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☆ Saying 'China Is Watching,' US Spy Chiefs Plead for Ukraine Aid
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( March | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Patricia Zengerle and Michael MartinaWASHINGTON (Reuters) - Leaders of U.S. intelligence agencies urgently pressed members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday to approve additional military assistance for Ukraine, saying it would not only boost Kyiv as it fights Russia but discourage Chinese aggression. "That has consequences for American interests that go ... directly to our interests in the Indo-Pacific," CIA Director William Burns told the House of Representatives' Intelligence committee's annual hearing on Worldwide Threats to U.S. security. The Latest Photos From Ukraine View All 96 ImagesThe measure has passed the Democratic-run Senate, and both Republicans and Democrats in the House say it would pass if the chamber's Republican leaders allowed a vote. Photos You Should See View All 60 ImagesRepresentative Mike Turner, chairman of the House intelligence committee, noted that some members of Congress support aid to Ukraine but "I believe, mistakenly," contend that Kyiv can afford a delay. (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle and Michael Martina; Editing by Daniel Wallis)

Persons: Patricia Zengerle, Michael Martina WASHINGTON, William Burns, Burns, Mike Johnson, Donald Trump, Mike Turner, Michael Martina, Daniel Wallis Organizations: CIA, Representatives, stoke, Republican, Russian, Democratic, Republicans, Democrats Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Gaza, Pacific

☆ UN Security Council Considering Call for Ramadan Truce in Sudan
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( March | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Michelle NicholsUNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations Security Council is considering calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities ahead of Ramadan in the nearly year-long war between the Sudanese army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, diplomats said. The 15-member council is negotiating a British-drafted resolution that diplomats said could be put to a vote on Friday. Since war erupted on April 15, 2023, the council has only issued three press statements condemning the violence and expressing concern. The draft U.N. Security Council resolution urges all countries "to refrain from external interference which seeks to foment conflict and instability and instead to support efforts for a durable peace." A Security Council resolution needs at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the United States, Russia, Britain, China or France to be adopted.

Persons: Michelle Nichols UNITED, Ramadan, Linda Thomas, Greenfield, Michelle Nichols, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS, Reuters, United Nations Security, Rapid Support Forces, The, U.S, United Arab Emirates, Security Locations: British, The United States, Sudan's West Darfur, UAE, United States, Russia, Britain, China, France

☆ US Senate Faces New Test on Ukraine Aid Bill
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

The legislation needs 60 votes to overcome a procedural hurdle and continue toward Senate passage in the coming days. The Latest Photos From Ukraine View All 91 ImagesVoting is expected to begin around 1 p.m. EST (1800 GMT). Senate Republicans believe bipartisan passage would help stir support among Republicans in the House. The bill includes $61 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel in its war against Hamas, and $4.83 billion to support partners in the Indo-Pacific, including Taiwan, and deter aggression by China. "Nevertheless, the Senate will keep working on this bill until the job is done."

Persons: David Morgan WASHINGTON, Joe Biden, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Todd Young, Young, Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell, Schumer, David Morgan, Scott Malone, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Senate, Republicans, Republican, Representatives, Democratic, Friday, Indiana Republican, Israel, Hamas, West Bank Locations: U.S, Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, Gaza, Kyiv, China, Mexico

☆ Italy to Supply Admiral for EU Red Sea Naval Mission
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

ROME (Reuters) - Italy will provide the admiral in command of a European Union Red Sea naval mission to protect ships from attacks by Yemen's Houthi militia, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said on Friday. "The European Union today asked Italy to supply the Force Commander for the Aspides Operation in the Red Sea," Crosetto said in a statement. The EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Wednesday he hoped the mission, to be named Aspides - meaning "protector" in ancient Greek - could be launched on Feb. 17. Its mandate would be to protect commercial ships and intercept attacks, but not take part in strikes against the Houthis, Borrell said. (Reporting by Angelo Amante; Writing by Gavin Jones; Editing by Daniel Wallis)

Persons: Yemen's, Guido Crosetto, Crosetto, Josep Borrell, Borrell, Angelo Amante, Gavin Jones, Daniel Wallis Organizations: European, Red Sea, Defence Locations: ROME, Italy, Yemen, Gaza, Union, Red, Israel, Greece, Larissa

☆ Nine Injured in London Incident Involving 'Corrosive Substance', Police Say
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) -Nine people, including two children, were injured on Wednesday in an incident involving a "corrosive substance" in Clapham, in south London, the Metropolitan Police said. Three police officers were also taken to hospital with minor injuries, the statement said. "Firefighters were called to a chemical incident on Lessar Avenue in Clapham this evening," the London Fire Brigade said in an emailed statement to Reuters. Crews used specialist equipment to detect a corrosive substance that is believed to have been used in the incident, it added, without giving any further details. (Reporting by Gnaneshwar Rajan and Kanjyik Ghosh in Bengaluru; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Sandra Maler)

Persons: Crews, Gnaneshwar Rajan, Kanjyik Ghosh, Daniel Wallis, Sandra Maler Organizations: Reuters, Metropolitan Police, Firefighters, London Fire Brigade Locations: Clapham, London, Bengaluru

☆ State Dept Says US Actively Pursuing the Creation of a Palestinian State
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Simon Lewis and Humeyra PamukWASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States is actively pursuing the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with security guarantees for Israel and exploring options with partners in the region, the State Department spokesperson said on Wednesday. "We are actively pursuing the establishment as an independent Palestinian state, with real security guarantees for Israel, because we do believe that is the best way to bring about lasting peace and security for Israel, for Palestinians and for the region," Miller said. War in Israel and Gaza View All 194 ImagesAxios reported earlier on Wednesday that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had asked the State Department to conduct a review and present policy options on possible U.S. and international recognition of a Palestinian state after the war in Gaza. British Foreign Secretary David Cameron also told a group of UK lawmakers that the UK government and its allies "will look at the issue of recognizing a Palestinian state, including at the United Nations," the BBC reported on Tuesday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is at odds with the Biden administration over the creation of an independent Palestinian state, saying at the weekend that he would not compromise on "full Israeli security control of all territory west of the Jordan River".

Persons: Simon Lewis, Humeyra Pamuk, Matthew Miller, Joe Biden's, Miller, Antony Blinken, David Cameron, . Washington, Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Israel, State Department, United, United Nations, BBC, U.S Locations: Humeyra Pamuk WASHINGTON, United States, Israel, Gaza, Palestinian, Gaza . British, ., Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Davos, Israeli

☆ Exclusive-US Sets up Channel With Israel Seeking Answers on Civilian Casualties
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

The existence of this initiative has not been previously reported and the U.S. officials requested anonymity to discuss the sensitive details around it. The United States set up the process to drive accountability for Israel, one of the officials said. It was not clear what action, if any, Washington would take against Israel as a result of what it learns. The United States provides Israel $3.8 billion in annual military assistance. Israel unleashed its war to eradicate Hamas after militants from Gaza launched a shock incursion into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and seizing around 240 hostages.

Persons: Humeyra Pamuk, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant, Benny Gantz, Washington, Biden, Joe Biden's, David Satterfield, Israel, Vedant Patel, Don Durfee, Daniel Wallis Organizations: United, Reuters, Israeli, U.S, Hamas, Israel, State Department, State Department's, United Nations, Washington, . State Department, Urgent Locations: Humeyra Pamuk WASHINGTON, United States, Israel, Gaza, Washington, U.S, Jerusalem, Ukraine, Sudan, American

☆ US Determined to Remain Strong Security Partner for Nigeria -Blinken
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

ABUJA/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday said the United States is determined to remain a strong security partner for Nigeria, whose military is backed by the U.S., Britain and other allies in a long war against Islamist insurgents. "The United States is determined to be and remain a strong security partner for Nigeria," Blinken told reporters. Blinken added that he discussed how it is vitally important there be a focus on ensuring civilians are protected and humanitarian considerations. The coup in Niger was one of a series of military takeovers or attempted power grabs that occurred in West and Central Africa over the past three years. So far, about $2 billion of the backlog across sectors such as manufacturing, aviation, and petroleum have been paid, CBN spokesperson Hakama Sidi Ali said in a statement.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Blinken, Bola Tinubu, Mohamed Bazoum, Hakama Sidi Ali, Chijioke Ohuocha, Felix Onuah, Daphne Psaledakis, Humeyra Pamuk, Simon Lewis, Ismail Shakil, Mark Porter, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Islamist, European Union, France, Central Bank of Nigeria Locations: ABUJA, WASHINGTON, United States, Nigeria, U.S, Britain, Niger, West, Central Africa, Abuja, Africa, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Angola, Jan, Africa's, Washington

☆ Saudi Says Escalating Tensions Amid Houthi Attacks and US Strikes Are Dangerous
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-20 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Kanishka SinghWASHINGTON (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said the kingdom was "very worried" that tensions in the Red Sea amid attacks by Yemen's Houthis and U.S. strikes on Houthi targets could spiral out of control and escalate the conflict in the region. The Saudi foreign minister said the kingdom believed in freedom of navigation and wanted tensions in the region to be de-escalated. The Houthis, who control most of Yemen, say their attacks are in solidarity with Palestinians under attack from Israel in Gaza. Since last week, the United States has been launching strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, and this week returned the militia to a list of "terrorist" groups. President Joe Biden said on Thursday that air strikes would continue even as he acknowledged they may not be halting the Houthi attacks.

Persons: Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON, Yemen's Houthis, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Fareed Zakaria, Joe Biden, Kanishka Singh, Daniel Wallis Organizations: CNN Locations: Saudi, Red, Iran, Asia, Europe, Gaza, Yemen, Israel, United States, Hamas, Palestinian, Washington

☆ Hardline US Republicans Who Cried 'Wolf' Side-Lined by Spending Deal
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +6 min

"Those individuals have now overplayed their hand," said Republican Representative Greg Murphy, a member of the Republican Study Committee conservative caucus. They now find themselves boxed out on spending, at a time when the nation's debt has surpassed $34 trillion. "At the end of the day, we control one-half of one branch of government, and we're working against Senate Democrats, House Democrats -- to be honest, Senate Republicans -- and the White House," said Representative Kelly Armstrong. And in November, the number of Republican voting against reached 93 on Johnson's initial stopgap spending bill. "I have no doubt that our wonderful Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, will only make a deal that is PERFECT ON THE BORDER."

Persons: David Morgan WASHINGTON, Chuck Schumer, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Greg Murphy, Joe Biden, Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, Bob Good, Dan Bishop, Kelly Armstrong, Schumer, Bishop, Andy Biggs, McCarthy's, Jared Moskowitz, Biggs, Donald Trump, Trump, David Morgan, Makini Brice, Scott Malone, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Republicans, U.S . House, Democratic, Republican, Caucus, North Carolina Republican, Senate, White, Senate Democrats, House Democrats, New York Democrat, Republican Party, Freedom Caucus Locations: Mexico, U.S, Ukraine, Israel, Gaza

☆ Ethnic Killings in One Sudan City Left up to 15,000 Dead - UN Report
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

A top Sudanese general accused the UAE in November of backing the RSF war effort. The United Nations says about 500,000 people have fled Sudan into eastern Chad, several hundred kilometers south of Amdjarass. The monitors' report included similar accounts. They said that between 14-17 June, some 12,000 people fled El Geneina on foot for Adre in Chad. The Masalit were the majority in El Geneina until the attacks forced their mass exodus.

Persons: Michelle Nichols, Maggie Michael UNITED, El Geneina, RSF, Madani, Maggie Michael, Don Durfee, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Rapid Support Forces, United, Reuters, . Security, United Arab Emirates, United Nations, Security Locations: CAIRO, Sudan's West Darfur, United Nations, El, Sudan, Amdjarass, Chad, UAE, West Darfur, Geneina, El Geneina, Adre, Darfur, Libya, South Sudan, Egypt, States

☆ Trump Is Warned He May Be Ejected From Carroll Trial
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

"Mr. Trump, I hope I don't have to consider excluding you from the trial," the judge told him. Following Kaplan's warning, Trump posted that Kaplan was a "seething and hostile" judge with "a major case of Trump Derangement Syndrome." Trump said he did not know Carroll and that she branded him a rapist to boost sales of her then-new memoir. "I am here because Donald Trump assaulted me, and when I wrote about it, he said it never happened," Carroll said. Trump did not attend Carroll's first trial, and in his Truth Social post said he would have won had he attended.

Persons: Jonathan Stempel, Luc Cohen NEW, Donald Trump, E, Jean Carroll's, District Judge Lewis, Carroll, Trump, Shawn Crowley, Kaplan, Democrat Joe Biden, Goodman, Roberta Kaplan, Alina Habba, It's, Habba, Luc Cohen, Noeleen Walder, Jonathan Oatis, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Luc Cohen NEW YORK, District, Trump, Democrat, Twitter Locations: Manhattan, New Hampshire, Florida, New York

☆ Biden: US Delivered Private Message to Iran About Houthi Attacks
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Steve Holland and Nandita BoseWASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Joe Biden said on Saturday the United States had delivered a private message to Iran about Iran-backed Houthis responsible for attacking commercial shipping in the Red Sea. "We delivered it privately and we're confident we're well-prepared," Biden told reporters at the White House before departing to the Camp David presidential retreat for the weekend. The Houthi movement threatened a "strong and effective response" after the United States carried out another strike in Yemen overnight, further ratcheting up tensions as Washington vows to protect shipping from attacks by the Iran-aligned group. The latest strike, which the U.S. said hit a radar site, came a day after dozens of American and British strikes on Houthi facilities in Yemen. Biden, whose administration removed the Houthis from a State Department list of "foreign terrorist organizations" in 2021, was asked by reporters on Friday whether he felt the term "terrorist" described the movement now.

Persons: Steve Holland, Nandita Bose WASHINGTON, Joe Biden, Biden, Camp David, John Kirby, Washington, Daniel Wallis Organizations: United, White, Camp, State Department Locations: United States, Iran, Red, Yemen

[1/2] Israeli soldiers stand in order, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, near Israel's border with Gaza, in southern Israel, December 4, 2023. The U.S. official spoke after three days of resumed aerial bombardments of southern Gaza left residents pulling the bodies of children and adults from the rubble. But the U.S. official said reducing military support to Israel would carry major risks. On Friday, Israel's military began posting grid-based maps online ordering Palestinians to leave parts of southern Gaza, directing them towards the Mediterranean coast and Rafah, near the Egyptian border. Residents and journalists on the ground said intense Israeli airstrikes hit southern Gaza on Monday, killing and wounding dozens of Palestinians.

Persons: Amir Cohen, Israel's, Biden, Kamala Harris, Antony Blinken, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Ophir Falk, Seth Binder, Binder, Eylon Levy, Jake Sullivan, Omar Shakir, Humeyra Pamuk, Jonathan Saul, Maggie Fick, James Mackenzie, Steve Holland, Don Durfee, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Hamas, REUTERS, U.S, Health Ministry, Washington, United, Reuters, Reuters Graphics, East Democracy, Biden, Democratic, Israel, . National, Palestine, Human Rights, Amnesty, Thomson Locations: Israel, Palestinian, Israel's, Gaza, LONDON, BEIRUT, U.S, United States, East, Gaza City, Rafah, Jerusalem, Washington

☆ Biden approval near lowest level of his presidency-Reuters/Ipsos
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Jason Lange | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Biden is widely expected to face a November 2024 rematch with former President Donald Trump, the frontrunner for the Republican nomination. The poll showed that Americans see the economy, crime and immigration as the biggest problems facing the country - all issues on which Trump and other Republicans have criticized Biden. Nineteen percent of poll respondents rated the economy as the top issue, while 11% pointed to immigration and 10% signaled out crime. Biden's public approval rating has held below 50% since August 2021, and this month's rating remained close to the lowest levels of his presidency - 36% - seen in mid-2022. The Reuters/Ipsos poll gathered responses online from 1,017 adults, using a nationally representative sample.

Persons: Joe Biden, Evelyn Hockstein, Joe Biden's, Biden, Donald Trump, Jason Lange, Scott Malone, Daniel Wallis Organizations: White House for, REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Republican, Trump, Thomson Locations: White House for Massachusetts, Washington , U.S

☆ UK needs new plan to reverse hit to living standards, researchers say
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

People walk alongside the City of London financial district in London, Britain, October 25, 2023. REUTERS/ Susannah Ireland/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Britain needs a new economic strategy to reverse 15 years of falling living standards and worsening inequality, a leading think tank and an academic research centre said on Monday. "There is no excuse for fatalism," Torsten Bell, chief executive of the Resolution Foundation, said. "Closing the gap with peers like Australia, France and Germany would deliver huge living standards gains, with typical households over 8,000 pounds better off." ($1 = 0.7881 pounds)Writing by William Schomberg; Editing by Daniel WallisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Susannah Ireland, Jeremy Hunt, Keir Starmer, Torsten Bell, William Schomberg, Daniel Wallis Organizations: City, REUTERS, Foundation, London School of Economics, Centre for Economic, Labour Party, Conservative Party, Starmer's Labour, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Australia, France, Germany, Birmingham, Manchester

☆ Detroit Casino Council ratify contract with MGM, Penn
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

A view of MGM Grand hotel and casino signage, after MGM Resorts shut down some computer systems due to a cyber attack in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., September 13, 2023. REUTERS/Bridget Bennett/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsDec 2 (Reuters) - Unions representing casino workers in Detroit have voted to ratify a new contract with MGM Grand Detroit operated by MGM Resorts (MGM.N), Hollywood Casino at Greektown operated by Penn Entertainment (PENN.O) and MotorCity Casino, Unite Here union said on Saturday. The unions will end the 47-day strike immediately, Unite Here union said in a statement. Reporting by Jose Joseph in Bengaluru; Editing by Daniel WallisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Bridget Bennett, Jose Joseph, Daniel Wallis Organizations: MGM, MGM Resorts, REUTERS, Unions, MGM Grand Detroit, Hollywood, Penn Entertainment, Thomson Locations: Las Vegas , Nevada, U.S, Detroit, Greektown, Bengaluru

☆ Ukraine's security service alleges Russian plot involving ex-president
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Max Hunder | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Poroshenko's political party, European Solidarity, said the former president had scheduled only meetings in Poland and the United States and warned the SBU security service against becoming involved in politics. Orban has frequently been at odds with Zelenskiy on several issues related to Ukraine's EU membership bid. European Solidarity, in its statement, called for dialogue with Orban who, it said, had a veto right over accession talks. Poroshenko, president from 2014 to 2019, accused Zelenskiy's administration on Friday of cancelling the permission and playing politics ahead of elections. Additional reporting by Boldizsar Gyori in Budapest, Editing by Ron Popeski and Daniel WallisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Petro Poroshenko, Gleb Garanich, Poroshenko, SBU, Viktor Orban, Vladimir Putin, Orban, Putin, Oleksandr Korniyenko, Poroshenko's, Zelenskiy's, Zelenskiy, Boldizsar Gyori, Ron Popeski, Daniel Wallis Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, European, Hungarian, European Union, Ukraine, EU, European Solidarity, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Russia, European Solidarity, Poland, United States, Moscow, Budapest

☆ Judge rejects Trump immunity claim in federal 2020 election case
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan found no legal basis for concluding that presidents cannot face criminal charges once they are no longer in office. Trump, the frontrunner for the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic President Joe Biden in the 2024 U.S. election, served from 2017 to 2021. Trump's lawyers had argued that the case by Smith "attempts to criminalize core political speech and political advocacy." In addition to the case being pursued by Smith, Trump also faces state criminal charges in Georgia related to his actions seeking to undo his 2020 defeat and two other indictments. His defense team argued that the immunity U.S. presidents have from civil lawsuits should extend to criminal charges.

Persons: Donald Trump, Dave Sanders, Jack Smith, Tanya Chutkan, Joe Biden, Chutkan, Smith, Todd Blanche, Chutkan's, Trump, Andrew Goudsward, Will Dunham, Scott Malone, Daniel Wallis Organizations: U.S, Trump Organization, Court, Rights, Trump, Republican, Democratic, U.S . Justice Department, Prosecutors, Thomson Locations: New York, Manhattan, New York City, U.S, United States, Georgia

☆ Paraguayan Lawmaker and Three Others Die in Plane Crash
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Dec. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

ASUNCION (Reuters) - A Paraguayan lawmaker and three other people died in a plane crash in the South American country on Saturday, local police said. The plane crashed soon after takeoff some 180 km (112 miles) from Asuncion and killed Walter Harms, a legislator for the ruling Colorado party and three men who were part of his team, according to the police report. "I receiver with deep pain the sad news about the passing of our colleague, friend and brother of dreams Walter Harms," Paraguay's Vice-president Pedro Alliana said on the social media platform X. Images on social media showed burning wreckage in a field. According to the police report, the plane hit a tree during takeoff and erupted in flames while falling to the ground.

Persons: Walter Harms, Pedro Alliana, Daniela Desantis, Alexander Villegas, Daniel Wallis Locations: ASUNCION, Paraguayan, Asuncion, Colorado

☆ Paraguayan lawmaker and three others die in plane crash
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

ASUNCION, Dec 2 (Reuters) - A Paraguayan lawmaker and three other people died in a plane crash in the South American country on Saturday, local police said. "I receiver with deep pain the sad news about the passing of our colleague, friend and brother of dreams Walter Harms," Paraguay's Vice-president Pedro Alliana said on the social media platform X. Images on social media showed burning wreckage in a field. According to the police report, the plane hit a tree during takeoff and erupted in flames while falling to the ground. Reporting by Daniela Desantis; Writing by Alexander Villegas; Editing by Daniel WallisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Walter Harms, Pedro Alliana, Daniela Desantis, Alexander Villegas, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Thomson Locations: ASUNCION, Paraguayan, Asuncion, Colorado

WASHINGTON, Dec 1 (Reuters) - The White House said on Friday it was prepared to "pause" sanctions relief for OPEC member Venezuela in coming days unless there is further progress on the release of Venezuelan political prisoners and "wrongfully detained" Americans. Any “snapback” of partially lifted U.S. sanctions would mark a major shift from President Joe Biden's new approach toward Venezuela. In the most significant lifting of tough Trump-era sanctions, Washington issued a six-month general license authorizing U.S. transactions with Venezuela’s vital oil and gas sector and a second license authorizing operations of state gold mining company Minerven. Washington had vowed to reverse that sanctions relief unless the Venezuela's Socialist government took steps by the end of November to release political prisoners and three Americans it considers unlawfully jailed, and also lift public-office bans on opposition candidates. The Venezuelan government released five political prisoners in October but there have been no releases since.

Persons: Nicolas Maduro, John Kirby, Joe Biden's, Washington, “, ” Kirby, ”, we're, Kirby, Maria Corina Machado, Matt Spetalnick, Steve Holland, Mayela Armas, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Venezuelan, White House, Trump, Socialist, Thomson Locations: Venezuela, Venezuelan, Maduro, Washington, U.S, Israel, Gaza, Ukraine, Caracas

☆ Protester self-immolates outside Israeli consulate in Atlanta
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike in Gaza, after a temporary truce between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas expired, as seen from southern Israel, December 2, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko Acquire Licensing RightsDec 1 (Reuters) - A protester with a Palestinian flag self-immolated on Friday outside the Israeli consulate in Atlanta, authorities said. The protester arrived around 12:17 p.m. at the office building, which houses the consulate as well as several businesses, and used gasoline, police said. Israel has vowed to annihilate Hamas after the militant group attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking 240 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. More than 15,000 Gazans have been killed during Israel's assault, Palestinian officials say, which has destroyed much of the enclave.

Persons: Alexander Ermochenko, Darin Schierbaum, Anat Sultan, Israel, Joseph Ax, Kanishka Singh, Jonathan Allen, Matt Spetalnick, Daniel Wallis, Bill Berkrot Organizations: REUTERS, Palestinian, Police, ABC News, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, Palestinian, Atlanta, U.S

☆ Former US Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor dead at 93
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

[1/5] U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor speaks during an interview with Reuters Editor-in-Chief Stephen Adler at the 92nd Street Y in New York March 15, 2012. Chief Justice John Roberts recalled O'Connor as having "blazed an historic trail as our nation’s first female justice." "We at the Supreme Court mourn the loss of a beloved colleague, a fiercely independent defender of the rule of law, and an eloquent advocate for civics education." Her 1981 appointment by Republican President Ronald Reagan made her the Supreme Court's first woman justice nearly two centuries after the Supreme Court was established in 1789 but her place in history went beyond breaking men-only barriers. The Supreme Court, which has had a 6-3 conservative majority since 2020, overturned the landmark Roe ruling in 2022.

Persons: Sandra Day O'Connor, Stephen Adler, Shannon Stapleton, Sandra Day O’Connor, O'Connor, John Roberts, Roberts, George W, Bush, Samuel Alito, Ronald Reagan, you’ve, Roe, Wade, Republican George W, Democrat Al Gore, O’Connor, Harry, Ada Mae, Rehnquist, John, Warren Burger, Reagan, Jimmy Carter, Justice Potter Stewart, “, Barack Obama, Bill Trott, Daniel Wallis Organizations: U.S, Supreme, Reuters, REUTERS, Rights, Republican, Democrat, Chicago Tribune, Stanford University, Arizona, Democratic, Senate, Ladies, White, Thomson Locations: New York, Phoenix, Arizona, Georgia, Texas, Florida, El Paso , Texas, Los Angeles, San Mateo County , California, United States, West, Reuters Washington

Yields on the U.S. benchmark 10-year Treasury , which move inversely to prices, saw their steepest decline in more than a decade. The Fed chair reiterated that the fight against inflation was far from finished and said the central bank was ready to further tighten monetary policy if necessary. Investors see a strong chance of the central bank delivering a rate cut as early as March 2024, LSEG data show. In late 2022, for example, many expected a recession would hit this year, forcing the Fed to loosen monetary policy. The economy proved resilient while monetary policy stayed tight.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Brendan McDermid, Powell, Paul Nolte, Christopher Waller, “ Powell, that’s, ”, Ed Al, James St . Aubin, David Randall, Lewis Krauskopf, Saqib Iqbal Ahmed, Ira Iosebashvili, Daniel Wallis Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Federal, Fed, Treasury, Murphy, Sylvest Wealth Management, Columbia Threadneedle Investments, Sierra Investment Management, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S

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