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Serial 'predator' admits rapes and assaults as trial opens in France
A former janitor and family man accused of dozens of rapes and sexual assaults in France and Belgium went on trial Friday, saying he had acted on his "instinct of a hunger, a predator."
US inflation skyrockets, piling pressure on Biden
US inflation surged to a new four-decade high in May, defying hopes price pressures had peaked and deepening President Joe Biden's political troubles as Americans struggle to meet the ever rising cost of essentials like food and gas.
US to drop Covid tests for incoming air travel: W.House
The United States on Friday announced that Covid-19 tests would no longer be demanded for international travelers arriving by air, a major step in the country's gradual lifting of pandemic restrictions.
Stocks slide as US inflation soars
Stock markets plunged deeper into the red on Friday after data showed that US inflation soared to highest level in 40 years in May, much higher than analysts had expected.
US inflation skyrockets, prolonging pain for consumers
US inflation resurged in May, defying hopes price pressures would slow, and posting the largest increase since December 1981 as Americans continue to shell out ever more for food and gas, according to data released Friday.
Hit by war, Ukraine toy maker back in business
Sweet-smelling wood chips are layering the factory floor again at the toy manufacturer where Robert Milayev works now that production has restarted after the withdrawal of Russian troops.
UK banks no longer 'too big to fail': BoE
Britain's biggest banks are no longer "too big to fail" in any future financial shocks, with shareholders rather than taxpayers ready to bear the cost, the Bank of England said Friday.
Hong Kong's status undermined by Covid curbs, leader says
Hong Kong's status as an international hub has been "undermined" by strict coronavirus border controls, outgoing leader Carrie Lam admitted Friday, just a day after saying she would not further lift restrictions before departing.
Markets extend global sell-off on inflation, rate fears
Markets extended a global sell-off Friday after the European Central Bank laid the groundwork to join others in a programme of interest rate hikes, while attention turns to the release of key US inflation data.
Spain seaside staff shortages spell trouble for tourism
In normal times, Pablo Gonzalez would never have considered closing his restaurant at the height of summer. But this year, he's been forced to do just that for one day a week for lack of staff.
Ex-janitor accused of serial rapes goes on trial in France
A former janitor accused of dozens of rapes and sexual assaults in France and Belgium over several decades will go on trial in France on Friday, after admitting to a spate of assaults.
Open season: Italy to allow public tenders to manage beaches
Italy has some spectacular beaches but the majority are private, run in an opaque and sometimes shady manner that the government has finally decided to bring into the light.
Rolex worn during WWII 'Great Escape' sells for $189,000 in New York
A Rolex watch worn by a British prisoner during the real-life "Great Escape" from the Nazi Stalag Luft III prisoner-of-war camp sold for $189,000 on Thursday in New York.
Styrofoam-munching superworms could hold key to plastic upcycling
Packing material, disposable cutlery, CD cases: Polystyrene is among the most common forms of plastic, but recycling it isn't easy and the vast majority ends up in landfills or finds its way to the oceans where it threatens marine life.
US expands safety probe into Tesla Autopilot
US regulators expanded a probe into Tesla's "Autopilot" system, moving the investigation closer to a potential recall of a controversial feature in Elon Musk's electric vehicles.
Xbox expands cloud gaming service to Samsung smart TVs
Microsoft on Thursday announced that the ability to play Xbox games will be built into Samsung smart televisions in its latest cloud gaming move.
France probes alleged nuclear power cover-up: source
French prosecutors are investigating claims that officials at a nuclear power station covered up incidents of malfunction at an ageing plant, a source close to the probe told AFP on Thursday.
Sandberg exit unlikely to improve Facebook: whistleblower
The departure of controversial Facebook executive Sheryl Sandberg is unlikely to improve the troubled social media giant, whistleblower Frances Haugen told AFP.
Italy's Draghi says EU should cushion energy inflation blow
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi on Thursday suggested an EU-wide scheme to protect citizens from higher energy costs resulting from Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Asian, European markets hit as inflation fears ramp up
Most Asian and European markets fell Thursday as a rally in oil ramped up inflation fears, with top officials warning of more pain to come as the Ukraine war continues to push prices up and put further pressure on the global economy.
Dying children reflect brutal toll of Somalia drought
Arbay Mahad Qasim has already lost two children to a vicious drought, and now the Somali villager fears she could lose a third as her malnourished toddler Ifrah awaits treatment in a Mogadishu hospital.
Slash airline emissions to meet Paris targets: report
The world needs "early, aggressive and sustained" government intervention to cut aviation emissions if Paris Agreement temperature goals are to be met, a think tank said Thursday.
Asian markets drop as oil rises and inflation fears ramp up
Asian markets fell Thursday as a rally in oil ramped up inflation fears, with top officials warning of more pain to come as the Ukraine war continues to push prices up and put further pressure on the global economy.
With inflation on rise, ECB readies tougher action
The European Central Bank is set to announce the end date to its bond-buying stimulus on Thursday, as concerns over the accelerating pace of inflation in the eurozone grip policymakers.
Tackling gender violence at Quito's 'Men's Club'
In a hall in the Ecuadoran capital, a group of men raise their arms up high, draw a deep breath, and release it in tandem with a resounding "aaah!"
W.House expects May inflation to be 'elevated'
The White House said Wednesday it expects US inflation was still "elevated" in May despite guarded hopes a key data report due for release later this week will show price increases had cooled.
'Historic setback' for Brazil as hunger surges
The number of people living in hunger in Brazil has surged 73 percent in the past two years, a "historic setback" for a country that had made huge gains against poverty, a report said Wednesday.
US regulator favors revamp of stock market trading system
Citing equity market trading defects revealed in last year's GameStop saga, a top US securities regulator on Wednesday endorsed a broad revamp of the stock market trading system.
Calls mount for Brazil to find missing reporter, expert
Pressure mounted Wednesday on Brazil's government to redouble efforts to find a British journalist and Brazilian indigenous expert missing in the Amazon, as the search entered its fourth day and a suspect was reportedly detained.
Amazon's indigenous leaders make plea at Americas summit
The custodians of the primal forests that stretch across eight Latin American countries said national leaders gathering in Los Angeles this week had to listen to them if they wanted to save the Amazon.
Dutch clubs to deploy 'smart technology' to fight fan racism
Three top Dutch football clubs are taking part in pilot projects using smart technology including artificial intelligence to identify and fight racist behaviour by fans, the country's football federation announced Wednesday.
Stocks lower as recession fears weigh on sentiment
Stock markets were lower on Wednesday as investors weighed the prospect of recession while inflation soars around the world.
No progress at Russia-Turkey talks on Ukraine grain exports
Russia and Turkey made little headway on Wednesday in talks aimed at securing safe passage for Ukrainian grain exports, as a Russian sea blockade triggered new warnings of deadly famine.
French far-right clash in Riviera region ahead of polls
France's Mediterranean region, home to the Cannes Film Festival and palm-lined beaches that entice tourists from around the world, is seeing a ferocious battle between far-right factions for parliamentary polls this month with immigration the most contentious issue.
Zara owner Inditex profits up despite Ukraine war
Global clothing giant Inditex, which owns Zara, posted Wednesday a surge in its first-quarter profits despite closing its stores in Russia after its invasion of Ukraine.
At least 17 killed in train derailment in central Iran
At least 17 people were killed and dozens injured Wednesday when a train derailed near the central Iranian city of Tabas after hitting an excavator, state media reported.
MeToo film movement shifts from rhetoric to action
As the MeToo movement evolves, the film industry is seeking practical ways to ensure its opposition to harassment and abuse is translated into tangible improvements.
World Bank slashes China growth forecast over Covid damage
The World Bank has sharply slashed its annual growth forecast for China, warning in a report Wednesday that Covid disruptions could further slow recovery in the world's second-largest economy.
India hikes interest rates 50 basis points to fight inflation
India's central bank on Wednesday hiked rates for a second time, as Asia's third-largest economy reels from galloping inflation in the wake of the Ukraine war.