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☆ EU’s best way to close its US growth gap: growth
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BRUSSELS, Oct 26 (Reuters Breakingviews) - The European Union would have a better chance of catching the U.S. if it aimed for growth, instead of rearranging the regulatory deck chairs. Lowering political barriers in the 27-country single market could boost investment without breaking the bank on subsidies, Jean-François van Boxmeer told Breakingviews, citing a new European Round Table for Industry report. In the telecommunications sector, the European Commission has kept four providers in most of the EU’s markets, and screens out Chinese equipment-makers over security concerns. The European Commission reckons completing the single market by 2030 would hike EU GDP by 12%, or 713 billion euros. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

Persons: François van Boxmeer, Breakingviews, van Boxmeer, Jacob Wallenberg, Rebecca Christie, George Hay, Streisand Neto Organizations: Reuters, European, Vodafone, Reuters Graphics Business, EU, European Commission, Investor, X, News Corp, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS

☆ World Cup braced for second superpower showdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

That means that should they triumph on Saturday they will have an incredible 50% success rate - four finals from eight tournaments. New Zealand won the inaugural event in 1987 then became the first to win back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2015 - an achievement defending champions South Africa are also desperate to emulate. Their previous final meeting was in 1995, the first World Cup South Africa were allowed into. At the other end of the experience spectrum is winger Will Jordan, whose eight tries in France equal the tournament best. Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)Reporting by Mitch Phillips; editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Nelson Mandela, Francois Pienaar, Chester Williams, Siya Kolisi, Richie McCaw, Handre Pollard, Ian Foster, Sam Whitelock, Will Jordan, Jordie Barrett, flyhalf Richie Mo'unga, Ardie, Beauden Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith, Sam Cane, Shannon Frizell, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Nepo Laulala, Dalton Papalii, Finlay Christie, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert, Damian Willemse, Kurt, Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe, Faf de Klerk, Duane Vermeulen, Pieter, Steph du Toit, Kolisi, Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Steven Kitshoff, Deon Fourie, Trevor Nyakane, Jean Kleyn, Kwagga Smith, Jasper Wiese, Willie Le Roux, Wayne Barnes, Mitch Phillips, Ken Ferris Organizations: Springboks, New Zealand, South, France, England, Twickenham, Zealand, Blacks, Ireland, Webb, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, South Africa, Africa, England, flyhalf, Argentina, Ireland, France, Zealand, Brown

☆ Ari Emanuel's Endeavor says it will explore strategic alternatives, sending stock higher
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Mike Calia | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Endeavor Group Holdings , the talent agency and sports company run by Ari Emanuel, said Wednesday it would start exploring strategic alternatives for the company, which could mean a potential sale. The move comes weeks after French billionaire Francois-Henry Pinault agreed to buy a majority stake in Endeavor rival Creative Artists Agency. Endeavor's market value, likewise, was $7.79 billion as of Wednesday's market close, having declined 21% so far this year. Notably, Endeavor said it wouldn't consider ditching its interest in TKO Group Holdings , the newly formed combat sports company that includes Vince McMahon's WWE and Dana White's UFC. Endeavor owns 51% of TKO, which began trading on the New York Stock Exchange last month.

Persons: Ari Emanuel, Mark Bradford, George Lucas, Gucci, Emanuel, Francois, Henry Pinault, Vince McMahon's, Dana White's, – CNBC's Alex Sherman Organizations: Endeavor Group Holdings, Endeavor, Creative Artists Agency, Holdings, Vince McMahon's WWE, Dana White's UFC, New York Stock Exchange Locations: LACMA, Los Angeles , California

☆ Silver Lake working to take entertainment giant Endeavor private
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Dawn Chmielewski | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Trading information and logo for Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc. is displayed on a screen on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., May 10, 2023. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 25 (Reuters) - Private equity firm Silver Lake said on Wednesday it was working on a proposal to take talent and media company Endeavor Group Holdings (EDR.N) private, after Endeavor announced it had begun a review to explore alternatives that better value the company. "Silver Lake is currently working toward making a proposal to take Endeavor private," it said. Endeavor Group, which has diversified holdings in talent-management, live sports and festivals, is valued at around $8.4 billion. The private equity firm acquired a minority stake in the William Morris Endeavor talent agency in 2012, and Silver Lake Co-CEO Egon Durban and managing partner Stephen Evans serve on Endeavor's board of directors.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Silver Lake, Francois, Henri Pinault, Ari Emanuel, Emanuel, William Morris, Egon Durban, Stephen Evans, Jaspreet Singh, Dawn Chmielewski, Devika Syamnath, Shailesh Kuber, Rod Nickel, Tom Hogue, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc, New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Silver, Endeavor, Creative Artists Agency, Endeavor Group, Boston Red Sox, Fenway Sports Group, PGA, Reuters, William, William Morris Endeavor, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Bengaluru, Dawn, Los Angeles

☆ Ari Emanuel’s Endeavor is considering the sale of some of its assets
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Endeavor Group Holdings, led by the high-power agent to the stars, Ari Emanuel, said that it is considering a sale of some of its assets. Earlier this year, Endeavor, which owns mixed martial arts company UFC, merged with World Wrestling Entertainment to create TKO Holdings. Shares of TKO Holdings, which is a separate publicly traded company apart from Endeavor, climbed nearly 2% in after-hours trading Wednesday. Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified the assets Endeavor is considering selling as well as IMG's function. Endeavor is considering strategic options for its companies but did not identify any particular asset for sale.

Persons: Ari Emanuel, ” “, ”, Ariel Emanuel, Endeavor’s, Dwayne “, ” Johnson, Matt Damon, Emanuel, Francois, Henri Pinault Organizations: New, New York CNN — Endeavor Group Holdings, Wednesday, Endeavor, Company, IMG, Holdings, UFC, World Wrestling Entertainment, CAA Locations: New York

☆ Anti-Black racism is rising in EU countries, led by Germany, study finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Francois Murphy | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

VIENNA, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Racism towards Black people is growing in Europe, with Germany, Austria and Finland showing the highest rates of discrimination and harassment, a survey of first- and second-generation Black immigrants in 13 EU countries published on Wednesday found. In Austria and Germany the proportion was 64% - almost twice the previous level of 33% in Germany and a significant increase from the 42% recorded in Austria six years earlier. "It is shocking to see no improvement since our last survey," FRA Director Michael O'Flaherty said. The highest national rate was 54% in Germany, followed by Finland and Austria. The FRA report included a series of recommendations for EU member states such as properly enforcing anti-discrimination legislation and considering a motivation based on racial bias as an aggravating circumstance when setting penalties for crimes.

Persons: Michael O'Flaherty, Ipsos, Francois Murphy, Aurora Ellis Organizations: European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, FRA, Thomson Locations: VIENNA, Europe, Germany, Austria, Finland, Saharan Africa, Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden

☆ World Cup 2023: Previous World Cup finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

PARIS, Oct 25 (Reuters) - On Saturday, New Zealand take on South Africa in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final at the Stade de France, with both teams hoping to win a record fourth title. Mapimpi scored the first try in the 66th minute, becoming the first Springbok to score a try in a World Cup final, despite South Africa having won two previous titles. The teams had met in the pool stage with South Africa winning 36-0. Fullback Jonathan Webb scored two penalties for England, whose decision to ditch their forward-reliant tactics for an expansive running game backfired. 1987 - NEW ZEALAND 29 FRANCE 9 (AUCKLAND)The All Blacks laid down the marker in the first World Cup final, dominating from start to finish as flyhalf Grant Fox's kicking helped his team gain territory time and again.

Persons: Makazole, Cheslin Kolbe, Handre Pollard, Mapimpi, Richie McCaw, Flyhalf Dan Carter, Beauden Barrett's, Tony Woodcock, Stephen Donald, Percy Montgomery, Francois Steyn, Alain Rolland's, Mark Cueto, England's Jonny Wilkinson, Australia's Elton Flatley, Wilkinson, Matt Burke, Ben Tune, Owen Finegan, Nelson Mandela, Jonah Lomu, Joel Stransky's, Webb Ellis, Tony Daly, Michael Lynagh, Fullback Jonathan Webb, flyhalf Grant Fox's, Michael Jones, David Kirk, John Kirwan, Pierre Berbizier, Rohith Nair, Aadi Nair, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Stade de France, England, Springbok, South, Blacks, Wallabies, Springboks, South Africa, ZEALAND, Fullback, Fox, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, South Africa, ENGLAND, YOKOHAMA, Japan, AUSTRALIA, TWICKENHAM, FRANCE, AUCKLAND, France, PARIS, England, SYDNEY, CARDIFF, Australia, JOHANNESBURG, Bengaluru

☆ Anti-Black Racism Is Rising in EU Countries, Led by Germany, Study Finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Francois MurphyVIENNA (Reuters) - Racism towards Black people is growing in Europe, with Germany, Austria and Finland showing the highest rates of discrimination and harassment, a survey of first- and second-generation Black immigrants in 13 EU countries published on Wednesday found. In Austria and Germany the proportion was 64% - almost twice the previous level of 33% in Germany and a significant increase from the 42% recorded in Austria six years earlier. "It is shocking to see no improvement since our last survey," FRA Director Michael O'Flaherty said. The highest national rate was 54% in Germany, followed by Finland and Austria. The FRA report included a series of recommendations for EU member states such as properly enforcing anti-discrimination legislation and considering a motivation based on racial bias as an aggravating circumstance when setting penalties for crimes.

Persons: Francois Murphy VIENNA, Michael O'Flaherty, Ipsos, Francois Murphy, Aurora Ellis Organizations: European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, FRA Locations: Europe, Germany, Austria, Finland, Saharan Africa, Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden

☆ Germany's Volkswagen shares tumble after margin downgrade
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

The logo of German carmaker Volkswagen is seen on a rim cap in a showroom of a Volkswagen car dealer in Brussels, Belgium July 9, 2020. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 23 (Reuters) - Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) shares fell to their lowest since April 2020 on Monday after the German carmaker cut its profit margin outlook for the current year, disappointing some investors. Volkswagen kept its outlook for deliveries and sales. Volkswagen shares fell 2.9% in Frankfurt by 0732 GMT, leading fallers across the European auto sector (.SXAP), which was down 0.5%. Reporting by Danilo Masoni, editing by Alun JohnOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Francois Lenoir, Danilo Masoni, Alun John Organizations: Volkswagen, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Brussels, Belgium, Frankfurt

☆ EU, US could agree on critical minerals despite steel failure, says France
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Francois Lenoir/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsVALENCIA, Spain, Oct 20 (Reuters) - The European Union and the United States could reach a deal on critical minerals over the coming weeks or months despite their failure to agree an accord on steel and aluminium, French Trade Minister Olivier Becht said on Friday. The discussions were intense and I hope they will restart as soon as possible," Becht said before an EU ministers' meeting on trade in Valencia, Spain. "It's in both the interest of Europe and the United States to have this agreement," Becht said. The United States has suspended import tariffs on EU steel and aluminium imposed by then-President Donald Trump in 2018, but on condition both sides agree measures to address overcapacity in non-market economies such as China, and promote greener steel. Reporting by Belén Carreño; editing by Philip Blenkinsop and Barbara LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mike Pence, Francois Lenoir, Olivier Becht, Joe Biden's, Becht, Donald Trump, Belén, Philip Blenkinsop, Barbara Lewis Organizations: European Commission, REUTERS, Rights, European Union, French Trade, EU, Trump, U.S, United, Washington, World Trade Organization, Thomson Locations: Brussels, Belgium, Rights VALENCIA, Spain, United States, Valencia, Europe, China

☆ Suspect in killing of French teacher put under formal investigation
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

French police and firefighters stand in front of the Gambetta-Carnot school, where French teacher Dominique Bernard was killed in a knife attack on Friday, after the school was evacuated following a bomb alert in Arras, northern France, October 16, 2023. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Oct 18 (Reuters) - A 20-year-old man suspected of stabbing a teacher to death and wounded three people at a French school has been placed under formal investigation for murder in connection with a terrorist organisation, the anti-terrorism prosecutor's office said. The main suspect in the Friday attack, known as Mohammed M, had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, anti-terrorism prosecutor Jean-Francois Ricard said before the man was placed under investigation on Tuesday evening. Mohammed M's 16-year old brother was put under formal investigation for complicity in murder in relation with a terrorist organisation and their cousin was put investigation for voluntarily abstaining from preventing a crime, the office said in a statement on Wednesday. Reporting by Dominique Vidalon; editing by Robert BirselOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Gambetta, Carnot, Dominique Bernard, Pascal, Mohammed M, Jean, Francois Ricard, Mohammed M's, Gerald Darmanin, Dominique Vidalon, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Islamic State, Thomson Locations: Arras, France, Israel

☆ Austrian ex-chancellor Kurz goes on trial for perjury
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz speaks to media as he arrives at the Austrian People's Party (OeVP) conference in Graz, Austria May 14, 2022. REUTERS/Lisa Leutner/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsVIENNA, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Austria's conservative former chancellor Sebastian Kurz went on trial for perjury on Wednesday in a case separate from the corruption investigation that forced him from office but which could still influence his ruling party's electoral fate. Kurz, who denies all the allegations made against him, has quit politics yet the ruling coalition he formed with the left-wing Greens in 2020 remains in power. Kurz's People's Party (OVP) is currently neck-and-neck with the opposition Social Democrats in opinion polls, well behind the far-right Freedom Party on around 30%. As chancellor, Kurz was one of Europe's youngest leaders and a household name in German-speaking countries known for his hard line on immigration.

Persons: Sebastian Kurz, Lisa Leutner, Kurz, Kurz's, Gernot Bluemel, Chancellor Karl Nehammer, Francois Murphy, Alexandra Schwarz, Christina Fincher Organizations: Austrian, Austrian People's Party, REUTERS, Rights, Greens, Kurz's People's Party, Social, Party, OVP, Thomson Locations: Graz, Austria, Vienna

☆ Suspect in Fatal Stabbing of French Teacher Pledged Allegiance to Islamic State -Prosecutor
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

PARIS (Reuters) - A 20-year-old man who fatally stabbed a teacher and wounded three others in an attack at a school in the French city of Arras on Oct 13 pledged allegiance to the Islamic state, said French anti-terrorism prosecutor Jean-Francois Ricard.

Persons: Jean, Francois Ricard Organizations: PARIS Locations: French, Arras

☆ Canada to give Belgium's Umicore up to C$1 bln for new battery components plant
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

OTTAWA, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Canada and the province of Ontario will give up to C$1 billion to a unit of Belgium's Umicore (UMI.BR) to help it build a plant that will produce components for electric vehicle batteries, Ottawa said on Monday. The plant - the first of its kind in North America - will initially employ 600 people and have a battery materials production capacity of 35 gigawatt hours annually. Canada, home to a large mining sector for minerals such as lithium, nickel and cobalt, wants to woo firms involved in all levels of the electric vehicle (EV) supply chain via a multibillion-dollar green technology. The Umicore plant is due to be built in stages and could be worth C$2.7 billion when fully completed. Canada will invest up to C$551.3 billion with Ontario adding up to C$424.6 billion.

Persons: Francois, Philippe Champagne, Champagne, David Ljunggren, David Gregorio Our Organizations: OTTAWA, Thomson Locations: Canada, Ontario, Ottawa, Loyalist Township, North America

☆ On View: A Painter Capturing Motion on Canvas
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Shirley Ngozi Nwangwa | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

At François Ghebaly gallery in L.A., the Cameroonian-born, New York-based artist Ludovic Nkoth is currently exhibiting works made during his recent residency in Paris. We spoke about one of his paintings and his cross-cultural references →

Persons: Ludovic Nkoth Locations: L.A, Cameroonian, New York, Paris

☆ ECB policymakers eye springtime push to cut payments on banks' deposits, sources say
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Balazs Koranyi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

MARRAKECH, Oct 13 (Reuters) - European Central Bank policymakers are planning a springtime push to cut interest payments made to commercial banks, in part to recoup some of the costs associated with a decade worth of stimulus, sources familiar with discussions said. That would mean overall interest payments to lenders - which still earn the ECB deposit rate, currently 4%, on other excess cash parked with the central bank - would be reduced further. But the ECB rejected the proposal in July, partly on resistance from its Executive Board, the sources said. The board's key argument is that excess liquidity is distributed unevenly across the euro zone and raising the ratio would put an excessive burden on smaller banks with a larger portion of deposits. Deutsche Bank CEO Christian Sewing argued that the change would add to banks' financial burdens and restrict their lending options.

Persons: Bundesbank, Joachim Nagel, Robert Holzmann, Latvia's Martin Kazaks, Isabel Schnabel, Austria's Holzmann, France's Francois Villeroy de, Pierre Wunsch, We're, Schnabel, Deutsche Bank CEO Christian Sewing, Tom Sims, John Stonestreet Organizations: Central Bank, ECB, Austrian, Barclays, Deutsche Bank CEO Christian, Thomson Locations: MARRAKECH

☆ Attacks in France in recent years
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Here are some other attacks that have taken place in France in recent years:- June 9, 2023 - A Syrian national wounded four children and two pensioners in a knife attack in the Alpine town of Annecy. - Oct. 29, 2020 - An attacker with a knife killed three people and wounded several others at a church in the southern city of Nice. - March 23, 2018 - A gunman killed three people in southwestern France after holding up a car, firing on police and taking hostages in a supermarket. - July 26, 2016 - Two attackers killed a priest and seriously wounded another hostage in a church in northern France before being shot dead by police. - Nov. 13, 2015 - Paris was rocked by multiple gun and bomb attacks on entertainment sites around the city, in which 130 people were killed and 368 wounded.

Persons: Lycee Gambetta, Carnot, Pascal Rossignol, Emmanuel Macron, Samuel Paty, Prophet Mohammad, Charlie Hebdo, Mickael Harpon, Francois Hollande, Frenchman, Charlie Hebdo’s, Michel Rose, Frances Kerry Organizations: Lycee, REUTERS, Rights, Syrian, Police, Paris police, Security, Islamic, Islamic State, Belgian, Thomson Locations: Arras, France, Alpine, Annecy, Reims, Nord, Paris, Kurdish, Nice, Pakistan, Islamic State, Tunisian, State

☆ How the Azores islands went from whale hunting to whale watching
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Anne Pinto | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Soon, factories processing whale oil, meat and bones sprung up on the islands. After crude oil was discovered in 1859, the demand for whale oil decreased dramatically in the following decades. In 1990, French national Serge Viallele set up the first whale watching company in the archipelago, on Pico island. The number of whale watching boats is strictly limited by a license system, which issues a maximum number per island – or per zone for the smaller islands. For now, whale watching remains a major draw for visitors to the islands.

Persons: ”, Rui de Souza Martins, Azorean, they’d, De Agostini, –, – didn’t, José Carlos Garcia, São Miguel, Pedro Madruga, wasn’t, Francois Gohier, Serge Viallele, “ Viallele, Miguel Cravinho, Francisco Garcia, ” de Souza Martins, you’ll, Martin Zwick, Jean, Michel Cousteau, Luís Silva, Garcia, “ Organizations: CNN, University of, Whaling, Whalers, Netflix, International Whaling Commission, IWC, Azul, World Cetacean Alliance, Centre for Research Locations: Azores, Lisbon, Azoreans, Portugal, United States, Nantucket and New Bedford , Massachusetts, Massachusetts, Pico, Francois, Terra Azul, Miguel, Europe

☆ French federation should allow hijabs says Amnesty International
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

French President Emmanuel Macron shakes hands with head of the French Basketball Federation Jean-Pierre Siutat at a stadium ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games, in Tremblay-en-France, outside Paris, October 14, 2021. Francois Mori/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 12 (Reuters) - The French Basketball Federation is being asked by Amnesty International to comply with international human rights laws and not discriminate against female Muslim players who wear headgear ahead of the FFBB's General Assembly on Saturday. A note accompanying FFBB Rule 4.4.2 outlines the ban on head coverings but Amnesty said it violates Muslim women's rights. However, Amnesty International said in a letter sent to the FFBB: "Prohibitions on the wearing of religious headscarves in public spaces violate Muslim women's rights under international human rights laws and standards". Amnesty International said the Muslim players they spoke with said the headgear rule is "generally not being applied in practice, although this entirely depends on individual referees' inclination."

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, French Basketball Federation Jean, Pierre Siutat, Francois Mori, Amelie Oudea, Castera, Lori Ewing, Ken Ferris Organizations: French Basketball Federation, Amnesty International, Federation, Amnesty, Muslim, French Ministry of Sport, Olympic, Paralympic Committees, IOC, Paris Games, FIBA, Nike, Thomson Locations: Tremblay, France, Paris

☆ 'From the River to the Sea' Prompts Vienna to Ban Pro-Palestinian Protest
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

VIENNA (Reuters) - Vienna police on Wednesday banned a pro-Palestinian protest due to coincide with a pro-Israel event after Saturday's attack by Hamas, citing the fact the phrase "from the river to the sea" was mentioned in invitations and characterising it as a call to violence. The head of the city's police force, Gerhard Puerstl, held a news conference at short notice less than three hours before the protest was due to be held at 7 p.m. (1700 GMT) on the square next to the cathedral in the centre of the city. The river is the Jordan and the sea is the Mediterranean, between which lie Israel and the Palestinian territories. The phrase is often chanted at pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Austria's ruling conservatives have in recent years adopted one of the most pro-Israel stances in the European Union.

Persons: Gerhard Puerstl, Puerstl, Jordan, Chancellor Karl Nehammer's, Francois Murphy, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Vienna police, PLO, Palestine, Organisation, European Union Locations: VIENNA, Vienna, Israel, Palestine, Palestinian

☆ European Central Bank member says more rate hikes still possible if new shocks emerge
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Hannah Ward-Glenton | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Robert Holzmann, governor of Austria's central bank, speaks during an event in Vienna, Austria, on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesAustrian central bank Governor Robert Holzmann said the European Central Bank could implement one or two further interest rate increases, if there are "additional shocks" to the economy. watch nowThe European Central Bank opted to hike interest rates to a record in September, continuing a cycle that has lasted almost two years. In a market-moving statement in mid-September, the ECB also indicated that further hikes may be off the table for now. He added that there was a "clear downward trend" in prices, in an interview with franceinfo, as translated by CNBC.

Persons: Robert Holzmann, Holzmann, Holzmann's, Francois Villeroy de Galhau, franceinfo Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty, European Central Bank, CNBC, International Monetary, Bank, ECB Locations: Austria's, Vienna, Austria, Marrakech

Germany and Austria earlier on Monday said they were suspending bilateral development aid to Palestinians, while others such as Italy had said suspending aid was not up for discussion. It is unclear whether the suspensions in development aid will also apply to such assistance. Varhelyi said all new budget proposals for Palestinian aid were also postponed until further notice. The Israeli flag has been hoisted above the chancellor's office and the Foreign Ministry after the shock Hamas assault. Asked if Italy would follow Germany and Austria in suspending development aid, the foreign ministry spokesperson said this was not under discussion.

Persons: Amir Cohen, Oliver Varhelyi, Varhelyi, Mahmoud Abbas, Fatah, Alexander Schallenberg, Svenja Schulze, Rishi Sunak, Andrew Gray, Francois Murphy, Sarah Marsh, Markus Wacket, Angela Amante, Kate Holton, Mark Heinrich, Alison Williams, Nick Macfie Organizations: REUTERS, BRUSSELS, European, United Nations, Union, EU, EU Commission, West Bank, Palestinian Authority, Austrian, European Union, Foreign Ministry, Social Democrats, Greens, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Ashkelon, Israel, Germany, Austria, Italy, BERLIN, Europe, West, Berlin, Palestinian, Berlin's, Brandenburg, United Nations, Britain, Brussels, Vienna, Rome, London

The announcement by Mikhail Ulyanov added new fuel to tensions between Russia and the United States over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine and arms control disputes between the world's largest nuclear weapons powers. Ulyanov, Moscow's envoy to the CTBTO, said on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, that "#Russia plans to revoke ratification (which took place in the year 2000) of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty." "The aim is to be on equal footing with the #US who signed the Treaty, but didn't ratify it. While the United States signed but did not ratify the treaty, it has observed a moratorium on nuclear weapon test explosions since 1992 that it says it has no plans to abandon. The spokesperson said Russia should reach an "equal footing" with the United States "by not wielding arms control and irresponsible nuclear rhetoric in a failing attempt to coerce other states."

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Sergei Guneev, Washington, Mikhail Ulyanov, Ulyanov, Robert Floyd, Floyd, Francois Murphy, Alex Richardson, Angus MacSwan, Alexander Smith Organizations: Sputnik, REUTERS, Acquire, Comprehensive, Treaty Organization, United, U.S . State Department, Party, Washington, Russian, Russian Federation, Conference, Disarmament, Thomson Locations: Sochi, Russia, Moscow, States VIENNA, WASHINGTON, United States, Ukraine, Ban, China, Egypt, Iran, Israel, North Korea, India, Pakistan, Vienna, U.S

☆ Canada's grocery chains pledge to help cut food prices, government says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A person pushes a shopping cart through the produce section of a grocery store in Toronto, Ontario, Canada November 22, 2022. REUTERS/Carlos Osorio/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOTTAWA, Oct 5 (Reuters) - The Canadian government, under political pressure to tackle high inflation, said on Thursday the country's five major grocery chains had made an initial commitment to help stabilise food prices. Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said Canadians would soon see discounts on a number of food products, as well as price freezes and price-matching campaigns. This is Day One of a fight that we are fighting on behalf of Canadians," Champagne told reporters when asked whether tax increases were still possible. Champagne also said Ottawa would establish a special grocery task force to monitor whether the chains were living up to their commitments to keep food prices under control.

Persons: Carlos Osorio, Francois, Philippe Champagne, Justin Trudeau, Champagne, David Ljunggren, Jane Merriman Organizations: REUTERS, Rights OTTAWA, Canadian, Innovation, Walmart, Costco, Thomson Locations: Toronto , Ontario, Canada, Ottawa

☆ FIFA 2030 World Cup to be hosted by Morocco, Spain and Portugal, with opening games in South America
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal shoots past Jawad El Yamiq of Morocco during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter final match between Morocco and Portugal at Al Thumama Stadium on December 10, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)The 2030 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, the world governing body of soccer announced Wednesday, with the three opening matches to be played in South America. The tournament will be the first World Cup to be held across three different continents. Opening games will be held in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay, and all six hosting countries' teams will be automatically qualified to compete.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo, Jawad El Yamiq, Francois Nel Organizations: FIFA World, Qatar, Al Locations: Morocco, Portugal, Doha, Qatar, Spain, South America, Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay

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