly advantaging their exporters and contributing to China’s enormous trade surplus.

    “It’s clear we’re seeing an acceleration in renminbi strength to the end of year,” said Mansoor Mohi-uddin, chief economist at Bank of Singapore. “They’re clearly allowing the currency to rise but in a controlled way.”

    Prior to a trade truce agreed in October, US tariffs on Chinese goods were at one stage as high as 145 per cent. “Now as the tariff situation becomes a lot clearer and less troublesome, you see the currency begin the rebound,” said Mohi-uddin.

    The renminbi spot rate, which can fluctuate 2 per cent either way around the PBoC midpoint fix, has strengthened in recent weeks.

    The Chinese central bank, in a statement released last week in the wake of a Monetary Policy Committee meeting on December 18, pledged to “maintain the basic stability of the [renminbi] exchange rate at a reasonable and balanced level”.

    Even as the central bank has allowed the currency to strengthen, “the PBoC is also becoming more resistant to gains in the [renminbi], especially as they approach 7 [per dollar], which is both a psychologically important level for the PBoC and for exporters,” said Mitul Kotecha, head of foreign exchange and emerging markets macro strategy at Barclays.

    “Never gamble on a one-way appreciation” of the renminbi, the state-owned Shanghai Securities News said in an article published on Monday.

    Analysts doubted the PBoC would allow an appreciation that would undermine its export powerhouse economy, given its 5 per cent GDP growth target.

    “The golden goose has been the exports trend, which has been the biggest contributor to growth this year,” said Kotecha.

    He added that having a strong currency at a time when other drivers of growth, such as housing, are particularly weak will make it “tough for China to achieve its growth targets”.

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  • Rapid antidepressant potential of nitrous oxide: current state and major questions

    Rapid antidepressant potential of nitrous oxide: current state and major questions

  • Johnston JN, Kadriu B, Kraus C, Henter ID, Zarate CA Jr. Ketamine in neuropsychiatric disorders: an update. Neuropsychopharmacol. 2024;49:23–40.

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  • Petah Tikva labled red city by Health Ministry for measles

    Petah Tikva labled red city by Health Ministry for measles | The Jerusalem Post

    According to the ministry’s statement, the exceptional step was taken due to the rapid spread of the disease in the city and the…

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  • An integrative computational approach for identification of NLRP3 inhibitors through machine learning, docking, dynamics and DFT analysis

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  • L&T Wins (Significant) Order for Transportation Infrastructure Business

    L&T Wins (Significant) Order for Transportation Infrastructure Business

    Mumbai: The Transportation Infrastructure business vertical of L&T has won a significant order for Hyderabad Greenfield Radial Road.

    This order pertains to Phase-2 of the Greenfield Radial Road, wherein a 22.3 km 3+3 lane access-controlled radial road is being constructed in the Ranga Reddy district.

    L&T’s scope involves construction of a 3.6 km long viaduct, minor bridges, underpasses and culverts. Construction of service roads on both sides, extensive retention structures, storm water drainage system, footpaths, cycle track and landscaping works are also in L&T’s scope.

    This is the first of several planned radial roads linking Hyderabad’s Outer Ring Road to the upcoming Regional Ring Road. It will improve regional connectivity and support growth, providing better access to IT hubs, Electronic City, the Young India Skills University and the Bharat Future City.

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  • Theatre numbers up but new play openings fall, says report

    Theatre numbers up but new play openings fall, says report

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    Thomas MagillBBC London

    BBC Image shows a group of people all grouped together, all facing to the left, as if anticipating something. They are on stage and the light falls on their faces so you can see their features clearly. They are all wearing casual clothes - jackets, jeans. BBC

    Punch was a huge success on the West End

    Theatre audiences returned in greater numbers than expected after the pandemic, according to an industry body, the British Theatre Consortium.

    The British Theatre: Before and after…

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  • Theatre numbers up but new play openings fall, says report

    Theatre numbers up but new play openings fall, says report

    In 2019, musical theatre accounted for a third of all performances, half of all attendances, and almost 60% of all box office income.

    In 2023, those proportions rose to 40% of all performances, over half of all attendances, and nearly 66% of all…

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  • Broncos Down No. 12 Boston College

    Broncos Down No. 12 Boston College

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  • Service in Guernsey to help young people quit vaping

    Service in Guernsey to help young people quit vaping

    The States of Guernsey said 29 people had downloaded an official self-help booklet and “discussions are ongoing regarding the future delivery of the service”.

    Alex Hawkins-Drew, associate director of Public Health, said the pilot allowed “young…

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  • Edwards Records Second Triple-Double In 110-63 Win Over Cal State Fullerton

    Edwards Records Second Triple-Double In 110-63 Win Over Cal State Fullerton

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