Business and Economy
Asian markets retreat ahead of US jobs as tech worries weigh
AFP - 0m ago
Asian markets extended losses with Wall Street on Tuesday as investors jockeyed for position ahead of key US jobs and …
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Famed Jerusalem stone still sells despite West Bank economic woes
AFP - 2m ago
Despite the catastrophic state of the Palestinian economy, Faraj al-Atrash, operator of a quarry in the occupied West …
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Trump sues BBC for $10 billion over documentary speech edit
AFP - 35m ago
US President Donald Trump on Monday filed a lawsuit seeking at least $10 billion from the BBC over a documentary that …
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Will OpenAI be the next tech giant or next Netscape?
AFP - 1h ago
Three years after ChatGPT made OpenAI the leader in artificial intelligence and a household name, rivals have closed the …
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Stock market optimism returns after tech selloff but Wall Street wobbles
Dec 15 2025
European stock markets recovered upward momentum on the back of interest rate optimism Monday following a brief …
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French minister urges angry farmers to trust cow culls, vaccines
Dec 15 2025
France's agriculture minister Monday defended planned mass cattle culls and vaccines to control an infectious bovine …
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Stock market optimism returns after tech sell-off
Dec 15 2025
Stock markets on both sides of the Atlantic recovered upward momentum on the back of interest rate optimism Monday, …
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EU faces key summit on using Russian assets for Ukraine
Dec 15 2025
EU leaders are under pressure to hammer out how to keep financing Ukraine at a summit starting Thursday -- with key …
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Spain fines Airbnb 64 mn euros for posting banned properties
Dec 15 2025
Spain's leftist government said Monday it had fined Airbnb more than 64 million euros ($75 million), notably for …
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Showdown looms as EU-Mercosur deal nears finish line
Dec 15 2025
Brussels and Berlin insisted Monday the EU's vast proposed trade deal with South American bloc Mercosur must get over …
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Small firms join charge to boost Europe's weapon supplies
Dec 15 2025
European nations have committed themselves to huge hikes in spending on weapons, with giant defence firms reaping the …
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German shipyard, rescued by the state, gets mega deal
Dec 15 2025
German shipyard Meyer Werft has received a mega order worth up to 10 billion euros ($11.7 billion), officials said …
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'We are angry': Louvre Museum closed as workers strike
Dec 15 2025
The Louvre closed its doors to thousands of disappointed visitors on Monday as staff launched a rolling strike to …
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Stocks diverge ahead of central bank calls, US data
Dec 15 2025
Stock markets diverged Monday at the start of a week filled with economic data and central bank decisions, following a …
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EU-Mercosur trade deal faces bumpy ride to finish line
Dec 15 2025
Brussels is headed for a showdown this week over the European Union's free-trade deal with South American bloc Mercosur, …
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Louvre Museum closed as workers strike
Dec 15 2025
The Louvre Museum closed its doors to thousands of disappointed visitors on Monday as staff launched a strike to protest …
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Asian markets drop with Wall St as tech fears revive
Dec 15 2025
Asian markets dropped Monday as concerns about the AI-fuelled tech rally returned to the spotlight after weak earnings …
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Jimmy Lai, the Hong Kong media 'troublemaker' in Beijing's crosshairs
Dec 15 2025
A rags-to-riches tycoon, Hong Kong media boss Jimmy Lai is a self-styled "troublemaker" who has long been a thorn in …
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Louvre trade unions to launch rolling strike
Dec 15 2025
Workers at the Louvre Museum are set to begin a rolling strike on Monday to demand extra staff and measures to tackle …
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What we know ahead of Jimmy Lai's national security verdicts
Dec 14 2025
A Hong Kong court will decide on Monday whether pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai is guilty of national security …
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French PM urged to intervene over cow slaughter protests
Dec 14 2025
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu was urged on Sunday by local officials to intervene to avoid an escalation as French …
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Tokyo-bound United plane returns to Washington after engine fails
Dec 14 2025
A United Airlines Boeing 777 bound for Tokyo had to turn back to Washington's Dulles International Airport on Saturday …
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China's smaller manufacturers look to catch the automation wave
Dec 14 2025
In a light-filled workshop in eastern China, a robotic arm moved a partially assembled autonomous vehicle as workers …
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Hungary winemakers fear disease may 'wipe out' industry
Dec 14 2025
Hungarian winemaker Viktor Keszler had to rip out young vines after only three harvests -- when they should last at …
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German defence giants battle over military spending ramp-up
Dec 14 2025
Defence giants are drawing battle lines as Germany rearms, with the old guard arguing for traditional heavy weaponry …
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Tokyo-bound United flight returns to Dulles airport after engine fails
Dec 13 2025
A United Airlines Boeing 777 bound for Tokyo had to turn back to Washington's Dulles International Airport on Saturday …
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'Stop the slaughter': French farmers block roads over cow disease cull
Dec 13 2025
Thousands of farmers in southwestern France blocked roads and set fire to bales of hay Saturday to protest the culling …
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Women sommeliers are cracking male-dominated wine world open
Dec 13 2025
Women who have fought their way to the top of the male-dominated wine sommelier world say their profession is becoming …
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Why SpaceX IPO plan is generating so much buzz
Dec 13 2025
More than 20 years after founding SpaceX, the record-breaking company that transformed the global space industry, Elon …
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World stocks mostly slide, consolidating Fed-fuelled gains
Dec 12 2025
Stock markets on both sides of the Atlantic pulled back Friday as profit-taking trimmed some of the gains seen after the …
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Crypto firm Tether bids for Juventus, is quickly rebuffed
Dec 12 2025
Cryptocurrency firm Tether said Friday it had submitted a bid to Juventus's main shareholder, Exor, to acquire its …
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Can Venezuela survive US targeting its oil tankers?
Dec 12 2025
Venezuela has been sidestepping a US oil export embargo for years, selling crude at a discounted price mainly to China. …
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World stocks retrench, consolidating Fed-fuelled gains
Dec 12 2025
Stock markets on both sides of the Atlantic pulled back Friday as pre-weekend profit-taking pared some, but not all, of …
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EU agrees three-euro small parcel tax to tackle China flood
Dec 12 2025
EU finance ministers agreed Friday to impose a three-euro duty on low-value imports into the bloc from July 2026 to help …
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World stocks consolidate Fed-fuelled gains
Dec 12 2025
Global stocks on Friday held on to gains seen after the Federal Reserve bank delivered a much-anticipated rate easing …
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EU 2035 combustion-engine ban review: what's at stake
Dec 12 2025
The European Commission is expected to announce on Tuesday measures relaxing a 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel car …
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Stocks rally in wake of Fed rate cut
Dec 12 2025
European and Asian stock markets rose Friday as investors tracked a record session on Wall Street in the wake of the …
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EU agrees recycled plastic targets for cars
Dec 12 2025
Car manufacturers in Europe will have to include more recycled plastics in new vehicles under new EU rules agreed on by …
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Russian central bank says suing Euroclear over frozen assets
Dec 12 2025
Russia's central bank on Friday said it was suing the Belgium-based Euroclear financial group, which holds Moscow's …
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Asian markets track Wall St record after Fed cut
Dec 12 2025
Asian equities rose Friday as investors tracked a record day on Wall Street in the wake of the Federal Reserve's latest …
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Make your own Mickey Mouse clip - Disney embraces AI
Dec 12 2025
Walt Disney and OpenAI announced a three-year licensing deal Thursday that will allow users to create short videos …
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Crypto mogul Do Kwon sentenced to 15 years for fraud
Dec 12 2025
A US court sentenced cryptocurrency tycoon Do Kwon to 15 years in prison Thursday over fraud linked to his company's …
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Windswept Kazakh rail hub at the heart of China-Europe trade
Dec 12 2025
Operating a huge cargo lifter, Zhandos Nurmagambetov was stacking containers onto a train before it headed across the …
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Kushner returns to team Trump, as ethical questions swirl
Dec 12 2025
His only official job title at the White House is son-in-law. But Jared Kushner has staged a remarkable -- and sometimes …
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Crypto mogul Do Kwon sentenced to 15 years for fraud: US media
Dec 11 2025
South Korean cryptocurrency tycoon Do Kwon was sentenced to 15 years in prison Thursday over fraud linked to his …
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Dow, S&P 500 end at records despite AI fears
Dec 11 2025
The Dow and S&P 500 finished at fresh records Thursday while a big drop in Oracle shares dragged the Nasdaq lower and …
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US Treasury chief seeks looser regulation at financial stability panel
Dec 11 2025
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent signaled key changes Thursday to a high-level panel on financial stability, putting …
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Turnaround for Greece as Pierrakakis tapped to lead Eurogroup
Dec 11 2025
Greece's finance minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis was elected Eurogroup chief on Thursday in a remarkable turnaround for a …
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General strike hits planes, trains and services in Portugal
Dec 11 2025
Widespread disruption hit Portuguese air travel and trains, hospitals and schools on Thursday as the unions called the …
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Dow hits record high despite AI fears
Dec 11 2025
The Dow hit a record high on Thursday despite disappointing earnings from software giant Oracle reviving concerns over …
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Make your own AI Mickey Mouse - Disney embraces new tech
Dec 11 2025
Walt Disney and OpenAI announced a three-year licensing deal Thursday that will allow users to create short videos …
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Mexico approves measure raising tariffs on Chinese imports
Dec 11 2025
President Claudia Sheinbaum defended a tariff increase on goods from China and other countries with which Mexico has no …
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Steam - and uncertainty - rise from Serbia's shuttered refinery
Dec 11 2025
Steam still rises from the chimneys of Serbia's only oil refinery as it slowly grinds to a halt under US sanctions, …
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Time magazine names 'Architects of AI' as Person of the Year
Dec 11 2025
Time magazine named the "Architects of AI" as its Person of the Year on Thursday, highlighting the US tech titans whose …
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OpenAI, Disney to let fans create AI videos in landmark deal
Dec 11 2025
Walt Disney and OpenAI announced a three-year licensing deal Thursday that will allow users to create short videos …
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Stocks diverge as AI fears cloud US rate cut
Dec 11 2025
Stock markets diverged Thursday as optimism over the Federal Reserve's latest interest rate cut was dampened by …
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US trade gap shrinks to narrowest since 2020 after tariff hikes
Dec 11 2025
The US trade deficit narrowed unexpectedly in September to the smallest since 2020, delayed government data showed …
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German growth forecasts slashed, Merz under pressure
Dec 11 2025
Leading German institutes on Thursday downgraded their 2026 growth forecasts, in another bad sign for Chancellor …
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Thyssenkrupp pauses steel production at two sites citing Asian pressure
Dec 11 2025
Europe's largest steelmaker Thyssenkrupp is to pause steel production at two sites for about two weeks because of Asian …
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ECB proposes simplifying rules for banks
Dec 11 2025
The European Central Bank proposed Thursday simplifying rules for the region's lenders to help them compete …
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Stocks mixed as US rate cut offset by Fed outlook, Oracle earnings
Dec 11 2025
Asian markets were mixed Thursday as earlier gains fuelled by the Federal Reserve's latest interest rate cut were offset …
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Asian traders cheer US rate cut but gains tempered by outlook
Dec 11 2025
Asian markets were mixed Thursday as earlier gains fuelled by the Federal Reserve's latest interest rate cut were offset …
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Eurogroup elects new head as Russian frozen assets debate rages
Dec 11 2025
Finance ministers from Europe's 20-country single currency area are to choose the next Eurogroup chief on Thursday, as …
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Taiwan to keep production of 'most advanced' chips at home: deputy FM
Dec 11 2025
Taiwan plans to keep making the "most advanced" chips on home soil and remain "indispensable" to the global …
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Chocolate prices high before Christmas despite cocoa fall
Dec 11 2025
After soaring for nearly two years, cocoa prices dropped sharply in 2025. However, chocolate, in demand ahead of the …
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Not lovin' it: McDonald's pulls Dutch AI Christmas ad
Dec 11 2025
Burger chain McDonald's said on Wednesday it had removed an AI-generated Christmas advertisement in the Netherlands …
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AI's $400 bn problem: Are chips getting old too fast?
Dec 11 2025
In pursuit of the AI dream, the tech industry this year has plunked down about $400 billion on specialized chips and …
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Oracle shares dive as revenue misses forecasts
Dec 10 2025
Shares in business computing giant Oracle fell more than 10 percent on Wednesday on word its revenue missed heady …
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Divided US Fed makes third straight rate cut, signals higher bar ahead
Dec 10 2025
A divided US Federal Reserve lowered interest rates Wednesday for a third consecutive time this year, but signaled that …
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US stocks rise, dollar retreats as Fed tone less hawkish than feared
Dec 10 2025
Wall Street stocks rose and the dollar retreated Wednesday after the Federal Reserve cut interest rates again as it …
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Divided US Fed makes third straight rate cut on jobs risks
Dec 10 2025
A divided US Federal Reserve lowered interest rates Wednesday for a third consecutive time this year, flagging labor …
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Intel sees record EU fine reduced further
Dec 10 2025
The EU General Court dealt a blow to the European Commission on Wednesday in reducing what was initially a record fine …
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Stocks mark time ahead of Fed decision
Dec 10 2025
Global stock markets marked time and the dollar steadied Wednesday with investors' eyes on a highly anticipated Federal …
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Veggie 'burgers' remain on table as EU talks stall
Dec 10 2025
EU wrangling over whether to give plant-based "sausages" and veggie "burgers" the chop and restrict such labels to meat …
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Instagram users given new algorithm controls
Dec 10 2025
Instagram on Wednesday unveiled a new AI-powered feature that lets users view and adjust the algorithm shaping their …
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US Fed expected to make third straight rate cut despite divisions
Dec 10 2025
The US Federal Reserve is expected to deliver a further interest rate cut Wednesday despite divisions among its ranks, …
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EU seeks better Spain-France energy links after blackout
Dec 10 2025
The EU said Wednesday it wants to boost energy links between France and Spain as part of a bloc-wide push to secure …
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Greek govt in emergency meeting as farmers block central port
Dec 10 2025
Greece's government held emergency meetings Wednesday to address a growing farm protest movement, as demonstrators …
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China consumer prices pick up pace but demand still slack
Dec 10 2025
Rising food costs pushed consumer inflation in China last month to its fastest pace in nearly two years, data showed …
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Stocks retreat ahead of Fed decision
Dec 10 2025
Stock markets mostly fell and the dollar steadied Wednesday following a tepid day on Wall Street as investors bided …
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France's 'Battery Valley' makes use of Asian experts
Dec 10 2025
France is developing domestic production of electric vehicle batteries with an eye on industrial independence but Asian …
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Stocks in retreat as traders eye Fed decision, tech earnings
Dec 10 2025
Most markets fell Wednesday following a tepid day on Wall Street as investors bided their time ahead of a highly …
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Asian stocks in retreat as traders eye Fed decision, tech earnings
Dec 10 2025
Asian markets fell Wednesday following a tepid day on Wall Street as investors bided their time ahead of a highly …
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Veggie 'burgers' at stake in EU negotiations
Dec 10 2025
EU countries and lawmakers will wrangle Wednesday over whether to give plant-based "sausages" and veggie "burgers" the …
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Oil-rich UAE turns to AI to grease economy
Dec 10 2025
Deep in the Abu Dhabi desert, a vast AI campus a quarter the size of Paris is starting to emerge, the oil-rich UAE's …
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China surplus pushing EU to take 'offensive' trade measures: business lobby
Dec 10 2025
China's mammoth trade surplus with Europe as well as challenges faced by foreign firms in the country are incentivising …
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Nepal faces economic fallout of September protest
Dec 10 2025
When Nepal's government was toppled in September after deadly youth-led protests against economic stagnation and …
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Australia bans under-16s from social media in world-first crackdown
Dec 10 2025
Australia banned under-16s from social media in a world-first crackdown on Wednesday, declaring it was time to "take …
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US Fed appears set for third rate cut despite sharp divides
Dec 10 2025
The US Federal Reserve is expected to deliver a further interest rate cut Wednesday despite divisions among its ranks, …
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South Korea chip giant SK hynix mulls US stock market listing
Dec 10 2025
South Korean chip giant SK hynix said on Wednesday it was considering a US stock market listing using treasury shares as …
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ExxonMobil slows low-carbon investment push through 2030
Dec 10 2025
ExxonMobil is slowing medium-term investments in low-carbon ventures by some $10 billion compared with its outlook a …
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Canada launches billion dollar plan to recruit top researchers
Dec 09 2025
Canada on Tuesday launched a CAN$1.7 billion ($1.2 billion) program to recruit leading global researchers, part of the …
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US Supreme Court weighs campaign finance case
Dec 09 2025
The US Supreme Court heard arguments on Tuesday in a Republican challenge to campaign finance rules that could impact …
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Stock markets drift on eve of Fed rate call
Dec 09 2025
Global stock markets traded mixed on Tuesday as markets avoided major swings while awaiting a Federal Reserve decision …
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French lawmakers give first approval to social security budget bill
Dec 09 2025
The lower house of French parliament on Tuesday narrowly approved a social security budget, clearing a major hurdle for …
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France's prime minister faces crunch vote in parliament
Dec 09 2025
France's social security bill was to go to a vote in parliament Tuesday, in a key hurdle for Prime Minister Sebastien …
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TotalEnergies in deal for Namibia offshore oil field
Dec 09 2025
TotalEnergies said Tuesday it had reached a deal to become a partner in the Mopane oil field off the coast of Namibia, …
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Microsoft announces $17.5 bn investment in India, its 'largest ever' in Asia
Dec 09 2025
Global technology giant Microsoft announced on Tuesday plans to invest $17.5 billion to help build India's artificial …
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India's biggest airline IndiGo says operations 'back to normal'
Dec 09 2025
India's biggest airline IndiGo said Tuesday its operations had stabilise after it cancelled thousands of flights, …
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Greek govt seeks to tackle farmer protests after Crete clashes
Dec 09 2025
Greece's government was on Tuesday scrambling to keep angry farmers from blocking key infrastructure after airports were …
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Bleak year for German engineering firms amid US, China turmoil
Dec 09 2025
Production in Germany's key engineering sector plunged for a third straight year in 2025 as firms were squeezed by US …
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UK's renationalised trains to get Union Flag makeover
Dec 09 2025
Britain's railways will feature trains painted in the red, white and blue of the nation's Union Flag as underperforming …
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