Economy

Dockers end three-day strike at Montreal port
Dockers end three-day strike at Montreal port

Dockworkers at the port in Montreal, the second-largest in Canada, ended a partial three-day strike as scheduled on Thursday, officials confirmed, with both sides summoned to mediation. "The three-day strike is over," Isabelle Pelletier, spokeswoman for the Maritime Employers Association, told AFP. A federal mediator has summoned both sides to a meeting on Friday.

Canadian auto parts magnate faces more sexual assault charges
Canadian auto parts magnate faces more sexual assault charges

Three more women have come forward with sexual assault accusations against Frank Stronach, the founder of Magna International, one of the world's largest auto parts companies, court records showed Thursday. Stronach, an Austrian-born rags-to-riches immigrant, grew a small Canadian tool and die company into one of the world's largest automotive parts manufacturers, Magna International.

What next for OpenAI after $157 billion bonanza?
What next for OpenAI after $157 billion bonanza?

ChatGPT-maker OpenAI has become an AI powerhouse after securing Silicon Valley's largest-ever funding round. - The funding - OpenAI raised $6.6 billion in cash and secured a $4 billion credit line, catapulting the company to a staggering $157 billion valuation.

Israel-Hamas war causes 86-percent dive in Gaza GDP: IMF
Israel-Hamas war causes 86-percent dive in Gaza GDP: IMF

A year of conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in a "devastating impact on the economy" in the occupied West Bank and Gaza, the IMF said Thursday, including a nearly 90 percent drop in Gaza's GDP. "Preliminary official estimates indicate an 86 percent decline in GDP in the first half of 2024" in Gaza, said International Monetary Fund communications chief Julie Kozack.

Sri Lanka's new president seek changes to IMF deal
Sri Lanka's new president seek changes to IMF deal

Sri Lanka's new president Thursday urged the IMF to consider "alternative means" to continue with a $2.9 billion bailout that aided his country in the wake of a sovereign default but imposed painful austerity. Sri Lanka declared a sovereign default on its $46 billion debt in April 2022 after running out of foreign exchange.

'Welcome relief': Asia producers hail EU deforestation law delay
'Welcome relief': Asia producers hail EU deforestation law delay

Producers from Malaysia's palm oil industry to Vietnam's coffee sector on Thursday welcomed a European Union decision to delay implementation of its anti-deforestation rules. Malaysia's Palm Oil Council welcomed the proposed delay as a "victory for common sense".

Japan PM slated to announce plans for 'happiness index'
Japan PM slated to announce plans for 'happiness index'

Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will propose a new happiness index during his first parliamentary policy speech on Friday, local media have reported. The premier will also announce plans to increase Japan's average minimum wage to 1,500 yen ($10.22) by 2030, from the current 1,055 yen, local media reported.