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☆ China says willing to play 'constructive' role in APEC's success
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING, Sept 26 (Reuters) - China is willing to play a "constructive" role in the success of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco, its top diplomat said on Tuesday, after President Xi Jinping's absence at the annual Group of 20 summit in India. "As the world's largest developing country and an important member of APEC, China is willing to comply with the expectations of the international community and play a constructive role in the success of APEC this year," said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Xi, with no official explanation, did not go to the G20 summit in New Delhi this month, with the Chinese premier, Li Qiang, attending in his place. That prompted the United States to say China was "giving up" on the G20 and was building an alternative world order. Dialogue between China and the United States has been gradually resuming despite tensions between the two superpowers, especially over Taiwan.

Persons: Xi, Wang Yi, Li Qiang, Wang, Biden, Washington's, Albee Zhang, Liz Lee, Christopher Cushing, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Economic Cooperation, APEC, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, China, Asia, San Francisco, India, New Delhi, United States, Taiwan, Beijing, Pacific, Philippines

☆ South Korea holds rare military parade, warns North over nuclear threat
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Soo-Hyang Choi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SEOUL, Sept 26 (Reuters) - South Korea kicked off its first large-scale military parade in a decade on Tuesday, with weapons ranging from ballistic missiles to attack helicopters due to roll through Seoul in a show of force as it takes a tougher stance against North Korea. "If North Korea uses nuclear weapons, its regime will be brought to an end by an overwhelming response from the ROK-U.S. alliance," Yoon said while addressing troops in the rain. South Korea last held a military street parade in 2013. The event will also feature a joint flyover by South Korean and U.S. military aircraft to demonstrate an "upgraded" combined defence posture, the ministry said. Yoon has said that if Russia helped North Korea enhance its weapons programs in return for assistance for its war in Ukraine, it would be "a direct provocation".

Persons: Kim Jong, Yoon Suk Yeol, Yoon, Hyunmoo, Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Putin, Soo, hyang Choi, Hyunsu Yim, Jack Kim, Gerry Doyle Organizations: North, country's Armed Forces, Seoul Air Base, ROK, Defence Ministry, The Armed Forces, SAM, KF, South Korean, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, Seoul, North Korea, Pyongyang, Korea, South, Seoul . South Korea, Washington, Tokyo, Seongnam, U.S, Russia, Ukraine

☆ Russia mulls joining China in banning Japanese seafood imports
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Japan started releasing the water from the plant into the ocean last month, drawing strong criticism from China. Russia is one of the biggest marine product suppliers to China and is seeking to increase its market share. "Taking into account the possible risks of radiation contamination of products, Rosselkhoznadzor is considering the possibility of joining with Chinese restrictions on supplies of fish products from Japan," Rosselkhoznadzor said in a statement. So far this year, Russia has imported 118 tonnes of Japanese seafood, the regulator said. Japan will scrutinise Tuesday's announcement by Russia, the top Japanese government spokesperson Hirokazu Matsuno said on Wednesday.

Persons: Kim Kyung, Rosselkhoznadzor, Hirokazu Matsuno, Matsuno, Alexander Marrow, Olga Popova, Katya Golubkova, Bernadette Baum, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Food, REUTERS, China, Japan, International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, Japan's Ministry, Environment, Thomson Locations: Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, Russia, Moscow, Russian, China, South Korea, Tokyo

☆ Taiwan lobbies Australian lawmakers on supporting its bid for Pacific trade pact
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TAIPEI, Sept 26 (Reuters) - Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on Tuesday called on Australia to support its bid to join a pan-Pacific free trade pact during a meeting with a group of visiting Australian lawmakers. The CPTPP is a landmark trade pact agreed upon in 2018 by 11 countries including Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. "We look forward to the continued strengthening of economic and trade cooperation between Taiwan and Australia," Tsai said in comments released by her office. "We also hope that the Australian government and parliament will support Taiwan's accession to the CPTPP to jointly promote economic growth and sustainable development of the Indo-Pacific region." "Protecting the free and open Indo-Pacific region is the common goal of Taiwan and Australia."

Persons: Tsai Ing, Tsai, Don Farrell, Ben Blanchard, Kirsty Needham, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Trans, Pacific, Taiwan, Australian Trade, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, Taiwan, Australia, China, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam, Britain, Taipei, Sydney

☆ Small Fire at Baghdad's Al-Rasheed Hotel Extinguished; Occupants Have Returned to Rooms -Official
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A small fire that led to guests and diplomatic personnel being evacuated from Baghdad's Al-Rasheed hotel has been brought under control, an official at the hotel told Reuters via phone early on Wednesday. The hotel houses several envoys from Gulf states. The small fire occurred in kitchen, and an official described the evacuation as a routine precautionary measure, saying guests had safely returned to their rooms. The hotel is in Iraq's highly fortified Green Zone which hosts parliament, many government buildings and foreign embassies. (Reporting by Timour Azhari and Muhammad Al Gebaly; Writing by Enas Alashray; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Gerry Doyle)

Persons: Baghdad's Al, Rasheed, Timour Azhari, Muhammad Al Gebaly, Enas Alashray, Christopher Cushing, Gerry Doyle Locations: BAGHDAD, Baghdad's, Gulf

☆ China Says Aim of Its Drills Near Taiwan Is to Combat 'Arrogance' of Separatists
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, has said this month that it had observed dozens of fighters, drones, bombers and other aircraft, as well as warships and the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong, operating nearby. The increased frequency of China's military activities has raised the risk of events "getting out of hand" and sparking an accidental clash, the island's defence minister said on Saturday. "The purpose is to resolutely combat the arrogance of Taiwan independence separatist forces and their actions to seek independence," Zhu said. "The provocation of Taiwan independence continues all day long, and the actions of the People's Liberation Army to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity are always ongoing," she added. "I hope that the majority of Taiwanese compatriots will clearly distinguish between right and wrong, resolutely oppose Taiwan independence, and work with us to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait."

Persons: Zhu Fenglian, Zhu, Taiwan's, Ben Blanchard, Himani Sarkar, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Taiwan Affairs, People's Liberation Army, Democratic Progressive Party, Beijing Locations: BEIJING, Taiwan, Taipei, China, Shandong, Beijing

Those talks were suspended amid legal, diplomatic, and trade disputes between Seoul and Tokyo over issues dating to Japan's 1910-1945 occupation of Korea. A senior South Korean government official said China has been proactive in seeking trilateral cooperation and arranging meetings since relations soured between Seoul and Beijing in 2017 over the deployment of a U.S. THAAD anti-missile system in South Korea. Tuesday's meeting involve South Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Chung Byung-won, Japanese Senior Deputy Foreign Minister Takehiro Funakoshi, and Nong Rong, China's assistant minister of foreign affairs. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a briefing on Monday that China, Japan and South Korea are close neighbours and important cooperative partners, and strengthening trilateral cooperation serves their common interests. The trilateral summits have traditionally involved China's prime minister, but South Korea is also pushing for a separate visit by President Xi Jinping.

Persons: Park Jin, Japan Takehiro Funakoshi, Foreign Affairs of China Nong Rong, Jung Byung, Yoon Suk Yeol, Fumio Kishida, Joe Biden, Tong Zhao, Zhao, Chung Byung, Takehiro Funakoshi, Nong Rong, Wang Wenbin, Xi Jinping, Josh Smith, Hyonhee, Liz Lee, Gerry Doyle Organizations: South Korean Foreign, Foreign Affairs, Japan, Foreign Affairs of, Political Affairs, South Korean, Carnegie Endowment, International Peace, Thomson Locations: Foreign Affairs of China Nong, SEOUL, South Korea, China, Japan, Washington, Seoul, Tokyo, Korea, Beijing, U.S, United States

[1/5] A Chinese tourist is welcomed by Thai traditional puppets during a welcome ceremony of the first batch of Chinese tourists under a five-month visa-free entry scheme at Bangkok's International Airport, Thailand, September 25, 2023. The visa waiver programme runs from Sept. 25 until February next year. The government expects 2.88 million Chinese visitors during that 5-month period, slightly higher than the 2.34 million Chinese who have visited this year. "More Chinese tourists come to Thailand for holiday, because it is indeed very convenient," he said. Chinese tourists say they are drawn to Thailand for its beaches and food.

Persons: Athit, Srettha Thavisin, Srettha, Gu, ”, Ye Weihe, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Miral Fahmy, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Bangkok's International, REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Thai, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK, Bangkok, Shanghai, Srettha, Tourism, Suvarnabhumi, China, Pattaya

☆ Jailed Italian Mafia boss Messina Denaro dies: ANSA
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/2] A screengrab taken from a video shows Matteo Messina Denaro the country's most wanted mafia boss being escorted out of a Carabinieri police station after he was arrested in Palermo, Italy, January 16, 2023. Carabinieri/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsROME, Sept 25 (Reuters) - Italian Mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro, who was arrested in January after spending 30 years on the run, has died, ANSA news agency reported on Monday. Messina Denaro, 61, was suffering from cancer at the time of his arrest. The son of a mafioso, Messina Denaro was born in the southwestern Sicilian town of Castelvetrano in 1962. Despite his notoriety, prosecutors have always doubted that Messina Denaro became the Mafia "boss of bosses", saying it was more likely that he was simply the head of Cosa Nostra in western Sicily.

Persons: Matteo Messina Denaro, Messina Denaro, Denaro, ANSA, Giovanni Falcone, Paolo Borsellino, Giuseppe Di Matteo, Salvatore, Riina, turncoats, Crispian Balmer, Kanjyik Ghosh, Kim Coghill, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Carabinieri, REUTERS, Rights, Mafia, La Repubblica, Messina, Police, Cosa Nostra, Thomson Locations: Palermo, Italy, Rome, Florence, Milan, Messina, Sicilian, Castelvetrano, Sicily, Campobello

☆ South Korea Hosts Japan, China as US Allies Try to Reassure Beijing
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

A senior South Korean government official said China has been proactive in seeking trilateral cooperation and arranging meetings since relations soured between Seoul and Beijing in 2017 over the deployment of a U.S. THAAD anti-missile system in South Korea. Japan and South Korea have an interest in avoiding conflicts and maintaining a stable security relationship with China, and Beijing's assistance in slowing down, if not halting, North Korea's extensive nuclear development program, he added. Tuesday's meeting involve South Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Chung Byung-won, Japanese Senior Deputy Foreign Minister Takehiro Funakoshi, and Nong Rong, China's assistant minister of foreign affairs. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a briefing on Monday that China, Japan and South Korea are close neighbours and important cooperative partners, and strengthening trilateral cooperation serves their common interests. The trilateral summits have traditionally involved China's prime minister, but South Korea is also pushing for a separate visit by President Xi Jinping.

Persons: Josh Smith, Hyonhee Shin, Yoon Suk Yeol, Fumio Kishida, Joe Biden, Tong Zhao, Zhao, Chung Byung, Takehiro Funakoshi, Nong Rong, Wang Wenbin, Xi Jinping, Hyonhee, Liz Lee, Gerry Doyle Organizations: South Korean, Carnegie Endowment, International Peace Locations: Hyonhee Shin SEOUL, South Korea, China, Japan, Washington, Seoul, Tokyo, Korea, Beijing, U.S, United States

☆ Sixteen killed in accident at state-owned coal mine in China's Guizhou province
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING, Sept 25 (Reuters) - Sixteen people were killed in a coal mine accident in Panzhou city in southern China's Guizhou province on Sunday, according to a filing by the mine's owner, Guizhou Panjiang Refined Coal Co, with the Shanghai Stock Exchange on Monday. All coal mines in Panzhou city have suspending production for a day, according to Shanghai-based commodities consultancy Mysteel. The area has a total production capacity of about 52.5 million metric tons per year of mostly coking coal, representing about 5% of China's coking coal production capacity, according to Mysteel. The company operates seven coal mines with a total capacity of about 17.3 million tons. The mine where the accident took place has an annual capacity of 3.1 million tons, according to Mysteel.

Persons: Andrew Hayley, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Shanghai Stock Exchange, Reuters, Authorities, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Panzhou, China's Guizhou, Guizhou, Shanghai, Inner Mongolia, Beijing

☆ China Says Willing to Play 'Constructive' Role in APEC's Success
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING (Reuters) - China is willing to play a "constructive" role in the success of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco, its top diplomat said on Tuesday, after President Xi Jinping's absence at the annual Group of 20 summit in India. "As the world's largest developing country and an important member of APEC, China is willing to comply with the expectations of the international community and play a constructive role in the success of APEC this year," said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Xi, with no official explanation, did not go to the G20 summit in New Delhi this month, with the Chinese premier, Li Qiang, attending in his place. That prompted the United States to say China was "giving up" on the G20 and was building an alternative world order. Dialogue between China and the United States has been gradually resuming despite tensions between the two superpowers, especially over Taiwan.

Persons: Xi, Wang Yi, Li Qiang, Wang, Biden, Washington's, Albee Zhang, Liz Lee, Christopher Cushing, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Economic Cooperation, APEC Locations: BEIJING, China, Asia, San Francisco, India, New Delhi, United States, Taiwan, Beijing, Pacific, Philippines

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen attends a ceremony for the start of construction of a new submarine fleet in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, November 24, 2020. Admiral Huang Shu-kuang, Tsai's security adviser, who is leading the program, said a fleet of 10 submarines - which includes two Dutch-made submarines commissioned in the 1980s - will make it harder for the Chinese navy to project power into the Pacific. He called the submarines a "strategic deterrent" to Chinese warships crossing the Miyako Strait near southwestern Japan or the Bashi Channel that separates Taiwan from the Philippines. "If Taiwan is taken, Japan will definitely not be safe, South Korea will definitely not be safe." Eastern Taiwan is where planners have long envisioned the island's military regrouping and preserving its forces during a conflict.

Persons: Tsai Ing, Ann Wang, Admiral Huang Shu, Huang, Lockheed Martin, Chieh Chung, doesn't, Britain's, Yimou Lee, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Lockheed, Lockheed Martin Corp, U.S ., Shandong, Foundation, Taiwan, Britain's Royal Navy, Thomson Locations: Taiwan, Kaohsiung, Rights TAIPEI, China, Beijing, U.S, Japan, Philippines, Borneo, South Korea, Eastern Taiwan, United States, India, Britain, Gibraltar

☆ Taiwan Expects to Deploy Two New Submarines by 2027 -Security Adviser
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +6 min

By Yimou LeeTAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan hopes to deploy at least two new, domestically developed submarines by 2027, and possibly equip later models with missiles, to strengthen deterrence against the Chinese navy and protect key supply lines, the head of the program said. Admiral Huang Shu-kuang, Tsai's security adviser, who is leading the program, said a fleet of 10 submarines - which includes two Dutch-made submarines commissioned in the 1980s - will make it harder for the Chinese navy to project power into the Pacific. He called the submarines a "strategic deterrent" to Chinese warships crossing the Miyako Strait near southwestern Japan or the Bashi Channel that separates Taiwan from the Philippines. "If Taiwan is taken, Japan will definitely not be safe, South Korea will definitely not be safe." Eastern Taiwan is where planners have long envisioned the island's military regrouping and preserving its forces during a conflict.

Persons: Yimou Lee, Tsai Ing, Admiral Huang Shu, Huang, Lockheed Martin, Chieh Chung, doesn't, Britain's, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Reuters, Lockheed, Lockheed Martin Corp, U.S ., Shandong, Foundation, Taiwan, Britain's Royal Navy Locations: Yimou Lee TAIPEI, Taiwan, China, Beijing, U.S, Japan, Philippines, Borneo, South Korea, Eastern Taiwan, United States, India, Britain, Gibraltar

☆ North Korea's powerful politburo discusses follow-up steps to Kim's Russia visit
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Hyonhee Shin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is greeted by Russian attends a welcoming ceremony upon his arrival at a railway station in the town of Artyom outside Vladivostok in the Primorsky region, Russia, September 16, 2023. Government of Russia's Primorsky Krai/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Sept 22 (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un discussed follow-up measures to his recent visit to Russia during the first formal meeting of the ruling Workers' Party's powerful politburo since his return, state media KCNA said on Friday. Kim returned home from a weeklong trip to Russia last week in which he and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to boost military and economic cooperation. On Wednesday, Kim briefed the party central committee's powerful politburo on his visit, and participants explored ways to "practically and comprehensively" implement its results and "constructive," long-term measures for developing relations with Russia, KCNA said. Seoul and Washington have expressed concern that Russia could be trying to acquire ammunition from North Korea to supplement its thinning stockpiles amid its war in Ukraine, while Pyongyang seeks technological help for its nuclear and missile programs.

Persons: Kim Jong Un, Kim Jong, KCNA, Kim, Vladimir Putin, Yoon Suk Yeol, Hyonhee Shin, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, South, General, Thomson Locations: Russian, Artyom, Vladivostok, Primorsky, Russia, Russia's Primorsky Krai, Rights SEOUL, Seoul, Washington, North Korea, Ukraine, Pyongyang

☆ Namibia's Deysel apologises to Dupont for dangerous tackle
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Dupont suffered the injury in the 46th minute and was forced off the field at the Stade de Marseille on Thursday after a clash of heads in a clumsy tackle. Deysel, whose initial yellow card was quickly upgraded to a red on bunker review, said the collision was accidental. "I would like to extend my best wishes to Antoine Dupont," he told reporters. In relation to Deysel's abuse, World Rugby said on Friday that they would "support Namibia in any way possible to stamp out online hate." At the time, World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin said: "Rugby is a sport for everyone and we take our responsibility very seriously to make the sport as inclusive, accessible and relevant as possible.

Persons: Namibia's Johan Deysel, Peter Cziborra, Johan Deysel, Antoine Dupont, Dupont, Deysel, Fabien Galthie, Antoine, Deysel's, Alan Gilpin, Hritika Sharma, Nick Said, Mitch Phillips, Gerry Doyle, Ken Ferris Organizations: Rugby Union, Rugby, REUTERS, Rights, France, Rugby World, Stade de Marseille, Namibia, French Rugby Federation, Italy, Ireland, South, World Rugby, Thomson Locations: France, Namibia, Orange, Marseille, Rights MARSEILLE, South Africa, Uruguay, Hyderabad

☆ Blasts heard in Kyiv, other parts of Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

KYIV, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Blasts could be heard in Kyiv after an air raid alert on Thursday morning, Reuters witnesses said, as authorities sent rescue teams to at least two locations in the Ukrainian capital. Missile debris fell in central Kyiv and non-residential buildings were damaged in the east, causing a fire, he said, with two people were hospitalised, including a child. Officials and local media also reported blasts in Ukraine's Kharkiv, Khmelnytskiy, Rivne, Vinnytsia, Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk regions. In the city of Rivne in western Ukraine, according to the Suspilne media outlet, a partial power blackout was reported, indicating the Russian attack could have targeted energy infrastructure. Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Himani Sarkar, Gerry Doyle and Michael PerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Vitali Klitschko, Himani Sarkar, Gerry Doyle, Michael Perry Organizations: Reuters, Thomson Locations: Kyiv, Ukrainian, Ukraine's Kharkiv, Khmelnytskiy, Rivne, Vinnytsia, Lviv, Ivano, Frankivsk, Ukraine

[1/2] A model of a new fighter jet of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) led by Britain, Japan, and Italy, is seen at the DSEI defence event in London, Britain, September 12, 2023. Reuters/Sarah Young/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Japan, Britain and Italy plan to choose Britain as the headquarters for their next-generation fighter program, four sources in Japan said, putting London at the forefront of a partnership that could expand to include other nations. "Discussion about the headquarters is ongoing and we are unable to comment on the location," Japan's defence procurement agency said in an email. "No final decisions have been made on the locations and we will not comment on speculation," a spokesperson at Britain's defence ministry said. Officials at the Italian defence ministry were unavailable for comment.

Persons: Sarah Young, Leonardo, LDOF.MI, Richard Berthon, Britain's, Tim Kelly, Nobuhiro Kubo, Paul Sandle, Angelo Amante, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Global Combat Air, Reuters, Rights, London, United, United Arab Emirates, Combat, Britain's Ministry of Defence, BAE Systems PLC, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Electric Corp, Royce PLC, Japan's IHI Corp, Thomson Locations: Britain, Japan, Italy, London, Saudi Arabia, United Arab, GCAP, European

[1/2] Visitors look at displays of military aircraft and a ground-to-ground missile at the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution in Beijing, China October 8, 2022. A Chinese military expert told Reuters the high-powered engine, shown for the first time, is key to China's development of medium- and heavyweight helicopters. It could be used as an aircraft carrier escort. Western analysts have noted that China has lagged behind in anti-submarine warfare, which are vital to protect long-range aircraft carrier operations. A media report quoted a Chinese military expert as saying the new frigate can serve as a "mini destroyer".

Persons: Florence Lo, Albee Zhang, Greg Torode, Ryan Woo, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Military Museum of, REUTERS, NEW, Reuters, China, WS, PREPPING, People's Liberation Army Navy, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Taiwan, Tianjin, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, U.S, South Korea, Japan, Guam, Fujian

☆ Congo president asks UN peacekeepers to start packing up this year
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Ange Adihe Kasongo | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo addresses the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 20, 2023. But its presence has become increasingly unpopular in recent years for what critics say is a failure to protect civilians against militia groups, sparking deadly protests. "It is to be deplored that peacekeeping missions deployed for 25 years... have failed to cope with the rebellions and armed conflicts," Tshisekedi told the assembly in a speech. More than 40 people were killed and dozens wounded in an army crackdown on violent anti-U.N. demonstrations in the eastern city of Goma last month. Another protest in July 2022 resulted in more than 15 deaths, including three peacekeepers in Goma and the city of Butembo.

Persons: Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, Eduardo Munoz, Felix Tshisekedi, Tshisekedi, Ange Kasongo, Edward McAllister, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Democratic, General Assembly, REUTERS, Rights, United Nations, General, Central, of, Thomson Locations: Democratic Republic of Congo, New York City, U.S, Rights KINSHASA, Republic, Goma, Butembo

☆ Dollar edges down before Fed decision, sterling falls on cooling UK inflation
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Joice Alves | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The U.S. dollar index , which measures the currency against a basket of rivals, was 0.1% lower at 105.00. The pound was volatile, last down 0.23% to $1.2364 after touching its lowest in almost four months following data showing UK inflation slowed more than expected in August. "This can drag GBP down, especially against the USD where pricing for rate cuts may already be overstretched". The yen flattened at 147.87 after touching a fresh 10-month weak-point against the dollar of 148.17 ahead of the Fed decision. The offshore yuan was unchanged at 7.3055 after China met market expectations by keeping its benchmark lending rates unchanged on Wednesday.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, BoE, Dominic Bunning, Bunning, Goldman Sachs, Powell, Elsa Lignos, Masato Kanda, Janet Yellen, Joice Alves, Brigid Riley, Gerry Doyle, Emelia Organizations: REUTERS, Federal Reserve, Bank of England, U.S, Reuters, FX Research, HSBC, FX, RBC Europe, Washington, Treasury, Bank of Japan's, Thomson Locations: Japan, U.S, China, London, Tokyo

☆ Qantas ex-CEO takes 900% pay rise, but bonus cut amid scandals
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Byron Kaye | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Alan Joyce, Chief Executive Officer of Qantas, speaks with members of the media at an event celebrating Qantas' 100th birthday at Sydney Airport in Sydney, Australia, November 16, 2020. Most of the amount was share-based incentives that Joyce was allowed to cash in after they vested, according to the report. It could also "claw back" unvested stock bonuses for Joyce, currently worth A$6 million, it said. Joyce's final pay packet encapsulates his decade and a half of running the company, which dominates Australian air travel. Qantas must return to the Federal Court to determine what it must pay in penalties and compensation to affected workers.

Persons: Alan Joyce, Loren Elliott, Joyce, Richard Goyder, disquiet, Alan, Goyder, Byron Kaye, Sameer Manekar, Rashmi Aich, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Qantas, Sydney Airport, REUTERS, Rights Companies Qantas Airways Ltd, Australia's Qantas Airways, Consumer Commission, High Court, Federal, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, Bengaluru

☆ Dollar holds fast, yen in shaky territory ahead of FOMC
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Brigid Riley | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The U.S. dollar index , which measures the greenback against a basket of rivals, stayed mostly flat at 105.17 as traders awaited the Fed's rate decision. Attention stayed fixed on the yen as U.S. and Japanese authorities heaped on fresh comments about the possibility of intervention. The yen last sat around 147.83 versus the greenback, off Tuesday's low of 147.92 though hovering near the 10-month trough against the dollar ahead of the FOMC announcement. Elsewhere in Asia, the offshore yuan was largely unchanged after China met market expectations by keeping its benchmark lending rates unchanged on Wednesday, but later ticked down 0.1% to 7.3103 per dollar. The Australian dollar , a proxy for China growth, fell nearly 0.1% in the Asian afternoon, while the New Zealand dollar was flat, down from Tuesday's two-week high against the dollar.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Carol Kong, Masato Kanda, Janet Yellen, Brigid Riley, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Federal Reserve, U.S, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Washington, Treasury, Bank of Japan's, New Zealand, Bank of England, bitcoin BTC, Thomson Locations: Japan, U.S, Asia, China, bitcoin

☆ Exclusive: Huawei unit ships Chinese-made surveillance chips in fresh comeback sign -sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Hauwei also unveiled new smartphones in recent weeks that use advanced chips, which analysts say are domestically made. "These surveillance chips are relatively easy to manufacture compared to smartphone processors," said the source familiar with the surveillance camera industry's supply chain, adding that HiSilicon's return would shake up the market. A key factor is that the company appears to have worked around U.S. restrictions on chip design software. Huawei has not commented on the phone's 5G capabilities or how it produced the advanced chip. The United States has no evidence that Huawei can produce smartphones with advanced chips in large volumes, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said on Tuesday.

Persons: Hauwei, Frost, Sullivan, HiSilicon, Taiwan's TSMC, Gina Raimondo, Dan Hutcheson, Shanghai Newsrooms, Fanny Potkin, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Huawei Technologies, Huawei, Securities, Novatek Microelectronics Corp, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp, HK, Kirin, United, . Commerce, Cadence Design Systems, Synopsys Inc, Siemens, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, SHANGHAI, U.S, Kirin, China, United States, Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore

☆ Dollar firm but softens against yen ahead of FOMC
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Brigid Riley | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, Sept 20 (Reuters) - The dollar remained firm on Wednesday but softened slightly against the yen ahead of a much-anticipated rate decision by the Federal Reserve later in the day. The U.S. dollar index , which measures the greenback against a basket of rivals, stayed mostly flat at 105.13 as traders awaited the Fed's rate decision. Dollar/yen could see some upside pressure after a hawkish FOMC meeting, she added. The yen last sat nearly 0.1% higher at 147.77 versus the greenback, off Tuesday's low of 147.92 though hovering near the 10-month trough against the dollar ahead of the FOMC announcement. The New Zealand dollar ticked up over 0.2% against the dollar near $0.5950.

Persons: Carol Kong, Masato Kanda, Brigid Riley, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Federal Reserve, U.S, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Bank of Japan's, Reserve Bank, Australia's, New Zealand, Bank of England, bitcoin BTC, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, China, bitcoin

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