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Commodities drive Indonesia economic recovery in 2021
Indonesia's economy returned to growth last year as surging commodity prices helped drive a recovery from a coronavirus-triggered recession, data showed Monday, though officials warned the outlook depended on how well the fast-spreading Omicron variant is managed.
Toshiba unveils new plan to split into two companies
Japan's Toshiba on Monday announced plans to split into two companies, revising proposals to divide into three following a tumultuous period for the storied industrial conglomerate.
Asian markets mixed as US jobs data ramps up rate-hike bets
Asian markets fluctuated in early trade on Monday as a forecast-busting US jobs report reinforced optimism that the world's top economy was well on the recovery track but also ramped up interest rate hike expectations.
Cuba marks six decades under US sanctions
Cuba on Monday marks 60 years under a US economic blockade that has deeply affected the communist nation's fortunes and shows no signs of being lifted.
In-person Berlin film fest stands up to pandemic, streaming
The 72nd Berlin film festival opens Thursday, bucking a trend of pandemic on-the-couch streaming with a packed programme of live premieres featuring a stable of European screen legends.
Lata Mangeshkar 'Nightingale of India' dies aged 92
Bollywood superstar Lata Mangeshkar, known to millions as the "Nightingale of India" and a regular fixture of the country's airwaves for decades, died Sunday morning at the age of 92.
Wind powers change in England's industrial heartland
On the banks of the River Humber in northern England, the winds of change are blowing through Hull, where factory workers busily craft turbine blades in a green revolution.
Morocco boy found dead in tragic end to well ordeal
Moroccan emergency crews found a five-year-old boy dead at the bottom of a well late Saturday in a tragic end to a painstaking five-day rescue operation that gripped the nation and beyond.
Morocco bid to free boy from well reaches agonising final stretch
Morocco held its breath Saturday as rescue teams drew near a five-year-old boy trapped down a well for days, moving at a snail's pace for fear of triggering a landslip, AFP correspondents reported.
Ford curbs N.American production as chip shortage hits: media
Major automaker Ford will cut its North American vehicle production next week due to a semiconductor shortage, US media reported Saturday.
Metres to go in effort to free Moroccan boy from well
Moroccan rescuers were only metres away Saturday in their nerve-wracking but increasingly urgent effort to rescue Rayan, a five-year-old boy trapped underground whom they hope to find alive.
Austria Covid-19 'gargle' tests in expansion drive
Throughout the day, vans loaded with bags full of Covid PCR test kits arrive at a Vienna laboratory, currently analysing an average of 370,000 tests per day.
Oil prices extend gains as markets weigh strong US jobs data
Stocks were mixed Friday as markets weighed a surprisingly good US jobs report against concerns over tightening monetary policy, while oil prices pushed closer to $100 a barrel.
Meta adds 'personal boundary' tool after virtual world harassment
Facebook parent Meta began rolling out Friday a minimum distance between users' avatars in its virtual reality Horizon network after reports of harassment, one of the thorny issues for its metaverse vision.
Morocco bid to free boy from well reaches nerve-wracking final stages
Moroccan rescuers were in the nerve-wracking final stages Friday of a marathon effort to rescue Rayan, a five-year-old boy trapped down a well for a fourth night.
US lawmakers advance China competition bill
US lawmakers voted Friday to greenlight a multibillion-dollar bill aimed at jumpstarting high-tech research and manufacturing, countering China's growing influence and easing a global shortage of computer chips.
Oil prices, US jobs data weigh on stocks
A surge in oil prices to close to $93 per barrel as well as robust US jobs data weighed on stock prices Friday as they fuelled expectations central banks will move forcefully to raise interest rates.
US saw surprisingly robust hiring in January despite Covid surge
The US economy brushed off a spike in Covid-19 infections to add 467,000 jobs in January, far better than expected and a potential sign that the pandemic's days of disrupting businesses are numbered.
EU, US thaw trade tensions further with mollusc sales
The European Union and the United States signalled Friday a further thawing of trade tension as they agreed to resume trade in mussels, clams, oysters and scallops after a decade-long halt.
Blinken to Australia next week for Quad group meeting
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken travels to Australia next week for a Quad group ministerial meeting also involving his counterparts from India and Japan to discuss maritime security and cooperation against Covid, the State Department said Friday.
Mosque-goers pray for rain in drought-scorched Morocco
Mosques held prayers for rain on Friday across the parched North African kingdom of Morocco where farmers are battling an acute drought.
NATO chief Stoltenberg to head Norway central bank
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg will take over as Norway's central bank governor at the end of the year, officials said Friday, a controversial choice that has already raised concerns about the bank's independence.
Can Hermes and Nike stop 'unauthorised' NFTs?
As digital objects in the form of NFTs have exploded in popularity and value over the past year, so too have the legal headaches and complications.
Morocco rescuers close in on boy trapped in well
Moroccans waited anxiously Friday as rescuers with heavy diggers closed in on Rayan, a five-year-old boy trapped in a deep well for three nights.
Sri Lanka calls for diaspora investment on independence day
Sri Lanka marked its independence day on Friday with an appeal to its diaspora to send money home to overcome the island's worsening economic crisis and a pledge to protect foreign investments.
Asian markets up as Hong Kong returns with rally, eyes on US jobs
Asian markets rose Friday as a surge in Hong Kong on its first day back from a break helped overcome a sharp drop on Wall Street, though a surprisingly hawkish tilt from the European Central Bank added fuel to fears about the removal of pandemic-era stimulus.
Rotterdam says no decision on dismantling bridge for Bezos superyacht
The Dutch port city of Rotterdam has not received a request for a permit to temporarily dismantle an historic bridge to allow a superyacht built for Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to pass, local media reported Thursday.
Asian markets mostly rise as Hong Kong reopens, eyes on US jobs
Asian markets mostly rose Friday as a rally in Hong Kong on its first day back from a break helped overcome a sharp drop on Wall Street, though a surprisingly hawkish tilt from the European Central Bank added fuel to fears about the removal of pandemic-era stimulus.
Morocco rescuers dig for boy trapped in well
Moroccans waited anxiously Thursday as authorities said a dramatic operation to rescue a young boy trapped in a deep well for over two days was nearing its end.
Ford Q4 profits hit by supply chain woes
Ford reported weaker-than-expected fourth-quarter profits Thursday amid supply chain problems, even as higher car prices boosted results in North America.
Amazon holiday quarter profit doubles
Amazon on Thursday reported its profit doubled to $14 billion in the recently ended quarter, giving a boost to jittery markets that expected less due to higher labor, sourcing and delivery costs.
Cyclone Batsurai injures 12, strands ship in France's La Reunion
Tropical cyclone Batsirai skirted the French Indian Ocean territory of La Reunion Thursday, leaving at least 12 people injured and an empty oil tanker stuck aground in its wake.
At least a year for permanent solution on 5G: US air regulator
The United States will gradually permit more 5G telecommunications service near airports, but a long-term solution on air safety concerns will take at least a year, a senior regulator said Thursday.
N.Ireland leader resigns over Brexit protocol
Northern Ireland's unionist chief minister quit on Thursday, forcing his nationalist deputy also to stand down and prompting calls for early elections in the tense province.
Over 7 million visited Dubai in 2021 tourism turnaround
More than seven million foreign tourists visited Dubai last year, marking a "remarkable turnaround", the government of the Gulf city state hosting the Expo world fair announced Thursday.
Union vote at GM Mexico plant hailed as 'win' for workers
Workers at a General Motors factory in Mexico have elected an independent union -- a step hailed as a victory for labor rights helped by a revamped North American trade agreement.
Moscow to shut down Deutsche Welle bureau in Russia
Russia said Thursday it is closing the Moscow bureau of German broadcaster Deutsche Welle and revoking staff accreditations in Russia, in response to Berlin's ban on the German-language channel of Russian state TV network RT.
Facebook slump reignites debate over attracting younger audiences
Facebook announced on Thursday that its daily user numbers had fallen for the first time in its history, reopening the debate around its problem with attracting new, younger subscribers.
UK's Kew tribute to Costa Rica at annual orchid fest
Britain's Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew unveiled its annual orchid festival Thursday, turning a sliver of southwest London into a riot of tropical colour and flora celebrating biodiversity hotspot Costa Rica.