Business and Economy



US pushes against overproduction with eye on China at G20 meeting

AFP - 51m ago

The United States is pushing for action against excess industrial capacity that drives prices down unfairly, …

US judge accepts Paramount's Warner Bros. buyout settlement

AFP - 1h ago

A federal judge on Wednesday approved a settlement between Paramount and a group of US states that clears the way for …

Google restricts access to new AI model over safety concerns

AFP - 1h ago

Google on Wednesday said it would withhold its most powerful artificial intelligence model from the public for now, …

Global stocks mixed as markets weigh higher oil prices, bond yields

AFP - 38m ago

Wall Street stocks finished mixed Wednesday after US data gave a reassuring picture on the economy while lofty bond …

Watchdog clears former US Fed chief Powell in renovation probe

AFP - 1h ago

Donald Trump on Wednesday demanded former central bank chief Jerome Powell quit the body's board, despite a watchdog …

Watchdog finds no criminal misconduct over US Fed renovations despite Trump probe

AFP - 1h ago

A government watchdog said Wednesday it found no grounds to pursue criminal charges over cost overruns in renovations of …

Europe's surging inflation spreads gloom in stock markets

AFP - 4h ago

Surging inflation in Europe dragged down the continent's stock markets on Wednesday while the US reported that prices of …

Oil companies close in on Venezuela despite hurdles

AFP - 6h ago

Foreign oil companies scrambled for a slice of Venezuela's crude at an oil summit in Caracas this week despite years of …

G20 trade ministers open talks under strain of Trump tariffs

AFP - 2h ago

G20 trade ministers began talks Wednesday in the United States with President Donald Trump's global tariffs casting a …

US reports firm Q2 economic growth, inflation steady

AFP - 8h ago

The United States on Wednesday estimated stronger second-quarter GDP growth than previously reported, with inflation …

Energy costs spark inflation surge across Europe

AFP - 8h ago

Inflation accelerated more than expected in Germany, France and Italy in September as energy costs soared because of the …

Stocks lacklustre as inflation data weighs on sentiment

AFP - 2h ago

Stock markets diverged on Wednesday as investors digested inflation data from Europe and awaited US figures for clues on …

Dangote's $16bn Kenya refinery 'new chapter' for Africa

AFP - 11h ago

Africa's richest man was set to break ground on a new $16-billion mega-refinery in Kenya on Wednesday, saying it marked …

Energy costs spark inflation surges in France, Italy

AFP - 12h ago

Inflation rates jumped in France and Italy in September as energy and fuel costs soared because of the Mideast war, …

Dangote to launch $16bn refinery in Kenya

AFP - 1h ago

Africa's richest man was set to break ground on a new $16-billion mega-refinery in Kenya on Wednesday that he says will …

Turkey freezes ex-minister's assets as fund crisis grows

AFP - 13h ago

Turkish prosecutors have moved to freeze the assets of a top governing party official and former minister who resigned …

Ivory Coast clamps down on harmful illegal gold rush

AFP - 13h ago

A gaping hole in the ground dug by a hundred prospectors is all that is left of an illegal gold mine in Ivory Coast, one …

Most equities rise after oil price plunge, US data in focus

AFP - 3h ago

Stocks mostly rose on Wednesday following a plunge in oil prices the previous day, while investors prepared for the …

French inflation jumps to 3% in September on energy costs

AFP - 1h ago

French inflation hit three percent in September from a year earlier, largely due to a surge in energy and fuel costs, …

Stocks temper gains as oil pares heavy losses, US data in focus

AFP - 4h ago

Stocks mostly rose Wednesday following a plunge in oil prices the previous day, though the gains were tempered by a …

Trump touts AI boss pledge to self-regulate

AFP - 4h ago

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the tech executives gathered at the White House to discuss regulating AI had …

ChatGPT maker wants to be the App Store for AI as safety concerns grow

AFP - 19h ago

OpenAI on Tuesday launched a less expensive artificial intelligence (AI) model and tools that run continuously, as it …

Trump hails 'morally binding' AI self-regulation pledge

Sep 29 2026

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the tech executives gathered at the White House to discuss regulating AI had …

Oil down, but stocks lower as bond yields rise

Sep 29 2026

US and European stocks traded mainly lower Tuesday despite oil prices retreating from a recent surge, as bond yields …

Trump touts self-regulation at AI bosses lunch

Sep 29 2026

President Donald Trump stressed self-regulation over government rules at a major gathering of artificial intelligence …

OpenAI unveils low-cost AI model, a day after shelving Astra upgrade

Sep 29 2026

OpenAI launched a new mid-range artificial intelligence model Tuesday at one-fifth the cost of its flagship offering, …

AI bosses head to White House as safety pressure builds

Sep 29 2026

President Donald Trump hosted a major gathering of artificial intelligence executives and government officials at the …

Swiss regulator concludes Julius Baer bank probe

Sep 29 2026

Switzerland's financial watchdog said Tuesday the bank Julius Baer committed "serious" regulatory violations, but the …

Stocks move lower despite oil prices dropping

Sep 29 2026

European and US stocks mostly traded lower on Tuesday despite oil prices retreating from recent highs as investors …

AI driving up innovation investment: UN

Sep 29 2026

Artificial intelligence is fuelling a rebound in investment in innovation, with corporate research and development …

Spain to cap gas price hikes, extend fuel discounts

Sep 29 2026

The Spanish government on Tuesday announced plans to limit natural gas price increases to 15 percent and extend fuel …

Stocks move sideways despite oil moving lower

Sep 29 2026

European and US stocks traded without direction on Tuesday despite oil prices retreating from recent highs as investors …

'We just need rain': Germany's Rhine river hits new low

Sep 29 2026

Parts of Germany's Rhine are now unnavigable for most shipping, an industry group warned Tuesday, after the river …

UK decides against charging foreign visitors for museums

Sep 29 2026

The UK government said on Tuesday that national museums would remain free for foreign visitors, after previously …

European stocks climb as oil dips

Sep 29 2026

European stock markets rose Tuesday as oil prices retreated from recent highs as investors weighed the prospects for any …

OpenAI cancels release of newest model due to safety concerns

Sep 29 2026

OpenAI will not release its newest artificial intelligence model, known as Astra 6.1, after internal testing by the …

Slovenia sees surge in '.si' sites after Trump hypes 'super intelligence'

Sep 29 2026

US President Donald Trump's push to rebrand artificial intelligence (AI) as "super intelligence" (SI) has sparked a …

Stocks drop and oil rises as Hormuz hopes fade

Sep 29 2026

Asian stocks mostly fell and oil prices extended gains on Tuesday as hopes for a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz fade …

Australian central bank lifts key interest rate to 15-year high

Sep 29 2026

Australia's central bank raised the key interest rate to a 15-year high on Tuesday to curb inflation, which the …

Celine Dion wows Paris Fashion Week with surprise gig

Sep 29 2026

Celine Dion kicked off Paris Fashion Week in style on Monday, stepping onto the catwalk beneath the Eiffel Tower and …

Deal for evicted Spanish pensioner as PM seeks new housing law

Sep 28 2026

A Madrid pensioner whose eviction sparked nationwide protests that have piled pressure on the government to resolve …

Certification of Boeing 737 MAX delayed by software bug

Sep 28 2026

US air safety regulators are delaying certification of the 737 MAX 10 until determining a fresh software glitch poses no …

Trump announces 'biggest' US steel plant in battleground Iowa

Sep 28 2026

US President Donald Trump on Monday unveiled plans to build what he called America's biggest ever steel plant in Iowa, a …

US stocks fall, bond yields rise as Middle East war drags on

Sep 28 2026

Wall Street stocks retreated Monday as US Treasury yields continued to climb after US President Donald Trump rejected …

Ukraine to postpone some spending amid delays in aid: PM

Sep 28 2026

Ukraine will postpone some spending commitments, including reconstruction work, because of delays in receiving aid from …

Spain housing protests keep heat on government as PM seeks new law

Sep 28 2026

Protesters angered by Spain's chronic housing crisis and the eviction of a pensioner camped in central Madrid for a …

MaXhosa puts South Africa on the Paris fashion map

Sep 28 2026

South African brand MaXhosa Africa lit up the first day of Paris Women's Fashion Week on Monday with a debut collection …

Shein sees 1% revenue growth in first half of 2026

Sep 28 2026

Fast-fashion giant Shein reported on Monday one-percent on-year growth in net revenue to $20.1 billion in the first half …

Moscow seizes Russian assets of German food retailer Metro

Sep 28 2026

Russian authorities on Monday seized the assets of German wholesaler and food retailer Metro -- the latest in a series …

Oil takes off again, Wall Street dips after Trump rejects Iran truce offer

Sep 28 2026

Oil futures surged more than three percent Monday, while Wall Street dipped and European equities stalled after US …

Trump admin finalizes reversal of US fuel economy standards

Sep 28 2026

President Donald Trump's administration on Monday finalized its rollback of US fuel economy standards that were meant to …

Oil up, Wall Street dips after Trump rejects Iran truce offer

Sep 28 2026

Oil futures surged more than four percent before retreating from their latest peak on Monday, alongside gains for …

Wartime Ukraine works to keep its railways on track

Sep 28 2026

Oleksandr Pokotylo is the chief engineer at the Poltava Locomotive Repair Plant and it's his job to help keep Ukraine's …

French prosecutors seek two-year sentence for ex-minister Dati in graft case

Sep 28 2026

France prosecutors on Monday sought two years with an electronic tag and a five-year ban on public office for ex-culture …

Madrid housing protesters vow to maintain pressure on government

Sep 28 2026

Demonstrators camping in a central Madrid square vowed Monday to keep up the pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez …

Energy markets rally after Trump rejects Iran truce offer

Sep 28 2026

Oil futures surged more than four percent on Monday, alongside gains for natural gas and diesel prices, after US …

Japanese convenience store enlists Lady Gaga to bolster recruitment

Sep 28 2026

Japanese convenience store chain FamilyMart has enlisted Lady Gaga for a recruitment campaign, convincing the pop icon …

Radio frequencies vital to Earth observation must be protected: UN

Sep 28 2026

Radio frequencies needed for weather forecasts, early warning systems, climate monitoring and water management must be …

Oil prices spike after Trump rejects Iran truce offer

Sep 28 2026

Oil prices spiked with bond yields Monday as Donald Trump's rejection of an Iranian offer of a seven-day truce stoked …

Women's Fashion Week kicks off in Paris

Sep 28 2026

Paris Women's Fashion Week opens Monday with a debut show from South African brand MaXhosa Africa and a fresh collection …

White House releases list of products US, China could tax less

Sep 28 2026

The White House released Sunday lists of products that could benefit from lower tariffs under an arrangement with China …

Anthropic CEO Amodei to dine with Trump at White House

Sep 28 2026

President Donald Trump said he will have a late dinner Sunday night with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, the top AI …

Re-released 'Avengers: Endgame' snaps-up N. America box office lead

Sep 27 2026

"Avengers: Endgame" dusted competitors in the North American weekend box office, as the 2019 super hero film was …

Trump expects new Iran talks despite rejecting deal offer

Sep 27 2026

US President Donald Trump said Sunday that he expects talks with Iran to resume in the coming week, despite his …

Armani sprinkles glitter on discreet elegance at Milan show

Sep 27 2026

One year after the death of Giorgio Armani, his brand's designs are pairing traditional elegance with crystals and …

Iran stands firm on Hormuz plan after US rejection

Sep 27 2026

Iran stood firm Sunday on its conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, despite US President Donald Trump's …

Turkey ex-minister resigns as investment fund crisis grows

Sep 27 2026

A former minister and senior member of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling AKP party said late Saturday she …

AI startup urges optimism from Europe despite safety fears

Sep 27 2026

Europe needs to view artificial intelligence with more optimism -- despite growing warnings about its dangers -- or risk …

Italy winemakers hail bumper harvest but cut output

Sep 27 2026

Wine growers in Italy's Piedmont region are celebrating a bountiful harvest despite the extreme heat but warn they have …

Kyiv shoppers feel the pinch from Russian strikes

Sep 27 2026

With one eye on the shelves and the other on his phone, Maksym Tarasenko has gotten used to keeping an eye out for …

Nepal's hydropower ambitions face climate reality check

Sep 27 2026

Nepal's hydropower boom has long been touted as a cornerstone of economic growth and renewable energy, but the …

Louise Trotter expands her palette at Bottega Veneta

Sep 26 2026

A year after her acclaimed debut show at Bottega Veneta, Louise Trotter expanded her palette and her bags on Saturday …

Trump rejects Iran proposal for deal to reopen Hormuz

Sep 26 2026

US President Donald Trump on Saturday rejected a truce deal proposed by Iran that Tehran said could have reopened the …

Iran proposes Hormuz plan, Trump reportedly refuses

Sep 26 2026

The United States had yet to publicly respond on Saturday after Iran offered a plan to reopen the strategic Strait of …

TikTok agrees to teen limits in US settlement following Meta

Sep 26 2026

TikTok on Friday agreed to pay Alabama at least $100 million and enact time limits and other restrictions for teen …

Venezuela's oil cradle pins hopes on US energy deals

Sep 26 2026

In the birthplace of Venezuela's oil industry, thick black crude seeps through cracks in the earth, and the air is heavy …

US, China buy time with trade truce as pressure builds

Sep 26 2026

Washington and Beijing may have bought themselves breathing space with an extended trade truce, but analysts warn that …

TikTok to pay Alabama $100 mn under pre-trial settlement

Sep 26 2026

TikTok on Friday agreed to pay Alabama at least $100 million and enact limits for teen users, avoiding a trial set to …

Lula bans sports betting days ahead of Brazil's election

Sep 25 2026

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Friday banned sports betting sites, the biggest sponsor of the country's …

US court sides with Pentagon in Anthropic AI ban

Sep 25 2026

A US appeals court upheld on Friday the Pentagon's decision to exclude Anthropic from its supply chain, a decision taken …

Wall Street stocks rise, greeting optimism over possible US-Iran deal

Sep 25 2026

Wall Street stocks bounced Friday to finish a volatile week on a positive note, greeting a drop in oil prices on hopes …

US court refuses to overturn Pentagon ban on Anthropic

Sep 25 2026

A US appeals court upheld on Friday the Pentagon's decision to exclude Anthropic from its supply chain, a decision taken …

Oil prices fall on cautious hopes for US-Iran progress

Sep 25 2026

Oil prices retreated slightly Friday on reports of potential overtures to ending the US-Iran war, which helped support …

First US trial against TikTok to open Monday

Sep 25 2026

TikTok goes on trial Monday in Alabama, accused by the state of misleading parents about tools meant to shield children …

European stock markets climb as oil prices drop

Sep 25 2026

Europe's main stock markets climbed Friday, as oil prices retreated after a volatile week's trading in reaction to …

Ireland's Gaza stance spills from Eurovision into football

Sep 25 2026

No Irish supporters in the stadium, no home match in Ireland and no pundits or Irish commentary on television: the …

Asian markets mixed after recent oil surge

Sep 25 2026

Asian markets were mixed Friday after recent oil price surges, as US and Japanese bond yields hit multi-year highs with …

Cash for nature protection: hotelier's offer to Principe islanders

Sep 25 2026

On the paradise island of Principe, a lush jungle haven in the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Guinea, a South African …

US miner KoBold bets on AI to gain edge in DR Congo mineral hunt

Sep 25 2026

Geologists from US mining company KoBold Metals are pushing deep into the Congolese bush, hoping a cutting-edge army of …

Asian markets mixed after oil gains

Sep 25 2026

Asian markets were mixed Friday after recent oil price surges and as US and Japanese bond yields hit multi-year highs …

Hopping mad: New health warning stirs up Belgian brewers

Sep 25 2026

In a country famed worldwide for its beer, a proposed tweak to health warnings on adverts for alcoholic drinks has …

Trump hosts Xi for state dinner as pomp masks tensions

Sep 25 2026

US President Donald Trump hosted Chinese leader Xi Jinping for a lavish state dinner at the White House on Thursday, …

Global stocks mostly fall as oil prices and bond yields rise

Sep 24 2026

Stock markets mostly fell and oil prices climbed on Thursday as US Treasury bond yields hit multi-year highs, driven …

Guyana urges Venezuela at UN to respect ICJ's ruling on Essequibo region

Sep 24 2026

Guyanese President Irfaan Ali urged Venezuela before the UN General Assembly on Thursday to respect the International …

Xi sets red lines for Trump despite lavish White House welcome

Sep 24 2026

Xi Jinping told Donald Trump on Thursday that Beijing and Washington must peacefully manage their superpower rivalry, as …

Starbucks to close 250 more cafes in North America

Sep 24 2026

Starbucks will close 250 more cafes in North America in its latest drive to improve financial returns, the coffee …

Average EU diesel price hits record 2.23 euros a litre: AFP analysis

Sep 24 2026

Diesel prices at pumps across the European Union have hit a new high of 2.23 euros per litre, up from 2.16 euros the …

Stocks fall as oil prices rise and bonds back under pressure

Sep 24 2026

Stock markets mostly fell and oil prices climbed on Thursday as inflation fears, driven by a lack of progress in ending …

What happens if the US bans diesel exports

Sep 24 2026

With diesel prices hitting records ahead of the US midterm elections, President Donald Trump has expressed support for a …

Top ECB official to resign to take up IMF role

Sep 24 2026

The ECB said Thursday a top official will resign early to take up a role at the IMF, the first in a series of looming …

Xi and Trump call for peace in lavish White House state visit

Sep 24 2026

Xi Jinping called Thursday for the United States and China to manage their superpower rivalry and keep AI under human …

Trump welcomes Xi to White House, touting agreement on AI

Sep 24 2026

Donald Trump welcomed Chinese leader Xi Jinping to the White House on Thursday for a pageantry-filled summit, as the US …