US jobless claims rise for second week as virus cases

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits has risen for the second consecutive week, as states re-introduce lockdown measures to deal with a surge in coronavirus cases. Another 778-thousand people lodged jobless claims last week, compared with 748-thousand in the week prior. But the latest figures show the number of people continuing to claim benefits has dipped to 6-point-1 million.

Hong Kong's Lam vows closer Beijing ties to revive economy

Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam has pledged to strengthen ties with mainland China in a bid to revive the economy. In her annual policy address, Lam said the government's priority was to restore order following last year's political unrest. The protests, together with the pandemic, have pushed the Asian financial hub into its worst recession on record.

YouTube suspends OANN over COVID-19 misinformation

YouTube has temporarily suspended the right-wing cable channel, One America News Network, for repeatedly violating the site's policy on sharing COVID-19 misinformation. O-A-N-N will be barred from posting new videos and live streams for one week, and the channel will also be demonetised for the length of the suspension.