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Twitter sacks half of staff as Musk launches overhaul
Twitter sacked half of its 7,500-strong staff on Friday as new owner Elon Musk launched his major overhaul of the troubled company just a week after his blockbuster takeover.
Surge in claims puts UK asylum system under pressure
Britain is struggling to cope with an increase in asylum-seekers, as numbers risking their lives to cross the Channel on small boats hit record levels.
US sees strong job gains in October as wages move higher
US job gains topped expectations in October, official data showed Friday, as hiring remained resilient and wages moved ever higher even as unemployment edged up, underscoring the challenges in lowering rampant inflation.
Twitter mass layoffs begin as Musk launches overhaul
Thousands of Twitter employees were ordered to stay home Friday to await a bracing round of layoffs that could see half of the payroll axed as new owner Elon Musk launches his major overhaul of the company.
Raisi dismisses Biden 'free Iran' pledge after protest surge
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Friday dismissed a pledge from US leader Joe Biden to "free Iran" as the clerical regime faced a new upsurge in protests seven weeks into the anti-regime movement.
Heathrow Airport strike set to hit England football fans
England football fans flying to the World Cup in Qatar face delays and cancellations after staff at Heathrow Airport on Friday announced a three-day strike in a dispute over pay.
EU approves preventative treatment for common infant virus
The European Union has approved a preventative treatment for the very common virus that causes the chest infection bronchiolitis in infants, the companies that developed the drug said Friday.
Red Bull names trio to run firm after founder's death
Red Bull named on Friday a board of three directors to lead the energy drink giant following the death of Austrian founder Dietrich Mateschitz.
'God spared us': Fleeing occupation by dinghy under Russian fire
The tractor driver and the nurse who became his wife during the war think they must have helped 2,200 villagers cross a river under Russian shelling to Ukrainian-held land.
Indonesia leader says Putin undecided on G20 summit invite: report
Russian President Vladimir Putin has still not decided if he will attend the Group of 20 leaders' summit this month as war rages in Ukraine, the leader of host nation Indonesia said in an interview Friday.
Solar power, farming revive Tunisia school as social enterprise
Most Tunisian schools are cash-strapped and run down, but an innovative project has allowed one to become self-sustaining by generating its own solar power and growing its own food.
Most Asian markets rise as China hopes boost Hong Kong
Most Asian markets rose Friday after the previous day's Federal Reserve-induced sell-off, with Hong Kong leading the way with another big rally fuelled by hopes China will roll back some of its painful zero-Covid policies.
Most Asian markets rise, dollar holds gains ahead of US jobs data
Most Asian investors tentatively stepped back into the markets Friday after the previous day's Federal Reserve-induced sell-off, while the dollar held gains as focus turned to the release of key US jobs data.
Twitter says layoffs to begin Friday
Twitter said it will start laying off employees on Friday, as the new billionaire owner Elon Musk moves quickly after his big takeover to make the messaging platform financially sound.
Canada sees lower deficit in updated fiscal plan, possible 2023 recession
Canada's government announced modest new spending in an updated fiscal plan Thursday, as windfall revenues allow it to slash its budget deficit ahead of a possible economic downturn.
Starbucks reports record sales but lower profits on weak China
Starbucks reported record quarterly revenues Thursday behind a strong US performance, but weak China results and increased expenses pinched profits.
Pound sinks, stocks mostly fall after latest central bank rate moves
The pound tumbled against the dollar and global stocks mostly fell Thursday as the Bank of England announced another jumbo-sized interest rate hike while warning of a prolonged recession expected to last through mid-2024.
Italy's far-right PM hails 'frank' talks in Brussels
Italy's far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hailed "very fank and very positive" talks with EU chiefs in Brussels on her first international trip since taking power.
At Web Summit, 'Bored Apes' emerge from swamp but remain murky
With a blast of "Break on Through" by The Doors and a flashy video of cartoon apes careening around a fantasy landscape, the boss of one of crypto's most secretive companies took to the stage on Thursday.
US authorities relax regulations on prescription opioids
US health officials issued new recommendations Thursday to relax restrictions for doctors prescribing opioids for pain, despite the risk of addiction.
Bank of England warns UK may face two-year recession, hikes rate
The Bank of England on Thursday announced its biggest interest rate hike since 1989 to combat sky-high inflation that it warned was pushing Britain into a recession that risks lasting until mid-2024.
Thousands rally in Spanish capital for pay hikes as costs soar
Thousands of people took to the streets of Spain's capital on Thursday to demand higher pay to cope with soaring inflation and energy costs.
Red Cross eyes digital emblem for cyberspace protection
When Red Cross staff work in conflict zones, their recognisable red-on-white emblems signal they and those they are helping should not be targeted.
New protests erupt as Iranians mourn crackdown victims
Major new protests erupted in Iran on Thursday as people mourned victims of a deadly crackdown by the authorities seeking to quell over six weeks of demonstrations that have shaken its leadership.
Canada trade surplus doubles as wheat shipments rebound
Canada's trade surplus doubled to Can$1.1 billion (US$800 million) in September from the previous month as wheat shipments rebounded strongly, the national statistical agency said Thursday.
US trade deficit widens in September as imports rise
The US trade gap widened in September after five straight months of decline, government data showed Thursday, on cooling food and energy exports while imports of products like semiconductors and consumer goods picked up.
Guinea junta gives order to prosecute ex-president Conde
Guinea's ruling junta on Thursday ordered prosecutors to take legal action against former president Alpha Conde, whom it overthrew in a 2021 coup, and more than 180 other officials and ex-ministers, notably for alleged corruption.
Stock markets sink, dollar jumps
Stock markets around the world sank Thursday while the dollar rallied after the Federal Reserve warned US interest rates would go higher than previously expected in its fight against decades-high inflation.
Bank of England warns UK faces two-year recession, hikes rate
The Bank of England on Thursday announced its biggest interest rate hike since 1989 to combat sky-high inflation that it warned was pushing Britain into a recession set to last until mid-2024.
NGO asks France, Spain, Greece to help 234 Mediterranean migrants
Migrant rescue group SOS Mediterranee said Thursday that it had called on the governments of France, Greece and Spain to help find a port for 234 people rescued while trying to reach Europe, after Italy and Malta failed to respond.
Bank of England delivers biggest rate hike in 33 years
The Bank of England delivered Thursday its biggest interest rate hike since 1989 to combat soaring inflation and warned that Britain faced a recession set to last until mid-2024.
iPhone factory lockdown shows risks of China dependence, analysts say
The lockdown of Foxconn's Zhengzhou factory, the world's biggest producer of iPhones, has highlighted some of the risks of relying on zero-Covid China's manufacturing sector, analysts told AFP.
Turkish inflation tops 85%, highest since 1997
Turkish inflation surged past 85 percent in October, its highest level since 1997, official data showed Thursday, as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sticks to unorthodox policies to combat a cost-of-living crisis.
Israel's Netanyahu set for comeback with far-right help
Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu held a nearly unassailable lead Thursday with vote counting almost complete following this week's election, setting him up to form what may be the most right-wing government in Israeli history.
Psychedelics show promise in treating depression: study
For years, scientists have been looking ever more seriously at the therapeutic effect of psychedelics, which are not legal under US federal law. However, despite this renewed interest, large-scale studies are still lacking.
Make glasses cool with new emojis, urges UK schoolgirl
British schoolgirl Lowri Moore is just 13 but has achieved a lot in her short life, championing children who like her wear glasses.
Italy's far-right PM Meloni meets EU chiefs
Italy's new far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni meets European Union chiefs in Brussels Thursday for the first time since her election, with the energy crisis expected to dominate the agenda.
Bank of England set for biggest rate hike in 33 years
The Bank of England is widely expected to hike its key interest rate on Thursday by the biggest amount since 1989 as it bids to cool sky-high British inflation.
Non-binary category allows marathon runners to compete 'as authentic self'
Nick Dill is a veteran marathon runner, but this weekend's race in New York will be the first time they participate in the non-binary category, after contest organizers added the option in response to demands for better representation and inclusion.