Cash loses its shine in pandemic but still king in Switzerland

Cash is still king in Switzerland, a Swiss National Bank study published on Wednesday found, although the wealthy country’s citizens are increasingly turning to cards and apps for payments during the pandemic.
Unliveable Sydney homes going for millions in Australia housing boom

Sydney houses with crumbling walls, shredded ceilings, and bathrooms and kitchens stripped of fixtures are getting snapped up for millions as buyers try to grab a slice of Australia’s soaring property market.
Dollar in retreat as Powell says Fed won’t raise rates on ‘fear’ of inflation

The U.S. dollar remained on the back foot against major peers on Wednesday after a two-day drop as U.S. Federal Reserve officials including Chair Jerome Powell reaffirmed that tighter monetary policy was still some way off.
Biden sees work needed to address problems created by big tech firms -White House

U.S. President Joe Biden believes steps are needed to safeguard privacy, bolster innovation and deal with other problems created by big technology platforms, the White House said on Tuesday, signaling his support for legislation concerning Big Tech.
Tech leads way to Wall Street rebound as Powell promises steady hand

Wall Street rebounded Tuesday as Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell vowed not to raise rates too quickly as the dollar and oil gave up earlier gains.
Japan to consider tighter rules on foreign owners of domestic firms -Yomiuri

The Japanese government is looking at tightening regulations on foreign funds that hold stakes in domestic firms with important technology in areas such as nuclear power and defence, the Yomiuri newspaper reported on Wednesday.
Confidence among UK employers hits five-year high – REC

British employers are their most confident about the economy in almost five years, helped by the lifting of coronavirus restrictions, a survey showed on Wednesday, but the lack of staff to fill jobs is a growing problem.
Applying Learning Technologies in the Oil and Gas Sector

Comprising some 3.8% of the global economy, with revenues of some $3.3tr in 2019, the oil and gas drilling industry affects the life of every person on the planet. Yet, until recently, there was no objective measure of the knowledge, skills and competency levels of the operational geoscientists who play a key role in the industry’s activities.
Krispy Kreme eyes near $4 bln valuation in U.S. IPO

Krispy Kreme Inc is targeting a valuation of nearly $4 billion in a U.S. initial public offering, according to a regulatory filing on Tuesday, as the donut chain aims a return to the stock market to capitalize on the record capital markets activity.
Alfi Inc shares more than double, other ‘meme stocks’ mixed

Shares of software firm Alfi Inc (ALF.O) finished up 108.8% on Tuesday, one of the latest companies that has seen its stock surge in a broader rally that has refocused attention on so-called meme stocks in recent weeks.