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☆ Moldova Police Find Russian Drone Fragments Near Ukraine Border
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

CHISINAU (Reuters) - Police on Sunday found fragments of a Russian drone alongside the Moldova border with Ukraine, prompting pro-European President Maia Sandu to renew her support for Kyiv in its nearly two-year-old war with Moscow. The war has buffeted Moldova, with periodic reports of weapon fragments found on the territory of the ex-Soviet state lying between Ukraine and Romania. A police statement said the fragments were found near the village of Etulia. The Latest Photos From Ukraine View All 91 Images"Russia’s war on Ukraine hits close to home in Moldova — again," Sandu wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Reuters could not independently verify the incident and Russian authorities did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Persons: Maia Sandu, Sandu, Ronald Popeski, Mark Porter Organizations: Police, Kyiv, European Union, Reuters Locations: CHISINAU, Russian, Moldova, Ukraine, Moscow, Soviet, Romania, Russia, Etulia, Ismail, Moldova —

☆ Brazil Army Colonel Arrested in Military Coup Probe on Return From US
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Lisandra ParaguassuBRASILIA (Reuters) - A Brazilian army colonel wanted by police in an investigation into am attempted coup by associates of Brazil's former far-right president was arrested on Sunday when he returned from the United States. Colonel Bernardo Correa Neto was arrested at Brasilia's airport when he arrived and put in detention at an army garrison after a custody hearing. The Federal Police on Thursday raided Bolsonaro's beach house and political party office, confiscated his passport and accused him of editing a draft decree to overturn the election result as part of an alleged plot for a military coup. Thursday's police operation included search warrants against four former ministers, three of them retired army generals, and the arrest of four former aides, including Colonel Correa Neto. The president of Bolsonaro's right-wing political party, Valdemar Costa Neto, was also arrested on Thursday when a search of his Brasilia home turned up an unregistered firearm.

Persons: Bernardo Correa Neto, Jair Bolsonaro, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Bolsonaro, Lula, Donald Trump, Correa Neto, Bolsonaro's, Valdemar Costa Neto, Alexandre de Moraes, Lisandra Paraguassu, Anthony Boadle, Mark Porter Organizations: Reuters, Inter - American Defense College, Federal Police, Supreme Locations: Paraguassu BRASILIA, United States, Brasilia's, Washington, Florida, Bolsonaro's, Brasilia

☆ US Defense Secretary Make First Public Appearance, Virtually, Since Hospitalization
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made his first public appearance, virtually and from home since his secret hospitalization, during a meeting on Ukraine's military needs on Tuesday. Austin, 70, was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland on Dec. 22 to treat prostate cancer. His hospitalization was not revealed until four days later, and the Pentagon did not specify why he was being treated until Jan. 9. Austin appeared on the live stream for a few minutes as he made his opening remarks. While there was a slight break in the live stream, Austin did not appear to mention his health, but called for additional air defense systems for Ukraine.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Walter, Joe Biden, Austin, Idrees Ali, Phil Stewart, Mark Porter Organizations: WASHINGTON, . Defense, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Pentagon, Department of Defense Locations: Austin, Maryland, U.S, Ukraine

☆ US Determined to Remain Strong Security Partner for Nigeria -Blinken
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

ABUJA/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday said the United States is determined to remain a strong security partner for Nigeria, whose military is backed by the U.S., Britain and other allies in a long war against Islamist insurgents. "The United States is determined to be and remain a strong security partner for Nigeria," Blinken told reporters. Blinken added that he discussed how it is vitally important there be a focus on ensuring civilians are protected and humanitarian considerations. The coup in Niger was one of a series of military takeovers or attempted power grabs that occurred in West and Central Africa over the past three years. So far, about $2 billion of the backlog across sectors such as manufacturing, aviation, and petroleum have been paid, CBN spokesperson Hakama Sidi Ali said in a statement.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Blinken, Bola Tinubu, Mohamed Bazoum, Hakama Sidi Ali, Chijioke Ohuocha, Felix Onuah, Daphne Psaledakis, Humeyra Pamuk, Simon Lewis, Ismail Shakil, Mark Porter, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Islamist, European Union, France, Central Bank of Nigeria Locations: ABUJA, WASHINGTON, United States, Nigeria, U.S, Britain, Niger, West, Central Africa, Abuja, Africa, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Angola, Jan, Africa's, Washington

☆ Trump Lawyer Tacopina Withdraws From Manhattan Legal Team
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Hannah Lang(Reuters) - Joseph Tacopina, an attorney on former U.S. President Donald Trump's legal team, on Monday said he will no longer represent him in a criminal case in Manhattan related to alleged hush money payments or a separate appeal of a civil case. Trump has pled not guilty to the charges, and will face a trial this year, although the timing is uncertain. Asked about Tacopina's shift, Trump spokesman Steven Cheung told Reuters, "President Trump has the most experienced, qualified, disciplined, and overall strongest legal team ever assembled as he continues to fight for America and Americans against these partisan, Crooked Joe Biden-led election interference hoaxes." Tacopina is one of several Trump lawyers to have stopped representing him in ongoing cases. At least three members of his legal team in Florida stepped down after Trump was indicted in June on charges he unlawfully kept national-security documents when he left office.

Persons: Hannah Lang, Joseph Tacopina, Donald Trump's, Tacopina, Trump, E, Jean Carroll, Carroll, Meek, Alex Rodriguez, Donald Trump Jr, Kimberly Guilfoyle, Steven Cheung, Crooked Joe Biden, Heather Timmons, Mark Porter Organizations: Reuters, Trump, The New York Times, Republican, Yankees, America Locations: Manhattan, Florida, Washington

☆ Ecuador Cracks Down on Prisons to Restore Order After Hostage Crisis
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

QUITO (Reuters) - Ecuador's police and military on Sunday were aiming to restore order inside the country's dangerous prisons where dozens of staff were held hostage by inmates amid an uptick in violence in the Andean nation. Images on social media shared by Ecuadorean armed forces showed shirtless prisoners on their knees with hands on their heads as armed soldiers entered the seven jails that were the scenes of a hostage crisis that ended Saturday evening. Security forces were conducting searches and regaining control of the prisons, the military said. We are doing so in a very calm manner," Norman Cano, police chief at the Esmeraldas prison, said on social media. The hostages, which the SNAI prison agency previously said were 158 guards and 20 administrative staffers, were held since last Monday in at least seven prisons before they were freed.

Persons: Norman Cano, Daniel Noboa's, Alexandra Valencia, Cassandra Garrison, Mark Porter Organizations: Security Locations: QUITO

☆ Trump Legal Team Rejects Calls for Testimony Limits in Defamation Case
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

A jury last year found in a civil case that Trump had sexually abused Carroll in the 1990s and then defamed her in 2022 by calling her a liar. Multiple courts have sought to require Trump not to stray into diatribes and speechmaking. U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan this month ruled that the former president may not tell the jury he did not rape Kaplan. "[I]t would be a manifest injustice to require President Trump to proffer his guilt, under oath, for acts that he maintains did not occur" and which were not proven beyond a reasonable doubt, attorney Alina Habba wrote. Habba also argued that, despite pre-set limits on his testimony, Trump would be free to testify about the context in which he made his remarks about Carroll as evidence showing whether he did so with hatred or ill will.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, Jean Carroll, defaming, Carroll, District Judge Lewis Kaplan, Kaplan, Alina Habba, Habba, Douglas Gillison, Mark Porter Organizations: Reuters, Republican, District Locations: New York, speechmaking, U.S

U.S. District Judge William Young told a JetBlue lawyer that he expected airline fares would rise if no-frills, ultra-low-cost Spirit no longer was around to "undercut everyone else" and drive down prices. The four largest U.S. carriers - United Airlines (UAL.O), American Airlines (AAL.O), Delta Air Lines (DAL.N) and Southwest Airlines (LUV.N) - control 80% of the domestic market. JetBlue and Spirit combined control about 8%, according to their lawyers. Duffy said allowing JetBlue's, the sixth-largest U.S. airline, and Spirit, the seventh-largest, to merge would result in higher prices and fewer flights once lower-cost Spirit was no longer competing. Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by Will DUnhma, Mark Porter and Alexia GaramfalviOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Department's, William Young, Young, Edward Duffy, Duffy, Ryan Shores, Joe Biden's, Shores, JetBlue's, Nate Raymond, Will DUnhma, Mark Porter, Alexia Garamfalvi Organizations: BOSTON, ., JetBlue Airways, Spirit Airlines, JetBlue, Justice Department, District of Columbia, Justice, U.S, United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit, U.S ., Thomson Locations: U.S, Boston, New York City, Newark , New Jersey, Fort Lauderdale , Florida

☆ Four bidders approved for Colombia 5G auction
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Flags flutter on the facade of the Colombian Ministry of Information and Communications Technologies building in Bogota, Colombia, November 8, 2023. REUTERS/Luis Jaime Acosta/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBOGOTA, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Four operators have been approved to participate in Colombia's auction to offer fifth-generation (5G) cellular data services, the communications ministry said. Telecall Colombia S.A.S., the fourth approved bidder, is a Brazilian telecoms coming looking to enter the Colombian market. The government expects to raise about $500 million via the Dec. 20 auction and join regional neighbors like Argentina and Mexico, where 5G is already available. Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta; Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Mark PorterOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Luis Jaime Acosta, Julia Symmes Cobb, Mark Porter Organizations: Colombian Ministry of Information, Communications Technologies, REUTERS, Rights, Telefonica, Telecall, Thomson Locations: Bogota, Colombia, Rights BOGOTA, Claro, Telecall Colombia, Brazilian, Colombian, Argentina, Mexico

☆ Greek olive growers brace themselves as thieves seek pricey crop
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Lefteris Papadimas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Tsafaras has been robbed twice, with thieves stealing more than a tonne of his olives in one incident last month. Greek police confirmed to Reuters that there is a spike in thefts of olives and olive oil across the country this year. Greece is the world's third-biggest producer of olive oil behind Italy and Spain, which have seen similar incidents. The decline in output has doubled olive oil wholesale prices to 8-9 euros per litre, according to government officials. Retail prices have reached up to 14 euros, making the crop an appealing target for thieves.

Persons: Louisa Gouliamaki, Panagiotis Tsafaras, Tsafaras, Dimitris Plakonouris, Plakonouris, Panagiotis Foudas, Lefteris Papadimas, Mark Porter Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Sesklo, Greece, Filiatra, Italy, Spain,

The moon rises over the Toronto city skyline as seen from Milton, Ontario, Canada, January 23, 2016. REUTERS/Mark Blinch/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTORONTO, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Canadian banks had a mixed fourth quarter but a common theme underlining all the reports was the rise in bad loan provisions, signalling that lenders were strapping in for a shaky economy. Impaired loans related to residential mortgages, real estate and construction were also higher from the prior quarter, indicating that the banks were also being cautious when considering underwriting new loans. He noted that despite the mixed results, the banks reported healthy capital levels, giving investors assurance that the banks remain resilient. Reuters Graphics($1 = 1.3559 Canadian dollars)Reporting by Nivedita Balu in Toronto; Editing by Mark PorterOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mark Blinch, Verecan, Colin White, Dave McKay, Mike Archibald, Nivedita Balu, Mark Porter Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Bank of Canada, BOC, Royal Bank of Canada, CIBC, National Bank, Scotiabank, BMO, RBC, Reuters Graphics Reuters, AGF Investments, Reuters Graphics, Thomson Locations: Toronto, Milton , Ontario, Canada

☆ Underlying US inflation pressures eased in October, NY Fed says
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Michael S. Derby | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A man passes by The Federal Reserve Bank of New York in New York City, U.S., March 13, 2023. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNEW YORK, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Underlying inflation pressures eased in October compared to the prior month, according to a report released on Monday by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The bank said that its Multivariate Core Trend (MCT) inflation reading for October stood at 2.6%, from September’s 2.88%. The NY Fed MCT index is designed to measure inflation persistence and how broadly price pressures are changing. The NY Fed MCT reading has tracked a broader retreat in price pressures.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Jerome Powell, John Williams, Powell, Williams, Michael S, Mark Porter, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Federal Reserve Bank of New, REUTERS, NY, New York Fed, Fed, Thomson Locations: Federal Reserve Bank of New York, New York City, U.S, September’s

Vice Chairman of Microsoft Brad Smith looks on during the 5th Summit of "Christchurch Call", at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris, France November 10, 2023. LUDOVIC MARIN/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Nov 30 (Reuters) - The president of tech giant Microsoft (MSFT.O) said there is no chance of super-intelligent artificial intelligence being created within the next 12 months, and cautioned that the technology could be decades away. Reuters last week exclusively reported that the ouster came shortly after researchers had contacted the board, warning of a dangerous discovery they feared could have unintended consequences. However, Microsoft President Brad Smith, speaking to reporters in Britain on Thursday, rejected claims of a dangerous breakthrough. Asked if such a discovery contributed to Altman's removal, Smith said: "I don't think that is the case at all.

Persons: Microsoft Brad Smith, LUDOVIC MARIN, Sam Altman, Brad Smith, It's, Smith, ” Smith, Martin Coulter, Sharon Singleton, Mark Porter Organizations: Microsoft, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Christchurch, Elysee, Paris, France, Britain

If General Atlantic decided to sell its stake, a deal could now garner more interest from investors, the sources said. A deal could value the company, which assesses global oil prices and provides industry news, at north of 4 billion pounds ($5.08 billion), Reuters previously reported. Deliberations remain at an early stage and General Atlantic and Hg may decide not to proceed with a transaction, two of the people said. Argus Media, Hg and General Atlantic declined to comment. Hg bought half of General Atlantic's 50% stake in Argus in 2019, valuing the business at more than 2 billion pounds then.

Persons: Adrian Binks, Amy, Jo Crowley, Victoria Farr, Mark Porter Organizations: Argus Media, Reuters, Private, Investments, Atlantic, Atlantic's, Argus, Astorg, Thomson Locations: GIC, London, Argus, Frankfurt

TD said it would be challenging to meet its medium-term adjusted earnings growth target range of 7%-10% in the new fiscal year. It reported adjusted earnings of C$1.83 per share, 7 Canadian cents shy of estimates. RBC reported adjusted earnings of C$2.78 per share, comfortably beating expectations of C$2.62, according to LSEG data. CIBC also beat profit expectations as it set aside smaller-than-expected loan provisions and is slashing costs through a 5% reduction in its workforce, or about 2,400 jobs. The lender, Canada's fifth biggest, reported adjusted earnings of C$1.57 per share, compared with expectations of C$1.53.

Persons: Mark Blinch, Gabriel Dechaine, Kelvin Tran, Victor Dodig, Dave McKay, Niket, Balu, Arasu Kannagi Basil, Shinjini Ganguli, Kirsten Donovan, Mark Porter Organizations: Royal Bank of Canada, REUTERS, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, RBC, National Bank, CIBC, TD Bank, Bank Nova Scotia, Bank of Montreal, Scotiabank, Tuesday, Thomson Locations: Toronto, dealmaking, PCLs, Canada, United States, U.S, Bengaluru

OTTAWA, Nov 30 (Reuters) - The Canadian economy unexpectedly contracted at an annualized rate of 1.1% in the third quarter, data showed on Thursday, avoiding a recession but showing growth stumbling ahead of next week's interest-rate decision. The economy avoided slipping into a technical recession - defined as two consecutive quarter-on-quarter contractions - because second-quarter GDP data was revised up to a 1.4% gain from an initial report of a 0.2% decline, Statistics Canada said. The BoC has remained on the sidelines since July after lifting its benchmark interest rate to a 22-year high of 5% to tame inflation. "The bottom line is that the economy is still sputtering along," said Royce Mendes, head of macro strategy at Desjardins Group. Real GDP most likely edged up 0.2% in October after a 0.1% gain in September, Statscan said.

Persons: Doug Porter, Royce Mendes, Bipan Rai, Statscan, Ismail Shakil, Steve Scherer, Dale Smith, Divya Rajagopal, Fergal Smith, Mark Porter Organizations: OTTAWA, Bank of Canada's, Statistics, BMO Capital Markets, Canadian, U.S ., BoC, Desjardins Group, Bank of Canada, Bank, CIBC Capital Markets, Thomson Locations: Canadian, Statistics Canada, North America, Ottawa, Toronto

Nov 30 (Reuters) - Activist investor Nelson Peltz is pushing ahead with plans to seek at least three board seats at Disney (DIS.N) as the firm is not satisfied with Disney CEO Bob Iger's changes, several people familiar with the matter said. During a conversation on Thursday morning with Iger, Disney extended an offer for Trian to meet with the company's board but rejected the activist shareholder's request for seats on a board that will soon have 12 members, Trian said in a statement. He wanted the company to come up with a better succession plan, overhaul the streaming business and cut costs. Early this year, Peltz aborted a board challenge to give Iger time to "right the ship." "If they’ve made significant progress," Gadson said of Disney, proxy advisers "are more likely to allow for time to complete the transformation."

Persons: Nelson Peltz, Bob Iger's, Trian, Iger, Peltz, Disney, Morgan Stanley, James Gorman, Jeremy Darroch, Francis deSouza, Patrick Gadson, Vinson, they’ve, Gadson, Samrhitha, Dawn Chmielewski, Bayliss, Mark Porter, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: Disney, Trian, ESPN, Sky, Companies, Exxon, Svea Herbst, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru, Dawn, New York, Providence

☆ US lawmakers seek probe of Chinese drone maker Autel Robotics
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

An Autel Robotics Dragonfish Pro drone, with an 18-mile range, is displayed during CES 2022 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. January 5, 2022. REUTERS/Steve Marcus/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 30 (Reuters) - A bipartisan group of 11 U.S. House lawmakers on Thursday asked the Biden administration to investigate and potentially sanction Chinese drone maker Autel Robotics, citing national security concerns. The Pentagon said it would respond to the lawmakers' letter. Another signer of the letter, Republican Representative Elise Stefanik, said, "Autel drones made in Communist China present an unacceptable national security risk and should not be allowed to operate in America." Over 50% of drones sold in the United States are made by DJI, and they are the most popular drones in use by public safety agencies, Republican lawmakers said earlier this year.

Persons: Steve Marcus, Biden, Mike Gallagher, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Autel, Elise Stefanik, Gallagher, Krishnamoorthi, David Shepardson, Chris Reese, Mark Porter Organizations: Las Vegas Convention, REUTERS, Rights, House, Republican, Commerce , Defense, Treasury, Autel Robotics, Technology, Robotics, China's People’s Liberation Army, PLA, Pentagon, Commerce, Commerce Department, U.S . Interior Department, Thomson Locations: Las Vegas , Nevada, U.S, House China, Communist China, America, China, Xinjiang, Ukraine, The U.S, United States

A general view of the Phillips 66 Company's Los Angeles Refinery, which processes domestic & imported crude oil into gasoline, aviation and diesel fuels, in Carson, California, U.S., March 11, 2022. REUTERS/Bing Guan/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 29 (Reuters) - Elliott Investment Management has taken a $1 billion stake in Phillips 66 and is urging the U.S. oil refiner and pipeline operator to revamp its board to boost lagging performance. Phillips 66 has lagged its U.S. refining rivals at a time when fuel demand and margins have soared for the industry. Phillips 66 Chief Executive Mark Lashier acknowledged discussions with Elliott but did not say whether the company was open to adding two Elliott-recommended directors to its board. Phillips 66 currently has 13 board members.

Persons: Bing Guan, Phillips, Mark Lashier, Elliott, Lashier, John Pike, Mike Tomkins, Garfield Miller, Miller, Svea Herbst, Bayliss, Laura Sanicola, Gary McWilliams, Anil D'Silva, Bernadette Baum, Mark Porter Organizations: Phillips, Los, Los Angeles Refinery, Elliott Investment Management, Marathon Petroleum, Energy, Exxon Mobil, Aegis Energy Advisors, Elliott, Svea, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles, Carson , California, U.S, Houston, Providence, New York, Bengaluru

☆ Bolivia Gets Green Light for Full Mercosur Membership
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Lucinda ElliottSAO PAULO (Reuters) - Bolivia is set to become a full member of the South American Mercosur trade bloc following a decision on Tuesday by the Brazilian Senate to approve the country's admission. The vote on the accession of Bolivia to Mercosur is expected to be formally concluded during a regional summit on Dec. 7 in Rio de Janeiro. "Thank you to the senators for completing this process and congratulations to President Arce and Bolivia for joining us in Mercosur," Lula said on social media. Prospects for finally concluding the trade agreement with the EU gained traction following the election of ultra-liberal Javier Milei, a staunch critic of Mercosur, as president of Argentina. Bolivia was one of the worst offenders of primary forest clearances last year, behind only Brazil and the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to Global Forest Watch that monitors deforestation rates.

Persons: Lucinda Elliott, Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, Arce, Lula, Javier Milei, Milei, Mark Porter Organizations: Lucinda Elliott SAO PAULO, Reuters, South American Mercosur, Brazilian Senate, European Union, EU, Mercosur, Democratic, Global Forest Watch Locations: Bolivia, Brazilian, Mercosur, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Democratic Republic of Congo

☆ China's Xi visits financial hub Shanghai
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the Leaders Retreat at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco, California, U.S., November 17, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque Acquire Licensing RightsSHANGHAI, Nov 29 (Reuters) - China President Xi Jinping visited Shanghai, where he went to several venues and learned about the city's efforts to strengthen its competitiveness as an international financial centre, Xinhua news agency reported on Wednesday. Xi made the trip on Tuesday and Wednesday and he inspected the Shanghai Futures Exchange, an exhibition on Shanghai's sci-tech innovations and a government-subsidized rental housing community, the report said. Vice Premier He Lifeng, Shanghai's Communist party secretary Chen Jining and Mayor Gong Zheng also accompanied his visit. It was his first visit to the city since November 2020 and comes a year after historic street protests against China's zero-COVID policy broke out in Shanghai.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Kevin Lamarque, Xi, Cai Qi, Chen Jining, Gong Zheng, Xi's, Premier Li Qiang, Brenda Goh, Bernard Orr, Ella Cao, Ethan Wang, Mark Potter, Louise Heavens, Chizu Nomiyama, Mark Porter Organizations: Economic Cooperation, REUTERS, Rights, Shanghai Futures Exchange, Communist Party of China Central Committee, CPC, Communist, Shanghai Free, Trade, Disney, L'Oreal, Premier, Thomson Locations: Asia, San Francisco , California, U.S, China, Shanghai, Xinhua, Minhang

☆ Indian gov't official directed Sikh separatist's assassination plot in US, DOJ says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Luc Cohen | Thomson Reuters | Reports On The New York Federal Courts. Previously Worked As A Correspondent In Venezuela | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

NEW YORK, Nov 29 (Reuters) - An Indian government official directed an unsuccessful plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist on U.S. soil, the U.S. Justice Department said on Wednesday, in announcing charges against a man accused of orchestrating the attempted murder. Prosecutors did not name the Indian official or the target. According to prosecutors, the official recruited Gupta in May 2023 to orchestrate the assassination. The Indian government has complained about the presence of Sikh separatist groups outside India, including in Canada and the United States. The groups have kept alive the movement for Khalistan, or the demand for an independent Sikh state to be carved out of India.

Persons: Nikhil Gupta, Gupta, Damian Williams, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Nijjar, Luc Cohen, Doina Chiacu, Susan Heavey, Chizu Nomiyama, Mark Porter, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Indian, U.S . Justice, New York City, Prosecutors, Biden, Administration, Air, Air India Boeing, Thomson Locations: U.S, Manhattan, New York, India, Czech, New York City, Washington, United States, New Delhi, Canada, India's Punjab, Vancouver, Air India

☆ Argentina's Milei taps ex-central banker Caputo to fix economy in crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Jorgelina Do Rosario | Thomson Reuters | Jorgelina Do Rosario Is Emerging Markets Correspondent At Reuters Based In London | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Former governor of Argentina's central bank, Luis Caputo, speaks alongside Economy Minister Nicolas Dujovne during a news conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina May 4, 2018. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBUENOS AIRES, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Argentina President-elect Javier Milei will appoint Luis Caputo as his economy minister, he said in a radio interview on Wednesday in Buenos Aires, after a two-day trip to the United States. "The minister of economy will be Luis Caputo," Milei told Radio La Red, although his office has yet to officially confirm the nomination. This will not be the first time for Caputo, a former Wall Street banker, as a government official. The economist was later appointed as central bank governor in 2018.

Persons: Luis Caputo, Nicolas Dujovne, Marcos Brindicci, Javier Milei, Caputo, Milei, elect's, Mauricio Macri's, Jorgelina, Adam Jourdan, Bernadette Baum, Mark Porter Organizations: REUTERS, Radio La, Monetary Fund, Wall Street, IMF, Thomson Locations: Argentina's, Buenos Aires, Argentina, BUENOS AIRES, United States, dollarizing Argentina, Milei, Washington, Rosario

☆ Bolivia gets green light for full Mercosur membership
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Lucinda Elliott | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SAO PAULO, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Bolivia is set to become a full member of the South American Mercosur trade bloc following a decision on Tuesday by the Brazilian Senate to approve the country's admission. The vote on the accession of Bolivia to Mercosur is expected to be formally concluded during a regional summit on Dec. 7 in Rio de Janeiro. "Thank you to the senators for completing this process and congratulations to President Arce and Bolivia for joining us in Mercosur," Lula said on social media. Prospects for finally concluding the trade agreement with the EU gained traction following the election of ultra-liberal Javier Milei, a staunch critic of Mercosur, as president of Argentina. Bolivia was one of the worst offenders of primary forest clearances last year, behind only Brazil and the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to Global Forest Watch that monitors deforestation rates.

Persons: Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Arce, Lula, Luis Arce, Javier Milei, Milei, Lucinda Elliott, Mark Porter Organizations: SAO PAULO, South American Mercosur, Brazilian Senate, Bolivia, Senators, European Union, EU, Mercosur, Democratic, Global Forest Watch, Thomson Locations: Bolivia, Brazilian, Mercosur, Rio de Janeiro, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo

"We have decided to unanimously declare unconstitutional the entire law 406 of October 20, 2023," Supreme Court President Maria Eugenia Lopez said. First Quantum acknowledged the ruling and affirmed its "unwavering commitment to regulatory compliance in all aspects of our operations within the country." Panama President Laurentino Cortizo said the country will abide by the court ruling. For First Quantum, the Panama ruling would be a repeat of its decade-old experience in the Democratic Republic Of Congo. The company exited DRC in 2012 after it filed an arbitration procedure against the African country for cancelling its mining contract.

Persons: Aris Martinez, Maria Eugenia Lopez, Quantum, Laurentino Cortizo, Morgan, Ricardo Martinelli, Leonardo Di Caprio, Elida Moreno, Valentine Hilaire, Natalia Siniawski, Denny Thomas, Chizu Nomiyama, Mark Porter Organizations: Minerals, REUTERS, PANAMA CITY, Reuters, Panama, London Metal Exchange, Central, RBC, Democratic, Natural Resources Corporation PLC, Cobre, Thomson Locations: Panama's, Panama, Panama City, PANAMA, Central American, Democratic Republic Of Congo, Hollywood, Cobre Panama

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