How can water utilities in the Pacific use the pandemic to become more resilient?

By Vivian Castro-Wooldridge Protecting and managing the water supply, even in the face of threats and challenges, is a key responsibility for utility companies and governments across the Pacific region. For many people in the Pacific, COVID-19 presents yet another challenge in a region familiar with natural hazards and the accompanying disruptions to everyday life. […]
‘Meme stock’ rally pauses, Redditors focus on biotech stocks

Small-time stock traders turned their attention to the biotech and healthcare sectors on Monday, lifting shares of some by as much as 10%, while the rally in stocks that were favored in recent weeks appeared to fade.
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The 2020s have only just begun but there is already a rush to draw parallels with the past, prompted by a belief that COVID-19 will mark a turning point for the world economy and financial markets.
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Bitcoin climbs near $40,000 after Musk says Tesla could use it again

Bitcoin climbed to shy of $40,000 on Monday, after yet another weekend of price swings following tweets from Tesla boss Elon Musk, who fended off criticism over his market influence and said Tesla sold bitcoin but may resume transactions using it.
Stocks scale another peak as markets await Fed signal

World stocks climbed another peak on Monday, while U.S. bond yields were near three-month lows as worries of rising inflation abated and investors anticipated the U.S. Federal Reserve sticking to its dovish course this week.
Nigeria’s Twitter ban leaves some businesses in the lurch

Lagos-based entrepreneur Ogechi Egemonu was selling more than 500,000 naira ($1,219) worth of watches, shoes and handbags on Twitter per week.
Euro zone at a turning point but too early to debate end of ECB help: Lagarde

The euro zone economy is at a turning point but its recovery must be firm and sustainable before the European Central Bank can debate clawing back emergency support, ECB President Christine Lagarde told Politico in an interview.
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Saudi first quarter GDP shrinks 3%, hit by oil sector decline

Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product fell 3% in the first quarter, slightly less than official estimates and compared with a 1% contraction last year, as a sharp fall in the oil sector pulled back the economy, data showed.