Featured
Last news
UN plastic pollution treaty talks floundering
Talks on forging a groundbreaking treaty to combat the scourge of plastic pollution were floundering Saturday, with progress slow and countries wildly at odds on what the proposed agreement should cover.
Trump and Putin to meet in Alaska next Friday
US President Donald Trump said Friday he would meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in one week in Alaska, and suggested that an eventual deal between Moscow and Kyiv to end the war in Ukraine could involve swapping territory.
Brazil's Lula vetoes parts of environmental 'devastation bill'
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Friday vetoed some provisions of a bill that would have made it easier for companies to secure environmental permits, bowing to pressure from activist groups.
Gold futures hit record on US tariff shock; mixed day for stocks
Gold futures hit a record high Friday following reports of an unexpected tariff on the precious metal as global stocks finished the week on a mixed note.
Swiss gold refining sector stung by US tariffs
The first casualty of a hefty 39-percent tariff on Swiss imports into the United States may be gold refining, after it emerged that certain gold bars could face the levy.
Mexico seeks compensation from Adidas in cultural appropriation row
Mexico's government said Friday it was seeking compensation from Adidas, which is accused of cultural appropriation for bringing out sandals resembling traditional design from the southern state of Oaxaca.
Swiss gold refining sector hits US tariff mine
The first casualty of the imposition of a hefty 39-percent tariff on Swiss imports into the United States may be gold refining after it emerged certain gold bars would face the levy.
Three die in Greece as gales stoke fires, disrupt ferries
Three people including two Vietnamese tourists died in Greece on Friday as ferocious winds whipped up wildfires and disrupted ferry travel for tens of thousands of summer holidaymakers.
Trump hosts foes Armenia, Azerbaijan in his latest peace initiative
US President Donald Trump will host the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan on Friday, with the two South Caucasus rivals expected to sign a deal advancing peace efforts after decades of conflict.
Two tourists die, fires erupt in Greece amid gale-force winds
Two Vietnamese tourists died at sea in Greece on Friday, the coastguard said, as gale-force winds confined many ferries to port, disrupting tens of thousands of summer travellers, and sparked wildfires.
'Optimistic': Champagne growers hope for US tariff shift
Champagne growers say President Donald Trump's tariffs on European goods will hurt sales to the United States, their biggest export market, but hope that the sector may yet escape the new duties.
French firefighters optimistic after controlling vast wildfire
French authorities said Friday that they were counting on better weather conditions to help put out the country's biggest wildfire in at least half a century after firefighters finally managed to bring it under control.
Germany suspends arms exports to Israel for use in Gaza
Germany will halt the export of military equipment to Israel which could be used in the Gaza Strip, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Friday, reacting to Israel's plan to take control of Gaza City.
Accumulating bitcoin a risky digital rush by companies?
US President Donald Trump's media group and Tesla, the electric carmaker owned by tech billionaire Elon Musk, are among an increasing number of companies buying huge amounts of bitcoin.
Oil industry presence surges at UN plastic talks: NGOs
Environmental NGOs are raising concerns about the growing presence of petrochemical industry lobbyists at talks to forge a global treaty to combat plastic pollution.
Tokyo soars on trade deal relief as most Asian markets limp into weekend
Japanese stocks rallied Friday on a broadly negative day for Asian markets, fuelled by relief that Tokyo and Washington had settled a tariff issue that raised concerns about their trade deal.
Parisians hot under the collar over A/C in apartments
As summer temperatures rise, many Parisians are warming to the idea of installing air conditioning in their apartments, ending a longstanding resistance to what is considered a basic comfort in many capitals elsewhere.
Israeli airline's Paris offices daubed with red paint, slogans
Red paint and slogans were daubed at the entry to the offices of national Israeli airline El Al in Paris, with Israel Thursday urging French authorities to take action over the "barbaric act".
Mixed day for global stocks as latest Trump levies take effect
Global stocks had a mixed session Thursday as US President Donald Trump's new tariffs on dozens of countries took effect, with investors eyeing exemptions from his threatened 100-percent levy on semiconductors.
SpaceX agrees to take Italian experiments to Mars
Elon Musk's SpaceX has agreed to carry Italian experiments on its Starship megarocket during planned future missions to Mars, according to a new deal announced on Thursday.
US partners seek relief as Trump tariffs upend global trade
President Donald Trump's steeper global tariffs came into effect Thursday, leaving dozens of US trade partners scrambling to secure relief from soaring levies that are rewriting global trade practice.
France to rule on controversial bee-killing pesticide bill
France's top constitutional authority is set on Thursday to rule on the legality of a controversial bill to allow the reintroduction of a pesticide that is harmful to ecosystems but relied on by some European farmers.
Germany factory output falls to lowest since pandemic in 2020
German industrial production slumped in June to its lowest level since the pandemic in 2020, data showed Thursday, underlining the fragility of Europe's top economy even before US President Donald Trump's new tariffs kicked in.
Trump demands new US census as redistricting war spreads
US President Donald Trump on Thursday ordered officials to work on a new census excluding undocumented immigrants, as the White House presses Republican states to draw more favorable voter maps ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Bank of England cuts rate as keeps watch over tariffs
The Bank of England on Thursday cut its key interest rate by a quarter point to four percent, the lowest level in 2.5 years, as it bids to boost a UK economy still threatened by US tariffs.
Stock markets brush aside higher US tariffs
Most stock markets gained Thursday even as President Donald Trump's new tariffs on dozens of countries took effect, with investors eyeing exemptions from his threatened 100-percent levy on semiconductors.
Siemens warns US tariffs causing investment caution
Siemens warned on Thursday that US tariffs were prompting its customers in key sectors to slow investment decisions, even as the German industrial giant reported forecast-beating quarterly profits.
Macron urges tougher line in standoff with Algeria
President Emmanuel Macron urged a tougher line from Paris in an intensifying standoff with former north African colony Algeria, saying France's stance needed to "command respect".
India exporters say 50% Trump levy a 'severe setback'
Indian exporters warned on Thursday that the cost of additional US tariffs risked making businesses "not viable" after President Donald Trump ordered steeper levies totalling 50 percent on imported Indian goods.
Germany factory output lowest since pandemic in 2020
German industrial production slumped to its lowest level in June since the pandemic in 2020, data showed Thursday, underlining the fragility of Europe's top economy even before higher US tariffs kicked in.
Higher US tariffs kick in for dozens of trading partners
The United States began charging higher tariffs on dozens of trading partners Thursday, in a major escalation of President Donald Trump's drive to reshape global commerce in America's favor.
Deliveroo slips back into loss on DoorDash takeover costs
Food delivery app Deliveroo on Thursday reported that it fell back into a loss in the first half of 2025, citing costs related to its takeover by US rival DoorDash.