Business and Economy



'Grieving': US federal workers thrown into uncertain job market

AFP - 6h ago

Unprecedented cuts to the US government overseen by President Donald Trump's billionaire advisor Elon Musk are sending …

Trump's tariff rollback brings limited respite as new levies loom

AFP - 24h ago

US President Donald Trump imposed vast tariffs this week on key partners Canada and Mexico, roiling cross-border ties …

Trump says dairy, lumber tariffs on Canada may come soon

Mar 07 2025

US President Donald Trump said Friday that he could impose reciprocal tariffs on Canadian dairy and lumber within days …

From critic to investor: Trump welcomes crypto leaders to White House

Mar 07 2025

Donald Trump on Friday doubled down on his embrace of cryptocurrencies as he hosted top industry players at the White …

Global stocks mixed as Trump shifts on tariffs weighs on sentiment

Mar 07 2025

Global stocks were mixed Friday as President Donald Trump's unpredictable tariff tinkering weighed down sentiment even …

US Fed chair flags policy uncertainty, in no rush to adjust rates

Mar 07 2025

US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell flagged high uncertainty Friday surrounding President Donald Trump's economic …

US hiring misses expectations in February as jobs market faces pressure

Mar 07 2025

The United States added fewer jobs than expected in February and unemployment ticked up, government data showed Friday, …

US Fed chair flags policy uncertainty but in no rush to adjust rates

Mar 07 2025

US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell flagged high uncertainty Friday surrounding President Donald Trump's economic …

Greenland's mining bonanza still a distant promise

Mar 07 2025

Before it could cast its first gold bar, Amaroq had to build a port and housing, repair a road, and ship over equipment …

Cadillac win final approval for F1 place in 2026

Mar 07 2025

Cadillac have received final approval to become the 11th team in Formula One from the 2026 season, motorsport's …

Shares slump on Trump tariffs tinkering, jobs

Mar 07 2025

World stock markets were mired in the red on Friday as investors digested a US jobs report and President Donald Trump's …

Thousands stranded as massive WWII bomb blocks Paris train station

Mar 07 2025

The unearthing of a 500-kilogramme World War II bomb near tracks outside Paris on Friday halted traffic and stranded …

Now a believer, Trump hosts White House crypto summit

Mar 07 2025

Donald Trump on Friday hosts top cryptocurrency players at the White House, a political boost for an industry that has …

Tears, ruined plans as WWII bomb halts Paris-London trains

Mar 07 2025

From missed funerals to scrambled birthday plans, the travellers caught in the cancellation Friday of Paris-London …

US stock markets rise as investors track Trump tariffs, jobs

Mar 07 2025

US stock markets rose but European shares mostly fell on Friday as investors digested a jobs report and President Donald …

Trump tariffs: What's been done and what is to come?

Mar 07 2025

It was another roller-coaster week in US President Donald Trump's trade war as tariffs against China came into force …

US hiring misses expectations in February, jobs market sees pressure

Mar 07 2025

The United States added fewer jobs than expected in February and the unemployment rate ticked up, government data showed …

Australian casino firm strikes deal to avoid liquidity crunch

Mar 07 2025

Australian casino operator Star Entertainment said Friday it has reached an agreement to sell its stake in a major …

Thousands stranded as WWII bomb paralyses Paris train station

Mar 07 2025

The unearthing of a 500-kilogram World War II bomb near tracks outside Paris on Friday halted traffic and stranded …

Stock markets, bitcoin down as Trump policies roil markets

Mar 07 2025

Global stock markets tumbled and the dollar retreated Friday as uncertainty over US President Donald Trump's trade …

Japan, Britain stress free trade in Tokyo talks

Mar 07 2025

Britain and Japan stressed the importance of free trade in talks in Tokyo on Friday amid an escalating battle of …

Sri Lanka signs $2.5b debt deal with Japan

Mar 07 2025

Sri Lanka signed a deal with Japan Friday to restructure $2.5 billion in loans, marking the first agreement with …

Asian stocks, bitcoin down as trade uncertainty roils markets

Mar 07 2025

Asian stocks tumbled Friday following a tough day on Wall Street as uncertainty over US President Donald Trump's trade …

China tariffs aimed at Trump fan base, but leave wiggle room

Mar 07 2025

China's retaliatory tariffs against US farm produce from corn to chicken are designed to hurt Donald Trump's voter base, …

Apple step closer to seeing end of Indonesia iPhone sales ban

Mar 07 2025

Indonesia approved local certificates for more than a dozen Apple products on Friday, the industry ministry said, moving …

China to 'firmly counter' US trade pressure, foreign minister warns

Mar 07 2025

China's foreign minister on Friday vowed Beijing would "firmly counter" US pressure, after Donald Trump heaped tariffs …

China's exports start year slow as US trade war intensifies

Mar 07 2025

China's exports grew slower than expected in the first two months of the year, official data showed Friday, as a …

China tariffs aimed at Trump fan base but leaves wiggle room

Mar 07 2025

China's retaliatory tariffs against US farm produce from corn to chicken are designed to hurt Donald Trump's voter base, …

Trump backs off Mexico, Canada tariffs after market blowback

Mar 07 2025

US President Donald Trump on Thursday delayed some tariffs targeting Canada and Mexico, leading Ottawa to halt an …

China will 'firmly counter' US trade pressure: top diplomat

Mar 07 2025

China's foreign minister on Friday vowed Beijing would "firmly counter" US pressure, after Donald Trump heaped tariffs …

Australian casino firm scrambles for cash to survive

Mar 07 2025

Troubled Australian casino operator Star Entertainment said Friday it is trying to sell its stake in a major resort to …

Deja vu on the Moon: Private US spaceship again lands awkwardly

Mar 06 2025

Second time unlucky: A US company's lunar lander appears to have touched down at a wonky angle on Thursday, an …

US and European stocks gyrate on tariffs and growth

Mar 06 2025

Wall Street stocks resumed their downward slide on Thursday amid uncertainty over US President Donald Trump's shifting …

Trump car tariff pivot and Detroit's 'Big Three'

Mar 06 2025

After an outcry from Detroit, President Donald Trump has granted one-month tariff exemptions on most auto imports from …

Trump says Musk should use 'scalpel' not 'hatchet' in govt cuts

Mar 06 2025

President Donald Trump responded Thursday to growing criticism over unprecedented cuts to the US government overseen by …

Trump backs off Mexico tariffs while Canada tensions simmer

Mar 06 2025

Donald Trump said Thursday he was pausing some of the sweeping new tariffs on Mexican imports, amid continued trade …

Peru farmer confident ahead of German court battle with energy giant

Mar 06 2025

A Peruvian farmer suing a German energy giant in a "David and Goliath" battle over climate change damage, says he has …

Trump to welcome crypto elite at White House

Mar 06 2025

US President Donald Trump, who has multiple ties to the crypto industry, will host the sector's top players at a White …

ECB chief warns of 'risks all over' as rates cut again

Mar 06 2025

European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde warned Thursday the eurozone faces "risks all over" amid US tariff threats …

US signals broader tariff reprieve for Canada, Mexico as trade gap grows

Mar 06 2025

The United States hinted Thursday at an expanded reprieve for Canada and Mexico from President Donald Trump's steep …

US trade gap hits new record in January as tariff fears loomed

Mar 06 2025

The US trade deficit surged to a new record in January, government data showed Thursday, as imports spiked while tariff …

Scandinavians boycott US goods over Trump's Ukraine U-turn

Mar 06 2025

Scandinavian consumers outraged by US President Donald Trump's Ukraine policy turnaround have begun boycotting goods and …

ECB lowers rates again but hints more cuts in doubt

Mar 06 2025

The European Central Bank cut interest rates again Thursday to boost the struggling eurozone but suggested easing could …

Philippines' Palawan approves 50-year ban on new mining permits

Mar 06 2025

The local government in a resource-rich Philippine province has unanimously voted in favour of a 50-year ban on new …

What we know about 'gigantic' Alaska gas pipeline plan

Mar 06 2025

President Donald Trump said this week that Japan and South Korea were looking to work with the United States on a …

Taiwan says TSMC investment 'historic moment' for US ties

Mar 06 2025

Taiwanese chipmaking giant TSMC's plan to invest $100 billion in the United States was a "historic moment" for Taiwan-US …

Ukraine titanium mine hopes US deal will bring funds

Mar 06 2025

In a barren, yellow-and-grey moonscape, heavy machinery grinds away at a titanium mine in the heart of Ukraine.

DeepSeek success shows China's 'ability to innovate': official

Mar 06 2025

The shock entrance of DeepSeek in the race to develop advanced artificial intelligence has put the world on notice as to …

China vows to fight US trade war 'to the end'

Mar 06 2025

China vowed to fight a trade war with the United States "to the end" on Thursday, as tariffs from Washington buffeted …

7-Eleven owner seeks to fend off takeover with buyback, US IPO

Mar 06 2025

The Japanese owner of 7-Eleven announced on Thursday a raft of new measures to fend off a takeover by a Canadian rival, …

Chinese economy faces rising international 'uncertainty', official says

Mar 06 2025

China's economy is facing growing "uncertainty" in the international environment, as well as insufficient domestic …

Asian markets rally on US tariff reprieve, possible China stimulus

Mar 06 2025

Asian stocks climbed on Thursday as investors welcomed US President Donald Trump's auto tariff delay and were expecting …

Acquittal of Fukushima operator ex-bosses finalised

Mar 06 2025

Japan's top court said Thursday it had finalised the acquittal of two former executives from the operator of the …

Strikes hit Lufthansa profits, Olympics dent Air France

Mar 06 2025

German airline giant Lufthansa said Thursday its 2024 profits dived during a turbulent year marked by strikes, rising …

Lufthansa 2024 profits dive amid strikes, rising costs

Mar 06 2025

German airline giant Lufthansa said Thursday its 2024 profits dived during a turbulent year marked by strikes, rising …

Asian markets rise on Trump auto tariff reprieve

Mar 06 2025

Asian markets climbed on Thursday after US President Donald Trump announced a one-month tariff delay on auto imports …

Debate over rates pause mounts as ECB set to cut again

Mar 06 2025

Massive German spending pledges and uncertainty caused by US trade policy are fuelling expectations the European Central …

US firm targets Moon landing with drill, rovers, hopping drone

Mar 06 2025

A drill to search for ice. A 4G network test. Three rovers and a first-of-its-kind hopping drone.

Trump pauses tariffs for autos as Trudeau call yields no breakthrough

Mar 06 2025

Automakers received temporary reprieve Wednesday from US President Donald Trump's tariffs targeting Canada and Mexico, …

Global stocks rally on German defense push, US pause on auto tariffs

Mar 05 2025

Global stocks rallied on Wednesday, buoyed by Germany's plan to massively boost spending on defense and a move by the …

Trump tariffs reverberate through Mexico's industrial belt

Mar 05 2025

For decades, Mexico's industrial borderlands boomed thanks to growing trade with the world's largest economy next door. …

Deluge of Trump tariffs seen hitting household budgets

Mar 05 2025

Consumer items ranging from avocados and strawberries to electronics and gasoline look poised for price hikes in the …

Trump suspends tariffs for autos as Trudeau call yields no breakthrough

Mar 05 2025

Automakers received a temporary reprieve Wednesday from US President Donald Trump's tariffs targeting Canada and Mexico, …

Chinese hackers indicted in US for Treasury breach, other attacks

Mar 05 2025

Twelve Chinese nationals, including two public security ministry officers, have been indicted for a series of hacking …

Minerals, mines, hydrocarbons: Greenland's key but limited resources

Mar 05 2025

The vast autonomous Danish territory of Greenland, coveted by US President Donald Trump, is believed to hold untapped …

Stocks rally on tariff relief hopes, German spending plan

Mar 05 2025

European and Asian stock markets rallied on Wednesday, buoyed by Germany's plan to massively boost spending on defence, …

US signals possible exemptions in Canada, Mexico tariffs

Mar 05 2025

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said an announcement on Canada and Mexico tariffs was expected later Wednesday, …

Swiss lawmakers vote to enshrine cash in constitution

Mar 05 2025

Swiss lawmakers voted Wednesday in favour of enshrining cash in the country's constitution as mobile and card payments …

US official says possible Canada, Mexico tariff relief on 'categories'

Mar 05 2025

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said an announcement on Canada and Mexico tariffs was expected later Wednesday, …

Panama president says Trump 'lying' about reclaiming canal

Mar 05 2025

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino on Wednesday accused his US counterpart Donald Trump of "lying" about Washington …

Mind the wage gap: China's subway farmers highlight inequality

Mar 05 2025

Elderly Chinese farmers carrying enormous baskets of vegetables squeezed into a subway station as its doors opened …

EU asked to say how much funding given to Musk firms

Mar 05 2025

The EU faced questions on Wednesday over how much of its money goes to tech billionaire Elon Musk's companies as …

Stocks rally on hopes of China stimulus and tariff relief

Mar 05 2025

Markets rallied Wednesday as investors welcomed China's economic targets and a US official signalled that President …

Trump tariffs leave Mexican tequila producers with sour taste

Mar 05 2025

Mexico's booming tequila industry was left reeling Wednesday after US President Donald Trump slapped sweeping tariffs on …

China eyes five percent growth despite US trade war

Mar 05 2025

China set an ambitious annual growth target of around five percent on Wednesday, vowing to make domestic demand its main …

Asian stocks rally on hopes of China stimulus

Mar 05 2025

Asian markets rallied on Wednesday as investors welcomed China's economic targets which they hope will offset the impact …

US tax agency weighs firing half of its 90,000 employees

Mar 05 2025

The US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is considering letting go up to half of its approximately 90,000 employees, a …

What TSMC's $100 bn investment in the US means for Taiwan

Mar 05 2025

Taiwanese chip-making giant TSMC plans to invest a whopping $100 billion in the United States, after US President Donald …

China says to hike defence spending by 7.2% this year

Mar 05 2025

China's defence spending will rise by 7.2 percent in 2025, the same as last year, Beijing said on Wednesday, as its …

Musk fails in bid to block OpenAI becoming for-profit business

Mar 05 2025

A US judge on Tuesday denied Elon Musk's request to prevent OpenAI from becoming a for-profit business in a loss for the …

Asian stocks rebound on China stimulus package

Mar 05 2025

Asian markets were mostly up Wednesday as investors weighed bullish growth targets announced by China despite its …

China eyes 5 percent growth despite trade war

Mar 05 2025

China on Wednesday set an annual growth target of around five percent, vowing to make domestic demand its main economic …

Europe's Ariane 6 rocket launch rescheduled to March 6

Mar 05 2025

The first commercial mission of Europe's new heavy-lift rocket Ariane 6 has been rescheduled for Thursday, French …

China sets annual growth target of around 5 percent

Mar 05 2025

China on Wednesday set an annual growth target of around five percent, vowing to make domestic demand its main economic …

Trump tariff uncertainty overshadows growth promises: analysts

Mar 05 2025

President Donald Trump's tariffs and the retaliation they attracted will likely weigh on US growth and boost inflation, …

Tech giants object as YouTube set to dodge Australian social media ban

Mar 05 2025

Australia's plan to exempt YouTube from a world-leading teen social media ban is "illogical" and a "mockery", rival tech …

China targeting growth of 'around 5 percent' in 2025: official document

Mar 05 2025

China is pushing for economic growth of "around five percent" in 2025, an official document seen by AFP on Wednesday …

China aiming for growth of 'around 5 percent' in 2025: official document

Mar 05 2025

China is pushing for economic growth of "around five percent" in 2025, an official document seen by AFP on Wednesday …

Advocacy group fears US will steer broadband cash to Musk

Mar 05 2025

An internet rights group on Tuesday raised alarm over reports the United States may steer billions of dollars to Elon …

Trump gives Chevron a month to 'wind down' Venezuela operations

Mar 05 2025

The United States on Tuesday gave energy giant Chevron just one month to stop its operations in Venezuela, delivering a …

Canada, Mexico could see relief from tariffs, Trump official hints

Mar 04 2025

The US commerce secretary on Tuesday said President Donald Trump could dial down huge tariffs on Canada and Mexico this …

Hong Kong firm offloads Panama ports after Trump pressure

Mar 04 2025

Under fierce pressure from US President Donald Trump, Hong Kong firm Hutchison said Tuesday it had agreed to sell its …

China to unveil 2025 growth goals eyeing trade war woes

Mar 04 2025

China's leadership will on Wednesday unveil their growth goals for the coming year as they eye a mounting trade war with …

Several Canadian provinces ban US alcohol in tariff response

Mar 04 2025

Multiple Canadian provinces, including Ontario and Quebec, banned the sale of US alcohol on Tuesday, part of a broad …

Global stocks tumble as Trump proceeds with more US tariffs

Mar 04 2025

Stock markets were in gloomy mode Tuesday as China, Mexico and Canada hit back at US tariffs and fears grew that Europe …

US stocks fall again as more Trump tariffs take effect

Mar 04 2025

Wall Street stocks tumbled Tuesday after the United States proceeded with new tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China, …

'We will endure': Mexican truckers stoic in face of Trump tariffs

Mar 04 2025

Stuck in a queue at the Mexican-US border, truck driver Juan Diego Mendoza said he was worried about the fallout of …

Trade war brings fear, uncertainty to Canadian border city

Mar 04 2025

In the Canadian city of Windsor, which survives on the cross-border auto industry, the start of a trade war with the …

Competition drives down Nigeria petrol prices

Mar 04 2025

The retail price of petrol in Nigeria has dropped to 860 naira ($0.57) per litre, as a major local refinery drives down …

How will Mexico respond to Trump's tariffs?

Mar 04 2025

Mexico's targeting by US President Donald Trump's tariffs has put its economy at risk of a recession with a regional …

Tesla shares fall on weak China auto sales

Mar 04 2025

Shares of Tesla tumbled Tuesday following data showing a big drop in auto sales in China, adding to recent losses amid …

China, Canada retaliate against Trump's 'dumb' tariff war

Mar 04 2025

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday launched a stunning attack on Donald Trump's "dumb" trade war, …