Finance news

Consumption: Bakery bankruptcies increased by 40 percent

More and more bakery businesses in Germany are having to give up. An expert does not see a short-term problem in the current development.

New York City races to secure unstable skyscraper after columns buckle and floors sag

Workers have started making emergency repairs to stabilise a Manhattan high-rise after buckled columns and sagging floors forced evacuations in and around the midtown construction site. The scene unfolded throughout Tuesday after the precarious conditions were spotted in the morning at the 1970s-era building, which is being converted into luxury flats. Construction workers at the site and people in nearby buildings – including a school, diplomatic offices and several hotels – in the busy...

Lawmakers probe growing use of Chinese AI models in U.S. companies

An ongoing House Committee investigation is probing the risks involved in the rise of AI built in China.

Takeover battle: Is Commerzbank now threatened with the Paraguay moment?

Unicredit has continued to expand its stake in Commerzbank. Insiders are now expecting new negotiations between the institutes, WirtschaftsWoche learned.

Iran War: USA attacks more than 80 targets in Iran – oil sanctions back in force

The US has again attacked targets in Iran in response to the shelling of tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump apparently approved the process at the NATO summit.

Telstra: Large-scale network failure temporarily paralyzes Australia

Hours of flight delays, canceled trains and disrupted emergency calls: a technical error in the Telstra mobile network is significantly affecting public life in Australia.

Takeover struggle: Unicredit wants to present results for Commerzbank takeover offer

Unicredit is keeping the pressure on Commerzbank high. It plans to publish final figures for its takeover offer on Wednesday. The result could be groundbreaking.

Iran War: Attacks and sanctions put Iran agreements to the test

Washington blames Tehran for renewed attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz - and counters with sanctions and new attacks. The timing of the attacks is explosive.

Hong Kong stocks rise as rallies from Alibaba, SMIC, other tech giants lift market sentiment

Hong Kong stocks extended their gains on Wednesday afternoon as concerns over a wave of lock-up expiries, long seen as a major headwind for the city’s equities, showed early signs of easing, while surging rallies in tech heavyweights lifted broader market sentiment. The Hang Seng Index, which entered the noon break up 2.4 per cent, continued to climb in the afternoon session as of 1.30pm. The Hang Seng Tech Index heavily outpaced the broader market, expanding its gains past 4.8 per cent as...

In Philippines, solar power becomes ‘practical necessity’ as energy costs soar

Joab Jorge runs Dream Latte Cafe, a speciality coffee shop and small-batch roastery, with his mother Ces out of their old ancestral home in Pilar, a town in Bataan province some 180km (112 miles) northwest of Manila. Rising electricity costs and frequent blackouts have put a strain on the business, which has already had to raise prices by 10 per cent to cover higher costs for goods and imported coffee beans since the energy crisis triggered by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in February. The

Morning Briefing: A different Europe is possible – and that is not a promise

Marine Le Pen makes her fourth attempt at the Élysée Palace. We learn: Anyone who wants to legally combat right-wing populists should think carefully about it.

What happens to a 401k over the SIPC limit if the institution goes under or fraud occurs?

There is undoubtedly a lot of discussion about whether or not we’re in a bubble. Hypothetically, If we were in a bubble, and the bubble popped, and your institution holding your 401k became insolvent (or fraud occurred), do all 401k accounts remain whole? I’ve briefly read about SIPC limits and additional insurance, but what isn’t clear to me is what exactly happens in this case. Generally, how safe is a person’s money if their 401k is over $500k and the brokerage goes under or if fraud occurs?

YouTube says Sydney massacre ‘crisis actor’ video can stay online

A Google executive has told an Australian inquiry that a YouTube video falsely claiming a wounded survivor of an antisemitic massacre in Sydney was a crisis actor bloodied with make-up had met the platform’s standards and would remain online. Google Australia manager Rachel Lord was testifying on Tuesday at a government inquiry into the spread of antisemitism in Australia, including an attack by two gunmen on a Sydney Hanukkah celebration in December that left 15 people dead. Lord was questioned

Mainland China court claims jurisdiction over Hong Kong-listed company in investor lawsuit

A mainland Chinese court has claimed jurisdiction over an investor lawsuit against a Hong Kong-listed firm for the first time, with the move likely to increase scrutiny of corporate disclosures. Mainland investors filed the lawsuit with the Beijing Financial Court, alleging that an overseas-incorporated company had failed to disclose irregular loans, unauthorised guarantees and related-party transactions in 2017 and 2018, in violation of Hong Kong’s listing rules, according to a recent report by

Enemy within? The dispute endangering Taiwan’s ‘T-Dome’ air defence plan

Taiwan’s flagship “T-Dome” air defence programme is facing possible delays to 2028 after budget disputes left one of its critical indigenous missile systems without a clear funding source. The island’s opposition-controlled legislature approved a reduced NT$780 billion (over US$24 billion) special defence budget in May, rejecting a larger NT$1.25 trillion package proposed by the government. Among the excluded projects was funding for the indigenous Chiang-Kong (Strong Bow) anti-ballistic missile

Income tax: The tax reform has millions of losers - and only one profiteer

Instead of this reform, all taxpayers would be better off if the government just compensated for the cold progression as usual. This is shown by scientific calculations.

Matadors in the mud: Audi and Lancia: rally legends that still inspire

It is famous and infamous – and has been history for 40 years. But the PS heroes from Group B are still stirring up a lot of dust today. Unless they're sitting in a museum in a highly polished state.

Asian markets: Escalation in the Middle East drives up oil prices and weighs on stocks

New attacks in the Middle East are unsettling investors. While the indices in Japan and South Korea start with losses, the mood in China appears to be more robust.

Study: AI applications are booming – medium-sized businesses are following suit

From the office to the factory floor: AI is transforming German medium-sized businesses. Why even small businesses are suddenly getting involved in smart technology - and where the biggest hurdles lie.

Rainy holidays, AC exports: Thailand eyes red-hot business from Europe heatwave

As soaring temperatures fuel demand for cooling in Europe, Thailand is pitching itself as a source of relief, promoting rainy-season holidays while exporting more air conditioners. With tourism and outbound shipments two of the Southeast Asian economy’s biggest drivers, Europe’s heatwaves are creating opportunities on both fronts. The Tourism Authority of Thailand has launched a campaign encouraging European travellers to swap scorching summer temperatures for the nation’s milder rainy season,..

VinFast rolls out $7,100 EV to tap Vietnam's underpenetrated car market

Toyota-backed Chinese self-driving unicorn Momenta hits Hong Kong market

Uzbek plan to open up aviation unfolds with new airport, airline IPO

Taiwan's top shipbuilder bets on defense drive amid China's power play

Breakdown at Telstra: Large-scale network failure temporarily paralyzes Australia

Hours of flight delays, canceled trains and disrupted emergency calls: a technical error in the Telstra mobile network is significantly affecting public life in Australia.

Artificial Intelligence: Relationship Advisor AI - when ChatGPT gives tips in love

Jealousy, betrayal and passion: People also ask AI chatbots for help in their relationships. Where does it make sense - and where is it tricky? And why is AI flattery so critical?

100 days after opening: BASF in transition: China “spectacular” - main plant has to save money

The billion-dollar investment in Zhanjiang is becoming a source of hope for the company. Ludwigshafen, on the other hand, has a “longer way” to get into the black.

How cheap AI is undermining Indonesia’s academic credibility

Indonesian authorities are widening their investigation into a case of suspected identity and research fraud at an overseas medical conference, which has exposed gaps in academic oversight and revived concerns about abuses in the nation’s system of publication-driven promotion for academia. The Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology has set up a team to examine papers previously published by the alleged perpetrators, saying action would be taken if they were found to have used...

France: Despite prison sentence: Le Pen runs for president

With her arms outstretched as a “savior”: Le Pen starts her campaign – despite her prison sentence. Can the right-wing nationalist group score points with this risky step or will it lose support?

Alliance in crisis: Will Trump show Europe the red card at the NATO summit?

Trump calls for more commitment from Europe's NATO partners. New figures show: Germany is investing more than ever. Is that enough to keep the US on board?