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☆ U.S. safety board subpoenas American Airlines flight crew in NYC near miss
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The NTSB said the London-bound American Airlines flight crossed the runway without clearance from air traffic control, forcing the Delta aircraft to abort its takeoff. The Delta flight, bound for Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, aborted takeoff and came to stop about 500 feet short of the taxiway. The NTSB said it has attempted to interview the American Airlines flight crew three different times, but the crew refused to be interviewed on the basis that their statements would be recorded for transcription. The Allied Pilots Association, which represents 15,000 American Airlines pilots, said in a statement it raised concerns over the NTSB's "recent insistence" on electronically recording crew interviews. There were 12 crew and 137 passengers on the American Airlines flight and six crew and 153 passengers on the Delta flight.

☆ Stigma and poverty stymie cancer treatment as rates rise in Kenya
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NAIROBI, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Like many people in Kenya, Sperenza Maina went into denial when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer, hiding it from her family for months and delaying important treatment. As in much of Africa, most cancer cases in Kenya are diagnosed at an advanced stage, when treatment options are limited and families make huge sacrifices by selling assets or borrowing money, according to a World Bank report. As the country gets wealthier, cancer diagnoses are on the rise; annual incidence increased by almost 30% between 2012 and 2018, data from the health ministry shows. Women in Kenya often fear seeking diagnosis for some of the most common and deadly cancers in Kenya such as cervical and breast cancer, said Bridget Nyabuto, a doctor at the Nairobi Radiotherapy and Cancer Centre. Having cancer is not a death sentence, you have to live to tell the story," she said.

☆ Brazil's Lula calls Bolsonaro a Trump 'copycat' in CNN interview
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro looks on during "Power of The People" event hosted by Turning Point USA at Trump National Doral Miami Resort in Doral, Florida, U.S., February 3, 2023. REUTERS/Marco BelloWASHINGTON, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called his far-right predecessor Jair Bolsonaro a "faithful copycat" of Donald Trump and said there was no chance Bolsonaro would return to the presidency. The leftist leader told CNN's Christiane Amanpour on Friday that Brazil's judiciary is investigating Bolsonaro for attacks on democracy. But Lula said he hopes the former president will be convicted of genocide by an international court for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic that killed 698,000 Brazilians. Bolsonaro supporters stormed government buildings in Brasilia on Jan. 8, calling for a military coup to oust Lula, in an echo of Jan. 6, 2021, when Trump supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol.

REUTERS/Evelyn HocksteinWASHINGTON, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Democratic and Republican U.S. lawmakers sharply criticized the U.S. military and the Biden administration on Thursday for failing to shoot down a Chinese spy balloon when it first entered U.S. airspace, instead of waiting a week to do so. Pentagon officials said they were able to monitor the balloon's path and protect and conceal areas sensitive to U.S. national security. Republican Senator Susan Collins said the decision to let the balloon trek across the United States sent the wrong message to China and other U.S. adversaries. "In my judgment, U.S. deterrence was weakened when the spy balloon was permitted to transverse Alaska and several other states, included hovering over sensitive military bases and assets," Collins added. Separately, the House of Representatives on Thursday unanimously backed a resolution condemning the incursion of the balloon as "a brazen violation of United States sovereignty."

☆ Factbox: Abortion battles in U.S. state capitols to watch in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( Gabriella Borter | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

KANSAS: Although Kansans voted in favor of state abortion rights on a ballot measure last year, Republican lawmakers have proposed measures including a near-total ban on abortion and prohibitions on prescribing abortion pills over telemedicine. MONTANA: Republican lawmakers have introduced a bill seeking to overturn a 1999 state supreme court ruling, which found that the state constitution protected a right to abortion. SOUTH CAROLINA: Despite the fact that the state supreme court recently struck down a six-week abortion ban in a 3-2 vote, Republicans have introduced a near-total abortion ban and a 6-week ban this year. The success of that legislation may depend on the outcome of the state's appeal of the supreme court decision. PROTECTIONSMICHIGAN: Abortion rights advocates scored big wins in Michigan in the November 2022 election, securing a Democratic majority in the legislature and enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution.

☆ High-tech dashboards, driving assistants vex luxury vehicle owners -study
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( Joseph White | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The gap in reliability scores between luxury brands and those for mass market brands such as Kia were the widest in the 34 years that J.D. Power sets Tesla aside from other brands in the rankings because the electric vehicle maker doesn't provide it with full access to information about owners. Other luxury brands fared poorly, too. Infotainment systems complaints, such as problems with wireless Bluetooth phone connections, dragged down scores from vehicle owners of several luxury brands, according to the report. Even as luxury brands compete to offer more advanced digital content and dashboard features, luxury vehicle owners are finding fault with the infotainment systems at about double the rate as owners of mass-market brands, Hanley said.

☆ Snow Software owners explore $1 billion sale -sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( Milana Vinn | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Feb 8 (Reuters) - The private equity owners of Snow Software are exploring a sale that could value the software management solutions company at about $1 billion, including debt, according to people familiar with the matter. Sumeru Equity Partners, Ontario Pension Board, Vitruvian Partners and other investors behind Snow Software have hired investment bank JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM.N) to explore options for the company, the sources said. Based in Stockholm, Sweden and Austin, Texas, Snow Software builds software tools and solutions that help companies obtain the proper licensing for the software they use. Snow Software currently generates annual revenue of about $175 million, according to the sources. Sumeru and Ontario Pension Board joined Vitruvian as shareholders in Snow Software in 2017 with a $120 million investment.

Feb 7 (Reuters) - Seven more Memphis police officers are expected to face formal disciplinary charges this week in connection with the death of Tyre Nichols, the city attorney said on Tuesday. A city spokesperson confirmed that officer is among the seven who could soon face charges. City Attorney Jennifer Sink told the city council on Tuesday that she expected administrative charges to be issued against the additional officers sometime this week. Officers charged with departmental violations would face administrative hearings, which Sink said could take place by the end of next week. The specialized street unit that included the five officers charged with Nichols' murder has been disbanded.

☆ Maduro negotiator says Venezuela government, opposition making progress on $3.2 billion humanitarian fund
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( Vivian Sequera | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro delivers a speech in front of the Venezuelan Supreme Court of Justice magistrates during the opening of the new court term, in Caracas, Venezuela January 31, 2023. The opposition hopes the negotiations will help guarantee that elections tentatively scheduled for 2024 are held in fair conditions. Rodriguez did not offer details on what progress had been made toward creation of the humanitarian fund. The opposition's head negotiator, Gerardo Blyde, has said money from the frozen assets is spread across different jurisdictions, each with their own legal requirements. The opposition has said the money could be moved in small tranches to protect it from creditors.

☆ Chile battles deadliest wildfires on record as heatwave grips
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( Fabian Cambero | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Trees can be seen after a wildfire burned areas in Santa Juana, near Concepcion, Chile, February 5, 2023. REUTERS/Juan GonzalezSANTIAGO, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Chilean firefighters were battling to hold back forest fires on Monday as authorities said hot and dry weather would continue this week, potentially exacerbating what are already the deadliest blazes in the country's recent history. The state National Forestry Corporation reported that as of Monday morning there were 275 active fires, of which 69 were currently in combat. The heat wave and strong winds have caused a rapid spread of the flames during the Southern Hemisphere summer season. Reuters GraphicsReporting by Fabian Andres Cambero; Editing by Caitlin WebberOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ U.S. CFTC traders report delayed by ransomware attack on data firm ION
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

ION Group, the financial data firm's parent company, said in a statement on its website the attack began on Tuesday. read more"The ongoing issue is impacting some clearing members’ ability to provide the CFTC with timely and accurate data," the CFTC said in a statement. It said the Commitments of Traders report that is produced by CFTC staff will be delayed until all trades can be reported. "A report will be published upon receipt and validation of data from those firms," the CFTC said. CFTC reports provide a snapshot of investor positioning on various assets.

☆ Republicans reelect Trump-backed McDaniel as party chairperson
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( Tim Reid | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Republican National Committee (RNC) Chair Ronna McDaniel reacts after being reelected at the winter meeting of the Republican National Committee in Dana Point, California, U.S., January 27, 2023. REUTERS/Mike BlakeDANA POINT, Calif., Jan 27 (Reuters) - The Republican National Committee reelected Ronna McDaniel to a fourth term as chairwoman, giving a mandate that would keep the Donald Trump-backed candidate in the top party post through the 2024 U.S. presidential elections. McDaniel beat challenger Harmeet Dhillon by 111 votes to 51 for another two-year term at an RNC members meeting in Dana Point, California, according to a party official. During her first three terms as Republican party chair, McDaniel has overseen Trump's 2020 presidential election defeat as well as a weaker-than-expected performance in the mid-term elections last November. Trump endorsed McDaniel for RNC chair in 2017 after she helped deliver her home state of Michigan in the 2016 presidential election in which he defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton.

☆ U.S. sees some Chinese companies helping Russia's Ukraine effort-source
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-24 | by ( Steve Holland | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, Jan 24 (Reuters) - The United States has determined that some Chinese companies are providing non-lethal assistance to Russia for use in the Ukraine war and officials are noting their concern to the Chinese government, a source familiar with the matter said on Tuesday. The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: "What we're seeing is non-lethal military assistance and economic support that stops short of wholesale sanctions evasion." The United States has warned the Chinese government of consequences should China provide weaponry to Russia for use against Ukraine. It is unclear if the Chinese government is aware of the activity, the source said. U.S. officials are reaching out to Chinese authorities through diplomatic channels, the source said.

Speaking to reporters in Senegal, Yellen warned that Washington could spur a global financial crisis and undermine the role of the dollar if it does not raise the $31.4 trillion debt limit. McCarthy said on Twitter he would meet Biden to "discuss a responsible debt ceiling increase to address irresponsible government spending." The U.S. government hit its $31.4 trillion borrowing limit on Thursday, a figure that reflects money already spent by the government. But the percolating battle over the U.S. debt limit later this year already is rattling markets and investors. Yellen noted the debt ceiling needs to be raised to cover borrowing on spending already authorized by Congress.

DAKAR/WASHINGTON Jan 20 (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Friday that a potential U.S. default could cause a global financial crisis and undermine the role of the dollar as a reserve currency. The U.S. government hit its $31.4 trillion borrowing limit on Thursday, a figure that reflects money already spent by the government. Yellen has informed congressional leaders that her department had begun using extraordinary cash management measures that could stave off default until June 5. "It (default) could cause a global financial crisis. Yellen said the debt ceiling was for spending that was already authorized by Congress and did not seek any additional expenditure.

Jan 19 (Reuters) - David Crosby, one of the most influential rock singers of the 1960s and '70s with the Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (CSNY) has died at the age of 81, Variety reported on Thursday, citing a statement from Crosby's wife. "I don’t know what to say other than I’m heartbroken to hear about David Crosby. He fell "as low as a human being can go," Crosby told the Times. In the 2019 documentary "David Crosby: Remember My Name," he made clear he hoped they could work together again but conceded the others "really dislike me, strongly." After his release, Crosby told People magazine he had beaten his addictions.

WASHINGTON, Jan 19 (Reuters) - CIA Director William Burns recently traveled in secret to Ukraine's capital to meet President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, a U.S. official told Reuters on Thursday. "Director Burns traveled to Kyiv, where he met with Ukrainian intelligence counterparts as well as President Zelenskiy and reinforced our continued support for Ukraine and its defense against Russian aggression," the U.S. official, who declined to be identified, said. The official declined to say when the visit took place. The Washington Post, which first reported the visit, said it took place at the end of last week. Zelenskiy and his aides came away from last week's meeting with the impression that U.S. support for Kyiv remained strong, the newspaper said.

☆ U.S., Turkey target financial network linked to Islamic State
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Jan 5 (Reuters) - The U.S. Treasury Department said on Thursday it was taking joint action with Turkey against a network it said played a key role in money management, transfer and distribution for the Islamic State militant group operating in Iraq and Syria. Turkey's foreign affairs ministry said on Twitter the assets of seven individuals or legal persons involved in financing for the group were frozen. The U.S. Treasury Department said four individuals and two entities in Turkey were designated under U.S. sanctions. Islamic State killed and executed thousands of people in the name of its extreme interpretation of Islam before it was territorially defeated in Iraq in 2017 and Syria in 2019. The United States in November blacklisted four individuals and eight companies in South Africa aiding the group and in May imposed sanctions on a network of five Islamic State financial facilitators working across Indonesia, Syria and Turkey.

WASHINGTON, Jan 5 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden will award the Presidential Citizens Medal to 12 people on Friday during a ceremony at the White House to mark two years since the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, a White House official said. The award, one of the country's highest civilian honors, will be given to law enforcement officers, election workers and state and local officials, the official said. The White House plans to highlight distinctions between what Biden calls "extremists" in the opposition party and other Republicans in the months ahead. Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, who died in the days following the attack on the Capitol, will receive a posthumous medal, according to the White House official. Washington's chief medical examiner ruled that Sicknick died of natural causes following multiple strokes after the attack on the Capitol.

☆ Biden plans to renominate stalled picks for federal posts on Tuesday -source
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON, Jan 3 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden plans as early as Tuesday to renominate his picks for a slate of federal posts including the Internal Revenue Service commissioner, Federal Aviation Administration administrator and ambassador to India, an official said. The selections stalled in the Senate last year. The new Senate convenes Tuesday. Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; writing by Ismail Shakil; Editing by Caitlin WebberOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ U.S. approves potential sale of anti-tank systems to Taiwan for $180 mln
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Dec 28 (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department has approved the possible sale of Volcano anti-tank mine-laying systems to Taiwan for an estimated $180 million, the Pentagon said on Wednesday. Northrop Grumman and Oshkosh Corporation are the prime contractors for the potential sale. U.S. law requires the executive branch to notify Congress of potential arms sales that are over a certain amount. "The Chinese Communist Party's frequent military activities near Taiwan have posted severe military threats to us," the ministry said, adding that continuous U.S. military sales are the "cornerstone of maintaining regional stability and peace." Taiwan strongly rejects Beijing's sovereignty claim and says it will defend itself if attacked.

☆ U.S., UK, EU among countries calling for Taliban to reverse ban on women aid workers
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON, Dec 28 (Reuters) - Foreign ministers of 12 countries and the EU, including the United States and Britain, urged Afghanistan's Taliban-led government on Wednesday to reverse its decision barring female employees of aid groups. "The Taliban’s reckless and dangerous order barring female employees of national and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from the workplace puts at risk millions of Afghans who depend on humanitarian assistance for their survival," said the statement by the foreign ministers of the United States, Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and the EU. Reporting by Eric Beech; Editing by Caitlin WebberOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

WASHINGTON, Dec 28 (Reuters) - Jamie Raskin, a Democratic U.S. representative who rose to prominence as the lead manager for former President Donald Trump's second impeachment trial, has been diagnosed with cancer, he said on Wednesday. "After several days of tests, I have been diagnosed with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma, which is a serious but curable form of cancer," Raskin said in an official statement. Raskin has also served on the January 6 Committee, which investigated the Capitol attack and Trump's role in it. In the next Congress, Raskin is set to serve as the top Democrat on the House Oversight panel. Reporting by Gram Slattery in Washington Editing by Caitlin Webber and Matthew LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ U.S. announces additional $1.85 billion military aid for Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-21 | by ( Kanishka Singh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Dec 21 (Reuters) - The United States will provide $1.85 billion in additional military assistance for Ukraine, including a transfer of the Patriot Air Defense System, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday. The assistance includes a $1 billion drawdown to provide Ukraine with "expanded air defense and precision-strike capabilities" and $850 million in security assistance, Blinken said in a statement. Russia said last week that U.S. plans to supply Patriot missile defense systems to Ukraine were a "provocation" and a further expansion of U.S. military involvement in the Ukraine conflict. The Kremlin had said that if delivered, U.S. Patriot missile defense systems would be a legitimate target for Russian strikes against Ukraine. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, the United States has committed about $21.2 billion in military assistance to Kyiv.

☆ U.S. announces $1.85 billion in additional military assistance for Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-21 | by ( Kanishka Singh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Dec 21 (Reuters) - The United States will provide $1.85 billion in additional military assistance for Ukraine, including a transfer of the Patriot Air Defense System, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement on Wednesday. The assistance includes a $1 billion drawdown to provide Ukraine with "expanded air defense and precision-strike capabilities" and an additional $850 million in security assistance, Blinken said. The Patriot is considered to be one of the most advanced U.S. air defense systems and offers protection against aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles. Russia said last week that U.S. plans to supply Patriot missile defense systems to Ukraine were a "provocation" and a further expansion of U.S. military involvement in the Ukraine conflict. The Kremlin had said that if delivered, U.S. Patriot missile defense systems would be a legitimate target for Russian strikes against Ukraine.

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