US, Taiwan VPs ‘spoke briefly’ at Honduras presidential inauguration on January 28, 2022Taipei: The vice presidents of Taiwan and the United States had a brief exchange at the inauguration of Honduras’ new leader, the island’s state media reported Friday, a first encounter that will likely stoke US-China tensions. China considers Taiwan a part of its territory, to be retaken by force if necessary, and says its status […]
H&M profit soars as sales return to pre-pandemic levels on January 28, 2022Stockholm: H&M on Friday reported a nine-fold increase in profit for 2021 as sales at the Swedish clothing giant rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. “We ended the year strongly, with sales back at the same level as before the pandemic and with profitability better than it has been for several years,” Chief Executive Officer Helena Helmersson […]
Morocco starts construction of anti-Covid vaccine plant on January 28, 2022Rabat: Morocco on Thursday inaugurated construction of an anti-Covid vaccine manufacturing plant in partnership with Swedish firm Recipharm, the official news agency MAP reported. The factory to be known as Sensyo Pharmatech will produce vaccines against coronavirus and other diseases, with production expected to reach 116 million units in 2024, MAP said. It was launched […]
Unique expo places Saint Laurent among Paris treasures on January 28, 2022Paris: Tucked away like Easter eggs in the most prestigious Paris museums, a unique commemoration of designer Yves Saint Laurent cements his status among the greats of French cultural history. “I am utterly eclectic,” the designer once said, and the point is proven by how easily his clothes fit into museums covering very different eras […]
‘Fry-tening’: McDonald’s Malaysia hit by shortages on January 28, 2022Kuala Lumpur: McDonald’s Malaysia has been forced to ration fries due to supply chain problems, adding the country to a list of places in Asia where the fast-food chain is facing shortages. Large portions of French fries, as well as one type of large meal set, have been taken off menus at outlets in the […]
NASA aims to make observations from space junk collision with Moon on January 28, 2022Washington: NASA said Thursday it aims to survey the crater formed when the remains of a SpaceX rocket are expected to crash into the Moon in early March, calling the event “an exciting research opportunity.” The rocket was deployed in 2015 to put a NASA satellite into orbit and its second stage, or booster, has […]
False bomb threat on diverted Ryanair jet ‘deliberate’: UN report on January 28, 2022Montreal: A bomb warning aboard a Ryanair flight last May, which saw the aircraft rerouted to Belarus where a dissident journalist was arrested, was “deliberately false,” United Nations investigators found in a report to be delivered to the body’s aviation agency Monday. Ryanair’s flight from Greece to Lithuania on May 23, 2021, was forced to […]
London vows progress on N.Ireland under pressure from Unionists on January 28, 2022London: British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss vowed to make “significant progress” in negotiations with the EU on post-Brexit arrangements in Northern Ireland, in the face of growing pressure from Unionists. Even as London and Brussels have stepped up efforts to resolve the thorny issue, Unionists, who see the Northern Ireland protocol as a threat to […]
US, Germany step up pipeline warnings if Russia invades Ukraine on January 28, 2022Washington: The United States and Germany on Thursday warned Russia that a major gas pipeline was at stake if it invades Ukraine, as Washington voiced hope for a diplomatic way out despite frigid statements from Moscow. A day after the United States and its allies formally responded to security demands issued by Russia, top officials […]
Apple’s iPhone retakes top spot in China smartphone market: research on January 27, 2022Beijing: Apple reclaimed its position as the top smartphone seller in China after six years, clocking a record market share in the final quarter of 2021 as US sanctions hit rival Huawei, according to researchers. A surge in sales saw the iPhone maker account for 23 percent of the highly competitive market in October-December, industry […]