Economy

Ben & Jerry's owner Unilever to spin off ice cream arm
Ben & Jerry's owner Unilever to spin off ice cream arm

British consumer goods giant Unilever announced Tuesday that it will separate its ice cream unit, whose top-selling products include Ben & Jerry's and Magnum, as a standalone business. It added: "After separating Ice Cream and implementing the productivity programme, Unilever will have a structurally higher margin."

Bank of Japan scraps negative interest rate
Bank of Japan scraps negative interest rate

Japan's central bank on Tuesday on Tuesday its negative interest rate as it finally began unwinding one of the world's most aggressive monetary easing programmes. Because negative interest rates mean banks lose out by parking capital with the BoJ, the policy was aimed at encouraging them to lend to businesses and thereby jump-start the economy and inflation.

Michelin unveils 62 newly starred French restaurants
Michelin unveils 62 newly starred French restaurants

The Michelin Guide unveiled its annual list of the best French restaurants Monday, praising the "cultural dynamism" of a new generation of chefs, though again honouring only a handful of women. Among top chefs, the Michelin Guide is as feared and criticised as it is respected.

US oil stockpile to be refilled this year: Energy secretary
US oil stockpile to be refilled this year: Energy secretary

The United States plans to refill its strategic oil reserve by the end of 2024 after the stockpiles reached historic lows last year, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said Monday. "By the end of this year we will essentially be back to where we would have been absent the sales," Granholm said at the CERAWeek energy conference in Houston.

Success and setbacks: 100 days of Argentina's Milei
Success and setbacks: 100 days of Argentina's Milei

Argentina's President Javier Milei has slashed public spending but 100 days into his presidency social tensions are simmering and he is still battling to pass his flagship economic reforms. His party is a minority in Congress, and rivals have repeatedly beaten back his flagship reforms.

US finalizes ban on last form of asbestos in use
US finalizes ban on last form of asbestos in use

President Joe Biden's administration on Monday finalized a rule banning the last remaining form of asbestos in the United States, half a century after the government first targeted the cancer-causing mineral. Asbestos in oilfield brake blocks and aftermarket automotive brakes and linings will be banned six months after the rule is finalized.