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UK economy shrinks in April as US tariffs kick in
UK economy shrinks in April as US tariffs kick in
by  AFP

Britain's economy shrank more than expected in April following a tax hike on UK businesses and a record drop in exports to the United States due to President Donald Trump's tariffs, official data showed Thursday. Exports of British goods to the United States fell by a record £2 billion ($2.7 billion) the same month, the ONS revealed, following the introduction of Trump's tariffs onslaught.

Niger-Benin border standoff deepens as trade collapse bites
Niger-Benin border standoff deepens as trade collapse bites
by  AFP

Nearly two years after Niger's military seized power and the border with Benin was shut, tensions over security, sovereignty and French influence have hardened into a stand-off throttling trade and paralysing ties between the west African neighbours.

EU crypto regulation hampered by national flaws
EU crypto regulation hampered by national flaws
by  AFP

The first EU-wide cryptocurrency regulation was meant to impose some harmony, but disparities in implementation by member countries has allowed companies to exploit a flaw in the system. France, however, sees it as granting companies greater time to prepare their application, with the country implementing a transition period through to June 2026.

Asian shares stumble after Trump's latest trade threat
Asian shares stumble after Trump's latest trade threat
by  AFP

Asian shares were rattled Thursday after Donald Trump said he would impose unilateral tariffs on partners in the next two weeks, reigniting trade war fears soon after reaching a deal with China to dial down tensions between the superpowers. Most Asian markets fell on Thursday, with Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Wellington, Taipei and Jakarta in the red after a broadly healthy run-up this week.

Italy forges on with world's largest suspension bridge
Italy forges on with world's largest suspension bridge
by  AFP

Italy hopes to begin constructing the world's largest suspension bridge connecting Sicily to the Italian mainland this summer amid widespread scepticism that it will ever be built. Meloni's ministers are expected to give their final approval to the project -- which Rome will fund -- later this month, and Salvini insists construction will begin this summer.

Fizzled out: French winemaker risks prison over champagne fraud
Fizzled out: French winemaker risks prison over champagne fraud
by  AFP

Prosecutors in eastern France on Wednesday requested a winemaker accused of producing and selling fake champagne in an elaborate scam be sentenced to four years in prison, with three years of the term suspended. The winemaker from the Aisne region produced and sold hundreds of thousands of fake champagne bottles for a year, between 2022 and 2023.