US bill would block defence firms from using Chinese rare earths
Bipartisan bill aims to break China's control over the rare-earths industry and revive the sector in the US.
Category Archives: News
As firefighters, nurses go abroad, Zimbabweans go without
Essential services are being decimated by brain drain as workers leave for higher-paying jobs abroad.
Tunisia police use water cannon to disperse protesters
Tunis sees heavy police presence as hundreds rally against President Kais Saied despite COVID restrictions.
UN raises concerns over hate speech in Bosnia, Serbia
UN is 'deeply concerned' by incidents that saw individuals 'glorify atrocity crimes and convicted war criminals'.
Omicron spikes in Brazil as Bolsonaro downplays threat
Cases have doubled since last week, with experts warning of strains on the health systems and the economy.
US Dec retail sales plunge as Omicron, shortages curb spending
Retail sales fell sharply in December as Omicron, inflation and shortages took a bite out of consumer spending.
‘Be afraid’: Cyberattack in Ukraine targets government websites
Disruption comes as tensions with Russia escalate, as NATO and EU promise to help Kyiv weather further attacks.
Pandemic to endemic? Moderna chair says it could happen this year
Moderna co-founder tells Bloomberg News that 2022 may be the year the pandemic enters the endemic phase.
BlackRock hits a record $10 trillion assets under management
A surge in fourth quarter flows to BlackRock's ETFs helped the firm become the first asset manager to hit the milestone.
US House panel subpoenas social media giants in Jan 6 probe
Despite communicating for months, the panel says the platforms have not provided adequate information.
‘Vaccine dictatorship’: Many Lebanese refuse the COVID jab
Taking the COVID vaccine in Lebanon remains a personal choice despite documenting a surging number of daily cases.
US: Protest after unarmed Black man killed by off-duty officer
Jason Walker fatally shot during road incident in North Carolina; judge grants release of police body-camera footage.
Thousands of Hindus take holy dip in India, defying COVID surge
Tens of thousands bathe in the frigid waters of the Ganges river in northern India despite rising COVID-19 infections.
Biden concedes US push to pass voting rights bills may fail
Two Democratic Senators firmly oppose changing Senate rules to pass the reforms, likely scuttling hopes.
Russia demands US, NATO response next week on Ukraine
Foreign Minister Lavrov says Moscow has 'run out of patience' after diplomatic talks fail to produce breakthrough.
As queen mourned alone, UK gov’t staff held parties: Report
Lockdown-breaking gatherings were held on eve of Prince Philip's funeral in April 2021, newspaper report alleges.
Antony Blinken says ‘a few weeks left’ to save Iran nuclear deal
US officials report modest gains during talks in Vienna, but warn nuclear advances will soon become irreversible.
Bangladesh tightens curbs as COVID cases rise, Dhaka a ‘red zone’
Government issues 11-point directive, including mandatory COVID passes and restrictions on events and transport.
Philippines eyes ‘unvaccinated list’ amid Duterte’s arrest threat
Order follows President Duterte's threat to arrest those who have not been vaccinated amid a record-breaking surge.
HRW slams Pakistan over dissent crackdown, alleged rights abuses
Pakistan has come under fire from rights groups within and outside country since Imran Khan came to power in 2018.