Mining M&A spree to keep Australia dealmaking humming after $37 billion in first quarter

By Melanie Burton and Scott Murdoch MELBOURNE (Reuters) – As automakers and chemicals suppliers scramble to secure raw materials, resource-rich Australia has become a rare global bright spot with $37 billion worth of M&A deals in the first quarter, with the trend expected to continue in the near term. The increased dealmaking activity is forecast…

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Volkswagen increases Q1 sales despite weaker China business

BERLIN (Reuters) – Volkswagen significantly increased deliveries in the first quarter despite weaker business in China, its most important single market, the German carmaker said on Friday. The group delivered 2.04 million vehicles to customers worldwide, up 7.5% compared with the same quarter last year, while in China, sales fell 14.5% to 644,500 vehicles. Sales…

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Zambia says it’s close to MoU with official creditors on debt relief

By Chris Mfula LUSAKA (Reuters) – Zambia’s official creditors are close to signing a memorandum of understanding on debt relief, Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane said on Friday. Zambia became the first African country to default on its sovereign debt during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, but it has struggled to finalise restructuring talks on external…

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Exclusive-Lilly expects US Medicare to reverse course, fully cover Alzheimer’s drugs

By Deena Beasley and Julie Steenhuysen (Reuters) – Eli Lilly and Co expects the U.S. Medicare health plan to back down from strict coverage limits on new Alzheimer’s drugs as more evidence emerges in coming weeks showing that clearing amyloid brain plaques can help patients, a company executive told Reuters. Lilly plans to release results…

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Activists mark Earth Day as scientists warn of more extreme weather

By David Stanway SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Volunteers in dozens of countries were set to plant trees, clean up trash and urge governments to do more to combat climate change to mark Earth Day, as scientists warn of more extreme weather and record temperatures this year. The run-up to the 54th annual celebration of the environment,…

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Factbox-Lithium key element for electric vehicle ramp up

(Reuters) – Chile, the world’s second largest lithium producer, said it plans to transfer control of the production of the mineral essential for electric vehicle (EV) batteries to a new state-owned company. Here are key facts about lithium and EVs: WHAT IS LITHIUM? The silvery-white element is the lightest metal and highly reactive, giving it…

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