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Asian markets track Wall St record as US jobs fuel rate cut hopes
Asian markets extended a surge on Wall Street Thursday as another round of soft US jobs data ramped up bets on the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates this year.
Armed Syrian Kurdish women stand guard over precious wheatfields
Holding a weapon in one hand and fixing her scarf with the other, Yasmine Youssef patrols one of northeast Syria's vast wheatfields, a vital source of income in the country's breadbasket.
Chile's lithium dreams raise water concerns in the desert
As night falls in Chile's Atacama desert, the world's driest, a drilling machine extracts brine to measure levels of lithium -- a crucial mineral for the global switch to cleaner energy, but harmful in its own way.
After a bitter break-up, Trump makes up with billionaire donors
In an electoral system in which money is the ultimate kingmaker, Donald Trump has been courting the country's billionaires -- and they have their checkbooks ready.
More than 1 in 4 children under age 5 face 'severe' food poverty: UNICEF
More than one in four children under the age of five globally live in "severe" food poverty, UNICEF has warned -- meaning more than 180 million are at risk of experiencing adverse impacts on their growth and development.
US Republicans block bill protecting access to contraception
Republicans in the US Senate on Wednesday blocked a bill recognizing a legal right to contraception, introduced as part of a Democratic effort to highlight threats to reproductive freedoms as a key issue in November elections.
UN nuclear watchdog board passes resolution criticising Iran
The UN nuclear watchdog's board of governors has passed a resolution criticising Iran's lack of cooperation with the agency, diplomats told AFP on Wednesday, a decision Tehran slammed as "hasty and unwise".
Work-life balance, housing shortage prompts Irish exodus
As Europe goes to the polls, skewed work-life balance, housing and cost of living crises are key issues for people across the continent.
Apple faces pressure to deliver on AI at developer conference
Apple is expected to make the case next week that it is not being left behind as tech world rivals blaze ahead with artificial intelligence.
New York halts controversial driver congestion charge
New York dropped a controversial plan Wednesday that would have charged drivers to enter central Manhattan, amid criticism that it would hit businesses and poorer motorists disproportionately.
The disability comedy besting blockbusters in France
A low-budget French comedy about a camp for disabled people has become a "societal phenomenon" in France, trouncing Hollywood blockbusters like "Dune 2" and Mad Max spin-off "Furiosa".
Stock markets rise on US jobs data, looming eurozone rate cut
US and European stock markets climbed Wednesday on the eve of an expected European Central Bank interest-rate cut, and as US jobs data fuelled hopes the Federal Reserve will follow suit in the coming months.
Planet overheating, ban fossil fuel ads: UN chief
Humans are as dangerous to the planet as the meteorite that drove dinosaurs to extinction, the UN chief said Wednesday, as scientists announced the last 12 months were the hottest on record.
European stocks rise before rate cut, Wall Street mixed
European stock markets rose Wednesday on the eve of an expected interest-rate cut by the European Central Bank, but Wall Street was mixed as investors digested data that could influence the Federal Reserve's own monetary policy.
LGBTQ group file complaint against three Ligue 1 players and clubs
A French group campaigning aganst homophobia in football filed a complaint on Wednesday against Ligue 1 players Mohamed Camara, Mostafa Mohamed and Nabil Bentaleb and their clubs for "public provocation towards hatred because of sexual orientation".
Private sector hiring in US cools more than expected: ADP
Job gains in the US private sector slowed again in May on a slump in manufacturing, payroll firm ADP said Wednesday, in a further sign the world's largest economy could be cooling.
As investment drive falters, Saudi milks Aramco 'cash cow'
A fresh offering of shares in Saudi Aramco, the Gulf kingdom's largely state-owned oil behemoth, comes at a pivotal moment for sweeping economic reforms that have struggled to lure foreign investment.
'Punished for daring': Women journalists defied Allies to cover D-Day
Eighty years ago, women reporters overcame restrictions barring them from the frontlines to cover the Allied landings in France but they have not enjoyed the acclaim enjoyed by their male counterparts.
European stocks climb on eve of expected eurozone rate cut
Europe's equity markets climbed Wednesday with traders boosted on the eve of an expected interest-rate cut by the European Central Bank, but Asia slid on renewed US economic worries.
Italy fines Meta over data use, account transparency
Italy's competition authority on Wednesday fined global tech giant Meta 3.5 million euros ($3.8 million) for a lack of transparency in its use of data and management of Instagram and Facebook accounts.
Palau confirms 'major' cyberattack, points to China
Palau's President Surangel Whipps on Wednesday said the tiny country, one of Taiwan's few diplomatic allies, had suffered a major cyberattack, pointing the finger at China.
Markets mixed as US jobs data tempered by economy worries
Equities were mixed Wednesday as building optimism that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates before the end of the year was offset by renewed worries about the US economy.
Italy fines Meta over data breach, account management
Italy's competition authority on Wednesday fined global tech giant Meta 3.5 million euros ($3.8 million) for data breaches and failures in managing Instagram and Facebook accounts.
Indonesia replaces new capital chief weeks before opening
Indonesia's president has replaced the head of the country's new capital city, in a surprise shakeup just weeks before the controversial $32 billion project officially opens on Borneo island.
Japan aims to quadruple overseas market for anime, games
Pop-culture powerhouse Japan wants to expand its overseas market for video games, manga and anime fourfold to $130 billion in about a decade, the government has said.
Most markets rise on US jobs data but fears temper optimism
Equities mostly rose Wednesday on building optimism that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates before the end of the year after the latest batch of data indicated the long-resilient US jobs market was showing signs of easing.
'Life goes on' - Panama islanders relocated as sea level rises
Alberto Lopez prepares breakfast with water lapping at his ankles. The day began with rain, and his ramshackle home on the Panamanian island of Carti Sugtupu was flooded, not for the first time.
US stocks stage comeback as oil slides further on US economy worries
US stocks bounced back from an early morning slump to close higher Tuesday as fresh data showed that job vacancies slipped in April to their lowest level since 2021.
Tokyo govt to launch dating app to boost birth rate
Japan's capital will launch its own dating app as early as this summer as part of government efforts to boost the plunging national birth rate, a Tokyo official said Tuesday.
Stocks retreat, oil slides further on US economy worries
Stock markets fell in cautious trading Tuesday as investors worried that headwinds are gathering for the US economy, outweighing hopes that recent weak data would prompt the Federal Reserve to start cutting interest rates.
Car battery maker ACC halts plant construction in Germany, Italy
The European vehicle battery venture Automotive Cells (ACC) said Tuesday that it was halting construction of two factories in Germany and Italy as it weighs shifting to a less-expensive battery technology.
Worries for France's Le Coq Sportif ahead of Paris Olympics
Loss-making French sportswear brand Le Coq Sportif faces fresh doubts about its finances and operations just as it should be delivering around 370,000 items of clothing and equipment for the Paris Olympics.
Brazil economy picks up as shoppers spend more
Brazil's economy grew 0.8 percent in the first quarter, the government said Tuesday, a rebound boosted by consumer spending which analysts say could put the central bank on guard over inflation.
Nigeria unions in talks on second day of strike
Nigerian union leaders on Tuesday held talks over a government offer to increase the minimum wage on the second day of a nationwide strike that has disrupted flights and closed down public offices.
TSMC votes for chief executive CC Wei to also become chairman
TSMC's board of directors on Tuesday unanimously elected chief executive CC Wei to succeed Mark Liu as chairman of the chip titan.
Most Asian markets turn lower as US data sparks economy worries
Markets mostly fell Tuesday on signs of weakness in the US economy, even as the data boosted hopes for an interest rate cut, while Mumbai tumbled as it appeared India's prime minister would not win as big an election victory as expected.
Intel unveils new chip tech in AI battle with Nvidia, AMD
US chip titan Intel on Tuesday struck a defiant tone in the face of strong challenges from rivals Nvidia, AMD and Qualcomm, unveiling technologies it said would lead the artificial intelligence revolution.
Asian markets in reverse as US data spark economy worries
Asian markets fell Tuesday as traders were spooked by signs of weakness in the US economy, even as the data boosted hopes the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates this year.
Global markets mixed as oil prices slump on OPEC+ plans to unwind cuts
Global markets finished mixed on Monday, as traders on Wall Street attempted to look beyond weaker than expected manufacturing data, and markets reacted to falling oil prices.