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Visa, Mastercard suspend operations in Russia
Card payment giants Visa and Mastercard announced Saturday they will suspend operations in Russia, the latest major US firms to join the business freeze-out of Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.
Russia-Ukraine conflict escalation would cause 'devastating' economic damage: IMF
The IMF warned on Saturday that the already "serious" global economic impacts of the war in Ukraine would be "all the more devastating" should the conflict escalate.
Russia's Aeroflot says halting all flights abroad from March 8
Russia's flagship airline Aeroflot said Saturday that it was suspending all its international flights beginning March 8, as Moscow faces waves of Western sanctions over its military incursion in Ukraine.
IAEA chief in Iran for talks seen as key to nuclear deal
The UN nuclear watchdog's chief held high-level talks in Tehran on Saturday that are seen as crucial in efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers.
Neutral Switzerland's economy shaken by sanctions on Russia
Switzerland's newly adopted tough stance on Russia has forced the Swiss economy to readjust to sanctions, blowing a wind of panic through the raw materials market in particular.
Volkswagen plans 2 bn euro electric car plant in Germany
German auto giant Volkswagen said on Friday it had approved a 2 billion euro investment in a new electric car plant, as it seeks to overhaul its business in the face of stiff competition from US rival Tesla.
Facebook says Russia block 'cuts off millions' from reliable information
Facebook attacked Russia's block on Friday of the dominant social media network, saying the move will cut millions off from reliable information and a forum to share their views.
Californians resigned as gasoline prices spike
Californians filling up their cars on Friday winced at the spiraling cost of gasoline, but largely shrugged as residents of the state that has long had the highest gas prices in the United States.
Ed Sheeran in 'Shape of You' copyright dispute
British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeon ran attended London's High Court Friday as a copyright trial opened over allegations that his hit song "Shape of You" lifted musical phrases from another track.
Stocks sink, gas and oil prices soar over escalation fears in Ukraine
Global stock markets fell across the board Friday and energy prices soared as investors feared the risk of an escalation after Russia attacked the largest nuclear power plant in Ukraine.
Tesla finally gets green light to start production in Germany
After getting snarled up in German red tape, US electric car pioneer Tesla got the final go-ahead from authorities Friday, paving the way for production to begin shortly at its "gigafactory" outside Berlin.
Brazil exits recession, but faces tough year
Brazil exited recession in the fourth quarter, the government said Friday, though weak growth and high inflation still dog Latin America's biggest economy as President Jair Bolsonaro gears up to seek re-election in October.
US adds 678,000 jobs in February amid pandemic recovery
The US economy saw a hiring surge in February, the government reported Friday, edging the jobless rate closer to the pre-pandemic level as hard hit sectors recover from the impact of Covid-19.
Microsoft 'suspends' new sales of products, services in Russia
Microsoft is halting new sales of its products and services in Russia, the tech giant announced Friday, in the latest fallout over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
Ukraine: a nuclear-powered nation under fire
The Russian shelling of Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine -- the largest in Europe -- has sparked international outrage and fears over the country's 15 operational reactors.
Outrage as Russians attack Ukrainian nuclear plant
Ukraine accused the Kremlin of "nuclear terror" and the West expressed horror on Friday after Europe's largest atomic power plant was attacked and taken over by invading Russian forces.
More than 1.2 million refugees flee Ukraine
More than 1.2 million people have fled Ukraine into neighbouring countries since Russia launched its full-scale invasion on February 24, United Nations figures showed Friday.
As Ukraine pushes oil over $100, Nigerians see mixed blessings
Weaving in between the Lagos traffic, hawkers selling plantain snacks and water more recently offer drivers another treat: jerry cans filled with petrol to help with fuel shortages.
Polluting drivers may have to pay in all of London
A road-charging scheme targeting more polluting cars in London could be expanded to cover the entire metropolitan area of the British capital, the city's mayor said Friday.
Beijing wary of extending economic lifeline to Russia
An isolated Russia could be driven further into China's arms economically in the wake of sanctions imposed over the invasion of Ukraine, but Beijing appears wary of offering a warm embrace.
Sony and Honda plan joint electric vehicle firm
Sony is teaming up with automaker Honda to start a new company that will develop and sell electric vehicles, as the Japanese tech and electronics giant leaps into the rapidly growing sector.
Sony and Honda plan electric vehicle joint firm
Sony is teaming up with automaker Honda to start a new company that will develop and sell electric vehicles, the electronics giant said Friday, its latest step into the rapidly growing sector.
Sri Lanka hikes rates as economy risks collapse
Sri Lanka's central bank hiked interest rates by one percentage point on Friday and urged the government to increase taxes as the country skirts economic collapse.
Stromae is back and ready for world domination
Stromae's mix of dancey beats, quirky style and hard-edged rap lyrics took him to the top of the charts in more than a dozen countries in the mid-2010s.
Tesla awaits green light to start production at German plant
After a series of administrative delays, US electric car pioneer Tesla is on the verge of receiving the go-ahead from German authorities on Friday to begin production at its "giga-factory" outside Berlin.
Russians pack trains into Finland as sanctions bite
It's one of the few remaining routes from Russia to the EU: trains to Finland are packed with Russians fearful that now is their last chance to escape the impact of Western sanctions.
Russian forces attack Ukrainian nuclear plant, blaze extinguished
Russian troops attacked Europe's largest nuclear power plant on Friday, setting part of the Ukrainian facility ablaze in an assault the country's leader branded "nuclear terror" and said could endanger the continent.
Melinda French Gates criticizes ex-husband Bill for Epstein meetings
Melinda French Gates on Thursday criticized her ex-husband Bill Gates for having met multiple times with Jeffrey Epstein, the financier accused of child sex crimes who committed suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial.
Fire at Ukrainian nuclear plant after Russian forces attack
Russian troops attacked Europe's largest nuclear plant on Friday, starting a fire at the Ukrainian facility, with the country's leader accusing Moscow of "nuclear terror".
Step aside football: gaming new rage in Brazil favelas
Ask Brazilian teen Yan Araujo who his idols are, and he doesn't hesitate. Not Neymar. Not Vinicius Junior. "Nobru and Cerol," he says -- superstars of the booming gamer scene in Brazil's favelas.
Sacklers agree to new $6bn Purdue US settlement over opioids
The Sackler family will pay up to $6 billion to address damage linked to the US opioid crisis under an amended Purdue Pharma bankruptcy plan following an agreement with holdout states, according to a court filing Thursday.
Sanctions on Russia add to troubles facing global helium industry
Helium is the second most-abundant element in the known universe, but to the semiconductor fabricators and doctors who rely on it for their businesses, it is better known as the latest raw material to grow scarce -- and the war in Ukraine could make the shortage worse.
Argentina, IMF agree on loan repayment plan
Argentina and the IMF said Thursday they had reached agreement on a "pragmatic and realistic" plan for the country to repay a ruinous $44-billion debt.
'Too early' to gauge Ukraine war's impact on US Fed plans: Powell
US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Thursday told Congress it's "too early to say" whether Russia's invasion of Ukraine will change the bank's plan to hike interest rates throughout 2022 to fight runaway inflation.
Lviv's Art Palace turns Aid HQ for Ukrainians under the bombs
Lviv's imposing Art Palace buzzes from dawn to curfew with volunteers sorting through donations from Europe that are flooding into this west Ukrainian city.
Satellite operator OneWeb suspends Baikonur launches
Global satellite communications company OneWeb announced on Thursday that its board had voted to suspend all launches from Russia's Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
Is 5G truly green, or will it burn up more resources?
The tech industry has long tried to align with the green movement, though its leaders are often accused of spouting nebulous slogans and making hard-to-test pledges.
Ukraine pounded and exodus mounts as Russia seizes key city
Russian troops seized Kherson, the first major Ukrainian city to fall in a war that has drawn global outrage and driven one million civilians from their homes, ahead of ceasefire talks Thursday.
Equities rise as Powell soothes rate fears, oil close to $120
Stocks rose Thursday after Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell said the bank would hike interest rates gradually to fight inflation, though oil marched towards $120 as the Ukraine conflict continues to roil energy markets.