Reuters - Squid Business

US weekly jobless claims drop; revisions suggest labor market looser

By Lucia Mutikani WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell last week, but annual revisions to the data showed applications were higher this year than initially thought, further evidence that the labor market was slowing. With Thursday’s weekly jobless claims report, the Labor Department updated the methodology used …

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Britain unveils research funding programme as backup to EU’s Horizon

LONDON (Reuters) – Britain unveiled on Thursday plans for a new research funding programme as a backup to the Horizon Europe scientific research scheme in case talks with the European Union on rejoining the programme fail. The new plan, called “Pioneer”, provides for 14.6 billion pounds ($18.2 billion) of funding over seven years — the …

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US dividend funds see biggest quarterly outflows in 2-1/2 years

By Patturaja Murugaboopathy and Chuck Mikolajczak (Reuters) – U.S. dividend funds have faced steep outflows this year after strong inflows last year as investors rush to safer money market funds and bank deposits, providing high returns without much risk. Interest rates on short-tenor bonds have risen this year on expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve …

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London’s FTSE 100 climbs ahead of Easter break

By Sruthi Shankar and Shristi Achar A (Reuters) -UK’s blue-chip index rose on Thursday, gaining for a third consecutive week, as a rally in commodity stocks and signs of resilience in the domestic economy outweighed concerns about a U.S. economic slowdown. The FTSE 100 rose 1.0%, hitting its highest level in over three weeks and …

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India accepts gas panel report, lowers gas prices

NEW DELHI (Reuters) – India will lower prices of gas produced from old blocks to $6.50 per million British thermal units (mmBtu) from Saturday as the federal cabinet approved the recommendations of a gas panel report, the information minister said on Thursday, a move aimed at reining in inflation. The price will apply to industrial …

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South African rand weakens as investors await U.S. jobs data

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) -The South African rand weakened against the dollar on Thursday as investors awaited U.S. jobs data and its implications for the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy. At 1551 GMT, the rand traded at 18.2325 to the dollar, about 1% weaker than its previous close. The dollar index, which measures the currency against six rivals, …

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UK inquiry finds no clear evidence of Islamophobia in minister’s 2020 sacking

By Sachin Ravikumar LONDON (Reuters) – An ethics adviser to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Thursday he had found no clear evidence of Islamophobia to back up allegations by a lawmaker that she was sacked from her ministerial job in 2020 partly because of her Muslim faith. Nusrat Ghani, 50, said last year …

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Indian govt forms panel to review pension system

NEW DELHI (Reuters) – The Indian government has formed a panel to review the country’s pension system and discuss whether changes are warranted, the finance ministry said on Thursday. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced last month that the government would consider changes to the country’s pension system to be used by both the federal and …

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UK defence firms keen to expand in India -business council

By Shivangi Acharya NEW DELHI (Reuters) – British defence companies are planning to boost tie ups or make new investments in India, amid broader efforts to diversify their supply chains, an industry body said on Thursday. Britain has sought to deepen economic, defence and security ties with India, committing to closer links with the Indo-Pacific …

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Explainer-Bakhmut: Why Russia and Ukraine are battling so hard for one small city

By Andrew Osborn MOSCOW (Reuters) – Over 90% of its residents have fled, much of it lies in ruins, tens of thousands have been killed, and its strategic importance has been played down by the Pentagon and NATO chiefs. Yet Russia and Ukraine are still battling for the small city of Bakhmut. After eight months …

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