Business and Economy



Airbus to inspect 16 A380s after cracks found on plane wings

AFP - 48m ago

Airbus on Tuesday said it would inspect 16 A380 planes, five of them immediately, after cracks were found in a key wing …

Hollywood powerhouses bring AI fight to Europe

AFP - 3h ago

Cate Blanchett brought Hollywood starpower to Brussels on Tuesday as she launched a free tool to give people the right …

American Michele Kang agrees deal to buy French club Lyon

AFP - 4h ago

American businesswoman Michele Kang has reached an agreement to buy French club Lyon, which she has run for the past …

French farmers suffer arid crops, heat-stricken animals

AFP - 4h ago

France's current heatwave is taking a toll on farmers, who are seeing livestock die and are racing against time to …

Tech drags down world stocks, oil dips on supply hopes

AFP - 4h ago

A slump in high-flying technology stocks dragged down global markets Tuesday, with Wall Street tumbling again on …

Tech names drag down world stocks, oil dips on supply hopes

AFP - 1h ago

A slump in high-flying technology stocks dragged down global markets Tuesday, with Wall Street tumbling again on …

Seoul leads rout for tech shares as oil prices dip

AFP - 3h ago

Seoul's stock market led a collapse for technology stocks Tuesday after a sell-off on Wall Street over renewed concern …

EU bets on digital euro to cut US tech addiction

AFP - 9h ago

The EU believes a digital euro is the answer to cutting its addiction to US payment systems like Visa and Mastercard as …

Germany eyes longer working lives in pension reform plan

AFP - 10h ago

Germany will raise its retirement age gradually beyond 67, abolish early retirement and expand compulsory pension …

UK and markets await Burnham's economic plans

AFP - 10h ago

Andy Burnham, expected to become Britain's next prime minister after Keir Starmer resigned, has set out to reassure …

Heineken names new CEO after predecessor's shock departure

AFP - 11h ago

Dutch brewer Heineken said Tuesday that it had picked Rafael Oliveira, formerly of the coffee giant JDE Peet's, to take …

Seoul's Kospi stock index tanks 10% to lead tech-fuelled Asia rout

AFP - 2h ago

Seoul collapsed 10 percent Tuesday in an Asian stock market rout that followed a tech-led sell-off on Wall Street with …

India startup head Kunal Shah appointed as new WhatsApp boss

AFP - 12h ago

Meta has tapped Indian fintech founder Kunal Shah to be the new head of WhatsApp, as the US tech giant seeks ways to …

Indian startup head appointed as new WhatsApp boss

AFP - 3h ago

Meta has tapped Indian fintech founder Kunal Shah as the new head of WhatsApp, as the US tech giant seeks ways to …

Stocks fluctuate after Wall St sell-off, crude holds losses on peace talks

AFP - 4h ago

Asian equities fluctuated Tuesday following a tech-led sell-off on Wall Street as investors again questioned a …

Ultra-reclusive Turkmenistan slowly opens up to tourists

AFP - 18h ago

From a gas crater dubbed the "Gateway to Hell" to the shimmering marble buildings of its capital, Turkmenistan is …

Oil falls as US waives Iranian sanctions and Nasdaq tumbles

Jun 22 2026

Crude prices fell Monday after the US said it is temporarily lifting sanctions on Iran to allow it to export oil, while …

Starmer resigns as UK PM, Burnham favourite to take over

Jun 22 2026

UK leader Keir Starmer announced Monday he was quitting following months of pressure, with veteran Labour politician …

IMF director says Iran war fallout creating 'difficult moment' for Africa

Jun 22 2026

The International Monetary Fund's Africa director on Monday warned that the economic fallout of the Iran war was …

Hormuz: Traffic flows despite Iran's closure announcement

Jun 22 2026

Maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday continued to flow at a faster pace than before the US-Iranian …

Oil falls as US waives Iranian crude sanctions

Jun 22 2026

Crude prices fell Monday after the US said it is temporarily lifting sanctions on Iran to allow it to export oil and …

France, Germany reach deal on arms maker KNDS, paving way for IPO

Jun 22 2026

France and Germany announced Monday a deal for the joint governance of arms maker KNDS, paving the way for a blockbuster …

Alan Greenspan: longtime Fed chief with a divided legacy

Jun 22 2026

Alan Greenspan, the longtime US Federal Reserve chief who presided over an unprecedented period of American economic …

Oil falls on US-Iran progress; pound holds up as Starmer resigns

Jun 22 2026

Oil prices fell Monday on optimism over talks by the US and Iran after mediators flagged a "roadmap" to a final …

Any unfreezing of Iranian funds will not finance terrorism: Vance

Jun 22 2026

If Iranian funds are ever unfrozen under a deal to end the Middle East war, Washington can make sure that the money does …

EasyJet rejects £5 bn takeover offer from US equity firm

Jun 22 2026

British no-frills airline EasyJet has rejected three informal takeover proposals from a US private equity firm, the …

Crude prices drop after 'positive' US-Iran talks

Jun 22 2026

Oil prices fell Monday on optimism over US-Iran talks, with mediators flagging a "roadmap" to a final agreement, while …

'Progress', say mediators, after Iran-US talks towards ending war

Jun 22 2026

Iran and the United States agreed Monday to set up communications lines to keep the vital Strait of Hormuz open and end …

Crude prices drop, most stocks rise on 'positive' US-Iran talks

Jun 22 2026

Oil prices fell Monday on optimism over US-Iran peace talks, with mediators flagging a "roadmap" to a final agreement, …

Britain's King Charles to reveal personal tax bill: Palace

Jun 21 2026

King Charles III will reveal his personal tax bill in a bid to improve transparency, Buckingham Palace confirmed to AFP …

Ukrainian strikes on Russian-annexed Crimea kill 4, pause fuel sales

Jun 21 2026

Four people were killed and fuel sales were suspended in Russian-occupied Crimea, the Moscow-backed authorities there …

Pakistan's mango exports shrink as Middle East war impacts linger

Jun 21 2026

Beneath the scorching sun in Pakistan's southern mango belt, labourers balance on tree branches, working at a swift pace …

Diplomats hold US-Iran preparatory discussions at Swiss retreat

Jun 20 2026

Diplomats from several countries were meeting Saturday at a Swiss retreat in a bid to maintain dialogue on the …

'Like China': Cubans welcome reforms but exiles remain skeptical

Jun 19 2026

The revolution was televised -- but many Cubans missed it because they had no electricity.

Hormuz ship traffic climbs after war deal: trackers

Jun 19 2026

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz rose to its busiest in two months after a deal to halt the US-Iran war, …

Oil edges back up, shares steady after US-Iran talks postponed

Jun 19 2026

Oil prices edged back up and stock markets stabilised Friday after postponement of US-Iran peace deal talks.

Russia signals slower rate cuts amid high Ukraine war spending

Jun 19 2026

Russia's central bank on Friday cut its benchmark interest rate to 14.25 percent from 14.5 percent, less than analysts …

Oil prices, shares steady after US-Iran talks postponed

Jun 19 2026

Oil prices and stock markets stabilised Friday after postponement of Mideast peace deal talks and following big …

European robotics start-ups go up against Chinese heavyweights

Jun 19 2026

Humanoid robots able to perform tasks from grape harvesting to welcoming visitors were front and centre at France's …

Stocks rally falters, oil rises as US-Iran talks postponed

Jun 19 2026

Stock markets were mixed on Friday and oil prices rose after Switzerland said planned talks following up on the US-Iran …

Seoul record leads most Asian markets higher, crude extends losses

Jun 19 2026

Tech firms powered Seoul's Kospi index to another record on Friday, while oil prices extended losses after traffic began …

US Vice President Vance postpones trip to Switzerland for Iran talks

Jun 19 2026

US Vice President JD Vance postponed a trip to Switzerland for talks that were originally slated for Friday to discuss …

From private enterprise to property: Cuba's reforms unpacked

Jun 19 2026

Cuban lawmakers on Thursday adopted nearly 200 free-market reforms in a desperate bid to end a severe crisis and secure …

Brazilian police probe senator close to Lula

Jun 18 2026

Brazilian police investigating a banking scandal carried out raids Thursday against targets including a senator allied …

US stocks resume upward climb as dollar advances again after Fed outlook

Jun 18 2026

Wall Street stocks bounced Thursday, pivoting back to buying mode after the pullback in the prior session prompted by a …

Iran's supreme leader says approved deal as US lifts ports blockade

Jun 18 2026

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said Thursday that he had approved despite reservations a deal signed …

Europe risks 'total irrelevance' without sovereign tech: Cohere chief

Jun 18 2026

Europe risks "total technological irrelevance" if it fails to develop sovereign capabilities, the head of Canadian AI …

EU wrestles over tackling China export flood

Jun 18 2026

EU leaders debated on Thursday whether the bloc needs new beefed-up trade defences to curb a surge of Chinese exports …

US lifts Iran ports blockade as uncertainty clouds Swiss Iran talks

Jun 18 2026

The US on Thursday lifted a blockade of Iranian ports imposed during the Middle East war after President Donald Trump …

Oil sinks on Mideast deal, but Fed outlook knocks equities

Jun 18 2026

Oil prices dropped further Thursday after US President Donald Trump and his Iranian counterpart signed off on a deal to …

Oil tankers pass Hormuz Strait after war deal: tracker

Jun 18 2026

Three big Saudi oil tankers left the Gulf through the Hormuz Strait on Thursday, maritime trackers said, after leaders …

Five things to know about the blockbuster GTA games

Jun 18 2026

Pre-orders for "Grand Theft Auto VI," one of the most anticipated entertainment releases in years, will open on June 25, …

Oil falls further on Mideast deal, but Fed outlook knocks equities

Jun 18 2026

Oil prices dropped further on Thursday after US President Donald Trump and his Iranian counterpart signed off on a deal …

Swiss central bank holds interest rates, with eye on currency risks

Jun 18 2026

Switzerland's central bank left interest rates unchanged at zero percent on Thursday, a move widely expected by …

Trump defends Iran deal from critics he calls 'fools'

Jun 18 2026

US President Donald Trump lashed out at critics of his agreement with Iran on Thursday, calling those who accused him of …

Bank of England follows Fed in holding interest rate

Jun 18 2026

The Bank of England held its benchmark interest rate at 3.75 percent Thursday, opting against an increase despite …

German chemical company to cut 3,200 jobs as crisis worsens

Jun 18 2026

German chemical company Evonik said Thursday that it would cut 3,200 jobs, or around 10 percent of its workforce, by …

Innovations on show at Paris Vivatech fest

Jun 18 2026

Around 15,000 startups from around Europe and beyond are showing off their wares at the Vivatech trade show in Paris …

Oil prices sink further as Trump signs deal to reopen Hormuz

Jun 18 2026

Oil prices tumbled again Thursday after US President Donald Trump and his Iranian counterpart signed off on a deal to …

Ukraine hopes renewables can Russia-proof power grid

Jun 18 2026

Quick to build and able to power a small city, the Oriv wind farm in western Ukraine is exactly the kind of project Kyiv …

Drastic restrictions on public transport take effect in Cuba

Jun 18 2026

Drastic restrictions on cross-country travel took effect Thursday in cash-strapped Cuba, with spaces on ever scarcer …

Robots pour cocktails and run marathons, but still can't multitask

Jun 18 2026

They can mix cocktails, run marathons and fold laundry. But humanoid robots are still a long way from doing lots of …

EU wrestles over how to tackle China export flood

Jun 18 2026

EU leaders will grapple on Thursday over whether the bloc needs new beefed-up trade defences to curb the surge of …

Recovery of ship traffic in Hormuz limited, but signs emerge

Jun 18 2026

Maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz remains at levels before the Iran-US agreement, says the Kpler maritime …

W marks the X-spot: European social network takes on Musk

Jun 18 2026

As Europe pushes for more tech sovereignty, social network W believes it has the X-factor to win users away from other …

Qantas to launch non-stop Sydney-London flights in October 2027

Jun 18 2026

Australian airline Qantas announced it will launch the world's first non-stop flights between London and Sydney in …

Brazil cuts benchmark rate again despite inflation pressure

Jun 17 2026

Brazil's central bank cut its benchmark interest rate Wednesday for a third straight time, shrugging off inflationary …

US Fed chair Warsh vows reforms as central bank signals rate hikes on horizon

Jun 17 2026

US Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh on Wednesday vowed wide-ranging reforms at the central bank, as its rate-setting …

US stocks fall, dollar rallies as Fed raises inflation forecast

Jun 17 2026

Wall Street stocks finished decisively lower Wednesday while the dollar rallied after the Federal Reserve raised its …

US Federal Reserve holds rates steady, raises inflation expectations

Jun 17 2026

The US Federal Reserve on Wednesday held interest rates steady as expected at Kevin Warsh's first meeting in charge of …

Ex-OPEC president Diezani Alison-Madueke cleared of bribery in UK trial

Jun 17 2026

The first woman president of OPEC and Nigeria's former oil minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, was cleared of bribery …

Paris and Berlin bet on digital sovereignty at Vivatech, G7

Jun 17 2026

France and Germany on Wednesday affirmed their will to work together to secure digital independence, as Europe's largest …

Oil higher, stocks steady as US-Iran peace talks approach

Jun 17 2026

Investors were cautious Wednesday ahead of a Federal Reserve rate decision and the start of US-Iran peace talks, with …

What happens when the Strait of Hormuz re-opens?

Jun 17 2026

The vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lane is expected to re-open on Friday after nearly four months, following the …

Oil and stocks both steady as US-Iran peace talks approach

Jun 17 2026

Markets were giving little away on Wednesday, with small gains and losses across the main stocks and moderate increases …

US retail sales beat expectations in May as energy costs stay high

Jun 17 2026

US retail sales surged past expectations in May, government data showed Wednesday, boosted by higher spending at gas …

US Fed set to hold rates steady at Warsh's first meeting in charge

Jun 17 2026

The US Federal Reserve is expected to hold interest rates steady on Wednesday at Kevin Warsh's first meeting in charge …

Sovereignty fears dog AI enthusiasm at France's Vivatech

Jun 17 2026

Europe's biggest tech trade fair Vivatech opened its doors Wednesday in Paris, putting American billionaire Jeff Bezos …

Oil steadies, stocks rise as US-Iran peace talks approach

Jun 17 2026

Oil prices steadied as major stock markets mostly rose Wednesday, with attention on upcoming US-Iran peace talks and a …

Adidas runs out of letter 'V' as German fans snap up World Cup shirts

Jun 17 2026

Replica World Cup shirts of several German players were temporarily unavailable due to a shortage of the letter "V" …

German grid connection deal to boost North Sea wind power

Jun 17 2026

A German electricity grid operator said Wednesday that it had awarded a major contract to two energy companies to …

Japan puts the heat on suspected ice cream cartel

Jun 17 2026

Summer is coming, a boom time for ice cream makers, but Japanese authorities have raided six major firms on suspicion of …

Sovereignty fears to dog AI enthusiasm at France's Vivatech

Jun 17 2026

Europe's biggest tech trade fair Vivatech opens Wednesday in Paris for a 10th-anniversary edition where enthusiasm for …

Stuffed toys and surfboards: Japan used goods market booms overseas

Jun 17 2026

Under a scorching sun in a Bangkok suburb, a whistle blows and shouts fill the air as dozens of shoppers rush into a …

Iranian tankers exit US blockade zone ahead of peace talks

Jun 17 2026

The first tankers carrying Iranian oil exited a US blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, a tracking website said on …

Cuba's historic homes teeter on brink as economy collapses

Jun 17 2026

In Havana's old town, to walk on the pavement rather than the middle of the street is to take your life into your hands.

Iran and US to embark on two months of peace talks Friday

Jun 17 2026

The United States and Iran are to launch talks on a final settlement to their conflict on Friday in Switzerland, …

After three sessions, SpaceX already among world's most valuable companies

Jun 16 2026

SpaceX shares surged again Tuesday, lifting Elon Musk's rocket company into the world's top five in market value for …

Oil drops below $80 on US-Iran deal

Jun 16 2026

Oil prices dropped below $80 a barrel Tuesday on optimism over the promised reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, easing …

Surging SpaceX overtakes Amazon to become 5th biggest company

Jun 16 2026

SpaceX shares surged again Tuesday, lifting Elon Musk's rocket company above Amazon into fifth place in market value as …

Paris store to part ways with Shein after ownership change

Jun 16 2026

French department store BHV Marais will end its partnership with Shein after its operating company said Tuesday it was …

How can France-UK mission help reopen Strait of Hormuz?

Jun 16 2026

A military mission set up by France and Britain to help re-open the Strait of Hormuz is ready to deploy, following the …

EU admits it can't save discontinued video games

Jun 16 2026

It's game over for fans of discontinued video games after the EU admitted defeat on Tuesday and said it cannot stop …

BMW downgrades 2026 targets on Mideast war, China woes

Jun 16 2026

German carmaker BMW downgraded its 2026 targets Tuesday due to turmoil from the Middle East war and worsening business …

G7 finds 'unity' on upping Russia pressure to end Ukraine war

Jun 16 2026

G7 leaders agreed on Tuesday to intensify pressure on Russia to end more than four years of war against Ukraine, with US …

Iran says talks on final US deal to begin this week

Jun 16 2026

Iran on Tuesday said talks with the United States on its nuclear programme and sanctions relief would likely begin later …

US Federal Reserve kicks off first meeting with Warsh as chair

Jun 16 2026

US Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh kicked off his first meeting in charge of the central bank's rate-setting …

French spies drop AI giant Palantir over US overreliance fears

Jun 16 2026

France's government took a new step Tuesday in search of "strategic autonomy" for its intelligence services, announcing …

EU clears major hurdle on US tariff deal

Jun 16 2026

The European Parliament gave final approval Tuesday to a tariff deal with the United States as the EU seeks to close a …

EU to ban plant-based 'steaks' but veggie 'burgers' sizzle on

Jun 16 2026

The EU parliament Tuesday passed a ban on marketing plant-based foods as "steak" or "bacon" -- though veggie "burgers" …

G7 powers push Russia to end Ukraine war

Jun 16 2026

G7 leaders agreed on Tuesday to intensify pressure on Russia to end more than four years of war against Ukraine, with US …

Energy firms brace for 'new era' despite Hormuz deal

Jun 16 2026

Oil and gas majors have high hopes for a quick reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, but they have few illusions about a …