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Strikes shut doors at world-famous French monuments
Tourists travelling to visit historic French landmarks the Eiffel Tower and Normandy's Mont Saint Michel have found their doors closed for part of the past two weeks, as striking workers complain of underinvestment and too many visitors.
European, US stocks creep higher
Europe's major stock indices edged higher Thursday, while Wall Street opened mixed, following a series of losses at the beginning of the year.
US private sector hiring up more than expected in December
The US private sector added more jobs than anticipated in December, payroll firm ADP said Thursday, signaling a strong labor market could continue to support the economy despite higher interest rates.
German emissions at 70-year low as coal use drops
German emissions were at their lowest point in around 70 years, as Europe's largest economy managed to reduce its dependence on coal faster than expected, a study published Thursday showed.
German car sales up in 2023 but electric models lose ground
Sales of new cars in Germany increased in 2023, official data showed Thursday, but an end to government subsidy programmes saw electric vehicles lose ground on fossil-fuel models.
Russia hopes to wear down Ukraine with mass strikes: analysts
Russia's latest massive strikes against major Ukrainian cities aim at wearing out both the population and air defences, experts say, as Kyiv urges Western allies to provide more weapons.
TotalEnergies announces land review in controversial Africa projects
French energy giant TotalEnergies on Thursday said it had launched a land acquisition assessment for controversial $10-billion projects in Uganda and Tanzania slammed by environmentalists.
Private sector funding key to climate transition, World Bank chief says
The World Bank is working to slash how long it takes to get financing projects off the ground as part of a push to speed up and scale up the 79-year-old development lender, its president told AFP on Wednesday.
US interest rates likely to stay high 'for some time': Fed minutes
US Federal Reserve officials expect interest rates will need to remain high "for some time" to tackle stubborn inflation, according to minutes of the most recent rate decision published on Wednesday.
Republicans push impeachment of Biden immigration chief
US Republicans announced impeachment proceedings Wednesday against Joe Biden's homeland security chief over the worsening border crisis, as they seek to cement immigration as a major issue in November's presidential election.
Migrant arrivals in Spain nearly doubled in 2023
The number of migrants arriving illegally in Spain soared by over 80 percent in 2023, with a record number landing in the Canary Islands, official figures showed Wednesday.
GM rides 'strong demand' to grow US auto sales
US automaker General Motors reported Wednesday a jump in vehicle sales for 2023, citing robust demand in a year also boosted by easing supply issues.
Oil prices jump, stocks slump after Iran blasts
Global markets were rattled Wednesday as blasts in Iran that killed at least 103 fanned fears of the war between Israel and Hamas spreading further.
Ethiopia defends Somaliland deal as Somalis protest
Ethiopia insisted on Wednesday that its controversial deal with the breakaway region of Somaliland broke no laws after Somalia accused its neighbour of a blatant attack on its sovereignty.
Algerian football international Atal convicted over Gaza post
Algerian international footballer Youcef Atal was handed an eight-month suspended sentence by a French court Wednesday for inciting religious hatred in a social media post about the conflict in Gaza.
Global stocks mostly retreat
Asian and European stock markets mostly fell Wednesday as traders took cash off the table after a blockbuster end to 2023, with eyes now on the release this week of US Federal Reserve minutes and jobs data.
French oyster sales clam up as contamination scare spreads
When Philippe Le Gal brought his oysters to market this weekend, he expected them to sell quickly. It was, after all, New Year's Eve, a day when the delicacies are a crucial ingredient for champagne-soaked celebrations in French homes and restaurants.
Doctors in England start longest strike in NHS history
Hospital doctors in England on Wednesday began their longest consecutive strike in the seven-decade history of Britain's National Health Service (NHS).
Fears in Wales over legacy of its coalmining past
It was nearly four years ago but the memory of the landslip that sent 60,000 tonnes of old mining debris sliding down a Welsh hillside still haunts former miner Jeff Coombes.
Doctors in England to hold longest NHS strike ever
Hospital doctors in England on Wednesday begin their longest consecutive strike in the seven-decade history of Britain's National Health Service (NHS).
BYD: Chinese electric vehicle giant that has overtaken Tesla on sales
China's BYD has overtaken US electric vehicle giant Tesla as the world's leading EV deliverer, according to recent sales figures.
Asia tracks global losses as stock traders step back after rally
Asian markets fell Wednesday in line with a sell-off across most of the world as traders took their cash off the table after a blockbuster end to 2023, with eyes now on the release this week of Federal Reserve minutes and US jobs data.
Global stocks stumble at start of new trading year
Global stock markets mostly dipped Tuesday, the first trading day of the year, as a global equity rally stumbled on concerns traders had been too optimistic in the final days of 2023.
Somalia rejects Ethiopia-Somaliland deal as 'aggression'
Somalia on Tuesday vowed to defend its territory after a controversial deal between Ethiopia and the breakaway state of Somaliland that it branded an "aggression".
Stock stumble at start of new trading year
Global stock markets mostly fell on Tuesday, the first trading day of the year, as a global equity rally stumbled.
Stock markets mixed at start of new trading year
Europe's main stock markets mostly rose after Asian indices finished lower and the dollar rose Tuesday, the first trading day of the year.
China's Baidu cancels $3.6 bn purchase of livestreaming site
Chinese internet giant Baidu has said it was cancelling the planned multi-billion-dollar purchase of livestreaming platform YY Live, partly blaming its inability to get government approval.
No new year bounce for stocks, even as traders eye rate cuts
Asian markets were mixed Tuesday as most traders returned from the New Year break looking forward to a 2024 that is expected to see a series of Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, but to also be full of economic and political uncertainty.
Niger celebrates unity in the wrestling arena
The winner falls to his knees, arms raised triumphantly. After just eight minutes, his opponent's knee and elbow have touched the sand, handing "Issaka Issaka" an historic win in Niger's king of sports.
New women's North American hockey league launches
Women's ice hockey kicked off the new year with the launch of a new professional league, which debuted Monday with the very first match between the Toronto and New York teams.
Ethiopia, Somaliland agree deal on port access
Ethiopia on Monday struck a "historic" agreement to secure a stake in the main port in Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland as the landlocked country eyes more access to the sea, officials said.
Denmark's Margrethe II, queen of hearts and the arts
Denmark's popular Queen Margrethe II, Europe's longest-serving monarch and last reigning queen after the death of Britain's Elizabeth II, is hailed for modernising Danish royalty in her half-century on the throne.