Thailand’s promised cannabis bonanza disappoints as politicians trade blame

By Devjyot Ghoshal and Napat Wesshasartar BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s decriminalisation of cannabis has delighted its fans, alarmed some health experts and has increasingly disappointed farmers who have been undercut by illegal imports, sending a promise of a new bonanza crop up in smoke. Marijuana has also become an election football with the opposition criticising …

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Brazil’s Haddad sees positive signs from cenbank on fiscal efforts

SAO PAULO (Reuters) – Brazilian Finance Minister Fernando Haddad said on Thursday the country’s central bank has sent “several signs” that measures being taken by government to balance public accounts, including a newly proposed fiscal framework, were “consistent”. As the government pressures policymakers to lower interest rates, Haddad highlighted in an interview with BandNews that …

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Georgieva says downside risks have increased for global economy

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on Thursday said the global economy faced increased downside risks following recent bank failures in Switzerland and United States that exposed financial risks. Georgieva called on policymakers to carefully balance the fight against persistent inflation with managing risks in the financial sector. But she had …

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In pioneering workshops, U.S. trains Cuban entrepreneurs to do business

By Dave Sherwood HAVANA (Reuters) – U.S. venture capitalist Stacey Brandhorst has traveled Latin America giving advice to fledgling entrepreneurs. But communist-run Cuba, she says, is a tough nut to crack. “Being an entrepreneur is one thing, but (being one) in Cuba is entirely another,” she recently told a group of around 50 Cubans in …

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Chinese car brands overtake sales of Russia’s Lada in first quarter

By Gleb Stolyarov (Reuters) -Russians purchased more Chinese cars in the first quarter of 2023 than Ladas, Russia’s most popular, locally made vehicle, data showed on Thursday, evidence of Beijing’s growing presence in Russia’s economy as Western carmakers head for the exit. The exodus of Western automakers is narrowing options for Russian consumers, who are …

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Ukraine says coveted F-16s ‘four or five times’ better than its Soviet jets

By Max Hunder KYIV (Reuters) – A top Ukrainian air commander said Ukraine was in dire need of F-16 fighter jets, which he described on Thursday as “four or five times” more effective than the Soviet-era planes currently used by Ukraine. Serhiy Holubtsov, one of the most senior commanders in the Air Force, said that …

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Employers turn to interim hires to ride out uncertainty, recruiter says

By Yadarisa Shabong and Aby Jose Koilparambil (Reuters) -Employers worldwide are more cautious about hiring permanent employees and are turning to temporary workers while they ride out economic uncertainties in the coming months, recruiting firm Robert Walters said, after a slower start to the year. Recruitment in the technology industry has been hit by global …

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Ukraine, Poland to produce Soviet-era tank shells together

KYIV (Reuters) – Ukraine’s state arms producer said on Thursday it would launch joint production of 125-mm rounds for Soviet-era tanks with Polish arms producer Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ). Ukroboronprom said Poland would become the second NATO member state to help Ukraine produce ammunition as the country battles Russian troops that launched a full-scale invasion …

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Exclusive-China plans $500 million subsea internet cable to rival U.S.-backed project

By Joe Brock SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Chinese state-owned telecom firms are developing a $500 million undersea fiber-optic internet cable network that would link Asia, the Middle East and Europe to rival a similar U.S.-backed project, four people involved in the deal told Reuters. The plan is a sign that an intensifying tech war between Beijing …

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