Exclusive: Dutch officials headed to Washington to talk controls on chipmaking gear – sources

Dutch and U.S. officials will meet in Washington on Friday to discuss potential new controls on exporting semiconductor manufacturing gear to China, with a deal possible by the end of the month, according to two sources familiar with the matter.
Exclusive: China set to fine Ant Group over $1 billion, signalling revamp nears end-sources

Chinese authorities are poised to impose a fine of more than $1 billion on Jack Ma’s Ant Group, said six sources with direct knowledge of the matter, setting the stage for ending the fintech company’s two-year long regulatory overhaul.
Exclusive: Indian car makers propose tax cut on imports in trade deal with Britain

Indian car makers have proposed cutting to 30% the tax rate on imported cars as part of a trade deal with Britain, sources told Reuters, an unprecedented move that could ease access to one of the world’s most protected automobile markets.
Exclusive: Flurry of new rules leave Turkish banks struggling to lend

Some Turkish banks are curtailing corporate lending after the government’s latest raft of regulations raised their costs and forced many to cut their balance sheet risks, five banking and private sector sources told Reuters.
Sanctioned Russia teeters on brink of historic default

The economic cost of Russia’s assault on Ukraine was further exposed on Wednesday as the sanctions-hit country teetered on the brink of its first default on international debt since the Bolshevik revolution.
EXCLUSIVE India makes record U.S. soyoil purchases as drought parches South America

Indian traders have contracted to import a record 100,000 tonnes of soyoil from the United States because of limited supplies from drought-hit South America, at a time when prices of rival palm oil are scaling record highs, three dealers told Reuters.
EXCLUSIVE Vodafone and Iliad in talks to combine Italian units – sources

Telecom firms Vodafone (VOD.L) and Iliad are in talks to strike a deal in Italy that would combine their respective businesses in a bid to end cut-throat competition in the euro zone’s third-biggest economy, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
EXCLUSIVE Investcorp revs up to sell Italian motorcycle clothing brand Dainese – sources

Investcorp is gearing up to sell Italian motorcycle clothing brand Dainese in a deal that could value the 49-year firm, favoured by motorcycle racer Valentino Rossi, at about 750 million euros, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters.
EXCLUSIVE Major Toshiba shareholder objects to break-up, urges board to solicit offers

Toshiba Corp’s (6502.T) second-largest shareholder on Wednesday objected to the Japanese conglomerate’s plan to split itself into three companies and called on it to instead solicit offers from potential buyers.