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How China's civil society collapsed under Xi
Human rights activist Charles remembers a time when civil society was blossoming in China, and he could dedicate his time to helping improve the lives of people struggling in blue-collar jobs.
Why crypto's big 'merge' is causing big headaches
The biggest software upgrade in the short history of crypto has fulfilled its promise to wipe out more than 99 percent of the electricity used by the second-biggest cryptocurrency, experts have told AFP.
As Iraq concrete jungle swelters, ancient stone houses stay cool
As the sun beats down on Iraq, most people swelter in their concrete homes -- but not the inhabitants of one mountain town known for its ancient and cool stone houses.
Twitter Blue subscribers getting edit feature
Twitter on Monday said a feature to edit tweets is being rolled out to those subscribing to its Blue service in Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
US auto sales remain slow in third quarter
Automakers saw lackluster US sales in the third quarter, as manufacturers continued to grapple with supply constraints, according to reports from the companies Monday.
More data needed to tackle systemic racism by police: UN experts
A dearth of data in many countries on the race and ethnicity of people arrested or killed by police presents a major barrier to tackling systemic racism, UN investigators warned Monday.
US 'broad-based' inflation will take time to come down: Fed official
While there are some signs that global and domestic inflation pressures are easing, high prices have spread, making it harder to quell quickly, a top US central banker said Monday.
Concerns over Credit Suisse viability surge as shares dive
Credit Suisse shares plunged to new lows Monday, spurring swelling fears and even suggestions the bank could face a "Lehman Brothers moment", despite expert assurances it is too big to fail.
UK govt vows reform despite U-turn on tax cut for the rich
Britain's under-fire finance minister Kwasi Kwarteng on Monday vowed to press on with his controversial economic reform plans, despite announcing a dramatic U-turn on a controversial tax cut for high earners.
France 'ready' for winter as Macron adopts polo neck trend
French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said Monday that the country was "ready" for the winter despite gas shortages in Europe -- providing consumers made efforts to reduce their energy consumption.
Turkey and Libya sign maritime hydrocarbons deal
Turkey's foreign minister signed a deal in Libya's capital Monday allowing for oil and gas exploration in Libya's Mediterranean waters, three years after a maritime border deal that angered European nations.
Vodafone, Hutchison in talks to merge UK ops
Vodafone on Monday confirmed it was in talks over merging its UK operations with rival Three UK, owned by Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison.
US manufacturing growth slows to lowest since 2020: survey
US manufacturing growth slowed in September to its weakest pace in more than two years amid a decline in orders, as well as easing price pressures, according to an industry survey released Monday.
Kim Kardashian pays $1.26 mn for unlawful crypto promo
US reality star Kim Kardashian has agreed to pay a $1.26 million fine after unlawfully pushing a cryptocurrency on Instagram without revealing that she was paid to do so, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced Monday.
UK's new Tory govt in major U-turn over tax cut for wealthy after uproar
Britain's under-fire Conservative government on Monday announced a dramatic U-turn on a controversial tax cut for high-earners, part of a debt-driven economic package that has bombed with the markets, electorate and much of the ruling party.
OPEC+ tipped to make big cut in oil output
Major oil-producing nations led by Saudi Arabia and Russia are expected to make this week their biggest output cut since the start of the Covid pandemic in efforts to buttress prices.
UK economy not out of woods despite tax U-turn
Britain's debt-fuelled economy remains threatened by recession and the pound mired by trouble despite the government of new Prime Minister Liz Truss performing a swift tax U-turn.
Paris abandons controversial re-landscaping around Eiffel Tower
The Paris mayor's office has abandoned plans for new buildings around the foot of the Eiffel Tower following months of protests from environmentalists and a petition signed by nearly 150,000 people.
UK's new govt in major tax U-turn after uproar
Britain's beleaguered finance minister on Monday announced a dramatic U-turn on a tax cut unveiled as part of an economic package that has bombed with the markets, electorate and his party.
Markets drop as traders eye jobs and earnings, oil jumps
Stocks slipped on Monday as investors await key US jobs data, while girding themselves for a corporate earnings season many fear will highlight the impact of surging inflation and interest rates.
UK's new govt makes major tax U-turn after uproar
Britain's beleaguered finance minister on Monday announced a dramatic U-turn on a tax cut announced as part of an economic package that has bombed with the markets, electorate and his party.
Tesla says deliveries increased in Q3
New vehicle deliveries by Tesla increased in the third quarter, beating the previous three months during which its Chinese factory was shuttered for multiple weeks, the US electric automaker announced Sunday.
Paramount's gruesome 'Smile' tops N.America box office
New psychological horror film "Smile" has Paramount executives beaming after topping the North American box office with an estimated $22 million in weekend ticket sales, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.
Poll puts Bulgaria ex-PM Borisov back on top but short of allies
Exit polls indicated the party of conservative former premier Boyko Borisov has come first in Bulgaria's general election Sunday, the country's fourth in 18 months, held amid mounting anxiety over soaring inflation and the impact of the Ukraine war.
Fall of Ukraine rail hub threatens Russian war gains
As Russian troops retreat after losing the key Ukrainian town of Lyman they need to set up a new frontline to protect their dwindling gains -- but one key supply route has already been cut off.
Hundreds protest in Turkey in support of Iranian women
Hundreds of protesters took to the streets in Turkey on Sunday to condemn Iran's crackdown on women-led demonstrations sparked by a young woman's death after her arrest by the country's notorious morality police.
UK's PM faces TV inquisition ahead of tense Tory conference
After a week of market turmoil, dismal headlines and disastrous polls, British Prime Minister Liz Truss faces a TV grilling Sunday at the start of her restive Conservative party's annual conference.
No Terminator: Musk teases 'useful' humanoid robot
Elon Musk on Friday showed off the latest version of a humanoid robot that the world's richest man said could one day eliminate poverty.
US suicide rate rose in 2021 after falling for two years
The US suicide rate rose in 2021, particularly among young men, according to official data out Friday -- an increase that ends a two-year-decline.
Cyberattack reveals Mexico president's health scare
Hackers have stolen sensitive Mexican files including previously undisclosed information that President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador was taken to hospital by air ambulance in January with a heart problem, the government said Friday.
Tribute to Issey Miyake at Paris Fashion Week
Japanese label Issey Miyake paid tribute to its late founder at Paris Fashion Week on Friday with the sort of choreographed dance show that he pioneered.
Foreigners arrested as Iran protests over Amini death enter third week
Iran said Friday that nine foreigners were arrested over deadly street protests sparked by the death of Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini, as demonstrations across the country entered a third week amid gunfire.
Strong US dollar an unstoppable force endangering other currencies
The dazzling rise of the US dollar, which has hit one record after another, is raising fears of a currency crash of a severity not seen since the 1997 Asian financial crisis reverberated around the world.
EU to cut power use, levy energy companies
EU ministers on Friday agreed cuts to peak-hour power consumption and windfall levies on energy companies in an urgent effort to bring down sky-high energy prices.
Tobacco giant Altria ends non-compete accord with Juul
Tobacco giant Altria said Friday it ended a non-compete agreement with Juul, which is mired in a fight with a US agency over its ability to sell vaping products.
Key US inflation index shows signs of slowing in August
A closely-watched measure of US inflation showed the annual pace of price increases slowed slightly in August as energy costs fell and increases in food costs eased, according to government data released Friday.
Eurozone inflation jumps to record 10% as energy prices soar
Eurozone consumer prices skyrocketed by a record 10 percent in September, official data showed on Friday, as inflation reached double digits on the back of soaring energy prices caused by Russia's war on Ukraine.
Clashes as Iran protests over Mahsa Amini death enter third week
Iranian security forces opened fire on angry protesters as street violence sparked by the death of Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini entered a third week on Friday, foreign-based opposition media reported.
UK teen died after 'negative effects of online content': coroner
A 14-year-old British girl died from an act of self harm while suffering from the "negative effects of online content", a coroner said Friday in a case that shone a spotlight on social media companies.