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☆ OpenAI's wild weekend just upended the world of AI
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . OpenAI, the hottest startup in the world thanks to its chatbot ChatGPT, fired Altman on Friday afternoon. AdvertisementBut according to reports over the weekend, OpenAI investors were scrambling to reinstate Altman before today's opening bell. Advertisement"The board no longer has confidence in his ability to continue leading OpenAI," the post went on to say.

Persons: —, Michaels, Sam Altman's, Sam Richard A, Sam Altman, OpenAI, Altman, Greg Brockman, Satya Nadella, It's, Mira Murati, Emmett Shear, Ilya Sutskever, Alistair Barr, Altman wasn't, Alistair, Larry Fink, Fink, Arnd Wiegmann, Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway, Lee Munson, there's, Andy Jassy, Anna Kim, Joe Biden, Harry Truman, Robert F, Kennedy, Dan DeFrancesco, Naga Siu, Hallam Bullock, Lisa Ryan Organizations: Service, Hobby, OpenAI, Microsoft, Altman, BlackRock, Reuters, Berkshire, Wealth, Web, Associated, Turkey, Getty, Wars Locations: OpenAI, BlackRock, Turkey, New York City, San Diego, London, New York

☆ 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

☆ UK PM Sunak promises tax cuts after meeting his inflation pledge
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Alistair Smout | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Under pressure from within his traditionally low-tax Conservative Party, Sunak said his government needed to prioritise lowering the tax burden but stressed he would not repeat the unfunded tax cut plan that his predecessor Liz Truss announced last year, triggering turmoil in bond markets. Sunak said the government would cut taxes over time and would not do anything that added to inflation. "You can trust me when I say we can responsibly start to cut taxes," he said. Conservative lawmakers have long called on Sunak to cut taxes to help reduce the gap in the opinion polls with the opposition Labour Party before an election expected next year. Blowing tens of billions of pounds on unfunded spending is just as dangerous as blowing tens of billions of pounds on unfunded tax cuts," he said.

Persons: Rishi Sunak, Jeremy Hunt, Sunak, Liz Truss, Hunt, Sarah Young, Alistair Smout, William Schomberg, Kylie MacLellan, Kate Holton, Christina Fincher Organizations: British, Conservative Party, Data, Conservative, Labour Party, Thomson Locations: Rwanda

☆ OpenAl is building the most powerful tech in the world. The public should be told what Sam Altman lied to the board about.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( Alistair Barr | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The board accused CEO Sam Altman of not being "candid" when they fired him. AdvertisementElon Musk has multiple axes to grind when it comes to OpenAl and its cofounder Sam Altman. "He was not consistently candid in his communications with the board, hindering its ability to exercise its responsibilities," OpenAl said. AdvertisementThat's an unusual charter for a tech startup or most other private companies, which usually exist to primarily make a profit and provide investors with a return. Musk has also launched a competing Al research group, so chaos at OpenAl could be relatively good for that initiative.

Persons: OpenAI, Sam Altman, —, Elon Musk, OpenAl, Altman, Musk, Toby Ord, Altman's, didn't, Ilya Sutskever, Sutskever, cofounders Organizations: Service, Oxford University, Big Tech, Bloomberg, Al, The New York Times Locations: OpenAl

☆ OpenAI chaos is good for Google, Amazon, and others trying to catch the AI leader
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Alistair Barr | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The chaos is good for Google, Amazon, and others trying to catch OpenAI. Especially Google and Amazon, which were caught flat-footed by ChatGPT's rapid success and the impressive capabilities of GPT-4 and other OpenAI models. "In a fast-moving race, this lap has the advantage going to Google and Amazon but it's a marathon, not a sprint." Microsoft has invested billions of dollars in OpenAI and provides cloud infrastructure that runs the startup's AI products. Interestingly, Google and Amazon recently invested billions of dollars in Anthropic, an AI startup that is probably the closest rival to OpenAI in terms of talent and product capabilities.

Persons: OpenAI, Sam Altman, Greg Brockman, —, ChatGPT, OpenAI's, Altman, pic.twitter.com, Guy, @buccocapital, Oren Etzioni, there's Organizations: Google, Service, Employees, Madrona Venture, Microsoft, Amazon Locations: Silicon

Tesla CEO Elon Musk appeared to endorse an antisemitic conspiracy theory posted to X.Musk is now facing backlash from advertisers and investors. AdvertisementTesla CEO Elon Musk is under fire after he appeared to endorse an antisemitic conspiracy theory. I don't think he seeks it out, but I just think he does appreciate it for his brand, his name, you know," he said. At the Monterey, California, shopping center, the Tesla Model Y owner said Musk could impact his decision to buy another Tesla. But as he's gotten older, he's like, 'Hmm, I'm not so sure about that brand' — because of Elon Musk," he added.

Persons: Elon Musk, —, I'd, he's, Tesla, Elon, Rashed Mohammed, Mohammed, He's, — he's, It's, I've, I'm Organizations: Service, Tesla, Defamation League, Del, Brooklyn Museum, EV, Twitter Locations: New York, California, New York City, Monterey , California, Brooklyn

☆ Millions of old Toyota Prius hybrids will be recycled for new EV batteries, thanks to a startup run by Tesla cofounder JB Straubel
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Alistair Barr | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The agreement will mean Redwood can recycle batteries from millions of old Prius hybrids. Redwood Materials, a battery recycling startup run by Tesla cofounder JB Straubel, unveiled a big new agreement with Toyota. The companies expanded an existing pact so Redwood can recycle batteries from older Toyota vehicles. Redwood Materials wouldn't say how much this Toyota deal is worth. AdvertisementDespite this, Thursday's agreement with Redwood Materials suggests that Toyota is actually pretty committed to EVs.

Persons: —, JB Straubel Organizations: Redwood Materials, Toyota, Service, EV, Materials, Redwood, Panasonic Locations: Redwood, North Carolina, California, Nevada

☆ Sacked minister Braverman attacks UK's Sunak as failing and weak
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Alistair Smout | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Summary Braverman says Sunak has betrayed promise to stop migrant boatsSunak's office says actions, not words, countBraverman accuses Sunak of uncertain and weak leadershipLONDON, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Sacked British minister Suella Braverman launched a blistering attack on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Tuesday, accusing him of betraying both her and the country. She also said Sunak broke a series of promises he made to her so she would serve under him as prime minister. A spokesperson for Sunak's Number 10 office said in response: "The prime minister believes in actions not words." Braverman was sacked by Sunak on Monday after an unauthorised newspaper article in which she accused police of double standards at pro-Palestinian protests. Sunak became leader in October last year and re-appointed Braverman as interior minister just days after she was fired by his predecessor for security breaches.

Persons: Braverman, Sunak, Suella Braverman, Rishi Sunak, William James, Muvija, Elizabeth Piper, Kate Holton, Barbara Lewis Organizations: Conservatives, Conservative, European Union, Thomson Locations: Rwanda, Northern Ireland

☆ UK Minister to Sign Trade Pact With Florida Governor DeSantis
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Andrea Shalal and Alistair SmoutWASHINGTON (Reuters) - British Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said she will sign a memorandum of understanding with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Tuesday to boost trade and investment with the fourth largest U.S. state. Badenoch said the Florida deal was Britain's seventh with U.S. states, and Britain was also making progress in talks with the U.S. federal government on a broader trade agreement. Badenoch and DeSantis, a Republican presidential hopeful, will sign the deal in the Port of Jacksonville around midday (1700 GMT) Tuesday. Trade between Britain and Florida is already worth more than 5 billion pounds ($6.14 billion) a year, but could expand under the new memorandum. Together with Florida, they account for a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of 3.3 trillion pounds ($4 trillion).

Persons: Andrea Shalal, Alistair Smout WASHINGTON, Kemi Badenoch, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Badenoch, Katherine Tai, Rishi Sunak, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Biden, DeSantis, Trump, Alistair Smout, Edwina Gibbs, Mark Heinrich Organizations: Business, Trade, Florida Governor, U.S, Reuters, . Trade, British, Britain, Republican, Trump, NASA Kennedy Space Center Locations: Florida, Britain, China, Badenoch, DeSantis, Port of Jacksonville, London, Indiana , North Carolina, South Carolina , Oklahoma , Utah, Washington, Texas , New York , California, Colorado, Illinois

☆ Repairs to arson-damaged Los Angeles freeway expected to take at least 3 weeks
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Steve Gorman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Crew members work in the area, where a fire erupted over the weekend, shutting down a heavily trafficked corridor in Los Angeles, California, U.S., November 13, 2023. REUTERS/Jorge Garcia Acquire Licensing RightsLOS ANGELES, Nov 14 (Reuters) - A Los Angeles freeway section heavily damaged by a weekend fire can be salvaged and reopened after extensive repairs rather than having to be demolished and rebuilt, a project that nevertheless will likely take three to five weeks, officials said on Tuesday. The project was expected to commence immediately and continue around the clock until completed, California Governor Gavin Newsom said. Meanwhile, arson investigators were continuing their work seeking to identify the person or persons responsible for setting the fire, Newsom said. Newsom said the state had leased the site to Apex Development Inc, a company based in Calabasas, north of Los Angeles.

Persons: Jorge Garcia, Gavin Newsom, Karen Bass, Newsom, Daniel Berlant, Steve Gorman, Alistair Bell Organizations: REUTERS, Santa, Fire, Apex Development Inc, Apex, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles , California, U.S, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, California, California's, Calabasas

☆ Airlines predict record Thanksgiving US holiday travel
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Elijah Nouvelage Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Major U.S. airlines and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said Monday they expect record air travel over the Thanksgiving holiday air travel period. Airlines for America says Nov. 26 will be a record-setting air travel day with 3.2 million passengers. The record travel comes despite airline flight cuts to New York airports because of air traffic controller staffing. A government watchdog said in June critical ATC facilities face significant staffing challenges, posing risks to air traffic operations. In the summer of 2022, there were 41,498 flights from New York airports in which ATC staffing was a contributing factor in delays.

Persons: Elijah Nouvelage, David Shepardson, Alistair Bell Organizations: Hartsfield, Jackson Atlanta International Airport, REUTERS, Rights, Major U.S, Transportation Security Administration, Airlines for America, American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, TSA, Federal Aviation Administration, JetBlue Airways, JFK, New York, Thomson Locations: Atlanta , Georgia, U.S, Major, New York, New York City, Burlington , Vermont, New

☆ A simple way to fix search: Bright pink ads
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Alistair Barr | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

One simple solution: Require all Search ads to be bright pink. One simple solution: Require all Search ads to be bright pink. AdvertisementAdvertisementWhen Search ads aren't labeled clearly, consumers don't spot them as much and click more often on the paid listings. 'Defects'Amazon entered the advertising business in a big way, and search ads are one of its most successful offerings. A 'uniform standard for labeling ads'Which brings us back to the simple solution: Search ads should be bright pink.

Persons: —, Mary Engle, Engle, Microsoft's Bing, BILL O'LEARY, Ben Edelman, Edelman, Jeff Bezos, wouldn't, Bing Organizations: Service, Federal Trade Commission, Google, Consumers, Getty, FTC, Microsoft, Amazon Locations: Washington

[1/2] A Tesla electric vehicle is plugged to a charger in a parking lot in Teia, north of Barcelona, Spain, October 31, 2023. High interest rates and a subdued market are putting customers off, they warned, with Volkswagen's EV order intake half what it was last year. Reuters GraphicsFALLING BEHINDCritics have long warned that a lack of affordable EVs would eventually stall the steep sales growth boosted by early adopters and corporate fleets. A weaker performance in September, consumer sentiment surveys and bleak commentary from carmakers and dealers indicates that low growth era may have arrived. "We call it the valley of death, which we will be going through in 2024 to 2027: low residual values, high supply, and low demand," Nothard added.

Persons: Albert Gea, EVs, Thomas Niedermayer, Flavia Garcia, Tom Carvell, Martina, AutoTrader, Garcia, We'll, Critics, Felipe Munoz, Alistair Bedwell, Langston, Ben DuCharme, Philip Nothard, Nothard, Victoria Waldersee, Nick Carey, Giulio Piovaccari, Paul Lienert, Sumanta Sen, Alexander Smith Organizations: REUTERS, Tesla, Volkswagen, Mercedes, Benz, Reuters Graphics Dealers, Toyota, HK, Reuters Graphics, Ford, GM, United Auto Worker, JATO Dynamics, Langston, Cox Automotive, Thomson Locations: Barcelona, Spain, LONDON, Europe, Germany, Italy, Bavarian, Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain, BYD, Nio, U.S, Rome, Detroit

☆ Cameron returns to UK government as foreign secretary, Braverman sacked
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Elizabeth Piper | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

It was the latest reset for a prime minister whose party is badly lagging the Labour Party before an election expected next year. The return of Cameron suggested Sunak wanted to bring in a more centrist, experienced hand rather than appease the right of his party which supported Braverman. It also reawakens divisive debate over Brexit: Cameron held the referendum on European Union membership in 2016 and was hated by many on the right of the party after he campaigned to remain. BREXIT RETURNS[1/5]Britain's former Prime Minister and newly appointed Foreign Secretary David Cameron walks outside 10 Downing Street in London, Britain November 13, 2023. Now, opposition lawmakers said his decision to appoint Cameron was an act of desperation.

Persons: Braverman, Rishi Sunak, David Cameron, Suella Braverman, Cameron, Sunak, BREXIT, Suzanne Plunkett, Theresa May, James, Pat McFadden, Elizabeth Piper, Andrew MacAskill, Alistair Smout, Sachin Ravikumar, Kylie MacLellan, Sarah Young, Kate Holton, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: London, British, Labour Party, European Union, Britain, Conservative Party, REUTERS, Conservative, Conservatives, Labour, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, England, Labour's

Out of the 29 cabinet roles, at least 16 backed remaining in the EU, compared with 10 who supported leaving. Sunak's party still languishes around 20 points behind the opposition Labour Party before an election that must happen by January 2025. But as he was talking, he asked a former cabinet minister to the right of the party for her thoughts. With few Conservatives believing they can win the next election, others might follow her in preparing for a new job. For the Conservatives to stand a chance, they need to change that perception, and it's hard to imagine how bringing David Cameron back does that," he said.

Persons: David Cameron's, Rishi Sunak, Suella Braverman, Sunak, Liz Truss's, Braverman, Cameron, Boris Johnson, Johnson, Dehenna Davison, Keiran, David Cameron, Kylie MacLellan, Elizabeth Piper, Kate Holton, Alex Richardson Organizations: British, European Union, EU, Conservative, Labour Party, Liberal Democrats, Labour, Conservatives, Thomson Locations: England

U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G20 leaders' summit in Bali, Indonesia, November 14, 2022. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 13 (Reuters) - The White House said on Monday President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping will discuss strengthening communication and managing competition when they meet on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit this week. Biden and Xi have known each other for more than a decade and have shared hours of conversation over six interactions since Biden's 2021 inauguration. However, they have met only once in person since then and Xi has not visited the United States since 2017. Sullivan said that at APEC Biden would put forward his economic vision for the region and speak about "how the United States is the preeminent driver of inclusive, sustainable economic growth in the Asia Pacific."

Persons: Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Kevin Lamarque, President Joe Biden, Xi, Jake Sullivan, Biden, Sullivan, Nancy Pelosi, we've, Matt Murray, Steve Holland, Nandita Bose, David Brunnstrom, Alistair Bell Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, President, Economic Cooperation, San Francisco Bay Area, Biden, House, U.S ., United, U.S, APEC, Wednesday, APEC Biden, Thomson Locations: Bali , Indonesia, Asia, San Francisco Bay, U.S, People's Republic of China, United States, Washington, China, Taiwan, San Francisco, Israel, Ukraine, North, Russia, Beijing, Iran, East

☆ Biden, China's Xi Will Discuss Communication, Competition at APEC Summit
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Steve Holland and Nandita BoseWASHINGTON (Reuters) -The White House said on Monday President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping will discuss strengthening communication and managing competition when they meet at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the San Francisco Bay area on Nov. 15. Biden believes there is no substitute for face-to-face diplomacy to manage this complex relationship, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters. That's how we clear up misperceptions and avoid surprises," Sullivan said, adding Biden "comes into this summit on a solid footing." Sullivan also said the U.S. is looking for specific outcomes from the meeting on November 15, he said. (Reporting by Steve Holland and Nandita Bose in Washington; Editing by Chris Reese and Alistair Bell)

Persons: Steve Holland, Nandita Bose WASHINGTON, President Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Biden, Jake Sullivan, Sullivan, Nandita Bose, Chris Reese, Alistair Bell Organizations: President, Economic Cooperation, White House, U.S ., Biden Locations: Asia, San Francisco Bay, U.S, Israel, Ukraine, North, Russia, Taiwan, Washington

☆ UK PM Sunak appoints Victoria Atkins as new health minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, Nov 13 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Monday appointed Victoria Atkins, formerly Financial Secretary to the Treasury, as the new Secretary of State for Health and Social care as part of a reshuffle of his senior team of ministers, his office said. Atkins replaces Steve Barclay, who was moved to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. She will assume oversight of the National Health Service (NHS), Britain's state-funded health system that is under pressure from industrial action by health workers and a growing list of patients waiting for treatment. There are currently around 7.8 million people waiting for NHS treatment, a new record high, compared to about 7 million a year ago. Reporting by Kylie MacLellan and Alistair Smout, Writing by Sachin RavikumarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Rishi Sunak, Victoria Atkins, Atkins, Steve Barclay, Kylie MacLellan, Alistair Smout, Sachin Ravikumar Organizations: British, Monday, Treasury, State, Health, Department for Environment, Food, Rural Affairs, National Health Service, Thomson

Drumnadrochit, Scotland CNN —It’s not the volume of water in Loch Ness that impresses, although that’s substantial. The "surgeon's photographs" of 1934 are the most famous images of the Loch Ness Monster -- although they were later exposed as a hoax. “It’s a really bizarre extended family of Loch Ness enthusiasts,” says McKenna, his love for the project glowing in every word. But, says McKenna, “Loch Ness is so fascinating that it can cause these mirages. Until then, the Loch Ness Exploration group meets monthly on the loch and is free and open to everyone — believers, sceptics and agnostics alike: details are on the public Facebook page.

Persons: Scotland CNN — It’s, ”, Alan McKenna, Jeff J Mitchell, you’ve, you’ll, Loch, it’ll, Hugh Gray, Aldie McKay, Saint Columba, Aleister Crowley’s, Jimmy Page, Adrian Shine, Rasputin, Santa, He’s, McKenna, Steve Feltham, who’s, “, Alistair Matheson, Aldie, We’re, Loch Ness, Russell Cheyne, Matheson, we’ve, Andy Buchanan Organizations: CNN, Scotland CNN, Edinburgh, Getty, Loch, Keystone, “, Reuters, Pacific . Locations: Drumnadrochit, Scotland, Loch Ness, guesthouses, Isle, Skye, Boleskine, Santa Claus, Edinburgh, Loch, ”, Pacific, AFP

☆ Trump backs requests for TV coverage of his federal criminal trial
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Former U.S. President Donald Trump has filed a legal motion backing media requests for live television coverage of his federal trial on charges he conspired to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Trump is facing four criminal proceedings, including the federal court trial set for March in which he faces charges of attempting to defraud the federal government and obstructing Congress by knowingly spreading false claims of election fraud. In his latest filing by his lawyers, John Lauro and Todd Blanche, Trump endorsed requests by media organizations that U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan allow live television coverage of the trial. "Every person in America, and beyond, should have the opportunity to study this case firsthand and watch as, if there is a trial, President Trump exonerates himself of these baseless and politically motivated charges," said the filing. Smith earlier this month opposed the media requests, citing a decades-old federal court rule barring broadcasts of criminal proceedings.

Persons: Donald Trump, Shannon Stapleton, Trump, Joe Biden's, Biden, John Lauro, Todd Blanche, Tanya Chutkan, Trump exonerates, Jack Smith's, Smith, Jonathan Landay, Alistair Bell Organizations: U.S, Trump Organization, Court, REUTERS, Rights, Former U.S, Democratic, Capitol, Thomson Locations: New York, Manhattan, New York City, U.S, Former, America

Senator Joe Manchin, a maverick who has often bucked party leadership in the past two years, said on Thursday that he will not seek re-election, hurting Democrats' chance of defending their thin Senate majority in the 2024 election. The move by the 76-year-old lawmaker will make it very difficult for Democrats to defend his West Virginia seat. "We like our odds in West Virginia," Senator Steve Daines, the head of Republican senators' campaign arm, said in a statement. David Bergstein, a spokesperson for the Senate Democrats' campaign arm, said the party was confident in its chances of strengthening its majority. Manchin has insisted that his only motivation is the coal-producing state of West Virginia and an eye on fiscal responsibility.

Persons: Joe Manchin, Manchin, Republican Donald Trump, Democrat Joe Biden, Steve Daines, Biden, Trump, David Bergstein, Matt Bennett, he's, Bennett, Julia Nikhinson, Jim Justice, Justice, Biden's, Kyrsten Sinema, Roe, Wade, Mitt Romney, Moira Warburton, Jasper Ward, Makini Brice, Richard Cowan, Jason Lange, David Morgan, Scott Malone, Alistair Bell, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Democratic U.S, United States Senate, Republican, Democrat, Democratic Party, White, Reuters, Biden, Democrats, Trump, Senate Democrats, U.S, Congress, REUTERS, SEAT West Virginia's Republican, Democratic, Charleston Gazette, Thomson Locations: West Virginia, Montana and Ohio, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Democratic, Washington , U.S, Washington, America, Jasper

☆ France's Macron urges Israel to stop bombing Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Christophe Ena/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Israel must stop bombing Gaza and killing civilians, French President Emmanuel Macron told the BBC in an interview published late on Friday. Macron said there was "no justification" for the bombing and saying a ceasefire would benefit Israel. He said that France "clearly condemns" the "terrorist" actions of Hamas, but that while recognising Israel's right to protect itself, "we do urge them to stop this bombing" in Gaza. When asked if he wanted other leaders - including in the United Sates and Britain - to join his calls for a ceasefire, Macron said: "I hope they will." So we do urge Israel to stop," he said.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Christophe Ena, Macron, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Silvia Aloisi, Rami Ayyub, Alistair Bell, Diane Craft Organizations: Rights, BBC, United, Thomson Locations: Cairo, Egypt, Israel, Gaza, France, Britain, Paris , New York, Paris

☆ Father of Liverpool soccer star Diaz not leaving Colombia after kidnapping
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"My aspirations are to continue in my town because I have my entire family in my town," Diaz said at a press conference. The kidnapping underscored the lack of control that the ELN's top brass exerts over their rank and file, according to analysts and security sources. Diaz on Friday offered details of his captivity, during which his kidnappers advised him to remain calm, he said. "A lot of quite difficult horseback riding, lots of mountains, rain," Diaz said, recalling "almost 12 days without sleep." The rebel group is accused of financing itself through kidnapping, in addition to drug trafficking, illegal mining and extortion.

Persons: Colombia Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Luis Manuel Diaz, Liverpool, Luis Diaz, Gustavo Petro, Diaz, Antonio Garcia, Luis Jaime Acosta, Alistair Bell Organizations: United, Colombia's National Liberation Army, National Liberation Army, European Union, Thomson Locations: Colombia, Valledupar, BOGOTA, Liverpool, Barrancas, La Guajira, United States

"I stressed that companies must not provide material support to Russia's defense industrial sector and that they will face significant consequences if they do," Yellen told reporters at a news conference in San Francisco. "We are determined to do all that we can to stem this flow of material that aids Russia in conducting this brutal and illegal war," Yellen said, warning that any companies aiding Moscow's war effort could face sanctions. "We would like to see China crack down on this, especially when we're able to provide information," she said. Yellen stressed the Chinese firms in question were private and said she was not suggesting that this was occurring with knowledge of the Chinese government. Reporting by David Lawder and Ann Saphir, writing by Andrea Shalal and Alistair BellOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Janet Yellen, Lifeng, Carlos Barria, Yellen, David Lawder, Ann Saphir, Andrea Shalal, Alistair Bell Organizations: . Treasury, APEC, Economic Cooperation, REUTERS, FRANCISCO, Ukraine, Thomson Locations: U.S, Asia, San Francisco , California, China, Moscow, San Francisco, Russia

☆ LME appoints new technology manager to strengthen expertise for flagship project
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Traders work on the floor of the London Metal Exchange, in London, Britain September 27, 2018. The LME is the world's largest and oldest forum for metals. Its three-year-long flagship project to overhaul its electronic trading system faces up to a year of further delays and mounting costs, four people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters in October. From Jan. 15, Baldwin will join the LME, succeeding Mario Quonils who has decided to relocate back to Germany, the LME, owned by Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (0388.HK), said in a statement. "Alistair's knowledge and expertise in running in-house technology platforms will prove invaluable in this regard," he added.

Persons: Simon Dawson, Alistair Baldwin, Baldwin, Mario Quonils, Alistair, Richard Leung, Polina Devitt, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: London Metal Exchange, REUTERS, Companies Hong Kong Exchanges, NatWest Markets, Reuters, Hong Kong Exchanges, HK, HKEX Group, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Germany

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