Business and Economy
AI, chips boom sent South Korea exports soaring in 2025
AFP - 5h ago
Soaring global demand for semiconductors fuelled by a boom in artificial intelligence sent South Korea's exports to …
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In Venezuela, price of US dollar up 479 percent in a year
AFP - 6h ago
Venezuela, currently in the throes of an escalating crisis with the United States, closed the books Wednesday on a …
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China says to impose extra 55% tariffs on some beef imports
AFP - 6h ago
China said on Wednesday it will impose additional 55 percent tariffs on some beef imports from countries including …
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Bulgaria adopts the euro, nearly 20 years after joining the EU
AFP - 6h ago
Bulgaria became the 21st country to switch to the euro as it entered the New Year on Thursday, a milestone met with both …
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Stocks pull lower at end of record year for markets
Dec 31 2025
Stock markets mostly retreated Wednesday in thin trading, following a year of record gains for key assets as central …
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Eurostar trains back with delays after power glitch sparks travel chaos
Dec 31 2025
Rail traffic through the Channel tunnel slowly resumed with more cancellations and delays Wednesday after an electricity …
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Bulgaria takes hesitant step into the eurozone
Dec 31 2025
Bulgaria will become the 21st country to switch to the euro when it enters the New Year on Thursday, amid concerns the …
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Stocks drop at end of record year for markets
Dec 31 2025
Stock markets mostly fell Wednesday in thin trading, following a year of record gains for key assets as central banks …
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Xi says China to hit 2025 growth target of 'around 5 percent'
Dec 31 2025
China's economy is expected to have grown "around five percent" in 2025, President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday, despite …
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Berlin says decision postponed on European fighter jet
Dec 31 2025
Efforts to break a deadlock in 2025 over plans for a new European fighter jet have been unsuccessful, a German …
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Eurostar says full service to resume after power glitch sparks travel chaos
Dec 31 2025
Traffic slowly resumed Wednesday in the Channel tunnel after an electricity failure halted train trips connecting London …
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Silver slips lower in mixed end to Asia trading year
Dec 31 2025
Silver slipped further as Asian markets presented a mixed picture in the the final trading day of 2025 on Wednesday, …
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TSMC says started mass production of 'most advanced' 2nm chips
Dec 31 2025
Taiwanese tech titan TSMC has started mass producing its cutting-edge 2-nanometre semiconductor chips, the company said …
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Asia markets mixed in final day of 2025 trading
Dec 31 2025
Asian stocks were mixed at the start of the final trading day of 2025 on Wednesday, with some tracking Wall Street …
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Bulgaria readies to adopt the euro, nearly 20 years after joining EU
Dec 31 2025
Bulgaria was preparing to switch to the euro on Wednesday night to become the 21st eurozone member, amid concerns the …
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Trump v 'Obamacare': US health costs set to soar for millions in 2026
Dec 31 2025
Iowa farmer Aaron Lehman was already paying a hefty price for health insurance, but his premium is set to skyrocket in …
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SoftBank lifts OpenAI stake to 11% with $41bln investment
Dec 31 2025
Japanese tech investor SoftBank said Wednesday that its stake in OpenAI is now around 11 percent after completing the …
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Stocks mixed, silver rebounds as 2025 trading winds down
Dec 30 2025
Stock markets were mixed on Tuesday while silver prices rebounded amid volatile trading in precious metals.
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Eurostar likely back to normal overnight after power glitch sparks travel chaos
Dec 30 2025
Channel Tunnel traffic should return to normal overnight, operator Getlink said Tuesday, after a power supply issue that …
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Stocks higher, silver rebounds as 2025 trading winds down
Dec 30 2025
Stocks markets mostly moved higher on Tuesday while silver prices rebounded amid volatile trading in precious metals.
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Eurostar to resume services after Channel tunnel power glitch sparks travel chaos
Dec 30 2025
Eurostar said Tuesday it was restarting services suspended earlier over a power supply problem in the Channel tunnel, as …
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Chinese leasing firm CALC orders 30 Airbus A320neo planes
Dec 30 2025
China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings (CALC) and Airbus said Tuesday that the Hong Kong-listed firm had placed an order …
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Germany bank heist nets about 30mn euros in cash, valuables: police
Dec 30 2025
Robbers used a large drill to break into a German savings bank's vault room and steal cash, gold and jewelry worth some …
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Eurostar suspends all Europe trains due to power problem
Dec 30 2025
Eurostar suspended train services in Europe on Tuesday after a power supply problem in the Channel tunnel, sparking …
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European stocks climb, silver rebounds
Dec 30 2025
European stock markets rose Tuesday after Tokyo closed out a strong year, as silver prices rebounded amid volatile …
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French ban on 'forever chemicals' in cosmetics, clothing to enter force
Dec 30 2025
A French ban on the production and sale of cosmetics and most clothing containing polluting and health-threatening …
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Eurostar urges passengers to postpone journeys due to 'major disruption'
Dec 30 2025
Eurostar advised passengers to postpone their journeys on Tuesday to a later date, citing "major disruption" including …
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France pushes back plastic cup ban by four years
Dec 30 2025
The French government on Tuesday postponed a ban on plastic throwaway cups by four years to 2030 because of difficulties …
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Moody's lowers city of Budapest's rating to junk
Dec 30 2025
Ratings agency Moody's downgraded the city of Budapest's credit rating to junk level late Monday, pointing to weak …
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Russia to re-privatise airport that it seized
Dec 30 2025
The Russian government plans to sell Moscow's Domodedovo airport early next year, several months after taking ownership …
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Precious metals fall again, stocks mixed as traders wind down
Dec 30 2025
Precious metals extended losses Tuesday on profit-taking after hitting recent records, while equities fluctuated in …
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Precious metals fall again, Asian stocks swing as traders wind down
Dec 30 2025
Precious metals extended losses Tuesday on profit-taking after hitting recent records, while equities fluctuated in …
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Beyonce declared a billionaire by Forbes magazine
Dec 29 2025
US singer Beyonce is now a billionaire, Forbes magazine said Monday, becoming only the fifth musician to achieve such a …
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Precious metals slump as stocks near end of banner 2025
Dec 29 2025
Silver and gold tumbled Monday in a round of profit-taking as oil prices strengthened and global equities opened the …
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Meat-loving Argentines shun beef as inflation bites
Dec 29 2025
As New Year's festivities draw near, meat-loving Argentines are readying their famous "asado" grills -- traditionally …
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World stocks sluggish as precious metals drop
Dec 29 2025
Global stock markets were sluggish Monday on the back of a mixed Asian showing, as investors awaited fresh clues on the …
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World stocks mark time as precious metals drop
Dec 29 2025
Global stock markets marked time Monday after a mixed Asian showing, as investors awaited fresh clues on the outlook for …
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Stocks mixed, as precious metals drop
Dec 29 2025
European stock markets steadied after a mixed Asian showing Monday, as investors awaited fresh clues on the outlook for …
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Emirates mining company challenges Guinea licence withdrawal
Dec 29 2025
Mining company Axis International said Monday it was seeking World Bank arbitration against Guinea for withdrawing its …
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Stocks mixed, precious metals slip in quiet trade
Dec 29 2025
Equities were mixed Monday in quiet post-Christmas trading as investors look ahead to the release of minutes from the …
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Stocks mixed, precious metals slip in quiet Asian trade
Dec 29 2025
Asian equities were mixed Monday in quiet post-Christmas trading as investors look ahead to the release of minutes from …
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Stocks mostly rise, precious metals slip in quiet Asian trade
Dec 29 2025
Asian equities mostly rose Monday in quiet post-Christmas trading as investors look ahead to the release of minutes from …
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China's BYD poised to overtake Tesla in 2025 EV sales
Dec 29 2025
Growing Chinese auto giant BYD stands poised to officially surpass Tesla as the world's biggest electric vehicle company …
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Bulgaria adopts euro amid fear and uncertainty
Dec 28 2025
Bulgaria will become the 21st country to adopt the euro on Thursday, but some believe the move could bring higher prices …
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How company bets on bitcoin can backfire
Dec 28 2025
The year-end plunge in cryptocurrencies has rattled companies that had bet heavily on bitcoin, sending share prices …
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US stocks edge lower from records as precious metals surge
Dec 26 2025
Wall Street stocks edged down from records on Friday amid holiday-thinned trading while precious metals extended their …
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Japan govt approves record budget, including for defence
Dec 26 2025
The Japanese government approved a record budget for the upcoming fiscal year on Friday, to pay for everything from …
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Asia markets edge up as precious metals surge
Dec 26 2025
Asian stocks edged higher on Friday amid holiday-thinned trade and with some exchanges closed for Boxing Day, while …
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Japan govt approves record 122 trillion yen budget
Dec 26 2025
The Japanese government on Friday approved a record budget for the upcoming fiscal year, to pay for everything from …
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UK tech campaigner sues Trump administration over US sanctions
Dec 25 2025
The chief of a prominent anti-disinformation watchdog has sued President Donald Trump's administration over a US visa …
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Dow, S&P 500 end at records amid talk of Santa rally
Dec 24 2025
Major US stock indices finished at fresh records Wednesday following a shortened pre-holiday session while gold and …
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Bolivian miners protest elimination of fuel subsidies
Dec 24 2025
Hundreds of Bolivian miners protested on Wednesday against the elimination of long-standing fuel subsidies by the …
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EU 'strongly condemns' US sanctions against five Europeans
Dec 24 2025
The European Union and some member states reacted sharply Wednesday to US sanctions imposed on five European figures …
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Investors watching for Santa rally in thin pre-Christmas trade
Dec 24 2025
Stock markets steadied Wednesday in thin Christmas Eve trade while gold and silver prices struck fresh highs.
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David Sacks: Trump's AI power broker
Dec 24 2025
From a total Washington novice, Silicon Valley investor David Sacks has against expectations emerged as one of the most …
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The European laws curbing big tech... and irking Trump
Dec 24 2025
The European Union is back in the crosshairs of the Trump administration over its tech rules, which Washington denounced …
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Why metal prices are soaring to record highs
Dec 24 2025
Precious and industrial metals are surging to record highs as the year ends, driven by economic and geopolitical …
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Stocks tepid in thin pre-Christmas trade
Dec 24 2025
European and Asian markets were tepid Wednesday in thin Christmas Eve trade as investors struggled to track a record day …
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Rome pushes Meta to allow other AIs on WhatsApp
Dec 24 2025
Italian regulators ordered Meta on Wednesday to open its WhatsApp chat platform to rival AI chatbots as it and EU …
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US says China chip policies unfair but will delay tariffs to 2027
Dec 24 2025
US trade officials determined that China should be punished for employing unfair tactics to dominate the semiconductor …
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Asian markets mixed after US growth data fuels Wall St record
Dec 24 2025
Asian markets went into the Christmas break Wednesday on a mixed note as investors struggled to track a record day on …
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Asian markets mostly up after US growth fuels Wall St record
Dec 24 2025
Most Asian stocks rose Wednesday and gold topped $4,500 for the first time as investors tracked a record on Wall Street …
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'Happy milestone': Pakistan's historic brewery cheers export licence
Dec 24 2025
A heady aroma of malt and brewing yeast drifts through Pakistan's oldest and by far largest brewery, which is gearing up …
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Chevron: the only foreign oil company left in Venezuela
Dec 24 2025
The US oil company Chevron is walking a tightrope amid tensions between Washington and Caracas to retain its fragile …
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US denies visas to EU ex-commissioner, four others over tech rules
Dec 24 2025
The US State Department said Tuesday it would deny visas to a former EU commissioner and four others, accusing them of …
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US slams China policies on chips but will delay tariffs to 2027
Dec 23 2025
US trade officials determined that China should be punished for employing unfair tactics to dominate the semiconductor …
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S&P 500 surges to record after strong US economic report
Dec 23 2025
The S&P 500 powered to a fresh record Tuesday following data showing surprisingly robust third-quarter US economic …
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French parliament passes emergency budget extension
Dec 23 2025
French lawmakers Tuesday passed last-minute legislation to keep the government in business into January after the …
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Macron meets French farmers in bid to defuse anger over trade deal
Dec 23 2025
French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday met with farmers' unions to discuss a controversial free trade deal and the …
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US consumer confidence tumbles in December
Dec 23 2025
US consumer confidence languished at a multi-month low in December as a slowing job market offset better sentiment after …
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Wall Street stocks edge higher
Dec 23 2025
Wall Street's main indices edged higher Tuesday despite stronger-than-expected US growth figures dampening hopes for …
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US economic growth surges in 3rd quarter, highest rate in two years
Dec 23 2025
US economic growth in the third quarter came in at 4.3 percent on an annualized basis, easily topping expectations, …
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UK govt to relax farmers inheritance tax after protests
Dec 23 2025
The UK government said Tuesday it will raise inheritance tax thresholds for farmers' estates from £1 million to £2.5 …
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Pakistani firm wins auction for state airline PIA
Dec 23 2025
A Pakistani firm won an auction Tuesday with a $482 million bid for a majority stake in the embattled national carrier …
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Stocks slip on strong US growth data
Dec 23 2025
Wall Street's main stock indices briefly slid lower on Tuesday as much stronger-than-expected US growth figures …
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Italy fines Ryanair $300 mn for abuse of dominant position
Dec 23 2025
Italy's competition authority said on Tuesday it had fined low-cost airline Ryanair more than 255 million euros ($300 …
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Stocks steady as rate cut hopes bring Christmas cheer
Dec 23 2025
Stock markets steadied on Tuesday, while gold and silver hit fresh records as optimism for US rate cuts helped investors …
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Markets mostly rise as rate cut hopes bring Christmas cheer
Dec 23 2025
Most markets rose on Tuesday, while gold and silver hit fresh records as optimism for more US interest rate cuts and an …
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Outcry follows CBS pulling program on prison key to Trump deportations
Dec 23 2025
The leadership of CBS News was facing accusations of political meddling on Monday over a last-minute decision to not air …
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In Bulgaria, villagers fret about euro introduction
Dec 23 2025
In Bilyana Nikolova's grocery store in Chuprene, a village in northwestern Bulgaria, prices are now displayed in levs …
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Delayed US data expected to show solid growth in 3rd quarter
Dec 23 2025
The US economy is expected to post another solid economic growth reading Tuesday, but the much-delayed figures likely …
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Asian markets rally again as rate cut hopes bring Christmas cheer
Dec 23 2025
Equities extended a global rally Tuesday, while gold and silver hit fresh records as optimism for more US interest rate …
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US stocks push higher while gold, silver notch fresh records
Dec 22 2025
Wall Street stocks pushed higher Monday to begin a holiday-shortened trading week, while oil prices rallied amid …
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Right wing urges boycott of iconic Brazilian flip-flops
Dec 22 2025
Prominent figures on Brazil's right wing are calling for a boycott of Havaianas, the iconic Brazilian flip-flop sandals, …
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EU condemns China dairy duties as 'unjustified'
Dec 22 2025
The European Union hit out at China on Monday, saying it was "unjustified" for Beijing to impose duties of up to 42.7 …
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Tech stocks lead Wall Street higher, gold hits fresh record
Dec 22 2025
Wall Street and Asian stock markets advanced on Monday, with tech stocks leading the way.
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Billionaire Ellison offers personal guarantee for son's bid for Warner Bros
Dec 22 2025
Oracle tech tycoon Larry Ellison is offering a $40.4 billion personal guarantee to back Paramount's hostile bid for …
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EU slams China dairy duties as 'unjustified'
Dec 22 2025
Brussels hit back Monday at China slapping duties of up to 42.7 percent on some dairy products from the European Union, …
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Telefonica to shed around 5,500 jobs in Spain
Dec 22 2025
Telefonica will cut up to 5,500 jobs in Spain under a voluntary departure plan agreed with trade unions last week, the …
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Italy fines Apple nearly 100 mn euros over app privacy feature
Dec 22 2025
Italy's competition authority said Monday it had fined the US tech giant Apple 98 million euros ($115 million) for …
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EU to probe Czech aid for two nuclear units
Dec 22 2025
The European Commission said Monday it had opened an investigation to assess whether the Czech government's support plan …
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Stocks diverge as rate hopes rise, AI fears ease
Dec 22 2025
Stock markets diverged Monday and gold hit a record high as the latest round of US data boosted hopes for more interest …
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Asian markets rally with Wall St as rate hopes rise, AI fears ease
Dec 22 2025
Asian markets rallied Monday and gold hit a record high as the latest round of US data boosted hopes for more interest …
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Swiss court to hear landmark climate case against cement giant
Dec 22 2025
A Swiss court has decided to hear a landmark climate case pitting residents of a tiny Indonesian island being swallowed …
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US in 'pursuit' of third oil tanker in Caribbean: official
Dec 22 2025
The US Coast Guard was pursuing another allegedly sanctioned tanker on Sunday, a US official told AFP, as Washington …
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CO2 soon to be buried under North Sea oil platform
Dec 22 2025
In the North Sea where Denmark once drilled for oil, imported European carbon dioxide will soon be buried under the …
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India's Bollywood counts costs as star fees squeeze profits
Dec 22 2025
From fleets of private trailers to personal chefs and sprawling entourages, Bollywood stars' "obnoxious" demands are …
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As US battles China on AI, some companies choose Chinese
Dec 22 2025
Even as the United States is embarked on a bitter rivalry with China over the deployment of artificial intelligence, …
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Macron, on UAE visit, announces new French aircraft carrier
Dec 21 2025
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday he had given the official go-ahead to replace his country's flagship, …
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China's rare earths El Dorado gives strategic edge
Dec 21 2025
Buried in the reddish soil of southern China lies latent power: one of the largest clusters of crucial rare earths is …
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Brazil's Lula, Argentina's Milei clash over Venezuela at Mercosur summit
Dec 20 2025
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Argentina's Javier Milei on Saturday openly clashed at a regional …
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Brazil's Lula asks EU to show 'courage' and sign Mercosur trade deal
Dec 20 2025
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Saturday urged the European Union to show "courage" and sign a trade …
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