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  Bloomberg The euro area’s two largest economies saw private-sector growth return, snapping months of contractions as easing supply shocks and an unusually mild winter provide respite. S&P Global’s flash Purchasing Managers’ Index for Germany rose to 51.1 in February — much better than the 50.3 median estimate in a Bloomberg survey and the first time since June that the ...

Bloomberg Microsoft Corp. headed into a showdown with European Union antitrust watchdogs by insisting its $69 billion takeover of Activision Blizzard Inc. will “bring more competition” for gamers but pledging to show willingness to address antitrust concerns. “I think we’ll make clear that our acquisition of Activision Blizzard will bring more games to more people on more devices and platforms ...

  Bloomberg Europe’s biggest economies beat expectations as business activity returned to growth, boosting the chances they can stave off recessions. Gauges of private output in Germany and France both signaled expansion in February after pullbacks in January, while the UK’s purchasing managers’ index showed the first positive reading in six months — jumping to 53 from 48.5. In the ...

Bloomberg It’s never been this cheap to buy a Tesla. After a hopscotch of price cuts over the past month, Tesla’s Model 3 sedan now sells for $4,930 less than the average new vehicle sold in the US. That’s the cheapest price Tesla has ever had relative to the typical US vehicle, according to a new Bloomberg analysis. It’s a ...

Bloomberg President Vladimir Putin said Russia will suspend its observation of the New START treaty with the US, dealing a blow to the last accord limiting their nuclear arsenals, as he vowed to press on with his faltering invasion of Ukraine. Russia is fighting for its “historic lands” in Ukraine and “will fulfill the tasks set step-by-step, carefully and consistently,” ...

  Bloomberg Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha said he will dissolve parliament in March, a move that paves the way for the next election. Prayuth told reporters he informed the cabinet in a meeting on Tuesday of his intention to dissolve the House of Representatives — the clearest sign he has given yet on the timeline for the vote, though ...

Bloomberg A year after declaring a “no-limits” partnership with Russia, China is now seeking to convince the world it’s a neutral actor that can help end the war in Ukraine. It won’t be easy. Chinese State Councilor Wang Yi is set to visit Moscow in the coming days after floating a fresh peace proposal to end the conflict triggered by ...

  Bloomberg Sri Lanka’s election commission has instructed its lawyers to inform the Supreme Court about a lack of funds and the backing needed to hold local elections next month, the head of the government agency said. The commission has not received financial resources and the required support from other agencies, including the government printer and police, for the ballot ...

Bloomberg HSBC Holdings Plc will consider a special payout after the sale of its Canadian unit as the bank attempts to face down a campaign from its top shareholder to pursue a wider break-up of the business. Reporting fourth-quarter results that beat analyst estimates, HSBC said it may pay a special $0.21 dividend next year after the completion of the ...

  Bloomberg The Bank of Korea (BOK) said it will keep considering further interest-rate increases as inflationary pressures are expected to remain elevated for an extended period. The central bank said in a report to parliament on Tuesday that monetary policy needs to remain tight with a focus on reining in consumer prices. Even though inflation is likely to gradually ...