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☆ Crimean Bridge attack: The moment Ukraine used an experimental drone to strike Russia's Kerch Bridge
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Nick Paton Walsh Victoria Butenko Florence Davey-Attlee | Nick Paton Walsh | Victoria Butenko | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Dnipro, Ukraine CNN —Ukrainian security services have released to CNN exclusive footage showing the moment in July when they used an experimental sea drone to attack Russia’s bridge to annexed Crimea, providing new details on the attack and warning more such assaults will follow. The attack on July 17 caused damage to the road lanes of the bridge, and, according to Russian officials, killed two civilians. A view of the Crimean Bridge, also known as the Kerch Bridge, the only direct link between Russia and the Crimean peninsula. Maliuk also claimed responsibility for the first Ukrainian attack on the bridge, on October 8, but declined to provide details. He said the July drone attack was the product of months of preparation.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, It’s, Vasyl Maliuk, ”, Olengorskiy, Maliuk, Oleksiy Neizhpapa, “, ” Maliuk Organizations: Ukraine CNN, CNN, Security Service, SIG, Ukraine Security Service, coy, Naval, Reuters “, Ukrainian Locations: Dnipro, Ukraine, Crimea, Russia, Kerch, Crimean, Novorossisk, Ukraine Security Service Ukraine, Moscow, Ukrainian

Chinese naval ships and air force planes have been edging closer to Taiwan’s territorial seas and skies, probing the island’s vigilance and trying to wear down its military planes and ships. China’s increasing presence there signals its intent to dominate an expanse of sea that could be vital for the island’s defenses, including for securing potential aid from the United States in a conflict, experts say. Mr. Lai leaves on Saturday for Paraguay, and is scheduled to stop in the United States on his way there and back. Beijing regards such transits in the United States as an affront to its stance that Taiwan is not an independent state. Mr. Lai is also the presidential candidate for the Democratic Progressive Party, which supports asserting Taiwan’s separate status, a position that Beijing condemns as “separatism.”

Persons: Lai Ching, Lai, ” Organizations: Pacific, Democratic Progressive Party Locations: China, Taiwan, United States, Beijing, Paraguay

☆ A Lufthansa pilot traced a 15-mile-long penis shape in the sky after being asked to divert his plane
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A Lufthansa pilot created a penis-shaped loop in the sky after being asked to divert the flight. They spent around 16 minutes creating the 15-mile-long shape over Sicily's east coast. A Lufthansa pilot made a 15-mile-long, penis-shaped loop in the sky after being asked to divert their flight. Insider asked Lufthansa about this, but the airline avoided the question in its response. This isn't the first time a pilot has created a phallic flight pattern in the sky.

Organizations: Lufthansa, Fontanarossa, Repubblica, Catania, Armed Forces of Malta, US Air Force, BuzzFeed, Air Force Locations: Frankfurt, Sicily, Malta, Catania, Italian, Syrian, Russia

☆ Man who visited every country without flying has finally returned home
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Kate Springer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

After nearly ten years of travel, Pedersen successfully visited his 203rd and final country, the Maldives, and began his long-awaited voyage back to Denmark. In early 2020, the intrepid traveler suddenly found himself stuck in Hong Kong for two years with just nine countries left. “I look back at Hong Kong, and it’s a bit of a paradox. Next came a 16-day journey back to Hong Kong, where he returned to hotel quarantine for another two weeks. Pedersen in Hong Kong, where he spent an unexpected two years during the pandemic.

Persons: Torbjørn, Thor ” Pedersen, Pedersen, He’d, ” Pedersen, ”, “, Le, I’ve, He’s, ‘, ’ ”, Maxime Champigneulle, Gunnar Garfors, it’s, It’s, you’ve, he’s, “ There’s, Mike Douglas Organizations: CNN, CNN Travel, Maersk, “, Port, Le, UN, Danish, Hong, Denmark, Pacific, Tonga, National Museum, Ross Energy, Aarhus . Port Locations: Denmark, Maldives, Danish, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Aarhus, Kenya, Colombia, Australia, Norway, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Mongolia, Pakistan, Syria, Iran, Nauru, Angola, Ghana, Iceland, Canada, Hong Kong, Everest, Palau, New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, Pacific, Tuvalu, Fiji, Singapore, Malé, Norwegian, Aarhus ., Aarhus What’s, Suez, Germany

CNN —Severe flooding in Beijing was caused by the heaviest rainfall in 140 years, according to local meteorologists, and there’s little reprieve for the region as Typhoon Khanun lashes Japan with wind and rain. Meanwhile, Typhoon Khanun packed winds of 220 kilometers per hour (137 mph) – the equivalent of a Category 4 Atlantic hurricane – as it made its nearest pass to Japan’s southwestern Okinawa islands early Wednesday. In the past 24 hours, many locations in Okinawa have received 175 to 220 millimeters (6 to 8 inches) of rainfall, according to CNN Weather on Wednesday morning. People evacuate Tazhao village in Zhuozhou city, Hebei province of China on August 1, 2023. Zhai Yujia/China News Service/VCG/Getty ImagesOn Tuesday, more than 300 people were stranded in a residential building in Hebei’s Zhuozhou city, state-run outlet The Paper said.

Persons: Khanun, Zhai Yujia, Xi Jinping Organizations: CNN, Beijing Meteorological Service, CNN Weather, Okinawa Electric Power Company, Beijing Daily, CCTV, Xinhua, People, China News Service Locations: Beijing, Japan, Okinawa, Khanun, East, Ryukyu Islands, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Hebei, Tazhao, Zhuozhou city, China, Hebei’s Zhuozhou, Zhuozhou, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia

At least 11 people have been killed and 27 others reported missing, state broadcaster CCTV reported, while more than 127,000 people have been evacuated from the city. In Mentougou district, the average rainfall was more than 18 inches, according to data from Beijing’s meteorological service, while nearby Fangshan saw 16 inches of rain. The storm is the deadliest to hit Beijing since 2012 when floods killed 77 people – a toll that authorities initially tried to cover up. Before hitting Fujian, the typhoon had killed at least 39 people in the Philippines and lashed parts of southern Taiwan. At least 1,870 passengers and 68 staff had been stranded on two trains and were finally led to safe ground by Monday afternoon, Xinhua reported, citing Beijing’s state railway operator.

Persons: Doksuri, Pedro Pardo, Xi Jinping, ” Xi Organizations: CNN, CCTV, Beijing, Xinhua, Authorities Locations: Beijing, China, Mentougou district, Fangshan, Zhengzhou, Henan, Beijing's Mentougou, AFP, Fujian, Philippines, Taiwan, Guizhou, Mentougou, Zhangjiakou, Hebei, Zhejiang

☆ Saudi bourse extends losses on profit-taking; Egypt gains
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-30 | by ( Ateeq Shariff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

July 30 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's stock market ended lower on Sunday, extending losses from the previous session on profit-taking, while the Egyptian index ended five sessions of losses. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI) dropped 0.5%, weighed down by a 2.5% fall in Riyad Bank (1010.SE), while Saudi Awwal Bank (1060.SE) retreated 3.8%. On the positive side, National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia (4030.SE) advanced more than 4% after posting a sharp rise in second-quarter net profit. In Qatar, the index (.QSI) gained 0.5%, led by a 2.7% rise in petrochemical maker Industries Qatar (IQCD.QA). ($1 = 3.7505 riyals)Reporting by Ateeq Shariff in Bengaluru Editing by Christina FincherOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ateeq, Christina Fincher Organizations: Saudi, Riyad Bank, Saudi Awwal Bank, National Shipping Company, Industries Qatar, Eastern Company, Thomson Locations: Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Ateeq Shariff, Bengaluru

☆ Moscow Says It Shot Down Two Ukrainian Missiles Over Russian Cities
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Gaya Gupta | Paulo Motoryn | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Video Russian officials said a Ukrainian missile was shot down over the port city of Taganrog and exploded, injuring several people. The Russian Defense Ministry said the explosion was caused by one of two Soviet-era missiles fired into Russian territory by Ukraine and shot down by Russian air defenses. A top Ukrainian security official, Oleksiy Danilov, cast blame for the blast in Taganrog on the Russian air defense system. Earlier Friday, Russia’s Defense Ministry said it had shot down a drone aimed at the Moscow region; several recent strikes in Moscow were orchestrated by Ukraine using Ukrainian-made drones, according to senior Ukrainian officials. Shortly afterward, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a high-rise and a security service building had been hit in the city of Dnipro, blaming “Russian missile terror.”Show more

Persons: Vasily Golubev, Golubev, Oleksiy Danilov, Mr, Danilov, ”, Dmitri S, Vladimir V, Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky, “ Organizations: Credit, Reuters, Russian Defense Ministry, ” Russia’s Defense Ministry, Russia’s Defense Ministry Locations: Ukrainian, Taganrog, Reuters Moscow, Russia, Ukraine, Azov, Russian, Odesa, Soviet, St . Petersburg, Moscow, Dnipro

☆ Rwandan forces crossed Congolese border, Congo's army says
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo, July 27 (Reuters) - Democratic Republic of Congo's army said Rwandan defense forces crossed the Congolese border on Thursday and attacked border security forces, potentially escalating tensions between the African neighbours. "The ensuing clashes enabled the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) to repel the Rwandan terrorists who had perpetrated this intolerable provocation," the statement said, adding that the authors of the attack retreated to Rwanda. A Rwandan government spokesperson did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Congo and Rwanda have been involved in a dispute since last year over the resurgence of the M23 rebel group, a militia active in eastern Congo which Kinshasa accuses Rwanda of backing. United Nations experts have also said they have evidence that Rwandan troops have fought alongside the M23 in eastern Congo and provided the rebels with weapons and supplies.

Persons: GOMA, Djaffar Al Katanty, Anait Miridzhanian, Nellie Peyton, Chris Reese, Sandra Maler Organizations: Democratic, Armed Forces, Rwandan, United Nations, Thomson Locations: Democratic Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of, Rwandan, Congolese, Congo, Rwanda, Kinshasa

☆ Lionel Messi is making transition to US look easy as he scores twice for Inter Miami against Atlanta United in Leagues Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Matt Foster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

On Tuesday, Messi powered his Inter Miami team to a dominant 4-0 victory over Atlanta United in the Leagues Cup, scoring twice and assisting another in his first start for his new team. Messi celebrates with his teammates after scoring against Atlanta United. Lionel Messi scores his second goal for Inter Miami against Atlanta United. The Leagues Cup, an annual tournament between MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX, was expanded this year to include all teams in each league. The Leagues Cup round-of-32 takes place between August 2 and August 4.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, Cruz, Megan Briggs, Sergio Busquets ’, Messi slickly, David Beckham, Robert Taylor, Finn, Taylor’s unselfishness, Ballon, Taylor, Sam Navarro, Thiago Almada –, Drake Callender, Almada, Messi –, Busquets, Phil Neville, Tata Martino, Cruz Azul, ” Organizations: CNN, Inter Miami, Atlanta United, Leagues, Cruz Azul, Messi, Argentine, Atlanta, USA, Network, Reuters, Poland, Inter Miami’s, MLS, Liga, Eastern Conference, DC United, Apple TV, Sports Business Locations: Florida, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Argentine

☆ Celtics and Brown agree to richest deal in NBA history, reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

July 25 (Reuters) - Jaylen Brown has agreed to a five-year $304 million supermax contract extension with the Boston Celtics that will make the forward the highest paid player in the NBA, according to multiple media reports on Tuesday. The third overall pick in the 2016 draft Brown averaged a career-high 26.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists a game last season helping Boston reach the Eastern Conference finals. A twice NBA All-Star Brown will earn $28.5 million next season before his extension begins in 2024 averaging $60.8 million a year. Brown's supermax deal tops two-time Most Valuable Player and reigning Finals MVP Nikola Jokic for the richest contract in NBA history. The distinction of being the NBA's highest paid player may not last long with Brown's Celtics team mate Jayson Tatum poised to assume the title next year when he becomes eligible for a supermax contract.

Persons: Jaylen Brown, Brown, Brown's, Nikola Jokic, Jayson Tatum, Steve Keating, Toby Davis Organizations: Boston Celtics, NBA, Boston, Eastern Conference, Brown's Celtics, Thomson Locations: Toronto

☆ Wildfire in Spain's Gran Canaria island menaces villages
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Borja Suarez | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TEJEDA, Spain, July 25 (Reuters) - A rapidly-spreading wildfire that broke out at the centre of the Spanish island of Gran Canaria on Tuesday forced the authorities to remove several hundred villagers from their homes, shut three roads and deploy helicopters to contain the blaze. However, Spanish airports operator AENA told Reuters, however, the Gran Canaria airport on the eastern coast was operating normally. Antonio Morales, head of the Island Council of Gran Canaria, told reporters about 100 firefighters and nine aircraft were working to put out the blaze that has so far burned through 200 hectares of forest but no buildings have been harmed. "They told me they were already there trying to put the fire out but two hours later it broke out of control," he said. Reporting by Borja Suarez in Gran Canaria island, with additional reporting of Corina Pons in Tenerife island.

Persons: Federico Grillo, Antonio Morales, Cuevas Blancas, Jose Ramon Henriquez, Borja Suarez, Corina Pons, Andrei Khalip, Aurora Ellis Organizations: Gran Canaria, Reuters, AENA, Radio Canarias, Island, Thomson Locations: Spain, Spanish, Gran, Gran Canaria, Tenerife

☆ A decaying oil tanker posed a 'catastrophic' risk. Now, a major operation is underway to avert disaster
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A view of decaying FSO Safer oil tanker anchored 60 kilometers (37 miles) north of the port of Hudaydah, Yemen on July 15, 2023. The UN has begun a 19-day operation to extract oil from a 47-year-old decaying supertanker as it seeks to end a race against time to avoid a catastrophic oil spill. This led to growing concerns about a potential oil spill four times the size of 1989's Exxon Valdez leak, which was the second-largest oil spill in U.S. history. The oil aboard the tanker began being transferred to a U.N.-owned vessel Yemen, previously known as Nautica, at 10:45 Yemen time Tuesday. "The @UN has begun a complex operation to transfer 1 million barrels of oil from a decaying tanker off the coast of Yemen.

Persons: Exxon Valdez, Bab, Antonio Guterres, David Gressly, Ghiwa Nakat Organizations: UN, Exxon, Greenpeace MENA Locations: Hudaydah, Yemen, Suez, Red

☆ How the Middle East is preparing for the post-oil, EV era of transportation
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Natalie Rose Goldberg | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. electric vehicle maker Lucid Group will set up its first overseas factory in Saudi Arabia, the company announced. The Middle East, a region long known for its oil and gas riches, is investing in a new, more sustainable future potentially dominated by electric vehicles. The electric vehicle sector is booming in Israel, with electric vehicle deliveries in the first half of this year over 210% higher than the same period last year. "There's a growing recognition that countries need to do something on climate," said Tammy Klein, chairperson of the Electric Vehicle Council. "I think Middle Eastern countries are no different."

Persons: Larry Fink, Amin Nasser's, Tammy Klein, Klein, Robert Falck, we'll, " Falck Organizations: BlackRock, Saudi, Lucid, Gauss Auto, Marson Group, Electric Vehicle Council, EV, Einride, UAE Ministry of Energy, Infrastructure Locations: Saudi Arabia, Saudi Aramco, Israel, Bahrain, American, U.S, Europe, UAE, Sweden, It's, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah

☆ Messi expects 'great things' at Inter Miami after glitzy unveiling
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Messi, seven months removed from leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar, was presented to fans during a glitzy event called 'The Unveil' at Miami's home stadium. "We are going to have a good time and great things are going to happen. The event was being held a day after Inter Miami announced that Messi signed a contract that will keep him with the club through 2025. Messi had also been linked with a return to Barcelona, the Spanish club he helped claim 10 league titles, four Champions League crowns and three Club World Cups. But in early June Messi announced his decision to join Inter Miami in an interview with Mundo Deportivo and Sport newspaper even though a contract had not yet been signed.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Jorge Mas, Jose R, Mas, David Beckham, Marco Bello, Lionel Messi's, Messi, Ballon, I've, Tom Brady, Stephen Curry, Mexico's Cruz, Leo, Beckham, Paris St Germain, Cristiano, Ronaldo, Al Nassr, Frank Pingue, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Soccer Football, Inter Miami CF, New Inter Miami, Lionel Messi's Inter Miami, Major League Soccer, NFL, NBA, Inter Miami, Leagues, Mexico's, Miami, MLS, Eastern Conference, Paris St, Reuters, Al, PSG, Cristiano Ronaldo, League, Mundo Deportivo, Sport, Thomson Locations: Fort Lauderdale , Florida, United States, Argentina, Qatar, Miami, Mexico's Cruz Azul, Mexico, Canada, Saudi Arabian, Hilal, Saudi Arabia, Portugal, Barcelona, Spanish, Toronto

☆ Israel's workhorse Merkava tank could soon be refilling foreign arsenals depleted by the war in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Israel may be about to export its workhorse Merkava tank for the first time. Israel isn't selling the newest version of the 45-year-old Merkava tank family, the Merkava 5, or even the Merkava 4, which is used in front-line Israeli armored units. An Israeli Merkava tank in the Negev desert in November 1997. Israel Defense Forces/Michael ShvadronThough Israel is small, home to less than 10 million people, it's one of the world's top 10 arms exporters. If Merkava tanks are sold overseas, they may yet end up on surprising battlefields.

Persons: Yair Koles, Israel isn't, Antoine GYORI, Merkava, Mark, Michael Shvadron, Israel —, Efraim Inbar, MENAHEM KAHANA, Recep Erdogan, Michael Peck Organizations: Israel, Service, Israel's Ministry of Defense, Haaretz, Cypriot, El, Getty, Israel Defense Forces, United Arab, Morocco —, US Army, Jerusalem Institute for Strategy, Security, Polisario, Iranian, Defense, Foreign Policy, Twitter, LinkedIn Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Arab, European, Turkey, Cyprus, Morocco, Spanish, El Espanol, Israeli, Soviet, Lebanon, Israel's, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Algeria, AFP, Turkish, Russian, Europe, Eastern, Merkavas, Russia, Syria, Iran, North Korea, Forbes

☆ 4 major fighter-jet deals could reshape the Middle East's biggest militaries for decades to come
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Middle Eastern countries have for decades been major buyers of advanced fighter jets. Four potential deals involving Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Egypt show that the trend will continue. Four looming acquisitions by Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Egypt show that this trend will not change any time soon. Egypt's EaglesEgyptian Air Force MiG-29s during an exercise in Sudan in May 2021. While the Russian jets couldn't exchange data with Egypt's US-made aircraft, Cairo hoped they could operate as an "air force within an air force" and partially redress its limited air-to-air capabilities.

Persons: Cuneyt, MURAD, Erdogan, Mehmet Kaman, Recep Tayyip Erdogan's, Biden, Sen, Bob Menendez, hasn't, Iran's, Vladimir Putin, Ebrahim Raisi, ALEXANDR DEMYANCHUK, it's, —, Iran hasn't, ATTA KENARE, Mohammed Reza Ashtiani, Iraq's, KARIM SAHIB, Saddam Hussein's, Ali Mohammed, KARI, ASHRAF SHAZLY, Derek Seifert, Frank McKenzie, Israel, Paul Iddon Organizations: Service, United Arab Emirates, Dassault Rafales, Dassault, Vipers, NATO Air Policing, Anadolu Agency, Getty, US, Turkish Aerospace Industries, Getty Images, NATO, Senate Foreign Relations, SPUTNIK, Army Day, Iranian Parliament's National Security, Foreign, Iranian Defense, Rafale, ISIS, Getty Images Iraq, Thales Ground, AIM, Meteor, Egypt's Eagles Egyptian Air Force, Eagles, US Air Force, US Central Command Locations: Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Wall, Silicon, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Poland, Ankara, Syria, Greece, Samarkand, Getty Images Iran, Russia, Ukraine, Moscow, Soviet, US, Tehran, AFP, Iranian, Persian, Baghdad, France, South Korea, Czech, Iraqi, Balad, Sudan, Qatar, Cairo, Derek Seifert Egypt

NEW YORK, July 10 (Reuters) - The leader of a U.S. think tank has been charged with acting as an unregistered agent of China, as well as seeking to broker the sale of weapons and Iranian oil, federal prosecutors in Manhattan said on Monday. Luft is accused of pushing the adviser to support policies favorable to China, including by drafting comments in the adviser's name published in a Chinese newspaper. Luft is co-director of the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security, which describes itself as a Washington, D.C.-based think tank focused on energy, security and economic trends. The think tank did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Stephen Coates and Bill BerkrotOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Gal Luft, Donald Trump, Luft, I've, Prosecutors, Luc Cohen, Stephen Coates, Bill Berkrot Organizations: YORK, Prosecutors, U.S, Reuters, Institute, Global Security, D.C, United Arab, Thomson Locations: U.S, China, Manhattan, United States, Israel, Cyprus, Washington, Libya, United Arab Emirates, Kenya, New York

☆ A series of leaked photos appearing to show Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin in bizarre disguises could be a Kremlin attempt to ridicule him
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-08 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Leaked images appear to show Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin in bizarre disguises. Prigozhin launched a short-lived mutiny against Russian leadership last month. The photos, shared by pro-Kremlin Telegram channels, could be an attempt to humiliate the Wagner chief. The mercenary Wagner Group, which Prigozhin founded, is known for being active in Middle Eastern countries and Africa. However, relations between their hot-headed leader and Russian military leadership soured as the former repeatedly accused the latter of not sending his fighters much-needed weapons and accused them of incompetence.

Persons: Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Prigozhin, URA, Muhammad, Sacha Baron Cohen's, Aladeen, Prigozhin's, Vladimir Putin, Alexander Lukashenko Organizations: Russian, pro, Kremlin, Service, Guardian, Ministry of Defense, Wagner Group, Reuters Locations: Wall, Silicon, Russian, Sudan, Abu Dhabi, Benghazi, Tripoli, Syria, Africa, Moscow, Belarus, St Petersburg, Ukraine, Bakhmut

[1/5] Firefighters work at the scene following a fire in a retirement home in Milan, Italy, July 7, 2023. REUTERS/Claudia GrecoMILAN, July 7 (Reuters) - An overnight fire in a retirement home in Milan killed six people and injured around 80, including three who are in a critical condition, Italian authorities said on Friday. Two residents burned to death in their room, while four others died from intoxication, Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala said, speaking to reporters on the scene. Having said that, six dead is a very heavy death toll," Sala said, indicating that the facility housed 167 people. They evacuated about 80 people, including many in wheelchairs, while another 80 or so were taken to hospital, local firefighters' chief Nicola Miceli told RAI public television.

Persons: Claudia Greco MILAN, Giuseppe Sala, Sala, Firefighters, Luca Cari, Nicola Miceli, Lucia, Giselda Vagnoni, Keith Weir Organizations: REUTERS, Milan, Firefighters, RAI, Thomson Locations: Milan, Italy, Corvetto

☆ Trans Mountain pipeline expansion likely to send more Canadian oil to US, not Asia
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( Nia Williams | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Western sanctions on Russian crude following its invasion of Ukraine have upended those plans. Canadian barrels will struggle to compete, analysts and traders said. Chinese oil refiners PetroChina (601857.SS) and Sinopec (600028.SS) have bought and processed Canadian heavy crude in the past. Russia's Urals crude produces higher volumes of fuel and is significantly cheaper than heavy Canadian barrels, said one Calgary-based crude trader. "Today every crude in Asia is having a hard time competing with Russian crude," York said.

Persons: crudes, TMX, John Coleman, Wood Mackenzie, Skip York, York, Nia Williams, Florence Tan, David Gregorio Our Organizations: U.S ., Canadian, Sinclair, Puget Sound, U.S . Energy, Administration, Turner, Mason & Company, Reuters, Thomson Locations: U.S . West Coast, Asia, Ukraine, Canada, United States, Russia, Alberta, British, Pacific Coast, North America, China, India, Calgary, Canadian, Iraq, California, York, Moscow, Basra, British Columbia, Singapore

☆ China's top diplomat urges Japan and South Korea to align with Beijing and 'revitalize Asia'
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —China’s top diplomat has urged Japan and South Korea to foster a sense of “strategic autonomy” from the West and cooperate with Beijing to “revitalize Asia,” amid rising tensions between China and the two neighboring American allies. The comments by Wang Yi on Monday come as Japan and South Korea forge closer relations with the United States – and mend ties with each other – driven by common concerns about Beijing’s growing influence and assertiveness in the region. In recent years, the Biden administration has stepped up efforts to unite allies and like-minded partners to counter China’s rising influence in the Pacific, including with South Korea and Japan, two of its most important allies in Asia. “If this trend is allowed to develop, it will not only seriously interfere with the smooth progress of trilateral cooperation, but also aggravate tension and confrontation in the region,” Wang added. South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi addressed the event via video link, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, Wang Yi, Wang, ” Wang, “, Xi Jinping, Biden, They’ve, Park Jin, Yoshimasa Hayashi Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, United, CNN, International, Trilateral Cooperation, Chinese Foreign Ministry, South, Japan, Korean Foreign, Japanese Locations: Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Beijing, Asia, China, United States, Qingdao, European, East Asia, Tokyo, Seoul, North Korea, Taiwan Strait

It also defies protests from a minority of activist investors who want oil companies to be more closely aligned with global efforts to mitigate climate change. An oil and gas price rally driven by energy producer Russia's invasion of Ukraine translated into record profits for the energy majors. That has increased confidence in the most costly, high-risk offshore exploration that can also deliver the highest rewards. Wood Mackenzie analysts predict a continued increase in activity, forecasting offshore exploration and drilling activity to grow by 20% by 2025. Wood Mackenzie meanwhile predicts the commitment of up to $185 billion to develop 27 billion barrels of oil reserves, with international oil companies focused on the higher-cost, higher-return deepwater developments.

Persons: Olivier Le Peuch, Baker Hughes, Wood Mackenzie, Leslie Cook, TotalEnergies, Yujnovich, QatarEnergy, Shell, Graff, La Rona, Ron Bousso, Barbara Lewis Organizations: Shell, BP, SLB, Reuters, International Energy Agency, Barclays, West Africa –, Nambia's Petroleum, Thomson Locations: Namibia, Ukraine, Gulf of Mexico, South America, West Africa, NAMIBIA, Canada

☆ Affirmative Action Is Dead. It’s Time for Corporations to Step Up. - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-02 | by ( Angel B. Pérez | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

They sit back and wait, content to let the nation’s colleges and universities scout and nurture that talent. Look at what happened when California banned affirmative action nearly 27 years ago. The most obvious way to help colleges level the field among students is to level the field among colleges. Harvard University recently received a gift of $300 million, the University of Chicago received a gift of $100 million and Columbia University received a gift of $175 million. I asked Elsa Núñez, president of Eastern Connecticut State University, what her institution, with its modest $50 million endowment, could do with a $100 million gift.

Persons: —, That’s, Chan Zuckerberg, Pell Grant, Elsa Núñez, “, ”, you’re Organizations: University of California, Apple, Mastercard, Meta, Verizon, Harvard University, University of Chicago, Columbia University, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Harvard, Trinity Washington University, Pell, Eastern Connecticut State University Locations: California

☆ Japan says Russian warships spotted near Taiwan, Okinawa islands
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TOKYO, July 1 (Reuters) - Japan's defence ministry said late on Friday it had spotted two Russian Navy ships in the waters near Taiwan and Japan's Okinawa islands in the previous four days, following a similar announcement this week from Taiwan. Taiwan's defence ministry said on Tuesday it had spotted two Russian frigates off its eastern coast and send aircraft and ships to keep watch. Japan's government said last month that repeated Russian military activity near Japanese territory, including joint drills with Chinese forces, posed "serious concern" for Japan's national security. The Japanese ministry said two Steregushchy-class frigates were first spotted 70 km (40 miles) southwest of Japan's westernmost island of Yonaguni, in Okinawa prefecture neat Taiwan, on Tuesday morning. The vessels sailed back and forth through the waters between Yonaguni and Taiwan, moved eastward and were last spotted on Friday in the waters between Miyako and Okinawa islands, it said, adding Japan dispatched two vessels to monitor the Russian ships.

Persons: Kantaro Komiya, William Mallard Organizations: Russian Navy, United, Russian Pacific Fleet, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Taiwan, Okinawa, Japan, United States, Russia, Ukraine, Japan's, Yonaguni, Miyako, Russian, Philippine

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