World
Pop Mart’s Labubus boost China’s soft power as Beijing brands find global appeal
For years, China had an image problem it couldn’t shake off — synonymous with cheap exports, heavy censorship, and a state shrouded in secrecy and scandal. That has been changing as the country strives to burnish its image, rising in soft power rankings, with domestic businesses helping Beijing secure a significant facelift. Chinese coffee chains […]
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Qantas to pay record fine of $58 million for pandemic sackings criticized by judge
A court ordered Australia’s largest airline, Qantas Airways, on Monday to pay a record fine of A$90 million ($58.64 million) for illegally sacking 1,800 ground staff during the COVID-19 pandemic and criticized it for a lack of contrition. In imposing the penalty, the largest ordered by a court on a company in the history of Australia’s labor […]
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Energy supermajors are betting big on LNG, shrugging off peak gas predictions
Oil majors are betting big on liquified natural gas (LNG), throwing down the gauntlet to predictions of peak gas by the end of the decade. Britain’s Shell , a leading player in the global LNG market, has identified the super-cooled commodity as a primary focus amid the energy transition. France’s TotalEnergies said it expects LNG […]
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European markets set to open higher ahead of Trump-Ukraine crunch talks
U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 28, 2025. Nathan Howard | Reuters LONDON — European stocks are expected to open in positive territory on Monday as traders focus on a meeting between European leaders and U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss Ukraine. The […]
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This Asian data center hub is quietly grappling with the massive costs of AI: energy and water
The artificial intelligence boom has brought with it hundreds of billions of dollars in investments and promises of economic growth . But the infrastructure required is demanding massive amounts of energy and resources. One lesser-known example of that dilemma can be found in the southern tip of Malaysia, which has quietly become one of Southeast […]
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CNBC Daily Open: ‘Peace’ can look different to Trump, Putin and Zelenskyy
U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin arrive for a press conference at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on August 15, 2025 in Anchorage, Alaska. Andrew Harnik | Getty Images There was no deal when U.S. President Donald Trump met his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Friday. That was not unexpected. The summit, which […]
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Asia-Pacific markets trade mixed as investors await details of U.S.-Ukraine talks
Ulsan city skyline from the Hamwolru Pavilion. People can enjoy beautiful cityscape for free. Ulsan, South Korea. Insung Jeon | Moment | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed Monday , after the U.S.-Russia summit concluded without a ceasefire. Japan’s Nikkei 225 benchmark rose 0.62%, while the broader Topix index added 0.42%. In South Korea, the Kospi index fell 1.06%, while […]
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Stock futures are little changed following back-to-back winning weeks: Live updates
Traders work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., August 12, 2025. Brendan McDermid | Reuters Stock futures traded nearly unchanged Sunday evening after hopes for lower interest rates fueled a winning week on Wall Street. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures rose about 13 points. S&P 500 […]
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Private-equity group Advent to acquire Swedish chipmaker U-Blox for $1.3 billion
Private-equity group Advent International said on Sunday it has agreed to take over Switzerland’s U-Blox in a cash offer worth some 1.05 billion Swiss francs ($1.30 billion). Advent said its public tender offer for U-Blox’s shares would be carried out by its indirect subsidiary ZI Zenith. The 135 Swiss francs per share offer represents a […]
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Israel’s growing frustration over the war in Gaza explodes in nationwide protests
A drone view shows people protesting after families of hostages called for a nationwide strike to demand the return of all hostages and an end to the war in Gaza, in the area of the so-called Hostages Square, in Tel Aviv, Israel on Aug. 17, 2025. Aviv Atlas | Reuters Israeli police blasted crowds with […]
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