Economy

Greece to spend 25 bn euros in 'drastic' defence overhaul: PM
Greece to spend 25 bn euros in 'drastic' defence overhaul: PM

Greece will spend 25 billion euros ($27 billion) through to 2036 in the "most drastic" defence overhaul in its modern history, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Wednesday. "Τhe plan involves the most drastic transformation of the armed forces in the country's modern history," Mitsotakis told parliament.

Swedish insurer drops $160 mn Tesla stake over labour rights
Swedish insurer drops $160 mn Tesla stake over labour rights

Swedish insurance company Folksam said Wednesday it had given up its $160 million stake in Tesla due to the electric carmaker's approach to labour rights. Folksam said that Tesla's approach to its employees' rights to unionise was "problematic" given its investment criteria, and that attempts to influence the company as a shareholder had been ineffective.

'Give me a break': Trump tariffs threaten Japan auto sector
'Give me a break': Trump tariffs threaten Japan auto sector

Business was already tough for auto parts maker Asahi Tekko, but with US car tariffs due to bite this week its president has a simple message for Donald Trump: "Give me a break." The tariff "will hit auto production hard, undermine confidence, and reduce orders", Moody's Analytics said in a report about Japan's business sentiment.

Asian markets edge up but uncertainty rules ahead of Trump tariffs
Asian markets edge up but uncertainty rules ahead of Trump tariffs

Asian markets edged up Wednesday as nervous investors brace for Donald Trump's wave of tariffs later in the day, though speculation about what he has in store is stoking uncertainty on trading floors. In early trade, Asian markets mostly rose, though they were fluctuating between gains and losses after a recent selloff.

Nintendo's megahit Switch console: what to know
Nintendo's megahit Switch console: what to know

Gaming giant Nintendo is set to unveil the successor to its phenomenally popular Switch console on Wednesday. But plans for the console were unveiled in 2015 to overwhelming indifference after the successor to Nintendo's popular Wii device, the Wii U, flopped commercially.

Nintendo to unveil upgrade to best-selling Switch console
Nintendo to unveil upgrade to best-selling Switch console

Japanese video game giant Nintendo is set to unveil the new version of its hugely popular Switch console on Wednesday, with the update eagerly awaited by both gamers and investors. "There is huge demand for a better version of the original Switch," he added.

Tesla sales tumble in Europe in the first quarter
Tesla sales tumble in Europe in the first quarter

Tesla sales kept falling in March in many European markets as it suffered from a double blow of boycotts against the policies of its founder Elon Musk and an ageing model line-up. Stephanie Valdez Streaty of Cox Automotive said that it was "undeniable that Elon Musk is an influential factor whose actions affect the brand's image and sales".