ROME (Reuters) -KMW+Nexter Defence Systems (KNDS) is close to making a 650 million euro ($736 million) binding bid for Leonardo's OTO Melara and Wass units, three sources said on Thursday, in a move that could strengthen its position in the land defence sector.

The White House on Thursday unveiled plans to ask federal agencies to direct at least 11% of contract dollars spent to disadvantaged small businesses next year, up from an average of 9.8% over the last five years.

KMW+Nexter Defence Systems (KNDS) is close to making a 650 million euro ($736 million) binding bid for Leonardo's OTO Melara and Wass units, three sources said on Thursday, in a move that could strengthen its position in the land defence sector.

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russia's central bank is unlikely to raise its key interest rate by more than 100 basis points in December even after inflation neared a six-year peak in November, Governor Elvira Nabiullina said on Thursday.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Thursday that lowering Trump-era tariffs on imported goods from China through a revived exclusion process could help ease some inflationary pressures, but would be no "game-changer."

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -EU antitrust regulators on Thursday fined Barclays , Credit Suisse, HSBC and NatWest 344 million euros ($390 million) for rigging the foreign exchange spot trading market.