GM buys Israel-based software startup to detect early battery defects

(Reuters) – General Motors said on Friday it had acquired Algolion Ltd, an Israel-based software startup that helps detect problems in batteries. GM said Algolion’s software will help the Detroit automaker bring to the market a “cost-effective” early hazard detection system at a quicker pace. The deal, for an undisclosed sum, comes at a time…

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Survivors of Greece boat disaster say coastguard rope toppled boat

MALAKASA/KALAMATA, Greece (Reuters) – Survivors of a boat disaster that likely killed hundreds of migrants near Greece have given accounts of traffickers in North Africa cramming them into a clapped-out fishing trawler. They recounted hellish conditions above and below deck, with no food or water. Some also said the tragic end, when it came, was…

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Swedish PM says Hungary’s Orban still promises not to delay NATO accession

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – Sweden’s prime minister said on Friday his Hungarian counterpart had assured him that Budapest would not delay the Nordic country’s NATO accession, following reports that Hungary’s parliament would delay a ratification of the membership. Sweden applied last year to join NATO following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but Turkey and Hungary have so…

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Oil settles higher, trade choppy as tight supply vie with rate hike fear

By Arathy Somasekhar HOUSTON (Reuters) -Oil prices settled higher on Thursday after flip flopping during the session, supported by a bigger draw than expected in U.S. crude inventories but pressured by fears that rising interest rates could dent global economic growth. Brent crude futures rose 31 cents, or 0.4%, to $74.34 a barrel. U.S. West…

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Lebanon economic crisis worsened by vested interests, IMF says

By Maya Gebeily BEIRUT (Reuters) -Lebanon’s financial crisis has been aggravated by vested interests resisting crucial reforms, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Thursday, warning that no action could lead the country “down an unpredictable road”. The nearly four-year economic meltdown has cost the local currency roughly 98% of its value, seen GDP contract…

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Israel’s Herzog to address joint meeting of US Congress on July 19

By Rami Ayyub WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. lawmakers on Thursday invited Israel’s president to address a joint meeting of Congress on July 19, a top honor aimed at celebrating Israel’s 75th birthday even as tensions rise with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing government. Isaac Herzog’s address will be the first by an Israeli president, a largely…

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