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US House approves bill to avert freight rail strike
Lawmakers in the US House of Representatives voted Wednesday to prevent a potentially catastrophic freight rail strike, stepping in to break an impasse between workers and executives during a critical pre-holiday period.
Macron welcomed as 'vital ally' as US state visit ramps up
France's President Emmanuel Macron underlined US-French cooperation with a tour of NASA headquarters Wednesday, but tough talks on trade and China are expected when he meets Joe Biden for the main part of a rare state visit.
Airbus pays 15.9 mn euros to close French corruption probe
A French judge on Wednesday allowed European aerospace firm Airbus to pay 15.9 million euros ($16.4 million) to avoid a corruption probe into aircraft deals in Libya and Kazakhstan between 2006 and 2011.
HSBC shuts more UK branches as banking goes online
HSBC on Wednesday announced plans to permanently shut more than a quarter of its remaining bank branches in the UK as customers increasingly switch to making transactions online.
China has room for further 'recalibration' of zero-Covid policy: IMF
China has room to adjust its strict zero-Covid policy, the IMF said Wednesday, while underlining that the country's tough virus restrictions have been especially hard on its people.
Eurozone inflation falls for first time in 17 months
The eurozone annual inflation rate fell for the first time in 17 months in November as it slowed to 10 percent, official data showed Wednesday.
Stocks diverge ahead of next Fed rate signal
Stock markets fluctuated on Wednesday as eurozone inflation slowed for the first time in 17 months and investors awaited fresh signals about the US central bank's interest rate plans.
UK finance sector needs greater social mobility: study
Britain's financial and professional services sector must boost socio-economic diversity in boardrooms, helping to bridge big differences in pay, a study commissioned by the government concluded Wednesday.
Bird flu kills almost 14,000 pelicans, seabirds in Peru
The highly contagious H5N1 avian flu virus has killed thousands of pelicans, blue-footed boobies and other seabirds in Peru, according to the National Forestry and Wildlife Service (SERFOR).
US private hiring eases more than expected in November: survey
US employers eased their hiring pace in November, with job creation slowing the most since early 2021, as the central bank's interest rate hikes trickle through the economy, payroll firm ADP said Wednesday.
H&M to cut 1,500 jobs worldwide
Swedish fashion retailer H&M said Wednesday it would cut some 1,500 jobs worldwide as a result of a cost-cutting programme launched following its decision to leave the Russian market.
Losses deepen at crisis-hit SAS airline
Troubled Scandinavian airline SAS, which has filed for bankruptcy in the United States, reported Wednesday deeper losses in the fourth quarter.
Kenya's Ruto launches flagship credit scheme for poor
Kenyan President William Ruto on Wednesday launched a low-interest credit scheme to boost financial access for the country's poorest citizens, fulfilling a key campaign promise made to voters.
Europe stocks, euro rise on elevated eurozone inflation
European equities and the euro rose Wednesday as eurozone inflation slowed but remained elevated on high energy costs.
Lebanon crisis means 'no football this year' for World Cup fans
Football fans looking for a respite from Lebanon's crushing economic crisis have found a challenge in simply watching the World Cup after the bankrupt state failed to pay for broadcasting rights.
Let them eat bread: the origins of the baguette
It is as much a part of French culture as the Eiffel Tower or Edith Piaf but the origins of the humble baguette, which UNESCO on Wednesday added to its List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, remain a mystery.
UK union announces ambulance strike as stoppages widen
Britain's government on Wednesday rejected union pay demands after ambulance workers joined nurses in voting to go on strike.
Markets rise as traders weigh China moves, await Fed's Powell
Markets rose Wednesday on hopes that China will further ease its strict Covid containment measures following widespread protests, though gains were tempered by leaders' warnings of a crackdown on dissent.
Climate's toll on trees threatens the sound of music
Stroking a tiny spruce sapling, Swiss forest ranger Francois Villard fears the tree will not withstand global warming and live to a ripe old age like its ancestors.
Self-driving lorries hit the road in Sweden
Barrelling down a motorway south of Stockholm in a 40-tonne lorry and trailer, the driver keeps a careful eye on the road but, jarringly, no hands on the wheel.
Cracking the covert app that exposed Europe's drug gangs
From torture and murder in the Netherlands and Serbia to an unprecedented web of corruption in Belgium, the Sky ECC investigation has shone a light into some of Europe's darkest corners.
China's factory activity contracts as Covid disruptions spread
China's factory activity shrank for a second straight month in November, official data showed Wednesday, as large swathes of the country were hit by Covid-19 lockdowns and transport disruptions.
Equities mostly up as traders weigh China moves, await Fed's Powell
Markets mostly rose Wednesday on hopes that China will further ease its strict Covid containment measures following widespread political unrest, though gains were tempered by leaders' warnings of a crackdown on dissent across the country.
Jack Ma living in Japan after China tech crackdown: FT
Alibaba founder Jack Ma has been living in Tokyo for almost six months after disappearing from public view following China's crackdown on the tech sector, the Financial Times reported Wednesday, citing multiple unnamed sources.
US Senate votes to protect same-sex marriage
The US Senate passed a landmark bill Tuesday protecting same sex marriage, as lawmakers from both parties moved to forestall the possibility of the conservative-led Supreme Court taking away this right as it did with abortion.
Tough France-US talks on industrial subsidies: senator
French leader Emmanuel Macron is hoping his US state visit can produce meaningful concessions for European industry as it smarts from massive US green subsidies -- but the chances of a major win look slim, according to a Joe Biden ally Chris Coons.
Global stocks mixed as markets monitor China, await Powell remarks
Stocks diverged Tuesday after big rallies in Asian markets failed to trigger a similar reaction in Europe and on Wall Street, as investors remained cautious before key US data and speeches this week.
HSBC bank sells Canadian ops for over US$10 bn
HSBC has agreed to sell its Canadian division to Royal Bank of Canada for US$10.1 billion, the Asia-focused banking giant announced Tuesday.
German inflation unexpectedly slows in November
German inflation unexpectedly slowed in November after months of increases, preliminary data showed Tuesday, as sky-high energy prices begin to ease.
IMF may have to lower China growth forecasts: director
The International Monetary Fund may have to slash its growth forecasts for China, managing director Kristalina Georgieva warned Tuesday, after protests erupted opposing Beijing's strict policies to combat Covid.
Japanese company aims to put first private lander on Moon, with UAE rover on board
SpaceX is set Wednesday to launch the first private -- and Japanese -- lander to the Moon.
Stocks diverge as investors caught between hope, caution
Stocks diverged Tuesday after big rallies in Asian markets failed to trigger a similar reaction in Europe and on Wall Street as investors remain cautious before key US data and speeches later in the week.