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REUTERS/Jennifer Hiller/File PhotoSINGAPORE, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Surging U.S. crude exports in 2023 are pushing down oil prices in Europe and Asia, proving a key source of supply as producers cut output and sanctions on Russian crude disrupt trade flows. U.S. crude exports are also easing the loss of supply after Saudi Arabia deepened output cuts from July, above what major producers agreed to in June. The widening exports illustrate the increasing influence of crude from the U.S., the world's biggest oil producer, in the global market. U.S. crude exports have averaged 4.08 million barrels per day so far in 2023, up from an average of 3.53 million bpd in 2022, according to the Energy Information Administration. PRESSURE EXTENDSThe pressure exerted from the WTI Midland exports is even extending to Asian markets for Middle Eastern crude.

Persons: Jennifer Hiller, Brent, it's, Joel Hanley, Rohit Rathod, Adi Imsirovic, John Evans, Muyu Xu, Alex Lawler, Arathy, Florence Tan, Simon Webb Organizations: REUTERS, Midland, P, Energy Information Administration, WTI Midland, United, Dubai, Surrey Clean Energy, Gazprom Marketing, Organization of, Petroleum, Exchange, Futures, Thomson Locations: Texas, U.S, SINGAPORE, Europe, Asia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Midland, Dubai, Africa, Brazil, Singapore, WTI, Saudi, London, Houston

REUTERS/Christian Hartmann/File PhotoSINGAPORE, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Oil prices were little changed on Thursday after a two-day decline, including a sharp drop on Wednesday, as a U.S. government credit downgrade weighed on sentiment, though concerns around supply tightness provided some support. Ratings agency Fitch downgraded the main U.S. credit rating, the world's biggest oil consumer, reflecting an expected fiscal deterioration as well as a high and growing government debt burden. Both benchmarks were trading near their highest since April on Wednesday, but closed down 2% after the ratings downgrade. "Since oil had a steady rise over the past month, it was ripe for a pullback. The oil market will remain tight over the short-term, but prices could be still vulnerable for a deeper drop," said Edward Moya, an analyst at OANDA.

Persons: Christian Hartmann, Fitch, Brent, Edward Moya, refiners, Tina Teng, Andrew Hayley, Sudarshan, Christian Schmollinger, Kim Coghill Organizations: REUTERS, Brent, U.S, West Texas, Energy, Administration, Organization of, Petroleum, Reuters, CMC Markets, Thomson Locations: Scheibenhard, Strasbourg, France, SINGAPORE, U.S, Saudi Arabia, China

☆ China's energy security push drives up fossil fuel approvals - research
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( David Stanway | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"China's government has put energy security and energy transition at odds with one another," said Greenpeace's Gao Yuhe, who led the research published on Thursday. "Beijing has clearly stated that coal power will still grow at a 'reasonable pace' into 2030," she said. China's National Energy Administration (NEA) did not immediately reply to a fax sent requesting a comment on the coal plants and their power generation policies. The increase in China's coal usage reflects a worldwide pattern. The International Energy Agency said last week that global coal consumption reached a record 8.3 billion tons in 2022, with strong growth in Asia offsetting declines elsewhere.

Persons: David Gray, Gao Yuhe, Xi Jinping, Gao, Jorrit Gosens, David Stanway, Christian Schmollinger Organizations: Mongolia Autonomous, REUTERS, Companies Greenpeace, Greenpeace, National Energy Administration, International Energy Agency, National Development, Reform Commission, European, Global Energy Monitor, Australian National University, NEA, Thomson Locations: Baotou, China's, Mongolia, Mongolia Autonomous Region, SINGAPORE, China, Beijing, Asia, European Union

☆ US IRS to allow full digital document submissions for 2024 tax season
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( David Lawder | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Aug 2 (Reuters) - The U.S. Internal Revenue Service plans to allow taxpayers to submit all documents and correspondence to the agency digitally for the 2024 tax filing season and will convert all paper tax returns to digital documents by the 2025 season, the Treasury Department said on Wednesday. The initiative, part of a decade-long, $60 billion program to modernize systems and improve tax enforcement, will allow taxpayers to digitally submit all correspondence, non-tax forms and responses to IRS notices, the Treasury said. Most U.S. tax returns are already filed digitally, which results in faster refunds. But the COVID-19 pandemic and associated filing delays and staffing shortages saddled the IRS with a massive backlog of 22.5 million unprocessed paper tax returns by February 2022 that needed some form of manual processing. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in excerpts of remarks at an IRS facility in McLean, Virginia, that taxpayers will always have the choice to submit documents by paper.

Persons: Janet Yellen, Yellen, David Lawder, Christian Schmollinger Organizations: Internal Revenue Service, Treasury, U.S, IRS, Congress, Thomson Locations: McLean , Virginia

Crude oil storage tanks are seen in an aerial photograph at the Cushing oil hub in Cushing, Oklahoma, U.S. April 21, 2020. Gasoline inventories fell by 1.7 million barrels, the API data showed, compared with estimates for a 1.3 million barrel drop. Both are indicators of robust prompt fuel demand in the U.S."The seasonal peak demand period (for transportation fuels) and supply cuts by oil producing countries have caused oil prices to rise," said CMC Markets analyst Leon Li. Oil prices may continue to rise, but they may not exceed $90 a barrel given recessionary pressures in some regions such as Europe, said Li. Furthermore, after the summer demand peak passes, "oil prices have entered the end of this round of upward trend", he said.

Persons: Leon Li, Li, Philip Jones, Arathy Somasekhar, Trixie Yap, Christian Schmollinger Organizations: REUTERS, Brent, West Texas, American Petroleum Institute, Organization of, Petroleum, Sparta Commodities, Lux, Thomson Locations: Cushing , Oklahoma, U.S, China, SINGAPORE, Saudi Arabia, Europe, Sparta, Houston, Singapore

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

A stronger dollar makes crude more expensive for investors holding other currencies. PVM analyst Tamas Varga noted that for months, predictions have been made that global oil demand will grow in the second half of 2023 versus the first half, in tandem with supply cuts to reduce global oil inventories. The latest figures from the U.S.- the world's biggest fuel consumer - showed fuel demand rose the highest level since August 2019. A Reuters poll also estimated U.S. crude oil and gasoline stockpiles were expected to have declined last week. In a conference on Monday, BP (BP.L) chief Bernard Looney presaged oil demand growth continuing into next year and OPEC+ being increasingly disciplined.

Persons: Johan Sverdrup, Carina Johansen, NTB, Brent, Dennis Kissler, Tamas Varga, group's, Bernard Looney, Arathy somasekhar, Natalie Grover, Emily Chow, Christian Schmollinger, Sonali Paul, David Evans, Nick Macfie, Jan Harvey Organizations: Reuters Connect, HOUSTON, Brent, . West Texas, BOK, Reuters, Thomson Locations: North, ., U.S, OPEC, Saudi Arabia, Houston, London, Singapore

☆ Oil holds near three-month high on signs of tightening supply
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Emily Chow | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SINGAPORE, Aug 1 (Reuters) - Oil prices slipped on Tuesday but were still near a three-month high reached in the previous session on signs of tightening global supply, as producers implement output cuts, and strong demand in the United States, the world's biggest fuel consumer. A private sector survey also showed on Tuesday that China's factory activity swung to contraction in July, with supply, demand and export orders all deteriorating amid sluggish market conditions. In June, OPEC+ agreed on a broad deal to limit oil supply into 2024, and Saudi Arabia pledged an additional voluntary cut of 1 million barrels per day for July. National Australia Bank analysts said they expect Saudi Arabia to extend its voluntary 1 million barrels per day (bpd) supply cut into September. U.S. crude oil and gasoline stockpiles were expected to have declined last week, according to a Reuters poll which estimated on average that crude inventories fell by about 900,000 barrels in the week to July 28.

Persons: Brent, Tina Teng, Teng, Christian Schmollinger, Sonali Paul Organizations: Brent, . West Texas, CMC Markets, Organization of Petroleum Exporting, National Australia Bank, NAB, Energy, Administration, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, United States, ., OPEC, Saudi Arabia, Saudi

☆ Saudi Arabia may raise Sept crude prices for a third month
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Muyu Xu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SINGAPORE, Aug 1 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, may raise its price for Arab Light crude for sale to Asian refiners for a third month as its voluntary output cuts may be extended, further tightening the supply of high-sulphur, or sour, crude. The supply reductions have boosted oil prices, particularly for sour crude, since the end of June. Arab Light prices are also supported by improving refining margins in Asia, in particular for middle distillates. Most of the survey respondents expected Saudi Arabia to raise prices for heavier grades Arab Medium and Arab Heavy by more than Arab Extra Light as the light crude is oversupplied. The Arab Extra Light OSP typically tracks premiums of Murban, a light sour crude from the United Arab Emirates.

Persons: Backwardation, Saudi Aramco's, Muyu Xu, Christian Schmollinger Organizations: Saudi Aramco, Organization of, Petroleum, Ministerial, United, Brent, Saudi, Kuwaiti, bbl, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, Saudi Arabia, State, Saudi, Oman, Dubai, OPEC, Saudi Aramco, Asia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Americas, West Africa

Companies International Monetary Fund FollowISLAMABAD, Aug 1 (Reuters) - Pakistan announced an increase in petrol and diesel prices on Tuesday to better reflect rising international prices and to raise revenue to meet the objectives of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout. In a recorded video statement, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said gasoline, or petrol, prices would be raised by 19.95 Pakistani rupees to 272.95 Pakistani rupees ($0.952) per litre and diesel by 19.90 rupees to 273.40 rupees per litre, an increase of 7.8% for both fuels. Fuel prices have increased sharply in global markets in the last 15 days, Dar said, adding his government had tried to minimise the hike. The IMF has also called on Pakistan to maintain a tight monetary policy. The central bank on Monday, however, kept the policy rate steady at 22%, with its governor saying the lender's requirement of tight policy didn't necessarily mean raising the rate.

Persons: Ishaq Dar, Dar, Asif Shahzad, Kim Coghill, Jamie Freed, Christian Organizations: International Monetary, International Monetary Fund, Brent, IMF, Thomson Locations: Pakistan, Islamabad

☆ Toyota to boost EV development and technology in China
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TOKYO, July 31 (Reuters) - Toyota (7203.T) will strengthen its development of electric vehicle technology in China, the automaker said on Monday, as it looks to catch up with increasingly tough domestic competition in the world's largest auto market. The move is the latest from the world's top selling carmaker that shows a sharper pivot to electric vehicles. It recently detailed an ambitious new EV strategy that includes an overhaul of its supply chain and the development of long-range batteries. Toyota said on Monday it would accelerate powertrain development with suppliers Denso (6902.T) and Aisin (7259.T) as well as local design and development of "smart cockpits" that meet the needs of the Chinese market. It will strengthen development of battery-powered vehicles, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and fuel cell cars in China in order to achieve carbon neutrality through a "multi-pathway"-based approach, it said.

Persons: Daniel Leussink, David Dolan Organizations: Toyota, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, China

☆ China's State Council issues measures to expand consumption
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING, July 31 (Reuters) - China's State Council on Monday issued measures to restore and expand consumption in the automobile, real estate and services sector, aiming to give full play to the "fundamental role" of consumption in economic development. In an interview with state broadcaster CCTV published on Monday, unnamed officials from the National Development and Reform Commission said it will take the summer, Mid-Autumn and National Day holidays as an opportunity to expand holiday consumption. Last week, policymakers at a Politburo meeting pledged to step up policy support for the economy amid a tortuous post-COVID recovery, focusing on boosting domestic demand, signalling more stimulus steps. The world's second-largest economy grew at a sluggish pace in the second quarter as demand weakened at home and abroad. Reporting by Liangping Gao and Ryan Woo; Editing by Jacqueline Wong and Christian SchmollingerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Liangping Gao, Ryan Woo, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: State, National Development, Reform Commission, Thomson Locations: BEIJING

☆ Fox likely to push Emmys to January due to strikes - reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

July 27 (Reuters) - Fox is expected to announce soon that television's Emmys will be rescheduled to air in January next year due to strikes by writers and actors in the United States, the Los Angeles Times reported on Thursday, citing a person familiar with the plans. The strikes were expected to delay the Emmys ceremony beyond its normal September date. Variety reported earlier on Thursday that vendors for the Emmys Awards had been informed of the imminent date change. Fox declined to comment while the Television Academy did not immediately respond to Reuters. Reporting by Shubhendu Deshmukh, Bharat Govind Gautam and Gokul Pisharody in Bengaluru; Editing by Christian SchmollingerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Fox, Shubhendu Deshmukh, Bharat Govind Gautam, Gokul, Christian Schmollinger Organizations: Fox, Los Angeles Times, LA Times, Hollywood, Variety, Television Academy, Reuters, Thomson Locations: United States, Bengaluru

☆ China's Sunwoda plans $274.7 mln Hungarian battery plant
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING, July 27 (Reuters) - China's Sunwoda Electronic (300207.SZ) plans to build a power battery factory in Hungary for electric vehicles, with initial investment of up to 1.96 billion yuan ($274.71 million), as Chinese battery makers expand in the European market. Sunwoda, a smaller player among Chinese battery makers, counts Xpeng (9868.HK), Mercedes (MBGn.DE) and Guangzhou Automobile Group (601238.SS) among its biggest clients. Its move comes as Chinese battery suppliers shake up Europe's e-mobility supply chains by setting themselves up on the continent. Chinese market leader Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) (300750.SZ) is building a 7.3 billion euro ($8.13 billion) battery plant, also in Hungary, following its first European production site in Germany. ($1 = 7.1380 Chinese yuan renminbi)($1 = 0.8977 euros)Reporting by Ethan Wang, Zhang Yan and Ryan Woo; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Emma RumneyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Sunwoda, Ethan Wang, Zhang Yan, Ryan Woo, Christian Schmollinger, Emma Rumney Organizations: Shenzhen Stock Exchange, HK, Mercedes, Guangzhou Automobile Group, Amperex Technology, EVE Energy, Energy, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Hungary, Germany, Thailand

☆ China's video game player population rises to a record at end-June
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Josh Ye | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

HONG KONG, July 27 (Reuters) - China's video game player has grown to a record of 668 million, a government-run game industry association said on Thursday, as the world's biggest gaming market returns to growth after a bruising crackdown. "Against the backdrop of a sluggish global gaming market, China's gaming industry is gradually emerging from a trough and showing an upward trend," Zhang Yijun, a director at the CGIGC, told the conference. The crackdown wiped out significant revenue and market value for many domestic gaming giants including Tencent Holdings (0700.HK) and NetEase (9999.HK). However, gaming revenue has yet to return to a pre-crackdown level. "We remain confident about a steady domestic game approval process heading into (the second half of this year)," Yap wrote.

Persons: Zhang Yijun, ”, Alicia Yap, Yap, Josh Ye, Christian Schmollinger, Robert Birsel Organizations: Industry, Tencent Holdings, HK, Regulators, Citi Bank, Securities, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Shanghai, Hong Kong

☆ Rio Tinto cuts dividend as H1 profit falls to lowest in three years
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MELBOURNE, July 26 (Reuters) - Rio Tinto's (RIO.L), (RIO.AX) first-half underlying earnings fell to their lowest in three years as easing iron ore prices offset an uptick in shipments from its Pilbara operations, it said on Wednesday, while also announcing a dividend cut. Rio, the world's biggest iron ore producer, was cautiously optimistic on China's economy over the rest of the year, CEO Jacob Stausholm said. Average realised prices for Pilbara iron ore slipped to $98.60 per wet metric ton in the first half, 11.1% below last year. The world's largest iron ore producer flagged a shortage of skilled workers in a tight labour market along with supply-chain issues. Additional reporting by Melanie Burton in Melbourne; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu and Christian SchmollingerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jacob Stausholm, Rio, Rishav Chatterjee, Archishma Iyer, Melanie Burton, Subhranshu Sahu, Christian Organizations: MELBOURNE, Alpha, Thomson Locations: Rio, Beijing, China, Pilbara, Bengaluru, Melbourne

☆ Japan's population falls while foreign residents rise to record
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, July 26 (Reuters) - The population of Japanese citizens decreased at the fastest pace ever while the number of foreign residents rose to a record at nearly 3 million people, government data showed on Wednesday. The data underscores that foreign nationals are playing an even bigger role in Japanese society to make up for a shrinking population. For the first time, the number of Japanese residents fell in all 47 prefectures, the data showed. Japan's population peaked in 2008 and has declined since then because of its low birth rate, which hit a record low last year. Tokyo was the home to the largest share of foreign residents with 4.2% of the population, or 581,112 people.

Persons: Fumio Kishida, Satoshi Sugiyama, Christian Schmollinger Organizations: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Japan, Tokyo

July 25 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi scored two first half goals and assisted on another in the second to lead Inter Miami to a 4-0 dismantling of Atlanta United and advance to the knockout stage of the Leagues Cup on Tuesday. After coming off the bench to score a dramatic game winner in his debut on Friday night, the World Cup champion from Argentina wasted no time in his first start with the MLS side. Messi slotted home a second in the 22nd minute on a diving cross from teammate Robert Taylor, who notched a brace of his own on a hot night in Miami. After scoring, Messi stopped and pointed from the field at the team co-owner David Beckham, who was watching the game. Messi and fellow Argentinian Almada hugged when Messi was subbed out in the 78th minute and the pair exchanged jerseys after the match.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Messi, Robert Taylor, David Beckham, Atlanta's, Thiago Almada, Drake Callender, Almada, subbed, Curz Azul, Ballon, Rory Carroll, Christian Schmollinger Organizations: Inter Miami, Atlanta United, Leagues, MLS, Manchester United, Miami, Curz, Liga, Thomson Locations: Argentina, Barcelona, Miami, Saudi Arabia, Los Angeles

[1/6] Black Hawk helicopters prepare to land at Taoyuan International Airport as part of the annual Han Kuang military exercise in Taoyuan, Taiwan July 26, 2023. REUTERS/Ann WangTAOYUAN, Taiwan, July 26 (Reuters) - Taiwan conducted an anti-aircraft landing drill at its main international airport for the first time on Wednesday, simulating the repulsion of an invading force as China ramps up military pressure to force the island to accept its sovereignty. The drill at the island's main Taoyuan international airport was part of Taiwan's main annual Han Kuang exercises that started on Monday, focusing on protecting its infrastructure and striking incoming enemy ships to keep key waterways open. Soldiers carrying rifles were seen running on the runway to fight off enemy forces being dropped off by the helicopters. Tsai has made modernising the military a top priority, pushing for various defence projects including developing Taiwan's own jets and submarines.

Persons: Han, Ann Wang, Han Kuang, Tsai Ing, Tsai, Fabian Hamacher, Yimou Lee, Christian Schmollinger Organizations: Taoyuan International Airport, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Taoyuan, Taiwan, Ann, Ann Wang TAOYUAN, China, island's, Taiwan's, Taipei

☆ U.S. will be short 67,000 chip workers by 2030, industry group says
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Max A. Cherney | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

July 25 (Reuters) - The U.S. semiconductor industry faces a shortfall of roughly 67,000 workers by 2030, according to an industry association study published on Tuesday. The chip industry's workforce is projected to grow to 460,000 by the end of the decade, up from roughly 345,000 this year. The law also created a 25% investment tax credit for building new chip factories, or fabs, that is worth $24 billion. Roughly half of the future chip industry jobs will be engineers. The shortage of skilled chip workers is part of a larger shortfall of science, technology, engineering and math graduates in the U.S., according to the report.

Persons: John Neuffer, Max A, Christian Schmollinger Organizations: Semiconductor Industry Association, SIA, Oxford Economics, Commerce Department, Intel Corp, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, Samsung Electronics Co, Thomson Locations: U.S, KS, San Francisco

☆ JPMorgan to expand online bank Chase to Germany, EU - Handelsblatt
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

FRANKFURT, July 21 (Reuters) - JPMorgan (JPM.N) will expand its online bank Chase to Germany and other European Union countries, CEO Jamie Dimon told German newspaper Handelsblatt, a move that increases competition for European rivals in a crowded market. Reuters has reported preparations for the move, but the CEO's comments to Handelsblatt published on Friday mark the first official confirmation. "It has always been clear to us that we want to introduce Chase not only in the UK, but also in Germany and other European countries," Dimon was quoted as saying. "In Germany, 'Chase' is not yet so well known, but worldwide it is a strong brand. We are also a trustworthy bank with a strong balance sheet - and private customers know that," he was quoted as saying.

Persons: Jamie Dimon, Handelsblatt, Chase, Dimon, Tom Sims, Rachel More, Christian Schmollinger Organizations: JPMorgan, Chase, Union, Reuters, Reuters Graphics JPMorgan, European Union, Deutsche Bank, Thomson Locations: FRANKFURT, Germany, United States, Frankfurt

☆ JPMorgan to expand online bank Chase to Germany, EU, Handelsblatt reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

☆ US seeks soldier's return as trilateral talks over North Korea start
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Sakura Murakami | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TOKYO, July 20 (Reuters) - The United States is actively engaged in ensuring the return of an American soldier who had crossed into North Korea, a U.S. official said on Thursday, ahead of a trilateral meeting with Japan and South Korea on countering North Korean threats. The U.S. is working hard to ascertain information on Private Travis King's wellbeing and engaged in "ensuring his safety and return," U.S. Special Envoy for North Korea Sung Kim said at the opening of the meeting. On Tuesday, King made an unauthorised crossing into North Korea, the same day a U.S. nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine visited South Korea for the first time since the 1980s. [1/3]U.S. Army soldier Travis King appears in this unknown location, undated photo obtained by REUTERS/File PhotoNorth Korea test launched two ballistic missiles into the sea early on Wednesday. South Korean government representative Kim Gunn condemned the missile launches and spoke of the strengthening of ties between the three countries.

Persons: Travis, North Korea Sung Kim, King, Travis King, Kim Gunn, Sakura Murakami, Tom Hogue Organizations: U.S, U.S . Army, REUTERS, . South, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, United States, American, North Korea, Japan, South Korea, U.S, Korea

☆ China's President Xi meets with Henry Kissinger in Beijing
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] China's President Xi Jinping attends a signing ceremony with Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas (not pictured) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing , China June 14, 2023. JADE GAO/Pool via REUTERS/File photoBEIJING, July 20 (Reuters) - China's President Xi Jinping met with veteran U.S. diplomat Henry Kissinger in Beijing, state media reported on Thursday. He met with Xi at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, CCTV reported. Washington said it was aware of Kissinger's trip to China this week, but noted he was not acting on behalf of the U.S. government. Reporting by Bernard Orr; editing by Christian SchmollingerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Mahmud Abbas, JADE, Henry Kissinger, Xi, Kissinger, Wang Yi, Li Shangfu, Beijing Kissinger, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Washington, Bernard Orr, Christian Schmollinger Organizations: of, People, JADE GAO, U.S, ., Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, BEIJING, Diaoyutai State, Washington

☆ Sri Lanka parliament passes anti-corruption bill without vote
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Uditha Jayasinghe | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

COLOMBO, July 19 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka's parliament approved an anti-corruption bill on Wednesday, aimed at improving governance in the crisis-hit country and meeting requirements linked to a $2.9 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The legislation was passed without a vote in the 225-member parliament. "The bill is passed with amendments," Sri Lanka parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena told lawmakers after more than two dozen pages of amendments were included into the draft legislation during the morning session. The Anti-Corruption Bill increases the powers and resources allocated to Sri Lanka's Bribery and Corruption Commission, which is mandated with carrying out major investigations. "We welcome the law, but the proof of the pudding will be in the eating," said Sankhitha Gunaratne, Deputy Executive Director, Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL).

Persons: Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Sankhitha Gunaratne, Uditha Jayasinghe, Himani Sarkar, Christian Schmollinger, Emma Rumney Organizations: International Monetary Fund, IMF, United Nations, Sri, Corruption Commission, Sri Lanka, Thomson Locations: COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Asia

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