Economy
Asian markets swing ahead of key US jobs data
Equities fluctuated in Asian trade Thursday as investors try to assess the Federal Reserve's plans for interest rates after boss Jerome Powell indicated they would start to come down this year. Traders are also keeping an eye on a policy meeting of the European Central Bank later Thursday, which is not expected to see any movement but investors are hoping for some guidance.
Despite oil riches, Libyans hit by plummeting purchasing power
Libya may sit on Africa's biggest oil reserves, but many families are struggling with rapidly rising consumer prices as the festive Muslim holy month of Ramadan nears. Economic analyst Abubakr al-Tur said "Libya is experiencing a critical situation with rising prices and a currency devaluation".
Sticky inflation to keep eurozone interest rates on hold
Sticky inflation is expected to prompt eurozone rate-setters to hold borrowing costs steady again Thursday, as they await clearer signs of a sustained easing of consumer prices before beginning to cut. The Frankfurt-based institution's governing council is widely expected to hold the benchmark deposit rate steady at a record four percent for a fourth straight meeting on Thursday.
Bulk carrier hit by missile from Yemen, crew says three dead
A missile fired by Yemen's Huthi rebels hit a bulk carrier in the Gulf of Aden on Wednesday, with the crew reporting three people dead and at least four wounded, the US military said.
Boeing slammed for dragging feet in Alaska Airlines probe
The head of the federal investigation into a troubled January flight on a Boeing 737 MAX jet blasted the aviation giant on Wednesday for not providing key information quickly. "Early in the investigation, we provided the NTSB with names of Boeing employees, including door specialists, who we believed would have relevant information," the company said.
SpaceX eyes March 14 for next Starship test launch
Elon Musk's SpaceX on Wednesday announced it was eyeing March 14 as the earliest date for the next test launch of its giant Starship rocket, with which it hopes to one day colonize Mars. "The third flight test of Starship could launch as soon as March 14, pending regulatory approval," SpaceX posted on X, the social media platform also owned by Musk.
EU will force big tech to change 'behaviour': competition chief
The EU is prepared to deploy its full arsenal to force big tech companies to change their behaviour online, the bloc's competition chief said Wednesday, the day before a sweeping new law comes into force. The competition commissioner pointed to a string of cases pursued against tech companies since 2014, to prove her point that Brussels means business.
Starbucks Middle East franchise cuts jobs amid Gaza war
The Kuwait-based Alshaya Group said on Wednesday it would cut jobs from its Starbucks Middle East franchise due to "challenging trading conditions" amid a boycott of Western brands over the Gaza war.
US lawmakers to avert shutdown with vote on eve of major Biden speech
US lawmakers were set to vote Wednesday to end a long-running row over the federal budget with a giant bill to fund several major federal agencies through the fall, averting a partial shutdown due to start at the weekend.
Economy
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