WASHINGTON: Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, Antonio Fernandez, 64, had envisioned staying in his job at Chevron in Houston for perhaps another five years. “I probably think I had five more years to work, at least,” Fernandez said of his role with the oil giant. 

KABUL: Afghanistan’s central bank said yesterday that the Taleban had seized more than $12 million in cash and gold from the homes of former government officials, as it called for all transactions to be made in local currency. 

Boutiqaat and Chalhoub … A strategic collaboration and a competitive addition.Boutiqaat, the renowned trademark and the pioneering e-commerce platform in the GCC, is taking pride in presenting Chalhoub a well-established company in the field of perfumery, fashion, accessories, watches, and cosmetics, as its new collaborator.

BEIJING: Sleepless nights are now the routine for Ji Wenchen six months after she laid out $100,000 for a deposit on a new apartment that is yet to be completed by China’s rattled property giant Evergrande. 

WASHINGTON: US consumer prices slowed in August as some of the inflation pressures caused by the havoc of the COVID-19 pandemic showed signs of easing, according to government data released yesterday. 

PARIS: Global oil demand has dropped for three straight months as COVID cases have risen in Asia but it is expected to bounce back next month, the International Energy Agency said yesterday. 

MANILA: The Philippines will ease coronavirus restrictions in the capital Manila despite record infection numbers, officials said yesterday, as it seeks to spur economic activity. 

KABUL: Kabul’s flea markets are packed with the belongings that desperate Afghans have sold at rock-bottom prices to fund their escape from Taleban rule, or just to pay for food. 

OSLO: Norwegians voted yesterday in a parliamentary election broadly expected to see the “Red-Green” opposition win, potentially influencing the fate of oil activities in the largest producer in Western Europe. Polling stations opened at 9 am (0700 GMT) and first estimates based on advance ballots were to be released when voting ends at 9 pm.