August, 2021

• 16 August

  Amazon funding spurs union exodus from consumer board

  

  Bloomberg Three major unions have quit the board of the nation’s oldest consumer advocacy organisation, claiming funding from Amazon.com Inc has compromised the group’s progressive mission. In separate letters last month, the presidents of the United Food & Commercial Workers, the Communications Workers of America and the United Auto Workers wrote that their groups were resigning immediately from their roles ...

  Read More »
• 16 August

  UK’s travel Covid test prices cut following criticism

  

  Bloomberg The UK government lowered the cost of Covid tests provided by the National Health Service for international travel following criticism from the competition watchdog and the tourism industry. The cost of tests will be reduced to 68 pounds ($94.30) from 88 pounds for one test and to 136 pounds from 170 pounds for two, the UK’s Department for Health ...

  Read More »
• 16 August

  TUI stems cash burn as bookings surge on border reopenings

  

  Bloomberg TUI AG stopped burning cash as holiday bookings surged following European government moves to relax travel restrictions. The world’s biggest tour operator reported cash inflows during the three months through June of 320 million euros ($376 million), excluding financing costs, the first time it’s recorded a positive number since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. That’s after revenue surged ...

  Read More »
• 16 August

  Taliban reach Kabul, says in talks for peaceful transition

  

  Bloomberg The Taliban ordered its fighters to remain just outside the Afghan capital as it starts talks for a peaceful transition of power, cementing its renewed grip on the country two decades after the US ousted it from power. Fighters from the militant group entered the outskirts of Kabul on Sunday as the US and other nations rushed to evacuate ...

  Read More »
• 16 August

  Trudeau to call election in pursuit of new majority

  

  Bloomberg Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was to visit the Queen’s representative in Canada to trigger the country’s second election in two years, seeking to capitalise on polls showing his Liberal Party with a large enough lead to retake a majority in parliament. The prime minister was scheduled to meet Governor General Mary Simon at 10 a.m in Ottawa, according to ...

  Read More »
• 16 August

  Japan, South Korea tensions flare on war-end anniversary

  

  Bloomberg South Korean President Moon Jae-in left the door open for talks with Japan in a speech marking his neighbour’s World War II surrender as several Japanese cabinet members visited a war-linked shrine seen by many in Asia as a symbol of its past militarism. In his last Liberation Day speech as president to mark the end of Japan’s 1910-1945 ...

  Read More »
• 16 August

  Hong Kong has ‘constitutional responsibility’ to implement sanctions law, says Paul Chan

  

  Bloomberg Hong Kong has a “constitutional responsibility” to implement the anti-sanctions law that China has passed to ensure the city’s long-term and steady development, Financial Secretary Paul Chan wrote in his blog on Sunday. Chan joins Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam in backing local legislation to include Beijiing’s anti-sanctions law in the city’s constitution. The US has interfered with ...

  Read More »
• 16 August

  South Africa’s Jacob Zuma hospitalised for surgeries

  

  Bloomberg South Africa’s former President Jacob Zuma, currently serving a 15-month jail term for contempt of court, has undergone surgery for an unspecified condition, and is due to have further procedures carried out in coming days. Zuma, whose arrest last month triggered a wave of protests and looting in parts of the country, will remain hospitalised close to his prison, ...

  Read More »
• 16 August

  China’s port shutdown raises fears of closures worldwide

  

  Bloomberg A Covid outbreak that has partially shut one of the world’s busiest container ports is heightening concerns that the rapid spread of the delta variant will lead to a repeat of last year’s shipping nightmares. The Port of Los Angeles, which saw its volumes dip because of a June Covid outbreak at the Yantian port in China, is bracing ...

  Read More »
• 16 August

  Asian food trader Olam targets FTSE 100 for IPO

  

  Bloomberg Olam International Ltd, one of Asia’s biggest agricultural commodity traders and suppliers, has a target for its food ingredients unit to become part of the FTSE 100 after its initial public offering in London. The company, a major supplier of cocoa beans and products, green coffee and spices, expects the IPO to be “one of the bigger listings” on ...

  Read More »