Business and Economy



Brazil Central Bank holds interest rate after seven straight hikes

AFP - 11m ago

Brazil's Central Bank on Wednesday held its benchmark interest rate steady at 15 percent after seven straight hikes that …

Meta beats expectations sending share price soaring

AFP - 17m ago

Meta reported robust second-quarter financial results Wednesday, with revenue jumping 22 percent year-over-year to $47.5 …

US Fed holds firm against Trump pressure as divisions emerge

AFP - 32m ago

The US Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged Wednesday, defying strong political pressure from President Donald …

Microsoft quarterly profits soar on AI and cloud growth

AFP - 1h ago

Technology giant Microsoft on Wednesday said its profit soared above expectations in the recently ended quarter, driven …

Trump punishes Brazil with tariffs, sanctions over trial of ally Bolsonaro

AFP - 1h ago

President Donald Trump ordered massive tariffs on Brazil Wednesday and sanctions against the judge overseeing a trial of …

Trump hits India with 25% tariff and 'penalty' over Russia ties

AFP - 1h ago

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that imports from India will face 25 percent tariffs, while also announcing an …

Airbus first-half profit climbs 85% to $1.7 bn

AFP - 1h ago

European aerospace group Airbus posted an 85-percent rise in first-half profit Wednesday to $1.7 billion, even though it …

Canada central bank holds rate steady citing US tariff 'threats'

AFP - 3h ago

Canada's central bank held its key lending rate at 2.75 percent on Wednesday, as the major US trading partner confronts …

Tata Motors to buy Italy's Iveco for $4.4 bn

AFP - 1h ago

Tata Motors of India will buy Italy's Iveco Group for 3.8 billion euros ($4.4 billion) in a bid to create a "global …

Renault names Provost CEO after De Meo exit

AFP - 5h ago

French auto giant Renault said Wednesday that Francois Provost, currently in charge of procurement, would take over as …

Stocks edge higher, dollar gains before tech earnings, Fed decision

AFP - 4h ago

Stock markets saw mostly muted gains in Europe and on Wall Street on Wednesday as investors waited for earnings from US …

'Class war': outsiders moving to Puerto Rico trigger displacement

AFP - 5h ago

Gloria Cuevas thought she would live forever in her pink, century-old house on Puerto Rico's west coast -- but then her …

English cricket chiefs confirm sale of six Hundred franchises

AFP - 7h ago

Six teams in English cricket's controversial Hundred competition have now been sold to private investors, with deals for …

London court rules oligarch liable in $1.9 bn Ukraine loan scheme

AFP - 41m ago

Ukrainian oligarch Igor Kolomoisky and his former business partner are likely to be forced to repay $1.9 billion they …

Stocks diverge, dollar gains before tech earnings, Fed decision

AFP - 52m ago

Stock markets were mixed in Europe and on Wall Street on Wednesday while the dollar rose further from recent lows as …

US economy returns to growth in second quarter on tariff turbulence

AFP - 8h ago

The US economy returned to growth in the second quarter, government data showed Wednesday, but analysts flagged …

US Fed set to hold firm against Trump pressure

AFP - 4h ago

The Federal Reserve is expected to defy aggressive pressure from President Donald Trump and keep interest rates …

London court rules oligarch liable over $1.9 bn Ukraine loan scheme

AFP - 44m ago

The Ukrainian oligarch Igor Kolomoisky and his former business partner are likely to be forced to repay $1.9 billion …

Aston Martin pares outlook as US tariffs weigh

AFP - 3h ago

British luxury carmaker Aston Martin Lagonda on Wednesday revised down its full-year outlook as US President Donald …

Adidas says may hike US prices after tariff cost warning

AFP - 41m ago

German sportswear giant Adidas warned Wednesday that it might raise prices in the United States due to tariffs that …

GSK reports improved outlook despite US drug tariffs

AFP - 8h ago

British pharmaceutical group GlaxoSmithKline said Wednesday that its annual performance should be better than expected, …

Eurozone economy expands but tariff impact looms

AFP - 3h ago

The eurozone economy unexpectedly expanded in the second quarter of 2025, official data showed Wednesday, despite …

Hermes confirms outlook for rising sales in 2025

AFP - 11h ago

French luxury group Hermes confirmed Wednesday its outlook for full-year sales growth as it turned rising revenue for …

Stocks diverge, dollar slips before tech earnings, Fed decision

AFP - 2h ago

Stock markets diverged on Wednesday and the dollar slid further from recent highs as investors awaited earnings from US …

HSBC banks lower profits on higher costs

AFP - 2h ago

Bank giant HSBC said Wednesday that group profits fell in the first half on higher costs but noted that it was "well …

Ryanair says dropping three French airports over 'harmful' tax

AFP - 10h ago

Irish no-frills airline Ryanair said on Wednesday it was dropping three French airports over a "harmful" tax hike on air …

Mercedes-Benz welcomes EU-US deal after profits plunge on tariff woes

AFP - 4h ago

A new trade deal struck between the United States and European Union is good news despite fears it is unbalanced, …

Markets mixed as China-US talks end, eyes on tech earnings

AFP - 2h ago

Markets were mixed Wednesday as investors kept tabs on China-US developments after they agreed to further talks to …

Adidas reports hit from US tariffs

AFP - 5h ago

German sportswear giant Adidas said Wednesday it took a hit from US tariffs in the second quarter but did not indicate …

Italy opens probe into Meta over AI tool in WhatsApp

AFP - 5h ago

Italy said Wednesday it opened a probe into social media giant Meta for potentially breaking EU competition laws by …

Mercedes-Benz profit plunges on tariff, China woes

AFP - 2h ago

Premium German carmaker Mercedes-Benz said Wednesday its second-quarter profit plunged nearly 70 percent due to US …

India exporters steel themselves as tariff clock ticks down

AFP - 6h ago

Indian exporters were bracing Wednesday for higher US tariffs to kick in as prospects dim for an interim trade deal …

Could copper tariff hurt US more than Chile?

AFP - 11h ago

Chile, the world's biggest copper producer, is hoping for a last-minute deal to stop the United States from imposing a …

'Marathon at F1 speed': China bids to lap US in AI leadership

AFP - 15h ago

Beyond dancing robots and eager-to-help digital avatars, Shanghai's World AI Conference saw China stake its claim to …

Stablecoins inspire hope, and hype, in Hong Kong

AFP - 6h ago

Stablecoin excitement has gripped Hong Kong as the city prepares to launch a licensing system for the less volatile type …

Five products to be hit by Trump's incoming tariffs

AFP - 40m ago

The United States is set to raise tariffs on dozens of trading partners Friday if they fail to reach accords with …

US second quarter GDP growth to reflect tariff turbulence

AFP - 1h ago

US economic growth is expected to rebound in the second quarter, analysts said, in a momentary comeback reflecting trade …

American Eagle 'jeans' campaign that stars Sydney Sweeney under fire

AFP - 2h ago

An advertising campaign starring Sydney Sweeney for the clothing brand American Eagle has triggered the latest online …

Global stocks mixed as market focus shifts to earnings deluge

Jul 29 2025

Stock markets were mixed on Tuesday as investors started turning their attention from trade deals to a slew of company …

US says Trump has 'final call' on China trade truce

Jul 29 2025

China and the United States agreed Tuesday to hold further talks on extending their tariff truce, but a top US trade …

Boeing reports smaller loss as CEO sees progress in turnaround

Jul 29 2025

Boeing reported a smaller loss in the second quarter Tuesday after the company delivered more planes, with its CEO …

Gucci owner Kering posts 46% profit slump before new CEO arrives

Jul 29 2025

French luxury group Kering reported Tuesday a 46 percent plunge in net profit during the first half, with sales slumping …

P&G estimates $1 bn tariff hit, plans some US price hikes

Jul 29 2025

Procter & Gamble executives projected a $1 billion hit from US tariffs over the next year on Tuesday as the consumer …

Stock market attention shifts from trade deals to company results

Jul 29 2025

Stock markets were mixed on Tuesday as investors started turning their attention from trade deals to a slew of company …

Novo Nordisk cuts earning forecasts again, names new CEO

Jul 29 2025

Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk, known for its blockbuster diabetes and weight-loss treatments Ozempic and Wegovy, on …

Boeing reports smaller loss, sees more 'stability' in operations

Jul 29 2025

Boeing reported a smaller loss in the second quarter Tuesday after the company delivered more planes, with its CEO …

Jeep owner Stellantis says has turned corner on sales

Jul 29 2025

Jeep owner Stellantis said Tuesday that it sees sales revenue and profitability rebounding in the second half of the …

IMF lifts 2025 growth forecast on 'fragile' easing in trade tensions

Jul 29 2025

The IMF raised its global growth forecast Tuesday as efforts to circumvent Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs sparked a …

Stock markets rise as attention shifts from trade deals to company results

Jul 29 2025

Stock markets in the United States and Europe rose Tuesday as investors turned their attention from trade deals to a …

Fossil-fuel pledge in EU-Trump deal sparks climate fears

Jul 29 2025

The EU is promising colossal new US fossil fuel purchases under its trade deal with President Donald Trump, raising …

LA wildfires push insurance losses to highest since 2011: Munich Re

Jul 29 2025

The Los Angeles wildfires drove insured natural disaster losses in the first half of the year to their highest level …

Spotify sees 12% rise in paid subscribers

Jul 29 2025

Spotify saw paying subscribers rise 12 percent to 276 million customers in the second quarter of 2025, the world's top …

European pharma industry still worried about tariffs

Jul 29 2025

The European pharmaceutical industry said Tuesday that it remained concerned a EU-US trade deal reached at the weekend …

European stocks rally with eyes on earnings, trade deal

Jul 29 2025

European stocks rallied Tuesday, lifted by a slew of corporate earnings and as investors further assessed the impact of …

Chinese, US officials meet for 2nd day of trade talks in Stockholm

Jul 29 2025

Chinese and US delegations met for their second day of trade negotiations in Stockholm, with both sides said to be …

Barclays bank profit jumps on US tariffs volatility

Jul 29 2025

British bank Barclays posted on Tuesday second quarter profits that beat expectations as traders benefitted from …

Philips chops back US tariff bill

Jul 29 2025

Dutch medical equipment manufacturer Philips said Tuesday that the impact of US tariffs would be much less than it …

Stock fluctuate as trade relief fades, eyes on data and earnings

Jul 29 2025

Stocks were mixed Tuesday as the positivity sparked by recent US trade deals dissipated, with investors now focused on …

Dubai airport logs record travellers in first half

Jul 29 2025

Dubai International Airport welcomed a record 46 million passengers in the first half of this year, authorities said on …

Jeep owner Stellantis says has turned corner

Jul 29 2025

Jeep owner Stellantis said Tuesday it sees sales revenue and profitability rebounding in the second half of the year …

Villagers win race to save UK pub, as thousands close

Jul 29 2025

A nearly 200-year-old pub, the Radnor Arms in rural Wales stood abandoned a few years ago. Water ran down the walls, ivy …

Stock markets fall as trade relief fades, eyes on data and earnings

Jul 29 2025

Stocks fell Tuesday as the positivity sparked by recent US trade deals dissipated, with investors now focused on the …

Palantir, the AI giant that preaches US dominance

Jul 29 2025

Palantir, an American data analysis and artificial intelligence company, has emerged as Silicon Valley's latest tech …

Ireland's 'economic miracle' at risk from tariffs

Jul 29 2025

The deal between the United States and the European Union may have averted a transatlantic trade war, but worries …

Trump slashes Russia ultimatum to '10 or 12 days'

Jul 29 2025

US President Donald Trump on Monday issued Moscow with a dramatic new deadline to end the war in Ukraine or face tough …

EU car industry sees relief - and pain - in US trade deal

Jul 28 2025

The car industry in the EU on Monday viewed the trade deal struck with the United States as a de-escalation -- but one …

Dollar rises on EU-US trade deal but European stocks turn sour

Jul 28 2025

The dollar jumped Monday on the back of a US-EU trade deal, but the main European stock markets fell, reflecting unease …

China and US wrap first day of trade talks

Jul 28 2025

Chinese and US officials wrapped the first day in a fresh round of talks in Stockholm on Monday, with the world's top …

Telegram's Durov questioned in France over alleged illegal content on app

Jul 28 2025

Telegram founder Pavel Durov faced questioning by investigating magistrates in Paris on Monday about the platform's …

AI Ray-Ban Meta glasses help EssilorLuxottica boost sales

Jul 28 2025

EssilorLuxottica, the world's top maker of eyeglasses, said Monday a tripling of sales of Ray-Ban Meta AI connected …

Europe's carmakers still nervous despite EU-US trade deal

Jul 28 2025

Europe's auto industry is relieved that the EU-US trade deal reduces short-term uncertainty but many, particularly in …

China aims for 'reciprocity' in trade talks with US

Jul 28 2025

Chinese and US officials held a fresh round of talks in Stockholm on Monday, with the world’s top two economies looking …

EU defends Trump trade deal in face of backlash

Jul 28 2025

The European Union on Monday defended its trade deal with President Donald Trump, with EU capitals and businesses …

Heineken shares plummet as beer sales dry up

Jul 28 2025

Shares in Dutch brewer Heineken plunged Monday after it reported a drop in beer sales in the first half of the year, …

EU accuses online giant Temu over sale of 'illegal' products

Jul 28 2025

The European Union accused Chinese-founded online shopping giant Temu on Monday of breaking the bloc's digital rules by …

China hopes for 'reciprocity' at trade talks with US in Stockholm

Jul 28 2025

Chinese and US economic officials met for talks in Stockholm on Monday, with Beijing saying it wanted to see …

EU defends Trump trade deal facing backlash

Jul 28 2025

The European Union on Monday vehemently defended its trade deal with President Donald Trump, with EU capitals and …

Trump says Gaza ceasefire 'possible' amid Starmer talks

Jul 28 2025

Donald Trump said a ceasefire in Gaza was "possible", and stepped up warnings to Russia, as he met UK Prime Minister …

Brussels says EU-US deal 'better than trade war' with Trump

Jul 28 2025

The EU's top negotiator on Monday defended a trade agreement with the United States to avert steeper tariffs as "the …

Stock markets, dollar rise on EU-US trade deal

Jul 28 2025

Stock markets and the dollar advanced Monday after the European Union and United States struck a deal to avert a …

Starmer to press Trump on Gaza, trade in Scotland talks

Jul 28 2025

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will press Donald Trump on ending "the unspeakable suffering" in Gaza, and also talk …

Impact of US tariffs varies across European Union

Jul 28 2025

US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the United States was imposing 15-percent tariffs on all European …

CK Hutchison eyes 'major' Chinese investor for Panama ports deal

Jul 28 2025

Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison said Monday it was considering inviting a Chinese "major strategic investor" to join …

Stock markets boosted after EU, US strike trade deal

Jul 28 2025

Stock markets rose in Europe and Asia on Monday after the European Union and United States hammered out a deal to avert …

US-China set to meet with extension of tariff pause on the cards

Jul 28 2025

Top economic officials from the United States and China are set to renew negotiations Monday, with an extension of lower …

Heineken sees beer sales dip but keeps profit outlook

Jul 28 2025

Dutch brewer Heineken sold less beer in the first half of the year, it announced Monday, as a slump in sales in Europe …

European Union resigned to 15 percent US tariff

Jul 28 2025

The United States and the European Union clinched a trade agreement on Sunday that will see EU exports taxed at 15 …

Most markets rise, euro boosted after EU strikes US trade deal

Jul 28 2025

Most stock markets rose with the euro Monday after the European Union and United States hammered out the "biggest-ever" …

US tariff tussles stuff of nightmares for Bordeaux winemakers

Jul 28 2025

French wine producers, already reeling from a downturn in their market, still do not know how bitter a taste the US …

European Union resigned to 15 pecent US tariff

Jul 28 2025

The United States and European Union clinched a trade agreement on Sunday that will see EU exports taxed at 15 percent, …

What is the status of US tariff negotiations?

Jul 28 2025

US tariff negotiations with key trading partners have shifted into high gear as economies race to avoid steeper duties …

State of play in Trump's tariffs, threats and delays

Jul 28 2025

Dozens of economies including India, Canada and Mexico face threats of higher tariffs Friday if they fail to strike …

George Lucas brings the force to Comic-Con in historic first visit

Jul 28 2025

Comic-Con fans pulled out their lightsabers Sunday to welcome "Star Wars" creator George Lucas to the prominent pop …

EU, US strike 'biggest-ever' trade deal

Jul 27 2025

The United States and European Union on Sunday clinched what President Donald Trump described as the "biggest-ever" deal …

'Fantastic Four' wins battle of heroes at N. America box office

Jul 27 2025

"The Fantastic Four: First Steps," Disney's hotly anticipated reboot of the Marvel Comics superhero franchise, conquered …

What we know so far about the EU-US trade deal

Jul 27 2025

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen clinched an agreement Sunday with US President Donald Trump to avoid crippling tariffs …

Trump, EU chief strike trade deal in transatlantic standoff

Jul 27 2025

US President Donald Trump and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen Sunday announced they had reached a deal to end a …

Humanoid robots embodiment of China's AI ambitions

Jul 27 2025

Serving craft beer, playing mahjong, stacking shelves and boxing, the dozens of humanoid robots at Shanghai's World AI …

Trump, EU chief seek deal in transatlantic trade standoff

Jul 27 2025

US President Donald Trump and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen met Sunday for make-or-break talks in Scotland, aimed at …

Urgent need for 'global approach' on AI regulation: UN tech chief

Jul 27 2025

The world urgently needs to find a global approach on regulating artificial intelligence, the United Nations' top tech …

Trump, EU chief seek deal in transatlantic tariffs standoff

Jul 27 2025

US President Donald Trump and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen prepared to meet Sunday in Scotland in a push to resolve a …

US Fed poised to hold off on rate cuts, defying Trump pressure

Jul 27 2025

The US central bank is widely expected to hold off slashing interest rates again at its upcoming meeting, as officials …