H&M leads Europe’s STOXX 600 higher, rate hike jitters weigh

By Amruta Khandekar, Matteo Allievi, Bansari Mayur Kamdar (Reuters) -European shares edged higher on Thursday with Swedish retailer H&M rallying on stronger-than-expected quarterly profit, but economic data from both sides of the Atlantic and hawkish signals from major central bankers weighed on markets. The pan-European STOXX 600 index closed 0.1% higher. Shares of H&M climbed…

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Biden admin has been discussing possible executive action on affirmative action – source

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Joe Biden’s administration has in recent weeks been discussing possible executive actions he could take in response to the Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action, a source familiar with the matter said on Thursday. Earlier on Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down race-conscious admissions programs at Harvard University and the…

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Stellantis puts Michigan plants in ‘critical status’ ahead of union talks

By Bianca Flowers (Reuters) – Carmaker Stellantis will require union employees to work mandatory overtime at its Warren Truck assembly and Jefferson North factory in Michigan, to boost Jeep SUV production ahead of a potential strike deadline in September, according to a document shared with Reuters. Stellantis told workers at both facilities the plants will…

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Lebanon economic crisis worsened by vested interests, IMF says

By Maya Gebeily BEIRUT (Reuters) -Lebanon’s financial crisis has been aggravated by vested interests resisting crucial reforms, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Thursday, warning that no action could lead the country “down an unpredictable road”. The nearly four-year economic meltdown has cost the local currency roughly 98% of its value, seen GDP contract…

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Sri Lanka targets 30% haircut for international, domestic dollar bonds

By Uditha Jayasinghe COLOMBO (Reuters) -Sri Lanka is asking international bondholders to take a 30% haircut and is seeking similar concessions from investors in its domestic dollar-denominated notes as it seeks to overhaul its massive debt, its central bank governor said on Thursday. Unveiling details of the long-awaited plan, central bank governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said…

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