South Korea factory activity shrinks in April, marks longest downturn in 6 years – PMI

SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea’s factory activity shrank for a 10th consecutive month in April and for its longest streak in six years, a survey showed on Tuesday, underlining the weak global demand conditions that continue to undercut the domestic economic recovery. The S&P Global’s seasonally adjusted purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for South Korean manufacturers…

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US World Bank nominee Banga set for vote on Wednesday after 4-hour interview

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The World Bank’s 25-member executive board is set to vote on the U.S. nominee to run the World Bank, Ajay Banga, on Wednesday after completing a four-hour interview with the ex-Mastercard CEO on Monday, sources familiar with the process said. Banga, 63, the sole contender to replace departing president David Malpass, is…

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South Korea finance minister: South Korea, Japan, China cooperation more important as world economy at inflection point

INCHEON, South Korea (Reuters) – South Korea’s finance minister said on Tuesday that the trilateral cooperation between South Korea, Japan and China has became more important as the global economy stands at an inflection point. Minister Choo Kyung-ho said such cooperation would not only help the three countries, which account for more than 20% of…

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Canada’s regulator seeks information on RBC’s $13.5 billion takeover of HSBC unit

(Reuters) – Canada’s Competition Bureau on Monday sought information about Royal Bank of Canada’s $13.5 billion takeover of HSBC’s Canada business. The deal is the biggest acquisition for RBC. The last time a deal of this size was attempted in the country was in the early 1990s, when RBC wanted to acquire rival Bank of…

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Amid concerns about TikTok, Commerce details effort to secure U.S. data

By David Shepardson and Alexandra Alper WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Biden administration outlined efforts this week to address growing U.S. national security concerns on foreign companies’ handling of Americans’ data. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said at a U.S. Senate hearing the department is working “to secure our communications and technology networks and we are right…

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Wall St stocks end lower, dollar gains after data; Fed, earnings in the wings

By Sinéad Carew (Reuters) – Wall Street indexes closed slightly lower and the dollar gained with Treasury yields as investors digested Monday’s data and waited for the U.S. Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision due on Wednesday as well as key upcoming economic data and quarterly earnings reports. Crude oil prices were lower as weak economic…

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Armenian, Azerbaijani ministers hold talks in US over Karabakh dispute

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Washington on Monday as part of efforts to ease friction between the South Caucasus rivals. Tensions have flared anew after Azerbaijan installed a road checkpoint at the start of the Lachin Corridor, the only route linking Armenia to…

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