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☆ Yandex takes step towards Russian approval for restructuring
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The logo of Russian technology giant Yandex is on display at the company's headquarters in Moscow, Russia December 9, 2022. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsMOSCOW, Oct 27 (Reuters) - Nasdaq-listed Russian tech company Yandex (YNDX.O) said on Friday it had obtained one of the approvals needed from the Russian government for its planned restructuring, which it hopes to complete by the end of 2023. Yandex, while reporting a 33% drop in third-quarter adjusted net income, said its board remained committed to completing the restructuring and divesting all Russia-based businesses. It said class A shareholders had now given consent for the merger of certain intermediate Dutch holding companies into Yandex NV. Yandex said it planned to take a restructuring proposal to shareholders for approval by the end of 2023.

Persons: Evgenia, Yandex, Alexander Marrow, Jason Neely, Mark Potter Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Nasdaq, Yandex, Moscow, Reuters, Yandex NV, Thomson Locations: Moscow, Russia, Ukraine, nationalising, Washington

☆ Nigerian naira hits record black market low -abokiFx
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

ABUJA, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Nigeria's naira hit a record low of 1,300 per dollar on the black market on Thursday, online platform abokiFX showed, driven by thin trading volumes on the parallel market and dollar shortages on the official market. The naira has been in free fall on the unofficial market, where it trades freely, after currency restrictions were lifted on the official market. Last month, the currency slid past 1,000 naira per dollar on the black market and has continued to weaken. On the official market, the naira recovered to 775 to the dollar from a record low of 999 it touched last week. It kept losing ground, however, on the black market due to thin trading.

Persons: naira, Yemi Cardoso, Wale Edun, Chijioke, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: Finance, Thomson Locations: ABUJA, Nigeria

☆ Chinese attendance at Saudi conference doubles as Riyadh courts Beijing
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Pesha Magid | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A Saudi man's reflection is seen in mirror glass at the Future Investment Initiative conference, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, October 25, 2022. REUTERS/ Ahmed Yosri/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsRIYADH, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Around 300 Chinese "decision makers" are attending Saudi Arabia's flagship investment conference this year, organisers said on Thursday, double last year's attendance as Riyadh deepens its relationship with China despite U.S. concerns. In defiance of its key Western ally, Prince Mohammed invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit the kingdom and launched a Chinese-Arab summit. In August, the BRICs group of nations, which includes China, invited Saudi Arabia to become a new member of the bloc. Saudi Arabia is halfway through an ambitious economic transformation plan - Vision 2030 - to wean the economy off oil by creating new industries, generating jobs for citizens, and luring in foreign capital and talent.

Persons: Ahmed Yosri, Richard Attias, Attias, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Joe Biden, Prince Mohammed, Xi Jinping, ” Attias, Morgan, Jamie Dimon, Citi's Jane Fraser, Yoon Suk Yeol, William Ruto, Paul Kagame, Pesha Magid, Aziz El Yaakoubi, Christina Fincher Organizations: Future Investment Initiative, REUTERS, Rights, Saudi, FII Institute, Wall Street, Washington, Wall, HSBC, Standard Chartered, Kenyan, Rwandan, Thomson Locations: Saudi, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Rights RIYADH, China, Gaza, Asia

☆ With eye on China, EU maps out de-risking, economic security strategies
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Philip Blenkinsop | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

EU also relied on China during the COVID pandemic for protective equipment and now for medicines and pharmaceutical raw materials. ECONOMIC SECURITY STRATEGYA reassessment of risk due to rising geopolitical tensions is also a key part of the European Economic Security Strategy unveiled in June. The strategy focuses on risks to supply chain resilience, physical and cyber security of critical infrastructure, technology security and leakage and weaponisation of economic dependencies or economic coercion. However, while the economic strategy does not name China, it talks of partnering with link-minded countries and de-risking, its policy of reducing reliance on China. The Commission, which oversees EU trade policy, has said the strategy, including the assessments, will be carried out with EU governments.

Persons: Philip Blenkinsop, Nick Macfie Organizations: European Union, EU, European Economic Security, European Commission, Commission, The, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, China, Ukraine, U.S, Russia, EU, Moscow, Brussels

☆ Japan’s property sector sees ‘golden period’ as foreign investments surge 45%
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesForeign investments into Japan's real estate sector have been flourishing in the past year, buoyed by a weak Japanese yen as the country's central bank maintains its ultra-loose monetary policy. "It is a golden period of Japanese real estate," Henry Chin, head of Asia-Pacific research at CBRE, told CNBC. Foreign investors almost doubled their investment from a year ago to $2 billion in the first quarter of the year, the global real estate services company noted. According to latest data provided by CBRE, total foreign investments into Japan's real estate market has risen 45% in the first half of 2023, compared to the same period last year. The solid rebound in Japan's tourism sector following the ease in border restrictions has sparked a rise in hotel occupancies and hospitality investments, Knight Frank said in a recent September note.

Persons: Henry Chin, Chin, Koji Nato, JLL, Knight Frank, CBRE's Chin, Knight Frank's, Christine Li, David Madison Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty, CNBC, Nato LL's, Capital Markets, U.S, APAC Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Asia, Pacific, Osaka, Singapore, U.S, Canada, Magome

☆ European countries who put curbs on Huawei 5G equipment
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The European Union's industry chief Thierry Breton in June urged more EU countries to join the efforts to curb or block Huawei and ZTE equipment from the bloc's 5G telecoms networks. FRANCEFrench authorities in 2020 told telecoms operators planning to buy Huawei 5G equipment that they would not be able to renew licences for the gear once they expire, effectively phasing Huawei out of mobile networks. ITALYWhile Italy has not outright banned Huawei equipment, it prevented telecoms group Fastweb in 2020 from signing a deal for Huawei to supply equipment for its 5G network. LATVIALatvia and the U.S. signed an agreement in 2020 on 5G security aimed at limiting the operations of Chinese companies. SWEDENSweden in 2020 banned telecoms equipment from Huawei and ZTE in its 5G network.

Persons: China's, Thierry Breton, Tristan Veyet, Antonis Pothitos, Laura Lenkiewicz, Milla Nissi, Jan Harvey Organizations: China's Huawei, Huawei, DENMARK Danish, FRANCE French, ZTE, U.S, LITHUANIA Lithuania's, Thomson Locations: Germany, European, BRITAIN Britain, ESTONIA, DENMARK, FRANCE, GERMANY, ITALY, Italy, LATVIA Latvia, LITHUANIA, PORTUGAL, ROMANIA, U.S, China, SWEDEN Sweden

☆ Thailand's new prime minister courts US companies for investment
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin speaks during a press conference after a weekly cabinet meeting at the government house in Bangkok, Thailand, September 13, 2023. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Sept 22 (Reuters) - Thailand's new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin met with U.S. companies including Microsoft (MSFT.O), Google (GOOGL.O), and Estee Lauder (EL.N) in his first trip abroad since coming to power last month, looking to draw investment to boost a flagging economy. The prime minister also held talks with banks. "To service foreign investments, we will need financial institutions ... Goldman Sachs (GS.N) said they will consider setting up an office in Thailand," Srettha said. In the first six months of 2023, investment pledges to Thailand rose 70%, driven by Chinese auto investors.

Persons: Srettha Thavisin, Athit, Estee Lauder, Srettha, I've, Tesla, Elon Musk, Goldman Sachs, Chayut Setboonsarng, Lincoln Organizations: Thailand's, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Microsoft, Google, General Assembly, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK, New York

☆ Thailand's New Prime Minister Courts US Companies for Investment
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin met with U.S. companies including Microsoft, Google, and Estee Lauder in his first trip abroad since coming to power last month, looking to draw investment to boost a flagging economy. That is a challenge for Srettha, who is aiming to grow Southeast Asia's second-largest economy by 5% each year. The prime minister also held talks with banks. "To service foreign investments, we will need financial institutions ... Goldman Sachs said they will consider setting up an office in Thailand," Srettha said. In the first six months of 2023, investment pledges to Thailand rose 70%, driven by Chinese auto investors.

Persons: Srettha Thavisin, Estee Lauder, Srettha, I've, Elon Musk, Goldman Sachs, Chayut Setboonsarng, Lincoln Organizations: U.S, Microsoft, Google, General Assembly, Tesla Locations: BANGKOK, Thailand, New York

☆ State governors from Arizona, New Mexico seek stronger economic ties with Taiwan
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Katie Hobbs, Governor of the U.S. state of Arizona, speaks during the 2023 U.S. Business Day and Taiwan-U.S. Supply Chain Partnership Forum in Taipei, Taiwan September 19, 2023. Governors from the Southwestern United States are pursuing stronger business ties with Taiwan in hopes of attracting new foreign investments and jobs to their landlocked states. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Arizona counterpart Katie Hobbs, both Democrats, to the self-governing island of Taiwan. Hobbs said her goal was to encourage ongoing investments to make Arizona a hub for semiconductor manufacturing. She met Monday with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing executives and suppliers, visiting their plant as well as water treatment facilities.

Persons: Katie Hobbs, Michelle Lujan Grisham, Hobbs, Joe Biden, Biden, Lujan Grisham, Cable –, Republican —, Gretchen Whitmer, Eric Holcomb Organizations: Business, U.S, Supply Chain Partnership, Governors, Southwestern, Trade, Gov, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Democratic, Congress, Tuesday, America, General, — Democratic, Republican, Republican Indiana Gov, Solar Technologies, U.S . Department of Energy Locations: U.S ., Arizona, Taiwan, Taipei, Southwestern United States, New Mexico, U.S, Santa Teresa , New Mexico, Mexico, Beijing, Michigan, Japan, Singapore, Albuquerque , New Mexico, South Korea

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Governors from the Southwestern United States are pursuing stronger business ties with Taiwan in hopes of attracting new foreign investments and jobs to their landlocked states. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Arizona counterpart Katie Hobbs, both Democrats, to the self-governing island of Taiwan. Hobbs said her goal was to encourage ongoing investments to make Arizona a hub for semiconductor manufacturing. She met Monday with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. executives and suppliers, visiting their plant as well as water treatment facilities. At a business conference in Taipei on Tuesday, Lujan Grisham urged entrepreneurs and leaders to consider investment opportunities in her home state, touting a workforce with access to subsidized child care and tuition-free college.

Persons: Michelle Lujan Grisham, Katie Hobbs, Hobbs, Joe Biden, Biden, Lujan Grisham, Cable –, Republican —, Gretchen Whitmer, Eric Holcomb, ___ Tang Organizations: SANTA FE, — Governors, Southwestern, Trade, Gov, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, Congress, Tuesday, U.S, America, General, — Democratic, Republican, Republican Indiana Gov, Solar Technologies, U.S . Department of Energy Locations: SANTA, Southwestern United States, Taiwan, New Mexico, Arizona, U.S, Taipei, Santa Teresa , New Mexico, Mexico, Beijing, Michigan, Japan, Singapore, Albuquerque , New Mexico, South Korea, Phoenix

☆ In a US showdown with China, there are some missions with no special-operations 'easy button'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Stavros Atlamazoglou | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Special-operations forces have been a centerpiece of US military operations for two decades. US leaders should remember that special operators aren't suited for some tasks, one expert says. But in an era of strategic competition with China, there are some missions with no special-ops "easy button," according to David Ucko, a professor and expert on irregular warfare. First, the US special-operations community should consolidate its core strengths, particularly irregular warfare, which is "highly relevant" to strategic competition with China. US Navy SEALs train with Philippine Navy special-operations and Australian army special-operations troops in Palawan in April 2022.

Persons: David Ucko, David Devich, Ucko, US Army John F, Mario A, Ramirez, Jared N, Stavros Atlamazoglou Organizations: Service, US Special Forces, US Army, Royal United Services Institute, China, Air Force, RAF Mildenhall, US Air Force, Tech, Westin Warburton, Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, State, Justice, Treasury, US Navy, Philippine Navy, US Marine Corps, Army Green Beret, Philippine National Police, Coast Guard, British SAS, Commonwealth, Group, SAS, Allies, Army Delta Force, Delta Force, US Army Rangers, US Army Green Berets, Psychological Operations, Boat Service, Hellenic Army, 575th Marine Battalion, Army, Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins, School, International Locations: China, Wall, Silicon, SOF, Afghanistan's Ghazni, British, Russia, North Carolina, Palawan, Ukraine, Taiwan, North Africa, Iraq, Afghanistan, Johns

☆ Indonesia is moving its capital from Jakarta to Nusantara. Here's why it won't be so easy
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Charmaine Jacob | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Adek Berry | Afp | Getty ImagesIndonesia has ambitious plans to relocate its capital from Jakarta to Nusantara in East Kalimantan. Nusantara National Capital Authority, a government agency charged with planning and constructing the new capital, did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment. The new Presidential Palace under construction at the country's new capital Nusantara. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesA lack of demand for service-led jobs is another challenge Archer predicted. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Persons: Adek Berry, Joko Widodo's, Melinda Martinus, Martinus, Ju Ye Lee, Bagus Saragih, Agung Wicaksono, it's, Wicaksono, Bruno Lanvin, Joko Widodo, Diane Archer, Archer, Lanvin, Maybank's Lee Organizations: Nusantara, Afp, Getty, Indonesia, Cultural Affairs, Yusof, CNBC, Nusantara National Capital Authority, country's Ministry, Public, Agung Wicaksono Nusantara National Capital Authority, Maybank Investment Banking Group, Smart, IMD Business School, Bloomberg, Ciputra, Stockholm Environment Institute, Nusantara . Bloomberg Locations: Jakarta, Nusantara, East Kalimantan, Indonesian, Indonesia, Singapore, Agung Wicaksono, Asia, Pacific, Nusantara ., Stockholm, Diane Archer Stockholm, Kalimantan

☆ China's economy faces a lopsided supply and demand problem that's been years in the making
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( Phil Rosen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

That model is starting to show its weaknesses, however, as it's created a lopsided economy with too much supply and soft demand. "Stimulus functions on the supply side, and on the demand side you need structural reforms. Everything appears to be boiling over all at once, but China's problems have been years in the making. Confidence crisisThese issues have manifested most clearly in the real estate market, which now faces a glut of inventory thanks to years of overbuilding. "There could be a real rapid decline in real estate prices that would hurt a lot of people's livelihoods."

Persons: it's, William Hurst, hasn't, Hurst, that's, Alfredo Montufar Organizations: Service, University of Cambridge, New York Times, Conference Board, Garden Holdings, Conference Board's China Center Locations: China, Wall, Silicon, Beijing, Cambridge

☆ Malaysia eyes more investments to enlarge EV footprint after landmark Tesla deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Tesla's groundbreaking move with Malaysia is a boost to Southeast Asia's place in the EV supply chain and the first deal under the country's Battery Electric Vehicle Global Leaders initiative. There are also plans for Tesla to embark on EV battery manufacturing in Malaysia. Anwar said Malaysia is open to more EV investments, including from Chinese automakers. Tesla Inc. signage during a launch of company's Model Y electric vehicle in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Thursday, July 20, 2023. Building readinessStill, Anwar was hesitant to say a full electric vehicle assembly line is in the pipeline.

Persons: Tesla, Anwar Ibrahim, CNBC's Martin Soong, Anwar, Elon Organizations: country's, Vehicle Global, U.S, EV, Bumiputeras, CNBC, Tesla Inc, Bloomberg, Getty, IT, Zhejiang, Infineon Technologies, Proton Locations: Malaysia, Southeast Asia, Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur, China, Shanghai, Selangor, Malay, Tanjong Malim, Perak, Kedah, Geely

☆ Germany wants tighter foreign investment controls amid China 'de-risking'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The effort comes as Berlin urges companies to reduce their reliance on China and as the government examines whether its current set of regulations is sufficient to encourage this. Germany has at times been seen as a weak link in the Western approach to China, given the strong business ties with its single biggest trading partner. "Investment reviews have gained enormously in importance in Germany, Europe and internationally in recent years," the document said. In addition, the ministry is also considering checking the security significance of new factories built in Germany by foreign companies, as well as whether security-critical research cooperation deals need to be scrutinized. Reporting by Andreas Rinke; Writing by Tom Sims; Editing by David HolmesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Robert Habeck, China's Cosco, Andreas Rinke, Tom Sims, David Holmes Organizations: Reuters, Sunday, Thomson Locations: Berlin, China, West, Germany, Hamburg, Europe

☆ EU to analyse US tech curbs in China, says issue also key to Europe
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Foo Yun Chee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BRUSSELS, Aug 10 (Reuters) - The European Commission will analyse the U.S. ban on new U.S. investment in China in sensitive technologies as the issue is also important to the European Union's economic security, the EU executive said on Thursday. U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday signed an executive order to prohibit or restrict U.S. investments in Chinese entities in three sectors: semiconductors and microelectronics, quantum information technologies and certain artificial intelligence systems. "We will be analysing the Executive Order closely. We are in close contact with the US administration and look forward to continued cooperation on this topic," a Commission spokesperson said in an email. "We recognise the significance of the topic, which was an important element in the recent Joint Communication on economic security."

Persons: Joe Biden, Foo Yun Chee, Andreas Rinke, Rachel More, Jason Neely, Matthias Williams, Christina Fincher Organizations: European, Wednesday, EU, Member States, Reuters, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, China, Russia, Berlin, Brussels

☆ It's about to get harder for US firms to invest in Chinese markets
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Phil Rosen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

President Biden will announce an executive order that bans investments in some Chinese tech companies in 2024. Get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in business, from Wall Street to Silicon Valley — delivered daily. The Wednesday development marks the latest step by the White House to limit investors' involvement and access to Chinese markets. In July, the Wall Street Journal reported that the US could soon curb cloud providers from selling services to China. It's another sign that illustrates how the Chinese economy has stumbled out of the pandemic rather than rebounding.

Persons: Biden, Joe Biden, Janet Yellen Organizations: Service, New York Times, White, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, China's National Bureau, Statistics Locations: Beijing, China, Wall, Silicon

☆ US reviews record number of foreign investment transactions in 2022
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, July 31 (Reuters) - A U.S. government committee on foreign investments reviewed a record number of proposed transactions in 2022, the Treasury Department said Monday. Chinese investors filed 36 so-called "covered notices" seeking green lights for deals in 2022, compared with 44 in 2021 and 17 in 2020. CFIUS said "transactions reviewed by CFIUS, including the technology being invested in, are increasingly complex and result in more national security agreements to resolve the risks identified." Most foreigners seeking to take even non-controlling stakes in U.S. companies must seek approval from CFIUS, a powerful Treasury-led committee that reviews transactions for national security concerns and can block them. CFIUS opened 162 investigations in 2022, compared with 130 in 2021.

Persons: CFIUS, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, David Shepardson, Gerry Doyles Organizations: U.S, Treasury Department, Foreign Investment, Treasury, Thomson Locations: United States, U.S, China

☆ The Peso Is Strong and a Problem for Mexicans Working Abroad
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( J. Edward Moreno | More About J. Edward Moreno | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Mr. Solis, who earns about $3,500 a month delivering for apps like DoorDash, used to send about $1,500 monthly. Since the spring, he has had to send more than $2,000 to cover the same expenses, something he does by working longer days. That means each dollar Mr. Solis sends covers less of the budget back home. In 2022, those working abroad, primarily in the United States, sent more than $61 billion to Mexico. The largest portion of that money goes to food and clothes, followed by health care, according to the Wilson Center, a Washington research organization.

Persons: Antonio Solis, Solis Organizations: Wilson Locations: New York City, Monterrey, Mexico, India, United States, Washington

U.S. financial authorities last week barred 14 Iraqi banks from conducting dollar transactions as part of a wider crackdown on dollar smuggling to Iran via the Iraqi banking system, Iraqi central bank officials have said. Iraqi central bank (CBI) Governor Ali al-Allaq said on Wednesday the institution was following up on the issue and he had no indication the U.S. would sanction more Iraqi banks. He also noted that other banks were able to cover the market's needs for dollar transactions, with the 14 sanctioned banks representing just 8% of external transfers. The 14 banks have been banned from undertaking dollar transactions but can continue to use Iraqi dinars and other foreign currencies. The latest U.S. sanctions, along with previous ones on eight banks, have left nearly a third of Iraq's 72 banks blacklisted, two Iraqi central bank officials said.

Persons: Ali al, Allaq, Haider al, Shamma, Ahmed Rasheed, Timour, Richard Chang Organizations: U.S . Treasury Department, New York Fed, CBI, U.S ., Thomson Locations: BAGHDAD, Iraqi, United States, Iran, U.S, Tehran, Iraq's, Baghdad

U.S. financial authorities last week barred 14 Iraqi banks from conducting dollar transactions as part of a wider crackdown on dollar smuggling to Iran via the Iraqi banking system, Iraqi central bank officials have said. U.S. State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said the measures were not sanctions, as they have been referred to by Iraq's Central Bank governor. Iraqi central bank (CBI) Governor Ali al-Allaq said on Wednesday the institution was following up on the issue and he had no indication the U.S. would impose "sanctions" on more Iraqi banks. The 14 banks have been banned from undertaking dollar transactions but can continue to use Iraqi dinars and other foreign currencies. The latest U.S. measures, along with previous curbs on eight banks, have left nearly a third of Iraq's 72 banks blacklisted, two Iraqi central bank officials said.

Persons: Vedant Patel, Patel, Ali al, Allaq, Haider al, Shamma, Ahmed Rasheed, Timour, Richard Chang, Daniel Wallis Organizations: . State Department, Iraq's Central Bank, Treasury Department, Federal Reserve Bank of New, Central Bank of, U.S . Treasury Department, New York Fed, CBI, U.S ., Thomson Locations: BAGHDAD, Iraqi, United States, Iran, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, U.S, Tehran, Iraq's, Baghdad

☆ Germany plans tougher rules to shield critical infrastructure
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BERLIN, July 17 (Reuters) - Germany's Interior Ministry wants to introduce measures aimed at protecting the country's critical infrastructure, according to a draft plan seen by Reuters on Monday, amid concern over foreign influence in certain areas of the economy. Minimum standards are to be set for operators, who will have to draw up resilience plans taking into account every conceivable risk. Russia's invasion of Ukraine, after which the Nord Stream oil pipelines were damaged in unexplained attacks, has put Germany and other European countries on high alert regarding critical infrastructure. The Interior Ministry aims to present a finalised bill to the cabinet by the end of the year, after which it would be put to parliament, where no major hurdles are expected. The ministry wants to nail down the definition of critical infrastructure, which spans areas such as energy, transport and telecommunications.

Persons: Christian Kraemer, Rachel More, Friederike Heine, Mike Harrison Organizations: Ministry, Reuters, Thomson Locations: BERLIN, Ukraine, Germany, Hamburg

☆ Saudi golf shot plays through CFIUS hazards
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Jennifer Saba | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

U.S. congressional lawmakers scrutinized PGA Tour officials on Tuesday this week about the group’s tie-up with a rival golf tournament owned by Saudi Arabia. Enter the Saudis, who launched an upstart golf tournament last year, LIV Golf, that competed with the U.S.-based PGA Tour and its European counterpart DTP. There are worries that Saudi Arabia, a regime viewed as hostile to women and LGBTQ groups, would have significant sway over golf’s culture. LIV Golf is owned by Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund. Former AT&T Chief Executive Randall Stephenson resigned from the PGA Tour policy board, the Washington Post reported on July 9.

Persons: State Condoleezza Rice, Darla Moore, Covid, LIV Golf, Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, Yasir Al, Ed Herlihy, Wachtell, Lipton, Katz, hasn’t, Randall Stephenson, Jamal Khashoggi, ”, Richard Blumenthal, –, Sherrod Brown, Maxine Waters, Janet Yellen, LIV Golf’s, Joe Biden hasn't, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Khashoggi, Uncle Sam, Refinitiv, China’s ByteDance, LIV, Stephenson, Lauren Silva Laughlin, Sharon Lam Organizations: YORK, Reuters, Public Investment Fund, Augusta National Golf Club, State, U.S, PGA, LIV, Rosen, Breakingviews, Former AT, PGA Tour, Saudi, Department of Justice, Foreign Investment, U.S . Treasury, Saudi Arabian Crown, Walmart, Visa, Uber Technologies, Nation Entertainment, National Basketball League, Houston Rockets, People’s, NBA, backtrack, FIFA, Qatar, The Justice Department, Treasury, Committee, Homeland Security, Governmental Affairs, Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, T, Washington Post, Thomson Locations: Saudi Arabia, United States, American, U.S, South Carolina, Iran, China, Saudi, Hong Kong, People’s Republic, Beijing

☆ China opposes UK's 'discriminatory actions' against China-linked deals
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING/LONDON, July 12 (Reuters) - China firmly opposes what it called the British government's "discriminatory actions" against Chinese firms, the country's embassy in the UK said after London intervened in Chinese-linked takeovers eight times in the last year. The British government said in a report that it had blocked or imposed conditions on eight transactions involving China-linked investment in domestic companies under its National Security and Investment Act in the last year. "We strongly urge the British side to stop its unreasonable suppression of Chinese enterprises and provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for them," the Chinese embassy in London said on Wednesday. In November Britain ordered Chinese-owned technology company Nexperia to sell at least 86% of Britain's biggest microchip factory, Newport Wafer Fab, following a national security assessment under the law. Britain is attempting something of a reset of relations with China, working together on areas of agreement while balancing national security concerns.

Persons: Ella Cao, Ethan Wang, Bernard Orr, Alistair Smout, Andrew MacAskill, Kate Holton Organizations: London, National Security and Investment, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, LONDON, China, London, Britain, Newport, Beijing

☆ India's gearing up to be the new China, but even Elon Musk is finding it hard to crack into the market. Here are 5 reasons why.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-28 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

India has overtaken China as the world's most populous country, and it's pushing for foreign investments. But foreign investors keen to enter the Indian market face various barriers to entry. Earlier this year, India overtook China as the world's most populous country. Among investors keen on investing in India are Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, and tech giant Apple. But given the huge Indian market, Tesla isn't giving up.

Persons: —, Narendra Modi's, Elon Musk, Mark Mobius, Modi —, Modi, Musk, Ashutosh Sharma, Forrester, That's, Sharma, India's, Mukesh Ambani Organizations: Service, India, Indian, Tesla, SpaceX, US International Trade Administration, ITA, Bank, World Bank, US, Reliance Industries SpaceX, Reliance, Reuters, Ambani's Locations: India, China

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