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Online search a battleground for AI titans
Online search a battleground for AI titans
by  AFP

Tech firms battling for supremacy in artificial intelligence are out to transform how people search the web, challenging the dominance of the Chrome browser at the heart of Google's empire. Chrome currently accounts for more than 70 percent of the browser market and Google's name has become synonymous with search.

Taiwan detects first cases of swine fever
Taiwan detects first cases of swine fever
by  AFP

Taiwan has culled dozens of pigs after detecting its first cases of African swine fever, with the agriculture ministry saying Thursday no other infections have been detected elsewhere on the island. Samples of dead pigs at a farm in Wuqi district tested positive for swine fever this month and 195 pigs have been culled, the ministry said Wednesday.

Crude spikes as Trump threatens Russian giants, stocks turn lower
Crude spikes as Trump threatens Russian giants, stocks turn lower
by  AFP

Crude prices spiked more than two percent Thursday after Donald Trump said he would hit two Russian oil companies with hefty sanctions, while talk that the White House was planning curbs on software exports to China added to gloom on markets. Trump decided on the sanctions after plans for a fresh summit with Putin in Budapest collapsed this week.

Amazon uses AI to make robots better warehouse workers
Amazon uses AI to make robots better warehouse workers
by  AFP

Amazon on Wednesday said it is speeding up the automation of its warehouses with the help of artificial intelligence and robotics, raising questions about the future of human workers. Automation of Amazon warehouses could cut the need to hire, particularly when it comes to temporary workers needed for peak holiday shopping demands.

Meta to cut 600 jobs in artificial intelligence: reports
Meta to cut 600 jobs in artificial intelligence: reports
by  AFP

Facebook owner Meta is cutting 600 jobs in its artificial intelligence division in a move intended to streamline operations after an aggressive hiring spree, US media reported Wednesday. The job cuts will not affect the TBD Lab, an operation established by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, according to reports in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and other publications.

Tesla profits tumble on higher costs, tariff drag
Tesla profits tumble on higher costs, tariff drag
by  AFP

Tesla reported a hefty drop in profits Wednesday, citing a drag from tariffs and other expenses that more than offset a lift from increased auto sales. Besides tariffs, the company's earnings press release cited higher restructuring expenses and lower revenues from regulatory credits as factors in the profits, which lagged behind analyst expectations.

Car giant VW warns of production hit from Nexperia chips row
Car giant VW warns of production hit from Nexperia chips row
by  AFP

Germany's Volkswagen warned Wednesday that its car production could be hit by a shortage of Nexperia semiconductors amid a deepening row between China and the Netherlands over the chipmaker. Volkswagen, Europe's biggest carmaker, confirmed some Nexperia components are used it its vehicles but said production was "currently unaffected".

GM unveils plans for 'eyes-off' vehicle in 2028
GM unveils plans for 'eyes-off' vehicle in 2028
by  AFP

General Motors announced plans Wednesday to incorporate Google's Gemini artificial intelligence platform into vehicles and to launch a vehicle capable of "eyes-off" driving in 2028.

Global trade system risks coming off the rails: UN chief
Global trade system risks coming off the rails: UN chief
by  AFP

The rules-based international trade system is in danger, UN chief Antonio Guterres warned Wednesday, amid spiralling debt, heavy tariffs and financial insecurity for emerging nations. And the rules-based trading system is at risk of derailment," Guterres said at the 16th UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Geneva.