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Inside Germany's rare earth treasure chest
Inside Germany's rare earth treasure chest
by  AFP

In a World War II bunker east of Frankfurt, a steel door weighing over four tonnes protects Germany's largest reserve of rare earths, a treasure at the heart of rising geopolitical tensions. Germany's flagship automotive sector is especially affected by the restrictions because it is dependent on rare earth magnets.

Ikea profits drop on lower prices, tariff costs
Ikea profits drop on lower prices, tariff costs
by  AFP

The world's leading furniture company, Ikea, reported a sharp fall in annual profits on Friday as it focused on dropping prices to boost volume and faced higher costs due to US tariffs. "The higher sourcing costs included the costs for increased tariffs, which have been partly absorbed," Inter Ikea said in a statement, referring to import taxes imposed by US President Donald Trump.

Chinese microdrama creators turn to AI despite job loss concerns
Chinese microdrama creators turn to AI despite job loss concerns
by  AFP

Ultra-short video series "Strange Mirror of Mountains and Seas" is filled with dragon-like monsters, handsome protagonists and plenty of melodrama -- almost all of it, including the lifelike human characters, created by artificial intelligence.

Markets drop as valuations and US jobs, rates spook investors
Markets drop as valuations and US jobs, rates spook investors
by  AFP

Asian stocks tracked Wall Street losses Friday as investors weighed weak US jobs data against Federal Reserve signals suggesting no more interest rate cuts this year. All three main indexes on Wall Street ended down as tech firms, which have been at the forefront of the surge to record highs this year, took the brunt of the selling.

US facing travel chaos as flights cut due to govt shutdown
US facing travel chaos as flights cut due to govt shutdown
by  AFP

Travelers across the United States were left scrambling to rebook flights as the government shutdown heaps pressure on the country's air traffic control system, prompting hundreds of Friday flight cancellations at major American airports. The shutdown has left tens of thousands of air traffic controllers, airport security staff and others without pay, causing personnel shortages.

'Grand Theft Auto VI' video game delayed again until Nov. 2026
'Grand Theft Auto VI' video game delayed again until Nov. 2026
by  AFP

The newest installment to the blockbuster "Grand Theft Auto" video game franchise has been delayed again, this time until November 2026, its creators announced Wednesday. Critics have from the beginning accused Grand Theft Auto of glorifying violence and encouraging players to engage in criminal behavior –- allegations rejected by New York-based Take-Two Interactive.

Rally outside Rockstar against GTA studio's 'union busting'
Rally outside Rockstar against GTA studio's 'union busting'
by  AFP

Dozens of people protested Thursday outside Rockstar Games' offices in Edinburgh, accusing the multi-billion dollar studio behind the smash "Grand Theft Auto" open-world carjacking franchise of "blatant union busting" by firing 31 people.