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Osaka Expo 'Grand Ring' a symbol of unity: architect
Osaka Expo 'Grand Ring' a symbol of unity: architect
by  AFP

A towering wooden "Grand Ring" built for Expo 2025 in Osaka pays homage to Japan's architectural history and is a symbol of unity despite criticism over costs, its creator says. So the Expo is also a "wonderful occasion to show that Japan has a long history" of wooden buildings, Fujimoto said.

End of Russian gas via Ukraine sparks unease in eastern Europe
End of Russian gas via Ukraine sparks unease in eastern Europe
by  AFP

Ukraine's decision to turn off the taps keeping Russian gas flowing via its territory to Europe has already sown trouble in the continent's east, with Moldova declaring a state of emergency and Slovakia threatening Kyiv with retaliation. Almost a third of the Russian gas sold to Europe is transported via Kyiv's territory, said Phuc-Vinh Nguyen, head of the Jacques Delors Institute's Energy Centre.

£1.5 mn reward offered after 'brazen' London gem raid
£1.5 mn reward offered after 'brazen' London gem raid
by  AFP

Victims of a £10 million ($12.5 million) London jewellery raid have offered rewards of up to £1.5 million to help recover the gems and catch the thief. "The suspect has stolen £10.4 million worth of jewellery, much of which is sentimental and unique in its design, and therefore easily identifiable," he added.

Global markets rode AI, interest rate roller coaster in 2024
Global markets rode AI, interest rate roller coaster in 2024
by  AFP

Despite political upheavals, stock markets and bitcoin smashed records in 2024, fuelled by investor enthusiasm for AI, falling interest rates, and hopes of tax cuts. Investors as well as central banks were anxious about the pace of interest rate cuts: Not too fast to reignite inflation but not so slow activity falls.