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☆ Ukraine Orders Investigation Into Russian Attack on Assault Brigade
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-05 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Maria StarkovaLVIV, Ukraine (Reuters) - Ukraine's defence minister ordered on Saturday an investigation into an alleged Russian ballistic missile attack on Ukrainian assault brigade, after reports that more than 20 soldiers were killed during an awards ceremony. "My condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers from the 128th Separate Mountain Assault Transcarpathian Brigade," Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said in a social media statement, adding that he had ordered a "full investigation." In its daily reports on battlefield activities, the Russian Defence Ministry said only that Russian forces "inflicted fire" on a unit of Ukraine's assault brigade in the region, killing up to 30 military personnel. Both Russia and Ukraine have often underestimated their military casualties in the 20-month-long war, while exaggerated the losses they claim to have inflicted upon each other. (Additonal reporting by Elaine Monaghan in Washington,; Writing by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Michael Perry)

Persons: Maria Starkova, Rustem Umerov, Elaine Monaghan, Lidia Kelly, Michael Perry Organizations: Reuters, Transcarpathian Brigade, Ukrainian Defence, Armed Forces, Russian Defence Ministry Locations: Maria Starkova LVIV, Ukraine, Russian, Russia, Zaporizhzhia, Washington, Melbourne

☆ Philippines' Marcos Condemns Killing of Journalist, Orders Investigation
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-05 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Sunday strongly condemned the killing of a Filipino journalist and ordered the police to conduct an investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice. Media watchdog NUJP also condemned the "brazen killing" which it said was caught on a livestream of Jumalon's show. Jumalon's killing brings to four the number of journalists killed since Marcos took office in June 2022, and to 199 since democracy was restored in the Philippines in 1986. The Philippines has one of Asia's most liberal media environments, but it remains one of the world's most dangerous places for journalists, particularly in its provinces. It ranked as the eighth worst country when it comes to prosecuting killers of journalists, according to 2023 Global Impunity Index released by the Committee to Protect Journalists released this week.

Persons: Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Juan Jumalon, Johnny Walker, Marcos, NUJP, Karen Lema, Michael Perry Organizations: National Union of Journalists of, . Media, Committee, Protect Journalists Locations: MANILA, Philippine, Philippines, Calamba, Misamis Occidental

A man walks past an advertising hoarding of Byju's, an Education Technology company and one of India's biggest startup, outside one of its branch in New Delhi, India, June 23, 2023. Byju's parent Think & Learn's operating losses fell 6% to 24 billion Indian rupees ($288.67 million) for its core online education business, while revenue more than doubled to 35.5 billion Indian rupees ($426.99 million) for the year ended March 31, 2022. "The takeaways from a uniquely belligerent year, which included nine acquisitions, are life-long learnings," Raveendran said in a statement. Last September, Byju's filed its 2021 numbers after a 17-month delay. ($1 = 83.1400 Indian rupees)Reporting by M. Sriram; Editing by Michael PerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Adnan Abidi, Byju Raveendran, Raveendran, Byju's, MBAs, Sriram, Michael Perry Organizations: Education Technology, REUTERS, Rights, Deloitte, Atlantic, Reuters, Thomson Locations: New Delhi, India, Rights MUMBAI, Prosus, Blackrock

☆ China basic pension fund posts 0.33% investment gain in 2022
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A view of the city skyline, ahead of the annual National People's Congress (NPC), in Shanghai, China February 24, 2022. REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSHANGHAI, Nov 4 (Reuters) - The basic pension fund managed by China's social security fund gained 5.1 billion yuan, or 0.33% in 2022, down from a 4.9% gain in 2021, the National Council for Social Security Fund said on Saturday. China's stock benchmark CSI 300 (.CSI300) lost 21.6% in 2022 and so far this year is down 7.4%. The basic pension fund manages a total 1.62 trillion yuan by the end of 2022, and has posed an annual average gain of 5.4% since the end of 2016, when the national social security fund started to manage the pension's investment. Separately, the national social security fund reported a 5.07%, or 138 billion yuan loss for the year of 2022, it said in a report in September.

Persons: Aly, Michael Perry Organizations: National People's Congress, REUTERS, Rights, National Council for Social Security Fund, CSI, Shanghai, Thomson Locations: Shanghai, China

☆ Japan PM Kishida: cooperating with Philippines, US to protect South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-04 | by ( Karen Lema | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"In the South China Sea, trilateral cooperation to protect the freedom of the sea is under way," Kishida, on an official visit, said in an address before the Philippine congress in the capital Manila. Last month China and the Philippines traded accusations over a collision in the disputed waters of the South China Sea as Chinese vessels blocked Philippine boats supplying forces there. China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including parts of the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. Japan does not have any claim to the South China Sea, but has a maritime dispute with China in the East China Sea. "Japan will continue to contribute to the enhancement of the Philippines' security capabilities, thereby contributing to regional peace and stability," Kishida said.

Persons: Fumio, Aaron Favila, Fumio Kishida, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, China's, Kishida, Karen Lema, Sakura Murakami, William Mallard, Michael Perry Organizations: Japan, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Official Security, Kyodo, Philippine Coast Guard, Thomson Locations: Quezon City, Philippines, Rights MANILA, United States, South China, China, Philippine, Manila, Kishida, Japan, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, East, Tokyo

☆ Japan PM Kishida: Cooperating With Philippines, US to Protect South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-04 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

MANILA (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Saturday his country, the Philippines and the United States were cooperating to protect the freedom of the South China Sea as he committed to help enhance Manila's security capabilities. "In the South China Sea, the trilateral cooperation to protect the freedom of the sea is underway," Kishida, on an official visit, said in an address before the Philippine congress in the capital Manila. Last month China and the Philippines traded accusations over a collision in the disputed waters of the South China Sea as Chinese vessels blocked Philippine boats supplying forces there. China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including parts of the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. Japan does not have any claim to the South China Sea, but has a separate maritime dispute with China in the East China Sea.

Persons: Fumio Kishida, Kishida, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, China's, Karen Lema, William Mallard, Michael Perry Locations: MANILA, Philippines, United States, South China, China, Philippine, Manila, Japan, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, East

☆ Philippines military remains loyal to the president - national security adviser
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano arrives to meet Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the prime minister's office in Tokyo, Japan, June 15, 2023. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMANILA, Nov 4 (Reuters) - The Philippines' National Security Adviser on Saturday rejected talk of a plot to destabilise the government of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, saying the military and entire security sector were loyal to the commander-in-chief. "Yes, there were healthy and passionate exchanges (and) debates among some retired or former military officers and even some criticism against certain policies of the current administration, but they are within the bounds of our democratic space," National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said. "The security sector shall remain vigilant and ready to take immediate action against any sinister group that will undermine our national security," Ano said. The Philippines has seen more than a dozen coup attempts since the overthrow of President Ferdinand Marcos in 1986.

Persons: Eduardo Ano, Fumio Kishida, Kim Kyung, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Eduardo Año, Año, Año's, Romeo Brawner, Brawner, Ano, Marcos, Ferdinand Marcos, Karen Lema, Michael Perry Organizations: Philippine National Security, REUTERS, Rights, National Security, Philippine, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Rights MANILA, Philippines

☆ Russian forces want to capture big coking plant in key town, mayor says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Nov 3 (Reuters) - Russian forces, focused for weeks on seizing the key eastern Ukrainian town of Avdiivka, are now intent on capturing its vast coking plant, the town's mayor said on Friday. Mayor Vitaliy Barabash, speaking on national television, said audio transmission intercepts had revealed that Moscow was now seeking to secure the town's giant coking plant. Ukrainian military analysts say a sustained assault on Avdiivka had more political that military significance and could be little more than a propaganda prize for Moscow. The General Staff report also reported that Ukrainian forces had repelled seven attacks near Kupiansk, a town in the northeast first seized by Russia but recaptured by Ukrainian forces in a fast-moving offensive late last year. Russian accounts of the fighting said Moscow's forces beat back Ukrainian attempts to advance near Kupiansk and struck Ukrainian forces in a series of towns south and west of Donetsk.

Persons: Vitaliy Barabash, Barabash, Avdiivka, Natalia Homeniuk, Homeniuk, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ron Popeski, Michael Perry Organizations: Russian, Ukraine's, Staff, Moscow, The, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Ukrainian, Avdiivka, Donetsk, Luhansk, Russian, Bakhmut, Moscow, Kupiansk, Russia, Kharkiv, Odesa, Kherson, Lviv, Ukraine's, Poland, Ukraine

☆ China industry minister: industrial economy stabilises, NEV shines in Jan-Sept period
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SHANGHAI, Nov 4 (Reuters) - China's industry minister said the country's industrial economy stablised and recovered in the first three quarters of 2023 and the new energy sector, such as electric cars, shined. "In the fourth quarter, we are confident the industrial economy will keep the recovery momentum," said Jin Zhuanglong, China's Minister of Industry and Information Technology, in an interview with China state television CCTV. China's industrial output in September grew 4.5% from a year earlier, matching the pace in August, as policy support measures stabilised some parts of the world's second-largest economy. Overseas markets remain an important growth area, although an EU probe into China-made EVs may put a damper on exports. Reporting by Jason Xue and Ryan Woo; Editing by Michael PerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jin Zhuanglong, Jin, Jason Xue, Ryan Woo, Michael Perry Organizations: China's, Industry, Information Technology, Overseas, EU, Thomson Locations: SHANGHAI, China

☆ India's Pandya ruled out of World Cup, Krishna joins squad
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BENGALURU, Nov 4 (Reuters) - India vice-captain Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of the rest of the World Cup after the all-rounder sustained an ankle injury last month, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Saturday as it approved Prasidh Krishna as his replacement. Pandya injured his left ankle while trying to stop a shot with his foot on his own bowling during India's seven-wicket win over Bangladesh in Pune on Oct. 19. Pandya picked up five wickets for the hosts in their opening three matches of the World Cup tournament and pace bowler Krishna has played 17 one-day internationals and two Twenty20 matches for India claiming 33 wickets overall. Krishna will face competition from Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj for a spot in India's pace line-up. Semi-finals-bound India have managed well in the absence of Pandya and lead the table with seven wins from as many matches.

Persons: Hardik Pandya, Prasidh Krishna, Pandya, Krishna, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Michael Perry Organizations: International Cricket Council, ICC, Bangladesh, England, India, Thomson Locations: BENGALURU, India, Pune, England , New Zealand, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Kolkata, Bengaluru

☆ U.S. flying drones over Gaza in search of hostages
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, Nov 2 (Reuters) - The United States has been flying surveillance drones over Gaza in search of hostages taken by Hamas when the Palestinian militant group attacked Israel on Oct. 7, two U.S. officials said on Thursday. The two U.S. officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the U.S was flying intelligence gathering drones over Gaza to assist with hostage location efforts. U.S. officials have said 10 Americans who remain unaccounted for may be among the more than 200 people taken as hostages into Gaza, where they are believed to be held in Hamas' extensive tunnel network. Israeli forces on Thursday encircled Gaza City - the Gaza Strip's main city - in their assault on Hamas, which resisted with hit-and-run attacks from underground tunnels. Israel's retaliation bombardment and ground offensive of the small Palestinian enclave of 2.3 million has killed at least 9,061 people, according to Gaza health authorities.

Persons: Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali, Michael Perry Organizations: United, Thomson Locations: United States, Gaza, Palestinian, Israel, U.S

Gaza City - traditionally a Hamas stronghold - was surrounded, military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said. The Israeli military said its troops and tanks were encountering mines and booby traps as they advanced in Gaza. Those who live in Gaza City and the north will have to find shelter elsewhere as the Israeli forces have cut off roads. Israeli spokesperson Hagari said Israeli was also "highly prepared" on its northern border with Lebanon, where he said Iranian-backed militants were carrying out actions with the aim of diverting it from the war in Gaza. Palestinians trapped in Gaza City hoped that a truce could be reached soon.

Persons: Daniel Hagari, Leo Varadkar, Antony Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Mustafa Dalul, Khan Younis, Amir Cohen, Ayman Safadi, Safadi, Abu Ubaida, Gazans, Hagari, Nidal al, Ali Sawafta, Dan Williams, Emily Rose, Maytaal, Clauda, Patricia Zengerle, Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali, Michael Perry, Angus MacSwan, Miral Fahmy, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: Ireland's, Palestinian, Palestine, United, Israel, REUTERS, Jordan's, Qatari, West Bank, Workers, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, GAZA, JERUSALEM, Gaza City, Blinken, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Amman, United States, Egypt, Rafah, Lebanon, Iranian, Ramallah, Jerusalem, Dubai, Washington

☆ Russian Forces Want to Capture Big Coking Plant in Key Town, Mayor Says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

(Reuters) - Russian forces, focused for weeks on seizing the key eastern Ukrainian town of Avdiivka, are now intent on capturing its vast coking plant, the town's mayor said on Friday. Mayor Vitaliy Barabash, speaking on national television, said audio transmission intercepts had revealed that Moscow was now seeking to secure the town's giant coking plant. Ukrainian military analysts say a sustained assault on Avdiivka had more political that military significance and could be little more than a propaganda prize for Moscow. The General Staff report also reported that Ukrainian forces had repelled seven attacks near Kupiansk, a town in the northeast first seized by Russia but recaptured by Ukrainian forces in a fast-moving offensive late last year. Russian accounts of the fighting said Moscow's forces beat back Ukrainian attempts to advance near Kupiansk and struck Ukrainian forces in a series of towns south and west of Donetsk.

Persons: Vitaliy Barabash, Barabash, Avdiivka, Natalia Homeniuk, Homeniuk, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ron Popeski, Michael Perry Organizations: Reuters, Russian, Ukraine's, Staff, Moscow, The Locations: Ukrainian, Avdiivka, Donetsk, Luhansk, Russian, Bakhmut, Moscow, Kupiansk, Russia, Kharkiv, Odesa, Kherson, Lviv, Ukraine's, Poland, Ukraine

☆ Hezbollah says it downs Israeli drone; Israel disputes account
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 2 (Reuters) - Lebanon's Hezbollah said on Thursday it destroyed an Israeli drone over south Lebanon with a surface-to-air missile, an account disputed by Israel's military which confirmed the missile launch but said its aircraft suffered "no damage". It was the second time this week that Hezbollah claimed to down an Israeli drone with a surface-to-air missile, with cross-border clashes escalating as Israel wages a ground incursion against Gaza's Hamas rulers. Hezbollah said in a statement its fighters shot down the drone just after midnight over two villages on the Lebanese side of the frontier. The Israeli military said that a surface-to-air missile was launched from Lebanon toward one of its drones. "There was no damage to the (drone)," the statement said.

Persons: Hatem Maher, Rami Ayyub, Sandra Maler, Michael Perry Organizations: Reuters, Thomson Locations: Lebanon, Israel

☆ Swiatek crushes Gauff at WTA Finals, Jabeur vanquishes Vondrousova
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] Nov 1, 2023; Cancun, Mexico; Iga Swiatek (POL) returns a shot during her match against Coco Gauff (USA) on day four of the GNP Saguaros WTA Finals Cancun. Swiatek came out firing in their group stage match and broke the U.S. Open champion for a second time with a lovely looping crosscourt winner to take a 4-0 lead. The evening group stage match saw a rematch of the Wimbledon final as sixth seed Ons Jabeur got back at the grand slam winner Vondrousova with a straight set win. It was Jabeur's first win in the group after Monday's loss to Gauff, leaving both of them with one win each as Swiatek holds the top spot with two victories. All four players in the group can reach the semi-finals as Friday's fixtures pit Swiatek against Jabeur and Gauff against Vondrousova in the last round of the group stage.

Persons: Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Susan Mullane, Swiatek, Marketa, Gauff, Jabeur, Rory Carroll, Michael Perry Organizations: Cancun, WTA, Wimbledon, U.S, Gauff, Vondrousova, Jabeur, Thomson Locations: Cancun, Mexico, Jabeur, Los Angeles

U.S. President Joe Biden holds an event about American retirement economics in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., October 31, 2023. Biden was speaking to about 200 people when the heckler shouted: "As a rabbi, I need you to call for a ceasefire right now." Biden responded: "I think we need a pause. The White House has previously said it supports a "humanitarian pause" to allow aid deliveries to Gaza and the release of hostages. Biden's heckler on Wednesday, who told reporters that her name was Rabbi Jessica Rosenberg, was escorted out by security while singing "ceasefire now."

Persons: Joe Biden, Leah Millis, Biden, heckler, Israel, Biden's heckler, Jessica Rosenberg, ”, Jarrett Renshaw, Andrea Shalal, Michael Perry Organizations: White, REUTERS, Rights, Hamas, Israel, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Rights MINNEAPOLIS, Israel, Gaza

[1/3] The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC) logo is seen at the FDIC headquarters in Washington, February 23, 2011. FDIC Chairman Martin Gruenberg said in March the agency was also probing possible misconduct related to the collapses of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank (SBNY.PK) New York. As with SVB and Signature Bank, the FDIC is probing whether First Republic executives and board members broke rules that require them to act in the bank's best interests. NO ACTIONThe March implosions of SVB and Signature Bank sparked a deposit run at First Republic. FDIC bank failure probes can take years.

Persons: Jason Reed, Martin Gruenberg, SVB, Michael Roffler, James Herbert, Roffler, Michael Krimminger, IndyMac, Michael Perry, Douglas Gillison, Christine Prentice, Michelle Price, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Federal Deposit Insurance Corp, REUTERS, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, First Republic Bank, Reuters, FDIC, Valley Bank, Signature Bank, Regulators, First Republic, U.S . Justice Department, Securities, Exchange Commission, SEC, First, Bloomberg, Federal, JPMorgan Chase &, JPMorgan, Reserve, New, Thomson Locations: Washington, Republic, New York, First Republic, Massachusetts, SVB

☆ Pakistan's Fakhar has no regrets over missed hundred
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Fakhar led Pakistan's chase with a freewheeling 81, which earned him player-of-the-match award, but fell short of a hundred trying to wrap up their chase early. Sri Lanka and the Netherlands can also join them in a mid-table logjam should both win their next games. Fakhar said the mood was upbeat in the dressing room despite the uncertainty around the 1992 champions making the last four in the showpiece 50-overs tournament. "In the World Cup, each win gives you confidence and we were waiting for this win. "We are in the ifs-and-buts (zone) right now - but we will try to win both the remaining matches with good run rates.

Persons: Pakistan's, Zaman, Sri Lanka's Pramod Madushan, Christopher Pike, Fakhar Zaman, Fakhar, Amlan Chakraborty, Michael Perry Organizations: Asia, United Arab Emirates, Sri, Sri Lanka's Pramod Madushan REUTERS, Rights, Bangladesh, England, Thomson Locations: Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Dubai, United Arab, Rights KOLKATA, Eden, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Netherlands, Zealand, New Delhi

☆ Hundreds more join Mexico migrant caravan headed for US, organizer says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MEXICO CITY, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Hundreds more people have joined a caravan of thousands of migrants in Mexico bound for the United States, one of the organizers said on Tuesday, as the group traveled through the southern state of Chiapas. On Wednesday, the caravan will aim to reach the town of Huixtla, about 13 miles to the north, Mujica said. U.S. President Joe Biden, who is seeking reelection next year, is under pressure to bring down the number of people crossing illegally into the United States from Mexico. Most of the latest caravan are from Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras and Venezuela, according to Mujica. The storm is also threatens to lash southern Mexico with rain, potentially affecting the region where the caravan is traveling.

Persons: Irineo Mujica, Mujica, Joe Biden, Pilar, Dave Graham, Michael Perry Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Tuesday, Diego Ore, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Mexico, United States, Chiapas, Huehuetan, Tapachula, Guatemalan, Huixtla, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Venezuela, Darien, Panama, Colombia

SHANGHAI, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Halloween revellers thronged central Shanghai late on Tuesday night, with some dressed in costumes that poked fun at China's strict COVID-19 curbs in a rare showcase of free expression as police looked on. Celebrations in the Chinese financial hub began on the weekend, culminating on Tuesday in a large crowd of mostly young people that gathered around a popular bar area, according to onlookers and social media posts. "The 'dabai', COVID-19 testing, A-share market...that Shanghai people dressed up as are all elements that speak to the trauma of the times and traces of history. Public critiques of government policies are rare in China, where authorities have been cracking down on free expression. Some party goers also showed up with blank sheets of paper stuck to their clothes, a key symbol of last year's protests, other social media posts showed.

Persons: Lu Xun, Brenda Goh, Casey Hall, Eduardo Baptista, Michael Perry Organizations: Reuters, Weibo, Thomson Locations: SHANGHAI, Shanghai, China, Beijing

☆ Ukraine imposes new rules for food exports - government
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A view shows a grain terminal in the sea port in Odesa after restarting grain export, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, Ukraine August 19, 2022. An additional problem is the illegal concealment or delay of foreign currency proceeds on accounts outside of Ukraine. The government data showed that Ukraine's grain exports in October had almost halved year-on-year to 2.15 million metric tons from 4.22 million. Traders and farmers' unions have said blocked Ukrainian Black Sea ports and Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports on the Danube River are the main reasons for lower exports. Ukraine has traditionally shipped most of its exports through its Black Sea ports.

Persons: Valentyn, Pavel Polityuk, Michael Perry Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Agrarian Register, Russia, Traders, Thomson Locations: Odesa, Ukraine, Ukrainian

☆ China kicks off nationwide population survey amid declining birth rate
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

HONG KONG, Nov 1 (Reuters) - China will begin polling 1.4 million people on Wednesday in a survey on population changes, as authorities struggle to incentivise people to have more children amid a declining birth rate and the first population drop in more than six decades. The survey will be based on a sample of 500,000 households and last for around two weeks until Nov. 15, China's National Bureau of Statistics said. It will help provide a basis to monitor China's population developmental changes and for the government and Communist Party to formulate national economic, social development and population related policies, it said. China last conducted its once-in-a-decade census in November 2020 which showed it grew at the slowest pace since the first modern population survey in the 1950s. Population development has often been linked to the strength and "rejuvenation" of the country in state media amid the declining birth rate and widespread concerns by citizens on the difficulties of raising children.

Persons: Farah Master, Michael Perry Organizations: China's National Bureau of Statistics, Communist Party, Authorities, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, China, China's

Orsted, the world's largest offshore wind developer, said it would stop developing its 2,248-megawatt (MW) Ocean Wind 1 and 2 projects in New Jersey. The offshore wind industry has found itself in a perfect storm of rising inflation, interest rate hikes and supply chain delays. Norway's Equinor (EQNR.OL), BP's partner on those New York offshore wind developments, booked a $300 million impairment on the projects on Friday. Orsted, which in June announced plans to invest 475 billion crowns by 2030, said it was in the process of reviewing its investments and could introduce cost-saving initiatives. Orsted's share price has tumbled 52% since an August profit warning, cutting its market value to 112 billion crowns from 235 billion.

Persons: Joe Biden, Norway's, Mads Nipper, Nipper, Bernstein, Deepa Venkateswaran, Jacob Gronholt, Pedersen, Louise Rasmussen, Gursimran Kaur, Terje Solsvik, Michael Perry, Mark Potter Organizations: Wednesday, U.S, BP, Thomson Locations: U.S, New Jersey, New York, Danish, Copenhagen, Bengaluru

☆ Two Dead, Dozens of Homes Destroyed as Bushfires Rage Across Eastern Australia
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Two people have been killed and dozens of homes destroyed in bushfires raging across Australia's northern Queensland state, as firefighters travel from across the country and from New Zealand to try and contain the out-of-control blazes. Residents have been told to evacuate from two massive bushfires in the southeast portion of Queensland, even as dozens of fires continue to burn across the state where at least 45 homes have been destroyed and two people killed since last week. "These are heartbreaking scenes when people lose their houses," Albanese said from the town of Bundaberg, near one of the large fires. Firefighters from the neighbouring state of Victoria and New Zealand were on their way to help, Albanese added. More than 7,500 hectares (18,500 acres) are burning out of control in the neighbouring state of New South Wales, only 40 kms (25 miles) from one of the Queensland fires.

Persons: Anthony Albanese, " Albanese, Albanese, Firefighters, Lewis Jackson, Michael Perry Organizations: SYDNEY, Firefighters, Queensland Locations: Australia's, Queensland, New Zealand, Bundaberg, Victoria, Australia, New South Wales, Ulan, Sydney

☆ Britain's King Charles visits Kenya with colonialism's scars in focus
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Duncan Miriri | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/9] Britain's King Charles inspects the honour guards as he is hosted by Kenya's President William Ruto at State House in Nairobi, Kenya October 31, 2023. Accompanied by Queen Camilla on his first visit as monarch to a former colony, Charles arrived in the capital Nairobi overnight. Charles' visit comes at a time when former colonies are demanding that Britain do more to recognise the abuses of its colonial past. Nandi King Koitalel Arap Samoei led a decade-long rebellion until he was assassinated by a British colonel in 1905. Charles also plans to meet entrepreneurs from Kenya's bustling tech scene, tour wildlife facilities and travel to the southeastern port city of Mombasa.

Persons: King Charles, William Ruto, Arthur Edwards, Queen Camilla, Charles, Kenya's Nandi, Buckingham, Kenya's, Nandi King Koitalel Arap Samoei, Samoei's, Kipchoge araap Chomu, Aaron Ross, Hereward, Hereward Holland, Michael Perry, John Stonestreet Organizations: Kenya's, State House, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Kenyan, Commonwealth, Kenya Human Rights, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Nairobi, Kenya, Rights NAIROBI, Uhuru Gardens, Barbados, Jamaica, British, Mombasa, Hereward Holland

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