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☆ US and Papua New Guinea poised to sign defense pact as Washington, Beijing vie for influence in the Pacific
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —The United States and Papua New Guinea are poised to sign a new bilateral defense cooperation agreement – a move that has sparked controversy in the Pacific Island nation and comes as Washington and China jostle for influence in the region. Those concerns were heightened last year after Beijing signed a security pact with the Solomon Islands – and tried, but failed, to win support for a sweeping, regional trade and security communique with Pacific Island nations. “Papua New Guinea does not have enemies but it pays to be prepared. Blinken is expected to meet with leaders of the Pacific Island Forum regional body in Port Moresby on Monday, the forum has said, taking Biden’s place at the gathering. That bid has included opening embassies in the Solomon Islands and Tonga this year, while Biden hosted Pacific Island leaders in Washington for a summit in September and released the first-ever national strategy on engaging the Pacific Islands.

☆ Thailand's opposition parties meet for coalition talks
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BANGKOK, May 17 (Reuters) - Thailand's opposition parties, which trounced their military-allied rivals in this week's election, met for coalition talks on Wednesday as the liberal Move Forward Party, which won the most votes, looks to form a government. Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat was seen greeting senior officials from five other parties at a Bangkok restaurant before ushering them upstairs for closed-door talks. Pita earlier this week said that together with five other opposition parties, his coalition will be able control about 310 seats in the 500-member House of Representatives. The parties Pita has approached are Pheu Thai, Thai Sang Thai, Prachachart, Seri Ruam Thai and Fair parties. On Wednesday, some Thais questioned the senate's role in electing a prime minister, asking 'why do we need a senate' on social media like Twitter.

☆ LinkedIn lays off 716 employees, kills China jobs app
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Rohan Goswami | In Rohangoswamicnbc | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

LinkedIn, the popular business social networking platform owned by Microsoft , will discontinue its China-specific jobs app InCareer and lay off 716 employees worldwide, the company said in a message to employees. LinkedIn launched InCareer in Dec. 2021 after sunsetting its localized LinkedIn product in China. Shares of parent company Microsoft were largely flat in pre-market trading Tuesday morning. LinkedIn will continue to operate other businesses in China, including its LinkedIn Learning product. The total number of InCareer and LinkedIn users in China was over 57 million, according to an InCareer page.

☆ North America’s best bar for 2023 serves pizza cocktails
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( Maureen O'Hare | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —This week in travel news: Crowns are handed out to pizza joints, bars and an English king. And we reveal why going on a hiking trip might be one of the best ways to find love. Award-winning bars and restaurantsDouble Chicken Please, a cocktail bar-slash-chicken joint on New York’s Lower East Side, took the No.1 spot in North America’s 50 Best Bars 2023. A newly published Italian list names the Best Pizza in Europe 2023, all outside the home country. King Charles gets his crownThis is what you can expect to see at King Charles III's coronation 04:04 - Source: CNNLondon airports were expected to greet more than 2 million arrivals this week, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium, as the country prepares for the coronation of King Charles III on Saturday.

☆ Sen. Sherrod Brown received an extra property tax credit and racked up penalties for late payments
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Henry J. Gomez | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, for years claimed an owner-occupancy tax credit at two properties, public records show — a potential violation of the state's rules governing such incentives. Responding to questions from NBC News, Brown and Schultz this week paid a $390 penalty stemming from their most recent late payment. Brown will no longer accept the owner-occupancy credit on the Columbus property, according to his campaign. Franklin County tax records available online show no late payments or penalties for Brown's Columbus condo — purchased in 2014 — over the last four years. Ohio schools are heavily reliant on property tax revenue, and late payments affect their accounting.

[1/2] A view shows the logo of Credit Suisse on a building near the Hallenstadion where Credit Suisse Annual General Meeting took place, two weeks after being bought by rival UBS in a government-brokered rescue, in Zurich, Switzerland, April 4, 2023. UBS and Credit Suisse declined to comment. What's more, UBS doesn't tend to lend to potential clients as Credit Suisse has often done, a move that can persuade some customers. "There are clearly parts of Credit Suisse that have had a bad culture," UBS Chairman Colm Kelleher told reporters on March 29. UBS ranked 14th advising on mergers globally last year, behind 11th placed Credit Suisse, according to data compiled by Dealogic.

☆ Formula One under scrutiny over balance between safety and entertainment
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Stewards had hoped racing would decide the winner but the carnage only served to trigger a third red flag and a processional win behind a safety car for Red Bull's Max Verstappen. DAMAGE BILLSStriking the right balance between safety and sport has long challenged Formula One, which moved to tighten its safety car rules after controversy hit the title-deciding 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Officials no longer have such discretion but the application of safety car rules continues to flummox drivers and team bosses alike. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said he was not sure when to expect a standard safety car versus a virtual one or a red flag after incidents. "Standing starts are the most vulnerable part of any grand prix and we did three of them," said Red Bull boss Christian Horner.

The first test in the race to replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California is a year away, but the top three contenders are already furiously raising money, crisscrossing the state and amassing endorsements in what could become one of the most expensive statewide contests in recent memory. Reps. Barbara Lee , Katie Porter and Adam Schiff have been hitting the campaign trail hard, shoring up support and introducing themselves to new voters since Mrs. Feinstein announced in February that she would retire at the end of her term. The trio are some of the biggest names in Democratic politics but the field appears wide open, with no candidate drawing more than a quarter of the vote in an early poll.

MAYA BAY, Thailand, March 27 (Reuters) - On any given day in Thailand's Maya Bay, up to 40 blacktip reef sharks cruise in the cyan shallows while about 4,000 tourists visit its white-sand beach flanked by towering cliffs. Marine researcher Metavee Chuangcharoendee said that thanks to the pause in tourism the island was once again functioning as a nursery for young sharks. A number of factors affect the sharks around Phi Phi Leh Island, including seasonal movement patterns and human activity like fishing, Metavee said. For Phi Phi Island National Park, annual revenue was almost halved from 638.3 million baht ($18.7 million) in 2018 to 373.6 million baht in 2019 after authorities closed the beach. "If you can create a new image of Maya Bay as a nature reserve ...

☆ One country, two crypto systems: Hong Kong harbors crypto hub ambitions despite China's crackdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty ImagesThe crypto industry has had a rough year with digital currency markets crashing and companies collapsing across the board. Hong Kong is planning to introduce new rules in June that will require crypto trading platforms to be licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission. Bitcoin ATMs, operated by Coinhero, in Hong Kong, China, on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. While Hong Kong harbors high crypto ambitions and boasts relatively lower tax policy on businesses, the city could still potentially find competition with other crypto hubs. The logo of Bitcoin cryptocurrency at a store in Hong Kong on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022.

REUTERS/Maxim ShemetovSummarySummary Companies This content was produced in Russia where the law restricts coverage of Russian military operations in UkraineMOSCOW, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Russian banks and politicians have played down the latest foreign sanctions on Russian lenders, promising speedy solutions to any problems with clients' foreign currency dealings. Those sanctioned last week have responded in a largely relaxed manner, with some saying disruption will be limited and others restricting foreign currency transactions or suspending euro trading on brokerage accounts. Russia's major banks have rallied after an initial hit from last year's Western sanctions and now jostle for business from the state, particularly a burgeoning defence budget, and big corporate accounts. Sanctions have mostly hurt Russians wanting to travel abroad or hold foreign currency. Alexander Shokhin, Russia's top business lobby chief, was more cautious, saying the situation could change rapidly, and that Russian banks needed to act pre-emptively.

☆ U.S. retailers' ocean shipping price woes ending as new delays threaten
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Lisa Baertlein | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

LONG BEACH, Calif., Feb 27 (Reuters) - Collapsing ocean shipping rates are not all good news for U.S. retailers, who paid as much as $20,000 to move a container of goods during the worst pandemic disruptions, as they now are bracing for delays due to plummeting demand. dolls to the short-term spot market from the long-term contract market. Volatile spot rates were the first to plummet when pandemic-weary consumers shifted spending from goods to travel and entertainment. Previously loyal customers are aggressively comparison- shopping, spreading their business around and gambling on the spot market, experts said. This time around, importer and exporter shipping managers, whose costs exploded when they were unexpectedly forced into the sky-high spot market, have the upper hand.

Manchester United, INEOS, Tesla and Musk did not reply to requests for comment. "For potential buyers, football clubs like Manchester United are considered trophy assets driven by the perception of exclusivity. The size of that bid has fuelled speculation Manchester United will attract significantly more. Manchester United is the fourth richest soccer club in the world, according to analysis by Deloitte. A small portion of Manchester United shares is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

☆ Retail investor risk appetite improves with AI stocks leading
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-14 | by ( Saqib Iqbal Ahmed | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Retail investors had a poor year in 2022, with the average portfolio ending the year down around 35% from all-time highs, Vanda Research previously estimated. However, retail investors have shown renewed interest in the early part of 2023. Meanwhile, shares of early meme stocks GameStop (GME.N) and AMC Entertainment (AMC.N) have pared some losses after last year's tumble. "Investor enthusiasm is also attracting short-sellers that are skeptical about some of the resulting valuations," said Evan Niu, an analyst at Ortex, which tracks real-time short interest data. AI software firm Veritone (VERI.O), SoundHound and BigBear.ai also show a pick up in short interest, Ortex data showed.

LONDON/HONG KONG, Feb 1 (Reuters Breakingviews) - China has been a golden goose for western carmakers like Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) and BMW (BMWG.DE). Chinese groups like electric vehicle leader BYD (002594.SZ), (1211.HK) are targeting foreign markets. At JATO’s estimate of 56,000 euros, the average price of an electric vehicle in Europe is still too high for most punters. The lower cost of manufacturing in China may help Chinese carmakers absorb tariffs, while western groups could suffer from reprisals. The result may be that western groups have to jostle for a smaller place in their home markets but also cut prices, hurting profitability.

[1/5] Ukrainian servicemen are seen near the frontline, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near Soledar in Donetsk region, Ukraine January 23, 2023. The corruption scandal could dampen Western enthusiasm for his government just as European countries bicker over sending German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. One of the most widely used Western tanks, Ukraine says it needs them to break through Russian lines and recapture territory this year. Germany is not blocking the re-export of Leopard tanks to Ukraine, the European Union's top diplomat said on Monday. Ukraine says Western tanks would give its ground troops the mobility, protection and firepower to break through Russian defensive lines and resume their advance.

Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., the chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), said she has personally spoken to Jeffries and recommended that Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J., should be the ranking member. “The Republicans made it very clear that the committee is primarily focused on … counter intelligence and economic espionage issues which have been the focus of my own work, especially on the Intelligence Committee,” Krishnamoorthi said in an interview. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., a former CIA analyst who is eyeing a possible Senate bid in 2024, has also expressed interest in the top role on the China panel. But while CAPAC is divided, its members agree that the ranking member of the new panel should be Asian American. Think about that," said one CAPAC member.

☆ This startup helps vets spend more time with pets and less time on admin. Check out the 10-slide pitch deck Digitail used to raise $11 million.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Callum Burroughs | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Digitail, a Romanian pet care startup, has raised $11 million in Series A funding. Digitail, founded in 2018, helps veterinary clinics automate their management systems. A startup that helps vets automate their often antiquated management systems has raised $11 million in fresh funds. "Today's reality is that there is a massive shortage of vets compared to the number of pets and that means they have less time to split between seeing pets and managing clinics," Digitail CEO Sebastian Gabor told Insider. Digitail, which is based in Romania's Iasi and Florida, provides a vertical, cloud-based SaaS platform to help vets with inventory management, invoicing, appointment calendars, and patient management.

☆ Festive season in Moscow incorporates symbols of conflict
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MOSCOW, Dec 26 (Reuters) - Outside the gates of Moscow's Gorky Park, the three Latin letters Z, V and O - frontline military symbols now used to promote the conflict in Ukraine - loom on plinths. Nearby, traditional festive decorations and a giant decorative bauble jostle for attention as parents and children walk into the park to ice skate or visit cafes. The "special military operation", which the Kremlin paints as an existential conflict with the West, has come to predominate over typical holiday decorations in the Russian capital. Inside the park, there's a pavilion that contains a studio where people can record New Year and Christmas video messages for troops. On Red Square, a pavilion was set up for people to donate gifts and humanitarian aid to troops.

☆ Nepal's ruling party seen emerging as the single largest in elections
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( Gopal Sharma | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Nepali Congress of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has won 13 of 22 results declared, with three each going to the main opposition Nepal Communist Unified Marxist-Leninist (UML) party and the newly formed National Independent Party (NIP). A five-time prime minister, Deuba won his remote Dadeldhura constituency for the seventh straight time since 1991. The Maoist Centre, a dominant partner in the ruling coalition, is leading in 14 seats and has won just two seat in the parliament. But final results could be about 10 days away, as election officials need to count millions of paper ballots manually. read moreThe Nepali Congress party is seen as pro-India, while the UML is considered closer to China.

☆ The ad industry is prepping for a make-or-break holiday shopping season, with some advertisers pulling spend up to 25% even before Black Friday
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Lara O'Reilly | Ryan Joe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales figures will determine whether ad spend budgets decline. Some advertisers are already pulling back spend up to 25%Last year, advertisers marched into the holiday shopping season with confidence. For retailers who are making the bulk of their money during that time, ad spend correlates to sales, Lardner said. Marketers feel less pressure to spend their fourth quarter ad budgets this yearSome advertisers are pulling back even before the holiday shopping season kicks off. Traditionally, marketers deploy most of their ad dollars during the fourth quarter — and not just because it's the holiday gifting season.

☆ Factbox: Some of the world's worst stampedes
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

April 1998: One hundred and nineteen Muslim pilgrims are crushed to death during the haj in Saudi Arabia. Feb 2004: A stampede kills 251 Muslim pilgrims in Saudi Arabia near Jamarat Bridge during the haj ritual stoning of the devil. Jan 2005: At least 265 Hindu pilgrims are killed in a crush near a remote temple in India's Maharashtra state. July 2010: A stampede kills 19 people and injures 342 when people push through a tunnel at the Love Parade techno music festival in Duisburg, Germany. Sept 2015: At least 717 Muslim pilgrims are killed and 863 injured in a crush at the haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

☆ Beyond Meat cuts revenue view, jobs as inflation hits plant protein demand
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Oct 14 (Reuters) - Beyond Meat on Friday cut its annual revenue forecast for the second time due to slowing demand for faux meat as consumers look for cheaper options to beat rising prices and announced jobs cuts as well as executive departures. The plant-based meat producer plans to cut 200 jobs this year and said its finance chief Philip Hardin, who has been in the role for just over a year, will leave at the end of the month. FILE PHOTO - A Beyond Meat Burger is seen on display at a store in Port Washington, New York, U.S., June 3, 2019. "We are significantly reducing expenses and sharpening our focus on a set of key growth priorities," Chief Executive Officer Ethan Brown said. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Aishwarya Venugopal and Mehr Bedi in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun KoyyurOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ In land of Maradona and Messi, fans jostle for World Cup stickers
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( Lucila Sigal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

In the birthplace of soccer legends Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi, signs in some shop windows read "no more stickers or albums", referring to the 2022 collectible sticker albums ahead of the November tournament in Qatar. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register"It's frustrating not being able to find any," said Exequiel Claverie, a 38-year-old media professional and father of three children who are fans of local club River Plate. "I arrive home every day to (my children) saying: 'Hey dad, did you buy stickers?' Sticker manufacturer Italy's Panini says this year many adults are also collecting stickers, adding to demand. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Lucila Sigal; Editing by Nicolas Misculin, Adam Jourdan and Aurora EllisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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