DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ UK PM Starmer's chief of staff quits after talk of in-fighting
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-07 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reacts as he meets with Defence Secretary John Healey and Member of the House of Lords George Robertson at 10 Downing Street on July 16, 2024 in London, England. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's chief of staff Sue Gray resigned on Sunday following rumors about tensions within his team of advisers that cast a shadow over his government little more than three months after a landslide election victory. Starmer led the Labour Party to a sweeping victory in July, promising discipline and change after 14 years of Conservative Party rule. But his time in office has already been dogged by criticism of free gifts from wealthy donors that he and other Labour politicians received. Gray will take up a new post as Starmer's envoy for the regions and nations, the prime minister's office said.

Persons: Keir Starmer, John Healey, George Robertson, Keir Starmer's, Sue Gray, Gray, Starmer Organizations: British, Defence, Downing, Labour Party, Conservative Party, Labour Locations: London, England, British, Downing

☆ $63 million Royal New Zealand Navy ship capsizes and sinks off Samoa
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-06 | by ( Mikhaila Friel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A New Zealand naval ship caught fire and sank off Samoa; all those on board were rescued. AdvertisementA New Zealand naval ship that cost around $63 million caught fire and sank off the coast of Samoa. The HMNZS Manawanui. Related storiesThe New Zealand government said in 2018 that it would cost NZ$103 million (around $63 million) to buy and convert the ship, Radio New Zealand reported. AdvertisementGolding added that the passengers and crew would be flown back to New Zealand from Samoa on Sunday.

Persons: Manawanui, —, HMNZS Manawanui, Garin Golding, Golding, David Rowland, Shane Arndell Organizations: New, Service, New Zealand's Defence Force, New Zealand Air Force, Radio New Zealand, Royal New Zealand Navy, Component, New Zealand Defense Force, Business Locations: New Zealand, Samoa, Zealand, Upolu, Auckland

☆ Israel steps up its airstrikes on Beirut as the conflict in the Middle East escalates
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-04 | by ( Hannah Abraham | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Israel is intensifying strikes on Lebanon in an attempt to dismantle Hezbollah's command. Israel also blocked a major road near Lebanon's Masnaa border crossing with Syria, a report said. AdvertisementIsrael carried out air strikes in the Lebanese capital of Beirut on Friday as it stepped up its efforts to dismantle Hezbollah's leadership. According to The New York Times, citing Israeli officials, Israel targeted Hashem Safieddine, the rumored successor of Hezbollah's assassinated leader, Hassan Nasrallah. Related storiesThere are now growing fears that the conflict could transform into a full-blown war in the Middle East.

Persons: Hashem Safieddine, Hezbollah's, Israel, —, Hassan Nasrallah, Safieddine, Mohammad Rashid Sakafi, Adraee, Avichay Adraee, Joe Biden, Jake Oubina, Piper Sandler Organizations: Service, The New York Times, National News Agency, Israel Defence Forces, The Guardian, Brent, US West Texas, Reuters, Fox Business Locations: Israel, Lebanon, Lebanon's, Syria, Beirut, Beirut's, Gaza, Tehran

☆ Russia's strike on a merchant ship in the Black Sea was likely down to poor targeting and aged ammo: UK intel
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-03 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The strike led to fears of a potential escalation in Russian attacks on the Black Sea grain corridor. But according to the UK MOD, it was likely an error caused by poor procedures and aging munition. Tonight, Russia launched a strike on an ordinary civilian vessel in the Black Sea right after it left Ukrainian territorial waters. Related storiesSince its exit from the Black Sea grain initiative, Russia's attacks on Ukrainian naval export abilities have been largely limited to striking ports, and — it's widely believed — dropping naval mines. Despite the potential for economic warfare, Russia has good reason to avoid escalating the threat to shipping in the Black Sea, Ambrey wrote.

Persons: —, Saint, nNCqNDVfJV, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Aya, Ambrey, Володимир Зеленський Organizations: MOD, Service, UK Ministry of Defence, Foreign Relations Locations: Ukraine, Egypt, Russian, Saint Kitts, Nevis, Ukraine's, Odesa, Romania's, Russia, Ukrainian, Sevastopol, Crimea, Novorossiysk

☆ NATO's new chief will have to confront threats outside the alliance — and within
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-01 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Mark Rutte, incoming secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), during a transition ceremony at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. Mark Rutte, the affable and meticulous former Dutch premier, has a daunting task ahead to keep the defense alliance a global force. "As Secretary General, I will work on three main priorities," Rutte said as he took over the reins from Jens Stoltenberg during a handover ceremony in Brussels. "The first is to keep NATO strong and to ensure our defenses remain effective and credible against all threats. U.S. President Donald Trump (L) speaks with Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of NATO as they attend the NATO summit at the Grove Hotel on December 4, 2019 in Watford, England.

Persons: Mark Rutte, Rutte, he's, —, Donald Trump, Jens Stoltenberg, Vladimir Putin, Armida van Rij, Kamala Harris, I'm, She's, Dan Kitwood Organizations: Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO, Bloomberg, Getty, U.S, Ukraine, European Union, Kremlin, Chatham House, Royal United Services Institute, Republican, Trump Locations: Brussels, Belgium, Netherlands, Russia, Ukraine, China, North Korea, Iran, NATO, Moscow, Grove, Watford, England

☆ Champions League Briefing: Arsenal’s statement win – and why so many thrashings?
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-01 | by ( Tim Spiers | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +12 min

If you like your European midweek football this is the week for you, with 54 Champions League, Europa League and Conference League matches being crammed into three nights. The Champions League kicked things off with some of the competition’s favourites beginning to bare their teeth. It was also, incredibly, their 31st defeat from 37 Champions League group stage away games. Ilkay Gundogan, Phil Foden, Erling Haaland and a first Champions League goal for James McAtee saw City get their first win of this year’s competition. They lost a number of key players in the summer and can’t even play Champions League games at their own home, with the 15,000 capacity Stade Francis-Le Ble not up to Champions League standards (they’re hosting matches at Guingamp’s Stade du Roudourou instead).

Persons: Olivier Giroud, Germain, Luis Enrique, Mikel Arteta’s, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, Kai Havertz, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Leandro Trossard’s, l, e, sid e, Rob e, Lew, Rea, ’, Camara, enki, – they, night., ashe, hal f, alf of a, Brendan R, c Roy, are, tim e, eason, Francis, Le Bl, ning, Bayer, ade 0 P, 45pm E, ina Organizations: Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, League, Arsenal, Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund, Brest, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint, Emirates, sco, RIM, rit, UE, eni, Graz, Salzburg …, pla Locations: Barcelona, Emirates, Nis, goa, Zagreb, Ata, Brest, Austria, Red Bul, arta

☆ Champions League preview: What to look out for on Matchday 2 and how to watch
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-01 | by ( Eduardo Tansley | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +9 min

Harry Kane has never won the Champions League but if Matchday 1 was anything to go by, the England captain is desperate to do so. Follow the Champions League on The AthleticFirst, what happened on Matchday 1? Ligue 1 side Brest took no time to acquaint themselves with the Champions League, beating Austrian champions Sturm Graz 2-1 on their debut in the competition. The 26-year-old USMNT winger has scored in his last two Champions League games and could become the first American to score in three consecutive appearances. It was the first time in the Champions League that three substitutes had all directly contributed to a goal.

Persons: Harry Kane, Kane, Lamine Yamal, Michael Olise, Kylian, Ethan, Yamal, Ansu Fati, Eric Garcia, Villa, Germain, Martin Odegaard, Mikel Arteta’s, David Raya, Mateo Retegui, Raya, Timothy Rogers, Paulo Gazzaniga’s calamitous, Ousmane Dembele, Luis Enrique, Florian Wirtz, Wirtz, Dean Mouhtaropoulos, Brendan Rodgers ’ Celtic, Daizen Maeda, England’s Jamie Gittens, Serhou, Felix Nmecha, KURT DESPLENTER, Aston, Unai Emery, Villarreal, Jose Mourinho, Neville Williams, Vincent Kompany, Benjamin Sesko, Jose Maria Gimenez’s, Sesko, Bayer, Maja Hitij, Kenan Yildiz, Pietro Fanna, Thiago Motta’s, Dusan Vlahovic Organizations: Champions League, Bayern Munich, Dinamo Zagreb, Aston Villa, Bayer Leverkusen, Real, League, The, Bayern, Stuttgart, Lille, Monaco, Young Boys, Liverpool, AC Milan, Scottish, Celtic, Slovan Bratislava, Manchester City, Arsenal, — Inter Milan, Atalanta, Ligue, Brest, Austrian, Sturm Graz, Red Bull Salzburg, Paris Saint, Leicester City, Premier League, Getty, PSG, Newcastle United, Bayer, Bayer Leverkusen’s, Feyenoord, Leverkusen, Milan, Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Dortmund, Club Bruges, MAG, Villa, Europa League, Aston Villa FC, Bundesliga, Zagreb, Tottenham Hotspur, Leipzig, Juventus, Wednesday, Atletico, Augsburg, PSV Eindhoven, Serie A, Genoa, TNT Sports, Paramount, Salzburg, Sparta Prague, Amazon, Sporting Lisbon, Barcelona, Red Star Belgrade, Shakhtar Donetsk, Girona, Benfica, Atletico Madrid, Bologna, Real Madrid Locations: England, Saturday’s, U.S, Crystal Palace, Endrick, Lille, Barcelona, Bern, Girona, Europe, Christian Pulisic, American, Milan, Celtic, Stuttgart, dinked, Slovenia, Madrid, Leipzig, Germany, Brest

☆ Japan's new Prime Minister Ishiba unveils cabinet ahead of snap election
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

TOKYO, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 06: Japanese former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks during a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan on September 06, 2024 in Tokyo, Japan. Ishiba and former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi are the front runners in the race of the upcoming presidential election for the ruling Liberal Democratic party of Japan (LDP) according to recent polling. (Photo by Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images)Japan's new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Tuesday unveiled his cabinet as he seeks to heal party divisions and secure a national mandate with an Oct. 27 snap election. The 67-year-old former defence minister, who last week won a close-fought contest to lead the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), was confirmed earlier in the day as prime minister by parliament. Yoji Muto, a former junior minister, will take charge at the economy, trade and industry ministry.

Persons: Shigeru Ishiba, Ishiba, Shinjiro Koizumi, Tomohiro Ohsumi, Katsunobu Kato, Yoshimasa Hayashi, Kato, Sanae, Takeshi Iwaya, Gen Nakatani, Yoji Organizations: Defense, Foreign, Club of Japan, Liberal Democratic, Liberal Democratic Party, Washington, NATO, Nikkei Locations: TOKYO, JAPAN, Tokyo, Japan, United States, China, Beijing, U.S, East Asia, North Korea, Russian

☆ Ukraine's recent strikes on arms depots caused the largest loss of Russian and North Korean ammo in the war: UK intel
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-30 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Ukraine struck three ammunition depots deep inside Russia this month, causing significant damage. According to UK intel, the strikes caused the largest loss of Russian and North Korean ammo in the war. AdvertisementRecent Ukrainian strikes on Russian arms depots caused the largest loss of Russian and North Korean ammunition recorded so far in the Ukraine war, according to British intelligence. "The total tonnage of ammunition destroyed across the three sites represents the largest loss of Russian and North Korean-supplied ammunition during the war," the MOD said. It said that the "major" strikes in close succession showed that Russia is still struggling against Ukrainian drones used in deep-strike operations inside Russia.

Persons: —, ATACMS, Josep Borrell, Joe Biden Organizations: intel, UK Ministry of Defence, Service, UK's Ministry of Defence, MOD, Pentagon, Russian, Republicans, Institute for Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Tver, Krasnodar Krai, Russian, Russia Ukraine

☆ Japan's incoming PM Ishiba calls election for Oct 27, seeks to unify party
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-30 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Newly-elected leader and sitting chairperson of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Shigeru Ishiba speaks during a press conference following his election in the party leadership elections on September 27, 2024 in Tokyo, Japan. Lawmakers there will meet tomorrow to confirm him as the country's next prime minister. Japan's incoming prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, said on Monday he will call a general election for Oct. 27 following his victory in one of the closest ever leadership races for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Ishiba on Monday began picking government and party officials who will contest the upcoming general election with him. Ishiba, 67, won the LDP leadership race on his fifth attempt with strong backing from rank-and-file members.

Persons: Shigeru Ishiba, Ishiba, Katsunobu Kato, Yoshimasa Hayashi, Takeshi Iwaya, Gen Nakatani, Yoji, Takaichi, Hiroshi Shiratori, Shinjiro Koizumi, Yoshihide Suga, Koizumi Organizations: Liberal Democratic Party, U.S, Reuters, Media, Hosei University, Takaichi Locations: Tokyo, Japan

☆ Russia reportedly has a secret long-range drone program in China. Experts say it shouldn't surprise anyone.
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-26 | by ( Aditi Bharade | Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewRussia is tapping China to build long-range attack drones for use in its war against Ukraine, Reuters reported. The report stated that Russia had created a secret weapons program in China, citing documents as well as two unnamed sources from a European intelligence agency. AdvertisementBut prior to the Reuters report, it was thought that China stopped short of transferring entire weapons systems to Russia. "Let's be absolutely clear about it: China does not want Russia to lose this war," Nixey said. AdvertisementThe war, he said, "is a symbol and a forebear of Western ability, Western spine, Western political will to defend the rules-based international order."

Persons: —, IEMZ, Kupol, G3s, James Nixey, shouldn't, Nixey, Kurt Campbell, Sari Arho Havrén, NATO's, Farah Dakhlallah, Dakhlallah Organizations: Service, Ukraine, Reuters, Business, Russian Ministry of Defence, US, Royal United Services Institute Locations: Russia, China, Russia's, Ukraine, Russian, Izhevsk, Eurasia, Brussels, Europe

☆ Russia has secret war drones project in China, intel sources say in Reuters report
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Kupol, Almaz-Antey and the Russian defense ministry did not respond to requests for comment for this article. He said more information was needed to establish that China was playing host to production of Russian military drones. "China cannot continue to fuel the largest conflict in Europe since the Second World War without this impacting its interests and reputation." "We are extremely concerned by reports that Russia is producing military drones in China," a spokesperson said. Beijing has repeatedly denied that China or Chinese companies have supplied Russia with weapons for use in Ukraine, saying the country remains neutral.

Persons: Russian Federation Manuel Augusto Moreno, IEMZ, Kupol, Fabian Hinz, Samuel Bendett, Farah Dakhlallah, Kupol's Organizations: Russian Federation, Ukraine, Reuters, International Institute for Strategic Studies, Center, New, New American Security, White House National Security Council, NATO Locations: People's Republic of China, Russia, China, Russian, Ukraine, Beijing, London, New American, Washington, U.S, Europe, Kupol, Izhevsk

☆ Op-ed: The UK's budget problems date back to the 2008 financial crisis
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-24 | by ( Kevin Klowden | Chief Global Strategist At The Milken Institute | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Over the past few weeks, economic news from the U.K. has heavily focused on the state of British national finances and how they might impact both the British public and the prospects for economic growth. Regardless of how the U.K. fiscal situation stands now, it is clear that the current shortfalls are both years in the making and run the risk of having consequences that could last for years to come. The ultimate dilemma facing Labour now is that the country cannot produce enough revenue to close systemic shortfalls without sustained economic growth, but it also cannot create economic growth without real investment, both from the public and private sectors. In many ways, the current fiscal situation dates back to the financial crisis of 2008 and the fact that the country's economy was unable to snap back readily to close the budget shortfalls that occurred then. Borrowing in the financial year to August stood at £64.1 billion ($85 billion), with the country's debt hitting 100% of GDP.

Persons: Keir Starmer, John Healey, George Robertson, Rachel Reeves, Jeremy Hunt Organizations: British, Defence, Downing, Labour, Conservative Locations: London, England, British, United States, China, Japan

☆ Romania is increasing its ammunition acquisition and calling on NATO to react to Russian incursions as Ukraine war lingers on its doorstep
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-22 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Romania is urging NATO to react to Russian missile and drone incursions into its airspace. The country also announced it would increase its acquisition of ammunition in response to Russia's war in Ukraine. Go to newsletter preferences Thanks for signing up! download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementRomania is taking strategic steps to bolster its defenses amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, accelerating its acquisition of ammunition and calling on NATO to react to Russian incursions into its airspace.

Persons: —, Euractiv Organizations: NATO, Romanian Defense, Service, Romania's, of National Defence, Business Locations: Romania, Russian, Ukraine, Russia

☆ Man City 2 Arsenal 2 – Controversial red, quick free kicks and rivalry ignited in classic
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-22 | by ( Sam Lee | James Mcnicholas | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +11 min

John Stones sends Man City back to the top of the table 🔝#MCIARS pic.twitter.com/XY8DbUAVDD — Premier League (@premierleague) September 22, 2024Is this now a proper rivalry? AdvertisementThe tussle at the top of the Premier League is hotting up. Gabriel’s header to put them 2-1 up made it 31 Premier League goals they’ve scored from corners since the start of the 2022-23 season. I’m expecting 100 Premier League games to be 10 against 11 or nine vs 10 this season. Tuesday, September 24: Watford (H), Carabao Cup, 7.45pm BST, 2.45pm ETSaturday, September 28: Newcastle United (A), Premier League, 12.30pm BST, 7.30am ETWhat next for Arsenal?

Persons: John, Erling Haaland, Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel, Leandro Trossard, David Raya, Sam Lee, James McNicholas, Charlie Scott, Liam Tharme, John Stones, roper, ade, ames, ree, cott, lew, alf, ecame, lear, nock, J ames, ere,, ince, ike, orth, “ Organizations: League, Etihad, Manchester City, Arsenal, City, Atalanta, Man, ards, ust Locations: ards

☆ Ukraine wants to fire Western long-range weapons into Russia. But the battlefield gain is not clear-cut
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-22 | by ( Clare Sebastian | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Next week, an already very public debate over whether Ukraine should be allowed to use long-range Western-supplied missiles on Russian soil will come under an even brighter international spotlight. It was almost exactly a year ago, also during an in-person meeting with Zelensky in the United States, that Biden made the decision to supply the ATACMS to Ukraine. In both cases, Ukraine promised not to use them on Russian territory. Russia recently relocated planes from two bases near the border further east, according to one US official. To really bring mass (equipment), to get 10 to one artillery ratios on Ukraine at the frontline,” he told CNN.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Joe Biden, Biden, ”, Ben Wallace, Zelensky, “ Zelensky, Matthew Savill, “ He’s, Savill, it’s, George Barros, John Hamilton, “ You’ve, …, Barros ’, Barros, ATACMS, “, There’s, outlast Organizations: CNN, UN, Assembly, Franco, Shadow, Army Tactical Missile Systems, Zelensky, British Storm, NATO, Royal United Services Institute, Washington DC, Army Tactical Missile, White, Russia’s, Military, US ’ Ramstein Air Force Base Locations: Ukraine, New York, United States, Luhansk, Berdiansk, Russia, Poltava, “, Kharkiv, London, Russian, Ukrainian, Washington, New Mexico, Rostov, Iranian FATH, Kursk, Germany

☆ JD Vance suggested the US's support for NATO could be pulled if Europe tries to regulate X as free speech debate rumbles on
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-21 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

he continued, adding that it was "insane that we would support a military alliance if that military alliance isn't going to be pro-free speech." Breton addressed the letter to Musk ahead of the X owner's much-publicized interview with Trump, warning him against amplifying "harmful content." AdvertisementIn February, the former president even suggested that the US could let Russia attack non-paying NATO countries, much to the White House's ire. Related storiesAccording to NATO estimates, Poland is set to be the biggest NATO spender in 2024, allocating 4.12% of its GDP. For its part, NATO has acknowledged that there's been a historic imbalance between US military spending and that of non-US allies.

Persons: —, JD Vance, Elon Musk's X, Vance, Shawn Ryan Show, Donald Trump's, Musk, platformed Trump, Elon, Donald Trump, Thierry Breton, Breton, NICHOLAS KAMM, Trump, NATO spender, there's Organizations: Service, NATO, European Union, EU, Business, Trump, EU Commission, EU's Digital, DSA, European Commission, White, Getty Images, Alliance Locations: Russia, Canada, Spain, Poland, Estonia, United States

☆ Musk’s X skirts Brazil ban and returns to some users with change to server access
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Some Brazilian users reconnected with X on Wednesday despite the Supreme Court's recent nationwide ban, the result of the social network apparently changing the way its servers are accessed. That rendered X effectively inaccessible in the country until Wednesday, with AP journalists among those who had access. It acts as a proxy between users and X's servers, filtering traffic and preventing the original Internet Protocol (IP) address from being recognized, Diogenes told The Associated Press. Former president Jair Bolsonaro celebrated the return of the social network. Some Brazilian X users trumpeted the platform's return — with several addressing de Moraes directly, vowing that they weren't using a VPN.

Persons: Alexandre de Moraes, X, Elon Musk, Pedro Diogenes, Diogenes, Anatel, de Moraes, Cloudflare didn't, Musk, hadn't, Jair Bolsonaro, Bolsonaro, Cloudflare, David Nemer, Nemer, Bluesky, De Moraes, Rafael Mafei, Mafei Organizations: Elon, CLM, Associated Press, AP, Nazi, University of Virginia, University of Sao, SpaceX Locations: Brazil, Charlottesville , Virginia, San Francisco , California, University of Sao Paulo

☆ Ukraine war analyst says Russia keeps surprising him with just how bad its soldiers are: 'The bar is very, very low'
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewA Ukraine war analyst told Business Insider that while watching this conflict, Russia has continually surprised him with how poorly trained its soldiers are. AdvertisementCaptured Russian soldiers, war experts, Ukrainian troops, and Western intelligence have all pointed to Russian troops being poorly trained and treated as disposable throughout the war. Related storiesRussia's losses have risen recently as Russian troops continue to suffer from deficiencies in training. The UK Ministry of Defence said in July that more than 70,000 Russian troops were likely killed or wounded between May and June. It blamed "an effective Ukrainian defense and a lack of Russian training" as Russia fought in multiple sectors.

Persons: —, George Barros, it's, Barros, Vladimir Putin, Matthew Savill Organizations: Service, Business, Russia, Russian Army, Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, AP, UK Ministry of Defence, Royal United Services Institute Locations: Russia, Russian, US, Ukraine, Soviet, Soviet Union, Cuba, Kursk

☆ Von der Leyen names European Commission's new top team
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-17 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen attends a press conference, on the day of a European Union leaders summit, in Brussels, Belgium March 22, 2024. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday named Spain's ecological transition minister Teresa Ribera as the bloc's next antitrust commissioner while Estonia's Kaja Kallas will be in charge of foreign policy. All commissioners will report to German conservative von der Leyen, who this summer was handed a second term as EU chief executive by member states after her political camp won the most votes in EU elections. A second Trump presidency could sharply alter Western unity on supporting Ukraine against Russia's invasion and up-end EU trade relations with the world's biggest economy. There was some drama on Monday on the next Commission's line-up, when France picked Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne as its new candidate after the incumbent, Thierry Breton, abruptly quit with tough words for von der Leyen.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, Teresa Ribera, Estonia's Kaja, Andrius, Stephane Sejourne, Slovakia's Maros Sefcovic, Ribera, Denmark's, Margrethe Vestager, der Leyen, Trump, Thierry Breton, von der Leyen Organizations: European Union, EU, French, Big Tech, U.S, Ukraine Locations: Brussels, Belgium, China, France

☆ Harland & Wolff, the company behind the Titanic, declares itself insolvent
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-16 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

London CNN —Harland & Wolff, the 163-year-old firm that built the Titanic, has declared itself insolvent after failing to secure funding to continue trading. The Titanic under construction at a Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast. Krista Few/Corbis/Getty ImagesThis is not the first time that Harland & Wolff has prepared for bankruptcy. Last year, Harland & Wolff, which completed the Titanic in 1912, delivered its first finished vessel from its historic Belfast site in two decades. Activity on the Islandmagee project will also continue as normal, Harland & Wolff said.

Persons: London CNN — Harland, Wolff, Harland, —, ”, Russell Downs, Krista Few, Harland & Wolff, Matt Roberts, GMB Organizations: London CNN —, Administration, UK Export Finance, Belfast, Harland, Storage, “, UK’s Ministry of Defence Locations: United Kingdom, “, Belfast, British, Northern Ireland, Scotland

☆ Rebecca Cheptegei: Ugandan athlete who died after her partner set her on fire gets a military funeral
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-14 | by ( Story Associated Press | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Bukwo, Uganda AP —Thousands of mourners in Uganda paid respects to Rebecca Cheptegei, the Olympic athlete who died last week in Kenya after her partner set her on fire, at a military funeral in a remote town near the Kenyan border. Military officers played a prominent role in the funeral because Cheptegei held the rank of sergeant in Uganda’s army, said military spokesman Brig. According to a report filed by the local chief, they quarreled over a piece of land the athlete bought in Kenya. Cheptegei is the fourth female athlete to have been killed by her partner in Kenya in a worrying pattern of gender-based violence in recent years. Cheptegei competed in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics, finishing in 44th place, less than a month before the attack.

Persons: Rebecca Cheptegei, Cheptegei, Felix Kulayigye, Abubaker Lubowa, Dickson Ndiema, Ndiema, Janet Museveni, Don Rukare Organizations: Uganda AP, Olympic, Military, Uganda People's Defence Forces, Reuters, AP, Cheptegei, National Council of Sports, Kenyan, Health Survey, Paris Olympics Locations: Bukwo, Uganda, Kenya, Kenyan, Nzoia County, East, Eldoret, Kapchorwa, Kenya’s

☆ North Korea gives rare view of uranium enrichment site during Kim Jong Un visit
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-13 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited a uranium enrichment facility and called for new centrifuges to produce more weapons-grade material for nuclear bombs, state media KCNA reported on Friday. The photos showed Kim walking between long rows of metal centrifuges, the machines that enrich uranium. The report did not make clear when the visit occurred nor the facility's location. Kim urged workers to produce more materials for tactical nuclear weapons, saying the country's nuclear arsenal is vital for confronting threats from the United States and its allies. The North Korean leader said "anti-DPRK nuclear threats" from the "U.S. imperialists-led vassal forces" have crossed the red-line, according to the report.

Persons: Kim Jong Un, Kim Organizations: Nuclear Weapons Institute, United Nations, North Locations: United States, U.S

☆ Whitehaven: Plan to build first coal mine in decades unlawful, UK court rules
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-13 | by ( Story Reuters | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Britain’s approval of its first new deep coal mine in decades was unlawful, London’s High Court ruled on Friday following a legal challenge brought by environmental campaigners. Friends of the Earth and South Lakeland Action on Climate Change challenged the previous Conservative government’s 2022 approval of a coking coal mine in northwest England. Britain dropped its defence of the legal challenges after a Supreme Court ruling earlier this year said planning authorities must consider the impact of burning, not just extracting, fossil fuels when deciding whether to approve projects. Developer West Cumbria Mining fought the case and said the project — which planned to extract coking coal for manufacturing steel, rather than to generate electricity — would be “a unique ‘net zero’ mine”. A spokesperson for West Cumbria Mining said the company “will consider the implications of the High Court judgment and has no comment to make at this time”.

Persons: CNN —, Niall Toru, Toru, James Strachan, David Holgate Organizations: CNN, Lakeland, Conservative, Earth, Developer West, Mining, West Cumbria Mining’s, West Cumbria Mining Locations: England, Britain, West Cumbria

☆ Australia to strip medals from veterans after alleged war crimes
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-12 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +1 min

SYDNEY, Australia — Australia will strip military awards from a group of war veterans over allegations that those under their command committed war crimes in Afghanistan, Defense Minister Richard Marles said Thursday. As part of delivering the final recommendations of the inquiry, known as the Brereton Report, Marles had written to several officers who served in Afghanistan, to inform them that medals awarded for service would be withdrawn, the defense minister said. “The allegations which are the subject of the Brereton Report are arguably the most serious allegations of Australian war crimes in our history,” Marles told Parliament on Thursday. A former soldier was charged with war crimes last year. More than 39,000 Australian troops served in Afghanistan and 41 were killed.

Persons: Richard Marles, Paul Brereton, Brereton, Marles, ” Marles Organizations: Australia —, Defense, Australian Defence Force, Australia, NATO Locations: SYDNEY, Australia, Australia — Australia, Afghanistan

Search resuls for: "Defence"

25 mentions found