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US September trade deficit widest in over two years
US September trade deficit widest in over two years
by  AFP

The US trade deficit expanded in September to its widest since early 2022 as imports increased while companies stocked up ahead of possible disruptions like a dockworkers' strike, according to government data released Tuesday. The rise in imports came ahead of the year-end holiday season, and may be due to companies stocking up in anticipation of a dockworkers' strike.

'Black day': French workers protest Michelin plans to close two plants
'Black day': French workers protest Michelin plans to close two plants
by  AFP

Michelin factory workers burnt tyres in western France on Tuesday and vowed to stage a strike after the tyre company said it would close two plants by early 2026 over collapsing sales. Michelin had already closed its La-Roche-sur-Yon site in western France in 2020, and is preparing to close two plants in Germany by 2025.

Dutch, French authorities raid Netflix offices in tax probe
Dutch, French authorities raid Netflix offices in tax probe
by  AFP

French and Dutch authorities raided streaming giant Netflix's offices in Paris and Amsterdam Tuesday as part of a tax fraud probe, a judicial source told AFP. The search of "various locations" in France by specialist financial investigators relates to suspicions of "covering up serious tax fraud and off-the-books work" and is part of a probe opened in November 2022, the source said.

'Incalculable' bill awaits Spain after historic floods
'Incalculable' bill awaits Spain after historic floods
by  AFP

The destruction wreaked by Spain's deadliest floods in a generation in one of the country's economic motors will leave a huge bill for the state and the insurance sector. The flooding of fields dealt a heavy blow to agriculture in the Valencia region, one of Spain's breadbaskets and a major citrus fruit exporter.

Europe auto struggles lead to cuts at Michelin, Germany's Schaeffler
Europe auto struggles lead to cuts at Michelin, Germany's Schaeffler
by  AFP

French tyre company Michelin said Tuesday it would close two French plants by early 2026 and German parts maker Schaeffler announced 4,700 job cuts, the latest signs of struggles in the European auto industry. The company said it would support its employees, including with job offers in other companies or within the group, or early retirement.

Norway speeds ahead of EU in race for fossil-free roads
Norway speeds ahead of EU in race for fossil-free roads
by  AFP

On the quiet streets of an Oslo suburb, electric vehicles are parked in nearly every other driveway as Norway speeds towards its goal of becoming the first country free of fossil fuel-powered cars. - A-ha takes on EVs - Electric cars have also long benefited from other special privileges, like exemptions from city tolls and free parking in public car parks.

Nintendo lowers sales forecast as first-half profits plunge
Nintendo lowers sales forecast as first-half profits plunge
by  AFP

Nintendo downgraded its annual sales forecast on Tuesday as net profit plunged 60 percent year-on-year in the first half, with fans awaiting the announcement of a new console. In the April-September period, Nintendo logged net profit of 108.7 billion yen ($710 million), down 60 percent from the same period a year earlier.