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US pharma groups advance $25 bn opioid settlement
Johnson & Johnson and three large drug distributors said Friday that opioid settlements worth nearly $25 billion had garnered enough support from opposing litigants to be finalized in court.
Not so SWIFT: EU energy concerns spark Russia sanctions rift
The West has agreed an onslaught of sanctions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but resistance from key EU nations fearful of severing their power sources has resulted in them holding off on banishing Moscow from the SWIFT banking transfer system.
Stocks rebound as traders weigh Russia sanctions; oil slips
Global stocks rebounded slightly Friday on bargain hunting, one day after slumping as Russia invaded Ukraine, while oil declined from 2014 peaks.
Chinese anti-graft body criticises banks for 'extravagance'
Beijing's anti-graft body has criticised more than 20 state banks, regulators, insurers and bad-debt managers following an investigation into corruption and financial risks, citing "many outstanding problems" in their work.
Markets track Wall St rally as traders weigh Russia sanctions
Equities bounced back Friday from the previous day's rout with investors taking their lead from a rally on Wall Street after Washington decided against imposing the stiffest sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
Plastic treaty would be historic for planet: UNEP chief
The world has a rare opportunity to clean up the planet for future generations by uniting behind an ambitious treaty to tackle plastic trash, the UN environment chief told AFP.
'I lost my youth': Women jailed for miscarriages in El Salvador
Kenia was 17 when, she says, she had a miscarriage after a fall and was sent to jail on suspicion of having had an abortion in El Salvador.
Eagerly awaited 'Elden Ring' game lands at downcast time
Hotly anticipated gaming title "Elden Ring" debuts Friday, promising an intricate world crafted in collaboration with the author of "Game of Thrones," and offering high-level escapism for a crisis-hit world.
Australia slams China 'lifeline' to Russia
Australia on Friday pilloried China's failure to denounce the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as Beijing's "unacceptable" decision to ease restrictions on a key Russian export in the face of Western sanctions.
Asian markets track Wall St rally as traders weigh Russia sanctions
Equities bounced back Friday from the previous day's rout with investors taking their lead from a rally on Wall Street after Washington decided against imposing the stiffest sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
Prosthetics craftsmen hope to 'repair humans' in ailing Venezuela
"I used to repair car tires. Now I repair humans," boasts Jose Bastidas, an amputee who left his auto repair job to make artificial limbs in Venezuela, where the health system has all but collapsed.
European stocks plunge, oil tops $100 as Russia invades Ukraine
Russia's invasion of Ukraine sent oil prices above $100 a barrel and pummeled European equities on Thursday, while Wall Street stocks finished solidly higher after rebounding during the session.
Elon Musk probed in US over stock trades: report
US market regulators are probing whether Tesla boss Elon Musk and his brother violated insider trading rules in connection with whopping share sales last year, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.
SWIFT, the global finance arm that the West can twist
An exclusion from SWIFT, a very discreet but important cog in the machinery of international finance, is one of the most disruptive of the possible sanctions that the West could deploy against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
World stocks plunge, oil tops $100 as Russia invades Ukraine
Global equities tumbled on Thursday and oil prices breached $100 for the first time in more than seven years after key crude producer Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine, accelerating fears of a major war in eastern Europe.
World stocks plunge, oil tops $105 as Russia invades Ukraine
Oil surged past $105 per barrel and equities tumbled Thursday after key crude producer Russia sent forces into Ukraine, accelerating fears of a major war in eastern Europe.
Americans ponder the cost of 'defending freedom' in Ukraine
President Joe Biden has told Americans to prepare for the "costs" of Washington's pushback against Russian aggression in Ukraine, but truck driver Jeremy Rakestraw wonders if he hasn't paid enough already.
Lebanon to get Spanish funds for railway revival plan: minister
Lebanon's transport minister has said that Spain will finance a plan to revive the railway network that has been out of service since the start of the 1975-1990 civil war.
A history of $100 crude oil
World oil prices on Thursday breached $100 for the first time in more than seven years, this time on supply fears after major producer Russia attacked Ukraine.
Alibaba says profit fell 74% in 'volatile' environment
Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba on Thursday said profit in the October-December period fell 74 percent, the company's third straight quarterly drop as it faces myriad challenges including a government crackdown, slowing sales growth and intensifying domestic competition.
'Cheers': AB InBev profits nearly back to pre-pandemic level
The world's largest brewer AB InBev said Thursday that its profits rose 50 percent last year, nearing its level before the Covid-19 pandemic forced shut pubs and bars worldwide.
Video game developers cash in on Africa's booming mobile market
Two manga-like avatars lock swords against a comic strip backdrop, as Alexander Poone explains the different worlds of "The Traveller" -- a video game based on a graphic novel.
Engines giant Rolls-Royce back in profit, seeks CEO
Rolls-Royce, the British maker of aircraft engines, announced Thursday a return to annual profit in 2021 after it slashed costs, adding that its long-serving chief executive would step down.
Ukrainians in 'Moscow on the Med' look on in horror
Ukrainians living alongside fellow expats from "brother" Russia in the Mediterranean seaside town of Limassol in Cyprus looked on in horror Thursday at the Russian assault on their homeland.
Oil tops $100 after Russian assault on Ukraine
Benchmark oil contract Brent North Sea on Thursday topped $100 per barrel for the first time in more than seven years, this time on supply fears after major producer Russia attacked Ukraine.
Scrounging for food in 'hunger hotspot' Colombia
While the Colombian government fumes over being listed as a "hunger hotspot" by UN agencies, Heidy Garzon -- a single mother of nine -- worries where her family's next meal will come from.
Oil breaks $100, havens rally, equities drop as Russia enters Ukraine
Oil prices broke past $100 and safe havens surged while equities tumbled Thursday after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "military operation" in Ukraine, accelerating fears of a major war.
More than $1.5 bn bid so far in US offshore wind auction
Energy companies interested in developing offshore wind sites bid more than $1.5 billion Wednesday in by far the biggest US auction for the renewable power.
US stocks fall again as Russia-Ukraine tensions mount
Wall Street stocks fell again Wednesday amid unease over Ukraine and shifting Federal Reserve policy, while oil prices finished a volatile session little changed.
Uruguay appeals ruling ordering sale of eagle from Nazi battleship
Uruguay has appealed a ruling ordering it to sell a bronze eagle from a sunken World War II-era German destroyer found off Montevideo 16 years ago, government sources told AFP Wednesday.
US launches biggest yet auction for offshore wind
Bidding began Wednesday in the biggest US offshore wind energy auction yet, involving nearly 500,000 acres off the coasts of New York and New Jersey.
Fashionistas back to Milan for live shows -- for real this time
The who's who of Italian fashion returned to the runway Wednesday at the start of women's shows in Milan, which organisers hope will boost an industry stifled by two years of coronavirus.
Oil rises, stocks struggle as Russia-Ukraine tensions mount
Oil prices pushed higher while stocks struggled on Wednesday after Ukraine called up reservists and Russia vowed a strong response to Western sanctions.
US home ownership jumps, but race gap widens: data report
US home ownership jumped at an historic rate in 2020, but a racial gap widened as more Black households were priced out, according to a report released Wednesday.
France's Sanofi to seek Covid vaccine approval after delays
French pharmaceuticals giant Sanofi said Wednesday that its Covid-19 vaccine, developed with Britain's GSK, had delivered positive results after nearly a year of delays left it lagging far behind its rivals.
Barclays freezes ex-boss bonuses over Epstein probe
British bank Barclays on Wednesday suspended £22 million of bonuses owed to ex-boss Jes Staley amid a probe into his links with US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Workers across Turkey go on strike as inflation bites
Soaring inflation in Turkey has propelled a wave of strikes unlike any the country has seen since the 1970s, as workers demand more money to counter the shrinking value of their pay.
Rio Tinto posts record earnings, buoyed by high ore prices
Australia-based mining giant Rio Tinto on Wednesday reported record earnings of US$21.4 billion last year, on the back of soaring iron ore prices and solid demand from China.
Hong Kong unveils $22 bn budget for virus plagued economy
Hong Kong's finance chief on Wednesday unveiled a costly HK$170 billion ($21.79 billion) budget, including tax breaks and consumer spending vouchers, as the city reels under its worst coronavirus outbreak to date.