GENEVA: Swiss watchmakers are increasingly turning their sights towards India thanks to a new free trade agreement that is due to gradually open the doors for luxury timepiece exports.

NEW YORK: Boeing defended its safety practices Monday, touting aircraft testing protocols as it girds for a tough congressional hearing featuring critics of the embattled aviation giant.

WASHINGTON: The IMF has raised its outlook for the global economy this year, while maintaining a gloomy forecast over the medium term, according to fresh data published Tuesday.

HONG KONG: Accounting firm PwC on Monday rejected an anonymous letter that criticized the company’s involvement in auditing beleaguered Chinese real estate giant Evergrande, saying the letter contained “false allegations”.

DUBAI: Microsoft is to invest $1.5 billion in United Arab Emirates artificial intelligence firm G42, taking a minority stake and a seat on the board, the companies said on Tuesday.

FRANKFURT: German airline giant Lufthansa reported a hefty first-quarter loss and downgraded its 2024 outlook due to recent strikes, while warning of risks from conflict in the Middle East.

MADRID: Anti-tourism movements are multiplying in Spain, the world’s second most visited country, prompting authorities to try and reconcile the interests of locals and the lucrative sector.

BEIJING: China’s economy expanded far more than expected in the first quarter of 2024, data showed Tuesday, but disappointing retail and industrial figures suggested leaders face severe headwinds to hit their annual growth target.

TOKYO, April 16 (KUNA) -- China's economy grew 5.3 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2024, official data showed Tuesday. Gross domestic product (GDP) growth of the world's No.