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India and EU to finalise free trade agreement by year-end
India and EU to finalise free trade agreement by year-end
by  AFP

India will finalise a "mutually beneficial" free trade deal with the European Union by the end of this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Friday after meeting with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen. "We have asked our teams to work out a mutually beneficial bilateral free trade agreement by the end of this year," Modi said in New Delhi.

China missed key climate target last year: official data
China missed key climate target last year: official data
by  AFP

China missed a key climate target in 2024 and emissions in the world's second-largest economy rose slightly as coal remained dominant despite record renewable additions, official data showed Friday. The data showed carbon emissions rose slightly from last year, though far short of previous jumps, as experts speculate about whether China may have reached peak emissions ahead of a 2030 target.

Off leash: China's pet industry shines in ailing economy
Off leash: China's pet industry shines in ailing economy
by  AFP

Patterned poop bags, frilly dog dresses and exotic animals including wombats and meerkats were on display at a bustling pet expo in Beijing, where the industry continues to thrive despite a sluggish economy. While the broader economy "isn't great at the moment", people are willing to spend on the things they love, including pets, said Guo, who works in the agri-livestock industry.

Nigerians displaced as rents double in inflation-hit Lagos
Nigerians displaced as rents double in inflation-hit Lagos
by  AFP

Nigeria's economic crisis is hitting renters in Lagos hard as landlords pass down the costs of spiralling inflation -- pushing residents further out, upending children's education and adding to workers' already infamous commutes. With leases typically paid up front for anywhere between one and three years, both landlords and renters try to negotiate a good deal to hedge against inflation.

Meta fires employees for leaks amid Zuckerberg's Trump pivot
Meta fires employees for leaks amid Zuckerberg's Trump pivot
by  AFP

Meta on Thursday said it had laid off 20 workers for leaking information to the media, as the social media giant faces pressure over the recent political shift of its boss Mark Zuckerberg towards US President Donald Trump. His longtime political affairs boss was also replaced by a prominent Republican, and he named Trump ally Dana White to his board after the US election.

Trading halted in troubled Australian casino firm
Trading halted in troubled Australian casino firm
by  AFP

Trading in troubled Australian casino operator Star Entertainment was paused on Friday as the company sought to free up enough cash to keep afloat. The Australian Securities Exchange said trading in Star had been "temporarily paused" just minutes before the stock market opened.