BLOGS | Sam Beatson, Ph.D.

Britain's competition regulator said on Wednesday Sainsbury's planned $9.5 billion (£7.3 billion) takeover of Walmart-owned Asda should either be blocked or require the sale of a significant number of stores, or even one of the brands.

Lloyds Bank brushes off Brexit fears with bumper dividend, buyback plan February 20, 2019

Lloyds Banking Group shrugged off mounting concerns over Brexit to unveil a 4 billion pounds dividend and share buyback bonanza for investors on Wednesday, despite booking weaker-than-expected growth in profits for 2018.

Wholesale insurers given all clear by British watchdog February 20, 2019

Britain's markets watchdog said on Wednesday a review of wholesale insurance brokers uncovered no problems, a relief for an industry spending millions of pounds on Brexit.

Saudi prince foresees 'good things' with India on visit overshadowed by Kashmir February 20, 2019

India rolled out the red carpet for Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday at a time when it is trying to build diplomatic support against Pakistan following a militant attack in the disputed region of Kashmir.

North Korea's Kim to travel to Vietnam by train, summit at Government Guesthouse - sources February 20, 2019

Vietnam is preparing for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to arrive by train for his summit in Hanoi next week with President Donald Trump, two sources with direct knowledge of security and logistics planning told Reuters on Wednesday.

DP World buys Britain-based P&O Ferries for £322 million February 20, 2019

DP World has bought Britain-based P&O Ferries and its logistics arm for 322 million pounds, the Dubai-based port operator said on Wednesday.

Asia shares scale 4-1/2-month peak on hopes of U.S.-China trade deal February 20, 2019

Asian stocks advanced to 4-1/2-month highs on Wednesday as investors bet that Chinese and U.S. trade negotiators would be able to secure a deal to de-escalate their year-long tariff war.

North Korea's Kim shuffles nuclear talks team after defections, spying allegations February 20, 2019

Veteran North Korean diplomats are being sidelined from nuclear talks ahead of a second summit with the United States as recent defections and allegations of spying undermine the trust of leader Kim Jong Un, South Korean officials and experts say.

Trump 'in no rush' on North Korea denuclearisation as envoy heads to finalise summit plans February 20, 2019

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he wants North Korea to end its nuclear programme, but has no pressing time schedule for this, as he dispatched his special envoy to finalise preparations for a second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un next week.

Microsoft expands political security service to 12 European countries February 20, 2019

Microsoft Corp on Wednesday said it will offer its cyber security service AccountGuard to 12 new markets in Europe including Germany, France and Spain, to close security gaps and protect customers in political space from hacking.