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☆ MLB roundup: Mets post 8-run inning, whip Nats in Max Scherzer's return
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +12 min

For seven innings, the game was a pitchers' duel between Cleveland rookie Tanner Bibee and the Angels' Patrick Sandoval. Zach Elfin (5-1) got the win after allowing four runs on seven hits in his six innings, striking out nine and walking one. Royals starter Jordan Lyles (0-7) was tagged for seven runs in 2 1/3 innings, allowing four hits and three walks. The loss overshadowed another strong outing by Giants starter Logan Webb, who allowed one run on three hits over seven innings. Boston's Corey Kluber (2-5) surrendered four runs on seven hits in five innings.

☆ Honduras will 'soon' launch trade talks with China as ties deepen
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TEGUCIGALPA, May 12 (Reuters) - Honduras will soon begin talks toward a trade deal with China, the Central American country's top diplomat said on Friday, marking the latest step toward stronger bilateral ties between the two nations after Honduras broke off relations with Taiwan. Honduran Foreign Minister Eduardo Enrique Reina told reporters at a press conference that the goal is to launch talks "soon" and eventually ink a "free trade" agreement with the Asian giant, the world's second-largest economy. "It will be good news and (offer) opportunities for access to our products to China," said Reina. Reina said that China has also expressed interest in buying Honduran beef and bananas, among other products. In April, the diplomat said Honduras also hopes to reach agreements with China to lighten the nation's debt burden with the support of financial organizations from its new partner.

☆ Rio de Janeiro to host G20 summit in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

RIO DE JANEIRO, May 9 (Reuters) - The world' largest economies grouped in the G20 will hold their annual heads of state or government summit next year in Rio de Janeiro, state Governor Claudio Castro said. Brazil will take over the rotating presidency of the G20 from India on Dec. 1. It will be the largest event in Rio since the city hosted the Olympic Games in 2016 and the World Cup soccer final in 2014. The G20 represents around 85% of the global GDP, over 75% of global trade and about two-thirds of the world's population. The G20 was started two decades ago to include important emerging economies in discussions that had been confined to the Group of Seven industrialized economies.

☆ MLB roundup: Cards' Willson Contreras stars in return to Chicago
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

[1/5] May 8, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras (40) celebrates team's win against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Colorado starter Kyle Freeland (3-4) gave up two runs and seven hits in seven innings, with four strikeouts and three walks. Cease went five-plus innings, allowing seven runs on nine hits while walking one and striking out six. Miami's Braxton Garrett (1-2) was charged with four runs and seven hits over 5 1/3 innings. San Francisco starter Anthony DeSclafani (3-2) got through seven innings, allowing five runs on 10 hits.

☆ MLB roundup: Down 6, Rays stun Gerrit Cole, Yanks
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +12 min

Cole gave up six runs (five earned) and eight hits, striking out six and walking two in his five-plus innings. The winning pitcher was Michael Tonkin (3-1), who did not allow a hit over two scoreless innings. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. homered twice, scored four runs and had four RBIs and Christian Walker also homered for Arizona, which had its win streak snapped at three. Pittsburgh starter Roansy Contreras (3-3) allowed five runs and nine hits in five innings, with four strikeouts and three walks. Yarbrough allowed one run on three hits over 5 2/3 innings, his longest start since July last year with the Tampa Bay Rays.

☆ Cuban police crackdown on demonstrators protesting widespread shortages
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Patrick Oppmann | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Videos posted to social media show a crowd protesting in front of government buildings, before riot police arrived and forcibly arrested several demonstrators. Netblocks, an organization that tracks internet activity, said it appeared the Cuban government had taken down the internet across the entire island as news of the protests spread. Pro-Cuban government bloggers blamed the protesters uploading videos of the protests for the internet disruptions. However, the Cuban government has a history of taking down the state-provided internet during previous protests, sometimes for several days. Internet connectivity appeared to be largely restored on Sunday, and Cuban state media Cubadebate said no more protests had occurred.

☆ MLB roundup: Red Sox drop Phils for 8th straight win
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +12 min

Boston's Rob Refsnyder ripped a two-run double, Christian Arroyo had a two-run single and Reese McGuire added an RBI single for the Red Sox, who have scored 59 runs during their eight-game winning streak. After Willie Calhoun popped out with two runners on, Bader put the Yankees ahead with a two-run single to right field. He worked a perfect ninth inning, striking out two, to earn his first save. Alejandro Kirk added an RBI double and Daulton Varsho an RBI single for the Blue Jays, who entered the series with a five-game losing streak. Jack Suwinski homered and Connor Joe had an RBI single for the Pirates, who lost their sixth in a row.

☆ Ex-Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer admits the company should have bought Netflix instead of Tumblr as it 'would have been a better acquisition'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( Sam Tabahriti | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Yahoo should have acquired Netflix or Hulu instead of blogging platform Tumblr, she told Tech Brew. Morning Brew Insider recommends waking up with, a daily newsletter. In an interview with Tech Brew, Mayer reiterated that one of her regrets was hiring the wrong chief operating officer, Henrique De Castro, whom she fired after 15 months on the job. A source at the time told Insider Mayer was "very personally engaged in this deal," working late into numerous evenings. Mayer's biggest regret, however, was not making "the tax-free Alibaba spinoff to separate the assets of the company," she told Tech Brew.

☆ Cubans, waylaid by weather and fuel shortage, march for May Day five days late
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] People gather at the seafront Malecon to watch the International Worker's Day celebration in Havana, Cuba May 5, 2023. REUTERS/Alexandre MeneghiniHAVANA, May 5 (Reuters) - Cubans rallied on Havana's Malecon waterfront boulevard to celebrate International Worker's Day on Friday, five days after the planned May 1 event was called off due to foul weather and a fuel crisis that has crippled public transport on the island. "This year it was not possible, due to the fuel situation," said university professor Javier Sanchez, 24, as he cheered during the morning celebration. Though May 1 dawned clear in Havana, a wind and rain storm the previous day hindered preparations, leading Cuban officials to postpone the event until Friday. Cuban state-run media estimated that 100,000 Cubans had gathered on the Malecon by early Friday morning.

SAN FRANCISCO/WASHINGTON, May 4 (Reuters) - A Miami-based digital marketing firm was behind a series of covert political influence operations in Latin America over the last year, Facebook-owner Meta (META.O) said this week, a rare exposé of an apparent U.S.-based misinformation-for-hire outfit. "It's a classic pattern that you tend to see with for-hire influence operations," said Ben Nimmo, Meta's Global Threat Intelligence Lead. Meta says it regularly takes down disinformation and misinformation operations in order to maintain the integrity of its platform. Twitter said in a September 2022 blog that it had shared datasets about influence operations with Cazadores. Former Twitter employees told Reuters in January that most of the staff involved in the TMRC had since left and Reuters could not determine if it was still operational.

☆ 33 Democrats urge ban on investor-state dispute provisions in all US trade deals
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( David Lawder | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Amanda Andrade-RhoadesWASHINGTON, May 3 (Reuters) - Democratic U.S. lawmakers on Wednesday urged the U.S. Trade Representative and State Department to eliminate investor-state dispute settlement provisions from current and future trade deals and to intervene on behalf of Honduras against a U.S. company's nearly $11 billion claim against the country. In a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Trade Representative Katherine Tai seen by Reuters, 33 lawmakers said that investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) systems in trade deals constitute a "problematic corporate handout" that violates countries' sovereignty and democracy rights. The Democrats signing the letter said the case could require impoverished Honduras to pay billions of taxpayer dollars to a company that has "weaponized" the dispute settlement provisions. The dispute settlement provisions had been a way to protect U.S. firms from abrupt changes in trading partners' government policies by providing recourse through arbitration. The letter cited Georgetown University research tallying $27.8 billion in ISDS settlement orders against Latin American governments, with Argentina, Venezuela, Peru, Mexico and Ecuador the worst hit.

Companies would also have to pay content providers and copyrights on material posted on their sites. The Brazilian proposal is shaping up to be one of the world's strongest legislations on social media, comparable to the European Union's Digital Services Act enacted last year. They also say it will endanger free posting services for users while allowing censorship as practiced in authoritarian societies. Brazil's Justice Minister Flavio Dino has asked the consumer protection authority to investigate whether the companies engaged in "abusive practices" in campaigning against the bill. The bill was fast tracked in the lower house after a series of fatal attacks in schools which social media allegedly encouraged, and new articles added to the bill have not been debated in Congressional committees before going to the vote.

☆ Gov. Greg Abbott prompts swift rebukes after calling Texas mass shooting victims 'illegal immigrants' in a statement offering condolences to their loved ones
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Greg Abbott announced a reward for information and offered condolences to the victims. But the governor is getting criticized for identifying the victims as "illegal immigrants." Greg Abbott is getting criticized for identifying the victims of a Friday mass shooting in Cleveland, Texas, as "illegal immigrants" in the same statement in which he offered condolences to their loved ones. The governor also offered condolences to the families, but not before the statement identified the victims as "illegal immigrants." "Five human beings lost their lives and Greg Abbott insists on labeling them 'illegal immigrants,'" Julián Castro, the former Housing and Urban Development Secretary, said.

☆ Cuba fuel shortages spark fistfights, queues and holiday cutbacks
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Patrick Oppmann | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Havana, Cuba CNN —As the gas lines grow longer, tempers in Cuba are growing shorter. Since mid-April, Cuba has been beset with its most dire fuel shortages in years, prompting comparisons to the severe disruptions Cubans suffered after the fall of the Soviet Union. Lines stretch for blocks even at gas stations where there has been no fuel for days. Taxi drivers wait in line to fill fuel at a petrol station in Havana. “How can we go to May Day when we have to be in a line for gas,” she said.

☆ Beyoncé petitions IRS over $2.7 million in tax penalties, claiming government denied her millions in deductions and charitable donations
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-29 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Beyoncé is challenging the IRS over its assessment of $2.7 million in taxes and penalties. The singer alleges the agency rejected over $800,000 in charitable donations, according to the petition. The notice claimed Beyoncé owes over $1.4 million in additional tax and over $288,000 in penalty for 2019. For 2018, it alleged the singer owes about $805,000 in additional tax and $161,000 in penalty, according to Forbes. In her 20-page petition, Beyoncé argues that the agency refused millions of dollars in deductions, including $868,766 attributable to a charitable contribution carryover from 2018.

☆ Fact check: Trump’s own campaign can’t find proof for his ‘mental institutions’ immigration story
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-29 | by ( Daniel Dale | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

How we searched for proof of Trump’s storyCNN conducted a broad search for any proof for Trump’s story. These articles did not mention anything about South American mental health facilities being emptied under President Joe Biden, nor feature any quote from a doctor at any such facility. We then reached out to a pro-Trump super PAC asking for evidence for Trump’s “mental institution” story, but a spokesperson didn’t respond. We next turned to two groups that advocate for reduced immigration, the Center for Immigration Studies and the Federation for American Immigration Reform, which would be good candidates to be aware of any such evidence. As a last resort, we posted Trump’s quotes on Twitter and invited the public to try to find support for them.

☆ MLB roundup: Gerrit Cole to 5-0 as Yanks win despite Aaron Judge injury
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

DJ LeMahieu and Gleyber Torres hit back-to-back homers in a three-run second off Texas starter Andrew Heaney (2-2). The Yankees won their second straight in a game that Aaron Judge exited in the fourth inning due to right hip discomfort. Webb was charged with two runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings; he walked one and struck out seven. Phillies 1, Mariners 0Kody Clemens delivered an RBI single in the second inning for the only run of the game as host Philadelphia defeated Seattle. Velazquez then hit the second pitch he saw from Lugo 404 feet into the seats in left center.

☆ MLB roundup: Zac Gallen extends scoreless run in D-backs' win
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +11 min

Arizona's Emmanuel Rivera had an RBI single among his two hits and scored a run. Evan Longoria also had an RBI single for the Diamondbacks, who won two of the three games in the series after losing four of their previous five contests. Padres 5, Cubs 3Fernando Tatis Jr. ripped a two-run single in the seventh inning to give San Diego the lead for good in its win in Chicago. Tatis added an insurance run with an RBI single in the ninth. Rodolfo Castro added a two-run single, and Bryan Reynolds, Andrew McCutchen and Ji Hwan Bae each had an RBI single for the Pirates.

[1/3] Supporters of Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro demonstrate against President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as security forces operate, outside Brazil’s National Congress in Brasilia, Brazil, January 8, 2023. REUTERS/Adriano MachadoBRASILIA, April 26 (Reuters) - Brazil's Congress on Wednesday prepared to open an inquiry into the Jan. 8 storming of key government buildings in the capital by violent demonstrators who denied the electoral victory of the recently inaugurated President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The right-wing opposition has pushed for an inquiry as a way to blame his new government for security failures in Brasilia that day. Once the congressional inquiry is formally opened, there will be a fierce battle over the committee's composition. Reporting by Anthony Boadle and Ricardo Brito Editing by Brad Haynes and Aurora EllisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Contain duration risk as economic outcome is wide open: strategist
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailContaining duration risk is key as economic outcome is wide open, strategist saysTatjana Greil Castro, co-head of public markets at Muzinich & Co, discusses the outlook for bond and equity markets as she says a wide range of economic outcomes including a soft landing or a "strong recession" are still possible.

The remarks brought a strong retort from Washington, where a White House spokesman accused Lula of "parroting Russian and Chinese propaganda." Lula is a pragmatic politician," one of the diplomats told Reuters, requesting anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter. Lula has suggested Ukraine needs to make concessions to end the war and Russia could return recently invaded territory but keep Crimea. The European Union has also rejected Lula's suggestion that both Ukraine and Russia are to blame for the war. Earlier this year, Lula turned down a reported German request to supply artillery ammunition to Ukraine.

☆ MLB roundup: Padres' shutout ends Braves' win streak
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +11 min

Martinez (1-1) allowed three hits and two walks with six strikeouts over seven innings to get the win. Cardinals starting pitcher Jake Woodford (1-2) allowed four runs on seven hits and a walk in five innings. Diamondbacks starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner (0-3) allowed seven runs on seven hits and four walks in four innings. Alek Thomas hit a two-run homer and Pavin Smith hit a solo shot for Arizona. Toronto right-hander Jose Berrios (1-3) gave up two runs on three hits with three strikeouts in seven innings.

☆ MLB roundup: Clayton Kershaw blanks Mets, gets 200th win
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +13 min

Martinez hit two home runs in his first multi-homer game with the Dodgers and the 19th of his career. In addition to his milestone win, Kershaw (3-1) also improved to 11-0 in 17 career regular-season starts against the Mets. Mets starter Tylor Megill (3-1) gave up three runs on seven hits over five innings. Bassitt (2-2) allowed three hits and walked one batter while notching five strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings. Philadelphia chased Lance Lynn (0-2) with one out in the sixth; he allowed five runs on 10 hits, fanning seven.

☆ Cuban lawmakers vote for president amid crisis, no change expected
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

HAVANA, April 19 (Reuters) - Cuban lawmakers convened on Wednesday to appoint a new president for the next five years, at a time of social and economic crisis near unprecendented since Fidel Castro's 1959 revolution. Lawmakers and the newly elected leaders will face daunting challenges during their coming five-year term. Candidates for president and legislative leaders were proposed in secret by lawmakers prior to Wednesday's session, then vetted by a National Candidacy Commission. The 470 lawmakers slated to vote were elected on March 26 in a popular ballot with no opposition candidates. The newly elected president is scheduled to address the nation later in the day.

☆ GOP senators defend Clarence Thomas' billionaire benefactor's Nazi memorabilia collection: 'Harlan Crow's a terrific person'
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The GOP megadonor also keeps Nazi artifacts at his Dallas home, where he's hosted fundraisers. In interviews with Insider at the Capitol on Tuesday, several of them defended the Republican megadonor amid broad scrutiny of his taste in historical artifacts. The Texas senator argued that the media is "deliberately" mischaracterizing the nature of Crow's collection in order to tarnish Justice Thomas' reputation. 'He's not a drug dealer or cocaine trafficker'Crow also collects other historical artifacts, including thousands of documents, books, and historical artifacts pertaining to American history. But when asked about Crow's Nazi memorabilia and dictator sculptures, Ernst said she had "no idea" about it.

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