Business and Economy
Meta urges Australia to change teen social media ban
AFP - 23m ago
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
AFP - 19h ago
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
AFP - 20h ago
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
AFP - 20h ago
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
AFP - 20h ago
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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Nvidia CEO praises robots as 'AI immigrants'
Jan 07 2026
Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang described robots as "AI immigrants" on Tuesday, arguing they could solve a global …
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Equities extend record run, oil eases
Jan 06 2026
Global stock markets advanced on Tuesday to fresh record highs while oil prices eased as investors tracked developments …
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Brazil oil drilling near Amazon halted over 'fluid leak'
Jan 06 2026
Brazilian state oil company Petrobras said Tuesday that a "fluid leak" had forced it to halt drilling off the coast of …
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Oil prices gain as equities extend record run higher
Jan 06 2026
Oil prices climbed and stock markets hit new heights Tuesday as investors tracked developments surrounding crude-rich …
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UK electric car sales hit record high in 2025: industry
Jan 06 2026
All-electric vehicles accounted for nearly one quarter of new cars sold in the UK last year, a record high, industry …
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EV sales rebound in Germany as Chinese brands make inroads
Jan 06 2026
Electric vehicle sales rebounded strongly in Germany in 2025, official data showed Tuesday, with Chinese manufacturers …
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Markets extend global rally amid optimistic outlook, oil dips
Jan 06 2026
Markets rallied Tuesday, tracking the year's first record on Wall Street as investors racked up AI-linked tech bets, …
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Nestle recalls infant formula in several European countries
Jan 06 2026
Swiss food giant Nestle announced on Monday a recall of batches of infant formula in several European countries, notably …
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Uber shows off its robotaxi heading for San Francisco
Jan 06 2026
Uber on Monday unveiled a custom robotaxi it is adding to its global ride-share platform, starting on the San Francisco …
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TV makers tout AI upgrades at CES, as smartphone threat looms
Jan 06 2026
A century after Scottish inventor John Logie Baird demonstrated the first mechanical television system, TVs face …
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Ex-Canadian foreign minister appointed economic advisor in Ukraine
Jan 06 2026
Liberal politician Chrystia Freeland, Canada's former minister of finance and foreign affairs, said Monday she will …
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Lower demand for electric cars dents GM's sales
Jan 05 2026
General Motors reported a dip in fourth-quarter US auto sales Monday, reflecting a sharp decline in electric vehicle …
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Chevron helps lift Dow to record as oil market weighs Venezuela shake-up
Jan 05 2026
Oil prices finished higher Monday on a heady day for global equities after the US capture of Venezuela's president …
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Volatility grips oil market as nervous investors assess Venezuela
Jan 05 2026
The oil market was jumpy on Monday after US forces captured the leader of oil-rich Venezuela, sparking speculation on …
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EU hopes to sign Mercosur trade deal soon
Jan 05 2026
The European Union on Monday said it hoped to sign a long-delayed trade deal with South American bloc Mercosur "soon", …
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German renewable energy shift slowed in 2025
Jan 05 2026
The share of renewables in German power production almost stagnated in 2025, data showed Monday, as concerns grow about …
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Oil prices ease as investors track Venezuela fallout
Jan 05 2026
Oil prices dipped Monday after the United States ousted Nicolas Maduro, leader of crude-rich Venezuela, raising the …
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Tech firms lead markets higher, oil swings after Maduro ouster
Jan 05 2026
Stocks rose Monday on the back of a fresh rally in tech firms and oil dipped as investors weighed the impact of the US …
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Tech firms lead Asian markets higher, oil swings after Maduro ouster
Jan 05 2026
Asian stocks rose Monday on the back of a fresh rally in tech firms and oil dipped as investors weighed the impact of …
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'Tuna King' pays record $3.2 mn for bluefin at Tokyo auction
Jan 05 2026
A Japanese sushi entrepreneur paid a record $3.2 million for a giant bluefin tuna Monday at an annual prestigious new …
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UK starts ban on junk food ads on daytime TV and online
Jan 05 2026
New regulations come into force Monday in Britain banning daytime TV and online adverts for so-called junk foods, in …
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A year on, LA wildfire survivors struggle to rebuild
Jan 04 2026
Less than a year after watching flames raze his home in the Altadena foothills, Ted Koerner has moved into a brand new …
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Sprawling CES gadgetfest a world stage for AI and its hype
Jan 03 2026
Dreams about the vast potential of artificial intelligence will collide with cold, hard reality as the Consumer …
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Tesla loses EV crown to China's BYD in 2025 as sales slip
Jan 02 2026
Tesla's sales fell in 2025, the company reported Friday, ceding its position as the world's biggest electric vehicle …
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London stocks hit record as 2026 kicks off with global gains
Jan 02 2026
Stock markets mostly rose on Friday, the first trading day of 2026, with London's benchmark FTSE 100 index reaching …
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