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Under the new terms offered by Brookfield, the A$9.43 per share bid remains but some investors can stay invested in the energy markets business that would be owned by Brookfield. Brookfield's consortium partner EIG Partners would take on Origin's integrated gas business which includes the 27.5% stake in Australia Pacific LNG (APLNG). If that bid fails to achieve 75% shareholder support, an alternative proposal has been lodged that would see Origin sell the energy markets business to Brookfield for A$12.3 billion. When asked during a press conference if he had reservations about the revised deal, Chairman Scott Perkins said: "absolutely". DONE TALKINGFollowing the announcement of the revised offer, EIG CEO Blair Thomas told Reuters that he was done talking to AustralianSuper.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Australia's, EIG, Scott Perkins, Blair Thomas, Allan Gray, Simon Mawhinney, Mawhinney, Chris Bowen, Scott Murdoch, Lewis Jackson, Praveen Menon, Lincoln, Sonali Paul, Jamie Freed Organizations: Brookfield, REUTERS, SYDNEY, Brookfield ., EIG Partners, Australia Pacific LNG, Reuters, Brookfield consortium's, Energy, Thomson Locations: Brookfield, Sydney, Australia

☆ EIG CEO says consortium no longer willing to negotiate with Origin's top investor
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Blair Thomas, CEO of EIG, poses in an undated handout photo obtained January 5, 2021. Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Nov 23 (Reuters) - EIG Partners CEO Blair Thomas said on Thursday the consortium behind the $10.6 billion bid for Origin Energy (ORG.AX) was "done" negotiating with top shareholder AustralianSuper in an attempt to gain its backing for the offer. Thomas said he believed AustralianSuper, which holds 16.5% of Origin, was acting against the best interests of the company's remaining shareholders. EIG is part of the consortium led by Canada's Brookfield. Reporting by Scott Murdoch in Sydney; Editing by Jamie FreedOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Blair Thomas, Danthi, Thomas, Canada's, Scott Murdoch, Jamie Freed Organizations: Rights, EIG, Origin Energy, Thomson Locations: Canada's Brookfield, Sydney

☆ US Navy 'Excited' by Prospect of Better Communication With China, but Says More Work Needed
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Greg TorodeHONG KONG (Reuters) - The U.S. Navy was "excited" by the prospect of improved operational communications with the Chinese military amid regional tensions, but work was still needed to solidify the next steps, a senior U.S. naval officer said on Friday. "I'm very excited and I welcome that announcement," she said of China's agreement to resume telephone communications between theatre commands, something U.S. officials have been eager to develop. "These agreements were reached just recently, and we know that we have work with the PRC mil to do to solidify the next steps," Franchetti said. Her remarks come after agreements this month by U.S. President Joe Biden and China's Xi Jinping to resume military contacts that Beijing froze after then-House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in August 2022. (Reporting by Greg Torode; Writing by Liz Lee; Editing by Jamie Freed and Gerry Doyle)

Persons: Greg Torode, Admiral Lisa Franchetti, Franchetti, Joe Biden, China's Xi Jinping, Nancy Pelosi, Liz Lee, Jamie Freed, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Reuters, U.S . Navy, U.S, Beijing Locations: Greg Torode HONG KONG, U.S, Seoul, Taiwan, San Francisco, Iran, United States

☆ New Zealand's National Party Reaches Deal to Form Government
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand's National Party has reached an agreement with ACT New Zealand and New Zealand First to form a government, and the final signoff could be done later on Thursday, the leaders said. The conservative National Party won the largest share of votes in New Zealand's Oct. 14 general election but needed the support of both right-wing ACT New Zealand and the populist New Zealand First Parties to form a majority government. The statement did not include details of any ministerial appointments or the incoming government's policy priorities. Currently, the government is being operated by the former Labour government, which is operating in caretaker mode. (Reporting by Lucy Craymer and Renju Jose; Editing by Jamie Freed and Stephen Coates)

Persons: Christopher Luxon, ACT's David Seymour, New Zealand First's Winston Peters, Lucy Craymer, Renju Jose, Jamie Freed, Stephen Coates Organizations: WELLINGTON, Reuters, National Party, ACT New, New Zealand, ACT New Zealand, Zealand, Labour Locations: ACT New Zealand, New

The A$300 billion ($195.24 billion) pension fund was against the original offer, which it also said substantially undervalued the company's ability to profit from Australia's shift to renewable energy. Under the new terms offered by Brookfield, the A$9.43 per share bid remains but some investors can stay invested in the energy markets business that would be owned by Brookfield. Brookfield's consortium partner EIG Partners would take on Origin's integrated gas business which includes the 27.5% stake in Australia Pacific LNG (APLNG). If that bid fails to achieve 75% shareholder support, an alternative proposal has been lodged that would see Origin sell the energy markets business to Brookfield for A$12.3 billion. DONE TALKINGFollowing the announcement of the revised offer, EIG CEO Blair Thomas told Reuters that he was done talking to AustralianSuper.

☆ Praise, fear after Dutch populist Wilders' election win
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Dutch far-right politician and leader of the PVV party, Geert Wilders reacts to the exit poll and early results in the Dutch parliamentary elections, in The Hague, Netherlands November 22, 2023. Congratulations to Geert Wilders on winning the Dutch elections!" BELGIAN FAR-RIGHT LEADER TOM VAN GRIEKEN:"I would like to congratulate Geert Wilders on this victory. ITALIAN FAR-RIGHT LEADER MATTEO SALVINI:"Congratulations to our friend Geert Wilders, leader of the PVV and historic ally of the League, for this extraordinary electoral victory. CONSERVATIVE, PRO-BUSINESS VVD PARTY LEADER DILAN YESILGOZ:"It is up to Wilders to show he can form a majority.

Persons: Geert Wilders, Yves Herman Acquire, VIKTOR ORBAN, Geerts Wilders, TOM VAN, SANTIAGO ABASCAL, MATTEO SALVINI, HABIB, KADDOURI, Wilders, FRANS TIMMERMANS, DILAN YESILGOZ, Charlotte Van Campenhout, Bart Meijer, John Irish, Jamie Freed Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Freedom Party, MARINE, PEN, League, INTERNATIONAL, CONSERVATIVE, Thomson Locations: The Hague, Netherlands, EU, Europe, BELGIAN, Flanders, Paris

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Proxy advisor CGI Glass Lewis on Thursday recommended Origin Energy (ORG.AX) shareholders vote in favour of a $10.5 billion bid from a consortium led by Canada's Brookfield (BN.TO), despite opposition from the target's largest shareholder. Brookfield and EIG Partners last week offered a "best and final" A$9.53 per share for Origin after raising a previous bid. Australia's largest pension fund AustralianSuper opposes the offer and intends to use its 15% stake to vote against the deal at a Nov. 23 shareholder meeting. Origin Energy shares traded 1.9% higher at A$8.905 at 2 p.m. AEDT (0300 GMT) and are up 5.1% since the close of trade on Nov. 2, when AustralianSuper rejected the improved offer. Reporting by Scott Murdoch and Lewis Jackson; Editing by Leslie Adler and Jamie FreedOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Glass, Canada's Brookfield, AustralianSuper, Glass Lewis, Scott Murdoch, Lewis Jackson, Leslie Adler, Jamie Freed Organizations: Brookfield, REUTERS, Rights, Energy, EIG Partners, Services, Origin Energy, Australia Pacific LNG, Thomson Locations: Brookfield, Australia

The National Australia Bank Logo is seen on a branch in central Sydney, Australia, February 8, 2018. That has left NAB, ranked third for mortgages but first for business loans, in a prime position as the country's retail lenders look elsewhere for growth. We're not abandoning (mortgages), we're tilting towards our business bank." Larger mortgage rival Westpac (WBC.AX) also posted a higher annual profit on Monday, despite a decline in home loan profit. The company's net interest margin, a closely-watched bank metric of lending interest income minus payouts to deposit accounts, shrank to 1.71% as of Sept. 30, from 1.77% at March-end.

Persons: Daniel Munoz, Ross McEwan, We're, Azib Khan, Roushni Nair, Archishma Iyer, Shounak Dasgupta, Jamie Freed Organizations: National, REUTERS, NAB, SYDNEY, National Australia Bank, Westpac, P, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, Bengaluru

☆ Swedish EV maker Polestar trims delivery forecast, halves margin target
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Abhirup Roy | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Nov 8 (Reuters) - Swedish electric vehicle maker Polestar trimmed its 2023 delivery forecast on Wednesday to the lower end of its earlier guidance and halved its gross margin target, amid fears of a slowdown in EV demand and global economic uncertainty. Polestar, which operates in 27 markets globally, said it would now deliver about 60,000 vehicles this year, down from between 60,000 to 70,000. It had reiterated that forecast just last month after slashing the target in May from the 80,000 it had estimated earlier. The U.S.-listed company, founded by China's Geely and Volvo Cars (VOLCARb.ST), also said it would achieve a gross margin of 2% in 2023, down from its prior 4% forecast. The company said it sees gross margin in the high teens with a total annual volume of about 155,000 to 165,000 vehicles in 2025.

Persons: China's Geely, Johan Malmqvist, Thomas Ingenlath, Tesla's, Elon Musk, Polestar, Abhirup Roy, Rod Nickel, Jamie Freed Organizations: Volvo, Reuters, General Motors, Ford, Revenue, Thomson Locations: Swedish, U.S, San Francisco

☆ National Australia Bank's second-half cash profit falls as inflation persists
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Roushni Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The National Australia Bank Logo is seen on a branch in central Sydney, Australia, February 8, 2018. But for the half-year ended Sept. 30, cash earnings sank as the impact of monetary policy tightening and inflationary pressures crippled households and the economy. The annual performance of its business and institutional banking divisions stood out with of 10.1% and 14.9% in cash profits respectively, while the personal banking division was a drag on its results, posting a 9.1% decline in cash earnings to A$1.45 billion. The bank reported a jump in its credit impairment charge for the year to A$802 million, up from just A$125 million a year ago, which it said reflected volume growth and worsening asset quality. The bank declared a final dividend of 84 Australian cents per share, up from 78 Australian cents apiece a year earlier.

Persons: Daniel Munoz, Ross McEwan, Roushni Nair, Archishma Iyer, Shounak Dasgupta, Jamie Freed Organizations: National, REUTERS, National Australia Bank, NAB, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, Bengaluru

☆ Japan's efforts to foster chip sector are 'impressive' -research org head
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Sam Nussey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Japan's efforts to regain its position as a leading manufacturer of chips are "impressive", the head of a leading chip research organisation said on Thursday. "Japan this time has taken a bold approach and has implemented very quick decision making," Luc Van den hove, CEO of Belgium-based Imec told reporters in Tokyo. One key initiative is chip foundry venture Rapidus, which is led by veteran chip executives and hopes to manufacture cutting-edge chips by partnering with IBM (IBM.N) and Imec. "What Rapidus is trying to do is extremely difficult," said Van den hove, adding that "the Japanese team and government are very motivated to make it a success, so I'm positive." Imec, an important part of chipmaking research efforts funded by industry and governments, is considering opening offices in Hokkaido, where Rapidus production will be located, and in Tokyo, Van den hove said.

Persons: Florence Lo, Luc Van den hove, Imec, Taiwan's TSMC, Van den, Sam Nussey, Jamie Freed Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, IBM, Samsung Electronics, U.S, Thomson Locations: Japan, Belgium, Tokyo, South, Van den hove, Hokkaido, Van, China

A 0.25 mg injection pen of Novo Nordisk's weight-loss drug Wegovy is shown in this photo illustration in Oslo, Norway, August31, 2023. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday said Eli Lilly (LLY.N) could begin selling its drug tirzepatide for weight loss, making it the second obesity drug in a class known as GLP-1s. Studies of Novo's Wegovy showed that it led to 15% weight loss over 68 weeks, while Lilly's drug, which also targets a second hormone called GIP, demonstrated weight loss of more than 22% over 72 weeks. Drugstore chain Walgreens is seeing "enormous demand" for GLP-1s, said John Driscoll, president, U.S. healthcare at Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA.O). Much has been made of the impact the new weight loss drugs might have on consumer habits such as snack food purchases, but Driscoll said Walgreens has not seen that yet.

Persons: Victoria Klesty, Eli Lilly, Novo, Novo's Wegovy, Lawrence Tabak, John Driscoll, Tabak, Driscoll, Walgreens, Julie Steenhuuysen, Caroline Stauffer, Deena Beasley, Jamie Freed Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Total Health, U.S . Food, Drug Administration, U.S . National Institutes of Health, Walgreens, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Thomson Locations: Oslo, Norway, August31, Victoria, Chicago, U.S, satiety

☆ Occidental Petroleum beats Q3 estimates on higher production
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Sabrina Valle | Thomson Reuters | U.S. Energy Correspondent Focused In Covering Global Operations Of Oil Majors Out Of Houston. | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The logo for Occidental Petroleum is displayed on a screen on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, U.S., April 30, 2019. The oil and gas company reported a $1.18 a share profit compared to average Wall Street analyst forecasts for an 84 cent a share profit, according to LSEG. Its chemical and midstream unit earnings fell compared to a year ago. Midstream swung to a loss of $130 million from a $104 million profit. Its chemicals business profit fell to $373 million from $580 million a year ago.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Warren Buffett's, Midstream, Sabrina Valle, Sourasis Bose, Krishna Chandra Eluri, Stephen Coates, Jamie Freed Organizations: Occidental Petroleum, New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Rights, Tuesday, Occidental, Berkshire Hathaway's, Anadarko Petroleum, BlackRock, Devon Energy, Thomson Locations: New York, U.S, Berkshire, Occidental, Texas, Devon, Houston, Bengaluru

☆ Japan's Fuji Soft to launch tender offer for 4 listed subsidiaries -Bloomberg News
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TOKYO, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Software developer Fuji Soft (9749.T) is planning to announce a tender offer on Wednesday for four listed subsidiaries in Japan, Bloomberg News reported, citing people familiar with the matter. Trading was halted in Tokyo for the subsidiaries Vinx (3784.T), Cyber Com (3852.T), Cybernet Systems (4312.T) and Fuji Soft Service Bureau (6188.T). Fuji Soft holds a more than 50% stake in the companies, according to LSEG data. Fuji Soft was the subject of a proxy battle last year, when Singapore-based investment hedge fund 3D Investment Partners got two of its nominees on the Japanese company's board. Reporting by Rocky Swift; Editing by Tom Hogue and Jamie FreedOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Rocky Swift, Tom Hogue, Jamie Freed Organizations: Software, Fuji, Bloomberg News, Cybernet Systems, Fuji Soft Service Bureau, Investment Partners, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Japan, Tokyo, Singapore

☆ Magnitude 6.9 earthquake strikes Banda Sea in Indonesia; no tsunami warning
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Nov 8 (Reuters) - An earthquake of magnitude 6.9 struck the Banda Sea region in Indonesia on Wednesday, the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said. The quake was 370 km (229.9 miles) southeast of Ambon, Indonesia and estimated at a depth of 146 km, EMSC added. There was no tsunami threat from the earthquake, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PWTC) said. EMSC had initially reported it as magnitude 6.8. Reporting by Shubhendu Deshmukh in Bengaluru; Editing by Jamie FreedOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: EMSC, Shubhendu Deshmukh, Jamie Freed Organizations: Mediterranean Seismological, Tsunami Warning, Thomson Locations: Banda, Indonesia, Ambon, Bengaluru

☆ Australia to investigate Optus internet and phone outage
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Renju Jose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Australia said on Thursday it would launch an investigation into a 12-hour national outage at telco Optus that cut off internet and phone connections to nearly half of its population, hitting critical services including payments, transport and hospitals. The federal government would undertake a post-incident review into the outage, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said, describing its impacts as "particularly concerning." Australia's media regulator will conduct a separate review into the outage after emergency triple zero ("000") calls went down on Optus landlines, Rowland added. Optus, owned by Singapore Telecommunications (STEL.SI), has not given the cause for the unprecedented outage, one of the biggest the country has witnessed. The outage happened 14 months after Optus was hit by one of Australia's biggest cyber breaches.

Persons: telco, Michelle Rowland, Rowland, Renju Jose, Jamie Freed Organizations: SYDNEY, Optus, Optus landlines, Singapore Telecommunications, Telstra, Australian Broadcasting Corp, Thomson Locations: Australia, Sydney

☆ SoftBank's WeWork, once most valuable US startup, succumbs to bankruptcy
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

WeWork had office space available at 777 locations worldwide as of the end of June. In a filing with the New Jersey bankruptcy court, WeWork listed assets of $15.06 billion and liabilities of $18.66 billion as of June 30. Under its founder Adam Neumann, WeWork grew to be the most valuable U.S. startup worth $47 billion. WeWork engaged in debt restructurings, yet this was not enough to stave off its bankruptcy. Shortly before WeWork filed for bankruptcy, Neumann said in a statement, "I believe that, with the right strategy and team, a reorganization will enable WeWork to emerge successfully."

Persons: WeWork, SoftBank, Cadwalader, Taft, Kate Munsch, Adam Neumann, Sandeep Mathrani, Mathrani, David Tolley, Neumann, Greg Roumeliotis, Mrinmay Dey, Arun Koyyur, Rashmi Aich, Jamie Freed, Edmund Klamann Organizations: SoftBank, New, REUTERS, JPMorgan Chase, Intelsat, Thomson Locations: Canada, New Jersey, Wickersham, San Francisco , California, U.S, WeWork, SoftBank, Tokyo, New York, Bengaluru

REUTERS/Nick Oxford/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 7 (Reuters) - Oil prices slipped by 1% on Tuesday, erasing most of Monday's gains, as mixed economic data from the world's second largest oil consumer China and winter demand worries offset the impact of Saudi Arabia and Russia extending output cuts. Both benchmarks gained about 30 cents on Monday after top exporters Saudi Arabia and Russia reaffirmed their commitment to extra voluntary oil supply cuts until the end of the year. Expectations of crude run reductions by China-based refiners between November and December may limit oil demand and exacerbate price declines. Looking ahead on the supply side, markets are waiting to see how long Saudi Arabia and Russia are ready to rein in production. Moscow also announced it would continue its additional voluntary supply cut of 300,000 bpd from its crude oil and petroleum product exports until the end of December.

Persons: Nick Oxford, Leon Li, Kelvin Wong, Trixie Yap, Yuka Obayashi, Jamie Freed, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Midland , Texas U.S, REUTERS, Brent, U.S, West Texas, Markets, ING, Thomson Locations: Midland , Texas, China, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Shanghai, OPEC, Moscow, Singapore, Tokyo

☆ Who qualified for the third 2024 Republican presidential debate?
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Nov 6 (Reuters) - Five Republican candidates will take part in the third 2024 Republican presidential debate on Wednesday in Florida. Here are the candidates who are due to be on stage for the debate, which begins at 8 p.m. Haley has gained a reputation in the Republican Party as a solid conservative who has the ability to address issues of gender and race in a more credible fashion than many of her peers. Scott, 58, attracted 2% support among Republicans, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling conducted from Sept. 8 through Sept. 14. Christie has received about 2% support among Republicans in a Reuters/Ipsos conducted from Sept. 8 through Sept. 14.

Persons: Donald Trump, Adrienne Arsht, RON DESANTIS, DeSantis, VIVEK RAMASWAMY, Ramaswamy, Trump, NIKKI HALEY, Haley, TIM SCOTT, Scott's, Scott, CHRIS CHRISTIE Christie, Trump's, Christie, Ipsos, Costas Pitas, Jamie Freed Organizations: Republican, Adrienne, Adrienne Arsht Center, Performing Arts of Miami, NBC News, Twitter, Trump, White, United Nations, Biden, Republican Party, TIM, Black Republican U.S, Reuters, New, Republicans, Thomson Locations: Florida, Dade County, Iowa, South Carolina, New Jersey

☆ China's ByteDance to overhaul VR arm Pico as global demand declines -sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Josh Ye | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The ByteDance logo is seen at the company's office in Shanghai, China July 4, 2023. The meeting did not specify how many jobs would be cut as a result, but the three people said "hundreds" of Pico staff were expected to be affected globally. In China, it has become the leading VR producer by total shipments and globally it trails only Meta. But two of the people said ByteDance had pared back efforts to develop Pico as a brand in recent months as the outlook dimmed. ByteDance said last month it remained committed to the VR industry in the long term following media reports that it planned to gradually wind down Pico.

Persons: Aly, Pico, ByteDance, Josh Ye, Jamie Freed Organizations: REUTERS, Pico, Reuters, VR, Meta, IDC, Thomson Locations: Shanghai, China, Pico, HONG KONG

☆ Exclusive: Activist investor Elliott targets drugmaker BioMarin -sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Svea Herbst-Bayliss | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

NEW YORK, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Activist investor Elliott Investment Management has built a stake in BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN.O) and has been in discussions with the biotechnology company for months about its future, according to two people familiar with the matter. Elliott declined to comment, while a representative for BioMarin did not immediately respond to a request for comment. BioMarin shares rose 12% to $85.36 on the news in morning trading in New York on Tuesday. Prior to news of Elliott's engagement, BioMarin shares were down 24% year-to-date, significantly underperforming the iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB.O), which is down 8.6%. Elliott also successfully pushed for drug makers Alexion Pharma (AZN.L) and Allergan (ABBV.N) to be sold.

Persons: Elliott, BioMarin, hemophilia, Jean, Jacques Bienaime, Alexander Hardy, Jefferies, Bienaime, Harvey, Richard Meier, Svea Herbst, Bayliss, Jamie Freed Organizations: Investment Management, BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, Alexion Pharma, Svea, Thomson Locations: BioMarin, San Rafael , California, West Palm Beach , Florida, New York

☆ Malaysia drops plans for proposed transborder haze pollution bill
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

FILE PHOTO:The sun rises above Kuala Lumpur's skyline on a hazy day in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia October 9, 2023. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsKUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Malaysia will not proceed with a proposed bill to prevent transborder haze pollution, its environment ministry said, citing difficulties in obtaining the necessary information for prosecution purposes. "To enable the enforcement of a transboundary haze pollution bill, clear evidence that transboundary haze originates from neighbouring countries must be supported by sufficient data such as location maps, coordinates, landowner information and companies operating in the location of fires," the ministry said. It said such information was difficult to obtain as it involved matters of confidentiality, security and national sovereignty. Malaysia last month called on Indonesia and a grouping of Southeast Asian nations to take action as air quality worsened across the country due to fires in Indonesia.

Persons: Hasnoor Hussain, Danial Azhar, Jamie Freed Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Kuala Lumpur's, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, KUALA LUMPUR, Indonesia

☆ FACTBOX Who qualified for the third 2024 Republican presidential debate?
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Nov 6 (Reuters) - At least five Republican candidates will take part in the third 2024 Republican presidential debate on Wednesday in Florida. Here are the candidates expected to be on stage for the debate, which begins at 8 p.m. Haley has gained a reputation in the Republican Party as a solid conservative who has the ability to address issues of gender and race in a more credible fashion than many of her peers. Scott, 58, attracted 2% support among Republicans, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling conducted from Sept. 8 through Sept. 14. Christie has received about 2% support among Republicans in a Reuters/Ipsos conducted from Sept. 8 through Sept. 14.

Persons: Donald Trump, Adrienne Arsht, RON DESANTIS, DeSantis, VIVEK RAMASWAMY, Ramaswamy, Trump, NIKKI HALEY, Haley, TIM SCOTT, Scott's, Scott, CHRIS CHRISTIE Christie, Trump's, Christie, Ipsos, Chris Christie's, Costas Pitas, Jamie Freed Organizations: Republican, Adrienne, Adrienne Arsht Center, Performing Arts of Miami, NBC News, Twitter, Trump, White, United Nations, Biden, Republican Party, TIM, Black Republican U.S, Reuters, New, Republicans, Thomson Locations: Florida, Dade County, Iowa, South Carolina, New Jersey

The funds available for deals are growing as investors including pension funds, sovereign wealth and insurance firms look for meaty returns hard to find in today's equity markets, especially in the beaten-down real estate sector. Australian real estate specialist Qualitas (QAL.AX), whose backers include the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, has nearly doubled funds under management to A$8 billion ($5.07 billion) since mid-2022, with roughly half the increase since this June. U.S.-based PGIM Real Estate expects to deploy a further $1 billion in the country over the next few years, said its head of Australian real estate Steve Bulloch. Lenders are expanding into residential and commercial construction as banks slow lending or exit, a March report from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) said. JUICY RETURNSInvestors can expect returns from 9% to 11% with the added security of loans pledged against real assets like condos or warehouses, often with a 30% to 40% equity buffer, said Paul Notaras, executive director at Barings Real Estate Australia.

Persons: Stella Qiu, meaty, Steve Bulloch, JUICY, Paul Notaras, Notaras, Qualitas, Andrew Schwartz, Bonds, We've, Schwartz, Lewis Jackson, Rae Wee, Jamie Freed Organizations: REUTERS, Abu, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Commonwealth Bank, National Australia Bank, Westpac, ANZ Group, International Monetary, Reserve Bank of Australia, Australia, prudential, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Thomson Locations: Parramatta, Sydney, SYDNEY, Australian, Abu Dhabi, Australia, Qualitas, Singapore

☆ Deadly earthquakes in Nepal since 2015
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NOV 3, 2023At least 128 people were killed and dozens injured when a strong earthquake struck the western area of Jajarkot. OCT 3, 2023Two earthquakes rocked western Nepal, injuring 17 people, damaging homes and triggering a landslide that blocked a major highway. NOV 12, 2022An earthquake of magnitude 5.4 struck Nepal, shaking houses in the Himalayan country and India. SEPT 16, 2020An earthquake measuring magnitude 6 struck Nepal and tremors caused by the quake were felt in the capital, Kathmandu. The previous deadliest earthquake to strike the country, in 1934, killed at least 8,519 in Nepal, as well as thousands more in India.

Persons: Jamie Freed Organizations: REUTERS Acquire, German Research Centre, Geosciences, U.S . Geological Survey, YP Rajesh, Thomson Locations: Jajarkot, Nepal, China, India, New Delhi, U.S, Bajhang, Kathmandu

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