DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Iran says it facilitated Friday's release of 10 Thai hostages
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BANGKOK, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Iran facilitated Friday's release of 10 Thai hostages from Gaza, providing a list of names to Palestinian group Hamas after a request to do so by Thailand's Foreign Ministry and parliamentary speaker, Iran's embassy in Thailand said on social media on Saturday. A Thai foreign ministry spokesperson told Reuters that: "we have provided lists since the beginning to everyone," including Qatar, Egypt, Israel and Iran. A group of Thai Muslim politicians had travelled to Tehran and met senior Hamas officials in October. Thailand's Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara also held talks with senior officials in Cairo and Doha over the release of Thai hostages. About 30,000 Thai nationals work in Israel, forming one of its largest groups of migrant workers, many in agriculture.

Persons: Parnpree Bahiddha, nukara, Thailand's, Chayut Setboonsarng, Poppy Mcpherson, Mark Potter Organizations: Hamas, Thailand's Foreign Ministry, Reuters, Thailand's, Thomson Locations: BANGKOK, Iran, Gaza, Thailand, Qatar, Egypt, Israel, Thai, Tehran, Cairo, Doha

☆ Thailand Says 20 of Its Nationals Still Held by Hamas After 10 Freed
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Twenty Thai nationals were still being held by Hamas after the Palestinian militant group freed 10, Thailand's foreign ministry said on Saturday. The Thai hostages freed from Gaza in Friday's exchange of hostages held by Hamas and Palestinians from Israeli jails would return home after 48 hours in hospital, the ministry said in a statement. The released Thai hostages included one woman, according to photos released by the ministry, which showed them dressed in green jackets and with doctors at a medical centre in Israel. Earlier reports said around 12 Thais had been released. The ministry thanked the governments of Qatar, Israel, Egypt, Iran and Malaysia, and the International Committee of the Red Cross, "as well as others involved in the immense efforts that led to this recent release".

Persons: Thais, Poppy McPherson, William Mallard Organizations: International Committee Locations: BANGKOK, Palestinian, Gaza, Friday's, Israel, Egypt, Qatar, Iran, Malaysia

Stroud directed a last-minute, game-winning drive for the second straight week, finishing with 356 yards passing and leading the Houston Texans to a 30-27 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Stroud connected with Dalton Schultz for 25 yards and Noah Brown for 22 yards on the decisive drive. Cincinnati's Joe Burrow threw for 357 yards and two touchdowns but was intercepted twice in the fourth quarter. Ja’Marr Chase had five catches for 124 yards and touchdown for the Bengals, and Tyler Boyd had eight receptions for 117 yards. INJURIESCincinnati DE Trey Hendrickson went down with an unspecified injury in the fourth quarter but was able to walk off under his own power.

Persons: — C.J, Stroud, Matt Ammendola, Ammendola, Ka’imi Fairbairn, Dalton Schultz, Noah Brown, Brown, Devin Singletary, Joe Burrow, Cam Taylor, Britt, Joe Mixon, Evan McPherson, Burrow didn't, Ja’Marr Chase, Tyler Boyd, Trenton Irwin, Sheldon Rankins, Trey Hendrickson, ___ Organizations: CINCINNATI, Houston Texans, Cincinnati Bengals, Texans, Tampa Bay, Bengals, Stroud, NEXT, Host Arizona, Sunday, AFC North Locations: Stroud, Baltimore

Myanmar's junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing, who ousted the elected government in a coup on February 1, 2021, presides over an army parade on Armed Forces Day in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, March 27, 2021. "This is the weakest the Tatmadaw has been since the coup," the diplomat said, referring to Myanmar's military and asking not to be named. Maung Saungkha, leader of the Bamar People's Liberation Army, which contributed troops to the offensive, told Reuters the rebel alliance had spent more than a year preparing to take on the better-armed military. CHINA'S SHADOWSo far, rebel troops have faced unexpectedly weak opposition from the military, according to analysts and resistance leaders who spoke to local media. In a statement announcing the operation, the alliance said they intended to remove those enclaves, which they said were protected by the junta.

Persons: General Min Aung Hlaing, Stringer, Maung Saungkha, Nobel, Aung, Suu Kyi, Min Aung, Richard Horsey, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Armed Forces, REUTERS, Junta, United States Institute of Peace, United Nations, Liberation Army, Reuters, National Unity Government, Arakan Army, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, National Liberation Army, Crisis, Thomson Locations: Naypyitaw, Myanmar, BANGKOK, China, Myanmar's, Shan, Beijing, Suu, Sagaing, Arakan

Nearly 1 million chickens on a Minnesota egg farm will be slaughtered to help limit the spread of the highly contagious bird flu after it was confirmed there, officials said Monday. The Minnesota farm is the first egg-laying operation where bird flu has been found this year. Even after 940,000 chickens on the Minnesota farm are slaughtered, there will only have been about 3.4 million birds killed this year. Political Cartoons View All 1234 ImagesMinnesota has now lost a total of more than 5.5 million birds since the outbreak began. Egg farms like the one in Minnesota tend to have the most birds on any one farm.

Organizations: U.S . Department of Agriculture Locations: Minnesota, Wright County , Minnesota, South Dakota, Iowa, McPherson County, Iowa’s Clay County, Turkey, Minnesota , South Dakota

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Bengals showed a national TV audience on Sunday night they are still serious AFC playoff contenders. The latest was a 24-18 victory over the Buffalo Bills in a rematch of a divisional playoff game from last season. Joe Burrow threw for a season-high 348 yards and two touchdowns, and Cincinnati's defense forced two turnovers and held off the Bills. The subsequent Bengals drive ate up 5:20 and a 20-yard field goal by Evan McPherson extended Cincinnati's lead to 24-10. Aided by a roughing the passer call on the Bills' Tim Settle, Burrow put together another extended drive.

Persons: “, ”, Tee Higgins, Joe Burrow, ” Burrow, “ We've, Burrow, Irv Smith Jr, Drew, Josh Allen, Cam Taylor, Britt, Allen, Nick Scott upended, Dalton Kincaid, Evan McPherson, Stefon Diggs, Sean McDermott, ” Allen, Diggs, Smith, Tim Settle, Joe Mixon, Zac Taylor, We've, Damar Hamlin, Hamlin, LB Terrel Bernard, ___ Organizations: CINCINNATI, Cincinnati Bengals, AFC, Bengals, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati, Bills, Cleveland, Ravens, AFC North, Steelers, Browns, Buffalo, ” Bengals, Paycor, LB, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, ___ AP Locations: Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Nick Scott upended Buffalo, Buffalo's

☆ Thailand Tries to Rescue 162 Nationals Trapped in Myanmar Fighting
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand is trying to bring home 162 of its nationals trapped in Myanmar by a surge in clashes between junta troops and ethnic minority insurgents near the border with China, officials said. Heavy fighting erupted last week in northern Myanmar's Shan State where an alliance of ethnic minority forces battling for self-determination launched a series of coordinated attacks on junta positions. Newly formed pro-democracy insurgent groups have in some areas teamed up with ethnic minority guerrillas who have been campaigning for decades for greater autonomy. The latest fighting in Shan State has pushed thousands of refugees into China, and displaced thousands more internally, Myanmar media outlets reported. A "three brotherhood alliance" of ethnic minority armies in Shan and Rakhine states, said it is seeking to defend their territory and civilians from attacks by the junta.

Persons: Thais, Srettha Thavisin, Nobel, Aung, Panu, Poppy McPherson, Robert Birsel Locations: BANGKOK, Thailand, Myanmar, China, Israel, Myanmar's Shan State, Yunnan province, Thai, Suu Kyi, Shan State, Shan, Rakhine

☆ 'The Hunger Games' to be turned into London stage play
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A fan waits at the premiere of "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2" in Los Angeles, California November 16, 2015. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Oct 24 (Reuters) - "The Hunger Games" is set to open at a London theatre next year in the first live stage adaptation of Suzanne Collins' novels and the hugely successful film franchise. "To receive Suzanne Collins’ blessing to adapt ‘The Hunger Games’ for the stage is both humbling and inspiring. "In a world where the truth itself seems increasingly up for grabs, ‘The Hunger Games’ beautifully expresses values of resilience, self-reliance and independent moral inquiry for younger people especially. Collins said she was "very excited" to be collaborating with McPherson and Dunster "as they bring their dynamic and innovative interpretation of ‘The Hunger Games’ to the London stage".

Persons: Mario Anzuoni, Suzanne Collins, Conor McPherson, Oscar, Jennifer Lawrence, Katniss Everdeen, Matthew Dunster, Suzanne Collins ’, McPherson, Collins, Dunster, Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth, Viola Davis, Marie, Louise Gumuchian, Nick Macfie Organizations: Lionsgate, Shakespeare's Globe, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles , California, U.S, Irish, Panem

☆ Defense boosts Bengals to win over Seahawks
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Field Level Media | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

October 15 - Joe Burrow tossed a pair of first-half touchdowns and the Bengals' defense intercepted two passes to lead Cincinnati past the visiting Seattle Seahawks 17-13 on Sunday. The Bengals appeared ready to hold the Seahawks to a field goal but safety Nick Scott was called for pass interference on Tyler Lockett in the end zone. Jason Myers' 55-yard field goal narrowed Cincinnati's lead to 14-10 at the half. Evan McPherson connected on a 52-yard field goal with under 12 minutes left to put Cincinnati ahead 17-13. The Bengals lost their starting left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. to a groin injury late in the third quarter.

Persons: Joe Burrow, Geno Smith, Burrow, Smith, Mike Hilton, Cam Taylor, Britt, Nick Scott, Tyler Lockett, Kenneth Walker III, Joe Mixon's, Tyler Boyd, Taylor, DK Metcalf, Ja'Marr Chase, Andrei Iosivas, Iosivas, Jason Myers, Tre Brown, Smith's, Lockett, Myers, Evan McPherson, Orlando Brown Jr Organizations: Bengals, Cincinnati, Seattle Seahawks, Seahawks, Seattle, Thomson Locations: Cincinnati, Seattle, Princeton

☆ NFL roundup: Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals pull away from Cardinals
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

Mandatory Credit: Joe Rondone-USA TODAY Sports/ Acquire Licensing RightsOctober 9 - Joe Burrow threw three touchdown passes to Ja'Marr Chase to lead the Cincinnati Bengals past the Arizona Cardinals, 34-20, on Sunday in Glendale. Joshua Dobbs completed 15 of 32 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns, but he threw his first two interceptions of the season for the Cardinals (1-4). Saints 34, Patriots 0Derek Carr threw two touchdown passes and New Orleans' defense forced three turnovers in a victory over New England in Foxborough, Mass. Ryan Tannehill completed 23 of 34 passes for 264 yards for Tennessee, but his last pass was intercepted with 10 seconds left. Pickett completed 18 of 32 passes for 224 yards while playing through a bone bruise in his left knee.

Persons: Ja'Marr Chase, Joe Rondone, Joe Burrow, Chase, Carl Pickens, Burrow, Evan McPherson, Cam Taylor, Britt, Joshua Dobbs, Marquise Brown, Derek Carr, Carr, Alvin Kamara, Tyrann Mathieu, Mac Jones, Jones, Bailey Zappe, Dallas Goedert, A.J, Brown, Jake Elliott's, Cooper Kupp, Matthew Stafford, Trevor Lawrence, Lawrence, Travis Etienne, Calvin Ridley, Josh Allen, Younghoe Koo, Dalton Schultz, Desmond Ridder, Ridder, Jared Goff, Goff, David Montgomery, Josh Reynolds, Bryce Young, Adam Thielen, Zack Moss, Anthony Richardson, Moss, Richardson, Ryan Tannehill, DeAndre Hopkins, De'Von Achane, Hill, Graham Gano, Raheem Mostert's, Achane, Kenny Pickett, George Pickens, T.J, Watt, Pickett, Pickens, Lamar Jackson, Justice Hill, Greg Zuerlein, Hall, Zach Wilson, Patrick Surtain, Russell Wilson, Quincy Williams, Bryce Hall scooping, Adam Trautman, Patrick Mahomes, Rashee Rice, Travis Kelce, Isiah Pacheco, Kirk Cousins, Jordan Addison Organizations: Cincinnati Bengals, Arizona Cardinals, State, Bengals, Steelers, Cincinnati, Cardinals, Saints, Patriots, New, NFL, Eagles, Rams, Philadelphia, Dallas, Jaguars, Bills, Jacksonville, Falcons, Texans, Atlanta, Houston, The Texans, Stroud, Lions, Panthers, Detroit, Carolina, Colts, Indianapolis, Tennessee, Dolphins, Giants, Miami, New York, Ravens, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Justice, Jets, Broncos, Denver, Chiefs, Vikings, Kansas City, Minnesota, Thomson Locations: Glendale , Arizona, USA, Glendale, Ariz, New Orleans, New England, Foxborough, Los Angeles, Inglewood , Calif, Angeles, Buffalo, London, Tennessee, New, Miami Gardens, Fla, New York, Baltimore, Denver, Kansas, Minneapolis

REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/ File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Oct 4 (Reuters) - Thailand will close legal loopholes relating to firearm classification and online sales in its gun control efforts, its police chief said on Wednesday, a day after a teenager was arrested following a deadly shooting at a mall that left two people dead. Existing Thai laws on the possession of illegal firearms carry a prison sentence of up to 10 years and a fine of up to 20,000 Thai baht($539.67). Laws have tightened after mass shootings in recent years in Thailand, including a requirement for a medical evaluation for those who want to buy a gun or renew their gun license. And in 2020, a soldier shot and killed at least 29 people in another northeastern Thai city. "The government should learn the lessons from past mass shooting incidents, review the proposed solutions and quickly implement them," Krisanaphong said.

Persons: Athit, Torsak Sukvimol, Torsak, Lazada, Krisanaphong, Panu, Poppy McPherson, Devjyot Ghoshal, Bernadette Baum, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Authorities, Thailand's Channel, Rangsit University, Reuters, Singapore's, Alexandra Hudson Our, Thomson Locations: Siam, Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK, Southeast Asia, Thai

1 ranking and lengthy winning streak on the line, Brock Bowers caught a 40-yard touchdown pass from Carson Beck in the final minutes of a 27-20 win over Auburn on Saturday. Georgia coach Kirby Smart called his Bulldogs “a very resilient team” after escaping successfully from their first road game. Auburn, which led 10-0 after the first quarter, had tied it on Alex McPherson's 42-yard field goal with 10:57 left. It left the Tigers and new coach Hugh Freeze with hopes of their fourth straight win over a No. Daijun Edwards ran for 76 yards and two touchdowns, including a 13-yarder that capped a 98-yard Georgia drive in the third quarter.

Persons: Brock Bowers, Carson Beck, Bowers, Beck, Kirby Smart, “ We’re, ” Smart, “, Alex McPherson's, Hugh Freeze, didn't, Malaki Starks, ” Freeze, ”, “ Bowers, ” Payton Thorne, Daijun Edwards, They’ve, Freeze Organizations: Auburn, Bulldogs, SEC, Tigers, South Carolina, Texas, Michigan, Nebraska, NEXT Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, AP Locations: AUBURN, Ala, America, Georgia, Jordan, Auburn

☆ Bengals beat Rams to pick up first win of season
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Field Level Media | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Logan Wilson intercepted Matthew Stafford twice and the Bengals (1-2) recorded six sacks to hold Los Angeles' offense at bay. The Rams (1-2) were held to three field goals from Brett Maher before Stafford found Tutu Atwell for a 1-yard TD with 1:03 left in the game. Four plays into Los Angeles' first drive, Atwell took an end around and raced to the end zone from 24 yards out. Both kickers traded field goals later in the quarter, with McPherson's 53-yarder as time expired in the first half sending the teams into the break tied at 6-6. McPherson added two more field goals to push Cincinnati's advantage to 10 before Stafford connected with Atwell for the late score that gave Los Angeles a fighting chance.

Persons: Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, Logan Wilson, Matthew Stafford, Brett Maher, Stafford, Tutu Atwell, Evan McPherson, Atwell, DJ Reader, Maher, McPherson, Joe Mixon, Mixon Organizations: Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Rams, Bengals, Stafford, Rams, DJ, Cincinnati, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles, Cincinnati

☆ As Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner Split, It’s Time to Spin
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Melina Delkic | More About Melina Delkic | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

When Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner announced their divorce on Instagram, the joint statement they released seemed relatively tame in the world of celebrity splits. “After four wonderful years of marriage we have mutually decided to amicably end our marriage,” the musician and the actress posted to their accounts simultaneously last week. “There are many speculative narratives as to why but, truly this is a united decision and we sincerely hope that everyone can respect our wishes for privacy for us and our children.”But to Molly McPherson, a public relations consultant specializing in crisis communications, there was a lot living between those lines. For example, the word “amicably.”With her clients, “every single time I am asked to add the word ‘amicable’ or ‘amicably’ to a statement, it’s because it isn’t amicable,” Ms. McPherson said.

Persons: Joe Jonas, Sophie Turner, Instagram, ”, Molly McPherson, Ms, McPherson

A logo for TMX Group, which operates the Toronto Stock Exchange, is seen after the company announced it was shutting down all markets for the rest of the day after experiencing issues with trading on all its exchange platforms in Toronto, Ontario, Canada April 27, 2018. REUTERS/Chris Helgren/File Phoo Acquire Licensing RightsTORONTO, Sept 13 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock exchange operator, TMX Group, is urging companies seeking to list on its platform to accelerate their plans, a top exchange official said, citing an uncertain economy and next year's U.S. presidential election as factors shrinking the window of opportunity. McPherson said TMX has advised companies seeking to list that the "window of opportunity" for initial public offerings, when it opens, might be a short window of three to six months rather than a year. "There is a pipeline out there that's waiting for the right time to enter the market," McPherson said. In Canada the central bank has raised key interest rate to 22-year high of 5% to fight stubborn inflation.

Persons: Chris Helgren, Dean McPherson, McPherson, TMX, Divya Rajagopal, David Gregorio Our Organizations: TMX Group, Toronto Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Rights, TMX, Mining, Reuters, U.S, TSX, Thomson Locations: Toronto , Ontario, Canada, Ukraine, Russia

☆ Ed Ruscha’s ‘Chocolate Room’ Still Tantalizes
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Travis Diehl | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A rich perfume wafts through the sixth floor of the Museum of Modern Art, where the installation of Ed Ruscha’s full-dress survey “Now Then” is underway. You sense it before you see it: a room where the white walls are turning velvety brown. A chocolate room. “Chocolate Room” is an oddity in Ruscha’s influential oeuvre. Of the 85-year-old Nebraska native’s hundreds of projects — paintings, prints, and photo books; dry eulogies of Americana like SPAM cans and Mobil stations and two-lane blacktop — “Chocolate Room” is his only installation.

Persons: Ed Ruscha’s, McPherson, Daniel, whisks, Robyn, Lynda, Kayla, It’s Organizations: Museum of Modern Art, La Paloma Fine Arts company, Mobil Locations: Nebraska, New York

The Chinese military regularly sends ships and aircraft through the channel, Taiwan's defence ministry has said. The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the proposed port in Basco. Cayco confirmed the visit, saying they came "one time to assess" the proposed alternative port. Marcos has said the bases under the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) could prove useful if China attacked Taiwan. Jay Batongbacal, maritime affairs expert at the University of the Philippines, said the proposed port "would certainly be needed for the island’s defence in a worst case scenario."

Persons: Marvin Licudine, Andres Centino, Heather Variava, Noel Beleran, Eric Austin, Marilou Cayco, Batanes, Cayco, Kanishka, MARCOS, Rodrigo Duterte, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Marcos, Jay Batongbacal, Poppy McPherson, Karen Lema, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Philippine Military, Embassy, Staff, Education, U.S, Reuters, China, Washington, U.S . Army, ., Enhanced, Security, University of the, Thomson Locations: Philippines, Philippine, U.S, MANILA, Taiwan . U.S, Taiwan, China, Washington, Pacific, Manila, Basco, Asia, Beijing, Batanes, South China, University of the Philippines, Luzon

☆ Global conservation mission sets sail from UK in Darwin's wake
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Ben Makori | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] A general view of the ship 'Oosterschelde', launched by the planetary conservation mission DARWIN200, which is to set sail on August 15, in Plymouth, Britain August 11, 2023. The group will set sail on board a 105-year-old schooner on Tuesday from the southern English port of Plymouth, from where British naturalist Darwin's own expedition began in 1831, leading him to develop the theory of evolution by natural selection. The 40,000 nautical mile "Darwin200" expedition hopes to anchor in 32 ports, including all the major ports visited by Darwin's HMS Beagle. Throughout the journey, 200 selected young environmentalists will temporarily join the ship to be trained on conservation efforts. Patrons of the project include Darwin's great-great-granddaughter - the botanist Sarah Darwin - and British primatologist Jane Goodall.

Persons: Charles Darwin's, Darwin's, Stewart McPherson, McPherson, Sarah Darwin, Jane Goodall, Goodall, Sachin Ravikumar, William James, Nick Macfie Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Plymouth, Britain, Handout

The BPLA's growth owes much to Maung Saungkha's skills in building bridges with other armed groups, according to a key ally and two analysts. It says armed groups that oppose it are "terrorists" who sow chaos and kill civilians. It has charged Maung Saungkha with sedition as it has done with most opponents of its rule. Some armed ethnic groups have long relied on drug trafficking for funds, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Some soldiers have run away, homesick, bored and tired after two years of war, said Maung Saungkha, who declined to disclose how many members are in his group.

Persons: Maung Saungkha, Bamar, Maung, Aunt Min, Richard Horsey, Nicola Williams, General Nyo Tun Aung, Tun Aung, We've, Shoon Naing, Poppy McPherson, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Liberation Army, REUTERS, Poet, People's Defense Forces, National Unity Government, Strategy, AK, Karen National Union, Arakan Army, Myanmar Resistance, Myanmar Research, United Nations Office, Drugs, Reuters, UN, Thomson Locations: Myanmar, country's, Thailand, Myanmar's, Bamar, China, Russia

☆ A Kansas College Restored a Mercedes. It’s Now Headed to Pebble Beach.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Rob Sass | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A group of more than 60 college students in Kansas is bringing attention to the problem in an incredibly striking way. Over six years, they have restored a 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300S, and it’s been accepted as an entrant at perhaps the most prestigious car show on the planet: the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, held next month in California. team in the Super Bowl, that’s really what this is like,” said Brian Martin, director of the Automotive Restoration Technology Program at McPherson College in Kansas. The idea of competing at Pebble Beach was a moonshot. The college will not say how much it paid for the Mercedes, but based on previous sales its estimated worth is more than $500,000.

Persons: Paul Russell, it’s, that’s, ”, Brian Martin Organizations: Benz 300S, Super, Automotive Restoration Technology, McPherson College in, Mercedes Locations: Massachusetts, Kansas, California, McPherson College in Kansas

☆ Ann Beattie’s Stories Confront Charlottesville, a City Remade
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Dwight Garner | More About Dwight Garner | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

ONLOOKERS: Stories, by Ann BeattieThe Covid lockdown period already seems, as a subject, like a flattened corpse over which the whole of American culture and commentary has trampled. A case in point is “Onlookers,” Ann Beattie’s new collection of stories, her best in more than two decades. It takes as its subject Charlottesville, Va., a city remade by quarantine, population growth, new money and the fresh forces shaping American life. program at the University of Virginia, to personages such as Peter Taylor, Alison Lurie, Sam Shepard and Beattie herself. It’s where James Alan McPherson and John Casey discovered Breece D’J Pancake, and where Pancake took his own life.

Persons: Ann Beattie, ” Ann Beattie’s, ”, Peter Taylor, Alison Lurie, Sam Shepard, Beattie, It’s, James Alan McPherson, John Casey, Breece, Pancake, John Grisham Organizations: University of Virginia Locations: Charlottesville, Va

☆ Cambodia's Hun Sen kicks off campaign for virtually unopposed election
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/8] Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen and president of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) attends an election campaign for the upcoming national election in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, July 1, 2023. Hun Sen said his Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) has ensured peace, socio-economic development and the strengthening of democracy, adding that rights and freedoms were being respected. The main opposition party was dissolved in 2017 over an alleged coup attempt, with scores of its members imprisoned. Hun Sen also recently ordered Cambodia's parliament to revise the law so that anyone who does not vote will be barred from contesting any future elections. This week Hun Sen quit Facebook for Telegram.

Persons: Hun Sen, Cindy Liu PHNOM, Hun Manet, Sam Rainsy, Phay Siphan, Hun Sen's, Poppy McPherson, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Cambodia’s, Cambodian People’s Party, REUTERS, Cambodian, Saturday, Facebook, Post, Telecommunications, Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, United States Military Academy, West, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Cindy Liu PHNOM PENH, U.S

☆ U.S. to slap new sanctions on Myanmar state-owned banks - sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Thai reports, published on Tuesday, said Washington would announce new sanctions on Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank and Myanmar Investment and Commercial Bank as early as Wednesday. A spokesman for Myanmar's military junta said it was not worried about any new sanctions. Zaw Min Tun told the state media channel MWD on Tuesday evening that the country has experienced sanctions before and they will not face losses if there are new sanctions on Myanmar state-owned banks. He said the United States was "just doing this to cause difficulties in economics and politics". One of the Thai media reports, by Bangkok Business News, cited Thai sources as saying the sanctions would impact Thailand and other countries in the region financially because of connections with local banks.

Persons: Washington, Aung, Kyi, Min Tun, Critics, Prayuth Chan, Panu, Poppy McPherson, Kay Johnson, Raju Gopalakrishnan, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: United, Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank, Myanmar Investment, Commercial Bank, Reuters, Embassy, Bangkok Business, Thai, Thomson Locations: BANGKOK, United States, U.S, Thailand, States, Myanmar, Bangkok, Pattaya, ASEAN

Only Cambodia has so far officially confirmed it intended to attend the talks. Myanmar's junta spokesman could not be reached for comment on Sunday. Thailand's foreign ministry was tight-lipped about exactly who was attending the two-day gathering in the resort town of Pattaya, for which outgoing Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai sent invitation letters just four days before its start. Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn was to attend the meeting, his government said in a statement on Friday. Vietnam's government said its foreign minister would not attend "due to a prior engagement".

Persons: Nobel, Aung, Myanmar's, Swe, Don Pramudwinai, Don, Prak Sokhonn, Vivian Balakrishnan, Nantiwat Samart, Suu Kyi's, Panu, Phuong Nguyen, Ananda Teresia, Stefanno Sulaiman, Poppy McPherson, Devjyot, Kay Johnson, William Mallard Organizations: Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, Reuters, Cambodian, Nation TV, National Unity Government, Thai, Ananda, Thomson Locations: BANGKOK, Cambodia, Suu, Thailand, Pattaya, Myanmar, Indonesia, Singapore, Thai, ASEAN, Malaysia, Philippines, Bangkok, Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Shoon

Two sources with knowledge of Sunday's meeting told Reuters that Myanmar's junta-appointed foreign minister had been invited. Myanmar's military spokesman did not respond to phone calls on Friday night. ASEAN chair Indonesia has declined to attend the proposed meeting, according to three sources. Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch, said the Thai foreign minister had shown "arrogance" by inviting his junta counterpart who other regional neighbours have shunned. Indonesia last month cited progress in its own behind-the-scenes efforts to engage multiple parties in Myanmar's conflict in a bid to advance a peace process agreed by ASEAN leaders and Myanmar's military in April 2021.

Persons: Don Pramudwinai, Nobel, Aung, hasn't, Myanmar's, Prayuth Chan, ocha, Don's, Don, Phil Robertson, Ananda Teresia, Devjyot Ghoshal, Kay Johnson, Stanley Widianto, Martin Petty, Devjyot, Angus MacSwan Organizations: ASEAN, of Southeast Asian Nations, Thailand's Foreign, Reuters, Myanmar's, Foreign Ministry, Human Rights, Party, United Nations, Thomson Locations: Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Thailand BANGKOK, Suu, Jakarta, Asia, Bangkok, Shoon

Search resuls for: "McPherson"

25 mentions found