Business

The euro tumbled and European stocks, particularly in France, fell sharply on Monday after far-right groups gained in Sunday's EU parliamentary elections, prompting President Emmanuel Macron to call a snap election in France. We also look at what the EU election outcome could mean for Europe's ambitious climate plans. 

The European Central Bank has decided to lower its benchmark interest rates by 0.25 percent from a record high, effective June 12. However, the ECB also revised its outlook for the coming months and said it no longer believed inflation would hit its target of 2 percent this year, but instead would average at around 2.2 percent. Plus, Ireland is losing hundreds of young doctors every year as they emigrate to Australia in search of better working conditions. 

As the world marks the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, the historic moment is also remembered as a catalyst for the turning of economic tides. A series of post-war events and decisions such as the Bretton Woods Conference heralded a new era for economic cooperation and financial order. We also look at the United States' role in rehabilitating Europe with its Marshall Plan: aid worth an estimated $140 billion in today's money.

After delays and over $1.4 billion of cost overruns, Boeing has finally launched its first crewed spacecraft into orbit. The CST-100 Starliner capsule lifted off from Cape Canaveral in Florida, carrying veteran NASA astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita "Suni" Williams. After being hit with a series of safety scandals in its commercial jetliner business, Boeing is hoping to catch up with its rival SpaceX, which has been shuttling astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS) since 2020. 

As hundreds of thousands of people flock to the French region of Normandy to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, local businesses there are capitalising on tourists' passion for World War II history. FRANCE 24's Leo McGuinn and our colleagues from France 2 report on this business of souvenir sales and historical re-enactments. Also in this edition, we look at the UK's fiscal debate and at one think tank's warning of a looming £33 billion deficit.

Indian shares plunged and the rupee tumbled after early results showed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party winning far fewer seats than expected in the country's election, leaving it reliant on coalition partners. Billionaire Gautam Adani's business empire saw nearly $45 billion in its market value wiped off in a single day. We take a closer look at the state of the Indian economy. Plus, South Korea hosts leaders from dozens of African nations in a bid to boost trade, particularly in minerals. 

India's Nifty 50 index saw shares tumble as much as 7 percent this Tuesday as the country's election results are counted. These show a tighter race than expected, even if Prime Minister Narendra Modi is still on course to win a third term. Also in this edition, Chinese fast-fashion giant Shein is reportedly considering listing on the London Stock Exchange.

Japanese carmakers Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Suzuki and Yamaha have admitted to cutting corners or providing false data in safety tests needed to get vehicle models certified. The disclosures come as a result of internal investigations ordered by Japan's transport ministry in the wake of massive test rigging at Daihatsu, a Toyota subsidiary. Plus, Chinese online fast-fashion giant Shein is poised to go public on the London Stock Exchange, with a potential valuation of nearly €60 billion. 

On top of security, immigration and the green transition, Mexico's President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum is facing a host of economic challenges. In this year's budget, Mexico's public deficit stands at 5.9 percent, the largest in decades. Plus, as she seeks to cut spending, Sheinbaum will have to decide what to do with Pemex, the world's most indebted oil company, which has become a drag on public finances. We take a closer look.

A centuries-old British institution is set to be sold to a foreign firm. Royal Mail's parent company has accepted a £3.6 billion takeover offer by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky's EP group. Privatised about a decade ago, the postal service that dates back to Tudor times has struggled in the era of emails. Meanwhile, the world's biggest mining firm BHP has walked away from a $49 billion plan to take over British rival Anglo American, after the latter rejected a request to extend talks.