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☆ McLaren Applied's Lavoie in talks to buy Dutch e-bike maker VanMoof - source
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Nick Carey Tosterling | Nick Carey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Lavoie, the electric scooter unit of Formula One engineering and technology firm McLaren Applied, is in advanced talks to buy bankrupt Dutch e-bike maker VanMoof, according to a source familiar with the negotiations. The source said talks are at "quite an advanced stage" and would involve Lavoie taking over "as much as possible" of VanMoof's operations. The company had raised more than $180 million from investors including private equity firm Hillhouse, Silicon Valley venture capital fund Norwest Venture Partners and venture firm Felix Capital. According to another source familiar with the matter, McLaren Applied is one of two suitors remaining for VanMoof. Bought from McLaren by private equity firm Greybull Capital in 2021, McLaren Applied recently launched the premium Lavoie e-scooter brand.

Persons: de Wouw, Lavoie, VanMoof, Felix Capital, Jan Padberg, Nick Carey, Frances Kerry Organizations: REUTERS, Formula, McLaren, Reuters, Norwest Venture Partners, Nasdaq, Capital, Thomson Locations: Amsterdam, Netherlands, Silicon Valley

New York CNN Business —Taylor Swift’s era-defining “Eras” tour is flying like a jet stream, high above the music scene — by billions of dollars. The tour could gross $2.2 billion in North American ticket sales alone, according to August survey data from research firm QuestionPro provided to CNN exclusively. ‘An economic phenomenon’“Taylor Swift’s ‘Eras’ tour is rewriting the playbook of entertainment economics,” said Chris Leyden, director of growth marketing at SeatGeek. “She’s not just a performer — she’s an economic phenomenon.”The average resale price of an “Eras” ticket was $1,607, SeatGeek told CNN. Swift kicked off the highly-anticipated “Eras” — her first tour since her “Reputation” stadium tour in 2018 — in March.

Persons: New York CNN Business — Taylor, QuestionPro, Swift, Elton John’s, Larry Miller, New York University Steinhardt, “, ”, Miller, concertgoers, Taylor, Chris Leyden, “ She’s, —, SeatGeek, “ Taylor, Terri Shoemaker, Taylor Swift, Hell, Swifties, “ We’ve, Ethan Chernofsky, That’s, it’s, I’ve Organizations: New York CNN Business, North, CNN, New York University, Swift, Arizona Food Bank Network, Retailers, Ticketmaster, Entertainment, Nissan Locations: Los Angeles, American, North America, Arizona, Philadelphia, Nashville , Tennessee, Arlington , Texas

☆ Michael Parkinson, UK's 'king of the chat show', dies aged 88
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Kylie Maclellan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, Aug 17 (Reuters) - British broadcaster Michael Parkinson, best known for interviewing some of the world's biggest celebrities on his long-running eponymous chat show, has died aged 88. After moving into current affairs television in the late 1960s, he was given his own prime-time chat show 'Parkinson' by the BBC in 1971. "After a brief illness Sir Michael Parkinson passed away peacefully at home last night in the company of his family," a family statement said. Parkinson later said he regretted getting angry with the actress. While he listed U.S. film director Orson Welles as one of his favourite guests, Parkinson also acknowledged many would simply recall the show where he was attacked by comedian Rod Hull's puppet Emu.

Persons: Michael Parkinson, Parkinson, Muhammad Ali, Elton John, John Lennon, Michael Caine, Madonna, Michael, Tim Davie, Ali, Parkinson sparred, Nick Robinson, Mary, Sir Michael Parkinson, Helen Mirren, Meg Ryan, Mirren, Ryan, Orson Welles, Rod Hull's, Kylie MacLellan, Suban Abdulla, Kate Holton, William James, Michael Holden, Christina Fincher Organizations: BBC, National Service, ITV, U.S, Twitter, Thomson Locations: British, Yorkshire, England

☆ Sook: How a UK startup hopes to save the high street
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Jenny Marc | Mark Tutton | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

They’re struggling against the shift to online shopping, rising operating and supply-chain costs, and shoppers having their spending money chipped away by inflation. Sook was founded in 2019 by John Hoyle, who was once a captain in the British army and then worked in real estate before launching the company. “People love engaging in real life and we just need to facilitate a model that allows that,” he says. Wanting to reach customers in the real world, Stark has held pop-up sales with Sook in Edinburgh, and on London’s Oxford Street. “Creativity and flexibility will be absolutely essential to ensuring that high streets continue to be diverse and vibrant,” he adds.

Persons: Sook, John Hoyle, Hoyle, ”, “, Nicole Stark, Stark, “ We’ve, we’ve, Andrew Goodacre Organizations: CNN, Newcastle, Adobe, Mastercard, Oxford, British Independent Retailers Association Locations: Britain, London, Leeds, Johannesburg, South Africa, Edinburgh, Scotland, Italy, France

☆ BAE Systems snaps up Ball Corp's aerospace arm for about $5.55 bln
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Yadarisa Shabong | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

People gather at the BAE Systems' booth during the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Global Force Symposium & Exposition in Huntsville, Alabama, U.S. March 28, 2023. Shares in BAE Systems were down 3% by 0730 GMT. "We see this deal as a good fit, although slightly expensive," Jefferies analysts led by Chloe Lemarie wrote in a note. The proposed deal would be treated as an asset purchase for federal tax purposes, BAE said. ($1 = 0.7856 pounds)Reporting by Yadarisa Shabong in Bengaluru; editing by Subhranshu Sahu and Jason NeelyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Cheney Orr, Chloe Lemarie, Charles Woodburn, Morgan Stanley, Yadarisa, Subhranshu Sahu, Jason Neely Organizations: BAE Systems, Association of, United States Army, Global, REUTERS, Ball Corp, Jefferies, Reuters, Blackstone Inc, Veritas Capital Fund Management, BAE, General Dynamics Corp, Textron, Britain's, Intelligence, Thomson Locations: Huntsville , Alabama, U.S, Colorado, Bengaluru

☆ Weight loss drugs are priced substantially higher in the U.S. than in other countries, analysis says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

In this photo illustration, a box of the diabetes drug Ozempic rests on a pharmacy counter on April 17, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Blockbuster weight loss drugs are priced significantly higher in the U.S. than in other large, high-income countries, according to a new analysis released Thursday. The report from KFF, a health policy organization, comes as many U.S. health insurers balk at the extreme cost of weight loss drugs and drop the medications from their plans. These list prices and the patchy insurance coverage of weight loss drugs in the U.S. undoubtedly impact accessibility. New trial data released by Novo Nordisk last week could potentially put more pressure on U.S. insurers to cover weight loss drugs.

Persons: Eli, Eli Lilly weren't, Wegovy Organizations: Blockbuster, balk, Novo Nordisk, Novo Nordisk's Wegovy, CNBC Locations: Los Angeles , California, U.S, KFF, Novo, Japan, Germany, Sweden, France, Netherlands, Danish

☆ How Oliver Anthony’s ‘Rich Men North of Richmond’ became a chart-topping conservative anthem
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Scottie Andrew | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —In a matter of days, Oliver Anthony’s working-class anthem, “Rich Men North of Richmond,” has gone from viral sensation to legitimate country hit. “Rich Men North of Richmond” touches upon Anthony’s time as a factory worker in Western North Carolina, he said in the video shared before the song was posted online. Conservative media personality Jason Howerton said he has offered to pay to produce Anthony’s record and that Rich had agreed to produce it. (A representative for Rich told CNN on Wednesday that there “isn’t much to report on” about Anthony and Rich working together. Anthony's song has been compared to Aldean's for their rural perspectives and embrace by conservatives.

Persons: Oliver Anthony’s, “ Rich, ”, dethroning Luke Combs, Jason Aldean, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Matt Walsh, Anthony, he’s, “, …, ” Anthony, That’s what’s, Oliver Anthony, Richmond ”, Christopher Anthony Lunsford, Jeffrey Epstein, Epstein, RadioWV, it’s, Kari Lake, Lauren Boebert, ” It’s, Travis Tritt, John Rich of, Jason Howerton, Rich, Jason Aldean's, parlayed, “ Don’t, “ Oliver Anthony’s, Phil, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Anthony’s, Uncle Sam’s, Merle Haggard’s “, Guy Drake’s “, Cadillac ”, ain’t Organizations: CNN, North, Apple, iTunes, US Rep, YouTube, Richmond, Virgin Islands, Arizona, John Rich of Big, Rich, Conservative, Records, Facebook Locations: Richmond, ”, Virginia, Appalachia, Western North Carolina, Washington , DC, Virgin, Currituck , North Carolina, America

☆ Burger King follows McDonald’s in cutting tomatoes from its India menu
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Tara Subramaniam | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Tomatoes are off the menu in India as Burger King becomes the latest fast food chain to be impacted by rising prices of the culinary staple. Last month, McDonald’s (MCD) announced that many of its restaurants across the country would be temporarily removing tomatoes from their burgers, citing quality issues and shortages of supply. “Going forward, the spike in vegetable prices, led by tomatoes, would exert sizeable upside pressures on the near-term headline inflation trajectory,” it wrote in a statement. Last week, Subway announced its Indian outlets would charge 30 rupees ($0.40) extra for a cheese slice in most sandwiches, Reuters reported. As for tomatoes, Indian cuisine is unthinkable without the ubiquitous fruit.

Persons: Burger King, Burger, Jocelyn Boiteau, Boiteau Organizations: CNN, Subway, Reuters, Department of Consumer Affairs, Tata, Cornell Institute for Agriculture, Nutrition Locations: India, New Delhi, India’s

☆ Cannabis Vendors in Limbo as Judge Halts N.Y. License Program
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Ashley Southall | More About Ashley Southall | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Just 23 retailers have opened storefronts or delivery services since the first licensed shop opened in December, and only about 18,000 pounds of cannabis have been sold so far, according to the Office of Cannabis Management. At the current sales rate, 564,000 pounds of legally grown cannabis will remain unsold by the end of the year, agency officials said. Some licensees and lawyers have laid some of the blame on Attorney General Letitia James, whose office is responsible for defending the cannabis program against lawsuits. At the hearing last week, her lawyer struggled to answer basic questions about the program from Justice Bryant, such as distancing requirements between dispensaries. Then, an investor agreed in June to put up $150 million to revive the state’s dispensary plan under terms that have not been disclosed.

Persons: Beau Allulli Jr, ”, Letitia James, Justice Bryant, Kathy Hochul’s Organizations: Cannabis Management, Justice Locations: Lower Manhattan

☆ Wegovy could prevent up to 1.5 million heart attacks, strokes over 10 years, study says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A selection of injector pens for the Wegovy weight loss drug are shown in this photo illustration in Chicago, Illinois, March 31, 2023. Novo Nordisk's blockbuster weight loss injection Wegovy could prevent up to 1.5 million heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular events in the U.S. over 10 years, according to a study released this week. Researchers from the University of California, Irvine, also found that Wegovy could result in 43 million fewer Americans with obesity over a decade. An estimated 83 million Americans without established cardiovascular disease would also experience heart health benefits after taking Wegovy for a decade. Wegovy would reduce the risk of serious heart problems in that population by 17.8%, which translates to 1.5 million preventable heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular events.

Persons: Novo, Wegovy, Nathan Wong, Ozempic Organizations: University of California, Novo Nordisk, UC, Wall Street, Disease, Nordisk's, Nordisk Locations: Chicago , Illinois, U.S, Irvine, Danish, UC Irvine's

☆ How 60,000 pounds of crawfish are harvested a day in Louisiana
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Korey Isbell | Dorian Barranco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

Louisiana produces 90% of the United States' crawfish. Most of the farmed crawfish comes from rice fields in one small area of Cajun country. In the 1980s, rice farmers experimented with cultivating crawfish in their fields. Today, business is booming, clearing the way for the next generation of farmers like Madison McIntyre. But the industry is also unregulated and fast-moving, trapping producers in an endless fight to keep crawfish alive.

Persons: Madison McIntyre Locations: Louisiana, United States

☆ UK PM Sunak commits to triple-lock pension policy despite inflation
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, Aug 16 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was committed to the government's mechanism for increasing state pensions even though it is likely to cost billions of pounds more than usual given high inflation. The pension triple lock is a government promise to raise publicly funded pensions by the level of earnings, inflation or 2.5%, whichever is highest. "Of course the government is committed to its policy on the triple lock," Sunak told ITV News on Wednesday when asked whether he would stick to the pledge despite the rate of inflation. "When I set out that target people said 'oh that's very easy he’s not ambitious enough'," he told ITV. "I thought it was an ambitious target, but it's right to be ambitious for our country."

Persons: Rishi Sunak, Sunak, Jeremy Hunt, William Schomberg, Kylie MacLellan Organizations: British, ITV News, Bank of, ITV, Thomson Locations: that's

☆ Windmill Made Famous in ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ Is for Sale in England
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Claire Moses | More About Claire Moses | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

A historic windmill in the English countryside that appeared alongside Dick Van Dyke and a magical flying car in the 1968 movie “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” has gone up for sale. The black-and-white Cobstone Mill, in Buckinghamshire, England, just outside London, is part of a property that also includes a main house, about 37 acres of land and a swimming pool. The mill is thought to have been built around 1816 and was used to grind cereal until 1873, according to Savills, the real estate firm selling the property. Before the windmill could be used as a movie location it needed substantial renovations. The property had been damaged by a fire and, according to local media reports at the time, squatters had been living in it.

Persons: Dick Van Dyke, Chitty Chitty, ” Locations: Buckinghamshire, England, London

☆ New video shows Russia fail to stop a Ukrainian drone boat named 'Sea Baby' from blowing apart a key bridge with nearly 2,000 lbs of explosives
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A Ukrainian sea drone attacked a key bridge in Crimea last month, damaging the structure. Kyiv has made increasing use of sea drones in the Black Sea, striking different Russian targets. On Wednesday, Ukraine's SBU published several photos and videos of the "Sea Baby" drone used in the Kerch Bridge attack on its Telegram channel. Earlier this month, Ukrainian drone boats hit the Russian warship Olenegorsky Gornyak at the port of Novorossiysk, badly damaging the vessel. And like the Kerch Bridge strike, the drone that struck the landing ship did so without meeting any obvious resistance.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Ukraine's SBU, Vasyl Maliuk, Olenegorsky Organizations: CNN, Service, The Security Service, Kyiv, Security Service, Russia Locations: Crimea, Kyiv, Wall, Silicon, Crimean, Russia, Ukraine, Kerch, Moscow, Russian, Ukrainian, Novorossiysk, Syria

☆ Ukrainians are testing out a jerry-rigged mine-clearing machine made from a farm vehicle with spinning metal chains
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A Ukrainian engineer is trying a novel method of mine-clearance: adapting a farm excavator. Video shows whirling chains strike the ground as the digger moves forward, blasting hidden mines. The design takes inspiration from the WWII-era Sherman Tank, some of which were also kitted out with spinning chains to clear mines, Reuters reported. A commander speaking to The Post also said that Western-supplied mine-clearing equipment has proved a disappointingly easy target for Russian artillery to strike. On Monday, the US announced a new $200 million aid package to Ukraine, which includes de-mining equipment.

Persons: Sherman, Vitalii, Volodymyr Ozoryan, Oleksii Reznikov, Alexander Lobov, Ukraine's Organizations: Service, Reuters, Defense, Guardian, UN, Washington Post, US Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Wall, Silicon

☆ Tonali delights Newcastle fans by going for budget pub meal after debut
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Aug 15 (Reuters) - Newcastle United fans have embraced Italian signing Sandro Tonali with the chant he "drinks Moretti, eats spaghetti"; and they may be on to something, given he was seen dining at a budget chain pub after scoring on his debut. Newcastle's Chronicle newspaper reported that the 23-year-old walked into a Wetherspoons pub in Gosforth on Monday night after a booking was made in his name. The menu at the Gosforth Wetherspoons features items such as pasta Alfredo with an alcoholic drink for 10.37 pounds ($13.17), mixed grill with drink for 12.91 pounds or pizza margherita and drink for 9.82 pounds. "He might put in a transfer request the minute his food arrives," said another. ($1 = 0.9145 euros)($1 = 0.7872 pounds)Reporting by Alan Baldwin in London Editing by David GoodmanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Sandro Tonali, Moretti, James ', Tonali, Alfredo, margherita, Alan Baldwin, David Goodman Organizations: Newcastle United, Magpies, AC Milan, Aston Villa, St, Newcastle's Chronicle, Twitter, Gosforth, Thomson Locations: Gosforth, London

☆ Superconductor Scientist Faces Investigation as a Paper Is Retracted
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Kenneth Chang | More About Kenneth Chang | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

Many other scientists greeted the announcement with skepticism because an earlier Nature paper by Dr. Dias describing a different and less practical superconducting material had already been retracted. The university had previously conducted three preliminary inquiries into Dr. Dias’s research and decided the concerns did not warrant further scrutiny. On Tuesday, Dr. Hamlin said he was pleased that the journal had taken his concerns seriously. He said there were two additional instances of apparent data duplication in Dr. Dias’s work that he hoped would also be reviewed. One involves another Nature paper; the other is what Dr. Hamlin describes as a duplication of data in Dr. Dias’s thesis.

Persons: . Dias, James Hamlin, Dias, ”, Hamlin, Salamat, Keith V, Lawler, University of Rochester “, Dias’s Organizations: University of Florida, Adobe Illustrator, University of Rochester, University of Nevada, UNLV Locations: South Korea, Las Vegas

☆ Barclays names the global stocks benefitting from falling inflation — and gives two 60% upside
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Ganesh Rao | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Barclays identified several European stocks that it says could benefit from an environment of falling inflation. As interest rates remain elevated, inflation is expected to fall further toward the European Central Bank's 2% target in the coming months. The below table highlights 10 "disinflation winners" from Barclays with the biggest upside: Delivery Hero Among the stocks highlighted, shares of food delivery company Delivery Hero had the biggest upside potential. Lloyds Banking Group Barclays expects shares of U.K.-based lender Lloyds Banking Group to rise 64% over the next 12 months to £0.70 ($0.89). Together with falling provision risks we expect higher profits to drive outsized capital returns," said Barclays' analysts led by Aman Rakka in a note to clients on July 27.

Persons: Emmanuel Cau, Andrew Ross, Aman Rakka, Larissa van Deventer Organizations: Barclays, Central, Lloyds Banking Group Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group, Lloyds, Legal, General Barclays Locations: U.S

People walk outside the Bank of England in the City of London financial district in London, Britain, March 23, 2023. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls/File PhotoLONDON, Aug 15 (Reuters) - A handful of small UK commercial lenders are offering interest-free loans to high-risk borrowers, as part of a government-backed scheme to support people through the cost of living crisis. Reuters has confirmed that Social Credit, a collaboration between commercial startup lender Plend and two nonprofit organisations, has been delivering interest-free loans as part of the scheme. A hole in the credit market, caused by the collapse or exit of many payday lenders such as Provident and Quickquid, has left millions unable to access loans. HARD TIMESFair4All told Reuters a portion of the 45 million pounds would be used to fund no-interest loans, and the rest allocated to other financial support measures.

Persons: Henry Nicholls, Fair4All, TotallyMoney, Tom Lake, John Cronin, Cronin, Rishi Sunak's, Martin Coulter, Muvija, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Bank of England, REUTERS, Fair4All Finance, Reuters, South Manchester Credit Union, Provident, Quickquid, Customers, Conservative, Thomson Locations: City, London, Britain, British

☆ Chelsea agree deal to sign Lavia from Southampton - reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

LONDON, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Chelsea have reached an agreement to sign Belgium midfielder Romeo Lavia from Southampton, according to media reports on Tuesday. The BBC reported that Chelsea agreed a fee of 53 million pounds ($67.32 million) for the 19-year-old. Lavia signed for Manchester City in 2020 but made just two appearances for the club before joining Saints in July 2022 for 10.5 million pounds. Liverpool also made a bid for Lavia but missed out on the Belgian who will now join Chelsea's British record signing Moises Caicedo at Stamford Bridge. ($1 = 0.7873 pounds)Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Romeo Lavia, Chelsea, Lavia, Moises Caicedo, Angelica Medina, Ken Ferris Organizations: Chelsea, BBC, Manchester City, Saints, Premier League, Liverpool, Lavia, Chelsea's, Thomson Locations: Belgium, Southampton, Belgian, Stamford, Mexico City

☆ Pensions business boosts Legal & General H1 profit above expectations
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Legal & General (LGEN.L) reported a forecast-beating operating profit of 941 million pounds ($1.20 billion) in the first half on Tuesday, boosted by its bulk annuity business, and said it was on track to meet its five-year ambitions. Analysts in a company-compiled consensus poll had forecast operating profit for the British life insurer and asset manager of 834 million pounds. Operating profit fell nearly 2% from a year earlier but analysts at Jefferies said they expected the results to be "well received" on Tuesday. British specialist insurer Just Group (JUSTJ.L) reported a 154% jump in first-half profit on Tuesday, also beating market estimates, boosted by bumper sales of its retirement income products and higher new business income. ($1 = 0.7868 pounds)Reporting by Carolyn Cohn in London and Eva Mathews in Bengaluru, editing by Sinead CruiseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Nigel Wilson, Jefferies, Carolyn Cohn, Eva Mathews, Sinead Cruise Organizations: General Investment Management, Thomson Locations: London, Bengaluru

☆ Opinion | How Much Is an American Hostage Worth?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Bret Stephens | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

The Biden administration agreed last week to a deal with Iran that, if all goes according to plan, paves the way for five American citizens to come home after long imprisonments on spurious charges. It’s likely that the agreement is also tied to efforts to resume nuclear talks with Iran, though the administration insists the nuclear and hostage files remain separate. And it is not a sign of weakness when democratic governments pay what seem like exorbitant amounts to free hostages. In Israel, Ariel Sharon and Benjamin Netanyahu each released hundreds of Arab prisoners to obtain the release of a single living Israeli hostage. There is also Shahab Dalili, a U.S. permanent resident whose wife and sons are Americans and who has been imprisoned in Tehran since 2016.

Persons: Morad Tahbaz, Siamak Namazi, Ariel Sharon, Benjamin Netanyahu, Shahab Dalili, Paul Rusesabagina Organizations: Biden, Tehran, U.S . Embassy, Rwanda Locations: Iran, South Korea, U.S, Tehran, It’s, Israel, “

Alchemation, known for the international hit "SIX," is among an increasingly established presence of musical theatre at the Fringe, which takes over the Scottish capital for the month of August. The company's "Hello Kitty Must Die," based on the novel by Hong Kong-born, U.S.-based writer Kate Kamen (formerly Angela S. Choi) is playing at Edinburgh's Pleasance until Aug. 27. It transferred to London's West End, where it was spotted by Alchemation, which took it to Broadway and beyond. It is the first time one of its diversity grants has supported a musical as the genre cements its presence. The Pleasance alone has 16 musicals this year, its most yet, it said, out of roughly 140 across the Fringe as a whole.

Persons: Lucas McMahon, Kitty, Kate Kamen, Angela S, Choi, Edinburgh's Pleasance, Anthony Alderson, Henry VIII, Alderson, Levi Roots, Ray Shell, Barbara Lewis, Sarah Mills, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Edinburgh Fringe, SIX, Scottish, Reuters, Edinburgh's, Pleasance Theatre Trust, Broadway, Thomson Locations: York, Hong Kong, U.S, Edinburgh, Cambridge, New York, London

☆ Goalkeeper Raya moves to Arsenal on loan from Brentford
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Aug 15 (Reuters) - Arsenal have signed Spanish goalkeeper David Raya from fellow Premier League club Brentford on a season-long loan with an option to make the transfer permanent, both clubs said on Tuesday. According to British media reports, Arsenal paid Brentford a loan fee worth three million pounds ($3.82 million) for Raya and will have the option to sign the goalkeeper on a permanent basis for 27 million pounds. "David is a top-quality goalkeeper, who has consistently performed to a high level with Brentford in the Premier League," Arsenal sporting director Edu said. Brentford added that Raya had signed a two-year contract extension before moving to Arsenal. The West Londoners, who finished ninth in the Premier League last season, signed Dutch goalkeeper Mark Flekken from Bundesliga side Freiburg on a four-year contract in May.

Persons: David Raya, Raya, David, Edu, Aaron Ramsdale, Matt Turner, Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, I've, Mikel Arteta, he's, Mark Flekken, Aadi Nair, Janina Nuno Rios, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Arsenal, Premier League, Brentford, Nottingham Forest, West Londoners, Bundesliga, Freiburg, Fulham, Thomson Locations: Spanish, Raya, Spain, Qatar

☆ Chelsea sign Ecuador's Caicedo from Brighton for British record fee
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Chelsea have broken the British transfer record for the second time in a year by signing Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo from Brighton & Hove Albion on an eight-year contract on Monday. Financial details were not disclosed but British media said Chelsea will pay 115 million pounds ($145.96 million), eclipsing the 106 million pounds record fee the London club paid to sign Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez from Benfica in January. Caicedo still had four years to run on his Brighton contract but had told the south-coast club he wished to leave. 'TOP MIDFIELDER'Caicedo signed for Brighton in February 2021 for a reported 4.5 million pounds and was loaned to Belgian club Beerschot in August that year. He made his Premier League debut in April last year and scored his first Brighton goal against Manchester United in May.

Persons: Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Caicedo, Juergen Klopp, Mauricio Pochettino, Todd Boehly, Moises, Tony Bloom, Roberto De Zerbi, Alexis Mac Allister, David Weir, Christopher Nkunku, Axel Disasi, Nicolas Jackson, Lesley Ugochukwu, Robert Sanchez, Angelo, Chelsea, Rohith Nair, Trevor Stynes, Ken Ferris Organizations: Chelsea, Brighton & Hove Albion, London, Benfica, Premier League, Brighton, Arsenal, Liverpool, Liverpool swooped, Clearlake Capital, Belgian, Beerschot, Manchester United, Argentina, West Ham United, Thomson Locations: Brighton, Argentina, Merseyside, London, Belgium

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