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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.
Epstein ally found dead in French prison: prosecutors
French model agent Jean-Luc Brunel, a close associate of disgraced US billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, has been found dead in his Paris prison cell, prosecutors said Saturday, in an echo of the jail suicide of his friend.
Ethiopia to start generating power from Nile dam Sunday
Ethiopia will start generating power from its controversial mega-dam on the Blue Nile on Sunday, government officials told AFP.
Purdue Pharma owners up opioid settlement offer to $6 bn
The owners of Purdue Pharma, maker of OxyContin, have offered to pay up to $6 billion to victims of the US opioid crisis to settle an avalanche of litigation, according to a report filed Friday by a federal mediator.
Rescue efforts resume for 12 missing in Greece ferry fire
Rescuers picked up the search for 12 missing people at the break of dawn on Saturday with the Italian-flagged ferry still burning on the Ionian Sea off Corfu.
War fears mount as Putin to oversee drills, Zelensky to meet allies
Russia's leader will oversee major military drills along Ukraine's borders on Saturday, further escalating tensions after Washington said Moscow would invade within days, and Ukraine's president headed to Europe to drum up support.
Musk donates satellite gear to reconnect Tonga
Tonga says space entrepreneur and Tesla founder Elon Musk has donated 50 satellite terminals to help the volcano-damaged Pacific island reconnect with the world.
American Airlines cuts summer flights due to Boeing 787 delays
American Airlines on Friday said it would cut more international flights over the summer than originally planned as it deals with delays in deliveries of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner long-haul jet.
US resumes avocado imports from Mexico
Avocado imports from the western Mexican state of Michoacan have resumed following a week-long suspension after steps were taken to ensure the safety of American inspectors, the US government said Friday.
Street styles, neon kick off London Fashion Week
Fashionistas braved gale-force winds in London on Friday to attend the first Fashion Week shows, with a schedule dominated by up-and-coming young designers.
NY Fed president sees no need for 'big' rate hike in March
With high inflation hitting the US economy, it is time for the central bank to raise the benchmark borrowing rate, but there is no reason for a "big" early move, a top Federal Reserve official said Friday.
Street styles, neon centre stage at London Fashion Week
Fashionistas braved gale-force winds in London on Friday to attend the first Fashion Week shows, with a schedule dominated by up-and-coming young designers.
US existing home sales shot up 6.7% in January: report
Existing homes have become harder to find than ever, but Americans kept buying in January, pushing the pace of sales up much more than expected, according to industry data released Friday.
Stocks buckle as Ukraine fears linger
Stock markets retreated on Friday at the end of a highly volatile week rocked by twists and turns in the Ukraine crisis and concerns about interest rate hikes.
11 missing after Greece ferry fire
Eleven people were missing and two remained trapped after an Italian-flagged ferry caught fire overnight on the Ionian Sea, Greek officials said as emergency crews raced against the clock to put out the blaze and locate survivors before dark.
European stocks steady, oil extends losses
European stock markets steadied on Friday, the end of a highly volatile week for equities as traders focus on the Ukraine crisis and inflation pressures.
Boy trapped for three days in Afghan well dies after rescue
A five-year-old boy trapped for three days down a remote Afghan village well died minutes after being pulled out on Friday, following a rescue effort the country's new Taliban rulers said showed they would spare nothing for their citizens.
Six African nations to get own mRNA jab production
Six African countries have been chosen to establish their own mRNA vaccine production, the World Health Organization said Friday, with the continent largely shut out of access to Covid jabs.