
Got $200? 1 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock to Buy and Hold for the Long Term.
Why this AI leader probably won't tumble from its mountain top any time soon.

Why this AI leader probably won't tumble from its mountain top any time soon.

'China shock': Germany struggles as key market turns business rivalEstelle.BronkhorstThu, 02/12/2026 - 06:00 BEIJING - China was long a lucrative market for Germany Inc, but the Asian giant's rise in high-tech fields has put the heat on Europe's industrial powerhouse and its companies, big and small.Insatiable Chinese demand for German exports, from cars to factory equipment, helped underpin a long boom in the eurozone's biggest economy, but times have changed, adding to the country's economic headwinds.As Chancellor Friedrich Merz reportedly readies to make his inaugural visit to the world's second-biggest economy later this month, a pressing issue will be how to navigate evolving commercial ties.One of the many German companies feeling the pinch is 4JET, which makes industrial laser processing technology used in sectors from car tyres to glass processing."In all key industrial sectors, China has changed from a very attractive market into a very capable competitor," said its CEO Joerg Jetter at company headquarters in Alsdorf, western Germany."In particular, industries that are important for Germany -- automotive and mechanical engineering -- are feeling this," he told AFP. "Clearly there's been a shift."4JET, with around 240 employees, has felt the impact first hand: the firm used to have substantial business selling machines to China's solar cell industry, which itself demolished most German competitors.But as local competition grew in China, Jetter decided to license some of his company's technology for solar cell processing to a local Chinese company, rather than selling directly to Chinese-owned firms. 4JET continues to do well, selling to other key markets worldwide, Jetter said -- but the Chinese market is now less important.- 'Huge challenge' -The woes of German auto titans like Volkswagen often grab headlines as they lose ground to Chinese rivals, but the giants of industry are in a position to ratchet up investment to take on the competition.The small- and medium-sized firms who make up the backbone of the German economy do not always have the same firepower however, and in some cases are feeling the pain more."The China shock that was long feared is arriving," Oliver Richtberg, a foreign trade expert at the VDMA association of factory equipment makers, told AFP."Pretty much all of our members say this is going to be a huge challenge for them," added Richtberg, whose group represents around 3,500 companies, about 90 percent of which have fewer than 250 employees.Data highlight the changing picture. AFP | Ina FASSBENDER German exports to China fell 9.3 percent in 2025 -- while Chinese exports to Germany have surged.Germany's annual trade deficit with China hit a record of around 89 billion euros ($106) last year, according to preliminary official data.Observers say the shift began around a decade ago when China stepped up efforts to compete in more high-tech manufacturing, supported with huge state subsidies, although it was only in recent years that German industry really felt the impact.The rising Chinese competition has added to concerns the economic relationship between China and Europe is unbalanced, and has fuelled calls for businesses to "de-risk", mainly by expanding into other markets.Those calls grew louder when China flexed its muscles last year by stepping up curbs on exports of rare earth minerals, and later temporarily halted exports of Nexperia semiconductors, alarming the German auto sector.- Europe 'slow, bureaucratic' -Some firms also complain the "Made in Germany" label does not carry the prestige it once did."In the past, the German brand and our many years of experience could be marketed as a clear advantage," said Egbert Wenninger, a senior executive at Bavaria-based firm Grenzebach, which specialises in automation and production technology for the glass and building materials industries. But nowadays Germany and Europe are viewed as "slow, bureaucratic, complicated and expensive," he told AFP, while stressing his firm had maintained market share in China. AFP | JENS SCHLUETER Merz faces a difficult balancing act on his trip to China, Germany's top trading partner.While he will be keen to shore up economic ties as relations worsen with the United States under President Donald Trump, he is also under pressure to raise concerns about what critics view as Beijing's unfair trade practices.For Jetter, Merz's China trip is a chance to take a "clear stance" that Germany believes in "a free market economy that is rules-based and wants a level playing field"."Then, everything else is up to fair competition between two equal partners."by Sam Reeves

Increased funding for cultural events forms a key pledge in the budget proposals set to be decided next Monday by Southend Council.

Applicants were asked to submit credit report, letters from banks

ISKANDAR PUTERI, Malaysia and KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Feb. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DayOne Data Centers, a Singapore-headquartered global hyperscale data center platform, today announced the establishment of a regional operations and training center in Johor, alongside the expansion of its Global Shared Services Center (GSSC) in Kuala Lumpur, reinforcing Malaysia’s role as a core operational hub within DayOne’s Asia-Pacific platform.The Johor facility will serve as DayOne’s regional operations and capability-building base, supporting the company’s expanding footprint across Asia-Pacific. Designed to train more than 1,000 data center operations engineers over time, the center will develop technical talent for regional deployment, including site supervisors, lead engineers, and operations heads. Training at the center focuses on real-world operations, covering AI-ready infrastructure management, energy and water efficiency, safety standards, and operational resilience."Malaysia is entering a second wave of AI and digital infrastructure development: one that is not only about speed of build but about how infrastructure is planned, managed, and operated responsibly,” said Jimmy Yan, DayOne Malaysia General Manager. "Johor is where DayOne started, and today it is where Malaysian operational capabilities are being built and deployed across the region. This is a practical example of how ‘Made in Malaysia’ expertise can scale regionally.”In parallel, DayOne is expanding its Global Shared Services Center (GSSC) in Kuala Lumpur, now entering Phase II and expected to employ more than 200 local professionals when fully scaled.The Kuala Lumpur GSSC supports DayOne’s global operations across finance, accounting, investment, procurement, and corporate support functions, anchoring high-value, knowledge-based roles in Malaysia and integrating local talent directly into the company’s global operating model.Johor marks DayOne’s entry into Malaysia and has since grown into the company’s largest market across its Asia-Pacific operations. Today, Johor is evolving into a Malaysia-anchored regional platform supporting operations management, talent development, and supply-chain localization for DayOne’s wider network.Beyond direct investment, DayOne’s presence in Malaysia has generated significant spillover benefits across the broader economy. Around 600 Malaysians are currently employed, with direct employment expected to increase to around 1,500 by 2026.Since 2022, DayOne has invested over RM14 billion in Malaysia, with a further RM67 billion planned over the next two years. Local procurement involving Malaysian contractors, engineering firms, equipment suppliers, and professional services providers is expected to support an estimated 4,000 additional jobs over time. These investments have contributed to the development, upgrading, and long-term retention of Malaysian talent across the data center industry and adjacent sectors."These outcomes reflect sustained investment and capability-building over several years,” said Jamie Khoo, CEO of DayOne Data Centers, "Malaysia has been central to DayOne’s development, and capabilities built here are now supporting our regional operations. We see Malaysia as a long-term strategic partner in building and operating the next generation of AI and digital infrastructure.”About DayOne Data CentersDayOne is a Singapore headquartered data center pioneer that develops and operates next-gen digital infrastructure for industry leaders who demand reliable, cost-effective and quickly scalable solutions. Our cutting-edge facilities empower hyperscalers and large enterprises to achieve rapid deployment and enhance connectivity, driving transformative engagement and innovation as we shape the future of industries. DayOne’s data center developments span key markets, including Singapore, Johor (Malaysia), Batam (Indonesia), Greater Bangkok, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Finland.CONTACT: Marketing@dayonedc.com

Hindalco shares fell 2.3 per cent to hit a low of Rs 943.45 apiece on BSE. The aluminium and copper major, and a subsidiary of the Aditya Birla Group, is scheduled to report its December quarter results later in the day.

KARACHI – Foreign currency exchange rates show mixed movement in local market on Wednesday, with major global currencies trading at higher levels against PKR. US Dollar was quoted at Rs280.45 for buying and Rs282.30 for selling. Euro traded at Rs333.96 on buying side and Rs337.24 on the selling side, while UK Pound stood at Rs383.2 [...]The post Currency Rates in Pakistan – Open Market Forex Exchange – 12 February 2026 appeared first on Daily Pakistan English News.
Although inflation remains well below RBI’s 4% target, the new figures could prompt it to hold off on any further rate cuts and push up bond yields further
Foreign institutional investors are cautiously returning to Indian stocks after a significant exodus, driven by a strengthening rupee and an interim trade deal with the US. However, a sustained comeback hinges on improving corporate earnings, which have remained a concern, posing a key risk to continued foreign inflows.

BitcoinWorldGold Price Plummets: Strong US Jobs Data Crushes March Fed Rate Cut HopesNEW YORK, February 7, 2025 – The price of gold experienced a sharp and significant reversal today, abruptly ending its recent rally. The precious metal retreated decisively from a two-week high after the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics released a surprisingly robust Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP) report. Consequently, this strong employment data has dramatically tempered [...]This post Gold Price Plummets: Strong US Jobs Data Crushes March Fed Rate Cut Hopes first appeared on BitcoinWorld.

Sam Bankman-Fried, who is currently serving a 25-year sentence for the FTX scam, alleged on Wednesday that the Justice Department under Joe Biden threatened key defense witnesses, preventing them from testifying that the exchange was solvent.SBF Wants New TrialBankman-Fried, popularly known as...