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☆ Man dies in Australia after whale collides with boat
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SYDNEY, Sept 30 (Reuters) - One man died and another was in hospital on Saturday in Australia after a whale struck and flipped their boat during a fishing expedition, authorities said. "A whale has been involved, whoever would have thought that that would have occurred, it's terribly tragic," said New South Wales Police Minister Yasmin Catley. The boat "was likely to have struck or been impacted by a whale breaching, causing the boat to tilt, ejecting both men", police said in a statement. While human deaths caused by whales in the region are rare, Australia and neighbouring New Zealand are hot spots for mass whale strandings on beaches. Reporting by Sam McKeith in Sydney; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: it's, Yasmin Catley, Jihad Dib, Danes, Sam McKeith, Cynthia Osterman, William Mallard Organizations: Police, New South Wales Police, Emergency Services, Thomson Locations: Australia, Botany Bay, Sydney, New, New Zealand

☆ Perfect Martin wins Japanese Grand Prix sprint from pole
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 30 (Reuters) - Jorge Martin of Pramac Racing put on a masterclass to win Saturday's MotoGP sprint race at the Japanese Grand Prix after starting from pole position, piling the pressure on championship leader and reigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia. Title challenger Martin grabbed his fifth sprint race win of the season hours after he clinched his second pole position of the campaign by setting a lap record of 1:43.198 seconds at the Mobility Resort Motegi. The 25-year-old Spaniard led from the first corner to the chequered flag and was joined by KTM's Brad Binder and Bagnaia of Ducati on the sprint podium. Martin has closed the gap with the 26-year-old Bagnaia by eight points in the championship ahead of Sunday's race. Frenchman Johann Zarco finished fifth ahead of VR46 Racing's Marco Bezzecchi, who won the inaugural Indian Grand Prix last week.

Persons: Jorge Martin, Francesco Bagnaia, Martin, KTM's Brad Binder, Let's, Jack Miller, Bagnaia, Frenchman Johann Zarco, Marco Bezzecchi, Marc Marquez, Fabio Di Giannantonio, Maverick Vinales, Pearl Josephine Nazare, William Mallard Organizations: Pramac, MotoGP, Prix, Mobility, Ducati, KTM, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru

That move marked a profound shift from earlier in the week, when a shutdown looked all but inevitable. "Democrats have said from the start that the only solution for avoiding a shutdown is bipartisanship, and we are glad Speaker McCarthy has finally heeded our message." Democratic Senator Michael Bennet held the bill up for several hours trying to negotiate a deal for further Ukraine aid. House Republicans are demanding a further $120 billion in cuts. "House Republicans tried to walk away from that deal by demanding drastic cuts that would have been devastating for millions of Americans.

Persons: Michael Bennet's, Kevin McCarthy, Joe Biden, McCarthy, Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, Donald Trump, Don Beyer, “, Republicans ’, Ken Cedeno, Republican Mitch McConnell, Michael Bennet, Chris Van Hollen, Biden, David Morgan, Makini Brice, Moira Warburton, Kanishka Singh, Andy Sullivan, Scott Malone, Andrea Ricci, William Mallard Organizations: U.S, Congress, Democratic, Republican, National Parks, WIN, MAGA Republicans, Republicans, REUTERS, Ukraine, Senate, creditworthiness, Social Security, Medicare, Thomson Locations: National, Ukraine

☆ Pegula books clash with Kudermetova in Tokyo final
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The 29-year-old American, gunning for her second title of the season following her triumph in Montreal, will take on Russian Veronika Kudermetova on Sunday. The pair traded breaks early in the second set before Pegula stepped up the pressure again, firing a sizzling forehand winner en route to a 4-2 lead. Pegula finished the job when she forced Sakkari into making a mistake from the back of the court. Earlier, Kudermetova outlasted former French Open runner-up Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 7-6(6) 6-7(2) 6-3 in a gruelling battle lasting three hours and 25 minutes to make her second final of the season. "But today I'm really happy that I managed to win the match and to be in the final."

Persons: Jessica Pegula, Greece's Maria Sakkari, Androniki, Maria Sakkari, gunning, Russian Veronika Kudermetova, Pegula, Sakkari, Kudermetova, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Roland Garros, Shrivathsa Sridhar, William Mallard Organizations: Pan, Ariake, Greece's Maria Sakkari REUTERS, Rights, Pan Pacific, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, United, Montreal, Russian, Guadalajara, Bengaluru

☆ New Zealand PM Tests COVID-Positive Two Weeks Before Election
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

SYDNEY (Reuters) -New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has tested positive for COVID-19 and will work remotely while isolating, his office said on Sunday, just two weeks before a general election in which his Labour party is struggling. The positive test will temporarily sideline Hipkins in the campaign for the Oct. 14 election. Labour has been sliding in the opinion polls, with the centre-right National party leading by 31.9% to 26.5% in a recent survey. The prime minister's office said further updates on his schedule "will be provided in due course". The government removed its last COVID restrictions in August, but health authorities still recommend that people stay home for five days if feeling unwell or if they have tested positive.

Persons: Chris Hipkins, Carmel Sepuloni, Hipkins, Sam McKeith, Nick Zieminski, William Mallard Organizations: SYDNEY, Zealand, Labour, National Locations: Hipkins, Auckland, Sydney

☆ Thai court denies bail for lawyer who called for monarchy reforms
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Arnon Nampa, a prominent activist and former human rights lawyer, speaks to media ahead of a Thai criminal court's verdict in a case of allegedly having insulted the monarchy, at the criminal court in Bangkok, Thailand, September 26, 2023. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Sept 30 (Reuters) - A Thai court denied bail on Saturday for an activist lawyer sentenced to four years in prison for royal insults, his lawyer said, in one of the Southeast Asian country's highest-profile lese-majeste cases. Human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa, 39, is widely known for a speech during pro-democracy protests in 2020 when he broke taboos by calling for public debate on the role of Thailand's powerful king. The Appeal Court read out an order on Saturday rejecting Arnon's bail request due to concerns that "if bail was given he would escape", said his lawyer, Krisadang Nutcharus. Krisadang said he would consult with Arnon on whether to make another bail request or appeal the order to the Supreme Court.

Persons: Arnon, Athit, Arnon Nampa, Krisadang, Thailand's, Prayuth Chan, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Orathai Sriring, William Mallard Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Supreme, Thomson Locations: Arnon Nampa, Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK

☆ Punjab's Sikhs fear Canada-India row threatens them at home, abroad
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Manoj Kumar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Outside of Punjab, the greatest number of Sikhs live in Canada, the site of many protests that have irked India. Still, though, the elder Nijjar said he is worried about deteriorating diplomatic relations with Canada and declining economic prospects in Punjab. The once-prosperous breadbasket of India, Punjab has been overtaken by states that focussed on manufacturing, services and technology in the last two decades. Modi's government has created "an atmosphere of fear", especially for young people, said Sandeep Singh, 31, from Nijjar's village. At the same time, the party says no one has done as much for the Sikhs as Modi.

Persons: Himmat Singh Nijjar, Hardeep Singh, Adnan Abidi, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Justin Trudeau, Trudeau, Narendra Modi's, Nijjar, Gursimran Singh, Indira Gandhi, Modi's, Modi, Sandeep Singh, wouldn’t, Kanwar Pal, Manoj Kumar, YP Rajesh, William Mallard Organizations: Reuters, REUTERS, Canadian, Ottawa, DREAM, CANADA, Hindu, Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP, Dal Khalsa, YP, Thomson Locations: Jalandhar district, Punjab, India, Canada, North America, Canadian, Vancouver, Bharsinghpura, Amritsar, Nijjar's

☆ Punjab's Sikhs Fear Canada-India Row Threatens Them at Home, Abroad
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

Persons: Manoj Kumar BHARSINGHPURA, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Justin Trudeau, Himmat Singh Nijjar, Trudeau, Narendra Modi's, Nijjar, Gursimran Singh, Indira Gandhi, Modi's, Modi, Sandeep Singh, wouldn’t, Kanwar Pal, Manoj Kumar, YP Rajesh, William Mallard Organizations: Canadian, Ottawa, DREAM, CANADA, Hindu, Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP, Dal Khalsa, Reuters, YP Locations: India, Canada, Punjab, North America, Canadian, Vancouver, Bharsinghpura, Amritsar, Nijjar's

☆ Biden says Republicans should live up to budget deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Phoenix Awards Dinner at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, U.S., September 23, 2023. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Sept 23 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday rebuked what he called "extreme Republicans", saying the party's lawmakers needed to take immediate steps to prevent a government shutdown ahead of a Sept. 30 deadline. "Now a small group of extreme Republicans don't want to live up to the deal," he said. Biden also cast his 2024 campaign against likely Republican challenger former President Donald Trump as a battle against political extremism. "I wish I could say our threat to democracy ended with our victory in 2020 but it didn't," Biden said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Walter E, Elizabeth Frantz, Biden, Donald Trump, Trevor Hunnicut, Joel Schectman, William Mallard, Jamie Freed Organizations: Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Washington Convention Center, REUTERS, Rights, Republican, Republicans, America, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S

"OCA is looking into it, definitely," as well as organisers and the government, Singh told a press conference in the eastern Chinese host city, Hangzhou. The three wushu fighters from the state of Arunachal Pradesh were issued stapled visas instead of stamped ones, India's foreign ministry said. Wei Jizhong, chairman of the OCA's ethics committee, told reporters last week that China did not refuse entry to the athletes. New Delhi vociferously rejects the claim, saying Arunachal Pradesh has always been part of India. At the Asian Games, delayed by a year due to COVID-19, some 12,400 athletes from 45 nations are competing for 481 gold medals across a huge programme of 40 sports.

Persons: Stanley Cheah, Raja Randhir Singh, Singh, Wei Jizhong, Tibet . New Delhi vociferously, Ian Ransom, Martin Quin Pollard, William Mallard Organizations: Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center, Olympic Council of Asia, Singapore, Reuters, Rights, Asian Games, OCA, Thomson Locations: Hangzhou, China, Rights HANGZHOU, Arunachal Pradesh, India, Beijing, Tibet . New Delhi, New Delhi

☆ Philippines condemns Chinese 'floating barrier' in South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Chinese Coast Guard boats close to the floating barrier are pictured on September 20, 2023, near the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, in this handout image released by the Philippine Coast Guard on September 24, 2023. Philippine Coast Guard/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsMANILA, Sept 24 (Reuters) - The Philippines on Sunday accused China's coast guard of installing a "floating barrier" in a disputed area of the South China Sea, saying it prevented Filipinos from entering and fishing in the area. The barrier blocking fishermen from the shoal was depriving them of their fishing and livelihood activities", he said. China claims 90% of the South China Sea, overlapping with the exclusive economic zones of Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and the Philippines. Three Chinese coast guard rigid-hull inflatable boats and a Chinese maritime militia service boat installed the barrier when the Philippine vessel arrived, he said.

Persons: China's, Jay Tarriela, Tarriela, Rodrigo Duterte, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Enrico Dela Cruz, William Mallard Organizations: Guard, Philippine Coast Guard, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, of Fisheries, Resources, Thomson Locations: Scarborough, South China, Rights MANILA, Philippines, Manila, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Beijing, Philippine, Bajo, Masinloc

☆ Australia seeks separate dialogue on China wine dispute
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Bottles of Australian wine are seen at a store selling imported wine in Beijing, China November 27, 2020. REUTERS/Florence Lo/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Sept 24 (Reuters) - Australia wants a separate dialogue with China on their dispute over wine, the agriculture minister said on Sunday, rejecting Beijing's proposal to link wine with other trade issues as the two nations slowly seek to improve battered relations. China's removal of tariffs last month on Australian barley has raised hopes for an easing of wine tariffs, in place since 2021, which have hammered the country's wine exports. China on Thursday proposed a "packaged solution" that would tie the wine dispute to those about duties on Australian imports of Chinese railway wheels, wind towers and stainless steel sinks, state news agency Xinhua reported. China was Australia's top wine export market before COVID, peaking at A$1.2 billion ($770 million) for the 12 months to January 2020 when the pandemic hit.

Persons: Florence, Murray Watt, Watt, Sam McKeith, William Mallard Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Xinhua, Agriculture, Australian Broadcasting Corp, World Trade Organization, COVID, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Australia, COVID, Sydney

[1/5] A view shows a border-crossing point on the frontier between Armenia and Azerbaijan and a base of Russian peacekeepers deployed in Nagorno-Karabakh as seen from a road near the village of Kornidzor, Armenia, September 23, 2023. REUTERS/Irakli Gedenidze Acquire Licensing RightsSummary Ethnic Armenians to leave Karabakh - leadership120,000 people could move into ArmeniaProcess of giving up weapons is underwayNEAR KORNIDZOR, Armenia, Sept 24 (Reuters) - The 120,000 ethnic Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh will leave for Armenia as they do not want to live as part of Azerbaijan and fear ethnic cleansing, the leadership of the breakaway region told Reuters on Sunday. Azerbaijan says it will guarantee their rights and integrate the region but the leadership of the Armenians in Karabakh told Reuters that they would leave. He said it was unclear when the Karabakh Armenians would move down the Lachin corridor which links the territory to Armenia, where Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has faced calls to resign for failing to save Karabakh. Azerbaijan, which is mainly Muslim, has said the Armenians, who are Christian, can leave if they want.

Persons: Irakli, David Babayan, Samvel Shahramanyan, Nikol Pashinyan, Babayan, Pashinyan, Felix Light, Guy Faulconbridge, Lidia Kelly, William Mallard, Peter Graff Organizations: REUTERS, Karabakh, Reuters, Sunday, Soviets, International Committee, Thomson Locations: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Nagorno, Karabakh, Kornidzor, KORNIDZOR, Soviet Union, Republic of Artsakh, Russians, Ottomans, South Caucasus, Russia, United States, Turkey, Iran, Moscow

☆ Costa Rica president to visit Panama amid migration crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( Elida Moreno | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Costa Rica President Rodrigo Chaves Robles speaks during his joint statement with French President Emmanuel Macron (not pictured) at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 24 March 2023. Yoan Valat/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsPANAMA CITY, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Costa Rica's President Rodrigo Chaves will visit Panama's Darien Gap in early October in an effort to contain a migrant crisis, both countries said on Saturday. Some 390,000 people have crossed to Panama from Colombia, traversing the Darien Gap, between January and September. Most of them are Venezuelans, with others from Ecuador, Haiti and other countries, according to Panama's Ministry of Security. Reporting by Elida Moreno in Panama City; Writing by Oliver Griffin; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Rodrigo Chaves Robles, Emmanuel Macron, Yoan, Costa, Rodrigo Chaves, Public Security Juan Pino, Mario Zamora, Elida Moreno, Oliver Griffin, William Mallard Organizations: Costa Rica, PANAMA CITY, Panama's, Public Security, Costa, Panama's Ministry of Security, Thomson Locations: Costa, Paris, France, PANAMA, Darien, Costa Rican, United States, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama City

☆ Striking writers, Hollywood studios to meet on Sunday as talks stretch on
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The iconic Hollywood sign is shown in early morning light in Los Angeles, California, U.S., July 13, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 23 (Reuters) - Negotiators for the striking Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Hollywood studios will meet again on Sunday after a fourth day of talks failed to reach a deal. Writers walked off the job in early May after negotiations failed to agree on compensation, minimum staffing of writers' rooms, the use of artificial intelligence and residuals that reward writers for popular streaming shows. The SAG-AFTRA union, comprising 160,000 members from actors to stunt performers, joined the writers in July, calling for a work stoppage and putting Hollywood into two simultaneous strikes for the first time in 63 years. Reporting by Urvi Dugar in Bengaluru; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mike Blake, Walt Disney, Urvi, William Mallard Organizations: REUTERS, Guild of America, Hollywood, WGA, Alliance, Television Producers, Netflix, SAG, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles , California, U.S, Bengaluru

☆ Dolehide stuns Kenin, books Guadalajara title clash with Sakkari
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Playing in her first career semi-final, the 25-year-old Dolehide fought back from a break down in both sets against Kenin to win the all-American clash 7-5 6-3 in an hour and 25 minutes. "I'm really proud of myself for getting through that one today, because Sonya is not an easy player to get by," Dolehide, 25, said before Saturday's final, using Kenin's nickname. World number nine Sakkari reached the Guadalajara final for the second straight year after a 6-3 6-0 win over third seed Caroline Garcia of France. Sakkari, who lost to Jessica Pegula in last year's final, has not dropped a set this week and is aiming to win her first title since the WTA 250 tournament in Rabat in 2019. Reporting by Hritika Sharma in Hyderabad; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Caroline Dolehide, Sofia Kenin, Henry Romero, Maria Sakkari, Dolehide, Kenin, Martina Trevisan, Sonya, Caroline Garcia of, Sakkari, Jessica Pegula, that's, couldn't, Hritika Sharma, William Mallard Organizations: Panamerican Tennis Center, Sofia, U.S, REUTERS, Rights, WTA, Guadalajara, Caroline Garcia of France, Wimbledon, U.S ., Thomson Locations: Guadalajara, Mexico, Rights GUADALAJARA, Greece, Rabat, Hyderabad

☆ China willing to work with South Korea ahead of summit with Japan, Xi Jinping says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the plenary session of the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa on August 23, 2023. GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Sept 23 (Reuters) - China is willing to work with South Korea to promote a strategic partnership to develop with the times, President Xi Jinping told South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Saturday, amid rising tensions surrounding Russia, the United States and North Korea. The commitment to cooperation came ahead of scheduled trilateral talks between China, Japan and South Korea in Seoul on Sept. 26, the first summit led by their senior officials in four years. Xi told Han that he welcomes the summit at an opportune time and he will seriously consider the matter of visiting South Korea, Yonhap reported on Saturday. China attaches great importance to the positive willingness of South Korea to commit to cooperation, Xi said, and asked South Korea to meet it half way to maintain the direction of friendly cooperation.

Persons: Xi Jinping, GIANLUIGI, Han Duck, Xi, Han, Yonhap, Korea's Kim Jong, Albee Zhang, Ryan Woo, William Mallard, Mike Harrison Organizations: Rights, South Korean, Asian Games, China Central Television, South, Thomson Locations: Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, Rights BEIJING, China, South Korea, Russia, United States, North Korea, Hangzhou, Japan, Seoul

☆ China Willing to Work With South Korea Ahead of Summit With Japan - Xi
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING (Reuters) - China is willing to work with South Korea to promote a strategic partnership to develop with the times, President Xi Jinping told South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Saturday, amid rising tensions surrounding Russia, the United States and North Korea. The commitment to cooperation came ahead of scheduled trilateral talks between China, Japan and South Korea in Seoul on Sept. 26, the first summit led by their senior officials in four years. Xi told Han that he welcomes the summit at an opportune time and he will seriously consider the matter of visiting South Korea, Yonhap reported on Saturday. China attaches great importance to the positive willingness of South Korea to commit to cooperation, Xi said, and asked South Korea to meet it half way to maintain the direction of friendly cooperation. Tensions between the two East Asian countries rose after North Korea's Kim Jong Un's weeklong visit to Russia earlier this month, which angered the United States, Japan and South Korea.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Han Duck, Xi, Han, Yonhap, Korea's Kim Jong, Albee Zhang, Ryan Woo, William Mallard, Mike Harrison Organizations: South Korean, Asian Games, China Central Television, South Locations: BEIJING, China, South Korea, Russia, United States, North Korea, Hangzhou, Japan, Seoul

☆ South Korea opposition leader ends 24-day hunger strike
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Lee Jae-myung, leader of South Korea's Democratic Party, speaks at campaign rally while campaigning for the presidential election in Seoul, South Korea March 8, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Sept 23 (Reuters) - South Korea's opposition leader ended a 24-day hunger strike on Saturday, a party spokesperson said, two days after parliament voted to let prosecutors serve an arrest warrant against him for alleged bribery. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, will maintain a schedule including court attendance while hospitalised for the time being, the spokesman told reporters. Lee, who lost South Korea's presidential election to conservative Yoon Suk Yeol last year, has denied wrongdoing, calling the allegations "fiction" and a "political conspiracy". South Korea is to hold parliamentary elections in April.

Persons: Lee Jae, myung, Kim Hong, Lee, . Lee, Yoon Suk Yeol, Joyce Lee, William Mallard Organizations: South Korea's Democratic Party, REUTERS, Rights, Democratic Party of Korea, Prosecutors, South, Police, Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police, Thomson Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Rights SEOUL, North Korea, Gyeonggi Province, Seongnam, ., Lee's

☆ Verstappen completes Japanese GP practice sweep
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Formula One F1 - Japanese Grand Prix - Suzuka Circuit, Suzuka, Japan - September 23, 2023 Red Bull's Max Verstappen in the pits during practice REUTERS/Issei Kato Acquire Licensing RightsSUZUKA, Japan, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Red Bull's Formula One championship leader Max Verstappen completed a sweep of Japanese Grand Prix practice on Saturday with McLaren closest on the timesheets and emerging as the main challengers. McLaren's Lando Norris was second-fastest, 0.240 off the pace, in the final session before qualifying with Australian team mate Oscar Piastri third. Red Bull's Sergio Perez was fourth-fastest and a further half a second behind. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, who looked Red Bull's closest challengers on Friday, were fifth and sixth, with the Mercedes pairing of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell seventh and eighth. Reporting by Alan Baldwin in London; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Max Verstappen, Issei Kato, McLaren's Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, Red Bull's Sergio Perez, Verstappen, Perez, Red Bull, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz, Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso, Alfa Romeo's, Zhou, Alan Baldwin, William Mallard Organizations: Suzuka, McLaren, Singapore, Alfa, Thomson Locations: Suzuka, Japan, Singapore, Qatar, London

Dombrovskis, who is also the bloc's trade commissioner, is on a four-day visit to China seeking more balanced economic ties with the EU. Citing the bloc's trade deficit as an example, he added "the EU also needs to protect itself in situations when its openness is abused." LITMUS TESTThe EU blames its 400 billion euro trade deficit partly on Chinese restrictions on European companies. A "thousand" barriers to market access have propelled the trade deficit to its "highest in the history of mankind", EU Ambassador to China Jorge Toledo lamented at a forum in Beijing on Thursday. One with whom the EU wishes to work towards a more balanced trade and investment relationship."

Persons: Valdis Dombrovskis, Jason Xue, Dombrovskis, China Jorge Toledo, Lifeng, Moscow, Brenda Goh, Albee Zhang, Shri Navaratnam, William Mallard Organizations: European Commission, Reuters, REUTERS, Rights, European Union, Bund Summit, EU, Global Times, Thomson Locations: Shanghai, China, Moscow, Russian, Ukraine, Beijing, Dombrovskis

☆ Sabalenka, Swiatek lead first set of qualifiers for WTA Finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 23 (Reuters) - World number one Aryna Sabalenka will make her third consecutive appearance at the WTA Finals in Cancun, Mexico, as the governing body of women's tennis announced its first set of qualifiers for the season finale. Australian Open champion Sabalenka will be joined by four-times Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek, whom she leapfrogged to claim the top ranking for the first time after the U.S. Open earlier this month, the WTA announced on Friday. She will look to improve on her runner-up finish at last year's WTA Finals in Fort Worth. U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff booked her place in both the singles and doubles competitions. The WTA Finals run from Oct. 29 to Nov. 5.

Persons: Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, USTA Billie Jean King, Robert Deutsch, Iga Swiatek, leapfrogged, Jessica Pegula, Elena Rybakina, Shrivathsa Sridhar, William Mallard Organizations: USTA Billie, USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center, WTA, U.S, Wimbledon, Thomson Locations: Flushing , NY, USA, United States, Cancun , Mexico, Mexico, Guadalajara, Flushing Meadows, Fort Worth . U.S, Kazakhstan, Bengaluru

☆ Costa Rica President to Visit Panama Amid Migration Crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

By Elida MorenoPANAMA CITY (Reuters) - Costa Rica's President Rodrigo Chaves will visit Panama's Darien Gap in early October in an effort to contain a migrant crisis, both countries said on Saturday. Panama's Minister of Public Security Juan Pino and his Costa Rican counterpart, Mario Zamora, on Saturday visited communities in the dangerous stretch of jungle, where thousands of migrants pass each day on their way toward the United States. Some 390,000 people have crossed to Panama from Colombia, traversing the Darien Gap, between January and September. Most of them are Venezuelans, with others from Ecuador, Haiti and other countries, according to Panama's Ministry of Security. (Reporting by Elida Moreno in Panama City; Writing by Oliver Griffin; Editing by William Mallard)

Persons: Elida Moreno, Costa, Rodrigo Chaves, Public Security Juan Pino, Mario Zamora, Oliver Griffin, William Mallard Organizations: Elida Moreno PANAMA CITY, Panama's, Public Security, Costa, Panama's Ministry of Security Locations: Darien, Costa Rican, United States, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama City

☆ Mexican police cuff crooked 'demon doll' Chucky
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

In a bizarre twist, Chucky and his owner were taken into lock-up in a town in northern Mexico earlier this week. The puppet master, identified only as Carlos "N" under Mexican norms, allegedly used the "demon doll" to scare people and demand money, local media reported. One officer at the police department in Monclova, in Coahuila state, was seen laughing as she held up the long knife taken from Chucky. Mexican media reported the officer who put Chucky in cuffs was later reprimanded for not taking her job seriously. Carlos "N" was later released, local outlets reported, though the Chucky doll's whereabouts are still unknown.

Persons: Carlos, Chucky, Daniel Becerril, Kylie Madry, William Mallard Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Chucky, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Mexico, Monclova, Coahuila

☆ Newcomers fire as Team World make strong start to Laver Cup defence
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Tennis - Laver Cup - Palexpo, Geneva, Switzerland - September 20, 2019 General view of the Laver Cup trophy before the start of play REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 22 (Reuters) - Defending champions Team World took a 4-0 lead over Team Europe on the opening day of the Laver Cup in Vancouver on Friday, as Ben Shelton, Francisco Cerundolo and Felix Auger-Aliassime all won their singles matches. Argentine Cerundolo claimed his first point for Team World with a 6-3 7-5 victory over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. There's a lot of energy," Team World captain John McEnroe said. Home favourite Felix Auger-Aliassime made it a hat-trick of singles wins for Team World with a 6-4 6-3 victory over French veteran Gael Monfils in the evening session. The first team to reach 13 points will lift the Laver Cup.

Persons: Denis Balibouse, Ben Shelton, Francisco Cerundolo, Felix Auger, Aliassime, golf's, Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Shelton, Arthur Fils of, Federer, it's, Argentine Cerundolo, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, We've, John McEnroe, we've, Gael Monfils, Frances Tiafoe, Tommy Paul, Europe's Fils, Andrey Rublev, Shrivathsa Sridhar, William Mallard, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Laver, REUTERS, Team Europe, Rogers, Team, Thomson Locations: Geneva, Switzerland, Vancouver, Arthur Fils of France, Argentine, Bengaluru

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