Economy

Economy Latest News

General strike in Greece against cost of living
General strike in Greece against cost of living
by  AFP

Thousands of people demonstrated in Athens and other cities Wednesday as a 24-hour general strike against the rising cost of living shut down public services and part of the transport network. Some 15,000 people marched in the capital, while another 4,000 demonstrated in Greece's second city Thessaloniki, police said.

Floods to shave 0.2 percentage points off Spain's growth
Floods to shave 0.2 percentage points off Spain's growth
by  AFP

The floods which killed 227 people in Spain last month could shave 0.2 percentage points off its economic growth in the final quarter of 2024, the central bank said Wednesday. "The estimated impact would be close to -0.2 percentage points on the quarterly growth rate in the fourth quarter," Bank of Spain governor Jose Luis Escriva told reporters in Madrid.

Asian markets struggle as traders weigh geopolitical tensions
Asian markets struggle as traders weigh geopolitical tensions
by  AFP

Asian investors struggled Wednesday to track a positive lead from Wall Street as they assess the prospect of an escalation in the Russia-Ukraine war, Donald Trump's second presidency and the outlook for US interest rates. That has dampened hopes for several Federal Reserve interest rate cuts next year.

Trump names China hawk Howard Lutnick as US commerce secretary
Trump names China hawk Howard Lutnick as US commerce secretary
by  AFP

US President-elect Donald Trump nominated Howard Lutnick, the co-chair of his transition team, as his commerce secretary on Tuesday -- a choice set to bring a tougher stance on China from the incoming administration. As co-chair of Trump's transition team, Lutnick has been identifying new hires for the president-elect's administration. bys/bjt

Trump names China hawk Howard Lutnick commerce secretary
Trump names China hawk Howard Lutnick commerce secretary
by  AFP

President-elect Donald Trump nominated Howard Lutnick, the co-chair of his transition team, as his commerce secretary on Tuesday -- a choice set to bring a tougher stance on China from the incoming administration. Trump's administration could harden this stance.