PNC expansion: Bank to acquire FirstBank for $4.1 billion, deal to boost presence in Colorado and Arizona

PNC Financial Services has announced plans to acquire Colorado-based FirstBank in a $4.1 billion transaction, marking a significant expansion of its footprint in the US retail banking market.Headquartered in Lakewood, Colorado, FirstBank—also known as 1stBank—operates 120 branches and holds $26.7 billion in assets. The lender is privately held, though shareholders owning 45.7% of the company…

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‘US has long benefitted from free trade’: Chinese envoy slams 50% tariffs on India; calls them ‘unfair, unreasonable’

China took aim at the United States on Monday, sharply criticizing its 50% tariffs on Indian imports, calling the move “unfair, unreasonable” and making it clear that Beijing firmly opposes the move.China’s ambassador to India, Xu Feihong said that Washington has long taken advantage of free trade, but is now using it as a weapon.Speaking…

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SpaceX deal: Elon Musk’s firm to buy EchoStar spectrum licenses for $17 bn; Starlink expansion to get major boost

Elon Musk’s SpaceX has struck a deal worth about $17 billion with EchoStar to acquire spectrum licenses that will strengthen its Starlink satellite network.The agreement covers EchoStar’s AWS-4 and H-block spectrum licenses, with up to $8.5 billion to be paid in cash and an equal amount in SpaceX stock. SpaceX will also make about $2…

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Jobs data: India’s unemployment rate lowest among G20 at 2%; Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya cites WEF report

India’s unemployment rate, at 2 per cent according to World Economic Forum data, is the lowest among G20 nations, Union Labour and Employment minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Monday.Speaking at the signing of MoUs between the Labour Ministry and digital mentorship platform Mentor Together and classifieds site Quikr, the minister said the figure reflected how…

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Boardroom shift: Amitabh Kant joins HCLTech board as independent director; ex-G20 Sherpa to guide strategy

Amitabh Kant (FIle photo- PTI) IT services major HCL Technologies on Monday announced the appointment of Amitabh Kant as an independent director with effect from September 8, 2025.The company said in a statutory filing that the appointment, cleared by the Board and recommended by the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, is for a term of five…

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