Briefly

IRAN

Teheran, Tashkent sign deals to boost ties

Iran and Uzbekistan signed 17 cooperation documents on a wide range of areas on Wednesday, the official IRNA news agency reported. The documents, which encompass transportation development, cultural exchanges, trade and economic cooperation, were signed in Uzbekistan's Samarkand city in the presence of the presidents of both countries. At a joint commission meeting, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said Teheran-Tashkent ties are beyond merely neighborly, and regional links are rooted in deep civilized and cultural relations. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said economic exchanges between the two countries have witnessed progress.

AUSTRALIA

Unemployment rises for first time in 2022

Australia's unemployment rate has risen for the first time in 10 months as more people search for work. According to data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Thursday, the official unemployment rate in August was 3.5 percent－up from 3.4 percent in July. It represents the first month-to-month increase since October 2021. ABS data showed the economy added 33,000 jobs between July and August, but the increase was offset by the participation rate growing from 66.4 to 66.6 percent. The underemployment rate－which measures the proportion of those with jobs who want to work more hours－fell slightly from 6 to 5.9 percent.

EUROPEAN UNION

Google loses challenge against antitrust fine

A top European court upheld a ruling that Google broke competition rules and fined it a record 4.1 billion euros ($4.1 billion). The unit of the US tech giant Alphabet had challenged a European Union antitrust ruling, but the decision was broadly upheld by Europe's General Court, with the fine trimmed modestly to 4.125 billion euros from 4.34 billion euros. The EU antitrust enforcer has fined the world's most popular internet search engine a total of 8.25 billion euros in three investigations stretching back more than a decade. Google, which can appeal on matters of law to the EU Court of Justice, has voiced its disappointment.

Xinhua - Agencies