London, United Kingdom | AFP | OPEC is on red alert over escalating US-Iran tensions that fuelled strong oil-price gains — but the cartel and other crude-producing nations are unlikely to end output cuts at a meeting Tuesday. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, a cartel of 14 countries pumping …
Read More »Trump in spotlight as Twitter adds warnings to rule-breaking tweets
Washington, United States | AFP | Twitter announced Thursday it would add warning labels to tweets from officials and politicians that violate its rules — a move potentially affecting the prodigious output of US President Donald Trump. The new policy will also “deprioritize” inappropriate comments and enables Twitter to move …
Read More »Kushner holds open door to wary Palestinians in Bahrain peace push
Manama, Bahrain | AFP | Jared Kushner said Wednesday that Palestinians were still welcome to engage in his peace initiative, and accused their leaders of not caring about their own people for rejecting his $50 billion economic plan. US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law launched a long-awaited Middle East initiative with …
Read More »Europeans on alert as heatwave intensifies
Berlin, Germany | AFP | Europe’s record-breaking heatwave was forecast to intensify Thursday, with authorities on alert as temperatures threaten to surpass 40 degrees Celsius in some regions. The stifling heat has prompted traffic restrictions in France, sparked forest fires in Spain and fanned debate in Germany over public nudity as …
Read More »Five things to know about the selfie economy
Paris, France | AFP | Long dismissed as a symptom of narcissistic youth culture, the not-so-humble selfie has become big business. As hotels vie to become the next viral hotspot and new technology is developed to cater to those searching for that perfect picture of themselves, here are five things to …
Read More »Game console makers oppose China tariffs
Washington, United States | AFP | Game console makers Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo have joined forces in opposing expanded tariffs on China, saying the plan would make their products unaffordable for the coming holiday season. In comments filed with the US Trade Representative, the three firms said President Donald Trump’s threat …
Read More »Cigarette, electrical fault ‘may have caused’ Notre-Dame fire
Paris, France | AFP | A poorly stubbed-out cigarette or an electrical fault could have started the devastating fire that ripped through Paris’ Notre-Dame cathedral in April, French prosecutors said Wednesday, while ruling out any criminal intent. The statement by prosecutors, which also said an investigation was being opened into possible …
Read More »Robots to take 20 mn jobs, worsening inequality: study
Washington, United States | AFP | Robots are expected to take over some 20 million manufacturing jobs worldwide by 2030, extending a trend of worsening social inequality while boosting overall economic output, a new study shows. The forecast set to be released Wednesday highlights growing concerns that automation and robots, …
Read More »Boris Johnson challenges rival to back Brexit deadline
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Boris Johnson challenged his rival for Britain’s leadership on Tuesday to deliver Brexit by the end of October whatever happens, only to be accused once again of trying to avoid scrutiny. Johnson, the former foreign secretary and ex-mayor of London, is the favourite to succeed …
Read More »Microsoft missed mobile dominance by ‘tiny’ margin: Gates
Washington, United States | AFP | Microsoft missed its chance to be the dominant firm in mobile technology because it was “distracted” during a lengthy antitrust battle with US authorities, company co-founder Bill Gates said Monday. Gates, speaking at a forum in Washington, said Microsoft would be even more valuable if …
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