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Inflation-hit Turkey sticks to Erdogan's war on higher rates
Inflation-hit Turkey sticks to Erdogan's war on higher rates
Business and Economy
by  AFP

Turkey's central bank on Thursday bucked global trends once again and kept its benchmark interest rate stable despite one of the highest levels of consumer price increases in the world. Turkey's official annual rate of consumer price increases has edged above 70 percent and is on course to keep breaking records last set in the late 1990s.

Brazil's 'Pablo Escobar' fights extradition from Hungary
Brazil's 'Pablo Escobar' fights extradition from Hungary
World
by  AFP

A suspected drug kingpin dubbed the "Pablo Escobar of Brazil" appeared in court in Hungary on Thursday to fight attempts to extradite him to his home country. Carvalho claimed in court that the case against him was politically motivated, with his lawyer arguing that he would not receive a fair trial in Brazil.

Pope's July trip to Canada confirmed despite knee issues
Pope's July trip to Canada confirmed despite knee issues
World
by  AFP

Pope Francis will make a highly sensitive visit to Canada as planned next month, the Vatican confirmed Thursday, despite problems with his knee that caused him to postpone a trip to Africa. A scheduled trip to Lebanon in June was also postponed due to health reasons, according to that country's government -- although the Vatican had never confirmed the visit.

Death toll rises with no end in sight for Ecuador protests
Death toll rises with no end in sight for Ecuador protests
World
by  AFP

The death toll from 11 days of Indigenous demonstrations in Ecuador over fuel prices has risen to three, a rights group said Thursday, after another protester died in clashes with police. Conaie led two weeks of protests in 2019 in which 11 people died and more than 1,000 were injured, and which resulted in the then-president abandoning plans to reduce fuel price subsidies.

US orders all Juul vaping products off the market
US orders all Juul vaping products off the market
Business and Economy
by  AFP

The US Food and Drug Administration on Thursday said it was ordering all vaping products produced by Juul Labs off the market after finding the former industry leader had failed to address certain safety concerns. On Tuesday, President Joe Biden's administration announced it would develop a new policy requiring cigarette producers to reduce nicotine to non-addictive levels.