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☆ German economy stagnates in Q2 after winter recession
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach Acquire Licensing RightsBERLIN, Aug 25 (Reuters) - The German economy stagnated in the second quarter compared to the previous three months, following a winter recession, data from the statistics office showed on Friday. Year on year, adjusted GDP contracted by 0.2% in the second quarter. Quarter on quarter, economic activity had fallen by 0.4% in the fourth quarter of 2022 and by 0.1% in the first quarter of 2023. Household consumption showed zero growth in the second quarter from the first and government spending rose by 0.1%. Capital investment also grew modestly while exports fell 1.1%, Friday's report showed.

Persons: Kai Pfaffenbach, Maria Martinez, Friederike Heine, John Stonestreet Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Frankfurt, Germany

☆ Databricks in talks to raise funds at $43 billion valuation, Bloomberg reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Aug 25 (Reuters) - Databricks, a data analytics platform using artificial intelligence, is in discussions with T. Rowe Price about a new funding round that would value the company at $43 billion, Bloomberg News reported on Friday. These private discussions are at a preliminary stage and could fall apart, the report said, citing two people familiar with the matter. If the round is successful, the San Francisco-based startup's valuation would be considerably higher than the $38 billion it reached two years ago in funding led by Counterpoint Global, according to the Bloomberg. Databricks offers a software platform in the cloud that companies can use to analyze data. Databricks declined to comment, while T. Rowe Price did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for a comment.

Persons: Rowe Price, Jaspreet Singh, Maju Samuel Organizations: Bloomberg, Counterpoint, Databricks, Thomson Locations: San Francisco, Bengaluru

☆ Prigozhin was scrambling to salvage his business empire from Kremlin control in the days before his death, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Yevgeny Prigozhin flew across African trying to salvage contracts there, the WSJ reported. Per the WSJ's investigation, Prigozhin was racing to stop the Kremlin dismantling his empire. Get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in business, from Wall Street to Silicon Valley — delivered daily. AdvertisementAdvertisementPer the WSJ's account, the plane crash cut short an effort by Prigozhin to maintain his sprawling network of mercenary deals. Per The Journal, other sources of income for Prigozhin include gold from Sudan, and diamond and timber from the Central African Republic.

Persons: Yevgeny Prigozhin, Prigozhin, Wagner Organizations: Service, Wall Street, Wagner Group, Kremlin, Central African Republic, Russian, Wagner, Dossier, Central African Locations: Russia, Wall, Silicon, Africa, Kremlin, Russian, St . Petersburg, Sudan, Mali, East, Central African Republic

☆ Mastercard ends Binance card partnership in latest blow to crypto giant
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Embattled cryptocurrency exchange Binance has lost some business with payment card networks Mastercard and Visa. Where available, users can also shop with crypto and send crypto using Binance Pay, a contactless, borderless and secure cryptocurrency payment technology designed by Binance," the company added. Mastercard confirmed that it is ending the partnership, with a spokesperson telling CNBC that, from Sept. 22, four pilot Binance co-branded Mastercard card programs the company had with Binance in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Bahrain "will no longer be in use." "This provides cardholders with a wind-down period to convert any holdings in their Binance wallet," the Mastercard spokesperson said. "There is no impact on any other crypto card program."

Persons: Binance Organizations: Visa Inc, Mastercard Inc, Mastercard, Visa, Twitter, CNBC, Binance, Bloomberg Locations: Tiskilwa , Illinois, U.S, America, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Bahrain, Europe

☆ ChatGPT generates cancer treatment plans that are full of errors, study shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( Tom Carter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Study finds that ChatGPT provided false information when asked to design cancer treatment plans. The chatbot mixed correct and incorrect information together, making it harder to decipher. Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital – a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts – found that cancer treatment plans generated by OpenAI's revolutionary chatbot were full of errors. AdvertisementAdvertisementDespite ChatGPT's success, generative AI models are still prone to "hallucinations," where they confidently present information that is misleading or wildly incorrect. The company's terms of usage warn that their models are not designed to provide medical information, and should not be used to "provide diagnostic or treatment services for serious medical conditions."

Persons: ChatGPT, Boston , Massachusetts –, Bloomberg –, Danielle Bitterman, didn't, Goldman Sachs, Google's, Bard, James Webb, OpenAI Organizations: Brigham, Women's, Harvard Medical School, JAMA Oncology, Bloomberg, Comprehensive Cancer Network, Harvard Locations: Boston , Massachusetts

☆ HSBC expands venture debt offering to early-stage startups in US
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

An HSBC bank is pictured during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., October 19, 2020. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri Acquire Licensing RightsAug 24 (Reuters) - HSBC (HSBA.L) said on Thursday it has expanded venture debt offering to early-stage startups through its U.S. innovation banking division. Debt has become an increasingly popular option for startups looking for cash in a tough financing market. HSBC hired 42 bankers from Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), which collapsed in March. "We've been working to mobilize the broader HSBC innovation banking platform around to really be able to support companies from Series A, all the way through their journey," said David Sabow, head of technology and healthcare at the bank's U.S. innovation banking unit.

Persons: Carlo Allegri, We've, David Sabow, Manya Saini, Saeed Azhar, Shinjini Ganguli, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: HSBC, REUTERS, Silicon Valley Bank, Federal Reserve, KPMG, Thomson Locations: Manhattan, New York City , New York, U.S, London, Silicon, United States, Israel, Hong Kong, Bengaluru, New York

☆ Amazon in talks with Disney about ESPN streaming partnership - The Information
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] FILE PHOTO-The logo of Amazon is seen at the company logistics center in Lauwin-Planque, northern France, January 5, 2023. Disney and ESPN are still in the midst of determining an appropriate price for the new service, the report said. ESPN is considering charging between $20 and $35 a month for the new streaming service, which could make it the most expensive streaming service in the U.S, the report added. Amazon.com, Walt Disney and ESPN did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment. Reporting by Leroy Leo and Zaheer Kachwala in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel and Shailesh KuberOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Pascal, Walt, Robert Iger, Leroy Leo, Zaheer Kachwala, Maju Samuel, Shailesh Organizations: REUTERS, Walt Disney Co, ESPN, Disney, Walt Disney, CNBC, Thomson Locations: Lauwin, France, U.S, Bengaluru

☆ Five dead, 6 hospitalized in California bar shooting-CBS News
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Aug 23 (Reuters) - Five people were killed in a shooting at a bikers' bar in California's Orange County, CBS Los Angeles reported on Wednesday citing sources. Six more people were in hospital after a retired law enforcement officer opened fired at the bar, the report added. There were multiple victims, the Orange Country Sheriff said in a post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. The CBS report said the shooting took place at a bikers' bar called Cook's Corner in Trabuco Canyon and there was now a large law enforcement presence. The California governor's office said it was monitoring the shooting in Orange County.

Persons: Lavanya, Neil Fullick, Himani Sarkar, Michael Perry Organizations: CBS, Orange Country Sheriff, Twitter, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Orange County, CBS Los Angeles, Trabuco, California, Bengaluru

☆ What now for Putin? Kremlin critic says Prigozhin’s apparent death will ‘cement his authority’
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Gavriil Grigorov | Afp | Getty ImagesProminent Kremlin critic Bill Browder believes the presumed death of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin will shore up President Vladimir Putin's shaken authority, saying the Russian leader "never forgives and never forgets." His comments come shortly after Russian aviation officials said Wednesday that Prigozhin was believed to have been killed in a plane crash. A view of site after a private jet, allegedly carrying Wagner head Yevgeny Prigozhin and other passengers crashed in Russia's northwestern Tver region, Russia on August 23, 2023. This will cement his authority and is standard Putin operating procedure," Browder said. The Wagner boss had struck an apparent deal with the Kremlin in the aftermath of the June rebellion.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Gavriil Grigorov, Bill Browder, Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Vladimir Putin's, Prigozhin, Dmitry Utkin, Utkin, of, Yevgeny Viktorovich Prigozhin, Putin, Browder, Ian Bremmer, Prigozhin's, Bremmer, Wagner chief's, he's, CNBC's Organizations: Sputnik, Afp, Getty, NBC, Telegram, Wagner Group, Grey, Anadolu Agency, Federal Agency for Air Transport, Russian Embassy, Kremlin, Eurasia Group Locations: Kursk, Nazi Germany, Soviet Union, Moscow, Tver, Ukraine, Syria, Libya, Africa, of Russia, Russia, Russia's, Russian, London, Belarus

☆ BRICS set to invite Saudi Arabia to join - Bloomberg News
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Delegates interact next to the logos of the BRICS summit during the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa on August 23, 2023. GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/Pool via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsAug 24 (Reuters) - Major emerging market nations are preparing to invite Saudi Arabia to join BRICS, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the talks. Leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) have agreed to expand their group, which would be the first expansion since 2010, the report said. Egypt is another nation being invited to join, along with others in the Middle East, the report added. Reporting by Akanksha Khushi in Bengaluru Editing by Mark PotterOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: GIANLUIGI, Akanksha, Mark Potter Organizations: REUTERS Acquire, BRICS, Bloomberg, Thomson Locations: Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Russia, India, China, Egypt, Bengaluru

B REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies BlackRock Inc FollowAug 23 (Reuters) - Top asset manager BlackRock on Wednesday reported a further decline in its support for shareholder resolutions on environmental and social themes, citing corporate progress on the areas and poor crafting of the measures by filers. In an annual stewardship report being released with the end of the 12-month corporate annual meeting cycle on June 30, New York-based BlackRock said it supported 7% of 399 shareholder proposals on environmental and social issues. In the newest report BlackRock said many of the measures called for changes that would not be helpful to companies in its funds. Data has previously shown investor support slipping for many resolutions, and as companies strike compromises with activists. BlackRock has been under fire from conservative U.S. politicians who say it has over-emphasized sustainability issues, citing past proxy votes.

Persons: Shannon Stapleton, BlackRock, Ross Kerber, Isla Binie, Simon Jessop, Sonali Paul Organizations: REUTERS, BlackRock, filers, Thomson Locations: BlackRock, New York, U.S, Boston, London

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., August 15, 2023. Traders in the U.S. equity options market are bracing for a larger-than-usual swing in Nvidia shares following the chipmaker's earnings, which are due after markets close on Wednesday. ET, Dow e-minis were up 34 points, or 0.1%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 4.25 points, or 0.1%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 4.75 points, or 0.03%. Peloton Interactive (PTON.O) shares plunged 27% after the fitness equipment maker forecast first-quarter revenue below estimates. Reporting by Amruta Khandekar and Shristi Achar A; Editing by Shinjini GanguliOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Foot, Susannah Streeter, Hargreaves Lansdown, Jerome Powell, Roche, Armour, Amruta Khandekar, Shinjini Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Nvidia, Sports, Dow, Nasdaq, Wall, Hargreaves, Traders, Reuters, Federal Reserve, Treasury, Dow e, Biosciences, Merck & Co, Sport, Nike, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Swiss

☆ Why Grass Is a Culprit in Some of the World’s Worst Wildfires
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Wall Street Journal | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The Brain Science of Aggression and Why Lashing Out Can Feel Good Nearly one in four people surveyed in Gallup's latest Global Emotions Report said they’d recently felt anger. WSJ’s Daniela Hernandez explains the neuroscience behind rage, the roles it plays in our lives and how we can keep it in check. Photo composite: David Fang

Persons: they’d, WSJ’s Daniela Hernandez, David Fang

CNN —North Korea’s second attempt to launch a spy satellite into orbit failed Thursday due to a malfunction in the third-stage of the rocket, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. The unsuccessful launch came after North Korea’s first attempt failed in May, when the new satellite vehicle rocket Chollima-1 crashed into the sea soon after liftoff. In a news conference Thursday, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said Japan “strongly protests” North Korea’s latest launch and “condemns it in the strongest terms,” adding that the launch used ballistic missile technology. During the summit, the three leaders pledged closer cooperation to protect against nuclear threats from North Korea and urged Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. North Korea is expected to celebrate its 75th foundation day on September 9 with a military parade.

Persons: North Korea’s, KCNA, Defense Kimi Onoda, Hirokazu Matsuno, Japan “, “, Matsuno, ”, Yoon Suk Yeol, Adrienne Watson, Joe Biden, Camp David, Kim Jong Un Organizations: CNN, Korean Central News Agency, North, Defense, South Korean, Japanese Coast Guard, Japan’s, United Nations Security, Korea’s National Security Council, UN, NSC, US, US National Security Council, DPRK Locations: Pyongyang, East China, Japan, Okinawa, North Korea, South Korea, United States, Korea, North, Camp

☆ Climate change: Parts of tropical rainforests could get too hot for photosynthesis, study suggests
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Laura Paddison | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Some leaves in tropical forests from South America to South East Asia are getting so hot they may no longer be able to photosynthesize, with big potential consequences for the world’s forests, according to a new study. They found that average forest canopy temperatures peaked at 34 degrees Celsius (93 Fahrenheit) but some exceeded 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). This level of warming is not expected under current climate policies, which are estimated to bring 2.7 degrees Celsius of warming above pre-industrial levels. While these figures may seem small, the risk is significant given how critical tropical trees are for life, the climate system and the planet. But, he added, there are more immediate concerns for tropical forests, including deforestation, wildfires and droughts.

Persons: photosynthesize, Christopher Doughty, ” Doughty, Martin Zwick, ”, Kevin Collins, Christopher Still, there’s, it’s, “, Chloe Brimicombe, ” Joshua Fisher Organizations: CNN, Northern Arizona University, Getty, Open University, Science Media, Oregon State University, University of Graz, Chapman University Locations: South America, South East Asia, Nature, Australia, Brazil, ecoinformatics, Mobuku, Uganda, ”, Austria

☆ North Korea's Kim visits tractor factory amid food crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspects the Kumsong Tractor Factory in North Korea August 23, 2023 in this photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). KCNA via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Aug 24 (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited the Kumsong Tractor Factory on Wednesday alongside his powerful sister, Kim Yo Jong, amid the ongoing food crisis, state media KCNA reported on Thursday. North Korea has been pushing agriculture amid growing concerns over food shortages. Earlier this week, Kim criticized top officials over their response to flood damage including over 270 hectares (667 acres) of rice paddies, news agency KCNA said. Last week, KCNA also reported that Kim had inspected typhoon-hit farmlands after tropical storm Khanun swept over the Korean Peninsula.

Persons: Kim Jong Un, KCNA, Kim Yo Jong, Kim, Hyunsu Yim, Sandra Maler Organizations: Factory, North, Korean Central News Agency, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Kumsong, Thomson Locations: North Korea, Rights SEOUL, China

☆ Wagner boss Prigozhin listed as a passenger on crashed jet which killed 10 people
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A view of site after a private jet, allegedly carrying Wagner head Yevgeny Prigozhin and other passengers crashed in Russia's northwestern Tver region, Russia on August 23, 2023. The chief of the Wagner Russian mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, is believed to have been killed in a plane crash, Russian state media reported Wednesday. The aircraft, a business jet, crashed in the Tver region northwest of Moscow, leading to the deaths of all 10 people onboard, according to Russian authorities. "An investigation of the Embraer plane crash that happened in the Tver Region this evening was initiated. According to the passenger list, first and last name of Yevgeny Prigozhin was included in this list," Russia's Federal Agency for Air Transport said in a statement.

Persons: Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Prigozhin, EMERCOM Organizations: Embraer, Federal Agency for Air Transport, Sheremetyevo International, Russian Ministry of Emergency Services Locations: Russia's, Tver, Russia, Wagner Russian, Moscow, Tver Region, St . Petersburg, Kuzhenkino

☆ SpaceX working with Cloudflare to speed up Starlink service- The Information
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SpaceX logo and Elon Musk silhouette are seen in this illustration taken, December 19, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsAug 23 (Reuters) - Elon Musk-owned SpaceX is working with Cloudflare (NET.N) to boost the performance of its satellite internet service Starlink, the Information reported on Wednesday, citing a person with direct knowledge of the project. Starlink is one of a growing number of makers of small satellites that are focused on providing satellite-based internet, including Amazon.com's (AMZN.O) Kuiper, Britain's OneWeb and venture capital-backed Planet. Cloudflare did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Reporting by Jose Joseph and Chavi Mehta in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh KuberOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Elon Musk, Starlink, Cloudflare, Jose Joseph, Chavi Mehta, Shailesh Organizations: SpaceX, Elon, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru

☆ Ukrainian intelligence says it lured Russian helicopter to land in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Max Hunder | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

KYIV, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Ukraine's GUR military intelligence agency deliberately lured a Russian military pilot to land his Mi-8 helicopter at a Ukrainian airfield, spokesperson Andriy Yusov said on Wednesday, amid differing media reports of what happened. A successful operation to capture a working Russian helicopter and its pilot would represent an audacious coup for Ukraine, allowing it to simultaneously replenish its limited aviation stocks while also potentially getting valuable intelligence on the Russian air force. The report said the helicopter landed in eastern Ukraine with the pilot. Ukrainian military journalist Yuriy Butusov reported that the Mi-8 helicopter had landed at a Ukrainian air base "some time ago", citing unnamed sources in the Ukrainian military command. In April, Ukraine's domestic security service accused a number of Ukrainian military personnel of treason after what it said was an unsuccessful attempt to lure a Russian pilot to land at a Ukrainian air base, which led to a lethal Russian missile strike on that location in July 2022.

Persons: Ukraine's, Andriy Yusov, Yusov, Yuriy Butusov, Butusov, GUR, Max Hunder, Nick Macfie Organizations: Reuters, Thomson Locations: Russian, Ukrainian, Ukraine, Fighterbomber

Russian officials said Ukrainian forces dropped explosives on a Russian village near the border with Ukraine, killing three, and targeted Moscow with drones for a sixth consecutive day on Wednesday. Since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion almost 18 months ago, Ukrainian forces have regularly fired on villages in the region, according to the regional governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov. Two other drones were shot down early Wednesday in suburban districts of the Moscow region, the Russian Defense Ministry said on the messaging app Telegram. Ukrainian officials did not immediately comment on the episodes, as has been their practice on attacks inside Russia. The drone attacks in the Moscow region have not caused injuries or deaths, according to Russian officials.

Persons: Vyacheslav Gladkov, ” “, Vladimir V, Juston Jones, Edward Wong Organizations: U.S, Moscow City, Russian Defense Ministry, U.S . State Department, Ukraine, Russia’s Federal Agency for Air Transport Locations: Ukrainian, Ukraine, Moscow, Russian, Belgorod, Russia, ” “ Russia, Moscow City, Ukraine’s Odesa

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Aug 23 (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department said on Wednesday it has seized over $1.4 billion in COVID-19 relief funds that criminals had stolen, and charged over 3,000 defendants with crimes in federal districts across the country. A total of 119 defendants pleaded guilty or were convicted at trial during the sweep, according to the Justice Department. Last year, the U.S. Justice Department tapped federal prosecutor Kevin Chambers to lead its efforts to investigate alleged fraud schemes targeting pandemic assistance programs. Over $200 billion from the U.S. government's COVID-19 relief programs were potentially stolen, a federal watchdog said in late June, adding that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) had weakened its controls in a rush to disburse the funds. Earlier this year, a separate watchdog report said the U.S. government likely awarded about $5.4 billion in COVID-19 aid to people with questionable Social Security numbers.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Department's, General Merrick Garland, Garland, Kevin Chambers, government's, fraudsters, Kanishka Singh, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S . Justice, The Justice Department, U.S, Justice Department, U.S . Justice Department, U.S . Small Business Administration, U.S . Labor Department, Social, Thomson Locations: COVID, United States, U.S, Washington

☆ Trump's universal tariffs would stifle economy, fuel inflation - White House
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Nandita Bose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A view of the White House in Washington, U.S. January 18, 2021. REUTERS/Jim Bourg/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Aug 23 (Reuters) - The White House said on Wednesday former President Donald Trump's proposal to impose new tariffs on all foreign imports would hurt America's working families, damage the economy and fuel inflation. Among the ideas they discussed was Trump's plan to enact a universal baseline tariff on virtually all imports to the United States if elected, the report said. "Combining a sweeping tariff tax on the middle class with more trickle-down tax welfare for rich special interests would stifle economic growth and fuel inflation," White House spokesman Andrew Bates said. Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley have all called for the United States to end permanent normal trade relations with China.

Persons: Jim Bourg, Donald Trump's, America's, Trump, Andrew Bates, Bates, Biden, Xi Jinping, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Nandita Bose, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: White, REUTERS, Rights, Washington Post, U.S, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, New Jersey, United States, China, Trump , Florida, Trump, Washington

☆ Ukrainians who don't want to fight are using huge Telegram group chats to dodge drafting officers
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Sonam Sheth | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Ukrainians who want to avoid being drafted are turning to massive group chats to evade drafting officers. Some of these chats have more than 100,000 members, BBC News reported. They're popular across the country and are used to track the movements of drafting officers, the report said. These Telegram group chats — some of which have more than 100,000 members — are used across Ukraine to tip members off about where draft officers are, the BBC reported. The report said that some men are so intent on avoiding being drafted that they've left Ukraine altogether, all while drafting officers rely on increasingly more strong-arm tactics to recruit soldiers.

Persons: they've, Nazar Vernyhora Organizations: BBC News, Service, BBC, The New York Times, Times Locations: Wall, Silicon, Russia, Ukraine, Ukrainian

☆ US energy firm payouts to oil investors top exploration spending for first time
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The outlook for stronger energy prices has not changed the focus on investor returns from the U.S. industry, according to the report's authors, Ernst & Young LLP. Last year's investor payouts were up substantially - 214% over 2021 and more than sevenfold over 2020 levels, the report said. Money spent on finding and tapping oil and gas also rose, but as a much slower pace. Returns benefited from strong oil and gas pricing and a cost-consciousness that emerged after energy prices collapsed three years ago. Profit per barrel last year hit $32 compared to about $10 in 2014, when energy prices were about the same level as today, EY said.

Persons: Liz Hampton, Ernst, Young, Money, Bruce, EY, Gary McWilliams, David Gregorio Our Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Young LLP, DiamondBack Energy, Natural Resources, ConocoPhillips, Thomson Locations: Midland, Odessa, Texas, U.S

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