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Spanish court opens 550-mn-euro Meta data protection trial
Spanish court opens 550-mn-euro Meta data protection trial
by  AFP

A Spanish court opened a trial on Wednesday over a 550-million-euro lawsuit brought by more than 80 Spanish media organisations against Facebook owner Meta for allegedly breaching European Union data protection rules. Spanish radio and television stations have launched a separate lawsuit against Meta for the same reasons, seeking 160 million euros in damages.

Taiwan says 'will not agree' to making 50% of its chips in US
Taiwan says 'will not agree' to making 50% of its chips in US
by  AFP

Taiwan "will not agree" to making 50 percent of its semiconductors in the United States, the island's lead tariff negotiator said Wednesday, as Washington pressures Taipei to produce more chips on US soil. More than 70 percent of the island's exports to the United States are information and communications technology, which includes chips, the cabinet said in a statement Wednesday.

India ready to rev up chipmaking, industry pioneer says
India ready to rev up chipmaking, industry pioneer says
by  AFP

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared India's "late entry" into the global semiconductor race, he pinned hopes on pioneers such as Vellayan Subbiah to create a chip innovation hub. - 'More complicated'- Modi this month said that "20 percent of the global talent in semiconductor design comes from India".

Asian stocks mixed, Wall St futures drop as US heads for shutdown
Asian stocks mixed, Wall St futures drop as US heads for shutdown
by  AFP

Asian markets stuttered, US futures fell and gold hovered near record highs Wednesday after lawmakers in Washington failed to reach a deal to avert a government shutdown. Gold, a go-to in times of turmoil and uncertainty, was hovering just below its record high of $3,871.72 owing to a weaker dollar, bets on lower borrowing costs and worries about the impact of the shutdown.

South Korea posts record semiconductor exports in September
South Korea posts record semiconductor exports in September
by  AFP

South Korea recorded its highest ever semiconductor exports in September, official data showed Wednesday, despite growing pressure from US tariffs and other restrictions on the crucial sector. Seoul logged more than $16.6 billion in exports of semiconductors last month, up by more than a fifth from September 2024, according to data from the country's industry ministry.

Nike shares rally on progress in turnaround
Nike shares rally on progress in turnaround
by  AFP

Nike reported a surprise increase in quarterly sales Tuesday, pointing to progress on a turnaround as it forecast a bigger cost hit from US tariffs. But Friend lifted the company's estimate of the total cost from US tariffs under President Donald Trump's administration to an annual hit of $1.5 billion from the prior $1 billion.

Stars align for Louis Vuitton, Stella McCartney at Paris Fashion Week
Stars align for Louis Vuitton, Stella McCartney at Paris Fashion Week
by  AFP

Louis Vuitton showcased a collection of flouncy skirts and sculptural ruffles in front of a star-packed audience while Stella McCartney had war and peace on her mind for her show on day two of Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday. - Anderson debut - A flurry of new appointments at major labels have lent this Paris Fashion Week momentous significance.

Amazon adds AI muscle to connected home lineup
Amazon adds AI muscle to connected home lineup
by  AFP

Amazon on Tuesday unveiled the latest generation of connected products, featuring enhanced artificial intelligence capabilities designed to make interactions with AI more frequent and natural. Amazon believes in "ambient" AI, in Panay's words, which "lives naturally in the products themselves."