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☆ Pakistan's Imran Khan expresses support for bailout deal in IMF meeting
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( Gibran Naiyyar Peshimam | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Hammad Azhar, a former finance minister under Khan, who attended the meeting virtually, said in a post on Twitter that the former premier and his economic team had discussed last week's staff-level deal between the IMF and Pakistan's government. The new deal, which will be vital to help stabilise Pakistan's struggling $350 billion economy, will be taken up for approval by the IMF board on July 12. Khan's government deviated from agreements under an earlier IMF programme days before he was ousted in a parliamentary vote last year, leading to a delay in the implementation of the programme and increased economic uncertainty. The meeting is the highest profile engagement for Khan and his the PTI since he was ousted from power less than four years into his five-year term. Many of Khan's key aides remain under arrest and many others, like Azhar, are in hiding.

Persons: Khan, Imran Khan, Hammad Azhar, Azhar, Nathan Porter, Esther Perez Ruiz, Shehbaz Sharif, Gibran Peshimam, William Maclean, David Holmes Organizations: International Monetary Fund, IMF, Twitter, Mission, Khan's, PTI, Thomson Locations: KARACHI, Pakistan, Lahore

☆ Franchising industry holds its breath as FTC takes a closer look at regulations
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Kate Rogers | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

The FTC told CNBC it received more than 5,500 comments on the inquiry, indicating "broad interest in ensuring fairness in franchising." The agency sought input from stakeholders, including franchise operators, workers and parent corporations, as it scrutinizes franchising practices. Industry watchers say an initial proposal from the FTC on franchise rule amendments could come as soon as the end of year. The NOA's public submission said, "The McDonald's system was, and could again be, the gold standard for the franchise business model. "Since McDonald's founding in 1955, our franchising model has successfully served the brand, franchisees, employees and the local communities we operate in."

Persons: Lina, Matt Haller, they're, Haller, franchisors, McDonald's, NOA, Danielle Marasco, Marasco Organizations: FTC, CNBC, Federal Trade Commission, Franchise Association, Microsoft, Activision, Twitter, Industry, IFA, Service Employees International Union, Strategic, Marriott, Hilton, Brands, National Owners Association, National Locations: U.S, McDonald's, Marriott, California

☆ London fights legal challenge over expanding clean-air zone
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( Sam Tobin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Signage indicates the boundary of London's Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) zone along the North Circular Road ahead of proposed upcoming expansion, in London, Britain, June 26, 2023. The British capital's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) levies a 12.50 pound ($16) daily charge on drivers of non-compliant vehicles, in order to tackle pollution and improve air quality. London's transport authority - Transport for London (TfL) - had launched a public consultation on the plan, which said 91% of vehicles driven in outer London would not be affected. However, the local authorities' lawyers argue that TfL provided no detail on how it calculated the 91% figure, which they say was fundamental to justifying the expansion. The local authorities are also challenging Khan's decision to not extend a 110 million pound scrappage scheme to those living just outside the expanded ULEZ.

Persons: Toby Melville LONDON, Sadiq Khan, Khan, Sam Tobin, Devika Organizations: REUTERS, London, London's, Transport, TfL, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, British, Greater London, leafier, Europe, Khan

If Mayor Sadiq Khan's plan goes ahead, London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will become one of the world's largest to tackle air pollution, encompassing 5 million extra people in the capital's leafier and less-connected outer boroughs. London's transport authority says only one in 10 cars in outer London are not ULEZ-compliant. But Khan, who was diagnosed with asthma and wrote a book this year on air pollution and climate change, says he is determined to face down his critics. "But the further away from the city centre you go, the less you can improve air quality," Verbeek added. "It's absolutely critical that even in a cost-of-living crisis we do not kick the can of air pollution down the road and let more children grow up unhealthy and unwell," she said.

Persons: Toby Melville, Sadiq Khan's, Carl Cristina, Cristina, Khan, Thomas Verbeek, Verbeek, Jemima Hartshorn, Teresa O'Neill, I've, Gavin Jones, William James, Andrew Heavens Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Delft University of Technology, Thomson Locations: Marble, London, Britain, Europe, Rome, Netherlands

☆ Pakistan's last-gasp IMF bailout as it happened
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

-Nov 2023: Pakistan, IMF begin virtual engagement for the ninth review of the loan programme. -Jan 2023: Pakistan reiterates commitment to completing the IMF programme in a meeting on the sidelines of a climate conference in Geneva. -Feb 2023: Pakistan, IMF decide to resume talks virtually on steps needed to secure an agreement for the ninth review. -May 2023: IMF mission chief says continuing to work with Pakistani authorities to bring the ninth review to conclusion once necessary financing is in place. -June 26, 2023: Pakistan's central bank raises its benchmark interest rate by 100 basis points to 22% at an emergency meeting days before IMF programme expires.

Persons: Imran Khan, Shehbaz Sharif, Miftah Ismail, Ishaq Dar, Pakistan's, Kristalina Georgieva, Ariba Shahid, Tanvi Mehta, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: International Monetary Fund, IMF, Pakistan, SBA, EFF, Thomson Locations: KARACHI, Pakistan, Geneva, Paris, Pakistan's, Karachi, New Delhi

☆ U.S. antitrust regulator plans to target Amazon's online marketplace, Bloomberg reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

June 29 (Reuters) - The U.S. antitrust regulator is planning to file a suit targeting Amazon.com's (AMZN.O) core online marketplace in the coming weeks, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, citing documents and people familiar with the matter. The agency's antitrust case targeting Amazon's online marketplace has been in the works for a long time, according to the report. Amazon got the FTC notice for initial investigation in June 2019, Bloomberg reported, citing documents. Those documents included questions about how using Amazon's warehousing and delivery services impacted third-party sellers’ product placements in its online marketplace, including boxes on the website that give products additional prominence. The two companies had entered into a deal to sell Apple iPhones, iPads and other devices on Amazon's marketplace in 2018.

Persons: Lina Khan's, Joe Biden's, Chavi Mehta, Anil D'Silva, Pooja Desai Organizations: Bloomberg, U.S . Federal Trade Commission, Amazon, Big Tech, FTC, Apple Inc, Apple, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru

☆ Amazon shares slide over FTC's antitrust case
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailAmazon shares slide over FTC's antitrust caseCNBC's Deirdre Bosa joins 'The Exchange' to discuss the FTC's upcoming filing against Amazon, downward pressure on the stock over the FTC's antitrust lawsuit, and Lina Khan's mission to reign in Amazon.

Persons: Deirdre Bosa, Lina Khan's Organizations: Amazon Locations: Amazon

[1/2] Supporters of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan block a highway, during a protest against his arrest, in Karachi, Pakistan May 9, 2023. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro/File PhotoISLAMABAD, June 26 (Reuters) - Pakistan's army has sacked three senior officers, including a lieutenant general, for failing to prevent violent attacks on military assets by ex-prime minister Imran Khan's supporters protesting his arrest, the army's spokesperson said on Monday. He also declined to name the senior officers who had been fired. Human rights groups have raised concerns about military trials of civilians in Pakistan that they say cannot ensure a fair defence. Chaudhry added that several relatives, including women, of senior army officers were also facing trials for allegedly being facilitators of the violence.

Persons: Imran Khan, Akhtar Soomro, Imran Khan's, Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry, Chaudhry, Asif Shahzad, Shilpa Jamkhandikar, Toby Chopra, Christina Fincher, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Karachi, Pakistan, ISLAMABAD, Rawalpindi

☆ FTC Chair Lina Khan refused to sit out agency's case against Meta despite ethics concerns, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( Chelsey Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON — Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan refused to recuse herself from the agency's case against Meta Platforms against the advisement of top agency officials, according to internal FTC documents published by Bloomberg News. Pankey added that Khan's decision to adjudicate the case "is not per se a federal ethics violation." The FTC defended Khan's involvement in the case, and the agency's Democratic majority approved her decision over the objections of former Republican commissioner Christine Wilson, Bloomberg reported. Khan's perceived opposition to Meta acquisitions spurred the company's request to disqualify her participation in the case. FTC Bureau of Competition Deputy Director John Newman accused Meta of "trying to buy its way to the top" through an "illegal acquisition."

Persons: Lina Khan, Khan, Pankey, Christine Wilson, Wilson, Khan's, John Newman, Meta Organizations: Energy, Securities and Exchange Commission, WASHINGTON, WASHINGTON — Federal Trade, Meta, Bloomberg News, Facebook, FTC, CNBC, Democratic, Bloomberg, Competition Locations: Rayburn, WASHINGTON —

The 70-year-old former cricket hero who become prime minister in 2018 has been embroiled in a confrontation with the powerful military since he was ousted in a no-confidence vote last year. Khan was freed days later but new charges against him have been piling up. The military, which denies involvement in civilian politics, initially saw Khan with his conservative, nationalist agenda as a leader who shared their interests. But as prime minister, Khan took steps that angered the generals, in particular in connection with security sector appointments. The prime minister who replaced Khan, Shahbaz Sharif, has rejected his call for an election before one is due by late this year.

Persons: Imran Khan, Khan's, Khan, Gohar Khan, Shahbaz Sharif, Asif Shahzad, Robert Birsel Organizations: Pakistani, Court, Thomson Locations: ISLAMABAD, Islamabad

☆ Pakistan's Imran Khan formally named in 'abetting' lawyer's drive-by murder
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Gul Yousafzai | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

QUETTA, Pakistan, June 7 (Reuters) - Pakistani police on Wednesday formally named former prime minister Imran Khan in connection with the murder by unknown gunmen of a lawyer seeking sedition proceedings against him. Khan, who has not been charged in connection with the lawyer's murder, has dismissed all the cases against him as concocted by his opponents. Provincial government spokesman Babar Khan said Khan could face formal charges if and when the murder case goes to trial. It was not immediately clear how the link between unknown gunmen and Khan was made. Khan has accused the military and its intelligence agency of openly trying to destroy his party, saying he has "no doubt" he will be tried in a military court and thrown into jail.

Persons: Imran Khan, Khan, Rauf Hasan, Babar Khan, Abdur Razaq, Razaq, Razaq's, Siraj Ahmad, Asif Shahzad, Nick Macfie Organizations: Wednesday, Police, Reuters, Thomson Locations: QUETTA, Pakistan

☆ Pakistan's embattled Imran Khan faces blackout on local media
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) asked television licensees to ensure that "hate mongers, rioters, their facilitators and perpetrators" are "completely screened out from media". Khan has long been the most televised politician in Pakistan, with his speeches and gatherings getting wall-to-wall coverage and widespread viewership. The military has not responded to a request for comment on that allegation by Khan. Khan himself was arrested on charges of graft but released two days later after courts deemed the manner of his detention illegal. "We cannot be mentioned on television," said Khan, who now regularly speaks through his party's YouTube channel.

Persons: Imran Khan, Khan, Dissanayake, Gibran Peshimam, Charlotte Greenfield, Alex Richardson Organizations: Reuters, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority, YouTube, South, Amnesty International, Thomson Locations: ISLAMABAD, Pakistan

☆ Pakistan's Imran Khan openly accuses military of trying to destroy his party
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-04 | by ( Gibran Naiyyar Peshimam | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/5] Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan pauses as he speaks with Reuters during an interview, in Lahore, Pakistan March 17, 2023. A bruising year-long standoff between Khan, Pakistan's most popular leader according to polls, and the army came to a head when military buildings and property were ransacked last month, allegedly by his supporters. "I have absolutely no doubt that the military courts are meant for me," said Khan, who is out on bail. Amnesty International says Pakistan's military courts have previously shown disregard for due process, lack of transparency, coerced confessions and executions after unfair trials. Munir was later selected as the country's top general by Khan's successor and political rival, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Persons: Imran Khan, Akhtar Soomro, Khan, Asim Munir, Munir, Pakistan's, Shehbaz Sharif, who's, Gibran Peshimam, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Pakistani, Reuters, REUTERS, Authorities, Amnesty, military's Inter Services Intelligence, PTI, ISI, Thomson Locations: Lahore, Pakistan, LAHORE

☆ FTC chair Khan accused of 'abuse of power' in new US House probe
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, June 1 (Reuters) - The House Oversight Committee's Chairman James Comer opened a probe Thursday into U.S. Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan's management of the agency, citing complaints of abuse of power. In a letter to Khan and agency officials dated Thursday, Comer cited complaints made by former commissioner Christine Wilson, a Republican. She had accused Khan of abuse of power by voting to challenge Meta's acquisition of virtual reality content maker Within. Wilson argued that Khan had said before coming to the FTC that Meta should be barred from making additional acquisitions, and that this meant Khan should be recused from FTC deliberations regarding the deal. "Under Chair Khan, the FTC is proud to be defending American consumers from harm and ensuring fair competition in the economy.

Persons: James Comer, Lina Khan's, Khan, Comer, Christine Wilson, Wilson, Douglas Farrar, Diane Bartz, Chizu Organizations: . Federal Trade, Chamber, Commerce, Republican, Meta, FTC, of Commerce, Thomson Locations: American

☆ FTC's Lina Khan presses ahead with sprawling antitrust plans in the face of GOP opposition
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Chelsey Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

As she made history in leading the agency, Khan's sprawling oversight plans and focus on fair competition in markets drew pushback from GOP leaders who denounced them as "politicized." The backlash to Khan's antitrust platform has come from across the Republican caucuses in Congress — even as many GOP lawmakers have backed antitrust policies or slammed Big Tech companies. watch nowKhan has defended her positions, telling CNBC on May 10 that the FTC enforces antitrust laws passed by Congress. Jordan and other GOP House members have criticized the plan as a "power grab." But an FTC spokesperson said Khan's agency has jurisdiction over all fees except banking and airlines.

Persons: Lina M, Khan, Graeme Jennings, Lina Khan, Pete Buttigieg's, Rohit Chopra, Christine Wilson, Noah Joshua Phillips, Joe Biden's, Matt Stoller, Stoller, Lina, Republican Sens, Chuck Grassley, Mike Lee, Ken Buck, Jim Jordan, Grassley, David Cicilline, Sen, Amy Klobuchar, Elon Musk, Musk, Jordan, Jon Schweppe, Jordan tweeting, they're, Mo Cayer, Khan . Jordan, noncompetes, Trump, Wilson, Leslie Overton, Harkrider, Biden Organizations: Commerce, Science, Capitol, AFP, Getty Images, Biden, Federal Trade, Southwest Airlines, Republicans, Consumer Financial Protection, FTC, Yale University Law School, Washington , D.C, New Yorker, Columbia Law School, American Economic Liberties, Big Tech, Republican, GOP, CNBC, Congress, Rhode Island's, Committee, Twitter, GOP House, Elon, The New York Times, Times, University of New, Democratic, Junk Locations: Washington , DC, London, Washington ,, New, Iowa, Utah, Colorado, Ohio, House, Minnesota, University of New Haven, Connecticut, Khan ., Axinn

☆ Despite world-beating growth, India's lack of jobs threatens its young
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( Ira Dugal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

India's urban unemployment soared during the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching a high of 20.9% in the April-June 2020 quarter, while wages fell. Falling employment and earnings undermine India’s chances to fuel the economic growth needed to create jobs for its young and growing population. This means that of the estimated urban workforce of about 150 million, only 73 million have full-time jobs. But only 24 million will likely be created, leaving behind "46 million missing jobs." "From that lens, a growth rate of 6.5% will solve a third of India’s jobs problem," Bhandari wrote.

☆ Analysis: Pakistan in uncharted territory as army seeks to vanquish Imran Khan
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Gibran Naiyyar Peshimam | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

[1/2] Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan, gestures as he speaks to the members of the media at his residence in Lahore, Pakistan May 18, 2023. There has never been that kind of challenge to Pakistan's military, which has held sway over the country since independence in 1947 with a mixture of fear and respect. The 1971 fall of Dhaka in what was then East Pakistan and the birth of Bangladesh after defeat by arch-enemy India has been the lowest point for Pakistan's military since 1947. Khan was released by court order two days after his arrest, but his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party now faces the ire of the military. "The military's power comes from its ability to deploy force, not popularity - Pakistan's generals like being liked but they like being in control even more," he said.

☆ Pakistan police to search Imran Khan's home - official
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Mubasher Bukhari | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LAHORE, Pakistan, May 19 (Reuters) - Pakistani police plan to search the Lahore home of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday, a provincial government official said, an operation that could trigger more violence as the country grapples with political and economic instability. Amir Mir, the information minister of Punjab province, said hundreds of policemen, led by the city police commissioner, would conduct the search operation later on Friday. Khan's home is located in the Zaman Park neighbourhood of Lahore, the capital of Punjab. His arrest triggered a wave of violence that saw supporters attacking military installations and other government buildings. On Thursday, Khan's aide Iftikhr Durrani allowed journalists into some areas of Khan's Lahore home to "look for terrorists".

ISLAMABAD, May 18 (Reuters) - Pakistan's powerful anti-corruption agency has summoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan for questioning on Thursday into the graft charges that led to his arrest on May 9. It was not clear if Khan, who denies the charges, would heed the summons. A spokesman for Khan's party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, was not immediately available for a comment. The Supreme Court ordered Khan's release on bail last Friday, and another court on Wednesday extended his protective bail until May 31. Punjab's information minister Amir Mir said the government did not have any plans to arrest Khan as he had been given bail by court.

[1/2] Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi are covered with a white sheet as they arrive to appear at the High Court in Lahore, Pakistan, May 15, 2023. REUTERS/Mohsin RazaISLAMABAD, May 16 (Reuters) - Bushra Khan, the wife of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan, is facing corruption charges in the same case that led to his arrest on May 9. It was not clear when or how Khan met Bushra, but former aide Aun Chaudhry said Khan was very impressed with her spirituality. Khan and Bushra married in 2018, seven months before he was elected prime minister, in a secret ceremony. While prime minister, Khan promoted the trust at official events, and the couple are the sole trustees, according to Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar.

[1/3] Firefighters try to douse a bus that caught fire during clashes with the supporters of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad, Pakistan, May 12, 2023. The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Security Committee chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. It is an endorsement of the military, which said on Monday that the rioters and their handlers had been identified, and would be tried under army laws. "The meeting endorsed to bring the miscreants, the planners who incited for violence and their facilitators to dock by trying them under constitutional provisions of concerned laws, including Pakistan Army Act and Official Secrets Act," said a statement issued by Sharif's office. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), an independent civil rights group, said it strongly opposes the use of those two laws to try civilians.

☆ Pakistan court grants bail to former PM Imran Khan's wife in graft case - lawyer
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Mubasher Bukhari | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LAHORE, Pakistan, May 15 (Reuters) - A Pakistani court in the eastern city of Lahore on Monday granted bail until May 23 to former Prime Minister Imran Khan's wife in a graft case, a lawyer in their legal team said. He was later released and received bail from a court in Islamabad for two weeks. Khan's wife, Bushra Bibi, was co-accused along with Khan in the case, which pertained to the alleged receiving of financial help from a land developer in the setting-up of Al Qadir University of which the former premier and his spouse are trustees. "We had requested for a protective bail for Bushra Bibi in Al Qadir Trust Case and a two-judge bench of LHC has granted the bail till May 23," Bibi's lawyer, Intizar Hussain Panjutha, told Reuters. The government denies being behind the case and says the anti-graft agency, the National Accountability Bureau, is working independently.

KARACHI, Pakistan, May 13 (Reuters) - Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Saturday gave authorities 72 hours to identify and arrest all those involved in violent acts after former Prime Minister Imran Khan's arrest this week sparked deadly unrest. Khan departed court premises late Friday night and headed towards his hometown Lahore amid high security, after a court granted him bail. Following Sharif's announcement, Punjab's government released pictures of unidentified protesters involved in an attack on a military official's residence on Wednesday. Khan, 70, is a cricket star-turned-politician who was ousted as prime minister in April 2022 in a parliamentary no-confidence vote and Pakistan's most popular leader according to opinion polls. Facebook, YouTube and Twitter were inaccessible in Pakistan on Saturday, Reuters journalists said, after access was briefly restored late on Friday.

☆ Khan's supporters welcome him home with rose petals
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-13 | by ( Reuters Editorial | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

PoliticsKhan's supporters welcome him home with rose petalsPostedThousands of supporters gathered outside the home of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was released on bail on Friday (May 12).

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