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☆ North Korea's closure of Africa embassies a sign of economic hardships - South's ministry
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Hyonhee Shin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The North Korean flag flutters at the North Korea consular office in Dandong, Liaoning province, China April 20, 2021. Both Angola and Uganda have forged friendly ties with North Korea since the 1970s, maintaining military cooperation and providing rare sources of foreign currency such as statue-building projects. Seoul's unification ministry, which handles inter-Korean affairs, said the pullout reflected the impact of international sanctions aimed at curbing funding for the North's nuclear and missile programs. "This can be a sign of North Korea's difficult economic situation, where it is difficult to maintain even minimal diplomatic relations with traditionally friendly countries." Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper reported last week, citing unnamed sources, that North Korea was planning to shut down at least 10 diplomatic missions, including a consulate in Hong Kong, largely because of economic difficulties.

Persons: Tingshu Wang, Hyonhee Shin, Hyunsu Yim, Gerry Doyle Organizations: North, REUTERS, Rights, Yomiuri Shimbun, Thomson Locations: North Korea, Dandong, Liaoning province, China, Rights SEOUL, Angola, Uganda, Korea, Hong Kong

Russian forces have geared up for fresh attacks in different sections of the front and are suffering heavy losses. The Black Sea has become a crucial theatre in the war. "When we ensure even more security to the Black Sea, Russia will lose any ability to dominate in this area and expand its malign influence to other countries," Zelenskiy said. The full extent of the damage that Ukraine has done in recent months to the Russian Black Sea Fleet remains unclear. "Ukraine's success in the battle for the Black Sea will go down in history books, although it's not being discussed much today," Zelenskiy said.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Zelenskiy, Vladimir Putin, it's, Vitaliy Barabash, Barabash, Ron Popeski, Maria Starkova, Lidia Kelly, Stephen Coates, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Russian Navy, unwaveringly, Russia, Russian, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LVIV, Ukraine's, Ukraine, Russia, Sevastopol, East, Europe, Russian, Avdiivka, Bakhmut

☆ Jones' exit is the 'sensible' outcome: Australia boss
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MELBOURNE, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Eddie Jones' resignation as Wallabies coach was the "sensible outcome" in the wake of the nation's disappointing World Cup run, Rugby Australia boss Phil Waugh said on Tuesday. Jones revealed over the weekend he had agreed to terms with Rugby Australia (RA) regarding his exit, less than one year into a contract spanning the 2027 World Cup on home soil. "Eddie's put a lot into 2023 and into the (World Cup) campaign and the performances weren’t where they need to be," he continued. Waugh said that he took Jones at his word and that the reports had not been a factor in his exit. The team has the British and Irish Lions tour in 2025 and the 2027 World Cup on home soil.

Persons: Eddie Jones, Phil Waugh, Jones, Waugh, Eddie's, we’re, I've, Ian Ransom, Gerry Doyle Organizations: MELBOURNE, Wallabies, Rugby Australia, Nine Network, British, Irish Lions, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, England, France, Japan, Melbourne

☆ Inzamam steps down as Pakistan chief selector after conflict of interest allegations
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 31 (Reuters) - Former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has stepped down as Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) chief selector on Sunday after allegations of a conflict of interest. "I am stepping down from the post to offer the PCB the opportunity to conduct a transparent inquiry," Inzamam said in a statement released by the board. "If the committee finds me not guilty, I will resume my role as the chief selector." The PCB said it had set up a five-member fact-finding committee to look into the allegations. The allegations surfaced in the middle of Pakistan's struggling World Cup campaign, where they sit seventh in the points table after four successive defeats.

Persons: Inzamam, Haq, Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Chiranjit, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Pakistan Cricket Board's, Yazoo International Ltd, Saya Corporation, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru

☆ North Korea closes multiple embassies around the world
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Hyonhee Shin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The North Korean flag flutters at the North Korea consular office in Dandong, Liaoning province, China April 20, 2021. Both Angola and Uganda have forged friendly ties with North Korea since the 1970s, maintaining military cooperation and providing rare sources of foreign currency such as statue-building projects. "This can be a sign of North Korea's difficult economic situation, where it is difficult to maintain even minimal diplomatic relations with traditionally friendly countries." North Korea has formal relations with 159 countries, but had 53 diplomatic missions overseas, including three consulates and three representative offices, until it pulled out of Angola and Uganda, according to the ministry. Correspondence with the Spanish Communist Party released on the party's website showed the North Korean embassy announcing the closing in a letter dated Oct. 26.

Persons: Tingshu Wang, KCNA, Chad O'Carroll, Kim Jong, Hyonhee Shin, Hyunsu Yim, hyang Choi, Josh Smith, Gerry Doyle, Ed Davies Organizations: North, REUTERS, Rights, NK Pro, Spanish Communist Party, North Korean, Thomson Locations: North Korea, Dandong, Liaoning province, China, Rights SEOUL, Spain, Hong Kong, Africa, Korean, Angola, Uganda, Korea, Italy, Madrid, Pyongyang, United States

☆ Russia's Shoigu accuses West of seeking to expand Ukraine war to Asia-Pacific
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING, Oct 30 (Reuters) - Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said the West wants to expand the conflict in the Ukraine to the Asia-Pacific region, Russian state media reported, citing comments made at a Beijing defence forum on Monday. Shoigu said NATO countries were promoting an arms race in the region, increasing their military presence and the frequency and scale of military drills there. U.S. forces will use information exchanges with Tokyo and Seoul on missile launches to deter Russia and China, Shoigu said. "We are only seeking to restore parity with the United States, who have not ratified this treaty," Russia's RIA news agency quoted Shoigu as saying. Shoigu said that Moscow was ready for talks on the post-conflict settlement of the Ukraine crisis on further 'co-existence' with the West, but that Western countries needed to stop seeking Russia's strategic defeat.

Persons: Sergei Shoigu, Shoigu, Russia's, Lidia Kelly, Liz Lee, Laurie Chen, Olzhas, Christopher Cushing, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Russian Defence, Xiangshan, NATO, Russia's TASS, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, United Nations Security, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Ukraine, Asia, Pacific, Beijing, U.S, Tokyo, Seoul, Russia, China, United States, Moscow, Sydney, Almaty

☆ Australia says EU trade deal is likely years away after rejecting terms
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The two sides have been negotiating since 2018, with Australia eager to boost agricultural exports by removing EU tariffs and expanding quotas, and Europe likely to gain greater access to Australia's critical minerals industry. "I came to Osaka with the intention to finalise a free trade agreement," Farrell said in a statement. "Negotiations will continue, and I am hopeful that one day we will sign a deal that benefits both Australia and our European friends." Watt said it would be some time before the Australian government and EU leadership would be able to negotiate a deal because of upcoming elections in EU. The EU signed a trade deal with New Zealand last year that lowered tariffs for EU exports including clothing, chemicals and cars, and allowed more New Zealand beef lamb, butter and cheese into the EU.

Persons: Don Farrell, Valdis Dombrovskis, Farrell, Murray Watt, Watt, David Jochinke, Peter Hobson, Gerry Doyle Organizations: CANBERRA, EU, Australian Trade, Australia, ABC Radio, New Zealand, Farmers ' Federation, Thomson Locations: Australia, Europe, Osaka, EU, Australian, New Zealand, Canada, South America, Zealand

☆ China and Russia take aim at US at Chinese military forum
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Yew Lun Tian | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

BEIJING, Oct 30 (Reuters) - Chinese and Russian military chiefs targeted the United States for criticism at a security forum in Beijing on Monday, even as China's second-most-senior military commander vowed to boost defence ties with Washington. Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu warned the West that its involvement in the Ukraine war created grave danger. China's defence minister delivered the keynote speech in previous years. China and the U.S. have had no high-level military-to-military communications since the Washington-sanctioned former Chinese defence minister, Li Shangfu, was appointed in March. It is not yet known whether the U.S. team will meet separately with Chinese military officials.

Persons: Sergei Shoigu, Shoigu, Zhang Youxia, Xi Jinping, Zhang, Li Shangfu, Li, Cynthia Xanthi, Joe Biden, Wang Yi, Biden, Yew Lun Tian, Lidia Kelly, Laurie Chen, Greg Torode, Gerry Doyle, Tom Hogue Organizations: Washington, Beijing Xiangshan, Russia's, TASS, China's, Military Commission, Communist, U.S, Reuters, Defense, U.S ., Thomson Locations: BEIJING, United States, Beijing, Ukraine, Russia, China, Taiwan, South China, Washington, U.S, Cynthia Xanthi Carras, Singapore, Laos, Mongolia, Belarus, East Timor, Myanmar, Sydney

People stand outside a convention centre where multiple blasts occurred during a religious gathering in Kochi, India, October 29, 2023. Preliminary investigation showed that an improvised explosive device was used, Kerala Director General of Police Shaik Darvesh Saheb told reporters earlier. Police were appointing a special investigations team, Saheb told reporters, adding that strict action would be taken against those involved. "The explosions occurred seconds after the end of a prayer as part of the day's event. Seconds later, two more explosions rocked simultaneously on either sides of the hall," TA Sreekumar, regional spokesperson for the Jehovah's Witnesses told mathrubhumi.com.

Persons: Umesh, Veena George, Police Shaik Darvesh Saheb, Saheb, Pinarayi Vijayan, mathrubhumi.com, Swati Bhat, Gerry Doyle, Bernadette Baum Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Asianet News, Reuters, Police, Local, National Security Guard, TA, Thomson Locations: Kochi, India, Rights KOCHI, Kerala, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Kalamassery, United States

☆ Judge Reinstates Gag Order in Trump Federal Election Case
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A federal judge on Sunday reinstated a gag order she imposed on Donald Trump in the Washington case accusing him of trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat, denying his bid for a stay pending appeal. The order prohibited Trump from targeting the special counsel prosecuting his case or witnesses who might be called to testify about his efforts to upend his election loss. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan imposed the gag order at the Justice Department's request. A copy of the judge's written decision reinstating the gag order was not immediately available. Trump in the past has called Special Counsel Jack Smith a "deranged lunatic" and a "thug," among other insults.

Persons: Donald Trump, Tanya Chutkan, Department's, Trump, Jack Smith, Democrat Joe Biden, Brad Heath, Dan Whitcomb, Michelle Nichols, Diane Craft, Gerry Doyle Organizations: WASHINGTON, Trump, U.S, Biden Administration, New, Democrat Locations: Washington, New York

KOCHI, India, Oct 29 (Reuters) - At least one person was killed and several were injured in a series of explosions at a convention centre in the southern Indian state of Kerala on Sunday where a Christian group was holding a prayer meeting. The incident took place during a Jehovah's Witnesses convention at the centre in Kalamassery, about 10 kilometres (6.21 miles) northeast of Kochi. P. Rajeev, Kerala's industry minister, told reporters that he cause of the explosion could not be immediately determined. Local newspaper Mathrubhumi said at least three explosions occurred inside the convention hall, with more than 23 people injured. Seconds later, two more explosions rocked simultaneously on either sides of the hall," TA Sreekumar, regional spokesperson for the Jehovah's Witnesses told mathrubhumi.com.

Persons: Pinarayi Vijayan, Rajeev, Jehovah's, Mathrubhumi, Veena George, mathrubhumi.com, Swati Bhat, Gerry Doyle Organizations: TA, Thomson Locations: KOCHI, India, Kerala, Kalamassery, Kochi, United States

☆ One Killed, Several Injured in Explosions in India's Southern State
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Jose Devasia and Maria PonnezhathKOCHI, India (Reuters) -At least one person was killed and several were injured in a series of explosions at a convention centre in the southern Indian state of Kerala on Sunday where a Christian group was holding a prayer meeting. The incident took place during a Jehovah's Witnesses convention at the centre in Kalamassery, about 10 kilometres (6.21 miles) northeast of Kochi. P. Rajeev, Kerala's industry minister, told reporters that he cause of the explosion could not be immediately determined. Local newspaper Mathrubhumi said at least three explosions occurred inside the convention hall, with more than 23 people injured. Seconds later, two more explosions rocked simultaneously on either sides of the hall," TA Sreekumar, regional spokesperson for the Jehovah's Witnesses told mathrubhumi.com.

Persons: Jose Devasia, Maria Ponnezhath, Pinarayi Vijayan, Rajeev, Jehovah's, Mathrubhumi, Veena George, mathrubhumi.com, Swati Bhat, Gerry Doyle Organizations: TA Locations: Maria Ponnezhath KOCHI, India, Kerala, Kalamassery, Kochi, United States

☆ Russia's Shoigu Accuses West of Seeking to Expand Ukraine War to Asia-Pacific
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING (Reuters) - Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said the West wants to expand the conflict in the Ukraine to the Asia-Pacific region, Russian state media reported, citing comments made at a Beijing defence forum on Monday. Speaking at the Xiangshan Forum, China's biggest military diplomacy event, Shoigu said NATO is covering up a build-up of forces in the Asia-Pacific region with an "ostentatious desire for dialogue", Russia's TASS news agency reported. Shoigu said NATO countries were promoting an arms race in the region and increasing their military presence and increasing the frequency and scale of military drills there. U.S. forces will use information exchanges with Tokyo and Seoul on missile launches to deter Russia and China, Shoigu said. (Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Sydney; Writing by Liz Lee and Laurie Chen in Beijing; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Gerry Doyle)

Persons: Sergei Shoigu, Shoigu, Russia's, Lidia Kelly, Liz Lee, Laurie Chen, Christopher Cushing, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Russian Defence, Xiangshan, NATO, Russia's TASS Locations: BEIJING, Ukraine, Asia, Pacific, Beijing, U.S, Tokyo, Seoul, Russia, China, Sydney

☆ China's youngest-ever crew of astronauts heads to space station
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Ryan Woo | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

China... Acquire Licensing Rights Read moreBEIJING, Oct 26 (Reuters) - The youngest-ever crew of Chinese astronauts departed for China's space station on Thursday, paving the way for a new generation of "taikonauts" to advance the country's space ambitions in the future. Leading the six-month mission was former air force pilot Tang Hongbo, 48, who was on the first crewed mission to the space station in 2021. By contrast, his fellow Shenzhou-17 crew members Tang Shengjie, 33, and Jiang Xinlin, 35, both travelling to space for the first time, joined China's third batch of astronauts in September 2020. The Shenzhou-17 astronauts will replace the Shenzhou-16 crew, who arrived at Tiangong at the end of May. Shenzhou-17 marks China's 12th crewed mission since Yang Liwei's solo spaceflight in October 2003, the first Chinese national in space.

Persons: Tang Hongbo, Tang Shengjie, Jiang Xinlin, Tang, Tiangong, Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu, Gui Haichao, Zhu, Gui, Yang Liwei's, Ryan Woo, Tom Hogue, Gerry Doyle Organizations: taikonauts, People's Liberation Army, NASA, Space, U.S, Thomson Locations: Jiuquan, Gansu province, China, BEIJING, Hong Kong, Macau, Tiangong

Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 26 (Reuters) - The 2023 World Series will pit two gritty wild-card teams that have proved deadly on the road against each other when the Texas Rangers play host to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Game One on Friday. The Rangers, who are seeking their first World Series championship, started the playoffs red hot, hammering the Tampa Bay Rays in two road games and emerging victorious from the wild card round. They followed that up by sweeping the 101-win Baltimore Orioles in the Division Series before overcoming the Astros in Game Seven of the ALCS to capture the franchise's third pennant. Rangers manager Bruce Bochy will send ace Nathan Eovaldi to the mound for Game One. The Cuban slugger drove in a postseason series record 15 RBI thanks to a Game Six grand slam and two Game Seven homers to walk away with NLCS MVP honors.

Persons: Nathan Eovaldi, Troy, Bruce Bochy, righty Zac Gallen, Corbin Carroll, Ketel Marte, Adolis Garcia, Bochy, Rory Carroll, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Texas Rangers, Arizona Diamondbacks, Rangers, Houston Astros, American League, The Rangers, Tampa Bay Rays, Baltimore Orioles, Astros, Diamondbacks, Major League Baseball's, Dodgers, NL, Brewers, Philadelphia Phillies, Bank, The Diamondbacks, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, Thomson Locations: Houston , Texas, USA, Troy Taormina, Milwaukee, Los Angeles, Arizona, Cuban

☆ Oil dips after U.S. stockpiles climb, Middle East tensions in focus
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Jeslyn Lerh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A sticker reads crude oil on the side of a storage tank in the Permian Basin in Mentone, Loving County, Texas, U.S. November 22, 2019. Investors were also digesting a rise in U.S. crude inventories, indicative of weak demand. Macroeconomic concerns continued to weigh on the outlook for oil demand, as euro zone business activity data took a surprise downturn this month. The dollar index was also up slightly on Thursday, which helps pressure oil prices. A stronger dollar dampens oil demand as it makes the commodity more expensive for those holding other currencies.

Persons: Angus Mordant, Brent, Tina Teng, Jeslyn Lerh, Gerry Doyle, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, West Texas, Wall Street Journal, Hamas, CMC, Investors, Energy Information Administration, Citi, Thomson Locations: Mentone, Loving County , Texas, U.S, Israel, SINGAPORE, Gaza

☆ China's Youngest-Ever Crew of Astronauts Heads to Space Station
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Ryan WooBEIJING (Reuters) -The youngest-ever crew of Chinese astronauts departed for China's space station on Thursday, paving the way for a new generation of "taikonauts" to advance the country's space ambitions in the future. Leading the six-month mission was former air force pilot Tang Hongbo, 48, who was on the first crewed mission to the space station in 2021. Tang, from China's second batch of astronauts in 2010, had to wait more than a decade before he was picked for his inaugural spaceflight in 2021. By contrast, his fellow Shenzhou-17 crew members Tang Shengjie, 33, and Jiang Xinlin, 35, both travelling to space for the first time, joined China's third batch of astronauts in September 2020. China has already kickstarted the selection process for the fourth batch of astronauts, seeking candidates with doctoral degrees in disciplines from biology, physics and chemistry to biomedical engineering and astronomy.

Persons: Ryan Woo BEIJING, Tang Hongbo, Tang, Tang Shengjie, Jiang Xinlin, Ryan Woo, Tom Hogue, Gerry Doyle Organizations: taikonauts, People's Liberation Army Locations: China, Hong Kong, Macau

☆ China chases US and Russia guided-missile submarine capabilities with new vessels
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Greg Torode | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The Pentagon report, published Oct. 20, marks the first apparent confirmation that modified submarines seen in Chinese shipyards over the last 18 months are Type 093B guided missile submarines. The confirmation comes amid an intensifying submarine arms race as China constructs a new generation of nuclear-armed boats as part of its evolving deterrent force. Singapore-based security scholar Collin Koh said the SSGNs were an important new capability for the Chinese navy. Naval War College in May noted that the PLA was close to breakthroughs in making its nuclear-powered submarines far quieter and more difficult for the U.S. and its allies to track. "But we know the submarine force is a priority for Xi Jinping, and this is one more sign they are getting there."

Persons: Jason Lee, Collin Koh, Koh, Xi Jinping, Greg Torode, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Liberation Army Navy, REUTERS, Pentagon, Reuters, U.S . Navy, Cruise, Libyan, PLA, Rajaratnam, of International Studies . Research, U.S . Naval, College, U.S, Thomson Locations: Qingdao, China, HONG KONG, U.S, Huludao, Soviet Union, Florida, Singapore, Asian

☆ China's defence ministry blasts Pentagon's annual report
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Bernard Orr | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The flags of the United States and China fly from a lamppost in the Chinatown neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., November 1, 2021. REUTERS/Brian Snyder Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Oct 25 (Reuters) - China's defence ministry on Wednesday denounced the U.S. Defense Department's annual report on China, saying it distorts the country's security policy and military strategy. "The so-called report on China's military power released by the United States is full of all kinds of wrong content, including the statement on the Taiwan issue," a spokesperson for China's Taiwan Affairs Office said at a media briefing on Wednesday. But he added the difficulties and obstacles facing relations between the two militaries are created by the United States. The United States accepted China's invitation after China turned down a meeting a few months ago between the two countries' defence chiefs.

Persons: Brian Snyder, Wu Qian, Wu, Defence Ministry's Wu, Bernard Orr, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S . Defense, Pentagon, Congress, Defence Ministry, Taiwan Affairs, Defence, United, Thomson Locations: United States, China, Chinatown, Boston , Massachusetts, U.S, Rights BEIJING, People's Republic of China, South, Taiwan, United, Beijing

☆ Thailand aims swapping Chinese sub with frigate after troubled deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BANGKOK, Oct 24 (Reuters) - The Thai government may buy a frigate instead of a submarine from China after the Chinese manufacturer was unable to include a German engine as specified in the original deal, Thailand's defence minister has said. China has proposed replacing the German engines with Chinese-made equipment several rounds of negotiations did not yield a conclusive result. "We have proposed to China and they are considering it," defence minister Sutin Klungsang told a local media outlet on Tuesday. The defence minister said last week that procurement of submarine would be shelved for now and resume "when the country is ready". The Chinese submarine deal has attracted public criticism of the previous government, with the opposition and critics raising questions about whether was in the public interest, and whether submarines were necessary for security.

Persons: Srettha Thavisin's, Sutin Klungsang, Sutin, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Panu, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Thomson Locations: BANGKOK, Thai, China, Thailand, Germany, Beijing

☆ Australia, U.S. Leaders to Discuss Pacific Infrastructure, Critical Minerals
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Kirsty NeedhamSYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia and the United States will announce plans to cooperate on critical minerals and bolster Pacific Islands infrastructure as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visits Washington this week, a senior Biden administration official said. The two leaders will flesh out details of further cyber security cooperation, in addition to a $5 billion Microsoft investment in Australia, the Biden administration official said. The minerals that will power the globe in the 21st century are things that Australia has significant amounts of," he told reporters in Washington on Monday. Albanese and Biden will also discuss the South China Sea, where tensions between China and the Philippines are rising. The partnership aims to sell Australia nuclear-powered submarines and build a new class of submarine in Australia by 2040.

Persons: Kirsty Needham SYDNEY, Anthony Albanese, Albanese's, Biden, Albanese, Kirsty Needham, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Biden, U.S, U.S . Department of Defense, USAID, Australia, U.S . Congress Locations: Australia, United, Pacific, Washington, United States, U.S, China, Papua New Guinea, Solomon, Philippines, Britain

☆ Microsoft to spend $3.2b in Australia as AI regulation looms
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Byron Kaye | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SYDNEY, Oct 24 (Reuters) - Microsoft (MSFT.O) said it will spend A$5 billion ($3.2 billion) expanding its artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing abilities in Australia over two years as part of a wide-ranging effort that includes skills training and cyber security. The U.S. tech giant said it would raise its computing capacity in Australia by 250%, enabling the world's No. "This is a major investment in the skills and workers of the future," Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement issued by Microsoft. A view shows a Microsoft logo at Microsoft offices in Issy-les-Moulineaux near Paris, France, January 25, 2023. It said it would expand its data centre footprint in Australia from 20 sites to 29.

Persons: OpenAI, Anthony Albanese, Gonzalo Fuentes, Brad Smith, Steven Worrall, Byron Kaye, Gerry Doyle Organizations: SYDNEY, Microsoft, Australian Signals Directorate, REUTERS, Australia, Thomson Locations: Australia, U.S, Issy, Paris, France

☆ South Korea Detains Boat Carrying Suspected North Korean Defectors
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korean authorities on Tuesday detained a North Korean boat carrying people believed to be seeking to defect from the isolated country, the military said. Most North Korean escapees make their way through China and Southeast Asia, rather than attempting to cross the heavily guarded border between North and South Korea. In 2019, South Korea deported two North Korean fishermen suspected of murdering 16 shipmates aboard their vessel while crossing the sea border. This month, South Korea said it had protested to China over the suspected forced repatriation of a large number of North Koreans, who rights groups say face imprisonment and abuse at the hands of North Korean authorities. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said at the time there were no "so-called defectors" in China, when asked about a report Beijing had deported about 600 North Korean defectors.

Persons: Soo, hyang Choi, Hyonhee, Ed Davies, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Joint Chiefs, Staff, Koreans Locations: SEOUL, North Korean, South, Sokcho, North Koreans, China, Southeast Asia, North, South Korea, Beijing

A person puts gas in a vehicle at a gas station in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., August 11, 2022. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSINGAPORE, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Oil prices extended gains on Friday and were on track for a second week of increases on heightened fears that the Israel-Gaza conflict may spread in the Middle East and disrupt supplies from one of the world's top-producing regions. Both contracts are on track to post a second weekly gain as an explosion at a Gaza hospital this week and the anticipated ground invasion by Israeli troops heightened fears of the conflict spreading in the Middle East. "The prospect of more Venezuela oil did little to ease concerns of disruptions in the Middle East," analysts at ANZ Research said in a note to clients on Friday. Reporting by Florence Tan and Sudarshan Varadhan; Editing by Gerry Doyle and Shri NavaratnamOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Tony Sycamore, Yoav Gallant, Sycamore, Florence Tan, Sudarshan, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Brent, . West Texas, Israel Defence Forces, Israeli, U.S, Pentagon, Strategic Petroleum Reserve, U.S . Department of Energy, Reuters, ANZ Research, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York City, U.S, Rights SINGAPORE, Israel, Gaza, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Russia, United States, Washington, Venezuela, OPEC

☆ UBS overhauls board of domestic business after Credit Suisse takeover
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Logos of Swiss banks Credit Suisse and UBS are seen before a news conference in Zurich Switzerland, August 30, 2023. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsZURICH, Oct 20 (Reuters) - UBS (UBSG.S) on Friday said it will overhaul the board of its domestic Swiss business after its takeover of Credit Suisse, including a new chairman to oversee both operations. The lender said Roger von Mentlen will become chairman of the boards of directors of UBS Switzerland and of Credit Suisse Switzerland. He will replace Markus Ronner, who was chairman of UBS Switzerland since 2022, and Peter Derendinger, who served as chairman of the board of directors of Credit Suisse (Schweiz) AG since March 2019. He has been a member of the board of directors of UBS Switzerland AG since 2020.

Persons: Denis Balibouse, Roger von Mentlen, Markus Ronner, Peter Derendinger, Von Mentlen, Sergio Ermotti, Roger, John Revill, Friederike Heine, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Credit Suisse, UBS, REUTERS, Rights, Swiss, UBS Switzerland, Credit Suisse Switzerland, AG, Credit, UBS Switzerland AG, ”, Thomson Locations: Zurich Switzerland, UBS Switzerland, Schweiz, Swiss, Switzerland

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