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France political crisis looms over ECB meeting
France political crisis looms over ECB meeting
by  AFP

France's political crisis will likely take centre stage at a European Central Bank meeting Thursday, with turmoil in the eurozone's second-biggest economy causing a fresh headache for policymakers. But the latest French political crisis has thrown a new curveball at the central bank for the 20 countries that use the euro.

Markets mostly up as US producer price data stokes rate cut bets
Markets mostly up as US producer price data stokes rate cut bets
by  AFP

Asian equities mostly rose Thursday as investors built on this week's rally after US data ramped up expectations for a string of interest rate cuts. The data soothed worries that US President Donald Trump's tariff war would reignite inflation -- as many have warned -- and gave the Fed room to cut rates and address weakness in the jobs market.

Under US pressure, Mexico mulling 50% tariff on Chinese cars
Under US pressure, Mexico mulling 50% tariff on Chinese cars
by  AFP

Mexico, under pressure not to serve as a back door for Chinese goods entering the United States, has proposed a 50-percent duty on car imports from the Asian giant -- up from 15-20 percent. The White House has said Chinese producers are abusing a free-trade deal between the United States, Mexico and Canada to send goods northward over the Mexican border tariff-free.

Union to vote on deal to end strike at Boeing defense branch
Union to vote on deal to end strike at Boeing defense branch
by  AFP

Labor leaders reached a tentative agreement with Boeing that could resolve a strike in the aviation giant's defense business, the union announced Wednesday. The strike comes on the heels of a much larger stoppage in Boeing's commercial aviation business involving some 33,000 workers who halted production at Pacific Northwest factories for more than seven weeks. jmb/dw

Musk's title of richest person challenged by Oracle's Ellison
Musk's title of richest person challenged by Oracle's Ellison
by  AFP

Billionaire Elon Musk is at risk of losing his title of world's wealthiest person to Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, whose software giant stands poised for massive AI riches. Ellison, 81, amassed more than $100 billion in additional wealth Wednesday as Oracle shares skyrocketed after the nearly 50-year old company forecast massive revenue growth amid the artificial intelligence investment boom.

Italy to remain top wine producer in world: 2025 estimates
Italy to remain top wine producer in world: 2025 estimates
by  AFP

Italy is expected to enjoy a good 2025 harvest and clinch the world's leading producer label once again, according to estimates presented Wednesday by Italy's agriculture ministry and its wine union. Overall, Italy is regaining a lead over France, the world's second largest producer, and expected to produce 37.4 million hectolitres.

US Senate panel advances nomination of Trump's Fed governor pick
US Senate panel advances nomination of Trump's Fed governor pick
by  AFP

A US Senate committee on Wednesday advanced the nomination of President Donald Trump's choice to join the Federal Reserve board, despite concerns that he might not resign from the White House even if confirmed. Stephen Miran, who chairs the White House Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), passed the Senate Banking Committee's vote by 13-11, with Democratic lawmakers opposing the advancement.