Business and Economy
AI-led boom in IPOs raises concerns about a bust
AFP - 24m ago
This has been a banner year for stock listings, thanks largely to AI firms, but the massive size of the operations …
Full Story »
ECB holds rates as Iran war flare-up threatens to drive prices higher
AFP - 2m ago
The European Central Bank on Thursday kept its key deposit rate unchanged at 2.25 percent and said it was "closely …
Full Story »
Nestle siphons off bottled water business into joint venture
AFP - 1h ago
Swiss giant Nestle said Thursday it will transfer its bottled water brands into a joint venture, two-and-a-half years …
Full Story »
Ford and Geely to form joint venture at struggling Spain plant
AFP - 1h ago
US carmaker Ford and China's Geely will create a joint venture at Ford's troubled Valencia plant in eastern Spain, where …
Full Story »
Oil soars close to $100 on fresh Mideast attacks
AFP - 1h ago
Main oil contract Brent North Sea surged toward $100 a barrel on Thursday as Tehran-backed Houthi rebels targeted Red …
Full Story »
New UK PM announces tax cut for struggling pubs
AFP - 2h ago
The UK government Thursday announced a tax cut for struggling pubs, clubs and live music venues as new Prime Minister …
Full Story »
EasyJet profits nosedive on Mideast war
AFP - 2h ago
British airline EasyJet, the target of a multi-billion-pound takeover battle, said Thursday that profits plunged in the …
Full Story »
EU fines Google 890 mn euros, risking US fury
AFP - 2h ago
The European Union on Thursday slapped Google with fines worth 890 million euros ($1 billion) in a move that risks …
Full Story »
Nokia says AI, cloud boosted sales in second quarter
AFP - 4h ago
Finnish telecommunications equipment maker Nokia said that demand for its AI and cloud services drove sales higher in …
Full Story »
Tech bounce lifts Asia stocks, oil extends gains on US-Iran fears
AFP - 3h ago
Tech firms enjoyed a much-needed bounce on Thursday, helping most Asian stock markets higher amid renewed hopes for the …
Full Story »
Repsol says profit more than triples on higher oil prices
AFP - 5h ago
Spanish energy giant Repsol said Thursday it net profit in the first half of the year more than tripled, boosted by a …
Full Story »
Renault says sales stalled in first half
AFP - 5h ago
French auto giant Renault said Thursday that global sales stalled in the first six months of the year, held back by …
Full Story »
TotalEnergies says profit doubled on Mideast war
AFP - 5h ago
French oil and gas giant TotalEnergies said Thursday net profit doubled in the second quarter as conflict in the Middle …
Full Story »
EasyJet says profits nosedive on Mideast war
AFP - 3h ago
British no-frills airline EasyJet said Thursday that its profit tumbled in the third quarter as the Middle East war sent …
Full Story »
Houthis target Red Sea shipping as US hits Iran
AFP - 3h ago
A Saudi vessel was attacked in the Red Sea as Tehran-backed Houthi rebels claimed to strike tankers in the waterway, …
Full Story »
New Mideast fighting puts eurozone rate-setters on alert
AFP - 11h ago
Fresh fighting in the Middle East and rising oil prices have put the European Central Bank on alert ahead of its …
Full Story »
Tesla shares fall as Musk touts ambitious -- and costly -- plans
AFP - 10h ago
Tesla reported weaker-than-expected quarterly profits on Wednesday despite increased auto sales, depressing shares in …
Full Story »
US teen withdraws lawsuit against Meta over social media addiction
AFP - 9h ago
A US teenager has withdrawn his lawsuit against Meta, his lawyers announced Wednesday, closing out a closely watched …
Full Story »
June heatwave cost UK economy more than £1bn: study
AFP - 11h ago
Britain's record-breaking June heatwave resulted in some 24 million lost hours of work, costing the economy £1.15 …
Full Story »
Tesla shares dip after profit misses expectations
Jul 22 2026
Tesla reported weaker-than-expected quarterly profits on Wednesday, citing a hit from lower vehicle prices despite …
Full Story »
Oil prices jump on Mideast war, stock markets diverge
Jul 22 2026
World oil prices jumped Wednesday, with the benchmark international contract Brent North Sea crude surpassing $95 for …
Full Story »
White House accuses China's Moonshot of stealing Anthropic AI
Jul 22 2026
A top White House official on Wednesday accused Chinese AI startup Moonshot AI of covertly copying Anthropic's most …
Full Story »
Samsung launches new, more expensive foldable smartphones
Jul 22 2026
South Korean technology giant Samsung unveiled new, sleeker smartphone models Wednesday priced more than previous models …
Full Story »
UK fintech Revolut valuation soars to $115 bn: source
Jul 22 2026
British digital bank Revolut, whose growth has exploded in recent years, reached a valuation of $115 billion Wednesday …
Full Story »
German FM, on Africa tour, eyes business ties amid US, China pressure
Jul 22 2026
Germany's foreign minister wrapped up a two-day visit to Nigeria Wednesday as Berlin moves to deepen business …
Full Story »
South African tycoon Motsepe rules out presidential bid
Jul 22 2026
South African mining magnate Patrice Motsepe on Wednesday ruled out a future in politics, dismissing speculation that he …
Full Story »
Leonardo chief sees potential for Germany to join GCAP fighter jet project
Jul 22 2026
The head of Italian defence giant Leonardo told AFP it would be "beneficial" for Germany to join an initiative led by …
Full Story »
Oil prices surge on Mideast war, stock markets diverge
Jul 22 2026
World oil prices soared Wednesday, with the benchmark international contract Brent North Sea crude surpassing $95 for …
Full Story »
Cooler inflation hands new UK PM Burnham an early boost
Jul 22 2026
Britain's annual inflation rate fell more than expected in June, driven by lower fuel prices, official data showed …
Full Story »
Mideast conflict lifts Brent back above $94, stocks give up gains
Jul 22 2026
Oil prices rose sharply on Wednesday as fresh US strikes triggered air defences in Iran, while stocks in Asia gave up …
Full Story »
OpenAI reports 'unprecedented' autonomous hack by AI agents
Jul 22 2026
ChatGPT maker OpenAI said Tuesday that its advanced artificial intelligence models had gone rogue during security …
Full Story »
US-Iran strikes: latest developments
Jul 22 2026
Iran and US forces traded new military attacks Tuesday, with Tehran warning of "more decisive and powerful" strikes …
Full Story »
India's domestic workers go online as instant services boom
Jul 22 2026
Racing against a stopwatch, a group of women folds bedsheets as they train to join an Indian startup that offers instant …
Full Story »
US tariffs on Brazil take effect as Trump readies fresh flurry
Jul 22 2026
A new US tariff targeting Brazil took effect Wednesday, while Washington's other trading partners brace for a fresh …
Full Story »
Tech lifts Asia stocks, Brent crude back above $92
Jul 22 2026
Enthusiasm for tech shares boosted Asian stocks for a second day Wednesday, as more mayhem in the Middle East lifted …
Full Story »
A once wary Hollywood slowly warms to AI
Jul 22 2026
Once wary of artificial intelligence, Hollywood is now striking up partnerships with AI start-ups and weaving the …
Full Story »
France reintroduces 'bee-harming pesticides', environment minister to quit
Jul 22 2026
France on Tuesday backed a controversial bill reintroducing two pesticides critics say harm bees, as the environment …
Full Story »
US readies new tariffs as Trump's 10% global levy to expire
Jul 22 2026
The United States is set to impose new tariffs that could hit dozens of countries soon, trade envoy Jamieson Greer …
Full Story »
Stocks rise despite climbing oil prices
Jul 21 2026
Stock markets rose Tuesday as technology shares rebounded further, while oil prices climbed as Iran targeted US radar …
Full Story »
French parliament backs social media ban for under-15s in EU first
Jul 21 2026
France's parliament on Tuesday approved a bill banning social media access for children under 15, making France the …
Full Story »
Uproar in France over reintroduction of bee-harming pesticides
Jul 21 2026
France's parliament on Tuesday backed a controversial bill authorising farmers to use two bee-harming pesticides despite …
Full Story »
Liverpool in talks with Bhatia consortium over minority investment
Jul 21 2026
Liverpool are in talks with British-Indian investor Amit Bhatia over a potential deal for a minority stake in the …
Full Story »
French senators back social media ban for under-15s
Jul 21 2026
France's parliament on Tuesday was set to approve a bill banning social media access for children under 15, making …
Full Story »
Pharma heavyweights clash over anti-obesity drug ads
Jul 21 2026
Danish pharmaceuticals heavyweight Novo Nordisk said Tuesday it is suing arch US rival Eli Lilly over "false and …
Full Story »
Microsoft strikes deal for Mistral's AI computing power
Jul 21 2026
Microsoft on Tuesday sought to reassure European users with a "multi-billion-dollar" deal to rent AI infrastructure from …
Full Story »
General Motors lifts 2026 outlook despite hit from electric retreat
Jul 21 2026
General Motors raised its full-year profit forecast on Tuesday after reporting solid quarterly results on strong vehicle …
Full Story »
Airbus pushes ahead with future single-aisle jet, hydrogen plane
Jul 21 2026
With its extended, foldable "wing of tomorrow" unveiled Tuesday at the Farnborough airshow, Airbus is moving closer to …
Full Story »
French lawmakers set to ban social media for under-15s in European first
Jul 21 2026
French lawmakers on Tuesday were set to approve a bill banning social media access for children under 15, putting France …
Full Story »
UK PM Burnham unveils energy tax cut, tells ministers to cut living costs
Jul 21 2026
Andy Burnham told the inaugural meeting of his cabinet Tuesday that he would lead a "cost-of-living government", after …
Full Story »
Stock markets, oil prices climb
Jul 21 2026
Stock markets rose Tuesday, with rebounding technology share prices helping Asian indices in particular.
Full Story »
UK PM Burnham's new cabinet to meet as he announces tax cut
Jul 21 2026
Andy Burnham gathered his new cabinet Tuesday as he got down to work on his first full day as Britain's prime minister, …
Full Story »
Asia stocks up as chip stocks recover, oil eases
Jul 21 2026
Technology shares helped Asian stock markets rebound on Tuesday, while oil prices eased slightly even as Iran targeted …
Full Story »
New UK govt tackles cost of living with energy tax cut
Jul 21 2026
Britain's new Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Tuesday kickstarted his programme to ease the cost of living for millions …
Full Story »
Novartis says buoyed by new treatments in second quarter
Jul 21 2026
Swiss pharmaceuticals giant Novartis said Tuesday that group sales exceeded expectations in the second quarter of 2026, …
Full Story »
Panama, China renew maritime port agreement
Jul 21 2026
Panama announced on Monday an agreement with China to renew a maritime shipping treaty that grants advantages to …
Full Story »
South Korea president urges regulator action on leveraged stock funds
Jul 21 2026
South Korea's president urged financial watchdogs to take "necessary measures" over new highly speculative investment …
Full Story »
New strikes as Trump warns Iran will pay for US troop deaths
Jul 21 2026
US President Donald Trump warned Iran on Monday that it would pay "many times over" for every American soldier killed, …
Full Story »
Inside Indonesia's slave island: 'I want my children to be free'
Jul 21 2026
Two hours from the tourist beaches of Bali, slavery is alive and well on the Indonesian island of Sumba, where people …
Full Story »
Trump orders new 50% tariff on many Canadian goods
Jul 21 2026
US President Donald Trump signed orders Monday to impose new 50-percent tariffs on many Canadian goods, claiming …
Full Story »
US judge suspends Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros.
Jul 21 2026
A federal judge in California on Monday ordered Paramount Skydance and Warner Brothers Discovery to temporarily pause …
Full Story »
US stocks drop on latest Middle East fighting, tech earnings caution
Jul 20 2026
Wall Street stocks retreated Monday with early gains fading as the escalating US-Iran conflict lifted oil prices while …
Full Story »
Iran says fighting 'full-scale war' with US
Jul 20 2026
Iran is fighting a "full-scale war" with the United States, its president said Monday, as Washington expanded its …
Full Story »
Leasing firm SMBC orders 200 planes from Airbus and Boeing
Jul 20 2026
Leasing firm SMBC Aviation Capital ordered 200 new medium-sized aircraft from Boeing and Airbus at the start of the …
Full Story »
Oil price gains ease after Iran points to mediation
Jul 20 2026
Oil prices hit one-month highs Monday before scaling back as Iran said diplomatic exchanges with the United States were …
Full Story »
EU fines AliExpress 550 mn euros over illegal products
Jul 20 2026
The EU on Monday slapped a 550-million-euro ($630 million) fine on online retailer AliExpress for allowing the sale of …
Full Story »
US gasoline costs back at $4 a gallon as Mideast war reignites
Jul 20 2026
US gasoline prices jumped back to an average of $4 per gallon Monday, according to the AAA motor club, as Iran said it …
Full Story »
Ryanair quarterly profit slides on Mideast war impact
Jul 20 2026
Irish no-frills airline Ryanair on Monday said net profit slumped 34 percent in its first quarter as the Middle East …
Full Story »
Boeing gets order for 100 737 MAX jets from leasing company SMBC
Jul 20 2026
US aircraft maker Boeing said Monday that it has received an order for 100 of its 737 MAX jets from leasing company SMBC …
Full Story »
Oil eases after Iran says US contacts continue through mediators
Jul 20 2026
Oil scaled back gains after hitting its highest price in a month on Monday as Iran said diplomatic exchanges with the …
Full Story »
Oil hits one-month high as Mideast war keeps investors on edge
Jul 20 2026
Brent crude hit its highest price since June on Monday due to renewed fighting between the United States and Iran, while …
Full Story »
New Mideast fighting keeps eurozone rate-setters on edge
Jul 20 2026
Fresh fighting in the Middle East and renewed energy price rises have thrown a curveball at the European Central Bank as …
Full Story »
Ivory Coast eyes 'national champion' firms to lead economy
Jul 20 2026
From natural cosmetics to oil and gas distribution, Ivory Coast is betting on champion firms that emerged from 15 years …
Full Story »
Starbucks Korea staff form union after 'Tank Day' campaign fiasco
Jul 19 2026
Workers at Starbucks Korea have formed a labour union, the company confirmed on Sunday, following a marketing fiasco …
Full Story »
Pocket-size AI: Powerful phones star at China show
Jul 19 2026
Tech firms are racing to roll out advanced smartphones that use artificial intelligence to do everything from ordering …
Full Story »
Egypt's 'Garbage City' recyclers reap gains from Iran war plastic squeeze
Jul 18 2026
In the labyrinthine alleyways of Cairo's Garbage City, recycling specialist Peter Romany finds himself fielding calls …
Full Story »
No fuel, no patience: Russians endure fuel shortages
Jul 18 2026
Russian couple Yelena and Dmitry passed four petrol stations before finally finding one that actually had fuel as they …
Full Story »
Horror film 'Obsession' is exploding cinema profit records
Jul 17 2026
Low-cost horror movie "Obsession" from first-time director Curry Barker is on track to become one of the most profitable …
Full Story »
Tech share selloff rolls on, oil prices jump on Mideast clashes
Jul 17 2026
Wall Street stocks fell decisively Friday, joining most global markets in retreating on continued weakness in artificial …
Full Story »
China's Kimi K3 rattles US AI industry
Jul 17 2026
Kimi K3, a new artificial intelligence program from a Chinese startup called Moonshot AI, stunned the US tech industry …
Full Story »
Tech share selloff rolls on, oil prices climb on Mideast clashes
Jul 17 2026
Tokyo and Taipei stock markets led a fresh selloff of technology shares Friday, as concerns that the sector had been …
Full Story »
Nigerian court dismisses suit challenging Shell's divestment
Jul 17 2026
A Nigerian court Friday dismissed a lawsuit by a traditional monarch in the oil-rich delta region seeking to halt …
Full Story »
Brazil toughens rules on gambling ads as bets explode
Jul 17 2026
Brazil on Friday made it mandatory for gambling advertisements to carry warnings about addiction and money loss, …
Full Story »
'Overpriced Dubai skyscraper': Slovaks outraged by ministry's $61-mn HQ
Jul 17 2026
Slovakia's defence minister has come under fire for his lavish taste in architecture after unveiling his ministry's new …
Full Story »
France, Germany plan 'roadmap' to tackle China trade imbalances
Jul 17 2026
Paris and Berlin want to come up with a joint "roadmap" by September to tackle China's unfair trade practices, French …
Full Story »
France blocks access to Polymarket
Jul 17 2026
France said Friday it was blocking access to the online prediction market Polymarket, as punters continued to make bets …
Full Story »
Stocks slide, oil prices jump as tech, Mideast war in focus
Jul 17 2026
Tokyo and Taipei stock markets led a fresh selloff for technology shares Friday, as concerns that the sector had been …
Full Story »
Italian authorities dole out fines for Olympic ambush marketing
Jul 17 2026
Italy's Competition Authority (AGCM) said Friday it had fined six companies a total of 2.5 million euros ($2.86 million) …
Full Story »
EU reforms carbon market under pressure from industry
Jul 17 2026
The European Union on Friday proposed easing its carbon trading scheme for companies, as it unveiled reforms to one of …
Full Story »
Tokyo, Taipei lead losses as Asian markets suffer fresh tech rout
Jul 17 2026
Tokyo and Taipei led heavy losses on a glum day for Asian markets Friday, with tech firms once again in the crosshairs …
Full Story »
Volvo Cars sees declining sales in 'challenging' environment
Jul 17 2026
Swedish carmaker Volvo Cars on Friday reported a drop in sales in the second quarter, noting a "very challenging …
Full Story »
With climate ambitions in question, EU reforms carbon market
Jul 17 2026
The European Union on Friday unveils reforms of its carbon market, after fierce wrangling between countries, industry …
Full Story »
From coal pits to wind turbines, Polish miners rise to the occasion
Jul 17 2026
From the top of a wind turbine nearly 100 metres above the ground, Grzegorz Witek, a coal miner, gazes at the horizon.
Full Story »
Startups bet on AI -- and a leaner future
Jul 17 2026
When Eric Lauer needs to hire at Giftory, the online gift-giving platform he runs, he's no longer looking for eager …
Full Story »
SpaceX abruptly scrubs Starship test flight
Jul 17 2026
SpaceX on scrubbed on Thursday what was to be its first Starship flight since the company went public, abruptly calling …
Full Story »
Tokyo, Taipei lead heavy losses as Asian markets suffer fresh tech rout
Jul 17 2026
Tokyo and Taipei led losses on a glum day for Asian markets Friday, with tech firms once again in the crosshairs as …
Full Story »
India's space sector takes off as private rocket readies launch
Jul 17 2026
India has sent spacecraft to Mars and the Moon, put hundreds of satellites into orbit and will in the coming days launch …
Full Story »
Taiwan lawmakers to remove legal hurdles for Starlink to operate
Jul 17 2026
Lawmakers in Taiwan are set to approve changes to a law that will open the door for Starlink to operate its satellite …
Full Story »
India's private space industry shoots for the stars
Jul 17 2026
Private companies are reshaping India's space ambitions, building rockets and satellites as the country pushes to …
Full Story »
Tokyo, Taipei lead tech losses as Asian markets suffer again
Jul 17 2026
Tokyo and Taipei led losses on a glum day for Asian markets Friday, with tech firms once again in the crosshairs as …
Full Story »
Stocks drop on tech sell-off, oil yo-yos on Mideast
Jul 16 2026
Major stock markets mostly retreated Thursday as semiconductor shares extended falls, while oil prices wobbled as the …
Full Story »
New science report could boost climate suits against oil giants
Jul 16 2026
Climate lawsuits seeking massive damages from fossil fuel companies increasingly hinge on this question: how reliably …
Full Story »
Farnborough to survey the state of Boeing's comeback
Jul 16 2026
Fresh off last week's launch of new production capacity in Washington state, Boeing plans a splashy display of new …
Full Story »