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☆ Morning Bid: Bonds calm down but Chinese markets smolder
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Raindrops hang on a sign for Wall Street outside the New York Stock Exchange in Manhattan in New York City, New York, U.S., October 26, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsA look at the day ahead in U.S. and global markets from Mike DolanRestive bonds showed signs of calm on Wednesday, but China's struggling economy and markets continue to unnerve world markets. A twin jolt from resurgent western debt yields and China's deepening economic funk and property sector troubles have made for a bumpy August to date. After a slew of dour retail, industrial and property investment numbers earlier this week, China reported on Wednesday that home prices fell for the first time this year. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

Persons: Mike Segar, Mike Dolan Restive, swooned, Goldman Sachs, Neel Kashkari, I'm, Fitch, JPMorgan Chase, Mike Dolan, Emelia Sithole Organizations: Wall, New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Minneapolis Fed, United States, AAA, JPMorgan, Bank of America, of, Cisco, Amcor, New, New York Fed, . Federal Reserve, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Manhattan, New York City , New York, U.S, Wall St, China, United, New York, Canada

A continued rally in stocks forced many hedge funds to unwind their bets against equities last month. US BOND MARKET LIQUIDITYBridgewater actively bets on the direction of various types of securities — including stocks, bonds, commodities and currencies — by predicting macroeconomic trends. He said that liquidity in the U.S. government bond market was getting worse, as the Treasury increases bond issuance. Bridgewater's Pure Alpha 12% volatility fund gained 2.5% in the year through Aug. 11, a third source familiar with the matter said, while the Defensive Alpha fund, less dependent on equities, rose 2.1%. Since it was launched in 1991, Pure Alpha 12% has generated 7.7% net total returns annually, according to the same source.

Persons: Ray Dalio, Greg Jensen, Bridgewater's, Nell Mackenzie, Ira Iosebashvili, Michelle Price, Emelia Organizations: U.S ., Singapore, Bridgewater Associates, Reuters, Nasdaq, Treasury, Alpha, Hedge Fund Research, Thomson Locations: Bridgewater, U.S, London, Carolina, New York

☆ Exclusive: H&M probes Myanmar factory abuses as pressure intensifies
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Helen Reid | Thomson Reuters | London-Based Reporter Covering The European Retail Sector Through A Global Lens. Focusing On Companies Including Adidas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The BHRRC has been tracking allegations of workers' rights abuses in garment factories since the military junta took power in Myanmar, plunging it into political and humanitarian crisis. There have been 21 cases of alleged abuses linked to Inditex suppliers over the two-year period, and 20 linked to H&M suppliers, according to the report. The Myanmar Garment Manufacturing Association did not reply to a request for comment. It expects its final orders from Myanmar suppliers to ship before the end of this year, but has also increased its presence on the ground. H&M and Bestseller are among 18 brands that are part of the European Union-funded MADE project aimed at improving labour conditions in Myanmar's garment factories.

Persons: Inditex, Spencer, Primark, we've, Karina Ufert, Vicky Bowman, Bowman, Helen Reid, Vanessa O'Connell, Marguerita Choy, Emelia Organizations: Reuters, Zara, Human Rights Resource, Myanmar Labour News, Myanmar Garment Manufacturing Association, Ethical Trade, European Union, European Chamber of Commerce, Myanmar Centre, Responsible Business, Thomson Locations: Myanmar, British, MYANMAR Spanish, Danish

Chartbook: Texas electricity consumptionBut the primary driver of record consumption has been the rapid growth in the state’s resident population and economy rather than the weather. Power consumption increased at a compound annual rate of 1.7% between 2003 and 2022 – broadly in line with the compound population increase of 1.6%. Rising population explains almost all the structural increase in power consumption over the last two decades, based on data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Given underlying load growth, consumption will continue hitting new records each summer unless temperatures are well below average. Related column:- Don’t blame the weather for Texas power shortages (July 14, 2022)John Kemp is a Reuters market analyst.

Persons: Callaghan, John Kemp, Emelia Sithole Organizations: REUTERS, Electric, of Texas, Climate Prediction, U.S . Energy Information Administration, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Houston , Texas, U.S, Texas, Chartbook

☆ Nvidia shares climb as analysts raise targets ahead of report
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Ann Wang/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsAug 15 (Reuters) - Shares of Nvidia (NVDA.O) rose more than 3% in hefty trading volume on Tuesday after two brokerages raised their price targets for the chipmaker, heightening already lofty expectations ahead of its quarterly earnings report next week. Over $22 billion worth of Nvidia's shares were traded as of mid-day, beating out $14 billion of trades in Tesla (TSLA.O), which is usually the Wall Street's most traded stock. Nvidia shares rose as much as 3.5% before trimming gains. Analysts on average expect Nvidia to report a 66% surge in quarterly revenue to $11.13 billion, according to Refinitiv. That compares to Nvidia's forecast for quarterly revenue of $11 billion, plus or minus 2%.

Persons: Ann Wang, They've, Dennis Dick, Timothy Arcuri, Arcuri, Morgan Stanley, Wells, Aaron Rakers, Noel Randewich, Emelia Sithole Organizations: REUTERS, Nvidia, Tesla, Triple D Trading, UBS, NVDA's, Santa, Thomson Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, Philadelphia, Wells Fargo, Santa Clara , California

☆ Israel's Netanyahu cools censure of protesting reservists as judicial crisis simmers
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Dan Williams | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Protest leaders say thousands of reservists have stopped reporting for duty. "Brothers in Arms", a reservist protester group, seemed unmoved by the gesture, accusing Netanyahu of playing down risks to military readiness. The Supreme Court will on Sept. 12 hear arguments against a bill limiting some of its powers to void government decisions, which was ratified in a parliament controlled by Netanyahu's religious-nationalist coalition. The military has so far acknowledged a "limited" impact from the reservist protest, citing the loss of some veteran instructors from the air force's flight school. As of now, the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) can handle its missions and the goal is to put this matter behind us," he said.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu's, Amir, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, IMPACT Netanyahu, Amos Gilad, Tzachi Hanegbi, Dan Williams, Emelia Sithole Organizations: Arms, REUTERS, JERUSALEM, IMPACT, Army Radio, National, Army, IDF, Israel Defence Forces, Thomson Locations: Kiryat Ono, Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Israeli, Syria

☆ Pegula steamrolls Samsonova to claim Canadian Open title
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Aug 13, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Liudmila Samsonova (right) shakes hand with Elena Rybakina (KAZ) (left) after her win in semi final at IGA Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY SportsAug 13 (Reuters) - American fourth seed Jessica Pegula sent a warning shot to her competitors ahead of the U.S. Open as she romped to a 6-1 6-0 victory over Liudmila Samsonova in the Canadian Open final on Sunday in Montreal for her first title of the season. "It's tough, it sucks, I feel bad that we weren't able to play on a more fair playing ground," Pegula said after securing her second WTA 1000 title. Pegula was in control throughout as she went up a double break before closing out the first set on her serve and faced no resistance from Samsonova in the second frame. Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Chris ReeseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Liudmila Samsonova, Elena Rybakina, KAZ, David Kirouac, Jessica Pegula, Liudmila, Pegula, Coco Gauff, ", she's, Frank Pingue, Emelia Sithole, Chris Reese Organizations: IGA, U.S, Canadian, Thomson Locations: Montreal, Quebec, Canada, American, Samsonova, Russian, Toronto

☆ Explainer: What are West Africa's options to reverse Niger's coup?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Edward Mcallister | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/4] A member of the ECOWAS regional force is seen at Denton check point in Banjul, Gambia January 22, 2017. GROUND INVASIONECOWAS has sent troops into trouble spots before, but never in Niger and rarely with the region so divided. Coup leaders in Guinea, Burkina Faso and Mali have expressed support for Niger's junta, and other countries have their own security challenges. It is not clear how big an ECOWAS force would be or what form it would take. Security analysts and diplomats have also noted apparent divisions among Niger's armed forces, who may not all be united behind the coup.

Persons: Afolabi, Mohamed Bazoum, General Abdourahamane Tiani, Djiby Sow, Bazoum, Ikemesit Effiong, Effiong, Peter Pham, Edward McAllister, David Lewis, Emelia Sithole, Alexandra Zavis, Kevin Liffey Organizations: ECOWAS, REUTERS, Economic, West African States, Security, Institute for Security Studies, SPECIAL, SBM Intelligence, Nigerien, Atlantic Council, Thomson Locations: Denton, Banjul, Gambia, DAKAR, Niger, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Mali, Ivory Coast, Dakar, Nigeria, Niamey, U.S

An aerial view of traffic on a street in the capital Niamey, Niger July 28, 2023. In a sign of this resistance to one-time allies, Niger on Thursday suspended broadcasts of French state-funded international news outlets France 24 and RFI - drawing condemnation from the French foreign ministry. One of the demonstrators in Niamey held a placard that said: "Long live Niger, Russia, Mali and Burkina. After their coups, Burkina Faso and Mali kicked out French troops, many of whom are now stationed in Niger. In Niger, there are signs that regional sanctions are starting to have an impact: Nigeria has cut power supplies to Niger, while Nigerien truckers have been stranded by border closures.

Persons: General Abdourahamane Tiani, Mohamed Bazoum, Tiani, crackdowns, Sall, Antony Blinken, it's, Allah, Sudip Kar, Gupta, Moussa Aksar, Camillus Eboh, Thiam, Tiemoko Diallo, Ange Aboa, Alessandra Prentice, Nellie Peyton, Alexander Winning, Emelia, Nick Macfie, Giles Elgood Organizations: REUTERS, Niger's, France, Economic, West African States, ECOWAS, Sunday, EU, National Assembly, Islamic, Niger, Reuters, West, Senegalese, U.S, United Nations, Nigerien, CFA, Thomson Locations: Niamey, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, NIAMEY, ABUJA, France, West, Central Africa, Russia, Burkina, Down, al Qaeda, Islamic State, Niger ., Nigeria, Senegal, Nigerian, China, Paris

It has taken its hardest line yet with Niger, saying it had to show that it "cannot only bark but can bite". One of the demonstrators in Niamey held a placard that said: "Long live Niger, Russia, Mali and Burkina. France has between 1,000 and 1,500 troops in Niger, helping to fight an Islamist insurgency that has spread across the region. INTERVENTION PLANWest African defence chiefs meeting in Nigeria were due to conclude their discussions about possible intervention in Niger, although they have said this would be a last resort. The goal of the two-day meeting was to draw up a plan for an eventual military intervention to restore constitutional order, according to a statement from Ivory Coast's National Security Council.

Persons: General Abdourahamane Tiani, Mohamed Bazoum, Tiani, Ivory, Salifou Mody, Joe Biden, Nigeriens, Camillus Eboh, Thiam Ndiaga, Tiemoko Diallo, Ange Aboa, Alessandra Prentice, Nellie Peyton, Alexander Winning, Emelia, Nick Macfie, Giles Elgood Organizations: REUTERS, West, Economic, West African States, EU, Reuters, Ivory Coast's National Security Council, ECOWAS, juntas, Nigerien, Islamic, Thomson Locations: Niamey, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, NIAMEY, ABUJA, West, Central Africa, Russia, Burkina, Down, France, Nigeria, Nigerian, West Africa, Guinea, Bissau, al Qaeda, Islamic State, Paris

☆ Uranium price ticks up after Niger coup, more gains expected
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Eric Onstad | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

French nuclear fuels company Orano, which operates uranium mines in the West African country, said last week its activities were ongoing despite the coup. The spot price is little changed also because Orano sells uranium on long-term contracts and the summer months are slow in the spot market, said Jonathan Hinze, president of UxC. "All indications would be that this would be a catalyst for upward moves in the uranium price given the overall tight supply/demand balance in uranium at this time." Niger was the second-largest supplier of natural uranium to the EU last year, Euratom said. On Monday, the junta that seized power in Niger last week detained senior politicians, including the mines minister, defying international calls to restore democratic rule.

Persons: UxC, Orano, Jonathan Hinze, Euratom, Eric Onstad, Emelia Sithole Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters Connect, Nigerien, Reuters, European Union, EU, Thomson Locations: Niamey, Niger, West, France, Europe

☆ Turkey curbs credit card use for foreign travel, in blow to sector
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Ceyda Caglayan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ISTANBUL, Aug 1 (Reuters) - Turkey's banking watchdog has stopped allowing credit card payments by instalment for foreign travel, such as flights, travel agency fees and accommodation, in a step seen dealing a blow to foreign travel operators. The move, which hit airline shares and was seen as curbing foreign currency outflows, was one of two measures announced by the BDDK watchdog late on Monday, which it said were among coordinated steps to strengthen financial stability. "The logic (of the step) is 'citizens shouldn't go abroad and spend foreign currency'," he said, adding that the foreign travel sector was also being hit by increasing difficulties faced by Turks in securing tourist visas. The credit card move also had an impact on airline share prices, with Turkish Airlines (THYAO.IS) dipping 1.3% and the airline Pegasus (PGSUS.IS) dropping 2.3%. ($1 = 26.9618 liras)Reporting by Ebru Tuncay; Editing by Daren Butler and Emelia Sithole-MatariseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Cem Polatoglu, shouldn't, Ebru Tuncay, Daren Butler, Emelia Organizations: Turks, Turkish, Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, Thomson Locations: ISTANBUL

Last week, Tiani, a general, used his position and manpower to do the opposite. "We cannot continue with the same approaches proposed so far, as it risks witnessing the gradual and inevitable disappearance of our nation," he said. Regional powers have threatened military intervention if he does not return Bazoum to power within days. Just last week, Niger, one of the world's poorest countries, was seen as the West's last ally in the region. The speed of change in Niger is evident in Tiani's biography.

Persons: Tiani, Abdourahamane Tiani, Mohamed Bazoum, Fatherland ,, Emelia Sithole, Edward McAllister Organizations: UN, College of International Security Affairs, Fort McNair, United Nations, Democratic, European Union, Reuters, National Council, Fatherland, State, Thomson Locations: France, Senegal NIAMEY, West, Central Africa, Mali, Burkina Faso, Filingué, Niger, Agadez, Morocco, Senegal, United States, Washington , DC, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, U.S

☆ Factbox: Who is Niger's new leader, Abdourahamane Tiani?
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

NIAMEY, July 28 (Reuters) - General Abdourahamane Tiani, the commander of Niger's presidential guard, was appointed head of state on Friday by a governing council set up by military forces that ousted President Mohammed Bazoum. Here are five facts about him:BACKGROUNDTiani is from Filingue, in the Nigerien region of Tillaberi, which borders Mali. RISE TO ELITE UNITThe 62-year-old decorated general and former military attache at Niger's embassy in Germany has led the elite presidential guard unit since 2011. FIGHT AGAINST CONTRABANDHe also served as head of a battalion in Agadez and led military operations in the Niger desert against contraband and drug traffickers. Reporting by Moussa Aksar; Writing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise; Editing by Conor HumphriesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Abdourahamane Tiani, Mohammed Bazoum, Tiani, Moussa Aksar, Emelia Sithole, Conor Humphries Organizations: UNIT, French UTA, Thomson Locations: NIAMEY, Filingue, Nigerien, Tillaberi, Mali, Germany, French, Bilma, Niger, Agadez

'ONLY HOPE' FOR STABILITY IN SAHELNiger became a democratic outlier in West Africa's Sahel region following military takeovers in neighbouring Mali, Burkina Faso and Chad since 2020. All four countries of the arid Sahel region, just south of the Sahara, are now run by military leaders after soldiers in Niger said on Wednesday night they had ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. France, which has had counter-insurgency troops in West Africa for a decade, has turned to Niger to base the bulk of its forces. Their role is solely to support Niger's army when local forces identify operations in the border regions connecting Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. The European Union decided in December to set up a three-year military training mission in Niger, to which Germany contributes troops.

Persons: Mohamed Bazoum, juntas, Moussa Aksar, John Irish, Nellie Peyton, Bate Felix, Emelia Sithole, Leslie Adler Organizations: Islamic, National Assembly, REUTERS, European Union, DEMOCRATIC, Economic, West African States, ECOWAS, John, Thomson Locations: West Africa, Niger, Africa's Sahel, Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, al Qaeda, Islamic State, Russia, France, United States, U.S, Russian, Niamey, ACLED, Germany, Italy, Guinea, Bissau, Guinea Bissau, Paris

☆ Kenya's opposition holds vigils for slain and injured protesters
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Opposition leader Raila Odinga has repeatedly called for acts of civil disobedience against a government he accuses of raising the cost of living and consolidating power. Police killed 37 people during the protests, Kenyan rights group Independent Medico-Legal Unit said earlier this week, while Azimio claims at least 50 people were slain. The interior ministry said on Wednesday claims that security forces committed extrajudicial killings or used excessive force were false and malicious. On Wednesday Odinga, Musyoka and other opposition figures visited injured protesters at two hospitals in the capital Nairobi. Ruto has said he also would not allow Odinga into his government, but was open to meeting him.

Persons: Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, Azimio, Musyoka, Odinga, William Ruto's, Ruto, Jefferson Kahinju, Humphrey Malalo, George Obulutsa, Hereward, Emelia Sithole, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Kenya Alliance, Kenyans, . Police, Kenyan, Independent Medico, Legal Unit, Wednesday Odinga, Twitter, Thomson Locations: Nairobi, Kenya, Read, NAIROBI, Unity, Hereward Holland

☆ Samsung unveils new foldable phones to challenge Apple's premium dominance
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Joyce Lee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SEOUL, July 26 (Reuters) - Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) unveiled its latest foldable smartphones on Wednesday, keeping prices around the same level three years in a row as it seeks to challenge Apple's (AAPL.O) dominance in the premium market. Foldable phones remain a niche product category, carving out 5% of the global premium smartphone market, although the sector has grown rapidly from just 0.3% in 2019, according to research firm Counterpoint. In 2023, global foldable smartphone shipments are projected to reach 19 million units, up about 45% from 13.1 million in 2022, according to Counterpoint. Apple had a 75% share of the premium smartphone market priced $600 or above in 2022, versus Samsung's 16%. Samsung's new foldable phones will be available from Aug. 11 in select markets.

Persons: Apple's, Joyce Lee, Miyoung Kim, Emelia Organizations: Samsung Electronics, Samsung, Apple, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, United States, China, Western Europe

The steady stream of Chinese shipments has served to plug supply gaps in Western markets and helped replenish depleted London Metal Exchange (LME) stocks. China's export impulse is keeping the local market tight, which appears to be attracting a lot of speculative attention to the Shanghai lead contract. The three top destinations over the first half of 2023 were Taiwan (17,500 metric tons), Vietnam (16,100 metric tons) and Bangladesh (10,300 metric tons). LME STOCKS REBUILDSome of China's outbound shipments have been trickling into the LME warehouse system. ShfFE lead price, MOI and stocksCHINA TIGHTNESSWhile LME stocks have been rising, ShFE inventory has been sliding.

Persons: It's, Emelia Sithole Organizations: London Metal Exchange, Shanghai Futures Exchange, China, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Shanghai, China, Europe, United States, Asia, Taiwan, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Kaohsiung, Singapore, Stolberg, MOI, CHINA, London

At least 300 people were arrested, including several senior opposition leaders, and several people were reported shot, some possibly fatally, in clashes with police on Wednesday. The demonstrations, planned for Wednesday to Friday, are the third round of protests that the opposition has called this month. Protests this year have cost the economy more than $20 million per day, according to a private sector lobby group. Veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga did not make a public appearance on Wednesday or Thursday as he did during previous protests. A Kenyan court froze the tax hikes late last month, pending a ruling by senior judges.

Persons: Raila Odinga, Ruto, Odinga, William Ruto, Paul Ongili, Aaron Ross, George Obulutsa, Humphrey Malalo, Monicah Mwangi, Anne Mawathe, Joseph Akwiri, Alexander Winning, Emelia, Bernadette Baum, Mike Harrison, Conor Humphries Organizations: Kenya Alliance, REUTERS, NAIROBI, La, NTV Kenya, Kenyan, Civic, Thomson Locations: Nairobi, Kenya, Kibera, Mombasa, Kisumu, Isiolo, Ruto's

☆ Blackstone to invest $150 million in London-based hedge fund Astaris
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Svea Herbst-Bayliss | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NEW YORK, July 18 (Reuters) - Blackstone Group LP is to invest $150 million in London-based Astaris Capital Management which will be split between the firm's existing hedge fund and a new pool of capital with a drawdown structure, two sources said. He was also a founding partner at hedge fund Sothic Capital, which invested in European distressed assets. The firm's investment approach does not rely on any specific part of the economic cycle. Blackstone will fund both the existing hedge fund and the new fund with $75 million each, signaling its strong commitment to Astaris, according to the sources familiar with the investment but are not permitted to discuss it. Blackstone, which invests $81 billion through its hedge fund unit Blackstone Alternative Asset Management, is making the investment with cash from its Strategic Alliance Fund IV, which has over $1 billion in assets, they said.

Persons: Astaris, Martin Beck, Blackstone, Svea Herbst, Bayliss, Emelia Sithole Organizations: YORK, Blackstone, Astaris Capital Management, Centerbridge Partners, JPMorgan, Asset Management, Strategic Alliance, IV, Strategic Alliance Fund, Astaris, Svea, Thomson Locations: London, Europe

☆ Four dead as boat sinks in Bangladesh's Buriganga river
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

July 16 (Reuters) - At least four people died after a boat carrying 20 people sank in Bangladesh's Buriganga river near the capital Dhaka on Sunday, a fire service official said. Most of the passengers were believed to have swum ashore as the water bus sank close to the bank, according to fire service official Anwarul Islam. Four bodies have been recovered and the rescue operation is ongoing, police official Sahabuddin Kabir told Reuters. Hundreds of onlookers gathered at the site as rescuers in multiple boats scanned the river with flashlights, according to a Reuters witness. Reporting by Ruma Paul in Dhaka; Writing by Shubhendu Deshmukh; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Emelia Sithole-MatariseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Sahabuddin Kabir, Ruma Paul, Shubhendu Deshmukh, Andrew Cawthorne, Emelia Organizations: Reuters, Thomson Locations: Bangladesh's Buriganga, Dhaka

GAZA, July 16 (Reuters) - The Gaza Strip's Hamas rulers have been unable to pay salaries for 50,000 public sector workers, with officials in part blaming a delay in a monthly payroll grant from Qatar, a crucial aid donor to the impoverished Palestinian enclave. The salary crisis has sparked an unusual amount of criticism on social media in Gaza, including by some of Hamas' own employees. It currently pays $30 million per month in stipends for families, fuel for electricity, and to help pay public sector wages. Hamas officials say no salary aid has been received since just over half of a $5-million grant to support the May payroll. Public sector employees have not received full salaries since 2013.

Persons: Awni Al, Basha, Salama Marouf, Mahmoud Al, Andrew Mills, Nidal Almughrabi, Emelia Sithole Organizations: Qatar, Qatar’s International Media, Hamas, Public, Facebook, Thomson Locations: GAZA, Gaza, Qatar, Doha, Hamas Aqsa, Israel, Farra

[1/2] A view of rubble that remains at the site of the historic Siraji Mosque that was demolished for the expansion for a road in Basra, Iraq July 16, 2023. REUTERS/Mohammed AtyBASRA, Iraq July 16 (Reuters) - The demolition on Friday of a 300-year-old minaret of a mosque in Iraq's southern city of Basra to make way for road expansion has enraged locals, religious and cultural authorities who condemned it as a further erosion of Iraq's cultural heritage. Built in 1727, the 11-metre (36 ft) Siraji minaret and its mosque were toppled by a bulldozer at dawn on Friday morning, its brown mud-brick spire with turquoise ornaments disappearing in a cloud of dust. Basra resident Majed al Husseini said, standing by the rubble of the mosque. The Sunni endowment did not respond immediately to a Reuters request for comment.

Persons: Mohammed Aty BASRA, Majed al Husseini, Ahmed al, Badrani, Mosul's Al, Nuri, Basra Governor Asaad Al Eidani, Mohammed Munla, Munla, Timour Azhari, Emelia Sithole Organizations: REUTERS, Islamic, Reuters, Islamic State, Thomson Locations: Basra, Iraq, Iraq's, Mesopotamia, Islamic State, Baghdad, Basra Governor

☆ Czech billionaire Kretinsky closes in on Casino after 3F abandons bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Kretinsky has been vying to take control of Casino against the 3F Holding group, led by telecoms entrepreneur Xavier Niel, investment banker Matthieu Pigasse and businessman Moez-Alexandre Zouari. The group is saddled with net debt of 6.4 billion euros ($7.1 billion) and is teetering on the brink of default. "Today, after months of work, 3F has decided to not submit an offer," 3F said in a statement. Along with Marc Ladreit de Lacharrière’s Fimalac, he would inject 1.2 billion euros ($1.35 billion) in equity to take a 53% stake in France's sixth-largest retailer. The bidders would also convert 4.9 billion euros of debt into equity.

Persons: Daniel Kretinsky, Kretinsky, Xavier Niel, Matthieu Pigasse, Moez, Alexandre Zouari, 3F's, Marc Ladreit de, Fimalac, Casino, John Irish, David Holmes, Emelia Organizations: Casino, 3F, Attestor, Financial, Global Commerce, Financial Times, Thomson Locations: Czech, France's, Casino

☆ Cerberus heatwave fans out to Balkans
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] A couple covered in mud that is believed to be curative sit at the Queen's beach in Nin, Croatia, July 13, 2023. REUTERS/Antonio BronicBELGRADE, July 13 (Reuters) - Swathes of the Balkans sweltered in temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) on Thursday in a heatwave named "Cerberus", after the three-headed dog of the underworld in Greek mythology, that has fanned across Europe. In the country's Adriatic resort of Nin, dozens of beachgoers covered themselves in thick black mud believed to have medicinal properties and an effective sunscreen. Temperatures were expected to stay around 40 degrees Celsius across the region into next week. Reporting by Aleksandar Vasovic in Belgrade and Antonio Bronic in Nin; Editing by Emelia Sithole-MatariseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Antonio Bronic, Josef, Aleksandar Vasovic, Emelia Sithole Organizations: REUTERS, Antonio Bronic BELGRADE, Thomson Locations: Nin, Croatia, Antonio, Balkans, Europe, Sibenik, Slovakia, Montenegro, Bosnia, Serbia, Belgrade

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