MOSCOW: New machines popping up in Russian shopping centres seem innocuous enough — users insert their passport and receive a small loan in a matter of minutes. But the devices, which dispense credit in Saint Petersburg malls at a sky-high annual rate of 365 percent, are another sign of a
NEW YORK: Caught in the middle of a trade war and hammered by massive spring floods, American farmers are facing a tough year and worry about their future, yet some still trust President Donald Trump. The situation worsened last week when Beijing halted purchases of US farm crops in retaliation
It was meant to be an unabashed celebration of the triumph of Communism in China, and of President Xi Jinping’s authority as the country’s undisputed leader for years to come. But as the People’s Republic of China approaches its 70th anniversary on October 1st, Xi finds himself battling threats on
Australia’s conservative government is fighting efforts to introduce legal protections for journalists — instead vowing to jail whistleblowers and reporters, and to uphold laws that treat handling leaked information as akin to handling stolen property. The government has come under pressure to safeguard freedom of the press after controversial police
LONDON: Manchester City will seek revenge against Tottenham on Saturday for their dramatic Champions League exit last season as Liverpool and Manchester United also look to build on impressive Premier League starts this weekend. City completed the first ever domestic treble of trophies in England last season, but fell short
WASHINGTON: Americans Justin Thomas and Jason Kokrak each matched Medinah’s course record of seven-under par 65 Thursday to share the lead after the opening round of the US PGA BM W Championship. Both co-leaders complained of poor warmups for the opening round, then went out and ripped the rain-softened layout
PARIS: Ten years on from Usain Bolt’s 9.58sec lightning dash over 100m which remains seared into the memory, today’s stars are targeting a clutch of world records ahead of next month’s athletics world championships in Doha. AFP Sport takes a look at the records most likely to fall: 400m hurdles
HONG KONG: Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement faces a major test this weekend as it tries to muster another huge crowd following criticism over a recent violent airport protest and as concerns mount over Beijing’s next move. Ten weeks of protests have plunged the international finance hub into crisis with the
HONG KONG: Daredevil Alain Robert — dubbed the ‘French Spiderman’ — climbed a Hong Kong skyscraper yesterday and unfurled a “peace banner” as the financial hub is rocked by historic political unrest. The 57-year-old adventurer, who specialises in unsanctioned ascents of tall buildings, shimmied up the 68-storey Cheung Kong Centre
SEOUL: North Korea fired what appeared to be two short-range missiles into the sea yesterday and launched a scathing attack on “foolish” calls for dialogue from South Korean President Moon Jae-in, rejecting further peace talks with Seoul. It was the sixth round of launches in recent weeks in protest at