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French Apple workers call strike on iPhone 15 debut
Workers at Apple stores in France are set to strike and disrupt the launch of the iPhone 15 in a battle over pay, trade unions told AFP on Wednesday.
Charles III welcomed in France for first visit as king
King Charles III on Wednesday began his first state visit to France as monarch, a rescheduled trip aimed at showing the fundamentals of the cross-Channel alliance remain strong despite a litany of political tensions after Brexit.
European stocks advance as Fed looms, UK inflation dips
European stocks rose Wednesday on a surprise slowdown in UK inflation and lower oil prices, as traders awaited a key US Federal Reserve interest rate call and shrugged off equity losses in Asia.
UK inflation in surprise drop to 18-month low
British inflation unexpectedly slowed in August, data showed Wednesday, hitting an 18-month low and sparking hope this week's widely-forecast interest rate hike by the Bank of England could be its last for now.
Gold and mercury, not books, for Venezuela's child miners
At 10 years old, Martin cannot read, but he is an old hand at detecting traces of the gold he and his young cousins dig for at an open-pit mine in southeastern Venezuela.
High-rises sweep Sao Paulo, but boom casts shadows
Worried by the surge of skyscrapers fast replacing the houses and historic buildings in her Sao Paulo neighborhood, Rosanne Brancatelli put up a sign on her street: "Don't take away our sun."
Taylor Swift takes on Hollywood
She already rules music, so now it's on to Tinseltown: Taylor Swift's concert documentary is poised to dominate the fall movie season, challenging the hegemony of film studios and consecrating her business empire.
Stocks diverge as oil touches 10-month high
Global stocks were mixed Tuesday ahead of a Federal Reserve decision as oil prices reached fresh multi-month peaks before pulling back.
US government at rising risk of shutdown with Congress in deadlock
The United States is less than two weeks away from a potential government shutdown, with the stakes increasing as lawmakers struggle to agree on a short-term spending bill.
Scientists find 'missing ingredient' for pink diamonds
Scientists said on Tuesday they have found the "missing ingredient" for pink diamonds, some of the world's most expensive stones due their rarity and beauty, and the discovery could help find more.
Canada warns India to treat Sikh slaying allegation seriously
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday demanded that India treat with "utmost seriousness" Canada's allegations of New Delhi's possible involvement in the slaying of a Sikh exile, a concern echoed by Washington.
London Fashion Week says sheer is back for spring, summer 2024
Transparent and revealing looks will make a comeback for spring and summer 2024, according to trends spotted at London Fashion Week, which wrapped up on Tuesday.
Google's AI chatbot goes personal tapping into Gmail
Google on Tuesday said it had integrated Gmail, YouTube and other tools into its Bard chatbot as the tech giants seek to persuade users that generative AI is useful and not dangerous or just a fad.
Chioma Nnadi to become head of British Vogue
Chioma Nnadi will replace Edward Enninful as head of editorial content for fashion magazine British Vogue, its publisher said Tuesday, becoming the first black woman to fill the coveted role.
US Fed starts interest rate meeting as traders predict a pause
The Federal Reserve began two days of interest rate deliberations Tuesday amid widespread expectation that it will pause rate hikes as it attempts to fight inflation without sinking the US economy.
Bangladesh bowler sorry for misogynist remarks: cricket board
A Bangladeshi cricketer has apologised for social media posts condemning working women but denied he was a misogynist because "his mother is a woman", the country's cricket board said Tuesday.
EU states reluctant to add Catalan as official language
Spain's demand for Catalan, Basque and Galician to become official EU languages faced opposition on Tuesday as the bloc's member states fear any such move will trigger a domino effect.
Foreign business lobbies warn working in China harder than ever
Foreign business confidence in China has reached its lowest in years, US and European enterprise lobbies warned Tuesday, as slowing growth and geopolitical tensions hit investment prospects.
Michael Jackson's moonwalk hat up for auction
Just before performing his famous moonwalk dance for the first time, Michael Jackson tossed his hat to the side of the stage. Four decades later, it's up for auction in Paris.
Chinese youths trade city-living for ceramics
China's "Porcelain Capital" Jingdezhen is attracting droves of young people drawn to the city of artisans in search of an escape from the urban rat race among its ceramics workshops.
Solar panels go into service near North Pole
Norway has installed solar panels in its Svalbard archipelago, a region plunged in round-the-clock darkness all winter, in a pilot project that could help remote Arctic communities transition to green energy.
Asian markets drop ahead of Fed decision, oil prices push on
Asian stocks sank Tuesday following sedate performance on Wall Street as investors keep their powder dry ahead of the Federal Reserve's policy decision later in the week.
US auto workers eye expanded strike as talks continue
Uncertainty will be the most powerful weapon wielded by US auto workers, industry watchers said as the first ever simultaneous strike by Detroit's "Big Three" looks set for the long haul.
Belgium opens memorial on site of serial killer's 'horror house'
Belgium on Tuesday opens a memorial garden on the site where notorious serial killer Marc Dutroux imprisoned his young victims, more than a quarter of a century after his crimes shocked Europe.
US jobs market solid but Fed risks pushing too far
The US labor market is remarkably solid despite aggressive interest rate hikes to fight inflation and a recent rise in unemployment, but analysts warn that the central bank risks pushing too far.
US auto workers leave room to accelerate strike as talks continue
Uncertainty will be the most powerful weapon wielded by US auto workers, industry watchers said as the first ever simultaneous strike by Detroit's "Big Three" looks set for the long haul.
The US sanctions squeezing Iran leaders, oil and trade
Iran is one of the world's most sanctioned countries, with the United States deploying a punishing arsenal of measures against the Islamic republic since the Iran hostage crisis of 1979-81.
Push at UN for reform to meet elusive development goals
Developing countries on Monday urged a shake-up in the global order to help the world's poorest, at a United Nations summit on ambitious anti-poverty promises that remain far off track.
Convicted paedophile football coach dies in UK prison
Former football coach Barry Bennell, who was convicted of a series of child sex offences, has died in prison, Britain's Ministry of Justice confirmed on Monday.
Fashion seeks dedicated followers with influence online
Once kept firmly at arm's length by the fashion world, influencers are now courted alongside big celebrity names by emerging talents keen to leverage their millions of online followers.
Stock markets slide before central bank decisions on rates
Stock markets mostly slid on Monday as traders looked ahead to interest-rate decisions this week from the US Federal Reserve and Bank of England.
Unrepentant Truss urges UK govt to cut taxes to boost growth
Former Conservative prime minister Liz Truss on Monday waded in to give the Tory government economic advice, nearly a year after she triggered market turmoil and took the UK to the brink of financial meltdown.
Thailand urged to halt crop burning after air pollution spike
Thailand must ban stubble burning by farmers to improve air quality, the head of a leading agricultural body said Monday, after a spike in dangerous pollution left millions needing medical treatment.
France to allow loss-making petrol sales to bust fuel inflation
France will lift a ban on below-cost sales to bring down fuel prices, Finance and Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire said Monday, hoping to soothe consumers' inflation anxieties.
Asian Games landmark for eSports fires Olympic dreams
ESports' debut as a medal event at the Asian Games starting this week will change attitudes and be a major step towards Olympic recognition at last, gamers and experts say.
Asian markets stutter as traders prepare for Fed decision
Asian markets started the week limply Monday following a sell-off on Wall Street, with focus turning to the Federal Reserve's keenly awaited key policy decision.
One in 10 Japanese are older than 80: government data
More than 10 percent of Japanese people have crossed 80 years or older for the first time, new official data showed, as the nation faces a rapidly greying population.
Pope to defend migrants in Marseille trip
Calls for compassion for migrants suffering in North Africa and those attempting to reach Europe or die trying will be at the heart of Pope Francis's visit to Marseille this week.
US auto union chief warns ready to 'amp up' strike if no deal
The United Auto Workers chief warned Sunday that a historic strike at the top three US car manufacturers will expand if the companies do not raise their wage offers in ongoing negotiations.