Strong Performance Driven by Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sectors Switzerland’s economy showcased resilience in the final quarter of 2024, with the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) rising by 0.5% compared to the previous quarter, according to revised figures reported by RTT News and MarketWatch on February 28, 2025. This growth, fueled by a robust pharmaceutical and chemical industry, exceeded market expectations and highlighted the country’s ability to navigate a challenging global economic landscape. The Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) noted that this uptick from the 0.2% growth in Q3 marked the strongest quarterly expansion since Q1 2023, offering a glimpse into the factors underpinning Switzerland’s economic stability. The 0.5% quarterly GDP growth in Q4 2024 outperformed the median market forecast of 0.2%, surpassing expectations by 0.3 percentage points. Analysts attribute this better-than-anticipated result largely to the pharmaceutical sector’s stellar...

Meta's groundbreaking 50,000km subsea cable project aims to boost global connectivity and AI innovation Meta has officially announced its ambitious "Project Waterworth," a transformative subsea cable initiative that will stretch a remarkable 50,000 kilometers. This cable will not only become the longest in the world but will also serve as a high-speed connectivity lifeline, linking five key continents: the United States, India, Brazil, South Africa, and Australia. The project is expected to revolutionize global digital infrastructure and increase access to essential internet services. The company’s move is seen as an essential step in meeting the growing demand for seamless, high-performance connectivity around the world. This extraordinary effort is intended to exceed the Earth's circumference, marking a milestone in both technological and geopolitical terms. The cable will utilize cutting-edge technology and design, making it a critical part of Meta's strategy ...

January saw a surprising decline in consumer spending amid harsh weather conditions and lingering economic pressures The U.S. retail market experienced a significant slowdown, with consumer spending falling sharply, marking the largest decline in nearly two years. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, retail sales in January totaled $723.9 billion (seasonally adjusted), which was a 0.9% decrease compared to the previous month. This unexpected drop far exceeded the anticipated 0.2% decline predicted by analysts, underscoring a major shift in consumer behavior. This decline was the most substantial since March 2023, when retail sales dropped by 1.1%, and it marked the biggest reduction in nearly two years. Despite a slight upward revision in December's retail sales growth (from 0.4% to 0.7%), January's figures revealed a broader-than-expected downturn across various retail sectors. These figures highlight significant changes in U.S. consumer spending, a key indicator of ...

  UAP candidates will not appear on ballot papers for the upcoming federal election due to deregistration. Clive Palmer, the leader of the United Australia Party (UAP), has suffered a significant legal setback after losing his High Court bid to re-register the party in time for the upcoming federal election. The High Court ruling effectively means that UAP candidates will not be listed with the party’s name on ballot papers for both the House of Representatives and the Senate in the upcoming election cycle. The United Australia Party had voluntarily deregistered following the previous federal election. According to current electoral laws, a political party cannot re-register within the same electoral cycle. This legislation has now been upheld by the High Court, which affirmed the law’s validity and ordered the plaintiffs to cover the costs of the case. Legal Challenge and Arguments Presented The case, launched by Clive Palmer, UAP Senator Ralph Babet, and the party’s national dire...