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☆ Rockies end 7-game slide to open twin bill with Dodgers
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Field Level Media | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/42] Sep 26, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies designated hitter Kris Bryant (23) gestures from second on an RBI double in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field. Jason Heyward had three hits for Los Angeles. The Rockies jumped on Caleb Ferguson, who served as the opener on a bullpen day for Los Angeles. Kris Bryant followed with a double to left to drive in Tovar and put runners on second and third. Los Angeles had runners on second and third with one out in the sixth after J.D.

Persons: Kris Bryant, Isaiah J, Downing, Nolan Jones, Brendan Rodgers, Chase Anderson, Tyler Kinley, Jason Heyward, Caleb Ferguson, Ezequiel Tovar, Jones, Rodgers, Elehuris Montero, Ferguson, Ryan Pepiot, Austin Barnes, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Barnes, Betts, Martinez, Heyward, Austin Wynns Organizations: Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers, Coors Field, USA, Colorado, Los, The Dodgers, NL, The Rockies, Dodgers, J.D, Thomson Locations: Denver , Colorado, USA, Denver, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Tovar, Angeles

London CNN —London’s Metropolitan Police said it has launched an investigation into allegations of “non-recent” sexual offenses in the United Kingdom, after a joint investigation by British media outlets revealed the comedian Russell Brand was accused of rape and sexual assault. “We have also received a number of allegations of sexual offences committed elsewhere in the country and will investigate these. One of the women said she was 16 and Brand was 31 at the time of the alleged assault in London. The Met announced last week that they were investigating an allegation of sexual assault in 2003. Without naming Brand, a Met spokesperson said: “We are aware of reporting by The Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches about allegations of sexual offenses.

Persons: Russell Brand, “, Brand, Andy Furphy, ” Brand, James Manning, Covid, Downing, ”, Rishi Sunak’s Organizations: London CNN — London’s Metropolitan Police, British, Sunday Times, Met’s, Crime Command, Park, AP Brand, YouTube, The Times, CNN, Police, Met Police, ”, The Met, The Sunday Times, Met Locations: United Kingdom, London, Los Angeles, Soho

☆ Suella Braverman, UK interior minister, to raise 'unsustainable' migration pressures during U.S. visit
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Home Secretary Suella Braverman walks on Downing Street on the day of a cabinet meeting, in London, Britain September 5, 2023 REUTERS/Peter Nicholls/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Sept 24 (Reuters) - British interior minister Suella Braverman will raise the "the unsustainable pressures" created by illegal migration when she makes a three-day visit to the U.S. this week, her office said on Sunday. "Illegal migration and the unprecedented mass movement of people across the globe is placing unsustainable pressures on America, the UK and Europe," Braverman said in the statement. Braverman, who will travel to Washington on Monday, will seek closer collaboration with the U.S. on addressing illegal migration and organised immigration crime. "I'm going to Washington to discuss this (illegal migration) crisis with our American counterparts. If we fail to meet these challenges, then our political institutions risk losing their democratic legitimacy," Braverman said.

Persons: Suella Braverman, Peter Nicholls, Braverman, Rishi Sunak, Biden, Alejandro Mayorkas, Muvija, Mike Harrison Organizations: REUTERS, Home Office, U.S, Homeland, American, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, America, Europe, Rwanda, U.S, Mexico, Washington

☆ Green energy’s tailwinds blow the other way
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Peter Thal Larsen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

Falling costs, cheap capital and supportive politicians helped propel a headlong rush into renewable power. As relations with China deteriorate, the United States and Europe are increasingly concerned about the country’s grip on parts of the green energy supply chain. In recent roundtable discussions moderated by Breakingviews on both sides of the Atlantic, participants expressed optimism about the momentum of investment in green energy. The IRA has unleashed a green energy boom. The world can ill afford to relax its embrace of green power.

Persons: Rishi Sunak, –, Joe Biden’s, Jared Cohen, Goldman Sachs, Breakingviews, carmaker Ford, Rishi Sunak’s, Pennsylvania’s Penn, George Hay, Sharon Lam, Aditya Sriwatsav Organizations: Britain's, Downing, Reuters, Global, International Energy Agency, International Renewable Energy Agency, Energy, Commission, Applied Innovation, Goldman, Amperex Technology, Companies, British, MIT’s Center for Energy, Environmental, Research, University, Pennsylvania’s, Thomson Locations: London, Ukraine, U.S, China, United States, Europe, People’s Republic, Vietnam, Mexico

[1/2] Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks at a press conference on public sector pay at Downing Street in London, Britain on July 13, 2023. In a highly unusual late-night statement after reports that he was planning to row back on some of the government’s key green policies, Sunak said he would set out an "important long-term decision" about the country's plans to reach net zero. With a general election looming next year, Sunak sees scaling back some green policies as a way to win over swing voters "ahead of a general election expected next year." It would be a striking reversal for Britain which until recently was a self-proclaimed leader in climate policy. Sunak said successive governments "have not been honest about costs and trade offs" of going green policies.

Persons: Rishi Sunak, HENRY NICHOLLS, Sunak, Boris Johnson's, Michael Gove, Elizabeth Piper, William James, Farouq Suleiman, Andrew MacAskill, Paul Sandle, Timothy Gardner, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Britain's, Downing, British, BBC, Labour Party, Conservatives, Labour, Conservative, Thomson Locations: London, Britain

☆ Russell Brand: UK police investigate sexual assault report after allegations
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

One of the women said she was 16 and Brand was 31 at the time of the alleged assault in London. Without naming the British comedian – who denies the allegations – a Met spokesperson said on Monday: “We are aware of reporting by The Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches about allegations of sexual offenses. In the video, Brand described the claims as “very serious allegations that I absolutely refute.”The women chose not to be identified by name in the report, according to The Times. A BBC spokesperson said Sunday: “The documentary and associated reports contained serious allegations, spanning a number of years. Brand shared the video with his 11.2 million followers on X, formerly Twitter, and his 3.8 million followers on Instagram.

Persons: CNN —, Russell Brand, Brand, –, ” Downing, Rishi Sunak’s, “, ” Brand preemptively, James Manning, Brand –, ”, We’ve, Russell Brand’s, ” Brand Organizations: CNN, CNN — London’s Metropolitan Police, Sunday Times, The Times, The Sunday Times, Met, ”, Met Police, Theatre Royal Windsor, ” Media, BBC, Twitter, Instagram Locations: London, Soho

☆ Storm Lee makes landfall in Canada, downing trees and knocking out power
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( John Morris | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/15] A tree on the ground is pictured after taking down the power lines and shutting off access to this road in Liverpool, Nova Scotia, Canada, September 16, 2023. The still-powerful weather system packed maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) with higher gusts, forecasters said. In the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, around 120,000 people were without power on Saturday as winds knocked down trees and felled power lines. "The intensity of the storm is strong," said Paul Mason, the executive director of the Nova Scotia Emergency Management Office. It marks the second year in a row that such a powerful storm has reached Canada after Hurricane Fiona ripped into eastern Canada a year ago.

Persons: John Morris, Lee, Crews, Matt Drover, PowerOutages.us, Paul Mason, Joe Biden's, Fiona, David Ljunggren, Idrees Ali, Maria Caspani, Daniel Trotta, Brendan O'Brien, Kim Coghill, Mike Harrison, Diane Craft, Daniel Wallis, David Gregorio Our Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, National Hurricane Center, Nova, Nova Scotia Emergency Management Office, NHC, Canadian Hurricane Centre, Thomson Locations: Liverpool , Nova Scotia, Canada, Nova Scotia, Canada's Nova Scotia, Atlantic, U.S ., Maine, Halifax, Eastport , Maine, Atlantic Canada, Canadian, of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Massachusetts, Bermuda, Ottawa, Washington, New York, Carlsbad , California, Chicago

☆ Britain see off Australia, Spain and Italy lose in Davis Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MANCHESTER, Sept 13 (Reuters) - Britain battled to victory over last year's Davis Cup runners-up Australia in their Finals group stage opener on Wednesday, while Spain and Italy both suffered chastening defeats at home in the premier men's team competition. "It's amazing to play my first Davis Cup tie in the UK in this sort of arena. In Valencia, the Czech Republic took an unassailable 2-0 lead over hosts Spain, who were missing Carlos Alcaraz after the world number two decided to pull out of the squad to recover following his U.S. Open semi-final defeat. Italy also endured a disappointing day in front of home fans in Bologna, as defending champions Canada secured a comfortable Group A victory in a re-match of last year's semi-final. Italy are without Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini this week but still have three top-50 singles players in the squad.

Persons: year's, chastening, Jack Draper, Leon Smith's, Thanasi, Draper, Leon, Dan Evans, Alex de Minaur, Carlos Alcaraz, Tomas Machac, Bernabe Zapata Miralles, Jiri Lehecka, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Alexis Galarneau, Lorenzo Sonego, Gabriel Diallo, Lorenzo Musetti, Denis Shapovalov, Felix Auger, Milos Raonic, Matteo Berrettini, Mackenzie McDonald, Dino Prizmic, Gojo, Frances Tiafoe, Austin Krajicek, Rajeev Ram, Ivan Dodig, Pavic, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Toby Davis Organizations: MANCHESTER, Britain, Manchester, Davis, U.S, Serbia, Canada, Croatia, Thomson Locations: Australia, Spain, Italy, Britain, Valencia, Czech Republic, Malaga, Bologna, Canada, United States, U.S, Bengaluru

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — Sports betting company DraftKings apologized Monday after using the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks to entice people to bet on baseball and football games on the anniversary of the tragedy that killed nearly 3,000 people. After an outcry on social media from people offended by the promotion titled “Never Forget,” DraftKings took it down and apologized. “We sincerely apologize for the featured parlay that was shared briefly in commemoration of 9/11,” the company wrote. He decried the DraftKings offer as “tone-deaf.”Political Cartoons View All 1152 Images“It is shameful to use the national tragedy of 9/11 to promote a business,” he told The Associated Press. DraftKings is one of the leading companies offering legal sports betting in the U.S., which has grown rapidly since the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for it in 2018.

Persons: DraftKings, ” DraftKings, “, ” Bret Eagleson, Bruce, ”, Wayne Parry Organizations: CITY, — Sports, Yankees, Mets, Jets —, World Trade Center, Pentagon, Associated Press, Supreme, Twitter Locations: N.J, Boston, York, Pennsylvania, U.S

☆ UK foreign minister to warn of Iran threat on visit to Israel
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

On the visit that begins on Monday, Cleverly will hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh. He will hold talks with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen and attend a demonstration of Israel's "Iron Dome" missile defence system. During a visit to the Palestinian territories, Cleverly will visit the Jalazone refugee camp in the West Bank to see Palestinian refugees. Violence in the West Bank has worsened over the past year with frequent Israeli raids and Palestinian street attacks. The Palestinians have limited self-rule in the West Bank and remain split between a Western-backed administration and armed Hamas Islamists who reject coexistence with Israel.

Persons: James, Peter Nicholls, Benjamin Netanyahu, Mohammed Shtayyeh, Eli Cohen, Andrew MacAskill, Edmund Blair Organizations: British, REUTERS, Israeli, Palestinian, Iran, West Bank, West, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Israel, Iran, West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem, Israel's

☆ Britain’s Rishi Sunak has a month to shake his party from its slumber. If he fails, the next election could already be over
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( Luke Mcgee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

London CNN —Rishi Sunak has just under a month to answer the most critical question he faces as British Prime Minister: why does his Conservative Party deserve another five years in power at the next election? They trail the opposition Labour Party in the polls and there is a distinct stench of a party nearing the end of its time in office lingering in the air. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak gives an update on the progress made since he introduced the Illegal Migration Bill, under his plans to "stop the boats," on June 5, 2023 in Dover, England. Unfortunately for the prime minister, his own MPs are divided on even that question. As the UK’s finance minister, Sunak won praise for the financial support he offered people who could not work during lockdowns.

Persons: Rishi Sunak, Sunak, Yui Mok, Ben Stansall, ”, Labour Party’s Keir Starmer, Starmer, “, Chris J Ratcliffe, Covid, Rob Ford, ” Ford Organizations: London CNN, Conservative Party, Conservative, Labour Party, Police, Bibby, Getty, Labour, Commons, Conservatives, CNN, That’s, University of Manchester Locations: Manchester, England, United Kingdom, Dover , England, Britain’s, Birmingham, Bibby Stockholm, AFP, London

☆ UK, Singapore partner to boost economic growth, strengthen security
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Companies Atomico (UK) Partners LLP FollowSept 8 (Reuters) - The British government has signed a partnership with Singapore to grow its economy and enhance shared security, Downing Street said on Friday, adding it was the UK's first treaty since leaving the European Union. They said the partnership will give Singaporean companies more confidence to invest in Britain and vice-versa, while also creating jobs. The British government added that the partnership will strengthen security cooperation, science and technology innovation, and research and development, including countering cyber threats, through a partnership between Singapore's Digital and Intelligence Service and Britain. "This new agreement with Singapore will take us even further in delivering our priorities and ensure that, as we map the future of the world economy, we are doing so alongside our closest partners," Rishi Sunak said. Reporting by Rishabh Jaiswal in Bengaluru; Editing by Josie KaoOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Downing, Rishi Sunak, Lee Hsien Loong, Rishabh, Josie Kao Organizations: Atomico, Partners, British, European Union . British, Singapore's Digital, Intelligence Service, Britain, Thomson Locations: Singapore, India, Britain, New Delhi, Bengaluru

☆ Home favourite Gauff ready to derail Sabalenka in US Open final
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Amy Tennery | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The Belarusian won the Australian Open to kick off a superb 2023, beat Gauff en route to the Indian Wells final and defeated Iga Swiatek in the Madrid title match. "Going into this final, I think I just have to focus on myself and prepare myself for another fight. "," said Sabalenka, who reached the semi-finals in the previous two editions of the tournament. "I have been focusing more on myself and my expectations of myself," said Gauff, who vowed to hold her head high regardless of the outcome on Saturday. Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Coco Gauff, Karolina Muchova, Mike Segar, Arthur Ashe, Sabalenka, Gauff, I'm, Will, Iga Swiatek, Roland Garros, Keys, Daria Kasatkina, Zheng Qinwen, Barack Obama, Michelle, Ashe, Laura Siegemund, Caroline Wozniacki, Amy Tennery, Ken Ferris Organizations: Tennis, Czech, U.S, Belarusian, Indian Wells, Wimbledon, Madison Keys, Poland's, D.C, Australian, Thomson Locations: Flushing Meadows , New York, United States, Madrid, New York, Washington, Cincinnati, Flushing Meadows

☆ German-made anti-aircraft guns from the 1960s are one of Ukraine's best weapons against Russia's exploding drones, and this video shows one blasting them out of the sky
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Ukraine has relied on its decades-old Gepard cannons to defend against Russian drones and missiles. A new video published Thursday by the Ukrainian military shows the anti-aircraft guns in action. Gepards, which were first developed in the 1960s, have proven to be very effective in downing these systems, as well as other low-altitude Russian drones and cruise missiles. Ukrainian servicemen operate a Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft gun during their combat shift, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv region, Ukraine June 30, 2023. REUTERS/Valentyn OgirenkoThe firepower boost for Ukraine's Gepards comes at a crucial moment.

Persons: Kyiv's Gepards, Vladimir Putin's, Jacob Bradford, Gepards, Switzerland —, Ukraine's Gepards, John Kirby, Biden Organizations: Service, Ukrainian Air Force, Factory, US Army, Rheinmetall AG, REUTERS, Ukraine's, National Security, NATO, Pentagon, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems Locations: Ukraine, Ukrainian, Wall, Silicon, Odesa, Moscow, Kyiv, Poland, Germany, Switzerland, German, Kyiv region, Russia

☆ UK has not backed down in tech encryption row, minister says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Britain's Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Michelle Donelan walks on Downing Street in London, Britain March 15, 2023. Junior minister Stephen Parkinson appeared to concede ground to the tech companies' arguments on Wednesday, saying in parliament's upper chamber that the Ofcom communications regulator would only require them to scan content where "technically feasible". Tech companies have said scanning messages and end-to-end encryption are fundamentally incompatible. Donelan, however, denied on Thursday that the bill had been watered down in the final stages before it becomes law. She said further work to develop the technology was needed, but added that government-funded research had shown it was possible.

Persons: Technology Michelle Donelan, Peter Nicholls, Michelle Donelan, Stephen Parkinson, Paul Sandle, Helen Popper Our Organizations: State for Science, Innovation, Technology, REUTERS, Junior, Ofcom, Tech, Times Radio, Thomson Locations: London, Britain

☆ UK could lose global climate leadership, says former energy minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Chris Skidmore is seen outside Downing Street, as uncertainty over Brexit continues, in London, Britain May 21, 2019. "We are in this global net zero race, we have been climate leaders in the past, we're about to lose that leadership," he said. There is no free rider opportunities in net zero. Asked if Sunak should attend the COP28 climate summit in person to help Britain hold onto its net zero leadership, Skidmore said it was policy outcomes which were the most important thing. "Yes, it's nice if we can have a prime minister turn up, but I don't think it's essential," he said.

Persons: Chris Skidmore, Brexit, Hannah Mckay, decarbonisation, Jobs, Rishi Sunak's, Sunak, Skidmore, William James, Sachin Ravikumar, Muvija, Sarah Young Organizations: REUTERS, Rights Companies Edf Energy Nuclear Generation, Reuters IMPACT, Thomson Locations: Downing, London, Britain

☆ Germany has finally figured out how to build more ammo for the 1960s-era cannon Ukraine is using to blast Russian drones
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Ukraine has been using Cold War-era Gepard cannons to take down Russian drones and missiles. A German arms manufacturer plans to send 300,000 35mm rounds to Kyiv for its Gepards. Ukraine has relied heavily on its arsenal of Gepards provided by Germany to blast low-flying Russian drones and missiles out of the sky. It took existing 35mm ammunition from infantry fighting vehicles and modified it for the Gepard, which needed its fire control unit to recognize the new munitions. A Gepard gun successfully fired the ammunition in May, and Rheinmetall said on Sunday that "a first lot" of 35mm ammunition is now on its way to Ukraine.

Persons: Jacob Bradford One, SERGEI SUPINSKY Organizations: Service, NATO, Factory, Rheinmetall AG, Ukraine, US Army, Rheinmetall, Getty Locations: Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Germany, Kyiv, Switzerland, German, Poland, Berlin, AFP, Moscow, Russia, Ukrainian

☆ Russia says it's using a new jet to launch Kinzhal 'hypersonic' missiles in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( David Cenciotti | The Aviationist | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Russian state media says an Su-34 aircraft launched Kinzhal missile against a target in Ukraine. Until now, only MiG-31K aircraft were known to have employed the Kinzhal missile in combat. Russia touts the Kinzhal as a hypersonic weapon but it's really a conventional air-launched ballistic missile. "The Su-34 fighter jet used the Kinzhal hypersonic missile in the special military operation. Since then, Ukraine has reported downing Kinzhal missiles at least four more times, the last one last month.

Persons: Su, Russian Aerospace Forces Su, Alexander Zemlianichenko, Kinzhal, Fullback wasn't Organizations: Service, Russian Aerospace Forces, TASS, Russian State, Russian Air Force, 47M2, AP, Observers, Russian, U.S . Air Force, Kinzhal, Fullback Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Wall, Silicon, Russian

☆ 13 brands, from Coca-Cola to REI, that are pouring money into movies and TV to reach consumers with Hollywood-style storytelling
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Mattel's Barbie is just one of many big brands getting serious about making Hollywood-style entertainment. "Barbie" may be the movie of the summer, but lots of other big brands are getting serious about making Hollywood-style entertainment. Brands are also getting more systematic about tracking the projects' outcome so they can justify the cost. Neutrogena: Neutrogena Studios launched in 2021 and is J&J Consumer's first brand-funded content studio to make feature documentaries and scripted shorts. Showtime/PepsiPepsiCo: PepsiCo's Content Studio is led by veteran PepsiCo marketer Lou Arbetter.

Persons: Barbie, Ron Howard, Brian Grazer's, Oscar, Michael Sugar, Brian Newman, REI, Michael Sugar's, Jae Goodman, Lauren Denowitz, Coke, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard's, Selman Careaga, John Deere, Mara Downing, Al Roker, Jill Wilfert, Robbie Brenner, J.J, Abrams, Lena Dunham, Barney, Daniel Kaluuya, J, Sebastian Garcia, Laurie Hernandez, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck's, Entertainment —, Justin Biskin —, Howard, Lou Arbetter, Max, Robert Rodriguez, Nadia Hallgre, Stanley Nelson, Arbetter, It's, Procter, Kimberly Doebereiner, Paolo Mottola, Kyra Sedgwick, Watiti, Saint Laurent, Anthony Vaccarello, Saint, Pedro Almodóvar, Ethan Hawke, Pedro Pascal, it's, Paolo Sorrentino, David Cronenberg, Kelly Mullen, Bryce Dallas Howard, Lena Waithe, WePresent, Holly Fraser, Moses Sumney, Solange Knowles, Riz Ahmed, Aneil, Fraser Organizations: Hollywood, Procter, Gamble, Brands, Unilever, InBev, Waffle Iron Entertainment, draftLine Entertainment, Netflix, Coca Cola, Entertainment, Global, Deere, Warner Bros, Warner Brothers, Universal Studios, Mattel, Neutrogena Studios, Studio, Kerry, Seattle Film, Ghetto Film, HBO Nike, Nike, Waffle, Apple, HBO, Showtime, Pepsi PepsiCo, PepsiCo, Pepsi Super, Pepsi, G Studios, Imagine, Amazon's, Hulu, Paramount, Blue Fox Entertainment, Saint Laurent Productions, Unilever Entertainment, Imagine Entertainment, Monotype Locations: Hollywood, Kerry Washington, American, Cannes, Britain

☆ Grant Shapps replaces Ben Wallace as UK defence minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

British Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Grant Shapps walks on Downing Street on the day of the last cabinet meeting before the summer recess, in London, Britain, July 18, 2023. REUTERS/Anna Gordon/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Aug 31 (Reuters) - The British government named ex-energy secretary Grant Shapps as the country's new defence minister on Thursday, replacing Ben Wallace who said he wanted to step down after four years in the role and would quit as a lawmaker at the next national election. Wallace, who had been touted as a potential successor to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, had taken a leading role in shaping Britain's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year. The defence role will be Shapps' fifth government job over the last year, after serving in four different ministries - transport, interior affairs, business and then at energy and net zero. ($1 = 0.7872 pounds)Reporting by Muvija M, Editing by Kylie MacLellanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Grant Shapps, Anna Gordon, Ben Wallace, Wallace, Jens Stoltenberg, Britain, Muvija, Kylie MacLellan Organizations: State for Energy Security, REUTERS, NATO, Ukraine, Russia, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, British, Ukraine

☆ Wallace confirms resignation as UK defence minister in letter to PM Sunak
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

British Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace walks on Downing Street on the day of the last cabinet meeting before the summer recess, in London, Britain, July 18, 2023. REUTERS/Anna Gordon/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Ben Wallace confirmed his resignation as defence minister on Thursday in a letter to Rishi Sunak, offering the government his continued support while warning the British prime minister not to see defence as a "discretionary spend". In his official resignation letter, Wallace renewed his appeal for the government not to turn to defence to make spending cuts. Sunak praised Wallace for his work, saying in a letter in response: "You have served our country in three of the most demanding posts in government: defence secretary, security minister and Northern Ireland minister." A former captain in the British army, Wallace, 53, was appointed as defence minister in 2019 by his friend and ally, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson after holding junior ministerial roles in earlier governments.

Persons: Defence Ben Wallace, Anna Gordon, Ben Wallace, Rishi Sunak, Wallace, Jens Stoltenberg, hollowing, Sunak, Boris Johnson, Johnson, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Muvija M, Elizabeth Piper, Kate Holton, Alex Richardson Organizations: State, Defence, REUTERS, NATO, Conservative Party, Ministry of Defence, Northern, Twitter, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Ukraine, Norwegian, Northern Ireland, Russia, Kyiv

☆ U.K. Replaces Defense Secretary Ben Wallace With Grant Shapps
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Mark Landler | More About Mark Landler | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

His replacement, Grant Shapps, a politically astute Conservative Party operative, has signaled that he would maintain Britain’s support for Ukraine. Mr. Shapps has held multiple cabinet posts and is a close ally of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, though he has far less foreign policy and security experience than Mr. Wallace. Mr. Wallace’s departure has been long in the works — he was floated by Downing Street in an unsuccessful bid for NATO secretary general — but Mr. Shapps’ appointment was a surprise. Mr. Shapps has already held no fewer than four ministerial posts in the past year, a tumultuous stretch for Britain’s government. Mr. Sunak’s predecessor, Liz Truss, named him home secretary in the chaotic final days of her tenure.

Persons: Ben Wallace, Grant Shapps, Shapps, Rishi Sunak, Wallace, Mr, Wallace’s, —, Sunak’s, Liz Truss, Truss’s, Boris Johnson Organizations: White House, Pentagon, Ukraine, Russia, Conservative Party, NATO Locations: Ukraine

☆ A Resurgent Labour Party Sees Scotland as a Springboard to Power
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Mark Landler | More About Mark Landler | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

For Britain’s opposition Labour Party, the road to 10 Downing Street is likely to run through Scotland. Ms. Scott, 18, a geography student who studies in Edinburgh, enthusiastically supported the Scottish National Party in past ballots. representative, Margaret Ferrier, who was forced out of her seat on Aug. 1 after violating lockdown rules during the coronavirus pandemic. She also thinks the Labour Party has better proposals to cope with a grinding cost-of-living crisis that has left people fed up and exhausted. Ms. Scott signed a petition to recall Ms. Ferrier, which triggered this by-election, and now said she was “leaning slightly toward Labour, based on how proactive they’ve been.”

Persons: Cara Scott, Scott, Margaret Ferrier, Ferrier, ” Organizations: Labour Party, Labour, Scottish National Party Locations: Scotland, Glasgow, Edinburgh

☆ Djokovic, Swiatek advance before China's Zhang shocks Ruud at US Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/7] Aug 30, 2023; Flushing, NY, USA; Novak Djokovic of Serbia hits to Bernabe Zapata Miralles of Spain on day three of the 2023 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. But while results followed the form book for much of the day at the year's final Grand Slam, shocks sprung up as the sun went down. Earlier, Swiss young gun Dominic Stricker delivered a shock by grinding out a 7-5 6-7(2) 6-7(5) 7-6(6) 6-3 win over Greek seventh seed Stefanos Tsitsipas for his first top-10 win. Djokovic remains on course for a fourth U.S. Open title that would pull him level with Margaret Court's record haul of 24 Grand Slams. Sixth seed Gauff warmed up the home crowd early when the teenager beat Mirra Andreeva 6-3 6-3, before handing the baton to the U.S. men.

Persons: Novak Djokovic, Bernabe Zapata Miralles, USTA Billie Jean King, Robert Deutsch, Iga Swiatek, Casper Ruud, Petra Kvitova, Billie Jean King, Coco Gauff, Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, Zhang Zhizhen, Ruud, Caroline Wozniacki, Dominic Stricker, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Djokovic, Arthur Ashe, Spain's Bernabe Zapata Miralles, Margaret Court's, Swiatek, Daria Saville, Wozniacki, you'd, Mirra, Andy Roddick, Fritz, Tiafoe, Austrian Sebastian Ofner, Peru's Juan Pablo Varillas, Tommy Paul, American Ben Shelton, Dominic Thiem, Thiem, Amy Tennery, Toby Davis, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Serbia, USTA Billie, USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, U.S, Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, COVID, Flushing, U.S ., Austrian, Thomson Locations: Flushing , NY, USA, Spain, Swiss, Flushing Meadows, U.S, Russian, American, New York

☆ The Netherlands gifted Ukraine a fleet of F-16 fighter jets 9 years after Putin's proxies blew MH17 out of the sky, killing 196 Dutch passengers
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The Netherlands is sending up to 42 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine to help aid its war against Russia. The event marked the arrival of the first bodies of the victims of flight MH17, which was shot down over Russian separatist-controlled territory, killing all 298 passengers, including 196 Dutch nationals. Matthew LotzColijn said the tragedy also helped Dutch people contextualize Russia's war on Ukraine. REUTERSBut while the delivery of F-16 jets may seem symbolic, Colijn said it was largely a pragmatic move. The Dutch defense ministry has long been planning on phasing out its aging F-16 fleet, which it has been replacing with F-35s.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Putin, Mark Rutte, Chris Colijn, Matthew Lotz Colijn, Rutte, doesn't, Colijn, Piet Ploeg, Ploeg, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russia Paul van Hooft, van Hooft, Van Hooft, I'm Organizations: Russia, Eindhoven Airbase, Service, Eindhoven, Malaysia Airlines Amsterdam, Ukraine —, Reuters, RTL Nederland, US Air Force, Fighting Falcons US Air Force, Tech, REUTERS, MH17, Foundation, Dutch, Hague, Strategic Studies Locations: Netherlands, Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Kuala Lumpur, Russian, Russia

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