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US starts tariff probes into medical gear, industrial machinery
US starts tariff probes into medical gear, industrial machinery
by  AFP

The United States has opened investigations into imports of medical equipment such as surgical masks, and industrial machinery, in moves that could lead to new tariffs. The medical equipment probe considers the effects on national security of imports of personal protective equipment (PPE), medical consumables and medical equipment including devices.

Germany's Bosch to cut 13,000 jobs in blow to auto sector
Germany's Bosch to cut 13,000 jobs in blow to auto sector
by  AFP

German industrial giant Bosch said Thursday it would cut 13,000 jobs, mostly in its auto unit, in the latest blow for the country's ailing car sector. - 'Social devastation' - While agreeing that the situation in the German automotive industry was "very tense", Frank Sell, head of the Bosch Mobility works council, vowed to fight the cuts.

EU opens antitrust probe into German software giant SAP
EU opens antitrust probe into German software giant SAP
by  AFP

The European Commission launched an antitrust probe into German software giant SAP Thursday over fears the company's practices may have distorted competition. "We are concerned that SAP may have restricted competition... by making it harder for rivals to compete, leaving European customers with fewer choices and higher costs," EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera said in a statement.

Ticketmaster agrees clearer prices after Oasis probe: UK regulator
Ticketmaster agrees clearer prices after Oasis probe: UK regulator
by  AFP

US ticket sales giant Ticketmaster has agreed to make its pricing more transparent following widespread anger over the exorbitant costs paid by some fans for the Oasis reunion tour, Britain's competition watchdog said Thursday. The Competition and Markets Authority launched an investigation into the company last year over concerns that it had misled fans into buying costly tickets.

Germany must move quicker on reforms, say experts
Germany must move quicker on reforms, say experts
by  AFP

Germany must move quicker with potentially painful reforms, experts warned Thursday, in the latest sign of unease at Chancellor Friedrich Merz's efforts to turn the struggling economy around. The Bild newspaper also reported Tuesday that business associations had berated Merz behind closed doors for moving too slowly on reforms.

Dutch lead charge on electric inland vessels
Dutch lead charge on electric inland vessels
by  AFP

At a windswept container park near the sprawling port of Rotterdam, a crane slots a 30-tonne white battery into a transporter vessel, enough to provide eight hours of zero-emissions freight. ITG has 17 terminals connecting key locations in the Netherlands and Belgium with the sea ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam, handling one million containers per year.

Swiss central bank keeps zero-rate as tariffs take their toll
Swiss central bank keeps zero-rate as tariffs take their toll
by  AFP

Switzerland's central bank kept its policy rate at zero percent on Thursday, warning that massive US tariffs are weighing on the country's export-dependent economy. "The tariffs are likely to dampen exports and investment especially.