The French government earmarks 8.4 billion euros to help companies struggling with energy bills.

The United States has slapped illegal sanctions on a number of international companies saying they are involved in Iran's petrochemical and petroleum trade, including some firms based in China.

Iranian president orders the start of 48 major manufacturing projects with $17 bn worth of investment.

Campaigners say the world's nine nuclear-armed states have continued to swell their spending on nuclear weapons amid the pandemic.

A group of US senators has sent a letter to the international business community, warning companies against resuming trade with Iran if the Biden administration removes sanctions on Tehran to rejoin the 2015 nuclear deal.

Iran may bring Chinese companies into a major freeway project being built in north of the country.

Top CEOs in the United States boosted their earnings during the coronavirus pandemic in spite of incomes for many decreasing, according to a report.