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Asian markets see rare rally but caution rules as Fed hike nears
Asian markets enjoyed a much-needed bounce Tuesday, tracking Wall Street's late rally as investors gird themselves for another big Federal Reserve interest rate hike this week, though fears of a recession remain elevated.
Covid curbs leave Hong Kong musicians on their 'last dollar'
A thundering thrash metal riff reverberated through a Hong Kong bar, but the music was being live-streamed from a studio across town to obey pandemic rules that have outlawed small gigs for more than 650 days.
Drought decimates Texas' key cotton crop
On Sutton Page's ravaged cotton fields, there is almost nothing left to pick. The Texas farmer managed to salvage maybe a fifth of his crop, but the rest was lost to the severe drought that has taken a steep toll across the region.
Wall Street ends up thanks to technical rebound and bargain hunt
US stocks closed higher Monday thanks to a technical rebound and bargain-hunting after last week's nightmarish run.
'Grand Theft Auto' maker says game code stolen
Rockstar Games said Monday that data from the next installment in its blockbuster "Grand Theft Auto" franchise was stolen, as glimpses of play spread on social media.
Swiss farmers cook up world's biggest rosti
The world's largest rosti -- the traditional Swiss potato fritter -- was fried up in Bern Monday, shattering the previous record, the Swiss farmer's union (USP) said.
Rate hikes: a double-edged sword for central banks
Central banks worldwide are using aggressive interest rate hikes to lasso galloping inflation, at the risk of pulling down the global economy with it.
Lebanon currency hits new low, sparking protests
The Lebanese pound fell to a new low against the US dollar on the black market Monday as a severe economic downturn has sparked bank hold-ups by angry depositors and anti-government protests.
Switzerland signs contract for 36 US fighter jets
Switzerland signed a controversial contract on Monday to buy 36 US F-35 stealth fighter jets at a cost of more than six billion francs ($6.2 billion).
Scholz to visit Saudi as Germany seeks energy supplies
Chancellor Olaf Scholz will visit Saudi Arabia and meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as part of a Gulf trip, his spokesman said Monday, as Germany rushes to secure energy supplies.
With Elizabeth II, 20th century is also laid to rest
The laying to rest of Queen Elizabeth II, whose 70-year reign witnessed the aftermath of World War II, the Cold War and dizzying technological change, marks a further step in a leave-taking with the 20th century.
Markets struggle ahead of another Fed rate hike
Stock markets dropped again Monday, extending last week's rout as investors brace for another big rate hike by the US Federal Reserve that they fear could drag down the global economy.
German central bank sees signs of recession 'multiplying'
The German central bank said Monday it was increasingly likely that Europe's largest economy would shrink for a "prolonged" period as Russia throttled energy supplies to the continent.
Republican movements catch wind in Caribbean after queen's death
Black cloth covers the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II hanging in Antigua's parliament -- a sign of the island's mourning and an unintentional symbol of a possible Caribbean future without the British monarchy.
Asian markets extend losses as traders brace for Fed hike
Asian markets fell Monday as traders extended last week's rout across risk assets, with expectations high that the Federal Reserve will this week announce another outsized interest rate hike.
Fossil fuel reserves contain 3.5 tn tonnes of CO2: database
Burning the world's remaining fossil fuel reserves would unleash 3.5 trillion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions -- seven times the remaining carbon budget to cap global heating at 1.5C -- according to the first public inventory of hydrocarbons released Monday.
Who's invited to Queen Elizabeth II's funeral -- and who's not
Hundreds of foreign royals and heads of state are expected to attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London on Monday -- one of the biggest diplomatic gatherings in decades.
Thousands in shelters as 'dangerous' typhoon hits Japan
Thousands of people took refuge in shelters in southwestern Japan on Sunday as powerful Typhoon Nanmadol churned towards the region, prompting authorities to urge over four million residents to evacuate.
Oscars Academy makes amends over 1973 Native American protest
Almost five decades after she refused an Oscar on behalf of Marlon Brando over the treatment of Native Americans by the US film industry, Sacheen Littlefeather was honored Saturday by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Steep Fed rate hike seen as certainty after ugly inflation data
The Federal Reserve is poised to unleash another massive interest rate increase this week after the latest data showed a worrying US inflation picture, which confirmed the need for the central bank to continue to act aggressively.
China doubles down on coal as energy crunch bites
China has stepped up spending on coal in the face of extreme weather, a domestic energy crunch and rising global fuel prices -- raising concerns Beijing's policies may hinder the fight against climate change.
Camilla hails Queen Elizabeth, a 'solitary woman' in a man's world
Britain's new Queen Consort Camilla paid tribute Sunday to Queen Elizabeth II for carving her own role as a "solitary woman" in a world dominated by men.
French cycling team flies into storm as men, but not women, go business
The French Cycling Federation on Saturday defended its decision to pay for business seats for male cyclists while its women's team flew economy on the long trip to the World Championships in Australia.
Germany's famed Oktoberfest opens after two-year pandemic hiatus
Oktoberfest, Germany's famed beer festival which draws millions of visitors from around the world, opened Saturday in Munich after a two-year pause due to the coronavirus pandemic.
France sends latest nuclear shipment to Japan
Two ships carrying reprocessed nuclear fuel destined for Japan set sail Saturday morning from northern France, an AFP photographer said, despite criticism from environmental campaigners.
'Are we ready?' Antiguans mull cutting ties with British monarchy
Republican movements may be gaining steam in British realms across the globe, but in the tiny Caribbean paradise of Antigua and Barbuda, residents have decidedly mixed feelings about their leaders' push to break that final link.
Chrissy Teigen reveals 2020 'miscarriage' in fact was life-saving abortion
Model and television personality Chrissy Teigen, who is married to singer John Legend, has revealed that she had an abortion in 2020 to save her life when it became clear her son would not live, not a miscarriage as the couple said.
UK cost-of-living crisis unmoved by queen's death
Many things are on pause while Britain mourns Queen Elizabeth II, but the concerns of shoppers at a popular London market highlighted that the cost-of-living crisis was not among them.
Sierra Leone delays full switchover to new currency
Sierra Leone is to delay the phaseout of its old currency until next spring, the central bank said.
Stocks extend losses on recession fears
Stock markets fell further on Friday as weak UK retail sales data and a dire warning from global shipping giant FedEx fuelled fears of recession.
Tourists disappointed as Hanoi's 'train street' closes over safety fears
Tourists and cafe owners along Hanoi's "train street" spoke of their disappointment Friday as the hotspot was closed due to safety concerns, just weeks after reopening following a long Covid-19 closure.
French traffic controllers' strike disrupts European air travel
Around 1,000 flights to and from France were cancelled Friday as the country's air traffic controllers went on strike, with their action also causing delays across European airspace.
Prices soaring everywhere: from beans in Brazil to pork in China
Consumers and businesses around the world are facing steeper prices for everything from Mexico's beloved tortillas to the aluminium cans used by beer companies.
Asian stocks lose ground as investors eye Fed decision next week
Asian markets dropped on Friday, tracking Wall Street losses as investors continue to show concern over persistently high global inflation and the likelihood of further interest rate hikes.
Germany seizes Russian energy firm's subsidiaries
Berlin on Friday took control of the German operations of Russian oil firm Rosneft to secure energy supplies which have been disrupted after Moscow invaded Ukraine.
Indonesian gig drivers fear hardship after fuel price hike
Sitting on the side of a Jakarta road anxiously waiting for his phone to ping, driver Muhammad Ridwan says it is now barely worth hurtling through thick smog every day to ferry passengers.
Hong Kongers rush to learn new skills ahead of life abroad
Inside the bowels of a Hong Kong industrial building, Eric Pun was among two dozen people crammed into a classroom learning to drill holes -- acquiring a new set of skills before heading abroad.
Away game: Qatar World Cup looms as money-spinner for Dubai
The United Arab Emirates did not qualify for the Qatar World Cup but it will be a winner anyway if an overspill of fans floods its hotels, restaurants and planes.
Mexico arrests general over disappearance of 43 students
A Mexican army general has been detained in connection with the disappearance of 43 students in 2014, the government said Thursday -- the latest arrest in a case that generated international condemnation.