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Nintendo fans stoked for Switch 2 'mega launch'
With shops planning midnight launch parties after a run on pre-orders, Nintendo releases the Switch 2 on Thursday, hoping to score record early sales for a games console.
US novelist Edmund White, chronicler of gay life, dead at 85
Edmund White, the influential American novelist who chronicled gay life and his own sexual odyssey through his work, including dozens of books, several short stories and countless articles and essays, has died, his agent said Wednesday. He was 85.
Stocks rise despite weak US jobs data
Stock markets advanced Wednesday despite data showing US private sector job growth nearly dried up last month, reviving fears about the economy.
Thirteen on trial in France over 'racist' stunt targeting singer Aya Nakamura
Thirteen people went on trial in Paris on Wednesday over a "racist" insult targeting Franco-Malian singer Aya Nakamura, who faced criticism from the far right and harassment over her performance at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.
Czechs sign nuclear deal with S.Korea firm KHNP: PM
A Czech state-run company signed Wednesday a deal with South Korea's KHNP to build two nuclear reactors in the EU country after a court dismissed a bid by France's EDF to block the deal.
Pioneering US novelist Edmund White put gay life on the page
US novelist Edmund White, who died Tuesday aged 85, established himself as a leading chronicler of gay emancipation through a trailblazing, largely autobiographical body of work.
US private sector hiring sharply slows, drawing Trump ire
US private sector hiring hit its slowest pace since 2023 in May, according to data Wednesday from payroll firm ADP, significantly missing expectations in a month where all eyes are on the effects of President Donald Trump's trade war.
'Why this hatred': French town reels over killing of Tunisian man
The murder of a Tunisian man by his French neighbour in southern France, which is being investigated as a terror crime, has horrified the local community and raised alarm over rising racism in the country.
EU antiques import clampdown could gut trade, warn dealers
New European rules designed to crack down on the trafficking of stolen antiques and art are causing alarm among gallery owners, with some dealers warning of suffocating red tape that will affect trade.
EVs boost German auto sales, Tesla falls again
A jump in electric car sales helped give a slight boost to Germany's troubled auto market last month, official data showed Wednesday, although Elon Musk's Tesla fared poorly again.
Stocks extend gains despite US steel tariffs
Stock markets extended gains Wednesday as investors shrugged off US President Donald Trump's tough words on China and doubling of tariffs on global steel and aluminium.
EU gives Bulgaria green light to adopt euro in 2026
The EU gave the green light on Wednesday for Bulgaria to adopt the euro on January 1, 2026, in a "historic" step for the southeastern European country set to become the 21st member of the single currency area.
US-backed group suspends Gaza aid operations
A US and Israeli-backed group operating aid sites in the Gaza Strip announced the temporary closure of the facilities on Wednesday, with the Israeli army warning that roads leading to distribution centres were "considered combat zones".
Trump says deal with Xi 'extremely hard' as steel tariffs double
Donald Trump said Wednesday it was "extremely hard" to reach a deal with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, as the EU claimed momentum in its own trade talks with Washington even as the US president doubled global metal tariffs.
Scientists long ago envisioned the end of climate cooperation
They warned it could happen: a world of surging nationalism, stalling economic development and the unravelling of decades of international cooperation on climate change and other global challenges.
Japan births in 2024 fell below 700,000 for first time
The number of births in Japan last year fell below 700,000 for the first time on record, government data showed Wednesday.
US-backed Gaza aid centres to close temporarily after 27 killed
Aid centres in hunger-wracked Gaza will temporarily close on Wednesday, a controversial US-backed agency said, with the Israeli army warning roads leading to distribution stations "are considered combat zones".
US doubles steel, aluminum tariffs as OECD ministers gather
The United States doubled steel and aluminum tariffs Wednesday, casting a pall on a gathering of OECD ministers as President Donald Trump's intensifying trade war weighs on the world economy.
Between freedom and restrictions, Syrians navigate new reality
Syrian singer Ishtar halted concerts when Islamist-led forces seized power nearly six months ago. She's now back on stage, but lingering fears have reshaped Damascus's nightlife scene.
Asian stocks track Wall St up after jobs data, Seoul surges on Lee win
Asian shares extended a global rise Wednesday following data indicating the US economy remained resilient, with South Korean equities and the won standing out as the election of a new president ended months of political paralysis.
Stock markets rise as traders eye possible Trump-Xi talks
Major stock markets rose and the dollar climbed Tuesday as investors kept tabs on the China-US trade war, with speculation swirling that the countries' leaders will soon hold talks.
Top scientist wants to prevent AI from going rogue
Concerned about the rapid spread of generative AI, a pioneer researcher is developing software to keep tabs on a technology that is increasingly taking over human tasks.
Dutch museum rolls out 200-year-old condom
The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam on Tuesday placed on display a rare condom from around 1830, featuring an erotic print of a nun and three clergymen in provocative poses.
Pornhub owner pressures France over age verification law
French visitors to the Pornhub and Youporn, adult sites operated by parent company Aylo, will from Wednesday be greeted with a message denouncing the country's age verification requirements, the company said.
Germany's Merz defends migration crackdown after court setback
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday defended his government's migration crackdown as vital to "protect public safety", a day after a court ruled one of its flagship measures was illegal.
Stock markets mostly higher as traders eye possible Trump-Xi talks
Major stock markets diverged and the dollar climbed on Tuesday as investors kept tabs on the China-US trade war, with speculation swirling that the countries' leaders will soon hold talks.
Eurozone inflation slows sharply in May
Inflation in the eurozone eased in May to its lowest level in eight months, back below the European Central Bank's two-percent target, further raising expectations for another interest rate cut this week.
Portuguese police start new search in Madeleine McCann case
Portuguese police on Tuesday started a new investigation near the place where British toddler Madeleine McCann disappeared while on holiday with her family in 2007, a spokeswoman said.
Wilders: firebrand 'Dutch Trump' gambles for power
Sometimes known as the "Dutch Trump" both for his bouffant dyed hair and firebrand rhetoric, Geert Wilders' anti-Islam, anti-immigrant and anti-EU message has catapulted him to the brink of power.
Most markets rise as traders eye possible Trump-Xi talks
Most markets rose Tuesday as investors kept tabs on developments in the China-US trade war as speculation swirled that the countries' leaders will hold talks soon.
Trade war cuts global economic growth outlook: OECD
The OECD slashed its annual global growth forecast on Tuesday, warning that US President Donald Trump's tariffs blitz will stifle the world economy -- hitting the United States especially hard.
In Canada lake, robot learns to mine without disrupting marine life
Three robotic arms extended under the water in a Canadian lake, delicately selecting pebbles from the bed, before storing them back inside the machine.