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BMW warns on tariffs, China as 2024 profits plunge
BMW warns on tariffs, China as 2024 profits plunge
by  AFP

German premium carmaker BMW warned Friday of continued challenges in 2025 from trade tensions and weak demand in China after reporting a plunge in profits last year. The Munich-headquartered group joins other German automakers in reporting sharply lower profits amid a choppy transition to electric vehicles and slowing demand in key market China.

East DR Congo mines mint Rwanda-backed M23's fortune
East DR Congo mines mint Rwanda-backed M23's fortune
by  AFP

Mine shafts snake under the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo's mountains, but instead of the Congolese government their rich veins are making a mint for the Rwanda-backed M23. - 'Forced labour' - Sources close to the Congolese government accuse Rwanda of leading a war for control of the region's particularly fertile agricultural land.

Meta tests 'Community Notes' to replace fact-checkers
Meta tests 'Community Notes' to replace fact-checkers
by  AFP

Social media giant Meta on Thursday announced it would begin testing its new "Community Notes" feature across its platforms in the United States next week, as it shifts away from third-party fact-checking toward a crowd-sourced approach to content moderation.

Most Asian markets rise on hopes for bill to avert US shutdown
Most Asian markets rise on hopes for bill to avert US shutdown
by  AFP

Asian investors fought Friday to grind out gains at the end of a painful week for markets as they welcomed signs US lawmakers will avert a government shutdown but remained fearful over Donald Trump's trade war. However, Asian markets enjoyed a broadly positive Friday amid hopes Congress will pass a bill to avert a painful government shutdown.

Panama 'firm' on canal as US reportedly weighs options
Panama 'firm' on canal as US reportedly weighs options
by  AFP

Panama's government said Thursday it would remain "firm" in defending its sovereignty and the Panama Canal, after a report suggesting that US President Donald Trump is considering options aimed at "reclaiming" the strategic waterway.

All eyes on Democrats as US barrels toward shutdown deadline
All eyes on Democrats as US barrels toward shutdown deadline
by  AFP

The US government, already shaken by Donald Trump's radical reforms, could begin shutting down entirely this weekend as Democrats grapple with the option of opposing the president's federal funding plans -- at the risk this blows up in their faces. "When the government shuts down, you have government employees who are no longer paid, you have services that begin to lag.

Georgian designer Demna leaves Balenciaga for Gucci
Georgian designer Demna leaves Balenciaga for Gucci
by  AFP

Georgian designer Demna is leaving Balenciaga after a decade to become artistic director of Gucci, the French parent company of both brands, Kering, said Thursday. "Kering and Gucci are delighted to announce the appointment of Demna as the house's new artistic director, starting early July 2025," it said.

Brazil mine disaster trial ends with claimants hopeful of justice
Brazil mine disaster trial ends with claimants hopeful of justice
by  AFP

A trial to decide Australian mining giant BHP's liability for one of Brazil's worst environmental disasters concluded in London on Thursday, with hundreds of thousands of victims demanding billions in compensation. The Australian mining giant has also said the quality of water in the river system contaminated by the fallout has returned to pre-disaster levels. burs-ode/bcp/ajb/jhb