Business and Economy
US-China 'Board of Trade' may help ties but experts flag market worries
AFP - 40m ago
As Washington and Beijing mull a new mechanism to adjust trade between the world's two largest economies, some analysts …
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Kenya, Uganda double down on rail extension burdened by Chinese debt
AFP - 8h ago
The presidents of Kenya and Uganda met near their shared border Saturday to mark the multi-billion-dollar, long-delayed …
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Kenya, Uganda open rail extension burdened by Chinese debt
Mar 21 2026
The presidents of Kenya and Uganda met near their shared border Saturday to mark the multi-billion-dollar, long-delayed …
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K-pop kings BTS stun Seoul in '2.0' comeback concert
Mar 21 2026
South Korean megastars BTS performed their first show in nearly four years on Saturday in front of enormous crowds in …
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K-pop kings BTS rock Seoul in comeback concert
Mar 21 2026
South Korean megastars BTS reunited Saturday for their first show in nearly four years, blowing away enormous crowds in …
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BTS fans take over central Seoul for K-pop kings' comeback
Mar 21 2026
South Korean megastars BTS reunite Saturday for their first show in nearly four years, with an expected 260,000 fans …
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US jury finds Elon Musk misled Twitter shareholders
Mar 21 2026
A federal jury in California found Friday that tech tycoon Elon Musk misled Twitter shareholders, driving down the …
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Middle East war: global economic fallout
Mar 21 2026
Here are the latest economic events in the Middle East war:
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After Cuba beckons, Miami entrepreneurs are mostly reluctant to invest in the island
Mar 21 2026
Havana announced this week that it would allow Cuban emigrants to invest to address the communist island's severe …
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BTS takes over central Seoul for comeback concert
Mar 21 2026
South Korean megastars BTS will reunite Saturday for their first show in nearly four years, taking over central Seoul …
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Trump says considering 'winding down' Iran war but rules out ceasefire
Mar 20 2026
President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States was considering "winding down" military operations against …
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Stocks drop, oil jumps as Mideast war persists
Mar 20 2026
Stocks tumbled while oil prices pushed higher Friday at the end of a turbulent week in which attacks on Gulf energy …
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Supreme leader says Iran dealt enemies 'dizzying blow'
Mar 20 2026
Iran's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei said on Friday the country had dealt its enemies a "dizzying blow" in the war …
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Souped-up VPNs play 'cat and mouse' game with Iran censors
Mar 20 2026
Iranians are managing to get online during the current war with the US and Israel despite drastic censorship and …
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Stocks drop, as oil rises as Mideast war persists
Mar 20 2026
Stocks fell while oil prices pushed higher Friday at the end of a turbulent week in which attacks on Gulf energy …
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What cargo ships are passing Hormuz strait?
Mar 20 2026
Just a trickle of cargo ships and tankers -- most of them Iranian -- have made it through the Strait of Hormuz since …
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Far from war, global fuel frustrations mount
Mar 20 2026
Far from the Middle East war, fallout from oil disruptions is reverberating across the world, unsettling lives from …
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Ship crews ration food in Iran blockade: seafarers
Mar 20 2026
Seafarers stuck in the Gulf say they are rationing food and water and anxiously hoping supplies will get through Iran's …
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German auto exports to China plunged a third in 2025: study
Mar 20 2026
German auto industry exports to China plunged by a third last year as the country's manufacturers face fierce local …
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Mistral chief calls for European AI levy to pay creatives
Mar 20 2026
Companies selling artificial intelligence models in Europe should pay a "levy" to support cultural industries, the head …
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Stocks dip, oil calmer as Mideast war persists
Mar 20 2026
Stocks dipped and oil prices steadied Friday, at the end of a turbulent week in which attacks on Gulf energy …
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Kuwait refinery hit as Iran marks New Year under shadow of war
Mar 20 2026
Firefighters battled another blaze at a Kuwait oil refinery on Friday after a fresh drone attack from Iran where …
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Mideast war exposing Europe's reliance on Gulf flights, airlines warn
Mar 20 2026
The war in the Middle East has exposed Europe's reliance on Gulf companies for flights to Asia, Europe's airlines said …
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New BTS album drops ahead of comeback mega-gig
Mar 20 2026
K-pop megastars BTS released a new album Friday, as buzz built ahead of their open-air comeback concert in Seoul that …
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Crude down as Netanyahu looks to reassure on war
Mar 20 2026
Crude prices dipped Friday after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran was being "decimated" and that the …
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Kuwait refinery hit as Iran says missile production 'no concern'
Mar 20 2026
Firefighters battled a blaze at a giant oil refinery in Kuwait on Friday after a fresh drone attack as Iran kept up a …
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Trump's Mideast muddle could play into Xi's hands at planned summit
Mar 20 2026
China will be in a stronger position to extract concessions from Donald Trump when the US president finally visits …
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Weakened WTO set for high-level meet under cloud of Mideast war
Mar 20 2026
A weakened World Trade Organization will gather ministers in Yaounde next week as it seeks a road to reform, amid …
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New BTS album to drop ahead of comeback mega-gig
Mar 20 2026
K-pop megastars BTS release an album Friday billed as reflecting the maturing boy band's Korean roots and identity, as …
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Trump gets approval for gold coin in his likeness
Mar 20 2026
An advisory commission hand-picked by President Donald Trump has approved the design of a commemorative gold coin …
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'The Bachelorette' canned after star's violent video emerges
Mar 20 2026
"The Bachelorette," one of America's highest profile reality TV shows, was cancelled Thursday just days before the new …
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Crude sinks after Netanyahu tries to reassure on Iran war
Mar 20 2026
Crude prices fell more than two percent Friday after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran was being …
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Three charged with sneaking Nvidia AI chips from US into China
Mar 20 2026
Employees of a US computer company raked in billions of dollars diverting Nvidia artificial intelligence chips to China …
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Netanyahu says Iran 'decimated,' Tehran targets Gulf petro-facilities
Mar 20 2026
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Iran is being "decimated" and it is unclear who is in …
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Japan PM placates Trump on Iran, but faces Pearl Harbor surprise
Mar 20 2026
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sailed smoothly past a potential clash with Donald Trump over Iran on Thursday, …
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BTS to drop new album ahead of comeback mega-gig
Mar 20 2026
K-pop megastars BTS release a new album Friday a day ahead of a huge comeback concert in Seoul, a record billed as …
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War in the Middle East: latest developments
Mar 19 2026
Here are the latest developments in the Middle East war:
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US stocks cut losses on Netanyahu war comments as energy prices soar again
Mar 19 2026
Energy prices soared during a volatile session Thursday, while Wall Street stocks trimmed losses after Israeli Prime …
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UN shipping body urges 'safe maritime corridor' in Gulf
Mar 19 2026
The UN's maritime body called Thursday for the creation of a safe shipping "corridor" in the Gulf to evacuate stranded …
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Nigeria 'challenged by terrorism', president says on UK state visit
Mar 19 2026
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu talked of how his country is "challenged by terrorism" as he met Prime Minister Keir …
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Oil prices surge, stocks sink on energy shock fears
Mar 19 2026
Energy prices soared and stocks sank Thursday as Iran stepped up attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure, reigniting fears …
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IMF raises concern over global inflation, output over Iran war
Mar 19 2026
The International Monetary Fund said on Thursday it was monitoring the impacts of the war in Iran on global inflation …
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Middle East war weighs on global trade outlook: WTO
Mar 19 2026
The Middle East war could weigh heavily on already slowing global trade, potentially threatening global food security, …
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European Central Bank warns of major hit from Mideast war
Mar 19 2026
The European Central Bank warned Thursday that the energy shock unleashed by the Middle East war would sharply push up …
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Iran attacks on gas and oil refineries heighten fears over war fallout
Mar 19 2026
Iranian attacks on the world's largest LNG plant in Qatar and refineries in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait sent shock waves …
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Energy prices soar, Iran and US trade threats after Qatar gas hit
Mar 19 2026
Oil and gas prices soared Thursday after Iran hit the world's largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility in Qatar and …
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Bank of England holds interest rate amid Middle East war
Mar 19 2026
The Bank of England left its benchmark interest rate at 3.75 percent on Thursday as it monitors the inflation outlook, …
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Alibaba pins hopes on AI as quarterly net profit drops
Mar 19 2026
China's Alibaba said Thursday that revenue from AI-related products showed strong momentum, even as the tech giant …
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Oil soars 10% after Qatar energy sites hit in Mideast war
Mar 19 2026
Oil prices soared 10 percent Thursday after Qatar reported "extensive" damage to the world's largest liquefied natural …
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Defiant Orban digs in over blocked Ukraine loan at EU talks
Mar 19 2026
A defiant Hungarian leader Viktor Orban vowed Thursday to keep blocking a massive loan for Ukraine despite heavy …
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Energy prices surge, stocks sink amid rising energy shock fears
Mar 19 2026
Energy prices soared Thursday and stocks sank as Iran attacked several Gulf energy facilities and warned of more in …
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Iran causes 'extensive' damage to Qatar gas hub, sparks Trump warning
Mar 19 2026
Qatar reported "extensive" damage on Thursday to the site of the world's largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility …
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Labubu creators hope for monster film hit in Sony co-production
Mar 19 2026
China's snaggle-toothed Labubu dolls will soon come alive on the big screen after flying off the toy shelves, with maker …
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Crude prices surge, stocks sink amid rising energy shock fears
Mar 19 2026
Oil surged more than five percent Thursday and stocks sank as Iran attacked several Gulf energy facilities and warned of …
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Pacific nations fear fuel shortages as Middle East war sends oil prices soaring
Mar 19 2026
Leaders of Samoa and Tonga appealed for help this week as the import-reliant Pacific nations raised fears over possible …
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Key Middle East energy sites under fire
Mar 19 2026
Qatar's main gas facility has suffered extensive damage after several rounds of Iranian strikes, causing new energy …
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Strait of Hormuz blockage drives up Gulf food bills
Mar 19 2026
In a supermarket in Bahrain, Mahmoud Ali fills his cart as usual. The shelves remain stocked despite the war in the …
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'No oil, no money': Orban brings Ukraine standoff to Brussels
Mar 19 2026
EU leaders converge on Brussels Thursday hoping to unlock a massive loan for Kyiv, with the much-needed funding ensnared …
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Crude prices surge, stocks sink as Iran warns of regional energy strikes
Mar 19 2026
Oil surged more than five percent Thursday and stocks sank as Iran carried out a series of attacks on Gulf energy …
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Mideast energy shock rattles eurozone rate-setters
Mar 19 2026
The energy shock unleashed by the Middle East war will top the agenda at Thursday's European Central Bank meeting, as …
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Iran targets Gulf energy sites after gas field strike
Mar 19 2026
Iran targeted energy facilities across the Gulf and threatened further destructive attacks after a key gas field was …
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Social media addiction trial jury deliberations continue
Mar 19 2026
Jurors will return to court here on Thursday to continue deliberations in a civil trial accusing Meta and YouTube of …
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Music popstar will.i.am meshes AI and 'micromobility'
Mar 18 2026
Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am is putting artificial intelligence agents to work in three-wheel vehicles tailored for …
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US Fed raises inflation outlook over 'uncertain' Iran war impact
Mar 18 2026
The US Federal Reserve raised its inflation forecast Wednesday as it held interest rates steady, citing an "uncertain" …
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US Fed Chair says 'no intention' of leaving board while probe ongoing
Mar 18 2026
US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Wednesday that he did not plan to leave the central bank's board until a …
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US stocks fall on latest oil price surge as Fed lifts inflation forecast
Mar 18 2026
Oil prices surged Wednesday following a strike on a major Iranian gas facility as the Federal Reserve raised its …
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Slovakia curbs diesel sales, ups prices for foreigners
Mar 18 2026
The Slovak government said Wednesday it would restrict diesel sales for 30 days because of a shortage due to the …
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US Fed holds rates unchanged over 'uncertain' Iran war implications
Mar 18 2026
The US Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged as expected Wednesday, in defiance of President Donald Trump as the …
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Iran condemned as UN maritime body holds emergency talks on Mideast shipping
Mar 18 2026
Gulf states and Western nations strongly criticised Iran at an emergency meeting Wednesday of the UN's maritime body, …
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Trump administration takes steps to curb energy cost hikes
Mar 18 2026
US President Donald Trump's administration scrambled Wednesday to rein in surging energy costs from war in the Middle …
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How many cargo ships are passing Hormuz strait?
Mar 18 2026
Just a trickle of cargo ships and tankers has made it through the Strait of Hormuz since Iranian forces blocked the …
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Oil surges as Iran gas facilities hit, stocks slide
Mar 18 2026
Oil prices surged Wednesday following a strike on one of Iran's gas facilities that raised the spectre of a further …
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Chilean GDP beats 2025 forecast despite mining dip
Mar 18 2026
Chile's GDP beat expectations for 2025 thanks to a trade and investment boost which helped offset a weaker mining …
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Global music market grows, calls for AI compensation: industry body
Mar 18 2026
The global music industry generated $31.7 billion last year, driven by online streaming, industry body IFPI said …
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Belgian court suspends TotalEnergies climate trial
Mar 18 2026
A Belgian court Wednesday adjourned a case pitting TotalEnergies against a farmer seeking compensation for …
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Troubled waters: Thai fishermen marooned by rising fuel costs
Mar 18 2026
With his belongings stuffed into a plastic bag, Thai fisherman Narongsak Kongsuk heads home, far from the sea.
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US Fed expected to hold rates steady as Iran war's shockwaves ripple
Mar 18 2026
US Federal Reserve policymakers began a meeting on Wednesday where they were expected to leave interest rates unchanged, …
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Stocks fall, oil surges as US inflation jumps and Israel strikes gas facilities
Mar 18 2026
Stocks markets fell and oil prices surged Wednesday after a closely watched US inflation gauge came in hotter than …
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Why convoys cannot fully protect oil tankers from Iran attacks
Mar 18 2026
The Israeli-US war on Iran has provoked a reaction from Tehran that has effectively choked a large chunk of the world's …
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EU lawmakers back ban on sexualised AI deepfakes
Mar 18 2026
EU lawmakers on Wednesday approved a ban on AI systems generating sexualised deepfakes, after a global outcry over …
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Brussels touts 'EU Inc.' company status to lure start-ups
Mar 18 2026
The EU unveiled Wednesday a scheme to make it much easier for innovative start-ups to launch and grow across the …
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UN maritime body kicks off emergency talks on Mideast shipping
Mar 18 2026
The head of the UN's maritime body Wednesday urged "practical measures" to protect trade ships threatened by the Middle …
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Oil wavers, stocks rise as attention turns to US Fed
Mar 18 2026
Stocks markets climbed and oil prices wavered on Wednesday, as traders were reassured by a partial resumption of Iraq's …
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Israel says killed Iran intel chief, tells military to hunt down officials
Mar 18 2026
Israel said Wednesday its forces had killed another top Iranian official, Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib, and said …
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China tech giant Tencent bets on AI agents
Mar 18 2026
Tencent wants to bring artificial intelligence agents into its WeChat social media app, the Chinese tech firm's …
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Deadly strikes across Mideast as Iran vows revenge on slain security chief
Mar 18 2026
Iran vowed revenge as it prepared the funeral for its security chief Ali Larijani on Wednesday, firing off a wave of …
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Japan, S. Korea petrochemical industry slows output on Iran war
Mar 18 2026
The Middle East war is forcing petrochemical giants in two key Asian economies to cut production as the conflict rattles …
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Chinese tourists ditch Japan for third month running
Mar 18 2026
Chinese visitors to Japan tumbled 45.2 percent in February from a year earlier, official data showed Wednesday, as the …
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Stocks extend gains, oil sinks as US, Israel, Iran press on strikes
Mar 18 2026
Oil prices sank Wednesday after Iraq said it had resumed exports through Turkey, avoiding the effectively closed Strait …
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Chinese visitors to Japan plunge 45.2% in February
Mar 18 2026
Chinese visitors to Japan tumbled 45.2 percent in February from a year earlier, official data showed Wednesday, as the …
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Stocks extend gains and oil dips as US, Israel, Iran continue strikes
Mar 18 2026
Oil prices sank Wednesday after Iraq said it had resumed exports through Turkey, avoiding the effectively closed Strait …
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Brussels to unveil 'EU Inc' pan-European company status
Mar 18 2026
Entrepreneurs will be able to create pan-European companies under new plans to be unveiled Wednesday, which the EU …
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Iran to hold funeral for slain security chief as it vows vengeance
Mar 18 2026
Iran will hold a funeral Wednesday for its security chief Ali Larijani as it vowed revenge, firing off a wave of …
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TotalEnergies faces ruling in Belgian farmer climate case
Mar 18 2026
A Belgian judge will rule Wednesday in a closely watched case pitting French oil giant TotalEnergies against a farmer …
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Brazil starts to restrict minors' access to social media
Mar 18 2026
Brazil began implementing new measures on Tuesday to restrict minors' access to social media and prevent them from …
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Iran vets friendly ships for Hormuz passage: trackers
Mar 18 2026
Iran is selecting ships from friendly countries to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial trade waterway cut off …
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Nvidia says restarting production of China-bound chips
Mar 17 2026
Nvidia chief Jensen Huang on Tuesday said the AI technology powerhouse is restarting production of its high-performance …
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Iran confirms security chief dead as Israel vows to target leader
Mar 17 2026
Iran confirmed Tuesday the death of its powerful national security chief, after Israel said he was killed in an …
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US airlines still see strong demand as jet fuel worries loom
Mar 17 2026
US carriers will face tough challenges in the months ahead if jet fuel prices stay high, but for now consumers are still …
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US, European stocks rise despite latest jump in oil prices
Mar 17 2026
US and European equities rose Tuesday despite another jump in oil prices as fresh Iranian attacks on crude-producing …
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SAS cancels flights after fuel prices surge
Mar 17 2026
Scandinavian airline SAS said Tuesday it will cancel at least a thousand flights in April after the war in the Middle …
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Israel vows to find and 'neutralise' Iran's new supreme leader
Mar 17 2026
Israel's military on Tuesday vowed to hunt down and "neutralise" Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, after …
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