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China's electric bus revolution glides on
China's electric bus revolution glides on
Economy
by  AFP

On a rainy afternoon in Shenzhen, damp passengers jostle their way onto the megacity's buses, the quiet foot soldiers of an electric revolution for coal-guzzling China's public transport network. Shenzhen ditched diesel buses and went fully electric in 2017 -- a world first -- with its taxi fleet not far behind.

Stocks mixed, oil subdued as traders eye Mideast and central banks
Stocks mixed, oil subdued as traders eye Mideast and central banks
Economy
by  AFP

Asian stocks were mixed Tuesday, with traders tracking developments in the Middle East crisis as Israel presses on with its ground incursion of Gaza, while hopes the conflict will not spill over regionally kept oil prices subdued. With worries about supplies from the crude-rich Middle East subsiding for now, both main oil contracts edged up slightly Tuesday.

Samsung Electronics says Q3 operating profits down 77.57%
Samsung Electronics says Q3 operating profits down 77.57%
Economy
by  AFP

South Korea's Samsung Electronics said Tuesday that its operating profits for the July to September period were down 77.57 percent from the year before, even as new smartphone releases boosted revenue. The company said net profit dropped 37.7 percent year-on-year to 5.8 trillion won -- though it represents a rebound from the second quarter's 1.7 trillion won.

Biden unveils AI order aiming to 'lead the way' on safety
Biden unveils AI order aiming to 'lead the way' on safety
Technology
by  AFP

President Joe Biden issued an executive order Monday on regulating artificial intelligence, aiming for the United States to "lead the way" in global efforts to manage the technology's risks. - Global regulations - Biden vowed that the US would lead the way in seizing the promise and managing the risks.

Panama tribunal rejects holding mine deal referendum
Panama tribunal rejects holding mine deal referendum
Economy
by  AFP

Panama's electoral tribunal on Monday dismissed the idea of organizing a referendum in December on a mining contract that has ignited countrywide protests. "At this time, the conditions are not in place to organize a... popular consultation," the court's president Alfredo Junca told reporters Monday, in reference to the very unrest the referendum was meant to quell.

US auto workers union reaches tentative deal with GM
US auto workers union reaches tentative deal with GM
Economy
by  AFP

The US auto workers union reached a tentative agreement with General Motors on a new labor contract Monday, a source close to negotiations told AFP, paving the way to ending a six-week strike at major car manufacturers. The in-principle pacts still need to be ratified by workers in a vote, in a process that could take two weeks, a source close to negotiations earlier said.