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☆ More than 100,000 refugees arrive in Armenia as exodus swells
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh region sit in a bus upon their arrival in the border village of Kornidzor, Armenia, September 29, 2023. "Many are hungry, exhausted and need immediate assistance," Filippo Grandi, head of the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR, said on social media late on Friday. Italy said Armenia had asked the European Union for temporary shelters and medical supplies to help it deal with the refugees. "This exodus is already unbearable physically because we have already spent 16 hours on this road... Reporting by Emma Farge, Angelo Amante and Nailia Bagirova; Writing by Giles Elgood; Editing by Christina FincherOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Irakli, Filippo Grandi, Siranush Sargsyan, Sargsyan, Emma Farge, Angelo Amante, Giles Elgood, Christina Fincher Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, UNHCR, European Union, Armenia, Thomson Locations: Nagorno, Karabakh, Kornidzor, Armenia, Italy, Azerbaijan, Republic of Artsakh, Soviet Union, Artsakh, Kalbajar

☆ China says US is the true 'empire of lies'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Mark Schiefelbein/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Sept 30 (Reuters) - The United States is the true "empire of lies", the Chinese foreign ministry said on Saturday, lashing out at a U.S. State Department report that accused Beijing of ploughing billions of dollars annually into information manipulation efforts. China is manipulating global media through censorship, data harvesting and covert purchases of foreign news outlets, the U.S. State Department said in the report on Thursday. The report has disregarded facts, and is itself false information, the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement. "Facts have repeatedly proven that the United States is the true 'empire of lies'," it added. Beijing is seeking to combat the negative images of China it feels are propagated by global media.

Persons: Janet Yellen, Mark Schiefelbein, Ryan Woo, Giles Elgood Organizations: Rights, . State Department, U.S . State Department, Thomson Locations: United States, Diaoyutai, Beijing, China, Rights BEIJING, U.S

☆ Kosovo Demands Serbia Withdraw Troops From Border
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

PRISTINA (Reuters) - Kosovo on Saturday demanded that Serbia withdraw its troops from their common border, saying it was ready to protect its territorial integrity. "We call on President Vucic and the institutions of Serbia to immediately withdraw all troops from the border with Kosovo," the Kosovo government said in a statement. "The deployment of Serbian troops along the border with Kosovo is the next step by Serbia to threaten the territorial integrity of our country." On Friday the United States said it was monitoring a troubling Serbian military deployment along the Kosovo border that is destabilizing the area. "Kosovo, in coordination with international partners, is more determined than ever to protect its territorial integrity," the Pristina government said.

Persons: Vucic, Aleksandar Vucic, Fatos Bytyci, Giles Elgood Organizations: Saturday, Kosovo police, Financial Times, European Union, USA, NATO Locations: PRISTINA, Kosovo, Serbia, Banjska, Serbian, NATO, States, Pristina, Republic of Kosovo

☆ Kosovo demands Serbia withdraw troops from border
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Kosovo police officers patrol, in the aftermath of a shooting incident, in Banjska village, Kosovo September 27, 2023. REUTERS/Ognen Teofilovski/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsPRISTINA, Sept 30 (Reuters) - Kosovo on Saturday demanded that Serbia withdraw its troops from their common border, saying it was ready to protect its territorial integrity. "We call on President Vucic and the institutions of Serbia to immediately withdraw all troops from the border with Kosovo," the Kosovo government said in a statement. "The deployment of Serbian troops along the border with Kosovo is the next step by Serbia to threaten the territorial integrity of our country." On Friday the United States said it was monitoring a troubling Serbian military deployment along the Kosovo border that is destabilizing the area.

Persons: Ognen, Vucic, Aleksandar Vucic, Fatos Bytyci, Giles Elgood Organizations: Kosovo, REUTERS, Rights, Saturday, Kosovo police, Financial Times, European Union, USA, NATO, Thomson Locations: Banjska village, Kosovo, Rights PRISTINA, Serbia, Banjska, Serbian, NATO, States, Pristina, Republic of Kosovo

☆ Opinion: The 2,000-year-old advice for coping in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( Richard Galant | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +21 min

We’re looking back at the strongest, smartest opinion takes of the week from CNN and other outlets. A surprising number claimed to think about the ancient empire as often as ‘every day’ or least every week or two. It became a meme (are you even in a relationship if she hasn’t asked you about the Roman Empire? They marvel at their absolute dominion, their mastery of every strand of civilisation — and then how that power suddenly slipped away. Biden on Wednesday took steps to speed up the ability of Venezuelans in the US to obtain work permits.

Persons: CNN —, ”, Lucius Annaeus Seneca, Seneca, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Bobby McFerrin’s musing, David M, Perry, hasn’t, Jo Ellison, —, Marcus Aurelius, that’s, David Perry, “ There’s, ” Perry, Paula M, Krebs, “, Donald Trump’s, Ron DeSantis, Trump, …, ’, ” Cupp, Roe, Wade, Cupp, he’s, Dean Obeidallah, Trump’s, Patrick T, Brown, Bill Bramhall, Content Agency Rupert Murdoch, Rupert Murdoch, Lachlan Murdoch, David Zurawik, Rupert, Murdoch, Roger Ailes, Richard Nixon, ” Murdoch “, Walt Handelsman, Kevin McCarthy, Max Burns, Donald Trump, today’s MAGA, ” Clay Jones, Chuck Schumer, Elena Sheppard, Sen, John Fetterman, baring, Fetterman, Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Putin, Kim Yo Jong, Sung, Yoon Lee, “ Kim Yo Jong, Kim, Kim Jong, ” “, Hunter Biden isn’t, Alexis Coe, George Washington’s, James Madison, Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, George H.W, Bush, Hunter, … Hunter, Joe Biden, Biden, Peter Bergen, Mike Pence, … Biden, Bergen, ” Lisa Benson, Martin Sheen, Melissa Fitzgerald, Gurney, John F, Melissa, Andy, Michael Bociurkiw, ” Bociurkiw, Volodymyr Zelensky “, Zelensky, Lanhee J, Chen, ” Chen, Keir Giles, It’ll, Jennifer Wexton, Barbara Comstock, Alex Brandon, Jill Filipovic, Democrat “, ” Wexteon “, Eric Adams, Julian Zelizer . Biden, ” Don’t, David Horsey, Agency Frida Ghitis, Agatha Christie, China Adam H, Sobel, Holly Thomas, Russell Brand, Akanksha, Dan Perry, Gilead, Netanyahu government’s, Gene Seymour, Jann, Reggie B, Maren Morris, Matt Winkelmeyer, ” Maren Morris, Nicole Hemmer, Morris ’, Morris, Jason Aldean’s “, Oliver Anthony’s “ Rich, Richmond ”, “ Rich, ” Hemmer, Anthony himself, ‘, Hemmer Organizations: CNN, Financial Times, West Virginia University, Modern Language Association, WVU, West Virginia, Republican, Press, Florida Gov, White, Content Agency, Content Agency Rupert Murdoch Media, Fox News, Capitol, Agency, Democratic, fied Republican Party, Republican Party, Justice Department, Qatari, Amnesty International, Kennedy Center, UN, Assembly, CBS, Ukraine’s, Republicans, Democrat, Progressive Supra, GOP, Walton, Mobile, North, Richmond Locations: Rome, Ukraine, TikTok, Roman, Roman Republic, Washington, ”, Korean, North Korea, Iran, Qatar, Russia, Moscow, Kyiv, Dulles , Virginia, Virginia, New York City, United States, China, Las Vegas , Nevada

☆ The way I'm thinking about stocks makes them winners no matter what the Fed or bonds do
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( Jim Cramer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +14 min

After the September meeting pause last week, the target range for the fed funds rate remained at 5.25% to 5.50%. First, I don't know a soul besides me who agrees with that 20-year versus fed funds rate yield prognosis. They think the fed funds rate will come down or the 20-year yield is already extended. Second, I don't know anyone else who believes the economy is so strong that the Fed is correct to keep on an anti-inflation course. I don't think so.

Persons: We've, Jerome Powell, Powell, It's, —, that's, — let's, it's, Bob Iger, Charlie Scharf, there's, Einstein, Salesforce, Elliott, Bill Newlands, Constellation, William Giles, Giles, Bud, Tom Jorden, Coterra, Jim Cramer's, Jim Cramer, Jim, Angela Weiss Organizations: Federal Reserve, Fed, Treasury, Apple, Club, Disney, Hulu, CNBC, Comcast, DIS, ABC, ESPN, Nexstar Media, YouTube, Apple's, Wells, Constellation Brands, Constellation, Elliott Management, Autozone, San, Coterra Energy, & Gas, Ford, Traders, New York Stock Exchange, AFP, Getty Locations: U.S, New Jersey, Gary's, Madison —, Wells Fargo, Wells, What's, slowdowns, Texas, San Miguel, Brooklyn , New York, AMZN, CTRA

☆ 260,000 student-loan borrowers who were approved for debt relief might be pushed back into repayment anyway, a legacy advocacy group says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Student-loan borrowers who were part of a 2022 settlement are still waiting for their relief to be processed. A legal advocacy group said a student-loan company is not carrying out the settlement terms correctly. It said some borrowers within the settlement were told they have to resume payments in October. The group said that forcing borrowers with pending borrower defense claims back into repayment "violates the court-approved Settlement Agreement and applicable regulations." The federal pause on student-loan payment ended on September 1 when interest began accruing again on borrowers' balances.

Persons: They're, Cardona —, Donald Trump's, Joe Biden's, it's, MOHELA, Scott Giles, servicers, Cardona, Virginia Foxx, Sen, Bill Cassidy —, —, New Jersey Sen, Bob Menendez, Secretary Miguel Cardona Organizations: Service, Education Department, Donald Trump's Education Department, Department, Consumer Financial, Bureau, Democratic, New, Secretary, Public, The Education Department Locations: Wall, Silicon, New York, Sweet v, New Jersey

☆ Student-loan borrowers eligible for debt cancellation might be 'forced back into repayment' anyway because of their servicer's poor customer service, 6 Democratic senators say
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Six Democratic lawmakers requested the Education Department look into student-loan company MOHELA. They said they're concerned with paperwork delays that could force borrowers who qualify for PSLF relief back into repayment. Federal student-loan payments are resuming on October 1. "With the restart of repayments, these issues are likely to worsen for borrowers," the lawmakers said in the letter. "Borrowers who are eligible to have their debt cancelled under the PSLF program should not be forced back into repayment due solely to MOHELA's processing delays, which cause difficult financial situations for so many borrowers.

Persons: MOHELA, New Jersey Sen, Bob Menendez, Sen, Elizabeth Warren, Secretary Miguel Cardona, they've, Angus King, Alex Padilla, Ed Markey, Cory Booker, Cardona, Katie Porter, Joe Courtney, Scott Giles, that's, Scott Buchanan, servicers — Organizations: Democratic, Education Department, Federal, Service, Secretary, Public, MOHELA, Department, Student Loan, — Locations: Wall, Silicon, New Jersey, PSLF, Sens

☆ Reactions: Bank of England bashes pound after halting rate rises
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

A pedestrian carrying an umbrella walks near the Bank of England in the City of London, Britain, July 30, 2023. Investors had already rushed on Wednesday to reel in their bets on further UK rate rises after data showed UK inflation cooled surprisingly quickly in August. Against the euro , the pound was down 0.5% at 86.74 pence, having traded around 86.70 pence before the decision. "The MPC still refers to its flexibility to react should things change, but the chances are this could be the peak in this UK interest rate cycle." "However, there is a risk that the ‘lag effect’ on interest rate hikes means that today’s decision may not be felt for another 9 to 12 months."

Persons: Hollie Adams, Sterling, THOMAS, Huw Pill's, HUGH GIMBER, PHILIP SHAW, DOUGLAS GRANT, JEREMY BATSTONE, CARR, RAYMOND JAMES, FRANCES HAQUE, JOE TUCKEY, RICHARD GARLAND, GILES COGHLAN, BoE, stagflation, Amanda Cooper, Dhara Organizations: Bank of England, City of, REUTERS, London, Investors, Bank of, Bank, MPC, SANTANDER, LONDON, Core CPI, PMI, CPI, EMEA, Thomson Locations: City, City of London, Britain, London, MANX, EUROPEAN, FRANCE, GROUP, OXFORDSHIRE

☆ Opinion: US hesitancy on weapons extends the fighting in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Sheena Mckenzie | Opinion Keir Giles | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

He is the author of “Russia’s War on Everybody: And What it Means for You.” The views expressed in this commentary are his own. CNN —Russia’s war on Ukraine will soon enter another winter. And as the fighting drags on into 2024 and potentially beyond, Western backers will find it ever harder to provide what Ukraine needs. The US’s generous support for Ukraine is under threat from political trends there even before a potential change of presidency. But making Ukraine stronger is a key ingredient for Europe’s long-term security as well as for the outcome of the present war.

Persons: Keir Giles, “, CNN —, Keir Giles Munira, Abrams, —, It’s, there’s, Volodymyr Zelensky, it’s, Vladimir Putin Organizations: Chatham House, CNN, Patriot, West, Tactical Missile Systems, UN, Challenger, British Army, Twitter, Facebook Locations: Russia, Eurasia, Ukraine, Washington, Germany, America, Sweden, Russian, Crimea, China, Europe

☆ US caver who became trapped 1,000 metres deep in Turkey is moved halfway to surface
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Umit Bektas Acquire Licensing RightsMERSIN, Turkey, Sept 10 (Reuters) - Rescuers raced on Sunday to rescue an American caver who had become trapped more than 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) underground in southern Turkey, moving him halfway to the surface. More than 150 rescuers from Turkey and other countries have been working for days to rescue him from the country's third deepest cave. "Our medical team is working really hard to try to keep Mark's condition as stable as possible. Since yesterday, we started lifting the stretcher and transporting him through the cave," Giuseppe Conti, European Cave Rescue Association technical commission chairperson, told reporters. Mark's medical condition right now is very good," said Tulga Sener, medical coordinator for the cave rescue commission.

Persons: caver Mark Dickey, Umit, Mark Dickey, Giuseppe Conti, Mark, Jessica Van Ord, Tulga Sener, Cenk, Dickey, Ali Kucukgocmen, Huseyin Hayatsever, Giles Elgood Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Rescue Association, Bulent Usta, Thomson Locations: Anamur, Mersin province, Turkey, Rights MERSIN, American, Mersin, Cenk Yildiz

☆ King Charles: Who will succeed him on the British throne?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Michael Holden | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

FILE PHOTO-King Charles III and Queen Camilla during the National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication for King Charles and Queen Camilla, and the presentation of the Honours of Scotland, at St Giles' Cathedral, in Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain, July 5, 2023. Jane Barlow/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Sept 6 (Reuters) - King Charles III succeeded his mother Queen Elizabeth II on the British throne after her death on Sept. 8 last year, becoming king of not just the United Kingdom, but also Australia, Canada, New Zealand and 11 other countries. Here are brief details of the rules of succession for the British monarch:WHO IS NEXT? So, Charles' eldest son Prince William is the heir to the throne, followed by William's eldest son Prince George, and then his younger children Charlotte and Louis. Prince Harry, Charles' younger son and William's brother, is then next in line.

Persons: King Charles III, Queen Camilla, King Charles, Jane Barlow, Queen Elizabeth II, Charles, Prince William, William's, Prince George, Charlotte, Louis . Prince Harry, QUEEN CAMILLA, QUEEN KATE, Camilla, Kate, Wales, Queen Catherine, Prince Louis, Prince Harry, Prince Archie, Harry's, Lilibet, Prince Andrew, Beatrice, Andrew's, Sienna Mapelli Mozzi, Michael Holden, Angus MacSwan Organizations: National Service of, Cathedral, WHO, Catholic, of England, of Scotland, Thomson Locations: St Giles, Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand

☆ US says North Korea will 'pay a price' for any weapons supplies to Russia
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Providing weapons to Russia "is not going to reflect well on North Korea and they will pay a price for this in the international community," U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters at the White House. "We will continue to call on North Korea to abide by its public commitments not to supply weapons to Russia that will end up killing Ukrainians," Sullivan said. As Russia's isolation over its war in Ukraine has grown, it has seen increasing value in North Korea, according to political analysts. The United States in August imposed sanctions on three entities it accused of being tied to arms deals between North Korea and Russia. North Korea has conducted six nuclear tests since 2006 and had been testing various missiles over recent years.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong, Alexander Zemlianichenko, Kim Jong Un, Jake Sullivan, Kim, Sullivan, Adrienne Watson, Putin, Dmitry Peskov, Sergei Shoigu, Keir Giles, Andrei Lankov, Trevor Hunnicutt, Andrew Osborn, Heather Timmons, Grant McCool Organizations: REUTERS, WASHINGTON, U.S, White, . National Security, New York Times, Russia's, Chatham House's, Eurasia, Russia, Seoul's Kookmin University, The, China, . Security, Thomson Locations: Vladivostok, Russia, MOSCOW, North Korea, Ukraine, Moscow, Soviet Union, PYONGYANG, Korean, Pyongyang, North, Chatham House's Russia, Russian, Korea, The United States, U.S

☆ West Ham win spoils Luton's first top-flight home game in 31 years
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LUTON, England, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Pacesetters West Ham United claimed a 2-1 Premier League victory at Luton Town thanks to headers by Jarrod Bowen and Kurt Zouma on Friday to spoil the hosts' much-anticipated first top-flight game at their snug Kenilworth Road stadium in 31 years. I don't score many headers," said Bowen, the first West Ham player since 1930 to score in their first three away games. "We showed the character to deal with the atmosphere," West Ham manager David Moyes told the BBC. "Good against a tough team who are going to put teams under a lot of pressure. New signing Ross Barkley launched a left-foot effort moments later that sailed just wide of the West Ham goal.

Persons: Jarrod Bowen, Kurt Zouma, Mads Andersen, Alphonse Areola, Rob Edwards, It's, Bowen, Lucas Paqueta, Thomas Kaminski, West, James Ward, Prowse, Zouma, James, Luton, Edwards, KENNY, Kenny, David Moyes, I've, Ryan Giles, Ross Barkley, Alfie Doughty, Lori Ewing, Ken Ferris Organizations: Ham United, League, Luton Town, Luton, Hatters, Sky Sports, Ward, BBC, West, Thomson Locations: LUTON, England, Kenilworth, West Ham, Ham

☆ Mohamed al-Fayed, ex-Harrods owner whose son died with Princess Diana, dead at 94
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Andrew Macaskill | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Born in the Egyptian city of Alexandria, al-Fayed began his career selling fizzy drinks and then worked as a sewing-machine salesman. Al-Fayed died on Wednesday, his family said, a day before the 26th anniversary of Dodi and Diana's death. After a quarter of century of ownership, al-Fayed sold Harrods to Qatar's sovereign wealth fund in 2010. DIANA AND DODIThat summer, al-Fayed's son Dodi began a relationship with Princess Diana, who had divorced Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne. Dodi and Diana were pictured by British tabloids on holiday on a yacht in the south of France.

Persons: Diana's, Mohamed al, Fayed, Princess Diana, –, Diana, Dodi, Prince Philip, Mohamed Al Fayed, Mohamed, sequined, Michael Jackson, Eye, Roland, Tiny, Rowland, al, sleaze, Tony Blair, DIANA, Prince Charles, Mercedes, Blair, Sarah, I'm, Andrew MacAskill, Nilutpal, Giles Elgood, Rosalba O'Brien, Andrew Heavens Organizations: Fulham FC, Ritz, Harrods, Fulham, HARRODS, Department of Trade, Conservatives, Labour, Paris, Thomson Locations: Paris LONDON, Harrods, Egyptian, Alexandria, al, Europe, Fulham, Paris, Britain, France, British, Egypt, Al, Pont, London, Bengaluru

☆ Sudanese paramilitary force backs ceasefire and talks on country's future
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Deputy head of Sudan's sovereign council General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo speaks during a press conference at Rapid Support Forces head quarter in Khartoum, Sudan February 19, 2023. The United Nations has warned of a "humanitarian catastrophe of epic proportions", with rising hunger, collapsing healthcare, and wrecked infrastructure. Under his "Sudan Reborn" plan, Dagalo committed the RSF to previously floated principles such as federal, multicultural rule, democratic elections, and a single army. Pro-democracy politicians warned Burhan against announcing a new government, saying it would prompt the RSF to form a parallel authority. Reporting by Nafisa Eltahir in Cairo and Khalid Abdelaziz in Dubai; Editing by Giles ElgoodOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah, Omar al, Bashir, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, Dagalo, Abdel Fattah al, Burhan, Nafisa Eltahir, Khalid Abdelaziz, Giles Elgood Organizations: Rapid Support Forces, REUTERS, Rights, Sudan's, United Nations, Thomson Locations: Khartoum, Sudan, Rights CAIRO, West Darfur, Saudi, U.S, Port Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United States, Cairo, Dubai

☆ France to ban Muslim abaya dress in state schools
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Newly appointed French Education Minister Gabriel Attal arrives to attend the weekly cabinet meeting, after a government reshuffle, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, July 21, 2023. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Aug 27 (Reuters) - France will ban children from wearing the abaya, the loose-fitting, full-length robes worn by some Muslim women, in state-run schools, its education minister said on Sunday ahead of the back-to-school season. France, which has enforced a strict ban on religious signs in state schools since 19th century laws removed any traditional Catholic influence from public education, has struggled to update guidelines to deal with a growing Muslim minority. In 2004, it banned headscarves in schools and passed a ban on full face veils in public in 2010, angering some in its five million-strong Muslim community. "I have decided that the abaya could no longer be worn in schools," Education Minister Gabriel Attal said in an interview with TV channel TF1.

Persons: Gabriel Attal, Gonzalo Fuentes, shouldn't, Michel Rose, Giles Elgood Organizations: French Education, REUTERS, Rights, TF1, Thomson Locations: Paris, France

☆ Hundreds join largest Loch Ness monster hunt in 50 years in Scotland
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Volunteers get ready to take off in the Loch Ness Project Research Vessel, Deep Scan, as they take part in the largest Loch Ness Monster hunt for 50 years in Scotland, Britain, August 27, 2023. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne Acquire Licensing RightsLOCH NESS, Scotland, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Hundreds of hopeful volunteers joined a two-day hunt for Scotland's fabled Loch Ness monster on Saturday and Sunday, in what organisers described as the biggest search for the elusive "Nessie" in more than 50 years. The Loch Ness Centre, which partnered with voluntary research team Loch Ness Exploration to organise "The Quest", said they would be using surveying equipment that had not previously been tried at the loch, including thermal drones. "We all got a bit excited, ran to go make sure the recorder was on and it wasn’t plugged in." "I chose the Loch Ness monster as my essay assignment, and I thought, 'oh 20 years later it comes full circle so I might as well come and join the hunt' since I heard it was happening," she said, adding that so far they had not found any evidence.

Persons: Russell Cheyne, Alan McKenna, St Columba, Caroline McNamara's, Nessie, Kylie MacLellan, Giles Elgood Organizations: Volunteers, Research, REUTERS, Loch, Thomson Locations: Loch Ness, Scotland, Britain, NESS, London

☆ Israeli and Libyan ministers discussed cooperation, Israel says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

JERUSALEM, Aug 27 (Reuters) - The Israeli and Libyan foreign ministers met in Italy last week despite not having formal relations, Israel said on Sunday, saying they discussed possible cooperation. Since 2020 Israel has moved to normalise ties with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan through the so-called 'Abraham accords' brokered by the United States. "I spoke with the foreign minister about the great potential for the two countries from their relations," Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said in a statement. A spokesperson for Libya's Government of National Unity (GNU) in Tripoli did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Cohen's meeting with Libyan Foreign Minister Najla Mangoush. The meeting was facilitated by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, Israel's foreign ministry said, adding they had discussed possible cooperation and Israeli aid in humanitarian issues, agriculture and water management.

Persons: Israel, Abraham, Eli Cohen, Najla Mangoush, Antonio Tajani, Cohen, Emily Rose, Sharon Singleton, Giles Elgood Organizations: Libyan, United Arab, Libya's Government of National Unity, GNU, Libyan Foreign, Italian, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Italy, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan, United States, Tripoli, Libya, Palestinian, Turkey, Reuters Libya

☆ Verstappen takes record-equalling ninth win in a row
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( Bart H. Meijer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Verstappen now leads Perez, his closest rival, by a mighty 138 points with nine races remaining. Red Bull lead Mercedes by 285 points with Aston Martin 40 points further back and 14 ahead of Ferrari. Verstappen came in a lap later but resumed well down the field and set about closing the gap. The safety car was deployed from lap 16 to 21 when U.S. rookie Logan Sargeant crashed his Williams at turn eight. Verstappen appeared to be cruising to victory until the final deluge and the halt after Alfa Romeo's Guanyu Zhou crashed heavily, without injury.

Persons: Alonso, Perez, Max Verstappen, Bull, Sebastian Vettel's, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin, Pierre Gasly, Red Bull's Sergio Perez, Verstappen, Mercedes, chatted, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, Lewis Hamilton, Briton Lando Norris, McLaren, Alex Albon, Williams, McLaren's Oscar Piastri, Esteban Ocon, Liam Lawson, Yuki Tsunoda, Daniel Ricciardo, Lawson, Charles Leclerc, Leclerc, George Russell, Norris, Logan Sargeant, Alfa Romeo's, Zhou, Alan Baldwin, Ed Osmond, Pritha Sarkar, Giles Elgood Organizations: Prix, Zandvoort, Monza, Aston, Renault, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Mercedes, ., Hamilton, Briton, Alfa, Thomson Locations: ZANDVOORT, Netherlands, . New, AlphaTauri, London

☆ Dutch pick for EU climate job to face tough hearing
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( Kate Abnett | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Hoekstra needs to win a positive assessment from the EU Parliament and pass a potentially close vote in the assembly with majority support. If appointed, Hoekstra is expected to assume responsibility for climate change policies in the EU Commission. He belongs to the Dutch Christian-Democratic CDA party, part of the European People's Party group in the EU Parliament. Bas Eickhout, a Green EU lawmaker, said Hoekstra would need to prove his commitment to Europe's climate change agenda. He'll have a tough time convincing the European Parliament that he's the right man for the job," said Paul Tang, a Dutch Socialist member of the EU Parliament.

Persons: Wopke Hoekstra, Hoekstra, Frans Timmermans, Timmermans, Maros Sefcovic, Eickhout, Hoekstra's, Paul Tang, Kate Abnett, Bart Meijer, Giles Elgood Organizations: EU, Parliament, Dutch Christian, Democratic CDA, European People's Party, EPP, EPP Group, Green Deal, European, Socialist, Dutch Finance, Socialists, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, Netherlands, Dutch, Europe, EU, The Hague, New EU, Bas, Southern Europe, Spain, Italy

☆ Egypt hopes BRICS entry will lure foreign cash, but analysts counsel patience
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( Patrick Werr | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The bloc, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, on Thursday invited Egypt and five other countries to join, and Egypt immediately welcomed the offer. "The group's aim of reducing dollar transactions will lower the foreign currency pressure in Egypt," the cabinet said in s statement on Thursday. Monica Malik of ADCB said BRICS membership may eventually help Egypt attract more investment. "Egypt has two deep needs - FDI and a cheaper debt burden - and BRICS membership can help with both," Robertson said. The BRICS group on Thursday also invited Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Argentina and the United Arab Emirates to join.

Persons: Egypt Mostafa Madbouly, MARCO LONGARI, Abdel, Fattah, Sisi, Monica Malik, ADCB, Charles Robertson, " Robertson, Robertson, James Swanston, Patrick Werr, Nafisa Eltaher, Sarah El Safty, Giles Elgood Organizations: Rights, New Development Bank, FIM Partners, United, Capital Economics, Thomson Locations: Egypt, Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, Rights CAIRO, Brazil, Russia, India, China, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Argentina, United Arab Emirates, Saudi, UAE

☆ Explainer: What is India's next space mission after moon landing?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Amit Dave Acquire Licensing RightsBENGALURU, Aug 25 (Reuters) - On the heels of the success of the Chandrayaan-3 moon landing, India's space agency has set a date for its next mission - this time to study the sun. It aims to study solar winds, which can cause disturbance on earth and are commonly seen as "auroras". In 2019, the government sanctioned the equivalent of about $46 million for the Aditya-L1 mission. The Indian space agency has earned a reputation for world-beating cost competitiveness in space engineering that executives and planners expect will boost its now-privatised space industry. The Chandrayaan-3 mission, which landed a spacecraft on the lunar south pole, had a budget of about $75 million.

Persons: Amit Dave, Joseph, Louis Lagrange, Nivedita, Giles Elgood Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Indian Space Research Organisation, European Space Agency, NASA, Orbiter, ISRO, Thomson Locations: Gujarat Science City, Ahmedabad, India, Sriharikota, French, Bengaluru

☆ Prigozhin was thought to have died in a 2019 plane crash, only to reappear days later. This time, there's more evidence he's dead.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Wagner Group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin is presumed dead after a plane crash outside of Moscow. He was incorrectly reported as having possibly died in a plane crash in 2019. The circumstances of the recent crash are unclear, but he was in a position to be punished by Putin. But this isn't the first time the warlord, who had attempted an uprising against Putin, is thought to have died in a plane crash. But some are still skeptical that Prigozhin is definitely dead, and are waiting for more evidence.

Persons: Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Putin, Prigozhin, Keir Giles, let's, that's, Vladimir Putin, Adrienne Watson Organizations: Service, Democratic, Novosti, Telegram, London, Chatham House, Washington Post, National, BBC Locations: Moscow, Wall, Silicon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Russia's Tver, Russia, Africa

It is the second contest between the two after Mnangagwa won a closely contested poll in 2018, which the opposition allege was rigged. Some 6.6 million people are registered to vote in the nation of about 15 million. LITTLE CHANGE SINCE MUGABE ERAPolitical analysts say Zimbabwe's unending economic maelstrom could tip the contest in favour of the opposition if the election is clean. We will not accept a rigged vote," Chamisa said at his last campaign rally on Monday. If there is no outright winner, a run-off between the top two candidates will be held on Oct. 2.

Persons: Mugabe, Mnangagwa, Emmerson Mnangagwa, Robert Mugabe, Nelson Chamisa, Chamisa, Olivia Kumwenda, Estelle Shirbon, Giles Elgood Organizations: World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Citizens Coalition, MUGABE, PF, Risk Consulting, ZANU, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, Parliamentary, Thomson Locations: HARARE, Zimbabwe, Shurugwi, Harare

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