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Warehouse business catches fire, boosted by pandemic, e-commerce
The rise of e-commerce and the logistical nightmare created by the Covid-19 pandemic have caused a surge in demand for warehouse space in the United States, and big investment funds have taken note.
Apple store workers vote to form their first US union
A majority of employees at a US Apple store have voted to form a union, a first for the tech giant, which has so far tried to discourage unionizing attempts.
US approves Covid vaccines for youngest kids
US health authorities on Saturday cleared the Pfizer and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines for children aged five and younger, in a move President Joe Biden greeted as a "monumental step" in the fight against the virus.
Lunch with Warren Buffett goes for a whopping $19 mn ... tip included?
Talk about an expensive date: a mystery bidder will be spending a record $19 million for the right to have lunch with legendary American investment guru Warren Buffett.
Bitcoin plunges below $20,000
Bitcoin plunged below $20,000 on Saturday, shedding nine percent from the previous day to fall to $18,740, its lowest level since December 13, 2020.
Another suspect detained in British journalist's killing in Brazil
A suspect in the killing of British journalist Dom Phillips and his Brazilian guide turned himself into police early Saturday, officials said, a day after investigators confirmed that remains found buried in the Amazon were those of Phillips.
Thousands join Singapore gay rights rally
Thousands of Singaporeans dressed in pink gathered at a park Saturday calling for greater recognition of LGBTQ rights, the first such rally since 2019 after coronavirus restrictions were eased.
One dead in Shanghai chemical plant explosion
Huge clouds of black smoke billowed over Shanghai from multiple fires at a chemical plant Saturday that left at least one dead, according to state media and eyewitness video obtained by AFP.
Street art in Montreal is writ large
A mysterious creature playing piano, a white tiger baring its fangs, and a huge Batgirl: dozens of artists are busy this June painting giant frescoes for the tenth edition of Montreal's Mural festival.
No petrol, no cars: Cubans turn to electric transport
There is a new sight on the streets of Havana: increasing numbers of electric vehicles whizzing among the old American cars so emblematic of the Cuban capital.
SpaceX fires workers behind letter criticizing Musk
Elon Musk's SpaceX has fired several employees behind a letter critical of the outspoken billionaire's public behavior, the aerospace firm said in a message to staff confirmed by AFP on Friday.
US stocks end rocky week lower ahead of holiday
New York equities ended a rocky week mostly higher on Friday but lower for the week amid worsening fears of recession as the US central bank takes aggressive action against inflation.
Deal reached on US 5G antennas near airports: FAA
The Federal Aviation Authority said Friday that mobile operators AT&T and Verizon have reached an agreement with airlines for the gradual deployment of additional 5G antennas around US airports.
Poles carpet streets with flowers for Corpus Christi
Katarzyna Kaczmarek carefully arranges petals on the pavement in front of her house -- part of a long colourful flower carpet snaking its way through her village of Spycimierz in central Poland.
TikTok says Oracle to keep US user data safe
TikTok on Friday said Oracle will store all the data from its US users, in a bid to allay fears about its safety in the hands of a platform owned by ByteDance in China.
WTO fishing deal hailed as historic though 'not perfect'
A WTO deal aimed at curbing overfishing was hailed by conservation groups as a major turning point, even if it was the result of compromises to seal the long-sought agreement.
Four Moroccan women accuse French tycoon of sexual harassment
Four women have pressed charges in Morocco against French insurance tycoon Jacques Bouthier, currently under arrest in Paris on charges of raping a minor, a rights group said Friday.
Stocks waver, oil prices fall on recession fears
Stock markets wobbled and oil prices sank on Friday over growing fears that inflation-fighting interest rate hikes by central banks could trigger recessions.
Sri Lanka schools, govt offices to shut as transport grinds to halt
Sri Lankan authorities on Friday announced a two-week shutdown of government offices and schools, as public transport ground almost entirely to a halt due to a lack of dollars to pay for imported fuel.
Tesla shareholder sues Musk over racism and sexual harassment complaints
A Tesla shareholder has filed legal proceedings against Elon Musk and the company's board of directors, accusing them of ignoring employee complaints of racism and sexual harassment.
Germans turn to food banks as inflation hits
German pensioner Gabriele Washah waits in line to fill her trolley with bags of carrots for 50 cents, yoghurts just past their sell-by date and bunches of wilting flowers.
Markets hit by recession fears, yen drops after BoJ decision
Equity markets mostly fell Friday after another hefty drop in New York as interest rate hikes by the world's central banks fan fears of a recession, while the yen sank after the Bank of Japan refused to follow its peers in tightening policy.
Mariah Carey, Eurythmics, Pharrell enter Songwriters Hall of Fame
Mariah Carey sparkled Thursday as her peers inducted the beloved diva into the prestigious Songwriters Hall of Fame, part of a class that also includes Pharrell, Steve Miller and the Isley Brothers.
WTO strikes landmark deals package after marathon talks
The World Trade Organization concluded a landmark bundle of deals Friday covering fishing subsidies, food insecurity and Covid-19 vaccines following hectic round-the-clock talks.
Russian farmers seek to ride out Western sanctions
Yevgeny Shifanov, co-owner of an organic farm, says his business has felt the sting of Western sanctions and he is no longer able to sell his grain to Europe.
Bank of Japan keeps easing despite global rate hikes
The Bank of Japan on Friday stuck to its monetary easing policy even as other central banks raise interest rates to tame inflation, but said it would "pay due attention" to forex markets as the yen struggles at a 24-year low.
RIP Internet Explorer: South Korean engineer's browser 'grave' goes viral
A South Korean engineer who built a grave for Internet Explorer -- photos of which quickly went viral -- told AFP Friday that the now-defunct web browser had made his life a misery.
Asian markets hit by recession fears, yen drops after BoJ decision
Asian markets mostly fell Friday after another hefty drop in New York as central bank interest rate hikes fan fears of a recession, while the yen sank after the Bank of Japan said it would not yet follow its global peers in tightening policy.
Bank of Japan keeps easing policy despite US, Europe rate hikes
The Bank of Japan on Friday stuck to its long-held monetary easing policy even as other central banks around the world hike interest rates to tame inflation.
Education is key to racism fight, says West Indies legend Holding
Educating the young is the most effective way of combatting racism as armed with the facts they can challenge their peers, West Indies cricket legend and anti-racism campaigner Michael Holding has told AFP.
Most Asian markets on recession fears, Bank of Japan in focus
Asian markets mostly fell Friday after another hefty drop in New York and Europe as central bank interest rates hikes to counter soaring inflation fan fears of a recession.
Drawing a beer: the artist sketching every London pub
Lydia Wood sits opposite The Atlas pub in west London, meticulously adding detail to her drawing of the building and pausing only occasionally to sharpen her pencil.