Latest

Volkswagen 'confident' despite global headwinds
Volkswagen 'confident' despite global headwinds
Business and Economy
by  AFP

German auto giant Volkswagen said Thursday that it was able to overcome global economic headwinds and supply chain issues to put in a "robust" performance in the first six months of 2022. - Easing supply constraints - Looking ahead, Volkswagen said it "confirms its outlook for 2022... as supply constraints ease."

Tension on Taiwan, trade hangs over new Biden-Xi phone call
Tension on Taiwan, trade hangs over new Biden-Xi phone call
World
by  AFP

President Joe Biden and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping were set to talk Thursday, amid questions over whether their long distance exchanges can defuse mounting tensions around Taiwan and trade. Where to place the guardrails, however, is challenging amid so many unresolved disputes, including a simmering trade war begun under Donald Trump's presidency.

In energy-starved South Africa, whites-only town basks in solar power
In energy-starved South Africa, whites-only town basks in solar power
Business and Economy
by  AFP

Most of South Africa is wallowing in endless power cuts, but a remote whites-only farming town in the country's sun-drenched centre is close to producing enough electricity to be self-sufficient. In energy-starved South Africa, the small settlement of 2,500 people is the only town nationwide close to reaching energy supply autonomy and freeing itself from the failing national power grid.

Bombshells and wedding bells: Ukraine sees wartime marriage rush
Bombshells and wedding bells: Ukraine sees wartime marriage rush
World
by  AFP

She should have awoken to the sound of popping champagne corks on her wedding day, but Tetyana was instead startled out of bed by Russian rocket fire near her home in central Ukraine. In Ukraine, would-be spouses have been taking advantage of a simplification in the red tape around marriage that allows them to wed on the spot, rather than having to register first and come back after a long wait.