Business and Economy
Eurogroup elects new head as Russian frozen assets debate rages
AFP - 26m ago
Finance ministers from Europe's 20-country single currency area are to choose the next Eurogroup chief on Thursday, as …
Full Story »
Taiwan to keep production of 'most advanced' chips at home: deputy FM
AFP - 1h ago
Taiwan plans to keep making the "most advanced" chips on home soil and remain "indispensable" to the global …
Full Story »
Chocolate prices high before Christmas despite cocoa fall
AFP - 3h ago
After soaring for nearly two years, cocoa prices dropped sharply in 2025. However, chocolate, in demand ahead of the …
Full Story »
Asian traders cheer US rate cut but gains tempered by outlook
AFP - 4h ago
Most Asian markets rose Thursday as traders welcomed the Federal Reserve's third straight interest rate cut, though the …
Full Story »
Not lovin' it: McDonald's pulls Dutch AI Christmas ad
AFP - 5h ago
Burger chain McDonald's said on Wednesday it had removed an AI-generated Christmas advertisement in the Netherlands …
Full Story »
AI's $400 bn problem: Are chips getting old too fast?
AFP - 5h ago
In pursuit of the AI dream, the tech industry this year has plunked down about $400 billion on specialized chips and …
Full Story »
Oracle shares dive as revenue misses forecasts
Dec 10 2025
Shares in business computing giant Oracle fell more than 10 percent on Wednesday on word its revenue missed heady …
Full Story »
Divided US Fed makes third straight rate cut, signals higher bar ahead
Dec 10 2025
A divided US Federal Reserve lowered interest rates Wednesday for a third consecutive time this year, but signaled that …
Full Story »
US stocks rise, dollar retreats as Fed tone less hawkish than feared
Dec 10 2025
Wall Street stocks rose and the dollar retreated Wednesday after the Federal Reserve cut interest rates again as it …
Full Story »
Divided US Fed makes third straight rate cut on jobs risks
Dec 10 2025
A divided US Federal Reserve lowered interest rates Wednesday for a third consecutive time this year, flagging labor …
Full Story »
Intel sees record EU fine reduced further
Dec 10 2025
The EU General Court dealt a blow to the European Commission on Wednesday in reducing what was initially a record fine …
Full Story »
Stocks mark time ahead of Fed decision
Dec 10 2025
Global stock markets marked time and the dollar steadied Wednesday with investors' eyes on a highly anticipated Federal …
Full Story »
Veggie 'burgers' remain on table as EU talks stall
Dec 10 2025
EU wrangling over whether to give plant-based "sausages" and veggie "burgers" the chop and restrict such labels to meat …
Full Story »
Instagram users given new algorithm controls
Dec 10 2025
Instagram on Wednesday unveiled a new AI-powered feature that lets users view and adjust the algorithm shaping their …
Full Story »
US Fed expected to make third straight rate cut despite divisions
Dec 10 2025
The US Federal Reserve is expected to deliver a further interest rate cut Wednesday despite divisions among its ranks, …
Full Story »
EU seeks better Spain-France energy links after blackout
Dec 10 2025
The EU said Wednesday it wants to boost energy links between France and Spain as part of a bloc-wide push to secure …
Full Story »
Greek govt in emergency meeting as farmers block central port
Dec 10 2025
Greece's government held emergency meetings Wednesday to address a growing farm protest movement, as demonstrators …
Full Story »
China consumer prices pick up pace but demand still slack
Dec 10 2025
Rising food costs pushed consumer inflation in China last month to its fastest pace in nearly two years, data showed …
Full Story »
Stocks retreat ahead of Fed decision
Dec 10 2025
Stock markets mostly fell and the dollar steadied Wednesday following a tepid day on Wall Street as investors bided …
Full Story »
France's 'Battery Valley' makes use of Asian experts
Dec 10 2025
France is developing domestic production of electric vehicle batteries with an eye on industrial independence but Asian …
Full Story »
Stocks in retreat as traders eye Fed decision, tech earnings
Dec 10 2025
Most markets fell Wednesday following a tepid day on Wall Street as investors bided their time ahead of a highly …
Full Story »
Asian stocks in retreat as traders eye Fed decision, tech earnings
Dec 10 2025
Asian markets fell Wednesday following a tepid day on Wall Street as investors bided their time ahead of a highly …
Full Story »
Veggie 'burgers' at stake in EU negotiations
Dec 10 2025
EU countries and lawmakers will wrangle Wednesday over whether to give plant-based "sausages" and veggie "burgers" the …
Full Story »
Oil-rich UAE turns to AI to grease economy
Dec 10 2025
Deep in the Abu Dhabi desert, a vast AI campus a quarter the size of Paris is starting to emerge, the oil-rich UAE's …
Full Story »
China surplus pushing EU to take 'offensive' trade measures: business lobby
Dec 10 2025
China's mammoth trade surplus with Europe as well as challenges faced by foreign firms in the country are incentivising …
Full Story »
Nepal faces economic fallout of September protest
Dec 10 2025
When Nepal's government was toppled in September after deadly youth-led protests against economic stagnation and …
Full Story »
Australia bans under-16s from social media in world-first crackdown
Dec 10 2025
Australia banned under-16s from social media in a world-first crackdown on Wednesday, declaring it was time to "take …
Full Story »
US Fed appears set for third rate cut despite sharp divides
Dec 10 2025
The US Federal Reserve is expected to deliver a further interest rate cut Wednesday despite divisions among its ranks, …
Full Story »
South Korea chip giant SK hynix mulls US stock market listing
Dec 10 2025
South Korean chip giant SK hynix said on Wednesday it was considering a US stock market listing using treasury shares as …
Full Story »
ExxonMobil slows low-carbon investment push through 2030
Dec 10 2025
ExxonMobil is slowing medium-term investments in low-carbon ventures by some $10 billion compared with its outlook a …
Full Story »
Canada launches billion dollar plan to recruit top researchers
Dec 09 2025
Canada on Tuesday launched a CAN$1.7 billion ($1.2 billion) program to recruit leading global researchers, part of the …
Full Story »
US Supreme Court weighs campaign finance case
Dec 09 2025
The US Supreme Court heard arguments on Tuesday in a Republican challenge to campaign finance rules that could impact …
Full Story »
Stock markets drift on eve of Fed rate call
Dec 09 2025
Global stock markets traded mixed on Tuesday as markets avoided major swings while awaiting a Federal Reserve decision …
Full Story »
French lawmakers give first approval to social security budget bill
Dec 09 2025
The lower house of French parliament on Tuesday narrowly approved a social security budget, clearing a major hurdle for …
Full Story »
France's prime minister faces crunch vote in parliament
Dec 09 2025
France's social security bill was to go to a vote in parliament Tuesday, in a key hurdle for Prime Minister Sebastien …
Full Story »
TotalEnergies in deal for Namibia offshore oil field
Dec 09 2025
TotalEnergies said Tuesday it had reached a deal to become a partner in the Mopane oil field off the coast of Namibia, …
Full Story »
Microsoft announces $17.5 bn investment in India, its 'largest ever' in Asia
Dec 09 2025
Global technology giant Microsoft announced on Tuesday plans to invest $17.5 billion to help build India's artificial …
Full Story »
India's biggest airline IndiGo says operations 'back to normal'
Dec 09 2025
India's biggest airline IndiGo said Tuesday its operations had stabilise after it cancelled thousands of flights, …
Full Story »
Greek govt seeks to tackle farmer protests after Crete clashes
Dec 09 2025
Greece's government was on Tuesday scrambling to keep angry farmers from blocking key infrastructure after airports were …
Full Story »
Bleak year for German engineering firms amid US, China turmoil
Dec 09 2025
Production in Germany's key engineering sector plunged for a third straight year in 2025 as firms were squeezed by US …
Full Story »
UK's renationalised trains to get Union Flag makeover
Dec 09 2025
Britain's railways will feature trains painted in the red, white and blue of the nation's Union Flag as underperforming …
Full Story »
BMW names new boss to steer car giant in tough times
Dec 09 2025
BMW said Tuesday its head of production Milan Nedeljkovic will take over as chief executive as the German auto giant …
Full Story »
Euroclear details 'concerns' over EU's frozen Russian asset plan
Dec 09 2025
EU reassurances over its plan to use frozen Russian assets to help fund Ukraine have failed to quell worries about the …
Full Story »
'Resilient' airlines head for record passenger numbers: IATA
Dec 09 2025
International airlines expect to transport a record 5.2 billion passengers in 2026 despite global headwinds affecting …
Full Story »
Stock markets downbeat on eve of Fed rate call
Dec 09 2025
European and Asian stock markets were largely downbeat Tuesday on uncertainty over the US Federal Reserve's plans for …
Full Story »
EU launches antitrust probe into Google's data use for AI
Dec 09 2025
The EU announced Tuesday it had opened a probe to assess whether Google breached antitrust rules by using content put …
Full Story »
Most markets track Wall St losses as jitters set in ahead of Fed
Dec 09 2025
Most stocks fell in Asia on Tuesday as investors grew nervous about the Federal Reserve's plans for interest rates next …
Full Story »
Trump says US will allow sale of Nvidia AI chips to China
Dec 09 2025
President Donald Trump said Monday he had reached an agreement with President Xi Jinping to allow US chip giant Nvidia …
Full Story »
German exports tread water as US, China shipments fall
Dec 09 2025
German exports almost stagnated in October, official data showed Tuesday, as heavy declines in shipments to the United …
Full Story »
Rising living costs dim holiday sparkle for US households
Dec 09 2025
At a Christmas market outside the US capital, festive cheer alone hasn't been enough to drive affordability worries out …
Full Story »
Data centers: a view from the inside
Dec 09 2025
The expansion of data centers to power the AI boom has more people wondering: what exactly is in a data center?
Full Story »
World stocks mostly lower as markets await Fed decision
Dec 08 2025
Global stock markets were mostly soft on Monday as investors avoided risks ahead of this week's Federal Reserve meeting, …
Full Story »
Paramount counters Netflix with hostile bid for Warner Bros
Dec 08 2025
Paramount on Monday launched an all-cash tender offer to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, the Hollywood giant that also …
Full Story »
EU pushes back 2035 combustion-engine ban review to Dec. 16
Dec 08 2025
A highly-anticipated review of the EU's 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel car sales has been pushed back to next week, …
Full Story »
World stocks tread water with eyes on Fed
Dec 08 2025
Global stock markets were mostly soft on Monday as investors avoided risks ahead of this week's Federal Reserve meeting, …
Full Story »
Boeing closes takeover of aviation supplier Spirit
Dec 08 2025
Boeing announced Monday that it completed an acquisition of aerospace supplier Spirit AeroSystems, saying the move will …
Full Story »
Deal agreed to save Frankfurt's euro sculpture
Dec 08 2025
A landmark blue and yellow euro sculpture in the German financial capital Frankfurt, created to mark the single …
Full Story »
Trump says to sign order blocking AI regulation by states
Dec 08 2025
President Donald Trump said Monday he will attempt to strip states of the right to regulate the surging AI industry, …
Full Story »
Meta to allow European users to share less data: EU
Dec 08 2025
Meta will allow European users of Facebook and Instagram to share less data and see fewer personalised ads after it was …
Full Story »
Stocks mostly rise as Fed set to cut US rates
Dec 08 2025
Major stock markets mostly rose Monday as investors geared up for an expected cut to US interest rates and clues over …
Full Story »
Louvre trade unions call for rolling strike next week
Dec 08 2025
Trade unions at the Louvre Museum in Paris on Monday called for a rolling strike next week over working conditions, …
Full Story »
Markets mostly up as traders prepare for expected US rate cut
Dec 08 2025
Most markets rose Monday as investors gear up for an expected US interest rate cut this week, with debate centring on …
Full Story »
Asian stocks drift as traders prepare for expected US rate cut
Dec 08 2025
Asian equities drifted Monday as investors gear up for an expected US interest rate cut this week, with debate centring …
Full Story »
China's trade surplus tops $1 trillion despite plunge in US-bound exports
Dec 08 2025
China's towering annual trade surplus surpassed $1 trillion for the first time last month, data showed Monday, as a …
Full Story »
Asian stocks stagger as traders prepare for expected US rate cut
Dec 08 2025
Asian equities drifted Monday as investors gear up for an expected US interest rate cut this week, with debate centring …
Full Story »
Trump airs doubt about Netflix acquisition of Warner Bros.
Dec 08 2025
US President Donald Trump commented Sunday on Netflix's effort to acquire storied Hollywood studio Warner Bros., saying …
Full Story »
Macron threatens China with tariffs over trade surplus
Dec 07 2025
French President Emmanuel Macron said he has threatened China with tariffs if Beijing fails to take steps to reduce its …
Full Story »
Number's up: Calculators hold out against AI
Dec 07 2025
The humble pocket calculator may not be able to keep up with the mathematical capabilities of new technology, but it …
Full Story »
Divided US Fed set for contentious interest rate meeting
Dec 07 2025
While the US Federal Reserve's final interest rate meeting this year could see an unusual amount of division, financial …
Full Story »
Will EU give ground on 2035 combustion-engine ban?
Dec 06 2025
Europe's embattled auto industry and its backers are ramping up pressure on the EU to relax its planned 2035 ban on new …
Full Story »
Netflix to buy Warner Bros. in deal of the decade
Dec 06 2025
Streaming giant Netflix said Friday it will buy film and television studio Warner Bros. Discovery for nearly $83 …
Full Story »
Netflix's Warner Bros. acquisition sparks backlash
Dec 06 2025
Netflix faced fierce criticism on Friday over its blockbuster deal to acquire Warner Bros., the storied Hollywood …
Full Story »
Mixed day for global stocks as market digest huge Netflix deal
Dec 05 2025
World stock markets gave a mixed picture on Friday, with sentiment underpinned by hopes for sustained US central bank …
Full Story »
Fresh data show US consumers still strained by inflation
Dec 05 2025
US consumer pricing and sentiment reports released Friday pointed to lingering questions about affordability as the …
Full Story »
Netflix to buy Warner Bros. Discovery in deal of the decade
Dec 05 2025
Streaming giant Netflix said Friday it will buy film and television studio Warner Bros. Discovery for nearly $83 …
Full Story »
Stocks consolidate as US inflation worries undermine Fed rate hopes
Dec 05 2025
World stock markets gave a mixed picture Friday, with sentiment underpinned by hopes for sustained US central bank rate …
Full Story »
Meta partners with news outlets to expand AI content
Dec 05 2025
Meta announced Friday it will integrate content from major news organizations into its artificial intelligence assistant …
Full Story »
Stocks rise as investors look to more Fed rate cuts
Dec 05 2025
World stock markets mostly rose Friday as investors speculated that the US central bank will cut rates not just this …
Full Story »
Netflix to buy Warner Bros. Discovery for nearly $83 billion
Dec 05 2025
Streaming giant Netflix has agreed to acquire film and television studio Warner Bros. Discovery for nearly $83 billion, …
Full Story »
Stocks, dollar rise before key US inflation data
Dec 05 2025
Major stock markets mostly rose and the dollar gained slightly Friday as investors awaited the release of key US …
Full Story »
Markets rise ahead of US data, expected Fed rate cut
Dec 05 2025
Equity markets rose going into the weekend on Friday following a broadly positive lead from Wall Street as a mixed bag …
Full Story »
German factory orders rise more than expected
Dec 05 2025
German industrial orders rose far more than expected in October, official data showed Friday, raising hopes that a long …
Full Story »
Asian markets rise ahead of US data, expected Fed rate cut
Dec 05 2025
Most Asian markets rose going into the weekend Friday following a broadly positive lead from Wall Street as a mixed bag …
Full Story »
Tanzania tourism suffers after election killings
Dec 05 2025
Tanzania's white beaches and safari lodges are emptier than usual as the country counts the cost to its crucial tourism …
Full Story »
Softbank's Son says super AI could make humans like fish, win Nobel Prize
Dec 05 2025
SoftBank CEO and AI investor Masayoshi Son said Friday that advanced artificial intelligence could surpass humans to the …
Full Story »
OpenAI strikes deal on US$4.6 bn AI centre in Australia
Dec 05 2025
ChatGPT maker OpenAI and an Australian data centre operator have agreed to develop a multibillion-dollar AI centre in …
Full Story »
Asian markets mixed ahead of US data, expected Fed rate cut
Dec 05 2025
Asian markets struggled into the weekend on Friday following a bland lead from Wall Street as a mixed bag of US data did …
Full Story »
French almond makers revive traditions to counter US dominance
Dec 05 2025
The scent of marzipan wafts through the air as confectioners from a century-old company in southern France prepare …
Full Story »
Oil refinery shutdown could cost Serbia for years, experts warn
Dec 04 2025
The fallout from the shutdown of Serbia's only oil refinery could last years, experts told AFP, putting thousands of …
Full Story »
Mixed day for US equities as Japan's Nikkei rallies
Dec 04 2025
Wall Street stocks finished mixed at the end of a choppy session Thursday as markets digested varying labor market data …
Full Story »
Facebook 'supreme court' admits 'frustrations' in 5 years of work
Dec 04 2025
An oversight board created by Facebook to review content-moderation decisions trumpeted improved transparency and …
Full Story »
Global markets scent US rate cuts
Dec 04 2025
World stock markets mostly rose Thursday after the latest batch of US data reinforced expectations that the Federal …
Full Story »
South Africa says wants equal treatment, after US G20 exclusion
Dec 04 2025
South Africa responded Thursday to a US bar on its participation in G20 events under Washington's presidency by saying …
Full Story »
Assumed likelihood of US rate cuts lifts global markets
Dec 04 2025
World stock markets mostly rose Thursday after the latest batch of US data reinforced expectations that the Federal …
Full Story »
Microsoft faces complaint in EU over Israeli surveillance data
Dec 04 2025
Microsoft is facing a complaint in the European Union filed by a non-profit organisation alleging it illegally stored …
Full Story »
South Africa prepared to 'take a break' from G20 after US ban
Dec 04 2025
South Africa said Thursday it was prepared to wait out next year's G20 after being barred by the United States and did …
Full Story »
EU hits Meta with antitrust probe over WhatsApp AI features
Dec 04 2025
The EU said Thursday it had opened an antitrust probe to determine if the way Meta is rolling out AI features in …
Full Story »
Stocks rise eyeing series of US rate cuts
Dec 04 2025
European and Asian stock markets mostly rose Thursday after the latest batch of US data reinforced expectations that the …
Full Story »
Italy sweatshop probe snares more luxury brands
Dec 04 2025
Italian prosecutors on Thursday named Gucci, Prada, Versace and Yves Saint Laurent as among 13 luxury brands suspected …
Full Story »
Senegal baskets are hot, but women weavers ask where's the money?
Dec 04 2025
Under the shade of a large mango tree in her sandy courtyard in a village in northwest Senegal, Khady Sene rhythmically …
Full Story »
South Africa telecoms giant Vodacom to take control of Kenya's Safaricom
Dec 04 2025
South Africa's biggest mobile operator Vodacom said Thursday it had agreed to take control of East Africa's largest …
Full Story »
Keep energy infrastructure out of war, Turkey warns Moscow, Kyiv
Dec 04 2025
Turkey warned Russia and Ukraine against targeting energy infrastructure following several Black Sea drone attacks …
Full Story »