Finance news

War in the Middle East: 31 dead in air strikes in the south and east of Lebanon

There seems to be little left of the ceasefire that was actually announced in Lebanon. Israel is increasing air strikes in the country - possibly also because of new weapons technology from Hezbollah.

Structural crisis in Germany: “Let down by politics”

The alarm signals are increasing in industry: job cuts are continuing rapidly, and those who can are moving abroad. Many entrepreneurs feel abandoned and controlled by politics. By Axel John.

Space for seven: MG brings a large S9 SUV with three rows of seats

The Chinese manufacturer is growing - with a voluminous off-road vehicle: Not only the car should be big, but also its range.

Failed M1-Simba merger prolongs Singapore’s cutthroat telco price war

The unravelling of a S$1.43 billion (US$1.12 billion) merger between Singapore mobile operators M1 and Simba has highlighted the city state’s brutally competitive telecoms market, revealing a potential regulatory minefield around scarce radio spectrum. The foiled deal would also mean Singapore’s mobile network operators – Singtel, StarHub, M1 and Simba – will continue to operate in a cutthroat price war environment while M1’s owners look for new ways to divest, according to experts. Singapore...

Meet He Tingbo: Huawei’s ‘chip queen’ trying to rewrite China’s semiconductor playbook

When He Tingbo took the stage in Shanghai this week to unveil Huawei Technologies’ Tau (τ) Scaling Law, the message was about more than a new chip development framework. It was also a statement, showing how the most prominent Chinese technology company to have been subjected to US sanctions wants to compete in semiconductors when access to the world’s most advanced chipmaking tools remains restricted, and when the industry’s decades-old reliance on shrinking transistors is becoming more...

Welfare state: Experts warn against social contributions of 50 percent

Economists are fueling the reform debate with new forecasts. Without courageous political intervention, rising contributions threaten to increasingly throttle the economy.

Expert report: Economic methods significantly reduce economic forecast

The economy will only grow by 0.5 percent this year. According to the Council of Experts, the main reason is the Iran war. In a risk scenario, there is a risk of stagnation.

Financial stability vulnerabilities remain elevated as geoeconomic shock unfolds

Luis de Guindos: Financial Stability Review - May 2026

“Economic approach” suggests: Should new civil servants pay into health insurance?

New civil servants in health insurance and a funded savings pot for care: the “economic wise men” are brushing the health system against the grain. Will the comprehensive proposals be listened to?

Expert report: The economy now depends on the state

The economy will only grow by 0.5 percent this year. According to the Council of Experts, the main reason is the Iran war. In a risk scenario, there is a risk of stagnation.

Spring report: Alcohol tax, care shares, clinic closures: The economic reform plan for the welfare state

The Iran war is slowing growth, social security contributions are threatening to rise sharply: now the economists are presenting proposals for health and nursing care insurance - especially cuts.

Russia to allow its central bank to down drones as Moscow struggles to defend against attacks

Russia's State Duma has passed a law allowing certain financial institutions to operate anti-drone defense systems after attacks on its territory.

Sports SUV: Again with six cylinders – this is how the new Mercedes-AMG GLC 53 drives

The four-cylinder GLC disappointed many AMG traditionalists. With the GLC 53 4Matic+, the Swabians are bringing back more emotion - but also more emissions.

Construction industry: Porr construction group breaks the ten billion mark in terms of order backlog

The economy is also beginning to pick up in German specialist civil engineering. Large infrastructure and rail projects have been driving the company's growth for months.

Update economy from May 27, 2026

Update economy from May 27, 2026

Consumer goods: Consumers are increasingly turning away from brands – “The business model is faltering”

Never before have German consumers spent more money on private label brands. Only a few manufacturers are bucking the trend. A long-standing principle is being reversed in industry.

Top industrialist Sunny Chai picked to head firm developing San Tin Technopole

Veteran industrialist Sunny Chai Ngai-chiu has been appointed as chairman of a government-owned company set to be tasked with developing Hong Kong’s San Tin Technopole – a key pillar of the Northern Metropolis megaproject. Authorities said on Wednesday that the San Tin Technopole Company would be established in the first half of 2026 and that Chai would start his three-year term as the head of the new firm’s board of directors on July 1. His tenure as chairman of the Hong Kong Science and...

Labor market: job cuts slowed in May – difficult situation in industry

Germany's companies are cutting jobs, even if the pace has slowed recently. The situation remains tense, particularly in industry, due to weak demand and high costs.

‘Notorious’ Vietnam market defies raids, US tariff threats to sell luxury knock-offs

At a sprawling bazaar ⁠on the outskirts of Vietnam’s capital, the trade in counterfeit goods is bustling despite government crackdowns and the threat of US tariffs over the issue, two visits by Reuters journalists to the market found. “Police come once a year with a TV crew. They film the seizure of a shop, and then it’s business as usual,” said a seller at her stall displaying fake Ralph Lauren polos at Hanoi’s Ninh Hiep ‌wholesale market. Ninh Hiep is among about 30 “notorious markets”...

China allows fresh urea exports amid Iran war-fuelled fertiliser crisis, sources say - Reuters

China allows fresh urea exports amid Iran war-fuelled fertiliser crisis, sources say Reuters

Michael Hüther: Germany and Europe are feeling the risks of free trade - now there is one thing that matters most

Like the US and China, the European Union should use its market strategically to achieve geopolitical goals. But isolation would be the wrong approach. A guest post.

Menstrual hygiene and more: Myth check about periods: What applies to tampons, cups, etc

Harmful substances, TSS and IUDs: What are really behind the risks of tampons, cups and period underwear? Experts clarify things – and clear up half-truths.

Markets: Dax follows Wall Street and Nikkei into plus – record high in sight

Investors are gaining new confidence: the DAX is rising, following the example of the US and Asian stock markets. A new record high is approaching.

Defending Estonia from digital threats - North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Defending Estonia from digital threats North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Sevastopol governor says Ukraine used Storm Shadow missiles in attack - Reuters

Sevastopol governor says Ukraine used Storm Shadow missiles in attack Reuters

Israel says it killed Hamas’ new armed wing chief in Gaza strike

Israel said on Wednesday ⁠it had killed Hamas’ newly appointed armed wing chief in Gaza, days after it killed his predecessor, while intensifying military pressure in Gaza and expanding operations in Lebanon. The Israeli military said Mohammad Odeh was killed in an operation in Gaza on Tuesday. A relative of Odeh confirmed his death to Reuters and said the funeral would take place after noon prayers in Gaza City. Hamas has yet ‌to issue an official statement, but a statement from his family said

Paint manufacturer: AkzoNobel brushes off rivals and sticks to Axalta merger

The offer from Nippon Paint and Sherwin-Williams was rejected as inadequate. AkzoNobel expects the Axalta merger to generate annual cost savings of $600 million.

Labor market: part-time work at a record high – women and older people are leading the trend

There are more people working part-time in the German labor market than ever before. The reduced working hours seem to be a particularly good fit for two very different groups.

Man jailed 9 years for attempted rape after following victim from wet market

A 67-year-old jobless divorcee with a history of criminal offences has been jailed for nine years for sexually assaulting a woman during a brazen daytime break-in at a public rental flat in Hong Kong two years ago. The High Court on Wednesday sentenced former dockworker Leung Kam-wah over the “very serious” offences committed against the 26-year-old mother after he tailed her from a wet market to her flat in Kwai Chung’s Lai King Estate on July 5, 2024. Leung has 11 previous convictions,...