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Italy approves plans for world's longest suspension bridge
Italy approves plans for world's longest suspension bridge
by  AFP

Italy's government on Wednesday approved a controversial 13.5-billion-euro ($15.6-billion) project to build what would be the world's longest suspension bridge connecting the island of Sicily to the mainland. Italian politicians have for decades debated a bridge over the Strait of Messina, a narrow strip of water between the island of Sicily and the region of Calabria, at the toe of Italy's boot.

German broadcast giant backs takeover by Berlusconi group
German broadcast giant backs takeover by Berlusconi group
by  AFP

German broadcasting giant ProSiebenSat.1 recommended Wednesday that its shareholders accept an improved takeover offer from Italy's MediaForEurope group, majority-owned by the family of late former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi.

UK watchdog bans Zara ads over 'unhealthily thin' model photos
UK watchdog bans Zara ads over 'unhealthily thin' model photos
by  AFP

Britain's advertising regulator on Wednesday banned two adverts by Spanish clothing group Zara for featuring models that appeared "unhealthily thin", calling the images "irresponsible". Another featured a model who looked "slightly gaunt" owing to a slicked-back hairstyle and that the lighting and clothing made her appear "noticeably thin", the ASA said.

German factory orders fall amid tariff, growth woes
German factory orders fall amid tariff, growth woes
by  AFP

German industrial orders unexpectedly fell in June, official data showed Wednesday, as Europe's biggest economy struggles with prolonged domestic weakness and volatile US trade policy. Orders from abroad fell three percent, with a particularly heavy drop from countries outside the eurozone, while domestic orders increased slightly.

Ozempic maker Novo Nordisk posts strong results but competition weighs
Ozempic maker Novo Nordisk posts strong results but competition weighs
by  AFP

Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk posted a sharp rise in second-quarter net profit Wednesday, but rising competition is weighing on sales of its diabetes and obesity treatments Ozempic and Wegovy in the United States. But it now faces growing competition from rival treatments made by US group Eli Lilly in United States.

Taiwan's orchid growers dig in as US tariffs shoot up
Taiwan's orchid growers dig in as US tariffs shoot up
by  AFP

Since the start of US President Donald Trump's global trade war, Taiwanese orchid grower Lee Tsang-yu has watched tariffs on his seedlings shoot from nothing to 20 percent. Until now, most growers have been absorbing the cost of the 10 percent tariff that Trump slapped on nearly every trading partner in April, said Ahby Tseng, 53, secretary-general of the Taiwan Orchid Growers Association.

Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific unveils deal to buy 14 Boeing jets
Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific unveils deal to buy 14 Boeing jets
by  AFP

Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific said Wednesday it would place a US$8.1-billion order for 14 Boeing jets, its first order with the American aircraft maker for 12 years. The airline has "exercised the purchase rights... to purchase 14 Boeing 777-9 aircraft; and... secured the right to acquire up to seven additional Boeing 777-9 aircraft", it said in a filing to the Hong Kong stock exchange.