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☆ Britain faces its 'most dangerous' years in history, PM Rishi Sunak to warn in pre-election bid
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

"I'm convinced that the next few years will be some of the most dangerous yet most transformational our country has ever known," he will add. Aides told the Guardian that Sunak has wanted to deliver the speech for some time. "I have bold ideas that can change our society for the better, and restore people's confidence and pride in our country." It is unclear exactly when Britons will head to the polls, but Sunak has indicated that a vote could be called in the autumn. By law, the next U.K. general election must be held no later than 28 January 2025.

Persons: Rishi Sunak, Sunak, I'm, Downing Organizations: Conservative Party, Sky News, CNBC, Guardian, Conservatives, Labour Party, Labour, Tories Locations: Britain, London

☆ Prisoners in Ukraine to be granted parole for military service
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Radina Gigova | Olga Voitovych | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Some Ukrainian prisoners will be able to apply for early parole and join the army under a new law aimed at boosting Kyiv’s manpower in its fight against the Russian invasion. The new law requires that convicts join the military of their own free will. Those who leave the military before their contract is up face additional prison terms of between five and 10 years. Shuliak said those released on parole to serve would have the status of “military personnel,” and therefore be subject to the same restrictions governing their behaviour. Contracts can be terminated in some circumstances, such as ill health or if the former prisoner commits a new crime.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Kostiantyn, ”, Olena Shuliak, Shuliak Organizations: CNN, Russian, Verkhovna Rada, Organization of State Power, Self, Government, Regional, Urban, National Guard Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Russia

☆ Elon Musk is waging war on multiple fronts — and now Australia is in the firing line
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Musk has been in public spats with Brazil's Supreme Court and the Australian government this year. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Musk said on Friday: "The Australian censorship commissar is demanding global content bans." Musk said on X the content had been "censored" for Australia, "pending legal appeal, and it is stored only on servers in the USA." Representatives for Musk did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider, made outside normal working hours.

Persons: Elon, Musk, —, That's, he's, Mar Mari Emmanuel, Australia's, Tanya Plibersek, Alexandre de Moraes, de Moraes, Brazil's, De Moraes, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zelenskyy's, Donald Trump Jr Organizations: Twitter, Brazil's, Service, Reuters, Australia's eSafety, BBC News, SpaceX, Getty, Business Locations: Sydney, Australian, Australia's, Australia, USA, Brazil, Russia, Ukraine, Crimea, Ireland, Dublin

☆ Rishi Sunak: Everything seems to be going wrong for British PM
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Luke Mcgee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Life must seem bleak for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak these days. Sunak has said that he will hold a general election this year, but has yet to confirm its date. It was only voted through by MPs because it has the support of the opposition Labour Party. Anderson is a working-class former miner who is from a part of the country that traditionally votes for the opposition Labour Party. However, Anderson was suspended from the Conservative Party after making comments about the Muslim mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, that Sunak clearly believed were beyond the pale.

Persons: Rishi Sunak, Sunak, –, Boris Johnson, Winston Churchill, It’s, ” Rishi Sunak, Dan Kitwood, Liz Truss, Lee Anderson, Anderson, Elon Musk, Tesla, Kirsty Wigglesworth, doesn’t, Sadiq Khan, Suella Braverman, Braverman, Johnson, Rishi, ” Sunak Organizations: CNN, British, Conservative Party, Labour Party, ”, Conservatives, Allies, Labour, Sunak's, SpaceX, Reuters, Conservative, “, Adidas Samba Locations: Quebec, London, Rwanda

☆ ‘It felt so wrong’: Chumbawamba wants New Zealand politician to stop playing ‘Tubthumping’ at rallies
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Dhruv Tikekar | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

But those headlines were soon eclipsed by Chumbawamba publicly condemning Peters’ use of its song. “Everything that Peters stands for is counter to Chumbawamba’s world view,” the band’s founding member and former vocalist, Dunstan Bruce, told CNN. Chumbawamba, which broke up in 2012, has asked its former record company, Sony Music Publishing, to issue a cease-and-desist letter to New Zealand First. In response to CNN’s request for comment, New Zealand First Party President Julian Paul said the party had nothing further to add. “As we rise, the dirt will start all over again,” he said during a party convention in July, according to a transcript published by New Zealand First.

Persons: Winston Peters strode, Peters, ” Peters, Chumbawamba, Dunstan Bruce, Winston Peters, Hagen Hopkins, ” Chumbawamba, “ Tubthumping, ”, Bruce, “, Peter Dungate, ” It’s, Eminem, Vivek Ramaswamy, Donald Trump, Rihanna, Pharrell Williams, Bruce Springsteen, Nigel Farage, Hutton Supancic, Julian Paul, Emmanuel Heisbourg, Heisbourg, “ tubthumping, You’re, — Peters, ‘ Organizations: CNN, New Zealand First, Labour, New, National, ACT, New Zealand, General Motors, Sony Music Publishing, APRA, NZ, New Zealand’s National Party, rapper’s, Republican, Independence Party, UKIP, Southwest, SXSW UKIP, University of Montreal Locations: Palmerston, British, Nazi Germany, New, New Zealand

☆ Fujitsu shares drop nearly 4% as its Europe chief says compensating Post Office victims is a 'moral obligation'
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

This case received new public attention this year when ITV broadcast a drama series, "Mr Bates vs The Post Office," about the sub-postmasters fight for justice. Horizon was manufactured by Fujitsu in 1999 and rolled out across Post Office branches to manage financial transactions. "We did have bugs and errors in the system and we did help the Post Office in their prosecutions of the sub-postmasters," he told the committee. The government has set aside 1 billion pounds in compensation for victims of the Post Office scandal. And the role of the post office has been well known in these court prosecutions, but Fujitsu for some reason had been rarely mentioned in the press."

Persons: Paul Patterson, Mr Bates, Patterson, Timothy Morse Organizations: Fujitsu Services, Business, Trade, Nikkei, Fujitsu, IT, Post, ITV, of Commons Business, Trade Committee, Government Locations: Europe, London

☆ Monte Paschi rebirth is vindication for Rome
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS / Jennifer Lorenzini Acquire Licensing RightsMILAN, Nov 21 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Italy’s privatisation of bailed-out lender Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena (BMPS.MI) may finally be on the right track. The sale price was nearly 50% higher than last year’s high-stakes 2.5 billion euro capital increase, which cost taxpayers 1.6 billion euros. Rome took advantage of a near-30% rally in Monte Paschi’s shares during the month leading up to the sale. Granted, Rome will never recoup the around 5.4 billion euros it burnt to save Monte Paschi in 2017. Two years ago, interest rates were low and Monte Paschi's recovery seemed a distant prospect.

Persons: Jennifer Lorenzini, Siena, Monte Paschi, Andrea Orcel, Lisa Jucca, Banks, Liam Proud, Streisand Neto Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Banca Monte dei, Treasury, X, Walmart, Thomson Locations: Monte dei, Siena, Italy, Rome, Monte Paschi’s, Monte

☆ Italy raises $1 bln as reduces Monte dei Paschi stake
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

NOVEMBER 2007 - MPS buys Antonveneta from Santander (SAN.MC) for 9 billion euros in cash, months after the Spanish bank paid 6.6 billion euros for it. JULY 2011 - MPS raises 2.15 billion euros in a rights issue ahead of European stress test results. JUNE 2014 - MPS raises 5 billion euros in a rights issue and repays the state 3.1 billion euros. JUNE 2015 - MPS raises 3 billion euros in cash after a 5.3 billion euro net loss for 2014 on record bad loan writedowns. It repays the remaining 1.1 billion euro state underwritten special bond.

Persons: Valentina Za, Keith Weir Organizations: MILAN, Monday, MPS, JPMorgan, Treasury, Bank of Italy, Antonveneta, Italy's, ECB, EU Commission, Thomson Locations: Italy, Siena, Santander, Europe

☆ MP takes Everton's 10-point deduction to parliament
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v Brighton & Hove Albion - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - January 3, 2023 General view of a corner flag inside the stadium before the match Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff /File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 21 (Reuters) - Labour MP lan Byrne has tabled an 'early day motion' in parliament condemning Everton's 10-point deduction in the Premier League and called for an independent football regulator to be established immediately. Everton became the first Premier League club to be deducted points for breaching financial sustainability rules on Friday. An independent commission imposed an immediate deduction that saw the Merseyside club drop to second-from-bottom from 14th. Byrne, MP for Liverpool, West Derby, said the points deduction was "grossly unjust" and that the level of sanction lacked "any legal or equitable foundation or justification...""This House contends the Premier League can no longer fairly govern top-flight football without independent scrutiny and legislation," he said in the EDM, which MPs can sign up to but are not binding and often do not lead to any action. Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jason Cairnduff, lan Byrne, Byrne, Pearl Josephine Nazare, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Soccer Football, Premier League, Everton, Brighton & Hove Albion, Goodison, Labour, Everton's, Liverpool, West, Thomson Locations: Liverpool, Britain, Merseyside, West Derby, Bengaluru

MPS shares were down 7.8% at 2.83 euros by 1145 GMT on Tuesday, reflecting the impact of the sale. EU COMMITMENTSBofA Securities, Jefferies and UBS Europe coordinated the accelerated bookbuilding for the stake sale, the Treasury said in a statement. Commitments Italy agreed with European Union competition authorities at the time of the bailout bind Rome to eventually sell its entire stake in the bank. Two years ago heavyweight UniCredit (CRDI.MI) sank the government's privatisation efforts, forcing Rome to seek more time from the EU. The stake sale is seen as giving Italy more flexibility to pursue a long-term solution for MPS via a merger with a rival, after negotiations with UniCredit were complicated by an impending re-privatisation deadline.

Persons: Jennifer Lorenzini, Luigi Lovaglio, Giancarlo Giorgetti, Giorgia Meloni, Valentina Za, Lincoln, Richard Chang, Mark Potter Organizations: Monte, REUTERS, Treasury, MPS, BofA Securities, Jefferies, UBS Europe, European Union, Reuters, Economy, Banco, BPER Banca, EU, Thomson Locations: Monte dei, Siena, Italy, MILAN, Rome

☆ Fact Check: British MPs cannot expense £50 for breakfast
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A false claim that British members of parliament can expense £50 for breakfast has circulated on social media. “There is no breakfast allowance for MPs,” a spokesperson for IPSA told Reuters in an email. “The only time MPs can claim for their own meals is if they are travelling away from both workplaces (London and constituency) on parliamentary business,” they added. The rules in full can be found on IPSA’s website, which links to The Scheme of MPs’ Staffing and Business Costs 2023-2024. There is no breakfast allowance for MPs.

Persons: ”, IPSA, Read Organizations: Facebook, Independent Parliamentary, Authority, Reuters, ’ Staffing, London Area, Thomson Locations: Britain, London

☆ Former UK Prime Minister David Cameron made foreign minister in surprise political comeback
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 19: Former British Prime Minister David Cameron leaves after giving evidence at the Covid-19 inquiry on June 19, 2023 in London, England. The UK Covid-19 Inquiry is examining the UK's response to and impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and learning lessons for the future. Cameron served as prime minister from 2010 to 2016 and presided over Britain's controversial Brexit vote, which ultimately led to his resignation. 10 — the official residence and office of the British prime minister — to meet with Sunak, following the abrupt sacking of Suella Braverman as interior minister. Finance Minister Jeremy Hunt remains in his post, though further reappointments at the top of government are expected Monday.

Persons: David Cameron, Carl Court, Sunak, Cameron, —, Suella, Cameron's, King Charles III, James, Jeremy Hunt Organizations: British, Tories, China, Conservative Party, Labour, The Times, Downing, London, Finance Locations: ENGLAND, London, England, China, Ukraine, Rwanda

☆ Suella Braverman fired as David Cameron returns to UK government
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Rob Picheta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

The hardline Home Secretary Suella Braverman was fired early on Monday morning, after making inflammatory comments about the policing of pro-Palestinian protests in central London over the weekend. Cameron served as prime minister from 2010 to 2016, resigning after Britain voted to leave the European Union in a referendum that he had called. Unlike Braverman, neither Cleverly nor Cameron are likely to go off script and lash out at the police or protesters. Monday marks the second time in just over a year that Braverman has been sacked as home secretary. Under Sunak, Braverman spearheaded a heavily publicised push to clamp down on small boat crossings made by asylum-seekers.

Persons: London CNN — Britain’s, Rishi Sunak, David Cameron, Suella Braverman, Sunak, Cameron, Downing, James, Braverman, London’s, Braverman’s, ” Neil Basu, we’ve, King Charles, Alec Douglas, –, Edward Heath’s, “, ”, —, ” Cameron, Tories ’, Carl Court, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Jeremy Hunt, they’d, Liz Truss’s shambolic, lambasting “, Keir Starmer, ” Starmer Organizations: London CNN, Britain, European Union, Downing Street, Times, London, Sunak, BBC, Downing, Conservative Party, Liberal Democrats, Tories, EU, Braverman, Human, Rwanda –, Conservatives, Labour Party Locations: London, Braverman, Downing, Westminster, Cameron, Rwanda, Britain, United Kingdom

CNN —The Chinese government has built up the world’s largest known online disinformation operation and is using it to harass US residents, politicians, and businesses—at times threatening its targets with violence, a CNN review of court documents and public disclosures by social media companies has found. Victims face a barrage of tens of thousands of social media posts that call them traitors, dogs, and racist and homophobic slurs. While tech and social media companies have shut down thousands of accounts targeting these victims, they’re outpaced by a slew of new accounts emerging virtually every day. As part of a mission “to manipulate public perceptions of [China], the Group uses its misattributed social media accounts to threaten, harass and intimidate specific victims,” the complaint states. In the past, the Spamouflage network mostly focused on issues domestically relevant to China.

Persons: –, Xi Jinping, Biden, Mike Gallagher, Chen Pokong, ”, Chen, “, Spamouflage’s, Liu Pengyu, ” Liu, Jiayang, Darren Linvill, hasn’t, Fan, Communist Party playbook, Mandiant, Nancy Pelosi, ” Ben Nimmo, George Floyd’s, Ben Nimmo, Lindsay Gorman, Gorman, ” Linvill, Linvill, Spamouflage, Jiajun Qiu, Qiu, ” Qiu Organizations: CNN, US State Department, FBI, Communist Party, Meta, Google, ”, CCP, US Department of Justice, Department, DOJ, China’s Ministry of Public Security, Group, New Yorker, telltale, Media, Clemson University, Capitol, Department of Homeland Security, Marshall Fund’s Alliance, Securing Democracy, YouTube Locations: United States, Beijing, San Francisco, China “, New York, China, New York City, America, Washington, Hong Kong, US, Texas, Virginia, Manassas , Virginia

☆ David Cameron: Why Rishi Sunak has brought the former UK PM back to frontline politics
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Peter Wilkinson | Luke Mcgee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

London CNN —Ever since he became British prime minister a little over a year ago, Rishi Sunak has tried to bring calm to the chaotic government he inherited. That might all have changed on Monday when Sunak surprised the Westminster establishment by appointing former Prime Minister David Cameron as his new foreign secretary. He was very much from the center of the Conservative Party and led the campaign to remain in the European Union. David Cameron leaves 10 Downing Street after being appointed foreign secretary by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on November 13, 2023. British Prime Minister David Cameron resigns on the steps of 10 Downing Street in 2016.

Persons: London CNN —, Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss, Boris Johnson’s, Sunak, David Cameron, Suella Braverman, Cameron, Cameron’s, Carl Court, Braverman, Johnson, Toby Melville Toby Melville, Braverman’s, Matt Cardy, shouldn’t, it’s, don’t Organizations: London CNN, Conservative Party, European Union, Conservatives, Conservative, Britian's, REUTERS, Downing, European Liberal Democrats, Liberal Democrats, CNN Locations: British, Westminster, Brexit, London, Britain, Rwanda

☆ Opinion: In the French language, ‘inclusive’ becomes a loaded word
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( David A. Andelman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Last month, the French Senate voted 221 to 82 in favor of the proposal banning gender-inclusive language from official French documents. Now it seems, another legitimate arm of state power — the French Senate — has taken matters into its own hands. As Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the left-wing populist France Insoumise (France Unbowed) party said on X: “The French language belongs to those who speak it.”But the right embraces it. And he is someone who has embraced all efforts to cement French as a central language for the world. It’s all part of the French president’s ongoing campaign to boost the use of French everywhere.

Persons: David A, David Andelman, sommation, ”, “, maitresse ”, Pascale Gruny, Le, it’s, they’re, Senate —, ” There’s, Gruny, Jean, Luc Mélenchon, Emmanuel Macron, centrism, Macron, King François Organizations: CNN, French Legion of, The New York Times, CBS News, Paris CNN —, French Academy, Senate, National Assembly, International City Locations: Europe, ASIA, Paris, France, French, Republic, Luxembourg, Cotterêts, Spain

The option however is not top of the list for the Treasury, one of the sources added. Announced in May, Eni's share buyback is underway and is expected to increase the government's total stake to just above 34% of voting shares. Once completed, the Treasury could potentially sell enough shares for Italy to remain slightly over 30% of Eni's capital when factoring in CDP's stake, another source said. At current market prices, 4% of Eni is worth around 2 billion euros ($2.14 billion). Eni's share buyback is expected to end before April 2024 after the group said last month it would speed up the programme launched to reward investors.

Persons: Chris Helgren, Italy's, Eni's, Lucia Albano, Giancarlo Giorgetti, Jan Harvey Organizations: Eni, REUTERS, MILAN, Italy's Treasury, Bankers, Treasury, European Union, Economy, Ferrovie dello Stato, Thomson Locations: Vancouver , British Columbia, Canada, Rome, Italy, dei

☆ MPS gets dismissal of $481 mln in claims upheld in court
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MILAN, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Milan's civil appeals court on Thursday upheld a ruling rejecting a 450 million euro ($481 million) damage claim brought by Luxembourg-based fund Alkem against Monte dei Paschi di Siena (BMPS.MI), the bank's former top management and its adviser Nomura , the court said in a statement. The rulings are beneficial for MPS which is 64% owned by the state following a 2017 bailout, and must be re-privatised. Alken had sought around 450 million euros in compensation and Virmont SA another 4.7 million, the court said, adding there were further smaller claims from some Italian investors. The civil appeals court in Milan also cited the ruling of the criminal court of appeal in Milan that had acquitted all the defendants in the case centring around the two derivatives deals, a decision confirmed by Italy's top court last month. ($1 = 0.9356 euros)Reporting by Emilio Parodi, editing by Valentina ZaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Siena, Nomura, Alken, Emilio Parodi, Valentina Za Organizations: MILAN, Monte dei, Deutsche Bank, Nomura, MPS, Virmont SA, Thomson Locations: Luxembourg, Milan

The top appeals court, or Yargitay, took the unprecedented step of making a criminal complaint against Constitutional Court judges on Wednesday, arguing that their ruling last month in favour of releasing Atalay was unconstitutional. "The Court of Cassation (Yargitay) has committed a crime by not recognising the Constitutional Court decision. He called for compliance with the Constitutional Court ruling and said the Yargitay appeals court judges should be put under investigation. The Istanbul Bar Association said on Thursday it had filed a criminal complaint against the Yargitay judges involved in the case on the grounds of misconduct and "depriving a person of liberty". Rule of law, predictability and trust are fundamental for investors and Turkey’s record in this front was and still is miserable."

Persons: Erkan, Sera Kadigil, Ahmet Sik, Umit, Osman, Tayyip Erdogan, Ozgur Urfa, Erdogan, Mehmet Ucum, Mehmet Simsek, Central Bank Governor Hafize Gaye Erkan, Wolfango Piccoli, Daren Butler, Alex Richardson Organizations: Workers ' Party of Turkey, Turkish, REUTERS, Rights, Constitutional, Cassation, Twitter, Istanbul Bar Association, Central Bank Governor, Ece, Thomson Locations: Ankara, Turkey, Rights ANKARA, Istanbul

☆ Monte dei Paschi beats profit forecast, strengthens capital
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

View of the logo of Monte dei Paschi di Siena (MPS), the oldest bank in the world, which faces massive layoffs as part of a planned corporate merger, in Siena, Italy, August 11, 2021. REUTERS / Jennifer Lorenzini/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMILAN, Nov 8 (Reuters) - State-owned Monte dei Paschi di Siena (BMPS.MI) on Wednesday became the latest Italian bank to surprise markets with stronger-than-expected third-quarter earnings thanks to a boost from higher rates. Monte dei Paschi (MPS) is 64% owned by the state, which is working on reducing its stake in the Tuscan lender in line with re-privatisation commitments taken with the European Union. High-street banks in Italy have been able to keep at a minimum the portion of the increase in official rates they pass onto depositors. MPS said its core capital ratio had strengthened further in the quarter to 16.7%, above expectations and up from 15.9% at the end of June.

Persons: Jennifer Lorenzini, Siena, Valentina Za, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, Wednesday, European Union, MPS, Thomson Locations: dei, Siena, Italy

☆ South Africa’s Transport Minister and bodyguards robbed at gunpoint
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Sarah Dean | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Johannesburg CNN —South Africa’s transport minister and her bodyguards were robbed at gunpoint on Monday, according to the South African Police Service (SAPS). Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga was travelling on the N3 highway between Vosloorus and Heidelberg, south of Johannesburg, on Monday when the incident took place, police said. She was inside the car while her bodyguards changed the tire. A manhunt has been launched following the incident and the victims are receiving support and counseling, SAPS said. South Africa has long grappled with gun violence, with several mass shootings reported this year.

Persons: Sindisiwe Chikunga, ” Chikunga, ” SAPS, SAPS Organizations: Johannesburg CNN, South African Police Service Locations: Johannesburg, Vosloorus, Heidelberg, South Africa, KwaZulu, Natal province

☆ Nigerians outraged over government spending plans as millions face hardship
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Nimi Princewill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Lawmakers rejected the plans for a presidential yacht before approving the N2.1 trillion ($2.7 billion) supplementary budget on Thursday, following a public outcry. Local media reported Thursday that the Nigerian House of Representatives reallocated the amount for the presidential yacht to the student loan scheme before passing the spending bill. Onanuga, who is Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, did not comment on the government’s plan to acquire luxury vehicles for the presidency. Last month, Nigeria’s Senate unveiled plans to acquire luxury vehicles for its 469 members despite the country’s struggling economy. Anti-corruption activist Ogunsanya told CNN that Nigerians were yet to reap the benefit of monies saved from the removal of the fuel subsidy.

Persons: Nigeria CNN —, ”, Reno Omokri, Yomi Ogunsanya, Ken Eluma Asogwa, Bayo Onanuga, ” Onanuga, It’s, Tinubu, Karimi, Ogunsanya Organizations: Nigeria CNN, Lawmakers, Twitter, CNN, World Bank, Nigerian, Nigeria’s Senate Locations: Abuja, Nigeria, India, “, Nigerian

☆ Fact Check: Independent front page with ceasefire infographic is from 2006, not related to 2023 Israel-Hamas War
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

An infographic published on the front page of The Independent in 2006 on countries supporting or opposing an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East is being shared out of context amid Israel’s war with Hamas in October 2023. Reuters found that the front page was published by The Independent on July 21, 2006, when Israel was at war with Lebanon’s Hezbollah. The New York Times reported on July 31, 2006, that then U.S. President George W. Bush had also rejected calls for an immediate ceasefire. Reuters’ reporting on the July-August 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war can be found online. The front-page ceasefire infographic dates from 2006, not from October 2023.

Persons: Israel, Israel ”, ”, Tony Blair, Archbishop, Canterbury, George W, Bush, Rishi Sunak, Read Organizations: Hamas, Twitter, Facebook, Reuters, The Independent, Hezbollah, Labour, United Nations, Guardian, The New York Times, Thomson Locations: Israel, Gaza, U.S

☆ Canada says China-linked 'Spamouflage' campaign targeted lawmakers, PM Trudeau
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada October 3, 2023. REUTERS/Blair Gable/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOTTAWA, Oct 23 (Reuters) - The Canadian government said on Monday it detected a China-linked "Spamouflage" campaign that involved bots posting disinformation and propaganda on the social media accounts of members of parliament, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The Spamouflage campaign, using networks of new and hijacked social media accounts to post bulk messages, took place in August and September, and targeted dozens of MPs from across the political spectrum, the foreign ministry said in a statement. Ottawa has also accused Beijing of trying to interfere in its affairs through various schemes, including illegal police stations and the targeting of lawmakers. In September, the Trudeau government announced an independent public inquiry into allegations of attempted foreign meddling by China, Russia and others.

Persons: Justin Trudeau, Blair Gable, Trudeau, Ismail Shakil, Richard Chang Organizations: Canada's, REUTERS, Rights OTTAWA, Canadian, Facebook, Thomson Locations: Ottawa , Ontario, Canada, China, U.S, Ottawa, Beijing, Russia

☆ Italy picks UBS, Jefferies, Clifford Chance for MPS privatisation
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Giuseppe Fonte | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

People pass in front of a branch of Monte dei Paschi di Siena (MPS) bank in Siena, Italy, August 11 2021. REUTERS / Jennifer Lorenzini/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsROME, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Italy's Treasury said on Friday it had picked UBS (UBSG.S) , Jefferies and Clifford Chance as financial and legal advisers for the privatisation of bailed-out bank Monte dei Paschi di Siena (MPS) (BMPS.MI). After a failed attempt to sell the Tuscan lender to larger peer UniCredit (CRDI.MI) in 2021, Italy agreed to Brussels' new privatisation terms that were never fully disclosed. However, Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said this week MPS could return to private hands by the end of next year. Both Giorgetti and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have said in recent months that the government would try to boost competition among Italy's banks with the privatisation of MPS.

Persons: Jennifer Lorenzini, Jefferies, Clifford Chance, Giancarlo Giorgetti, Giorgia Meloni, Gavin Jones, Richard Chang Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Treasury, UBS, European Union, MPS, Banco, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Monte dei, Siena, Italy, Rome, Brussels

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