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Norway's Equinor scales back renewable energy aims as profit falls
Norway's Equinor scales back renewable energy aims as profit falls
by  AFP

Norwegian oil and gas giant Equinor said on Wednesday it would scale back its renewable energy ambitions as it reported a steep drop in net profit in 2024. Like other oil and gas enterprises, Equinor has been loathe to move away from its profitable fossil fuel business and replace it with renewable energy infrastructure.

US Postal Service says suspending parcels from China
US Postal Service says suspending parcels from China
by  AFP

The US Postal Service (USPS) said Tuesday it was temporarily suspending inbound parcels from China and Hong Kong, shortly after President Donald Trump's imposition of fresh tariffs targeting Beijing. However, the USPS gave no reason for its pause on Tuesday.

Santander reports record profit for third straight year
Santander reports record profit for third straight year
by  AFP

Spanish banking giant Santander announced record annual profits for a third consecutive year on Wednesday as a strong commercial performance offset the impact of falling interest rates. But Santander UK chair William Vereker announced that he would leave his post this year, a decision which business media attributed to disagreements with Botin. vab/imm/bc

Nissan shares plunge as report says Honda merger talks off
Nissan shares plunge as report says Honda merger talks off
by  AFP

Nissan shares plunged on Wednesday after Japan's Nikkei business daily said the carmaker had decided to withdraw from merger talks with rival Honda. But the smaller automaker's chief said this week it would make a final decision on whether to join the Honda-Nissan merger talks in mid-February or later.

China holds out hope last-minute deal can avert US trade war
China holds out hope last-minute deal can avert US trade war
by  AFP

China's new tariffs on US imports like oil, coal and cars are relatively modest in scale, suggesting that Beijing is hoping for a last-minute deal but also giving them the option to inflict more pain if needed, analysts say. Far from inflicting deep pain, analysts say Beijing's goal is to send a message to Washington: that China can and will retaliate to swingeing tariffs.

Toyota announces Lexus EV plant in Shanghai
Toyota announces Lexus EV plant in Shanghai
by  AFP

Japan's Toyota said Wednesday it will build an electric vehicle plant in Shanghai for its luxury Lexus brand, at a time when many foreign car companies are struggling in China. Toyota said it had "decided to establish a wholly owned company for the development and production of Lexus BEVs (battery electric vehicles) and batteries in Shanghai, China".