Economy

Ineos drives towards hydrogen car future
Ineos drives towards hydrogen car future

At a sprawling vehicle test centre in the English countryside, a hydrogen-powered Grenadier 4x4 made by Ineos Automotive grips steep and rugged tracks, showcasing its off-road capabilities. Calder spoke from the UTAC vehicle test centre in Millbrook, a village north of London, where the hydrogen-powered vehicle quietly navigated dusty sharp bends and other obstacles.

Spotify sued over alleged unpaid royalties
Spotify sued over alleged unpaid royalties

Music streaming giant Spotify has been sued in a US federal court for allegedly underpaying songwriters, composers and publishers by tens of millions of dollars. "If unchecked, the impact on Songwriters and Music Publishers of Spotify's unlawful underreporting could run into the hundreds of millions of dollars."

Higher US food prices lead to a shift in shopping habits
Higher US food prices lead to a shift in shopping habits

"I don't really shop for groceries as often as I used to," said Jasmine Reed, 32, outside a store in northern Virginia, as she explained the impact of higher food prices on her shopping habits. Outside a grocery store in Falls Church, Virginia, on Friday, shoppers told AFP they had noticed an increase in the cost of everyday items in recent years -- causing some to change their buying habits.

Military spending pushes Russian economic growth up
Military spending pushes Russian economic growth up

Russia's economy grew 5.4 percent in the first quarter of 2024, official statistics published Friday showed, as President Vladimir Putin denied military spending on his Ukraine offensive was reaching unsustainable levels. On a state visit to China, Putin denied that Russia's vast military spending -- which he said had passed eight percent of GDP -- had hit unsustainable levels.

For Taiwan shoppers, China's malls only a ferry ride away
For Taiwan shoppers, China's malls only a ferry ride away

With suitcases and packages stuffed with food, alcohol and construction materials, Taiwanese shoppers make their way towards a ferry in the Chinese city of Xiamen bound for the Taipei-administered island of Kinmen. People push airport-style trolleys loaded with suitcases and large packages up a ramp and onto the ferry before taking their seats.

Mercedes in Alabama to learn if they will join US union
Mercedes in Alabama to learn if they will join US union

Workers at Mercedes-Benz's Alabama business are expected to learn Friday if they will shift into a union shop, following a contentious federally-administered election. For the Mercedes workers, voting concludes Friday morning with election results expected to be released by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in the afternoon.

US tariffs on Chinese EVs hurt green transition: XPeng boss
US tariffs on Chinese EVs hurt green transition: XPeng boss

The president of Chinese electric vehicle maker XPeng on Friday criticised the fresh tariffs on Chinese cars imposed by Washington as "unfavourable" for the United States' energy transition. "The tariffs are unfavourable to its own climate and energy transition."

Crisis-ridden Boeing hopes for quiet annual meeting
Crisis-ridden Boeing hopes for quiet annual meeting

Boeing's annual meeting on Friday comes amid an exceptionally difficult period for the crisis-ridden company, creating potential for drama at an event that is usually a snooze-fest. The company, under heavy regulatory scrutiny following recent safety and quality control problems, has defeated shareholder proposals at past annual meetings that usually have lasted an hour or less.