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☆ 'Fraught with uncertainty': IEA says oil markets to remain on tenterhooks as Israel-Hamas war persists
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The International Energy Agency on Thursday said that oil markets are likely to remain on edge as the Israel-Hamas war persists, with investors closely monitoring the potential for output disruption in the Middle East. "The Middle East conflict is fraught with uncertainty and events are fast developing," the IEA said in its report. "Against a backdrop of tightly balanced oil markets anticipated by the IEA for some time, the international community will remain laser focused on risks to the region's oil flows," the energy agency added. Noting a "sharp escalation in geopolitical risk," the IEA said it would continue to closely monitor oil markets and "stands ready to act if necessary to ensure markets remain adequately supplied." Israel is not a major oil producer and no major oil infrastructure runs close to the Gaza Strip.

Organizations: International Energy Agency, IEA Locations: Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, Israel, Gaza

GOMA, Congo (AP) — The United Nations has suspended and detained eight peacekeepers in eastern Congo over allegations of sexual exploitation, a U.N. official said. Their mission is to protect civilians, deter armed groups, and build the capacity of state institutions and services. Political Cartoons View All 1207 ImagesDespite the presence of the peacekeepers in Congo for decades, the conflict has continued and is increasing. Accusations of sexual abuse by peacekeepers in Congo are not new and in the past have been considered the epicenter of the U.N.'s sexual abuse crisis. In 2017, of the 2,000 sexual abuse and exploitation complaints made against the U.N. worldwide over the past 12 years, more than 700 occurred in Congo.

Persons: ___ Kamale, Sam Mednick Organizations: United Nations, Associated Press Locations: GOMA, Congo, South Africa, Beni, North Kivu, Fizi, South Kivu, Kinshasa, Cotonou, Benin

☆ What is Israel's Iron Dome? Here’s what you need to know about the missile defense system
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip, as seen from the city of Ashkelon, Israel October 9, 2023. What is Israel's Iron Dome? The Iron Dome, or "Kippat Barzel" in Hebrew, is widely regarded as one of the most important tools in Israel's arsenal. An Iron Dome launcher fires an interceptor missile as rockets are fired from Gaza, in Ashkelon, Israel May 10, 2023. The Center for Strategic International Studies, a U.S. think tank, has previously estimated that a complete Iron Dome battery costs roughly $100 million to produce.

Persons: Amir Cohen, Israel, Rafael, —, Tamir Organizations: Reuters, Palestinian Ministry of Health, Israel's Defense Ministry, Iron Dome, European Union, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Reuters Israel's Defense Forces, Dome, Congressional Research Service, Strategic International Studies Locations: Gaza, Ashkelon, Israel, Reuters Israel, Jihad, U.S, Washington

☆ Satellite images show the scale of destruction in Gaza as Israel responds to surprise Hamas attack
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

People carry their belongings around destroyed buildings and debris at the Al-Karama neighborhood after an Israeli airstrike that has been going on for five days in Gaza City, Gaza on October 11, 2023. Satellite images depict the scale of the devastation in Gaza following a barrage of Israeli airstrikes in response to Hamas' unprecedented assault. U.S. space technology firm Maxar Technologies on Tuesday published a fresh batch of satellite images that show the aftermath of recent airstrikes in and around the enclosed territory of Gaza. Israel is expected to launch a ground offensive on the Gaza Strip in an attempt "to make sure Hamas won't have any military capabilities." The counteroffensive against the Palestinian militant group Hamas follows a brutal and coordinated assault on southern Israel over the weekend.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu's Organizations: Maxar Technologies, Palestinian, Hamas Locations: Karama, Gaza City, Gaza, Israel

☆ What is Hamas? What you need to know about the militant group that rules the Gaza Strip
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

The militant Palestinian group orchestrated an unprecedented attack on Israel on Saturday, killing many hundreds of people and injuring thousands more. Israel's counteroffensive against Hamas has seen its military conduct a barrage of airstrikes across the enclosed territory of the Gaza Strip, also killing many hundreds of people. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators protest at Puerta del Sol square amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, in Madrid, Spain, October 9, 2023. Relief and Works Agency said that conditions in the Gaza Strip remain "difficult" as heavy airstrikes continue, with some shelters overcrowded. watch now"I am deeply distressed by today's announcement that Israel will initiate a complete siege of the Gaza Strip.

Persons: Mahmud Hams, Benjamin Netanyahu, Sameh, Ismail Haniyeh, Fatah, Juan Medina, Israel, Antonio Guterres, Basim Naim, BBC's, Naim, Israel's Netanyahu Organizations: Brigades, Afp, Getty Images Hamas, Israeli, Hamas, Nurphoto, Palestinian Health Ministry, Israeli Defense Forces, European Union, Movement, West Bank —, United Nations, Palestinian National Liberation Movement, Palestinian National Authority, West Bank, Pro, Puerta del Sol, Palestinian, Reuters, Works Agency Locations: Gaza, Mahmud, Israel, Hamas, Gaza City, U.S, Japan, Australia, Palestine, Palestinian, Madrid, Spain, Iran

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. Rep. George Santos stole the identities of donors to his campaign and then used their credit cards to ring up tens of thousands of dollars in unauthorized charges, according to a new indictment filed Tuesday. In the updated indictment, prosecutors accuse Santos of charging more than $44,000 to his campaign over a period of months using cards belonging to contributors without their knowledge. Santos’ personal and professional biography as a wealthy businessman began to unravel soon after winning election to represent parts of Long Island and Queens last year, revealing a tangled web of deception. Santos was not initially charged in the criminal complaint against Marks, but was identified in court papers as a “co-conspirator." Because the unauthorized charges exceeded contribution limits under federal law, Santos listed the additional payments as coming from his own unwitting relatives, prosecutors allege.

Persons: George Santos, Santos, Attorney Breon Peace, “, ”, Santos ’, — Santos, Nancy Marks, Marks, Long, Sam Miele, Miele, Kevin McCarthy, Kevin Marino, Farnoush Amiri Organizations: — U.S . Rep, New York Republican, Federal Elections Commission, Republican Party, Attorney, U.S Capitol, Queens, Republican, Prosecutors, GOP Rep, Press Locations: ” U.S, Long Island, Santos, Washington

☆ OPEC hikes long-term oil demand outlook — in stark contrast to other predictions of peak crude
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

OPEC on Monday raised its medium- and long-term forecasts for global oil demand. OPEC's long-term forecast for global oil demand diverges from that of the International Energy Agency, the world's leading energy watchdog. OPEC and the IEA, both big names in the energy industry, are currently locked in a war of words over peak oil demand. For its long-term oil demand forecast to be met, OPEC said oil sector investments of $14 trillion, or around $610 billion on average per year, would be needed. In the medium term, OPEC said global oil demand was likely to reach a level of 110.2 million bpd in 2028, reflecting a jump of 10.6 million bpd when compared to 2022 levels.

Persons: Haitham, Ghais Organizations: International Energy Agency, OPEC, Oil Outlook Locations: Nolan , Texas, OPEC, India, China, Africa

☆ Australia PM 'optimistic' of long-shot win in Indigenous rights referendum
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"I'm optimistic," Albanese told the Australian Broadcasting Corp (ABC) on Sunday morning, according to a transcript. "Whether it be Shepperton or Sydney or Brisbane, Melbourne, the places I've been, Hobart, Adelaide in the last week, have been extremely positive." Albanese's centre-left Labor government backs the referendum, while the opposition Liberal-National conservatives urge a "No" vote on Oct. 14. If the "Voice to Parliament" referendum is approved, it would constitutionally enshrine Indigenous people and set up an advisory body for their input on policies that affect them. Last month, thousands rallied in state capitals to support the yes campaign, which sees the measure as necessary to boost outcomes for the nation's Indigenous people.

Persons: Anthony Albanese, Albanese, I've, Sam McKeith, William Mallard Organizations: SYDNEY, Australia's, Australian Broadcasting Corp, Labor, Liberal, Thomson Locations: Shepperton, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide, Australians, Australia's, New South Wales

☆ Light Plane Crashes in Rural Australia, Four Killed
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

Sydney (Reuters) - A light plane crashed in a rural area of Australia's New South Wales state on Friday, killing the male pilot and three children who were on board, police said late on Friday. The Cirrus SR22 took off from Canberra and crashed about 3 p.m. local time (0400 GMT) near the town of Queanbeyan which is roughly 290 kilometres (180 miles) from Sydney. Emergency services responded to reports that a plane had crashed and was in flames, with firefighters extinguishing the blaze but there were no survivors, police said. (Reporting by Sam McKeith in Sydney; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)

Persons: Sam McKeith, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Sydney Locations: Australia's New South Wales, Canberra, Queanbeyan, Sydney

European stocks moved higher on Friday as market participants brace themselves for U.S. jobs data later in the session. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index was up 0.5% in early trade, with insurance stocks adding 1.2% to lead gains as most sectors and major bourses nudged into positive territory. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones expect that September will show a net 170,000 new jobs — significantly more than that could provide a good-news-is-bad-news jolt to an already reeling market. The pan-European Stoxx 600 closed 0.3% higher on Thursday, following three consecutive negative trading sessions at the start the fourth quarter. The rate on the 10-year Treasury note slipped from highs last seen in 2007 earlier in the week and held steady at around 4.7276% on Friday.

Persons: nonfarm, Dow Jones Organizations: U.S, Wall, Federal Reserve Locations: Asia, Pacific

☆ Australia PM Votes in Struggling Referendum on Indigenous Rights
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese voted on Saturday in a referendum to recognise the country's Indigenous people in the constitution, a week from a national polling day on the measure that is trailing in opinion surveys. Albanese's centre-left Labor government backs the change, while the opposition Liberal-National conservatives urge a vote of "No". Most Indigenous people favour the referendum, but some say it is a distraction from achieving practical and positive outcomes and would not fully resolve the issues affecting them. "I cast my vote today for Yes and I did so proudly in the knowledge that this is the request of Indigenous Australians," Albanese told reporters, according to a transcript. Marginalised by British colonial rulers and not mentioned in Australia's 122-year-old constitution, Indigenous Australians face disadvantages including discrimination, poor health and education outcomes and high incarceration rates.

Persons: Anthony Albanese, Albanese, Nathan Albanese, " Albanese, Sam McKeith, William Mallard Organizations: SYDNEY, Australia's, Labor, Liberal, Aboriginal, Torres Strait Locations: Albanese's, Sydney, Marrickville, Australia's, New South Wales, Australia

Thursday’s strike on the Homs Military Academy killed 89 people, including 31 women and five children, and wounded as many as 277, according to the health ministry. No group immediately claimed responsibility for Thursday's attack as Syria endures its 13th year of conflict that has killed half a million people. Syrian Defense Minister Gen. Ali Abbas was present Friday outside the hospital, where he comforted the families of victims. An opposition war monitor reported Thursday that Abbas had left the graduation ceremony shortly before the attack. The tide turned in Assad’s favor against rebel groups in 2015, when Russia provided key military backing to Syria, as well as Iran and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

Persons: —, Thursday’s, Syria’s, ”, Qader, Ibrahim Shaaban, Raneem, Mohammed, Rima, Hussein Quba, ” Shaaban, Bassam Mohammed, Ali Abbas, Abbas, Jaafar Mohammed, “, Bashar Assad’s, Bassem Mroue Organizations: Homs Military Academy, Syrian Civil Defense, Syrian Defense, Associated Press Locations: HOMS, Syria, Homs, Russia, Turkey, Russian, Idlib, Aleppo, Daret, Raneem Quba, Iran, Lebanese, Beirut

☆ A new Chile? Argentina is at the epicenter of a new ‘white gold’ rush
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Ricardo Ceppi | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesMomentum behind Argentina's lithium mining boom is picking up fast. The region is estimated to hold more than half of global lithium reserves, mainly located in Argentina (21%) and Chile (11%). Leftist President Gabriel Boric announced in April that the state was taking a majority stake in the country's lithium industry, dismaying some business leaders. Tomas Cuesta | Getty Images News | Getty Images"Everyone thinks in Latin America, when it comes to mining and lithium, Chile comes to mind. The protests took place shortly after a controversial change in legislation gave lithium mining companies greater access to indigenous lands.

Persons: Ricardo Ceppi, Jujuy Gerardo Morales, Mariano Machado, Gabriel Boric, Javier Milei, Argentinians, Tomas Cuesta, Verisk Maplecroft's Machado, Machado Organizations: Salinas Grandes, Getty, Eurasia Group, International Energy Agency, Americas, Verisk Maplecroft, Group, Verisk, CNBC, La Libertad Locations: Salinas, Jujuy, Argentina, Chile, America, Buenos Aires, Catamarca, Salta, Verisk, China, Chile Chile, Australia, Santiago del Estero, Argentina's

☆ Philips shares fall 8% after U.S. drug regulator deals fresh blow to sleep device recall
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Shares of Dutch health tech company Philips tumbled to the bottom of the European benchmark on Friday, after the U.S. drug regulator deemed its handling of a major product recall inadequate. The Amsterdam-listed stock was trading more than 8% lower at 1:15 p.m. London time, paring some losses after falling by as much as 10% earlier in the session. The announcement reflects yet another blow to Philips over the recall of millions of ventilators used to treat sleep apnea, which CEO Roy Jakobs earlier this year said would be the the firm's "highest priority." The FDA said it finds additional testing is necessary and noted Philips agreed to carry out this request. The company added that it shares the same objective as the FDA and other regulators "to ensure the highest standards of patient safety and quality in the delivery of healthcare."

Persons: Roy Jakobs, Philips Organizations: Philips, U.S . Food, Drug Administration, FDA Locations: U.S, Amsterdam, London

☆ Russia's government lifts ban on most of its diesel exports
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

From February 5, 2023, the European Union will no longer purchase petroleum products such as diesel, gasoline or lubricants from Russia. Russia's government on Friday said it had withdrawn a ban on diesel exports delivered to sea ports via pipelines, removing a large chunk of restrictions it put in place last month. The announcement comes shortly after Russia imposed an indefinite ban on the export of diesel and gasoline to most countries, sending shockwaves through global markets. The restrictions for gasoline exports currently remain in place. The ban prompted a jump in diesel prices, as Russia is one of the world's largest suppliers of diesel and a major exporter of crude oil.

Persons: Dmitry Peskov Organizations: European Union, Reuters Locations: European, Russia, Moscow

WASHINGTON (AP) — The global economy has shown “remarkable resilience’’ but still bears deep scars from the coronavirus pandemic, the war in Ukraine and rising interest rates, the head of the International Monetary Fund said Thursday. The United States, she said, “is the only major economy where output has returned to its pre-pandemic path. Weighing on global growth is China’s disappointing recovery despite the lifting late last year of draconian zero-COVID policies, which had crippled commerce in the world's second-biggest economy last year. She said the odds are rising that global economy can manage a “soft landing’’ — avoiding recession even while bringing down inflationary pressure. “Fighting inflation is the number one priority,’’ she said, urging central banks to keep interest rates “higher for longer.

Persons: “, Kristalina Georgieva, Georgieva, ’, Sam Metz Organizations: WASHINGTON, International Monetary Fund, IMF, World Bank, Global, U.S . Federal Reserve, Bank, Associated Press Locations: Ukraine, Abidjan, Ivory Coast, United States, Marrakesh, Morocco, Rabat

☆ European leaders say they can’t fully replace U.S. support to Ukraine as funding fears grow
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Gathering in Granada, Spain, for a summit of the European Political Community, European leaders sought to reaffirm their commitment to Ukraine amid Russia's full-scale invasion. He has insisted, however, that a majority of members across both major parties support funding Kyiv. "Ukraine needs the support of the European Union, which is sure, they will have it and we will increase it. "As far as I oversee the situation in the United States, I am very confident of support for Ukraine from the United States. Asked whether the EU could step in if the U.S. does not resume its support for Ukraine, Rutte said, "It is not necessary.

Persons: Josep Borrell, Jorge Guerrero, Joe Biden, Robert Fico, Washington's, Borrell, Viktor Bondarev, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zelenskyy, Ursula von der Leyen, Biden, Mark Rutte, Rutte Organizations: EU, Representative, Union for Foreign Affairs, Palacio, Congreso, Afp, Getty, Political Community, Wednesday, Republican, U.S . Congress, European Union, Kyiv, Russia's Federation, Committee, Defense, Security, European Commission, Congresos, Political, Europa Press, Dutch, U.S . House, Representatives, Hague, Ukraine Locations: Granada, Spain, U.S, Ukraine, Europe, Russian, Slovakia, Kyiv, EU, America, Russia, Andalusia, United States, Netherlands

☆ Extraordinary September heat means 2023 is now on track to be the warmest year on record
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

2023 is on course to be the hottest year on record, scientists warned on Thursday, following extraordinarily high temperatures in September and the hottest summer in human history. The European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) said global average temperatures for January through to September were 1.4 degrees Celsius higher than the preindustrial period of 1850 to 1900. This was just over 0.5 degrees Celsius higher than average and 0.05 degrees Celsius higher the equivalent period in 2016 — the current hottest year on record. Extreme heat is fueled by the climate crisis, the chief driver of which is the burning of fossil fuels. "This extreme month has pushed 2023 into the dubious honour of first place — on track to be the warmest year and around 1.4°C above preindustrial average temperatures."

Persons: C3S, Samantha Burgess, Burgess Organizations: Bolivian, United, United Arab Emirates Locations: Bahia, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia, Peru, Dubai, United Arab

☆ U.S. ambassador insists America remains the top foreign policy actor in the Middle East
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Martina Strong believes the U.S. is unequivocally the most important foreign policy actor in the Middle East. Her comments come roughly one year after President Joe Biden threatened "consequences" for Saudi Arabia after the OPEC kingpin slashed oil production along with its allies against Washington's wishes. Biden's administration has been notably quiet about recent OPEC+ output cuts, however, even as oil prices have rallied close to $100 a barrel. Saudi Arabia has recently shown signs of steering toward China and Russia after rekindling relations with Iran through Beijing-mediated talks and receiving an invitation to join the emerging economies' BRICS alliance. Asked by CNBC's Dan Murphy whether the U.S. remained the most important foreign policy actor in the region, Strong replied, "Absolutely.

Persons: United Arab Emirates Martina Strong, Joe Biden, Washington's, Biden's, CNBC's Dan Murphy, Strong, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, Narendra Modi, Evelyn Hockstein Organizations: United Arab Emirates, U.S ., UAE, Saudi Arabia's Crown, India's, Bharat, Afp, Getty Locations: U.S, Saudi Arabia, Israel, China, Russia, Iran, Beijing, New Delhi

“This process is not behind schedule.”The July agreement included a pledge of 105 million euros ($110 million) earmarked for migration. As arrivals increased last month, the European Commission announced it would send an initial 127 million euros ($133 million) to Tunisia. Apart from migration, the bulk of the funds are contingent on Tunisia reaching agreement with the International Monetary Fund on stalled loan negotiations. In April, he called the terms “diktats from abroad.”Supporters, including Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, have hailed Europe's agreement with Tunisia as a regional model. Since taking power in 2019, Saied has repeatedly characterized sub-Saharan African migrants as violent and a threat to Tunisia.

Persons: Kais Saied, ” Saied, Saied, Marcus Cornaro, Saied's, “ We're, ”, Giorgia, ___ Sam Metz Organizations: —, Monday, European Union, TAP, EU, UNHCR, European Commission, International Monetary Fund, World Bank Locations: TUNIS, Tunisia, — Tunisia, Europe, Rome, Tunisian, Italy, North Africa, Italian, Germany, Europe’s, Rabat, Morocco, Georgia

☆ Former BP boss Bob Dudley says Looney’s shock exit ‘came out of nowhere’
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Arun Sankar | Afp | Getty ImagesFormer BP CEO Bob Dudley on Tuesday said that Bernard Looney's abrupt resignation last month came as a shock and denied any prior knowledge of the latter's past personal relationships with colleagues. Looney succeeded Dudley, who stood down as BP CEO in 2020. He informed the company that he was not "fully transparent in his previous disclosures" about relationships with colleagues before becoming CEO, BP said. "Things at BP are OK. We move forward as you would expect, despite the change that happens," interim BP CEO Murray Auchincloss said Monday during a CNBC-moderated ADIPEC panel session. Dudley — who now chairs the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative, an organization backed by BP, Saudi Aramco, Exxon Mobil and other Big Oil firms — echoed Auchincloss' view.

Persons: Bernard Looney, Arun Sankar, Bob Dudley, Bernard Looney's, Dudley, Looney, Murray Auchincloss, Auchincloss, It's, Dudley — Organizations: Afp, Getty, BP, Financial Times, CNBC, Abu Dhabi International Progressive Energy Congress, BP Plc, Abu, Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition, United, Bloomberg, Climate Initiative, Exxon Mobil, Big Oil Locations: New Delhi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Aramco

☆ ‘We are not in the business of ice cream’: Big Oil CEOs defend themselves against climate criticism
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Executives representing energy majors in the U.S., Europe and Asia speak during a CNBC-moderated panel session at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. "So, the debate has always been posed here, I'm reminded of an old saying: 'If you want to keep everyone happy, sell ice cream.' We are not in the business of ice cream — and I'm reminded, there are people who are lactose intolerant," Taufik said. "In mitigating climate change, there is also the opportunity to continue to produce oil for our energy security. Wael Sawan, chief executive officer of Shell Plc, speaks during a panel session at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Persons: We've, Tengku Muhammad Taufik, I'm, Taufik, Vicki Hollub, Oxy, Hollub, Patrick Pouyanne, Pouyanne, Wael Sawan Organizations: CNBC, Abu, Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition, United, United Arab Emirates, Bloomberg, Getty Images, Monday, Big Oil, Amnesty, Petronas, Shell Plc, Getty Locations: U.S, Europe, Asia, Abu Dhabi, United Arab, Paris

☆ New Zealand PM tests COVID-positive two weeks before election
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Prime Minister and Labour Party Leader Chris Hipkins speaks at the New Zealand Labour Party's election campaign launch event in Auckland, New Zealand, September 2, 2023. REUTERS/David Rowland/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Oct 1 (Reuters) - New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has tested positive for COVID-19 and will work remotely while isolating, his office said on Sunday, just two weeks before a general election in which his Labour party is struggling. The positive test will temporarily sideline Hipkins in the campaign for the Oct. 14 election. Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni would stand in for Hipkins at a Samoan church service in Auckland on Sunday, a spokesperson said. The prime minister's office said further updates on his schedule "will be provided in due course".

Persons: Chris Hipkins, David Rowland, Carmel Sepuloni, Hipkins, Sam McKeith, Nick Zieminski, William Mallard Organizations: Labour Party, New Zealand Labour, REUTERS, Rights, Zealand, Labour, National, Thomson Locations: Auckland , New Zealand, Hipkins, Auckland, Sydney

☆ Australia swelters through 'scorching' heat lifting bushfire risk
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SYDNEY, Oct 1 (Reuters) - Australia's southeast on Sunday sweltered in a heat wave that raised the risk of bushfires and prompted authorities to issue fire bans for large swaths of New South Wales state. Australia faces a high risk bushfire season as it experiences an El Nino weather event, recently announced, which is typically associated with extreme events like wildfires, cyclones and droughts. State Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib said the "scorching" heat lifted the risk for bushfires in the week ahead. Fire authorities on Sunday issued nine fire total bans for parts of the state in a bid to reduce the chance of bushfires. Reporting by Sam McKeith in Sydney Editing by Nick ZieminskiOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Kingsford, Jihad Dib, Dib, Sam McKeith, Nick Zieminski Organizations: SYDNEY, New, Airport, Emergency Services, Thomson Locations: New South Wales, Sydney, Australia's, Australia, El Nino, Turkey

☆ Man dies in Australia after whale collides with boat
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SYDNEY, Sept 30 (Reuters) - One man died and another was in hospital on Saturday in Australia after a whale struck and flipped their boat during a fishing expedition, authorities said. "A whale has been involved, whoever would have thought that that would have occurred, it's terribly tragic," said New South Wales Police Minister Yasmin Catley. The boat "was likely to have struck or been impacted by a whale breaching, causing the boat to tilt, ejecting both men", police said in a statement. While human deaths caused by whales in the region are rare, Australia and neighbouring New Zealand are hot spots for mass whale strandings on beaches. Reporting by Sam McKeith in Sydney; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: it's, Yasmin Catley, Jihad Dib, Danes, Sam McKeith, Cynthia Osterman, William Mallard Organizations: Police, New South Wales Police, Emergency Services, Thomson Locations: Australia, Botany Bay, Sydney, New, New Zealand

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