US jobs market softening; slumping productivity boosts labor costs

By Lucia Mutikani WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits increased last week as the labor market gradually softens amid higher interest rates, which are cooling demand in the economy. But borrowing costs could remain elevated for a while, with other data on Thursday showing labor costs surged in…

Read More

Albemarle aims to use new lithium tech in Chile as govt broadens control

By Ernest Scheyder (Reuters) – Albemarle Corp plans to deploy new lithium filtration technologies in Chile as the government moves to broader control over its vast lithium sector and expand production of the metal used to make electric vehicle (EV) batteries, Chief Executive Kent Masters said on Thursday. While lithium for years has typically been…

Read More

Westinghouse unveils small modular nuclear reactor

By Timothy Gardner WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. company Westinghouse unveiled plans on Thursday for a small modular reactor to generate virtually emissions-free electricity that could replace coal plants or power water desalinization and other industries. Rita Baranwal, the Westinghouse Electricity Co’s top technology officer, said the reactor, dubbed AP300 for its planned 300 Megawatt capacity,…

Read More