Microsoft’s plan to buy video game giant Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion could have major effects on the gaming industry, transforming the Xbox maker into something like a Netflix for video games by giving it control of many more popular titles. But to get to the next level, Microsoft must first survive a barrage of…
BERLIN (Reuters) -Germany’s Lufthansa on Thursday said it would do everything possible to minimise the effects of a pilots’ strike set to begin on Friday and defended its offer during wage talks. The union, Vereinigung Cockpit (VC), said late on Wednesday that pay talks had failed and the strike would affect both passenger and cargo…
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — The International Monetary Fund announced Thursday it has reached a preliminary agreement to provide Sri Lanka with $2.9 billion over four years to help it recover from its worst economic crisis. The arrangement will help restore financial and macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability as well as enable the country’s growth…
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey on Thursday hailed economic and educational cooperation with Taiwan, marked by a $12 billion investment in his state by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. Ducey spoke during a meeting with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, in the latest of a series of visits by U.S. political leaders that have…
By Jorgelina do Rosario and David Lawder (Reuters) – Zambia won International Monetary Fund approval for a $1.3 billion, 38-month loan program on Wednesday, a crucial step in the southern African country’s quest to restructure its debts and rebuild an economy ravaged by mismanagement and COVID-19. The IMF said in a statement that the new…
(Reuters) – Amazon.com Inc introduced a new service on Wednesday to help its sellers store bulk inventory and ease distribution to tackle supply chain issues, the company said in a blog post. In 2023, sellers will be able to use the new service called Amazon Warehousing & Distribution (AWD) to send their inventory to any…
TOKYO (AP) — A small robot with a clip-like hand and enough smarts to know which drinks are popular is part of an effort to make convenience stores even more convenient. On a recent day in Tokyo, the robot named TX SCARA slid back and forth behind the refrigerated shelves in the back of a…
By Leika Kihara TOKYO (Reuters) – Asia’s factory activity slumped in August as China’s zero COVID curbs and cost pressures continued to hurt businesses, surveys showed on Thursday, darkening the outlook for the region’s fragile economic recovery. Manufacturing activity was weak in countries ranging from Japan, China, South Korea to Taiwan in a sign sluggish…
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s factory activity contracted for the first time in three months in August amid weakening demand, while power shortages and fresh COVID-19 flare-ups disrupted production, a private sector survey showed on Thursday. The Caixin/Markit manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) slid to 49.5 in August from 50.4 in July, missing analysts’ expectation for…
SEOUL, Sep 1 (Reuters) – South Korea’s factory activity shrank in August by the sharpest pace in two years, on weakening demand amid high inflation, rising interest rates and the war in Ukraine, a private-sector survey showed on Thursday. The S&P Global purchasing managers’ index (PMI) fell to a seasonally-adjusted 47.6 in August from 49.8…
