NAIROBI: Kenya and the European Union on Monday signed a long-negotiated trade agreement to increase the flow of goods between the two markets, as Brussels pursues stronger economic ties with Africa.

MILAN: French media giant Vivendi on Friday filed a legal challenge against Telecom Italia’s plans to sell its fixed-line network to US investment fund KKR, according to a source close to the matter.

WASHINGTON: The US Federal Reserve’s decision to hold its key lending rate on Wednesday and pencil in three interest rate cuts next year has fueled optimism that its inflation battle is won.

JOHANNESBURG: Tens of thousands of foreign executives, engineers and other key workers have endured a year-long wait for South African visas that business groups say is costing investment and threatening the country’s position as a continental hub.

NEW YORK: US efforts to transition to cleaner energy carry risks of mass layoffs in mature industries, say experts, who warn that policies to cushion the blow may not live up to hype.

CAMPECHE, Mexico: Mexico’s Maya tourist train glided into action on Friday, promising prosperity for one of the country’s poorest regions, but tainted by allegations of environmental devastation.

PARIS: Two more major shipping firms, Mediterranean Shipping Company and CMA CGM, said Saturday they were suspending passage through a Red Sea strait vital for global trade after Yemeni rebel attacks in the area.

BASRA: In Iraq’s southern city of Basra, Al-Harith Hassan has been struggling to withdraw his salary in dollars for months as the government tries to curb the country’s addiction to US currency.

KUWAIT, Dec 17 (KUNA) -- Boursa Kuwait declared on Sunday its closure from today (Sunday) until Tuesday in homage to Saturday's demise of the late Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.