US credit crunch didn’t start with SVB collapse, and may not end there

By Howard Schneider WASHINGTON (Reuters) – It wasn’t the March 10 collapse of Silicon Valley Bank that prompted Carissa Rodeheaver, head of a community bank tucked in the mountains of western Maryland, to rethink strategy. That process started last year when Federal Reserve interest rate hikes and a less certain economic environment caused Rodeheaver, the…

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Mexico president says to present constitutional reform for election of judges, magistrates

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Wednesday he would present a constitutional reform to have judges and magistrates elected by the people. Lopez Obrador has lashed out against the judiciary in recent days after an electoral reform, which would shrink the country’s elections authority, was partially struck down by the…

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Migration through Panama’s Darien Gap spikes despite US plan

By Elida Moreno PANAMA CITY (Reuters) -The number of people arriving in the treacherous Darien Gap linking Panama with Colombia soared in April and early May, Panamanian government data shows, dealing a blow to U.S. efforts to curb undocumented migration to the north. According to figures from Panama’s Security Ministry seen by Reuters on Tuesday,…

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No quick deal in sight as EU countries start talks on new Russia sanctions

By Gabriela Baczynska BRUSSELS (Reuters) -European Union states were holding a first discussion on Wednesday on proposed new sanctions over Russia’s war in Ukraine that would target Chinese and Iranian firms and allow export curbs on third countries for busting trade restrictions. Talks among the EU envoys were set to be heated, according to one…

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World not ready yet to ‘switch off’ fossil fuels, COP28 host UAE says

By Valerie Volcovici and Leah Douglas WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United Arab Emirates said on Tuesday that countries should agree to phase out fuel emissions – not the production of oil, gas and coal – at the upcoming U.N. climate change negotiations that it will host this December. The comments reflect deep divisions between nations…

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Appetite for change grows in Kurdish heartland as Turkish elections near

By Umit Ozdal and Daren Butler DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (Reuters) – Formerly a Tayyip Erdogan supporter, broadcaster Mehmet Dalgic switched allegiance to his main challenger after the ruling AK Party failed to offer sympathy for the destruction of his TV station in southeast Turkey in February’s earthquake. The lack of support was the final straw in…

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Musk says Twitter to soon allow calls, encrypted messaging

(Reuters) – Twitter Inc Chief Executive Elon Musk on Tuesday revealed details about new features including adding calls and encrypted messaging coming to the platform. Last year, Musk flagged plans for “Twitter 2.0 The Everything App”, which he said would have features such as encrypted direct messages (DMs), longform tweets and payments. “Coming soon will…

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Exclusive-Chevron aims to boost Venezuela oil output to accelerate debt recovery -sources

By Marianna Parraga and Deisy Buitrago HOUSTON/CARACAS (Reuters) – Chevron Corp’s renewed oil operations in Venezuela begin a new phase next month that will boost production with the goal of accelerating a plan to recover all of the $3 billion of debt owed by the OPEC member by the end of 2025, four people close…

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