Son of jailed Hong Kong activist, U.S. congressman slam UK, Vatican over rights weakness

By David Brunnstrom and Michael Martina WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The British son of jailed Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai and a leading Catholic U.S. congressman criticized Britain and the Vatican on Wednesday for failing to speak out strongly against the crackdown on dissent in the Chinese territory. At a Washington event about the human…

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EU decision clearing $69 billion Microsoft, Activision deal expected May 15, sources say

By Foo Yun Chee BRUSSELS (Reuters) – EU antitrust regulators are set to approve Microsoft Corp’s $69 billion acquisition of Activision next week, with May 15 as the likeliest date, people familiar with the matter said. The European Commission’s imminent clearance comes nearly three weeks after the UK competition authority blocked the deal, the biggest-ever…

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Panasonic delays production of new Tesla battery to improve performance

By Hyunjoo Jin and Kiyoshi Takenaka SAN FRANCISCO/TOKYO (Reuters) – Panasonic said on Wednesday that it will delay the commercial production of its 4680 battery cells championed by Tesla CEO Elon Musk and begin operations during the April to September period in 2024, later than previously scheduled, as the company aims to improve their performance. …

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Analysis-Pakistan’s deepening political crisis douses hopes for IMF relief

By Karin Strohecker, Jorgelina do Rosario and Ariba Shahid LONDON/KARACHI (Reuters) -The political crisis engulfing Pakistan is eroding hopes that the South Asian country can get its much needed programme with the International Monetary Fund back on track soon and escape a full-blown debt crunch, analysts said. Deadly clashes between supporters of Imran Khan and…

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Pakistan calls in army to stop protest violence after ex-PM Khan’s arrest

By Gibran Naiyyar Peshimam, Asif Shahzad and Ariba Shahid ISLAMABAD (Reuters) -Pakistan’s government called in the army on Wednesday to help end deadly unrest in the wake of the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan, warning protesters against any further attacks on state installations. At least five people have died in violence that has…

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India’s ruling BJP trails Congress in Karnataka state election – exit polls

By YP Rajesh NEW DELHI (Reuters) – India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is trailing the main opposition Congress party in elections held on Wednesday in the southern state of Karnataka, but neither seemed set for a clear win, TV exit polls showed. The election in Karnataka, where BJP led the outgoing government, is the…

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Analysis-Investors’ route to post-COVID China is via Europe

By Alun John and Ankur Banerjee LONDON/SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Investors are getting more bang for their buck this year by buying European companies with a focus on China than buying Chinese companies themselves, a sign of the unevenness of China’s pandemic recovery and geopolitical concerns. Late last year, China dismantled its strict zero-COVID policy, helping…

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