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US holiday sales growth estimated at 3.1%: Mastercard
US holiday sales growth estimated at 3.1%: Mastercard
by  AFP

Preliminary shopping data indicated that US holiday sales increased 3.1 percent compared with the year-ago period, a solid but unspectacular increase reflecting mixed sentiment on the economy. The growth in this year's holiday sales is below 2022 holiday season sales increase of 5.3 percent and much below the 2021 figure of 14.1 percent, according to NRF data.

Apple Watch import ban goes into effect in US patent clash
Apple Watch import ban goes into effect in US patent clash
by  AFP

A US import ban on certain Apple smartwatch models came into effect Tuesday, after the Biden administration opted not to veto a ruling on patent infringements. The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) decided in October to ban Apple Watch models over a patented technology for detecting blood-oxygen levels.

Toyota's Daihatsu suspends all domestic production
Toyota's Daihatsu suspends all domestic production
by  AFP

Japanese car maker Daihatsu has suspended all its domestic production as the Toyota-owned company faces a massive safety testing scandal. Last week, the company said it had been manipulating safety tests since at least 1989, affecting 64 models, including some sold under the Toyota brand which also are being suspended.

'Urban mining' offers green solution to old solar panels
'Urban mining' offers green solution to old solar panels
by  AFP

As the world pivots from planet-warming fossil fuels to renewable energy, a new pollution problem is rearing its head: What to do with old or worn-out solar panels? With the United States among countries committed to weaning itself off fossil fuels following a landmark COP28 climate agreement, solar panel installation looks set to increase to a peak two decades from now.

Chinese EV automaker BYD to build car factory in Hungary
Chinese EV automaker BYD to build car factory in Hungary
by  AFP

China's top electric automaker BYD will build a car factory in Hungary, the company said Friday, as it pushes forward with plans for expansion into Europe despite growing concerns around fair competition. BYD already has operations in Hungary, including an electric bus factory.

Cummins to pay $1.67 bn to settle engine emission control claims
Cummins to pay $1.67 bn to settle engine emission control claims
by  AFP

US engine maker Cummins Inc has agreed to pay $1.67 billion to settle claims it installed devices to defeat emissions controls in hundreds of thousands of pickup truck engines, the Justice Department said Friday. Defeat devices and auxiliary emission control devices were allegedly installed on nearly one million engines produced since 2013 for RAM pickup trucks, which are made by Stellantis.

Key US inflation gauge cools in November as rate cut looms
Key US inflation gauge cools in November as rate cut looms
by  AFP

A measure of inflation favored by the US Federal Reserve weakened in November on lower energy prices, government data showed Friday, providing further reassurance to policymakers keen to rein in price increases. Friday's numbers also showed that consumption ticked up 0.2 percent from a month prior in November, while personal incomes increased too.

US new home sales slow more than expected in November
US new home sales slow more than expected in November
by  AFP

Sales of new US homes cooled more than anticipated in November, slipping to the lowest level in a year, according to government data released Friday. Analysts noted Friday that home sales data can be volatile and subject to revision.