China's consumer goods trade-in program has significantly boosted consumption, with around 1.3 million applications for automobile trade-in subsidies submitted between Jan 1 and March 14, according to the China Consumers Association on Saturday.
During the period, more than 19 million consumers took advantage of the program to purchase over 25 million home appliances across 12 categories, while over 39 million consumers applied for subsides to buy some 49 million new digital products, including smart phones.
Last year, the scheme contributed to the sales of related products exceeding 1.3 trillion yuan (about 179.53 billion U.S. dollars), driving the total retail sales of consumer goods for the whole year by more than one percentage point.
Launched in March 2024, the trade-in scheme was designed to stimulate consumer spending by offering government subsidies for exchanging old products for new ones.
China has expanded the scope of the program this year, including mobile phones for the first time, along with a broader selection of automobiles and home appliances.
China's trade-in policy significantly drives up automobile sales
Some 1,300 employees of the Voice of America (VOA), including journalists, producers and assistants had been put on administrative leave, according to media reports Saturday.
This decision follows an executive order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday, which designated the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) as part of "unnecessary" federal bureaucracy.
USAGM, the parent agency of VOA, employs approximately 3,500 staff and had a budget of 886 million U.S. dollars for 2024, according to its latest report to Congress.
The affected staff of VOA were informed in a weekend email that they would be barred from their offices and required to surrender their press passes and equipment.
These cuts are part of a broader initiative of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) aimed at reducing federal spending and streamlining government agencies.
These workforce reductions have impacted several departments, including the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), where some 80,000 positions have been eliminated. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) could see as many as 45,000 workers lose their jobs.
Additionally, 1,300 employees in the Department of Education have been laid off, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which oversees weather, ocean, and fisheries services, has lost 1,000 workers.
Trump freezes Voice of America, staff put on administrative leave
Trump freezes Voice of America, staff put on administrative leave
