Wellington / AFP New Zealand economy’s maintained strong growth in the April-June quarter as record-low interest rates fuelled a construction boom, official data released Thursday showed. Statistics New Zealand (SNZ) reported gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 0.9 percent in the second quarter, just below market expectations of 1.1 percent. The data means annual growth for the year to June …

  Yangon / AFP Myanmar cheered a US promise to end sanctions on Thursday, with residents in its commercial capital clamouring for American brands while politicians and business moguls heralded a new era of transparency and trade. US President Barack Obama vowed to scrap the trade limits during Aung San Suu Kyi’s first visit to the White House since her …

  Bloomberg The U.K. government has approved Electricite de France SA’s controversial plan to build two nuclear reactors for 18 billion pounds ($24 billion) in southwest England. Hinkley Point C will proceed under the condition that EDF won’t be able to sell down its controlling stake prior to completion of construction without government approval, the Department for Business, Energy and …