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Rwanda bees being wiped out by pesticides
Rwanda bees being wiped out by pesticides
by  AFP

The use of pesticides in East Africa, some sold by European firms despite being banned in the EU, is killing off bees in large numbers and threatening whole eco-systems, scientists say. Despite being banned for use in the EU, malathion is still exported by Denmark, France and Germany -- 12.5 tonnes in 2023, according to the European Chemicals Agency.

Tourism boom sparks backlash in historic heart of Athens
Tourism boom sparks backlash in historic heart of Athens
by  AFP

Surrounded by a hubbub of blaring music, restaurant terraces and rumbling suitcase wheels slaloming between overflowing litter bins, Giorgos Zafeiriou believes surging tourism has made his historic Athens neighbourhood unrecognisable. Any resident who spots a restaurant terrace encroaching on public space or cars parked on the pavement can report the offenders to this team.

Italy's fast fashion hub becomes Chinese mafia battlefield
Italy's fast fashion hub becomes Chinese mafia battlefield
by  AFP

When Zhang Dayong lay in a pool of blood on a sidewalk in Rome after being shot six times, few suspected a link to Italy's storied textile hub of Prato. Zhang Dayong, the man killed in Rome alongside his girlfriend in April, was Zhang Naizhong's deputy.

AI search pushing an already weakened media ecosystem to the brink
AI search pushing an already weakened media ecosystem to the brink
by  AFP

Generative artificial intelligence assistants like ChatGPT are cutting into traditional online search traffic, depriving news sites of visitors and impacting the advertising revenue they desperately need, in a crushing blow to an industry already fighting for survival.

UK lenders face $12 bn plus compensation bill despite court ruling: watchdog
UK lenders face $12 bn plus compensation bill despite court ruling: watchdog
by  AFP

British finance firms behind high interest car loans could have to pay out more than nine billion pounds ($12 billion) in compensation despite the country's highest court ruling that most of the controversial deals were lawful, a financial watchdog said Sunday. "It is clear that some firms have broken the law and our rules.

US trade advisor says Trump tariff rates unlikely to change
US trade advisor says Trump tariff rates unlikely to change
by  AFP

New US tariff rates are "pretty much set" with little immediate room for negotiation, Donald Trump's trade advisor said in remarks aired Sunday, also defending the president's politically driven levies against Brazil. "These tariff rates are pretty much set."

Eight OPEC+ countries raise production by 547,000 bpd
Eight OPEC+ countries raise production by 547,000 bpd
by  AFP

Saudi Arabia, Russia and six key members of the OPEC+ alliance said Sunday they will increase production by 547,000 barrels a day in a move which analysts say aims to regain market share amid resilient crude prices.