EC puts forward its blueprint for job-rich recovery

The London-based Greensil is on the verge of bankruptcy after Credit Suisse announced it was shutting down its funding for the UK lender. The decision of the Swiss bank comes after a shift in investment priorities.  Since its primary source of funding has come to an abrupt halt, Greensill is preparing to file for bankruptcy and is also in talks to sell large parts of its business to private equity firm Apollo Global Management Inc, a source close to Greensill told Reuters.

Australia's PM Scott Morrison on Friday played down the impact of Italy's landmark decision to block the export of 250,000 Covid-19 vaccine doses due to be delivered, AFP reported. He insisted the blocked shipment of the AstraZeneca jabs was understandable and would not affect Australia's vaccine programme.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg warned once again that Europe's defence depends on close transatlantic bonds. In an interview with AFP, after an address at the College of Europe in Belgium, he welcomed Brussels' efforts to boost spending and streamline its defence industry, but added he was dubious about calls for the continent to develop "strategic autonomy".

The Kosovo’s Election Commission released on Thursday the final results from the early general election, held on 14 February. According to them a left-wing party has garnered the most parliamentary seats, but has fallen short of an absolute majority that would have enabled it to form a government on its own, AP reported.

Oil continued its rally as the organization of major producers decided to extend limits on output through April, waiting for substantial proofs for a recovery in demand, Reuters said. Many analysts had expected a small production increase as the price of oil has risen 30% since the start of the year on hopes that the pandemic will ease, allowing for an economic rebound that should increase energy consumption.

Italy told the European Commission it was blocking the export of over 250,000 doses of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine to Australia, the first EU member to make such a move, and the EC accepted the proposal, ANSA reported on Thursday. The shots were due to go to Australia. Italy's proposal was made in line with the new European mechanism on export controls.

The United States agreed a four-month suspension of retaliatory tariffs imposed on British goods such as Scotch whisky over a long-running aircraft subsidy row, with both sides pledging to use the time to resolve the dispute.

Guided by the idea that equal work deserves equal pay, the Commission is taking a decisive step in terms of transparency on who receives how much and whether the employer treats its workers fairly.

Instead of finishing your leftovers, you let them go bad and buy takeout. It’s a familiar routine for many - and indicative of habits that contribute to a global food waste problem that a new United Nations report says needs to be better measured so that it can be effectively addressed.

German air carrier Lufthansa made a net loss of €6.7 billion (8.1 billion dollars) in 2020, a nightmare year for the company during which the coronavirus pandemic repeatedly brought the air travel industry to a near standstill.