Economy

New German finance minister says 'no time to lose'
New German finance minister says 'no time to lose'
by  AFP

Germany's new Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said Wednesday there was "no time to lose" to jump-start Europe's beleaguered top economy, even as hardline US trade policies complicate his task. Klingbeil also said that he would speak with European finance ministers Wednesday and that a key challenge would be finding ways of boosting investment using EU institutions.

Weight-loss drugmaker Novo Nordisk slims sales forecast
Weight-loss drugmaker Novo Nordisk slims sales forecast
by  AFP

Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk, known for its blockbuster diabetes and weight-loss treatments Ozempic and Wegovy, cut its annual sales forecast on Wednesday, citing a decline in its US market share. Novo Nordisk's shares tumbled last month after Eli Lilly announced a successful clinical trial of diabetes and obesity treatment orforglipron.

Danish firm Orsted halts huge UK offshore wind farm project
Danish firm Orsted halts huge UK offshore wind farm project
by  AFP

Danish renewables firm Orsted said Wednesday it was shelving plans to build a massive wind farm off the UK coast due to rising costs, dealing a setback to Britain's clean energy goals. But Orsted said in a statement that the project "has seen several adverse developments", including rising supply chain costs, higher interest rates and an increased risk in building it on the planned timeline.

Distillery layoffs send shudders across remote Scottish island
Distillery layoffs send shudders across remote Scottish island
by  AFP

When Scotland's windswept Isle of Harris welcomed its first commercial distillery a decade ago, it was about more than just whisky. He is from the nearby Isle of Scalpay, and remembers when there was "a thriving community" in this area decades ago with a prosperous port.

BMW upbeat on riding out US tariff chaos
BMW upbeat on riding out US tariff chaos
by  AFP

German premium carmaker BMW said Wednesday that it expected to largely ride out the impact of US tariffs over the coming year, and that it hoped to soften their impact. In a statement, BMW said it expects "some of the tariff increases to be temporary, with reductions from July 2025."

Asian stocks rise as China-US trade talks boost optimism
Asian stocks rise as China-US trade talks boost optimism
by  AFP

Asian equities rose Wednesday after China and the United States said they would hold trade talks at the weekend, fanning optimism that the superpowers can row back eye-watering tariffs that have heightened recession fears.