Business and Economy



Markets struggle at end of tough week

AFP - 12m ago

Asian markets stuttered Friday as data showing a pick-up in Chinese consumption was offset by concerns about US interest …

Asian markets fluctuate at end of tough week

AFP - 1h ago

Asian markets were mixed Friday as data showing a pick-up in Chinese consumption offset concerns about US interest rates …

Stiff business: Berlin startup will freeze your corpse for monthly fee

AFP - 1h ago

Becca Ziegler is only 24, but she already has her death planned out: her corpse will be deep-frozen to minus 200 degrees …

'Megaquake' warning hits Japan's growth

AFP - 2h ago

Japan's growth slowed in the third quarter after warnings of a major earthquake hit activity, official data showed …

Wars, looming Trump reign set to dominate G20 summit

AFP - 2h ago

G20 leaders gather in Brazil on Monday for a G20 summit set to be dominated by differences over wars in the Middle East …

Xi, Biden attend Asia-Pacific summit, prepare to meet

AFP - 2h ago

US President Joe Biden and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping will attend the first day of an Asia-Pacific leaders' summit …

China retail sales pick up speed, beat forecasts in October

AFP - 4h ago

China's retail sales last month grew at their fastest clip since the start of the year, official figures showed Friday, …

Japan growth slows as new PM readies stimulus

AFP - 3h ago

Japan's growth slowed in the third quarter, official data showed Friday, as Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba seeks to …

Xi, Biden in Peru for APEC summit, pre-Trump face-to-face

AFP - 1h ago

US President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping arrived in Peru Thursday for an Asia-Pacific summit where …

Xi inaugurates South America's first Chinese-funded port in Peru

AFP - 6h ago

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday inaugurated Latin America's first Beijing-funded port in Chancay, Peru -- a …

Policymakers defend Fed independence amid concerns about Trump era

Nov 14 2024

Two senior Federal Reserve officials praised the US central bank's independence on Thursday, amid concerns that …

US stocks fall as traders weigh future Fed cuts, Trump moves

Nov 14 2024

US stocks slipped Thursday as investors digested comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, while worries over …

Fed chair calls US the best-performing major economy in the world

Nov 14 2024

The recent performance of the US economy has been "the best of any major economy in the world," Federal Reserve Chair …

China's Xi arrives in Peru for APEC summit, Biden meeting

Nov 14 2024

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Peru Thursday for an Asia-Pacific summit where he will meet US counterpart Joe …

New York to revive driver congestion charge plan, drawing Trump ire

Nov 14 2024

New York said Thursday it will revive a controversial scheme to charge drivers entering parts of the city, a first in …

'Harness the now': British singer Imogen Heap embraces AI

Nov 14 2024

Unlike the bulk of her peers, Grammy-winning British singer Imogen Heap is embracing the use of artificial intelligence …

New York to revive driver congestion charge plan

Nov 14 2024

New York said Thursday it will revive a controversial scheme to charge drivers entering parts of the city, a first in …

Sotheby's to pay $6.25 mln in tax fraud case

Nov 14 2024

The auction house Sotheby's will pay $6.25 million to settle charges that it helped art buyers avoid paying taxes.

US stocks wobble as traders weigh future Fed cuts

Nov 14 2024

US stocks wobbled on Thursday as investors waited for more clues about future interest rate cuts and worries over Donald …

Satirical US outlet The Onion buys conspiracy site Infowars

Nov 14 2024

Satirical news outlet The Onion said Thursday it had acquired Infowars, a conspiracy-laden website whose owner made …

UK government announces ban on new coal mines

Nov 14 2024

The UK announced Thursday that it would introduce legislation to ban new coal mines, as the Labour government ramps up …

Legal migration to OECD reaches new record in 2023

Nov 14 2024

Migration to richer countries reached a record level for the second year running in 2023, the OECD said on Thursday, …

Central bank independence 'fundamental' for good policy: Fed official

Nov 14 2024

An independent central bank is "fundamental" to good economic outcomes, a senior Federal Reserve official said Thursday, …

EU fines Meta $840 million for 'abusive' Facebook ad practices

Nov 14 2024

The EU fined online giant Meta almost 800 million euros on Thursday for breaching antitrust rules by giving users of its …

Stock markets rise as traders weigh future Fed cuts

Nov 14 2024

US and European stocks rose on Thursday as investors waited for more clues about future interest rate cuts, while …

Coach owner Tapestry calls off Capri bid on regulatory blocks

Nov 14 2024

Fashion group Tapestry said Thursday that it was dropping its $8.5 billion bid for Capri, the owner of luxury brands …

Stock markets diverge as traders weigh future Fed cuts

Nov 14 2024

Stock markets diverged on Thursday as investors digested US inflation data that supported the case for another interest …

Burberry launches turnaround plan as posts loss

Nov 14 2024

Troubled British fashion house Burberry on Thursday announced cost-cutting plans after posting a loss, with the global …

Most markets drop as traders weigh Fed; bitcoin eases

Nov 14 2024

Markets mostly fell Thursday as investors digested US inflation data that supported the case for another interest rate …

Most Asian markets drop as traders weigh Fed; bitcoin eases

Nov 14 2024

Asian markets mostly fell Thursday as investors digested US inflation data that supported the case for another interest …

Greece's ambitious 'smart city' by the sea takes shape

Nov 14 2024

High above the sparkling surface of the Athens coastline, the cranes for building the 50-floor luxury tower centrepiece …

Corruption overshadows Ukraine's multi-billion reconstruction progam

Nov 14 2024

When Bart Gruyaert agreed to help rebuild destroyed apartment blocks outside Kyiv, he hoped to be one cog in Ukraine's …

Dating apps move to friend zone in search of profits

Nov 14 2024

Burnt-out love-seekers are shunning dating apps in their millions, but the apps are trying to woo them back with a …

As Trump returns, African exporters torn between hope and horror

Nov 14 2024

Citrus growers in South Africa are among the businesses most nervous that duty-and-quota-free exports to the United …

Asian markets mixed as traders weigh Fed; bitcoin above $90,000

Nov 14 2024

Asian markets diverged Thursday as investors digested US inflation data that supported the case for another interest …

'First Buddy': Musk takes unusual star role with Trump

Nov 14 2024

As Donald Trump prepares his return to the White House, one of his most omnipresent confidants has been not his running …

Buy now, pay later: Latin America pressured by Chinese online shops

Nov 14 2024

Isidora Olave opens a package containing a T-shirt, a skirt and a handful of glitter stickers shipped to her front door …

Workers stage walkout at US maker of Fallout video game

Nov 14 2024

Hundreds of US workers at the video game giant behind Fallout staged a one-day strike Wednesday over outsourcing and …

Bitcoin hits new highs, markets stall amid US inflation increase

Nov 13 2024

Global equities stalled Wednesday while bitcoin hit a fresh high as traders digested a small rise in inflation and …

Trump victory signals golden era for crypto industry

Nov 13 2024

Donald Trump's triumphant return to the White House signals a potential golden era for cryptocurrencies, whose …

New push for EU-South America trade deal despite French fury

Nov 13 2024

A controversial trade deal between the EU and South America's Mercosur bloc is back in the spotlight with renewed hopes …

Tech's green wave hits choppy waters

Nov 13 2024

Tech entrepreneurs have spent years selling the dream that we can save the planet without changing our ways, but the …

Markets stall, inflation and bitcoin rise amid Trump fears

Nov 13 2024

Global equities stalled Wednesday while bitcoin hit a fresh high as traders fret over the impact of Donald Trump's …

US consumer inflation rises in October on higher housing costs

Nov 13 2024

US consumer inflation edged higher last month spurred by an increase in housing costs, according to government data …

UK's The Guardian stops posting on 'toxic media platform' X

Nov 13 2024

Britain's The Guardian newspaper announced Wednesday it would no longer post content from its official accounts on Elon …

India delivery app Swiggy shares gain on market debut 

Nov 13 2024

Indian food delivery firm Swiggy rose nearly 17 percent on its market debut Wednesday after raising $1.34 billion in the …

Stock markets diverge as Trump fears build

Nov 13 2024

Global stock markets diverged Wednesday as traders fret over the impact of Donald Trump's presidency on the Chinese and …

Most Asian markets extend losses as Trump fears build

Nov 13 2024

Asian markets fell again Wednesday as traders fret over the impact of Donald Trump's presidency on the Chinese and …

7-Eleven owner announces counter-bid to foreign buyout

Nov 13 2024

The Japanese owner of 7-Eleven said Wednesday its founding family had offered a counter-bid to a takeover attempt by …

Asian markets extend losses as Trump fears build

Nov 13 2024

Asian markets fell again Wednesday as traders fret over the impact of Donald Trump's presidency on the Chinese and …

Elon Musk: rocket man takes aim at Washington

Nov 13 2024

Billionaire Elon Musk took a wild gamble backing Donald Trump's White House candidacy, but the bet has paid off -- at …

Australian airlines cancel Bali flights after volcano erupts

Nov 13 2024

Several Australian airlines on Wednesday cancelled their flights to and from the Indonesian resort island of Bali, after …

China's Xi heads to Peru for APEC meeting shrouded in Trump fears

Nov 13 2024

Chinese leader Xi Jinping headed to Peru on Wednesday, bound for a meeting of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) …

7-Eleven owner considers going private to avoid foreign buyout: reports

Nov 13 2024

The Japanese owner of 7-Eleven is considering going private by buying back its own shares in a bid to avoid a takeover …

Trump presidency raises fresh conflict of interest concerns

Nov 13 2024

Donald Trump's impending White House return poses questions once again about conflicts of interest related to his …

Aga Khan emerald fetches record $9 mn in Geneva auction

Nov 13 2024

A rare square 37-carat emerald owned by the Aga Khan fetched nearly nine million dollars at auction in Geneva on …

US bans flights to Haiti after three jetliners hit by gunfire

Nov 12 2024

The United States on Tuesday banned all civilian flights to Haiti for a month, a day after three jetliners approaching …

Global stocks slip as markets take post-US election breather

Nov 12 2024

A stocks rally following Donald Trump's US election win lost steam Tuesday as traders looked to consolidate recent …

Climate cash should also go to nuclear, says UN atomic chief

Nov 12 2024

The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog said Tuesday that atomic power should also be allowed to tap into …

Free Facebook in EU with less targeted ads

Nov 12 2024

Under pressure by EU regulators, Meta said Tuesday it was offering non-paying users of its Facebook and Instagram …

UN carbon market inches closer after COP29 agreement

Nov 12 2024

The creation of a UN-backed global carbon market has taken a step closer to reality with governments approving new …

Trump tariff worries trip up stocks rally, dollar climbs

Nov 12 2024

A stocks rally following Donald Trump's re-election lost steam Tuesday on worries of a possible trade war between China …

Boeing expects post-strike output recovery to take several weeks

Nov 12 2024

Boeing said Tuesday that it delivered 14 aircraft in October, but production will likely take several weeks to return to …

EU vessels to cease fishing in Senegal after accord expires

Nov 12 2024

European fishing vessels will imminently cease activities in Senegalese waters after the non-renewal of an agreement …

Lindt disputes US lawsuit claims, stands by 'excellence' labelling

Nov 12 2024

Top Swiss chocolatier Lindt & Sprungli is disputing claims brought by US consumers in a class action lawsuit concerning …

Trump tariff worries trip up stocks rally

Nov 12 2024

A stocks rally following Donald Trump's re-election lost steam Tuesday on worries of a possible trade war between China …

UK to beef up its emissions cuts as it bids to be 'climate leader'

Nov 12 2024

The UK will aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 81 percent on 1990 levels by 2035, Prime Minister Keir Starmer …

Court challenge begins against UK oil and gas field approvals

Nov 12 2024

Two environmental groups kicked off a legal challenge in Scotland on Tuesday to block the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and …

Nations to submit boosted climate plans: what's at stake?

Nov 12 2024

Nations have begun setting carbon-cutting targets for the decade ahead, and how ambitious these pledges are could make …

Bayer shares hit 20-yr low as problems pile up

Nov 12 2024

Bayer's shares plunged to a 20-year low Tuesday after the German chemicals giant cut its earnings outlook and posted a …

Tech sector gathers in Lisbon in shadow of Trump victory

Nov 12 2024

Leading lights of the tech industry met in Lisbon on Tuesday for the Web Summit, the sector's first big event since the …

C.Africa urges lifting of embargo on diamond exports

Nov 12 2024

The Central African Republic (CAR) sought Tuesday to convince the regulatory body for global diamond trading to lift all …

Stock markets retreat on Trump tariff worries

Nov 12 2024

European and Asian stock markets slid Tuesday on worries of a possible trade war between China and the United States …

New EU chief diplomat backs Ukraine as bloc's top team faces grilling

Nov 12 2024

The European Union's designated foreign policy chief said Tuesday that the bloc must back Ukraine "for as long as it …

Asian markets drop as Trump worries kick in after China disappoints

Nov 12 2024

Asian markets sank Tuesday as worries about the impact of a possible trade war between China and the United States when …

China planning to cut taxes on home buying: report 

Nov 12 2024

China is looking to slash taxes on home purchases as the government strengthens fiscal support for its ailing real …

Dutch court to rule in Shell climate appeal

Nov 12 2024

Dutch judges will on Tuesday rule on an appeal by oil giant Shell against a landmark judgement binding it to reduce …

Nintendo courts non-gamers in 'about-turn' strategy

Nov 12 2024

Once confined to rectangular screens, chirpy plumber Mario and pointy-eared Princess Zelda are popping up in theme parks …

China's largest air show takes off with fighter jets, attack drones

Nov 12 2024

Fighter jets and attack drones took centre stage as China's largest air show officially opened on Tuesday, an …

Australia moves to keep its banks in the Pacific

Nov 12 2024

Australia will move to stem the exodus of its banks from the Pacific Islands, the country's top economic official said, …

Sri Lanka's leftist president faces first parliament test

Nov 12 2024

Sri Lanka's new leftist leader has drawn strong support from an unlikely source as he seeks to expand his three …

Asian markets stutter with focus on China as Trump picks team

Nov 12 2024

Traders struggled Tuesday to bounce back from the previous day's losses in most markets sparked by disappointment over …

Bees help tackle elephant-human conflict in Kenya

Nov 12 2024

"We used to hate elephants a lot," Kenyan farmer Charity Mwangome says, pausing from her work under the shade of a …

Italy and Lufthansa reach deal on ITA Airways stake

Nov 12 2024

The Italian government and Lufthansa reached a deal on the sale of a stake in flag carrier ITA Airways to the German …

Fears of Trump trade wars cast pall over Asia-Pacific summit

Nov 12 2024

The presidents of the United States, China and other Asia Pacific nations gather in Lima this week for an economic …

Boeing reaches settlement to avert civil trial in MAX crash

Nov 12 2024

Beleaguered aviation giant Boeing reached a last-minute settlement Monday with the family of a woman killed in the crash …

Defunct crypto group FTX seeks to claw back $1.8 bn from Binance

Nov 11 2024

The liquidators of the defunct cryptocurrency exchange FTX have sued to try to claw back $1.8 billion paid by the …

Peru's Chancay: China's megaport of entry to South America

Nov 11 2024

Huge cranes loom over Peru's massive new Chinese-funded Chancay port, a symbol of Beijing's growing influence in South …

Stocks and dollar climb, bitcoin hits record high

Nov 11 2024

US and European stocks mostly climbed, while the dollar rose and bitcoin extended a record run on Monday, as traders …

Lindt melted own 'excellence' claim in US lawsuit: reports

Nov 11 2024

In a bid to dodge a US lawsuit, Swiss chocolatier Lindt & Sprungli has scuppered its own claims about the excellence of …

'London's best-kept secret': UK's largest wholesale market turns 50

Nov 11 2024

By the time most Londoners had rolled out of bed on Monday morning, Gary Marshall was already winding down for the day …

Stocks diverge, bitcoin hits record high

Nov 11 2024

Major stock markets diverged, the dollar gained and bitcoin extended a record run higher Monday, as traders took their …

China's 'Singles Day' shopping spree in spotlight as spending flags

Nov 11 2024

China's largest online shopping bonanza wraps up on Monday, with analysts and investors watching for signs that …

China says to impose anti-dumping measures on EU brandy

Nov 11 2024

China said Monday it will impose "temporary anti-dumping measures" on brandy imported from the European Union, deepening …

Asian stocks struggle as China support plan falls flat, bitcoin hits record

Nov 11 2024

Most Asian markets fell Monday after China's keenly awaited plans to support the world's number two economy fell short …

Asian stocks drop as China support plan falls flat, bitcoin hits record

Nov 11 2024

Asian markets fell Monday after China's keenly anticipated plans to support the world's number two economy fell short of …

Asia, the world's economic engine, prepares for Trump shock

Nov 10 2024

Some Asian countries stand to gain if US president-elect Donald Trump pushes ahead with his promised massive tariffs on …

Trump victory poses challenges for the Fed's independence

Nov 10 2024

Donald Trump's return to the White House could put the independence of the US Federal Reserve under strain, potentially …

US farmers gird for trade wars on Trump tariff pledges

Nov 10 2024

Donald Trump's first White House term saw a bruising trade war with China that left a lingering impact on farmers -- and …

Boeing to face civil trial over 2019 MAX crash

Nov 09 2024

Beleaguered aviation giant Boeing is set to confront another hurdle next week when it faces a civil trial over the March …

US stocks hit fresh records as European bourses retreat

Nov 08 2024

Wall Street stocks closed at fresh records Friday, extending a post-election rally while European equities pulled back …

After Trump victory, EU leaders vow 'urgent' economic reform

Nov 08 2024

EU leaders on Friday pledged to overhaul the bloc's economy with radical changes recommended in a landmark report, in …