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Jan. 29 (UPI) — Chinese e-commerce platform Temu has taken its dispute with Mercado Libre to federal court after Argentina’s largest online marketplace accused it of unfair competition.

Mercado Libre filed a complaint in August 2025 with Argentina’s Secretariat of Industry and Commerce, alleging Temu violated Commercial Fairness Decree No. 274/2019, which governs truthful advertising and fair competition in the country.

After reviewing the filing, the National Directorate of Policies for the Development of the Domestic Market opened an investigation and ordered Temu to suspend digital advertising and promotions deemed misleading.

In response, Temu turned to federal court Wednesday to try to halt the administrative measure and maintain its operations in Argentina, Argentine daily La Nacion reported.

According to the complaint, the company founded by Argentine entrepreneur Marcos Galperin challenged Temu’s commercial strategy, which Mercado Libre said relies on extreme discounts and promotions that are not met under the conditions advertised, local outlet Ambito reported.

Among the main allegations are discounts ranging from 80% to 100% that apply only if users meet additional requirements, such as minimum purchase amounts, buying other products or completing purchases within the app.

Mercado Libre also accused Temu of what it described as “misleading gamification,” using games and interactive features that promise prizes or free products, but in practice impose increasingly complex and unclear conditions.

The dispute is now under the jurisdiction of the National Chamber of Appeals in Civil and Commercial Federal Matters, which must determine the next steps in the case, Infobae reported.

Temu rejected the allegations and said its business model is transparent and that prices, discounts and conditions are clearly disclosed to users, which the company contended rules out consumer deception.

Mercado Libre said the complaint is not related to Argentina’s opening of imports, a policy it supports. The company noted that it also offers imported goods through its international purchases category and competes in what it described as a dynamic and open market with both local and global players.

The legal battle unfolds amid rapid growth in cross-border e-commerce in Argentina. Data cited in the case show door-to-door purchases through platforms such as Temu and Shein posted increases close to 300% year over year, driven by low prices, direct shipping and intensive social media marketing.

The expansion of the Chinese platforms has revived debate over the regulatory framework for digital commerce and competition between domestic and foreign companies, Perfil reported.

Mercado Libre executives reiterated the need for rules that are “the same for everyone,” as the case becomes a key recent precedent on competition and advertising in Argentina’s e-commerce sector.

The couple quit their jobs and sold all their belongings so they’d be free to travel the world and on a recent adventure, they decided to book a ‘giant waterslide’ but it was very different to what they expected

A couple booked what they believed to be a “giant waterslide” while abroad on holiday – but the reality of their booking was jaw-dropping. Many people plan adventure holidays or book to go travelling in a bid to see more of the world.

Couple George and Crissa decided to quit their jobs and sell all their belongings so they could jet off on “the journey of a lifetime”. Originally from Tampa in Florida, US, they document their adventures on YouTube and other social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

On their YouTube channel, they explained their adventures initially began with the purchase of an RV, which they used to drive across North America for a year. In a recent clip, shared on TikTok, the couple shared their experience of a popular attraction in New Zealand.

New Zealand has long been a bucket list destination for countless people, thanks to its expansive, unspoiled natural scenery that’s seen it branded the “real Middle Earth”, a nod to the part it played in the making of the beloved Lord of the Rings trilogy.

It’s got a rich Maori culture, breathtaking fjords, varied wildlife, decadent and acclaimed wines, and much more. It’s also home to some exciting adventure hotspots and attractions, with George and Cris learning their perception of a “giant waterslide” was different to ZORB’s in Rotorua, NZ.

In a video shared on TikTok, the couple showcased the popular “slide”, which sees people jump into a giant inflatable ball and be pushed down “slides” made from the grassy, green hills.

Over the top of the clip, the couple added text which reads: “POV [point of view]: your husband books a ‘giant waterslide’ then realises that means something very different in New Zealand”.

In the caption, they explained: “Did you know you can roll down a massive hill inside a giant inflatable ball in New Zealand?! ZORB is one of New Zealand’s most iconic bucket list experiences.

“Spinning, bouncing, and laughing your way downhill in a transparent orb. It basically feels like you’re in a hamster ball water slide.”

Of the cost, they revealed they “did the ‘four ride combo’ for NZ$155/US$100 (£72)” but added “there are several other packages” on the ZORB website.

In the comments section, fellow TikTok users were keen to share their thoughts. One person joked: “I can’t explain it… but I know I would drown.”

Another said: “I’ve done this … it’s like being inside a washing machine [crying laughing emoji] very fun even though you feel like you’re gonna drown half the time”.

A third had a different perspective and commented: “I’ve done this and it was the worst experience of my life”.

A fourth said: “Yeah you wouldn’t catch me dead in one of those. I’m actually panicking at the sight of this”.

Someone else shared: “I did this back in 2018 and it was so fun! My life did briefly flash before my eyes though when I got stuck underwater beneath my two friends”.

One TikTok user revealed: “I got so much anxiety doing that, felt sick, was horrible, will never do it again”.

Another added: “Tempted to fly to New Zealand exclusively for this.”

Dutch firm says it expects strong growth in 2026, countering fears of an investment bubble.

Tech giant ASML has reported a quarterly record in orders of its chip-making equipment, boosting hopes for the sustainability of the artificial intelligence boom and countering fears of an investment bubble.

The Dutch firm said on Wednesday that it booked orders worth 13.2 billion euros ($15.8bn) in the final quarter of 2025, more than half of which were for its most advanced extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines.

ASML logged orders worth 7 million euros during the same period the previous year.

Net sales came to 9.7 billion euros in the October-December period, ASML said, taking sales for all of 2025 to 32.7 billion euros.

Net profit for the year was 9.6 billion euros, up from 7.6 billion euros in 2024.

The Veldhoven-based company forecast net sales of between 34 billion euros and 39 billion euros in 2026.

ASML Chief Executive Officer Christophe Fouquet said the company’s chip-making customers had conveyed a “notably more positive assessment” of the market situation in the medium term based on expectations of strong AI-related demand.

“This is reflected in a marked step-up in their medium-term capacity plans and in our record order intake,” Fouquet said in a statement.

“Therefore, we expect 2026 to be another growth year for ASML’s business, largely driven by a significant increase in EUV sales and growth in our installed base business sales.”

Fouquet also said the company would cut about 1,700 jobs, most of them at the leadership level, amid concerns work processes had become “less agile”.

“Engineers in particular have expressed their desire to focus their time on engineering, without being hampered by slow process flows, and restore the fast-moving culture that has made us so successful,” Fouquet said.

The proposed cuts, which would affect positions in the Netherlands and the United States, represent about 4 percent of ASML’s 44,000-strong global workforce.

ASML holds an effective monopoly on the production of machinery used by TSMC, Samsung Electronics, and Intel to make the most advanced AI chips.

The company sells only about 50 of its extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines each year, with each unit costing about 250 million euros.

ASML’s share price surged on Wednesday, with its stock up nearly 6 percent as of 9.30am local time.

“ASML’s latest results suggest the AI boom is still in full swing, with strong orders and a bullish outlook,” said Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.

“However, job cuts in the business would suggest it is not getting carried away with the strength of current trading.”

ASML’s restructuring “looks like a sharper focus on efficiencies and different ways of working, rather than saying there isn’t enough work for existing staff to do,” Mould added.

“Nonetheless, it’s a sign that the AI craze might be trying to catch its breath.”

Tech giants such as Meta, OpenAI, Nvidia and Oracle have poured billions of dollars into AI in the expectation that the technology will deliver dramatic changes to how people work and live.

Global AI-related spending is forecast to hit $2.53 trillion in 2026 and $3.33 trillion in 2027, according to projections by technology insights firm Gartner.

The investment boom has propelled the US stock market to record highs, stoking concerns about the sustainability of huge spending on a technology whose promise remains largely unrealised.

Jan. 26 (UPI) — People flocked to the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo to say goodbye to the last two giant pandas in Japan.

Twin pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei will leave for China Tuesday, marking the first time Japan has had no pandas since 1972, which is when the two countries began diplomatic relations.

The relationship between the two neighboring countries has deteriorated lately after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Japan would get involved if China attacked Taiwan.

China uses the giant panda as a tool of outreach and goodwill in what is called “panda diplomacy.” Host countries pay about $1 million per year to China.

Zoo visitors needed a reservation to see the pandas on Sunday, with 4,400 slots available, and 108,000 applying for them online, the Tokyo metropolitan government said. Some waited for up to 3 ½ hours to see the pair.

“I have been bringing my son here since he was a baby, so I hope it becomes a good memory for him. I’m glad we could come today to remember them,” Ai Shirakawa told the BBC.

The two were born in Japan in 2021 to their mother Shin Shin and father Ri Ri, who were on loan to Japan for breeding research. Ri Ri and Shin Shin went back to China in September 2024. The siblings’ older sister Xiang Xiang left in February 2023.

Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei became the last pandas in Japan after four others at the Adventure World amusement park in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, left for China in June.