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China cuts key mortgage rate to boost economy
China's central bank on Tuesday cut a key benchmark lending rate used to price mortgages, as Beijing seeks to rescue its housing market from a deepening crisis and boost flagging growth in the country's economy.
China shares dip as central bank cuts key rate
Mainland China's shares fell on Tuesday as its central bank announced a record cut to a benchmark lending rate in a bid to boost its struggling economy.
Capital One to buy Discover for $35.3 bn
US banking giant Capital One announced Monday it will acquire financial services company Discover in a $35.3 billion all-stock deal combining two of America's major credit card firms.
UN agencies warn of 'explosion' in Gaza child deaths
An alarming lack of food, surging malnutrition and the rampant spread of disease could spark an explosion in child deaths in Gaza, the United Nations warned Monday.
Made-in-China airliner shown overseas at Singapore Airshow
China's first domestically produced passenger jet will be presented to potential buyers in an international debut at Asia's biggest airshow, which opens in Singapore on Tuesday.
Italy takes over troubled steel mill
Following months of unsuccessful talks, the Italian government Monday launched a temporary state takeover of a troubled steel mill that that is majority-owned by steel giant ArcelorMittal, according to sources close to the situation.
Stock markets diverge before more key earnings
Major stock markets diverged Monday as traders awaited more earnings updates this week from heavyweight companies, including HSBC bank, chip giant Nvidia and retail giant Walmart.
Eiffel Tower closes as staff go on strike
The Eiffel Tower, one of the world's top tourist attractions, was closed Monday after staff went on strike, unions told AFP.
Asian stocks mostly up as China enjoys Lunar New Year bump
Mainland Chinese stocks were buoyant after Lunar New Year as figures showed holiday spending surged past pre-pandemic levels, leading gains in most other Asian markets on Monday.
Ukraine PM seeks reconstruction help in Japan
Ukraine's prime minister urged Japan's government and private sector on Monday to step up support for the country's reconstruction, promising an "economic miracle" once the almost two-year-old war with Russia ends.
China new year holiday spending surges past pre-pandemic levels
China's new year holiday spending last week surged past pre-pandemic levels, official figures showed, a rare bright spot for an economy struggling with sluggish consumption and deflation.
Asia stocks mixed as China enjoys Lunar New Year bump
Chinese stocks were buoyant after Lunar New Year but other Asian markets were mixed on Monday as a hot US inflation report rekindled worries over the timing of Fed rate cuts.
New Bob Marley film gets box office love in N.America theaters
Paramount's new musical biopic "Bob Marley: One Love" enjoyed the adoration of North American theatergoers this weekend, topping the box office with estimated earnings of $27.7 million, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.
Japan's 'naked men' festival succumbs to population ageing
A steam of sweat rose as hundreds of naked men tussled over a bag of wooden talismans, performing a dramatic end to a thousand-year-old ritual in Japan that took place for the last time.
Could mini nuclear stations plug South Africa's power gaps?
South African nuclear scientists want to build a new generation of mini nuclear reactors, both to plug holes in their own country's blackout-plagued grid and to build an export industry for the future.
Family ties and city life stitch style into London Fashion Week
Familial nostalgia, cultural roots and the frenetic pace of London life marked the second day of the city's Fashion Week on Saturday as up-and-coming designers showed off their styles for the season ahead.
DR Congo accuses Rwanda of airport 'drone attack'
DR Congo's army on Saturday accused Rwanda of carrying out a night-time drone attack that damaged civilian aircraft at the airport in the strategic eastern city of Goma.
Singapore engineer pivots from oil rigs to 'fish farm of the future'
A high-tech fish farm floats just off the coast of Singapore, part of a plan by a retired engineer who once built oil rigs to bring diners cleaner, healthier seafood.
WTO chief insists global trade body still counts
The head of the World Trade Organization insisted Friday the WTO was still relevant as it prepares for its main gathering with few major deals on the table.
Tens of thousands protest Hungary child abuse pardon
Tens of thousands protested Friday in central Budapest against a presidential pardon in a child abuse case that is becoming the biggest political crisis Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has faced since his return to power in 2010.
US Fed should be patient as rate cuts considered: official
The US Federal Reserve should "resist the temptation to act quickly" as it contemplates the right time to begin interest rate cuts, a senior bank official said Friday.
US wholesale prices rose more than expected in January
US wholesale prices rose more than expected in January, according to government data published Friday, as services costs were lifted by a jump in the index for hospital outpatient care.
Russian invasion catalyst for renewables in Ukraine: minister
The wartime destruction of its coalmines and several of its power plants are proving a catalyst for Ukraine's renewable energy transition, said the country's Energy Minister German Galushchenko.
France, Germany block EU deal on scaled-back app worker law
France and Germany on Friday refused to back a watered-down agreement on controversial EU rules covering app workers in the gig economy, European diplomats said.
Hot US inflation report stops Wall Street stocks rebound
A larger-than-expected rise in US wholesale prices Friday rekindled worries over the timing of interest rate cuts and brought a halt to Wall Street's recent rebound.
London Fashion Week kicks off with tribute to New York
London Fashion Week kicked off Friday with a tribute to New York, as Princess Diana's favoured couturier delivered a show featuring scarves and blouses adorned with the city's famous taxis and skyscrapers.
'Resilient' Africa set for growth rebound: ADB
Africa saw the pace of economic growth sag last year as inflation continued to rise but is set to rebound this year, the African Development Bank said Friday.
UK bank NatWest shakes off CEO turmoil as profits jump
British bank NatWest on Friday said net profit jumped nearly a third in 2023 on higher interest rates, adding that Paul Thwaite would become permanent chief executive following boardroom turmoil.
Global stock markets stage pre-weekend rally
Europe's stocks rallied Friday, with Frankfurt and Paris striking more record peaks after solid Asian gains, as investors shrugged off recessions in Britain and Japan before publication of key US data.
Seoul hopes egg freezing can help S. Korea baby crisis, experts disagree
As South Korea's birth rate hits fresh lows, Seoul city officials have a plan to help -- subsidised egg freezing. But experts warn the initiative is unlikely to reverse precipitous demographic decline.
Asian markets rally after Wall Street highs
Asian markets rose Friday, supported by Wall Street and eurozone records, as traders shrugged off weak US retail sales and recession in Britain and Japan.
Cuba boosts doctors' wages in bid to halt mass exodus
Cuban cardiologist Alexey Lopez, 59, is sleeping a bit better since his salary got a bump -- part of government efforts to stop its renowned health care system from bleeding doctors amid the island's worst economic crisis in decades.
World Bank endorses new Afghanistan approach which could unlock $300 mn
The World Bank's executive board endorsed a new approach to its relationship with the people of Afghanistan Thursday under which new funds of around $300 million could be made available, outside the control of the Taliban authorities.
Global stocks rally even as Japan, Britain enter recession
Global stocks rose to fresh records Thursday despite lackluster economic data that included negative growth reports from Britain and Japan that qualified both countries as in recession.
Rod Stewart banks $100 million for song catalog: report
Rod Stewart, the singer whose hits include "Maggie May," is the latest artist to sell the rights to his music, The Wall Street Journal said Thursday.
World Bank approves $300 mn in new funding for Afghanistan
The World Bank's executive board has approved $300 million in new funds for Afghanistan, which it will deploy outside the control of the Taliban authorities, the development lender confirmed Thursday.
Four Xbox exclusives heading to rivals in big shift
Microsoft on Thursday shook up the video game world with word it is making some once-exclusive Xbox video games available for play on rival consoles.
Thom Browne's Poe-tinged dark romance ends NY Fashion Week
In a sparse warehouse dotted with trees, models sauntered down the catwalk in tweed coats to the sound of ravens as US designer Thom Browne closed New York Fashion Week with what he called a "romantically dark" show.
Musk fights US state of Delaware after Tesla pay debacle
Elon Musk is on the warpath against Delaware and its powerful business court, moving his SpaceX company out of the eastern US state after a judge struck down his $56 billion compensation package at Tesla.