SINGAPORE -- A bilateral army exercise between the Singapore Armed Forces and the People's Liberation Army of China started here Saturday at Singapore's Jurong Camp with an emphasis on urban counter-terrorism cooperation.

Some 240 personnel from the two sides are participating in Exercise Cooperation which will last till Aug. 5. They will engage in tactical training such as urban rappelling, live firing and surveillance before a combined urban raid. (China-Singapore-Military Exercise)

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TEHRAN -- Iran will test-fire missiles "if it is necessary," an informed Iranian military source told official IRNA news agency on Saturday.

"Carrying out missile tests by Iran is based on Iran's program and needs," the source was quoted as saying. He said that Iran's missile power is "quite defensive" and not against any country. (Iran-Missile-U.S.)

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NEW YORK -- Wall Street institutions and economists at leading investment banks believe that slower gross domestic product (GDP) growth and lower-than-expected core personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index of the United States in the second quarter would support the Federal Reserve cutting the Fed funds rate next week.

Data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce on Friday showed that U.S. GDP grew at a 2.1-percent annual rate in the second quarter, decelerating from the 3.1 percent expansion in the previous quarter, but was above consensus expectations of 1.8 percent. (US-Economy-Fed)

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PARIS -- France hoped leaders of G7 would bridge differences and forge a common front on a universal tax of digital activities during an upcoming summit at the end of August in the French coastal resort of Biarritz, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Saturday.

"We hope between now and the end of August -- the G7 heads of state meeting in Biarritz -- will reach an agreement," Le Maire told reporters. (France-US-Digital Tax) Enditem

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