Business and Economy
France, UK to lead multinational Hormuz mission
AFP - 3m ago
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
AFP - 30m ago
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
AFP - 1h ago
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
AFP - 1h ago
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
AFP - 3h ago
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
AFP - 2h ago
Stock markets diverged and oil prices fell Friday as investors awaited news of a possible extension to the Iran-US …
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War in the Middle East: latest developments
AFP - 3h ago
The latest developments in the Middle East war:
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Video game voice star Troy Baker says 'only humans' can make art
AFP - 5h ago
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
AFP - 3h ago
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
AFP - 9h ago
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
AFP - 1m ago
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
AFP - 13h ago
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
AFP - 1h ago
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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Lufthansa accelerates cost cuts, closing subsidiary, as fuel prices surge
Apr 16 2026
Lufthansa said Thursday that it was accelerating savings plans by closing a regional subsidiary as the German aviation …
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Pernod says Brown-Forman talks 'ongoing' after reported rival offer
Apr 16 2026
French drinks giant Pernod Ricard said Thursday that talks to buy Brown-Forman, the US owner of Jack Daniel's whiskey, …
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Commodities exports through Strait of Hormuz collapse, except for Iran
Apr 16 2026
Iran was the top exporter of commodities through the Strait of Hormuz in March, as shipments from other countries fell …
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Tokyo stocks hit record high as Iran peace hopes grow
Apr 16 2026
The Tokyo stock market reached a record high Thursday on heightened optimism that the United States and Iran would …
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Leading economists call for windfall profit taxes on energy firms
Apr 16 2026
Prominent economists called Thursday for governments to introduce windfall profit taxes on energy companies who are set …
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French billionaire Bollore sparks turmoil at top publisher Grasset
Apr 16 2026
French conservative billionaire Vincent Bollore came under attack from dozens of authors on Thursday at one of his …
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Repsol taking back control of Venezuelan oil assets
Apr 16 2026
Spanish energy group Repsol said on Thursday it has reached an agreement with the Venezuelan government to regain …
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TotalEnergies says was able to maintain production despite war
Apr 16 2026
French oil and gas giant TotalEnergies said Thursday its production in the first quarter of the year was expected to …
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Tokyo record leads stocks higher as Iran peace hopes grow
Apr 16 2026
Japanese stocks hit a record high as most equity markets rose Thursday on heightened optimism the United States and Iran …
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UK supermarket Tesco says Mideast war hits profit outlook
Apr 16 2026
Britain's biggest supermarket chain Tesco warned Thursday that its profits could be impacted by the Mideast war lifting …
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EasyJet says first-half loss to deepen on Mideast war
Apr 16 2026
British no-frills airline EasyJet on Thursday said it expects to post a deeper first-half loss compared with one year …
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Kering seeks to 'reignite desirability' with Gucci reset
Apr 16 2026
French luxury group Kering vowed Thursday to "reignite desirability" of its flagging Gucci label, once the jet set's …
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AI demand drives chipmaker TSMC's net profit to fresh record
Apr 16 2026
Taiwanese chip maker TSMC said Thursday its net profit surged to a fresh record in the first quarter, fuelled by the …
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Fuel supply fears after blaze tears through crucial Australian refinery
Apr 16 2026
Columns of fire engulfed a crucial Australian oil refinery after a chain of explosions, authorities said Thursday, as …
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Threat of grounded planes nears as jet fuel supplies dwindle
Apr 16 2026
Could planes soon be stuck on the ground due to a lack of fuel? The risk of jet fuel shortages is growing each day the …
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China's economy beats forecasts, but war darkens outlook
Apr 16 2026
China's economy expanded more than expected in the first three months of the year, with official data Thursday …
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Luxury giant Kering to chart path for Gucci turnaround
Apr 16 2026
When executives from luxury giant Kering sit down for an investors' day in Florence on Thursday, the troubled Italian …
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Tokyo record leads Asia stocks higher as Iran peace hopes grow
Apr 16 2026
Japanese stocks hit a record high as Asian equities extended the week's rally Thursday on heightened optimism the United …
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Mexican farmers raise alarm over Sheinbaum's fracking proposal
Apr 16 2026
Over the two decades since fracking started near their lands, farmers in the Mexican state of Veracruz have watched …
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US announces new sanctions against Iran oil sector
Apr 15 2026
The United States announced Wednesday it is tightening sanctions against Iran's oil industry as Tehran keeps up its …
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Jury finds Ticketmaster owner ran illegal monopoly
Apr 15 2026
A US jury on Wednesday found that entertainment giant Live Nation wielded monopoly power at its Ticketmaster business, …
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IMF chief warns of 'tough times' if oil prices stay high
Apr 15 2026
IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva warned Wednesday of difficult times ahead for the global economy if war in the Middle …
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S&P 500, Nasdaq end at records as markets bet on US-Iran accord
Apr 15 2026
Major Wall Street stock indices finished at records Wednesday, extending an upward climb on optimism about an accord in …
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IMF and Argentina agree deal unlocking $1 bn in assistance
Apr 15 2026
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Wednesday it had reached an agreement with the highly indebted Argentine …
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World Bank chief economist warns of hunger risk from war in Iran
Apr 15 2026
The conflict in the Middle East could push millions more towards hunger as its economic fallout reverberates further …
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Trump says will fire Fed chair if he stays beyond mandate
Apr 15 2026
President Donald Trump renewed pressure Wednesday on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, with the US leader threatening …
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BBC to cut up to 2,000 jobs under 'financial pressures'
Apr 15 2026
The BBC said on Wednesday that the British broadcasting corporation is set to cut up to 2,000 jobs amid a challenging …
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Hormuz shipping muted as US blockade takes hold: tracking data
Apr 15 2026
A trickle of ships crossed the Strait of Hormuz Tuesday and Wednesday as a US blockade appeared to further curb traffic …
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Swiss watchmakers say time will tell on effects of Mideast conflict
Apr 15 2026
The Middle East war has plunged Swiss watchmakers into uncertainty, testing the resilience of an iconic national …
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World Bank announces water security plan covering one billion people
Apr 15 2026
The World Bank announced a plan Wednesday that aims to improve secure water access for a billion people within the next …
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Oil rises, stocks mixed as investors eye chances for end of Mideast war
Apr 15 2026
Crude prices climbed Wednesday while stocks diverged as investors digested mixed signals about talks to end the war in …
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Merz praises Lufthansa on centenary as strikes ruin party
Apr 15 2026
Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Wednesday praised "the strategic importance" of Lufthansa as the German airline giant …
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Bosnia approves gas project by Trump-linked investors
Apr 15 2026
Bosnia approved Wednesday a $1.5 billion energy project led by investors close to US President Donald Trump that aims to …
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EU says age-check app 'ready' in push to protect children online
Apr 15 2026
European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday that an EU-developed age verification app was ready to go, as …
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Stocks edge higher as investors eye chances for end of Mideast war
Apr 15 2026
Stock markets were mostly higher Wednesday on signs that talks were continuing to end the war in the Middle East, …
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EU rejects Meta's pay-for-access remedy in WhatsApp AI chatbots probe
Apr 15 2026
The EU told Meta Wednesday that charging rival AI chatbots for access to its WhatsApp platform runs against the bloc's …
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Starmer says 'won't yield' to Trump's Mideast war threats
Apr 15 2026
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday said he would not "yield" to pressure to join the Iran war after US …
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Chinese suppliers, Mideast importers fret about war fallout on trade
Apr 15 2026
Suppliers and buyers at a trade show in southern China were cautious on Wednesday as they weighed costs for ice cream …
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Markets steadier on Mideast peace hopes, as war hits luxury goods
Apr 15 2026
Markets largely steadied Wednesday as traders waited to see if Mideast peace talks resume, though share prices of Gucci …
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OpenAI announces restricted-access cybersecurity model
Apr 15 2026
Artificial intelligence company OpenAI said Tuesday that it would release its latest cybersecurity model to a limited …
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French luxury firms Hermes, Kering knocked by disappointing sales
Apr 15 2026
Shares in the French fashion groups Kering and Hermes plunged Wednesday after both reported sales that missed analyst …
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Stocks rally, oil falls further as Trump fans fresh peace hopes
Apr 15 2026
Stocks rose and crude dropped again Wednesday after Donald Trump said a second round of US-Iran talks could take place …
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AI expansion drives up profits at bullish tech giant ASML
Apr 15 2026
Dutch tech giant ASML, which makes cutting-edge machines to manufacture semiconductor chips, said Wednesday that rapidly …
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AI-driven chip shortage slowing efforts to get world online: GSMA
Apr 15 2026
A memory chip crunch fuelled by the artificial intelligence boom is hindering efforts to bring more people online …
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Stocks rally, oil extends losses as Trump fans fresh peace hopes
Apr 15 2026
Stocks rose and oil fell again Wednesday after Donald Trump said a second round of US-Iran talks could take place "over …
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'Listening bars' bloom as hottest new nightlife trend
Apr 15 2026
Not quite like a gig or going clubbing, but there's a new night out spreading in cities around the world: an evening at …
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'Blindsided': US farmers strained as fertilizer costs surge on war
Apr 15 2026
On Andy Corriher's farm in North Carolina, planting and preparations are underway for his corn and soybean crops -- but …
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Ships exit Gulf from Iran despite US blockade: tracker
Apr 15 2026
At least three ships sailing from Iranian ports crossed the Hormuz Strait despite a US military blockade, but some …
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Netflix boss Sarandos has 'constructive' talks with cinema owners
Apr 14 2026
Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos met with US cinema owners on the sidelines of an industry gathering, the trade association …
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Stocks rise, oil prices retreat on hopes for Mideast peace deal
Apr 14 2026
Stock markets climbed and oil prices tumbled Tuesday on rekindled hopes for a deal to end the Middle East war and reopen …
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US bank profits jump as execs see consumers surviving oil spike, for now
Apr 14 2026
Large banks reported higher profits Tuesday, pointing to resilience among US businesses and customers despite spiking …
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Trump's Fed chair nominee to face Senate confirmation hearing next week
Apr 14 2026
US President Donald Trump's choice for central bank chair is set to face a confirmation hearing next Tuesday, in a …
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Renault to cut up to 20% of engineers
Apr 14 2026
French carmaker Renault said Tuesday that it plans to reduce its number of engineers by 15 to 20 percent in the coming …
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Gucci -- again -- drags down Kering's performance
Apr 14 2026
French luxury group Kering saw sales slide by six percent in the first quarter of this year, with its troubled flagship …
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Rolls-Royce unveils ultra-luxury limited series electric car
Apr 14 2026
Far from the downturn that has shaken many luxury houses in recent years, Britain's Rolls-Royce on Tuesday launched an …
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Geneva watch fair set to show war's effect on luxury sector
Apr 14 2026
The Geneva watch fair, the watchmaking industry's biggest annual showcase, opened Tuesday with the impact of the Middle …
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Lebanon, Israel start direct talks as Hezbollah launches new attacks
Apr 14 2026
Washington's top diplomat urged Israel and Lebanon to seize a "historic opportunity" for peace as direct talks between …
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Trump admin wants new Fed chair in place 'as soon as possible'
Apr 14 2026
The Trump administration wants Kevin Warsh in place as the new US central bank chair "as soon as possible," with the …
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Lebanon, Israel start direct talks as Trump blockades Iran
Apr 14 2026
Washington's top diplomat urged Israel and Lebanon to seize a "historic opportunity" for peace as direct talks between …
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ECB chief insists won't abandon ship amid global turmoil
Apr 14 2026
European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde said Tuesday she would not leave her post early as the global economy …
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Czech govt draws ire with public media financing plan
Apr 14 2026
The Czech culture minister angered the opposition and media freedom watchdogs with a plan presented Tuesday to fund …
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US bank profits jump as execs see consumers surviving oil spike so far
Apr 14 2026
Large banks reported higher profits Tuesday, pointing to resilience among US businesses and customers despite higher oil …
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IMF cuts 2026 global growth forecast on Mideast war
Apr 14 2026
The IMF cut its 2026 global growth projection Tuesday, warning that the world economy could be "thrown off course" by …
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Stocks rise, oil slips on hopes for Mideast peace deal
Apr 14 2026
Stock markets climbed and oil prices retreated Tuesday on rekindled hopes for a deal to end the Middle East war and …
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Amazon says to buy Globalstar to expand satellite network
Apr 14 2026
Amazon said Tuesday that it had signed a deal to buy the US telecoms satellite group Globalstar to expand its own …
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IMF cuts eurozone growth forecast to 1.1%, warns of strong euro
Apr 14 2026
Economic growth across the eurozone will slow to an estimated 1.1 percent this year as higher energy prices weigh on …
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Lebanon, Israel to hold direct talks as Trump blockades Iran
Apr 14 2026
Israel said it was open to peace with Lebanon ahead of the first direct talks in decades between the neighbours Tuesday, …
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US blockade of Iran ports threatens already crippled oil supply
Apr 14 2026
Washington's decision to blockade Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz is sending tremors through global energy …
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Mideast war revs up electric car demand in Asia
Apr 14 2026
Electric vehicle sales have jumped in Southeast Asia as cost-conscious buyers have poured into dealerships looking to …
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Fresh from conflict, Pakistan plays 'peacemaker' in US-Iran talks
Apr 14 2026
As the clock ticked down to US President Donald Trump's deadline to destroy Iran's civilisation last week, hope emerged …
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Asian stocks rally, crude drops on lingering hope for a peace deal
Apr 14 2026
Stocks rose and oil fell Tuesday on hopes for a deal to end the Middle East war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with …
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Botswana seals energy, mining deals with Oman
Apr 14 2026
Botswana has signed energy and mining exploration agreements with Oman as it seeks to deepen economic ties with the …
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Founder of China's Evergrande pleads guilty to fraud
Apr 14 2026
The founder of Chinese property giant Evergrande has pleaded guilty to charges of fraud and bribery, a court said on …
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US says ball in Iran's court as push grows to end war
Apr 14 2026
The United States said "the ball is in the Iranian court" on ending the Mideast war, as diplomats accelerated efforts on …
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OpenAI firebomber was trying to kill boss Sam Altman: prosecutors
Apr 14 2026
A man who allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail at Sam Altman's luxury California home was trying to kill the boss of …
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China's economy likely picked up pace in first quarter: AFP survey
Apr 14 2026
China's economic growth likely picked up in the first three months of the year, according to analysts surveyed by AFP, …
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Australia to spend billions on drones as warfare changes
Apr 14 2026
Australia will boost spending on drones by up to Au$5 billion ($3.6 billion) in response to shifts in warfare seen in …
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