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Diamond magnate appeals Swiss corruption verdict
Diamond magnate appeals Swiss corruption verdict
Business and Economy
by  AFP

French-Israeli diamond magnate Beny Steinmetz will be back in court in Switzerland on Monday to appeal against a corruption sentence linked to mining rights in Guinea. He will be back in the Geneva court from Monday to argue his case after receiving another free-passage, with the appeal hearing due to last through September 7.

Mexico lures visitors on new age tourism trail
Mexico lures visitors on new age tourism trail
World
by  AFP

With restorative rituals, yoga retreats and psychedelic experiences, Mexico has become a magnet for spiritually minded tourists seeking an alternative vacation far from the troubles of the modern world. - 'Inner journey' - For some visitors, a vacation in Mexico would not be complete without a different kind of trip -- hallucinogenics.

UN 'closer than ever' to high seas biodiversity treaty
UN 'closer than ever' to high seas biodiversity treaty
World
by  AFP

UN member states edged closer Friday to finalizing a treaty to protect the high seas following two weeks of negotiations, but several disputes still needed to be overcome to reach agreement. She told AFP that the final talks Friday "could be the push to get an agreement." abd/pdh/bfm

Cuba asks for US help to rebuild destroyed fuel depot
Cuba asks for US help to rebuild destroyed fuel depot
World
by  AFP

Cuba has asked the United States for help in restoring a major fuel storage plant devastated by a massive fire that left 16 people dead, the island nation's foreign ministry said on Friday. The United States had previously offered technical advice over the telephone.

Macron calls for 'new pact' with Algeria in reconciliation visit
Macron calls for 'new pact' with Algeria in reconciliation visit
World
by  AFP

President Emmanuel Macron called Friday for a "new pact" with Algeria and "truth and recognition" of the past, on day two of a visit to France's former colony aimed at mending troubled ties. On Friday, Macron -- the first French president to be born after Algerian independence in 1962, told journalists he wanted "the truth, and recognition, otherwise we'll never move forward".