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Starbucks cedes China control to Boyu Capital
Starbucks cedes China control to Boyu Capital
by  AFP

Starbucks announced Monday it will sell a controlling stake in its Chinese retail operations to investment firm Boyu Capital in a deal valuing the business at around $4 billion.

Trial opens in 1st US civil case on 2019 Boeing MAX crash
Trial opens in 1st US civil case on 2019 Boeing MAX crash
by  AFP

Relatives of victims in the fatal crash of a Boeing 737 MAX plane operated by Ethiopian Airlines headed to court Monday for the first civil trial relating to the 2019 calamity. Boeing reiterated in a statement that it is "deeply sorry" for the Ethiopian Airlines crash and for a separate 2018 MAX crash on Lion Air that killed 189 people, noting its commitment to settling cases when possible.

US Fed's Cook warns inflation to stay 'elevated' next year
US Fed's Cook warns inflation to stay 'elevated' next year
by  AFP

A key US central bank official warned Monday that inflation would likely remain elevated in the coming year as tariffs bite, while vowing to fulfill her duties even as President Donald Trump seeks her removal. "As such, I expect inflation to remain elevated for the next year," Cook added.

Shein bans sex dolls after France outrage over 'childlike' ones
Shein bans sex dolls after France outrage over 'childlike' ones
by  AFP

Asian e-commerce giant Shein said Monday it was banning all sex dolls from sale on its sites after French authorities condemned it for featuring ones resembling children. It later announced in a statement it was imposing a "total ban on sex-doll-type products" and had deleted all listings and images linked to them.

Denmark inaugurates rare low-carbon hydrogen plant
Denmark inaugurates rare low-carbon hydrogen plant
by  AFP

Denmark inaugurated one of Europe's few low-carbon hydrogen plants on Monday, a sector touted as a key to cleaner energy but plagued with challenges. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), only four plants currently produce low-carbon hydrogen in Europe, none with a capacity greater than one megawatt.

German plans to lower industrial power costs from January
German plans to lower industrial power costs from January
by  AFP

Germany plans to begin a scheme to slash energy costs for power-hungry manufacturers in January, the economy minister said Monday, part of efforts to revive Europe's struggling industrial powerhouse. "I am assuming that we will introduce the industrial electricity price from January 1, 2026," Economy Minister Katherina Reiche said at a conference in Berlin.

Video game creators fear AI could grab the controller
Video game creators fear AI could grab the controller
by  AFP

Generative artificial intelligence models capable of dreaming up ultra-realistic characters and virtual universes could make for cheaper, better video games in future, but the emerging technology has artists and developers on edge.

France threatens Shein ban if 'childlike' sex dolls reappear
France threatens Shein ban if 'childlike' sex dolls reappear
by  AFP

France's finance minister threatened Monday to ban Shein from the country if the Asian e-commerce giant resumes selling "childlike" sex dolls, just days before it opens its first physical store in Paris. Shein is due on Wednesday to open its first physical store in the world inside the prestigious BHV Marais department store in central Paris, a move that has sparked outrage in France.