The Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday kickoff of the US holiday shopping season showed the increasing preference for online purchases, as more Americans opted to stay home and use their smartphones while sales and traffic at brick-and-mortar stores declined.

Business growth in the 19-nation eurozone pulled back in November to its slowest rate in nearly four years, as exports weakened, a closely watched survey showed Friday.

Samsung Electronics apologised Friday to workers who developed cancer after working at some of its factories, finally ending a decade-long dispute at the world's top chipmaker.

Nissan chief Hiroto Saikawa spoke of his "resentment and dismay" at revelations of misconduct by former company chief Carlos Ghosn in a letter to company employees.

Climate change is already hurting the global economy and will cost the US hundreds of billions of dollars annually by century's end unless drastic action is taken to cut carbon emissions, a major US government report warned on Friday.

As the US holiday shopping season kicked off Friday, retailers were looking to an unexpected savior to keep the tills humming: millennials.

When G20 world leaders met for the first time in 2008 their mission was a desperate one - to rescue the global economy from the worst financial crisis in more than 70 years. They were successful.

China's BYD Co Ltd has put plans to open its first Canadian electric truck plant on hold but could revive the project when the electric vehicle maker sees a business case, a company executive said.

Oil prices slumped Friday to lows not seen since last year as concerns over high crude supplies triggered massive selling, dealers said.

China and the US cross swords ahead of an APEC summit, duelling over protectionism, trade tariffs and “chequebook diplomacy” as they lay out sharply contrasting visions for the Pacific Rim region.

British businesses breathed a sigh of relief after the cabinet on Wednesday gave its backing to a draft Brexit deal that still faces numerous hurdles in Brussels and London.

China has delivered a written response to US demands for wide-ranging trade reforms, three US government sources said on Wednesday, a move that could trigger more formal negotiations to resolve a withering trade war between the world's top economies.

Indonesia hiked interest rates again Thursday as weak trade data and a slumping currency prompted the central bank to boost borrowing costs for the sixth time this year.

Rice prices in top-exporter India nudged higher this week as the rupee firmed, while Thai exporters eyed fresh demand from the Philippines amid expectations of an increase in seasonal supply.

Emirates Airline on Thursday posted an 86 percent drop in half-year profits as the Middle East's leading carrier was hit by a hike in oil prices and currency devaluations.

Switzerland's competition watchdog has raided the offices of financial companies, including Credit Suisse and UBS, to investigate a suspected boycott of mobile payment solutions such as Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.

Italy's populist government said the EU must show flexibility over its big-spending budget because the country had to cope with a series of natural disasters, including floods and a deadly bridge collapse in Genoa.

With growing innovation in the financial sector and a move towards a cash-less society, there is a role for central banks to enter the world of digital currencies, IMF chief Christine Lagarde said Wednesday.

Ageing Japan is reluctantly attempting to prise open its doors to migrant workers as it battles serious labour shortages, raising the hackles of conservatives worried about mass immigration.

A 28-year-old Malaysian entrepreneur has been listed under the Forbes 30 under 30 for her achievements in developing a non-toxic skincare line for children.