Countries repatriating gold in wake of sanctions against Russia – study

By Marc Jones LONDON (Reuters) – An increasing number of countries are repatriating gold reserves as protection against the sort of sanctions imposed by the West on Russia, according to an Invesco survey of central bank and sovereign wealth funds published on Monday. The financial market rout last year caused widespread losses for sovereign money…

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The 21 new cardinals named by Pope Francis on Sunday

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Francis announced on Sunday that he would induct 21 churchmen to the high rank of cardinal in September. The following are set to become cardinals: Cardinal Electors under 80 1 – Archbishop Robert Prevost, American, Vatican official, head of the Dicastery for Bishops 2 – Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti, Italian, Vatican…

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22 killed in air strike on Sudan’s Omdurman – health ministry

CAIRO (Reuters) – At least 22 people were killed and scores injured in an air strike by Sudan’s army on western Omdurman, the Khartoum state health ministry said on Saturday, as the war between the country’s military factions entered its 12th week. While the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) quickly dominated the capital Khartoum and…

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Central bankers lay out digital currency cyber threat

By Marc Jones LONDON (Reuters) – The central bankers’ central bank, the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), has laid out a seven-point plan designed to help countries prevent cyber hacks on the new wave of digital national currencies under development. Around 130 countries are now exploring central bank digital currencies (CBDC) to keep up with…

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Syria brought Wagner Group fighters to heel as mutiny unfolded in Russia

By Suleiman Al-Khalidi, Maya Gebeily BEIRUT (Reuters) -As Wagner mercenaries advanced on Moscow in an attempted mutiny in late June, authorities in Syria and Russian military commanders there took a series of swift measures against local Wagner operatives to prevent the uprising spreading, according to six sources familiar with the matter. The previously unreported crackdown…

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Zimbabwe police block opposition campaign launch

HARARE (Reuters) – Zimbabwean police have blocked the launch of the main opposition party’s election campaign set for Sunday in the latest clampdown on the president’s main rival ahead of presidential and parliamentary polls in August, citing problems with the venue.  Nelson Chamisa, leader of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), has faced several hurdles on…

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Analysis-Peru copper miners say red tape snarling red metal production ramp-up

By Marco Aquino LIMA (Reuters) – Copper miners in Peru, already battling political uncertainty and regular protests, say they have another hurdle to revving up stalled production of the red metal: too much red tape. The South American country, the world’s No. 2 copper producer, has seen output plateau in the last five years as…

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