Business and Economy



German exports to US plunge as tariffs exact heavy cost

AFP - 8m ago

German exports to the United States plunged in 2025 amid President Donald Trump's tariff blitz, driving down the trade …

Stocks waver as tech worries build

AFP - 29m ago

European stock markets mostly recovered Friday after a mixed performance in Asia following a rout among technology …

EU tells TikTok to change 'addictive' design

AFP - 44m ago

The EU said Friday that it had told TikTok it needs to change its "addictive design" or risk heavy fines, after the …

Stellantis takes massive hit for 'overestimation' of EV shift

AFP - 1h ago

Jeep maker Stellantis warned Friday that it would take a 22 billion euro hit after a slower takeup of electric vehicles …

Toyota names new CEO, hikes profit forecasts

AFP - 2h ago

Toyota has named a new CEO to "accelerate" decision-making, the Japanese auto giant said Friday as it hiked its profit …

Asian markets extend global retreat as tech worries build

AFP - 2h ago

Asian equities sank again on Friday as a tech rout that battered Wall Street for the third day in a row showed no sign …

Undercover probe finds Australian pubs short-pouring beer

AFP - 10h ago

Australian undercover inspectors have found pubs fail to pour enough beer and other alcohol into customers' glasses for …

Amazon shares plunge as AI costs climb

AFP - 11h ago

Amazon shares dove more than 11 percent on Thursday as the computing and retail titan reported strong sales but …

Stocks fall as tech valuation fears stoke volatility

Feb 05 2026

Stocks fell broadly on Thursday, pulled down again by growing worries that hefty AI investments by tech heavyweights may …

Carney scraps Canada EV sales mandate, affirms auto sector's future is electric

Feb 05 2026

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday cancelled a mandate for all vehicles sold in the country to be electric …

EU defends Spain after Telegram founder criticism

Feb 05 2026

The EU executive on Thursday expressed support for Spain after Telegram founder Pavel Durov slammed Spanish Prime …

Novo Nordisk vows legal action to protect Wegovy pill

Feb 05 2026

Novo Nordisk said Thursday it would take legal action against a US chain offering a copycat of the new pill version of …

ECB warns of stronger euro impact, holds rates

Feb 05 2026

The European Central Bank warned Thursday a stronger euro could push inflation down too far after recent gains in the …

Mining giant Rio Tinto abandons Glencore merger bid

Feb 05 2026

British-Australian miner Rio Tinto said Thursday that it was ending talks to merge with smaller Swiss resources giant …

Carney scraps Canada EV sales mandate

Feb 05 2026

Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday cancelled a mandate for all vehicles sold in Canada to be electric by 2035, while …

Davos forum opens probe into CEO Brende's Epstein links

Feb 05 2026

The World Economic Forum, which organises the Davos summit, said Thursday that it would conduct an independent review …

Greenpeace slams fossil fuel sponsors for Winter Olympics

Feb 05 2026

Greenpeace activists staged a protest in Milan on Thursday against the sponsorship of the Milan-Cortina Olympics by …

ECB holds interest rates as strong euro causes jitters

Feb 05 2026

The European Central Bank held interest rates steady for its fifth straight meeting Thursday, saying the eurozone …

EU close to sealing trade deal with Australia

Feb 05 2026

The European Union is close to concluding a long-sought trade agreement with Australia, as US President Donald Trump's …

Wind turbine maker Vestas sees record revenue in 2025

Feb 05 2026

Denmark's Vestas, Europe’s leading wind turbine manufacturer, on Thursday posted an all-time high revenue, but noted …

Bitcoin under $70,000 for first time since Trump's election

Feb 05 2026

Bitcoin, the world's biggest cryptocurrency, extended its price slump Thursday to trade under $70,000 for the first time …

Germany claws back 59 mn euros from Amazon over price controls

Feb 05 2026

Germany's competition watchdog ordered Amazon on Thursday to stop implementing price controls for retailers on its …

Germany claws back 70 mn euros from Amazon over price controls

Feb 05 2026

Germany's competition watchdog ordered Amazon on Thursday to stop implementing price controls for retailers on its …

VW and Stellantis urge help to keep carmaking in Europe

Feb 05 2026

Europe's largest carmakers Volkswagen and Stellantis have called for subsidies to keep carmaking in the EU as they …

Stock markets drop amid tech concerns before rate calls

Feb 05 2026

Major European and Asian stock markets mostly fell Thursday after more losses on Wall Street's Nasdaq, where technology …

BBVA posts record profit after failed Sabadell takeover

Feb 05 2026

Spanish banking giant BBVA on Thursday reported a record annual profit, shrugging off the rollercoaster ride of its …

Greenpeace slams fossel fuel sponsors for Winter Olympics

Feb 05 2026

Greenpeace activists staged a protest in Milan on Thursday against the sponsorship of the Milan-Cortina Olympics by …

Heathrow still Europe's busiest airport, but Istanbul gaining fast

Feb 05 2026

London Heathrow remained the busiest aviation hub in Europe last year but Istanbul Airport was nearly neck-and-neck and …

Shell profits climb despite falling oil prices

Feb 05 2026

British energy giant Shell said Thursday that its net profit rose 11 percent last year as higher volumes and lower costs …

German factory orders rise at fastest rate in 2 years in December

Feb 05 2026

German factory orders unexpectedly posted their biggest rise in two years in December, official data showed Thursday, …

Stocks in retreat as traders reconsider tech investment

Feb 05 2026

Stocks mostly fell Thursday to track more losses on Wall Street, where tech firms were again under pressure as fears …

Sony hikes forecasts even as PlayStation falters

Feb 05 2026

Japanese giant Sony hiked its full-year forecasts on Thursday, as a weaker yen compensates for its ageing PlayStation …

US households become increasingly strained in diverging economy

Feb 05 2026

Around the crack of dawn, a line begins forming at a strip mall in Hyattsville, Maryland, as residents ranging from …

Rising euro, falling inflation in focus at ECB meeting

Feb 05 2026

A rising euro and falling inflation will present fresh challenges for the European Central Bank at its meeting Thursday, …

Google's annual revenue tops $400 bn for first time, AI investments rise

Feb 05 2026

Google parent Alphabet on Wednesday reported blockbuster earnings, its revenue climbing as it invests massively in cloud …

'Bad Boy,' 'Little Pablo' and Mordisco: the men on a US-Colombia hitlist

Feb 04 2026

Following an unexpected meeting of minds between presidents Donald Trump and Gustavo Petro, three Colombian drug …

BHP damages trial over Brazil mine disaster to open in 2027

Feb 04 2026

Australian mining giant BHP will face trial before a British court from April next year to determine how much it must …

Bezos-led Washington Post announces 'painful' job cuts

Feb 04 2026

The Washington Post, owned by billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, announced major job cuts Wednesday, saying that …

Brazil mine disaster victims in London to 'demand what is owed'

Feb 04 2026

Victims of a 2015 dam collapse in Brazil, for which Australian mining giant BHP has been found liable, attended a London …

Telegram founder slams Spain PM over under-16s social media ban

Feb 04 2026

Telegram founder Pavel Durov on Wednesday joined fellow tech tycoon Elon Musk in slamming Spanish Prime Minister Pedro …

US seeks minerals trade zone in rare Trump move with allies

Feb 04 2026

US President Donald Trump's administration called Wednesday for a preferential trade zone among allies on critical …

Washington Post announces 'painful' job cuts

Feb 04 2026

The Washington Post, owned by billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, announced major job cuts Wednesday, saying that …

Merz heads to Gulf as Germany looks to diversify trade ties

Feb 04 2026

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz headed to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to kick off a Gulf tour as the biggest EU economy …

AI-fuelled tech stock selloff rolls on

Feb 04 2026

Global stock markets largely stabilised Wednesday even though a tech-led selloff on Wall Street spurred by AI disruption …

US calls for minerals trade zone in rare move with allies

Feb 04 2026

US President Donald Trump's administration called Wednesday for a preferential trade zone among allies on critical …

Stocks stabilise after Wall St AI-fuelled sell-off

Feb 04 2026

Stock markets stabilised Wednesday following a tech-led selloff spurred by AI disruption fears, while precious metals …

China calls EU 'discriminatory' over probe into energy giant Goldwind

Feb 04 2026

Beijing accused the European Union on Wednesday of taking "discriminatory" measures after the bloc opened an …

Sales warning slams Ozempic maker Novo Nordisk's stock

Feb 04 2026

Shares in Danish pharmaceuticals group Novo Nordisk plunged Wednesday after the maker of Ozempic and Wegovy anti-obesity …

Serbian minister on trial over Trump-linked hotel plan

Feb 04 2026

Serbia's culture minister and other senior officials appeared in a Belgrade court Wednesday to face corruption charges …

US-Africa trade deal renewal only 'temporary breather'

Feb 04 2026

African manufacturers warned on Wednesday that a one-year extension to the long-standing duty-free deal with the United …

GSK boosted by specialty drugs, end to Zantac fallout

Feb 04 2026

British pharmaceutical group GSK reported Wednesday a sharp rise in annual net profit, boosted by strong sales of HIV, …

Stocks fluctuate after Wall St AI-fuelled sell-off

Feb 04 2026

European and Asian stock markets struggled for direction Wednesday following a tech-fuelled sell-off on Wall Street, …

AGOA: New lease of life for US-Africa trade accord

Feb 04 2026

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which has been renewed until the end of 2026, has provided duty-free …

CK Hutchison launches arbitration over Panama Canal port ruling

Feb 04 2026

Hong Kong-based conglomerate CK Hutchison said in a statement Tuesday it has initiated international arbitration against …

Stocks mostly rise as traders ignore AI-fuelled sell-off on Wall St

Feb 04 2026

Stocks mostly rose Wednesday as investors brushed off another tech-fuelled sell-off on Wall Street, while precious …

What are 'rare earths' for?

Feb 04 2026

President Donald Trump's administration is set Wednesday to host ministers from the European Union and other countries …

On rare earth supply, Trump for once seeks allies

Feb 04 2026

In his year since returning to office, President Donald Trump has shown disdain for longstanding alliances, vowing …

WTO must 'reform or die': talks facilitator

Feb 04 2026

Successfully reforming the WTO is a matter of life and death for the organisation, warns the facilitator of talks on …

CK Hutchison begins arbitration against Panama over annulled canal contract

Feb 04 2026

Hong Kong-based conglomerate CK Hutchison said in a statement Tuesday it has initiated international arbitration against …

Stocks swing following latest AI-fuelled sell-off on Wall St

Feb 04 2026

Stocks fluctuated Wednesday following another tech-fuelled sell-off on Wall Street, while precious metals continued …

UBS grilled on Capitol Hill over Nazi-era probe

Feb 03 2026

A Senate panel grilled UBS officials Tuesday over withholding documents sought in a probe of Holocaust-era assets stolen …

Spain to seek social media ban for under-16s

Feb 03 2026

Spain will seek to ban social media for under-16s to protect them from harmful content such as pornography and violence, …

X hits back after France summons Musk, raids offices in deepfake probe

Feb 03 2026

French prosecutors on Tuesday searched the Paris offices of Elon Musk's X as part of an investigation into alleged …

Russia's economic growth slowed to 1% in 2025: Putin

Feb 03 2026

Russia's economy grew by one percent in 2025, President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday, marking a much slower expansion …

Air India inspects Boeing 787 fuel switches after grounding

Feb 03 2026

Air India has begun inspecting fuel control switches on its 33 Boeing 787 aircraft after grounding a flight over a …

Germany has highest share of older workers in EU

Feb 03 2026

Germany has the highest proportion of older workers of any European Union country, official data showed Tuesday, with …

France summons Musk, raids X offices as deepfake backlash grows

Feb 03 2026

French authorities summoned billionaire Elon Musk to a "voluntary interview" and searched the local offices of his …

France summons Musk for questioning as X deepfake backlash grows

Feb 03 2026

French authorities summoned billionaire Elon Musk to a "voluntary interview" and searched the local offices of his …

Pfizer shares drop on quarterly loss

Feb 03 2026

Pfizer reported a quarterly loss Tuesday following a large write-down, denting shares as it confirmed 2026 financial …

Disney names theme parks chief Josh D'Amaro as next CEO

Feb 03 2026

The Walt Disney Company announced Tuesday that Josh D'Amaro, head of its theme parks division, will replace Bob Iger as …

Germany acquires power grid stake from Dutch operator

Feb 03 2026

The German government said Tuesday that it had acquired a stake in the local subsidiary of Dutch power grid operator …

Stocks mostly climb as gold recovers

Feb 03 2026

Stock markets mostly rose Tuesday, as gold and silver prices rebounded in fresh volatile trading.

Finland building icebreakers for US amid Arctic tensions

Feb 03 2026

Finland is building a new fleet of icebreakers for the US but President Donald Trump's plans for Greenland, which he …

Disney names theme parks boss chief Josh D'Amaro as next CEO

Feb 03 2026

The Walt Disney Company announced Tuesday that Josh D'Amaro, head of its theme parks division, will replace Bob Iger as …

France summons Musk for 'voluntary interview', raids X offices

Feb 03 2026

France summoned billionaire Elon Musk to a "voluntary interview" as cybercrime authorities on Tuesday searched the …

French summons Musk for 'voluntary interview' as authorities raid X offices

Feb 03 2026

France summoned billionaire Elon Musk to a "voluntary interview" as cybercrime authorities on Tuesday searched the …

Musk merges xAI into SpaceX in bid to build space data centers

Feb 03 2026

Elon Musk has announced that his rocket company SpaceX will take over his artificial intelligence outfit xAI, as he …

Ethiopia denies Trump claim mega-dam was financed by US

Feb 03 2026

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Tuesday denied claims by President Donald Trump that the country's new mega-dam …

Equities and precious metals rebound after Asia-wide rout

Feb 03 2026

Stocks rallied and precious metals rebounded as some stability returned to markets on Tuesday after US-Iran diplomacy, a …

Switch 2 sales boost Nintendo profits, but chip shortage looms

Feb 03 2026

The runaway success of the Switch 2 console drove up Nintendo's net profit by more than 50 percent in the nine months to …

China to ban hidden car door handles, setting new safety standards

Feb 03 2026

China will ban hidden door handles on cars from next year over safety concerns, phasing out the minimalist design …

Switch 2 sales boost Nintendo results but chip shortage looms

Feb 03 2026

The runaway success of the Switch 2 console drove up Nintendo's net profit by more than 50 percent in the nine months to …

From rations to G20's doorstep: Poland savours economic 'miracle'

Feb 03 2026

Many Poles scoffed in 1980 when Lech Walesa, leader of the nascent Solidarity union, promised that Poland would become …

Trump says India, US strike trade deal

Feb 03 2026

US President Donald Trump announced a trade deal to reduce tariffs on India, sending Mumbai stocks soaring Tuesday, as …

China to ban hidden car door handles in industry shift

Feb 03 2026

China will ban hidden door handles on cars sold in the country from next year, phasing out the minimalist design …

Rural India powers global AI models

Feb 03 2026

Tending crops by day and then logging on for a night shift of data labelling, 27-year-old Chandmani Kerketta is part of …

Equities, metals, oil rebound after Asia-wide rout

Feb 03 2026

Stocks rallied while precious metals and crude rebounded as some stability returned Tuesday following a rout fuelled by …

Paying for a selfie: Rome starts charging for Trevi Fountain

Feb 03 2026

Italy's Trevi Fountain launched a new ticketing system Monday, making the famous Rome landmark the latest tourist site …

Oil slides, gold loses lustre as Iran threat recedes

Feb 02 2026

Oil and gold prices fell Monday as concerns eased over US monetary policy and the chances of an American attack on Iran, …

Cuban tourism in crisis; visitors repelled by fuel, power shortages

Feb 02 2026

Cuba's tourism sector suffered a sharp decline in 2025, with shortages of basic goods repelling visitors even before the …

Trump cuts India tariffs, says Modi will stop buying Russian oil

Feb 02 2026

US President Donald Trump announced a trade deal with India on Monday, saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had …

Punctuality at Germany's crisis-hit railway slumps

Feb 02 2026

Punctuality at Germany's much-maligned state railway Deutsche Bahn slumped even further in January, the company said …

Disney earnings boosted by theme parks, as CEO handover nears

Feb 02 2026

The Walt Disney Company on Monday reported quarterly earnings showing that streaming services gained momentum and …

France demands 1.7 bn euros in payroll taxes from Uber: media report

Feb 02 2026

Ride-sharing group Uber has been told by French authorities that it owes 1.7 billion euros ($2 billion) in unpaid …

EU will struggle to secure key raw materials supply, warns report

Feb 02 2026

The European Union must step up its efforts to secure supplies of critical raw materials by 2030 if it wants to break …

France poised to adopt 2026 budget after months of tense talks

Feb 02 2026

France is expected to adopt its 2026 budget on Monday after months of fraught negotiations if Prime Minister Sebastien …

European stocks rise as oil tumbles, while tech worries weigh on New York

Feb 02 2026

Oil prices fell and gold steadied as concerns eased over US monetary policy and the chances of an American attack on …

More baby milk recalls in France after new toxin rules

Feb 02 2026

Two infant formula manufacturers withdrew batches from the market on Monday after France imposed stricter limits on …

Germany hit by nationwide public transport strike

Feb 02 2026

Subway trains, buses and trams across Germany ground to a halt Monday in a public transport strike called by one of the …

European stocks rise as gold, oil prices tumble

Feb 02 2026

European stock markets rose Monday but oil and gold prices tumbled as concerns eased over US monetary policy and the …

Trump says US talking deal with 'highest people' in Cuba

Feb 02 2026

US President Donald Trump said Sunday that Washington was negotiating with Havana's leadership to strike a deal, days …

Stocks, oil, precious metals plunge on volatile start to the week

Feb 02 2026

Equities, oil and precious metals plunged Monday to extend the volatility that struck markets at the end of last week, …