Economy

Economy Latest News

Sales of new US homes edge down unexpectedly in February
Sales of new US homes edge down unexpectedly in February
by  AFP

US new home sales ticked down surprisingly in February, according to government data released Monday, after January's rate was revised higher. New single-family home sales were at an annual rate of 662,000 last month, seasonally adjusted, 0.3 percent down from the revised 664,000 figure for January, said the Commerce Department.

Hong Kong's popular Octopus card expands to mainland China
Hong Kong's popular Octopus card expands to mainland China
by  AFP

Hong Kong's popular Octopus tap-and-go card will be accepted on public transport in more than 336 mainland Chinese cities from Tuesday, the e-payment company has announced. Under the new scheme, the Octopus-China card will be accepted on buses, subways, trains and ferries in about half of the cities in mainland China.

Troubled Boeing announces CEO Dave Calhoun to step down
Troubled Boeing announces CEO Dave Calhoun to step down
by  AFP

Boeing announced Monday that CEO Dave Calhoun would leave his post as the aviation giant faces increased scrutiny after a series of safety incidents and manufacturing issues. US regulators last month gave Boeing 90 days to come up with a plan addressing quality control issues, with the regulatory Federal Aviation Administration saying the company must "commit to real and profound improvements."

'Flavour wizard:' Japanese chocolatier conquers Belgium
'Flavour wizard:' Japanese chocolatier conquers Belgium
by  AFP

When Yasushi Sasaki moved from Japan to Belgium at the age of 19, he spoke not a word of French and had no clue what he would do with his life. "Whenever I go home to Japan and mention Belgium, people say to me 'Ahhh.... chocolate!"

Asian markets mixed as key US inflation data looms
Asian markets mixed as key US inflation data looms
by  AFP

Asian markets were mixed on Monday as investors set their sights on the release of key US inflation data due at the end of the week. Eyes are now on the release of the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index, the Fed's preferred gauge of inflation, with traders hoping for a reading that shows price gains slowing further.

London still awaits Olympic's promised 'affordable' housing
London still awaits Olympic's promised 'affordable' housing
by  AFP

More than a decade after London hosted the Olympic Games, cranes are still everywhere in and around the Olympic Park in Stratford, where an array of buildings are under construction. The 2012 Summer Games -- widely seen as a roaring success -- were held primarily at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Newham, one of the city's poorest boroughs.

Dig deep: US bets on geothermal to become renewable powerhouse
Dig deep: US bets on geothermal to become renewable powerhouse
by  AFP

Though geothermal represents only a tiny fraction of current US energy production, several businesses and President Joe Biden's administration are betting on technological advances to make it a backbone of the green transition. The use of existing drilling technology makes geothermal both quicker and cheaper to develop.