Factbox: A global treaty to curb plastic pollution

More than 100 United Nations member states will convene this month to draw up a blueprint for the first-ever global agreement to tackle plastic pollution. The U.N. says it could be the most important environmental pact since the Paris Agreement climate deal in 2015.
Huawei to invest $632 mln to build new digital energy HQ in Shenzhen

Huawei Technologies (HWT.UL) will spend 4 billion yuan ($632.52 million) to build a new headquarters and R&D centre for its digital power unit, according to local media reports, as the Chinese telecoms giant diversifies amid U.S. pressure.
EXCLUSIVE India makes record U.S. soyoil purchases as drought parches South America

Indian traders have contracted to import a record 100,000 tonnes of soyoil from the United States because of limited supplies from drought-hit South America, at a time when prices of rival palm oil are scaling record highs, three dealers told Reuters.
Singapore to hike taxes on rich as it winds down COVID-19 spending

Singapore will begin implementing a long-flagged increase to its goods and services tax next year, its finance minister said in his budget speech on Friday, while also announcing a slew of tax hikes aimed at higher income groups.
Singapore announces 2022 budget proposals

Following are some excerpts taken from Singapore’s 2022 budget proposals announced by Finance Minister Lawrence Wong to parliament on Friday.
Shortage of Suzuki car mirrors reflects Sri Lanka’s growing economic crisis

Car spare parts dealers in Sri Lanka’s main city of Colombo are receiving a steady stream of customers looking for what is fast becoming a prized commodity in the island nation – side mirrors for Suzuki’s compact Wagon R.
NatWest earnings soar but rising prices bite

British bank NatWest (NWG.L) swung to a hefty profit on the back of the country’s economic recovery but said rising prices will make it harder to cut overheads, prompting it to lower its cost-cutting target.
Morning Bid: A break in the storm clouds

Markets breathed a sigh of relief after the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken agreed to a meeting with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, raising hopes of a diplomatic solution to the standoff over Ukraine.
Australian state sets minimum pay for Amazon contractors in landmark step

Australia’s New South Wales state ordered employers of freelance delivery drivers such as Amazon.com Inc to pay a minimum rate, a decision hailed by a union as making it the world’s first jurisdiction to compel the retailer to follow laws on such payments.
StanChart bets on rate hikes to hit lofty goals as profit disappoints

Standard Chartered (STAN.L) has raised its core profitability goals and promised shareholders extra payouts, despite full year profit undershooting expectations, as it banks on inflation-battling rate hikes worldwide to boost lending.