Business

Many French workers can now eat at their desks without breaking the law. To help curb the spread of Covid-19, the country has suspended a longstanding prohibition on desk lunches, according to a government decree published Sunday. The lunch break, or “la pause déjeuner,” has long been considered sacrosanct in France. Until now, French labor

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was confirmed as director-general of the World Trade Organization on Monday, becoming the first woman and the first African to lead the global trade body. Okonjo-Iweala was appointed by the WTO after the last remaining rival candidate, South Korean trade minister Yoo Myung-hee, withdrew from the race. She will take up her post

Japan’s main stock index soared to its highest level in more than three decades on Monday as investors cheered signs of a rebound for the world’s third largest economy. The Nikkei 225 index jumped 1.9%, crossing the 30,000-point threshold for the first time since August 1990, according to data provider Refinitiv Eikon. Stocks soared after

China banned BBC World News from airing in the country, according to a statement China’s National Radio and Television Administration released last week. The BBC says China is doing a disservice to its citizens. “China is taking its place on a very short list of countries alongside North Korea and Iran that explicitly and totally

When the coronavirus pandemic erupted in early 2020, the ensuing border closures and stay-at-home orders brought travel and tourism to its knees. One year on, governments are using the same playbook, inflicting more pain on a sector that accounts for 10% of global GDP and a similar share of jobs. What’s happening: While some countries such

Burger King is the latest fast-food chain to establish a rewards program aimed at expanding its customer base and enticing existing patrons to be more loyal. It joins a growing number of restaurants embracing digital payments and rewards incentives during the pandemic. Beginning this week, Burger King is rolling out its new Royal Perks program

Bernard Arnault, the chairman of luxury goods group LVMH, is the latest billionaire to embrace Wall Street’s hot new way to raise money. Arnault’s investment holding company Financière Agache is joining forces with French asset manager Tikehau Capital and two high-profile European bankers to launch a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) that will hunt for

The Covid-ravaged American economy was on the verge of slipping into a double-dip recession at the end of 2020. The pandemic was intensifying, gridlock paralyzed Washington and millions of families were about to lose crucial benefits. Fast forward two months, and the economy is still struggling — but confidence in the recovery is growing, rapidly.

Bitcoin is this close to $50,000, continuing a stunning rise that has sent it soaring nearly $20,000 this year. The digital currency hit a record $49,714.66 Sunday before pulling back somewhat. Bitcoin is still up about 4% over the past 24 hours. Investors have sent the price of bitcoin skyrocketing during the pandemic as the

Last month, General Motors announced the “aspiration” to switch completely from traditional gas-powered cars to electric vehicles by 2035. Sunday, it took the next step on that path — a step of a few inches. The company rolled out the newest version of the Chevrolet Bolt EV, a five-door hatchback that it has been selling

Andrew Markert used to serve carefully plated Valentine’s Day specials to couples at his Washington, DC restaurant, Beuchert’s Saloon. This year, he’s dishing out poetry. With Beuchert’s temporarily closed, Markert is using the space for a takeout concept called Fight Club. On the menu this Valentine’s Day is a three-course meal of lobster bucatini, wagyu

In an apparent tit-for-tat move, BBC World News has been banned from airing in China, according to a statement from China’s National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) on Thursday. The announcement comes one week after Ofcom, the British media regulator, said it had withdrawn a license for China Global Television Network, or CGTN, to broadcast

The Senate acquitted former President Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial Saturday, and “Saturday Night Live” made sure to lampoon the day’s proceedings using their own Tucker Carlson. Carlson, played by Alex Moffat, opened Saturday’s episode of the NBC variety sketch show with a quick run down of fear mongering non sequiturs like “is

White House deputy press secretary TJ Ducklo, who threatened a reporter who asked about his relationship with another reporter, has resigned. “We accepted the resignation of TJ Ducklo after a discussion with him this evening,” said Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, in a statement. “This conversation occurred with the support of the White

Robinhood is in hot water for banning investors from buying GameStop during part of last month’s Reddit-driven market mayhem. And now Fidelity is being accused of preventing one investor from selling some Reddit darlings, a move he says cost him $830,000. Louis Hernandez filed a claim with Wall Street’s self-regulator against Fidelity Brokerage Services on