Business and Economy
Coffee with a view: tourists flock to Starbucks overlooking North Korea
AFP - 6m ago
The contrast cannot be starker: selfie-taking tourists sipping coffee at Starbucks -- an icon of globalisation and …
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EU top court upholds record 4.1 bn euro Google fine
AFP - 11m ago
The EU's top court upheld Thursday a record 4.1 billion euro ($4.7 billion) fine the bloc slapped on Google for …
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German coalition agrees on reform package in key breakthrough
AFP - 15m ago
Germany's ruling coalition has agreed on sweeping tax, labour and pension reforms, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said …
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Seoul's Kospi tanks as Asia tech firms suffer another blow
AFP - 23m ago
South Korean stocks plunged nearly eight percent Thursday in tech stock rout in Asia as investors unwound huge bets on …
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India asks Meta to hold WhatsApp username rollout over fraud fears
AFP - 23m ago
India has asked Meta to hold off launching its username feature on WhatsApp in the world's most populous country, citing …
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Resource rich PNG leaving its Pacific people behind: World Bank
AFP - 2h ago
Gold and gas-driven economic growth in Papua New Guinea, the South Pacific's largest nation, is leaving its people …
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Germany's energy-hungry small firms struggle with green shift
AFP - 3h ago
Small companies that form the backbone of the German economy are struggling with the shift to carbon-neutral production, …
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Most Asia markets down as tech firms take fresh blow
AFP - 2h ago
Tech stocks led losses across most of Asia on Thursday as investors continued to unwind huge bets on the sector that …
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Budding chefs cook up new career at China's BBQ academy
AFP - 32m ago
Hunched over sizzling grills and shrouded in smoke, trainees at the Yueyang Barbecue Academy in southern China roast …
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EU top court to rule on record 4.1 bn euro Google fine
AFP - 6h ago
The EU's top court will decide Thursday whether to uphold a record 4.1 billion euro ($4.7 billion) fine the bloc slapped …
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'Job forever': trade schools are all the rage in the AI era
AFP - 7h ago
Long looked down upon, skilled trades are booming in the United States, especially among young adults drawn by strong …
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Cracking open a can of cannabis -- America's new pastime (for now)
AFP - 7h ago
At Fourth of July barbecues this weekend, Americans are more likely than ever to crack open a can of cannabis, rather …
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Mixed US auto sales in Q2 amid high gas prices
Jul 01 2026
Automakers reported mixed second-quarter US sales Wednesday, illustrating continued demand for larger vehicles as well …
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US stocks retreat to open Q3 ahead of June jobs data
Jul 01 2026
Wall Street stocks retreated following a choppy session Wednesday as Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh emphasized the …
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US refuses to extend North America trade pact in current form
Jul 01 2026
The United States has declined to renew a North American trade pact with Canada and Mexico in its current state, the US …
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Mixed US auto sales in 2nd quarter amid high gas prices
Jul 01 2026
Automakers reported a mixed batch of second-quarter US sales on Wednesday, revealing continued demand for trucks and …
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'Everybody's profiting': Trump defends $1bn crypto earnings
Jul 01 2026
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday defended earning $1.2 billion from his family's cryptocurrency activities last …
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Stocks mixed with eyes on US Fed
Jul 01 2026
Stock markets traded mixed on Wednesday amid a bout of profit-taking, with the new head of the Federal Reserve, Kevin …
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US Fed chair says committed to combatting 'too high' prices
Jul 01 2026
US Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh said Wednesday the central bank was committed to fighting "too high" prices, as …
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Swedish court orders Google pay nearly $2 bn for favouring its price comparisons
Jul 01 2026
A Swedish market court on Wednesday ordered Google to pay some 14.3 billion kronor ($1.46 billion) in damages, plus …
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Stocks drop with eyes on US Fed
Jul 01 2026
Stock markets dropped Wednesday amid profit-taking as the new head of the Federal Reserve, Kevin Warsh, gave no …
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Trump defends earning more than $1bn on crypto
Jul 01 2026
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday defended earning around $1.2 billion from his family's cryptocurrency activities …
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Swedish court orders Google pay $1.46 bn for favouring its price comparisons
Jul 01 2026
A Swedish market court on Wednesday ordered Google to pay some 14.3 billion kronor ($1.46 billion) in damages to price …
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European stocks mostly drop with eyes on US Fed
Jul 01 2026
European stock markets mostly dropped Wednesday ahead of a speech by the new head of the Federal Reserve, Kevin Warsh, …
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China imposes 'national security' rules on overseas investments
Jul 01 2026
China is intensifying its scrutiny of investments overseas with broad "national security" regulations taking effect from …
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'My dream is broken': Japan visa rules push out foreign residents
Jul 01 2026
In a tiny Tokyo restaurant filled with the smell of Nepalese dumplings, Budhathoki Samjhana surveys the business she …
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Asian stocks mostly up as traders eye crucial US jobs data
Jul 01 2026
Asian stocks mostly rose Wednesday as investors nervously awaited key US jobs data that could help determine the Federal …
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US govt lifts restrictions on powerful AI models, Anthropic says
Jul 01 2026
Anthropic will soon begin restoring access globally to its most powerful AI models, Fable 5 and Mythos 5, after the US …
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Trump earned over $1 bn from crypto ventures in 2025
Jul 01 2026
US President Donald Trump recorded around $1.2 billion in income from his family's cryptocurrency activities during his …
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Indian sailors fear returning to Gulf after Middle East war
Jul 01 2026
Indian sailors shaken by war have finally cleared the Strait of Hormuz after being stranded there for months, but some …
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Fear and anger brew inside Meta amid AI frenzy
Jul 01 2026
A frenzied push for artificial intelligence dominance comes with a different kind of cost for Meta, where massive …
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Asian stocks fluctuate as traders eye crucial US jobs data
Jul 01 2026
Asian stocks were mixed Wednesday as investors nervously awaited key US jobs data that could help determine the Federal …
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After 250 years, the 'American dream' is tarnished but alive
Jul 01 2026
Does it mean getting rich? Owning a house with a white picket fence? Having a better life than your parents?
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World Bank to phase out lending to China by 2031
Jul 01 2026
The World Bank will phase out its lending to China by 2031, according to the organization's new country partnership …
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Tepid outlook weighs on Nike despite tariff refund boost
Jun 30 2026
Nike earnings released Tuesday were lifted by a hefty US tariff refund, but weak sales in China and a tepid forecast …
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Nasdaq ends best quarter in 6 years as yen extends drop against dollar
Jun 30 2026
The tech-rich Nasdaq capped its best quarter in six years on Tuesday, rising with other US indices as bullishness over …
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US Treasury sanctions target alleged drug cartel-linked fuel smuggling ring
Jun 30 2026
The US Treasury on Tuesday announced new sanctions targeting an alleged fuel smuggling ring that benefits the notorious …
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Starmer boosts budget to modernise UK military before exit
Jun 30 2026
Britain plans to spend almost £300 billion ($397 billion) over the next four years to modernise its armed forces to …
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German rail regulator backs Italian firm in competition spat
Jun 30 2026
Germany's rail regulator on Tuesday backed Italian train firm Italo in a case it brought arguing it had been unfairly …
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Stocks rise, yen at 40-year low against dollar
Jun 30 2026
Renewed buying of technology stocks drove equity markets higher Tuesday while the yen held around a four-decade low …
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Africa EV firm Spiro accused of torturing Uganda employees
Jun 30 2026
Four employees of Spiro, Africa's leading electric motorbike firm, on Tuesday accused company managers in Uganda of …
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Inflation slows in top eurozone economies as ECB ponders next move
Jun 30 2026
Inflation slowed in the eurozone's three largest economies in June, data showed Tuesday, boosting the likelihood of the …
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Record number of 'new millionaires' in 2025, says UBS
Jun 30 2026
Global personal wealth surged in 2025, with a record number of new millionaires, Swiss bank UBS said Tuesday.
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Stocks mostly higher, yen stays near 40-year low against dollar
Jun 30 2026
Renewed buying of technology stocks helped drive equity markets higher Tuesday while the yen held around a four-decade …
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Ride-share group BlaBlaCar taps AI for 20-country expansion
Jun 30 2026
French ride-sharing and travel site BlaBlaCar said Tuesday that it would push into 20 new countries -- double the …
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Stocks climb, yen stays near 40-year low against dollar
Jun 30 2026
Renewed buying of technology stocks helped drive equity markets higher Tuesday while the yen held around a four-decade …
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Outgoing UK PM Starmer announces 'record' defence spending
Jun 30 2026
Outgoing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Tuesday that Britain would spend a "record" of almost £300 billion ($397 …
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UN says transport infrastructure must adapt to climate
Jun 30 2026
Transport infrastructure across Europe, North America and central Asia must adapt to more adverse climate conditions, …
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Germany's labour market dilemma: rising unemployment despite vacancies
Jun 30 2026
Graduating with a degree in biology in Germany, Julia Unkelbauer thought she had done everything right. But applying for …
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Asian stocks unable to track Wall St higher, yen holds at 40-year low
Jun 30 2026
Tech firms bounced back in Asia on Tuesday, tracking a rebound in their counterparts on Wall Street following the hefty …
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Taiwan raids tech firms in China AI chip smuggling probe
Jun 30 2026
Taiwanese investigators have raided the Taiwan offices of US company Super Micro Computer and two other tech firms, a …
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Russia's small businesses pay the price of spiralling Ukraine war
Jun 30 2026
In a Moscow suburb, shut-down shops and "for rent" signs reveal the creeping toll of Russia's slowing wartime economy.
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What to expect as EU small parcel levy kicks in
Jun 30 2026
The European Union will slap a three-euro ($3.40) duty on cheap parcels entering the 27-nation bloc on Wednesday to stem …
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Supreme Court boosts Trump's power to fire officials, but protects Fed
Jun 30 2026
The US Supreme Court on Monday fortified President Donald Trump's powers to fire members of independent government …
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Ultra-wealthy Chinese exile in New York sentenced to 30 years for fraud
Jun 30 2026
Exiled Chinese entrepreneur Guo Wengui, convicted of defrauding thousands of people of more than $1 billion, was …
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World Bank drops climate finance targets in renewed action plan
Jun 29 2026
The World Bank on Monday extended its climate change policy framework indefinitely, but dropped its targets for the …
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Tech rebound lifts Dow to record, yen hits 40-year low against dollar
Jun 29 2026
Resurgent tech stocks helped lift the Dow to a fresh record Monday as oil prices advanced and the yen retreated to a …
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EU, China bet on talks to avoid trade war
Jun 29 2026
Europe and China vowed on Monday to tackle their trade frictions through dialogue despite the EU warning the status quo …
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Polish businesses press Warsaw, Kyiv to end political rift
Jun 29 2026
When Wojciech Kostrzewa, who represents some of Poland's biggest firms, went on a Polish economic mission to Kyiv last …
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Stocks rise, oil climbs after US-Iran clashes
Jun 29 2026
Stocks mostly rose while oil prices climbed on Monday after the United States and Iran exchanged fire over the weekend, …
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French parliament adopts bill to regulate fast fashion
Jun 29 2026
The French parliament on Monday passed a bill aimed at curbing the rise of fast fashion, targeting major Asian …
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Bolivia removes 15-year dollar peg in bid to revive economy
Jun 29 2026
Bolivia on Monday lifted a 15-year peg on its dollar exchange rate in a bid to attract more greenbacks, a move aimed at …
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Spain raises 2026 growth forecast despite Mideast war turmoil
Jun 29 2026
The Spanish government on Monday raised its 2026 growth forecast to 2.6 percent from 2.2 percent, saying its economy was …
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Kenya-US rare earths deal challenged in court over secrecy
Jun 29 2026
A multi-billion-dollar rare earth minerals deal between Kenya and the United States was challenged in a Kenyan court …
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Stocks mixed, oil edges up after US-Iran clashes
Jun 29 2026
Stocks diverged and oil prices edged higher on Monday after the US and Iran exchanged fire over the weekend, …
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'One-time opportunity': South Korea bets big on AI boom
Jun 29 2026
Huge demand for the components that power artificial intelligence presents South Korea with an opportunity to bolster …
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Tennis players end Wimbledon prize-money protest
Jun 29 2026
Top tennis players, including world number ones Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka, have ended their protest over …
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EU, China trade tensions loom over minister visit
Jun 29 2026
Europe and China were seeking to gauge Monday whether trade frictions can be resolved without a fight, as top EU trade …
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Stocks rise and oil edges up as US, Iran call end to latest attacks
Jun 29 2026
Asian stocks mostly rose and oil prices edged up on Monday as reports said the United States and Iran had agreed to stop …
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South Korea to invest nearly $1.2 tn in chips, AI data centres
Jun 29 2026
South Korea will invest nearly $1.2 trillion -- equivalent to more than two-thirds of its GDP -- in a new chip-building …
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Stocks mixed and oil rises as US, Iran call end to latest attacks
Jun 29 2026
Asian stocks were mixed and oil prices edged up as reports said the United States and Iran had agreed to stop attacking …
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BIS warns 'pressure points' putting global economy at risk
Jun 28 2026
The Bank for International Settlements warned Sunday of multiple "pressure points" in the global economy, from inflation …
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Asia's vendors grapple with rising costs of ever-present plastics
Jun 28 2026
Food vendors across Asia who rely on plastics for everything from bags to cups and containers are grappling with their …
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Movie theaters are allies for streamers like us, Apple exec says
Jun 26 2026
Tech giant Apple views movie theaters as allies in its fight to carve out a space for its platform in the competitive …
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Should we fear an AI bubble bust?
Jun 26 2026
Recent swings in tech stocks are reviving fears of an AI bubble -- and some experts warn that if it pops, the fallout …
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US stocks recover from tech tremors as oil prices fall
Jun 26 2026
Wall Street's main stock indices overcame an early bout of tech jitters Friday thanks to buy-the-dip traders, finishing …
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Globalization isn't dead, just 'transformed,' says IMF chief economist
Jun 26 2026
While the global economy has faced shocks and trade turmoil, globalization is not dead -- it is simply being …
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OpenAI restricts limited release of new model to US only
Jun 26 2026
OpenAI on Friday launched a US-only preview of its latest powerful AI model series to a limited group of partners at the …
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Swiss nuclear plant shut down due to heatwave
Jun 26 2026
The reactors at Europe's oldest nuclear plant were shut down Friday, its Swiss operator said, after the heatwave …
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Ships cross Hormuz by alternative route, despite attack
Jun 26 2026
Ships continued to leave the Gulf, some of them braving a route not authorised by Tehran, despite an attack on a …
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Stocks recover from tech tremors as oil prices fall
Jun 26 2026
Wall Street's main stock indices overcame an early bout of tech jitters Friday thanks to buy-the-dip traders, while oil …
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Tech jitters send stocks lower, oil prices fall
Jun 26 2026
Stock markets retreated Friday, capping a rollercoaster week for technology shares as doubts spread about the huge …
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Stocks slide on renewed tech slump, oil prices fall
Jun 26 2026
Stock markets retreated Friday, capping a rollercoaster week for technology shares as doubts spread about the huge …
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UN says Iran nuclear pledge needs 'very strong' verification
Jun 26 2026
The UN's nuclear chief said Friday that Iran's pledge not to build a nuclear weapon would need "very strong" …
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EU hits France's Sanofi with flu vaccine antitrust probe
Jun 26 2026
The European Commission announced Friday that it was opening an antitrust probe into French pharmaceutical group Sanofi …
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Asian stocks suffer fresh rout as rollercoaster week draws to close
Jun 26 2026
Seoul tanked again on Friday, leading another rout across Asian equity markets as the rollercoaster ride that has …
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European economies suffer from heatwave
Jun 26 2026
When the mercury rises so do the costs for an economy as productivity melts and growth becomes lethargic, providing an …
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Sony discontinues Japan sales of robot puppy 'aibo'
Jun 26 2026
Sony is halting sales of its robotic puppy "aibo" in Japan, the company said, eight years after the latest model of its …
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Red rocks yield coveted minerals in DR Congo
Jun 26 2026
In vast warehouses at the Kamoa copper mine in the southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, mountains of reddish rocks …
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Asian stocks drop again as rollercoaster week draws to close
Jun 26 2026
Asian tech stocks sank again Friday as the rollercoaster ride that has characterised the week continued into the …
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Nasdaq falls again on mixed day for US stocks, oil prices rise
Jun 25 2026
The Nasdaq fell for the fourth straight session Thursday behind weakness in Apple and other tech giants while oil prices …
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Court orders TotalEnergies to account for clients' emissions
Jun 25 2026
A French court on Thursday ordered TotalEnergies to account for its clients' emissions and outline measures to address …
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US Supreme Court hands win to Bayer in weedkiller litigation
Jun 25 2026
The US Supreme Court sided with multinational giant Bayer on Thursday, overturning a lower court ruling that exposed the …
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Apple raises prices for MacBooks and iPads, as costs soar over AI
Jun 25 2026
Apple said Thursday it was raising prices for its MacBook computers, iPad tablets and other products, citing spiraling …
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Easyjet rejects latest takeover bid but leaves door ajar
Jun 25 2026
British no-frills airline EasyJet rejected Thursday a fourth informal takeover proposal from a US private equity firm, …
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US Fed's preferred inflation gauge hits fresh three-year high
Jun 25 2026
The US Federal Reserve's preferred inflation measure hit a three-year high in May, as elevated energy prices from …
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Stocks rally on renewed AI optimism, oil price declines
Jun 25 2026
Stock markets mostly advanced Thursday after bumper earnings from US chip titan Micron helped calm investor worries …
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Stocks rally on AI optimism after Micron's blowout forecast
Jun 25 2026
Stock markets rallied Thursday after bumper earnings from US chip titan Micron helped calm investor worries about …
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Amazon pledges additional $13 bn in India AI investment
Jun 25 2026
E-commerce giant Amazon announced on Thursday an additional $13-billion investment by 2030 to expand its artificial …
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Struggling VW to sell majority stake in marine engine unit
Jun 25 2026
Volkswagen said Thursday that it would sell a majority stake in its marine engine unit to a US investment firm for 7.4 …
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Seoul stocks soar in Asia tech rally after Micron's blowout forecast
Jun 25 2026
South Korea's Kospi soared more than five percent in a tech-led surge across Asia on Thursday as a forecast-busting …
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Rubio in Bahrain as US-Iran diplomacy ramps up
Jun 25 2026
Top US diplomat Marco Rubio was in Bahrain on Thursday after promising Gulf allies that Washington would protect their …
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