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Spike Lee gifts pope Knicks jersey as pontiff meets film stars
Spike Lee presented Pope Leo XIV with a New York Knicks jersey on Saturday as the US pope welcomed film stars to the Vatican, where he called cinema a vehicle of hope.
BBC caught in crossfire of polarised political and media landscape
Accused of being biased by some, defended as a champion of impartiality by others, the BBC is once again the subject of a thorny debate about the role of a publicly funded broadcaster in an increasingly polarised landscape.
Brazilian 'Superman' cheers child cancer patients in Ghana
The three-storey Child Health Department of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Ghana's capital Accra is a place with hushed corridors, laboured breathing and parents clutching on to hope.
Trump signs order to lower tariffs on beef, coffee, other goods
President Donald Trump signed an order Friday to lower US tariffs on agriculture imports such as beef, bananas, coffee and tomatoes, as his government comes under pressure from voters grappling with the escalating cost of living.
Return to bad days of hyperinflation looms in Venezuela
Venezuelans are grappling with political and economic chaos, a mass population exodus and fears of a US military attack. Now, their wallets are ever thinner as a return to hyperinflation looms.
US airspace recovers as budget shutdown ends
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Thursday that US air travel is recovering after the disruptions caused by the more than month-long government funding shutdown.
US, Switzerland say deal reached on trade and tariffs
The United States and Switzerland said Friday that they have reached an agreement to sharply lower tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, with the Alpine nation vowing to invest $200 billion in the US to win over the White House.
Stocks struggle on US rates, tech rally fears
Global stock markets struggled for momentum Friday as doubts built over whether the US Federal Reserve would cut interest rates next month and amid persistent fears of a tech bubble.
US, Switzerland say reached deal on trade and tariffs
The United States and Switzerland are set to unveil details of a trade pact Friday, with both sides reaching an agreement to sharply lower tariffs recently imposed by President Donald Trump, officials said.
Saudi prince, eyeing defence pledge, to meet Trump after long US absence
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will press for security guarantees while US President Donald Trump will urge him to normalise ties with Israel when the de facto Saudi ruler breaks a seven-year absence from Washington this week.
Doctors in England launch strike over pay and jobs
Thousands of doctors in England began a five-day strike on Friday over pay and training posts, the 13th walkout by medics since March 2023.
Stocks sink on fears over tech rally, US rates
Global stock markets sank Friday as doubts built over next month's US Federal Reserve interest rate decision and persistent speculation about a tech bubble.
Germany unveils debt-laden budget, relief measures
The German parliament's budget committee has approved revised 2026 spending plans that include even higher debts than originally thought, lawmakers said Friday, as the government gears up for an investment splurge.
Sumo grapples with ancient rule in age of woman PM
The world of sumo could be rocked this month if Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi presents a trophy in the ring, where women have traditionally been banned.
Cartier owner sales lifted by jewellery, improving Asia
Swiss luxury group Richemont, owner of Cartier and other iconic luxury brands, on Friday reported sales ahead of analysts' forecasts notably thanks to strength in its jewellery division.
Markets sink on concerns over tech rally, Fed rates
Markets sank Friday, tracking a selloff on Wall Street as doubts built over next month's Federal Reserve interest rate decision and persistent speculation about a tech bubble.
Sweden sees silent forests as sanctuaries from a noisy world
In a cottage nestled deep in a Swedish forest, three couples recently spent four days whispering and without phones as part of a campaign about the dangers of noise pollution and promoting quiet Scandinavia.
Young diners 'time travel' back to ancient China
Women wearing long wigs and ornate traditional dresses milled around a pebbled courtyard, stopping to snap photos under a pavilion, as the melodious strumming of the Chinese zither played in the background.
Trump eyes $2,000 checks, 50-year mortgages as economic fears loom
Is it still the economy, stupid? US President Donald Trump has floated a string of sometimes outlandish policy ideas as he seeks to fight back on the cost-of-living issue that is causing jitters in his Republican Party.
US says trade talks with Swiss 'very positive'
A senior US official sounded a positive note Thursday about trade talks with Switzerland, as the Alpine nation's economy minister Guy Parmelin visited Washington hoping to reduce steep tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.
Strong first-half profits keep Alstom firmly on rails
French rail manufacturer Alstom reported Thursday a strong first half of its 2025-2026 fiscal year, as sales and net profit both rose, propelled by healthy global demand for trains and rail infrastructure.
Pfizer completes Metsera acquisition in deal worth up to $10 bn
US drugmaker Pfizer said Thursday that it has completed its acquisition of biotech firm Metsera, closing a deal worth up to $10 billion after a fierce bidding war.
Boeing union votes to end strike, accept new contract
More than 3,000 striking Boeing defense workers on Thursday voted to end a strike over wage increases and retirement benefits, one of the longest work stoppages in the company's history.
Starbucks baristas launch strike on chain's 'Red Cup Day'
Hundreds of unionized Starbucks baristas kicked off an indefinite strike Thursday in cities across the United States, protesting working conditions and stalled labor negotiations.
Stocks on the slide despite end of US shutdown
Global stocks slid back sharply on Thursday, dashing hopes that President Donald Trump's signing of a spending bill to end a record US government shutdown might enliven trading floors.
Starlink, utilised by Myanmar scam centres, sees usage fall nationwide
Elon Musk's Starlink, whose internet services have been utilised by Myanmar scam centres, has seen its use across the country plummet since the end of September, according to estimates from regional internet registry Apnic.
YouTube superstar MrBeast opens pop-up park in Saudi Arabia
MrBeast, the world's most followed YouTuber with over 450 million subscribers, opened a temporary amusement park in Riyadh on Thursday, the latest celebrity drawn to Saudi Arabia as it aspires to become a major entertainment hub.
US shutdown scorecard: Who cashed in, who crashed out
The longest government shutdown in US history was bruising -- a political knife fight that left everyone claiming victory while nursing hidden wounds.
Mexican car industry fears higher tariffs on China will drive its demise
Mexico's car assembly industry, one of the biggest in the world, fears US President Donald Trump's tariff war will impede access to an increasingly indispensable component: digital dashboard touchscreens for which parts are sourced mainly in China.
Stocks sluggish as US government shutdown ends
Stock markets were sluggish on Thursday after President Donald Trump signed a spending bill to end a record-long US government shutdown.
EU backs small parcel duties to tackle China import flood
EU states on Thursday agreed to scrap a bloc-wide duty exemption on low-value orders from the likes of retail giants Temu and Shein to help tackle a flood of cheap Chinese imports.
Swiss economy minister back in Washington for tariff talks
Switzerland's economy minister Guy Parmelin was back in Washington for talks on Thursday, for the third time since the Alpine country was clobbered with huge tariffs.