Economy

Geneva auto show closes shop after 119 years
Geneva auto show closes shop after 119 years
by  AFP

The more than century-old Geneva International Motor Show will be cancelled for good following waning interest from automakers in what was once an unmissable industry event, organisers said Friday. The next Geneva International Motor Show Qatar will take place in Doha in November 2025. noo/clc/lth/ach

Giant lithium partnership created in Chile
Giant lithium partnership created in Chile
by  AFP

Chile's state-owned copper giant Codelco signed a deal Friday with SQM to nearly double the private mining firm’s current extraction of lithium, a key mineral for the global switch to cleaner energy. Chile's leftist President Gabriel Boric came to office with plans to create a national lithium company similar to state-owned Codelco, formed in the 1970s out of nationalized mining firms.

UBS marks takeover milestone as Credit Suisse is no more
UBS marks takeover milestone as Credit Suisse is no more
by  AFP

Swiss banking giant UBS on Friday completed the merger of its parent company with Credit Suisse AG as its fallen rival legally ceased to exist, more than a year after the emergency takeover. In a statement, UBS said Credit Suisse AG -- or limited company -- had been deleted from the Canton of Zurich's commercial register, and has thus ceased to exist as a separate entity.

UK Labour pitches new energy policy in election battle
UK Labour pitches new energy policy in election battle
by  AFP

The UK's Labour opposition launched its flagship clean energy policy Friday, bidding to ease the country's cost-of-living crisis and contrast the party with the ruling Conservatives in the looming general election. Labour is widely predicted to win the election, opinion polls show, with Sunak's Tories struggling after years of scandals and cost-of-living pressures.

US Fed's favored inflation measure remains unchanged in April
US Fed's favored inflation measure remains unchanged in April
by  AFP

The US Federal Reserve's favored measure of inflation remained unchanged in April, according to government data published Friday, as services prices remained elevated. The data published Friday also show that personal income eased to 0.3 percent last month, the Commerce Department said, down slightly from 0.5 percent in March.

Chinese shopping app Temu faces stricter EU safety rules
Chinese shopping app Temu faces stricter EU safety rules
by  AFP

Chinese shopping app Temu will have to comply with stringent new safety rules after Brussels on Friday added the company to its list of digital firms big enough to face curbs. Last month, the EU added Chinese-founded online retailer Shein to its list of platforms that must comply with the DSA's stricter rules. raz/ec/lth

Chinese property giant Evergrande fined $576 mn for 'fraud'
Chinese property giant Evergrande fined $576 mn for 'fraud'
by  AFP

China's deeply indebted property giant Evergrande has been fined $576 million for fraudulent business practices, Beijing's top financial regulator said Friday. The CSRC said it had also imposed a maximum fine of $6.5 million on Evergrande founder Xu Jiayin, also known as Hui Ka Yan, banning him from the securities market for life.

Pakistan farmers pin poor mango crop on climate change
Pakistan farmers pin poor mango crop on climate change
by  AFP

Pakistan's mangoes are normally a source of national pride and much-needed income, but farmers are blaming climate change for the parasites and extreme weather ruining much of this season's crop. Pakistan's 20 varieties of mangoes come second only to oranges as the most-produced fruit in the country.

Asian markets bounce after tough week as US inflation looms
Asian markets bounce after tough week as US inflation looms
by  AFP

Asian markets rose Friday after falling for much of the week, with below-forecast US data injecting some fresh life into hopes the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates this year. "Assuming the PCE comes in OK, the data suggests the Fed doesn't need to hike and may cut later in the year," Capital.com's Kyle Rodda said.