Monaco Journal - News from Monaco, Monte-Carlo and the world

Most stock markets gained Thursday even as President Donald Trump's new tariffs on dozens of countries took effect, with investors eyeing exemptions from his threatened 100-percent levy on semiconductors.

Siemens warned on Thursday that US tariffs were prompting its customers in key sectors to slow investment decisions, even as the German industrial giant reported forecast-beating quarterly profits.

Weeks after he was forced to return from Iran, Mohammad Mohsen Zaryab was still searching for somewhere to live in Kabul, where rental prices have soared along with an influx of Afghans expelled from neighbouring countries.

Israel's security cabinet was expected to meet later Thursday to discuss military plans in Gaza, Israeli media said, as the families of hostages launched a desperate plea for help aboard a flotilla to the territory.

President Emmanuel Macron urged a tougher line from Paris in an intensifying standoff with former north African colony Algeria, saying France's stance needed to "command respect".

The UK said Thursday it had detained the first migrants under a new "one-in, one-out" deal with France in which it can return people crossing the Channel on small boats.

French firefighters said Thursday they were hoping to halt the country's biggest wildfire this summer that has left one person dead and destroyed several thousand hectares of land and dozens of homes in the south.

At a funeral home in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy, Svitlana Ostapenko paced around as she prepared the dead for their final journey.

Indian exporters warned on Thursday that the cost of additional US tariffs risked making businesses "not viable" after President Donald Trump ordered steeper levies totalling 50 percent on imported Indian goods.

German industrial production slumped to its lowest level in June since the pandemic in 2020, data showed Thursday, underlining the fragility of Europe's top economy even before higher US tariffs kicked in.

Thailand and Cambodia agreed Thursday to extend a shaky ceasefire deal that followed five days of deadly hostilities along their border last month.

The third-hottest July worldwide ended a string of record-breaking temperatures, but many regions were devastated by extreme weather amplified by global warming, the European climate monitoring service said Thursday.

The Kremlin said Thursday that a summit between Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin was set for the "coming days", with the two sides already having agreed the venue "in principle."

Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday confirmed the signing of Japan winger Ritsu Doan until 2030 from Freiburg.

Switzerland scrambled for answers Thursday after a last-gasp government mission to Washington failed to stop a 39-percent tariff blow from President Donald Trump, sparking job fears in what businesses called a "horror scenario".

Apple will invest an additional $100 billion in the United States, taking its total pledge to $600 billion over the next four years, US President Donald Trump said Wednesday.

Asian equities rose Thursday as investors looked past Donald Trump's threat to impose 100 percent tariffs on semiconductors, with optimism still high that the Federal Reserve will slash interest rates next month.

The United States began charging higher tariffs on dozens of trading partners Thursday, in a major escalation of President Donald Trump's drive to reshape global commerce in America's favor.

Food delivery app Deliveroo on Thursday reported that it fell back into a loss in the first half of 2025, citing costs related to its takeover by US rival DoorDash.

Leroy Carter's dream call-up to the All Blacks Rugby Championship squad almost became a nightmare when he his dog chewed up his passport days before leaving for Argentina.

US tariffs prompted Japanese auto giant Toyota on Thursday to cut its annual net profit forecast by 14 percent.

Eddie Palmieri, who revolutionized Latin music and played a major role in the salsa explosion in New York City, passed away Wednesday at the age of 88, according to the artist's official social media account.

Dressing up at the World Cosplay Summit can be makeup-meltingly sweaty in Japan's baking summer, and after this year's event in record heat, organisers have pushed the 2027 edition to November.

China's exports rose more than expected last month, with official data on Thursday showing a jump in shipments to the European Union and other markets offset a drop in those to the United States.

Cockatoo birds are renowned in Australia for their raucous singing, but researchers said Thursday they also boast an impressive array of dance moves.

South Korean prosecutors on Thursday requested an arrest warrant for former first lady Kim Keon Hee, a day after questioning her over a litany of allegations, including bribery and stock manipulation.

Karen Khachanov rallied to defeat top seed Alexander Zverev and book an ATP Toronto Masters title clash with Ben Shelton, who beat second seeded Taylor Fritz on Wednesday.

Veteran scrum-half Nic White's retirement lasted barely a week after he was named Thursday in an injury-depleted Wallabies squad for two Rugby Championship Tests against world champions South Africa.

China's exports beat expectations and rose 7.2 percent year-on-year in July, official data showed Thursday, as overseas shipments buoyed its struggling economy even as it navigated a shaky trade war truce with the United States.

Struggling Test opener Sam Konstas was picked Thursday for Australia A's red-ball tour of India next month, with chief selector George Bailey saying the experience will be invaluable.

Fly-half Richie Mo'unga will return to New Zealand next year, putting him in the frame to steer the All Blacks at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Higher US tariffs came into effect for dozens of economies Thursday, drastically raising the stakes in President Donald Trump's wide-ranging efforts to reshape global trade.