Business and Economy



US Treasury to take 'extraordinary measures' to avoid debt default

AFP - 2h ago

The US Treasury Department will start taking "extraordinary measures" next week to avoid risking a default on government …

Canada vows 'Trump tax' on US in response to tariffs: minister

AFP - 3h ago

Americans will be hit by a "Trump tariffs tax" if the US president-elect increases customs duties on Canadian products, …

'More sad than shocked': TikTok users brace for ban

AFP - 3h ago

"I almost, like, don't know how to define myself without TikTok," content creator Ayman Chaudhary sighed, reflecting the …

Global equities rally, pushing London and Frankfurt to new records

AFP - 3h ago

Global equities rallied on Friday as traders digested corporate results and prepared for US President-elect Donald …

US to tighten trade rules to hit low-cost China shipments

AFP - 4h ago

The United States unveiled a new rule Friday to tighten an exemption allowing low-value imports to enter the country …

At VW home base, Germany's Scholz vows to revive economy

AFP - 6h ago

Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday laid out his vision to secure the future of Germany's ailing economy at a campaign …

TikTok's US future in limbo after Supreme Court ruling

AFP - 2h ago

The US Supreme Court on Friday upheld a law that could force TikTok to shut down in the United States, potentially …

US grounds SpaceX's Starship rocket pending probe

AFP - 7h ago

The US Federal Aviation Administration on Friday grounded SpaceX's Starship pending an investigation by Elon Musk's …

Trump, Xi speak by phone, vow improved ties despite threats

AFP - 8h ago

Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke by phone on Friday, days before the incoming US president returns to …

London, Frankfurt hit record highs as global equities rally

AFP - 5h ago

London's benchmark FTSE 100 and Frankfurt's DAX 40 index reached all-time highs Friday as global equities rallied and …

US Supreme Court upholds law banning TikTok

AFP - 1h ago

The US Supreme Court on Friday upheld a law that will ban TikTok in the United States, potentially denying the …

IMF raises global growth outlook and flags rising economic divergence

AFP - 6h ago

Global growth is expected to increase slightly this year while remaining stuck below its pre-pandemic average, the IMF …

Trump's economic plans could cause inflation: IMF chief economist

AFP - 7h ago

Donald Trump's economic plans risk reigniting US inflation, International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief economist …

Bootleg liquor deaths revive debate on Turkey alcohol tax

AFP - 4h ago

With 38 people dead in four days and 26 in intensive care after drinking bootleg liquor in Istanbul, the politically …

London stock market hits record high as global equities rally

AFP - 4h ago

London's benchmark FTSE 100 index reached an all-time high Friday as global equities rallied and the dollar climbed on …

Chinese economic growth among slowest in decades

AFP - 2h ago

China posted one of its slowest rates of economic growth in decades Friday, as leaders nervously eye a potential trade …

'No money': gloom on Beijing streets as economic growth slows

AFP - 17h ago

Consumers pinching pennies, businesses seeing fewer customers, and a pervading sense that the economy just isn't …

Asian traders give mixed reaction as China's economic growth slows

AFP - 2h ago

Asian markets were mixed Friday as data showing China's economy grew slightly quicker than expected last year failed to …

Nintendo shares down on detail-light Switch 2 teaser

AFP - 12h ago

Nintendo shares tumbled as much as seven percent on Friday after the Japanese games giant failed to impress with a …

Apple sidelines AI news summaries due to errors

AFP - 19h ago

Apple pushed out a software update on Thursday which disabled news headlines and summaries generated using artificial …

Nintendo shares tumble as Switch 2 teaser disappoints

AFP - 1h ago

Nintendo shares tumbled as much as seven percent on Friday after the Japanese games giant failed to impress with a …

SpaceX catches Starship booster again, but upper stage explodes

AFP - 22h ago

Hours after Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin nailed its first-ever orbital mission, SpaceX seized back the spotlight on Thursday …

US trade envoy finds China's shipbuilding policies warrant 'urgent action'

AFP - 16h ago

The US Trade Representative said Thursday that its probe into China's practices in the shipbuilding, maritime and …

Nintendo shares tumble as Switch 2 preview disappoints

AFP - 2h ago

Nintendo shares tumbled more than seven percent on Friday after the Japanese games giant failed to impress with a brief …

SpaceX catches Starship booster but upper stage explodes

AFP - 31m ago

Hours after Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin nailed its first-ever orbital mission, SpaceX seized back the spotlight on Thursday …

US trade envoy finds China shipbuilding policies 'actionable'

AFP - 3h ago

The US Trade Representative said Thursday that its probe into China's practices in the shipbuilding, maritime and …

US Treasury nominee says Trump can usher in 'economic golden age'

Jan 16 2025

Donald Trump's nominee for Treasury chief defended potential tax cuts and tariffs Thursday, telling lawmakers at his …

Insurance access for US homeowners with higher climate risks declines

Jan 16 2025

Homeowners in areas of the United States with the highest climate-related risks saw declining access to insurance, a …

Wall Street rally loses steam as European luxury shares advance

Jan 16 2025

Wall Street equities finished lower Thursday following a mixed US retail sales report, while European luxury stocks …

China set to post sluggish growth as doldrums deepen

Jan 16 2025

China is set on Friday to post some of its weakest growth in decades, as leaders grapple with economic doldrums and …

Music industry girds for looming US TikTok ban

Jan 16 2025

TikTok has dramatically changed music discovery and marketing -- a reliance the looming US ban on the popular app has …

Musk's Starship set for launch after Bezos orbital triumph

Jan 16 2025

The rivalry between the world's two richest men is going cosmic.

EU's ex-tech chief joins Bank of America as advisor

Jan 16 2025

The EU's influential former tech enforcer Thierry Breton will join Bank of America's advisory council, he told AFP on …

S.Africa rescuers say clearance of clandestine miners now over

Jan 16 2025

Rescuers retrieving illegal miners from a disused South African gold shaft said on Thursday a final sweep appeared to …

Surf star Slater pays tribute as Quiksilver co-founder Green dies

Jan 16 2025

Surf star Kelly Slater paid tribute on Thursday to Alan Green, the man who launched his career, after the co-founder of …

Wall Street stocks rally loses steam

Jan 16 2025

Strong bank earnings failed to sustain a rally on Wall Street, but stocks in Europe and Asia pushed higher.

US could cut interest rates 3 or 4 times this year: Fed official

Jan 16 2025

The US Federal Reserve could cut rates three or four times this year if inflation data cooperates, with a first cut …

LIV Golf sign United States broadcast deal with Fox Sports

Jan 16 2025

LIV Golf has signed a multi-year broadcast deal in the United States with Fox Sports, the first time the Saudi-backed …

Oil giant BP cuts thousands of jobs to slash costs

Jan 16 2025

British energy giant BP on Thursday said it would axe 4,700 staff jobs -- about five percent of its workforce -- and was …

Slovak entrepreneur funding rescue of German flying taxi startup

Jan 16 2025

A Slovak entrepreneur is providing most of the funds to rescue a German flying taxi startup that came close to collapse …

European carmakers warn against EU-US trade war

Jan 16 2025

Europe's biggest automakers called on the European Union Thursday to avoid a "trade conflict" with the United States, …

AFP strikes deal for France's Mistral AI to use news articles

Jan 16 2025

Global news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP) and French artificial intelligence company Mistral AI have signed a deal …

Nintendo hopes to reprise blockbuster Switch with 2025 successor

Jan 16 2025

Nintendo is betting on the 2025 release of a bigger, better version of its blockbuster Switch console to keep up the …

Stock markets jump as inflation worries ease

Jan 16 2025

Global equities mostly pushed higher on Thursday as strong earnings and inflation data reassured investors.

China property giant Vanke's CEO 'taken away' by police: report

Jan 16 2025

The head of one of China's biggest property firms has been "taken away" by police, state-backed media reported Thursday, …

China to probe US chips over dumping, subsidies

Jan 16 2025

China said Thursday it would launch a probe into US exports of chips used in everything from cars to home appliances …

Chinese apps including TikTok hit by privacy complaints in Europe

Jan 16 2025

Online privacy campaigners said Thursday they had filed complaints in several European countries against six Chinese …

Apple loses top spot in China smartphone sales to local rivals

Jan 16 2025

Apple lost its status as the best selling smartphone brand in the crucial Chinese market last year, new data showed …

Sri Lanka signs landmark $3.7 bn deal with Chinese state oil giant

Jan 16 2025

Sri Lanka has secured its biggest-ever foreign investment after signing a deal with Chinese state-run oil giant Sinopec, …

UK economy rebounds but headwinds remain for govt

Jan 16 2025

Britain's economic growth rebounded less than expected in November, official data showed Thursday, dealing a fresh blow …

Stocks follow Wall St higher on welcome US inflation data

Jan 16 2025

Markets extended a global rally Thursday after below-forecast US inflation provided a much-needed shot of relief to …

Taiwan's TSMC says net profit rose 57% in fourth quarter

Jan 16 2025

Taiwanese chipmaking giant TSMC on Thursday announced a better-than-expected net profit for the fourth quarter as it …

Asian stocks follow Wall St higher on welcome US inflation data

Jan 16 2025

Asian markets extended a global rally Thursday after below-forecast US inflation provided a much-needed shot of relief …

Chinese give guarded welcome to spending subsidies

Jan 16 2025

Beijing is hoping subsidies for rice cookers, microwave ovens and smartphones can boost sluggish spending and help the …

World Bank plans $20 bn payout for Pakistan over coming decade

Jan 16 2025

The World Bank plans to loan cash-strapped Pakistan $20 billion over the coming decade to nurture its private sector and …

US bans controversial red food dye, decades after scientists raised alarm

Jan 16 2025

Outgoing US President Joe Biden's administration on Wednesday announced a ban on Red Dye No 3, a controversial food and …

Nintendo rumour mill in overdrive over new Switch

Jan 16 2025

Speculation over Nintendo's new console, a successor to the wildly popular Switch, reached a fever pitch Thursday with …

Toyota arm Hino makes deal to settle emission fraud case

Jan 16 2025

US officials late Wednesday announced a $1.6 billion deal with Toyota subsidiary Hino Motors to settle charges it …

Yellen warns against extending Trump's first-term US tax cuts

Jan 16 2025

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned Wednesday that plans to extend President-elect Donald Trump's 2017 tax cuts -- …

US consumer inflation rises in December but underlying pressures ease

Jan 15 2025

US consumer inflation rose for a third straight month in December as energy prices jumped but a widely watched measure …

US tightens controls on advanced chips to curb flow to China

Jan 15 2025

The United States unveiled further export controls Wednesday on advanced computing semiconductors, increasing due …

SpaceX delays latest Starship megarocket test to Thursday

Jan 15 2025

Elon Musk's SpaceX on Wednesday pushed back its latest orbital flight test of Starship, the colossal prototype rocket …

US firms concerned about Trump tariff, immigration plans: Fed

Jan 15 2025

US businesses across the country are concerned about the economic impact of President-elect Donald Trump's proposals to …

Stock markets get boost from bank earnings, inflation data

Jan 15 2025

Stock markets surged on Wednesday, buoyed by robust US bank earnings and encouraging inflation data from the United …

Russian inflation climbs as Ukraine offensive weighs on economy

Jan 15 2025

Inflation in Russia accelerated in 2024, official statistics published Wednesday showed, as the costs of Moscow's …

US bank profits rise as Wall Street hopes for merger boom

Jan 15 2025

Large US banks reported soaring profits Wednesday propelled by strength in trading and financial advisory services as …

US bans red food dye over possible cancer risk: health authorities

Jan 15 2025

Outgoing US President Joe Biden's administration on Wednesday announced a ban on Red Dye No 3, a controversial food and …

US consumer inflation rises December but underlying pressures ease

Jan 15 2025

US consumer inflation rose for a third straight month in December as energy prices jumped but a widely-watched measure …

TikTok plans total US shutdown as ban deadline looms: report

Jan 15 2025

Social media giant TikTok plans to completely shut down its operations in the United States this Sunday if a ban ordered …

US consumer inflation rises to 2.9 percent in December

Jan 15 2025

US consumer inflation rose for a third straight month in December as energy prices rose, according to government data …

UK inflation dips, easing some pressure on government

Jan 15 2025

Britain's annual inflation rate unexpectedly fell to 2.5 percent last month, official data on Wednesday showed, easing …

German economy shrinks again amid political crisis

Jan 15 2025

Germany's economy shrank for a second straight year in 2024, official figures showed Wednesday, with little hope of a …

Spain hosted record 94 mn foreign tourists in 2024

Jan 15 2025

A record 94 million foreign tourists craving for sun, sand and culture flocked to Spain in 2024 as the sector drives the …

European stocks climb as inflation takes centre stage

Jan 15 2025

European stock markets rose Wednesday as traders focused on inflation data in Britain and the United States.

BP nears deals for oil fields, curbs on gas flaring in Iraq

Jan 15 2025

Iraq and British oil giant BP are set to finalise a deal by early February to develop four oil fields in Kirkuk and curb …

Beijing 'firmly opposes' US ban on smart cars with Chinese tech

Jan 15 2025

Beijing on Wednesday said it "firmly opposes" a US move to effectively bar Chinese technology from smart cars in the …

Equities mixed as US inflation, China data loom

Jan 15 2025

Stock markets were mixed Wednesday as traders assess the economic outlook ahead of Donald Trump returning to the White …

Private US, Japanese lunar landers launch on single rocket

Jan 15 2025

One rocket, two missions: lunar landers built by US and Japanese companies launched their "rideshare" to the Moon on …

German bourse banks on Trump-fuelled crypto boom

Jan 15 2025

As Donald Trump's looming return to the White House promises to boost cryptocurrencies, a German stock exchange is on a …

Record 36.8 million tourists visited Japan in 2024

Jan 15 2025

Record numbers of tourists flocked to Japan last year, figures showed Wednesday, as the weak yen bolstered the appeal of …

Asian equities mixed as US inflation, China data loom

Jan 15 2025

Asian markets swung Wednesday, continuing their yo-yo start to the year as traders assess the economic outlook with …

Trump's policies won't push up inflation, economic advisor says

Jan 15 2025

Donald Trump's policies are not likely to cause inflation to reignite as many analysts fear, one of the …

SpaceX set for seventh test of Starship megarocket

Jan 15 2025

Elon Musk's SpaceX is gearing up for the seventh orbital flight test of Starship, the colossal prototype rocket the …

Renewed US trade war threatens China's 'lifeline'

Jan 15 2025

China might not be able to rely on trade to steer it out of trouble as blistering tariffs being considered by US …

China's economy seen slowing further in 2024: AFP survey

Jan 15 2025

China's economic growth likely fell fractionally short of the government's five percent target last year, according to …

Musk, Bezos, Zuckerberg to attend Trump inauguration: report

Jan 15 2025

Billionaires Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg will attend Donald Trump's inauguration next week, NBC news …

From ban to buyout: What next for TikTok in the US?

Jan 15 2025

TikTok faces an imminent shutdown in the United States after Congress passed a law last year forcing its Chinese owner …

Starbucks shift on non-paying visitors stirs debate in US

Jan 15 2025

Starbucks has stirred the coffee pot by reversing a policy that allowed anyone to use its bathrooms, with the US public …

Stocks mixed as traders mull tariffs, inflation, earnings

Jan 14 2025

Stock markets moved in different directions Tuesday with traders' attention fixed on President-elect Donald Trump's …

Boeing 2024 plane deliveries tumble on labor, safety woes

Jan 14 2025

Boeing delivered just 348 commercial planes in 2024 according to figures released Tuesday that showed the ugly effects …

Mexico hails $5 bn Amazon investment in face of Trump threats

Jan 14 2025

Mexico on Tuesday trumpeted a multibillion-dollar investment pledge from Amazon as a sign of a "great future" awaiting …

MSNBC boss leaves ahead of Trump White House return

Jan 14 2025

The head of the left-leaning US news channel MSNBC has quit, a source at the network told AFP Tuesday, just days before …

Panama Canal will 'remain' Panamanian: UN maritime chief

Jan 14 2025

The Panama Canal will remain Panamanian, the secretary general of the United Nation's maritime body told AFP on Tuesday, …

Stocks mixed as they track tariffs, inflation and earnings

Jan 14 2025

Stock markets moved in different directions on Tuesday with traders' attention fixed on President-elect Donald Trump's …

Amazon orders 200 Mercedes-Benz electric trucks

Jan 14 2025

Online retailer Amazon has purchased 202 electric Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 vehicles from Germany's Daimler Truck, the …

Transnistria leader visited Moscow for energy talks: reports

Jan 14 2025

The leader of breakaway Moldovan region Transnistria visited Moscow recently for talks on resolving its energy crisis, …

Amazon to invest over $5 bn in Mexico data center

Jan 14 2025

Amazon will invest more than $5 billion in a data center in central Mexico, the e-commerce giant said on Tuesday, part …

US to ban smart cars containing Chinese tech

Jan 14 2025

The United States finalized a rule Tuesday effectively barring Chinese technology from cars in the American market, …

Trump to make online address to global elite's Davos meeting

Jan 14 2025

Donald Trump will make an online appearance at the annual meeting of global political and business elites in Davos next …

Lindt chocolate to raise prices again this year

Jan 14 2025

Swiss chocolate maker Lindt & Spruengli announced Tuesday that it would raise prices again in 2025 after strong sales …

Stocks rise tracking tariffs, inflation and earnings

Jan 14 2025

Stock markets mostly rose Tuesday with traders' attention fixed on President-elect Donald Trump's tariff plans, earnings …

UK finance minister, hit by market woes, stands firm on growth

Jan 14 2025

Britain's finance minister Rachel Reeves on Tuesday insisted the Labour government needed to "go further and faster" in …