International

South Korea’s political turmoil rattles markets but offers room for cautious optimism

South Korea’s political turmoil rattles markets but offers room for cautious optimism

South Korea has found itself in the global spotlight after a stunning series of political events this week, raising concerns about the future of Asia's fourth-largest economy. President Yoon Suk Yeol's sudden announcement of emergency martial law on Tuesday evening, followed by a swift reversal a few hours later, has injected new uncertainty into the country's economic and political landscape. Analysts warn that the fallout could worsen South Korea's already difficult economic outlook, but some believe the turmoil could pave the way for brighter prospects if deeper instability can be avoided. President Yoon initially justified the declaration of martial law…
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European markets decline as investors assess economic data and interest rates

European markets decline as investors assess economic data and interest rates

European markets fell on Friday, with trading characterized by volatility as investors processed new economic indicators and the implications of potential interest rate cuts following remarks by US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. By mid-morning, the pan-European Stoxx 600 index was down 0.43%, reflecting mixed performance across major stock exchanges and diversified sector results. Technology stocks suffered a notable decline of 1.82%, while sectors such as mining, oil and gas posted gains of more than 1%. Among decliners, Nordic Bavarian fell sharply, plunging 16% after announcing a drop in third-quarter revenue attributed to fluctuating demand for its vaccine. This decline…
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UK government faces backlash over capital gains tax changes for tech sector

UK government faces backlash over capital gains tax changes for tech sector

In a recent blog post, the Startup Coalition, a major tech lobby group in the UK, expressed concern about the potential repercussions of the government's new tax policies, suggesting they could lead to a significant "brain drain" in the tech sector . The comments come in light of the announcement made by Britain's Labor government on Wednesday to increase capital gains tax (CGT) rates on share sales, a move intended to strengthen public finances and stimulate economic growth. Finance Minister Rachel Reeves set out the proposed changes in her inaugural budget, saying the minimum rate of CGT will rise from…
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UK government aims to boost foreign investment at international summit

UK government aims to boost foreign investment at international summit

The UK Labor government will host its first international investment summit in London, aiming to attract foreign capital and improve the country's economic landscape. Scheduled to take place at the Guildhall on Monday, this significant event will feature Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finance Minister Rachel Reeves and Business Minister Jonathan Reynolds, and is expected to attract around 200 executives from both the UK and international businesses. Notable participants include prominent figures such as former Google Chairman Eric Schmidt, Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon, BlackRock's Larry Fink, and GSK CEO Emma Walmsley. Poppy Gustafsson, the new investment minister and co-founder of…
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German automotive powerhouses face challenges in maintaining their market relevance

German automotive powerhouses face challenges in maintaining their market relevance

As the global automotive industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace, renowned German automakers are finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with changing market dynamics and consumer preferences. This fight for relevance is marked by the industry's urgent shift towards sustainability, digital innovation and new mobility solutions. Historically, German automakers such as Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes-Benz have set the gold standard for quality, performance and engineering excellence. However, the rise of electric vehicles (EVs), autonomous driving technologies and stringent environmental regulations are reshaping the competitive landscape. These companies now face the monumental task of transitioning from traditional internal…
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