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☆ US' Harris to Visit Parkland Shooting Site, Push New Gun Laws
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-23 | by ( March | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

"Red flag" laws allow courts to issue "extreme risk protection orders" removing firearms from individuals considered at risk of harming themselves or others. As part of her visit, Harris will call for 29 other states that have no such laws to pass them and encourage 15 more states that have the laws to start using the available federal funds. Florida approved a red flag law after the 2018 shooting but has not used the federal funding, according to the official. Some advocates regard the red flag laws as violating their constitutional right to bear arms, while gun safety advocates point to some studies showing they can prevent some deaths. Republican candidate Donald Trump has previously supported red flag laws but opposed broader measures favored by Biden.

Persons: Trevor Hunnicutt, Kamala Harris, Harris, Marjory Stoneman, Joe Biden, University of Washington School of Medicine . Biden, Donald Trump, Biden, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, White, Parkland, United, Institute for Health Metrics, University of Washington School of Medicine ., Democrat, Republican Locations: Trevor Hunnicutt FORT LAUDERDALE , Florida, Parkland , Florida, Six U.S, Florida, United States

☆ China Coast Guard Says It Took Measures Against Philippine Vessels in South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-22 | by ( March | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

MANILA/SHANGHAI (Reuters) -China's coast guard said it had taken control measures against Philippine vessels in disputed waters of the South China Sea on Saturday, while the Philippine coast guard decried the moves as "irresponsible and provocative". The incident occurred in the Second Thomas Shoal and Spratly Islands waters, according to the Chinese Coast Guard. A Philippine coast guard vessel was "impeded" and "encircled" by one Chinese coast guard vessel and two Chinese maritime militia vessels, the Philippine Coast Guard said in a separate statement. As a result, the Philippine coast guard vessel was "isolated" from the resupply boat by the "irresponsible and provocative behaviour" of the Chinese maritime forces, the Philippine coast guard said. The China coast guard implements regulations in accordance with laws, and handles matters in a reasonable, legal, and professional manner, Gan said.

Persons: Thomas, Gan Yu, Gan, Neil Jerome Morales, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Chinese Coast Guard, Philippine Coast Guard, Convention Locations: MANILA, SHANGHAI, South, Philippine, Spratly, Manila, China, Philippines, South China, Beijing, Shanghai

☆ Russian Embassy in US in Contact With State Department Ahead of Elections, Ambassador Says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-10 | by ( March | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - The Russian embassy in Washington is in "close contact" with the U.S. State Department ahead of the presidential election in Russia this week to ensure the security of the diplomatic mission, ambassador Anatoly Antonov said on Monday. President Vladimir Putin, who launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years ago, is set to win a new six-year term in the March 15-17 vote. This would enable him to overtake Josef Stalin and become Russia's longest-serving leader for more than 200 years. "We are in close contact with the secret service of the State Department. We expect that the Americans will fulfil their obligations to ensure the security of the diplomatic mission."

Persons: Anatoly Antonov, Vladimir Putin, Josef Stalin, Antonov, Joe Biden's, Biden, Putin, Lidia Kelly, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Reuters, U.S . State Department, State Department, Union Locations: Russian, Washington, Russia, Ukraine, U.S, Moscow, Melbourne

☆ Japan Hosts Ukraine Reconstruction Meeting, Pledges New Tax Treaty
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-18 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Sakura MurakamiTOKYO (Reuters) - Japan hosted Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Monday in Tokyo to discuss the reconstruction of Ukraine, pledging a new bilateral tax treaty and other support for Japanese businesses as the Ukraine war rages on. "Japan has stood with and continues to stand with Ukraine," Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said in a speech opening the talks, during which he announced a new bilateral tax treaty and the start of negotiations for an investment treaty without giving details. As Russia's invasion of Ukraine enters its third year, Japan has pledged more than $10 billion worth of financial aid, as it seeks to show solidarity with Kyiv's war effort. He added that he hoped to see major carmakers, including Toyota, create production facilities in Ukraine. At the reconstruction meeting, Kishida said Japan would support venture capital companies in Ukraine, pledged an easing of visa controls, and said government agency JETRO would open a new office in Kyiv.

Persons: Sakura Murakami TOKYO, Denys Shmyhal, Fumio Kishida, Shmyhal, Kishida, JETRO, Sakura Murakami, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Ukrainian, Toyota Locations: Japan, Tokyo, Ukraine, Kyiv

☆ Japan Takes Another Shot at Next-Generation H3 Rocket Launch
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) plans to launch its second H3 on Saturday from its Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan. The setbacks of the H3 and another small rocket, Epsilon, have caused widespread delays in Japanese satellite launches. Saturday's H3 launch carries a dumbbell-shaped 2.6-ton dummy mass simulating a satellite payload. Launch operator Mitsubishi Heavy hopes to launch six H3s a year once stable production is established. Another objective is to win orders from global clients, as satellite launch demands have skyrocketed thanks to affordable commercial vehicles such as SpaceX's reusable Falcon 9.

Persons: Kazuto Suzuki, Masayuki Eguchi, Lockheed Martin, Masashi Okada, Okada, Ko Ogasawara, Ogasawara, Kairos, Kantaro Komiya, Gerry Doyle Organizations: SLIM, University of Tokyo, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi, Epsilon, Canon Electronics, U.S, European Space Agency, United Launch Alliance Vulcan, Boeing, Lockheed, Tokyo University of Science, Technologies Locations: TOKYO, Japan, United States, India, Tokyo

☆ North Korea Fires Multiple Cruise Missiles off Its East Coast -South Korea Military
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea fired multiple cruise missiles off its east coast on Wednesday, South Korea's military said. The missiles were launched about 9 a.m. Wednesday (0000 Tuesday GMT) off the eastern coastal city of Wonsan, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said. "While strengthening surveillance and vigilance, our military is cooperating closely with the United States and closely monitoring additional signs and activities from North Korea," the JCS said in a statement. (Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Gerry Doyle)Photos You Should See View All 22 Images

Persons: Hyonhee Shin, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Joint Chiefs of Staff Locations: SEOUL, North Korea, Wonsan, United States

☆ Bulker Was Targeted by Missiles in Bab Al-Mandab - Ambrey, UKMTO
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

DUBAI (Reuters) -British maritime security firm Ambrey said on Monday that a Marshall Islands-flagged, Greece-owned bulk carrier was targeted by missiles in two incidents within two minutes while transiting through the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The bulker was reportedly hit and suffered damage to its the starboard side, Ambrey added. Ambrey had first reported that the carrier had sighted a projectile near the vessel 23 nautical miles (43km) northeast of Djibouti's Khor Angar and 40 nautical miles southwest of Yemen's Red Sea port city of Mokha. War in Israel and Gaza View All 206 ImagesAmbrey added that the bulker was reportedly headed to Bandar Imam Khomeini, a city in Iran. The crew were unharmed, UKMTO said, and the vessel is proceeding to its next port of call, UKMTO said.

Persons: Ambrey, Djibouti's Khor, Bandar Imam Khomeini, UKMTO, Nayera Abdallah, Tala, Christopher Cushing, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Reuters, NASDAQ, United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Locations: DUBAI, Marshall, Greece, Mandab, Djibouti's, Yemen's, Mokha, Israel, Gaza, Bandar, Iran, Yemen, Africa

☆ Israel Strikes Rafah Refugee Camp, 22 Killed, Local Health Officials Say
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli strikes on Gaza's southern city of Rafah killed 22 people and wounded dozens, local health officials said on Monday, after U.S. President Joe Biden told Israel not to attack Rafah without a credible plan to protect civilians. The Israeli military said on Monday it had conducted a "series of strikes" on southern Gaza that have now "concluded," without providing further details. Before previous assaults on Gaza cities, Israel's military has ordered civilians to leave without preparing any specific evacuation plan. It is the last relatively safe place in an enclave devastated by Israel's military offensive. Hamas militants killed 1,200 people in southern Israel and abducted at least 250 in their Oct. 7 incursion, according to Israeli tallies.

Persons: Joe Biden, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden, Netanyahu, Emily Rose, Nidal, Michael Perry, Gerry Doyle Organizations: U.S, Reuters, Biden, Sunday, Hamas, Aqsa Television Locations: JERUSALEM, Rafah, Israel, Gaza, U.S

☆ Signs of Rare Unrest Among North Korean Workers in China, Researchers Say
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

By Ju-min ParkSEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's intelligence agency says poor conditions for North Koreans working overseas have led to "incidents and accidents", while researchers report rare protests and unrest in China among workers from a North Korean military-linked trading company. Fed up with unpaid wages and lingering pandemic lockdowns, as many as 3,000 North Korean workers in China staged protests last month, according to two South Korean government-affiliated researchers, including a former North Korean diplomat. The North Korean embassy in Beijing and its consular office in the Chinese border city of Dandong did not respond to calls from Reuters seeking comment. South Korea's unification ministry said in a report last year that China and Russia were hosting North Korean workers despite the sanctions. That's not easy now, given the North Korean regime wants to keep them in China to raise money for the government."

Persons: Cho Han, Cho, Ko Young, Ko, Jimin Jung, Josh Smith, Eduardo Baptista, Antoni Slodkowski, Laurie Chen, Gerry Doyle Organizations: North, . State, Korea Institute for National, South, Korea's National Intelligence Service, Security, Koreans, U.S . State Department, NIS Locations: SEOUL, China, North Korean, Beijing, Dandong, North Koreans, North Korea, Pyongyang, Korean, Helong, Jilin province, Jilin, Russia, Seoul

☆ EU Parliament Strips Former VP Eva Kaili of Immunity in Fraud Case
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Parliament on Tuesday afternoon stripped its former vice-president Eva Kaili of her immunity, clearing the way for an investigation of Kaili's alleged involvement in a 150,000 euro ($161,355) EU budget fraud case from 2015. The fraud case is unrelated to the corruption scandal dubbed Qatargate, in which the Greek politician is also involved. The report that was put to vote states that in the fraud case Kaili is accused of fraudulently spending between €120,000 and €150,000 of public money. The office of Kaili's lawyer, Spyros Pappas, did not immediately reply to a Reuters' request for comment but Pappas told news outlet Politico before the vote that he would take further legal action if Kaili's immunity were lifted. He told Politico that the notion that Kaili could serve prison time based on the outcome of the investigation is “at this stage rather premature and unsubstantiated”.

Persons: Eva Kaili, Kaili's, Spyros Pappas, Pappas, Charlotte Van Campenhout, Gerry Doyle Organizations: EU, Politico Locations: BRUSSELS

☆ At Least 6, Including Children, Feared Dead in Philadelphia-Area Fire
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - Six to eight people are feared dead in a house fire that broke out near Philadelphia on Wednesday, and two police officers responding to the blaze were wounded by gunfire from inside the home, officials said. The suspected shooter was believed to have set fire to the home and was among those still inside, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said. The fire was burning too intensely to enter, so officials said they would wait until Thursday to search for victims, Stollsteimer told reporters. We know the victim's family had a lot of people living in that house including children. We're aware that there were at least six to eight people who are unaccounted for from that family," Stollsteimer said.

Persons: Jack Stollsteimer, Stollsteimer, Daniel Trotta, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Reuters Locations: Philadelphia, Delaware County, East Lansdowne

☆ US Faces Heightened Risk From Russia, North Korea, Treasury Financing Report Finds
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States faces heightened risk from Russia, which is trying to acquire goods with military applications, the U.S. Treasury Department said in fresh National Risk Assessments on Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing, and Proliferation Financing released on Wednesday. The United States also faces heightened risk from North Korea, the Treasury Department said, as networks linked to Pyongyang increasingly exploit the digital economy, including through hacking virtual asset service providers. The report includes ways Hamas exploits the international financial system, including through solicitation of funds from witting and unwitting donors, the Treasury Department said. The United States has sought to cut off funding for the group after its deadly attack on Israel in October. The proliferation of domestic violent extremist movements also pose more threats to the United States, the department said.

Persons: Brian Nelson, Daphne Psaledakis, Gerry Doyle Organizations: WASHINGTON, U.S . Treasury Department, United, Treasury Department, Terrorism, Financial Locations: United States, Russia, Ukraine, North Korea, Pyongyang, Israel

☆ Russian Attack on Ukraine's Kharkiv Kills 2-Month-Old Baby - Governor
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - A Russian attack overnight on a village in the northeastern Ukrainian Kharkiv region killed a 2-month-old boy and injured his mother, the regional governor said on Tuesday. Two other women were injured and were taken to a hospital with shrapnel wounds, Synehubov said. The National Police said more than 30 buildings, including private houses, a cafe, shops and private cars were damaged in the attack. Both Russia and Ukraine deny targeting civilians in their attacks that they say are aimed at destroying each other's military and other critical infrastructure. The Latest Photos From Ukraine View All 91 Images(Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne.

Persons: Oleh Synehubov, Synehubov, Lidia Kelly, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Reuters, The National Police Locations: Ukrainian Kharkiv, Russia, Ukraine, Melbourne

☆ Australia and China: Rebound in Ties Threatened by Death Sentence for Australian Writer
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

China's then ambassador to Australia says that in response to the call, the Chinese public would boycott Australian wine, beef and tourism. Nov. 27, 2020 - China will impose temporary anti-dumping tariffs on Australian wine, China announces. Jan. 3, 2023 - China allows three government-backed utilities and its top steelmaker to resume coal imports from Australia. Oct. 11, 2023 - China releases Australian journalist Cheng Lei after three years in a Beijing prison on national security charges. Oct. 22, 2023 - China agrees to review dumping tariffs of 218% on Australian wine, potentially clearing way for the resumption of imports.

Persons: Yang Hengjun, Anthony Albanese, China's, Cheng Lei, Albanese, Xi Jinping, Jan, Li, Kirsty Needham, Antoni Slodkowski, Gerry Doyle Organizations: SYDNEY, South China, Huawei Technologies Co, Australia's Labor Party Locations: Beijing, Canberra, China, South, Australia, Indonesia, Japan

☆ Man, Dog Safe After Helicopter Rescue Amid Los Angeles Floods
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - A man and his dog were safe on Monday after the man jumped into raging Los Angeles floodwaters to save his pet and was rescued by firefighters, who plucked him out in a dramatic helicopter rescue, officials said. Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley announced the rescue at a news conference regarding the intense flooding from an atmospheric river has pounded California for two days. The National Weather Service has called it one of the three wettest storm systems in recorded Los Angeles history. Video posted on social media showed a rescuer on a tether being lowered by helicopter into the rapids of the Pacoima Wash, a concrete flood channel in the San Fernando Valley that feeds the Los Angeles River. "He was later treated at a local hospital and his canine was able to swim to the edge and escape the rapids," Crowley said.

Persons: Kristin Crowley, Crowley, Daniel Trotta, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Reuters, Los Angeles Fire, National Weather Service Locations: Los, California, Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley

HONG KONG, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Agnes Chow, who fled to Canada while free on bail, says she won't return home amid a crackdown that curbed her freedoms, defying a warning from Hong Kong's leader that she would be pursued for life. "In consideration of the political situation in Hong Kong and my personal health, my mental health, my physical health, and the high political risk of not being allowed to leave Hong Kong again, I've decided not to go back." The security law has drawn criticism from Western governments as a tool of repression, but China says it has restored stability after mass pro-democracy protests in 2019. "The national security police are not doing their job according to the legal system in Hong Kong," she told Reuters. Hong Kong leader John Lee on Tuesday described Chow as a "liar" and "devoid of integrity".

Persons: Agnes Chow, Hong, Chow, I've, Tyrone Siu, John Lee, Lee, Nathan Law, Anna Kwok, wasn't, James Pomfret, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Hong Kong, HK, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Canada, Toronto, China, Shenzhen, Japan, Hong

☆ Australia Government Seeks Opposition Support on Immigration Detention Legislation
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Dec. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

The verdict overturned an court ruling from about 20 years ago that said indefinite immigration detention was lawful as long as the government intended to remove the person from Australia eventually. The federal government is scrambling to pass the law as the opposition coalition and government lawmakers continued to clash over the ramifications of the high court ruling. The proposed law will allow the government to refer non-citizens freed from immigration detention to judges to decide whether they pose a risk to the community. Three of the about 150 people who were freed since the court ruling have been charged with fresh offences, media have reported. Dreyfus said the government would reject amendments to the bill because they risk exposing it to further challenges in the high court.

Persons: Mark Dreyfus, Dreyfus, Renju Jose, Lewis Jackson, Gerry Doyle Organizations: SYDNEY, Australian, Wednesday, Attorney Locations: Australia's, Australia, Sydney

Cyclone Michaung was expected to make landfall on the coast of the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday morning, the country's weather office said, with sustained winds of 90-100 kph (56-62 mph), gusting to 110 kph. Two people were killed when a wall collapsed because of heavy rain in the Chengalpattu district of neighbouring Tamil Nadu state, joint director of the state disaster management department, C. Muthukumaran, told Reuters. [1/3]People move in a boat past partially submerged vehicles in a residential area following heavy rains ahead of Cyclone Michaung in Chennai, India, December 4, 2023. Parts of Andhra Pradesh were likely to get more than 200 millimetres (8 inches) of rain over the next 24 hours, India's weather office said. At least 800 people have been evacuated so far from Bapatla, the coastal town in Andhra Pradesh where the cyclone is expected to make landfall on Tuesday, P Ranjit Basha, district collector of Bapatla, said.

Persons: Cyclone Michaung, Muthukumaran, Ranjit Basha, Praveen, Jatindra, Shilpa Jamkhandikar, Gerry Doyle, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Cyclone, Reuters, REUTERS, Authorities, ., Thomson Locations: CHENNAI, Andhra Pradesh, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, Chennai, India, Bapatla, Sadam, Hyderabad, Bhubaneshwar

☆ China's BYD says will keep reward system for smear campaign tipsters
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSHANGHAI, Dec 4 (Reuters) - China's electric vehicle giant BYD (002594.SZ) said on Sunday it would make permanent its system offering tipsters who report smear campaigns against the company up to 5 million yuan ($700,918). The company in June 2022 increased the maximum amount providers of such information could receive from 1 million yuan to 5 million yuan, saying that policy was valid for a year. "Such information should be legally effective and BYD will give the provider a generous reward once it verifies it to be true." In September, the company hit back against online discussions that said BYD had leaked commercial secrets, saying those posts were pure rumours. Warren Buffett-backed BYD is China's largest seller of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, and Tesla's (TSLA.O) closest rival in the global electric vehicle sales race.

Persons: Issei Kato, BYD, Warren Buffett, Brenda Goh, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Japan, REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Weibo

☆ South Korea flies solid-fuel rocket amid space race with North Korea
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Hyunsu Yim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] A solid-fuel space rocket is launched during a test flight over the sea near Jeju Island, South Korea, December 4, 2023. The Defense Ministry/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Dec 4 (Reuters) - South Korea on Monday successfully conducted a flight of a solid-fuel rocket carrying a satellite over the sea near Jeju Island, the defence ministry said, amid a growing space race with neighbouring North Korea. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carried South Korea's first spy satellite into orbit on Friday from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base. North Korea on Monday denounced what it called Washington's "double standard" over the two Koreas' satellite launches and said such "brigandish" American standards would never be tolerated. A functioning reconnaissance satellite could allow North Korea to remotely monitor U.S., South Korean, and Japanese troops.

Persons: California's, Kim Jong, Hyunsu Yim, hyang Choi, Ed Davies, Gerry Doyle Organizations: The Defense Ministry, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Agency for Defense Development, Korea's Hanwha, Hanwha Systems, SpaceX, California's Vandenberg Space Force, White House, Pentagon, U.S, Thomson Locations: Jeju, South Korea, Rights SEOUL, North Korea, Pyongyang, United States, Korea, Norfolk , Virginia, South

☆ McDonald's raises China bet, bucking Western firms' derisking trend
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Casey Hall | Thomson Reuters | Casey Has Reported On China'S Consumer Culture Her Base In Shanghai For More Than A Decade | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/5] A woman sits on a swing attached to a giant sign of McDonald's, outside its themed exhibition in Beijing, China December 4, 2023. One advantage for McDonald’s: its majority partner in the China business, CITIC, provides top-level political cover, said Jason Yu, greater China managing director of market research firm Kantar Worldpanel. McDonald's China, Carlyle Group and CITIC declined to comment. Other consumer-facing U.S. firms, including Starbucks (SBUX.O), Apple (AAPL.O), Coach owner Tapestry (TPR.N) and sportswear giant Nike (NKE.N), have remained similarly dedicated to the China market. Although the McDonald's China menu would be familiar to U.S. consumers, there are nods to local tastes, including taro pie, rather than apple.

Persons: Tingshu Wang, McDonald's, Jason Yu, Kantar, Yu, Carlyle, Wallace, Greg, Euromonitor, Ben Cavender, Casey, Kane Wu, Deborah Sophia, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Group, Carlyle Group, Starbucks, Apple, Nike, Research, Investment, China Market Research, Casey Hall, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, U.S, Hong Kong, Macau, Yum China, Russia, Shanghai, Bengaluru

[1/5] Honoree Dionne Warwick and her family attend the 46th Kennedy Center Honors gala at the Kennedy Center in Washington, U.S., December 3, 2023. REUTERS/Julia Nikhinson Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Washington celebrated singer Dionne Warwick, comedian Billy Crystal, Bee Gees member Barry Gibb, rapper and actress Queen Latifah, and opera star Renée Fleming on Sunday at the Kennedy Center Honors, the top U.S. honor for achievements in the arts. "There simply is no song that Dionne Warwick cannot sing," said record producer Clive Davis, adding that she had "inspired musicians all over the world." Crystal, 75, known for roles in films such as "When Harry Met Sally," "City Slickers," and "Analyze This," was next up. Opera singer J'Nai Bridges said ahead of the show that Fleming had helped make opera more mainstream.

Persons: Dionne Warwick, Julia Nikhinson, Billy Crystal, Bee, Barry Gibb, Queen Latifah, Renée Fleming, Joe Biden, Gladys Knight, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Clive Davis, Singer Cynthia Erivo, Alfie, Harry Met Sally, Meg Ryan, Robert De Niro, De Niro, Biden, Tony, Whoopi Goldberg, Crystal, Oscar, Kerry Washington, Tituss Burgess, Christine Baranski, Susan Graham, Fleming, Sigourney Weaver, Fleming's, J'Nai Bridges, Gibb, Robin, Maurice, Michael Bublé, Ben Platt, Jeff Mason, Jasper Ward, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Kennedy Center, REUTERS, Rights, Washington, Kennedy, White, Broadway, Bee, Big Town, U.S, CBS, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Warwick

☆ Hungary's Orban says EU should first sign strategic partnership accord with Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BUDAPEST, Dec 1 (Reuters) - The European Union should first sign a strategic partnership agreement with Ukraine instead of starting membership talks with the country, Hungary's Viktor Orban said on Friday, flagging a way to a possible compromise ahead of a crucial EU summit. Orban reiterated on Friday that several issues would need to be cleared before membership talks could start with Ukraine, saying the country, making it impossible to assess what consequences Ukraine's membership would have on the bloc. So I will represent the view that the EU should first sign a strategic partnership agreement with Ukraine," Orban said in an interview on state radio. "Let's give time for us to work together, and when we see that we can work together, then let's bring up the issue of membership." The Hungarian premier urged a ceasefire in Ukraine, and said if the EU wanted to give more money to Ukraine then it should set up a separate financial fund outside the EU budget based on an intergovernmental agreement.

Persons: Hungary's Viktor Orban, Orban, " Orban, let's, Krisztina, Sharon Singleton, Gerry Doyle Organizations: European Union, EU, Thomson Locations: BUDAPEST, Ukraine, Hungary, Hungarian, Brussels, Budapest, EU

U.S. officials, after learning about the plot in late July, demanded that India investigate, a senior administration official said. High-level meetings and pledges of closer cooperation have continued, with Biden's secretaries of state and defense visiting Delhi this month. A senior U.S. administration official called the assassination plot a "serious matter" and said Washington expects India to stop such activities, even as the Biden administration pursues "an ambitious agenda to expand our cooperation" with India. Biden has made a priority of nurturing ties with India, hoping to counter China’s ambitions in Asia while drawing India away from Russia as the U.S. seeks to isolate Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine. "Both the U.S. and India realize that they need each other, perhaps the U.S. a bit more than India."

Persons: Elizabeth Frantz, Nikhil Gupta, Joe Biden, Narendra Modi, Biden, Modi, Lisa Curtis, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canada’s, Happymon Jacob, Richard Rossow, Ashley Tellis, David Brunnstrom, Simon Lewis, Krishn Kaushik, Jonathan Landay, Trevor Hunnicutt, Don Durfee, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Eisenhower, White, REUTERS, Rights, Federal, New, New York City, Indian, White House, CIA, Washington, South, National Security Council, Canada, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Washington's Center, Strategic, International Studies, Biden Administration, Carnegie Endowment, International, U.S, Thomson Locations: United States, India, Washington , U.S, U.S, China, Manhattan, New York, New Delhi, Delhi, The U.S, Central Asia, Asia, Russia, Moscow, Ukraine, York, Canada, Vancouver suburb, Gujarat

Japan, a key U.S. ally, had sought the suspension of all non-emergency V-22 Osprey flights over its territory after one fell into the sea on Wednesday in western Japan. Japan's Coast Guard has said one person was found and confirmed dead, and the search for the remaining seven aboard continues. The Pentagon said on Thursday that it was still flying Ospreys for now, and that it was not aware of any official request for their grounding. "We are concerned that despite our repeated requests, and in the absence of sufficient explanation (from the U.S. military), the Osprey continues to fly," he told a news conference. The Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF), which also operates Ospreys, has said it would suspend flights of the transport aircraft.

Persons: Hirokazu Matsuno, Yoko Kamikawa, Rahm Emanuel, Robert Dujarric, Dujarric, Mariko Katsumura, John Geddie, Chang, Ran Kim, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Kyodo, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Japan's Coast Guard, Pentagon, Ospreys, U.S ., Japan Self - Defense Forces, U.S, Pacifist Japan, U.S . Marine Corps, Tokyo's Temple University, Thomson Locations: Kagoshima prefecture, Japan, U.S, Tokyo

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