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Major Baltimore bridge collapses after ship collision
Major Baltimore bridge collapses after ship collision
by  AFP

A major bridge in the US city of Baltimore collapsed early Tuesday after being struck by a container ship, sending multiple vehicles and people plunging into the frigid harbor below. It is a major part of the road network around Baltimore, an industrial city on the US East Coast next to the capital Washington.

French deficit worsens to 'very rare' level
French deficit worsens to 'very rare' level
by  AFP

France's budget deficit overshot forecasts in 2023, official figures showed Tuesday, undermining President Emmanuel Macron's pledge to bring national finances back on track within the next four years. - 'Meltdown' - Le Maire said Tuesday he stood by France's objective of bringing the deficit back below three percent of GDP by 2027, promising his "total determination" to do so.

Spain takes stake in Telefonica after Saudi deal concerns
Spain takes stake in Telefonica after Saudi deal concerns
by  AFP

Spain's government has acquired a three-percent stake in telecoms giant Telefonica following concerns over a Saudi firm taking a piece of a company that Madrid considers strategically important. Spain's government said the move to acquire a stake in Telefonica was in line with its European neighbours, which also own small minority stakes in their leading telecoms operators.

Sri Lanka cuts key interest rates, seeks China deal
Sri Lanka cuts key interest rates, seeks China deal
by  AFP

Sri Lanka's central bank cut interest rates Tuesday as the prime minister visited China seeking a debt restructuring deal crucial to maintaining an IMF bailout. "We are in the final stages of restructuring our foreign debt and the prime minister is in China for this purpose," Gunawardana told reporters in Colombo.

Olympics tech firm Atos posts huge loss but says Games unaffected
Olympics tech firm Atos posts huge loss but says Games unaffected
by  AFP

Debt-ridden French IT group Atos, the cybersecurity and data provider for the Paris Olympics, posted a huge annual loss Tuesday but vowed that its troubles would not disrupt the Games. Atos' cybersecurity arm, Eviden, will provide cybersecurity to the entire information system for the Games, the Olympic sites, personnel and volunteers.

Asian markets fluctuate as traders weigh US rate outlook
Asian markets fluctuate as traders weigh US rate outlook
by  AFP

Asian stocks swung through the morning session Tuesday as traders weighed the outlook for US interest rates ahead of the release of a key inflation reading. Readings on economic growth, jobless claims and business sentiment are also up for release.