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HSBC bank sells Canadian ops for over US$10 bn
HSBC bank sells Canadian ops for over US$10 bn
Business and Economy
by  AFP

HSBC has agreed to sell its Canadian division to Royal Bank of Canada for US$10.1 billion, the Asia-focused banking giant announced Tuesday. "This also positions us as the bank of choice for commercial clients with international needs, newcomers to Canada and affluent clients who need global banking and wealth management capabilities."

German inflation unexpectedly slows in November
German inflation unexpectedly slows in November
Business and Economy
by  AFP

German inflation unexpectedly slowed in November after months of increases, preliminary data showed Tuesday, as sky-high energy prices begin to ease. The surprise dip comes as "energy prices have eased slightly", Destatis said, although it noted they were still 38.4 percent higher than a year earlier.

Chile ceramics, Colombian wisdom get UNESCO heritage status
Chile ceramics, Colombian wisdom get UNESCO heritage status
World
by  AFP

Two social traditions from South America were honored Tuesday as UNESCO recognized the rapidly disappearing skill required to make black pottery in Chile and the ancient knowledge of Colombian Indigenous groups as intangible cultural heritage practices. Being on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding will allow Chile to access financing to preserve the tradition.

Hawaii volcano shoots lava fountains 200 feet high: USGS
Hawaii volcano shoots lava fountains 200 feet high: USGS
World
by  AFP

Fountains of lava up to 200 feet (60 meters) high have been fired into the air from Hawaii's Mauna Loa, geologists say, generating rivers of molten rock from the world's largest active volcano. "Estimates of the tallest fountain heights are between 100–200 feet" but most are much smaller, the United States Geological Survey said in an update Monday.

Jailed Belarus activist Kolesnikova in intensive care: allies
Jailed Belarus activist Kolesnikova in intensive care: allies
World
by  AFP

Jailed Belarusian opposition leader Maria Kolesnikova, who is serving a long prison term, has been admitted to intensive care in hospital, her allies said on Tuesday. "Maria is in the emergency hospital in Gomel, in the intensive care unit," said the press service of fellow opposition politician Viktor Babaryko.