Brazilian Oil Workers’ Strike Continues as Key Petrobras Union Rejects Proposal 
Boeing Wins $2.04B U.S. Air Force Contract for B-52 Engine Replacement Program 
Sanofi to Acquire Dynavax in $2.2 Billion Deal to Strengthen Vaccines Portfolio 
Japan Revises Economic Growth Forecast as Stimulus Fuels Consumption and Investment 
BOJ Governor Signals Gradual Rate Hikes as Japan’s Inflation Nears 2% Target 
China to Tighten Crude Steel Output Controls and Export Regulation Through 2030 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Holiday-Thinned Trading Persists 
Waymo Plans Safety and Emergency Response Upgrades After San Francisco Robotaxi Disruptions 
Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk Battle for India’s Fast-Growing Obesity Drug Market 
ByteDance Plans Massive AI Investment in 2026 to Close Gap With U.S. Tech Giants 
South Korean Court Clears Korea Zinc’s $7.4 Billion U.S. Smelter Project, Shares Surge 
China Industrial Profits Slump Signals Need for More Economic Stimulus 
BlackRock-Backed Global Ports Deal Faces Uncertainty Amid Cosco Demands 
Asian Stock Markets Trade Flat as Holiday Liquidity Thins and BOJ Minutes Watched 
Nvidia and Groq Strike Strategic AI Inference Licensing Deal 
Warner Bros Discovery Weighs Amended Paramount Skydance Bid as Netflix Takeover Battle Intensifies 
Saks Global Weighs Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Amid Debt Pressures and Luxury Retail Slowdown 
Online discount app operator Mergepoint has been swamped with consumer complaints after it significantly reduced its financial reward service.
On Friday, hundreds flocked to the Seoul headquarters of the app's operator, Mergeplus, demanding a full refund for the points they have purchased.
Some of the consumers said Mergeplus refused to give a 100 percent refund.
The company vowed to normalize the service in the fourth quarter and give a full refund.
Mergepoint attracted about 1 million members, with a daily 200,000 visitors in South Korea for its 20 percent off discounts that could be used in about 60,000 local establishments, such as retail chains, convenience stores, and coffee shops.
It has posted an average of 30 billion won in monthly transactions, according to industry data.
However, Mergeplus recently limited the use of discount points to food-related services, like restaurants, coffee shops, and bakeries.
The sharp reduction in service scope was due to suspicions by financial authorities of Mergeplus' engagement in the electronic gift card business without legal grounds.
