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The South Korean and American flags fly next to each other at Yongin, South Korea, August 23, 2016. Army/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsINJE, South Korea, Oct 28 (Reuters) - South Korean and U.S. troops held joint future combat drills involving drones, an unmanned vehicle and wearable laser sensors this week as part of efforts to modernise their militaries, Seoul's army said on Saturday. The training came as South Korea's military conducts a series of annual Hoguk autumn exercises aimed at improving responses to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. The drills also mobilised various high-tech weapons systems aimed at beefing up future combat capabilities, with the troops wearing multiple integrated laser engagement systems (MILES), which uses lasers to simulate actual battle. Several drones were flown for reconnaissance purposes, some also firing an assault rifle, while South Korea dispatched a multipurpose unmanned vehicle to carry wounded personnel.

Persons: Ken Scar, Choi Jeong, Derek Chen, Hyonhee Shin, Daewoung Kim, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: . Army, REUTERS, Korean, Korea Combat Training, South, Korean army's 25th Infantry Division, TIGER, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, U.S . 4th Infantry Division, Thomson Locations: Yongin, South Korea, U.S, Korean, Pyongyang, Inje, South, Britain, Uzbekistan, Cambodia

☆ Colombia to Send Energy to Drought-Stricken Ecuador
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia will sell geothermal energy to Ecuador to help the neighboring country avoid electricity cuts brought about by severe drought, the presidents of both countries said Saturday. Ecuadorean President Guillermo Lasso said Colombia would provide 450 megawatts, helping Ecuador fill a 650-megawatt deficit due to low-producing hydro-electric plants amid the worst drought in 50 years. The countries are evaluating payment options, including Ecuador potentially providing energy to Colombia once its drought ends. Lasso said Peru would export another 50 megawatts to Ecuador, and Guayaquil business leaders with thermal plants have the ability to provide another 100 megawatts. "We're going to fill the deficit of Ecuador's energy demand," Petro said.

Persons: Guillermo Lasso, Gustavo Petro, Lasso, Petro, Alexandra Valencia, Luis Jaime Acosta, Daina Beth Solomon, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: El, Colombian Locations: BOGOTA, Colombia, Ecuador, Bogota, Peru, Guayaquil

☆ Ukraine, Israel funding request should be split: House speaker
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

He met Biden on Thursday and said he told White House staff "our consensus among House Republicans is we need to bifurcate those issues." Johnson said of Ukraine funding: "We want to know what the object is there, what is the end game in Ukraine. Biden is betting that including money for Israel and immigration will help convince House Republicans wary of sending additional money to Ukraine to support the measure. "Israel is a separate matter – we are going to bring forward a standalone Israel funding measure (of) over $14 billion,” Johnson said in the interview. He said House Republicans will look for other areas to cut in the budget in order to finance the funding for Israel.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Elizabeth Frantz, Joe Biden's, Johnson, Biden, ” Johnson, Eric Beech, Chris Sanders, Jamie Freed, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, Fox News, White House, Republicans, Israel, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Ukraine, Israel

ACAPULCO, Mexico, Oct 27 (Reuters) - Looting ravaged the Mexican city of Acapulco after the iconic beach resort was hammered this week by Hurricane Otis, a record-breaking storm that killed at least 27 people and left thousands of residents struggling to get food and water. [1/5]People walk among rubble in the aftermath of Hurricane Otis, in Acapulco, Mexico, October 27, 2023. 'WE WERE LUCKY'Mexican authorities said Otis was the most powerful storm ever to strike Mexico's Pacific coast. To evacuate tourists, an air bridge between Acapulco and Mexico City was being set up on Friday after authorities got the city's battered airport back up and running. Lopez Obrador urged insurance companies to speed up payouts.

Persons: Hurricane Otis, Otis, everything's, Rodolfo Villagomez, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Lopez Obrador, Raul Busto Ramirez, Letitia Murphy, Neil Marshall, Murphy, Quetzalli, we're, Enki, Lopez, Pope Francis, Joe Biden, America Movil, Alexandre Meneghini, Jose Cortes, Diego Ore, Kylie Madry, Laura Gottesdiener, Natalia Siniawski, Dave Graham, Chizu Nomiyama, Bill Berkrot, Sandra Maler, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Reuters, REUTERS, Central America, LUCKY, Otis, America, Thomson Locations: ACAPULCO, Mexico, Acapulco, Guerrero, Acapulco's, Hurricane, British, State, Mexican, Mexico City, Monterrey, Gdansk

There were also "frank exchanges" between Blinken and Wang over the erupting conflict in the Middle East. The key area that appeared to show some positive momentum was toward an expected meeting between Biden and Xi on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit next month in San Francisco. "We are making preparations for such a meeting," said one of the senior administration officials briefing reporters on condition of anonymity. "China attaches importance to the U.S. side's hopes of stabilizing and improving U.S. ties with China," Wang was quoted as saying in his meeting with Biden. On Thursday, Wang told Blinken that the two countries have disagreements and need "in-depth" and "comprehensive" dialogue to reduce misunderstandings and stabilize ties.

Persons: Wang Yi, Antony Blinken, Elizabeth Frantz, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Biden, Jake Sullivan, Wang, Xi, Blinken, Sullivan, side's, Janet Yellen, Gina Raimondo, Yellen, Raimondo, Thomas Shoal, Humeyra Pamuk, Michael Martina, Steve Holland, Jonathan Oatis, Navaratnam, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Foreign, U.S, State Department, REUTERS, Rights, Economic Cooperation, Blinken, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, U.S, China, Washington, East, South China Sea, Taiwan, Asia, San Francisco, Francisco, Beijing, China . U.S, Israel, Iran, South, East China, Philippine

View of the Cobre Panama mine, of Canadian First Quantum Minerals, in Donoso, Panama, December 6, 2022. President Laurentino Cortizo announced that the new mining restrictions will apply to both future mining projects as well as those currently seeking permits. The abrupt mining pause comes barely a week after Cortizo hailed the revised contract that allows the local unit of Canada's First Quantum (FM.TO) to continue operating its lucrative Cobre Panama project. "Panama is a mining country," Alexander told Reuters, arguing that without the mine, the country's economy would barely grow this year, versus the robust 6% growth the government estimates. The Cobre Panama mine alone accounts for nearly 5% of Panama's economy.

Persons: Laurentino Cortizo, Cortizo, Hector Alexander, Alexander, Panama's, Edison Broce, Valentine Hilaire, Christian Plumb, Marguerita Choy, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Minerals, REUTERS, Aris, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Panama, Donoso

"I think the entire Taiwan semiconductor industry - in our essence, in our R&D and manufacturing, and in our global layout - will undergo a comprehensive improvement and transformation." Key to the development of the industry is stable and renewable energy, Hou, the chairman of the Taiwan Semiconductor Industry Association, told its annual meeting in the chip hub of Hsinchu. Last month, the association made four key appeals to the government, among them the stable supply of green energy, as Taiwan's chip industry aims to seize the AI opportunity, Hou said. In 2021, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd (TSMC) said it aimed to reach net zero emissions by 2050, matching a government target set that year by President Tsai Ing-wen. GlobalWafers (6488.TWO) CEO Doris Hsu told reporters that while AI will be a key driver of rapid growth in the next decade, Taiwan's chip industry faces several pressures as it grows.

Persons: Ann Wang, Cliff Hou, Hou, Tsai Ing, Doris Hsu, Hsu, Sarah Wu, Ben Blanchard, Clarence Fernandez, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Taiwan, Taiwan Semiconductor Industry Association, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, Thomson Locations: Tainan, Taiwan, Rights HSINCHU, Hsinchu

☆ New US House speaker says Ukraine, Israel funding request should be split
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

☆ South Korea, US Troops Hold Drills With Drones, Laser Sensors
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Hyonhee Shin and Daewoung KimINJE, South Korea (Reuters) - South Korean and U.S. troops held joint future combat drills involving drones, an unmanned vehicle and wearable laser sensors this week as part of efforts to modernise their militaries, Seoul's army said on Saturday. The training came as South Korea's military conducts a series of annual Hoguk autumn exercises aimed at improving responses to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. The drills also mobilised various high-tech weapons systems aimed at beefing up future combat capabilities, with the troops wearing multiple integrated laser engagement systems (MILES), which uses lasers to simulate actual battle. Several drones were flown for reconnaissance purposes, some also firing an assault rifle, while South Korea dispatched a multipurpose unmanned vehicle to carry wounded personnel. South Korea's army launched the TIGER brigade last year as a pilot unit for future warfare operations using artificial intelligence-powered drones and highly mobile fighting vehicles.

Persons: Hyonhee Shin, Daewoung Kim INJE, Choi Jeong, Derek Chen, Daewoung Kim, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Reuters, Korean, Korea Combat Training, South, Korean army's 25th Infantry Division, TIGER, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, U.S . 4th Infantry Division Locations: South Korea, U.S, Korean, Pyongyang, Inje, South, Britain, Uzbekistan, Cambodia

LEWISTON, Maine, Oct 27 (Reuters) - The man suspected of killing 18 people and wounding 13 in a shooting rampage in Lewiston, Maine, was found dead of a likely self-inflicted gunshot wound on Friday, ending a 48-hour manhunt that followed the most lethal episode of gun violence in the state's history. "He is dead," Maine Governor Janet Mills told a news conference, thanking the hundreds of officers from various agencies involved in the search. Card died of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound, said Mike Sauschuck, Maine's Department of Public Safety commissioner. [1/6]Maine's Governor Janet Mills holds a news conference after Lewiston mass shooting suspect Robert Card was found dead, in Lewiston, Maine, U.S., October 27, 2023. Nine deaf people were playing in a weekly tournament at Schemengees, the sister of one of the victims told the Lewiston Sun Journal.

Persons: Robert R, Janet Mills, Robert Card, Mills, Card, Mike Sauschuck, Kevin Lamarque, Sauschuck, Joshua Seal, Noel Sullivan, Seal, Sullivan, Stephen Vozella, Bryan MacFarlane, Keri Brooks, Bill Young, Aaron, Bill's, Rob Young, Bob Violette, Lucille Violette, Cassandra Violette, Tricia Asselin, Joseph Walker, Leroy Walker, Joey, Gabriella Borter, Julia Harte, Rich McKay, Daniel Trotta, Steve Gorman, Mark Porter, Jonathan Oatis, David Gregorio, Leslie Adler, William Malard, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Maine's Department of Public, U.S . Army, Maine State Police, Army, Lewiston, REUTERS, Authorities, Lewiston Sun, Pine Tree Society, Sun Journal, New, Deaf Cornhole, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LEWISTON , Maine, Lewiston , Maine, Lisbon Falls, Maine, Lewiston, Androscoggin, Portland, Maine's, Augusta, Bowdoin, Saco , Maine, U.S, Lisbon, Schemengees, Pine, New York, Atlanta

Reuters GraphicsThe bloodshed rocked the largely rural state of Maine in the northeastern corner of the U.S. bordering Canada. [1/6]Police close Lincoln Street leading to Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant after deadly mass shootings in Lewiston, Maine, U.S. October 26, 2023. The bar and the bowling alley are about four miles (6.5 km) apart. A bowling alley. The number of annual homicides in the state has fluctuated between 16 and 29 since 2012, according to Maine State Police.

Persons: Robert R, Mike Sauschuck, Sauschuck, Nicholas Pfosi, Kris Brown, Brady, Jason Levesque, Levesque, Joe Biden, Janet Mills, Senators Angus King, Susan Collins, Jared Golden, Daniel Trotta, Julia Harte, Steve Gorman, Trevor Hunnicutt, Phil Stewart, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Maine Public, Police, U.S . Army, National Guard, Maine, Analysis Center, Reuters, Associated Press, Lincoln Street, Schemengees, REUTERS, Rights Police, Auburn, U.S, Senators, Maine State Police, Thomson Locations: Maine, Lewiston, Lisbon, U.S, Canada, Lincoln, Lewiston , Maine, Androscoggin County, Maine's, Portland, Brady, Lewiston's, Androscoggin, Washington, Las Vegas, Carlsbad , California, New York, Los Angeles

☆ Hamas vows 'full force'; Israel says troops still on the ground in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( James Mackenzie | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Israel said on Saturday morning its troops, sent in on Friday night, were still on the ground. The country had earlier made only brief sorties into Gaza during three weeks of bombardment to root out Hamas militants who killed more than 1,000 Israelis on Oct. 7. "The forces are still in the field and continuing the war" Israel," Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told a news briefing on Saturday morning. Gaza was under an almost complete blackout, with internet and phone services cut for more than 12 hours by Saturday morning. "In addition to the attacks carried out in the last few days, ground forces are expanding their operations tonight," he said.

Persons: GazaTedros, Israel, Daniel Hagari, Khan Younis, Mohammed Salem, Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Hagari, James Mackenzie, Nidal, Michelle Nichols, Rami Ayyub, David Brunnstrom, Grant McCool, Raju Gopalakrishnan, William Mallard, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: WHO, Palestinian Red Crescent Society, Hamas, REUTERS, World Health Organisation, Twitter, Palestinian, Thomson Locations: Gaza Israel, Gaza, JERUSALEM, Israel, Palestinian

[1/4] A man identified as a suspect by police points what appears to be a semiautomatic rifle, in Lewiston, Maine, U.S., October 25, 2023. Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office via Facebook/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsOct 25 (Reuters) - At least 22 people were killed and 50 to 60 wounded on Wednesday in mass shootings at multiple locations including a bowling alley and a bar in Lewiston, Maine, NBC News reported, citing a Lewiston police source. "There is an active shooter in Lewiston," Maine state police said previously on the social media platform X. The Sun Journal, citing a Lewiston police spokesperson, reported shootings at three separate businesses: the Sparetime Recreation bowling alley, Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant, and a Walmart distribution center. The number of annual homicides in the state has fluctuated between 16 and 29 since 2012, according to Maine State Police.

Persons: Robert Card, Joe Biden, Janet Mills, Senators Angus King, Susan Collins, Jared Golden, Daniel Trotta, Julia Harte, Steve Gorman, Trevor Hunnicutt, Sandra Maler, Ross Colvin, Lincoln, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Facebook, REUTERS Acquire, NBC News, Lewiston Police Department, Police, Sun, Central Maine Medical Center, U.S, Senators, El Paso Walmart, AK, Maine State Police, Thomson Locations: Lewiston , Maine, U.S, Androscoggin County, Lewiston, Maine, Maine's, Portland . Lewiston, Augusta, Portland, Washington, United States, El Paso, Las Vegas

☆ New US House Speaker Says Ukraine, Israel Funding Request Should Be Split
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

Persons: Mike Johnson, Joe Biden's, Johnson, Biden, ” Johnson, Eric Beech, Chris Sanders, Jamie Freed, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: WASHINGTON, U.S, Fox News, White House, Republicans, Israel Locations: Ukraine, Israel

☆ Scientists unveil recreation of sacrificed Inca maiden in Peru
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Ros Postigo Acquire Licensing RightsAREQUIPA, Peru, Oct 24 (Reuters) - The reconstructed head and torso of a young girl likely sacrificed to appease Incan gods was unveiled in Peru on Tuesday, with three-dimensional scans of her mummy helping produce the lifelike recreation more than 500 years after her death. But some time before then, the girl was sacrificed by a blow to the head, possibly in a ritual ceremony that sought divine relief from natural disasters, according to the scientists. It includes colorful attire, head covering and adornments, similarly based on the scans of the mummy. "Seeing her face like when she was alive, it's a different experience because it seems so real," he said. Reporting by Pocho Torres and Carlos Valdez; Writing by David Alire Garcia; Editing by Raju GopalakrishnanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ros Postigo, Ampato, Juanita, It's, Johan Reinhard, Pocho Torres, Carlos Valdez, David Alire Garcia, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Catholic University of Santa, REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Catholic University of Santa Maria, Arequipa, Peru, Rights AREQUIPA, Poland, Peru's, South America

☆ Exclusive: Google to run internet cables to Pacific islands in Australia-US deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Trevor Hunnicutt | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Alphabet's Google (GOOGL.O) will run undersea cables powering internet access to at least eight far-flung Pacific Ocean nations under a joint U.S.-Australian deal set to be announced on Wednesday, according to a U.S. official. The deal will expand an existing commercial project by Google in the region to the nations of Micronesia, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Set to be announced during an official White House visit by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the previously unreported deal involves contributions from both governments. Google is currently working on a fiber-optic cable that links Taiwan, the self-ruled island claimed by China, with the Philippines and the United States. As part of the Pacific islands project, the United States will work with the countries on cybersecurity resilience, helping them back up key information to global cloud networks, according to the official.

Persons: Gonzalo Fuentes, White, Anthony Albanese, Joe Biden, Trevor Hunnicutt, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Google, Viva Technology, Porte de, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Australian, Thomson Locations: Porte, Paris, France, U.S, Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Timor, Leste, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Canberra, Washington, China, United States, Taiwan, Philippines

☆ Taiwan reports Chinese fighters, bombers nearby as election campaign heats up
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Airplane is seen in front of Chinese and Taiwanese flags in this illustration, August 6, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTAIPEI, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Taiwan again reported Chinese military activity around the island on Wednesday, with 11 aircraft crossing the sensitive median line of the Taiwan Strait as the island's election campaign kicked into high gear. Taiwan holds presidential and parliamentary polls on Jan. 13 and candidates have to register with the election commission this week in order to take part. The strait's median line had previously served as an unofficial barrier between the two sides and which Chinese planes now regularly fly over. China says its activities near Taiwan are aimed at preventing "collusion" between Taiwan separatists and the United States and to protect China's territorial integrity.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Ben Blanchard, Toby Chopra, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Taiwan, Democratic Progressive Party, Kuomintang, Thomson Locations: Rights TAIPEI, Taiwan, China, Beijing, Taipei, United States

☆ Thousands cheer Indonesia's Prabowo ahead of registration for 2024 presidential race
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Prabowo and Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the eldest son of President Joko Widodo, told a Jakarta stadium packed with thousands of cheering supporters they would deliver programmes aimed at the youth. Former special forces commander Prabowo has been leading in opinion surveys against the two other contenders Ganjar Pranowo and Anies Baswedan. Gibran, 36, said their ticket would roll out loans for digital start-ups and continue development of the mineral processing industry and green economy. Our duty is to continue and perfect programmes related to youth, millennial generation, gen-Z," he said. Reporting by Ananda Teresia and Fransiska Nangoy; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor and Raju GopalakrishnanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Prabowo, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Joko Widodo, Prabowo Subianto, Ganjar Pranowo, Baswedan, Gibran, Ananda Teresia, Kanupriya Kapoor, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Indonesia's Defence, Thomson Locations: Surakarta's, JAKARTA, Jakarta, Indonesia

☆ China willing to cooperate with US, manage differences - Xi
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

President of China Xi Jinping attends the plenary session during the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa on August 23, 2023. GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday that China is willing to cooperate with the United States as both sides manage their differences and work together to respond to global challenges, according to Chinese state media. Whether or not the United States and China could establish the "right" way of getting along would be crucial to the world, Xi said in a letter delivered at an annual dinner of New York-headquartered National Committee on United States-China Relations. Several top U.S. officials including U.S. State Secretary Antony Blinken met their Chinese counterparts in Beijing this summer. Reporting by Ryan Woo; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Raju GopalakrishnanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: China Xi Jinping, GIANLUIGI, Xi Jinping, Xi, Wang Yi, Joe Biden, Antony Blinken, Wang, Ryan Woo, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Rights, United, China Relations, Economic Cooperation, U.S . State, Global Times, Thomson Locations: China, Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, Rights BEIJING, United States, New York, Washington, San Francisco, Asia, Beijing, Taiwan, South

☆ Exclusive: China's cabinet curbs debt growth in 12 "high risk" regions - sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The sources were citing a cabinet document dated late September that was delivered to local governments and state lenders this month. The move by China's cabinet, or the State Council, to contain local government debt has not been previously reported. HIGH-RISK REGIONSThe 12 regions were previously identified as areas with "high risks" of defaulting on debt obligations. The massive piles of debt highlights local governments' financial stress, fuelling concerns of a systemic financial crisis. The bond issuance is widely believed to be part of Beijing's measures to defuse debt risks of LGFVs.

Persons: Tyrone Siu, Don Durfee, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: REUTERS, Tyrone, Rights, State Council, Council, LGFVs, Communist Party, Reuters, Beijing, Thomson Locations: Central, Hong Kong, China, Rights BEIJING, Liaoning, Jilin, North Korea, Guizhou, Yunnan, Tianjin, Chongqing

☆ Indigenous group seeks to block Santos gas pipeline off Australia
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Chris Helgren/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Oct 24 (Reuters) - The Australian government said on Tuesday it was reviewing an emergency application filed by an indigenous group seeking to block pipeline construction for Santos Ltd's (STO.AX) $3.6 billion Barossa gas project off northern Australia. Santos, which aims to start producing gas from Barossa in the first half of 2025, did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment. In a quarterly update issued last week, Santos said an independent expert concluded that there were no specific underwater cultural heritage places along the planned Barossa pipeline route. But the Tiwi people said the pipeline will cause significant damage to ancient burial grounds, aboriginal art and other sacred ancestral sites. Santos was informed about the concerns of the indigenous elders but the company had plans to begin the pipeline construction soon, the group said.

Persons: Santos, Chris Helgren, Santos Ltd's, Tanya Plibersek, Molly Munkara, Renju Jose, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Vancouver , British Columbia, Canada, Australia, Barossa, Sydney

☆ Once disgraced, Indonesian ex-general tipped for presidency after makeover
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Kate Lamb | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto gestures while attending a meeting of his Gerindra Party, in Bogor, Indonesia August 12, 2022. "We are ready to move forward for Indonesia," Prabowo told a press conference. The former special forces commander has undergone a remarkable transformation since being appointed defence minister in 2019, cultivating a persona that is more charismatic statesman than fiery, pious nationalist, analysts say. An opinion poll published by Lembaga Survei Indonesia (LSI) this month showed Prabowo ahead of his two opponents with 34% support. It's a change from previous campaigns where we've seen nationalist populist Prabowo, and pro-Islamist Prabowo," said Ross Tapsell, from the Australian National University.

Persons: Prabowo, Willy Kurniawan, Prabowo Subianto, Joko Widodo's, Suharto, Lembaga Survei, Ganjar Pranowo, LSI's Djayadi Hanan, Jokowi, Prabowo's, Hashim Djojohadikusumo, Suharto's, Siti Hediati Hariyadi, we've, Ross Tapsell, Najwa Shihab, Shihab, Andreas Harsono, Ananda Teresia, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Indonesian Defence, Party, REUTERS, Rights, Defence, Pentagon, Australian National University ., Human Rights, Prabowo, Thomson Locations: Bogor, Indonesia, Rights JAKARTA, Jordan, United States, Papua, East Timor, Lembaga Survei Indonesia, Europe, Middle, Paris, Beijing, Indonesian, Jakarta

☆ China's Xi tells Vietnam not to forget roots of their friendship
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Kham/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Chinese leader Xi Jinping told Vietnam's second-highest ranking official on Friday that both countries must not forget the "original intention" of their traditional friendship. China has traditionally strong ties with Vietnam since diplomatic relations were established in 1950, despite a brief war in 1979. "Faced with the ever-changing international situation and arduous domestic development tasks, the two countries must not forget the original intention of their traditional friendship," Xi told visiting Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong. "The two sides should adhere to the principle of joint consultation," Xi told Thuong, adding that China and Vietnam should capitalise on their geographical proximity and industrial complementarity. There was no mention of any Xi visit in the Chinese state media readout of their meeting.

Persons: Wang Yi, Pham Binh Minh, Xi Jinping, Vietnam's, Xi, Vo Van, Nguyen Phu Trong, Thuong, Vladimir Putin, Joe Biden, Ryan Woo, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: China's, Government, REUTERS, Rights, Beijing, Communist Party General, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Hanoi, Vietnam, Rights BEIJING, China, United States, Washington, Moscow, Beijing, France, Saigon

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau upon his arrival at Bharat Mandapam convention center for the G20 Summit, in New Delhi, India, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Canada on Thursday pulled out 41 diplomats from India, and had earlier paused trade treaty talks with India. India imports potash, lentils, and energy products such as coal, coke and briquettes among other goods from Canada. Bilateral trade between Canada and India touched $8 billion in 2022. Canada has invested more than $3.6 billion in India with over 40% of that being in services and infrastructure, according to Invest India.

Persons: Narendra Modi, Justin Trudeau, Evan Vucci, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, There's, Neha Arora, Nikunj, Mayank Bhardwaj, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Indian, Canada, Bharat, Invest India, Reuters, JSW Steel, Canada's Teck Resources, Thomson Locations: New Delhi, India, DELHI, Canada, Ottawa, Surrey, Vancouver, Canada's Teck

☆ China's troubled property sector to face more debt defaults
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Xie Yu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

HONG KONG, Oct 20 (Reuters) - More debt defaults are likely to emerge in China's property sector as troubled developers struggle with a weak home sales outlook, while fund raising remains challenging, according to credit analysts. Counting October, there is a total of $60.5 billion worth of Chinese property bonds due in the next 6 months, with offshore bonds taking up at least one third of it, according to Dealogic data. The company said it was also prepared to formulate a reasonable debt repayment plan if it fails to repay bonds as they are due. Ricky Tsang, an analyst with S&P Global Ratings, said apart from the weak cash flow from home sales, fund raising for developers, particularly the private ones, remains tight. Reporting by Xie Yu in Hong Kong, Editing by Raju GopalakrishnanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ting Meng, Ricky Tsang, Tsang, Xie Yu, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: HK, Ocean Group, Hong Kong Exchange, Dalian Wanda Group, Bloomberg, ANZ Bank China, Developers, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, China, State, HK, Hong Kong

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