March, 2021

• 27 March

  Google seeks to test drones for firefighting

  Bloomberg Google asked the US Federal Aviation Administration for permission to test drones to research how the technology can help monitor and control fires, before abandoning the effort. The Alphabet Inc. company’s climate and energy research group said it planned to use the drone at a private property in Firebaugh, California, according to a filing with FAA. Those plans have …

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• 27 March

  Apple mulls launching rugged watch for extreme sports

  

  Bloomberg Apple Inc. is considering launching an Apple Watch with a rugged casing aimed at athletes, hikers and others who use the device in more extreme environments, reports said. The Cupertino, California-based technology giant has internally discussed introducing such a Watch variation later in 2021 or 2022 at the earliest, said the people. This is at least the second time …

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• 25 March

  Suez Canal blockage to ripple through global energy market

  

  Bloomberg The blockage of the Suez Canal by a giant container vessel is likely to send ripples of disruption through the global energy supply chain. European and US refiners that rely on the vital waterway for cargoes of Middle Eastern oil may be forced to look for replacement supplies should the blockage persist, potentially boosting prices of alternative grades. At …

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• 25 March

  Japan eyeing new coal units in Bangladesh

  

  Bloomberg One of the last countries in the world to support coal-fired generation overseas is considering financing new capacity in Bangladesh. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) said in an email it’s conducting an environmental and social impact assessment for an expansion to the Matarbari power plant. JICA already agreed to finance the first 1.2 gigawatt phase of the project that …

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• 25 March

  UK to help North Sea oil industry with low-carbon shift

  

  Bloomberg The UK government said it reached an agreement with country’s oil and gas industry that will help safeguard jobs as the nation strives to achieve net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases. The North Sea transition deal sets out a path to attract investment into renewable energy, carbon-capture and storage, and hydrogen. Spending of as much as $22 billion by 2030 …

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• 25 March

  UK underestimating cost to make homes climate-friendly

  

  Bloomberg The UK government has “significantly underestimated” how much it will cost to decarbonise heating in British homes, a touchstone of its net zero promise. The simple step of insulating Britain’s drafty homes is essential before gas boilers can be replaced with low carbon technology like heat pumps. The cost of improving energy efficiency could be as much as 18,000 …

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• 24 March

  New-home sales in US fall to nine-month low

  Bloomberg US sales of new homes declined in February to a nine-month low as severe winter weather in parts of the country limited foot traffic against a backdrop of elevated prices that may be restraining momentum. Purchases of new single-family homes decreased 18.2% — the sharpest decline since July 2013 — to a 775,000 annualised pace from an upwardly revised …

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• 24 March

  Turning point for Malaysia stocks as foreigners pile in

  

  Bloomberg Overseas investors have been pulling out of Malaysian equities for 20 straight months. March could mark the turn of the tide. Foreigners have poured a net $97 million into local stocks this month through March 22, while withdrawing a combined $1 billion from four other Southeast Asian markets tracked by Bloomberg. The inflows come as valuation of Malaysia’s main …

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• 24 March

  Nasdaq leads futures higher as yields drop

  

  Bloomberg The Nasdaq 100 Index led US equity futures higher while Treasury yields were poised for a third day of declines. Futures on the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average also pointed to a recovery in the underlying gauges which slipped amid a setback for reopening favourites. Government bond yields fall across Europe. Assurances by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome …

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• 24 March

  US welcomes Saudi Arabia’s initiative to end Yemeni crisis

  WASHINGTON / WAM The United States welcomed Saudi Arabia’s initiative to end the Yemeni crisis, as well as Yemen’s Government commitment to a ceasefire and political process in the country. Deputy Spokesperson at the US Department of State Jalina Porter affirmed during a press meeting that discussions in support of peace efforts are ongoing, calling on all parties to commit …

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