Tomorrowland bets on Chinese dance music fans with first indoor event
“Are you ready Shanghai?!” screamed the DJ, his glowing booth nestled at the heart of a huge intricate structure of pulsating colour and sound. Thousands roared back “yes!” as Tomorrowland, one of the world’s biggest dance music festivals, made its China debut this weekend. The move is a vote of confidence in the country’s small […]
Reggae icon and ‘cultural giant’ Jimmy Cliff dead at 81
Jimmy Cliff, the iconic reggae star who helped transform the island’s rhythmic music into a global cultural phenomenon, has died, his wife said Monday. He was 81. The family announced the death in a post on Cliff’s official Instagram account, saying he “has crossed over due to a seizure followed by pneumonia.” “I am thankful […]
Snapchat begins age checks in Australia ahead of social media ban
Snapchat has begun asking teenage Australians to verify their ages, a company spokesperson said Monday, just weeks before Canberra enforces sweeping laws banning under-16s from social media. From December 10, Australia will force social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, to remove users under the age of 16 or face hefty fines. “Starting this […]
Serbia’s sole refinery faces shutdown after US sanctions
Serbia’s only oil refinery prepared to shut down on Tuesday, as the country’s president set a deadline for the firm’s Russian majority-owners to sell out and end US sanctions. President Aleksandar Vucic, speaking to the press in Belgrade, said the Pancevo refinery had scaled back operations, with a “complete halt” just four days away. “It […]
US retail sales miss expectations as consumers see higher costs
US retail sales grew at a slower pace than anticipated in September, government data showed Tuesday, as higher prices added to affordability concerns while firms grappled with an uptick in business costs. Publication of official economic data has recently been delayed by a record-long goverment shutdown, and the latest figures suggest that consumer spending lost […]
How China leveraged its rare earths dominance over the US
China’s stranglehold on the rare earths industry — from natural reserves and mining through processing and innovation — is the result of a decades-long drive, now giving Beijing crucial leverage in its trade war with the United States. The 17 key elements will play a vital role in the global economy in coming years, as […]