China Reiterates Demand That Japanese PM Retract Taiwan Remarks

BEIJING, Dec 16 (Reuters) – ‌China ​on Tuesday ‌reiterated its demand that ​Japan retract Prime Minister ‍Sanae Takaichi’s remarks ​about Taiwan, ​more ⁠than a month after Takaichi said an attack on the democratically governed island could be ‌deemed an existential threat to ​Japan. “On ‌key issues, ‍Japan is ⁠still ‘squeezing toothpaste’ and ‘burying nails,’ attempting…

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Is the world betting too much on carbon removal technologies? [Explainer]

Carbon Dioxide Removal techniques are gaining visibility in the global discourse, including in the recently concluded COP30, but are widely considered speculative technologies that are unproven at scale. After Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) technologies, the new player in town is Direct Air Carbon Capture (and Storage). Critics have pointed out that Carbon…

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Business growth slows December: HSBC Composite PMI drops to 58.9; softest output growth since February

​Based on the HSBC Flash India Composite Output Index, the private sector saw robust business activity. (AI image) Business activity in India moderated in December, with the HSBC PMI Composite Index that measures India’s manufacturing and service sectors’ combined output, came in at 58.9, dropping from November’s 59.7. Despite this reduction, the index remained significantly…

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Protected Areas Failing to Halt Nature Loss, Studies Reveal

New research suggests that the rapid expansion of protected areas worldwide is giving a misleading picture of progress, with biodiversity continuing to decline inside many sites designated for protection. The report released December 2025 has called for a fundamental shift in how conservation is financed, urging governments and donors to prioritise long-term, predictable funding for…

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AI infrastructure stocks are taking a beating

A trader works on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., Dec.15, 2025. Brendan McDermid | Reuters U.S. stocks of late have been shaky as investors turn away from artificial intelligence shares, especially those related to AI infrastructure, such as Oracle, Broadcom and CoreWeave. The worry is that…

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