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Markets sink after US data deal blow to rate cut hopes
Markets fell in Asia and Europe on Friday, tracking a sell-off on Wall Street sparked by a string of better-than-expected US data that added to worries the Federal Reserve will hold off on cutting interest rates this year.
Soaring towers shape Hong Kong's urban landscape
Home to some of the world's densest living districts and tallest skyscrapers, Hong Kong has for decades mesmerised locals and visitors alike with its famed skyline.
Asian markets fall after US data dent rate cut hopes
Markets fell in Asia on Friday, tracking a sell-off on Wall Street sparked by a string of better-than-expected US data that added to worries the Federal Reserve will hold off on cutting interest rates this year.
With little to buy, Cubans abroad send home food, not money
Maria Paez feels relieved after receiving a package of food items including eggs, ham, and yogurt from her children in Miami -- bought online and shipped to Havana.
Japan inflation slows to 2.2% in April
The pace of Japanese inflation slowed in April to 2.2 percent as gas bills fell, government data showed Friday, with the figure remaining above the Bank of Japan's two percent target.
Pandemic agreement talks come to the crunch
Countries trying to thrash out a global agreement on handling future pandemics are hoping to seal the deal Friday after weeks of creeping progress in exhausting talks.
Nvidia surges but broader market falls amid fatigue
Wall Street stocks finished firmly lower Thursday after blowout Nvidia earnings failed to ignite a rally in a market struggling to digest gains from recent weeks.
AI relies on mass surveillance, warns Signal boss
The AI tools that crunch numbers, generate text and videos and find patterns in data rely on mass surveillance and exercise concerning control over our lives, the boss of encrypted messaging app Signal told AFP on Thursday.
Boeing shares tumble as company lowers 2024 cash forecast
Boeing shares were hammered Thursday after a top company official predicted another quarter of meager plane deliveries, likely resulting in negative cash for all of 2024.
Wall Street's Nasdaq heads towards record highs on Nvidia
New York's Nasdaq index was headed towards a record-high close on Thursday, lifted by strong earnings from chipmaker Nvidia.
US new home sales miss expectations in April
Sales of new US homes were weaker than analysts expected in April, government data showed Thursday, with slower mortgage demand appearing to bog down the number of transactions.
Wall Street gains on Nvidia results while eurozone stocks lifted by survey
Shares mostly rose Thursday with Wall Street lifted by strong earnings from Nvidia and eurozone equities boosted by news of encouraging business activity.
Heatwave cancels lessons for half Pakistan's schoolchildren
Half of Pakistan's pupils will be shut out of schools for a week as the nation takes crisis measures to lessen the effect of a series of heatwaves, officials said Thursday.
EU hits Oreo maker Mondelez with 337.5 mn euro antitrust fine
The EU on Thursday slapped a 337.5 million euro ($366 million) fine on Mondelez, the US confectioner behind major brands including Toblerone and Oreo, for forcing consumers to pay more by restricting cross-border sales.
Eurozone stocks gain on survey; London firms after election call
Eurozone equities advanced Thursday on news of encouraging business activity while London held firm as investors digested Britain's election announcement, stubborn inflation concerns and bright Nvidia earnings.
Yellen urges 'more ambitious' G7 plans for Russian assets
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Thursday urged G7 ministers meeting in Italy to work on "more ambitious options" to use frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine.
The Who bassist's guitar up for auction in France
A bass designed by and built for The Who rocker John Entwistle will be sold at auction in Lyon in eastern France Thursday, an auction house said.
Finland's wizards making food out of thin air
At a factory in Finland, the "farmers of the future" are making a new food protein by feeding a microbe air and electricity, proving that protein can be produced without traditional agriculture.
Equities mixed after Fed minutes while Nvidia lends support
Asian and European markets diverged Thursday after minutes from the Federal Reserve's most recent policy meeting indicated officials would keep interest rates elevated for some time as they struggle to bring inflation down to target.
France's Macron urges calm in riot-hit New Caledonia
France's president made a long-haul trip to the restive Pacific territory of New Caledonia on Thursday, urging a "return to peace" after deadly rioting, and vowing thousands of military reinforcements will be deployed for "as long as necessary".
S. Korea president announces record $19 bn plan to boost chip industry
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday announced a record $19-billion-dollar support plan for the country's crucial semiconductor industry.
What are the costs behind Trump's economic proposals?
Republican former president Donald Trump once dubbed himself a "Tariff Man" seeking to boost government coffers.
S.Korea president announces record $19bn plan to boost chip industry
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday announced a record $19-billion-dollar support plan for the country's crucial semiconductor industry.
Asian shares mixed after Fed minutes, while Nvidia provides support
Asian markets diverged Thursday after minutes from the Federal Reserve's most recent policy meeting indicated officials would keep interest rates elevated for some time as they struggle to bring inflation down to target.
Flower or power? Campaigners fear lithium mine could kill rare plant
Delicate pink buds sway in the desert breeze, pregnant with yellow pompoms whose explosion will carpet the dusty corner of Nevada that is the only place on Earth where they exist.
News Corp makes deal to let OpenAI use its content
News Corp on Wednesday announced a deal to let ChatGPT-maker OpenAI use content from its publications in artificial intelligence products.
US lawmakers seek to clean up crypto regulation 'food fight'
The US House of Representatives on Wednesday adopted a bill that would create a new legal framework for digital currencies, in a move cheered by crypto supporters but opposed by consumer groups who say it fails to protect investors.
Nvidia profits soar on demand for AI power
Nvidia said Wednesday its quarterly net profit rocketed by seven times year-on-year on demand for its chips to power artificial intelligence in data centers.
US reports second human case of bird flu tied to dairy cow outbreak
A second case of bird flu has been found in a human, US health authorities announced Wednesday, less then two months after the first one as an outbreak of the disease circulates widely among dairy cows.
Argentine economic activity plunges amid austerity drive
Argentina's economic activity continued to plummet in March, with the construction and manufacturing industries leading the slowdown as President Javier Milei's government slashes spending, official figures showed Wednesday.
Global stocks mostly fall on lingering worries over inflation
Global stocks mostly retreated Wednesday after British inflation data doused hopes of a quick Bank of England rate cut, while Federal Reserve minutes spotlighted worries about lingering pricing pressure.
US Fed's rate meeting minutes show growing inflation concerns
A strong US economy and an uptick in inflation led the Federal Reserve's rate-setting committee to conclude that progress against rising prices had stalled, according to minutes of its most recent meeting published Wednesday.
Europe shares fall, Wall Street flat after UK inflation miss clouds rate outlook
Wall Street shares were flat ahead of a key earnings report while stocks fell in Europe after a disappointing UK inflation report doused hopes of a quick Bank of England rate cut.
Govts, tech firms vow to cooperate against AI risks at Seoul summit
More than a dozen countries and some of the world's biggest tech firms pledged on Wednesday to cooperate against the potential dangers of artificial intelligence, including its ability to dodge human control, as they wrapped up a global summit in Seoul.
US existing home sales slip in April on still high mortgage rates
Existing home sales in the United States crept lower in April as mortgage rates remained elevated, industry data showed Wednesday.
Europe shares lower, Wall Street flat after UK inflation disappointment
Stocks were mostly lower in Europe and little changed on Wall Street Wednesday as UK inflation slowed less than expected, dousing hopes of a quick Bank of England rate cut.
European equities stumble on UK inflation news
Europe's main stock markets fell Wednesday as official data showed UK inflation slowing sharply but missing analysts' forecasts, dousing hopes of a Bank of England rate cut any time soon.
ECB can start cuts before Fed, says Finnish bank governor
The European Central Bank did not have to take its cues from the US Federal Reserve and could start to lower rates as soon as June, Bank of Finland governor Olli Rehn told AFP.
Asian markets mixed ahead of Nvidia results, Fed minutes
Asian investors struggled Wednesday to revive a recent rally across markets as they turned their focus on the release later in the day of earnings from US tech darling Nvidia.