Town Hall News

(Reuters) – Ecuador has authorized the carrying and use of guns by civilians, President Guillermo Lasso said in a televised broadcast, citing rising crime and insecurity in the Andean country. Lasso, a conservative former banker, has been fighting to tackle rising crime and violence in the streets and in prisons – where hundreds of inmates have been killed – which the government blames on drug trafficking gangs. The beleaguered president […]

DUBAI (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia and other OPEC+ oil producers on Sunday announced voluntary cuts to their production, with Riyadh saying it would cut output by 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) from May until the end of 2023, state media reported. Russia’s deputy prime minister also said Moscow would extend a voluntary cut of 500,000 bpd until the end of 2023. The United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Iraq, Oman and Algeria […]

DUBAI (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia and other OPEC+ oil producers on Sunday announced voluntary cuts to their production, with Riyadh saying it would cut output by 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) from May until the end of 2023, state media reported. Russia’s deputy prime minister also said Moscow would extend a voluntary cut of 500,000 bpd until the end of 2023. The United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Iraq, Oman and Algeria […]

DUBAI (Reuters) – The Iranian navy said it identified and warned off a U.S. reconnaissance plane near the Gulf of Oman on Sunday, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported. “After the warning, the plane was prevented from entering the country’s skies without authorization,” said the report, identifying the plane as a U.S. Navy EP-3E. While the opening line of the Tasnim report said the aircraft had crossed into Iranian airspace, […]

DUBAI (Reuters) – The Iranian navy said it identified and warned off a U.S. reconnaissance plane near the Gulf of Oman on Sunday, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported. “After the warning, the plane was prevented from entering the country’s skies without authorization,” said the report, identifying the plane as a U.S. Navy EP-3E. While the opening line of the Tasnim report said the aircraft had crossed into Iranian airspace, […]

By Nia Williams (Reuters) – As Canada’s main oil-producing province Alberta prepares for an election next month, its combative Premier Danielle Smith is facing a series of controversies and resignations that could undermine support for her ruling United Conservative Party (UCP), political analysts say. In the space of a week, a leaked recording of a phone call between Smith and a Calgary pastor facing pandemic-related charges has raised questions about […]

By Nia Williams (Reuters) – As Canada’s main oil-producing province Alberta prepares for an election next month, its combative Premier Danielle Smith is facing a series of controversies and resignations that could undermine support for her ruling United Conservative Party (UCP), political analysts say. In the space of a week, a leaked recording of a phone call between Smith and a Calgary pastor facing pandemic-related charges has raised questions about […]

By Maiya Keidan and Divya Rajagopal TORONTO (Reuters) – Canada’s move to clear Rogers Communications Inc’s C$20 billion ($15 billion) bid for Shaw Communications Inc after two years should have been a balm to markets. Instead, dealmakers are worried about potential government intervention in mergers involving other sensitive sectors. On Friday, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Francois-Philippe Champagne agreed to the transfer of spectrum licenses held by Shaw’s Freedom […]

By Maiya Keidan and Divya Rajagopal TORONTO (Reuters) – Canada’s move to clear Rogers Communications Inc’s C$20 billion ($15 billion) bid for Shaw Communications Inc after two years should have been a balm to markets. Instead, dealmakers are worried about potential government intervention in mergers involving other sensitive sectors. On Friday, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Francois-Philippe Champagne agreed to the transfer of spectrum licenses held by Shaw’s Freedom […]