Reuters

By Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden's administration faced renewed pressure on Wednesday from his fellow Democrats to influence Israel not to launch a full-scale invasion of Rafah, the city where almost half of the Gaza Strip's 2.3 million people have taken refuge.

Fifty-seven of the 212 Democrats in the House of Representatives signed a letter calling on the administration to take every possible measure... (continue reading...)

(Reuters) -National Australia Bank on Thursday posted a drop of about 13% in its first-half cash profit as it grappled with high operating costs and cutthroat competition.

However, the country's no. 2 lender announced a stock buyback program worth A$1.5 billion ($979.20 million), while slightly bumping up its interim dividend.

NAB said its net interest margin - a closely watched key measure of profitability - fell to 1.72% from 1.77% a year... (continue reading...)

(Reuters) - Cognizant Technology Solutions beat Wall Street estimates for first-quarter revenue on Wednesday, helped by steady spending by clients, sending its shares up more than 4% in aftermarket trading.

Signs of improving business environment and expectations of interest rate cuts have encouraged clients to ramp up spending on technology and consulting services, helping firms such as Cognizant.

Cognizant said total headcount at the... (continue reading...)

By Jamie McGeever

(Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in Asian markets.

Asia gets back up toward full speed on Thursday after many markets were closed for the May Day holiday, with the U.S. Fed's guidance, a surging yen and manufacturing PMIs from across the continent all serving as potential market sign posts.

Asia's economic calendar is jam-packed on Thursday, with highlights including: manufacturing PMIs from seven... (continue reading...)

By Jasper Ward

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Ukrainian man was sentenced to 13 years and seven months in prison on Wednesday after for his role in conducting over 2,500 ransomware attacks and demanding over $700 million in ransom payments, the U.S. Department of Justice said.

Yaroslav Vasinskyi, 24, was also ordered to pay over $16 million in restitution, the department said.

The department said Vasinskyi conducted the... (continue reading...)