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☆ Romania deploys ship, chopper to find stray Black Sea mines
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BUCHAREST, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Romania's navy said it deployed a ship and a helicopter on Monday to scout for stray mines on the country's Black Sea coast, after a pier in the seaside resort of Costinesti was lighly damaged in an explosion. Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, and mines have since then been laid in the Black Sea by the combatants. Romanian, Bulgarian and Turkish military diving teams have been defusing those that have drifted into their waters. The sea is crucial for shipments of grain, oil and oil products and is shared by Bulgaria, Romania, Georgia and Turkey, as well as Ukraine and Russia. Romania's navy said its divers were still investigating whether the explosion at the pier, which claimed no victims, was caused by a mine.

Persons: Luiza Ilie, John Stonestreet Organizations: European Union, NATO, Thomson Locations: BUCHAREST, Costinesti, Russia, Ukraine, Bulgarian, Bulgaria, Romania, Georgia, Turkey, Mangalia, U.S

Latvia's Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins addresses the opening session on the first day of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London, Britain June 21, 2023. Henry Nicholls/Pool via REUTERSRIGA, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins announced his resignation on Monday, blaming a breakdown in relations with parts of his multi-party governing government. Karins' New Unity party plans to select its candidate for prime minister on Wednesday, he said. President Edgars Rinkevics has responsibility for giving a mandate to a new prime minister to try to form a government. Latvia's next parliamentary election is scheduled for 2026.

Persons: Krisjanis Karins, Henry Nicholls, Karins, Aivars Lembergs, Edgars Rinkevics, Latvia's, Janis Laizans, Andrius, Terje Solsvik, John Stonestreet Organizations: Latvia's, Conference, REUTERS, Latvian, European Union, NATO, Unity, National Alliance, Progressives, Greens, Farmers Union, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, London, Britain, REUTERS RIGA, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Russia, Ventspils

☆ Stocks fall, yields rise after hotter than expected inflation reading
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Sinéad Carew | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The U.S. producer price index (PPI) for final demand rose 0.3% in July, according to the Labor Department. And in the 12 months through July, the PPI rose 0.8% against estimates for a 0.7% advance. On Thursday, Wall Street's main indexes had finished flat, giving up most early gains on milder-than-feared consumer price inflation data. In currencies, the dollar index rose 0.107%, with the euro down 0.18% to $1.0959. On the U.S. Treasuries side, yields rose after the hotter than expected PPI.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Paul Christopher, Christopher, Mary Daly, Sterling, Brent, Sinéad Carew, Elizabeth Howcroft, John Stonestreet, Susan Fenton Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Treasury, Reserve, Labor Department, PPI, Wells, Wells Fargo Investment Institute, Dow Jones, Nasdaq, San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank, Britain, International Energy Agency, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Wells Fargo, St Louis, Asia, Pacific, Japan, London

Asian stocks fell to a one-month low and European indexes were in the red, with the STOXX 600 down 0.8% at 1125 GMT (.STOXX). "We’re still getting a mixed message from the inflation numbers," said Ben Laidler, global markets strategist at eToro. The pound was up 0.4% at $1.2725 , after GDP data showed Britain eked out some unexpected growth in the second quarter, helped by a strong June performance. But it remains the only large advanced economy that has not yet regained its pre-COVID late-2019 level, data showed on Friday. Investors will be watching for UK inflation data next Wednesday.

Persons: DAX, Mary Daly, We’re, Ben Laidler, eToro's Laidler, Brent, Elizabeth Howcroft, John Stonestreet, Susan Fenton Organizations: Credit Suisse, Wall, San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank, Investors, Nasdaq, HK, Britain, West Texas, International Energy Agency, Thomson Locations: Silicon, China, Australia, Japan

☆ ECB to pause in September, say slim majority of economists: Reuters poll
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Prerana Bhat | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

There have been nine consecutive ECB rate rises since July 2022. In the poll 37 - or 53% - of 70 economists predict no move at the Sept 14 meeting compared with 47% in last month's poll, which would mean the ECB leaving its deposit rate at 3.75%, in line with market pricing. The poll also showed 53% expecting a deposit rate rise to 4.00% sometime this year, with 33 economists saying September, and four October or December. While markets are priced for a roughly 60% chance of a pause in September, they are split for year-end, with just over a 50% probability of a 4.00 deposit rate by then. However, inflation setbacks could still force a rate hike later this year," said Bas van Geffen, senior macro strategist at Rabobank.

Persons: Christine Lagarde, bloc's, Lagarde, Bas van Geffen, Michael Kirker, Prerana Bhat, Anitta Sunil, Maneesh Kumar, Sarupya Ganguly, John Stonestreet Organizations: European Central Bank, Reuters, ECB, Rabobank, spillovers, Deutsche Bank, Thomson Locations: BENGALURU, Germany, Ukraine, European

☆ 'Mad' tree cull raises hackles in Canary Island town
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( John Stonestreet | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Opponents of the scheme on the Canary Island of La Gomera call it an atrocity and will demonstrate against it on Saturday. Their petition to halt the cull of flame trees, whose bright red flowers make them a magnet for tourists, has drawn more than 1,200 signatures. "We are all battling climate change, and trying to create a green San Sebastian. Laura Concepcion, biologist at the World Biosphere Reserve on neighbouring La Palma, said flame trees could not be deemed an aggressive species. Rodriguez admitted the San Sebastian flame trees' roots were interfering with pipes and distorting stones in some places.

Persons: Aguilar, Elizabeth Scullion, Angelica Padilla, del Carmen Rodriguez, Gomera, Javier Sanchez, Laura Concepcion, Rodriguez, John Stonestreet, Corina Rodriguez, William Maclean Organizations: Avenida, REUTERS, Canarian, Socialist Party, PSOE, Reuters, UNESCO, La, Thomson Locations: Spanish, La Gomera, Spain, Handout, SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, San Sebastian, La Palma

☆ Troubled World Scout Jamboree bows out with K-pop in Seoul
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Hyunsu Yim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A couple takes a selfie with the camping site for the 25th World Scout Jamboree in Buan, South Korea, August 4, 2023. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji/File PhotoSEOUL, Aug 11 (Reuters) - South Korea hosted a K-pop concert on Friday for thousands of teenage scouts, seeking to salvage national prestige as an ill-fated World Scout Jamboree hit by extreme weather and criticised for poor organisation draws to an end. Around 40,000 people gathered for the concert headlined by NewJeans and IVE at Seoul's World Cup stadium. K-pop agency HYBE and tech group Kakao said they were providing free merchandise for scouts attending Friday's concert. "It is the first time in over 100 years history of World Scout Jamborees to face such compounded challenges," Ahmad Alhendawi, Secretary General of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, said in a statement on Tuesday.

Persons: Kim Hong, NewJeans, Han Duck, Han, Kakao, Ahmad Alhendawi, 1,325.0700, Hyunsu Yim, Ed Davies, John Stonestreet Organizations: REUTERS, Democratic Party of, World Organization of, Scout Movement, Thomson Locations: Buan, South Korea, SEOUL, Saemangeum, South Korea's, Singapore, Seoul, North Jeolla Province, Democratic Party of Korea

☆ U.S. forecasters raise 2023 hurricane forecast
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Erwin Seba | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Marco Bello/File PhotoHOUSTON, Aug 10 (Reuters) - U.S. government forecasters on Thursday said they expect a more dangerous Atlantic storm season than previously projected, raising their Atlantic hurricane outlook due to high sea surface temperatures. In May, NOAA had predicted 12-17 named storms, 5-8 hurricanes and one to four major hurricanes. An average Atlantic season has 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes. NOAA's forecast was raised "to account for record warm sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic," said meteorologist Matthew Rosencrans with the agency’s Climate Prediction Center. "We normally have our 4th named storm on August 14th and first hurricane on August 11th, and we are at 4 named storms and one hurricane."

Persons: Hurricane Ida, Marco Bello, Matthew Rosencrans, El, El Nino, Jim Foerster, Chris Hewitt, Erwin Seba, Gloria Dickie, John Stonestreet Organizations: REUTERS, U.S . National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, Colorado State University, El Nino, El, World Meteorological Organization, Thomson Locations: Louisiana, Montegut , Louisiana, U.S, Pacific, United States, Hawaii, El Nino, Gulf, Mexico, Coast, Texas , Louisiana, Mississippi, London

People walk in the Goldman Sachs global headquarters in Manhattan, New York, U.S., November 15, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew KellyAug 10 (Reuters) - Goldman Sachs (GS.N) shareholders cannot go forward with a class action alleging the bank misled investors about its business practices ahead of the subprime mortgage crisis, a U.S. appeals court ruled on Thursday. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in three pension funds' long-running case accusing the bank of unlawfully hiding conflicts of interest when creating risky subprime securities, costing investors more than $13 billion. The investors said that the bank's fraudulent statements kept its stock price artificially high. Goldman argued that these "aspirational" statements were too vague and general to have had any impact on the stock price.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Andrew Kelly, Goldman, John Paulson, Jody Godoy, Jonathan Oatis, John Stonestreet Organizations: REUTERS, The, Circuit, U.S, Goldman, Abacus, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, Supreme, Appeals, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York, U.S, The New York, Arkansas, New York

☆ Australian journalist held in China writes 'love letter' home
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Kirsty Needham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] Australian journalist Cheng Lei poses for a selfie at an unknown location in this undated handout photograph obtained by Reuters on August 11, 2023. Nicholas Coyle/Handout via REUTERSSYDNEY, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Australian journalist Cheng Lei, detained in China on national security charges, has described how standing in sunlight for just 10 hours a year feels in a "love letter" to her country. Her first public statement since her arrest came in what she called a "love letter to 25 million people" which was dictated to consular staff during a visit and released by her partner. The Australian government has repeatedly raised concerns about her detention, which came as China widened blocks on Australian exports amid a diplomatic dispute that is gradually easing. Albanese on Sunday said the barley decision was positive, but he wanted "other impediments to be removed ... included in that, the detention of the Australians, including Cheng Lei".

Persons: Cheng Lei, Nicholas Coyle, Handout, Cheng, I've, Anthony Albanese, Albanese, Nick Coyle, Lei, Coyle, Penny Wong, Ms Cheng, Wong, Kirsty Needham, John Stonestreet, Stephen Coates Organizations: Reuters, REUTERS SYDNEY, Sunday, China - Australia Business Council, Thomson Locations: Australian, China, Beijing, Canberra, Australia

☆ From chippy to World Cup: striker England savours 'pinch-me' moments
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY, Aug 10 (Reuters) - England Lioness Beth England once worked in a chip shop to help fund her soccer dreams, and says the contrast between then and now has made for some surreal moments during her Women's World Cup debut. That for me is very much a 'pinch-me' moment," England told reporters on Thursday." England was playing for the Doncaster Blues at the time, in the early days of the WSL. The 29-year-old was named to England's World Cup squad after moving to Tottenham from Chelsea in January to try to get playing time. it is not going to affect us in a way that we're not defined by one player," England said of the suspended Chelsea striker.

Persons: Beth England, I'm, Lauren James, Nigeria's Michelle Alozie, James, Lori Ewing, John Stonestreet Organizations: SYDNEY, Nigeria, Doncaster Blues, Tottenham, Chelsea, Thomson Locations: England, Colombia, Sydney, Australia, France, Nigeria's

A logo of Turkey's Central Bank is pictured at the entrance of its headquarters in Ankara, Turkey October 15, 2021. According to calculations by five bankers, obtained by Reuters, net reserves rose $4.9 billion to $15.8 billion last week, while total reserves climbed to $115.6 billion. The recent uptrend in reserves reversed in the week to July 28, with net forex falling $2.8 billion to $10.89 billion. The central bank continues to get foreign exchange from tourism and a scheme to protect lira bank deposits from depreciation known as KKM. The bank has paid an estimated 300 billion lira ($11 billion) to cover depreciation costs under the scheme in June and July, with the cost in August estimated at 350 billion lira.

Persons: Cagla, Tayyip Erdogan, Erdogan, Hafize Gaye Erkan, Nevzat Devranoglu, Orhan Coskun, Daren Butler, Jonathan Spicer, John Stonestreet Organizations: Turkey's Central, REUTERS, Reuters, Bankers, Thomson Locations: Ankara, Turkey, ANKARA

☆ Calm pervades Niger's capital as deadline to reverse coup expires
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-06 | by ( Boureima Balima | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

An aerial view of the streets in the capital Niamey, Niger July 28, 2023. REUTERS/Souleymane Ag Anara/File PhotoNIAMEY, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Niger's capital was calm on Sunday, with citizens appearing to pay little heed to the threat of military intervention by West Africa's regional bloc, as its ultimatum for the country's coup leaders to reinstate the president expires. "I am not worried because I know that any military intervention by ECOWAS in Niger would be a loss for this organisation. ECOWAS did not respond to a request for comment on what its next steps would be, or when exactly on Sunday its deadline expires. Support for Niger's coup leaders from fellow juntas in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso could undermine the regional response.

Persons: Mohamed Bazoum, Hadjo Hadjia, Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou, Alessandra Prentice, John Stonestreet Organizations: REUTERS, Defence, Economic, West African, Sunday, Bazoum's, Thomson Locations: Niamey, Niger, NIAMEY, West, Central Africa, Russia, China, Mali, Burkina Faso, France

☆ Pollution on Seine scuppers Open Water World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Paris 2024 Olympics - Test swimming event for Paris 2024 - Paris, France - August 5, 2023 Rescue boats are moored to the bank of the River Seine as a tourist boat goes past after the Open Water Swimming World Cup 10km Women's competition was postponed REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq/File PhotoPARIS, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Organisers were forced on Sunday to cancel the Open Water Swimming World Cup in Paris, after heavy rainfall caused the water quality in the Seine river to dip below minimum health standards. "It's obvious that extra work is required with Paris 2024 and local authorities to guarantee solid emergency plans are set up for next year," said World Aquatics. The Olympics committee said in a separate statement that new infrastructure would be up and running by summer 2024, which should ensure better water quality and make the Seine swimmable. "For Paris 2024 and World Triathlon, the health and safety of athletes is our top priority," the sport's governing body said in a statement. On Thursday, the Guardian reported that at least 57 participants fell ill after competing in sea swimming events at the World Triathlon Championship Series in Sunderland, England.

Persons: Stephanie Lecocq, Gilles Sezionale, Saturday's, triathletes, Juliette Jabkhiro, Aadi Nair, John Stonestreet, Ed Osmond Organizations: Paris, REUTERS, Games, Federation, Olympics, World Aquatics, The, Olympic, Triathlon, Guardian, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Seine, Sunderland, England

☆ Arsenal down Man City in shootout to win Community Shield
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Arsenal beat Manchester City 4-1 in a penalty shootout to win the Community Shield on Sunday and strike the first blow in this season's rivalry between the two clubs. It's a marker to know we can go and beat Man City in a big game when it matters," Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale told ITV. The win extended City's run of defeats in Community Shield matches, following losses to Liverpool last season and Leicester City in 2021. "We have to pick ourselves up and go again," City goalscorer Palmer told ITV. "Hopefully we can win the treble again but it will be a difficult ask.

Persons: Fabio Vieira, it's, Aaron Ramsdale, I'm, Kai Havertz, Stefan Ortega, Pep Guardiola's, John Stones, Striker Erling Haaland, Cole Palmer, Palmer, Ramsdale, Phil Foden, Kyle Walker, Thomas Partey, Leandro Trossard, Kevin de Bruyne, Vieira, Pep, Aadi Nair, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Arsenal, Manchester City, Premier League, Wembley, City, Man City, ITV, Arsenal's, Manchester United, Community, Liverpool, Leicester City, Thomson Locations: Man, Bengaluru

☆ Catalan kingmaker tells Spain's Sanchez not to take support for granted
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Joan Faus | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File PhotoBARCELONA, Aug 2 (Reuters) - Spain's Socialists (PSOE), seeking to form a government after a hard-fought national election, should not take the support of Catalonia's separatist parties for granted, one of their leaders said on Wednesday. "It is Pedro Sanchez who has to make the moves to get support," Aragones said. To renew its support, ERC wants further talks, to cut the region's contributions to the national public finances, and to take control of local train services. Junts is demanding a referendum on independence and an amnesty for all separatists facing legal charges related to the failed 2017 independence bid. Aragones said the two parties' leverage could help obtain a referendum and amnesty, but also concessions in financial or cultural issues.

Persons: Pere Aragones i Garcia, Sarah Meyssonnier, Pere Aragones, Pedro Sanchez's, Sanchez, Pedro Sanchez, Aragones, Junts, Joan Faus, Charlie Devereux, John Stonestreet Organizations: of, Entrepreneurs de France, Paris, Paris Longchamp Racecourse, REUTERS, Spain's Socialists, PSOE, ERC, Socialist, People's Party, Thomson Locations: of Catalonia, Paris Longchamp, Paris, France, Spain, Catalan

☆ Morning Bid: Triple-A headache
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Four thousand U.S. dollars are counted out by a banker counting currency at a bank in Westminster, Colorado November 3, 2009. On Tuesday, Fitch became the second major agency, after Standard & Poor's in 2011, to strip the United States of its prized triple-A credit rating. Jefferies notes that, with two of the three major agencies listing U.S. debt at AA, U.S. bonds no longer count as AAA in some key indices. However, according to Jefferies, most investors have moved away from some of the stricter criteria around holding triple-A rated debt, given Germany is the only large issuer left with that rating. Chart shows that the U.S.'s long-term foreign currency rating was downgraded by Fitch to AA+ in 2023, following a similar move from S&P in 2011.

Persons: Rick Wilking, Amanda Cooper, Fitch, Jefferies, it's, Dupont Nemours, Kraft, Phillips, Ingersoll Rand, John Stonestreet Organizations: REUTERS, Standard, Capitol, Investors, Treasury, Moody's, Moody's Investors Service, U.S ., U.S, AA, AAA, CVS Health, Entergy, Kraft Heinz, Garmin, Brands, Bunge Ltd, Lincoln National, Occidental Petroleum, ETSY, Cognizant Technology Solutions, Atmos Energy, Equinix, Qualcomm, MGM Resorts, MetLife, Fitch, Reuters Graphics U.S, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Westminster , Colorado, U.S, United States, Aaa, Germany, Exelon, Albemarle, Occidental, Clorox

☆ Britain investigates after Mali gets defence emails meant for Pentagon
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, July 28 (Reuters) - UK authorities said on Friday they were investigating defence ministry emails that were mistakenly sent to the wrong recipient, after reports that messages intended for U.S. military intelligence ended up with Russian ally Mali. Ministry of Defence officials were trying to contact the Pentagon, whose domain name is ".mil", but accidentally sent the mails to Mali, which has the domain name ".ml", the Times newspaper reported. Britain said the information that was mistakenly shared was not highly sensitive. "We have opened an investigation after a small number of emails were mistakenly forwarded to an incorrect email domain," a spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said, without confirming the domain's name. "All sensitive information is shared on systems designed to minimise the risk of misdirection," the spokesperson said.

Persons: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan romcom, Alistair Smout, John Stonestreet Organizations: Ministry of Defence, Pentagon, Times, MoD, BBC, Britain's MoD, Thomson Locations: Mali, Russia, France, Britain, U.S

☆ Niger coup leaders dissolve govt, declare Tiani head of state
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Moussa Aksar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

NIAMEY, July 28 (Reuters) - Leaders of the coup in Niger declared General Abdourahamane Tiani as the new head of state on Friday, and said they had suspended the constitution and dissolved all former institutions after overthrowing President Mohamed Bazoum. He represents the state of Niger in international relations," an officer said, reading out a statement. African countries, Western powers, regional and international organizations have reacted with alarm to the coup in Niger, insisting that Bazoum be freed and constitutional order restored. Niger borders three countries - Mali, Burkina Faso and Chad - that have also experienced military coups in the last two years. Niger so far has held them off better than Mali and Burkina Faso, where violence has only worsened since the military coups.

Persons: Abdourahamane Tiani, Mohamed Bazoum, Tiani, Bazoum, Josep Borrell, Kamala Harris, Boris Pistorius, Bate Felix, Anait, Nellie Peyton, John Stonestreet, Angus MacSwan, Nick Macfie Organizations: National Council, Bazoum, REUTERS, Islamic, West African States, European Union, United, European, EU, German, Spiegel, Thomson Locations: NIAMEY, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, France, Niamey, al Qaeda, Islamic State, West Africa's, Nigeria, Guinea, United States, Africa, EU, Germany, Italy

☆ France says Niger coup not definitive, president must be reinstated
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, July 28 (Reuters) - France's foreign minister said on Friday that a power grab in Niger was not definitive and that those responsible still had time to accede to international demands that the ousted president be reinstated. "If you hear me say attempted coup d'etat, it's because we don't consider that things are definitive," Colonna was quoted by French media as saying. Niger President Mohamed Bazoum is being held in the presidential palace and it remains unclear who is in charge of the country after soldiers on Wednesday evening declared a coup that sparked widespread condemnation. In a statement signed by its chief of staff, the army on Thursday declared support for the soldiers who stripped President Mohamed Bazoum of power. "President Bazoum must be restored to his constitutional functions," Colonna said.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Catherine Colonna, Colonna, Mohamed Bazoum, Macron, Bazoum, John Irish, John Stonestreet Organizations: West African ECOWAS, Wednesday, Thomson Locations: Niger, Papua New Guinea

[1/2] A motorist rides past a hoarding decorated with flowers to welcome G20 foreign ministers in New Delhi, India, March 1, 2023. REUTERS/Amit Dave/File photoCHENNAI, India/BRUSSELS, July 28 (Reuters) - The Group of 20 (G20) major nations failed on Friday to agree on concrete targets to cut dangerous emissions, releasing only a statement that dismissed current measures to address climate change as "insufficient". Members could not agree on depleting carbon budgets, historical emissions, net-zero goals and the issue of financing to support developing countries, the document showed. China and oil-rich Saudi Arabia backed away from making commitments in the G20 talks, members of a European delegation said. The EU's Environment Commissioner said the G20 countries were "nowhere" on their commitments to address climate change.

Persons: Amit Dave, Virginijus Sinkevicius, Sarita Chaganti Singh, Aftab Ahmed, Kate Abnett, John Stonestreet, Angus MacSwan, Andrew Heavens Organizations: REUTERS, United Arab Emirates, Thomson Locations: New Delhi, India, CHENNAI, BRUSSELS, North America, Europe, China, Indian, Chennai, Saudi Arabia, Delhi, Brussels

ORTN/via Reuters TV/Handout via REUTERSNIAMEY, July 27 (Reuters) - Niger's army command on Thursday declared its support for a coup instigated the previous day by soldiers of the presidential guard, saying its priority was to avoid destabilising the country. President Mohamed Bazoum and Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou earlier urged democratic forces in the country to resist the power grab, as western officials said the status of the coup attempt was unclear. They earlier cut off the presidential palace in the capital Niamey, with the president inside. Massoudou also called on "democrats and patriots" to make the "attempted coup" fail, according to a posting on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. Niamey was quiet on Thursday morning as citizens awoke to heavy rain, closed borders and a nationwide curfew imposed by the coup instigators.

Persons: Major Amadou Adramane, Mohamed Bazoum, Hassoumi Massoudou, Bazoum, Massoudou, Bate Felix, Boureima Balima, Moussa Aksar, John Irish, Sofia Christensen, John Stonestreet Organizations: Niger Army, Reuters, REUTERS, Twitter, Thomson Locations: Niamey, Niger, REUTERS NIAMEY, West, Central Africa, Sahel

☆ Man City will fight Bayern to keep 'irreplaceable' Walker, says Guardiola
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

July 26 (Reuters) - Manchester City will fight to keep Kyle Walker as Bayern Munich circle to lure him away, the Premier League champions' manager Pep Guardiola said. England international Walker, who has a year left on his City contract, has been one of Guardiola's key players. "He's an incredibly important player for us... His specific qualities are irreplaceable," Guardiola told reporters before Wednesday's pre-season friendly between the two clubs. We will fight for him like I'm sure Bayern will... Asked if Walker would feature against German champions Bayern in Tokyo, Guardiola said: "We need our best players out there against Bayern and we hope he is going to stay with us next season, so why should he not play?"

Persons: Kyle Walker, Pep Guardiola, Walker, Guardiola, Wednesday's, Rohith Nair, John Stonestreet Organizations: Manchester City, Bayern, Premier League, England, City, German, Arsenal, Thomson Locations: Manchester, Bayern Munich, Tokyo, Bengaluru

☆ India's government faces no-confidence vote over ethnic clashes
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Rupam Jain | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during a meeting at The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Paris France July 14, 2023. Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has a clear majority of 301 members in the 542-seat lower house of parliament, so the no-confidence vote will not affect its stability. Approving the opposition motion, lower house speaker Om Birla said he would soon decide when the debate and vote would take place. As head of the government, he will have to respond to the no-confidence motion before it is put to vote. Shashi Tharoor, a leader of the main opposition Congress party, said the government must invest time to answer questions about Manipur.

Persons: Narendra Modi, JULIEN DE ROSA, Narendra Modi's, Om Birla, Modi, Amit Shah, Shashi Tharoor, Tharoor, Zarir Hussain, YP Rajesh, John Stonestreet, Barbara Lewis Organizations: India's, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP, Manipur, Reuters, YP, Thomson Locations: Paris France, Manipur, DELHI, BJP, Guwahati

☆ Rain raises Rhine river levels in Germany; north still too shallow
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

HAMBURG, July 26 (Reuters) - Heavy rain has raised water levels on the Rhine in Germany, but the river is still too shallow in central northern areas for cargo vessels to sail fully loaded, commodity traders said on Wednesday. As increasingly frequent low water on the Rhine disrupts Europe's largest economy, its industry is finding new ways to ship cargoes, including the use of low-water barges. "So far this summer we have had enough rain to prevent a crisis on the river," one commodity trader said. "Low water has increased costs but cargo has been delivered." German companies faced supply bottlenecks and production problems in summer 2022 after a drought and heat wave led to unusually low water levels on the Rhine.

Persons: Michael Hogan, John Stonestreet Organizations: Thomson Locations: HAMBURG, Germany, Koblenz, Cologne, Duisburg

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