Exclusive-Chinese firm imported copper from Russian-controlled part of Ukraine – data

By Filipp Lebedev and Gleb Stolyarov (Reuters) -A Chinese company bought at least $7.4 million worth of copper alloy ingots from a plant in a Russian-annexed region of Ukraine that is subject to Western sanctions, according to Russian customs data reviewed by Reuters. China has not imposed any restrictions on trade with Russia, but the…

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EU parliament graft suspect Kaili released to house arrest

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Eva Kaili, the former European Parliament vice president accused of accepting bribes in one of the biggest scandals to hit European Union institutions, was released from custody to house arrest on Friday. The 44-year-old Greek Socialist was driven in a black Mercedes with her lawyer from Haren prison in northern Brussels to…

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Taiwan president pledges to strengthen military as Chinese drills ebb

By Ben Blanchard TAIPEI (Reuters) -Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on Friday thanked fighter pilots who scrambled against China’s air force during its drills around the island and pledged to keep strengthening the armed forces, as Beijing’s military activity in the vicinity ebbed. China began its exercises, including simulated precision strikes with bombers and missile forces,…

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LVMH to buy French jewellery producer Platinum Invest to ramp up Tiffany production

PARIS (Reuters) – LVMH, the world’s largest luxury goods group, has agreed to buy a majority stake in Platinum Invest Group, the owner of French jewellery producers Orest and Abysse, with an eye to bulking up production for its U.S. jeweller Tiffany. With the purchase of the company, which runs five workshops in eastern France…

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