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NEW YORK, June 22 (Reuters) - Bankrupt crypto exchange FTX on Thursday sued a former aide to Hilary Clinton and the former aide's investment firm, seeking to claw back $700 million in investments allegedly made with misappropriated FTX funds. Bankman-Fried authorized investments in K5 projects that enriched Kives and Baum with no payoff for FTX or its customers, who were footing the bill, FTX alleged. FTX has also filed lawsuits over its pre-bankruptcy investment in the stock platform Embed and its payments toGenesis Global Capital, the bankrupt lending arm of crypto firm Genesis. FTX on Wednesday announced a settlement with the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in which the museum agreed to return $550 million in donations that it received from FTX companies in 2022. Reporting by Dietrich Knauth in New York Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Matthew LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Hilary Clinton, misappropriated, FTX, Sam Bankman, Fried, Michael Kives, Bryan Baum, Clinton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Katy Perry, I've, Baum, Kendall Jenner's, SBF, Elizabeth Ashford, Kives, Dietrich Knauth, Alexia Garamfalvi, Matthew Lewis Organizations: YORK, K5 Global, Democratic, Republican, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, K5, Genesis Global Capital, Wednesday, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Thomson Locations: Wilmington , Delaware, Democratic U.S, New York, Republican California, FTX

☆ Carlos Ghosn sues Nissan for $1 bln in Lebanon, legal document shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A spokesperson for Nissan said the company will not be commenting on the matter. Ghosn, once a titan of the global car industry, was arrested in Japan in late 2018 and charged with financial misconduct. He denied the charge and said his detention was part of a plot by Nissan executives to block a merger. He escaped Japan hidden in a box aboard a private jet in December 2019, fleeing to Lebanon, his childhood home. After arriving in Lebanon Ghosn said he was escaping a "rigged" justice system in Japan and that he intended to clear his name.

Persons: Carlos Ghosn, Ghosn, Lebanon Ghosn, Maya Gebeily, Laila Bassam, Tom Perry, Daniel Leussink, Tala Ramadan, Kirsten Donovan, Louise Heavens, David Goodman Organizations: Nissan Motor, Nissan, Reuters, Thomson Locations: BEIRUT, Japan, Lebanon, Beirut

☆ Russia launches overnight air attack on Ukraine from east to west
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] An explosion of a drone is seen in the sky over the city during a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine June 20, 2023. REUTERS/Gleb GaranichJune 20 (Reuters) - Russia launched a widespread overnight air attack on Ukraine targeting the capital and cities from east to west as most of the country spent the night with air raid sirens blasting for several hours. "Another massive air attack on the capital," Popko said. Yuriy Malashko, head of the military administration of the Zaporizhzhia region in southeast Ukraine, said on the Telegram messaging app that Russia's raid targeted telecommunication infrastructure and agriculture and farming properties. The top military command said that Russia launched seven missiles in the attack on Zaporizhzhia, according to preliminary reports.

Persons: Gleb Garanich, Serhiy Popko, Popko, Yuriy Malashko, Lidia Kelly, Kim Coghill, Michael Perry Organizations: REUTERS, General, of Ukraine's Armed Forces, NATO, Russia, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Kyiv, Russia, Lviv, Poland, Zaporizhzhia, Melbourne

☆ Ukraine says Hungary ignores requests for contact with transferred prisoners of war
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

June 20 (Reuters) - Ukraine said on Monday that Hungary has been ignoring requests for contact with prisoners of war that Kyiv said had been secretly transferred from Russia and called the move an act of self interest on Prime Minister Viktor Orban's side. Hungary, which under Orban has forged strong political and economic ties with Russia and has not cut them since Moscow invaded Ukraine 16 months ago, said on June 9 that it had received a group of 11 Ukrainian prisoners of war from Russia. "All attempts by Ukrainian diplomats over recent days to establish direct contact with Ukrainian citizens have failed," Ukraine's foreign ministry spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko said on his Facebook page. Hungary's foreign ministry has not immediately responded to Reuters' requests for a comment. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that the operation to transfer the prisoners was carried out solely in the political interests of Orban.

Persons: Viktor Orban's, Orban, Oleg Nikolenko, Gergely Gulyas, Gulyas, Dmytro Kuleba, Viktor Orban, Kuleba, Lidia Kelly, Michael Perry Organizations: Kyiv, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Hungary, Russia, Moscow, Ukrainian, Melbourne

SYDNEY, June 19 (Reuters) - Australia's Senate passed legislation on Monday that paves the way for the country to hold a landmark referendum later this year on whether to recognise its Indigenous people in the constitution. Support for the constitutional change has been wavering in the recent weeks. Getting constitutional change is difficult in Australia. In the past there have been 44 proposals for constitutional change in 19 referendums, and only eight of these have passed. Independent Indigenous Senator Lidia Thorpe, who has also been a vocal opponent of the bill, said the change will only create a "powerless advisory body".

Persons: Anthony Albanese, Albanese, Malarndirri McCarthy, Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, Lidia Thorpe, Praveen Menon, Michael Perry Organizations: SYDNEY, Australia's, Labor Party, Liberal Party, Independent, Thomson Locations: Torres, Australia's, Australia

☆ Russia says regional free trade pact with Iran possible by year-end
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

June 19 (Reuters) - A free trade zone agreement between Iran, Russia and several countries that cover the vast Eurasian region spreading from the borders of Eastern Europe to Western China is possible by the end of the year, Russia's TASS news agency reported on Monday. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk told the state TASS agency in an interview that talks between the Eurasian Economic Union - which comprises Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia - and Iran are in their final stages. The regional agreement with Iran would replace and expand an interim pact that already provides a reduction in customs duties on hundreds of categories of goods. In November 2022, Russia started swapping oil products with Iran and in March, Tehran said it counts on "huge volumes" of both oil and gas swaps with Moscow. Overchuk also told TASS, without providing much detail, that negotiations among the Eurasian Economic Union countries on creating a common gas market continue.

Persons: Alexei Overchuk, Overchuk, Lidia Kelly, Michael Perry Organizations: TASS, Eurasian Economic, Kremlin, Moscow, Thomson Locations: Iran, Russia, Eastern Europe, Western China, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Europe, Moscow, Tehran, Russian, China, Melbourne

☆ Lebanon’s top Christian cleric slams failed attempt to elect a president
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIRUT, June 18 (Reuters) - Lebanon’s top Christian cleric said on Sunday the constitution and democratic system had been violated in "cold blood" during a failed attempt to elect a new president last week, and warned that divisions in the nation had widened. Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rai spoke in his first sermon since the Iran-backed Shi'ite group Hezbollah and its closest allies thwarted an attempt by factions including the main Christian parties to elect an IMF official as president. Wednesday's events marked the 12th time parliament failed to elect someone to the post - reserved for a Maronite Christian in Lebanon's sectarian system and vacant since the term of the Hezbollah-allied Michel Aoun ended in October. The Hezbollah-allied Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri ended the session when Hezbollah and its allies withdrew, denying a quorum for a second round when 65 votes are needed to win. Without naming him, Lebanon's Shi'ite mufti accused him of being backed by Israel.

Persons: Bechara Boutros, Rai, Michel Aoun, Jihad Azour, Amal, Azour, Suleiman Frangieh, Nabih Berri, Elias Audi, Berri, Maya Gebeily, Tom Perry, Hugh Lawson, Frances Kerry Organizations: Hezbollah, Maronite, Israel, Thomson Locations: BEIRUT, Iran, Israel, Lebanon

☆ A blast from the past: D-ID app uses A.I. to bring old photos to life
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailA blast from the past: D-ID app uses A.I. to bring old photos to lifeGil Perry, D-ID co-founder and CEO, joins 'Last Call' to discuss the company's A.I. enabled app that allows old photos to talk and move.

Persons: Gil Perry

June 14 (Reuters) - The Longshore union and employers of 22,000 dockworkers at U.S. West Coast ports on Wednesday said they have reached a tentative deal on a new six-year contract, ending 13 months of talks and easing supply chain worries. "The tentative agreement delivers important stability for workers, for employers and for our country's supply chain," Su said in a statement on Wednesday. The tentative deal comes as retailers like Walmart (WMT.N) and Target (TGT.N) are starting to land merchandise for the critical back-to-school, Halloween and Christmas retail shopping seasons. Manufacturers, automakers and food producers who import or export goods also rely on the Pacific Coast ports. West Coast port market share dipped after some customers shifted cargo to rival East Coast and Gulf Coast ports to avoid potential labor disruptions during the negotiations.

Persons: Julie Su, Joe Biden, Su, James McKenna, Willie Adams, Gene Seroka, Lisa Baertlein, Kanjyik Ghosh, Christopher Cushing, Michael Perry, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: ., U.S, Labor, Warehouse Union, Pacific Maritime Association, ILWU International, West Coast, Los Angeles, Walmart, Manufacturers, East, Port of Los Angeles, Twitter, Thomson Locations: . West Coast, San Francisco, California, Washington State, Long, United States, West Coast, East Coast, Gulf Coast, Panama, China, Port of, Los Angeles, Bengaluru

☆ Australia cancels lease for new Russian embassy citing national security
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Renju Jose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY, June 15 (Reuters) - Australia said on Thursday it would introduce legislation to parliament to cancel Russia's lease to build a new embassy in the national capital of Canberra, citing national security. The move follows the conclusion of a long-running litigation regarding the leased site after the federal court ruled last month that an eviction order made by the National Capital Authority - a government body tasked with the planning of the national capital - was invalid. Russia bought the lease in 2008 and had plans approved in 2011 but the National Capital Authority blamed the embassy for leaving the site unused, according to Australian media. Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil said the "principal problem" with the proposed second Russian embassy was its location, as the site sits directly adjacent to the parliament house. Since the conflict began, Australia has provided millions in military support to Ukraine and has sanctioned more than 1,000 Russian individuals and entities.

Persons: Anthony Albanese, " Albanese, Clare O'Neil, Albanese, Renju Jose, Michael Perry Organizations: SYDNEY, National Capital Authority, Home Affairs, Ukraine, Thomson Locations: Australia, Canberra, Russian, Russia, Ukraine, Sydney

☆ Australian war hero found complicit in Afghan murders says devastated by ruling, but will not apologise
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

An Australian federal court judge on June 1 dismissed Roberts-Smith's defamation case against three newspapers for articles accusing him of violating the rules of engagement and killing unarmed Afghans. In his ruling the judge said the newspapers had proven substantial truth in their reporting. read more"I'm devastated with the result, it's a terrible outcome and it's the incorrect outcome," Roberts-Smith told television network Nine Entertainment (NEC.AX) at Perth Airport baggage claim late on Wednesday. Asked if he remained proud of his actions in Afghanistan, Roberts-Smith replied "of course I am." Roberts-Smith, 44, whose portrait hangs in the Australian War Memorial, has not been charged with any crimes.

Persons: Ben Roberts, Smith, Roberts, Byron Kaye, Michael Perry Organizations: SYDNEY, Victoria, Special Air Service, Nine Entertainment, Australian, Thomson Locations: Afghanistan, Australian, Bali , Indonesia, New Zealand, Australia

TOKYO, June 15 (Reuters) - The Pacific island nation of Palau has asked the United States to step up patrols of its waters after several recent incursions by Chinese vessels into its exclusive economic zone, President Surangel Whipps Jr. told Reuters in an interview. Palau identified Chinese vessels in its waters as recently as last month, when a ship appeared to be surveying an area near fibre optic cables vital to the country's communications, Whipps Jr. said. He said he would raise the issue of the incursions at the regional Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in November. The plan has been criticised by some local fishermen and neighbouring countries, including South Korea, China, and some Pacific island nations. But Whipps Jr. said he was not opposed to the plan and that he sensed regional resistance was also waning.

Persons: Surangel Whipps Jr, Whipps Jr, Whipps, Lloyd Austin, We've, Sakura Murakami, John Geddie, Michael Perry Organizations: Reuters, Pentagon, Pacific Islands Forum, U.S . Defense, U.S, ichi, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Palau, United States, Washington, Beijing, Tokyo, Micronesia, Marshall, China, Solomon, U.S, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Japan, South Korea

Neither Azour nor Hezbollah-backed candidate Suleiman Frangieh came close to winning the 86 votes needed to win in a first round vote. Azour, the IMF's Middle East Director and an ex-finance minister, won the support of 59 of 128 lawmakers. Hezbollah and its allies then withdrew from the session, denying the two-thirds quorum required for a second vote in which 65 votes are enough for victory. Azour thanked lawmakers who backed him, saying he hoped the will expressed by "the majority of deputies" would be respected. George Adwan, a Christian lawmaker with the anti-Hezbollah Lebanese Forces party, said the vote was "a major victory" because it showed Azour close to 65 votes.

Persons: Gebran Bassil, Azour, Suleiman Frangieh, Frangieh, Nabih Berri, Michel Aoun, Hussein al, Haj Hassan, Bashar al, Assad, George Adwan, Mohamed Azakir, Matthew Miller, Miller, Mohanad Hage Ali, Riad Salameh, Sheikh Ahmad Qabalan dialled, Issam Abdallah, Simon Lewis, Tom Perry, John Stonestreet, Mark Heinrich, William Maclean Organizations: BEIRUT, Hezbollah, IMF, Maronite, Hezbollah Lebanese Forces, REUTERS, U.S . State Department, Carnegie Middle East Center, West, Thomson Locations: Lebanon, Iran, Muslim, Saudi Arabia, Lebanese, Yemen, Beirut, Washington, U.S, United States, Israel, Damascus

☆ Japan Self Defence Force member arrested after shooting, two dead - NHK
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TOKYO, June 14 (Reuters) - A member of the Japan Self-Defence Force (SDF) was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of attempted murder after a shooting incident that resulted in two fatalities, local media reported. An 18-year-old SDF member allegedly injured three other personnel with automatic weapon fire, public broadcaster NHK reported, citing the defence ministry. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said the incident happened at about 9 a.m. at an SDF shooting range in Hino City in the central Japanese prefecture of Gifu. The victims included a man in his 50s and two in their 20s, and there were no reports of civilian casualties, NHK said. Shootings are extremely rare in Japan, where gun ownership is tightly regulated and anyone seeking to own a gun must go through a rigorous vetting process.

Persons: Hirokazu Matsuno, Satoshi Sugiyama, Chang, Ran Kim, Christian Schmollinger, Michael Perry Organizations: Japan Self, Defence Force, NHK, SDF, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Japan, Hino City, Japanese, Gifu

☆ Girls to the Front!
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( Garance Franke-Ruta | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

The book is packed with stories of young women like her, girls whose efforts were documented but have not been popularized, and whose introductions leave you wanting more. After World War II came a generation of youthful reproductive rights activists. We meet Heather Tobis (later Booth), who, at 19, founded the legendary abortion referral service Jane out of her dorm room. She wanted change,” Kahn writes of the Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, one of the most famous young voice of our own era. “Something to do; it might be very little but still it would be my own work.” Today, in the book’s words, stories of remarkable girls “abound.” But, as Kahn deftly shows, that’s been the story of these revolutionaries from the start.

Persons: Mabel Ping, Hua Lee, “, Joan of Arc, ” Anna Elizabeth Dickenson, Heather Tobis, Booth, Jane, Clyde Marie Perry, Emma Jean Wilson, IX, Faye Ordway, Alice de Rivera, miniskirts ”, Claudette Colvin, Rosa Parks —, —, ” Kahn, Greta Thunberg, ”, Lucy Lacrom, Kahn, that’s Organizations: New York, Representatives, Stuyvesant High School, Youth Locations: New, Grenada, Miss, Massachusetts, New York, Montgomery, Ala, Swedish, Lowell

☆ Germany refusing Intel's additional demand for subsidies for chip plant, Financial Times reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

June 11 (Reuters) - Germany's Finance Minister Christian Lindner is refusing Intel's (INTC.O) demands for higher subsidies for a 17-billion-euro ($18-billion) chip plant, saying the country could not afford it, the Financial Times reported on Sunday. "There is no more money available in the budget," the newspaper quoted Lindner as saying in an interview. The company was due to receive 6.8 billion euros in government support for its fabrication plant in Germany. However, due to higher energy and construction costs, it is now demanding about 10 billion euros, the newspaper reported. ($1 = 0.9305 euros)Reporting by Anirudh Saligrama in Bengaluru; Editing by Michael Perry and William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Christian Lindner, Lindner, Taiwan's TSMC, Anirudh, Michael Perry, William Mallard Organizations: Germany's Finance, Financial Times, Intel, Thomson Locations: Germany, German, Magdeburg, Europe, Ireland, Italy, France, U.S, Bengaluru

☆ Taiwan sends up fighters as Chinese warplanes cross strait's median line
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

TAIPEI, June 11 (Reuters) - Taiwan's air force scrambled into action on Sunday after spotting 10 Chinese warplanes crossing the sensitive median line of the Taiwan Strait, as the island's defence ministry said four Chinese warships also carried out combat patrols. In a short statement, Taiwan's defence ministry said that as of 2 p.m. (0600 GMT) on Sunday it had detected 24 Chinese air force planes, including J-10, J-11, J-16 and Su-30 fighters, as well as H-6 bombers. It did not specify where the aircraft flew but said 10 had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, which separates the two sides and had previously served as an unofficial barrier. China's defence ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. In April, China held war games around Taiwan following a trip to the United States by Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen.

Persons: Tsai Ing, William Lai, Lai, Tsai, Laura Rosenberger, Ben Blanchard, Martin Pollard, Michael Perry, William Mallard Organizations: Taiwan, Democratic Progressive, American Institute, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, Taiwan, Pacific, China, Taiwan Strait, United States, Beijing, Washington, Taipei

ISLAMABAD, June 10 (Reuters) - Pakistan is working on the possibility of restructuring its bilateral debt regardless of whether it successfully completes its IMF review, the country's finance minister said on Saturday, but reiterated it would not approach Paris club nation creditors or seek haircuts. The country is grappling with record inflation, fiscal imbalances and critical levels of reserves that cover barely a month worth of imports. The fiscal deficit for the following fiscal year was projected at 6.54% of GDP, according to the budget. Dar said on Saturday there was no more room in the budget to reduce the fiscal deficit target by any further. The government has received commitments of only $4 billion, mainly from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Persons: Ishaq Dar, Dar, Gibran Naiyyar Peshimam, Shahid, Charlotte Greenfield, Michael Perry, William Mallard, Frances Kerry Organizations: IMF, Pakistan's IMF, United, United Arab Emirates, Thomson Locations: ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Paris, Pakistan's, China, Saudi Arabia, United Arab

☆ What we talk about when we talk about diversity, and CNN
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( Trisha Gopal | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

This week, CNN CEO Chris Licht was fired after a scathing profile was published in the Atlantic. In the profile, Licht details his own thoughts about how diversity should be defined in the media industry. In Alberta's profile, Licht claimed to be operating under his own idea of "diversity," one that does not include "virtue signaling." "I think 'Defund the police' would've been covered differently if newsrooms were filled with people who had lived in public housing," Licht continued. The diversity Licht did seem to value was geographic diversity, which can be a coded way of saying "not from the liberal coasts."

Persons: Chris Licht, Licht, MAGA, Stephen Gutowski, Trump, Tim Alberta, Jean Carroll, Kevin McCarthy, Rick Scott, Jim Acosta's, Brian Stelter's, Warner, David Zaslav, Franklin Leonard, Washington Post's Perry Bacon Jr, John Miller, Miller, Lehman, Tara Narula, Don Lemon, Reagan, Lisa Ling, Kamau Bell, New York Mondaire Jones, Jones, Kaitlin Collins, Lemon, Poppy Harlow, Collins, Laura Coates Organizations: CNN, NRA, Atlantic, Warner Bros, Discovery, Republicans, Harvard, Insider, NYPD, Stanford, Catholic, LSU, Republican, White House, Daily, White Locations: Alberta, Washington, New York City, Baton Rouge , Louisiana, Birmingham , Alabama, Mobile , Alabama, New York, Alabama, Asia

☆ A Surprising Supreme Court Decision’s History With the American South
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Amanda Taub | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Yesterday, the Supreme Court surprised many observers by issuing an opinion that effectively reaffirmed the remaining powers of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. The decision was a reprieve for a law that many believed was in danger of being fatally weakened, or overruled entirely, by the conservatives on the court. The Voting Rights Act, along with the 1964 Civil Rights Act, were crucial steps in American democratization, and the laws remain an important institutional means of preserving it. And “Racial Realignment,” by Eric Schickler, shows how a bottom-up alliance of powerful trade unions and groups like the N.A.A.C.P. “South to America,” by Imani Perry, which won the 2022 National Book Award for nonfiction, explores how the history and politics of the South shaped American identity and culture.

Persons: ”, Robert Mickey, —, Eric Schickler, Imani Perry Organizations: Court, American, Democratic Party, ” Locations: America

☆ Two giant rubber ducks debut in Hong Kong in bid to drive "double happiness"
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/6] An art installation dubbed "Double Ducks" by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman, is seen at Victoria Harbour, in Hong Kong, China June 9, 2023. Hofman said his pair of ducks represent "twice the fun, double the happiness" and bring new excitement to Hong Kong. "We would like more installation art like the rubber ducks in Hong Kong. Right now there isn't much space for art in Hong Kong if we compare it to Macau or Shenzhen, they have more art installations." A 40-year-old engineer named Kane said the ducks were positive for Hong Kong.

Persons: Florentijn Hofman, Tyrone Siu, Hofman, peng, Anna, Kane, It's, Justin Fung, Jessie Pang, Joyce Zhou, Farah, Michael Perry Organizations: Victoria Harbour, REUTERS, Ducks, Thomson Locations: Victoria, Hong Kong, China, Tyrone Siu HONG KONG, Hong, Victoria Harbour, Netherlands, France, Brazil, Hong Kong's, Tamar, Macau, Shenzhen

The business conference will draw about 2,000 attendees from Greater China, in what will be one of the region's biggest-yet business delegation to Saudi Arabia, according to one person with direct knowledge of the matter. "From the perspective of both capital and new market, the Middle East, Saudi Arabia are really good new choices for Chinese companies and investors," said Henry Zhang, president of Hong Kong-based private equity firm Hermitage Capital. "Since late last year, a large number of Chinese funds have rushed to the Middle East looking for new investors. For the upcoming conference, Chinese entrepreneurs in attendance represent a range of industries -- from renewable energy and artificial intelligence to biotech, finance and tourism. "Previously, I had to actively pitch Chinese companies to consider Saudi Arabia as their destination of outbound investment and overseas expansion.

Persons: Xi Jinping's, Antony Blinken, Henry Zhang, Zhang, Robert Mogielnicki, Edison Gao, I've, Gao, Julie Zhu, Aziz El Yaakoubi, Sumeet Chatterjee, Michael Perry Organizations: China Business Conference, Hermitage Capital, Gulf States Institute, Ajlan, Brothers, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, RIYADH, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Arab, Gulf, Beijing, Washington, U.S, Greater China, East, Hong Kong, Hermitage, China, Saudi, Rachna, Dubai

☆ Controlled burn and downed power line sparked Colorado's costliest wildfire
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Keith Coffman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] A statue stands amidst the remains of homes destroyed by the Marshall Fire in Louisville, Colorado, U.S. December 31, 2021. REUTERS/Alyson McClaran/File PhotoDENVER, June 8 (Reuters) - Colorado's costliest wildfire on record started from fierce winds that damaged power lines and unearthed smoldering embers from a controlled burn days earlier, sparking two blazes that merged into a deadly conflagration, authorities said on Thursday. The sheriff's report was released as a group of two dozen homeowners and community members filed a lawsuit against Xcel Energy, the utility whose wind-damaged power lines the sheriff's office cited as having contributed to the deadly fire. Both the sheriff's office and local prosecutors determined there was insufficient evidence of criminal conduct in connection with the blaze and determined that charges would be filed, the sheriff's statement said. Reporting by Keith Coffman in Denver; Editing by Steve Gorman and Michael PerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Alyson McClaran, Investigators, Marshall, Biden, Keith Coffman, Steve Gorman, Michael Perry Organizations: Marshall Fire, REUTERS, DENVER, Sheriff's, Xcel Energy, Energy, Thomson Locations: Louisville , Colorado, U.S, Boulder, Boulder County, Denver, Colorado

REUTERS/Carlo AllegriJune 8 (Reuters) - Amazon.com (AMZN.O) said on Thursday that it was cutting delivery routes short for drivers in places affected by poor air quality, while Target also said its contactless order pickup service may not operate in the most affected areas. On Wednesday, New York City's air quality was considered the worst in the world. A spokesman for Amazon, the nation's most valuable retailer by market capitalization, said it was cutting routes short where air quality is hazardous, and providing N-95 masks to delivery workers. Drivers were also encouraged to return to delivery stations if they felt ill.Target Corp (TGT.N) said its contactless order pick-up service called "Drive Up" may be turned off at locations with poor air quality. Separately, Home Depot Inc (HD.N) on Thursday said it was shipping supplies of air filters, respirator masks, box fans and air scrubbers to meet increased demand in areas dealing with poor air quality.

Persons: Carlo Allegri, Deborah Sophia, Michael Perry Organizations: REUTERS, Target, Amazon, Target Corp, Depot Inc, Thomson Locations: Manhattan, New York City , New York, U.S, Canada, United States, New York, Bengaluru, Arriana

☆ Australia to ban swastika, SS sign citing rise of far-right
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY, June 8 (Reuters) - Australia said on Thursday it would introduce laws to the parliament next week banning public displays and sales of Nazi hate symbols, citing a rise in far-right activities at home. A ban on the Nazi salute will not be added to the federal law, the attorney-general said. Australia's spy agency has been warning far-right groups were on the rise in Australia and that they had become more organised and visible. Last year, a soccer fan who gave the salute at the Australia Cup final was banned for life from any games sanctioned by Football Australia. Dreyfus said all Australian states and territories had either passed laws or announced plans to ban Nazi symbols, and the proposed federal laws will mesh with the states'.

Persons: We've, Mark Dreyfus, we've, Dreyfus, Renju Jose, Michael Perry Organizations: SYDNEY, Nazi, Channel Seven, Australia, Football Australia, Thomson Locations: Australia, Melbourne, Sydney

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