LONDON: Europe’s development bank yesterday forecast better-than-expected economic recovery this year across its geographical regions of investment following COVID-induced slumps. 

BEIRUT: Lebanon hiked fuel prices by more than 30 percent yesterday as it reduced subsidies that have eaten away at the central bank’s foreign currency reserves amid a painful economic crisis. 

NEW YORK: United Airlines announced yesterday a huge new plane order with Boeing and Airbus in the biggest bet thus far by a major carrier on a travel industry recovery from COVID-19.

SAN FRANCISCO: App revenue from mobile phone users around the world climbed to new heights in the first half of this year, nearly reaching $65 billion, market tracker Sensor Tower said Monday.

KUWAIT: Two sisters in Kuwait. Both in their 40s. Both asthmatic. Both hard working, fun-loving, decent and family-oriented. But their lives will diverge dramatically. Only one got the vaccine, the other didn’t have the opportunity.

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Ministry of Health yesterday reported 18 deaths related to the novel coronavirus that were recorded over the previous 24 hours; the highest single-day record since the disease spread in the country. 

MELBOURNE: Australia faces stalled population growth and budget deficits until at least 2060 as a result of emergency COVID-19 measures, the government warned yesterday. 

LAMBRES-LEZ-DOUAI: President Emmanuel Macron visited northern France yesterday to applaud plans for a Chinese-owned battery factory that will supply the automaker Renault as Europe steps up its shift toward electric vehicles. 

HUAXI: It was a gilt-edged gift to Communist propaganda: a village led by a Party visionary who transformed farmers into millionaires while tacking close to China’s collectivist ideals.