insert_link Business / Economics Nokia sees ‘challenging’ 2024 after profits plunge Finnish telecommunications equipment maker Nokia warned Thursday that it expects another tough economic environment in the first half of this year after its net profit sank in the 2023. Nokia and its Swedish rival Ericsson have launched cost-cutting programmes as their customers have reduced spending amid a slowing global economy. The Finnish firm reported a profit of 679 million euros ($739 million) for last year, down 84 percent […] todayJanuary 25, 2024 14
insert_link World Europe’s top rights body blasts Serbia over police abuse The Council of Europe on Thursday slammed Serbia for failing to rein in police abuse, saying in a report that alleged violence by officers could amount to torture. The new report comes less than a year following a visit to Serbia in March 2023 by a delegation from the council's anti-torture committee. During its research trip, representatives from the committee found individuals in police custody in Serbia run the […] todayJanuary 25, 2024 14
insert_link Lifestyle Big deal or small beer? Saudi debates first store for booze The news that Saudi Arabia will allow its first alcohol shop has citizens and foreigners alike mulling one question: is this a minor policy tweak, or a major upheaval? Sources familiar with preparations for the store disclosed details of the plan on Wednesday, as a document circulated indicating just how carefully leaders of the teetotalling Gulf kingdom will manage its operations. Located in the capital's Diplomatic Quarter, the store will […] todayJanuary 25, 2024 14
insert_link Africa Lagos styrofoam, plastics ban brings applause and concern From trash-strewn pavements to street vendors packing meals in polystyrene containers, plastic waste is a constant menace in the urban landscape of Lagos, Nigeria's economic capital and the continent's most populous city. That image could soon change if the local Lagos State government manages to implement its recent ambitious ban on the use of polystyrene and single-use plastics. Sunday's announcement of the ban on styrofoam boxes and single-use plastics, "with […] todayJanuary 25, 2024 21
insert_link Sport Warriors pay tribute to coach Milojevic in first game after death The Golden State Warriors paid an emotional tribute to Dejan Milojevic on Wednesday as the team returned to play for the first time since the Serbian assistant coach died last week from a heart attack. In a moving pre-game ceremony ahead of the Warriors' 134-112 home win over Atlanta, Golden State head coach Steve Kerr led a lengthy ovation to salute the 46-year-old affectionately known as "Deki". Warriors players […] todayJanuary 25, 2024 6
insert_link Sport England win toss, opt to bat against India in 1st Test England skipper Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bat first against India in the opening Test of a five-match series on Thursday. The tourists named their XI on the eve of the match in Hyderabad and handed left-arm spinner Tom Hartley his first Test cap. England have brought in three specialist spinners as well as Joe Root, a veteran batsman who also bowls. Mark Wood remains […] todayJanuary 25, 2024
insert_link Sport Starc puts Australia in control against West Indies Mitchell Starc took three wickets to put Australia in control of the second Test against the West Indies as the visitors slumped to 64-5 at the dinner break on the first day in Brisbane on Thursday. Starc bowled with pace and aggression in the first session as he claimed his 350th Test wicket, but he was helped by some poor shots from the West Indies batsmen, most of whom […] todayJanuary 25, 2024 3
insert_link Sport Liverpool survive Fulham scare to book League Cup final date with Chelsea Liverpool will face Chelsea in the League Cup final after surviving a scare in their 1-1 draw against Fulham in the semi-final second leg on Wednesday. Holding a 2-1 advantage from the first leg, Liverpool took the lead through Luis Diaz early in the first half at Craven Cottage. That should have been the signal for a comfortable evening for Jurgen Klopp's side. But they missed several chances to […] todayJanuary 25, 2024 3
insert_link Science & Technology Japan craft made successful pin-point landing, space agency says Japan's "Moon Sniper" craft landed around 55 metres (180 feet) from its target, the country's space agency said Thursday as it released the first images from the mission. The unmanned Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), dubbed the "Moon Sniper" for its pin-point technology, had the goal of touching down within 100 metres (330 feet) of a specific landing spot. That is much more precise than the usual landing zone […] todayJanuary 25, 2024 25
