Business and Economy



US stocks end at records as markets eye tariff deadline

AFP - Jul 25 2025

Wall Street stock indices ended at fresh records Friday as US investors bet on additional trade deals following this …

Trump, EU chief to meet Sunday in push for trade deal

AFP - Jul 25 2025

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump said Friday they would meet in Scotland this weekend in a …

Trade on agenda as Trump lands in Scotland for diplomacy and golf

Jul 25 2025

US President Donald Trump landed in Scotland on Friday for a five-day visit set to mix diplomacy, business and leisure, …

Trump says '50/50 chance' of US-EU trade deal

Jul 25 2025

Donald Trump said Friday there was a 50 percent chance of a trade deal with the European Union as the bloc's chief …

Stock markets mark time as Trump puts EU-US trade deal at 50/50

Jul 25 2025

Stock markets marked time Friday as the latest trade-related rally lost steam as US President Donald Trump rated the …

How might Trump's tariffs hurt Brazil?

Jul 25 2025

With Donald Trump's punitive tariffs against Brazil poised to take effect within days, Latin America's largest economy …

Stock markets stall as Trump puts EU-US trade deal at 50/50

Jul 25 2025

Stock markets stalled Friday as the latest trade-related rally lost steam and US President Donald Trump rated the …

Meta to ban political ads in EU due to bloc's 'unworkable' rules

Jul 25 2025

Meta on Friday said it will be forced to ban political advertising on its platforms in the European Union from October …

UK starts online checks to stop children accessing harmful content

Jul 25 2025

New UK age verification measures to prevent children accessing harmful online content came into force on Friday, with …

French car dealer charged over Takata air bag injury

Jul 25 2025

A car dealer has been charged over failures that led to a driver being injured when a faulty Takata airbag sprayed him …

Stock markets turn lower as trade deal rally fades

Jul 25 2025

Stock markets mostly fell Friday as the latest trade-related rally lost momentum, with investors also digesting a mixed …

Volkswagen takes 1.3-bn-euro hit from Trump tariffs

Jul 25 2025

German auto giant Volkswagen said Friday that tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump had cost it 1.3 billion euros …

New cryptocurrency may be aiding Russia to dodge sanctions

Jul 25 2025

Russia could be turning to a new cryptocurrency called A7A5 to allow money to flow in and out of the country and avoid …

Markets turn lower as trade war rally fades

Jul 25 2025

Stock markets fell Friday as their latest rally ran out of legs, with sentiment weighed by strong US jobs data that saw …

Cognac maker Remy Cointreau lifts guidance after China deal

Jul 25 2025

French drinks group Remy Cointreau lifted Friday its outlook for the year after a deal between the EU and China on …

Asian markets turn lower as trade war rally fades

Jul 25 2025

Asian stocks fell Friday as their latest rally ran out of legs, with sentiment weighed by strong US jobs data that saw …

Small businesses warn of Trump tariff impact on toy industry at Comic-Con

Jul 25 2025

Small business owners used the festive backdrop of Comic-Con on Thursday to discuss a sobering topic: the negative …

US regulators greenlight contentious $8 bn Skydance-Paramount merger

Jul 25 2025

US regulators on Thursday approved an $8 billion deal for Skydance to acquire Paramount Global amid tumult in the …

US regulators let Skydance acquire Paramount Global

Jul 24 2025

US regulators on Thursday approved an $8 billion deal for Skydance to acquire Paramount Global after receiving …

US chip maker Intel says revenue rose as it cut ranks

Jul 24 2025

Intel on Thursday posted quarterly revenue that topped market expectations, saying it has cut about 15 percent of its …

Trump, Fed chief Powell bicker during tense central bank visit

Jul 24 2025

Donald Trump and US Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell appeared together for a tense meeting Thursday as the …

Global stocks mostly rise on trade deal hopes while Tesla plummets

Jul 24 2025

Stock markets mostly bumped upwards Thursday as hopes grew that the European Union could strike a trade deal with the …

Trump tours Fed, ramping up war on central bank

Jul 24 2025

Donald Trump arrived for a tour of the US Federal Reserve Thursday as the president escalates pressure on its chairman …

Trump to tour Fed, ramping up war on central bank

Jul 24 2025

Donald Trump is due to visit the US Federal Reserve Thursday as the president escalates pressure on its chairman Jerome …

First half net profit plunges 22% at French luxury group LVMH

Jul 24 2025

French luxury group LVMH saw net profit plummet 22 percent in the first half of 2025, the company announced Thursday, …

EU-US trade deals buoy stocks while Tesla plummets

Jul 24 2025

Stock markets mostly bumped upwards Thursday as hopes grew that the European Union could strike a trade deal with the …

India's Modi and UK PM Starmer ink trade deal

Jul 24 2025

Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised Britain's "unique bonds" with India as he and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi …

American Airlines shares fall on weak forecast

Jul 24 2025

American Airlines shares tumbled Thursday as the carrier projected a third-quarter loss due to lingering weakness in the …

Trump to tour Fed as war on central bank chief ramps up

Jul 24 2025

Donald Trump is due to visit the US Federal Reserve Thursday as the president escalates his pressure on its chairman …

TotalEnergies net profit drops as oil prices fall

Jul 24 2025

TotalEnergies said Thursday its net profit plunged in the second quarter despite increased output as global oil and gas …

ECB holds rates with US tariffs decision on horizon

Jul 24 2025

The European Central Bank held interest rates steady Thursday as policymakers waited to see whether the eurozone would …

EU-US trade deal hopes buoy stocks

Jul 24 2025

Stock markets mostly extended gains Thursday as optimism grew that the European Union could soon strike a trade deal …

EU turns up pressure with Trump trade deal 'in reach'

Jul 24 2025

With the contours of a hard-fought EU-US trade deal taking shape, the European Union is flexing its muscles in a bid to …

ECB to hold rates with US tariffs decision on horizon

Jul 24 2025

The European Central Bank looked set to keep interest rates unchanged Thursday as policymakers waited to see whether the …

Stocks mostly rise on EU-US trade deal hopes

Jul 24 2025

Stock markets mostly extended gains Thursday as optimism grew that the European Union could soon strike a trade deal …

Nestle struggles amid weak China market

Jul 24 2025

Nestle said Tuesday its net profit fell in the first half of the year as the Swiss food giant behind Nespresso coffee …

Deutsche Bank posts bumper profits, shares soar

Jul 24 2025

Deutsche Bank on Thursday reported its highest second-quarter profit since 2007 and said it was on track to meet annual …

Markets extend gains on US trade deal hopes

Jul 24 2025

Stock markets extended the week's gains Thursday on optimism other countries will follow up the Japan-US trade deal with …

BTS agency HYBE raided over alleged fraud trading

Jul 24 2025

HYBE, the agency behind K-pop superstars BTS, was raided by police on Thursday in connection with alleged fraudulent …

Asian markets extend gains on US trade deal hopes

Jul 24 2025

Asian markets extended the week's gains Thursday on optimism other countries will follow up Japan's US trade deal with …

Germans reluctant to open wallets despite easing inflation

Jul 24 2025

The cost-of-living crisis may be easing in Germany but that has not sparked a shopping frenzy just yet in a country …

ECB expected to hold rates as more Trump tariffs loom

Jul 24 2025

The European Central Bank looks set to keep interest rates unchanged on Thursday while the introduction of higher US …

Trump set to visit Scotland for trade talks, and some golf

Jul 24 2025

US President Donald Trump will head to Scotland on Friday for a visit melding diplomacy and golf, a sport that is both …

Australia lifts trade barriers on US beef

Jul 24 2025

Australia said Thursday it would lift trade barriers on beef from the United States, removing a major point of friction …

Google-parent Alphabet earnings shine with help of AI

Jul 24 2025

Google-parent Alphabet on Wednesday reported quarterly profits that topped expectations, saying artificial intelligence …

Tesla profits drop as Musk warns of 'rough' patch before riches

Jul 24 2025

Tesla reported another drop in quarterly profits Wednesday as CEO Elon Musk warned the company could face a few "rough" …

Stock markets advance after Japan-US trade deal

Jul 23 2025

Stock markets rose on Wednesday after Japan and the United States hammered out a trade deal that included lowering …

Tesla reports 16% profit drop to $1.2 bn on lower auto sales

Jul 23 2025

Tesla reported another drop in quarterly profits Wednesday on lower auto sales amid intensifying electric vehicle …

US-EU tariff talks progress as Trump announces Japan deal

Jul 23 2025

United States and European officials signaled progress in tariff talks Wednesday, after US President Donald Trump …

Champagne makers cut harvest as global outlook fizzles out

Jul 23 2025

France's champagne producers said Wednesday they were cutting the amount of grapes to be made into the region's …

Trump announces 'massive' Japan trade deal

Jul 23 2025

US President Donald Trump has announced a "massive" trade deal with Japan, as China said it would send its vice premier …

US existing home sales dip to 9-month low on high costs

Jul 23 2025

Sales of previously-owned homes in the United States hit their lowest rate in nine months, according to industry data …

Stock markets rally after Japan-US trade deal

Jul 23 2025

Stock markets rose on Wednesday after Japan and the United States hammered out a trade deal to slash Donald Trump's …

India's Infosys narrows revenue forecast as profits beat expectations

Jul 23 2025

Indian IT giant Infosys on Wednesday increased the lower end of its annual growth forecast for the current fiscal year …

Canal+ clears final hurdle to acquire S.Africa's MultiChoice

Jul 23 2025

France's Canal+ said Wednesday it had cleared the final regulatory hurdle for the buyout of Africa's largest pay TV …

EU, Japan vow joint push for 'fair' global trade

Jul 23 2025

The EU and Japan pledged on Wednesday to work together on championing a "free and fair" trade global system, as US …

UniCredit boosts outlook after walking away from Banco BPM

Jul 23 2025

Italy's UniCredit posted a sharp rise in quarterly profit on Wednesday despite lower revenues, a day after it withdrew …

Equinor takes $1 bn hit from US wind farm regulations, tariffs

Jul 23 2025

Norwegian energy company Equinor said on Wednesday that its giant offshore wind project in New York -- once halted by …

'So Trump-like': relief but no surprise in Japan as US cuts tariffs

Jul 23 2025

In the Japanese city of Seki, famed for its razor-sharp artisan knives, news that incoming US tariffs will be lowered is …

Tokyo's Nikkei leads Asian rally after Japan-US trade deal

Jul 23 2025

Tokyo stocks surged Wednesday after Japan and the United States finally hammered out a trade deal to slash Donald …

Trump agrees to small reduction in Philippine tariffs

Jul 23 2025

US President Donald Trump agreed Tuesday to reduce threatened tariffs on the Philippines, but only by one percentage …

Trump a boon for deep-sea mining: industry boss

Jul 23 2025

A leading deep-sea mining company in the paradisal Cook Islands is aiming to start commercial production by 2030, …

Who makes laundry smell nice? Meet the professional 'noses'

Jul 23 2025

In the laboratories of German fragrance and flavours giant Symrise, a citrus scent clings to the lab coats of trainees …

The Pacific island nation that wants to mine the ocean floor

Jul 23 2025

A 1,000-tonne ship is exploring the far-flung South Pacific for riches buried beneath the waves, spearheading efforts to …

Trump announces 'massive' Japan trade deal including 15% tariff

Jul 23 2025

US President Donald Trump announced Tuesday a "massive" trade deal with Japan, cutting a threatened 25-percent tariff to …

Nasdaq edges down from records ahead of big tech earnings

Jul 22 2025

The Nasdaq retreated from a record ahead of earnings from Google parent Alphabet and other tech giants, while European …

UK court awards £700 mn to HP in late tycoon's fraud case

Jul 22 2025

A UK court Tuesday awarded £700 million ($946 million) compensation to IT firm Hewlett Packard in a fraud case involving …

US Treasury chief says no reason for Fed chair to step down

Jul 22 2025

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Tuesday that he did not see a reason for Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to …

Games giant Ubisoft bets on reorganisation to dispel blues

Jul 22 2025

Struggling French video games giant Ubisoft shed light on a far-reaching reorganisation of its business Tuesday, as it …

Trump says confident US to reach Philippines trade deal

Jul 22 2025

US President Donald Trump voiced confidence Tuesday at reaching a trade deal with the Philippines to ease his threatened …

AstraZeneca to invest $50 bn in the US as tariff threat looms

Jul 22 2025

British pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca said Tuesday it would invest $50 billion in the United States by 2030 amid US …

Stocks slip as investors eye tariff impact among corporate earnings

Jul 22 2025

Major stock markets slipped on Tuesday as New York backed off its record highs and European markets fretted over an …

General Motors profits fall on tariffs

Jul 22 2025

General Motors reported Tuesday that second-quarter profits tumbled by more than a third due to tariffs as it confirmed …

Extreme weather misinformation 'putting lives at risk,' study warns

Jul 22 2025

Major social media platforms are enabling and profiting from misinformation around extreme weather events, endangering …

Coca-Cola plans US cane sugar alternative after Trump push

Jul 22 2025

Coca-Cola on Tuesday said it would release a version of Coke in the United States made with US-grown real cane sugar, a …

US Treasury chief eyes China tariff deadline extension in talks next week

Jul 22 2025

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Tuesday that he would meet his Chinese counterparts in Stockholm next week for …

Markets mixed as investors eye earnings and Trump tariffs

Jul 22 2025

Global stocks diverged on Tuesday as traders awaited earnings from big US companies and European markets fretted over an …

Stocks diverge with eyes on earnings, trade talks

Jul 22 2025

Stock markets were mixed Tuesday as traders awaited earnings from Wall Street titans and US trade talks, with just over …

Price hikes nibble at demand for Lindt chocolate

Jul 22 2025

Premium Swiss chocolate maker Lindt & Sprungli hiked its 2025 sales target as cocoa price hikes passed on to customers …

UK gives green light to £38 bn Sizewell C nuclear plant

Jul 22 2025

The UK government on Tuesday gave new British nuclear power plant Sizewell C the final go-ahead after reaching a deal …

Stocks mixed with trade and earnings in focus

Jul 22 2025

Equity markets were mixed Tuesday as traders kept an eye on earnings from Wall Street titans this week while tracking US …

Stocks mixed with trade and earnings in focus; Tokyo reopens with gains

Jul 22 2025

Asian markets were mixed Tuesday as traders kept an eye on earnings from Wall Street titans this week while tracking US …

AstraZeneca says to invest $50 bn in the US

Jul 22 2025

British pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca said Tuesday it would invest $50 billion in the United States amid a looming …

France jails three in champagne 'slaves' case

Jul 22 2025

A French court on Monday jailed three people for human trafficking in the champagne industry, exploiting seasonal …

Stocks mostly rise as markets weigh earnings optimism and tariff fears

Jul 21 2025

Wall Street stocks largely rose Monday as markets looked ahead to a heavy week of earnings reports following last week's …

German govt looks to roll back tax hike on flights

Jul 21 2025

Germany's government signalled Monday that it may reverse a rise in the tax applied to passenger flights as it steers a …

Markets caught between earnings optimism and tariff fears

Jul 21 2025

Stock markets largely rose on Monday, as traders focused on upbeat US corporate news, but President Donald Trump's …

US tariffs help push Jeep owner Stellantis into big loss

Jul 21 2025

Jeep owner Stellantis said on Monday it suffered a massive loss in the first half of the year, when it felt the first …

Trump's tariffs deadline casts shadow over European shares

Jul 21 2025

Stock markets diverged on Monday, as traders in the United States and Asia focused on upbeat corporate news but those in …

German industry alliance lays out domestic investment push

Jul 21 2025

More than 60 German companies said Monday they would fund new domestic investments worth at least 100 billion euros …

UK overhauls regulation of 'broken' water system

Jul 21 2025

The UK government announced Monday it will overhaul the management and regulation of the water system, following a …

Stock markets mixed, yen firms as Japan PM vows to stay

Jul 21 2025

Stock markets diverged on Monday as investors eyed a busy earnings week and awaited fresh developments in US trade deals …

Hong Kong leads most stocks higher, yen gains as Ishiba vows to stay

Jul 21 2025

Equities mostly rose Monday on optimism countries will reach US trade deals before an August 1 deadline, while the yen …

US tariffs, laws push Jeep owner Stellantis into 2.3-bn-euro first-half net loss

Jul 21 2025

Jeep owner Stellantis said on Monday it suffered a massive loss in the first half of the year, when it felt the first …

World's major courts take growing role in climate fight

Jul 21 2025

The world's top court is poised to tell governments what their legal obligations are to tackle global warming, and …

ECB expected to hold rates as Trump tariff uncertainty lingers

Jul 21 2025

The European Central Bank is set to hold interest rates for the first time in almost a year when policymakers meet this …

Hong Kong leads stocks higher, yen gains as Ishiba vows to stay

Jul 21 2025

Equities mostly rose Monday on optimism countries will reach US trade deals before an August 1 deadline, while the yen …

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

Jul 21 2025

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

French petition against return of bee-killing pesticide passes 1mn

Jul 21 2025

More than a million people Sunday had signed a petition urging the French government to ditch a law allowing the …

'Superman' triumphs once again at N.American box office

Jul 20 2025

The Man of Steel has staying power: "Superman" topped the North American box office for a second week running and …

Hanoi scooter riders baulk at petrol-powered bikes ban

Jul 20 2025

Vietnam's plan to bar gas-guzzling motorbikes from central Hanoi may clear the air of the smog-smothered capital, but …

Japan sees bright future for ultra-thin, flexible solar panels

Jul 20 2025

Japan is heavily investing in a new kind of ultra-thin, flexible solar panel that it hopes will help it meet renewable …