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International tourist arrivals doubled in 2022: UN
International tourist arrivals doubled in 2022 over the previous year, and should reach near pre-pandemic levels in 2023 thanks to the lifting of travel restrictions, especially in China, the UN's tourism body said Tuesday.
Greta Thunberg detained at German coal mine protest
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was hauled away and detained on Tuesday during a protest near a German village being razed to make way for a coal mine expansion, police said.
Ukraine sees tourism as 'crucial' for post-war revival
With its beaches targeted by Russian strikes and its hotels empty or closed since the start of the war, Ukraine has been deprived of an important source of income: tourism.
France braces for 'hellish Thursday' as pension strikes loom
France is to face severe public transport disruptions on Thursday, operators have warned, as workers join a nationwide strike against a widely unpopular pension reform plan.
Making fewer babies: the demographic decline
The world's population may have shot up beyond eight billion for the first time recently, but some countries including the most populous, China, are seeing their populations shrink.
'This song sucks': Nick Cave trashes AI-generated lyrics
Artificial intelligence (AI) tools may be able to generate beguiling images, "deepfake" video and passable high-school essays, but Australian musician Nick Cave is deeply unimpressed with their song-writing skills.
Scottish and trans outrage as UK government blocks gender law
The UK government denied Tuesday it was dismantling Scottish self-rule after exercising an unprecedented veto to block a new law passed already by the Edinburgh parliament.
US high court hears sanctions evasion case against Turkey's Halkbank
The US Supreme Court will hear arguments Tuesday in an appeal by Turkey's Halkbank against US charges that it violated sanctions on Iran.
Concern over lack of air-con in Paris 2024 Olympic village
The lack of air conditioning in the rooms of the athletes' village for the Paris 2024 Olympics is raising concerns from some federations and athletes, sources told AFP on Tuesday.
Goldman Sachs profits hit by big drop in mergers
Goldman Sachs reported a steep decline in fourth-quarter earnings on Tuesday on much lower merger activity in results that missed analyst expectations and weighed on shares.
Slain Kenya LGBTQ activist laid to rest amid calls for justice
A prominent Kenyan LGBTQ campaigner whose body was found dumped in a metal box about two weeks ago was buried at the family home in the west of the country on Tuesday.
Stocks struggle on China data; gas prices extend losses
Global stock markets struggled Tuesday on news of China's slowing economy, but European gas prices hit another 16-month low on fading fears of a winter supply crunch.
Childcare woes, costs and competition turn Chinese off parenting
Weary parents in China say the difficulties of juggling work and childcare in a costly and ultra-competitive society with little help from the state are at the root of the country's dwindling birth rate.
Ukraine war's shadow hangs over Cyprus church
When the Greek-Orthodox Church of Cyprus enthroned its new leader this month, one bishop stayed away in silent protest over a dispute sparked by the Ukraine war.
China's population shrinks for first time in more than 60 years
China's population shrank last year for the first time in more than six decades, official data showed Tuesday, as the birth rate slows in the face of mounting financial pressures and shifting social attitudes.
Three foreign NGOs partially resume aid in Afghanistan
At least three leading international aid agencies have partially resumed life-saving work in Afghanistan, after assurances from the Taliban authorities that Afghan women can continue to work in the health sector.
Asian stocks struggle after China data but outlook hopeful
Asian stocks mostly fell Tuesday after data showed China's economy at its slowest pace in four decades last year, though traders remain hopeful about the country's outlook as it emerges from years of debilitating zero-Covid measures.
Nissan, Renault near 'historic' rebalancing of alliance: source
Nissan and Renault are nearing a "historic" rebalancing of their auto alliance, with a deal likely to be announced in the coming weeks, a source close to the talks said Tuesday.
Giant legs of Vietnam's 'dragon chicken' a Lunar New Year delicacy
On a farm close to Hanoi, Le Van Hien picks out the best bird among his flock of "dragon chickens" -- a breed with legs as thick as a brick that can fetch up to $2,000 a head.
China's economy grows at slowest pace in decades but tops forecasts
China's economy grew last year at its slowest pace in four decades as it was hammered by Covid lockdowns and a property crisis but the forecast-beating reading raised hopes for a strong recovery as it reopens.
Asian stocks struggle, even as China growth tops forecasts
Asian stocks mostly fell Tuesday but pared early losses after data showed China's economy grew more than expected last year, while traders remain hopeful about the country's outlook as it emerges from years of debilitating zero-Covid measures.
Egypt's economic turmoil squeezes struggling middle class
With Egypt's economy in crisis, the currency in freefall and inflation skyrocketing, the poor have been hit hard but the middle class is also teetering on the brink.
China population shrinks for first time in over 60 years
China's population shrank last year for the first time in more than six decades, official data showed Tuesday, as the world's most populous nation faces a looming demographic crisis.
Ukraine centre stage as Davos returns
The war in Ukraine is set to take the spotlight Tuesday as global business and political A-listers huddle in the Swiss Alpine village of Davos with the ambitious aim of uniting a "fragmented" world.
EU vows to protect European industry to counter US subsidies
The EU on Monday said it would take "decisive steps" to protect Europe in the face of massive US subsidies that have left the bloc scrambling to find a way to keep businesses on the continent.
UK strikes to intensify as teachers and nurses announce walkouts
Industrial action looked set to intensify Monday as Britain's largest teaching and nursing unions announced further walkouts over pay, while the government seeks to limit strikes with a controversial bill.
Thousands demand EU blacklisting of Iran's Revolutionary Guards
Thousands of members of the Iranian diaspora from all over Europe on Monday demonstrated in the EU parliament host city of Strasbourg to urge the bloc to list Iran's Revolutionary Guards as a terror group.
Greece's last king Constantine laid to rest at former royal cemetery
Greece's last king, Constantine II, was laid to rest on Monday at the royal cemetery of Tatoi near Athens, after a private funeral service that drew dozens of European royals and a crowd of several hundreds.
Scotland warns of showdown with UK over gender law
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Monday warned London against any bid to block a controversial Scottish gender recognition law, adding her devolved government is prepared to "rigorously" defend its powers all the way to the UK's top court.
World stocks mostly rise on optimism over China, rates
World equities mainly rose Monday on growing global optimism as inflation slows and China reopens, while gas prices hit an 18-month low on receding supply fears.
Austrian film 'Corsage' under shadow of actor's child porn trial
One of the main backers of "Corsage", an award-winning Austrian film bidding for Oscars glory, on Sunday distanced itself from one its main actors after he was charged with possessing child pornography.
Boom time for menswear as Paris Fashion Week returns
The fashion juggernaut returns to Paris this week, with Saint Laurent rejoining the line-up and menswear on a hot streak, even if the industry remains wary of economic headwinds.