Business and Economy
US and Israel hit nuclear sites as Rubio trails end to Iran war
AFP - 11m ago
US-Israeli strikes hit two Iranian nuclear facilities on Friday, as America's top diplomat left a meeting with his G7 …
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Oil climbs, stocks fall as markets see no end to war
AFP - 7m ago
Oil prices rose and stocks fell Friday as initial optimism over US President Donald Trump's decision to again delay his …
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Overnight petrol queues in Ethiopia as war shortages hit
AFP - 1h ago
Ethiopians said Friday they slept in their cars in hours-long queues for petrol as shortages caused by the Middle East …
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Middle East war: global economic fallout
AFP - 1h ago
Here are the latest economic events in the Middle East war:
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E-commerce in the crosshairs at WTO in digital taxes battle
AFP - 3h ago
The future of digital taxes is dividing countries at the World Trade Organization, with the moratorium that has …
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Volkswagen in talks with defence firms on use of Germany plant: CEO
AFP - 3h ago
Struggling German carmaker Volkswagen is in talks with defence firms to repurpose a plant in northern Germany for the …
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Iran warns civilians as Trump says talks 'going well'
AFP - 3h ago
Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned civilians across the Middle East Friday to stay away from areas near US forces, in a …
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Oil climbs, stocks fall even as Trump extends Iran deadline
AFP - 2h ago
Oil prices rose and stocks mostly fell Friday as initial optimism over US President Donald Trump's decision to again …
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German state railway loss widens, passengers warned of trouble ahead
AFP - 6h ago
Germany's beleaguered state railway operator Deutsche Bahn said Friday its losses widened last year and warned …
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Japan to boost coal-fired power as Mideast war causes energy turmoil
AFP - 6h ago
Japan's government plans to temporarily lift restrictions on coal-fired power plants as it seeks to ease an energy …
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Iran Guards warn civilians after Trump pushes Hormuz deadline
AFP - 2h ago
Iran's Revolutionary Guards urged civilians across the Middle East Friday to stay away from areas near US forces, …
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Global mohair supply flourishes in South Africa's desert
AFP - 7h ago
On a farm in South Africa's semi-arid south, herds of angora goats foraged across open land stretching to the horizon, …
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Nepali rapper Shah sworn in as prime minister
AFP - 8h ago
Nepal's rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah was sworn in as prime minister on Friday after sweeping the first …
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Oil rises, stocks mixed as joy over Trump Iran strike pause fades
AFP - 3h ago
Oil prices rose Friday and stocks were mixed as initial optimism over Donald Trump's decision to again push back a …
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Oil, stocks mixed as traders weigh Trump's latest Iran strike pause
AFP - 59m ago
Oil prices and stocks were mixed Friday as early optimism fuelled by Donald Trump's decision to again push back a …
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Nepali rapper to be sworn in as new prime minister
AFP - 1h ago
Nepal's rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah will be sworn in as the new prime minister on Friday, after issuing his …
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Cryptocurrencies aiding Iran during war
AFP - 11h ago
Since the start of the Middle East conflict, Iran has witnessed massive cryptocurrency flows.
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Myanmar travellers ride the rails as fuel prices rise
AFP - 12h ago
Myanmar's ageing railway stations are bustling with life, crowded with passengers as surging fuel prices due to the …
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Cyclone triggers outages at major Australian LNG plants
AFP - 5h ago
Some of the world's largest LNG plants were forced shut on Friday by a cyclone off western Australia, squeezing fuel …
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Oil drops as Trump pauses Iran strikes, but stock traders nervous
AFP - 4h ago
Oil prices fell Friday after Donald Trump again pushed back a deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, though …
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US in the spotlight at WTO meet
AFP - 14h ago
The United States is set to come under scrutiny Friday on day two of the World Trade Organization's ministerial …
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US judge suspends govt sanctions on AI company Anthropic
AFP - 13h ago
A US federal judge on Thursday suspended sanctions imposed by President Donald Trump's administration on Anthropic, …
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Oil climbs, stocks slide as Iran war uncertainty reigns
Mar 26 2026
Oil prices jumped and equities slid Thursday as hopes for a peace deal between the United States and Iran wavered, with …
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Lagos secures flood insurance for 4 million at-risk Nigerians
Mar 26 2026
Nigeria's Lagos state has taken out a $7.5 million flood insurance policy to cover millions of people, the Insurance …
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US lays it on the line as WTO mulls future of global trading
Mar 26 2026
The United States launched a broadside at the hamstrung World Trade Organization as its main gathering opened Thursday, …
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Parmesan exports doing grate... but sales melt in Italy
Mar 26 2026
For the first time more than half of Parmesan cheese was exported, as Italy's population declines and consumers watch …
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US cannot meet Iran war-induced LNG shortfall: industry leaders
Mar 26 2026
Business leaders are warning that the United States lacks the infrastructure to alleviate a global LNG shortage caused …
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EU accuses four porn platforms of letting children access adult content
Mar 26 2026
The European Union accused four pornographic platforms on Thursday of allowing children to access adult content in …
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Oil climbs, stocks slide on uncertainty over US-Iran talks
Mar 26 2026
Oil prices jumped and equities slid Thursday as hopes for a peace deal between the US and Iran wavered after Tehran …
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US flexes 'new order' trade policy as WTO meet kicks off
Mar 26 2026
US trade policy is a "corrective response" to the unbalanced rules of the World Trade Organization, US Trade …
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Bab al-Mandeb Strait: another key shipping route under threat
Mar 26 2026
Here are facts and figures about the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a crucial passage into the Red Sea that Iran has threatened …
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Africa sets out stall for cotton at the WTO
Mar 26 2026
African countries are taking a stand at the World Trade Organization to bolster their cotton sector, launching a …
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WTO mulls future of global trading under cloud of Mideast war
Mar 26 2026
The World Trade Organization's ministerial conference opened Thursday against a backdrop of heightened trade tensions …
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EU parliament backs Trump tariff deal -- with conditions
Mar 26 2026
European Union lawmakers on Thursday gave a green light -- with conditions -- to the bloc's tariff deal with US …
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Oil jumps, stocks drop on uncertainty over US-Iran talks
Mar 26 2026
Oil prices jumped and equities slid Thursday as hopes for a peace deal between the US and Iran wavered after Tehran …
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Germany unveils rescue plan for struggling chemical sector
Mar 26 2026
The German government and the country's chemical industry on Thursday presented a sweeping plan to help the ailing …
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UK PM 'very keen' to curb addictive social media after US ruling
Mar 26 2026
UK leader Keir Starmer said Thursday he was "very keen" to tackle addictive features on social media following a …
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Trump says Iran 'better get serious' in Mideast war talks
Mar 26 2026
US President Donald Trump warned Iran on Thursday to engage in talks to end the Middle East war "before it is too late", …
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Iran may believe it has the upper hand as Trump seeks talks
Mar 26 2026
Iran's decision to rebuff a 15-point peace proposal from US President Donald Trump and outline its own conditions for a …
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EU urged to broadly restrict 'forever chemicals'
Mar 26 2026
"Forever chemicals" pose a growing risk to health and the environment and should be broadly banned across the European …
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Global trading system hit by 'worst disruptions in the past 80 years': WTO chief
Mar 26 2026
The global trading system is experiencing the "worst disruptions in the past 80 years", World Trade Organization chief …
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War in the Middle East: latest developments
Mar 26 2026
Here are the latest developments in the Middle East war:
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Cathay Pacific raises fuel surcharge on all flights by 34%
Mar 26 2026
Hong Kong aviation giant Cathay Pacific announced Thursday it was raising fuel surcharges on all flights by 34 percent …
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EU probes Snapchat over suspected child protection failings
Mar 26 2026
The European Union launched an investigation on Thursday into Snapchat over suspicions the platform is not doing enough …
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Oil climbs and equities sink amid mixed messages on 'talks'
Mar 26 2026
Oil prices jumped and equities fell Thursday as investors tracked developments in the Middle East amid hopes that US and …
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Oil rises and equities mixed amid mixed messages on 'talks'
Mar 26 2026
Oil prices rose and equities fell Thursday as investors tracked developments in the Middle East amid hopes that US and …
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EU to vote on Trump tariff deal -- but eyes rest of world
Mar 26 2026
European Union lawmakers are on track to give a green light -- with conditions -- Thursday to the bloc's tariff deal …
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Venezuela oil reserves both entice and repel energy giants
Mar 26 2026
President Donald Trump's administration is pushing to open Venezuela's untapped natural resources to US investment
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Israel strikes Iran as Trump says Tehran wants deal to end war
Mar 26 2026
Israel launched strikes across Iran on Thursday, hours after US President Donald Trump said Tehran wanted a deal to end …
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Zimbabwe lithium export ban triggers crackdown, concerns
Mar 26 2026
A month after banning raw lithium exports, Zimbabwe is tightening its regulations and ramping up its crackdown on …
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Oil edges up and equities mixed amid mixed messages on 'talks'
Mar 26 2026
Oil prices rose and equities were mixed Thursday as investors tracked developments in the Middle East war
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WTO mulls future of global trade under cloud of Mideast war
Mar 26 2026
The World Trade Organization's 166 members appeared deeply divided as ministers gathered in the Cameroonian capital for …
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Iran says 'no negotiations' as US warns to accept 15-point deal
Mar 26 2026
US President Donald Trump is ready to "unleash hell" if Iran does not accept a deal to end the nearly four-week Middle …
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UN pushes fuel solution for Cuba aid work amid US talks
Mar 26 2026
The United Nations has proposed an emergency plan for crisis-hit Cuba, including tracking fuel use, amid talks with the …
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Day of reckoning arrives for social media after US court loss
Mar 25 2026
A Los Angeles jury's ruling that Meta and YouTube contributed to a teenage girl's depression marks a potential turning …
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US jury finds Meta, YouTube liable in social media addiction trial
Mar 25 2026
A Los Angeles jury on Wednesday found Meta and YouTube liable for harming a young woman because of an addictive design …
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Oil prices slip, stocks rally as Washington, Tehran bicker over talks
Mar 25 2026
Oil prices fell and stock markets rallied Wednesday on reports of a US plan to end the war with Iran -- which promptly …
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Trump's Beijing trip rescheduled for May, after Iran delay
Mar 25 2026
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he will meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing in May after …
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California jury finds Meta, YouTube liable in social media addiction trial
Mar 25 2026
A Los Angeles jury on Wednesday found Meta and YouTube liable for harming a young woman through the addictive design of …
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US EPA issues waiver for E15 fuel to address oil supply issues
Mar 25 2026
The US Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday issued a temporary emergency waiver to allow countrywide sales of …
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Grieving families hail court victory against Instagram, YouTube
Mar 25 2026
Hearing the news that Instagram and YouTube had been found liable Wednesday for contributing to a young American woman's …
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Internet providers not liable for music piracy by users: top US court
Mar 25 2026
The US Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday in a landmark copyright case that internet service providers (ISPs) are not …
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Oil prices slip, stocks rally on Mideast peace hopes
Mar 25 2026
Oil prices tumbled and stock markets rallied Wednesday on reports of a US plan to end the war with Iran -- which …
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Iran Hormuz 'toll booth': legally risky route for shippers
Mar 25 2026
Here are the latest facts about Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial trade waterway virtually closed off by …
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Study links major polluters to big climate damages bill
Mar 25 2026
The economic cost of carbon emissions is far higher than previously estimated, said a new study Wednesday that links big …
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Hungary says will phase out gas deliveries to Ukraine
Mar 25 2026
Hungary's prime minister said Wednesday that Budapest would phase out gas deliveries to Ukraine, the latest salvo in the …
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Mideast war sparks long queues at Kinshasa petrol stations
Mar 25 2026
Long queues of cars and motorcycles have built up at petrol stations in DR Congo's sprawling capital Kinshasa over fears …
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Oil prices tumble, stocks rally on Mideast peace hopes
Mar 25 2026
Oil prices tumbled and stock markets rallied Wednesday on reports that the United States had sent a peace plan to Iran.
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Aviation, tourism, agriculture... the economic sectors hit by the war
Mar 25 2026
The war in the Middle East is impacting numerous economic sectors and not only in the region, both by direct disruptions …
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AI making cyber attacks costlier and more effective: Munich Re
Mar 25 2026
Artificial intelligence is making cyberattacks increasingly sophisticated and costlier for businesses, reinsurer Munich …
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War-linked power crunch pushes Sri Lanka to four-day week
Mar 25 2026
Millions of Sri Lankans enjoyed a government-ordered extra day off on Wednesday as the island nation battles an energy …
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IEA chief says 'ready' to release more oil reserves if needed
Mar 25 2026
The head of the International Energy Agency (IEA) said Wednesday that he was "ready" to approve the release of more oil …
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German business morale falls as war puts recovery on ice: survey
Mar 25 2026
German business morale fell in March as the war in the Middle East puts hopes of a recovery in Europe's struggling top …
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Labubu maker Pop Mart's shares fall 23% despite surging earnings
Mar 25 2026
Chinese toymaker Pop Mart's shares tumbled more than 20 percent on Wednesday, despite strong annual earnings, as …
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ECB won't be 'paralysed' in face of energy shock: Lagarde
Mar 25 2026
The European Central Bank has several options for dealing with the Middle East war energy shock, its chief Christine …
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Crude tumbles, stocks rally on hopes for Iran war de-escalation
Mar 25 2026
Oil prices tumbled and stocks rose Wednesday after reports that Washington sent a peace plan to Iran, while Tehran …
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Japan PM asks IEA to prepare additional 'coordinated release' of oil
Mar 25 2026
The head of the International Energy Agency said Wednesday he was "ready to move forward" with an additional release of …
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Japan PM asks IEA chief to prepare additional 'coordinated release' of oil
Mar 25 2026
The head of the International Energy Agency said Wednesday he was "ready to move forward" with an additional release of …
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BTS concert drew 18.4 million viewers, says Netflix
Mar 25 2026
The comeback concert by K-pop megastars BTS drew an estimated 18.4 million viewers worldwide, streaming giant Netflix …
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Top WTO official sounds fertiliser warning over Middle East war
Mar 25 2026
Disruptions to fertiliser supplies caused by the Middle East war pose a double threat to global food security through …
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Dirty diapers born again in Japan recycling breakthrough
Mar 25 2026
Billions of dirty diapers end up buried or burned every year in Japan -- more from seniors than babies -- but a …
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OpenAI kills Sora video app in pivot toward business tools
Mar 25 2026
OpenAI said Tuesday that it would shut down its artificial intelligence video generation app Sora barely six months …
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New Mexico jury finds Meta liable for endangering children
Mar 25 2026
A New Mexico jury on Tuesday found social media giant Meta liable for endangering children by making them vulnerable to …
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Oil, stock trading spiked before Trump's Iran remarks
Mar 24 2026
Thousands of oil contracts -- a far higher volume than normal -- were traded 15 minutes before US President Donald Trump …
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Oil prices jump as Trump's Iran claims raise doubts
Mar 24 2026
Oil prices jumped Tuesday as traders turned cautious over the prospect of a negotiated agreement between the United …
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Data canary shows economy already suffering from Middle East war
Mar 24 2026
Soaring fuel prices due to the Middle East war and snarled supply chains are already hurting businesses, business survey …
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ConocoPhillips chief seeks extra US protection of Mideast assets
Mar 24 2026
US oil giant ConocoPhillips has been urging President Donald Trump's administration to provide extra protection around …
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Iran, Israel trade strikes despite Trump talk of negotiations
Mar 24 2026
Iran and Israel traded strikes on Tuesday, as the Middle East war showed no sign of de-escalation after US President …
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Meta awaits verdict in New Mexico child safety trial
Mar 24 2026
A New Mexico jury began its first full day of deliberations on Tuesday in a trial where social media giant Meta is …
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Oil prices jump, stocks slip as Trump's Iran claims raise doubts
Mar 24 2026
European and US stocks resumed sliding and oil prices jumped on Tuesday as traders turned cautious over the prospect of …
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Xiaomi quarterly profit slumps despite annual EV gains
Mar 24 2026
Chinese electronics giant Xiaomi announced a dip in quarterly profit on Tuesday after slower smartphone sales, while …
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Oil prices jump, stocks waver after Trump's Iran claim
Mar 24 2026
European stock markets steadied, oil prices jumped and the dollar rebounded on Tuesday as traders turned cautious over …
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Iran strikes Israel, denies Trump talks
Mar 24 2026
Iran fired a fresh broadside of missiles at Israel Tuesday, causing damage and injuries in Tel Aviv, as uncertainty …
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Australia, EU agree sweeping new trade pact eight years in the works
Mar 24 2026
The European Union and Australia struck a long-awaited free-trade deal on Tuesday, while also agreeing to boost defence …
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Gas shortages push India's poor back to wood and coal
Mar 24 2026
Soaring black-market prices of cooking gas in India's capital are pushing poorer families back to wood and coal, raising …
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'Plundered': Senegal fishers feel sting of illegal, industrial vessels
Mar 24 2026
Ibrahima Mar first lost his livelihood then lost his son when the fish off Senegal's coast began to disappear, rupturing …
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Iran hits Israel with missiles after denying Trump talks
Mar 24 2026
Iran fired a fresh broadside of missiles at Israel Tuesday, causing damage and injuries in Tel Aviv, as uncertainty …
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Stocks rise on Trump U-turn but unease sees oil bounce
Mar 24 2026
Stocks rose Tuesday after Donald Trump delayed strikes on Iranian energy sites and hailed "very good" talks with Tehran …
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Asian stocks rise on Trump U-turn but unease sees oil bounce
Mar 24 2026
Asian stocks rose Tuesday after Donald Trump delayed strikes on Iranian energy sites and hailed "very good" talks with …
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Back to black: facing energy shock, Asia turns to coal
Mar 24 2026
Asian countries are ramping up use of polluting coal to tackle energy shortages and price spikes linked to the Iran war, …
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'Perfect Japan' posts spark Gen Z social media backlash
Mar 24 2026
Take an everyday video on any suburban transport network, add anime-style music and a rosy filter, and it's suddenly a …
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Australia, EU agree to sweeping new trade pact after eight years
Mar 24 2026
European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese struck a long-awaited free …
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