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☆ Prominent Ukrainian Army Unit Launches Own Recruitment Drive to Strengthen Ranks
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

By Dan PeleschukKYIV (Reuters) - A year after the founding commander of Ukraine's Da Vinci Wolves Battalion was killed fighting Russian forces, his portrait adorns an airy new recruitment office in Kyiv casting a watchful eye over would-be members. With its military ranks wearing thin, Ukraine is struggling to overhaul mobilisation and broaden recruitment as the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion approaches. For the Da Vinci Wolves, led by war hero Dmytro "Da Vinci" Kotsiubailo until his death near the eastern town of Bakhmut last March, it means relying on a well-honed public image to attract new recruits. 'THE BEST'The Da Vinci Wolves have received more than 1,000 applications and are seeking around 500 new members, Filimonov said. Candidates include Anatoliy Kvasha, 48, who said he wanted a greater say over where he ended up after facing bureaucratic headaches at his local draft office.

Persons: Dan Peleschuk, Ukraine's Da, Dmytro, Da, Kotsiubailo, Serhii Filimonov, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Filimonov, Anatoliy Kvasha, Kvasha, Kyrychenko, Anna Voitenko, Timothy Heritage, Toby Chopra Organizations: Dan Peleschuk KYIV, Ukraine's Da Vinci Wolves Battalion, Da Vinci Wolves, Vinci Wolves, 59th Motorized Brigade, Reuters, Separate Assault Brigade, Service Locations: Kyiv, Ukraine, Bakhmut, Russian, Lviv

☆ Three Civilians Killed in Russian Airstrike on Kharkiv Region - Governor
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

KYIV (Reuters) - A Russian airstrike killed at least three people and injured two more in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine on Thursday, local governor Oleh Sinehubov said. Two bombs hit a car carrying civilians and set a residential building on fire, Sinehubov said. He posted several photographs of a badly damaged burning building and a wrecked car. Both sides deny targeting civilians in the war that Russia launched against its neighbour in February 2022. The Latest Photos From Ukraine View All 91 ImagesPhotos You Should See View All 22 Images(Reporting by Oleksandr Kozhukhar; Editing by Toby Chopra)

Persons: Oleh Sinehubov, Sinehubov, Oleksandr Kozhukhar, Toby Chopra Organizations: Reuters Locations: Russian, Kharkiv, Ukraine, Russia

☆ Gaza Post-War Reconstruction Estimated at $20 Billion: UN Trade Body
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

GENEVA (Reuters) - Gaza will need a new "Marshall Plan" to recover from the conflict between Israel and Hamas, a U.N. trade body official said on Thursday, adding that the damage from the conflict so far amounted to around $20 billion. Speaking on the sidelines of a U.N. meeting in Geneva, Richard Kozul-Wright, a director at trade body UNCTAD, said the damage was already four times that endured in Gaza during the seven-week war in 2014. "We are talking about around $20 billion if it stops now," he said. Kozul-Wright said the estimate was based on satellite images and other information and that a more precise estimate would require researchers to enter Gaza. War in Israel and Gaza View All 209 ImagesThe reconstruction will require a new "Marshall Plan", he said, referring to the U.S. plan for Europe's economic recovery after World War Two.

Persons: Richard Kozul, Wright, Kozul, Emma Farge, Gabrielle Tetrault, Farber, Toby Chopra Organizations: Hamas, UNCTAD Locations: GENEVA, Gaza, Israel, Geneva, U.S

☆ Ukraine Must Find Innovative Ways to Fight, New Commander Says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Max HunderKYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine's armed forces must adapt and find innovative ways to fight to achieve victory over Russian invaders, Kyiv's new armed forces chief said on Friday, in his first public remarks since taking command. Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi, previously commander of ground forces, was promoted on Thursday to overall command of Ukraine's 800,000-strong armed forces, the biggest shakeup of top brass since the war began, coming at a challenging time. The cautious, pragmatic tone was notably short of the soaring rhetoric used by Ukrainian politicians throughout the war. The Latest Photos From Ukraine View All 91 ImagesDefence Minister Rustem Umerov said he had introduced Syrskyi to the General Staff, and promised "all possible support for the actions and decisions of the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine". In his announcement yesterday, Zelenskiy said Syrskyi would present his new team with the aim of "resetting" the military.

Persons: Max Hunder, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Syrskyi, Rustem Umerov, Umerov, Zelenskiy, Yuliia Dysa, Toby Chopra, Peter Graff Organizations: Max Hunder KYIV, General Staff, Armed Forces, Facebook Locations: Ukraine, United States, Avdiivka, Moscow, Bakhmut

☆ Ukraine's SBU Hits Russia's Volgograd Oil Refinery in Drone Attack Source
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

KYIV (Reuters) - Two Ukrainian drones struck a primary oil processing facility at the Volgograd oil refinery in southern Russia on Saturday in an operation conducted by the SBU security service, a Ukrainian source told Reuters. Local authorities in Russia said earlier that a fire had been extinguished at the large refinery following a drone attack. The refinery is owned by oil producer Lukoil. The strike is the latest in a series of Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Russian oil facilities in recent weeks, infrastructure that Kyiv sees as important for the Kremlin's war effort. The source in Kyiv told Reuters such drone attacks would continue.

Persons: Lukoil, Tom Balmforth, Toby Chopra Organizations: Reuters, Local Locations: Ukrainian, Volgograd, Russia, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Russian, Ukraine

☆ Dozens Detained in Moscow at Rally of Russian Soldiers' Wives - Rights Group
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - Dozens of people were detained by police in central Moscow on Saturday at a rally protesting against Russia's mobilisation of men to fight in Ukraine, a human rights group said. At least 27 people were detained as a group representing the wives of mobilised soldiers gathered at the Kremlin wall to lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier monument, said OVD-Info, which reports on freedom of assembly in Russia. Most of the detained were journalists, it added, saying later that some of the people were let go. A number of people were also detained at other locations in central Moscow, OVD-Info said. The Latest Photos From Ukraine View All 91 ImagesThe Moscow prosecutor's office said that the rally hadn't been coordinated with the authorities, issuing a warning about calling and participating in unauthorised mass events.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Toby Chopra Organizations: Reuters Locations: Moscow, Ukraine, Russia, OVD

☆ Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy, Son of Italy's Last King, Dies Aged 86
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

ROME (Reuters) - Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy, the only son of Italy's last king, who lived in exile in neighbouring Switzerland for most of his life, has died aged 86 at his home in Geneva, a note by the Royal House of Savoy said. Vittorio Emanuele was eventually acquitted of the killing in a French court in 1991 and given a suspended sentence for illegal possession of a rifle. Vittorio Emanuele disputed the authenticity of the video. His grandfather, King Victor Emanuel III, abdicated in favour of his son Umberto just before the 1946 referendum in a final, futile attempt to save the monarchy. Vittorio Emanuele is survived by his wife and his son, Emanuele Filiberto, who said in 2023 that he would renounce his claim to the Italian throne in favour of his daughter, Vittoria, when he felt she was ready for the challenge.

Persons: Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy, Italy's, of Savoy, Umberto II, King of Italy, Vittorio Emanuele, Pope John Paul, Benito Mussolini, Dirk Hamer, Hamer, Vittorio Emanuele's, OF, Marina Doria, Shah, King Victor Emanuel III, Umberto, Maria Jose, Emanuele Filiberto, Vittoria, Keith Weir, Toby Chopra Organizations: Royal, Fascist, Netflix, Italian Agusta Locations: ROME, Switzerland, Geneva, Italian, Naples, Rome, Corsican, Potenza, Swiss, Lake Geneva, Iran, Tehran, Italy

☆ Swiss Hospitality School Closes After Measles Outbreak
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

ZURICH (Reuters) - Switzerland's famed hospitality management school, Ecole Hotelier de Lausanne (EHL), closed its campus in Lausanne on Saturday after cases of measles were discovered among students. "We have been compelled to close the Lausanne campus from Feb. 3 to Feb. 18 inclusive," the school said in a statement posted to its website. The campus is scheduled to reopen on Feb. 19. The university did not reveal how many students were infected by measles, but said they are currently isolated and recovering under medical care. Founded in 1893, EHL has been ranked the number one hospitality management school for the past five years by QS World University Ranking.

Persons: EHL, Noele Illien, Toby Chopra Organizations: Ecole, de Lausanne, QS World Locations: ZURICH, Lausanne

☆ US Government Sends Initial Offers for Medicare Drug Price Cuts
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - The Biden administration is sending drugmakers opening offers for the U.S. Medicare program's first ever price negotiations on Thursday, the White House said in a statement. President Joe Biden's signature Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) allows Medicare, which covers 66 million Americans mostly aged 65 and older, to negotiate prices for some of its most costly drugs. The initial offers have been sent to manufacturers of 10 high-cost medicines, which include Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer's blood thinner Eliquis, Merck & Co's diabetes drug Januvia and Johnson & Johnson's blood thinner Xarelto. The HHS and White House did not disclose details on the offers. (Reporting by Urvi Dugar and Sriparna Roy in Bengaluru; Editing by Toby Chopra and Sriraj Kalluvila)

Persons: Biden, Medicare program's, Joe Biden's, Januvia, Johnson, Urvi Dugar, Sriparna Roy, Toby Chopra, Sriraj Organizations: Reuters, U.S, Medicare, U.S . Department of Health, Human Services, Bristol Myers Squibb, Merck, HHS, White Locations: Bengaluru

☆ Exclusive-Canada to Re-Start Turkey Arms Exports After Sweden NATO Backing -Sources
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Jonathan SpicerISTANBUL (Reuters) - Canada and Turkey have reached a deal to restart Canadian exports of drone parts in exchange for more transparency on where they are used, and it would take effect after Ankara completes its ratification of Sweden's NATO bid, two sources told Reuters. A second person familiar with the plan said the sides agreed it would take effect after Sweden's ratification was complete. U.S. leaders have said Turkey's ratification of Sweden's NATO membership clears the way for Ankara's long-sought purchase of U.S. F-16 fighter jets. Ottawa halted talks on lifting them in 2022 when Ankara raised objections to both Finland and Sweden's NATO bids. But it re-started talks after a NATO leaders summit in July last year, Reuters reported at the time.

Persons: Jonathan Spicer ISTANBUL, Charlotte MacLeod, Jonathan Spicer, Steve Scherer, Toby Chopra Organizations: NATO, Reuters, Canadian Foreign Ministry, U.S, Ottawa Locations: Canada, Turkey, Ankara, Hungary, Washington, Ottawa, NATO, Stockholm, Turkish, Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh, Baku, Finland, Istanbul

☆ Sri Lanka to Continue Drug Crackdown Despite Rights Group Concerns - Minister
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Uditha JayasingheCOLOMBO (Reuters) - Sri Lanka vowed to continue an anti-narcotics campaign that has seen more than 35,000 people detained over the last few weeks despite concerns raised by multiple rights groups, top officials said on Thursday. Sri Lankan police have detained 38,525 people since the operation - code-named "Yuktiya" or "Justice" - began in December. Thirty-three rights organisations including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and International Commission of Jurists, this week expressed concerns over what they call "drastic intensification" of anti-narcotics operations in Sri Lanka leading to significant human rights violations. There is no reasonable suspicion, the kind of people arrested have a lower marginalised economic status," said Thiyagi Ruwanpathirana, a researcher for Amnesty International Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka had over 97,000 drug-related arrests in 2020 with 53% of arrests for heroin and 42% for cannabis including possession offences, according to latest data from state-run National Dangerous Drugs Control Board.

Persons: Uditha Jayasinghe, Tiran, Thiyagi Ruwanpathirana, Ruwanpathirana, Deshabandu Tennekoon, Sri, Toby Chopra Organizations: Reuters, Sri, Public, Amnesty, Human Rights Watch, International Commission of Jurists, Drugs, Board Locations: Uditha Jayasinghe COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka's

☆ Foxconn halts iPhone production at India facility due to heavy rains - sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

BENGALURU, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Taiwan's Foxconn (2317.TW) has halted production of Apple (AAPL.O) iPhones at its facility near the south Indian city of Chennai due to heavy rains, two sources familiar with the matter said on Monday. Foxconn is yet to decide whether to resume production on Tuesday, the sources said. Apple declined a Reuters request for comment, while Foxconn did not immediately respond. Reporting by Munsif Vengattil in Bengaluru and Praveen Paramasivam; Editing by Toby ChopraOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Foxconn, Munsif, Toby Chopra Organizations: Apple, Thomson Locations: BENGALURU, Chennai, Bengaluru, Praveen

☆ Lula in Berlin for First Brazil-Germany Talks in Eight Years
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( Dec. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

He is expected to have dinner on Sunday with fellow leftist, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, before the consultations on Monday. Scholz was the first foreign leader to visit Lula in Brazil, just weeks after his inauguration. The German Chancellor has been on a quest since taking office in late 2021 to improve ties with the Global South. Scholz will be hoping to avoid a scenario like in January when his visit to Brazil was overshadowed by differences over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Lula last month said Israel was "committing terrorism" against Palestinians "by not taking into account that children are not at war, that women are not at war".

Persons: Andreas Rinke, Sarah Marsh BERLIN, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Lula, Jair Bolsonaro, Olaf Scholz, Scholz, Lukas Koehler, Israel, Sarah Marsh, Toby Chopra Organizations: Global, European Union, Mercosur, Brazil, EU, Free Democrats, U.S, Latin America, German Locations: Berlin, America, Brazil, Germany, China, South, Argentina, Scholz's, Ukraine, Israel

Persons: Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Ueslei Marcelino, Lula, Jair Bolsonaro, Olaf Scholz, Scholz, Lukas Koehler, Israel, Andreas Rinke, Sarah Marsh, Toby Chopra Organizations: Central Bank, REUTERS, Rights, Global, European Union, Mercosur, Brazil, EU, Free Democrats, U.S, Latin America, German, Thomson Locations: Brasilia, Brazil, Berlin, America, Germany, China, South, Argentina, Scholz's, Ukraine, Israel

☆ Nicaragua's Miss Universe franchise owner accused of conspiracy
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Miss Australia Moraya Wilson, Miss Puerto Rico Karla Guilfu, Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios, Miss Thailand Anntonia Porsild and Miss Colombia Camila Avella the top five finalists, take part in the 72nd Miss Universe pageant in San Salvador November 18, 2023. REUTERS/Jose Cabezas/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsDec 2 (Reuters) - Nicaraguan police late on Friday charged the owner of the local Miss Universe franchise with conspiracy, money laundering and spreading fake news, just weeks after the Central American nation's first victory in the pageant. Authorities have accused Karen Celebertti, director of the Miss Nicaragua franchise, her husband and son with conspiracy against the government, according to a statement issued by the national police. Celebertti's local Miss Universe organization has been used to "turn pageants into political traps and political ambushes, financed by foreign agents," the police statement said. Nicaragua's Sheynnis Palacios won the title of Miss Universe on Nov. 18, becoming the first Central American to wear the crown.

Persons: Moraya Wilson, Miss Puerto Rico Karla Guilfu, Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios, Miss Thailand Anntonia Porsild, Colombia Camila Avella, Jose Cabezas, Karen Celebertti, Celebertti, Nicaragua's Sheynnis Palacios, Palacios, Ismael Lopez, Toby Chopra Organizations: Miss, Miss Nicaragua, 72nd Miss Universe, REUTERS, Nicaraguan police, Miss Universe, Central American, Reuters, Authorities, Central, Nicaraguans, Police, Inter, American, Human Rights, Thomson Locations: Miss Puerto, Miss Thailand, San Salvador, Miss Nicaragua, Nicaragua, Central American, New York

☆ Ukraine's Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant suffered power outage-energy ministry
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A view shows Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant from the bank of Kakhovka Reservoir near the town of Nikopol after the Nova Kakhovka dam breached, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine June 16, 2023. REUTERS/Alina Smutko/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsKYIV, Dec 2 (Reuters) - Ukraine's Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant lost its power supply after the last remaining line to it from Ukrainian-controlled territory was disrupted, but it has since been repaired, the energy ministry said on Saturday. According to a statement published by Ukraine's energy ministry on Telegram, one power line to the plant was disrupted late on Friday, while the last, 750 kW, line was broken at 2:31 a.m. (0031 GMT) on Saturday. "This is the eighth blackout which occurred at the (Zaporizhzhia plant) and could have led to nuclear catastrophe," the statement said. The ministry said that after losing grid connection the plant turned on 20 backup generators to supply its own electricity needs.

Persons: Alina Smutko, Max Hunder, Toby Chopra Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Kakhovka, Nikopol, Ukraine, Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukrainian, Russia

☆ Munich flights, long-distance trains cancelled due to snow
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Dec 2 (Reuters) - Long-distance trains and hundreds of flights in and out of the German city of Munich were cancelled on Saturday because of heavy snowfall, according to statements by Deutsche Bahn and Munich Airport. Flights were not scheduled to depart or arrive at Munich airport until at least 6 a.m. (0500 GMT) on Sunday according to a statement on its website. Trains could not arrive at Munich's central train station, Deutsche Bahn said on its website. The halt was expected to last all day, it added, advising travellers to rebook their trips. Reporting by Victoria Waldersee, Elke Ahlswede; Editing by Alison Williams and Toby ChopraOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Victoria Waldersee, Elke Ahlswede, Alison Williams, Toby Chopra Organizations: Deutsche Bahn, Munich, Thomson Locations: German, Munich, Munich's

☆ Iran says two revolutionary guards killed in Israeli attack in Syria
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

DUBAI, Dec 2 (Reuters) - Two Iranian Revolutionary Guards members who served as military advisers in Syria have been killed in an Israeli attack, Iranian state media reported on Saturday, in the first reported Iranian casualties during the ongoing war in Gaza. A Revolutionary Guards statement did not give details of the attack. Syria earlier said its air defences repelled an Israeli rocket attack against targets in the vicinity of Damascus early on Saturday. Reporting by Dubai newsroom; Editing by Toby ChopraOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Toby Chopra Organizations: Iranian Revolutionary Guards, Guards, Dubai, Thomson Locations: DUBAI, Syria, Gaza, Damascus

☆ More than 40 charged after clashes between Polish and British fans at Villa Park
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The unrest occurred ahead of kickoff in a game between Aston Villa and Legia Warsaw. On Friday, Aston Villa said they had lodged a complaint with UEFA over the conduct of Legia Warsaw and the behaviour of the club's supporters. Legia Warsaw initially claimed that Villa had given them a lower allocation of tickets than they were entitled to under UEFA regulations. "Due to the inability to authenticate and distribute tickets effectively, Legia Warsaw returned the tickets to the host club," Legia Warsaw said in a statement on Saturday. Therefore, we strongly object to Legia Warsaw being blamed for Thursday's incidents in Birmingham."

Persons: Aston Villa, Villa, Farouq Suleiman, Aadi Nair, Toby Chopra, Pritha Organizations: British, Europa Conference League, Midland's Police, Aston Villa, Legia Warsaw, Villa, Police, UEFA, Polish, Thomson Locations: Poland, Birmingham

☆ Pope's condition improving but will stay indoors to be on safe side, Vatican says
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Pope Francis attends a meeting with committee and foundation members of Lisbon 2023 World Youth Day, in Paul VI hall at the Vatican, November 30, 2023. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsVATICAN CITY, Dec 2 (Reuters) - The health of Pope Francis, who is suffering from a lung inflammation, is improving but he will read his Sunday message indoors from his residence to be on the safe side, the Vatican said on Saturday. He normally reads the message from a window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter's Square. He would read it indoors to "avoid exposing himself to temperature changes", the statement said. Francis was forced to skip a planned trip to Dubai to made an address to the U.N. climate summit.

Persons: Pope Francis, Paul VI, Guglielmo Mangiapane, Francis, State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Philip Pullella, Toby Chopra Organizations: Vatican, REUTERS, CITY, State, Thomson Locations: Lisbon, St, Dubai

☆ France's Macron says he is going to Qatar to work on new Gaza truce
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

French President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he delivers a speech during the 18th edition of French conference on the maritime economy in Nantes, France, November 28, 2023. Macron also told a press conference at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai that the situation required the doubling down on efforts to obtain a lasting ceasefire and the freeing of all hostages. A temporary truce between Israel and Hamas collapsed on Friday after mediators were unable to extend the pause. Macron also urged Israel to clarify its goals towards Hamas. "Israel is targeting Hamas, a brutal terrorist organization that has committed the most horrific violence against innocent civilians.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Damien Meyer, Macron, Israel, Mark Regev, Benjamin Netanyahu, Dominique Vidalon, Elizabeth Pineau, Toby Chopra, Alison Williams, Giles Elgood Organizations: Rights, Hamas, Thomson Locations: Nantes, France, Gaza, Qatar, Dubai, Israel, Paris

☆ Belgian PM says he told Israeli president 'no more civilian killings' as fighting restarted in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Alexander Cornwell | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Belgium's Prime Minister Alexander De Croo attends a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (not pictured), in Ramallah, 23 November 2023. ALAA BADARNEH/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsDUBAI, Dec 2 (Reuters) - The Belgian prime minister on Saturday said that he had spoken with Israel's president following the resumption of fighting in Gaza and told him there could be no more killing of civilians. A week-old temporary truce between Israel and Hamas collapsed on Friday after mediators were unable to extend the pause. Israeli warplanes have pounded areas of Gaza since the end of the temporary truce, killing hundreds of people, according to health officials in the coastal strip. Sirens warning of rocket fire sounded in Israeli communities near Gaza on Saturday but there were no reports of serious damage or casualties.

Persons: Alexander De Croo, Mahmoud Abbas, Pedro Sanchez, ALAA, I've, Belgium's Alexander De Croo, De Croo, Israel, “, Alexander Cornwell, Toby Chopra Organizations: Belgium's, Spain's, Rights, Hamas, Thomson Locations: Ramallah, Belgian, Gaza, Israel, Rafah, Dubai

☆ Belgian PM Says He Told Israeli President 'No More Civilian Killings' as Fighting Restarted in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Dec. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Alexander CornwellDUBAI (Reuters) - The Belgian prime minister on Saturday said that he had spoken with Israel's president following the resumption of fighting in Gaza and told him there could be no more killing of civilians. A week-old temporary truce between Israel and Hamas collapsed on Friday after mediators were unable to extend the pause. Israeli warplanes have pounded areas of Gaza since the end of the temporary truce, killing hundreds of people, according to health officials in the coastal strip. Sirens warning of rocket fire sounded in Israeli communities near Gaza on Saturday but there were no reports of serious damage or casualties. We hope that the humanitarian access could be a permanent humanitarian access,” De Croo said.

Persons: Alexander Cornwell DUBAI, I've, Belgium's Alexander De Croo, De Croo, Israel, “, Alexander Cornwell, Toby Chopra Organizations: Reuters, Hamas Locations: Belgian, Gaza, Israel, Rafah, Dubai

It will see suspended payments repaid from 2027 to 2029 after a grace period from 2025 to 2026, the Paris Club said in a statement, noting that the deal was reached on Nov. 23. If Ethiopia does not get an IMF staff-level agreement by March 31, the official creditor committee "reserves the right to declare the suspension null and void", the Paris Club said. The Paris Club said 10 of its members were on Ethiopia's official creditor committee, which is co-chaired by France and non-Paris Club member China. Other non-Paris Club committee members are India, Kuwait, Poland, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. "We welcome the recent announcement of an interim standstill agreement with official creditors," the IMF spokesperson added.

Persons: Tellimer, Patrick Curran, Rachel Savage, Rodrigo Campos, Alex Richardson, Toby Chopra, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: International Monetary Fund, Paris Club, French Treasury, Ethiopian, IMF, Club, OCC, China, Thomson Locations: JOHANNESBURG, China, Addis Ababa, Tigray, Ethiopia, France, India, Kuwait, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Turkey

☆ Euro zone factory downturn eased a touch in November -PMI
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Ina Fassbender/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Dec 1 (Reuters) - The broad-based downturn in euro zone manufacturing activity eased slightly last month but the sector remained deeply rooted in contractionary territory, prompting factories to trim staffing levels for a sixth straight month. HCOB's final euro zone manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global, rose to 44.2 in November from October's 43.1, above a preliminary estimate of 43.8. An index measuring output, which feeds into a composite PMI due on Tuesday and seen as a good gauge of economic health, climbed to 44.6 from 43.1. "November has not been the prettiest, and this does not refer only to the weather but also to the situation in the manufacturing sector of the euro zone," said Cyrus de la Rubia, chief economist at Hamburg Commercial Bank. The employment index dropped to a low not seen since August 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic was cementing its grip on the world.

Persons: Ina Fassbender, Cyrus de la Rubia, Rubia, Jonathan Cable, Toby Chopra Organizations: ThyssenKrupp AG, REUTERS, P, Hamburg Commercial Bank, Thomson Locations: German, Duisburg, October's, Hamburg

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