Finance news

Consolidation on the financial market: Unicredit has to warm up at home

The market leader Intesa Sanpaolo is reaching for Monte dei Paschi di Siena, the oldest bank in the world. Unicredit is now confronted with tougher competition at home.

China’s EV giants challenge Tesla in race to commercialise humanoid robots

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers are opening a new front in their battle with Tesla: humanoid robots. After spending years competing on electric cars and autonomous driving technology, leading Chinese manufacturers including BYD and Xpeng are now accelerating plans to mass-produce humanoid robots, betting that advances in artificial intelligence will unlock a vast new market beyond transportation. The push is expected to strengthen China’s position as a global manufacturing powerhouse for...

34d06/08⚠ war-conflict · 2/5

Airbus unveils U145 autonomous helicopter drone for cargo supply ops

Other military roles for the drone cover armed scouting, surveillance, crewed-uncrewed teaming as well as acting as a “mothership” for air launched effects, according to the European prime.

◇ unclassifiedusa · europe

Hong Kong data centres outpace global average for carbon footprint: UN study

Hong Kong ranks among the world’s largest data centre hubs but has a carbon footprint exceeding the global average, according to a global think tank study, which calls for a responsible strategy to tackle the “unintended impacts” of using artificial intelligence (AI). The June report by the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health also quantified not only carbon but water and land footprints of electricity arising from the use of AI. The report is a call for using AI

◇ unclassifiedusa · europe · germany

French Army has recruitment surplus but lacks equipment, deputy chief says

“This year, we’re already slowing down recruitment because not only are we recruiting better, but we’re retaining people better," a service leader said.

◇ unclassifiedusa · europe · israel

Palladyne AI partners with IAI to bring Israeli Harpy, Harop drones to US

Palladyne plans to put new AI swarming software on the battle-proven Israeli drones and compete for contracts like the Army’s Long-Range Precision Munition (LRPM), CEO Ben Wolff told Breaking Defense.

34d06/08⚠ war-conflict · 1/5

Buying a house from my stepfather using an interest-free personal loan. Tax & legal pitfalls?

Hello swarm intelligence, my partner and I are planning to buy my stepfather's house. Since we don't want to take out a traditional bank loan, a family solution is being considered. Before we run (probably first to the tax advisor, then to the notary), we would like to hear your assessment and experiences so that we don't go into the appointments completely unprepared. Briefly about the initial situation: • Me (37) and my partner (30), we are not married. • We have been living there for 3 years

Social◇ unclassifiedgermany · europe

◇ unclassifiedchina · asia · russia

China’s Xi Jinping arrives in a North Korea armed with advanced warships and AI drones

When Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Pyongyang on Monday, he was entering a country undergoing notable development in both its nuclear programme and conventional combat capacity. North Korea has been aided in these developments by Russian military technology and economic aid, which Pyongyang received in exchange for sending troops and equipment to support Moscow’s war in Ukraine. These advances could help Pyongyang threaten the balance of power against South Korea and the United...

Artificial intelligence: Microsoft is turning away from OpenAI – and relying on the super assistant

OpenAI made Microsoft an AI pioneer. Now the proximity becomes a burden. CEO Satya Nadella is looking for a way out.

Zealand Pharma loses a fifth of its value as many users gave up taking weight-loss drug during trial

The drugmaker’s shares tumbled in Copenhagen after saying a fifth of users discontinued its weight-loss drug because of gastrointestinal issues.

◇ unclassifiedusa

Moonshot AI eyes US$30 billion valuation as China’s AI race intensifies

Moonshot AI, the developer of China’s popular Kimi chatbot, is seeking to raise between US$1 billion and US$2 billion in a new funding round that could value the company at as much as US$30 billion, according to a person familiar with the matter, as competition among the country’s leading artificial intelligence developers intensifies. The Beijing-based company was targeting a valuation roughly 50 per cent higher than the US$20 billion it achieved in its previous financing round, completed in...

◇ unclassifiedchina · asia · usa

As AI upends humanity, we must focus on what makes us human

“When we graduate, what can we do?” As a philosophy professor, questions like this – about employability – often crop up in my conversations with students. Indeed, with youth unemployment on the Chinese mainland standing at almost 17 per cent, and intense competition among those seeking employment, it is no wonder that the priority for many – even students graduating from elite universities – is actually securing a job. The proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) has only compounded such..

China’s new battery tech set to turbocharge EVs, energy storage

Next-generation Chinese electric-vehicle (EV) batteries that charge in minutes are expected to add fuel to global sales of the country’s carmakers. An EV battery that goes from a 10 per cent to a 98 per cent charge in under six-and-a-half minutes was the star of the Super Technology Day event staged in Beijing in April by the world’s biggest producer of batteries for EVs, Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL). Earlier, the world’s leading EV maker, Shenzhen-based BYD, unveiled a battery...

Pharmaceutical industry: Roche secures rights to cancer drugs in a billion-dollar deal

The Swiss pharmaceutical company is hoping for a billion-dollar market with the blood cancer drug Bexobrutideg. The active ingredient could also be used for other diseases.

Artificial intelligence: AI for engines and chips – PhysicsX raises $300 million

The British start-up PhysicsX is now worth $2.4 billion - and wants to revolutionize heavy industry and chip manufacturing with AI simulation. What makes the company so valuable.

35d06/08⚠ war-conflict · 2/5

China’s Xi Jinping arrives in North Korea after hailing everlasting friendship

Chinese President Xi Jinping landed in Pyongyang on Monday for a two-day visit, his first to North Korea since 2019. North Korea leader Kim Jong-un and his wife Ri Sol-ju gave Xi and first lady Peng Liyuan a warm welcome at the airport, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Xi was later given a grand welcome ceremony at the Kim Il-sung Square. As the largest public square in the heart of Pyongyang, it serves as North Korea’s primary venue for massive military parades, state rallies and major...

◇ unclassifiedchina · asia · korea

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Artificial Intelligence: In Love with a Bot – Are AIs the Better Partners?

Always available, always courteous, no ego tours: The human factor is missing when talking to AI bots. Could this also be an advantage under certain circumstances - perhaps even the future of romance?

◇ unclassifiedusa · korea

Nvidia strikes a new memory-chip deal — but SK Hynix and Samsung shares are under heavy pressure

South Korea’s once-hot Kospi index is headed for another day of sharp declines as the AI trade loses steam.

◇ unclassifiedgermany · europe · russia

Parliamentary election: Armenia remains on course towards the west after the election

Prime Minister Pashinyan wants to lead the South Caucasus Republic of Armenia into Europe. According to initial information, he will be confirmed in office in an election. But tensions with Russia remain.

◇ unclassifiedgermany · europe · usa

Artificial intelligence: Nvidia forges AI alliances with SK Hynix, Naver and Doosan

Nvidia is expanding its AI data centers with new partnerships in South Korea, securing collaboration with SK Hynix, Naver and Doosan.

35d06/07⚠ war-conflict · 3/5

UK, France, Germany back direct Ukraine-Russia talks: joint statement

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky received the backing of the leaders of the UK, France and Germany in calling for direct ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine, according to a joint statement issued following defence talks in London on Sunday. Zelensky met British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at 10 Downing Street for talks as Russia’s war has stretched into its fifth year. The leaders “supported the proposal for a...

◇ unclassifiedchina · asia · germany

35d06/07⚠ war-conflict · 2/5

Ukraine War: Meeting in London: Europeans and Ukraine call on Putin to negotiate

Merz, Starmer, Macron and Zelensky formulate common conditions for talks with Moscow. The position differs significantly from previous proposals from Washington.

◇ unclassifiedgermany · europe · usa

Looked at and tried out: Fitbit Air in the test: precise vital data without the need for a subscription

Fitbit's latest wearable offers accurate data capture, a long battery life and basically does not require a subscription. And how does the bracelet perform during sports?

35d06/07⚠ war-conflict · 3/5

China adds warheads as nuclear powers ‘walk away’ from disarmament: SIPRI

China expanded its nuclear warhead stockpile over the past year and might have increased the number deployed with operational forces, a Swedish think tank report said, warning that major powers were “walking away” from disarmament commitments. According to the report released on Monday as part of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute’s (SIPRI) latest yearbook, China added 20 warheads to its nuclear stockpile as of January 2026, bringing the total to 620, up from 600 a year...

Social◇ unclassifiedgermany

Just throw around €10,000 into an ETF?

I only started investing last month and have created small savings plans every month. However, my parents once put around €6,000 into a savings account for me (with a phenomenal 0.1% interest at the moment!). Logically, I would now like to liquidate that. And another €6,000 in a normal checking account, saved through money for birthdays and Christmas, etc. I also saved around €6,000 myself. I would use a good portion as an emergency fund

Armenia: Pro-Western government leads in election

According to initial projections, Armenia will continue its pro-Western course towards the EU after the parliamentary elections. Prime Minister Pashinyan can therefore continue to govern.

Artificial intelligence: OpenAI turns ChatGPT into a super app

The AI provider is facing a strategic realignment: ChatGPT is to have new functions. OpenAI wants to use this to drive business shortly before the IPO.

35d06/07⚠ war-conflict · 3/5

+++ Iran War +++: USA demands Iran give the IAEA access to nuclear facilities

Pakistan's interior minister travels to Tehran +++ Iran warns neighbors against using their territory for US attacks +++ Lebanese army chief on the way to Pakistan +++ The news blog.

◇ unclassifiedgermany · europe · usa

Parliamentary election: Arrests and scandals overshadow election in Armenia

The parliamentary elections in Armenia are not just about a new government, but also about the country's course between East and West. The election campaign is fierce, there are arrests during the vote.