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☆ Black hole 'particle accelerators' are causing mysterious cosmic rays to rain down on Earth at the speed of light
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Marianne Guenot | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

For the first time, a study showed how the cosmic rays are accelerated to near the speed of light. AdvertisementA small black hole is helping scientists understand how mysterious cosmic rays can barrel through the universe and hit Earth at nearly the speed of light. High-energy cosmic rays are constantly raining down on us from space, but scientists don't know that much about them. Speedy cosmic rays come from black holes and exploding starsOur planet is swimming in a sea of cosmic rays. But a nearby cosmic object called SS 433 provided a rare opportunity to peer into cosmic rays in unprecedented detail.

Persons: —, Laura Olivera, Nieto, it's, It's, Olivera Organizations: Jets, Service, Kernphysik, OSAKA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY, KYOTO UNIVERSITY, SS, NASA, Science Locations: Heidelberg, OSAKA, Manatee

☆ North Korean missiles won't defeat Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

An expert believes that North Korean short-range ballistic missiles could hit pinpoint targets. North Korean arms are known for being cheap rather than good, as Moscow discovered when it recently began importing shoddy North Korean ammunition . But these North Korean ballistic missiles are not some knockoff of the notorious 1950s Soviet Scud, a liquid-fueled rocket that takes more than an hour to launch. "They may have some design heritage with Russian systems, but they borrow heavily from North Korean expertise." This suggests that Russia will need a lot of North Korean missiles, which in turn raises the question of North Korea's rocket manufacturing capacity.

Persons: —, Russia's, Masao Dahlgren, Dahlgren, Ukraine –, Kim Jong Organizations: Service, White House, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Korean, International Institute for Strategic Studies Locations: Russia, Korean, Ukraine, Korea, Moscow, Zaporizhia, Washington ,, United States, Iran, Nazi, Iranian, Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, Japan, South Korea, Pyongyang, Russian, Korea's

☆ Russia's Putin Derides 'Russophobia' in Europe at World War Two Memorial
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin castigated Europe on Saturday for "Russophobia" and criticized the Baltic States over human rights at the unveiling of a World War Two memorial. Ukraine, which was part of the Soviet Union and itself suffered devastation at the hands of Hitler's forces, rejects comparisons as spurious pretexts for a war of conquest. In his speech, Putin also lambasted the Baltic States over human rights. "In the Baltic states, tens of thousands of people are declared subhuman, deprived of their most basic rights, and subjected to persecution," Putin said, referring to migration crackdowns. Moscow has repeatedly accused the Baltic nations of xenophobia and treating Russian minorities as "second-class".

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Putin, Kyiv exalts, Vladimir Soldatkin, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: European Union, NATO Locations: MOSCOW, Baltic States, Ukraine, Kyiv, Leningrad, Germans, Soviet, Soviet Union, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moscow, Baltic

☆ Opinion: As a child I fled the Nazis. As a grandmother I survived Hamas attack. Why this Holocaust Memorial Day is different
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Opinion Mirjam Beit Talmi Szpiro | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Editor’s Note: Mirjam Beit Talmi Szpiro is a Holocaust survivor from Kibbutz Zikim, Israel. CNN —As we mark International Holocaust Memorial Day, I find myself compelled to share a story, my story, bookmarked by some of the darkest chapters in history. But it must be told more than ever on this Holocaust Memorial Day. Just a few weeks short of the 85th anniversary of the Kristallnacht attacks, Hamas unleashed its own attacks on the Israeli border communities, brutally slaughtering 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages. So, for me, this Holocaust Memorial Day is different.

Persons: Kibbutz, Read, Mirjam Beit, Yossi Zeliger, “ I’m, I’m Organizations: CNN, Universal Locations: Kibbutz Zikim, Israel, Germany, Nazi Germany, Gaza, Zikim, Auschwitz, Lodz, Britain, Amsterdam, Berlin, Jerusalem

☆ Why the controversial mullet is having a moment
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Fawnia Soo Hoo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Long hair, don’t careThe “modern day” mullet largely originates from David Bowie’s genre-defining and gender-norm defying persona, Ziggy Stardust, Glasscock said. “People from the Continental Congress wore what we would read as a full metal, 1992 mullet,” said Glasscock. (“Hockey hair” was, meanwhile, a popular synonym for mullet at the time, given its prominence among players and fans.) Devin Yalkin/Courtesy A24While playing Kerry Von Erich in “The Iron Claw,” White also wore his dynamic, sweeping mullet off-set — but not entirely by choice. “I was like, ‘I’m sorry, here’s a ponytail holder.”But that dedication may have played an integral part in a mullet revival kicking off 2024.

Persons: Von Erich, ”, Napoleon Bonaparte’s, Paul Barras, Ridley Scott’s “ Napoleon ”, Jessica Glasscock, Tahir Rahim, Napoleon, Aidan Monaghan, Paul Mescal’s, Kristen Stewart’s, Von Erichs, David, Harris Dickinson, Kerry, Jeremy Allen White, Kevin, Zac Efron, They’re, Natalie Shea Rose, hairdos, Rose, David Bowie’s, Ziggy Stardust, Glasscock, Vivienne Westwood, Malcolm McClaren, David Bowie, Aladdin, Joseph, Michael Putland, Procopius, Bowie, Suzi Ronson, “, Yamamoto, “ Bowie, ” Glasscock, “ Napoleon ”, Francesco Pegoretti, Pegoretti, Tahir, mullets, Benjamin Franklin, Joseph Siffred Duplessis, Duran Duran, Bono, —, ’ ” Glasscock, Joe Namath, Nicolas Cage’s, Air ”, David Spade’s, Joe, Rambo, Von Erich mullets, Taghizadeh, Harry, Paul Mescal, Adam, Andrew Scott, Zoe Clare Brown, Mescal, ’ ”, Brown, Devin Yalkin, Kerry Von Erich, ” White, ” Rose, I’m, “ There’s Organizations: CNN, Apple, Globe, Lone Star State, Continental Congress, Sporting, New York Jets, Air Locations: Ridley, Texas, London, Celtic, Nez Perce, Roman, France, Barras, United States

☆ Milan Fashion Week: This is what men will be wearing next fall
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Scarlett Conlon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

This yellow coat and matching hat channeled fisherman chic at SS Daley. Giovanni Giannoni/WWD/Getty ImagesA seafaring element was evident in the collection at Emporio Armani too. To complement the sleek lines of suits came long coats in fine wool and leather that were part “Bladerunner,” part “Matrix” and part ode to the 1990s. The brooch is back, pinned to lapels at S.S. Daley, Magliano, Emporio Armani and Dolce & Gabbana. Functional, useful and classic, as above at Emporio Armani, were the key themes of the season in Milan.

Persons: Milan, Miuccia Prada, Raf Simons, Simons, officewear, Victor Virgile, ”, Daley, Giovanni Giannoni, Emporio Armani, Steven Stokey Daley, Harry Styles, Silvia Venturini Fendi, Anne, Britain's Princess Anne, Alessandro Levati, ” Fendi, Princess Royal, “, chunky knitwear, Neil Barrett, British Harris, Brunello, —, JW Anderson, Justin Shin, tailcoats, Stefano Gabbana, Domenico Dolce, Gabbana, Stefania D'Alessandro, Sabato de Sarno, Tom Ford, Sabato de, Gucci, Daniele Venturelli, de Sarno, Magliano, Massimo Giorgetti, Franco Albini, Gabanna, Armani Organizations: Milan CNN, Prada, CNN, Balmoral, Gabbana, Gucci, Dolce, Milan Metro, diamante Locations: Milan, British, Florence, Wellington, S.S, Saltburn, Italy

☆ Anhui Jianghuai Automobile says Nio unit, state-owned firm win bid for assets
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Super chargers of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Nio are placed at a delivery center of the company, in Nanxiang, Shanghai, China March 23, 2023. REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSHANGHAI/BEIJING, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Anhui Jianghuai Automobile (600418.SS) (JAC) said on Tuesday that electric vehicle maker Nio's (9866.HK) Anhui unit and a state-owned company of China's Hefei government won a bid for its assets worth a combined 4.58 billion yuan ($641.2 million). In October, JAC put up for sale the assets at the two plants, known as F1 plant and F2 plant where Nio has been producing its EVs. Regulators allowed Nio to produce and sell EVs in China via the collaboration with JAC in 2018 through which Nio paid JAC commission fees on each car it produced. Nio ranked ninth in terms of sales of EVs and plug-in hybrids in the first 10 months in China with 126,067 units, according to data from China Passenger Car Association.

Persons: Nio, Aly, JAC, Hengchuang, Zhang Yan, Brenda Goh, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Anhui Jianghuai Automobile, Technology, Regulators, China Passenger Car Association, Thomson Locations: Nanxiang, Shanghai, China, Rights SHANGHAI, BEIJING, Anhui, HK, Hefei, Beijing

☆ China adds Nio to list of approved vehicle manufactures - website
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Chinese Nio electric car is seen at Nio's first European plant and power swap station in Biatorbagy, Hungary, September 16, 2022. REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSHANGHAI, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Electric vehicle maker Nio (9866.HK) has been added to a Chinese industry ministry database permitting companies to produce vehicles in the country, according to the ministry's website. The website gave no details on whether or when a manufacturing licence was granted to Nio, which has since 2018 partnered with Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group (JAC) to produce electric vehicles on a contract basis. U.S. luxury EV maker Lucid Group (LCID.O) has also been advised of the low likelihood for approval, sources have told Reuters. The last EV maker to receive both permits was Shandong-headquartered EV maker Sinogold in May 2019.

Persons: Bernadett Szabo, Nio, Cui Zhuzhu, Zhang Yan, Brenda Goh, Emelia Sithole Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, HK, Anhui Jianghuai Automobile, China Securities Journal, Tesla Inc, Reuters, Lucid, Sinogold, China Passenger Car Association, Thomson Locations: Biatorbagy, Hungary, Anhui, JAC's, Shanghai, China, Shandong

☆ China's big pig breeders dig in as losses and debts mount
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Dominique Patton | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

BEIJING, Dec 4 (Reuters) - The biggest pig breeders in China, consumer of fully half the world's pork, seem to have bitten off more than they can chew. More huge losses are expected next year, putting China's pig enterprises under pressure to slim down their breeding herds and sell off farms, many of which are sitting empty. But now, especially given the companies' high debt levels, the analyst said: "It's hard for them to borrow any money from the banks." That follows a 17% surge in the first nine months of this year at China's 15 big market-listed breeders even as they reported 200 billion yuan in combined net losses. China's agriculture ministry has warned of heavier losses for the sector in early 2024 than a year ago and urged pig producers to cut output.

Persons: Lyle Jones, Hope Liuhe, they're, Flora Zhu, Dominique Patton, Edmund Klamann Organizations: Inc, Dalian Commodity Exchange, Tech - Bank, Jiangxi Zhengbang Technology, Analysts, Muyuan Foods, Foodstuff, WH, HK, Smithfield Foods, Hua'an Securities, China Corporate Research, Fitch, Beijing, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, China, Fujian Aonong, Jiangxi, Beijing

☆ US lawmakers seek probe of Chinese drone maker Autel Robotics
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

An Autel Robotics Dragonfish Pro drone, with an 18-mile range, is displayed during CES 2022 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. January 5, 2022. REUTERS/Steve Marcus/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 30 (Reuters) - A bipartisan group of 11 U.S. House lawmakers on Thursday asked the Biden administration to investigate and potentially sanction Chinese drone maker Autel Robotics, citing national security concerns. The Pentagon said it would respond to the lawmakers' letter. Another signer of the letter, Republican Representative Elise Stefanik, said, "Autel drones made in Communist China present an unacceptable national security risk and should not be allowed to operate in America." Over 50% of drones sold in the United States are made by DJI, and they are the most popular drones in use by public safety agencies, Republican lawmakers said earlier this year.

Persons: Steve Marcus, Biden, Mike Gallagher, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Autel, Elise Stefanik, Gallagher, Krishnamoorthi, David Shepardson, Chris Reese, Mark Porter Organizations: Las Vegas Convention, REUTERS, Rights, House, Republican, Commerce , Defense, Treasury, Autel Robotics, Technology, Robotics, China's People’s Liberation Army, PLA, Pentagon, Commerce, Commerce Department, U.S . Interior Department, Thomson Locations: Las Vegas , Nevada, U.S, House China, Communist China, America, China, Xinjiang, Ukraine, The U.S, United States

View of the Cobre Panama mine, of Canadian First Quantum Minerals, in Donoso, Panama, December 6, 2022. The comments are the first by the company on the future of the Cobre Panama mine's ownership since Tuesday's court ruling. Panama has seen unprecedented public protests after the government signed a new contract with First Quantum for its Cobre Panama mine. MacWilliam told the conference that given the events in Panama, it remains unclear when Cobre Panama will be able to resume operations. The mine closure also has consequences for the Central American nation, as Cobre Panama contributes about 5% to Panama's economy.

Persons: Laurentino Cortizo, Ryan MacWilliam, MacWilliam, Divya Rajagopal, Elida Moreno, Denny Thomas, Chizu Nomiyama, Nick Zieminski Organizations: Minerals, REUTERS, Aris, Rights TORONTO, Quantum, Scotiabank, Reuters, Jiangxi Copper Co, Central, Thomson Locations: Panama, Donoso, Canadian, Jiangxi, Central American, Lincoln

☆ Insight: Defying Pope's calls for climate action, US Catholic bishops cling to fossil fuels
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Richard Valdmanis | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +10 min

The ongoing investments in the U.S. reflect a long-running rift between U.S. Catholic bishops and the pope on how to address global warming. The pope's Laudato Si encyclical urged immediate action against climate change, declaring that "highly polluting fossil fuels need to be progressively replaced without delay." The Vatican bank, which is separate from APSA, also does not invest in fossil fuels, a bank official said. A CCF official said energy and fossil fuels stocks make up between 3.5% and 6% of archdiocese investment funds, and that CCF uses its shareholder status to press for corporate environmental improvements. He called the enormous financial gains by oil companies "immoral profits."

Persons: Pope Francis, Dan DiLeo, Peter Marlow, Remo Casilli, Anne, Marie Welsh, William Lori, Bernard Hebda, Saint, Joshtrom Kureethadam, Chieko Noguchi, Noguchi, USCCB, Sabrina Danielsen, Danielson, Richard Valdmanis, Philip Pullella, John Mair, Suzanne Goldenberg Organizations: Catholic, drillers, U.S . Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Church, Reuters, Justice, Peace, Creighton University in, Vatican, Opportunity Fund, Collective Investment, Archdiocese, Minneapolis, Catholic Community Foundation of Minnesota, CCF, Development, American Petroleum Institute, Christian Brothers Investment Service, Investment, BP, Shell, Creighton University, U.S, Thomson Locations: United States, Dubai, Creighton University in Nebraska, U.S, APSA, Vatican, Ireland, Germany, Archdiocese, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Erie , Pennsylvania, Texas, San Antonio, Austin, Fort Worth . Erie, Erie, Baltimore, Saint Paul, Paris, Saudi Aramco, PetroChina, India, Vatican City, Berlin, Sydney

☆ Defying Pope's calls for climate action, US Catholic bishops cling to fossil fuels
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Richard Valdmanis | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

The ongoing investments in the U.S. reflect a long-running rift between U.S. Catholic bishops and the pope on how to address global warming. The pope's Laudato Si encyclical urged immediate action against climate change, declaring that "highly polluting fossil fuels need to be progressively replaced without delay." The Vatican bank, which is separate from APSA, also does not invest in fossil fuels, a bank official said. Notably absent are any dioceses in the U.S.Reuters reviewed the financial reports published by two dozen of the nation's more than 170 Catholic dioceses, including several of its largest, and found that few provide details on specific investments. He called the enormous financial gains by oil companies "immoral profits."

Persons: Pope Francis, Remo Casilli, Dan DiLeo, Peter Marlow, Anne, Marie Welsh, William Lori, Joshtrom Kureethadam, Chieko Noguchi, Noguchi, USCCB, Sabrina Danielsen, Danielson, Richard Valdmanis, Philip Pullella, John Mair, Suzanne Goldenberg Organizations: Catholic, drillers, U.S . Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Church, Reuters, Justice, Peace, Creighton University in, Vatican, Opportunity Fund, Collective Investment, Archdiocese, Development, American Petroleum Institute, Christian Brothers Investment Service, Investment, BP, Shell, Creighton University, U.S, Thomson Locations: United States, Dubai, Creighton University in Nebraska, U.S, APSA, Vatican, Ireland, Germany, Archdiocese, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Erie , Pennsylvania, Texas, San Antonio, Austin, Fort Worth . Erie, Erie, Baltimore, Paris, Saudi Aramco, PetroChina, India, Vatican City, Berlin, Sydney

Main auto partner Chongqing Changan Automobile (000625.SZ) and relevant parties will own up to 40% of the new firm, a Changan Auto statement showed on Sunday. Neither Changan Auto nor Huawei disclosed financial details. Changan Auto referred Reuters to its Sunday statement and declined to comment further. Huawei has partnerships with other auto companies, including Seres Group (601127.SS) and Jianghuai Automobile (600418.SS), as well as with Changan Auto involving EV brands Avatr and Deepal. The proposed deal will also smooth the way for the business' listing, as Huawei had planned, said two of the people.

Persons: Ren Zhengfei, Ren, Richard Yu, Julie Zhu, Zhuzhu Cui, David Kirton, Brenda Goh, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Huawei Technologies, Changan Auto, Bosch, Chongqing Changan Automobile, Huawei, Auto, China Ordnance Equipment Group, China South Industries, FAW Group, Dongfeng Motor, HK, Reuters, Seres, Jianghuai, Changan, EV, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, SHANGHAI, Chongqing, China, Changan, Shanghai

☆ Slowing China still leads the race for commodities
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Yawen Chen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

"When it comes to copper, the thinking usually goes that copper equals property, property equals China," said one commodities trader. "And because China property is down, copper must be down too." That’s why China's copper demand will still rise by 4 million tonnes from the 2020 level to around 18 million tonnes per year in 2030, according to estimates by commodity trading group Trafigura. And China's copper demand has grown by 8% this year, faster than the 5% Xi is targeting for overall GDP growth. China's annual aluminium demand rose by 18 million tonnes from 2010 to 2020 and is forecast to grow by another 13 million tonnes to over 50 million tonnes a year in 2030, per Trafigura.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Communist Party’s, Wood Mackenzie, Francesco Guerrera, Katrina Hamlin, Thomas Shum Organizations: Reuters, HK, Communist, Shanghai Futures Exchange, London Metal Exchange, ING, International Monetary Fund, IMF, World Bank, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Oxford, HSBC, Democratic, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, China, Washington, Moscow, Taiwan, Shanghai, Republic, United States, Australia, Beijing, Chile, Indonesia, Democratic Republic of Congo

LONDON, Nov 28 (Reuters) - China's imports of refined copper have quietly accelerated over recent months, taking volumes to a year-to-date high in October. China's appetite for imported copper is not confined to refined metal. It is also absorbing record amounts of copper concentrates and imports of recyclable metal are running at the fastest pace since 2018. China's trade in refined copperIMPORT STRENGTHChina imported 353,000 metric tons of refined copper in October, which was the highest monthly volume this year. Shanghai Futures Exchange copper stocks, bonded stocks and Yangshan premiumBOOMING OUTPUT, LOW STOCKSHigher raw materials imports this year have allowed China's smelters to ramp up run rates.

Persons: Barbara Lewis Organizations: Democratic, Shanghai Futures Exchange, Shanghai Metal, Stocks, International Energy Exchange, Citi, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Democratic Republic of Congo, China, Congo, Beijing, Shanghai

☆ Global bank ranking removes Unicredit and moves up UBS, China banks
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Unicredit Bank logo is seen in this illustration taken March 12, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsZURICH, Nov 27 (Reuters) - The Financial Stability Board (FSB) on Monday removed Italy's UniCredit (CRDI.MI) from the list of global systemically important banks and moved three banks, including Switzerland's UBS (UBSG.S), up a bucket. UniCredit, which was the only lender in Italy among those deemed as being of global systemic importance by the FSB, had no comment. UBS moved up a bucket after earlier this year taking over Credit Suisse in the first merger of two systemically important banks. Agricultural Bank of China and China Construction Bank also moved up from bucket 1 to bucket 2.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Italy's, Noele Illien, Giulio Piovaccari, Louise Heavens, Sharon Singleton Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, UBS, UniCredit, Credit Suisse, China's Bank of Communications, Agricultural Bank of, China Construction Bank, Thomson Locations: Italy, Agricultural Bank of China

☆ China's industrial profits extend gains as outlook improves
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Siyi Liu/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Profits at China's industrial firms extended gains for a third month in October, adding to signs of a stabilising economy following a run of mostly upbeat data suggesting Beijing's support measures have helped bolster a tentative comeback. For the first 10 months of 2023, profits slid 7.8% from a year earlier, narrowing from a 9% decline in the first nine months, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed on Monday. "However, the volatility of profits is a sign enterprises remain highly sensitive to input costs," he added. "The sharp slowdown of year-on-year profit growth was partly driven by a rebound in energy prices." Industrial profits data covers firms with annual revenues of at least 20 million yuan ($2.74 million) from their main operations.

Persons: Siyi Liu, Xu Tianchen, Joe Cash, Liz Lee, Qiaoyi Li, Sam Holmes Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, National Bureau of Statistics, Economist Intelligence Unit, Green Energy Technology Co, Thomson Locations: Dezhou, Shandong province, China, Rights BEIJING

Firms like PetroChina (601857.SS) and CNOOC Gas and Power have signed long-term contracts with Shell (SHEL.L) to buy "carbon neutral" liquefied natural gas (LNG), which uses "forest offsets" to balance out carbon emissions. Greenpeace, which has long opposed fossil fuel producers counting carbon offsets toward their emissions reduction goals, said the "carbon neutral" branding was misleading the public. "For oil and gas companies in particular, carbon offsets are a smokescreen to obscure their continued, redoubled carbon emissions," said Li Jiatong, project leader with Greenpeace in Beijing. Rising sales of "carbon neutral" LNG are being driven by a surge in gas demand, particularly in Asia. While it is still a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, gas is cleaner than coal and has been described as a "bridge fuel" in the global energy transition, but anti-fossil fuel groups oppose any new gas projects.

Persons: Stringer, Li Jiatong, PetroChina, COP28, Polly Hemming, Hemming, David Stanway, Andrew Hayley, Emily Chow, Sonali Paul Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Greenpeace, CNOOC, Power, Shell, International Energy Agency, Energy, Australia Institute, Thomson Locations: Nantong, Jiangsu province, China, Rights SINGAPORE, Beijing, Asia

☆ Netherlands to allow takeover of chip startup Nowi by Chinese-owned Nexperia
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

AMSTERDAM, Nov 27 (Reuters) - The Dutch government on Monday said that, after an assessment, it won't block Chinese-owned Nexperia's acquisition of Delft-based start-up Nowi. "There are no legal objections to the acquisition of Nowi by Nexperia," Economic Affairs Minister Micky Adriaansens said in a letter to parliament. Nexperia, owned by China's Wingtech (600745.SS), bought Nowi, which has around 40 employees, for an undisclosed sum in 2022. But the Dutch government decided to vet the deal retroactively in May 2023 after it established a new office to review foreign takeovers of potentially sensitive technologies. Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout and Benoit Van Overstraeten; Editing by Jan Harvey and Mark PorterOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Micky Adriaansens, China's Wingtech, Charlotte Van Campenhout, Benoit Van Overstraeten, Jan Harvey, Mark Porter Organizations: Economic, Thomson Locations: AMSTERDAM, Delft

☆ Huawei to move smart car operations to new joint company with Changan
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING, Nov 26 (Reuters) - China's Huawei (HWT.UL) said on Sunday it will move core technologies and resources in its smart car unit, which has chalked up robust sales for a number of new vehicles, to a new joint company owned up to 40% by automaker Changan Auto. The new company will engage in research and development, production, sales and service of intelligent automotive systems and component solutions, Huawei said in a press release. "The new company will ... work with partners to promote innovation and leadership in smart car technology and promote the prosperity and development of the automotive industry," the release said. "The two parties will jointly support the target company to become an industry leader in automotive intelligent systems and component solutions based in China," the filing said. Huawei has repeatedly said it does not make cars on its own but only helps other automakers make better vehicles.

Persons: Yu Chengdong, Changan, Laurie Chen, Brenda Goh, Edmund Klamann Organizations: Huawei, Changan Auto, Chongqing Changan Automobile, Shenzhen Stock Exchange, Seres, Chery, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Chongqing, China, Shenzhen, Beijing, Shanghai

☆ Iowa school officials said they didn't realize their 'Respect Quote of the day' emailed to parents was a Nazi Germany slogan
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

An Iowa school district sent a "quote of the day" to parents that was actually a Nazi slogan. "My honor is my loyalty," read the quote, a Waffen SS motto attributed to Heinrich Himmler. AdvertisementAn Iowa school district has apologized to parents after emailing an announcement with a "quote of the day" that was actually attributed to Heinrich Himmler. "Here's today's Respect Quote of the day: 'My honor is my loyalty,'" a line at the bottom of the email read, per KCCI. The Indianola School District did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours.

Persons: Heinrich Himmler, hadn't, —, Adolf Hitler, Himmler, Ted Ihns, didn't, Ihns Organizations: Nazi, Waffen SS, Service, CBS, Defamation, ADL, Indianola Independent, Indianola School Locations: Iowa, An Iowa, Indianola, Nazi Germany

☆ Music composed at Auschwitz to be played for first time after being restored
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Lianne Kolirin | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Fragments of musical scores discovered at Auschwitz will be played for the first time next week after being painstakingly restored by a composer. He’s carried out extensive research into testimonies from Auschwitz and the history of music at the camps. Her grandson Simon Wallfisch, a baritone, will be performing the restored music from Auschwitz with Geyer and his orchestra. Four of the restored pieces will be performed by Constella Music, Geyer’s creative powerhouse whose work spans opera, dance, film and concert music, at Sadler’s Wells. “Orchestras of Auschwitz” will be performed as part of a concert to celebrate Constella Music’s tenth anniversary.

Persons: Leo Geyer, Geyer, Martin Gilbert, “, ”, Leo Geyer Geyer, He’s, Anita Lasker, Wallfisch, Jim Watson, Simon Wallfisch, Lasker, ” Anita Lasker, Leo Geyer ‘, ” Geyer, Leo Geyer “, Constella Organizations: CNN, Nazi, Auschwitz, Oxford University, SS, Getty, Trust, Constella, “ Locations: Auschwitz, British, Poland, Berlin, London, AFP, Britain, Sadler’s Wells

Prior to the February 2022 invasion, Chinese cars accounted for less than 10% of the Russian market. Russia has jumped from 11th place to become China's largest export market for cars, reaching a value of $9.4 billion in January-October, Chinese customs data showed. Overall, monthly car sales in Russia are now more than double what they were a year ago, Autostat data showed, while separate data from federal statistics service Rosstat showed car production was nearly three times higher in September year-on-year, underlining the sector's partial recovery. 'UNSTABLE, SHAKY' MARKETSanctions against Russia contributed to lower car production and sales most notably in 2022, but also after Moscow annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in 2014. Meanwhile, the rouble's slide to 100 against the dollar this year has made imports more expensive, depressing purchases of Chinese cars.

Persons: PPK, Sergei Udalov, Udalov, Russia's, Natalia Zubarevich, Zubarevich, Gleb Stolyarov, Alexander Marrow, Zoey Zhang, Vineet Sachdev, Mike Collett, White, Mark Potter Organizations: Reuters, Reuters Graphics, Chery, Geely, HK, West shuns, Autostat, Russia, Western, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Moscow State University, Wages, Lada, Thomson Locations: MOSCOW, Russia, Moscow, Ukraine, Soviet, Beijing, China, West shuns Russia, Western

☆ Volkswagen to launch China-specific entry level electric platform
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Volkswagen electric ID car is seen during a construction completion event of SAIC Volkswagen MEB electric vehicle plant in Shanghai, China November 8, 2019. Chinese new car buyers are younger, tech savvy and like a immersive digital experience from their cars, he added. China was a very “price-sensitive” market and Volkswagen needed to optimise costs, Brandstaetter said. Volkswagen in July struck a deal with Chinese EV maker Xpeng Inc (9868.HK) to boost its EV line up. It has two new models under development as part of that partnership that will target mid-level consumers and be produced on an older generation Xpeng platform.

Persons: Aly, Ralf Brandstaetter, Brandstaetter, “, Luehrmann, Volkswagen's, Zhang Yan, Brenda Goh, Victoria Waldersee, Kim Coghill Organizations: Volkswagen, SAIC Volkswagen, REUTERS, Rights, Volkswagen Group China Technology Company, SAIC, FAW, JAC Motors, Xpeng, HK, Thomson Locations: Shanghai, China, Rights HEFEI, BERLIN, Hefei, BYD, Germany

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