Business

Starbucks has closed over half of its Chinese stores amid coronavirus spread, adjusting operations to support government prevention measures. The coffee giant's CEO delayed 2020 profit forecasts due to the outbreak's significant impact on its biggest international market.

Following Kobe Bryant's sudden death, fans worldwide rapidly purchased Lakers jerseys, Nike shoes, and memorial merchandise. Nike confirmed complete sellout of Bryant's product line, with online and physical stores experiencing unprecedented demand for commemorative items.

As the novel coronavirus continues to spread, major Chinese companies like Tencent, ByteDance, and Country Garden are advising employees, especially those in Hubei province, to work from home. The government has extended the Lunar New Year holiday to help contain the virus outbreak.

A 61-year-old postal worker in Japan is facing criminal charges after storing 24,000 undelivered letters at his home. The postman admitted to keeping the mail because he found delivering them too troublesome, leading to his immediate termination and a potential prison sentence.

In response to the spreading coronavirus, Philippine Airlines announces free flight changes for passengers traveling to and from select Chinese cities between January 24 and February 9. Travelers can request refunds, rebooking, or rerouting without penalties, ensuring maximum travel flexibility during the health crisis.

Acer and Asustek remain among world's top PC vendors, ranking 5th and 6th respectively with 14.76 and 14.48 million units sold, though experiencing slight market share reduction from previous year.

Wuhan, China's "motor city," faces severe disruption as coronavirus containment measures shut down transportation and manufacturing. Major automobile companies like Renault, Honda, and PSA Group experience significant challenges amid travel restrictions and ongoing health crisis.

British government officials recommend restricting Huawei's involvement in the UK's 5G network, blocking the company from sensitive core infrastructure and government systems due to potential security risks and ongoing tensions with the United States.

A new deadly coronavirus strain emerging in China is causing significant economic uncertainty. Analysts warn of potential staggering GDP impacts if the outbreak reaches epidemic proportions. Asian stocks and industries like airlines and tourism are already experiencing substantial losses, drawing comparisons to the 2002-2003 SARS epidemic.

The United Nations' International Labor Organization (ILO) expressed deep concern about global employment, reporting nearly 190.5 million unemployed individuals worldwide. ILO chief Guy Ryder highlighted the situation as "worse than previously thought," with 285 million people experiencing underemployment that doesn't match their skills and education.