PARIS: COVID vaccines have brought billions of dollars to the coffers of pharmaceutical companies. 

MANILA: The Philippine economy grew in the second quarter at its fastest pace in more than three decades, but an official warned yesterday of “speed bumps” as coronavirus restrictions were tightened to combat surging infections. 

WASHINGTON: US lawmakers laid out a $3.5 trillion budget framework, calling it the “most consequential” social spending plan since the 1930s, and launching what are expected to be tough congressional negotiations over the programs it covers. 

SEOUL: The jailed de facto leader of the giant Samsung group will be released early on parole this week, South Korea’s justice ministry said yesterday, easing concerns over a possible leadership vacuum at the conglomerate. 

RIYADH: Energy giant Saudi Aramco’s second quarter profits for 2021 have bounced back to pre-pandemic levels due to higher oil prices, nearly quadrupling compared to the same period last year. The company’s success comes after its debts climbed last year, when Saudi Arabia was hammered by the double whammy of low prices and sharp cuts in production triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.

BEIJING: China’s exports remained robust in July despite losing some steam, customs data showed Saturday, with analysts noting a rebound in port activity but warning that the recent spread of the Delta variant could act as a drag on growth.

WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden will set a target that half of all cars sold in the United States by 2030 will be zero-emission vehicles, the White House announced. 

PARIS: The $29-billion takeover of Australia’s “buy now, pay later” app Afterpay by US firm Square has thrown a spotlight on a sector that is growing rapidly and grabbing the attention of regulators. 

KUWAIT: Some 91.1 percent of the people in Kuwait who died from COVID-19 in July were not vaccinated, Kuwait health ministry spokesperson Dr Abdullah Al-Sanad said on Wednesday.