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France's Sanofi to seek Covid vaccine approval after delays
French pharmaceuticals giant Sanofi said Wednesday that its Covid-19 vaccine, developed with Britain's GSK, had delivered positive results after nearly a year of delays left it lagging far behind its rivals.
Barclays freezes ex-boss bonuses over Epstein probe
British bank Barclays on Wednesday suspended £22 million of bonuses owed to ex-boss Jes Staley amid a probe into his links with US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Workers across Turkey go on strike as inflation bites
Soaring inflation in Turkey has propelled a wave of strikes unlike any the country has seen since the 1970s, as workers demand more money to counter the shrinking value of their pay.
Rio Tinto posts record earnings, buoyed by high ore prices
Australia-based mining giant Rio Tinto on Wednesday reported record earnings of US$21.4 billion last year, on the back of soaring iron ore prices and solid demand from China.
Hong Kong unveils $22 bn budget for virus plagued economy
Hong Kong's finance chief on Wednesday unveiled a costly HK$170 billion ($21.79 billion) budget, including tax breaks and consumer spending vouchers, as the city reels under its worst coronavirus outbreak to date.
Hong Kong parents decry child separations during virus surge
Hong Kong parents are being separated from children and babies who test positive for the coronavirus, compounding public anger over the financial hub's lack of readiness for a major outbreak now sweeping the city.
Most Asian markets rise after Russia sanctions but nerves on edge
Equities mostly rose Wednesday and oil prices stabilised as investors tracked developments in the Russia-Ukraine crisis after world powers imposed less harsh sanctions on Moscow than feared.
UN slams 'aggressive' formula milk marketing
The United Nations slammed baby formula makers Wednesday for "unethical" marketing strategies, accusing them of aggressively targeting expecting parents and health workers and putting shareholder interests before children's health.
Amazon faces another complaint over tactics in Alabama union vote
A labor group seeking to unionize Amazon workers in Alabama accused the retail giant Tuesday of "unfair labor practices" over its comportment during the vote.
Colombia's Duque blasts 'heinous' pro-abortion ruling
Colombia's president on Tuesday described as "heinous" a Constitutional Court ruling decriminalizing abortion up to 24 weeks of pregnancy, a move he said bypassed Congress and a deeply Catholic population.
Oil nears $100 but European stocks rebound on tepid sanctions
Oil prices surged close to $100 per barrel Tuesday as major crude producer Russia prepared to send troops into two breakaway regions of Ukraine.
US home prices saw biggest jump in 34 years in 2021
US home prices in 2021 saw their biggest increase in at least 34 years, according to data released Tuesday, as buyers spent the year snapping up homes and builders struggled to keep up.
US consumer confidence falls as expectations grow tepid
US consumer confidence fell for the second straight month in February, a survey said Tuesday, as Americans' feelings about the economy's present and future health cooled.
Volkswagen eyes separate stock market listing for Porsche
German auto giant Volkswagen on Tuesday said it was drawing up plans to list its luxury brand Porsche as it looks to raise the funds for its move to electric vehicles.
Mining firms targeting Brazil indigenous lands: report
Major mining companies are seeking to expand to currently protected indigenous lands in the Amazon rainforest, bolstered by billions of dollars in financing from international banks and investment firms, a report found Tuesday.
US women's soccer reaches landmark $24 mn settlement in equal pay dispute
The US national women's team has won a $24 million payout and a promise of equal pay going forward in a landmark settlement with US Soccer, the two sides announced Tuesday in a joint statement.
Gas prices 'in God's hands', producers warn as Ukraine crisis sparks surge
Major gas exporting nations said Tuesday they could not guarantee prices or supplies at a summit overshadowed by the worsening Ukraine crisis which has pushed costs to record highs in Europe.
HSBC announces $1 bn share buyback as annual profits double
HSBC on Tuesday announced bumper 2021 profits and plans to repurchase shares worth up to $1.0 billion as the Asia-focused bank continues its recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and major restructuring.
Oil nears $100 as West prepares Russian sanctions
Oil prices surged close to $100 per barrel Tuesday as major crude producer Russia prepared to send troops into two breakaway regions of Ukraine, sparking Western nations to ready economic sanctions against Moscow.
Only nine percent of plastic recycled worldwide: OECD
Less than 10 percent of the plastic used across the world is recycled, the OECD said Tuesday, calling for "coordinated and global solutions" ahead of expected talks on an international treaty on the issue.
Gas exporters working for 'reliable' supplies as Ukraine crisis worsens
Qatar's emir said major gas exporting nations were working to ensure "credible and reliable" supplies as he hosted a forum overshadowed by the worsening crisis in Ukraine on Tuesday.
Women workers must cover up 'even with a blanket', say Afghan Taliban
Women working in Afghan government departments must cover up -- even with a blanket if necessary -- or they may lose their jobs, the Taliban's religious police said Tuesday.
No full recovery until 2024, says Dubai airports chief
Passenger traffic at Dubai international airport, the world's busiest, will not recover to pre-Covid levels before 2024, its CEO told AFP on Tuesday.
Sri Lanka inflation hits record high as crisis worsens
Sri Lanka's inflation hit a record high for the fourth consecutive month, official data showed Tuesday as an economic crisis driven by a crippling foreign exchange shortage worsens.
HSBC announces $1 bn share buyback as 2021 profits double
HSBC on Tuesday announced bumper 2021 profits and plans to repurchase shares worth up to $1.0 billion as the Asia-focused bank continues its recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and major restructuring.
Colombia decriminalizes abortion up to 24 weeks of pregnancy: court
Colombia's high court on Monday decriminalized abortion up to 24 weeks of pregnancy, a landmark ruling for the majority-Catholic country, one of only a few in Latin America that currently allows the procedure.
Chile museum to return Easter Island 'head'
Chile's National Museum of Natural History said Monday it will return to Easter Island an enormous stone statue taken from the Rapa Nui people and brought to the mainland 150 years ago.
Trump's new social media app has rocky rollout
Donald Trump's new social media app has started its gradual rollout but thousands of would-be users encountered glitches or found themselves placed on a waitlist Monday due to what the app called "massive demand."
Kuwait Airways raises Airbus order to 31 jets in $6 bn deal
Kuwait Airways announced Monday an expanded $6 billion deal with Airbus for 31 planes, restructuring an agreement reached in 2014.
Stocks retreat as Russia downplays hopes of Biden-Putin summit
Stock markets mostly fell Monday as the Kremlin warned there were no firm plans for a summit between US President Joe Biden and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to avert a possible Moscow invasion of Ukraine.
Hiker's death revives hunting debate in French presidential fight
The accidental killing of a hiker by a teenage hunter in central France has rekindled debate among the country's presidential hopefuls over a divisive tradition that critics say needs more strict regulation.
Investigation claims Credit Suisse handled dirty money
Credit Suisse handled billions of dollars in dirty money for decades, an international media investigation based on a massive data leak claimed on Sunday, in the latest setback for Switzerland's second-largest bank.
'Suisse Secrets' investigation targets Credit Suisse bank
Credit Suisse bank, still reeling from losing billions of dollars last year, faced a fresh challenge Sunday: allegations from an international investigation that it had handled dirty money for decades.
'Swissleaks' investigation targets Credit Suisse bank
Credit Suisse bank, still reeling from losing billions of dollars last year, faced a fresh challenge Sunday: allegations from an international investigation that it had handled dirty money for decades.
'Uncharted' leaps to top of N.America box office
New Sony adventure film "Uncharted" jumped to the top of the North American box office this weekend in the year's biggest opening so far, industry watchers reported Sunday.
Ethiopia starts generating power at Nile mega-dam
Ethiopia began generating electricity from its mega-dam on the Blue Nile on Sunday, a milestone in the controversial multi-billion dollar project.
Luxury sector undaunted by Covid, soaring inflation
The pandemic and soaring inflation have done nothing to take the shine off luxury brands, from Louis Vuitton to Gucci and Cartier, as the sector hiked prices to notch up stellar profits.
Lebanon's 'zombie banks' downsize to weather crisis
Once the economy's crown jewel, Lebanon's banks are shutting branches and laying off employees in droves, resizing to the bleak reality of a crisis they are widely blamed for.
Once-taboo ketamine booms for US at-home mental care
Americans are paying to get a star of the psychedelic medicine movement –- ketamine -– shipped to them for at-home mental health treatments that are being called both a breakthrough and a gamble.