LONDON: British bank Barclays yesterday announced a 38-percent slump in net profit for 2020 and said expenses related to the coronavirus pandemic were set to stay high this year. 

LONDON: The return of Britain’s former star investor Neil Woodford has caused concern in London’s City finance district, where his spectacular fall from grace is still fresh in the memory. 

KUALA LUMPUR: Prices of popular gadgets such as PlayStations and iPhones could rise because of microchip shortages caused by a “perfect storm” of coronavirus-driven demand, supply chain disruptions and trade war stockpiling, experts warn. 

PARIS: One year ago 26-year-old Perrine was on the cusp of realizing her childhood dream of becoming a flight attendant. Then the COVID-19 pandemic arrived and Perrine is now on track for a job in insurance instead.

KUWAIT: Kuwait said 862 people tested positive for coronavirus with five related deaths reported yesterday, taking the total cases and deaths to 183,322 and 1,039 respectively. 

GENEVA: The coronavirus pandemic, log-jammed trade talks and a long-delayed meeting of member states are just a few of the crises awaiting Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as she takes the helm of the World Trade Organization next month. 

RAUB, Malaysia: Durians falling from trees are collected in nets on a farm in Malaysia, where a long lockdown has slowed domestic demand and left traders more reliant on China’s appetite for the world’s smelliest fruit. 

HONG KONG: Hong Kong may be in its worst recession in years but its luxury property market is still thriving after a five-bedroom apartment broke records with its $59 million price tag. 

BRUSSELS: Fortnite maker Epic Games yesterday lodged a complaint against Apple with EU antitrust authorities, deepening its bitter feud with the iPhone-maker over its app store. Apple and Epic have been locked in a fierce battle over whether Apple’s tight control of the App Store, and its 30-percent cut of revenue, is abusive.