US FTC argues Microsoft’s deal to buy Activision should be blocked

By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Federal Trade Commission on Thursday argued in federal court for a preliminary injunction to temporarily block Microsoft’s acquisition of videogame maker Activision Blizzard. “If this deal is completed, the combined company … is likely to have the ability, an incentive, to harm competition in various markets related to…

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US, India agree to terminate six disputes at WTO -US statement

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. and India have agreed to terminate six outstanding disputes at the World Trade Organization, the U.S. Trade Representative’s office said in a statement on Thursday after a meeting between President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India also agreed to remove retaliatory tariffs on certain U.S. products including chickpeas,…

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QUOTES: Biden, Modi take careful aim at China, Russia in joint statement

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States and India declared themselves “among the closest partners in the world” on Thursday during a state visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Washington hosted by President Joe Biden. Washington has been frustrated by India’s close ties with Russia while Moscow wages war in Ukraine. Modi did not…

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Brazil unveils compensation funds in proposed tax reform

BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazil’s proposed tax reform will include compensation funds to benefit states that lose money under the changes, the bill’s coordinator, Congressman Aguinaldo Ribeiro, said on Thursday, as the proposed constitutional amendment was unveiled. The restructuring of Brazil’s notoriously complex consumption taxes, which has been attempted previously by various governments multiple times without success,…

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BlackRock announces fresh layoffs impacting less than 1% of staff – memo

By Anirudh Saligrama (Reuters) – BlackRock has announced layoffs that would impact less than 1% of its workforce as a result of budget reallocations to support critical priorities, according to a memo seen by Reuters on Thursday. The investment management firm has about 19,500 employees across more than 30 countries. BlackRock had cut 500 jobs…

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Citi will hold employees ‘accountable’ for office attendance -statement

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Citigroup will start holding employees “accountable” for compliance with hybrid work model rules, the bank said in a statement on Thursday. Bloomberg reported earlier the bank will start to check whether employees are complying with the requirement of working at least three days a week in the office. “We are committed…

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Tunisia tells IMF conditions for financial support risk unrest

(Reuters) – Tunisia’s President Kais Saied told the International Monetary Fund’s managing director that the fund’s conditions to provide financial support to the North African country risks sparking civil unrest, the Tunisian presidency said on Friday. “The President of the Republic made it clear that the International Monetary Fund’s conditions for providing financial support to…

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Lithium producers warn global supplies may not meet electric vehicle demand

By Ernest Scheyder LAS VEGAS (Reuters) – Lithium producers are growing anxious that delays in mine permitting, staffing shortages and inflation may hinder their ability to supply enough of the battery metal to meet the world’s aggressive electrification timelines. Once a niche metal used primarily in ceramics and pharmaceuticals, lithium is now one of the…

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