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KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Before the war, Ukraine’s own “Dancing with the Stars” was a cherished and popular television show, dazzling the audiences with performances by celebrities and professional dancers. The show is now back on for one special episode — this time with Ukrainian wartime heroes as the stars, underscoring the nation’s resilience in difficult times. Many still remember how President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — then an actor — won the dance competition in 2006, the year that “Tantsi z zirkamy” as the show is known in Ukrainian, first debuted. In the new, special episode, the dancers perform with prosthetic…

Germany’s trade deficit with China is on track to hit a record high in 2025 amid shrinking demand for German goods – a trend that appears unlikely to be reversed in the short term and which could trigger a protectionist backlash, according to analysts.China, already Germany’s biggest import partner, is set to increase its total exports to Germany by 7.2 per cent, with the value reaching €168 billion (US$197 billion), according to a forecast last week by Germany Trade and Invest (GTAI), an economic development agency. Meanwhile, Germany’s exports to China are expected to decline by 10 per cent to…

One of China’s largest comic conventions has banned Japanese-themed content and derivative works just a week ahead of its opening amid spiralling tension between Tokyo and Beijing.Organisers of the Comicup (CP) 32nd edition “Pre” event – set to take place in Hangzhou on December 27 and 28 – informed exhibitors and visitors on Friday that there would be a “full-scale adjustment” of content shown throughout the venue.“Due to consideration regarding the current social environment and our cultural obligations, the organising committee has decided to pivot this edition of the convention towards a ‘new Chinese style’ theme,” the message said.The announcement…

Kohinoor Mills Limited, a Pakistani textile exporter, has commenced commercial production at its apparel division. The development comes as the company seeks to expand and strengthen its footprint in the apparel industry, read a notice issued to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Tuesday. The new manufacturing facility spans a production area of approximately 16,000 square metres and has an annual production capacity exceeding five million garments. As part of its ramp-up plan, the company is targeting output of 5,000 garments per day per shift by June 30, 2026. The workforce at the apparel unit currently stands at more than…

PARIS (AP) — France’s fractured parliament is debating an emergency bill Tuesday designed to prevent a U.S.-style government shutdown next week, after negotiations on a 2026 budget collapsed.With just days left before the new year, President Emmanuel Macron and his Cabinet met Monday night to present the brief draft law. It aims ″to ensure the continuity of national life and the functioning of public services,″ including collecting taxes and disbursing them to local authorities based on tax and spending levels in the 2025 budget, the Cabinet said.Lawmakers in the National Assembly, the French parliament’s powerful lower house, made several amendments…

Pakistan government on Tuesday concluded the sale of a 75% stake in its national carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), for Rs135 billion, giving an end to years of stalled efforts to privatise the loss-making airline. Arif Habib consortium bought the managing stake in the national carrier. The consortium is comprised of Arif Habib Corporation Limited, Fatima Fertilizer Company Limited, City Schools (Private) Limited, and Lake City Holdings (Private) Limited. Pakistan government will get Rs10.12 billion in cash out of Rs135 billion. The rest of the amount will be invested in the PIA. Earlier, the second round of auction for the…

The second round of auction for the divestment of a 75% stake in Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) began on Tuesday, with two out of three qualified parties submitting the bid above the minimum expected price of Rs100 billion. The bid opening was initially scheduled for 3:30pm, but was delayed and eventually began at 4:30pm. Lucky consortium offered Rs101.5 billion for 75% stake in PIA Air Blue consortium submitted a bid of Rs26.5 billion Arif Habib consortium submitted a bid of Rs115 billion The minimum expected price set by the government was Rs100 billion. This took the auction into the second…

Police in eastern China’s Zhejiang province have detained Yu Faxiang, the chairman of Hong Kong-listed Haichang Ocean Park, as authorities investigate alleged mismanagement following defaults on multibillion-yuan wealth products issued by a firm under his control.It is the latest crackdown on mainland China’s shadow banking system, continuing years of government efforts to clean up the sector.Police have imposed “criminal compulsory measures” against Yu and were conducting a probe into his alleged wrongdoings, Haichang, mainland China’s largest marine theme park operator, said in an exchange filing on Tuesday, adding that it had been notified by Yu’s family about the matter.The development…

Police in eastern China’s Zhejiang province have detained Yu Faxiang, the chairman of Hong Kong-listed Haichang Ocean Park, as authorities investigate alleged mismanagement following defaults on multibillion-yuan wealth products issued by a firm under his control.It is the latest crackdown on mainland China’s shadow banking system, continuing years of government efforts to clean up the sector.Police have imposed “criminal compulsory measures” against Yu and were conducting a probe into his alleged wrongdoings, Haichang, mainland China’s largest marine theme park operator, said in an exchange filing on Tuesday, adding that it had been notified by Yu’s family about the matter.The development…

NEW YORK: Oil prices were little changed on Tuesday as potential sales of Venezuelan crude seized by the United States weighed and investors assessed stronger-than-expected U.S. economic data. Brent crude futures fell 8 cents to $61.99 a barrel by 11:15 a.m. ET (1615 GMT). U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was down 2 cents at $57.99. Prices had risen by more than 2% on Monday, with Brent registering its biggest daily gain in two months and WTI climbing the most since November 14. The U.S. economy grew faster than expected, driven by robust consumer spending, the Commerce Department’s Bureau of…