SAN FRANCISCO: Apple’s entry into online games with a low-cost subscription plan is expected to bring a fresh set of consumers into gaming and potentially reshape the multibillion-dollar market. Apple Arcade rides a trend of video games played by subscribers instead of purchased as downloads or disks, and its $4.99 monthly
WELLINGTON: New Zealand’s economic growth slowed to a five-year low in the 12 months to June, official data released yesterday showed, fuelling expectations further interest rate cuts are imminent. Statistics New Zealand said the economy expanded 0.5 percent in the April-June quarter, slightly below market forecasts, as mining and manufacturing
BRASÍLIA: Brazil’s central bank slashed interest rates to a record low for the second time in less than two months Wednesday, as Latin America’s biggest economy struggles to grow. The bank cut its main rate to 5.5 percent from the previous historic low of six percent, citing risks of a “more
Greenhouse gases thrust into the atmosphere mainly by burning fossil fuels are warming Earth’s surface more quickly than previously understood, according to new climate models set to replace those used in current UN projections, scientists said Tuesday. By 2100, average temperatures could rise 7.0 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels if
More than half of the 147 tigers confiscated from a controversial Thai temple have died, park officials said Monday, blaming genetic problems linked to in-breeding at the once money-spinning tourist attraction. For years, the Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua temple in the western province of Kanchanaburi pulled tourist hordes who
PARIS: Manchester United and last year’s finalists Arsenal headline an English trio that also features Europa League newcomers Wolves while record five-time champions Sevilla figure to be among the primary contenders as the group stage begins today. Scottish rivals Celtic and Rangers face testing paths to the knockout rounds as
MILAN: Inter Milan coach Antonio Conte insisted he was to blame for misjudging opponents Slavia Prague after the Chinese-owned club rescued a disappointing 1-1 draw in their Champions League opener against the Czech outsiders on Tuesday. Substitute Nicolo Barella scored eight minutes into stoppage time in the San Siro after
MANILA: Philippines immigration agents, backed by troops, have arrested more than 300 Chinese for alleged cyber crimes, a week after a similar number were detained during a raid linked to investment fraud. The Bureau of Immigration late Tuesday said 324 Chinese nationals were arrested in Puerto Princesa City on Palawan
SYDNEY: An Australian bushwalker who tumbled down a waterfall, snapping his leg in two, told yesterday how he managed to crawl for two arduous days though scrub and forest to safety. Neil Parker, 54, said his planned three-hour hike northwest of Brisbane went horribly wrong Sunday when he slipped six
CAEN: A young French woman was killed after being stabbed 14 times by her male partner in front of their three children, prosecutors in northern France said, amid a growing campaign to halt the deaths of women at the hands of their male companions. The man, 37, killed his 27-year-old