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Iraq customs ordered to start enforcing alcohol import ban
Iraq's customs department gave orders on Saturday to start enforcing a ban on alcohol imports that became law last month despite divisions over the legislation.
A year on, Ukraine's embattled nuclear plant turned Russian 'military base'
Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant no longer produces electricity and serves solely as a military base for Moscow's troops, the exiled mayor of the city of Energodar, which houses the facility, told AFP.
Greek station master court date delayed as anger boils over rail tragedy
The station master involved in Greece's worst-ever train disaster had his court appearance postponed by a day on Saturday as the country braced for more mass protests over the crash that killed at least 57 people.
UN chief slams rich countries' treatment of poor states
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday slammed the world's rich countries and energy giants for throttling poor nations with "predatory" interest rates and crippling fuel prices.
UN chief condemns rich countries 'vicious' tactics against poor
UN leader Antonio Guterres on Saturday slammed the world's rich countries and energy giants for throttling poor nations with "predatory" interest rates and crippling fuel prices.
UN nuclear chief to meet Raisi during crucial Iran talks
The UN nuclear watchdog chief was in Iran on Saturday for expected talks with President Ebrahim Raisi and other officials after the discovery of uranium particles enriched to near weapons-grade level.
Balenciaga's Demna seeks redemption after scandal
Having fled war as a child, Georgian designer Demna made fashion a sort of battleground of provocative ideas at the helm of Balenciaga. It was tremendously successful -- until it wasn't.
Foxconn plans new India iPhone plant in shift away from China
Apple will manufacture iPhones at a new plant in India, officials said Friday, as the US tech giant seeks to ramp up its India production and diversify away from China.
Portugal's Catholic Church asks abuse victims for pardon
Portugal's Catholic Church on Friday asked victims of child sexual abuse by the clergy for forgiveness, following the publication of an independent report that set out the extent of the offences.
White House unhappy after Walgreens bans abortion pill in some states
The White House on Friday expressed regret at US pharmacy giant Walgreens' decision to not distribute abortion pills in some 20 states after "dangerous" pressure from anti-abortion officials.
Biden, Scholz pledge Ukraine support at White House talks
US President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz held talks at the White House on Friday in a display of unity over the Ukraine war after warnings from Russia over arms supplies.
Vaughan denies racism as Rafiq accused of being ready to play 'race card'
Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan told a hearing into accusations of racism at Yorkshire on Friday it was "inconceivable" he would make the comment attributed to him by Azeem Rafiq as his former county team-mate was accused of being ready to play the "race card".
Ferrovial's planned Dutch move angers Spanish PM
Spain's prime minister denounced Friday a plan by construction giant Ferrovial to move its headquarters to the Netherlands as the decision triggers a political storm.
France warns 'narco-tourists' after coke washes ashore
French authorities warned Friday about "narco-tourism" on northern Channel beaches after news of more than two tonnes of cocaine washing ashore drew dozens of beachcombers, some equipped with quad bikes.
Vaughan denies racist comment at cricket hearing
Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan told a hearing into accusations of racism at Yorkshire on Friday it was "inconceivable" that he would make the comment attributed to him by ex-teammate Azeem Rafiq.
Volkswagen shares jump on 2023 optimism
German auto giant Volkswagen on Friday unveiled an optimistic forecast for 2023 on expectations that global supply chain woes will ease, sending its shares soaring.
Airlines sue Dutch over Schiphol airport flight cuts
Top airlines including KLM, Delta and EasyJet said Friday they are taking the Dutch government to court over plans to limit flights at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport for environmental reasons.
Biden, Scholz to map out next steps for Ukraine
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is due at the White House on Friday for talks with President Joe Biden on charting the way ahead in their support for Ukraine, after friction over tank deliveries to Kyiv.
France's Macron pushes economic ties in Angola
French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday pursued his African tour aimed at renewing frayed ties, inking an economic accord with Angola.
Lufthansa flies into black but worries linger over busy summer
German airline Lufthansa said Friday that it returned to annual profit in 2022 after two years of pandemic-related losses, but worries lingered over the prospect of another chaotic summer season.
ChatGPT turns to manga in 'One Piece' author experiment
The AI programme ChatGPT has passed exams, penned news articles and produced code. So perhaps no surprise that "One Piece" author Eiichiro Oda has turned to it for inspiration.
Ericsson to pay over $200 mn for breaching US deal over Iraq graft
Swedish telecom equipment maker Ericsson has said it will pay a $207 million fine for breaching a deal with US authorities by not disclosing an investigation relating to suspected bribes to the Islamic State group in Iraq.
Turkey's inflation slows further as presidential vote nears
Turkey's inflation rate slowed for a fourth consecutive month in February, official data showed Friday, ahead of May elections in which President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's economic record will be a key issue for voters.
Markets rise with Wall St on lower rate hopes
Markets on Friday tracked a Wall Street rally after a top Federal Reserve official said he would back a small interest-rate hike at its next meeting but hinted at a possible summer pause to see how tighter policy has impacted inflation.
UK mine plan pits enthusiasts against environmentalists
In the 37 years since the last coal pit closed in Whitehaven, the once-proud mining town on northwest England's remote Cumbrian coast has hit on hard times.
Lufthansa returns to annual profit after Covid losses
German airline giant Lufthansa said Friday it returned to annual profit in 2022 after two years of losses, its fortunes lifted by rebounding demand as economies reopened after Covid shutdowns.
Don't forget poorest nations, UN envoy pleads ahead of key meet
The world cannot recover from a spate of crises if its poorest nations are forgotten, the UN envoy for the least developed countries told AFP ahead of a key summit.
Biden, Scholz to weigh next steps for Ukraine
US President Joe Biden hosts German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Washington on Friday for talks on charting the way ahead in their support for Ukraine, after friction over tank deliveries to Kyiv.
Britain's fresh produce shortages serve up blame game
Shortages of fruit and vegetables -- from broccoli, cucumbers and lettuce, to tomatoes, peppers and raspberries -- have served up a blame game in Britain.
Time US adults spend on TikTok closes in on Netflix: market tracker
TikTok is closing in on streaming giant Netflix when it comes to the amount of time US adults spend on the platforms, according to a report released Thursday by Insider Intelligence.
Petrobras posts record profits for 2022
Brazil's state oil company Petrobras has reported record profits of 188 billion reais (about $36 billion) in 2022, due mainly to the global rise in fuel prices.
Lufthansa keeps CEO Spohr on for another five years
Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr, who steered the airline back from the brink of bankruptcy during the pandemic, will see his contract extended by another five years, the group said Thursday.
Greece seeks answers over deadliest train tragedy as toll rises
The toll from Greece's worst rail accident rose to 42 on Thursday after a head-on collision blamed on "human error" that has sparked angry protests.
Markets mixed as US rate saga plays against China reopening
Stocks were mixed Thursday but trading was subdued as Federal Reserve interest rate hike worries returned to the agenda with two top officials warning more tightening will be needed to slay inflation.
Eskom: South Africa's fallen energy giant
It was once a source of national pride -- an award-winning firm that powered South Africa's mining boom and later brought electricity to black communities left behind by apartheid.
Internet access, privacy 'essential for freedom': Proton chief
Internet privacy company Proton can spot attacks on democracy in a country before they hit the headlines, simply by watching demand for its services explode, its chief told AFP.
Is biodegradable better? Making sense of 'compostable' plastics
Bacardi rum bottles, Skittles sweet wrappers, designer water bottles -- a bevy of companies are developing biodegradable plastic packaging they say is better for the environment than traditional plastics.
Asian markets mixed as US rate saga plays against China reopening
Stocks were mixed in Asia on Thursday after the previous day's rally but trading was subdued as Federal Reserve interest rate hike worries returned to the agenda with two top officials warning more tightening will be needed to slay inflation.
Women's sport a winner as money pours into India cricket league
India's inaugural Women's Premier League cricket has generated hundreds of millions of dollars even before a ball is bowled on Saturday, with experts calling it a game-changing moment for women's sport.