AFP
Airlines go premium as demand for business-class seats outpaces economy
Since 2020, airlines have increased the number of premium seats significantly to meet growing consumer demand. Airlines are adopting strategies to enhance premium offerings, including gourmet meals and exclusive lounges. This focus has resulted in premium products generating substantial ticket revenue. Various airlines are implementing new options, such as Economy Plus and first-class services.
Japan earthquake: 5.7-magnitude tremor injures dozens, shatters windows and disrupts bullet trains
Japan Earthquake: A 5.7-magnitude earthquake hit central Japan, injuring dozens of people. The tremor occurred early Sunday morning in Shizuoka Prefecture. Authorities reported damage including shattered windows and dislocated train services across several regions. Injuries were generally minor, with some individuals requiring medical attention after falling. Another quake with a magnitude of 4.3 struck the Kumamoto region shortly after, but no serious damage was reported.
New Zealand election too close to call as smaller parties reshape political landscape
New Zealand's recent election has resulted in no clear majority among major parties, as smaller parties gain influence. Preliminary projections show the right-leaning bloc with 67 seats while the left holds 57 seats in parliament. Approximately 400,000 special votes remain to be counted which may alter the distribution of seats significantly. The new centrist Opportunity Party could play a key role in coalition negotiations.
China's giant pandas make public debut at US zoo
Giant pandas Ping Ping and Fu Shuang have made their public debut at Zoo Atlanta after their arrival. The pandas were flown from Chengdu to Atlanta in September as part of a ten-year loan. Zoo Atlanta has renovated facilities to host the pandas, providing locally grown bamboo for their diet. The black-and-white mammals are considered vulnerable, with their population threatened by habitat loss and poaching.
'Enjoy the moment': The German clubs limiting smartphones in stadiums
Borussia Dortmund introduced a scheme rewarding fans for not using smartphones during matches. The initiative aims to preserve the unique atmosphere of the stadium experience. Supporters earn points through the Dortmund app, which can lead to prizes like signed jerseys. Other clubs, including Hertha Berlin and Dynamo Dresden, are implementing similar restrictions to maintain matchday enjoyment. The policy has received positive feedback and coincided with Dortmund's winning streak.
China blocks SoftBank's $5.4 billion acquisition of ABB Robotics
China has blocked SoftBank’s $5.4 billion acquisition of ABB’s robotics business, disrupting the Japanese group’s AI-powered robotics expansion. The intervention highlights Beijing’s growing scrutiny of cross-border deals involving strategically important technologies.
Why did US stocks crash? Trump blames Democrats as AI regulation fears rattle markets
Donald Trump blamed the Democrats' midterm election gains for Wall Street's sharp selloff, as concerns over potential curbs on AI investments rattled technology stocks. Uncertainty surrounding data centre expansion and regulatory scrutiny added to investor anxiety.
Google sued over suicide-related AI chats on school computer
The parents of a 13-year-old girl have sued Google claiming she planned a potential suicide and funeral using its AI technology on a school-issued computer. Developers of fast-evolving AI technology are facing a litany of similar lawsuits in the US. OpenAI faces several wrongful death suits, including from the parents of 16-year-old Adam Raine, a teenager who committed suicide allegedly using methods advised by ChatGPT. Google and the startup Character.
Big tech, green groups in talks over data center guardrails
The "Responsible Data Center Collaborative" counts Google, Meta, Microsoft, Oracle, Amazon, Nvidia and Anthropic among its members, alongside environmental stalwarts the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Sierra Club.
Anthropic may need to cut IPO ambitions as investors balk: report
Anthropic may have to accept a lower valuation than the $1.5 trillion it had been targeting for its stock market debut, after a sharp tech sell-off spooked key investors, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday. The listing comes amid growing nervousness among investors about the huge sums being poured into AI. Three major investors who plan to take part in the offering told the Journal the valuation would likely need to be lowered, with one saying it could end up closer to $1 trillion.
Iran war, doubling fuel prices knock 66% off Emirates' first-half profit
Emirates Group's first-half net profit plunged 66% to $1 billion as the Iran war disrupted flights across the Gulf and doubled jet fuel prices. Passenger numbers at Emirates airline fell 22%, while cargo revenue rose 52%. The Dubai-based group is relying on cash reserves as geopolitical uncertainty clouds its outlook.
After freezer attacks and fake nuclear alerts, Europe hit by wave of bomb threats targeting flights: Which flights were affected and who's behind it?
In light of recent bomb threats troubling various European nations, numerous airlines including Ryanair, Wizz Air, and Finnair were forced to reroute flights and implement military escorts. Authorities found that the threats were ultimately empty, but heightened vigilance remains with ongoing cyberattacks and drone activity demanding attention. Governments are now urging citizens to stockpile emergency supplies as a precautionary measure amidst these escalated security challenges.
Google turns off AI for schoolchildren by default
Google has said it will switch off its AI tools for schoolchildren by default, after drawing criticism for pushing artificial intelligence features to students while schools are still debating how the technology should be used in classrooms. The feature was switched on by default for students at schools that had already enabled Gemini.
BMW Q3 profit falls 15% as China competition weighs
BMW reported a 15% year-on-year decline in third-quarter net profit to 1.45 billion euros, a day after issuing its second profit warning of 2026. Intensifying competition from Chinese automakers, rising costs and weaker demand in China are weighing on the German luxury carmaker. Its vehicle deliveries in China plunged 24.8% during the quarter, while global deliveries fell 6.3%.
US midterms deliver historic firsts as Black, Native American, LGBTQ+ and Latina leaders break political barriers
The 2026 midterm elections in the United States resulted in significant achievements for underrepresented groups. Keisha Lance Bottoms and Gina Hinojosa became the first Black woman and Latina governors, respectively. Democrat Chris Pappas' win marked him as the first openly gay man in the Senate, while Peggy Flanagan became the first Native American woman senator.
Is Donald Trump just a 'lame duck' president as Democrats sweep US midterm elections and take control of the House of Representatives?
With midterm election results coming out, President Trump finds himself in the challenging position of being labeled a "lame duck". Indicating a readiness to counter Democratic probes, he may unleash a more combative strategy during this period. Despite the hurdles ahead, Trump's substantial impact on foreign affairs and trade remains. His relentless ambition ensures he will stay in the spotlight, refusing to let others dominate the narrative.
Two helicopters collide while landing in Nepal's Everest region, 1 Indian killed
Two helicopters collided while attempting to land in Nepal's Everest region on Tuesday. This incident occurred in the Solukhumbu district, where both helicopters crashed on a snowy site. One foreign national died at the scene, while another person was injured and transported to the hospital. Helicopters are frequently used in this mountainous region for transporting tourists and conducting emergency evacuations.
Anthropic revenue jumps 1,100% ahead of IPO as AI spending commitments near $900 billion
Anthropic reported a 1,100% surge in third quarter revenue to $17 billion ahead of its planned IPO later this month. However, the AI company also disclosed a $23.3 billion net loss and nearly $895 billion in spending commitments, raising questions about AI infrastructure costs and investor appetite for its proposed listing.
IKEA store in Belgium hit by fridge cyberattack; refrigeration systems impacted as supermarkets across Europe face issues
IKEA's store in Mons experienced temperature rises in refrigeration systems due to a cyberattack. Several European supermarkets, including Carrefour and Coop, also reported similar issues affecting their refrigeration control systems. A broader cyberattack targeted grocery retailers across Belgium, Estonia, Finland, Luxembourg, and Sweden, leading to food waste concerns. Investigations are ongoing regarding the causes and potential future impacts on food supplies.
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