China has criticised the European Commission’s anti-subsidy probe into Chinese wind turbine maker Goldwind Science & Technology as “targeted” and “discriminatory”, warning that such measures would undermine Chinese companies’ confidence in the European market and disrupt the bloc’s green transition. “The European side’s related investigations have generalised the concept of ‘foreign subsidies’ and...
China has criticised the European Commission’s anti-subsidy probe into Chinese wind turbine maker Goldwind Science & Technology as “targeted” and “discriminatory”, warning that such measures would undermine Chinese companies’ confidence in the European market and disrupt the bloc’s green transition. “The European side’s related investigations have generalised the concept of ‘foreign subsidies’ and have many problems, such as insufficient evidence for opening cases and a lack of procedural transparency,” China’s Ministry of Commerce said in a statement on Wednesday. “This is a typical case of practising protectionism in the name of fair competition,” it added. Advertisement The European Commission announced an in-depth investigation into the Chinese wind turbine maker on Monday under its foreign subsidies regulation (FSR), a tool adopted in 2023 that has been frequently used to target Chinese companies in sectors ranging from railway rolling stock to solar energy The probe will examine whether financial support from Beijing unlawfully strengthened Goldwind’s position in the European market. Brussels said its preliminary investigations had uncovered “signs” that the company “may have received foreign subsidies that distort competition within the internal market”. Advertisement China’s commerce ministry stressed that Chinese firms in the renewable energy sector were competitive due to their strong innovation and technological edge, adding that Brussels’ “abuse of investigations” harmed China-Europe cooperation, Chinese firms’ confidence in the European Union (EU) and the bloc’s green ambitions. It urged the EU to “immediately correct” its practices, use the foreign subsidies regulation with caution and restraint, and create a fair, just and predictable market environment for cooperation between the two sides. Beijing would “take necessary measures to firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises”, it added.
Australia’s trade minister is set to travel to Brussels for talks with European Union officials to try and secure a free trade accord, which if signed would be the bloc’s third major agreement this year and bolster its efforts to stave off pressure from the Trump administration. Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell will hold talks with EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic next week, according to ...
Australia’s trade minister is set to travel to Brussels for talks with European Union officials to try and secure a free trade accord, which if signed would be the bloc’s third major agreement this year and bolster its efforts to stave off pressure from the Trump administration. Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell will hold talks with EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic next week, according to a statement from a European Commission spokesperson. Farrell’s office didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Since the beginning of January, the EU has signed a trade agreement with a group of South American countries as well as a blockbuster deal with India, aiming to shore up markets and diversify shipments at a time of mounting global uncertainty. An accord with Australia would be a boost to that strategy and underscore the efforts of many countries to support the rules-based trading system, which has come under pressure from Washington and others. US tariff threats and China’s use of trade restrictions on products like magnets are forcing more countries and blocs to band together and reorientate their exports. Germany’s foreign minister, who is currently in Canberra to further that mission, urged Australia to work with Europe to support the “international rules-based system.” “We have to diversify,” Johann Wadephul said. “We have to have a policy of derisking, and we have to have a policy which emboldens us — Germany and the European Union — to withstand all the pressure we do feel from big powers in order to preserve not only our economic but especially our political independence.” On Thursday, Wadephul told reporters that he would like to conclude an FTA with Australia “quickly,” as well as strengthen cooperation on supply chains and trade in critical minerals. “We welcome Germany’s strong support” for the FTA, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong responded, adding she hoped to see progress in the “near future.” Read more: EU Trade Deal Gives Modi’s ‘M...
Both Microsoft and Meta Platforms have strong investment cases right now. Following each company's quarterly results, Microsoft (MSFT +0.72%) sold off by about 10%, while Meta Platforms (META 3.24%) rose by about 10%. The market had two entirely different reactions to each company's quarter, but was either reaction warranted? Let's take a look at each company and decide which is the better buy tod...
Both Microsoft and Meta Platforms have strong investment cases right now. Following each company's quarterly results, Microsoft (MSFT +0.72%) sold off by about 10%, while Meta Platforms (META 3.24%) rose by about 10%. The market had two entirely different reactions to each company's quarter, but was either reaction warranted? Let's take a look at each company and decide which is the better buy today. Microsoft's quarter just wasn't good enough for some While Microsoft does many different things as a business, the market really cares about one business unit in particular: Azure. Azure is Microsoft's cloud computing division and provides a glance into how strong artificial intelligence (AI) spending is. Cloud computing platforms like Azure are incredibly popular with aspiring AI businesses, as they allow clients to get up and running quickly, without having to manage the complexities of operating a data center. Expand NASDAQ : MSFT Microsoft Today's Change ( 0.72 %) $ 2.98 Current Price $ 414.19 Key Data Points Market Cap $3.1T Day's Range $ 409.24 - $ 419.80 52wk Range $ 344.79 - $ 555.45 Volume 45M Avg Vol 28M Gross Margin 68.59 % Dividend Yield 0.83 % Management told investors to expect 37% Azure growth in Q2, yet they delivered 39%. In fact, management stated that this figure could have been higher if they utilized some of the new computing capacity brought online during Q1 and Q2 for external use versus internal. Despite Microsoft outperforming expectations and delivering an excellent quarter overall, the stock still sold off. I think this makes for an intriguing buying opportunity. But what about Meta? The market was scared of Meta's spending plans Following Meta's Q3 2025 earnings announcement, the stock cratered. So, expectations were a little bit low heading into the quarter. The biggest issue the market took with Meta's last quarter wasn't its results, as they were fantastic. Instead, they were worried about Meta's capital expenditure plans, as they informed...
Key Points Microsoft's Azure growth outperformed expectations. The market finally got a number for how much Meta Platforms plans to spend on capital expenditures during 2026. 10 stocks we like better than Microsoft › Following each company's quarterly results, Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) sold off by about 10%, while Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) rose by about 10%. The market had two entirely differen...
Key Points Microsoft's Azure growth outperformed expectations. The market finally got a number for how much Meta Platforms plans to spend on capital expenditures during 2026. 10 stocks we like better than Microsoft › Following each company's quarterly results, Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) sold off by about 10%, while Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) rose by about 10%. The market had two entirely different reactions to each company's quarter, but was either reaction warranted? Let's take a look at each company and decide which is the better buy today. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue » Microsoft's quarter just wasn't good enough for some While Microsoft does many different things as a business, the market really cares about one business unit in particular: Azure. Azure is Microsoft's cloud computing division and provides a glance into how strong artificial intelligence (AI) spending is. Cloud computing platforms like Azure are incredibly popular with aspiring AI businesses, as they allow clients to get up and running quickly, without having to manage the complexities of operating a data center. Management told investors to expect 37% Azure growth in Q2, yet they delivered 39%. In fact, management stated that this figure could have been higher if they utilized some of the new computing capacity brought online during Q1 and Q2 for external use versus internal. Despite Microsoft outperforming expectations and delivering an excellent quarter overall, the stock still sold off. I think this makes for an intriguing buying opportunity. But what about Meta? The market was scared of Meta's spending plans Following Meta's Q3 2025 earnings announcement, the stock cratered. So, expectations were a little bit low heading into the quarter. The biggest issue the market took with Meta's last quarter wasn't its results, as they were fantastic. Instead, they were worried about Meta's capital ex...
Following each company's quarterly results, Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) sold off by about 10%, while Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) rose by about 10%. The market had two entirely different reactions to each company's quarter, but was either reaction warranted? Let's take a look at each company and decide which is the better buy today. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed wh...
Following each company's quarterly results, Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) sold off by about 10%, while Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) rose by about 10%. The market had two entirely different reactions to each company's quarter, but was either reaction warranted? Let's take a look at each company and decide which is the better buy today. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now, when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks » Image source: Getty Images. Microsoft's quarter just wasn't good enough for some While Microsoft does many different things as a business, the market really cares about one business unit in particular: Azure. Azure is Microsoft's cloud computing division and provides a glance into how strong artificial intelligence (AI) spending is. Cloud computing platforms like Azure are incredibly popular with aspiring AI businesses, as they allow clients to get up and running quickly, without having to manage the complexities of operating a data center. Management told investors to expect 37% Azure growth in Q2, yet they delivered 39%. In fact, management stated that this figure could have been higher if they utilized some of the new computing capacity brought online during Q1 and Q2 for external use versus internal. Despite Microsoft outperforming expectations and delivering an excellent quarter overall, the stock still sold off. I think this makes for an intriguing buying opportunity. But what about Meta? The market was scared of Meta's spending plans Following Meta's Q3 2025 earnings announcement, the stock cratered. So, expectations were a little bit low heading into the quarter. The biggest issue the market took with Meta's last quarter wasn't its results, as they were fantastic. Instead, they were worried about Meta's capital expenditure plans, as they informed investors that its dollar growth spend would be significantly more in 2026 than it was in 2025. Investors finally got th...
Vance To Lead Sweeping Anti-Fraud Task Force Investigating California Vice President JD Vance is poised to chair a new White House task force aimed at rooting out potential fraud and abuse in government programs in California, according to CBS News . Andrew Ferguson, chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, is expected to serve as the task force's vice chairman and handle day-to-day operations, C...
Vance To Lead Sweeping Anti-Fraud Task Force Investigating California Vice President JD Vance is poised to chair a new White House task force aimed at rooting out potential fraud and abuse in government programs in California, according to CBS News . Andrew Ferguson, chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, is expected to serve as the task force's vice chairman and handle day-to-day operations, CBS News reports. President Donald Trump is anticipated to issue an executive order in the coming days to formally establish the group, the news outlet said. The White House task force would operate separately from a related Justice Department effort led by Colin McDonald , a Trump nominee for a new fraud-investigation role at the department. McDonald is expected to also probe fraud in Minnesota uncovered by YouTuber Nick Shirley and other independent journalists. President Trump is taking decisive action on widespread fraud and abuse of government programs. Think he should look at New Jersey, too? 👉🏼Full story: https://t.co/5wBfQZM70O pic.twitter.com/9VaynRZQi6 — New Jersey GOP (@NJGOP) January 31, 2026 California has long grappled with documented issues of waste, fraud, and weak oversight in state and federally funded programs. State auditors have for more than a decade flagged problems including persistent cost overruns, inadequate internal controls, and unimplemented reform recommendations across various initiatives, CBS News reported last month. California's Employment Development Department faced acute criticism during the pandemic, when unemployment-insurance fraud resulted in an estimated $20 billion or more in improper payments, while many eligible claimants endured lengthy delays in receiving benefits, according to NPR News . Separately, federal officials have recently scrutinized fraud risks in hospice and home-health services, particularly in Los Angeles County. Last week, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz visited the area to dr...