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Asia stocks muted with all eyes on Trump-Xi meeting

Asian stocks were subdued Thursday morning, with investors closely watching talks between the leaders of the United States and China for potential breakthroughs to defuse a damaging trade war.

'Utter madness': NZ farmers agree dairy sale to French group

Farmers who own New Zealand dairy cooperative Fonterra voted Thursday to sell its consumer business to French group Lactalis, a decision slammed by the country's foreign minister as "utter madness".

Samsung posts 32% profit rise on-year in third quarter

South Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics posted on Thursday a 32 percent rise in profits on-year for the third quarter, driven by AI-fuelled market demand for memory chips.

30 years after cliffhanger vote, Quebec separatists voice hope for independence

The result was excruciatingly close: 30 years ago Thursday, in a referendum on Quebec's independence, 50.6 percent of people voted "no," and 49.4 chose "yes" -- an outcome that left Canada whole.

Taxes, labor laws, pensions: what Milei wants to do next

Boosted by his victory in mid-term elections, Argentina's libertarian President Javier Milei is preparing to forge ahead with a second wave of reforms, targeting the labor market, taxation system and, down the line, pensions.

Google parent Alphabet posts first $100 bn quarter as AI fuels growth

Google parent Alphabet reported its first-ever $100 billion quarterly revenue on Wednesday, powered by strong growth across its core search business and rapidly expanding cloud division that was buoyed by artificial intelligence.

Underwater 'human habitat' aims to allow researchers to make weeklong dives

To someday allow scientists to stay underwater conducting research for days on end, the UK-based company DEEP has designed Vanguard, a "subsea human habitat."

Dollar rises after Fed chair says December rate cut not a given

The dollar strengthened Wednesday while Wall Street stocks were mixed after the Federal Reserve indicated its latest interest rate cut might not be repeated in December.

Google parent Alphabet posts first $100 bn quarter as AI drives growth

Google parent Alphabet reported its first-ever $100 billion quarterly revenue on Wednesday, powered by strong growth across its core search business and rapidly expanding cloud division that was buoyed by artificial intelligence.

US media mogul John Malone to step down as head of business empire

Billionaire media and telecoms tycoon John Malone will step down as chairman of his multinational companies Liberty Global and Liberty Media after decades influencing the global communications landscape, the businesses announced Wednesday.

France adopts consent-based rape law

French lawmkers on Wednesday adopted a bill defining rape as any non-consensual sexual act, making the country the latest European nation to pass a consent-based law.

Stocks extend record run as trade, AI dominates

Stock markets hit record highs Wednesday thanks to optimism over US trade deals, the AI sector and an expected interest-rate cut by the US Federal Reserve.

Under-fire UK govt deports migrant sex offender with £500

The UK government said Wednesday it had forcibly deported an Ethiopian migrant and convicted sex offender, giving him £500 ($661) to leave, as it came under fire on multiple fronts over immigration.

Startup Character.AI to ban direct chat for minors after teen suicide

Startup Character.AI announced Wednesday it would eliminate chat capabilities for users under 18, a policy shift that follows the suicide of a 14-year-old who had become emotionally attached to one of its AI chatbots.

Boeing reports $5.4-bn loss on large hit from 777X aircraft delays

Boeing reported a $5.4-billion third-quarter loss on Wednesday as massive added costs from the delayed certification of its 777X aircraft weighed down its results.

EU seeks 'urgent solutions' with China over chipmaker Nexperia

The EU said Wednesday it is seeking a swift resolution to a Chinese curb on chip exports linked to a row with the Netherlands over chipmaker Nexperia that has alarmed European businesses.

Markets extend record run as trade dominates

Markets hit record highs Wednesday thanks to optimism over US trade deals, the AI sector and an expected interest-rate cut from the Federal Reserve.

Spain's Santander bank posts record profit

Spanish banking giant Santander reported record profits on Wednesday for the first nine months of 2025, buoyed by strong client growth and a solid performance in its key markets.

Chemicals firm BASF urges EU to cut red tape as profit dips

The boss of German chemicals giant BASF on Wednesday called for the European Union to relax carbon trading rules, as the firm reported a drop in core profit with the industry in crisis.

Mercedes-Benz reassures on Nexperia chips as profit plunges

German premium carmaker Mercedes-Benz sought to reassure investors Wednesday over a feared shortage of microchips as it reported plunging third-quarter profits.

UK drugmaker GSK lifts 2025 guidance despite US tariffs

British pharmaceutical group GSK on Wednesday raised its full-year outlook after strong sales growth in its third quarter, brushing off the potential impact of US tariffs.

Mercedes-Benz profit plunges on China slump and US tariffs

German premium carmaker Mercedes-Benz reported plunging third-quarter profit Wednesday, hit by weak sales in China as well as US tariffs.

Asia stocks join Wall Street records as tech bull run quickens

Asian stock markets surged on Wednesday, matching record gains on Wall Street the previous day as investor confidence in AI tech and coming interest rate cuts in the United States reaches fever pitch.

Record potato harvest is no boon in fries-mad Belgium

Fries powerhouse Belgium is in for a record potato harvest this year -- but that's hardly cause for celebration for farmers who face a slump in prices partially driven by a crunch in exports.

Deutsche Bank posts record profit on strong trading

Germany's largest bank Deutsche Bank posted record third-quarter profit Wednesday and beat expectations, boosted by a strong performance at its investment bank.

UBS beats expectations as claws backs provisions

Swiss banking giant UBS reported third-quarter earnings that beat analyst expectations, thanks in part to clawing back provisions for possible litigation, but also sustained by strong performances in its trading and wealth divisions.

Australian police design AI tool to decipher predators' Gen Z slang

Australian police are working on an AI prototype that will help them decipher Gen Z slang and emoji-laden messages written by online predators, a top official said Wednesday.

NZ raids shipping insurer over alleged sanctions busting

New Zealand police raided a shipping insurer's offices over allegations it offered cover to tankers breaking Russian sanctions, a senior detective said Wednesday.

'Dangerous Liaisons' gets MeToo twist in prequel 'The Seduction'

HBO Max's new French-language series "The Seduction" is an 18th-century MeToo prequel to "Dangerous Liaisons" with a feminist twist, its director Jessica Palud told AFP.

Microsoft holds 27% of OpenAI in revamped partnership

Microsoft and OpenAI announced Tuesday a sweeping overhaul of their landmark artificial intelligence (AI) partnership, giving both companies greater independence while maintaining their close collaboration.

Apple ordered to pay French operators 39 mn euros over iPhone sales

A French court has ordered Apple to pay around 39 million euros ($45 million) to mobile network operators over accusations it imposed unfair contract conditions to allow them to sell iPhones.

US revokes visa for Nigerian Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka

The US consulate in Lagos has revoked the visa of Nigerian writer Wole Soyinka, the Nobel laureate said Tuesday.

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