Economy

Economy Latest News

Turkey, Iran, Morocco joust for greater role in Sahel
Turkey, Iran, Morocco joust for greater role in Sahel
by  AFP

Turkey, Iran and Morocco are vying for a greater economic and military role in Africa's Sahel after former colonial ruler France's forced withdrawal from the volatile region. France was forced to withdraw troops from Mali in 2022 and from Niger and Burkina last year after coups saw relations nosedive and ushered in growing Russian military involvement.

Lego steams ahead despite struggling toy market
Lego steams ahead despite struggling toy market
by  AFP

Lego cemented its position as the world's biggest toymaker last year despite logging its first decline in net profit since 2017 and slumping sales in China, company results showed Tuesday. A small dark cloud was a decline in sales in China.

Flying high: UK's modern-day green airship takes shape
Flying high: UK's modern-day green airship takes shape
by  AFP

Britain's innovative Airlander 10 airship could soon take to the skies to offer leisure passengers panoramic views and far less pollution than traditional aircraft, according to its manufacturer. The tech hub also features a life-size model of the future airship that allows visitors to step on board and view its "luxury" configuration including a bar, passenger cabins and an observation lounge.

Ukraine's drone industry seeks to tip scales against Russia
Ukraine's drone industry seeks to tip scales against Russia
by  AFP

With suit-clad employees sipping coffees, Skyeton's offices in Ukraine's Kyiv region look like a typical tech start-up. Would-be employees have to pass a background check, with Ukraine's arms industry a prime target for Russian espionage and sabotage.

Ancient community banking enters digital age in Cameroon
Ancient community banking enters digital age in Cameroon
by  AFP

Joseph Ngono's face lights up with a smile as he looks at his smartphone, where a payment worth $830 has just appeared in his digital wallet. Shunned by banks, many people in Cameroon turn to their communities for help in the form of tontines, such as the one Ngono uses via the smartphone app Djangui.

Unemployed Afghans risk death and debt in hunt for gold
Unemployed Afghans risk death and debt in hunt for gold
by  AFP

Tearing off a piece of mouldy flatbread, Homayon gulped tea in a brief reprieve from the din of the machines he and a dozen other men were using to dig for gold on a mountainside in northeastern Afghanistan. Despite the risks, the men continue digging.

Watchdogs probe 'technical' failure on Boeing-made LATAM plane
Watchdogs probe 'technical' failure on Boeing-made LATAM plane
by  AFP

Airline watchdogs were on Tuesday investigating why a Boeing-made LATAM plane bound for New Zealand suddenly lost altitude mid-flight, dropping violently and injuring dozens of terrified travellers. Data from airline tracker FlightAware showed the plane began losing altitude about two hours into the three-hour flight.

Most Asian markets push higher as US inflation data looms
Most Asian markets push higher as US inflation data looms
by  AFP

Asian markets mostly rose Tuesday following the previous day's sell-off, with focus on the release of US inflation data that could play a key role in the Federal Reserve's decision-making on cutting interest rates. The prospect of US interest rates coming down this year has played a role in pushing bitcoin to new record highs, with the cryptocurrency peaking at $72,880.