U.S. lawmakers have less than three weeks to avert a default on the country’s sovereign debt by raising the limit on the amount of money the Treasury Department can borrow.…
more ...Democratic-Controlled Congress Poised to Approve Stopgap Funding to Keep US Government Open
The U.S. Senate is set to vote Thursday on a stopgap funding measure to avert a partial federal government shutdown. Approval in the Senate would send the matter to the House…
more ...US Trade Officials Delay Decision on New Solar Tariffs
The U.S. Commerce Department on Wednesday asked a group of anonymous domestic solar manufacturers for additional information before it would consider a request to impose duties on panels produced in…
more ...YouTube Will Ban All Content Containing What it Calls Vaccine Misinformation
YouTube will ban any video that claims vaccines are ineffective or dangerous, including those that question vaccines for measles and chickenpox, the company announced Wednesday. “Specifically, content that falsely…
more ...South Korean Fisherman Allege Chinese Fleet Sweeps Up Marine Life
China is the world’s largest seafood consumer, and its fleet often fishes waters claimed by South Korea. When South Korean authorities try to enforce international regulations, they often meet fierce…
more ...Malawi Court Hands Lengthy Prison Term to Chinese Wildlife Trafficker
A Malawi Magistrate’s Court in the capital, Lilongwe, has sentenced a Chinese national, described by some as one of the biggest African wildlife trafficking kingpins, to 32 years in prison…
more ...New Technologies Aim to Reduce Carbon in Atmosphere
A bunch of new technologies are popping up that could help bring global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions to net-zero by 2050, and all need investment. Governments worldwide are having to decide which one suits their geography…
more ...Australia Divided Over Future of Mighty Coal Industry
Australia is under growing international pressure to commit to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, but the policy is fiercely dividing its center-right government. Australia is one of the world’s major…
more ...World Bank Forecasts Slow Economic Growth for East Asia and Pacific Region Due to COVID-19
The World Bank is predicting slower economic growth for developing nations in the East Asia and Pacific regions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A report issued by the bank Tuesday…
more ...Facebook Puts Instagram Kids Project on Hold
Facebook is putting its Instagram Kids project on hold amid growing concerns about potential harmful effects on young people, including anxiety and depression. The idea is to provide youngsters with…
more ...Botswana’s Alcohol Industry Cautious as Night Spots Prepare to Open
Botswana is set to emerge this week from an 18-month state of emergency that will remove the president’s emergency powers and end pandemic restrictions on trade and gatherings. While many…
more ...Indian Farmers Give Renewed Push to Demand for Scrapping Farm Laws
Thousands of farmers in India blocked highways and rail tracks on Monday to give renewed momentum to their months-long demand for scrapping agricultural laws that have triggered the country’s longest…
more ...Panic Buying Leaves Fuel Pumps Dry in Major British Cities
Up to 90% of British fuel stations ran dry across major English cities on Monday after panic buying deepened a supply chain crisis triggered by a shortage of truckers that…
more ...House Panel OKs Democrats’ $3.5T Budget Bill
Democrats pushed a $3.5 trillion, 10-year bill strengthening social safety net and climate programs through the House Budget Committee on Saturday, but one Democrat opposed the measure in an illustration…
more ...Huawei Executive Resolves Criminal Charges in Deal with US
A top executive of Chinese communications giant Huawei Technologies has resolved criminal charges against her as part of a deal with the U.S. Justice Department that could pave the way…
more ...Fears Grow for China Evergrande After Interest Deadline Passes
China Evergrande inched closer on Friday to the potential default that investors fear as an interest deadline expired without any announcement from the property giant whose mountain of debt has…
more ...Disabled People Can Now Use Android Phones with Face Gestures
Using a raised eyebrow or smile, people with speech or physical disabilities can now operate their Android-powered smartphones hands-free, Google said Thursday. Two new tools put machine learning and front-facing…
more ...Japan’s Ruling Party Race Puts Legacy of Abenomics in Focus
Japan’s widening wealth gap has emerged as a key issue in a ruling party leadership contest that will decide who becomes the next prime minister, with candidates forced to reassess…
more ...US Jobless Benefit Claims Unexpectedly Increase, but Still Near Pandemic Low
First-time claims for U.S. unemployment compensation unexpectedly increased again last week but remained near the low point during the 18-month coronavirus pandemic, the Labor Department reported Thursday. A total…
more ...Chinese Officials Warn of Fallout from Potential Evergrande Default
Chinese officials are bracing for a potential financial crisis as giant real estate conglomerate China Evergrande Group appears to be unable to make good on bond payments due on Thursday. …
more ...Disagreement Over Debts, Spending Plunge Washington Into Crisis Mode
The Biden administration and congressional Democrats are facing what may be the most politically fraught moment since they took unified control of Washington in January. Lawmakers are battling to avoid…
more ...Europe’s Governments Set to Spend Billions as Energy Crisis Deepens
Europe is being buffeted by unprecedented recovery-related energy price spikes, prompting rising alarm about whether families will be able to remain warm as the northern hemisphere’s winter approaches. Politicians are…
more ...In Lebanon’s Collapsed Economy, Cryptocurrency Offers Relative Security for Some
As cryptocurrencies come under increasing scrutiny from regulators across the world, in Lebanon they are providing a lifeline for people trying to survive a paralyzed banking system and tanking economy.…
more ...Study: US Flood Insurance Rates to Rise for 77% of Policyholders
Changes to the main U.S. flood insurance program will raise rates for 77% of policyholders, according to a new study issued on Tuesday, although property owners in some poorer neighborhoods…
more ...McDonald’s to Phase Out Plastic Toys from Happy Meals
Fast-food giant McDonald’s said Tuesday it would phase out plastic toys from its signature Happy Meals by 2025. “Starting now, and phased in across the globe by the end of…
more ...US Slaps Sanctions on Crypto Exchange in Effort to Curb Ransomware Attacks
The U.S. Treasury Department says it is sanctioning a cryptocurrency exchange for its alleged role in processing illicit proceeds from ransomware attacks. The move, the department says, is part…
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