Business and Economy
German flying taxi start-up's rescue deal collapses
AFP - 2h ago
A German flying taxi start-up said on Friday it would halt operations after a deal to rescue it fell through, the latest …
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Stock markets diverge, oil prices slide
AFP - 3h ago
Global stock markets diverged on Friday, with Hong Kong leading gains in Asia thanks to a surge in tech stocks led by …
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US, China economic leaders raise 'serious concerns' in first call
AFP - 3h ago
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and his Chinese counterpart He Lifeng raised mutual concerns on trade and economic …
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Tech, auto, medicines: who will pay Donald Trump's tariffs?
AFP - 4h ago
After steel and aluminium, US President Donald Trump has set his sights on slapping 25 percent tariffs on …
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Stock markets rise as Alibaba fuels Hong Kong tech rally
AFP - 1h ago
Global markets mostly rose on Friday, with Hong Kong leading the way thanks to a surge in tech stocks led by e-commerce …
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Chinese AI companies celebrate DeepSeek, shrug off global curbs
AFP - 10h ago
Chinese tech companies shrugged off foreign scrutiny of upstart chatbot maker DeepSeek, telling AFP on Friday they were …
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Asian markets advance as Alibaba fuels Hong Kong tech rally
AFP - 2h ago
Asian markets rose Friday, with Hong Kong leading the way thanks to a surge in tech stocks led by ecommerce titan …
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Only one in six Japanese citizens has a passport, data shows
AFP - 12h ago
Only around one in six Japanese citizens hold valid passports, fresh data shows, with the number of residents travelling …
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Nepal community fights to save sacred forests from cable cars
AFP - 13h ago
They appear tranquil soaring above Himalayan forests, but a string of cable car projects in Nepal have sparked violent …
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Trump tariffs leave WTO adrift in eye of the storm
AFP - 24m ago
The World Trade Organization's entire mission is overseeing global trade, but US President Donald Trump's tariff …
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Nissan shares jump 11% on reported plan to seek Tesla investment
AFP - 14h ago
Nissan shares surged 11 percent Friday after a report said a Japanese group including a former prime minister plans to …
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Just 17% of Japan citizens hold passport, data shows
AFP - 2h ago
Only around one in six Japanese citizens hold valid passports, fresh data has shown, with the number of residents …
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Most Asian markets rise as traders pick over week of headlines
AFP - 4h ago
Asian markets mostly rose Friday after a negative day on Wall Street as investors weigh the economic outlook in light of …
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Japan's core inflation rate hits 19-month high
AFP - 12h ago
Japanese inflation accelerated in January, further pressuring households as prices excluding fresh food rose 3.2 percent …
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Japan's core inflation rate hits 3.2% in January
AFP - 2h ago
Japanese inflation accelerated in January, further pressuring households as prices excluding fresh food rose 3.2 percent …
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Stocks mostly fall on tepid Walmart outlook, geopolitical worries
Feb 20 2025
Global stock markets mostly fell on Thursday and gold hit a record high as traders fretted over the impact of US …
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EU trade chief says tariff reciprocity 'must work for both' sides
Feb 20 2025
EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic said Thursday that reciprocity in tariffs should be made to work for both the bloc and …
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Bond franchise shifts to Amazon as Broccoli family steps back
Feb 20 2025
Amazon MGM Studios will take creative control of the James Bond franchise following a landmark joint venture agreement …
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Spotify adds more AI-generated audiobooks
Feb 20 2025
Spotify on Thursday began accepting audiobooks narrated by digital voices created by artificial intelligence software …
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Walmart sales rise but shares tumble on forecast
Feb 20 2025
Walmart reported solid fourth-quarter results Thursday behind higher US sales, but shares tumbled after its quarterly …
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Stocks in the red as investors worry about growth and inflation
Feb 20 2025
Global stock markets turned lower on Thursday and gold hit a record high as traders fretted over the impact of US …
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Netflix says to spend $1 billion producing content in Mexico
Feb 20 2025
Netflix said Thursday that it would spend $1 billion over four years producing films and series in Mexico, in a boost to …
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Unfair? Figures belie Trump's claims on EU trade balance
Feb 20 2025
President Donald Trump repeatedly claims that US-EU trade ties are unfair and that Europe is abusing the United States …
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Trump considering 'alternatives' to Boeing for Air Force One contract
Feb 20 2025
Donald Trump said his administration was "looking at alternatives" to Boeing following delays in delivering two new …
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EU trade chief says tariff reciprocity 'must work for both' bloc and US
Feb 20 2025
EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic said Thursday that reciprocity in tariffs should apply to both the bloc and Washington, …
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Stock markets mostly lower on Fed concerns over Trump policies
Feb 20 2025
Global stock markets turned mostly lower on Thursday and gold hit a record high amid Federal Reserve concerns that US …
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Mercedes-Benz flags cost cuts, tough year ahead after torrid 2024
Feb 20 2025
Mercedes-Benz warned of looming cost cuts Thursday and gave a bleak outlook for 2025 after its profits plunged almost a …
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ECB rate hikes result in record loss in 2024
Feb 20 2025
The European Central bank on Thursday reported a record loss in 2024 after it had aggressively hiked eurozone interest …
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Stock markets mixed on Fed concern over Trump policies
Feb 20 2025
Global stock markets were mixed on Thursday and gold hit a record high amid Federal Reserve concerns that US President …
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Birkenstock sandals are not art, German court rules
Feb 20 2025
They may be the trendy footwear of choice for Hollywood A-listers and pop stars, but Birkenstock sandals are not works …
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Renault revs up profitability in 2024
Feb 20 2025
Renault confirmed on Thursday it defied headwinds in the car industry by boosting revenue and attaining record …
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Trump says trade deal with China 'possible'
Feb 20 2025
US President Donald Trump suggested on Wednesday that a trade deal was "possible" with China -- a key target in the US …
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Airbus profit climbs in 2024, aims to accelerate output
Feb 20 2025
European aircraft maker Airbus said Thursday net profits rose in 2024 as it boosted plane deliveries and set a goal of …
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Markets drop, gold hits record on Fed concern over Trump policies
Feb 20 2025
Equity markets turned negative on Thursday and gold hit a record high amid Federal Reserve concerns that US President …
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Airbus proft climbs in 2024, aims to accelerate output
Feb 20 2025
European aircraft maker Airbus said Thursday net profits rose in 2024 as it boosted plane deliveries and set a goal of …
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Asian markets drop as Fed flags concern over Trump policies
Feb 20 2025
Asian markets turned negative Thursday amid Federal Reserve concerns that US President Donald Trump's tariffs and …
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Mercedes-Benz profits plunge as German carmakers reel
Feb 20 2025
Mercedes-Benz said Thursday it planned hefty cost cuts after its 2024 profits plunged by almost a third amid a slump in …
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Japan's trade minister arranging US trip: reports
Feb 20 2025
Japan's trade minister is arranging a visit to the United States in coming weeks to seek exemptions from President …
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Eyeing China and US, EU hopes clean tech boost will spark growth
Feb 20 2025
How do you solve Europe's lagging economic growth and reverse its industrial decline? That is the challenge the EU faces …
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Lights out for Indonesia civil servants as Prabowo cuts budgets
Feb 20 2025
From office lights switched off to out-of-service lifts, Indonesian civil servants are feeling the pinch after President …
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Heated immigration debate complicates Germany's search for workers
Feb 20 2025
Hospital manager Kathrin Leffler says she worries Germany's tense pre-election debate on immigration will make it harder …
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Australia seeks to turn failing steel plant into 'green' hub
Feb 20 2025
A failing Australian metals plant will be transformed into a hub for making "green iron and steel", Prime Minister …
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Trump administration takes aim at Pentagon spending
Feb 20 2025
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered a review of the department's 2026 budget so as to reallocate $50 billion …
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Stock markets pressured by Trump auto tariff threat
Feb 19 2025
Global stocks were under pressure Wednesday after US President Donald Trump broadened his tariff threats, leaving …
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Trump's labor nominee walks back pro-union stances
Feb 19 2025
Donald Trump's labor secretary nominee on Wednesday distanced herself from previous pro-union stances that sparked …
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Trump administration tells Pentagon to slash budget
Feb 19 2025
The Trump administration has ordered senior US military leaders to plan for expansive cuts that could slash the defense …
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US Fed officials worried Trump policies could hinder inflation fight: minutes
Feb 19 2025
US Federal Reserve policymakers expressed concern last month about the potentially inflationary effects of President …
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EU trade chief says bloc will respond swiftly to US tariffs
Feb 19 2025
The European Union will respond "firmly and swiftly" to protect its interests if Washington imposes tariffs on the …
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Ikea hopes for furniture market improvement in 2026
Feb 19 2025
World number-one furniture retailer Ikea is hoping the market will improve next year from a decline in consumer spending …
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Trump auto tariff threat prompts pushback in Germany
Feb 19 2025
Germany's car lobby on Wednesday warned that tariffs threatened by US President Donald Trump would raise prices for …
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Stock markets skid after Trump threatens auto tariffs
Feb 19 2025
Global stock markets mostly fell Wednesday after US President Donald Trump broadened his tariff threats, stoking wider …
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Arsenal post £17.7m loss despite record revenues
Feb 19 2025
Arsenal lost £17.7 million in the 2023/24 season despite a return to the Champions League helping to post a club record …
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Canada announces first high-speed rail: Toronto to Quebec City
Feb 19 2025
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday announced Canada's first high-speed rail line, connecting major hubs from …
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Google pays 326 mn euros to settle Italy tax dispute: prosecutor
Feb 19 2025
Tech giant Google has paid 326 million euros to Italy following an investigation into alleged unpaid taxes, Milan …
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Glencore looks to leave London Stock Exchange as falls into loss
Feb 19 2025
Swiss mining and commodity trading giant Glencore said Wednesday it was considering shifting its stock listing from …
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EU eyes stricter food import rules in agriculture policy review
Feb 19 2025
The EU plans to crack down on food imports that do not meet its standards as part of an agricultural policy review …
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Trump says US auto tariffs to be around 25%
Feb 19 2025
US President Donald Trump expanded his offensive against trading partners on Tuesday, threatening 25 percent tariffs on …
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Stock markets fall as traders assess latest tariffs volley
Feb 19 2025
European and Asian markets mostly fell Wednesday after US President Donald Trump broadened his tariff threats stoking …
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BAE profits boosted by defence spending amid Ukraine war
Feb 19 2025
British military equipment maker BAE Systems on Wednesday announced a five percent rise in annual net profit, boosted by …
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Asset writedowns push Glencore into $1.6 bn loss for 2024
Feb 19 2025
Swiss mining and commodity trading giant Glencore said Wednesday that falling coal prices and writedowns to the value of …
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UK annual inflation jumps more than expected
Feb 19 2025
Britain's annual inflation rate rose more than expected last month, official data showed Wednesday, adding pressure to …
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Vietnam parliament approves $8 billion rail link to China
Feb 19 2025
Vietnam's parliament approved plans on Wednesday for an $8 billion rail link from its largest northern port city to the …
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Asian markets swing as traders assess latest tariffs volley
Feb 19 2025
Asian markets were mixed Wednesday after President Donald Trump broadened his tariff threats, while traders were also …
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Philips losses worse than expected in 2024
Feb 19 2025
Philips on Wednesday posted worse-than-expected losses in 2024, as the Dutch medical device maker bids to turn the page …
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Niger turns to satellites to bridge digital divide
Feb 19 2025
Less than a third of Niger's vast territory has internet access, so the west African country is betting on satellite …
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HSBC targets $1.5 bn in annual cost savings after revamp
Feb 19 2025
Banking giant HSBC said Wednesday that CEO Georges Elhedery's plan since October to simplify the company's structure and …
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US tariffs threat a 'shock' to Canadian businesses
Feb 19 2025
Donald Trump's threats of import tariffs have sent shockwaves through Canada, forcing businesses to question their …
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US lawmakers confirm Howard Lutnick as commerce secretary
Feb 19 2025
The US Senate voted Tuesday to confirm Wall Street billionaire Howard Lutnick as commerce secretary, a key step towards …
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China condemns US 'tariff shocks' at WTO
Feb 18 2025
The sweeping tariffs threatened or already imposed by US President Donald Trump risk triggering inflation, market …
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Global stocks unfazed as US and Russia hold talks
Feb 18 2025
Global stock markets held largely steady on Tuesday as top US and Russian diplomats held their first high-level …
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Meta plans undersea cable to link five continents
Feb 18 2025
Facebook and Instagram parent company Meta has said it will lay an undersea cable stretching across five continents to …
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US lawmakers due to confirm Howard Lutnick as commerce secretary
Feb 18 2025
The US Senate is expected to confirm Wall Street billionaire Howard Lutnick as commerce secretary Tuesday, a key step …
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Global stocks steady as US and Russia hold talks
Feb 18 2025
Global stock markets held largely steady on Tuesday as top US and Russian diplomats held their first since Russia's …
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German auto supplier Continental to cut 3,000 more jobs
Feb 18 2025
German auto supplier Continental said Tuesday it will cut a further 3,000 jobs by the end of 2026, the latest sign of …
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After Trump tariffs, EU must urgently revamp economy: Draghi
Feb 18 2025
Radically changing the European economy is more urgent than ever after US threats of a trade war with the EU, the author …
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Global stocks mixed as US and Russia hold talks
Feb 18 2025
Global stock markets traded mixed Tuesday as investors awaited the outcome of the first meeting between top US and …
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UK court backs £3 bn loan for indebted Thames Water
Feb 18 2025
A court on Tuesday approved a £3 billion ($3.8 billion) emergency loan for Britain's largest water supplier Thames …
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German 'bureaucracy monster' on everyone's election hit list
Feb 18 2025
German politicians make a lot of laws and regulations but on the campaign trail many rage against the country's …
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Asian markets mixed as traders pare Hong Kong tech rally
Feb 18 2025
Asian markets were mixed Tuesday with Hong Kong resuming its tech-led rally after a meeting between President Xi Jinping …
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Tesla begins hiring in India after Musk and Modi meet
Feb 18 2025
Electric vehicle maker Tesla has begun hiring in India, with the company of tycoon Elon Musk issuing advertisements days …
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Musk launches 'scary smart' AI chatbot
Feb 18 2025
Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company unveiled on Monday the latest version of its chatbot, Grok 3, which the …
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Tech rally helps Hong Kong lead Asian markets higher
Feb 18 2025
Hong Kong resumed its tech-led rally on a healthy day for Asian markets Tuesday as a meeting between President Xi …
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Argentina's Milei denies role in 'cryptogate' as prosecutors launch probe
Feb 18 2025
Argentine President Javier Milei on Monday denied promoting a cryptocurrency that crashed, losing investors billions of …
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Argentine prosecutors to probe Milei over 'cryptogate'
Feb 17 2025
Argentine prosecutors will investigate President Javier Milei for promoting a cryptocurrency that crashed, losing …
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European markets rise ahead of Ukraine war talks
Feb 17 2025
European markets rose on Monday as defence stocks surged ahead of a meeting between European leaders to address …
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WHO chief urges pandemic accord action after US withdrawal
Feb 17 2025
The head of the World Health Organization insisted on Monday it was "now or never" to strike a landmark global accord on …
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Italy probing Amazon over 1.2b euros in third-party seller VAT
Feb 17 2025
Italian prosecutors are examining whether online giant Amazon.com evaded 1.2 billion euros in value-added tax (VAT) it …
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Starmer to meet Trump 'next week': UK govt
Feb 17 2025
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will meet US President Donald Trump in Washington next week to discuss a "wide range of …
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China's Xi tells business leaders private sector challenges 'surmountable'
Feb 17 2025
Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday that challenges facing the country's embattled private sector were …
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'Now or never' for pandemic accord, says WHO chief after US pulls out
Feb 17 2025
The head of the World Health Organization insisted on Monday it was "now or never" to strike a landmark global accord on …
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Sri Lanka budget banks on car taxes to boost coffers
Feb 17 2025
Sri Lanka is banking on vehicle import taxes to boost revenue and revive the island nation's battered economy, leftist …
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Stock markets start week on mixed note
Feb 17 2025
Markets fluctuated on Monday as investors assessed the global economic outlook while US President Donald Trump pushes …
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DeepSeek removed from South Korea app stores pending privacy review
Feb 17 2025
Chinese AI app DeepSeek will not be available to download in South Korea pending a review of its handling of user data, …
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Most Asian markets start week on positive note
Feb 17 2025
Asian markets mostly rose on Monday as investors assessed the global economic outlook while US President Donald Trump …
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Online shopping giants bet on AI to curb clothes returns
Feb 17 2025
From sizing advice via selfies to robot stock-takers, online shopping behemoths have increasingly turned to artificial …
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China's Xi meets business leaders including Alibaba's Jack Ma
Feb 17 2025
Chinese President Xi Jinping held a meeting Monday with top private business leaders including Alibaba co-founder Jack …
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End of the road for Kolkata's beloved yellow taxis
Feb 17 2025
Kolkata locals cherish their city's past, which is why many in the one-time Indian capital are mourning a vanishing …
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S. Korea says DeepSeek removed from local app stores pending privacy review
Feb 17 2025
South Korean authorities said Monday that DeepSeek would not be available from local app stores pending a review of the …
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Japan 2024 growth slows despite stronger fourth quarter
Feb 17 2025
Japan's economic growth slowed sharply last year, official data showed Monday, although the rate for the fourth quarter …
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Musk says chatbot Grok 3 will be unveiled Monday
Feb 16 2025
Elon Musk said his startup xAI will release its Grok 3 chatbot on Monday and billed it as the "smartest AI on Earth" in …
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Cryptocurrency promoted by Argentina's Milei crashes
Feb 16 2025
Argentina's President Javier Milei admitted making a mistake on Saturday after promoting a cryptocurrency whose value …
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Trump tariffs fuel US auto anxiety
Feb 16 2025
A flood of presidential trade policy announcements has kept US automakers on edge since Donald Trump returned to the …
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