Business and Tech
Hong Kong launches China-style tracking app for mainland travel
AFP - 36m ago
Hong Kongers travelling to China will need to download a tracking app similar to those used on the mainland, local …
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Biden opens winter battle against Covid-19
AFP - 38m ago
President Joe Biden will announce Thursday a winter campaign against Covid-19, with new testing requirements for …
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Morocco border closure spells doom for tourism sector
AFP - 1h ago
Moroccan tourism operators are facing potential ruin after the country abruptly shut its borders over the Omicron …
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Hong Kong quarantine pushes Cathay pilots to 'breaking point'
AFP - 1h ago
Cathay Pacific has been hit by a wave of pilot resignations in recent weeks as resentment over Hong Kong's strict …
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Asian stocks mixed with traders sensitive to Omicron headlines
AFP - 2h ago
Asian markets were mixed Thursday and oil edged up with traders trying to claw back Omicron-induced losses but still …
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Tweed weaves a way from Scottish islands to catwalk
AFP - 2h ago
In the cluttered workshop of his home off the coast of northwest Scotland, Ian Mackay patiently weaves a bright green …
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WHO warns of 'toxic mix' as EU chief mulls mandatory Covid jabs
AFP - 3h ago
The WHO has issued stern warnings on the dangers of vaccination apathy and the European Union put mandatory jabs on the …
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Shuttered Hong Kong democracy paper wins press freedom award
AFP - 3h ago
Jailed Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai and the staff of his now-shuttered Apple Daily newspaper have been awarded a …
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Vietnam's spectacular terraced ricefields wait for tourists
AFP - 6h ago
As the morning sun finds its way through the mist over Vietnam's terraced rice fields, local farmers lead buffalo into …
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Japan eases blanket ban on new incoming flight bookings
AFP - 7h ago
Japan has softened its suspension of all new incoming flight bookings to make it easier for citizens to return, the …
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Top oil producers may freeze output amid Omicron concerns
AFP - 8h ago
Major oil producers are due to meet Thursday to decide on output levels from January onwards, which could be frozen as …
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Payments firm Square gets new corporate name: Block
AFP - 3m ago
Digital payments firm Square, which was co-founded and is still led by former Twitter chief Jack Dorsey, on Wednesday …
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Stanford engineers build bird bots that can perch and grab objects
AFP - 9h ago
Inspired by how birds land and perch on branches, a team of engineers at Stanford University has built robotic graspers …
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United States is world's biggest plastic polluter, report finds
AFP - 9h ago
The United States is by far the biggest contributor to global plastic waste in the world, according to a new report …
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Tinder owner to pay founders $441 mn to settle valuation lawsuit
AFP - 9h ago
The company that owns Tinder will pay $441 million to the popular dating app's founders to settle a dispute over the …
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Facebook hits anti-vaccine campaign harassing doctors
Dec 01 2021
Facebook's parent company Meta said Wednesday it had derailed an anti-vaccine campaign that harassed medical workers, …
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Wall Street dives as Omicron arrives in US
Dec 01 2021
Major US stock indices closed lower for the second straight day Wednesday after the first case of the Omicron variant of …
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Facebook whistleblower warns US lawmakers of regulation deadlock
Dec 01 2021
Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen urged a US Congress panel Wednesday not to get mired in drawn out debate amid a …
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Supply snags hurting US growth, but may be easing, Fed says
Dec 01 2021
The US economy continues to struggle with supply issues that have pushed prices higher in recent weeks, but there are …
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US judge dismisses ad discrimination suit against McDonald's
Dec 01 2021
A federal judge dismissed a discrimination lawsuit that accused McDonald's of refusing to advertise on Black-owned media …
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Armani gives up angora wool as part of fur-free policy
Dec 01 2021
Italian fashion house Armani announced Wednesday it would no longer use angora wool, a product made from rabbit hair, as …
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Global markets recover from Omicron turmoil
Dec 01 2021
Global stock markets rebounded Wednesday and oil prices surged following Omicron-driven losses on the eve of a key …
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ExxonMobil aims to double profits on restrained spending
Dec 01 2021
ExxonMobil released a plan Wednesday that aims to double oil company's profits by 2027 as it expands lower-emissions …
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Guernsey issues 40 EU fishing licences amid France row
Dec 01 2021
Guernsey on Wednesday issued fishing licences to 40 European Union boats, in the latest move over post-Brexit access …
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ExxonMobil aims to double profits n restrained spending
Dec 01 2021
ExxonMobil released a plan Wednesday that aims to double oil company's profits by 2027 as it expands lower-emissions …
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EU chief mulls mandatory Covid jabs as Omicron fears deepen
Dec 01 2021
Europe's top official said Wednesday it was time to "think about mandatory vaccination" as the fast-spreading Omicron …
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Renewables accelerating, but must go faster to meet net zero: IEA
Dec 01 2021
Global growth in renewable electricity production is set to accelerate but needs to speed up even more to meet targets …
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Without women and aid, Afghan economy will collapse, UN warns
Dec 01 2021
When Maryam went shopping in Kabul this week after several weeks cooped up at home, the Afghan mother was shocked to …
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OECD warns Omicron threatens world economy
Dec 01 2021
The OECD warned Wednesday that the Omicron coronavirus variant threatens the global economic recovery as it lowered the …
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China denies report it is looking to close foreign IPO loophole
Dec 01 2021
Beijing on Wednesday denied a report that it was looking to plug a loophole used by Chinese tech companies to go public …
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Global markets rebound after Omicron turmoil
Dec 01 2021
Global stock markets rebounded Wednesday and oil prices surged following Omicron-driven losses and on the eve of a key …
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Erdogan defends 'risky but correct' economic policy
Dec 01 2021
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan defended Wednesday his "risky but correct" economic policy of low interest rates …
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Google to halt election ads ahead of 2022 Philippines vote
Dec 01 2021
Google will stop carrying election ads in the Philippines ahead of the May 2022 presidential vote, the internet giant …
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OECD cuts world growth forecast, warns of Omicron threat
Dec 01 2021
The OECD warned Wednesday that the Omicron coronavirus variant threatens the global economic recovery as it lowered the …
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OECD lowers world GDP forecast, says vaccination key
Dec 01 2021
The OECD lowered the world's economic growth outlook for 2021 on Wednesday and called for a swifter rollout of Covid …
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Asian markets rise, oil rallies as virus and Fed hold attention
Dec 01 2021
Asian markets mostly rose Wednesday while oil prices bounced as traders assessed the global economic outlook after top …
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Japan stops flight bookings despite WHO Omicron travel ban warning
Dec 01 2021
Japan suspended all new flight bookings into the country from Wednesday in response to Omicron, ignoring a World Health …
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WHO warns against Omicron travel bans as nations shut borders
Dec 01 2021
The World Health Organization has warned blanket travel bans will not prevent the spread of Omicron, as more countries …
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Lira crisis gives Turkish opposition chance to challenge Erdogan
Dec 01 2021
Turkey's currency crisis has cut into the popularity of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, handing the opposition a golden …
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New Twitch tool helps battle ban evaders
Dec 01 2021
Gaming platform Twitch on Tuesday introduced a tool that detects and blocks users who evade bans, a longstanding problem …
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Joy as Fiji reopens borders to international tourists
Dec 01 2021
Traditional dancers in grass skirts welcomed waving holidaymakers as Fiji opened its borders to international travellers …
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Asian markets mostly up, oil rallies as virus and Fed hold attention
Dec 01 2021
Asian markets mostly rose Wednesday while oil prices bounced as traders assess the outlook for the global economy after …
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Global economy rebounds, but for how long?
Dec 01 2021
The world economy woke up from its pandemic-induced coma in 2021, but soaring inflation, global supply chain bottlenecks …
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Tech 2022 trends: Meatless meat, Web 3.0, Big Tech battles
Dec 01 2021
After a year that made the terms WFH (work from home) and metaverse instantly recognizable for many people, there are a …
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Twitter bans sharing of photos without consent
Dec 01 2021
Twitter launched new rules Tuesday blocking users from sharing private images of other people without their consent, in …
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Tel Aviv ranked world's priciest city for first time
Dec 01 2021
Tel Aviv is the world's most expensive city to live in as soaring inflation has pushed up living costs globally, …
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Theranos founder tells US trial of bid to stop damning reporting
Dec 01 2021
Fallen biotech star Elizabeth Holmes told her US fraud trial Tuesday she appealed to Wall Street Journal owner Rupert …
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Fed chair admits US inflation could prove 'persistent'
Nov 30 2021
The wave of price increases that has complicated the US pandemic recovery could last longer than anticipated, Federal …
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Global markets down, oil slumps on Omicron vaccine warning
Nov 30 2021
World stocks and oil prices slid Tuesday after Moderna warned current vaccines might be less effective at fending off …
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India reports 8.4% quarterly growth on pandemic recovery
Nov 30 2021
India's economy has recovered to its pre-pandemic size, official data showed Tuesday, boosted by a broad-based recovery …
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More holiday shopping in stores this year: US retail group
Nov 30 2021
More US consumers shopped in stores over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend compared with last year and fewer bought …
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Lead 'em then leave 'em: tech founders who quit
Nov 30 2021
Former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey joins a long list of tech gurus who've quit the companies they founded. But what makes …
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Inflation hits US consumer confidence in November
Nov 30 2021
Price increases and rising Covid-19 infections made US consumers feel slightly less confident in November, an industry …
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Global markets slammed by Moderna's Omicron vaccine warning
Nov 30 2021
World stocks slid Tuesday after Moderna warned current vaccines might be less effective at fending off the Omicron …
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OPEC+ to meet as Omicron sparks price turmoil
Nov 30 2021
OPEC and the oil cartel's allies hold a key output meeting on Thursday facing new challenges as the Omicron coronavirus …
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EasyJet warns 'too soon' to know Omicron impact
Nov 30 2021
British airline EasyJet warned Tuesday it was "too soon" to assess the impact of the Omicron Covid variant on the …
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UK regulator orders Facebook to sell Giphy
Nov 30 2021
A British regulator on Tuesday ordered Facebook to sell Giphy, assessing that its acquisition of the animated graphics …
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Marta Ortega, Zara founder's daughter, to chair parent company
Nov 30 2021
The parent company of Zara said Tuesday that Marta Ortega, the daughter of the Spanish clothing giant's founder, will …
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Eurozone inflation soars to highest rate on record
Nov 30 2021
Soaring energy prices took eurozone inflation to its highest rate on record in November, official data showed Tuesday, …
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Shares in Macau's Suncity collapse after boss detained
Nov 30 2021
Shares in Macau's largest junket operator Suncity plummeted more than 48 percent on Tuesday after boss Alvin Chau was …
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Markets hit by Moderna vaccine warning over Omicron
Nov 30 2021
Equities and oil sank again Tuesday after the head of Moderna warned current coronavirus vaccines might be less …
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Theranos founder claims abuse by controlling boyfriend
Nov 30 2021
Fallen biotech star Elizabeth Holmes fought back tears while testifying at her fraud trial Monday as she recounted …
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Uber Eats to quit Hong Kong after five years
Nov 30 2021
Online food delivery platform Uber Eats announced on Tuesday it will quit Hong Kong at the end of 2021, ending five …
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Asian markets hit by Moderna vaccine warning over Omicron
Nov 30 2021
Asian equity and oil traders were sent running Tuesday after the head of Moderna warned current coronavirus vaccines …
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OPEC+ meets under pressure from Biden and Omicron
Nov 30 2021
OPEC+ oil producers meet Thursday under pressure from US President Joe Biden, who has opened up his country's taps …
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Asian markets mostly up as traders edge back after rout
Nov 30 2021
Asian investors began edging back into the market on Tuesday after a two-day sell-off fuelled by fears about the impact …
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Fiji proceeds with border reopening despite Omicron
Nov 30 2021
Fiji will press on with plans to reopen its border to international travellers on Wednesday, despite the threat from the …
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Omicron variant raises new fears for pandemic-hit world economy
Nov 30 2021
Just as it was recovering from the body blow of the Covid-19 pandemic, the global economy has taken yet another hit from …
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China factory activity edges up in November as power shortage eases
Nov 30 2021
Manufacturing activity in China edged up in November on the back of an easing in power shortages and a drop in some raw …
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Pfizer already working on Covid vaccine targeting Omicron: CEO
Nov 30 2021
Pfizer has already started working on a version of its Covid-19 vaccine specifically targeting the new Omicron variant …
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Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey quits company
Nov 30 2021
Twitter co-founder and CEO Jack Dorsey announced Monday he was leaving the company, after steering the social network …
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Hollywood heirlooms under the hammer in blockbuster auction
Nov 30 2021
A cross-section of entertainment history goes under the hammer this week, with an auction of costumes and props from …
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US authorities order new vote in Amazon union bid
Nov 30 2021
US labor authorities on Monday ordered a new vote on whether Amazon warehouse workers in Alabama can form a union, …
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Parag Agrawal: New CEO sheds low profile to take Twitter helm
Nov 29 2021
Parag Agrawal, who took over Monday as the new head of Twitter, shot from relative obscurity as the platform's …
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Fed's Powell warns Omicron poses risks to US economy
Nov 29 2021
The Omicron variant of Covid-19 could slow the recovery of the US economy and labor market and also heighten uncertainty …
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Stocks, oil bounce back from Omicron rout
Nov 29 2021
US and European stocks as well as oil prices rebounded on Monday from last week's slump that was sparked by fears over a …
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Jack Dorsey steps down as Twitter CEO
Nov 29 2021
Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey resigned Monday as the social media network's CEO, after surviving an activist investor's …
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Jack Dorsey, Twitter co-founder who cut off Trump's megaphone
Nov 29 2021
Jack Dorsey, who stepped down as CEO of the social media giant Twitter Monday, is perhaps best known as the man who …
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German inflation hits 29-year high but ECB urges patience
Nov 29 2021
German consumer prices hit a 29-year high in November, preliminary data showed Monday, but European Central Bank chief …
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Stocks, oil prices rebound from Omicron rout
Nov 29 2021
US and European stocks as well as oil prices rebounded Monday from a pre-weekend slump that was sparked by fears over a …
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German inflation hits 29-year high in November
Nov 29 2021
German consumer prices hit a 29-year high in November, preliminary data showed Monday, as soaring energy costs and …
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Final Virgil Abloh show in Miami following shock death
Nov 29 2021
Louis Vuitton will present the final collection by designer Virgil Abloh in Miami on Tuesday, following his death from …
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European stocks, oil prices rebound from Omicron rout
Nov 29 2021
European stocks and oil prices rebounded Monday from a pre-weekend slump that was sparked by fears over a new variant of …
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Nissan touts 'pioneer' status with new electric vehicle targets
Nov 29 2021
Nissan on Monday unveiled plans for electric and hybrid vehicles to make up half its global sales by 2030, with a top …
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Macau casino stocks tumble after junket boss arrest
Nov 29 2021
Shares in Macau casino operators plunged Monday after police said the head of the gambling enclave's largest junket …
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Asian markets fall again but Europe, crude rebound from virus rout
Nov 29 2021
Asian markets fell again Monday after last week's painful rout fuelled by news of the Omicron virus strain but European …
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'Simpsons' Tiananmen episode missing from Disney+ in Hong Kong
Nov 29 2021
An episode of "The Simpsons" in which the cartoon American family visit Tiananmen Square is missing from the Disney+ …
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Asian markets extended losses but oil bounces after Omicron rout
Nov 29 2021
Asian markets fell again Monday but oil rebounded strongly as investors try to assess the threat of the new Omicron …
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'Simpsons' Tiananmen episode missing from Hong Kong Disney+
Nov 29 2021
An episode of 'The Simpsons' in which the cartoon American family visit Tiananmen Square has been removed from Disney's …
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China's Twitter-like Weibo plans $547 mn Hong Kong listing
Nov 29 2021
US-listed Chinese microblogging platform Weibo is seeking to raise up to $547 million in a share offer in Hong Kong, …
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G7 ministers meet as new Covid strain spreads around the globe
Nov 29 2021
G7 health ministers were to hold an emergency meeting Monday on the new Omicron Covid-19 strain spreading the globe and …
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Nissan plans 50% electric vehicle sales by 2030
Nov 29 2021
Automaker Nissan wants half its global sales to be electric or hybrid vehicles by 2030 and plans to plough billions of …
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Cooks, nurses and mall Santas in short supply in Canada
Nov 29 2021
The signs of an unprecedented labor shortage in Canada are glaring: hospital emergency rooms closed because of a lack of …
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Pandemic to cost global tourism $2.0 trillion in 2021: UN
Nov 29 2021
The coronavirus pandemic will cost the global tourism sector $2.0 trillion in lost revenue in 2021, the UN's tourism …
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Brazil burns boats in crackdown on wildcat Amazon gold miners
Nov 28 2021
Brazilian authorities burned more than 60 river-dredging boats in a crackdown on wildcat miners drawn to a major Amazon …
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New Covid variant shuts borders across the globe
Nov 28 2021
A new, heavily mutated Covid-19 variant spread across the globe on Sunday, shutting borders, renewing curbs, and …
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Australian government vows to unmask online trolls
Nov 28 2021
Australia's government said Sunday it will introduce legislation to unmask online trolls, and hold social media giants …
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Borders slam shut as world rushes to contain new Covid variant
Nov 28 2021
World governments rushed to contain a new, heavily mutated Covid-19 strain Sunday, with Israel slamming its borders shut …
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World races to contain new Covid variant
Nov 28 2021
Several European nations on Saturday announced their first cases of a highly infectious new coronavirus strain, as …
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Online conspiracies fuel Dutch Covid unrest
Nov 28 2021
When Covid riots rocked the Netherlands for the second time in a year, Ricardo Pronk was there to livestream it all to …
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In Greece's tough job market, non-profits offer refugee lifeline
Nov 28 2021
Bowed over a large workbench with a dozen classmates, asylum-seeker Fazle Rabbi is learning how to construct a network …
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Laos hopes for economic boost from Chinese-built railway
Nov 28 2021
A new $6 billion Chinese-built railway line opens in Laos this week, bringing hopes of an economic boost to the …
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