DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Opinion: The day of the Columbia disaster still haunts me
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-14 | by ( Miles O'Brien | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

The CNN Original Series, “Space Shuttle Columbia: The Final Flight,” uncovers the events that ultimately led to disaster. Miles O'Brien Vincent RicardelI was at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to cover the launch of the space shuttle, Columbia. Space Shuttle Columbia launches from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on January 16, 2003. Space Shuttle Columbia launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 10:39 a.m. NASA Space Shuttle Columbia lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on January 16, 2003.

Persons: Miles O’Brien, ”, Miles O'Brien Vincent Ricardel, Ilan Ramon, Scott Andrews, NASA's, Michael P, Anderson, William C, McCool, Rick D, David M, Brown, Laurel, Kalpana Chawla, Joe Skipper, Karl Ronstrom, Ramon, NASA Chawla, Clark, Chawla, Robert Giroux, Kathryn O'Neill, Zachary, Brett Coomer, Florida Sen, Bill Nelson, Matt Stroshane, Tommy Peltier, Eric Gay, Smiley, Gene Theriot, Sean O'Keefe, George W, Bush, Ron Dittemore, Joe Cavaretta, O'Keefe, Mannie Garcia, NASA Sandy Anderson, Carlos Noriega, Michael L, Coats, Evelyn Husband, Thomas, John Raoux, Glenn Benson, Kim Shiflett, Dave Santucci, “, —, Heidi Collins, Janeane Garofalo, “ Let’s, would’ve Organizations: PBS, CNN, Space Shuttle Columbia, NASA, Kennedy Space Center, Engineers, Reuters Space Shuttle Columbia, Scott Andrews People, Control Center, Getty, NASA Space, Columbia, Israeli Air Force, Space Shuttle, Red Team, Blue Team, Shuttle Columbia, Space, Johnson Space Center, Former, Houston, Houston Chronicle, People, US Navy Corps, Columbia Reconstruction, NASA Workers, Astronauts Memorial Foundation, Reuters, Bannock, Bannock Junior, Senior, Bannock High School, Johnson Space, Challenger, Shuttle, CNN Center, US Locations: Atlanta and New York, Florida, Columbia, synchronicity, Houston, Israel, SPACEHAB, New York, Laguna Hills , California, Texas, San Augustine , Texas, Washington ,, Shoshone, Fort Hall , Idaho, Iraq, Atlanta, United States, California, Dallas

☆ Families of the Columbia crew members keep their memories alive
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Editor’s Note: The CNN Original Series “Space Shuttle Columbia: The Final Flight” uncovers the events that ultimately led to disaster. After work, the crew members and their families would gather for cookouts and laser tag at one another’s homes. The STS-107 mission crew included five men and two women of diverse backgrounds, religions, interests and hobbies. They were the Columbia crew. Jonathan Clark met his future wife, Mission Specialist Laurel B. Clark, at US Navy diving school in 1989.

Persons: ”, Michael P, Anderson, David M, Brown, Kalpana Chawla, Laurel B, Clark, Rick D, William C, Willie ” McCool, Ilan Ramon, Laura Husband, Rick Husband, “, ” Laura, Rick, Laurel, Rosalind Hobgood, Jonathan Clark, Jonathan, Jonathan said, ” Laurel, Iain Clark, ” Jonathan, “ It’s, ” Jonathan Clark, Iain, Jonathan Clark “, “ God, Evelyn, Matthew, Laura, Evelyn Husband, Faith, ” Evelyn, it’s, Evelyn Husband “, Tal Ramon, Tal Organizations: CNN, Shuttle Columbia, Sunday, Columbia, NASA, Israeli Space Agency, US Navy, Training, Johnson Space Center, Texas Tech University, Dallas Cowboys, ” Locations: Wyoming, Columbia, Texas, Panama City , Florida, Laurel, Houston, Amarillo , Texas

☆ Opinion: NASA was America’s crown jewel. After the Columbia disaster it was never quite the same
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-06 | by ( Opinion Douglas Brinkley | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +15 min

Space Shuttle Columbia launches from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on January 16, 2003. Space Shuttle Columbia launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 10:39 a.m. The environmentally controlled chamber was mated to Space Shuttle Columbia for access into the orbiter. NASA Space Shuttle Columbia lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on January 16, 2003. Students and staff of the Shoshone-Bannock High School had an experiment on board Space Shuttle Columbia.

Persons: Douglas Brinkley, Katherine Tsanoff, John F, Kennedy, ”, Douglas Brinkley Moore Huffman, Nancy Currie, Gregg, Scott Andrews, NASA's, Michael P, Anderson, William C, McCool, Rick D, David M, Brown, Laurel, Ilan Ramon, Kalpana Chawla, Joe Skipper, Karl Ronstrom, Ramon, NASA Chawla, Clark, Chawla, Robert Giroux, Kathryn O'Neill, Zachary, Brett Coomer, Florida Sen, Bill Nelson, Matt Stroshane, Tommy Peltier, Eric Gay, Smiley, Gene Theriot, Sean O'Keefe, George W, Bush, Ron Dittemore, Joe Cavaretta, O'Keefe, Mannie Garcia, NASA Sandy Anderson, Carlos Noriega, Michael L, Coats, Evelyn Husband, Thomas, John Raoux, Glenn Benson, Kim Shiflett, Sean O’Keefe, Jeff Bezos, Lockheed Martin, Sir Richard Branson, “ Organizations: Rice University, CNN, Shuttle Columbia, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA, Russian Space Agency, Russia, United Arab, Challenger, Columbia, Space, Space Shuttle Columbia, Kennedy Space Center, Reuters Space Shuttle Columbia, Scott Andrews People, Control Center, Getty, NASA Space, Israeli Air Force, Space Shuttle, Red Team, Blue Team, Johnson Space Center, Former, Houston, Houston Chronicle, People, US Navy Corps, Columbia Reconstruction, NASA Workers, Astronauts Memorial Foundation, Reuters, Bannock, Bannock Junior, Senior, Bannock High School, Johnson Space, Shuttle, Investigation, Elon, SpaceX, United Launch Alliance, Boeing, Lockheed, Virgin Galactic, JFK Locations: China, United Arab Emirates, Japan, Columbia, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Houston, Israel, SPACEHAB, New York, Laguna Hills , California, San Augustine , Texas, Washington ,, Shoshone, Fort Hall , Idaho, American

☆ NASA’s space shuttle program reimagined rocketry. What went wrong?
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Jackie Wattles | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

The CNN Original Series “Space Shuttle Columbia: The Final Flight” uncovers the events that ultimately led to disaster. Deemed an “engineering marvel,” the first of five winged orbiters — the space shuttle Columbia — made its inaugural flight in 1981. Crews aboard the recovery ships Liberty Star and Freedom Star retrieve a reusable right solid rocket booster (below) after a space shuttle mission. Space Shuttle Columbia launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 10:39 a.m. NASA Space Shuttle Columbia lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on January 16, 2003.

Persons: ”, Sean O’Keefe, Casey Dreier, Crews, O’Keefe, Scott Andrews, NASA's, Michael P, Anderson, William C, McCool, Rick D, David M, Brown, Laurel, Ilan Ramon, Kalpana Chawla, Joe Skipper, Karl Ronstrom, Ramon, NASA Chawla, Clark, Chawla, Robert Giroux, Kathryn O'Neill, Zachary, Brett Coomer, Florida Sen, Bill Nelson, Matt Stroshane, Tommy Peltier, Eric Gay, Smiley, Gene Theriot, Sean O'Keefe, George W, Bush, Ron Dittemore, Joe Cavaretta, O'Keefe, Mannie Garcia, NASA Sandy Anderson, Carlos Noriega, Michael L, Coats, Evelyn Husband, Thomas, John Raoux, Glenn Benson, Kim Shiflett, Rodney Rocha, Columbia’s, Rick Husband, “ Roger, Sen, Mark Kelly, “, ” Kelly Organizations: CNN, Shuttle Columbia, Sunday, NASA, Columbia, America’s, Planetary Society, European Space Agency, Space, International Space, Hubble, Liberty Star, NASA’s Ames Research Center, Space Shuttle Columbia, Kennedy Space Center, Reuters Space Shuttle Columbia, Scott Andrews People, Control Center, Getty, NASA Space, Israeli Air Force, Space Shuttle, Red Team, Blue Team, Johnson Space Center, Former, Houston, Houston Chronicle, People, US Navy Corps, Columbia Reconstruction, NASA Workers, Astronauts Memorial Foundation, Reuters, Bannock, Bannock Junior, Senior, Bannock High School, Johnson Space, Challenger, Shuttle, East Texas Locations: Columbia, America’s Soviet, Florida, Houston, Israel, SPACEHAB, New York, Laguna Hills , California, Texas, San Augustine , Texas, Washington ,, Shoshone, Fort Hall , Idaho, New Mexico, East

☆ Stock-hungry volatility funds, ‘gamma-heavy' options dealers could buoy US equities
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Saqib Iqbal Ahmed | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Options strategists believe market gyrations may stay subdued for some time - potentially smoothing the way for further gains in equities. The S&P 500 is up 19% year-to-date, following a 9% gain in November - its best monthly performance since July 2022. Since the VIX tends to move inversely to stocks, market participants watch it closely as an indicator of investor sentiment and positioning. Among the factors closely watched by market participants are the funds that take their signals from market volatility, selling when volatility picks up and buying when it subsides. History also shows that once volatility expectations become subdued, they can linger at low levels for a while.

Persons: Lucas Jackson, Ilya Feygin, Nomura, Charlie McElligott, Brent Kochuba, Cantor Fitzgerald, Eric Johnston, Cantor Fitzgerald’s, Johnston, Saqib Iqbal Ahmed, Ira Iosebashvili, Grant McCool Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Federal, Monday, WallachBeth, Nomura Securities, ’, Thomson

☆ EU to Issue Firm Words at China Summit With Limited Expectations
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Dec. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Top EU officials will raise an array of concerns from Russia's invasion of Ukraine to trade irritants in a summit with Chinese leaders on Thursday that is expected to be long on firm words, but short on outcomes. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in the morning and Premier Li Qiang in the afternoon on their one-day visit to Beijing. There will be no joint statement from Thursday's talks, EU officials said, and they do not expect concrete outcomes from the first in-person EU-China summit since 2019. The European Union will also have questions on Chinese intentions towards Taiwan, but its focus will be on Russia's invasion of Ukraine. EU officials say the two sides could cooperate more on action to combat climate change and to promote biodiversity.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, Charles Michel, Josep Borrell, Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Thursday's, Joe Biden, Philip Blenkinsop, Andrew Gray, Laurie Chen, Grant McCool Organizations: European, U.S, The European, European Union Locations: BRUSSELS, Ukraine, EU, Beijing, China, California, Taiwan, Russia, North Korea, Brussels

☆ North Dakota Governor Burgum exits 2024 presidential race
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( James Oliphant | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Republican presidential candidate and Governor of North Dakota Doug Burgum speaks during the party's Florida Freedom Summit in Kissimmee, Florida, U.S., November 4, 2023. REUTERS/Octavio Jones Acquire Licensing RightsDec 4 - Doug Burgum, the governor of North Dakota who struggled to find his footing in the race for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, ended his campaign on Monday. Burgum, 67, was a successful software executive and investor before his political career and largely self financed his candidacy. While not a frequent critic of Trump’s, Burgum did reject Trump’s false claim that the 2020 election was fraudulent, saying Biden was the rightful victor. In Reuters/Ipsos polling, he lagged far behind more viable contenders such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, not to mention Trump, the frontrunner for the nomination.

Persons: North Dakota Doug Burgum, Octavio Jones, Doug Burgum, Burgum, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Trump’s, Biden, Trump's, Ron DeSantis, Trump, James Oliphant, Ross Colvin, Grant McCool Organizations: Florida Freedom Summit, REUTERS, Reuters, Thomson Locations: North Dakota, Florida, Kissimmee , Florida, U.S, America

"Hell on Earth has returned to Gaza," said Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the U.N. humanitarian office in Geneva. Israeli assaults since have laid waste much of Gaza, which Hamas has ruled since 2007. Sirens blared across southern Israel as militants fired rockets from the coastal enclave into towns. U.S. AND HAMAS TRADE ACCUSATIONSThe United States blamed Hamas for the renewed fighting, saying it had failed to produce a new list of hostages to release. The United States is working on a plan with Israel to minimize harm to civilians in any military operation in southern Gaza, a senior U.S. official said.

Persons: Khan Younis, Abu Mustafa, Jens Laerke, Martin Griffiths, Israel, Antony Blinken, Mark Warner, Washington, Crescent, Gazans, Khan, Mohammed Abu, Suhaib, Nidal, Mohammed Salem, Humeyra Pamuk, Ari Rabinovich, Emily Rose, Andrew Mills, David Brunnstrom, Grant McCool Organizations: REUTERS, United Nations, Hamas, Tel, Hezbollah, Reuters, Democratic U.S, Senate Intelligence, Palestinian, Thomson Locations: Israel, Gaza, GAZA, Geneva, QATAR, Qatar, Radwan, Tel Aviv, Lebanon, Iran, Lebanese, States, Jerusalem, Washington, United States, Israeli, Rafah, Egypt, U.S, Khan Younis, Khan, Suhaib Salem, Cairo, Doha

☆ Inmate charged with attempted murder after George Floyd killer Chauvin stabbed 22 times
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Kanishka Singh | Thomson Reuters | Kanishka Singh Is A Breaking News Reporter For Reuters In Washington Dc | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Dec 1 (Reuters) - An inmate was charged on Friday with attempted murder and other offenses following the stabbing of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted in the death of George Floyd, the U.S. Justice Department said in a statement. The complaint charges John Turscak, 52, with stabbing Chauvin about 22 times "with an improvised knife" on Nov. 24 while incarcerated at Federal Correctional Institution Tucson, prosecutors said. Turscak was charged with attempted murder, assault with intent to commit murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault resulting in serious bodily injury, according to prosecutors. "Turscak stated that his attack of D.C. (Derek Chauvin) on Black Friday was symbolic with the Black Lives Matter movement and the Mexican Mafia criminal organization," the complaint said. Chauvin is serving a 21-year sentence for violating Floyd's civil rights and a concurrent 22-1/2 years for murder on his conviction in Minnesota state court.

Persons: Derek Chauvin, George Floyd, John Turscak, Chauvin, Turscak, Black, Kanishka Singh, Bill Berkrot, Grant McCool Organizations: Former, Rights, U.S . Justice Department, Federal Correctional Institution, Mexican Mafia, FBI, Minnesota Attorney, Thomson Locations: Former Minneapolis, Minneapolis , Minnesota, U.S, Minneapolis, Federal Correctional Institution Tucson, Minnesota, Washington

☆ Israel's president visits UAE, asks for help to free hostages
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Alexander Cornwell | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Herzog made the request during a meeting with Sheikh Mohamed in Dubai, according to a statement issued by the Israeli president's media office. "The President appealed to his friend Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to employ his full political weight to promote and speed up the return home of the hostages," it said. Israel has released 210 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Israeli hostages. A UAE state news agency report said the two presidents discussed relations between their countries and issues of mutual interest. Herzog was invited to attend the summit by Sheikh Mohamed earlier this year.

Persons: Isaac Herzog, SAUL LOEB, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Herzog, Sheikh Mohamed, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Abraham, Abu Dhabi, Alexander Cornwell, Grant McCool Organizations: U.S, State, Rights, Thursday, United Arab Emirates, Hamas, UAE, UAE ., Abraham Accords, Thomson Locations: Tel Aviv, Israel, Rights DUBAI, Palestinian, Gaza, Dubai, Gulf, The UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Gaza's Rafah, UAE, United States

☆ Celsius Network faces roadblocks in pivot to bitcoin mining
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Dietrich Knauth | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration//File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNEW YORK, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Crypto lender Celsius Network may have to seek a new creditor vote on its proposed transformation into a bitcoin mining business, a U.S. bankruptcy judge said during a court hearing on Thursday. Celsius said last week that it had reduced its post-bankruptcy business plans to focus only on bitcoin mining, citing the skepticism of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) about its other planned business lines. The SEC did not definitively object to Celsius' bankruptcy plan before it was approved, but Celsius said the agency was unwilling to approve crypto lending and staking activity that the agency has opposed in the past. Celsius attorney Chris Koenig argued at Thursday's hearing that Celsius's court-approved bankruptcy plan gave the company flexibility to pivot to a mining-only business. Celsius creditors can expect a 67% recovery under the new plan, an increase from 61.2% under the Fahrenheit deal, according to court documents filed on Thursday.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Martin Glenn of, Glenn, Chris Koenig, Koenig, Arrington, BRIC, Dietrich Knauth, Alexia Garamfalvi, Grant McCool Organizations: REUTERS, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, SEC, Bankruptcy, US Bitcoin Corp, Arrington Capital, Recovery Investment, US, Thomson Locations: U.S, Martin Glenn of New York

☆ Britain sends Royal Navy ship to Gulf for security
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Britain has sent the Royal Navy ship Diamond to help bolster regional security in the Gulf and the Indian Ocean, the government said on Thursday. The Diamond will "work to deter escalations from malign and hostile actors who seek to disrupt maritime security", Britain said, conducting operations to ensure freedom of navigation, reassure merchant vessels and ensure the safe flow of trade. The Galaxy Leader cargo ship was seized by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis in the southern Red Sea earlier this month. Britain already has the frigate Lancaster, three mine hunters and a Royal Fleet Auxiliary support ship in the region. Reporting by Kylie MacLellan; editing by Grant McCoolOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Diamond, Grant Shapps, Kylie MacLellan, Grant McCool Organizations: Royal Navy, Galaxy Leader, Yemen's, British, Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Thomson Locations: Britain, Gulf, Yemen's Iran

[1/9] A vehicle carrying hostages released as part of a deal between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, drives by, in Ofakim, Israel, November 30, 2023. Israel, according to the reports, is demanding at least 10 hostages be released on Thursday, with women and children prioritised. Fighters should "remain on such footing unless an official statement is issued confirming the extension of the truce," the statement added. Two Palestinian officials earlier told Reuters that talks were continuing over a possible extension of the truce, but no agreement had yet been reached. Hamas released 16 more hostages on Wednesday, the final day of a two-day extension to the truce.

Persons: Alexander Ermochenko, Antony Blinken, we'll, Blinken, prioritised, Joe Biden, Beinin, Majed Al, Ansari, Jordan, U.N, Antonio Guterres, Nidal al, Mohammed Salem, Emily Rose, Grant McCool, Lincoln, Cynthia Osterman, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Hamas, REUTERS, U.S, Brigades, Reuters, Health, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, . Security Council, Security, Thomson Locations: Israel, Palestinian, Ofakim, GAZA, JERUSALEM, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Brussels, Hamas, U.S, Dutch, Qatar, China, Cairo, Jerusalem

[1/4] Jordan's King Abdullah II hosts an international conference attended by the main U.N. bodies and regional and international relief agencies to coordinate humanitarian aid to war-devastated Gaza, in Amman, Jordan November 30, 2023. With Israel refusing to allow any aid in through its borders, supplies have been flown and driven into Egypt's Sinai Peninsula for delivery to Gaza through the Rafah crossing. Israel has bombarded Gaza in response to an Oct. 7 rampage into southern Israel by Hamas militants who killed some 1,200 people and took more than 200 hostage. Israel had previously called for increasing the amount of aid taken into Gaza from Egypt, including shipments provided by Jordan, said the official, who requested anonymity. Bottlenecks and capacity limitations at the Rafah crossing mean it cannot handle more than 200 trucks a day.

Persons: King Abdullah II, King Abdullah, U.N, Israel, Gazans, confidentially, Christos Christou, Jordan, Martin Griffiths, Juliette Touma, Suleiman Al, Sarah El Safty, William Maclean, Grant McCool Organizations: Royal Hashemite, Reuters Acquire, Red Crescent, Reuters, Trucks, United Nations, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Amman, Jordan, Israel, AMMAN, RAFAH, Egypt, U.N, Rafah, Al Arish, Sinai, Nitzana, Awja, Gaza's, United, Khalidi

☆ UN Security Council Due to Vote on Lifting Arms Embargo on Somalia
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Michelle Nichols and Giulia ParaviciniUNITED NATIONS/NAIROBI (Reuters) - The United Nations Security Council is due to vote on Friday to remove the final restrictions on weapons deliveries to Somalia's government and its security forces, diplomats said, more than 30 years after an arms embargo was first imposed on the country. The 15-member body is due to adopt two British-drafted resolutions on Friday, diplomats said - one to remove the full arms embargo on Somalia and another to reimpose an arms embargo on Al Qaeda-linked Al Shabaab militants. One of the draft resolutions spells out that "for the avoidance of doubt, that there is no arms embargo on the Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia." Somalia's government had long asked for the arms embargo to be removed so it could beef up its forces to take on the militants. The Security Council began to partially start lifting measures Somalia's security forces in 2013.

Persons: Michelle Nichols, Giulia Paravicini, Mohamed Siad Barre, Al Shabaab, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, al, Grant McCool Organizations: Giulia Paravicini UNITED, United Nations Security, Government of, Security, Union Locations: Giulia Paravicini UNITED NATIONS, NAIROBI, Somalia, of Africa, Al Qaeda, Al Shabaab, Federal Republic of Somalia, Al, Somali, al Shabaab

☆ Britain Sends Royal Navy Ship to Gulf for Security Operations
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain has sent the Royal Navy ship Diamond to help bolster regional security in the Gulf and the Indian Ocean, the government said on Thursday. The Diamond will "work to deter escalations from malign and hostile actors who seek to disrupt maritime security", Britain said, conducting operations to ensure freedom of navigation, reassure merchant vessels and ensure the safe flow of trade. The Galaxy Leader cargo ship was seized by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis in the southern Red Sea earlier this month. "It is critical that the UK bolsters our presence in the region, to keep Britain and our interests safe from a more volatile and contested world," British Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said. Britain already has the frigate Lancaster, three mine hunters and a Royal Fleet Auxiliary support ship in the region.

Persons: Diamond, Grant Shapps, Kylie MacLellan, Grant McCool Organizations: Royal Navy, Galaxy Leader, Yemen's, British, Royal Fleet Auxiliary Locations: Britain, Gulf, Yemen's Iran

WASHINGTON, Nov 29 (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on Friday on whether to expel scandal-plagued Republican George Santos, who faces criminal corruption charges and new accusations that he misspent campaign money, according to Republican aides. The motion requires a two-thirds majority in the House, which Republicans control by a narrow 222-213 majority. Santos' district, which includes a small slice of New York City and some of its eastern suburbs, is seen as competitive. The bipartisan Ethics Committee on Nov. 16 released a report on allegations that Santos committed campaign finance fraud. A vote on Nov. 1 to expel Santos failed because Republicans need Santos' seat to protect their narrow House majority, which empowers them to block much of Democratic President Joe Biden's legislative agenda.

Persons: Republican George Santos, Santos, Mike Johnson, Johnson, George Santos, Elizabeth Frantz, Hermes, Joe, Goldman Sachs, Katharine Jackson, Makini Brice, Scott Malone, Andy Sullivan, Grant McCool, Jonathan Oatis, Daniel Wallis Organizations: U.S . House, Republican, U.S . Rep, U.S, Capitol, Democratic, Representatives, REUTERS, Justice Department, Citibank, New York University, Thomson Locations: New York City, New York, Washington , U.S, OnlyFans

[1/2] The office door of U.S. Rep. George Santos (R-NY) is seen the morning after two Democratic lawmakers moved to force a vote to expel Santos from the House of Representatives, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., November 29, 2023. The motion requires a two-thirds majority in the House, which Republicans control by a narrow 222-213 majority. Republicans are divided on whether to expel Santos because he has not been convicted of a crime, the speaker said. The bipartisan Ethics Committee on Nov. 16 released a report on allegations that Santos committed campaign finance fraud. A vote on Nov. 1 to expel Santos failed because Republicans need Santos' seat to protect their narrow House majority, which empowers them to block much of Democratic President Joe Biden's legislative agenda.

Persons: George Santos, Santos, Elizabeth Frantz, Republican George Santos, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Hermes, Joe, Goldman Sachs, Katharine Jackson, Moira Warburton, Scott Malone, Andy Sullivan, Grant McCool, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: U.S . Rep, Democratic, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, U.S . House, Republican, Justice Department, Citibank, New York University, Thomson Locations: U.S, Washington , U.S, New York City, New York, OnlyFans, Washington

Trump, according to aggregates of national opinion polls, holds about a 50-percentage-point lead over her, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also in the mix. Trump also has large leads in early Republican nominating states such as Iowa and New Hampshire. The polls show her tied with DeSantis in Iowa and surpassing him in New Hampshire. Should Haley's rise continue, she would likely face a full onslaught of attacks from the Trump campaign, pro-Trump social media influencers, and related super PAC spending groups. A Trump spokesperson did not respond to questions about whether the campaign would soon turn its attention to Haley.

Persons: Nikki Haley, Adrienne Arsht, Mike Segar, Donald Trump, Haley, Kyle Kondik, Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Whit Ayres, Ayres, Joe Biden's, Haley's, Betsy Ankney, Nikki, Olivia Perez, HALEY Trump's, Koch, James Oliphant, Alexandra Ulmer, Ross Colvin, Grant McCool Organizations: South Carolina, Republican, U.S, NBC News, Adrienne, Adrienne Arsht Center, Performing Arts, REUTERS, Rights, Trump, University of Virginia Center for Politics, Florida Governor, DeSantis, TRUMP, Thomson Locations: Miami , Florida, U.S, Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, California, Texas, South, Tuscaloosa , Alabama

U.S. Rep. George Santos (R-NY) leaves the Capitol after a series of votes, in Washington, U.S., November 15, 2023. The motion requires a two-thirds majority in the House, which Republicans control by a narrow 221-213 majority. Democrats Robert Garcia and Dan Goldman, the lawmakers who filed Tuesday's resolution, introduced resolutions to expel Santos earlier this year that were referred to the House of Representatives Ethics Committee. Santos survived a vote to oust him on Nov. 1, but on Nov. 16, following a scathing report by the Republican-majority Ethics Committee, its chairman, Michael Guest, filed his own motion to expel Santos. If expelled, Santos would be only the sixth lawmaker to be ousted by a vote of the House.

Persons: George Santos, Elizabeth Frantz, Santos, Robert Garcia, Dan Goldman, Michael Guest, Hermes, Makini Brice, Moira Warbuton, Scott Malone, Grant McCool Organizations: Rep, REUTERS, Rights, . House Democratic, Republican, Capitol, Justice Department, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, New York City, New York, OnlyFans

☆ UN Committee Criticizes Denmark on Third Country Plans for Asylum Seekers
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Johannes BirkebaekCOPENHAGEN (Reuters) - The United Nations Committee against Torture has expressed concerns about Denmark's ambitions to transfer asylum seekers to third countries like Rwanda while their applications are being considered, citing worries about the safety of migrants. The committee criticised Denmark two weeks after the UK Supreme Court said Rwanda could not be considered a safe third country, blocking Britain's similar plans for transferring asylum seekers to Rwanda. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he would pass an emergency law to declare Rwanda a safe destination for migrants. In a bid to bypass the European Union's fragmented migration and asylum system, Denmark last year agreed with Rwanda to explore setting up a program in which asylum seekers arriving in Denmark could be transferred to the African country. The UN committee said in a report it was concerned about the Danish legislation and recommended it was revisited, taking international standards into account.

Persons: Johannes Birkebaek COPENHAGEN, Rishi Sunak, Dybvad Bek, Olaf Scholz, Johannes Birkebaek, Grant McCool Organizations: United Nations, Torture, British, European, EU, Immigration, Integration, Reuters, UN Locations: Rwanda, Denmark, Danish, Italy, Albania

☆ Tunisian opposition figure Moussi begins hunger strike in prison
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTUNIS, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Abir Moussi, a prominent opponent of Tunisian President Kais Saied, went on a hunger strike in prison on Tuesday to protest what her lawyers said was a violation of her rights to freedom and political activity. Her lawyers said in a statement that Moussi would be on hunger strike for 16 days, coinciding with a campaign to highlight violence against women in Tunisia. Police this year have detained more than 20 leading political figures, accusing some of plotting against state security. In recent months, the PDL has organised protests against Saied. Moussi accuses Saied of ruling outside the law.

Persons: Moussi, Zoubeir, Kais Saied, Saied, Zine El Abidine ben Ali, Tarek Amara, Grant McCool Organizations: Tunisia's Free Destourian Party, REUTERS, Rights, Free Constitutional Party, PDL, Police, Saied, Thomson Locations: Tunis, Tunisia, Rights TUNIS

☆ North Korea, US envoys engage in rare, public sparring match at UN
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Michelle Nichols | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A North Korean flag flutters at the propaganda village of Gijungdong in North Korea, in this picture taken near the truce village of Panmunjom inside the demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas, South Korea, July 19, 2022. Formally known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), North Korea has been under U.N. sanctions for its ballistic missile and nuclear programs since 2006. Denuclearization talks between North Korea, South Korea, China, the United States, Russia and Japan stalled in 2009. Kim said that until "the persistent military threat" was eliminated, North Korea would continue to strengthen its capabilities. China and Russia say joint military drills by the United States and South Korea provoke Pyongyang, while Washington accuses Beijing and Moscow of emboldening North Korea by shielding it from more sanctions.

Persons: Kim Hong, Pyongyang's, Linda Thomas, Kim Song, Kim, Thomas, Greenfield, Denuclearization, Kim Jong Un, Donald Trump, Michelle Nichols, Grant McCool, Sandra Maler Organizations: REUTERS, UNITED NATIONS, United Nations, North Korea sparred, Security, North Korean, DPRK, Democratic People's, United, North, . Security, U.S, Thomson Locations: Gijungdong, North Korea, Panmunjom, South Korea, United States, Greenfield, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, DPRK, Pyongyang, U.S, China, Russia, Japan, Korea, Britain, France, Washington, Beijing, Moscow, emboldening North Korea

☆ Niger junta repeals law aimed at slowing migration to Europe
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Niger's junta, which took power in a July coup, repealed the law on Saturday and announced it on Monday evening on state television. In return, the European Union launched the 5 billion euro Trust Fund for Africa in 2015, aimed at eradicating the root causes of migration, but many felt it was not enough. How European leaders greet the news, and the impact on migration to Europe, is yet to be seen. Andre Chani used to earn thousands of dollars a month driving migrants through the desert before police impounded his trucks in 2016. Reporting by Moussa Aksar and Edward McAllister; editing by Grant McCoolOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Yara, Andre Chani, Moussa Aksar, Edward McAllister, Grant McCool Organizations: REUTERS, European Union, Fund, Thomson Locations: Lampedusa, Italy, NIAMEY, West Africans, Europe, Niger, Africa, Agadez

☆ Biden hopeful about Israel-Hamas truce extension, US hostages release
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Jeff Mason | Thomson Reuters | Jeff Mason Is A White House Correspondent For Reuters. He Has Covered The Presidencies Of Barack Obama | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Asked whether the truce could be extended, Biden said: "I think the chances are real." Asked by a reporter what his expectations were, Biden said Israel's goal of eliminating Hamas was a legitimate but difficult mission. "I don't know how long it will take," Biden told reporters. Israel says the truce could be extended if more hostages are released at a rate of 10 per day. "I've encouraged the prime minister to focus on trying to reduce the number of casualties while he is attempting to eliminate Hamas, which is a legitimate objective," Biden told reporters.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, I've, Israel's, Tom Brenner, Abu Ubaida, Yoav Gallant, Israel, Jill, Benjamin Netanyahu, Jeff Mason, Kanishka Singh, Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali, Leslie Adler, Grant McCool Organizations: Hamas, REUTERS, West Bank, Israeli, Israel's, Thomson Locations: NANTUCKET, Israel, Palestinian, Gaza, U.S, Nantucket , Massachusetts, United States, Massachusetts, Nantucket

Search resuls for: "McCool"

25 mentions found