Featured
Last news

Tesla recalls 360,000 vehicles on driver-assistance system issues
Tesla is recalling nearly 363,000 electric vehicles because of problems with their driver-assistance technology that heighten crash risk, according to a US regulatory announcement seen by AFP Thursday.

One investor, two clubs: is Europe big enough for both?
With Qatari suitors reportedly seeking to add Manchester United to a portfolio that includes Paris Saint-Germain, precedent suggests both clubs would be allowed to pursue the Champions League grail at the same time.

Berlin film fest beams in Zelensky for opener with Sean Penn
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky joined Hollywood actor Sean Penn by video link on Thursday at the opening of the Berlinale, Europe's first major film festival of the year, calling for the entertainment world to maintain its "solidarity" with his besieged country.

Portugal ends 'golden visas' to rein in property speculation
Portugal is to end its practice of issuing "golden visas" to rich foreign investors, one of several measures announced by Prime Minister Antonio Costa on Thursday to tackle the lack of affordable housing.

French pensions strikes lose momentum as March showdown looms
French protesters joined fresh rallies and strikes against a bitterly contested pensions reform on Thursday, but turnout failed to match the massive numbers seen in previous demonstrations.

Bitcoin tops $25,000 to hit eight-month high
Bitcoin hit an eight-month high to surge past $25,000 on Thursday as the volatile cryptocurrency rises despite pressure from US regulators.

Jankto says coming out 'definitely a relief'
Czech international footballer Jakub Jankto said Thursday his coming out as gay earlier this week was "definitely a relief".

Spain passes law for Europe's first 'menstrual leave'
Spain's parliament approved Thursday a law granting paid medical leave to women suffering severe period pain, becoming the first European country to advance such legislation.

Nestle, Absolut owner to hike prices again amid high costs
Swiss food giant Nestle and liquor group Pernod Ricard, owner of Absolut vodka and Jameson whiskey, announced fresh price hikes on Thursday due to inflation even as consumers across the world face a cost-of-living crunch.

England rugby maternity policy can 'normalise motherhood in sport'
England women's lock Abbie Ward hailed a new maternity policy from the Rugby Football Union (RFU) on Thursday as giving mothers the "best possible chance of returning to play."

Passports and war driving pregnant Russians to give birth in Argentina
When migration officials detained six pregnant Russian women at a Buenos Aires airport last week, they exposed a phenomenon that has been growing in the country for a year: Russian birthing tourism.

UK energy group Centrica's surging profit sparks fury
Britain's biggest domestic energy supplier Centrica on Thursday posted rocketing annual profit, sparking fury as Britons face soaring household electricity and gas bills that have fuelled a cost-of-living crisis.

French pensions strikes slow before March showdown
Turnout was sharply down on Thursday for new strikes in France against a bitterly opposed pension reform being debated in parliament, with union heads hoping for a bigger showdown to come.

US wholesale price inflation rebounds on goods prices
Wholesale prices in the United States picked up more than expected in January, according to Labor Department data released Thursday, bumped up by goods costs and fueled by higher gasoline prices.

China remains Germany's biggest trade partner in 2022
China was Germany's biggest trading partner in 2022 for the seventh year in a row, figures published Thursday showed, as policymakers worry about economic over-reliance on Beijing.

Nigerian president moves to try to ease cash crisis
Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday defended a currency swap that sparked protests and cash shortages, but ordered old, small denomination 200 naira notes to remain in circulation in a bid to ease scarcities.

Soul-searching for Scotland's SNP as Sturgeon quits
The Scottish National Party (SNP) on Thursday faced calls to postpone a special conference aimed at reviving its troubled push for independence, after the surprise resignation of leader Nicola Sturgeon.

Lebanese protesters smash bank facades as crisis bites
Dozens of angry demonstrators attacked several banks in Beirut on Thursday after the Lebanese pound hit a record low, AFP journalists said, amid a deepening economic crisis.

Paris stock market joins London on record high over recovery hope
The Paris stock market hit an-all time high Thursday after London's record-breaking run on economic recovery hopes as inflation eases away from sky-high levels.

Berlin film fest to beam in Zelensky for opener with Sean Penn
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will join Hollywood actor Sean Penn by video link on Thursday at the opening of the Berlinale, Europe's first major film festival of the year, as it spotlights the fight for freedom in Ukraine and Iran.
Will Man Utd become football's latest Gulf-backed project?
Prospective new owners of Manchester United have until Friday to reveal their interest in buying one of the world's biggest clubs, with the British press reporting a bid from Qatar which, if successul, will send shockwaves through European football.

Airbus earns record net profit of 4.2 bn euros in 2022
European aircraft manufacturer Airbus said on Thursday profits soared to a record level in 2022 despite supply chain problems limiting its ability to raise production.

Inflation nibbles at Nestle margins
Swiss food giant Nestle said on Thursday sales rose last year but inflation nibbled at its margins, while net profits plunged due to asset disposals in 2021.

Renault boosts profitability but Russia exit pushes it into loss
French automaker Renault said Thursday it boosted manufacturing profitability in 2022 but the sale of its operations in Russia pushed the company into a net loss.

From Russia, with 'Z' love
Russian conservative writer Alexandra Makarova fell in love with soldier Dmitry Matviyenko after he lost a leg fighting in Ukraine.

Russians adapt to 'nerve-wracking' life under sanctions
When Vladimir Stetsenko put his apartment on the market in October, he thought the ad for the newly renovated property in southern Moscow would generate some interest. It did not.

Berlin film fest opens with spotlight on Iran and Ukraine
The Berlinale, Europe's first major film festival of the year, opens Thursday with a comedy starring Anne Hathaway, Marisa Tomei and Peter Dinklage ahead of a packed programme spotlighting Iran and Ukraine.

Asian markets rise as traders evaluate strong US economy
Asian markets pushed higher Thursday, extending gains in New York and Europe, as a forecast-busting US retail sales report showed American consumers remain confident despite elevated inflation and the prospect of more interest rate hikes.

Most baby formula health claims not backed by science: study
The vast majority of health claims used to advertise baby formula worldwide are not supported by rigorous scientific evidence, a study said Thursday, leading researchers to urge the breast milk substitutes be sold in plain packaging.

Global stocks rise after strong US retail sales, better UK inflation data
Wall Street stocks shrugged off early weakness and pushed higher Wednesday as they followed European bourses upward after strong US economic data.

Experts deliver report into Pablo Neruda's mysterious death to Chile judge
A panel of scientific experts investigating the mysterious death of Nobel laureate poet Pablo Neruda delivered a report to a Chilean judge on Wednesday.

Ford halts output of F-150 Lightning through at least next week
Ford plans to suspend production of its F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck through "at least" the end of next week, a company spokeswoman said Wednesday.