DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Real's Bellingham likely to feature against Braga after shoulder injury
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

That result cost Real their place at the top of the table, with Girona moving two points ahead, and although Bellingham finished the game he was doubtful for the Braga tie. "It would be important, at this stage of the season, to finish the group stage in four games," Ancelotti said. "If Puyol wants to talk to Vinicius, let him talk," Ancelotti said. Ancelotti's side took a 2-0 lead at Braga but the home team pulled one back in the 63rd minute to make for a nervous ending. Real top Group C with nine points followed by Napoli on six, with Braga in third place with three points.

Persons: Jude Bellingham's, Carlo Ancelotti, he's, Ancelotti, He'll, Carles Puyol, Vinicius Jr, Vinicius, Trevor Stynes, Ken Ferris Organizations: Braga, Wednesday, Champions League, Bellingham, England, Rayo Vallecano, Champions League Group, Bernabeu, Brazilian, Clasico, Real, Barca, Napoli, Thomson Locations: MADRID, Real Madrid, Girona, Spain, Barcelona

REUTERS/Sergio Perez Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Nov 7 (Reuters) - European Union (EU) energy ministers last month struck a deal to reform the bloc's power market. German power market forwards for 2024 and 2025LIGHT-TOUCH REFORMEuropean power prices have fallen a long way from their 2022 peaks, when the region was still reeling from the reduction in Russian gas supplies. EU member states were deeply split on proposals for more fundamental reform of Europe's power market to allow for a complete break of the gas-power price linkage. The hard-won compromise keeps the existing market mechanism, which its supporters claim is more efficient than other models in a liberalised electricity market. The bloc's power prices have historically been twice those of the U.S., but are now three or four times higher.

Persons: Sergio Perez, Teresa Ribera, Bernard Respaut, Mats Gustavsson, Boliden, Gustavsson, Respaut, Jan Harvey Organizations: REUTERS, Union, Spain's Energy, Producers, European Copper Institute, EU, Alcoa, PPA, European Commission, Metals, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain, Ukraine, San, EU, U.S, Ireland, Europe

Surging olive oil prices, driven in part by two years of drought in Spain, has meant opportunity for criminals across the Mediterranean. Warehouse break-ins, dilution of premium oil with inferior product, and falsification of shipping data are on the rise in olive-growing heartlands of Greece, Spain and Italy. Bekas, who owns 5,000 olive trees, suffered repeated raids by thieves before deciding to take an early harvest. After decades of growth, the global olive oil market has been disrupted by a nearly two-year drought in Spain, which typically accounts for about 40% of world supply. The regional agricultural association issued a plea for police assistance following reports that 100 olive trees were destroyed or seriously damaged in a single incident last month.

Persons: Konstantinos Markou, –, ” Markou, Neilos Papachristou, Christos Bekas, we’ve, ”, That's, Gennaro Sicolo, Ciaran Giles, Colleen Barry, Raf Casert Organizations: Farmers Locations: SPATA, Greece, Athens, Spain, Italy, Puglia, Papachristou's, Bari, Madrid, Milan, Brussels

☆ Spain's Constitutional Court Endorses New Wealth Tax, Court Says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

MADRID (Reuters) - A new wealth tax introduced by Spain as part of measures aimed at easing the cost of living of ordinary Spaniards amid high inflation was endorsed by the Constitutional Court, it said on Tuesday. The court rejected an appeal lodged by Madrid region which considered the levy infringed its regional prerogatives, the court said in a statement. The levy raised more than 600 million euros this year, according to the Budget Ministry. Government spokesperson Isabel Rodriguez said the tax was important to achieve what she called a "fair taxation". Acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is negotiating with separatist Catalan parties to get their support for another term after inconclusive elections on July 23.

Persons: Madrid, Isabel Rodriguez, Rodriguez, Pedro Sanchez, Emma Pinedo, Inti Landauro, Ed Osmond Organizations: Constitutional, Budget Ministry, Government Locations: MADRID, Spain, Madrid, Miami, Catalan

The clashes led to chaotic scenes of people running amid smoke and trash containers thrown in the streets, Reuters video footage showed. Around 4,000 people attended the protest - including Spain's far-right party Vox leader, Santiago Abascal - and at least one person was detained, according to local media reports. The Socialists are reportedly nearing their negotiations with Puigdemont's party, Junts, while the proposed law has been fiercely criticized by conservative parties and judges who accuse Sanchez of jeopardizing the rule of law. The protest was organised by a Spanish nationalist grassroots organization and smaller protests took place in other Spanish cities such as Barcelona. "To attack the PSOE offices is to attack democracy and all those who believe in it," Sanchez posted on X, using the Socialist Party acronym in Spanish.

Persons: Pedro Sanchez, Catalonia's, Santiago Abascal, Sanchez, Carles Puigdemont, Puigdemont Organizations: Spanish, Spain's Socialists Party, PSOE, Socialist Party, TVE, Police, Socialist, El, Socialists, Thomson Locations: Madrid, Spain, MADRID, El Pais, Spanish, Barcelona

And now Ben Hammou faces another blow as the German government moves to end pandemic-era tax breaks for the hospitality industry. The fiscally hawkish FDP party, which has control of the finance ministry in the three-way ruling coalition, backs letting the tax break expire, calculating that it would cost 3.3 billion euros ($3.5 billion) to keep it going in 2024. Many restaurants operate on tight margins, which makes them quite sensitive to tax increases. In Spain, Italy and France, the VAT on restaurants is at 10%, considerably lower than the expected 19% in Germany from 2024. The question is whether German restaurants are still struggling or have recovered well enough from the pandemic to withstand having the tax break removed, according to Tomas Dvorak, senior economist at Oxford Economics.

Persons: Omar Ben Hammou, Ben Hammou, Christian Lindner, Guido Zoellick, Thijs Geijer, Ingrid Hartges, DEHOGA, Steffen Marx, Tomas Dvorak, Maria Martinez, Christian Kraemer, Tanja Daube, Ulrike Heil, Belen Carreno, Giselda Vagnoni, Thomas Leigh, Matthias Williams, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Restaurant Association, ING, Reuters, Oxford Economics, Thomson Locations: Bavaria, BERLIN, Berlin, Russia, Ukraine, COVID, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Munich, Madrid, Rome, Paris

☆ As Devastated Acapulco Rebuilds, Other Mexico Resorts Urged to Heed Its Lessons
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

By Cassandra Garrison and Dave GrahamMEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Hurricane Otis not only devastated Acapulco, but also exposed fatal weaknesses in ageing infrastructure, teaching hard lessons that coastal cities throughout Mexico must draw on. As Acapulco rebuilds after the deadly Category 5 hurricane, climate experts, architects, engineers and politicians recommended steps Mexico should take. He noted that after the 1985 Mexico City earthquake killed thousands, the capital imposed tougher building standards. While Mexico City must update its standards for structural design every six years, Mexico lets other individual municipalities issue their own construction regulations. After Odile, Baja California's building standards reflected new guidance on areas of weakness identified, such as roofs.

Persons: Cassandra Garrison, Dave Graham MEXICO, Otis, Enrique de la, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Adrian Pozos, Hurricane Odile, Odile, Pozos, Lopez Obrador, David Waggonner, Waggonner, Waggoner, Dave Graham, Daina Beth Solomon, David Gregorio Organizations: Dave Graham MEXICO CITY, Mexican Tourism, National Autonomous University of Mexico, American Society of Civil Engineers Locations: Acapulco, Mexico, Enrique de la Madrid, Oaxaca, Tamaulipas, Guerrero, Baja California, Baja, Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Miami, New Orleans

☆ Migrants Reaching Spain's Canary Islands Near 32,000 This Year
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-05 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

MADRID (Reuters) - Nearly 32,000 migrants have reached Spain's Canary Islands on fragile boats from west Africa this year, passing a previous record posted in 2006, regional authorities said on Sunday. So far this year, 31,933 people have reached the islands, compared with the 2006 small boats crisis when 31,678 people made it to the Canaries, regional authorities told Reuters. Fernando Clavijo, the Canary Islands regional chief, said the figures showed the scale of the humanitarian crisis faced by the islands and called for more help from the Spanish government and the European Union. Its seven islands have become the main destination for migrants from Senegal and other African countries trying to reach Spain, fleeing conflict or seeking a better life. The Spanish government said it would create additional emergency accommodation for some 3,000 migrants in military barracks, hotels and hostels.

Persons: Fernando Clavijo, Graham Keeley, Giles Elgood Organizations: Canaries, Reuters, Spanish coastguard, Spanish Civil Guard, Canary, European Union, State Locations: MADRID, Africa, El Hierro, EU, Africa's, Senegal, Spain

☆ Migrants reaching Spain's Canary Islands near 32,000 this year
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Rescue workers search for bodies after a boat with 46 migrants from the Maghreb region capsized in the beach of Orzola, in the Canary Island of Lanzarote, Spain June 18, 2021. REUTERS/Borja Suarez/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMADRID, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Nearly 32,000 migrants have reached Spain's Canary Islands on fragile boats from west Africa this year, passing a previous record posted in 2006, regional authorities said on Sunday. Fernando Clavijo, the Canary Islands regional chief, said the figures showed the scale of the humanitarian crisis faced by the islands and called for more help from the Spanish government and the European Union. Its seven islands have become the main destination for migrants from Senegal and other African countries trying to reach Spain, fleeing conflict or seeking a better life. The Spanish government said it would create additional emergency accommodation for some 3,000 migrants in military barracks, hotels and hostels.

Persons: Borja Suarez, Fernando Clavijo, Graham Keeley, Giles Elgood Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Canaries, Reuters, Spanish coastguard, Spanish Civil Guard, Canary, European Union, State, Thomson Locations: Maghreb, Orzola, Lanzarote, Spain, Rights MADRID, Africa, El Hierro, EU, Africa's, Senegal

BRUSSELS (AP) — These days, think twice before you lavishly ladle olive oil onto your pasta, salad or crusty bread. Olive oil, a daily staple of Mediterranean cuisine and the life of many a salad throughout Europe, is experiencing a staggering rise in price. In Spain, the world's biggest olive oil producer, prices jumped 53% in August compared to the previous year and a massive 115% since August 2021. Apart from olive oil, “potato prices were also on a staggering rise,” according to EU statistical agency Eurostat. Even if ETUC blames profiteering of big agroindustry in times of crisis, the olive oil sector has faced its own challenges.

Persons: ”, Esther Lynch, ETUC, ___ Ciarán Giles Organizations: European Union ., Eurostat, European Trade Union Confederation, Agriculture Ministry Locations: BRUSSELS, Olive, Europe, European Union . Olive, Spain, U.S, Japan, Ukraine, Madrid

☆ Dutch payments startup Fero just raised a $3 million seed round led by Coatue with this 11-slide pitch deck
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Callum Burroughs | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Dutch payments fintech startup Fero has raised $3 million in a seed funding round from US hedge fund Coatue. The Amsterdam-based startup, founded in 2022, aims to improve the customer verification process at checkouts and decrease the level of abandoned purchases. Payment authentication, where customer identities are verified, has become much more crucial for businesses since the rollout of Europe's PSD2 Open banking regulations. Fero wants to reduce the level of friction customers face during this authentication process, the startup's cofounder and CEO Craig Savage said. The company went through the tech startup incubation program Antler before raising this $3 million seed funding round led by Coatue, alongside Volta Ventures and Antler.

Persons: Fero, Craig Savage, Savage, Coatue Organizations: Volta Ventures Locations: The Amsterdam, Madrid, Amsterdam

☆ Storm Ciaran kills six, lashes Europe with strong winds and rain
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A truck driver was killed when a tree fell on him in France while a second death was reported in Le Havre, according to authorities. [1/7]A surfer tries to navigate through rough sea during Storm Ciaran, in Tramore, Ireland, November 2, 2023. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne Acquire Licensing RightsFrench Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin told reporters that in addition to the death of truck driver, 15 people, including seven firefighters, had been injured. Still, the storm in France showed some signs of abating with the Meteo France weather service reducing its alert for strong winds in Mache, Finistere and Cotes d'Armor from red to orange. La Pinilla, a ski resort north of Madrid, and Estaca de Bares in Galicia registered wind velocities of more than 150 kph, AEMET said.

Persons: Storm Ciaran, Storm Babet, Clodagh, Gerald Darmanin, Darmanin, AENA, AEMET, Kate Holton, Dominique Vidalon, Farouq Suleiman, Bart Meijer, Charlotte Van Campenhout, Emma Pinedo, Charlie Devereux, Angus MacSwan, Gareth Jones, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: Amsterdam PARIS, REUTERS, French, Cotes d'Armor, Dutch Airline KLM, Inti Landauro, Thomson Locations: France, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands, Jersey, Amsterdam, BRUSSELS, Europe, Le Havre, Madrid, Belgian, Ghent, Finistere, Brittany, Storm, Northern Ireland, Britain, Tramore, Ireland, Roubaix, Brest, Cotes, Paris, Galicia, Cantabria, Bares, London

☆ Adidas and Puma eye chances in soccer's fashion moment
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Helen Reid | Thomson Reuters | London-Based Reporter Covering The European Retail Sector Through A Global Lens. Focusing On Companies Including Adidas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

One Premiership team has hired a creative director to expand its apparel offering, while Adidas in September launched an "exclusively off-pitch" apparel collection for some of the big-name teams it sponsors. "The love-in between football and fashion is only just beginning," said Richard Busby, CEO at sponsorship consultancy BDS Sponsorship. In August, Crystal Palace hired Kenny Annan-Jonathan as creative director focused on apparel. "We are experiencing hype around football jerseys and general designs influenced by football culture across streetwear and fashion," said Puma's global creative director Heiko Desens. "There's a risk of tension with existing fans whenever you start moving beyond the core culture," said Athens Kallithea's president and creative director, Ted Philipakos.

Persons: Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, Kim Kardashian, Richard Busby, Mary Earps, Busby, Kardashian, Germain, Mia Regan, Kenny Annan, Jonathan, GlobalData, Heiko Desens, Puma, popstar, cleats, Pele, Rihanna, Graham Renwick, Prada, Ted Philipakos, Philipakos, Helen Reid, Catherine Evans Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, England, Soccer, LONDON, Adidas, Puma, Nike, Greek, Athens Kallithea, Paris Saint, Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Premier League club, FOOTBALL, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Manchester United, Real, Liverpool, Newcastle United, Italy's Venezia FC, Athens Kallithea's, Premier League, Bundesliga, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Spain, Australia, Sydney, Brazilian, Real Madrid, Italian, Athens

☆ Vinicius Jr extends Real contract until 2027
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

MADRID, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Real Madrid's Brazil winger Vinicius Jr has signed a contract extension until 2027, the LaLiga club announced on Tuesday. The 23-year-old joined Real from Flamengo in 2018 for a reported transfer fee of 46 million euros ($48.76 million) and has since made 235 appearances, scoring 62 goals. "Real Madrid C.F. and Vini Jr have reached an agreement to extend the player's contract, linking him to the club until 30 June 2027," Real said in a statement. Vinicius Jr, who won the Socrates Award in Monday's Ballon d'Or ceremony for his humanitarian work, has won nine trophies at Real, including two league titles along with the Champions League in 2022 and two FIFA Club World Cup trophies.

Persons: Vinicius Jr, Vini, Real, Trevor Stynes, Ken Ferris Organizations: Real, Flamengo, Madrid, Champions League, FIFA Club, Thomson Locations: MADRID, Brazil

☆ Spain's state fund considers taking Telefonica stake after STC move
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The logo of Spanish Telecom company is displayed atop the company's building in Madrid, Spain, September 6, 2023. Acting Economy Minister Nadia Calvino has said Madrid will carry out a thorough evaluation before approving STC's stake, while acting labour minister Yolanda Diaz has called for the transaction to be blocked. Spain's SEPI said in a stock market filing on Tuesday that it was carrying out an "exploratory internal analysis over a potential acquisition" of a stake in Telefonica. STC declined to comment on any potential plans by SEPI. Caixabank, which owns 3.5% stake of Telefonica, said last week it would not raise its stake in response to STC's move, and would analyse with Telefonica any potential cooperation with the Saudi Arabian telecoms company.

Persons: Violeta Santos Moura, Spanish telco Caixabank, SEPI, Nadia Calvino, Yolanda Diaz, Spain's SEPI, Belen Gualda Gonzalez, Onur Genc, It's, Genc, Inti Landauro, Pietro Lombardi, Louise Heavens, Alexander Smith Organizations: Spanish Telecom, REUTERS, BBVA, Telefonica Bank, Telefonica MADRID, Telefonica, Saudi, STC, Saudi Arabia's, SEPI, Thomson Locations: Madrid, Spain, Spanish, Saudi Arabian

☆ BBVA's Q3 net profit rises 13% boosted by Spain and Mexico
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Jesús Aguado | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Jon Nazca/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSummaryCompanies Q3 net profit up 13% to 2.1 bln euros, slightly above forecastsQ3 NII up 22.5% to 6.4 bln euros, beating forecastsEnds quarter with capital ratio of 12.73%MADRID, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Spain's BBVA (BBVA.MC) on Tuesday posted a 13% rise in third-quarter net profit rose 13% buoyed by higher lending income in its main markets, Spain and Mexico. The third-biggest euro zone lender by market value booked a net profit of 2.08 billion euros ($2.20 billion) for the July to September period. The bottom line was slightly better than the 2 billion euros forecast by analysts polled by Reuters despite a 29% increase in loan loss provisions, which came in a bit above expectations. In Mexico, the bank's net profit rose 21% while NII climbed 30% supported by higher lending activity despite higher funding costs. In Spain, net profit rose 75%, while NII was up 62%.

Persons: Jon Nazca, NII, Jesús, Inti Landauro, Jason Neely Organizations: BBVA, REUTERS, Spain's BBVA, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Malaga, Spain, MADRID, Mexico, Europe

[1/5] Spain's Princess Leonor arrives to swear an oath to the constitution at the parliament in Madrid, Spain, October 31, 2023. Those surveyed then gave Felipe VI an average score of 4.34 out of ten. Juan Carlos also did not attend Tuesday's ceremony. Juan Carlos has declined to comment on the various allegations of wrongdoing. Opponents of the monarchy see Juan Carlos' coronation in 1975 as illegitimate, saying he had been groomed to succeed dictator Francisco Franco.

Persons: Leonor, Susana Vera, Princess Leonor, King Felipe VI, Unidas Podemos, Sinaptica, Felipe VI, Juan Carlos I, Juan Carlos, Francisco Franco, David Latona, Andrei Khalip, Andrew Heavens Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, for Sociological Studies, Thomson Locations: Madrid, Spain, Rights MADRID, Wales, Catalonia, Basque, Galicia, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi

☆ Spain's Catholic Church apologises for sexual abuse, disputes scale of problem
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Garcia-Salmones told Reuters he hoped the findings of the independent report on the abuse of minors in the Catholic... Acquire Licensing Rights Read moreMADRID, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Spain's Catholic Church on Tuesday apologised to victims of sexual abuse by priests, but questioned the accuracy of a new survey that suggested such abuse was far more widespread nationwide than previous investigations have found. The Church has faced sexual abuse scandals in several countries including the United States, Ireland and France over past decades. But the issue only surfaced for public debate in Spain, where nearly 60% of people describe themselves as Catholic, following a landmark media investigation in 2021. An internal Church investigation published in June identified 728 alleged sexual abusers among Spain's clergy and 927 victims since the 1940s. Reporting by Emma Pinedo and Inti Landauro, editing by Andrei Khalip and John StonestreetOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Fernando Garcia, Garcia, Salmones, Cardinal Juan Jose Omella, Francisco Garcia, Emma Pinedo, Inti, Andrei Khalip, John Stonestreet Organizations: Reuters, Catholic, Bishops ' Conference, The, Conference, Thomson Locations: Madrid, Spain, MADRID, United States, Ireland, France, El Pais

☆ Spain's Princess Leonor Swears Allegiance to Divided Nation on Her 18th Birthday
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

The ceremony in parliament marked her coming of age, meaning she will now directly become queen after her father King Felipe VI, assuming he does not go on to have any male children. Those surveyed then gave Felipe VI an average score of 4.34 out of ten. Juan Carlos also did not attend Tuesday's ceremony. Juan Carlos has declined to comment on the various allegations of wrongdoing. Opponents of the monarchy see Juan Carlos' coronation in 1975 as illegitimate, saying he had been groomed to succeed dictator Francisco Franco.

Persons: David Latona MADRID, Princess Leonor, King Felipe VI, Unidas Podemos, Sinaptica, Felipe VI, Juan Carlos I, Juan Carlos, Francisco Franco, David Latona, Andrei Khalip, Andrew Heavens Organizations: for Sociological Studies Locations: Wales, Spain, Catalonia, Basque, Galicia, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi

MADRID (AP) — The heir to the Spanish throne, Princess Leonor, swore allegiance to her country's Constitution on her 18th birthday Tuesday, laying the groundwork for her eventual succession as queen when the time comes. Leonor de Borbón Ortiz recited the same oath as her father did when he — then prince — turned 18 in 1986. Leonor became crown princess when Felipe VI was proclaimed king on June 19, 2014. The royal family — Leonor, younger sister Sofia, Felipe and Queen Letizia — arrived at the parliament building escorted by a mounted squadron of Spain's Royal Guard. Juan Carlos, 85, who abdicated in 2014, left Spain for Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, in 2020 amid a cloud of financial scandals.

Persons: Princess Leonor, Leonor de Borbón Ortiz, —, “, ”, Leonor, Felipe VI, ” Leonor, — Leonor, Sofia, Felipe, Queen Letizia —, King Juan Carlos, Leonor’s, Juan Carlos, Queen Sofía, it’s, Letizia, Gen, Francisco Franco, Juan de Borbón, Alfonso XIII, Franco, Princess, Joseph Wilson Organizations: MADRID, Deputies, Spain's Royal Guard, Royce, United Arab, Asturias Foundation, Associated Press Locations: parliament's, Madrid, Basque, Catalan, Galician, Pardo, Spain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Switzerland, Second Republic, Zaragoza, Wales, Barcelona

☆ North Korea closes multiple embassies around the world
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Hyonhee Shin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The North Korean flag flutters at the North Korea consular office in Dandong, Liaoning province, China April 20, 2021. Both Angola and Uganda have forged friendly ties with North Korea since the 1970s, maintaining military cooperation and providing rare sources of foreign currency such as statue-building projects. "This can be a sign of North Korea's difficult economic situation, where it is difficult to maintain even minimal diplomatic relations with traditionally friendly countries." North Korea has formal relations with 159 countries, but had 53 diplomatic missions overseas, including three consulates and three representative offices, until it pulled out of Angola and Uganda, according to the ministry. Correspondence with the Spanish Communist Party released on the party's website showed the North Korean embassy announcing the closing in a letter dated Oct. 26.

Persons: Tingshu Wang, KCNA, Chad O'Carroll, Kim Jong, Hyonhee Shin, Hyunsu Yim, hyang Choi, Josh Smith, Gerry Doyle, Ed Davies Organizations: North, REUTERS, Rights, NK Pro, Spanish Communist Party, North Korean, Thomson Locations: North Korea, Dandong, Liaoning province, China, Rights SEOUL, Spain, Hong Kong, Africa, Korean, Angola, Uganda, Korea, Italy, Madrid, Pyongyang, United States

☆ Let’s quit the talking and deliver at Euro 2024, says Bellingham
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Bellingham, 20, has been in ominous form with Real after joining from Borussia Dortmund during the close season, scoring 13 goals from 13 competitive matches. "Really grateful to Dortmund for the opportunities they gave me over the years to be a leading player," Bellingham told Reuters after receiving the trophy at the Ballon d'Or ceremony. Bellingham now hopes to win the Champions League and Euro 2024 with England, who he hopes will finally claim a major trophy in modern times. "Definitely confident, definitely (England are) one of the favourites going into the (Euro 2024) tournament. "It’s important that we quit the talking and finally perform for our fans."

Persons: Jude Bellingham, Stephanie Lecocq, Bellingham, I’ve, Julien Pretot, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Soccer Football, Chatelet Theatre, Rights, Real Madrid, Real, Borussia Dortmund, Reuters, Champions League, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, England, Bellingham, Dortmund

☆ Vinicius vows to continue fight against racism as he wins Socrates Award
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"I will remain strong in the fight against racism," said the Brazilian, who received the award from the Prince of Monaco. "It is a very sad thing to talk about racism nowadays, but we have to continue in the fight so that people suffer less. "Very happy to receive this award and to help many children in Brazil. He put Brazil on a different level and people respect Brazilian players thanks to the great legacy he left," Vinicius said. Reporting by Fernando Kallas; additional reporting by Janina Nuno Rios Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, Prince Albert II of Monaco, Stephanie Lecocq, Vinicius Jr, Vinicius, Prince of Monaco, Pele, " Vinicius, Vini, Fernando Kallas, Janina Nuno Rios, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Soccer Football, Chatelet Theatre, Rights, Real Madrid, Real, Vini Jr . Institute, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Brazil

☆ Ballon d’Or: Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmatí win men’s and women’s awards
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( George Ramsay | Patrick Sung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Lionel Messi won a record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or on Monday, while Barcelona and Spain star Aitana Bonmatí won the Ballon d’Or Féminin – the annual soccer awards celebrating the best players in the men’s and women’s game. This [award] is also for you, I share it with you and with all of Argentina.”Barça and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati receives the Woman Ballon d'Or award during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony on October 30. “I’m very proud to receive the Ballon d’Or tonight. In both places, I have the best teammates next to me that make me better every day.”Aitana Bonmatí has won the Ballon d'Or Féminin for the first time. Barcelona Femení won Women’s Club of the Year for its standout year, which included three titles – Liga F, the Spanish Super Cup and the Women’s Champions League – and having a roster which included six Ballon d’Or Féminin nominees, including the winner, Bonmatí.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Ballon d’Or, Aitana Bonmatí, Féminin, Messi, Ballon, Erling Haaland, Germain, Kylian, “, I’ve, ”, David Beckham, Aitana, ” Messi, Odd Andersen, Diego Maradona, Diego, Maradona, ” Barça, Aitana Bonmati, Franck Fife, ” Bonmatí, Novak Djokovic, haven’t, ” Aitana Bonmatí, Javier Borrego, Alexia Putellas, Sam Kerr, Bonmatí’s, Salma Paralluelo, Jude Bellingham, Gerd Müller, Stefan Wermuth, Pep Guardiola’s, Barcelona Femení, d’Or Féminin, Bonmatí, Ballon d’Or Lionel Messi, Argentina Ballon, Spain Gerd Müller, Striker, Emiliano Martínez, Socrates, Vinícius Jr Organizations: CNN, Argentina’s, Inter Miami star’s, Manchester City, Paris Saint, Inter Miami, Argentina –, Copa América, Getty, Argentina national, …, Copa, France Football, Barcelona, Liga, League, Wolfsburg, world’s, FC Barcelona, Europa Press, Chelsea, Roja, Bellingham, Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, German, FA, Men’s Club, pipping Inter Milan, Women’s Club, Spanish, Women’s, League –, Norway Yashin, Aston Villa, Argentina Kopa, Real, Brazil Men’s Club, Year Manchester City Women’s Club Locations: Barcelona, Spain, Paris, Argentina, Qatar, Argentine, AFP, Australia, New Zealand, Barça, Spanish, Bellingham, Los, Madrid, El Clásico, Manchester, Istanbul, Bonmatí, Manchester City, Norway, Real Madrid, Brazil

☆ Celtic midfielder Hatate sidelined two months with hamstring injury
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 30 (Reuters) - Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate will be out until after Christmas after picking up a hamstring injury in their Champions League 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid, coach Brendan Rodgers said on Monday. "We are not 100 per cent on the exact timings, but he is certainly going to be out until after Christmas, we think," said Rodgers. Hatate, who last month signed a contract extension with Celtic until 2028, also missed six weeks last season with the same injury to his other leg, and was out a month with a calf injury earlier this campaign. They face the same opponent on Jan. 2, when Hatate could return to action. Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Reo Hatate, Brendan Rodgers, Rodgers, Hatate, Janina Nuno Rios, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Celtic, Champions League, Atletico Madrid, Atletico, St Mirren, Scottish, Wednesday, Thomson Locations: Japan, Mexico

Search resuls for: "madrid"

25 mentions found