Business and Economy
Tokyo stocks hit record high as Iran peace hopes grow
AFP - 1h ago
The Tokyo stock market reached a record high Thursday on heightened optimism that the United States and Iran would …
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Leading economists call for windfall profit taxes on energy firms
AFP - 2h ago
Prominent economists called Thursday for governments to introduce windfall profit taxes on energy companies who are set …
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Luxury group Kering seeks to make flagging Gucci 'unmissable' again
AFP - 24m ago
French luxury group Kering promised Thursday to make its flagship Gucci brand once again "unmissable" and boost …
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French billionaire Bollore sparks turmoil at top publisher Grasset
AFP - 3h ago
French conservative billionaire Vincent Bollore came under attack from dozens of authors on Thursday at one of his …
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Repsol taking back control of Venezuelan oil assets
AFP - 3h ago
Spanish energy group Repsol said on Thursday it has reached an agreement with the Venezuelan government to regain …
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TotalEnergies says was able to maintain production despite war
AFP - 3h ago
French oil and gas giant TotalEnergies said Thursday its production in the first quarter of the year was expected to …
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Tokyo record leads stocks higher as Iran peace hopes grow
AFP - 3h ago
Japanese stocks hit a record high as most equity markets rose Thursday on heightened optimism the United States and Iran …
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UK supermarket Tesco says Mideast war hits profit outlook
AFP - 4h ago
Britain's biggest supermarket chain Tesco warned Thursday that its profits could be impacted by the Mideast war lifting …
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EasyJet says first-half loss to deepen on Mideast war
AFP - 4h ago
British no-frills airline EasyJet on Thursday said it expects to post a deeper first-half loss compared with one year …
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Kering seeks to 'reignite desirability' with Gucci reset
AFP - 2h ago
French luxury group Kering vowed Thursday to "reignite desirability" of its flagging Gucci label, once the jet set's …
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AI demand drives chipmaker TSMC's net profit to fresh record
AFP - 5h ago
Taiwanese chip maker TSMC said Thursday its net profit surged to a fresh record in the first quarter, fuelled by the …
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Fuel supply fears after blaze tears through crucial Australian refinery
AFP - 6h ago
Columns of fire engulfed a crucial Australian oil refinery after a chain of explosions, authorities said Thursday, as …
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Threat of grounded planes nears as jet fuel supplies dwindle
AFP - 7h ago
Could planes soon be stuck on the ground due to a lack of fuel? The risk of jet fuel shortages is growing each day the …
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China's economy beats forecasts, but war darkens outlook
AFP - 8h ago
China's economy expanded more than expected in the first three months of the year, with official data Thursday …
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Luxury giant Kering to chart path for Gucci turnaround
AFP - 5h ago
When executives from luxury giant Kering sit down for an investors' day in Florence on Thursday, the troubled Italian …
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Tokyo record leads Asia stocks higher as Iran peace hopes grow
AFP - 4h ago
Japanese stocks hit a record high as Asian equities extended the week's rally Thursday on heightened optimism the United …
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Mexican farmers raise alarm over Sheinbaum's fracking proposal
AFP - 8h ago
Over the two decades since fracking started near their lands, farmers in the Mexican state of Veracruz have watched …
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US announces new sanctions against Iran oil sector
Apr 15 2026
The United States announced Wednesday it is tightening sanctions against Iran's oil industry as Tehran keeps up its …
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Jury finds Ticketmaster owner ran illegal monopoly
Apr 15 2026
A US jury on Wednesday found that entertainment giant Live Nation wielded monopoly power at its Ticketmaster business, …
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IMF chief warns of 'tough times' if oil prices stay high
Apr 15 2026
IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva warned Wednesday of difficult times ahead for the global economy if war in the Middle …
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S&P 500, Nasdaq end at records as markets bet on US-Iran accord
Apr 15 2026
Major Wall Street stock indices finished at records Wednesday, extending an upward climb on optimism about an accord in …
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IMF and Argentina agree deal unlocking $1 bn in assistance
Apr 15 2026
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Wednesday it had reached an agreement with the highly indebted Argentine …
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World Bank chief economist warns of hunger risk from war in Iran
Apr 15 2026
The conflict in the Middle East could push millions more towards hunger as its economic fallout reverberates further …
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Trump says will fire Fed chair if he stays beyond mandate
Apr 15 2026
President Donald Trump renewed pressure Wednesday on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, with the US leader threatening …
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BBC to cut up to 2,000 jobs under 'financial pressures'
Apr 15 2026
The BBC said on Wednesday that the British broadcasting corporation is set to cut up to 2,000 jobs amid a challenging …
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Hormuz shipping muted as US blockade takes hold: tracking data
Apr 15 2026
A trickle of ships crossed the Strait of Hormuz Tuesday and Wednesday as a US blockade appeared to further curb traffic …
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Swiss watchmakers say time will tell on effects of Mideast conflict
Apr 15 2026
The Middle East war has plunged Swiss watchmakers into uncertainty, testing the resilience of an iconic national …
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World Bank announces water security plan covering one billion people
Apr 15 2026
The World Bank announced a plan Wednesday that aims to improve secure water access for a billion people within the next …
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Oil rises, stocks mixed as investors eye chances for end of Mideast war
Apr 15 2026
Crude prices climbed Wednesday while stocks diverged as investors digested mixed signals about talks to end the war in …
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Merz praises Lufthansa on centenary as strikes ruin party
Apr 15 2026
Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Wednesday praised "the strategic importance" of Lufthansa as the German airline giant …
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Bosnia approves gas project by Trump-linked investors
Apr 15 2026
Bosnia approved Wednesday a $1.5 billion energy project led by investors close to US President Donald Trump that aims to …
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EU says age-check app 'ready' in push to protect children online
Apr 15 2026
European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday that an EU-developed age verification app was ready to go, as …
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Stocks edge higher as investors eye chances for end of Mideast war
Apr 15 2026
Stock markets were mostly higher Wednesday on signs that talks were continuing to end the war in the Middle East, …
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EU rejects Meta's pay-for-access remedy in WhatsApp AI chatbots probe
Apr 15 2026
The EU told Meta Wednesday that charging rival AI chatbots for access to its WhatsApp platform runs against the bloc's …
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Starmer says 'won't yield' to Trump's Mideast war threats
Apr 15 2026
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday said he would not "yield" to pressure to join the Iran war after US …
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Chinese suppliers, Mideast importers fret about war fallout on trade
Apr 15 2026
Suppliers and buyers at a trade show in southern China were cautious on Wednesday as they weighed costs for ice cream …
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Markets steadier on Mideast peace hopes, as war hits luxury goods
Apr 15 2026
Markets largely steadied Wednesday as traders waited to see if Mideast peace talks resume, though share prices of Gucci …
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OpenAI announces restricted-access cybersecurity model
Apr 15 2026
Artificial intelligence company OpenAI said Tuesday that it would release its latest cybersecurity model to a limited …
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French luxury firms Hermes, Kering knocked by disappointing sales
Apr 15 2026
Shares in the French fashion groups Kering and Hermes plunged Wednesday after both reported sales that missed analyst …
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Stocks rally, oil falls further as Trump fans fresh peace hopes
Apr 15 2026
Stocks rose and crude dropped again Wednesday after Donald Trump said a second round of US-Iran talks could take place …
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AI expansion drives up profits at bullish tech giant ASML
Apr 15 2026
Dutch tech giant ASML, which makes cutting-edge machines to manufacture semiconductor chips, said Wednesday that rapidly …
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AI-driven chip shortage slowing efforts to get world online: GSMA
Apr 15 2026
A memory chip crunch fuelled by the artificial intelligence boom is hindering efforts to bring more people online …
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Stocks rally, oil extends losses as Trump fans fresh peace hopes
Apr 15 2026
Stocks rose and oil fell again Wednesday after Donald Trump said a second round of US-Iran talks could take place "over …
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'Listening bars' bloom as hottest new nightlife trend
Apr 15 2026
Not quite like a gig or going clubbing, but there's a new night out spreading in cities around the world: an evening at …
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'Blindsided': US farmers strained as fertilizer costs surge on war
Apr 15 2026
On Andy Corriher's farm in North Carolina, planting and preparations are underway for his corn and soybean crops -- but …
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Ships exit Gulf from Iran despite US blockade: tracker
Apr 15 2026
At least three ships sailing from Iranian ports crossed the Hormuz Strait despite a US military blockade, but some …
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Netflix boss Sarandos has 'constructive' talks with cinema owners
Apr 14 2026
Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos met with US cinema owners on the sidelines of an industry gathering, the trade association …
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Stocks rise, oil prices retreat on hopes for Mideast peace deal
Apr 14 2026
Stock markets climbed and oil prices tumbled Tuesday on rekindled hopes for a deal to end the Middle East war and reopen …
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US bank profits jump as execs see consumers surviving oil spike, for now
Apr 14 2026
Large banks reported higher profits Tuesday, pointing to resilience among US businesses and customers despite spiking …
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Trump's Fed chair nominee to face Senate confirmation hearing next week
Apr 14 2026
US President Donald Trump's choice for central bank chair is set to face a confirmation hearing next Tuesday, in a …
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Renault to cut up to 20% of engineers
Apr 14 2026
French carmaker Renault said Tuesday that it plans to reduce its number of engineers by 15 to 20 percent in the coming …
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Gucci -- again -- drags down Kering's performance
Apr 14 2026
French luxury group Kering saw sales slide by six percent in the first quarter of this year, with its troubled flagship …
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Rolls-Royce unveils ultra-luxury limited series electric car
Apr 14 2026
Far from the downturn that has shaken many luxury houses in recent years, Britain's Rolls-Royce on Tuesday launched an …
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Geneva watch fair set to show war's effect on luxury sector
Apr 14 2026
The Geneva watch fair, the watchmaking industry's biggest annual showcase, opened Tuesday with the impact of the Middle …
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Lebanon, Israel start direct talks as Hezbollah launches new attacks
Apr 14 2026
Washington's top diplomat urged Israel and Lebanon to seize a "historic opportunity" for peace as direct talks between …
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Trump admin wants new Fed chair in place 'as soon as possible'
Apr 14 2026
The Trump administration wants Kevin Warsh in place as the new US central bank chair "as soon as possible," with the …
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Lebanon, Israel start direct talks as Trump blockades Iran
Apr 14 2026
Washington's top diplomat urged Israel and Lebanon to seize a "historic opportunity" for peace as direct talks between …
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ECB chief insists won't abandon ship amid global turmoil
Apr 14 2026
European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde said Tuesday she would not leave her post early as the global economy …
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Czech govt draws ire with public media financing plan
Apr 14 2026
The Czech culture minister angered the opposition and media freedom watchdogs with a plan presented Tuesday to fund …
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US bank profits jump as execs see consumers surviving oil spike so far
Apr 14 2026
Large banks reported higher profits Tuesday, pointing to resilience among US businesses and customers despite higher oil …
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IMF cuts 2026 global growth forecast on Mideast war
Apr 14 2026
The IMF cut its 2026 global growth projection Tuesday, warning that the world economy could be "thrown off course" by …
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Stocks rise, oil slips on hopes for Mideast peace deal
Apr 14 2026
Stock markets climbed and oil prices retreated Tuesday on rekindled hopes for a deal to end the Middle East war and …
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Amazon says to buy Globalstar to expand satellite network
Apr 14 2026
Amazon said Tuesday that it had signed a deal to buy the US telecoms satellite group Globalstar to expand its own …
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IMF cuts eurozone growth forecast to 1.1%, warns of strong euro
Apr 14 2026
Economic growth across the eurozone will slow to an estimated 1.1 percent this year as higher energy prices weigh on …
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Lebanon, Israel to hold direct talks as Trump blockades Iran
Apr 14 2026
Israel said it was open to peace with Lebanon ahead of the first direct talks in decades between the neighbours Tuesday, …
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US blockade of Iran ports threatens already crippled oil supply
Apr 14 2026
Washington's decision to blockade Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz is sending tremors through global energy …
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Mideast war revs up electric car demand in Asia
Apr 14 2026
Electric vehicle sales have jumped in Southeast Asia as cost-conscious buyers have poured into dealerships looking to …
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Fresh from conflict, Pakistan plays 'peacemaker' in US-Iran talks
Apr 14 2026
As the clock ticked down to US President Donald Trump's deadline to destroy Iran's civilisation last week, hope emerged …
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Asian stocks rally, crude drops on lingering hope for a peace deal
Apr 14 2026
Stocks rose and oil fell Tuesday on hopes for a deal to end the Middle East war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with …
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Botswana seals energy, mining deals with Oman
Apr 14 2026
Botswana has signed energy and mining exploration agreements with Oman as it seeks to deepen economic ties with the …
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Founder of China's Evergrande pleads guilty to fraud
Apr 14 2026
The founder of Chinese property giant Evergrande has pleaded guilty to charges of fraud and bribery, a court said on …
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US says ball in Iran's court as push grows to end war
Apr 14 2026
The United States said "the ball is in the Iranian court" on ending the Mideast war, as diplomats accelerated efforts on …
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OpenAI firebomber was trying to kill boss Sam Altman: prosecutors
Apr 14 2026
A man who allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail at Sam Altman's luxury California home was trying to kill the boss of …
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China's economy likely picked up pace in first quarter: AFP survey
Apr 14 2026
China's economic growth likely picked up in the first three months of the year, according to analysts surveyed by AFP, …
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Australia to spend billions on drones as warfare changes
Apr 14 2026
Australia will boost spending on drones by up to Au$5 billion ($3.6 billion) in response to shifts in warfare seen in …
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Venezuela, Chevron strike deals to expand oil operations in key region
Apr 14 2026
US oil giant Chevron and the government of Venezuela signed two deals Monday that will expand oil production in the …
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Trump vows US will sink any Iran boats that challenge blockade
Apr 13 2026
US President Donald Trump warned Monday that any Iranian attack boats that approach the American naval blockade around …
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US stocks finish higher amid hopes for US-Iran deal as oil price gains moderate
Apr 13 2026
Wall Street stocks shrugged off early weakness and pushed higher Monday as oil price gains moderated amid optimism that …
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Hormuz toll preferable to closure, TotalEnergies CEO says
Apr 13 2026
The head of the French energy giant TotalEnergies said Monday that reopening the Strait of Hormuz -- even with a toll -- …
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CinemaCon starts with box office optimism
Apr 13 2026
Movie theater owners huddled in Las Vegas on Monday for their annual meeting, buoyed by optimism over the year's strong …
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LVMH sales feel impact from war
Apr 13 2026
Sales at the world's leading luxury group, LVMH, fell six percent in the first quarter of the year as the war in the …
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Lufthansa pilots strike as cabin crew call further stoppage
Apr 13 2026
Hundreds of Lufthansa flights were cancelled Monday as pilots kicked off a two-day strike over pay and pensions, with …
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Goldman Sachs eyes more corporate mergers despite war uncertainty
Apr 13 2026
Goldman Sachs reported strong first-quarter earnings on Monday, pointing to continued client interest in dealmaking that …
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Satisfaction as Rolling Stones drop track under Cockroaches name
Apr 13 2026
The Rolling Stones have mysteriously released a new limited edition single on vinyl only, under the band name The …
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Oil surges, stocks drop as Trump threatens to block Hormuz
Apr 13 2026
Oil prices surged back above $100 a barrel and stocks mostly fell Monday as a US blockade of Iranian ports went into …
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French court jails Lafarge ex-CEO for funding IS in Syria
Apr 13 2026
A French court on Monday fined the cement group Lafarge over $1.3 million and sentenced its former boss to six years in …
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US says to begin blockade of Iranian ports
Apr 13 2026
The US military said it would begin a blockade of all Iranian ports Monday, after talks between the warring sides in …
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Germany unveils 1.6 bn euro fuel price relief to tackle energy shock
Apr 13 2026
Germany on Monday unveiled 1.6 billion euros ($1.9 billion) in fuel price relief for households and businesses …
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Oil surges, stocks fall as Trump says to blockade Strait of Hormuz
Apr 13 2026
Oil prices surged and stocks sank Monday after US-Iran peace talks fell apart and Donald Trump announced a blockade of …
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Germany to cut fuel taxes amid Iran war energy shock
Apr 13 2026
Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Monday Germany will slash fuel taxes as households struggle with the energy shock from …
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US military to begin blockade of Iranian ports on Monday
Apr 13 2026
The US military said it would begin a blockade of all Iranian ports on Monday, after talks between the warring sides in …
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US to begin blockade of Iranian ports Monday: military
Apr 13 2026
The US military said Sunday it would begin a blockade of all Iranian ports within hours, after peace talks in Pakistan …
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Irish government announces tax cuts after fuel cost protests
Apr 12 2026
Ireland's government announced fresh tax cuts on petrol and diesel at an emergency cabinet meeting Sunday after fuel …
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Trump orders blockade of Hormuz strait after Iran talks fail
Apr 12 2026
President Donald Trump ordered the US Navy on Sunday to block the crucial Strait of Hormuz shipping lane, furious with …
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Trump orders US Navy to block Hormuz Strait after Iran talks fail
Apr 12 2026
President Donald Trump ordered the US Navy on Sunday to block the crucial Strait of Hormuz shipping lane, furious with …
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Trump orders US Navy to block Hormuz after Iran talks fail
Apr 12 2026
US President Donald Trump ordered the US Navy on Sunday to block key Gulf sea lane the Strait of Hormuz, furious with …
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US-Iran talks fail as world urges respect for truce
Apr 12 2026
Iran and the United States failed to strike a deal Sunday to end the war in the Middle East, but there was no immediate …
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Vance says talks failed to reach deal with Iran on ending Mideast war
Apr 12 2026
Iran and the United States failed to reach an agreement to end the war in the Middle East, US Vice President JD Vance …
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'Stop hiring humans'? Silicon Valley confronts AI job panic
Apr 12 2026
AI industry insiders want workers to code smarter, think harder and lean into their humanity -- but still dodge the …
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US, Iran talks extend into second day as strait showdown deepens
Apr 11 2026
Top-level peace talks between the United States and Iran entered a second day early Sunday, as Washington piled pressure …
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US says warships transit Strait of Hormuz in mine clearance op
Apr 11 2026
Two US Navy warships transited the Strait of Hormuz to begin clearing Iranian-laid mines, US Central Command said …
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US warships transit Strait of Hormuz in mine clearance op
Apr 11 2026
Two US Navy warships have transited the Strait of Hormuz to begin clearing the strategic waterway of mines laid by Iran, …
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