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Asian markets mixed as rate hopes offset by China gaming move
Asian markets were mixed Friday as the euphoria over an expected flurry of US interest rate cuts next year was offset by a tech-led plunge in Hong Kong after China unveiled fresh plans to restrict online gaming.
Prices bite into Greek Christmas even as economy improves
Greece's traditional Christmas sweets made of icing sugar, honey and powdered almonds tantalise shoppers ahead of the festive season as they do every year.
'Pooper' figures star in nativity scenes in Spain
Look closely at a nativity scene in Spain's Catalonia region and you will likely spot an unusual figure -- a peasant with his pants down and doing his business in the holy scene.
Channel Tunnel reopens after end of surprise pre-Christmas strike
High-speed trains running the Channel Tunnel will resume service on Friday after French unions ended a wildcat strike that had stranded holidaygoers and held up freight just days before Christmas.
UN Security Council to vote on Gaza aid as famine fears mount
The United Nations Security Council was expected to vote Friday on a resolution to boost aid to Gaza, as the world body warned the Israel-Hamas war was pushing the Palestinian territory towards famine.
Singaporean artisan family keeps religious effigy art alive
Tan Chwee Lian picks up a small paddle, her finger resting on a groove worn into the wood over 70 years of making Buddhist and Taoist deities in her shop, one of the last of its kind in Singapore.
Japan's hand-forged knives a slice of samurai metallurgy
Blacksmith Yoshihiro Yauji pulls a piece of glowing metal from the forge in a Japanese village, continuing a tradition dating back centuries to when the region was renowned for crafting swords carried by samurai.
No jingle in Argentine pockets as economic grinch ruins Christmas
Cecilia Rojas has scoured shops across greater Buenos Aires to find an affordable gift for her children this Christmas, which is set to be a gloomy affair as the country grapples with its worst economic crisis in decades.
Nike shares tumble as it cuts costs amid 'softer' outlook
Nike promised up to $2 billion in cost savings Thursday involving job cuts and greater use of automation as it eyes "softer" sales in the coming period.
Nike shares tumble as it cut costs amid 'softer' outlook
Nike promised up to $2 billion in cost savings Thursday involving job cuts and greater use of automation as it eyes "softer" sales in the coming period.
US Steel, Nippon Steel seek US security review of takeover deal
US Steel Corp and its potential buyer Nippon Steel of Japan are requesting a federal review of their proposed deal following congressional criticism that the transaction threatens US national security, US Steel said Thursday.
French unions announce end of Channel tunnel strike
French unions on Thursday announced the end of a wildcat strike that paralysed train travel through the Channel tunnel between France and Britain, saying the route would reopen shortly.
French city makes public transport free for residents
The French city of Montpellier on Thursday became the latest European metropolis to allow all its residents to ride public transport for free.
Angola departure a blow for OPEC+ as cartel tensions rise
Angola's departure from OPEC exposes the tensions with the oil cartel as it seeks to cut output to maintain prices just as the United States ramps up production.
UEFA suffers court defeat, but Super League finds few fans
Europe's top court dealt football governing body UEFA a scything legal tackle on Thursday, but an attempt by rival Super League promoters to kick off a new competition met a solid defensive wall of clubs and fans.
Wildcat Channel tunnel strike blocks France-UK train travel
A strike by workers operating the Channel tunnel blocked train travel Thursday between Britain and France, leaving thousands of pre-Christmas travellers as well as freight traffic stranded.
UK and Switzerland seal financial services deal
Britain and Switzerland unveiled a post-Brexit financial services agreement on Thursday, aimed at making it easier for corporate and wealthy people in both countries to do business together.
Crude prices drop after Angola quits OPEC
Crude prices slumped on Thursday after Angola quit the OPEC oil cartel, while Wall Street stocks rebounded after a streak of records was snapped.
UK and EU agree delay to post-Brexit electric car tariffs
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Thursday hailed a deal with the European Union to delay post-Brexit tariffs on electric vehicle sales that were due to kick in from January.
Channel tunnel strike blocks train travel
A wildcat strike by workers operating the Channel tunnel has blocked train travel between France and Britain since midday Thursday, train operator Eurostar said.
In UK seaside town, migrants call barge accommodation a 'prison'
In the damp December cold, a blue bus stops near Weymouth town centre in southwest England. A few men get off, relieved to be spending a few hours away from what they call their "prison" -- a barge housing asylum seekers.
Turkey's central bank delivers smaller rate hike
Turkey's central bank announced a smaller interest rate hike than in previous months on Thursday, signalling it is nearing the end of its monetary tightening as it battles double-digit inflation.
Markets mixed after Wall St losses as Fed rate rally pauses
Stock markets were mixed Thursday as investors took their foot off the gas after an extended rally fuelled by expectations the Federal Reserve will slash interest rates next year.
S. Korea #MeToo initiator's case dismissed by top court
South Korea's highest court dismissed claims for compensation from the initiator of the country's #MeToo movement on Thursday, after she had filed suit against a boss over alleged sexual abuse.
Sony PlayStation 5 sales cross 50 million units
Sales of Sony's PlayStation 5 have crossed 50 million units, the Japanese electronics giant said, pointing to "strong momentum" this year for its flagship gaming console.
Spain braces for annual 'Fat One' Christmas lottery
Spain kicks off its festive period on Friday with the world's richest lottery, splashing prize money and festive cheer across the country.
Toyota shares sink after Daihatsu suspension, US recall
Shares in Japanese auto titan Toyota dived Thursday as a rigged safety test scandal builds at subsidiary Daihatsu, and after it recalled a million vehicles in the United States over airbag safety concerns.
Fading colours: Bangladesh's threatened rickshaw art
Vibrant greens and swirling yellows, film stars, birds and architecture: Bangladesh's bicycle rickshaw drivers have for decades used their transport as a unique moving canvas of urban folk art.
Japan begins on-site inspection to Toyota unit Daihatsu
Japanese officials on Thursday started an on-site inspection at the headquarters of Toyota subsidiary Daihatsu, the transport ministry said, after an investigation found it had rigged safety tests and was forced to suspend all shipments of its vehicles.
Canada bids farewell to plastic straws, cutlery and checkout bags
Canadian restaurants and cafes were no longer permitted as of Wednesday to offer plastic straws, food containers, checkout bags or cutlery to customers -- despite a court ruling that such restrictions are unconstitutional.
Argentina's Milei orders huge deregulation of economy
Argentina's new leader Javier Milei on Wednesday unveiled a series of measures to deregulate the country's struggling economy, eliminating or changing more than 300 rules, including on rent and labor practices.
'A shield': Macron defends controversial immigration law
French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday defended a new immigration law that has split his party and sparked the resignation of his health minister, calling it a necessary "shield".
US electric scooter company Bird files for bankruptcy
US electric scooter rental company Bird announced Wednesday that it filed for bankruptcy protection as the once-hot startup reorganizes itself.
EU strikes budget reform deal after two-year wrangle
The EU agreed reforms Wednesday that will loosen budget rules with the goal of encouraging investments while keeping debt and spending under control, after France and Germany bridged their differences.
UK teens found guilty of killing trans girl
Two British teenagers were found guilty Wednesday of the "disturbing" murder of a 16-year-old transgender girl who died in a "frenzied and ferocious" knife attack.
US home sales edge up in November but still gloomy
Sales of US existing homes crept up in November, according to industry data released Wednesday, though they remained at a low level as high mortgage rates weigh on activity.
French health minister resigns over controversial immigration law
France's health minister resigned on Tuesday after the adoption of tough new immigration legislation backed by the far-right sparked an unprecedented rebellion within its ranks of President Emmanuel Macron's ruling party.
European stocks waver; London boosted by rate cut hopes
European stock markets wavered on Wednesday but London climbed and the pound sank as news of sharply slowing inflation stoked hopes of a Bank of England interest rate cut.
EU toughens rules on three major porn platforms
The European Union on Wednesday added three pornographic websites to its list of online platforms that are large enough to come under tougher safety regulation.