Reuters

(Reuters) - Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, point man for the energy sector and negotiations with the OPEC+ grouping, has been given new responsibilities for coordinating the economy, according to a government announcement issued on Friday.

The announcement, posted on the government.ru website, gave a list of Novak's additional duties, including coordination of socio-economic policies, overseeing measures to offset Western sanctions,... (continue reading...)

By Lewis Krauskopf

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A rebound that has taken the U.S. stock market to record highs this week may have further to run, if history is any guide.

Fresh signs of a cooling economy calmed inflation worries in May, helping all three major U.S. stock indexes rise to records this week. The benchmark S&P 500, which fell over 4% in April, is now up 11% year-to-date.

Market strategists who track historical trends... (continue reading...)

(Reuters) - Two top Biden administration officials held indirect talks with Iranian counterparts this week in an effort to avoid escalating regional attacks, Axios reported on Friday.

The talks, involving President Joe Biden's Middle East adviser Brett McGurk and acting U.S. envoy to Iran Abram Paley, marked the first round of discussions between the U.S. and Iran since January, according to Axios.

The conversations follow Iran's missile... (continue reading...)

By Joyce Lee

SEOUL (Reuters) -North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered accelerated production to strengthen the country's nuclear force more rapidly, on the same day he oversaw a test of tactical ballistic missiles with new guidance system, state media KCNA said on Saturday.

While visiting an arms factory on Friday, Kim made the production order "to cope with ...the enemies' reckless military confrontation" and bolster nuclear war deterrence,... (continue reading...)

(Reuters) - Biopharmaceutical company Rapport Therapeutics, backed by the venture capital arm of Johnson & Johnson, filed for an initial public offering in the United States on Friday.

Rapport, which develops small molecule medicines for patients suffering from central nervous system disorders, is gearing up for a listing as the IPO market recovers from a slump amid increasing hopes of a soft landing for the economy.

The company said it... (continue reading...)