Economy
EU chief plunged into controversy over top job pick
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen is facing calls from senior officials and lawmakers to justify her choice of candidate to staff a top new EU role, according to a letter seen by AFP on Thursday.
US trade gap grows in February to highest level since April 2023
The US trade deficit expanded in February by more than analysts expected to reach its highest level since April 2023, as imports once again exceeded exports, according to government data published Thursday. The February increase reflected a $7.1 billion rise in imports from a month earlier, which was counteracted by export growth of just $5.8 billion, meaning the overall trade gap rose.
Electric cars credited with lower CO2 emissions in US neighborhoods
The booming use of electric vehicles in parts of California is reducing CO2 emissions in those areas, a study showed Thursday, bolstering a key pillar of the state's drive towards net zero. "We show from atmospheric measurements that adoption of electric vehicles is working, that it's having the intended effect on CO2 emissions," said chemistry professor Ronald Cohen, the study's lead author.
Yellen in China to press officials on tech industry subsidies
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen arrived in China's Guangzhou on Thursday for meetings to press Beijing over fears the country's industrial subsidies for green energy, cars and batteries could flood global markets with cheap goods.
Swedish firm acquires rock legends KISS' catalogue
A Swedish entertainment group co-founded by ABBA's Bjorn Ulvaeus has acquired the music catalogue, name and likeness of KISS and plans to produce a movie about the legendary rock band, the company said Thursday. It said it had acquired KISS' "music catalogue, brand name and likeness -- including the world-famous face paint designs –- as well as trademarks of the iconic American rock band."
Asian markets lifted by US data and fresh rate cut hopes
Asian markets rose Thursday after US data provided a fresh indicator that inflation was easing and Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell soothed worries about the bank's plans to cut interest rates this year. But those concerns were allayed somewhat Wednesday when Powell said he still saw cuts coming this year.
Three companies in the running for NASA's next Moon rover
Three companies are in the running to provide NASA's next Moon rover for crewed missions planned later this decade, the space agency said Wednesday.
Disney wins proxy fight, turning back activists
Disney's leadership prevailed Wednesday in a high-profile and costly proxy contest against activist investors who had sought to shake up the company's board over concerns about successorship planning.
Cutting rates too soon could be 'quite disruptive': Fed's Powell
The US Federal Reserve's high benchmark rate is "doing its job" against elevated inflation, chairman Jerome Powell said Wednesday, warning that lowering it too soon could be "quite disruptive" for the American economy.
Economy
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