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☆ Exclusive: H&M probes Myanmar factory abuses as pressure intensifies
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | 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

The BHRRC has been tracking allegations of workers' rights abuses in garment factories since the military junta took power in Myanmar, plunging it into political and humanitarian crisis. There have been 21 cases of alleged abuses linked to Inditex suppliers over the two-year period, and 20 linked to H&M suppliers, according to the report. The Myanmar Garment Manufacturing Association did not reply to a request for comment. It expects its final orders from Myanmar suppliers to ship before the end of this year, but has also increased its presence on the ground. H&M and Bestseller are among 18 brands that are part of the European Union-funded MADE project aimed at improving labour conditions in Myanmar's garment factories.

Persons: Inditex, Spencer, Primark, we've, Karina Ufert, Vicky Bowman, Bowman, Helen Reid, Vanessa O'Connell, Marguerita Choy, Emelia Organizations: Reuters, Zara, Human Rights Resource, Myanmar Labour News, Myanmar Garment Manufacturing Association, Ethical Trade, European Union, European Chamber of Commerce, Myanmar Centre, Responsible Business, Thomson Locations: Myanmar, British, MYANMAR Spanish, Danish

That's down from 13% of Nike's women's team products which sold out during the same tournament in 2019, the data shows. For that reason, marketers must bear in mind the risk that the growing fanbase could see their support for women's soccer as disingenuous. To recognize the impact grassroots teams have in creating excitement about women's soccer, Adobe's ad also featured London-based community women's soccer clubs Peaches FC and Baesianz FC, said Sabina Strasser, Senior Director, Brand Experience EMEA at Adobe. Sporting goods retailer Fanatics has more than 475 U.S. women's team products for sale this year, up from about 175 in 2019, the company told Reuters. As of Monday, the generic Adidas Women's World Cup soccer ball was among its top sellers in FIFA World Cup Gear.

Persons: Sam Kerr, Carl Recine, Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, Grace Geyoro, Martine Rose, Nike's, Jan Runau, Yvonne Henderson, Bob Dorfman, England's Lionesses, Mary Earps, Bjorn Gulden, Sabina Strasser, Amy Tennery, Sheila Dang, Kate Masters, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: Soccer, Nike FC, REUTERS, Adidas, misstep, U.S, Nike, FIFA, Sporting Goods, Women's, Asisat, United States Women’s, Pricing, In, Pinnacle Advertising, Germany's Bayern Munich women's, Peaches FC, Baesianz FC, Brand, EMEA, Adobe, Sporting, Reuters, U.S ., Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, AUCKLAND, New Zealand, DICK's, U.S, French, Barcelona, England, Sweden, Spain, Tuesday's, Germany, London, Auckland, Dallas , Texas, New York

Bangkok, Thailand CNN —Two estranged sons of Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn said Monday they hoped to return to the country soon after an unexpected visit that has fueled speculation among many in the kingdom. Since I have returned to Thailand this time, I have received warmth from everyone I met. Their return sparked interest among many in the kingdom and drove speculation that the sons may officially be welcomed back into the royal family, after almost three decades of estrangement. Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse visits the Foundation for Slum Child Care supported by the Royal Family, in Bangkok on August 8. Their sister Princess Sirivannavari was later welcomed back to Thailand following their estrangement and is a fashion designer and equestrian.

Persons: Thailand CNN —, Thailand’s, Maha Vajiralongkorn, “, ”, Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, ” Vacharaesorn, Thais, Chakriwat Vivacharawongse, Prince Mahidol –, Athit Perawongmetha, Chakriwat, –, King Vajiralongkorn, Vajiralongkorn, Yuvadhida Polpraserth, Sirivannavari, King, Bajrakitiyabha, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Srirasmi, Queen Suthida Organizations: Thailand CNN, Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi, Siriraj Hospital, Foundation for Slum Child, Reuters, CNN, Yuvadhida, King’s Royal Guard Command Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Bangkok’s, United States

☆ Tasers, taunts, torment: What we know about the hours of horror 2 Black men suffered at the hands of a self-described 'Goon Squad'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( Emma Tucker | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Dedmon, Opdyke and Elward broke open the carport door and Hartfield kicked open the back door. Entering the home without a warrant, the officers encountered two Black men: Eddie Parker and Michael Jenkins. The abuse continued in a bedroom, where Opdyke, Middleton, Dedmon and McAlpin assaulted Parker with pieces of wood and a metal sword. Dedmon, Middleton, Hartfield and Elward then began to tase the two men repeatedly to see “which (Taser) was the most powerful,” the document said. Attorneys for Middleton, Elward and Hartfield declined to comment on the case.

Persons: Christian Dedmon, Hunter Elward, Jeffrey Middleton, Daniel Opdyke, Brett McAlpin, White, Dedmon, ” Dedmon, Joshua Hartfield, McAlpin, Jerome DeLoach, Elward, Hartfield, Eddie Parker, Michael Jenkins, Parker, Jenkins, —, Mary Helen Wall, Kristen Clarke, tased, Brett McAlpin Forrest, Jenkins –, Opdyke, defecated, Jeffrey Middleton Jerome DeLoach, Elward’s Taser, Middleton, Daniel Opdyke Jerome DeLoach, Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey, CNN Parker, Sheriff Bailey, Joshua Hartfield orrest, “, ”, Jeffery Reynolds, Bailey, CNN’s Ryan Young, ” Parker, “ You’re, ” Jenkins, he’s, I’m Organizations: CNN, Justice Department, Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, Adult Detention, Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, Mississippi Department of Public, Rankin, Detention, Mississippi Attorney General’s, Dedmon Locations: Rankin County , Mississippi, Braxton, Jackson, Mississippi, Rankin County, Black, Opdyke, Middleton, Dedmon, Hartfield, McAlpin, Elward

☆ Finns Party mastermind defends long-term goal to leave the EU
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-12 | by ( Anne Kauranen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Opinion polls show the hardline former party leader is unlikely to win the presidency, but his views are influential within the Finns Party, which is part of the right-wing government that took office in June. Delegates at the weekend conference discussed the party's EU stance in light of the Ukraine war and its governing alliance with pro-EU allies. The Finns Party backed the country joining NATO this year. The Finns Party congress also rejected the EU's proposed Nature Restoration Law, with Tavio calling it "a sad example of the acceleration of the EU's dictatorial policy under the guise of climate change". The Finns Party has suffered two setbacks in recent weeks.

Persons: Jussi Halla, Anne Kauranen HELSINKI, Party's Jussi Halla, aho, Halla, Ville Tavio, Vilhelm Junnila, Riikka Purra, Anne Kauranen, Justyna Pawlak, Hugh Lawson, Helen Popper Our Organizations: REUTERS, European Union, Saturday ., Finns Party, EU, Reuters, NATO, Foreign Trade, Restoration, Thomson Locations: Helsinki, Finland, Ukraine, EU, Western Europe, Europe, Halla

☆ Migrant boat crossing Channel from France capsizes, at least six dead
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-12 | by ( Pascal Rossignol | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] "Notre Dame du Risban", an SNSM lifeboat, enters the port of Calais following a rescue operation after a migrant boat trying to cross the Channel from France capsized, in Calais, France, August 12, 2023. REUTERS/Pascal RossignolCALAIS, France, Aug 12 (Reuters) - At least six people died and more than 50 were rescued after a migrant boat trying to cross the Channel from France capsized early on Saturday, local authorities said. "There were too many of them on the (migrant) boat," she told Reuters by phone as she returned to the shore. Thorel, who shared a picture of migrants on the rescue boat, wrapped in survival blankets, said no one died on the boat she was involved with rescuing. UK government figures show that the number of migrant Channel crossings since the start of 2018 exceeded 100,000 this week.

Persons: du Risban, Pascal Rossignol, Franck Dhersin, Sangatte, Anne Thorel, Elisabeth Borne, Herve Berville, Rishi Sunak's, Suella Braverman, Ingrid Melander, Tangi Salaun, Christian Hartmann, David Miliken, Helen Popper, Ros Russell Organizations: REUTERS, Local, Reuters, Maritime Affairs, Britain's coastguard, coastguard, Border Force, British coastguard, Conservative Party, Thomson Locations: Calais, France, Britain, Thorel, Dover, Paris, London

☆ Ukraine starts registering ships for Black Sea corridor - agency
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A grain ship carrying Ukrainian grain is seen in the Black Sea, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near Ukrainian port of Odesa, Ukraine November 2, 2022. REUTERS/Serhii Smolientsev/File PhotoKYIV, Aug 12 (Reuters) - Ukraine, which is seeking to form safe shipping routes in the Black Sea, has started registering ships willing to use the corridor it announced earlier this week, a local news agency said on Saturday. Ukraine on Thursday announced a "humanitarian corridor" in the Black Sea to release cargo ships that have been trapped in its ports since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. "Registration is now open and the coordinator is already working," Interfax Ukraine quoted Ukrainian Navy spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk as saying. Russia has not indicated whether it would respect the shipping corridor, and shipping and insurance sources have expressed concerns about safety.

Persons: Serhii, Dmytro Pletenchuk, Pletenchuk, Pavel Polityuk, Helen Popper Our Organizations: REUTERS, Thursday, Ukrainian, Ukrainian Armed Forces, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Ukrainian, Odesa, Russia, Moscow

☆ Russia says it thwarts Ukrainian rocket attack on Crimean Bridge, downs drones
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Aug 12 (Reuters) - Russia's Defence Ministry said on Saturday that Ukraine had tried unsuccessfully to strike the Crimean Bridge across the Kerch Strait with S-200 rockets, but that no damage or casualties had been caused. The 12-mile (19-km) bridge, which links Russian-annexed Crimea to Russia, has come under repeated attack from Ukrainian forces since Moscow launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. "The Ukrainian missile was detected in a timely manner and was intercepted in the air by Russian air defence systems. Separately, Russian forces destroyed 20 Ukrainian drones launched onto the Crimean Peninsula earlier on Saturday, Russia's Defence Ministry said. It was not immediately clear what was targeted in those reported attacks on the Black Sea peninsula, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014.

Persons: Sergei Aksyonov, Vladimir Putin, Lidia Kelly, Felix, Gareth Jones, William Mallard, Helen Popper Our Organizations: Russia's Defence, Ukrainian, Russian, Russia's Defence Ministry, Reuters, Kremlin, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Kerch, Russian, Crimea, Russia, Ukrainian, Moscow

☆ Iran says unblocked S.Korea funds to be used for 'non-sanctioned goods'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The sign of the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran is seen in Tehran, Iran January 25, 2023. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS/File PhotoAug 12 (Reuters) - Iran's central bank chief said on Saturday that all of Iran's frozen funds in South Korea had been unblocked and would be used for "non-sanctioned goods". White House spokesperson John Kirby said Iran could only access the funds "to buy food, medicine, medical equipment that would not have a dual military use." The five Americans will be allowed to leave Iran once the funds are unfrozen, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters. He added that the costs of converting the funds from South Korea's won currency to euros would be accepted by the "third country" where the money would be deposited to buy "non-sanctioned goods".

Persons: Majid Asgaripour, Mohammad Reza Farzin's, John Kirby, Farzin, Helen Popper Our Organizations: Central Bank of, West Asia News Agency, REUTERS, Reuters, South Korea's, Dubai, Thomson Locations: Islamic Republic of Iran, Tehran, Iran, South Korea, Washington, Tehran ., Qatar

☆ Sarajevo Film Festival opens with tribute to music and movies in times of war
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-12 | by ( Daria Sito-Sucic | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Sarajevo Film Festival, which was founded towards the end of the Bosnian war by a group of film enthusiasts, has become southeastern Europe's largest such event, showcasing 235 films this year. After the end of the Bosnian war, in 1997, U2 staged a huge concert in Sarajevo, which Bono ended by urging the crowd to "Kiss the Future". "Culture was one of the main things that gave us the power to survive that period," said Mirsad Purivatra, a founder of both the wartime cinema and the Sarajevo Film Festival. He described how people would pack into the basement to attend cultural events and meet friends, rushing home before curfew. Images of filmgoers and the underground rock shows by photographer Milomir Kovacevic Strasni are being displayed for an exhibition taking place to mark the 30th anniversary of the Apollo wartime cinema as part of the film festival.

Persons: Dado, Bono, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Mirsad Purivatra, Milomir Kovacevic, Daria Sito, Helen Popper Our Organizations: Sarajevo Film, Cinema, Hollywood, Academy of Performing Arts, Apollo, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Sarajevo, Bosnia, Herzegovina, SARAJEVO, Bosnian

☆ Brice Marden, painter revered for his distinctive approach to abstraction, dies at 84
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Wallace Ludel | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Brice Marden, the abstract painter known most widely for his long, winding calligraphic mark-making that stood out against monochromatic backgrounds, has died aged 84. His death was confirmed to CNN by Gagosian, the New York gallery that represented him, via email on Thursday. "Uphill with Center" (2012-15) by Brice Marden. It’s just been an extra thing to think about.”Marden was born October 15, 1938 in Westchester County, just north of New York City. "Cold Mountain 6 (Bridge)" (1989-91) by Brice Marden.

Persons: CNN — Brice Marden, Larry Gagosian, “ Brice Marden, Marden’s, Helen —, —, Brice Marden, Marden, “, ”, ” Marden, Alex Katz, Jon Schueler, Richard Serra, Chuck Close, Celmins, Nancy Graves, Pauline Baez, Joan Baez, Jasper Johns, Johns ’, Édouard Manet, Francisco Goya, Francisco de Zurbarán, Johns, Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, Nicholas, Helen Marden, Dorothea Rockburne, Robert Rauschenberg, Matthew Marks, Rosetta Stone Organizations: The Art, CNN, Gagosian, New York Times, Memorial Sloan Kettering, Boston University, Yale, Fine Arts, Rauschenberg Foundation, Jewish Museum, New Locations: New York, Tivoli , New York, Gagosian, Westchester County, New York City, American, Kansas City, Midtown Manhattan, Greece, Maryland

☆ Wrestling With Identity at the Edinburgh Festival
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Houman Barekat | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Questions of nationhood, identity and belonging loom large in three politically themed productions at this year’s Edinburgh International Festival. The tagline for this year’s edition is “community over chaos,” and there was plenty of both in “Thrown,” a National Theater of Scotland production running at the Traverse Theater through Aug. 27. When Imogen encourages Jo to take a greater interest in racial politics, this puts a strain on Jo and Chantelle’s friendship. Chantelle resents Imogen for boiling everything down to race and vents her frustration at being seen as privileged, simply because she is white. Helen provides moral support to Pam when she reveals her struggles with her gender identity and delivers the play’s defining monologue: a positive message of unity through celebrating difference.

Persons: “, ”, Nat McCleary, Johnny McKnight, it’s, haggis, kilts, Jo, Adiza, Chloe, Ann Taylor, Imogen, Efé, Chantelle, Lesley Hart, Pam, Maureen Carr, Helen, Carr Organizations: Theater of Scotland, Traverse Locations: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Scottish, Scotland

Quito, Ecuador CNN —Six suspects arrested in connection with the assassination of Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio are Colombian nationals and gang members, authorities have confirmed, as a former vice president demanded action over spiraling levels of violence in the South American country. Ecuadorean presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio waves an Ecuadorian flag as he attends a rally in Quito on August 9. People take cover after shots were fired at the end of a rally of Ecuadorian presidential cadidate Fernando Villavicencio in Quito on August 9. Ecuador’s presidential election, scheduled for August 20, will go ahead as planned, the Electoral Council President Diana Atamaint said Thursday. He noted that Villavicencio had first entered public life as an investigative journalist who fought against corruption and abuses of power.

Persons: Fernando Villavicencio, Juan Zapata, Karen Toro, Zapata, Guillermo Lasso, Lasso, ’, Otto Sonnenholzner, ”, ” Sonnenholzner, cadidate Fernando Villavicencio, Sonnenholzner, Villavicencio, Diana Atamaint Organizations: Ecuador CNN —, Wednesday, General’s, Reuters, CNN, US Federal Bureau of Investigation, UN Human Rights, European Union, Ecuadorian, AFP, Getty, Electoral, Sunday, Movimiento Construye Locations: Quito, Ecuador, United States, Quito .

☆ US dollar recovers from inflation-related losses; yen slumps
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The greenback climbed to five-week peaks against the yen of 144.735 , and last traded up 0.7% at 144.71 yen. The recovery of the dollar against both the euro and yen pushed the dollar index up 0.1% to 102.56 . Earlier in the session, the dollar dropped after data showed the consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.2% last month, matching the gain in June. Investors are also on the lookout for possible intervention by the Japan to lift the yen. In September, Japan intervened when the dollar rose above 145 yen, pushing the pair to around 140 yen as the Ministry of Finance bought the yen to weaken the dollar.

Persons: Florence Lo, Yen, Helen, It's, Francisco Federal Reserve Bank Mary Daly, Gertrude Chavez, Dreyfuss, Alun John, Mark Potter, Andrea Ricci, Richard Chang Organizations: REUTERS, Monex USA, Francisco Federal Reserve Bank, Federal, Market, Fed, Labor Department, Analysts, Ministry of Finance, Thomson Locations: U.S, Washington, Japan, London

NEW YORK/LONDON, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Lean times faced by many U.S. and European companies may last longer than expected as they try to sell off their bulging inventories in an economic climate where demand is stalling. Full-to-bursting warehouses means fewer orders for manufacturers, which translates into lower levels of business activity and, ultimately, weaker growth. Now, global demand is falling as borrowing costs have risen, so companies have started running down stocks. Maersk controls about one-sixth of global container trade, transporting goods for a host of major retailers and consumer goods companies. Refinitiv I/B/E/S data shows U.S. and European companies are expected to report their worst quarterly results in years.

Persons: Vincent Clerc, Hugo Boss, Moller, Stanley Black, Decker, destocking, Levi Strauss, Rajiv Sharma, Arun Sundaram, Guillermo Novo, Cyrus de la Rubia, Siddharth Cavale, David Gaffen, Josephine Mason, Mark John, Jonathan Cable, Helen Reid, Jane Merriman Organizations: U.S, Maersk, Heineken, 3M, . Bureau of Labor Statistics, CFRA Research, Retailers, BASF, London, Rutgers University, Hamburg Commercial Bank, doesn't, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, U.S, United States, Ashland, Hamburg, New York, London

☆ Brice Marden, Who Rejuvenated Painting in the 1960s, Dies at 84
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( William Grimes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

While in Boston, he became immersed in the city’s folk music scene and married Pauline Baez, the older sister of the singer Joan Baez. In addition to Helen Marden, his second wife, he is survived by a son from his first marriage, Nicholas; two daughters from his second marriage, Mirabelle and Melia Marden; a younger sister, Mary Carroll Marden; and two grandchildren. After receiving a master’s degree in fine arts in 1963, Mr. Marden moved to New York. His first monochromatic panels were exhibited in 1964 at Swarthmore College and, soon after that, at the Bykert Gallery. And this was my way of thinking, well, there are things that haven’t been done,” he told Mr. Cooper of the National Gallery.

Persons: Pauline Baez, Joan Baez, Helen Marden, Nicholas, Mirabelle, Melia Marden, Mary Carroll Marden, Michael, Marden, Nancy Graves, Chuck Close, Richard Serra, Frank Stella, “, ”, Harry Cooper, Robert Indiana, Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg, Cooper Organizations: Yale, Yale University School of Art, National Gallery of Art, Mr, Chiron Press, Jewish Museum, Swarthmore College, “ Locations: Boston, Norfolk, Conn, Washington, New York

☆ In New Zealand, defence and security become election issues amid China’s Pacific push
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

“Foreign policy, defence, our relationship with the Pacific - all of that will be far more relevant and the public will be more conscious of it compared to other elections, where it's been pretty much non-existent,” said Josie Pagani, a political commentator and host of the pre-election foreign policy debate. Sixty-three percent of voters say inflation and the cost of living are a most important issues of the election, a poll by the Ipsos New Zealand Issues Monitor released in June said. A second survey released last week by the country’s national intelligence and security board found increasing levels of concern about defence, security and foreign policy. Foreign policy doesn't usually play in New Zealand elections, said Jason Young, an associate professor of international relations and politics at Victoria University. The opposition National party, which polls indicate will win control of the government, hasn’t released its defence policy and said it needs more detail about AUKUS.

Persons: it's, ”, Josie Pagani, Andrew Little, “, Chris Seed, Jason Young, Helen Clark, Nanaia Mahuta, hasn’t, Gerry Brownlee, Lucy Craymer, Gerry Doyle Organizations: WELLINGTON, ”, Foreign Affairs, Trade, Victoria University, Washington, Labour, National, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, China, Solomon, Ukraine, Pacific, Zealand, United States, Australia, Britain, “, AUKUS, Zealanders

☆ 'Barbie,' Taylor Swift and Beyoncé provide women-powered economic boost
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Vanessa Yurkevich | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —It’s the summer of girl power, fueled by Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and “Barbie.”Millions of people across generations are paying through the nose for these experiences, providing a women-powered boost to the economy. “I loved going with my family” to Taylor Swift and “Barbie,” said 15-year-old Chelsea Deutsch. A positive messageEleven women and girls from Chelsea’s extended family – spanning ages 12 to 54 – went to see Taylor Swift at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. ‘I made it happen’Helen Polise was not going to let two canceled flights stop her from seeing the last Taylor Swift concert in Los Angeles with her daughter Julie. Julie and the young girls from the family of 11 who all saw Taylor Swift walked away from the “Barbie” movie with their moms in mind.

Persons: New York CNN —, Taylor Swift, “ Barbie, ”, Chelsea Deutsch, “, ” “ Barbie ”, Taylor, “ Barbie ”, Kristina Chiapetta, Landor & Fitch, –, Barbie, Jennifer Deutsch, Chelsea’s, Chiapetta, Helen Polise, Julie, Polise, Swift, that’s, Julie Polise, “ We’re, Dylan Ritcher, Lisa Van Strat Organizations: New, New York CNN, California Center, Jobs, Warner Bros, Warner Bros ., Landor &, “, MetLife, of Labor Statistics Locations: New York, Stockholm, Los Angeles, East Rutherford , New Jersey, United States

Bangkok, Thailand CNN —The estranged second oldest son of Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn has made an unexpected visit to the country, his first in almost three decades, in a return that surprised many in the kingdom. “I am delighted to return to Thailand, I have been warmly welcomed. I have been away for a long time, 27 years,” Vacharaesorn told reporters at the Foundation for Slum Child Care. Vacharaesorn is the second of four sons of King Vajiralongkorn, 71, and his second wife, Yuvadhida Polpraserth, who he married in 1994 and later divorced. Vacharaesorn, his mother and siblings were estranged after the separation and he does not hold a formal royal title.

Persons: Thailand CNN —, Thailand’s, Maha Vajiralongkorn, Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, “, ” Vacharaesorn, King Vajiralongkorn, Yuvadhida Polpraserth, Vacharaesorn, Bajrakitiyabha, Athit Perawongmetha, Vajiralongkorn, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Srirasmi, Queen Suthida, –, Vacharaesorn’s, Sirivannavari, King Organizations: Thailand CNN, Foundation for Slum, Reuters, Yuvadhida, King’s Royal Guard Command, CNN Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, United States, tuk, Bangkok’s

Quito, Ecuador CNN —A candidate in Ecuador’s upcoming presidential election, Fernando Villavicencio, was assassinated at a campaign event Wednesday, President Guillermo Lasso confirmed on social media, vowing the killing will not go unpunished. He was gunned down 10 days before the first round of the presidential election was set to take place on August 20. Ecuador’s Attorney General’s Office said the suspected gunman died in police custody following an exchange of fire with security personnel. Seven of the eight presidential candidates, including Villavicencio, were under police protection, Ecuador’s Interior Minister Juan Zapata said earlier this week, local media reported Tuesday. All the candidates in the country’s presidential election have pledged to rein in the escalation of violence.

Persons: Ecuador CNN —, Fernando Villavicencio, Guillermo Lasso, Villavicencio, Cristian Zurita, Rodrigo Figueroa, “, Lasso, ” Lasso, Juan Zapata, paz ”, Agustin Intriago, Ariana Chancay, CNN En, CNN En Español Conclusiones, ” Organizations: Ecuador CNN, Movimiento, CNN, Ecuador’s, General’s, Judicial, Fire Department, Ecuador Police, National, Lasso, paz, Security, CNN En Español Locations: Quito, Ecuador, Villavicencio, Peru, Colombia, South America, North America, Europe, Manta, Darien, United States

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has been advocating for a common regional policy to end deforestation by 2030, promising his country will reach zero deforestation. However, the failure to agree on a common policy to end deforestation in the Amazon is concerning, as the fate of the rainforest is critical to the health of the planet. It is home to a unique array of animal and plant life, and is crucial to maintaining a global climate balance because it stores a huge amount of carbon and strongly influences global weather patterns. According to CNN affiliate CNN Brasil, Guyana, Suriname and Bolivia left the meeting refusing to agree on a goal. On Monday, Colombia backed an indigenous-led global pact to protect 80% of the Amazon by 2025.

Persons: Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Lula da Silva’s, Jair Bolsonaro, haven’t, ” Lula da Silva, Evaristo Sa, Susana Muhamad Organizations: CNN, Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization, Brazilian Amazon, Peoples of, Getty, Amazon Alliance, CNN Brasil, Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research, Colombian Locations: Brazil, Brazilian, Belém, Para State, AFP, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, Amazonia

☆ Dozens arrested over alleged child sex abuse following murder of two FBI agents
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —A total of 98 people have been arrested in connection with child sex abuse, and 13 children rescued from harm, US and Australian authorities said Tuesday, more than two years after two FBI agents were killed investigating an alleged international pedophile ring. Two FBI agents investigating the alleged ring were shot dead in 2021 while executing a search warrant for a computer programmer suspected of possession of child abuse material, CNN previously reported. The alleged child abuse ring was a “peer to peer network” with “some offenders committing offenses for over 10 years,” said Australian Federal Police Commander Helen Schneider. Australian investigationThe Australian police investigation began in 2022 when the FBI passed on details of Australian members of a peer-to-peer network allegedly sharing child abuse material on the dark web. “The complexity and anonymity of these platforms means that no agency or country can fight these threats alone.”Most of the Australian alleged offenders had jobs that required advanced IT skills, police said in a statement.

Persons: ”, Helen Schneider, “, ” Schneider, Nitiana Mann, Schneider, Mann, Daniel Alfin, Laura Schwartzenberger, George Piro Organizations: CNN, FBI, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Australian Federal Police, AFP, Miami FBI Locations: Australia, Canberra, , Florida

☆ Factbox: India's measures targeting Chinese products and investment
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Relations between the countries have deteriorated since mid-2020, when Chinese and Indian troops clashed on their disputed Himalayan frontier and 24 people were killed. Several Indian government officials, who asked not to be named, said the licensing measure aimed to address a trade imbalance with China. Here are some other Chinese trade and investment ventures affected by Indian measures since 2020:INVESTMENT PLAN BY BYDChina's BYD (002594.SZ) told its India joint-venture partner last month it would shelve plans for a new $1-billion investment to build electric cars after its investment proposal faced scrutiny from New Delhi. It has led to billions of dollars in proposed investment getting stuck in the approval process over the last 3 years. Reporting by Aftab Ahmed Editing by William Mallard and Helen PopperOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Nick Carey, Xiaomi, China's Tencent, Aftab Ahmed, William Mallard, Helen Popper Our Organizations: REUTERS, Wall, Krafton Inc, South, HK, Thomson Locations: Farnborough, Britain, India, China, New Delhi, HK, South Korean

☆ Portugal wildfire rages as strong winds and heat fan flames
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LISBON, Aug 5 (Reuters) - More than 1,100 firefighters and 14 water-carrying aircraft battled a wildfire in central Portugal's Castelo Branco area on Saturday as civil protection authorities said hot, windy conditions meant it could take days to put out. Smoke from the blaze, which has destroyed some 60 square km (23 square miles) of forest and undergrowth, reached the Fatima Sanctuary about 100 km (60 miles) away where hundreds of thousands of pilgrims gathered to see Pope Francis on Saturday. The Portuguese state weather agency forecast temperatures to reach 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) on Sunday in Castelo Branco, up from 38C on Saturday. August is usually the hottest month of the year in Portugal. Reporting by Andrei Khalip Editing by Helen PopperOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Pope Francis, Jody Rato, Andrei Khalip, Helen Popper Our Organizations: Saturday, Authorities, Civil, Thomson Locations: LISBON, Portugal's Castelo Branco, Fatima, Castelo Branco, Lisbon, Portugal, China, United States, Europe

☆ Singapore bank OCBC second-quarter earnings rise; sees rate cuts from 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Yantoultra Ngui | Thomson Reuters | Yantoultra Ngui Is A Southeast Asia Deals Correspondent With Reuters In Singapore | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The quarterly results from OCBC, also Southeast Asia's second largest lender by assets, rounded up a strong earnings season by Singapore banks as DBS Group (DBSM.SI) and United Overseas Bank (UOBH.SI) also delivered double-digit profit growth. Besides higher interest rates, Singapore lenders have also benefited from strong inflows from wealthy customers amid global uncertainty, including U.S.-China geopolitical tensions, because of the city-state's status as a financial safe-haven. The figure compared with a mean estimate of a S$1.76 billion profit from four analysts polled by Refinitiv. The bank projected its full-year net interest margin, a key profitability gauge, to be above 2.2%, return on equity in the range of 14% and low-to-mid single-digit loan growth. ($1 = 1.3410 Singapore dollars)Reporting by Yantoultra Ngui; Editing by Tom Hogue, Shri Navaratnam and Jamie FreedOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: ROE, Helen Wong, Thilan Wickramasinghe, OCBC, Wong, Yantoultra Ngui, Tom Hogue, Shri Navaratnam, Jamie Freed Organizations: Chinese Banking Corp, DBS, United Overseas Bank, Maybank Securities, Refinitiv, Thomson Locations: Singapore, SINGAPORE, Asia's, U.S, China, Malaysia

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