Asia

E-commerce growth slows, Alibaba misses revenue estimates

Editorial Bureau August 3, 2021

CHINA(SHANGHAI) – China’s Alibaba Group Holding Ltd reported first-quarter revenue on Tuesday that missed analysts’ estimates, as its e-commerce business took a hit due to rising competition from smaller players such as JD.Com Inc and Pinduoduo Inc. Alibaba’s results

Europe

Belarusian activist living in exile dies in Ukraine

Editorial Bureau August 3, 2021

KYIV (BELARUS) -A Belarusian activist living in exile in Ukraine was found hanged in a park near his home in Kyiv early on Tuesday. Ukrainian police said they had launched a murder case. Vitaly Shishov, who led a Kyiv-based organisation that helps Belarusians fleeing persecution, had been reported missing by his partner on Monday after […]

Europe

EU will now pay premiums on COVID shots, tougher terms to meet

Editorial Bureau August 3, 2021

BRUSSELS (BELGIUM) – As the bloc tries to protect supplies after a rocky start to its vaccination campaign it has agreed to pay a premium on new orders of COVID-19 vaccines because it is requiring tougher terms to be met, The higher price is less than the United States has agreed to pay in its […]

Asia

Chinese chip sector under pressure as Tencent launches an investigation

Editorial Bureau August 3, 2021

SHANGHAI (CHINA) -China’s technology and chip sectors came under fresh selling pressure on Tuesday after state media attacked the country’s largest social media and video game firm, Tencent Holdings Ltd, and regulators said they are launching an investigation into chip distributors in the auto industry. The broadside comes days after the securities regulator

UK

Expanding delivery service to increase sales, Greggs raises full-year outlook

Editorial Bureau August 3, 2021

LONDON (UK) – In a bid to experiment with a segment of the market where it is currently underrepresented, British fast-food chain Greggs raised its full-year outlook after a return to first-half profit and said it would use its rapidly expanding delivery service to grow sales in the evening. Greggs, which trades from 2,115 shops […]

Business

Dorsey’s Square bought Afterpay, 29 billion deal in 11 weeks

Editorial Bureau August 3, 2021

NEW YORK (US) – In the largest-ever acquisition, the creator of Twitter Jack Dorsey’s firm Square Inc has acquired Australian buy now, pay later provider Afterpay Ltd for $29 billion in stock. Sources say that the deal was consummated within three months. Such a short time is regarded as uncommon in the world of huge […]

Europe

Kremlin critic’s ally sentenced for provoking people to break COVID regulations

Editorial Bureau August 3, 2021

MOSCOW (RUSSIA) – Lyubov Sobol, a close ally of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny has been sentenced to 1-1/2 years of parole-like restrictions after finding her guilty of inciting people to break COVID-19 safety regulations. Sobol, who says the accusation against her is politically motivated nonsense, was charged after an unsanctioned street protest in support of […]

Sport

Olympics-Gymnastics-China’s Guan wins gold in the balance beam

Editorial Bureau August 3, 2021

TOKYO (JAPAN) – China’s Guan Chenchen won the balance beam gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics on Tuesday while Simone Biles of the United States returned to action to claim bronze. Tang Xijing, also of China, took silver on the final day of the competition at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre. Not seen in competition since […]

Asia

Deadline to vaccinate public workers fast approaches, Pakistan reaches a target of 1 million shots a day

Editorial Bureau August 3, 2021

ISLAMABAD (PAKISTAN) – Making strides in its inoculation campaign just weeks away from a deadline for workers in public-facing roles to obtain vaccination certificates, Pakistan hit a target on Tuesday to vaccinate one million people a day against COVID-19. The government announced last week that from the end of this month that workers in schools, […]

Asia

Yassin: Repealing emergency virus laws at priority, will be discussed in parliament

Editorial Bureau August 3, 2021

KUALA LUMPUR (MALAYSIA) – Amid opposition calls to resign over allegations that he disrespected the country’s king, Malaysia’s prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin said his cabinet would discuss holding a debate in parliament to repeal emergency virus laws. Muhyiddin has been under pressure from opposition parties to debate the move in parliament after his