VBank: Innovative mobile banking app

India is expected to launch a digital version of its currency, the rupee. The plan for the sovereign-backed digital currency comes as the popularity of cryptocurrencies is on the rise.

South Koreans went to the polls on Wednesday March 9 to elect a new president. Perhaps unsurprisingly for one of the most connected countries in the world, candidates for the top job used technology in a bid to connect with as many voters as possible, especially younger ones. Our correspondents report on the digital tools that have shaped the election campaign, from AI-generated clones of candidates to metaverse virtual reality platforms.

Russia has this week widened its military offensive in Ukraine. For the first time, Russian forces have now begun striking targets in the west of the country. But as well as bombarding new cities Russia has continued its bombardment of Mariupol in the South and Sumy as well as Kharkiv to the east. Satellite images of the long-awaited Russian convoy suggest that it is now attempting to encircle the capital, Kyiv.

Russia this week widened its military offensive in Ukraine. For the first time, Russian forces have begun striking targets in the west of the country. But in addition to bombarding new cities, Russia is continuing its bombardment of Mariupol in the south, as well as Sumy and Kharkiv to the northeast. Satellite images of the long-awaited Russian convoy suggest that it is attempting to encircle the capital, Kyiv.

The French bank BNP Paribas has told its customers it will no longer process transactions in Russia after the end of March, as it halts all new projects in the country. BNP's Russian business is relatively small - with €1.3 billion of exposure to the market - but the move is symbolic as other lenders consider their position in the country. Also today, we hear from the Ukrainian farmers who are continuing to work the land amid fears for food production due to the war.

French car giant Renault announced Wednesday it was immediately suspending operations at its Moscow factory after Kyiv called for a boycott of the company for remaining in Russia.

Exiled Russian oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky says Russian President Vladimir Putin "is stuck" in Ukraine and has only two options going forward.

A decree signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin stipulates that Western countries must start paying for gas through a Russian bank that will transfer foreign currency into rubles.

A decree signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin stipulates that Western countries must start paying for gas through a Russian bank that will transfer foreign currency into rubles.

We take a look at some examples of content shared by pro-Russian Twitter and TikTok accounts related to the recent Bucha massacre in Ukraine. One shows a body being dragged by Ukrainian soldiers using a metal chord. In reality, this had nothing with a staging of the massacre; the images were filmed by AP and show Ukrainian soldiers removing a dead body that they feared had been booby-trapped.

The coronavirus pandemic forced many companies to halt business travel almost overnight. The economic consequences for airlines and hotels have been dramatic, leaving many to wonder if corporate travel will bounce back.