Analysis-Ukraine war: Belgorod incursion may stretch Russia’s defences

By Tom Balmforth, Anna Dabrowska LONDON/KYIV (Reuters) -A two-day incursion from Ukraine into Russia’s western borderlands could force the Kremlin to divert troops from front lines as Kyiv prepares a major counteroffensive, and deal Moscow a psychological blow, according to military analysts. Though Kyiv has denied any role, the biggest cross-border raid from Ukraine since…

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Cayman Islands regulator explores legal options after Silicon Valley Bank deposit seizure – WSJ

(Reuters) – The Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA) is exploring legal options after the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corp seized deposits held at Silicon Valley Bank’s branch in the territory, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing a government official. Cayman Islands minister of financial services and commerce André Ebanks met with some of…

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Bank of Montreal quarterly profit rises on higher interest income

(Reuters) – Bank of Montreal’s second-quarter profit jumped as higher interest rates shored up the lender’s net interest income, the Canadian bank said on Wednesday. Net income excluding one-off items rose to C$2.22 billion ($1.65 billion), or C$2.93 per share, for the three months ended April 30, compared with C$2.19 billion, or C$3.23 a share,…

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U.S. silicon photonics chip startup Ayar Labs gets AI funding boost

By Jane Lanhee Lee OAKLAND, California (Reuters) – Silicon Valley chip startup Ayar Labs raised another $25 million after its latest funding round closed, as demand has increased for faster, more energy-efficient computing for artificial intelligence applications, the company said on Wednesday. The funding will be used to accelerate commercialization of Ayar Labs’ silicon photonics…

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Analysis-US retailer holiday orders should boost transport demand, but risks loom

By Lisa Baertlein LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – The slumping U.S. transportation sector could be bouncing off a bottom as retailers start preparing for the back-to-school season and winter holidays, but political brinkmanship in Washington and interest rate hikes could threaten long-term consumer demand, economists and supply chain executives said. Retailers like Walmart and Target have…

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World balance sheet may need AI-style productivity leap: Mike Dolan

By Mike Dolan LONDON (Reuters) -Hype or hope, this year’s boom in artificial intelligence along with other productivity-enhancing tech developments may be one of few ways to sustain an increasingly fragile “global balance sheet” over coming decades. There is little doubt about the market heat, corporate alarm and social anxieties created in the mere six…

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