South Africa ranked 54th in the 2026 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking, moving up 10 places and overtaking Kenya to become the most competitive economy in Africa
South Africa ranked 54th in the 2026 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking, moving up 10 places and overtaking Kenya to become the most competitive economy in Africa
Asian markets pressed ahead with their rally Friday as another round of US data further stoked expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates more than it has indicated next year.
Blacksmith Yoshihiro Yauji pulls a piece of glowing metal from the forge in a Japanese village, continuing a tradition dating back centuries to when the region was renowned for crafting swords carried by samurai. "Since ancient times, the Japanese sword is said to have been the soul of a samurai, and the knife the soul of a chef." ssy/stu/sco/cwl
Nike promised up to $2 billion in cost savings Thursday involving job cuts and greater use of automation as it eyes "softer" sales in the coming period. The sports giant's cost-cutting plan will simplify product offerings, increase automation and institute a "streamling" of the company organization, Nike said in a news release.
A proposed deal that would see US Steel Corp bought by Japan's Nippon Steel should be closely investigated by American authorities, the White House said Thursday, warning it could have national security implications. "This is a strongly positive development for American steel, American jobs and America's national security," US Steel added.
US Steel Corp and its potential buyer Nippon Steel of Japan are requesting a federal review of their proposed deal following congressional criticism that the transaction threatens US national security, US Steel said Thursday. "Japan is an important ally to the United States," US Steel said.
US airlines are gearing up for record traffic this holiday season, having beefed up staffing in the hopes of avoiding a repeat of last Christmas's operational meltdown. United Airlines and American Airlines have also pointed to record traffic this year, with United projecting around nine million passengers and American nearly 12.7 million on more than 110,000 flights.
A shock strike by workers operating the Channel tunnel blocked train travel Thursday between Britain and France, leaving thousands of pre-Christmas travellers as well as freight traffic stranded. The Channel Tunnel opened in 1994 as the first undersea link between France and the English coast.
Angola's departure from OPEC exposes the tensions with the oil cartel as it seeks to cut output to maintain prices just as the United States ramps up production. Meanwhile, crude production in the United States, the world's leading producer, has risen above 20 million bpd, while Brazilian and Guyanese output has also soared.
Britain and Switzerland unveiled a post-Brexit financial services agreement on Thursday, aimed at making it easier for corporate and wealthy people in both countries to do business together. The deal, formally known as the Berne Financial Services Agreement, will see the two countries mutually recognise each other's domestic laws and regulations on financial services.
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