BUSINESS

Lawyers are probing "dire" workplace conditions for Meta content moderators in Ghana, attorneys involved in the investigation told AFP, in what could turn into the latest dispute over the social media giant's labour practices in Africa.

As cardinals prepare to elect a new pope, campaigners warned Friday that neither of the frontrunners, Pietro Parolin nor Luis Antonio Tagle, would protect children and stamp out clerical sex abuse.

The massive EU fine against TikTok on Friday marks the latest setback for the popular Chinese-owned social media platform, which has more than one billion users.

US hiring slowed less than expected in April while the jobless rate remained unchanged, according to government data published Friday, as businesses navigated the early months of Donald Trump's second presidency.

Inflation in the eurozone remained unchanged in April, staying higher than analysts expected, official data showed on Friday, but was unlikely to sway the European Central Bank from its interest rate-cutting cycle.

Pakistan-administered Kashmir called on residents near the de facto border with India to stockpile food on Friday as tensions flare between the arch-rivals following a deadly attack last month.

TikTok was hit with a massive EU fine of 530 million euros ($600 million) Friday, accused of sending personal data of Europeans to China and failing to guarantee it was shielded from access by Chinese authorities.

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday to cut public funding for NPR and PBS, accusing the news outlets of being biased in his latest attack on traditional media.

German chemicals giant BASF stuck to its 2025 earnings outlook on Friday, despite the turmoil unleashed by hardline US trade policies, but warned of high levels of uncertainty.

British energy giant Shell on Friday reported a sharp drop in first-quarter net profit as it was hit by weaker oil prices but pushed ahead with shareholder returns.

Bangladesh's Islamists are readying to make political gains after being crushed for years by the government that was overthrown in a mass uprising last year, rallying hardline loyalists for eagerly anticipated elections.

Media rights group RSF warned Friday about "an alarming deterioration in press freedom" in the United States under President Donald Trump as well as "unprecedented" difficulties for independent journalists around the world.

After crushing defeats by Arsenal in the Champions League and Barcelona in the Copa del Rey, Real Madrid have one remaining ambition -- defending their La Liga title.

Asian markets largely rose Friday, tracking Wall Street gains, as China said it was considering a US offer to negotiate steep tariffs.

With their sleek curves and chrome grilles, the classic American cars on sale at Yosuke Fukuda's yard ooze Californian cool but on Japanese roads new US vehicles are a rare sight -- much to President Donald Trump's annoyance.

Behind his large studded sunglasses, Victor Faro's eyes were glued on the luxury hotel overlooking Copacabana beach where US superstar Lady Gaga is staying ahead of her free mega-concert in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday.

British comedian and actor Russell Brand is due to appear in court in London on Friday charged with rape and other sexual offences.

US President Donald Trump was surrounded by faith leaders calling for him to be given "divine dreams" in an extraordinary event at the White House on Thursday.

Bruno Fernandes struck twice as Manchester United put one foot in the Europa League final with a clinical away performance to beat 10-man Athletic Bilbao 3-0 on Thursday.

Amazon reported a nine percent rise in first-quarter revenue on Thursday, but its outlook fell below expectations as potential impact from the US-China trade war rattled investors.

Apple on Thursday reported first-quarter profit above expectations but warned that US tariffs could cost the company and was disrupting its supply chain.

General Motors pledged Thursday to take additional steps to boost its US supply chain after projecting a $4-5 billion hit to the US auto giant's 2025 earnings from President Donald Trump's tariffs.

Swedish furniture giant IKEA on Thursday opened a new store in the heart of London's shopping district, with a flurry of balloons, flags -- and giant meatballs.

Syrian Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri on Thursday condemned what he described as a "genocidal campaign" against his community, following two days of deadly sectarian clashes that left 73 people dead.

Microsoft announced Thursday that it will increase Xbox console prices worldwide, citing "market conditions" just days after Sony made a similar move with its PlayStation 5.

Bushfires that erupted near Jerusalem were largely brought under control on Thursday, authorities said, with major roads reopened and firefighting teams still tackling lingering hotspots.

British counter-terrorism police Thursday launched an investigation into online videos of Irish rappers Kneecap after the band denied supporting Hamas and Hezbollah or inciting violence against UK politicians.

Three days of political rallies began in Bangladesh on Thursday with rival groups to stage mass demonstrations in Dhaka, drumming up support for eagerly anticipated elections following an uprising last year.

French car body PFA, which compared registration figures from April with the same month last year, also said that since the beginning of 2025, there were 7,556 Tesla registrations in France, 44 percent lower than for the same period in 2024.