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Turkey quake and other major natural disasters this century

Feb 9 (Reuters) - Two massive earthquakes just hours apart on Monday devastating cities and towns across a huge swathe of southern Turkey and northwest Syria are rapidly becoming one…

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Nigeria’s plan to ditch old banknotes

By MacDonald Dzirutwe LAGOS, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Nigeria's Supreme Court on Wednesday restrained the government, through the central bank, from ending the legal tender status of old banknotes on…

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What we know and don’t know about the Chinese balloon

SHANGHAI, Feb 8 (Reuters) - The U.S. shooting down of what Washington says was a Chinese spy balloon and Beijing says was a civilian scientific vessel accidentally blown off course…

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How to get Microsoft’s new AI-enhanced Bing

(Reuters) - Microsoft Corp unveiled a juiced-up version of its Bing search engine and Edge Web browser, powered by an upgraded version of ChatGPT's underlying technology. The launch is limited…

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Why was the Turkey-Syria earthquake so powerful?

By Gloria Dickie (Reuters) - The magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on Monday is likely to be one of the deadliest this decade, seismologists said, with a…

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Major deadly earthquakes in the past two decades

Feb 6 (Reuters) - Some of the world's most deadly earthquakes in the past two decades are listed below, after a 7.8 magnitude quake struck central Turkey and northwest Syria…

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Turkey quake: international support and offers of aid

Feb 6 (Reuters) - Dozens of governments and international organisations have responded with offers of support after an earthquake of magnitude 7.8 struck central Turkey and northwest Syria. Turkish President…

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How long will it take Ukraine to join EU?

Feb 2 (Reuters) - More than a dozen top European Union officials arrive in Kyiv on Thursday, a top-level demonstration of support following new pledges of military aid as the…

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What’s in the EU Green Deal Industrial Plan?

BRUSSELS, Feb 1 (Reuters) - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen set out its Green Deal Industrial Plan on Wednesday, designed to ensure the European Union does not lose…

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Britain on strike: Which workers are walking out on Feb. 1 and Feb. 6?

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain is facing its biggest day of coordinated industrial action for decades on Feb. 1 as staff from sectors across the economy walk out in an effort…

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Italy’s Meloni belies radical image in cautious first 100 days

Meloni puts lid on fiery rhetoric as prime minister Seeks constructive ties with old foe Brussels Bides time for reforms that are needed at home By Crispian Balmer ROME, Jan 26…

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Explainer-Why is Turkey blocking Sweden and Finland NATO membership?

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -Swedish and Finnish hopes of quickly joining NATO have run into an obstacle in the form of objections by Turkey, which holds veto powers over accession to the…

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Explainer: Why has Ukraine sought Leopard 2 battle tanks?

(Reuters) - Germany has agreed to send its Leopard 2 tank to Ukraine and allowed other countries using the German-built tank to re-export them, responding to months of pleading from…

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Troubleshooter Chris Hipkins faces a tough road as New Zealand PM

By Alasdair Pal and Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Chris Hipkins, who became New Zealand's new prime minister on Wednesday, built a reputation for competence in tackling COVID-19,…

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Who are the officials swept out in Ukraine’s biggest shake-up of the war?

KYIV, (Reuters) - A slew of high-level officials resigned or were dismissed from their posts on Tuesday in Ukraine's biggest internal shake-up since it was invaded by Russia on Feb.…

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Tanks for Ukraine: who is lining up to send them to Kyiv?

Jan 25 (Reuters) - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has decided to send Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine and allow other countries such as Poland to do so while the…

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What’s at stake in Turkey’s upcoming elections

(Reuters) - President Tayyip Erdogan is aiming to extend his 20-year rule in elections that will decide not just who leads Turkey but how it is governed, where its economy…

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Factbox: How top Mafia boss Messina Denaro escaped justice for 30 years

By Alvise Armellini ROME (Reuters) - Matteo Messina Denaro, a brutal Sicilian Mafia boss who was Italy's most wanted criminal before his capture on Monday, had been on the run…

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Davos 2023: The World Economic Forum explained

By Siddharth K DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) - The World Economic Forum (WEF) returns to its snowy winter residency in the Swiss Alps this week with a record attendance of business…

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Working longer, income guarantees : what’s in France’s pension reform plan?

PARIS (Reuters) - President Macron's reform programme faces a make-or-break moment, as French unions stage a day of mass strikes and protests on Thursday against his plans to push back…

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FACTBOX: The candidates to replace New Zealand Prime Minister Ardern

By Lewis Jackson and Alasdair Pal Jan 19 (Reuters) - New Zealand's ruling Labour Party is looking for a new leader after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's shock resignation on Thursday.…

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EXPLAINER: Peru protests: What is behind the violence?

By Brendan O'Boyle (Reuters) – There have been various victims in clashes between Peruvian security forces and protesters in the Andean country's worst outbreak of violence in over 20 years,…

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Who is Russia’s new war commander Gerasimov and why was he appointed?

(Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin's defence minister has appointed Russia's most senior general, Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, 67, to lead its war in Ukraine, the most dramatic…

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Factbox: Alireza Akbari: the British-Iranian executed by Tehran

Jan 14 (Reuters) - Iran has executed British-Iranian national Alireza Akbari, the judiciary's Mizan news agency reported on Saturday, after sentencing the former Iranian deputy defence minister to death on…

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EXPLAINER: Why Malaysia is considering a ban on palm oil exports to the European Union

By Mei Mei Chu KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Malaysia, the world's second-largest palm oil producer, on Thursday said it might stop palm exports to the European Union after…

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Factbox: Why Russia is targeting the Ukrainian town of Soledar

KYIV (Reuters) - Russian and Ukrainian forces were engaged in intense fighting over the town of Soledar in eastern Ukraine - a stepping stone in Moscow's push to capture the…

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FACTBOX: How British retailers fared over cost-of-living crisis Christmas

LONDON, Jan 9 (Reuters) - British consumer spending over the Christmas period has so far held up better-than-expected, providing some relief to retailers who had feared an escalating cost-of-living crisis…

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EXPLAINER: Why are migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in record numbers?

By Mica Rosenberg Jan 8 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden is visiting the U.S.-Mexico border for the first time since he took office in January 2021 on Sunday, ahead…

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EXPLAINER: What do we know about the XBB.1.5 Omicron subvariant?

By Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber and Jennifer Rigby GENEVA (Reuters) - The Omicron subvariant, XBB.1.5, is causing concern among scientists after its rapid spread in the United States in December. Here is…

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FACTBOX: Countries mandate COVID tests for China travellers

Jan 5 (Reuters) - Authorities around the world are imposing or considering curbs on travellers from China as COVID-19 cases there surged following its relaxation of "zero-COVID" rules. China has…

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Factbox: If not McCarthy then who? Other possible candidates for U.S. House speaker

WASHINGTON, Jan 4 (Reuters) - Here are six potential candidates to become speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives if Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy fails to win the post due…

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Factbox: How does the U.S. House of Representatives decide on a speaker?

After winning a slim majority of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives in November's midterm elections, Republicans are trying to elect a speaker. WHAT IS THE SPEAKER'S IMPORTANCE? The…

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Guide to the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict on Thursday

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis will preside at a funeral Mass in St. Peter's Square on Thursday for his predecessor former Pope Benedict, who died on Saturday at the…

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FACTBOX: Countries impose COVID restrictions on Chinese travellers

Jan 2 (Reuters) - Authorities around the world are imposing or considering curbs on travellers from China as COVID-19 cases in the country surge following its relaxation of "zero-COVID" rules.…

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EXPLAINER: What is Zelenskiy’s 10-point peace plan?

(Reuters) - Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has been vigorously promoting his 10-point peace plan, discussing it with U.S. President Joe Biden among others, and urging world leaders to hold a…

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Factbox: Summary of Trump’s tax returns for 2015 through 2020

A Democratic-controlled U.S. House of Representatives committee on Friday released former President Donald Trump's tax returns from 2015 through 2020. Below are highlights from his personal tax returns. 2015 Wages$14,141Taxable…

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FACTBOX-Key facts about Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

VATICAN CITY, Dec 31 (Reuters) - Former pope Benedict, who died on Saturday, was the first pontiff in 600 years to resign from the post rather than rule for life.…

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What time does 2023 arrive around the world?

As 2022 comes to an end, celebrations will begin to erupt across the world for the New Year. Using UK GMT time, here is a brief overview of when counties…

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Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI – his papacy and retirement

VATICAN CITY, (Reuters) - Former pope Benedict, who died on Saturday 31 December, resigned in 2013, the first pontiff in 600 years to take such a step rather than rule…

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FACTBOX: Authorities around the world imposing or considering curbs on travellers from China

(Reuters) - Authorities around the world are imposing or considering curbs on travellers from China as COVID-19 cases in the country surge following its relaxation of "zero-COVID" rules. They cite…

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Why ethnic tensions are flaring again in northern Kosovo?

PRISTINA (Reuters) - Protesting Serbs in the ethnically divided city of Mitrovica in northern Kosovo erected new barricades on Tuesday, hours after Serbia said it had put its army on…

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FACTBOX: Former Pope Benedict, his papacy and resignation

VATICAN CITY, Dec 28 (Reuters) - Former pope Benedict, who Pope Francis said on Wednesday was "very sick", resigned in 2013, the first pontiff in 600 years to take such…

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EXPLAINER: What is the Patriot missile defense system?

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Ahead of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's visit to Washington on Wednesday, the Biden administration said it would provide another $1.85 billion in military aid to Ukraine, including…

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FACTBOX: “30-by-30”: Key takeaways from the COP15 biodiversity summit

By Isla Binnie and Gloria Dickie MONTREAL, Dec 19 (Reuters) - A United Nations nature summit culminated on Monday with a global deal to protect the ecosystems that prop up…

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European lawmaker Eva Kaili’s stellar rise hit by Qatar probe

ATHENS (Reuters) - Eva Kaili's career charted a meteoric rise from student activism in Greece to the highest echelons of European lawmaking but now faces an equally precipitous fall after…

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Explainer: When are attacks on civilian infrastructure war crimes?

THE HAGUE (Reuters) - Russia's attacks on Ukraine's civilian infrastructure, including energy facilities, have been described as possible war crimes by the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for…

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Japan approves biggest military buildup since WWII amid China fears

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan unveiled a new national security strategy on Friday along with details of its biggest military build-up since World War Two, in a marked shift away from…

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TIMELINE: Tunisia’s path from revolution to presidential power grab

TUNIS (Reuters) - Tunisia is holding an election for a new parliament on Saturday. Opposition parties say the legislative chamber - introduced under reforms that concentrated power in the hands…

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Timeline: December in Britain: A month of strikes

LONDON, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Britain faces disruption from widespread industrial action this month as many workers struggling with a cost of living crisis seek pay rises that better reflect…

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Factbox: The European Parliament’s cash-for-influence scandal

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Belgian authorities have charged four people linked to the European Parliament over allegations World Cup host Qatar lavished them with cash and gifts to influence decision-making. RAIDS…

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Factbox: What do Donald Trump’s setbacks mean for his 2024 campaign?

(Reuters) - Donald Trump's legal and political woes deepened this week when his real estate company was found guilty of tax fraud and a U.S. Senate candidate he backed lost…

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Factbox: Peru’s presidents and years of political turmoil

By Marco Aquino LIMA (Reuters) - Peru, the world's No.2 copper producer and for years one of Latin America's fastest growing economies, has seen a series of presidents ousted from…

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FACTBOX: UK sets out financial sector reforms

LONDON, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Britain on Friday set out plans to overhaul the financial sector including a review of rules to make bankers accountable for their decisions and easing…

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TIMELINE: Harry and Meghan: the rebel royals

LONDON, Dec 8 (Reuters) - A Netflix documentary series about Prince Harry and his wife Meghan will begin airing on Thursday, amid speculation that they will voice renewed criticism of…

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What did Prince Harry and Meghan say in Netflix series?

LONDON, Dec 8 (Reuters) - Netflix released the first three episodes in a six-part documentary series on Prince Harry and his wife Meghan on Thursday, showing how the couple met…

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FACTBOX: Germany coup plot: who was behind it and how dangerous was it?

BERLIN, Dec 8 (Reuters) - Germany is reeling in shock after prosecutors announced on Wednesday the arrests of 25 suspected members of a far-right group who they believe were preparing…

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Who is Viktor Bout, the arms dealer who was swapped for Griner?

LONDON (Reuters) - The life of Viktor Bout reads like a spy thriller. Russia wanted the jailed arms dealer back in Moscow for a long time and he has now…

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