Business
Operators and governments spent billions on data-center construction worldwide to power AI, prompting environmental protests in dry regions and U.S. senators to demand answers about rising electricity bills.
Swiss and U.S. negotiators neared a deal to cut U.S. tariffs on Swiss imports from 39% to 15% after Swiss business leaders pushed talks, sources said.
Investors favored Japan’s stock market for AI-driven earnings, a weak yen and lower tariffs, while Europe’s defensive bourses drew buyers as Jacob Wallenberg warned strict EU AI rules risked competitiveness.
U.S. stocks rallied as investors grew optimistic a deal to end the government shutdown was near, sending the Nasdaq and S&P 500 higher on tech strength.
Warren Buffett announced in his final letter that he would step down as Berkshire Hathaway CEO at year-end, accelerate $1.3 billion in charitable gifts and said he was "going quiet."
Global automakers scaled back EV targets and delayed battery deals as falling commodity prices, a supply glut and low-cost Chinese rivals squeezed margins, eroded sales in China and the U.S.
China lifted export restrictions on Nexperia-made automotive chips, allowing suppliers to resume shipments to European carmakers and easing tensions following the Netherlands' takeover of Nexperia.
Basellandschaftliche Kantonalbank in Switzerland closed its Radicant subsidiary after failing to find a buyer and said it would relinquish the firm's licence, citing lack of viable offers.
