Word up! Scrabble marks UK lockdown easing with light show
LONDON (Reuters) – Some of Britain’s favourite words were projected onto buildings around London to mark the easing of lockdown restrictions and National Scrabble Day on Tuesday. Words like “freedom”, “hope”, “family” and “beer” to represent the mood of the nation were beamed in the style of the game’s letter tiles onto a pub, shops […]
Oil maintains upward momentum but virus concerns cap gains
SINGAPORE (Reuters) -Crude oil climbed on Wednesday after industry data showed U.S. inventories declined more than expected and OPEC raised its outlook for oil demand, but gains were capped by worries about the coronavirus and by rising supplies.
Buying diamonds in lockdown? WhatsApp can be your best friend
MILAN (Reuters) – As Italy entered a new coronavirus lockdown and shut shops in March, Genoa-based jeweller Gismondi 1754 turned to messaging service WhatsApp to sell a 300,000 euro diamond ring to a wealthy Swiss client.
Coinbase listing marks latest step in crypto’s march to the mainstream
LONDON (Reuters) – Coinbase Global Inc, the biggest U.S. cryptocurrency exchange, will list on the Nasdaq on Wednesday, marking a milestone in the journey of virtual currencies from niche technology to mainstream asset.
Latin America and the Caribbean after Covid-19
Latin America and the Caribbean suffered from several regional preconditions in advance of the Covid-19 crisis, including weak health infrastructure, low growth, and inefficient taxation. Now the pandemic threatens to leave the region with even higher poverty levels, greater inequality, and debts across virtually all countries.
Polish watchdog says eyeing legal steps over PKN Orlen newspaper deal
WARSAW (Reuters) – Polish antitrust regulator UOKiK said on Tuesday it was examining further legal steps after a court suspended its approval of state-owned refiner PKN Orlen’s takeover of newspaper publisher Polska Press. The planned takeover has been criticised by opposition political parties, which say it is part of a wider effort by the ruling […]
Ramadan decorations up in Jerusalem as Palestinians prepare for Muslim holy month
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Colourful lanterns and ornate Ramadan decorations filled the streets of Jerusalem on Monday as Palestinians prepared for a holy month freer of COVID-19 restrictions than at the height of the pandemic.
Children swap classrooms for beach lessons in Spain
LOS NIETOS, Spain (Reuters) – Does having school at the beach sound like a dream? After a year of remote learning and socially distanced classrooms, one school in the Spanish region of Murcia is doing just that, trying to combine clear air and a new way of teaching.
Grab agrees world’s biggest SPAC merger, valued at $40 billion
SINGAPORE (Reuters) -Southeast Asia’s biggest ride-hailing and food delivery firm, Grab Holdings, agreed a merger on Tuesday with U.S.-based Altimeter Growth Corp in a deal that gives Grab an initial proforma equity value of about $39.6 billion and will lead to a public listing.
How computer mapping could help Biden find and fix polluted neighborhoods
(Reuters) – Diagnosed with asthma at 8 years old, Karlaine Francisco grew up thinking everyone had it. Her friends in south Stockton, California, also carried inhalers and suffered coughing and wheezing fits. “I would tell people, ‘Oh yeah, I have asthma,’” said Francisco, now a 17-year-old high school senior. “And then, my friend would be […]
