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☆ Dollar holds near 150 yen as c.bank policy, data deluge awaited
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Rae Wee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Euro, Hong Kong dollar, U.S. dollar, Japanese yen, British pound and Chinese 100-yuan banknotes are seen in a picture illustration shot January 21, 2016. A PMI data deluge, inflation figures in the euro zone and U.S. nonfarm payrolls also add to the mix of the event-packed week. "I think for the FOMC and the Bank of England, they will be pretty low key with them leaving interest rates on hold. The BOJ meeting will be the most interesting one (given) heightened speculation over a policy tweak at this meeting." The yen was last 0.1% lower at 149.75 per dollar, getting a slight reprieve after having struck a one-year trough of 150.78 per dollar last week.

Persons: Jason Lee, nonfarm payrolls, Carol Kong, Israel, Chris Weston, Christian Scherrmann, Rae Wee, Muralikumar Organizations: Hong, REUTERS, Rights, Bank of, U.S . Federal Reserve, Bank of England, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, New Zealand, Aussie, Fed, Thomson Locations: Hong Kong, Rights SINGAPORE, Bank of Japan, Gaza's, Palestinian, U.S

☆ China says US has no right to get involved in its problems with Philippines
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING, Oct 26 (Reuters) - The United States does not have the right to get involved in problems between China and the Philippines, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Thursday, as tensions simmer over conflicts in disputed waters of the South China Sea. "The U.S. is not party to the South China Sea issue, it has no right to get involved in a problem between China and the Philippines," said ministry spokesperson Mao Ning at a regular press briefing when asked about the U.S. saying it will defend the Philippines. China and the Philippines have had several high-profile confrontations in the South China Sea, most notably in disputed waters around the Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands. U.S. President Joe Biden said on Wednesday at the White House that America's commitment to Philippines defence remains "iron-clad," after accusing China of acting "dangerously and unlawfully" in the South China Sea. The guidelines now specifically mention that mutual defence commitments would be invoked if there were an armed attack on either country “anywhere in the South China Sea”.

Persons: Mao Ning, Thomas Shoal, Mao, Joe Biden, Biden, Eduardo Baptista, Bernard Orr, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Michael Perry Organizations: China, Mutual Defence, Mutual, Treaty, South China, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, United States, China, Philippines, South China, South, Spratly, Chinese, Philippine, Manila

☆ China Says US Has No Right to Get Involved in Problems Between It and Philippines
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING (Reuters) - The United States does not have the right to get involved in problems between China and the Philippines, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Thursday at a regular press briefing. "The U.S. is not party to the South China Sea issue, it has no right to get involved in a problem between China and the Philippines," said ministry spokesperson Mao Ning in addressing a question on the US saying it will defend the Philippines. "The U.S. promise of defending the Philippines must not hurt China's sovereignty and maritime interests in the South China Sea, and it also must not enable and encourage the illegal claims of the Philippines," Mao said. U.S. President Joe Biden said on Wednesday at the White House that America's commitment to Philippines defense remains "iron-clad," after accusing China of acting "dangerously and unlawfully" in the South China Sea. China and the Philippines recently have had several high-profile skirmishes in the South China Sea, most notably in disputed waters around the Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands.

Persons: Mao Ning, Mao, Joe Biden, Biden, Thomas Shoal, Eduardo Baptista, Bernard Orr, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Michael Perry Organizations: China, Mutual Defense Locations: BEIJING, United States, China, Philippines, South, South China, Spratly, Chinese, Philippine, Manila

☆ China willing to cooperate with US, manage differences - Xi
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

President of China Xi Jinping attends the plenary session during the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa on August 23, 2023. GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday that China is willing to cooperate with the United States as both sides manage their differences and work together to respond to global challenges, according to Chinese state media. Whether or not the United States and China could establish the "right" way of getting along would be crucial to the world, Xi said in a letter delivered at an annual dinner of New York-headquartered National Committee on United States-China Relations. Several top U.S. officials including U.S. State Secretary Antony Blinken met their Chinese counterparts in Beijing this summer. Reporting by Ryan Woo; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Raju GopalakrishnanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: China Xi Jinping, GIANLUIGI, Xi Jinping, Xi, Wang Yi, Joe Biden, Antony Blinken, Wang, Ryan Woo, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Rights, United, China Relations, Economic Cooperation, U.S . State, Global Times, Thomson Locations: China, Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, Rights BEIJING, United States, New York, Washington, San Francisco, Asia, Beijing, Taiwan, South

☆ India demands $12 bln in tax from online gaming firms -govt source
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

NEW DELHI, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Indian tax authorities have served notices to online gaming companies demanding about 1 trillion rupees ($12.03 billion) in taxes that they have allegedly evaded, a government source said on Wednesday. In August, India decided to impose a 28% tax on online gaming companies on the total funds deposited to play online games, leading to some firms like Mobile Premier League laying off employees. "The amount for which show cause notices have been issued to online gaming companies is around 1 trillion rupees," the government official, who did not want to be named, told reporters. The finance ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. ($1=83.1180 Indian rupees)Reporting by Nikunj Ohri; Writing by Sakshi Dayal; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Muralikumar AnantharamanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Nikunj Ohri, Sakshi Dayal, Clarence Fernandez, Muralikumar Organizations: Mobile Premier League, Thomson Locations: DELHI, India

☆ Nidec shares slump over 9% after it retains annual profit outlook
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Oct 24 (Reuters) - Nidec (6594.T) shares tumbled more than 9% on Tuesday after the electric motor maker kept its annual profit outlook unchanged the previous day despite reporting a rise in quarterly profit. Some analysts said the unchanged profit outlook of 220 billion yen ($1.47 billion) for the current year to March 2024 came short of market consensus, while also voicing concerns over declining margins in the Chinese automotive business. "We are still concerned about the outlook for the Chinese EV market and the shift to lower output motors, which is impacting profitability." After the market close on Monday, the Kyoto-based company announced a 7.6% rise in quarterly operating profit, helped by stronger sales and a weaker yen currency. The company's shares were trading down 9.2% by mid-morning, after being untraded with a glut of sell orders earlier in the day.

Persons: Kim Kyung, Mark Chadwick, Mariko Katsumura, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, EV, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, China, Kyoto

☆ BlackRock bitcoin ETF added to eligibility file, says clearing house DTCC
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The BlackRock logo is pictured outside their headquarters in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., May 25, 2021. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSummaryCompanies Potential ETFs added to DTCC file as 'standard practice'-DTCCBlackRock iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF added in August-DTCCMove is not indicative of regulatory approval-DTCCBitcoin holds gains made on ETF approval speculationSINGAPORE, Oct 25 (Reuters) - BlackRock's (BLK.N) proposed bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) was added to a clearing-house eligibility file in August, but the move is not indicative of any regulatory approval, clearing house DTCC said. Speculation that BlackRock or a number of other pending bitcoin ETF applicants would succeed has sent bitcoin on its biggest two-day rally for seven months. The clearing house said the list was its eligibility file, which includes active and potential ETFs and that Blackrock's iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF was added in August as "standard practice...in preparation for the launch of a new ETF". Bitcoin touched an 18-month high of $35,198 on Tuesday and was last at $33,802 in Asia trade on Wednesday.

Persons: Carlo Allegri, Bitcoin, DTCC, Rae Wee, Tom Westbrook, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Jamie Freed Organizations: REUTERS, BlackRock, Traders, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, SEC, Thomson Locations: BlackRock, Manhattan, New York City , New York, U.S, SINGAPORE, Asia, Singapore

☆ Carse to replace injured Topley as England aim for World Cup turnaround
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

England's Brydon Carse in action in September 2023. Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 23 (Reuters) - Pacer Brydon Carse will replace injured Reece Topley in England's World Cup squad, the ICC announced on Monday. England coach Matthew Mott said they still stood a chance to make a comeback. The England players were down in confidence after the losses but needed support from the management, Mott added. You don’t lose that, but you can lose your confidence,” he said.

Persons: England's Brydon Carse, Jason Cairnduff, Brydon, Reece Topley, Topley, Matthew Mott, we’re, Mott, ”, Chiranjit, Muralikumar Organizations: ICC, Ireland, England, Sri, Thomson Locations: South Africa, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Sri Lanka

Summary Sept core consumer prices up 2.8% yr/yr vs f'cast +2.7%Core-core index up 4.2% yr/yr in Sept - govtData among factors to come under scrutiny at BOJ's Oct meetingTOKYO, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Japan's core inflation in September slowed below the 3% threshold for the first time in over a year but stayed above the central bank target, keeping alive expectations that policymakers will phase out ultra-easy monetary policy. "While inflation weakened in September, we think inflation will only fall below the BoJ's 2% target by the end of next year," said Marcel Thieliant, head of Asia-Pacific at Capital Economics. The nationwide core consumer price index (CPI), which excludes volatile fresh food costs, rose 2.8% in September from a year earlier - the first time it has slowed below 3% since August 2022, government data showed on Friday. All the same, the rate has tracked above the BOJ's 2% target for 18 straight months. Reporting by Takahiko Wada and Leika Kihara; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Shri NavaratnamOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Marcel Thieliant, Takahiko Wada, Leika, Muralikumar Anantharaman Organizations: Bank of Japan, Capital Economics, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Asia

On Oct. 7, Hamas gunmen stormed into southern Israel from the Gaza Strip, killing at least 1,400 people. In response, Israel has retaliated with air strikes, putting the Gaza Strip's 2.3 million people under siege. President Joe Biden said he would seek extra funding, estimated to be in the billions, to help Israel fight Hamas. QATARIn Qatar, Zhai said China was ready to maintain communication and coordination with Russia in an effort to calm the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Reporting by Liz Lee and Ryan Woo; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman, Stephen Coates and Lincoln FeastOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Khan Younis, Mohammed Salem, Zhai Jun, Mikhail Bogdanov, Zhai, Bogdanov, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Wang Yi, Joe Biden, Israel, U.N, Antony Blinken, Washington, Blinken, Liz Lee, Ryan Woo, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Mideast, Moscow, Gaza, Security, United, Global Times, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Rights BEIJING, Israel, Qatar, Middle, Moscow, China, Russia, Doha, Beijing, Palestinian, United States, Iran, Brazil, Washington, Russian, U.S, QATAR, Lincoln

☆ Chinese AI-related firm Zhipu says it has raised over $341.8 mln this year
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

AI (Artificial Intelligence) letters and robot hand miniature in this illustration taken, June 23, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Chinese artificial intelligence-related firm Beijing Zhipu Huazhang Technology said on Friday it has raised over 2.5 billion yuan ($341.82 million) this year. Investors have included Chinese tech giants Alibaba (9988.HK), Tencent (0700.HK), Meituan (3690.HK), Xiaomi (1810.HK), as well as Hillhouse and Legend Capital, Zhipu said. ($1 = 7.3137 Chinese yuan renminbi)Reporting by Beijing newsroom; Editing by Muralikumar AnantharamanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Zhipu, Muralikumar Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Technology, Investors, HK, Legend, Beijing, Thomson Locations: Rights BEIJING, Beijing

☆ IAEA should play constructive role to monitor Fukushima water discharge, says China
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

[1/5]Paul McGinnity, research scientist of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) observes a fishing boat unloading the catch of the day for a morning auction at Hisanohama Port Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023 in Iwaki, northeastern Japan. Eugene Hoshiko/Pool via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Oct 19 (Reuters) - China believes the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) should play a constructive role and shoulder responsibility to monitor Japan's water discharge from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Thursday. Mao Ning, ministry spokesperson, made the remarks when asked why China is participating in an IAEA-led survey in Japan analysing fish landed in Fukushima prefecture following the discahrge. Reporting by Beijing Newsroom; Editing by Muralikumar AnantharamanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Paul McGinnity, Eugene Hoshiko, Mao Ning, Muralikumar Organizations: International Atomic Energy Agency, Hisanohama, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, IAEA, Beijing, Thomson Locations: Iwaki, Japan, Rights BEIJING, China, Fukushima prefecture

☆ Google to manufacture smartphones in India starting with Pixel 8
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The new Pixel 8 Phone is displayed in New York City, U.S., October 4, 2023. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNEW DELHI, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Alphabet Inc (GOOGL.O) will start manufacturing in India and will partner with international and domestic manufacturers to produce its Pixel smartphones locally, starting with Pixel 8, an executive said on Thursday. The devices are expected to be rolled out in 2024, Rick Osterloh, senior vice president of devices and services, said at a Google event. "India is a priority market for Pixel smartphones, and we’re committed to bringing the best of our hardware and underlying built-in software capabilities to people across the country," Osterloh said. India is aiming to become a manufacturing powerhouse, amid a greater push for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Make in India" initiative.

Persons: Caitlin Ochs, Rick Osterloh, we’re, Osterloh, Narendra Modi's, Tanvi Mehta, Blassy, Muralikumar Organizations: REUTERS, smartphones, Apple, Micron Technology, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, DELHI, India

☆ Ford lays off another 150 workers citing UAW strike
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Striking United Auto Workers (UAW) union workers picket outside the Ford Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan, U.S., September 23, 2023. REUTERS/Dieu-Nalio Chery/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 18 (Reuters) - Ford Motor (F.N) said late on Wednesday it is laying off another 150 workers in Michigan because of the ongoing United Auto Workers strike, bringing the total to 2,730 workers furloughed. Ford said the UAW's walkout last week at its Kentucky Truck Plant prompted the new layoffs at a Michigan axle plant. Another 16,600 Ford employees are on strike at three assembly plants, including Kentucky Truck, the company's largest plant worldwide. The targeted strike against the Detroit Three automakers Ford, General Motors (GM.N) and Chrysler-parent Stellantis (STLAM.MI) began on Sept. 15.

Persons: Nalio Chery, Ford, David Shepardson, Muralikumar Organizations: United Auto Workers, UAW, Ford Michigan Assembly Plant, REUTERS, Ford, Plant, Kentucky, Detroit Three, General Motors, Chrysler, Thomson Locations: Wayne , Michigan, U.S, Dieu, Michigan

Ousted Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif gestures as he boards a Lahore-bound flight due for departure, at Abu Dhabi International Airport, UAE July 13, 2018. REUTERS/Drazen Gorgic/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsISLAMABAD, Oct 19 (Reuters) - A Pakistan court on Thursday barred authorities from arresting a former three-time prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, upon his expected return home on Saturday from four years in self-imposed exile, his lawyer said. Nawaz Sharif was in 2018 convicted on corruption charges, which he denied, in two cases and sentenced to a total of 14 years in prison. Upon his return on Saturday, he would address a rally in his old stronghold of Lahore, Tarar said. Sharif returned to Pakistan and to politics in 2007.

Persons: Nawaz Sharif, Drazen Gorgic, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, Tarar, Pervez Musharraf, Musharraf, Asif Shahzad, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Robert Birsel Organizations: Pakistani, Abu, Abu Dhabi International Airport, REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Lahore, Abu Dhabi, UAE, Rights ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, London, U.S

☆ Three Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in West Bank - WAFA news agency
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Palestinians use slings to hurl stones during clashes with Israeli forces near Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank October 18, 2023. REUTERS/Ammar Awad Acquire Licensing RightsOct 19 (Reuters) - Three Palestinians, including two teenagers, were killed by Israeli forces in separate incidents in the occupied West Bank early on Thursday, Palestinian official news agency WAFA said. Israeli forces stormed the village of Budrus, west of Ramallah, shooting dead a young man, Gebriel Awad, and wounding another, WAFA said. Dozens of Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank in the latest flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian violence. Israeli forces have carried out their fiercest bombardment of Gaza in response, killing more than 3,000 Palestinians and imposing a total siege on the blockaded enclave that Hamas controls, fuelling anger among Palestinians in the West Bank.

Persons: Ammar Awad, WAFA, Gebriel Awad, Fatah, Mahmoud Abbas, Hatem Maher, Ahmed Tolba, Muralikumar Organizations: West Bank, REUTERS, Palestinian, The West Bank, Palestinian Authority, Al, Thomson Locations: Ramallah, Budrus, Bethlehem, Tulkarm, Israel, Gaza, Jerusalem, Aqsa, Jerusalem's

☆ China Ready to Liaise With Russia on Mid-East Crisis - Chinese State Media
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

BEIJING (Reuters) - China is ready to maintain communication and coordination with Russia to cool down the Israel-Palestinian crisis, its Middle East special envoy said after meeting with his Russian counterpart this week, Chinese state media reported. China and Russia share the same position on the Palestinian issue, Zhai Jun said after meeting with Russia's special representative for Middle East and African countries in Doha, Qatar on Thursday. He said China is saddened by the humanitarian crisis, and is ready to play a "positive role in the resumption of Palestinian-Israeli peace talks", as well as the "genuine implementation" of the two-state solution, state media said. (Reporting by Liz Lee and Shanghai newsroom; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)

Persons: Zhai Jun, Liz Lee, Muralikumar Anantharaman Organizations: Middle Locations: BEIJING, China, Russia, Israel, Middle East, Doha, Qatar, Shanghai

☆ Australia antitrust watchdog to oversee domestic air travel sector
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A Qantas plane takes off from Kingsford Smith International Airport, following the coronavirus outbreak, in Sydney, Australia, March 18, 2020. REUTERS/Loren Elliott Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Qantas Airways Ltd FollowSYDNEY, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Australia will ask its competition watchdog to monitor domestic passenger flights in a bid to boost competition in a sector dominated by national carrier Qantas, which is under scrutiny for alleged anti-competitive behaviour. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) will monitor prices, costs and profits in the domestic air passenger sector, according to a joint statement from Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Transport Minister Catherine King on Wednesday. "A competitive airline industry helps to put downward pressure on prices and deliver more choice for Australians facing cost-of-living pressures," the statement said. "ACCC market scrutiny will help ensure airlines compete on their merits, bring to light any inappropriate market conduct should it occur, and provide continued transparency at a time when new and expanding airlines are still trying to establish themselves."

Persons: Loren Elliott, Jim Chalmers, Catherine King, Alan Joyce, Lewis Jackson, Muralikumar Organizations: Qantas, Kingsford Smith International, REUTERS, Rights Companies Qantas Airways Ltd, SYDNEY, Australian Competition, Consumer Commission, Transport, Qatar Airways, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia

The International Energy Agency (IEA) report published this week revealed that a growing volume of renewable energy generation is being stalled as developers wait for projects to be connected to national electricity grids. Since the report's release on Monday, share prices of companies engaged in building electric grids, or with products and services tied to grid modernisation, have outperformed firms that are focused on renewable energy generation. The share prices of certain firms that hold these particular skill or product sets have seen signs of heightened buying interest this week since the IEA report was published, indicating that some investors may be already placing bets that grid specialist firms may be primed for growth going forward. Germany's E.ON (EONGn.DE), which has a major energy networks division, is up roughly 17% this year, LSEG data shows. Firms that develop smart meters and other grid management tools are also expected to see growth in demand for their services by power companies.

Persons: Lisi Niesner, Gavin Maguire, Muralikumar Organizations: REUTERS, International Energy Agency, IEA, FOCUS, Mastec Inc, U.S, Fluor Corp, Eaton Corporation, E.ON, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Weselitz, Germany, LITTLETON , Colorado, U.S, Ireland

☆ Country Garden founder Yeung, the tycoon who called himself 'dumb'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Clare Jim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

HONG KONG, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Born into a peasant family in rural China, Yeung Kwok Keung's rags-to-riches tale inspired millions across the country until his Country Garden (2007.HK) empire spiralled into crisis this year. On his home turf, Yeung and his company had many nicknames, among them "The most grassroots tycoon" and the "Universe's No.1 property developer". Born in 1955, Yeung founded Country Garden along with four others in 1992, quickly building its scale across China and transforming it into a household name by the early 2000s. Focusing on less popular, smaller cities in the world's second-largest economy was what made Country Garden successful, as the world's second-largest economy urbanised. In a company statement in August, Yeung spelt out a number of attributes that he said make "The Country Garden that I dream of", some of which will be key amid the crippling cash crisis.

Persons: Yeung Kwok, Yeung, Wu Jianbin, Yeung's, Yang Huiyan, Clare Jim, Dorothy Kam, Anne Marie Roantree Organizations: Xinhua, Volkswagen, China Evergrande, HK, Forbes, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, China, HK, Foshan, Guangdong, Xinhua

☆ Who is in Putin's delegation to China - and who stayed in Moscow?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives for the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China, October 18, 2023. Sputnik/Dmitry Azarov/Pool via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsMOSCOW, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin is currently on a visit to China, his second only trip outside the former Soviet Union since the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Who is in the Russian delegation with Putin - and who stayed in Russia? Before Putin left for China, he was shown at a meeting with defence and spy chiefs at his Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow. The following top officials are thought to be in Russia.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Azarov, Alexander Novak, Sergei Lavrov, Yuri Ushakov, Maxim Oreshkin, Dmitry Peskov, Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina, Anton Siluanov, Maxim Reshetnikov, Dmitry Shugaev, Yuri Chikhanchin, Dmitry Chernyshenko, Igor Morgulov, Igor Sechin, Alexei Miller, Alexei Likhachev, Andrei Kostin, Igor Shuvalov, Leonid Mikhelson, Oleg Belozyorov, Kirill Dmitriev, Putin, Sergei Shoigu, Nikolai Patrushev, Alexander Bortnikov, Dmitry Medvedev, Anton Vaino, Sergei Kiriyenko, Mikhail Mishustin, Viktor Zolotov, Sergei Naryshkin, Guy Faulconbridge, Muralikumar Organizations: Forum, Sputnik, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Soviet Union, Putin, Kremlin, Central Bank Governor, Federal Service for Military, Gazprom, VEB, Russian, Russian Direct Investment, Russia Security, Federal Security Service, Russia's Foreign Intelligence, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Ukraine, Russia, CHINA, North Korea, China BUSINESSPERSONS, Moscow, Russian

SINGAPORE, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Oil prices steadied on Tuesday after a more than $1 slide on Monday amid hopes the U.S. would ease sanctions on producer Venezuela and as Washington stepped up efforts to prevent an escalation of the war between Israel and Hamas. Both oil benchmarks surged last week on fears the conflict in the Middle East could widen, with global benchmark Brent gaining 7.5% in its highest weekly gain since February. The Biden administration has been seeking ways to increase the flow of oil to world markets to alleviate high prices. But any real oil output increase by Venezuela will take time due to lack of recent investments. Reporting by Sudarshan Varadhan; Editing by Sonali Paul, Muralikumar Anantharaman and Kim CoghillOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Brent, Nicolas Maduro, Maduro's, Washington, Joe Biden, Biden, Sudarshan Varadhan, Sonali Paul, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Kim Coghill Organizations: Venezuela, U.S, West Texas, U.S ., Organization of Petroleum Exporting, Brent, Hamas, ANZ Research, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, U.S, Washington, Israel, Venezuela, Gaza, Iran

SINGAPORE, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Oil prices fell slightly on Tuesday after a more than $1 slide on Monday amid hopes the U.S. would ease sanctions on producer Venezuela and as Washington stepped up efforts to prevent an escalation of the war between Israel and Hamas. Venezuela's government and opposition are set to resume long-suspended talks on Tuesday that President Nicolas Maduro said would benefit the upcoming 2024 election, a move that could lead to Washington easing sanctions, multiple sources said. The Biden administration has been seeking ways to increase the flow of oil to world markets to alleviate high prices. But any real oil output increase by Venezuela will take time due to lack of recent investments. Reporting by Sudarshan Varadhan; Editing by Sonali Paul and Muralikumar AnantharamanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Brent, Nicolas Maduro, Maduro's, Washington, Joe Biden, Biden, Sudarshan Varadhan, Sonali Paul, Muralikumar Organizations: Venezuela, U.S, West Texas, U.S ., Organization of Petroleum Exporting, Brent, Hamas, ANZ Research, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, U.S, Washington, Israel, Venezuela, Gaza, Iran

☆ Toyota halts some production at two Japan plants after supplier accident
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TOKYO, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Toyota Motor (7203.T), Japan's biggest automaker, has suspended operations at three lines in two domestic assembly plants due to an accident at a supplier's facility, a company spokesperson said. The incident at supplier Chuo Spring (5992.T), which makes engine and valve springs used in vehicles, also halted some production at group companies Toyota Auto Body and Toyota Industries (6201.T), the spokesperson said. Production in five lines at three Toyota Auto Body plants - all of the unit's lines - was stopped due to the accident, affecting production of minivans such as the Alphard as well as some Land Cruiser models, including for overseas markets. Toyota will decide later on Tuesday whether production at its affected plants would be resumed on Wednesday, its spokesperson said. Operations at all 14 of the automaker's domestic assembly plants ground to a halt in August due to a system malfunction.

Persons: Daniel Leussink, Rocky Swift, Christopher Cushing, Muralikumar Organizations: Toyota, Japan's, Chuo, Toyota Auto Body, Toyota Industries, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Tokyo

REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Mitsubishi Corp (8058.T) is considering bidding for Fujitsu's (6702.T) chip packaging unit Shinko Electric Industries (6967.T), two sources said, as Japan's top trading house weighs an entry into semiconductor manufacturing. Fujitsu has put its 50% stake in Shinko Electric, worth around $2.6 billion at current market prices, on sale, other sources said. A Mitsubishi spokesperson said the trading house had set up a division in June dealing with chips and materials that was looking into various opportunities. A Shinko spokesperson declined to comment. Still, semiconductor packaging remains an area of strength for Japan with Shinko, Ibiden (4062.T) and Toppan Holdings (7911.T) all major players in the global chip supply chain.

Persons: Kim Kyung, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, Makiko Yamazaki, Maki Shiraki, Miho Uranaka, David Dolan, Muralikumar Organizations: Mitsubishi Corp, REUTERS, Rights, Electric Industries, Mitsubishi, Fujitsu, Bain Capital, KKR, Apollo Global Management, Japan Investment Corp, Intel, Devices, Toppan Holdings, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Samsung Electronics, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Kyushu, Chitose . Japan

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