Reuters Morning Digest: February 18, 2019

Click to View in Browser Monday, February 18, 2019 Alibaba is the force behind hit Chinese Communist Party app: sources A Chinese government propaganda app that recently became a huge hit was developed by Alibaba, two people at the company told Reuters, at a time when the nation's tech firms are under global scrutiny over their ties to Beijing. China unveil guidelines for developing 'Greater Bay Area': Xinhua China's cabinet on Monday issued guidelines for developing a "Greater Bay Area" around the Pearl River Delta, in a bid to spur growth and transformation in Guangdong province and the cities of Hong Kong and Macau. World stocks lifted to 2-1/2 month highs by trade optimism Hopes of progress in Sino-U.S. trade talks and expectations of policy stimulus from central banks lifted world stocks to 2-1/2 month highs on Monday, though European gains were dampened by concerns over the car sector's outlook. Facebook needs independent ethical oversight: UK lawmakers Facebook and other big tech companies should be subject to a compulsory code of ethics to tackle the spread of fake news, the abuse of users' data and the bullying of smaller firms, British lawmakers said on Monday. Japan approves test of iPS cells for treating spinal injuries Japanese scientists will test the use of human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) to treat spinal cord injuries, a health ministry panel that approved the research project said on Monday. NHL roundup: Blues shut out Wild, win tenth straight Rookie Jordan Binnington recorded his second straight shutout and the third consecutive for the St. Louis Blues, who breezed to a franchise-high-tying 10th straight win with Sunday's 4-0 victory over the Minnesota Wild in Saint Paul, Minn. Sexism still an issue, says Parton, as '9 to 5 the Musical' opens Nearly 40 years after playing a secretary who takes revenge on her sexist boss in "9 to 5", Dolly Parton again beat the drum for gender equality at the West End premiere of a musical version of her hit 1980 movie. We've got this mountain of trash - why don't we ski down it? What to do with the mountain of garbage a major metropolitan area produces is an age-old question. Copenhagen has come up with a brand-new answer: ski down the mountain. Related Video Japan PM holds back comment on Trump Nobel nomination U.S. lawmakers warn against Trump 'emergency' Great Debate Cox: AT&T opens itself up to activist attack Cox: Amsterdam has first-world financial dilemma A daily digest of breaking business news, coverage of the US economy, major corporate news and the financial markets. Register Today The latest Reuters articles on M&A, IPOs, private equity, hedge funds and regulatory updates delivered to your inbox each day. Register Today » » MORE NEWSLETTERS - 3 Times Square New York, NY 10036 USA © Copyright 2019 Thomson Reuters Ensure delivery of Reuters Newsmails, add newsletters@email.reuters.com to your address book. Subscribe to other Reuters newsletters. Unsubscribe from this newsletter. Follow us on Twitter Friend us on Facebook