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☆ Michael Parkinson, UK's 'king of the chat show', dies aged 88
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Kylie Maclellan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, Aug 17 (Reuters) - British broadcaster Michael Parkinson, best known for interviewing some of the world's biggest celebrities on his long-running eponymous chat show, has died aged 88. After moving into current affairs television in the late 1960s, he was given his own prime-time chat show 'Parkinson' by the BBC in 1971. "After a brief illness Sir Michael Parkinson passed away peacefully at home last night in the company of his family," a family statement said. Parkinson later said he regretted getting angry with the actress. While he listed U.S. film director Orson Welles as one of his favourite guests, Parkinson also acknowledged many would simply recall the show where he was attacked by comedian Rod Hull's puppet Emu.

Persons: Michael Parkinson, Parkinson, Muhammad Ali, Elton John, John Lennon, Michael Caine, Madonna, Michael, Tim Davie, Ali, Parkinson sparred, Nick Robinson, Mary, Sir Michael Parkinson, Helen Mirren, Meg Ryan, Mirren, Ryan, Orson Welles, Rod Hull's, Kylie MacLellan, Suban Abdulla, Kate Holton, William James, Michael Holden, Christina Fincher Organizations: BBC, National Service, ITV, U.S, Twitter, Thomson Locations: British, Yorkshire, England

☆ MLB roundup: Cubs earn walk-off win over White Sox
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +10 min

The Cubs managed just three hits over seven innings and struck out seven times against White Sox starter Mike Clevinger. Rangers starter Jon Gray (8-6) gave up six hits and one run in seven innings. Nationals 6, Red Sox 2Keibert Ruiz broke a tie with a three-run homer in the eighth inning as Washington beat visiting Boston. Mariners starter Luis Castillo (9-7) surrendered four runs on nine hits in seven innings. Padres starter Blake Snell (10-8) gave up two runs on three hits and two walks with five strikeouts in six innings.

Persons: Christopher Morel, Kamil Krzaczynski, Mike Clevinger, Nick Madrigal, Aaron Bummer, Gregory Santos, Cody Bellinger, Dansby Swanson, Morel, Drew Smyly, Gavin Sheets, Reid Detmers, Marcus Semien's, Detmers, Shohei Ohtani, Matt Thaiss, Jon Gray, Christian Walker, Kyle Lewis, Corbin Carroll, Walker, Tommy Pham, Tyler Kinley, Kyle Nelson, Paul Sewald, Ryan McMahon, Nolan Jones, Ezequiel Tovar, Clayton Kershaw, Miguel Rojas, Chris Taylor, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith, Betts, Kershaw, Mark Canha, Wade Miley, DJ Stewart, Francisco Lindor's, Pete Alonso, Tylor, Bryan Reynolds, Alika Williams, Johan Oviedo, Spencer Torkelson, Riley Greene, Tyler Holton, Jorge Polanco, Max Kepler, Edouard Julien, Royce Lewis, Aaron Civale, Luke Raley, Josh Lowe, Brandon Lowe, Ross Stripling, Ryan Walker, Keibert Ruiz, Stone Garrett, Jose A, Ferrer, Boston's Pablo Reyes, Jordan Weems, Garrett Whitlock, Charlie Morton, Morton, Randy Vasquez, Julio Rodriguez, Maikel Garcia, Seattle's Dylan Moore, Garcia couldn't, Moore, Teoscar, Dylan Coleman, Luis Castillo, Garcia, Alex Bregman, Kyle Tucker, Chas McCormick, Tucker, Justin Verlander, Verlander, Jake Burger, Paul Blackburn, Louis . Blackburn, Austin Pruitt, Zack Gelof, Jordan Diaz, Gelof, Diaz, Matt McLain, TJ Friedl, Andrew Abbott, Bryce Harper, Jake Cave, Cave, Daulton Varsho, Fernando Tatis Jr, Blake Snell, Josh Hader, Ryan Mountcastle, Dean Kremer Organizations: Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Wrigley, Cubs, White Sox, Rangers, Diamondbacks, Rockies, Arizona, Colorado, Dodgers, Brewers, Milwaukee, National League Central, NL West, Mets, Pirates, New, Pittsburgh, Tigers, Twins, Detroit, Minnesota, Giants, Tampa Bay, Rays, Cleveland Guardians, Bay ., Nationals, Red Sox, Washington, Boston, Braves, Yankees, The Braves, Mariners, Royals, Seattle, Kansas City, Astros, Marlins, Houston, Miami, Athletics, Cardinals, Oakland, Reds, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Phillies, Blue Jays, Philadelphia, Toronto, Padres, Orioles, Baltimore, Thomson Locations: Chicago , Illinois, USA, Los Angeles, Arlington , Texas, Texas, Denver, New York, Minneapolis, Francisco, Atlanta, York, Kansas, Diego

☆ Spencer Torkelson powers Tigers' comeback vs. Twins
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Field Level Media | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/38] Aug 16, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Tigers third baseman Matt Vierling (8) throws the ball to first base for an out against the Minnesota Twins in the fourth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports Acquire Licensing RightsAugust 16 - Spencer Torkelson hit two home runs, Riley Greene hit a home run with four RBIs and the Detroit Tigers rallied from an early four-run deficit to defeat the Minnesota Twins 8-7 on Wednesday afternoon at Minneapolis. Right-hander Griffin Jax (5-7) allowed four runs on three hits in an inning of relief. The Twins extended the lead to 4-0 in the second with four consecutive singles, the final a two-run hit by Julien. Torkelson and Carpenter followed with back-to-back solo home runs off Jax who had allowed just two home runs in 48 2/3 innings entering the game.

Persons: Matt Vierling, Jesse Johnson, Spencer Torkelson, Riley Greene, Greene, Kerry Carpenter, Akil Baddoo, Tyler Holton, Holton, Jorge Polanco, Max Kepler, Edouard Julien, Royce Lewis, Griffin Jax, Lewis, Reese Olson, Julien . Polanco, Torkelson, Vierling, Carpenter, Jax, Torkelson's, Julien, Polanco, Kepler, Matt Wallner, Foley, Donovan Solano Organizations: Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins, USA, Tigers, Minnesota, Twins, The Tigers, Detroit, Thomson Locations: Minneapolis , Minnesota, USA, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Detroit, Greene, . Minnesota

☆ Britain's M&S raises profit outlook after strong trading
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( James Davey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] A Marks and Spencer logo is seen on an advertisement outside of a store in London, Britain, May 23, 2018. The 139-year old group, whose shares have risen 66% so far this year, said it now expected profit growth in its full 2023-24 year, having previously forecast a small decline. Clothing group Next (NXT.L) upgraded its profit forecast earlier this month, lifting it for the second time in three months. M&S said in the first 19 weeks of the year like-for-like food sales grew over 11%, while clothing & home sales were up over 6% on the same basis. Clive Black at Shore Capital, the house broker, said sentiment around M&S had taken a long time to improve after other turnarounds failed to materialise, but he lifted his profit outlook by 9%.

Persons: Marks, Spencer, Toby Melville, Stuart Machin, Clive Black, James Davey, Yadarisa, Rashmi Aich, Kate Holton, David Evans Organizations: REUTERS, Marks, Shore Capital, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Bengaluru

Official data on Friday showed the economy grew 0.2% in the second quarter, against the consensus for a flat reading in a Reuters poll of economists. The strong showing bolstered bets that the BoE would keep on raising interest rates, given the central bank stressed this month that resilience in the economy was one of the factors that would underpin its judgement. The central bank itself had pencilled in growth of 0.1% for the second quarter. "With much of the drag from higher interest rates still to come, we are sticking to our below-consensus forecast that the UK is heading for a mild recession later this year," said economist Ruth Gregory from consultancy Capital Economics. Reporting by Andy Bruce and David Milliken; editing by William James, Kate Holton and Christina FincherOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Sterling, BoE, Neil Birrell, Jeremy Hunt, Ruth Gregory, Andy Bruce, David Milliken, William James, Kate Holton, Christina Fincher Organizations: Bank of England, U.S ., Reuters, Bank of, Miton, National Statistics, Manufacturing, Reuters Graphics, Capital Economics, Thomson Locations: Bank of England, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, United States

An aerial view shows the Bibby Stockholm barge moored at Portland Port, near Poole, Britain, August 7, 2023. Britain began moving the asylum seekers onto the Bibby Stockholm, a barge anchored off Dorset on the south coast, earlier this week as part of its high-profile strategy to deter people from arriving in the country on small boats. Ministers said they wanted to reduce the cost of accommodating asylum seekers in hotels, while human rights campaigners compared the barge to a prison ship and said its use was in inhumane. "Environmental samples from the water system on the Bibby Stockholm (barge) have shown levels of Legionella bacteria which require further investigation," a spokesperson at the Home Office, or interior ministry, said. "As a precautionary measure, all 39 asylum seekers who arrived on the vessel this week are being disembarked while further assessments are undertaken."

Persons: Bibby, Toby Melville, Rishi Sunak's, Sunak, Muvija M, Andrew MacAskill, Kate Holton, Frances Kerry Organizations: REUTERS, Bibby, Ministers, Home Office, UK Health Security Agency, Conservative Party, Labour Party, Thomson Locations: Portland Port, Poole, Britain, Bibby Stockholm, Dorset

☆ UK considers response to US ban on tech investments in China
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A worker adjusts British and China (R) national flags on display for a signing ceremony at the seventh UK-China Economic and Financial Dialogue "Roundtable on Public-Private Partnerships" at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China September 21, 2015. REUTERS/Andy Wong/File PhotoLONDON, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Britain said on Thursday it was weighing how to respond to a decision by U.S. President Joe Biden to prohibit some tech investments in China, adding it was continuing to assess potential national security risks. The U.S. government has said the measures are designed to address national security risks. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's government said the executive order gave important clarity on the U.S. approach: "The UK will consider these new measures closely as we continue to assess potential national security risks attached to some investments." British investment in Hong Kong stood at 77.6 billion pounds.

Persons: Andy Wong, Joe Biden, Biden, Rishi Sunak's, James, Sunak, Kate Holton, William Schomberg, Sharon Singleton Organizations: China Economic, Public, REUTERS, U.S, Treasury, Thomson Locations: China, Diaoyutai, Beijing, Britain, U.S, London, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, United States

☆ MLB roundup: Michael Lorenzen tosses no-hitter in home debut for Phillies
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +12 min

St. Louis received contributions throughout its lineup, with Nootbaar collecting two hits, an RBI and two runs scored. Mariners 6, Padres 1Cal Raleigh hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the eighth inning as Seattle defeated visiting San Diego. Matt Vierling had three hits, scored two runs and drove in another. Joey Gallo hit a two-run homer and Correa added a solo shot for Minnesota, which will try to salvage the split on Thursday. At the plate, Ohtani went 0-for-2 with two walks (one intentional) and a run scored.

Persons: Rob Thomson, Michael Lorenzen, Bill Streicher, Lorenzen, Dominic Smith flied, Johan Rojas, Cole Hamels, David Peralta, Freddie Freeman, Jason Heyward, Bobby Miller, Kyle Nelson, Peralta, Freeman, Will Smith, Austin, Michael Harris, Carmen Mlodzinski, Ronald Acuna Jr, Ozzie Albies, Max Fried, Pierce Johnson, Raisel Iglesias, Bryan De La Cruz's, Josh Bell's, Jon Berti, Luis Arraez, Bell, Sam Moll, De La Cruz, Alexis Diaz, Tanner Scott, A.J Puk, David Robertson, Christian Encarnacion, Strand, Freddy Tarnok, Zack Gelof, Oakland's, Jonah, Jordan Montgomery, Esteury Ruiz, Jordan Diaz, Mark Canha, Justin Lawrence, William Contreras, Frelick groundout, Ezequiel Tovar's, Monasterio's grounder, Cole Tucker, Tovar, Canha bobbled, Profar, Bryse Wilson, Ryan McMahon, Kyle Tucker, Jose Altuve, Altuve, Alex Bregman, Cristian Javier, Austin Hays, Jeff McNeil, Pete Alonso, Justin Verlander, Alonso, Seiya Suzuki, Christopher Morel, Suzuki, Paul Goldsmith, Lars Nootbaar, Louis, Jordan Walker, Giovanny Gallegos, Jose Siri, Jalen Beeks, Kevin Kelly, Nootbaar, Kevin Gausman, George Springer, Springer, Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Kole Calhoun, Casas, Alex Verdugo, Nick Pivetta, MJ Melendez, Seattle's, Emerson Hancock, Yu Darvish, Oscar Colas, Elvis Andrus, Mike Clevinger, Luis Severino, Gleyber Torres, DJ LeMahieu, Spencer Torkelson, Matt Vierling, Miguel Cabrera, Zach McKinstry, Eric Haase, Alex Faedo, Tyler Holton, Joey Gallo, Correa, Bailey Ober, Ohtani, Mike Moustakas, Michael Conforto, Brandon Crawford's Organizations: Philadelphia Phillies, Washington Nationals, Citizens Bank, Wednesday, Detroit Tigers, Phillies, Chicago Cubs, NBC Sports Philadelphia, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Braves, Pirates, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Marlins, Reds, Miami, Cincinnati, Athletics, Rangers, Oakland, Brewers, Rockies, Milwaukee, The Brewers, Astros, Orioles, Houston, Baltimore, Mets, Cubs, New, Chicago, Houston Astros, Cardinals, Rays, Hudson, Tampa, Blue Jays, Toronto, Cleveland, Guardians, Red Sox, Royals, Boston, Kansas City, Mariners, Padres, Cal Raleigh, Seattle, San, Sox, Yankees, Twins, Detroit, Tigers, Minnesota, Giants, cramp, Thomson Locations: Philadelphia , Pennsylvania, USA, Angeles, Arizona, Phoenix, Texas, Colorado, Baltimore, New York, Tampa, St . Petersburg, Fla, Tampa Bay, San Diego, Toronto, Chicago, Minnesota, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Anaheim , Calif, Ohtani

A branch of the discount retail homeware store Wilko is seen in London, Britain, August 3, 2023. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File PhotoSummaryCompanies Wilko enters administration93-year old retailer trades from 400 storesFailed to secure emergency investmentLONDON, Aug 10 (Reuters) - British discount retailer Wilko said it has fallen into administration on Thursday, a form of creditor protection that puts its 12,000 jobs in danger. The family-owned retailer, facing a cash squeeze after a downturn in trading, had failed to secure emergency investment. Despite the squeeze on household incomes from the jump in interest rates and high levels of inflation, most UK high street chains have traded resiliently so far this year. Reporting by James Davey and Muvija M; Editing by Kate Holton and Elaine HardcastleOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Toby Melville, Wilko, Mark Jackson, PwC, McColl's, Jackson, Wilko's, we’ve, James Davey, Muvija, Kate Holton, Elaine Hardcastle Organizations: REUTERS, Morrisons, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Leicester, England

☆ UK house prices fall for 4th month but market shows resilience - Halifax
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( William Schomberg | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

But the decline in house prices has so far been small compared with the surge in valuations during the COVID pandemic. Kim Kinnaird, director of Halifax Mortgages, said house prices were likely to continue falling into next year, echoing previous comments by the lender. A Reuters poll of analysts published in early June pointed to a 3% fall in house prices in 2023 before flat-lining in 2024. This should leave house prices 10.5% below their peak on the Nationwide measure." Nationwide, another mortgage lender, said last week its index of house prices fell by the most since 2009 in the 12 months to July.

Persons: Susannah Ireland, Kim Kinnaird, Kinnaird, Imogen Pattison, William Schomberg, Kate Holton, Bernadette Baum Organizations: City of, REUTERS, Halifax, Bank of England, Capital Economics, Nationwide, Thomson Locations: City, City of London, South London, Britain, Halifax

☆ UK moves some asylum seekers to barge on southern coast
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Some officials are aboard the Bibby Stockholm barge at Portland, near Poole, Britain, August 7, 2023. REUTERS/Toby MelvillePORTLAND, England, Aug 7 (Reuters) - Britain began moving some migrants on to a large residential barge on its southern coast on Monday, as part of plans to use cheaper alternatives to hotels as temporary accommodation while asylum claims are processed. The government says it wants to limit the "pull" factors attracting asylum seekers to Britain, where more than 50,000 are currently living in hotels after they made the final part of their journey in small dinghies across the Channel. The government has said the Bibby Stockholm barge will only house single men and provide "basic and functional" accommodation, along with healthcare provision, catering facilities and onboard security. "The welfare of asylum seekers in our care is of the upmost importance," a spokesperson for the interior ministry said.

Persons: Toby Melville, Sarah Dines, Bibby, Sachin Ravikumar, Suban Abdulla, Kate Holton Organizations: REUTERS, Sky, Thomson Locations: Bibby Stockholm, Portland, Poole, Britain, Toby Melville PORTLAND, England, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Afghanistan, Albania

☆ Rolls-Royce reports jump in first-half profit led by civil aerospace
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A BR700-725 jet engine is seen at the assembly line of the Rolls-Royce Germany plant in Dahlewitz near Berlin, Germany, February 28, 2023. REUTERS/Nadja Wohlleben/File PhotoLONDON, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Aero-engineer Rolls-Royce (RR.L) reported underlying operating profit of 673 million pounds ($855 million) in its first half, more than five times the level of a year ago, led by a large improvement in its civil aerospace margin. The British company upgraded its full-year profit forecast last week to 1.2-1.4 billion pounds ($1.6-1.8 billion) from its previous guidance of 800 million-1 billion pounds. The market had been forecasting 934 million pounds. "Better profit and cash generation reflect greater productivity, efficiency, and improved commercial outcomes," he said on Thursday.

Persons: Nadja Wohlleben, Tufan Erginbilgic, Paul Sandle, Kate Holton, Sarah Young Organizations: Royce, REUTERS, British, Boeing, Thomson Locations: Royce Germany, Dahlewitz, Berlin, Germany

That has drawn fury from climate protesters who have stepped up their campaigns, disrupting high-profile sporting events, classical music concerts and political speeches. loadingPictures posted online by Greenpeace UK on Thursday showed four protesters atop the property in Yorkshire, northern England, covering it in swathes of black fabric, while a banner read "RISHI SUNAK - OIL PROFITS OR OUR FUTURE?" Around two hours later at 11:00 BST (1000 GMT), four protesters were still on the roof with a sign saying "NO NEW OIL." Greenpeace said they were protesting the government's backing for new North Sea oil and gas licences and a proposed development of Equinor's (EQNR.OL) Rosebank oilfield, which is subject to a final investment decision. "We desperately need our prime minister to be a climate leader, not a climate arsonist," Greenpeace UK said.

Persons: Rishi Sunak, Rishi, Read, Sunak, YouGov, Vladimir, Putin, William James, Farouq Suleiman, Kate Holton, Giles Elgood Organizations: Greenpeace, British, Greenpeace UK, Wednesday . Police, Sunak's Conservative, Thomson Locations: Yorkshire, England, Britain, California, Ukraine, Sunak's

FILE PHOTO-People gather at the BAE Systems' booth during the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Global Force Symposium & Exposition in Huntsville, Alabama, U.S. March 28, 2023. REUTERS/Cheney Orr/File PhotoSummaryCompanies First-half EPS up 17%Sees full-year EPS 10%-12% higher, previous forecast 5%-7%Lifts interim dividend by 11%Shares up 5%LONDON, Aug 2 (Reuters) - Britain's biggest defence company BAE Systems (BAES.L) upgraded its guidance for 2023, forecasting annual earnings growth of 10%-12%, as governments spend more on military equipment in "an increasingly uncertain world". BAE Systems said its good operational performance plus the demand from its customers, the biggest of which are the United States, Britain, Saudi Arabia and Australia, meant its full-year results would be better than expected across the board. Shares in BAE Systems jumped 5% in early deals. For 2023, BAE said earnings per share would grow 10%-12%, compared to the 5%-7% increase it had forecast in February, while it also lifted sales guidance to 5%-7% growth from 3%-5%.

Persons: Cheney Orr, Charles Woodburn, Woodburn, Hargreaves, Aarin, Sarah Young, Paul Sandle, Kate Holton Organizations: BAE Systems, Association of, United States Army, Global, REUTERS, BAE, Thomson Locations: Huntsville , Alabama, U.S, United States, Britain, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Russia, Ukraine, Asia, Pacific, Europe, Czech Republic, Poland, Qatar, Christian

☆ Eduardo Rodriguez stays put, helps Tigers past Pirates
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Field Level Media | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/29] Aug 2, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Quinn Priester (64) throws in the outfield before the game against the Detroit Tigers at PNC Park. Detroit starter Eduardo Rodriguez (7-5) pitched six innings, allowing two runs and seven hits, with five strikeouts and one walk. After Tigers reliever Alex Lange walked in a run in the ninth, Tyler Holton came in and recorded his first save. After Connor Joe fouled out, Williams went to third on Reynolds' infield base hit. Baez and Maton grounded out before Short doubled to left to score Vierling and increase the lead to 5-2.

Persons: Quinn Priester, Charles LeClaire, Zach Short, Riley Greene, Jake Rogers, Javier Baez, Eduardo Rodriguez, Rodriguez, Alex Lange, Tyler Holton, Andrew McCutchen, Ke'Bryan Hayes, Osvaldo Bido, Greene, Bryan Reynolds, Henry Davis, Reynolds, Hayes, Kerry Carpenter, Matt Vierling, Baez, Carpenter, Bido, Ryan Borucki, Nick Maton's, Vierling, Alika Williams, Jason Delay's groundout, Connor Joe, Williams, McCutchen, Maton, Rogers Organizations: Pittsburgh Pirates, Detroit Tigers, PNC, Tigers, Detroit, Los Angeles Dodgers, Pirates, Pittsburgh, Thomson Locations: Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania, USA, Williams

☆ UK house prices drop by most since 2009: Nationwide
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Aug 1 (Reuters) - British house prices fell by the most since 2009 in the 12 months to July, mortgage lender Nationwide said on Friday, as the drag from rising interest rates on the housing market intensified. Compared with July last year, the average house price was down 3.8% after a 3.5% annual fall in June, Nationwide said. House prices fell 0.2% month-on-month, Nationwide said. "This challenging affordability picture helps to explain why housing market activity has been subdued in recent months," Gardner said. Still, Gardner said a relatively soft landing for the housing market was achievable.

Persons: Robert Gardner, Gardner, BoE, Andy Bruce, Kate Holton Organizations: Nationwide, The Bank of England, Reuters, Thomson

☆ UK regulator aims for decision on Microsoft-Activision deal by Aug. 29
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, July 31 (Reuters) - Britain's antitrust regulator on Monday opened up its inquiry into Microsoft's Activision Blizzard deal for comments as it aims for a final decision by Aug. 29 on a $69 billion takeover it had previously blocked in April. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) also on Monday published Microsoft's arguments explaining why the deal should be re-evaluated, as the U.S. software giant battles to win UK approval to buy "Call of Duty" maker Activision. A court involved in the case had already published Microsoft's argument that the binding commitments accepted by the European Union shortly after Britain had blocked the deal had now changed the situation. Any persons wishing to comment on the new version of Microsoft's takeover should do so by Aug. 4, the CMA said in its statement. It is aiming to make a final decision on the deal by Aug. 29, the CMA said.

Persons: Sarah Young, Sam Tobin, Kate Holton Organizations: Activision, Markets Authority, European Union, CMA, Microsoft, Sony, NVIDIA, Boosteroid, Thomson Locations: U.S, European, Britain

☆ Britain to grant over 100 new North Sea oil and gas licences
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( Sachin Ravikumar | Thomson Reuters | Sachin Ravikumar Is A Correspondent For Reuters In London Covering General News Across The Uk. Over Nine Years At Reuters | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, July 31 (Reuters) - Britain will grant more than 100 new oil and gas licences in the North Sea as part of efforts to tap domestic supplies and become more energy independent, the government said on Monday. Sunak said the new licences would support domestic supply, reduce reliance on hostile states, boost jobs in the sector and reduce the carbon footprint when compared with an alternative option of importing liquified natural gas. The oil and gas industry regulator expects the first of the new licences, which will continue to face climate compatibility tests, to be awarded in the autumn, the government said. It also said the new licences could be offered close to already licensed areas to unlock oil and gas reserves faster thanks to existing infrastructure and previous assessments. It has pledged to stop new oil and gas exploration licences in the North Sea.

Persons: Rishi Sunak, Sunak, Sachin Ravikumar, Sarah Young, Kate Holton Organizations: Sunak's Conservatives, Labour Party, Thomson Locations: Britain, Scotland, England, North

But so far, IAG had not seen "any weakness into Q3 and Q4", finance chief Nicholas Cadbury added. In May, it said it expected annual profit above 2.3 billion euros ($2.5 billion), and analysts' consensus forecast stands at 2.8 billion euros. For the three months to the end of June, the group recorded an operating profit before exceptional items of 1.25 billion euros, compared to the 895 million euros analysts were on average expecting. "These numbers will help push expectations for this year strongly through the 3 billion euro operating profit level," Goodbody analysts said. ($1 = 0.9106 euros)Reporting by Sarah Young; Editing by Kate Holton and Mark PotterOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Luis Gallego, IAG, Nicholas Cadbury, Sarah Young, Kate Holton, Mark Potter Organizations: British Airways, Air France, KLM AIRF.PA, Ryanair, Aer Lingus, Thomson Locations: Iberia, Aer, IAG, Europe

☆ Sinead O'Connor was found unresponsive at London address - UK police
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

LONDON, July 27 (Reuters) - Irish singer Sinead O'Connor, who died on Wednesday aged 56, was found unresponsive at an address in London and pronounced dead at the scene, London's Metropolitan Police said. Artists around the world have reacted to the news, with REM frontman Michael Stipe, U.S. musician Tori Amos and Irish singer Shane MacGowan among those who paid tribute to O'Connor's fierce honesty, intense presence and uncompromising spirit. "Police were called at 11:18hrs on Wednesday, 26 July to reports of an unresponsive woman at a residential address ... Officers attended. A 56-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene," the Met Police said in a statement. Reporting by Farouq Suleiman and Kylie MacLellan; Editing by Kate HoltonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Sinead O'Connor, Michael Stipe, Tori Amos, Shane MacGowan, Farouq Suleiman, Kylie MacLellan, Kate Holton Organizations: London's Metropolitan Police, Artists, Police, Met Police, Thomson Locations: London

Shares in the British company jumped 24% to 190 pence, the highest level since the start of the pandemic in March 2020. The company said it now expected profit this year of between 1.2 billion and 1.4 billion pounds ($1.6-1.8 billion), up from its previous guidance of between 800 million and 1 billion pounds. The market had been forecasting 934 million pounds. Chief Executive Tufan Erginbilgic, who joined the company in January, said his turnaround had started well, with progress already evident across the company. ($1 = 0.7755 pounds)Reporting by Paul Sandle and Sarah Young Editing by Kate Holton and Mark PotterOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Tufan Erginbilgic, Bernstein, Paul Sandle, Sarah Young, Kate Holton, Mark Potter Organizations: Royce, British, Airbus, Boeing, Thomson Locations: Ukraine

Spacey, tried under his full name Kevin Spacey Fowler, said in evidence that the case against him was weak, and that the incidents, if they had occurred at all, were consensual. [1/4]Actor Kevin Spacey leaves Southwark Crown Court after he was found not guilty on charges related to allegations of sexual offenses, in London, Britain, July 26, 2023. Spacey became one of several prominent names in entertainment to face allegations of sexual misconduct during the #MeToo movement. The court also heard evidence from singer Elton John and his husband David Furnish, who gave evidence by videolink from Monaco as part of Spacey's defence. Reporting by Michael Holden and Sam Tobin; editing by Kate Holton, Christina Fincher and Nick MacfieOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Spacey, Kevin Spacey, Oscar, Kevin, Kevin Spacey Fowler, Susannah Ireland Spacey, Anthony Rapp, Buzzfeed, Rapp, Vic, Val Kilmer, Judi Dench, Elton John, David, videolink, Patrick Gibbs, Michael Holden, Sam Tobin, Kate Holton, Christina Fincher, Nick Macfie Organizations: London's Old, Southwark Crown, REUTERS, WORLD, Thomson Locations: London, Southwark, Spacey's London, Britain, U.S, Monaco

☆ UK minister: petrol car ban immovable but some green policies to be relaxed
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] View of the exhaust of a queuing car on the North Circular Road in London, Britain, June 26, 2023. Britain's green agenda has been thrown into question after the governing Conservatives won a vote for a parliamentary seat last week by attacking London's flagship anti-pollution policy. Asked on Times Radio if banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars was an immovable target in Britain, Gove said: "Yes." Gove later told LBC radio that the government would make changes to planned timetables to make them more achievable. "When it comes to landlords in the private rented sector, the timetable that we have for meeting particular energy efficiency standards will be relaxed," he said.

Persons: Toby Melville LONDON, Michael Gove, Gove, Rishi Sunak, Kylie MacLellan, Kate Holton Organizations: REUTERS, Conservatives, London's, European Union, Times, LBC, Times Radio, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, United States

☆ Radical UK Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary charged with three terrorist offences
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, July 24 (Reuters) - British radical Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary has been charged with three terrorism offences after being arrested in London last week, police said on Monday. Choudary, 56, has been charged with membership of a proscribed organisation, directing a terrorist organisation and addressing meetings to encourage support for a proscribed organisation, police said. Once Britain's most high profile Islamist preacher, Choudary was imprisoned in Britain in 2016 for encouraging support for Islamic State before being released in 2018 after serving half of his five-and-a-half year sentence. A 28-year-old Canadian man, Khaled Hussein, has also been charged with membership of a proscribed organisation after being arrested on the same day as Choudary when he arrived on a flight at Heathrow Airport, police said. Reporting by Kylie MacLellan; Editing by Kate Holton and Angus MacSwanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Anjem Choudary, Choudary, Khaled Hussein, Kylie MacLellan, Kate Holton, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Islamic State, Heathrow Airport, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, United States, Buckingham, Angus

☆ Vodafone takes 'first steps' in turnaround with top-line improvement
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Paul Sandle | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, July 24 (Reuters) - Vodafone (VOD.L) reported better top-line growth on Monday, driven by higher prices in Britain and improvements in Germany, Italy and Spain, marking a positive start for new Chief Executive Margherita Della Valle's turnaround plan. She said on Monday that organic service revenue had improved "across almost all of our markets", as it reported a 3.7% first-quarter rise. The decline in service revenue in Germany more than halved quarter-on-quarter to 1.3%, as price rises partially offset the impact of customer losses over the last 18 months. Growth in service revenue in Britain, where Vodafone announced the merger of its operation with Hutchison's rival network Three last month, accelerated to 5.7%, boosted by strong growth in consumer and price increases. In Italy, improved demand from businesses helped reduce the service revenue decline to 1.6%, from 2.7% in the previous quarter, it said, while Spain saw a smaller improvement to a decline of 3.0% from 3.7%.

Persons: Margherita Della Valle's, Luka Mucic, Della Valle, We've, Ahmed Essam, Paul Sandle, Kate Holton, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Vodafone, SAP, Thomson Locations: Britain, Germany, Italy, Spain

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