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Macron to Lebanese leaders: reform swiftly or face consequences

BEIRUT/PARIS (Reuters) – French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday gave Lebanese politicians until the end of October to start delivering on reforms, saying financial aid would be withheld and sanctions imposed further down the line if corruption gets in the... More »

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Macron marks Lebanon’s centenary as nation teeters on brink

BEIRUT (Reuters) – French President Emmanuel Macron marked Lebanon’s centenary on Tuesday by planting a cedar tree, the emblem of the Middle East country that is collapsing under the weight of a crippling economic crisis. In his second trip to Lebanon in less ... More »

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Turkey detains senior Islamic State figure, minister says

ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkish police have arrested the Islamic State militant group’s top figure in Turkey, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said on Tuesday. Soylu said on Twitter “important plans” had been seized along with the militant. No further details wer... More »

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Oil prices rise 1% as mood on dollar sours

MELBOURNE/SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Oil prices gained on Tuesday, reversing overnight losses, as investors moved into risk assets and stayed away from the safe-haven U.S. dollar which hit multi-year lows. Brent crude LCOc1 futures climbed 47 cents, or 1%, to $45.7... More »

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Algeria approves more measures to ease coronavirus lockdown

ALGIERS (Reuters) – Algerian authorities said on Monday they will carry out further measures to ease a coronavirus lockdown from Sept. 1, including lifting a ban on some cultural activities such as reopening museums and libraries. Nurseries would also be reope... More »

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Take Five: Impasse!

1/WALL STREET WATCHES WASHINGTON U.S. lawmakers negotiating a fresh dose of stimulus have reached an impasse. Trillions of dollars injected by the Federal Reserve and huge government spending increases have stemmed coronavirus-linked economic damage, fuelling ... More »

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El Al Israel Airlines chairman steps down for medical reasons

JERUSALEM (Reuters) – The chairman of El Al Israel Airlines (ELAL.TA), Eli Defes, is stepping down immediately because of an undisclosed medical condition, he said on Sunday. Defes joined El Al’s board in 2015 and became chairman in 2017. It was not immediatel... More »

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Pelosi considering recalling Congress over Post Office woes

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi may recall lawmakers from a summer recess to address changes at the Postal Service that have prompted anger among Democrats and alarm about possible impact on the 2020 election. A Democratic congressional ... More »

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Beirut residents mourn destruction amid transformed cityscape

BEIRUT (Reuters) – Curtains flutter through broken windows, piles of debris block the streets and top-floor apartments with their roofs blown off are exposed to the sky. As the residents of Beirut try to pick up their lives after an explosion that shook the co... More »

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Oil climbs on positive China data, rising demand

LONDON (Reuters) – Oil rose on Monday, supported by an improvement in Chinese factory data and rising energy demand as countries eased coronavirus-related lockdowns, but traders remained cautious due to U.S.-China tensions and uncertainty over a U.S. stimulus ... More »

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Iran says Beirut blast should not be politicised

DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran said on Monday that countries should refrain from politicising the massive blast in Beirut last week, and that the United States should lift sanctions against Lebanon. “The blast should not be used as an excuse for political aims … the c... More »

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Saudi Aramco’s profit plunges, sees signs of oil market recovery

DUBAI (Reuters) – State oil giant Saudi Aramco’s profit plunged 73% in the second quarter of the year, as a slump in energy demand and prices due to the coronavirus crisis hit sales at the world’s biggest oil exporter. But the company stuck with plans to pay $... More »

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Saudi information security firm Elm to acquire Tabadul

DUBAI (Reuters) – Saudi information security company Elm is to acquire digital services company Tabadul from Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, Elm said in a statement on Sunday. The Public Investment Fund (PIF) also owns Elm and was considering an initial ... More »

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Special Report: COVID opens new doors for China’s gene giant

SYDNEY (Reuters) – As countries scramble to test for the novel coronavirus, a Chinese company has become a go-to name around the world. BGI Group, described in one 2015 study as “Goliath” in the fast-growing field of genomics research, is using an opening crea... More »

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Abu Dhabi’s Tawazun to build satellite centre with Airbus

DUBAI (Reuters) – Abu Dhabi state defence and security entity Tawazun is to build a satellite assembly, integration and testing centre with Airbus in the United Arab Emirates’ oasis city of Al Ain, state news agency WAM reported on Wednesday. The centre also i... More »

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Oil steady as virus fears counter positive factory data

LONDON (Reuters) – Oil prices steadied on Monday, pressured by rising COVID-19 cases around the globe and by oversupply worries as OPEC and its allies are set to wind back output cuts in August, but supported by positive industry data in Europe and Asia. Brent... More »

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There may never be a ‘silver bullet’ for COVID-19, WHO warns

GENEVA (Reuters) – The World Health Organization warned on Monday that, despite strong hopes for a vaccine, there might never be a “silver bullet” for COVID-19, and the road to normality would be long. More than 18.14 million people around the world are report... More »

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Athletics: Doha Diamond League meeting brought forward

(Reuters) – This year’s Diamond League athletics meeting in Doha, initially scheduled for Oct. 9, has been brought forward by a fortnight and will take place on Sept. 25, organisers announced on Monday. The event in Doha, which serves as the traditional season... More »

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Russia is raising oil output as OPEC+ cuts ease: source

MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian oil and gas condensate output increased to 9.8 million barrels per day (bpd) on Aug. 1-2 from 9.37 million bpd in July as the country eases production curbs under an OPEC+ deal, a source familiar with data said on Monday. The Energy ... More »

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Exchange of fire across Israel-Lebanon border, Israeli media reports

JERUSALEM (Reuters) – The Israeli military said a there has been a “security incident” on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon on Monday and ordered residents in the area to remain indoors. Israel’s N12 TV News reported an exchange of fire between Israeli for... More »

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Oil up on weak dollar though U.S.-China tensions, virus weigh

SINGAPORE/LONDON (Reuters) – Oil prices edged higher on Monday helped by a weak dollar and expected U.S. stimulus measures but gains were capped by rising global coronavirus cases and tensions between the United States and China. Brent crude LCOc1 rose 32 cent... More »

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Iran government spokesman tests positive for coronavirus

(Reuters) – Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei has been hospitalized with COVID-19, the Mehr news agency reported on Monday, the latest among several officials to have been infected with the new coronavirus. Iran has the Middle East’s highest number of re... More »

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Economic pitfalls risk cooling Egypt’s hot money inflows

CAIRO/LONDON/DUBAI (Reuters) – The threat of conflict in Libya, water security worries and a flatlining tourist sector risk upending a nascent rally in Egyptian bonds, bankers and economists say. The North African country has attracted a wave of foreign invest... More »

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Oil falls as virus infections rise, eyes on EU recovery plan

LONDON (Reuters) – Oil prices fell on Monday as coronavirus cases increased in many countries across the globe, but investors remained cautiously optimistic about ongoing talks over a European Union-wide recovery fund to revive economies affected by the pandem... More »

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Work begins on black boxes from Ukrainian jet downed by Iran

PARIS (Reuters) – Investigators have begun work on the flight recorders from the Ukrainian jet accidentally shot down by Iran in January, France’s BEA accident investigation bureau said on Monday. Iranian forces say they downed the Ukraine International Airlin... More »

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United Arab Emirates launches mission to Mars

DUBAI (Reuters) – The United Arab Emirates launched its first mission to Mars on Monday as it strives to develop its scientific and technological capabilities and reduce its reliance on oil. The Hope Probe blasted off from Japan’s Tanegashima Space Center at 1... More »

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Saudi King Salman, 84, admitted to hospital

RIYADH (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia’s 84-year-old ruler, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, has been admitted to hospital in the capital Riyadh, suffering from inflammation of the gall bladder, state news agency SPA said on Monday. The king, who has ruled the world’s larg... More »

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G20 finance officials eye solution to digital tax row this year

WASHINGTON/BERLIN (Reuters) – Finance officials from the Group of 20 major economies on Saturday vowed to resolve major differences over taxing big tech companies and reach a broad, consensus-based solution on international taxation this year. The United State... More »

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UAE aims to launch Mars mission on July 20: Dubai Media Office

DUBAI (Reuters) – The United Arab Emirates said on Friday it would launch its mission to Mars on July 20, depending on weather conditions at the launch site in Japan, Dubai’s media office said on Twitter. The launch of the UAE’s Hope Probe from Japan’s Tanegas... More »

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UAE reschedules Mars mission launch to between July 20 and July 22

DUBAI (Reuters) – The United Arab Emirates has rescheduled the launch of its mission to Mars to a preliminary window between July 20 and July 22, depending on weather conditions at the launch site in Japan, the government’s communications office said on Thursd... More »

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UAE postpones Mars mission again due to weather at Japan launch site

DUBAI (Reuters) – The United Arab Emirates has postponed the launch of its mission to Mars for a second time due to weather conditions at the launch site in Japan, the government’s communications office said on Wednesday. A new launch date in July will be anno... More »

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Oil dips on surge in COVID-19 infections

LONDON (Reuters) – Oil prices fell on Monday on a record daily rise in global coronavirus cases, with big spikes in infections over the weekend in the United States, while traders await an OPEC meeting expected to recommend an easing of supply cuts. Brent crud... More »

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UK decision on Huawei not set in stone, British minister says

LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’s decision to allow China’s Huawei to play a limited role in building its 5G network is not “fixed in stone” and is being reviewed following the imposition of U.S. sanctions, culture minister Oliver Dowden said on Monday. Britain gra... More »

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Oil prices drop on prospect of returning Libyan supplies

LONDON (Reuters) – Oil prices slipped on Tuesday amid rising COVID-19 cases and a possible return of Libyan oil production, which has been down to a trickle since the start of the year. The more-active September contract for Brent LCOc2 fell 37 cents, or 0.88%... More »

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Coming soon to a 3D printer near you: Plant-based steaks

TEL AVIV/ZURICH (Reuters) – Israeli start-up Redefine Meat plans to launch 3D printers to produce plant-based steaks mimicking real beef next year in a bid for a slice of the fast-growing alternative meat market. Meat substitutes are increasingly popular with ... More »

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Rainy day hastens sovereign wealth funds’ refocus to home

LONDON (Reuters) – Famed for snapping up glitzy real estate and stakes in troubled international banks during the global financial crisis, sovereign wealth funds are investing more at home, a trend set to accelerate in the wake of the economic carnage wrought ... More »

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Fund giant BlackRock ‘warming up’ to European assets

LONDON (Reuters) – BlackRock’s Investment Institute said on Tuesday it was “warming up” to European assets following what it called the eurozone’s “impressive” efforts to tackle the coronavirus. The research arm of the world’s biggest fund manager said two fac... More »

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Palestinian painter channels her fears of Israeli annexation

JORDAN VALLEY, West Bank (Reuters) – Amid the barren hills of the Jordan Valley, Palestinian artist Khadeeja Bisharat paints scenes of bulldozers and demolitions, a reflection of fears of what may happen to her isolated Bedouin community if Israel annexes land... More »

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Oil steadies amid increase in coronavirus cases

LONDON (Reuters) – Oil prices were steady on Monday, supported by tighter supplies from major producers but held in check by concerns over a record rise in global coronavirus infections that could stall a recovery in fuel demand. Brent crude LCOc1 rose 5 cents... More »

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UK says Reading knife attacker was acting alone

READING, England (Reuters) – The man who went on a stabbing spree in the British town of Reading was acting alone, interior minister Priti Patel said on Monday. “This is a tragic, tragic event,” Patel said. She did not comment on whether the arrested man was L... More »

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Sudan finds mass grave of conscripts killed during Bashir’s rule

KHARTOUM (Reuters) – Sudan’s public prosecutor on Monday announced the discovery of a mass grave east of Khartoum suspected to contain the remains of students killed in 1998 as they tried escaping military service at a training camp. An investigation had been ... More »

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U.S. crude drops as coronavirus cases spike globally

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Oil prices fell on Monday as new coronavirus infections hit the United States and China, feeding worries that renewed lockdowns could hamper economic recovery and dent fuel demand. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude fell 35 cents, or 1%, t... More »

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What do new U.S. sanctions mean for Syria?

AMMAN (Reuters) – The toughest U.S. sanctions yet on Syria take effect this week, increasing the pressure on President Bashar al-Assad as he grapples with a deepening economic crisis after a decade of war. Washington says sanctions will help hold Assad and his... More »

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Animal baby boom at Palestinian zoo after people disappear

QALQILYA, West Bank (Reuters) – Peacocks, ostriches and baboons joined in an animal baby boom at a Palestinian zoo during the coronavirus closure as they let nature take its course free from human distractions. Fifteen animals were born at the tiny Qalqilya Zo... More »

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Oil down on stronger dollar, oversupply concerns

LONDON (Reuters) – Oil prices fell on Tuesday weighed down by a stronger dollar and oversupply concerns after it was announced that a trio of Gulf producers would end voluntary output cuts. Brent crude was down 85 cents, or 2.1% to $39.95 a barrel by 0912 GMT.... More »

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Art van adds a splash of colour to drab Gaza life

GAZA (Reuters) – Every day Ammar Abu Shamalla adds a little colour to drab routine life in Gaza, loading up his camper van with pictures he displays and sells in the Palestinian territory’s streets and markets. He and wife Arwa, both jobless college graduates,... More »

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Hides that reveal: DNA helps scholars divine Dead Sea Scrolls

JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Genetic sampling of the Dead Sea Scrolls has tested understandings that the 2,000-year-old artefacts were the work of a fringe Jewish sect, and shed light on the drafting of scripture around the time of Christianity’s birth. The research ... More »

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Abu Dhabi’s Etihad cuts hundreds of jobs: sources

DUBAI (Reuters) – Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways has laid off hundreds of employees this month, including cabin crew, after the coronavirus pandemic forced it to ground flights, according to industry and company sources. The state-owned airline, which had 20,530 e... More »

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Oil gains for fourth day on signs of output cuts, better demand

TOKYO (Reuters) – Oil prices rose for a fourth straight session on Tuesday amid signs that producers are cutting output as promised just as demand picks up, stoked by more countries easing out of curbs imposed to counter the coronavirus pandemic. Brent crude c... More »

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Oil prices climb as Saudi Arabia commits to deeper production cuts

MELBOURNE/SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Oil futures rose on Tuesday, boosted by an unexpected commitment from Saudi Arabia to deepen production cuts in June in a bid to help drain the glut in the global market that has built up as the coronavirus pandemic crushed fuel... More »

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Netanyahu fate at stake as coalition deal challenged in top court

JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel’s top court on Monday heard challenges to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bid to secure a governing coalition, with opposition figures arguing a deal on a new unity administration would unlawfully shield him in a corruption tri... More »

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Masked and standing apart, the world creeps out of lockdown

ROME/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Italy and the United States were among a slew of countries easing lockdown restrictions on Monday to resurrect economies, but officials cautioned against moving too swiftly as global deaths from the coronavirus neared a quarter of a... More »

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Uber’s Middle East business Careem cuts 31% of workforce

DUBAI (Reuters) – Uber Technologies’ Careem subsidiary said on Monday it was cutting 536 jobs this week, representing 31% of the Dubai-headquartered company’s workforce. The announcement came hours after Uber said it was shuttering its Eats delivery business i... More »

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U.S. steers clear as global COVID-19 pledging conference begins

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – World leaders launched a pledging “marathon” on Monday – without the United States – to raise at least $8 billion for research into a possible vaccine and treatments for the coronavirus. Organisers included the European Union, non-EU state... More »

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Japan’s MUFG expects deep recession across GCC countries

DUBAI (Reuters) – Japan’s Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc (MUFG) (8306.T) expects countries in the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to be in deep recession this year with overall real GDP contracting 3.7% from a previous growth forecast of 2.9%. Th... More »

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Saudi-led coalition in Yemen calls for end to escalation in south

RIYADH (Reuters) – The Saudi-led coalition engaged in Yemen on Monday urged a leading separatist group that declared self-rule in the south to rescind its move, saying it was an “escalatory action” at a time all parties should focus on confronting the novel co... More »

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NMC Health to delist from London Stock Exchange

(Reuters) – Troubled hospital operator NMC Health (NMC.L) on Monday said it requested London Stock Exchange to delist its shares after they remained suspended for two months. The UAE-based company was placed into administration earlier this month, on the appli... More »

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UAE against unilateral changes to situation in Yemen: official

DUBAI (Reuters) – The United Arab Emirates stands against a decision by a main Yemeni southern separatist group to declare self-rule in areas it controls, and urges full implementation of a peace deal agreed last year for the south, minister of state for forei... More »

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Oil prices skid on oversupply, storage capacity fears

SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Oil prices fell on Monday on signs that worldwide oil storage is filling rapidly, raising concerns that production cuts will not come fast enough to fully offset the collapse in demand from the coronavirus pandemic. U.S. oil futures led l... More »

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Latest on the spread of the coronavirus around the world

(Reuters) – More than 2.97 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 205,948 have died, according to a Reuters tally, as of 0200 GMT on Monday. DEATHS AND INFECTIONS * For an interactive graphic tracking the global ... More »

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Apple expands services business to markets in Africa and beyond

(Reuters) – Apple Inc (AAPL.O) on Tuesday said it would expand its App Store, Apple Music and other services to dozens of new markets in Africa, the Middle East and beyond in the biggest geographical expansion of its services in almost a decade. Apple said it ... More »

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Analyst View: After U.S. oil futures crash, what next?

(Reuters) – A historic rout in oil markets sent U.S. crude prices plummeting to as much as minus $40 a barrel as traders rushed to get rid of unwanted stocks with storage capacity already overflowing amid a coronavirus-induced demand collapse. U.S. West Texas ... More »