Australian business investment jumped by the most in almost a decade in the first quarter as businesses took advantage of tax breaks to buy new machinery, suggesting economic growth could also beat forecasts.
By Reuters Staff
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FILE PHOTO: U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) speaks during a news conference with fellow Republican senators on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., May 25, 2021. REUTERS/ERIN SCOTT
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell on Thursday said Republicans’ counter offer to President Joe Biden’s infrastructure plan was not a final offer and that his caucus was open to continued talks on a possible bipartisan deal.
McConnell, speaking in an interview on CNBC, said Republicans were open to more spending on infrastructure but that the money should come from funds already allotted to states and localities under earlier COVID-19 relief bills.
By Reuters Staff
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MOSCOW, May 23 (Reuters) - Russian vessel Fortuna has started laying pipes for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in German waters, the gas project said on Sunday, citing Germany’s Waterway and Shipping Authority.
Nord Stream 2, which runs on the bed of the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany, bypassing Ukraine, has faced criticism from the United States, which claims it will increase European reliance on Russian gas.
Fortuna and other vessels taking part in the project have been added to a U.S. sanctions list.
“All works are performed in accordance with the available permits,” Nord Stream 2 said in an emailed comment.