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☆ Russian President Putin Congratulates Servicemen for Capture of Ukraine's Avdiivka
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated military units and their commander on Saturday on the capture of the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka, the Kremlin said. The Kremlin website said Putin was presented with a report on the capture of the city from Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. Russian news agencies quoted a telegram that Putin sent to the commander of the "centre" group of forces in Ukraine, Colonel-General Andrei Mordvichev. Russian forces had been engaged in sustained attacks on Avdiivka since mid-October. It had been briefly held by pro-Russian groups in 2014 when they seized large chunks of eastern Ukraine, but later retaken by Ukrainian forces.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Putin, Sergei Shoigu, Andrei Mordvichev, Ron Popeski, Diane Craft Organizations: Reuters, Defence, Ukrainian, Moscow's, Russian Locations: Ukrainian, Avdiivka, Russian, Ukraine, Russia, Donetsk

☆ Israel Says South Africa Serving Hamas in Latest Bid to World Court
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - South Africa's latest request to the World Court against a possible offensive by Israel in southern Gaza serves Hamas and is an attempt to stop Israel from defending itself, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday. South Africa on Tuesday asked The International Court of Justice (ICJ) to consider whether Israel's plan to extend its offensive in Gaza into the city of Rafah requires additional emergency measures to protect Palestinians' rights. "South Africa continues to represent the interests of the Hamas terrorist organization and is trying to deny Israel the fundamental right to defend itself and its citizens," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lior Haiat. The ICJ last month ordered Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent its troops from committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, in a case brought by South Africa. The court has not yet ruled on the core of the case brought by South Africa - whether genocide has occurred in Gaza.

Persons: Lior Haiat, Israel, Haiat, Maayan, Diane Craft Organizations: Israeli Foreign Ministry, Tuesday, International Court of Justice, Israel, Foreign, Hamas Locations: JERUSALEM, Israel, Gaza, Hamas, South Africa, Rafah, Africa

☆ Armenia's PM: 'We Are Not Russia's Ally' in War Against Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

Armenia and Azerbaijan fought two major wars in the past 30 years over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. The region has long been recognised as part of Azerbaijan and Azeri troops secured full control over it last September. The Latest Photos From Ukraine View All 91 ImagesIn his remarks to Britain's Daily Telegraph, Pashinyan said he had said from the outset of Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine that it could not stand alongside Moscow as an ally. Photos You Should See View All 21 Images"I said, in the Ukraine situation, we are not Russia’s ally. He repeated that Armenia was considering whether to stay in the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation.

Persons: Nikol Pashinyan, Pashinyan, Ilham Aliyev, Ron Popeski, Diane Craft Organizations: Reuters, Britain's Daily Telegraph, U.S, NATO, Nato, Security Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Nagorno, Karabakh, Moscow, France, Russian

☆ Biden Says Gaza Fighting 'Over the Top,' Pushing for Pause
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Jeff Mason and Trevor HunnicuttWASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday suggested that Israel's military response in Gaza has been "over the top," adding that he is working to achieve a sustained pause in fighting. He added that he has been pushing for increased humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians and to get a temporary pause in place to allow the release of hostages taken by Hamas. "I'm pushing very hard now to deal with this hostage ceasefire," Biden said. War in Israel and Gaza View All 194 ImagesIsrael began its military offensive after Hamas militants from Gaza killed 1,200 people and took 253 hostages in southern Israel on Oct. 7. (Reporting by Jeff Mason and Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Sandra Maler and Diane Craft)

Persons: Jeff Mason, Trevor Hunnicutt WASHINGTON, Joe Biden, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, it's, Trevor Hunnicutt, Sandra Maler, Diane Craft Organizations: White, Israeli, Israel Locations: Gaza, Israel

☆ Ukraine's Zelenskiy Is Considering Replacing Zaluzhnyi, Others
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

(Reuters) -Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in an interview broadcast on Sunday, said he was considering a "reset" to replace several senior officials. Speculation has gripped Ukraine for weeks over suggestions that the president was about to dismiss the highly popular commander, Valeriy Zaluzhnyi. But Zelenskiy said any changes went beyond replacing a single person to harness efforts to oust Russian troops. To win the war, Zelenskiy said, "We must all push in the same direction, we cannot be discouraged, we must have the right and positive energy, negativity must be left at home. On two occasions in the past week, Ukrainian media issued a torrent of reports that Zaluzhnyi's dismissal was imminent.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Valeriy, Zelenskiy, Zelenskyi, Zaluzhnyi, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Kyrylo Budanov, Gianluca Semeraro, Ron Popeski, Diane Craft, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: Reuters, RAI, Russian, CNN Locations: Ukraine, Russian, Italian, Ukrainian, Ukraine's, Kyiv

☆ US Conducts Strikes in Self-Defense Against Six Houthi Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

(Reuters) - The U.S. Central Command said on Saturday that U.S. forces conducted strikes in self-defense against six Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea. U.S. forces identified the cruise missiles in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined they presented an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region, the statement added. (Reporting by Gursimran Kaur in Bengaluru; Editing by Diane Craft)Copyright 2024 Thomson Reuters.

Persons: Gursimran Kaur, Diane Craft, Thomson Organizations: Reuters, U.S . Central Command, U.S . Navy, Thomson Reuters Locations: Red Sea . U.S, Yemen, Bengaluru

☆ Senegalese Democratic Party Requests Postponement of Presidential Election
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

By Diadie Ba and Bate FelixDAKAR (Reuters) - The Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) on Friday said it had officially requested a postponement of the Feb. 25 presidential election, citing incidents it alleged had compromised the transparency and integrity of the vote. PDS is the former ruling party of Abdoulaye Wade. Their candidate, Wade's son Karim, was disqualified from the race to succeed President Macky Sall over his supposed dual nationality. In a statement, PDS listed concerns with the constitutional court's decision-making, the elimination of candidates and other issues that it said had derailed the race. The push for a postponement "is part of our desire to preserve the integrity and transparency of the process," it said.

Persons: Ba, Bate Felix DAKAR, Abdoulaye Wade, Wade's, Karim, Macky Sall, Alessandra Prentice, Diane Craft Organizations: Senegalese Democratic Party, PDS

☆ North Korea Tested Firing Cruise Missiles on Feb 2 -KCNA
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea tested its cruise missiles as well as new land-to-air missiles off its west coast on Feb. 2, state media reported on Saturday, confirming a barrage of launches for weapons it said are aimed at enhancing defense capabilities. The launch on Friday marked the fourth time in just over a week that Pyongyang has launched such missiles. "These tests are part of the normal activities of the General Directorate and the Agency for Defense Development under its jurisdiction to advance the technology of new weapon systems in various aspects such as their function, performance, and operation, and are unrelated to the regional situation," the KCNA said. The KCNA usually comments on their missile tests about a day after the launch takes place. (Reporting by Cynthia Kim; editing by Diane Craft)

Persons: Cynthia Kim, Diane Craft Organizations: Agency for Defense Development Locations: SEOUL, North Korea, Pyongyang

☆ Argentina Lower Chamber Approves Milei's 'Omnibus' Reform Bill
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentina's lower chamber of deputies gave overall approval to libertarian President Javier Milei's sweeping "omnibus" reform bill in a vote on Friday after days of debate, paving the way for a decisive vote in the Senate. The controversial reform package was approved on a vote of 144 votes in favor, and 109 against. The mammoth bill is a key plank of Milei's reforms plans for Argentina's embattled economy, which is grappling with inflation above 200%, depleted foreign currency reserves and a time-bomb of debt repayments owned to creditors and investors. Milei's Libertad Avanza party only holds a small number of seats in the 257-seat chamber, but was still able to muster enough support from likeminded allies to advance the bill. (Reporting by Nicolas Misculin and Eliana Raszewski; Editing by Diane Craft and Sandra Maler)

Persons: Javier Milei's, Milei's, Nicolas Misculin, Diane Craft, Sandra Maler Organizations: BUENOS AIRES, Reuters, Senate Locations: BUENOS

☆ Algeria Pushes UN Security Council to Demand Gaza Ceasefire
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Michelle NicholsUNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Algeria has drafted a U.N. Security Council resolution to demand an immediate humanitarian ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, a move that the United States - a council veto power - opposes because it says it would only benefit the Palestinian militants. It was not immediately known when or if Algeria's draft resolution could be put to a vote. A resolution needs at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the United States, Britain, France, China or Russia to be adopted. The U.S. and Israel oppose a ceasefire, believing it would only benefit Hamas. Earlier in December the 193-member U.N. General Assembly demanded a humanitarian ceasefire, with 153 states voting in favor of the move that had been vetoed by the United States in the Security Council days earlier.

Persons: Michelle Nichols UNITED, Israel, U.N, Michelle Nichols, Diane Craft Organizations: Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS, Reuters, Security, Hamas, International Court of Justice, General Locations: Algeria, Israel, United States, Gaza, Britain, France, China, Russia, U.S, Washington

☆ Political Pressure Builds on Biden to Strike Iran After US Deaths
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

That allowed Biden the political space to mete out U.S. retaliation, inflicting costs on Iran-backed forces without risking a direct war with Tehran. Republicans accused Biden of letting American forces become sitting ducks, waiting for the day when a drone or missile would evade base defenses. In response, they say Biden must strike Iran. "The only answer to these attacks must be devastating military retaliation against Iran's terrorist forces, both in Iran and across the Middle East." "Unless the U.S. prepared for an all out war, what does attacking Iran get us," the official said.

Persons: Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali WASHINGTON, Joe Biden, he's, Biden, Tom Cotton, Mike Rogers, they've, Rogers, Donald Trump, Joe Biden's, Barbara Lee, Seth Moulton, —, Moulton, Jonathan Lord, Lord, Charles Lister, Lister, Israel, Qassem Soleimani, Simon Lewis, Paul Thomasch, Diane Craft Organizations: Republican U.S, Republican, U.S, Representatives, Tehran, Biden, Democratic, Iranian, Center, New, East Institute, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, United, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps Locations: Iran, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Yemen, Israel, Jordan's, Tehran, United States, Gaza, New American, Washington, U.S, Damascus, Jan

☆ Iran-Backed Attacks on US Troops in the Middle East Since Oct. 7
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

About 2,500 U.S. troops are stationed in Iraq and 900 in Syria to prevent a resurgence of Islamic State militants. Here is a timeline of major attacks since then:OCT. 18 - U.S. forces in Iraq are targeted in two separate drone attacks. OCT. 19 - U.S. forces in Syria bring down two drones targeting them, leading to some minor injuries. OCT. 26 - An Iran-backed militia launches a drone at an air base that penetrates U.S. air defenses and crashes into the barracks housing American troops but fails to detonate. DEC. 25 - A one-way drone attack in Iraq by Iran-aligned militants leaves one U.S. service member in critical condition and wounds two other U.S. personnel.

Persons: Ahmed Aboulenein, Diane Craft Organizations: WASHINGTON, Sunday, U.S, Islamic, DEC Locations: Jordan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Gaza, Israel, U.S

☆ Philippines and US Intend to Hold '2-Plus-2' Meeting in March, Envoy Says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines and the United States intend to hold a "2-plus-2 meeting" of top diplomatic and defence officials in Manila in March, the Philippine ambassador to Washington said on Monday. He said there is an "intention" to hold a meeting, and the plan is "still a work in progress." Romualdez did not respond to a question on what will be the agenda of the planned meeting, which comes at a time of simmering tensions between the Philippines and China over the South China Sea. The Philippines is a treaty ally of the United States. There was no immediate comment from the Philippines' defense secretary, the Philippine foreign ministry, and the U.S. embassy in Manila.

Persons: Jose Manuel Romualdez, Antony Blinken, Defense Lloyd Austin, Enrique Manalo, Gilberto Teodoro, Romualdez, Karen Lema, Lisa Shumaker, Diane Craft Organizations: Defense, Nikkei, U.S Locations: MANILA, Philippines, United States, Manila, Philippine, Washington, China, South China

☆ US Reviewing Venezuelan Sanctions Policy in Wake of Court Decision - State Dept
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - The United States is reviewing its sanctions policy against Venezuela after a court upheld a ban which prevents presidential candidate Maria Corina Machado from holding office, the State Department said on Saturday. The ruling by Venezuela's Supreme Justice Tribunal on Friday means Machado, a 56-year-old industrial engineer, cannot register her candidacy for presidential elections scheduled for the second half of 2024. "The United States is currently reviewing our Venezuela sanctions policy, based on this development and the recent political targeting of democratic opposition candidates and civil society," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement. Miller said the court ruling was a "deeply concerning decision" that ran contrary to the commitments made by Maduro to allow all parties to select their candidates for the presidential election. Maduro on Thursday said the deal with his opponents was in danger of collapse after what he has described as "conspiracies" against him.

Persons: Maria Corina Machado, Machado, Matthew Miller, Nicolas Maduro's, Miller, Maduro, David Ljunggren, Diane Craft Organizations: Reuters, State Department, Venezuela's, Department Locations: United States, Venezuela, Caracas

☆ Alabama Prepares to Carry Out First Execution by Nitrogen Asphyxiation
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

By Jonathan Allen(Reuters) - Alabama plans to carry out the first known judicial execution of a prisoner using asphyxiation with nitrogen gas on Thursday evening, a closely watched new method the state hopes to advance as a viable, simpler alternative to lethal injections. Kenneth Smith, convicted of a 1988 murder-for-hire, is a rare prisoner who has already survived one execution attempt. In November 2022, Alabama officials aborted his execution by lethal injection after struggling for hours to insert an intravenous line's needle in his body. A canister of pure nitrogen will be attached to the mask, intended to deprive him of inhaling any oxygen. Jeff Hood, spiritual adviser to Smith, who will be at Smith's side, had to sign a form acknowledging the risk that the execution method poses to others.

Persons: Jonathan Allen, Kenneth Smith, Smith, gurney, Jeff Hood, Maya Foa, Foa, Elizabeth Sennett, Charles Sennett, Mama, Diane Craft Organizations: Reuters, United Nations, 11th Circuit U.S, Appeals, U.S, Supreme, Besides Alabama, Holman Correctional Facility Locations: Alabama, U.S, Besides, Oklahoma, Mississippi, New York

☆ With a Mask and Nitrogen Tank, Alabama Pioneers Execution Method
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

By Jonathan Allen(Reuters) - If federal courts give the green light, Alabama plans on Thursday to pioneer the first new method of judicial execution since lethal injections were introduced in 1982. "If this execution is successful then we're going to see nitrogen hypoxia take off across the country," said Rev. Smith is scheduled to be the first prisoner subjected to the method, which Alabama refers to as 'nitrogen hypoxia,' on Thursday evening at Alabama's Holman Correctional Facility. Alabama Solicitor General Edmund LaCour told federal judges last week that the state has since developed "the most painless and humane method of execution known to man." This is the first time he has had to sign a form acknowledging the risk that an execution method poses to others in the execution chamber.

Persons: Jonathan Allen, Jeff Hood, Kenneth Smith, Elizabeth Sennett, Smith, Kenny, Hood, Edmund LaCour, We're, Stéphanie Boucher, Paul Thomasch, Diane Craft Organizations: Reuters, Alabama Department, Corrections, Alabama's Holman Correctional Facility, 11th Circuit U.S, Alabama, Veterinary Medical Association, Worth, Allegro Industries, Allegro's, Walter Surface Technologies Locations: Alabama, . Oklahoma, Mississippi, New York, South Carolina, Allegro's Canada

☆ Pope Says He Hopes to Visit 'Suffering' Argentina This Year
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Philip PullellaROME (Reuters) - Pope Francis said on Sunday that the people of Argentina are suffering and that he hopes to be able make his first trip back to his homeland in the second half of this year. On Thursday, Argentine President Javier Milei's office said he had invited the 87-year-old Francis to visit, appearing to extend an olive branch after attacking the Catholic leader in recent years. He said an eventual trip to Argentina would take place after August, when he is planning to visit some countries in Polynesia. "After that, the trip to Argentina, if it can be done, but I would like to go. Francis has made more than 40 trips outside Italy, including many in Latin America, since his election nearly 11 years ago as the first Latin American pontiff but has yet to visit Argentina.

Persons: Philip Pullella ROME, Pope Francis, Javier Milei's, Francis, Milei, It's, imbecile, Philip Pullella, Diane Craft Organizations: Argentine, Catholic Locations: Argentina, Italian, Polynesia, Buenos Aires, Italy, Latin America

☆ Guatemala's Arevalo Due to Assume Presidency With Difficult Path Ahead
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

The attorney general has tried to strip Arevalo and his Vice President-elect Karin Herrera of legal immunity, suspend his Semilla party and annul the election. "Problems are not over for Arevalo," said Roberto Alejos, former Guatemalan Congressional and political analyst. Giammattei's conservative Vamos party and UNE, the party of former first lady Sandra Torres who Arevalo defeated in the election hold a combined greater power. The government of Arevalo and Herrera will have to carefully balance demands by the United States to stem migration amid record-high remittances that keep the local economy afloat. After winning the presidency, Arevalo said he will expand relations with China, which could imply a change in policy for Guatemala's diplomatic ties with Taiwan, a move that could anger the United States.

Persons: Bernardo Arevalo, Alejandro Giammattei, Arevalo's, Arevalo, Karin Herrera, Roberto Alejos, Sandra Torres, Ana Maria Mendez, Consuelo, Porras's, TAIWAN Arevalo, Juan Jose Arevalo, Herrera, Sofia Menchu, Diego Ore, Cassandra Garrison, Diane Craft Organizations: Sofia Menchu, Sofia Menchu GUATEMALA CITY, Arevalo, Guatemalan Congressional, Washington Office, American Affairs, TAIWAN, Central, Reuters Locations: Sofia, Sofia Menchu GUATEMALA, Guatemalan, Guatemala, Central America, Arevalo, United States, CHINA, China, Taiwan, Guatemala City

☆ Death Toll Rises to 23 After Mudslide in Northwest Colombia
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BOGOTA (Reuters) - A mudslide brought on by heavy rains in northwest Colombia killed at least 23 people and injured dozens on a busy highway, authorities said on Saturday. The mudslide, which happened Friday afternoon, covered a roadway that connects the cities of Quibdo and Medellin in the Pacific province of Choco. At least 35 people were also injured and an unknown number of people are still missing as mud completely engulfed several cars on the road, authorities said. "The extraction of bodies continues," the governor of Choco said in a statement shared on social media. (Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta, writing by Cassandra Garrison; Editing by Kirsten Donovan and Diane Craft)

Persons: Luis Jaime Acosta, Cassandra Garrison, Kirsten Donovan, Diane Craft Organizations: Colombia's National Unit for, Risk Locations: BOGOTA, Colombia, Quibdo, Medellin, Pacific, Choco

☆ Biden: US Does Not Support Taiwan Independence
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Steve Holland, Nandita Bose and Trevor HunnicuttWASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden said on Saturday the United States does not support the independence of Taiwan, after Taiwanese voters rebuffed China and gave the ruling party a third presidential term. "We do not support independence..." Biden said, when asked for reaction to Saturday's elections. The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979 and has long said it does not support a formal declaration of independence by Taiwan. It does, however, maintain unofficial relations with the self-governed island and remains its most important backer and arms supplier. In a show of support for the government, Biden plans to dispatch an unofficial delegation to the self-governed island, according to a senior Biden administration official.

Persons: Steve Holland, Nandita Bose, Trevor Hunnicutt WASHINGTON, Joe Biden, Democratic Progressive Party's, Lai Ching, Biden, Lai, Antony Blinken, Xi Jinping, Donald Trump, Tsai Ing, Jimmy Carter, Trevor Hunnicutt, Diane Craft, Michael Perry Organizations: Democratic Progressive, United, U.S ., Biden Locations: United States, Taiwan, China, Beijing, Taipei, Republic of Taiwan, Washington, U.S, California

☆ Incoming Guatemala President Meets With Taiwanese Officials Ahead of Inauguration
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) - Guatemala's President-elect Bernardo Arevalo met with Taiwan's foreign minister to discuss strengthening commercial ties on Saturday, the Central American nation's incoming government said in a statement. Arevalo has said he aims to expand ties with China while maintaining diplomatic relations with Taiwan. The Central American country is one of only 13 nations that maintain diplomatic ties with Chinese-claimed Taiwan. Honduras in March ended its decades-long relationship with Taipei in favour of Beijing following the election in late 2021 of Xiomara Castro as president. Herrera met earlier with Wu and Taiwanese Ambassador Miguel Li-jey Tsao to discuss "possibilities of cooperation," according to an earlier statement.

Persons: Bernardo Arevalo, Arevalo, Karin Herrera, Xiomara Castro, Joseph Wu, Arevalo's, Herrera, Wu, Miguel Li, Tsao, Sofia Menchu, Cassandra Garrison, Marguerita Choy, Diane Craft Organizations: GUATEMALA CITY, Central American, The Central, Taiwan's Locations: GUATEMALA, China, Taiwan, Honduras, Taipei, Beijing

☆ IBM shows new quantum computing chip, targeting 2033 for large systems
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Stephen Nellis | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

International Business Machines’ (IBM) Quantum System Two computer containing three "Heron" processors is seen in this undated handout photo. Courtesy of International Business Machines/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsDec 4 (Reuters) - International Business Machines (IBM.N) on Monday showed a new quantum computing chip and machine that it hopes will serve as the building blocks of much larger systems a decade from now. Researchers around the world are trying to perfect quantum computing, which relies on quantum mechanics to reach computing speeds far faster than classical silicon-based computers. The challenge has been to create quantum computers that are reliable enough in the real world to consistently beat conventional computers. Microsoft (MSFT.O), Alphabet's Google (GOOGL.O) and China's Baidu (9888.HK), along with startups and nation states, are all racing to develop quantum machines.

Persons: Baidu, Dario Gil, IBM's, " Gil, it's, Stephen Nellis, Diane Craft Organizations: Machines, IBM, Business Machines, REUTERS, Microsoft, Google, HK, Reuters, Thomson Locations: San Francisco

☆ China's military: US combat ship 'illegally' entered territorial waters
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] An aerial view shows the BRP Sierra Madre on the contested Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin, in the South China Sea, March 9, 2023/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Dec 4 (Reuters) - China's military on Monday said a U.S. combat ship illegally entered waters adjacent to the Second Thomas Shoal, a disputed South China Sea atoll. "The U.S. seriously undermined regional peace and stability," said a spokesperson for China's Southern Theater of Operations in a statement. The spokesperson also said the U.S. deliberately disrupted the South China Sea and seriously violated China's sovereignty. China is in dispute with several of its neighbours over its extensive claims of territorial waters in the South China Sea. ship., and that "its troops in the theater are on high alert at all times to resolutely defend national sovereignty."

Persons: Thomas, Bernard Orr, Chizu Nomiyama, Diane Craft Organizations: BRP, BRP Sierra Madre, Rights, China's Southern Theater of Operations, People's Liberation Army, Philippine Coast Guard, Thomson Locations: BRP Sierra, South China, Rights BEIJING, U.S, China, South, Shanghai

These are just a few of the ways that public health has been impacted and compounded by climate change - a focus for the first time ever at the annual U.N. climate summit COP28. Here's how climate change is harming people's health across the world today, and what countries might expect in the future. Floods in Pakistan last year, for example, led to a 400%increase in malaria cases in the country, the report said. MURKY WATERSStorms and flooding wrought by climate change are allowing other infectious water-borne diseases to proliferate as well. Diarrhoea, too, receives a boost from climate change, with increasingly erratic rainfall - resulting in either wet or dry conditions - yielding a higher risk, research has found.

Persons: Alexandros Avramidis, Martin Edlund, Gloria Dickie, Alexander Cornwall, Katy Daigle, Diane Craft Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, World Health Organization, WHO, Nature Medicine, American Thoracic Society, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Evros, Greece, West Nile, Brazil, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Africa, United States

Dec 4 (Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in Asian markets. The dollar shed 3% in November, its biggest monthly fall in a year, and last week fell for a third week in a row. Many will argue that the U.S. bond and rates markets have gotten far too carried away, and that the Fed will not ease so quickly and aggressively next year. But Fed policymakers are now in their 'blackout period' ahead of the December 12-13 policy meeting. In stark contrast to the Fed, rates futures markets are barely pricing in any rate cuts from the RBA next year at all.

Persons: Wall, Jerome Powell, Jamie McGeever, Diane Craft Organizations: Treasury, Reuters, Reserve Bank of Australia, Thomson Locations: Zealand, Australia, India, South Korea, Philippines, Thailand, Japan, Korea

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