AFP
13875 articles published since 08 Mar 2022
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China warns of 'severe threat' to harvest from worst heatwave on record
China's autumn harvest is under "severe threat" from high temperatures and drought, authorities have warned, promising Wednesday fresh steps to protect crops in the face of the country's hottest summer on record. "The rapid development of drought superimposed with high temperatures and heat damage has caused a severe threat to autumn crop production," a statement said Tuesday.
Steep drop in military aircraft keep US goods orders flat in June
Orders for big-ticket US-manufactured goods were flat in July after four straight monthly increases due to a plunge in the volatile military aircraft category, according to government data released Wednesday. The drop in military aircraft orders was offset by the 14.5 percent jump in non-defense planes, the report said. hs/wd
Iconic Algeria record store's fortunes revived by DJ Snake
Legendary Algerian music label Disco Maghreb, which launched the careers of some of the Rai folk-inspired genre's most famous stars, has seen a revival thanks to a hit song by DJ Snake.
Biden announces nearly $3 bn in Ukraine weapons aid
President Joe Biden announced nearly $3 billion in military aid to Kyiv on Wednesday -- the biggest US package so far -- to mark Ukraine's independence day, six months after Russia invaded the country. "Six months of relentless attacks have only strengthened Ukrainians' pride in themselves, in their country, and in their thirty-one years of independence," Biden said.
Six months on, shelling becomes new normal in Mykolaiv
Six months since the start of Russia's invasion, residents of Mykolaiv feel dread and resignation as the daily shelling of their city in southern Ukraine becomes the new routine. Russia's grip around Mykolaiv has loosened since then, but the shelling never stopped.
Privacy activists target Google over French 'spam' emails
Google is breaking EU law by sending users of its email service Gmail direct advertising messages, activists said in a complaint sent to French regulators on Wednesday. The group said under EU law, that kind of marketing was allowed only if users had consented.
South African inflation hits new 13-year high
Inflation in South Africa accelerated to its highest level in 13 years in July, pushed mainly by surging food, transport and electricity prices, official data showed Wednesday as workers staged protests over the high cost of living. For South Africans, it has resulted in rising costs for necessities including food, electricity, fuel and medication, the statistics agency said.
Fighting resumes in northern Ethiopia after five-month lull
Fighting erupted between government forces and Tigrayan rebels in northern Ethiopia on Wednesday, with the warring sides blaming each other for shattering a five-month-old truce. The rival claims could not be independently verified as access to northern Ethiopia is restricted, but there were reports of fighting around southern Tigray in areas bordering the Amhara and Afar regions.
Hong Konger 'kidnapped' by SE Asia scam ring pleads for help
Anti-trafficking campaigners in Hong Kong played a harrowing recording on Wednesday of a resident testifying that he has been kidnapped and forced to work for online scam syndicates in Myanmar. Online "boiler room" scams have long had a presence across Southeast Asia but in recent months more details have emerged of people being trafficked and forced to work for them.
AFP
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