Business and Economy
Iran's supreme leader defies US blockade as oil prices soar
AFP - 11m ago
Iran's supreme leader declared Thursday that the United States had suffered a shameful defeat, defiantly rejecting a …
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Oil slumps after hitting peak, US indices reach new records
AFP - 21m ago
Oil prices struck a four-year high Thursday on worries about a resumption of hostilities in the Middle East, before …
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Trump says lifting Scottish whisky tariffs to 'honor' King Charles
AFP - 22m ago
US President Donald Trump said Thursday he was removing tariffs on Scottish whisky in honor of Britain's King Charles …
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Venezuela leader hikes minimum wage package by 26%
AFP - 49m ago
Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez on Thursday hiked the minimum wage package by 26.3 percent, to $240, in an …
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Apple earnings beat forecasts on iPhone 17 demand
AFP - 1h ago
Apple on Thursday said it had its best start to the year ever when it came to earnings, with iPhone demand and digital …
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Bangladesh signs biggest-ever plane deal for 14 Boeings
AFP - 1h ago
Bangladesh on Thursday signed a deal with US aircraft manufacturer Boeing to buy 14 planes for its national carrier …
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Musk grilled on AI profits at OpenAI trial
AFP - 37m ago
Elon Musk sparred with lawyers for a third day Thursday at his California trial against OpenAI, struggling to explain …
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Venezuela opens arms to world with Miami-Caracas flight
AFP - 1h ago
A relaunched Miami-Caracas flight after seven years of a standstill is paving the way for Venezuela to reclaim its …
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Routine returns but Iranians struggle to afford daily life
AFP - 3h ago
Gyms and cafes have reopened in Tehran as life returns to a familiar rhythm under a ceasefire following weeks of …
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War in the Middle East: latest developments
AFP - 4h ago
The latest developments in the Middle East war:
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Oil slumps after hitting peak, stocks rise
AFP - 5h ago
Oil prices struck a four-year high on Thursday on worries about a resumption of hostilities in the Middle East, before …
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ECB warns of risks from Mideast war as it holds rates
AFP - 6h ago
The European Central Bank held interest rates steady on Thursday but signalled a possible increase ahead as it warned of …
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Oil strikes 4-year peak, stocks rise
AFP - 1h ago
Oil prices struck a four-year high on Thursday on worries over a resumption of hostilities in the Middle East, while US …
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US first-quarter growth rebounds less than expected as inflation surges
AFP - 8h ago
US economic growth rebounded less than expected in the first quarter as consumer spending cooled, while inflation surged …
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Carmaker Stellantis swings back into profit as sales climb
AFP - 7h ago
Global automaker Stellantis -- owner of the Jeep and Fiat brands -- said Thursday it had swung back into profit in the …
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Air France-KLM trims 2026 outlook over Middle East war impact
AFP - 1h ago
Air France-KLM cut its 2026 outlook, saying higher fuel prices caused by the Middle East war would expand its fuel bill …
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European rocket puts Amazon internet satellites in orbit
AFP - 10h ago
Europe's most powerful rocket Ariane 6 successfully released 32 satellites into orbit Thursday for Amazon's internet …
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ECB set to hold rates despite Iran war energy shock
AFP - 1h ago
The European Central Bank is expected to hold interest rates steady again on Thursday as policymakers weigh concerns …
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Oil strikes 4-year peak, stocks diverge as central banks in focus
AFP - 53m ago
Oil prices struck a four-year high on Thursday on worries over a resumption of hostilities in the Middle East, while …
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Volkswagen warns of more cost cuts as profits plunge
AFP - 2h ago
Volkswagen's future is at risk without further cost cuts, the ailing German auto giant warned Thursday after profits …
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Oil crisis fuels calls to speed up clean energy transition
AFP - 10h ago
The oil crisis triggered by the Middle East war has underscored the need for the world to accelerate the clean energy …
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European rocket blasts off with Amazon internet satellites
AFP - 1h ago
Europe's most powerful rocket Ariane 6 launched on Thursday carrying a second batch of 32 satellites into space for …
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Nigerian airlines avert shutdown as Mideast war hikes fuel prices
AFP - 10h ago
Nigerian airlines continued flying on Thursday despite threatening a shutdown over sky-high jet fuel prices roiling the …
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Eurozone economy barely grows in first months of 2026
AFP - 2h ago
Eurozone economic growth dropped to near zero in the first three months of 2026 as surging energy costs triggered by the …
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ArcelorMittal boosts sales but profits squeezed
AFP - 11h ago
Steel giant ArcelorMittal said Thursday that while first-quarter sales had risen, adverse exchange rates hit net …
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Nigerian airlines avert shutdown as Iran war hikes fuel prices
AFP - 53m ago
Nigerian airlines continued flying Thursday despite threatening a shutdown over sky-high jet fuel prices roiling the …
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German growth beats forecast but energy shock looms
AFP - 9h ago
Germany's struggling economy expanded slightly faster than expected at the start of the year, data showed Thursday, but …
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Iran defies Trump's blockade as oil prices soar
AFP - 1h ago
Iran warned the United States on Thursday that its naval blockade was doomed to fail, after President Donald Trump …
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Oil surges to four-year high on Trump blockade warning
AFP - 2h ago
Oil prices soared more than seven percent to a four-year high above $126 Thursday after Donald Trump warned the US …
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Oil surges 7% to top $126 on Trump blockade warning
AFP - 53m ago
Oil prices soared more than seven percent to a four-year high above $126 Thursday after Donald Trump warned the US …
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Rolls-Royce confident on profits despite Mideast war disruption
AFP - 3h ago
British engine-maker Rolls-Royce maintained its full-year profit guidance on Thursday, as it expects to "fully mitigate" …
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French economy records zero growth in first quarter
AFP - 3h ago
France's economy recorded zero growth in the first quarter of this year due to "sluggish" domestic demand and a …
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Trump warns Iran blockade could last months, sending oil prices soaring
AFP - 2h ago
President Donald Trump said a US naval blockade against Iran could last months, leading oil prices to spike to their …
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No 'meaningful' shift from social media sites after Australia teen ban: govt report
AFP - 4h ago
There was "no meaningful shift" away from big tech platforms like TikTok and Instagram in the immediate wake of …
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Oil surges 7%, stocks slip on Trump blockade warning
AFP - 2h ago
Oil prices soared more than seven percent to a fresh four-year high Thursday while stocks fell after Donald Trump warned …
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Oil surges to four-year high, stocks slip after Trump blockade warning
AFP - 51m ago
Oil prices soared more than five percent to a fresh four-year high Thursday while stocks fell after Donald Trump warned …
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Oil at four-year high, stocks slip after Trump blockade warning
AFP - 1h ago
Oil prices held around four-year highs Thursday while stocks fell after Donald Trump warned the US blockade of Iranian …
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Samsung Electronics posts record quarterly profit on AI boom
AFP - 6h ago
Samsung Electronics said Thursday that operating profit soared 750 percent on-year to a record high in the first quarter …
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Nations urged to 'go further' as fossil fuel exit talks wrap in Colombia
AFP - 4h ago
Nearly 60 nations hailed progress in the fight to exit fossil fuels as a breakaway conference wrapped up in Colombia on …
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Bali drowning in trash after landfill closed
AFP - 7h ago
Buckets of blooms adorn Yuvita Anggi Prinanda's sidewalk flower stall in Bali, but their perfume can't mask the stench …
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Google-parent Alphabet soars as Meta stumbles over AI costs
Apr 29 2026
Google-parent Alphabet impressed Wall Street with its latest quarterly earnings on Wednesday, as big tech rival Meta …
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Tariff refund boosts Ford results as it eyes higher metal costs
Apr 29 2026
Ford raised its full-year profit forecast Wednesday after reporting stronger than estimated first quarter results based …
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Powell's decision to stay on at Fed ignites new Trump insult
Apr 29 2026
The extraordinary clash at the Federal Reserve between Jerome Powell and Donald Trump entered new territory Wednesday …
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Brazil lowers benchmark rate to 14.5% in second consecutive cut
Apr 29 2026
Brazil's Central Bank on Wednesday announced a second consecutive cut to its benchmark interest rate, one of the world's …
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Powell to stay as Fed governor after chairman term, citing legal attacks
Apr 29 2026
US Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell said Wednesday that he would stay at the central bank as a governor after his …
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Google-parent Alphabet soars as rivals stumble over AI costs
Apr 29 2026
Google-parent Alphabet impressed Wall Street with its latest quarterly earnings on Wednesday, as big tech rivals …
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African oil producers defend need to drill at fossil fuel exit talks
Apr 29 2026
Oil-rich African nations at global fossil fuel phaseout talks in Colombia said Wednesday they would keep drilling to …
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Oil spikes while divided Federal Reserve keeps interest rates unchanged
Apr 29 2026
Oil prices shot higher Wednesday on concerns of an extended blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, while Wall Street stocks …
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Powell to bow out as Fed chief but stay as a governor on legal pressure
Apr 29 2026
US Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell said Wednesday that he plans to stay at the central bank as a governor after his …
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'Gritty' Philadelphia pitches itself as low-cost US World Cup choice
Apr 29 2026
Philadelphia is presenting itself as the US World Cup host city offering fans the best value for money, with affordable …
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'I literally was a fool': Musk grilled in OpenAI trial
Apr 29 2026
Elon Musk faced fiery questioning Wednesday in his court showdown with OpenAI, as he insisted that the maker of ChatGPT …
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OpenAI facing 'waves' of US lawsuits over Canada mass shooting
Apr 29 2026
Seven lawsuits were filed in US court on Wednesday against OpenAI on behalf of families impacted by the February mass …
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Hungary's Magyar pushes to unblock EU billions in Brussels
Apr 29 2026
Incoming Hungarian leader Peter Magyar vowed Wednesday that frozen EU funds would start flowing to Budapest soon, after …
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Trump warns Iran better 'get smart soon' and accept nuclear deal
Apr 29 2026
President Donald Trump warned Tehran on Wednesday that it should "get smart soon" and capitulate to Washington's demands …
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US Fed divided at Powell's likely last meeting at helm
Apr 29 2026
A divided US Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged for a third straight meeting Wednesday on high uncertainty …
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Ticket price hikes not affecting summer air travel demand: IATA
Apr 29 2026
Demand for summer air travel is holding up well despite airlines hiking ticket prices, although possible shortages of …
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Hungary's Magyar pushes to unblock EU billion in Brussels
Apr 29 2026
Incoming Hungarian leader Peter Magyar vowed Wednesday that frozen EU funds would start flowing to Budapest soon, after …
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Uber adds hotel booking in push to become 'everything app'
Apr 29 2026
Uber on Wednesday unveiled a new feature allowing users to book a hotel room directly from its app, the latest step in …
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Oil spikes while stocks slip ahead of US Fed rate decision
Apr 29 2026
Oil prices shot higher Wednesday on concerns of an extended blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, while Wall Street stocks …
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Canada holds key rate steady, says will act if war inflation persists
Apr 29 2026
Canada's central bank held its key lending rate at 2.25 percent on Wednesday, but warned it may need to act if inflation …
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TotalEnergies first-quarter profits surge amid Middle East war
Apr 29 2026
French oil and gas giant TotalEnergies said Wednesday net profit had risen 51 percent in the first quarter to $5.8 …
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Hungary's Magyar visits Brussels seeking to unblock EU billions
Apr 29 2026
Incoming Hungarian leader Peter Magyar met EU chiefs Wednesday on his first visit to Brussels since his election win, …
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US Fed chief's plans in focus as central bank set to hold rates steady
Apr 29 2026
The US Federal Reserve is widely expected Wednesday to keep interest rates unchanged for a third straight meeting, …
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Oil spikes while stocks slide ahead of US Fed rate decision
Apr 29 2026
Oil prices shot higher Wednesday on concerns of an extended blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, while stocks slid as …
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German inflation jumps in April as energy costs surge
Apr 29 2026
German inflation jumped to its highest level in over two years in April as the Middle East war triggered a surge in …
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UBS first-quarter profits jump 80% on investment banking
Apr 29 2026
Swiss banking giant UBS on Wednesday reported that net profit rose a better-than-expected 80 percent to $3 billion in …
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European stocks fall with eyes on earnings, US Fed
Apr 29 2026
European stocks slipped as oil prices surged Wednesday, with investors digesting a wave of corporate earnings and …
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Mercedes warns longer Mideast war could cause shortages
Apr 29 2026
German premium automaker Mercedes-Benz warned Wednesday that a drawn-out conflict in the Middle East could cause …
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Finnish lift maker Kone acquires German rival TKE, creating giant
Apr 29 2026
Finnish lift maker Kone on Wednesday announced the acquisition of its German rival TKE in a huge share-and-cash deal …
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Oil rises further with Iran war peace talks stalled
Apr 29 2026
Oil prices rose Wednesday as talks to end the Iran war appeared to be at a standstill and the crucial Strait of Hormuz …
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EU finds Meta failing to keep under-13s off Facebook, Instagram
Apr 29 2026
The EU said on Wednesday Meta is failing to prevent children under 13 using Facebook and Instagram, potentially exposing …
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Adidas reports higher profits but warns of 'volatile' climate
Apr 29 2026
German sportswear giant Adidas on Wednesday reported strong growth in quarterly profits as sales rose in key markets, …
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Mercedes-Benz profit slides amid cutthroat Chinese market
Apr 29 2026
German premium automaker Mercedes-Benz said Wednesday its first-quarter profit fell by almost a fifth as cutthroat …
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Cheaper, cleaner electric trucks overhaul China's logistics
Apr 29 2026
At a dusty lot an hour outside Beijing, a steady stream of vehicles come and go for a quick battery charge -- just one …
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An experimental cafe run by AI opens in Stockholm
Apr 29 2026
The avocado toasts and baristas making foamy lattes make it look like any other cafe, except at this one, located in a …
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Stocks swing, oil edges up with Iran war peace talks stalled
Apr 29 2026
Asian stocks fluctuated Wednesday while oil prices swung as talks to end the Iran war appeared to be at a standstill and …
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Europe climate report signals rising extremes
Apr 29 2026
Europe endured a historic heatwave across Nordic countries, shrinking glaciers and record sea temperatures in 2025 as …
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Jerome Powell: Fed chair who stood up to Trump set to finish tenure on top
Apr 29 2026
US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, a soft-spoken central banker who chooses his words carefully, is perhaps an …
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All eyes on Powell with US Fed expected to hold rates steady
Apr 29 2026
The US Federal Reserve is widely expected to hold interest rates steady on Wednesday after a key policy meeting, likely …
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Pentagon makes deal to expand use of Google AI: reports
Apr 29 2026
The Pentagon has arranged a deal to increase its use of Google's artificial intelligence in classified operations, US …
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France unveils plan to ditch all fossil fuels by 2050
Apr 29 2026
France on Tuesday announced a "first of its kind" plan to phase out coal by 2030, oil by 2045 and gas by 2050 during a …
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Crude back above $110 on Strait stalemate as US stocks retreat
Apr 28 2026
Oil prices jumped on Tuesday to their highest level since the US-Iran ceasefire, pressuring US stocks as lack of …
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US Supreme Court hears Cisco bid to halt Falun Gong suit
Apr 28 2026
The US Supreme Court heard a bid by Cisco on Tuesday to toss out a lawsuit that alleges the US tech giant should be held …
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Panama's Copa Airlines orders 60 more Boeing 737 MAX for $13.5 bn
Apr 28 2026
Panama's flagship carrier Copa Airlines signed a $13.5 billion deal Tuesday to purchase 60 Boeing 737 MAX planes, adding …
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Airbus profits slide as deliveries drop
Apr 28 2026
Airbus said Tuesday its first-quarter profit fell as it delivered fewer planes to customers, falling behind rival Boeing …
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Billion-dollar energy deals signal US push into Balkans
Apr 28 2026
Balkan nations signed major energy deals involving US firms on Tuesday, as Washington hailed an increased push into a …
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New pirate group behind latest Somali hijacking: officials
Apr 28 2026
A pirate attack off Somalia is the work of a new group of "opportunistic criminals", security officials said on Tuesday, …
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UAE pulls out of OPEC oil cartels citing 'national interests'
Apr 28 2026
The United Arab Emirates will withdraw from the OPEC and OPEC+ oil cartels to focus on "national interests", it …
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Crude back above $110 on Strait stalemate fears
Apr 28 2026
Oil prices jumped on Tuesday, climbing back above $110 per barrel, amid a lack of progress in re-opening the key Strait …
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Will fuel shortages ruin summer vacations?
Apr 28 2026
Concerns are growing that shortages of diesel and jet fuel due to supply problems caused by war between Iran and the …
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US Fed expected to keep rates steady as Iran war effects ripple
Apr 28 2026
The US Federal Reserve opened its two-day meeting on Tuesday with policymakers expected to keep interest rates steady, …
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Croatia, Bosnia sign major gas pipeline deal
Apr 28 2026
Croatia and Bosnia on Tuesday signed a deal to build a major gas pipeline backed by investors close to US President …
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EU lawmakers back blockbuster long-term budget
Apr 28 2026
The European Parliament on Tuesday threw its weight behind a more ambitious and bigger long-term EU budget, demanding …
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BP reports huge profit rise in first quarter
Apr 28 2026
British energy giant BP on Tuesday reported a sharp increase in profits in the first quarter as crude oil prices soared …
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Crude extends gains on Iran talks, stocks diverge on central bank meetings
Apr 28 2026
Oil prices jumped Tuesday on lack of progress towards re-opening the Strait of Hormuz while stocks diverged as attention …
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Crude extends gains, stocks drop as Trump considers latest Iran proposal
Apr 28 2026
Oil prices jumped and stocks sank Tuesday as Donald Trump weighed an Iranian proposal that would reportedly re-open the …
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How China block of AI deal could stop 'Singapore-washing'
Apr 28 2026
When is a Chinese AI startup not a Chinese AI startup? When it's based in Singapore, or elsewhere, to distance itself …
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New York restaurant's $40 half chicken fuels cost of dining debate
Apr 28 2026
Hugo Hivernat's restaurant was only open for a few days before he got dragged into New York's cost of living row for …
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Australia aims to tax tech giants unless they pay news outlets
Apr 28 2026
Australia unveiled draft laws on Tuesday that would tax tech giants Meta, Google and TikTok unless they voluntarily …
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Budget airlines first to cut flights as jet fuel prices soar
Apr 28 2026
Ryanair, Transavia, Volotea and other low-cost airlines are feeling the financial pain from high jet fuel prices as a …
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S. Korea probes syringe hoarding as war hits plastic makers
Apr 28 2026
South Korean police said on Tuesday they were investigating firms suspected of hoarding medical syringes, as the Middle …
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Nations to kick off world-first fossil fuel exit talks
Apr 28 2026
More than 50 governments meet in Colombia on Tuesday against the backdrop of the Iran war and a global energy crunch for …
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