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A pedestrian looks at his phone as he walks past a logo for Australia's Westpac Banking Corp located outside a branch in central Sydney, Australia, November 5, 2018. REUTERS/David Gray/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Westpac Banking Corp (WBC.AX), Australia's third largest bank by market capitalisation, said on Monday it would raise A$750 million ($488.1 million) in an Additional Tier 1 (AT1) capital transaction. The AT1 bonds are used by banks to stabilise cashflow in periods of stress, according to APRA. Under that deal, holders of Credit Suisse AT1 bonds received nothing, while shareholders, who usually rank below bondholders in terms of who gets paid when a bank or company collapses, received $3.23 billion. ($1 = 1.5366 Australian dollars)Reporting by Scott Murdoch in Sydney; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Stephen CoatesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: David Gray, Stephen Jones, Scott Murdoch, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Stephen Coates Organizations: Australia's Westpac Banking Corp, REUTERS, Rights, Westpac Banking Corp, Westpac, prudential, Credit Suisse, APRA, Credit Suisse AT1s, Commonwealth Bank, Credit, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia

☆ Britain to launch South Korea trade talks as president visits
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Alistair Smout | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

King Charles greeted President Yoon Suk Yeol with a royal guard of honour following his arrival in London, and then rode with him by carriage to Buckingham Palace. He will hold talks with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday, and sign an accord on closer diplomatic ties. Under the accord, the countries will agree to work closely on areas such as semiconductors - of which South Korea is an important producer - and artificial intelligence. [1/4]Members of the Royal Air Force (RAF) welcome South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee, as they arrive at Stansted Airport, near London, Britain, November 20, 2023. "REFRESHED, MODERNISED DEAL"Under Yoon, South Korea has focused on strengthening economic, political, and military ties with the U.S. while seeking to maintain trade with China and working to overcome historical disputes with Japan.

Persons: Yoon, King Charles Yoon, King Charles, Yoon Suk, Rishi Sunak, Sunak, Yoon Suk Yeol, Kim Keon Hee, Toby Melville, David Beckham, Son Heung Min, Kemi Badenoch, Alistair Smout, Kylie MacLellan, Sarah Young, Josh Smith, Alistair Bell, Stephen Coates, Timothy Heritage, David Gregorio Our Organizations: LONDON, British, Accord, Trade, Downing, North, Royal Air Force, South, Stansted Airport, REUTERS, Trans, Pacific Partnership, European Union, Thomson Locations: Britain, Korea, London, Buckingham, United Kingdom, Downing, South Korea, North Korea, U.S, China, Japan, Seoul

☆ Morgan Stanley urges higher quality corporate bonds as 2024 maturities approach
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Matt Tracy | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 20 (Reuters) - Investment bank Morgan Stanley (MS.N) is recommending that corporate bond investors focus on higher quality investment-grade and high-yield bonds headed into next year, as a wave of maturities poses risk to more junk-rated companies. Morgan Stanley said it suspects the Federal Reserve has neared the end of its rate-hiking cycle, with a soft landing for the economy in the cards next year. As maturities hit next year, 15-20% of this ratings class is likely to see downgrades to CCC, according to Morgan Stanley. Downgrades will not be limited to junk issuers, Morgan Stanley added. On the leveraged loan front, Morgan Stanley said it expects a return in loan issuance next year for M&A and leveraged buyouts, buoyed in part by anticipated Fed rate cuts.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Morgan Stanley, maturities, Downgrades, Matt Tracy, Stephen Coates Organizations: Wall, REUTERS, Investment, Federal Reserve, BBB, Thomson Locations: New York, U.S

☆ Britain to Launch South Korea Trade Talks During Yoon Visit
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON (Reuters) -Britain and South Korea will launch negotiations on a new free trade agreement (FTA) and sign a new diplomatic accord during a state visit by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol this week, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's office said on Monday. The Downing Street accord will see the countries agree to work closely on areas such as semiconductors - which South Korea is a major producer of - and artificial intelligence. Speaking to members of the South Korean community, Yoon said South Korea and Britain are partners that share universal values of freedom, human rights and rule of law, and form an economic community through trade, Yonhap news reported. The talks on a new trade deal will aim to replace the carry-over trade deal from when Britain left the European Union, which was based on replicating a deal with the EU from 2011 and reduced tariffs in a range of areas. Britain said it hoped a new trade deal would pave the way for increased digital trade and streamline currently complex procedures, and have a new rules of origin chapter.

Persons: Yoon Suk, Rishi Sunak's, Yoon's, King Charles, Charles, Yoon, Sunak, Alistair Smout, Josh Smith, Alistair Bell, Stephen Coates Organizations: South, Britain, Accord, European Union, Trans, Pacific Partnership Locations: Britain, South Korea, Downing, Korea, London, cybersecurity, United States, China, Japan, Seoul

☆ Opinion | The War in Gaza Is Splintering the Democratic Party
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Michelle Goldberg | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +15 min

Should a few members of the Squad lose their primaries, the blow to Democratic unity could be severe. “And they’ll either stay at home or they’ll go to a third party.”Already, there are signs that the party is fracturing over Israel. Advocates for the freedom and safety of Palestinians, horror-struck by more than 10,000 civilian deaths in Gaza, believe that the Democratic Party is giving its approval to atrocities. These big-footed donors, who are overwhelmingly targeting representatives of color, are going to exacerbate the fissures in the Democratic Party. Diana Lovett, a Democratic Party district leader who held a fund-raiser for Bowman last year, said polarization over the congressman was tearing apart local Democrats.

Persons: Ryan Grim, Alexandria Ocasio, Cortez, Bernie Sanders, she’d, ”, Ilhan Omar, who’ve, Tlaib, “, Omar, Mark Mellman, Israel, ” Mellman, Bowman, Eliot Engel, Grim, he’d, George Floyd, Giddins, —, Don Samuels, Cori Bush, Wesley Bell, Summer Lee, Bhavini Patel, Bowman doesn’t, George Latimer, imploring, Latimer, hadn’t, Waleed Shahid, Ocasio, imploring Biden, they’ve, He’s, ” Bowman, I’m, haven’t, hasn’t, Shahid, Ta, Nehisi Coates, Coates, Isaac Herzog, Weinberger, Sam Bankman, Nina Turner, Andy Levin, Republican megadonors, Bernie Marcus, “ I’ve, Mark Pocan, Mellman, Diana Lovett, Lovett, who’d, dreading, “ He’s, we’re Organizations: Israel, ”, Democratic, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Times, New, New York Democratic, The New York Times, Minneapolis City, Missouri Democrat, Pittsburgh Democrat, Squad, Justice Democrats, Democratic Party, Democratic Socialists of America, West Bank, Democratic Socialists, U.S, Westchester Jewish Council, New York Democratic Socialists of America, Jewish, Politico, United Democracy, AIPAC, Jewish Democrat, Republican, Home Depot, Wisconsin Democrat, Congressional Progressive Caucus Locations: Israel, Palestine, Gaza, New York, Minneapolis, Missouri, Louis County, Hebron, “, Manhattan, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin

The 76th Cannes Film Festival - Photocall for the film "Killers of the Flower Moon" Out of Competition - Cannes, France, May 21, 2023. “Killers of the Flower Moon,” distributed by Apple TV, arrived in theaters on Oct. 20. The film also explores the marriage between a white man, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, and his Osage wife, played by Gladstone. Originally, however, Scorsese focused "Killers of the Flower Moon" on FBI investigators that worked on the case. While Hollywood's depictions of American Indians have historically been flawed, DiCaprio said the film aims to tell the truth.

Persons: Leonardo DiCaprio, Sarah Meyssonnier, ” Martin, Lily Gladstone, ” Gladstone, David Grann, Osage, Robert De Niro, DeCaprio, ”, Scorsese, DiCaprio, Rollo Ross, Danielle Broadway, Cynthia Osterman, Stephen Coates Organizations: Cannes, Indians, Reuters, Apple TV, Gladstone, FBI, Thomson Locations: France, Oklahoma, Osage

☆ Biden to wrap up four-day diplomatic summit by meeting Mexican president
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Jeff Mason | Thomson Reuters | Jeff Mason Is A White House Correspondent For Reuters. He Has Covered The Presidencies Of Barack Obama | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Chinese President Xi Jinping waves as he walks with U.S. President Joe Biden at Filoli estate on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, in Woodside, California, U.S., November 15, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSAN FRANCISCO, Nov 17 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden concludes a four-day diplomatic push with China as well as other Pacific nations on Friday in a final meeting with world leaders and a visit with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. The worsening of trade relations between Washington and Mexico City comes even as their economic integration grows. In 2022, Mexico had a $130.5 billion goods trade surplus with the United States. Reporting By Jeff Mason and Jarrett Renshaw; Editing by Scott Malone and Stephen CoatesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Xi, Joe Biden, Kevin Lamarque, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Biden, Xi Jinping, Dina Boluarte, Donald Trump, Jeff Mason, Jarrett Renshaw, Scott Malone, Stephen Coates Organizations: U.S, Economic Cooperation, REUTERS, FRANCISCO, Obrador, Mexico City, Thomson Locations: Filoli, Asia, Woodside , California, U.S, China, Peru, Mexico, Washington, Canada, United States

☆ Mexican lawmakers OK stock market reform bill
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MEXICO CITY, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Mexico's lower house on Wednesday passed a bill aimed at revamping national stock exchanges, a long-awaited move meant to boost trading following a spate of delistings from the main market in recent years. The bill loosens regulations for companies to go public, speeding up the process and reducing the costs involved, said Mexico's largest market operator, the Bolsa Mexicana de Valores, in a statement. The bill had previously passed in the Senate, and will now be sent to President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's desk to be signed into law. Just 138 companies are listed on the Bolsa Mexicana de Valores, which has gone six years without a new listing, barring spin-offs. Reporting by Kylie Madry and Diego Ore; Editing by Anthony Esposito and Stephen CoatesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Gabriel Yorio, Andres Manuel Lopez, Lala, Kylie Madry, Diego Ore, Anthony Esposito, Stephen Coates Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Bolsa Mexicana de, Senate, Grupo Sanborns, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Bolsa Mexicana de Valores

☆ China Hopes Fiji Will Continue 'Firm' Support for Chinese Issues - Chinese State Media
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING (Reuters) - China said it hopes Fiji will continue to give 'firm' support to it on issues concerning Chinese core interests and major concerns, Chinese state media cited President Xi Jinping as saying to Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. Xi told Rabuka that China will continue to support Fiji in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, Chinese state television said. China supports Fiji in independently choosing its own development path and achieving national development and revitalisation, Xi said. China is also willing to increase Fijian imports, support commercial investments into Fiji and encourage more tourists to visit Fiji. China has been pushing for greater security and trade ties with Pacific Islands countries, signing in July a policing pact with Solomon Islands and raising alarm for the United States.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Sitiveni Rabuka, Xi, Rabuka, Liz Lee, Christopher Cushing, Stephen Coates Organizations: Fijian, Economic Cooperation, Fiji, Pacific Locations: BEIJING, China, Fiji, Asia, San Francisco, Pacific, Solomon Islands, United States, Beijing

[1/2] Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks during a bilateral meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden at Filoli estate on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, in Woodside, California, U.S., November 15, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque Acquire Licensing RightsWOODSIDE, California, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping told U.S. President Joe Biden during their four-hour meeting on Wednesday that Taiwan was the biggest, most dangerous issue in U.S.-China ties, a senior U.S. official told reporters. Xi was trying to indicate that China is not preparing for a massive invasion of Taiwan, but that does not change the U.S. approach, the official said. "President Biden responded very clearly that the long-standing position of the United States was ... determination to maintain peace and stability," the official said. "President Xi responded: look, peace is ... all well and good but at some point we need to move towards resolution more generally," the official said.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Kevin Lamarque, Xi, Biden, Washington, Jeff Liu, Liu, Trevor Hunnicutt, Jeff Mason, Ben Blanchard, Andrea Shalal, Sandra Maler, Stephen Coates, Tom Hogue Organizations: U.S, Economic Cooperation, REUTERS, Rights, Biden, Senior U.S, People's Liberation Army, Thomson Locations: Filoli, Asia, Woodside , California, U.S, Rights WOODSIDE , California, Taiwan, China, United States, Taiwan Strait, Taipei, Beijing

U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Filoli estate on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, in Woodside, California, U.S., November 15, 2023. Biden held a solo news conference after four hours of talks with Xi on the outskirts of San Francisco. At the end of the news conference, he was asked whether he still held the view that Xi was a dictator, something he said in June. When Biden made a similar dictator reference in June, China called the remarks absurd and a provocation. Xi told Biden that the negative views of the Communist Party in the United States were unfair, a U.S. official told reporters after the meeting.

Persons: Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Kevin Lamarque, Biden, Xi, He's, Mao Zedong, Steve Holland, Heather Timmons, Stephen Coates Organizations: Economic Cooperation, REUTERS, Rights, National People's Congress, Communist Party, U.S, Thomson Locations: Filoli, Asia, Woodside , California, U.S, Rights WOODSIDE , California, Beijing, San Francisco, United States, San Francisco ., Tibet, Hong Kong, China, Wednesday's

☆ Xi tells US firms China ready to be partner and friend
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Michael Martina | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Xi received a standing ovation as he entered the room, and two more before and after he took the stage to speak. "Whatever stage of development it may reach, China will never pursue hegemony or expansion, and will never impose its will on others. China does not seek spheres of influence, and will not fight a cold war or a hot war with anyone," Xi said. China and the U.S. reached an agreement to curb fentanyl production in earlier talks between Xi and Biden. Analysts have said Xi's speech alone is unlikely to dramatically alter U.S. business sentiment about China.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Carlos Barria, Xi, Joe Biden, Biden, Tim Cook, Laurence Fink, Broadcom's, Hock Tan, Ray Dalio, Albert Bourla, Gina Raimondo, Mike Gallagher, Gallagher, Gary Dvorchak, Dvorchak, Michael Martina, Valerie Insinna, Stephen Nellis, Lisa Baertlein, Niket, Ethan Wang, Liz Lee, Stephen Coates Organizations: National Committee, China Relations, China Business Council, Economic Cooperation, REUTERS, Apple, BlackRock, Pfizer, SAN FRANCISCO, U.S, Beijing, Congress, Bridgewater Associates, Commerce, U.S . House, Representatives, Muslim, U.S ., Communist Party, Thomson Locations: Asia, San Francisco , California, U.S, China, United States, San Francisco, Beijing, Washington, China . U.S, Iowa

☆ Court auction to sell Shimao land in Shenzhen fails again
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The logo of property developer Shimao Group is seen on the facade of Shimao Tower in Shanghai, China January 13, 2022. REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsHONG KONG, Nov 16 (Reuters) - A court auction to sell vast commercial land plots owned by defaulted Shimao Group (0813.HK) in Shenzhen failed for a second time on Thursday as there were no bidders, highlighting weak demand in China's property market. Twelve land plots totalling 243,602 square metres, together with some uncompleted buildings on them, have asked for 10.4 billion yuan ($1.4 billion), 20% lower than the 13 billion yuan starting price in the first auction in July, according to e-commerce company JD.com's (9618.HK) online auction platform. The Shenzhen plots were part of the land parcel bought by Shanghai-based Shimao in 2017, which planned to build a new landmark complex in China's tech hub with the city's tallest skyscraper. Media reports said the land plots, valued at 16.3 billion yuan, were the most valuable assets being auctioned by Chinese courts in seven years.

Persons: Aly, Clare Jim, Stephen Coates Organizations: Shimao, REUTERS, HK, Media, Authorities, Thomson Locations: Shanghai, China, HONG KONG, Shenzhen

☆ Mexico, China nod to stronger ties as leaders agree to promote trade and investment
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

China and Mexico's relationship has strengthened with time, Chinese President Xi Jinping said about the meeting, according to a post from the Asian country's embassy in Mexico, with Sino-Mexican relations becoming increasingly "mutually beneficial." The post added that China "is willing ... to strengthen the articulation of strategies, (and) explore the potential for cooperation ... to promote bilateral relations to a higher level." Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said the two leaders had "committed to continue maintaining good relations for the benefit of our people." Lopez Obrador is also set to meet with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Joe Biden during the trip. Lopez Obrador and Xi agreed to combat illegal trafficking of precursor chemicals, Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena said in a post on social media network X.

Persons: Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Xi Jinping, Lopez Obrador, Justin Trudeau, Joe Biden, Biden, Xi, Alicia Barcena, Kylie Madry, Valentine Hilaire, Isabel Woodford, Josie Kao, Stephen Coates Organizations: Economic Cooperation, Reuters, MEXICO CITY, Canadian, U.S, Thomson Locations: Asia, San Francisco , California, U.S, MEXICO, Mexico, San Francisco . China, China, United States

☆ Ridley Scott reunites with Joaquin Phoenix for 'Napoleon' biopic
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Hanna Rantala | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Director Ridley Scott and cast member Joaquin Phoenix look on during a photocall for the World Premiere of the film "Napoleon" at the Salle Pleyel in Paris, France, November 14, 2023. REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Veteran filmmaker Ridley Scott likens working with Oscar-winner Joaquin Phoenix to "a toboggan ride". The "Gladiator" director and star reunited after more than two decades to make the upcoming Napoleon Bonaparte biopic "Napoleon", which premiered in London on Thursday. "In ‘The Duellists’ I end on Napoleon Bonaparte. "Since the beginning of the pandemic I've made 'The Last Duel', 'Gucci', 'Napoleon Bonaparte', and I'm halfway through 'Gladiator (2)'.

Persons: Ridley Scott, Joaquin Phoenix, Napoleon, Stephanie Lecocq, Oscar, Napoleon Bonaparte, ” Scott, Josephine, Vanessa Kirby, Scott, ”, Thelma, Louise ", they've, Dariusz Wolski, Gucci, Hanna Rantala, Stephen Coates Organizations: Salle, REUTERS, Veteran, Phoenix, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, London, British, Austerlitz, Moscow, Waterloo

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese President Xi Jinping pose for a family photo during Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in San Francisco, California, U.S. November 16, 2023. They also pledged to hold high-level dialogue on economic issues and welcomed the launch of a framework to discuss export controls as they met on the sidelines of an Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. In a joint statement in 2008, Japan and China agreed to pursue a "mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests" designed to ensure frequent leadership exchanges on issues such as security and economic cooperation. On the sidelines of the APEC summit, Kishida has also met South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol for their seventh meeting this year. Leaders from the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum are in San Francisco for its 30th summit from Nov. 15-17.

Persons: Fumio Kishida, Xi Jinping, Carlos Barria, Xi, Kishida, Joe Biden, Biden, Washington, Rumi Aoyama, Aoyama, Yoon Suk, Yoon, Mariko Katsumura, John Geddie, Kaori Kaneko, Sakura Murakami, Ethan Wang, Stephen Coates, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Japan's, Economic Cooperation, REUTERS, Asia, Astellas Pharma, ., Waseda Institute of Contemporary Chinese, APEC, South, Thomson Locations: Asia, San Francisco , California, U.S, China, San Francisco, Japan, Taiwan, Beijing, United States, Tokyo

TAIWANThe two leaders had a "substantial" discussion on Taiwan, with Xi telling Biden that Taiwan was the biggest, most dangerous issue facing the two superpowers, a senior U.S. official told reporters. LEADER TO LEADER TALKSBiden said he and Xi agreed to high-level communications. "He and I agreed that each one of us can pick up the phone call directly and we'll be heard immediately," Biden told reporters after the meeting. China and the United States should set an example for other countries, Xi told Biden, according to Chinese media, and promote cooperation on trade, agriculture, climate change and artificial intelligence. FENTANYLBiden and Xi agreed to cooperate on addressing the source of the opioid fentanyl, a leading cause of drug overdoses in the United States, the U.S. official said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Kevin Lamarque, China's Xi Jinping, Biden, Xi, Nancy Pelosi, Defense Lloyd Austin, we'll, Jeff Mason, Trevor Hunnicutt, Andrea Shalal, Heather Timmons, Stephen Coates Organizations: Economic Cooperation, REUTERS, Rights, Taiwan, U.S, Defense, Communist Party, Thomson Locations: Filoli, Asia, Woodside , California, U.S, San Francisco, TAIWAN, Taiwan, China, Beijing, United States, IRAN, Iran

☆ China c.bank boosts liquidity injection through policy loan, rate unchanged
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

A gardener works outside the headquarters of the central bank of the People's Republic of China in Beijing October 8, 2008. REUTERS/Jason Lee (CHINA) Acquire Licensing RightsSHANGHAI/SINGAPORE, Nov 15 (Reuters) - China's central bank ramped up liquidity injection but kept the interest rate unchanged when rolling over maturing medium-term policy loans on Wednesday, matching market expectations. The central bank said the loan operation was meant to maintain banking system liquidity reasonably ample to counteract short-term factors including tax payments and government bond issuance. All 31 market watchers polled by Reuters this week had expected the central bank to inject fresh funds to exceed the maturity. The most likely outcome is for PBOC to inject more support through open market operations, while leaving the MLF rate unchanged."

Persons: Jason Lee, Carlos Casanova, corporates, Xing Zhaopeng, Winni Zhou, Tom Westbrook, Christian Schmollinger, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, People's Bank of China, Reuters, AAA, ANZ, Thomson Locations: People's Republic of China, Beijing, China, CHINA, Rights SHANGHAI, SINGAPORE, Asia, UBP, United States

☆ Biden Calls Xi a Dictator After Carefully Planned Summit
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

Biden held a solo news conference after four hours of talks with Xi on the outskirts of San Francisco. At the end of the news conference, he was asked whether he still held the view that Xi was a dictator, something he said in June. Xi is considered the most powerful Chinese leader since Mao Zedong, after a decade of consolidating power in policy-making and the military, and stifling media freedoms. When Biden made a similar dictator reference in June, China called the remarks absurd and a provocation. Xi told Biden that the negative views of the Communist Party in the United States were unfair, a U.S. official told reporters after the meeting.

Persons: Trevor Hunnicutt, Jeff Mason WOODSIDE, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Biden, Xi, He's, Mao Zedong, Steve Holland, Heather Timmons, Stephen Coates Organizations: National People's Congress, Economic Cooperation, Communist Party, U.S Locations: Jeff Mason WOODSIDE , California, Beijing, San Francisco, United States, Asia, San Francisco ., Tibet, Hong Kong, China, Wednesday's

☆ South Korea's Yoon to warn APEC about risks from North Korea-Russia ties
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Soo-Hyang Choi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol gives a speech on the government budget at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, 31 October 2023. Washington has said North Korea is supplying military equipment to Russia for use in its war with Ukraine, while Moscow is providing technical support to help North Korea advance its military capabilities. North Korea and Russia have denied any arms deals, though their leaders pledged closer military cooperation at their September summit. In San Francisco, Blinken held talks with his South Korean and Japanese counterparts on Tuesday and vowed a coordinated response to the North Korea-Russia cooperation. South Korea and China are also in talks for a possible meeting between their leaders, Seoul's foreign ministry said.

Persons: Yoon Suk, JEON HEON, Yoon, Antony Blinken, Defense Lloyd Austin, Austin, Washington, Alexander Kozlov, Blinken, Fumio Kishida, Soo, hyang Choi, Ed Davies, Stephen Coates Organizations: South, National Assembly, Rights, APEC, Economic Cooperation, Associated Press, U.S, Defense, China, Economic, Japanese, Stanford University, Thomson Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Rights SEOUL, United States, North Korea, Russia, San Francisco, Gaza, Ukraine, Moscow, Korea, Russian, Pyongyang, China

☆ Biden, Xi meet as US-China military, economic tensions grind on
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Trevor Hunnicutt | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Biden and Xi arrived in San Francisco on Tuesday, where they were set to hold their meeting on the sidelines the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. Xi and Biden are expected to meet far from the conference location at a vast estate miles outside of San Francisco carefully chosen for its security, serenity and remoteness. [1/2]U.S. President Joe Biden disembarks from Air Force One at San Francisco International Airport, as he arrives to attend the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Summit in San Francisco, California, U.S., November 14, 2023. Xi, a decade Biden's junior, has tightened control over policy, state leaders, the media and military and changing the constitution. Biden is expected to tell Xi that U.S. commitments in the Indo-Pacific are unchanged.

Persons: Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Xi, Biden, China's, Mao, San Francisco, John Kirby, Joe Biden disembarks, Brittany Hosea, Trevor Hunnicutt, Steve Holland, Michael Martina, Jeff Mason, Heather Timmons, Stephen Coates Organizations: FRANCISCO, Biden, Economic Cooperation, Communist Party, Air Force, San Francisco International Airport, APEC, REUTERS, Rights, Washington, Thomson Locations: Taiwan, South China, Israel, Ukraine, North Korea, San Francisco, Asia, United States, Northern California, San, San Francisco , California, U.S, Rights IRAN, Iran, Washington, China . U.S, China, Europe, Russia, Beijing, Taiwan Strait, East China, Philippines

REUTERS/Cheriss May/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 15 (Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers asked Apple Inc to explain the abrupt end of political comedian Jon Stewart's television show on its streaming service, according to a letter made public on Wednesday, citing concerns that content related to China was behind the cancellation. The New York Times reported last month that Stewart's show on Apple's streaming service was ending, the result of creative differences. The newspaper said Stewart told members of his staff that potential show topics related to China and artificial intelligence were causing concern to Apple executives. The letter asked representatives of Apple for a briefing on its concerns by Dec. 15, 2023. U.S. lawmakers have long expressed concerns about potential Chinese government censorship given the ruling Communist Party’s strict media controls.

Persons: Jon Stewart, Mark Twain, Cheriss, Jon Stewart's, Stewart, Tim Cook, Apple, Michael Gallagher, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Patricia Zengerle, Stephen Coates Organizations: The Kennedy Center, REUTERS, Rights, Apple Inc, New York Times, Apple, Times, Republican, Democratic, Chinese Communist Party, CCP, Economic Cooperation, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, China, San Francisco, Asia, U.S

☆ Russia will pay heavy price for Avdiivka, says Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Moscow's forces have focused on eastern Ukraine since failing to advance on Kyiv in the first days of the February 2022 invasion. Zelenskiy, in his nightly video address, said Russian assaults in the eastern Donetsk region including Avdiivka had been "very intense". "Russia is already losing men and equipment near Avdiivka faster and on a larger scale than, for example, near Bakhmut," he said, referring to months of heavy fighting that culminated in Russian forces capturing the eastern town of Bakhmut in May. The more Russian forces that are destroyed near Avdiivka, the worse the overall situation will be for the enemy and the overall course of this war." Ukrainian forces, he said, had repelled 18 Russian attacks over the past 24 hours.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Moscow's, Avdiivka, Rybar, Oleksandr Shtupun, Shtupun, Andriy Yermak, Yermak, Ron Popeski, Oleksandr Kozhukhar, Leslie Adler, Stephen Coates Organizations: Russia's Defence Ministry, Reuters, Ukraine's Defense Forces, Hudson Institute, Thomson Locations: Avdiivka, Kherson, Dnipro, Crimea, Ukraine, Kyiv, Donetsk, Russia, Bakhmut, Russian, Ukrainian, United States, Moscow

☆ US appeals court scraps Sempra's Port Arthur LNG emissions permit
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Curtis Williams | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsHOUSTON, Nov 15 (Reuters) - A U.S. court has removed an emissions permit for Sempra's (SRE.N) Port Arthur LNG export terminal in Texas, but the company said construction of the facility will continue for now. The approximately 13.5 million-metric-tons-per-annum (mtpa) Port Arthur plant has approval to export LNG to both Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and non-FTA countries, including Europe, and is part of the U.S. LNG expansion to meet growing global demand for the superchilled gas. The decision sends the Port Arthur LNG permit application back to the TCEQ for new evaluation. Investment firm KKR (KKR.N) owns a 20% stake in Sempra Infrastructure while Sempra Energy owns 70% and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority owns 10%. John Beard, executive director of the Port Arthur Community Action Network, which brought the lawsuit challenging TCEQ, said of the ruling: “We’ve won by standing up for Port Arthur communities of color to breathe free from toxic pollution.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Port Arthur, Sempra, John Beard, “ We’ve, –, Biden, Alex Munton, Munton, Curtis Williams, Deepa Babington, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Port Arthur, Free, U.S, U.S ., Appeals, Fifth Circuit, Texas Commission, Environmental, Rio, Rio Grande LNG, Port, Sempra Infrastructure, ConocoPhillips, Investment, KKR, Sempra Energy, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Port Arthur Community Action Network, Global Gas & LNG Research, Rapidan Energy, Thomson Locations: Port, Texas, Europe, Rio Grande, Port Arthur, Abu Dhabi, Houston

☆ Two former NBA players are convicted over roles in health care fraud
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Jonathan Stempel | Companies Need To Integrate Climate Reporting Across Functions To Comply With California S New Law | Henry Engler | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Aug 17, 2019; Dallas, TX, USA; Power power forward Glen Davis (0) during the game at the American Airlines Center. Glen Davis, 37, who played for three NBA teams and won a championship in 2008 with the Boston Celtics, was convicted on four counts including wire fraud, health care fraud, conspiring to commit fraud, and conspiring to make false statements. Will Bynum, 40, who played for three teams including the Detroit Pistons, was found guilty of conspiring to make false statements, but acquitted on a fraud conspiracy charge. At least two dozen people including 19 former NBA players, a dentist, a doctor and a chiropractor were implicated in the fraud scheme, with charges first announced in October 2021. Williams, who played with the New Jersey Nets and three other teams, pleaded guilty over his role last year.

Persons: Glen Davis, Jerome Miron, Will Bynum, Damian Williams, Sabrina Shroff, Davis, Victor Henderson, Mr, Bynum, Terrence Williams, Williams, Jonathan Stempel, Stephen Coates Organizations: American Airlines Center, National Basketball Association, NBA, Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, U.S, Attorney, Prosecutors, New Jersey Nets, Thomson Locations: Dallas , TX, USA, Manhattan, Beverly Hills, Nevada, Encino , California, New York

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