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Byline: KIM MACKRAEL, TIM KILADZE and TARA PERKINS MISSING BANKER Police continued to scour the northern end of Lake Joseph in search of missing Toronto investment banker Brad Griffiths Wednesday [...]

Byline: KIM MACKRAEL SICK KIDS The bass is pounding and the makeup artists and hairdressers are busy primping their guests in a meeting room at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children. [...]

Byline: KIM MACKRAEL LANGUAGE When Michel Thibodeau couldn't order a 7-Up in French on an Air Canada flight in the spring of 2009, the federal-government worker didn't just grumble about [...]

Byline: Kim Mackrael The Great Canadian Community Just a few couple hours south of Calgary, and close enough to the Rocky Mountains to feel the warm chinook winds blowing in [...]

Byline: Kim Mackrael The Great Canadian Community Boylston is a community in transition. The tiny seaside village is perched on the northeast side of Nova Scotia, close to Cape Breton [...]

Byline: KIM MACKRAEL The Great Canadian Community Wendy Gurd discovered Rosemère by accident. Thirty-three years ago, she and her husband lived in Montréal and were looking for a quiet place [...]

Byline: KIM MACKRAEL FOLIO: THE ROYAL TOUR When Prince William and his wife, Kate, arrive at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Thursday, they'll be greeted by a new flag designed [...]

Byline: PATRICK WHITE and KIM MACKRAEL GROWING MOVEMENT A broad coalition of politicians and activists has launched a campaign to ban the sale and consumption of shark fins within Toronto, [...]

American whiskey makers are facing a potential 50% tax on shipments to Europe starting in 2024. This tax is a result of the European Union's retaliation for U.S. tariffs on European steel and aluminum. The whiskey industry is just one example of how tariffs meant to protect certain U.S. industries can end up hurting other small businesses. U.S. and EU officials are working to reach a deal to avoid the tariff, but the broader trade dispute remains unresolved. The uncertainty is particularly challenging for whiskey distillers, as their product requires years of aging and planning. Craft distilleries face additional challenges in selling their whiskey in the EU, including the need for major investments and complicated logistics. While U.S. whiskey makers have largely recovered from the decline in EU exports caused by the previous 25% tariff, a 50% tariff would be devastating for the industry. [Extracted from the article]

The U.S. and Europe were unable to reach an agreement on eliminating steel and aluminum tariffs ahead of a summit in Washington. The dispute over these tariffs, imposed by President Trump in 2018, remains unresolved and could become a growing issue between the two economies. Talks between officials continued until the day before the summit, but both sides remained far apart in their views. The U.S. and EU will continue discussions over the next two months, with the possibility of extending the current freeze on tariffs if no deal is reached. [Extracted from the article]

A suspect in the fatal shooting of two Swedish citizens in Brussels was shot and killed by police. The attack, which authorities have called terrorism, occurred before a soccer match between Belgium and Sweden. The suspect, of Tunisian origin, had been staying in Belgium illegally. The motive for the attack was claimed to be the victims' Swedish nationality. The suspect had previously lived in Sweden temporarily but was not known to Swedish police. Belgium has experienced several terrorist attacks in recent years. [Extracted from the article]

The European Union's competition watchdog has ordered Illumina, a life-sciences company, to unwind its $7.1 billion acquisition of cancer-test developer Grail. The European Commission had previously prohibited the deal due to concerns about stifling innovation and limiting consumer choice in the emerging market for early cancer-detection blood tests. Illumina must submit a plan for divesting Grail and returning it to its previous level of independence. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to 10% of Illumina's annual worldwide revenue. Illumina is currently reviewing the divestment order, while Grail has expressed satisfaction with the decision. The deal has faced opposition from both EU and US antitrust authorities, and Illumina is involved in ongoing legal battles related to the acquisition. [Extracted from the article]

The global cruise industry is making efforts to become more environmentally friendly in anticipation of new climate regulations. Cruise operators are investing in alternative fuels, redesigning ships for greater efficiency, and adding electricity hookups for when ships are at port. These changes are being made in response to the need to reduce emissions and meet new targets for cleaner fuels. However, the industry faces challenges such as high costs, limited availability of renewable fuels, and a lack of electrical hookups at ports. Despite these obstacles, cruise companies are committed to investing in sustainable technologies and reducing their environmental impact. [Extracted from the article]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appealed to European leaders for more aid following a Russian missile strike that killed over 50 civilians. Zelensky requested additional air-defense systems, artillery, shells, long-range missiles, and drones to protect Ukraine. He emphasized the importance of air defense, as the recent attack on a grocery store and cafe in the northern Kupyansk district highlighted the vulnerability of the country. Zelensky also expressed confidence in continued U.S. support, despite concerns over future assistance. European leaders affirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine and are working on a financing package for the country. [Extracted from the article]

The diplomat said Li was told "it's impossible to split Europe from America" and that Europe wouldn't withdraw support from Ukraine. "Russia's brutal war against Ukraine is making the context for the EU-China relationship more complex", Valdis Dombrovskis, the EU's trade chief, said Thursday. [Extracted from the article]

For the companies, the EU approval could make it easier for Microsoft to present the U.K. decision as an outlier, including during a U.K. appeal process, some antitrust lawyers and analysts said. Keywords: wsjcorp; Computers/Consumer Electronics; Software; Applications Software; Consumer Goods; Computing; Games Software; Leisure/Travel Goods; Technology; Regulation/Government Policy EN wsjcorp Computers/Consumer Electronics Software Applications Software Consumer Goods Computing Games Software Leisure/Travel Goods Technology Regulation/Government Policy N.PAG N.PAG 1 05/17/23 20230516 NES 230516 European Union decision comes after rejection from U.K. regulator threatened the deal's prospects An EU antitrust regulator approved Microsoft's $75 billion deal to buy games company Activision Blizzard on Monday, a win for the two companies after a U.K. regulator rejected the deal in April. [Extracted from the article]

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS I What impact is the ruling by the U.K. regulator likely to have on the Microsoft-Activision deal? Keywords: wsjcorp; Computers/Consumer Electronics; Software; Applications Software; Dolls/Toys/Games; Market Research/Public Relations; Public Relations; Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations; Business/Consumer Services; Consumer Goods EN wsjcorp Computers/Consumer Electronics Software Applications Software Dolls/Toys/Games Market Research/Public Relations Public Relations Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations Business/Consumer Services Consumer Goods N.PAG N.PAG 1 04/28/23 20230427 NES 230427 U.K. antitrust regulator rejects transaction, saying it would hurt competition in videogame industry Photo: Jae C. Hong/Associated Press The U.K.'s antitrust watchdog rejected Microsoft Corp.'s MSFT 7.24% increase; green up pointing triangle $75 billion deal to buy game maker Activision Blizzard Inc., ATVI -11.45% decrease; red down pointing triangle raising big questions about whether the combination will ever get done and disrupting both companies' short-term strategies. [Extracted from the article]