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☆ Russia hits Ukrainian port and grain facilities in air strikes
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Firefighters work near damaged trucks following a Russian strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, at a location given as Odesa region, Ukraine, in this handout picture released September 26, 2023. Odesa Regional Military Administration/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsSummary Russia carries out new air strikes in UkraineUkraine says grain and port facilities struckSuch attacks have increased since Moscow quit grain dealKYIV, Sept 26 (Reuters) - Russia hit Ukrainian port infrastructure and grain storage facilities in an overnight drone strike on the grain exporting district of Izmail, Ukrainian officials said on Tuesday. The two-hour attack was the latest strike on Ukrainian grain and port facilities since July, when Russia quit a grain deal that had ensured safe Ukrainian shipments via the Black Sea to help combat a global food crisis. The military said 26 of the 38 Iranian-made attack drones launched by Russia at Ukraine overnight had been shot down. OTHERS REGIONS ATTACKEDIt said that in addition to the Odesa region, the Mykolaiv region, Kherson and Kirovohrad regions had also come under fire.

Persons: Oleh Kiper, Reni, Anna Pruchnicka, Lidia Kelly, Michael Perry, Timothy Heriatge Organizations: Firefighters, Odesa, Administration, Handout, REUTERS Acquire, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Ukraine Ukraine, Moscow, KYIV, Russia, Izmail, Ukraine's, Romania, Mykolaiv, Kherson, Kirovohrad, Kryvyi, Cherkasy, Kyiv, Crimea, Russia's Kursk, Kursk, Melbourne

☆ Russia, US Trade Diplomatic Blame Over Instability in Karabakh Crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

(Reuters) - Moscow and Washington have accused each other of destabilising the South Caucuses region, as thousands of ethnic Armenians fled their homes in Nagorno-Karabakh over ethnic cleansing fears. "I do think that Russia has shown that it is not a security partner that can be relied on," U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters. Thousands of ethnic Armenians fled the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh by Monday after their fighters were defeated by Azerbaijan in last week's lightning military operation. Baku has promised to protect the rights of the roughly 120,000 Armenians who call Karabakh home but many refuse to accept its assurances. Moscow has said Armenia only had itself to blame for Azerbaijan's victory over Karabakh because it flirted with the West rather than working with Moscow and Baku for peace.

Persons: Anatoly Antonov, Vladimir Putin, Matthew Miller, Nikol Pashinyan, Samantha Power, Yuri, theArmenians, Lidia Kelly, Michael Perry Organizations: Reuters, US State Department, U.S . State Department, Monday, Azerbaijan, Karabakh, Armenia's, U.S . Agency for International Development, USAID, . State, U.S, aMoscow Locations: Moscow, Washington, Nagorno, Karabakh, Armenia, Russia, Soviet Union, Ukraine, U.S, Baku, South Caucasus, United States, Turkey, Iran, Europe, Azerbaijan, aroundNagorno, Melbourne

☆ Rapinoe brings the curtain down on her fabled international career
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"It has been such an honour to be able to wear this shirt, play with all these players and live out my childhood dream," Rapinoe said at the end of the game. With 203 caps and 63 goals for her national team, the veteran played in four World Cups, winning in 2015 and 2019, and helped the U.S. to claimed the Olympic gold at the 2012 London Games. Her activism and off-field personality brought her to achieve household fame after supporting causes such as LGBT+ rights, speaking out against racism and standing up for equal pay in women's soccer. Rapinoe is scheduled to play her last National Women's Soccer League regular-season game with OL Reign on Oct. 6 against Washington Spirit in Seattle. Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City; Editing by Michael PerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, Alex Morgan, Emily Sonnett, Ballon, Lindsey Horan, Rapinoe, Angelica Medina, Michael Perry Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, REUTERS, South Africa, Soldier, Trinity Rodman's, Ballon d'Or, Women's Soccer League, Washington Spirit, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Sweden, United States, Melbourne, Australia, U.S, Chicago, soccer, Seattle, Mexico City

☆ Turkey's Erdogan to meet Azeri's Aliyev as thousands flee Karabakh
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/David Ghahramanyan Acquire Licensing RightsSept 25 (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan is to meet his ally Azeri President Ilham Aliyev on Monday, as thousands of ethnic Armenians began an exodus from Nagorno-Karabakh after Azerbaijan defeated the breakaway region's fighters last week. Erdogan will pay a one-day visit to Azerbaijan's autonomous Nakhchivan exclave - a strip of Azeri territory nestled between Armenia, Iran and Turkey - to discuss with Aliyev the situation in the Karabakh region, the Turkish president's office said. The Armenians of Karabakh, a territory internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan but previously beyond its control, were forced into a ceasefire last week after a 24-hour military operation by the much-larger Azerbaijani military. Erdogan, who backed the Azeris with weaponry in the 2020 conflict, said last week he supported the aims of the Azerbaijan's latest military operation but played no part in it. The Karabakh Armenians are not accepting Azerbaijan's promise to guarantee their rights as the region is integrated.

Persons: David Ghahramanyan, Tayyip Erdogan, Ilham Aliyev, Erdogan, Aliyev, David Babayan, Samvel Shahramanyan, Lidia Kelly, Michael Perry Organizations: Residents, REUTERS, Karabakh, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Stepanakert, Nagorno, Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Nakhchivan, Armenia, Iran, Turkey, Turkish, Khankendi, United States, Republic of Artsakh, Melbourne

☆ Exclusive: Senior US officials traveling to Armenia as Karabakh's Armenians start to leave
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Daphne Psaledakis | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] Refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh region arrive at a temporary accommodation centre in the town of Goris, Armenia, September 25, 2023. Power will meet with senior government officials and will "affirm U.S. support for Armenia’s democracy, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity and commitment to address humanitarian needs stemming from Nagorno-Karabakh," the official said. Thousands of Karabakh Armenians have been left without food. In 2020, after decades of skirmishes, Azerbaijan, backed by Turkey, won a 44-day Second Karabakh War, recapturing territory in and around Karabakh. That war ended with a Russian-brokered peace deal that Armenians accuse Moscow of failing to guarantee.

Persons: Irakli, Samantha Power, Yuri Kim, Nikol Pashinyan, Daphne Psaledakis, Donna Bryson, Michael Perry Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Biden, U.S, Reuters, U.S . Agency for International Development, . State, USAID, Karabakh, International Committee, Thomson Locations: Nagorno, Karabakh, Goris, Armenia, Soviet, Europe, United States, Azerbaijan, Russia, Soviet Union, Turkey, Russian, Moscow

FILE PHOTO-Volker Turk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, attends the Human Rights Council at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland February 27, 2023. Hanoi police on Sept. 15 detained Ngo Thi To Nhien, Executive Director of the Vietnam Initiative for Energy Transition (VIET), an independent think tank focused on green energy policy, Reuters reported last week citing a charity and a source. Nhien had worked for the World Bank, with the United Nations Development Programme and the United States aid agency (USAID), according to her profile on LinkedIn. She "has participated in international and national events, including consultations organized by UNDP on the topic of energy transition," the UNDP in Vietnam confirmed in an email message to Reuters. Phil Robertson, Deputy Asia Director at Human Rights Watch, said Manh had a strong alibi which was disregarded.

Persons: Volker Turk, Denis Balibouse, U.N, Joe Biden, Ngo Thi, Nhien, Le Van Manh, Phil Robertson, Manh, Francesco Guarascio @fraguarascio, Michael Perry Organizations: United Nations, Human Rights, REUTERS, Rights, Vietnam Initiative for Energy, Reuters, UN, World Bank, USAID, LinkedIn, UNDP, European, Asia, Thomson Locations: Geneva, Switzerland, Rights HANOI, Hanoi, United States, Vietnam

Republican candidates are gearing up for the second GOP presidential debate, as they look to chip away at former President Donald Trump’s comfortable lead with less than four months before the first nominating contest. After a raucous first debate in Milwaukie last month, the candidates are set to return to the debate stage for a two-hour event at 9 p.m. To qualify for the second debate, a candidate must poll at least 3% in two national polls or 3% in one national poll and one poll from an early state poll in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada or South Carolina, according to rules set by the Republican National Committee. In addition to the polling and fundraising requirements, the candidates must also have taken a loyalty pledge in order to participate in the debate, which all eight candidates who participated in the first debate completed. With that pledge, which has been somewhat controversial among the candidates, GOP presidential hopefuls must sign a statement that they will support the eventual Republican nominee.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Trump, Donald Trump, Julie Bennett, Ron DeSantis, Rebecca S, Gratz, Tim Scott, Charles Krupa, Nikki Haley, Alex Brandon, Vivek Ramaswamy, Michael M, Chris Christie, Doug Burgum, Scott Olson, Mike Pence, Jacquelyn Martin, Asa Hutchinson, Larry Elder, Perry Johnson, SERGIO FLORES, Ryan Binkley, Will Hurd, Steve Laffey Organizations: Republican National Committee, Republican, Trump –, Donald Trump Former, The Washington, Getty, United Nations, New Jersey, Asa Hutchinson Former Arkansas, Larry Elder Conservative, AFP, Ryan Binkley Business, Cranston Locations: Milwaukie, Simi Valley , California, Iowa , New Hampshire , Nevada, South Carolina, Ron DeSantis Florida, Carolina, New, Dakota, Texas, Rhode Island

☆ Russia's missile, drone attack on Odesa injures one, damages port - Ukraine's military
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A firefighter works at a site of a hotel damaged by a Russian military attack, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Odesa, Ukraine September 25, 2023. Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Odesa region/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsSept 25 (Reuters) - One woman was injured and buildings and port infrastructure were severely damaged in Russia's overnight missile and drone attack on the port of Odesa in southern Ukraine, Ukraine's military said on Monday. Ukraine's south military command posted on its Telegram messaging app several pictures showing a high-rise building with blown up windows and severe damage to its structure. Separately, the ministry said that four other drones were destroyed overnight over Russia's Kursk and Belgorod regions. Reporting by Lidia Kelly and Anna Pruchnicka; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Michael PerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Oleh Kiper, Kryvyi Rih, Oleksandr Vilkul, Lidia Kelly, Anna Pruchnicka, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Michael Perry Organizations: Press, State Emergency Service of Ukraine, REUTERS Acquire, Firefighters, Air Force, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Odesa, Russia, Black, Ukrainian, Kryvyi, Crimean, Kursk, Belgorod

☆ UN Worried About Vietnam Arrest of Energy Expert After Biden's Visit
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Francesco GuarascioHANOI (Reuters) - The U.N. human rights office has expressed concern about the arrest of a Vietnamese green energy expert, who had collaborated with U.N. and U.S. agencies, just days after President Joe Biden signed business and human rights deals with Hanoi on a visit. Hanoi police on Sept. 15 detained Ngo Thi To Nhien, Executive Director of the Vietnam Initiative for Energy Transition (VIET), an independent think tank focused on green energy policy, Reuters reported last week citing a charity and a source. She "has participated in international and national events, including consultations organized by UNDP on the topic of energy transition," the UNDP in Vietnam confirmed in an email message to Reuters. Vietnam's government has not issued any public statement about Nhien's arrest, and did not reply to requests for comment. Phil Robertson, Deputy Asia Director at Human Rights Watch, said Manh had a strong alibi which was disregarded.

Persons: Francesco Guarascio HANOI, U.N, Joe Biden, Ngo Thi, Nhien, Le Van Manh, Phil Robertson, Manh, Francesco Guarascio @fraguarascio, Michael Perry Organizations: Vietnam Initiative for Energy, Reuters, UN, Human Rights, World Bank, United Nations, USAID, LinkedIn, UNDP, European, Asia Locations: Hanoi, United States, Vietnam

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Usher has a new confession: The Grammy winner will headline the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in Las Vegas. The NFL, Apple Music and Roc Nation announced Sunday that Usher would lead the halftime festivities from Allegiant Stadium on Feb. 11. “It’s an honor of a lifetime to finally check a Super Bowl performance off my bucket list,” Usher said in a statement. Usher is expected to wrap up his Las Vegas residency in early December before he makes his Super Bowl halftime appearance a couple months later. Usher will join a list of celebrated musicians who have played during Super Bowl halftime shows including Beyoncé, Madonna, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Coldplay, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, U2, Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson and Katy Perry.

Persons: — Usher, Usher, “, ” Usher, Ray Charles ’, ”, Ludacris, Lil Jon, Alicia Keys, He's, NBC’s, “ Hustlers, Roc, Jay, ” “, he’s, Jeezy, Usher bares, ” Jay, Jesse Collins, Hamish Hamilton, It’s, Rihanna, Oliver Schusser, Beyoncé, Dre, Snoop Dogg, Coldplay, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, Katy Perry, “ Usher, Seth Dudowsky Organizations: ANGELES, Apple Music, NFL, Apple, Roc Nation, Allegiant, Loves, Las, Roc, Super, of Music Locations: Las Vegas, superstardom, U.S, Paris

☆ Opinion: The 2,000-year-old advice for coping in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( Richard Galant | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +21 min

We’re looking back at the strongest, smartest opinion takes of the week from CNN and other outlets. A surprising number claimed to think about the ancient empire as often as ‘every day’ or least every week or two. It became a meme (are you even in a relationship if she hasn’t asked you about the Roman Empire? They marvel at their absolute dominion, their mastery of every strand of civilisation — and then how that power suddenly slipped away. Biden on Wednesday took steps to speed up the ability of Venezuelans in the US to obtain work permits.

Persons: CNN —, ”, Lucius Annaeus Seneca, Seneca, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Bobby McFerrin’s musing, David M, Perry, hasn’t, Jo Ellison, —, Marcus Aurelius, that’s, David Perry, “ There’s, ” Perry, Paula M, Krebs, “, Donald Trump’s, Ron DeSantis, Trump, …, ’, ” Cupp, Roe, Wade, Cupp, he’s, Dean Obeidallah, Trump’s, Patrick T, Brown, Bill Bramhall, Content Agency Rupert Murdoch, Rupert Murdoch, Lachlan Murdoch, David Zurawik, Rupert, Murdoch, Roger Ailes, Richard Nixon, ” Murdoch “, Walt Handelsman, Kevin McCarthy, Max Burns, Donald Trump, today’s MAGA, ” Clay Jones, Chuck Schumer, Elena Sheppard, Sen, John Fetterman, baring, Fetterman, Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Putin, Kim Yo Jong, Sung, Yoon Lee, “ Kim Yo Jong, Kim, Kim Jong, ” “, Hunter Biden isn’t, Alexis Coe, George Washington’s, James Madison, Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, George H.W, Bush, Hunter, … Hunter, Joe Biden, Biden, Peter Bergen, Mike Pence, … Biden, Bergen, ” Lisa Benson, Martin Sheen, Melissa Fitzgerald, Gurney, John F, Melissa, Andy, Michael Bociurkiw, ” Bociurkiw, Volodymyr Zelensky “, Zelensky, Lanhee J, Chen, ” Chen, Keir Giles, It’ll, Jennifer Wexton, Barbara Comstock, Alex Brandon, Jill Filipovic, Democrat “, ” Wexteon “, Eric Adams, Julian Zelizer . Biden, ” Don’t, David Horsey, Agency Frida Ghitis, Agatha Christie, China Adam H, Sobel, Holly Thomas, Russell Brand, Akanksha, Dan Perry, Gilead, Netanyahu government’s, Gene Seymour, Jann, Reggie B, Maren Morris, Matt Winkelmeyer, ” Maren Morris, Nicole Hemmer, Morris ’, Morris, Jason Aldean’s “, Oliver Anthony’s “ Rich, Richmond ”, “ Rich, ” Hemmer, Anthony himself, ‘, Hemmer Organizations: CNN, Financial Times, West Virginia University, Modern Language Association, WVU, West Virginia, Republican, Press, Florida Gov, White, Content Agency, Content Agency Rupert Murdoch Media, Fox News, Capitol, Agency, Democratic, fied Republican Party, Republican Party, Justice Department, Qatari, Amnesty International, Kennedy Center, UN, Assembly, CBS, Ukraine’s, Republicans, Democrat, Progressive Supra, GOP, Walton, Mobile, North, Richmond Locations: Rome, Ukraine, TikTok, Roman, Roman Republic, Washington, ”, Korean, North Korea, Iran, Qatar, Russia, Moscow, Kyiv, Dulles , Virginia, Virginia, New York City, United States, China, Las Vegas , Nevada

Doug Burgum appears to have qualified for Wednesday's second GOP primary debate, an NBC News analysis shows. Burgum has been on the outside looking into the second debate with less than a week to go to secure enough support in primary polls to qualify. Burgum appears to have qualified through the latter:The other candidates who appear to have qualified — Florida Gov. Burgum jumped into the GOP presidential race relatively late, without some of the national recognition of some of his rivals. It should be the voters to decide who to support,” Burgum said in New Hampshire.

Persons: Doug Burgum, Burgum, Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, Nikki Haley, Sen, Tim Scott of, Mike Pence, Chris Christie —, Donald Trump, Perry Johnson, Johnson, ” Burgum, “ We’ve Organizations: North Dakota Gov, Wednesday's, NBC, Republican, RNC, Florida Gov, New, New Jersey Gov, GOP Locations: Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Nevada, Tim Scott of South Carolina, New Jersey, Michigan, Milwaukee

☆ New missiles could help Ukraine's future F-16 fighters to take on Russian jets, but the planes will likely be more useful for other missions
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

The Pentagon plans to send highly capable air-to-air missiles that the jets can carry. A US Air Force aircraft fuels craftsman marshals a US F-16 at Rovaniemi Air Base in Finland during Astral Knight 23 Part 6 on August 23, 2023. These capabilities, coupled with its physical design, make the F-16 a formidable opponent for Russian fighter jets like the MiG-31 and Su-35, experts and former pilots say. AdvertisementAdvertisementAn F-16C Fighting Falcon from the 85th Test Evaluation Squadron flies a test mission March 19, 2019 near Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Snodgrass said these missiles are "fairly comparable" to Russian air-to-air missiles like the R-27 and R-77.

Persons: Albert Morel Additionally, John Baum, Baum, it's, Guy Snodgrass, Russia's Su, Joshua Hoskins, Snodgrass, Biden, ANDREY SMIRNOV, Doug Birkey, Evgeniy, we've, Tannehill, ABIS Kayla Hayes, Moscow's, Perry Aston Organizations: Pentagon, Aviation, Service, AIM, US Air Force, Rovaniemi Air Base, Astral, Russian, Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Air Missiles, Air & Space Forces Magazine, Washington, Air Missile, US Navy, Getty, Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, AP, Kyiv, Avionics, 3C Orion, Marine Corps Base, Australian Defense Force, NATO, Army Tactical Missile, Storm, Alabama National, 187th Fighter Wing, Joint Base, Sweden, Gripen Locations: Wall, Silicon, Ukraine, Russian, Finland, Fla, Kyiv, Moscow, Russia, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Crimean, Md, Stockholm

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Louisiana folklorist Nick Spitzer and Mississippi blues musician R.L. Boyce are among nine 2023 National Heritage Fellows set to be celebrated later this month by the National Endowment for the Arts, one of the nation’s highest honors in the folk and traditional arts. He founded the Louisiana Folklife Program, produced the five-LP Louisiana Folklife Recording Series, created the Louisiana Folklife Pavilion at the 1984 World’s Fair in New Orleans and helped launch the Baton Rouge Blues Festival. “But see, I play the old way, and nobody today can play my style, just me.”Boyce has played northern Mississippi blues for more than half a century. He has shared stages with blues greats John Lee Hooker, a 1983 NEA National Heritage Fellow, and Howlin’ Wolf.

Persons: Nick Spitzer, R.L, Boyce, Spitzer, Bess Lomax Hawes, ” Spitzer, Willie Nelson, Ray Charles, Dolly Parton, Fats Domino, “, Hawes, ” Boyce, ”, John Lee Hooker, Howlin ’ Wolf, Jessie Mae Hemphill, Ed Eugene Carriere, Michael A, Cummings, Joe DeLeon “ Little Joe ” Hernandez, Roen, Elizabeth James, Perry, Luis Tapia, Wu Man Organizations: ORLEANS, Heritage Fellows, National Endowment, Arts, Heritage Fellowship, Library of Congress, Washington , D.C, Tulane University’s School of Liberal Arts, Tulane, Louisiana Folklife Program, Louisiana Folklife, Baton Rouge Blues, Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife, Heritage, Associated Press, NEA, Blues, Heritage Fellow Locations: Louisiana, Mississippi, Washington ,, New Orleans, Acadiana, Washington, Indianola , Washington, New York, Temple , Texas, Waimea , Hawaii, Dartmouth , Massachusetts, Santa Fe , New Mexico, Carlsbad , California

CNN —A furious scramble for second place is underway in the crowded Republican primary contest, with candidates vying for an opportunity to directly take on front-runner Donald Trump. Since the 2024 presidential race began, the second-place spot in GOP primary polling has been a coveted one. He was more muted compared with other rivals at last month’s first Republican primary debate in Milwaukee, and he’s now polling at similar levels to several other non-Trump contenders. She said she ultimately intends to take part in the Republican primary and is considering Haley, Christie or former Texas Rep. Will Hurd. This cycle is shaping up to be similar to that, said Kyle Plotkin, a veteran Republican campaign strategist.

Persons: CNN —, Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, Trump, DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, Nikki Haley, Chris Christie, Haley, ”, Ramaswamy, Tom Boyer, “, ” Boyer, Thalia Floras, Christie, Will Hurd, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Rick Perry, Rick Santorum, Kyle Plotkin, “ Everyone’s, ” Plotkin, he’s, David Urban, ” Urban, ‘, It’s, That’s, Brett Doster, ” Doster, Mike, Pence, Vivek Organizations: CNN, Republican, Florida Gov, Trump, University of New, South Carolina Gov, New, New Jersey Gov, GOP, Republicans, Anselm College, Democratic Party, Texas Rep Locations: Florida, Milwaukee, University of New Hampshire, Granite, New Jersey, DeSantis, Iowa , New Hampshire, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Ukraine

☆ Warner Bros to expand British studios' production capacity by over 50%
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( David Lawder | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The exterior of the Warner Bros. REUTERS/Alyssa Pointer/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 21 (Reuters) - Warner Bros Discovery (WBD.O) on Thursday said it planned to expand production capacity at its Leavesden studios near London by more than 50%, adding 10 new sound stages to the facility where much of the "Barbie" blockbuster and HBO's "House of the Dragon" were filmed. Hunt told Reuters in a telephone interview that the investment would total 245 million pounds ($301 million). Warner Bros said it would increase the value of Leavesden's annual film and television production by 200 million pounds ($245.9 million), bringing it to 600 million pounds ($737.6 million a year, Warner Bros Discovery said. Hunt said the Leavesden project "is a huge vote of confidence in the UK" and will benefit from longstanding British tax breaks for local film and television production.

Persons: Alyssa Pointer, Jeremy Hunt, Hunt, Warner Bros, David Lawder, Chris Reese, Michael Perry Organizations: Warner Bros . Discovery, REUTERS, Warner Bros Discovery, British Finance, Reuters, Warner, Warner Bros, Thomson Locations: Warner Bros . Discovery Atlanta, Atlanta , Georgia, U.S, London, Los Angeles, California, Silicon

☆ Philippine issues health warning as volcano brings smog to capital, nearby provinces
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The state volcanology and seismology institute said it observed upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in the Taal volcano's crater lake, resulting in the emission of volcanic gases. The alert remained at level 1 on a five-level scale, denoting a "slight increase in volcanic earthquake, and steam or gas activity". "We have reports of respiratory illnesses in Batangas province due to intoxication from the volcanic smog," Randy Dela Paz, operations section chief at the civil defence's southern Manila office, told DWPM radio. Volcanic smog, or vog, consists of fine droplets containing volcanic gas like sulfur that can cause irritation of the eyes, throat and respiratory tract. Authorities suspended Friday classes in dozens of towns and cities Cavite, Laguna, and Batangas provinces adjacent to Taal volcano, and in five cities in the capital region.

Persons: Randy Dela Paz, Neil Jerome Morales, Michael Perry Organizations: Manila spewed, Thomson Locations: MANILA, Philippine, Manila, Batangas, Philippines, Cavite, Laguna, Taal

☆ Saudi crown prince says he does not care about 'sportswashing' claims
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (not pictured) meets with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, June 7, 2023. "If sportswashing (is) going to increase my GDP by 1%, then we'll continue doing sportswashing," the crown prince told Fox News. Saudi Arabia denies accusations of human rights abuses and says it protects its national security through its laws. When asked specifically about the term "sportswashing", the crown prince said: "I don't care. Saudi Arabia has been hosting a Formula One Grand Prix since 2021 and has also held boxing world title fights.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, we'll, PIF, LIV, Hritika Sharma, Michael Perry Organizations: Saudi Crown, Saudi Royal Court, REUTERS, Saudi Arabian Crown, Fox News, Public Wealth Fund, Premier League, Newcastle United, PGA, Saudi Pro League, Thomson Locations: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Bandar, Saudi, Hyderabad

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy listens during an event to thank Americans for their support of Ukraine in the war with Russia, at the National Archives in Washington, U.S., September 21, 2023. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/file photo Acquire Licensing RightsOTTAWA, Sept 22 (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Friday makes his first visit to close ally Canada, where he is guaranteed a warmer welcome than he received from some U.S. politicians skeptical about providing more military aid. Zelenskiy is due to address parliament in Ottawa and then hold a news conference with Trudeau. "If friends of Ukraine want Ukraine to win the war, then the only way that happens is with renewed and more military support." There are 1.4 million people of Ukrainian descent in Canada, the third most after Ukraine and Russia.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Evelyn Hockstein, Kyiv's, Justin Trudeau, Zelenskiy, Trudeau, Ihor Michalchyshyn, David Perry, David Ljunggren, Deepa Babington Organizations: National Archives, REUTERS, Rights, Ukrainian Canadian Congress, NATO, Canadian, Ottawa, Canadian Global Affairs Institute, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Washington , U.S, Canada, New York, Ottawa, In Washington, United States, Germany

☆ Defence minister's disappearance latest case of missing Chinese official
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Yew Lun Tian | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

BEIJING, Sept 22 (Reuters) - The disappearance of China's Defence Minister Li Shangfu, who is being investigated for corruption, is just the latest recent case in which a senior official in President Xi Jinping's entourage has mysteriously vanished. If the official is from the military, the investigating body is the People's Liberation Army's own Discipline Inspection Commission. LI YUCHAO AND XU ZHONGBO, EX-ROCKET FORCE LEADERSAnother military general missing-in-action is Li Yuchao, 60, who was put in charge of China's conventional and nuclear missiles in January last year. Xu Zhongbo was replaced by an air force general from the Southern Theatre Command. Neither Li Yuchao nor Xu Zhongbo have been seen in public for months.

Persons: Li Shangfu, Xi Jinping's, Qin Gang, LI, China's, Li, QIN, Qin, Xi Jinping, XIAO YAQING, Xiao, XU ZHONGBO, Li Yuchao, Xu Zhongbo, Yew Lun, Antoni Slodkowski, Michael Perry Organizations: China's Defence, Commission, Chinese Communist Party, Foreign, Reuters, Wall Street, Communist Party, FORCE, Rocket Force, Southern Theatre Command, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Beijing, Russia, Belarus, Vietnam, United States

☆ Take Five: An inflationary dilemma
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The week ahead brings more evidence of how much progress is left for developed-economy policymakers, while in the emerging world, India is set to enter the bond-market big time and a raft of central banks wrestle with a dilemma. The personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index rose 3.3% in the 12 months through July. Line chart with data from LSEG Datastream show the U.S.'s inflation on personal consumption expenditures (PCE), core PCE inflation and the federal funds target rate from 2019 to 2023. Reuters Graphics5\ASIA'S CURRENCY CONUNDRUMAsian central banks have a dilemma: how to handle weakening economic growth and peaking inflation, while arresting the slide in currencies to maintain stability in their financial systems. But much may rest on decisions of other central banks further afield, namely the Federal Reserve.

Persons: Lewis Krauskopf, Naomi Rovnick, Karin Strohecker, Amanda Cooper, Perry Warjiyo, Toby Chopra Organizations: Federal, Fed, European Central Bank, ECB, Reuters, CLUB India, JPMorgan, Russell, Bank of, Bank, Thailand, Reserve, Thomson Locations: India, Vidya Ranganathan, Singapore, New York, London, Washington, U.S, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Bank of Indonesia, Philippine

☆ Twice US World Cup champion Ertz bows out
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Sep 21, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; United States midfielder Julie Ertz (8) acknowledges the crowd as she walks the field after the match against South Africa at TQL Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports Acquire Licensing RightsSept 21 (Reuters) - Two-time World Cup champion Julie Ertz bid farewell to professional soccer with a 3-0 U.S. victory over South Africa in a friendly in Cincinnati on Thursday. Ertz, a twice Female Player of the Year who played a key role in the team's World Cup winning campaigns in 2015 and 2019, was given an emotional send off with fans holding up messages of appreciation throughout the contest. Some were hoping that Ertz, who took an 18-month break prior to this year's Women's World Cup to give birth to her son Madden, might be convinced to stay on through next year's Paris Olympics but she said her priorities had changed. "I've got a little boy that I'm exciting to spend my time with," said Ertz, who is married to NFL tight end Zach Ertz.

Persons: Julie Ertz, Aaron Doster, Ertz, Madden, I've, Zach Ertz, Striker Alex Morgan, She's, Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Rory Carroll, Michael Perry Organizations: South, TQL, NFL, Women's Soccer League, Chicago Red Stars, Angel City FC, U.S ., Thomson Locations: Cincinnati , Ohio, USA, United States, South Africa, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, New Zealand, Australia, Chicago

☆ U.S. House Problem Solvers Caucus issues framework to avert gov't shutdowns
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Richard Cowan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

For months, far-right House Republicans have been demanding deeper cuts in federal spending than agreed to in bipartisan legislation this summer. The 64 members of the House's "Problem Solvers Caucus" -- 32 Democrats and 32 Republicans -- issued a statement saying the group had voted to endorse a temporary funding measure that would run through Jan. 11, 2024. "The Problem Solvers’ proposal keeps the government open, addresses our nation’s longer-term fiscal health and includes fiscally responsible measures," said Democratic Representative Josh Gottheimer, a co-chair of the bipartisan caucus. Funding would be set at the $1.59 trillion level approved earlier this year by the president and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The Problem Solvers Caucus plan also calls for new border security controls that would be operational through the end of next year.

Persons: Joe Biden, Josh Gottheimer, Biden, Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, Richard Cowan, Michael Perry Organizations: U.S . House, Wednesday, Republicans, Ukraine, Thomson Locations: U.S, Russian

JPMorgan had handled some Russian grain export payments for a few months with reassurances from Washington. However, that cooperation stopped in early August, said Russia's Foreign Ministry, after Moscow quit the Black Sea grain deal in July. UNDERMINING U.N. EFFORTSU.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council on Wednesday that Russia's bombardment was undermining U.N. efforts to help facilitate Russian food and fertilizer exports. To convince Russia to agree to the Black Sea deal, U.N. officials agreed to help Russian exports reach global markets. "It has led many of those whose goodwill is needed, notably in the private sector, to question whether there is any real interest in re-joining the Black Sea Initiative."

Persons: Morgan, Sarah Meyssonnier, Moscow, James O'Brien, ”, O'Brien, Antonio Guterres, Guterres, Sergei Lavrov, Daphne Psaledakis, Humeyra Pamuk, Michelle Nichols, Michael Perry Organizations: JPMorgan, REUTERS, Washington, State Department, Reuters, Wednesday, Foreign Ministry, State Department's Office, United Nations, Security, Black Sea Initiative, United, Russia's, Russian Foreign Ministry, Guterres, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, U.S, Moscow, Ukraine, Washington, Russia, New York, United Nations, Turkey, United

☆ Trump says if elected again he will send troops to US-Mexico border
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Nathan Layne | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

REUTERS/Scott Morgan Acquire Licensing RightsSept 20 (Reuters) - Former U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that if elected again he would shift resources from federal law enforcement agencies and send thousands of overseas-based troops to the U.S.-Mexico border. Calling record illegal U.S.-Mexico border crossings under President Joe Biden an "invasion," Trump sought to place blame for the problem on the current administration. Biden, a Democrat, is running for re-election and could have a rematch election against the Republican front-runner Trump. "Upon my inauguration I will immediately terminate every open borders policy of the Biden administration," Trump said at a rally in Dubuque. The Dubuque rally was one of two afternoon stops for Trump in Iowa on Wednesday.

Persons: Donald Trump, Scott Morgan, Republican Party's, Trump, Joe Biden, Biden, Ron DeSantis, CBS's Norah O’Donnell, Kim Reynolds, Nathan Layne, Ted Hesson, Colleen Jenkins, Grant McCool, Michael Perry Organizations: U.S, Republican, REUTERS, Former U.S, Democrat, Reuters, Trump, and, Coalition, Press, Iowa, Republicans, Thomson Locations: Dubuque , Iowa, U.S, Former, Mexico, Iowa, Dubuque, Central, Florida, Des Moines, ”, Wilton , Connecticut, Washington

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