White House looks to help smaller cities get infrastructure boost
By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The White House and philanthropic agencies are working to make it easier for smaller cities and counties to apply for funding under a $1 trillion infrastructure law that aims to rebuild U.S. roads, bridges, airports and expand broadband access.
Oceans are hotter, higher and more acidic, climate report warns
By Jake Spring (Reuters) -The worlds oceans grew to their warmest and most acidic levels on record last year, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Wednesday, as United Nations officials warned that war in Ukraine threatened global climate commitments.
World in no better place to fight pandemics than before COVID – review
By Jennifer Rigby LONDON (Reuters) -The world is no better prepared for a new pandemic than it was when coronavirus emerged in 2019 and may actually be in a worse place given the economic toll, according to a panel set up by the World Health Organization (WHO) to evaluate the
Air Canada sees business travel rebound as early as Sept., executive says
MONTREAL (Reuters) – Air Canada sees higher-margin business travel coming “quite close” to pre-pandemic levels by as early as September, in the latest encouraging sign for the once hard-hit sector, a top executive told Reuters.
Factbox-Surging food prices fuel protests across developing world
(Reuters) – The war in Ukraine and drought fuelled by climate change has sent global prices for grains, cooking oils, fuel and fertilizer soaring.
Russian economic growth slows to 3.5% y/y in Q1 – Rosstat
(Reuters) – The Russian economy expanded by 3.5% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2022 after growing 5% in the previous quarter, data from federal statistics service Rosstat showed on Wednesday.
Exclusive-EU set to clear Volkswagens Europcar deal without conditions – sources
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – EU antitrust regulators are expected to approve without conditions a Volkswagen-led consortiums 2.9 billion euro ($3 billion) bid for Europcar, people familiar with the matter said.
Russia allows 15 companies to remain listed abroad – finance ministry
(Reuters) – Russia has given 15 companies including metals giant Nornickel and liquefied natural gas producer Novatek approval to remain listed on foreign exchanges, the finance ministry said on Wednesday.
With troops in Ukraine, Russias defence spending leaps 40%
(Reuters) – Russia‘s defence spending was up nearly 40% in the first four months of the year, according to preliminary data released by the finance ministry on Wednesday, almost three months into Moscow’s large-scale military campaign in Ukraine.
Reinsurer SCOR tightens oil sector cover over carbon emissions
By Simon Jessop and Tassilo Hummel LONDON (Reuters) – SCOR, the worlds fourth-biggest reinsurer, said on Wednesday it would stop covering new oil field production projects from 2023 unless the company involved had an acceptable plan to reach net-zero emissions by mid-century.
Stellantis to start reshuffle of dealer network next year
VERONA, Italy (Reuters) – Stellantis will start a reshuffle of its European dealers network next year from Austria, Belgium and the Netherlands, and its van and premium brands in all markets, its regional sales chief said on Wednesday.
Column-Yellen could face G7 pressure on dollar: McGeever
By Jamie McGeever ORLANDO, Fla. (Reuters) – U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has barely made any public comment on the dollars exchange rate since she assumed office in January last year, but she may have to find her voice soon.
Tesla removed from S&P 500 ESG index on autopilot, discrimination concerns
BOSTON (Reuters) – S&P Dow Jones Indices has removed electric carmaker Tesla Inc from its widely-followed S&P 500 ESG Index, citing issues including racial discrimination claims against the company and its handling of a government investigation after crashes linked to its autopilot vehicles.
Swiss National Bank not a hostage to other central banks – Jordan
BADEN, Switzerland (Reuters) – The Swiss National Bank is not hostage to other central banks and decides its own independent monetary policy, SNB Chairman Thomas Jordan said on Wednesday.
Russian mobile operator MTS reports 76.2% y/y slump in Q1 net profit
(Reuters) – Russias biggest mobile operator MTS on Wednesday reported a 76.2% year-on-year drop in first-quarter net profit to 3.9 billion roubles ($62.9 million), which it blamed in part on higher interest rates.
Wells Fargo sees end of year U.S. recession, cuts GDP view
(Reuters) – Wells Fargo Investment Institute said on Wednesday it adjusted its economic expectations to make a mild U.S. recession its base case for the end of 2022 and early 2023 based on economic data.
Rogue trader, euro zone crisis and war, Socgen‘s CEO ends ’bumpy ride at top
By John ODonnell and Julien Ponthus FRANKFURT/LONDON (Reuters) – Societe Generale CEO Frederic Oudea, who navigated the French bank through a rogue trading scandal and the euro zone crisis, will leave next year, ending a tumultuous 15 years at the top.
UK reveals rainbow 50p coin to mark 50th anniversary of Pride
LONDON (Reuters) – Britains Royal Mint unveiled a special new commemorative rainbow-coloured 50 pence coin on Wednesday as a tribute to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Pride UK movement.
Schroders to oppose Amazon, Meta, Alphabet over worker, digital rights
By Simon Jessop LONDON (Reuters) – Schroders, Britain‘s biggest listed asset manager, said on Wednesday it would back a swathe of shareholder resolutions at Amazon, Meta and Google-owner Alphabet concerning workers’ and digital rights.
Care homes company Orpea: legal authorities contacted over possible wrongdoing
PARIS (Reuters) – French care homes company Orpea said on Wednesday that legal authorities had been contacted after evidence had emerged of possible wrongdoing involving the company, with shares in the company plunging by more than 10 percent.