Newsletter Mar 17, 2023

UK govt, health unions agree pay deal in bid to end strikes

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hailed the agreement as "affordable for the taxpayer" and allowing his government "to deliver on my promise to halve inflation".

Blair urges compromise in N.Ireland as vote looms on EU deal

British former prime minister Tony Blair on Thursday urged pro-UK unionists in Northern Ireland to emulate their 1998 predecessors and show leadership to unlock present-day paralysis.

Europe's rebound wanes ahead of ECB rate decision

A rebound in Europe's battered banking shares was beginning to wane on Thursday, as a 50 billion Swiss franc ($53.94 billion) lifeline for beleaguered lender Credit Suisse teed up a pivotal European Central Bank interest rate decision.

Microsoft unveils AI Office Copilot in fast-moving race with Google

Microsoft Corp on Thursday trumpeted its latest plans to put artificial intelligence into the hands of more users, answering a spate of unveilings this week by its rival Google with upgrades to its own widely used office software.

EU to unveil green tech plans to take on US, China

The EU will reveal hotly debated proposals on Thursday to boost spending on clean tech, possibly overcoming internal divisions to include nuclear energy in the mix, to confront growing industrial competition from the United States and China.

Australia employment rebounds in Feb, jobless drops back to near 50-yr lows

Australia employment rebounded strongly in February after two months of declines, while the jobless rate fell back to near 50-year lows, suggesting the country's labour market remained tight amid a slew of interest rate hikes by the central bank.

One billion users, but trouble mounts for TikTok

TikTok's breakneck rise from niche video-sharing app to global social media behemoth has brought plenty of scrutiny, particularly over its links to China.

Amazon slams $265 mln tax order as it seeks to get EU appeal thrown out

An EU decision ordering Amazon to pay about 250 million euros ($265 million) in back taxes to Luxembourg relies on "atmospherics" and is without merit, the company said on Thursday, as it sought to convince Europe's top court to throw out an appeal by EU regulators.

FedEx raises full-year earnings forecast after cost cuts, shares soar

FedEx Corp on Thursday raised its fiscal 2023 profit forecast despite weak market conditions, citing progress on its plan to shave $3.7 billion in costs from its global delivery business, sending its shares up more than 11%.

Nissan workers at Tennessee plant reject union campaign

A group of technicians at Nissan Motor Co's Smyrna, Tennessee, factory voted overwhelmingly against joining a union on Thursday, marking yet another defeat for organized labor in the U.S. South.

GM CEO meets with senators on self-driving cars

General Motors CEO Mary Barra met with two key senators on Thursday as the Detroit automaker pushes for legislation to speed deployment of self-driving vehicles on U.S. roads.

Grubhub, Uber Eats, Postmates cannot arbitrate diners' claims over high prices

A federal judge in Manhattan on Thursday said Grubhub, Uber Eats and Postmates cannot force diners who have used their platforms into binding arbitration over claims they conspired to drive up prices for restaurant meals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Google to enter the foldable phone niche with Pixel Fold launch in June: report

The Google Pixel Fold will likely be launched in mid-June of this year based on leaked retail listings.

Sporting beat Arsenal in Europa stunner, Man Utd, Juve advance

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said the result was "a huge blow" and blasted his side for wasting chances.

UK's Prince Harry to seek Mail On Sunday libel win without trial

Prince Harry will on Friday seek to win his libel claim against publisher Associated Newspapers without the case going to trial, his lawyer said, as the British royal steps up his legal battles against the tabloid press.