Asia Insight
China looms over New Caledonia vote on independence from France
Most indigenous Kanaks favor a split, but European residents tend to favor status quo
Europe
International relations
Lithuania's Taiwan overtures create outsize challenge for China
Beijing treads carefully to avoid ripple effects on delicate relations with EU
Coronavirus
Omicron variant: 5 things to know as Asia races to stop COVID
Travel curbs spread while study suggests strain may evade natural immunity
Markets
Stocks lose $3.7tn globally in week after omicron emerges
3% drop fueled by investor uncertainty, with little known about COVID variant
Coronavirus
WHO says 'not to panic' over omicron with no deaths reported
But new variant can become dominant globally: chief scientist
Transportation
Indonesia aims to rival Changi, Kuala Lumpur in $6bn airport deal
Sumatra airport focal point of new partnership with Indian and French firms
Climate Change
Toyota to make Western European lineup carbon-free by 2035
World's largest automaker bends to EU's tough new climate standards
Opinion
We all agree that AI needs global rules, but who will enforce them?
Regulating artificial intelligence is both too easy and too hard
Sports
IOC says meeting arranged with Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai
Olympic body holds 2nd video call as WTA suspends tournaments in country
Datawatch
New global rules set to end race to cut corporate taxes
Move set to spark big gains in tax revenues in many countries
Sports
Pound fires back at critics of IOC's video call with Peng Shuai
Senior official denies vouching for safety of tennis player to appease Beijing
Coronavirus
OECD warns omicron may intensify supply shortages and inflation
Central banks must be ready to act if price pressures broaden and become self-reinforcing
Indo-Pacific
AUKUS sub deal triggers debate on nuclear safeguards
China and Russia raise proliferation concerns at IAEA over deployment
Politics
Adapting to China's rise is 'greatest priority for MI6': U.K. spy chief
Taiwan issue poses 'serious challenge to global stability and peace,' Moore warns
International relations
Taiwan's Tsai hosts Baltic lawmakers, seeking closer cooperation
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia have no diplomatic relations with the island
Coronavirus
Omicron poses 'very high' global risk; nations must prepare: WHO
U.N. agency warns of 'uncertainties' on degree of vaccine immunity
Electric cars in China
Sports car Lotus prepares relaunch under China's Geely -- with SUV
Storied British brand goes electric at new $1.3bn Wuhan factory
Coronavirus
Omicron variant detected in more countries as scientists race to find answers
New cases found in Netherlands, Denmark, Australia, Britain, Germany and Italy
International relations
China slams 'Summit for Democracy' in talks with other excluded nations
Beijing moves to bolster ties with nondemocratic countries
Coronavirus
WHO says it's not yet clear if omicron causes more severe disease
Preliminary evidence suggests higher risk of reinfection from the variant, agency says