WASHINGTON: As vaccines help quell COVID-19 cases, millions of Americans have gone back to work-but fewer Black and Hispanic workers are being rehired, entrenching persistent inequalities in the United States.

PARIS: US drinks giant PepsiCo said yesterday that it will sell a majority share in its drink brands Tropicana and Naked to French investment fund PAI Partners for $3.3 billion. 

KUWAIT: In a meeting of its board members yesterday, Boursa Kuwait announced net profits attributable to equity holders of the parent company of KD 7.8 million for the six month period ended 30 June 2021, a notable increase of 39 percent compared to the same period in 2020, when the company recorded net profits of around KD 5.6 million.

BEIJING: Chinese e-commerce leader Alibaba Group said yesterday that it posted lower profit but maintained steady revenue growth, indicating that a government crackdown on the country’s tech giants was having little impact on its core business. 

KUWAIT: Large crowds of people were present at Kuwait Vaccination Center yesterday to receive their doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, as Kuwait races to vaccinate the public especially with the approaching start date of the school year next month.

LOS ANGELES: Eviction protections expired Sunday for millions of Americans who could face homelessness within days, triggering a scramble to unlock billions in stalled rental aid and recriminations in Washington.

WASHINGTON: US factory activity slowed sharply in July amid ongoing supply shortages and bottlenecks, according to an industry survey released yesterday. 

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.