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The artificial intelligence-generated image of Taylor Swift endorsing Donald Trump, which the singer said inspired her to endorse Kamala Harris for president this week, came from an unlikely place. A reverse-image search conducted by NBC News did not find any earlier incidences of the image being posted online. Taylor Swift performing in Sydney on Feb. 23. In the caption, she cited the AI-generated image Trump posted as one of the reasons why she wanted to make her stance known publicly. “I agree with Taylor that AI, when used by bad actors, can be a danger to democracy,” the AI image creator said.

Persons: Taylor Swift, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, “ Taylor, Joe Biden, ”, Swift, boomer, Biden, David Gray, Hinton, Boomer, “ Taylor Swift, Sam, Trump, “, ‘, Taylor, Harris, ’, Donald Trump’s, ” Swift, I’ll Organizations: Truth, Biden Facebook, NBC News, Facebook, Biden, Trump, Getty Locations: Sydney, AFP, “, Instagram

☆ China detains artist for scathing Mao works created more than a decade ago, family says
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-03 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

At the height of their careers, the Gao Brothers created provocative sculptures of Mao in a country notoriously sensitive about its former ruler’s legacy. Due to the “deteriorating environment” in China, Gao Zhen relocated to New York two years ago when his son, an American citizen born in the US, reached school age, Gao Qiang said. “Before he set off, his friends and family — myself included — had all reminded him to consider whether it was safe to go,” Gao Qiang said. “Our father’s death was a devastating disaster for our family.” Gao Zhen told the Southern People Weekly, a once-outspoken news outlet, in 2010. Gao Zhen’s detention shows that freedom of expression in China has shrunk significantly compared to a decade ago, Gao Qiang said.

Persons: Mao Zedong, Gao Zhen, China’s, ”, Gao Qiang, Gao Brothers, Mao, Xi Jinping, “ Miss Mao, ’, Du Yinghong, —, “, ” Gao Qiang, Gao Zhen’s, ‘ Miss Mao, Gao, David Gray, Yue Minjun, “ uglifying, Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, CNN Sunday, Chinese Communist Party, CNN, ”, Police, Reuters, Communist Party, Southern People, Ukraine, Centre Pompidou, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Locations: Hong Kong, China, Beijing, New York, Hebei province’s Sanhe, American, Yanjiao, Hebei, Sanhe, India, “, Paris , New York, Moscow, Berlin, Paris

☆ She couldn’t stop thinking about the guy she met at the Athens Olympics. Then a message from him changed her life
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-26 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +26 min

So I thought, ‘Let me see if I can go to the Athens Olympics. An unexpected opportunityOmaira got to watch the final dress rehearsal of the opening ceremony of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games on August 13, 2004. And then Omaira was off to work at the shooting center, where the Games’ shooting events were held. But while Omaira was cultivating a pretty heady crush, Dimitris didn’t really have time to engage with his potential feelings. Omaira GillThis year marks 20 years since Omaira and Dimitris crossed paths at the Athens Olympics.

Persons: CNN — Omaira Gill, ” Omaira, ‘ I’m, ’, –, Omaira, ’ ”, … ’, “, ”, Omaira didn’t, “ I’d, David Gray MD, she’d, ’ Omaira Gill, Dimitris Athanasiou, Dimitris, ‘, they’re, ” Dimitris, ” Dimitris ’, hadn’t, Dimitris who’d, he’d, Dimtiris, Dimitris didn’t, Dimitris quizzed, “ Will, She’d, I’m, … ’ ”, couldn’t, didn’t, “ You’ve, Dimitris ’, that’s, we’d, Omaira Gill, Paulo Coelho, “ Omaira, ” Here's Dimitris, Omaira Gill Omaira, Hermes, Dimitiris, Hector, Orion, they’ll, “ Hermes, We’re, Dimitris – Organizations: CNN, Olympic, CNN Travel, Athens, “, ‘ Volunteers, Uni, Reuters, Olympics, Olympic Games, Paralympic, MSN, Omaira, ”, Athens Olympics, Stade de France, Disneyland Locations: Athens, Greece, Birmingham, United Kingdom, London, inbox, Omaira, Pakistan, India, Paris, Disneyland Paris, Europe

“This will be the first Olympics, since Sydney, where the total costs are coming in under $10 billion,” said Victor Matheson, a College of the Holy Cross professor of economics who has researched the financial costs of the Olympics. Workmen adjust banners on the 3x3 basketball venue located at La Concorde, in Paris, ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games. Additionally, the Paris Olympic Village will be converted into offices and housing in a historically impoverished neighborhood. Still, economists say, it may take more drastic moves in the future for the Olympics to be truly sustainable and economically sound. “I love the Olympics, and I love sporting events, but I just really do not think that the way the Olympics works now is a viable business model,” Phalin said.

Persons: ”, Victor Matheson, “, “ It’s, David Gray, Andrew Zimbalist, ” Zimbalist, Michael Kappeler, it’ll, Fabrice Coffrini, Zimbalist, ‘, Amanda Phalin, Christian Petersen, I’m, ” Phalin, you’ve, it’s, Andrew Medichini, shuttlecocks, Matheson, Phalin Organizations: CNN, Olympic, Paralympic Games, Paris Games, of, IOC, La Concorde, Getty, Mexico City Games, Montreal Games, Smith College, Olympics, Oxford University, Audit Board, Tokyo, Eiffel, Paris, University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business, Games, of Investment, Development Authority, French, ” Workers, Palais, AP Paris Locations: Paris, Sydney, La, AFP, Mexico, Munich, ” Los Angeles, Tehran, Beijing, Sochi, France, “, Lake Placid , New York, Lake Placid, ”, Los Angeles, Oklahoma

Villagers watch the sunset over a small lagoon near the village of Tangintebu on South Tarawa in the central Pacific island nation of Kiribati May 25, 2013. CHINESE INTEREST AS WESTERN BANKS EXIT"The proposed World Bank project is a creative way of addressing the challenge of de-risking and small scale in Pacific Island countries," said Lalita Moorty, the World Bank's East Asia and Pacific director for prosperity. Without access to overseas banks, Pacific countries would struggle to receive remittances - a key component of their economies - welcome holidaymakers or trade with the wider world. "It can create instability for the financial system," said Denton Rarawa, senior economics adviser at the Pacific Islands Forum. "What we're saying is that if you're not going to address concerns and issues we have, Pacific countries will start looking elsewhere for support."

Persons: David Gray, Solomon, Lalita Moorty, Denton Rarawa, Mark Brown, Janet Yellen, Ariff Ali, Lewis Jackson, Lucy Craymer, Ziyi Tang, William Mallard Organizations: REUTERS, Villagers, WELLINGTON, Bank, U.S, Pacific Islands, World Bank, Pacific, ANZ Bank, Westpac, Bendigo Bank, Bank of China, Reuters, Cook, U.S . Treasury, Federal Reserve, Reserve Bank of Fiji, Thomson Locations: Tangintebu, South, Pacific, Kiribati, SYDNEY, Australia, China, Washington, Nauru, Solomon Islands, Taiwan, Beijing, U.S, East Asia, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Tonga, Samoa, Brisbane, Pacific Islands, Sydney, Wellington

☆ Australia appoints special envoys as antisemitism, Islamophobia rise over Gaza war
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-09 | by ( Hilary Whiteman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Brisbane, Australia CNN —The Australian government is appointing the country’s first envoys to fight antisemitism and Islamophobia in an attempt to prevent further fraying of social cohesion over the war in Gaza. “I have spoken with members of the Jewish community here, in Melbourne, right around Australia, who have not felt safe, members of the Jewish community whose children are worried about wearing their school uniform in our capital cities. David Gray/AFP/Getty ImagesThe Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), which represents the Jewish community, recorded a spike in antisemitic incidents from October to November 2023. The group said Tuesday reports of antisemitic incidents in Australia are still running 400-500% higher than before the conflict. Protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza are continuing in Australia with four people arrested for climbing onto the roof of Parliament House last week.

Persons: Anthony Albanese, “, ”, Albanese, Jillian Segal, ” Albanese, David Gray, Fatima Payman, Matt Jelonek, ” Sen, Labor’s Organizations: Australia CNN, “, Albanese’s, Labor Party, Jewish Museum, Getty, of Australian, Australian, Hamas, Palestinian, United, West, Australian Labor Party, Greens Party, University Locations: Brisbane, Australia, Gaza, Israel, Sydney, Melbourne, That’s, AFP, United Nations, Perth, West Australian

☆ Asia-Pacific markets rebound as Wall Street rallies overnight; Australia holds rates
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-18 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A pedestrian and jogger pass the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) building, during a partial lockdown imposed due to the coronavirus, in Sydney, Australia, on Monday, May 18, 2020. David Gray | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets rebounded on Tuesday as Wall Street rallied overnight, with investors assessing the Reserve Bank of Australia's interest rate decision. The RBA held its benchmark interest rate at 4.35% for its fifth straight meeting, saying that inflation "remains above target and is proving persistent." The RBA also noted that the economic outlook remained "uncertain," with recent data signaling that achieving the inflation target was unlikely to be smooth. Automaker Hyundai also hit a fresh record, gaining about 1.62% on news that it plans to list its India unit in Mumbai.

Persons: David Gray, Kazuo Ueda, Akio Toyoda, Kospi Organizations: Reserve Bank of Australia, Bloomberg, Getty, Wall Street, Bank, Japan's Nikkei, Reuters, Bank of Japan, Toyota, Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, Hyundai, CSI Locations: Sydney, Australia, Asia, Pacific, Mumbai, Hong

☆ ‘Heart-breaking’: Refugees once detained offshore by Australia warn the UK government not to push through its Rwanda policy
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Antoinette Radford | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

The policy enjoys bipartisan political support in Australia, with both the coalition and Labor governments backing offshore detention. And on face value, the UK’s proposed offshore detention policy follows a similar model to that of Australia. Australia’s own offshore detention policy has been heavily criticized and fraught with controversy – but still seems to exert considerable appeal for some UK politicians. Another difference between two nations stems from the fact Australia does not have a human rights charter, Tubakovic said. She notes that the UK is still bound by human rights obligations, particularly as a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights.

Persons: CNN — “, Behrouz Boochani, “, ”, Boochani, Mostafa Azimitabar –, –, ” Azimitabar, Rwanda Bill, Dan Kitwood, Rishi Sunak, Tony Abbott, Jonas Gratzer, Alexander Downer, Downer, Tamara Tubakovic, “ It’s, Tubakovic, David Gray, ” Tubakovic Organizations: CNN, Kurd, European, of Human, Australia’s Department of Home Affairs, Labor, Refugee Council of Australia, ‘, Conservative, English Channel, UK Border Force, University of Melbourne, University of Oxford, Human Rights, of Human Rights, UN, Reuters Locations: New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Iran, Indonesia, Australia, Nauru, Manus, Melbourne, United Kingdom, Rwanda, England, Britain, British, France, Sydney

☆ Sydney, Australia, stabbing: Mall attacker may have targeted women, police say, as more details emerge of his six victims
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Helen Regan | Sandi Sidhu | Mall Attacker Was Known To Authorities | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

The community is devastated in the knowledge of their loss.”Police said Monday they had concluded their examinations of the shopping mall and the crime scene was being handed back to Westfield. More than 100 pieces of evidence were removed and will be forensically examined as part of the investigation, said Yasmin Catley, New South Wales Minister for Police. A woman cries as she comes out of the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping mall after a stabbing incident in Sydney on April 13, 2024. People react outside the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping mall after a stabbing incident in Sydney on April 13, 2024. The number of women killed by violence in Australia has ranged between 43 and 84 each year since Counting Dead Women began tallying deaths in 2012.

Persons: Joel Cauchi, Health Ryan, Cauchi, Karen Webb, ”, ” Webb, “, Lisa Maree Williams, Chris Minns, ” Minn, Yasmin Catley, David Gray, Baby, ‘, Ashlee Good, Good, Health Park, Ashlee, Faraz Tahir, ” Tahir, Adnan Qadir, Tahir, Anthony Albanese, KIIS, Yixuan Cheng, ’, undoubtably, Amy Scott, Scott, Webb, Amy, she’s, Roger Lowe, David GRAY, Lowe, New South Wales Premier Minns, Arthur Organizations: CNN, New South Wales ’, Health, New South Wales Police, ABC, ” Police, Getty, Police, Westfield, New South Wales Minister, “, “ Staff, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Australia, Australian, Embassy, Australia’s, Queensland Police, New South Wales Police Force, Queensland Police Service, New South Wales Premier, Minn Locations: Sydney’s, Bondi, Westfield, New South, New, Bondi Junction, Australia, Queensland, Sydney, AFP, Pakistan

☆ The Long, Strange Decline of Iconic Chicken Soup for the Soul Brand
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-31 | by ( Amanda Chicago Lewis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +39 min

What followed was hundreds of sequels and spinoffs, everything from "Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul" to "Chicken Soup for the Canadian Soul" to the bestseller I read cover to cover, several times, in sixth grade: "Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul." What began as Chicken Soup for the Soul board games and calendars turned into Chicken Soup for the Soul chocolates and Chicken Soup for the Soul pet food. What began as Chicken Soup for the Soul board games and calendars turned into pet food, barbecue sauce, and — yes — soup. He pointed out that the cover of the original Chicken Soup book "ripped off" Campbell's Soup, to trigger "nourishing and comforting and warming" feelings. He started suggesting outrageous directions Chicken Soup could go in next: "The Chicken Soup pistol!

Persons: I'd, I've, who'd, John Wayne, Jack Canfield, Canfield, Oprah Winfrey, Tony Soprano's, Russ Kamalski, Laurel, Hardy, Tyler Le, Americus Reed, hadn't, he'd, Johnny Nunez, Getty, Clement Stone, Stone, Napoleon Hill's, Norman Vincent Peale's, Mark Victor Hansen, Hansen, Bennett Raglin, let's, Mark Twain, They're, they'd, Kamalski, Preteen's, Christian Woman's, Mother's, —, Wayne Booth, Booth, Barbara Ehrenreich, David Gray, Amy Poehler, Kenan Thompson's, Patty Aubery, I'm, I, blurbing, Bill Rouhana, Amy Newmark, Newmark, Rouhana, Winstar, Ashton Kutcher, Isaac Brekken, Kevin, Reddit, Chicken, Redbox, You've, We're, Kevin fumed, hicken, orth, ince, eason, rance, ike, osses, ives, ake Organizations: John, Hyatt Regency, Soul Entertainment, Nasdaq, Americus, Wharton, Hyatt, Harvard, Triple, Beverly, Hotel, Canfield, University of Chicago, Oklahoma State, Washington Post, Wall, Company, Connecticut —, NASCAR, Hollywood, Consumer Federation of America, CSSE, Hindenburg Research, Sony Pictures Television, GameStop, YouTube, Soup, ust, anfield Locations: Newport Beach , California, Indonesian, Crackle, Canfield, Nigeria, Japan, France, Ohio, West Virginia, Mali, New York, Anaheim, Florida, ,, Teacher's, Baltimore, China, Australian, Darfur, Southern California, Greenwich , Connecticut, Connecticut, Zillow, Canadian, Wells Fargo's, Redbox, ife

☆ The Long, Strange Decline of One of America's Most Influential Brands
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-31 | by ( Amanda Chicago Lewis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +39 min

What followed was hundreds of sequels and spinoffs, everything from "Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul" to "Chicken Soup for the Canadian Soul" to the bestseller I read cover to cover, several times, in sixth grade: "Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul." By 2003, research found that more young readers seeking solace turned to the Chicken Soup series than to the Bible. What began as Chicken Soup for the Soul board games and calendars turned into Chicken Soup for the Soul chocolates and Chicken Soup for the Soul pet food. He pointed out that the cover of the original Chicken Soup book "ripped off" Campbell's Soup, to trigger "nourishing and comforting and warming" feelings. He started suggesting outrageous directions Chicken Soup could go in next: "The Chicken Soup pistol!

☆ NFL season recap: Record viewing numbers, Taylor Swift and a new dynasty
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

CNN —With its bright lights, big names and halftime shows, the Super Bowl has always been the biggest sporting ticket in the US. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes holds the Lombardi Trophy after the Chiefs won Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday, February 11. Steph Chambers/Getty Images Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce kisses his girlfriend, singer Taylor Swift, during the postgame celebrations. This was just the second Super Bowl in history to go to overtime. Swift, Ice Spice, Blake Lively and others were in attendance for Super Bowl LVIII.

Persons: Taylor Swift, Patrick Mahomes, Mahomes, Steph Chambers, Travis Kelce, Brynn Anderson, Trey Smith, Eric Gay, Adam Hunger, Andy Reid, Julio Cortez, Kyle Juszczyk, Mecole Hardman Jr, Jamie Squire, Hardman, Ezra Shaw, Tim Nwachukwu, Christian McCaffrey, Jake Moody, Frank Franklin II, Bill Vinovich, Mike Blake, Reuters Kelce, Fred Warner, David J, Phillip, Moody, Harrison Butker, Jauan Jennings, Kirby Lee, Chris Jones, Brock Purdy, George Walker IV, Kyle Shanahan, Marquez Valdes, Scantling, David Gray, Ray, Ray McCloud III, Stephen R, James Lang, Brian Snyder, Ji'Ayir Brown, Doug Benc, Gregory Bull, McCaffrey, Jennings, Dre Greenlaw, Achilles, Kelce, Reid, Isiah Pacheco, Pacheco, Harry, Trent McDuffie, Deebo Samuel, Chris Conley, Javon Hargrave, Sam Lutz, George Kittle, Getty Images Purdy, Michael Reaves, Nick Bolton, Candice Ward, Reba McEntire, Lively, McEntire, Andra Day, Jay, Blue Ivy, Rumi, Steve Luciano, Carlos Barria, Sterling, ’ Taylor, cutaways, Jason’s, Swift, Blake Lively, Vince Lombardi, Bill Belichick, Belichick, Don Shula’s, Hall, Tom Landry, Belichick hasn’t, Alex Grimm, Joe Flacco, Damar Hamlin, Hamlin, commotio cordis, Jeffrey T, Barnes, Dan Campbell, Aaron Rodgers, Rodgers, Robert Saleh, There’s, ’ Organizations: CNN, Super, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, NFL, Chiefs, Getty, AP Chiefs, Hardman, AP 49ers, 49ers, Reuters, USA Today Sports Chiefs, AP, USA, Network, Sports, Reuters 49ers, CBS, Reuters Chiefs, Getty Images, Allegiant, Vegas, New England Patriots ’, Green Bay Packers, Patriots, The Patriots, Kansas City Super, New England Patriots, of Fame, Hall of Fame, Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts, Deutsche Bank, Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, Bills, Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Lions, NFC, New York Jets, Jets Locations: Las Vegas, Brittany, Japan, Allegiant, ”, Kansas, Massachusetts, Foxborough, Frankfurt, Germany, Cincinnati, East Rutherford

☆ Travis Kelce says push on Chiefs head coach Andy Reid was ‘definitely unacceptable’
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Ben Morse | Jill Martin | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Steph Chambers/Getty Images Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce kisses his girlfriend, singer Taylor Swift, during the postgame celebrations. Adam Hunger/AP Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, second left, celebrates with staff members after the game. Jamie Squire/Getty Images Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling celebrates after catching a 16-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. George Walker IV/AP Kelce yells at Reid after Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco fumbled in the red zone during the second quarter. Mike Blake/Reuters Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie defends a pass intended for 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel during the second quarter.

Persons: Travis Kelce, Andy Reid, Jason, Kelce, it’s, Aw, ”, Reid, Jerick McKinnon, I’d, “, ” Travis, ’, Reid –, –, ” Kelce, Patrick Mahomes, Mahomes, Steph Chambers, Taylor Swift, Brynn Anderson, Trey Smith, Eric Gay, Adam Hunger, Julio Cortez, Kyle Juszczyk, Mecole Hardman Jr, Jamie Squire, Hardman, Ezra Shaw, Tim Nwachukwu, Christian McCaffrey, Jake Moody, Frank Franklin II, Bill Vinovich, Mike Blake, Reuters Kelce, Fred Warner, David J, Phillip, Moody, Harrison Butker, Jauan Jennings, Kirby Lee, Chris Jones, Brock Purdy, George Walker IV, Kyle Shanahan, Marquez Valdes, Scantling, David Gray, Ray, Ray McCloud III, Stephen R, James Lang, Brian Snyder, Ji'Ayir Brown, Doug Benc, Gregory Bull, McCaffrey, Jennings, Dre Greenlaw, Achilles, Isiah Pacheco, Pacheco, Harry, Trent McDuffie, Deebo Samuel, Chris Conley, Javon Hargrave, Sam Lutz, George Kittle, Getty Images Purdy, Michael Reaves, Nick Bolton, Candice Ward, Reba McEntire, Lively, McEntire, Andra Day, Jay, Blue Ivy, Rumi, Steve Luciano, Carlos Barria, Sterling, That’s Organizations: CNN, Kansas City Chiefs, Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, CBS, Philadelphia Eagles, Super, Getty, AP Chiefs, Hardman, AP 49ers, 49ers, Reuters, USA Today Sports Chiefs, AP, USA, Network, Sports, Reuters 49ers, Reuters Chiefs, Getty Images, Allegiant, Vegas, Bowl Locations: Las Vegas, Brittany

☆ Rohan Bopanna becomes oldest ever male player to win grand slam title with Australian Open triumph
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Aged 43, Rohan Bopanna became the oldest male player in the Open era to ever win a grand slam title on Saturday when he and his partner, Matthew Ebden, won the Australian Open men’s doubles tournament. “Without a doubt the best moment in my career,” Bopanna said afterwards, according to the Australian Open’s official website. I mean, the hurdle was tough.”The pair have each won grand slam titles separately – Bopanna won the 2017 French Open mixed doubles while Ebden won the 2013 Australian Open mixed doubles and 2022 Wimbledon men’s doubles – but this marked their first trophy together after they lost last year’s US Open final. Bopanna’s 61 attempts at winning a men’s doubles grand slam title prior to his triumph on Saturday also set a new Open era record, while he is set to become the world’s oldest No. Rohan Bopanna won his first ever men's doubles grand slam title.

Persons: Rohan Bopanna, Matthew Ebden, India’s, Australia’s Ebden, Simone Bolelli, Andrea Vavassori, ” Bopanna, “, I’ve, – Bopanna, Ebden, David Gray, ” Ebden, he’s, He’s, Iyengar, ” Organizations: CNN, Wimbledon, Getty, Reuters Locations: AFP, he’s

☆ Australian Open: Aryna Sabalenka defends women’s title, defeating Zheng Qinwen in dominant fashion
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Aryna Sabalenka successfully defended her Australian Open women’s title on Saturday, dismantling China’s Zheng Qinwen 6-3 6-2 in the final in Melbourne and completing a dominant tournament in which she did not drop a single set. And she clinched her second grand slam title in similar fashion, becoming the first woman to win two consecutive Australian Open titles since her compatriot Victoria Azarenka achieved the feat more in 2012-13. China's Zheng Qinwen hits a return against Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka during the women's Australian Open final. Aryna Sabalenka serves against Zheng Qinwen in the final. And by sealing victory with such a dominant display, she became the first woman since Serena Williams in 2007 to win the Australian Open final without dropping a single service game.

Persons: Aryna Sabalenka, Zheng Qinwen, Victoria Azarenka, “ It’s, “, I’m, Zheng, China's Zheng Qinwen, Lillian Suwanrumpha, Sabalenka, David Gray, Serena Williams Organizations: CNN, Belarus, Getty Locations: Melbourne, Belarusian, AFP, Zheng’s

☆ Australian Open: Jannik Sinner faces Danlil Medvedev in the men’s final
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Sinner ended defending champion Novak Djokovic’s 33-match winning streak at the Australian Open, a run stretching back to 2018, to reach his maiden grand slam final, where he will face Russia’s Daniil Medvedev on Sunday. It was put to Sinner after his semifinal win that he, Alcaraz and Holger Rune seem to be having more success than the generation before them. Medvedev is bidding to win his second grand slam title. David Gray/AFP/Getty ImagesThis is the 27-year-old’s third Australian Open final after losing to Djokovic in 2021 and Nadal in 2022, but Medvedev is now much more assured in his game, highlighted by his stunning semifinal comeback over Alexander Zverev. But it is what it is, and I’m proud and looking forward to the final to give my 100% again.”

Persons: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic’s, Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, Alcaraz, Holger Rune, ” Sinner, Rafa, Nadal, Roger, ” Medvedev, Medvedev, David Gray, Alexander Zverev, I’m, ” Organizations: CNN, Sunday, Djokovic, Medvedev Locations: Adelaide, Russian, AFP, Melbourne

☆ Sumit Nagal has made history for India at the Australian Open. So too has his next opponent, Shang Juncheng, for China
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —At one point last year, tennis player Sumit Nagal had less than $1,000 in his bank account. After defeating Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik on Tuesday, Nagal became the first Indian man to win a match at the Australian Open in 11 years, pocketing $118,000 ($180,000 Australian dollars) in the process. “There was a time where we had a lot of singles players playing in the slams,” he said. Shang celebrates during his Australian Open win against Mackenzie McDonald. The 27-year-old Zhang has also reached the second round of this year’s Australian Open, and a deep run in Melbourne could see him break into the top 50 for the first time in his career.

Persons: Sumit Nagal, Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik, Nagal, “ I’m, ”, “, Germany –, Shang Juncheng, Mackenzie McDonald, Melbourne . Shang, David Gray, Shang, Zhang Zhizhen, Wu Yibing, Zhang, Jerry –, “ Tom, Jerry, Carlos Alcaraz Organizations: CNN, Bublik, ”, Getty, ATP, WTA, IMG Academy, Nagal Locations: Germany, India, Melbourne, China, Melbourne ., AFP, Bradenton , Florida

☆ Morning Bid: RBA holds and the dollar pauses, too
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Pedestrians walk past the main entrance to the Reserve Bank of Australia building in central Sydney, Australia, October 3, 2016. The relative U.S. interest rate outlook right now fits the weaker dollar narrative - futures markets are pricing in bigger rate cuts by the Fed next year than by any other major or emerging market central bank. But will the Fed cut rates by 125 basis points next year? Doubts about that prospect have for now put the brakes on dollar selling. Gold , which shot to a record high in Asia's notoriously thin morning hours on Monday, has recoiled sharply.

Persons: David Gray, Tom Westbrook, Edmund Klamann Organizations: Reserve Bank of Australia, REUTERS, Bank, Aussie, Fed, Bank of Japan, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, Asia, U.S, Europe, Tokyo

A worker is reflected in a wall of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) head office in central Sydney, Australia, March 1, 2016. REUTERS/David Gray/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsDec 5 (Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in Asian markets. The relative U.S. interest rate outlook right now fits the weaker dollar narrative - futures markets have the Fed cutting rates next year more than any major or emerging market central bank. And even if the Fed does go that far, other central banks are sure to lower their policy rates more than markets are currently predicting. Here are key developments that could provide more direction to markets on Tuesday:- Australia interest rate decision- Japan - Tokyo inflation (November)- South Korea inflation (November)By Jamie McGeever Editing by Josie KaoOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: David Gray, Michele Bowman's, Philip Lowe, Jamie McGeever, Josie Kao Organizations: Reserve Bank of Australia, REUTERS, Reserve Bank of, Reuters, Bank of Japan, U.S, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Asia, masse, Tokyo

☆ Toyota says it halts some Tianjin operations after report of weak sales
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] A sign is seen outside a Tianjin Faw Toyota Motor Co. Ltd showroom, a joint venture between China's Tianjin FAW Xiali Automobile Co Ltd and Japan's automaker Toyota Motor Corp, in central Beijing October 9, 2012. The production halt at the Tianjin venture with China's FAW was a planned move, and Toyota is adjusting production based on "changes in the composition of vehicle models", a spokesperson said by email. Japan's Jiji news service said on Friday the world's largest automaker by sales was suspending some production as part of a major production adjustment in response to weak sales of gasoline-engine cars. Reuters reported last month that Toyota had told dealers it would extend a plan to reduce output at the FAW venture. Slowing sales pose a growing challenge to Toyota in China which accounted for nearly a fifth of Toyota's worldwide sales of about 8.5 million vehicles over the first 10 months of the year, including sales of its luxury Lexus brand.

Persons: David Gray, David Kirton, Brenda Goh Organizations: Tianjin Faw Toyota Motor Co, China's Tianjin FAW Xiali Automobile Co Ltd, Japan's, Toyota Motor Corp, REUTERS, Rights, Toyota, China's FAW, FAW, Reuters, Lexus, Thomson Locations: Beijing, Rights SHENZHEN, China, Tianjin, Shenzhen, Shanghai

A fence is seen in front of wind turbines that are part of the Infigen Energy Capital Wind Farm located on the hills surrounding Lake George, near the Australian capital city of Canberra, Australia February 21, 2018. Australia's electricity transmission network, batteries and sustainable aviation fuel are three areas where simplified planning, subsidised finance and other regulatory changes could catalyse investment, according to a report released by eight major pension funds. Changes could quickly unlock A$4 billion ($2.7 billion) worth of investment in batteries, the report said. Once passive managers who predominantly invested at home, Australian pension funds have become international heavyweights, managing A$2.4 trillion - the fourth largest pool of retirement savings by country globally. Australian pension fund Aware Super committed A$10 billion.

Persons: David Gray, Paul Schroder, David Neal, Lewis Jackson, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Infigen, REUTERS, Rights, Labor, Thomson Locations: Lake George, Canberra, Australia, U.S, EU, Korea, Canada

☆ Euro zone inflation dents euro, dollar rises from three-month low
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Samuel Indyk | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

A New Zealand dollar coin sits atop a United States one dollar bill in this photo illustration taken on March 11, 2016. Consumer price growth in the 20 nations that share the euro currency dropped to 2.4% in November from 2.9% in October, well below expectations for a fall to 2.7%. The euro dropped as much as 0.5% against the dollar to $1.0910. The Japanese currency has firmed almost 3% against the dollar in November and is on course for its strongest month this year. Sterling was last at $1.2646, down 0.39% on the day, while the Australian dollar fell 0.1% to $0.6610.

Persons: David Gray, Matthew Landon, disinflation, Landon, ECB policymaker Fabio Panetta, Mohamad Al, Jerome Powell, Christopher Waller, Christopher Wong, Toyoaki Nakamura, Sterling, It's, Samuel Indyk, Ankur Banerjee, Vidya Ranganathan, Kim Coghill, Miral Fahmy, Susan Fenton Organizations: New Zealand, REUTERS, European Central Bank, Morgan Private Bank, ECB, ECB policymaker, Danske Bank, Bank of Japan, Thomson Locations: States, Europe, U.S, London, Singapore

☆ Australia to introduce bill giving central bank experts more sway
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A worker is reflected in a wall of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) head office in central Sydney, Australia, March 1, 2016. The bill would implement the recommendations of a review of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) released in April that requires legislation enacted by parliament, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said on Sunday. "We want to ensure Australia's central bank remains world class with a monetary policy framework fit to meet our current and future economic challenges," Chalmers said in a statement. The Treasury Laws Amendment (Reserve Bank Reforms) Bill 2023 will reinforce the RBA's independence from government, including by repealing the power of the treasurer to overrule monetary policy decisions, he said. Chief among them was to split the RBA's board into one for monetary policy and one for governance.

Persons: David Gray, Jim Chalmers, Chalmers, Bill, Renju Jose, William Mallard Organizations: Reserve Bank of Australia, REUTERS, Rights, Australian, Policy Board, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia

REUTERS/David Gray Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Nov 24 (Reuters) - The long-term value of hotly contested $10.6 billion takeover target Origin Energy (ORG.AX) has been muddied by a government plan to accelerate the rollout of renewable energy, announced just hours before a key shareholder vote. However, the potential for new investment via the government's scheme undercuts Brookfield's argument that Origin and Australia needed its deep pockets to decarbonise quickly, Vickerson said. Pension giant AustralianSuper has argued Origin's stake in fast-growing British renewable energy company Octopus Energy, gas assets and millions of customers position the company well for the energy transition. The government's new scheme only strengthens the fund's conviction about Origin, according to a person familiar with AustralianSuper's thinking. However, Simon Mawhinney, chief investment officer at fund manager Allan Gray, which owns a roughly 3% stake in Origin, said the government's plan appears likely to push down returns.

Persons: David Gray, AustralianSuper, Max Vickerson, Vickerson, Brookfield, Tom Leske, Simon Mawhinney, Allan Gray, Lewis Jackson, Sonali Paul Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Energy, Morgans, Origin, AGL Energy, Churchill Capital, Octopus Energy, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Chatswood, Australia, Brookfield

☆ Every country needs an Inflation Reduction Act
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Antony Currie | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

REUTERS/David Gray/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMELBOURNE, Nov 23 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Lawmakers in South Korea blasted the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act as a betrayal. Yet concerns about market distortion from the policy intended to stimulate investment in the energy transition and signed into law by President Joe Biden in August 2022 are easing. The Biden administration’s willingness to negotiate on its package of $370 billion of tax breaks and other measures has helped. Reuters GraphicsTrouble is, governments also need to show that they will be fiscally responsible stewards of the energy transition in the short term – especially with inflation still a threat and budgets under pressure. In a speech on Nov. 2 about enabling Australia’s energy transition, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said that “incentives like the type we’ve seen in the Inflation Reduction Act in the United States can be part of an answer but they’re not the whole answer”.

Persons: David Brockwell, David Gray, Australia’s Fortescue, FMG.AX, Joe Biden, Biden, –, Goldman Sachs reckons, ’, Uncle Sam, Fumio, Jim Chalmers, they’re, Chalmers, Una Galani, Thomas Shum Organizations: REUTERS, Rights MELBOURNE, Reuters, Australia, Washington, European, of America, Labor Energy Partnership, U.S, Canberra, Climate Energy Finance, Climate Capital Forum, Deloitte, National Australia Bank, quicken, Thomson Locations: Lake George, Canberra, South Korea, United States, Seoul, European Union, U.S, Japan, Washington, EU, Australia

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