Economy

Flying high: UK's modern-day green airship takes shape
Flying high: UK's modern-day green airship takes shape

Britain's innovative Airlander 10 airship could soon take to the skies to offer leisure passengers panoramic views and far less pollution than traditional aircraft, according to its manufacturer. The tech hub also features a life-size model of the future airship that allows visitors to step on board and view its "luxury" configuration including a bar, passenger cabins and an observation lounge.

Ukraine's drone industry seeks to tip scales against Russia
Ukraine's drone industry seeks to tip scales against Russia

With suit-clad employees sipping coffees, Skyeton's offices in Ukraine's Kyiv region look like a typical tech start-up. Would-be employees have to pass a background check, with Ukraine's arms industry a prime target for Russian espionage and sabotage.

Ancient community banking enters digital age in Cameroon
Ancient community banking enters digital age in Cameroon

Joseph Ngono's face lights up with a smile as he looks at his smartphone, where a payment worth $830 has just appeared in his digital wallet. Shunned by banks, many people in Cameroon turn to their communities for help in the form of tontines, such as the one Ngono uses via the smartphone app Djangui.

Unemployed Afghans risk death and debt in hunt for gold
Unemployed Afghans risk death and debt in hunt for gold

Tearing off a piece of mouldy flatbread, Homayon gulped tea in a brief reprieve from the din of the machines he and a dozen other men were using to dig for gold on a mountainside in northeastern Afghanistan. Despite the risks, the men continue digging.

Watchdogs probe 'technical' failure on Boeing-made LATAM plane
Watchdogs probe 'technical' failure on Boeing-made LATAM plane

Airline watchdogs were on Tuesday investigating why a Boeing-made LATAM plane bound for New Zealand suddenly lost altitude mid-flight, dropping violently and injuring dozens of terrified travellers. Data from airline tracker FlightAware showed the plane began losing altitude about two hours into the three-hour flight.

Most Asian markets push higher as US inflation data looms
Most Asian markets push higher as US inflation data looms

Asian markets mostly rose Tuesday following the previous day's sell-off, with focus on the release of US inflation data that could play a key role in the Federal Reserve's decision-making on cutting interest rates. The prospect of US interest rates coming down this year has played a role in pushing bitcoin to new record highs, with the cryptocurrency peaking at $72,880.

12 hospitalised after technical problem on Boeing-made LATAM flight
12 hospitalised after technical problem on Boeing-made LATAM flight

Twelve passengers were hospitalised Monday after a technical problem on a LATAM flight from Sydney to Auckland caused the Boeing-made plane to dip violently, the airline and first responders told AFP. At least one person was in serious condition after flight LA800 experienced an unspecified "technical event" over the Tasman Sea.