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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.

Most Asian markets rise on lingering trader optimism
Most Asian markets rise on lingering trader optimism
by  AFP

Most stocks rose in Asian trade Monday after a busy last week, with optimism supported by another AI-led tech rally on Wall Street. Wall Street's gains Friday were tracked in most of Asia at the start of the week.

Trump's global tariffs to face challenge before Supreme Court
Trump's global tariffs to face challenge before Supreme Court
by  AFP

The US Supreme Court is set to hear arguments Wednesday on the legality of Donald Trump's unprecedented use of powers for sweeping global tariffs in a case striking at the heart of the president's economic agenda. Even if the top court found Trump's global tariffs illegal, the administration could tap other laws to impose 15-percent tariffs for 150 days.

'Regretting You' wins spooky slow N. American box office
'Regretting You' wins spooky slow N. American box office
by  AFP

Paramount's "Regretting You," the latest film adaptation of a Colleen Hoover novel, finished first place in a lackluster Halloween weekend at the North American box office, industry estimates showed Sunday. Last week's first place finisher -- Japanese anime feature "Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc" -- dropped to third place with $6.0 million.