Business and Economy



Treading fine line, NBA money machine kicks into gear on China return

AFP - 6h ago

The NBA brought star-studded lineups to Macau this week for the league's return to China after six years but many of the …

Trump announces new 100 percent China tariff, threatens to scrap Xi talks

AFP - Oct 10 2025

US President Donald Trump announced an additional 100 percent tariff on China Friday and threatened to cancel a summit …

Stocks shudder after Trump threatens new tariff war with China

Oct 10 2025

Stock markets fell Friday after US President Donald Trump threatened China with "massive" new tariffs, while oil prices …

Trump threatens to scrap Xi talks and hit China with 'massive' tariffs

Oct 10 2025

US President Donald Trump threatened on Friday to cancel an upcoming summit with Xi Jinping and hit China with "massive" …

Trump says no reason to meet Xi, threatens 'massive' China tariffs

Oct 10 2025

US President Donald Trump said Friday he no longer feels a summit is necessary with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping this …

EU grills Apple, Snapchat, YouTube over risks to children

Oct 10 2025

The EU Friday demanded digital giants including Snapchat and YouTube explain how they are protecting children from …

Stock markets fluctuate as investors weigh AI, politics

Oct 10 2025

Wall Street rebounded, European stock markets steadied and oil prices fell Friday as investors weighed the US government …

Carmakers face massive UK dieselgate lawsuit

Oct 10 2025

Five major car manufacturers go on trial at London's High Court on Monday in the latest chapter of the dieselgate …

Austria finds Microsoft 'illegally' tracked students: privacy campaign group

Oct 10 2025

Austria's data protection authority has determined that Microsoft "illegally" tracked students using its education …

Stock markets limp into weekend as AI bubble fears grow

Oct 10 2025

Stock markets struggled Friday following a mixed week dominated by the Gaza ceasefire, US government shutdown and fears …

UK opens door to tougher regulation of Google search

Oct 10 2025

Britain's competition watchdog on Friday paved the way for tougher regulation to tackle Google's dominance in online …

Asian markets limp into weekend as AI bubble fears grow

Oct 10 2025

Asian equities staggered into the weekend on Friday following a mixed week that saw an agreement on a Middle East …

Comeback studio Warner takes 'victory lap' amid takeover rumors

Oct 10 2025

In just six months, Warner Bros has gone from ailing Hollywood giant reportedly mulling a leadership change to the …

US finalizes $20 bn economic lifeline for Argentina, buys pesos

Oct 09 2025

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday that Washington had bought Argentine pesos and finalized a $20 billion …

Silver price hits decades high as gold rush eases

Oct 09 2025

The price of silver hit a multi-decade high on Thursday as investors kept flocking to safe havens amid geopolitical and …

Shein's Paris store kicks up a storm in France

Oct 09 2025

Asian e-commerce giant Shein's decision to set up shop in a historic Parisian department store has ruffled feathers in …

Serbia faces 'extremely serious' impacts as sanctions hit oil firm

Oct 09 2025

Serbia's president warned that US sanctions on the Russian-controlled operator of the Balkan nation's only oil refinery …

EU woos developing nations at investment forum

Oct 09 2025

European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen pitched the bloc as a dependable partner in a transactional world Thursday as …

At German auto crisis meet, Merz vows to fight EU gas guzzler ban

Oct 09 2025

Chancellor Friedrich Merz vowed Thursday to do everything in his power to fight EU plans to ban combustion-engine car …

Ferrari goes electric with four-seat coupe but shares get shocked

Oct 09 2025

Ferrari will begin its cautious shift to electric vehicles in 2026 with its first battery-powered four-seat coupe, but …

Danish wind giant Orsted to cut workforce by a quarter

Oct 09 2025

Danish offshore wind energy giant Orsted announced Thursday plans to cut 2,000 jobs, or a quarter of its workforce, by …

Michelin Guide gets an appetite beyond restaurants

Oct 09 2025

France's famed Michelin Guide, a reference for fine dining for more than a century, is expanding into hotel and wine …

Markets diverge tracking AI concerns, Gaza deal

Oct 09 2025

European and Asian stock markets traded mixed Thursday as investors assessed the outlook for the global AI-fuelled …

Merz to host German auto sector crisis meeting

Oct 09 2025

Chancellor Friedrich Merz will Thursday host crisis talks with German auto industry leaders in a bid to navigate myriad …

Ferrari goes electric with four-seat coupe 'Elettrica'

Oct 09 2025

Ferrari's first electric sports car, to be released next year, will be a four-seat coupe with over 1,000 horsepower and …

Afghan mobile access to Facebook, Instagram intentionally restricted: watchdog

Oct 09 2025

Access to several social media sites, including Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat, has been "intentionally restricted" in …

British PM Starmer hails India opportunities after trade deal

Oct 09 2025

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer touted "unparalleled" opportunities opening up in India as he made his inaugural …

US sanctions hit Serbia's oil firm

Oct 09 2025

US sanctions on Serbia's majority-Russian-owned NIS oil company, which operates the country's sole refinery, took effect …

Markets mixed as traders eye AI rally, US rates and shutdown

Oct 09 2025

Markets were mixed on Thursday as investors tried to assess the outlook for the global AI-fuelled rally, Federal Reserve …

OMG! German influencers face tax dodging crackdown

Oct 09 2025

They could soon be unboxing fines rather than freebies -- Germany's online influencers are facing a tax evasion …

Stocks mixed as traders assess AI rally, US rates and shutdown

Oct 09 2025

Asian markets were mixed Thursday as investors tried to assess the outlook for the global AI-fuelled rally, Federal …

US federal workers apply for loans as shutdown hits military morale

Oct 09 2025

Now into its second week, the US government shutdown has started impacting federal workers, prompting some to take out …

US faces travel delays as government shutdown wears on

Oct 09 2025

Concerns over flight delays and missed paychecks due to the US government shutdown escalated Wednesday, as senators …

Gold tops $4,000 for first time on political, economic worries

Oct 08 2025

Gold topped $4,000 an ounce for the first time Wednesday as investors flocked to the safe haven metal on worries over …

US facing worsening flight delays as shutdown snarls airports

Oct 08 2025

Concerns over flight delays and missed paychecks due to the US government shutdown escalated Wednesday, as senators …

World economy not doing as badly as feared, IMF chief says

Oct 08 2025

The global economy is doing better than expected, even as it faces prolonged uncertainty and underwhelming medium-term …

Germany raises growth forecasts, but warns reforms needed

Oct 08 2025

Germany's economy will eke out meagre growth in 2025 before picking up speed next year, the government said Wednesday as …

BBVA, Sabadell clash heats up ahead of takeover deadline

Oct 08 2025

Tensions mounted ahead of the closing on Friday of Spanish banking giant BBVA's hostile takeover bid for smaller …

Veggie 'burgers' face the chop as EU lawmakers back labeling ban

Oct 08 2025

Plant-based "steaks" and "veggie burgers" may be on the way out in the European Union after the bloc's parliament voted …

Gold tops $4,000 for first time as safe haven shines

Oct 08 2025

Gold surpassed $4,000 an ounce for the first time Wednesday as investors piled into the safe haven investment over …

In Simandou mountains, Guinea prepares to cash in on iron ore

Oct 08 2025

At the foot of the Simandou mountains in southeast Guinea's lush tropical forest, thousands of workers, trucks and …

EU wants key sectors to use made-in-Europe AI

Oct 08 2025

The EU on Wednesday told European businesses in critical sectors to ramp up their uptake of artificial intelligence and …

Gold tops $4,000 for first time as traders pile into safe haven

Oct 08 2025

Gold prices broke $4,000 on Wednesday for the first time as investors piled into the safe haven over expectations for US …

Indian garment exporters reel under US tariffs

Oct 08 2025

When Donald Trump was elected, Indian garment exporter R.K. Sivasubramaniam thought the new US president would boost …

Trump talks up Canada trade deal chances with 'world-class' Carney

Oct 07 2025

President Donald Trump said Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney would be "very happy" after their trade talks at the …

Stocks falter, gold shines as traders weigh political turmoil

Oct 07 2025

Wall Street stocks turned lower Tuesday and gold closed in on $4,000 per ounce as investors weighed the US government …

EU targets foreign steel to rescue struggling sector

Oct 07 2025

The EU moved Tuesday to double tariffs on foreign steel -- taking a leaf from US President Donald Trump's book to shield …

WTO hikes 2025 trade growth outlook but tariffs to bite in 2026

Oct 07 2025

AI-related goods and a surge in exports to the United States to beat President Donald Trump's tariff hikes boosted …

EU targets foreign steel to shield struggling sector

Oct 07 2025

The EU unveiled proposals on Tuesday to double tariffs on foreign steel -- taking a leaf from US President Donald …

US stocks edge higher as shutdown drags on

Oct 07 2025

Wall Street stocks edged higher early Tuesday, extending an upbeat stretch as markets continue to look past a US …

Stocks, gold rise as investors weigh AI boom, political turmoil

Oct 07 2025

Global stocks edged higher Tuesday and gold hovered near a fresh high as investors weighed the US government shutdown, …

Stocks, gold steady amid political upheaval

Oct 07 2025

Global stocks steadied Tuesday and gold hovered around a fresh high as investors retreated to safety amid a US …

German factory orders drop in new blow to Merz

Oct 07 2025

German industrial orders unexpectedly fell in August, marking a fourth straight month of decline, official data showed …

Renewables overtake coal but growth slows: reports

Oct 07 2025

Solar and wind farms generated more electricity than coal for the first time on record this year, but US and Chinese …

OpenAI's Fidji Simo says AI investment frenzy 'new normal,' not bubble

Oct 07 2025

The dizzying investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure do not constitute a bubble but rather represent …

Extreme rains hit India's premier Darjeeling tea estates

Oct 07 2025

Torrential rains that triggered deadly landslides and floods in India's Darjeeling region also destroyed swathes of …

Tokyo stocks hit new record as markets extend global rally

Oct 07 2025

Japanese stocks eked out another record Tuesday following the weekend election of a pro-stimulus advocate to lead the …

EU channels Trump with tariffs to shield steel sector

Oct 07 2025

The European Union will take a page out of US President Donald Trump's tariff playbook on Tuesday with a plan to hike …

Open AI's Fidji Simo says AI investment frenzy 'new normal,' not bubble

Oct 07 2025

The dizzying investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure do not constitute a bubble but rather represent …

Tokyo stocks hit new record as Asian markets extend global rally

Oct 07 2025

Japanese stocks hit another record Tuesday, building on the previous day's surge following the election of a …

Shhhh! California bans noisy TV commercials

Oct 07 2025

Noisy TV commercials were banned in California on Monday, with a new law that demands pitchmen turn the volume down.

Trump 'happy' to work with Democrats on health care, if shutdown ends

Oct 06 2025

President Donald Trump said Monday he would be "happy" to negotiate a deal on health programs with Democrats, but …

Brazil's Lula asks Trump to remove tariffs in 'friendly' phone call

Oct 06 2025

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva urged US President Donald Trump to lift punitive trade tariffs in their …

Paris stocks slide amid French political upheaval, Tokyo soars

Oct 06 2025

Stock markets were mixed Monday as a deepening political crisis in France sent Paris into a tailspin while a new …

EU should scrap ban on new combustion-engine sales: Merz

Oct 06 2025

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Monday he wants the EU to scrap its planned 2035 deadline for ending new …

US government shutdown enters second week, no end in sight

Oct 06 2025

The US government shutdown entered its second week on Monday, with no sign of a deal between President Donald Trump's …

OpenAI signs multi-billion dollar chip deal with AMD

Oct 06 2025

OpenAI signed a multi-year partnership Monday with chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices as the ChatGPT-maker continues an …

US government shutdown enters second week

Oct 06 2025

The US government shutdown entered its second week on Monday, with no sign of a deal between President Donald Trump's …

Paris stocks slide as French PM resigns, Tokyo soars

Oct 06 2025

Stock markets diverged Monday as a deepening political crisis in France sent Paris into a tailspin while a new Japanese …

Paris stocks drop as French PM resigns, Tokyo soars

Oct 06 2025

Stock markets diverged Monday as a deepening political crisis in France sent Paris into a tailspin while a new Japanese …

Paris stocks drop as French PM resigns

Oct 06 2025

Stock markets diverged Monday, with Paris dropping as France plunged further into political crisis after the prime …

Tokyo stocks soar on Takaichi win, Paris sinks as French PM resigns

Oct 06 2025

Tokyo stocks surged almost five percent to a record high Monday and the yen sank on bets that the new leader of Japan's …

Tokyo soars, yen sinks after Takaichi win on mixed day for Asia

Oct 06 2025

Tokyo stocks surged almost five percent to a record high Monday and the yen sank on bets that the new leader of Japan's …

China's chip challenge: the race to match US tech

Oct 06 2025

China's push to develop top-end artificial intelligence microchips is gaining momentum, but analysts say it will …

'My heart sank': Surging scams roil US job hunters

Oct 06 2025

After a series of interviews, Nicole Becker was ecstatic to receive a job offer from a sportswear brand. But like many …

Competition heats up to challenge Nvidia's AI chip dominance

Oct 06 2025

The artificial intelligence (AI) revolution has whetted the appetites of Nvidia's competitors, who are seeking to close …

France unveils new government amid political deadlock

Oct 05 2025

French President Emmanuel Macron named a new government on Sunday, putting together a team of largely familiar faces …

Italy working hard to prevent extra US tariffs on pasta

Oct 05 2025

Italy has appealed to Washington and the European Commission in an attempt to dissuade the US from imposing a punitive …

Opec+ plus to raise oil production by 137,000 barrels a day in November

Oct 05 2025

Saudi Arabia, Russia and six other members of Opec+ on Sunday decided to raise their production quotas by 137,000 …

OPEC+ meets with future oil production hanging in the balance

Oct 05 2025

Saudi Arabia, Russia and six other key members of the OPEC+ alliance are likely to agree to raise crude output when they …

Flights resume at Munich airport after second drone scare

Oct 04 2025

Flights resumed "progressively" on Saturday at Munich airport, but delays were expected after a drone scare caused a …

French air traffic controllers cancel three-day strike

Oct 04 2025

French air traffic controllers have called off a three-day strike that threatened to disrupt European flights next week, …

Stocks rise on AI optimism, US rate-cut hopes

Oct 03 2025

Stock markets struck fresh records Friday, driven by investor optimism over artificial intelligence and hopes of US …

AI in an 'industrial bubble' but will benefit society: Bezos

Oct 03 2025

Artificial intelligence technology is in an "industrial bubble," Amazon founder Jeff Bezos told a tech conference in …

Stocks gain on AI optimism, US rate-cut hopes

Oct 03 2025

Stock markets mostly rose Friday, driven by investor optimism over AI and US rate-cut hopes, which overshadowed concerns …

'First of its kind' power surge behind Iberia blackout: experts

Oct 03 2025

A power surge that caused a paralysing blackout across all of Spain and Portugal in April was an unprecedented event in …

US delays key jobs report due to government shutdown

Oct 03 2025

The United States suspended the publication of a key employment report Friday as a partial government shutdown entered …

UN-backed climate banking alliance ceases operations

Oct 03 2025

The Net-Zero Banking Alliance, a UN-backed initiative seeking carbon neutral investments by banks, announced Friday its …

Munich airport closure 'wake-up call' over drone danger: govt

Oct 03 2025

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said Friday that the temporary closure of Munich airport after drone …

Carrefour name disappears from Arab stores as Israel boycotters claim victory

Oct 03 2025

The Carrefour name has disappeared from storefronts in some Arab countries, with pro-Palestinian shoppers and activists …

Munich airport resumes flights after drone sightings trigger closure

Oct 03 2025

Germany's Munich airport said normal service resumed Friday after several drone sightings forced its closure overnight, …

Tech fans Tokyo rally on broadly positive day for Asian markets

Oct 03 2025

A surge in tech firms helped Tokyo's Nikkei lead most Asian equities higher on Friday as investors headed into the …

Spain's Benidorm embraces its Franco-era mass tourism model

Oct 03 2025

Fifty years after General Francisco Franco's death, Benidorm still clings to the mass tourism model it pioneered under …

Cyberattack halts shipments from Japan's biggest brewer

Oct 03 2025

A damaging cyberattack on Japanese beer giant Asahi this week has halted shipments from its breweries and there is no …

Musk joins 'cancel Netflix' campaign

Oct 03 2025

Elon Musk has urged his 227 million social media followers to cancel their Netflix subscriptions, accusing the streaming …

US farmers hit by trade war to get 'substantial' aid: Treasury chief

Oct 02 2025

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent signaled Thursday that "substantial support" for farmers would be announced next …

US stocks end at records as government shutdown drags on

Oct 02 2025

Wall Street stocks finished at fresh records again Thursday as a US government shutdown dragged into a second day.

Boom or bubble: How long can the AI investment craze last?

Oct 02 2025

The staggering investments in artificial intelligence keep coming: Last week, AI chip giant Nvidia announced it would …

US Treasury chief says 'fully prepared' to support struggling Argentina

Oct 02 2025

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday that his agency was "fully prepared to do what is necessary" in …

Tech stocks fuel Asian and European gains, Wall Street wobbles

Oct 02 2025

A surge in tech stocks helped fuel gains in Asia and Europe, but Wall Street wobbled as a partial US government shutdown …

Tesla car sales lifted by end of US electric auto tax credit

Oct 02 2025

Tesla reported higher global third-quarter auto deliveries on Thursday, joining a broad slate of automakers seeing a …

Stock markets surge on tech rally, US rate hopes

Oct 02 2025

Equities jumped Thursday thanks to gains in tech stocks and as weak US jobs data fanned optimism for more interest rate …