Featured
Last news
Water-starved Saudi confronts desalination's heavy toll
Solar panels soak up blinding noontime rays that help power a water desalination facility in eastern Saudi Arabia, a step towards making the notoriously emissions-heavy process less environmentally taxing.
Slack CEO is ready to ride AI wave
Artificial Intelligence is transforming Slack, the widely used workplace messaging platform, its CEO told AFP just nine months after taking on one of the most high profile jobs in Silicon Valley.
From streetwear to red carpet, London Fashion Week offers choices
From streetwear to elegant evening dresses, the catwalks of London Fashion Week were not short of choices as designers showcased their collections for spring and summer 2024.
US auto talks at 'critical phase' as political pressure grows
High-wire talks between striking US workers and automotive giants are in a "critical phase," Jeep-maker Stellantis said Saturday, as politicians staked out positions on a labor issue that could have national impact.
UK comedian Russell Brand accused of sexual assault: media
British comedian and actor Russell Brand has been accused of rape, sexual assaults and emotional abuse during a seven-year period, according to the results of a media investigation published Saturday.
California sues oil giants, alleging climate risks deception
The US state of California sued five of the world's largest oil companies on Friday, alleging the firms caused billions of dollars in damages and misled the public by minimizing the risks from fossil fuels, according to a court filing.
Upbeat mood along picket lines on US auto strike's first day
Tim Jackson was partly through a car repair Thursday night when he learned that Ford's Wayne, Michigan factory had been tapped as one of three plants nationally to strike.
California sues oil giants, alleging climate risks deception: NYT
The US state of California sued five of the world's largest oil companies on Friday, alleging the firms caused billions of dollars in damages and misled the public by minimizing the risks from fossil fuels, The New York Times reported.
Turkish clubs take financial hit to attract big names in transfer market
Turkey's biggest clubs lured established stars including Mauro Icardi, Hakim Ziyech and Wilfried Zaha to the Super Lig in the transfer window with a spending spree that leaves them slipping further into the red.
US auto workers, companies face off on day two of strike
Workers and management from the iconic "Big Three" auto giants were to face off at the negotiating table Saturday on the second day of a strike threatening to disrupt the economy and rock the 2024 presidential election campaign.
US auto workers strike, winning support from Biden
Workers at the "Big Three" US auto manufacturers went on strike Friday in a first-ever coordinated action to demand pay raises, winning strong support from President Joe Biden whose pro-union stand is crucial to his 2024 re-election hopes.
British nurse jailed for killing seven babies lodges appeal
A British nurse jailed for life for murdering seven newborn babies and attempting to kill six others has lodged a legal bid to appeal her conviction, court officials said Friday.
More pain for Kenyans as fuel prices hit all-time high
The cost of fuel in Kenya hit a record high on Friday after the energy regulator revised pump prices, adding to the economic hardship facing millions of people.
US auto workers strike, posing threat to economy -- and Biden
Workers at the "Big Three" US auto manufacturers went on strike Friday in a first-ever coordinated action to demand pay raises, testing the resilience of the US economy and threatening President Joe Biden's 2024 re-election momentum.
Almost all women's World Cup players rule out Spain call-up: statement
Almost all of Spain's women's World Cup squad said Friday that the recent changes by the Spanish football federation (RFEF) did not go far enough for them to respond to a national call-up.
Stock markets mixed as traders eye US auto strike, China data
Asian and European stock markets rallied on Friday on forecast-busting Chinese economic data but Wall Street shares fell as a historic strike hit the US auto sector.
UK govt pumps £500mn into Tata Steel but says 3,000 jobs at risk
The UK government on Friday said it would provide £500 million ($621 million) to fund the production of "greener" steel at the country's biggest steelworks but that 3,000 jobs were still at risk.
UK govt to pump £500mn into Tata Steel but says 3,000 jobs at risk
The UK government said Friday that it would provide £500 million ($621 million) to fund the production of "greener" steel at the country's biggest steelworks but that 3,000 jobs were still at risk.
Spain's World Cup-winning women reject squad call-ups
Spain's Women's World Cup-winning squad will continue to reject national team call-ups unless there are more changes at the Spanish football federation following the scandal over Luis Rubiales' unsolicited kiss, a source close to the federation said Friday.
EU ready to confront any China retaliation over car subsidy probe
The EU insisted on Friday that its economy could survive any retaliation from China, after Beijing warned that Brussels' probe into Chinese electric car subsidies would harm trade relations.
Libya's flood-ravaged Derna in grisly hunt for thousands missing
Rescuers sifted through mud and rubble Friday in their search for people missing from the tsunami-sized flash flood that swept the Libyan port city of Derna, killing more than 3,000.
Pakistan flag carrier PIA struggling to pay bills
Pakistan's national flag carrier admitted Friday it was struggling to pay bills and wages after local media reports said the fleet may be grounded within days.
US investment firm 777 partners agree deal for Everton takeover
Everton are set to become the latest Premier League club to fall into American hands after Farhad Moshiri agreed a deal with investment firm 777 partners for his 94 percent shareholding on Friday.
Indonesia rice imports spike as Jakarta shores up stocks
Indonesia recorded a large increase in rice imports in the first eight months this year compared to the same period last year, the statistics agency said Friday, as Southeast Asia's biggest economy seeks to boost stocks of its staple commodity.
US auto workers' union launches historic strike on Detroit's 'Big Three'
The US auto workers' union launched a targeted strike at three factories just after midnight on Friday, ordering simultaneous stoppages at Detroit's "Big Three" for the first time.
Kim visits fighter jets factory on Russia tour
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited a Russian military aviation factory on Friday following his summit with President Vladimir Putin, as the two countries ostracised by the West seek deeper ties.
'Data is always missing': checking corporate ethical claims
As global corporations face increasing pressure to report their ethical and environmental credentials, it is spurring a booming industry in businesses looking to verify these corporate claims.
Asian markets join global rally as China data beats forecasts
Asian markets rallied Friday as forecast-busting Chinese data boosted hopes the world's number-two economy may be stabilising after an extended slowdown.
US auto workers' union announces strike kicks off at three plants
The US auto workers' union announced the start of a strike at three factories just after midnight on Friday, as a deadline expired to reach a deal with employers on a new contract.
UK designer rejects 'fast fashion' to protect planet
Driven by a passion to protect the planet, Phoebe English hasn't bought a centimetre of fabric or a single plastic button for her collection at London Fashion Week.
US auto workers union announces plan to strike at three plants
The head of the US auto workers late Thursday announced plans to strike at three factories beginning at midnight if there is no deal reached in the waning remaining hours.
China retail sales surge in August, boost hopes for economy
Chinese retail sales jumped last month, data showed Friday, beating expectations and fuelling hopes that the country's army of consumers are returning to help kickstart the world's number two economy after an extended period of weakness.
Global stocks rise on Arm trade debut as 'dovish' ECB hike hits euro
Global stock markets rose while the Euro slid on Thursday after the European Central Bank (ECB) signaled its latest interest rate hike could be its last.
Mexico expects new air routes to US after safety upgrade
Mexico said Thursday that it expected to open dozens of new air routes to the United States after regulators in Washington restored its top aviation safety rating.
Dominican Republic shuts border with Haiti over water spat
Dominican President Luis Abinader on Thursday announced the closure of the country's border with Haiti, escalating a diplomatic spat over access to a shared river.
The art of creating coveted Cuban cigar boxes
Using a Soviet-era planer, Rene Reyes smoothes the panel of an old cedar door that he will transform into a humidor -- an ornate, handmade box used to preserve Cuba's famous cigars.
US taps business leader to bring Ukraine investment
US President Joe Biden on Thursday tapped Penny Pritzker, a billionaire businesswoman who served as commerce secretary, to encourage investment in Ukraine, which is expected to need hundreds of billions of dollars to recover from Russia's invasion.
ChatGPT creator OpenAI says to open Dublin office
US artificial intelligence firm OpenAI, the company behind chatbot sensation ChatGPT, announced Thursday that it will open an office in Dublin, its first base inside the European Union.
France pushes for more factory farming in food U-turn
France is urging its farmers to produce more cut-price meat in a major U-turn on factory farming, with inflation hammering demand for organic pork, beef and chicken.