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Renewable energy in the dock in Spain after blackout

Fierce debate raged in Spain on Wednesday over the role its reliance on renewable energy may have had in this week's blackout which disrupted millions of lives, though officials sought to downplay any potential link.

Stocks retreat as US GDP slumps rattles confidence

Stocks slid on Wall Street on Wednesday, pulling European indexes off earlier highs after the US economy contracted in the first quarter, heightening fears about the fallout of President Donald Trump's tariffs blitz on the world's largest economy.

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EU court to deliver key rule-of-law judgement

The EU's highest court will rule Wednesday on whether European Union funds can be slashed for member states flouting democratic standards, a case with major implications for Poland and Hungary.

Ukraine marks 'Day of Unity' as US warns Russian may yet attack

A defiant Ukrainian leader urged citizens to celebrate a "Day of Unity" on Wednesday, as Washington warned once again that Russia remains poised to launch a devastating assault.

As costs jump, Sao Paulo Uber drivers set to launch rival app

The Uber driver's phone bleeps out the signal to pick up a passenger, but he checks the distance and declines: with fuel prices soaring in Brazil, "I've become a mathematician at the wheel," he says.

Biden sees chance for Ukraine diplomacy, keeps pressure on Moscow

US President Joe Biden vowed Tuesday to push for a diplomatic resolution of the Ukraine crisis, but warned that a Russian invasion remained "very much a possibility" and that retaliatory sanctions were primed and ready.

Stocks jump, oil slides on easing Ukraine fears

US and European stock markets rebounded and oil prices tumbled Tuesday on easing fears of an imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Biden says diplomacy can work but warns Russia against attacking Ukraine

US President Joe Biden said Tuesday that there was still time to resolve the Ukraine crisis through diplomacy but warned that sanctions are "ready to go" if Russian troops attack the country.

US Republicans block vote on Biden's Fed candidates

Republicans in the US Senate on Tuesday boycotted a vote to confirm President Joe Biden's nominees to lead the Federal Reserve, creating a potential roadblock for the central bank as it looks to fight runaway inflation.

Israel PM hails 'new model' of relations on landmark Bahrain visit

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said Tuesday his landmark visit to Bahrain offered a "new model" of Israeli-Arab relations, part of a goal of creating a regional "ring of alliances".

Faroe Islands begin review of controversial dolphin hunt

The Faroe Islands, a Danish autonomous territory, said Tuesday it had begun discussions about the future of its controversial dolphin hunt, with a decision expected in the coming weeks.

Pentagon fights defense industry consolidation

The big-spending Pentagon opened a campaign Tuesday against the consolidation of defense contractors, saying competition has dwindled as arms suppliers merge and supersize.

Seven dead, 14 missing as Spain trawler sinks off Canada

At least seven fishermen died and another 14 were missing after a Spanish trawler sank in rough seas off eastern Canada on Tuesday, Spanish and Canadian officials said.

UK gallery offers 'real' masterpieces -- from digital tokens

Want to "own" a Leonardo da Vinci or Amedeo Modigliani? One London gallery is showing digitally re-rendered versions of priceless Italian masterpieces -- although they still don't come cheap.

Musk gives 5 mn Tesla shares to unspecified charities

Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk, considered the richest person in the world, has donated 5.04 million shares of his company to unspecified charities, according to a securities filing.

Cambodia delays controversial internet gateway

Cambodia is delaying an internet gateway that had raised concerns around privacy and free speech, halting its planned mid-week implementation due to Covid-19 related disruptions, a government official said Tuesday.

Mining giant Glencore sets aside $1.5 bn for graft probes

Mining and commodities trading giant Glencore said Tuesday it set aside $1.5 billion as it expects to resolve corruption investigations in the United States, Britain and Brazil this year.

Industry execs urge easing of curbs as Singapore airshow opens

Asian governments must ditch tough coronavirus travel restrictions to help beleaguered airlines recover, industry executives urged Tuesday on the opening day of the region's biggest airshow in Singapore.

US offers $1 bn in loan guarantees for Ukraine

The United States is offering up to $1 billion in credit guarantees to help Ukraine weather the threat of war against Russia, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday.

Russia says pulling back some forces from Ukraine border

Russia said Tuesday it was pulling back some of its forces near the Ukrainian border to their bases, in what would be the first major step towards de-escalation in weeks of crisis with the West.

Papua New Guinea to reopen borders shut by Covid

Papua New Guinea will reopen to vaccinated travellers from Wednesday, ending two years of strict border closures that virtually sealed the Melanesian nation off from neighbours.

'Life-changing' or scam? Axie Infinity helps Philippines' poor earn

Dominic Lumabi sits on the computer in his Manila bedroom pitting his puffer fish-like cartoon NFT characters against others. But this is not just a game -- he is earning cryptocurrency to support his family during the pandemic.

Ukraine fears weigh on markets but 'chance' of deal provides hope

Asian markets mostly fell again Tuesday, extending a global sell-off fuelled by fears that Russia is about to invade Ukraine, though the losses were more muted than the previous day and oil dipped after Moscow said a diplomatic agreement was still possible.

'Don't be Google': The rise of privacy focused startups

Google once used the slogan "don't be evil" to distinguish itself from its competitors, but now a growing number of pro-privacy startups are rallying to the mantra "don't be Google".

Japan's GDP rebounded before Omicron wave hit

Japan's economy rebounded in the last part of 2021, as virus cases slowed and restrictions were eased, spurring demand before the Omicron wave hit the country, data showed Tuesday.

Doodle-covered truck becomes symbol of Canada's Covid protests

A white truck parked outside Canada's parliament -- covered in protesters' signatures and scribbled slogans to mark their struggle against Covid restrictions -- has become a must-see for the truckers and supporters hoping their stand goes down in history.

Snake on a plane: AirAsia jet forced to divert

An AirAsia passenger plane was forced to divert and make an unscheduled landing after a snake was spotted slithering through the overhead lights, the Malaysian budget carrier confirmed Monday.

Russia opens door to diplomacy in Ukraine standoff

Russia appeared to open the door Monday to a diplomatic resolution of the deepening Ukraine standoff, as the United States said it believed Vladimir Putin had yet to make a final decision on invading the ex-Soviet state.

3M expects to sell fewer Covid-19 masks this year

After seeing sales of medical masks soar during the Covid-19 pandemic, US manufacturer 3M warned Monday that demand is expected to slow sharply this year.

Turkey's Erdogan visits UAE to boost long-strained ties

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday visited the United Arab Emirates for the first time in nearly a decade to revive relations that were long strained by regional disputes.

Russia ready for more talks to end Ukraine standoff

Russia held the door open Monday to further talks on resolving its standoff with the West and said some of its military drills were ending, signalling a possible easing of the crisis over Ukraine.

Fed's credibility 'on the line' amid US inflation spike: official

The Federal Reserve needs to accelerate the pace of interest rate increases to fight inflation, but can do so in a way that doesn't roil financial markets, St. Louis Fed President James Bullard said Monday.

Stocks nervous even after Russia sees 'chance' in Ukraine crisis

Stock markets attempted to claw back some of their earlier losses on Monday after Russia suggested there might be a "chance" of reaching an agreement with the West over Ukraine.

Nobel economists warn UK of lasting damage from Brexit

Ten winners of the Nobel Prize in economics on Monday warned that leaving the European Union would "create major uncertainty" over Britain as a trading nation and inflicting lasting economic damage.

La Quotidienne de Bruxelles - Economy (English)