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Breakout star: teenage B-girl on mission to show China is cool
Flipping and spinning on a studio floor, 17-year-old Royal is a star in China's breakdancing scene and aiming for gold at the World Championships in Japan this week.
Chocolate prices high before Christmas despite cocoa fall
After soaring for nearly two years, cocoa prices dropped sharply in 2025. However, chocolate, in demand ahead of the festive holiday season, has seen prices rise.
Asian traders cheer US rate cut but gains tempered by outlook
Most Asian markets rose Thursday as traders welcomed the Federal Reserve's third straight interest rate cut, though the euphoria was tempered by an indication officials could hold off another reduction any time soon.
AI's $400 bn problem: Are chips getting old too fast?
In pursuit of the AI dream, the tech industry this year has plunked down about $400 billion on specialized chips and data centers, but questions are mounting about the wisdom of such unprecedented levels of investment.
Oracle shares dive as revenue misses forecasts
Shares in business computing giant Oracle fell more than 10 percent on Wednesday on word its revenue missed heady expectations, dampening artificial intelligence euphoria in the market.
US stocks rise, dollar retreats as Fed tone less hawkish than feared
Wall Street stocks rose and the dollar retreated Wednesday after the Federal Reserve cut interest rates again as it seeks to shore up a vulnerable US labor market.
Divided US Fed makes third straight rate cut, signals higher bar ahead
A divided US Federal Reserve lowered interest rates Wednesday for a third consecutive time this year, flagging labor market concerns even as inflation remained elevated as President Donald Trump's tariffs bite.
French far right sparks debate with proposal to reopen brothels
Marine Le Pen's far-right party wants to bring back France's once legendary brothels, sparking a fresh debate about prostitution in a country with a long history of liberal attitudes to sex.
Instagram users given new algorithm controls
Instagram on Wednesday unveiled a new AI-powered feature that lets users view and adjust the algorithm shaping their Reels feed, calling it a pioneering move toward greater user control.
US Fed expected to make third straight rate cut despite divisions
The US Federal Reserve is expected to deliver a further interest rate cut Wednesday despite divisions among its ranks, with chief Jerome Powell's ability to secure support from fellow policymakers put to the test.
EU seeks better Spain-France energy links after blackout
The EU said Wednesday it wants to boost energy links between France and Spain as part of a bloc-wide push to secure power supplies, months after a massive outage hit the Iberian Peninsula.
Madeleine McCann's father says 'lucky' to survive media attention
The father of missing British girl Madeleine McCann has called for greater scrutiny of the UK's media, saying in an interview published Wednesday that his family received a "monstering" from sections of the press.
Greek govt in emergency meeting as farmers block central port
Greece's government held emergency meetings Wednesday to address a growing farm protest movement, as demonstrators temporarily blocked the central port of Volos.
China consumer prices pick up pace but demand still slack
Rising food costs pushed consumer inflation in China last month to its fastest pace in nearly two years, data showed Wednesday, but lower factory-gate prices suggested demand in the world's second-largest economy remains weak.
Not just pizza: Italian cuisine makes UNESCO list
UNESCO recognised Wednesday that Italian food is more than pizza, pasta and gelato, adding the range and ritual of the famed cuisine to its list of intangible cultural heritage.
France's 'Battery Valley' makes use of Asian experts
France is developing domestic production of electric vehicle batteries with an eye on industrial independence but Asian experts are proving key in launching operations.
Stocks in retreat as traders eye Fed decision, tech earnings
Most markets fell Wednesday following a tepid day on Wall Street as investors bided their time ahead of a highly anticipated Federal Reserve policy announcement later in the day.
China surplus pushing EU to take 'offensive' trade measures: business lobby
China's mammoth trade surplus with Europe as well as challenges faced by foreign firms in the country are incentivising Brussels to adopt more "offensive" policies, a business lobby warned Wednesday.
Veggie 'burgers' at stake in EU negotiations
EU countries and lawmakers will wrangle Thursday over whether to give plant-based "sausages" and veggie "burgers" the chop, amid a push to restrict such labels to meat products.
UK public urged to keep eyes peeled for washed-up bananas
A "major" clean-up operation was ongoing in southern England on Tuesday after eight containers of bananas went overboard a cargo ship, with hundreds of rotting fruits washing up along the shoreline.
South Korea chip giant SK hynix mulls US stock market listing
South Korean chip giant SK hynix said on Wednesday it was considering a US stock market listing using treasury shares as part of efforts to boost shareholder value.
Indigenous artifacts returned by Vatican unveiled in Canada
Indigenous artifacts taken from Canada by Catholic missionaries to Rome a century ago were unveiled at a Canadian museum on Tuesday, repatriations that have sparked calls for the Vatican to return other treasured items.
TotalEnergies in deal for Namibia offshore oil field
TotalEnergies said Tuesday it had reached a deal to become a partner in the Mopane oil field off the coast of Namibia, where exploration remains underway.
Stock markets drift on eve of Fed rate call
Global stock markets traded mixed on Tuesday on uncertainty over the US Federal Reserve's plans for interest rates next year.
Microsoft announces $17.5 bn investment in India, its 'largest ever' in Asia
Global technology giant Microsoft announced on Tuesday plans to invest $17.5 billion to help build India's artificial intelligence infrastructure, with CEO Satya Nadella calling it "our largest investment ever in Asia".
Bleak year for German engineering firms amid US, China turmoil
Production in Germany's key engineering sector plunged for a third straight year in 2025 as firms were squeezed by US tariffs and fierce Chinese competition, an industry group said Tuesday.
France's prime minister faces crunch vote in parliament
France's social security bill was to go to a vote in parliament Tuesday, in a key hurdle for Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu after he pledged to deliver a 2026 budget by year-end.
BMW names new boss to steer car giant in tough times
BMW said Tuesday its head of production Milan Nedeljkovic will take over as chief executive as the German auto giant contends with challenges ranging from the electric shift to Chinese competition.
'Resilient' airlines head for record passenger numbers: IATA
International airlines expect to transport a record 5.2 billion passengers in 2026 despite global headwinds affecting the sector, the industry's trade association said on Tuesday.
Greek govt seeks to tackle farmer protests after Crete clashes
Greece's government was on Tuesday scrambling to keep angry farmers from blocking key infrastructure after airports were occupied on Crete in a growing nationwide protest for agriculture funds.
EU launches antitrust probe into Google's data use for AI
The EU announced Tuesday it had opened a probe to assess whether Google breached antitrust rules by using content put online by media and other publishers to train and provide AI services without appropriate compensation.
German exports tread water as US, China shipments fall
German exports almost stagnated in October, official data showed Tuesday, as heavy declines in shipments to the United States and China eclipsed growing trade with the rest of Europe.