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'Sight to behold': tourists flock to Florida for Moon rocket launch
Seeing a rocket blast off to the Moon is "a once-in-a-lifetime thing to experience," says Joanne Bostandji.
Churchgoers, researchers celebrate Tunisia's Sicilian past
Worshippers crying "Hail Mary" walk alongside their Muslim neighbours in the Tunisian port district of La Goulette, harking back to a time when Sicilians were at the heart of neighbourhood life.
Chinese badminton star ordered to throw Olympic semi in Sydney 2000
Former Chinese badminton champion Ye Zhaoying claims she was forced to throw her semi-final at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 to increase the chances of a gold medal for one of her compatriots, in an interview broadcast on Saturday by Danish television TV2.
Fresh shelling at Ukraine power plant as operator warns of radiation risk
Ukraine and Russia traded fresh accusations of shelling at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant on Saturday, as its operator warned of a radioactive leak risk at the atomic facility.
Tunis hosts Japan-Africa investment conference
Japan opens an African investment conference in Tunisia on Saturday, seeking to counter the influence of rival China which has steadily grown its economic imprint on the continent.
Energy crisis pushes nuclear comeback worldwide
As the costs of importing energy soars worldwide and climate crises wreak havoc, interest in nuclear power is on the rise with nations scrambling to find alternative sources.
Peak Tram back on track in tourist-devoid Hong Kong
The Peak Tram, Hong Kong's famed public transport and a popular tourist draw, reopened Saturday after a year-long $102 million facelift even as the city's coronavirus curbs continue to keep overseas visitors at bay.
Mexico lures visitors on new age tourism trail
With restorative rituals, yoga retreats and psychedelic experiences, Mexico has become a magnet for spiritually minded tourists seeking an alternative vacation far from the troubles of the modern world.
Cuba asks for US help to rebuild destroyed fuel depot
Cuba has asked the United States for help in restoring a major fuel storage plant devastated by a massive fire that left 16 people dead, the island nation's foreign ministry said on Friday.
Taming inflation will inflict 'pain' on Americans: Fed's Powell
Taming high US inflation will inflict "pain" on American families and businesses, but failure to wrestle prices down from their current 40-year high would be even more harmful, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Friday in a hotly-anticipated speech to global policymakers.
Moderna sues Pfizer, BioNTech for Covid-19 vaccine patent infringement
Moderna said Friday it is suing rival vaccine makers Pfizer and BioNTech, alleging the partners infringed on its patents in developing their Covid-19 shot administered to hundreds of millions around the world.
Stocks wobble before Fed chair speech
Stock markets wobbled Friday ahead of a speech by Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell that is expected to reiterate his plan to ramp up US interest rates to fight soaring inflation.
Europe stocks subdued before Fed chair speech
European stock markets wobbled Friday ahead of a speech by Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell that is expected to reiterate his plan to ramp up US interest rates to fight soaring inflation.
Staff work to end outage at Ukraine nuclear plant as inspection prepared
Staff at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant occupied by Russian soldiers were on Friday working to reconnect its reactors to the national power grid, the state energy operator said.
Young Poles abandoning 'frozen' Catholic Church
It is still one of Europe's most Catholic countries but Poland is seeing a rapid secularisation -- particularly among younger generations.
Long Covid costs Australia millions of working days
Long Covid has already cost the Australian economy three million working days this year, according to a government analysis seen by AFP Friday, significantly worsening the country's acute labour shortages.
Christie's to auction Microsoft co-founder Allen's $1bn-plus art collection
Christie's announced plans on Thursday to auction the art collection of late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, which it estimated to be worth more than $1 billion.
In risky recycling venture, Gazans burn plastic for fuel
Living in one of the poorest parts of the Middle East and facing some of the region's highest fuel costs, Palestinians in Gaza are burning plastic to make affordable diesel.
Asia stocks up before Powell speech, China tech adds support
Asian markets rose Friday after a Wall Street rally ahead of a speech by Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell that is expected to reiterate his plan to ramp up interest rates to fight inflation.
Fed's Powell to hammer home inflation-fighting message
With US inflation at a 40-year high, economists say there is no doubt about the Federal Reserve's policy course: Interest rates will continue to rise.
Trump social media platform faces money woes, modest following
Signs are growing that Donald Trump's social media platform Truth Social is in financial trouble, with just a modest following six months after launching.
Boeing eyes February for space capsule's first crewed flight
The first crewed flight of Boeing's space capsule Starliner is scheduled for February 2023, the company and NASA announced Thursday, as the United States seeks to secure a second way for its astronauts to reach the International Space Station.
'Dangerous' heatwaves likely to grip the tropics daily by 2100: study
Many millions of people in the tropics could be exposed to dangerous heat for half the year by 2100 even if humanity manages to meet climate goals, researchers warned Thursday.
German economy grew in second quarter, better than feared
Germany's economy grew slightly in the second quarter, an upgrade from a previous estimate of stagnation, revised official data showed Thursday, pushing back the spectre of recession.
Japan seeks 'sustainable world' in Africa aid forum
With its stated purpose to "create a sustainable world together", Japan on Saturday kicks off its aid conference for Africa, where rival China has invested heavily in recent years.
Asian markets rise with eyes on China, Fed speech
Asian markets rose Thursday after China unveiled fresh measures to boost its economy, while investors awaited a speech by the Fed chair that may hold clues about future rate hikes.
France's Macron looks to 'future' on Algeria trip to mend ties
President Emmanuel Macron starts a three-day visit Thursday to Algeria to help mend ties with the former French colony, which this year marks its 60th anniversary of independence.
Equities move higher ahead of US Fed chair speech
European and US equities mostly advanced on Wednesday as investors awaited signals on coming Federal Reserve interest rate hikes.
British-Belgian teen becomes youngest round-the-world solo flier
Mack Rutherford, a British-Belgian 17-year-old, landed in Bulgaria on Wednesday to become the youngest person to fly solo around the world.
New York, cartoonist Sempe's spiritual home
Over the course of his storied career, Jean-Jacques Sempe became a fixture on the newsstands of New York, illustrating more than 100 covers of the prestigious New Yorker magazine.
London bus drivers latest UK workers to strike over pay
Bus drivers in London are set to strike over pay for two days this weekend, their union announced on Wednesday, as decades-high inflation prompts walkouts across Britain's ailing economy.
UK port strike threatens to deepen supply chain and price woes
A strike over pay at Britain's largest container port threatens to spark fresh delays and rising costs for companies and consumers alike, but logistics experts say there should be no product shortages.
Markets mark time ahead to US Fed chair speech
European and US equities moved sideways on Wednesday as investors awaited signals on the next US interest rate hikes.
Steep drop in military aircraft keep US goods orders flat in June
Orders for big-ticket US-manufactured goods were flat in July after four straight monthly increases due to a plunge in the volatile military aircraft category, according to government data released Wednesday.
Global stocks fall as investors eye US Fed outlook
Asian and European equities fell Wednesday as investors awaited news on the next US interest rate hikes.
European hospitals test drones to speed delivery of human tissue
Belgian hospitals have begun testing a drone to save time delivering human tissue samples across city centres, between patients on the operating table and medical labs, a first in Europe.
Japan eyes nuclear power push to combat energy crunch
Japan's prime minister on Wednesday called for a push to revive the country's nuclear power industry in a bid to tackle soaring imported energy costs linked to the war in Ukraine.
Sri Lanka widens import ban as economic crisis persists
Sri Lanka tightened import restrictions Wednesday with a ban on more than 300 additional items, as an economic crisis that has created months of shortages and toppled a president refuses to abate.
Whistle blows in Germany for world's first hydrogen train fleet
Germany on Wednesday will inaugurate a railway line powered entirely by hydrogen, a "world first" and a major step forward for green train transport despite nagging supply challenges.