AstraZeneca Q2 Earnings Beat Forecasts as Oncology Growth Supports 2026 Outlook 
SK Hynix Q2 Profit Hits Record as AI Memory Chip Demand Fuels Growth 
GSK Unveils $2.52 Billion Cost-Cutting Plan to Accelerate Drug Pipeline 
Serica Energy to Acquire Pharos Energy for £145.7M, Sending PHARP Shares Soaring 
Nvidia Eyes $250B Guarantee for OpenAI’s Massive Ohio AI Data Center Project 
TSMC Gradually Restarts Japan Chip Plant After Kumamoto Earthquake 
Seagate Stock Jumps as AI-Fueled Earnings Beat and Strong FY2027 Outlook Impress Investors 
Standard Chartered Beats Profit Forecasts as First-Half Earnings Rise 9% 
Unilever Raises 2026 Sales Outlook After Strong Q2 Volume Growth 
Stellantis Sells Free2move Car-Sharing Business to Mutares to Strengthen Core Auto Strategy 
TeamViewer Shares Fall Despite Profit Growth as ARR and Customer Base Decline 
Barclays Q2 Profit Beats Forecasts as Investment Banking Strength Offsets Higher Costs 
Exosens H1 Profit Beats Forecasts as Defense Demand Drives Growth 
Air Liquide Q2 Sales Growth Tops Forecast as Electronics Business Drives Strong Performance 
Brown-Forman Rejects Sazerac’s $15 Billion Takeover Bid as Family Backs Independence 
Rio Tinto Stock Jumps as Strong Earnings, Higher Dividend and AI Metal Demand Boost Outlook 
South Korea will nearly double the taxes on nicotine solutions used in electronic cigarettes, which are called “e-liquid” or “vape juice,” from 525 won to 1,050 won a milliliter.
The nicotine solutions are heated in the battery-powered devices to produce vapor.
According to officials of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the revisions are meant for fairer taxation, as the rate for e-cigarettes is only 43 percent of that for conventional cigarettes.
Changes to the national health promotion laws are set for implementation on Jan. 1, 2021.
The ministry warns against the use of e-cigarettes, citing instances of lung injuries globally that were associated with their use.
In October, South Korea reported its first local case of a suspected illness linked to vaping. It also started advising against the use of liquid e-cigarettes due to health concerns and promised to hasten an investigation into whether to ban sales.
South Korea was once one of the world’s fastest-growing markets for e-cigarettes.
However, a day after the government warning, major convenience store chain GS25 had halted the sales of vaping products by major international manufacturer Juul Labs and South Korean company KT&G.
