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More than $1.5 bn bid so far in US offshore wind auction

Energy companies interested in developing offshore wind sites bid more than $1.5 billion Wednesday in by far the biggest US auction for the renewable power.

US stocks fall again as Russia-Ukraine tensions mount

Wall Street stocks fell again Wednesday amid unease over Ukraine and shifting Federal Reserve policy, while oil prices finished a volatile session little changed.

Uruguay appeals ruling ordering sale of eagle from Nazi battleship

Uruguay has appealed a ruling ordering it to sell a bronze eagle from a sunken World War II-era German destroyer found off Montevideo 16 years ago, government sources told AFP Wednesday.

US launches biggest yet auction for offshore wind

Bidding began Wednesday in the biggest US offshore wind energy auction yet, involving nearly 500,000 acres off the coasts of New York and New Jersey.

Fashionistas back to Milan for live shows -- for real this time

The who's who of Italian fashion returned to the runway Wednesday at the start of women's shows in Milan, which organisers hope will boost an industry stifled by two years of coronavirus.

Oil rises, stocks struggle as Russia-Ukraine tensions mount

Oil prices pushed higher while stocks struggled on Wednesday after Ukraine called up reservists and Russia vowed a strong response to Western sanctions.

US home ownership jumps, but race gap widens: data report

US home ownership jumped at an historic rate in 2020, but a racial gap widened as more Black households were priced out, according to a report released Wednesday.

France's Sanofi to seek Covid vaccine approval after delays

French pharmaceuticals giant Sanofi said Wednesday that its Covid-19 vaccine, developed with Britain's GSK, had delivered positive results after nearly a year of delays left it lagging far behind its rivals.

Barclays freezes ex-boss bonuses over Epstein probe

British bank Barclays on Wednesday suspended £22 million of bonuses owed to ex-boss Jes Staley amid a probe into his links with US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Workers across Turkey go on strike as inflation bites

Soaring inflation in Turkey has propelled a wave of strikes unlike any the country has seen since the 1970s, as workers demand more money to counter the shrinking value of their pay.

Rio Tinto posts record earnings, buoyed by high ore prices

Australia-based mining giant Rio Tinto on Wednesday reported record earnings of US$21.4 billion last year, on the back of soaring iron ore prices and solid demand from China.

Hong Kong unveils $22 bn budget for virus plagued economy

Hong Kong's finance chief on Wednesday unveiled a costly HK$170 billion ($21.79 billion) budget, including tax breaks and consumer spending vouchers, as the city reels under its worst coronavirus outbreak to date.

Hong Kong parents decry child separations during virus surge

Hong Kong parents are being separated from children and babies who test positive for the coronavirus, compounding public anger over the financial hub's lack of readiness for a major outbreak now sweeping the city.

Most Asian markets rise after Russia sanctions but nerves on edge

Equities mostly rose Wednesday and oil prices stabilised as investors tracked developments in the Russia-Ukraine crisis after world powers imposed less harsh sanctions on Moscow than feared.

UN slams 'aggressive' formula milk marketing

The United Nations slammed baby formula makers Wednesday for "unethical" marketing strategies, accusing them of aggressively targeting expecting parents and health workers and putting shareholder interests before children's health.

Amazon faces another complaint over tactics in Alabama union vote

A labor group seeking to unionize Amazon workers in Alabama accused the retail giant Tuesday of "unfair labor practices" over its comportment during the vote.

Colombia's Duque blasts 'heinous' pro-abortion ruling

Colombia's president on Tuesday described as "heinous" a Constitutional Court ruling decriminalizing abortion up to 24 weeks of pregnancy, a move he said bypassed Congress and a deeply Catholic population.

Oil nears $100 but European stocks rebound on tepid sanctions

Oil prices surged close to $100 per barrel Tuesday as major crude producer Russia prepared to send troops into two breakaway regions of Ukraine.

US home prices saw biggest jump in 34 years in 2021

US home prices in 2021 saw their biggest increase in at least 34 years, according to data released Tuesday, as buyers spent the year snapping up homes and builders struggled to keep up.

US consumer confidence falls as expectations grow tepid

US consumer confidence fell for the second straight month in February, a survey said Tuesday, as Americans' feelings about the economy's present and future health cooled.

Volkswagen eyes separate stock market listing for Porsche

German auto giant Volkswagen on Tuesday said it was drawing up plans to list its luxury brand Porsche as it looks to raise the funds for its move to electric vehicles.

Mining firms targeting Brazil indigenous lands: report

Major mining companies are seeking to expand to currently protected indigenous lands in the Amazon rainforest, bolstered by billions of dollars in financing from international banks and investment firms, a report found Tuesday.

US women's soccer reaches landmark $24 mn settlement in equal pay dispute

The US national women's team has won a $24 million payout and a promise of equal pay going forward in a landmark settlement with US Soccer, the two sides announced Tuesday in a joint statement.

Gas prices 'in God's hands', producers warn as Ukraine crisis sparks surge

Major gas exporting nations said Tuesday they could not guarantee prices or supplies at a summit overshadowed by the worsening Ukraine crisis which has pushed costs to record highs in Europe.

HSBC announces $1 bn share buyback as annual profits double

HSBC on Tuesday announced bumper 2021 profits and plans to repurchase shares worth up to $1.0 billion as the Asia-focused bank continues its recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and major restructuring.

Oil nears $100 as West prepares Russian sanctions

Oil prices surged close to $100 per barrel Tuesday as major crude producer Russia prepared to send troops into two breakaway regions of Ukraine, sparking Western nations to ready economic sanctions against Moscow.

Only nine percent of plastic recycled worldwide: OECD

Less than 10 percent of the plastic used across the world is recycled, the OECD said Tuesday, calling for "coordinated and global solutions" ahead of expected talks on an international treaty on the issue.

Gas exporters working for 'reliable' supplies as Ukraine crisis worsens

Qatar's emir said major gas exporting nations were working to ensure "credible and reliable" supplies as he hosted a forum overshadowed by the worsening crisis in Ukraine on Tuesday.

Women workers must cover up 'even with a blanket', say Afghan Taliban

Women working in Afghan government departments must cover up -- even with a blanket if necessary -- or they may lose their jobs, the Taliban's religious police said Tuesday.

No full recovery until 2024, says Dubai airports chief

Passenger traffic at Dubai international airport, the world's busiest, will not recover to pre-Covid levels before 2024, its CEO told AFP on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka inflation hits record high as crisis worsens

Sri Lanka's inflation hit a record high for the fourth consecutive month, official data showed Tuesday as an economic crisis driven by a crippling foreign exchange shortage worsens.

HSBC announces $1 bn share buyback as 2021 profits double