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Apple profit climbs but sales miss expectations
Apple profit climbs but sales miss expectations
by  AFP

Apple reported its revenue was a whopping $124.3 billion in the year-end holiday quarter but sales growth fell shy of market expectations as the iPhone faces stiff competition, particularly in China. Revenue growth was powered by Apple's service and digital content unit, with iPhone sales slipping in markets like mainland China where they tallied $18.5 billion. gc/arp

Lula says if Trump hikes tariffs, Brazil will reciprocate
Lula says if Trump hikes tariffs, Brazil will reciprocate
by  AFP

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Thursday that if US counterpart Donald Trump hiked tariffs on Brazilian products, he would reciprocate -- but that he would prefer improved relations over a trade war.

Mexican economy shrinks for first time in three years
Mexican economy shrinks for first time in three years
by  AFP

Mexico's economy suffered its first contraction in three years in the fourth quarter of 2024, official figures showed Thursday, as the country braces for US President Donald Trump's threatened tariffs. For the whole of 2024, Latin America's second-largest economy grew by 1.3 percent compared with the previous year, it said.

Nostalgia and escapism: highlights from Paris Couture Week
Nostalgia and escapism: highlights from Paris Couture Week
by  AFP

Nostalgia-tinged evening wear, fantasy-fuelled escapism and messages about world peace featured during a packed Paris Couture Week that also saw new changes on fashion's artistic director merry-go-round. "The message of this collection is about escaping from our hectic world.

US economic growth steady in 2024 as Trump takes office
US economic growth steady in 2024 as Trump takes office
by  AFP

The US economy expanded at a solid clip in 2024, helped by consumer and government spending, official data showed Thursday, signaling its resilience as President Donald Trump takes over the reins. Consumer spending, investment and government spending were among the drivers behind last year's growth, according to Commerce Department data.

El Salvador merchants no longer obliged to accept bitcoin
El Salvador merchants no longer obliged to accept bitcoin
by  AFP

Merchants in El Salvador, the first country to make bitcoin legal tender, will no longer be obliged to accept the cryptocurrency as payment, under a reform adopted to comply with conditions for an international loan. The IMF had said the loan was "to address balance of payment needs and support the government’s economic reforms."

France, Germany stall eurozone growth in fourth quarter
France, Germany stall eurozone growth in fourth quarter
by  AFP

Eurozone growth slowed to a halt in the fourth quarter last year, dragged by contractions in major powers Germany and France which were held back by economic headwinds and political instability. At one end of the eurozone spectrum Spain saw its economy expand by 3.2 percent last year -- while at the other Germany endured a 0.2-percent contraction and a second year of recession.