AFP Top News

US auto giant General Motors announced Tuesday it will abandon its robotaxi development efforts after a highly publicized incident last year stymied its progress in the autonomous vehicle field.The Detroit-based manufacturer plans to merge the Cruise robotaxi vehicle unit with GM’s technical teams to concentrate on developing advanced driver assistance systems for personal vehicles, a …

GM abandons robotaxi operations derailed by accident Read More »

Nippon Steel on Wednesday slammed the “inappropriate” influence of politics on its planned takeover of US Steel after a media report said President Joe Biden would block it.The deal worth $14.9 billion including debts is being reviewed by a body in Washington that assesses foreign takeovers of US firms.Bloomberg News, citing people close to the …

Nippon Steel slams ‘inappropriate’ politics in US deal Read More »

South Korean police said Wednesday that they raided President Yoon Suk Yeol’s office, as the investigation into his declaration of martial law gathers pace.”The Special Investigation Team has conducted a raid on the presidential office, the National Police Agency, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, and the National Assembly Security Service,” the unit stated in a …

South Korea police raid president’s office Read More »

A ferocious fire tore through Malibu on Tuesday, destroying at least seven homes in one of California’s most desirable areas, and forcing thousands to evacuate.Multimillion-dollar properties, some owned by Hollywood celebrities, were in the path of the blaze, which exploded late Monday, fanned by powerful winds and tinder-dry brush.Firefighters were unable to get a foothold …

Wildfire in Malibu destroys homes, sends thousands fleeing Read More »

An Argentine court on Tuesday dismissed rape charges against two French international rugby players accused of assaulting a woman after playing a match in the country in July.Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou, both 21, were arrested two days after winning their first international caps for France against Argentina in the western city of Mendoza.A 39-year-old woman, …

Argentine court drops rape case against French rugby players Read More »

A ferocious fire tore through Malibu, California, on Tuesday, destroying homes and forcing thousands to evacuate one of the most sought-after areas in the United States.Multimillion-dollar properties, some owned by Hollywood celebrities, were in the path of the blaze, which exploded overnight, fanned by powerful winds and tinder-dry brush.Firefighters were struggling to get a foothold …

Thousands told to flee as wildfire tears through California’s Malibu Read More »

Mohamed Salah helped maintain Liverpool’s perfect record in the Champions League on Tuesday while holders Real Madrid bounced back from their defeat at Anfield to topple in-form Italians Atalanta. Elsewhere, struggling Paris Saint-Germain gained a vital win at Salzburg, while Bayer Leverkusen edged Inter Milan to move second.Aston Villa, in their first appearance in the continent’s …

Salah keeps Liverpool perfect, Real down Atalanta in Champions League Read More »

The United States is moving to grant federal protections to the monarch butterfly — a once-common species recognizable by its striking black and orange patterns that has faced a dramatic population decline in recent decades.The Fish and Wildlife Service said Tuesday it has initiated a public comment period to consider listing the insect under the …

US moves to save once-common monarch butterflies from extinction Read More »

The man charged with brazenly gunning down a top health insurance CEO in New York carried a handwritten manifesto of grievances against the industry, police said Tuesday, giving a possible motive for the first time.Luigi Mangione, 26, yelled and struggled with officers as he was led into court in Pennsylvania wearing an orange jumpsuit, for …

NY gunman had manifesto railing against health insurance Read More »

Syria’s new transitional prime minister on Tuesday said it was time for “stability and calm” in the country, two days after longtime president Bashar al-Assad was toppled by rebels in a lightning offensive.The rebels appointed Mohammad al-Bashir as the transitional head of government to run the country until March 1, a statement said.”Now it is …

New Syria PM calls for ‘stability and calm’ Read More »