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China's Baidu releases new, free AI model to compete with DeepSeek
China's Baidu releases new, free AI model to compete with DeepSeek
by  AFP

Chinese internet search giant Baidu released a new artificial intelligence reasoning model Sunday and made its AI chatbot services free as ferocious competition grips the sector. Baidu also made the models free to use, more than two weeks ahead of schedule.

Rare iconic movie posters to be auctioned in US
Rare iconic movie posters to be auctioned in US
by  AFP

Dozens of rare posters from some of the 20th century's most iconic films will go under the hammer this month as an American collector relinquishes some of his most precious possessions. Other rare finds going under the hammer include a 1953 Italian poster for the 1942 film "Casablanca" starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.

US Fed likely to keep rates steady as Trump uncertainty flares
US Fed likely to keep rates steady as Trump uncertainty flares
by  AFP

The US Federal Reserve is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged at its policy meeting this week, treading carefully amid uncertainty over President Donald Trump's economic policies, which include spending cuts and sweeping tariffs.

Carbon capture industry tweaks message for the Trump era
Carbon capture industry tweaks message for the Trump era
by  AFP

Backers of carbon capture and storage are emphasizing compatibility with President Trump's energy development goals as they seek to protect hard-won US policies from the administration's climate chopping block.

'Impossible': US breweries buffeted by Trump tariffs
'Impossible': US breweries buffeted by Trump tariffs
by  AFP

For US craft brewer Bill Butcher, President Donald Trump's expanding range of tariffs have sparked an unexpected impact -- a shortage of bottles to package his beer -- while uncertainty looms over his business costs. - 'Impossible' - For Butcher, uncertainty also lingers over costs of the Canadian pilsner malt that forms the base of his beers -- and the bottle caps he imports from Mexico.

Trump's bitcoin reserve a 'digital Fort Knox'
Trump's bitcoin reserve a 'digital Fort Knox'
by  AFP

The creation of a "Strategic Bitcoin Reserve" in the United States is further proof of President Donald Trump's support for the cryptocurrency sector. Trump has been accused by some of showing a conflict of interest, having vowed ahead of being elected to make the United States the "bitcoin and cryptocurrency capital of the world".

Shein says US tariff hit won't stop fast-fashion flood
Shein says US tariff hit won't stop fast-fashion flood
by  AFP

Tariffs imposed by the Trump administration will not eject fast-fashion juggernaut Shein from the US market, its executive chairman Donald Tang has told AFP. The head of the online platform, which has come in for scrutiny over its environmental footprint and allegations of human rights violations, also insisted that the company does not use forced labour.