Brazil’s Lula calls for ‘peace group’ to broker Ukraine-Russia deal

ABU DHABI (Reuters) – Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Sunday again proposed establishing a group of countries not involved with the Russia-Ukraine war to broker peace, saying he had discussed the matter with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping earlier this week. “I think we need to sit on a table and say, ‘that’s…

Read More

China relationship will be determined by Beijing’s behaviour, EU policy chief says

By Humeyra Pamuk and Sakura Murakami KARUIZAWA, Japan (Reuters) -The relationship between China and Europe will be determined by Beijing’s behaviour, including what happens with Taiwan, the European Union’s foreign policy chief said on Sunday. The comments from EU High Representative Josep Borrell, in a remote address at the start of the meeting of the…

Read More

Japan’s Kishida vows safety of G7 meetings after ‘smoke bomb’ attack

TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, a day after escaping an apparent attack, vowed to ensure the safety of Group of Seven dignitaries visiting his country, beginning with tighter security for climate ministers gathering in Sapporo. “My security has become even heavier this morning. It’s so tight I think it is going to be…

Read More

Trump campaign reports raising $14.5 million in early 2023

By Jason Lange WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Donald Trump’s presidential campaign on Saturday reported raising $14.5 million during the first three months of this year, with contributions accelerating sharply after he announced he was about to be criminally indicted. The disclosure to the Federal Election Commission does not cover all of the former president’s political fundraising…

Read More

Texas county keeps libraries open amid fight over banned books

By Evan Garcia and Brad Brooks LLANO, Texas (Reuters) – A rural Texas county’s public libraries will remain open while a court battle continues over whether local officials can remove books deemed inappropriate, commissioners decided on Thursday. The Llano County commissioners in central Texas held a special meeting to consider closing the three public library…

Read More

Yellen says US banks may tighten lending and negate need for more rate hikes

By David Lawder WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said banks are likely to become more cautious and may tighten lending further in the wake of recent bank failures, possibly negating the need for further Federal Reserve interest rate hikes. Yellen said in a “Fareed Zakaria GPS” interview that policy actions to stem the…

Read More

Exclusive-Sri Lanka’s bondholders send debt rework proposal to government, sources say

By Jorgelina do Rosario and Rodrigo Campos WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A committee of Sri Lanka’s international private creditors sent its first debt rework proposal to the country’s authorities regarding more than $12 billion in bonds outstanding, according to three sources with direct knowledge of the matter. It is the first bondholder proposal after the island nation…

Read More

Ukraine reports unprecedentedly bloody fighting in Bakhmut

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Ukrainian and Russian armed forces are fighting extraordinarily bloody battles in the smashed eastern city of Bakhmut, but pro-Kyiv forces are still holding on, Ukraine’s military said on Saturday. Russia’s defence ministry said earlier in the day that fighters from the Wagner mercenary group had captured two more areas of Bakhmut, the main…

Read More

Ukraine’s Marchenko says G7 support crucial for ‘longer’ war with Russia

By Andrea Shalal and Jorgelina do Rosario WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A new international economic support package of $115 billion gives Ukraine more confidence that it can prevail in battling Russia’s invasion, amid growing recognition that the war could continue for longer than expected, Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko said on Saturday. Marchenko said Group of…

Read More