Business and Economy



'Devil Wears Prada 2' takes top spot in N. America box office

AFP - 6h ago

"The Devil Wears Prada 2" debuted atop the North American box office this weekend, industry estimates showed Sunday, 20 …

OPEC+ hikes oil production quotas but stays mum on UAE pull-out

AFP - 11h ago

Saudi Arabia, Russia and five other OPEC+ countries increased their oil production quota on Sunday in an expected move …

German fertiliser makers and farmers struggle with Iran war fallout

AFP - 21h ago

As Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz roils the global economy, one German town has been scrambling to help make up …

OPEC+ to make first post-UAE production decision

AFP - 21h ago

Seven OPEC+ members are meeting Sunday to make their first decision on oil-production quotas since the United Arab …

US airlines step up as Spirit winds down

AFP - 21h ago

US air carriers on Saturday mobilized to help passengers and crew members stranded by the overnight shutdown of Spirit …

Aviation companies step up as Spirit winds down

May 02 2026

US air carriers mobilized Saturday to help passengers and crew members stranded by the overnight shutdown of Spirit …

Spirit Airlines begins 'wind-down', cancels all flights

May 02 2026

Low-cost US carrier Spirit Airlines said on Saturday that all of its flights have been cancelled as it started an …

Trump says will raise US tariffs on EU cars to 25%

May 01 2026

President Donald Trump said Friday that he will hike US tariffs on cars and trucks from the European Union next week, …

S&P 500, Nasdaq end at fresh records on tech earnings strength

May 01 2026

The Nasdaq and S&P 500 soared to fresh records Friday, cheering mostly strong earnings from tech giants and continuing …

ExxonMobil CEO sees chance of higher oil prices as earnings dip

May 01 2026

US oil giants reported lower earnings Friday with accounting effects muting the benefits of the Middle East oil shock, …

Baguettes take centre stage on France's Labour Day

May 01 2026

French bakeries sold crusty baguettes and flaky croissants with government backing Friday, defying labour unions arguing …

Trump says will raise US tariffs on EU cars, trucks to 25%

May 01 2026

President Donald Trump said Friday that he will hike US tariffs on cars and trucks from the European Union next week, …

Blockbuster EU-Mercosur trade deal enters into force

May 01 2026

The European Union's mammoth trade deal with South American bloc Mercosur provisionally enters into force Friday, …

US Fed official says rate hikes may be needed if inflation surges

May 01 2026

A key US Federal Reserve official warned Friday that a series of interest rate hikes could be needed if price shocks …

Gulf countries' plans to bypass Hormuz still far off, experts warn

May 01 2026

The war in the Middle East has forced the Gulf monarchies to rethink their oil and trade routes, but rerouting them will …

Oil steady after wild swing, stocks diverge in thin trading

May 01 2026

Oil prices steadied and stocks diverged Friday in thin holiday trading, as investors awaited the next move in the Middle …

Crude edges up after wild swing, stocks track Wall St rally

May 01 2026

Oil prices edged up Friday after the previous day's wild swings, with investors awaiting the next move in the Middle …

Iran activates air defences as Trump faces congressional deadline

May 01 2026

Tehran's air defences were activated to counter small aircraft and drones late Thursday, as the White House signalled …

Iran war redraws sea routes with Africa as the pivot

May 01 2026

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz as well as tensions in the Red Sea are reshaping trade routes, with Africa becoming …

War in the Middle East: latest developments

Apr 30 2026

The latest developments in the Middle East war:

Apple earnings beat forecasts on iPhone 17 demand

Apr 30 2026

Apple said Thursday it had its best-ever start to the year when it came to earnings, with iPhone demand and digital …

Iran's supreme leader defies US blockade as oil prices soar

Apr 30 2026

Iran's supreme leader declared Thursday that the United States had suffered a shameful defeat, defiantly rejecting a …

Oil slumps after hitting peak, US indices reach new records

Apr 30 2026

Oil prices struck a four-year high Thursday on worries about a resumption of hostilities in the Middle East, before …

Trump says lifting Scottish whisky tariffs to 'honor' King Charles

Apr 30 2026

US President Donald Trump said Thursday he was removing tariffs on Scottish whisky in honor of Britain's King Charles …

Venezuela leader hikes minimum wage package by 26%

Apr 30 2026

Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez on Thursday hiked the minimum wage package by 26.3 percent, to $240, in an …

Bangladesh signs biggest-ever plane deal for 14 Boeings

Apr 30 2026

Bangladesh on Thursday signed a deal with US aircraft manufacturer Boeing to buy 14 planes for its national carrier …

Musk grilled on AI profits at OpenAI trial

Apr 30 2026

Elon Musk sparred with lawyers for a third day Thursday at his California trial against OpenAI, struggling to explain …

Venezuela opens arms to world with Miami-Caracas flight

Apr 30 2026

A relaunched Miami-Caracas flight after seven years of a standstill is paving the way for Venezuela to reclaim its …

Routine returns but Iranians struggle to afford daily life

Apr 30 2026

Gyms and cafes have reopened in Tehran as life returns to a familiar rhythm under a ceasefire following weeks of …

Oil slumps after hitting peak, stocks rise

Apr 30 2026

Oil prices struck a four-year high on Thursday on worries about a resumption of hostilities in the Middle East, before …

ECB warns of risks from Mideast war as it holds rates

Apr 30 2026

The European Central Bank held interest rates steady on Thursday but signalled a possible increase ahead as it warned of …

Oil strikes 4-year peak, stocks rise

Apr 30 2026

Oil prices struck a four-year high on Thursday on worries over a resumption of hostilities in the Middle East, while US …

US first-quarter growth rebounds less than expected as inflation surges

Apr 30 2026

US economic growth rebounded less than expected in the first quarter as consumer spending cooled, while inflation surged …

Carmaker Stellantis swings back into profit as sales climb

Apr 30 2026

Global automaker Stellantis -- owner of the Jeep and Fiat brands -- said Thursday it had swung back into profit in the …

Air France-KLM trims 2026 outlook over Middle East war impact

Apr 30 2026

Air France-KLM cut its 2026 outlook, saying higher fuel prices caused by the Middle East war would expand its fuel bill …

European rocket puts Amazon internet satellites in orbit

Apr 30 2026

Europe's most powerful rocket Ariane 6 successfully released 32 satellites into orbit Thursday for Amazon's internet …

ECB set to hold rates despite Iran war energy shock

Apr 30 2026

The European Central Bank is expected to hold interest rates steady again on Thursday as policymakers weigh concerns …

Oil strikes 4-year peak, stocks diverge as central banks in focus

Apr 30 2026

Oil prices struck a four-year high on Thursday on worries over a resumption of hostilities in the Middle East, while …

Volkswagen warns of more cost cuts as profits plunge

Apr 30 2026

Volkswagen's future is at risk without further cost cuts, the ailing German auto giant warned Thursday after profits …

Oil crisis fuels calls to speed up clean energy transition

Apr 30 2026

The oil crisis triggered by the Middle East war has underscored the need for the world to accelerate the clean energy …

European rocket blasts off with Amazon internet satellites

Apr 30 2026

Europe's most powerful rocket Ariane 6 launched on Thursday carrying a second batch of 32 satellites into space for …

Nigerian airlines avert shutdown as Mideast war hikes fuel prices

Apr 30 2026

Nigerian airlines continued flying on Thursday despite threatening a shutdown over sky-high jet fuel prices roiling the …

Eurozone economy barely grows in first months of 2026

Apr 30 2026

Eurozone economic growth dropped to near zero in the first three months of 2026 as surging energy costs triggered by the …

ArcelorMittal boosts sales but profits squeezed

Apr 30 2026

Steel giant ArcelorMittal said Thursday that while first-quarter sales had risen, adverse exchange rates hit net …

Nigerian airlines avert shutdown as Iran war hikes fuel prices

Apr 30 2026

Nigerian airlines continued flying Thursday despite threatening a shutdown over sky-high jet fuel prices roiling the …

German growth beats forecast but energy shock looms

Apr 30 2026

Germany's struggling economy expanded slightly faster than expected at the start of the year, data showed Thursday, but …

Iran defies Trump's blockade as oil prices soar

Apr 30 2026

Iran warned the United States on Thursday that its naval blockade was doomed to fail, after President Donald Trump …

Oil surges to four-year high on Trump blockade warning

Apr 30 2026

Oil prices soared more than seven percent to a four-year high above $126 Thursday after Donald Trump warned the US …

Oil surges 7% to top $126 on Trump blockade warning

Apr 30 2026

Oil prices soared more than seven percent to a four-year high above $126 Thursday after Donald Trump warned the US …

Rolls-Royce confident on profits despite Mideast war disruption

Apr 30 2026

British engine-maker Rolls-Royce maintained its full-year profit guidance on Thursday, as it expects to "fully mitigate" …

French economy records zero growth in first quarter

Apr 30 2026

France's economy recorded zero growth in the first quarter of this year due to "sluggish" domestic demand and a …

Trump warns Iran blockade could last months, sending oil prices soaring

Apr 30 2026

President Donald Trump said a US naval blockade against Iran could last months, leading oil prices to spike to their …

No 'meaningful' shift from social media sites after Australia teen ban: govt report

Apr 30 2026

There was "no meaningful shift" away from big tech platforms like TikTok and Instagram in the immediate wake of …

Oil surges 7%, stocks slip on Trump blockade warning

Apr 30 2026

Oil prices soared more than seven percent to a fresh four-year high Thursday while stocks fell after Donald Trump warned …

Oil surges to four-year high, stocks slip after Trump blockade warning

Apr 30 2026

Oil prices soared more than five percent to a fresh four-year high Thursday while stocks fell after Donald Trump warned …

Oil at four-year high, stocks slip after Trump blockade warning

Apr 30 2026

Oil prices held around four-year highs Thursday while stocks fell after Donald Trump warned the US blockade of Iranian …

Samsung Electronics posts record quarterly profit on AI boom

Apr 30 2026

Samsung Electronics said Thursday that operating profit soared 750 percent on-year to a record high in the first quarter …

Nations urged to 'go further' as fossil fuel exit talks wrap in Colombia

Apr 30 2026

Nearly 60 nations hailed progress in the fight to exit fossil fuels as a breakaway conference wrapped up in Colombia on …

Bali drowning in trash after landfill closed

Apr 30 2026

Buckets of blooms adorn Yuvita Anggi Prinanda's sidewalk flower stall in Bali, but their perfume can't mask the stench …

Google-parent Alphabet soars as Meta stumbles over AI costs

Apr 29 2026

Google-parent Alphabet impressed Wall Street with its latest quarterly earnings on Wednesday, as big tech rival Meta …

Tariff refund boosts Ford results as it eyes higher metal costs

Apr 29 2026

Ford raised its full-year profit forecast Wednesday after reporting stronger than estimated first quarter results based …

Powell's decision to stay on at Fed ignites new Trump insult

Apr 29 2026

The extraordinary clash at the Federal Reserve between Jerome Powell and Donald Trump entered new territory Wednesday …

Brazil lowers benchmark rate to 14.5% in second consecutive cut

Apr 29 2026

Brazil's Central Bank on Wednesday announced a second consecutive cut to its benchmark interest rate, one of the world's …

Powell to stay as Fed governor after chairman term, citing legal attacks

Apr 29 2026

US Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell said Wednesday that he would stay at the central bank as a governor after his …

Google-parent Alphabet soars as rivals stumble over AI costs

Apr 29 2026

Google-parent Alphabet impressed Wall Street with its latest quarterly earnings on Wednesday, as big tech rivals …

African oil producers defend need to drill at fossil fuel exit talks

Apr 29 2026

Oil-rich African nations at global fossil fuel phaseout talks in Colombia said Wednesday they would keep drilling to …

Oil spikes while divided Federal Reserve keeps interest rates unchanged

Apr 29 2026

Oil prices shot higher Wednesday on concerns of an extended blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, while Wall Street stocks …

Powell to bow out as Fed chief but stay as a governor on legal pressure

Apr 29 2026

US Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell said Wednesday that he plans to stay at the central bank as a governor after his …

'Gritty' Philadelphia pitches itself as low-cost US World Cup choice

Apr 29 2026

Philadelphia is presenting itself as the US World Cup host city offering fans the best value for money, with affordable …

'I literally was a fool': Musk grilled in OpenAI trial

Apr 29 2026

Elon Musk faced fiery questioning Wednesday in his court showdown with OpenAI, as he insisted that the maker of ChatGPT …

OpenAI facing 'waves' of US lawsuits over Canada mass shooting

Apr 29 2026

Seven lawsuits were filed in US court on Wednesday against OpenAI on behalf of families impacted by the February mass …

Hungary's Magyar pushes to unblock EU billions in Brussels

Apr 29 2026

Incoming Hungarian leader Peter Magyar vowed Wednesday that frozen EU funds would start flowing to Budapest soon, after …

Trump warns Iran better 'get smart soon' and accept nuclear deal

Apr 29 2026

President Donald Trump warned Tehran on Wednesday that it should "get smart soon" and capitulate to Washington's demands …

US Fed divided at Powell's likely last meeting at helm

Apr 29 2026

A divided US Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged for a third straight meeting Wednesday on high uncertainty …

Ticket price hikes not affecting summer air travel demand: IATA

Apr 29 2026

Demand for summer air travel is holding up well despite airlines hiking ticket prices, although possible shortages of …

Hungary's Magyar pushes to unblock EU billion in Brussels

Apr 29 2026

Incoming Hungarian leader Peter Magyar vowed Wednesday that frozen EU funds would start flowing to Budapest soon, after …

Uber adds hotel booking in push to become 'everything app'

Apr 29 2026

Uber on Wednesday unveiled a new feature allowing users to book a hotel room directly from its app, the latest step in …

Oil spikes while stocks slip ahead of US Fed rate decision

Apr 29 2026

Oil prices shot higher Wednesday on concerns of an extended blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, while Wall Street stocks …

Canada holds key rate steady, says will act if war inflation persists

Apr 29 2026

Canada's central bank held its key lending rate at 2.25 percent on Wednesday, but warned it may need to act if inflation …

TotalEnergies first-quarter profits surge amid Middle East war

Apr 29 2026

French oil and gas giant TotalEnergies said Wednesday net profit had risen 51 percent in the first quarter to $5.8 …

Hungary's Magyar visits Brussels seeking to unblock EU billions

Apr 29 2026

Incoming Hungarian leader Peter Magyar met EU chiefs Wednesday on his first visit to Brussels since his election win, …

US Fed chief's plans in focus as central bank set to hold rates steady

Apr 29 2026

The US Federal Reserve is widely expected Wednesday to keep interest rates unchanged for a third straight meeting, …

Oil spikes while stocks slide ahead of US Fed rate decision

Apr 29 2026

Oil prices shot higher Wednesday on concerns of an extended blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, while stocks slid as …

German inflation jumps in April as energy costs surge

Apr 29 2026

German inflation jumped to its highest level in over two years in April as the Middle East war triggered a surge in …

UBS first-quarter profits jump 80% on investment banking

Apr 29 2026

Swiss banking giant UBS on Wednesday reported that net profit rose a better-than-expected 80 percent to $3 billion in …

European stocks fall with eyes on earnings, US Fed

Apr 29 2026

European stocks slipped as oil prices surged Wednesday, with investors digesting a wave of corporate earnings and …

Mercedes warns longer Mideast war could cause shortages

Apr 29 2026

German premium automaker Mercedes-Benz warned Wednesday that a drawn-out conflict in the Middle East could cause …

Finnish lift maker Kone acquires German rival TKE, creating giant

Apr 29 2026

Finnish lift maker Kone on Wednesday announced the acquisition of its German rival TKE in a huge share-and-cash deal …

Oil rises further with Iran war peace talks stalled

Apr 29 2026

Oil prices rose Wednesday as talks to end the Iran war appeared to be at a standstill and the crucial Strait of Hormuz …

EU finds Meta failing to keep under-13s off Facebook, Instagram

Apr 29 2026

The EU said on Wednesday Meta is failing to prevent children under 13 using Facebook and Instagram, potentially exposing …

Adidas reports higher profits but warns of 'volatile' climate

Apr 29 2026

German sportswear giant Adidas on Wednesday reported strong growth in quarterly profits as sales rose in key markets, …

Mercedes-Benz profit slides amid cutthroat Chinese market

Apr 29 2026

German premium automaker Mercedes-Benz said Wednesday its first-quarter profit fell by almost a fifth as cutthroat …

Cheaper, cleaner electric trucks overhaul China's logistics

Apr 29 2026

At a dusty lot an hour outside Beijing, a steady stream of vehicles come and go for a quick battery charge -- just one …

An experimental cafe run by AI opens in Stockholm

Apr 29 2026

The avocado toasts and baristas making foamy lattes make it look like any other cafe, except at this one, located in a …

Stocks swing, oil edges up with Iran war peace talks stalled

Apr 29 2026

Asian stocks fluctuated Wednesday while oil prices swung as talks to end the Iran war appeared to be at a standstill and …

Europe climate report signals rising extremes

Apr 29 2026

Europe endured a historic heatwave across Nordic countries, shrinking glaciers and record sea temperatures in 2025 as …

Jerome Powell: Fed chair who stood up to Trump set to finish tenure on top

Apr 29 2026

US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, a soft-spoken central banker who chooses his words carefully, is perhaps an …

All eyes on Powell with US Fed expected to hold rates steady

Apr 29 2026

The US Federal Reserve is widely expected to hold interest rates steady on Wednesday after a key policy meeting, likely …

Pentagon makes deal to expand use of Google AI: reports

Apr 29 2026

The Pentagon has arranged a deal to increase its use of Google's artificial intelligence in classified operations, US …

France unveils plan to ditch all fossil fuels by 2050

Apr 29 2026

France on Tuesday announced a "first of its kind" plan to phase out coal by 2030, oil by 2045 and gas by 2050 during a …

Crude back above $110 on Strait stalemate as US stocks retreat

Apr 28 2026

Oil prices jumped on Tuesday to their highest level since the US-Iran ceasefire, pressuring US stocks as lack of …

US Supreme Court hears Cisco bid to halt Falun Gong suit

Apr 28 2026

The US Supreme Court heard a bid by Cisco on Tuesday to toss out a lawsuit that alleges the US tech giant should be held …