International News

Bloomberg Confidence in Germany’s near-term outlook improved in January as companies expect the latest virus wave to prove only a temporary setback for the recovery. A business expectations gauge compiled by the Munich-based Ifo Institute rise to 95.2, more than economists predicted. Manufacturers saw supply bottlenecks easing at the start of the year, and even services providers were optimistic about ...

  Bloomberg Volkswagen AG is partnering with Robert Bosch GmbH to bolster its automated-driving push and catch up with the likes of Tesla Inc. on software development. VW’s Cariad software unit will work with the world’s largest auto-parts supplier to introduce features allowing drivers to temporarily take their hands off the steering wheel starting in 2023, the companies said on ...

  Bloomberg President Joe Biden’s sweeping infrastructure law was supposed to ease problems for the trucking industry and relieve supply chain woes, but the law overlooked a vital necessity for truckers: Parking. Overcrowded truck stops force drivers to often spend hours scavenging for parking wherever they can find it, even in illegal and unsafe spots. The problem has simmered for ...

  Bloomberg Vodafone Group Plc and Iliad SA are discussing a deal that would merge their businesses in Italy, Reuters reported, citing people familiar with the situation that it didn’t identify. The combination would create a business with revenue of almost six billion euros ($6.8 billion). Iliad, which is set to start fixed-line broadband operations in Italy next week, is ...

  Bloomberg Britain’s labour market grew strongly despite a surge in coronavirus infections late last year, with vacancies hitting a record 1.25 million in the fourth quarter and unemployment falling unexpectedly. The number of people on company payrolls rose 184,000 in December, stronger than the pace expected, the Office for National Statistics data. The jobless rate dropped to 4.1% in ...

  Bloomberg Germany needs to attract about 400,000 foreign workers per year to mitigate the economic impact of its aging society, according to the caucus leader of the country’s FDP party. “The shortage of skilled workers is now so serious that it is dramatically slowing down our economy,” Christian Duerr said in an interview with WirtschaftsWoche. “We can only get ...

  Bloomberg Argentina sharply reduced its budget deficit in 2021 as President Alberto Fernandez tries to cut down on spending amid talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The so-called primary deficit, which excludes interest payments, fell to 3% of gross domestic product from 6.5% in 2020. The figure, boosted by proceeds from a wealth tax, was also below the ...

  Bloomberg Group Lotus Plc and Britishvolt Ltd signed a preliminary agreement to explore teaming up on battery manufacturing, research and development, according to people familiar with the matter. The companies plan to share details of their memorandum of understanding next week, said the people, who asked not to be identified ahead of the announcement. The deal is Britishvolt’s first ...

  Bloomberg Britain’s inflation rate surged unexpectedly to the highest since 1992, sharpening a squeeze on households and adding to pressure on the government and Bank of England to respond. Consumer prices surged 5.4% from a year ago in December, driven by a broad increase in the cost of food, restaurant meals and furniture, the Office for National Statistics said ...

  Bloomberg Apple Inc and Google warned US lawmakers that bipartisan antitrust legislation aimed at curbing the power of big technology companies will threaten the privacy and security of users. Escalating its opposition to the legislation, Apple sent a letter to Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin; panel’s ranking Republican, Chuck Grassley; Antitrust Subcommittee Chair Amy Klobuchar; and the subcommittee’s ...