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Trump to name hedge fund manager Scott Bessent as Treasury chief: US media
US President-elect Donald Trump is expected to pick billionaire Scott Bessent as his Treasury secretary, media outlets reported Friday, choosing the hedge fund manager to help execute an agenda promising tax cuts and tariffs.
Second Australian dies after suspected Laos poisoning
A second young Australian tourist died in a Thai hospital on Friday, bringing the death toll related to suspected methanol poisoning during a night out in a Laos backpacker hotspot to six.
'Primitive' beers draw crowds at Belgian brewery
Winding between copper vats and oak barrels, a cluster of early-morning visitors filed through a cavernous Brussels building for an up-close peek at craft beers brewed using a centuries-old method -- before sampling the result.
Russian ruble hits lowest level against dollar since March 2022
The Russian ruble slumped on Friday to its lowest level against the US dollar since March 2022, a day after Moscow fired a hypersonic missile on Ukraine and Washington sanctioned a key Russian bank.
'We want change': Romanian far-right leader eyes presidential run-off
Romanian far-right leader George Simion, a Donald Trump fan, has been touring the countryside, including bringing truckloads of construction material to a flood-hit village, ahead of Sunday's presidential election.
Spain fines 'abusive' budget airlines 179 mn euros
Spain's leftist government said Friday it has fined five budget airlines including Ryanair and EasyJet 179 million euros ($187 million) for "abusive practices" such as charging passengers for hand luggage.
Kenyan street style snappers reclaim the heart of Nairobi
Alex Okwomi trains his lens on his latest clients: two young women whose identical crimson dresses will make a striking photo as they pose and pout against the photogenic skyline of Nairobi's central business district.
Japan government approves $140bn stimulus
Japan's minority government signed off Friday on a $140-billion stimulus drive aimed at putting more money in consumers' pockets after the ruling party's worst election result in 15 years.
German GDP downgraded in new blow for struggling economy
German third-quarter growth was downgraded Friday with official data showing it expanded even more weakly than previously thought, in a new blow for Europe's top economy as it battles multiple headwinds.
Team behind film about world's first IVF baby hope to spread joy and debate
The makers of a new film about the British pioneers of IVF hope it highlights the "fragile" status of fertility treatment, with perceived threats in places like the United States and dwindling availability in the UK.
Top US securities regulator to exit, clearing way for Trump pick
The top US securities regulator, a skeptic towards cryptocurrency who was appointed by President Joe Biden, announced Thursday he will step down in January when Donald Trump takes office.
Five tourists dead after suspected tainted alcohol poisoning in Laos
Five foreign tourists have died after a suspected mass methanol poisoning from drinking tainted alcohol at a backpacker hotspot in Laos, Western government officials and media said Thursday.
US actor Smollett's conviction for staged attack overturned
American actor Jussie Smollett's conviction for fabricating a racist and homophobic hate crime in Chicago in 2019 was overturned Thursday on due process grounds.
Indian PM Modi highlights interest in Guyana's oil
Visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Thursday his country is interested in oil from Guyana, the small South American nation with the world's highest per capita crude reserves.
Stock markets push higher but Ukraine tensions urge caution
Stock markets mostly rose in Europe and on Wall Street on Thursday, recovering from recent selling but with investors wary of the escalating Ukraine war on Europe's doorstep.
IMF sees 'limited' impact of floods on Spain GDP growth
Last month's deadly floods in Spain, the country's worst natural disaster in decades, will have a "limited" impact on its "robust" economic growth, the International Monetary Fund said Thursday.
Volkswagen workers head towards strikes from December
Volkswagen workers in Germany took a step closer to strike action on Thursday, after unions and management met for the third round of talks over the ailing carmaker's drastic cost-cutting plans.
Sales of existing US homes rise in October
Sales of previously owned homes in the United States picked up in October, industry data showed Thursday, fueling hopes that a slump in the sector may be ending.
Stock markets waver as Nvidia, Ukraine tensions urge caution
Stock markets were little changed in Europe and on Wall Street Thursday after Ukraine claimed that Moscow fired an intercontinental ballistic missile, ratcheting up fears of further escalation in the war on Europe's doorstep.
Kenya scraps Adani deals as Ruto attempts to reset presidency
Kenyan President William Ruto sought Thursday to turn the page on a difficult year, cancelling controversial deals with India's Adani Group and vowing to tackle corruption, police kidnappings and gender-based violence.
French YouTuber takes on manga after conquering Everest
A French influencer fresh off a smash hit film documenting his ascent to Everest's peak is turning his sights to a new challenge: manga.
Stock markets diverge, as bitcoin closes in on $100,000
Major stock markets diverged and the dollar was mixed Thursday as traders weighed escalating tensions in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Four tourists die after suspected tainted alcohol poisoning in Laos
Four foreign tourists have died after a suspected mass methanol poisoning from drinking tainted alcohol at a backpacker hotspot in Laos, Western government officials and media said Thursday.
Four tourists die after suspected Laos methanol poisoning
Four foreign tourists have died after a suspected mass methanol poisoning from drinking tainted alcohol at a backpacker hotspot in Laos, Western government officials and media said Thursday.
Sri Lanka's president makes U-turn on IMF bailout
Sri Lanka's new leader on Thursday backed a controversial IMF bailout, marking a U-turn from his election pledge to renegotiate the deal secured by his predecessor.
India opposition leader demands tycoon Adani's arrest after US charges
Billionaire Indian tycoon Gautam Adani should be arrested after US prosecutors charged him with paying more than $250 million in bribes to secure lucrative government contracts, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi said Thursday.
Why is Indian tycoon Gautam Adani facing US bribery charges?
The business empire of Gautam Adani is again in turmoil after the billionaire Indian tycoon was charged in the United States with paying exorbitant bribes to secure lucrative government contracts.
Banana taped to a wall sells for $6.2 mn in New York
A fresh banana taped to a wall -- a provocative work of conceptual art by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan -- was bought for $6.2 million on Wednesday by a cryptocurrency entrepreneur at a New York auction, Sotheby's announced in a statement.
Asian markets mixed as Nvidia falls short of hopes, eyes on Trump
Asian markets were mixed Thursday as another blockbuster earnings from chip titan Nvidia smashed forecasts but still left investors disappointed, while sentiment was also being swayed by geopolitical concerns.
Civil war economy hits Myanmar garment workers
As civil war pounds Myanmar's economy and drives up prices, garment worker Wai Wai often starts her shift making clothes for international brands on an empty stomach.
Archegos founder jailed for 18 years for massive fraud: US media
The founder of US investment firm Archegos, Bill Hwang, was jailed for 18 years on Wednesday for a multibillion-dollar fraud that contributed to the fund's 2021 implosion, US media reported.
Nvidia crushes earnings expectations on AI chip demand
US chipmaking behemoth Nvidia said Wednesday it made a $19 billion profit on record high revenue last quarter as demand continued for its hardware to power artificial intelligence.