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☆ WTA roundup: Iga Swiatek wins first grass-court match in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

June 26 - It took World No.1 Iga Swiatek a little time on Monday to acclimate to the grass under her feet in the first round of the Bad Homburg Open. Swiatek, who won the French Open on the clay courts in Paris earlier this month, won her first grass-court match of the season against 2022 Wimbledon semifinalist Tatjana Maria 5-7, 6-2, 6-0 in Bad Homburg, Germany. Swiatek has yet to win a WTA tournament on grass, and she hasn't made it past the Round of 16 on the grass courts in London. Keys was a 7-6 (4), 6-4 winner over Tereza Martincova, a lucky loser who got a spot in the main draw when fellow Czech Linda Fruhvirtova withdrew. Qualifier Camila Osorio of Colombia toppled Rogers 6-4, 6-4, and local favorite Jodie Burrage of Great Britain got past Davis 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Persons: acclimate, Tatjana Maria, Swiatek, hasn't, Teichmann, Claire Liu, Mayar Sherif, German Anna, Lena Friedsam, Bianca Andreescu, Varvara Gracheva, Cristian, Katerina Siniakova, Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Shelby Rogers, Lauren Davis, Keys, Tereza, Czech Linda Fruhvirtova, Camila Osorio, Jodie Burrage, Davis, Daria Kasatkina of, Anhelina Kalinina, Karolina Pliskova, Pliskova, Elise Mertens Organizations: Bad, Wimbledon, Czech Republic, Madison Keys, Rogers, Eastbourne, Belgium, Thomson Locations: Paris, Bad Homburg, Germany, London, Egypt, German, Canada, Russia, Romanian, Czech, Italy, Rothesay, Eastbourne, England, Colombia, Daria Kasatkina of Russia, Ukraine, Czech Republic

[1/3] A nurse prepares to administer the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine under the COVAX scheme against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the Eka Kotebe General Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia March 13, 2021. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri/File PhotoLONDON, June 26 (Reuters) - Several billions of dollars left in a scheme to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to the world’s poorest could be diverted to prepare for other pandemics or to support vaccine manufacturing in Africa, the scheme's partners said. The initiative is set to wind up at the end of this year, although some of its work will continue. With demand for COVID-19 vaccines dwindling, the partners are now working out how best to use the remaining cash – a significant sum in global health – alongside the donors who originally pledged it. Another idea that has gained traction is to use some of the money to boost vaccine manufacturing in Africa, Saraka-Yao said.

Persons: drugmakers, ”, Marie, Ange Saraka, Gavi’s, Yao, Melinda Gates, ” Saraka, Gavi, Muhammad Ali Pate, David Marlow, Seth Berkley, Jennifer Rigby, Christina Fincher Organizations: AstraZeneca, Oxford, REUTERS, Tiksa, Gavi, Vaccine Alliance, World Health Organization, WHO, Coalition for, Reuters, Melinda Gates Foundation, Thomson Locations: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Africa, COVAX, United States, Germany, Nigeria

☆ Two-time champion Kvitova warms up for Wimbledon with German Open title
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The 33-year-old Czech, who also beat Vekic en route to victory at the Miami Open this year, earned her 31st career title. The left-hander looked completely at ease on the surface as she captured her sixth title on grass, more than any other active WTA player, in a warning to her rivals ahead of Wimbledon. "I love grass, I love you," Kvitova told a thinning crowd at the Steffi Graf stadium. Kvitova found herself a break down early in the second set but battled back from 5-3 and moved 6-5 up with an ace. Vekic, who has shot up the rankings from 69th to 23rd this season following an Australian Open quarter-final spot and a title in Monterrey, forced a tiebreak.

Persons: Petra Kvitova, Croatia's Donna Vekic, Lisi Niesner BERLIN, Donna Vekic, Kvitova, Steffi Graf, Donna, Vekic, Karolos, Christian Radnedge, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Tennis Club, Wimbledon, Miami, Eastbourne, Croat, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Germany, Czech, Croatia, London, Wimbledon, Monterrey

LONDON, June 22 (Reuters) - Every country in the world will see rates of diabetes rise in the next 30 years without action, according to a new global study. There are currently 529 million people in the world with diabetes, the study led by researchers at the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington found. The majority of the cases are type 2 diabetes, the form of the disease that is linked to obesity and largely preventable, the researchers said. For example, prevalence rates are expected to reach 16.8% in North Africa and the Middle East and 11.3% in Latin America and the Caribbean by 2050, compared to an estimated 9.8% globally. The study, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is part of a wider series on diabetes published on Thursday in The Lancet medical journal.

Persons: ”, Liane Ong, Bill, Melinda Gates, Jennifer Rigby, Aurora Ellis Organizations: Institute of Health, University of Washington, Melinda Gates Foundation, Thomson Locations: North Africa, East, America, Caribbean

There were 71 cases of the disease - which generally causes fever and muscle pain but can be more severe and even sometimes fatal - last year, mainly in France. The health agency warned at a press conference on Thursday there is an increasing risk of a number of mosquito-borne diseases in the European region, including dengue, zika, chikungunya and West Nile virus, linked to the changing climate and the spread of mosquitoes carrying the viruses. “If this continues, we can expect to see more cases and possibly deaths from diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and West Nile fever," said Andrea Ammon, ECDC director. Aedes aegypti, which spreads diseases including dengue, yellow fever and chikungunya, became established in Cyprus last year and could make further inroads, it said. While the rates of some mosquito-borne diseases in Europe have not risen dramatically in recent years or even fallen slightly, such as malaria and zika, others have seen a "striking" rise, particularly dengue, the ECDC said.

Persons: Andrea Ammon, Aedes, Jennifer Rigby, Jane Merriman Organizations: European Centre for Disease Prevention, World Health Organization, El, Thomson Locations: Europe, France, chikungunya, West, Cyprus, Peru, El Nino

☆ Travel experiences you can only enjoy while you’re young
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

But if you’re still in your teens or 20s, it’s worth knowing about some of the amazing discounts, experiences and adventures only available to those under 30. From discount air fares to working vacation visas, we’ve rounded up some of the best travel experiences to enjoy while you’re young. “It’s 100% worth using the pass whilst you can get the youth discount,” Landon tells CNN Travel. Thurman absentmindedly Googled working working holiday visas, and to her surprise, realized the scheme “was so straightforward to apply for.”“I realized that the only barrier was me and my decision whether or not to apply,” Thurman recalls. If you’re not enrolled in college but you’re still under 30, the International Youth Travel Card could be an alternative.

Persons: CNN —, you’re, There’s, Kofi Landon, Kofi Landon Kofi Landon, Landon, he’d, Landon reckons, ” Landon, “, ”, Tammy Thurman, don’t, –, jetted, Thurman enviously, Thurman absentmindedly, ” “, ” Thurman, Thurman, it’s, she’s, who’s, you’ve, doesn’t, Markus Mainka, Gideon Hagström Lung, He’s, Hagström Lung, Lung Organizations: CNN, EU, Travelers, CNN Travel, Canada, Walt Disney World, Cathay Pacific, Eiffel, SAS, Emirates, Scandinavian Airlines Locations: Europe, Paris, Berlin, Venice, there’s, Prague, Czech Republic, Manchester, Lake Bled, Slovenia, Australia, Tasmania, South Korea, Portugal, Iceland, Canada, France, Ireland, Sydney, London, Melbourne, Emirates, Florence’s Uffizi, Helsinki, Finland, New York City, New York, Stockholm, Copenhagen

☆ Column: Europe's clashes over coal may extend well beyond Poland
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Gavin Maguire | Thomson Reuters | Gavin Maguire Is The Global Energy Transition Columnist. He Was Previously Asia Commodities | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

However, while Poland may be Europe's most coal-dependent economy with roughly 70% of electricity coming from coal, it is far from being Europe's only economy with a vested interest in extending the life of its power plants. HEAVY USERSGermany has the highest number of coal plants in Europe, with 53 facilities listed as participating in the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), data from Ember shows. Poland is also home to the Belchatow Power Station, which is by far Europe's largest thermal coal plant, which alone spewed out over 35 million tonnes of CO2 in 2022. Czechia, formerly the Czech Republic, has 19 coal-fired plants in the EU ETS which emitted a collective 34 million tonnes of CO2 in 2022. Share of electricity from coal in select European countriesBulgaria, which depended on coal for 42% of electricity last year, has five plants in the EU ETS which emitted 23.8 million tonnes last year.

Persons: Ember, Belchatow, Gavin Maguire, Sonali Paul Organizations: Union, European Union, EU, Trading, ETS, EU ETS, World Bank, Belchatow, Southern, Global Energy Monitor, Western, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LITTLETON , Colorado, Ukraine, Poland, Germany, Netherlands, Romania, Turkey, Czechia, Greece, Europe, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Italy

☆ Taiwan seeks closer EU ties in return for chip investment
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-17 | by ( Philip Blenkinsop | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Overseas investments by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp (TSMC), the world's largest contract chipmaker, need government approval, including for a potential factory in Germany. Wu said Taiwan would not block investment in Europe, but there was a "philosophical issue" that a country wanting Taiwanese help needed to consider a broader picture of relations with Taiwan. "If they can think along that positive line, the relations between Taiwan and European countries, major European countries, are going to be so much better than before," said Wu. Taiwan has no formal diplomatic ties with any European country except the Vatican and China warned Europe against official ties ahead of Wu's visit. The EU included Taiwan on its list of potential BIA partners in 2015, but it has not held talks with Taiwan on the issue since.

Persons: Ann Wang, Joseph Wu, Wu, Philip Blenkinsop, Nick Macfie Organizations: REUTERS, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp, NATO, EU, Thomson Locations: Tainan, Taiwan, Europe, Germany, China, Vatican, Czech Republic, Brussels, Taiwan Strait

☆ Russia repels Ukrainian drone attack on Druzhba oil pipeline station, governor says
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

June 17 (Reuters) - Russian air defence units repelled a Ukrainian drone attack overnight on a pumping station on the Druzhba oil pipeline in the Bryansk region adjoining Ukraine, the region's governor said on Saturday. Three Ukrainian military drones were destroyed in the attack in the Novozybkov district, Alexander Bogomaz wrote on Telegram. Drone attacks inside Russia have been increasing in recent weeks, frequently targeting energy facilities. Russia blames Ukraine although Kyiv does not publicly acknowledge responsibility for them. The southern branch of the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline crosses Ukraine and, despite the conflict there, continues to supply crude oil to Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

Persons: Alexander Bogomaz, Kevin Liffey, Frances Kerry Organizations: Reuters, Thomson Locations: Ukrainian, Bryansk, Ukraine, Novozybkov, Russia, Kyiv, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic

He warned that contaminated medicines could still be found for several years, because adulterated barrels of an essential ingredient may remain in warehouses. Cough syrups and the ingredient, propylene glycol, both have shelf-lives of around two years. Unscrupulous actors sometimes substitute propylene glycol with toxic alternatives, ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol, because they are cheaper, several pharmaceutical manufacturing experts told Reuters. The WHO said it has also offered help to Liberia and Cameroon – which recently signalled that it too may have contaminated cough syrups for sale. The contaminated syrups in Liberia were made by India's Synercare Mumbai, according to the Nigerian regulator.

Persons: Rutendo Kuwana, Kuwana, –, syrups, Naresh Kumar Goyal, QP Pharmachem, India's Synercare, Synercare, It's, Jennifer Rigby, Krishna N.Das, Edward McAllister, Stanley Widianto, Sumit Khanna, Sophie Yu, Sara Ledwith, Michele Gershberg Organizations: World Health Organization, WHO, Reuters, Pharmaceutical, Marshall, Indonesian, –, PT Universal Pharmaceutical Industries, AFI, Pharmaceuticals, Marion Biotech, Maiden Pharmaceuticals, Thomson Locations: LIBERIA, CAMEROON, Liberia, Nigeria, Gambia, Uzbekistan, Micronesia, Indonesian, – Timor Leste, Cambodia, Senegal, Philippines, Cameroon, syrups, Marshall Islands, India's Synercare Mumbai, Nigerian, Liberian, India, Panama, Delhi, Dakar, Jakarta, Ahmedabad, Beijing

☆ ATP roundup: Jannik Sinner reaches quarters in Netherlands
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - June 1, 2023 Italy's Jannik Sinner in action during his second round match against Germany's Daniel Altmaier REUTERS/Lisi Niesner/File PhotoJune 14 - No. 2 seed Jannik Sinner defeated Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan 6-4, 6-2 on Wednesday to advance to the quarterfinals at the Libema Open in 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands. 3 seed, lost to American Mackenzie McDonald 6-4, 6-4, and Emil Ruusuvuori of Finland, defeated No. Sonego's fellow Italian, sixth-seeded Lorenzo Musetti, had no trouble against Gregoire Barrere of France in a 6-3, 6-3 win. 3 seed Frances Tiafoe, who saved all three break points in a 7-6 (2), 6-4 defeat of Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic.

Persons: Roland Garros, Germany's Daniel Altmaier, Lisi Niesner, Jannik Sinner, Alexander Bublik, Borna Coric, Mackenzie McDonald, Emil Ruusuvuori, Ugo Humbert of France, Rinky, Marc, Andrea Huesler, Hubert Hurkacz of, Japan's Yosuke, Hurkacz, he'll, Christopher O'Connell of Australia, Lorenzo Sonego, Sonego's, Lorenzo Musetti, Gregoire Barrere of, Musetti, Frances Tiafoe, Jiri Lehecka Organizations: Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Kazakhstan, Netherlands, Finland, Switzerland, Hubert Hurkacz of Poland, Stuttgart, Germany, Watanuki, Gregoire Barrere of France, Czech Republic

☆ NATO 'Air Defender 2023': Hundreds of warplanes fly over Germany in alliance's largest-ever aerial drills
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

An F-16 fighter airplane takes off from the Schleswig-Jagel Air Base in Jagel, Germany, on June 12 during the Air Defender 2023 exercise. “Air Defender is necessary because we live in a more dangerous world. Two US Air Force A10 fighter jets taxi onto the runway ahead of Air Defender 2023. Peter Layton, a fellow at the Griffith Asia Institute and former Royal Australian Air Force officer, said Air Defender 2023 should give Russian military planners a lot to think about. Similar planes are taking part in Air Defender 2023.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Oleksandr Vilkul, Andriy Dubchak, Gregor Fischer, Oana Lungescu, “, Putin, Amy Gutmann, Ingo Gerhartz, CNN’s Nic Robertson, Formidable ‘ hodge, Karl, Josef Hildenbrand, ”, Brynn Tannehill, it’s, Adam Casey, Tannehill, Peter Layton, Harald Tittel, ” Layton, ” Tannehill Organizations: CNN, NATO, Air, Russian, Russia, Operational Command, Alliance, Atlantic Treaty Organization, Jagel, Base, AP NATO, “, ” United, Russia –, Latvia –, German Tornadoes, US Air Force, RAND Corp, US Navy, Aviators, Griffith Asia Institute, Royal Australian Air Force, US, Air National Guard, National Guard, Air Force Locations: Germany, German, Moscow, Ukrainian, Kryvyi, Black, Odesa, Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, Russia, Soviet Union, Schleswig, Jagel, ” United States, Russia – Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Japan, US, Finnish, Spangdahlem, NATO

☆ Taiwan minister meets Czech Senate speaker on trip that has angered China
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PRAGUE, June 13 (Reuters) - Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu met the head of the upper house of the Czech parliament on Tuesday as part of a European trip that has angered China. China claims self-ruled Taiwan as its own territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under its control. Taiwan strongly objects to China’s sovereignty claims and says only the island’s people can decide their future. Taiwan has no formal diplomatic ties with any European country except the Vatican. China's Foreign Ministry urged Europe on Friday not to have any official exchanges with Taiwan or support "independence forces" ahead of the trip.

Persons: Joseph Wu, Wu, Milos Vystrcil, Petr Pavel, Marketa, Pavel, Jan Lopatka, Nick Macfie Organizations: Taiwan Foreign, NATO, European Union, China's Foreign Ministry, Thomson Locations: PRAGUE, Czech, China, Taiwan, Central, Eastern, Ukraine, Prague, Brussels, Czech Republic, Beijing, Taipei

☆ Morning Bid: Markets drift ahead of central bank extravaganza
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Ankur BanerjeeAfter surprise interest rate hikes from the Reserve Bank of Australia and Bank of Canada, investors are a bit nervy heading into a week that brings us three major central banks meetings. Last week's moves have inflamed uncertainty in investor minds about whether the U.S. Federal Reserve will skip or surprise on Wednesday. CME Fedwatch tool showed the probability of the Fed standing still is over 70%, but with inflation data due on Tuesday there may just be a late sting in the tail. No such surprises are expected from the European Central Bank or Bank of Japan, with markets widely expecting the ECB to hike and stay hawkish, and the BOJ to stick to its ultra-loose monetary policy. Reuters GraphicsReuters GraphicsWith not a lot on the data calendar, stocks in Asia are muted, while the U.S. dollar is steady.

Persons: Ankur Banerjee, BioNTech, Crispin Odey, Nicola Sturgeon, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Ankur, Reserve Bank of Australia, Bank of Canada, Fed, ECB, U.S . Federal Reserve, CME, European Central Bank, Bank of Japan, Reuters Graphics Reuters, U.S ., Nikkei, Odey, Management, Scottish First, Scottish National Party ., Thomson Locations: Asia, Germany, Britain, Denmark, Czech Republic, Turkey, Singapore

☆ EU to try again for renewable energy deal after nuclear row
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( Kate Abnett | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BRUSSELS, June 10 (Reuters) - European Union countries will try again next week to pass a deal on new renewable energy targets, which have been stalled by concerns from France and other states that the law sidelines nuclear energy. Paris has sought changes to the law to offer more favourable treatment of nuclear energy, and said the final deal puts at a disadvantage countries like France with large shares of nuclear power. Nuclear energy is low-carbon, but not renewable. The EU law is designed to drive a rapid expansion of renewable energy sources like wind and solar. Meanwhile, states including Germany and Luxembourg - both anti-nuclear countries - plus Denmark and Ireland have urged the EU to resolve the spat quickly, warning the delay endangers investments in renewable energy.

Persons: Paris, Bruno Le Maire, Kate Abnett, Dominique Vidalon, Frances Kerry Organizations: Union, EU, European Commission, French Finance, France, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, France, EU, Paris, Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Germany, Luxembourg, Denmark, Ireland

☆ World number one Swiatek digs deep to beat Muchova and win French Open title
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

[1/3] Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - June 10, 2023 Poland's Iga Swiatek in action during her final match against Czech Republic's Karolina Muchova REUTERS/Lisi NiesnerPARIS, June 10 (Reuters) - World number one Iga Swiatek of Poland fought off a comeback from unseeded Czech Karolina Muchova to win 6-2 5-7 6-4 and clinch her third French Open women's title in the last four years on Saturday. The Pole, who had not dropped a set in the tournament, was 4-1 up in the second before Muchova won four games in a row and forced a decider. But the 22-year-old recovered in time to bag her fourth Grand Slam title after also lifting the U.S. Open trophy last year. Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Roland Garros, Iga, Karolina Muchova, Lisi Niesner PARIS, Muchova, Karolos Grohmann, Ken Ferris Organizations: Czech, U.S, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Poland

☆ Swiatek reigns supreme at French Open by quelling Muchova
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

"First of all congratulations to Karolina," said Swiatek, who became the first woman to successfully defend the Roland Garros women's singles title since Justine Henin in 2007. EMOTIONAL SCENESThat sparked emotional scenes on centre court as Swiatek shed tears of joy before joining her family in the crowd for a celebration. For Muchova, it was a first defeat against a player ranked in the top three in six meetings. Tournament director Amelie Mauresmo said of the Pole: "She's getting this special relationship with Roland Garros over the years. Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar and Karolos Grohmann in Paris; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Roland Garros, Iga, Suzanne Lenglen, Karolina Muchova, Iga Swiatek, Swiatek, Monica Seles, Seles, Naomi Osaka, Karolina, Justine Henin, It's, Philippe Chatrier, Muchova, Swiatek shrugged, We've, Serena Williams, Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, Amelie Mauresmo, She's, Ivan Dodig, Austin Krajicek, Sander Gille, Joran, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Karolos, Ken Ferris Organizations: Czech, Karolina Muchova REUTERS, U.S, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, PARIS, Poland, Prague, Czech, Croatian, American

☆ China warns Europe against official ties with Taiwan ahead of minister's visit
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/IllustrationBEIJING/PRAGUE, June 9 (Reuters) - China urged Europe on Friday not to have any official exchanges with Taiwan or support "independence forces" ahead of a planned trip to the continent next week by Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky confirmed Wu was due to visit Prague next week, saying on Friday state officials were not expected to shift from their existing policy towards Taiwan. Taiwan, which is claimed by China, has no formal diplomatic ties with any European country except the Vatican. Asked about the visit on Friday, Czech Minister Lipavsky said he had "been informed" about Wu coming to Prague. In January, then-Czech President-elect Pavel and Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen spoke by telephone shortly after his election, in a diplomatic coup for Taiwan that infuriated China.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Joseph Wu, Jan Lipavsky, Wu, Petr Pavel, Lipavsky, Wang Wenbin, Wang, Pavel, Tsai Ing, Marketa Pekarova Adamova, Liz Lee, Robert Muller, Ben Blanchard, Simon Cameron, Moore, Nick Macfie Organizations: REUTERS, Taiwan Foreign, Reuters, Foreign Ministry, Taiwan Democratic Progressive Party, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, PRAGUE, China, Europe, Taiwan, Joseph Wu . Czech, Prague, Vatican, Beijing, Czech, Czech Republic, Brussels, Slovakia

TAIPEI/PRAGUE, June 8 (Reuters) - Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu will make a previously unannounced visit to Europe next week, four sources briefed on the matter said, and is expected to appear with the Czech president at one event in a diplomatic breakthrough. Taiwan, which is claimed by China, has no formal diplomatic ties with any European country except the Vatican. Taiwan's foreign ministry declined to comment on Wu's Europe travel plans. In January, then-Czech President-elect Pavel and Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen spoke by telephone shortly after his election, in a diplomatic coup for Taiwan that infuriated China. Beijing views Taiwan as being part of "one China" and demands other countries recognise its sovereignty claims, which Taiwan's democratically-elected government rejects.

Persons: Joseph Wu, Wu, Petr Pavel, Zdenek Hrib, Pavel, Tsai Ing, Ben Blanchard, Robert Muller, Ryan Woo, Andrew Gray, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Taiwan Foreign, European Union, Service, Prague, Copenhagen Democracy Summit, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, PRAGUE, Europe, Czech, Taiwan, China, Vatican, Beijing, Central, Eastern, Ukraine, Brussels, Prague, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bratislava, Copenhagen, Denmark, Vilnius, Lithuania

☆ Russian oil supplies to EU via southern Druzhba to rise 16% in June - sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The southern branch of the Druzhba pipeline supplies Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The EU imposed an embargo on Russian oil purchases via maritime routes from December. Hungary, Slovakia and Czech Repubic were, however, allowed to continue Russian oil imports as critical feedstock. Oil supplies via a section of the southern Druzhba pipeline were temporarily suspended in November following shelling on a power station which provides electricity for a pump station. The Druzhba pipeline crosses Belarus and Ukraine and remains an income source for both countries which receive transit fees.

Persons: Unipetrol, Poland's PKN, uninterruptedly, PKN Orlen, Emelia Sithole Organizations: European Union, EU, MOL, Reuters, Minsk, Thomson Locations: MOSCOW, Ukraine, Russian, Europe, Russia, Moscow, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Druzhba, Czech, Belarus, Kiev, Adria, Ukrainian

☆ Muchova pummels Pavlyuchenkova to book French Open semi-final spot
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"I don't know what to say, it's been an incredible two weeks and I'm glad I'm still in the competition," Muchova said. "I will for sure watch the match (between Sabalenka and Svitolina), I'm not sure if I will watch it live but I'm sure it will be another great match in two days." Muchova appeared more comfortable in the second set and built a commanding 5-1 lead before Pavlyuchenkova showed some signs of resistance. But there was no comeback on the cards as Muchova closed out the match on serve, celebrating the victory when Pavlyuchenkova fired a shot wide. Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Paris Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Roland Garros, Karolina Muchova, Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova REUTERS, Kai Pfaffenbach PARIS, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Elina Svitolina, it's, I'm, Muchova, Maria Sakkari, Philippe Chatrier, Pavlyuchenkova, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Czech, Belarus, Ukrainian, Sabalenka

☆ No ticket? No problem for West Ham fans in Prague for Europa Conference final
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( Michael Kahn | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] Soccer Football - Europa Conference League - Fans gather in Prague ahead of the Europa Conference League Final - Prague, Czech Republic - June 6, 2023 West Ham United fans react in Old Town Square ahead of the Europa Conference League Final REUTERS/David W CernyPRAGUE, June 6 (Reuters) - Thousands of West Ham United fans descended on Prague on Tuesday ahead of the Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina, filling local pubs and singing in the streets as they celebrated throughout the historic city centre. Both West Ham and Italy's Fiorentina - whose solitary European successes came over half a century ago - are treating Wednesday's showdown like a World Cup final, though it was difficult spotting supporters of the Serie A side in Prague. Fiorentina, who lost to Real Madrid in the second European Cup final in 1957, won the first edition of the now-defunct Cup Winners' Cup in 1961. They lost in the final the next season and lost to Juventus in a two-legged UEFA Cup final in 1990. read moreWest Ham won the Cup Winners' Cup in 1965 for their only moment of continental glory. They lost in the 1976 final and the closest they have come since, excluding their 1999 Intertoto Cup victory, was last season's Europa League semi-finals.

Persons: David W Cerny PRAGUE, revel, Holly Turbutt, West, George Maddy, Maddy, Frank Haughton, Haughton, Robert Mueller, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Soccer, Europa Conference, West Ham United, Europa Conference League, REUTERS, Fiorentina, West, UEFA, Slavia Prague's, Italy's Fiorentina, Serie, Real Madrid, European, Juventus, West Ham, Intertoto, Europa League, Thomson Locations: Prague, Czech Republic, Old, West Ham, Europe, Germany, Czech

☆ Belgium investigating whether its weapons were used in Russia, PM says
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BRUSSELS, June 5 (Reuters) - Belgium will ask Ukraine for clarification on reports that rifles made in Belgium had been used by pro-Ukrainian forces to fight Russian troops inside Russia's western border, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said on Monday. "European weapons are delivered to Ukraine under the condition that they are used on Ukrainian territory with the purpose of defending that territory. De Croo declined to comment on possible consequences if the reports were confirmed. "We must not get ahead of ourselves here," the prime minister said. Reporting by Bart Meijer; editing by Philippa FletcherOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Alexander De Croo, De Croo, Bart Meijer, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: Belgian, Washington Post, Kremlin, Belgium's, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, Belgium, Ukraine, Russian Belgorod region, United States, Poland, Czech Republic

☆ Miyu Kato and Aldila Sutjiadi disqualified from French Open after ball hits ball girl
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-04 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —A French Open doubles match ended controversially on Sunday as No.16 seeds Miyu Kato and Aldila Sutjiadi were disqualified from the tournament after a ball girl was hit by a ball. Eurosport coverage showed Kato innocuously hitting the ball to the back of the court after a point, and though it didn’t appear as if she intentionally meant to hit the ball girl, the ball hit her head. Standing at the back of the court, the tearful ball girl was visibly shaken. Ball not hit in anger whatsoever, just hit across to ball girl to keep the match flowing because it was the other team’s turn to serve. Ball girl had hands full, reacted late.”It isn’t the first time a player has been defaulted at a grand slam.

Persons: Miyu Kato, Aldila Sutjiadi, Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo, Marie Bouzkova, Japan’s Kato, Kato innocuously, Alexandre Juge, Wayne McKewen, Remy Azemar, Kato, Sutjiadi, Roland Garros, jeers, Ben Rothenberg, Ball, Novak, “ Organizations: CNN, Eurosport Locations: Czech Republic, Indonesia, ”

☆ Majority of EU countries against network fee levy on Big Tech, sources say
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Foo Yun Chee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BRUSSELS, June 3 (Reuters) - A majority of EU countries have rejected a push by Europe's big telecoms operators to force Big Tech to help fund the rollout of 5G and broadband in the region, people familiar with the matter said. Telecoms ministers from 18 countries either rejected or criticised the proposed network fee levy on tech firms at a meeting with EU industry chief Thierry Breton in Luxembourg on Thursday, the sources said. That echoed comments made last month by EU telecoms regulators' group BEREC. Breton is expected to issue a report by the end of June with a summary of feedback provided by Big Tech, telecoms providers and others which will indicate his next steps. Any legislative proposal needs to be negotiated with EU countries and EU lawmakers before it can become law.

Persons: Thierry Breton, Breton, Foo Yun Chee, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: EU, Big Tech, Deutsche Telekom, Telefonica, Telecom Italia, France Telecom, French, Google, Apple Inc, Inc, Netflix Inc, Amazon.com Inc, Microsoft Corp, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, Luxembourg, Orange, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Cyprus, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania

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