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Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas arrives to testify before the Senate Appropriations committee as lawmakers in the U.S. Congress struggle to reach a deal to head off a looming partial government shutdown less than two weeks away on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., November 8, 2023. REUTERS/Julia Nikhinson/File... Acquire Licensing Rights Read moreWASHINGTON, Nov 13 (Reuters) - The U.S. House will vote on Monday whether to advance or block a Republican charge to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for allegedly failing in his duty to secure the U.S.-Mexico border. In response to the initial impeachment motion, a U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said lawmakers should stop "their reckless impeachment charades and attacks on law enforcement" and instead "deliver desperately needed reforms for our broken immigration system." House Republicans have also launched an impeachment inquiry into Biden himself. The probe is focused on the president's son, Hunter Biden, and the White House has denied any wrongdoing.

Persons: Alejandro Mayorkas, Julia Nikhinson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Joe Biden, Biden's, Donald Trump, Mayorkas, Biden, Trump, Hunter Biden, Moira Warburton, Ted Hesson, Scott Malone, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Homeland, U.S, Congress, REUTERS, Democratic, Republican, U.S . Department of Homeland Security, Biden, Trump, Republicans, White, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, WASHINGTON, Mexico, U.S, Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela

But the major railroads hauled slightly fewer containers than a year ago and 11% fewer containers than four years earlier. The strong growth in manufacturing activity between the middle of 2020 and middle of 2022 was a rebound following the disruption caused by the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic and associated lockdowns. Since then spending has rotated back towards services and there has been little if any expansion in the manufacturing sector. Chartbook: U.S. manufacturing activityLack of growth is evident in industrial energy consumption. Three-quarters of all distillate fuel oils such as diesel are consumed in freight and manufacturing, according to data from the Energy Information Administration.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Jobs, John Kemp, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, Federal Reserve, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Energy Information Administration, Thomson, Reuters Locations: IceStone, New York City , New York, U.S, Europe, China, doldrums

☆ French report flags Azeri-linked disinformation campaign targeting 2024 Olympics
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

According to the report seen by Reuters and other media, the campaign ran from July 26-27 on an account of an Azerbaijani individual on social media X, formerly Twitter, with links to the Azeri presidential party. However, Viginum said it had not been able to link the campaign directly to the Azerbaijani authorities. Ties between Paris and Baku have been strained in recent months and have worsened since Baku took control of the Nagorno-Karabah region. A French diplomatic source said Paris had asked Baku for clarifications on the disinformation campaign. It would also be discussing the matter with X, formerly Twitter, in the coming days, the source said.

Persons: Benoit Tessier, Viginum, Paris, John Irish, Tassilo Hummel, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: IOC, Paris, REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Vigilance, Protection, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Azerbaijan, Baku, Karabah, Armenia, Nagorno, Karabakh

LOS ANGELES, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Investigators have determined arson caused the weekend fire that heavily damaged an elevated stretch of a downtown Los Angeles freeway, forcing its indefinite closure and setting the stage for prolonged traffic turmoil, state officials said on Monday. [1/7]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. Newsom identified the leaseholder for state-owned property beneath the freeway that burned as Apex Development Inc, based in Calabasas, California, north of Los Angeles. Newsom on Sunday proclaimed a state of emergency in Los Angeles County in order to expedite repairs to the freeway. Reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles and Daniel Trotta in Carlsbad, California; additional reporting by Rich McKay in Atlanta and Lisa Baertlein in Los Angeles; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Stephen Coates and Miral FahmyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Gavin Newsom, Newsom, Daniel Berlant, Berlant, Karen Bass, Laura Rubio, Rubio, Cornejo, Jorge Garcia, Bass, Steve Gorman, Daniel Trotta, Rich McKay, Lisa Baertlein, Jonathan Oatis, Stephen Coates, Miral Organizations: ANGELES, downtown, Transportation Department, REUTERS, Engineers, Apex Development Inc, Apex, Sunday, Los Angeles Times, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles, California, Santa Monica, downtown L.A, Los Angeles , California, U.S, Calabasas , California, Los Angeles County, Carlsbad , California, Atlanta

☆ Mexico's Ebrard sticks with ruling party, avoids break with president
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Mexico's former Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard, who was a runner-up to Claudia Sheinbaum in the ruling National Regeneration Movement's (MORENA) presidential primary, holds a press conference in Mexico City, Mexico, September 11, 2023. Afterwards, he had held out the possibility of seeking the presidency with the center-left opposition Citizens' Movement (MC) party. However, this weekend MC closed its register of contenders for its presidential candidacy without Ebrard. He was also a key interlocutor for Mexico's negotiations over trade and immigration with then-U.S. President Donald Trump, and the succeeding Biden administration. That has helped polarize public opinion, and Ebrard urged MORENA to broaden its base and cultivate middle class support.

Persons: Marcelo Ebrard, Claudia Sheinbaum, Raquel Cunha, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Ebrard, Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum, Lopez, Donald Trump, Biden, Lopez Obrador, MORENA, Dave Graham, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, MEXICO CITY, Regeneration, Mexico City Mayor, Citizens ' Movement, Thomson Locations: MORENA, Mexico City, Mexico, MEXICO, Asia

Eight Republicans joined with 201 Democrats to vote in favor of referring the articles back to the House Homeland Security Committee, which is carrying out its own investigation into Mayorkas' alleged dereliction of duty. Mia Ehrenberg, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, accused Republicans of "wasting time" on the impeachment. "Secretary Mayorkas continues to be laser-focused on the safety and security of our nation," Ehrenberg said in a statement. The impeachment allegations stem from a Republican assertion that the Biden administration could better manage border security, rather than any criminal offense. House Republicans have also launched an impeachment inquiry into Biden.

Persons: Alejandro Mayorkas, Julia Nikhinson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Joe Biden, Mayorkas, Greene, Mia Ehrenberg, Ehrenberg, Donald Trump, Biden, Trump, Hunter Biden, Moira Warburton, Ted Hesson, Scott Malone, Jonathan Oatis, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Homeland, U.S, Congress, REUTERS, U.S . House, Republican, Democratic, Eight Republicans, House Homeland Security Committee, Department of Homeland Security, Republicans, Biden, Trump, White, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, WASHINGTON, Mexico, Ukraine, U.S, Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela

The logo of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) is pictured at the entrance to its branch in Beijing, China April 1, 2019. ICBC, whose U.S. arm was hit by a ransomware attack that disrupted trades in the U.S. Treasury market on Nov. 9, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "They paid a ransom, deal closed," the Lockbit representative told Reuters via Tox, an online messaging app. "The market is mostly back to normal now," said Zhiwei Ren, a portfolio manager at Penn Mutual Asset Management. The ransomware attack came at a time of heightened worries about the resiliency of the $26 trillion Treasury market, essential to the plumbing of global finance, and is likely to draw scrutiny from regulators.

Persons: Florence, BNY Mellon, Zhiwei Ren, Ransom, Allen, James Pearson, Davide Barbuscia, Carolina Mandl, Tatiana Bautzer, Pete Schroeder, Michelle Price, David Goodman, Jonathan Oatis, Alexander Smith Organizations: Industrial, Commercial Bank of China, REUTERS, Commercial Bank of, Reuters, U.S . Treasury, Penn Mutual Asset Management, Treasury, U.S . Treasury Department, Financial, Authorities, Boeing, Overy, Washington DC, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Commercial Bank of China, U.S, Tox, United States, London, Carolina, New York, Washington

WIDESPREAD IMPACTAny shortfall in France's total power generation will have Europe-wide repercussions due to the scale of France's clean power supplies. Even with the rapid advances in clean power generation throughout most major European economies in recent years, France still accounts for over 25% of total clean power generation in the European Union, data from think tank Ember shows. The latest forecast for wind generation in Germany, Europe's largest wind power producer, calls for wind power generation to be 2.1% above the long-term average from November 2023 through to the end of February 2024, data from LSEG shows. Any drop in regional wind power output would also affect regional power flows by raising demand for imports into countries that may see a dip in local wind generation. In recent months, France's rising output of nuclear power has facilitated higher power market exports to neighbouring nations, including the United Kingdom and Italy.

Persons: Yves Herman Acquire, Gavin Maguire, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: EDF, REUTERS, Jan, European Union, Reuters, Thomson Locations: France, Cattenom, LITTLETON , Colorado, Russia, Ukraine, LSEG, Europe, EU, Germany, Europe's, United Kingdom, Italy

☆ EU digital chief urges TikTok, X to increase clean-up efforts
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Jourova, the EU commissioner responsible for the digital economy, met TikTok Chief Executive Shou Chew and X's head of global affairs, Nick Pickles, as the European Union investigates Big Tech's efforts to remove harmful content. The EU is also looking to prevent disinformation influencing the EU parliament election in June 2024. Under the European Union's Digital Services Act, which entered into force a year ago, very large tech platforms and search engines must do more to tackle harmful and illegal content or risk fines. Jourova said on X and via her spokesperson that she was pleased by some improvements and urged TikTok to continue stepping up its work against illegal and harmful content and child abuse. For X, Jourova said it had insufficient staff speaking some EU languages to counter disinformation and expressed concern about reports of high numbers of violent and illegal content.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Vera Jourova, Jourova, Shou Chew, Nick Pickles, Big, TikTok, Jourova's, X's Pickles, Philip Blenkinsop, Foo Yun Chee, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, European, European Union, Hamas, EU, Union's Digital Services, YouTube, Thomson Locations: Rights BRUSSELS, Israel, EU

☆ NY Fed: US Q3 credit card debt up on strong economy, as credit woes tick higher
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Michael S. Derby | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

A credit card is used on a payment terminal at a shop near Nantes, France, in this illustration picture taken November 6, 2023. The New York Fed report found credit issues are rising, albeit from low levels. The report said increases in credit card delinquency rates were most pronounced for thirtysomething borrowers. “The continued rise in credit card delinquency rates is broad-based across area income and region, but particularly pronounced among millennials and those with auto loans or student loans,” the economist noted. Line chart with data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York show credit card and auto loans delinquencies for over 30 days.

Persons: Stephane Mahe, there's, Donghoon Lee, “, Daniel Silver, Morgan, Lisa Cook, Michael S, Andrea Ricci, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, New York Fed, New, Fed, The New York Fed, New York Federal Reserve, Federal Reserve Bank of New, New York, Thomson Locations: Nantes, France, The, U.S, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, New

☆ US presidential race: What are the key dates?
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

- Nov. 30: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is seeking the Republican presidential nomination, and California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who is seen as a future presidential candidate, will debate each other on Fox News. - Jan. 23: Tentative date of the first Republican presidential primary election, to be held in New Hampshire. - Feb. 3: First Democratic presidential primary, to be held in South Carolina. Democrats in Utah will also vote in their primary while Republicans hold their caucuses in the state. - June 4: The final states to hold their presidential primaries are scheduled to do so on this date.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, Gavin Newsom, Nikki Haley, Tim Scott, Biden's, whittle, Costas Pitas, Jonathan Oatis, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: REUTERS, Republican, Democratic Party, NBC News, Democrat, Fox News, Democratic, Democratic National Committee, , New, , New Hampshire Democrats, Republicans, South Carolina Republican, Republican National Convention, Democratic National Convention, Thomson Locations: Brooklyn , New York, U.S, Miami, Florida, California, Alabama, Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Nevada, ,, , New Hampshire, Michigan, Alabama , Arkansas , California , Colorado , Maine , Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina , Oklahoma , Tennessee , Texas , Vermont, Virginia, Utah, Alaska, Georgia , Mississippi, Washington, Hawaii, Arizona , Florida , Illinois , Kansas, Ohio, Milwaukee, Chicago

[1/2] FILE PHOTO: The London Stock Exchange Group offices are seen in the City of London, Britain, December 29, 2017. MSCI's gauge of global stock performance (.MIWD00000PUS) shed 0.05%, while the pan-European STOXX 600 index (.STOXX) lost 0.06%. Against a basket of currencies, the dollar index rose 0.332% to 105.61, with the euro down 0.31% to $1.0682. Treasury yields slid, having unwound some of their rally last week after the Fed left rates unchanged following a policy meeting. The two-year's yield, which reflects interest rate expectations, fell 1.3 basis points to 4.928%, while the 10-year slipped 7.5 basis points at 4.587%.

Persons: Toby Melville, Jerome Powell, Neel Kashkari, Austan Goolsbee, Rick Meckler, we've, Michael Hewson, Brent, Tom Wilson, Tom Westbrook, Ankur Banerjee, Lincoln, Kim Coghill, Christina Fincher, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: London Stock Exchange Group, City of, REUTERS, NEW, Federal Reserve, Minneapolis, Chicago, Cherry Lane Investments, Dow Jones, Nasdaq, Reserve Bank of Australia, Treasury, Fed, CMC, Thomson Locations: City, City of London, Britain, China, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Europe, U.S, New Vernon , New Jersey, Asia, Pacific, Japan, London, Singapore

☆ Hunter Biden prosecutor to testify behind closed doors to House Republicans
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

File photo: U.S. President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, arrives to appear in a federal court on gun charges in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S., October 3, 2023. House Republicans allege that the Justice Department improperly interfered with an investigation into Hunter Biden, whose brushes with the law are a central focus of their impeachment inquiry into President Biden. Weiss has headed an investigation into Hunter Biden since 2019. Originally nominated during Republican President Donald Trump's administration, he was allowed to remain in place under Biden. Weiss has charged Hunter Biden, 53, with crimes related to owning a firearm while using illegal drugs.

Persons: Joe Biden's, Hunter Biden, Mike Segar, David Weiss, Biden, Weiss, Mr, Donald Trump's, Trump, impeaching Biden, Makini Brice, Andrew Goudsward, Scott Malone, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Republican, Internal Revenue Service, Republicans, Justice Department, Department, FBI, IRS, Trump, Thomson Locations: Wilmington , Delaware, U.S

The bill follows more than a decade of debate over post-Sept. 11, 2001, surveillance powers that allow domestic law enforcement to warrantlessly scan the vast mountains of data gathered by America's foreign surveillance apparatus. Reforms in the proposed legislation include putting limits on searches of Americans' communications without judicial authorization and a prohibition of so-called "backdoor" searches which invoke foreign intelligence justifications to spy on Americans. "We're introducing a bill that protects both Americans' security and Americans' liberty," Senator Ron Wyden - a Democrat and a longtime critic of government surveillance - said at a press conference on Tuesday. The reforms introduced Tuesday reflect discomfort over the practice of warrantless scans, which are authorized under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Reporting by Raphael Satter; editing by Jonathan OatisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ron Wyden, Amanda Andrade Rhoades, it's, Mike Lee, Representative Warren Davidson, Zoe Lofgren, Raphael Satter, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, Democrat, FBI, Foreign Intelligence, National Intelligence, Republican, Republican U.S, Representative, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Washington , U.S

☆ Red Cross says humanitarian convoy came under fire in Gaza City
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

GENEVA, Nov 7 (Reuters) - The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said a humanitarian convoy came under fire in Gaza City on Tuesday but was able to deliver medical supplies to Al Shifa hospital. After the incident, the convoy altered its route and reached Al Shifa hospital where it delivered the medical supplies, ICRC said. The ICRC convoy then accompanied six ambulances with critically wounded patients to the Rafah crossing from Gaza to Egypt, the group said. “These are not the conditions under which humanitarian personnel can work,” said William Schomburg, head of the ICRC sub-delegation in Gaza. Reporting by Emma Forge; Writing by Cynthia Osterman; Editing by Sandra Maler and Jonathan OatisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Cross, Al Shifa, ”, William Schomburg, Emma Forge, Cynthia Osterman, Sandra Maler, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: International Committee, ICRC, Palestinian Red Crescent Society, Thomson Locations: GENEVA, Gaza City, Al, Al Quds, Al Shifa, Rafah, Gaza, Egypt, Geneva

The vivid blue diamond, known as "Bleu Royal" and set in a ring, is among the rarest ever to be unearthed. Max Fawcett, head of Christie's jewellery department in Geneva, said the diamond was unique because of its a deep rich blue colour and its unmodified pear brilliant shape. At its auction on Tuesday, Christie's sold dozens of rare jewellery pieces worth a combined total of more than $77 million. In a separate sale on Monday, Christie's sold a Rolex wristwatch worn by Marlon Brando in the 1979 movie "Apocalypse Now" for more than 4.5 million Swiss francs ($4.99 million). Two years ago, that same watch sold at auction for 2 million Swiss francs.

Persons: Carola Chiadini, Denis, Rahul Kadakia, Max Fawcett, Christie's, Fawcett, There's, Marlon Brando, Cécile Mantovani, Gabrielle Tétrault, Farber, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Geneva, Switzerland, GENEVA, America

☆ At Trump's New York fraud trial, judge makes clear who's in charge
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Jonathan Stempel | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/2] Judge Arthur F. Engoron attends the Trump Organization civil fraud trial, in New York State Supreme Court in the Manhattan borough of New York City, U.S., November 6, 2023. Engoron asked Trump's lawyer, Christopher Kise. That left for trial whether Trump and the other defendants should pay the $250 million in penalties that James wants, and whether to ban Trump from New York state real estate business. He spent more than a decade in private practice and 12 years clerking for a state judge before becoming a civil court judge in 2003. Voters elected him to the state Supreme Court, a trial court, in 2015.

Persons: Arthur F, Engoron, Brendan McDermid, Donald Trump, Arthur Engoron, Kise, Christopher Kise, Letitia James, James, Trump, John Low, Jonathan Stempel, Luc Cohen, Jack Queen, Noeleen Walder, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Trump Organization, Court, REUTERS, Monday, Trump, Republican, Democrat, American Civil Liberties Union, Columbia University, New, Voters, Thomson Locations: New York, Manhattan, New York City, U.S, New, Trump

☆ Dollar rebounds, Fed officials take center stage
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Karen Brettell | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Comments from other Fed officials will also be evaluated for signs on whether they expect further rate increases. “Next week’s CPI print is going to be the best adjudicator we have on whether or not the Fed needs to hike rates again,” said Rai. The dollar index was last up 0.13% on the day at 105.19 after earlier dropping to 104.84, the weakest since Sept. 20. The yen hit 151.74 per dollar last week, edging close to October 2022 lows that spurred several rounds of dollar-selling intervention by the Bank of Japan. The Australian dollar fell 0.34% to $0.6491, after earlier reaching a three-month high of $.6523.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Jerome Powell, ”, Bipan Rai, Lisa Cook, “, Rai, Dane Cekov, Cekov, Karen Brettell, Samuel Indyk, Jonathan Oatis, Aurora Ellis Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, Federal, CIBC Capital Markets, Market Committee, Fed, Bank of Japan, Reserve Bank of Australia, Thomson Locations: North American, Toronto, U.S, London

☆ Trump's free speech defense may fall short in election subversion trial
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Andrew Goudsward | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Trump’s defense lawyers, in a flurry of legal motions, have argued that the case by Special Counsel Jack Smith "attempts to criminalize core political speech and political advocacy." At trial, legal experts say Trump will likely not be allowed to argue to a jury that his conduct was protected by his First Amendment right to free speech because such legal questions are resolved by the judge. Those claims complement his political case as an anti-establishment crusader whose movement is opposed by powerful foes seeking to silence him. Criminal defendants can use the defense to argue they sought legal opinions and did not intend to break the law. Three former Trump lawyers have already pleaded guilty in Georgia, including Kenneth Chesebro, who drafted memos crafting the fake elector scheme.

Persons: Donald Trump, Octavio Jones, Jack Smith, Trump, Democrat Joe Biden, Trump . Trump, Jonathan Turley, Mike Pence, “ He’s, ”, Ty Cobb, “, Arthur Engoron, Mr Kise, Engoron, Christopher Kise, Tanya Chutkan, Kristy Parker, ” Trump, William Barr, Kenneth Chesebro, Andrew Goudsward, Scott Malone, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: U.S, Republican, Florida Freedom Summit, Gaylord, Convention, REUTERS, Rights, Democrat, Trump ., George Washington University, Trump, Protect Democracy, Capitol, Prosecutors, Thomson Locations: Florida, Kissimmee , Florida, U.S, Washington, New York, Georgia

☆ Dollar dips on growing bets Fed rate hikes are over
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Karen Brettell | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Comments from other Fed officials will also be evaluated for signs on whether they expect further rate increases. “Next week’s CPI print is going to be the best adjudicator we have on whether or not the Fed needs to hike rates again,” said Rai. The dollar index was last down 0.03% on the day at 105.02 and got as low as 104.84, the weakest since Sept. 20. Cekov said the yen likely needs to be around the 155 per dollar area for Japanese authorities to consider intervention or to talk the currency up. The yen hit 151.74 per dollar last week, edging close to October 2022 lows that spurred several rounds of dollar-selling intervention by the Bank of Japan.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Jerome Powell, ”, Bipan Rai, “, Rai, Dane Cekov, Cekov, Sterling, Karen Brettell, Samuel Indyk, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, Federal, CIBC Capital Markets, Market Committee, Bank of Japan, Thomson Locations: North American, Toronto, U.S, London

The Senate, which Democrats control 51-49, has also been struggling to pass bills funding the government through Sept. 30, adding to calls for a stopgap "continuing resolution" to avert a shutdown. Further complicating matters is a Republican majority so narrow that House Speaker Mike Johnson can afford to lose no more than four party votes on legislation Democrats oppose. "He hasn't decided how that would be structured - if that would happen," House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, the No. 2 Republican, told reporters in the U.S. Capitol on Friday. The House passed two of three Republican spending bills on their agenda last week, covering congressional operations and the environment.

Persons: Leah Millis, We've, Tom Cole, Hakeem Jeffries, Jeffries, Mike Johnson, Jeff Lewis, Johnson, Kevin McCarthy, hasn't, Steve Scalise, Frank Lucas, Jason Lange, David Morgan, Richard Cowan, Scott Malone, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: U.S . Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Congress, Republicans, Democratic, House Democratic, Republican, Caucus, University of California, Capitol, Fox News Sunday, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Los Angeles

☆ Jordan open to 'all options' as Gaza conflict intensifies
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Suleiman Al-Khalidi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Jordan also announced last week that Israel's ambassador, who left Amman shortly after Hamas' attack, would not be allowed to come back, effectively declaring him persona non grata. "All options are on the table for Jordan in our dealing with the Israeli aggression on Gaza and its repercussions," Khasawneh, whose country signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1994, told state media. Khasawneh said Israel's siege of the densely populated Gaza was not self-defence as it maintains. Jordan is reviewing its economic, security and political ties with Israel and may freeze or revoke parts of its peace treaty if the Gaza conflict worsens, diplomats familiar with Jordanian thinking said. The Israel-Hamas war has reawakened long-standing fears in Jordan, home to a large population of Palestinian refugees and their descendants.

Persons: Bisher, Najib Mikati, Mohamed Azakir, Jordan, Bisher al Khasawneh, Khasawneh, Israel, King Abdullah, Jens Stoltenberg, Ayman Safadi, Safadi, Jordan's, Antony Blinken, William Burns, Suleiman Al, Khalidi, Mark Heinrich, Lisa Shumaker, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Jordanian, Lebanese, REUTERS, Rights, Jordan, West Bank, NATO, U.S, CIA, Thomson Locations: Beirut, Lebanon, Rights AMMAN, Gaza, Israel, Amman, Jordan, Palestine, Brussels, Jerusalem, Jordanian, U.S

☆ Biden, Netanyahu discussed potential 'tactical pauses' in Gaza fighting
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

ABIR SULTAN POOL/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 6 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the potential for "tactical pauses" in fighting in Gaza for humanitarian reasons and possible hostage releases in talks on Monday, according to a spokesperson. White House spokesperson John Kirby said the U.S. and Israeli governments would continue to be in touch on such potential temporary pauses and that Biden and Netanyahu agreed to continue talks in the coming days. "You can expect that we're going to continue to advocate for temporary and localized pauses in the fighting," Kirby told reporters. Biden and Netanyahu also discussed the situation in the West Bank. The White House said that fewer than 30 aid trucks entered Gaza in the last 24 hours.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant, Benny Gantz, Joe Biden, John Kirby, Biden, Netanyahu, Kirby, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Rights, Israeli, West Bank, Thomson Locations: Tel Aviv, Israel, ABIR, Gaza, U.S, It's

[1/6] A man works on a pole to restore electricity after a storm knocked down power cables in Sao Paulo, Brazil November 6, 2023. REUTERS/Carla Carniel Acquire Licensing RightsSAO PAULO, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Half a million residents of Sao Paulo remained without electricity on Monday three days after a storm knocked down power cables, leaving much of Brazil's largest city in the dark. The storm snapped branches and knocked down hundreds of trees that fell on overhead power lines in many streets of the city, initially cutting off 2.1 million customers in Metropolitan Sao Paulo, energy distribution company ENEL said. But what is shocking is that year after year there is not enough investment in burying the power cables. Reporting by Camila Moreira, Alberto Alerigi and Leticia Fucuchima in Sao Paulo; Anthony Boadle in Brasilia; editing by Jonathan OatisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Carla Carniel, Sao Paulo, ENEL, Denilson Laurindo, Thiago Gonzalez, Gonzalez, Flavio Dino, Alexandre Vieira Monteiro, Camila Moreira, Alberto Alerigi, Leticia Fucuchima, Anthony Boadle, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, SAO PAULO, Metropolitan Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Friday, Brazil's, Thomson Locations: Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sao, Brazil's, Metropolitan Sao, Morumbi, Brasilia

☆ US Congress is on track to be the most polarized ever, data shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Jason Lange | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Kevin Wurm/File Photo/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 6 (Reuters) - The current U.S. Congress is on track to be the most polarized ever, according to a running analysis at voteview.com, a tool widely used by political scientists that sorts lawmakers based on how their voting records overlap with their peers. The complicated math behind the analysis transforms a lawmaker's entire voting record into one number, with negative numbers for liberals and positive readings for conservatives. The most liberal have the least in common with the most conservative, while moderates from each party have more overlap and are given scores in between. * Currently, the gap in the House sits at 0.90, beating the 0.89 gaps for lawmakers elected in 2016 and 2018. The current 0.88 gap in the U.S. Senate is also at a record high for that chamber.

Persons: Kevin Wurm, Ralph Norman, Pramila Jayapal, Joe Manchin, Jason Lange, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, Caucus, Democrat, Congressional Progressive Caucus, Republican Party, Republicans, U.S . Senate, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, U.S

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