Featured
Last news

Asian stocks rebound on China stimulus package
Asian markets were mostly up Wednesday as investors weighed bullish growth targets announced by China despite its sluggish economy and the looming prospect of a global trade war.

Japan powerboat racing revs up bid to shed shadowy reputation
Racers shut away for a week incommunicado and airport-style metal detectors -- powerboating in Japan deploys strict measures as one of only four sports in the country that can be legally bet on.

Musk fails in bid to block OpenAI becoming for-profit business
A US judge on Tuesday denied Elon Musk's request to prevent OpenAI from becoming a for-profit business in a loss for the Tesla tycoon amid his feud with Sam Altman.

Japan women's football pioneer Nagasato retires
Women's World Cup winner Yuki Nagasato, who made history with a brief spell playing for a men's team, said she had given "every last drop" as the Japanese striker announced her retirement from football.

China eyes 5 percent growth despite trade war
China on Wednesday set an annual growth target of around five percent, vowing to make domestic demand its main economic driver as an escalating trade war with the United States hit Beijing's exports.

Europe's Ariane 6 rocket launch rescheduled to March 6
The first commercial mission of Europe's new heavy-lift rocket Ariane 6 has been rescheduled for Thursday, French company Arianespace announced, after an "anomaly" forced a last-minute postponement.

China sets annual growth target of around 5 percent
China on Wednesday set an annual growth target of around five percent, vowing to make domestic demand its main economic driver as an escalating trade war with the United States hit Beijing's exports.

Tech giants object as YouTube set to dodge Australian social media ban
Australia's plan to exempt YouTube from a world-leading teen social media ban is "illogical" and a "mockery", rival tech giants Meta and TikTok said Wednesday.

China aiming for growth of 'around 5 percent' in 2025: official document
China is pushing for economic growth of "around five percent" in 2025, an official document seen by AFP on Wednesday showed, an ambitious goal as Beijing faces down an intensifying trade war with the United States and deepening economic doldrums at home.

IXOPAY Launches Payment Account Reference Solution, Deepening Customer Insights in Digital Commerce
PAR provides a single, non-sensitive identifier that connects all transactions tied to a payment account

Canada, Mexico could see relief from tariffs, Trump official hints
The US commerce secretary on Tuesday said President Donald Trump could dial down huge tariffs on Canada and Mexico this week while maintaining pressure on China, hours after Canada's premier attacked the United States' "dumb" trade war.

Ports sale offers Panama way out of Trump row: experts
The decision by Hong Kong firm CK Hutchison to sell its Panama ports to a US-led consortium provides the Central American country with a convenient way out of its standoff with President Donald Trump, experts said Tuesday.

Global stocks tumble as Trump proceeds with more US tariffs
Stock markets were in gloomy mode Tuesday as China, Mexico and Canada hit back at US tariffs and fears grew that Europe could be President Donald Trump's next target in the growing global trade war.

Competition drives down Nigeria petrol prices
The retail price of petrol in Nigeria has dropped to 860 naira ($0.57) per litre, as a major local refinery drives down prices in a country long forced to import its gasoline.

Tesla shares fall on weak China auto sales
Shares of Tesla tumbled Tuesday following data showing a big drop in auto sales in China, adding to recent losses amid backlash to CEO Elon Musk's alliance with US President Donald Trump.

China, Canada retaliate against Trump's 'dumb' tariff war
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau launched a stunning attack on Donald Trump's "dumb" trade war as huge US tariffs kicked in against Canada, Mexico and China on Tuesday, sparking angry and immediate retaliation from all three.

EU chief unveils 800-billion-euro plan to 'rearm' Europe
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen Tuesday presented a plan to mobilise some 800 billion euros ($843 billion) for Europe's defence -- and help provide "immediate" military support for Ukraine after Washington suspended aid.

Seize or freeze? Friction in Europe over Russian assets for Ukraine
As Europe scrambles to boost military aid to Ukraine, calls are intensifying to fund it by seizing tens of billions of euros in frozen Russian assets, in an issue causing tension between European allies.

Stock markets, oil slide on trade war fears as US tariffs bite
Stock markets were in gloomy mode Tuesday as China, Mexico and Canada hit back at US tariffs and fears grew that Europe could be President Donald Trump's next target in the growing global trade war.

Eurovision chiefs promise 2025 show 'all about surprises'
Eurovision organisers promised Tuesday that the 2025 edition of the song contest will be all about surprises, with two months to go before showtime.

Chameleon phones and smart contact lenses: the gadgets of MWC 2025
As the world's biggest wireless technology fair, the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona is packed with manufacturers showing off their latest gadgets and inventions.

Writing on the wall as Chinese businesses fret over US trade war
At a bustling Shanghai trade fair, exporters of goods ranging from plush toys to chainmail bikinis expressed growing unease at the escalating US-China trade war as new US tariffs took hold on Tuesday.

'Stab in the back': Ukrainians in shock after US aid halt
Ukrainians in Kyiv and soldiers on the front lines were in shock on Tuesday and grappling with a sense of betrayal after US President Donald Trump's decision to suspend military aid.

Stock markets slide on trade war fears as US tariffs begin
Stock markets slid Tuesday on trade war fears as world powers hit out at the start of US tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada that risk being extended to Europe.

China's elite don traditional garb for annual 'Two Sessions' talking shop
Sporting military uniforms and multi-coloured traditional garb, delegates from all four corners of China descended on the capital on Tuesday for the country's largest annual political event -- a red-carpet cameo for the ruling elite.

France opposes seizing frozen Russian assets: minister
France voiced opposition Tuesday to seizing frozen Russian assets to fund a European military spending boost for Ukraine, arguing such a move would be against international agreements.

Markets fall on trade war fears after US, China tariffs
Markets fell in volatile trade Tuesday on fears of a trade war after China announced fresh tariffs on US imports in retaliation for President Donald Trump's latest levies.

Saudi Aramco profits drop 12 percent on lower prices, volumes
Oil giant Saudi Aramco posted a drop in annual profits on Tuesday as lower prices and volumes hit the lynchpin of the kingdom's ambitious economic reform plans.

Asian stocks pare their losses after China's retaliatory tariffs
Asian markets recouped some of their early losses in volatile trade on Tuesday after China announced fresh tariffs on US imports in retaliation to President Donald Trump's latest levies.

Japan startup targets June 6 Moon landing
Japanese startup ispace on Tuesday set a June 6 target touchdown date for its Moon lander, following the success of its rocket "rideshare" buddy, a spacecraft from a US firm.

Trade wars intensify as US tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China take force
Mounting trade wars between the United States and its largest economic partners deepened on Tuesday as US tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China kicked in, sparking swift retaliation from Beijing and Ottawa.

7-Eleven says Couche-Tard takeover still under consideration
The Japanese parent company of 7-Eleven said Tuesday that a buyout bid from a Canadian convenience store rival was still on the table despite a report that it planned to reject the multibillion-dollar offer.