Business and Economy



Asian markets stutter as traders weigh China-US trade flare-up

AFP - 4m ago

Asian markets stumbled Wednesday and gold hit a new record as investors kept tabs on China and the United States after …

Nissan shares fall as reports say Honda merger talks off

AFP - 14m ago

Nissan shares plunged on Wednesday as media reports said the struggling Japanese carmaker was walking away from merger …

US Postal Service says suspending parcels from China

AFP - 21m ago

The US Postal Service (USPS) said Tuesday it was temporarily suspending inbound parcels from China and Hong Kong, …

Toyota announces Lexus EV plant in Shanghai

AFP - 39m ago

Japan's Toyota said Wednesday it will build an electric vehicle plant in Shanghai for its luxury Lexus brand as it …

Santander reports record profit for third straight year

AFP - 45m ago

Spanish banking giant Santander announced record annual profits for a third consecutive year on Wednesday as a strong …

Nissan shares plunge as report says Honda merger talks off

AFP - 59m ago

Nissan shares plunged on Wednesday after Japan's Nikkei business daily said the carmaker had decided to withdraw from …

China holds out hope last-minute deal can avert US trade war

AFP - 1h ago

China's new tariffs on US imports like oil, coal and cars are relatively modest in scale, suggesting that Beijing is …

Australia bans DeepSeek AI program on government devices

AFP - 1h ago

Australia has banned DeepSeek from all government devices on the advice of security agencies, a top official said …

Trump in 'no rush' to speak with China's Xi despite tariff battle

AFP - 3h ago

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he was not in a hurry to speak with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, despite …

Honda shares jump on reports it wants Nissan as subsidiary

AFP - 4h ago

Honda shares surged on Wednesday as Japanese media said the automaker had proposed making its struggling rival Nissan a …

Google shares slide on spending plans despite sales jump

AFP - 5h ago

Google's parent company Alphabet on Tuesday reported revenue jumped in the recently-ended quarter, but shares sank on …

US Treasury says Musk team has 'read-only' access to payments data

Feb 04 2025

The US Treasury said Tuesday that Elon Musk's government reform team can read data from its highly sensitive payment …

Australia bans DeepSeek AI program on govt devices

Feb 04 2025

Australia has banned DeepSeek from all government devices on the advice of security agencies, a top official said …

Stocks recover but tariff uncertainty lingers over market

Feb 04 2025

Stock markets managed to push higher on Tuesday but investors braced for volatility as President Donald Trump pressed on …

What Elon Musk's Twitter tactics may bode for US government

Feb 04 2025

As Elon Musk and his aides take control of the US Treasury's payments system, the drastic job cuts and other shake-ups …

'Rare earths' for aid: Ukraine's minerals threatened by war

Feb 04 2025

US President Donald Trump has signalled he could trade aid to Kyiv in its fight against Russia's invasion for access to …

Trump, China's Xi set to speak on tariff battle

Feb 04 2025

US President Donald Trump and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping are expected to hold direct talks after announcing …

UBS profit beats forecast as Credit Suisse merger nears end

Feb 04 2025

Swiss banking giant UBS said Tuesday that it remained on track to substantially wrap up its mega-merger with Credit …

Amid Trump trade tensions, WTO remains crippled arbiter

Feb 04 2025

While US President Donald Trump unleashes trade wars and tariffs, the system for settling such disputes within the World …

Stocks recover but US tariff threats keep gains in check

Feb 04 2025

Stock markets managed to push higher on Tuesday but investors braced for volatility in the coming weeks as President …

Despite tariff reprieve Canadians worry 'damage already done' to US ties

Feb 04 2025

The trade war may be on hold, but in a Canadian border city where the unhindered flow of auto parts across the bridge to …

Spain moves to slash working week to 37.5 hours

Feb 04 2025

Spain's minority leftist government on Tuesday approved a plan to reduce the working week to 37.5 hours in one of the …

Stocks fluctuate as Trump delays tariffs

Feb 04 2025

Stock markets wavered on Tuesday, with investors bracing for volatile trading in the coming weeks as President Donald …

Ferrari races to another record-breaking year, e-model set for Oct. 9

Feb 04 2025

Italian luxury carmaker Ferrari posted another set of record results on Tuesday, with net profit surging to more than …

Ferrari reports another record-breaking year

Feb 04 2025

Italian luxury carmaker Ferrari posted another set of record results on Tuesday, with net profit surging to more than …

Ordinary Chinese stoic in the face of escalating US trade war

Feb 04 2025

After China announced retaliatory tariffs against the United States, walkers along Shanghai's waterfront were stoic …

Scottish whisky makers fear return of Trump tariffs

Feb 04 2025

At the end of a wild peninsula battered by winds in west Scotland is a zero-carbon whisky distillery that's bracing for …

Stocks rebound, dollar dips as Trump delay tariffs

Feb 04 2025

Stock markets mostly rebounded and there strong gains for Mexico's peso and Canada's dollar Tuesday after Donald Trump …

Rare earths: strategic metals key to future technologies

Feb 04 2025

Rare earths, which President Donald Trump hopes to secure from Ukraine as part of a deal for US aid, are strategic …

Tequila maker Diageo axes sales target on Trump tariffs

Feb 04 2025

Diageo, the maker of Guinness stout and Johnnie Walker whisky, scrapped Tuesday a key performance target with President …

Where things stand in China-US trade tensions

Feb 04 2025

China has made good on its threats to retaliate in the escalating trade war with the United States, imposing tariffs on …

American VP Vance to attend Paris AI summit

Feb 04 2025

US Vice President JD Vance will join top tech players in Paris next week at an artificial intelligence summit billed by …

Asian stocks and peso rise on Trump's Mexico, Canada tariff delay

Feb 04 2025

Asian equities rose with the Mexican peso and Canadian dollar Tuesday after Donald Trump said he would delay the …

Panama lawsuit requests axing Hong Kong firm's canal concession

Feb 04 2025

Two Panamanian lawyers filed a complaint Monday to cancel the concession of a Hong Kong-based company for operating two …

OpenAI chief Altman signs deal with South Korea's Kakao after DeepSeek upset

Feb 04 2025

OpenAI chief Sam Altman signed a deal with tech giant Kakao in South Korea on Tuesday as the US firm seeks new alliances …

Stocks and peso boosted by Trump's Mexico, Canada tariff delay

Feb 04 2025

Asian equities rose with the Mexican peso and Canadian dollar Tuesday after Donald Trump said he would delay the …

Nintendo cuts net profit forecast as Switch sales slow

Feb 04 2025

Japanese video game giant Nintendo on Tuesday cut its annual net profit forecast after hardware and software sales for …

China says to probe Google over anti-monopoly violations

Feb 04 2025

China on Tuesday said it would probe US tech giant Google over violations of anti-monopoly laws after Washington slapped …

China slaps tariffs on US energy, vehicles in trade war sparring

Feb 04 2025

China said Tuesday it would slap tariffs on imports of US energy, vehicles and equipment, firing a return salvo in an …

China hits back at US with levies as Trump tariffs come in force

Feb 04 2025

China said Tuesday it would impose tariffs of 15 percent on imports of coal and liquefied natural gas from the United …

Musk takes reins of US Treasury payments, sparking lawsuit

Feb 04 2025

Elon Musk and his aides have taken control of the US Treasury Department's payments system, triggering a lawsuit …

OpenAI chief Altman inks deal with S. Korea's Kakao after DeepSeek upset

Feb 04 2025

OpenAI chief Sam Altman inked a deal with tech giant Kakao in South Korea on Tuesday as the US firm seeks new alliances …

How China could respond to Trump's new tariffs

Feb 04 2025

From retaliatory tariffs on US goods like car parts and soy beans to controls on raw minerals essential for American …

Trump halts Canada and Mexico tariffs, China still targeted

Feb 04 2025

US President Donald Trump delayed the start of tariffs on neighbors Mexico and Canada for a month Monday -- but China …

Apple blasts porn app for iPhones in Europe

Feb 04 2025

Apple on Monday called a pornography app available for iPhones in the European Union a danger to children, saying …

France pitches AI summit as 'wake-up call' for Europe

Feb 04 2025

France hosts top tech players next week at an artificial intelligence summit meant as a "wake-up call" for Europe as it …

Musk's US government 'takeover' sounds alarm bells

Feb 04 2025

Elon Musk has begun swinging his wrecking ball at the US government, with concerns growing over the unprecedented power …

In fire-ravaged Los Angeles, a long road of rebuilding

Feb 04 2025

After the loss of more than 10,000 homes in last month's Los Angeles fires, the region faces a daunting challenge to …

With boos and boycotts, Canadians voice displeasure with Trump

Feb 03 2025

They're booing the American national anthem, cancelling holidays in the United States, and boycotting American products: …

Trump halts Canada, Mexico tariffs after last-ditch talks

Feb 03 2025

President Donald Trump delayed the start of tariffs on Mexico and Canada for a month Monday after the US neighbors …

Musk takes reins of US Treasury payments, sparking alarm

Feb 03 2025

Elon Musk and his aides have taken control of the US Treasury Department's payments system -- which manages trillions of …

Stock markets sink on Trump tariffs

Feb 03 2025

Stock markets slumped Monday over concerns about the global economy after US President Donald Trump announced tariffs on …

Trump halts Mexico tariffs as last-ditch Canada, China talks continue

Feb 03 2025

US President Donald Trump delayed the start of tariffs on Mexico for one month after the two countries struck a …

French PM moves to force budget through divided parliament

Feb 03 2025

Prime Minister Francois Bayrou on Monday moved to force through France's budget without a vote but looked certain to …

Musk takes control of US Treasury payments systems

Feb 03 2025

Elon Musk's aides have taken control of the US Treasury Department's payments system -- which manages trillions of …

Trump pauses Mexico tariffs as last-ditch Canada talks continue

Feb 03 2025

US President Donald Trump paused tariffs on Mexico for one month after last-minute talks Monday -- but there was no …

Stock markets sink, dollar rallies on Trump tariffs

Feb 03 2025

Stock markets tumbled while the dollar rallied and oil prices rose Monday over concerns about the global economy after …

The role of minerals and tech firms in the DR Congo conflict

Feb 03 2025

The conflict between Rwanda-backed forces and the DR Congo is often presented as a struggle to control the valuable …

Embattled French PM gets boost from Socialists over budget

Feb 03 2025

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou will Monday force through France's budget without a vote, a move set to prompt a …

Norway nears 100% goal of all-electric cars

Feb 03 2025

Almost 96 percent of new cars registered in Norway in January were electric, an unparalled number in the world and close …

EU leaders vow to hit back if Trump triggers trade war

Feb 03 2025

EU leaders meeting in Brussels Monday warned there would be no winners in a trade war with the United States, insisting …

CK Hutchison: the Hong Kong firm behind Panama port operators

Feb 03 2025

A sprawling business empire built by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing is caught in the crossfire as the extent of …

Stock markets sink, dollar rallies as Trump imposes tariffs

Feb 03 2025

Stock markets slumped, the dollar rallied and oil prices rose Monday as US President Donald Trump eyed more tariffs …

Trump announces tariff talks with Canada, Mexico as global stocks slump

Feb 03 2025

US President Donald Trump said he will discuss the punishing tariffs he has levied on Canada and Mexico with both …

Eurozone inflation edges up in January to 2.5%

Feb 03 2025

Eurozone inflation ticked up slightly in January to 2.5 percent, edging higher for a fourth consecutive month driven by …

French PM set to force budget through parliament

Feb 03 2025

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou will Monday force through France's budget without a vote, a move set to prompt a …

OpenAI announces new 'deep research' tool for ChatGPT

Feb 03 2025

US tech giant OpenAI on Monday unveiled a ChatGPT tool called "deep research" that can produce detailed reports, as …

Stocks drop, dollar rallies as Year of the Snake starts with bite

Feb 03 2025

Stock markets in Asia and Europe sank and the dollar surged Monday after Donald Trump signed off huge tariffs on China, …

South Korea appeals court upholds Samsung chief's fraud acquittal

Feb 03 2025

Samsung Electronics chief Lee Jae-yong was cleared again Monday of a raft of charges linked to a controversial 2015 …

Rubio lays down ultimatum to Panama over canal

Feb 03 2025

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday threatened action against Panama without immediate changes to reduce Chinese …

Asian stocks dive, dollar rallies as Year of the Snake starts with bite

Feb 03 2025

Asian stocks tanked and the dollar surged Monday after Donald Trump signed off huge tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico, …

Two years on, construction jungle emerges from Antioch's quake-hit ruins

Feb 03 2025

Whenever Sema Genc enters a room, the first place she looks is the ceiling: would it hold up in an earthquake, or would …

France's PM prepares to force budget through parliament

Feb 03 2025

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou will on Monday try to force through his government's budget without a vote using a …

Tunisia sets sights on becoming world's top seawater therapy spot

Feb 03 2025

With a Mediterranean coastline, natural thermal springs, clement weather and affordability, Tunisia has become the …

Trump announces talks with Canada, Mexico over sweeping tariffs

Feb 03 2025

President Donald Trump said he will discuss the punishing tariffs he has levied on Canada and Mexico with both countries …

Mexican farmers, auto-parts makers urge dialogue with US

Feb 02 2025

Mexican agricultural and auto-parts producers called Sunday for "dialogue" to head off the trade war prompted by US …

Trump says tariff 'pain' will be 'worth the price'

Feb 02 2025

President Donald Trump said Sunday that Americans may feel economic "pain" from his tariffs on key trading partners, but …

Rubio warns Panama of consequences over canal

Feb 02 2025

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday threatened action against Panama without immediate changes to reduce Chinese …

Trump unveils sweeping US tariffs on Canada, Mexico, China

Feb 02 2025

President Donald Trump announced broad tariffs Saturday on major US trading partners Canada, Mexico and China, claiming …

China shrugs off new Trump tariffs but bruising trade war looms

Feb 02 2025

Donald Trump's new tariffs will probably not have a major impact on China's economy but may herald the opening salvo of …

Cash-keen Taliban betting on Afghanistan's mines

Feb 02 2025

A miner in the mountains of eastern Afghanistan poured water over a block of jade, exposing the green stone that is part …

Seeking light in dark times four years after Myanmar coup

Feb 02 2025

Yangon resident Aung Ko Gyi browses stalls for a

Autos, electronics: What will Trump's tariffs impact?

Feb 02 2025

US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs on Canada and Mexico are set to roil supply chains for products ranging …

US unveils sweeping tariffs on Canada, Mexico, China

Feb 01 2025

President Donald Trump is imposing broad tariffs on major US trading partners Canada, Mexico and China, the White House …

Trump tariff deadline looms, Canada told levies coming Tuesday

Feb 01 2025

President Donald Trump is due to unleash fresh tariffs Saturday on major US trading partners Canada, Mexico and China -- …

Trump tariff deadline looms over Canada, Mexico, China trade

Feb 01 2025

President Donald Trump is due to unleash fresh tariffs Saturday on major US trading partners Canada, Mexico and China, …

Taliban govt-run corporation takes over luxury Kabul Serena hotel

Feb 01 2025

Afghanistan's Taliban government took over management of Kabul's famed Serena hotel on Saturday, a hotel statement said, …

Benin seeks home-grown cotton 'revolution'

Feb 01 2025

Mathias Azonnoudo, a 50-year-old farmer in Benin, was taking a break sitting on a large pile of freshly picked cotton, …

Trump to hit Canada, Mexico, China with tariffs, raising price fears

Feb 01 2025

US President Donald Trump is set to unveil fresh tariffs Saturday on major trading partners Canada, Mexico and China, …

OpenAI chief says it needs new open-source strategy

Feb 01 2025

OpenAI chief Sam Altman on Friday said his high-profile artificial intelligence company is "on the wrong side of …

Overwhelmed? DC crash puts spotlight on US air traffic agency

Feb 01 2025

Prior to this week's fatal airplane crash in Washington, the US air traffic control (ATC) system was regarded as an …

Trump to impose Canada, Mexico, China tariffs at weekend

Jan 31 2025

President Donald Trump will implement tariffs Saturday on the three largest US trading partners -- Canada, Mexico and …

US stocks retreat as White House confirms tariffs from Feb. 1

Jan 31 2025

Wall Street stocks tumbled into negative territory Friday, ending the week on a downcast note after the White House …

US charges former Fed official with spying for China

Jan 31 2025

US prosecutors announced Friday that they have charged a former Federal Reserve advisor with spying on behalf of China …

Meta mulling incorporation shift to Texas: report

Jan 31 2025

Meta is considering whether to move its incorporation to Texas, a US state seen as amenable to companies run by big …

White House says Trump to impose Canada, Mexico, China tariffs at weekend

Jan 31 2025

President Donald Trump will implement tariffs Saturday on the three largest US trading partners -- Canada, Mexico and …

World's longest cargo sail ship launched in Turkey

Jan 31 2025

The world's longest wind-powered cargo ship was launched Friday in Turkey, offering a promising way to slash carbon …

Swiss court convicts Trafigura of corruption in Angola

Jan 31 2025

A Swiss court convicted Trafigura and three people linked to the commodities trading firm of corruption in Angola, in …

White House says Trump will impose Canada, Mexico, China tariffs at weekend

Jan 31 2025

President Donald Trump will impose tariffs Saturday on the three largest US trading partners -- Canada, Mexico and China …

World awaits Trump tariff deadline on Canada, Mexico and China

Jan 31 2025

The global economy is bracing for impact as US President Donald Trump's deadline to impose sweeping tariffs on the three …

Stock markets mostly gain at end of turbulent week

Jan 31 2025

Stock markets mostly rose Friday, led by New York after strong results from Apple reassured investors that the tech …

Fed's favored inflation gauge accelerates further in December

Jan 31 2025

The US Federal Reserve's preferred inflation measure accelerated for a third month in a row in December, according to …