Economy

ECB makes first rate cut since 2019 but sees 'bumpy road'
ECB makes first rate cut since 2019 but sees 'bumpy road'
By AFP

The European Central Bank cut interest rates for the first time since 2019 on Thursday as eurozone inflation gradually eases, but president Christine Lagarde said the path ahead was unclear and warned of a "bumpy road".

European stocks up as ECB cuts rate, US stocks mixed
European stocks up as ECB cuts rate, US stocks mixed
By AFP

European stock markets rose Thursday as the European Central Bank cut interest rates for the first time since 2019 -- but gains were muted as sticky inflation blurs the outlook for more reductions.

Chile's lithium dreams raise water concerns in the desert
Chile's lithium dreams raise water concerns in the desert
By AFP

As night falls in Chile's Atacama desert, the world's driest, a drilling machine extracts brine to measure levels of lithium -- a crucial mineral for the global switch to cleaner energy, but harmful in its own way. Chile is seeking to retake its position as the world's top lithium producer, but environmentalists fear extraction in the Atacama desert will harm fragile ecosystems there.

After a bitter break-up, Trump makes up with billionaire donors
After a bitter break-up, Trump makes up with billionaire donors
By AFP

In an electoral system in which money is the ultimate kingmaker, Donald Trump has been courting the country's billionaires -- and they have their checkbooks ready. On November 5, voters -- perhaps influenced by ads paid for with millions of dollars of billionaire money -- will have the final say. rle/sst/st

In first, SpaceX's megarocket Starship nails ocean splashdown
In first, SpaceX's megarocket Starship nails ocean splashdown
By AFP

SpaceX's massive Starship rocket achieved its first ever splashdown during a test flight Thursday, in a major milestone for the prototype system that may one day send humans to Mars. NASA chief Bill Nelson wrote on X. "We are another step closer to returning humanity to the Moon through #Artemis -- then looking onward to Mars."

Boeing CEO to address safety at US Senate hearing
Boeing CEO to address safety at US Senate hearing
By AFP

Boeing's outgoing CEO Dave Calhoun will testify before a US Senate panel later this month to answer questions about safety and production issues at the aircraft manufacturer, the company said Wednesday.

World Bank says Kenya's economy to slow in 2024
World Bank says Kenya's economy to slow in 2024
By AFP

Kenya's economic growth will slow to five percent this year after a "robust" performance in 2023, the World Bank said Wednesday. The World Bank said in a report that while Kenya's real GDP growth had accelerated last year to 5.6 percent from 4.9 percent in 2022, it was expected to slow to five percent this year.