NewsAFP NewsBritain eases virus quarantine as US under siege
Britain on Friday announced the first exemptions from its quarantine rules as the coronavirus outbreak slowed in Europe, but excluded the United States as the pandemic accelerates in the United States and across the Americas. With Europe reopening after an unprecedented lockdown, travellers arriving
NewsAFP NewsModi rallies Indian troops after China border clash
Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a surprise visit to rally Indian troops near a disputed frontier with China Friday, telling them the country's enemies had seen their "fire and fury" following a deadly border clash last month. The incident in the Galwan Valley in Ladakh saw 20 Indian
NewsAFP NewsAustralian mountains ditch King Leopold name
An Australian mountain range named after Belgium's notorious King Leopold II was given a new title reflecting its traditional owners on Friday, as officials shed the connection to an "evil tyrant". Authorities in Western Australia said the 600-kilometre (370-mile) King Leopold Ranges in
NewsAFP NewsChina takes on more conflicts around the world
From remote Himalayan valleys to small tropical islands and tense Western capitals, an increasingly assertive China is taking on conflicts around the world like never before as the United States retreats. China's imposition this week of a controversial security law in Hong Kong, defying a barrage
NewsAFP NewsAsian stocks extend gains as US jobs trump virus worries
Asian investors welcomed a forecast-busting US jobs report to send regional equities higher on Friday, though an acceleration in virus infections across the world's top economy tempered big gains. While the US registered more than 50,000 new cases for a second straight day and authorities across
- FinanceReuters
Tencent launches new U.S. game studio for global appeal
Tencent Holdings, China's biggest social media and video game company, launched a new California-based studio this week, as it looks to further expand its presence overseas. The new studio, LightSpeed LA, will be led by former Rockstar veteran Steve Martin and will focus on the development and publishing
NewsAFP NewsLuckin Coffee sticks by chairman despite scandal over fake sales
Embattled coffee chain Luckin Coffee has decided against ousting its founder and chairman, despite an internal investigation concluding that last year's revenue included millions of dollars in fake sales. The massive financial scandal has already cost the company two top executives, caused shares
- NewsReuters
Taiwan's Foxconn says customs clearing procedures in India have been resolved
Apple supplier Foxconn said on Friday customs clearing procedures in India have been resolved, as additional scrutiny by the country of imports from China disrupted operations in some foreign firms amid tensions between the Asian giants. Foxconn's customs clearance for cargo logistics in India
- NewsReuters
Intel to invest $255 million in Reliance's digital unit Jio Platforms
Intel Corp's investment arm will pay some $255 million for a small stake in Reliance Industries Ltd's digital unit Jio Platforms, the latest in a slew of share sales that have helped the Indian conglomerate pay down debt. Reliance has now sold just over a quarter of Jio Platforms, the unit
NewsAFP NewsMorocco asks Amnesty for proof it used spyware on journalist
Morocco's prime minister has demanded Amnesty International provide evidence to support its allegations that Rabat used spyware to bug a journalist's phone. Amnesty said in June the Moroccan authorities used software developed by Israeli security firm NSO to insert spyware onto the cellphone
- NewsAFP News
European stock markets retreat after strong gains
Playing catch-up with Thursday's American employment figures, Hong Kong added one percent, Tokyo gained 0.7 percent and Shanghai jumped two percent as traders also looked beyond China-Hong Kong tensions. "Now that the dust has settled in regards to the 4.8 million jobs that were added in the
NewsAFP NewsElon Musk mocks regulators, short-sellers as Tesla soars
Tesla founder Elon Musk on Thursday mocked securities regulators and short-sellers in series of tweets as the tech entrepreneur celebrated his firm's rise as the world's most valuable carmaker. Tesla shares finished the official trading day up nearly eight percent, meaning investors who bet
NewsAFP NewsChina clashes with US over new Hong Kong security law
China promised Thursday to take "strong countermeasures" if the US presses ahead with tough new sanctions that target banks over infringements on Hong Kong's autonomy, after Beijing imposed a sweeping security law on the restless financial hub. Beijing has faced a groundswell of criticism
- FinanceReuters
Brazil central bank chief says WhatsApp payments service faces further review
Brazil's central bank president said on Thursday that Facebook Inc messaging service WhatsApp would be allowed to launch its new payments service in the country, but called for proof it can operate safely in terms of data protection in a competitive market. "We are not saying that it is not
NewsAFP NewsUS Congress targets banks, ramping up fight for Hong Kong rights
The US Congress on Thursday passed tough new sanctions that target banks over violations of Hong Kong's autonomy, dialing up the pressure on China over the harsh security law it imposed on the financial hub. Beijing has threatened "strong countermeasures" if the act becomes law. President
- NewsReuters
Moderna shares slide after report of delay in COVID-19 vaccine trial
The late-stage trial to test Moderna's vaccine candidate in 30,000 volunteers was expected to start next week, but there is no clarity on how long the delay will last, the report https://www.statnews.com/2020/07/02/trial-of-moderna-covid-19-vaccine-delayed-investigators-say-but-july-start-still-possible
- FinanceReuters
Faraday Future's Chinese founder completes personal bankruptcy process
Jia Yueting, founder of Leshi Internet and electric vehicle (EV) maker Faraday Future, said on Thursday his personal bankruptcy process was complete and that a trust would be established to compensate Leshi shareholders. In a stock exchange filing, however, Leshi said it had not heard from Jia regarding
- NewsReuters
U.S. seeks to seize gasoline in four Iran tankers bound for Venezuela
U.S. prosecutors filed a lawsuit to seize the gasoline aboard four tankers that Iran is trying to ship to Venezuela, the latest attempt by the Trump administration to increase economic pressure on the two U.S. foes. The government of Venezuela's socialist President Nicolas Maduro has flaunted the
- FinanceReuters
Who's to blame for Wirecard? Germany passes the buck
Germany's accountancy watchdog has denied blame for failing to spot problems at collapsed payments firm Wirecard, the latest in a string of agencies to shirk responsibility following the country's biggest accounting scandal. Wirecard filed for insolvency last week owing creditors almost $4 billion
- NewsReuters
Backpack volunteers gather data showing pollution rising after lockdowns
Alex George walks to work in southeast London with a pack of sensors strapped to his back, one of an army of volunteers gathering data that experts say suggest pollution levels may be bouncing back as coronavirus lockdowns ease. The accident and emergency medic at Lewisham Hospital carries technology
- FinanceReuters
Tesla's 'jaw-dropping' second-quarter deliveries send shares surging
The unexpected delivery numbers come a day after Tesla became the highest-valued automaker, surpassing the market capitalization of former front-runner Toyota Motors Corp . The rally on Thursday further widens Tesla's lead over legacy automakers as investors grow confident in its ability to define
NewsAFP NewsHong Kong businesses back new security law despite fears
China's new security law has sent fear coursing through many Hong Kong residents, but the city's commercial community has largely embraced it as a way to get back to doing business. The controversial legislation has granted mainland Chinese authorities unprecedented control as they seek to end
NewsAFP NewsHong Kong Bar Association 'gravely concerned' by security law
A sweeping new security law imposed on Hong Kong by Beijing undermines the semi-autonomous city's independent judiciary and stifles freedoms, the city's influential Bar Association has warned. In a scathing critique, the group detailed how the new law dismantles the legal firewall that has existed
NewsAFP NewsMillions switch to 'local TikToks' after India bans Chinese apps
Millions of Indians have joined homegrown social media platforms since New Delhi banned a slew of Chinese apps, including TikTok, amid growing tensions between the giant neighbours, industry officials said Thursday. The ban comes as India steps up economic pressure on China following a border battle
- NewsReuters
Rare Javan Rhino captured on hidden camera in gleeful mudbath
A rare Javan rhinoceros has been captured on camera gleefully rolling around in the khaki, tropical waters of a national park, on the westernmost tip of Indonesia's Java island. The video of the critically endangered Javan rhino, one of only 72 left in the wild, was posted on Twitter by Indonesia
