Agence France-Presse

LeGarde Paints Positive EU 2023 Picture

The eurozone economy will fare "a lot better" this year than initially feared, European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde said Thursday, as hopes grow that countries can avoid a painful recession.

Kremlin Threatens Ukraine Escalation

The Kremlin on Thursday warned of escalation in Ukraine if the West gives the pro-Western country more weapons capable of striking Russia.

Premiere League Concussion Plan Rejected by Regulators

A proposed trial of temporary concussion substitutes in next season's Premier League has been rejected by football's lawmakers, according to English Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham.

Moroccan Rapper Rapped by Court

George Floyd's Killer Wants New Trial

An attorney for Derek Chauvin asked an appeals court Wednesday to throw out the former Minneapolis police officer's convictions in the murder of George Floyd, arguing that numerous legal and procedural errors deprived him of a fair trial. Floyd died on May 25, 2020, after Chauvin, who is White, pinned the Black man to the ground with his knee on his neck for 9 1/2 minutes

U.S. Producer Prices Drop in December

The Labor Department said US producer prices fell 0.5 percent in December from November, the biggest drop since early in the pandemic.

U.S. Retail Sales Shrank Again in December

US retail sales slumped for a second straight month in December, according to government data released Wednesday, with its largest drop in a year signaling a key growth engine is faltering.

Senegal Oppo Slammed With Rape Charge

A Senegalese judge has ordered a prominent opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko, to face trial for alleged rape, lawyers for Sonko and his accuser said on Wednesday.

DRC Deforestation Devastating - Officials

Acrid smoke swirls amid the buzzing of dozens of chainsaws under the majestic Nyiragongo volcano, producing scenes of devastation in the heart of the lush natural treasure in eastern DRC. In less than two months, more than 200 hectares of forest have been razed to stumps in this corner of the Virunga National Park, where tens of thousands of people have fled from clashes between rebels and the military.

Egypt Picking Up Plastic

Entrepreneurial young Egyptians are helping combat their country's huge plastic waste problem by recycling junk-food wrappers, water bottles and similar garbage that usually ends up in landfills or the Nile.

Rogue S. Africa Tiger Killed

A tiger who escaped from a farm and roamed the countryside outside of Johannesburg for four days, attacking a man and killing several animals, was euthanised on Wednesday, a local community leader said.

Uber Rolls Again in Tanzania

Ride-hailing giant Uber has resumed its services in Tanzania, it said on Wednesday, settling a fare dispute with the government.

Burkina Civilians Now Terror Targets

Attacks in Burkina Faso have increased since October and now especially target civilians, according to junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traore, who took power last year on a vow to quell jihadist violence.

UN Chief Calls Out Big Oil on Climate

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres accused oil firms on Wednesday of peddling a "big lie" about their role in global warming and warned they should be held accountable.

Sharks and Rays Face Extinction - Study

Nearly two thirds of the sharks and rays that live among the world's corals are threatened with extinction, according to new research published Tuesday, with a warning this could further imperil precious reefs.

"Free Ihsane El Kadi, Algiers" - Amnesty

Car Batteries Add Grid Power

Electric car batteries could be used to boost power storage in the future, injecting electricity into the grid during times of scarcity or storing electricity during periods of excess, a new study found Tuesday.

Swiss Rule Against FIFA Sacking

A Swiss court has ruled that the way FIFA fired its acting secretary-general Markus Kattner in 2016, when the scandal-ridden body dismissed him without notice over allegations of financial mismanagement, was unjustified.

EU Graft Suspect Cuts Plea Deal

A key suspect in a spreading EU graft scandal, former Italian MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri, has cut a deal to divulge information about countries involved and bribes made, Belgian prosecutors said Tuesday.

Libya Sends Tunisia Food

Libya donated several dozen trucks of food supplies on Tuesday to neighbouring Tunisia, the Libyan embassy said, months into an economic crisis that has seen repeated shortages of basic goods.