Tech News

US says Venezuela's Maduro still illegitimate after opposition 'government' disbanded

The United States said Tuesday it still did not consider Nicolas Maduro to be the legitimate president of Venezuela and would maintain sanctions after the fledgling opposition dissolved its "interim government.". A French foreign ministry spokeswoman, asked Tuesday about the end of the interim government, said France "supports the democratic forces of Venezuela who will organize themselves as they so wish." jt-sct/md

Tue, Jan 3, 2023 3 mins read

Tech News

Venezuela receives first European cruise ship in 15 years

Venezuela on Tuesday received its first European cruise ship in 15 years after long being avoided by tourists due to high levels of insecurity and economic turmoil. . "For many years Venezuela was off the radar of cruise ships," said Tourism Minister Ali Padron, as he welcomed the historic docking. 

Tue, Jan 3, 2023 1 mins read

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Ex-crypto boss Bankman-Fried pleads not guilty to fraud

FTX co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried pleaded not guilty Tuesday to US criminal fraud charges over the spectacular collapse of his crypto exchange.. Bankman-Fried pleaded not guilty to all eight counts against him -- five of which carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison each.

Tue, Jan 3, 2023 2 mins read

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Tunisia unveils economic plan betting heavily on private investment

The Tunisian government on Tuesday presented a three-year development plan that relies heavily on private sector investment, particularly in industry, and boosting phosphate production.. Industry Minister Neila Gonji, who presented part of the plan, said increased investment in industry could see the sector grow from 15 to 18 percent of Gross Domestic Product by 2025, with exports growing by a third to $18 billion a year.

Tue, Jan 3, 2023 1 mins read

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German inflation drops on gas bill subsidy

German inflation eased in December for a second straight month, preliminary data showed Tuesday, as government interventions helped bring down energy prices.. Even though the December inflation rate brings some respite, prices remain "unacceptably high", said LBBW economist Jens-Oliver Niklasch.

Tue, Jan 3, 2023 2 mins read

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Strike-hit UK faces first rail stoppage of 2023

UK rail staff disrupted the New Year return to work on Tuesday in the latest strike action by workers in a range of sectors over the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.. Those striking in 2022 included rail, port, border force and postal workers along with lawyers, nurses and ambulance staff.

Tue, Jan 3, 2023 1 mins read

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France signals flexibility in face of pension reform resistance

The French government said Tuesday it could be flexible on its plan to raise the retirement age to 65, part of a hugely controversial pension reform project pushed by President Emmanuel Macron.. The full details of the plan -- whose banner policy of raising the retirement age from the current level of 62 has been rejected out of hand by the unions -- are to be unveiled on January 10.

Tue, Jan 3, 2023 3 mins read

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Turkey's inflation rate slows sharply to 64.3%

Turkey's annual inflation pulled back further in December from a two-decade high, official data showed Tuesday, helping President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's chances in elections due by June.. A separate study released by Turkey's ENAG research institute showed the annual inflation slowing to 137.6 percent in December from 170.7 a month earlier.

Tue, Jan 3, 2023 2 mins read

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Troubled China Evergrande pledges to repay debts in 2023

China Evergrande has pledged to repay its debt this year, as the property giant faces a restructuring following Beijing's crackdown on excessive borrowing and rampant speculation in the real estate sector.. "As long as everyone at Evergrande pulls together, never gives up, (and) works hard... we will certainly be able to complete the tasks of guaranteeing deliveries, repaying all kinds of debts, and resolving risks," Hui wrote.

Tue, Jan 3, 2023 1 mins read

Tech News

Asian markets struggle out of gate for new year

Asian stocks started Tuesday on the back foot as traders in most markets returned from the new year break to the same worries over interest rates, China's growth and the Ukraine war, which fuelled a worldwide rout last year.. China's economy will likely be at or below global growth for the first time in 40 years, she added.

Mon, Jan 2, 2023 3 mins read