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Google parent Alphabet posts first $100 bn quarter as AI drives growth
Google parent Alphabet posts first $100 bn quarter as AI drives growth
by  AFP

Google parent Alphabet reported its first-ever $100 billion quarterly revenue on Wednesday, powered by strong growth across its core search business and rapidly expanding cloud division that was buoyed by artificial intelligence. The cloud division, which competes with Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure, has become a key growth engine for Alphabet.

Uber plans San Francisco robotaxis in Waymo challenge
Uber plans San Francisco robotaxis in Waymo challenge
by  AFP

Uber said Wednesday it will launch its own robotaxi service in San Francisco late next year, taking on Google-owned Waymo on the rideshare giant's home streets. Waymo robotaxis have grown in popularity in San Francisco, and even become a tourist attraction, since the service began testing here in 2021 and opened to the general public last year.

Trump, Xi to meet seeking truce in damaging trade war
Trump, Xi to meet seeking truce in damaging trade war
by  AFP

Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping will seek a truce in their tit-for-tat trade war on Thursday, with the US president predicting a "great meeting" but Beijing being more circumspect. One surprise could be if Xi brings up Taiwan, with speculation that Beijing might press Trump to water down US backing for the self-ruled island.

S. African president eyes better US tariff deal 'soon'
S. African president eyes better US tariff deal 'soon'
by  AFP

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said Wednesday that his country has advanced to "text-based" negotiations with Washington towards securing a better tariff deal -- and hoped one would materialise "soon".

US media mogul John Malone to step down as head of business empire
US media mogul John Malone to step down as head of business empire
by  AFP

Billionaire media and telecoms tycoon John Malone will step down as chairman of his multinational companies Liberty Global and Liberty Media after decades influencing the global communications landscape, the businesses announced Wednesday. He will also step down as chairman at Liberty Media, which operates Formula 1 racing, MotoGP, and Live Nation entertainment.

AI chip giant Nvidia becomes world's first $5 trillion company
AI chip giant Nvidia becomes world's first $5 trillion company
by  AFP

AI chip juggernaut Nvidia became the world's first $5 trillion company on Wednesday, as investors remain confident that artificial intelligence will deliver a new wave of innovation and growth. The eyewatering valuations linked to artificial intelligence also include OpenAI becoming the world's most valuable private company, currently valued at $500 billion.

Boeing reports $5.4-bn loss on large hit from 777X aircraft delays
Boeing reports $5.4-bn loss on large hit from 777X aircraft delays
by  AFP

Boeing reported a $5.4-billion third-quarter loss on Wednesday as massive added costs from the delayed certification of its 777X aircraft weighed down its results. In 2020, Boeing booked a $6.5 billion charge on the 777X, citing the lengthy FAA certification process and the pushing back of demand from airlines for the jet due to Covid-19.

EU seeks 'urgent solutions' with China over chipmaker Nexperia
EU seeks 'urgent solutions' with China over chipmaker Nexperia
by  AFP

The EU said Wednesday it is seeking a swift resolution to a Chinese curb on chip exports linked to a row with the Netherlands over chipmaker Nexperia that has alarmed European businesses. "The aim is to find a swift resolution to this problem, which, as you rightly pointed out, is a serious one, and which has raised many concerns from European industry," Gill told reporters.