oann--2020-05-04--Australia and New Zealand discuss possible trans-Tasman ‘travel bubble’

SYDNEY/WELLINGTON ( Reuters ) – New Zealand and Australia are discussing the potential creation of a “ travel bubble ” between the two countries , even as Australia on Monday reported its highest number of coronavirus cases in two weeks .
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she has accepted an invite from Australian Premier Scott Morrison to take part in a meeting of Australia ’ s emergency coronavirus cabinet on Tuesday , stoking anticipation of a travel deal .
The neighbouring countries have claimed success in substantially slowing the progress of the coronavirus epidemic to a level well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Europe .
Still , Ardern warned that more health measures needed to be put in place before trans-Tasman travel could restart .
“ I wouldn ’ t say it would be in the very , very near short term , ” Ardern said at a news conference in Wellington .
“ Don ’ t expect this to happen in a couple of weeks time .
We need to make sure we are locking in the gains all New Zealanders have helped us achieve and make sure we have health precautions in place.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 96 deaths , and New Zealand 1,137 cases and 20 fatalities .
Both have a COVID-19 mortality rate of just 1 % and have maintained low single digit rises in new cases for weeks , successes they attribute to social distancing regulations and widespread testing .
“ Both our countries ’ strong record of fighting the virus has placed us in the enviable position of being able to plan the next stage in our economic rebuild and to include trans-Tasman travel and engagement in our strategy , ” Ardern said .
A New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday to self-isolate for two weeks before joining Australia ’ s tournament later this month , after receiving special permission .
The leaders will discuss ongoing measures to prevent the possibility of a second wave of COVID-19 infections as they start to ease restrictions that have shut businesses and hobbled their economies .
Australia on Monday reported 27 cases , including a seven-year-old boy , in its biggest daily jump in two weeks .
That could rise as more states report throughout the day .
New Zealand recorded no new cases on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16 .
New Zealand does not have a contact tracing app like the one launched by Australia last week to find and inform people who have been in contact with confirmed infected people .
About 4.5 million Australians have downloaded the CovidSafe app so far , well short of Morrison ’ s previously announced target of 40 % of the country ’ s estimated 16 million smartphone owners .
Morrison has made wider adoption of the app a prerequisite to further ease strict social distancing regulations in Australia .
The rise in Australia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an outbreak at a meat processing plant in the state of Victoria .
The infection of the seven-year-old boy in New South Wales ( NSW ) state , which closed his Sydney school , has drawn attention to the contentious question of whether children should attend school during the outbreak .
The federal government has said schools should stay open since children are low-risk carriers of the virus , while some state governments have urged parents to keep children at home .
NSW will reopen schools on a staggered basis from next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep children at home until the middle of the year .
The states and territories are also moving at different speeds to lift movement restrictions : NSW has allowed people to make house visits in groups of up to two , while Victoria is retaining its stay-home order until at least May 11 .
“ This is a struggle and … it ’ s not easy to live this way , but none of us can assume , just because we ’ re frustrated , that this is over , ” Victorian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This is far from over .
We have to stay the course .
”


oann--2020-05-07--Euro dips to two-week low, Turkish lira weakest on record

LONDON ( Reuters ) – The euro dipped to its lowest level in almost two weeks on Thursday , on nagging concern over the direction of the European Central Bank ’ s stimulus scheme following a German court ruling earlier this week .
Turkey ’ s lira fell to a record low of 7.25 per U.S. dollar < TRY= > , after traders interpreted comments from a Federal Reserve policymaker as ruling out a Fed swap line to cushion Ankara ’ s depleted reserves .
Sterling rallied after the Bank of England left interest rates steady and held off on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away from near seven-week highs against the dollar .
The euro dipped to $ 1.07785 < EUR=EBS > , its lowest level in almost two weeks and reversing modest gains earlier in the day .
It has shed more than 1.5 % this week and is set for its biggest weekly drop in just over a month .
It has been hurt by Tuesday ’ s ruling from Germany ’ s highest court that gave the ECB three months to justify purchases under its bond-buying programme or lose the Bundesbank ’ s participation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The court ruling has opened up a lot more uncertainty over the continuation of the ECB ’ s asset purchase programme , which has been a key pillar of support for the economy and financial markets , ” said Lee Hardman , a currency strategist at MUFG .
“ Given a lack of action from governments , the ECB has been the main game in town.
” Partly on the back of the German ruling , Deutsche Bank analysts have cut their euro view from bullish to neutral and revised their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from $ 1.13 previously .
Relief that the Bank of England held off on further stimulus at its meeting on Thursday boosted sterling , although the British currency trimmed its gains as the session wore on .
It was last up just 0.1 % at $ 1.2359 < GBP=D3 > , off a session high of $ 1.2418 .
“ By sending a strong signal that it plans to ease monetary policy further soon while staying put for now the BoE has managed to stay on top of the risks without actually doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , senior economist at Berenberg .
In contrast , Norway ’ s central bank cut its key interest rate to a record-low of zero from 0.25 % , in a surprise move to cushion an economy reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic .
The Norwegian crown briefly weakened against the euro < EURNOK=D3 > and the dollar < NOK= > before recovering ground .
Stronger-than-expected Chinese export numbers lifted hopes in global markets that China can rebound quickly and help global growth recover from a coronavirus-induced shock .
That helped reduce demand for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last up 0.45 % at 106.57 yen < JPY=EBS > , having fallen on Wednesday to 105.985 , its weakest since mid-March .
Chinese exports rose 3.5 % despite expectations of 15.7 % drop , helping to lift the Chinese yuan < CNY=CFXS > and the Australian dollar .
The Aussie dollar was last up 0.9 % at $ 0.6464 < AUD=D4 > .

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oann--2020-05-14--Canada, U.S. are likely to extend travel restrictions until June 21

OTTAWA/WASHINGTON ( Reuters ) – Canada and the United States appear likely to extend a ban on non-essential travel until June 21 amid the novel coronavirus pandemic , a Canadian government source and a top U.S. official said on Wednesday .
The two neighbors had agreed on April 18 to extend border restrictions until May 21 as cases of the disease continued to rise in both nations .
Canada is now pressing for the measures to remain for another month .
“ It ’ s too early to lift the restrictions , so we ’ re working toward an extension @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , describing the talks with Washington as positive .
Chad Wolf , acting U.S. Department of Homeland Security secretary , said later on Wednesday that restrictions across the borders with Canada and Mexico would likely be extended .
Speaking to reporters in San Diego , Wolf said officials from Canada and Mexico were willing to continue the measures “ at least in the short term.
” Separately , a Mexican government source said an extension for a limited period seemed likely .
On Tuesday , the chief Canadian public health officer said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steadily – presented a risk .
News of the request for a 30-day extension was first reported by Canada ’ s Globe and Mail newspaper .
The agreement allows the flow of goods across a border that stretches 5,525 miles ( 8,891 km ) and is a crossing point for one of the world ’ s largest bilateral trading relationships .
The United States takes 75 % of all Canadian goods exports .
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said talks about the border “ are going well and we ’ re confident about being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The total Canadian death toll edged up by just over 3 % to 5,209 from 5,049 on Tuesday , official data showed on Wednesday .
The data are another sign the outbreak in Canada is slowing whereas the situation in parts of the United States is more challenging .
The Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec neighbor the state of New York , a U.S. epicenter of the disease .
Canadian officials have been repeatedly pressed about the potential risk posed by arriving truck drivers .
Theresa Tam , Canada ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday the coronavirus “ could take off rapidly ” unless extreme caution was exercised about relaxing the ban .
“ The United States being one country that still has cases and is still trying to manage outbreaks … presents a risk to Canada from that perspective .
”


oann--2020-05-25--Germany stamps authority on Lufthansa with $9.8 billion lifeline

FRANKFURT/BERLIN ( Reuters ) – Germany threw Lufthansa < LHAG.DE > a 9 billion euro ( $ 9.8 billion ) lifeline on Monday , agreeing a bailout which gives Berlin a veto in the event of a hostile bid for the airline .
The largest German corporate rescue since the coronavirus crisis struck will see the government get a 20 % stake , which could rise to 25 % plus one share in the event of a takeover attempt , as it seeks to protect thousands of jobs .
Lufthansa has been locked in talks with Berlin for weeks over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protracted travel slump , with the airline wrangling over how much control to yield in return for financial support .
Germany ’ s central government has spent decades offloading stakes in companies , but remains a large shareholder in former state monopolies such as Deutsche Post and Deutsche Telekom .
Berlin also still has a 15 % holding in Commerzbank < CBKG.DE > , which it took on during the global financial crisis .
Other airlines including Franco-Dutch Air France-KLM < AIRF.PA > and U.S. carriers American Airlines < AAL.O > , United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lines < DAL.N > have also sought state aid after the coronavirus hit global travel .
Germany ’ s Finance and Economy Ministries said on Monday that Lufthansa , whose shares closed up 7.5 % at 8.64 euros , had been operationally healthy and profitable with good prospects , but had run into trouble because of the pandemic .
“ The support that we ’ re preparing here is for a limited period , ” Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said of the deal , under which Germany is buying new shares at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a total of about 300 million euros .
Berlin , which has set up a 100 billion euro fund to take stakes in companies struck by the coronavirus crisis , said it plans to sell the Lufthansa stake by the end of 2023 .
“ When the company is fit again , the state will sell its stake and hopefully … with a small profit that puts us into a position to finance the many , many requirements which we have to meet now , not only at this company , ” Scholz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the waiver of future dividend payments and limits on management pay , Lufthansa said , adding that the government will also fill two seats on its supervisory board , with one becoming a member of the audit committee .
Under the bailout package , details of which were earlier reported by Reuters , the government will also inject 5.7 billion euros in non-voting capital , known as a silent participation .
Part of this could be converted into an additional 5 % equity stake , either to protect Lufthansa against a hostile takeover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % in 2020 and 2021 , increasing to 9.5 % by 2027 , are missed by the airline .
“ This ( bailout deal ) will prevent Lufthansa from being sold out , ” Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said , adding that it would help to save thousands of jobs but did not include any extra environmental conditions on top of planned measures .
Lufthansa will separately receive a 3-billion-euro three-year loan from state-backed KfW and private banks .
The state ’ s WSF rescue fund plans to refrain from exercising voting rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal , which still requires approval by shareholders as well as the European Commission , Lufthansa said .
Altmaier declined to give details about the remaining sticking points in negotiations with the European Commission , but he said he was convinced that Brussels would give the green light for the bailout .
“ We liaised with Brussels on all big rescue packages with which we avoided millions of unemployed and prevented a lot of companies from bankruptcy .
They were all approved at the end… so this gives me hope that we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case , ” Altmaier told ARD public television .
Germany is still discussing with Europe ’ s competition watchdog which airport slots it will have to give up to ensure the bailout does not hamper competition , a person close to the matter said .
“ Scrutiny is extremely thorough as it is the first large equity-based bailout in the pandemic , ” the source said .
German newspaper Handelsblatt reported that Chancellor Angela Merkel told fellow conservatives during a closed-door meeting on Monday that Berlin would fight to ensure that remedies were @ @ @ @


oann--2020-05-26--Germany stamps authority on Lufthansa with $9.8 billion lifeline


oann--2020-05-28--Trump to sign executive order on social media on Thursday: White House

WASHINGTON ( Reuters ) – U.S. President Donald Trump will sign an executive order on social media companies on Thursday , White House officials said after Trump threatened to shut down the platform he accused of stifling conservative voices .
The officials , who spoke to reporters traveling with Trump to Washington from Florida aboard Air Force One on Wednesday , gave no further details .
Before leaving for Florida earlier in the day to observe a space launch that was postponed because of bad weather , Trump again accused Twitter Inc and other social media of bias without offering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could follow through on the threat of shutting down social media companies .
The American Civil Liberties Union said the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution limits any action Trump could take to regulate such platforms .
Twitter declined comment on news of Trump ’ s plans .
Facebook and Google did not immediately comment .
Separately , a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington on Wednesday upheld the dismissal of a suit brought by a conservative group and right-wing YouTube personality against Google , Facebook , Twitter and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political views .
Trump ’ s latest dispute with social media emerged after Twitter on Tuesday for the first time attached a warning to some of his tweets prompting readers to fact check the president ’ s claims .
In the tweets tagged by Twitter , Trump made unsubstantiated claims about mail-in voting .
Trump falsely claims that mail-in ballots lead to vote fraud and ineligible voters getting ballots .
“ Republicans feel that Social Media Platforms totally silence conservatives voices .
We will strongly regulate , or close them down , before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Trump said in a pair of additional posts on Twitter on Wednesday .
The president , a heavy user of Twitter with more than 80 million followers , added : “ Clean up your act , NOW !
!
!
!
” Trump ’ s threat to shut down platforms like Twitter and Facebook is his strongest yet within a broader conservative backlash against Big Tech .
Shares of both companies fell on Wednesday .
Last year the White House circulated drafts of a proposed executive order about anti-conservative bias which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which includes Twitter and Facebook among its members , said online platforms do not have a political bias and they offer “ more people a chance to be heard than at any point in history.
” Asked during Twitter ’ s annual meeting on Wednesday why the company decided to affix the label to Trump ’ s mail-in ballot tweets , General Counsel Sean Edgett said decisions about handling misinformation are made as a group .
“ We have a group and committee of folks who take a look at these things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting a lot of visibility and traction… , ” he said .
In recent years Twitter has tightened its policies amid criticism that its hands-off approach allowed fake accounts and misinformation to thrive .
Tech companies have been accused of anti-competitive practices and violating user privacy .
Apple , Google , Facebook and Amazon face antitrust probes by federal and state authorities and a U.S. congressional panel .
Republican and Democratic lawmakers , along with the U.S. Justice Department , have been considering changes to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from legal liability for the material their users post .
Such changes could expose tech companies to more lawsuits .
Republican Senator Josh Hawley , a frequent critic of Big Tech companies , sent a letter to Twitter Chief Executive Jack Dorsey on Wednesday asking why the company should continue to receive legal immunity after “ choosing to editorialize on President Trump ’ s tweets .
”


oann--2020-06-24--Trump administration sees no loophole in new Huawei curb

WASHINGTON ( Reuters ) – The U.S. government sees no loopholes in a new rule aimed at crimping global chip sales to China ’ s Huawei and will “ aggressively ” crack down on any bid to disobey the intent of the curb , Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said on Tuesday .
The rule , released in May , expands U.S. authority to require licenses for shipments of some foreign-made chips to the telecoms equipment giant .
It was drafted after China hardliners in the administration became frustrated that Huawei ’ s blacklisting last year by the United States over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough to cut off its access to global supplies .
But industry lawyers and some lawmakers see the rule as overly complex , unclear and riddled with gaps that some allege leave key transactions beyond the purview of the controls .
“ The Department of Commerce does not see any loopholes in this rule , ” Ross said in a statement to Reuters .
“ We reaffirm that we will implement the rule aggressively and pursue any attempt to evade its intent.
” The statement comes after Reuters reported that the Commerce Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and producers this month to shed more light on the rule .
But industry lawyers said the guidance provided little clarity .
The “ Department of Commerce would like to alert you to a recent amendment to the U.S .
Export Administration Regulations … that may affect business that you may conduct with the HiSilicon , Huawei Technologies , and other Huawei affiliates , ” Matthew Borman , a Commerce Department official , wrote in the letter dated June 16 .
HiSilicon is the chip arm of Huawei , forcing some suppliers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The United States alleges that the Chinese government could use Huawei ’ s equipment for espionage , which Huawei denies .
Trade lawyer Doug Jacobson said the June 16 letter “ translates the legalese into plain English , ” but said it “ doesn ’ t really shed any new light.
” And light is needed , according to another industry source who described the rule as “ not written that well .
There are loopholes and walkarounds and exit ramps legally , ” he said .
The new rule expands U.S. authority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of semiconductors designed by the company and made abroad with U.S. equipment .
It also requires companies to seek U.S. licenses if they knowingly sell to Huawei foreign-made items developed by the company using certain U.S. technology and software .


oann--2020-06-26--Oil prices broadly stable as demand upswing balances virus concerns

LONDON ( Reuters ) – Oil prices were broadly stable on Friday as the bullish impetus from signs of fuel demand recovery was kept in check by a rising number of new coronavirus cases in the United States and China and tentative expectations of U.S. output ticking up .
Brent crude < LCOc1 > futures were 15 cents higher at $ 41.20 at 1159 GMT .
U.S. West Texas Intermediate ( WTI ) crude < CLc1 > futures were down 6 cents at $ 38.66 , erasing previous gains .
The contracts are on track for weekly falls of around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , after record U.S. crude inventory data dragged prices down on Wednesday .
[ EIA/S ] Congestion in Shanghai in the past few weeks was higher than in the same period last year , while in Moscow traffic was back to last year ’ s levels , data provided to Reuters by location technology company TomTom showed .
“ Road traffic levels in a number of the world ’ s major cities reached the previous year ’ s level in June , which indicates that demand for fuel is normalising , ” Commerzbank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are fears that a spike in COVID-19 infections in southern U.S. states could stall the demand recovery , especially as some of those states , such as Florida and Texas , are among the biggest gasoline consumers .
The global economic outlook has also worsened or at best stayed about the same in the past month , a majority of economists polled by Reuters said , and the recession underway is expected to be deeper than earlier predicted .
“ It does appear the market is ignoring supply and demand fundamentals and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McCarthy , chief market strategist at CMC Markets .
The prospect of increased U.S. crude production also kept a lid on gains on Friday .
A survey of executives in the top U.S. oil and gas producing region by the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank found more than half of executives who cut production expect to resume some output by the end of July .
U.S. rig count data < RIG-OL-USA-BHI > is due later on Friday .


oann--2020-06-29--Oil steady as rise in virus cases offsets better data

LONDON ( Reuters ) – Oil prices rose on Monday , supported by improving economic data though a spike in new coronavirus infections around the world capped the gains as some countries were forced to reimpose partial lockdowns .
Brent crude < LCOc1 > rose 15 cents , or 0.4 % , to $ 41.17 a barrel by 1145 GMT and U.S. crude < CLc1 > was up 26 cents , or 0.7 % , at $ 38.75 .
Both contracts had fallen almost $ 1 earlier in the session .
Crude prices found some support as profits at China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first time in six months in May , suggesting the country ’ s economic recovery is gaining traction .
The recovery of economic sentiment in the euro zone also intensified in June after a modest pick-up in May , with improvements across all sectors and a much more buoyant sense of future business , European Commission data showed .
However , fears of a second wave of the pandemic took the shine off the improving economic data .
The death toll from COVID-19 surpassed half a million people on Sunday , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , anxiety is likely to remain heightened as the epic fight against the coronavirus pandemic continues .
This spells bad news for risk assets ( such as oil ) which will inevitably remain under pressure , ” said Stephen Brennock of broker PVM .
In the United States , California ordered bars to close on Sunday following similar moves in Texas and Florida after a jump in cases .
Washington state and the city of San Francisco have paused their reopening plans .
“ Whilst these localised measures on their own are unlikely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demand , they do highlight the significant risk to gasoline demand , ” JBC Energy said .
Oil also found some support from the dollar ’ s weakness .
Oil prices tend to move inversely to the U.S. currency .
( Graphic : World ’ s top producers slash output , https : //fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/ce/bdwpkaeyopm/world % 20top % 20prodcers.JPG ) Brent is set to end June with a third consecutive monthly gain after major global producers extended an unprecedented 9.7 million barrels per day supply cut agreement into July , while oil demand improved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures .
U.S. and Canadian energy firms have cut the number of oil and natural gas rigs operating to a new record low even as higher oil prices prompt some producers to start drilling again .
“ No massive investments are likely to be made in the foreseeable future given the gigantic mountains of debt and the considerable financial risks , ” said Commerzbank analyst Eugen Weinberg .
U.S. shale oil pioneer Chesapeake Energy Corp < CHK.N > filed for bankruptcy protection on Sunday as it bowed to heavy debts and the impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .


oann--2020-07-03--Oil falls below $43 on virus fears, still heads for weekly gain

SEOUL/LONDON ( Reuters ) – Oil fell below $ 43 a barrel on Friday as a resurgence of coronavirus cases raised concern that fuel demand growth could stall , although crude was still headed for a weekly gain on lower supply and wider signs of economic recovery .
The United States reported more than 55,000 new coronavirus cases on Thursday , a new daily global record for the pandemic .
The rise in cases suggested U.S. jobs growth , which jumped in June , could suffer a setback .
“ If this trend continues , oil demand in the region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dickson of Rystad Energy .
Brent crude < LCOc1 > was down 54 cents , or 1.3 % , at $ 42.60 a barrel by 1210 GMT , and U.S. West Texas Intermediate ( WTI ) crude < CLc1 > fell 53 cents , or 1.3 % , to $ 40.12 .
“ The fragile U.S. economic rebound is at risk of being undone by the latest surge in new infections , ” said Stephen Brennock of oil broker PVM .
Both benchmarks rose more than 2 % on Thursday , buoyed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drop in U.S. crude inventories .
[ EIA/S ] Brent is still on track for a weekly gain of more than 5 % .
Signs of economic recovery , and a drop in supply after a record supply cut by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies , known as OPEC+ , have helped Brent more than double from a 21-year low below $ 16 reached in April .
Boosting recovery hopes , a private survey showed on Friday that China ’ s services sector expanded at the fastest pace in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oil production fell to its lowest in decades in June [ OPEC/O ] and Russian production has dropped to near its OPEC+ target .
The bankruptcy filing of U.S. shale pioneer Chesapeake Energy also supported prices by raising expectations production will decline , JBC Energy said in a report .
Gasoline demand will be closely watched as the United States heads into the July 4 holiday weekend .


oann--2020-07-04--‘Beautiful’ to have a pint – England’s pubs, restaurants and hairdressers reopen

LONDON ( Reuters ) – People could get a drink in a pub , have a meal in a restaurant or get a haircut for the first time in over three months on Saturday as England took its biggest steps yet towards resumption of normal life .
Pubs were allowed to start serving from 6 a.m. , sparking worries of over-indulgence on what the media dubbed a “ Super Saturday ” of coronavirus restrictions being eased .
Some hairdressers were reported to have opened at the stroke of midnight .
The Holland Tringham pub in south London , part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , opened at 8 a.m. and was about three quarters full by 11.20 am .
“ It ’ s beautiful just to get back and have a pint , ” said Jim Martin , a 56-year old carpenter .
Julie Scott , a 43-year-old teacher , was there with her family for drinks and food .
“ I think it ’ s just where everyone gets to socialise and catch up with people that they haven ’ t seen…it ’ s nice to just get together , ” she said .
Others complained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late March and has been gradually eased in recent weeks , had lasted too long .
“ It ’ s about time they opened them up , ” said pensioner Ron Lock .
Police chiefs are worried the reopening of pubs could fuel drunken and irresponsible behaviour , while hospitals have been warned to prepare for a New Year ’ s Eve-style weekend .
“ There ’ s an element of decompression going on , particularly with younger people who ’ ve had some very responsible parents keeping them in over recent weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire , told BBC radio .
Britain has been the European country worst hit by the coronavirus , with more than 300,000 infections and an official death toll of 44,131 .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson ’ s government has faced criticism from the opposition over its handling of the pandemic – including locking down later than some other parts of Europe .
The Sun newspaper predicted that 15 million pints ( 8.5 million litres ) of beer would be sunk in England on Saturday , though some pub-goers may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another relaxation of lockdown rules two households can now meet indoors as long as social distancing is maintained , and overnight stays are allowed .
The rule changes apply only to England as the devolved nations in the United Kingdom – Wales , Scotland and Northern Ireland – have been setting their own timetables for easing lockdown restrictions .
Johnson called on people to behave responsibly and respect social distancing regulations as the risk of a resurgence of coronavirus remains .
Mindful of an economy that has taken a hammering because of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of supporting businesses .
“ The success of these businesses , the livelihoods of those who rely on them , and ultimately the economic health of the whole country is dependent on every single one of us acting responsibly , ” he said at a news conference on Friday .
“ We must not let them down.
” Pub-goers will find the atmosphere rather different from the usual Saturday-night scrum .
Numbers are limited , no one can stand at the bar and there will be no live music .
Patrons will also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tracers to identify them if anyone later tests positive .
Wetherspoons , which is one of the UK ’ s biggest chains , said it had invested 11 million pounds ( $ 13.7 million ) in safety measures .
It is not taking bookings , but said at busy times numbers would be controlled by staff .


oann--2020-07-08--Mexican labor activist fights ban from labor court, cites USMCA protections

MEXICO CITY ( Reuters ) – Mexican labor lawyer Susana Prieto on Wednesday said she has appealed a judge ’ s order that she not enter the northern state of Tamaulipas , arguing it violates a new trade deal by stopping her from fighting for workers ’ rights .
The 2-1/2-year ban from Tamaulipas , a border state with dozens of factories in the U.S.-Mexico supply chain , was a condition of Prieto ’ s release last week after the activist spent nearly a month in jail on charges tied to a labor protest .
Prieto said she represents 1,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Special Local Board No .
6 for Conciliation and Arbitration in the city of Matamoros .
She was also specifically ordered to not approach the board .
Her detention prompted U.S. union leaders and Democratic lawmakers to call for Prieto ’ s release , citing the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement , a new trade pact whose aims include improving union independence and worker rights in Mexico .
“ These workers have been left without their defender , ” Prieto , the founder of an independent union , told a news conference .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ case held over video , a recording of which was seen by Reuters , a state judge said she could re-enter Tamaulipas only for future court appearances , but otherwise must “ stop visiting.
” The Tamaulipas prosecutor ’ s office said in a statement that Prieto could no longer enter the Matamoros labor board , without detailing a wider ban .
Workers from Tridonex , a unit of U.S. auto parts firm Cardone Industries , Inc , had protested outside the same labor board in March , demanding new , better representation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the group , which they said was violent , charging her with having committed crimes against officials .
Prieto denies the charges .
Her lawyers filed an appeal on Monday seeking to overturn the court ’ s order .


oann--2020-07-11--‘A free man’: Trump commutes longtime adviser Roger Stone’s prison sentence

WASHINGTON ( Reuters ) – President Donald Trump commuted the sentence of his longtime friend and adviser Roger Stone on Friday , sparing him from prison after he was convicted of lying under oath to lawmakers investigating Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election .
Trump ’ s decision to commute Stone ’ s sentence days before he was due to report to prison marked the Republican president ’ s most assertive intervention to protect an associate in a criminal case and his latest use of executive clemency to benefit an ally .
Democrats condemned Trump ’ s action as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Roger Stone has already suffered greatly , ” the White House said in a statement .
“ He was treated very unfairly , as were many others in this case .
Roger Stone is now a free man !
” The veteran Republican political operative ’ s friendship with Trump dates back decades .
Stone , 67 , was scheduled to report by Tuesday to a federal prison in Jesup , Georgia , to begin serving a sentence of three years and four months .
Trump , seeking re-election on Nov. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commutation , which does not erase a criminal conviction , rather than a full pardon .
Stone emerged from his Fort Lauderdale , Florida home wearing a mask with the words “ Free Roger Stone.
” “ This is a horrific , horrific nightmare when you realize that this investigation never had any legitimate or lawful beginning , it was a witch hunt , ” Stone said using some of the same words Trump has hurled at prosecutors and Democrats who investigated Moscow ’ s role in the 2016 U.S. election .
Stone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crimes in former Special Counsel Robert Mueller ’ s investigation that documented Russian interference to boost Trump ’ s 2016 candidacy .
The White House , in its statement , criticized Mueller ’ s investigation and the prosecutors in Stone ’ s case .
The White House said Stone is a “ victim of the Russia Hoax that the Left and its allies in the media perpetuated for years in an attempt to undermine the Trump Presidency.
” Mueller ’ s investigation found extensive contacts between Trump ’ s campaign and Russians .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump of undermining the rule of law by publicly complaining about criminal cases against associates including Stone , former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn and former campaign chairman Paul Manafort .
House of Representatives Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff said : “ With this commutation , Trump makes clear that there are two systems of justice in America : one for his criminal friends , and one for everyone else.
” The top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee , Mark Warner , added : “ The United States was founded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seems our president has nothing but contempt for it.
” Bill Russo , a spokesman for Trump ’ s Democratic election opponent Joe Biden , accused the president of abusing his power “ as he lays waste to the norms and the values that make our country a shining beacon to the rest of the world.
” A Washington jury in November 2019 convicted Stone on all seven criminal counts of obstruction of a congressional investigation , five counts of making false statements to Congress and tampering with a witness .
Trump repeatedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s case , accusing prosecutors of being corrupt , the juror forewoman of political bias and the judge of treating his friend unfairly .
Attorney General William Barr earlier intervened in the case to scale back the Justice Department ’ s sentencing recommendation , leading four career prosecutors to quit the proceedings .
One of them , Aaron Zelinsky , told lawmakers on June 24 that his supervisor in the U.S. Attorney ’ s office in Washington was told to go easy on Stone for political reasons .
Stone was convicted for lying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempts to contact WikiLeaks , the website that released damaging emails about Trump ’ s 2016 Democratic election rival Hillary Clinton that U.S. intelligence officials have concluded were stolen by Russian hackers .
The U.S. Constitution gives a president the “ power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States , except in cases of impeachment.
” Trump ’ s use of this executive clemency often has benefited allies and well-connected political figures .
He pardoned hardline former Arizona county sheriff Joe Arpaio , former Republican White House aide Lewis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dinesh D ’ Souza and convicted “ junk bond king ” Michael Milken .
He also commuted the prison sentence of Democratic former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich , who had been a contestant on Trump ’ s former reality TV show .
Stone has been a fixture in American partisan battles dating to the 1970s .
A colorful figure known for his natty attire , he has labeled himself an “ agent provocateur ” and famously has the face of former President Richard Nixon tattooed on his back .
Former Trump aide Sam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ associate of Stone , said , “ No one is not voting for President Trump because he commuted Roger .
In fact , the president protected his right flank with the commutation.
” Barr has also sought to dismiss the charges against Flynn .
And Barr last month fired a Manhattan-based federal prosecutor whose office had charged Trump ’ s former personal lawyer Michael Cohen and was pursuing an investigation that could ensnare Trump ’ s current attorney Rudolph Giuliani .


oann--2020-07-12--‘Witch Hunt’: Trump commutes longtime adviser Roger Stone’s prison sentence

WASHINGTON ( Reuters ) – President Donald Trump commuted the sentence of his longtime friend and adviser Roger Stone , sparing him from prison after he was convicted of lying under oath to lawmakers investigating Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election .
Trump ’ s decision to commute Stone ’ s sentence days before he was due to report to prison marked the Republican president ’ s most assertive intervention to protect an associate in a criminal case and his latest use of executive clemency to benefit an ally .
Democrats condemned Trump ’ s action , announced on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rule of law .
In his first remarks on his decision , Trump on Saturday painted Stone as a victim and lashed out against Democratic presumptive presidential nominee Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama , with whom Biden served as vice president .
“ Roger Stone was targeted by an illegal Witch Hunt that never should have taken place .
It is the other side that are criminals , including the fact that Biden and Obama illegally spied on my campaign – AND GOT CAUGHT !
” the president tweeted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ friendship with Trump dates back decades .
Stone , 67 , was scheduled to report by Tuesday to a federal prison in Jesup , Georgia , to begin serving a sentence of three years and four months .
Trump , seeking re-election on Nov. 3 , opted to give Stone a commutation , which does not erase a criminal conviction , rather than a full pardon .
Stone emerged from his Fort Lauderdale , Florida home on Friday night after the commutation of his sentence was announced wearing a mask with the words @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a horrific , horrific nightmare when you realize that this investigation never had any legitimate or lawful beginning , it was a witch hunt , ” Stone said using some of the same words Trump has hurled at prosecutors and Democrats who investigated Moscow ’ s role in the 2016 U.S. election .
Stone was among several Trump associates charged with crimes in former Special Counsel Robert Mueller ’ s investigation that documented Russian interference to boost Trump ’ s 2016 candidacy .
The White House criticized Mueller ’ s investigation and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying the Left and its allies in the media attempted for years to undermine the Trump presidency .
Mueller ’ s investigation found extensive contacts between Trump ’ s campaign and Russians .
Republican reaction on Capitol Hill was largely muted , with a handful of Trump allies welcoming the action .
But Senator Mitt Romney , the only Republican to vote to convict Trump at his Senate impeachment trial , denounced the action on Twitter : “ Unprecedented , historic corruption : an American president commutes the sentence of a person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shield that very president.
” Congressional Democrats and other critics have accused Trump of undermining the rule of law by publicly complaining about criminal cases against associates including Stone , former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn and former campaign chairman Paul Manafort .
“ Congress will take action to prevent this type of brazen wrongdoing , ” U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement on Saturday .
“ Legislation is needed to ensure that no president can pardon or commute the sentence of an individual who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that president from criminal prosecution.
” A Washington jury in November 2019 convicted Stone on all seven criminal counts of obstruction of a congressional investigation , five counts of making false statements to Congress and tampering with a witness .
Trump repeatedly lashed out on Twitter about Stone ’ s case , accusing prosecutors of being corrupt , the juror forewoman of political bias and the judge of treating his friend unfairly .
Attorney General William Barr earlier intervened in the case to scale back the Justice Department ’ s sentencing recommendation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proceedings .
One of them , Aaron Zelinsky , told lawmakers on June 24 that his supervisor in the U.S. Attorney ’ s office in Washington was told to go easy on Stone for political reasons .
Stone was convicted for lying to the House Intelligence Committee about his attempts to contact WikiLeaks , the website that released damaging emails about Trump ’ s 2016 Democratic election rival Hillary Clinton that U.S. intelligence officials have concluded were stolen by Russian hackers .
The U.S. Constitution gives a president the “ power to grant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States , except in cases of impeachment.
” Trump ’ s use of this executive clemency often has benefited allies and well-connected political figures .
He pardoned hardline former Arizona county sheriff Joe Arpaio , former Republican White House aide Lewis “ Scooter ” Libby , conservative commentator Dinesh D ’ Souza and convicted “ junk bond king ” Michael Milken .
He also commuted the prison sentence of Democratic former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich , who had been a contestant on Trump ’ s former reality TV show .
Stone has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dating to the 1970s .
A colorful figure known for his natty attire , he has labeled himself an “ agent provocateur ” and famously has the face of former President Richard Nixon tattooed on his back .


oann--2020-07-12--Masks, disinfectant, social distancing: Japan responds to disaster amid coronavirus

YATSUSHIRO , Japan ( Reuters ) – Boxes of surgical masks , bottles of disinfectant and a sign saying “ Please wear a mask ” mark the entrance to a public gym in Yatsushiro city , a shelter for residents fleeing devastating floods in southwestern Japan this week .
Elsewhere in the gym , cardboard partitions separate the 233 evacuees ’ sleeping areas and another sign instructs them to check their temperature each morning , then sterilise the thermometers .
The measures show what a thorny issue it is for Japan to deal with natural disasters in the time of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local officials for months to include coronavirus measures in their disaster preparations .
Residents have been urged to seek shelter with friends or relatives if possible to avoid overcrowding evacuation centres .
But coronavirus contagion was the last thing on the mind of 78-year-old retiree Aiko Ishimura when neighbours knocked on her door on Monday to tell her about evacuation orders .
Ishimura , who lives alone , had planned to shelter at home .
“ So we just came as we were .
We were in such a rush to come here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Ishimura , who fled with neighbours , told Reuters .
“ I wasn ’ t worried at all about coronavirus , not at all.
” “ We don ’ t have many cases here in the first place .
We don ’ t really do the whole mask-wearing thing , ” she added , although she said she keeps a mask in her pocket .
Kumamoto prefecture , where Yatsushiro is located , has had only 49 of Japan ’ s more than 20,000 coronavirus cases , according to public broadcaster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7,000 in Tokyo , where cases are on the rise again among its 14 million residents .
Misa Matsuda , a 48-year-old nurse , accustomed to the annual floods in the region , had also intended to remain at home .
But she was stunned early Monday when she opened her door and found the river flowing just a few feet from her house .
“ I thought , there ’ s no way the water would come up here to our house , where it ’ s a bit of a hill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disasters have become increasingly common in Japan recently .
Last year , Typhoon Hagibis killed nearly 100 people , a year after more than 200 died in western Japan in the worst flooding in decades .
Matsuda said she wasn ’ t too concerned about coronavirus because basic steps were being taken , but did worry residents would congregate to chat , creating just the sort of crowded conditions authorities say increase infection risk .
City official Takanobu Ono said the evacuation centre was limited to 300 people despite a capacity for 500 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evacuees was escaping with their lives .
“ Some of have just been saved by the skin of their teeth , ” he said .
“ The reality is that coronavirus is less of a concern for them … So we ’ re taking the measures we have to , but haven ’ t been so strict about it.
” About 60 people have died or were feared dead from floods and landslides triggered by torrential rains that have pounded the southwestern island of Kyushu , including Kumamoto prefecture , since Saturday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of central Japan on Wednesday .
Disaster experts said persuading people to evacuate early and find alternative shelters was vital , but agreed that convincing people to plan ahead was often tough .
“ We kept saying , ‘ Check your hazard map , ' ” said Masako Yoneda of the Japan Academic Network for Disaster Reduction , which issued an urgent warning on the topic in May .
“ But still , there are people who don ’ t check .
”


oann--2020-07-16--Motor racing-Russell says he is staying with Williams next year

BUDAPEST ( Reuters ) – British Formula One driver George Russell said on Thursday he was staying with Williams next season , ending speculation about a possible move to champions Mercedes , alongside Canadian Nicholas Latifi .
“ I will be staying with Williams for 2021 .
You ’ ve heard it here first , ” the 22-year-old , now in his second season in Formula One , told a video news conference ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix .
Russell is backed by Mercedes and had been seen as a possible replacement for Valtteri Bottas , who is out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year but now looking sure to stay with the champions .
Media reports have suggested Bottas has agreed a deal in principle .
The Finn won this month ’ s season-opener in Austria and is leading his team mate and six-times world champion Lewis Hamilton by six points in the standings after two races .
Russell , who signed a three-year deal with Williams before joining last season , said he did not feel ‘ overlooked ’ by Mercedes .
“ I ’ m not disappointed in Mercedes at all , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they could do .
Claire ( Williams ) was very firm with her decision that she was not willing , or not ready , to let me go .
“ Ultimately as I have a contract with Williams I have to respect that decision .
I ’ m here and I ’ ll be giving everything I ’ ve got for Williams this year and into next year.
” Latifi , a rookie this season , also has a multi-year deal with Williams .


oann--2020-07-28--German court opens proceedings over VW labour pay

FRANKFURT ( Reuters ) – A German court on Tuesday said it had opened proceedings against current and former Volkswagen < VOWG_p.DE > managers , including management board members , on suspicion they awarded excessive pay to labour leaders in breach of fiduciary duties .
Wasting corporate funds is legally a breach of fiduciary duty in Germany .
A regional court in Braunschweig , Lower Saxony , where the carmaker is based , said it had opened proceedings at the behest of prosecutors in the area .
Two former VW management board members as well as the current and former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigated , the Braunschweig court said in a statement .
Those being probed were responsible for setting salaries and bonus payments for works council members , the court said , adding that prosecutors believed VW likely wasted more than 5 million euros ( $ 5.9 million ) in excessive pay for labour leaders between May 2011 and May 2016 .
VW said it saw no wrongdoing in the way executives awarded pay and bonuses for works council members and said the hearings were an opportunity to clarify legal questions about how pay was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not under investigation .
In 2016 , prosecutors and tax investigators raided offices of senior VW officials probing overpayment and tax evasion .
In 2017 , VW said it had cut salaries and suspended the bonuses of 14 works council members , including council head Bernd Osterloh , as public prosecutors investigated alleged earlier overpayment .
At the time , Matthias Mueller , the former VW chief executive , said the cuts in pay were a precautionary measure taken until the legality of pay levels was clarified .


oann--2020-07-29--Attorney General Barr fends off Democrats’ attacks over protests

WASHINGTON ( Reuters ) – Attorney General William Barr on Tuesday parried attacks in the Democratic-led House of Representatives , denying accusations he is doing President Donald Trump ’ s bidding by intervening in high-profile cases and sending federal agents into U.S. cities .
He testified to the House Judiciary Committee for the first time since taking office in February 2019 as the Justice Department faces criticism for sending federal officers to forcibly disperse anti-racism protesters in Portland , Oregon , and Washington , D.C. Committee Democrats repeatedly interrupted Barr , often running out the clock before he could answer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s fellow Republicans , who responded by letting him address the Democrats ’ criticism during their own allotted time to ask questions – a tactic that made it easier for Barr to stay on message .
During an exchange about the deployment of federal agents to Portland where they have clashed nightly with anti-racism demonstrators who have also set fires and thrown objects , Barr responded , “ We can not just stand aside and watch the federal courthouse be destroyed.
” Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler opened the hearing by telling Barr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a persistent war against the Department ’ s professional core in an apparent effort to secure favors for the president.
” Barr rejected Nadler ’ s assertion the deployment of federal agents to U.S. cities was an effort to boost Trump ’ s re-election campaign .
Barr also denied taking actions to help Trump associates , saying they do not deserve special breaks but also should not be treated more harshly than other defendants .
The department ’ s internal watchdog launched probes last week into federal involvement in the Portland and Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mostly peaceful protests against racial bias and police brutality have taken place in the United States since May 25 when George Floyd , a Black man , died under the knee of a white officer .
Barr has highlighted the arson and violence at some protests , blaming them primarily on far-left “ antifa ” elements – an assertion that is heavily disputed – and urging federal prosecutors to bring criminal charges whenever possible .
Committee Republicans – including ranking member Jim Jordan – highlighted the degree to which Democrats did not allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t think we ’ ve ever had a hearing where the witness wasn ’ t allowed to respond to points made , questions asked , and attacks made , ” Jordan said .
Some Democratic political commentators said the Democrats ’ style of questioning had made it easier for Barr to avoid major missteps , instead highlighting scenes of violence at protests that have factored prominently in Trump ’ s campaign ads .
“ Barr is having a great day re-announcing the Trump re-election strategy , ” said Hank Sheinkopf , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Barr ’ s testimony likely would help Trump in his bid to win over crucial suburban voters .
Preet Bharara , the ex-U.S. Attorney in Manhattan , on Twitter called the hearing “ disappointing.
” Under questioning by Representative Sheila Jackson Lee , a Democrat who is Black , Barr also dismissed accusations of widespread racial discrimination in policing .
“ You indicated that the killing of George Floyd was shocking .
I disagree , ” Jackson Lee said .
“ You seem to have a difficult time understanding systemic racism and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Barr also incited Democrats ’ fury by saying a report being drafted by federal prosecutor John Durham that is expected to highlight missteps by U.S. intelligence agencies during their 2016 probe into collusion between Trump ’ s campaign and Russia could be made public before the 2020 presidential election .
The House Judiciary Committee launched an inquiry last month into whether the Justice Department had become overly politicized after Barr intervened in several high-profile criminal cases involving people close to Trump .
In February , he moved to scale back prosecutors ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friend Roger Stone , prompting four career prosecutors to withdraw .
Trump later commuted Stone ’ s sentence .
In May , Barr sought to drop the criminal charge against former national security adviser Michael Flynn , setting the stage for an ongoing legal battle with the federal judge who was due to sentence Flynn , who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI .
Barr insisted that Trump “ has not attempted to interfere in these decisions.
” In June , Barr ousted the top federal prosecutor in Manhattan , Geoffrey Berman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s attorney Rudy Giuliani .
Berman later told the committee : “ The irregular and unexplained actions by the attorney general raised serious concerns for me.
” The hearing , which lasted about five hours , devolved into bitter snipping over petty issues , such as when to take a break .
“ Can we take a five-minute break , Mr. Chairman ?
” Barr asked .
“ No , ” said Nadler , whose morning arrival was delayed by a car collision .
“ I waited an hour for you this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lunch , ” Barr retorted .
“ You ’ re a real class act .
”


oann--2020-07-29--Dollar falls to two-year lows as U.S coronavirus cases surge

LONDON ( Reuters ) – The U.S. dollar fell to a two-year low on Wednesday as pressure built on the Federal Reserve to strike a dovish policy stance amid a surge in coronavirus cases fuelling demand for riskier currencies like the Norwegian crown and the Australian dollar .
Financial markets expect policymakers to hold fire on fresh steps , but rising infection rates are leading some analysts to predict strong forward guidance from the Fed on further policy actions .
“ Even if the Fed doesn ’ t come out explicitly signalling more policy support , the dollar ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trends in coronavirus cases between Europe and the U.S. , ” said Ulrich Leuchtmann , head of foreign exchange and commodity research at Commerzbank .
Four U.S. states in the south and west reported one-day records for coronavirus deaths on Tuesday and nationwide cases stayed high .
Against a basket of other currencies < =USD > , the dollar fell 0.4 % to 93.41 , its lowest level since June 2018 .
It has weakened more than 3 % since the last Fed meeting as yields on benchmark U.S. Treasury debt have fallen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ These factors mean we should expect a decidedly more pessimistic assessment of the outlook for economic growth , ” said Derek Halpenny , head of research at MUFG Bank .
“ We should also probably expect some focus on the U.S. dollar , given the notable move we have had since the last meeting.
” Investors will also be watching for any indications the Fed will increase its purchases of longer-dated debt , implement yield caps or target higher inflation than previously indicated , building on recent massive stimulus measures .
Goldman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shift “ towards an inflationary bias ” along with record high U.S. government debt levels are raising “ real concerns around the longevity of the U.S. dollar as a reserve currency.
” But John Vail , chief global strategist at Nikko Asset Management said the greenback was still up 1 % in the year to date as measured by JP Morgan broad trade-weighted nominal index , despite recent weakness .
The weakening dollar pushed the Australian dollar higher with the currency trading at $ 0.7185 < AUD=D4 > , hitting a 15-month peak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prices fell by a record in the second quarter .
The euro traded at $ 1.1762 < EUR=EBS > , up 0.3 % , although it has stepped back from Monday ’ s 22-month high of $ 1.17815 .
The dollar traded at 104.82 yen < JPY=EBS > , a four-month low and down 0.25 % on the day .
For investors , the euro ’ s strength has been vindicated by a recent fiscal stimulus deal reached by European Union leaders last week with charts and derivatives expecting the single currency to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ short term .
Elsewhere , the Turkish lira held near record lows after it plunged 2 % in minutes on Monday before reversing most of that fall .
One-week and one-year Turkish lira implied volatility gauges jumped to their highest level in two months .


oann--2020-07-29--Oil prices jump on U.S. inventory drop

Oil prices jump on U.S. inventory drop

LONDON ( Reuters ) – Oil prices rose on Wednesday after a surprise drop in U.S. crude inventories , but demand concerns amid record increases in COVID-19 infections in some U.S. states capped gains .
Brent crude futures < LCOc1 > rose 59 cents , or 1.4 % , to $ 43.81 a barrel by 1216 GMT .
U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures < CLc1 > gained 47 cents , or 1.2 % , to $ 41.51 a barrel .
Inventories of crude oil in the United States dropped by 6.8 million barrels last week to 531 million barrels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Petroleum Institute showed on Tuesday .
Analysts ’ expectations in a Reuters poll were for an increase of 357,000 barrels .
U.S. government data is due later on Wednesday .
“ A relief of 6.8 million barrels could normally help prices rise even further , but concerns over a new supply glut coming from August are capping gains , ” Rystad Energy ’ s head of oil markets Bjornar Tonhaugen said .
The pandemic is keeping alive concerns about falling fuel demand causing an oversupplied market as record numbers of coronavirus infections are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States , the world ’ s biggest consumer of oil .
“ The virus is spreading like wildfire across the Americas while Europe and Asia are displaying worrying signs of a second surge in cases , ” Stephen Brennock of oil brokerage PVM said .
Six U.S. states reported one-day records for coronavirus deaths on Tuesday and cases in Texas passed the 400,000 mark .
Indian refiners are cutting crude processing and shutting units for maintenance amid faltering fuel demand , officials at the companies said .
Attempts to provide relief amid the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. disagreed over their own plan for providing $ 1 trillion in new coronavirus aid on Tuesday .
Analysts are concerned about the risks to any U.S. recovery , while a new Federal Reserve policy statement due to be released later on Wednesday afternoon will show how seriously central bankers assess them .


oann--2020-08-01--MLB roundup: Bieber sets two-game strikeout mark

Shane Bieber pitched eight shutout innings and entered the major league record books with 13 more strikeouts as the Cleveland Indians blanked the Minnesota Twins 2-0 Thursday night at Minneapolis .
Bieber , who set a franchise Opening Day record with 14 strikeouts over six shutout innings in a 2-0 victory against Kansas City on Friday , allowed just three singles .
His 27 strikeouts in his first two starts of the season tied the modern era ( since 1901 ) big-league record set by Karl Spooner of the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1954 .
Bieber ( 2-0 ) left after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were strikes .
He has allowed just seven hits and a walk in 14 innings this season .
James Karinchak pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to notch his first major league save .
Cleveland also became the first team ever to have starters strike out 10 or more batters four times through the first seven games of the season .
Jose Berrios ( 0-1 ) allowed two runs on three hits and two walks over five innings .
He struck out six and also hit a batter .
Max Fried had another strong start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bay to sweep a two-game series .
Fried ( 1-0 ) didn ’ t allow a baserunner until Mike Brosseau ’ s single with two outs in the fifth .
Fried finished by allowing one run on three hits and a walk with seven strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings .
The Braves struck for their only two runs in the second inning against Rays starter Ryan Yarbrough ( 0-1 ) .
Dansby Swanson drove in the first run with a single for his ninth RBI , and Austin Riley brought home the second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taylor hit a two-run home run , Starlin Castro had four hits , and Washington defeated Toronto at Nationals Park .
The Nationals gained a split of the four-game series after dropping the first two .
The Blue Jays were the designated home team for the second straight game in Washington .
The Canadian government is not allowing them to play in Toronto during the COVID-19 pandemic , and the club ’ s temporary home in Buffalo is not yet game-ready .
Toronto ’ s Teoscar Hernandez homered twice for the second time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also hit a home run .
Alex Gordon had three hits and scored two runs , Bubba Starling delivered a two-run double , and Kansas City won at Detroit .
Adalberto Mondesi and Jorge Soler each had three hits and scored a run for the Royals , who split the four-game series .
Greg Holland ( 1-0 ) tossed a scoreless inning of relief and struck out two .
Trevor Rosenthal pitched a shutout ninth for his first save this season .
Miguel Cabrera hit a pair of solo homers for the Tigers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third straight night .
Christian Vazquez hit two home runs and collected three RBIs as Boston won at New York to sweep a two-game interleague series .
Vazquez belted a solo homer in the second , then added a two-run shot in the fourth to give the Red Sox a 3-2 lead .
He had four hits , with three home runs and six RBIs in the two game in New York .
Martin Perez ( 1-1 ) earned his first Red Sox win after allowing two runs on two hits and four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2/3 innings .
Steven Matz ( 0-1 ) allowed three runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out three over 5 1/3 innings .
Luke Voit hit a grand slam in the first inning , but it was a three-run homer from Aaron Judge in the top of the ninth that gave New York the win at Baltimore .
The Yankees have now won 18 straight against the Orioles dating back to the second series of last year , and 17 straight in Baltimore .
New York swept the brief two-game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Miami COVID-19 issues .
Judge crushed his one-out , three-run shot off rookie Cole Sulser ( 0-1 ) far into the left field seats for an 8-6 lead in the ninth .
Former Oriole Zack Britton closed it out for New York .
Despite giving up a two-run homer to Pedro Severino in the eighth , Jonathan Loaisiga ( 1-0 ) got the win .
AJ Pollock homered against his former team , the first of three home runs for Los Angeles in a win at Phoenix , spoiling Arizona ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot came in a three-run first inning .
Corey Seager hit his second home run in as many days , a solo shot to right field in the second off Diamondbacks starter Robbie Ray .
Max Muncy connected in the sixth inning off Alex Young , helping the Dodgers post their third win in a row .
Ketel Marte hit his first home run of the season for the Diamondbacks , who lost for the third time in four games .
San Diego made the most of its first crack at the majors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six runs in the 10th inning to emerge with a victory at San Francisco .
Tommy Pham hit the go-ahead single in the 10th .
Greg Garcia had a two-run single , and Ty France , Austin Hedges and Fernando Tatis Jr. added RBIs in the winning rally .
Pham led San Diego ’ s 14-hit attack with three hits .
Mike Yastrzemski tripled , singled , walked twice , scored three runs and drove in one for the Giants .
Donovan Solano finished with four hits and two RBIs .
Jose Marmolejos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a three-run shot in the first , and Marco Gonzales made Seattle ’ s first quality start of the season as the Mariners knocked off host Los Angeles .
Marmolejos ’ home run doomed Angels starter Dylan Bundy ( 1-1 ) .
Bundy settled in after a rocky start , allowing three runs on four hits over six innings in all , but the Mariners put the game away with five runs in the ninth .
Gonzales ( 1-1 ) went 6 2/3 innings and allowed two runs ( both unearned ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six strikeouts .
Chicago ’ s scheduled game at Cincinnati was postponed due to inclement weather .
No makeup date was announced .


oann--2020-08-05--Beirut reels from huge blast as death toll climbs to at least 135

BEIRUT ( Reuters ) – Lebanese rescue teams pulled out bodies and hunted for missing people on Wednesday from the wreckage caused by a massive warehouse explosion that sent a devastating blast wave across Beirut , killing at least 135 .
Prime Minister Hassan Diab declared three days of mourning from Thursday as early investigations blamed negligence for the explosion at Beirut port , which has left tens of people missing and injured more than 5,000 others .
Up to a quarter of a million people were left without homes fit to live in , officials said , after shockwaves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into streets and shattered windows miles inland .
The death toll was expected to rise from the blast , which officials blamed on a huge stockpile of highly explosive material stored for years in unsafe conditions at the port .
The explosion was the most powerful ever in Beirut , a city still scarred by civil war that ended three decades ago and reeling from an economic meltdown and a surge in coronavirus infections .
The blast rattled buildings on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus , about 100 miles ( 160 km ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the horror that has hit Beirut last night , turning it into a disaster-stricken city , ” President Michel Aoun said in an address to the nation during an emergency cabinet session .
Aoun said 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate , used in fertilisers and bombs , was stored for six years at the port after it was seized .
The government was “ determined to investigate and expose what happened as soon as possible , to hold the responsible and the negligent accountable , ” he said .
An official source familiar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ inaction and negligence ” , saying “ nothing was done ” by committees and judges involved in the matter to order the removal of hazardous material .
The cabinet ordered port officials involved in storing or guarding the material to be put under house arrest , ministerial sources told Reuters .
Officials have not confirmed the origin of an initial blaze that sparked the explosion , although a security source and local media said it was started by welding work .
For many , the blast was a dreadful reminder of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apart and destroyed swathes of Beirut , much of which had since been rebuilt .
Ordinary Lebanese , who have lost jobs and watched savings evaporate in the country ’ s financial crisis , blamed politicians who have overseen decades of state corruption and bad governance .
“ This explosion seals the collapse of Lebanon .
I really blame the ruling class , ” said Hassan Zaiter , 32 , a manager at the heavily damaged Le Gray Hotel in downtown Beirut .
Relatives gathered at a cordon to Beirut port seeking information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued .
Many of those killed were port and custom employees , people working in the area or those driving nearby during the Tuesday evening rush hour .
Some victims were hurled out to sea by the powerful blast .
The Red Cross was coordinating with the Health Ministry to set up morgues as hospitals were overwhelmed .
Health officials reported that hospitals were running out of beds and equipment to attend to the injured .
Beirut ’ s Clemenceau Medical Center was “ like a slaughterhouse , blood covering the corridors and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of its nurses .
Beirut Governor Marwan Abboud told Al Hadath TV that collective losses from the blast might reach as high as $ 15 billion , including indirect losses related to business .
“ This is the killer blow for Beirut , we are a disaster zone , ” said Bilal , a man in his 60s , in the downtown area .
The World Bank Group said on Wednesday it would work with Lebanon ’ s partners to mobilize public and private financing for reconstruction and recovery .
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the country ’ s difficult negotiations with the International Monetary Fund , however .
Gulf Arab states , who in the past were major financial supporters of Lebanon but recently stepped back because of what they say is Iranian meddling , sent planes with medical equipment and other supplies .
Turkey said it would send 20 doctors to help treat the injured , as well as medical and relief assistance .
Iraq pledged fuel aid , while Iran offered food and a field hospital .
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lebanese citizens and stand by them in the painful tragedy of the Beirut port explosion … Patience in the face of this incident will be a golden leaf of honour for Lebanon.
” The United States , Britain and other Western nations , which have been demanding political and economic change in Lebanon , also offered aid .
Germany , the Netherlands and Cyprus offered specialised search and rescue teams .
Two French planes were expected to arrive on Thursday with specialist rescue personnel and equipment , and President Emmanuel Macron was due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a catastrophe for Beirut and Lebanon , ” Mayor Jamal Itani told Reuters while inspecting damage .
The port district was left a tangled wreck , disabling the nation ’ s main route for imports needed to feed a nation of more than 6 million people .
The country ’ s main grain silo at the port was destroyed in the blast and Beirut Governor Abboud said a crisis might develop without international intervention .
Lebanon was already struggling to house and feed refugees fleeing conflict in neighbouring Syria and has no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other neighbour Israel .
“ On a scale , this explosion is scaled down from a nuclear bomb rather than up from a conventional bomb , ” said Roland Alford , managing director of British explosive ordnance disposal firm Alford Technologies .
“ This is huge.
” The blast also prompted the Special Tribunal for Lebanon on Wednesday to postpone its verdict in the trial over the 2005 bombing that killed ex-Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri to Aug. 18 .
The tribunal ’ s decision had been expected this Friday .
The U.N.-backed court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iranian-backed Shi ’ ite Muslim group Hezbollah .
Hariri and 21 others were killed by a big truck bomb in another area of the Beirut waterfront , about 2 km ( about one mile ) from the port .
White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said the U.S. government had not totally ruled out the possibility that Tuesday ’ s explosion was an attack , and said it is still gathering intelligence on the blast .


oann--2020-08-05--U.S. coronavirus fraud losses near $100 million as COVID scams double

LOS ANGELES ( Reuters ) – U.S. losses from coronavirus-related fraud and identity theft have reached nearly $ 100 million since the pandemic emerged in March , while complaints of COVID-19 scams have at least doubled in most states , a consumer protection group said on Tuesday .
A report from the group , based on government data , highlighted the vast scope of a fast-growing criminal cottage industry – from phony stimulus-check offers to shopping scams and fake cures – preying on Americans already distressed by the pandemic and its economic fallout .
Perhaps not surprisingly , the study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Texas and Pennsylvania – the most populous of the 50 U.S. states – to be the five most targeted by coronavirus scams in the country .
Together they accounted for about a third of more than 150,000 instances of COVID-related fraud reported nationally by the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) from mid-March , when the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic , through July , the report https : //socialcatfish.com/blog/coronavirus-scams-how-covid-19-stimulus-check-scams-shopping-scams-have-evolved-since-march-2020 showed .
Those cases have cost victims a total of $ 97.5 million to date , according to the FTC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spikes in COVID-related fraud in recent months , led by Maine , whose monthly complaints of coronavirus scams and identity theft quadrupled between March and July , the study said .
The report was published by the internet-based group SocialCatfish.com , which helps consumers avoid being defrauded online by determining the true identity of individuals or organizations hiding behind a phony persona .
Scams taking advantage of Americans ’ desperation in the midst of a deadly pandemic and accompanying economic upheaval “ are running rampant , ” said Richard Neil , a spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Several newly flourishing forms of fraud involve fake promises of government stimulus checks , often perpetuated through “ robocalls , ” texts , or emails seeking personal and financial information the caller supposedly needs to deposit benefits into the victim ’ s account , according to the report .
Price-gouging and other consumer product scams have also become widespread , the study warned .


oann--2020-08-06--Beirut reels from huge blast as death toll climbs to at least 135


oann--2020-08-14--Oil slips below $45 on demand doubts, rising supply

LONDON ( Reuters ) – Oil edged further below $ 45 a barrel on Friday , giving up some of this week ’ s gain , under pressure from doubts about demand recovery due to the COVID-19 pandemic and rising supply .
Two prominent forecasters , the International Energy Agency and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries , trimmed their 2020 oil demand forecasts this week .
[ IEA/M ] [ OPEC/M ] OPEC and its allies are increasing output this month .
“ Pessimism about this year ’ s oil demand growth prospects is due to the weakening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Stephen Brennock of oil broker PVM .
“ To make matters worse , global oil supply is on the upswing.
” Brent crude < LCOc1 > was 1 cent lower at $ 44.95 by 1210 GMT , heading for a rise of 0.6 % this week .
U.S. West Texas Intermediate < CLc1 > was unchanged at $ 42.24 .
“ Although both contracts continue to consolidate at the upper end of their two-month trading ranges , they lack the momentum to stage meaningful rallies at this stage , ” said Jeffrey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been bolstered this week by U.S. government data showing crude oil , gasoline and distillate inventories all fell last week as refiners ramped up production and demand for oil products rose .
[ EIA/S ] Oil has recovered from lows touched in April , when WTI briefly turned negative .
Still , a rise in the number of novel coronavirus infections has limited gains .
India reported another record daily rise in cases on Thursday .
OPEC and allies including Russia , a group known as OPEC+ , have cut output since May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demand to support the market .
The deal calls for an increase in output this month as demand recovers .
An OPEC+ panel meets on Wednesday to review the market and is not expected to tweak the agreement .


oann--2020-08-17--Oil steady as China’s plans to boost U.S. imports counters tensions

LONDON ( Reuters ) – Oil prices edged lower on Monday on rising coronavirus cases particularly in Europe and tensions between major consumers China and the United States , although China ’ s plans to increase U.S. crude imports curbed the losses .
Brent crude < LCOc1 > fell 17 cents , or 0.4 % , to $ 44.63 a barrel by 1206 GMT , and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude < CLc1 > was down 9 cents , or 0.2 % , to $ 41.92 a barrel .
“ Clearly the market is not tightening as quickly as initially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to get back to normal levels , ” ING Group said .
Market sentiment soured after the United States and China delayed a review of their Phase 1 trade deal initially slated for Saturday , citing scheduling conflicts .
However , in a positive signal , Chinese state-owned oil firms have tentatively booked tankers to transport at least 20 million barrels of U.S. crude for August and September .
Investors are also looking for more clues on future supply from a meeting this week of a panel representing ministers of the Organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allies , a group known as OPEC+ .
The Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee ( JMMC ) monitors OPEC+ production curbs agreed earlier this year .
Last month , the JMMC recommended that cuts be eased from Aug. 1 to about 7.7 million barrels per day ( bpd ) from a reduction of 9.7 million bpd since May , in line with an earlier OPEC+ agreement .
Compliance with OPEC+ oil output cuts is seen at around 95 % in July , four OPEC+ sources told Reuters .
Iran ’ s oil minister , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ performance has been successful because the price of oil has risen from $ 16 in May to around $ 45 and has stabilised.
” In the United States the number of oil and natural gas rigs operating last week remained anchored at a record low for a 15th week , even as higher oil prices prompt some producers to start drilling again .


oann--2020-08-17--Gaza rapper, 11, strikes chord with rhymes about war and hardship

GAZA ( Reuters ) – Gaza rapper Abdel-Rahman Al-Shantti may only be 11 years old but his rhymes on war and hardship in the Palestinian enclave have reached thousands of people , conveying in English what he calls “ a message of peace and humanity ” .
A video of Shantti rapping outside of his school in Gaza City , surrounded by classmates wearing matching uniforms , has garnered hundreds of thousands of views on social media and was even shared by the popular British rapper Lowkey .
“ I am here to tell you our lives are hard .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the yard , ” go the lyrics of his song “ Gaza messenger ” , alluding to three devastating wars fought between Israel and Gaza ’ s Islamist rulers Hamas .
Though Arabic is his first language , Shantti raps in fluent , unaccented English – a skill he says he honed by listening to American rappers including Eminem , Tupac and DJ Khaled .
“ I want to be like Eminem – not to copy his style , I have my own style .
But he is my favourite rapper , my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ English as he wrote lyrics and composed rap beats through an app on his cellphone .
In another one of his songs , “ Peace ” , Shantti evokes moments from a war with Israel in 2008-2009 .
“ I was born in Gaza City , and the first thing I heard was a gunshot .
In my first breath , I tasted gunpowder , ” the lyrics say .
Shantti says he hopes to shine a light on the challenges wrought on Gaza by an Israeli-led blockade , which economists blame for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israel cites threats from Hamas for the restrictions .
“ My message talks about peace , and I want to convey it to the largest number of people , ” he said .
“ I want to show ( life ) in Gaza to the outside .
”


oann--2020-08-18--BHP falls short of expected profit, warns of slowing growth outside China

MELBOURNE/BENGALURU ( Reuters ) – BHP Group on Tuesday said it expects most major world economies except China to bear the brunt of a coronavirus-led downturn this year , reporting a 4 % drop in annual profit that missed analysts ’ estimates .
While miners have seen green shoots emerge from an economic pickup in the world ’ s top metals user , as well as a boost in infrastructure spending , the risk of new virus outbreaks around the world threatens to undermine growth , BHP said .
The warning came as BHP reported underlying profit attributable from continuing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that fell to $ 9.06 billion – below estimates of $ 9.42 billion , according to Refinitiv IBES data .
“ With the exception of China , the world ’ s major economies will contract during the 2020 calendar year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic , ” Chief Executive Mike Henry said in a statement .
Henry added that the potential for fresh waves of coronavirus infections in key markets was weighing on the demand outlook for 2021 at the world ’ s largest listed miner .
“ Not too many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manager Andy Forster of Argo Investments in Sydney .
“ Maybe a touch under expected , and the dividend a bit below.
” Shares fell by as much as 1.3 % before trimming the drop to 0.3 % at A $ 39.75 , by 0203 GMT , compared with a 1 % rise in the broader index The profit miss was in contrast to rival Rio Tinto , which last month rode its iron ore-rich portfolio to beat profit estimates and touted “ a very steep V-shaped ” recovery in China .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per share , down from 78 cents a year earlier , but still in line with its payout ratio .
BHP also announced asset divestments and executive leadership changes – that will see top management evenly split by gender – as Henry , who officially took the reins in January , puts his stamp on the business .
The miner said it is looking at options including a demerger or sale of thermal coal assets , as it favours energy-rich metallurgical coal in its portfolio given a lower-carbon future .
These include its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its BHP Mitsui Coal joint venture , and one-third of the Cerrejón mine in Colombia .
Japanese trading house Mitsui had no immediate comment .
It also said it was looking to sell off its Bass Strait oil and gas stake , though that was not down to any environmental agenda , Henry told an analyst call .
He said BHP was bullish on oil because it has profitable prospects for at least the next decade and is open to acquisitions near existing assets .


oann--2020-08-20--Regional delegation to visit Mali to try to reverse coup as junta, opposition close ranks

BAMAKO ( Reuters ) – West African countries will send a delegation to Mali in an effort to reverse a military coup , presidents from the region said , as an opposition coalition there joined the junta in rejecting foreign interference .
Leaders of the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS ) convened over the crisis on Thursday , after it suspended Mali , shut off borders and halted financial flows in response to Tuesday ’ s overthrow of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita .
The coup , which has rocked a country already in the grip of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civil unrest , has been met with almost universal condemnation abroad .
At the end of the meeting , Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou , the acting ECOWAS president , issued a statement saying the heads of state demanded that Keita be returned to power and would “ immediately ” dispatch a delegation to Mali that would include former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan .
The statement also called for the ramping-up of ECOWAS ’ s standby military force , but it was not clear whether any military action was being contemplated .
Diplomatic sources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be led by four heads of state .
In Mali , the M5-RFP coalition of opposition groups that spearheaded protests against Keita before the coup and has since embraced the mutineers rejected ECOWAS ’ s position .
“ If they want to come , they can come but we are not going to move , ” Cheick Oumar Sissoko , a coalition leader , told reporters .
“ We are going to cross ECOWAS ’ s red line.
” Opposition leaders said they would hold a rally in Bamako on Friday to celebrate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
Bamako residents expressed widespread support for the coup .
The capital was calm for the second straight day , as people appeared to heed earlier calls from junta spokesman Colonel Ismael Wague to return to work and go about their daily lives .
Banks re-opened after closing the past two days and clients said they had no problems withdrawing money .
“ The ECOWAS sanctions are legitimate but reckless , ” said Brema Soumare , a 35-year-old architect , standing outside a bank .
“ This coup is a liberation… Organisations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not heads of state.
” Colonel Assimi Goita , a special forces commander , presented himself late on Wednesday as the junta ’ s leader .
Marc-Andre Boisvert , an independent researcher on the Malian security forces , said the senior mutineers were all respected army colonels who had fought in the north , where affiliates of al Qaeda and Islamic State are active .
“ It was a coup led by combat-experienced , not personality-driven officers , ” he said .
“ I expect they were selected to be the image of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close to the ( ordinary ) soldiers.
” Nevertheless , the officers ’ actions have raised fears of a repeat of 2012 , when the chaotic aftermath of a coup helped hasten the fall of northern Mali to al Qaeda-linked militants .
France intervened the following year to push them back , but the militants have since regrouped and extended their influence into central Mali and countries in West Africa ’ s Sahel region .
Some apparent supporters of the al Qaeda-affiliated militants celebrated the coup on social media , saying it represented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
France ’ s armed forces minister said on Thursday that its forces would continue their Mali-based military operations against Islamist fighters .
Late on Thursday , the junta ordered the country ’ s borders re-opened after having closed them after the coup .
Most land borders were due to remain shut because of ECOWAS ’ s instructions to its members states , but the junta ’ s order could allow mining companies operating in Mali like Barrick Gold < ABX.TO > to fly gold out of the country .


oann--2020-08-20--Exclusive: OPEC+ needs to fix daily oversupply of more than two million barrels, document shows

MOSCOW/DUBAI/LONDON ( Reuters ) – Some members of the OPEC+ group of oil-producing nations would need to slash output by an extra 2.31 million barrels per day ( bpd ) for a month to make up for their oversupply between May and July , an internal OPEC+ report seen by Reuters shows .
That oversupply above OPEC+ agreed targets ought to be compensated for in August and September , the report said .
OPEC+ sources said if additional cuts were spread over more than one month , the daily reduction would be smaller than 2.31 million barrels .
OPEC+ – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other producers including Russia – stepped up their joint output cuts to a record 9.7 million bpd in May before tapering them to 7.7 million bpd this month .
In April the impact of the new coronavirus on air and road travel and other areas of the global economy sent benchmark oil prices < LCOc1 > below $ 16 a barrel .
The ongoing spread of the virus is now threatening oil demand recovery forecasts .
The OPEC+ report showed the monthly oversupply totals of May , June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2.31 million bpd total , that was not the average daily overproduction for the period .
“ Real monthly overproduction over the period was much smaller , ” one OPEC+ source said .
“ In May it was about 1.3 million bpd , in June 0.5 million bpd and July 0.5 million bpd , ” a second source said .
That adds up to a total of 70 million barrels , or enough to load 70 large Suezmax tankers .
The report shows OPEC+ expects oil demand in 2020 to fall by 9.1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its previous forecast , before rising by 7 million bpd in 2021 .
However , it also presents an alternative scenario in which a stronger and more-prolonged second wave of infections hits Europe , the United States , India and China in the second half of the year .
Under this scenario , demand is forecast to fall by 11.2 million bpd in 2020 , sending OECD commercial oil inventories in the fourth quarter to 233 million barrels above the latest 5-year average , the report showed .
Stocks would stand at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ average in 2021 .
Data shows among OPEC members , Iraq and Nigeria were the least compliant and even the United Arab Emirates , which made additional voluntary cuts in June , overproduced by around 50,000 bpd over the May-July period .
Among non-OPEC participants , Russia and Kazakhstan overproduced by a cumulative 280,000 bpd and 190,000 bpd , respectively , over the three months .


oann--2020-08-23--U.S. House votes to block Postal reforms seen as threat to mail-in ballots

WASHINGTON ( Reuters ) – The Democratic-led U.S. House of Representatives voted on Saturday to provide the cash-strapped Postal Service with $ 25 billion and block policy changes that have stirred concerns about mail-in balloting ahead of the Nov. 3 election .
The 257-150 vote sent the legislation dubbed the “ Delivering for America Act ” on to the Republican-controlled Senate .
But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement that the Senate would “ absolutely not pass ” the stand-alone bill .
The White House also strongly opposes the legislation and has said it would recommend that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But more than two-dozen House Republicans broke ranks to join Democrats in approving the bill , during a rare Saturday session called by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in the middle of the congressional August recess .
With mail-in voting expected to surge during the coronavirus pandemic , Trump has alarmed Democrats by repeatedly denouncing mail-in ballots as a possible source of fraud .
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy recently suspended cost-cutting measures that have slowed deliveries in recent weeks .
Democrats , who accuse Trump of trying to discourage mail-in balloting to gain an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden , cast themselves as defenders of a public that relies on the Postal Service for vital deliveries , including prescription drugs .
“ The American people do not want anyone messing with the Post Office .
They certainly do not want it to be politicized .
They just want their mail , they want their medicines and they want their mail-in ballots delivered in a timely way .
And that is exactly what our bill does , ” said Democratic Representative Carolyn Maloney , who authored the legislation .
Maloney also released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % slowdown in the processing of first class mail , most of it occurring after DeJoy became postmaster in June .
Republican leaders denied that the Postal Service was in any danger and criticized Democrats for moving legislation forward before DeJoy could testify at a House hearing slated for Monday .
“ This is the result of a legislative process only slightly less absurd than the conspiracies , insinuations and fabrications that gave rise to the purported need for it , ” said Republican Representative James Comer .
The 26 Republicans who supported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 House Republican members .
Another 23 Republicans did not vote .
As lawmakers prepared to vote , Trump took to Twitter to accuse Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of seeking unnecessary funding for the Postal Service and trying to pull off a “ Universal Mail-In Ballot Scam.
” “ Vote NO to the Pelosi/Schumer money wasting HOAX which is taking place now , ” the president wrote .
DeJoy told a Senate committee on Friday that the Postal Service would deliver ballots “ securely and on time ” in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come after that .
In fact , the House bill would prevent DeJoy from taking any action that would impede service until after next January or the end of the coronavirus health emergency , whichever comes later .
“ Our legislation is not just about the election .
It ’ s about – surprise , surprise , Mr. Postmaster General – the coronavirus !
” Pelosi told a news conference .
Pelosi insisted that congressional action is necessary , calling DeJoy ’ s assurances ambiguous and unsatisfactory .
“ His comments are one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And that ’ s why we have this legislation , ” she said .
She said Trump ’ s attacks on mail-in voting were part of a larger effort to suppress voting that also includes his recent call for law enforcement officers to monitor voting at polling places .


oann--2020-08-25--Dollar falls, European shares rise; markets buoyed by U.S.-China  phone call

LONDON ( Reuters ) – European shares opened higher on Tuesday , with market sentiment propped up by the United States and China saying they are still committed to their Phase One trade deal , and some increased optimism around COVID-19 vaccine development .
After the STOXX 600 saw its biggest daily gain in almost two weeks on Monday , the bullish mood continued throughout the New York and Asian sessions overnight .
Top U.S. and Chinese officials had a phone call in which they reaffirmed their commitment to the Phase One trade deal agreed in January , a positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 pandemic , China ’ s national security law and Chinese technology firms .
Market sentiment was also buoyed by a Financial Times report that the U.S. government was considering fast-tracking an experimental vaccine , developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca , to make it ready before the November elections .
A spokeswoman for AstraZeneca denied the company had discussed an emergency-use authorization for its potential vaccine with the U.S. government .
European share indexes strengthened , with the STOXX 600 up 0.7 % and London ’ s FTSE 100 up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MSCI world equity index , which tracks shares in 49 countries , was up 0.2 % .
MSCI ’ s main European Index was up 0.8 % .
U.S. stock index futures rose for the fourth session in a row .
“ It has been suggested that yesterday ’ s rally was as a result of optimism over a new vaccine treatment being fast- tracked by October , however the reality is that anyone with an ounce of common sense will know that this outcome is highly unlikely to happen , ” wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CMC Markets UK .
Hewson said that on Tuesday the rise could be attributed to inertia and a lack of bad news .
Expectations of continued central bank stimulus means that the default position for markets is to be rising , he said .
The director of the Oxford Vaccine Group said on Tuesday that the vaccine in development could be put before regulators this year .
The dollar index fell , down 0.2 % at 93.083 by 1208 GMT , while the euro was up 0.3 % at $ 1.1827 .
Euro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day in a row , with the benchmark ten-year German Bund yield up 6 basis points at -0.438 % .
Germany ’ s final second-quarter GDP was revised slightly upwards to a 9.7 % contraction in April , May and June , up from 10.1 % .
This represents the sharpest fall since Germany began to record quarterly GDP calculations in 1970 .
But German business morale improved more than economists had expected in August , boosting hopes for a strong recovery from the coronavirus shock in Europe ’ s largest economy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ crude oil futures up 0.7 % at $ 45.46 a barrel by 0806 GMT .
West Texas Intermediate crude < CLc1 > up 0.2 % at $ 42.71 a barrel .
Market participants are looking ahead to the U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell ’ s address at the Jackson Hole symposium – his first public appearance since the central bank ’ s policy meeting in late July .
Investors have been awaiting details on possible changes to how the Fed targets inflation .
In the current environment , that could mean the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under its previous rubric .
“ Unless you get rid of social distancing completely , then the investment narrative and paradigm has changed completely .
I think central banks are in for the long term , ” CMC ’ s Hewson said .
“ I don ’ t think [ Powell ] is going to be anything other than doveish and obviously that will be a tailwind for stocks.
” Markets seemed indifferent to news that two European patients and a Hong Kong man are confirmed to have been re-infected with coronavirus .