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☆ Amazon's prototype Kuiper satellites operating successfully
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Joey Roulette | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Joe Skipper/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 16 (Reuters) - Amazon.com (AMZN.O) said on Thursday its two prototype satellites for its planned Kuiper internet network have been operating successfully in orbit, with the project on track to start launching operational satellites by mid-2024. The Kuiper internet network is set to compete against billionaire Elon Musk's Starlink, the world's largest satellite operator, to offer broadband internet service globally to consumers, companies and governments. Amazon said it used the prototype satellites for brief two-way video calls, streaming a high-definition movie on Prime Video and ordering items off Amazon's website. Badyal declined to say how many satellites Amazon would launch per rocket. The Boeing-Lockheed joint venture United Launch Alliance is set to loft the first several batches of Kuiper satellites aboard its Atlas 5 and the company's upcoming Vulcan rocket.

Persons: Joe Skipper, Elon Musk's Starlink, Rajeev Badyal, Badyal, Jeff Bezos, Joey Roulette, Zaheer Kachwala, Tasim Zahid, Will Dunham Organizations: United, Alliance, Cape Canaveral Space Force, REUTERS, United Launch Alliance, U.S . Federal Communications Commission, Reuters, Vodafone, Verizon, Amazon, Boeing, Lockheed, Vulcan, SpaceX, Thomson Locations: Cape Canaveral , Florida, U.S, Florida, New York, Bengaluru

☆ BMW North America expands EV charging service across the U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The logo of German automaker BMW is seen in Brussels, Belgium June 1, 2023. REUTERS/Yves Herman Acquire Licensing RightsNov 14 (Reuters) - BMW North America (BMWG.DE) on Tuesday said it would expand its electric vehicle (EV) charging service, ChargeForward, to 48 states in the U.S., increasing its footprint in the electric mobility sector. All BMW electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles models manufactured after 2018 will be eligible to enrol in the service, the New Jersey-headquartered company said. It currently partners with utilities PG&E in California and Duke Energy in North Carolina, among others, for the service. Reporting by Priyamvada C in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim ZahidOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Yves Herman Acquire, ChargeForward, Priyamvada, Tasim Zahid Organizations: BMW, REUTERS, BMW North America, Duke Energy, Thomson Locations: Brussels, Belgium, U.S, New Jersey, California, North Carolina, Canada, Bengaluru

Spot gold dipped 1.1% to $1,936.09 per ounce by 2:38 p.m. ET (1938 GMT) and was down 2.8% in its worst week in six. Benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury yield and the dollar index (.DXY) headed for weekly gains, making non-yielding gold less attractive for investors. Platinum shed 2% to $842.34, on track for its worst week since mid-2021. Reporting by Ashitha Shivaprasad and Anushree Mukherjee in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid and Shilpi MajumdarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Powell, Fawad, Bullion, Jim Wyckoff, Ashitha Shivaprasad, Anushree Mukherjee, Tasim Zahid, Shilpi Majumdar Organizations: Federal, Index, Reuters Graphics U.S, Federal Reserve, Treasury, Kitco Metals, Thomson Locations: East, India, Bengaluru

☆ Lucid cuts prices of electric sedans for limited time amid EV price wars
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A Lucid Air electric vehicle is displayed in Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S., September 27, 2021. Lucid slashed the price of its Air Touring model to $87,500 from $95,000 and the more powerful Grand Touring by $10,000 to $115,600. Tesla has cut the prices of its Model S premium sedan, Lucid Air's closest competitor, to $74,990. Lucid had previously cut prices for its cars in August as the company burned through cash as it ramped up production in a tough economy. The price cut offer will be valid till Nov 30, the company said.

Persons: Hyunjoo Jin, Elon, Lucid, Tesla, Zaheer Kachwala, Tasim Zahid Organizations: REUTERS, Cox Automotive, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Thomson Locations: Scottsdale , Arizona, U.S, Newark , California, Bengaluru

☆ Gartner lifts annual earnings forecast on stable demand for research, consulting
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 3(Reuters) - Information Technolgy Consultant Gartner Inc (IT.N) beat third-quarter results estimates on Friday and nudged up its annual earnings forecast, as it benefits from stable demand for its research and consulting services. The Stamford, Connecticut-based company also upgraded its annual earnings forecast and now expects revenue of $5.89 billion, up from its prior forecast of $5.85 billion. Gartner expects adjusted earnings for the year to be $10.9 per share, up 90 cents per share from its previous projection. The company's core research business saw a nearly 6% jump in revenue to $1.22 billion for the quarter ended Sept. 30. Gartner earned $2.56 per share on an adjusted basis in the three months ended Sept. 30, beating analyst estimates of $1.96 per share.

Persons: Gartner, Juby Babu, Tasim Zahid Organizations: Gartner Inc, Gartner, PayPal, Comcast, Revenue, Thomson Locations: Stamford , Connecticut, Bengaluru

☆ ‘There is no school for girls’: Afghans who fled to Pakistan sent back to a homeland that is foreign to many
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Sophia Saifi | Jessie Yeung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

“I was born in Pakistan, I’ve lived here for 42 years, I went to school in Pakistan,” said Nasim, who had traveled to the Torkham border crossing from the northern city Peshawar. Nasim, who was born and raised in Pakistan, and is now preparing to return to Afghanistan. International bodies and human rights groups have warned of a looming humanitarian disaster as they return. He hoped the Taliban would greet those forced out of Pakistan and help them find new jobs. The steady deterioration of human rights under the Taliban since its return to power have only confirmed the worst fears of many Afghans.

Persons: I’ve, ”, Nasim, “ I’ve, –, “, ” Nasim, Abdul Basit, Sarfraz Bugti, Ravina Shamdasani, Wakil Kohsar, Ghulam Sakhi, we’ve, Raza Muhammad, ” Muhammad, Akhtar Muhammad, Zahid Bahand, can’t, I’m Organizations: Pakistan CNN, CNN, ”, Getty, Security, Authorities, United Nations, Human Rights, Rights Watch, ” CNN, Interior Ministry, “ Police, UN, International Organization for Migration, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taliban Locations: Chaman, Pakistan, Pakistan’s, Peshawar, Afghanistan, ”, Quetta, “, Soviet, States, AFP, Afghan, Karachi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Balochistan’s, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Kabul

☆ CDW misses third-quarter revenue estimates as customers lower tech spending
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 1 (Reuters) - CDW (CDW.O) reported third-quarter revenue below estimates on Wednesday on lower demand for the company's information technology solutions as customers struggling with high borrowing costs cut back spending and defer projects. The company, however, beat third-quarter profit estimates on the back of higher margins and reduced discretionary spending. CDW posted adjusted earnings of $2.72 compared with analysts' estimates of $2.60 per share. The Vernon Hills, Illinois-based company reported lower sales from its corporate and small business segments and also at its UK and Canadian operations. Its public unit was the only outlier, with healthcare and education customers driving sales up 1.5% compared to the year before.

Persons: CDW, Harshita Mary Varghese, Tasim Zahid Organizations: Thomson Locations: Vernon Hills , Illinois

☆ Canada to invest C$1.1 bln in satellite tech for better earth data
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 18 (Reuters) - Canada on Wednesday said it will invest C$1.01 billion ($740.90 million) over the next 15 years in satellite technology to boost the earth observation data that it uses to track wildfires and other environmental crises. The new initiative called Radarsat+ will gather information about Earth's oceans, land, climate, and populated areas, a statement by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) said. Data collected from earth observation technologies allows scientists to see how the planet changes and make decisions to deal with emergencies like wildfires or longer-term issues like climate change. Canada has previously launched three satellite missions under the Radarsat program - Radarsat-1, Radarsat-2 and the Radarsat Constellation Mission (RCM). The investment will also help develop a replacement for RCM, CSA said.

Persons: Juby Babu, Tasim Zahid Organizations: Canadian Space Agency, MDA, CSA, RCM, Thomson Locations: Canada, Radarsat, CSA, Bengaluru

☆ Snap shares jump as leaked 2024 user target exceed Wall St expectations
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A woman stands in front of the logo of Snap Inc. on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) while waiting for Snap Inc. to post their IPO, in New York City, New York, U.S. on March 2, 2017. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 16 (Reuters) - Snap (SNAP.N) shares jumped 11% on Monday after a media report said the social media company is expected to have more than 475 million daily active users (DAUs) in 2024, above Wall Street expectations. Snap also expects advertising revenue to grow more than 20% in 2024 as part of its "stretch goals", the report said, putting it above Wall Street estimates of 14% growth. Snap was the first ad-reliant social media firm to flag a demand downturn last year as brands cut budgets amid red-hot inflation and high interest rates. Macroeconomic woes coupled with rising competition from social media platforms like Tiktok, saw Snap lose 80% of its valuation last year.

Persons: Lucas Jackson, Evan Speigel, Bernstein, Mark Schilsky, Chavi Mehta, Tasim Zahid Organizations: Inc, New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: New York City , New York, U.S, Bengaluru

Situated in the al-Rimal neighborhood in Gaza City, the office has been something of a safe haven for Dahman. Tamir Kalifa/The New York Times/Redux Palestinians walk amid the rubble following Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City on October 10. Erik Marmor/AP Six-month-old Sama Alwadia is rescued from the rubble in Gaza City on October 9. Ramez Mahmoud/AP A plume of smoke rises in the sky over Gaza City during an Israeli airstrike on October 9. Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters Palestinian citizens inspect damage to their homes caused by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City on October 8.

Persons: London CNN — Ibrahim Dahman, Zaid, Rasha, Dahman, Ibrahim Dahman, Khalil, Joe Biden, ”, ” Dahman, “, Israel, Salah al, Deen, Khan Younis, Peter Lerner, they’ve, ” Avril Benoit, Khan, Fatima Shbair, Shir Torem, Wahaj Bani Moufleh, Mohammed Abed, Abir, Hatem Ali, Antonio Macías, Macías, Francisco Seco, Mohammed Saber, Eli Albag, Liri, Mohammed Talatene, Sergey Ponomarev, Violeta Santos Moura, Dor Kedmi, Mahmud Hams, Saher, Hatem Moussa, Abraham Cohen, Valentin Ghnassia, Ghnassia, Alexi J . Rosenfeld, Yuri Cortez, Yousef Masoud, Ibrahim Hams, Bashar Taleb, Baz Ratner, Jack Guez, Abed Rahim Khatib, Yahya Hassouna, Mapal Adam, Abed Zagout, Tamir Kalifa, Agha, Ibraheem Abu Mustafa, Reuters Itzik, Miriam Shafir, Dor Shafir, Savion Kiper, Maya Alleruzzo, Mohammed Salem, CNN Sergey Ponomarev, Eden Guez, Atef Safadi, Ohad, Mohammed Soboh, Said, Noam Elimeleh Rothenberg, Belal Khaled, Samar Abu, Amir Cohen, Ilai Bar Sade, Erik Marmor, Ali Jadallah, Oren Ziv, Ronen Zvulun, Majdi, Ilia Yefimovich, Ramez Mahmoud, Roi Levy, Alleruzzo, Tali Touito, Jalaa Marey, Oded, Ahmad Hasballah, Mohammed Fayq Abu Mostafa, Tsafrir, Ahmad Gharabli, Mustafa Hassona, Ilan Rosenberg, Eyad Baba, Itai Ron, Hadas Parush, ” Lynn Hastings Organizations: London CNN, CNN, Hamas, Islamic, Journalists, Racing, Hotel, Sunday, UN, AP, West Bank, Getty, Aris Messinis, Haim, New York Times, Reuters, Mount, Mount Herzl Military, Nova, Anadolu Agency, Israel Defense Forces, Nova Festival, Ben Gurion, Shifa, Rockets, Israel's, United Nations, Palestinian, Reuters Police, Reuters Rockets Locations: Gaza, London, Israel, Gaza City, Salah, Khan, Khan Younis, Haifa, Cyprus, Nablus, West, Lebanon, AFP, Rafah, Abir Sultan, Kfar Saba, Al, Tel Aviv, Israeli, Be'eri, Rehovot, Mount Herzl, Jerusalem, Kibbutz Be'eri, Sderot, Modiin Maccabim, Kfar Aza, Ashkelon, Mount Herzel, Samar, Samar Abu Elouf, Yassin, Palestinian, Beitar Ilit, Ramat Gan, Kiryat Shmona, Itai, Beit Hanun, Rishon Lezion, Palestinian Territory

This was a secret school, set up to teach girls despite the bans on female education imposed by the Taliban since they retook control of Afghanistan two years ago. Girls, faces partially covered, attend class at a hidden school in Afghanistan. CNN‘I wanted to scream, but I couldn’t’Inspired, in part, by a 1996 Christiane Amanpour documentary titled “Battle for Afghanistan,” Hakim decided to create secret schools for a new generation of Afghan girls. After the militant group imposed the bans on girls’ education, Maryam says she was trapped at home and felt like a “zombie,” with nothing to do and nowhere to go. Hope stronger than fearBack at the secret school, Maryam learns the Taliban are checking neighborhoods for illegal activities and fears they risk being caught.

Persons: CNN — Parasto Hakim, Hakim, “, ” Hakim, –, CNN Hakim, ”, CNN ‘, Christiane Amanpour, Maryam, ” Maryam, Fatima, ” Fatima, Yalda, ” Yalda, Koofi, Hakim –, ” Koofi, ” Fawzia, Justin Tallis Organizations: CNN, Girls, United Nations, UN, ” CNN, ”, Taliban, Getty Locations: Afghanistan, Kabul, States, United, London

☆ Michael Gambon, Dumbledore actor in ‘Harry Potter,’ dies age 82
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Zahid Mahmood | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Actor Michael Gambon, best known for playing Albus Dumbledore in most of the “Harry Potter” movies, has died at 82 following a “bout of pneumonia,” a statement issued on behalf of his family said on Thursday, PA Media news agency reported. I collect cars and guns, which are much more expensive, and much more difficult to store.”Michael Gambon in "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." Four years later, Gambon joined the Birmingham Repertory Company, finally playing title roles in his favorite Shakespearean plays. But it was as Hogwarts’ headmaster Dumbledore in the “Harry Potter” film series that Gambon will perhaps be best remembered, a role he took up following the death of Richard Harris in 2002. In all, Gambon was cast as Dumbledore for six of the eight “Harry Potter” films.

Persons: Michael Gambon, Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter ”, ”, Sir Michael Gambon, Clair Dobbs, Michael, Anne, Fergus, ” Gambon, Gambon, toolmaker, “ I’ve, “ Richard Briers, Harry Potter, Murray, Laurence Olivier, Philip Marlow, ’, Dumbledore, Richard Harris Organizations: CNN, Media, Guardian, Warner Bros, Royal Academy of Dramatic, National Theatre Company, Birmingham Repertory Company, British Empire Locations: Cabra, Dublin, London, Irish, Camden, British

The Art Deco facade of the original Toronto Stock Exchange building is seen on Bay Street in Toronto, Ontario, Canada January 23, 2019. The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index (.GSPTSE) ended down 244.46 points, or 1.2%, at 19,556.15, its lowest closing level since June 23. "Gold is back in the danger zone as Treasury yields rise alongside a stronger (U.S.) dollar," Edward Moya, a senior market analyst at OANDA, said in a note. Energy was a bright spot, rising 0.8%, as the price of oil settled 0.8% higher at $90.39 a barrel. Shares of Westshore Terminals Investment Corp (WTE.TO) ended 10% lower as RBC cut its price target on the stock.

Persons: Chris Helgren, Peter Anderson, Edward Moya, Industrials, Fergal Smith, Khushi Singh, Tasim Zahid, Marguerita Choy Organizations: Toronto Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Energy, Toronto Stock, Andersen Capital Management, Investment Corp, RBC, Thomson Locations: Toronto , Ontario, Canada, Toronto, Bengaluru

☆ Traditional TV adds viewers in August as back-to-school dents streaming
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Elijah Nouvelage Acquire Licensing RightsSept 19 (Reuters) - More people in the U.S. turned to traditional TV for news and drama shows in August, with the start of the back-to-school season making a slight dent on the streaming viewership, market researcher Nielsen said. Broadcast viewership, which has declined since January, rose 1.6% in August, thanks to shows like "America's Got Talent" on NBC and "Big Brother" on CBS. Streaming saw a sequential decline of 1.6% in viewers to 38.3% last month, but still accounted for the largest share of viewership. Reuters GraphicsNielsen said that despite the seasonal weakness in streaming, the category has gained 7.0 share points since August last year. Legal dramas "Suits" and "The Lincoln Lawyer" were the top two streaming titles in August, Nielsen said.

Persons: Raphael Warnock, Herschel Walker, Elijah Nouvelage, Nielsen, Reuters Graphics Nielsen, Peacock, Mario, Samrhitha, Dawn Chmielewski, Tasim Zahid Organizations: Republican, Georgia Public Broadcasting, REUTERS, NFL, NBC, CBS, Reuters Graphics, WWE, Hall of Fame, Lincoln, Thomson Locations: Atlanta , Georgia, U.S, Bengaluru, Dawn, Los Angeles

☆ Traditional TV Adds Viewers in August as Back-To-School Dents Streaming
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - More people in the U.S. turned to traditional TV for news and drama shows in August, with the start of the back-to-school season making a slight dent on the streaming viewership, market researcher Nielsen said. The combined share of broadcast and cable television, rose to 50.6% of total TV usage in August from 49.6% in July, according to Nielsen's monthly report on the state of the television market. Streaming saw a sequential decline of 1.6% in viewers to 38.3% last month, but still accounted for the largest share of viewership. Nielsen said that despite the seasonal weakness in streaming, the category has gained 7.0 share points since August last year. Legal dramas "Suits" and "The Lincoln Lawyer" were the top two streaming titles in August, Nielsen said.

Persons: Nielsen, Comcast's Peacock, Mario, Samrhitha, Dawn Chmielewski, Tasim Zahid Organizations: Reuters, NFL, Republican, NBC, CBS, WWE, Hall of Fame, Lincoln Locations: U.S, Bengaluru, Dawn, Los Angeles

Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim attends the 26th ASEAN-China Summit at the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, on September 6, 2023. Hassan Karim, a lawmaker from Anwar's People's Justice Party, said he felt "let down" by the premier, whom he described as a close friend. The AGC has said it dropped charges against Ahmad Zahid to review new evidence, and reiterated that its decisions were made independently. On Saturday, around 1,000 people turned up at a protest in Kuala Lumpur organised by Malaysia's opposition, calling for Ahmad Zahid to be prosecuted and chanting "reforms are dead." Najib has sought a royal pardon over his conviction and requested other charges that he faces to be reviewed.

Persons: Anwar Ibrahim, Yasuyoshi, Anwar Ibrahim's, Anwar, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Najib Razak, Hassan Karim, Ahmad Zahid, Najib, MUDA, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh, Ahmad Zahid's, Wong Chin Huat, Wong, Rozanna Latiff, Danial Azhar, Hasnoor Hussain, Kim Coghill Organizations: Malaysia's, China, ASEAN Summit, 1Malaysia Development, People's Justice Party, Reuters, United Malays National Organisation, Malaysia's Sunway University, Thomson Locations: ASEAN, Jakarta, Indonesia, KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

☆ Cruise ship Ocean Explorer runs aground in Greenland
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Zahid Mahmood | James Frater | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —A cruise ship carrying 206 passengers and crew has run aground on a remote stretch of Greenland and could potentially be stuck for days waiting for the nearest ship to arrive to help. The Ocean Explorer got into trouble on Monday in Alpefjord, a dramatic and rugged stretch of Northeast Greenland National Park, and has not been able to free itself, according to a statement from Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command (JAC). “As soon as we realized that the Ocean Explorer could not get free on its own, we sent a ship towards the wreck,” Arctic Commander Brian Jensen said. Jensen said the Ocean Explorer could still re-float on a high tide, but failing that, the Knud Rasmussen would assist. According to the statement, the Government of Greenland, the Danish Maritime Authority and the Danish Accident Investigation Board have been informed of the incident.

Persons: ”, Knud Rasmussen, Brian Jensen, “, Jensen, Tamara Hardingham, Gill Organizations: CNN, Arctic Command, Aurora Expeditions, Command, Danish Maritime Authority, Danish Locations: Greenland, Alpefjord, Northeast Greenland, Government

☆ Salesforce launches AI assistant across its apps including Slack and Tableau
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The company logo for Salesforce.com is displayed on the Salesforce Tower in New York City, U.S., March 7, 2019. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 12 (Reuters) - Enterprise software maker Salesforce (CRM.N) on Tuesday launched a generative AI tool that would be available across its suite of apps from instant messaging service Slack to data visualization tool Tableau and can be tailored by its clients to meet their needs. Salesforce says its Einstein Copilot can tap customer and enterprise data available on its Data Cloud to generate appropriate responses. Users will be able to embed the assistant into their websites or integrate them with messaging platforms such as Slack and Meta Platform's (META.O) WhatsApp. The company also doubled its venture capital fund for generative AI startups to $500 million in June.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Slack, Einstein, Salesforce, Marc Benioff, OpenAI's ChatGPT, Zaheer Kachwala, Tasim Zahid Organizations: REUTERS, Enterprise, Tuesday, Meta, Microsoft, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, San Francisco, Bengaluru

☆ Malaysia fails to appeal ex-PM Najib's acquittal in 1MDB audit tampering case
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak speaks to journalists outside the Federal Court during a court break, in Putrajaya, Malaysia August 23, 2022. Najib, 70, is serving a 12-year jail sentence for another corruption case linked to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). The attorney-general's chambers was expected to appeal Najib's acquittal earlier this year of a charge of abusing his position as prime minister to amend a government audit into 1MDB . But Najib's lawyers at Shafee & Co said in a statement, "the prosecution evidently found no grounds for appeal" and did not file the petition. Anwar has maintained that the move to drop the case, which triggered a widespread public backlash, was made without his interference.

Persons: Najib Razak, Lai Seng, Anwar Ibrahim, Anwar, Najib, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Danial Azhar, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Malaysian, REUTERS, 1Malaysia Development, Shafee, U.S . Justice Department, Malaysian United Democratic Alliance, Thomson Locations: Putrajaya, Malaysia, KUALA LUMPUR, 1MDB

☆ Potential UAW strike presents a near-term headwind for auto insurers - JPM
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Reshma Rockie George | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A view of the exterior of the JP Morgan Chase & Co. corporate headquarters in New York City May 20, 2015. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 7 (Reuters) - J.P.Morgan on Thursday said supply chain disruptions from a potential United Auto Workers (UAW) union strike would cut new vehicle production, drive up used car prices and put pressure on margins in the personal auto insurance business. The automakers "represent about 40% of light vehicle auto sales (by units) in the U.S., and IHS Markit estimates that a strike would disrupt North American vehicle production by roughly 75%," J.P.Morgan said. The brokerage identifies Allstate Corp (ALL.N) and Progressive Corp (PGR.N) as the insurers with the most exposure to a potential UAW strike, with Allstate more susceptible due to its weaker capital position. Used-car prices have had the most impact on auto margins in recent years compared to other factors such as higher spare part costs, labor costs, increased litigation, and severe accidents, the brokerage added.

Persons: Morgan Chase, Mike Segar, J.P.Morgan, Jimmy Bhullar, Reshma Rockie, Tasim Zahid Organizations: Co, New York City, REUTERS, United Auto Workers, UAW, Detroit Three, Ford, Chrysler, General Motors, Allstate Corp, Progressive Corp, Allstate, Anderson Economic Group, Thomson Locations: New York, U.S, Michigan, Reshma Rockie George, Bengaluru

☆ Toronto stocks extend losses for third day as BlackBerry tanks
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Siddarth S | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Art Deco facade of the original Toronto Stock Exchange building is seen on Bay Street in Toronto, Ontario, Canada January 23, 2019. ET (1419 GMT), the Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index (.GSPTSE) was down 90.43 points, or 0.45%, at 20,136.53. Both the U.S.- and Canadian-listed shares of BlackBerry (BB.TO), tumbled over 15% after the technology company forecast a 21.4% decline in second-quarter revenue, due to weakness in its cybersecurity segment. Technology stocks (.SPTTTK) slumped 1.8%, leading sectoral declines and hitting their lowest levels in more than a month. Peyto Exploration & Development (PEY.TO) shares fell 2.4%, after the natural gas firm agreed to buy Spanish energy company Repsol's (REP.MC) assets in Canada for $468 million.

Persons: Chris Helgren, Peyto, Morningstar, Siddarth, Tasim Zahid, Shilpi Majumdar Organizations: Toronto Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Spain's, Toronto Stock, BlackBerry, Peyto, Development, U.S, Thomson Locations: Toronto , Ontario, Canada, Toronto, U.S, Bengaluru

Najib is serving a 12-year prison sentence for graft linked to the multi-billion dollar scandal at state fund 1MDB and faces more bribery charges. Ahmad Zahid had pleaded not guilty to all charges, and UMNO said he was a victim of political persecution. Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, a lawyer for Ahmad Zahid, said his team will ask the court for a full acquittal. The UMNO was voted out for power for the first time in Malaysia's history in 2018 due to widespread anger over corruption allegations against Najib and Ahmad Zahid. Despite the corruption charges, Anwar appointed Ahmad Zahid to the second-highest office in the country.

Persons: Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Anwar Ibrahim's, Anwar, Ahmad Zahid's, Najib Razak, Najib, Ahmad Zahid, General's Chambers, Bernama, Zahid, Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, Rozanna Latiff, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Malaysian, Ahmad Zahid's United Malays National Organisation, UMNO, Court, Thomson Locations: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, KUALA LUMPUR

☆ TSX futures up on higher oil prices; bank earnings start on mixed note
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Art Deco facade of the original Toronto Stock Exchange building is seen on Bay Street in Toronto, Ontario, Canada January 23, 2019. REUTERS/Chris Helgren/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsAug 24 (Reuters) - Toronto futures crept higher on Thursday, pushed by oil prices, while Canadian big banks' quarterly earnings kicked off on a mixed note as Royal Bank of Canada beat profit estimates, while Toronto-Dominion Bank missed analyst expectations. Canada's main stock index (.GSPTSE) rebounded from a two-month low to close nearly 1% higher on Wednesday. Canada's largest bank, Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) (RY.TO) beat analysts' estimates for the third-quarter profit, boosted by cost-cutting measures and higher interest rates. The country's second-largest bank, Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD.TO), missed Bay Street estimates for quarterly profit as it set aside money to cover unpaid loans.

Persons: Chris Helgren, Jerome Powell, Siddarth, Tasim Zahid Organizations: Toronto Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Royal Bank of Canada, Dominion Bank, Oil, U.S . Federal, RBC, Nvidia, Brent, Thomson Locations: Toronto , Ontario, Canada, Toronto, Canada's, Bengaluru

☆ AI startup Modular raises $100 mln in General Catalyst-led funding
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Aug 24 (Reuters) - AI startup Modular said on Thursday it had raised $100 million in a new funding round, led by venture capital firm General Catalyst, with participation from existing investors Google Ventures, SV Angel, Greylock and Factory. Modular is among a clutch of AI startups that have benefited from a boom in the hi-tech sector following the runaway success of ChatGPT, attracting strong interest from venture capital firms and other investors. The company did not disclose the valuation at which it raised capital in the new round, but a report by The Information put it at $600 million earlier this month. It had raised $30 million in June last year. "This new funding will enable us to scale to the incredible customer demand we are seeing," co-founder and CEO Chris Lattner said in a statement.

Persons: Catalyst, Chris Lattner, Jaiveer Singh, Tasim Zahid Organizations: Google Ventures, SV Angel, Nvidia, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru

☆ Higher oil prices lift TSX at open
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

The Art Deco facade of the original Toronto Stock Exchange building is seen on Bay Street in Toronto, Ontario, Canada January 23, 2019. REUTERS/Chris Helgren/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsAug 21 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index rebounded on Monday after a sharp selloff last week, led by a jump in oil prices, while investors awaited Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's comments later this week for clues on interest rates. At 9:31 a.m. ET (13:31 GMT), the Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index (.GSPTSE) was up 12.91 points, or 0.07%, at 19,831.3. Reporting by Shubham Batra in Bengaluru, Editing by Tasim ZahidOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Chris Helgren, Jerome Powell's, Shubham Batra, Tasim Zahid Organizations: Toronto Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Federal, Toronto Stock, Thomson Locations: Toronto , Ontario, Canada, Bengaluru

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