Business and Economy
Young Chinese use AI to launch one-person firms over job anxiety
AFP - 32m ago
Young Chinese, many who fear age discrimination in their workplace after turning 35, are increasingly starting …
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Delicate extraction: Malaysia offers rare earths alternative to China
AFP - 55m ago
Workers load tonnes of rare earth minerals into bags ready for shipping at a refinery in eastern Malaysia, fuelling the …
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Oil, stocks fall as traders weigh outlook after Trump extends truce
AFP - 1h ago
Oil prices fell along with stocks Wednesday as investors assess the chances of US-Iran peace talks after Donald Trump …
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AI-powered robots offer new hope to German factories
AFP - 2h ago
A blue-eyed humanoid robot carefully opens a box and places a tool inside as a crowd of visitors watch the demonstration …
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Indonesia orangutan forest cleared for 'carbon-neutral' packaging firm
AFP - 2h ago
Vast tracts of Indonesian rainforest home to endangered orangutans have been cleared for plantations supplying a maker …
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Questions about Tesla spending binge ahead of earnings
AFP - 2h ago
Questions about Tesla's progress towards achieving fully autonomous driving at scale are expected to figure prominently …
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SpaceX partners with AI startup Cursor, may buy it for $60 bn
AFP - 3h ago
SpaceX on Tuesday announced a partnership with AI coding company Cursor and said the alliance comes with an option to …
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John Ternus to lead Apple in the age of AI
Apr 21 2026
The future of Apple is being entrusted to a company veteran said to combine hardware brilliance with "the soul of an …
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Kevin Warsh, a former Fed 'hawk' now in tune with Trump
Apr 21 2026
Kevin Warsh, Donald Trump's choice to lead the US central bank, was once an inflation foe but has since made the case …
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War in the Middle East: latest developments
Apr 21 2026
The latest developments in the Middle East war:
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Strait of Hormuz blockade drives up costs at Panama Canal
Apr 21 2026
The war in the Middle East has boosted demand to move vital cargo through the Panama Canal to such an extent that one …
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Stocks fall, oil climbs amid uncertainty over US-Iran talks
Apr 21 2026
Oil prices climbed and stocks slid Tuesday as uncertainty reigned over US-Iranian peace talks resuming, and the …
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US Fed chair nominee says will not be controlled by Trump
Apr 21 2026
Donald Trump's choice to lead the US Federal Reserve, Kevin Warsh, stressed Tuesday that he would not be controlled by …
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Chery wants to make small electric car in Europe
Apr 21 2026
Chinese carmaker Chery said Tuesday it wants to manufacture a small electric vehicle in Europe for the European market.
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Singapore's Tang gets second term at UN's patent agency
Apr 21 2026
Singapore's Daren Tang was reappointed Tuesday for a second six-year term in charge of the United Nations' patent and …
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US Fed chair nominee says he will not be controlled by Trump
Apr 21 2026
Donald Trump's choice to lead the US Federal Reserve, Kevin Warsh, stressed Tuesday that he would not be controlled by …
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Stocks slip, oil climbs as US-Iran truce expiry looms
Apr 21 2026
Oil prices climbed and stocks slid Tuesday as uncertainty reigned over US-Iranian peace talks resuming and the …
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In Portugal, Lula urges return to multilateralism
Apr 21 2026
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Tuesday championed trade multilateralism, saying Brazil seeks …
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US official says gas prices have peaked despite Iran war
Apr 21 2026
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Tuesday that gasoline prices appeared to have peaked after a surge linked to the …
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Trump's Fed chair pick vows to safeguard independence at confirmation hearing
Apr 21 2026
Kevin Warsh, Donald Trump's choice to lead the US Federal Reserve, vowed Tuesday to protect central bank independence at …
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Trump says Iran violated truce as doubt surrounds peace talks
Apr 21 2026
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday accused Iran of having repeatedly violated a temporary truce due to expire soon, …
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Oil and stocks steady as US-Iran truce expiry looms
Apr 21 2026
Oil prices dipped and stocks mostly edged higher Tuesday as investors held out hope that despite conflictual rhetoric …
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Apple's Tim Cook to step down as CEO after 15-year run
Apr 21 2026
Apple's Tim Cook will step down as the California tech giant's chief executive this year, handing the top job to a …
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Bangladesh fuel crunch forces hours-long wait at the pump
Apr 21 2026
Day and night, drivers queue for hours for the chance to refill fuel tanks, as import-dependent Bangladesh grapples with …
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German investor morale lowest in over 3 years on Iran war fallout
Apr 21 2026
German investor morale slid to its lowest level in over three years in April, a survey showed Tuesday, as the Middle …
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FedEx faces French 'genocide' complaint over Israel cargoes
Apr 21 2026
American logistics giant FedEx has been targeted in France by a legal complaint alleging "complicity in the crime of …
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No Iran delegation sent to US talks yet as truce expiry nears
Apr 21 2026
Iran said Tuesday it has not yet sent a delegation for new peace talks with the United States, as the temporary …
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Russia, North Korea connect road bridge ahead of summer opening
Apr 21 2026
Russia and North Korea held a ceremony Tuesday to mark the joining of the first road bridge connecting the countries, …
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'Strangled': Pakistan faces economic imperative in Iran war peace push
Apr 21 2026
Sheikh Nadeem sat on a plastic chair outside his bedding store in the Pakistani capital Islamabad, scrolling through his …
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Oil prices dip, stocks rise on lingering Iran peace hopes
Apr 21 2026
Oil prices fell on Tuesday while stocks rose on lingering hopes for a deal to end the US-Iran war and reopen the Strait …
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Turkey arrests 110 coal miners on hunger strike
Apr 21 2026
One hundred and ten Turkish coal miners who had marched 200 kilometres (125 miles) to stage a hunger strike for their …
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Associated British Foods to spin off Primark clothes brand
Apr 21 2026
Associated British Foods announced Tuesday that it would spin off its budget fashion chain Primark, splitting up one of …
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Hello Kitty's parent company to make own video games
Apr 21 2026
Seeking new fans for Hello Kitty, the company behind the enigmatic character on Tuesday launched a video games division …
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Turkmenistan, the gas giant increasingly dependent on China
Apr 21 2026
In the desert expanse of Turkmenistan, Chinese engineers are hard at work at the vast Galkynysh gas field -- a mega …
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Chinese AI circuit board maker soars on Hong Kong debut
Apr 21 2026
Shares in a Chinese tech firm that supplies US chip titan Nvidia soared almost 60 percent on its Hong Kong debut …
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Oil prices dip, most stocks rise on lingering Iran peace hopes
Apr 21 2026
Oil prices fell on Tuesday while most stocks rose on lingering hopes for a deal to end the US-Iran war and reopen the …
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Tim Cook's time as Apple chief marked by profit absent awe
Apr 21 2026
An Alabama-born engineer seen as a supply-chain savant, Tim Cook took on the daunting challenge of succeeding Apple's …
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Trump's Fed chair pick to face lawmakers at key confirmation hearing
Apr 21 2026
Kevin Warsh, US President Donald Trump's choice to lead the Federal Reserve, will vow to protect central bank …
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Amazon invests another $5 bn in Anthropic
Apr 21 2026
Amazon on Monday said it pumped another $5 billion into Anthropic as it ramps up its collaboration with the startup …
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Apple's Tim Cook to step down as CEO in September
Apr 20 2026
Apple on Monday announced that Tim Cook will step down as the tech giant's chief executive officer in September, handing …
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Oil jumps on Hormuz tensions, stocks mostly retreat
Apr 20 2026
US and European stocks reversed Monday as oil prices surged over fears hostilities could resume in the weeks-long Middle …
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Colombian environmental activist honored amid threats and exile
Apr 20 2026
Afro-Colombian woman Yuvelis Morales, a 25-year-old who has spent most of her adult life working to block the world's …
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Trump Fed chair pick to vow interest rate independence at key hearing
Apr 20 2026
Kevin Warsh, US President Donald Trump's choice to lead the Federal Reserve, will stress his dedication to central bank …
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Blue Origin probing rocket's failure to deliver satellite
Apr 20 2026
The Federal Aviation Administration said Monday it is requiring Blue Origin to conduct a "mishap investigation" after …
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UniCredit woos Commerzbank shareholders in takeover battle
Apr 20 2026
Italian bank UniCredit wooed shareholders in Germany's Commerzbank with promises of higher returns on Monday in moves …
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Tit-for-tat blockades once again cripple traffic in Hormuz
Apr 20 2026
Traffic once again seized up in the Strait of Hormuz as both Tehran and Washington imposed separate blockades, with …
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Branded pop-up events take center stage at Coachella
Apr 20 2026
With a multitude of promotional events almost as long and diverse as its artist lineup, Coachella, one of the biggest …
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Oil jumps on Hormuz tensions, stocks retreat
Apr 20 2026
US and European stocks reversed Monday as oil prices surged over fears hostilities could resume in the weeks-long Middle …
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Elon Musk snubs Paris prosecutors' summons over X and Grok
Apr 20 2026
Elon Musk did not appear Monday for a voluntary interview with Paris prosecutors, who had summoned the American tech …
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European stocks slide as oil jumps on Hormuz tensions
Apr 20 2026
European stocks fell Monday as oil prices surged over fears hostilities could resume in the weeks-long Middle East war, …
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Elon Musk summoned over French X deepfake probe but presence unclear
Apr 20 2026
Billionaire Elon Musk has been summoned for a voluntary interview in Paris on Monday as part of a French probe into his …
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Anthropic says will put AI risks 'on the table' with Mythos model
Apr 20 2026
American AI developer Anthropic plans to "lay the risks out on the table" even as it restricts deployment of a new model …
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Iran says no plan for US peace talks
Apr 20 2026
Iran insisted it has no plan to attend a new round of negotiations with the United States on Monday, as uncertainty …
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Oil prices jump on Iran war escalation but stocks up on peace hope
Apr 20 2026
Oil prices surged Monday on a re-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East war after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz …
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France summons Elon Musk over X probe
Apr 20 2026
Billionaire Elon Musk has been summoned for a voluntary interview in Paris on Monday as part of a French probe into his …
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Oil prices bounce back on Iran war escalation
Apr 20 2026
Oil prices surged Monday on a re-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East war after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz …
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Money, lobbyists, inertia: why fossil fuels are so hard to quit
Apr 20 2026
When the international community agreed to transition away from fossil fuels at the 2023 COP28 global climate summit, …
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Rat poison found in baby food jar in Austria as products recalled
Apr 19 2026
Austrian police have found rat poison in a baby food jar in a probe that has seen the company HiPP recall the line over …
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French billionaire shrugs off mass exodus at hallowed French publisher
Apr 19 2026
Conservative billionaire Vincent Bollore unapologetically vowed Sunday to find new authors for one of France's most …
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Iran says final deal still far off as Hormuz Strait shuttered
Apr 19 2026
The strategic Strait of Hormuz was again closed on Sunday in the stand-off between Iran and the United States, with …
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AI 'agent' fever comes with lurking security threats
Apr 19 2026
Artificial intelligence "agents" promise to save users time and energy by automating tasks, but the growing power of …
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How France fell for reimagined 19th-century workers' canteens
Apr 19 2026
So-called bouillon restaurants are mushrooming all over France, reviving a traditional low-cost Gallic meal concept that …
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Strait of Hormuz to stay closed until port blockade lifts, Iran says
Apr 19 2026
The crucial Strait of Hormuz will not reopen until the United States lifts its naval blockade on Iranian ports, Tehran …
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Iran closes Hormuz Strait again, as Trump warns against 'blackmail'
Apr 18 2026
Iran's military declared the Strait of Hormuz closed again on Saturday, prompting ships to abandon attempts to transit …
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US extends sanctions waiver on purchases of Russian oil
Apr 18 2026
US President Donald Trump's administration on Friday issued a month-long sanctions waiver allowing the sale of Russian …
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Paramount's CinemaCon charm offensive gets lukewarm reception
Apr 18 2026
Paramount Skydance was on a charm offensive at CinemaCon this week, trying to convince theater owners that its megabucks …
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China sex toy makers cautiously embrace AI wave
Apr 18 2026
Erotic chatbots, video-synced and voice-activated devices mesmerised visitors at a sex toy expo in Shanghai this …
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Trade ships hit in Hormuz as Iran recloses strait
Apr 18 2026
Commercial ships came under fire and threats from Iran's military as they tried to cross the Strait of Hormuz on …
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Trade ships hit in Hormuz as Iran reopening falters
Apr 18 2026
A handful of oil and gas tankers crossed the Hormuz Strait Saturday during a brief reopening, tracking data showed, but …
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No date set for next round of Iran-US talks: Iran deputy FM
Apr 18 2026
No date has been set for the next round of Iran–US peace talks brokered by Pakistan following the failure of an initial …
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Iran closes Hormuz Strait again over US blockade, ships reverse course
Apr 18 2026
Iran's military declared the Strait of Hormuz closed again on Saturday, its military command said, hours after reopening …
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Iran closes Hormuz Strait again over US blockade with ships mid-transit
Apr 18 2026
Iran's military declared the Strait of Hormuz closed again on Saturday, its military command said, hours after reopening …
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Oil plunges, stocks jump as Iran declares Hormuz open
Apr 17 2026
Oil prices tumbled Friday after Iranian officials said they would allow commercial traffic to resume in the Strait of …
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US Supreme Court sides with Chevron in environmental case
Apr 17 2026
The US Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of oil giant Chevron on Friday in a case that could impact environmental …
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Trump tells AFP Iran deal close, 'no sticking points' left
Apr 17 2026
US President Donald Trump signaled Friday that an Iran peace deal was all but done, telling AFP there were "no sticking …
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Shippers eye Iran Hormuz reopening with wariness
Apr 17 2026
Shipping industry figures gave a cautious welcome Friday to Iran's announcement that it was reopening the crucial Strait …
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France, UK to lead 'defensive' force for Hormuz
Apr 17 2026
France and Britain said Friday they will lead a multinational mission to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of …
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Trump signals Iran deal near, hails 'brilliant day for world'
Apr 17 2026
US President Donald Trump signaled Friday that an Iran peace deal was all but done, trumpeting agreements on the Strait …
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France, UK to lead multinational Hormuz mission
Apr 17 2026
France and Britain said Friday they will lead a multinational mission ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of …
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Stranded seafarers endure costly path home from Gulf
Apr 17 2026
When seaman Rex Pereira saw missiles flying above his vessel in the Gulf, it sparked in him one desperate wish: to get …
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Trump say Iran blockade continues despite Hormuz reopening
Apr 17 2026
President Donald Trump on Friday welcomed Iran's announcement that the crucial Strait of Hormuz will reopen to shipping, …
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Oil plunges, stocks jumps as Iran declares Hormuz open
Apr 17 2026
Oil prices plunged more than 10 percent on Friday after Iran said the Strait of Hormuz would be "completely open" for …
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First loaded Iranian oil tankers exit Gulf since US blockade: Kpler
Apr 17 2026
Three Iranian oil tankers carrying a total of five million barrels of crude have become the first such loaded vessels to …
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Oil drops, stocks mixed amid US-Iran peace hopes
Apr 17 2026
Stock markets diverged and oil prices fell Friday as investors awaited news of a possible extension to the Iran-US …
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Video game voice star Troy Baker says 'only humans' can make art
Apr 17 2026
Millions of gamers around the world may not know Troy Baker's face but would recognise his voice -- perhaps as the …
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Stocks reverse as investors await news on US-Iran peace talks
Apr 17 2026
Stock markets fell Friday as investors awaited news of an extension to the Iran-US ceasefire, while crude prices edged …
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Venezuela, IMF, World Bank restore relations, paving way for investment
Apr 17 2026
The IMF and World Bank said Thursday they are restoring relations with Venezuela, further legitimizing the interim …
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Venzuela, IMF, World Bank restore relations, paving way for investment
Apr 17 2026
The IMF and World Bank said Thursday they are restoring relations with Venezuela, further legitimizing the interim …
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Netflix shares dive as co-founder Reed Hastings steps away
Apr 17 2026
Netflix shares plummeted more than nine percent Thursday as the TV streaming titan's quarterly earnings failed to …
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IMF, World Bank say restoring relations with Venezuela, recognizing interim government
Apr 17 2026
The IMF and World Bank said Thursday they are restoring relations with Venezuela, further legitimizing the interim …
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IMF warns of war's human impact far from Middle East
Apr 16 2026
IMF economists warned Thursday that the war in Iran could have “very, certainly severe” consequences far outside the …
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France finance minister says Hormuz must open, G7 ready to mitigate war fallout
Apr 16 2026
French Finance Minister Roland Lescure told reporters Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz needs to reopen "but not at any …
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Netflix shares dive as revenue barely beats expectations
Apr 16 2026
Netflix shares plummeted more than 8 percent on Thursday as the TV streaming titan reported quarterly revenue of $12.25 …
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Stocks rise as optimism over Mideast war takes hold
Apr 16 2026
Wall Street stocks climbed higher Thursday, adding to records as investors greeted optimistic comments from US President …
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Spain VP says IMF could recognize Venezuela soon, hastening reengagement
Apr 16 2026
Spain's Vice President Carlos Cuerpo said Thursday that the resumption of relations between the International Monetary …
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Australian tycoon battles Meta over fake ads
Apr 16 2026
Australian mining magnate Andrew Forrest is asking a US federal court in Silicon Valley to hold Meta accountable for …
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EU aims to start disbursing new Ukraine loan in second quarter
Apr 16 2026
The European Union expects to start releasing a new 90-billion-euro loan to Ukraine in the second quarter, the bloc's …
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Saudi wealth fund sells football club Al-Hilal
Apr 16 2026
Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund announced Thursday the sale of its majority stake in Saudi Pro League football club …
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Luxury group Kering seeks to make flagging Gucci 'unmissable' again
Apr 16 2026
French luxury group Kering promised Thursday to make its flagship Gucci brand once again "unmissable" and boost …
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Mideast war an 'unprecedented' blow for region: IMF to AFP
Apr 16 2026
The Middle East war has created an "unprecedented shock" for the region's economies with no guarantee of a quick …
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Vessels cross Hormuz destined for Iran despite US blockade
Apr 16 2026
Two sanctioned cargo vessels have crossed the Strait of Hormuz, apparently bound for Iranian ports despite Washington's …
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Iran's shadow oil trade endures near Singapore despite war
Apr 16 2026
Near Singapore, thousands of miles from the Strait of Hormuz, ship-to-ship transfers of Iranian oil have continued …
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