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☆ From town hall prep to disaster predictions: Mayors descend on Washington to learn how they can use generative AI in their cities
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Lauren Feiner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

More than 100 mayors attended Bloomberg CityLab's Mayors Innovation Studio to learn about using artificial intelligence in city government. James Anderson, head of government innovation programs at Bloomberg Philanthropies, introduces mayors to the Mayors Innovation Studio on AI. The focus of Wednesday's session was primarily on how generative AI may streamline processes for cities or offer new insights to make them safer or more efficient. More than 100 mayors attended Bloomberg CityLab's Mayors Innovation Studio to learn about using artificial intelligence in city government. The event sought to give mayors a starting point for how to think about implementing generative AI into their processes.

Persons: Bloomberg Philanthropies, they're, James Anderson, Anderson, Mitch Weiss, Weiss, ChatGPT, chatbot, they've, Breda, Santiago Garces, Garces, Tim Kelly, Kelly, Andrew Ginther, Ginther, we're, Breed Organizations: Bloomberg CityLab's, Innovation, Bloomberg, Congress, Harvard Business School, Boston, CNBC, Center for Government Excellence, Johns Hopkins University, AI, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, YouTube Locations: Washington ,, Washington, Boston, New York City, York, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Chattanooga , Tennessee, Columbus , Ohio, coders, India

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jose Altuve thrives under pressure for the Houston Astros, able to stay calm in the biggest October moments even after another bench-clearing fracas against the Texas Rangers. “This dude is one of the baddest dudes I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen some greats.”Baker wasn't in the dugout when Altuve hit his 26th career postseason homer, second in major league history behind Manny Ramirez (29). García, Abreu and Baker were all ejected. “The guy hits a three-run homer; the next time up he gets smoked,” Texas manager Bruce Bochy said. The 5-foot-6 Altuve, playing in his 101st postseason game for Houston, then pulled an 0-1 changeup over the left-field fence, just beyond the glove of a leaping Evan Carter.

Persons: — Jose Altuve, Altuve’s, Friday, “ He’s, ”, Dusty Baker, I’ve, ” Baker wasn't, Altuve, Manny Ramirez, Adolis García, Bryan Abreu, García, Martín Maldonado —, ” García, “, Abreu, Baker, James Hoye, Bruce Bochy, “ I’d, José Leclerc, Yainer Diaz, Jon Singleton, Evan Carter, You’ve, Alex Bregman, ” Altuve, Cy Young, Justin Verlander, Corey Seager, Carter, Nathaniel Lowe, Ryan Pressly, Pressly, Marcus Semien, Seager flied, Houston, El Bombi, José Abreu, Jordan Montgomery, Seager, Josh Sborz, Verlander, Lowe, Nathan Eovaldi, Framber Valdez, Eovaldi, Valdez, ___ Organizations: Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, Astros, Rangers, ” Rangers, Houston, 101st, “, Lone Star State, AL West, Texas, Semien, Monday Locations: ARLINGTON , Texas, ” Houston, Houston, Texas, Arlington, Verlander

☆ Canada's Conservative leader urges rejection of RBC's offer for HSBC Canada -media
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A sign for the Royal Bank of Canada in Toronto, Ontario, Canada December 13, 2021. REUTERS/Carlos Osorio/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 19 (Reuters) - Pierre Poilievre, Canada's Conservative party leader, called for the federal government to reject Royal Bank of Canada's (RY.TO) C$13.5 billion ($9.84 billion) offer to buy HSBC's (HSBA.L) domestic unit, the Globe and Mail reported on Thursday. "If the biggest bank in Canada simply buys up a growing smaller player, then there's no hope of ever having more competition in Canadian banking," he told the newspaper. Last month, Canada's Competition Bureau said that RBC's takeover of HSBC Canada was unlikely to hurt competition, clearing the way for the country's largest bank to push ahead with its biggest acquisition. Still, the regulator found that the deal would "result in a loss of rivalry between Canada's largest and seventh-largest banks."

Persons: Carlos Osorio, Pierre Poilievre, Poilievre, Gnaneshwar Rajan, Christian Schmollinger Organizations: Royal Bank of Canada, REUTERS, Conservative, Royal Bank of Canada's, Globe and Mail, HSBC, HSBC Canada, Thomson Locations: Toronto , Ontario, Canada

☆ Risky biotech M&A therapy will heal more fractures
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Jonathan Guilford | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

NEW YORK, Oct 19 (Reuters Breakingviews) - How can a suitor offering $1 billion see eye-to-eye with a seller asking for $2 billion? Such contingent value rights, or CVRs, are a way to get around the inherent uncertainty of an unproven drug. Its $74 billion takeover of Celgene in 2019 included a $6.4 billion payout dependent on a trio of drug approvals. There have been only 27 biotech market debuts this year, raising $2.2 billion, according to LSEG data. Given the nagging fissures in valuation perspectives, however, more dealmakers are apt to try this risky M&A therapy.

Persons: Schulman, Sidley, Bristol Myers, Myers, CVRs, Andrew Weisenfeld, IPOs, ”, Dan Lepanto, biopharma, Eli Lilly’s, Bristol Myers Squibb, Jeffrey Goldfarb, Sharon Lam, Streisand Neto Organizations: Reuters, Dow, Marion Laboratories, LyondellBasell Industries, Mirati Therapeutics, JPMorgan, Sanofi, Health Partners, Nasdaq Biotechnology, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Reuters Graphics, Leerink Partners, Therapeutics, Public, Bristol Myers, U.S . Food, Drug Administration, Thomson Locations: Celgene, Genzyme, U.S

☆ Laphonza Butler Will Not Run for Senate in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Shawn Hubler | More About Shawn Hubler | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Laphonza Butler, who was appointed 18 days ago to fill the Senate seat left vacant by Dianne Feinstein’s death, said on Thursday that she would not run for the office next year, clearing the way for a truly open race in California that features three Democratic congressional members and a former Major League Baseball star. In an interview with The New York Times, Senator Butler said that she intended to be “the loudest, proudest champion of California” in the 383 days remaining in her term in office, but that she had realized “this is not the greatest use of my voice.”Ms. Butler has never been elected to office and was appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom less than three weeks ago, helping him to fulfill his promise to name a Black woman to complete Senator Feinstein’s term. Even without Ms. Butler in the running, Californians will have a wealth of candidates to choose from. Three high-profile Democratic members of Congress — Representatives Katie Porter, Adam Schiff and Barbara Lee — had been campaigning for months when Senator Feinstein died at 90 in late September.

Persons: Laphonza Butler, Dianne Feinstein’s, Butler, Ms, Gavin Newsom, Feinstein’s, Katie Porter, Adam Schiff, Barbara Lee —, Feinstein Organizations: Democratic, Major League Baseball, The New York Times, Gov Locations: California

☆ Wanted: Thousands of Ukrainian Judges, in Huge Overhaul Sought by EU
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +6 min

By Dan PeleschukKYIV (Reuters) - Vira Levko, a judge in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, typically handles dozens of administrative cases and several criminal hearings every day. Ukraine is desperately short of judges, and is kick-starting a long-delayed nationwide hiring spree to fill more than 2,000 vacancies and vet around as many sitting judges for potential malfeasance. Court cases have piled up across Ukraine as a result. The regional appeals court in northeastern Ukraine's Sumy has only four judges left out of a full staff of 35. Some 2,000 sitting judges also require integrity checks, part of the judicial house-cleaning launched, but never finished, after Maidan.

Persons: Dan Peleschuk, Vira Levko, Levko, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ruslan Sydorovych, it's, Sydorovych, Halyna Chyzhyk, shouldn't, Mykhailo Zhernakov, Oleksandr Tupytskyi, Zhernakov, I've, Anna Dabrowska, Mike Collett, White, Gareth Jones Organizations: Dan Peleschuk KYIV, Reuters, European Union, European Commission, Kyiv, EU, DEJURE Foundation, Constitutional, Kyiv International Institute of Sociology Locations: Ukrainian, Kyiv, Dniprovskyi, Ukraine, Russia, Ukraine's Sumy, Maidan, Halyna, Vienna

☆ Wanted: Thousands of Ukrainian judges, in huge overhaul sought by EU
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Dan Peleschuk | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

Ukraine is desperately short of judges, and is kick-starting a long-delayed nationwide hiring spree to fill more than 2,000 vacancies and vet around as many sitting judges for potential malfeasance. Court cases have piled up across Ukraine as a result. The regional appeals court in northeastern Ukraine's Sumy has only four judges left out of a full staff of 35. Some 2,000 sitting judges also require integrity checks, part of the judicial house-cleaning launched, but never finished, after Maidan. Oleksandr Tupytskyi, now living in Vienna according to Ukrainian media reports, has denied wrongdoing and said the cases against him are political.

Persons: Lady Justice, Thomas Peter Acquire, Vira Levko, Levko, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ruslan Sydorovych, it's, Sydorovych, Halyna Chyzhyk, shouldn't, Mykhailo Zhernakov, Oleksandr Tupytskyi, Zhernakov, I've, Dan Peleschuk, Anna Dabrowska, Mike Collett, White, Gareth Jones Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, European Union, European Commission, Kyiv, EU, DEJURE Foundation, Constitutional, Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, Thomson Locations: Pecherskyi, Kyiv City, Kyiv, Ukraine, KYIV, Ukrainian, Dniprovskyi, Russia, Ukraine's Sumy, Maidan, Halyna, Vienna

Rolling back Trump-era sanctions, U.S. officials issued general licenses for Venezuela's oil, gas and mining sectors in response to a deal between Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and the county's opposition on the 2024 presidential election. SLOW RECOVERYThe sanctions relief authorizes the production, sale and export of Venezuela's crude and gas, while keeping a ban on business with Russia. Since the U.S. imposed secondary oil sanctions on Venezuela in 2020, PDVSA had been unable to fulfill its supply contracts to clients in regions from Europe to Asia. An individual authorization to Chevron Corp (CVX.N) allowed the return of Venezuela's crude to the United States this year. Area chart shows data from U.S. EIA showing Venezuela crude oil production.

Persons: Leonardo Fernandez Viloria, Francisco Monaldi, Rice University's, Nicolas Maduro, Joe Biden, Monaldi, PDVSA, Baker Hughes, Maduro, Marianna Parraga, Julia Symmes Cobb, David Gregorio, William Mallard Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, South, Rice University's Baker Institute ., Trump, Venezuelan, OPEC, U.S, Chevron Corp, U.S Chevron, Eni, EIA, Thomson Locations: Jusepin, Venezuela, South American, U.S, American, Russia, Iran, Europe, Asia, United States, Trinidad and Tobago, China, Caribbean

☆ A rediscovered passageway in an Egyptian Pyramid has revealed hidden rooms that could hold riches from ancient royals
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Jenny Mcgrath | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Recently, researchers used Lidar to map the pyramid's interior and found previously hidden rooms. AdvertisementAdvertisementIn 1836, Egyptologist John Shae Perring was excavating the Pyramid of Sahure (also known as Sahura) when he noticed a debris-filled passageway. An expert on floor plans for these types of structures, he surmised there might be storage rooms beyond. The hidden storage roomsThe area was so damaged it was impossible to enter, so Perring had no way of knowing if he was right. The pyramid is falling apartPart of the reason the pyramid is in such disrepair is due to the original construction techniques.

Persons: —, John Shae Perring, Perring, Ludwig Borchardt, he'd, Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Julius, Würzburg, wasn't, Ra, Borchardt Organizations: Service Locations: Giza, Sahure

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Wednesday announced $3.5 billion for 58 projects across the country to strengthen electric grid resilience as extreme weather events such as the deadly Maui and California wildfires continue to strain the nation’s aging transmission systems. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said it was the largest federal investment ever in grid infrastructure, supporting projects that will harden electric systems and improve energy reliability and affordability. The federal spending, combined with money promised by private partners, could result in up to $8 billion in investments nationally to upgrade the grid, Granholm said. Political Cartoons View All 1211 ImagesThe largest grant, $464 million, will go to improve five transmission projects across seven Midwestern states, from Iowa to North Dakota. In southeastern Pennsylvania, PECO Energy Co. will increase grid reliability and resilience through substation flood mitigation and replacing aging infrastructure.

Persons: —, Biden, Jennifer Granholm, Granholm, ″, Mitch Landrieu, Joe Biden, ” Landrieu, ”, Jonathan Foley, ” Foley, Isabella O'Malley Organizations: WASHINGTON, Wednesday, Energy, Biden, Resilience, White House, Entergy, CPS Energy, DTE Energy, PECO Energy, Portland General Electric, Associated Press Locations: Maui, California, Georgia, Louisiana, American, Oregon, Iowa, North Dakota, Hawaii, California , Oregon , Utah, San Francisco, Locust Grove , Georgia, Orleans, San Antonio, Minnesota, Texas , Colorado , New Mexico, Wisconsin, Texas, Michigan, Detroit, Pennsylvania, New York

[1/2] Performers dance to welcome Vietnam's President Vo Van Thuong at Beijing Capital International Airport ahead of the Third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China, October 17, 2023. The conciliatory approach towards rivals as well as China's partners in the developing world comes as President Xi Jinping gets to grips with the most significant domestic economic problems seen in years. China has not changed its tone on every issue. It has not backed away from escalating maritime confrontation with the Philippines in the South China Sea. Stabilizing the U.S. relationship, including with a meeting between Xi and U.S. President Joe Biden at an upcoming Asia- Pacific summit, could give China breathing room.

Persons: Vo Van Thuong, Parker, Biden, Xi Jinping, Noah Barkin, Barkin, Cheng Lei, Xi, Chuck Schumer, Willy Lam, Huiyao Wang, Qin Gang, Li Shangfu, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Zack Cooper, Don Durfee, Robert Birsel Organizations: Beijing Capital International, Forum, U.S, Initiative, Jamestown Foundation, for, Marshall, American Enterprise Institute, Washington, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, San Francisco China, HONG KONG, WASHINGTON, Sri Lanka, United States, Asia, Europe, Australia, U.S, Zambia, Philippines, South China, Africa, for China

☆ Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says he weighs 2 factors when considering making an acquisition
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Sarah Jackson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Satya Nadella has orchestrated a slew of acquisitions at Microsoft since becoming CEO in 2014. His remarks come on the heels of Microsoft closing its $69 billion Activision Blizzard deal. AdvertisementAdvertisementSatya Nadella has closed a number of deals for Microsoft in his tenure as CEO, and he says there are two key factors he considers when eyeing possible acquisitions. Nadella discussed his thought process for acquisitions while speaking at the Axel Springer Award ceremony in Berlin on Tuesday. Axel Springer is Insider's parent company.

Persons: Satya Nadella, Axel Springer's, —, Nadella, Axel Springer Organizations: Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, Service, Activision, Mojang Studios Locations: Berlin

☆ Yellen Says U.S. Will Fight to Ensure Robust Economic Aid for Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

She said the Biden administration was committed to supporting Ukraine "for as long as it takes" and would fight to ensure a bipartisan majority in the U.S. Congress enacted "robust" and uninterrupted assistance for the war-torn country. Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko told Reuters on Saturday that Ukraine is finding it harder to secure financial support. Yellen lauded the European Union's plans for a 50 billion euro Ukraine Facility to provide sustained economic and reconstruction support, saying that economic support should have maximum concessionality, meaning low or zero interest rates. WINDFALL PROCEEDS TO AID UKRAINETo ensure additional sources of revenue, Yellen reiterated that she supported "harnessing windfall proceeds from Russian sovereign assets immobilized in particular clearing houses and using the funds to support Ukraine." U.S.-EU collaboration was also crucial regarding economic ties with China, Yellen said, including targeted actions to safeguard national security interests such as restrictions on certain outbound investments in sensitive technologies.

Persons: Andrea Shalal LUXEMBOURG, Janet Yellen, Biden, Yellen, Jim Jordan, Donald Trump, Brussels's, Serhiy Marchenko, Andrea Shalal, Christina Fincher Organizations: . Treasury, Ukraine, U.S, Congress, Hamas, Sky News, Kyiv, Ohio, Republican, EU, Ukrainian, Reuters, UKRAINE Locations: United States, Europe, Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, America, Hungary, U.S, Russia, China, Washington

☆ UBS upgrades this 'core' health care stock, sees nearly 20% upside
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Brian Evans | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

UBS thinks UnitedHealth is an essential portfolio holding trading at a discount. The firm upgraded shares of the health care giant to buy from neutral and raised its target price to $640 from $520. "We believe that the strong Q3 release from UNH is a clearing event that should pave the way for improved valuation for the stock," Rice said. UnitedHealth stock has ticked up nearly 2% in 2023. UNH YTD mountain UNH in 2023 UNH YTD mountain UnitedHealth stock.

Persons: UnitedHealth, AJ Rice, Rice, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: UBS Locations: UNH

☆ Here are Monday's biggest analyst calls: Nvidia, Apple, Tesla, Netflix, Colgate, Pfizer, Disney and more
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

UBS upgrades UnitedHealth to buy from neutral UBS called the stock a "core holding." Jefferies upgrades Pfizer to buy from hold Jefferies said investors should buy the dip in shares of Pfizer. UBS initiates Evolent Health as buy UBS said it sees more upside for the health-care company. Morgan Stanley upgrades Varonis Systems to overweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley said the data security and analytics company has "underappreciated AI tailwinds." UBS upgrades Tal Education to buy from neutral UBS said a turnaround for the education tech company is underway.

Persons: Morgan Stanley, Apple, Jefferies, Goldman Sachs, Horton, Piper Sandler, Tesla, Truist, Stifel Organizations: Apple, JPMorgan, Nvidia, NVIDIA, UBS, UNH, Jefferies, Pfizer, Maplebear Inc, Disney, US Parks, Evolent Health, payors, Varonis, Nice Systems, NICE, Netflix, ISI, Tal Education, RBC, BMO, Energy, Colgate, Palmolive Locations: UNH, U.S

☆ The 3 biggest home staging mistakes people make when trying to sell their houses
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-14 | by ( Samantha Grindell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Insider spoke to interior designer Dan Mazzarini about mistakes people make when staging. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. It's about a simplification, and it's about putting away the personal," Mazzarini told Insider. "You don't need 20 pillows on a sofa or a bed, even if that's how you like to live," he said. When it comes to home staging, the simpler you can make your space, the more likely it is to sell.

Persons: Dan Mazzarini, —, it's, Mazzarini, John Keeble, TJ Maxx Organizations: Service

☆ UK clears Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailUK clears Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of Activision BlizzardThe U.K. Competition and Markets Authority approved Microsoft to go ahead with its proposed $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, clearing the way for the deal to close globally. CNBC's Arjun Kharpal reports.

Persons: CNBC's Arjun Kharpal Organizations: Activision, Competition, Markets Authority, Microsoft, Activision Blizzard

☆ Microsoft closes $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard after lengthy regulatory review
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Jordan Novet | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

"Today we start the work to bring beloved Activision, Blizzard, and King franchises to Game Pass and other platforms," Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer said in a blog post . Microsoft has closed its $69 billion acquisition of video game publisher Activision Blizzard , according to a regulatory filing by the company Friday. Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick will stay on as CEO through the end of the year. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, who took the helm in 2014, is aiming to diversify the company's business beyond its core areas such as operating systems and productivity software. WATCH: Microsoft deal with Activision Blizzard set to clear final hurdle

Persons: Phil Spencer, Tony Hawk, It's, Bobby Kotick, Satya Nadella, pushback, Victoria Graham, Activision Blizzard Organizations: Activision, Blizzard, Microsoft, Markets Authority, Federal Trade Commission, European Commission, Markets, Economic, Activision Blizzard, Nintendo, Sony, Nvidia, San, U.S, Appeals, Circuit, Ubisoft, FTC Locations: U.S, San Francisco federal

Word "Sanctions" is displayed on EU and Russian flags in this illustration taken, February 27, 2022. The United States and Britain last month signalled support for an EU plan to tax windfall profits generated by frozen Russian sovereign assets to finance Ukraine as Kyiv battles a full-scale Russian invasion that started in February 2022. EU members Germany and France are part of the G7 club, where the EU executive European Commission is also represented. The EU's own work among its 27 member states on harnessing frozen Russian state assets for Ukraine has been repeatedly delayed due to legal concerns, among others, after the bloc's sanctions on private Russian wealth were challenged in courts. Belgian clearing house Euroclear manages some 125 billion euros of frozen Russian central bank assets.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Thomson, Gabriela Baczynska, Mark Potter Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Union, European, Reuters, Friday, Diplomats, European Commission, EU, Deutsche Boerse's Eurex, London Stock Exchange, Thomson Reuters, Thomson Locations: Rights BRUSSELS, Ukraine, United States, Britain, Kyiv, Morocco, Germany, France, Brussels, Belgium, EU, Belgian, Euroclear, Europe, Frankfurt, London, LSEG

☆ Microsoft's $69 billion Activision Blizzard takeover approved by UK, clearing way for deal to close
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The Competition and Markets Authority said it had cleared the deal for Microsoft to buy Activision but without cloud gaming rights. Microsoft offered a spate of concessions, which centered around divesting the cloud rights of Activision games to French game publisher Ubisoft Entertainment. The U.K.'s regulatory U-turnRegulators globally were concerned that the takeover would reduce competition in the gaming market, in particular around cloud gaming. Meanwhile, in the U.S., the Federal Trade Commission was fighting a legal battle with Microsoft in an effort to get the Activision takeover scrapped. "As cloud gaming grows, this intervention will ensure people get more competitive prices, better services and more choice.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, we've, Sarah Cardell, Cardell Organizations: Activision, Markets Authority, Microsoft, CMA, Ubisoft Entertainment, Ubisoft, Netflix, Reuters, Authorities, European Union, EU, Federal Trade Commission, Activision PC Locations: U.S, Europe, U.K

Traders work on the floor of the London Metal Exchange in London, Britain, September 27, 2018. Rebuilding the London nickel contract is clearly very much work in progress. FIXING NICKELOthers, meanwhile, are looking to muscle into the LME's nickel price discovery domain. The Shanghai market also took a big collateral hit from the London turmoil, volumes on its nickel contract collapsing by 53% last year relative to 2021. The blow-out of the nickel contract and the resulting near-death experience of both brokers and exchange have sapped confidence in the historical market of last resort.

Persons: Simon Dawson, Elliott, Nicolas Aguzin, Matthew Chamberlain, hasn't, it's, Ireland's, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: London Metal Exchange, REUTERS, U.S, Elliott Associates, Jane, Trading, Hong Kong Exchanges, HK, Bloomberg, London, Global Commodities Holdings, Abaxx Commodities Exchange, Canadian, Technologies Inc, Shanghai Futures Exchange, EV, CME, Reuters, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, London's, China, Shanghai, U.S

☆ How finally closing its Activision purchase will diversify Microsoft's revenue streams
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Morgan Chittum | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Microsoft (MSFT) closed its landmark acquisition of Activision Blizzard (ATVI), according to a company regulatory filing Friday, furthering the Big Tech name's video game ambitions. However, this biggest video game deal ever was completed despite the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) ongoing fight to block it. Activision reported $7.5 billion in revenue for the 2022 fiscal year, in comparison to Microsoft's $212 billion in sales for the same period. As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Microsoft submitted a new proposal to U.K. regulators for the takeover of American game publisher Activision Blizzard after its initial proposal was rejected.

Persons: Victoria Graham, Jim Cramer, Jim, Tony Hawk, Jim Cramer's Organizations: Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, Big Tech, Activision, pushback, Markets, CMA, Ubisoft, Federal Trade Commission's, CNBC, FTC, Xbox, Nurphoto, Getty Locations: U.S, OpenAI

☆ The Massive Challenges Ahead for an Israeli Ground Invasion of Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Cecelia Smith-Schoenwalder | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +6 min

“Such an invasion would be difficult for the Israeli military and devastating for Palestinian civilians,” experts at the Center for Strategic and International Studies wrote in an analysis . “In order to fully achieve the objective of destroying Hamas military capability in Gaza, ground forces will require weeks, if not months,” Spencer wrote in the analysis . Another strategy the Israeli military is likely anticipating is the use of human shields, which Hamas has been known to do. Israel is no stranger to international pressure, but it has the support of many nations in its pursuit to destroy Hamas’ military capabilities. The Israeli government would need to decide whether to potentially leave a weakened Hamas behind in Gaza or to overthrow its administration.

Persons: ”, Bill Roggio, ” Roggio, “ They're, John Spencer, ” Spencer, Spencer, Roggio, Israel, “, can’t Organizations: Israel Defense Forces, Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Nations, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Modern War Institute, Experts, Hamas, Washington Institute for Near, National Intelligence Locations: Gaza, Israel, Egypt, Strongpoints, U.S

☆ JPMorgan says this struggling clean energy play may have finally bottomed, sees nearly 60% upside
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Hakyung Kim | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Hydrogen fuel cell company Plug Power is on pace for meaningful upside with several near-term catalysts ahead, according to JPMorgan. Analyst Bill Peterson added Plug Power to its positive catalyst watch list for the near term in a Thursday note, in addition to reiterating its overweight rating on the stock. Plug Power lowered its 2023 revenue forecast to account for a disappointing third quarter, but Peterson said he had anticipated this would occur. On Friday, the Biden administration is expected to announce $7 billion in hydrogen hub grants, from which Peterson thinks Plug Power is well-positioned to benefit. Plug Power could see further tailwinds from a positive resolution with the U.S. Department of the Treasury on the Inflation Reduction Act's clean hydrogen production tax credits.

Persons: Bill Peterson, Peterson, Biden, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: JPMorgan, U.S . Department of, Treasury, U.S . Department of Energy Locations: Wednesday's, company's Georgia

☆ Marquez to join Gresini Racing team after Honda exit
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

But I'm also sure that the whole Team Gresini will help me a lot," he added. Marquez, who joined the Repsol Honda team in 2013, won the last of his six championships in 2019, finishing 151 points clear of his nearest rival. He will join his brother Alex, who has impressed since he made the switch from LCR Honda to Gresini ahead of the 2023 season. "This is a historical moment for the Gresini Family," Gresini boss Nadia Padovani Gresini said. "The fact that Marc Marquez chose to race with us in the upcoming season is absolutely fantastic and I'm extremely happy to be able to make it official."

Persons: Honda, Marc Marquez, Issei Kato, Marquez, it's, I'm, Gresini, Alex, Nadia Padovani Gresini, Rohith Nair, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Prix, MotoGP, Gresini Racing, Ducati, Honda, Repsol Honda, Thomson Locations: Motegi, Japan, Bengaluru

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