Mali expects 14% drop in industrial gold production, mines ministry says

The Telegraph
How Putin’s gas empire crumbled
Vladimir Putin is throwing everything he has got at ramping up Russia’s war machine.
The Telegraph
Gazprom swings to £5bn loss in blow to Putin
Kremlin-owned natural gas giant Gazprom has plunged to its worst loss in at least 25 years in a blow to Vladimir Putin’s war economy.
Reuters Videos
EVs are getting smarter and cheaper in China
STORY: Light-up emojis. Music for pedestrians outside. In China, electric carmakers are offering up luxury tech – without the luxury price tag – in the battle for buyers. Cars are being loaded with once-expensive interior features and technology for as low as $20,000 – less than half the cost of the average new car in the U.S. Analysts say that poses a big challenge for foreign heavyweights like Tesla and Volkswagen. This is the Nammi – on display here at the Beijing auto show. It’s made by state-owned automaker Dongfeng and sells for under $10,000. That’s around the same as BYD’s Seagull EV – China’s fourth best-selling electric vehicle. The market is also crowded with electric and plug-in vehicles that splash luxury technology. Xpeng is planning to offer an EV with high-level self-driving features – for under $21,000. Analysts say the price of specialized components like sensors needed for self-driving and screens for onboard entertainment has tumbled. That's making competition in the world’s largest auto market all the more fierce… And chipping away at the halo that once hung over foreign brands. That’s according to an outlook from McKinsey analysts released in March. Take Zeekr, for instance. It's the carmaker with those emojis. Here’s its Shanghai head of design, Javier-Garcia Gallardo: “When we see the differences between our product launch in China versus our product launch in Europe and, you know, the technical details are as important as the design and the brand. And this integration of technology is essential for the Chinese customer.” Still, German automakers say they’re not backing down. Here’s Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kallenius: “We have a dedicated digital tech team here all the way down to providing things like in the new E-Class, you can sing karaoke. Maybe you don't have that feature in Germany. Maybe you should. But here, customers love it.” Mercedes, as well as Volkswagen, both told Reuters they’re working to deliver those so-called “wow effects” for Chinese buyers.
The Independent
‘The decisions you’re making are going to end with a smoking hole in the ground’: Inside the Boeing catastrophe
‘They were always caught flat-footed by some terrible problem that many people in the workplace knew would happen... And that happened over and over and over and over and over again.’ Io Dodds reports on a corporate nightmare
AFP
Record loss for Russia's Gazprom as European market closed
Russian energy giant Gazprom said Thursday it suffered a record annual loss last year as the European market was practically shut to its gas exports due to sanctions over Moscow's military operation in Ukraine.Exports to Europe have long been Gazprom's top earnings source, but following the start of the conflict in Ukraine European nations sought to reduce their reliance upon Russian natural gas.
Bloomberg
BHP’s Biggest Rivals Sit on the Sidelines of Anglo M&A Drama
(Bloomberg) -- Two of BHP Group’s biggest rivals are sitting on the sidelines for the moment as they watch to see how a takeover offer for Anglo American Plc will play out.Most Read from BloombergSaudi Arabia Steps Up Arrests Of Those Attacking Israel OnlineApple Rallies Most in 18 Months on Upbeat Forecast, BuybackEverything Apple Plans to Show at May 7 ‘Let Loose’ iPad EventTrump Auditions VP Picks Before Wealthy Donors in Palm BeachTurkey Confirms All Trade Halt With Israel Over War in GazaBo
The Telegraph
North Sea oil drilling to continue for a decade after net zero deadline
Oil drilling in the North Sea is to continue for up to a decade beyond Britain’s net zero deadline after dozens of new licences were granted to fossil fuel companies.
The Telegraph
£7-a-bottle of olive oil ‘unlikely to come down in price’
Britain is at risk of olive oil shortages as the industry is wracked by a production crisis.
Reuters
Anglo CEO meets S.Africa mines minister after BHP's takeover proposal
Anglo American CEO Duncan Wanblad is meeting on Friday South African mines minister Gwede Mantashe for the first time since the miner rejected BHP Group's $39 billion takeover bid, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters. BHP, the world's biggest-listed mining group, is privately talking to investors as it weighs up its next move after Anglo's rejection of its initial proposal. BHP has proposed that Anglo sell its shares in units Anglo Platinum (Amplats) and Kumba Iron Ore as an option to exit the South African assets it does not want included in the deal.
Reuters Videos
Apple unveils record buyback as results beat forecasts
STORY: Apple announced a record share buyback program on Thursday as the iPhone maker revealed a smaller-than-expected drop in revenue.The company upped its cash dividend by 4%, and is buying back $110 billion worth of stock.It's the largest buyback in Apple's history, fueling a jump in shares after hours.Apple reported a revenue drop of 4% to almost $91 billion in the fiscal second-quarter.That's not as steep a fall as analysts had predicted.A positive forecast came from CEO Tim Cook.He told Reuters the iPhone maker expects "to grow low-single digits" in overall revenue in the current quarter ending in June.Wall Street is predicting closer to 1.3% growth, according to LSEG data.The results and guidance suggest the company may be regaining its footing in the smartphone market, despite stiff competition and regulatory challenges.Long considered a must-own stock on Wall Street, Apple shares have underperformed other Big Tech firms in recent months.It's fallen 10% this year while struggling with weak iPhone demand and tough competition in the Chinese market.Smartphone rivals like Samsung have also introduced competing devices aimed at hosting artificial intelligence chatbots.Though Cook said Thursday that iPhone sales still experienced "growth in some markets, including China."He also said Apple has spent more than $100 billion on AI research and development in the past five years.And that the company would be sharing "some very exciting things" about its AI plans later this year.
Reuters
US law firm Mayer Brown to split from Hong Kong partnership
U.S. law firm Mayer Brown said on Thursday that it plans to separate from its current Hong Kong operations, as many international law firms rethink or reduce their presence in China. Chicago-founded, 1,800-lawyer Mayer Brown said it plans to continue to operate in Hong Kong through a new partnership focused on corporate and other work. Mayer Brown said its Hong Kong partners plan to reestablish their firm as Johnson Stokes & Master (JSM), which was the name of the Hong Kong-based entity that merged with Mayer Brown in 2008.
Bloomberg
Huawei Lab Barred by US FCC as Part of Crackdown on China
The US Federal Communications Commission is barring a Huawei Technologies Co. laboratory from approving telecommunications gear for use in the US. The regulator is also proposing similar moves against other providers including Chinese companies. Peter Elstrom reports on Bloomberg Television.
Reuters
HSBC has no plans to dispose of further businesses, Chairman says
LONDON (Reuters) -HSBC has no current plans to sell more assets, its chairman Mark Tucker said on Friday at the annual shareholder meeting of the bank, which has scaled back its presence in Western markets in recent years as part of a sweeping overhaul. HSBC shareholders met in London days after the bank's CEO Noel Quinn announced his surprise retirement following a five-year tenure which saw HSBC sell retail banking operations in France and the U.S., and its entire Canadian unit, as it pivots towards Asia. The chairman's comments hint at a likely shift in direction for whomever succeeds Quinn, as the bank turns its focus away from shrinking its global empire to trying to grow its business in its remaining markets.
Bloomberg
Banking Giants Race to Riyadh as MBS Steps Up Pressure Campaign
(Bloomberg) -- When Deutsche Bank AG last month brought back its former CEO for the Middle East and Africa, the reappointment came with a twist: Unlike his prior stint at the German lender, Jamal Al Kishi will no longer be based in Dubai, the region’s traditional business hub known for swanky villas and expat comforts. Instead, he will be based in a far less glamorous Middle Eastern city — Riyadh. Most Read from BloombergUS and Saudis Near Defense Pact Meant to Reshape Middle EastSaudi Arabia St
Bloomberg
Teen Clothing Retailer rue21 Files Bankruptcy for Third Time
(Bloomberg) -- Teen clothing retailer rue21 has filed bankruptcy to close its stores and sell its brand, marking the third time the business has sought court protection and the latest sign of trouble for mall-based outlets.Most Read from BloombergSaudi Arabia Steps Up Arrests Of Those Attacking Israel OnlineTurkey Confirms All Trade Halt With Israel Over War in GazaHuawei Secretly Backs US Research, Awarding Millions in PrizesBiden Calls Ally Japan ‘Xenophobic’ Along With China, RussiaIn Jamie D
Associated Press
US employers scaled back hiring in April. How that could let the Fed cut interest rates
The nation’s employers pulled back on their hiring in April but still added a decent 175,000 jobs in a sign that persistently high interest rates may be starting to slow the robust U.S. job market. Friday’s government report showed that last month’s hiring gain was down sharply from the blockbuster increase of 315,000 in March. The Fed has been delaying any consideration of interest rate cuts until it gains more confidence that inflation is steadily slowing toward its 2% target.
Birmingham Live
Drivers can get British Gas 'freebie' worth £1,095 before July 1
British Gas has expanded its partnership with Toyota to launch Toyota HomeCharge, the first domestic wallbox chargepoint designed exclusively for Toyota electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
PA Media: Money
UK services sector grows at fastest pace for nearly a year after spending boost
The S&P Global UK services PMI survey scored 55.0 in April, up from 53.1 in March and the highest level since May last year.
The Northern Echo
New North East partnership to deliver £62million changes to social housing
A multi-million-pound contract to improve social homes across the north east of England will be delivered by a new strategic partnership.
Reuters
JPMorgan says its Russia assets may be seized after lawsuits in Russia, US
NEW YORK (Reuters) -JPMorgan Chase said in a filing on Wednesday that its assets in Russia may be seized after lawsuits in Russian and U.S. courts. The bank faces several legal challenges over its Russian dealings after the U.S. and European nations imposed economic sanctions on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine. The value of claims and orders to freeze assets exceeds JPMorgan's available assets in Russia, the largest U.S. lender said.

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Mali expects 14% drop in industrial gold production, mines ministry says

Latest stories

How Putin’s gas empire crumbled

Gazprom swings to £5bn loss in blow to Putin

EVs are getting smarter and cheaper in China

‘The decisions you’re making are going to end with a smoking hole in the ground’: Inside the Boeing catastrophe

Record loss for Russia's Gazprom as European market closed

BHP’s Biggest Rivals Sit on the Sidelines of Anglo M&A Drama

North Sea oil drilling to continue for a decade after net zero deadline

£7-a-bottle of olive oil ‘unlikely to come down in price’

Anglo CEO meets S.Africa mines minister after BHP's takeover proposal

Apple unveils record buyback as results beat forecasts

US law firm Mayer Brown to split from Hong Kong partnership

Huawei Lab Barred by US FCC as Part of Crackdown on China

HSBC has no plans to dispose of further businesses, Chairman says

Banking Giants Race to Riyadh as MBS Steps Up Pressure Campaign

Teen Clothing Retailer rue21 Files Bankruptcy for Third Time

US employers scaled back hiring in April. How that could let the Fed cut interest rates

Drivers can get British Gas 'freebie' worth £1,095 before July 1

UK services sector grows at fastest pace for nearly a year after spending boost

New North East partnership to deliver £62million changes to social housing

JPMorgan says its Russia assets may be seized after lawsuits in Russia, US