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Lawyers make final pleas at rape trial of France's 'monster' husband

A lawyer urged judges to acquit her clients Friday as defence pleas wrap up at a massive rape trial in France, arguing the main victim's "monster" husband had manipulated them into assaulting her.

Staff at UK luxury store Harrods vote to strike

Hundreds of staff at London's luxury department store Harrods will walk out just days before Christmas, a union said Friday, in a row over pay and working conditions.

Global stocks pull lower on US rate concerns

A push higher by global stocks ran out of steam Friday as US bond yields rose in a signal that investors see the US Federal Reserve pausing after an expected interest rate cut next week.

Chanel looks to the future with new artistic director Blazy

French luxury brand Chanel has opted for 40-year-old Matthieu Blazy as its new creative director instead of one of the industry's established celebrity designers.

IAEA says Iran agrees to more monitoring at Fordo enrichment plant

Iran has agreed to increased monitoring by the UN nuclear watchdog at its Fordo enrichment plant, following its plans to ramp up production of highly enriched uranium at the site, the agency said in a report seen by AFP on Friday.

Elegance in a historic setting: the new Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II celebrates its German premiere at the Grand Hotel Heiligendamm

On Thursday, 12 December 2024, Riller & Schnauck, the exclusive Berlin-based Rolls-Royce dealer, presented the new Rolls-Royce Ghost II to a selected audience at the traditional Grand Hotel Heiligendamm (Federal State: Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - Federal Republic of Germany) on the Baltic Sea. Within the historic walls of Germany's first seaside resort and surrounded by the ‘White City by the Sea’, the German clientele was able to gain an impressive insight into the subtle further development of the British luxury saloon.Exclusive customer presentation in Germany's oldest seaside resortHeiligendamm, situated on the Bay of Mecklenburg, has embodied European bathing culture and the finest luxury since its foundation in 1793. The Grand Hotel, whose origins are closely linked to the history of the resort, was once a summer residence for the high nobility and European aristocracy. The snow-white architecture against the backdrop of the Baltic Sea exudes an air of nobility that perfectly matches the standards of a manufacturer like Rolls-Royce. The launch of the Ghost II at this historic location is therefore much more than just a product presentation – it is a statement of timeless elegance and flawless style.

Moldova declares emergency ahead of expected Russia gas cuts

Moldova's parliament approved Friday a 60-day state of emergency as an expected cut of Russian gas to the power station that supplies a majority of its electricity could trigger blackouts.

German central bank cuts growth forecasts as headwinds intensify

Germany's central bank on Friday sharply downgraded its growth forecasts for next year and 2026, predicting a prolonged period of weakness for Europe's biggest economy as it battles multiple headwinds.

Markets diverge as China economic pledges disappoint

Stock markets diverged Friday as traders were disappointed by China's latest boosts to its beleaguered economy and looked ahead to a key US Federal Reserve meeting next week.

'Lives at risk': Women's medical training ban threatens Afghan health sector

From her private hospital in Afghanistan's capital, doctor Najmussama Shefajo predicts a rise in maternal mortality rates "within three or four years", following the latest restrictions on women's education.

Markets retreat as China pledges fail to spark excitement

Markets fell Friday as China's latest vows to boost the beleaguered economy failed to stir much excitement, while traders looked ahead to a key Federal Reserve policy meeting next week.

Asian markets retreat as China pledges fail to spark excitement

Asian markets fell Friday as China's latest vows to boost the beleaguered economy failed to stir much excitement, while traders looked ahead to a key Federal Reserve policy meeting next week.

Slovakia protests against minister who tests culture, LGBT limits

Thousands of people took to the streets of the Slovakia capital Thursday to protest against Culture Minister Martina Simkovicova who has dismissed several heads of major cultural institutions and halted projects steered by LGBT+ associations under the pretext of promoting "Slovak culture".

Riller & Schnauck appoints Oliver Hein as new COO and strengthens operational management

Riller & Schnauck GmbH, one of the leading car dealerships in Berlin and Brandenburg (Germany), is pleased to announce that Oliver Hein is joining the company's management team as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO) with immediate effect. This step is a further sign of Riller & Schnauck's future strategic direction for its operational business and the expansion of its premium portfolio.

Chanel names Matthieu Blazy to enter new artistic era

French luxury brand Chanel on Thursday named former Bottega Veneta creative boss Matthieu Blazy as its new artistic director, one of the biggest jobs in fashion tasked with finally turning the page on the Karl Lagerfeld era.

Four face trial for online targeting of Brigitte Macron

Four men will appear in court next year in Paris over allegations they harassed French First Lady Brigitte Macron online, the public prosecutor said Thursday.

Man City's Walker calls for action after online racist abuse

Manchester City defender Kyle Walker has called for tough action to tackle online abuse after he received a "vile, racist and threatening" message following Wednesday's 2-0 loss at Juventus.

ECB cuts rates again, Lagarde says eurozone 'losing momentum'

The European Central Bank cut interest rates again Thursday and hinted at more to come, with President Christine Lagarde saying the beleaguered eurozone economy was "losing momentum" as EU and US politics fuelled uncertainty.

ECB cuts rates again as eurozone hit by economic, political woes

The European Central Bank cut interest rates again Thursday, citing a worsening growth outlook and slowing inflation, with political turmoil in the eurozone adding to the troubled picture.

'No longer of this time': Miss Netherlands pageant scrapped

The Miss Netherlands beauty pageant is being scrapped after 35 years, organisers said on Thursday, transforming into a new platform dealing with mental health and sharing positive stories.

Swiss central bank announces big rate cut to boost economy

The Swiss central bank announced an unexpectedly large interest-rate cut on Thursday, citing rising "uncertainty" about the economic outlook due to the potential impact of Donald Trump's policies and political turmoil in Europe.

European stocks rise after surprise Swiss rate cut

European stock markets rose Thursday as the Swiss central bank made a bigger-than-forecast interest rate cut before eurozone policymakers are expected to trim the bloc's own borrowing costs again.

Russians suffer rising costs of Ukraine conflict

In the small town of Dedovsk, just outside Moscow, pensioner Zinaida Kudriavtseva is struggling to pay the bills.

'Taste of love': Donkey milk cheese meets success in Albania

"Donkey milk has the taste of love," said Fatiko Basha as she caressed her favourite, Liza, before collecting the animal's milk. It also makes what is reputed to be one of the most expensive cheeses in the world.

Fears for the future as drug deaths among young Finns soar

At a popular meeting spot for substance abusers near central Helsinki, even the addicts warn that Finland has a spiralling drug problem, particularly among young people.

Asian markets rise after Wall St record; eyes on China

Equities mostly rose in Asian trade Thursday following another record day on Wall Street fuelled by inflation data that reinforced expectations for a US interest rate cut next week, while traders also remained hopeful for more measures to stimulate China's economy.

'Alarming' US mystery drones confound officials, scare locals

A rash of unexplained drone sightings in the skies above New Jersey has left locals rattled and sent US officials scrambling for answers.

Korean Air buys majority stake in rival Asiana Airlines

South Korea's flag carrier Korean Air said Thursday it had bought a majority stake in rival Asiana Airlines for $1 billion, making it the effective owner four years after first expressing its takeover intentions.

Tokyo to make day care free to boost birth rate

Tokyo plans to make day care free for all preschool children starting in September, the city governor has announced as part of efforts to boost Japan's low birth rate.

Amid weak eurozone and political turmoil, ECB to cut rates again

Faced with a stuttering economy, political turbulence in the eurozone and the prospect of renewed trade tensions with the United States, the European Central Bank is Thursday set to cut interest rates again.

Lithium-rich Bolivia lags behind in race to mine key metal

In a patch of South America rich in lithium, used to make batteries for electric cars and other tech, Bolivia is lagging behind its neighbors in the race to mine the key metal.

Video game bosses gather at 'darkest hour' for industry

The movers and shakers of the video game industry will gather Thursday in Los Angeles to celebrate the annual Game Awards, the sector's equivalent of the Oscars.

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