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Eiffel Tower to reopen Sunday as strike ends
Eiffel Tower to reopen Sunday as strike ends
by  AFP

France's Eiffel Tower that had been closed for five days by a strike will reopen Sunday after the monument's management announced a deal had been struck with unions. The Eiffel Tower booked a shortfall of around 120 million euros ($130 million) during the Covid pandemic in 2020 and 2021.

Thousands protest as hunger grows amid Argentine austerity
Thousands protest as hunger grows amid Argentine austerity
by  AFP

Thousands protested across Argentina on Friday to demand food aid for the poor as soaring inflation and President Javier Milei's harsh austerity measures take their toll. Milei's government says it plans to audit the needs of each individual soup kitchen and put in place a system of direct aid, aiming to exclude intermediaries such as social movements he describes as "poverty managers."

Poland snubs border meeting with Ukraine to end farmer protests
Poland snubs border meeting with Ukraine to end farmer protests
by  AFP

Ukraine's prime minister went to the border with Poland on Friday hoping to end weeks of protests by Polish farmers but he said noone from the neighbouring government turned up for talks. "Unfortunately, Polish government officials did not come," said Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal, who led a delegation to the border.

Chip giant TSMC shifts away from hotspot Taiwan with Japan plant
Chip giant TSMC shifts away from hotspot Taiwan with Japan plant
by  AFP

Taiwanese chip giant TSMC is set to open an $8.6 billion plant in Japan on Saturday as the firm moves some of its crucial hardware manufacturing away from its native base. The new plant in Japan is "the most significant TSMC international investment to open in many years", said Chris Miller, author of "Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology".

German parliament votes to legalise recreational cannabis
German parliament votes to legalise recreational cannabis
by  AFP

The German parliament voted Friday to legalise the possession and controlled cultivation of cannabis starting in April, despite fierce objections from the opposition and medical associations. Until now, German law has restricted personal use of cannabis to people with certain medical conditions.

Man Utd's Ratcliffe unveils electric Ineos car
Man Utd's Ratcliffe unveils electric Ineos car
by  AFP

Manchester United's new co-owner Jim Ratcliffe unveiled Friday his Ineos group's latest 4x4 vehicle, which will come in two electric versions as the British billionaire criticised range limits on 'green' cars.

Tractors roll into Paris as farmers up pressure on Macron
Tractors roll into Paris as farmers up pressure on Macron
by  AFP

Farmers drove their tractors into central Paris on Friday to raise the pressure on President Emmanuel Macron, who has promised them a meeting at France's coming agriculture fair bonanza to discuss their grievances. Even without the activists, Saturday's debate promised to be "red-blooded", predicted agriculture fair president Jean-Luc Poulain.

Amazon says repays $1.9 mn to workers in Saudi over unlawful fees
Amazon says repays $1.9 mn to workers in Saudi over unlawful fees
by  AFP

Online retailer Amazon said Friday it had paid $1.9 million to more than 700 contracted workers in Saudi Arabia as reimbursements for unlawful recruitment fees, among other alleged violations. As a result, "Amazon paid $1.9 million in reimbursements to over 700 contracted workers", the statement added.