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Bulgaria temporarily bans imports of Ukrainian farm produce

Bulgaria on Wednesday became the latest European country to temporarily ban the import of Ukrainian grain and other agricultural produce following protests from local farmers, excluding goods in transit destined for export.

The measure will be in place until the end of June. Officials said it will protect Bulgarian farmers' competitiveness amid a market glut of Ukrainian grain that has lowered prices, and help them sell their own grain that has piled up, unsold, in warehouses.

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Tesla cuts US prices again ahead of 1Q earnings release

Tesla dropped the starting prices for its two top-selling models overnight, the company's fourth price cut in the U.S. this year.

The company lopped $3,000, or about 6%, off the starting prices for all three versions of the Model Y small SUV, Tesla's top-seller. It also cut $2,000, or about 5%, from the starting price of a version of the Model 3 small sedan.

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China's economic growth accelerates with consumption boost

China's economic growth accelerated in the latest quarter as consumer flocked back to shops and restaurants following the abrupt end of anti-virus controls.

The 4.5% growth in gross domestic product from January to March compared to the same period in 2022 was the fastest in the past year, and outpaced the 2.9% growth in the previous quarter, according to government data released Tuesday.

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Volkswagen unveils electric luxury sedan at China auto show

Volkswagen unveiled an electric luxury sedan that promises a 700-kilometer (435-mile) battery range as global and Chinese automakers displayed their latest SUVs, sedans and muscle cars Tuesday at the world's biggest auto show.

Auto Shanghai 2023 reflects the intense competition in China's fast-growing electric vehicle market after the ruling Communist Party poured billions of dollars into promoting the technology. China accounted for two-thirds of global electrics sales last year.

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Apple Inc bets big on India as it opens first flagship store

Apple Inc. opened its first flagship store in India in a much-anticipated launch Tuesday that highlights the company's growing aspirations to expand in the country it also hopes to turn into a potential manufacturing hub.

The company's CEO Tim Cook posed for photos with a few of the 100 or so Apple fans who had lined up outside the sprawling 20,000-square-foot store in India's financial capital, Mumbai, its design inspired by the iconic black-and-yellow cabs unique to the city. A second store will open Thursday in the national capital, New Delhi.

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Making strides in clean energy: 'Middle East Clean Energy' returns to Lebanon

Access to clean energy is a basic human right and ensuring equal and easy access to it is imperative considering recent climate change developments. Regardless of location, income, or social status, individuals and communities should have access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy. Investments in such energy sources will drive more efficiency, by improving the quality of life in a variety of ways, promoting economic growth, and keeping the planet a clean and safe place for future generations.

The demand for clean and renewable energy is growing rapidly worldwide, and the Middle East is no exception. To address this need, the “Middle East Clean Energy” exhibition and conference are returning to Beirut for the second consecutive year, from Wednesday May 3 to Friday May 5, 2023 to provide visitors with access to the latest developments in the world of clean energy production.

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Wall Street quiet ahead of another inflation report

Trading was muted on Wall Street early Thursday, one day after a report showed that inflation in the U.S. eased and Federal Reserve officials said they expect fewer interest rate hikes this year.

Futures for the Dow were mostly unchanged and futures for the S&P 500 inched up 0.1% before the bell Thursday.

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China's exports rebound unexpectedly to growth in March

China's exports rebounded unexpectedly to growth in March despite a decline in U.S. and European demand following interest rate hikes to cool inflation.

Exports rose 14.8% over a year earlier to $315.6 billion, recovering from a 6.8% decline in January and February, customs data showed Thursday. Imports sank 1.4% to $227.4 billion, a smaller contraction than the 10.2% slide in the previous two months.

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Can France's constitutional body halt disputed pension bill?

French unions are staging new nationwide protests Thursday, on the eve of an expected ruling by a top constitutional body that they hope will derail President Emmanuel Macron's unpopular pension reform plan.

If the Constitutional Council greenlights the reform, the bill raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 can enter into force. Yet the body has the power to reject the text, fully or partially. Here's a look at what's at stake ahead of Friday's decision.

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Kheireddine charged, slapped with travel ban in Paris in Salameh probe

Al Mawarid Bank chairman and ex-Lebanese minister Marwan Kheireddine has been charged in France and slapped with a travel ban without being detained.

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