AFP
13876 articles published since 08 Mar 2022
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Spain's first private rocket successfully lifts off
A Spanish company launched the country's first private rocket on Saturday in a step towards bringing Spain into the exclusive club of space-faring nations. Under a deal signed with the French National Centre for Space Studies, the mini-launcher will take off from the Kourou Space Centre in French Guiana.
US auto workers' union reports progress, holds off on strike expansion
Citing last-minute progress in talks, the head of the US auto workers' union said Friday the labor group would maintain the current strike but not expand it to other plants this week. Fain maintained the possibility of escalating the strike further down the road, but added no more targeted plants after announcing prior expansions the last two Fridays following the initial stoppage on September 15.
Amazon's challenge to Musk's Starlink to have first launch
Amazon is set to launch two satellites on Friday, in its first test mission as part of its plan to deliver the internet from space and compete with Elon Musk’s Starlink service. The first operational satellites of the Kuiper project are due to be launched in early 2024, according to Amazon, which hopes for initial tests with customers at the end of next year.
Kenya's Ruto to ask China for $1bn loan, debt restructure
Kenyan President William Ruto will ask China for a $1-billion loan and a restructured debt payment plan, his deputy said Friday, despite having criticised his predecessor's heavy borrowing from Beijing. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said Ruto would travel to China and ask for "more time to repay the debt slowly" and $1 billion to complete road projects delayed by financing shortfalls.
Pioneer shares rocket higher on ExxonMobil takeover reports
Shares of Pioneer Natural Resources surged more than 10 percent Friday following reports the shale producer is nearing a megadeal to be acquired by ExxonMobil. Near 1540 GMT, Pioneer shares jumped 10.2 percent, while ExxonMobil was down 2.4 percent. jmb/md
US logs fastest hiring pace in months
US employers picked up their hiring pace unexpectedly in September while unemployment held steady, government data showed on Friday, adding pressure on policymakers seeking to cool the economy. The latest government jobs report comes after figures by payrolls firm ADP released earlier this week showed hiring in the private sector slowed sharply in September. bys/md
Africa to get 'stronger voice' at IMF: Georgieva
Sub-Saharan Africa will have a "stronger voice" at the International Monetary Fund as it will get a third seat on the global lender's executive board, IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva told AFP. Georgieva delivered the news ahead of next week's IMF and World Bank meetings in Marrakesh, Morocco -- the first gathering on the continent since 1973.
Heists at sea: Shrimp bandits terrorize Ecuador farmers
From robberies on land to hold-ups at sea by rifle-toting, hooded men, Ecuador's shrimp industry is facing a wave of violent crime that is threatening the country's star export. In the first eight months of 2023, the CNA registered 64 crimes against its members, including violent robberies at sea or along roads, some leaving deaths and injuries.
Asian markets buck US losses, post gains
Asian markets posted gains in early trade Friday, shrugging off Wall Street losses ahead of key US jobs data. But Hong Kong started Friday on the front foot, with early gains of just over 1.5 percent, while Tokyo crept higher.
AFP
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