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Flights cancelled as Belgium hit by national strike
Flights cancelled as Belgium hit by national strike
by  AFP

A national strike over a government savings plan grounded flights and disrupted public transport in Belgium on Tuesday, with tens of thousands expected to join a demonstration in Brussels. Unions expect tens of thousands to join a rally in Brussels on Wednesday, as delays and cancellations also hit the capital's metro, tram, and bus services.

Google to invest $15 bn in India, build largest AI hub outside US
Google to invest $15 bn in India, build largest AI hub outside US
by  AFP

Google said Tuesday it will invest $15 billion in India over the next five years, as it announced a giant data centre and artificial intelligence base in the country. Kurian announced "capital investment of $15 billion" over the five years and a "gigawatt-scale AI hub in Visakhapatnam", a port city in the southeastern state of Andhra Pradesh.

Trump tariffs on timber, furniture take effect
Trump tariffs on timber, furniture take effect
by  AFP

US President Donald Trump's fresh tariffs on imported wood, furniture and kitchen cabinets took effect Tuesday, a development likely to fuel building costs and pile pressure on homebuyers in an already challenging market. The latest salvo features a 10-percent tariff on imports of softwood lumber, while duties on certain upholstered furniture and kitchen cabinets start at 25 percent.

Nobel economist warns of AI dangers
Nobel economist warns of AI dangers
by  AFP

A winner of this year’s Nobel prize in economics warned Monday that artificial intelligence offers "amazing possibilities" but should be regulated because of its job-destroying potential. And it also obviously has an amazing potential for destroying other jobs or replacing highly skilled labor.

IMF meetings to begin under fresh cloud of US-China trade tensions
IMF meetings to begin under fresh cloud of US-China trade tensions
by  AFP

The IMF and World Bank's semi-annual gathering of finance ministers and central bank governors gets underway in Washington on Monday, against the backdrop of new trade threats from the world's two largest economies. The annual meetings in Washington will take place at the IMF and World Bank's headquarters, situated just a stone's throw from the White House.