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Sexting chatbot ban points to looming battle over AI rules
Users of the Replika "virtual companion" just wanted company. Some of them wanted romantic relationships, sex chat, or even racy pictures of their chatbot.
New pension protests hit France, unions threaten 'standstill'
Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in France on Saturday in a fourth day of action against President Emmanuel Macron's pension reform, with unions warning they would ramp up strikes if the plan is not dropped.
Argentina issues health warnings amid record heat
Suffering under the worst heat wave in more than six decades, Argentina has issued health warnings to nine southern and central provinces, the National Meteorological Service, said Saturday.
New pension protests in France, unions vow to ramp up strikes
Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in France on Saturday in a fourth day of action against President Emmanuel Macron's pension reform, with unions planning to ramp up strikes if the plan is not dropped.
Popular S.African rapper AKA shot dead outside restaurant
One of South Africa's hottest rap artists, Kiernan Forbes, known as AKA, has been shot dead outside a restaurant in the southeastern city of Durban, his family said Saturday.
Death toll in southern Peru mudslides rises to 17
Peruvian authorities on Friday said the death toll from devastating mudslides in the country's south has climbed to 17, including three children.
Reviewers rave for 'Hogwarts Legacy' video game despite backlash
The highly anticipated video game "Hogwarts Legacy" was met with largely positive reviews after its release Friday, despite some gameplay quibbles and the controversy that has dogged the Wizarding World's original creator.
Balenciaga designer apologises for 'child abuse' ads
Balenciaga's creative director Demna has apologised for an ad campaign that appeared to reference child abuse and vowed to drop his provocative showmanship in an interview with Vogue.
Amsterdam bans cannabis on red light district streets
Amsterdam city authorities said Friday they are banning cannabis smoking in the streets of the red light district from mid-May as part of efforts to curb criminality and anti-social behaviour.
Uncertainty in Nigeria as cash, fuel shortages bite ahead of vote
With under three weeks to go until Nigeria's presidential elections, major shortages of cash and fuel have plunged Africa's most populous country into crisis.
Oil spikes as Russia cuts output after Western price cap
Oil soared Friday after Russia slashed its crude output in response to a Western price cap that was imposed on exports after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
No deal as IMF leaves crisis-hit Pakistan
An IMF team left Pakistan on Friday after crisis talks with the government failed to deliver a deal on financial aid that would help the South Asian country avert economic collapse.
Yen strengthens on reports Ueda picked as Bank of Japan chief
Japan's government plans to nominate economics professor Kazuo Ueda as Bank of Japan governor, reports said Friday, an unexpected pick that sent the yen rallying against the dollar.
UK avoids recession but 'not out of woods' over inflation
Britain's economy avoided recession after flatlining in the last three months of 2022, but finance minister Jeremy Hunt warned Friday it was "not out of the woods yet" over surging inflation.
UK skirts recession with zero fourth-quarter growth
Britain's economy avoided recession after flatlining in the last three months of 2022, but finance minister Jeremy Hunt warned Friday it was "not out of the woods yet" over surging inflation.
Swedish home helps seniors spice up their sex lives
"It's a good book!" 97-year-old Nils exclaims, skimming through a brochure on sexual relations and desires among seniors, in the common room at his retirement home in Sweden.
EU prepares response to new US green subsidy plan
Confronted by competition from Washington's vast green tech investment plan, European leaders opened the way Friday towards a relaxation of their own restrictions on state aid.
Asian markets follow Wall St down as rate hike fears persist
Asian markets tracked another loss in New York on Friday as interest rate hike fears course through trading floors after last week's blockbuster jobs report.
Meta completes virtual reality deal after US court win
Facebook-owner Meta finalized its buyout of virtual reality firm Within Unlimited, the VR company's chief executive said, after a court rejected an attempt by US regulators to block the deal over competition concerns.
Layoffs strip away tech worker visas along with jobs
Laid off US tech workers from abroad on employment-based visas are scrambling to find new jobs to avoid being forced to uproot their lives and leave the country.
L'Oreal confident as posts double-digit gains for 2022
Cosmetics giant L'Oreal posted double-digit growth in sales and profits in 2022 to record levels despite inflation and Covid lockdowns in China and expressed confidence for the year ahead thanks to a return by Chinese consumers.
Credit Suisse shares sink after biggest loss since 2008 financial crisis
Credit Suisse stocks plunged nearly 15 percent on Thursday as the scandal-plagued Swiss banking giant posted its biggest annual loss since the 2008 financial crisis -- and warned it expects to stay in the red in 2023.
World Bank revamp to start by April on push to broaden mission: Yellen
The first stages of a World Bank revamp are set to begin by April, amid a push for lenders to evolve and meet global challenges like climate change, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Thursday.
Tourism collapses in Russia following Western sanctions
The number of foreign tourists visiting Russia collapsed last year due to the impact of Western sanctions imposed on the country following its military operation in Ukraine and strict Covid restrictions in China, industry professionals said Thursday.
Legendary songwriter Burt Bacharach dead at 94
Legendary American pop composer Burt Bacharach, whose prolific output provided a chart-topping playlist for the 1960s and 70s with hits like "I Say a Little Prayer," has died in Los Angeles aged 94, US media said Thursday.
Church of England backs blessings for same-sex couples
The Church of England's governing body on Thursday endorsed plans to let priests offer blessings to same-sex couples, after hours of acrimonious debate highlighted deep Anglican divisions on the issue.
Milan's La Scala launches TV channel
Milan's 245-year-old La Scala entered the digital age Thursday, launching its own TV channel that will broadcast live operas, ballets and concerts, and allow people to re-watch shows from their sofa.
Adani's links to foreign firms
The troubled business empire of Indian tycoon Gautam Adani has links to foreign firms in a broad range of sectors including banking, energy and food.
In northern Nigeria, fuel, cash crisis taints election campaign
It was just after dawn and tempers were fraying outside the First Bank in the northern Nigerian town of Kano, where scores of customers jostled to get on a waiting list to withdraw money.
Nissan keeps annual profit forecasts, cuts unit sales target
Nissan maintained its full-year profit forecasts on Thursday, saying chip shortages and other Covid disruptions would hit sales volumes but that it would fight back through "strict financial discipline".
Unilever enjoys strong 2022 on higher prices
British consumer goods group Unilever said Thursday that 2022 profits soared as sales of its food and hygiene products leapt on higher prices fuelled by inflationary pressures.
Credit Suisse posts biggest loss since 2008 financial crisis
Credit Suisse on Thursday posted its biggest annual loss since the 2008 financial crisis and the scandal-plagued Swiss banking giant expects to fall deeper into the red in 2023.