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Thailand drops on-arrival Covid-19 tests for vaccinated visitors
Thailand on Friday announced the end of compulsory Covid-19 tests for vaccinated travellers, as the country steps up efforts to revive its pandemic-thumped tourism industry.
One woman's war against the pain of 'suicide headaches'
When the headaches come for Diane Wattrelos, as they do for half an hour 10 times every day, she says it feels like someone has "stuck a screwdriver in my eye and turned it".
French prosecutors issue international arrest warrant for Ghosn
French authorities have issued an international arrest warrant for Carlos Ghosn, the disgraced auto tycoon who jumped bail in Japan and fled to Lebanon in a sensational getaway, prosecutors told AFP on Friday
Will Twitter's 'poison pill' be too tough for Elon Musk to swallow?
The so-called "poison pill" Twitter has proposed to use against Elon Musk's potential hostile takeover is a mechanism with a proven track record that could force the outspoken entrepreneur into negotiations.
China axes 15 coal plants abroad after Xi pledge, but loopholes remain: study
More than a dozen Chinese coal power projects overseas were cancelled after a ban last year on funding such plants, but loopholes could allow 18 others to still go ahead, according to a study published Friday.
Mariupol 'continues to resist', Ukrainian president says
The devastated city of Mariupol "continues to resist" despite Russian claims to have captured it, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday as he welcomed fresh US aid to help confront Moscow's eastern offensive.
Cash-strapped Sri Lanka hit by record inflation
Crisis-hit Sri Lanka's inflation hit a record high for the sixth consecutive month, official data showed on Friday as the government asked the IMF for an urgent bailout.
Asian markets tumble after Federal Reserve chief's comments
Asian markets fell sharply at the open on Friday, trailing losses on Wall Street after the US Federal Reserve boss said an interest-rate hike was likely forthcoming.
Revitalised Angkor Wat brings hope for Cambodia tourism recovery
As dawn breaks, foreign tourists gather by the ancient towers of Cambodia's Angkor Wat, some of the lucky few to see the World Heritage Site with the crowds thin as the country recovers from the coronavirus.
'Long live the samba!': Brazil holds first carnival since Covid
After two long years without its frenetic festival of sparkling sequins, sultry samba and towering floats, Rio de Janeiro will hold its famed carnival parades Friday for the first time since Covid-19 hit Brazil.
Turkish opposition leader's flat goes dark over unpaid bills
Turkey's opposition leader said Thursday that his power supply had been cut after he stopped paying electricity bills in protest at soaring prices that he blamed squarely on President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Tiny Bronte book, unseen for a century, goes on sale in New York
A miniature book of poems written by a 13-year-old Charlotte Bronte was unveiled in New York on Thursday after more than a century hidden away.
Frappart named as first woman to referee French Cup final
Stephanie Frappart will make history when she becomes the first woman to referee the men's French Cup final, after being handed the game by the French Football Federation (FFF) on Thursday.
Russia's economic outlook worsens: central bank survey
Russia's economic outlook has worsened as a central bank survey on Thursday showed a deeper contraction than previously expected and inflation soaring to 22 percent this year.
Tesla, airline shares take off
US and European stock markets rose on Thursday, with Tesla shares shooting higher after the electric carmaker reported record profits and airlines soaring as the travel outlook brightened.
American Airlines eyes Q2 profit after latest loss
American Airlines reported another quarterly loss Thursday, but said a recent sharp improvement in bookings should enable it to achieve profitability in the second quarter.
UN top court raps Colombia over sea row with Nicaragua
The United Nations' top court on Thursday ordered the Colombian navy to stop interfering in Nicaraguan waters, ruling on a longstanding legal battle over maritime borders.
UK PM arrives in India for hard sell on anti-Russia action
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrived in India Thursday touting job-creating investment but facing long odds to get his reluctant counterpart Narendra Modi to back Western action against Russia.
China reinforces tight control over plane crash mystery
The cause of China's deadliest air crash in decades remains a mystery, with authorities giving few details in a preliminary report on Wednesday while enforcing strict censorship one month after the disaster.
Cannabis '420' festival brings scent of freedom - and dollars - to Denver
Tens of thousands of cannabis enthusiasts gathered in Denver on Wednesday to celebrate the ever-widening US legalization of recreational weed with plumes of pungent smoke, music... and a few grumblings about commercialization.
Tesla reports record profits, bullish on 2022 output
Tesla reported another banner quarter of profit growth Wednesday on pricier vehicles and said its 2022 output plan was on track despite ongoing supply chain problems and a hit from recent Covid-19 lockdown measures in China.
United Airlines bullish on Q2 as it reports another loss
United Airlines reported another quarterly loss Wednesday on the lingering drag from Covid-19 but offered a bullish outlook based on surging travel demand.
Tesla reports Q1 profits of $3.3 bn, topping expectations
Tesla reported another banner quarter of profit growth Wednesday as the rapid expansion of electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing capacity boosted sales despite ongoing supply chain problems.
Italy signs gas deal with Angola seeking to end dependence on Russia
Italian ministers on Wednesday signed a deal with Angola to ramp up gas supplies from the southern African country as Italy urgently scrambles to break away from Russian gas over the Ukraine war.
G20 finances chiefs convene amid threats of Ukraine boycott
Finance officials from the world's richest countries are convening on Wednesday to address global challenges like rising debt and a possible food crisis -- if they can overcome boiling tensions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Europe stocks shine but US mixed as Netflix plunges
European stocks rose Wednesday as investors tracked corporate earnings and developments in the Ukraine conflict, while US stocks were mixed as Netflix shares tumbled after the streaming giant reported a drop in subscribers.
Higher prices cooled US housing market in March
Sales of existing US homes dropped for the second straight month in March, an industry survey said Wednesday, a sign that higher mortgage rates and rising prices are taking the wind out of the booming sector's sails.
Stock markets rise but Netflix sinks
European and US stocks rose Wednesday as investors tracked developments in the Ukraine conflict and corporate earnings, with Netflix shares sinking after the streaming giant reported a drop in subscribers.
Procter & Gamble profits rise on higher pricing
Quarterly profits edged higher at Procter & Gamble as the consumer goods giant implemented price increases with only a limited hit to demand, the company said Wednesday.
European stock market gains capped by Ukraine war
European stocks rose Wednesday but gains were capped as Russia continued its new offensive in eastern Ukraine, dealers said.
Blind Rwandans take up massage to fight stigma
On a chilly morning, Beth Gatonye loaded two vibrating chairs into her van and headed to the US embassy in Kigali with three blind colleagues, ready to offer massage therapy.
Italy chases African gas to end dependence on Russia
Italian ministers head to central Africa Wednesday in an urgent quest for new energy deals as Italy scrambles to break away from Russian gas over the Ukraine war.
IMF asks Sri Lanka to restructure debt before bailout
The International Monetary Fund said on Wednesday that it has asked cash-strapped Sri Lanka to "restructure" its huge foreign debt before a bailout programme could be finalised as anti-government protests escalated across the island.
Sri Lanka town under curfew, foreign concern over killing
Police kept up a curfew in central Sri Lanka on Wednesday, a day after the killing of an anti-government demonstrator in escalating protests across the island triggered international condemnation.
New Indian 'sex start-ups' challenge old taboos
The couple behind a new start-up using adult toys and cheeky adverts to challenge long-held taboos say they want to take the "shame, guilt and fear" out of sex in India.
Oil stabilises after big drop on IMF growth cut
Asian markets were flat on Wednesday as oil began clawing its way back up from a big drop after the International Monetary Fund downgraded its global growth forecast for 2022.
Mexican lawmakers pass lithium nationalization plan
Mexican lawmakers on Tuesday approved a plan to nationalize the exploration and mining of lithium, a vital material in the production of batteries for electric cars, cellphones and other technology.
Florida governor calls to end Disney's self-governing status at theme park
Florida governor Ron DeSantis asked the US state's congress Tuesday to vote to eliminate a statute that allows entertainment giant Disney to act as a local government in Orlando, where it has its theme park.
Oil prices dive on weaker IMF growth forecast as US stocks rally
Oil prices plunged by more than five percent Tuesday on worries that slowing growth will dent petroleum demand, while US stocks enjoyed a solid rally following a series of weak sessions.