Tag: World

Global markets rebound after Omicron turmoil

  by Roland JACKSON Agence France Presse LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Global stock markets rebounded Wednesday and oil prices surged following Omicron-driven losses and on the eve of a key output meeting of OPEC and its allies. European equities advanced, mirroring most rebounding Asian bourses, as dealers temporarily set aside news of record-high eurozone inflation. Oil surged about five percent, while the dollar extended gains against major rivals as the Federal Reserve is seen […]

Tel Aviv ranked world’s priciest city for first time

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Tel Aviv is the world’s most expensive city to live in as soaring inflation has pushed up living costs globally, according to a survey published on Wednesday. The Israeli city climbed five rungs to score top place for the first time in the authoritative ranking compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). The Worldwide Cost of Living Index is compiled by comparing prices in US dollars for goods and services […]

Global Covid infections pass 250 million: AFP tally

  PARIS, France (AFP) — More than 250 million Covid-19 infections have been recorded worldwide since the start of the pandemic, according to an AFP count compiled from official reports at 2100 GMT on Monday. Globally, more than five million deaths from Covid-19 have been recorded so far, but the vast majority of those infected have recovered. Some, however, have continued to experience symptoms weeks or even months later. The figures are based on daily […]

Natural gas market soars to record heights

by Roland JACKSON Agence France-Presse LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) – European and UK gas prices surged Wednesday to record peaks, energised by fears of runaway demand in the upcoming northern hemisphere winter. Europe’s reference Dutch TTF gas price hit 162.12 euros per megawatt hour and UK prices leapt to 407.82 pence per therm in morning deals. However, prices later reversed as supply concerns eased somewhat. “It’s panic and fear with winter just around the corner,” […]

Pacquiao says ‘may not’ return to ring after Ugas upset

Manny Pacquiao plans to take his time before deciding on his future but admitted on Saturday he may not return to the ring after his upset defeat to Yordenis Ugas. The 42-year-old Filipino boxing superstar indicated he now planned to turn his attention to his political career in the Philippines in the wake of a unanimous points defeat to Ugas. “In the future you may not see Manny Pacquiao fight in the ring,” Pacquiao said. […]

Asian markets drop as traders eye Fed move, Delta spread

HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Asian markets fell Friday as a broadly positive week drew to a close with investors pricing in the likelihood that Federal Reserve officials will start withdrawing the vast financial support put in place at the start of the pandemic. The fast-spreading Delta virus variant, which is forcing governments to introduce containment measures, and the Chinese government’s campaign to tighten its grip on the world’s number two economy were also playing […]

Equity markets mixed as traders weigh Delta, recovery outlook

HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Asian and European markets were mixed Wednesday as investors assess the impact of the fast-spreading Delta variant and the future of Federal Reserve financial support against expectations that the global economy will eventually recover from the pandemic crisis. News that US President Joe Biden’s $1.2 trillion infrastructure spending bill had finally passed the Senate provided some cheer, though analysts said it would likely be some time before it gets through […]

Oil surges as stocks trade mixed amid latest Covid-19 wave

by John BIERS NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Oil prices surged Wednesday following the blockage of the Suez canal, while stocks were mixed as governments struggle to contain the latest wave of the coronavirus. Crude futures surged six percent as traders assessed the likely impact from the grounding of a giant container ship in one of the world’s busiest shipping routes. Dozens of ships were blocked by the Panama-flagged ship, but historic sections of […]

Last month warmest September on record globally: EU

  by Marlowe HOOD Agence France Presse PARIS, France (AFP) — Earth’s surface was warmer last month than during any September on record, with temperatures since January tracking those of the hottest ever calendar year in 2016, the European Union’s Earth Observation Programme said Wednesday. This year has now seen three months of record warmth — January, May and September — with June and April virtually tied for first, the Copernicus Climate Change Service reported. […]

Has global oil demand hit peak? BP says it’s possible

by Jean-Baptiste OUBRIER Agence France-Presse LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Global oil demand might have already peaked and will likely not stop falling for the next 30 years, hit by virus fallout and moves towards greener energy, Britain’s BP predicted Monday. At the same time, the oil cartel OPEC has revised its forecast for global demand lower this year and next for essentially the same reasons. London-listed oil giant BP, which is seeking to achieve […]

US stocks resume downward slide as sterling falls further

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Wall Street stocks resumed their downward slide Thursday, while the pound dropped further amid a fight between Britain and the European Union on Brexit legislation. After an early advance that built on Wednesday’s winning session, US stocks stumbled, finishing solidly lower. The pullback came as a trimmed-down US relief package failed to pass the Republican-led Senate. The $500 billion package marked a dramatic reduction from the $3 trillion bill […]

World faces new ‘Great Depression’ as virus toll mounts

  by Dave Clark with AFP bureaus World powers scrambled on Thursday to build a global response to the human tragedy and once-in-a-century economic collapse caused by the coronavirus epidemic, as the worldwide death toll topped 90,000. In a locked-down New York, the UN Security Council was to meet on the pandemic for the first time. And, by video conference, EU finance ministers are wrangling over how to bail out their worst hit members Italy […]