Taiwan and Palau to launch first travel bubble
17 Mar 2021
Gulf Today Report
The government of Taiwan announced the creation of its first travel bubble with the tiny Pacific nation of Palau during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Taiwan has been able to contain the pandemic but its borders have remained close. The bubble marks a small return to normality.
Palau, one of only 15 countries to officially recognise the Chinese-claimed island s government, and whose president plans to visit Taiwan, has reported zero cases.
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Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu described the Taiwan-Palau travel bubble as a “firm friendship” between the two.
The travel bubble will start in April, with two flights a week carrying 110 tourists each from Taiwan to Palau. Travellers must present negative coronavirus tests and join tour groups, in which they will be asked to follow social-distancing rules such as only visiting designated sites and hotels.
European, Asian stocks fall on Fed policy meeting outcome
17 Mar 2021
Gulf Today Report
European stocks declined on Wednesday as investors await US Federal Reserve’s policy meeting outcome and BMW recorded gains.
BMW gained by 1.9% following its expectations of a significant year-on-year increase in group pre-tax profit in 2021 as it forecast a strong performance in all of its segments.
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Asian stocks declined on Wednesday as markets globally await US central bank’s latest assessment on the economy.
Japan s benchmark Nikkei 225 inched down less than 0.1% to finish at 29,914.33. South Korea s Kospi slipped 0.6% to 3,050.17. Australia s S&P/ASX 200 dipped 0.5% to 6,795.20. Hong Kong s Hang Seng edged down nearly 0.1% to 29,014.67, while the Shanghai Composite was little changed, down less than 0.1% at 3,444.70.
Oil prices gain as US crude stocks decline
17 Mar 2021
Gulf Today Report
Oil prices jumped on Wednesday following the decline in US crude stocks following rocky demand in Europe due to vaccine woes.
Brent crude futures rose 35 cents, or 0.5%, to $68.74 a barrel by 06:41 GMT while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 43 cents, or 0.7%, to $65.21
According to data from the American Petroleum Institute, US crude inventories fell by 1 million barrels in the previous week. It contrasted analysts expectation of 3 million barrels build up.
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Manila bans under 18 from being outdoors as virus cases surge gulftoday.ae - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from gulftoday.ae Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
European stocks, Asian shares record gains gulftoday.ae - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from gulftoday.ae Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.