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Massive blackout hits Spain and Portugal
Power went out across all of Spain and Portugal on Monday, cutting cellphone and internet networks, halting trains and trapping people in elevators, officials said.

Ten on trial in Paris over 2016 gunpoint robbery of Kim Kardashian
Ten suspects went on trial in Paris on Monday over the 2016 robbery of the US celebrity Kim Kardashian, which saw some $10 million worth of jewellery stolen from the reality TV star and influencer.

Stock markets mostly rise amid trade talk hopes
Stocks mostly rose on Monday as investors welcomed the absence of further trade war escalation over the weekend and as countries seek to temper US President Donald Trump's tariffs.

Trump's deep-sea mining order violates global norms: France
France on Monday accused the United States of violating international law after President Donald Trump signed an order to fast-track deep-sea mining in the open ocean outside his country's territorial waters.

Italy bank merger wave heats up as Mediobanca eyes Banca Generali
Italian bank Mediobanca, itself battling to fend off a hostile takeover by a rival, announced on Monday a 6.3-billion-euro ($7.2 billion) bid to buy wealth management firm Banca Generali.

China says on 'right side of history' in trade standoff with US
A top Chinese economic official on Monday said Beijing was on the "right side of history" in its gruelling trade war with the United States.

Stock markets mostly rise as investors eye trade talks
Stocks mostly rose on Monday as investors assess how the land lies on the trade war front with countries seeking to temper Donald Trump's eye-watering tariffs.

Fires rage 2 days after Iran port blast killed 40
Firefighters in Iran battled raging fires on Monday at the country's largest commercial port, two days after a massive explosion killed at least 40 people, state TV reported.

South Korea's SK Telecom begins SIM card replacement after data breach
South Korea's largest carrier SK Telecom started on Monday to replace mobile SIM chips for its 23 million users following a data breach, prompting alarmed customers to form long queues for the replacements.

Asian markets mixed as investors eye trade talks
Asian stocks were mixed Monday as investors assess how the land lies on the trade war front with countries seeking to temper Donald Trump's eye-watering tariffs.

After 100 days in office, Trump voters still back US president
US President Donald Trump has come racing out of the gates in his second term in office, slashing government agencies, launching trade wars with friends and foes alike and even taking on the judiciary over his immigration crackdown.

'Sinners' tops N.America box office for second week
Ryan Coogler's 1930s vampire thriller "Sinners" sunk its teeth into another huge weekend at the North American box office, taking in $45 million, industry estimates showed Sunday.

Crowds flock to tomb of Pope Francis, as eyes turn to conclave
Pope Francis's modest tomb drew massive queues on the first day of public viewing in Rome on Sunday, a day after an estimated 400,000 people turned out for his funeral and burial.

Iran's president visits site of port blast that killed 28
Iran's president visited on Sunday the scene of a massive port blast that killed 28 people and injured more than 1,000, as fires still blazed more than 24 hours after the explosion.

Fire blazes day after Iran port blast killed 28, injured 1,000
Fire blazed on Sunday, more than 24 hours after a massive explosion tore through Iran's largest commercial port, killing at least 28 people and leaving more than 1,000 others injured, according to the Red Crescent.

Crumbs! Should French bakeries open on May 1?
Buying a crusty, freshly baked baguette should be one of the simplest, as well as satisfying, daily rituals in France.

Eighteen killed, fires still burning in huge Iran port blast
Fires were blazing Sunday a day after a massive explosion tore through Iran's largest commercial port, killing at least 18 people and wounding 800 others, according to state media.

Austria trials DNA testing to uncover honey fraud
At a laboratory in Austria's mountainous Tyrol province, scientists are DNA testing about 100 honey samples a month to learn about their composition -- and in some cases to determine whether they have been adulterated.

Trump trade war pushes firms to consider stockpiling
Stockpiling is the reflex response by firms to the imposition of tariffs, but with the rapidly-changing position of the Trump administration, companies are finding that it isn't so straightforward this time around.

Chinese tea hub branches into coffee as tastes change
At a mountainside cafe in southwestern China, Liao Shihao brews handfuls of locally grown beans into steaming cups of coffee, a modern twist on the region's traditional drink.

Syria's Kurds demand 'democratic decentralised' Syria
Syria's Kurdish parties on Saturday adopted a joint political vision calling for a "decentralised democratic" state in Syria with guarantees for Kurdish rights.

Napoleon's sword to be sold at auction in Paris
A sword that belonged to Napoleon and was specially ordered for the personal use of the French emperor is to be auctioned in Paris next month, the auction house said.

Iran, US discuss nuclear deal in third round of talks
The United States and Iran went into detail about a potential nuclear deal Saturday at their third consecutive round of talks, hoping to strike an accord that would ease regional tensions.

Families unable to reunite as India-Pakistan border slams shut
Indian business owner Rishi Kumar Jisrani has spent two days watching a messy scramble of people haul suitcases and drop loved ones at the border with Pakistan before it shuts, with dwindling hopes his family will be allowed across.

Iran, US hold new round of high-stakes nuclear talks
The United States and Iran were expected to start haggling over details of a potential nuclear deal in Oman on Saturday as they entered their third round of talks in as many weeks.

Xi says China must 'overcome' AI chip challenges
President Xi Jinping said China must "overcome" the challenges of developing core AI technologies including high-end chips, state media reported Saturday, as Beijing seeks to become a world leader in the rapidly developing industry.

India and Pakistan's Kashmir fallout hits economy too
Rapidly deteriorating relations between India and Pakistan over a deadly shooting in Kashmir are starting to have small but prickly economic consequences for both nations.

Developing countries should fast-track US trade deals: World Bank president
Developing countries should strike swift trade deals with the United States at the "earliest possible" opportunity, the president of the World Bank told AFP Friday, after a busy week with global financial leaders in Washington.

Trump tariff promises get a reality check
A gathering of global economic leaders in Washington wraps up Saturday with tariff talks between the United States and partners still unresolved -- and anxiety building over the state of the global economy.

US stocks extend rally as market eyes busy calendar next week
Wall Street stocks overcame early weakness Friday to push higher for a fourth straight positive session, following gains in most overseas equity markets.

IMF chief hails 'constructive' Spring Meetings held under tariff uncertainty
The head of the International Monetary Fund said Friday that financial leaders meeting in Washington this week had shown a "remarkably constructive spirit," despite the uncertainty from Donald Trump's tariff plans.

German prosecutors seek jail terms in VW 'dieselgate' trial
German prosecutors asked for jail sentences Friday in the trial of four former Volkswagen managers accused of fraud in the "dieselgate" emissions-cheating scandal.