Business

• US Federal Reserve keeps rates unchanged despite pressure from Trump

  As expected, the US Federal Reserve has kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged despite pressure from President Donald Trump.  Fed chair Jerome Powell warned the risks of higher inflation and higher unemployment has risen. Plus, Disney announced a plan to build its first theme park in the Middle East, on Abu Dhabi's Yas Island. But first, we take a look at how a 14-year civil war devastated Syria's economy, as interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa visited Paris. 

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• Kidnappings, ransom demands target French cryptocurrency moguls

  A spate of violent kidnappings has targeted wealthy French cryptocurrency investors as criminal gangs seek to extort ransoms. We take a closer look. But first: Washington prepares for trade negotiations with Beijing amid reports of progress on a US-UK trade deal aimed at de-escalating Donald Trump's trade war.

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• UK, India clinch major trade deal amid Trump tariff turmoil

  Britain and India have finalised a free trade agreement after more than three years of negotiations. The landmark deal will lower tariffs on each other’s goods and aims to increase bilateral trade by a further €30 billion by 2040. Plus, the European Commission has published a "roadmap" for its plans to cut its energy ties with Russia, including a ban on Russian gas by the end of 2027.

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• OpenAI abandons plans to jettison non-profit oversight board

  OpenAI says it's no longer seeking to transition to a fully for-profit company. The decision follows public backlash and a lawsuit by Elon Musk. Also in this edition: California Governor Gavin Newsom proposes a $7.5 billion tax credit for the US film industry instead of Donald Trump's 100% tariffs on foreign films, and Sweden mulls a ban on paying for adult content online.

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• Warren Buffett to step down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway

  Legendary investor Warren Buffett says he will hand over control of his $1.2 trillion conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway to successor Greg Abel by the end of the year. Also in this edition: Donald Trump threatens 100% US tariffs on foreign-made films, and Americans with jobs are increasingly turning to food banks to make ends meet.

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