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☆ 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

☆ A TikToker shows how to get an entire week's worth of groceries from Dollar General for just $35
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Dominick Reuter | Alex Bitter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Rebecca Chobat is an expert at shopping Dollar Tree to stock up on groceries with a $35 budget. DollarTreeDinnersAlthough she said Dollar General is sometimes known as being the more expensive option, the brand's 19,000 locations in the US exceed the 16,400 stores owned by Dollar Tree. Dollar Tree also owns Family Dollar. Dollar Tree and Dollar General ranked among the top five retailers from which consumers bought food in 2022, per Coresight Research. "Ultimately I paid $35.71, plus tax, and for that I got a pretty considerable amount of groceries," Chobat said.

Persons: Rebecca Chobat, Chobat, creamer Organizations: Dollar, Service, creamer Locations: Wall, Silicon, United States, bologna

☆ Ukraine's river raiders defy mosquito-infested bogs and the fear of being drowned by their body armor to harass Russian invaders
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( Nathan Rennolds | Julian Kossoff | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A unit commander told the Kyiv Independent that they needed more powerful boats. "We attack them where they least expect us," the military unit commander told the outlet. A map showing where the city of Kherson is in relation to the Dnipro river. But it added that it was "unclear if Russian forces possess the mechanized reserves necessary to do so." The unit commander told the outlet the river raiders Ukraine need more powerful boats.

Persons: who've, Kozachi Laheri Organizations: Kyiv Independent, Service, 124th Territorial Defense Brigade, Russian, Daily Telegraph, Ukraine's Armed Forces, for Locations: Dnipro, Wall, Silicon, Ukraine's, Russian, Kherson Oblast, Kyiv, Ukrainian, Ukraine, Kherson, autmun, Kozachi, Russia

☆ How 19 NFL players lost weight after retiring and became unrecognizable, including one who used a 'water fast'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( Cork Gaines | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Russell Okung revealed that he lost over 100 pounds on a "water fast" after retiring from the NFL. Many former NFL players, especially linemen, lost weight with simple, less drastic diet changes. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementFormer NFL player Russell Okung weighed 310 pounds during his football career and recently lost over 100 pounds using a 40-day "water fast." When retirement comes, the processs of losing the weight can be just as complicated as gaining it.

Persons: Russell Okung, — Organizations: NFL, Service, Football, USA

☆ Taylor Swift is a hero to food banks from coast to coast
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( Tami Luhby | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

From Georgia to Michigan to Texas to California and in between, food banks have benefited. “Taylor Swift’s donation certainly helped at a time when we’re seeing the need climb and climb and climb,” Shoemaker told CNN. Food banks around the country are contending with increased demand, higher costs and tighter supplies of donated food. Many food banks say need has increased in 2023, driven in part by the end of a pandemic enhancement to food stamps nationwide earlier this year. A flurry of other contributions followed over the next week, jumping 43% from the same period a year earlier, said Shobana Gubbi, the food bank’s chief philanthropy officer.

Persons: Taylor Swift, Terri Shoemaker, “ Taylor, ” Shoemaker, Swift, Mark Coleman, Coleman, Shobana Gubbi, Swift’s largesse, ”, Beth Martino Organizations: New, New York CNN, Arizona Food Bank Network, CNN, Lifeline, Food Bank Locations: New York, Georgia, Michigan, Texas, California, Arizona, Seattle, United States, Valley, Santa Clara , California, Las Vegas, Nevada

☆ Crocodiles were played the sound of human babies crying. The higher the infant's distress level, the more the carnivores would respond.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Nile crocodiles react to the cries of infants from species like bonobos, chimpanzees, and humans. Researchers played audio recordings of infants crying to the carnivorous crocodiles and discovered they were drawn to those in the most distress. While humans primarily responded to the pitch of the cries, crocodiles responded based on levels of "deterministic chaos, harmonicity, and spectral prominences." Nile crocodiles can grow to about 20 feet long and can weigh up to 1,650 pounds, per National Geographic. According to the publication, Nile crocodiles generally live close to humans, meaning encounters happen relatively often.

Persons: – Organizations: Service, Royal Society B, Royal, Geographic Locations: Wall, Silicon, CrocoParc, Agadir, Morocco, Saharan Africa, Madagascar

☆ Maui wildfires: Crews still working to identify 93 victims found so far in deadliest US fire in over a century
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( Nouran Salahieh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

Matthew Thayer/The Maui News/AP Volunteers unload supplies from trucks before loading them onto boats for people in need at Kihei Ramp in Maui, Hawaii, on Saturday, August 12. Rick Bowmer/AP Grace Hurt, right, embraces someone while loading supplies for those in need at Kihei Ramp in Maui, Hawaii, on Saturday. Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources/AP Burnt boats sit in waters off of Lahaina, Hawaii, on Friday. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images In an aerial view, search and rescue crews walk through a neighborhood, continuing to search for missing people in Lahaina, Hawaii, on Friday. Phonoxaylinkham, his wife, and their five children were caught in the Lahaina wildfires and survived by exiting their car and spending four hours in the ocean as the west Maui wildfires raged around them.

Persons: Josh Green, “ It’s, Dora, We’ve, ” Green, ”, John Pelletier, Deanne Criswell, Green, Brad Ventura, Kihei –, •, Anne Lopez, ” Lopez, Matthew Thayer, Evelio Contreras, Rick Bowmer, Grace Hurt, Hurt, Justin Sullivan, Mike Blake, Zoltan Balogh, Zeran Harris, Robert Gauthier, Mengshin Lin, CNN Vixay Phonxaylinkham, Lana, Phonoxaylinkham, Marco Garcia, Claire Rush, Myrna Ah Hee, Sui, Ty O'Neil, Ku'u Kauanoe, ZUMA, Patrick T, Fallon, Dustin Johnson, “, who’ve, Ilihia Gionson, Gionson, –, Steven, Giulietta Daiker, ” Steven, ” Giulietta, “ We’re, Richard Bissen Jr Organizations: CNN, National Fire Protection Association, ”, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Maui Police, FEMA, Maui County Fire, • Cell, Maui News, AP Volunteers, Hawaii Department of Land, Natural Resources, Reuters, . Hawaii Department of Land, Los Angeles Times, AP, Washington Post, Fire Department, Kahului, Technologies, AP Hawaii Army National Guard, Hawaii National Guard, Reuters Residents, ZUMA Passengers, Getty, National Guard, Department of Health, Human Services, Pacific Whale Foundation, Ritz, Carlton, Hawaii Department, Transportation, Saturday, Volunteers, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Lahaina Residents Locations: Maui, ” Hawaii, Maui County, Lahaina, Kihei, Upcountry, Hawaii, Church, Lahaina Hongwanji, Lahaina , Hawaii, Wailuku, Kula, Waiola, Kula , Hawaii, Maalaea, Kahului, California, Las Vegas, AFP, Kapalua, Lahaina –, Hawaiian

☆ 4 key types of landmines, how they work, and their impact on the Russia-Ukraine war
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( Nathan Rennolds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Here are the four main types of mines, how they work, and how they've impacted the war. Insider has looked at the four key types of landmines — broken down into two major groups — being used in the war, how they work, and the impact they've had on the conflict in Ukraine. In July, HRW said it had unearthed more evidence that Ukraine used the banned mines and has informed the Ukrainian government. Fragmentation minesFragmentation mines can be either bounding mines or ground mines. The Russia-Ukraine war has seen a variety of anti-tank mines used, including the PTM-1 and the TM-62M.

Persons: deminers, Vitaly V, HRW, OLEKSII FILIPPOV, Velyka Novosilka, Diego Herrera Carcedo, bobby, Bradley, Valery Zaluzhny, Zaluzhny Organizations: Service, The Times, German Army Combat Training, Blast, Rights Watch, Wikimedia, Getty, Anadolu Agency, HRW, DEL POZO, Washington Post Locations: Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Russia, PMN, Ukrainian, Brovary, Kyiv, AFP, Mine

☆ Daily Mail in talks with investors over potential bid for Britain's Telegraph
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A clock face is seen outside of the London offices of the Daily Mail newspaper in London, Britain, April 28, 2018. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File PhotoAug 12 (Reuters) - The Daily Mail and General Trust has registered its interest with British bank Lloyds (LLOY.L) for a potential bid for The Telegraph, a spokesperson told Reuters on Saturday. Individual external investors would be unlikely to own more than 20% of the Telegraph titles if they formed part of a consortium with the Daily Mail proprietor, the report added. Last month, the Telegraph and Spectator appointed investment bank Goldman Sachs (GS.N) and law firm Linklaters to advise on their sale. Reporting by Kanjyik Ghosh in Bengaluru; Editing by Giles ElgoodOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Toby Melville, Rothermere, Barclay, Goldman Sachs, Linklaters, Kanjyik Ghosh, Giles Elgood Organizations: Daily Mail, REUTERS, General Trust, Lloyds, The Telegraph, Sky News, DMG, Telegraph, Daily, Sunday Telegraph, Spectator, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Bengaluru

☆ Here are 7 beaten-up global stocks that analysts expect to double
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Ganesh Rao | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

While stock markets worldwide have rallied this year on fading fears of a global recession, a number of stocks have been left behind. However, the London-listed company's stock is expected to rise by 143% over the next 12 months, according to the consensus price target of six analysts. Brooke expects the outperform-rated shares to rise by more than 150% to 50p (£0.50, or $0.64) over the next 12 months. Vanquis' stock went another leg lower after it announced the departure of its CFO earlier this month. However, the median average of analyst price targets points to an upside potential of 148% over the next 12 months.

Persons: —, Andrew Brooke, Brooke, Helios Towers, Helios, Jefferies, Giles Thorne, Thorne Organizations: CNBC Pro, FTSE, Capita, Capital Markets, Banking, Provident Financial, Helios Locations: London, Africa

☆ Inside a Dementia Unit in a Federal Prison - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Katie Engelhart | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +8 min

He actually hasn’t existed for, like, over 20 years.” These men are serving life sentences at Angola prison in Louisiana. “I’m serving a life sentence for second-degree murder.” “First-degree murder.” “Second-degree murder and armed robbery.” “I’m serving a life sentence.” “A life sentence without parole.” “I was 18 when this crime happened.” “I was 17 years old.” “I was 18 at the time.” “I come here when I’m 17. It shouldn’t have happened.” In the U.S., there are more than 50,000 people serving life without parole, 70 percent of whom are Black. It’s just a life sentence.” A few states have implemented changes in the criminal justice system, including second-look reforms. But they are only a small fraction of those serving life without parole.

Persons: It’s, I’ve, ”, “ I’m, ” “, “, that’s, Damian, aren’t, who’ve, I’d, Don’t, I’m, ” “ I’ve Organizations: I’m, Culinary Arts School, Baton Rouge Community College, National Center for Construction Education, Research, Bury Locations: Angola, Louisiana, U.S

☆ UK considers response to US ban on tech investments in China
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A worker adjusts British and China (R) national flags on display for a signing ceremony at the seventh UK-China Economic and Financial Dialogue "Roundtable on Public-Private Partnerships" at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China September 21, 2015. REUTERS/Andy Wong/File PhotoLONDON, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Britain said on Thursday it was weighing how to respond to a decision by U.S. President Joe Biden to prohibit some tech investments in China, adding it was continuing to assess potential national security risks. The U.S. government has said the measures are designed to address national security risks. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's government said the executive order gave important clarity on the U.S. approach: "The UK will consider these new measures closely as we continue to assess potential national security risks attached to some investments." British investment in Hong Kong stood at 77.6 billion pounds.

Persons: Andy Wong, Joe Biden, Biden, Rishi Sunak's, James, Sunak, Kate Holton, William Schomberg, Sharon Singleton Organizations: China Economic, Public, REUTERS, U.S, Treasury, Thomson Locations: China, Diaoyutai, Beijing, Britain, U.S, London, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, United States

☆ Stingy UK bank saving rates may become a non-issue
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Liam Proud | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

LONDON, Aug 10 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Banks are keeping the fruits of higher interest rates for themselves. Between January 2022 and May 2023, the Bank of England hiked rates by 4.25 percentage points. The nine largest UK banks boosted the interest on easy-access savings accounts by 1.18 percentage points, the FCA found. The upshot is that they’ll have to bid more aggressively for funding in the future, for example by raising interest rates on savings accounts. Second-quarter results suggest it too is paying more for funding: interest expense almost doubled between the second half of 2022 and the first half of 2023.

Persons: juicier, BoE, George Hay, Streisand Neto Organizations: Reuters, Authority, Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group, Bank of, FCA, Monday, Reuters Graphics Reuters, NatWest, Barclays ’, Lloyds, Banco Santander, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, European Central Bank, Bank of England, ECB, Spanish, Financial, HSBC, Santander UK, Nationwide Building Society, TSB Bank, Virgin Money, Bank, Thomson Locations: Britain, Spain, Bank of England, Italy, Hungary

☆ Mushrooms are flourishing in the Abu Dhabi desert
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Sarah Lazarus | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Now, a startup in Abu Dhabi has found a way to grow them in the middle of the desert. Below Farm is producing “specialty mushrooms” such as oyster, king oyster, shiitake and lion’s mane. Managing director Bronte Weir says the indoor farm, about 45 minutes’ drive from downtown Abu Dhabi, is the first in the region to grow and sell high-end mushrooms. He now orders 20 kilograms (44 pounds) of oyster mushrooms a week from the company. Neighborhood pizzeria Marmellata uses Below Farm's produce on one of its most popular dishes: the kale and mushroom pizza.

Persons: Bronte Weir, ” Weir, Liliana Slowinska, Wojciech Slowinski, Weir, isn’t, Abu, we’ve, ”, “, we’re, Dagstani Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, CNN Business, Business Research Company Locations: Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi, Europe, United States, UAE

☆ Eating disorders run rampant on university campuses. How to protect your college-bound kid
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Analysis Oona Hanson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Editor’s Note: Oona Hanson is a parent coach in private practice and a family mentor at Equip, an eating disorder treatment program. Eating disorders can affect people of all genders and ethnicities,” said Lauren Muhlheim, a clinical psychologist in Los Angeles and the director of Eating Disorder Therapy LA. Food insecurity in collegeBody image concerns and dieting aren’t the only potential disruptors to a college student’s eating behavior. Warning signs of an eating disorder include weight loss, mood changes, social isolation, or a preoccupation with food, weight or exercise. While there is no way to prevent every eating disorder, awareness of risk factors and open communication can make a difference.

Persons: Oona Hanson, ”, Leslie Gee, “, Lauren Muhlheim, Edwin Tan, it’s, It’s, Toby Morris, Whitney Trotter, Trotter, Morris, ” Gee, Muhlheim, Sarah Minkow, Charday Penn, ” Morris Organizations: CNN, University of California, National Alliance for Eating Disorders Locations: Berkeley, Los Angeles, Memphis , Tennessee

☆ Wilko: UK discount retail chain collapses putting 12,000 jobs at risk
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

British discount retailer Wilko said it has fallen into administration on Thursday, a form of creditor protection that puts its 12,000 jobs in danger. The family-owned retailer, facing a cash squeeze after a downturn in trading, had failed to secure emergency investment. It is Britain’s biggest retail casualty since convenience store chain McColl’s collapsed in May last year. Jackson said Wilko’s had “a significant level of interest,” including indicative offers that could recapitalize the business. Despite the squeeze on household incomes from the jump in interest rates and high levels of inflation, most UK high street chains have traded resiliently so far this year.

Persons: Wilko, “, ”, Mark Jackson, PwC, McColl’s, Jackson, Wilko’s, we’ve Organizations: Morrisons Locations: Leicester, England

The Russian lunar mission, the first since 1976, is racing against India, which launched its Chandrayaan-3 lunar lander last month, and more broadly with the United States and China, both of which have advanced lunar exploration programs targeting the lunar south pole. The lander is expected to touch down on the moon on Aug. 21, Russia's space chief Yuri Borisov told Interfax on Friday. I hope that a highly precise soft landing on the moon will happen," Borisov told workers at the Vostochny cosmodrome after the launch, according to Interfax. A Japanese lunar landing failed last year and an Israeli mission failed in 2019. No country has made a soft landing on the south pole.

Persons: Roscosmos, Yuri Borisov, Borisov, Luna, Asif Siddiqi, Neil Armstrong, Maxim Litvak, Guy Faulconbridge, Joey Roulette, Leslie Adler, Gerry Doyle Organizations: India, Soyuz, Luna, Vostochny, NASA, Kremlin, Space, European Space Agency, Fordham University, Reuters, 2.1b, REUTERS U.S, European Union, Thomson Locations: MOSCOW, Russia, United States, China, Vostochny cosmodrome, Moscow, Ukraine, Russian, Amur, Handout, Soviet, Soviet Union, India, Japan, Washington

☆ Deliveroo upgrades earnings guidance despite drop in orders
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

British meal delivery company Deliveroo upgraded its full-year earnings guidance on Thursday after a resilient first half in challenging market conditions that saw its total orders number fall 6%. The company said it expected to make adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of 60-80 million pounds ($76-$102 million) for the year, up from its previous 20-50 million pounds forecast. The company, which had 948 million pounds in net cash at the end of the period, said it would return 250 million pounds of capital to shareholders. The total gross transaction value of its orders increased 3%, as inflation in restaurant and grocery prices more than offset the drop in order numbers. Founder and chief executive Will Shu said the company delivered a strong financial performance despite challenging market conditions.

Persons: Will Shu, Deliveroo

☆ Fossil discovery may be one of the oldest, smallest aquatic whales found in Africa, study finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Jenna Schnuer Cnn | Jenna Schnuer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The find is also the oldest fully aquatic whale found in Africa, according to a new study. Tutcetus rayanensis is a member of the extinct family of early whales known as basilosauridae — the first widespread group to become fully aquatic. The discovery of the whale fossil led to the establishment of a new genus within the basilosauridae family. The area is one of the world’s “most productive fossil whale sites,” according to the study. Tutcetus rayanensis is the second whale species, following Phiomicetus anubis, to be discovered, described, and named by Egyptian paleontologists,” Antar said via email.

Persons: Pharaoh Tutankhamen, rayanensis, ”, Mohammed S, Antar, ” Antar, paleobiologist Nicholas Pyenson, wasn’t, Abdullah Gohar, Mohamed Sameh, Hesham, Whales, Erik R, Seiffert, Carlos Mauricio Peredo, Hesham Sallam Organizations: CNN, Communications, Vertebrate Paleontology, Smithsonian National Museum of, Egypt's, University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine, Miami University in, American University Locations: Egypt, Africa, Washington , DC, Mansoura, Wadi, Miami University in Oxford , Ohio, Cairo

A branch of the discount retail homeware store Wilko is seen in London, Britain, August 3, 2023. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File PhotoSummaryCompanies Wilko enters administration93-year old retailer trades from 400 storesFailed to secure emergency investmentLONDON, Aug 10 (Reuters) - British discount retailer Wilko said it has fallen into administration on Thursday, a form of creditor protection that puts its 12,000 jobs in danger. The family-owned retailer, facing a cash squeeze after a downturn in trading, had failed to secure emergency investment. Despite the squeeze on household incomes from the jump in interest rates and high levels of inflation, most UK high street chains have traded resiliently so far this year. Reporting by James Davey and Muvija M; Editing by Kate Holton and Elaine HardcastleOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Toby Melville, Wilko, Mark Jackson, PwC, McColl's, Jackson, Wilko's, we’ve, James Davey, Muvija, Kate Holton, Elaine Hardcastle Organizations: REUTERS, Morrisons, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Leicester, England

☆ Novo Nordisk to acquire obesity drug maker Inversago Pharma for up to $1 billion
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Novo Nordisk on Thursday said it will acquire Inversago Pharma, a privately held obesity drug maker, for up to $1.08 billion to broaden the Danish company's blockbuster weight loss portfolio. The deal's price depends on whether Inversago reaches certain development and sales goals, Novo Nordisk said in a release. Canada-based Inversago develops experimental therapies to treat people with obesity, diabetes and other conditions affecting the body's metabolism. Meanwhile, Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and Ozempic work by mimicking a hormone produced in the gut to suppress a person's appetite. Novo Nordisk intends to further investigate the potential of the oral drug for obesity and obesity-related complications.

Persons: Novo, Martin Holst Lange, Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen, availabilities Organizations: Novo Nordisk, Inversago Pharma, Novo, Novo Nordisk's Wegovy, Nordisk, Reuters Locations: Danish, Inversago, Canada, U.S

☆ Fact Check-Not all vehicles to places of worship are exempt from London emissions-zone charge
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

However, minibuses used for community transport by non-profit organisations, including to places of worship, are temporarily exempt from ULEZ charges. Social media accounts are circulating an image of an unattributed newspaper clipping reporting “Journeys to Houses Of Worship Exempt From ULEZ” (here, here, here and here). However, there is no exemption in place specifically for journeys undertaken to a place of worship, they added. ULEZ exemption details can be found on the TfL website (here). But there is no exemption in place specifically for journeys undertaken to a place of worship under ULEZ.

Persons: London Sadiq Khan, ” Khan, Khan “, ”, Sadiq Khan, Khan, Read Organizations: Transport, London, TfL, Muslim Observer, Reuters Locations: London

☆ Britain's Bellway says new home sales to fall 'materially'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Toby Melville/File PhotoAug 9 (Reuters) - Britain's Bellway (BWY.L) said on Wednesday it would build fewer homes this year and warned that it expects sales completions to drop "materially" amid a sharp housing sector slowdown triggered by higher mortgage rates. Bellway said it built 10,945 homes in the fiscal year ended July 31, slightly down from the guidance of 11,000 units. "In the current financial year, given the level of the order book and prevailing low reservation rates, legal completions are expected to decrease materially," it said in a statement. Bellway, whose builds range from one-bedroom apartments to six-bedroom family homes, said its full-year overall reservation rate fell 28.4% to 156 per week, and it also saw a steep fall from 190 units during the Feb. 1-June 4 period. Bellway's mid-cap competitors Crest Nicholson (CRST.L) and Vistry (VTYV.L) have said high mortgage rates were hampering demand from first-time buyers.

Persons: Toby Melville, Bellway, Barratt, Aby Jose Koilparambil, Suban Abdulla, Subhranshu Sahu, Paul Sandle, Alexander Smith Organizations: REUTERS, FTSE, Berkeley, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Newcastle, England, Bengaluru

☆ Flutter's US bet drives first half profit 76% higher
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Padraic Halpin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Dublin-based company said this made it the first online betting operator to turn a profit in the U.S and it did so six months ahead of schedule. Analysts at JPMorgan also noted a more cautious outlook on Australia, where Flutter's first half revenues fell by 1%. The U.S. profits contributed to reported EBITDA of 765 million pounds across the group, versus the 731 million pounds forecast by eight analyst polled by Refinitiv. Flutter and broadcaster Fox Corporation (FOXA.O) said last month it would close the FOX Bet sports betting platform. That would eclipse the record full year earnings of 1.4 billion pounds Flutter posted during the COVID-19 online betting boom of 2020.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Jefferies, Paddy Power, Padraic Halpin, Louise Heavens, Barbara Lewis Organizations: REUTERS, JPMorgan, PokerStars, Ireland, Refinitiv, FOX Bet, Fox Corporation, Thomson Locations: Dublin, U.S, Australia

☆ Insurers face long road, high cost to cover obesity drugs after promising Wegovy heart health data
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

There is likely a long way to go before the U.S. sees increased insurance coverage for obesity drugs. While the trial results demonstrate that obesity drugs may have significant health benefits beyond shedding unwanted pounds, organizations representing U.S. insurers emphasized that the data is still preliminary. "Health insurance providers will continue to analyze new evidence as it becomes available," he added. Ceci Connolly, CEO of the Alliance of Community Health Plans, acknowledged the promise of the data but said "outrageous prices should give everyone pause." The organization represents regional, community-based health plans that cover more than 18 million Americans across the U.S.

Persons: Jim Vondruska, Wegovy, Eli Lilly, David Allen, Ceci Connolly, Jared Holz, It's, Debra Tyler's, Joe Buglewicz, Eduardo Grunvald, George Frey, UCSD's Gunvald, Eli, Ethan Lazarus, Lazarus Organizations: Reuters Novo Nordisk, Novo Nordisk, America's Health, Alliance of Community Health, U.S, Drugs, Pfizer, Medicare, CVS, Aetna, CNBC, Washington Post, Getty, UCSD Health's Center, International Foundation of Employee, University of Texas System, UTS, Novo, Reuters, Obesity Medicine Association, New England, of Medicine Locations: Chicago , Illinois, U.S, Mizuho, Killingworth, Conn, Texas

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