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☆ All change for fourballs as captains play everyone
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

American captain Zach Johnson, who is already coming in for social media criticism for holding back four major winners, sent them into action on a scorching day in Rome. Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth will face Viktor Hovland and Tyrrell Hatton in the first game at 10.25GMT. Brooks Koepka gets his first outing alongside Scottie Scheffler against Jon Rahm and Nicolai Hojgaard while Wyndham Clark teams up with Max Homa against Bob MacIntyre and Justin Rose. The final match of the day sees Europe's Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick play Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele. Reporting by Mitch Phillips, editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ryder, Marco Simone Golf, USA's Justin Thomas, Guglielmo Mangiapane, Zach Johnson, Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton, Brooks Koepka, Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, Nicolai Hojgaard, Wyndham Clark, Max Homa, Bob MacIntyre, Justin Rose, Europe's Rory McIlroy, Matt Fitzpatrick, Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele, Mitch Phillips, Toby Davis Organizations: Country Club, Rights, Thomson Locations: Rome, Italy, Europe, United States

☆ Ryder Cup: ‘Fleetwood Mac’ helps Europe soar to dream start, rocking US with opening sweep
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Jack Bantock | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The pairing dubbed “Fleetwood Mac” sealed a start of dreams for Europe at the Ryder Cup, completing a landslide rout in the Friday morning foursomes sessions. “It’s been an unbelievable session,” McIlroy told Sky Sports. “We were ready to go from the first tee shot as obviously you can see in how everyone played.”Crowds pack the first tee grandstand to watch McIlroy tee off. “Hats off to the European team. Team USA will be hoping for an inverse of the Solheim Cup last week, where Europe suffered an unprecedented opening sweep before clawing their way back dramatically to retain the trophy.

Persons: “ Fleetwood Mac ”, Tommy Fleetwood, Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay, Marco Simone Golf, Luke Donald, Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, Scottie Scheffler, Sam Burns, Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Aberg, Max Homa, Brian Harman, Shane Lowry, Sepp Straka, Rickie Fowler, Collin Morikawa, McIlroy, Fleetwood, “ It’s, ” McIlroy, we’ve, “, David Cannon, Zach Johnson, ” Johnson, “ I’ve, I’ve, ” Morikawa, Fowler, Lowry, Straka, Jamie Squire, Spain’s Rahm dovetailed, Hatton, Burns, Rahm, Aberg –, –, Homa, Harman, ” Aberg, ”, Hovland, Patrick Smith, Ireland’s Lowry, Austria’s, Morikawa Organizations: CNN, Ryder, Marco Simone Golf Club, USA, foursomes, Sky Sports, Team USA, Northern, Fleetwood, Solheim Locations: Europe, Whistling, Swedish, Rome, Northern Irish

☆ Volume turned up as Ryder Cup ready for lift-off
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Around 150,000 fans will descend on the spectacular course over the next three days -- the majority of them roaring on Europe in what their captain Luke Donald hopes will be "the loudest Ryder Cup" ever. At the ceremony in the fan zone, cheers erupted as Europe's players were introduced by former world number one and four-time Ryder Cup player Donald -- the loudest reserved for England's Tommy Fleetwood and talisman Rory McIlroy. The lure of the Eternal City and the magic of the Ryder Cup means there will be plenty of stars and stripes mixed in with the yellow and blue of Europe over the next three days, with hundreds having made the trip across the pond. "You are the heartbeat of this event, you are our 13th man, let's make this the loudest Ryder Cup ever," Donald, who began his speech in Italian, said as he signed off. The opening game features Spain's Jon Rahm and England's Tyrrell Hatton against world number one Scottie Scheffler and rookie Sam Burns, followed by Scandinavian duo Viktor Hovland and newcomer Ludvig Aberg versus Open winner Brian Harman and world number seven Max Homa, both also rookies.

Persons: Ryder, Marco Simone Golf, Frecce Tricolori, Yara, Zach Johnson's, Marco Simone, Luke Donald, Donald, Tommy Fleetwood, Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka, LIV, Brooks, Johnson, Carly Paoli, Tom Grennan, Spain's Jon Rahm, England's Tyrrell Hatton, Scottie Scheffler, Sam Burns, Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Aberg, Brian Harman, Max Homa, McIlroy, Fleetwood, Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay, Martyn Herman, Toby Davis Organizations: Country Club, Italian Air Force, Ryder, Rights, 44th Ryder, U.S, Marco Simone Country Club, Italy's, Eternal, decibel, Thomson Locations: Rome, Italy, Whistling Straits, Europe, Saudi Arabia, 0535GMT, Scandinavian, St Peter's

☆ Viktor Hovland sinks remarkable Ryder Cup par-four hole-in-one — a day too soon
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Jack Bantock | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Signature European chants of ‘Olé, olé, olé, olé’ ringing in his ears, Hovland was serenaded on his walk to the hole before retrieving his ball and lobbing it into the crowd. Richard Heathcote/Getty ImagesThose same fans will be hoping for repeat heroics across the rest of the week as Team Europe captain Luke Donald and Co. look to avenge a crushing defeat at Whistling Straits in 2021. This season, three PGA Tour wins and minimum top-13 finishes in all four majors have rocketed Hovland to world No. “There’s a belief and a confidence that I can get myself out of any situation, and I think that’s a huge turnaround from last time.”Though the US is spearheaded by world No. “Obviously, we want to beat the Americans, we enjoy that, but it’s not because we hate the other team.

Persons: CNN —, Viktor Hovland’s, Marco Simone Golf, ‘, Hovland, Richard Heathcote, Luke Donald, “, ” Hovland, I’ve, Scottie Scheffler, Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, Spain’s Jon Rahm, ” Organizations: CNN, Ryder, Getty, Team Europe, Oklahoma State University, Europe, Shore Locations: Norwegian, Whistling Straits, Northern, Rome, Europe

☆ Ryder Cup 2023: How to watch Team USA’s attempt to finally end 30 years of hurt in Europe
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Jack Bantock | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Scottie Scheffler was not even born the last time the United States won a Ryder Cup on European soil. Chris Cole/Getty ImagesHow to watchPromising “one of the most sophisticated broadcast operations in Ryder Cup history,” organizers have said the action is to be beamed to 201 countries across the globe. Fans in selected regions will also be able to watch featured groups live on the Ryder Cup website and app. For more information on how to watch, check the Ryder Cup website here. ET (10:35 a.m. BST), where every member of the team is sent out to fight for decisive points.

Persons: Scottie Scheffler, Marco Simone Golf, Tom Watson, Bernard Gallacher’s, Zach Johnson, it’s, Luke Donald, Watson, Chris Cole, Ryder, Johnson, Justin Thomas, Carl Recine, –, Rory McIlroy, Donald, Andrew Redington, Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa, Xander Schauffele Captain’s, Sam Burns, Rickie Fowler, Brooks Koepka, Collin Morikawa, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas Team, Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton, Matt Fitzpatrick, Robert MacIntyre Captain’s, Tommy Fleetwood, Sepp Straka, Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, Nicolai Højgaard, Ludvig Aberg Organizations: CNN, United States, Ryder, USA, Marco Simone Golf Club, US, USA Network, NBC, Sky Sports, Solheim, British, Irish, Team Europe, Team USA, Justin Thomas Team Europe Locations: Rome, Whistling Straits, Wisconsin, Warwickshire, Europe, Spain, United

☆ Rahm and Hatton to launch Europe's Ryder Cup defence
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The morning lineup is completed by a European heavyweight pairing in Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood taking on Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay. Captain Luke Donald has changed Europe's opening strategy as he bids to extend their 30-year unbeaten home run against the United States. The home side gets to choose whether to start Friday's first session with four foursomes or four fourballs matches, with the other format following in the afternoon session. Europe have started with fourballs since 1997 but Donald said he had flipped things round after "a deep dive into statistics of the team". Reporting by Mitch Phillips, editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jon Rahm, England's Tyrrell Hatton, Paul Childs, Tyrrell Hatton, Scottie Scheffler, Sam Burns, Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Aberg, Max Homa, Brian Harman, Shane Lowry, Sepp Straka, Rickie Fowler, Collin Morikawa, Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay, Captain Luke Donald, Friday's, Donald, Mitch Phillips, Toby Davis Organizations: BMW, Wentworth, Rights, Ryder, fourballs, Thomson Locations: Wentworth , Virginia Water, Britain, Friday's, United States, Europe

GUIDONIA MONTECELIO, Italy (AP) — Justin Thomas is too occupied with helping the Americans end three decades of losing the Ryder Cup on European soil to worry about any criticism of him being part of that effort. Thomas has been an emotional spark in his two Ryder Cup appearances, along with a 6-2-1 record in France and Wisconsin. He referred to Thomas as the backbone for this Ryder Cup team, even though Spieth has twice as many (four) appearances. He's been the best Ryder Cup player probably in the last decade. I was on two of them, but I felt like I played good golf.

Persons: GUIDONIA MONTECELIO, — Justin Thomas, Zach Johnson, Thomas, “, haven't, ”, else's, Zach, it's, Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Viktor Hovland, LIV, Marco Simone, Hovland, Ludvig Aberg, Justin Rose, Matt Fitzpatrick, Luke Donald, Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele, Jordan Spieth, Spieth, ” Spieth, “ I've, Tommy Fleetwood, ” Cantlay, He's, Ryder, ” Thomas Organizations: Ryder, PGA, Europe, FedEx, Ryder Cup, Hovland, U.S, U.S . Locations: Italy, France, Wisconsin, Whistling, Scandinavia, Sweden, U.S, Whistling Straits

☆ Profile of Europe Ryder Cup team
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/2] Golf - The 2023 Ryder Cup - Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, Rome, Italy - September 26, 2023 Team Europe's Ludvig Aberg in action on the 3rd hole during a practice round ahead of the 2023 Ryder Cup REUTERS/Carl Recine Acquire Licensing RightsSept 26 (Reuters) - A brief look at the 12-man Europe Ryder Cup team that will face the U.S. in the biennial competition this week at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome. The first player to play in the Ryder Cup having never contested a major. MATT FITZPATRICK (England)Age: 29World ranking: 8Previous Ryder Cup appearances/points: 2, 0The 2002 U.S. Open champion has a lamentable Ryder Cup record having lost all five matches he contested in two appearances, both in the U.S. NICOLAI HOJGAARD (Denmark)Age: 22World ranking: 82Previous Ryder Cup appearances/points: NoneBack-to-back top five finishes in the final two events of European Ryder Cup qualification earned him a surprise pick. One of the longest hitters in the team, he is the second Austrian to play in the Ryder Cup.

Persons: Ryder, Marco Simone Golf, Europe's Ludvig Aberg, Carl Recine, LUDVIG ABERG, Luke Donald, MATT FITZPATRICK, TOMMY FLEETWOOD, Fleetwood, Donald, Francesco Molinari, TYRRELL HATTON, Hatton, NICOLAI HOJGAARD, Marco Simone, VIKTOR HOVLAND, SHANE LOWRY, Donald's, Will, ROBERT MACINTYRE, RORY MCILROY, JON RAHM, Rahm, JUSTIN ROSE, Rose, SEPP STRAKA, John Deere, Martyn Herman, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Country Club, Ryder, REUTERS, Europe Ryder Cup, PGA, European Ryder, U.S ., Continental Europe, Britain, Thomson Locations: Rome, Italy, U.S, Sweden, England, Europe, Paris, Denmark, Norway, Whistling Straits, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Spain, Austria, Austrian, London

☆ Opinion: It doesn’t take an Agatha Christie detective to work out something’s up in Xi’s China
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Sheena Mckenzie | Opinion Frida Ghitis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

She is a weekly opinion contributor to CNN, a contributing columnist to The Washington Post and a columnist for World Politics Review. The latest to vanish from view is China’s Defense Minister Li Shangfu. But anti-corruption campaigns are an ideal vehicle for political crackdowns, and in the opaque world of China’s regime, with no official explanation, there’s much that doesn’t meet the eye. (Rahm Emanuel, dripping with sarcasm, joked that the unemployment rate among Xi’s ministers might exceed that of China’s young people.) But China, of course, still promotes its system as a superior alternative to western-style democracy; tries to pretend that it’s not a dictatorship.

Persons: Frida Ghitis, Li Shangfu, “ I’m, Nobody, Rahm Emanuel, ”, Xi’s, Agatha Christie’s, Li, China’s, Qin Gang, Qin, Xi Jinping, Wang Yi, Qi, Xi, Mao Zedong, didn’t, Joe Biden, “, Hu Jintao, Hu, chastened, Jack Ma, Jeff Bezos Organizations: CNN, Washington Post, Politics, Frida Ghitis CNN, China’s Defense, People’s Liberation Army, PLA, Twitter, Qin, Street Journal, PLA’s, Force, United Nations General Assembly, Communist Party Congress Locations: China, Japan, Denmark, Vietnam, Beijing, Washington, Russia, Ukraine, Germany

The PGA Tour is returning to Maui to start the new season with the Sentry Tournament of Champions at Kapalua, five months after deadly wildfires destroyed nearby Lahaina and claimed at least 97 lives. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan had said last month he hoped the tournament could be a source of inspiration for Maui and Lahaina, about 10 miles away from where the PGA Tour has started its year since 1999. The tour sent a memo to players Thursday that it will be back at Kapalua for the Jan. 4-7 opener. The Bay Course at Kapalua opened on Wednesday, and the Plantation Course where the tournament is held is to open on Oct. 18. The Sentry Tournament of Champions, for years only for PGA Tour winners, now is for the top 50 from the previous year’s FedEx Cup along with any tour winner from 2023.

Persons: Jay Monahan, Josh Green, “, Tyler Dennis, ” Dennis, Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, Jon Rahm, ___ Organizations: PGA, Hawaii Gov, Green, Maui, Maui Food Bank, UH, PGA Tour, FedEx Locations: Maui, Lahaina, Kapalua, Hawaii, West Maui, . Wisconsin, Maui United, Maui County

1 Scottie Scheffler, were not even born the last time the Americans won a Ryder Cup on European soil. That was in 1993 at The Belfry, when Ryder Cup rookie Davis Love III made the cup-clinching putt. “I think one of the great accomplishments in our game now is to win an away Ryder Cup,” Rory McIlroy said. The PGA of America runs the Ryder Cup — not the tour — though the only access to Ryder Cup points for Americans was the majors. Missing from the European team for the first time since 1997 is Sergio Garcia, the leading scorer in Ryder Cup history.

Persons: Jordan Spieth, ”, Tommy Fleetwood of, Xander Schauffele’s, ’ ” Fleetwood, Marco Simone, LIV, Brooks Koepka, Scottie Scheffler, Davis Love, “, ” Scheffler, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Spieth, Dustin Johnson, we’ve, Zach Johnson, ” Rory McIlroy, it’s, ” McIlroy, —, Johnson, “ He’s, ” Johnson, Koepka, Henrik Stenson, Luke Donald, Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia, Jon Rahm, Garcia, Donald, Nicolai Hojgaard, Ludvig Aberg, McIlroy, ” Marco Simone, ___ Organizations: Ryder, Team USA, U.S ., of Fame, U.S, ’, America, LIV, Europe, Valderrama, K Locations: Rome, Europe, Whistling Straits, Wisconsin, Saudi, U.S, France, Spain, Northern Ireland, Denmark, European, Ireland

☆ Turbulence in China’s top ranks raises questions about Xi Jinping’s rule
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Defense Minister Li Shangfu has not been seen in public for three weeks, sparking speculation he is under investigation. Both Li and Qin serve among China’s five state councillors, a senior position in the cabinet that outranks a regular minister. Li also sits on the Central Military Commission, a powerful body headed by Xi that commands the armed forces. China's Defence Minister Li Shangfu gives a speech during the Moscow Conference on International Security on August 15. Last week, as speculation mounted over the whereabouts of the defense minister, Xi called for unity and stability within the military during an inspection in China’s northeast.

Persons: China’s, Li Shangfu, Weeks, Qin Gang, Xi, Li, Qin, outranks, “ What’s, ”, Drew Thompson, Xi Jinping, James Char, Lloyd Austin, Alexander Nemenov, Xi’s, Deng Yuwen, ” Rahm Emanuel, Agatha Christie’s, “, –, Craig Singleton, General Zhang Youxia, Zhang, He’s, Thompson, they’re, ” Thompson, Mao Zedong, Char, …, ” Char, Jinping Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, Defense, Foreign, Central Military Commission, People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force, Wall Street Journal, Communist Party, National University of Singapore, Rajaratnam, of International Studies, Belarus ’, US, Singapore’s Navy, China's, Conference, International Security, Getty, Twitter, Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Washington DC, Development Department, Rocket Force, Equipment Development Department Locations: China, Hong Kong, United States, Washington, Beijing, Singapore, Moscow, Belarus, Minsk, AFP, Japan, Soviet, Sichuan, “

☆ New Zealand's Fox wins BMW PGA Championship
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/5] Golf - European Tour - BMW PGA Championship - Wentworth, Virginia Water, Britain - September 17, 2023 New Zealand's Ryan Fox celebrates with the trophy after winning the BMW PGA Championship alongside CEO of the PGA European Tour, Keith Pelley Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs Acquire Licensing RightsSept 17 (Reuters) - New Zealander Ryan Fox recovered from an early triple bogey to claim victory in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth on Sunday, finding a birdie on the last hole to win by one stroke. Fox began the day three shots adrift and when he dropped three shots at the third he looked out of contention. World number two Rory McIlroy caught fire in his fourth round with a 65 to finish at 13 under. Fox had never managed a top-10 finish at the Wentworth event but arrived in good form after a finishing tied third at last week's Horizon Irish Open. He is the first New Zealander to win the tournament.

Persons: Ryan Fox, Keith Pelley, Paul Childs, Zealander Ryan Fox, Fox, Tyrrell Hatton, Aaron Rai, Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, Tommy Fleetwood, Rory McIlroy, Martyn Herman, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: BMW, Wentworth, BMW PGA, PGA European, Zealander, Ryder, Thomson Locations: Wentworth , Virginia Water, Britain

☆ America’s Warrior Diplomat, Rahm Emanuel, Takes On China’s Xi Personally
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( Peter Landers | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

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Persons: Dow Jones, emanuel, 19edc16e

☆ After replacing 2 senior military commanders in charge of its nukes, China is now investigating its defense minister, US officials say
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( Ella Hopkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

General Li Shangfu, China's defense minister, hasn't been seen in public for more than two weeks. Sources in direct contact with the Chinese military said the defense minister was suspected of corruption in procuring military equipment. A further eight officials from the government's military procurement unit, which General Li led from 2017 to 2022, are under investigation, two sources told Reuters. AdvertisementAdvertisementIt comes two months after Xi Jinping, China's president, also replaced two of his most senior military commanders who were in charge of the country's nuclear arsenal. A US official told The Journal that General Li's dismissal indicated problems with Xi's years-long campaign to reform the People's Liberation Army, China's military.

Persons: Li Shangfu, hasn't, Li, Qin Gang, Wang Yi, Xi Jinping, Li's, it's, Su, yun, General Li, Rahm Emanuel Organizations: New York Times, Service, Street Journal, Reuters, The New York Times, People's Liberation Army, PLA, Institute for National Defense and Security Research, Times, Twitter Locations: Wall, Silicon, Taiwan, Vietnam, Japan

The Swedish sensation got up-and-down from a bunker on the par-5 18th for one last birdie to put him on 16-under 200. He is making it look easy, even if it doesn't feel that way to him. “I wish this game was easy but it’s not,” Aberg said. Four of them are within five shots of Aberg, starting with Fleetwood and including Sepp Straka and Tyrrell Hatton at 11-under 205. He looked certain to make double bogey until he poured in the bogey putt and couldn't help but smile.

Persons: — Ludvig Aberg, Connor Syme, Tommy Fleetwood, “, ” Aberg, I’m, Syme, Fleetwood, Callum Shinkwin, Aaron Rai, Ryan Fox, Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Captain Luke Donald —, Sepp Straka, Tyrrell Hatton, Aberg, Swede, ” Fleetwood, “ It’s, ” Organizations: Wentworth, Ryder, BMW PGA, Aberg, Texas Tech, PGA, University, Fleetwood Locations: VIRGINIA, England, Sweden, Swedish, Switzerland

Rahm Emanuel, Washington's outspoken ambassador to Japan, wrote in a post on X: "1st: Defense Minister Li Shangfu hasn't been seen or heard from in 3 weeks. China's defence ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. On the trip, Wat met with China's navy commander, Dong Jun and other navy leaders, Singapore's defence ministry said on its website. Singapore's defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Military observers and diplomats are closely watching whether China will go ahead with plans to hold the Beijing Xiangshan Forum - an annual international security summit normally hosted by China's defence minister - in late October.

Persons: Li Shangfu, Li, Rahm Emanuel, Washington's, Li Shangfu hasn't, Mao Ning, Qin Gang, Qin, Emanuel, Barack Obama, Matthew Miller, Sean Wat, Wat, Dong Jun, Lloyd Austin, Yew Lun Tian, Laurie Chen, Martin Pollard, Yukiko Toyoda, Xinghui, John Geddie, Neil Fullick, Lincoln, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Defence, Financial Times, U.S, Street Journal, Defense, Navy, Liberation, Rocket Force, . State Department, Reuters, Military, Beijing Xiangshan, U.S . Defence, Australian National University, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, TOKYO, U.S, Beijing, Japan, Vietnam, Tokyo, States, China, Singapore, United States, Xinghui Kok

☆ Chinese defence minister under investigation for corrupt procurement
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

The investigation into Li relates to procurement of military equipment, according to a regional security official and three people in direct contact with the Chinese military. Eight senior officials from the Chinese military's procurement unit, which Li led from 2017 to 2022, are also under investigation, according to two of the people in direct contact with the military. Reuters' detailed examination of the allegations against Li and the timing of the probe is based on interviews with sources who interact regularly with senior Chinese political and defence leaders, and regional officials with close knowledge of Chinese politics. The Financial Times reported on Friday, citing U.S. officials, that the U.S. government believes Li has been placed under investigation. Chinese officials initially said Qin's absence was also due to health reasons.

Persons: Li Shangfu, Li, U.S . State Department didn't, Japan Rahm Emanuel, Qin Gang, Qin, Xi Jinping, Lloyd Austin, Katerina Ang, Daniel Flynn Organizations: Reuters, Foreign Ministry, State Council, Defence Ministry, Financial Times, U.S, U.S . State Department, Beijing, Qin, Liberation, Rocket Force, Support Force, U.S . Defence, Pentagon, Thomson Locations: Beijing, Japan, U.S, Tokyo, Russia, Belarus, Vietnam, Hanoi, China, United States, Singapore

Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, accompanied by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (not pictured), speaks at the U.S. The ambassador, Rahm Emanuel, has always spoken in "a colorful manner," said Matthew Miller, restraining a smile, although he declined to say whether Emanuel's comments had been cleared by the State Department. "I would guess that the Chinese government views Ambassador Emanuel's remarks as authoritative and deliberate signaling. I doubt that's the case," said Bonnie Glaser, a China expert at the German Marshall Fund of the United States. All of that suggests that the administration is unlikely to rein in its Japan ambassador.

Persons: Japan Rahm Emanuel, Antony Blinken, Andrew Harnik, Rahm Emanuel, Matthew Miller, Emanuel, Agatha Christie's, Qin Gang, Li Shangfu hasn't, Li, Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Obama, Emanuel's, Bonnie Glaser, Biden, Rahm, AMBASSADOR Emanuel, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama's, Laquan McDonald, Fumio Kishida, Yun Sun, He's, Humeyra Pamuk, David Brunnstrom, Michael Martina, Trevor Hunnicutt, Patricia Zengerle, Timothy Kelly, Don Durfee, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: U.S, Ambassador's, WASHINGTON, . State Department, State Department, Foreign, Rocket Force, Defense, Reuters, German Marshall Fund of, CHINA U.S, AMBASSADOR, Obama, House, West Wing, China Program, Stimson, Biden, Thomson Locations: Japan, Tokyo, TOKYO, Washington, Britain, China, United States, Beijing, U.S, CHINA, Chicago

☆ Li Shangfu: Speculation grows over whereabouts of China's defense minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Hong Kong CNN —China’s Foreign Ministry on Friday skirted questions on the whereabouts of the country’s defense minister, amid mounting speculation the recently promoted general has been placed under investigation. Qin, who was only foreign minister for seven months, has retained the position of state councillor – a senior role in China’s cabinet which Li also holds. On Chinese government and military websites, Li is still listed as the defense minister, state councillor and a member of the party’s powerful Central Military Commission (CMC). “The foreign minister and the defense minister are both externally facing interlocutors with the international community. Two weeks away from the public view is not unprecedented for China’s defense minister, who typically has less frequent public engagements than the foreign minister.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, Li Shangfu, China’s, Li, Mao Ning, “ I’m, Qin Gang, Qin, –, Rahm Emanuel, Li hadn’t, Emanuel, Xi’s, Agatha Christie’s, Li Shangfu hasn’t, ”, Xi Jinping, ” Drew Thompson, Lee, Sergey Shoigu, Alexander Lukashenko Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Hong Kong CNN — China’s, Communist Party, Financial Times, Street, Foreign Ministry, Central Military Commission, People’s Liberation Army, Force, CNN, Foreign, Rocket Force, Defense, Lee Kuan Yew, of Public, National University of Singapore, Development Department, Equipment Development Department, Security Forum, ”, Reuters, ” Reuters, Border Defense Friendship Exchange Locations: Hong Kong, Beijing, China, United States, Africa, Russia, Belarus, Moscow, Minsk, Hanoi

☆ U.S. Diplomat Questions Whether Chinese Defence Minister Under 'House Arrest'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Rahm Emanuel wrote: "1st: Defense Minister Li Shangfu hasn't been seen or heard from in 3 weeks. Now: He’s absent from his scheduled meeting with the Singaporean Chief of Navy because he was placed on house arrest???" China's foreign and defence ministries did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Reuters exclusively reported on Thursday that Li had abruptly pulled out of a meeting with Vietnamese defence leaders last week. These moves have raised questions from analysts and diplomats about a lack of transparency and unpredictable decision-making in China's leadership.

Persons: Yukiko Toyoda, Tian, Rahm Emanuel, Li Shangfu hasn't, William Shakespeare's, Li, Singapore Rahm, Sean Wat, Dong Jun, Qin Gang, Lun Tian, Martin Pollard, Xinghui, John Geddie, Neil Fullick Organizations: Twitter, Defense, Navy, Reuters, Financial Times, Singapore, PLA Navy, Liberation, Rocket Force Locations: Tian TOKYO, BEIJING, U.S, Japan, Vietnam, Denmark, Tokyo, Beijing, Singapore, China, Xinghui Kok

VIRGINIA WATER, England (AP) — Europe’s 12 Ryder Cup players delivered a mixed bag of scores in the first round of the BMW PGA Championship. Of the Europeans heading to Rome for the Ryder Cup in two weeks, Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Ludvig Åberg (68) and Tyrrell Hatton (68) posted the best rounds at Wentworth. “I think we are all a little bit in the Ryder Cup mindset,” said No. Fitzpatrick, who went out with Robert MacIntyre and Justin Rose (both 72), played the best of the Ryder Cup squad after starting with four birdies in his first six holes. “I’ll start focusing on the Ryder Cup once Sunday finishes.”They are all chasing the 26-year-old Helligkilde, who is coming to the end of his second season on the European tour.

Persons: —, Marcus Helligkilde, Dane, Matt Fitzpatrick, Ludvig Åberg, Tyrrell Hatton, Nicolai Hojgaard, Luke Donald, Adrian Meronk, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, ”, Viktor Hovland, Marco Simone, ” Hovland, McIlroy, Swede, Åberg, ” Åberg, “ Ludvig, “, Hovland, Donald, Shane Lowry, Tommy Fleetwood, Sepp Straka, Fitzpatrick, Robert MacIntyre, Justin Rose, Richie Ramsay, ” Fitzpatrick, birdies, Helligkilde Organizations: Ryder, BMW PGA, Wentworth Locations: VIRGINIA, England, Rome, “

☆ China's defence minister, not seen in weeks, skipped Vietnam meet
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Yew Lun Tian | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

China's State Council Information Office, as well as its defence and foreign ministries did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the Vietnam event. Asked about Emanuel's post this week, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman told reporters she was "not aware of the situation." China's defence minister is mainly responsible for defence diplomacy and does not command combat forces. Chinese officials have repeatedly said they want those sanctions dropped to facilitate better discussions between the two sides' militaries. He then headed the military's procurement unit from 2017 until he became defence minister.

Persons: Li Shangfu, Li, Beijing couldn't, Qin Gang, Xi Jinping, Qin, Washington, Li's, Joe Biden, Japan Rahm Emanuel, Li Shangfu hasn't, Alfred Wu, Lee, Xi, Lloyd Austin, Yew Lun Tian, Antoni Slodkowski, John Geddie, Katerina Ang Organizations: Reuters, China's, Information, Qin, Liberation, Rocket Force, Communist Party, U.S, . U.S, Foreign, Defense, Foreign Ministry, Lee Kuan Yew, of Public Policy, U.S . Defence, Support Force, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, HANOI, Vietnam, China, Beijing, Hanoi, Japan, Russia, Belarus, Singapore, U.S

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said Monday that she has chosen Anne Kirkpatrick, a former chief of police in Spokane, Washington, and Oakland, California, to head the New Orleans Police Department, a nomination subject to the approval of the City Council. Kirkpatrick, if approved, would be the permanent replacement for Shaun Ferguson, who retired from the job last year. The post has been held on an interim basis by Michelle Woodfork, a longtime veteran of the New Orleans department, who had also applied for the job. She was tapped to help with police reform efforts in Chicago under then-Mayor Rahm Emmanuel in 2017. Voters approved a measure last year granting the council the right to approve or reject a nominee for police chief.

Persons: LaToya Cantrell, Anne Kirkpatrick, Kirkpatrick, Shaun Ferguson, Michelle Woodfork, Cantrell, Rahm Emmanuel, Helena Moreno, Moreno, ” Organizations: ORLEANS, — New, New Orleans Police Department, City Council, New, U.S . Justice Department, Voters Locations: — New Orleans, Spokane , Washington, Oakland , California, New Orleans, Spokane, Chicago, Oakland

☆ Steve Cohen invests in Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy's golf startup TGL
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Jessica Golden | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

New York Mets owner Steve Cohen speaks to the media before a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citi Field on June 28, 2023 in New York City. Financier and Mets owner Steve Cohen has bought the founding rights to the New York team in Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy's upstart golf league TGL, the organization announced on Thursday. TGL is a new primetime, high-tech golf league that will tee off in January 2024. TGL says the event timing will be complementary to the players' PGA Tour schedules. The PGA Tour and fledgling rival LIV Golf agreed to merge in June, but have yet to sign a final agreement and still face scrutiny from Congress.

Persons: Steve Cohen, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy's, Cohen's, Cohen, Woods, McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Rose, Adam Scott, Xander Schauffele, Max Homa, Rickie Fowler, Billy Horschel, TGL, LIV Golf Organizations: New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers, Citi Field, The Brewers, Mets, New York, Ventures, TGL's, PGA Tour, Tour Locations: New York City, Tiger, New York

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