As Russia's COVID-19 toll surges, a Siberian hospital struggles to cope

BIYSK, Russia (Reuters) - The beds at the intensive care unit at this Siberian hospital rarely stay empty for long. Doctors at Hospital No. 2 in the Russian city of Biysk are having to cope with an unprecedented surge of coronavirus patients, many of whom are unvaccinated. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/SB9DCF

Italy's Salvini ridicules calling of actor Gere to kidnapping trial

PALERMO, Italy (Reuters) - Matteo Salvini, leader of Italy's right-wing League party, said a trial where he faces kidnapping charges for refusing to let a migrant ship dock in the country in 2019 was not serious as actor Richard Gere was admitted to testify. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/SB9DC4

Myanmar decries move to block junta leader from regional summit

(Reuters) - Myanmar's military government said on Friday it rejected a decision by its Southeast Asian neighbours to invite only a non-political figure to an upcoming regional summit in a snub to the leader of the Feb. 1 coup. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/SB6VJ2

Turkey's Halkbank can be prosecuted over Iran sanction violations, U.S. appeals court rules

(Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court on Friday rejected Halkbank's bid to dismiss an indictment accusing the state-owned Turkish lender of helping Iran evade American sanctions. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/SB6VHp

Man accused of murdering UK lawmaker Amess to face trial next year

LONDON (Reuters) - The man accused of stabbing to death British lawmaker David Amess at a church where he was meeting voters last week is due to go on trial next year, London's Old Bailey court heard on Friday. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/SB6VHX

G7 countries reach breakthrough on digital trade and data

LONDON (Reuters) -The Group of Seven wealthy nations agreed on principles to govern cross-border data use and digital trade, Britain said in what was described as a breakthrough that could liberalise hundreds of billions of dollars of international commerce. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/SB6VGT

Lyft records more than 4,000 sexual assault cases in long-overdue safety report

(Reuters) - Lyft Inc received reports of more than 4,000 instances of sexual assault on its ride-hailing platform between 2017 and 2019, detailing the data in a safety report it had promised to publish about two years ago. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/SB6VCX

Don't hurry into Sarawak polls, says local civil society group

Read full story
http://dlvr.it/SB2mNb

Canada government, provinces agree COVID-19 vaccine travel passport - officials

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada's federal government and the 10 provinces have agreed on a standard COVID-19 electronic vaccination passport allowing domestic and foreign travel, government officials told reporters on Thursday. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/SB2mN7

India among 11 'countries of concern' on climate change for U.S. spy agencies

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Afghanistan, India and Pakistan were among 11 countries singled out by U.S. intelligence agencies on Thursday as being "highly vulnerable" in terms of their ability to prepare for and respond to environmental and societal crises caused by climate change. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/SB2mMd

Floods recede in Kedah, relief centres in four other states remain open

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Floods in Kedah have receded but the situation remains unchanged in Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Melaka, which also recorded a rise in the number of evacuees and relief centres in operation. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/SB2mK2

Flash floods hit several neighbourhoods in Klang, 31 evacuated to relief shelters

KLANG: Continuous rains with intermittent heavy showers for six hours from 1pm Wednesday (Oct 20) caused several neighbourhoods in Klang to experience flash floods that inundated their homes. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9zPGc

Logistics tech firm Flock Freight turns unicorn after SoftBank-led funding

(Reuters) - U.S. logistics technology firm Flock Freight said on Wednesday it had reached a valuation of more than $1 billion, after raising $215 million in a funding round led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9ywX9

Alphabet's Wing project will unveil new drone delivery model in Texas

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Alphabet Inc's Wing drone project said Wednesday that Walgreens will use its new platform to fulfill deliveries at a store in Texas. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9ywWt

Analysis-Eat or be eaten? Food delivery apps have knives out as pandemic boom fades

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The meal delivery market is expected turn to a phase of consolidation in the coming months as players look to adjust operations after the explosive boom in demand served up to them during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9ywWX

Ukraine approves bill to boost independence of anti-corruption bureau

KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine's parliament on Tuesday passed legislation to strengthen the independence of the Western-backed national anti-corruption bureau (NABU), a requirement for Kyiv to secure more loans from the International Monetary Fund under a $5 billion loan deal. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9vZD1

Oracle's NetSuite adds banking features to its software; HSBC is first partner

(Reuters) - Oracle Corp's NetSuite on Tuesday said it will put automated banking features into its accounting software for businesses, with HSBC Holdings Plc as its first partner to automatically send and receive money and reconcile accounts. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9v1jX

Abu Dhabi's tech hub sees surge of interest from start-ups

DUBAI (Reuters) - Abu Dhabi’s new technology hub says it has seen a surge in interest from start-up firms in the United Arab Emirates and abroad despite the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic last year, amid increased optimism from the sector. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9v1hb

Snap launches studio to create augmented reality ads

(Reuters) -Snap Inc said on Tuesday it is launching a studio to help brands create augmented reality advertising and experiences, part of a move to popularize the use of technology that can overlay computer-generated images onto a person's view of the real world. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9v1gC

GlobalFoundries seeks $25 billion valuation in U.S. IPO as chip demand soars

(Reuters) -Chipmaker GlobalFoundries, owned by Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth fund Mubadala Investment Co, is aiming for a valuation of about $25 billion in its initial public offering in the United States. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9v1dx

German parties give green light to three-way coalition talks

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's business-friendly Free Democrats (FDP) joined the Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens on Monday in approving a decision by party leaders to proceed with three-way coalition talks to form what they called "a government of the middle". Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9qm8X

New York directs two cryptocurrency lending platforms to cease activity

(Reuters) - Two cryptocurrency lending platforms were asked to cease activities in New York by the state's attorney general on Monday and three other platforms were directed to provide information about their business. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9qGRK

Amazon to hire 150,000 U.S. workers for holiday shopping season

(Reuters) - Amazon.com Inc said on Monday it plans to hire 150,000 seasonal workers in the United States during the holiday period, as the e-commerce giant prepares for a shopping season expected to be characterized by high demand and supply headaches. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9qGQf

S.Africa's MTN and Vodacom join Telkom in temporary spectrum lawsuit

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's two biggest mobile operators, MTN and Vodacom, have joined number three Telkom in a lawsuit to stop the regulator withdrawing temporary frequency spectrum assigned at the start of the COVID-19 outbreak. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9qGQP

U.S. TV station operator Sinclair hit by ransomware attack

(Reuters) - U.S. TV station operator Sinclair Broadcast Group said on Monday it had found some of its servers and workstations had been encrypted with ransomware, disrupting office networks. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9qGQ0

High-impact projects to be developed in Terengganu under 12MP, says Tok Pa

KUALA TERENGGANU (Bernama): The Federal Government is committed to providing at least 50% of the allocation for basic facilities in Terengganu for the implementation of high-impact projects in the state. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9m854

Kelantan to develop Malaysia's first IBS industrial park

KOTA BHARU (Bernama): Kelantan will be the first state in Malaysia to develop an Industrial Building System (IBS) industrial park, which will serve as a one-stop reference centre to increase the capacity and capabilities of industrial building, especially in the East Coast. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9lp1p

Dr Wee ready for debate with Guan Eng, TV3 producers suggest Nov 2 date

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong has reiterated his stance that he is ready for a debate with Lim Guan Eng on the government's cabotage policy with a date set by TV3 producers on Nov 2. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9lp1V

UN envoy says has agreement on drafting new Syrian constitution

GENEVA (Reuters) - The United Nations Special Envoy said on Sunday that the government and opposition co-chairs of the Syrian Constitutional Committee agreed to start a drafting process for constitutional reform in the country. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9lp1C

Tunisian lawmaker detained over suspected tax fraud, money laundering

TUNIS (Reuters) - A Tunisian court on Sunday ordered a lawmaker to be detained over suspected tax fraud and money laundering - the fourth parliamentarian to be taken into custody since President Kais Saied seized near total control of the country in July. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9lp0K

Italy's unions rally against neo-fascist groups after violent protests

ROME (Reuters) - Italy's biggest workers' unions rallied in Rome on Saturday and called on the government to dissolve the neo-fascist groups involved in last weekend's violent protests against the COVID-19 health pass. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9jcr8

Saudi Arabia's PIF launches offshore platform tourism project

CAIRO (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund, announced on Saturday the launch of "THE RIG", which it said would be the world's first tourism destination on offshore platforms. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9jGfm

U.S. intelligence chief to meet with S. Korea, Japan counterparts -Yonhap

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The intelligence chiefs of the United States, South Korea and Japan are expected to meet in Seoul early next week for closed-door discussions about North Korea, among other issues, Yonhap news agency reported, citing a government source. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9jGfR

Congo to audit forest concessions, suspend 'questionable contracts'

KINSHASA (Reuters) - President Felix Tshisekedi has called for an audit of Democratic Republic of Congo's vast forest concessions and the suspension of all "questionable contracts" until the audit is concluded. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9jGf7

Success of Battersea development in London will benefit EPF contributors, says Dr Wee

PETALING JAYA: The success of the Battersea Power Station development in London will benefit ordinary Malaysians who contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9jGcr

U.S. Treasury puts crypto industry on notice over rising ransomware attacks

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Treasury on Friday said suspected ransomware payments totaling $590 million were made in the first six months of this year, more than the $416 million reported for the whole of 2020, as Washington put the cryptocurrency industry on alert about its role in combating ransomware attacks. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9fmKb

PM Kishida to South Korea's Moon: Japan wants 'appropriate' response on wartime compensation

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's new prime minister Fumio Kishida told reporters on Friday that he had spoken with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and told him that Japan wanted an "appropriate" response on disputes including compensation for forced wartime labour. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9fJRG

Focus on freedoms in Slovenia triggers EU Twitter spat

(Reuters) - A visit by EU lawmakers to assess media freedoms in Slovenia has sparked a Twitter spat between the country's prime minister and his Dutch counterpart, fuelling tensions over eastern members' respect for the rule of law ahead of an EU summit next week. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9fJMn

Beirut bloodshed deepens doubts over port blast probe

BEIRUT (Reuters) - The fate of a probe into the Beirut port explosion appears in increasing doubt after a bitter political dispute about the actions of the judge leading the investigation set off Lebanon's bloodiest street violence in more than a decade. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9fJJq

Supplier Novares seeks damages from carmakers over cancelled orders

PARIS (Reuters) - French auto supplier Novares is claiming tens of millions euros in damages from its customers after a global shortage in semiconductor chips has forced many carmakers to halt production and cancel orders. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9fJFX

Putin says crypto currencies too unstable to be used for oil contracts

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said that crypto currencies were too unstable to be used to settle oil contracts but that they still deserved a place as a means of payment. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9Zvkl

Developer of automated cargo planes draws $100 million investment

(Reuters) - Reliable Robotics, a Silicon Valley startup aiming to automate conventional fixed-wing planes to ferry cargo and eventually passengers, has raised $100 million from investors, the company said on Thursday. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9ZNH6

Scarce chips may pinch Apple's iPhone holiday sales, analysts see rebound next year

(Reuters) - The global chip shortage could be creeping its way to Apple's newest iPhone 13 smartphones, but analysts think that the technology giant can weather the impact by making up for any lost holiday sales with a stronger showing next year. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9WyxB

Microsoft and Nvidia claim to have created the world’s most powerful language model

Language models have become a key factor when it comes to creating the most thorough and accurate artificial intelligence possible. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9WynN

Ethiopian attack in two northern regions intensifies, Tigrayan forces say

NAIROBI (Reuters) -An air and ground offensive by Ethiopian troops and their allies against rebellious forces from the northern Tigray region is intensifying, a spokesperson for the Tigrayan forces said on Wednesday, claiming "staggering" casualties. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9WZjk

EU will give 'firm answer' to Polish court ruling - EU's top diplomat

KYIV (Reuters) - The European Union will give a "firm answer" to a ruling by Poland's top court challenging the primacy of EU law, and will tell Warsaw to "abide by the rules of the club," the EU's top diplomat said on Tuesday. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9Qb73

U.N. official recalled from Ethiopia over audio recordings - letter

NAIROBI (Reuters) -The United Nations' migration agency has recalled a staff member identified by two U.N. sources in Addis Ababa as the head of its mission to Ethiopia over audio recordings containing criticism of senior U.N. officials. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9Qb2p

In northern Afghanistan, girls' schools working despite ban elsewhere

KABUL (Reuters) - While girls across most of Afghanistan remain at home while brothers go to high school, classes in some northern areas have been open for all students, highlighting regional differences starting to emerge two months after the Taliban seized power. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9QZyx

Analysis-Iraqi voters spurn Iran's allies, but Tehran could still fight for clout

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi voters delivered a sharp rebuke to Iran's allies in an election this week, but loosening the grip of Shi'ite militia from control of the state will still be a politically delicate goal, with the threat of violence always in the background. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9QZsr

Ex-Myanmar president says army tried to force him to cede power hours before coup

(Reuters) - Myanmar's deposed president testified on Tuesday that the military tried to force him to relinquish power hours before its Feb. 1 coup, warning him he could be seriously harmed if he refused, according to his lawyer. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S9QZpj

No room for racial slurs in M'sia, says Dr Wee in condemning remark against Kisona

PETALING JAYA: There is no place at all for disparaging remarks based on ethnic background or religious belief, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong in condemning a derogatory remark used on national badminton player S. Kisona. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S8rtKP

Fuel shortages persist in London and south east England

LONDON (Reuters) - Gasoline and diesel shortages persisted in London and south east England on Sunday, where 22% of forecourts had no fuel available and 60% had both types available, the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) said on Sunday, according to Sky News. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S8rtK9

Cyclone Shaheen approaches Oman, three killed, flights delayed

DUBAI (Reuters) -The centre of Tropical Cyclone Shaheen hit land in Oman on Sunday having already killed least three people, and authorities urged residents to evacuate coastal areas and delayed flights to and from the capital, Muscat. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S8rtJz

Facebook does not believe it is a primary cause of polarization -exec to CNN

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A Facebook Inc executive said in an interview on Sunday with CNN that the company does not believe that its social media service is a primary contributor to the political polarization that has become widespread in the United States. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S8rtJR

Blast in Afghanistan's Kabul kills several civilians, says Taliban

(Reuters) -Several civilians were killed in an explosion in Afghanistan's capital city Kabul on Sunday, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said on Twitter. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S8rtH1

Boat carrying 10 anglers feared to have sunk, SAR activated

KUCHING (Bernama): The Sarawak Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), has activated a search and rescue (SAR) operation at noon on Saturday (Oct 2) after a boat with ten anglers was reported to have sunk about two nautical miles from the waters of Pulau Satang here. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S8pTNp

Govt to clarify proposal on sale of Bumiputra shares

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): The government plans to clarify the recently-announced proposal to allow the sale of Bumiputra shares or companies only to Bumiputra consortiums, companies or individuals, says Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S8pTNd

Jeffrey Kitingan: Malaysia should protest China's military activities in the South China Sea

KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia should send a diplomatic protest to China and the United Nations over China’s military activities in the South China Sea, says Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S8pTNV

Eyes of the world will be on Scotland for climate summit, queen says

LONDON (Reuters) - The world's attention will be focused on Scotland for next month's climate summit, Queen Elizabeth told Scottish lawmakers on Saturday, adding that they would have an important role making a better, healthier world. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S8pTNP

Russian billionaire Tinkov agrees to pay $500 million over U.S. tax charges

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Billionaire Oleg Tinkov, whose online bank is Russia's second biggest credit card issuer, pleaded guilty on Friday to filing a false U.S. tax return and agreed to pay $507 million in taxes, interest and penalties, the U.S. Department of Justice said. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S8pTNB

Speculation on formation of new Melaka govt fizzles out

MELAKA: An internal conflict within the state DAP has "saved" the Perikatan Nasional-led state government. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S8lxzG

EMCO in Kg Sungai Padi in Lipis extended until Oct 16, says NSC

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): The enhanced movement control order (MCO) in Kampung Sungai Padi, Lipis, Pahang, which is scheduled to end tomorrow, has been extended to Oct 16, says the National Security Council (NSC). Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S8lxz9

Covid-19: 1.5% from 11,889 new cases in categories three, four and five, says Health DG

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Only 1.5% or 179 of the 11,889 new Covid-19 cases reported as of Friday noon (Oct 1) were from categories three, four and five. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S8lxz3

Muhyiddin's wife Noorainee, Bung Moktar, Mohd Zuki among seven lead Sabah's TYT birthday honours list

KOTA KINABALU: Former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's wife, Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman, is among seven prominent figures who will be receiving Sabah's highest honour, the Seri Panglima Darjah Kinabalu (SPDK), which carries the title "Datuk Seri Panglima" on Saturday (Oct 2) in a ceremony held in conjunction with Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin's 68th birthday celebrations. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S8lxyr

Turkish Red Crescent sending aid to feed displaced Afghans

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - The Turkish Red Crescent is sending aid to Afghanistan to feed internally displaced people in need amid turmoil following the Taliban's takeover, the organisation's head said on Friday. Read full story
http://dlvr.it/S8lxyR