Business and Economy



Trump names billionaire private astronaut as next NASA chief

AFP - 1h ago

US President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday nominated Jared Isaacman, the online payments billionaire and the first …

Seoul stocks weaken, Paris advances despite political turmoil

AFP - 1h ago

South Korea's stock market fell less than feared Wednesday and the won rebounded from earlier losses after President …

South America summit hopes to seal 'historic' trade deal with EU

AFP - 1h ago

Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay are hoping to announce a blockbuster trade deal with the European Union at a …

Trump taps Peter Navarro as trade, manufacturing counselor

AFP - 1h ago

US President-elect Donald Trump announced Wednesday that his former White House trade advisor Peter Navarro -- who went …

Top US executive shot dead in New York City: media

AFP - 2h ago

The chief executive of one of the United States's largest health insurance companies, UnitedHealthcare, was shot and …

GM announces more than $5 bn hit to earnings in China venture

AFP - 3h ago

General Motors announced Wednesday it will book more than $5 billion in losses and write-downs due to the restructuring …

Seoul stocks weaken, Paris edges up tracking political turmoil

AFP - 2h ago

South Korea's stock market fell less than feared Wednesday and the won rebounded from earlier losses after President …

UK faces trade balancing act with Trump, EU

AFP - 4h ago

Donald Trump's presidential election victory is fuelling fears that Britain must choose between its "special …

UNESCO grants heritage status to Aleppo soap as Syria war flares

AFP - 5h ago

The UN's cultural organisation added Aleppo's famous soap to its intangible cultural heritage list Tuesday with Syria's …

Ghana's illegal mining boom seeps into presidential election

AFP - 5h ago

Dressed in a white singlet with a scarf tied around his head, Frank crouched near a muddy pit, preparing to plunge his …

France's Orano says Niger junta controls uranium firm

AFP - 5h ago

French nuclear group Orano said Wednesday that authorities in Niger had taken "operational control" of its uranium …

In Angola, Biden promises to invest differently to China

AFP - 4h ago

President Joe Biden will make the case on Wednesday in Angola that the United States must do better rather than more …

OECD warns of protectionism weeks before Trump return

AFP - 2h ago

The OECD warned Wednesday that protectionist trade measures pose a major risk to disrupting the world economy, just …

Seoul stocks sink amid S. Korea drama as Asian markets mixed

AFP - 3h ago

South Korean stocks sank Wednesday while the won rebounded from earlier losses after President Yoon Suk Yeol …

Huge Vietnam fraud case raises questions over banking system

AFP - 14h ago

A multi-billion-dollar fraud scandal involving one of Vietnam's most prominent tycoons exposed systemic weaknesses in …

Vietnam pushes electric motorbikes as pollution becomes 'unbearable'

AFP - 15h ago

In Vietnam's heavily polluted capital Hanoi, teenage taxi driver Phung Khac Trung rides his electric motorbike through …

Seoul stocks sink amid S. Korea drama as Asian markets struggle

AFP - 5h ago

South Korean stocks sank more than two percent Wednesday while the won rebounded from earlier losses after President …

Global stocks end mostly up with DAX crossing 20,000 for 1st time

Dec 03 2024

Global stocks mostly rose Tuesday, with US and German indices posting records, as markets weighed Chinese stimulus …

Partner of ex-Abercrombie & Fitch CEO pleads not guilty to sex trafficking

Dec 03 2024

The partner of the ex-CEO of the Abercrombie and Fitch clothing line pleaded not guilty Tuesday in US federal court to …

Amazon launches AI models to challenge rivals

Dec 03 2024

Amazon on Tuesday unveiled a suite of artificial intelligence models in its boldest move yet to compete with tech giant …

Bolivian ex-president, who fled to US, sentenced to six years prison

Dec 03 2024

A Bolivian court has sentenced ex-president Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada in absentia to six years and three months in …

China curbs exports of key chipmaking components to US

Dec 03 2024

Beijing said Tuesday it would restrict exports to the United States of some key components in making semiconductors, …

Biden announces $1 bn for Africa during maiden trip

Dec 03 2024

President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced more than $1 billion in humanitarian assistance to Africa during a visit to …

Retailers point to solid US sales over holiday weekend

Dec 03 2024

US consumers turned out in force in stores and online over the Thanksgiving weekend, a key stretch in the holiday …

Defying headwinds, German stocks hit milestone

Dec 03 2024

Germany's blue-chip DAX stock index jumped above 20,000 points for the first time Tuesday following gains on US and …

Stocks mixed as traders weigh US rates, China stimulus hopes

Dec 03 2024

Stock markets struggled for direction Tuesday as investors weighed Chinese stimulus hopes, political tensions in France …

Cash crunch pushes Libyans to bank cards despite hurdles

Dec 03 2024

In Libya, a shortage of cash in the banking system has pushed many to turn to cards for payments after more than a …

Biden meets Angola leader in visit showcasing US investment in Africa

Dec 03 2024

US President Joe Biden met his Angolan counterpart Joao Lourenco Tuesday at the start of a two-day visit to the African …

Stocks jump on China hope, euro rebounds

Dec 03 2024

Stock markets and oil prices jumped Tuesday, supported by hopes China will unveil fresh measures to boost the world's …

Defying headwinds, Germany stocks hit milestone

Dec 03 2024

Germany's blue-chip DAX stock index jumped above 20,000 points for the first time Tuesday following gains on US and …

US 'disappointed' after plastic pollution talks collapse: White House

Dec 03 2024

The US government said Tuesday it was "disappointed" after nations negotiating a global treaty to curb plastic waste …

Vietnam court upholds death sentence for property tycoon

Dec 03 2024

A Vietnamese court upheld the death penalty Tuesday for a property tycoon in a multibillion-dollar fraud case -- but …

Asian markets boosted by new China hope, euro falls on France woes

Dec 03 2024

Most markets rose in Asia on Tuesday on hopes China will unveil fresh measures to boost the world's number two economy …

Asian markets mostly rise on China hope, euro hit by France woes

Dec 03 2024

Most markets rose in Asia on Tuesday on hopes China will unveil fresh measures to boost the world's number two economy …

China lifts final bans on Australian red meat as trade row nears end

Dec 03 2024

China has fully lifted suspensions on Australian red meat, Canberra said Tuesday, dismantling one of the final barriers …

Biden kicks off two-day Angola visit

Dec 03 2024

US President Joe Biden is in Angola on Tuesday for the first and only visit to sub-Saharan Africa of his presidency, …

Trump says will 'block' Nippon Steel from taking over US Steel

Dec 03 2024

US President-elect Donald Trump on Monday said he would "block" a planned takeover of US Steel by Japanese company …

Trump vows to defend US dollar hegemony, but is it under threat?

Dec 03 2024

US President-elect Donald Trump has threatened retaliation against governments that challenge the US dollar, vowing "100 …

Vietnam property tycoon on death row awaits appeal verdict

Dec 03 2024

A Vietnamese property tycoon sentenced to death in a multi-billion-dollar fraud case arrived in court Tuesday, as she …

Asian markets mixed after US-China chip move, euro hit by France woes

Dec 03 2024

Asian traders shifted tentatively Tuesday as they battled to track another record on Wall Street owing to fresh China-US …

Chinese plus-size influencer spreads body positivity through fashion

Dec 03 2024

Surrounded by racks of colourful dresses and blazers in China's manufacturing hub of Guangzhou, plus-size clothing brand …

Nepal PM kicks off China visit eyeing investment deals

Dec 03 2024

Nepal's prime minister was in Beijing on Tuesday to meet Chinese leaders, seeking to expand infrastructure cooperation …

Musk's $55.8 bn Tesla pay deal again rejected by US judge

Dec 03 2024

A US judge on Monday upheld her decision to reject Elon Musk's massive $55.8 billion compensation package at Tesla, …

Venezuela's 'Pearl of the Caribbean' loses its luster

Dec 03 2024

One of the five stars that used to adorn the facade of the Margarita hotel on the Venezuelan paradise island of the same …

Musk $55.8 bn Tesla pay deal again rejected by US judge

Dec 02 2024

A US judge on Monday upheld her decision to reject Elon Musk's massive $55.8 billion compensation package at Tesla, …

Paris stocks wobble, euro falls on France budget standoff

Dec 02 2024

Paris stocks wobbled and the euro fell Monday as a budget standoff in France fueled concern about the eurozone's …

US Fed officials see inflation fight as broadly on track

Dec 02 2024

The US appears on track to hit its long-term target of two percent inflation despite a recent uptick, three Federal …

Vietnam property tycoon on death row faces appeal verdict

Dec 02 2024

A Vietnamese property tycoon sentenced to death for a multi-billion-dollar fraud will learn Tuesday whether her life …

US unveils fresh export curbs targeting China's chip sector

Dec 02 2024

The United States announced new export restrictions Monday targeting China's ability to make advanced semiconductors, …

French PM faces ouster as opposition vows no-confidence vote

Dec 02 2024

France's Michel Barnier faced an abrupt end to his premiership Monday after key opposition parties said they would back …

Tens of thousands strike at Volkswagen's Germany plants

Dec 02 2024

Tens of thousands of Volkswagen workers went on strike Monday in an escalating industrial dispute, with unions warning …

Stellantis says goodbye to 'performance psychopath' CEO

Dec 02 2024

Carlos Tavares, a self-proclaimed "performance psychopath" who drove auto giant Stellantis with aggressive cost-cutting …

Delivery firm Glovo riders in Spain to become employees

Dec 02 2024

App-based food delivery firm Glovo's freelance riders in Spain will be hired as employees following pressure from the …

Paris stocks waver, euro falls on France budget standoff

Dec 02 2024

Paris stocks wavered and the euro fell Monday as a budget standoff in France fuelled concern about the eurozone's …

From China woes to EV troubles, VW faces rocky road

Dec 02 2024

As Volkswagen seeks to push through a drastic restructuring with billions of euros in cuts, workers nationwide on Monday …

Paris stocks, euro fall on France budget standoff

Dec 02 2024

Paris stocks and the euro fell Monday as a budget standoff in France fuelled concern about the eurozone's second-biggest …

Thousands strike at Volkswagen's Germany plants

Dec 02 2024

Thousands of Volkswagen workers went on strike Monday in an escalating industrial dispute, with unions warning that the …

'Future of planet' at stake at ICJ hearings: Vanuatu

Dec 02 2024

The future of the planet is at stake during hearings at the top United Nations court, a representative for Vanuatu said …

Asian stocks rise after China data, Paris equities and euro sink

Dec 02 2024

Markets rose across Asia on Monday with traders cheered by healthy Chinese data, while the euro and Paris stocks tumbled …

Asian markets rise as China data provides hope but euro struggles

Dec 02 2024

Equities rose across Asia on Monday following another record day on Wall Street, with traders also cheered by data …

Thousands to strike at Volkswagen's Germany plants

Dec 02 2024

Thousands of Volkswagen workers were to go on strike Monday in an escalating industrial dispute at the crisis-hit German …

Norway suspends deep-sea mining projects: govt allies

Dec 02 2024

Norway has suspended plans to start giving licences for deep-sea mining next year that had faced opposition from …

Stellantis CEO Tavares pushed out as profit slumps

Dec 01 2024

Stellantis chief executive Carlos Tavares on Sunday resigned "with immediate effect", the auto giant announced, …

Auto giant Stellantis announces 'immediate' resignation of CEO Tavares

Dec 01 2024

Stellantis chief executive Carlos Tavares on Sunday resigned "with immediate effect", the auto giant announced, …

VW's German workers to strike from Monday

Dec 01 2024

Workers at German factories for carmaker Volkswagen are to go on strike from Monday over plans to cut thousands of jobs, …

Glittering dreams: India's big push for solar power

Dec 01 2024

Vast lines of solar panels reflect the blazing sun in India's western deserts, a dazzling ocean broken only by bristling …

The farm fires helping to fuel India's deadly air

Dec 01 2024

Blazing flames light the sky as Indian farmer Ali Sher burns his fields to clear them for new crops, a common but …

US wine merchants urge exclusions from blanket tariffs

Dec 01 2024

As President-elect Donald Trump vows sweeping tariffs on even America's close partners once in office, US wine merchants …

Trump calls meeting with Trudeau 'productive' after tariff threat

Nov 30 2024

Donald Trump said Saturday that a surprise meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Florida was "very …

Defiant Adani says committed to compliance after US indictment

Nov 30 2024

Indian billionaire Gautam Adani on Saturday said "attacks" on his company made it "stronger", days after US prosecutors …

US 'Black Friday' online spending put at record $10.8 bn

Nov 30 2024

American consumers spent a record $10.8 billion online during "Black Friday" promotions, with many using artificial …

Trudeau meets Trump in Florida as tariff threats loom

Nov 30 2024

Justin Trudeau had an "excellent conversation" with Donald Trump at the president-elect's Florida estate, Canada's prime …

Romania's economic troubles fuel far-right rise

Nov 30 2024

In a working class neighborhood of Bucharest, pensioners like Ana Sandu wait for the afternoon to buy food when prices …

Trudeau in Florida to meet Trump as tariff threats loom

Nov 30 2024

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau traveled to Florida on Friday for a dinner with Donald Trump at the …

Inflation-wary US consumers flock to 'Black Friday' deals

Nov 30 2024

US shoppers were out in force for "Black Friday," with preliminary data showing strong online sales despite inflation …

Trudeau in Florida to meet Trump as tariff threats loom: media

Nov 29 2024

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrived in Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday for what Canadian and American media …

US stocks rise with Dow reaching new high on Black Friday

Nov 29 2024

Wall Street shares rose in a holiday-shortened session as the US Black Friday shopping spree got under way and traders …

Global wine output to hit lowest level since 1961

Nov 29 2024

Global wine production is set to fall again this year to its lowest level since 1961 due to climate change, the …

WTO chief reappointed as Trump threat looms

Nov 29 2024

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who was reappointed Friday for a second term running the World Trade Organization, said she looked …

US stocks rise on Black Friday

Nov 29 2024

Wall Street shares rose in a holiday-shortened session as the Black Friday shopping spree got under way and traders …

Yen rallies, euro up on rising inflation data

Nov 29 2024

The yen rallied against the dollar and the euro also advanced versus the US unit Friday as traders reacted to news of …

UK transport secretary quits in setback for Starmer

Nov 29 2024

Louise Haigh resigned as Britain's transport secretary on Friday after revelations that she pleaded guilty to a criminal …

Yen rallies on rate hike bets as equity markets swing

Nov 29 2024

The yen rallied Friday after forecast-busting inflation data out of Tokyo boosted talk of another Japanese interest rate …

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala: the WTO's trailblazing motivator

Nov 29 2024

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, reappointed on Friday as head of the World Trade Organization, hinged her leadership on breaking …

Japan government approves $92 bn extra budget

Nov 29 2024

Japan's unpopular minority government approved on Friday an extra budget to help pay for a massive stimulus package …

WTO chief faces heavy task as Trump threat looms

Nov 29 2024

World Trade Organization chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is expected to be reappointed Friday for a second term, in the shadow …

Waste pickers battle for recognition at plastic treaty talks

Nov 29 2024

As diplomats negotiate behind closed doors in Busan on a treaty to curb plastic pollution, the waste pickers who are on …

PlayStation at 30: How Sony's grey box conquered gaming

Nov 29 2024

Japanese electronics giant Sony is set to celebrate 30 years since it launched the PlayStation console, the little grey …

PlayStation: Fun facts to know as Sony's console turns 30

Nov 29 2024

Since 1994, PlayStation's five consoles have changed video game history. From the development of the controller to …

Father of PlayStation says 'everyone told us we would fail'

Nov 29 2024

The PlayStation has been a colossal consumer hit, but three decades ago, its creator Ken Kutaragi struggled to convince …

'Black Friday' deals target inflation-weary US consumers

Nov 29 2024

The annual Black Friday shopping day has always been about finding the best deals, but this year retailers are preparing …

Canada watchdog sues Google over 'anti-competitive' ad tech

Nov 28 2024

Canada's competition watchdog announced Thursday it was taking Google to court, accusing the company of …

Biden slams Trump tariff threats as 'counterproductive'

Nov 28 2024

President Joe Biden on Thursday warned against damaging relations with Canada and Mexico, after Donald Trump threatened …

Eurozone stocks lift as French political stand-off eases

Nov 28 2024

Eurozone stock markets rebounded Thursday as France's political stand-off showed signs of easing, while Chinese equities …

French PM announces concession in bid to end budget standoff

Nov 28 2024

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier on Thursday announced a major concession in a bid to end a standoff with the …

Uber and Bolt unveil women-only service in Paris

Nov 28 2024

Two rival ride-hailing platforms announced on Thursday options allowing Parisian women to order a car driven by a female …

French cognac workers protest China bottling plan amid tariff threat

Nov 28 2024

Hundreds of employees of French cognac maker Hennessy on Thursday staged a protest over potential measures to circumvent …

Nigerian president woos French investment on state visit

Nov 28 2024

President Bola Tinubu said on Thursday Nigeria is "open for business" as he embarked on a state visit to France, with …

Contentious COP29 deal casts doubt over climate plans

Nov 28 2024

A bitterly-fought climate finance deal reached at COP29 risks weakening emissions-cutting plans from developing …

French luxury mogul Arnault defiant at ex-spy chief trial

Nov 28 2024

France's richest man, LVMH chief Bernard Arnault, testified Thursday in the influence-peddling trial of the former head …

French farmers wall off public buildings in protest over regulations

Nov 28 2024

French farmers blocked off entrances to two public buildings in Paris on Thursday in protest at "constraints" imposed by …

France says ready for budget concessions to avert 'storm'

Nov 28 2024

The French government is ready to offer concessions to parliament to pass its budget, the finance minister said …