Political news

• Hammond eyes housing sweetener in Autumn Statement

  22-11-2016 23:53
  Chancellor’s room to help Britain’s ‘Jams’ constrained by £100bn rise in borrowing
  
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• Landlords to be stung on letting fees

  22-11-2016 23:52
  Chancellor will ban levy agents can charge tenants
  
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• Dortmund claim Champions League record 8-4 win

  22-11-2016 23:27
  DORTMUND, Germany (Reuters) - Already-qualified Borussia Dortmund crushed Legia Warsaw 8-4 on Tuesday to set a record for the most goals scored in a Champions League match, helped by a Marco Reus hat-trick. Rampant Dortmund netted five times in 15 first-half minutes with Shinji Kagawa grabbing two goals while Reus, back for the first time after six months out injured, completed the scoring in stoppage time. ...
  
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• Hammond aims to ease UK living standards squeeze, focus on budget

  22-11-2016 23:22
  Britain's Chancellor will say on Wednesday that he is raising the minimum wage and taking the edge off a benefits squeeze for low-paid workers, but that fixing the public finances will be a bigger priority as the country gets ready for Brexit. Philip Hammond's first detailed economic policy announcement of the new government at 1230 GMT will focus on tackling a still large budget deficit and injecting more dynamism into the world's fifth-biggest economy, his office said in a statement. When he b
  
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• In shift, Trump says humans may be causing global warming

  22-11-2016 23:16
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump appears to be softening his tone on whether climate change is real and on his stated plans to scrap the recent multinational agreement to limit carbon emissions.
  
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• Thanks for the new givers

  22-11-2016 23:15
  The instinct to give to others in need has an eternal quality to it, but the form can easily change. The #GivingTuesday campaign, for example, which encourages people to donate after they shop on Black Friday or Cyber Monday, raised $116 million last year for thousands of causes – and that’s just four years after the campaign started. Another phenomenon are “giving circles,” or small groups of individuals coming together to pool small sums and then collectively deciding w
  
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• Autumn statement: Hammond to crack down on letting fees

  22-11-2016 23:15 via theguardian.com
  
  Chancellor will also announce £1.4bn investment in affordable housing in bid to help ‘just about managing’ familiesMillions of families who are being charged hundreds of pounds by agencies to cover the supposed administrative costs of renting will be offered relief when Philip Hammond promises to ban letting fees. Related: Chancellor aims to catch the eye with help for 'just about managing'Continue reading...
  
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• Hammond to announce rise in minimum wage

  22-11-2016 23:14
  Britain's Chancellor, Philip Hammond, will on Wednesday announce an increase in the minimum wage from April for workers aged 25 and over to 7.50 pounds ($9.31) an hour from the current 7.20 pounds, the Treasury said. Hammond is due to make the first detailed economic policy announcement of the new government, the Autumn Statement, to parliament at 1230 GMT. Hammond's predecessor as chancellor of the exchequer, George Osborne introduced the higher rate for over 25s last year, and said it was expe
  
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• Monaco qualify and put Spurs out with 2-1 win

  22-11-2016 23:12
  (Reuters) - Monaco cruised into the last 16 of the Champions League at the expense of Tottenham Hotspur as goals by Djibril Sidibe and Thomas Lemar earned them a 2-1 victory in Group E on Tuesday. All the goals came in a breathless spell just after halftime as Sidibe headed home in the 48th minute only for Harry Kane to equalise from the penalty spot four minutes later. Lemar put Monaco back in front a minute later with an angled shot and but for some tremendous saves by Tottenham's France goalk
  
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• Leicester reach last 16 to continue fairytale year

  22-11-2016 23:10
  Leicester City added another tale of remarkable success to an incredible year by reaching the last 16 of the Champions League in their debut season with a 2-1 victory over Club Bruges on Tuesday. A volley from Shinji Okazaki and a Riyad Mahrez penalty put Leicester two goals ahead in the first half and they managed to see off a revival from the visitors who pulled one back with a fine individual effort after the break from Jose Izquierdo. The result moved the Premier League champions to 13 point
  
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• China arrests three Australian Crown Resorts employees

  22-11-2016 23:10
  Three Australian employees of casino operator Crown Resorts Ltd detained in China since mid-October have been formally arrested on suspicion of gambling offences, Australia's foreign minister said on Tuesday. The detention of the Australian nationals, who include Crown's head of international VIP gambling, Jason O'Connor, held along with 14 other Crown employees, has sparked concern about a wider crackdown on gambling in China. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said in a brief statement emailed to R
  
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• Canada seeks to buy Boeing jets as interim defense measure

  22-11-2016 23:09
  By David Ljunggren and Leah Schnurr OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada on Thursday unveiled plans to buy 18 Boeing Corp Super Hornets as a stop-gap measure while it prepared an open five-year competition to replace its aging fleet of fighter jets. Procurement Minister Judy Foote told a news conference the government would launch immediate talks with Boeing for the Super Hornets, in a victory for the U.S. plane maker if the order goes ahead. One defense contractor said the choice could be interpreted as g
  
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• Late Benzema header gives Real 2-1 win at 10-man Sporting

  22-11-2016 23:06
  Champions League holders Real Madrid secured a last-16 berth for the 20th successive season after an 87th-minute header by substitute Karim Benzema gave them a laboured 2-1 win at 10-man Sporting Lisbon in their Group F clash on Tuesday. The result left Real second in the group on 11 points from five games, two behind Borussia Dortmund who beat Legia Warsaw 8-4 at home in an extraordinary match. Dortmund need a draw at the Bernabeu on Dec 7 to win the section.
  
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• I am no 'medieval reactionary', says France's Fillon

  22-11-2016 23:06
  By Ingrid Melander PARIS (Reuters) - France's frontrunner for the conservative ticket in next spring's presidential election hit back on Tuesday after a personal attack from his rival, heralding a hard-fought final week of campaigning before the primary run-off this weekend. Francois Fillon, who unexpectedly won the last vote by a wide margin against the then-favourite, Alain Juppe, were both known until now as mild-mannered former prime ministers. On Monday, Juppe started the war of words by br
  
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• Pentagon says al-Qaida figure killed in Syria airstrike

  22-11-2016 23:02
  WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. military airstrike in Syria killed an al-Qaida leader with ties to militant movements across the Middle East, the Pentagon said Tuesday.
  
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• China's Xi seeks more cooperation with Pacific Alliance bloc

  22-11-2016 23:00
  SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday that China is willing to strengthen its dialogue and cooperation with Latin America's Pacific Alliance trade bloc, composed of Colombia, Mexico, Chile and Peru. Speaking alongside Chile's President Michelle Bachelet in the Moneda Presidential Palace, Xi said both countries needed to push for an "Asia-Pacific free trade area." (Reporting by Anthony Esposito, editing by G Crosse)
  
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• Trump keeping 'open mind' on pulling out of climate accord

  22-11-2016 22:58
  By Roberta Rampton NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said on Tuesday he was keeping an open mind on whether to pull out of a landmark international accord to fight climate change, in a softening of his stance toward global warming. Trump told the New York Times in an interview that he thinks there is "some connectivity" between human activity and global warming, despite previously describing climate change as a hoax. A source on Trump's transition team told Reuters earlier t
  
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• Australia officials to visit teenager detained for drug possession in Bali

  22-11-2016 22:54
  SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australian consular officials will on Wednesday visit a teenager detained in Bali on suspicion of drug possession, Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said. The 18-year-old was detained on Monday after apparently being found holding a small quantity of white powder. "We are doing what we can," Bishop told media in Canberra. "At this stage, our focus is on assisting him and his family as they navigate through the Indonesian judicial system. ...
  
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• Farage ’flattered’ by Trump’s call for him to be US ambassador – video

  22-11-2016 22:53 via theguardian.com
  
  Nigel Farage says he is ‘very flattered’ by Donald Trump’s tweet which said he would do a ‘great job’ as Britain’s ambassador to the US. Speaking in Strasbourg on Tuesday, the interim Ukip leader says he just wants to be helpful. But Downing Street have said there is no vacancy for the jobNigel Farage would be great UK ambassador to US, says Donald TrumpContinue reading...
  
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• Juve qualify after stormy 3-1 win at ten-man Sevilla

  22-11-2016 22:52
  SEVILLE (Reuters) - Juventus qualified for the Champions League knockout stage after Leonardo Bonucci and Mario Mandzukic scored late goals to give them a stormy 3-1 win at Sevilla, who played the entire second half with 10 men on Tuesday. Nicolas Pareja gave the hosts a ninth-minute lead but they had Franco Vazquez sent off in the 36th minute for two bookings and Claudio Marchisio equalised in first-half stoppage time with a controversial penalty. Sevilla coach Jorge Sampaoli was also dismissed
  
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• Top US civilian honor goes to 21 artists, athletes, others

  22-11-2016 22:44
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Saying they had touched him in a powerful and personal way, President Barack Obama awarded the nation's highest civilian honor to 21 groundbreaking actors, musicians, athletes and others during a ceremony Tuesday at the White House.
  
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• U.S. shares end at record highs for second day, oil steadies

  22-11-2016 22:32
  By Sam Forgione NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wall Street's three main stock indexes ended at record highs for a second straight day on Tuesday, while European shares also rose on expectations that markets would benefit from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's policies. Moderate gains led the Dow to close above the 19,000 mark and the S&P 500 to end above 2,200 for the first time ever, while the Nasdaq and small-cap Russell 2000 also hit record closing highs for the second day. U.S. shares have ralli
  
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• French MP For Britain Warns Marine Le Pen Is More Dangerous Than Trump - And Could Win

  22-11-2016 22:29
  
  Marine Le Pen is more dangerous than Donald Trump and could win next year’s French Presidential election, a politician from the country has said. 
  Christophe Premat, the MP who represents over one hundred thousand French citizens living in Northern Europe, warned there was a “dark cloud” descending on the continent.
  He also voiced hopes the Government lose their impending Supreme Court battle not to give MPs a vote on triggering Article 50.
  Speaking to The Huffington
  
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• The Latest: Former DC schools chief not seeking a Trump post

  22-11-2016 22:21
  
  The Latest on Donald Trump's transition to the presidency (all times local): 4:15 p.m. Former Washington, D.C., schools chief Michelle Rhee says she's not seeking a job in President-elect Donald Trump's ...
  
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• Factbox: Summary of Trump's comments in New York Times interview

  22-11-2016 22:21
  (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump spoke on a wide range of issues with New York Times editors and reporters on Tuesday. * CLINTON INVESTIGATION Trump said prosecuting Democratic rival Hillary Clinton for her handing of classified information while secretary of state or the dealings of the Clinton Foundation was "not something that I feel very strongly about." "I don’t want to hurt the Clintons, I really don’t," Trump said. "She went through a lot and suffered greatly in m
  
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• Dubai drops case against UK woman charged over her own rape - advocates

  22-11-2016 22:20
  By Sebastien Malo NEW YORK (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Charges against a British woman arrested in Dubai after reporting her own rape have been dropped, rights advocates said on Tuesday, bringing to a close a case that raised questions about the Gulf State's judicial system. Britain-based legal advocacy group Detained in Dubai said that prosecutors had dropped charges against the 25-year-old woman for having extramarital sex that could have led to her imprisonment and flogging. The woman's fa
  
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• Hammond to raise UK borrowing target by 10 billion pounds, funded by T-bills - Poll

  22-11-2016 22:13
  By Andy Bruce LONDON (Reuters) - Chancellor of the exchequer Philip Hammond will need to borrow 10 billion pounds more this financial year than the government previously planned, funded mostly by short-term treasury bills rather than gilts, according to a Reuters poll. The independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) looks set to paint a much worse picture for economic growth between now and the end of the decade as Britain leaves the European Union, with the outlook for public finances su
  
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• Volkswagen reboots Americas strategy, drops diesel in U.S.

  22-11-2016 22:06
  By Andreas Cremer WOLFSBURG, Germany (Reuters) - Volkswagen said on Tuesday it would drop diesel vehicles in the United States and refocus on sport utility and electric vehicles, as the automaker looks to reboot strategy for its core brand in the Americas in the wake of a damaging diesel emissions cheating scandal. The move, announced by VW brand chief Herbert Diess, breaks with earlier suggestions it could return to the once-popular technology after the emissions scandal fades from memory. The
  
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• VW reboots Americas strategy, drops diesel in U.S.

  22-11-2016 22:05
  By Andreas Cremer WOLFSBURG, Germany (Reuters) - Volkswagen said on Tuesday it would drop diesel vehicles in the United States and refocus on sport utility and electric vehicles, as the automaker looks to reboot strategy for its core brand in the Americas in the wake of a damaging diesel emissions cheating scandal. The move, announced by VW brand chief Herbert Diess, breaks with earlier suggestions it could return to the once-popular technology after the emissions scandal fades from memory. The
  
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• U.S. grants second Airbus licence to sell planes to Iran

  22-11-2016 22:05
  By Yeganeh Torbati WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States said on Tuesday it had issued a second licence to France's Airbus to sell commercial planes to Iran Air, bringing Iran's flag carrier a step closer to receiving new Western jets under last year's deal to ease sanctions. The move in the waning months of Democratic President Barack Obama's administration to further unlock jetliner sales to Iran prompted complaints from Republicans in Congress and is likely to raise the ire of President-el
  
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• Dortmund, Legia set record with seven-goal first half

  22-11-2016 22:00
  DORTMUND, Germany (Reuters) - Already-qualified Borussia Dortmund scored five goals in 15 minutes against Legia Warsaw on Tuesday to lead 5-2 in the first Champions League match to see seven goals in the opening half. In a frenzied first period Dortmund came from a goal down to lead 5-2 with Shinji Kagawa scoring twice and Marco Reus, back from a six-month injury break, also on target along with Nuri Sahin and Ousmane Dembele. Legia's Aleksandar Prijovic netted twice for the Poles and also hit t
  
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• Trump's big agenda could put GOP's budget goals out of reach

  22-11-2016 21:51
  
  President-elect Donald Trump promises big tax cuts, a border wall and massive spending on infrastructure. That's a recipe for bigger deficits that fiscally minded conservative Republicans have railed against ...
  
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• Dr Pepper Snapple, Pepsi buy drinks makers in bid to diversify

  22-11-2016 21:41
  (Reuters) - Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc and PepsiCo on Tuesday both announced plans to buy alternative drinks makers, the latest examples of beverage companies branching into products perceived as healthier as soda sales decline. Dr Pepper Snapple, which makes flavoured tea, juice drinks, 7UP and Schweppes sodas, will buy antioxidant beverages maker Bai Brands LLC for $1.7 billion (1.37 billion pounds) in cash, the companies said in a joint statement. Dr Pepper Snapple, which is based in Plano,
  
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• Oil prices end near flat on uncertain outcome from OPEC meeting

  22-11-2016 21:35
  By Scott DiSavino NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil ended little changed on Tuesday in volatile trade that saw prices rise and fall by $1 a barrel depending on the latest comment from OPEC officials at a technical conference in Vienna on whether the cartel members would agree to an output cut. Officials at the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) meeting tried to hammer out the details of an agreement to cut output before a formal meeting on Nov. 30. During the session, Brent gained $
  
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• England football team 'may miss out on talent from working class' – MP

  22-11-2016 21:32 via theguardian.com
  
  Stella Creasy told a Commons debate on social mobility a disproportionate number of the England team went to private schoolEngland’s football team may be missing out on talent because a disproportionately high number of the squad went to private schools, a Labour MP has claimed.Stella Creasy, a former deputy leadership contender and ex-shadow business minister, made the argument in a House of Commons debate about education and social mobility. Continue reading...
  
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• Donald Trump 'Might Have' Discussed Wind Farms With Nigel Farage, He Tells New York Times

  22-11-2016 21:30
  
  Donald Trump “might have” raised his controversial opposition to wind farms in Scotland when he met Nigel Farage, he has told journalists from the newspaper he hates most.
  Trump apparently conceded this on Tuesday at a meeting with New York Times reporters - having previously said this meeting was cancelled because they were “not nice” to him, then announcing it was back on.
  Trump has long opposed wind energy in Scotland, fearing the farms blight the views of people play
  
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• New U.N. chief says politicians are failing 'losers of globalisation'

  22-11-2016 21:25
  By Axel Bugge LISBON (Reuters) - The incoming head of the United Nations warned on Tuesday that "losers of globalisation" in rich countries have felt ignored by establishment politicians, prompting them to turn to nationalist agendas, as in the U.S. election and Brexit referendum. Antonio Guterres, elected in October to take over as U.N. secretary general next year, told a conference in his native Lisbon that this trend had undermined the willingness to receive refugees in Europe this year. Euro
  
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• Canada to open fighter jet contest, seeks to buy Boeing in meantime

  22-11-2016 21:24
  By David Ljunggren and Leah Schnurr OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada's Liberal government said on Tuesday it would launch an open competition to replace an aging fleet of fighter jets and made clear it wanted to buy 18 Boeing Corp Super Hornets as a stop-gap measure. The decision on how to replace Canada's CF-18 jets - some of which have been flying for 35 years - is politically sensitive and has been repeatedly put off. Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan said the fighters could no longer meet Canada's int
  
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• Obama hits 1,000 mark for commutations granted

  22-11-2016 21:21
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama surpassed the 1,000 mark for commutations granted during his presidency on Tuesday after shortening sentences for 79 people.
  
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• Peru proposes talks to save TPP after Trump firms up opposition

  22-11-2016 21:09
  Peru proposed new talks to ensure the U.S.-proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership will be implemented after Donald Trump vowed to withdraw the United States from the sweeping trade deal on the first day of his administration. Trade Minister Eduardo Ferreyros, who last week urged the world not to "box in" Trump on his campaign stance toward the TPP, said the U.S. President-elect's comments on Monday had "dramatically changed the panorama." "But in my opinion it doesn't kill it.
  
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• Scotland wins battle to end voluntary work programme sanctions

  22-11-2016 21:04 via theguardian.com
  
  Holyrood can exempt Scots taking part from having benefits stopped or cut thanks to newly devolved welfare powersUnemployed Scots taking part in newly devolved, voluntary work programmes will not face sanctions, after the Scottish government won its battle with Westminster to exempt those taking part from having their benefits stopped or reduced.The Scottish government’s minister for employability and training, Jamie Hepburn, welcomed this as “a great relief to individuals who have h
  
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• Kruis in line for start against Argentina

  22-11-2016 21:03
  LONDON (Reuters) - Second row George Kruis was retained in England's 24-man squad for this weekend's international against Argentina at Twickenham where he is set to replace suspended lock Joe Launchbury. Kruis, who was a key part of England's Six Nations Grand Slam and the series whitewash in Australia, missed the victories over South Africa and Fiji because of minor ankle surgery. ...
  
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• The Latest: Trump see some human role in climate change

  22-11-2016 21:02
  
  The Latest on Donald Trump's transition to the presidency (all times local): 2:50 p.m. President-elect Donald Trump says there's "some connectivity" between humans and climate change. He tells ...
  
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• Theatre must speak to the nation – and listen to it

  22-11-2016 21:00 via theguardian.com
  
  The theatre world must connect with those who feel disaffected but it should also face some unpalatable truths about how the artform is perceived by the vast majority of peopleIt’s good to talk. Particularly in this post-truth world. Last weekend the cast of Hamilton on Broadway tried to have a conversation with vice-president elect Mike Pence, and were told they were rude and should apologise by Donald Trump. Yet Britain’s ex-culture minister Ed Vaisey has complained that the arts s
  
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• Italy to push Iran trade ties, undaunted by Trump

  22-11-2016 20:59
  Italy's industry minister pledged on Tuesday to support business deals with Iran potentially worth billions of dollars, undeterred by fears U.S. President-elect Donald Trump could put slowly thawing international relations back on ice. Iran re-joined the global trading system in January after a multilateral deal between world powers, and Italian firms eagerly started drawing up commercial agreements. Trump has raised the prospect the United States could pull out of the pact, which lifted many sa
  
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• Nigeria's lawmakers summon oil minister over deals with China and India

  22-11-2016 20:54
  By Camillus Eboh ABUJA (Reuters) - Nigeria's parliament summoned the country's oil minister on Tuesday to clarify details of oil and gas infrastructure agreements worth $80 billion (64.47billion pounds) with Chinese companies and a $15 billion deal with India. Nigeria, which relies on crude sales for around 70 percent of its national income, is in recession for the first time in 25 years largely due to low global oil prices. Oil Minister Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu was in China in June for a roadshow
  
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• 'Moonlight,' 'American Honey' lead indie film Spirit nominations

  22-11-2016 20:53
  Independent coming-of-age movies "Moonlight" and "American Honey" lead nominations on Tuesday for the Spirit Awards, the ceremony that celebrates low-budget artistic films which often also do well at the Oscars. Grief-driven family drama "Manchester by the Sea" and "Jackie," about former U.S. first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, also did well, earning nods that included best film and best actor for their respective leads, Casey Affleck and Natalie Portman. "Moonlight," which follows the life of a youn
  
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• Volkswagen CEO sees no diesel in future of U.S. business

  22-11-2016 20:51
  By Andreas Cremer and Alexandria Sage WOLFSBURG, Germany/SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Volkswagen will no longer offer diesel vehicles in the United States, its global brand chief said on Tuesday, ending speculation the company might return to the technology after its emissions scandal fades from memory. The comments by Volkswagen brand Chief Executive Herbert Diess, first reported by European business daily Handelsblatt and confirmed to Reuters by a VW spokesman, were the strongest yet to deny the
  
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• US questions Israeli probe into Palestinian teen's death

  22-11-2016 20:49
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration is questioning Israel's decision not to open a criminal investigation into the shooting death by Israeli security forces of a Palestinian-American teenager earlier this year.
  
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• Trump pressed Farage to fight wind farms, Brexit ally says

  22-11-2016 20:49
  President-elect’s intervention raises doubts over separation of politics and business
  
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