Business and Tech
Russia wages online battle against TikTok and YouTube
AFP - 4h ago
"I'm an American!" a young Russian under the username Neurolera exclaims in English on the popular video-sharing app …
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Inside the world's biggest vaccine factory, India's Serum Institute
AFP - 5h ago
The tiny clinking vials supervised by silent PPE-wearing technicians belie the excitement inside the world's largest …
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Pfizer offers 40 mn Covid shots to poorer countries at cost
AFP - 9h ago
Pfizer announced Friday that it will provide up to 40 million of its Covid-19 vaccine doses to poorer countries on a …
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Warning light halts Boeing 737 MAX flight in Canada
AFP - 10h ago
Canadian airline Westjet on Friday cancelled a flight just prior to take-off after a warning light went off in the …
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Stocks falter as Johnson says new UK virus strain more deadly
Jan 22 2021
Global stocks mostly fell Friday as investors fretted about the economic impact of fresh virus shocks amid worries that …
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Biden warns Covid toll could surpass 600,000, urges rescue plan passage
Jan 22 2021
President Joe Biden warned on Friday that the number of coronavirus deaths in the United States was expected to surpass …
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GameStop shares rocket as frustrated short seller walks away
Jan 22 2021
Shares in GameStop rocketed on Friday as an activist short-seller said he was walking away from the stock in the …
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US housing boomed in 2020 even as pandemic slammed economy
Jan 22 2021
The US housing market boomed in 2020 even as the coronavirus pandemic caused one of the worst economic contractions of …
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Diamond magnate gets 5 years in prison in Swiss corruption trial
Jan 22 2021
French-Israeli diamond magnate Beny Steinmetz was sentenced by a Geneva court on Friday to five years behind bars for …
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Biden pushes Congress for Covid aid but Trump impeachment looms
Jan 22 2021
President Joe Biden ordered help for hungry Americans in the growing coronavirus crisis Friday, but Donald Trump's …
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EVgo latest in hot US electric auto sector to publicly list
Jan 22 2021
California-based EVgo is set to join the parade of companies jumping on public equity markets following a transaction …
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Biden orders food aid for Americans but Trump impeachment looms
Jan 22 2021
President Joe Biden, in just his third day on the job, ordered help for hungry Americans Friday in a rush to pull the …
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Stock markets hit by virus shocks
Jan 22 2021
World stock markets retreated Friday as investors fretted about the economic impact of fresh virus shocks and the threat …
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Iconic French glassmaker Duralex hopes for a lifeline
Jan 22 2021
A French court on Friday studied a rescue bid for Duralex, the maker of ultra-tough glassware prized by home cooks as …
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Reliance profit soars despite oil business slump
Jan 22 2021
Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries on Friday said that its profit soared 12.5 percent during the last quarter of …
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Biden pushes to get food, cash to crisis-hit Americans
Jan 22 2021
President Joe Biden, in just his third day on the job, ordered help for hungry Americans Friday in a rush to pull the …
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US existing home sales hit 14-year record despite pandemic
Jan 22 2021
Record low mortgage rates amid the coronavirus pandemic fueled a US housing boom last year, pushing existing home sales …
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European stock markets retreat on virus shocks
Jan 22 2021
European stock markets retreated Friday, extending the previous session's falls as the focus switched back to the …
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Alphabet closes down internet balloon network project 'Loon'
Jan 22 2021
Google parent company Alphabet announced Friday it was shutting down "Loon", a high-profile project aiming to deliver …
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Fear and frustration in Nigeria as millions at risk of phone suspension
Jan 22 2021
"If I don't have my phone, I don't make money," said Raphael Ajih, resting on a rusty metal chair, his hands clenched on …
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Asian markets drop after Biden-fuelled rally
Jan 22 2021
Asian markets fell Friday as investors took a breather following a strong week for global equities as Joe Biden took up …
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Google threatens to block Australians over media law
Jan 22 2021
Google threatened Friday to block Australians from using its search service unless the government changed landmark …
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Asian markets take a step back after Biden-fuelled rally
Jan 22 2021
Asian markets fell Friday as investors took a breather following a strong week for global equities as Joe Biden took up …
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Asia to dominate Davos virtual forum as virus-hit West struggles
Jan 22 2021
Emerging stronger from the Covid-19 pandemic, Asia is set to dominate this year's virtual World Economic Forum as a …
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'Fact-checkers' proposed for Nobel peace prize
Jan 22 2021
With truth famously known as the "first casualty of war," a Norwegian parliamentarian announced Thursday that she is …
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Facebook 'supreme court' to judge Trump suspension
Jan 22 2021
Facebook on Thursday said it is asking its independent experts to rule on whether former president Donald Trump's …
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Judge rejects request to restore web access to Parler platform
Jan 22 2021
A federal judge on Thursday rejected a request by the conservative-friendly social network Parler that would have forced …
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Embattled Intel says earnings better than expected
Jan 22 2021
Intel said Thursday that earnings topped prior expectations, as the computer chip giant faces pressure to come up with …
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Global stocks mixed as Lagarde warns of continued Covid-19 drag
Jan 21 2021
Global stocks were mixed Thursday, with the Nasdaq pushing to a fresh record on lingering optimism over the US …
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US jobless claim data underscores employment crisis awaiting Biden
Jan 21 2021
US government data released the day after Joe Biden entered the White House made clear the scale of the employment …
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Google suspends second AI ethics researcher: union
Jan 21 2021
Google has suspended an artificial intelligence ethics researcher weeks after dismissing another member of the team, a …
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FBI asked to investigate Parler over attack on US Capitol
Jan 21 2021
A lawmaker on Thursday asked the FBI to investigate the role conservative-favored social network Parler played in the …
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Rapper Jay-Z invests in minority cannabis ventures
Jan 21 2021
Superstar rapper Jay-Z has launched a new $10 million cannabis venture to invest in Black-owned firms, in an effort to …
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European stocks slide after ECB meeting
Jan 21 2021
European stock markets lost steam Thursday and slid lower following a meeting by directors of the European Central Bank …
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BlackRock opens door to bitcoin in boost for cryptocurrency
Jan 21 2021
BlackRock, Wall Street's biggest money manager, is opening the door to investing in bitcoin futures in a potential boost …
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Worsening pandemic poses 'serious risks', ECB's Lagarde warns
Jan 21 2021
European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde warned on Thursday that the pandemic still poses "serious risks" to the …
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European stocks edge higher as ECB meets
Jan 21 2021
European stock markets' bounce from Joe Biden taking office as US president lost steam Thursday.
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US homebuilding surges in December
Jan 21 2021
The housing market remained a bright spot in the US economy at the close of 2020 as home construction jumped again, …
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Jobless claim data underscores employment crisis awaiting Biden
Jan 21 2021
The United States saw 900,000 new filings for unemployment benefits last week, the Labor Department said Thursday, a …
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ECB sits tight as virus jitters grow
Jan 21 2021
European Central Bank governors on Thursday held back from tweaking their pandemic stimulus for the eurozone, even as …
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Google signs deal on copyright payments to French press
Jan 21 2021
Google and French newspapers said Thursday they had signed an agreement aimed at opening the way to digital copyright …
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Biden bounce peters out for European stocks
Jan 21 2021
European stock markets' bounce from Joe Biden taking office as US president petered out Thursday.
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High temperatures, remote islands pose challenges for Asian jab distributor
Jan 21 2021
From keeping coronavirus vaccines cold in tropical temperatures to ensuring they reach remote islands, a top drug …
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Bank of Japan revises up growth outlook for next two years
Jan 21 2021
The Bank of Japan on Thursday revised its growth outlook upwards for the next two years and maintained its ultra-loose …
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Markets welcome Biden presidency with healthy gains
Jan 21 2021
Asian and European markets welcomed Joe Biden's first day as US president with broad gains Thursday as investors looked …
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Asia welcomes Biden presidency with healthy gains
Jan 21 2021
Asian markets saw Joe Biden's first day as US president with broad gains Thursday as investors look forward with …
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Asia sees in Biden presidency with healthy gains
Jan 21 2021
Asian markets welcomed Joe Biden's first day as US president with broad gains Thursday as investors look forward with …
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ECB meets as virus woes weigh on eurozone
Jan 21 2021
European Central Bank governors meet Thursday to take stock of their monetary stimulus efforts as more infectious …
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Biden's first foreign leader call will be to Canada's Trudeau: WHouse
Jan 21 2021
President Joe Biden's first call to a foreign leader will be to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, White House …
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California WeChat users claim China surveillance in lawsuit
Jan 21 2021
California WeChat users sued its parent company Tencent on Wednesday, saying the mobile app is used for spying on and …
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United Airlines says it lost $7.1 bn in 2020 on Covid-19 hit
Jan 21 2021
United Airlines on Wednesday reported it took a hefty loss in 2020 following the devastating hit Covid-19 did to travel, …
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Wall Street soars after smooth Biden inauguration
Jan 20 2021
Wall Street hit new records and stock markets across the globe climbed after US President Joe Biden took office on …
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Brazil keeps 2 pct interest rate despite rising inflation
Jan 20 2021
Brazil's central bank on Wednesday held the country's benchmark interest rate at two percent, concerned that the second …
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Amazon offers to help with Covid-19 vaccine effort
Jan 20 2021
Tech colossus Amazon on Wednesday offered to put its vast operation to work helping President Joe Biden get 100 million …
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Work halted on Keystone XL pipeline, Biden block expected
Jan 20 2021
TC Energy, the Canadian company behind the Keystone XL pipeline between Canada and the United States, on Wednesday …
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Trump pardons engineer who stole Google trade secrets
Jan 20 2021
A former Google engineer who pleaded guilty to stealing secrets from its self-driving car program was among those …
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UK virus variant sweeps world as Biden warns worse is to come
Jan 20 2021
A coronavirus variant that emerged in England has swept through more than 60 nations including China, officials …
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Twitter shifts US presidential accounts to Biden team
Jan 20 2021
As US President Joe Biden took office on Wednesday, Twitter handed him the reins of an official @POTUS account as part …
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Global markets gain ground as Biden is inaugurated
Jan 20 2021
World stock markets rose Wednesday as Joe Biden took the oath of office, in part owing to the new US president's …
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Global markets firmer ahead of Biden's inauguration
Jan 20 2021
World stock markets rose Wednesday as investors awaited the inauguration of Joe Biden and took heart from comments by …
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P&G sees strong sales trends extending beyond pandemic
Jan 20 2021
Procter & Gamble reported another quarter of strong sales growth Wednesday and expressed confidence it would keep up the …
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Global markets firmer on Biden inauguration
Jan 20 2021
World stock markets mostly rose Wednesday as investors awaited the inauguration of Joe Biden and took heart from …
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China latest of 60 nations with UK virus strain as US to rejoin WHO
Jan 20 2021
China confirmed Wednesday that it had detected the UK variant of the coronavirus, joining at least 60 other countries, …
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Lotus looks to an electric future with Alpine deal
Jan 20 2021
A co-operation deal between British sports car maker Lotus and Alpine, owned by French giant Renault, is driven by a …
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Alibaba's shares surge as Jack Ma reappears
Jan 20 2021
Shares in internet giant Alibaba soared more than eight percent Wednesday after billionaire founder Jack Ma made his …
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Hong Kong bank staff arrested in US$810m laundering probe
Jan 20 2021
Seven former and current bank employees have been arrested in Hong Kong as part of a major operation against a US$810 …
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Asia markets mostly up on hope for Biden recovery agenda
Jan 20 2021
Asian investors pushed markets higher again Wednesday as they await the swearing-in of Joe Biden, while they have taken …
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Alibaba's Jack Ma appears for first time since regulatory crackdown
Jan 20 2021
Jack Ma, the billionaire founder of Chinese internet behemoth Alibaba, made his first public appearance in over two …
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YouTube extends ban on Trump channel ahead of inauguration
Jan 20 2021
Google-owned YouTube on Tuesday confirmed it extended a ban on new video being added to US President Donald Trump's …
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Biden's cabinet picks say US to stand against China trade abuses
Jan 20 2021
President-elect Joe Biden's picks to lead economic and foreign policy signaled on Tuesday that there would be no letup …
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Social media faces reckoning as Trump ban forces reset
Jan 20 2021
Social media giants crossed a threshold in banning US President Donald Trump and an array of his supporters -- and now …
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Trudeau says will keep pushing Biden to save Keystone pipeline
Jan 20 2021
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday he would press US President-elect Joe Biden in the coming days to …
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Goldman Sachs earnings surge amid pandemic upheaval
Jan 20 2021
Goldman Sachs reported another blowout quarter Tuesday to conclude a highly profitable 2020 despite the coronavirus …
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Netflix keeps growing in pandemic, tops 200 mn subscribers
Jan 20 2021
Netflix on Tuesday topped subscriber growth expectations in the past quarter, keeping ahead of new streaming rivals …
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World Wide Web inventor opposes Australia's news payment plan
Jan 20 2021
World Wide Web inventor Tim Berners-Lee says Australia's plan to force digital giants to pay media outlets for news …
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Wall Street climbs ahead of Biden's inauguration
Jan 19 2021
Wall Street saw solid gains on Tuesday ahead of US President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration as investors considered his …
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US orders Ford to recall 3 mn vehicles with Takata airbags
Jan 19 2021
US regulators on Tuesday ordered Ford to recall three million vehicles containing Takata airbags that show signs of …
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Germany tightens shutdown as virus variants fuel fears
Jan 19 2021
Germany on Tuesday toughened a partial lockdown and extended it to February 14, with Chancellor Angela Merkel warning of …
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GM teams up with Microsoft as electric car market revs
Jan 19 2021
General Motors announced an alliance Tuesday with Microsoft on its Cruise autonomous driving venture, combining forces …
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Biden's Treasury pick says US to stand against China trade abuses
Jan 19 2021
President-elect Joe Biden's pick to lead the US Treasury signaled Tuesday there would be no letup in Washington's …
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Tug-of-war between debt and stimulus awaits Yellen at Treasury
Jan 19 2021
Spend big to help the economy while dealing with a massive national debt: as US Treasury secretary, Janet Yellen will …
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Stellantis sets sights on electric vehicles in future
Jan 19 2021
Stellantis, the world's newest major automobile group, laid out Tuesday a roadmap for its development, notably in …
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Electric vehicle maker Rivian valued at $27.6 bn in funding round
Jan 19 2021
Electric vehicle maker Rivian on Tuesday said it raised $2.65 billion in a new funding round valuing the Amazon-backed …
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Malaysia files WTO complaint over EU palm oil restrictions
Jan 19 2021
Malaysia has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization over European Union rules affecting the consumption of …
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Ransomware took heavy toll on US in 2020: researchers
Jan 19 2021
Ransomware attacks took a heavy toll on the United States last year with more than 2,000 victims in government, …
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Global equities mixed ahead of Biden's inauguration
Jan 19 2021
European stock markets were softer Tuesday after a strong showing in Asia, as investors reacted to comments by US …
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Yellen says Biden to use all tools against China trade abuses
Jan 19 2021
The incoming administration of President-elect Joe Biden will use all available tools to address "China's abusive unfair …
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India urges WhatsApp to withdraw new data-sharing policy
Jan 19 2021
India's government Tuesday called on WhatsApp to withdraw planned changes to its data-sharing policy, citing concerns …
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FedEx to lay off up to 6,300 workers in Europe after TNT takeover
Jan 19 2021
FedEx announced Tuesday it plans to cut up to 6,300 jobs in Europe as it eliminates staff duplication following the 2016 …
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Germany poised for tighter shutdown as virus variants fuel fears
Jan 19 2021
Chancellor Angela Merkel and leaders of Germany's 16 states are expected Tuesday to extend and tighten a partial …
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French series 'Lupin' tops 'Queen's Gambit' views on Netflix
Jan 19 2021
The Netflix-produced series "Lupin", a sly modern take on France's beloved gentleman thief, is on track for 70 million …
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Equities mixed on eve of Biden inauguration
Jan 19 2021
European stock markets were generally softer Tuesday following a strong showing in Asia ahead of keenly awaited comments …
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GM teams up wtih Microsoft on Cruise self-driving vehicle
Jan 19 2021
General Motors announced Tuesday it is joining forces with Microsoft on its Cruise autonomous driving venture, with the …
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Yellen to urge Congress to 'act big' to help US economy
Jan 19 2021
US President-elect Joe Biden's nominee for Treasury secretary, Janet Yellen, will urge lawmakers Tuesday to support big …
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Glencore to sell copper mine to Zambian state
Jan 19 2021
Swiss-based mining giant Glencore said Tuesday it was selling its stake in a high-profile Zambian copper mine to a …
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Goldman Sachs 4Q profits surge to $4.4 bn, topping estimates
Jan 19 2021
Goldman Sachs said Tuesday the firm's fourth-quarter profits more than doubled on a strong performance across operations …
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Equities edge higher before Yellen, on eve of Biden inauguration
Jan 19 2021
European stock markets edged up Tuesday following a strong showing in Asia ahead of a key speech from US Treasury …
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EU regulator to clear Boeing 737 MAX flights next week
Jan 19 2021
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) plans to clear the Boeing 737 MAX to fly again next week, 22 months …
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EU regulator to approve Boeing 737 MAX flights next week
Jan 19 2021
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) plans to authorise the Boeing 737 MAX to fly again next week, 22 months …
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Germany mulls tighter shutdown as virus variants fuel fears
Jan 19 2021
Chancellor Angela Merkel and leaders of Germany's 16 states are expected Tuesday to extend and tighten a partial …
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Investors eye recovery as most markets rise, Yellen in focus
Jan 19 2021
Optimism about the global economic recovery and vaccine rollouts trumped ongoing concerns about soaring virus infections …
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Investors eye recovery as most Asia markets rise, Yellen in focus
Jan 19 2021
Optimism about the global economic recovery and vaccine rollouts trumped ongoing concerns about soaring virus infections …
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