Nestle beats Q4 sales expectations, plans ice cream sale as CEO sharpens focus
WorldLONDON -- Nestle (NESN.S) reported better than expected fourth-quarter sales growth on Thursday and said it was sharpening its focus to four businesses led by its strongest brands, a drive that includes plans to sell off its remaining ice cream business.
Germany's Merz joins calls for social media limits for children
WorldBERLIN -- Chancellor Friedrich Merz backed growing calls in Germany for controls on access to social media platforms by children, saying he had become increasingly persuaded of the need for compulsory limits by evidence of the harm done by the deliberate spreading of fake news and other forms of online manipulation.
Canada revises express entry immigration rules, adds military roles
WorldTORONTO -- Canada introduced new immigration priority categories on Wednesday to bring in skilled workers in fields ranging from research and health care to aviation, and to include certain military recruits.
A-bombed Hiroshima castle main tower to close in March
WorldHIROSHIMA -- The main tower of Hiroshima Castle will close on March 22 due to aging, marking the end of public access inside the building after it was destroyed by the 1945 U.S. atomic bombing and restored as a symbol of reconstruction of the western Japan city.
Japan convenience store chain Lawson to enter India
WorldTOKYO -- Japanese convenience store chain Lawson Inc. will expand into India, seeing high growth potential in the world's most populous country, officials have said.
Microsoft says it is on pace to invest $50 billion in 'Global South' AI push
WorldMicrosoft on Wednesday said it is on pace to invest $50 billion by the end of the decade to help expand AI to countries across the 'Global South'.
ECB President Lagarde plans to quit before Macron's term ends, FT reports
WorldFRANKFURT -- European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde plans to leave her job before next year's French presidential election to allow Emmanuel Macron to have an input into picking her successor, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday.
Australia Q4 annual wages growth stays in a groove at 3.4%
WorldSYDNEY -- Australian wages rose at a moderate pace in the fourth quarter with the private sector picking up slightly, data showed on Wednesday, while annual growth tracked sideways as it has done for more than a year.
US judge tosses Buffalo Wild Wings lawsuit that has 'no meat on its bones'
WorldNEW YORK -- A U.S. federal judge threw out on Tuesday a lawsuit against Buffalo Wild Wings that alleged the restaurant and sports bar chain deceived consumers by selling boneless wings that are not actually de-boned chicken wings.
Australian museum recovers Egyptian artefacts after break-in
WorldAustralian police have recovered a trove of stolen Egyptian artefacts and charged a 52-year-old man with a nighttime smash-and-grab at a museum.
