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☆ Big US asset managers cool on climate issues, think tank says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Isla Binnie | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Focusing on the world's four largest asset managers, InfluenceMap said Vanguard and Fidelity Investments supported 4.5% and 4.8% respectively of resolutions the think tank describes as "climate-relevant" in 2022. BlackRock (BLK.N) voted for 12% and State Street (STT.N) 15%, the researchers said. In response to the report, State Street said it would continue to engage with companies on material risks and opportunities. InfluenceMap program manager Daan Van Acker mentioned Vanguard's decision to leave a major industry initiative aimed at tackling climate change last year. "This example and others, like the asset managers' drop in climate resolution support, do raise serious questions around the managers' net-zero commitments in the context of the current political climate," he said.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, InfluenceMap, BLK.N, BlackRock, Daan Van Acker, Isla Binnie, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Vanguard, New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Paris, Republican, Fidelity Investments, BlackRock, Fidelity, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S

☆ More than $1 billion up for grabs in US Mega Millions lottery drawing
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

An electronic message board displays Powerball and Mega Millions lottery jackpots in New York City, New York, U.S., July 17, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File PhotoAug 1 (Reuters) - An estimated $1.1 billion jackpot is up for grabs in the multistate Mega Millions drawing on Tuesday night, one of the richest jackpots in the lottery's history. The drawing, set for 11 p.m. EDT, is the 30th since the last Mega Millions winner hit the jackpot in April. The odds of winning are minuscule: A buyer of a single Mega Millions lottery ticket has about a 1-in-300 million chance of containing all the correct numbers. Mega Millions tickets are available in 45 U.S. states along with Washington D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Persons: Mike Segar, Rich McKay, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Mega, REUTERS, South Carolina, Washington D.C, U.S ., Thomson Locations: New York City , New York, U.S, South, California, U.S . Virgin Islands, Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii , Nevada, Utah, Atlanta

REUTERS/Bing Guan/File PhotoAug 1 (Reuters) - A U.S. regulation restricting ownership of gun accessories known as pistol braces is likely illegal, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday, a victory for a gun rights group challenging the rule. Circuit Court of Appeals found that U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives finalized the rule in January without giving the public a meaningful chance to comment on it. The court did not immediately block enforcement of the rule, instead sending the case back to U.S. District Judge Reed O'Connor in Fort Worth, Texas. Pistol braces were first marketed in 2012 as a way of attaching a pistol to the shooter's forearm, stabilizing it and making it easier to use for disabled people. The disputed rule classifies some guns equipped with pistol braces as short-barrel rifles, based on several factors including their size and weight and the manufacturers' marketing materials.

Persons: Dimitri Karras, Bing Guan, District Judge Reed O'Connor, O'Connor, Joe Biden's, Cody Wisniewski, Jerry Smith, Don Willett, Stephen Higginson, Smith, Willett, Ronald Reagan, Donald Trump, Higginson, Barack Obama, ‘, Higginson ‘, ’, Brendan Pierson, David Gregorio, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco, REUTERS, Circuit, Appeals, . Bureau, Explosives, District, Coalition, ATF, U.S . Department of Justice, Fifth, Congress, Republican, Democratic, Thomson Locations: Oceanside , California, U.S, New Orleans, Fort Worth , Texas, New York

[1/4] Angus Cloud, cast member of the HBO teen drama series 'Euphoria', is pictured on set in this undated handout photo. HBO/Eddy Chen/Handout via REUTERSJuly 31 (Reuters) - Angus Cloud, cast member of the HBO teen drama series "Euphoria," died on Monday at age 25 just days after the death of his father, his family said in a statement. Cloud played Fezco, an intense drug dealer with a moral code, in the series starring Zendaya in the lead role of Rue Bennett. "We are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of Angus Cloud. He was immensely talented and a beloved part of the HBO and Euphoria family.

Persons: Angus Cloud, Eddy Chen, Handout, Cloud, Zendaya, Rue Bennett, Angus, Fezco O'Neill, Fez, Daniel Trotta, Costas Pitas, Mary Milliken, Gerry Doyle Organizations: HBO, REUTERS, Globe, Twitter, Thomson Locations: California, Fez, Angus

☆ US pulls back offer to buy 6 million barrels of oil for emergency reserve
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Richard CarsonWASHINGTON, Aug 1 (Reuters) - The Biden administration has pulled an offer to buy 6 million barrels of oil for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, an Energy Department spokesperson said on Tuesday, as oil prices are expected to keep rising after a output cut from Saudi Arabia. The U.S. made the latest solicitation to buy the sour crude oil for the SPR on July 7. After the administration released a record 180 million barrels from the reserve last year to control prices after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Energy Department has bought back 6.3 million barrels in recent months. The person not specify what that meant, but tight oil supplies that have caused global oil prices to rise above $80 per barrel in recent weeks. The American Petroleum Institute indicated on Tuesday that U.S. crude stocks fell about 15.4 million barrels in the week that ended July 28, sources said.

Persons: Richard Carson WASHINGTON, Biden, Timothy Gardner, Leslie Adler, Cynthia Osterman, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Department of Energy, Strategic Petroleum Reserve, REUTERS, Energy Department, American Petroleum Institute, Thomson Locations: Freeport , Texas, U.S, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine

U.S. Capitol police stand outside the Capitol building as the Senate votes on debt ceiling legislation to avoid a historic default at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., June 1, 2023. Fitch downgraded the United States to AA+ from AAA, citing fiscal deterioration over the next three years and repeated down-the-wire debt ceiling negotiations that threaten the government’s ability to pay its bills. With the downgrade it becomes the second major rating agency after Standard & Poor’s to strip the United States of its triple-A rating. Investors use credit ratings to assess the risk profile of companies and governments when they raise financing in the debt capital markets. Other analysts had pointed to the risk that another downgrade by a major rating agency could affect investment portfolios that hold top-rated securities.

Persons: Evelyn Hockstein, Fitch, Joe Biden, Janet Yellen, Biden, Karine Jean, Pierre, Keith Lerner, Raymond James, Ed Mills, Mohamed El, Davide Barbuscia, Jyoti Narayan, Lewis Krauskopf, Saeed Azhar, Megan Davies, Arun Koyyur, David Gregoiro, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Capitol, U.S, REUTERS, White, AAA, Standard, Democratic, Republican, Treasury, Advisory Services, ” Treasury, Fitch, AA, Queens ' College, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, States, United States, Atlanta, New York, Bengaluru

☆ Explainer: Can Trump use political donations to pay for legal defense?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Andrew Goudsward | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Leadership PACs, such as Trump's Save America committee, raise money from donors to support political campaigns in the United States. The committees are set up and controlled by lawmakers or other political leaders, but are not connected to the candidate’s campaign. Unlike super PACs, which can raise unlimited sums from companies, unions and individuals, individual donors may contribute no more than $5,000 a year to leadership PACs. CAN LEADERSHIP PACS BE USED TO PAY LEGAL FEES? However, leadership PACs such as Save America also are not allowed to directly support their own candidate's campaign.

Persons: Donald Trump, Amr Alfiky, Donald Trump's, Trump, Democrat Joe Biden, Richard Briffault, Andrew Goudsward, Jason Lange, David Bario, Matthew Lewis, Gerry Doyle Organizations: U.S, Trump National Golf Club, REUTERS, Former U.S, Trump, Leadership, Save, Congress, Federal, Commission, AMERICA, Republican, Save America PAC, Democrat, BE, Columbia Law School, Democratic, Thomson Locations: Bedminster , New Jersey, U.S, Former, United States, America, Washington

SYDNEY, Aug 1 (Reuters) - Australia's largest pension fund, AustralianSuper, has appointed senior executives to its London office as part of the rapidly growing fund's push to expand its presence overseas. The A$300 billion ($201.39 billion) fund on Tuesday appointed six executives to investment, risk and corporate affairs roles, including Carl Astorri to Head of Investments, Europe; and John Normand, formerly head of cross-asset strategy at J.P. Morgan, to Head of Investment Strategy. Deputy chief investment officer Damian Moloney, who is based in London, said the office was an "important investment engine" for AustralianSuper. AustralianSuper expects to grow to A$500 billion in member assets within five years and will deploy roughly 70% of its inflows to global markets. The fund plans to triple its global team to 300 within three years, spread across its London and New York offices plus a small contingent in Beijing.

Persons: Carl Astorri, John Normand, Morgan, Damian Moloney, Lewis Jackson, Gerry Doyle Organizations: SYDNEY, Investments, Investment Strategy, Thomson Locations: Europe, London, Australia, New York, Beijing

☆ Texas attorney general Paxton seeks dismissal of impeachment articles
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( Brad Brooks | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

July 31 (Reuters) - Lawyers for suspended Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Monday asked the state Senate to dismiss all but one of the articles of impeachment against him. All 31 members of the Texas Senate make up the court of impeachment. It was not immediately known when the senators would vote on Paxton's motions. Texas' Republican-dominated House in May voted to impeach Paxton, a conservative firebrand backed by former President Donald Trump. That budget request is what triggered Paxton's impeachment by the House.

Persons: Ken Paxton, Paxton, Donald Trump, Gov, Dan Patrick, Greg Abbott, Angela Colmenero, Brad Brooks, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Texas, Monday, Texas Senate, Republican, Senate, Thomson Locations: Texas, Paxton, Lubbock , Texas

☆ US reviews record number of foreign investment transactions in 2022
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, July 31 (Reuters) - A U.S. government committee on foreign investments reviewed a record number of proposed transactions in 2022, the Treasury Department said Monday. Chinese investors filed 36 so-called "covered notices" seeking green lights for deals in 2022, compared with 44 in 2021 and 17 in 2020. CFIUS said "transactions reviewed by CFIUS, including the technology being invested in, are increasingly complex and result in more national security agreements to resolve the risks identified." Most foreigners seeking to take even non-controlling stakes in U.S. companies must seek approval from CFIUS, a powerful Treasury-led committee that reviews transactions for national security concerns and can block them. CFIUS opened 162 investigations in 2022, compared with 130 in 2021.

Persons: CFIUS, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, David Shepardson, Gerry Doyles Organizations: U.S, Treasury Department, Foreign Investment, Treasury, Thomson Locations: United States, U.S, China

[1/7] Nadine, a 43-year-old tourist from the U.S., wearing a sumo wrestler costume, tries to spar against former sumo wrestler Towanoyama on the sumo ring before tourists from abroad, at Yokozuna Tonkatsu Dosukoi Tanaka in Tokyo, Japan June 30, 2023. Beneath its vaulted roof is a sumo ring and 14 tables where patrons pay 11,000 yen ($76) to eat breaded pork cutlets before watching - and joining - the action. Another former sumo wrestler, Yasuhiro Tanaka, started the restaurant after founding a company to give ex-wrestlers a second career as actors in commercials and movies. "But no, it was really, really amazing." "As sumo wrestlers, we couldn't really play around at all," said Tanaka, 47, who admitted he wasn't a particularly strong competitor.

Persons: Nadine, Towanoyama, Yokozuna Tonkatsu Dosukoi Tanaka, Issei Kato, Ohtori, Yasuhiro Tanaka, Jose Aguillar, Jumbo, Aguillar, Fumio Kishida, Tanaka, Rocky Swift, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Netflix, Thomson Locations: U.S, Tokyo, Japan, TOKYO, Koto, Monterrey, Mexico

☆ Chinese companies rush for hedging as market volatilities spike
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SHANGHAI, July 5 (Reuters) - Chinese listed firms are embracing hedging at a record pace, according to consultancy data, as market volatility rises and China grows its derivative market. Forex hedging is popular among Chinese companies, according to D-Union, as regulators allow market forces to play a bigger role in deciding the yuan's value. Companies including Semiconductor Manufacturing Electronics (Shaoxing) Corp (688469.SS) and liquor giant Luzhou Laojiao Co Ltd (000568.SZ) announced plans in the second quarter to hedge against forex risks. Measures to develop China's derivative market also boosted interest in hedging, Ma said. Electronics, basic chemicals, and electrical equipment were among sectors that were most active in hedging during the second quarter, according to D-Union data.

Persons: Ma Weifeng, Ma, Li Gu, Samuel Shen, Tom Westbrook, Gerry Doyle Organizations: greenback, Semiconductor Manufacturing Electronics, Electronics, Sieyuan Electric Co Ltd, Thomson Locations: SHANGHAI, China, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Singapore

☆ Taiwan presidential front-runner says he can keep peace with China
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Lai, Taiwan's vice president and the candidate for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), has consistently led the majority of opinion polls ahead of the January election. "I will support the cross-strait status quo - which is in the best interests of both the Republic of China, as Taiwan is formally known, and the international community. Lai is expected to visit the United States next month, according to diplomatic sources, as presidential candidates traditionally do, to discuss their policy agenda. Beijing views her as a separatist for refusing to accept the Chinese position that Taiwan and China are part of "one China". Both Tsai and Lai say that the Republic of China, Taiwan's formal name, is already an independent state, despite only 13 countries formally recognising it.

Persons: William Lai, Tsai Ing, Lai, Tsai, Mao Zedong's, Ben Blanchard, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Democratic Progressive Party, Beijing, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, Taiwan, China, Republic of China, United States, Beijing, People's Republic of China

☆ North Korea satellite had 'no military utility' - South Korea
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Hyonhee Shin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] People watch a TV broadcasting a news report on North Korea firing what it called a space satellite toward the south, in Seoul, South Korea, May 31, 2023. "After detailed analysis on major parts of North Korea's space launch vehicle and satellite which were salvaged, South Korean and U.S. experts have assessed that they had no military utility as a reconnaissance satellite at all," the military said in a statement. It is the first time South Korea has secured a satellite launched by the North, South Korean military experts said. The nuclear-armed North has pursued a satellite launch programme since the 1990s and has said it would launch its first reconnaissance satellite to boost monitoring of U.S. military activities. In a key policy address in January 2021, North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, pledged to develop military reconnaissance satellites.

Persons: Kim Hong, Lee Choon, Yang Uk, Kim Jong Un, Hyonhee Shin, Jack Kim, Ed Davies, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, South, Aircraft, South Korea's Science, Technology Policy, Asan Institute, Policy Studies, Workers, Party, Thomson Locations: North Korea, Seoul, South Korea, Korean, SEOUL, North, U.S, Korea, South Korean, Pyongyang, Japan

July 4 (Reuters) - Oil prices rose on Tuesday as markets weighed supply cuts for August by top exporters Saudi Arabia and Russia against the backdrop of an uncertain global economic outlook. Instead, the uncertain macro outlook is what the market is focused on," ING analysts said in a client note. Saudi Arabia on Monday said it would extend its voluntary cut of 1 million barrels per day (bpd) from output to August, the kingdom's state news agency reported. The cuts amount to 1.5% of global supply and bring the total pledged by OPEC+ oil producers to 5.16 million bpd as Riyadh and Moscow look to prop up prices. However, the weaker economic growth demand still suggests demand for merchandise remains weak, which would weigh on distillates consumption, ANZ analysts said in a client note.

Persons: Brent, Alexander Novak, Morgan, Arathy Somasekhar, Trixie Yap, Tom Hogue, Gerry Doyle Organizations: . West Texas, ING, bbl, OPEC, of, Petroleum, U.S, ANZ, Thomson Locations: Saudi Arabia, Russia, U.S, Riyadh, Moscow, China, Europe, Houston, Singapore

July 4 (Reuters) - Oil prices held steady early on Tuesday as markets weighed supply woes from cuts for August by top exporters Saudi Arabia and Russia against mixed analyst views on economic data that could hint at weak crude demand. Instead, the uncertain macro outlook is what the market is focused on," ING analysts said in a client note. Saudi Arabia on Monday said it would extend its voluntary cut of 1 million barrels per day (bpd) from output to August, the kingdom's state news agency reported. Russia will also reduce its oil exports by 500,000 bpd in August, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said. The cuts amount to 1.5% of global supply and bring the total pledged by OPEC+ oil producers to 5.16 million bpd as Riyadh and Moscow look to prop up prices.

Persons: Brent, Alexander Novak, Morgan, Arathy Somasekhar, Trixie Yap, Tom Hogue, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Brent, . West Texas, ING, bbl, OPEC, of, Petroleum, U.S, ANZ, Thomson Locations: Saudi Arabia, Russia, U.S, Riyadh, Moscow, China, Europe, Houston, Singapore

☆ Taiwan says 8 Chinese aircraft crossed Taiwan Strait median line
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TAIPEI, July 4 (Reuters) - Eight Chinese aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday morning, Taiwan's defence ministry said, as China ramps up military pressure on the democratic island. Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory despite the island's strong objections, has faced in recent years almost daily missions by Chinese military aircraft, often in the southwestern part of the island's air defence identification zone. A total of 24 Chinese warplanes, including fighter jets and bombers, were spotted near Taiwan on Tuesday morning starting at about 8 a.m. (0000 GMT), the defence ministry said, adding four Chinese warships also joined a "joint combat readiness patrol". Taiwan sent aircraft and ships to warn away the Chinese, while missile systems monitored them, the ministry said, using standard wording for its response. In a statement, the ministry said it is the joint responsibility for all parties in the region to maintain safety and stability.

Persons: Tsai Ing, Taiwan's, Yimou Lee, Christopher Cushing, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Tuesday, U.S . House, Representatives, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, Taiwan Strait, China, Taiwan

☆ IAEA head Grossi meets with local residents ahead of visit to wrecked Fukushima plant
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( Sakura Murakami | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

TOKYO, July 5 (Reuters) - International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi met residents on Wednesday to assuage concerns over the safety of Japan's plan to release treated radioactive water from the wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean. The reality of people, the economy, and social perceptions may be different from the science, he said, acknowledging the fears surrounding the water release. Grossi will visit the wrecked plant on Wednesday, where he will inaugurate an IAEA office on site that will monitor the release of the water, which is expected to take 30 to 40 years. Some neighbouring countries have also raised concerns over the threat to the environment, with Beijing emerging as the biggest critic. The treated water will be diluted to well below internationally approved levels of tritium before being released into the Pacific.

Persons: Rafael Grossi, Nozaki, Grossi, Yoshimasa Hayashi, Fumio Kishida, Sakura Murakami, Chang, Ran Kim, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, Nikkei, Korean, Yomiuri, Pacific, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Japan, Beijing, East Asia

☆ Explainer: How Japan plans to release Fukushima water into the ocean
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The water was distilled after being contaminated from contact with fuel rods at the reactor, destroyed in a 2011 earthquake. Tanks on the site now hold about 1.3 million tonnes of radioactive water - enough to fill 500 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Tepco will dilute the water until tritium levels fall below regulatory limits before pumping it into the ocean from the coastal site. Water containing tritium is routinely released from nuclear plants around the world, and regulatory authorities support dealing with the Fukushima water in this way. Fishing unions in Fukushima have urged the government for years not to release the water, arguing it would undo work to restore the damaged reputation of their fisheries.

Persons: Gerry Doyle Organizations: Tanks, Electric Power Company, Tepco, Tokyo, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Japan, Fukushima, China

☆ Japan to get crucial U.N. verdict for Fukushima water release
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( Sakura Murakami | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Japan has not specified a date for the water release, pending the IAEA's final review and official approval from the national nuclear regulatory body for Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco) (9501.T). Through its embassy in Japan, Beijing on Tuesday repeated the protest, saying the IAEA's report cannot be a "pass" for the water release and calling for the plan's suspension. Japan plans to release 1.3 million tonnes of water used to cool the fuel rods of the Fukushima plant damaged by a massive earthquake and tsunami in 2011. The treated water will be diluted to well below internationally approved levels of tritium before being released into the Pacific Ocean. Nuclear power plants around the world regularly release waste water containing tritium above the concentration of TEPCO's treated water.

Persons: Rafael Grossi, Fumio Kishida, Sakura Murakami, Martin Pollard, Chang, Ran Kim, Gerry Doyle Organizations: International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, Tokyo Electric Power, Local, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Japan, China, Beijing, South, Tokyo

☆ China's Xi to attend, deliver speech at SCO summit via video link - foreign ministry
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING, June 30 (Reuters) - China's President Xi Jinping will attend and deliver a speech at a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) via video link on July 4, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Friday. India, as the chair nation of this year's summit of the SCO Council of Heads of State, announced in May that it would hold the event in a virtual format. The SCO is a political and security union of countries spanning much of Eurasia, including China, India and Russia. Kazakhstan will take over the presidency of the SCO after the July summit. Reporting by Ryan Woo and Ethan Wang; Editing by Jacqueline Wong and Gerry DoyleOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Ryan Woo, Ethan Wang, Jacqueline Wong, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, SCO Council, Heads, State, Defence, SCO, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, India, Eurasia, China, Russia, Soviet, Central Asia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan

☆ China's biggest online travel agency to pay employees 1 billion yuan to have kids
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( Casey Hall | Thomson Reuters | Casey Has Reported On China'S Consumer Culture Her Base In Shanghai For More Than A Decade | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The company, one of the world's largest online travel agencies, with 400 million users, said it would pay a parental cash subsidy of 10,000 yuan annually for five years for every child born to its employees worldwide. The programme will cost about 1 billion yuan, the company said. "I have always suggested that the government give money to families with children, especially multiple children, to ... help more young people fulfil their desire to have multiple children," Trip.com executive chairman James Liang said in a statement. China's birth rate last year fell to 6.77 births per 1,000 people, from 7.52 births in 2021, the lowest on record. Young people cite high childcare and education costs, low income, a weak social safety net and gender inequality, as discouraging factors.

Persons: James Liang, demographers, Young, Liang, Casey Hall, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Trip.com, HK, Authorities, Thomson Locations: SHANGHAI, China

MEXICO CITY, June 28 (Reuters) - Mexico may repurchase about $4.2 billion in outstanding bonds issued to finance a partly built Mexico City airport that was later canceled, a senior official said on Wednesday. His government bought back $1.8 billion of $6 billion in bonds issued to pay for the airport. The project was meant to alleviate pressure on the capital's hub, Mexico City International Airport (AICM). Lopez Obrador now wants the Mexican Navy to take charge of AICM. To repay the outstanding bonds, the government has pulled revenue from the AICM usage tax.

Persons: Rogelio Jimenez Pons, Andres Manuel Lopez, Lopez Obrador, Felipe, Jimenez, Kylie Madry, Gerry Doyle Organizations: MEXICO CITY, International, Felipe Angeles International Airport, Mexican Navy, Navy, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Mexico, Mexico City, AICM

REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji/File PhotoSEOUL, June 29 (Reuters) - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday picked a conservative scholar and an outspoken critic of North Korea's human rights record as the country's new unification minister handling relations with Pyongyang in a cabinet reshuffle. Kim, 63, served as a presidential secretary for unification and a human rights envoy under the conservative Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye administrations. North Korea has long rejected criticism of its rights conditions as part of a plot to overthrow its rulers. Kim is the right person to pursue a "principle-based" and consistent North Korea policy, said Yoon's chief of staff, Kim Dae-ki. The unification ministry's role ranges from cross-border dialogue and exchanges to studying human rights abuses in North Korea and helping defectors resettle in the South.

Persons: Kim Hong, Yoon Suk, Kim Yung, Yoon, Kim, Lee Myung, Kim Jong, Kim Dae, Jang Mi, Soo, hyang Choi, Hyunsu Yim, Jack Kim, Ed Davies, Gerry Doyle Organizations: South, REUTERS, Sungshin Women's University, North, Thomson Locations: Korean, South Korean, Paju, South Korea, SEOUL, Pyongyang, North Korea, North Korean, Korea, United States

National police said on Thursday night that officers faced new incidents in Marseille, Lyon, Pau, Toulouse and Lille, including fires and fireworks. The local prosecutor said the officer involved had been put under formal investigation over voluntary homicide and would be held in prison in preventive detention. Under France's legal system, being placed under formal investigation is akin to being charged in Anglo-Saxon jurisdictions. He said the officer had aimed down towards the driver's leg but was bumped, causing him to shoot towards his chest. The unrest has revived memories of riots in 2005 that convulsed France for three weeks and forced then-president Jacques Chirac to declare a state of emergency.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Pascal Prache, Mercedes, Nahel, Gonzalo Fuentes, Laurent, Franck Lienard, didn't, Lienard, Prache, Macron, Jacques Chirac, Benoit Van Overstraeten, Layli, Noemie Olive, Leigh Thomas, Michel Rose, Richard Lough, John Stonestreet, Frank Jack Daniel, Alexandra Hudson, Daniel Wallis, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Nike, National, Lille, Le Vieux Port, REUTERS, Reuters, Thomson Locations: France, Paris suburb NANTERRE, Algerian, Nanterre, Paris, Rivoli, Marseille, Lyon, Pau, Toulouse, France's, Le Vieux, Provence, Paris suburb, Clichy, Blanc Mesnil

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