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EU and New Zealand seal 'state-of-the-art' trade deal
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said Thursday the EU and New Zealand had sealed a free trade deal after four years of talks, promising it would deepen ties.
US firefighters adapt to 'new hazards' in electric car blazes
California firefighters ended up using a water-filled pit to douse stubborn flames in a Tesla's battery compartment earlier this month, illustrating the distinct difficulties in battling electric vehicle blazes.
Barcelona sell 10% of Liga TV rights to US fund
Barcelona on Thursday announced they had sold 10 percent of their Liga television rights for 25 years to U.S. investment group Sixth Street for 207.5 million euros ($215.5 million).
Stocks sink on recession fears, oil slips
World stock markets mostly sank Thursday on intensifying recession fears, while oil prices receded after an OPEC decision to proceed with only a limited boost to output.
US prices high but stable in May, spending slows
A key US inflation measure showed price increases held steady in the 12 months ended in May, while consumer spending growth slowed sharply, a good sign in the battle against soaring prices.
Russia quits Snake Island, in blow to blockade of Ukraine ports
Russian troops have abandoned their positions on a captured Ukrainian island, a major set-back to their invasion effort that weakens their blockade of Ukraine's ports, defence officials said Thursday.
Markets mostly down on recession fear, China data lends some light
Most markets fell again Thursday as traders fear that hefty rate hikes to rein in soaring inflation will spark a recession, though a slight improvement in Chinese data provided a little cheer.
Markets mostly hit by recession fear but China offers some light
Most markets fell again Thursday as traders fear that hefty rate hikes to rein in soaring inflation will spark a recession, though a slight improvement in Chinese data did provide a little cheer.
Sudan gears up for mass protest against generals
Activists in Sudan have called for mass rallies Thursday to demand the reversal of an October military coup that prompted foreign governments to slash aid, deepening a chronic economic crisis.
Russian LGBT artists find sanctuary in Paris
For many LGBT Russian artists, the invasion of Ukraine and the accompanying political crackdown was the final straw. Helped by a Paris charity, they have found a new home in France.
Arctic police make sure far north doesn't go too Wild West
With its ghost towns and armed men taking on a vast wilderness, one could almost mistake the Svalbard archipelago for the Wild West.
Samsung begins production of advanced 3nm chips
Samsung Electronics became the first chipmaker in the world to mass produce advanced 3-nanometre microchips, the company said Thursday, as it seeks to catch up with Taiwan's TSMC.
Japan's Kirin offloads Myanmar beer business over coup
Japanese drinks giant Kirin said Thursday it has agreed to a buyout of its shares in a Myanmar joint venture with a junta-linked conglomerate, completing its exit from the market over the 2021 coup.
Asian markets mostly down but China data offers some light
Most Asian markets fell again Thursday as traders fear that hefty rate hikes to rein in soaring inflation will spark a recession, though a slight improvement in Chinese data did provide some cheer.
Across the Missouri-Illinois border, an abortion sanctuary in US Midwest
Abortion is now banned in Lori Lamprich's home state of Missouri, but that hasn't stopped her taking women to their appointments -- she drives them across the Mississippi River to Illinois, where it remains legal.
Young Arab artists dream of freedom in unique talent show
Young musicians, dancers, actors and comedians from across the Arab world took to the stage in Tunisia to express their visions of freedom, more than a decade after the Arab Spring uprisings.
Czechs take over EU presidency braced for 'bad weather'
The Czech Republic will take over the rotating six-month presidency of the European Union on Friday with all eyes on Ukraine, which has been battling Russian forces since February.
'No progress made' on Iran nuclear talks: US State Department
Indirect talks in Qatar's capital between Iran and the US on reviving a 2015 nuclear deal have concluded with "no progress made", a State Department spokesperson said late Wednesday.
Expanding NATO squares up to Russia as Putin slams 'imperial' alliance
The United States vowed Wednesday to reinforce Europe's defences in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as NATO declared Moscow the West's greatest threat -- prompting Vladimir Putin to lash out at the alliance's "imperial ambitions".
Salah Abdeslam: Paris attacker facing rest of life in jail
Salah Abdeslam, handed a life sentence on Wednesday for his role in the November 2015 attacks on Paris, is the sole surviving member of the terror cell that massacred 130 people in the French capital.
Subscription version of Snapchat makes its debut
US tech firm Snap on Wednesday launched a subscription version of Snapchat as it looks to generate more money from the image-centric, ephemeral messaging app.
Francis Bacon painting of Lucian Freud sells for £43.3mn: Sothebys
A painting by Irish-born British artist Francis Bacon of fellow UK painter Lucian Freud sold on Wednesday for £43.3 million ($52.5 million, 50.2 million euros), according to Sotheby's auction house.
Recession fears haunt markets
Asian and European stock markets mostly nursed losses Wednesday on resurgent fear that sharp interest rate hikes, aimed at tackling runaway inflation, could spark recession, dealers said.
World equities slide on recession fear
Global stock markets nursed steep losses Wednesday on resurgent fear that sharp interest rate hikes, aimed at tackling runaway inflation, could spark recession, dealers said.
Germany plans return to debt-limit rules in 2023
Germany will reinstate its so-called debt brake in 2023 after suspending it for three years to cope with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, sources in the finance ministry said Wednesday.
How long will it take to get over the inflation hump?
Inflation has surged back to levels not seen in many developed economies since the 1970s and 1980s. Economists and central bankers at the European Cental Bank's conference in Portugal warn it will take time before price rises cool.
Aquaculture drives aquatic food yields to new high
The amount of fish, shellfish and algae caught in the wild and farmed in aquaculture hit a record 214 million tonnes in 2020, the Food and Agriculture Organization said Wednesday.
Ukraine war dominates crucial NATO summit
NATO leaders were set Wednesday to invite Finland and Sweden to join after Turkey dropped objections, as the alliance looked to revamp its defences at a summit dominated by the war in Ukraine.
Mozambique still haunted by civil war as new conflict rages
As Mozambique battles a brutal Islamist insurgency, the legacy of a decades-long civil war still haunts the African nation where many former rebels refuse to disarm.
Far-flung Hong Kong diaspora linked by 'shared destiny'
Looking back on her decision to leave Hong Kong with her family just before the city's handover from Britain to China 25 years ago, Mary still believes she made the right call.
Hong Kong's blurring border with China a sign of things to come
From the hill in northernmost Hong Kong where Jasper Law stood, the border with China was obvious -- a narrow river dividing farmlands and fishponds from the gleaming skyscrapers of megacity Shenzhen.
Uber inks deal for Australian gig worker rights
Uber has reached a deal with a powerful Australian union after years of legal battles, campaigns and negotiations that will offer 100,000 drivers and food delivery workers more protections.
EU approves end of combustion engine sales by 2035
The European Union approved a plan to end the sale of vehicles with combustion engines by 2035 in Europe, the 27-member bloc announced early Wednesday, in a bid to reduce CO2 emissions to zero.
Range extenders: solar panels provide more juice to EVs
Startups and major carmakers are starting to incorporate solar panels on their electric vehicles, an addition that extends the range of the cars even if perpetual motion remains a dream.
EU insurance ban targets Russian oil exports
An EU ban on insuring ships transporting Russian oil could potentially hurt Moscow more than its embargo on the nation's crude, analysts say.
Philippine news site Rappler ordered to shut down
A Philippine news site co-founded by Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa has been ordered to shut down, the company said Wednesday, a day before President Rodrigo Duterte -- its arch-nemesis -- leaves office.
Global stocks split on China, US consumer confidence
European and Asian stocks climbed Tuesday and oil prices rallied as China relaxed hard-line Covid-19 policies, but Wall Street equities tumbled following weak consumer confidence data.
US boy, 8, shoots dead baby girl with father's gun
An eight-year-old boy shot dead a baby and wounded her toddler sister while playing with his father's gun in Florida last weekend, police said.
Russia demands Ukraine surrender as NATO readies for Finland, Sweden membership
Western allies vowed on Tuesday to boost NATO's defences and to back Ukraine to the end as Moscow demanded Kyiv's surrender.