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CNN —Lionel Messi said he is “very happy” with his decision to sign for Inter Miami after bringing the Major League Soccer (MLS) club to the brink of its first ever piece of silverware. “I came from a month and a half of vacations, so yes at first the day to day and training was hard, and the humidity was hard,” Messi said. Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesMessi went on to compliment the club for helping the transition period off the field which he and his family have gone through. “But it has been very easy, very easy. The truth is that it is very nice how the Inter fans come to each game to support us and that stadium has been filled.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, he’s, Gonzalo Higuain, “, ” Messi, Tim Nwachukwu Organizations: CNN, Inter Miami, Major League Soccer, CONCACAF Leagues Cup, Philadelphia Union, Messi, Nashville SC, Subaru, Getty, MLS, Inter, Leagues, Liga Locations: Nashville , Tennessee, Saudi Arabia, Miami, Florida, Barcelona, Paris

CNN —A Brazilian hacker said Thursday that former President Jair Bolsonaro asked him if he could hack into voting machines, according to his testimony to a congressional inquiry set up to investigate Brazil’s election results and the storming of governmental buildings on January 8, 2023. Walter Delgatti Neto’s told the Joint Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPMI) that during an August 2022 meeting with Bolsonaro, the former president offered to pardon the hacker if he suffered any legal consequences. Bolsonaro’s defense team denied allegations of wiretapping or illegal activity against any political entity in Brazil following Delgatti’s testimony. “I don’t know anyone who had an individual meeting with the president that last an hour and a half. Lie and lie and lie,” said Wajngarten.

Persons: Jair Bolsonaro, Walter Delgatti Neto’s, Bolsonaro, Delgatti, “, ” Fabio Wajngarten, Wajngarten, ”, CPMI, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva Organizations: CNN, Parliamentary, Brazilian, Federal Police Locations: Brazil

☆ Spain's Princess Leonor starts military academy with 'excitement and nerves'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Vincent West | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] Spain's King Felipe, Queen Letizia, and Infanta Sofia accompany Princess Leonor as she begins her three-year military training at the General Military Academy in Zaragoza, Spain, August 17, 2023. REUTERS/Vincent West Acquire Licensing RightsZARAGOZA, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Spain's Princess Leonor, the heir presumptive to Spain's throne and anticipated future commander-in-chief of its armed forces, began three years of military training on Thursday, expressing a mixture of excitement and nervousness. Announcing Leonor's military training in March, Spain's Defence Minister Margarita Robles, said Leonor was one of many young women now signing up to the armed forces. "In due course, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces will be a woman, and in recent years we have been making a very important effort to incorporate women into the armed forces," Robles said. The government and the Royal House have agreed Leonor's "very intense" military training will precede her university studies, following in the footsteps of her father in the 1980s.

Persons: King Felipe, Queen Letizia, Infanta Sofia, Princess Leonor, Vincent West, Leonor, King Felipe VI's, Juan Sebastian de Elcano, Margarita Robles, Robles, Juan Carlos, Sofia, Elena Rodriguez, Aislinn Laing, Christina Fincher Organizations: General Military Academy, REUTERS, Rights, Army Military Academy, General Air Academy, Spain's, Royal, Atlantic College, Thomson Locations: Zaragoza, Spain, Sofia, Spanish, Wales

☆ Guatemalan presidential candidate Arevalo seen winning runoff with 61%, poll finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Anti-graft presidential candidate of the Semilla political party Bernardo Arevalo holds a campaign rally ahead of the presidential run-off, in Sumpango, Guatemala, July 16, 2023. REUTERS/Cristina Chiquin/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsGUATEMALA CITY, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Guatemalan presidential candidate Bernardo Arevalo is seen winning an August 20 runoff election backed by 61% of valid votes, followed by former first lady Sandra Torres, according to a CID Gallup poll published on Wednesday. Arevalo, an ex-diplomat who is running on an anti-corruption platform, scored a surprise second place in June's first round, finishing close behind Torres. "Our growth trajectory continues, as more of us now want change in Guatemala," the candidate said on social messaging platform X. The poll surveyed 1,819 adults face-to-face between August 4 and 13 with an estimated margin of error of plus or minus 2.3%.

Persons: Bernardo Arevalo, Cristina Chiquin, Sandra Torres, Arevalo, Torres, Sofia Menchu, Raul Cortes, Valentine Hilaire, Sarah Morland Organizations: REUTERS, GUATEMALA CITY, Gallup, Organization of American, CID, Thomson Locations: Sumpango, Guatemala, GUATEMALA, June's

☆ Niger junta names government, West African leaders to discuss next steps
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

General view as supporters of Niger's coup leaders take part in a rally at a stadium in Niamey, Niger, August 6, 2023. West African heads of state hold a summit in Nigeria aiming to agree on a plan of action for Niger, where coup leaders have refused to stand down despite the bloc's threat that it could use force to restore democracy. Since the July 26 power grab shocked the region, the defiant junta has rebuffed diplomatic overtures and ignored an Aug. 6 deadline from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to reinstate ousted president Mohamed Bazoum. The bloc's leaders are expected to agree on next steps, which could include military intervention - something an ECOWAS official has said would be a last resort. Envoys of the Nigerian president, and ECOWAS chair, Bola Tinubu met coup leaders in the capital, Niamey, on Wednesday, offering a glimmer of hope for dialogue after previous missions were spurned.

Persons: Mohamed Bazoum, Roufai Laouali, Antonio Guterres, Bola Tinubu, Alessandra Prentice, Sofia Christensen, Robert Birsel, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: REUTERS, Economic, West African States, ECOWAS, United Nations, Thomson Locations: Niamey, Niger, NIAMEY, ABUJA, West, Nigeria, Abuja, Mali, Burkina Faso

☆ Niger's tailors rush to make Russian flags after coup
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The flags have been in demand since President Mohamed Bazoum was toppled late last month in a military takeover, leading to some Russian support among crowds that celebrated the coup. It echoes similar outpourings of pro-Russian sentiments after recent military takeovers in other West African countries, worrying Western powers who see their influence slipping in some old regional allies. He said the flags of neighboring Burkina Faso, Guinea and Mali, where military takeovers have also occurred since 2020, were also popular. Citizens in Burkina Faso also waved Russian flags during violent anti-France demonstrations that followed a coup in September 2022, the second in the country that year. "Before the coup d'etat I didn't know the Russian flag," he added.

Persons: Yahaya, Mohamed Bazoum, Oumarou, Okacha Abdoul, Aziz, Boureima Balima, Abdel, Kader Mazou, Sofia Christensen, Sandra Maler Organizations: Citizens, Thomson Locations: NIAMEY, Niamey, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, Russia, West Africa, France, Sahel, Russian

☆ Cause of death determined for grandson of Robert De Niro
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —The cause of death for Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, the grandson of Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro, has been determined. A woman was arrested in connection with the teen’s death. Sofia Marks was taken into custody on a charge of selling drugs to a minor, a law enforcement source told CNN later in July. Actress Drena De Niro, Robert De Niro’s daughter, wrote about the loss of her son in a post on Instagram when it happened. Drena De Niro later commented when someone asked her on social media how her son died.

Persons: Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, Oscar, Robert De Niro, Sofia Marks, Marks, Drena De Niro, Robert De Niro’s, Carlos Rodriguez, Carlos Mare, “, ” Organizations: CNN, New York, Medical, Office Locations: “

☆ Sweden knock United States out of World Cup on penalties
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-06 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Sophia Smith had had the chance to win the match for the four-times champion Americans but blasted the ball over the bar. Sweden goalkeeper Zecira Musovic emerged as the hero, having kept the Scandinavians in the match, making 11 saves before the shootout to deny the Americans. We took it to extra time, we took it to penalties and we managed to win." For it to go to penalties and to end in that fashion, with the confusion at the end." Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Nick Mulvenney and Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Sweden's Lina Hurtig, Read, Lina Hurtig, Alyssa Naeher, Sophia Smith, Zecira Musovic, Magda Eriksson, Vlatko Andonovski, Sofia Jakobsson, Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, Rapinoe, Sweden's Nathalie Bjorn, Naeher, Rebecka, Smith's, Magdalena Eriksson, Kelley Ohara, pinging, Hurtig, Ian Ransom, Nick Mulvenney, Ed Osmond Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, United, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Sweden, United States, Melbourne, Australia, MELBOURNE, U.S, France, Canada

☆ Sweden hero Musovic lost for words
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Soccer Football - FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Round of 16 - Sweden v United States - Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne, Australia - August 6, 2023 Sweden's Zecira Musovic in action REUTERS/Hannah MckayMELBOURNE, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Sweden goalkeeper Zecira Musovic emerged as the hero as her team beat the United States 5-4 on penalties to knock the defending champions out of the Women's World Cup on Sunday. I don't know what to say except that I am extremely proud that we persevered against an extremely strong U.S. that pressed for 120 minutes," Musovic told reporters. U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski said Musovic's performance was the main reason for his team's World Cup exit. "I think that she did incredible tonight, she made some saves that not many goalkeepers in the world can make," he told reporters. Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk and Ian Ransom in Melbourne, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Hannah Mckay MELBOURNE, Zecira Musovic, Musovic, We're, Sweden's Magdalena Eriksson, Zecira, Vlatko Andonovski, Lina Hurtig, Alyssa Naeher, Hurtig, Sofia, Fridolina Rolfo, Tommy Lund, Ian Ransom, Ed Osmond Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, United, Chelsea, Swedish, Aftonbladet, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Sweden, United States, Melbourne, Australia, U.S, Japan, Gdansk

☆ iPhone Photography Awards 2023: Winners unveiled
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Christy Choi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Organizers announced the winners of the 2023 iPhone Photography Awards on Monday. Scott Galloway/iPhone Photography Awards"Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana,"Rome, Italy, by Leon Wang (United States) won 3rd place in Architecture. Sofia Ershova/iPhone Photography Awards"Duet," Zhejiang, China, by Zhang Xiaojun (China) won 3rd place in Children. Zhang Xiaojun/iPhone Photography Awards"Kapkungkap Tadau" Phuket, Thailand by Juan Castaneda (United States) won 2nd place in Series. Juan Castaneda/iPhone Photography Awards"Bi Mo," Zhaojue County, China, by Jian Wang (China) won 2nd place in People.

Persons: Ivan Silva, Heroe, Lionel Messi, Thea Mihu, Ba Jia Jiang, Surong Zhu, Scott Galloway, Leon Wang, Sofia Ershova, Zhang Xiaojun, Juan Castaneda, Jian Wang, Sasa Borozan, Beata Krowicka, Barry Mayes Organizations: CNN — Organizers, Italiana, Diesel Locations: Mexico, Sweden, Hanoi, Vietnam, Germany, Fujian, China, Ohio, USA, United States, Rome, Italy, Architecture, California, Zhejiang, Phuket, Thailand, Zhaojue County, People, Nature, Croatia, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Grande, Argentina, Poland, Travel, Sierra Leone, United Kingdom

☆ Clinical Sweden top Group G after 2-0 win over Argentina
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Blomqvist met Sofia Jakobsson's cross with a fantastic header in the 66th minute to put the third-ranked Swedes firmly on course to advance as Group G winners, with Rubensson sealing the win with a superbly taken spot kick. They show that year after year," added Blonqvist, saying Sweden were not favourites for the tie. "We have, in my opinion, good self-confidence and we will go in wanting to win that game, but we won't underestimate the USA." They remain without a win in their four World Cup appearances and finished bottom of the group, with South Africa advancing as runners-up after beating Italy 3-2 in the other group game in Wellington. Reporting by Hritika Sharma in Hyderabad, Additional reporting by Philip O'Connor in Stockholm Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Rebecka Blomqvist, David Rowland HAMILTON, Rebecka Blomqvist's, Elin Rubensson's, Blomqvist, Sofia Jakobsson's, Peter Gerhardsson, Amanda Ilestedt, Magdalena Eriksson, Olivia Schough's, Gabriela Chavez, Florencia Bonsegundo, Jennifer Falk, Hritika Sharma, Philip O'Connor, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Waikato, REUTERS, Italy, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Argentina, Sweden, Hamilton , New Zealand, David Rowland HAMILTON , New Zealand, United, Melbourne, South Africa, Wellington, Hyderabad, Stockholm

☆ Sweden to play US in last 16 after beating Argentina while South Africa makes history
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Matt Foster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —A meeting between Sweden and the US in the first knockout stage of the Women’s World Cup was confirmed on Wednesday as the Scandinavian side beat Argentina 2-0. Banyana Banyana’s 3-2 win at the Wellington Regional Stadium marked the African nation’s first win ever at a Women’s World Cup having qualified twice. South Africa makes historyOver in Hamilton, Banyana Banyana had to come from behind after Arianna Caruso put Italy ahead through a penalty early on. Benedetta Orsi is consoled by her teammate Lucia Di Guglielmo after scoring an own goal against South Africa. Catherine Ivill/Getty ImagesThe second half saw something of an onslaught from South Africa, who continually regained the ball high up the pitch and got numbers forward en masse.

Persons: Sofia Jakobssen, Rebecka Blomqvist, Argentina’s, Elin Rubensson, Banyana Banyana, Arianna Caruso, Robyn Moodaly, Benedetta Orsi, goalkeepr Francesca Durante, Durante, Orsi, Lucia Di Guglielmo, Catherine Ivill, Hildah Magaia, Banyana, Cristiana Girelli’s, Caruso, Gireilli, Thembi Kgatlana, Desiree Ellis, Valentina Giacinti, Kgatlana, Ellis ’, FIFA’s Organizations: CNN, Argentina, Wellington, Cup, South American, Waikato, Sofia, FIFA, US, Tokyo, National Team, South, Portugal Locations: Sweden, Italy, South Africa, Hamilton, New Zealand, Africa, Netherlands, England, Australia, Argentina

☆ Guatemala president meets with OAS head, says committed to ensure elections
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] Guatemala President Alejandro Giammattei meets with the Organization of American States (OAS) chief Luis Almagro, as concerns escalate over alleged government interference in the upcoming presidential runoff vote, in Guatemala City, Guatemala August 1, 2023. Almagro is set to stay in the Central American country until August 4. Guatemala is scheduled to hold a presidential runoff election on Aug. 20, with anti-graft candidate Bernardo Arevalo facing off against former first lady Sandra Torres. The government guaranteed to OAS authorities it has the appropriate budget and can provide the infrastructure and security needed for electoral authorities to carry out the vote, according to a government statement on the meeting. Reporting by Sofia Menchu; Editing by Brendan O'BoyleOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Alejandro Giammattei, Luis Almagro, Read, Almagro, Bernardo Arevalo, Sandra Torres, Sofia Menchu, Brendan O'Boyle Organizations: Organization of American States, GUATEMALA CITY, Organization of American, Central American, Thomson Locations: Guatemala, Guatemala City, Presidencia, GUATEMALA

☆ Guatemala anti-graft candidate Arevalo seen winning presidential runoff -poll
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Sofia Menchu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Anti-graft presidential candidate of the Semilla political party Bernardo Arevalo holds a campaign rally ahead of the presidential run-off, in Sumpango, Guatemala, July 16, 2023. REUTERS/Cristina Chiquin/File PhotoGUATEMALA CITY, Aug 2 (Reuters) - Guatemalan presidential candidate Bernardo Arevalo is seen winning an Aug. 20 runoff election with 63% of valid votes against his rival, Sandra Torres, according to a CID Gallup poll published on Wednesday by a local think tank. Arevalo won a surprise second place in the initial round in June, finishing close behind Torres, a former first lady. CID Gallup's poll found that 54% of respondents considered Torres "corrupt" and a "liar," compared to 15% and 13%, respectively, for Arevalo. Arevalo led the poll in every age group, region, and education level.

Persons: Bernardo Arevalo, Cristina Chiquin, Sandra Torres, Arevalo, Torres, Luis Von Ahn, Sofia Menchu, Raul Cortes, Sarah Morland, Stephen Eisenhammer, Conor Humphries Organizations: REUTERS, GUATEMALA CITY, Gallup, of American, CID, Liberty and Development Foundation, Thomson Locations: Sumpango, Guatemala, GUATEMALA, Arevalo, Guatemalan

☆ The strong U.S. jobs market could become a concern for the Fed, economist says
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | 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 EmailThe strong U.S. jobs market could become a concern for the Fed, economist saysSofia Baig, economist at Morning Consult, discusses the U.S. economy, cooling inflation and consumer spending.

Persons: Sofia Baig Organizations: Fed, Morning

It has yet to disburse a $131.5 million loan to Niger that was approved on July 5, it added. The interior minister, transport minister, and a deputy had already been detained, it added. The arrests confirm the "repressive and dictatorial" nature of the coup leaders, the party said in a statement, calling on citizens to come together to protect democracy. The arrests were announced a day after Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby arrived in Niger to try to mediate between the coup leaders and the ousted government. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Russia's Wagner mercenary group, last week welcomed the coup in Niger, and said his forces were available to restore order.

Persons: Niger's, Mohamed Bazoum, Mahamane Sani Mahamadou, Issoufou Mahamadou, Mahamat Idriss Deby, Deby, Bazoum, Ursula von der Leyen, Emmanuel Macron, Abdourahamane Tiani, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Russia's Wagner, Antonio Tajani, Boureima Balima, Abdel, Kader Mazou, Anait Miridzhanian, Bate Felix, Nellie Peyton, Sofia Christensen, Alexander Winning, Bernadette Baum, Andrew Heavens, Nick Macfie Organizations: International Monetary Fund, IMF, CFA, West, African Union, European Union, Islamic, Junta, Nigerien Party for Democracy and, Chadian, ECOWAS, EU, REUTERS, Twitter, French Foreign Ministry, Paris, White, Thomson Locations: NIAMEY, Niger, West, Central Africa, United States, France, Islamic State, al Qaeda, EU, U.S, Nigerien, Niamey, Mali, Burkina Faso, Russia, Niger's

☆ Guatemalan presidential contender Torres visits Washington ahead of August run-off
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

GUATEMALA CITY, July 27 (Reuters) - Guatemalan presidential candidate Sandra Torres will meet with U.S. officials in Washington on Thursday, her party said, ahead of a run-off vote next month that has raised international concerns over alleged interference by authorities. Torres' National Unity of Hope (UNE) party said the former first lady of Guatemala is slated to discuss migration, trade and security with U.S. State Department representatives. Torres' rival, Bernardo Arevalo of the Semilla party, who finished second in the vote, has not said whether he also plans to visit Washington. President Joe Biden's administration has raised various concerns over Guatemala's election process, including criticizing raids by authorities last week of Semilla offices. A senior Biden administration official previously said the United States planned to host Torres and Arevalo for talks in Washington this week to show support for free and fair elections.

Persons: Sandra Torres, Torres, Bernardo Arevalo, Joe Biden's, Arevalo, Sofia Menchu, Daina Beth Solomon, Mark Porter Organizations: GUATEMALA CITY, U.S, National Unity of, U.S . State Department, The State Department, Atlantic Council, Biden, Thomson Locations: GUATEMALA, Washington, Guatemala, United States

ORTN/via Reuters TV/Handout via REUTERSNIAMEY, July 27 (Reuters) - Niger's army command on Thursday declared its support for a coup instigated the previous day by soldiers of the presidential guard, saying its priority was to avoid destabilising the country. President Mohamed Bazoum and Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou earlier urged democratic forces in the country to resist the power grab, as western officials said the status of the coup attempt was unclear. They earlier cut off the presidential palace in the capital Niamey, with the president inside. Massoudou also called on "democrats and patriots" to make the "attempted coup" fail, according to a posting on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. Niamey was quiet on Thursday morning as citizens awoke to heavy rain, closed borders and a nationwide curfew imposed by the coup instigators.

Persons: Major Amadou Adramane, Mohamed Bazoum, Hassoumi Massoudou, Bazoum, Massoudou, Bate Felix, Boureima Balima, Moussa Aksar, John Irish, Sofia Christensen, John Stonestreet Organizations: Niger Army, Reuters, REUTERS, Twitter, Thomson Locations: Niamey, Niger, REUTERS NIAMEY, West, Central Africa, Sahel

☆ Niger presidential guards are holding President Bazoum inside palace - security sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

NIAMEY, July 26 (Reuters) - Niger presidential guards are holding President Mohamed Bazoum inside the presidential palace, which has been blocked off by military vehicles, security sources said on Wednesday. Reporting by Moussa Aksar Writing by Sofia Christensen Editing by Alexander WinningOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mohamed Bazoum, Moussa Aksar, Sofia Christensen, Alexander Winning Organizations: Thomson Locations: NIAMEY, Niger

☆ Svitolina, Andreescu get Washington Open wild cards
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 30, 2023 Canada's Bianca Andreescu in action during her first round match against Belarus' Victoria Azarenka REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach/File PhotoJuly 26 (Reuters) - Former Ukrainian world number three Elina Svitolina and 2019 U.S. Open champion Bianca Andreescu have been handed wildcards to compete in the Washington Open later this month, the organisers said on Wednesday. The 28-year-old Svitolina, ranked 27th, reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon earlier this month just nine months after giving birth to daughter Skai. Canadian Andreescu, 23, reached the third round at the grasscourt Grand Slam. Former world number four Kei Nishikori, Frenchman Gael Monfils and South African Kevin Anderson were given wildcards into the men's draw. The Washington Open will be held from July 31-Aug. 6.

Persons: Roland Garros, Bianca Andreescu, Victoria Azarenka, Kai Pfaffenbach, Elina Svitolina, Skai, Sofia Kenin, Danielle Collins, Kei Nishikori, Frenchman Gael Monfils, Kevin Anderson, Pearl Josephine Nazare, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Belarus, Victoria, Victoria Azarenka REUTERS, Washington, Wimbledon, Frenchman, South, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Ukrainian, Bengaluru

NIAMEY, July 26 (Reuters) - Niger presidential guards are holding President Mohamed Bazoum inside the presidential palace in the capital, which has been blocked off by military vehicles since Wednesday morning, security sources said. The movements have the semblance of four military takeovers that have hit neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso since 2020. Ministries next to the palace have also been blocked off, and staff inside the palace have not been able to access to their offices, presidency and security sources said. The rest of Niamey appeared calm, with normal morning traffic on the road and full internet access, a Reuters reporter said. There was also a thwarted coup attempt in Niger in March 2021, when a military unit tried to seize the presidential palace days before Bazoum was due to be sworn in.

Persons: Mohamed Bazoum, Bazoum, Moussa Aksar, Boureima Balima, Abdel, Kader Mazou, Sofia Christensen, Andrew Heavens, Alexander Winning, Nick Macfie Organizations: Thomson Locations: NIAMEY, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niamey

☆ OAS chief flags 'clear interference' in Guatemala election ahead of visit
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Sofia Menchu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

GUATEMALA CITY, July 26 (Reuters) - The Organization of American States (OAS) chief Luis Almagro will meet with authorities and politicians in Guatemala next week, he said on Wednesday, as concerns escalate over alleged government interference in the upcoming presidential runoff vote. The OAS, which monitored the first round, had backed the results as legitimate. "We have expressed ourselves emphatically on multiple occasions against the repeated attempts to alter the will of the people and the attacks on the electoral authorities," Almagro said in a special OAS session to discuss the election. "This is an electoral process that has suffered clear interference of internal actors that hindered its normal development," he said. Irma Palencia, the head of Guatemala's electoral court, said she has asked the OAS to continue monitoring the election.

Persons: Luis Almagro, Bernardo Arevalo, Arevalo's, Sandra Torres, Almagro, Alejandro Giammattei's, Arevalo, Torres, Irma Palencia, Sofia Menchu, Sarah Morland, Daina Beth Solomon, Jonathan Oatis, Bill Berkrot Organizations: GUATEMALA CITY, of American States, OAS, Thomson Locations: GUATEMALA, Guatemala

☆ Ayotzinapa: Independent experts quit Mexico over roadblocks on 43 missing students case
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Sofia Cox | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The Interdisciplinary Group of Independent Experts (GIEI), a committee of jurists and doctors, are in Mexico to investigate the disappearance of the students, who vanished during a visit to the southwestern city of Iguala. But after presenting their final fact-finding report on Tuesday, the experts said they faced a series of roadblocks, and would be withdrawing from the investigation and leaving the country next week. Last August, a Mexican court issued at least 83 arrest warrants for people allegedly involved in the 2014 disappearance, but so far no one has been convicted in relation to the students’ disappearance. “The reason why we are leaving is because we cannot go further without that information,” she told CNNE. “Really, we have delivered this report with what could be done, but we cannot move forward without that information… so that is the reason why we are leaving Mexico.”

Persons: they’re, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, “, Obrador, ”, Carlos Beristain, Angela Buitrago, CNNE Organizations: CNN, Independent, Prosecutor’s Locations: Mexico, Iguala, Ayotzinapa, Mexico City

☆ Venice Film Festival unveils a star-studded lineup amid strike
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Marianne Garvey | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The Venice Film Festival has unveiled its lineup amid the ongoing SAG-AFTRA actors and WGA writers strike. While the movie lineup is filled with A-list actors and big-name directors, it remains unclear which talent will be allowed to actually attend the festival amid the strike. Festival director Alberto Barbera said in his opening speech if the strike is still ongoing there will likely be premieres without the film’s cast on the red carpet. In the meantime, producers can apply for SAG-AFTRA waivers so the stars of their films can attend and not break strike rules. See the full in competition lineup for the 2023 Venice International Film Festival below.

Persons: Bradley Cooper, Sofia Coppola, Yorgos Lanthimos, Michael Mann, Ava DuVernay, ”, Edoardo De Angelis, Pierfrancesco Favino, “, Bayona, Cooper’s, “ Maestro, Cooper, Emma Stone, Damien Chazelle, Jane Campion, Martin McDonagh, Laura Poitras, Alberto Barbera, Barbera, ” Edoardo de Angelis, ” Stefano Sollima “, ” Bertrand Bonello “, ” Luc Besson “ El Conde, ” Pablo Larrain “, ” Pietro Castellitto “, “ Ferrari, ” Michael Mann “ Finalmente, ” Saverio Costanzo “, Agnieszka Holland “ Holly, ” Matteo Garrone “, ” David Fincher “ Lubo, ” Giorgio Diritti “ Maestro, ” Bradley Cooper, ” Michel Franco “, ” Ava DuVernay “, Lanthimos, Priscilla, ” Sofia Coppola “, ” Nikolaj Arcel, Allem, ” Timm Kroger, Malgorzata Szumowska, Michal Englert Organizations: CNN, WGA, “ Society, SAG Locations: Venice, J.A, La

☆ Venice film fest attracts top names despite Hollywood strikes
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Crispian Balmer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Although many stars will miss the traditional red carpet openings for big studio productions, Venice artistic director Alberto Barbera still managed to attract a slew of top movies to the Lido. The world's oldest film festival, regarded as a launchpad for Oscar contenders as awards season approaches, features movies from 55 countries, including 23 titles running for the prestigious Golden Lion award. The SAG-AFTRA guild called the strike this month after failing to reach an agreement with studios on a new three-year contract. Barbera said he hoped stars of smaller independent movies would be able to publicise their work in person regardless of the stoppage. Both Allen, with his French language picture "Coup De Chance", and Polanski, with "The Palace" will show out of competition.

Persons: Bradley Cooper, Karl Lagerfeld, Andrew Kelly, Alberto Barbera, Yorgos Lanthimos, David Fincher, Michael Mann, Sofia Coppola, Ava DuVernay, Wes Anderson, Woody Allen, Roman Polanski, Luc Besson, MeToo, Besson, Oscar, Barbera, Luca Guadagnino, Zendaya, Maestro, Leonard Bernstein, Cooper, Priscilla, Elvis Presley's, Cailee Spaeny, Ferrari, Mann, Adam Driver, Enzo Ferrari, Penelope Cruz, Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Allen, Chance, Polanski, Anderson, Henry Sugar, Roald Dahl, Benedict Cumberbatch, Ralph Fiennes, Dev Patel, Ben Kingsley, Crispian Balmer, Alison Williams Organizations: Metropolitan Museum, Art's, REUTERS, Hollywood, Golden Lion, SAG, Netflix, Lion, Thomson Locations: New York City , New York, U.S, Venice, ., Italian, American, United States

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