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TotalEnergies gains foothold in Qatar gas expansion
Qatar on Sunday named France's TotalEnergies as its first foreign partner to develop the world's largest natural gas field and eventually help ease Europe's energy fears.
WTO chief says 'cautiously optimistic' ahead of high-stakes meet
The World Trade Organization chief voiced cautious optimism Sunday as global trade ministers gather to tackle food security threatened by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, overfishing and equitable access to Covid vaccines.
End of an era as Russia's McDonald's reopens under new name
The restaurant that launched McDonald's in Russia in 1990, heralding Moscow's opening after decades of Soviet rule, reopened Sunday with a new name and logo in a potent reminder of the upheaval sparked by the conflict in Ukraine.
Cash-strapped Sri Lanka announces weekly fuel quotas
Crisis-hit Sri Lanka announced weekly fuel quotas for motorists on Sunday, as an acute shortage worsened and longer queues formed outside the few pumping stations still operating.
Global media giants battle for IPL cricket rights
Global media giants including Disney and Sony and Asia's richest man reportedly battled Sunday for the broadcast rights for the Indian Premier League cricket tournament, one of the world's most-watched sporting events.
Sanctioned Ukraine tycoon seeks to support war effort
Sanctioned by Ukraine in the past over his close ties to Russia, Dmytro Firtash, one of the country's wealthiest citizens, made international headlines this week for saying he is sheltering hundreds of Ukrainians in his chemical factory.
Resurging US inflation puts Fed on track for more big rate hikes
Red-hot US inflation is showing few signs of cooling, putting the Federal Reserve on track to continue its aggressive interest rate increases to help cool high prices that are challenging Joe Biden's presidency.
Iran, Venezuela sign two-decade cooperation deal: state media
Iran and Venezuela signed a 20-year deal on cooperation between the two allies subject to US sanctions during a visit Saturday to the Islamic republic by Venezuela's President Nicholas Maduro.
Australia agrees Naval payout, ending France sub dispute
Australia unveiled a massive compensation deal with French submarine maker Naval Group Saturday, ending a contract dispute that soured relations between Canberra and Paris for almost a year.
Rare Stradivarius sells for near-record $15.3 million
A rare Stradivarius violin that belonged to a Russian-American virtuoso and was used in the "Wizard of Oz" soundtrack sold at auction in New York Thursday for $15.3 million, just below the record for such an instrument, according to auction house Tarisio.
Biden says ExxonMobil 'made more money than God'
President Joe Biden on Friday slammed ExxonMobil for not producing more oil, as soaring gas prices deplete Americans' wallets and the US leader's popularity ahead of midterm elections.
Signs of something 'buried' in Amazon disappearance of journalist, expert
Authorities combing a remote corner of the Amazon for signs of a missing British journalist and Brazilian indigenous expert are investigating a patch of earth where something appears to have been buried, officials said Friday.
US health authority says Moderna vaccine effective in under-fives
US health authorities confirmed on Friday that data provided by drug-maker Moderna on the efficacy of its Covid-19 vaccine among very young children were accurate, ahead of a decision next week on whether to authorize two inoculations against the virus in kids aged six months to five years.
Serial 'predator' admits rapes and assaults as trial opens in France
A former janitor and family man accused of dozens of rapes and sexual assaults in France and Belgium went on trial Friday, saying he had acted on his "instinct of a hunger, a predator."
US inflation skyrockets, piling pressure on Biden
US inflation surged to a new four-decade high in May, defying hopes price pressures had peaked and deepening President Joe Biden's political troubles as Americans struggle to meet the ever rising cost of essentials like food and gas.
US to drop Covid tests for incoming air travel: W.House
The United States on Friday announced that Covid-19 tests would no longer be demanded for international travelers arriving by air, a major step in the country's gradual lifting of pandemic restrictions.
Stocks slide as US inflation soars
Stock markets plunged deeper into the red on Friday after data showed that US inflation soared to highest level in 40 years in May, much higher than analysts had expected.
US inflation skyrockets, prolonging pain for consumers
US inflation resurged in May, defying hopes price pressures would slow, and posting the largest increase since December 1981 as Americans continue to shell out ever more for food and gas, according to data released Friday.
Hit by war, Ukraine toy maker back in business
Sweet-smelling wood chips are layering the factory floor again at the toy manufacturer where Robert Milayev works now that production has restarted after the withdrawal of Russian troops.
UK banks no longer 'too big to fail': BoE
Britain's biggest banks are no longer "too big to fail" in any future financial shocks, with shareholders rather than taxpayers ready to bear the cost, the Bank of England said Friday.
Hong Kong's status undermined by Covid curbs, leader says
Hong Kong's status as an international hub has been "undermined" by strict coronavirus border controls, outgoing leader Carrie Lam admitted Friday, just a day after saying she would not further lift restrictions before departing.
Markets extend global sell-off on inflation, rate fears
Markets extended a global sell-off Friday after the European Central Bank laid the groundwork to join others in a programme of interest rate hikes, while attention turns to the release of key US inflation data.
Spain seaside staff shortages spell trouble for tourism
In normal times, Pablo Gonzalez would never have considered closing his restaurant at the height of summer. But this year, he's been forced to do just that for one day a week for lack of staff.
Ex-janitor accused of serial rapes goes on trial in France
A former janitor accused of dozens of rapes and sexual assaults in France and Belgium over several decades will go on trial in France on Friday, after admitting to a spate of assaults.
Open season: Italy to allow public tenders to manage beaches
Italy has some spectacular beaches but the majority are private, run in an opaque and sometimes shady manner that the government has finally decided to bring into the light.
Rolex worn during WWII 'Great Escape' sells for $189,000 in New York
A Rolex watch worn by a British prisoner during the real-life "Great Escape" from the Nazi Stalag Luft III prisoner-of-war camp sold for $189,000 on Thursday in New York.
Styrofoam-munching superworms could hold key to plastic upcycling
Packing material, disposable cutlery, CD cases: Polystyrene is among the most common forms of plastic, but recycling it isn't easy and the vast majority ends up in landfills or finds its way to the oceans where it threatens marine life.
US expands safety probe into Tesla Autopilot
US regulators expanded a probe into Tesla's "Autopilot" system, moving the investigation closer to a potential recall of a controversial feature in Elon Musk's electric vehicles.
Xbox expands cloud gaming service to Samsung smart TVs
Microsoft on Thursday announced that the ability to play Xbox games will be built into Samsung smart televisions in its latest cloud gaming move.
France probes alleged nuclear power cover-up: source
French prosecutors are investigating claims that officials at a nuclear power station covered up incidents of malfunction at an ageing plant, a source close to the probe told AFP on Thursday.
Sandberg exit unlikely to improve Facebook: whistleblower
The departure of controversial Facebook executive Sheryl Sandberg is unlikely to improve the troubled social media giant, whistleblower Frances Haugen told AFP.
Italy's Draghi says EU should cushion energy inflation blow
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi on Thursday suggested an EU-wide scheme to protect citizens from higher energy costs resulting from Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Asian, European markets hit as inflation fears ramp up
Most Asian and European markets fell Thursday as a rally in oil ramped up inflation fears, with top officials warning of more pain to come as the Ukraine war continues to push prices up and put further pressure on the global economy.
Dying children reflect brutal toll of Somalia drought
Arbay Mahad Qasim has already lost two children to a vicious drought, and now the Somali villager fears she could lose a third as her malnourished toddler Ifrah awaits treatment in a Mogadishu hospital.
Slash airline emissions to meet Paris targets: report
The world needs "early, aggressive and sustained" government intervention to cut aviation emissions if Paris Agreement temperature goals are to be met, a think tank said Thursday.
Asian markets drop as oil rises and inflation fears ramp up
Asian markets fell Thursday as a rally in oil ramped up inflation fears, with top officials warning of more pain to come as the Ukraine war continues to push prices up and put further pressure on the global economy.
With inflation on rise, ECB readies tougher action
The European Central Bank is set to announce the end date to its bond-buying stimulus on Thursday, as concerns over the accelerating pace of inflation in the eurozone grip policymakers.
Tackling gender violence at Quito's 'Men's Club'
In a hall in the Ecuadoran capital, a group of men raise their arms up high, draw a deep breath, and release it in tandem with a resounding "aaah!"
W.House expects May inflation to be 'elevated'
The White House said Wednesday it expects US inflation was still "elevated" in May despite guarded hopes a key data report due for release later this week will show price increases had cooled.