Business and Economy



Stocks shrug off tensions to rise on renewed tech interest

AFP - 3m ago

Global stock markets were largely positive on Thursday as investors rediscovered their appetite for tech names and …

US pushes for weaker truck pollution rules

AFP - 11m ago

President Donald Trump's administration on Thursday moved to loosen truck pollution regulations put in place by his …

Iran burying Khamenei after new US fighting erupts

AFP - 13m ago

Iran on Thursday was laying to rest its former supreme leader Ali Khamenei over four months after his killing in a …

Black and cream and very Roman at Fendi haute couture show

AFP - 41m ago

Fendi presented its first haute couture show under designer Maria Grazia Chiuri Thursday, showing off a luxurious …

Union warns of 'conflict' as Volkswagen eyes mass job cuts

AFP - 1h ago

Volkswagen workers staged protests nationwide Thursday as unions warned of a "major conflict" if the struggling German …

New US, Iran fighting erupts ahead of Khamenei burial

AFP - 3h ago

New fighting erupted between the United States and Iran ahead of the burial of supreme leader Ali Khamenei on Thursday, …

US existing home sales dip in June as cost worries persist

AFP - 5h ago

Sales of previously owned homes in the United States dropped in June, according to industry data released Thursday, as …

Fendi shows haute couture in Rome with nod to Lagerfeld

AFP - 5h ago

Fendi celebrates the first haute couture show by newly seated designer Maria Grazia Chiuri in its home city of Rome on …

Cocoa lynchpin sees chocolate lovers make hesitant return

AFP - 8h ago

Barry Callebaut, one of the world's biggest chocolate makers, signalled Thursday that chocoholics are starting to …

EU parliament greenlights digital euro

AFP - 8h ago

EU lawmakers on Thursday backed kickstarting negotiations on creating a digital version of the euro, as the European …

Markets steady tracking US-Iran flare-up

AFP - 2h ago

Oil prices, stock markets and the dollar were steadier Thursday as investors assessed the outlook for Middle East peace …

German exports rise despite Iran war headwinds

AFP - 10h ago

German exports unexpectedly rose in May, their fourth straight monthly increase, official data showed Thursday, as …

US, Iran trade new strikes ahead of Khamenei burial

AFP - 3h ago

The United States and Iran traded new strikes on Thursday that killed several people in the Islamic republic as Iranian …

Crude pares steep gains as traders take stock after US-Iran flare-up

AFP - 2h ago

Oil prices fell Thursday, clawing back some of the previous day's surge, as investors assessed the outlook for Middle …

Crude stabilises after US-Iran flare-up rocked peace hopes

AFP - 59m ago

Oil prices dipped Thursday after the previous day's surge as Donald Trump said the US ceasefire with Iran was over and …

US, Iran trade new strikes in fight over Hormuz strait

AFP - 3h ago

The United States and Iran traded strikes on Thursday for the second day running as Washington and Tehran battled over …

Unions to protest as Volkswagen thrashes out job cut plans

AFP - 7h ago

German auto giant Volkswagen's management meet Thursday to thrash out plans for what could be the biggest ever …

US crackdown on top AI fuels open-source surge

AFP - 17h ago

The US government's shock moves to restrict access to top artificial intelligence systems from Anthropic and OpenAI have …

Chip titan SK hynix to set price for mega US listing

AFP - 6h ago

South Korean chip giant SK hynix is expected on Thursday to set the price for its mega US listing that could be one of …

Crude extends rally as US-Iran flare-up rocks peace hopes

AFP - 11m ago

Oil prices extended their surge Thursday as Donald Trump said the US ceasefire with Iran was over and ordered fresh …

Oil surges, stocks slide as Trump says Iran ceasefire over

Jul 08 2026

Oil prices briefly soared back above $80 per barrel while stock markets slid Wednesday, after US President Donald Trump …

Meta to build $9 billion data center in western Canada

Jul 08 2026

Meta said Wednesday it plans to build a $9 billion data center in western Canada's Alberta province, in what local …

Some US Fed officials considered June rate hike on war fallout

Jul 08 2026

Some US Federal Reserve officials saw reasons to hike rates at the central bank's June policy meeting given elevated …

UN maritime head urges halt to Hormuz transit to protect seafarers

Jul 08 2026

The head of the International Maritime Organization said Wednesday the 6,000 seafarers still stranded in the Gulf must …

New York building that buckled now 'stable,' says mayor

Jul 08 2026

The high-rise building under renovation that buckled in the heart of Manhattan, forcing the evacuation of thousands of …

Oil back at $80, stocks slide as Trump says Iran ceasefire over

Jul 08 2026

Oil prices briefly soared back above $80 per barrel while stock markets slid Wednesday after US President Donald Trump …

Air Canada taps new CEO to replace chief who couldn't speak French

Jul 08 2026

Air Canada named a French-speaking European as its new CEO on Wednesday, replacing Michael Rousseau, who announced his …

Uber Eats, Deliveroo say will give France drivers break when too hot

Jul 08 2026

Uber Eats and Deliveroo on Wednesday said they would impose afternoon breaks for food delivery cyclists in parts of …

IMF cuts 2026 world growth forecast, flags risks from new Mideast fighting

Jul 08 2026

The IMF cut its 2026 global growth projection again Wednesday, flagging "uncertainty and risks" to the economic outlook …

Oil shoots back up, stocks slide as Trump says Iran ceasefire over

Jul 08 2026

Oil prices soared anew and stock markets slid Wednesday after US President Donald Trump said the ceasefire with Iran was …

OpenAI to launch new model after US freeze

Jul 08 2026

ChatGPT-maker OpenAI said its latest and most powerful artificial intelligence model will be released to the public on …

Oil prices surge, stocks slide as Trump says Iran ceasefire over

Jul 08 2026

Oil prices soared and stock markets slid Wednesday after US President Donald Trump said the ceasefire with Iran was …

Apple loses challenge against EU digital competition rules

Jul 08 2026

Apple lost its bid to escape digital competition rules after an EU court on Wednesday rejected the US giant's challenge.

Oil prices extend rally as US strikes on Iran revive geopolitical fears

Jul 08 2026

Oil prices jumped more than three percent on Wednesday as the Middle East crisis burst back into the spotlight with US …

US, Iran trade strikes in new threat to ceasefire

Jul 08 2026

The United States launched extensive strikes on Iran over attacks on ships in the vital Strait of Hormuz, triggering a …

Chinese repairwomen smash stereotypes with power tools

Jul 08 2026

The sound of pliers clicking filled a workshop in eastern China's Hangzhou as a group of women practised stripping …

US strikes Iran after Hormuz attacks, Tehran threatens response

Jul 07 2026

US forces launched strikes on Iran on Tuesday after three commercial vessels were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, the …

US strikes Iran after Hormuz tanker attacks: military

Jul 07 2026

US forces launched strikes on Iran on Tuesday after three commercial vessels were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, the …

Netflix strikes deals in short-form video push

Jul 07 2026

Netflix is pushing deeper into the short-form video territory dominated by TikTok and YouTube, striking licensing deals …

Tanker attacks send oil higher, stocks hit by AI jitters

Jul 07 2026

Oil prices jumped after three tankers were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, while jitters about the outlook for the AI …

US revokes Iran oil waiver after Hormuz tanker attacks

Jul 07 2026

The United States revoked a temporary sanctions waiver for Iranian oil Tuesday after three tankers were struck in the …

Canada province preparing lawsuit against OpenAI over school shooting

Jul 07 2026

British Columbia said Tuesday it was preparing a lawsuit against OpenAI over the company's failure to report violent …

Nigeria's Dangote confirms Lamu, Kenya for east Africa mega-refinery

Jul 07 2026

Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, will build a 700,000-barrels per day east African oil refinery in Lamu on the Kenya …

Stocks hit by AI concerns as oil rises on tanker attack

Jul 07 2026

Stock markets traded mixed Tuesday as investors tracked concerns over the AI sector's outlook, while oil prices climbed …

US trade gap in May widens to biggest in over a year

Jul 07 2026

The US trade deficit widened sharply in May to its largest in over a year as imports rose, government data showed …

Stocks mixed tracking AI concerns, as oil rises on tanker attack

Jul 07 2026

Stock markets traded mixed Tuesday as investors tracked concerns over the AI sector's outlook, while oil prices climbed …

Seoul dives on tough day for Asia as Samsung fails to ease tech woes

Jul 07 2026

Seoul once again led losses in Asian stocks on Tuesday as chip giant Samsung tumbled despite an eye-watering rise in …

Samsung expects 1,800% operating profit leap on AI boom

Jul 07 2026

South Korean technology giant Samsung Electronics forecast Tuesday a massive 19-fold jump in second-quarter operating …

Seoul dives on mixed day in Asia as Samsung fails to ease tech woes

Jul 07 2026

Seoul once again led losses on a mixed day in Asian stocks Tuesday as chip giant Samsung tumbled despite an eye-watering …

Samsung expects 1,800% leap in quarterly operating profit on AI boom

Jul 07 2026

South Korean technology giant Samsung Electronics forecast on Tuesday a roughly 19-fold jump in second-quarter operating …

Stock markets meander as US tech stocks climb

Jul 06 2026

Major stock markets meandered Monday while US tech names climbed, as quarterly earnings season kicks into gear.

Microsoft cuts 4,800 jobs as it revamps Xbox

Jul 06 2026

Microsoft said Monday it was eliminating about 4,800 jobs -- roughly two percent of its global workforce -- in a …

US streamers launch new legal fight against French content rules

Jul 06 2026

American streaming platforms Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon's Prime Video said Monday they had filed legal appeals …

Stock markets meander as tech recovery stutters

Jul 06 2026

Major stock markets meandered Monday with a recovery in technology share prices petering out as quarterly earnings …

Big defence spending, aid cuts: German cabinet approves budget

Jul 06 2026

The German cabinet Monday approved a budget for next year that sets out vast new outlays for defence but drew criticism …

Microsoft cuts 4,800 job as it revamps Xbox

Jul 06 2026

Microsoft said Monday it was eliminating about 4,800 jobs -- roughly two percent of its global workforce -- in a …

Netflix, Disney+, Amazon appeal French investment rules

Jul 06 2026

Streaming platforms Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon's Prime Video said Monday they have filed appeals with French …

Stock markets diverge as tech recovery stutters

Jul 06 2026

Major stock markets traded mixed Monday as a recovery for technology share prices petered out and quarterly earnings …

Indonesia, Singapore say key oil passage will remain 'accessible'

Jul 06 2026

Indonesia and Singapore vowed on Monday that the Strait of Malacca, a critical oil transit chokepoint in the region, …

Fears new pan-European company status threatens workers' rights

Jul 06 2026

Europe wants to become a paradise for entrepreneurs, but unions and EU lawmakers fear a special new business rulebook …

German factory orders unexpectedly rebound in May

Jul 06 2026

German industrial orders unexpectedly rebounded in May, official data showed Monday, but the government warned of …

Asian markets mixed as tech recovery stutters, oil slips

Jul 06 2026

Asian markets were mixed Monday as last week's late tech recovery petered out, with traders turning their focus to the …

Sky strengthens UK streaming offer with ITV deal

Jul 06 2026

Sky television on Monday said it had agreed to buy ITV's media and entertainment business for up to £1.6 billion ($2.1 …

OPEC+ raises quotas again as Middle East calms

Jul 05 2026

Seven OPEC+ members decided on Sunday to again raise oil production quotas as Gulf countries reel from the Middle East …

Turkey eyes F110 fighter jet engines as Trump comes to town

Jul 05 2026

US President Donald Trump's visit to Ankara for the NATO summit could help secure Turkey's acquisition of dozens of …

Afghan car trade screeches to a halt due to regional wars

Jul 05 2026

In Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province, a once-thriving business of trading car parts from far-flung places has …

Struggling German auto supplier Continental to sell unit

Jul 04 2026

German auto supplier Continental announced Saturday a four-billion-euro ($4.6-billion) deal to sell a division to a US …

Europe's baked rice bowl seeks escape from drought

Jul 04 2026

Summer came too early to Europe's most important rice growing region and weeds are taking over Sharon Angoli's parched …

Stocks mostly rise as beaten-down tech stocks enjoy bounce

Jul 03 2026

Asian and European stock markets mostly rose Friday as tech firms rebounded and investors reacted to the receding …

Ukraine backers to vow major support at NATO summit

Jul 03 2026

NATO's European members and Canada will pledge to give Ukraine 70 billion euros ($80 billion) in military aid both this …

Mercedes demos set stage for wave of German auto protests

Jul 03 2026

Thousands of workers demonstrated outside Mercedes-Benz factories in Germany Friday over the premium carmaker's …

Chinese investors flock to Hong Kong as trading curbs tighten

Jul 03 2026

Soon after disembarking at Hong Kong's train station, Chinese private investor Feng was opening a stock trading account …

Surging real estate development divides opinion on Athens' riviera

Jul 03 2026

In the southern Athens seaside suburb of Glyfada, a pensioner struggles to cross an avenue with her shopping trolley, …

Move over, Messi! Robot footballers thrill crowds in South Korea

Jul 03 2026

Thirty seconds before kick-off, humanoid robot footballers in red and blue jerseys await the referee's signal in the …

Asian markets rise as beaten-down tech stocks enjoy bounce

Jul 03 2026

Asian stocks rose Friday as tech firms enjoyed a much-needed rebound from the heavy selling of recent weeks, with a big …

China sports brands score NBA stars to assist global ambitions

Jul 03 2026

NBA star Kyrie Irving walked out onto a basketball court in southwest China to rapturous applause, his brightly coloured …

Asian markets rise as beaten tech stocks enjoy respite from selling

Jul 03 2026

Asian stocks rose Friday as tech firms enjoyed a much-needed reprieve from the heavy selling of recent weeks, with a big …

From ketchup to car parts, Cuba gets private sector makeover

Jul 03 2026

From grocery stores to restaurants and fuel, Cuba's burgeoning private sector is filling the vacuum left by a collapsing …

Dollar down, stocks shine after disappointing US jobs data

Jul 02 2026

The dollar tumbled Thursday after disappointing US jobs data dampened expectations for a quick interest rate hike, while …

Progress, further delay risk for Boeing Air Force One: report

Jul 02 2026

Boeing has made progress on its much-delayed new planes for the US president -- dubbed Air Force One when the leader is …

German ruling coalition agrees on major reform package

Jul 02 2026

Germany's ruling coalition has agreed on sweeping tax, labour and pension reforms, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said …

Tesla global auto sales jump 25% in 2nd quarter, beating expectations

Jul 02 2026

Tesla reported a jump in second-quarter auto sales Thursday, as Elon Musk's electric vehicle company easily topped …

Albanian clashes as protest over Trump-linked resort boils over

Jul 02 2026

Violent clashes erupted between police and demonstrators outside Albania's parliament on Thursday, as protests sparked …

Slowing US job growth poses midterms challenge for Trump

Jul 02 2026

The United States posted weaker-than-expected job growth in June as new data showed the labor market is facing headwinds …

US job growth slows, posing questions for Trump before midterms

Jul 02 2026

The United States posted weaker-than-expected job growth in June as new data showed the labor market is facing headwinds …

US posts weaker-than-expected job growth in June

Jul 02 2026

The United States posted weaker-than-expected job growth in June as data showed the labor market is facing headwinds …

Chanel eyes menswear with Charvet shirtmaker takeover

Jul 02 2026

French luxury giant Chanel announced Thursday that it had acquired historic Parisian shirtmaker Charvet, having …

Chanel eyes menswear with Charvet shirtmaker takevoer

Jul 02 2026

French luxury giant Chanel announced Thursday that it had acquired historic Parisian shirtmaker Charvet, having …

German drone maker raises $1.2 bn as investors pile into defence

Jul 02 2026

German drone maker Quantum Systems said Thursday it has raised $1.2 billion (one billion euros) in a funding round and …

European stocks climb after Asia rout

Jul 02 2026

Europe's main stock markets rose Thursday awaiting key US jobs data, brushing off a rout for Asian technology giants.

Germany's Infineon opens major chip plant as EU seeks tech autonomy

Jul 02 2026

German semiconductor giant Infineon opened a five-billion-euro ($5.7 billion) microchip plant Thursday, as Europe seeks …

EU top court upholds record 4.1 bn euro Google fine

Jul 02 2026

The EU's top court upheld Thursday a record 4.1 billion euro ($4.7 billion) fine the bloc slapped on Google for …

Coffee with a view: tourists flock to Starbucks overlooking North Korea

Jul 02 2026

The contrast cannot be starker: selfie-taking tourists sipping coffee at Starbucks -- an icon of globalisation and …

German coalition agrees on reform package in key breakthrough

Jul 02 2026

Germany's ruling coalition has agreed on sweeping tax, labour and pension reforms, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said …

Seoul's Kospi tanks as Asia tech firms suffer another blow

Jul 02 2026

South Korean stocks plunged nearly eight percent Thursday in tech stock rout in Asia as investors unwound huge bets on …

India asks Meta to hold WhatsApp username rollout over fraud fears

Jul 02 2026

India has asked Meta to hold off launching its username feature on WhatsApp in the world's most populous country, citing …

Resource rich PNG leaving its Pacific people behind: World Bank

Jul 02 2026

Gold and gas-driven economic growth in Papua New Guinea, the South Pacific's largest nation, is leaving its people …

Germany's energy-hungry small firms struggle with green shift

Jul 02 2026

Small companies that form the backbone of the German economy are struggling with the shift to carbon-neutral production, …

Most Asia markets down as tech firms take fresh blow

Jul 02 2026

Tech stocks led losses across most of Asia on Thursday as investors continued to unwind huge bets on the sector that …

Budding chefs cook up new career at China's BBQ academy

Jul 02 2026

Hunched over sizzling grills and shrouded in smoke, trainees at the Yueyang Barbecue Academy in southern China roast …

EU top court to rule on record 4.1 bn euro Google fine

Jul 02 2026

The EU's top court will decide Thursday whether to uphold a record 4.1 billion euro ($4.7 billion) fine the bloc slapped …

'Job forever': trade schools are all the rage in the AI era

Jul 02 2026

Long looked down upon, skilled trades are booming in the United States, especially among young adults drawn by strong …