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Spain watchdog fines Booking.com 413 mn euros 
Spain watchdog fines Booking.com 413 mn euros 
by  AFP

Spain's competition watchdog said Tuesday it had slapped online travel agency Booking.com with a record 413-million-euro fine for "abusing its dominant position" during the past five years. Hungary's competition watchdog earlier this month slapped Booking.com with a second fine for failing to cease its "unfair" business practices, including putting psychological pressure on customers.

Oil giant BP reports tumbling profits in first half
Oil giant BP reports tumbling profits in first half
by  AFP

BP on Tuesday announced tumbling profits for the first half, with the British oil and gas giant hit by depreciation of assets and falling revenue. Environmentalists hit out over BP's latest announcements.

Chinese leaders pledge further support for flagging economy
Chinese leaders pledge further support for flagging economy
by  AFP

President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders stressed the need for further reform to support economic activity and the country's ailing property sector, state media reported Tuesday, following a key meeting centred on boosting growth.

France, Spain log solid growth in second quarter
France, Spain log solid growth in second quarter
by  AFP

The French economy grew faster than expected in the second quarter, official data showed Tuesday, giving a boost to the eurozone. Growth figures for Germany and the wider eurozone are due to be released later Tuesday.

Belgium flexes its new locally sourced mussels
Belgium flexes its new locally sourced mussels
by  AFP

It is a popular tradition to eat mussels in Brussels but what may surprise many is that none of the molluscs visitors enjoy are locally sourced in Belgium. On the historical Grand Place in Brussels, a major tourist destination in Belgium, a restaurant owner tells AFP he offers the highly popular traditional dish of mussels and fries on his menu all year round.

Asian investors trade cautiously ahead of central bank decisions
Asian investors trade cautiously ahead of central bank decisions
by  AFP

Asian markets edged down Tuesday as investors jockey ahead of a slew of central bank decisions, key economic data and earnings from tech titans this week. Markets had a rough ride last week after disappointing earnings from heavyweights Tesla and Google-parent Alphabet, which raised questions about the surge in tech giants that has helped power some indexes to record highs this year.

Profits fall at McDonald's as it redoubles value push
Profits fall at McDonald's as it redoubles value push
by  AFP

Fast food giant McDonald's vowed Monday to win back consumers with better value offerings after it reported a rare sales decline that the company partly attributed to an exodus of inflation-weary low-income consumers. The summer offering is a pitch to inflation-weary consumers to "help your dollar go further," said a June 20 company announcement.