BUSINESS

People walk past burning tires, during a demonstration against insecurity in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, August 19, 2024

Five Forgotten Conflicts Of 2024

The wars in the Mideast and Ukraine-Russia have dominated world headlines in 2024 but several other conflicts are ravaging countries and regions.

Bumper Election Year Brings Headwinds For Liberal Democracies

France's Emmanuel Macron (L) and Germany's Olaf Scholz have suffered electoral setbacks this year
Voting by more than half the world's population in 2024 elections has left many liberal democracies facing crises of confidence, political fragmentation and heightened polarisation, with some observers fearing new wind in the sails of authoritarianism.
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Next year -- 2025 -- could prove a crucial one for the future of the high seas, as momentum grows on a moratorium against deep-sea mining even as companies launch applications to do so

Future Of Deep-sea Mining Stands At A Crucial Juncture

Torn between the defenders of the world's seabeds and industrialists eager to exploit the vast, untapped resources of the deep, the international community faces a crucial year that could decide the future of mining in the high seas.
Construction workers on site at a new apartment complex being built in Alhambra, California on September 6, 2023

Sales Of New US Homes Lowest In Around Two Years: Govt

New home sales in the United States fell short of analyst expectations in October, hitting the lowest rate since late 2022, according to government data released Tuesday, with mortgage rates ticking up during the month.
Donald Trump announced on social media that he would impose import tariffs across the board of 25 percent on Mexico and Canada

Trump Brings Back Government By Social Media

He is not yet in power but President-elect Donald Trump rattled much of the world with an off-hours warning of stiff tariffs on close allies and China -- a loud hint that Trump-style government by social media post is coming back.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (L) and then-US President Donald Trump, seen here at the White House in 2017, spoke shortly after the Republican announced the tariffs

Trump Tariffs Threat Casts Chill Over Canada

Canada was scrambling Tuesday to blunt the impact of US President-elect Donald Trump's threat to implement steep tariffs once he takes office, as experts warned of a potentially "catastrophic" hit to the Canadian economy.
Hidalgo annointed Remi Feraud as her preferred successor

Paris Mayor Hidalgo Says To Bow Out In 2026

The Socialist mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo, acclaimed by supporters for squeezing traffic in the city centre but accused by opponents of failing to get to grips with day-to-day problems in the French capital, said in an interview published Tuesday she would not seek a new term in 2026 elections.
AI adoption is being handled with extra caution in highly regulated sectors, like operations for the Channel Tunnel

As AI Gets Real, Slow And Steady Wins The Race

In the wake of ChatGPT's dramatic arrival two years ago, companies are excited about generative AI's possibilities but heading into 2025 with careful deliberation rather than rushing to transform their operations.

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