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Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin headed back into space after accident
The American company Blue Origin plans to launch its rocket Big Shepard Monday for the first time since an accident more than a year ago, as the firm founded by billionaire Jeff Bezos heads back into space.
Hot chocolate for the holidays: 'Wonka' tops N.America box office
Warner Bros.' fantasy musical "Wonka," boosted by the star power of Timothee Chalamet, enjoyed a sweet opening in North American theaters this weekend after an equally strong debut overseas, industry watchers reported Sunday.
Miss France winner says her short hair a victory for 'diversity'
The woman elected Miss France 2024 has framed her victory as a win for "diversity", drawing praise for her short hair as well as predictable criticism from viewers of the beauty pageant which has faced accusations of sexism.
British teen Alex Batty found in France returns to UK
British teen Alex Batty, who was found this week in France after he went missing six years ago while on holiday, has arrived back in the UK, police said Saturday.
Italy, UK leaders unite on migration, agree Tunisia deal
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hailed Italian premier Giorgia Meloni's approach to tackling illegal migration Saturday, in a visit to Rome where they agreed to co-fund a project to help migrants return home from Tunisia.
UK teen found in France heading to London
Alex Batty, a British teen who went missing six years ago and was found this week in France, boarded a plane for London on Saturday, the Toulouse public prosecutor told AFP.
Activists block Belgian Alibaba hub, private jets
Hundreds of climate protesters on Saturday blocked a distribution hub for Chinese online giant Alibaba and an airport for private jets in Belgium, activists said.
Kuwait emir Sheikh Nawaf dies aged 86: royal court
The emir of oil-rich Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, died on Saturday, the royal court said, after three years in power. He was 86.
Inflation forces Turkey's central bank chief to move in with parents
The new head of Turkey's central bank said she has been priced out of Istanbul's property market by rampant inflation, leaving no choice for the former finance executive but to move back in with her parents.
Galtier denies discrimination as prosecutors demand suspended sentence
Former Nice coach Christophe Galtier said Friday via his lawyers that the investigation into claims of harassment and discrimination made against him lacked "impartiality", as prosecutors asked he be handed a one-year suspended prison sentence.
Mexico's Maya Train underway, despite environmental concerns
Mexico's Maya tourist train glided into action on Friday, promising prosperity for one of the country's poorest regions, but tainted by allegations of environmental devastation.
Lafarge faces civil suit in US led by Yazidi Nobel laureate
Some 430 Americans of Yazidi background and Nobel laureate Nadia Murad accused French conglomerate Lafarge of supporting brutal attacks on the population through a conspiracy with the Islamic State, according to a complaint reviewed Friday by AFP.
Stocks struggle to extend Fed-fuelled rally
World stock markets struggled Friday to build on the previous day's rally as investors recalibrated their outlook for 2024 after the Federal Reserve held rates but indicated it would cut next year.
Melania Trump welcomes new US citizens in rare public speech
Former first lady Melania Trump made a rare public appearance Friday, telling new US citizens at a naturalization ceremony to "be proud of yourself, stand your ground and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead."
Russian central bank raises key interest rate to 16% to counter inflation
Russia's central bank on Friday raised its key interest rate to 16 percent, announcing a fifth hike since summer in a bid to fight accelerating inflation.
What is Storm-1152, alleged top creator of fake Microsoft accounts?
Microsoft has seized the websites of a Vietnam-based group it alleges sold millions of fake accounts to cybercriminals who used them for ransomware attacks, identity theft and other scams around the world.
Black truffle production booms in Spain
When Jose Soriano was a child, the hills near the village of Sarrion in Spain's remote and sparsely populated eastern province of Teruel were mostly uncultivated, covered in brush and rocks.
High time: Dutch savour legal pot trial
Cannabis smokers in two Dutch cities will be able to light up legally for the first time Friday, as authorities roll out a trial decriminalising the production and supply of weed.
Asian markets track Wall St to extend Fed-fuelled rally
Asian markets built on the previous day's rally Friday as investors recalibrated their outlook for the new year after the Federal Reserve indicated it will cut interest rates.
Autonomous auto venture Cruise cuts 24% of staff
US autonomous driving venture Cruise announced Thursday it will eliminate roughly a quarter of its workforce as it slows commercialization to address safety issues.
Global stocks rise coyly as ECB, BoE press pause after Fed pivot
Global equities made cautious gains Thursday with Frankfurt and Paris briefly touching all-time peaks as the ECB and Britain pressed pause on rates after the Fed had sent Wall Street soaring on a pivot toward rate cuts next year.
ECB pauses again, pushes back on rate cut hopes
The European Central Bank froze borrowing costs again on Thursday and warned that the fight against inflation was not over, dousing investor hopes of early rate cuts next year.
ECB pauses again but warns on inflation
The European Central Bank froze borrowing costs again on Thursday but warned that inflation could pick up again in the near term, in an apparent pushback against market hopes of early rate cuts in 2024.
Moderna CEO says melanoma vaccine could be available by 2025
Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel told AFP his company's experimental vaccine against melanoma could be available in as little as two years, in what would amount to a landmark step against the most serious form of skin cancer.
BoE pauses, ECB tipped to follow as rate cut pressure mounts
The Bank of England held rates steady again Thursday with the European Central Bank expected to follow suit as inflation retreats, shifting investor attention to how fast policymakers will slash borrowing costs in 2024.
Meta rolls out Twitter rival Threads in the EU
Facebook owner Meta's text-based app Threads arrived in the European Union on Thursday, months after its global launch in July, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said.
Europe stocks rally on Fed pivot, before ECB rate call
European equities leapt Thursday with Frankfurt and Paris striking all-time peaks, after the Federal Reserve pivoted toward interest rate cuts next year and sent Wall Street soaring to record highs.
EU court rejects Brussels appeal over Amazon tax ruling
A top EU court rejected Thursday Brussels' appeal against a ruling blocking its bid to force Luxembourg to recover 25 million euros ($272-million) in back taxes from Amazon.
Rate pauses in view on busy central banking day in Europe
The European Central Bank and the Bank of England were on Thursday expected to pause rates again as inflation retreats, while markets cheered the US Federal Reserve's clear signal that it would start slashing borrowing costs in 2024.
OPEC+ cartel's grip on oil market loosening: IEA
Slowing demand growth and rising US crude production will make it more difficult for OPEC+ to continue to prop up prices, the IEA said on Thursday.
Stocks track record day on Wall St, dollar extends losses
Equity markets rallied Thursday and the dollar extended losses after the US Federal Reserve indicated it would begin cutting interest rates next year.
Zack Snyder creates his own 'Star Wars' with 'Rebel Moon'
If Zack Snyder's new Netflix sci-fi movie epic "Rebel Moon" looks and feels a lot like a "Star Wars" film, that's because it was originally pitched as one.
Asian stocks track record day on Wall St, dollar extends losses
Asian markets rallied Thursday and the dollar extended losses after the Federal Reserve indicated it will begin cutting interest rates next year.
Chinese mourners use AI to digitally resurrect the dead
At a quiet cemetery in eastern China, bereaved father Seakoo Wu pulls out his phone, places it on a gravestone and plays a recording of his son.
Far from Venezuela-Guyana oil flap, Mango Landing just wants peace
Robinson Flores, a Venezuelan who has been living in Essequibo for years, has no time for politicians fighting over the disputed oil-rich region run by Guyana.
Brazil cuts interest rate another half-point
Brazil's central bank cut its key interest rate by half a point for the fourth straight time Wednesday, continuing the easing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva hopes will spur Latin America's biggest economy.
US Fed holds key rate steady and signals three cuts likely in 2024
The US Federal Reserve voted Wednesday to hold interest rates at a 22-year high for the third straight meeting but signaled they expect to make three rate cuts next year.
US Fed holds key rate steady, signals three cuts likely in 2024
Policymakers at the US Federal Reserve voted Wednesday to hold interest rates at a 22-year high for the third straight meeting and signaled they expect to make three rate cuts next year.
Tesla files recall on 2 mn vehicles to fix autopilot software
Electric car maker Tesla has initiated a recall of over two million vehicles in the United States due to risks associated with the autopilot software, the US traffic safety regulator said Wednesday.