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☆ France's supreme court annuls penalties against UBS in tax evasion case - ruling
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

A UBS logo is seen next to Credit Suisse at the Bahnhofstrasse before a news conference of Swiss bank UBS in Zurich Switzerland, August 30, 2023. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Nov 15 (Reuters) - France's supreme court on Wednesday annulled penalties of 1.8 billion euros ($1.96 billion) imposed on Swiss bank UBS (UBSG.S) in 2021 in a major tax fraud case. The case will now go back to a lower court for a new decision on the penalties, the court said in its ruling. The court partially accepted an appeal by UBS against a decision taken by a lower court in 2021, which had imposed the penalties of 1.8 billion against the bank for allegedly helping wealthy clients in France evade taxes. ($1 = 0.9207 euros)Reporting by Tassilo Hummel, editing by Silvia AloisiOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Denis Balibouse, Tassilo Hummel, Silvia Aloisi Organizations: UBS, Credit Suisse, Swiss, REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Zurich Switzerland, Swiss, France

[1/2] Evgenia Kara-Murza, wife of jailed Russian opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Murza, addresses the Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy in Geneva, Switzerland May 17, 2023. Kara-Murza, 42, has a condition called polyneuropathy that takes away the sensation in his limbs unless controlled by medicines and exercise. His wife Evgenia Kara-Murza said exercise was now impossible for him in a cell measuring just 3 x 1.5 metres (9.8 x 4.9 feet), furnished with only a bed and a backless stool, where he has been held since September in a maximum-security penal colony in the city of Omsk. The fact that they've isolated him to the maximum of course makes me very concerned for his life," Evgenia Kara-Murza said. "The politically motivated conviction of Vladimir Kara-Murza is deplorable.

Persons: Evgenia Kara, Murza, Vladimir Kara, Denis Balibouse, Kara, Alexei Navalny, Vladimir Putin, Vladimir, Mr Kara, wryly, Mark Trevelyan, Mark Heinrich, Gareth Jones Organizations: Geneva, Human Rights, Democracy, REUTERS, Britain's, Reuters, Russian, Britain's Foreign, Commonwealth, Development, Liberal International, Thomson Locations: Geneva, Switzerland, Moscow, Omsk, Ukraine, Russia, Britain

☆ Parisians lose enthusiasm ahead of Summer Olympics - poll
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The logo of the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics Games is seen on the Pulse building, the headquarters of the Paris 2024 Olympics organizing committee, as a police search is currently underway, in Saint-Denis near Paris, France, June 20, 2023. Some 44% of Paris region residents expressed a negative opinion while 65% of French residents said having the Olympics in Paris from July 26-Aug. 11 was a 'good thing', the Odoxa poll for Winamax and RTL showed. Some 1,207 Paris region residents, and 1,005 French residents were polled. Two years ago, only 22% of Parisians had a negative opinion of the Paris Olympics while more than half of them are now considering leaving the region for the duration of the event. By contrast, 64% of Parisians are confident that the opening ceremony on the Seine river will be a success.

Persons: Denis, Stephanie Lecocq, Julien Pretot, Christina Fincher Organizations: Paralympics, REUTERS, Rights, Winamax, RTL, Paris, Thomson Locations: Saint, Paris, France

☆ U.N. observes minute's silence for 101 staff killed in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] The United Nations flag flies at half-mast at the European headquarters, honouring the more than 100 employees killed in Gaza since the Israel-Hamas war began last month in Geneva, Switzerland, November 13, 2023. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse Acquire Licensing RightsGENEVA, Nov 13 (Reuters) - United Nations workers observed a minute's silence on Monday to honour the more than 100 employees killed in Gaza since the Israel-Hamas war began last month as U.N. flags flew at half mast. "This is the highest number of aid workers killed in the history of our organisation in such a short time," said Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General of the United Nations in Geneva. "We are gathered here today, united in this very symbolic location, to pay respect to our brave colleagues who sacrificed their lives while serving under the United Nations flag." "But the United Nations is more relevant than ever."

Persons: Denis Balibouse, Tatiana Valovaya, Israel, Valovaya, Gabrielle Tétrault, Farber, Cécile, Emma Farge, Nick Macfie Organizations: United Nations, Hamas, REUTERS, Rights, U.N, UNRWA, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, Geneva, Switzerland, U.N, Palestinian, Nigeria, Abuja, United

We'll show you where to watch the UFC 295 live stream no matter where you are and detail the latest UFC 295 PPV prices. We'll also guide you step-by-step on how to use a VPN to watch UFC 295, no matter where you are. How to watch UFC 295 in the USUS viewers can watch the main event of UFC 295 on ESPN Plus tonight at 10 p.m. How to watch UFC 295 everywhere elseIf you're not in the US, you still have a few options to watch UFC 295. In Canada, UFC 295 will be available as a pay-per-view through most TV providers and directly via UFC Fight Pass.

Persons: Jiri Prochazka, Alex Pereira, we'll, Sergi Pavlovich, Tom Aspinall, prelim, We'll, McGregor, ExpressVPN, Sergei Pavlovich, Jessica Andrade, Mackenzie Dern, Women's, Matt Frevola, Benoit Saint Denis, Diego Lopes, Pat Sabatini, Prelims, Steve Erceg, Allesandro Costa, Tabatha Ricci, Loopy, Mateusz, Roosevelt Roberts, Nazim Sadykhov, Viacheslav Organizations: UFC, ESPN Plus, ESPN, Amazon, Apple, PlayStation, Samsung, TNT Sports, BT, BT Sport, You'll, LG Locations: Madison, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, Switzerland, Asia, Africa, Brazil

☆ HIMARS strike by Ukraine targets Russian drone pilots at training school in Donetsk, say reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-11 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A HIMARS attack targeted a Russian drone training school in occupied Donetsk, say reportsActing head of the Donetsk People's Republic said six people were killed and 11 injuried in the attack. AdvertisementAdvertisementRussian officials say a Ukrainian missile attack on Ukraine's occupied eastern Donetsk region targeted a Russian drone pilot training center, Newsweek reports. Acting head of the Donetsk People's Republic, Denis Pushilin, said a Ukrainian HIMARS attack resulted in six deaths and 11 injuries. AdvertisementAdvertisementEarlier this year, a HIMARS attack on five Russian units gathered on a beach resulted in 200 casualties and destroyed equipment. "A lot of people want to become drone pilots because they think the work is further back and safer," one front-line commander told the outlet.

Persons: —, Denis Pushilin, Vladimir Organizations: Donetsk People's, Mobility Artillery, Service, Newsweek, Euromaidan Press, Vladimir Zhoga Locations: Russian, Donetsk, Donetsk People's Republic, Ukrainian, Ukraine, Kherson, Russia, Zaporizhia

☆ What if all the rats in NYC died tomorrow?
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Jenny Mcgrath | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

"You can find newspaper articles going back decades that mentioned the war on rats in New York City," Munshi-South said. With abundant garbage available to them, city rats might not go after wildlife in the same numbers. However, if all rats in NYC died tomorrow it would still save a lot of animals like birds, coyotes, foxes, and feral cats that die each year from rodenticide, the poison used to kill rats, Munshi-South said. Mary Altaffer/APAs scavengers, rats likely play some role in helping remove garbage from city streets and distributing seeds, Byers said. In her research, "we found that folks experienced a number of mental-health impacts from living alongside rats," Byers said, including stress and anxiety.

Persons: —, it's, Kaylee Byers, Jason Munshi, Munshi, Denis de Marney, Byers, Mary Altaffer, Wolfram Steinberg, we're Organizations: Service, Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Fordham University, The New York Times, they've Locations: North America, York City, It's, British Columbia, New York City, Norway, East Coast, Iowa, , New York, rodenticide

☆ Richemont brands 'satisfied' with Farfetch technology
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The logo of the luxury goods company Richemont is pictured at its headquarters in Bellevue near Geneva, Switzerland, June 2, 2022. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Richemont (CFR.S) labels are moving ahead with the transfer of their online businesses to Farfetch (FTCH.N) technology, which they are satisfied with, executives at the Swiss-based group said Friday. The adoption of Farfetch technology to run the online business of Richemont labels is part of a wider agreement for Richemont to sell a 47.5% stake in YNAP in exchange for more than 50 million Farfetch shares, announced in August 2022. "Everything we expected in terms of technology from our Farfetch friends, they've delivered," Richemont chairman Johann Rupert told analysts on an earnings call. Farfetch shares have fallen by more than 60% in the past six months.

Persons: Denis Balibouse, Richemont, they've, Johann Rupert, Bernstein, Mimosa Spencer, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Bellevue, Geneva, Switzerland, Swiss, Richemont's, U.S, YNAP, Farfetch

☆ Torch relay to start from Games hometown in Britain
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

"We wanted it to kick off where the Paralympics were born," Paris 2024 president Tony Estanguet told a press conference. The torch will then be carried by 24 British athletes and midway through the Channel Tunnel 24 French athletes will take over for the journey to Calais. Eleven other flames will then be lit in France and all will converge on Paris for the Aug. 28 Games opening ceremony. German-born Guttmann became a British citizen in 1945 and organised the first Stoke Mandeville Games for disabled war veterans three years later. All participants in what Guttmann called the "Paraplegic Games" were suffering from spinal cord injuries and competed in wheelchairs.

Persons: Denis, Mathieu Lehanneur, Pascal, Ludwig Guttmann, Tony Estanguet, Guttmann, Julien Pretot, Ken Ferris Organizations: Press, Paris, Rights, Stoke, Stoke Mandeville Games, Concorde, Thomson Locations: France, Stoke Mandeville, Britain, Paris, Calais, British

☆ Palestinian envoy criticises West for Gaza stance, calls for more support
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Emma Farge | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Israeli attacks by air, land and sea were triggered by deadly Hamas attacks on Israel on Oct. 7. that killed 1,400. When it comes to us they are put aside, they're violated, they're not used, they're belittled," he told a gathering of diplomats and reporters. Israel says it abides by international humanitarian law at all times and blames Hamas for civilian deaths, saying it uses people as human shields. In the same speech, Khraishi also asked democracies for more support for a ceasefire, and to end the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, saying humanitarian aid was not enough. Countries are considering calling a special session of the Geneva-based Human Rights Council to debate the Gaza crisis, he said.

Persons: Ibrahim Khraishi, Denis Balibouse, Geneva Ibrahim Khraishi, they're, Ursula Von der, Khraishi, Emma Farge, Nick Macfie Organizations: Human Rights, United Nations, REUTERS, Rights, Palestinian, Ukraine, European Union, EU Commission, Thomson Locations: Palestine, Geneva, Switzerland, Israel, Gaza . Palestinian, Gaza, Ukraine, East, Dutch

☆ Russian manufacturer test-flies prototype widebody passenger airplane
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Barry Neild | Anna Chernova | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Russia’s leading aircraft manufacturer says it’s completed a successful test flight of a new widebody passenger airplane that it claims could replace Western aircraft in the country’s skies. UAC, which oversees Russian aviation brands including Tupolev, Ilyushin and Sukhoi, said the plane will be capable of carrying up to 370 passengers, a capacity that would put it alongside the likes of Airbus’ A340 or Boeing’s 777. As of 2022, only 144 active Russian airline planes were built in Russia, according to data provided by aviation analytics firm Cirium. “Although Moscow won’t admit it, the sanctions that followed the Ukraine invasion have really damaged Russian aviation,” Murdo Morrison, head of strategic content at FlightGlobal, tells CNN. Addressing concerns, Russia’s Ministry of Transport said at the time that flight safety on Russia-operated aircraft meets international standards.

Persons: CNN —, it’s, ”, Denis Manturov, Vladimir Putin, Murdo Morrison, ‘, Yuri Slyusar, FlightGlobal’s Morrison Organizations: CNN, CNN — Russia’s, United Aircraft Corporation, UAC, Russian, Tupolev, Sukhoi, Airbus, Russia, Boeing, Bombardier, Embraer, Moscow, ”, Ural Airlines, International Civil Aviation Organization, Russia’s Ministry of Transport Locations: Ukraine, Russia, “, Russia’s Novosibirsk, Bhutan, Congo, Liberia, Moscow

☆ A rare blue diamond just sold for $44 million at a Christie's auction
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A rare blue diamond set in a ring sold for $43.8 million at a Christie's auction in Geneva. Christie's said that the 17.61-carat diamond, the Bleu Royal, is among the rarest to exist. AdvertisementAdvertisementA rare blue diamond set in a ring sold for 39.505 million Swiss franc ($43.8 million) at a Christie's auction in Geneva on Tuesday. The 17.61-carat Bleu Royal diamond is pear-shaped and is described as a "Fancy Vivid Blue" gem. "Large, vivid fancy color diamonds are extremely rare and very valuable," according to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

Persons: Christie's, —, Denis Balibouse, Reuters Christie's, Cartier, – Organizations: Gemological Institute of America, Service, GIA, Reuters Locations: Geneva

☆ Generali has 500 mln euros left for M&A, could return it to investors, CEO says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

An Assicurazioni Generali SpA's logo is seen on a building of their offices in Saint-Denis, near Paris, France, February 27, 2018. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsMILAN, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Italy's top insurer Assicurazioni Generali (GASI.MI) still has 500 million euros ($533.10 million) left for M&A deals, which will be returned to shareholders if not used for acquisitions, its Chief Executive Philippe Donnet said on Wednesday. In June, the insurer agreed to buy the Spanish unit of U.S. insurer Liberty Mutual for 2.3 billion euros, strengthening its property and casualty segment. I cannot say whether we will make another acquisition before the end of the plan. If we do not use this cash for an acquisition, we will return it to the shareholders", Donnet said.

Persons: Denis, Benoit Tessier, Assicurazioni, Philippe Donnet, Generali, Liberty Seguros, Donnet, Gianluca Semeraro, Gavin Jones Organizations: REUTERS, Liberty Mutual, Holdings, Liberty, Thomson Locations: Saint, Paris, France, Europe, Asia, United States, Connecticut

☆ GOP lawmakers call for VA to slash reliance on China for medical supplies
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —A pair of Republicans leading powerful House committees are calling for the Department of Veterans Affairs to speed up efforts to decrease the agency’s reliance on China for medical supplies, CNN has learned. The Covid-19 pandemic laid bare a dangerous vulnerability in America’s medical supply chains that resulted in shortages of masks, respirators and other life-saving gear. “The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the national security and public health risks of failing to guarantee adequate medical supplies. As the biggest buyer of medical supplies among federal agencies, it has considerable influence. Congress has attempted to take steps to boost the resilience of the nation’s medical supply chain by easing dependence on goods from less friendly nations like China.

Persons: Mike Gallagher, Mike Bost, Denis McDonough, Bost, Gallagher, “, ” Terrence Hayes, Joe Biden, Health Richard Stone, ” Bost, McDonough, Democratic Sen, Tom Carper, Republican Sen, Thom Tillis, ” Organizations: New, New York CNN, Department of Veterans Affairs, CNN, Veterans ’, Chinese Communist Party, CCP, Department of Veteran Affairs, Defense Department, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Health, Human Services, Republicans, Health, World Trade Organization, Congress, Democratic, Republican Locations: New York, China, United States, America, Covid, Mexico, Malaysia

Logos of Swiss banks Credit Suisse and UBS are seen before a news conference in Zurich Switzerland, August 30, 2023. The state-engineered merger led to a wipeout of $17 billion of Credit Suisse's AT1 bonds. "Their structure is very new and shows they listened to investors who were angry about the permanent write-down feature," said Jerome Legras, head of research at Axiom Alternative Investments, who held Credit Suisse AT1 bonds before the March banking crisis. The Credit Suisse AT1s wipeout spurned a number of claims against Switzerland's financial regulator FINMA, which inverted the long-established seniority of bondholders over shareholders over the assets of a company in distress. That dented sentiment in the key market for bank bonds and prompted regulators in Europe and Asia to reassure investors.

Persons: Denis Balibouse, Jerome Legras, Joost Beaumont, March's writedown, Noele Illien, Dhara Ranasinghe, Elaine Hardcastle, Alexander Smith Organizations: Credit Suisse, UBS, REUTERS, CS, AT1s, ZURICH, P Global, Suisse, ABN AMRO, Singapore, Thomson Locations: Zurich Switzerland, Swiss, Switzerland's, Europe, Asia

☆ Six killed, 11 wounded in Ukrainian shelling of Donetsk -Russian-installed official
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

[1/5] Rescuers work to put out fire outside a damaged residential building hit by recent shelling in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict in Donetsk, Russian-controlled Ukraine, November 7, 2023. REUTERS/Stringer Acquire Licensing RightsNov 7 (Reuters) - Shelling by Ukrainian forces killed six people in the city of Donetsk on Tuesday, a Russian-installed official in the eastern region of Ukraine said. Eleven people were wounded, according to preliminary data, Denis Pushilin, the Russian-appointed head of the region, wrote on the Telegram messaging app. Reuters was unable immediately to verify the report. Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Chizu NomiyamaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Stringer, Denis Pushilin, Chizu Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Donetsk, Russian

The vivid blue diamond, known as "Bleu Royal" and set in a ring, is among the rarest ever to be unearthed. Max Fawcett, head of Christie's jewellery department in Geneva, said the diamond was unique because of its a deep rich blue colour and its unmodified pear brilliant shape. At its auction on Tuesday, Christie's sold dozens of rare jewellery pieces worth a combined total of more than $77 million. In a separate sale on Monday, Christie's sold a Rolex wristwatch worn by Marlon Brando in the 1979 movie "Apocalypse Now" for more than 4.5 million Swiss francs ($4.99 million). Two years ago, that same watch sold at auction for 2 million Swiss francs.

Persons: Carola Chiadini, Denis, Rahul Kadakia, Max Fawcett, Christie's, Fawcett, There's, Marlon Brando, Cécile Mantovani, Gabrielle Tétrault, Farber, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Geneva, Switzerland, GENEVA, America

☆ Embraer maintains 2023 outlook but deliveries seen at low end of guidance
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

An Embraer logo is pictured during the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland, May 23, 2022. Embraer earlier in the day reported third-quarter adjusted net income of $32.9 million, up 34% from a year earlier, with net revenue jumping 38% in the period to $1.28 billion. Embraer delivered 43 aircraft in the quarter that ended in September, up 30% from the same period of 2022, including 15 commercial and 28 executive jets. CEO Francisco Gomes Neto told Reuters last month that the firm was confident it would meet its outlook for aircraft deliveries in 2023, seen growing by about a quarter, and expects to be able to maintain that pace next year. ($1 = 4.9007 reais)Reporting by Gabriel Araujo; Editing by Louise Heavens, David Goodman, Chizu Nomiyama and Jan HarveyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Denis Balibouse, Antonio Carlos Garcia, Garcia, TD Cowen, Cai von Rumohr, Francisco Gomes Neto, Gabriel Araujo, Louise Heavens, David Goodman, Chizu Nomiyama, Jan Harvey Organizations: Embraer, European Business Aviation Convention, REUTERS, SAO PAULO, EMBR3, Boeing, Airbus, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Geneva, Switzerland

☆ Brazil's Embraer posts 34% profit jump, maintains outlook
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

An Embraer logo is pictured during the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland, May 23, 2022. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSAO PAULO, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Brazilian planemaker Embraer (EMBR3.SA) on Monday reported a third-quarter adjusted net income of $32.9 million, up 34% from a year earlier, and reiterated its outlooks for the full year despite ongoing supply chain issues. "We have a big challenge for deliveries in the fourth quarter, but as we demonstrated in the fourth quarter of 2022, we are prepared for it," Chief Financial Officer Antonio Carlos Garcia told a conference call with analysts. Embraer's net revenue jumped 38% in the third quarter to $1.28 billion, the firm said, noting it managed to post double-digit revenue growth across all its four units - which also include defense & security and services & support. ($1 = 4.9007 reais)Reporting by Gabriel Araujo Editing by Louise Heavens, David Goodman and Chizu NomiyamaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Denis Balibouse, Antonio Carlos Garcia, Francisco Gomes Neto, Gabriel Araujo, Louise Heavens, David Goodman, Chizu Organizations: Embraer, European Business Aviation Convention, REUTERS, SAO PAULO, EMBR3, Boeing, Airbus, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Geneva, Switzerland

☆ UEFA to co-organise Ballon d'Or from 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Soccer Football - Euro 2028 & Euro 2032 Hosts Announcement - Nyon, Switzerland - October 10, 2023 The UEFA logo is pictured at the headquarters ahead of the announcement REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 3 (Reuters) - UEFA has partnered with Groupe Amaury to co-organise the prestigious Ballon d'Or awards from 2024, Europe's soccer governing body said on Friday. Groupe Amaury, the owner of media companies France Football and L'Equipe, will remain the owner of the Ballon d'Or brand and will continue to oversee the voting system so it remains independent. But UEFA will continue to present the President's Award as well as prizes for the best player in each of their competitions. "UEFA and Ballon d'Or are synonyms of sporting excellence, so our partnership will be a natural blend of prominence and a synergy that promises to be nothing short of exceptional." FIFA partnered with the Ballon d'Or between 2010 and 2015 before world soccer's governing body created the "The Best" awards which have been presented every year since 2016.

Persons: Denis Balibouse, Ballon, Aleksander Ceferin, Lionel Messi, Aitana Bonmati, Rohith Nair, Ed Osmond Organizations: Soccer Football, UEFA, Groupe Amaury, France Football, L'Equipe, FIFA, Barcelona, Thomson Locations: Nyon, Switzerland, Argentina, Bengaluru

GENEVA, Nov 2 (Reuters) - The largest internally flawless fancy vivid blue diamond ever put up for auction could sell for up to $50 million at a Christie's sale of rare jewels in Geneva on Nov. 7, the auctioneer said on Thursday. Known as "Bleu Royal," this vivid blue diamond - which is set in a ring - is among the rarest ever to be unearthed. "What makes Bleu Royal so rare and special is its size. In 2016, Christie's sold a rare, 14.6-carat blue diamond known as the "Oppenheimer Blue" for more than $57 million. Two years ago the watch, now valued at between 1 million and 2 million Swiss francs, sold at auction for $2 million Swiss francs ($2.2 million).

Persons: Rahul Kadakia, Christie's, Oppenheimer, Kadakia, we've, Carola Chiadini, Denis Balibouse, Audrey Hepburn, Marlon Brando, Remi Guillemin, Guillemin, Gabrielle Tétrault, Farber, Cécile, Matthew Lewis Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: GENEVA, Geneva, Asia, Europe, Switzerland, Christie's

☆ Switzerland lifts extra restrictions against gay men giving blood
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Nurse Agnes Besancon check on Gabriel Delabays during a blood donation on the first day gay men in the country could give blood after Switzerland lifted long-standing restrictions, at the transfusion center CRS in Epalinges near Lausanne, Switzerland, November 1, 2023. Switzerland amended blood donation criteria for men who have sexual relations with other men, making ineligibility criteria the same for homosexuals and heterosexuals. Until 2017, gay men were systematically barred from giving blood in Switzerland, a policy dating to the start of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 1980s. Some other European countries, including Spain and Italy, have no restrictions preventing men who have sexual relations with men from giving blood. France removed additional restrictions on gay blood donors last year.

Persons: Agnes Besancon, Gabriel Delabays, Denis Balibouse, I'm, Gaé, SwissMedic, Donor Delabays, Gabrielle Tétrault, Farber, Alison Williams Organizations: REUTERS, Swiss Liberal Free Democratic Party, Swiss Transfusion SRC, Thomson Locations: Switzerland, Epalinges, Lausanne, EPALINGES, Swiss, Ecublens, Pink, Spain, Italy, France

REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Global gold demand excluding over-the-counter (OTC) trading slipped 6% in the third quarter as central bank buying fell short of last year's record levels and consumption by jewellers declined, the World Gold Council (WGC) said on Tuesday. Gold demand shot to an 11-year high in 2022 due to the biggest central bank purchases on record. "With geopolitical tensions on the rise and an expectation for continued robust central bank buying, gold demand may surprise to the upside," said Louise Street, senior markets analyst at the WGC. Central bank demand totalled 337.1 tons, down from a record 458.8 tons a year before. QUARTERLY GOLD SUPPLY AND DEMAND (tonnes)** Source: World Gold Council, Gold Demand Trends Q3 2023Reporting by Polina Devitt; Editing by Jan HarveyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Denis Balibouse, Louise Street, Polina Devitt, Jan Harvey Organizations: REUTERS, Gold Council, Gold, Thomson Locations: Mendrisio, Switzerland, Central, Europe

☆ Hungary to host Israel Euro 2024 qualifying matches v Switzerland, Romania
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Soccer Football - Euro 2028 & Euro 2032 Hosts Announcement - Nyon, Switzerland - October 10, 2023 The UEFA logo is pictured at the headquarters ahead of the announcement REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 31 (Reuters) - Two of Israel's upcoming Euro 2024 qualifying games will be played in Hungary, European soccer's governing body UEFA announced on Tuesday. UEFA postponed all matches scheduled in the country earlier this month due to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The Pancho Arena in Felcsut will host Israel's Group I qualifying game against Switzerland on Nov. 15 and their Nov. 18 match against Romania. The matches will be played with spectators, UEFA said. Israel, who have 11 points from six matches and sit third in the group, are also playing away at Kosovo on Nov. 12.

Persons: Denis Balibouse, Israel, Lori Ewing, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Soccer Football, UEFA, Switzerland, Romania, Thomson Locations: Nyon, Switzerland, Hungary, European, Israel, Felcsut, Kosovo

☆ Stream These 10 Movies Before They Leave Netflix in November
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Jason Bailey | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

‘About Last Night’ (Nov. 30)Stream it here. ‘Arrival’ (Nov. 30)Stream it here. ‘Fences’ (Nov. 30)Stream it here. ‘Hook’ (Nov. 30)Stream it here. ‘Stuart Little’ (Nov. 30)Stream it here.

Persons: Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, David Mamet, Joy Bryant, Michael Ealy, Regina Hall, Kevin Hart, Denis Villeneuve, Ted Chiang’s, Amy Adams, August Wilson —, Troy Maxson, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Viola Davis, Jovan Adepo, Troy, ‘, Steven Spielberg, Robin Williams, Peter Pan, Dustin Hoffman, Captain Hook, Julia Roberts, Tinker Bell, “ Hook, Spielberg, Williams, ‘ Stuart Little ’, White’s, Jonathan Lipnicki, Jerry Maguire ”, Geena Davis, Hugh Laurie —, David Alan Grier, Nathan Lane, Chazz Palminteri, Steve Zahn, Bruno Kirby, Jennifer Tilly, Michael J, Fox Organizations: Regina, Negro Locations: Chicago, Washington, Millennials

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