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Attacks The map shows five of the seven sites that the U.S. hit with military strikes in Syria and Iraq. The strikes hit more than 85 targets at different locations using more than 125 precision-guided munitions, according to a statement by U.S. Central Command. Two American officials said the United States also conducted cyberoperations against Iranian targets on Friday but declined to provide details. It is clear from statements from the White House, and from Tehran, that neither the United States nor Iran wants a wider war. Striking sites in the Mideast with aircraft launched from the United States and refueled midair is a muscular show of global reach and capability, the official said.

Persons: Biden, Biden’s, Mr, “, ”, John F, Kirby, Douglas, Sims, Yahya Rasool, That’s, Iran’s, Jordan, Roger Wicker of, William Jerome Rivers, Kennedy Ladon Sanders, Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, Moffett, Sanders, Sergeant Rivers Organizations: Iranian, Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force, U.S . Central Command, Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, ”, Jordan . Middle, Revolutionary Guards, National Security Council, White House, Central Command, White, Pentagon, Dyess Air Force Base, U.S, military’s Joint Staff, Air Force, Iraq’s Armed Forces, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps, Revolutionary Guards Corps, Administration, Capitol, Biden, Republican, Armed Services Committee, Dover Air Force Base, Army Reserve Locations: United States, Syria, Iraq, East, Jordan, Iran, U.S, Jordan ., Tehran, Texas, Yemen, Israel, Gen, Roger Wicker of Mississippi, Delaware

☆ T’s Valentine’s Day Gift Guide: Floral Cookware, Scented Matches and More
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Jamie Sims | Jameson Montgomery | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

His routine reminder has become a kind of everyday love language, a small and simple gesture that tells me he cares about my health and well-being. Casa Shop, a home-goods boutique in Richmond, Va., stocks vintage silver pillboxes shaped like candy and strawberries. Tiffany & Co. also offers luxurious sterling silver cases (with the option to personalize them with engraving), as does the Los Angeles-based jewelry designer Sophie Buhai, who fashions hers as a nautilus shell. And Judith Leiber Couture riffs on its signature crystal-clad minaudière handbags with surreal pillboxes disguised as lipsticks, martini glasses and gummy bears. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.

Persons: he’s, I’m, Sophie Buhai, Judith Leiber Couture Organizations: The Locations: Richmond , Va, Los Angeles

☆ Is It Safe to Travel to the Bahamas? Here’s What You Need to Know.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Shannon Sims | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Drawn by clear turquoise waters and miles of white-sand beaches, around seven million travelers visit the Bahamas each year, but a new warning about increased violence on the island nation has raised alarm over the safety of visiting there. On Jan. 24, the U.S. Embassy in Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, issued a security alert advising U.S. citizens “to be aware that 18 murders have occurred in Nassau since the beginning of 2024. On Jan. 26, the State Department issued a travel advisory increasing the Bahamas’ security risk assessment from Level 1 (“Exercise normal precautions”) to Level 2 (“Exercise increased caution”). Many tourism-reliant countries, including Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic, currently have Level 2 warnings, and most travelers experience safe and enjoyable vacations. The tourism industry in the Bahamas contributes around 70 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce, and employs half the country’s work force.

Persons: “ Organizations: U.S, Embassy, State Department, U.S . Department of Commerce Locations: Bahamas, Nassau, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic

☆ 5 Podcasts for Hollywood’s Awards Season
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Emma Dibdin | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

The 2024 awards season has felt unusually hectic so far, thanks to the strike-delayed Emmy Awards shifting from their usual fall airdate to January. But even when there’s nothing quite so unusual going on, the analysis here always makes awards season more interesting. Starter episode: “Oscar Voters, Start Your Engines”There’s a peculiar category of film that debuts with great fanfare, attracts plenty of awards buzz, and then fades from the cultural consciousness without a trace (and no awards). Not all of the films discussed on “This Had Oscar Buzz” fall into that bracket, but, as the title suggests, the focus is on the movies that had that buzzy aura around them, at least for a while. Starter episode: “Alexander (With David Sims)”Though not a traditional awards season podcast with predictions or play-by-play recaps, “The Town” is an invaluable resource for anyone hoping to understand the upheaval in Hollywood.

Persons: “, Michael Hogan, Katey Rich, Richard Lawson, Joanna Robinson, Oscar, Andrew Scott, Emma Stone, Greta Lee, “ Oscar, Buzz ”, Jennifer Aniston, Aniston, Joe Reid, Chris Feil, don’t belittle, “ Alexander, David Sims, ”, Matthew Belloni, Puck, ’, Brooks Barnes Organizations: Sundance, The Hollywood, Hollywood, The New York Times, Hollywood Foreign Press Association Locations: Hollywood, La, Los Angeles, Cannes, Venice, Toronto

BALTIMORE (AP) — The Houston Texans ended their season the same way they started it: with a loss in Baltimore. After going 3-13-1 a year ago, the Texans rode a terrific season by rookie quarterback C.J. “Proud of our guys for their effort throughout this entire season, for getting to this moment,” rookie coach DeMeco Ryans said. They deserved to win,” Stroud said. That all but signified the end for the youthful Texans, who had rookies accumulate 2,536 snaps on offense this season — second most in the NFL behind the Carolina Panthers.

Persons: C.J ., Cleveland, “, DeMeco Ryans, “ It’s, Stroud, That’s, ” Stroud, They’ve, ” Ryans, ” Houston's, Steven Sims, Lamar Jackson, Isaiah, Houston Organizations: BALTIMORE, The Houston Texans, Texans, Ravens, AFC South, AFC, Browns, NFL, Ohio State, Carolina Panthers Locations: Baltimore, C.J . Stroud, Houston

BALTIMORE (AP) — Lamar Jackson threw two touchdown passes and ran for two scores, and the Baltimore Ravens pulled away in the second half for a 34-10 win over the Houston Texans on Saturday to advance to the AFC championship game. On one of his most productive rushing days of the season, Jackson helped the Ravens (14-4) take control in the third quarter after the teams entered the half tied at 10. Stroud had a solid, composed first half for Houston, the Texans (11-8) ultimately couldn't turn enough promising drives into points against an impressive Ravens defense. But on the first possession of the second half, Jackson guided Baltimore 55 yards in six plays and scored on a run up the middle. Ravens: Baltimore is one win away from its first Super Bowl appearance in 11 years.

Persons: — Lamar Jackson, Jackson, “, Steven Sims, Isaiah, Jackson’s, Sims ’, hasn’t, Justin Tucker, Houston, Ka’imi Fairbairn, Nelson Agholor, Sims, ___ Organizations: BALTIMORE, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, AFC, Ravens, Baltimore, Texans, Colts, Oakland Raiders, Super, Buffalo and Kansas City, ” Ravens, Houston, Stroud, NFL, NEXT Texans, Cleveland, Bills, Chiefs Locations: C.J, Stroud, Houston, Baltimore, Buffalo and Kansas, Tennessee

CNN —A near-total communications blackout in Gaza, the longest of the war, has now lasted one week with no signs of abating, preventing humanitarian and emergency services from operating effectively in the territory. Israel has in the past faced accusations of deliberately severing Gaza’s communications – charges on which it has not commented. The IDF told CNN that it was aware of the allegation, and that the incident was under review. This is where it becomes dangerous.”Al Rozzi, who is executive director of the National Society for Rehabilitation, told CNN that he struggles to get even a trickle of a connection. A senior American official has in the past told CNN that the U.S. applied pressure on Israel to restore connectivity in Gaza when it was severed.

Persons: ” Juliette Touma, “, ”, ” Jamal al Rozzi, Khan Younis, Alp Toker, Netblocks, Oredoo, Israel, Abed Zagou, ” Hisham Mhanna, Al Rozzi, ” al Rozzi, ” Toker Organizations: CNN, UNRWA, UN, IDF, Anadolu Agency, Getty, International Committee, Red, National Society for Rehabilitation, of Health, American Locations: Gaza, Israel, Palestinian Territories, Jerusalem, Rafah

That was apparent Monday, when a Houthi missile hit a US-owned cargo ship in the Red Sea, marking what appears to be the first time the militants have successfully struck a US-owned or operated ship. Senior Biden administration officials insist Friday’s operation against the Houthis was successful at its objective: degrading the group’s military capabilities. Houthi fighters and tribesmen stage a rally against the U.S. and the U.K. strikes on Houthi-run military sites near Sanaa, Yemen, on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024. US officials fear one side will miscalculate, even if none of the major parties – Iran, Israel and the United States – want a wider war. The Suez Canal accounts for 10% to 15% of world trade, which includes oil exports, and for 30% of global container shipping volumes.

Persons: Biden, Israel simmers, John Kirby, Douglas Sims, ”, Mick Mulroy, Trump, Joe Biden, “ Organizations: CNN, US, Houthis, Biden, National Security, Pentagon, Joint Staff, New York Times, U.S, AP, United, Analysts, ABC News Locations: Yemen, Red, Sea, Gulf of Aden, Israel, Washington, Iran, Gaza, Africa, Suez, Red Sea, Gen, Sanaa, United States, Aden

☆ The Houthi rebels likely hid their missiles and drones before the US-led air attacks and retain about 75% of their firepower, report says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Nathan Rennolds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Despite US attacks, the Houthi rebel group retains around 75% of its offensive strike power. The Houthi targeting of ships was a response to Israel's war in Gaza after Hamas' October 7 attacks. AdvertisementBut two unnamed US officials told The Times on Saturday that the operation had only destroyed or damaged about 20-30% of the group's offensive capabilities. "Our aim remains to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea," the statement added. The Houthi attacks began in response to Israel's major offensive against Gaza following Hamas' October 7 attacks.

Persons: —, Douglas Sims II, Sims, Nicholas Brumfield Organizations: Service, New York Times, Army, Joint Staff, Times, Red, US, Gaza, Foreign Policy Research Institute Locations: Iran, Gaza, Yemen, Gen, Red, Netherlands, Canada, Bahrain, Australia, East

☆ 'Father of Modern Gynecology' J. Marion Sims performed dangerous 'experiments' on enslaved Black women without the use of anesthesia
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Brianna Holt | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Many of his medical achievements came at the cost of the health and well-being of enslaved Black women. He performed surgical experiments on enslaved Black women, often without the use of anesthesia. Black women were experimented on to improve health care for white womenSocietal, institutional, and systemic racism has endangered the lives of Black women for centuries. In a 2023 CDC study , Black women reported experiences of mistreatment during maternity care at the highest rate of women surveyed. As enslaved Black women were considered to be the property pf their owners, and therefore did not have their own rights of refusal, Sims' experimented on Black women in order to improve gynecological outcomes for white women.

Persons: Marion Sims, —, J, Sims, Spencer Platt, fistulas, Lucy, Black, Julia Axelrod, Henrietta, Fannie Lou Hamer, sterilizing, vesicovaginal fistulas Organizations: Gynecology, Service, Design, Parks Department, Park, 103rd, Getty, Equity Locations: New York, Central, Mississippi, CDC, Montgomery

☆ Much of Houthis’ Offensive Capability Remains Intact After U.S.-led Airstrikes
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Eric Schmitt | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The United States-led airstrikes on Thursday and Friday against sites in Yemen controlled by the Houthi militia damaged or destroyed about 90 percent of the targets struck, but the group retained about three-quarters of its ability to fire missiles and drones at ships transiting the Red Sea, two U.S. officials said on Saturday. The damage estimates are the first detailed assessments of the strikes by American and British attack planes and warships against nearly 30 locations in Yemen, and they reveal the serious challenges facing the Biden administration and its allies as they seek to deter the Iran-backed Houthis from retaliating, secure critical shipping routes between Europe and Asia, and contain the spread of regional conflict. A top U.S. military officer, Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims, the director of the military’s Joint Staff, said on Friday that the strikes had achieved their objective of damaging the Houthis’ ability to launch the kind of complex drone and missile attack they had conducted on Tuesday. But the two U.S. officials cautioned on Saturday that even after hitting more than 60 missile and drone targets with more than 150 precision-guided munitions, the strikes had damaged or destroyed only about 20 to 30 percent of the Houthis’ offensive capability, much of which is mounted on mobile platforms and can be readily moved or hidden.

Persons: Biden, Douglas Sims Organizations: American, military’s Joint Staff Locations: States, Yemen, British, Iran, retaliating, Europe, Asia, Gen

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. The first day of strikes began on Friday, hitting 28 locations and striking more than 60 targets. AdvertisementThe Houthis' military spokesman, Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said in a recorded address that the US strikes would "not go unanswered or unpunished." It remained unclear how extensive the damage was from Friday's strikes, though the Houthis said at least five sites, including airfields, had been attacked.

Persons: —, Joe Biden, Yemen's Houthis, Biden, Mick Ryan, Ryan, Lloyd Austin, Douglas Sims, Yahya Saree, Hussein Organizations: Service, Associated Press, Business, AP, US, Hamas, Atlantic Council, US Navy, Britain, White, Pentagon, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Foreign Ministry Locations: Yemen, Red, Sanaa, Palestinian, Israel, Aden, Gaza, Emmaus , Pennsylvania, Gen, America, Britain

The warning came as Yemen’s Houthis vowed retaliation, further raising the prospect of a wider conflict in a region already beset by Israel's war in Gaza. The U.S.-led bombardment came in response to a recent campaign of drone and missile attacks on commercial ships in the vital Red Sea. Since November, the rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea, saying they were avenging Israel's offensive in Gaza against Hamas. The Houthis’ military spokesman, Brig. Tesla, meanwhile, said it would temporarily halt most production at its German factory because of attacks in the Red Sea.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, ”, Yemen’s Houthis, “, " Biden, Lloyd Austin, Donald Trump Lt, Douglas Sims, Yahya Saree, Nikolas, Iran’s, Hussein, George W, Bush, Friday's, Nasser Kanaani, Vassily Nebenzia, Linda Thomas, Ambassador Barbara Woodward, Thomas, Greenfield, ” ___ Gambrell, Ahmed Al, Haj, Bassem, Jill Lawless, Nasser Karimi, Fatima Hussein, Ellen Knickmeyer, Chris Megerian, Seung Min Kim, Edith M, Lederer Organizations: WASHINGTON, Britain, Associated Press, U.S . Central Command, Navy, White, Camp, U.S . Navy, Republicans, Pentagon, Joint Chiefs of Staff, . Air Forces Central Command, Tomahawk, Foreign Ministry, Brent, Food, U.S, U.S ., United Arab Emirates, . Security, Ambassador, United Nations Locations: Yemen, U.S, Sanaa, Iran, Aden, Gaza . U.S, Houthi, Gen, Red, Gaza, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Saudi, United Kingdom, Bani, Abbs, Gulf of Oman, Tehran, Washington, Suez, America, Britain, Houthis, Greenfield, U.K, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Beirut, London, Emmaus , Pennsylvania

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Jordan Love showed the Kansas City Chiefs just how much he's learned since the last time he faced them. Kansas City had won its previous four games Swift had attended since beginning her relationship with tight end Travis Kelce. Kansas City still leads the AFC West but fell behind three other teams for the top seed in the conference. Noah Gray had a 2-yard TD catch early in the fourth quarter that got Kansas City within two. Kansas City had a first down just beyond midfield when Nixon picked off Mahomes' pass intended for Skyy Moore with 5:14 left.

Persons: — Jordan Love, Christian Watson, Patrick Mahomes, Love, Aaron Rodgers, I've, ” Love, Mahomes, “ They're, Matt LaFleur, “, They're, LaFleur, Ben Sims, Watson, Taylor Swift, Swift, Travis Kelce, Andy Reid, We’ve, ” Isiah Pacheco, Keisean Nixon, Noah Gray, Nixon, Skyy Moore, Anders Carlson, Jonathan Owens, Rashee Rice, Green Bay’s Corey Ballentine, Rice, Marquez Valdes, LB Drue Tranquill, Bryan Cook, RB Jerick McKinnon, Jaire Alexander, Aaron Jones, Josiah Deguara, ___ Organizations: Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, Chiefs, Kansas City, Packers, Green, ” Packers, San Diego Chargers, Super Bowl, AFC, ” Chiefs, Kansas City’s, LB, NEXT Chiefs, Host Buffalo, Sunday, New York Giants Locations: GREEN, Wis, Los Angeles, Travis Kelce . Kansas City, Kansas

☆ The Best Thrillers of 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Sarah Lyall | More About Sarah Lyall | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

But why does Gabe seem to be reaching toward the distressed woman — something he had been instructed never to do — as she teeters on the edge, then falls? The dead woman, Amanda, narrates some of the chapters from beyond the grave. She wants to make something clear. The book begins with Margo, an outwardly cheerful librarian with a big secret: In her previous job, she was a nurse with a knack for murdering her patients. With her fake name and new identity, she seems to have gotten away with it.

Persons: Gabe, Pippa, ” Hepworth metes, Amanda, ”, “, Laura Sims’s, Margo, Patricia

☆ 5 tips to keep your 5G network secure
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Chris Stokel-Walker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

To keep your enterprise 5G network secure, start by choosing a reputable provider. Whether you use those providers for your enterprise 5G network or build your own private 5G network, it's important to keep things secure. Update regularly, and use multifactor authenticationIt's one thing to build your 5G network securely — it's another challenge to keep it safe. "Ensure all devices connected to the 5G network are regularly updated to patch known vulnerabilities," he said. For that reason, education should be a huge part of keeping your 5G network secure.

Persons: —, Sandeep Raithatha, Alan Woodward, Woodward, eSIMs, Parm Sandhu, Sandhu, Alan Jones, Keith Brownsword Organizations: Service, Ericsson, 5G, Virgin Media O2, University of Surrey, NTT Ltd, 5G's Locations: Ireland

With the Canadian economy showing signs of a slowdown, money markets are pricing in the first interest rate cuts since March 2020 as soon as April, which would bring down mortgage costs. Still, more home buyers took out fixed-rate mortgages in September compared with a year ago, eschewing variable rate mortgages where the interest rate varies based on current market rates. Since then, the central bank has raised the key interest rate to a 22-year high of 5% in July. The share of fixed rate loans among five-year and three-year mortgages rose to 68% in August compared with 32% a year ago. In the first three weeks of November, 79% of mortgage seekers in Canada opted for a fixed mortgage, said Hanif Bayat, CEO of financial data firm Wowa Leads.

Persons: you've, Macklem, Sophie Tremblay, Hanif Bayat, Wowa, Carolyn Rogers, Rogers, Ryan Sims, William Coyle, Nivedita Balu, Denny Thomas, Deepa Babington Organizations: TORONTO, Bank, Bank of Canada, Montreal, NEW, National Bank analysts, BoC, The Mortgage Group Inc, Bank of, Thomson Locations: Canada, Niagara, Huntsville, Toronto

☆ Chatbots just showed scientists how to make social media less toxic
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Adam Rogers | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

AI bots, on the other hand, will do whatever you tell them to, practically for free. So researchers are starting to use chatbots as fake people from whom they can extract data about real people. In July 2020, Facebook introduced a walled-off simulation of itself, populated with millions of AI bots, to study online toxicity. His team created hundreds of personas for its Twitter bots — telling each one things like "you are a male, middle-income, evangelical Protestant who loves Republicans, Donald Trump, the NRA, and Christian fundamentalists." Scientists create experiments to be simpler than reality, to offer explanatory power uncomplicated by the messiness of real life.

Persons: chatbots, Donald Trump, Petter Törnberg, Törnberg, Emma, Terry Crews, mindlessly, we've, LLMs, Lisa Argyle, Joon, he's, Smallville's café, messier, it's, sims, Adam Rogers Organizations: ABC News, CNN, New York Times, Twitter, Institute, Logic, University of Amsterdam, Columbia University, Facebook, NRA, American, Election, Democratic, Chamber Twitter, Brigham Young University, Stanford University Locations: Alabama

There had been plenty during his seven years in office: a deadly, devastating tornado; the coronavirus pandemic; neglected roads that the city could not afford to fix. But Smiths Station pulled through. Mr. Copeland had devised a plan to pay for repaving roads. Many in the city would have welcomed it. Then, on Nov. 3, sheriff’s deputies, who had been called by worried friends of Mr. Copeland to check on him, trailed him until he pulled over miles from Smiths Station and fatally shot himself.

Persons: F.L, Copeland Jr, Bubba, Copeland, Copeland’s Organizations: Smiths, Sims, Smiths Station Locations: Ala, Alabama

☆ Allianz retains full-year outlook despite 30% slump in Q3 profit
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The logo of insurer Allianz SE is seen on the company building in Puteaux at the financial and business district of La Defense near Paris, outside Paris, France, May 14, 2018. REUTERS/Charles Platiau/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsFRANKFURT, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Germany's Allianz (ALVG.DE) on Friday posted a 30% fall in its third-quarter net profit, dragged down by claims from natural catastrophes, although the financial services company maintained its full-year profit outlook. Net profit attributable to shareholders of 2.021 billion euros ($2.16 billion) in the three-month period ended September, compared with 2.866 billion euros a year earlier. Allianz, one of Europe's largest financial services groups, described the level of claims as "exceptionally high". Still, the company stuck to its target of 2023 operating profit between 13.2 billion and 15.2 billion euros.

Persons: Charles Platiau, Tom Sims, Christina Amann, Linda Pasquini, Miranda Murray, Sherry Jacob, Phillips Organizations: Allianz, La Defense, REUTERS, Rights, Germany's Allianz, Thomson Locations: Puteaux, La, Paris, France, Ukraine, Continental Europe, Germany, Italy, Austria

☆ Here’s why saving this Illinois auto plant is a ‘gigantic deal’
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Chris Isidore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Now the United Auto Workers union can add one more. Illinois is not a political battleground state like Michigan or Ohio, which have far more auto plants. But that plant is now due to reopen as an assembly plant in 2027, building a new midsize pickup truck. President Joe Biden speaks to the United Auto Workers union in Belvidere, Illinois, on Thursday. And it’s what happened with the last GM assembly plant in Detroit, its Hamtramck Assembly plant, that as part of the 2019 labor deal was closed in early 2020 and re-tooled to make electric pickups, reopening in November 2021.

Persons: Joe Biden, Shawn Fain ., “, ”, Jeff Schuster, Fain, Biden, ” Fain, Evan Vucci, ” ‘, Dawn Sims, Stellantis, Schuster Organizations: New, New York CNN —, Motors, Stellantis, Ford, United Auto Workers, UAW, Stellatis, GM, Workers, GlobalData, Chrysler, Hamtramck Assembly Locations: New York, Belvidere , Illinois, Shawn Fain . Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Belvidere, Illinois, Chicago, Stellantis, Delaware, Edmunds, Sterling Heights , Michigan, Detroit, Hamtramck, Spring Hill , Tennessee, Orion Township , Michigan, Lordstown , Ohio, Warren , Michigan, Baltimore

☆ UniCredit, RBI among banks on hook for $2.4 bln in Signa loans -source
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Alexandra Schwarz-Goerlich | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

RBI, which the person said had sharply reduced its exposure to the Signa group in recent years, declined to comment on Thursday. The European Central Bank (ECB), which supervises the banks, declined to comment. Raiffeisen Landesbank Niederoesterreich-Wien, Raiffeisen Landesbank Oberoesterreich and Erste Group are also among the banks with exposures to Signa, the person said. The other two Austrian banks declined to comment. A spokesperson for Austria's central bank said it had no concerns about the country's financial stability, when asked about Signa's financial position.

Persons: UniCredit, Signa, Rene Benko, Fitch, Landesbank, Banks, Arndt Geiwitz, Francesco Canepa, Tom Sims, Elisa Martinuzzi, Alexander Smith Organizations: Signa Group, Chrysler, Raiffeisen Bank, Bank, European Central Bank, ECB, Reuters, Erste Group, Erste, Austria's National Bank, Market Authority, Thomson Locations: VIENNA, Banks, Austria, Bank Austria, Wien

☆ Russia's VTB in Europe changes name as it liquidates
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The logo of VTB bank is seen on the bank's headquarters in Tehran, Iran, May 23, 2023. Before Russia invaded Ukraine, VTB in Europe attracted tens of thousands of German savers with its relatively high interest rates and marketed itself as a sponsor of Frankfurt's ice hockey team, the Lions. But after the war began, savers withdrew their money, resulting in a bank run and prompting regulators to manage the outflow. VTB in Russia did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Direktbank division that served retail savers has closed with its last customer - who used VTB for a deposit for a garden shed.

Persons: Majid Asgaripour, Russia's, Frank Hellwig, VTB, Hellwig, Miro Zadro, Tom Sims, John O'Donnell, Alexander Marrow, Barbara Lewis Organizations: West Asia News Agency, REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Lions, savers, Thomson Locations: Tehran, Iran, Frankfurt, Europe, Russia, Ukraine, VTB, Ost, West

☆ Signa founder Benko hands reins of property empire to Geiwitz
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A view of the sign of Signa Holding on their headquarters in Vienna, Austria, November 6, 2023. Benko, an Austrian entrepreneur and a key figure in Europe's property market for two decades, is known for high-profile purchases including New York's iconic Chrysler Building and Britain's Selfridges. Some current and former investors - themselves titans of industry - have in recent days publicly lashed out at Benko, raising questions about his future role at Signa. What is important now is to restore trust, and I want to play my part in that," Benko said in the statement. Geiwitz is best known for his role in the insolvency proceedings of Germany's Galeria Kaufhof-Karstadt department stores and drug store chain Schlecker.

Persons: Leonhard Foeger, Rene Benko, Arndt Geiwitz, Fitch, Benko, Signa, Geiwitz, Germany's Galeria, Alexandra Schwarz, Tom Sims, Matthias Williams, Kirsti Knolle, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Signa, REUTERS, Rights, Chrysler, titans, Germany's, European Central Bank, Thomson Locations: Vienna, Austria, FRANKFURT, Germany, Austrian, Benko

☆ Hamburg Airport Remains Closed as Police Deal With 'Hostage Situation'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-05 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Hamburg airport remained closed on Sunday, authorities said, as police dealt with a hostage situation they say likely involves a custody dispute. The airport closed for all takeoffs and landings on Saturday evening after police arrived in large numbers on the scene to deal with a man who drove through a barrier onto the grounds of the airport with a child. The car with the 35-year-old man and 4-year-old child was parked under a plane, a police spokesperson said. Police would not confirm their earlier statements that the man was armed and had fired shots. (Reporting by Joern Poltz and Tom Sims in Frankfurt; Editing by Andrew Heavens, Matthew Lewis, Daniel Wallis and William Mallard)

Persons: Joern Poltz, Tom Sims, Andrew Heavens, Matthew Lewis, Daniel Wallis, William Mallard Organizations: Twitter, Police Locations: FRANKFURT, Hamburg, Frankfurt

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