Business and Economy
French museum fare hikes for non-European tourists spark outcry
AFP - 3h ago
Should foreign tourists pay more for state-funded galleries than locals, or should art be accessible to all, without …
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Trump announces tariffs on Iran trade partners as protest toll rises
AFP - 4h ago
US President Donald Trump announced a 25 percent tariff on any country doing business with Iran, ramping up pressure as …
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AI helps fuel new era of medical self-testing
AFP - 5h ago
Beyond smart watches and rings, artificial intelligence is being used to make self-testing for major diseases more …
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Ex-Fed chiefs, lawmakers slam US probe into Jerome Powell
AFP - 5h ago
Former Federal Reserve chiefs on Monday sharply criticized a US criminal probe into current chair Jerome Powell, calling …
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US stocks at records despite early losses on Fed independence angst
Jan 12 2026
Wall Street stocks finished at new records Monday, shrugging off worries about a US criminal probe of the Federal …
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Jerome Powell: The careful Fed chair standing firm against Trump
Jan 12 2026
US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has generally avoided escalation in the face of Donald Trump's relentless …
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US 'screwed' if Supreme Court rules against tariffs: Trump
Jan 12 2026
President Donald Trump said Monday that the United States would be "screwed" if the Supreme Court rules that some of his …
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Paramount sues in hostile bid to buy Warner Bros Discover
Jan 12 2026
Paramount Skydance said Monday that it filed a lawsuit against Warner Brothers Discovery (WBD) as it presses an …
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Airbus delivers more planes in 2025
Jan 12 2026
Airbus said Monday it delivered 793 commercial aircraft in 2025, a slight increase from the previous year but falling …
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UK regulator opens probe into X over sexualised AI imagery
Jan 12 2026
UK media regulator Ofcom on Monday launched a formal investigation into Elon Musk's X over its AI chatbot Grok's image …
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US prosecutors open probe of Fed chief, escalating Trump-Powell clash
Jan 12 2026
US prosecutors have opened an inquiry into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, prompting his rare rebuke against …
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Gold hits record high, dollar slides as US targets Fed
Jan 12 2026
The dollar mostly fell and gold hit a record high on Monday as investors digested news that the US Justice Department is …
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Zuckerberg names banker, ex-Trump advisor as Meta president
Jan 12 2026
Meta on Monday appointed banker Dina Powell McCormick as president and vice chairman, tapping a former member of the …
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Gold hits record high, dollar falls as US targets Fed
Jan 12 2026
The dollar mostly weakened and gold hit a record high Monday as investors digested news that the US Justice Department …
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Heathrow airport sees record high annual passenger numbers
Jan 12 2026
Heathrow Airport said Monday it welcomed more than 84 million travellers last year, a record high amount for the London …
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India and Germany seek to boost defence industry ties
Jan 12 2026
India and Germany are looking to boost defence industry cooperation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Monday after …
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US Fed chief warns of 'intimidation' after criminal subpoenas
Jan 12 2026
US prosecutors have opened an inquiry threatening a "criminal indictment" against the Federal Reserve, its chairman …
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India and Germany eye defence industry boost to ties
Jan 12 2026
India and Germany are looking to boost defence industry cooperation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Monday after …
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US prosecutors open criminal probe into Federal Reserve
Jan 12 2026
US prosecutors have opened an inquiry threatening a "criminal indictment" against the Federal Reserve, its chairman …
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Asian equities, precious metals surge as US Justice Dept targets Fed
Jan 12 2026
Asian equities gained on Monday and precious metals set records as investors digested news that the US Justice …
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Fed chair Powell says targeted by federal probe
Jan 12 2026
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said Sunday that US prosecutors have opened a probe into his comments to …
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Japan aims to dig deep-sea rare earths to reduce China dependence
Jan 12 2026
A Japanese research vessel on Monday began a historic voyage to attempt to dig deep-sea rare earths at a depth of 6,000 …
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Asian equities edge up, dollar slides as US Fed Reserve subpoenaed
Jan 12 2026
Asian equities posted gains Monday while the dollar dipped as investors digested news that the US Justice Department …
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Powell says Federal Reserve subpoenaed by US Justice Department
Jan 12 2026
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said Sunday that the central bank had been subpoenaed by the US Justice …
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Maduro's fall raises Venezuelans' hopes for economic bounty
Jan 12 2026
After the US raid that deposed Nicolas Maduro as Venezuela's leader, citizens hope the ensuing talks on selling its oil …
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Meta urges Australia to change teen social media ban
Jan 11 2026
Tech giant Meta urged Australia on Monday to rethink its world-first social media ban for under-16s, while reporting …
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Chinese villagers struggle for heat as gas subsidies fade
Jan 11 2026
Almost a decade after China began curbing coal burning to stop thick winter smog, villagers in northern Hebei province …
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New York's Chrysler Building, an art deco jewel, seeks new owner
Jan 11 2026
The future of the Chrysler Building, a unique monument to art deco architecture on the Manhattan skyline, remains in …
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AI toys look for bright side after troubled start
Jan 11 2026
Toy makers at the Consumer Electronics Show were adamant about being careful to ensure that their fun creations infused …
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AI pendants back in vogue at tech show after early setback
Jan 11 2026
Pendants and brooches packed with artificial intelligence abounded at the Consumer Electronics show, using cameras and …
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Thousands of Irish, French farmers protest EU-Mercosur trade deal
Jan 10 2026
Thousands of farmers in Ireland and France protested Saturday against the European Union's trade deal with the South …
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Thousands of Irish farmers protest EU-Mercosur trade deal
Jan 10 2026
Thousands of Irish farmers protested Saturday against the European Union's trade deal with the South American bloc …
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Venezuela says in talks with US to restore diplomatic ties
Jan 10 2026
Venezuela was set to hold talks on Saturday with US envoys in Caracas on restoring diplomatic ties, days after US forces …
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Trump pitches Venezuela oil to US majors -- and hits skepticism
Jan 09 2026
US President Donald Trump pressed top oil executives Friday to invest in Venezuela's vast reserves, but was met with a …
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Trump pitches Venezuela oil to US majors - and hits skepticism
Jan 09 2026
US President Donald Trump pressed top oil executives Friday to invest in Venezuela's vast reserves, but was met with a …
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Stocks shrug off mixed US jobs data to advance
Jan 09 2026
Stock markets advanced Friday despite mixed US jobs data, while the Supreme Court held off from a widely-anticipated …
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US December hiring misses expectations, capping weak 2025
Jan 09 2026
The United States added fewer jobs than expected in December, government data showed Friday, capping the labor market's …
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Brew, smell, and serve: AI steals the show at CES 2026
Jan 09 2026
AI took over CES 2026, powering coffee machines to brew the perfect espresso, a device to create your perfect scent, and …
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EU countries override France to greenlight Mercosur trade deal
Jan 09 2026
The EU gave a long-delayed go-ahead Friday to a huge trade deal with South American bloc Mercosur championed by business …
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Trump meets oil executives, says $100 bn pledged for Venezuela
Jan 09 2026
US President Donald Trump met with the heads of major oil companies on Friday after saying the world's biggest producers …
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AI gobbling up memory chips essential to gadget makers
Jan 09 2026
As devices from toys to cars get smarter at the Consumer Electronics Show, gadget makers are grappling with a shortage …
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Trump says he scrapped new Venezuela attack after prisoner release
Jan 09 2026
US President Donald Trump said Friday he called off a second wave of attacks on Venezuela after securing cooperation …
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Stocks rise despite mixed US jobs data
Jan 09 2026
Stock markets advanced Friday despite mixed US jobs data and as traders awaited a possible Supreme Court ruling on US …
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Polish farmers march against Mercosur trade deal
Jan 09 2026
Polish farmers descended on Warsaw on Friday to protest a European trade deal with the South American Mercosur bloc, …
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Stocks rise ahead of US jobs data and key tariffs ruling
Jan 09 2026
Stock markets advanced Friday as traders awaited the release of crucial US jobs data and a possible Supreme Court ruling …
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Venezuela frees political prisoners in move praised by Trump
Jan 09 2026
Venezuela began releasing a "large number" of political prisoners, including several foreigners, in a move praised by US …
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Germany factory output jumps but exports disappoint
Jan 09 2026
German industrial production unexpectedly jumped in November but exports fell heavily, data showed Friday, offering a …
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Trump says US oil pledged $100 bn for Venezuela ahead of White House meeting
Jan 09 2026
US President Donald Trump said Friday the world’s biggest oil companies pledged to invest $100 billion to revive …
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Chinese AI unicorn MiniMax soars 109 percent in Hong Kong debut
Jan 09 2026
Shares in Chinese AI startup MiniMax soared 109 percent as it went public in Hong Kong on Friday, raising US$619 million …
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Stocks mixed ahead of US jobs, Supreme Court ruling
Jan 09 2026
Stock markets were mixed Friday after a two-day stutter as traders look ahead to the release of crucial US jobs data and …
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Asian stocks mixed ahead of US jobs, Supreme Court ruling
Jan 09 2026
Asian markets were mixed Friday after a two-day stutter as traders look ahead to the release of crucial US jobs data and …
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Crunch time for EU's long-stalled Mercosur trade deal
Jan 09 2026
The EU is expected Friday to give a long-delayed go ahead to a huge trade deal with South American bloc Mercosur …
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Asian stocks rally ahead of US jobs, Supreme Court ruling
Jan 09 2026
Asian markets rose Friday after a two-day stutter as traders look ahead to the release of crucial US jobs data and a …
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Trump to meet top US oil execs after seizing Venezuela leader
Jan 09 2026
US President Donald Trump will meet the heads of major US oil companies on Friday, aiming to convince them to support …
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Venezuela frees ex-presidential candidate in 'large' prisoner release
Jan 09 2026
Venezuela on Thursday began releasing a "large number" of political prisoners, including several foreigners, in an …
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Vietnam shrugs off Trump tariffs as US exports surge
Jan 09 2026
Over the whine of buzzsaws and the steady whir of sanders, hundreds of Vietnamese workers in a factory outside Ho Chi …
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Swiss mining giant Glencore reveals merger talks with Rio Tinto
Jan 09 2026
Swiss resources giant Glencore said Friday it is in merger talks with British-Australian rival Rio Tinto, potentially …
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Venezuela begins 'large' prisoner release amid US pressure
Jan 09 2026
Venezuela on Thursday began releasing a "large number" of political prisoners, including several foreigners, in an …
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US House revolt advances Obamacare subsidy extension
Jan 08 2026
US lawmakers voted Thursday to revive health insurance subsidies that expired at the end of last year, offering hope to …
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Swiss mining giant Glencore in merger talks with Rio Tinto
Jan 08 2026
Swiss mining and commodity trading giant Glencore said Friday it is in merger talks with British-Australian rival Rio …
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Stocks mixed as traders await US jobs data, oil rebounds
Jan 08 2026
Global stocks were mixed Thursday while oil prices bounced higher as markets looked ahead to key US employment data …
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Macron says France to vote against EU-Mercosur deal
Jan 08 2026
President Emmanuel Macron says France will vote against the European Union's trade deal with South American bloc …
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Venezuela announces release of 'large number' of prisoners
Jan 08 2026
Venezuela on Thursday announced the release of a "large number" of prisoners, some of them foreigners, in an apparent …
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Three ships head to US with Venezuela oil as capacity concerns grow
Jan 08 2026
Three of 11 vessels chartered by Chevron were Thursday transporting oil from Venezuela to the US, according to an AFP …
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Trump says US could run Venezuela and its oil for years
Jan 08 2026
The United States could run Venezuela and tap into its oil reserves for years, President Donald Trump said in an …
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Stocks retrench as traders eye geopolitics, US jobs data
Jan 08 2026
Stock markets mostly pulled back Thursday as an early year rally ran out of steam, but a solid start to Wall Street …
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French farmers rage against EU-Mercosur trade deal
Jan 08 2026
Hundreds of French farmers protested in Paris Thursday after rolling into the capital on tractors, angry at a planned EU …
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US trade gap shrinks to smallest since 2009 as imports fall
Jan 08 2026
The US trade deficit made a sharp and unexpected pullback in October, reaching its lowest level since 2009 as goods …
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Confusion reigns over Venezuela's oil industry as US looms
Jan 08 2026
Between US demands for its crude, tankers threatened with seizure, storage tanks at overflow risk and bewildered local …
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US could run Venezuela, tap its oil for years, Trump says
Jan 08 2026
The United States could run Venezuela and tap into its oil reserves for years, President Donald Trump said in an …
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Farmers enter Paris on tractors to rage against trade deal
Jan 08 2026
French farmers rolled into Paris on tractors Thursday in a show of anger against an EU trade deal with South American …
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Stocks retreat as traders eye geopolitics, US jobs data
Jan 08 2026
Stock markets fell Thursday as an early-year rally ran out of steam, with investors locking in profits ahead of the …
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'Sign of life': defence boom lifts German factory orders
Jan 08 2026
Factory orders in long-struggling Germany unexpectedly posted a sharp jump in November, boosted by higher demand for …
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Startups go public in litmus test for Chinese AI
Jan 08 2026
Leading Chinese artificial intelligence startup Zhipu AI soared as it went public in Hong Kong on Thursday, a day before …
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Japan's Fast Retailing raises profit forecast after China growth
Jan 08 2026
Japanese retail giant Fast Retailing lifted its 2025-26 annual net profit forecast on Thursday, buoyed by a strong …
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Farmers enter Paris on tractors in protest at trade deal
Jan 08 2026
French farmers rolled into Paris on tractors Thursday in a show of dissent against an EU trade deal with South American …
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Equity markets mostly down as traders eye US jobs data
Jan 08 2026
Equity markets mostly fell Thursday as the rally that has characterised the start of the year paused with investors …
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Asian markets mostly down as traders eye US jobs data
Jan 08 2026
Asian markets mostly fell Thursday as the rally that has characterised the start of the year paused with investors …
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Lidl to drop broadcast TV ads in France
Jan 08 2026
German hard discount food retailer Lidl announced Thursday it would halt spots on broadcast television in France, where …
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Asian markets mixed as traders eye US jobs data
Jan 08 2026
Asian markets were mixed Thursday as the rally that has characterised the start of the year paused with investors …
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US lays out plan for marketing Venezuelan oil after Maduro ouster
Jan 07 2026
The United States on Wednesday laid out what it called an "energy deal" with Venezuela, saying it will partially roll …
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US stocks retreat from records as oil falls further
Jan 07 2026
Wall Street stock indices pulled back from records on Wednesday ahead of key US labor data, while oil prices fell …
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Accused scam boss Chen Zhi arrested in Cambodia, extradited to China: Phnom Penh
Jan 07 2026
Chinese-born tycoon Chen Zhi, who was indicted by the United States on fraud and money-laundering charges for running a …
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US seizes Russia-linked oil tanker chased to North Atlantic
Jan 07 2026
The United States on Wednesday seized a Russia-linked oil tanker in the North Atlantic after pursuing it from off the …
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US oil giant Chevron interested in Russian Lukoil's foreign assets: report
Jan 07 2026
US oil giant Chevron and private equity firm Quantum Capital Group have partnered on a bid for sanctioned Russian oil …
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Oil sinks as US ups pressure on Venezuela over crude supplies
Jan 07 2026
Oil prices fell further Wednesday after President Donald Trump said Venezuela would turn over millions of barrels to the …
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AI helps pave the way for self-driving cars
Jan 07 2026
Even if Elon Musk's dream of robotaxis for everyone is a long way off, sleek electric cars powered by artificial …
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US seizes Russia-flagged oil tanker chased to North Atlantic
Jan 07 2026
The United States on Wednesday seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic after pursuing it from off the …
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Oil wavers as Trump flags Venezuela shipments, US seizes tankers
Jan 07 2026
Oil prices wavered Wednesday after President Donald Trump said Venezuela would turn over millions of barrels to the …
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France halts imports of food with traces of banned pesticides
Jan 07 2026
France on Wednesday officialised a ban on food imports containing traces of five pesticides currently banned in the EU, …
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German emissions cuts slow, North Sea has warmest year on record
Jan 07 2026
Germany's greenhouse gas emission cuts slowed sharply in 2025 as the North Sea experienced its warmest year on record, …
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US private sector hiring rebounds in December but misses expectations
Jan 07 2026
Hiring in the US private sector bounced back in December, data from payroll firm ADP showed on Wednesday, but the figure …
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US attempts to seize Russia-flagged oil tanker in Atlantic
Jan 07 2026
The United States has started an operation to seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic after it evaded a …
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Warner Bros rejects updated Paramount takeover bid, backs Netflix deal
Jan 07 2026
The board of entertainment and news giant Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) urged shareholders Wednesday to reject an updated …
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Oil falls as Trump flags Venezuela shipments, stocks waver
Jan 07 2026
Oil prices extended losses Wednesday after President Donald Trump said Venezuela would turn over millions of barrels to …
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Oil extends losses as Trump flags Venezuela shipments, stocks mixed
Jan 07 2026
Oil extended losses Wednesday after Donald Trump said Venezuela would turn over millions of barrels to the United …
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Lenovo unveils AI agent to bridge PCs, phones and wearables at CES
Jan 07 2026
Lenovo, the world's top PC maker, unveiled its own AI assistant Tuesday at the CES tech show in Las Vegas, promising a …
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US car market expected to moderate in 2026
Jan 07 2026
Auto industry experts expect US car sales to moderate in 2026 after last year's churn of trade announcements and …
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Overseas scholars drawn to China's scientific clout, funding
Jan 07 2026
China's government has long made efforts to tempt top scientists from abroad, but researchers say its institutions …
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Vietnamese caught in Japan's illegal worker crackdown
Jan 07 2026
For a decade, Vietnamese worker Minh did tough jobs like sandblasting ships and welding steel, helping address rapidly …
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Oil extends losses as Trump flags Venezuela shipments, stocks wobble
Jan 07 2026
Oil extended losses Wednesday after Donald Trump said Venezuela would turn over millions of barrels to the United …
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From music to mind reading: AI startups bet on earbuds
Jan 07 2026
AI companies are on the hunt to design the ideal device to deliver AI's superpowers, and some new enterprises are …
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