Latest

Japan show provides glimpse of robots as future of rescue efforts
Japan show provides glimpse of robots as future of rescue efforts
Technology
by  AFP

With a drone camera, a survivor is spotted in the rubble. "My idea is to help people such as firefighters with my machines," Izu, 61, told AFP. It was Attraclab that co-developed the small delivery robot squeezing through the cardboard rubble at the Japan Mobility Show and designed the remote-control stretcher on wheels or tracks.

Mercedes profits fall due to lower sales
Mercedes profits fall due to lower sales
Business and Economy
by  AFP

German carmaker Mercedes-Benz said Thursday that its profits fell in the third quarter due to a drop in vehicle deliveries amid shortages of some parts. Revenue fell 1.4 percent to 37.2 billion euros, partly because passenger car sales were around five percent lower in the quarter due to a shortage of some parts.

Stocks slide, oil holds gains on Middle East, economy concerns
Stocks slide, oil holds gains on Middle East, economy concerns
Business and Economy
by  AFP

Asian stocks sank Thursday, tracking a retreat on Wall Street fuelled by a surge in US Treasuries and worries over a possible escalation of the Middle East crisis, which also helped oil hold the previous day's rally. A plunge in Alphabet and Texas, as well as Amazon ahead of its report later Thursday, hit Wall Street, with the tech-rich Nasdaq tanking more than two percent.

Stellantis to buy stake in Chinese EV start-up Leapmotor
Stellantis to buy stake in Chinese EV start-up Leapmotor
Business and Economy
by  AFP

Global carmaker Stellantis said Thursday it will buy a 20 percent stake in Chinese electric car maker Leapmotor, making it the latest European brand seeking a foothold in the country's highly competitive market via partnerships with local manufacturers. Other European manufacturers have also stepped up partnerships with Chinese companies to win over local customers.

ECB set to pause rate hikes as eurozone feels pinch
ECB set to pause rate hikes as eurozone feels pinch
Business and Economy
by  AFP

European Central Bank policymakers are widely expected to leave interest rates unchanged when they meet in Athens on Thursday, as their previous policy moves seemed to be biting. - 'Clear impact' - ECB policymakers were in "watch and see" mode Thursday, Ducrozet said, with new official forecasts only set to be published at the governing council's next meeting in December.

A year after Musk's Twitter takeover, X remains mired in turmoil
A year after Musk's Twitter takeover, X remains mired in turmoil
Technology
by  AFP

A year ago Elon Musk purchased X, formerly known as Twitter, taking the platform on a journey that has resulted in lost money, advertisers and trust. - Money matters - Over the past year, the platform's advertising business partially collapsed as marketers soured on X. Insider Intelligence forecasts that X will finish 2023 with $2.98 billion in ad revenue, compared to $4.14 billion in 2022.

Meta quarterly profit jumps but it sees volatility in ad market
Meta quarterly profit jumps but it sees volatility in ad market
Technology
by  AFP

Meta on Wednesday reported that its quarterly profit more than doubled from last year's figure as it looks ahead at a volatile ad market and lawsuits accusing it of profiting from "children's pain." Dozens of US states this week accused Meta of profiting "from children's pain," damaging their mental health and misleading people about the safety of its platforms.