Business


People walk over a bridge near the European Central Bank in Frankfurt, Germany, on Sunday, October 26, 2025.
December 12, 2025

ECB leaves key rate unchanged as businesses weather US tariffs

The European Central Bank, ECB, left its key interest rate unchanged on Thursday as inflation remains under control and European businesses weather the impact of higher American tariffs better than…

A traveller moves in view of a control tower at Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia, Wednesday, November 5, 2025.
December 12, 2025

Most major US airports among 40 to cut flights amid government shutdown

Airports in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago are among 40 of the busiest across the United States where flights will be cut starting Friday due to the government shutdown, according to a list…

In this January 22, 2018 photo, Afghan coders practise at the Code to Inspire computer training centre in Herat province, western Afghanistan.
December 12, 2025

AI’s impact could worsen gaps between world’s rich and poor, says UN report

Behind the hoopla over the promise of artificial intelligence lay difficult realities, including how such technology might affect people already disadvantaged in a data-driven world. A new report by…
Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI (AP Photo)
December 12, 2025

Disney invests US$1b in OpenAI

Disney is investing US$1 billion in OpenAI and will bring characters such as Mickey Mouse, Cinderella and Luke Skywalker to the AI company’s Sora video generation tool, in a licensing deal that the…
December 12, 2025

Judge orders search shake-up in subdued Google monopoly case ruling

After a five-year legal showdown pitting the US Department of Justice against Google, a federal judge concluded that the disruptive forces of artificial intelligence technology will have a better…

Lisa Cook, member of the Federal Reserve Board of the United States.
December 12, 2025

Fed Governor Lisa Cook wins first round in legal fight to fire her

A federal court has ruled that US Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook can remain in her position while she fights President Donald Trump’s efforts to fire her. The ruling, which will almost certainly…

In this December 10, 2010 photo, workers use machinery to dig at a rare earth mine in Ganxian county in central China’s Jiangxi province.
December 12, 2025

China outlines more controls on exports of rare earths, technology

China outlined new curbs on exports of rare earths and related technologies on Thursday, extending controls over use of the elements critical for many high-tech and military products ahead of a…

Shoppers walk from the Walmart store on August 14, 2025 in Manchester, New Hampshire.
December 12, 2025

OpenAI partners with Walmart on shopping in ChatGPT

OpenAI is partnering with Walmart to let shoppers make purchases directly within ChatGPT, furthering the artificial intelligence company’s push to turn its chatbot into a virtual merchant as it seeks…

US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.
December 12, 2025

Federal Reserve cuts key rate

The United States Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate on Wednesday for a second time this year as it seeks to shore up economic growth and hiring, even as inflation stays elevated. But Fed…