AFP
13876 articles published since 08 Mar 2022
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German 'cannabis clubs' on high as legalisation looms
Hanover's cannabis club started as a fringe outfit of nine members campaigning for the right to legally light up joints. While members will still not be allowed to light up together at their meetings, the coming changes have led to the number of cannabis clubs in Germany rising sharply.
First strike in six decades closes famous Japan department store
The shutters were down on one of Japan's best-known department stores on Thursday in the sector's first strike for six decades, sparked by fears that its mooted new US owner will slash jobs. But unions, fearing job cuts, called a one-day stoppage for Thursday -- the first by Japanese department store workers since 1962.
Chinese developer Country Garden faces crunch vote on debt repayment
China's biggest developer Country Garden on Thursday faces a crunch vote on extending debt repayment terms that could determine whether it defaults, plunging the country's property market deeper into turmoil. Bondholders are due to conclude a crunch vote Thursday on whether to extend repayment on a key note worth $535 million.
China factory activity contracts for fifth straight month in August
China's factory activity contracted for a fifth straight month in August, official data showed on Thursday, as pressure mounts on Beijing to offer more policy support to bolster its sluggish economy.
China's Baidu rolls out ChatGPT rival to public
China's Baidu rolled out its ChatGPT rival ERNIE Bot to the public on Thursday, in a major leap for the country's tech sector as it aims to cash in on the global artificial intelligence gold rush. Baidu is one of China's biggest tech companies, but has faced competition from other firms such as Tencent in various sectors.
Asian markets mixed ahead of key US inflation report
Markets were mixed Thursday as investors struggled to maintain momentum from Wall Street's rally, even after fresh data reinforced optimism the Federal Reserve will be able to hold off any more interest rate hikes this year.
Colombia extradites celebrity designer to US over illegal leathers
Colombia has extradited to the United States a celebrity fashion designer wanted for the alleged smuggling of protected animal skin purses, police in the South American country said Wednesday. Gonzalez was sent to the United States along with her business partner Diego Mauricio Rodriguez, the police said, without specifying when.
Chinese developer Country Garden reports $6.7 bn loss
Embattled Chinese developer Country Garden reported a 48.9 billion yuan ($6.7 billion) loss for the first half of the year in a stock exchange filing Wednesday, adding to worries of a potentially catastrophic default. Country Garden on Wednesday also proposed issuing new stock to the tune of 255 million yuan.
France calls for minimum price on European flights
France's transport minister called Wednesday for a minimum price for plane flights in Europe to battle climate change. Transport Minister Clement Beaune said in an interview with the weekly L'Obs that he would submit such a proposal to his EU counterparts in the coming days.
AFP
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