Economy
With inflation slowing, ECB to cut rates again
With inflation slowing and the economic outlook darkening, the European Central Bank is expected to cut interest rates again Thursday but is unlikely to give much away about its next moves. The Frankfurt-based central bank made its first cut in June, reducing the key deposit rate to 3.75 percent from a record high of four percent.
Pope says migrant workers need 'a fair wage'
Pope Francis on Thursday made a plea for migrant workers to be paid fairly, as he visited the affluent city-state of Singapore on the last stop of his marathon Asia-Pacific tour. - 'I'm going to cry' - Singapore is the last stop on the pope's 12-day, four-nation Asia-Pacific trip aimed at boosting the Catholic Church's standing in the world's most populous region.
Asian markets rally with Wall St after US inflation eases further
A surge in tech firms Thursday helped Asian markets track a Wall Street rally after data showed US inflation at a more than three-year low, reinforcing expectations the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates next week. The spike in Japan's Nikkei was helped by a drop in the yen sparked by expectations US rates will only likely be cut by the smaller amount.
Boeing faces potential strike as Seattle workers vote
Boeing faces a potentially crippling strike in the Seattle region, depending on how 33,000 workers vote Thursday on a new contract that has angered many employees despite solid wage gains. Broadcast reports in the Seattle region have featured footage of line workers who hold daily rallies on the factory floor and call the wage hikes inadequate in light of inflation.
On Cuban streets, mid-century icons face challenge from new rides
Brand new Mercedes, state-of-the-art 4x4s, even Teslas: high-end, modern cars have started appearing in Havana, a city whose image is intricately linked to the classic American sedans and Soviet-era Ladas that cruise its streets. The most ubiquitous group of cars date from the Soviet era -- mainly of the Lada and Moskvitch brands.
EU consumer groups slam 'manipulative' video game spending tactics
European consumer groups on Thursday accused the world's biggest video game companies of "purposefully tricking" consumers, including children, to push them to spend more. "Today, premium in-game currencies are purposefully tricking consumers and take a big toll on children.
Ghana raises cocoa price by 45% to deter smuggling
Ghana's government on Wednesday announced a 45-percent increase in the producer price of cocoa for the 2024/2025 crop season, in a bid to curb smuggling. "This is an unprecedented increase of 129.36 percent," Acheampong said as he announced the increase Wednesday.
Argentine Congress upholds Milei veto of pensions increase
Argentina's Congress on Wednesday upheld a veto by President Javier Milei of a bill to increase pensions, as protesters clashed with police outside the building. Several pensioners were among those who clashed with police or were detained.
UN experts call for global system to trace critical minerals
UN experts called Wednesday for the creation of a global system to trace the extraction and production of critical minerals that are needed in the transition away from fossil fuels. And, with the IEA fearing global supplies of such minerals are running out, the UN experts also called for investment in innovation and recycling to reduce the quantities needed.
Economy
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