BlackRock says AI ‘mega-force’ to buck tough macro trend

(Reuters) – Shares of AI-focused companies will be a major driver of returns for developed markets in a tough economic environment, BlackRock Investment Institute said, citing an unusually concentrated rally in a handful of technology stocks. It said the extent of the concentration of gains on the S&P 500 surpassed levels seen in the 2000s…

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Guatemalan presidential contender pitches closer China ties

By Enrique Garcia GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) -An anti-corruption presidential candidate in Guatemala, whose surprise showing in a first-round election on Sunday means he will contest a runoff vote in August, said on Tuesday he would pursue closer relations with China if he wins. “We need to work on our trade relations and expand them in…

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Panama pledges to purge more substandard ships from world’s largest registry

PANAMA CITY (Reuters) – The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) said on Tuesday it would continue to clean up its fleet to prevent substandard Panama-flagged ships from being detained in foreign ports, a week after the country was added to an international watch list. Panama’s ships registry was last week added to the “grey list” of…

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Mexico’s Nuvocargo snags $36.5 million in investment tied to US-Mexico trade

By Valentine Hilaire MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexican shipping startup Nuvocargo announced on Tuesday it had raised $36.5 million in a new round led by QED Investors, as nearshoring offer new trade opportunities between Mexico and the U.S. The round, which also included participation from NFX and Tiger Global, will allow Nuvocargo to cover the…

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Four more arrested in smuggling incident that killed 53 migrants in Texas

By Daniel Trotta (Reuters) – U.S. officials in Texas have arrested four Mexicans who were indicted on suspicion of operating a human smuggling ring responsible for the deaths a year ago of 53 migrants packed into a truck during sweltering heat, the Justice Department said on Tuesday. Dozens of migrants from Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras…

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Volvo EVs to now have access to Tesla superchargers

(Reuters) – Swedish carmaker Volvo Cars said on Tuesday it had signed an agreement with Tesla to give its electric vehicles (EVs) access to the EV maker’s Supercharger network in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The deal makes Volvo the first European automaker to adopt Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS), adding to the…

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Analysis-Mexico’s Lopez Obrador has a farm problem

By Cassandra Garrison MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Escalating tensions with farmers may prove a stumbling block for Mexico’s ruling party in next year’s elections, experts said, as resentment builds over low grains prices, a trade conflict with the U.S., and a perceived lack of government support. Elections in June 2024 will not only usher in…

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Honduras military takes over prisons after dozens die in riot

TEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) – Honduras’ military began taking control of the country’s violent prisons on Monday, following a gang dispute that left 46 inmates dead at a women’s detention center last week, officials said. Leftist President Xiomara Castro announced last week she would hand the military police control of the prison system, a departure from a…

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Analysis-Emergence of Guatemalan anti-graft champion shakes up election

By Sofia Menchu GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) -Guatemalans fed up with persistent graft scandals on Sunday catapulted an unheralded anti-corruption candidate into a run-off for the presidency, raising hopes of a renewed drive to clean up the government after years of frustration. Bernardo Arevalo, an ex-diplomat and son of former president Juan Jose Arevalo, defied poll…

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