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☆ UK's next government will find tax rises hard to avoid
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( David Milliken | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

But tax rises will be very hard to avoid for whichever party forms the next government, says James Smith, a former Bank of England economist who is research director at the Resolution Foundation, which focuses on issues affecting low and middle earners. For earlier governments, the main way to increase tax levels has been to raise the rate of national insurance - a payroll tax paid by employers and employees - and, in the Conservatives' case, higher value-added tax. Annual GDP growth averaged 2.0% from 2010-2019, compared with 3.0% from 1997-2007. Asked on Sunday about widespread reports of looming tax cuts, Hunt told Sky News: "Everything is on the table ... Higher-than-expected inflation has boosted tax revenue and overall GDP in cash terms, giving more leeway against fiscal targets as most public services' spending budgets are fixed.

Persons: Susannah Ireland, Jeremy Hunt, Rishi Sunak's, James Smith, Smith, Britain's, It's, Carl Emmerson, Hunt, Foundation's Smith, David Milliken, Mike Harrison Organizations: REUTERS, Labour Party, Bank of England, Organisation for Economic Co, Development, Britain, Conservatives, Fiscal Studies, Foundation, Reuters, Monetary Fund, Institute for Government, Sky News, British, Reuters Graphics, Thomson Locations: City, London, Britain, Ukraine

☆ Moldovan president's allies score well in local polls
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( Alexander Tanas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Sandu warned before the election that pro-Russian forces in the country, particularly fugitive business magnate Ilan Shor, had funnelled money into Moldova to "buy" voters. Shor's allies were barred from running two days before the first round and he complained from exile in Israel that the ruling had cost him electoral success. An independent won in Comrat, a town in the south where one of Shor's allies had won a regional vote earlier this year. Ion Ceban, running under a party he founded, was re-elected mayor of the capital Chisinau in the first round, though the president's supporters suggest he may hold pro-Russian sympathies. Reporting by Alexander Tanas; Editing by Ron Popeski and Will DunhamOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Maia Sandu, ZAK BENNETT, Maia Sandu's, Sandu, Ilan Shor, Shor's, Ion Ceban, Igor Grosu, Shor, Arina Korsicova, Alexander Tanas, Ron Popeski, Will Dunham Organizations: USAID, Democracy, Ford Foundation Center, Social Justice, 78th United Nations General, Rights, Sunday, European Union, Sandu's Party of Action, Solidarity, Socialist Party, PAS, Constitutional, The Organization, Security, Cooperation, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Rights CHISINAU, Moldova, Russian, Ukraine, Romania, Israel, Moldova's, Balti, Russia, Comrat, Calaras, Chisinau, Europe

☆ NHL roundup: Down by three goals, Avs score 6 to top Stars
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

Tyler Seguin scored twice and Joe Pavelski had a goal as Dallas built a 3-0 lead, only to see Colorado six unanswered goals. Predators 4, Blackhawks 2Cole Smith scored two goals to help Nashville end a four-game losing streak with a win against visiting Chicago. The Oilers' Derek Ryan scored his first two goals this season, and James Hamblin and Evan Bouchard (200th NHL game) hit the net. Columbus' Johnny Gaudreau celebrated playing in his 700th career game by scoring a goal early in the second period. Kris Letang picked up his 700th career point by assisting on Crosby's second goal.

Persons: Mikko Rantanen, Jerome Miron, Andrew Cogliano, Valeri Nichushkin, Ross Colton, Ryan Johansen, Miles Wood, Cale Makar, Alexandar Georgiev, Tyler Seguin, Joe Pavelski, Mason Marchment, Jake Oettinger, Nichushkin, Cogliano, Josh Norris, Erik Brannstrom, Anton Forsberg, Marco Rossi, Filip Gustavsson, Cole Smith, Yakov Trenin, Gustav Nyquist, Kevin Lankinen, Philipp Kurashev, Tyler Johnson, Arvid Soderblom, Jimmy Vesey, Igor Shesterkin, Vesey, Vitek Vanecek, Artemi Panarin, Blake Wheeler, Jack Hughes, Ondrej Palat, Erik Haula, Sean Couturier, Couturier, Logan Thompson, Owen Tippett, Tyson Foerster, Sean Walker, Travis Sanheim, Carter Hart, Philadelphia Jonathan Marchessault, Shea Theodore, William Karlsson, Thompson, Luke Glendening, Steven Stamkos, Glendening, Cole Koepke, Derek Ryan, James Hamblin, Evan Bouchard, Ryan Nugent, Hopkins, Trent Frederic, David Pastrnak, Juraj Slafkovsky, Johnathan Kovacevic, Jake Allen, Oliver Wahlstrom, Brock Nelson, Hudson Fasching, Kyle Palmieri, Mathew Barzal, Ilya Sorokin, Martin Pospisil, Blake Coleman, MacKenzie Weegar, Yegor Sharangovich, Jacob Markstrom, Connor Zary, Nazem Kadri, Hendrix Lapierre, Washington's Sonny Milano, Alex Ovechkin, Charlie Lindgren, Columbus, Johnny Gaudreau, Ivan Provorov, Justin Danforth, Elvis Merzlikins, Jordan Eberle, Matty Beniers, Jamie Oleksiak, Yanni Gourde, Philipp Grubauer, J.T . Miller, Quinn Hughes, Nils Hoglander, Tyler Myers, Thatcher Demko, Seth Jarvis, Jarvis, Jaccob Slavin, Brent Burns, Sebastian Aho, Antti Raanta, Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang, Tristan Jarry, Adrian Kempe, Louis, Quinton Byfield, Blake Lizotte, Pierre, Luc Dubois, Kevin Fiala, Jake Neighbours, Jordan Binnington, Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, Scheifele, Connor, Josh Morrissey, Vladislav Namestnikov, Mason Appleton, Laurent Brossoit, Matias Maccelli, Matt Dumba, Karel Vejmelka Organizations: Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, American Airlines Center, Avalanche, Dallas, Senators, Ottawa, NHL, Blackhawks, Nashville, Chicago, Predators, Central Division, Rangers, Devils, Flyers, Golden Knights, Philadelphia, Vegas, Oilers, Tampa Bay, Edmonton, Bruins, Canadiens, Trent, Boston, Montreal, Islanders, Flames, New York, Calgary, Capitals, Blue Jackets, Canucks, Seattle, Vancouver, Hurricanes, Penguins, Pittsburgh, Blues, Angeles, St, Los, Pacific Division, Jets, Coyotes, Winnipeg, Arizona, The Coyotes, Thomson Locations: Dallas , Texas, USA, Colorado, Rantanen, Minnesota, Stockholm, Sweden, New York, New Jersey, Newark , N.J, Vegas, Montreal, New, Washington, Columbus, Carolina, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, N.C, Los Angeles

☆ Japanese troops drill on island seen as vulnerable to China
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( Tim Kelly | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKUNOSHIMA, Japan, Nov 19 (Reuters) - Japanese marines in amphibious assault vehicles stormed an island beach at the edge of the East China Sea on Sunday in a simulated attack to dislodge invaders from territory that Tokyo worries is vulnerable to attack from China. Other troops arrived in semi-inflatable rubber boats, with heavy equipment carried to shore on military hovercraft. [1/5]A Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force's Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (ARDB) soldier takes part in a marine landing drill as a part of the country's nationwide 05JX military exercises at Tokunoshima island, Kagoshima prefecture, southwestern Japan, November 19, 2023. Kishida has warned that East Asia could be the next Ukraine, if China, emboldened by Russia's assault on its neighbour, attacks Taiwan. But the yen's sharp decline this year has forced Japan to cut back on some planned purchases, including new models of the U.S.-made Chinook helicopters that Japan's military used in the Tokunoshima drill.

Persons: Yoshihide Yoshida, Issei Kato, Fumio Kishida, Kishida, Tim Kelly, William Mallard Organizations: Self - Defence Forces, Joint Staff, Defence Force, Defense Force, Defense, Rapid Deployment Brigade, REUTERS, U.S, Thomson Locations: TOKUNOSHIMA, Japan, East, Tokyo, China, Russia, North Korea, Tokunoshima, Kagoshima prefecture, Taiwan, Asia, Ukraine, U.S, Beijing

☆ Japanese Troops Drill on Island Seen as Vulnerable to China
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Tim KellyTOKUNOSHIMA, Japan (Reuters) - Japanese marines in amphibious assault vehicles stormed an island beach at the edge of the East China Sea on Sunday in a simulated attack to dislodge invaders from territory that Tokyo worries is vulnerable to attack from China. Other troops arrived in semi-inflatable rubber boats, with heavy equipment carried to shore on military hovercraft. Unlike many of the beaches along Japan's southwest island chain stretching toward Taiwan, the one on Tokunoshima does not have a coral reef that would make military operations more difficult. Kishida has warned that East Asia could be the next Ukraine, if China, emboldened by Russia's assault on its neighbour, attacks Taiwan. But the yen's sharp decline this year has forced Japan to cut back on some planned purchases, including new models of the U.S.-made Chinook helicopters that Japan's military used in the Tokunoshima drill.

Persons: Tim Kelly TOKUNOSHIMA, Yoshihide Yoshida, Fumio Kishida, Kishida, Tim Kelly, William Mallard Organizations: Self - Defence Forces, Joint Staff, Defence Force, Defense Force, U.S Locations: Japan, East, Tokyo, China, Russia, North Korea, Tokunoshima, Taiwan, Asia, Ukraine, U.S

☆ Myanmar junta says facing 'heavy assault' from insurgents in three states
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Junta spokesperson Zaw Min Tun said the military was facing "heavy assaults from a significant number of armed rebel soldiers" in Shan State in the northeast, Kayah State in the east and Rakhine State in the west. Zaw Min Tun said some military positions had been evacuated and the insurgents had been using drones to drop hundreds of bombs on military posts. "We are urgently taking measures to protect against drone bomb attacks effectively," the junta spokesperson said late on Wednesday. Western governments have re-imposed sanctions on the Myanmar junta in response to the coup and crackdowns on protests and demanded the release of Suu Kyi and other pro-democracy politicians and activists. The junta spokesperson denounced the group saying it was "destroying" Rakhine State.

Persons: Zaw Min Tun, Tin, Swe, Nobel, Aung, Suu Kyi, General Antonio Guterres, Kanupriya Kapoor, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, Naypyitaw, Reuters, military's, Administration Council, SAC, Arakan Army, AA, National Defence Force, Thomson Locations: Myanmar, Zokhawthar, Champhai, India's, Mizoram, India, Shan State, Kayah State, Rakhine State, Zaw, Naypyitaw, Suu, Chin State, Rakhine

☆ German economy, auto sector face risks from exposure to China, fund manager says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Christoph Steitz | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A view shows the flags of China and Germany at a booth of a German automaker at the Auto Shanghai show, in Shanghai, China, April 19, 2023. That poses a dilemma for the German government, which is actively trying to get companies to derisk from China, the world's second-largest economy. The fund manager said it was striking that German companies are also increasingly relocating research and development activities to China, while others did the opposite for security reasons. Union Investment holds stakes in virtually all German blue-chip companies, including German carmakers Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE), BMW (BMWG.DE) and Mercedes-Benz (MBGn.DE) as well as BASF (BASFn.DE), which all have major ties and exposure to the Chinese economy. The exposure means that German carmakers are facing risks such as being squeezed out of the Chinese market as well as seeing increased Asian competition in Europe, the fund manager said.

Persons: Aly, Christoph Steitz, Paul Simao Organizations: Auto, REUTERS, Rights, Union Investment, Reuters, Investment, Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes, Benz, BASF, Thomson Locations: China, Germany, Auto Shanghai, Shanghai, Japan, South Korea, United States, derisk, German, Europe, Berlin, Beijing

☆ Israeli teen ran 'operations room' as Hamas came to kill her family
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Eli Berlzon | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

First the gunmen fired through the door, seriously wounding both Hadar's father, Avida, and her 15-year-old brother, Carmel. Eventually, the militants would rupture the reinforced window with explosives and shoot her mother, Dana, through the gap. That began with a wardrobe being jammed against the other side of their safe room door and set alight. "They also used tires. But we were in survival mode and she was, in all honesty, a superstar," her father said.

Persons: Avida, Hadar Bachar, Dana, Hadar, ” Hadar, Carmel, Dan Williams, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: Beeri, Sheba Medical, Kibbutz, Thomson Locations: Ramat Gan, Israel, TEL HASHOMER, Gaza, Carmel, Kibbutz Beeri, Beeri

☆ Venezuela tells World Court referendum to go ahead despite Guyana resistance
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A general view of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Netherlands August 22, 2023. In April the International Court of Justice, as the World Court is formally known, ruled that it had jurisdiction over the issue. Guyana on Tuesday asked the court to issue emergency measures to stop the vote. "Nothing will prevent the referendum scheduled for the Dec. 3 from being held," Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodriguez told the court. She added that her appearance in court did not mean she recognized its jurisdiction over the dispute.

Persons: de, Delcy Rodriguez, Esequiba, Stephanie van den Berg, Angus MacSwan Organizations: International Court of Justice, REUTERS, HAGUE, Court of Justice, Tuesday, United Nations, Thomson Locations: The Hague, Netherlands, Venezuela, Guyana, Caracas, Esequiba

☆ Pakistan opens new border crossings to expedite Afghans' repatriation
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Saleem Ahmed | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Afghan nationals with belongings sit atop a truck as they head back with their families to Afghanistan from Pakistan, at the Chaman Border Crossing along the Pakistan-Afghanistan Border in Balochistan Province, in Chaman, Pakistan November 10, 2023. REUTERS/Naseer Ahmed/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsQUETTA, Pakistan, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Pakistan on Monday opened three new border crossings to accelerate the repatriation of undocumented Afghan nationals who have been ordered to leave the country or face expulsion, officials said. The new crossings were set up at the Afghan border in southwestern Balochistan province in addition to the main crossing in Chaman district, said Jan Achakzai, information minister for the provincial caretaker government. More than 280,000 Afghan nationals have left Pakistan since the new policy was announced in early October, according to the United Nations High Commissioner For Refugees (UNHCR). Kabul has also asked Islamabad to give Afghan nationals ample time to leave.

Persons: Naseer Ahmed, Pakistan's, Jan Achakzai, Asif Shahzad, Hugh Lawson Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Monday, United Nations, Refugees, Thomson Locations: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Balochistan Province, Chaman, Rights QUETTA, Islamabad, Kabul, Afghan, Balochistan, UNHCR

☆ Pakistan Opens New Border Crossings to Expedite Afghans' Repatriation
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Saleem AhmedQUETTA, Pakistan (Reuters) - Pakistan on Monday opened three new border crossings to accelerate the repatriation of undocumented Afghan nationals who have been ordered to leave the country or face expulsion, officials said. Many Afghans have opted to go home voluntarily to avoid deportation under a government push for undocumented migrants to be expelled. The new crossings were set up at the Afghan border in southwestern Balochistan province in addition to the main crossing in Chaman district, said Jan Achakzai, information minister for the provincial caretaker government. More than 280,000 Afghan nationals have left Pakistan since the new policy was announced in early October, according to the United Nations High Commissioner For Refugees (UNHCR). Kabul has also asked Islamabad to give Afghan nationals ample time to leave.

Persons: Saleem Ahmed, Pakistan's, Jan Achakzai, Asif Shahzad, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Reuters, Monday, United Nations, Refugees Locations: Saleem Ahmed QUETTA, Pakistan, Islamabad, Kabul, Afghan, Balochistan, Chaman, UNHCR

Bets on oil prices moving up from here are at their highest level since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, CME options market volatility data shows. Average daily volumes in energy options of the CME exchange overall are the highest since an all-time record in 2018. "The aftermath of the attacks and rising Middle East tensions did not impact oil prices as many investors expected, including ourselves," Unigestion multi-asset portfolio manager Sandrine Perret said. Reuters Graphics3/ DEFENCE STOCKSA gauge of defence stocks compiled by index provider MarketVector (.MVDEF) is 8% higher in the four weeks since the conflict began. It's also near eight-year highs versus the euro and therefore another asset class attracting questions about how it would perform if Middle East tensions are resolved.

Persons: Abdel Hadi Ramahi, Israel, Sandrine Perret, Derek Sammann, Gold, Jeff, Mikhail Zverev, Ron Temple, It's, Francesca Fornasari, Fornasari, Elisa Belgacem, Brent, Naomi Rovnick, Marc Jones, Dhara Ranasinghe, David Evans Organizations: United Arab Emirates, REUTERS, U.S White, Aegon, Reuters, Global, Defence, Lazard Asset Management, Swiss, Insight Investment, Generali Investments, Thomson Locations: Dubai, United Arab, Hamas, Israel, Gaza, Ukraine, Jordan, Egypt, China, Taiwan, Europe

☆ South Korea's Yoon, Japan's Kishida to attend tech roundtable on Nov. 17
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during a joint press conference with U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (not pictured) at the trilateral summit at Camp David near Thurmont, Maryland, U.S., August 18, 2023. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Nov 10 (Reuters) - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol plans to attend a roundtable on technological cooperation with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at Stanford University on Nov. 17, Yoon's office said on Friday. They are expected to discuss technology cooperation between the two countries as well as three-way cooperation with the United States, it said. The three countries have since conducted joint military drills and agreed on an early warning data sharing on North Korea's missile launches. Reporting by Jack Kim Editing by Ed Davies and Gerry DoyleOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Yoon Suk Yeol, Joe Biden, Fumio Kishida, Camp David, Evelyn Hockstein, Yoon Suk, Japan's, Kishida, Yoon, Jack Kim, Ed Davies, Gerry Doyle Organizations: South, U.S, Japanese, REUTERS, Rights, Stanford University, Economic Cooperation, Japan's Kyodo, Korea's, Thomson Locations: South Korean, Camp, Thurmont , Maryland, U.S, Rights SEOUL, United States, Asia, San Francisco, Japan, North Korea, Kishida, Tokyo

☆ Johnny Ruffo, ‘Home and Away’ actor and singer, dead at 35
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Amarachi Orie | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Australian actor and singer Johnny Ruffo, known for appearing on popular Australian TV series “Home and Away” and X Factor Australia, has died of brain cancer at the age of 35. “It is with a heavy heart that today we had to farewell our beloved Johnny,” reads a statement posted Friday on his official Instagram account. “Surrounded by his partner Tahnee and family, Johnny went peacefully with the support of some incredible Nurses & Doctors,” it continued. Ruffo then portrayed the character of Chris Harrington in the long-running series “Home and Away” in 307 episodes between 2013 to 2016, according to IMDb. Oligodendrogliomas account for 2 to 5% all primary brain tumors, according to The Brain Tumour Charity in the UK.

Persons: Johnny Ruffo, Johnny, ”, Tahnee, “, Penny McNamee, Tori Morgan, Georgie Parker, Roo Stewart, Sophie Dillman, Ziggy Astoni, Dannii Minogue, Mel B, Ruffo, ” Ruffo, Chris Harrington, Bond, Owen Campbell, Away’s Lynne McGranger, Who Organizations: CNN, X Factor, Doctors, Spice, Sony, Seven, Neighbours, Seven News, Australia’s, ABC Locations: Australian, Instagram, Sydney

☆ How Modi's BJP seeks Muslim vote in India's 2024 election
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Yp Rajesh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

Specifics of the BJP's Muslim outreach strategy, such as the messaging it is using to target voters in these seats, have not been previously reported. The campaign is part of a larger push to woo India's 200 million Muslims, with whom the BJP and Modi have a long and fraught history. ECONOMY-FIRST AND MUSLIM VOTERSThe BJP's website states that secularism in India has become "minority appeasement ... at the cost of majority". They shared details of internal party strategy on condition of anonymity. BJP leaders such as Islam, a former India head of Deutsche bank, said the opposition has taken Muslim votes for granted and neglected their welfare.

Persons: Narendra Modi, Modi, Nafis Ansari, Ansari, Jamal Siddiqui, Modi Mitrs, Syed Zafar Islam, Siddiqui, doesn't, Hilal Ahmed, Yasser Jilani, Ujir Hossain, Mohammed, Hossain, Hossain Dada, Qasim, Amana Begam Ansari, Critics, Ahmed, Ghanshyam Tiwari, Tiwari, Rupam Jain, Katerina Ang Organizations: Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP, Rivals, Analysts, Indian, Reuters, Centre, Congress, Deutsche, Samajwadi Party, Thomson Locations: Balasinore, Indian, Ahmedabad, Madhya Pradesh, India, Delhi, West Bengal, BJP

☆ How India’s Hindu nationalist BJP seeks Muslim vote in 2024 election
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Yp Rajesh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

She is one of thousands believed by rights activists to be in hiding in Pakistan to avoid deportation under a government push for undocumented migrants to leave the country. That includes over one million Afghans, many of whom the Pakistan government says have been involved in militant attacks and crime. 'WORSE THAN PRISON'Reuters spoke to a dozen undocumented migrants trying to stay under the radar of the nationwide sweep. "This is worse than prison," said a 22-year-old Afghan man who said he ensured the lights remained off at night. Some locals who are helping the Afghans arrange for food and water to be secretly smuggled into the shelter under the cover of night.

Persons: Saleh Zada, Akhtar Soomro, Sijal Shafiq, Shafiq, Wafa, I'm, Gibran Peshimam, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Reuters, REUTERS, Rights, Authorities, United Nations, Thomson Locations: Badakhshan province, Kabul, Karachi, Pakistan, Rights KARACHI, Afghanistan, United States, Hazara, Islamabad, France, Canada

☆ As the West courts Russia's neighbors, Putin shows he won't give up its backyard without a fight
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Eurasian Economic Summit on Nov. 9, 2022, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at a joint news conference at the Kremlin in Moscow, on Feb. 10, 2022. "Central Asia obviously has to keep a fine balance and tread that line," Hess said. Analysts note that while an economically isolated Russia wants and needs to keep Central Asia on side, it is gradually losing its grip on the region. Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrive for a working breakfast of the leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States in Moscow, Russia, on May 9, 2023.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Keen, Emmanuel Macron, Putin, Ilham Aliyev, Serdar Berdimuhamedow, Emomali Rahmon, Alexander Lukashenko, Sergei Lavrov, —, it's, Max Hess, Hess, Kassym, Mikhail Klimentyev, Xi Jinping, Florence Lo, they've, Temur Umarov, Tokayev, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Vladimir Smirnov Organizations: Economic, Getty, Russia, Commonwealth of Independent States, Russian, Central Asia —, Central Asian, Kazakh, CIS, West, Georgia, Foreign Policy Research Institute, CNBC, Kremlin, Reuters Central, Central, Central Asia Summit, Afp, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, Commonwealth of Independent, Sputnik Locations: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia, Moscow, Russian, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakh, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, China, Soviet, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Baltic States, Soviet Union, Moldova, Ukraine, U.S, Afghanistan, Asia, Xian, Shaanxi

☆ Keeping Lights Off: Undocumented Afghans Go Underground in Pakistan
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

Persons: Ariba Shahid, Mohammad Yunus Yawar, Sijal Shafiq, Shafiq, Wafa, I'm, Saleh Zada, Gibran Peshimam, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Reuters, Authorities, United Nations Locations: Mohammad Yunus Yawar KARACHI, Pakistan, Kabul, Afghanistan, Karachi, United States, Hazara, Islamabad, France, Canada

REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Europe's record gas inventories continue to climb even higher as a warm start to autumn delays the onset of heating demand while high prices discourage industrial use and encourage continued imports. But prices for gas delivered at the height of winter in January 2024 have started to slide as the record levels of inventory weigh on the market. Chartbook: Europe gas inventories and pricesInventories across the European Union and United Kingdom hit a record 1,146 terawatt-hours (TWh) on Nov. 5, according to Gas Infrastructure Europe. At the same time, futures prices and calendar spreads have remained strong, despite record stocks, discouraging resumption of industrial use and encouraging continued imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Related columns:- Europe’s gas stocks at record high going into winter 2023/24 (October 6, 2023)- Europe’s gas storage must peak early this autumn (September 8, 2023)John Kemp is a Reuters market analyst.

Persons: Kacper, Stocks, John Kemp, David Evans Organizations: REUTERS, European Union, United, Gas Infrastructure, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Strachocina, Poland, Chartbook, Europe, United Kingdom, Gas Infrastructure Europe, Frankfurt, Germany, Ukraine

☆ Russia fumes at the West's charm offensive in its backyard, saying it's 'luring' its friends away
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

One top official in Moscow was fuming as he claimed the West was "luring" its "neighbours, friends, and allies" away from Russia. Moscow's disdainThe French leader's comments are likely to have enraged Moscow, which is already watching Western efforts to court Central Asia with suspicion and disdain. "Look at how Western powers are wooing Central Asia," Lavrov told the BelTA news agency, in comments published by Russia's Foreign Ministry. "They have created numerous formats such as 'Central Asia plus' involving the United States, the EU, and Japan ... On top of the Central Asia plus EU format, the Germans have created their own format. China's roleThere's certainly a tussle for influence that's taking place in Central Asia, with China also "courting" the region to a certain extent.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Emmanuel Macron, Macron, Kassym, Sergei Lavrov, Lavrov, Ilham Aliyev, Serdar Berdimuhamedow, Emomali Rahmon, Alexander Lukashenko, Mark Galeotti, Galeotti, we've, Ed Jones, There's, Joe Biden, Jim Watson, Alexander Titov, Russia's, Xi Jinping, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Organizations: Getty, Ukraine, Kazakh, CNBC, Russian, Central, Russia's Foreign Ministry, EU, Commonwealth of Independent States, Central Asia's, West, General, Afp, Georgia —, Queen's University of Belfast, U.S, Analysts, of, Forum, International Cooperation, Xinhua News Agency Locations: 13,2023, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Moscow, Central Asia, Kazakhstan, Soviet, Astana, France, Uzbekistan, United States, Japan, Turkmenistan, Russian, London, Europe, China, Central, Ukraine, Central Asian, Tajikistan, New York City, Belarus, Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, North Korea, Nicaragua, Syria, South Caucasus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Moldova, Afghanistan, Beijing, People's, of Turkmenistan

☆ Israeli settler attacks fuel the fire as Gaza war rages
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( John Davison | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

Ben-Gvir's office did not respond to a request for comment about whether guns had already been distributed in the West Bank. At least eight of those were since Oct 7. alone, worrying ordinary Palestinians, Israeli security experts and Western officials. Washington has condemned settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank while the European Union on Tuesday denounced "settler terrorism" that risked a "dangerous escalation of the conflict." Hamas cited Israeli actions in the West Bank, core to a would-be Palestinian state, in waging its killing spree. 'GREAT DANGER'Settler-related violence is becoming harder to stem with the ongoing Gaza war and the augmented power of far-right politicians, Israeli security experts say.

Persons: Ammar Awad, Father, QUSRA, Mourning, Mohammed Wadi, Israel hurtled, Wadi's, Shira Liebman, Itamar Ben, Mohammed's, Ahmed, Ibrahim, Abdullah Abu Rahma, Liebman, We've, Lior Akerman, Benjamin Netanyahu, Ben, Ariel Danino, Akerman, Den, Wadi, I'm, Emily Rose, Ali Sawafta, Frank Jack Daniel Our Organizations: West Bank, REUTERS, Reuters, Yesha, National, Twitter, Humanitarian Affairs Office, OCHA, European Union, Wall Resistance Commission, Hamas, United Nations, Palestinian, Thomson Locations: Nablus, West, Bank, Gaza, Qusra, Yesha Council, Lebanon, Washington, Israel's, Israel, Lebanese, Wadi, Abdullah, Jerusalem, Ramallah

On Tuesday an Israeli strike at the Jabalia refugee camp in north Gaza killed dozens of people according to hospital authorities, leaving a moonscape of craters. In Khan Younis, Farida Abu Azzam was taking her husband to hospital for his cancer treatment. In a shelter for displaced people in a U.N. school in Khan Younis, Salwa Najar stood by her son Majed's bedside, wiping his face. A cousin had taken them to Hilal Hospital in Khan Younis, the biggest city in the southern part of the tiny enclave. "Gaza hospitals are crowded with injured people who are filling the hospital beds," she said.

Persons: Mohammed Al, Masri, Nasr, Khan Younis, Israel, Farida Abu Azzam, Akram al, Qara, Salwa Najar, Majed's, Najar, puffy, Nahed Abu Taeema, Nidal al, Angus McDowall, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Turkish Friendship, Hospital, Nasser Hospital, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, Hamas, Khan, Egypt, Khan Younis

☆ Kazakhstan welcomes France's Macron under Moscow's disapproving gaze
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev shakes hands with French President Emmanuel Macron during a meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan November 1, 2023. Press service of the President of Kazakhstan/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. At a meeting with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Macron complimented Astana for refusing to side with Moscow on Ukraine and said the two countries planned to sign significant business deals. In addition to oil, Kazakhstan is a major exporter of uranium, and France's Orano already operates a joint venture with its state nuclear firm Kazatomprom. "We can call your visit historic, very important," Tokayev told Macron.

Persons: Kassym, Emmanuel Macron, Macron, Sergei Lavrov, France's, Tokayev, Tamara Vaal, Olzhas, Jason Neely Organizations: Press, Rights ASTANA, Kazakh, Astana, United Nations, Soviet Central, Foreign, Moscow, Thomson Locations: Astana, Kazakhstan, Handout, Central Asia, Ukraine, China, Europe, Russia, Moscow, Uzbekistan, Western, France

☆ Jordan fears the crossfire if Gaza war pulls Iran into wider conflict
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Suleiman Al-Khalidi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

[1/3] Jordanians gather during a protest in support of Palestinians in Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Amman, Jordan, October 27, 2023. Jordan neighbours Syria and Iraq - both states where Iranian proxies operate - and also sits next door to Israel and the Israeli-occupied West Bank. A Jordanian army spokesperson said on Sunday that Amman had requested that U.S. Patriot missiles be deployed in Jordan. He said Jordan's military and security forces were determined "to prevent any party in these Iranian militias from exploiting the Gaza war to achieve a security breakthrough". Iranian-backed militias hold sway on Syria's southern border with Jordan and Amman blames them and Iran for running a thriving drugs smuggling business.

Persons: Al Sukhni, Jordan, King Abdullah, Abu Nuwar, Amman, Jordan . Washington, Washington, Al Maitah, Maitah, Saddam Hussein, Asad, Bashar al, Assad, Israel, Saud Al Sharafat, Suleiman Al, Phil Stewart, Edmund Blair, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Hamas, REUTERS, West Bank, Reuters, U.S . Patriot, East, Washington, U.S, Embassy, Area Defense, Patriots, Pentagon, Patriot, Hezbollah, Jordan's General Intelligence, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, Amman, Jordan, Jordan's, Jordanian, AMMAN, Washington, Iran, Syria, Iraq, Palestinian, U.S, Jordan ., United States, Ain, Lebanese, Red Sea, Eilat, Aqaba, Yemen, Khalidi

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