Business and Economy



France announces 'record' foreign investments worth 15 bn euros

AFP - 31m ago

France has received combined investment commitments from foreign companies of more than 15 billion euros ($16.2 …

China says to sell initial batch of long-dated bonds this week

AFP - 57m ago

China will start selling an initial batch of long-dated bonds this week, the Ministry of Finance announced Monday, as …

Saudi Arabia's billion-dollar football league a work in progress

AFP - 1h ago

Anyone expecting immediate results from Saudi Arabia's unprecedented splurge on football stars was probably disappointed …

Maldives gets IMF debt warning as more Chinese loans loom

AFP - 1h ago

The International Monetary Fund warned the Maldives against looming "debt distress" Monday, as the small but …

Asian markets mixed as traders pause ahead of US inflation data

AFP - 1h ago

Equities fluctuated Monday with traders taking a breather after the past weeks' healthy run as they absorbed weak …

US, Japanese banks lead fossil fuel financing

AFP - 1h ago

The world's biggest banks financed fossil fuels to the tune of $705 billion in 2023, with US and Japanese lenders …

US sanctions test China's 'no limits' friendship with Russia

AFP - 3h ago

Chinese banks are tightening scrutiny over trade with Russia for fear of incurring strict new US sanctions over the …

Sweden's small game studios punching above their weight

AFP - 1h ago

"Minecraft", "Valheim", and "Raft", just to name a few: Small or even one-man teams from Sweden have produced more video …

Cambodia's famed Kampot pepper withers in scorching heatwave

AFP - 6h ago

Farmer Chhim Laem shakes his head as he walks between long rows of dead bushes, their brown leaves scorched by heat and …

Archegos founder to go on trial for fraud, market manipulation

AFP - 8h ago

Archegos founder Bill Hwang will go on trial Monday for alleged securities fraud and market manipulation, prosecutors …

Mercedes workers in Alabama to vote whether to join US union

AFP - 1h ago

The US auto workers union's drive to organize auto plants in the southern United States faces a second test this week at …

Microsoft, Amazon to invest billions in French tech

May 12 2024

Microsoft on Sunday announced four billion euros in investment for developing data centres in France, joining fellow US …

Amazon plans to invest 1.2 bn euros in France: Macron's office

May 12 2024

US e-commerce giant Amazon will invest more than 1.2 billion euros in France, creating more than 3,000 jobs, French …

Second night of auroras seen 'extreme' solar storm

May 12 2024

Auroras lit up skies across swaths of the planet for the second night in a row on Saturday, after already dazzling …

Boeing's problems rattle US aviation regulator as well

May 12 2024

The US Federal Aviation Administration, sharply criticized after the crashes of two Boeing planes in 2018 and 2019, is …

New York gears up for major Spring auctions after soft 2023

May 12 2024

New York's major auction houses were preparing for the start of their all-important Spring sales on Monday even as …

Second night of auroras possible amid 'extreme' solar storm

May 12 2024

Auroras could light up skies across swaths of the planet for the second night in a row on Saturday, after already …

Hundreds protest outside German Tesla factory

May 11 2024

More than a thousand environmentalists protested outside Tesla's factory near Berlin Saturday, police said, a day after …

First 'extreme' solar storm in 20 years brings spectacular auroras

May 11 2024

Earth was set to be struck by more powerful solar storms on Saturday, a day after the most extreme events in two decades …

Iraq hopes oil reserves will exceed 160 bn barrels: minister

May 11 2024

Iraq, one of the world's biggest oil producers, aims to boost its crude reserves to more than 160 billion barrels, Oil …

China consumer prices rise at faster rate in April

May 11 2024

China's inflation rate quickened last month, official data showed Saturday, as the government works to boost spending in …

European stock markets hit records as Dow rises for 8th straight day

May 10 2024

Wall Street stocks largely shrugged off lackluster US consumer data on Friday, concluding a winning week mostly higher …

Powerful solar storm pummels Earth, threatening disruption

May 10 2024

A huge solar storm begun pummeling Earth on Friday, bringing possible disruptions to satellites and power grids -- and …

Yellen urges action to curb US mortgage market risks

May 10 2024

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen flagged risks posed in the mortgage market Friday, as regulators released …

Solar storm could bring auroras, power and telecoms disruptions

May 10 2024

A huge solar storm has begun pummeling Earth, bringing possible disruptions to satellites and power grids -- and …

Musk says Tesla charger network will grow, days after layoffs

May 10 2024

Tesla boss Elon Musk said Friday the electric vehicle manufacturer would invest over $500 million this year to install …

Senior US Fed official expects no rate cuts this year

May 10 2024

A senior official at the US central bank said Friday that she doesn't expect any interest rate cuts this year following …

Biden's clean energy tax credits likely to remain 'law of the land': Brainard

May 10 2024

Most of Joe Biden's clean energy tax credits are now law and are unlikely to be reversed by Donald Trump if he wins …

European stock markets hit record highs on rate cut hopes

May 10 2024

European stock markets struck fresh record highs Friday on growing hopes that central banks are close to cutting …

Polish farmers protest 'harmful' EU environmental rules

May 10 2024

Polish farmers on Friday rallied against EU environmental regulations they said were hurting the economy and called for …

Brazil floods strike blow to powerful agriculture sector

May 10 2024

Floodwaters in Brazil have swallowed up soybean fields and farming equipment, cutting off roads, livestock farms and …

UK economy exits recession in pre-vote boost for PM Sunak

May 10 2024

Britain has emerged from a short-lived recession with better-than-expected growth in the first quarter, official data …

French, US drug firms team up for Covid-flu shot

May 10 2024

French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi and struggling US rival Novavax announced Friday an alliance to sell a Covid vaccine …

London, Frankfurt hit records as rate hopes boost markets

May 10 2024

Growing hopes that the US Federal Reserve and other central banks are close to cutting interest rates helped push London …

London, Frankfurt hit new records as rate hopes boost markets

May 10 2024

Growing hopes that the US Federal Reserve and other central banks are close to cutting interest rates helped push London …

Honda posts record profit, issues cautious forecasts

May 10 2024

Japanese auto giant Honda on Friday logged a record annual profit thanks to improving global vehicle sales, but issued a …

Chip giant TSMC's April revenue jumps 60% on-year

May 10 2024

Taiwanese chip giant TSMC said on Friday that April revenue jumped nearly 60 percent on-year, riding a huge wave of …

UK economy exits recession ahead of election

May 10 2024

Britain exited a shallow recession with better-than-expected growth in the first quarter, official data showed Friday, …

In Benin, tensions soar over cost of living

May 10 2024

In the heart of Cotonou’s large Dantokpa market, Diane Makpenon's family corn shop is less busy than usual these days.

Iceland's 'Mammoth' raises potential for carbon capture

May 10 2024

With Mammoth's 72 industrial fans, Swiss start-up Climeworks intends to suck 36,000 tonnes of CO2 from the air annually …

Asian markets mostly rise as US data boosts rate hopes

May 10 2024

Growing hopes that the Federal Reserve and other central banks are close to cutting interest rates helped push Asian …

Apple apologizes for iPad 'Crush' ad after backlash

May 09 2024

Apple apologized on Thursday after an ad for its latest-edition iPad caused an uproar for showing an industrial press …

American Airlines union seeks Biden support in contract fight

May 09 2024

Dozens of American Airlines flight attendants demonstrated Thursday in front of the White House as they seek to be …

London, Frankfurt stocks hit record highs on rate-cut hopes

May 09 2024

The London and Frankfurt stock exchanges hit record highs Thursday as the Bank of England kept its interest rate at a …

Argentina's Milei faces 2nd general strike in 5 months

May 09 2024

Argentina's President Javier Milei faced his second general strike Thursday in just five months in office, as workers …

Bank of England holds rate at 16-year high, signals looming cut

May 09 2024

The Bank of England on Thursday kept its main interest rate at a 16-year high, but hinted at a cut over the summer as UK …

Spain govt vows to block hostile BBVA bid for rival bank

May 09 2024

Spain's second-largest bank BBVA on Thursday announced a hostile takeover bid for smaller rival Banco Sabadell but the …

Boeing passenger plane exits runway in Senegal injuring 11

May 09 2024

A Boeing passenger plane came off the runway during takeoff from Dakar international airport early Thursday, injuring 11 …

Porsche recalls thousands of Taycans over faulty batteries

May 09 2024

German sports carmaker Porsche on Thursday confirmed it had recalled several thousand of its electric Taycan model …

China's Xi in Hungary to celebrate 'new era' with Orban

May 09 2024

President Xi Jinping received a warm welcome in Hungary on Thursday as he held talks aimed at bolstering already …

Spain vows to block BBVA's hostile bid for rival bank

May 09 2024

Spain's second-largest bank BBVA announced Thursday a hostile takeover bid for smaller rival Banco Sabadell but the …

London, Frankfurt hit record highs on rate-cut hopes

May 09 2024

The London and Frankfurt stock exchanges hit record highs Thursday as the Bank of England kept its interest rate at a …

European stocks stutter before Bank of England rate call

May 09 2024

European stock markets wavered on Thursday but with London close to a record peak before a Bank of England decision on …

Nissan net profit nearly doubles despite China challenges

May 09 2024

Nissan said Thursday it nearly doubled its full-year net profit in 2023-24, weathering challenges in the Chinese market, …

Blackstone wins bidding war for UK music rights firm

May 09 2024

US private equity firm Blackstone emerged victorious Thursday in a takeover battle for struggling UK music rights owner …

Spanish bank BBVA goes hostile in Sabadell takeover bid

May 09 2024

Spain's second-largest bank BBVA announced Thursday a hostile takeover bid for smaller rival Banco Sabadell, a move that …

Markets' rally stutters as traders eye rate cut outlook

May 09 2024

Equity traders struggled to get a recent rally back on course Thursday following a tepid lead from Wall Street, but …

Nissan annual net profit nearly doubles on-year

May 09 2024

Nissan said Thursday it nearly doubled its full-year net profit in 2023-24 but forecast a dip of around 10 percent for …

Chinese cities lift curbs on buying homes as property crisis bites

May 09 2024

Two of China's wealthiest cities said Thursday they would lift all restrictions on buying homes, joining a growing list …

Chinese city lifts curbs on buying homes as property crisis bites

May 09 2024

One of China's wealthiest cities said Thursday it would lift all restrictions on buying homes, joining a growing list of …

Asian markets mixed as traders eye rate cuts

May 09 2024

Asian traders fought to get a recent rally back on course Thursday following a tepid lead from Wall Street but record …

Bank of England set to hold rate at 16-year high

May 09 2024

The Bank of England was set Thursday to keep its main interest rate at a 16-year high, resisting a cut as UK inflation …

US forges new 'battery belt' in hopes of electric future

May 09 2024

Growing up, Devante Cuthbertson assumed he might have to leave his North Carolina hometown to pursue a career, but a new …

European stocks rise while Wall Street has another mixed session

May 08 2024

European stocks advanced Wednesday, with London striking another record, driven by hopes of interest rate cuts while …

US revokes some licenses for exports to China's Huawei

May 08 2024

The United States has revoked some export licenses that allowed companies such as US chip firm Qualcomm to supply …

After Serbia, China's Xi arrives in Hungary to tighten bonds

May 08 2024

Following a visit to Serbia, Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Budapest on Wednesday in the last leg of his …

China's Xi welcomed with 'respect and love' in Serbia

May 08 2024

Serbia on Wednesday rolled out the red carpet for Chinese President Xi Jinping on the second stage of a European tour …

EU eyes first ever sanctions on Russia's LNG sector

May 08 2024

The EU is considering expanding its sanctions against Moscow over the war in Ukraine to target Russia's liquefied …

European stocks rise but Wall Street wobbles

May 08 2024

European stocks advanced Wednesday, with London striking another record, driven by hopes of interest rate cuts as …

European stocks rise but Wall Street slips

May 08 2024

European stocks advanced Wednesday, with London striking another record, driven by hopes of interest rate cuts as …

EU queries X over cut to content moderation resources

May 08 2024

The EU on Wednesday told digital platform X to explain a cut to content moderation resources, amid concerns over …

Europe stocks advance, London hits new record

May 08 2024

European stocks advanced Wednesday, with London striking another record, driven by hopes of interest rate cuts in the …

BMW says EU probe into China EV subsidies against free trade

May 08 2024

The chief executive of German luxury carmaker BMW on Wednesday warned the European Union's investigation into Chinese …

China's Xi in Serbia for talks to boost economic ties

May 08 2024

Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic reaffirmed his strong support for China's sovereignty over Taiwan as he gave a …

Bubbling profits for AB InBev despite Bud Light boycott

May 08 2024

The world's largest brewer AB InBev on Wednesday toasted a jump in profits in the first quarter, despite a drop in beer …

AstraZeneca withdraws Covid vaccine as demand dives

May 08 2024

Anglo-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca on Wednesday said it was withdrawing Covid vaccine Vaxzevria, one of the first …

Markets mixed as traders weigh rates outlook

May 08 2024

Equity markets were mixed Wednesday as the latest global rally ran out of steam due to a lack of major catalysts, while …

Japanese auto giant Toyota posts record net profit

May 08 2024

Toyota reported record annual net profit of more than $30 billion on Wednesday but the world's largest automaker by …

Toyota posts record yearly net income, revenue

May 08 2024

Toyota said Wednesday that it enjoyed a record net profit of 4.94 trillion yen ($31.9 billion) in the year to March on …

Global car giants seek tech allies in China's cutthroat EV market

May 08 2024

Struggling foreign automakers in China are looking for help from local tech giants to try to stay competitive in the …

Asian markets mixed as traders weigh rates outlook

May 08 2024

Asian markets fluctuated Wednesday as the latest rally ran out of steam due to a lack of major catalysts, while …

Sideways day on Wall Street as London notches another record

May 07 2024

The rally in Wall Street stocks took a pause Tuesday while many overseas bourses pushed higher amid renewed optimism …

OpenAI unveils tool to detect DALL-E images

May 07 2024

OpenAI, the Microsoft-backed artificial intelligence company behind the popular image generator DALL-E, on Tuesday …

Argentina introduces 10,000-peso banknote

May 07 2024

Inflation-battered Argentina on Tuesday introduced a 10,000-peso banknote, worth the equivalent of about $11 -- five …

TikTok challenges potential US ban in court

May 07 2024

TikTok and its Chinese parent company ByteDance filed a legal challenge against the United States on Tuesday, taking aim …

Disney reports small loss but sees improvement in streaming

May 07 2024

Disney reported higher revenues Tuesday on a strong performance by its theme parks division and an improving streaming …

Ferrari confirms 2024 guidance after first quarter boost

May 07 2024

Italian luxury carmaker Ferrari on Tuesday posted a double digit rise in both profits and sales for the first quarter of …

Stock markets climb on lower rates optimism

May 07 2024

Stock markets on Tuesday continued to rally over optimism that the US Federal Reserve will cut interest rates this year.

Stock markets mostly rise on lower rates optimism

May 07 2024

Stock markets extended a rally Tuesday on optimism that the US Federal Reserve will cut interest rates this year.

UBS back in profit after Credit Suisse takeover losses

May 07 2024

Swiss banking giant UBS on Tuesday said first quarter net profit rose 71 percent to nearly $1.8 billion, far exceeding …

Major German companies warn against vote for extremism

May 07 2024

Germany's biggest companies said Tuesday they have formed an alliance to campaign against extremism ahead of key EU …

Most markets rise after Wall St rally as US rate optimism lingers

May 07 2024

Most markets built on the latest global rally Tuesday as optimism that the US Federal Reserve will cut interest rates …

Nintendo says announcement on Switch successor 'this fiscal year'

May 07 2024

Nintendo said Tuesday it will make an announcement about a highly anticipated new console by the end of March 2025 as …

Saudi Aramco says Q1 profit down 14.5 percent

May 07 2024

Oil giant Saudi Aramco said Tuesday its first-quarter net profit dipped 14.5 percent on year to $27.27 billion as the …

Saudi Aramco's Q1 profit down 14.5 percent: statement

May 07 2024

Oil giant Saudi Aramco announced first-quarter net profit of $27.27 billion on Tuesday, down 14.5 percent from last year …

UBS net profit up 71% after two quarters in the red

May 07 2024

Swiss banking giant UBS on Tuesday said first quarter net profit rose 71 percent to nearly $1.8 billion after two …

Amazon says will invest $9 billion in Singapore

May 07 2024

Amazon said Tuesday it would invest US$9 billion in Singapore over the next four years to expand its cloud computing …

Chinese mill blamed for turning Serbia village red with pollution

May 07 2024

In the eight years since Chinese company HBIS bought a steel mill near the eastern Serbian city of Smederevo, locals say …

Asia tracks another rally on Wall St as US rate optimism lingers

May 07 2024

Asian markets built on the latest global rally Tuesday as optimism that the US Federal Reserve will cut interest rates …

Boeing probed in US over possible falsified records on 787

May 06 2024

US air safety authorities are investigating whether embattled aviation giant Boeing completed required inspections on …

Stocks rise on renewed hopes of US Fed rate cuts

May 06 2024

Stock markets advanced Monday on renewed optimism that the US Federal Reserve will cut interest rates this year, as well …