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☆ Lessons learned from hiking the Camino de Santiago in Spain and Portugal
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( James Jeffrey | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

Editor’s Note: Monthly Ticket is a CNN Travel series that spotlights some of the most fascinating topics in the travel world. About walking sticksThat first Camino, there was absolutely no way I was using walking sticks. Whatever the percentage, walking sticks help you balance on irregular ground – especially on tricky loose-stoned downhill slopes. Torres way, one of many Camino de Santiago routes, runs from Salamanca to Santiago de Compostela. About embracing the mysticalMany Camino pilgrims end their journey at the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in Galicia, Spain.

Persons: we’re, Saint James, –, James Jeffrey Walking, you’ll, Ernest Hemingway, ”, James Jeffrey I, James Jeffrey, Torres, ” Jan Morris, Ribera, Spain –, ” Peter Stanford, Paulo Coelho, Richard Aldington, don’t, Coelho, E.M . Forster Organizations: CNN, Port, Saint, Camino, Gran Canaria, Wine, Santiago de Compostela Cathedral Locations: Santiago, ”, Saint, Pamplona, Burgos, Leon, Santiago de Compostela, Camino, Europe, Africa, del Norte, Camino Norte, la Plata, Spain, Salamanca, “, New York, Canary, Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Portugal, Lisbon, Santiago de, Galicia, Portugal's Algarve, extremis

☆ Fugitive Wirecard executive Marsalek contacts German court through lawyer
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MUNICH, July 18 (Reuters) - Former Wirecard (WDIG.H) board member Jan Marsalek, who has been on the run since the implosion of the German payments company in 2020, has contacted a Munich court through his lawyer, according to the court and the public prosecutor's office. The turn of events comes amid a trial of Wirecard's former chief executive and marks the first known official communication from Marsalek, Wirecard's former chief operating officer, whose exact whereabouts have been unknown for several years. German police have been conducting an international search and had issued an arrest warrant for Marsalek, whom they accuse of "fraud in the billions". Spokespeople for the public prosecutor's office and the court confirmed on Tuesday that a letter from Marsalek's lawyer had been received, but did not comment on the content of the letter. ($1 = 0.8910 euros)Reporting by Alexander Huebner, writing by Tom Sims; Editing by Bernadette BaumOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jan Marsalek, Marsalek, Wirecard, EY, WirtschaftsWoche, Alexander Huebner, Tom Sims, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Thomson Locations: MUNICH, Munich, Marsalek

☆ Frances Tiafoe becomes third Black American to reach men’s top 10
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-19 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Frances Tiafoe has become just the third Black American to break into the men’s top 10 after winning his third career title in Stuttgart on Sunday. Speaking to reporters after his nail-biting 4-6 7-6(1) 7-6(8) win over German Jan-Lennard Struff, Tiafoe said he was “super emotional” after moving to 10th in the world rankings. “I’m a guy who shouldn’t even really be here doing half the things he’s doing,” Tiafoe said. “Hopefully, I can ride that for a long time.”Tiafoe has been heralded as the potential future of men’s tennis in the US and he’s starting to fulfil those expectations. His father, Constant Tiafoe, started working at the Junior Tennis Champions Center in Washington, D.C. back in 1999 and eventually moved into one of its vacant storage rooms while working around the clock.

Persons: Frances Tiafoe, Arthur Ashe, James Blake, Lennard Struff, Tiafoe, “, ” Tiafoe, Frances, Constant Tiafoe, Marijan Murat, –, ”, Taylor Fritz – it’s, Mardy Fish, John Isner Organizations: CNN, American, Sunday, Sierra Leone, Junior Tennis, Center, AP Locations: Stuttgart, Franklin, Washington ,

☆ Humanity has decided it can say 'no' to AI
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-01 | by ( Hallam Bullock | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The latest development in AI: humanity has decided it can say "no." Elon Musk was one of more than 1,000 people to sign an open letter calling for a six-month pause on advanced AI development. The letter cited several potential risks to humanity and society, including the spread of misinformation and automation of jobs. Bosses have forgotten how to say "good job" — and it's driving employees to quit. Big Tech's big downgrade.

☆ A principal in Florida has resigned after writing a $100,000 check of the school's money to a scammer pretending to be Elon Musk
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Sarah Jackson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A Florida principal resigned after writing a $100,000 check using the school's money to a scammer impersonating Elon Musk. Jan McGee said she believed Musk would invest millions in Burns Sci Tech in exchange for $100,000 upfront. Dr. Jan McGee was the principal of Burns Science and Technology Charter School in Oak Hill, Florida, since the school opened in 2011. Although other school staff warned her the person was a scammer, McGee had talked with the person for at least four months, according to WESH. The school and McGee did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

☆ BOJ board debated feasibility of tweaking YCC - Jan meeting minutes
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Leika Kihara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TOKYO, March 15 (Reuters) - Bank of Japan (BOJ) policymakers debated the feasibility of making further tweaks to its bond yield curve control with one member saying it must keep "various options in mind" on the future course of monetary policy, minutes of its January meeting showed on Wednesday. The nine-member board concluded that it was premature to exit ultra-loose monetary policy now with inflation yet to sustainably achieve the BOJ's 2% target, according to the minutes of the Jan. 17-18 meeting. "The BOJ must keep various options in mind in guiding monetary policy. But with overseas economies slowing now, it's inappropriate to rush towards an exit" from ultra-easy policy, another board member said, according to the minutes. At the January meeting, the BOJ maintained ultra-low rates, including a bond yield cap it was struggling to defend, defying market expectations it would phase out its massive stimulus programme amid mounting inflationary pressure.

☆ Morning Bid: Not if or when but how fast?
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Kai PfaffenbachA look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Anshuman Daga:Is it really good news? Probably yes, probably not. Fed funds futures traders are now pricing for the Fed's benchmark overnight interest rate to reach 5.36% in July and end the year at 5.18%. Asian stock markets floated in a sea of red on Wednesday following an ugly sell-off on Wall Street. Inflation data from Germany and Italy due later on Wednesday will offer clues on price pressures.

☆ Japan logs record merchandise trade deficit in Jan as export growth slows
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Tetsushi Kajimoto | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Summary Jan merchandise exports +3.5% yr/yr vs forecast +0.8%Imports +17.8% yr/yr vs forecast +18.4%Trade deficit at record Y3.49 trln vs forecast Y3.87 trillionCommodity inflation peaking but trade deficit to linger -analystTOKYO, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Growth in Japan's merchandise exports slowed sharply in January amid weakening Chinese demand for cars and chipmaking machinery, stoking concern about a global slowdown and creating the country's largest trade deficit on record. Trade figures issued on Thursday followed weaker-than-expected gross domestic product data, underscoring the challenge for the Bank of Japan in achieving growth led by private demand while stably sustaining inflation above 2%. The result was a 3.49 trillion yen ($26.07 billion) deficit in merchandise trade in January, the biggest in records going back to 1979, the data showed. Data issued on Monday showed Japan's economy, the world's third largest, had grown at an annualised rate of only 0.6 in the fourth quarter as business investment slumped. Japan reports trade in services separately, in its current account data.

☆ Red Bull and Alfa Romeo get their 2023 cars on track
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] The new Red Bull F-1 Racing Team unveils the RB19 car in a partnership with Ford during a launch event in New York City, U.S., February 3, 2023. REUTERS/Christine KiernanLONDON, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Formula One champions Red Bull and Ferrari-powered Alfa Romeo took their 2023 cars out on track on Friday for limited mileage pre-season filming. Red Bull published a tantalising teaser on Twitter of their RB19 lapping at Silverstone while Alfa Romeo said their C43 completed a successful debut at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya. Red Bull held a livery launch in New York last week with double world champion Max Verstappen and Mexican Sergio Perez while Alfa showed off their new look in Switzerland last Tuesday. Alfa will also be doing a second promotional filming day on Saturday with race drivers Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou and reserve Theo Pourchaire.

☆ Morning Bid: Volatility stirs
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

World markets end a rough week of confusing and competing narratives in distinctly edgy form, with peculiarly subdued volatility gauges flickering back to life. Both 10 and 30-year yields hit their highest levels in over a month early on Friday. Job shedding in the digital sector continued, with Yahoo's plans to lay off more than 20% of its total workforce. That said, the year-on-year oil price trend continues to be negative, as it's been all year and base effects from last year's price spike around the Ukraine invasion will only deepen that and weigh on headline inflation further. Goldman Sachs lowered its oil price forecasts for this year and next, cutting its Brent 2023 price forecast by $6 to $92 per barrel - still above current levels around $86.

☆ German ministry to review sale of regional airport to Russian investor - source
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The insolvency administrator for Frankfurt-Hahn airport, in western Germany, said the investor and seller had decided to submit a purchase contract to the economy ministry, which has the power to block some takeovers by foreign players. A source close to the proceedings confirmed local media reports that the successful, and highest, offer came from NR Holding, which belongs to Russian billionaire Viktor Kharitonin. The federal economy ministry can block takeovers of critical infrastructure by firms outside the European Union. Economy Minister Robert Habeck said on Monday that his ministry had launched a routine screening of the process. It had 1.23 million passengers between January and November last year, less than half the number a decade ago.

☆ Norway discovers trove of metals, minerals and rare earths on its seabed
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( Reuters Laura Paddison | Laura Paddison | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

A Norwegian study has found a “substantial” amount of metals and minerals ranging from copper to rare earths on the seabed of its extended continental shelf, authorities said on Friday in their first official estimates. “Of the metals found on the seabed in the study area, magnesium, niobium, cobalt and rare earth minerals are found on the European Commission’s list of critical minerals,” the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD), which conducted the study, said in a statement. About 24 million tonnes of magnesium and 3.1 million tonnes of cobalt are estimated to be in manganese crusts grown on bedrock over millions of years, as well as 1.7 million tonnes of cerium, a rare earth element used in alloys. The manganese crusts are also estimated to contain other rare earth metals, such as neodymium, yttrium and dysprosium. “Costly, rare minerals such as neodymium and dysprosium are extremely important for magnets in wind turbines and the engines in electric vehicles,” the NPD said.

☆ Morning bid: Parsing the peak, sidestepping a slump
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"We are turning the corner on inflation," BoC Governor Tiff Macklem told reporters, while dismissing any thought of policy easing for now. Just how bad the underlying economy gets before the central banks are done is the other burning question. On the activity side, the prospect of reviving growth in China and the euro zone certainly changes the international picture. In Europe, STMicroelectronics jumped 8% after the chipmaker reported a sales beat and Finnish telecom equipment maker Nokia jumped 5% after its own beat. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

☆ BOJ policymakers divided on wage, inflation outlook, Jan meeting summary shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Leika Kihara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

At the January meeting, many board members agreed on the need to retain ultra-loose monetary policy to support the economy and help companies raise pay, the summary showed. It will take time for wages to rise sustainably, so macro-economic support is necessary," another opinion showed. The summary lists the opinions of the BOJ's nine board members, but does not disclose who made them. Japan's core consumer prices in December rose 4.0% from a year earlier, hitting a fresh 41-year high and keeping alive market expectations the BOJ could phase out ultra-low rates. BOJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda, whose term ends in April, has stressed the need to maintain the loose policy settings until wages rise sufficiently, and help keep inflation sustainably around the bank's 2% target.

☆ Swedish mining company finds massive deposit of rare earth metals
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The company said on Jan. 12 that it found Europe's biggest known deposit of rare earth elements there. Swedish state-owned mining company LKAB on Thursday said it had identified more than 1 million tonnes of rare earth oxides in the Kiruna area in the far north of the country, the largest known such deposit in Europe. Rare earth minerals are essential to many high-tech manufacturing processes and are used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, portable electronics, microphones and speakers. "This is good news, not only for LKAB, the region and the Swedish people, but also for Europe and the climate," LKAB CEO Jan Mostrom said in a statement. Rare earth elements are currently not mined in Europe, leaving the region depending on imports from elsewhere, while demand is expected to rise in coming years due to a ramp-up in electric vehicles and renewable energy.

☆ Sweden finds the largest rare earth deposit in Europe. It could help cut dependence on China
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Hong Kong CNN —Swedish mining company LKAB says it has found Europe’s largest deposit of rare earth oxides in the country’s north, a discovery that could reduce the continent’s reliance on China for the critical resource. Rare earth minerals play a key role in generating clean energy and producing electric vehicles and consumer electronics. No rare earth elements are currently being mined in Europe, leaving it dependent on imports. The company added that the region’s dependence on China for rare earth minerals increases the vulnerability of European industry. Given its importance in the tech industry, rare earths have become one of the main fronts in the US-China competition as well.

☆ Sweden's LKAB finds Europe's biggest deposit of rare earth metals
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

STOCKHOLM, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Swedish state-owned mining company LKAB said on Thursday it had identified mineral resources of more than one million tonnes of rare earth oxides in the Kiruna area, the largest known such deposit in Europe. Rare earth minerals are essential to many high-tech manufacturing processes and are used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, portable electronics and microphones and speakers. "This is good news, not only for LKAB, the region and the Swedish people, but also for Europe and the climate," LKAB CEO Jan Mostrom said in a statement. The European Commission considers rare earths to be among the most critical resources for the region. Still, the road to mining the deposit in Sweden is a long one.

watch nowAfter more than three decades, "The Phantom of the Opera" is getting ready to hang up its mask on Broadway. Casting director Tara Rubin has helped hand-pick the actors for the beloved musical for more than three decades — working just down the street from the Majestic. "Phantom of the Opera" Casting Director Tara Rubin CNBC"I never really dreamed that I would have a job like this," Rubin told CNBC. Rubin is just one of 20 "lifers" who have worked on the show for more than three decades. "Phantom of the Opera" Head Electrician Alan Lampel CNBCThe one-ton chandelier is the centerpiece of the show.

Companies Wirecard AG FollowMUNICH, Dec 12 (Reuters) - The former Wirecard CEO Markus Braun began his defence in Germany's biggest post-war fraud trial on Monday, as his lawyer dismissed allegations of wrongdoing at the defunct payments company as "absurd" and prejudiced. They said the deception allowed Wirecard's managers to siphon money out of the company for years. "It's an absolutely absurd and erroneous notion that a gang leader would act like this," Dierlamm told the court. Braun's lawyer told the court that the prosecution's key witness was the main perpetrator. Wirecard became the first-ever member of Germany's DAX blue chip stock index to file for insolvency, owing nearly $4 billion.

☆ Wirecard bosses' fraud trial begins after scandal that rocked Germany
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( Jörn Poltz | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The trial is taking place in Munich's largest and newest courtroom, a bomb-proof underground hall built in the Stadelheim prison complex. Braun, an Austrian born in Vienna, has denied embezzling money from Wirecard and accused others of running a shadow operation without his knowledge. [1/8] Wirecard's former CEO Markus Braun looks on at a courtroom as his trial begins, after the German payments company collapsed in the wake of a fraud scandal in 2020, in Munich, Germany, December 8, 2022. The fraud let Wirecard managers siphon money out of the company with no proper checks and balances. "All three defendants worked together to make Wirecard appear as an extremely successful FinTech company," said Anne Leiding, a spokesperson for the prosecutors.

☆ Wirecard ex-boss on trial for fraud in scandal that rocked Germany
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( Jörn Poltz | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The trial is taking place in Munich's largest and newest courtroom, a bomb-proof underground hall built in the Stadelheim prison complex. Braun has denied embezzling money from Wirecard and accused others of running a shadow operation without his knowledge. [1/7] Wirecard's former CEO Markus Braun looks on at a courtroom as his trial begins, after the German payments company collapsed in the wake of a fraud scandal in 2020, in Munich, Germany, December 8, 2022. The fraud let Wirecard managers siphon money out of the company with no proper checks and balances. Scholz also criticised Wirecard's auditor, EY, for failing to detect the fraud.

☆ Former Wirecard boss goes on trial in fraud scandal that rocked Germany
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( Jörn Poltz | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/2] Wirecard's former boss Markus Braun listens, ahead of testifying before a German parliamentary committee in Berlin, Germany, November 19, 2020. Braun has denied embezzling money from Wirecard and accused others of running a shadow operation without his knowledge. However, within days, Wirecard became the first-ever DAX member to file for insolvency, owing creditors nearly $4 billion. Following Wirecard's demise, the head of German financial regulator BaFin resigned and the head of Germany's accounting watchdog also stepped down. Scholz also criticised Wirecard's auditor, EY, for failing to catch the fraud.

☆ The rise and fall of Wirecard
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

July 2: The head of Germany's financial watchdog calls the accounting scandal at Wirecard "a massive criminal act". July 6: German prosecutors arrest the head of a Dubai-based subsidiary of Wirecard. 2021Jan. 29: Felix Hufeld, president of German financial watchdog BaFin, steps down. 2022Jan. 14: German prosecutors file first charges in Wirecard fraud, the Financial Times reports. Sept. 21: A Munich district court said it had admitted charges against former Wirecard executives, paving way for a trial.

☆ Explosions rock Russian military airbases; new strikes hit Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Mithil Aggarwal | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

Explosions rocked two Russian military airbases hundreds of miles from the border with Ukraine on Monday, according to local officials and state media. Russian authorities said they were investigating the media reports about the explosions on the base. A Tu-95 strategic bomber from the Russian air force prepares to take off from an air base in Engels, Russia on Jan. 24, 2022. AP“Engels airfield is one of the most important bases of Russian air forces,” said Ukrainian interior ministry adviser Anton Gerashchenko in a tweet. Analysts said it was unclear that the new wave of Russian strikes were in any way retaliation for the blasts at the airbases.

A tech entrepreneur in Texas wasn’t given ample time to drop a rifle he was carrying on his own front porch before he was fatally shot by police last month, his devastated family told NBC News. The caller said the police were on scene and the man fired again, police said. Police identified the officer who fired at Moonesinghe as Daniel Sanchez, who is now on administrative leave. Immediately after telling Mr. Moonesinghe to drop the gun, Officer Sanchez fired his Department approved firearm at Mr. Moonesinghe. … It looks like he’s pointing the rifle at the interior of his home.”The caller then alerts the dispatcher that the man fired the rifle.

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