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By 1417 GMT, the rouble was 0.4% stronger against the dollar at 93.57 , earlier reaching 92.5100, its strongest point since Sept. 12. "We expect that by the end of the year the rouble exchange rate will be trading in the range of 94-98 per dollar, 99-104 per euro and 12.8-13.4 per yuan," Vasilyev said. CURRENCY CONTROLSMonth-end tax payments, due on Oct. 30, which usually see exporters convert foreign exchange (FX) revenue to pay domestic liabilities, have supported the rouble in recent days. The rouble has strengthened from beyond 100 to the dollar since the decree was announced. "The specific impact of currency restrictions on the dynamics of the exchange rate will be insignificant in our opinion," she said.

Persons: Mikhail Vasilyev, Vasilyev, Yevgeny Suvorov, Suvorov, Vladimir Putin's, Elvira Nabiullina, Brent, Alexander Marrow, Mark Potter, Christopher Cushing, Deborah Kyvrikosaios, Gareth Jones Organizations: Bank, Bank of Russia, FX, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Russia, Ukraine MOSCOW, Moscow, London

[1/3] A scientist drives his snowmobile across an icefield of the arctic near Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, Norway, April 10, 2023. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the opening of the station, in Tromsoe, northern Norway, in June, as a means for the US to have a "diplomatic footprint above the Arctic Circle", he said. Tromsoe is the largest city in Arctic Norway, located about 400km (250 miles) to the west of Russia. Tromsoe is also the seat of the Arctic Council, a polar body comprising the eight Arctic states of Russia, the US, Canada, Finland, Norway, Iceland, Sweden and Denmark. Cooperation within the Arctic Council between Moscow and the Western Arctic states was put on hold after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Persons: Lisi Niesner, Antony Blinken, Andreas Oesthagen, Washington, Tromsoe, Gwladys Fouche, Terje Solsvik, Deborah Kyvrikosaios Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Fridtjof Nansen Institute, Reuters, Arctic Council, Cooperation, Thomson Locations: Ny, Alesund, Svalbard, Norway, Rights OSLO, United States, Washington, Ukraine, Tromsoe, Oslo, Arctic Norway, Russia, Canada, Finland, Iceland, Sweden, Denmark, Moscow

POZZUOLI, Italy, Oct 27 (Reuters) - The talk in shops and coffee bars in Pozzuoli, a port town outside Naples, is not about soccer or politics, but of the fear that has gripped residents since a supervolcano sparked a swarm of earthquakes. Sulphurous fumes escape from the surface, giving the area a surreal look and making it a magnet for tourists. "Even those small ones (quakes) make us afraid," she said. There are big ones and small ones. Prezzini, 78, said he would defy any evacuation order, while 66-year-old Luigi Ilardi, chimed in: "We are used to it.

Persons: Stefania Briganti, Ciro De, Sophia Loren, Vincenzo Russo, Angelo Prezzini, Luigi Ilardi, I've, Ciro De Luca, Philip Pullella, Deborah Kyvrikosaios Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: POZZUOLI, Italy, Pozzuoli, Naples, Milan, Castel, Rome

☆ Chipotle quarterly results shine as burrito cravings defy high prices
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Deborah Mary Sophia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] People are served in a Chipotle outlet in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., February 7, 2022. Chipotle said it has not seen any material impact from weight-loss drugs. While consumers taking weight-loss treatments consume fewer calories, "it's important the calories they do consume are coming from clean food. Chipotle forecast fourth-quarter comparable sales growth in the mid- to high-single-digit range, compared with estimates of a 5.38% rise. Reporting by Deborah Sophia in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri and Devika SyamnathOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Brian Niccol, Chipotle, Sante Faustini III, we're, Niccol, Deborah Sophia, Krishna Chandra Eluri Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York City, U.S, California, Bengaluru

☆ U.S. Opens Its Northernmost Diplomatic Station, in Arctic Norway
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the opening of the station, in Tromsoe, northern Norway, in June, as a means for the US to have a "diplomatic footprint above the Arctic Circle", he said. Tromsoe is the largest city in Arctic Norway, located about 400km (250 miles) to the west of Russia. Norway and Russia share a border in the Arctic. Tromsoe is also the seat of the Arctic Council, a polar body comprising the eight Arctic states of Russia, the US, Canada, Finland, Norway, Iceland, Sweden and Denmark. Cooperation within the Arctic Council between Moscow and the Western Arctic states was put on hold after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Andreas Oesthagen, Washington, Tromsoe, Gwladys Fouche, Terje Solsvik, Deborah Kyvrikosaios Organizations: Fridtjof Nansen Institute, Reuters, Arctic Council, Cooperation Locations: Fouche OSLO, United States, Washington, Ukraine, Tromsoe, Norway, Oslo, Arctic Norway, Russia, Canada, Finland, Iceland, Sweden, Denmark, Moscow

☆ Russian billionaire Fridman loses challenge over mansion upkeep
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin/File Photo/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Sanctioned Russian billionaire Mikhail Fridman cannot spend thousands of pounds a month on the upkeep of his London mansion, containing a 44 million-pound ($53.2 million) art collection, London's High Court ruled on Thursday. The 59-year-old also wanted to spend 1,850 pounds a month on communications systems, which Fridman said regulate Athlone House's telephones, IT, lighting, heating and security. Athlone House, in north London, was raided by Britain's National Crime Agency in December, which is the subject of a separate legal challenge by Fridman. The Russian billionaire, whose net worth is estimated by Forbes magazine at $12.8 billion, has been subject to British sanctions since March 2022, a month after Russia invaded Ukraine. His designation under Britain's sanctions regime was updated in September to remove a reference to him being a "pro-Kremlin oligarch".

Persons: Mikhail Fridman, Sergei Karpukhin, Fridman, Judge Pushpinder Saini, Fridman's, OFSI, Saini, Sam Tobin, Deborah Kyvrikosaios Organizations: Alfa Group, Russian, Industrialists, Entrepreneurs, REUTERS, Athlone, Athlone House, Britain's National Crime Agency, Forbes, Thomson Locations: Russian Union, Moscow, Russia, Russian, Athlone, Britain, Israel, London, Ukraine

☆ Springboks start with Pollard, go 7-1 on the bench
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

In the end, Pollard proved the match winner again as he kicked over a 48 metre penalty to hand South Africa a place in the final. South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber surprised with his choice of replacements, going with seven forwards and a single back for the third time in the last two months. It means South Africa are gambling on fresh forward power winning them the game but risking having no cover should there be any injury among the backs. New Zealand, who like South Africa have won three previous World Cups, will name their team later on Thursday. South Africa: 15-Damian Willemse, 14-Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13-Jesse Kriel, 12-Damian de Allende, 11-Cheslin Kolbe, 10-Handre Pollard, 9-Faf de Klerk, 8-Duane Vermeulen, 7-Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6-Siya Kolisi (capt.

Persons: Handre Pollard, Pollard, Faf, Klerk, Jacques Nienaber, Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt, Lee Arendse, Damian Willemse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, 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, Mark Gleeson, Deborah Kyvrikosaios Organizations: Rugby, Springbok, New Zealand, South, England, Libbok, Blacks, Twickenham, Ireland, Leinster, Thomson Locations: COURCELLES, France, South Africa, Japan, flyhalf, scrumhalf, Africa, South Africa’s, Zealand

☆ Russian Billionaire Fridman Loses Challenge Over Mansion Upkeep
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON (Reuters) - Sanctioned Russian billionaire Mikhail Fridman cannot spend thousands of pounds a month on the upkeep of his London mansion, containing a 44 million-pound ($53.2 million) art collection, London's High Court ruled on Thursday. Fridman took Britain's sanctions office, OFSI, to court after it refused to allow him to spend 30,000 pounds a month to prevent Athlone House, which he bought for 65 million pounds, from falling into disrepair. The 59-year-old also wanted to spend 1,850 pounds a month on communications systems, which Fridman said regulate Athlone House's telephones, IT, lighting, heating and security. The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) said it had already licensed Fridman to meet arrears and make one-off payments totalling around 1.4 million pounds, plus future payments of 760,000 pounds a year. Athlone House, in north London, was raided by Britain's National Crime Agency in December, which is the subject of a separate legal challenge by Fridman.

Persons: Mikhail Fridman, Fridman, Judge Pushpinder Saini, Fridman's, OFSI, Saini, Sam Tobin, Deborah Kyvrikosaios Organizations: Athlone, Athlone House, Britain's National Crime Agency, Forbes Locations: Russian, Athlone, Britain, Israel, Russia, London, Ukraine

☆ Weight-loss drug worries add to US restaurants' weak traffic woes
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Deborah Mary Sophia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Investors' knee-jerk reaction to those comments sent the under-pressure S&P 500 restaurants index (.SPLRCREST) down 1.3% at the time. THE FUNDAMENTALS** On Thursday, Chipotle is expected to report a 4.5% increase in Q3 same-store sales, according to LSEG data, slower both on a year-over-year and a sequential basis. Profit likely rose about 18%. WALL STREET SENTIMENT** The S&P 500 restaurant sub-index (.SPLRCREST) has risen just 0.4% year-to-date, lagging a more than 10% jump in the benchmark S&P 500 (.SPX). Growth in top restaurant stocks has broadly lagged the benchmark S&P 500 indexReporting by Deborah Sophia in Bengaluru; Editing by Savio D'SouzaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Peter Saleh, Taco Bell, Wells, Chipotle, Deborah Sophia, Savio D'Souza Organizations: REUTERS, KFC, Yum Brands, Walmart, Conagra, Taco, WALL, Thomson Locations: New York, McDonald's, Wells Fargo, Bengaluru

☆ Ukraine says election of new U.S. House speaker won't affect future aid
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oleksiy Danilov, Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council, speaks with Reuters during an interview, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Kyiv, Ukraine July 8, 2022. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 26 (Reuters) - A senior Ukrainian official said on Thursday the election of Mike Johnson, a U.S. Republican who has been an opponent to Ukraine aid, as speaker of the House of Representatives would not affect Washington's vital assistance for Kyiv. Johnson, who was named House speaker on Wednesday, told reporters he supported further aid to Ukraine "with conditions", with accountability and clear objectives from the White House. Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council, said Johnson's election was good for Ukraine because it ended a three-week leadership vacuum in the House. U.S. President Joe Biden asked Congress last week to pass a $106 billion funding package which included billions of dollars in assistance for Ukraine.

Persons: Oleksiy Danilov, Valentyn, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Danilov, Joe Biden, Yuliia, Tom Balmforth, Deborah Kyvrikosaios Organizations: National Security, Defence Council, Reuters, REUTERS, Republican, Kyiv, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukrainian, U.S, United States

☆ Aghast at Hamas killings, Israelis buy up guns with government's blessing
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Joseph Campbell | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"I have six children, and after the incident of the 7th of October, I understood that I must protect myself. Aghast at the Hamas killing spree in their southern towns and villages, and worried by the military's slow response, Israelis are arming themselves in record numbers with the blessing of their government. Israel has been bombarding the Gaza Strip since Hamas's attack on Israeli communities on Oct. 7, which it says killed some 1,400 people. Before Oct. 7, the Kfar Saba Shooting Range was holding just one training course per day, now they’re holding three to four daily. Gun control advocates say making firearms too freely available raises the risk of accidental shootings, murder and suicide.

Persons: Ronen, KFAR, Shimrit Ben Arosh, Aghast, Benjamin Netanyahu, Itamar Ben, Netanyahu, Israel, Gil Shemesh, Dan Williams, Deborah Kyvrikosaios Organizations: West Bank, REUTERS, Hamas, Thomson Locations: Gush Etzion, KFAR SABA, Israel, Hamas, Kfar Saba, Gaza, Israeli

☆ Slovakia's Fico will not support more military aid to Ukraine at EU summit -Slovak media
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Slovakia's newly appointed Prime Minister Robert Fico attends the new cabinet's inauguration, at the Presidential Palace in Bratislava, Slovakia, October 25, 2023. REUTERS/Radovan Stoklasa Acquire Licensing RightsOct 26 (Reuters) - Slovakia's newly appointed Prime Minister Robert Fico will not back further military aid for Ukraine nor support further sanctions against Russia at his first European Union summit, Slovak media cited him as saying on Thursday. Fico campaigned heavily in a September election on pledges to halt Slovakia's military aid to Ukraine, make foreign policy independent, and protect borders from illegal migrants. The EU and its member countries have provided billions of euros in assistance to Ukraine since Russian forces invaded in February last year. Fico has pledged repeatedly to halt military aid for Ukraine, after previous Slovak governments shipped military hardware including fighter jets, an S-300 air defence system, and fighting and de-mining vehicles to Ukraine.

Persons: Slovakia's, Robert Fico, Radovan Stoklasa, Fico, Dennik, Viktor Orban, Jason Hovet, Deborah Kyvrikosaios Organizations: REUTERS, Russia, Union, European Union, Ukraine, EU, year's, Pravda, Hungarian, Kyiv, Thomson Locations: Bratislava, Slovakia, Ukraine, Brussels, Israel, Russian, United States, Prague

☆ Women Who Work in Utah's Silicon Slopes Share Its Dark Side
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Rosalie Chan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +17 min

During an interview for an engineering job at a Utah tech company, Trina Limpert was told she was a "risky hire." Insider spoke to 22 women who previously or currently work at Utah tech companies told Insider. Silicon Slopes, named for Utah's world-class ski slopes, is headquarters for tech companies like Ancestry, Domo, Entrata, Pluralsight, Qualtrics, and hosts outposts for others like Adobe and a Meta data-center. Many women — both Mormon and not — described their Utah tech companies as a Mormon boys' clubs. Ancestry, one of Utah's most established tech companies, hired former Facebook executive Deborah Liu as CEO in 2021.

Persons: Trina Limpert, Limpert, she's, she'd, Claudia Geist, It's, of Jesus Christ, Robyn Cohen, Michelle Kuo, Kuo, They're, —, Robbyn Scribner, Mike Pence, they're, Scribner, Susan Madsen, there's, harasser, I've, John Richards, Richards, " Richards, Emily Perkins, that's, Deborah Liu, Liu, Heather Friedland, Ashlee Davis, who've, we're, " Madsen Organizations: Computing Technology Industry Association, Tech, University of Utah, Google, Microsoft, Meta, Adobe, Brigham Young University, of Jesus, US Chamber of Commerce, American Community Survey, Salt Lake City Tribune, Utah State University, Ignition Ventures, NASDAQ Locations: Utah, Silicon Slopes, Silicon Valley, California, Washington, New York , Utah, Utah's, New York, JumpSearch, Silicon, Southern California, Salt Lake, There's, Seattle, Glassdoor, @rosaliechan

☆ Greece opens Maria Callas museum for a glimpse into opera diva's life
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Renee Maltezou | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] A woman walks in the museum dedicated to the Greek-American opera diva Maria Callas, during a press preview on the eve of its official opening in Athens, Greece October 25, 2023. "Each item contributes in creating a comprehensive image of this astonishing woman," Kostis Bitzanis, the museum's project director told Reuters. "Maria Callas is one of the biggest brand names world-wide, she is a woman who became a legend," he said. Born Maria Anna Sophie Cecilia Kalogeropoulos in New York in December 1923 to Greek parents, Callas was credited with the almost single-handed revival of the Italian bel canto vocal technique. On the second floor of the museum, visitors can listen to parts of Callas' signature performances, including the aria "Casta Diva" from Bellini's opera "Norma”, and hear her teaching at the Julliard School in New York in 1971-1972.

Persons: Maria Callas, Louisa Gouliamaki, Verdi's, Callas, Manolo Blahnik, Maria Anna Sophie Cecilia Kalogeropoulos, Norma ”, Renee Maltezou, Deborah Kyvrikosaios Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Milan's La Scala, Maria Callas Greek Society, Reuters, Julliard, Thomson Locations: American, Athens, Greece, Milan's La, New York

☆ Egypt's Sisi says Cairo playing positive role in de-escalating Gaza crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Egypt has taken an active role in negotiating access to aid for people in Gaza through the Rafah crossing, which it shares with Gaza, as well as in negotiations for hostage releases, while advocating for a ceasefire in the conflict. "You have this capability to defend yourself ... never let anger or fervour cause you to overstep," he said. Speaking with Macron, Sisi said both leaders had agreed that any move to displace Gazans into Egypt's Sinai peninsula - a move he had previously warned that Egypt would not bear - would be "extremely dangerous." The two men agreed to work to contain the crisis and prevent other actors from entering the fray, Sisi said. Reporting by Nafisa Eltahir and Nayera Abdallah; Additional reporting by Clauda Tanios; Writing by Ahmed Elimam and Nafisa Eltahir; Editing by Toby Chopra, Deborah Kyvrikosaios and Jonathan OatisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Abdel Fattah al, Sisi, Emmanuel Macron, Nafisa Eltahir, Nayera Abdallah, Clauda Tanios, Ahmed Elimam, Toby Chopra, Deborah Kyvrikosaios, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Thomson Locations: Suez, Cairo, Gaza, Egypt, Egyptian, CAIRO, Israel, Rafah, Egypt's

☆ Despite losing limbs, Ukrainian sappers return to work clearing land mines
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Vitalii Hnidyi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] Oleksii Poliakov, member of the National police special demining unit works with mine fuses during a demining operation near Izum town, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine, October 24, 2023. By May the following year he was back at work, standing on a prosthetic limb, sweeping for and defusing mines. But she has accepted it," he told Reuters while working in the Kharkiv region this week. Valeri Onul, another sapper, also returned to work in the unit despite losing a leg in a blast in November. Even in the immediate aftermath of the blast, he said he was sure he would return to mine-clearance work when he had made a recovery.

Persons: Sofiia, Ilkiv, –, Valeri Onul, Tom Balmforth, Deborah Kyvrikosaios Organizations: National, REUTERS, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Izum, Ukraine, Kharkiv region, KHARKIV, Russia, Kherson, Kharkiv, Dementiivka

☆ Over half of employees have no idea how their companies are using AI
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Deborah Kong | Nbc East Coast Page | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Over half of employees (54%) say they have no idea how their company is using AI, according to a new survey conducted by UKG, a human resources and workforce technology company. That's despite the fact that the majority of C-suite leaders (78%) say that their company is using artificial intelligence today, according to UKG. Employees should be worried: 68% of C-suite respondents said their company has made AI decisions that are not in employees' best interests. In fact, executives that responded to the survey estimated that 56% of their workforce is directly using AI to automate or augment job tasks. Meanwhile, among workers already transparently using AI, 75% say it makes them more efficient, productive, and accurate.

Persons: Al Drago, UKG, Hugo Sarrazin, Dan Schawbel Organizations: Amazon Devices, Amazon.com Inc, Bloomberg, Getty, Workplace Intelligence, UKG Locations: Arlington , Virginia, UKG

NEW YORK (AP) — Palestinian artist Nida Sinnokrot, one of 18 artists receiving the 2023 Soros Arts Fellowships from the Open Society Foundations on Tuesday, says that art provides hope and resilience, even in the midst of war. This year's class of Soros Arts Fellows is the largest since the program launched in 2018. This is the launchpad of something new — a new realm of direct action in the arts.”Molemo Moiloa also plans to incorporate community action in her art project in Johannesburg, South Africa, for her Soros Arts fellowship. “One of the reasons I still feel hope is that there is powerful solidarity around the world that embraces this ethos,” he said. “And that’s what’s so amazing about this year’s (Soros Arts Fellows) and their communities.

Persons: Nida Sinnokrot, “, ”, Sinnokrot, Tatiana Mouarbes, George Soros, Alex — Mouarbes, Jordan Weber, ” “, Weber, ” Molemo Moiloa, Moiloa, Nelson Mandela's, we’ve, it’s, Fellows, Cannupa Hanska Luger, Carolina Caycedo, Chemi, Dalton Paula, Deborah Jack, Kenan Darwich, Sami Rustom, Ixchel Tonāntzin, Martha Atienza, Molemo Moiloa, Mónica de Miranda, Omar Berrada, Rijin Sahakian, Sari Dennise, Yto Barrada Organizations: Open, Massachusetts Institute, Technology’s, Technology, Soros Arts Fellows, Open Society, Culture, Society, Soros Arts, South, Soros, Fehras, Associated, Lilly Endowment Inc, AP Locations: Palestinian, York, ”, Detroit, Johannesburg, South Africa, Israel, Palestine, Guinea, Hidatsa, Lakota, United States, Carolina, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Brazil, St, Maarten, Syria, Germany, Philippines, Portugal, Morocco, Iraq, Mexico

☆ ByteDance says committed to VR business Pico after report of it shutting brand
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Josh Ye | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The statement came after Chinese research firm EqualOcean published a report saying that ByteDance founder Zhang Yiming told Pico's management team ByteDance would gradually give up on the Pico business. Pico is under normal operation and the company will continue to invest in the extended reality (XR) business over the long term," ByteDance said in a statement shared with Reuters. The Pico headsets are often seen as ByteDance's answer to the popular Quest headsets developed by Meta Platforms Inc (META.O). Pico has the biggest market share for VR headsets in China, accounting for over 58% of the market, as Meta's Quest devices have yet to enter the country officially. The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this year that Pico has increased its headset shipments last year while Meta's headset shipments declined.

Persons: Aly, ByteDance, EqualOcean, Zhang Yiming, Pico's, Pico, Bytedance, Josh Ye, Deborah Kyvrikosaios Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, XR, Meta Platforms Inc, Street Journal, IDC, Thomson Locations: Shanghai, China, HONG KONG, Pico

[1/5] Bass-Baritone Gerald Finley and soprano Julia Bullock perform during an opera rehearsal "Antony and Cleopatra" at Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona, Spain, October 18, 2023. REUTERS/ Albert Gea Acquire Licensing RightsBARCELONA, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Barcelona's opera house has hired an "intimacy director" to ensure performers are comfortable taking part in passionate scenes, in a first for Spain and a rarity for continental Europe. The role's creation comes after the #MeToo movement rocked the movie industry but also the opera world with sexual harassment accusations. Intimacy director Ita O'Brien will oversee William Shakespeare's adapted play, 'Antony and Cleopatra', which opens at Barcelona's Gran Teatre del Liceu opera house on Oct. 28. Lesca said there should be an intimacy director in every opera.

Persons: Gerald Finley, Julia Bullock, Antony, Cleopatra, Albert Gea, Ita O'Brien, William Shakespeare's, O'Brien, Adriana Bignagni Lesca, Charmian, Lesca, Luis Rubiales, Placido Domingo, Joan Faus, Aislinn Laing, Deborah Kyvrikosaios Organizations: Gran Teatre del Liceu, REUTERS, Rights, Gran Teatre del, HBO, Netflix, Thomson Locations: Gran, Barcelona, Spain, Rights BARCELONA, Europe, Gran Teatre del Liceu, United States, Britain, Spanish

☆ Nigeria Opposition Asks Supreme Court to Overturn President Tinubu's Victory
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Camillus EbohABUJA (Reuters) - Nigeria's two main opposition leaders on Monday asked the Supreme Court to quash last month's tribunal ruling upholding President Bola Tinubu's February election victory, in a last bid to reverse results of a vote widely accepted by the international community. No legal challenge to the outcome of a presidential election has succeeded in Nigeria, which returned to democracy in 1999 after three decades of almost uninterrupted military rule and has a history of electoral irregularities. On Sept. 6 the presidential tribunal rejected petitions by Atiku and Obi to cancel the election result over alleged irregularities. The provision has been interpreted differently by the opposition and Tinubu's lawyers. The Supreme Court, which has the final say in presidential election petitions, has 60 days to pass judgment from the day of the presidential tribunal ruling.

Persons: Camillus, Bola Tinubu's, Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi of, Atiku, Obi, Tinubu, Camillus Eboh, MacDonald Dzirutwe, Deborah Kyvrikosaios Organizations: Reuters, Monday, People's Democratic Party, Labour Party, Atiku Locations: Camillus Eboh ABUJA, Nigeria, Abuja

☆ Spain seizes ancient gold jewellery stolen from Ukraine worth $64 million
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MADRID, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Spain has seized ancient gold artefacts valued at 60 million euros ($63.6 million) stolen from Ukraine after thieves were caught trying to sell them in Madrid, Spanish police said on Monday. The 11 pieces, primarily jewellery including intricate necklaces, bracelets and earrings, are dated from the Greco-Scythian period between the 8th and 4th centuries BC, police said. The items were exhibited in a Kyiv museum between 2009-2013, and were smuggled out of Ukraine in 2016, Madrid National Police said in a statement, without identifying the museum. The artefacts had forged documents to make it look as if they belonged to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, police said. ($1 = 0.9439 euros)Reporting by Emma Pinedo; editing by Charlie Devereux and Deborah KyvrikosaiosOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Emma Pinedo, Charlie Devereux, Deborah Kyvrikosaios Organizations: Madrid National Police, Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Thomson Locations: MADRID, Spain, Ukraine, Madrid, Spanish, Kyiv

☆ Weakening Hurricane Norma Still Poses Threat to Mexico's Pacific Coast
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - Hurricane Norma has slightly weakened but remains a major storm poised to deliver heavy rainfall and flooding to the popular tourist coast of Mexico's Baja California peninsula over the next few days, the National Hurricane Centre (NHC) said on Friday. A gradual weakening is anticipated over the next few days, but Norma is forecast to still be a hurricane when it approaches the southern portion of Baja California Sur, said the NHC. Mexico's government has issued tropical storm warnings for various areas, including La Paz, the capital of Baja California Sur, and extending north from Todos Santos to the Santa Fe district. The hurricane center predicts that these regions will experience tropical storm conditions within a 36-hour time frame. The storm could result in up to 15 inches (38 cm) of rain in parts of Baja California, potentially causing flooding and landslides.

Persons: Norma, La, Natalia Siniawski, Deborah Kyvrikosaios Organizations: Reuters, National Hurricane Centre, NHC, La Paz, Todos Santos, US Locations: Mexico's Baja California, Baja California Sur, Todos, Santa Fe, Baja California

☆ 'Erratic' Hurricane Norma on track to hit Mexico's Baja California
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/6] Workers remove a stand off a beach as Hurricane Norma barrels towards the Baja California peninsula, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, October 20, 2023. REUTERS/Fernando Castillo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Estado de Baja California FollowMEXICO CITY, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Hurricane Norma strengthened as it churned toward the southern tip of Mexico's Baja California peninsula on Friday afternoon, threatening heavy rainfall beginning on Saturday at the area's popular tourist resorts. The "major hurricane," according to air force hurricane hunters, is advancing to the north at a speed of 8 mph (13 km/h), the NHC said. "It's a very strong storm," state Governor Victor Manuel Castro told reporters at a press conference, describing it as "erratic." The NHC warned of dangerous winds, heavy rainfall and possible flooding across southern Baja California through Saturday.

Persons: Fernando Castillo, Norma, Victor Manuel Castro, Castro, Sarah Morland, Natalia Siniawski, Deborah Kyvrikosaios, David Gregorio, Chris Reese Organizations: Workers, REUTERS, Estado, U.S, National Hurricane Center, NHC, Monday, Thomson Locations: Baja California, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, California, MEXICO, Mexico's Baja California, Norma, Sinaloa, Pacific, Baja

☆ Pakistan joins China's club of lunar base partners
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Pakistan has joined China's expanding club of partners in an ambitious project to build a research station on the moon's south pole. Jointly with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Pakistan's caretaker Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar witnessed the signing of an initial cooperation agreement in Beijing on Wednesday. The China National Space Administration said on Friday cooperation would cover areas including the engineering and operational aspects of the Chinese lunar base programme. China, which aims to become a major space power by 2030, has already secured cooperation from Russia, Venezuela and South Africa. It has fixed a target to land its astronauts on the moon by the end of this decade.

Persons: Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Anwar ul Haq Kakar, Ryan Woo, Deborah Kyvrikosaios Organizations: Chinese Premier, China National Space Administration, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Pakistan, Beijing, China, Russia, Venezuela, South Africa, U.S

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