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☆ NBA roundup: Nikola Jokic, Nuggets edge Warriors
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

Michael Porter Jr. added 17 points while Aaron Gordon finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds for Denver, which swept a four-game homestand. 1 draft pick Victor Wembanyama each had 14 points for the Spurs, who have lost three straight. Brandon Ingram scored 24 points on 11-for-25 shooting and rookie Jordan Hawkins added 14 points for the Pelicans, who lost their third straight game. Bobby Portis had 18 points for the Bucks, and Brook Lopez added 14, including a pivotal 3-pointer in the late going. Scottie Barnes contributed 14 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists and four steals.

Persons: Chris Paul, Nikola Jokic, Isaiah J, Downing, Reggie Jackson, Michael Porter Jr, Aaron Gordon, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond, Gary Payton II, Jamal Murray, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris, Kelly Oubre Jr, Kristaps Porzingis, Derrick White, Jayson Tatum, Porzingis, Domantas, Malik Monk, Jerami Grant, Monk, Sabonis, Grayson Allen, Kevin Durant, Jusuf Nurkic, Nurkic, Bradley Beal, Bam Adebayo, Adebayo, Miami's Tyler Herro, Jaren Jackson Jr, Herro, Jackson, Kyle Kuzma, Charlotte, Danilo Gallinari, Delon Wright, LaMelo Ball, Gordon Hayward, Green, Alperen Sengun, Sengun, Anthony Davis, Rui Hachimura, Aaron Nesmith, Myles Turner, Bennedict Mathurin, Tyrese Haliburton, Jordan Clarkson, Lauri Markkanen, Julius Randle, Randle, Jalen Brunson, RJ Barrett, Jeremy Sochan, Malaki Branham, Victor Wembanyama, Wembanyama, Lonnie Walker IV, James Harden, Walker, Cam Thomas, Royce O'Neale, Paul George, Harden, Anthony Edwards, Karl, Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert, Brandon Ingram, Jordan Hawkins, Damian Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo's, Bobby Portis, Brook Lopez, Antetokounmpo, Isaiah Stewart, Cade Cunningham, Marcus Sasser, Pascal Siakam, Dennis Schroder, Scottie Barnes, Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Tim Hardaway Jr, Shai Gilgeous, Alexander, Caris LeVert, Evan Mobley, Donovan Mitchell, Mitchell Organizations: Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets, Ball, USA, NBA, Denver, Warriors, 76ers, Celtics, Philadelphia, Boston, Sixers, Milwaukee Bucks, Trail Blazers, Sacramento, The, Blazers, Suns, Bulls, Chicago, Phoenix, Grizzlies, Miami, Los Angeles Lakers, Hornets, Washington, Wizards, Rockets, Lakers, Houston, Angeles, Pacers, Jazz, Utah, Knicks, Spurs, New, San, Nets, Clippers, Brooklyn, Timberwolves, Pelicans, Minnesota, Bucks, Pistons, Milwaukee, Detroit, Raptors, Mavericks, Toronto, Dallas, Cavaliers, Oklahoma City, Thomson Locations: Denver , Colorado, USA, Portland, Durant, Memphis, Los Angeles, Indiana, Indianapolis, New York, San Antonio, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Minneapolis, Cleveland

☆ Republicans demand Biden challenge China's Xi on fentanyl, prisoners
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Michael Martina | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The flags of the United States and China fly from a lamppost in the Chinatown neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., November 1, 2021. Republicans and Democrats in Congress have offered sometimes different approaches for countering China's growing economic and military might despite bipartisan consensus on the need to do so. But they asked Biden to present Xi with a list of 10 demands to improve relations, much like Beijing did to U.S. officials in 2021. "It is clear that competitive actions have been sacrificed to advance aimless, zombie-like engagement," they said. Reporting by Michael Martina and Patricia Zengerle; editing by Grant McCoolOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Brian Snyder, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Mike Gallagher, Biden, Mark Swidan, American Kai Li, David Lin, Michael Martina, Patricia Zengerle, Grant McCool Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Beijing, Biden, Economic Cooperation, Republicans, Democrats, Treasury, Industrial, Thomson Locations: United States, China, Chinatown, Boston , Massachusetts, U.S, San Francisco, Asia, Beijing, Philippines, South China, South, Taiwan, China's Xinjiang, Texas, American

☆ Nikola Jokic, Nuggets emerge with tight win over Warriors
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Field Level Media | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/50] Nov 8, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone addresses the media before the game against the Golden State Warriors at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports Acquire Licensing RightsNovember 9 - Nikola Jokic produced 35 points and 13 rebounds, Reggie Jackson scored 20 points and the host Denver Nuggets beat the Golden State Warriors 108-105 on Wednesday night. Jokic missed two free throws with 15 seconds to go, but Curry's layup with five seconds left was off, forcing the Warriors to foul. Golden State went on a 10-4 run to get within 63-59, and the Warriors stayed close throughout the period. Jackson-Davis' two free throws gave the Warriors a 78-76 lead heading into the fourth.

Persons: Michael Malone, Isaiah J, Downing, Nikola Jokic, Reggie Jackson, Michael Porter Jr, Aaron Gordon, Kentavious Caldwell, Pope, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Looney, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Draymond, Gary Payton II, Jamal Murray, Jokic, Jackson, Chris Paul, Porter, Trayce Jackson, Davis, dunked, Curry, Caldwell, Justin Holiday Organizations: Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Ball, USA, Denver, Warriors, Golden State, The Warriors, Jackson, The Nuggets, Thomson Locations: Denver , Colorado, USA, Golden

LONDON (AP) — South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will be greeted with royal pomp and ceremony before commemorating the sacrifice of British soldiers during the Korean War when he travels to the U.K. for a state visit later this month. The president and first lady will later take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Korean War Memorial to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the war. They will then visit Westminster Abbey, where the president will lay a wreath at the grave of the Unknown Warrior. The president will address members of both houses of Parliament before attending a state banquet at Buckingham Palace. Political Cartoons View All 1237 ImagesThe president and first lady will arrive to the United Kingdom on Nov. 20 and depart on Nov. 23.

Persons: Yoon Suk, King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Kim Keon Hee, Buckingham, Yoon, Rishi Sunak Organizations: Horse Guards, South, Korean, Westminster Abbey Locations: London, Buckingham, United Kingdom

☆ Take a look inside the new Raffles hotel in London
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | Marylou Costa | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Fiona Harris Communications director, Raffles London"It's the magic combination: the building, the location and the name, Raffles," Fiona Harris, Raffles London's communications director, told CNBC Travel. All in, the hotel houses 120 suites and rooms, including five heritage suites in the former offices of political and military leaders, and eight corner suites named after notable women and female spies. Raffles London is home to 120 rooms and suites, including eight corner suites named after notable women and female spies. Saison, run by Argentine Michelin star chef Mauro Colagreco, is one of nine restaurants and three bars at Raffles London. London's new luxury waveA stay at Raffles London is not without a significant price tag.

Persons: Winston Churchill's, Fiona Harris, Sir Stamford, Henry VIII, Ian Fleming's James Bond, Churchill, David Lloyd George, Lord Kitchener, Harris, Winston Churchill, Thierry Despont, Raffles, Argentina's Mauro Colagreco, sipping, Mauro Colagreco, James Bond, Ian Fleming, It's, Christine Granville, Gopichand Hinduja —, —, Hinduja Organizations: Raffles, Downing, Fiona Harris Communications, CNBC Travel, Sir Stamford Raffles, Hinduja, Ministry of Defense, British Army, Architects, British Secret Service, CNBC, Suite, Liberty, Michelin, Raffles London, Guards, London Sling, Argentine Michelin, Ministry, Hyde Park, Royal British Legion, British Armed Forces Locations: Whitehall, London, Raffles London, British, Singapore, India, Argentine, U.S, China, Granville, Hyde, Rosewood, Claridge's, The Emory

U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G20 leaders' summit in Bali, Indonesia, November 14, 2022. "This is going to overshadow anything that happens at APEC," said Oriana Skylar Mastro, a Stanford University China expert. Biden will welcome other APEC leaders - including from Vietnam, the Philippines, Canada and Mexico - and both he and Xi will be playing to the gallery. "Our door is open to any country or economy facing PRC (People's Republic of China) economic coercive threats," Melanie Hart, a senior China policy adviser at the State Department, said on Monday. That would include "companies flocking to meet with Xi Jinping and have dinner with him," he said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Kevin Lamarque, Oriana Skylar Mastro, Xi, Biden, Victor Cha, Washington, Matthew Goodman, Goodman, Janet Yellen, Melanie Hart, Donald Trump, Jude Blanchette, Michael Martina, David Brunnstrom, Trevor Hunnicutt, Laurie Chen, Michelle Nichols, Josie Kao Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, San, Economic Cooperation, U.S, APEC, Stanford University China, Biden, Beijing, Washington's Center, Strategic, International Studies, China, Protesters, White, Treasury, Washington, People's, State Department, Pew Research, Prosperity, CSIS, Thomson Locations: Bali , Indonesia, San Francisco, Asia, Bali, Beijing, China, China . U.S, Washington, Taiwan, South China, Vietnam, Philippines, Canada, Mexico, U.S, People's Republic of China

☆ Britain bans 'laughing gas' to curb anti-social behaviour
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Policing Minister Chris Philp hosts a roundtable in Downing Street with senior policing figures and UK's biggest retailers to set out a joint plan of action to tackle the rise in shoplifting and to catch more prolific offenders, in London, Britain October 23, 2023. "For too long the use of this drug in public spaces has contributed to anti-social behaviour which is a blight on communities. We will not accept it," Britain's policing minister Chris Philp said in a statement. In September, interior minister Suella Braverman said people were "fed up" with the use of drugs in public spaces, with discarded gas canisters being littered across Britain's streets. Under the ban, nitrous oxide will be prescribed as a "Class C" drug and classified in "the least harmful" category of drugs under Britain's laws alongside anabolic steroids, benzodiazepines and growth hormones.

Persons: Chris Philp, Aaron Chown, Suella Braverman, Farouq Suleiman, Michael Holden Organizations: Thomson Locations: London, Britain

Iran-backed militias have packed even larger loads of explosives — more than 80 pounds — onto drones launched at American bases, U.S. officials said. “The president has no higher priority than the safety of U.S. personnel, and he directed today’s action to make clear that the United States will defend itself, its personnel, and its interests.”“The United States is fully prepared to take further necessary measures to protect our people and our facilities,” he added. The United States has 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 in Syria, mostly to help local forces fight remnants of the Islamic State. The Biden administration also uses a “deconfliction” line with Russia to try to manage escalation in Iraq and Syria, two officials said. Russia has troops in Syria, and American officials say they expect that telling Russia before a strike in Syria is the same as telling Iran, as Russian officials often inform Tehran of what is coming.

Persons: ratcheting, Biden, Lloyd J, Austin III, ”, Antony J, Blinken, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Mr, Khamenei, ” Christine S Organizations: Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, American, Air Force, Pentagon, U.S, Quds Force, ”, Palestinian, Biden, Sunday, United, Military, Pentagon’s Central Command, National Counterterrorism Center Locations: United States, Syria, Iraq, U.S, Iran, I.R.G.C, Yemen, Israel, Islamic State, Russia, Tehran, Lebanon, Persian, Gaza, Tehran , U.S

Prosecutors contended Officer Nathan Woodyard's actions including the neck hold contributed to McClain's death. Here’s what you need to know about the criminal trials:WHY WERE THE OFFICERS AND PARAMEDICS CHARGED? Local prosecutors initially decided not to bring charges in McClain’s death largely because an initial autopsy didn’t determine exactly how he died. Defense attorneys for the officers repeatedly said it was the ketamine injection — not their clients — that caused McClain’s death. In Woodyard’s case, the defense brought in a paid expert witness who has also worked for the prosecution in the paramedic’s case.

Persons: —, Elijah McClain, George Floyd, Nathan Woodyard's, wasn't, Woodyard wasn't, McClain, Sheneen McClain, Jeremy Cooper, Peter Cichuniec, Jared Polis, Dr, Stephen Cina, McCLAIN, Woodyard, Randy Roedema, Joyce, McClain didn’t, Megan Downing, Roedema, Rosenblatt, Cooper, Cichuniec, Nadia Iovettz, Andrew Ho, “, ”, Ed Obayashi, ___ Brown Organizations: BRIGHTON, Prosecutors, Local, Democratic Locations: Colo, Denver, Aurora, Billings , Montana

☆ MBDA's British arm signs $5 bln deal to bolster Poland's air defence system
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

British Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps walks outside Number 10 Downing Street, in London, Britain, October 24, 2023. REUTERS/Hannah McKay Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Nov 7 (Reuters) - The British arm of defence firm MBDA has signed a 4 billion pound ($4.92 billion) deal to supply Poland with ground-based air defence systems, the British government said on Tuesday. Britain's Ministry of Defence said the partnership would boost Poland's Narew air defence programme and help bolster European security amid the conflict in Ukraine. "This is another crucial step forward for our historic defence ties with Poland, supplying next generation air defence capabilities to act as a clear deterrent to our adversaries," British Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said. The air defence system would be able to launch missiles at air threats such as cruise missiles and fighter jets at ranges of more than 40 kilometres, the ministry said.

Persons: Defence Grant Shapps, Hannah McKay, MBDA, Grant Shapps, Mariusz Blaszczak, Italy's Leonardo, Sachin Ravikumar, Alan Charlish, William James Our Organizations: State, Defence, REUTERS, Britain's Ministry of Defence, British, Airbus, Britain's BAE Systems, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, British, Poland, Ukraine, Poland's

☆ China blames Canada for ‘malicious, provocative’ moves after close midair intercepts over South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Nectar Gan | Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Hong Kong CNN —China has accused Canada of carrying out “malicious and provocative” actions in the South China Sea, after the Canadian Navy said Chinese fighter jets endangered a helicopter in two close intercepts above international waters. However, the Canadian helicopter not only refused to respond, but also took provocative actions such as flying at ultra-low altitudes,” Zhang said in a statement posted on the ministry’s website. China claims historic jurisdiction over almost the entirety of the vast South China Sea, which is a resource rich and vital international shipping route. In 2016, an international tribunal in The Hague concluded that China has no legal basis to claim historic rights to the bulk of the South China Sea. In mid-October, a Chinese fighter jet came within 5 meters (16 feet) of a Canadian CP-140 reconnaissance and surveillance plane over the East China Sea.

Persons: Rob Millen, Bill Blair, ” Zhang Xiaogang, Canada’s, ” Zhang, Millen, Iain Huddleston, Huddleston, ” Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Canadian Navy, CNN, Canadian, People’s Liberation Army, PLA, Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, . Canadian Defense, China’s Defense Ministry, Chinese Defense Ministry, Liberation Army, 1st Air Division, Radio Canada, Canada’s Defense Ministry, Ministry Locations: China, Hong Kong, Canada, South China, Chinese, Ottawa, China’s, Vietnam, Taiwan, Beijing, The Hague, East

☆ Exclusive: Chinese jet fired flares close to submarine-hunting helicopter in South China Sea, Canadian Navy says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The first incident was over international waters outside of 34 miles from the Paracel Island chain in the northern part of the South China Sea. The warship was operating in international waters 100 miles (160 kilometers) east of the Paracels at the time. The Canadian helicopter was searching for a previously detected submarine when the incidents occurred, officers aboard the Ottawa said. The Paracels, called the Xisha Islands by China, are in the northern part of the South China Sea, east of Da Nang, Vietnam, and south of China’s Hainan Island. On Tuesday, a PLA fighter jet came within 10 feet of a US Air Force B-52 bomber flying over the South China Sea, the US military said.

Persons: ”, Rob Millen, Millen, Andrew Vaughan, “, It’s, Noble, Rafael Peralta, Hoon, Li Shangfu, ” Li, Li, Iain Huddleston, Huddleston, Ely Ratner, ” Ratner Organizations: HMCS, HMCS Ottawa CNN, Canadian, Royal Canadian Navy, Sikorsky Cyclone, People’s Liberation Army Navy, CNN, Sikorsky CH, Cyclone, The Canadian Press, New, US Navy, PLA, Navy, U.S . Air Force, ., US Air Force, 1st Air Division, Radio Canada, Canada’s Defense Ministry, Ministry, US, East, South China Locations: HMCS Ottawa, South, Ottawa, Canada, South China, HMCS Montreal, Halifax, China, Da Nang, Vietnam, China’s Hainan, The Hague, United States, New Zealand, Taiwan Strait, Taiwan, Canadian, Montreal, Singapore, “, U.S, Chinese, East

☆ US airs concerns to China about 'dangerous and unlawful' South China Sea actions
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( David Brunnstrom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A Philippine supply boat sails near a Chinese Coast Guard ship during a resupply mission for Filipino troops stationed at a grounded warship in the South China Sea, October 4, 2023. REUTERS/Adrian Portugal/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 3 (Reuters) - The United States and China held "candid" talks on maritime issues on Friday, including on the contested South China Sea, and the U.S. side underscored its concerns about "dangerous and unlawful" Chinese actions there, the U.S. State Department said. It described the talks as "substantive, constructive, and candid" and said they covered a range of maritime issues, including the South China Sea and East China Sea, which are contested by China and other nations. "The United States underscored concerns with the PRC's dangerous and unlawful actions in the South China Sea," it said, referring to the People's Republic of China. A State Department spokesperson said the U.S. Assistant Secretary for Arms Control Mallory Stewart would host Sun Xiaobo, head of the arms-control department at China's Foreign Ministry, at the State Department next week.

Persons: Adrian Portugal, Mark Lambert, Ocean Affairs Hong Liang, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Wang Yi, Mallory Stewart, Sun Xiaobo, Biden, Xi, David Brunnstrom, Sandra Maler, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Coast Guard, REUTERS, Rights, U.S . State Department, Ocean Affairs Hong, State Department, APEC, U.S ., U.S, Arms, Sun, China's Foreign Ministry, Biden, Thomson Locations: Philippine, South China, United States, China, U.S, Beijing, Boundary, San Francisco, The U.S, South, East China, People's Republic of China, Washington

☆ China agrees to nuclear arms-control talks with US -WSJ
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The flags of the United States and China fly from a lamppost in the Chinatown neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., November 1, 2021. REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 1 (Reuters) - China and the United States will discuss nuclear arms control next week, the first such talks since the Obama administration, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday. Those arms talks would be led on Monday by Mallory Stewart, a senior State Department official, and Sun Xiaobo, the head of the arms-control department at China's Foreign Ministry, the Wall Street Journal report said. Since then, U.S. officials had expressed frustration that China showed little interest in discussing steps to reduce nuclear weapons risks. Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Washington-based Arms Control Association, said the overdue arms talks would likely focus on promoting greater transparency of each countries' nuclear doctrines and more effective crisis-communication channels.

Persons: Brian Snyder, Obama, Wang Yi, Mallory Stewart, Sun Xiaobo, Jake Sullivan, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Daryl Kimball, Kimball, Jasper Ward, Dan Whitcomb, Michael Martina, David Brunnstrom, Sandra Maler, Grant McCool Organizations: REUTERS, Wall Street, China's, State Department, China's Foreign Ministry, Wall, U.S . State Department, Reuters, U.S . National, Pentagon, Biden, Control, Thomson Locations: United States, China, Chinatown, Boston , Massachusetts, U.S, Washington, Russia, Beijing, San Francisco

☆ Ford claims Pan Am decathlon crown as Chile downs U.S. in soccer
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SANTIAGO, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Chileans celebrated one of their biggest nights of the Pan American Games on Tuesday with Santiago Adolfo Ford claiming decathlon gold and the women's soccer team winning a 2-1 thriller over the U.S. to reach the final. The judo competition closed with Cuba beating Brazil to win the mixed team title and the great Idalys Ortiz adding another gold to her glittering resume. It was the perfect Pan Am Games goodbye for the 34-year-old four-times Olympic medallist, who has announced she will retire after next year's Paris Summer Games. Fencing was an all-American battle on Tuesday with Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist Nick Itkin and Magda Skarbonkiewicz taking gold. The U.S. continues to top the medal table with 76 gold while it closes in on 200 total medals with 178.

Persons: SANTIAGO, Santiago Adolfo Ford, Ford, Jose Fernando Ferreira, Ryan Talbot, Damian Warner, Karen Araya, Yanara Aedo, Dominican Republic's Jose Alnardo Gonzalez, Caridad Garcia, Kasey Knevelbaard, Canada's Charles Philibert, Thiboutot, Colombia's Arnovis, Jesus Dalmero, Idalys Ortiz, Ortiz, Driulis Gonzalez, Nick Itkin, Magda Skarbonkiewicz, romped, Miles Chamley Watson, Maia Chamberlain, Amy Wang, Rachel Sung, Brazil's Giulia, Bruna Takahashi, Jorge Campos, Andy Diez, Brazil's Hugo Calerano, Vitor Ishiy, Steve Keating, Robert Birsel Organizations: Pan American Games, Ford, Canada's Tokyo, Pan Ams, Vina del Mar, Estadio Sausalito, U.S, Cuba, Pan, Tokyo Olympic, Brazil's, Thomson Locations: Toronto, Lima, Vina del, Chile, Mexico, Dominican, U.S, Brazil, Cuba, Canada, Venezuela, Cuban, Santiago

LONDON (AP) — A former top aide who has accused ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson of being unfit for office is scheduled to testify Tuesday at Britain’s public inquiry into the COVID-19 pandemic. Political Cartoons View All 1227 ImagesJohnson is due to testify at the inquiry later in the year. Cummings, a self-styled political disruptor, was hired by Johnson after helping to mastermind the victorious “leave” campaign in Britain’s 2016 European Union membership referendum. The U.K. has one of the highest COVID-19 death tolls in Europe, with the virus recorded as a cause of death for some 227,000 people. Johnson agreed in late 2021 to hold a public inquiry after heavy pressure from bereaved families.

Persons: —, Boris Johnson, Dominic Cummings, Johnson, Martin Reynolds, Imran Shafi, ” Cummings, Cummings, “, ”, Heather Hallett Locations: Britain’s, Downing, England, Europe

☆ Jury hits National Association of Realtors, real estate companies with $1.8 bln in damages
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Mike Scarcella | Companies Need To Integrate Climate Reporting Across Functions To Comply With California S New Law | Henry Engler | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Townhomes line a street in Fairfax, on the morning the National Association of Realtors issues its Pending Home Sales for February report, in Virginia March 27, 2014. The verdict followed a two-week trial in the Kansas City, Missouri, federal court, where the case had drawn widespread attention for challenging widely used real estate industry practices. A spokesperson for the National Association of Realtors, Mantill Williams, also said it would appeal and ask the court to reduce the damages amount. The plaintiffs claimed the association and corporate defendants drove up the commission, upwards of 6%, that home sellers pay to brokers representing buyers. Two other defendants, Re/Max (RMAX.N) and Anywhere Real Estate (HOUS.N), agreed to respective $55 million and $83.5 million settlements before trial, without admitting liability.

Persons: Larry Downing, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, Michael Ketchmark, Ketchmark, Keller Williams, HomeServices, Darryl Frost, Frost, Mantill Williams, Sellers, Mike Scarcella, David Bario, Chizu Nomiyama, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: National Association of Realtors, REUTERS, U.S . Justice Department, Thomson Locations: Fairfax, Virginia, U.S, Warren, Kansas City , Missouri, Berkshire, America, Missouri , Kansas, Illinois, Washington, Maryland

The verdict by a federal jury in Kansas City, Missouri, could upend decades-old practices that have allowed real estate agents to boost commissions as home prices and mortgage rates rise, hurting consumers by making housing transactions more expensive. Plaintiffs in the class action included sellers of more than 260,000 homes in Missouri, Kansas and Illinois between 2015 and 2022, who objected to the commissions they were obligated to pay buyers' brokers. The verdict followed a two-week trial, and the damages award can be tripled under U.S. antitrust law to more than $5.3 billion. Shares of real estate brokerages not involved in the verdict closed lower. Re/Max fell 4.4% and Anywhere fell 2.7%, while online brokers Zillow Group (ZG.O) and Redfin (RDFN.O) declined 6.9% and 5.7%, respectively.

Persons: Larry Downing, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, Michael Ketchmark, realty Keller Williams, Mantill Williams, HomeServices, Keller Williams, Darryl Frost, Frost, Sellers, Corcoran, Max, brokerages, Mike Scarcella, Jonathan Stempel, Lance Tupper, David Bario, Chizu Nomiyama, Jonathan Oatis, David Gregorio Our Organizations: National Association of Realtors, REUTERS, realty, NAR, Coldwell Banker, Zillow, U.S . Department of Justice, Thomson Locations: Fairfax, Virginia, U.S, Warren, Kansas City , Missouri, Missouri , Kansas, Illinois, Berkshire, America, Washington, Maryland, New York

☆ Elon Musk expected to attend global AI summit in UK - source
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Elon Musk, Chief Executive Officer of SpaceX and Tesla and owner of X, formerly known as Twitter, attends the Viva Technology conference dedicated to innovation and startups at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre in Paris, France, June 16, 2023. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Oct 30 (Reuters) - Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk is expected to attend a global summit on artificial intelligence in Britain this week, according to a government official. Around 100 participants will discuss subjects including the unpredictable advances of AI and the potential for humans to lose control of it, according to the agenda. While several world leaders, including U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen are due to attend the summit, the full guest list has not been made public. "In conversation with @elonmusk after the AI Safety Summit Thursday night on @X," British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Musk's social media platform X.Sunak's Downing Street office declined to comment.

Persons: Elon Musk, Porte, Gonzalo Fuentes, Kamala Harris, Ursula von der Leyen, @elonmusk, Rishi Sunak, Sunak's, Andrew MacAskill, Michael Holden Organizations: SpaceX, Tesla, Twitter, Viva Technology, Porte de, REUTERS, Billionaire, U.S, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Britain

☆ China's foreign minister suggests road to Xi-Biden summit will not be smooth
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping are expected to meet on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco in November. Saul Loeb | Afp | Getty ImagesChina's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the "road to the San Francisco summit will not be a smooth one," the foreign ministry said on Sunday, in a reference to an expected meeting between President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden. He was speaking after a discussion with members of the U.S. strategic community in Washington, the ministry said. Last month, China's top security agency suggested any Xi-Biden meeting in San Francisco hinged on the U.S. "showing sufficient sincerity". Washington and Beijing must put into practice the consensus achieved then, "remove interference, overcome obstacles, enhance consensus and gather outcomes," Wang said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Saul Loeb, Wang Yi, Wang, Biden, Xi Organizations: Economic Cooperation, Afp, Getty, China's, San, U.S Locations: Asia, San Francisco, Washington, China, U.S, Bali, Taiwan, Beijing

☆ Britain, France stress need to get aid into Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Smoke rises over Gaza, as seen from Israel's border with Gaza, in southern Israel October 29. Sunak and Macron have both visited Israel and neighbouring countries since the deadly rampage by Hamas gunmen in Israel early this month that triggered the conflict. "The leaders stressed the importance of getting urgent humanitarian support into Gaza. "They expressed their shared concern at the risk of escalation in the wider region, in particular in the West Bank." Reporting by Andrew MacAskill and Michel Rose Editing by Bernadette Baum and Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Evelyn Hockstein, Rishi Sunak, Emmanuel Macron, Downing, Sunak, Andrew MacAskill, Michel Rose, Bernadette Baum, Hugh Lawson Organizations: REUTERS, British, West Bank, Hamas, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel

☆ Hezbollah says it downs Israeli drone in south Lebanon
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIRUT, Oct 29 (Reuters) - Lebanon's Hezbollah said on Sunday it shot down an Israeli drone over southern Lebanon with a surface-to-air missile, the first time it has announced such an incident, as clashes on the Lebanese border escalate. The drone was hit near Khiam, about 5 km (3 miles) from the border with Israel, and was seen falling in Israeli territory, Hezbollah added. Two security sources in Lebanon said it was the first time Hezbollah had announced downing an Israeli drone. The Israeli army and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon have been exchanging fire on a daily basis since the start of the Gaza conflict three weeks ago. "UNIFIL expresses serious concern over these two attacks on our troops who are tirelessly working 24/7 to restore stability in southern Lebanon and de-escalate this perilous situation, " the force wrote on social media platform X.

Persons: Mohanad Hage Ali, Laila Bassam, Tom Perry, Nayera Abdallah, Younes el, Riham Alkousaa, Alexander Smith, Hugh Lawson, Giles Elgood Organizations: Carnegie Middle East Center, Israeli Defence Ministry, United Nations, UNIFIL, Lebanese, Younes el Audi, Thomson Locations: BEIRUT, Lebanon, Lebanese, Khiam, Israel, Houla, Gaza, Naqoura

Khan’s office has opened an investigation into potential war crimes by Israel in Gaza in the 2014 war. THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN KILLED IN THE CONFLICT SOARSThe number of children killed in the blockaded Gaza Strip since the start of the Hamas-Israel earlier this month has exceeded the number of children killed in armed conflict every year globally since 2019, international charity Save the Children said Sunday. It also mentioned the deaths of 33 children in the occupied West Bank and 29 children killed in Israel. The militant group Hezbollah, Hamas’ allies in Lebanon, has clashed with Israeli troops along the Lebanon-Israeli border since the Gaza war erupted on Oct. 7. PALESTINIAN RED CRESCENT SAYS ISRAEL ORDERS GAZA HOSPITAL TO EVACUATEJERUSALEM — A spokesperson for the Palestinian Red Crescent says Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza City received two calls from Israeli authorities Sunday morning demanding it evacuate.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, “ ‘, ”, Israel, Karim Khan, Khan, “, Jason Lee, ” U.N, António Guterres, Guterres, Hamas ’, ” Guterres, Rishi Sunak’s, Emmanuel Macron, Macron, VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis, “ Let’s, ” Francis, Ibrahim Faltas, Jonas Gahr Støre, U.N, Israel’s, ” Tedros Adhanom, Tarik Jasarevic, Nebal Farsakh, ” Thomas White, ” Mahmoud, Abdallah Sayed Organizations: Saturday, Health Ministry, Hamas, West Bank, ICC, Criminal, Gaza, Gaza Health Ministry, Country, MINISTER, LONDON, UN, UNIFIL, VATICAN CITY, ISRAEL HELSINKI — Norway’s, NRK, “, United Nations, MINISTRY, FIRE, WHO, World Health Organization, JERUSALEM, Palestinian, Pentagon, UNITED NATIONS, . Security Council, United Arab Emirates Locations: Gaza, Israel, EGYPT, GAZA, Rafah, Egypt, Cairo, Kathmandu, ISRAEL, ”, LEBANON BEIRUT, Lebanon, Houla, Naqoura, Ukraine, Palestine, St, NORWAY'S, Norwegian, Norway, “, UN, FIRE KATHMANDU, Nepal, GAZA CAIRO, PALESTINIAN, Al, Quds, Gaza City, SYRIA DAMASCUS, Syria, Iranian, Iraq, U.S, Assad, GAZA'S, CAIRO, Gaza’s

☆ Britain, France Stress Need to Get Aid Into Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron expressed their concern about getting aid into Gaza and the risks of the Israel-Hamas war spreading, Downing Street said after the leaders spoke by phone on Sunday. Israeli forces have expanded their ground operations in Gaza while their fighter jets have struck hundreds more Hamas targets in what Israel called the second phase of a three-week-old war. Sunak and Macron have both visited Israel and neighbouring countries since the deadly rampage by Hamas gunmen in Israel early this month that triggered the conflict. "The leaders stressed the importance of getting urgent humanitarian support into Gaza. "They expressed their shared concern at the risk of escalation in the wider region, in particular in the West Bank."

Persons: Rishi Sunak, Emmanuel Macron, Downing, Sunak, Andrew MacAskill, Michel Rose, Bernadette Baum, Hugh Lawson Organizations: British, West Bank, Hamas Locations: Gaza, Israel

U.S. President Joe Biden and China's President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Nusa Dua on the Indonesian resort island of Bali on Nov. 14, 2022. President Joe Biden and Chinese president Xi Jinping are expected to meet next month on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco, according to two U.S. officials familiar with the planning. The two leaders haven't spoken since they last met on the sidelines of a summit of the Group of 20 economies in Bali, Indonesia, in November. One of the sources said there was an "agreement in principle" for Biden and Xi to meet in San Francisco. Biden also met with China's top diplomat for about an hour.

Persons: Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Biden, Xi, Wang Yi, Jake Sullivan Organizations: Economic Cooperation, State, White House Locations: Nusa Dua, Bali, Asia, San Francisco, Bali , Indonesia, Washington, Beijing, Ukraine

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