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Showdown looms as EU-Mercosur deal nears finish line

Brussels and Berlin insisted Monday the EU's vast proposed trade deal with South American bloc Mercosur must get over the finish line by year end -- despite a last-ditch French push to derail its signing.

Eurovision 2026 will feature 35 countries: organisers

Some 35 countries will compete in next year's Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, organisers said Monday, despite five countries boycotting over Israel's participation in the glitzy annual extravaganza.

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2024 Eurovision winner Nemo returns trophy over Israel's participation

Nemo, last year's Eurovision winner, said Thursday he was returning the 2024 trophy in protest over Israel's continued participation, which has already prompted five countries to pull out.

US bringing seized tanker to port, as Venezuela war threats build

An oil tanker seized by American forces off the Venezuelan coast will be brought to a port in the United States, the White House said Thursday, as fears mount of open conflict between the two countries.

Dow hits record high despite AI fears

The Dow hit a record high on Thursday despite disappointing earnings from software giant Oracle reviving concerns over sky-high AI valuations.

Time magazine names 'Architects of AI' as Person of the Year

Time magazine named the "Architects of AI" as its Person of the Year on Thursday, highlighting the US tech titans whose work on cutting-edge artificial intelligence is transforming humanity.

OpenAI, Disney to let fans create AI videos in landmark deal

Walt Disney and OpenAI announced a three-year licensing deal Thursday that will allow users to create short videos featuring beloved Disney characters through artificial intelligence.

German growth forecasts slashed, Merz under pressure

Leading German institutes on Thursday downgraded their 2026 growth forecasts, in another bad sign for Chancellor Friedrich Merz whose efforts to reboot Europe's biggest economy face mounting criticism.

Thyssenkrupp pauses steel production at two sites citing Asian pressure

Europe's largest steelmaker Thyssenkrupp is to pause steel production at two sites for about two weeks because of Asian competition, the German firm said Thursday, as the European Union considers tightening its steel tariffs.

ECB proposes simplifying rules for banks

The European Central Bank proposed Thursday simplifying rules for the region's lenders to help them compete internationally, but insisted the move would not weaken guardrails aimed at preventing crises.

Stocks mixed as US rate cut offset by Fed outlook, Oracle earnings

Asian markets were mixed Thursday as earlier gains fuelled by the Federal Reserve's latest interest rate cut were offset by indications the central bank will hold off from further reductions at the start of next year.

Desert dunes beckon for Afghanistan's 4x4 fans

On any Friday, when the Afghan weekend begins, dozens of drivers gather in the Kandahar desert to charge their SUVs up steep ochre dunes, kicking up rooster tails of sand to the delight of spectators.

Breakout star: teenage B-girl on mission to show China is cool

Flipping and spinning on a studio floor, 17-year-old Royal is a star in China's breakdancing scene and aiming for gold at the World Championships in Japan this week.

Chocolate prices high before Christmas despite cocoa fall

After soaring for nearly two years, cocoa prices dropped sharply in 2025. However, chocolate, in demand ahead of the festive holiday season, has seen prices rise.

Asian traders cheer US rate cut but gains tempered by outlook

Most Asian markets rose Thursday as traders welcomed the Federal Reserve's third straight interest rate cut, though the euphoria was tempered by an indication officials could hold off another reduction any time soon.

AI's $400 bn problem: Are chips getting old too fast?

In pursuit of the AI dream, the tech industry this year has plunked down about $400 billion on specialized chips and data centers, but questions are mounting about the wisdom of such unprecedented levels of investment.

Oracle shares dive as revenue misses forecasts

Shares in business computing giant Oracle fell more than 10 percent on Wednesday on word its revenue missed heady expectations, dampening artificial intelligence euphoria in the market.

US stocks rise, dollar retreats as Fed tone less hawkish than feared

Wall Street stocks rose and the dollar retreated Wednesday after the Federal Reserve cut interest rates again as it seeks to shore up a vulnerable US labor market.

Divided US Fed makes third straight rate cut, signals higher bar ahead

A divided US Federal Reserve lowered interest rates Wednesday for a third consecutive time this year, flagging labor market concerns even as inflation remained elevated as President Donald Trump's tariffs bite.

French far right sparks debate with proposal to reopen brothels

Marine Le Pen's far-right party wants to bring back France's once legendary brothels, sparking a fresh debate about prostitution in a country with a long history of liberal attitudes to sex.

Instagram users given new algorithm controls

Instagram on Wednesday unveiled a new AI-powered feature that lets users view and adjust the algorithm shaping their Reels feed, calling it a pioneering move toward greater user control.

US Fed expected to make third straight rate cut despite divisions

The US Federal Reserve is expected to deliver a further interest rate cut Wednesday despite divisions among its ranks, with chief Jerome Powell's ability to secure support from fellow policymakers put to the test.

EU seeks better Spain-France energy links after blackout

The EU said Wednesday it wants to boost energy links between France and Spain as part of a bloc-wide push to secure power supplies, months after a massive outage hit the Iberian Peninsula.

Madeleine McCann's father says 'lucky' to survive media attention

The father of missing British girl Madeleine McCann has called for greater scrutiny of the UK's media, saying in an interview published Wednesday that his family received a "monstering" from sections of the press.

Greek govt in emergency meeting as farmers block central port

Greece's government held emergency meetings Wednesday to address a growing farm protest movement, as demonstrators temporarily blocked the central port of Volos.

China consumer prices pick up pace but demand still slack

Rising food costs pushed consumer inflation in China last month to its fastest pace in nearly two years, data showed Wednesday, but lower factory-gate prices suggested demand in the world's second-largest economy remains weak.

Not just pizza: Italian cuisine makes UNESCO list

UNESCO recognised Wednesday that Italian food is more than pizza, pasta and gelato, adding the range and ritual of the famed cuisine to its list of intangible cultural heritage.

France's 'Battery Valley' makes use of Asian experts

France is developing domestic production of electric vehicle batteries with an eye on industrial independence but Asian experts are proving key in launching operations.

Stocks in retreat as traders eye Fed decision, tech earnings

Most markets fell Wednesday following a tepid day on Wall Street as investors bided their time ahead of a highly anticipated Federal Reserve policy announcement later in the day.

China surplus pushing EU to take 'offensive' trade measures: business lobby

China's mammoth trade surplus with Europe as well as challenges faced by foreign firms in the country are incentivising Brussels to adopt more "offensive" policies, a business lobby warned Wednesday.

Veggie 'burgers' at stake in EU negotiations

EU countries and lawmakers will wrangle Thursday over whether to give plant-based "sausages" and veggie "burgers" the chop, amid a push to restrict such labels to meat products.

UK public urged to keep eyes peeled for washed-up bananas

A "major" clean-up operation was ongoing in southern England on Tuesday after eight containers of bananas went overboard a cargo ship, with hundreds of rotting fruits washing up along the shoreline.

South Korea chip giant SK hynix mulls US stock market listing

South Korean chip giant SK hynix said on Wednesday it was considering a US stock market listing using treasury shares as part of efforts to boost shareholder value.

Indigenous artifacts returned by Vatican unveiled in Canada

Indigenous artifacts taken from Canada by Catholic missionaries to Rome a century ago were unveiled at a Canadian museum on Tuesday, repatriations that have sparked calls for the Vatican to return other treasured items.

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