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Metres to go in effort to free Moroccan boy from well
Moroccan rescuers were only metres away Saturday in their nerve-wracking but increasingly urgent effort to rescue Rayan, a five-year-old boy trapped underground whom they hope to find alive.
Austria Covid-19 'gargle' tests in expansion drive
Throughout the day, vans loaded with bags full of Covid PCR test kits arrive at a Vienna laboratory, currently analysing an average of 370,000 tests per day.
Oil prices extend gains as markets weigh strong US jobs data
Stocks were mixed Friday as markets weighed a surprisingly good US jobs report against concerns over tightening monetary policy, while oil prices pushed closer to $100 a barrel.
Meta adds 'personal boundary' tool after virtual world harassment
Facebook parent Meta began rolling out Friday a minimum distance between users' avatars in its virtual reality Horizon network after reports of harassment, one of the thorny issues for its metaverse vision.
Morocco bid to free boy from well reaches nerve-wracking final stages
Moroccan rescuers were in the nerve-wracking final stages Friday of a marathon effort to rescue Rayan, a five-year-old boy trapped down a well for a fourth night.
US lawmakers advance China competition bill
US lawmakers voted Friday to greenlight a multibillion-dollar bill aimed at jumpstarting high-tech research and manufacturing, countering China's growing influence and easing a global shortage of computer chips.
Oil prices, US jobs data weigh on stocks
A surge in oil prices to close to $93 per barrel as well as robust US jobs data weighed on stock prices Friday as they fuelled expectations central banks will move forcefully to raise interest rates.
US saw surprisingly robust hiring in January despite Covid surge
The US economy brushed off a spike in Covid-19 infections to add 467,000 jobs in January, far better than expected and a potential sign that the pandemic's days of disrupting businesses are numbered.
EU, US thaw trade tensions further with mollusc sales
The European Union and the United States signalled Friday a further thawing of trade tension as they agreed to resume trade in mussels, clams, oysters and scallops after a decade-long halt.
Blinken to Australia next week for Quad group meeting
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken travels to Australia next week for a Quad group ministerial meeting also involving his counterparts from India and Japan to discuss maritime security and cooperation against Covid, the State Department said Friday.
Mosque-goers pray for rain in drought-scorched Morocco
Mosques held prayers for rain on Friday across the parched North African kingdom of Morocco where farmers are battling an acute drought.
NATO chief Stoltenberg to head Norway central bank
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg will take over as Norway's central bank governor at the end of the year, officials said Friday, a controversial choice that has already raised concerns about the bank's independence.
Can Hermes and Nike stop 'unauthorised' NFTs?
As digital objects in the form of NFTs have exploded in popularity and value over the past year, so too have the legal headaches and complications.
Morocco rescuers close in on boy trapped in well
Moroccans waited anxiously Friday as rescuers with heavy diggers closed in on Rayan, a five-year-old boy trapped in a deep well for three nights.
Sri Lanka calls for diaspora investment on independence day
Sri Lanka marked its independence day on Friday with an appeal to its diaspora to send money home to overcome the island's worsening economic crisis and a pledge to protect foreign investments.
Asian markets up as Hong Kong returns with rally, eyes on US jobs
Asian markets rose Friday as a surge in Hong Kong on its first day back from a break helped overcome a sharp drop on Wall Street, though a surprisingly hawkish tilt from the European Central Bank added fuel to fears about the removal of pandemic-era stimulus.
Rotterdam says no decision on dismantling bridge for Bezos superyacht
The Dutch port city of Rotterdam has not received a request for a permit to temporarily dismantle an historic bridge to allow a superyacht built for Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to pass, local media reported Thursday.
Asian markets mostly rise as Hong Kong reopens, eyes on US jobs
Asian markets mostly rose Friday as a rally in Hong Kong on its first day back from a break helped overcome a sharp drop on Wall Street, though a surprisingly hawkish tilt from the European Central Bank added fuel to fears about the removal of pandemic-era stimulus.
Morocco rescuers dig for boy trapped in well
Moroccans waited anxiously Thursday as authorities said a dramatic operation to rescue a young boy trapped in a deep well for over two days was nearing its end.
Ford Q4 profits hit by supply chain woes
Ford reported weaker-than-expected fourth-quarter profits Thursday amid supply chain problems, even as higher car prices boosted results in North America.
Amazon holiday quarter profit doubles
Amazon on Thursday reported its profit doubled to $14 billion in the recently ended quarter, giving a boost to jittery markets that expected less due to higher labor, sourcing and delivery costs.
Cyclone Batsurai injures 12, strands ship in France's La Reunion
Tropical cyclone Batsirai skirted the French Indian Ocean territory of La Reunion Thursday, leaving at least 12 people injured and an empty oil tanker stuck aground in its wake.
At least a year for permanent solution on 5G: US air regulator
The United States will gradually permit more 5G telecommunications service near airports, but a long-term solution on air safety concerns will take at least a year, a senior regulator said Thursday.
N.Ireland leader resigns over Brexit protocol
Northern Ireland's unionist chief minister quit on Thursday, forcing his nationalist deputy also to stand down and prompting calls for early elections in the tense province.
Over 7 million visited Dubai in 2021 tourism turnaround
More than seven million foreign tourists visited Dubai last year, marking a "remarkable turnaround", the government of the Gulf city state hosting the Expo world fair announced Thursday.
Union vote at GM Mexico plant hailed as 'win' for workers
Workers at a General Motors factory in Mexico have elected an independent union -- a step hailed as a victory for labor rights helped by a revamped North American trade agreement.
Moscow to shut down Deutsche Welle bureau in Russia
Russia said Thursday it is closing the Moscow bureau of German broadcaster Deutsche Welle and revoking staff accreditations in Russia, in response to Berlin's ban on the German-language channel of Russian state TV network RT.
Facebook slump reignites debate over attracting younger audiences
Facebook announced on Thursday that its daily user numbers had fallen for the first time in its history, reopening the debate around its problem with attracting new, younger subscribers.
UK's Kew tribute to Costa Rica at annual orchid fest
Britain's Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew unveiled its annual orchid festival Thursday, turning a sliver of southwest London into a riot of tropical colour and flora celebrating biodiversity hotspot Costa Rica.
Meta slump and interest rate fears drag stocks lower
Stock markets slid Thursday, dragged down by a massive plunge in the shares of Facebook parent company Meta following disappointing earnings, as well as indications central banks may move more aggressively to raise interest rates.
US services sector growth ebbed in January amid Omicron
Growth in the US services sector slowed modestly in January amid the surging Omicron variant of Covid-19 and lingering supply chain problems, according to a survey released Thursday.
ECB chief opens door to 2022 rate hike as inflation soars
European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde on Thursday left open the possibility of interest rate hikes this year for the first time, as the eurozone comes under pressure from soaring prices.