Business and Economy



German lithium project moves ahead in boost for Europe's EV sector

AFP - 1h ago

Australia's Vulcan Energy said Wednesday it will soon start building a German lithium production project that will …

Stock markets mostly rise awaiting US data

AFP - 2h ago

European and Asian stock markets mostly rose Wednesday following a resumption of Wall Street's rally, but gains were …

EU agrees deal to ban Russian gas by autumn 2027

AFP - 3h ago

European Union lawmakers and member states reached a deal Wednesday to ban all imports of Russian gas by autumn 2027, as …

Norway postpones deep-sea mining activities for four years

AFP - 3h ago

Norway on Wednesday postponed the first licences to permit deep-sea mining in its Arctic waters for four years, a delay …

Zara owner Inditex posts higher profits

AFP - 4h ago

Zara owner Inditex, the world's largest fashion retailer, posted Wednesday higher profits for the first nine months of …

YouTube attacks Australia's world-first social media ban

AFP - 4h ago

YouTube on Wednesday attacked Australia's looming social media ban for under-16s as rushed, but the government called …

Most Asian markets rise as traders await key US data

AFP - 2h ago

Asian markets mostly rose Wednesday following a resumption of Wall Street's rally, but gains were muted as investors …

Airbus cuts delivery target over fuselage quality issue

AFP - 5h ago

Aircraft maker Airbus said Wednesday it had lowered its 2025 target for deliveries because of fuselage panel quality …

Indian rupee hits fresh record low past 90 per dollar

AFP - 7h ago

India's rupee fell to a fresh record low of over 90 per dollar Wednesday, extending recent declines, with traders partly …

YouTube says Australia social media ban makes children 'less safe'

AFP - 6h ago

YouTube on Wednesday attacked Australia's looming social media ban for under-16s, denouncing the world-first laws as …

Chinese smart glasses firms eye overseas conquest

AFP - 11h ago

In China, AI glasses let the wearer pay in shops with just a glance at a QR code and a voice command, as a growing …

Italy's luxury brands shaken by sweatshop probes

AFP - 58m ago

A series of investigations into exploitative work conditions within fashion subcontractors has roiled Italy's luxury …

Women don fake mustaches in LinkedIn 'gender bias' fight

AFP - 9h ago

Flipping their gender setting to "male" and even posting photos with fake mustaches, a growing number of women on …

What are 'rare earths' for?

AFP - 2h ago

Crucial for making smartphones, fighter jets and electric cars, "rare earth" metals have become a strategic bargaining …

San Francisco sues producers over ultra-processed food

AFP - 14h ago

San Francisco is suing makers of the ultra-processed food that health experts say has led millions of Americans into …

Trump hints economic adviser Hassett may be Fed chair pick

Dec 02 2025

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday hinted that he wants to nominate his chief economic adviser Kevin Hassett to …

US stocks resume upward climb despite lingering valuation worries

Dec 02 2025

Wall Street stocks resumed their upward climb Tuesday after the previous day's stutter, as markets weighed expected …

German economy in 'deepest crisis' of post-war era: industry group

Dec 02 2025

Germany's economy is suffering its "deepest crisis" since the aftermath of World War II, an industry group warned …

Faberge's rare Winter Egg fetches record £22.9 mn at auction

Dec 02 2025

Faberge's The Winter Egg, considered one of his most beautiful creations, sold for nearly £23 million ($30 million) at …

Stocks firm as US rate cut outlook tempers Japan bond unease

Dec 02 2025

Stocks steadied Tuesday following the previous day's stutter, as weak data reinforced optimism for US interest rate cuts …

Amazon unveils new AI chip in battle against Nvidia

Dec 02 2025

Amazon Web Services launched its in-house-built Trainium3 AI chip on Tuesday, marking a significant push to compete with …

Prada completes acquisition of flashy rival Versace

Dec 02 2025

Italian fashion group Prada announced on Tuesday it had completed its acquisition of smaller rival Versace, announced …

OECD raises US, eurozone growth targets as world economy 'resilient'

Dec 02 2025

The world economy has been "surprisingly resilient" in the face of adversity this year, the OECD said Tuesday, raising …

Most Asian markets rise as US rate cut bets temper Japan bond unease

Dec 02 2025

Asian stocks mostly rose Tuesday following the previous day's stutter, as more weak data helped solidify US interest …

Most markets rise as US rate cut bets temper Japan bond unease

Dec 02 2025

Stocks mostly rose Tuesday following the previous day's stutter as more weak data helped solidify US interest rate cut …

Apple AI chief leaving as iPhone maker plays catch-up

Dec 02 2025

Apple on Monday said the head of its artificial intelligence team is stepping down, and the effort is to be led by a …

Samsung unveils first 'special edition' triple-folding phone

Dec 02 2025

Samsung launched its first triple-folding phone on Tuesday, a special-edition product with an eyewatering price tag …

South Korean leader calls for penalties over e-commerce data leak

Dec 02 2025

South Korea's president ordered on Tuesday swift action to penalise those responsible for a major data leak at …

Asian markets rise as US rate cut bets temper Japan bond unease

Dec 02 2025

Stocks rose Tuesday following the previous day's stutter as more weak US data helped solidify US interest rate cut …

Pacific island office enabling sanctions-busting 'shadow fleets'

Dec 02 2025

Dozens of oil tankers suspected of smuggling contraband crude for Russia and Iran have been using a beachside office in …

Stocks turn lower as traders eye US data for Fed signals

Dec 01 2025

European and US stock markets turned lower Monday as investors awaited key US data that could play a role in Federal …

US Supreme Court hears major online music piracy case

Dec 01 2025

The US Supreme Court heard arguments on Monday on whether internet service providers should be held liable for the …

US to zero out tariffs on UK pharma under trade deal

Dec 01 2025

The United States on Monday exempted British pharmaceuticals from import tariffs under a unique deal which sees the UK …

In contrast to Europe, Tesla sets sales records in Norway

Dec 01 2025

Tesla has sold more cars in Norway in 11 months than any other brand in a whole year, according to statistics published …

UK withdraws loan for Mozambique gas project

Dec 01 2025

Britain's government said Monday it would withdraw its financial support for TotalEnergies' gas project in Mozambique, …

Airbus confirms 'quality issue' on A320 panels

Dec 01 2025

European plane-maker Airbus said Monday it had detected a "quality issue" affecting metal panels on its popular A320 …

From porcelain to tweed, EU opens protected label to crafts

Dec 01 2025

Traditional crafts from French Limoges porcelain to Irish Donegal tweed became entitled to EU protected status as of …

Stocks mixed as traders eye US data for Fed signals

Dec 01 2025

Stock markets diverged Monday as investors awaited key US data that could play a role in Federal Reserve deliberations …

Equity markets mixed as traders eye US data ahead of Fed decision

Dec 01 2025

Asian and European equities were mixed Monday with investors awaiting the release of key US data that could play a role …

Asian markets mixed as traders eye US data ahead of Fed decision

Dec 01 2025

Asian equities were mixed Monday with investors awaiting the release of key US data that could play a role in Federal …

Arms makers see record revenues as tensions fuel demand: report

Nov 30 2025

Sales by the world's top 100 arms makers reached a record $679 billion last year, as the wars in Ukraine and Gaza …

OPEC+ reaffirms planned pause on oil output hikes until March

Nov 30 2025

OPEC nations and oil-producing allies reaffirmed Sunday plans to keep current oil output levels unchanged until March, …

Long-lost Rubens 'masterpiece' sells for almost 3 mn euros

Nov 30 2025

A long-lost painting by 17th-century Flemish master Peter Paul Rubens sold at auction in France on Sunday for almost …

Electric vehicle prowess helps China's flying car sector take off

Nov 30 2025

A worker in white gloves inspects the propellers of a boxy two-seater aircraft fresh off the assembly line at a Chinese …

Trump ramps up Venezuela threats, warns airspace 'closed'

Nov 30 2025

US President Donald Trump sharply escalated his threats against Venezuela on Saturday with an ominous warning that the …

Hungary's 'Hollywood on the Danube' faces Trump tariff threat

Nov 30 2025

A prop axe was brought in as crew members set the scene for a horror movie being filmed in Budapest's former psychiatric …

OPEC+ likely to maintain current output levels

Nov 30 2025

Ministers of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allied nations (OPEC+) are expected to keep …

Trump says Venezuela airspace should be considered 'closed in its entirety'

Nov 29 2025

US President Donald Trump warned on Saturday that the airspace above and near Venezuela should be considered closed, the …

Travel chaos fears ease after Airbus intervenes on software fix

Nov 29 2025

Fears of days of travel chaos across Europe and the world eased on Saturday after plane manufacturer Airbus intervened …

Air travel disrupted over Airbus A320 software switch

Nov 29 2025

More airlines around the world announced delayed or cancelled flights Saturday following an Airbus alert that up to …

How successful has OPEC+'s oil output policy been in 2025?

Nov 29 2025

Ministers of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allied nations (OPEC+) are unlikely to make …

Air travel faces disruptions over A320 software switch

Nov 28 2025

Several airlines announced delayed or cancelled flights on Friday following an Airbus alert that up to 6,000 operational …

Stocks rise in thin post-Thanksgiving trading

Nov 28 2025

Global stocks mostly rose Friday, extending a positive winning streak based in part on expectations that the Federal …

Crowds, bargains greet US shoppers on 'Black Friday'

Nov 28 2025

The annual "Black Friday" kickoff to the US holiday shopping season drew crowds Friday as millions of Americans seized …

Canada PM under fire for alleged climate U-turn

Nov 28 2025

Critics accuse Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney of betraying the fight against climate change.

Stocks rise in thin Thanksgiving trading

Nov 28 2025

Wall Street and key European equity markets rose on Friday in thin US holiday weekend trading, with a key US exchange …

Belgian PM digs in against EU push to use Russian assets for Ukraine

Nov 28 2025

Belgium's Prime Minister Bart De Wever has called an EU plan to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine "fundamentally …

Markets muted in thin trade, hit by data centre glitch

Nov 28 2025

Stock markets were little changed Friday, capping a solid week driven by expectations of more US rate cuts, with trading …

Driven by TikTok trends, new beauty brands target children

Nov 28 2025

Should children be using beauty face masks? Dermatologists say no, but a growing number of companies are targeting a new …

India economic growth beats forecasts but tariffs loom

Nov 28 2025

India's economy grew faster than expected in the last quarter, official data showed Friday, but the impact from US …

Most equity markets build on week's rally

Nov 28 2025

Most markets squeezed out gains Friday at the end of a strong week for equities fuelled by growing expectations that the …

Most Asian markets build on week's rally

Nov 28 2025

Most markets squeezed out gains Friday at the end of a strong week for equities fuelled by growing expectations that the …

China says humanoid robot buzz carries bubble risk

Nov 28 2025

More than 150 Chinese companies are making humanoid robots but a market bubble risks forming in the rapidly growing …

Asian markets struggle to build on week's rally

Nov 28 2025

Markets fluctuated Friday at the end of a strong week for equities fuelled by growing expectations that the Federal …

China, inflation could pop Japan PM's bubble

Nov 28 2025

Charming Donald Trump one week, angering China the next, Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has had a busy start and …

Trump says Venezuela anti-drug operations 'by land' to begin 'soon'

Nov 28 2025

US President Donald Trump said Thursday that efforts to halt Venezuelan drug trafficking "by land" would begin "very …

Government groceries? NY's new leftist mayor eyes supermarket experiment

Nov 28 2025

New Yorkers struggling to afford food in the country's biggest city -- and often exorbitantly expensive financial …

Venezuela foreign airline ban slammed as 'disproportionate'

Nov 27 2025

Venezuela's decision to ban foreign airlines that stopped flying to the Caribbean country over concerns about US …

Carney advances new Canada oil pipeline, raising climate concerns

Nov 27 2025

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney signed an agreement Thursday with the western energy-producing province of Alberta …

Europe secures record space budget to boost independence

Nov 27 2025

The European Space Agency announced Thursday it had secured a record budget of 22.1 billion euros to fund its programmes …

European stocks steady as US shuts for Thanksgiving

Nov 27 2025

European stock markets steadied Thursday after solid gains in Asia, as markets increasingly expect the US Federal …

Europe secures record space budget to boost indepedence

Nov 27 2025

The European Space Agency announced Thursday it had secured a record budget of 22.1 billion euros to fund its programmes …

Swiss MPs seek probe into lavish Trump gifts after tariff deal

Nov 27 2025

Two Swiss lawmakers have asked the country's attorney general to probe the legality of gifts reportedly given to US …

Beer giant Asahi not engaging with hackers after cyberattack

Nov 27 2025

Japanese beer giant Asahi said on Thursday it had not received any specific demand from the hackers behind a …

EU could hit X with fine before 2025 ends

Nov 27 2025

The European Union could fine Elon Musk's X platform for breaking its digital rules by the end of 2025 -- two years into …

Most Asian markets track latest Wall St rally as rate bets rise

Nov 27 2025

Most Asian markets rose Thursday to extend the week's global rally as traders ramp up bets on a third successive US …

South Africa slams Trump's G20 ban as punitive

Nov 27 2025

South Africa denounced US President Donald Trump's decision to bar it from the 2026 G20 summit, calling the move …

Asian stocks track latest Wall St rally as rate bets rise

Nov 27 2025

Asian markets rose again Thursday to extend the week's global rally as traders ramp up bets on a third successive US …

High-flying tech hits potholes in India's Silicon Valley

Nov 27 2025

In India's tech capital Bengaluru, the morning "rush hour" lasts so long it devours half the workday, throttling …

Beer giant Asahi not engaging with ransomware hackers

Nov 27 2025

Japanese beer giant Asahi said Thursday it was not negotiating with the hackers behind a "sophisticated and cunning" …

Japan beer giant Asahi delays earnings due to cyberattack

Nov 27 2025

Japanese beer giant Asahi said Thursday it has delayed the release of full-year financial results due to a major ongoing …

US stocks rise for 3rd straight day while British pound advances

Nov 26 2025

Global stocks mostly rose Wednesday, with Wall Street equities gaining on hopes of lower interest rates, while the …

Climate change 'increasingly threatens' dynamic Spanish economy: OECD

Nov 26 2025

The consequences of climate change such as last year's deadly floods "increasingly threaten" the growth of Spain's …

Campbell's responds to 'absurd' charge it uses 3D-printed chicken

Nov 26 2025

Food giant Campbell's has dismissed as "absurd" claims allegedly made by a senior executive, who has since been placed …

US farmers, firms flag higher costs even as Trump touts affordability

Nov 26 2025

As biting prices weigh on families heading into the US holiday season, farmers and business owners say President Donald …

UK allows new oil, gas drilling in existing North Sea fields

Nov 26 2025

Britain's government signalled Wednesday it could issue permits for oil and gas extraction around existing North Sea …

UK tax-raising budget pleases markets despite growth downgrades

Nov 26 2025

Britain's government unveiled a tax-raising budget Wednesday welcomed by financial markets, as its hard-hitting action …

Stocks extend gains on US rate cut hopes

Nov 26 2025

Global stocks pushed higher on Wednesday as investors saw an increasing likelihood of another US interest rate cut next …

Insurance giant Allianz signals job cuts in AI shift

Nov 26 2025

German insurance giant Allianz signalled Wednesday looming job cuts due to its adoption of artificial intelligence with …

Swedish steel startup Stegra gets more state aid

Nov 26 2025

The Swedish Energy Agency said Wednesday it was giving some $40 million in support to low-carbon steelmaker Stegra, amid …

Swedish steel startup Stegra gets state aid

Nov 26 2025

The Swedish Energy Agency said Wednesday it was giving some $40 million in support to low-carbon steelmaker Stegra, amid …

Shein under EU pressure over childlike sex dolls

Nov 26 2025

The European Union stepped up its pressure on Shein on Wednesday after the online retail giant faced an uproar in France …

UK unveils tax-raising budget as growth downgraded

Nov 26 2025

Britain's centre-left Labour government unveiled a tax-raising budget Wednesday to curb debt and fund public services -- …

Hungary boosts oil shipments to Serbia as energy crisis looms

Nov 26 2025

Hungary will deliver more oil products to Serbia, its foreign minister said Wednesday, ahead of a shutdown of the Balkan …

EU lawmakers call to make it easier to suspend shopping platforms like Shein

Nov 26 2025

EU lawmakers on Wednesday called to make it easier to suspend e-commerce platforms, following outrage in France over the …

Richard Branson 'heartbroken' as his wife dies aged 80

Nov 26 2025

British entrepreneur Richard Branson paid tribute Wednesday to his wife Joan Templeman shortly after announcing her …

ECB warns on stretched AI valuations and sovereign debt risks

Nov 26 2025

Heightened market exuberance around artificial intelligence and eye-popping levels of government debt could pose risks …

IMF urges Germany to enact 'pro-growth' reforms

Nov 26 2025

The International Monetary Fund said Wednesday that Germany's public spending ramp-up must be accompanied by …

Stocks extend global rally as data boost rate cut hopes

Nov 26 2025

Asia and Europe extended a global equities rally Wednesday after another round of tepid US data reinforced expectations …

Asian stocks extend global rally as data boost rate cut hopes

Nov 26 2025

Asia extended a global equities rally Wednesday after another round of tepid US data reinforced expectations that the …

China likely to bid on building new Panama Canal ports

Nov 26 2025

China is among parties interested in bidding to build two new ports on the Panama Canal, its administrator said Tuesday, …

Pele's brand acquired by family business of Neymar Jr.

Nov 26 2025

Iconic footballer Pele's brand came under the ownership of another prominent Brazilian athlete, Neymar Santos Jr., after …