The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) just essentially gave the green light to Microsoft's

Argentina's national primary election Sunday won’t just help determine which candidates will be running in the country's October presidential vote, but could impact the economy even before then. A strong showing by the opposition coalition would be cheered by markets in an election that will also test the national appeal of an eccentric right-wing anti-establishment candidate who is an admirer of former President Donald Trump. The primary is seen as a thermometer of voter preference ahead of the Oct. 6 election, which is expected to shift Argentina to the right with the current left-leaning government bottoming out in the polls amid rising poverty, a rapidly depreciating currency and galloping annual inflation that tops 100%. Sunday’s primary officially serves two purposes: determine the candidates that will run in the October election and weed out any candidates who don’t receive at least 1.5% of the vote. But it also serves as a massive, nationwide opinion poll in a country where pre-election polls have been notoriously wrong in the past. The primary can have an economic impact. Four years ago, an unexpectedly strong showing by now-President Alberto Fernández led to a sharp depreciation of the currency as markets saw the primary results indicating that business-friendly President Mauricio Macri was on his way out. The local currency, the Argentine peso, has seen its value plunge in parallel markets ahead of Sunday’s vote. Stringent capital controls mean that access to the official foreign exchange market is extremely limited, so parallel rates have flourished. Economists will be watching to see signs that the main center-right opposition could win the presidential election outright and avoid a second round runoff in November. “There is enthusiasm, especially outside of Argentina, about a profound regime change, but without going to the opposite extreme,” said Mariano Machado, principal analyst for the Americas at Verisk Maplecroft, a global risk intelligence firm. The wildcard of the race is upstart populist candidate Javier Milei, who has gained popularity thanks to his angry screeds against the ruling class and has found followers among those who are tired of politics as usual. His unorthodox proposals that include dollarizing the economy and getting rid of the Central Bank have found particular backing among the young. “We’re fed up with the status quo, with the same old thing, with the same last names that are on the ballot, we want to change things up a bit, and give an opportunity to someone who nobody knows if he will do well, but we’re going to give him a chance,” Efraín Viveros, a 20-year-old nursing student said Monday at Milei’s closing campaign rally in Buenos Aires. A strong showing for the main center-right coalition could buoy the market, but a stronger-than-expected showing for Milei would likely send the local currency, the peso, tumbling and cause general disarray in the markets due to uncertainty over his policies. The main presidential contenders all represent a rightward shift away from Fernández, who is not seeking reelection and has been largely absent from the campaign. Also largely absent has been his vice president, Cristina Fernández, who was the country’s president from 2007 to 2015. In the currently ruling coalition, Union for the Homeland, there is little doubt that Economy Minister Sergio Massa, a market-friendly politician, will receive the nomination although he is facing a challenge from a leftist candidate, Juan Grabois. A key contest Sunday will play out in the center-right United for Change opposition coalition with Buenos Aires Mayor Horacio Rodríguez Larreta facing off against former Security Minister Patricia Bullrich to determine who will be its candidate. Pollsters say the winner of this race will have a strong chance of becoming president. Regardless of who comes out on top, analysts will be watching closely whether a strong showing by the opposition could suggest an outright victory in October without a runoff. “While we expect a volatile political transition given macroeconomic woes, the (primaries) outcome could improve market sentiment, supported by a likely policy shift next year,” said the Institute of International Finance, a Washington-based association of the financial services industry, in a recent report. Milei was the only major candidate who held his final campaign rally. Other called off what were supposed to be their final events before the vote following the killing of an 11-year-old girl during a snatch-and-grab robbery Wednesday. The death of Morena Domínguez in an attack by two motorcycle-riding thieves in the Buenos Aires province district of Lanús, left the country reeling and put crime at the forefront of a campaign that had been dominated by economic issues. Also likely to impact the final days before the vote was the Thursday death of a leftist political activist, who suffered a heart attack while being detained by police during a protest in downtown Buenos Aires. Besides presidential voting in October, about half of Argentina’s lower house of Congress and one-third of the Senate will be up for grabs. Voting is mandatory in Argentina but the fine for failing to cast a ballot is largely symbolic. Recent national elections have seen a participation rate of around 70%. ——— Associated Press journalists Débora Rey and Almudena Calatrava contributed to this report. Read More Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide They lost everything in the Paradise fire. 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People on TikTok are hating on “pink and grey” dorm room aesthetics after a video went viral, and here’s why. Moving into your room and decorating it to your taste is one of the most exciting moments of a young person’s time at university. But, according to a viral TikTok, your choice can communicate a lot about you to the people you are meeting for the first time. A clip that was shared by @abigailand_ and has been viewed 8.5 million mocked her sister, who is freshman at college, for choosing a pink and grey colour scheme for her dorm room. Text overlaying the clip read: “Watching my college freshman sister pick out pink and gray for her dorm room colors (I can’t interfere it’s a canon event).” The term “canon event” on TikTok refers to an event from your past, typically embarrassing or bad, that helps shape the person you become. The clip showed her sister sitting among her items such as cushions, bedding and even Tupperware in the pink and grey scheme. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter @abigailand_ According to comments on the post, the pink and grey colour scheme is the choice of a “basic” person, as people argue that loads of girls decorate their dorm in the same way. Some have previously said it is similar to the way lots of young men have navy blue bed sheets. The pink and grey dorm interior has been referred to for years, with one tweet from 2020 reading: “Are there any incoming college freshmen who AREN’T doing pink and gray themed dorm rooms lol” Another suggested: “Fun drinking game: take a shot every time you see a pink/grey themed dorm room.” According to TikTok, having a pink and grey dorm room is a right of passage for many girls and the trend apparently shows no sign of slowing down. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

U.S. climate envoy John Kerry is holding talks with his Chinese counterpart in Beijing as the U.S. seeks to restore contacts with China amid disputes over trade, Taiwan, human rights and territorial claims

United Airlines Holdings Inc. is near an agreement to purchase a double-digit number of Airbus SE A321 narrowbody

By Mrinalika Roy and Arathy Somasekhar (Reuters) -Magellan Midstream Partners' unitholders on Thursday voted in favour of its sale to

Special forces exchanged gunfire with National Guard members after a detained minister was released.

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 4, 2023--

Megan Fox has unveiled a new project about terrible men with a collection of poems called Pretty Boys Are Poisonous. The Transformers actress said she has spent her life carrying the weight of men's sins, and explained how her new poetry book is an expression of freedom after years of living in silence. Fox, in collaboration with publisher Gallery Books, shared the exciting news with her 21.4 million Instagram followers. She shared the November 7 launch date, along with a personal statement to give a glimpse of what to expect. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter "These poems were written in an attempt to excise the illness that had taken root in me because of my silence. I’ve spent my entire life keeping the secrets of men, my body aches from carrying the weight of their sins," the 37-year-old wrote. She continued: "My freedom lives in these pages, and I hope that my words can inspire others to take back their happiness and their identity by using their voice to illuminate what’s been buried, but not forgotten, in the darkness." Fox's comments were soon filled with shows of support, including from Machine Gun Kelly, who wrote "Proud of you," with a fire emoji. Another added, "I've never wanted to buy a book written by a celebrity until today," while a third penned: "This book is going to ignite 5th wave feminism and I’ve never been so excited for anything." "A beautiful heart. A beautiful woman. Special words for the soul," another added. Meanwhile, one passionate fan gushed: "I’m sorry… my queen releasing a book of poetry the week of my birthday?! Is this real life?!?" Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

COPENHAGEN Shares in SAS tumbled 95% in opening trade on Wednesday after the Scandinavian airline announced new big

Sevilla are targeting a record-extending seventh Europa League title when they take on Roma in the final of the 2022/23 competition in Budapest tonight. The Spanish side have struggled domestically this year and have spent most of their La Liga campaign fending off relegation, but they have performed exceptionally in Europe. José Luis Mendilibar is their third manager of the season but has orchestrated wins over big name teams like Juventus and Manchester United on the way to this evening’s final. Sevilla will take on a Roma side who are looking to seal back-to-back European titles following their victory in the Europa Conference League last season. Jose Mourinho’s side won the inaugural tournament of Europe’s third competition last year and are now one win away from Champions League qualification. Victory in tonight’s final would also see Mourinho become the first manager to win the Europa League with three different clubs, following previous triumphs with Porto and Manchester United. Follow all the action as Sevilla and Roma clash in the Europa League showpiece: Read More Jose Mourinho flashing the old charm with chance to return to the big time The year that sportswashing won: A season that changed football forever Jose Mourinho into another European final as Roma set up Sevilla showdown

Elly De La Cruz hit a massive solo homer and two doubles after a mix-up with a covering on the knob of his bat, and the surging Cincinnati Reds beat the Washington Nationals 9-2