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Unchecked mining waste taints DR Congo communities
Carrying her sore-pocked daughter across her decaying field, Helene Mvubu says she is one of thousands to have fallen victim to the toxic waste defiling the Democratic Republic of Congo's mining capital.
Asian markets mixed ahead of US data, expected Fed rate cut
Asian markets struggled into the weekend on Friday following a bland lead from Wall Street as a mixed bag of US data did little to move the needle on expectations the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates next week.
French almond makers revive traditions to counter US dominance
The scent of marzipan wafts through the air as confectioners from a century-old company in southern France prepare calissons, one of Provence's famed sweets made of candied melon and crushed almonds.
Aid cuts causing 'tragic' rise in child deaths, Bill Gates tells AFP
Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates told AFP on Thursday it is "tragic" that child deaths will increase worldwide for the first time this century because wealthy Western countries have slashed international aid.
Abortion in Afghanistan: 'My mother crushed my stomach with a stone'
When Bahara was four months pregnant, she went to a Kabul hospital to beg for an abortion. "We're not allowed," a doctor told her. "If someone finds out, we will all end up in prison."
Mixed day for US equities as Japan's Nikkei rallies
Wall Street stocks finished mixed at the end of a choppy session Thursday as markets digested varying labor market data and looked ahead to next week's Federal Reserve decision.
Facebook 'supreme court' admits 'frustrations' in 5 years of work
An oversight board created by Facebook to review content-moderation decisions trumpeted improved transparency and respect for people's rights in a survey of their first five years of work on Thursday, while acknowledging "frustrations" to their arm's-length role.
South Africa says wants equal treatment, after US G20 exclusion
South Africa responded Thursday to a US bar on its participation in G20 events under Washington's presidency by saying it was a fully-fledged member of the forum and expected to be treated equally.
One in three French Muslims say suffer discrimination: report
Discrimination based on religion has increased in France, a report by the country's rights ombudswoman found Thursday, with one in three Muslims surveyed saying they had suffered from it.
Russia's Putin in India for defence, trade talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin landed in India on Thursday for a two-day visit aimed at deepening defence ties, as New Delhi faces heavy US pressure to stop buying oil from Moscow.
Microsoft faces complaint in EU over Israeli surveillance data
Microsoft is facing a complaint in the European Union filed by a non-profit organisation alleging it illegally stored data on Palestinians used for Israeli military surveillance.
Milan-Cortina organisers rush to ready venues as Olympic flame arrives in Italy
The Olympic flame arrives in Rome on Thursday as the Milan-Cortina Winter Games home into view, but organisers are rushing to make sure everything is ready for a sprawling sports showcase spread across a vast area of northern Italy.
Truth commission urges Finland to rectify Sami injustices
A Finnish truth and reconciliation commission on Thursday urged Finland to rectify historic injustices committed against the indigenous Sami people, as it finalised a report after four years' work.
Stocks rise eyeing series of US rate cuts
European and Asian stock markets mostly rose Thursday after the latest batch of US data reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut US interest rates next week and into 2026.
Italy sweatshop probe snares more luxury brands
Italian prosecutors on Thursday named Gucci, Prada, Versace and Yves Saint Laurent as among 13 luxury brands suspected of using subcontractors who exploited migrant workers in Italy, as part of a growing investigation into sweatshop conditions.
Russia's Putin heads to India for defence, trade talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin was due in India on Thursday for a two-day visit aimed at deepening defence ties, as New Delhi faces heavy US pressure to stop buying oil from Moscow.
South Africa telecoms giant Vodacom to take control of Kenya's Safaricom
South Africa's biggest mobile operator Vodacom said Thursday it had agreed to take control of East Africa's largest telecoms firm, Safaricom, in a deal worth $2.1 billion.
Markets mixed as traders struggle to hold Fed cut rally
Asian and European markets were mixed Thursday after the latest batch of US data reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates for a third successive time next week.
Asian markets mixed as traders struggle to hold Fed cut rally
Asian markets struggled to maintain their early momentum Thursday, even after the latest batch of US data reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates for a third successive time next week.
Asian markets stumble as traders struggle to hold Fed cut rally
Asian markets struggled to maintain their early momentum Thursday, even after the latest batch of US data reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates for a third successive time next week.
Nintendo launches long-awaited 'Metroid Prime 4' sci-fi blaster
Fans of Nintendo's "Metroid" science-fiction saga have reason to celebrate Thursday as the latest instalment in the series is released after an eight-year wait and a bumpy road through development.
Trump scraps Biden's fuel-economy standards, sparking climate outcry
President Donald Trump announced Wednesday a reset of Joe Biden's fuel-economy standards, arguing it will lower US car prices -- but critics warned it would worsen climate change and leave drivers paying more at the pump.
US stocks rise as weak jobs data boosts rate cut odds
Wall Street stocks shrugged off early weakness Wednesday and finished with solid gains after poor US hiring data boosted expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates next week.
Trump to scrap Biden's fuel-economy standards, sparking climate outcry
President Donald Trump is poised to roll back his predecessor Joe Biden's tough fuel-economy standards, arguing the move will lower car prices even as critics warn it will leave drivers paying more at the pump and accelerate climate change.
Poor hiring data points to US economic weakness
US private-sector hiring data released Wednesday painted a downcast picture of the job market in the world's biggest economy, especially among small businesses.
Germany to host 2029 women's Euros
European football's governing body UEFA on Wednesday announced that Germany will host the women's 2029 European Championship, where England will be the two-time defending champions.
Greek govt warns farmers not to escalate subsidy protest
The Greek government on Wednesday warned farmers against escalating a roadblock protest to demand funds delayed by the investigation into an EU subsidies scandal.
EU agrees deal to ban Russian gas by end of 2027
European Union lawmakers and member states reached a deal Wednesday to ban all imports of Russian gas before the end of 2027, as the bloc seeks to choke off key funds feeding Moscow's war chest.
German lithium project moves ahead in boost for Europe's EV sector
Australia's Vulcan Energy said Wednesday it will soon start building a German lithium production project that will provide enough of the metal for half a million electric car batteries a year.
Stock markets mostly rise awaiting US data
European and Asian stock markets mostly rose Wednesday following a resumption of Wall Street's rally, but gains were muted as investors await the last tranche of US data before next week's Federal Reserve meeting.
Zara owner Inditex posts higher profits
Zara owner Inditex, the world's largest fashion retailer, posted Wednesday higher profits for the first nine months of its fiscal year despite stiffer competition from low-cost clothing outlets like Shein and Primark.
YouTube attacks Australia's world-first social media ban
YouTube on Wednesday attacked Australia's looming social media ban for under-16s as rushed, but the government called the policy a shield to protect children from "predatory" algorithms.