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In 2021, the year before Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine, defence spending totalled 3.57 trillion roubles, 14.4% of total spending. In 2022, the share of defence spending rose to 17.7%, data on Russia's electronic budget page showed earlier this year. That may mean that defence spending will also be significantly higher than first envisaged. Moscow doubled its target for defence spending in 2023 to 9.7 trillion roubles, Reuters reported exclusively in August, citing a government document. EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE FREEZEAs defence spending in 2024 triples from pre-invasion levels, the share of spending on "national security", which covers funding for law enforcement agencies, is also rising, set to reach 9.2% in 2024, the documents showed.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Mikhail Metzel, Anton Siluanov, Siluanov, Donets, Dmitry Peskov, Darya, Alexander Marrow, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: Sputnik, REUTERS, Defence, Reuters, CIS, Renaissance, Thomson Locations: Moscow, Russia, Kremlin, Ukraine, Russian

☆ Mexican auto lobby urges authorities to fix border 'crisis' as trade hit
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MEXICO CITY, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Mexico's main auto industry association on Friday urged Mexican authorities to step up efforts to work with the United States to deal with a "migration crisis" on the countries' shared border because of problems it is causing for trade. Added security checks by Texan authorities in response to a recent surge in border crossings have led to delays in goods transport in recent weeks, fueling concern inside the Mexican car industry, which is heavily integrated with the U.S. Describing the matter as a "migration and commercial crisis", AMIA said the border impasses had caused considerable hold-ups and business losses, and were adversely affecting the economy of both Mexico and the United States. AMIA urged Mexican and U.S. authorities to take humanitarian steps to fix the problem and guarantee the free flow of trade. Reporting by Dave Graham; Writing by Natalia Siniawski; editing by Philippa FletcherOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: AMIA, Dave Graham, Natalia Siniawski, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: MEXICO CITY, U.S, Mexican Automotive Industry Association, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, United States, Mexico, Darien, Central America, Mexican, U.S

☆ Ukraine marks 82nd anniversary of Babyn Yar killings by Nazi forces
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy takes part in a commemoration ceremony for the victims of Babyn Yar (Babiy Yar), one of the biggest single massacres of Jews during the Nazi Holocaust, in Kyiv Ukraine September 29, 2023. Over the next two years, many more people were killed at Babyn Yar. The Ukrainian foreign ministry urged the world to prevent such killings happening again and drew attention to Russia's invasion of Ukraine 19 months ago. "The memory of Babyn Yar and the slogan 'Never again' are the moral basis of humanism and opposition to any forms of aggressive-chauvinistic ideologies, in particular, Russian aggression against Ukraine," it said in a statement. Zelenskiy is Ukraine's first ethnically Jewish president, although he is not publicly religious.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Babyn Yar, Babiy Yar, Roma, Anna Pruchnicka, Timothy Heritage, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: Nazi, Thomson Locations: Nazi, Kyiv Ukraine, KYIV, Ukraine, Kyiv, Babyn, Soviet Union, Ukrainians, Ukrainian, Russia

☆ Suspect in Rotterdam shootings had troubled past, targeted victims
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Bart Biesemans | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] FILE PHOTO-A general view shows the house of a victim of a shooting in Rotterdam, Netherlands, September 28, 2023. Law enforcement sources confirmed the 32-year-old suspect's name as Fouad L., with his surname not publishable under Dutch privacy laws. The prosecutor's spokesperson confirmed the authenticity of a letter from prosecutors to the EMC circulating on Dutch media. It described the suspect having "psychotic behaviour" and alcohol troubles as well as complaints from neighbours over his treatment of animals. Rotterdam's chief prosecutor Hugo Hillenaar said on Thursday the suspect had a history of police run-ins.

Persons: de, Prosecutors, Stefan Sleijfer, Fouad L, Roos Bonnier, Hugo Hillenaar, Toby Sterling, Anthony Deutsch, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Erasmus University Medical Centre, EMC, Reuters, Erasmus Medical Center, Thomson Locations: Rotterdam, Netherlands, Rights ROTTERDAM

☆ US government shutdown would 'undermine' US economic progress, Yellen says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( David Lawder | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Janet Yellen, United States Secretary of Treasury, participates in global infrastructure and investment forum in New York, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. Seth Wenig/Pool via REUTERS/ File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Sept 29 (Reuters) - A government shutdown that could start this weekend would "undermine" U.S. economic progress by idling key programs for small businesses and children, and could delay major infrastructure improvements, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Friday. A shutdown of broad parts of the government would start on Sunday as the new fiscal year starts without new spending legislation from Congress. Chances of a shutdown increased on Thursday as the House pursued partisan spending cuts and the Senate advanced separate legislation to temporarily extend spending. "The failure of House Republicans to act responsibly would hurt American families and cause economic headwinds that could undermine the progress we’re making," Yellen said.

Persons: Janet Yellen, Seth Wenig, Yellen, Lael Brainard, Brainard, " Brainard, We've, David Lawder, Ann Saphir, Philippa Fletcher, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Treasury, Rights, Port, Republicans, Senate, CNBC, . Commerce, Thomson Locations: United States, New York, U.S, Savannah, Georgia

☆ Romania bolsters defences to stop Ukraine war crossing NATO threshold
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Luiza Ilie | Thomson Reuters | Bucharest-Based General News Reporter Covering A Wide Range Of Romanian Topics Elections | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/2] A view shows a building of Ukraine's Black Sea Danube shipping company destroyed during a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Izmail, Odesa region, Ukraine August 2, 2023. In November last year, a missile hit southern Poland killing two people and prompting a brief security scare, although it was later determined that Ukrainian air defences were to blame. Among the targets were the Ukrainian ports of Izmail and Reni, both of which lie across the Danube from Romanian soil. "They (Russian drones) fly at very low altitudes, sometimes less than 200 metres (above ground) ... they are built in such a way that least reflects radar waves," he said. In July, when the Danube bombing campaign began in earnest, Russians had more targeted success because Ukraine had not set up extensive air defence systems in the area.

Persons: Nina Liashenko, Reni, Tudor Cernega, Jens Stoltenberg, Constantin Spinu, Cernega, Andrew Gray, Mike Collett, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: REUTERS, NATO, Local, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Izmail, Odesa, Romania, Moscow, BUCHAREST, Poland, Ukrainian, Russia, Romanian, Plauru, Ceatalchioi, U.S, ROMANIA, Kyiv, Brussels

No group has claimed responsibility for the blasts, one of which trapped dozens of people under rubble, media said. [1/4]People gather outside the Mastung hospital, following a deadly suicide attack on a religious gathering in Balochistan province, Pakistan, September 29, 2023 in this handout image. The TTP, responsible for some of the bloodiest attacks in Pakistan since its formation in 2007, denied responsibility for Friday's blasts. In July, more than 40 people were killed in a suicide bombing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at a religious political party's gathering. The Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility for that attack.

Persons: Prophet Mohammed, Abdul Rasheed, Munir Ahmed, Shaheed Nawab Ghous Bakhsh, Fazal Akbar, Pakistan's, Saleem Ahmed, Mushtaq Ali, Shivam Patel, Gibran Peshimam, Miral Fahmy, Clarence Fernandez, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: Reuters, Geo News, REUTERS Acquire, Militant, Islamic State, Thomson Locations: Afghan, QUETTA, PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Balochistan, Madina Mosque, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan province, Handout, Hangu, Afghanistan, Taliban Pakistan, Peshawar, Quetta, Shahid, Karachi

☆ Michael Gambon, British actor who played Dumbledore, dies aged 82
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Gambon began his acting on the stage in the early 1960s and later moved into TV and film. Gambon played down the praise for his performance and said he simply played himself "with a stuck-on beard and a long robe". Michael John Gambon was born on Oct. 19, 1940, in Dublin to a seamstress mother and an engineer father. Gambon left school aged 15 to begin an engineering apprenticeship and by 21 he was fully qualified. He revealed in an episode of "The Late Late Show" in Ireland that he convinced his mother he was friends with the pope.

Persons: Michael Gambon, Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter, Laurence Olivier, Gambon, Peter Greenaway's, Cook, King George V, Tom Hooper's, Dumbledore, Richard Harris, Michael John Gambon, Marlon Brando, James Dean, Olivier, Derek Jacobi, Maggie Smith, Galileo, John Dexter's, Robert De Niro, Anne Miller, Philippa Hart, Sarah Young, William Schomberg, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: PA Media, Camden Town, Herald, National Theatre, Thomson Locations: Irish, Dublin, London, American, British, Ireland

☆ Michael Gambon, actor who played Dumbledore in 'Harry Potter' films, dies at 82
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Michael Gambon Arriving At The World Premiere Of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2, In Trafalgar Square In Central London. Actor Michael Gambon, known for playing Professor Albus Dumbledore in multiple "Harry Potter" movies has died, his family said in a statement Thursday. "We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon," said the statement issued on behalf of his wife, Anne, and son Fergus by publicist Clair Dobbs. He also won three Olivier Awards and two ensemble cast Screen Actors Guild Awards — for 2001's "Gosford Park" and "The King's Speech." But he was perhaps best known for his role as Dumbledore in the "Harry Potter" franchise, taking over the role from the late Richard Harris from the third installment in the eight-movie series.

Persons: Michael Gambon, Harry Potter, Albus Dumbledore, Sir Michael Gambon, Anne, Fergus, Clair Dobbs, Gambon, Laurence Olivier, Derek Jacobi, Maggie Smith, Cook, King George V, Lord Salisbury, Victoria, Abdul, Olivier, —, Dumbledore, Richard Harris, Rowling's, Anne Miller, Philippa Hart Organizations: Hallows, Central London, National Theatre, British Academy of Film, Television Arts Locations: Trafalgar, Central, Dublin, Britain

☆ Swiss to Sell Back Leopard II Tanks to Help Restock After Ukraine Donations
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

ZURICH (Reuters) - Germany has welcomed a decision by neutral Switzerland to open the way to sell back some of its German-made Leopard II tanks to help rebuild stocks depleted by aid to Ukraine. Germany had asked Switzerland in February to sell back some of the 96 Leopard II tanks it has in storage to manufacturer Rheinmetall AG. "We are very happy and grateful for this decision," Michel Fluegger, Germany's ambassador to Switzerland told Swiss TV. He was speaking after the Swiss parliament on Tuesday approved the decommissioning of 25 Leopard II tanks, paving the way for them to be resold to Germany. Buying Swiss weapons could become difficult unless Bern adjusts its law on war materials, German ambassador Fluegger said.

Persons: Michel Fluegger, Fluegger, Viola Amherd, John Revill, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: Leopard, Rheinmetall AG, NATO, Swiss, Leopard IIs, SRF Locations: ZURICH, Germany, Switzerland, Ukraine, Berlin, Bern, Kyiv, Swiss, Denmark, Spain, Europe

☆ Azerbaijan arrests former top Karabakh minister as exodus tops 50,000
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Felix Light | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Karabakh is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan but populated mostly by ethnic Armenians who broke away in the 1990s in the first of two wars there since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Karabakh authorities said more than 50,000 had left so far, out of an estimated ethnic Armenian population of 120,000. Azerbaijan rejects Armenian accusations of ethnic cleansing, but images of tens of thousands of desperate people on the move have provoked widespread international alarm. Germany added its voice to U.S. calls for Azerbaijan to allow international observers into Karabakh. Karabakh authorities said they lost at least 200 people in Azerbaijan's offensive last week.

Persons: Ruben Vardanyan, Veronika Zonabend, Morris Tidball, Binz, Annalena Baerbock, Matthew Miller, Washington, Irakli, Ilham Aliyev, Zonabend, Miller, Vera Petrosyan, Daphne Psaledakis, Mark Trevelyan, Gareth Jones, Philippa Fletcher, Alison Williams Organizations: Twitter, U.S . State Department, REUTERS, Reuters, Local, Russian, Russia, State, Washington, Thomson Locations: Azerbaijan Karabakh, Germany, GORIS, Armenia, Nagorno, Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Baku, Soviet Union, Kornidzor, Russia, Ukraine, Caucasus, Turkey, Iran, United States, Washington

WASHINGTON/SEOUL, Sept 27 (Reuters) - Private Travis King, the U.S. soldier who ran into North Korea in July, is in U.S. custody and heading home after being expelled by North Korea into China, the United States said on Wednesday. For its part, North Korea appears to have treated his case as one of illegal immigration. North Korea's KCNA state news agency said King told Pyongyang he entered North Korea illegally because he was disillusioned about unequal U.S. Last month, it said that he wanted refuge in North Korea or elsewhere because of maltreatment and racial discrimination within the U.S. army. KING IN 'GOOD HEALTH'The Swedish government, which represents U.S. interests in North Korea because Washington has no diplomatic presence in the country, retrieved King in North Korea and brought him to China.

Persons: Travis King, King, KCNA, Matthew Miller, Nicholas Burns, Miller, Kim Hong, Jonathan Franks, Claudine Gates, Gates, Myron Gates, Fort Sam Houston, Brittney Griner, Hyonhee Shin, hyang Choi, Phil Stewart, Susan Heavey, Trevor Hunnicutt, Doina, Idrees Ali, Daphne Psaledakis Michael Martina, Humeyra Pamuk, David Brunnstrom, Brendan O'Brien, Johan Ahlander, Philippa Fletcher, Sharon Singleton, Bill Berkrot, Don Durfee, Daniel Wallis, William Maclean, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: North, The State Department, ., China . State Department, U.S, Osan Air Force Base, King, REUTERS, United States Army, ABC News, South Korean, Brooke Army Medical Center, Base San, Fort, Russia, Thomson Locations: WASHINGTON, SEOUL, U.S, North Korea, China, United States, Washington, Pyongyang, Swedish, Beijing, Dandong, Shenyang, South Korea, Sweden, Gijungdong, Panmunjom, Texas, Base San Antonio, Seoul, Chicago, Stockholm

☆ Swiss to sell back Leopard II tanks to help restock after Ukraine donations
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Recruits of the Swiss army Tank School 21 perform an attack exercise with the Leopard 2 tank in Bure, Switzerland May 5, 2023. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse Acquire Licensing RightsZURICH, Sept 27 (Reuters) - Germany has welcomed a decision by neutral Switzerland to open the way to sell back some of its German-made Leopard II tanks to help rebuild stocks depleted by aid to Ukraine. Germany had asked Switzerland in February to sell back some of the 96 Leopard II tanks it has in storage to manufacturer Rheinmetall AG (RHMG.DE). He was speaking after the Swiss parliament on Tuesday approved the decommissioning of 25 Leopard II tanks, paving the way for them to be resold to Germany. Buying Swiss weapons could become difficult unless Bern adjusts its law on war materials, German ambassador Fluegger said.

Persons: Denis Balibouse, Michel Fluegger, Fluegger, Viola Amherd, John Revill, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: Swiss army Tank, REUTERS, Rights, Leopard, Rheinmetall AG, NATO, Swiss, Leopard IIs, SRF, Thomson Locations: Bure, Switzerland, Germany, Ukraine, Berlin, Bern, Kyiv, Swiss, Denmark, Spain, Europe

☆ Tens of thousands of ethnic Armenians rush to flee Nagorno-Karabakh
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Felix Light | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh region ride in the back of a truck as they arrive in the border village of Kornidzor, Armenia, September 26, 2023. The hairpin mountain road snaking out of Karabakh towards Armenia was choked with people. There were conflicting details about the toll of the blast but the ethnic Armenian authorities said at least 68 had been killed, 105 were missing and nearly 300 were injured. "The Secretary urged President Aliyev to commit to broad amnesty and allow an international observer mission into Nagorno-Karabakh," Miller said. "President Ilham Aliyev underlined that respective activities are underway to ensure the rights of Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region," it said.

Persons: Irakli, GORIS, Vera Petrosyan, Ilham Aliyev, Nikol Pashinyan, Antony Blinken, Azerbaijan's Aliyev, Matthew Miller, Aliyev, Miller, Blinken, Guy Faulconbridge, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: REUTERS, Soviet Union, Reuters, Armenian, West, Thomson Locations: Nagorno, Karabakh, Kornidzor, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Soviet South Caucasus, South Caucasus, Soviet, Askeran, Russia, United States, Turkey, Iran, Moscow

☆ North Korea to expel U.S. soldier Travis King over illegal border crossing
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Hyonhee Shin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Sarah Leslie/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Sept 27 (Reuters) - North Korea has decided to expel American soldier Travis King who it said has admitted to illegal intrusion into the country and was "disillusioned about unequal U.S. society," state media KCNA said on Wednesday. The decision was contained in the final results of an investigation into King's July border crossing published by KCNA. Last month it reported interim findings that he wanted refuge in North Korea or elsewhere because of maltreatment and racial discrimination within the army. There have been several attempts by U.S. soldiers stationed in South Korea to desert or defect to North Korea, but King's expulsion came relatively quickly compared to others who have spent years before being released from the reclusive country. King, who joined the U.S. army in January 2021, faced two allegations of assault in South Korea.

Persons: Travis T, Sarah Leslie, Handout, Travis King, KCNA, King, Jonathan Franks, King's, Myron Gates, Hyonhee Shin, Susan Heavey, Brendan O'Brien, Toby Chopra, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: Security Area, REUTERS, Rights, ., Democratic People's, Authorities, U.S . State Department, U.S . Forces, United Nations Command, Joint Security Area, ABC News, U.S, South Korean, Thomson Locations: Panmunjom, South Korea, Rights SEOUL, North Korea, DPRK, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, U.S . Forces Korea, United States, U.S

But in an about turn, Macron announced on Sunday that the ambassador would return to Paris and French troops would leave. Two security sources in Niger said Itte had flown out of the country. Demonstrators hold placards and Niger's flags as they gather outside Niger's embassy in support of the President of Niger Mohamed Bazoum in Paris, France, August 5, 2023. Crowds of junta supporters have spent days camping outside a French military base to demand the troops' departure. Some analysts have expressed concern that the withdrawal of French troops from Niger could further hamper Western efforts to stem the violence, which has risen since the coups, and bolster Russian influence in the region.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Sylvain Itte, Mohamed Bazoum, Macron, Itte, Catherine Colonna, Yucouba Abdou, Abdou, Niger Mohamed Bazoum, Stephanie Lecocq, Paris, Abdel, Kader Mazou, Moussa Aksar, Michel Rose, John Irish, Sofia Christensen, Anait, Toby Chopra, Estelle Shirbon, Philippa Fletcher, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Niger, Quai, French, Nigerien, Reuters, REUTERS, France, Thomson Locations: Niger French, NIAMEY, Niger, Paris, France, Niamey, French, N'Djamena, Niger's, West Africa, Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Sahel

☆ Russia ramps up China yuan payments for imports amid sanctions -EBRD
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Jorgelina Do Rosario | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and the imposition of economic sanctions by the EU, US and a number of other advanced economies, Russian imports became increasingly invoiced in yuan," according to the paper led by economists Maxim Chupilkin and Beata Javorcik. The use of the Chinese yuan for trade with Russia has also increased for third countries that did not impose economic sanctions but hold a currency swap line with the People's Bank of China (PBOC), such as Mongolia and Tajikistan. Overall, economic sanctions could herald a gradual shift away from the U.S. dollar, the study said. "The dominance of the U.S. dollar makes international sanctions more effective, as firms engaged in international trade overwhelmingly require payments to be cleared through the U.S. banking system," the authors found. "At the same time, the use of economic sanctions may over time reduce attractiveness of the U.S. dollar as a vehicle currency and hence its dominance."

Persons: Maxim Chupilkin, Beata Javorcik, SWIFT, Jorgelina, Karin Strohecker, Philippa Fletcher 私 Organizations: European Bank for Reconstruction, EU, U.S, People's Bank of China, U.S . Locations: Ukraine, China, Russia, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Russian, Rosario

☆ Exclusive-U.S. Exploring Potential Space Force Hotline With China, U.S. Commander Says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Sakura Murakami and Nobuhiro KuboTOKYO (Reuters) - The United States Space Force has had internal discussions about setting up a hotline with China to prevent crises in space, U.S. commander General Chance Saltzman told Reuters on Monday. The chief of space operations said a direct line of communication between the Space Force and its Chinese counterpart would be valuable in de-escalating tensions but that the U.S. had not yet engaged with China to establish one. The comments come as the U.S. Space Force looks into establishing a branch in Japan, as China's military ambitions in the Indo-Pacific unnverve its neighbours and the war in Ukraine spotlights the importance of space capabilities in warfare. Saltzman, who held talks with top Japanese defence officials in Tokyo on Monday, confirmed that the space force was exploring the potential establishment of a local headquarters in Japan. The U.S. Space Force, founded in 2019, also does not have a direct line of communication with its Russian counterpart.

Persons: Sakura Murakami, Nobuhiro Kubo TOKYO, Chance Saltzman, Saltzman, Joe Biden, Nobuhiro Kubo, Philippa Fletcher, Toby Chopra Organizations: United States Space Force, Space Force, State Department, U.S . Space Force Locations: China, U.S, Japan, Ukraine, Taiwan, Tokyo, South Korea

U.S. Chief of Space Operations Chance Saltzman speaks during an interview with Reuters in Tokyo, Japan September 25, 2023. REUTERS/Nobuhiro Kubo Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Sept 25 (Reuters) - The United States Space Force has had internal discussions about setting up a hotline with China to prevent crises in space, U.S. commander General Chance Saltzman told Reuters on Monday. The chief of space operations said a direct line of communication between the Space Force and its Chinese counterpart would be valuable in de-escalating tensions but that the U.S. had not yet engaged with China to establish one. Saltzman, who held talks with top Japanese defence officials in Tokyo on Monday, confirmed that the space force was exploring the potential establishment of a local headquarters in Japan. The U.S. Space Force, founded in 2019, also does not have a direct line of communication with its Russian counterpart.

Persons: Chance Saltzman, Nobuhiro Kubo, Saltzman, Joe Biden, Sakura Murakami, Philippa Fletcher, Toby Chopra Organizations: Chief, Space, Reuters, REUTERS, Nobuhiro, Rights, United States Space Force, Space Force, State Department, U.S . Space Force, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, China, U.S, Ukraine, Taiwan, South Korea

☆ One killed as Ukraine strikes Black Sea navy HQ with missiles
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 22 (Reuters) - At least one Ukrainian missile struck the headquarters of Russia's Black Sea navy in the Crimean port of Sevastopol on Friday, causing a fire, local governor Mikhail Razvozhayev wrote on the Telegram messaging app. Separately, Russia's defence ministry said one serviceman was killed in the attack, while air defences had downed a total of five missiles. Razvozhayev said that although no further strikes were expected, locals were being urged to avoid the city centre where the navy building is located. Crimea, which Russia seized and annexed from Ukraine in 2014, has been a frequent target of Ukrainian attacks in the course of the 19-month-old war. Russian-installed authorities said air defence downed another missile on Friday near the town of Bakhchysarai.

Persons: Mikhail Razvozhayev, Razvozhayev, Sergei Aksyonov, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: Firefighters, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Ukrainian, Crimean, Sevastopol, Crimea, Russia, Ukraine, Bakhchysarai

☆ Ukraine to launch joint weapons production with US, Zelenskiy says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Olena Harmash | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy meets with U.S. President Joe Biden in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, September 21, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsKYIV, Sept 22 (Reuters) - Ukraine and the United States have agreed to launch joint weapons production in a step that will enable Kyiv to start producing air defence systems, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday as he wrapped up a visit to the U.S. "And a long-term agreement - we will work together so that Ukraine produces the necessary weapons together with the United States. Zelenskiy said the Ministry for Strategic Industries, which oversees weapons production in Ukraine, had signed cooperation agreements with three associations, uniting over 2,000 defence U.S. companies, on future possible work in Ukraine. The government is also implementing reforms at its main weapons production company - Ukroboronprom - to improve transparency, boost production capacity and enable it to cooperate more actively with Western producers.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Joe Biden, Kevin Lamarque, Zelenskiy, Olena Harmash, Timothy Heritage, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: U.S, White, REUTERS, Rights, Ministry for Strategic Industries, Western, Thomson Locations: Washington, Ukraine, United States, Kyiv, U.S

☆ Ukraine attacks Russian Black Sea navy HQ in Crimea
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] A satellite image shows smoke billowing from a Russian Black Sea Navy HQ after a missile strike, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in Sevastopol, Crimea, September 22, 2023. Ukraine's military confirmed it had attacked the Russian Black Sea fleet's headquarters, but gave few details. "On September 22 close to 12:00 (0900 GMT) Ukraine's defence forces successfully struck the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea fleet command in the temporarily occupied Sevastopol," it said on the Telegram messaging app. Ukraine has intensified attacks in the Black Sea and Crimea, which was seized and annexed by Russia in 2014, as Ukrainian forces press on with a nearly four-month-old counteroffensive to regain Russian-occupied territory. Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine's Security Council said there were two options for the future of the Russia's Black Sea fleet - voluntary or forced "self-neutralisation".

Persons: Mikhail Razvozhayev, Razvozhayev, Oleksiy Danilov, Mykhailo Podolyak, Oleg Kryuchkov, Sergei Aksyonov, Philippa Fletcher, Ron Popeski, Grant McCool Organizations: Sea Navy, PBC, Handout, REUTERS Acquire, Russian, Security, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Sevastopol, Crimea, Ukrainian, Crimean, Russia, Moscow, Bakhchysarai

☆ China's Nio calls for 'open attitude' amid EU subsidy probe
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Chinese Nio electric car is seen at Nio's first European plant and power swap station in Biatorbagy, Hungary, September 16, 2022. "We hope that the market environment can be simpler, let the market be the market. The European Commission said China's share of EVs sold in Europe has risen to 8% and could reach 15% by 2025. Its gross margin was 1% in the second quarter, versus 13% in the same quarter last year. Reporting by Zhang Yan and Brenda Goh Editing by Bernadette Baum and Philippa FletcherOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Bernadett Szabo, William Li, Qin Lihong, EVs, Ursula von der Leyen, Li, Tesla, Nio, Zhang Yan, Brenda Goh, Bernadette Baum, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, HK, European Commission, Chamber of Commerce, Thomson Locations: Biatorbagy, Hungary, Europe, China

☆ Poland No Longer Arming Ukraine, Says PM
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland is no longer arming Ukraine as it is focusing on building up its own stocks of weapons, the prime minister said on Wednesday, as Warsaw's stance towards Kyiv shifts just weeks before an election. "We are no longer transferring any weapons to Ukraine because we are now arming ourselves with the most modern weapons," Mateusz Morawiecki told Polsat News. Morawiecki's words came after Poland summoned the Ukrainian ambassador to the foreign ministry to protest against comments made by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy following Poland's decision to extend the grain ban. Poland, Slovakia and Hungary announced curbs on grain imports from Ukraine on Friday after the European Commission decided not to extend a ban on sales into five EU states, including Romania and Bulgaria. Ukraine's foreign ministry called for calm in the dispute on Wednesday, with a foreign ministry spokesman urging the Poles to "put aside their emotions".

Persons: Ukraine's, Mateusz Morawiecki, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Zelenskiy, Alan Charlish, Pawel, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: Polsat, United Nations General Assembly Kyiv, European Commission, Law and Justice Locations: WARSAW, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Warsaw, Ukrainian, Moscow, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria

☆ Poland no longer arming Ukraine, says PM
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WARSAW, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Poland is no longer arming Ukraine as it is focusing on building up its own stocks of weapons, the prime minister said on Wednesday, as Warsaw's stance towards Kyiv shifts just weeks before an election. "We are no longer transferring any weapons to Ukraine because we are now arming ourselves with the most modern weapons," Mateusz Morawiecki told Polsat News. Morawiecki's words came after Poland summoned the Ukrainian ambassador to the foreign ministry to protest against comments made by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy following Poland's decision to extend the grain ban. Poland, Slovakia and Hungary announced curbs on grain imports from Ukraine on Friday after the European Commission decided not to extend a ban on sales into five EU states, including Romania and Bulgaria. Ukraine's foreign ministry called for calm in the dispute on Wednesday, with a foreign ministry spokesman urging the Poles to "put aside their emotions".

Persons: Ukraine's, Mateusz Morawiecki, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Zelenskiy, Alan Charlish, Pawel, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: Polsat, United Nations General Assembly Kyiv, European Commission, Law and Justice, Thomson Locations: WARSAW, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Warsaw, Ukrainian, Moscow, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria

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