DUBAI (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates recorded over 700 new coronavirus infections on Wednesday, its highest daily increase in more than three months.

There has been a spike in new cases in recent weeks in the Gulf Arab state that had seen a generally falling trend since daily infections peaked in May.

The health ministry said on Twitter there had been 735 new cases and three deaths from COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, in the last 24 hours, up from

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Germany saw good demand for its first-ever green bond on Wednesday, in a landmark moment for Europe’s climate-focused finance drive.

Germany raised 6.5 billion euros from the 10-year bond, after investors queued up for over 33 billion euros, its finance agency said in a statement.

“With today’s issue of the government’s first green bond, we have taken an important step towards significantly strengthening Germany as a sustainable finance location,” German

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Germany is home to one of the world’s most liberalised electricity sectors, which was thrown open to competition 20 years ago. Today, Europe’s largest economy is seeking to blaze a trail in renewable energy.

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Lionel Messi’s father and agent met Barcelona club president Josep Maria Bartomeu on Wednesday to discuss the player’s wish to leave the club but the talks ended in stalemate, Spanish media reported.

Earlier, Jorge Messi said it would be “difficult” for his son to remain with Barcelona, the only club he has ever played for professionally.

The meeting lasted one-and-a-half hours and was held in a cordial atmosphere, according to media reports including sports dailies Marca and

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told his outgoing Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe that a free trade deal between their two countries would provide certainty for companies and consumers, his Downing Street office said on Wednesday.

Britain and Japan are in advanced stages of trade negotiations. After

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong’s central bank on Wednesday extended its scheme giving small companies a break from repaying the principal on loans to help them cope with the economic impact of the coronavirus.

The financial hub last month cut its full year GDP forecast to a contraction of 6%-8%, from an earlier forecast of a 4%-6% contraction.

The scheme, which covers companies with annual turnover of less than HK$800 million ($103 million),

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany’s antitrust watchdog is following closely a legal row over Apple’s App Store payment terms, saying on Wednesday it could in principle open a national inquiry.

Apple dropped Epic Games after a dispute in which the ‘Fortnite’ creator alleged that the iPhone maker’s in-

(Reuters) - Macy’s Inc ( M.N ) reported a smaller-than-expected quarterly loss and beat sales estimates on Wednesday, as shoppers stuck indoors due to the COVID-19 pandemic bought more apparel using the department store chain’s app and website.

Shares of

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Attempts by former White House adviser Steve Bannon to export President Donald Trump’s brand of populism to Europe are on the rocks, according to several of his current and former political partners in Italy and Belgium.