Business and Economy
Dow hits record high despite AI fears
AFP - 28m ago
The Dow hit a record high on Thursday despite disappointing earnings from software giant Oracle reviving concerns over …
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Make your own AI Mickey Mouse - Disney embraces new tech
AFP - 35m ago
Walt Disney and OpenAI announced a three-year licensing deal Thursday that will allow users to create short videos …
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Mexico approves measure raising tariffs on Chinese imports
AFP - 1h ago
President Claudia Sheinbaum defended a tariff increase on goods from China and other countries with which Mexico has no …
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Steam - and uncertainty - rise from Serbia's shuttered refinery
AFP - 1h ago
Steam still rises from the chimneys of Serbia's only oil refinery as it slowly grinds to a halt under US sanctions, …
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Time magazine names 'Architects of AI' as Person of the Year
AFP - 1h ago
Time magazine named the "Architects of AI" as its Person of the Year on Thursday, highlighting the US tech titans whose …
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OpenAI, Disney to let fans create AI videos in landmark deal
AFP - 2h ago
Walt Disney and OpenAI announced a three-year licensing deal Thursday that will allow users to create short videos …
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Stocks diverge as AI fears cloud US rate cut
AFP - 1h ago
Stock markets diverged Thursday as optimism over the Federal Reserve's latest interest rate cut was dampened by …
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US trade gap shrinks to narrowest since 2020 after tariff hikes
AFP - 2h ago
The US trade deficit narrowed unexpectedly in September to the smallest since 2020, delayed government data showed …
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German growth forecasts slashed, Merz under pressure
AFP - 1h ago
Leading German institutes on Thursday downgraded their 2026 growth forecasts, in another bad sign for Chancellor …
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General strike hits planes, trains and services in Portugal
AFP - 4h ago
Widespread disruption hit Portuguese air travel and trains, hospitals and schools on Thursday as the unions called the …
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Thyssenkrupp pauses steel production at two sites citing Asian pressure
AFP - 2h ago
Europe's largest steelmaker Thyssenkrupp is to pause steel production at two sites for about two weeks because of Asian …
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ECB proposes simplifying rules for banks
AFP - 5h ago
The European Central Bank proposed Thursday simplifying rules for the region's lenders to help them compete …
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Stocks mixed as US rate cut offset by Fed outlook, Oracle earnings
AFP - 3h ago
Asian markets were mixed Thursday as earlier gains fuelled by the Federal Reserve's latest interest rate cut were offset …
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Asian traders cheer US rate cut but gains tempered by outlook
AFP - 55m ago
Asian markets were mixed Thursday as earlier gains fuelled by the Federal Reserve's latest interest rate cut were offset …
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Eurogroup elects new head as Russian frozen assets debate rages
AFP - 9h ago
Finance ministers from Europe's 20-country single currency area are to choose the next Eurogroup chief on Thursday, as …
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Taiwan to keep production of 'most advanced' chips at home: deputy FM
AFP - 11h ago
Taiwan plans to keep making the "most advanced" chips on home soil and remain "indispensable" to the global …
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Chocolate prices high before Christmas despite cocoa fall
AFP - 14h ago
After soaring for nearly two years, cocoa prices dropped sharply in 2025. However, chocolate, in demand ahead of the …
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Not lovin' it: McDonald's pulls Dutch AI Christmas ad
AFP - 9h ago
Burger chain McDonald's said on Wednesday it had removed an AI-generated Christmas advertisement in the Netherlands …
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AI's $400 bn problem: Are chips getting old too fast?
AFP - 14h ago
In pursuit of the AI dream, the tech industry this year has plunked down about $400 billion on specialized chips and …
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Oracle shares dive as revenue misses forecasts
Dec 10 2025
Shares in business computing giant Oracle fell more than 10 percent on Wednesday on word its revenue missed heady …
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Divided US Fed makes third straight rate cut, signals higher bar ahead
Dec 10 2025
A divided US Federal Reserve lowered interest rates Wednesday for a third consecutive time this year, but signaled that …
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US stocks rise, dollar retreats as Fed tone less hawkish than feared
Dec 10 2025
Wall Street stocks rose and the dollar retreated Wednesday after the Federal Reserve cut interest rates again as it …
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Divided US Fed makes third straight rate cut on jobs risks
Dec 10 2025
A divided US Federal Reserve lowered interest rates Wednesday for a third consecutive time this year, flagging labor …
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Intel sees record EU fine reduced further
Dec 10 2025
The EU General Court dealt a blow to the European Commission on Wednesday in reducing what was initially a record fine …
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Stocks mark time ahead of Fed decision
Dec 10 2025
Global stock markets marked time and the dollar steadied Wednesday with investors' eyes on a highly anticipated Federal …
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Veggie 'burgers' remain on table as EU talks stall
Dec 10 2025
EU wrangling over whether to give plant-based "sausages" and veggie "burgers" the chop and restrict such labels to meat …
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Instagram users given new algorithm controls
Dec 10 2025
Instagram on Wednesday unveiled a new AI-powered feature that lets users view and adjust the algorithm shaping their …
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US Fed expected to make third straight rate cut despite divisions
Dec 10 2025
The US Federal Reserve is expected to deliver a further interest rate cut Wednesday despite divisions among its ranks, …
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EU seeks better Spain-France energy links after blackout
Dec 10 2025
The EU said Wednesday it wants to boost energy links between France and Spain as part of a bloc-wide push to secure …
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Greek govt in emergency meeting as farmers block central port
Dec 10 2025
Greece's government held emergency meetings Wednesday to address a growing farm protest movement, as demonstrators …
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China consumer prices pick up pace but demand still slack
Dec 10 2025
Rising food costs pushed consumer inflation in China last month to its fastest pace in nearly two years, data showed …
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Stocks retreat ahead of Fed decision
Dec 10 2025
Stock markets mostly fell and the dollar steadied Wednesday following a tepid day on Wall Street as investors bided …
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France's 'Battery Valley' makes use of Asian experts
Dec 10 2025
France is developing domestic production of electric vehicle batteries with an eye on industrial independence but Asian …
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Stocks in retreat as traders eye Fed decision, tech earnings
Dec 10 2025
Most markets fell Wednesday following a tepid day on Wall Street as investors bided their time ahead of a highly …
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Asian stocks in retreat as traders eye Fed decision, tech earnings
Dec 10 2025
Asian markets fell Wednesday following a tepid day on Wall Street as investors bided their time ahead of a highly …
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Veggie 'burgers' at stake in EU negotiations
Dec 10 2025
EU countries and lawmakers will wrangle Wednesday over whether to give plant-based "sausages" and veggie "burgers" the …
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Oil-rich UAE turns to AI to grease economy
Dec 10 2025
Deep in the Abu Dhabi desert, a vast AI campus a quarter the size of Paris is starting to emerge, the oil-rich UAE's …
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China surplus pushing EU to take 'offensive' trade measures: business lobby
Dec 10 2025
China's mammoth trade surplus with Europe as well as challenges faced by foreign firms in the country are incentivising …
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Nepal faces economic fallout of September protest
Dec 10 2025
When Nepal's government was toppled in September after deadly youth-led protests against economic stagnation and …
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Australia bans under-16s from social media in world-first crackdown
Dec 10 2025
Australia banned under-16s from social media in a world-first crackdown on Wednesday, declaring it was time to "take …
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US Fed appears set for third rate cut despite sharp divides
Dec 10 2025
The US Federal Reserve is expected to deliver a further interest rate cut Wednesday despite divisions among its ranks, …
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South Korea chip giant SK hynix mulls US stock market listing
Dec 10 2025
South Korean chip giant SK hynix said on Wednesday it was considering a US stock market listing using treasury shares as …
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ExxonMobil slows low-carbon investment push through 2030
Dec 10 2025
ExxonMobil is slowing medium-term investments in low-carbon ventures by some $10 billion compared with its outlook a …
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Canada launches billion dollar plan to recruit top researchers
Dec 09 2025
Canada on Tuesday launched a CAN$1.7 billion ($1.2 billion) program to recruit leading global researchers, part of the …
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US Supreme Court weighs campaign finance case
Dec 09 2025
The US Supreme Court heard arguments on Tuesday in a Republican challenge to campaign finance rules that could impact …
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Stock markets drift on eve of Fed rate call
Dec 09 2025
Global stock markets traded mixed on Tuesday as markets avoided major swings while awaiting a Federal Reserve decision …
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French lawmakers give first approval to social security budget bill
Dec 09 2025
The lower house of French parliament on Tuesday narrowly approved a social security budget, clearing a major hurdle for …
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France's prime minister faces crunch vote in parliament
Dec 09 2025
France's social security bill was to go to a vote in parliament Tuesday, in a key hurdle for Prime Minister Sebastien …
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TotalEnergies in deal for Namibia offshore oil field
Dec 09 2025
TotalEnergies said Tuesday it had reached a deal to become a partner in the Mopane oil field off the coast of Namibia, …
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Microsoft announces $17.5 bn investment in India, its 'largest ever' in Asia
Dec 09 2025
Global technology giant Microsoft announced on Tuesday plans to invest $17.5 billion to help build India's artificial …
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India's biggest airline IndiGo says operations 'back to normal'
Dec 09 2025
India's biggest airline IndiGo said Tuesday its operations had stabilise after it cancelled thousands of flights, …
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Greek govt seeks to tackle farmer protests after Crete clashes
Dec 09 2025
Greece's government was on Tuesday scrambling to keep angry farmers from blocking key infrastructure after airports were …
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Bleak year for German engineering firms amid US, China turmoil
Dec 09 2025
Production in Germany's key engineering sector plunged for a third straight year in 2025 as firms were squeezed by US …
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UK's renationalised trains to get Union Flag makeover
Dec 09 2025
Britain's railways will feature trains painted in the red, white and blue of the nation's Union Flag as underperforming …
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BMW names new boss to steer car giant in tough times
Dec 09 2025
BMW said Tuesday its head of production Milan Nedeljkovic will take over as chief executive as the German auto giant …
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Euroclear details 'concerns' over EU's frozen Russian asset plan
Dec 09 2025
EU reassurances over its plan to use frozen Russian assets to help fund Ukraine have failed to quell worries about the …
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'Resilient' airlines head for record passenger numbers: IATA
Dec 09 2025
International airlines expect to transport a record 5.2 billion passengers in 2026 despite global headwinds affecting …
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Stock markets downbeat on eve of Fed rate call
Dec 09 2025
European and Asian stock markets were largely downbeat Tuesday on uncertainty over the US Federal Reserve's plans for …
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EU launches antitrust probe into Google's data use for AI
Dec 09 2025
The EU announced Tuesday it had opened a probe to assess whether Google breached antitrust rules by using content put …
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Most markets track Wall St losses as jitters set in ahead of Fed
Dec 09 2025
Most stocks fell in Asia on Tuesday as investors grew nervous about the Federal Reserve's plans for interest rates next …
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Trump says US will allow sale of Nvidia AI chips to China
Dec 09 2025
President Donald Trump said Monday he had reached an agreement with President Xi Jinping to allow US chip giant Nvidia …
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German exports tread water as US, China shipments fall
Dec 09 2025
German exports almost stagnated in October, official data showed Tuesday, as heavy declines in shipments to the United …
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Rising living costs dim holiday sparkle for US households
Dec 09 2025
At a Christmas market outside the US capital, festive cheer alone hasn't been enough to drive affordability worries out …
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Data centers: a view from the inside
Dec 09 2025
The expansion of data centers to power the AI boom has more people wondering: what exactly is in a data center?
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World stocks mostly lower as markets await Fed decision
Dec 08 2025
Global stock markets were mostly soft on Monday as investors avoided risks ahead of this week's Federal Reserve meeting, …
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Paramount counters Netflix with hostile bid for Warner Bros
Dec 08 2025
Paramount on Monday launched an all-cash tender offer to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, the Hollywood giant that also …
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EU pushes back 2035 combustion-engine ban review to Dec. 16
Dec 08 2025
A highly-anticipated review of the EU's 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel car sales has been pushed back to next week, …
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World stocks tread water with eyes on Fed
Dec 08 2025
Global stock markets were mostly soft on Monday as investors avoided risks ahead of this week's Federal Reserve meeting, …
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Boeing closes takeover of aviation supplier Spirit
Dec 08 2025
Boeing announced Monday that it completed an acquisition of aerospace supplier Spirit AeroSystems, saying the move will …
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Deal agreed to save Frankfurt's euro sculpture
Dec 08 2025
A landmark blue and yellow euro sculpture in the German financial capital Frankfurt, created to mark the single …
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Trump says to sign order blocking AI regulation by states
Dec 08 2025
President Donald Trump said Monday he will attempt to strip states of the right to regulate the surging AI industry, …
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Meta to allow European users to share less data: EU
Dec 08 2025
Meta will allow European users of Facebook and Instagram to share less data and see fewer personalised ads after it was …
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Stocks mostly rise as Fed set to cut US rates
Dec 08 2025
Major stock markets mostly rose Monday as investors geared up for an expected cut to US interest rates and clues over …
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Louvre trade unions call for rolling strike next week
Dec 08 2025
Trade unions at the Louvre Museum in Paris on Monday called for a rolling strike next week over working conditions, …
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Markets mostly up as traders prepare for expected US rate cut
Dec 08 2025
Most markets rose Monday as investors gear up for an expected US interest rate cut this week, with debate centring on …
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Asian stocks drift as traders prepare for expected US rate cut
Dec 08 2025
Asian equities drifted Monday as investors gear up for an expected US interest rate cut this week, with debate centring …
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China's trade surplus tops $1 trillion despite plunge in US-bound exports
Dec 08 2025
China's towering annual trade surplus surpassed $1 trillion for the first time last month, data showed Monday, as a …
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Asian stocks stagger as traders prepare for expected US rate cut
Dec 08 2025
Asian equities drifted Monday as investors gear up for an expected US interest rate cut this week, with debate centring …
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Trump airs doubt about Netflix acquisition of Warner Bros.
Dec 08 2025
US President Donald Trump commented Sunday on Netflix's effort to acquire storied Hollywood studio Warner Bros., saying …
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Macron threatens China with tariffs over trade surplus
Dec 07 2025
French President Emmanuel Macron said he has threatened China with tariffs if Beijing fails to take steps to reduce its …
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Number's up: Calculators hold out against AI
Dec 07 2025
The humble pocket calculator may not be able to keep up with the mathematical capabilities of new technology, but it …
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Divided US Fed set for contentious interest rate meeting
Dec 07 2025
While the US Federal Reserve's final interest rate meeting this year could see an unusual amount of division, financial …
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Will EU give ground on 2035 combustion-engine ban?
Dec 06 2025
Europe's embattled auto industry and its backers are ramping up pressure on the EU to relax its planned 2035 ban on new …
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Netflix to buy Warner Bros. in deal of the decade
Dec 06 2025
Streaming giant Netflix said Friday it will buy film and television studio Warner Bros. Discovery for nearly $83 …
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Netflix's Warner Bros. acquisition sparks backlash
Dec 06 2025
Netflix faced fierce criticism on Friday over its blockbuster deal to acquire Warner Bros., the storied Hollywood …
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Mixed day for global stocks as market digest huge Netflix deal
Dec 05 2025
World stock markets gave a mixed picture on Friday, with sentiment underpinned by hopes for sustained US central bank …
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Fresh data show US consumers still strained by inflation
Dec 05 2025
US consumer pricing and sentiment reports released Friday pointed to lingering questions about affordability as the …
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Netflix to buy Warner Bros. Discovery in deal of the decade
Dec 05 2025
Streaming giant Netflix said Friday it will buy film and television studio Warner Bros. Discovery for nearly $83 …
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Stocks consolidate as US inflation worries undermine Fed rate hopes
Dec 05 2025
World stock markets gave a mixed picture Friday, with sentiment underpinned by hopes for sustained US central bank rate …
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Meta partners with news outlets to expand AI content
Dec 05 2025
Meta announced Friday it will integrate content from major news organizations into its artificial intelligence assistant …
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Stocks rise as investors look to more Fed rate cuts
Dec 05 2025
World stock markets mostly rose Friday as investors speculated that the US central bank will cut rates not just this …
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Netflix to buy Warner Bros. Discovery for nearly $83 billion
Dec 05 2025
Streaming giant Netflix has agreed to acquire film and television studio Warner Bros. Discovery for nearly $83 billion, …
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Stocks, dollar rise before key US inflation data
Dec 05 2025
Major stock markets mostly rose and the dollar gained slightly Friday as investors awaited the release of key US …
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Markets rise ahead of US data, expected Fed rate cut
Dec 05 2025
Equity markets rose going into the weekend on Friday following a broadly positive lead from Wall Street as a mixed bag …
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German factory orders rise more than expected
Dec 05 2025
German industrial orders rose far more than expected in October, official data showed Friday, raising hopes that a long …
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Asian markets rise ahead of US data, expected Fed rate cut
Dec 05 2025
Most Asian markets rose going into the weekend Friday following a broadly positive lead from Wall Street as a mixed bag …
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Tanzania tourism suffers after election killings
Dec 05 2025
Tanzania's white beaches and safari lodges are emptier than usual as the country counts the cost to its crucial tourism …
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Softbank's Son says super AI could make humans like fish, win Nobel Prize
Dec 05 2025
SoftBank CEO and AI investor Masayoshi Son said Friday that advanced artificial intelligence could surpass humans to the …
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OpenAI strikes deal on US$4.6 bn AI centre in Australia
Dec 05 2025
ChatGPT maker OpenAI and an Australian data centre operator have agreed to develop a multibillion-dollar AI centre in …
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Asian markets mixed ahead of US data, expected Fed rate cut
Dec 05 2025
Asian markets struggled into the weekend on Friday following a bland lead from Wall Street as a mixed bag of US data did …
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French almond makers revive traditions to counter US dominance
Dec 05 2025
The scent of marzipan wafts through the air as confectioners from a century-old company in southern France prepare …
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Oil refinery shutdown could cost Serbia for years, experts warn
Dec 04 2025
The fallout from the shutdown of Serbia's only oil refinery could last years, experts told AFP, putting thousands of …
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