Featured
Last news
Rise of the robots: UN tries to tackle 'mind-blowing' growth of AI
The mind-blowing growth of artificial intelligence poses many questions that have no answers yet, the United Nations admitted Thursday at its AI summit, attended by some exceptionally life-like humanoid robots.
Record storm cost up to 100 mn euros in damage: Dutch insurers
A record-breaking summer storm that pummelled the Netherlands and Germany, leaving two people dead, has caused as much as 100 million euros ($109 million) in damage, Dutch insures said on Thursday.
Ratcliffe still keen to buy Man Utd as sale process drags on
British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe has said he remains focused on completing a takeover of Manchester United as the battle to buy the Red Devils drags on.
17 dead in gas leak at South African slum
At least 17 people, including three children, died in a slum near Johannesburg from a leak of toxic gas apparently used for scavenging gold at an abandoned mine, rescue services said Thursday.
Stock markets slump on higher US rate worries
Major stock markets slumped Thursday, with the biggest falls in Paris and Hong Kong, as investors fretted over the prospect of more US interest rate hikes and the risk to the global economy.
China says critical metals curbs 'not targeting' any country
China's commerce ministry on Thursday said recent curbs on essential chip-making metals were not aimed at any specific country and that they did not represent a "ban on exports".
Rubbish-clearing divers come to rescue of 'pearl of Kyrgyzstan'
On the shores of Lake Issyk Kul in mountainous Kyrgyzstan, a group of divers show off their haul for the day -- a boat engine, car tyres, bottles, clothes and plastic items.
Equities track Wall St losses as traders brace for more Fed hikes
Markets fell again in Asia on Thursday as traders resigned themselves to more US interest rate hikes after minutes from the Federal Reserve's June meeting showed officials felt more needed to be done to rein in inflation.
Twitter rival Threads crosses 10 mn users within hours of launch
More than 10 million people have signed up to Threads, Meta's rival to Twitter, within the first few hours of its launch, the Facebook parent's CEO Mark Zuckerberg said Thursday.
Mountain of strategic metals stranded in DR Congo begins to shift
A mountain of copper and cobalt worth up to $2 billion is piled up in DR Congo, symbolising the wildly volatile market for metals touted as crucial to the green energy revolution.
'Unimaginable': Austria's highest paradise feels heat of climate change
Ever since Herbert Hoegl and his wife first drove up the majestic Grossglockner High Alpine Road, named after Austria's highest mountain, the breathtaking vistas that the route offers have been imprinted on their minds.
A year after Sri Lanka unrest, Slave Island hungers
As Sri Lankans flocked to a jubilant street party celebrating their president's ouster, retired accountant Milton Perera sat at home pondering whether his family could afford to eat the next morning.
Asia tracks Wall St lower as Fed minutes warn of more hikes
Markets fell again in most of Asia on Thursday as traders resigned themselves to more US interest rate hikes after minutes from the Federal Reserve's June meeting showed officials felt more needed to be done to rein in inflation.
The UK botanist who helped revive Japan's seaweed industry
Each year in southern Japan, dozens of people gather at a seafront shrine to honour a British botanist who never visited the country but is credited with revitalising its crucial seaweed industry.
Twitter rivals pile up with Meta's launch of Threads
Since Elon Musk took over Twitter eight months ago, users irked by the platform's new regime have vowed to move their online presence elsewhere, though the habit has proved hard to break.
Yellen heads to China as US seeks to stabilize ties
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is due to arrive in Beijing on Thursday, kicking off a high-level visit aimed at improving communication and stabilizing the tense relationship between the world's top two economies.
Twitter rivals pile up with Meta's Threads launch
Since Elon Musk took over Twitter eight months ago, users irked by the platform's new regime have vowed to move their online presence elsewhere, though the habit has proved hard to break.
Some Fed officials backed rate hike in June, minutes show
Some members of the US Federal Reserve's rate-setting committee supported another interest rate hike in June to tackle high inflation, but ultimately voted for a pause, the Fed announced Wednesday.
Automakers report higher Q2 car sales in US
Leading automakers reported a jump in quarterly US car sales Wednesday, reflecting increased vehicle inventory levels and the support of a strong US labor market.
Stocks drop as Chinese, eurozone data disappoint
Stock markets retreated Wednesday on disappointing eurozone and Chinese economic data and rising tensions between Beijing and Washington.
'It's time': haute couture embraces men
Long the preserve of women, haute couture has in recent years opened up to men who dare to ditch the black tuxedo for something with a few more feathers, sequins and embroidery.
Stock markets drop as Chinese, eurozone data disappoint
Stock markets retreated Wednesday on disappointing eurozone and Chinese economic data and rising tensions between Beijing and Washington.
Stock markets drop as Chinese data disappoints
Stock markets retreated Wednesday on poorly-received Chinese data, as investors looked ahead to the reopening of Wall Street after the Independence Day holiday.
'Strongest' Dutch summer storm kills one, scrambles flights
The Netherlands was battered by the strongest summer storm on record on Wednesday, killing one person and throwing international air and rail travel into chaos.
Blondie drummer says music in UK schools helps autistic children
Blondie drummer Clem Burke on Wednesday said adding drumming to the UK school curriculum could be a "game changer" for autistic children after a study found as little as 90 minutes a week offered benefits.
S. Korea says respects IAEA approval of Fukushima water release
South Korea said Wednesday it respects the UN atomic agency's endorsement of Japan's plan to release treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant, despite growing domestic opposition and protests.
Markets drop as China data indicates further weakness
Equity markets sank Wednesday as another round of data showed China's economy continued to struggle in June, with little hope that its leaders can unveil the blockbuster stimulus needed to kickstart growth.
Austria's new answer to long-term unemployment
After spending years at home bringing up her two children, electrical systems technician Sarah Sklenicka found it a "big challenge" to get back into the job market.
Asian markets drop as China data indicates further weakness
Asian markets sank Wednesday as another round of data showed China's economy continued to struggle in June, with little hope that the country's leaders can unveil the blockbuster stimulus needed to kickstart growth.
Ex-Audi boss appeals 'dieselgate' conviction
Audi's former chief executive is appealing against his conviction over the "dieselgate" emissions cheating scandal that rocked the car industry, a German court said Tuesday.
Stocks struggle in subdued deals amid US holiday
Asian and European equities faltered Tuesday in muted trade, with Wall Street shut for the US Independence Day holiday.
Twitter chaos leaves door open for Meta's rival app
Elon Musk spent the weekend further alienating Twitter users with more drastic changes to the social media giant, and he is facing a new challenge as tech nemesis Mark Zuckerberg prepares to launch a rival app this week.
Most Asian markets up as traders weigh outlook on rates, economy
Asian markets mostly rose on Tuesday as investors weighed signs of a slowing US economy against hopes the Federal Reserve's interest rate hiking cycle could be nearing its end.
Asian markets fluctuate as rate-hope rally fades
Asian markets struggled for direction on Tuesday as investors weighed signs of a slowing US economy against hopes the Federal Reserve's interest rate hiking cycle could be nearing its end.
Medical, but hold the marijuana: new CBD source found in Brazil
In a laboratory tucked away on a sprawling university campus in Rio de Janeiro, Brazilian molecular biologist Rodrigo Moura Neto is running tests on a seemingly ordinary plant with a potent secret.
Legal battle looms over London's expanding vehicle pollution fee
A UK court on Tuesday will consider contentious plans to extend a scheme obliging the most polluting vehicles to pay for using London's roads, as opponents engage in protests -- and even sabotage.
Charles de Vilmorin: young designer turning couture unisex
At just 26, French designer Charles de Vilmorin is setting the tone for fashion's most elite segment, the haute couture week in Paris, with his gender-fluid aesthetic.
Oil prices fall despite output cuts, equities wobble
Oil prices reversed into the red Monday on global growth concerns, despite fresh output cuts by key producers Saudi Arabia and Russia aimed at propping up prices.
Oil prices momentarily lifted from output cuts, equities wobble
Oil prices rose on Monday after key producers Saudi Arabia and Russia further cut crude output in a bid to protect their precious revenues, but quickly gave up their gains.