Featured
Last news
Asian markets mostly rise as traders weigh rates outlook
Most Asian markets squeezed out gains Monday as traders weighed the chances of the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates this year after a forecast-busting US jobs report dented hopes for a first move in June.
Four charged over French schoolboy's killing
Two brothers and two other young people have been charged with murder over the killing of a 15-year-old boy that has heightened concern about violence in French schools.
South Korea set to vote in crucial parliamentary election
South Korea will vote Wednesday in key legislative elections that will determine control of the country's parliament -- and whether President Yoon Suk Yeol can advance his socially conservative agenda.
ECB tipped to pause one last time before June rate cut
Buoyed by falling inflation, the European Central Bank is expected to keep borrowing costs on hold one last time Thursday while laying the ground for a first interest rate cut in June.
Prosecutor wants four held over French schoolboy's killing
A French prosecutor on Sunday sought a remand in custody for four people held over the killing of a 15 year old boy that has heightened concern about violence in schools.
Top Europe rights court to issue landmark climate verdicts
Europe's top rights court will on Tuesday issue unprecedented verdicts in three separate cases on the responsibility of states in the face of global warming, rulings that could force governments to adopt more ambitious climate policies.
'Market of Fakes' in Naples, capital of counterfeits and Camorra
As top brands like Gucci and Prada prepare to report billions in sales this month, luxury fakes on the streets of Naples are also yielding a jaw-dropping cash stream -- for the mafia.
AI vs humans: influencers face competition from virtual models
Social media influencers have embraced artificial intelligence to spice up their content but they are also facing growing competition from AI-generated Instagramers, TikTokers and YouTubers.
Chinese sci-fi fans divided over Netflix's '3 Body Problem'
Netflix's blockbuster "3 Body Problem", an adaptation of the crown jewel of Chinese sci-fi, has sparked passionate debate and divided opinions among fans in the country despite it not being available to watch there.
Despite legalization, California battles illegal marijuana farms
"Sheriff's Department! Search Warrant," shout armed officers as they enter a property in the heart of the Californian desert, where they soon find hundreds of illegal cannabis plants.
Elon Musk says Tesla will unveil robotaxi in August
Elon Musk revealed Friday that Tesla will pull back the curtain on a robotaxi this summer, news that comes as adoption of self-driving vehicles hits speed bumps over safety concerns.
US stocks rally on jobs data, shrugging off rising oil prices
Wall Street stocks rallied Friday following strong jobs data, shrugging off worries about higher oil prices and monetary policy.
Southwest Airlines delays departure of Boeing 737 due to engine fire
A Southwest Airlines flight from Texas to Los Angeles was forced to abort during takeoff on Thursday due to an engine fire on a Boeing 737 aircraft, the latest problem incident on a Boeing jet.
Meta asks US judge to toss blockbuster antitrust case
Facebook giant Meta on Friday asked a federal judge to dismiss a case from a powerful US antitrust authority that could see the social media juggernaut forced to sell Instagram and WhatsApp.
Thousands of salmon escape truck crash into nearby river
Tens of thousands of endangered salmon being transported by truck to a US river miraculously survived a road crash by escaping into a nearby creek, officials said.
Climate activists escape jail over London Heathrow drone protest
The co-founder of environmental pressure group Extinction Rebellion escaped jail on Friday for plotting to fly drones near London's Heathrow Airport in protest at expansion plans.
US hiring blows past expectations in March
US hiring rose much more than expected last month, according to government data published Friday, increasing the chances that the Federal Reserve will remain on pause for longer as it weighs when to start cutting interest rates.
Zimbabwe launches new gold-backed currency
Zimbabwe's central bank launched a new "structured currency" backed by gold on Friday, as it seeks to tackle sky-high inflation and stabilise the country's long-floundering economy.
World food prices rise for first time in 7 months: FAO
Global food prices rose in March, the first increase since July, pulled higher by cooking oil prices despite the cost of grains continuing to ease, the UN's Food and Agricultural Organization said Friday.
AI a 'game changer' but company execs not ready: survey
A majority of corporate executives across leading economies believe artificial intelligence will be a "game changer" for their industry but admit their leadership teams lack the knowledge to understand AI's risks and rewards, a study showed Friday.
Equities sink on Middle East woes, US rate cut doubts
Global stocks mostly sank Friday after oil prices topped $91 a barrel, as worries intensified that Israel's war with Hamas could spiral into a broader conflict with major crude producer Iran.
'Rabbit Girls': Thai football's last women promoters
At a rowdy Bangkok stadium, BG Pathum United's "Rabbit Girls" dance to a drumbeat and cheer their team on -- the Thai football league's last band of women promoters.
Yellen in China calls for 'level playing field' for US firms
US Treasury Chief Janet Yellen called on Friday for a "level playing field" between American and Chinese companies, telling officials during a visit to southern China that Beijing's industrial subsidies threatened that balance.
Muhammad Ali's 'Thrilla in Manila' shorts up for auction
The shorts worn by Muhammad Ali in his legendary "Thrilla in Manila" boxing match are up for grabs at Sotheby's in New York, part of a growing sports memorabilia market eyed by auction houses.
US stocks fall, oil prices jump on Middle East tensions
Wall Street equities tumbled while Brent oil prices finished above $90 a barrel for the first time since late October as markets took stock of rising political tensions in the Middle East.
Tottenham mogul Lewis spared prison for insider trading
Billionaire Tottenham Hotspur mogul Joe Lewis has avoided prison in an insider trading case, with a New York judge on Thursday instead giving him three years' probation and a $5 million fine.
X gives free blue check to big follower accounts
Users with big followings will receive a free subscription to X, formerly Twitter -- and the platform's famous blue check, the company said in another policy U-turn.
Almost impossible to deliver aid in Gaza, say top charities
Major international aid groups warned Thursday it was now almost impossible to work in Gaza, as one accused countries supplying arms to Israel of being complicit in what "amounts to genocide".
EU chief plunged into controversy over top job pick
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen is facing calls from senior officials and lawmakers to justify her choice of candidate to staff a top new EU role, according to a letter seen by AFP on Thursday.
Stocks rise on eve of US payrolls; gold shines
US and European stock markets rose Thursday on the eve of key US data, while gold set another record peak on the back of geopolitical tensions and hopes of interest-rate cuts.
US trade gap grows in February to highest level since April 2023
The US trade deficit expanded in February by more than analysts expected to reach its highest level since April 2023, as imports once again exceeded exports, according to government data published Thursday.
Yellen in China to press officials on tech industry subsidies
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen arrived in China's Guangzhou on Thursday for meetings to press Beijing over fears the country's industrial subsidies for green energy, cars and batteries could flood global markets with cheap goods.
Swedish firm acquires rock legends KISS' catalogue
A Swedish entertainment group co-founded by ABBA's Bjorn Ulvaeus has acquired the music catalogue, name and likeness of KISS and plans to produce a movie about the legendary rock band, the company said Thursday.
Asian markets mixed after US data, eyes on jobs report
Asian markets were mixed Thursday after US data provided a fresh indicator that inflation was easing and Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell soothed worries around the bank's plans to cut interest rates this year.
Asian markets lifted by US data and fresh rate cut hopes
Asian markets rose Thursday after US data provided a fresh indicator that inflation was easing and Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell soothed worries about the bank's plans to cut interest rates this year.
Oil prices hit fresh five-month high
Oil prices scored fresh five-month peaks Wednesday on unrest in the crude-rich Middle East and an OPEC+ call for its members to maintain its strategy of reducing output.
Cutting rates too soon could be 'quite disruptive': Fed's Powell
The US Federal Reserve's high benchmark rate is "doing its job" against elevated inflation, chairman Jerome Powell said Wednesday, warning that lowering it too soon could be "quite disruptive" for the American economy.
Uganda court throws out challenge to harsh anti-gay law
Uganda's Constitutional Court on Wednesday rejected a bid to scrap a controversial anti-gay law that is considered one of the toughest in the world.
US Fed should avoid climate change 'mission creep': Powell
The Federal Reserve should avoid tackling politically-charged issues like climate change without Congressional approval if it is to maintain public trust in the institution, the head of the US central bank said Wednesday.