Costly election pledges in France stoke fears of splurges that risk pushing country deeper into debt
Paris — The promises are appealing — and expensive. Vying to oust the centrist government of President Emmanuel Macron in an upcoming two-round parliamentary election June 30 and July 7, French political parties of both the far right and far…
Ukraine says new EU sanctions will ‘further strangle Putin’s war economy’
The European Union approved Monday its 14th round of sanctions against Russia in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The package includes a ban on the practice of reloading Russian liquefied natural gas in an EU country which is…
Apple could face billions in fines under European Union law
Billions of dollars in fines could be imposed on Apple following an accusation of noncompliance from the European Commission on Monday. Apple is accused of breaking the European Union’s Digital Marketing Act (DMA) rules on digital competition via its app…
Ukraine, Russia trade lethal attacks
Ukraine and Russia traded new lethal attacks Sunday as their war neared the 28-month mark. Five people, including two children, were killed by falling debris and another 124 were wounded when Russian forces shot down five Ukrainian missiles in Sevastopol,…
Death toll at Hajj pilgrimage tops 1,300 amid scorching temperatures
Cairo — More than 1,300 people died during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia as the faithful faced extreme high temperatures at Islamic holy sites in the desert kingdom, Saudi authorities announced Sunday. Saudi Health Minister Fahd bin Abdurrahman…
Study: Luxury sales flatten amid creativity crisis, price hikes
MILAN — The post-pandemic surge in global sales of luxury handbags, shoes and apparel is set to stall this year amid a creativity crisis and price hikes as brands shift focus to the biggest spending customers, a new study by…
Conservation efforts bring Iberian lynx back from brink of extinction
MADRID — Things are looking up for the Iberian lynx. Just over two decades ago, the pointy-eared wild cat was on the brink of extinction, but as of Thursday the International Union for Conservation of Nature says it’s no longer…
In South Africa, traditional healers join fight against HIV
BUSHBUCKRIDGE, South Africa — The walls of Shadrack Mashabane’s hut in the rural South African town of Bushbuckridge are covered with traditional fabrics, with a small window the only source of light. What stands out among the herbs and medicines…
Thousands die every year in Kenya amid scarce snakebite treatments
MWINGI, Kenya — Esther Kangali felt a sharp pain while on her mother’s farm in eastern Kenya. She looked down and saw a large snake coiling around her left leg. She screamed, and her mother came running. Kangali was rushed…
Ivory Coast sets up mobile enrollment for problematic health coverage program
ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast — Health authorities in Ivory Coast launched mobile enrollment centers for the country’s universal health coverage program, which has been criticized since its 2019 inception over difficulties accessing benefits. Ivory Coast is one of a handful countries…