AFP

AFP

'Artists of steel': Japanese swords forge new fanbase

AFP|Published

Despite the rapidly greying, shrinking population of blademakers in Japan, their fine steel swords known as katana are amassing a new generation of fans, particularly ...

Samsung starts mass production of next-gen AI memory chip

AFP|Published

The high-bandwidth HBM4 chips are seen as a key component needed to scale-up the vast data centres powering the explosion in artificial intelligence.

EU tells TikTok to change 'addictive' design

AFP|Published

In preliminary conclusions of a probe opened two years ago, the European Commission said it found TikTok was not taking effective steps to address the app's negative ...

Stellantis takes massive hit for 'overestimation' of electric shift

AFP|Published

The colossal $26 billion write-down will likely dwarf any profits the automaker was set to book for 2025, to be announced on February 26, after it posted net profit ...

Launching the idea of data centers in space

AFP|Published

Elon Musk's decision to have his rocket company SpaceX take over his artificial intelligence outfit xAI has added fuel to the debate about whether orbiting data ...

Switch 2 sales boost Nintendo profits, but chip shortage looms

AFP|Published

A global memory chip shortage, created by massive demand for artificial intelligence hardware, threatens to push up manufacturing costs for the " Super Mario" maker. ...

China to ban hidden car door handles, setting new safety standards

AFP|Published

Chinese car models already approved for launch will have an additional two years to achieve compliance, the ministry said.

Snapchat blocks 415 000 underage accounts in Australia

AFP|Published

Australia's eSafety online regulator reported last month that tech giants had already blocked 4.7 million accounts, delivering " significant outcomes".

Japan says rare earth found in sediment retrieved on deep-sea mission

AFP|Published

Japan says the mission was the world's first bid to tap deep sea rare earths at such a depth.

US lawmakers say Nvidia AI tech 'powering China's military'

AFP|Published

California-based Nvidia is the world's most valuable company because its artificial intelligence chips are in such huge demand.

Trump sues US tax agency for $10 billion over leaked records

AFP|Published

This is not the first time the president has filed a legal claim against the federal government he oversees.

Dutch tech firm ASML says to cut around 1,700 jobs

AFP|Published

Dutch tech giant ASML said Wednesday that it would lay off around 1,700 people.

Dollar struggles to recover from losses after Trump comments

AFP|Published

Traders are also keeping an eye on the Federal Reserve's latest meeting, hoping for some guidance on its plans for interest rates amid uncertainty over the US president's ...

Microsoft ordered to stop tracking school children: privacy campaigners

AFP|Published

Online rights campaigners Noyb filed two complaints against Microsoft in 2024, saying the company's education software that is widely used in schools violates data ...

Germany offers €1 million reward for Berlin blackout culprits

AFP|Published

The electricity outage left roughly 45,000 homes and 2,200 businesses without power for nearly a week in the middle of winter in the southwest of the German capital. ...

Social media giants face landmark trial over addiction claims

AFP|Published

A landmark trial beginning this week in Los Angeles could establish a legal precedent on whether social media companies deliberately designed their platforms to ...

TikTok establishes joint venture to end US ban threat

AFP|Published

The video-sharing app is a global digital entertainment powerhouse but its mass appeal and links to China have raised concerns over privacy and national security. ...

Japan's exports to US fall as tariffs bite

AFP|Published

In 2025, Japan's exports to the United States fell 4.1%, contributing to a 12.6% decline in Tokyo's trade surplus with Washington to 7.5 trillion yen ($47 billion), ...

YouTuber IShowSpeed hits 50m subscribers in Nigeria on Africa tour

AFP|Published

The YouTube and Twitch star's tour kicked off on December 29, travelling through some 15 countries across Africa and drawing crowds at every stop.

Real Madrid top football rich list as Liverpool surge

AFP|Published

Spanish giants Madrid generated nearly 1.2 billion euros ($1.4 billion) in revenue in the 2024/25 season despite failing to win a major trophy.

Trump tariff threat has global investors running for cover

AFP|Published

Gold has broken record after record in recent months as the precious commodity, along with sister metal silver, benefits from safe-haven status.

AI, chips boom sent South Korea exports soaring in 2025

AFP|Published

Total exports last year were valued at over $700 billion, according to data from Seoul's industry ministry, up 3.8 percent from the previous year.

TSMC says started mass production of 'most advanced' 2nm chips

AFP|Published

Taiwanese tech titan TSMC has started mass producing its cutting-edge 2-nanometre semiconductor chips, the company said in a statement.

Bulgaria readies to adopt the euro, nearly 20 years after joining EU

AFP|Published

Bulgaria will wave goodbye to both 2025 and its lev currency, which has been in use since the late 19th century.

World bids farewell to 2025, a year of Trump, truces and turmoil

AFP|Published

It was one of the warmest years on record, the stifling heat stoking wildfires in Europe, droughts in Africa and deadly rains across Southeast Asia.