Locals say conditions have deteriorated since July’s contentious election, as world powers keep their distance

Zimbabwe faces a deepening economic crisis as hopes fade of a new wave of international investment and aid following historic elections in July.

Washington imposes $200bn taxes on Chinese goods, while Beijing targets $60bn of US goods

The United States and China have imposed new tit-for-tat tariffs against each other’s goods, the latest escalation in a heated trade war between the world’s two largest economies.

Teams of divers are painstakingly lifting an artificial reef made of tens of thousands of old car tyres from the seafloor south of France, after it was found to spread pollution from toxic chemicals.

The operation is costing well over a million euros ($1.1m; £898,000) and is part-funded by the tyre manufacturer Michelin as well as the French state.

The Guardian goes for a ride on the new AI-driven Combino vehicle developed by Siemens

Norbert Gresing shook his head as two teenage boys, deep in conversation and wearing earplugs, stepped out in front of his tram.

Countdown chain recalls Australian Choice brand after discovery in Auckland supermarket

An Australian strawberry brand has been withdrawn from sale in New Zealand after needles were found in a punnet sold in a Auckland supermarket.

A group of 80 bubble artists are attempting to break world records at the World Bubble Festival 2018.

The event will be attended by Guinness World Book of Records officials at Galeri and Caernafon Castle, Gwynedd, on Sunday.

Bullet train to link southern China and cut journey times to Beijing from 24 hours to nine hours

A new high-speed rail link between Hong Kong and mainland China has launched amid criticism the multi-billion-dollar project gives away part of the city’s territory to an increasingly assertive Beijing.

Grupo XP, the operators of XP Investimentos SA, is reportedly launching an exchange that will trade in Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Consumers can now freeze their credit for free under a new federal law.

A credit freeze restricts access to your credit file, essentially halting anyone from opening any new credit in your name. The rules used to vary by state, but previously it could cost up to $10 to put a freeze in place. That fee often had to be paid again when someone wanted to unfreeze it for any legitimate uses.

A Canadian political leader has been caught in a dangerous election campaign trap: not knowing the cost of groceries.

Quebec Liberal leader Phillipe Couillard told a radio station this week that a family of three could eat for a week on C$75 ($57; £45).