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Putin cautioned it was no bluff, and Western politicians, diplomats and nuclear weapons experts are divided. Some say he could use one or more smaller, tactical nuclear weapons to try to stave off military defeat, protect his presidency, scare off the West or intimidate Kyiv into capitulation. And those who try to blackmail us with nuclear weapons should know that the weathervane can turn and point towards them," he said. Such blunt Kremlin rhetoric is very different to the much more nuanced nuclear signals preferred by late Soviet leaders after Nikita Khrushchev took the world to the brink of nuclear war in the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Burns, though, said U.S. intelligence had no practical evidence that Putin was moving towards using tactical nuclear weapons imminently.

☆ Nord Stream sabotage not an attack on Sweden, foreign minister says
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

COPENHAGEN, Sept 28 (Reuters) - The suspected sabotage against the Nord Stream gas pipelines does not constitute an attack on Sweden, Foreign Minister Ann Linde told SVT public television on Wednesday. "This is not an attack against Sweden because it is not in our territory" Linde said. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterDenmark and Sweden on Tuesday said major leaks on the two Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea were caused by deliberate acts of sabotage carried out in each of the two countries' exclusive economic zones. The blasts hitting Nord Stream 1 and 2 did not represent a direct military threat or attack on Sweden or Denmark, the Swedish and Danish prime ministers said late on Tuesday. Map of Nord Stream pipelines and locations of reported leaksRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Stine Jacobsen, editing by Terje SolsvikOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ U.S. VP Harris condemns 'disturbing' Chinese actions
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-27 | by ( Trevor Hunnicutt | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"China is undermining key elements of the international rules-based order," said Harris, who is on a four-day trip to Asia. And we have witnessed disturbing behaviour in the East China Sea and in the South China Sea, and most recently, provocations across the Taiwan Strait." Harris said U.S. forces would operate in the region "undaunted and unafraid" even as the United States expects "continued aggressive" actions by China. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris listens during a roundtable discussion at the NAACP National Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S., July 18, 2022. Aides said Harris would work on a unified approach in a region where leaders have warily watched rising tension between the United States and China.

☆ Fed 'united,' moving at 'appropriately aggressive' pace -Kashkari
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Sept 27 (Reuters) - Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank President Neel Kashkari on Tuesday said U.S. central bankers are united in their determination to do what is needed to bring inflation down, and financial markets understand that. "We are committed to restoring price stability, but we also recognize, given these lags, there is the risk of overdoing it on the front end, and so I think we are moving at an appropriately aggressive pace," he said. Kashkari said he believes markets have digested the Fed's intent to bring inflation down and that while monetary policy now is tight, it will need to be tighter still. "The economy is sending us a lot of mixed signals right now," Kashkari said. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Ann Saphir; Editing by Leslie AdlerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Home to 28,000 U.S. troops, S.Korea unlikely to avoid a Taiwan conflict
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( Josh Smith | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

China is South Korea's largest economic partner, and Seoul could find itself on the literal front lines of any regional military conflict. But when asked whether South Korea will help the United States if China attacks Taiwan, Yoon did not directly answer. South Korean troops fought alongside Americans in Vietnam and supported the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, but questions of future involvement are up to South Korea alone, LaCamera said. In response, South Korean Vice Defence Minister Shin Beom-chul told broadcaster MBC that there had been no such discussions between Washington and Seoul. Cho said North Korea could support China in a Taiwan conflict by launching an attack on South Korea, or simply use the conflict as a chance to push forward with its nuclear or missile development.

☆ U.S. proposes requiring new airline fee disclosure rules
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

This is the latest in a series of rules the Biden administration has proposed to boost airline consumer protections. "Airline passengers deserve to know the full, true cost of their flights before they buy a ticket," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Last month, Buttigieg told Reuters airline rules were in need of a "refresh." In July 2021, USDOT proposed rules to require airlines to refund fees for significantly delayed bags and refunds for services like onboard Wi-Fi that do not work. Under existing U.S. rules, passengers are entitled to a fee refund if bags are lost, but not when delayed.

☆ Lowered profit forecasts raise concerns on shaky Wall Street
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( Caroline Valetkevitch | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

With that, concern about earnings has been rising as companies face higher inflation and possibly weakening demand. "The market is most worried about demand slowing in the U.S. and demand slowing globally," she said. Analysts have cut their S&P 500 earnings estimates for the third and fourth quarters, and for all of 2022. "Really up until maybe a month or two ago, we didn't see much in the way of earnings downgrades. The S&P 500 (.SPX) is down 23% for the year so far, while the Nasdaq is down 31%.

☆ Arizona abortion ruling will set women back 'more than a century' - White House
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Fencing including razor wire forms a barrier to the Arizona state Capitol complex after it was installed following protests against the United States Supreme Court after it overturned the landmark Roe v Wade abortion decision, in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. June 27, 2022. REUTERS/Caitlin O’Hara REFILE -WASHINGTON, Sept 24 (Reuters) - Friday's ruling allowing Arizona to enforce a ban on nearly all abortions, if allowed to stand, will result in "catastrophic, dangerous, and unacceptable" consequences for women, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Saturday. "Yesterday’s ruling in Arizona is dangerous and will set Arizona women back more than a century – to a time before Arizona was even a state," Jean-Pierre said in a statement. The Arizona ruling by Pima County Superior Court Judge Kellie Johnson granted a request by the state's Republican attorney general to lift a court injunction that had barred enforcement of Arizona's pre-statehood ban on abortion after the Supreme Court decision. Johnson's ruling bans all abortions in Arizona except when the procedure is necessary to save the mother's life.

☆ U.S., Chinese foreign ministers to meet as Taiwan tensions rise
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-23 | by ( Humeyra Pamuk | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in New York on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly. The meeting comes days after Biden said U.S forces would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion, drawing an angry response from China that said it sent the wrong signal to those seeking an independent Taiwan. In a phone call with Biden in July, China's leader Xi Jinping warned about Taiwan, saying "those who play with fire will perish by it." Beijing has long-vowed to bring Taiwan under its control and has not ruled out the use of force to do so. "This is the Chinese people's will and determination," he said according to China's Foreign Ministry.

☆ North Korea denies sending arms to Russia amid Ukraine war
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

North Korea says it hasn't exported any weapons to Russia during the war in Ukraine and has no plans to do so, and said U.S. intelligence reports of weapons transfers were an attempt to tarnish North Korea's image. In a state media report Thursday, an unnamed North Korean defense official told the U.S. to stop making "reckless remarks" and to "keep its mouth shut." The North Korean statement came weeks after Moscow described the U.S. intelligence finding as "fake." North Korean arms exports to Russia would violate United Nations resolutions banning the country from importing or exporting weapons. The North Korean official stressed that Pyongyang has never recognized the "unlawful" U.N. Security Council sanctions against the country "cooked up by the U.S. and its vassal forces."

☆ Big U.S. banks' prime rate soars to highest since financial crisis
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-21 | by ( Mehnaz Yasmin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A person enters the JPMorgan Chase & Co. New York Head Quarters in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., June 30, 2022. REUTERS/Andrew KellySept 21 (Reuters) - Three major U.S. banks said on Wednesday they will hike their prime lending rates by 75 basis points, bringing the rates to their highest since the global financial crisis of 2008. Central bankers expect to raise the rate to 4.6% by the end of next year, according to the median estimate of all 19 Fed policymakers. read moreA hike in interest rates typically boosts banks' profitability, since they can earn more net interest income - a metric that gauges the difference between the money banks earn on loans and pay out on deposits. However, too high interest rates can tip the economy over into a recession and squeeze consumer demand for loans, which can ultimately hurt lenders.

☆ International underdogs up for Presidents Cup fight
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-21 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Sep 21, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; The International Team poses for a team photo during a practice day for the Presidents Cup golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club. Even the American players have expressed sympathy for the challenge facing Immelman who will send a out record eight debutants into the Presidents Cup at the Quail Hollow Club. "It's never been done before, and I'm not a stats guy, but I'm going to say the percentage of it being done is very low. "We've still got to go out there and compete, and there's still a really good international team over there with a lot of up and coming players. Being installed as the favourite is not a new experience for the U.S. when it comes to the Presidents Cup, but seldom have the predictions of a runaway rout been so sweeping.

☆ Factbox: Meet the big bank CEOs set to be grilled by Congress
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( Pete Schroeder | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

In his prepared testimony, Moynihan touted the firm's focus on "responsible growth" as critical to its stability and strength. CITIGROUP INCJane Fraser, the first woman to lead a major Wall Street bank, was appointed in March 2021. In her prepared testimony, Fraser said the bank had made "significant progress" in divesting from those areas, while supporting institutional clients. U.S. Bancorp is currently the fifth largest bank in the U.S. with $582 billion in assets, and the largest bank outside of the "globally systemic" firms. Rogers describes the bank as "purpose-driven" in his prepared testimony, and highlighted efforts to boost investment in lower income and majority-minority communities.

☆ AutoZone Posts Higher Sales Amid Strong Demand for Car Repairs
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-19 | by ( Will Feuer | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

AutoZone said U.S. same-store sales climbed 6.2% in its latest quarter as consumers invested more in repairing their current vehicles as prices for new and used cars remained elevated. AutoZone reported higher sales in its recently ended quarter, as return-to-office mandates pushed Americans to use their cars more and helped fuel demand for repairs. The car-parts retailer on Monday posted sales of $5.35 billion for the fiscal fourth quarter, up about 9% from a year earlier and above Wall Street estimates. The rising price of new cars also has caused drivers to stick with their current vehicles longer, helping drive up sales of car parts needed for repairs and maintenance.

U.S. forces would defend Taiwan if China invaded, President Joe Biden said Sunday, his clearest statement yet on the issue and one that is likely to infuriate Beijing. In a “60 Minutes” interview broadcast on CBS, Biden was asked whether the U.S. would defend Taiwan against an attack from Beijing, which claims the self-ruling island democracy as its territory. It is at least the fourth time since last year that Biden has made comments that appear to alter longtime U.S. policy on Taiwan. “The president has said this before, including in Tokyo earlier this year,” the spokesperson said, referring to comments Biden made in May. “He also made clear then that our Taiwan policy hasn’t changed.

☆ U.S. adds Iran cargo planes flying to Russia to export violation list
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-19 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Sept 19 (Reuters) - The U.S. Commerce Department on Monday said it will add three Iranian cargo planes serving Russia to a list of aircraft believed to violate U.S. export controls under the Biden administration's sanctions. Using commercially available data, the Commerce Department identified Boeing 747s operated by Mahan Air, Qeshm Fars Air and Iran Air transporting goods, including electronic items, to Russia in apparent violation of stringent U.S. export controls on Russia related to its invasion of Ukraine. The department has warned that any refueling, maintenance, repair, spare parts or services violate U.S. export controls and subject companies to U.S. enforcement actions. With the additions, there were 183 aircraft on the list for apparent violations of U.S. export controls, the department said. The three Iranian airlines identified Monday were already subject to a variety of restrictions by the U.S. government.

☆ Biden says U.S. forces would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Biden said in an interview broadcast on Sunday that U.S forces would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion, his most explicit statement so far on the issue. Brendan Smialowski | Afp | Getty ImagesU.S. President Joe Biden said U.S forces would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion, his most explicit statement on the issue, drawing an angry response from China that said it sent the wrong signal to those seeking an independent Taiwan. Asked to clarify if he meant that unlike in Ukraine, U.S. forces - American men and women - would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion, Biden replied: "Yes." He also made clear then that our Taiwan policy hasn't changed. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular briefing in Beijing that Biden's comments sent a "seriously wrong signal" to separatists forces for Taiwan independence.

☆ China lodges complaint after Biden says U.S. would defend Taiwan in a Chinese invasion
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING, Sept 19 (Reuters) - The Chinese foreign ministry said on Monday that China has lodged "stern representations" with the United States, after U.S. President Joe Biden said U.S. forces would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion. China reserves the right to take all necessary measures in response to activities that split the nation apart, said Mao Ning, spokesperson at the foreign ministry, at a regular media briefing. read moreChinese Foreign Ministry new spokesperson Mao Ning speaks at a news conference in Beijing, China September 5, 2022. She also urged the U.S. to handle Taiwan-related issues "carefully and properly", and not send "wrong signals" to Taiwan independence separatist forces, warning the United States not to seriously damage Sino-U.S. relations and the peace in the Taiwan Strait. "There is only one China in the world, Taiwan is part of China, and the government of the People's Republic of China is the only legitimate government of China," said Mao.

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