German MEP begins campaign in Athens after Alexis Tsipras claims he is ‘anti-Greek’ Manfred Weber has launched his campaign to become president of the European commission in Athens, but faced excoriating criticism from the Greek prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, before he had even arrived in the Greek capital. In a tweet intended to cause maximum… Continue reading Greek PM’s criticism takes shine off Weber’s push for EU’s top job

Hit from 1946 now criticised for portrayal of African-Americans in post-slavery period When Disney’s streaming site launches in the US in November this year, fans will be able to watch the Star Wars spin-off series The Mandalorian and classic films. However, there will be a notable absence from Disney Plus: the 1946 film Song of… Continue reading Disney Plus streaming site will not offer ‘racist’ Song of the South film

US warns any country not complying that ‘the risks will not be worth the benefits’ Oil prices surged to their highest level in six months on global commodity markets after the US said it would take a harder line against countries that breach its oil embargo on Iran. Brent crude, which provides the benchmark for… Continue reading Oil prices surge to six-month high as US gets tough on Iran embargo

Study shows how destabilised natural systems will worsen man-made problem The release of methane and carbon dioxide from thawing permafrost will accelerate global warming and add up to $70tn (£54tn) to the world’s climate bill, according to the most advanced study yet of the economic consequences of a melting Arctic. If countries fail to improve… Continue reading Melting permafrost in Arctic will have $70tn climate impact – study

Eight new breweries open in past year, down from 390 the year before The UK’s craft beer boom has stalled in the past year, with eight new breweries opening compared with 390 in the previous 12 months. As global drinks companies have muscled in on the craft brewing sector, buying up several of the most… Continue reading British craft beer boom stalls as big drinks companies muscle in

President had called for boycott after company shifted production to Thailand but says he will ‘reciprocate’ against ‘unfair’ EU taxes Harley-Davidson blamed European taxes on imports of its gas-guzzling hogs for a 27% drop in profits in the first quarter, prompting Donald Trump to vow retaliation against the EU. “So unfair to US. We will… Continue reading Trump makes U-turn to support Harley-Davidson as profits fall amid tariff war

Social media platform’s revenues up 18% as president criticises its treatment of him Twitter has reported better-than-expected financial results, sending its shares surging, as Donald Trump accused the social media platform of “playing political games”. Revenues for the first quarter climbed by 18% to $787m (£605m), beating Wall Street forecasts of $776m. Revenues were boosted… Continue reading Twitter shares surge as Trump accuses it of ‘political games’

Brent crude heads towards $75 per barrel as US announces plans for a complete oil embargo on Iran. Latest: Trump blasts ‘unfair’ EU tariffs Earlier: Introduction: Brent crude hits 2019 high Washington to end sanctions waivers for 10 countries, including India and China Full story: US ending exemptions from oil sanctions 1.34pm BST Another US… Continue reading Trump threatens EU with fresh tariffs; oil hits 2019 high – business live

Hopes of a US-China deal, as well as Brexit delays, have cheered investors, but there are risks ahead Financial markets tend to undergo manic-depressive cycles, and this has been especially true in recent years. During risk-ons, investors – driven by “animal spirits” – produce bull markets, frothiness, and sometimes outright bubbles; eventually, however, they overreact… Continue reading The US stock market will stop its charge – perhaps with a sharp shock | Nouriel Roubini

A letter on Github demanded companies comply with labor laws, limiting workers to 40 hours a week versus a 12-hour day standard Microsoft employees have published a letter on the software development platform Github in solidarity with tech workers in China. Workers at tech companies in the country have used the Microsoft-owned platform to complain… Continue reading Microsoft workers decry grueling ‘996’ working standard at Chinese tech firms