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New US home sales pick up in March
New US home sales pick up in March
by  AFP

Sales of new homes across the United States increased sharply last month, according to fresh government data published Tuesday, though February's numbers were revised lower. "Home sales surprised to the upside in March," High Frequency Economics chief US economist Rubeela Farooqi wrote in a note to clients, adding: "The data can be volatile month-to-month and subject to revision."

EU parliament votes forced labour ban with China in its sights
EU parliament votes forced labour ban with China in its sights
by  AFP

EU lawmakers voted on Tuesday to ban products made using forced labour which supporters hope will be used to block goods from China, at the risk of raising tensions with Beijing. The law does not directly mention China, but many lawmakers hope it will be used to block imports from China involving the region where the Uyghur Muslim minority lives.

How UK's biggest water supplier sank into crisis
How UK's biggest water supplier sank into crisis
by  AFP

Thames Water, the UK's largest water supplier, has been ravaged since privatisation by soaring debts and chronic underinvestment, sinking into a deep financial crisis which has sparked bailout speculation.

Eurozone business activity accelerates in April
Eurozone business activity accelerates in April
by  AFP

Business activity in the eurozone picked up in April thanks to "increasingly robust" growth in the services sector, a closely watched survey showed Tuesday. "Increasingly robust service sector growth was nevertheless accompanied by signs of a further moderation of the manufacturing downturn," S&P Global said.

London stock market hits record high
London stock market hits record high
by  AFP

London's FTSE 100 stocks index hit record highs Tuesday, catching up with major global peers which have struck all-time peaks this year as inflation cools. The FTSE reached 8,076.52 points shortly after the open, surpassing a record 8,047.06 struck in February last year.

In world first, Venice to trial day tickets
In world first, Venice to trial day tickets
by  AFP

Venice will this week begin charging day trippers for entry, a world first aimed at easing pressure on the Italian city drowning under the weight of mass tourism. The aim of the tickets is to persuade day trippers to come during quieter periods, to try to thin out the worst of the crowds.

Most Asian markets rise with earnings, US data in view
Most Asian markets rise with earnings, US data in view
by  AFP

Asian markets mostly rose Tuesday, with hopes for earnings this week from tech titans helping to offset worries about the Federal Reserve's interest rate plans ahead of the release of key US growth and inflation data.

Norway women bring seaweed to culinary heights in Europe
Norway women bring seaweed to culinary heights in Europe
by  AFP

In the glacial waters of the Lofoten archipelago in Norway's far north, Angelita Eriksen uses a knife to cut a handful of seaweed that will soon end up in a fancy European eatery. "It can be quite cold, as we can stay out for about an hour along the shore", with lower legs and hands submerged in the chilly water.

EU lawmakers to greenlight new spending rules
EU lawmakers to greenlight new spending rules
by  AFP

The EU hopes to move towards healthier public finances after the expected passage of reforms to the bloc's spending rules on Tuesday in the European Parliament. EU negotiators finally reached agreement on the reform in February and now the European Parliament must give its final green light.