DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Philippines, France to level-up defence ties
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Mikhail Flores | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MANILA, Dec 2 (Reuters) - The Philippines and France agreed to level-up defence cooperation between the two countries, Philippine defence minister Gilberto Teodoro said on Saturday. Teodoro met his French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu in Manila where he said they are working to get authority from their leaders to begin negotiations for a status of forces agreement. "We intend to take concrete steps to leveling up and making more comprehensive our defense cooperation," Teodoro said in a joint briefingLecornu's Manila visit is the first leg of his trip across the Indo-Pacific which includes stops in Malaysia and the French overseas territory of New Caledonia. France considers itself an Indo-Pacific power, with over 7,000 troops stationed in overseas territories in the Pacific and Indian Ocean. Reporting by Mikhail Flores; Editing by Lincoln Feast and Edwina GibbsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Gilberto Teodoro, Teodoro, Sebastien Lecornu, Mikhail Flores, Lincoln, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Thomson Locations: MANILA, Philippines, France, Manila, Malaysia, New Caledonia, Pacific, Indian

☆ Nine Dead After Armed Men Raid Peru's Poderosa Mine - Ministry
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Dec. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

LIMA (Reuters) -Nine people were killed and 15 injured after armed men raided Peru's Poderosa mine with explosives and took hostages, the Interior Ministry said late on Saturday. Police have "taken control of the situation", seven people have been arrested and weapons seized, the ministry said in a statement, adding it had ordered special forces to the area to support local police. The attackers entered the mine shaft, using explosive charges, "violently confronting internal security personnel from the company and taking four people hostage", the ministry said. Peru is the world's second-largest producer of copper, and an important silver and gold producer. (Reporting by Marco Aquino in Lima and Shivani Tanna in Bengaluru; Editing by Lincoln Feast and William Mallard)

Persons: Peru's, Pedro Castillo, Marco Aquino, Lincoln, William Mallard Organizations: Reuters, Interior Ministry, Saturday . Police Locations: LIMA, Peru, Lima, Bengaluru

☆ Schwarzenegger lends support to families of Israeli hostages
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Omar Younis | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Schwarzenegger gave bronze eagle sculptures to his visitors at a video production company in Santa Monica, just west of Los Angeles. In turn they presented Schwarzenegger with "Bring Them Home" dog tags. Declaring himself "a big friend of the Jewish people and Israel," Schwarzenegger said he wanted to amplify the message not to abandon those who remain captive. Israel says Hamas, the militant group that rules Gaza, took 240 hostages in the Oct. 7 attack that also killed 1,200 people and set off a Middle East war. Among those meeting the "Terminator" star was Bar Rudaeff, 27, whose father Lior Rudaeff, 61, was taken from the Kibbutz Nir Yitzchak.

Persons: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Schwarzenegger, Rudaeff, Lior Rudaeff, Nir Yitzchak, Jacob Bohbot, Elkana Bohbot, Ella Shani, Amit Shani, Ella's, Itzik Kozin, Omar Younis, Daniel Trotta, Lincoln Organizations: California, Hamas, Nova, Be'eri, Museum, Tolerance, Thomson Locations: SANTA MONICA , California, Israel, Gaza, Santa Monica, Los Angeles, Tolerance Jerusalem

BEIJING, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Mixed factory activity data for China in November suggests more stimulus will be needed to shore up economic growth, analysts said on Friday, as two surveys came to contrasting conclusions on the sector's health. That was the fastest expansion in three months, but stands in contrast to the official PMI which fell to 49.4 on Thursday. "At face value, the average of the two is consistent with factory activity remaining largely unchanged last month," said Sheana Yue, China economist at Capital Economics. The official and Caixin surveys have different samples, with the Caixin PMI focusing on export-oriented enterprises and small- and medium-sized enterprises in the country's coastal region. Payroll cuts in the sector persisted for the third month in the Caixin survey and a ninth month in the official PMI.

Persons: Sheana Yue, Dan Wang, Xi Jinping, Liangping Gao, Joe Cash, Jacqueline Wong, Lincoln Organizations: P Global, PMI, Capital Economics, HSBC, Hang Seng Bank, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, China, Hang Seng Bank China, Shanghai

☆ Schwarzenegger Lends Support to Families of Israeli Hostages
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Dec. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

Persons: Omar Younis SANTA, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Schwarzenegger, Rudaeff, Lior Rudaeff, Nir Yitzchak, Jacob Bohbot, Elkana Bohbot, Ella Shani, Amit Shani, Ella's, Itzik Kozin, Omar Younis, Daniel Trotta, Lincoln Organizations: California, Hamas, Nova, Be'eri, Museum, Tolerance Locations: Omar Younis SANTA MONICA , California, Israel, Gaza, Santa Monica, Los Angeles, Tolerance Jerusalem

Media affiliated to Hamas said explosions and gunfire could be head in the northern part of the Gaza Strip ahead of the truce deadline. Reuters could not immediately confirm the report and there was no immediate comment from Israel or Hamas. Mark Regev, an adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said Israel was open to continuing the ceasefire if Hamas committed to further hostage releases. Israel had previously set the release of 10 hostages a day as the minimum it would accept to pause its assault. [1/5]A helicopter carrying hostages released amid a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel arrives at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv district, Israel, December 1, 2023.

Persons: Israel's Kan, Israel, Mark Regev, Benjamin Netanyahu, we're, Athit, Qatar's, Abdullah Al Sulaiti, I've, Mia Schem, Schem, Aisha al, BLINKEN, Jordan's King Abdullah, U.N, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Netanyahu, Nidal al, Mohammed Salem, Humeyra Pamuk, Ari Rabinovich, Emily Rose, Andrew Mills, Cynthia Osterman, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Gaza Hamas, Hamas, Media, Street, CNN, United Nations, Sheba Medical, REUTERS, Reuters, Palestinian Red Crescent Society, U.S, Thomson Locations: Israel, Gaza, Gaza GAZA, TEL AVIV, Qatari, Palestinian, Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv district, ISRAEL, Amman, United States, Tel Aviv, Cairo, Jerusalem, Doha

[1/9] A vehicle carrying hostages released as part of a deal between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, drives by, in Ofakim, Israel, November 30, 2023. Israel, according to the reports, is demanding at least 10 hostages be released on Thursday, with women and children prioritised. Fighters should "remain on such footing unless an official statement is issued confirming the extension of the truce," the statement added. Two Palestinian officials earlier told Reuters that talks were continuing over a possible extension of the truce, but no agreement had yet been reached. Hamas released 16 more hostages on Wednesday, the final day of a two-day extension to the truce.

Persons: Alexander Ermochenko, Antony Blinken, we'll, Blinken, prioritised, Joe Biden, Beinin, Majed Al, Ansari, Jordan, U.N, Antonio Guterres, Nidal al, Mohammed Salem, Emily Rose, Grant McCool, Lincoln, Cynthia Osterman, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Hamas, REUTERS, U.S, Brigades, Reuters, Health, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, . Security Council, Security, Thomson Locations: Israel, Palestinian, Ofakim, GAZA, JERUSALEM, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Brussels, Hamas, U.S, Dutch, Qatar, China, Cairo, Jerusalem

☆ Taiwan president: China too 'overwhelmed' to consider invasion
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Ann Wang/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTAIPEI, Nov 30 (Reuters) - China's leadership is too "overwhelmed" with its internal problems to consider an invasion of Taiwan, President Tsai Ing-wen said in an interview with the New York Times. But Tsai, in a transcript of the interview her office published on Thursday, said China had too many issues at the moment. And my thought is that perhaps this is not a time for them to consider a major invasion of Taiwan," she said. Tsai and her government have repeatedly called for talks with China but been rebuffed, as Beijing views Tsai and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) as separatists. The DPP's Lai Ching-te, currently vice president, is the frontrunner to be Taiwan's next president according to opinion polls.

Persons: Tsai Ing, Ann Wang, Tsai, Lai Ching, Lai, Hsiao Bi, Chen Binhua, Chiu Tai, Chiu, Ben Blanchard, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, New York Times, Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan Affairs Office, Mainland Affairs Council, Thomson Locations: Taichung, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, China, Beijing, United States, Taipei, Lincoln

☆ Panama trade minister resigns after mining contract backlash
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Elida Moreno | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PANAMA CITY, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Panama's Trade Minister Federico Alfaro announced his resignation on Thursday days after the country's top court ruled a contract between the government and Canadian miner First Quantum < FM.TO> was unconstitutional. The Central American country's trade ministry led negotiations on a contract between the government and First Quantum to operate a key copper mine, which opponents have deemed as too generous to the miner. In a resignation letter addressed to the president and shared on social media, Alfaro mentioned the contract, which generated months of protest throughout Panama, as well as the court ruling. Cortizo announced on Tuesday he will follow through with First Quantum's mine shutdown once the court's ruling is published in the country's official gazette, which has not yet happened. Incoming trade minister Rivera said in a separate public statement the ministry is evaluating actions to comply with the court's ruling and will start coordination talks with labor and environmental authorities.

Persons: Federico Alfaro, Alfaro, Laurentino Cortizo, Jorge Rivera, Cortizo, Rivera, Eli Moreno, Brendan O'Boyle, Isabel Woodford Organizations: PANAMA CITY, Panama's Trade, Central American, Thomson Locations: PANAMA, Panama, Lincoln

☆ Two killed, 8 wounded in Jerusalem shooting attack -police
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

"Two terrorists arrived at the scene in a vehicle armed with firearms, these terrorists opened fire towards civilians at the bus station and were subsequently neutralized by security forces and a nearby civilian," Israeli police said. The attackers came from East Jerusalem, Jerusalem Police District Commander Doron Turgeman told reporters at the scene. The U.S. ambassador to Israel condemned the shooting. "Abhorrent terrorist attack in Jerusalem this morning. Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch; Editing by Kim Coghill, Christopher Cushing and Lincoln Feast.

Persons: Ronen, Doron Turgeman, Jack Lew, Ari Rabinovitch, Kim Coghill, Christopher Cushing, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Palestinian, Jerusalem Police, Hamas, Thomson Locations: Jerusalem, East Jerusalem, U.S, Israel, Gaza

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro speaks during a meeting with Colombia's President Gustavo Petro at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela, November 18, 2023. "The Political Administrative Court of the Supreme Justice Tribunal will rule on the admission of the suit and the protection requested," the statement said. Those taking their cases to the tribunal must abstain from disrespect toward the state and respect the country's constitution, the statement added. Reuters reported this week that the government could allow appeals to advance as a way to partially comply with U.S. demands. The State Department did not immediately reply to a request for comment after the statement was published.

Persons: Nicolas Maduro, Gustavo Petro, Leonardo Fernandez Viloria, Jorge Rodriguez, Gerardo Blyde, Maria Corina Machado, Maduro, Biden, Matt Spetalnick, Vivian Sequera, Mayela, Lincoln, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, United, Reuters, State Department, The State Department, Mayela Armas, Thomson Locations: Miraflores, Caracas, Venezuela, WASHINGTON, CARACAS, United States, Norway, U.S, Venezuelan

They would also investigate the company's affairs and could refer any suspected misconduct by directors to Hong Kong prosecutors. Evergrande could appeal a liquidation order, but the liquidation process would proceed pending appeal. China Oceanwide Holdings (0715.HK) suspended its shares in September after a Bermuda Court issued a liquidation order. So far over 53 billion yuan ($7.2 billion) of Evergrande's assets have been seized or frozen across China, local media have reported, citing court records. ($1 = 7.3170 Chinese yuan renminbi)Reporting by Clare Jim in Hong Kong and Scott Murdoch in Sydney; Editing by Sumeet Chatterjee, Lincoln Feast and William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: David Kirton, EVERGRANDE, Evergrande, Hui Ka Yan, Clare Jim, Scott Murdoch, Sumeet Chatterjee, Lincoln, William Mallard Organizations: China Evergrande, REUTERS, HK, China Oceanwide Holdings, Bermuda Court, Evergrande, Services, New Energy Vehicle Group, Thomson Locations: Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China, HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Sydney

☆ Exclusive: Google pushes for antitrust action against Microsoft in UK cloud market
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Martin Coulter | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

In 2022, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft's Azure had a combined 70-80% share of Britain's public cloud infrastructure services market, Ofcom said. Such practices directly harmed customers, and were the only significant barrier to competition in Britain’s cloud computing market, the company said. "A lot of our software and cloud services interoperate, and can run on AWS or on Azure as well, so you're not restricted," he said. "If you don't fix this, eventually you will have fewer cloud providers, and then innovation will not really happen, and investments will start shrinking." Asked why Amazon, which boasts a larger share of the cloud market than Microsoft, did not pose a similarly anticompetitive risk, Zavery said AWS consumers were not facing the same restrictions.

Persons: Arnd, Amit Zavery, Microsoft’s, Zavery, ”, Martin Coulter, Jeffrey Dastin, Kenneth Li Organizations: REUTERS, Microsoft, Reuters, European Union, CMA, Markets Authority, Ofcom, Amazon Web Services, Google, Google Cloud, Thomson Locations: Zurich, Switzerland, Britain, London, New York

☆ Australia Oct inflation slows more than expected as goods prices fall
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Stella Qiu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

For the month, CPI fell 0.3%, driven by declines in petrol, rent and holiday travel. A closely watched measure of core inflation, the trimmed mean, rose an annual 5.3% in October, easing from 5.4% the previous month. "It's hard to find bad news in Australia's October inflation print," said Harry Murphy Cruise, an economist at Moody’s Analytics. Prices for tradable goods fell 1.6% in October from a month earlier. It also left the door open to further tightening if necessary to meet its annual inflation target of 2-3%.

Persons: Daniel Munoz, Harry Murphy Cruise, Jonathan Kearns, Wayne Cole, Stella Qiu, Lincoln, Sam Holmes Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S ., Australian Bureau, Statistics, Moody’s, Reserve Bank Board, Reserve Bank of Australia, Challenger, Thomson Locations: Australia

☆ Dollar slumps as Fed cuts eyed; Aussie buoyant ahead of inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Rae Wee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Australian dollar held near a four-month peak while the New Zealand dollar scaled a roughly four-month top of $0.61495 in early Asia trade. Australian inflation data is due later in the day, followed by a rate decision from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ). The dollar index was eyeing a nearly 4% loss for November, its worst monthly performance in a year. "We have become less constructive on the prospects for the U.S. dollar, as progress in reducing U.S. inflation suggests the risks are tilted toward earlier rather than later Fed easing," said economists at Wells Fargo in a note. Sterling last bought $1.27105, hovering near the previous session's roughly three-month high of $1.2715.

Persons: Christopher Waller, Kyle Rodda, Sterling, Capital.com's Rodda, Rae Wee, Lincoln Organizations: Federal Reserve, New Zealand, Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Fed, U.S ., Reserve Bank of Australia, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, Asia, Wells

View of the Cobre Panama mine, of Canadian First Quantum Minerals, in Donoso, Panama, December 6, 2022. The comments are the first by the company on the future of the Cobre Panama mine's ownership since Tuesday's court ruling. Panama has seen unprecedented public protests after the government signed a new contract with First Quantum for its Cobre Panama mine. MacWilliam told the conference that given the events in Panama, it remains unclear when Cobre Panama will be able to resume operations. The mine closure also has consequences for the Central American nation, as Cobre Panama contributes about 5% to Panama's economy.

Persons: Laurentino Cortizo, Ryan MacWilliam, MacWilliam, Divya Rajagopal, Elida Moreno, Denny Thomas, Chizu Nomiyama, Nick Zieminski Organizations: Minerals, REUTERS, Aris, Rights TORONTO, Quantum, Scotiabank, Reuters, Jiangxi Copper Co, Central, Thomson Locations: Panama, Donoso, Canadian, Jiangxi, Central American, Lincoln

"Investors covered short positions ahead of the OPEC+ meeting amid worries over supply disruption from Kazakhstan," said Hiroyuki Kikukawa, president of NS Trading, a unit of Nissan Securities. OPEC+ is due to hold an online ministerial meeting on Thursday to discuss 2024 production targets, after delaying the meeting from Nov. 26. The talks will be difficult and a rollover of the previous agreement is possible rather than deeper production cuts, four OPEC+ sources said. Kazakhstan's largest oilfields are cutting combined daily oil output by 56% from Nov. 27, the Kazakh energy ministry said. Meanwhile, U.S. crude oil inventories fell by 817,000 barrels last week, according to market sources citing American Petroleum Institute figures.

Persons: Turar, Hiroyuki Kikukawa, Warren Patterson, Ewa Manthey, Brent, Yuka Obayashi, Muyu Xu, Lincoln, Kim Coghill Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Brent, . West Texas, of, Petroleum, NS, Nissan Securities, ING, Federal Reserve, American Petroleum Institute, Reuters, Weekly U.S, Thomson Locations: Mangystau, Kazakhstan, Rights TOKYO, SINGAPORE, Russia, OPEC, Kazakh

Nov 28 (Reuters) - Spending online on Cyber Monday is set to exceed $12 billion, a record, as bargain hunters snap up deals on items including Barbie dolls, Lego sets, headphones and smart watches, according to preliminary estimates from Adobe Digital Insights. The estimate projects U.S. shoppers will spend $12 billion-$12.4 billion on Cyber Monday, the biggest U.S. online shopping day. At the top end, this would represent an 9.7% increase compared to the $11.3 billion spent on Cyber Monday last year. Walmart, eager to capture market share, slashed prices on Sunday night, joining the trend of retailers' early discounts on major shopping days. On Monday, Walmart stepped up discounts on some clothing to 60%, up from the 50% it offered on Black Friday.

Persons: Barbie, Nancy Tengler, Eduardo Munoz, Matthew Katz, Charles Sizemore, Sizemore, Siddharth Cavale, Deborah Sophia, Aishwarya Venogupal, Ananya Mariam Rajesh, David Gregorio, Nick Zieminski, Matthew Lewis, Lincoln Organizations: Adobe Digital, Retailers, Adobe Analytics, Investments, Shoppers, Workers, REUTERS, SSA & Company, Walmart, Sizemore Capital Management, Target, Graphics, Insider Intelligence, Thomson Locations: Scottsdale , Arizona, United States, Robbinsville Township, New Jersey, U.S, New York, Bengaluru

☆ Cathay favouring Airbus for widely watched freighter deal - sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 27 (Reuters) - Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd (0293.HK) is leaning towards placing an order for around six Airbus (AIR.PA) A350 freighters as the Hong Kong carrier renews the oldest section of its fleet of dedicated 747 cargo jets, industry sources said. Airbus and Boeing had no immediate comment. Industry sources have said the competition pointed to an initial purchase of around half a dozen aircraft, worth some $2 billion at list prices before traditional airline discounts. Cathay Pacific told analysts in August it was looking at freighters and "continuing to study various opportunities". On Friday, it told analysts cargo demand had softened but was "still much higher than pre-pandemic times".

Persons: Tim Hepher, Valerie Insinna, Lincoln Organizations: Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd, Airbus, Hong Kong, Cathay, Boeing, Qatar Airways, Emirates, FedEx, UPS, International Air Transport Association . Industry, Cathay Pacific, Thomson Locations: HK, Hong, Cathay Pacific

☆ Draft Bill Seeks 'Loyalty Agreement' From Foreigners Entering Russia
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

(Reuters) - Russia's Internal Affairs ministry is preparing a bill that would oblige foreigners entering the country to sign a "loyalty agreement" that would bar them from discrediting official policies, the TASS state news agency reported early on Wednesday. The agreement would be aimed at protecting Russia's "national interests," TASS reported, citing the document. Reuters could not independently verify the draft bill. The Internal Affairs ministry did not immediately respond to requests for a comment. TASS did not specify what repercussions foreigners would face if they broke the agreement.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Lidia Kelly, Lincoln Organizations: Reuters, Internal Affairs, TASS, Russian Federation, Soviet, State Duma Locations: Russia's, Russia, Ukraine, Germany, Melbourne

☆ Hamas, Israel signal possible expansion of hostage-deal criteria
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The remarks by Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya late on Monday came as Israel expanded the roster of Palestinian detainees it could release in exchange for hostages - another signal that a revision of truce terms was being considered. Accordingly, Israel had originally pre-cleared 300 Palestinian women and teenaged male detainees for prospective release. Hamas seized some 240 people during its Oct. 7 cross-border killing spree that sparked the Gaza war. Among hostages it still holds are fathers and husbands of those it has freed in recent days. Writing by Nadine Awadalla and Dan Williams; editing by Lincoln FeastOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Khalil al, Hayya, Al Jazeera, spokespeople, Nadine Awadalla, Dan Williams, Lincoln Organizations: International Committee, Palestinian, Qatari, Thomson Locations: Israel, DUBAI, JERUSALEM, Gaza

☆ 3M, DuPont defeat massive class action over forever chemicals
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Clark Mindock | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 27 (Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court on Monday handed 3M (MMM.N), Corteva Inc (CTVA.N) subsidiary E.I. Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a lower court's approval of the massive class action, which included virtually every resident of Ohio and put considerable legal pressure on the chemical manufacturers to settle the plaintiffs' claims. The appeals court instructed the lower court to dismiss Hardwick's lawsuit, which had aimed to force the companies to pay for studies analyzing the health impacts of PFAS. The lawsuit also sought to establish a fund to monitor Ohio residents for health impacts from PFAS exposure. The chemicals are often referred to as forever chemicals because they do not easily break down in nature or in the human body.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, du Pont, du Pont de Nemours, Kevin Hardwick, Clark Mindock, Alexia Garamfalvi Organizations: DuPont de Nemours , Inc, New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Corteva Inc, du Pont de, du Pont de Nemours and, Circuit, DuPont, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York City, U.S, Ohio, Cincinnati , Ohio, Lincoln

SYDNEY, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Australia's top civil servant in its interior ministry was sacked on Monday after an inquiry found he breached impartiality rules. Michael Pezzullo, the powerful head of the department responsible for internal security, stepped aside in September while the investigation was conducted. It was not immediately possible to reach Pezzullo for comment. The inquiry followed a joint investigation by two Australian newspapers and a TV programme that alleged Pezzullo had intervened in politics to promote favoured politicians, attack opponents and push for media censorship. Reporting by Alasdair Pal in Sydney; Editing by Lincoln FeastOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Michael Pezzullo, Anthony Albanese, Pezzullo, Alasdair Pal, Lincoln Organizations: SYDNEY, Australian Public Service, Liberal Party, Thomson Locations: Sydney

☆ Three Thai hostages released from Gaza in good health, Thai PM says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] Thai citizens who were released from the Gaza Strip after being taken hostage by gunmen from Palestinian Islamist militant group Hamas during the deadly October 7 attack on Israel, stand together during a visit by Ambassador of Thailand in Israel Pannabha Chandraramya to Shamir Medical Center... Acquire Licensing Rights Read moreBANGKOK, Nov 27 (Reuters) - The latest three Thai hostages released from Gaza after being held by Hamas militants were in good health, Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin posted on the social media platform X on Monday. "I'm happy," Srettha said, adding the three were healthy and not in need of urgent medical attention. So far, 17 Thai hostages have been released after being kidnapped during Hamas raids into Israel in early October and would be brought back to Thailand as soon as possible, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. "For the remaining 15 Thai hostages, the Royal Thai Government continues to exert all efforts towards their safe release at the earliest opportunity," the statement said. Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by Tom Hogue and Lincoln FeastOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Israel Pannabha Chandraramya, Srettha Thavisin, Srettha, Chayut Setboonsarng, Tom Hogue Organizations: Hamas, Shamir, Center, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Royal Thai Government, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, Thailand, BANGKOK, Lincoln

☆ Biden hopes for extension of Israel-Hamas truce as more hostages released
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( James Mackenzie | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Thirty-nine teenage Palestinian prisoners were released by Israel on Sunday, taking the total since the truce began to 117. The four-day truce agreed last week is the first halt in fighting in the seven weeks since Hamas killed 1,200 people and took about 240 hostages back into Gaza. Some 14,800 Palestinians have been killed, Gaza health authorities say, and hundreds of thousands displaced. The latest three Thai hostages released were in good health, Thailand's prime minister said. Hamas released 24 hostages on Friday, the first day of the truce.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Abigail Edan, Abigail, Carmel Edan, he's, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Omar Abdullah Al Hajj, he'd, Thais, Sunday's, Israel, gaunt, children's agency's James Elder, Elder, Raphael Satter, Diane Craft, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Sunday, International Committee, Red Cross, Reuters, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Saturday, Palestinian, West Bank, Thomson Locations: Israel, Gaza, U.S, Ramallah, Qatar, Egypt, United States, Palestinian, Gaza's, Qatari, Gaza City

Search resuls for: "Lincoln Feast"

25 mentions found