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Salesforce forecast fiscal 2026 revenue below Wall Street expectations on Wednesday, weighed down by slower adoption of its Agentforce platform, sending shares of the company down around 5% in premarket trading. The software-as-a-service pioneer is banking heavily on AI agents to reinvigorate growth at a time when other cloud firms have firmly established themselves as leaders in the sector while making strides in machine learning. The downbeat forecast indicates that the spending environment remains pressured, with enterprises withholding new financial commitments owing to still-high interest rates and economic uncertainty.

Seven & i Holding's founding Ito family has failed to secure financing for a $58 billion management buyout, sending its shares plunging and giving rival bid from Canada's Alcentra Corporation momentum. The company is now assessing a range of strategic alternatives, including Couche-Tard's $47 billion bid. Seven & i says it continues to explore options.

Meta is mulling launching a standalone app for short-form videos, The Information reported, citing an anonymous source who heard Instagram head Adam Mosseri talking about the project to staff. The project is reportedly code-named Project Ray that aims to improve recommendations for new users and existing users in the U.S., and feature more three-minute videos. Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Valve's upcoming project, HLX, has been optimized extensively with the Source 2 engine, indicating a potential launch soon. The data mine has revealed hints of new mechanics in HLX, including roguelike elements and an emphasis on vehicles. These changes may signal a significant departure from previous Half-Life titles.

Mercedes-Benz is cutting 10% to 15% of its employees in China's sales and finance subsidiaries as part of a broader effort to reduce workforce costs by a quarter by 2027, a person with direct knowledge of the matter said. The German luxury carmaker has also announced further cost-cutting measures globally amid declining earnings due to price competition in China and rising global trade tensions. Mercedes is doubling down on partnerships with local suppliers in China to improve competitiveness.

The Vatican is struggling with a widening gap in its finances, with senior cardinals resisting the pope's push for budget cuts. The financial woes are partly due to declining tourist income during the Covid pandemic and growing pension liabilities, which were estimated to total some 631 million euros by the Vatican's finance czar in 2022. The situation has prompted the pope to form a new high-level commission to encourage donations from lay Catholics.

LSEG's guidance for improved profitability in 2025 is expected to be well-received after the company reported a strong pipeline of innovations to enhance its Workspace product and boost annual subscription values. The company's 2024 income grew slightly ahead of analysts' expectations, with total income rising 8.4% to £8.49 billion on a constant currency basis. LSEG's CEO David Schwimmer highlighted the progress made in its partnership with Microsoft, citing an "exceptional" year for Tradeweb.

Starmer makes clear a 'backstop' is a prioritySays without it, Ukraine cannot have lasting peaceReticent over what a backstop might look likeWASHINGTON, Feb 26 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged the United States on Wednesday to provide a security "backstop" to any future European peacekeepers in Ukraine, saying only that would offer Kyiv a lasting peace rather than a temporary ceasefire.

Bank of America (BoA) CEO Brian Moynihan confirmed this week that the company is ready to enter the stablecoin market once U.S. lawmakers provide regulatory approval. Speaking at the Economic Club of Washington, D.C., Moynihan said, “If they make that legal, we will go into that business.” He compared stablecoins to money market funds or traditional bank accounts, emphasizing their potential role in financial transactions. Stablecoins, digital currencies pegged to the U.S. dollar or other assets, have grown into a $232 billion market despite lacking federal regulation.

Austria's three top centrist parties in parliament have reached a deal to form a coalition government without the far-right Freedom Party (FPO) and plan to present it later on Thursday, five months after the FPO won the last parliamentary election. The deal should bring to a close the longest wait for a new government in Austria since World War Two. A first attempt to form a ruling coalition with the same three parties collapsed in January, after which the eurosceptic, Russia-friendly FPO was tasked with forming a government but also failed to.

Two young Indonesian men convicted of having a same-sex relationship were publicly caned on Thursday in Aceh province, prompting calls by Amnesty International for the government to put an end to the practice. The caning was witnessed by dozens of people, including family members, and was seen as a horrifying act of discrimination. The victims received 77 and 82 lashes, respectively, for providing a place for their sexual activities.

Baidu, a leading Chinese technology firm, and electric vehicle battery giant CATL have announced a strategic partnership to jointly develop "competitive" driverless vehicles and innovative business models. The companies aim to leverage CATL's cutting-edge battery technology and Baidu's digital intelligence capabilities to create autonomous vehicles that can outperform existing ones in terms of speed, range, and safety. By integrating Baidu's AI-powered navigation system with CATL's advanced power batteries and chassis technology, the partnership hopes to accelerate the development of autonomous driving solutions.

Baidu and CATL have announced a strategic partnership to jointly develop "competitive" driverless vehicles and innovative business models, leveraging their combined expertise in digital intelligence and autonomous driving. The collaboration aims to accelerate the development of autonomous technologies, enabling more efficient and safe transportation systems. This joint venture will focus on applying CATL's power batteries, battery swapping products and services, and skateboard chassis technology in driverless vehicles.

Smaller EVs will use 400 V powertrains to save money. The EV3 hatch and EV4 sedan are the brand's first models to include Kia CarPay and an AI assistant with ChatGPT. Inside, the EV3 uses recycled plastics, including collected materials through its Ocean Cleanup project.

The Motorola Razr+ 2025 is expected to launch in the coming months, powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite series chipset. This new leak reveals Motorola's plans for its next foldable device, which will feature a 6.9-inch inner display and a 4-inch outer screen. The device's hardware is likely to be similar to its predecessor, with a focus on improving performance and efficiency.

The European Union has formally invited Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to a special summit of EU leaders on March 6, where they will discuss future support for Ukraine amid ongoing tensions with Russia. The move is seen as a significant gesture of solidarity and commitment from the EU to address security concerns in Eastern Europe. This comes at a time when Ukraine's sovereignty is under threat, and the EU seeks to demonstrate its resolve to provide long-term backing.

Internet personality Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan left Romania on a private flight for the United States early on Thursday, news website G4media.ro said citing airport sources. Prosecutors lifted obligation not to leave Romania amid criminal investigation, with judicial controls remaining in place. The Tates are under judicial control, requiring regular check-ins with police until the case is resolved.

The United States has granted a 30-day reprieve to Serbia's majority-Russian-owned oil company NIS, allowing it to avoid sanctions that could have crippled its operations. The decision comes as the US continues to scrutinize Russia's energy sector following the invasion of Ukraine. The suspension will give NIS more time to secure an alternative supply route for crude oil imports.

Oil prices edged up after sliding in the previous two sessions, with supply worries resurfacing after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a reversal of a license given to Chevron to operate in Venezuela. Brent crude oil futures rose 2 cents to $72.55 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures climbed 6 cents to $68.68 per barrel. The announcement came as Chevron exports about 240,000 barrels per day of crude from its Venezuelan operations.

TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker, will require government permission for any overseas joint ventures, but there are no restrictions on making advanced chips outside of China. Taiwan Economy Minister Kuo Jyh-huei made this statement, emphasizing the importance of TSMC to the country's semiconductor industry and economy. The move aims to protect Taiwan's interests while also supporting the company's expansion plans.

International standards and human rights principles must be followed, Thailand's prime minister said on Thursday, in response to concerns aired by activists that 48 Uyghurs held for more than a decade had been secretly deported to China. The repatriation of the Uyghurs has raised concerns about their safety and the potential breach of international law. However, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has emphasized the importance of following the law and respecting human rights in such situations.

C3.ai Inc has reported a 26% year-over-year increase in total revenue for Q3, reaching $98.8 million, driven by strategic partnerships with major tech giants such as Microsoft and AWS. The company's non-GAAP gross profit was $68.2 million, with a 69% gross margin, but it also reported a non-GAAP operating loss of $23.1 million. Despite the losses, C3.ai Inc has secured new and expanded agreements with key clients, demonstrating strong customer traction.

Ransomware has become a growing problem for organizations worldwide, with malware attacks being one of the most common types of security incidents. In response, proposals to make ransomware payments illegal have been gaining traction, but this approach may not be a viable solution to combat the scourge of ransomware. The moral imperative in some situations suggests that paying the ransom is a necessary evil to prevent harm to human lives.

Root Inc achieved its first full year of net income profitability in 2024, reporting a GAAP net income of $31 million and a significant 21% growth in policies in force. The company demonstrated strong financial efficiency with a gross combined ratio of 95 and a notable reduction in interest expenses, which is expected to decrease by approximately 50% in 2025. Despite these successes, Root Inc faces challenges from competitive pressures and potential rate decreases that could impact future revenue growth.

Germany's Munich and Hamburg airports were hit by strikes by public sector union Verdi on Thursday and Friday, with airlines cancelling about 80% of flights in Munich. The strikes, which have disrupted travel plans for almost 300,000 passengers, are part of a broader trend of labor disputes affecting Germany's transportation sector. The unions' demands for better wages and working conditions are seen as a response to rising inflation and economic pressure.

MARA Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:MARA) achieved record high revenues, securing 300% more energy capacity, and exploring opportunities in artificial intelligence, planning to deploy 30 megawatts of inference AI compute. The company successfully transitioned into a vertically integrated energy and technology solutions provider, reducing its energy costs significantly by deploying its first owned power-generating assets. Revenue increased by 37% in Q4 2024 compared to Q4 2023, and full-year revenue grew by 69%.

U.S. inflation is expected to outpace the euro zone due to higher growth, tariffs, and cheaper European energy after a potential Ukraine peace deal, but the gap in bond yields remains narrow despite traders' bets on divergence. The U.S. economy has expanded 12% since the pandemic, while the euro zone has grown 5%, driven by differing growth paths and tariff threats. Investors are now eyeing other factors, including recent tepid U.S. economic data and expectations of European defence spending.

NVIDIA's Q4 earnings report reveals a record $39.3 billion in revenue, driven primarily by strong demand for its data center products. The company's data center business saw significant growth, with revenue more than doubling from the prior year, driven by high-end products like Blackwell and Hopper 200. However, gaming revenue declined, and manufacturing challenges were noted.

Texas measles outbreak, primarily among children, has spread to New MexicoOutbreak started in rural Mennonite community southwest of LubbockChild who died was not vaccinated against measlesHealth officials say more cases expected.

The affordable AMD Ryzen AI 5 340 has made its debut in Geekbench, and with that, the first OpenCL benchmark score of the Radeon 840M is here. Per the test, the iGPU can beat the Radeon 740M. AMD's entry-level APU for the Krackan Point lineup, the Ryzen AI 5 340, sports Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores and a lower-end RDNA 3.5 GPU, the Radeon 840M.

European stocks dropped after US President Donald Trump said he would impose 25% tariffs on imports from the European Union. The Stoxx 600 index fell 0.5%, with the retail, tech and auto sectors among the biggest laggards. The euro edged lower as a slew of earnings kept European traders busy.

Nissan Motor Co.'s embattled CEO Makoto Uchida is likely to hang on to his job amidst a shake-up in the company's top ranks, which will be unveiled next month. The management restructuring is part of a turnaround plan that Nissan pledged to accelerate this month. Abusive performance has plunged the car company deeper into crisis.

Markets experienced modest gains on Thursday as investors processed Nvidia's latest earnings report and considered the implications of US tariffs on European goods. The Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq futures all saw increases, with futures linked to the major gauges rising between 0.2% and 0.4%. As a result, stock prices rose in after-hours trading despite Nvidia's flatline performance.

The U.S. dollar strengthened in Asia as Treasury yields rose, reflecting investor concerns over tariffs and economic conditions under President Donald Trump. Asian stocks showed weakness amid volatile trading, with tech shares receiving limited impact from Nvidia's earnings report. Uncertainty surrounding U.S. trade policy continues to affect market sentiment, particularly as traders adjust their expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts.

An Indian court has ordered an Amazon unit to pay $39 million in damages for infringing the "Beverly Hills Polo Club" trademark after garments with identical branding were sold on Amazon's India website. The ruling comes as part of an ongoing antitrust investigation into Amazon's business practices in India. This verdict highlights the growing importance of intellectual property protection and enforcement in emerging markets.

Baidu will launch the next generation of its artificial intelligence model Ernie in mid-March, which will see improved capabilities in areas such as reasoning, a source with direct knowledge of the matter said. The upgraded 4.5 Ernie model will also feature enhanced multimodal capabilities, the source said. This development could potentially shift the balance of power in the global AI landscape, as Baidu seeks to challenge the dominance of OpenAI and other industry leaders.

Engwe's new Mapfour lineup aims to expand the brand's offerings into the European market with "premium commuter" e-bikes designed for road use. The company's new models, including the N1 Pro, boast features like GPS tracking, turn-by-turn navigation, and high-quality carbon fiber components. With a price point of €1,899 (approximately $2,000), the N1 Pro is positioned as a higher-end option in Engwe's e-bike lineup.

The anticipated outperformance of U.S. stocks and the dollar under President Trump's policies is being challenged by weakening consumer and business indicators, signaling increased caution among investors. As the S&P 500 shows only modest gains compared to global indices, concerns over domestic economic growth and international competition, particularly in technology, have intensified. This shift may indicate a long-term reevaluation of the U.S. economy's exceptionalism narrative, particularly as international assets become more attractive.

A Succession-like feud has engulfed one of Singapore's richest families as property tycoon Kwek Leng Beng accused his son of plotting a boardroom takeover. Mr Kwek says he has filed court papers accusing his son Sherman of trying to take control of the real estate firm City Developments Limited (CDL). He is seeking to fire his son who is chief executive of CDL, citing the need to restore corporate integrity. The dispute centers on an email sent by CDL's corporate secretary nominating two additional independent directors, which Mr Kwek sees as an attempt by Sherman to gain power.

Small Town, Big Story promises to be a superb comedy smash about a Hollywood production coming to rural Ireland when secrets held by the local doctor since the millennium are set to be revealed. Chris O'Dowd directs and writes this new series starring Christina Hendricks. The show follows producer Wendy Patterson as she returns to her hometown of Drumban, threatening to reveal a secret that has been kept by local doctor Séamus Proctor.

The Apple iPhone 16e has a larger battery capacity than previously expected, according to a test carried out by Dave2D. The device reportedly boasts a 3,961 mAh battery, surpassing the standard iPhone 16 and 16 Pro's capacities of 3,561 mAh and 3,582 mAh, respectively. This significant boost in battery life is reflected in real-world tests, where the iPhone 16e outperformed its competitors by lasting over an hour longer on a single charge.

Nvidia's financial report was largely uneventful, with forecasts being strong but not sensational, and gross margins declining but promising to rise in the mid-year. Despite initial concerns about China's lower-cost AI competitor DeepSeek threatening Nvidia's Western business model, demand for high-power computing remained strong. The market's focus on the US economy and Trump's trade wars overshadowed other news, including the latest rumblings on tariffs from Washington.

Nvidia's financial report card on Wednesday came and went without much fanfare, with forecasts being strong but not sensational and gross margins declining, albeit with a promise of rising by mid-year. Demand for high-power computing remained alive and well, despite initial concerns from China's AI competitor DeepSeek. The market's focus shifted to the latest developments in Trump's trade wars, including the threat of tariffs on European cars.

TSMC's plans for overseas joint ventures require government approval, but the company can still produce advanced chips in non-China locations without permission. The US has criticized Taiwan for taking away American semiconductor business, and President Trump wants the industry to return to his country. Taiwan's government is committed to supporting its chip sector.

North Korea has deployed additional troops to Russia, with reports citing Seoul's spy agency indicating the contingent was sent to battlegrounds in Russia's Kursk region. The deployment is part of an ongoing support for Russian forces fighting Ukrainian troops who crossed into western Russia. The move comes as Ukraine and Western experts claim that Russian forces have used North Korean weapons.

The Samsung Galaxy A56, Galaxy A36, and Galaxy A26 will be unveiled in a few days with all their specs, colors, and official press images already revealed. The three mid-range phones from Samsung are set to launch on March 2, 2025, with the expected euro prices leaked in advance. The differences between the Galaxy A56, Galaxy A36, and Galaxy A26 lie in the details.

Transgender service members will be separated from the U.S. military unless they receive an exemption, according to a Pentagon memo filed in court on Wednesday, essentially banning them from joining or serving in the military. This move goes further than restrictions President Donald Trump placed on transgender service members during his first administration and is seen as unprecedented by advocates. The policy change aims to establish high standards for service member readiness, lethality, cohesion, honesty, humility, uniformity, and integrity.

India's benchmark stock indices are predicted to experience a slow and partial recovery this year following their worst consecutive monthly decline in nearly three decades, with the Nifty 50 index down about 14% from its high in late September 2024. Analysts express skepticism about a rapid rebound amid high inflation, stagnant incomes, and a significant foreign investor sell-off, while forecasts suggest modest gains by mid-2025. The overall sentiment remains cautious, as economic indicators show sluggish corporate earnings growth and ongoing pressures on household spending.

Chinese authorities are rolling out fresh measures to limit capital flight, including increased scrutiny of overseas investments, as the yuan currency comes under mounting pressure. President Donald Trump's tariffs threats are heightening Sino-U.S. tensions and discouraging inbound foreign investment. The yuan has lost 2.2% to the dollar since Trump's election win in November.

DeepSeek's large language models have disrupted the AI sector, rivalling Western systems in performance but at a much lower cost, prompting widespread adoption by Chinese manufacturers. The company's founder, Liang Wenfeng, has been feted by Chinese authorities, and DeepSeek plans to release R2, the successor to its R1 reasoning model, soon. As a result, home appliance brands such as Haier, Hisense, TCL Electronics, Huawei, and Tencent are incorporating DeepSeek's models into their products.