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☆ North Korea scraps military deal with South, vows to deploy new weapons at border
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Soo-Hyang Choi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

A North Korean flag flutters at the propaganda village of Gijungdong in North Korea, in this picture taken near the truce village of Panmunjom inside the demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas, South Korea, February 7, 2023. Russia and North Korea have denied arms deals but have promised deeper cooperation, including on satellites. South Korea resumed the use of crewed and uncrewed reconnaissance aircraft in the border area on Wednesday, Yonhap news agency reported. Critics have said that the pact weakened Seoul's ability to monitor North Korea, and that Pyongyang had violated the agreement. South Korea has said the North Korean satellite was believed to have entered orbit, but it would take time to assess whether it was operating normally.

Persons: Kim Hong, Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Putin, Moon Jae, Moon Chung, Moon, Kim, Critics, Bruce Klingner, Klingner, Soo, hyang Choi, Josh Smith, David Brunnstrom, Sonali Paul, Ed Davies, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, North, ., U.S . Department of State, CMA, ROK, South Korean, Yonsei University, CIA, U.S, Heritage Foundation, North Korean, Thomson Locations: Gijungdong, North Korea, Panmunjom, South Korea, Rights SEOUL, Seoul, Russia, Pyongyang, . North Korea, Korea, Washington

[1/5] Taiko Nakamura samples whisky barreled in the year he founded at his distillery in Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan October 25, 2023. The explosion of craft whisky in Japan follows a boom and bust in the industry. Last week, Sotheby's offered what it claimed was the most valuable collection of Japanese whisky at auction, headlined by a 52-year old bottle that sold for 300,000 pounds ($373,830). Suntory, Japan's biggest and best-known whisky maker, recently invested 10 billion yen ($67 million) to upgrade its distilleries, including its Yamazaki site. "I believe we need to put all our effort into making Japanese whisky that lives up to the quality of the Japanese whiskies made by our predecessors," he said.

Persons: Rocky Swift, Suntory's, Taiko Nakamura, Long, whiskies, Sotheby's, Shinji Fukuyo, Casey Wahl, Kamui, Shizuoka's Nakamura, Miral Organizations: REUTERS, Suntory, trailblazer, Nikka, Asahi Group, Japan's, Japanese distillers, Diageo, IJW Whiskey, Nikkei, Thomson Locations: Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, Yamazaki, Scotland, Hong Kong, Japanese, Komasa Kanosuke, Kentucky, Hokkaido, American, Rishiri

☆ Opinion: Why Biden won’t do more to restrain Netanyahu
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Opinion Aaron David Miller | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +53 min

Mahmud Hams/AFP/Getty Images Israeli soldiers form an honor guard at the funeral of Israeli reserve soldier Master Sgt. Mustafa Hassona/Anadolu/Getty Images Palestinians flee to southern Gaza on Salah al-Din Street in Bureij, Gaza, on November 10. Ronen Zvulun/Reuters A woman carries a white flag as Palestinians flee from Gaza City to the south on November 7. Ronen Zvulun/Reuters A woman mourns over a dead man at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Gaza City on October 18. Yousef Masoud/The New York Times A morgue worker arranges body bags at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City on October 12.

Persons: Aaron David Miller, ” Miller, I’ve, Joe Biden, Netanyahu, Aaron David Miller Israel, Israel —, Biden, Ashraf Amra, Ahmad Gharabli, Mohammed Abed, Ohad, Rizek Abdeljawad, Major Jamal Abbas, Shir Torem, Fatima Shbair, Alexi J . Rosenfeld, Abed Rahim Khatib, Khan, Christopher Furlong, Hatem Ali, Avraham Fetena, Mostafa Alkharouf, Mahmud Hams, Sgt, Raz Abulafia, Ariel Schalit, Fadel Senna, Nasser, Mohammed Salem, Matan Meir, Amir Levy, Haitham Imad, Roni Eshel, Eshel, Kenzo Tribouillard, Benjamin Netanyahu, Sadi Berek, Mustafa Hassona, Salah al, Jack Guez, Varda Goldstein, Nir Oz, Bernat, Abed Zagout, Tomer Appelbaum, Mohammad Abu Elsebah, Khaled Ibn Al, Walid, Khan Younis, Ya'akov Ozeri, Ronen Zvulun, Mohammed Dahman, Ahmad Hasaballah, Leo Correa, Amir Cohen, Mohammed Alaloul, Majdi, Neil Hall, Saeed Jaras, Mohammad Abu Hattab, Mohammed Talatene, Ditza Heiman, Salman Habaka, Ibraheem Abu Mustafa, Yuval Zilber, Jalaa Merey, Ahmad Salem, Ali Jadallah, Atef Safadi, Anas al, Yosef Vahav, Kiryat Shmona, Jalaa Marey, Albert Miles, Ilan Rosenberg, Manna, Tamar Chaya Torpiashvili, Abed Khaled, Tamir Kalifa, Yoav Gallant, Ammar Awad, Jehad Al, Kafarnah, Teddy, Dan Kitwood, Dima Vazinovich, Sagiv Ben Zvi, Evelyn Hockstein, Omar El, Yasser Qudih, Tsafrir, Francisco Seco, Mohammed Saber, Ali Mohmoud, Mai Yaghi, Yam Goldstein, Nadav, Khaled Joudeh, Samar Abu, Leon Neal, Hatem Moussa, Wolfgang Schwan, Yousef Masoud, Shadi Tabatibi, Belal al Sabbagh, Janis Laizans, Gallant, Ofir Libstein, Aza, Belal Khaled, Hod, Ayal Margolin, Antony Blinken, Brendan Smialowski, Kenny Holston, Kfar Aza, Ilia Yefimovich, Mahmoud Khaled, Dor Reder, Violeta Santos Moura, Mohammed Fayq Abu Mostafa, Antonio Macías, Macías, Eli Albag, Liri, Sergey Ponomarev, Dor Kedmi, Saher, Abraham Cohen, Valentin Ghnassia, Ghnassia, Yuri Cortez, Ibrahim Hams, Bashar Taleb, Baz Ratner, Yahya Hassouna, Mapal Adam, Agha, Reuters Itzik, Miriam Shafir, Dor Shafir, Savion Kiper, Maya Alleruzzo, CNN Sergey Ponomarev, Eden Guez, Mohammed Soboh, Said, Noam Elimeleh Rothenberg, Ilai Bar Sade, Erik Marmor, Oren Ziv, Ramez Mahmoud, Roi Levy, Alleruzzo, Tali Touito, Oded, Ahmad Hasballah, Eyad Baba, Itai Ron, Hadas Parush, Biden —, —, Barack Obama, hasn’t, ’, Israel isn’t, craven, It’s Organizations: Carnegie Endowment, International Peace, Democratic, Republican, CNN, Israel, Israel Defense Forces, Hamas, Democratic Party, Department of State, Senior, UN, US, Washington Post, Al, Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, Getty, Unicef, Reuters, AP, Anadolu, AP Journalists, Israeli, Modern, Nasser Hospital, Tel, Nasser Medical, Najjar, Israel Defence Forces handout, Shutterstock, Reuters United Nations, Shifa, Palestine, Pictures, Bloomberg, Israeli Apache, United Nations Relief, Works Agency, Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, Palestinian, IDF, EyePress, New York Times, Getty Images, Nasser Medical Hospital, Deir Al, Tel Aviv University, Reuters Civil, AP Rockets, AP Israel's, Regional, Israel's, Ahli Baptist Hospital, Ben Gurion International, Aris Messinis, Haim, Puma, Mount, Mount Herzl Military, Nova, Anadolu Agency, Nova Festival, Ben Gurion, West Bank, Rockets, United Nations, Reuters Police, Reuters Rockets, America, Senate, Washington, Twitter Locations: East, Israel, Gaza, Biden’s Washington, Washington, Al, Aqsa, Al Bureij, Deir Al Balah, Anadolu, Tel Aviv, AFP, Rafah, Xinhua, Pekiin, Khan Younis, Mavki'im, Jerusalem, Haifa, Sderot, Beit Hashmonai, Europe, Israeli, Rishpon, Odem, Gaza's Al, Gaza City, Kfar Saba, Deir Al, Balah, Bureij, Kfar Aza, Palestinian, Khan, Meron, Jerusalem's, City, Jerusalem's Old City, Deir Balah, Mahmud, Southern Israel, Ashkelon, Yanuh Jat, Netaim, Golan Heights, Lebanon, Egypt, Shareef, Beit Guvrin, Reuters Israeli, Kiryat, Al Aqsa, Kibbutz Be'eri, Ashdod, Holon, Najjar, Ichilov, Kibbutz Shefayim, Deir, Samar, Samar Abu Elouf, Deir al, Kibbutz Kissufim, Zahra City, East Jerusalem, Ras, Israel's, Yehuda, Hod HaSharon, Kiryat Shmona, Ahli, Gan, Kfar, North Sinai, Beit Kama, Cyprus, Be'eri, Rehovot, Mount Herzl, Modiin Maccabim, Mount Herzel, Yassin, Beitar Ilit, Ramat Gan, Itai, Beit Hanun, Rishon Lezion, ”, Palestinian Authority

☆ Ukrainian grandma says she's too old to fight Russians in the infantry so learned to pilot drones instead
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A Ukrainian grandma described joining the Ukrainian military. The 54-year-old grandma of six said she was too old for infantry service, so became a drone pilot. AdvertisementA Ukrainian grandmother said she joined the Ukrainian military as a drone pilot as a way to fight, despite being unable to join the infantry. A female Ukrainian soldier learning to use a drone control during training at a drone school on October 26, 2023 in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Ukraine. Ukrainian women have contributed to the war effort in and out of the battlefield.

Persons: —, Natalia, Anton Gerashchenko, Yevheniia Kravchuk Organizations: Ukrainian, Service, Getty, US Department of State, BBC, Daily Locations: Ukraine, Ukrainian, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Dnipro

☆ International backlash grows after move to strip Guatemalan president-elect's immunity
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( Brendan O'Boyle | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Guatemala's President-elect Bernardo Arevalo stands on the Square of Human Rights outside the Supreme Court, in Guatemala City, Guatemala November 16, 2023. REUTERS/Cristina Chiquin/file photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 18 (Reuters) - International rebuke swelled on Saturday over what observers say are efforts to use a politicized justice system to keep Guatemalan President-elect Bernardo Arevalo out of office. A prosecutor at Guatemala's attorney general's office on Thursday moved to strip Arevalo of his immunity from prosecution, accusing him and his running mate of complicity in the takeover of a university in the capital last year. In a statement on Saturday, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and its Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, condemned the attorney general's office's "incessant improper actions and interference." Earlier Saturday, senior U.S. Department of State official Brian Nichols condemned the attorney general's office's "malign request" to strip Arevalo and his Vice President-elect Karin Herrera of immunity in a post on social media.

Persons: Bernardo Arevalo, Cristina Chiquin, Arevalo, general's office's, Brian Nichols, Karin Herrera, Herrera, Guatemalans, General Consuela Porras, Brendan O'Boyle, Chizu Organizations: Human, REUTERS, Guatemalan, Inter, American, Human Rights, U.S . Department of State, Democratic Initiative of Spain, Americas, Grupo IDEA, U.S, Movement, Thomson Locations: Guatemala City, Guatemala, Latin America, Spain

[1/5] A member of the teamLab digital art group poses in an installation in preparation for the reopening of their Borderless museum in February at the Azabudai Hills complex in Tokyo, Japan November 17, 2023. The name refers to digital art pieces that blend into each other and encourage guests to wander at their own pace. The relocation is part of Mori's strategy of placing cultural attractions in integrated business and residential projects. teamLab has developed a global reputation for its experimental and interactive set pieces that meld images and senses. Previous projects in Tokyo featured digital art mixed with a sauna experience and a laser light show enhanced performance of Giacomo Puccini's opera "Turandot."

Persons: Kim Kyung, Toshiyuki Inoko, Mori, Giacomo Puccini's, Inoko, Rocky Swift, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Tokyo Bay, Mori's

☆ Fact Check: US representative for Ukraine’s economic recovery not convicted of treason
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine’s Economic Recovery Penny Pritzker was not arrested and convicted on charges of treason, contrary to an article circulating on social media making this claim. The claim is “categorically false,” a U.S. State Department spokesperson said to Reuters in an email on Nov. 14. Real Raw News, the Army JAG and the U.S. Department of State did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment. Pritzker was not convicted of treason. This article was produced by the Reuters Fact Check team.

Persons: Penny Pritzker, “, ”, Janet Yellen, Letitia James, Pritzker, Read Organizations: Special, Real Raw News, “ JAG Convicts U.S, Raw, U.S, Treasury, New York, Corps, JAG Corps, U.S . Army, U.S . State Department, Reuters, Real Raw, Navy JAG, Ukraine’s Energy, German, Washington D.C, Army JAG, U.S . Department of State, Thomson Locations: United States, U.S, Ukrainian Embassy, Washington

TOKYO, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Visitors to Japan exceeded pre-pandemic levels in October, official data showed on Wednesday, marking a full recovery in arrivals for the first time since the relaxation of border controls last year. The number of foreign visitors for business and leisure rose to 2.52 million last month from 2.18 million in September, data from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) showed. Reuters GraphicsVisitor numbers improved to 100.8% of levels seen in 2019 before the outbreak of COVID-19 led to travel curbs around the world. That year, Chinese accounted for nearly a third of all visitors and 40% of all tourist spending in Japan. Almost 20 million visitors have arrived in Japan in the first 10 months of 2023, JNTO data showed, compared to the record of about 32 million in all of 2019.

Persons: Rocky Swift, Miral Organizations: Visitors, Japan National Tourism Organization, Graphics, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Japan, Southeast Asia, North America, Europe, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Germany, China

☆ Biden-Xi summit could be last chance to stabilize U.S.-China relationship: Op-ed
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Dewardric L. Mcneal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

Presently, this relationship faces more challenges than it has encountered in the past two decades. They must also rebuild the essential habits of cooperation to address the existential challenges that have arisen. However, this deep-rooted reliance underscores their vulnerability to disruptions and uncertainties in the ever-shifting landscape of U.S.-China relations. Such a shift toward stability isn't just beneficial for these corporations but stands to bolster the overall bilateral relationship between the two nations. The summit could be the final chance to stabilize the relationship, demonstrating to domestic audiences in both countries and global stakeholders that a workable, if not entirely ideal, management framework for China-U.S. relations is possible.

Persons: Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, John Kerry, Paul J, Richards, Xi, Biden, Antony Blinken's, Janet Yellen, Gina Raimondo, Chuck Schumer, Gavin Newsom's, Yellen, Dewardric McNeal Organizations: China, Department of State, AFP, Getty, Biden, Asia Pacific Economic Conference, U.S, APEC Summit, Apple, Nike, Caterpillar, Longview Global, CNBC Locations: Washington ,, United States, China, U.S, Taiwan, Bali ., California, Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, South China, San Francisco, China's, Francisco

☆ As crisis deepens, Cubans scramble to migrate by any means
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Dave Sherwood | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The crowded terminal, a launch point for Cubans making their way by air to Nicaragua then overland to the United States, is one barometer of the frenzy to migrate from the communist-run island nation. For many, like Echavarria and his wife, it has also become a last resort as Cuba's economic crisis deepens with no end in sight. 'I GOT LUCKY'Artist Ernesto Perez, 51, told Reuters he had waited since 2015 for his turn to enter the United states legally under a family reunification program. Cuba blames the long-running U.S. trade embargo and Trump-era sanctions for fueling the economic crisis and the exodus of more than 400,000 Cubans leaving for the United States in the last two years. For many Cubans, however, Nicaragua remains the only viable option for getting off the island, said Yoany Bilbao, a 28-year old auto mechanic.

Persons: Alexandre Meneghini, Echavarria, Olga, Joe Biden, Alain Ferguson, Ferguson, Ernesto Perez, Perez, Brian Nichols, Yoany, Dave Sherwood, Ted Hesson, Ismael Lopez, Alien Fernandez, Mario Fuentes, Nelson Acosta, Mica Rosenberg, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, U.S, Central America, West, CBP, United, Trump, Senior U.S . Department of State, Thomson Locations: Panama, Havana, Cuba, Rights HAVANA, Havana's, Nicaragua, United States, Central, U.S, Florida, Mexico, Washington, San Jose

☆ Where are the 12 US gov't funding bills to avert shutdown?
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

But first, the House and Senate would have to agree upon the overall dollar amount of spending for the 12 bills combined. The Senate passed its version as part of a three-bill package on Nov. 1 with strong bipartisan support. DEFENSEOne of the largest of the 12 bills funds the Department of Defense - the Army, Navy, Air Force and the CIA. The Senate's version passed out of committee on July 27. The Senate's version passed out of committee on July 27.

Persons: Jon Cherry, shutdowns, Joe Biden, Biden, Kevin McCarthy, Moira Warburton, Aurora Ellis Organizations: U.S . Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, Democratic, Republican, Senate, of Veterans Affairs, Army, Navy, Air Force, U.S . Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Housing, Urban, House Republicans, Amtrak, Department of Defense, CIA, Department of Energy, Nuclear Regulatory, of, of Indian Affairs, Land Management, Environmental Protection Agency, The, Department of Homeland Security, FBI, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of State, Agency for International Development, Peace Corps, Congress, Capitol Police, of Congress, Office, Treasury, of Columbia, Federal Trade Commission, COMMERCE, of Commerce, U.S . Census, U.S . Patent, Department of Justice, Republicans, HUMAN, of Education, Department of Health, Human Services, Department of Labor, Social Security Administration, National Labor Relations Board, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, United States, New York, U.S, Washington

☆ The US just sanctioned the Russian manufacturer of Lancet, a $35,000 tank-smashing 'suicide' drone that has been impeding Ukraine's counteroffensive
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-05 | by ( Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The US imposed sanctions against Russian manufacturer Zala Aero, which produces the Lancet drones. The Lancet drone is a loitering munition that stays near its target before crashing into it. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe US imposed sanctions on Thursday against a Russian manufacturer of lightweight drones that has been impeding the progress of Ukraine's counteroffensive. Lancet drones are small and lightweight, with its latest iteration, the Lancet-3M, weighing about 26.5 pounds — including the payload —and measuring less than 6 feet long, The Wall Street Journal reported. AdvertisementAdvertisementOne video circulating online appeared to show a Lancet drone dropping explosives on a Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet that was sitting on the tarmac of an air base.

Persons: —, It's, Igor Zimenkov, Samuel Bendett, James Patton Rogers, Patton Rogers, Oleksandr Afanasyev Organizations: Zala Aero, Service, Ukraine, Department of State, US, SWIFT, State Department, Department, Foreign, Control, Street Journal, Center, New, New American Security, Reuters, Russia, IRIS, Cornell Tech Policy Institute, University of Southern, Aero Locations: Zala, Russian, Russia, New American, Germany, University of Southern Denmark, Ukrainian, Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine

☆ Live updates: Israel-Hamas war, crisis in Gaza, crowds gather at Rafah crossing
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

A Palestinian-American man stuck inside Gaza has urged the United States to intervene in the Israel-Hamas conflict, according to a social media post by a US congresswoman. “The voices of those who on the ground in Gaza need to be heard now more than ever,” congresswoman Tlaib’s Instagram post said. Paul Sancya/APFirst evacuees: On Wednesday, injured Palestinians and hundreds of foreign nationals started crossing from Gaza into Egypt through the Rafah crossing. They included more than 360 foreign passport holders, many of them Palestinian dual nationals, an Egyptian government official told CNN. US citizens are were among the initial group of foreign nationals to leave, the US State Department said, without giving details on the numbers.

Persons: Zakaria Alarayshi, Rashida, “, Joe, Biden, ” Alarayshi, That's, Laila Alarayshi, ”, Tlaib’s Instagram, Rashida Tlaib, Paul Sancya Organizations: CNN, US Department of State, US Department of Defense, AP, US State Department Locations: Gaza, United States, Israel, Michigan, Dearborn , Michigan, Rafah, Detroit , Michigan, Egypt

☆ Fact Check: John Kerry quote on ‘sacrificing’ billions of people to save Earth is false
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for the Climate John Kerry did not say that “billions of humans” must be “sacrificed” in order to “save the planet,” despite a screenshot shared online containing the fake quote attributed to Kerry. The People’s Voice article refers to several comments made by Kerry critical of those who undermine the severity of climate change. Reuters did not find any credible reports that Kerry made a remark calling for billions of people to be sacrificed. A U.S. State Department spokesperson said to Reuters in an email on Oct. 30 that the claim is “obviously false.”The People’s Voice responded by email to Reuters with a “poop” emoji. Kerry did not say that “billions of humans” should be “sacrificed” to save the Earth at a conference in Scotland in August.

Persons: John Kerry, Kerry, “ John Kerry, ‘, ’ John Kerry, Kerry “, ”, Read Organizations: ‘, Scottish Global, U.S . Department of State, ” Reuters, Reuters, U.S . State Department, Thomson Locations: U.S, Scotland

☆ Pentagon says there are no limits on how Israel uses US weapons as death toll climbs amid airstrikes in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The Pentagon says there are no limits on how Israel uses US-provided weapons in their attacks in Gaza. A spokesperson said it's up to the IDF how it uses the weapons. Israeli airstrikes have devastated the Gaza Strip, and a new ground offensive could do further damage. On Monday, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told that "we are not putting any limits on how Israel uses weapons that [are] provided," Voice of America National Security Correspondent Jeff Seldin reported. AdvertisementAdvertisementIn the wake of the Hamas attacks on Israel and during the subsequent war against the militants in Gaza, the US has repeatedly said that it supports Israel's right to defend itself.

Persons: it's, —, Sabrina Singh, Jeff Seldin, Singh, Israel, Khan Yunis, MAHMUD HAMS, John Kirby, Josh Paul, Biden, Leahy Organizations: Pentagon, Israel, Service, Hamas, Israel Defense Forces, of America National Security, Israeli Defense Force, Gaza Health Ministry, US, Palestinian, Getty, National Security, Congressional, Public Affairs, Political, Military Affairs, US Department of State, PBS Locations: Gaza, Israel, Gaza City, Khan, AFP

Yasunori Ogawa, Seiko Epson Corporation President and Representative Director and CEO, talks about their strategy at the company office in Tokyo, Japan, October 27, 2023. REUTERS/Miho Uranaka Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Oct 30 (Reuters) - Printing giant Seiko Epson (6724.T) is betting on growth in the Middle East and Africa as demand ebbs in its home market of Japan and other developed nations, its chief executive said. The Middle East, Turkey, and Africa were growth highlights in fiscal 2022. "Our products are not yet widely distributed in the Middle East, and there is tremendous potential there," Yasunori Ogawa said in an interview after the company posted quarterly results on Friday. To eke out more growth in developed markets, Epson plans to shift its portfolio more towards commercial and industrial customers looking to reduce waste.

Persons: Yasunori Ogawa, Miho Uranaka, Ogawa, stokes, Rocky Swift, Stephen Coates Organizations: Seiko Epson Corporation, REUTERS, Rights, Seiko Epson, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, East, Africa, Turkey, India, Dubai

☆ A man was shoved out of campaign event after asking John Fetterman why he doesn't support a ceasefire in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The man is a human rights attorney who also writes op-eds for a Russian state news outlet. AdvertisementAdvertisementA man was forcibly removed from a campaign event on Sunday after he approached Sen. John Fetterman and asked why he's opposed to a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. According to his website, Kovalik is a "lawyer and human rights advocate" who "currently" teaches courses on international human rights law at the University of Pittsburgh's Law School. A man off-camera who said he worked for the senator told Kovalik he could direct his questions to him. After Kovalik told Fetterman "this is important," another man told the human rights attorney he needed to leave.

Persons: Sen, John Fetterman, —, he's, Dan Kovalik, Kovalik, Sara Innamorato, Fetterman, I'm, John Organizations: Service, University of Pittsburgh's Law, Russia Today, US Department of State, UN, Gaza Health Ministry Locations: Gaza, Russian, West Homestead , Pennsylvania, Israel

☆ The Israel-Hamas war is affecting the financial outlooks of these large companies
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Aris Messinis | AFP | Getty ImagesSome of the world's most well-known companies are already seeing the Israel-Hamas war weighing on operations. On Oct. 7, militant group Hamas struck Israeli towns in a surprise attack and took more than 200 hostages. Corporations that do business or have operations in the region have already begun seeing the war change their financial outlooks as the unrest weighs on everything from advertising dollars to tourism to supply chains. Technology companies were among those seeing the conflict affect the workforce, advertising spending and supply chains. Snap said in its latest earnings release that it saw pauses in spending from a "large number of primarily brand-oriented advertising campaigns" immediately after the war began.

Persons: Aris Messinis, Scott Kirby, El Al, Jason Liberty, Liberty, we're, Susan Li, Li, We've, John Morici Organizations: Hamas, AFP, Getty, Israeli Defense Forces, Corporations, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Boeing, Royal, Israel, El Al Airlines, Nurphoto, U.S . Department of State, Technology, Facebook, West Pharmaceutical Locations: Haifa, Cyprus, Israel, Palestinian, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Royal Caribbean, Ukraine

☆ The US is updating its nuclear arsenal amid growing security fears
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( Katie Hawkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The US Department of Defense announced plans to build a new gravity bomb. The announcement comes several days after the US issued a worldwide caution travel advisory. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Department of Defense announced Saturday the US plans to add a new model of nuclear bomb to its arsenal. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe announcement comes just one week after the US announced a worldwide caution travel advisory amid the Israel-Hamas war. The US last issued a worldwide caution alert in August 2022 following the killing of al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, per CNN.

Persons: —, Ayman al, Zawahiri, Todd Brown Organizations: US Department of Defense, Service, of Defense, The, National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Defense, US, Department of State, CNN, State Department Locations: Israel

☆ Fact Check: John Kerry did not call for depopulation in Scotland address
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry did not call for depopulation at an address in Scotland in August, nor did he say that “humans are the greatest threat to Earth,” contrary to claims made in an article shared online. The article published by The People’s Voice on Oct. 22 references a livestreamed address made by Kerry at the Scottish Global Dialogue conference on Aug. 24 and carries the headline: “John Kerry Calls For Urgent Coordinated Depopulation: ‘Humans Are Greatest Threat To Earth’.”The article points to several remarks made by Kerry during the 30-minute address. None of the remarks calls for depopulation. None of his remarks refer to depopulation or to humans being the “greatest threat to Earth.”Reuters did not find any credible reporting saying that Kerry called for depopulation during the address. John Kerry made no remark endorsing global depopulation during his address at the Scottish Global Dialogue conference on Aug. 24.

Persons: John Kerry, ”, Kerry, “ John Kerry, Kerry “, “, Read Organizations: Scottish Global, Kerry, United Nations, ” Reuters, U.S . Department of State, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Scotland

☆ Google Maps and Waze suspend live traffic updates in Israel and Gaza in effort that could help prevent live-tracking troop movements
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Haley Tenore | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Google has suspended live traffic updates in Israel and Gaza amid the war. Google Maps also suspended live traffic updates in Ukraine in 2022 amid Russia's invasion. It turned off live traffic updates in Ukraine, reportedly because the apps were being used to track military movements. Google Maps' live traffic updates work by getting data from smartphones that have the app installed. Those in the area will still be able to use Google Maps and Waze to help with navigation.

Persons: — Organizations: Google, Service, Israel Defense Forces, Bloomberg, Hamas, US Department of State, West Bank Locations: Israel, Gaza, Ukraine, North America

☆ Israeli doctors saved the life of Hamas leader, whom they now blame for the October 7 terrorist attacks, when he was in prison, reports say
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( Nathan Rennolds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Yahya Sinwar has been Hamas's leader in Gaza and a member of its political bureau since 2017. Sinwar has spent 24 years in prison and has been arrested by Israel multiple times, per the report. Israeli doctors reportedly saved his life after operating on a brain tumor during one prison stint. AdvertisementAdvertisementIsraeli doctors saved the life of Hamas' Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar when he was in prison in the country, Orit Adato, Israel's former prison commissioner, said, The Times of Israel reported. He has spent 24 years in prison and has been arrested by Israel multiple times, per the think tank.

Persons: Yahya Sinwar, Sinwar, —, Hamas, Orit, Adato, Avi Issacharoff, Al, Gilad Shalit, Din, Hatem Ali, Richard Hecht, Deif, Michael Milshtein, Yahya Ibrahim Hassan Sinwar, Khan Younis, Gazans Organizations: Service, The, Hamas, European Council, Foreign Relations, Brigades, Kfar, AP, Wall Street, IDF, Jewish Virtual Library, Islamic, of, US Department of State Locations: Gaza, Israel, Al Jazeera, Kfar Azza, of Gaza

☆ From Russia to the Middle East: Why China can’t afford another big conflict
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Now, as Israel’s war against Palestinian militant group Hamas threatens to spiral into a broader conflict that could shatter stability in the Middle East, China has called for a ceasefire while criticizing Israel’s actions. It also highlights China’s deep economic interests in both Russia and the Middle East, which it wants to safeguard at all cost. The world’s second largest economy depends on Russia and the Middle East for much of its energy needs. The Middle East is also a cornerstone in the Belt and Road Initiative. “Regional conflagration means long instability and long instability means no business for China in the Middle East,” he added.

Persons: ”, Eswar Prasad, refiners, Vladimir Putin, Xi, Sergei Guneyev, Russia’s, Putin, Russia —, Wang Yi, Jean, Loup Samaan, Joe Biden, QatarEnergy, Ahmed Aboudouh, Antony Blinken, Blinken, “ Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, Moscow, Palestinian, Cornell University, Getty, Initiative, Shanghai’s Fudan University, United, China’s, Middle East Institute of, National University of Singapore, Wednesday, Jihad, Energy, China Petroleum & Chemical Co, Sinopec, Fudan University, Chatham House, US Department of State Locations: China, Hong Kong, Hong Kong CNN — Beijing, Ukraine, East, Palestine, Israel, United States, Russia, Beijing, Moscow, Saudi Arabia, Russian, AFP, Pakistan, Iran, Hamas, Tehran, Gaza, Qatar, China’s, Qatari, London, “, Persian, ”

Having seen several previous Israeli strikes, Shawa told CNN they were certain it would be targeted. Born in Seattle to an American mother and Palestinian father, Shawa is one of an estimated 500-600 Palestinian-Americans in Gaza. It’s an impossible situation to be in.”Trapped with no way outEven if Shawa decided to leave Gaza, he can’t right now. “We anticipate that the situation at the Rafah crossing will remain fluid and unpredictable,” the US State Department advised US citizens. Despite the dire situation the Palestinian-Americans face, they at least have some hope of being able to leave Gaza soon – a remote prospect for those without alternative passports.

Persons: Jason Shawa, Shawa, Zainab, Malak, Najla, we’re, Abdulla Okal, Haneen, –, Nabil Alshurafa, Naela Elshorafa, Nabil Alshurafa “, ” Alshurafa, “, haven’t, ”, Ahmad Hasaballah, I’ve, Lena Beseiso, Beseiso –, Haneen Okal, Abdulla, ” Shawa, aren’t, Shawa’s, Jason Shawa's, Jason Shawa “, Alshurafa Organizations: CNN, Israel Defense Forces, US Embassy, US State Department, Palestinian Ministry of Interior, US, Department’s, State Department Locations: Gaza City, Palestinian, Gaza, Seattle, American, Rafah, United States, New Jersey, Kuwait, Camarillo , California, Egypt, Jerusalem, Salt Lake City, Israel, U.S

☆ Israel's No.1 Hamas kill target is Yahya Sinwar, the 'Butcher from Khan Younis'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Yahya Sinwar was nicknamed "the Butcher from Khan Younis" for killing Palestinian collaborators. AdvertisementAdvertisementA military spokesman said the Israel Defense Forces are particularly intent on killing Yahya Sinwar, a top Hamas official, The New York Times reports. The 'new face of evil'Palestinian militants march with their weapons in Khan Younis refugee camp south of the Gaza Strip March 27, 2005. That's how he became known as the butcher of Khan Younis," said Col. Hecht, per LBC News. A 2022 security analysis determined that the Palestinian Authority's weakness and Israel's inaction on undermining Hamas' control strengthened Sinwar and Hamas' leadership.

Persons: Yahya Sinwar, Butcher, Khan Younis, —, Sinwar, Ismail Haniyeh, Haniyeh, Abu Mustafa AJ, JJ Yahya Ibrahim Hassan Sinwar, Gazans, Yair Lapid, Richard Hecht, Hecht, Din, Israel, Gilad Shalit, Daniel Hagari, Hagari Organizations: Service, Israel Defense Forces, Hamas, The New York Times, The Telegraph, Israel, REUTERS, Jewish Virtual Library, Islamic, of, US Department of State, IDF, Israeli, New York Times, LBC, Brigades, European Council, Foreign Relations, European Council of Foreign Relations, Institute for National Security, Tel, Aviv University Locations: Gaza, Qatar, Gaza City, Israel, Khan Younis, of Gaza, The

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