HONG KONG: HSBC yesterday said it would resume paying dividends to shareholders after first-half profits more than doubled as an ongoing restructuring and pivot to Asia continues to pay off.

PARIS: The luxury sector has flashed back from the COVID-19 pandemic but the crisis is still putting a crimp in travel, a key part of the market. Industry giants have reported results that show the world’s well-heeled are splurging on luxury goods as sales surpass even pre-pandemic levels.

KUWAIT: Zain Group, a leading telecom innovator in seven markets across the Middle East and Africa announces the creation of Zain Ventures and the closing of investments and signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with both Pipe and Swvl to support their growth across Zain’s regional footprint and beyond.

WASHINGTON: A shortage of semiconductors has sent shockwaves through the global economy, squeezing supplies of everything from cars to headphones. 

FRANKFURT: The eurozone economy rebounded by a strong two percent in the second quarter, according to official data released on Friday, as reopened businesses lifted activity out of the pandemic doldrums. 

BRUSSELS: European banks can weather a severe economic crisis with a sharp drop in their financial reserves, according to results from an extensive stress test published on Friday. 

LOS ANGELES: Millions of Americans could find themselves homeless starting today when a nationwide ban on evictions expires, even as billions in government funds meant to help them go untapped. The wave of evictions would come as the fast-spreading Delta variant has taken hold in the country and rental housing is in high demand in the hot real estate market.

MADRID: Deliveroo’s trademark green rucksacks may soon disappear from Spanish streets after food delivery firm said it was considering leaving that market where its riders will soon be recognized as staff. 

WASHINGTON: The US economic recovery is showing signs of progress, but the Federal Reserve said Wednesday it is not yet ready to end the easy money policies it implemented as the pandemic began last year.