Featured
Last news
US Supreme Court takes on immunity for tech giants
The US Supreme Court this week examines a quarter-century old law that has protected tech companies from lawsuits and prosecution for content posted by their users, with a chance that the rules governing the internet will no longer stand.
Sean Penn premieres love letter to Ukraine at Berlin fest
Sean Penn premiered "Superpower", his admiring portrait of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at war, telling the Berlin film festival Saturday the movie was also a wakeup call about Americans' own fragile democracy.
Angry Bing chatbot just mimicking humans, say experts
Microsoft's nascent Bing chatbot turning testy or even threatening is likely because it essentially mimics what it learned from online conversations, analysts and academics said on Friday.
'More work to do' in N.Ireland Brexit talks: British PM
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Friday hailed "positive" talks on potential changes to Northern Ireland's post-Brexit trading rules, but said there was "more work to do" before reaching agreement with the EU.
Sanitation firm fined $1.5mn for illegally hiring children
A sanitation company in the United States has paid $1.5 million in penalties for hiring over 100 children in "hazardous occupations" and having them work at meat processing facilities, the Department of Labor said Friday.
TikTok, Twitter user numbers bring them under strict EU rules
TikTok, Twitter, Apple Store, Amazon and several other online platforms have announced user figures in Europe that bring them under stricter EU regulations for policing internet content.
UK bank NatWest posts bumper profits but shares tank
British bank NatWest on Friday posted a jump in annual profits as it trimmed costs and the sector benefitted from rising interest rates.
Ukraine fallout pushes French nuclear giant EDF into historic loss
EDF reported one of the biggest losses in French corporate history Friday, as fallout from the Ukraine war and idling nuclear reactors spelt financial disaster for the state-controlled energy giant.
Hundreds of flights axed as German airport staff strike
Tens of thousands of travellers faced flight delays and cancellations Friday as workers at eight airports in Germany went on strike to demand better pay.
Tourism revival boosts Thai economy but exports sluggish
Thailand's economy expanded by 2.6 percent last year on the back of a tourism recovery and strong consumer confidence but an export slowdown dragged on growth, officials said Friday.
Japan's Indigenous peoples fight stigma to reclaim identities
In a forest in northern Japan's Hokkaido, Atsushi Monbetsu kneels on the moss in the thick morning fog and begins to pray in a language that has nearly disappeared.
Back from the dead, IPOs picking up again on Wall Street
The IPO parade of the early pandemic years crashed to Earth in 2022, but there are hints of a potential 2023 rebound despite plenty of lingering caution.
Covid infection gives similar immunity to vaccination: study
The protection against Covid-19 from being previously infected lasts at least as long as that offered by vaccination, one of the largest studies conducted on the subject said on Friday.
Tesla 'recalls' 360,000 vehicles to fix driver-assistance software
Tesla is recalling nearly 363,000 electric vehicles because of problems with their driver-assistance technology that heighten crash risk, according to a US regulatory announcement seen by AFP Thursday.
Tesla recalls 360,000 vehicles on driver-assistance system issues
Tesla is recalling nearly 363,000 electric vehicles because of problems with their driver-assistance technology that heighten crash risk, according to a US regulatory announcement seen by AFP Thursday.
One investor, two clubs: is Europe big enough for both?
With Qatari suitors reportedly seeking to add Manchester United to a portfolio that includes Paris Saint-Germain, precedent suggests both clubs would be allowed to pursue the Champions League grail at the same time.
Berlin film fest beams in Zelensky for opener with Sean Penn
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky joined Hollywood actor Sean Penn by video link on Thursday at the opening of the Berlinale, Europe's first major film festival of the year, calling for the entertainment world to maintain its "solidarity" with his besieged country.
Portugal ends 'golden visas' to rein in property speculation
Portugal is to end its practice of issuing "golden visas" to rich foreign investors, one of several measures announced by Prime Minister Antonio Costa on Thursday to tackle the lack of affordable housing.
French pensions strikes lose momentum as March showdown looms
French protesters joined fresh rallies and strikes against a bitterly contested pensions reform on Thursday, but turnout failed to match the massive numbers seen in previous demonstrations.
Bitcoin tops $25,000 to hit eight-month high
Bitcoin hit an eight-month high to surge past $25,000 on Thursday as the volatile cryptocurrency rises despite pressure from US regulators.
Jankto says coming out 'definitely a relief'
Czech international footballer Jakub Jankto said Thursday his coming out as gay earlier this week was "definitely a relief".
Spain passes law for Europe's first 'menstrual leave'
Spain's parliament approved Thursday a law granting paid medical leave to women suffering severe period pain, becoming the first European country to advance such legislation.
Nestle, Absolut owner to hike prices again amid high costs
Swiss food giant Nestle and liquor group Pernod Ricard, owner of Absolut vodka and Jameson whiskey, announced fresh price hikes on Thursday due to inflation even as consumers across the world face a cost-of-living crunch.
England rugby maternity policy can 'normalise motherhood in sport'
England women's lock Abbie Ward hailed a new maternity policy from the Rugby Football Union (RFU) on Thursday as giving mothers the "best possible chance of returning to play."
Passports and war driving pregnant Russians to give birth in Argentina
When migration officials detained six pregnant Russian women at a Buenos Aires airport last week, they exposed a phenomenon that has been growing in the country for a year: Russian birthing tourism.
UK energy group Centrica's surging profit sparks fury
Britain's biggest domestic energy supplier Centrica on Thursday posted rocketing annual profit, sparking fury as Britons face soaring household electricity and gas bills that have fuelled a cost-of-living crisis.
French pensions strikes slow before March showdown
Turnout was sharply down on Thursday for new strikes in France against a bitterly opposed pension reform being debated in parliament, with union heads hoping for a bigger showdown to come.
US wholesale price inflation rebounds on goods prices
Wholesale prices in the United States picked up more than expected in January, according to Labor Department data released Thursday, bumped up by goods costs and fueled by higher gasoline prices.
China remains Germany's biggest trade partner in 2022
China was Germany's biggest trading partner in 2022 for the seventh year in a row, figures published Thursday showed, as policymakers worry about economic over-reliance on Beijing.
Nigerian president moves to try to ease cash crisis
Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday defended a currency swap that sparked protests and cash shortages, but ordered old, small denomination 200 naira notes to remain in circulation in a bid to ease scarcities.
Soul-searching for Scotland's SNP as Sturgeon quits
The Scottish National Party (SNP) on Thursday faced calls to postpone a special conference aimed at reviving its troubled push for independence, after the surprise resignation of leader Nicola Sturgeon.
Lebanese protesters smash bank facades as crisis bites
Dozens of angry demonstrators attacked several banks in Beirut on Thursday after the Lebanese pound hit a record low, AFP journalists said, amid a deepening economic crisis.