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'Maldives what?': Saudi fashionistas attempt beach rebrand
'Maldives what?': Saudi fashionistas attempt beach rebrand
by  AFP

Saudi designer Tima Abid got her start at a time when fashion shows were taboo and tourism, apart from religious pilgrimages, was almost nonexistent in the Gulf kingdom. Taking in preparations for Abid's show, Saudi designer Alanoud Badr of Lady Fozaza compared the kingdom favourably to a more established island locale.

The French 'Erin Brockovich' vs Goodyear
The French 'Erin Brockovich' vs Goodyear
by  AFP

For a decade, French former childcare worker Sophie Rollet carried out her own, lonely investigation to make US auto equipment group Goodyear accountable for the death of her husband, Jean-Paul, in a collision linked to the company's tyres. Rollet's investigation led her to link the tyre's model, Goodyear Marathon LHS II, to many other accidents in France and Europe.

Iraq father begins legal action against BP over son's cancer death
Iraq father begins legal action against BP over son's cancer death
by  AFP

Hussein Julood is taking legal action against British energy giant BP after he lost his son to leukaemia, which he alleges was caused by gas flaring at Iraq's largest oil field. BP is one of the biggest foreign players in Iraq's oil sector, with a history of producing oil in the country dating back to the 1920s when it was still under British mandate.

Ineos drives towards hydrogen car future
Ineos drives towards hydrogen car future
by  AFP

At a sprawling vehicle test centre in the English countryside, a hydrogen-powered Grenadier 4x4 made by Ineos Automotive grips steep and rugged tracks, showcasing its off-road capabilities. Calder spoke from the UTAC vehicle test centre in Millbrook, a village north of London, where the hydrogen-powered vehicle quietly navigated dusty sharp bends and other obstacles.

Spotify sued over alleged unpaid royalties
Spotify sued over alleged unpaid royalties
by  AFP

Music streaming giant Spotify has been sued in a US federal court for allegedly underpaying songwriters, composers and publishers by tens of millions of dollars. "If unchecked, the impact on Songwriters and Music Publishers of Spotify's unlawful underreporting could run into the hundreds of millions of dollars."

Higher US food prices lead to a shift in shopping habits
Higher US food prices lead to a shift in shopping habits
by  AFP

"I don't really shop for groceries as often as I used to," said Jasmine Reed, 32, outside a store in northern Virginia, as she explained the impact of higher food prices on her shopping habits. Outside a grocery store in Falls Church, Virginia, on Friday, shoppers told AFP they had noticed an increase in the cost of everyday items in recent years -- causing some to change their buying habits.

Military spending pushes Russian economic growth up
Military spending pushes Russian economic growth up
by  AFP

Russia's economy grew 5.4 percent in the first quarter of 2024, official statistics published Friday showed, as President Vladimir Putin denied military spending on his Ukraine offensive was reaching unsustainable levels. On a state visit to China, Putin denied that Russia's vast military spending -- which he said had passed eight percent of GDP -- had hit unsustainable levels.

For Taiwan shoppers, China's malls only a ferry ride away
For Taiwan shoppers, China's malls only a ferry ride away
by  AFP

With suitcases and packages stuffed with food, alcohol and construction materials, Taiwanese shoppers make their way towards a ferry in the Chinese city of Xiamen bound for the Taipei-administered island of Kinmen. People push airport-style trolleys loaded with suitcases and large packages up a ramp and onto the ferry before taking their seats.

Mercedes in Alabama to learn if they will join US union
Mercedes in Alabama to learn if they will join US union
by  AFP

Workers at Mercedes-Benz's Alabama business are expected to learn Friday if they will shift into a union shop, following a contentious federally-administered election. For the Mercedes workers, voting concludes Friday morning with election results expected to be released by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in the afternoon.