China's top planning agency vows to streamline investment approvals

BEIJING, Sept 1 (Reuters) - China's top planning agency said

on Thursday it would continue to cut red tape, including

steamlining approvals on investment projects, in the latest bid

to bolster the economy.

Read more

Australia's inflation goes down as high-rise apartments go up

SYDNEY, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Australia has successfully used

historically low borrowing costs to spark a boom in home

building that has helped shepherd the economy through the dog

days of a global mining downturn.

Read more

White nationalists use Twitter with 'relative impunity' - report

WASHINGTON, Sept 1 (Reuters) - White nationalists and

self-identified Nazi sympathizers located mostly in the United

States use Twitter with "relative impunity" and often have far

more followers than militant Islamists, a study being released

on Thursday found.

Read more

LG Electronics says cancelling orders with Hanjin Shipping

SEOUL, Sept 1 (Reuters) - South Korea's LG Electronics Inc

said on Thursday it is cancelling orders with Hanjin

Shipping Co Ltd and seeking alternatives after the

troubled container shipper filed for court receivership.

Read more

Wal-Mart plans early layaways to catch 'Star Wars' boost

CHICAGO, Sept 1 (Reuters) - For the second year in a row,

Wal-Mart Stores Inc will begin its holiday layaway

program two weeks early, hoping for a head start to the year-end

shopping season and a repeat of last year's strong toy sales

driven by "Star Wars" products.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Australia sues Volkswagen over alleged emissions fraud

SYDNEY, Sept 1 (Reuters) - The Australian consumer watchdog

on Thursday said it sued the Australian arm of world No. 2

carmaker Volkswagen AG for intentionally selling

more than 57,000 vehicles with software which lied about levels

of toxic emissions.

Read more

Gender and emotion examined in artificial intelligence tale 'Morgan'

LOS ANGELES, Aug 31 (Reuters) - The struggle to replicate

human emotion in artificial intelligence is often explored in

movies, but what happens when an artificial being is too

emotional?

Read more

InterContinental unit Kimpton Hotels hit by payment card data breach

Aug 31 (Reuters) - InterContinental Hotels Group Plc-owned

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants said an investigation had

found a malware attack on servers that processed payment cards

used at some of its hotels.

Read more

UPDATE 3-Tesla plans to raise funds this year to tackle cash crunch

Aug 31 (Reuters) - Facing a severe cash crunch, Tesla Motors

Inc plans to raise additional money this year to help

fund development and production of its new Model 3 sedan and

build out a massive battery factory, the company said on

Wednesday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Paralympics-Brazil's Petrobras to pay $3.25 mln to aid troubled Games

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Brazilian oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA said on Wednesday it will spend 10.5 million reais ($3.25 million) to buy marketing rights to the financially troubled Rio de Janeiro Paralympic Games.

Read more

UPDATE 3-Turkish interior minister quits, after string of attacks

ISTANBUL, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Turkish Interior Minister Efkan

Ala has resigned, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on

Wednesday, following a string of bombings that prompted public

criticism and concerns about intelligence failures before last

month's failed coup.

Read more

UPDATE 1-U.S. finalizes Havana routes to 8 airlines, including American

Aug 31 (Reuters) - The U.S. government on Wednesday granted

eight U.S. airlines permission to begin scheduled commercial

flights to Havana starting as early as this fall, with American

Airlines Group Inc being awarded 35 direct flights a

week.

Read more

After Apple, EU may focus on companies closer to home

BRUSSELS, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Multinational companies can

expect the European Commission to press on with a crack down on

sweetheart tax deals after handing Apple a breathtaking demand

for 13 billion euros, officials and experts said on Wednesday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Polymetal pushes housebuilder Berkeley out of UK's FTSE 100

* Pendragon, Circassia drop out of FTSE 250

(Adds detail, background)

Read more

VW recalls 30,000 natural-gas-powered vehicles to fix tanks

FRANKFURT, Aug 31 (Reuters) - German carmaker Volkswagen

is recalling close to 30,000 natural gas-powered

vehicles in Europe to replace tanks because they cannot be

properly checked for corrosion.

Read more

Kerry meets Modi as monsoon chaos challenges India's "smart" future

NEW DELHI, Aug 31 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John

Kerry experienced some of the challenges that lie in the way of

India's economic rise, as monsoon floods in New Delhi became a

talking point at his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Irish cabinet may need more time to decide on Apple appeal- minister

* Opinion split on Dublin streets over 13 billion euros

(Adds comments from Irish PM, vox pop, analyst)

Read more

Musical about L.A. dreamers opens 73rd Venice film festival

VENICE, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Damien Chazelle's "La La Land", a

musical comedy-drama about the joys and pains of pursuing one's

dreams, opened the Venice film festival on Wednesday, kicking

off days of screenings, parties and red carpet glamour.

Read more

UPDATE 1-U.S. Treasury says EU's Apple tax ruling aimed at U.S. companies

WASHINGTON, Aug 31 (Reuters) - The U.S. Treasury sought to

keep pressure on the European Union to rescind a ruling that

Apple Inc pay up to $14.5 billion in back taxes, a move

Washington says breaches international tax rules and sets the

stage for more actions against U.S. companies.

Read more

UPDATE 1-U.S. senators seek federal probe of Takata-linked explosion

Aug 31 (Reuters) - Two U.S. senators on Wednesday called on

the National Transportation Safety Board to investigate the Aug.

22 crash and explosion of a truck carrying Takata Corp

air bag parts that killed a woman and injured four others.

Read more

Flying pigs and prisms: Pink Floyd expo to open at London's V&A

LONDON, Aug 31 (Reuters) - A pink inflatable pig the size of

a bus floated above London's venerable Victoria and Albert

museum on Wednesday but unlike an infamous outing above

Battersea Power Station in 1976 it did not break free and ground

planes at Heathrow.

Read more

Revellers hurl tomatoes for messy Tomatina food fight in Spain

BUNOL, Spain, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Thousands of revellers

threw some 150,000 kilograms of tomatoes at each other for the

annual "Tomatina" food fight in the eastern Spanish town of

Bunol on Wednesday, splattering themselves with red pulp.

Read more

Nigeria's main car plant idled as dollar crisis bites

NNEWI, Nigeria, Aug 31 (Reuters) - At a factory in southeast

Nigeria, dozens of new white buses stand at the end of the

production line, apparently ready to take on some of Africa's

toughest roads.

Read more

Restaurant Brands to launch Tim Hortons in Great Britain

Aug 31 (Reuters) - Canada's Restaurant Brands International

Inc said it would launch Tim Hortons coffee and

doughnut shops in Great Britain as part of its expansion plans.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Call center software maker Genesys to buy rival Interactive

Aug 31 (Reuters) - Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories

Inc, a provider of call center software, said it would buy rival

Interactive Intelligence Group Inc for about $1.4

billion.

Read more

India's top court calls land deal for Tata Motors factory a 'farce'

MUMBAI, Aug 31 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - India's

Supreme Court said on Wednesday that land acquired by West

Bengal state for a Tata Motors factory must be returned to

farmers, the latest twist in a decade-long battle that came to

symbolise conflict over land in the country.

Read more

Maine governor's outburst tests limits of anger politics

BOSTON, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Years before Donald Trump

dominated the news cycle with his angry style of politics, Maine

Governor Paul LePage made headlines with a similarly brash

approach.

Read more

WIDER IMAGE-Brexit town wants government to 'get on with it' and leave EU

CLACTON-ON-SEA, England, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Gazing out

across the calm, grey North Sea towards northern France,

families in Clacton enjoy the English summer, some sipping tea,

others with cans of beer, outside wooden beach huts strung with

union jack flags.

Read more

Britain's FTSE set for third straight month of gains

LONDON, Aug 31 (Reuters) - UK shares steadied on Wednesday

as weakness in mining shares outweighed gains by banks, though

the FTSE 100 remained on track to post its third monthly

gain in a row.

Read more

Irish cabinet may need more time to decide on Apple appeal- minister

DUBLIN, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Ireland's cabinet may be given

more time to decide on whether to back the finance minister's

recommendation that Dublin appeal the European Commission's

ruling against its tax dealings with Apple, another

minister said on Wednesday.

Read more

RPT-U.S. slams EU, but Apple tax demand first issued in Washington

* Washington warns $14.5 billion Irish bill may hurt

relations

Read more

UPDATE 1-S.Africa furniture retailer Steinhoff's sales rise by a third

JOHANNESBURG, Aug 31 (Reuters) - South African furniture

retailer Steinhoff saw full-year revenue rise by a

third as the company, which is buying the United States'

Mattress Firm and Britain's Poundland, said

its European business had performed strongly.

Read more

Bertelsmann H1 core profit helped by RTL and printing unit

BERLIN, Aug 31 (Reuters) - European media conglomerate

Bertelsmann said on Wednesday its half-year core

earnings rose 4.5 percent as growth at RTL Group in

France and Germany and its printing business offset some

start-up losses at its publishing and education units.

Read more

Punch Taverns ramps up retail pub strategy

Aug 31 (Reuters) - Punch Taverns Plc, the second

largest pub operator in Britain by number of pub estates, said

on Wednesday it identified 177 pubs to operate under the retail

contract and that it would open 150 pubs annually under the same

arrangement.

Read more

VW could agree U.S. large-car diesel fix by October - Audi exec

Hong Kong, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Volkswagen AG's

global Audi sales chief said on Wednesday that talks with U.S.

authorities over large-engined diesel cars found to have cheated

emissions tests are progressing well and a technical and

financial settlement could be agreed as soon as October.

Read more

German retail sales rise more than expected on the month in July

BERLIN, Aug 31 (Reuters) - German retail sales rose by 1.7

percent on the month in July but an unexpected yearly fall

dampened hopes that consumer spending would drive growth and

compensate for weakening foreign trade.

Read more

Actor Jamie Dornan draws "Fifty Shades" fans to war thriller premiere

LONDON, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Northern Irish actor Jamie Dornan

said he was happy if his heartthrob status drew more young fans

to watch his new World War Two film, "Anthropoid".

Read more

Amazon Dash one-button device arrives in Britain

LONDON, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Seeking to capitalise on Britons

too busy or forgetful to shop for household essentials, retail

giant Amazon is bringing its thumb-sized, one-button

ordering device to the UK.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Gap reports fire at Fishkill distribution center, no injuries

Aug 30 (Reuters) - Retailer Gap Inc said on Tuesday

that its distribution center in Fishkill, New York, had been hit

by a serious fire.

Read more

UPDATE 2-L.A. police search singer Chris Brown's home after standoff

LOS ANGELES, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Police surrounded and then

searched the Los Angeles home of Chris Brown on Tuesday in

response to a pre-dawn 911 call from a woman there who asked for

help, and media reports said she claimed the pop star had

pointed a gun at her.

Read more

Pacific trade pact remains top issue for Obama administration

WASHINGTON, Aug 30 (Reuters) - The successful conclusion of

the Trans Pacific Partnership trade talks remains the top

legislative item for the United States, a top economic adviser

to President Barack Obama said on Tuesday.

Read more

UN defends aid work in Syria after accusations of being too close to government

The United Nations defended its aid funding in Syria on

Tuesday after an investigation revealed lucrative contracts were

awarded to people close to the nation's President Bashar

al-Assad.

Read more

Selena Gomez to take career break after panic attacks

Aug 30 (Reuters) - Pop singer Selena Gomez said on Tuesday

she was taking time out to deal with panic attacks and

depression thought to be a side effect of her lupus disease.

Read more

U.S. slams EU, but Apple tax demand first issued in Washington

* Washington warns $14.5 billion Irish bill may hurt

relations

Read more

UPDATE 2-Twitter to share ad revenue on videos by U.S. users

Aug 30 (Reuters) - Twitter Inc on Tuesday stepped

up its battle to attract video talent to its platform, saying it

will allow U.S. users who upload a video to share in any

advertising revenue it generates.

Read more

UPDATE 2-EU ruling on Apple stirs calls for U.S. tax reform

WASHINGTON, Aug 30 (Reuters) - A European Commission order

requiring Apple Inc to pay Ireland $13 billion euros

($14.5 billion) in unpaid taxes on Tuesday drew swift rebukes

from the Obama administration and lawmakers in Congress, while

reigniting calls for U.S. tax reform.

Read more

UPDATE 3-Maine governor mulls political future amid racism flap

BOSTON, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Combative Maine Governor Paul

LePage told a radio host on Tuesday that he was considering not

finishing his term in office, amid a wave of criticism after he

left a lawmaker a profanity-filled voicemail.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Uber hires senior Target executive to lead global operations

Aug 30 (Reuters) - Uber Technologies Inc has

plucked a top executive from U.S. retailer Target to help lead

the growing ride-services company and reshape its image.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Caesars wins lawsuit shield to pursue 'uphill' appeal

CHICAGO, Aug 30 (Reuters) - A federal judge on Tuesday gave

Caesars Entertainment Corp a five-week shield from $13

billion in lawsuits, capping a week of frantic court hearings as

the casino group struggles to salvage a high-stakes debt-cutting

plan for its bankrupt subsidiary.

Read more

Uber hires senior Target executive

Aug 30 (Reuters) - Global ride-hailing service Uber

Technologies Inc said it had hired Jeff Jones, chief

marketing officer at Target Corp, to be president of its

flagship ride-sharing business.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Mothballed Ghana gold mine reveals risk of reliance on minerals

* Minerals, metals, fuels account for 60 pct of Africa

exports

Read more

Caesars Entertainment wins halt on lawsuits until Oct 5 -ruling

Aug 30 (Reuters) - A U.S. judge on Tuesday extended a

temporary halt on lawsuits against Caesars Entertainment Corp

until Oct. 5 while he hears an appeal from the casino

group of a ruling that paved the way for bondholders to press

multi-billion dollar lawsuits against the company.

Read more

Washington warns of strain on EU economic relationship after Apple ruling

WASHINGTON, Aug 30 (Reuters) - A European Commission order

requiring Apple Inc to pay $13 billion euros ($14.5

billion) in taxes on Tuesday drew swift and angry rebukes from

the Obama administration and lawmakers in Congress, while

reigniting calls for international tax reform.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Ceasefire holding between Turkey and Kurdish fighters in Syria

BEIRUT, Aug 30 (Reuters) - A ceasefire is holding between

Turkey and Kurdish-backed militia in northern Syria, a Kurdish

military official said on Tuesday, but a Syrian rebel commander

characterised it only as a "pause" and added that military

operations would resume soon.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Greece launches auction for TV licences, defies media protests

* Government says auction will put order in TV landscape

(Adds comment from TV station)

Read more

White House 'concerned' EU tax penalty on Apple may hit U.S. taxpayers

WASHINGTON, Aug 30 (Reuters) - The White House said on

Tuesday it was concerned about a European Commission order for

Apple Inc to pay billions in unpaid taxes to Ireland

because it seemed TO undermine joint U.S.-EU progress on

creating a more fair international tax system.

Read more

MIDEAST STOCKS-Gulf mostly rises but turnover low; Egypt climbs

DUBAI, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Most Gulf stock markets rose on

Tuesday in response to firmer oil prices and global bourses but

trading turnover in Saudi Arabia and Dubai was low, suggesting

many investors did not expect an extended rally and were staying

away.

Read more

Competitors slip and slide for gravy wrestling championships

Aug 30 (Reuters) - Men and women wrestlers wearing fancy

dress tackled a slippery surface for a somewhat unusual contest

on Monday - the "World Gravy Wrestling Championships".

Read more

London financial groups open line to Dublin after Brexit

FRANKFURT/DUBLIN, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Ireland says the Brexit

vote has led to a jump in enquiries from London firms

considering opening offices in Dublin, one of a handful of

European cities trying to draw business away from Britain's

financial centre.

Read more

UPDATE 2-VW reviews supplier strategy after dispute hits production

* Prevent transferred financial claims to gearbox unit

-sources

(Adds detail, background, analyst)

Read more

UPDATE 2-Mitsubishi says overstated mileage for more vehicle models

* Fuel economy as much as 8.8 pct lower than advertised

(Releads, adds Mitsubishi comments, details)

Read more

EU tax avoidance action could hurt foreign investment -U.S. Treasury

WASHINGTON, Aug 30 (Reuters) - The actions of European

regulators could hurt foreign investment, the U.S. Treasury said

on Tuesday after the European Commission ruled Apple must pay up

to 13 billion euros ($14.5 billion) in taxes plus interest to

the Irish government.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Abercrombie & Fitch sales fall for 14th straight quarter

Aug 30 (Reuters) - Teen apparel retailer Abercrombie & Fitch

Co's sales dropped for the 14th straight quarter, hurt

by lower traffic, including from tourists, at its flagship

stores.

Read more

REPEAT-Apple says will appeal against EU tax decision

BRUSSELS, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Apple said it would

appeal against an EU ruling ordering it to pay up to 13 billion

euros ($14.5 billion) in taxes to the Irish government which the

EU considers to have been illegal state aid.

Read more

Turkey detains more journalists in coup round-up - report

ISTANBUL, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Turkish authorities detained an

editor at the prominent Hurriyet newspaper in the latest

round-up of journalists and others accused of links to last

month's failed coup, Hurriyet's English-language publication

said on Tuesday.

Read more

UPDATE 3-EU demands Apple pay Ireland up to 13 bln euros in tax

* Tax deal saw U.S. tech giant pay 1 pct tax on profit or

less

Read more

UPDATE 2-EU to hand Apple multi-billion dollar Irish tax bill -sources

* Irish government, Apple to appeal any adverse ruling

(Adds detail, background)

Read more

Japan govt: Mitsubishi Motors overstated fuel economy on 8 more models

TOKYO, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Japan's transport ministry on

Tuesday said that Mitsubishi Motors Corp had overstated

the fuel economy for eight additional models, and ordered the

Japanese automaker to correct its readings.

Read more

Rheinmetall eyes savings from defence, automotive overlaps

DUESSELDORF, Germany, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Germany's

Rheinmetall aims to cut costs by 2018 by doing away

with duplicate functions and structures at its automotive and

defence divisions, according to Chief Executive Armin Papperger.

Read more

Digital mapping firm HERE wants new investor by year-end - Handelsblatt

FRANKFURT, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Digital maps company HERE,

controlled by German carmakers BMW, Daimler

and Volkswagen, aims to find a new investor by the

end of the year, HERE chief Edzard Overbeek told a German

newspaper.

Read more

S.Korea finmin says govt will take long-term measures if housing prices rise

SEOUL, Aug 30 (Reuters) - South Korea's finance minister

said on Tuesday he doesn't expect housing prices to rise sharply

in the future, but added that the government planned to take

fresh measures if prices do surge.

Read more

China regulator to curb news that promotes "Western lifestyles"

BEIJING, Aug 30 (Reuters) - China will crack down on social

and entertainment news that promotes improper values and

"Western lifestyles", the country's broadcasting regulator said,

the latest effort at censorship in an already strictly regulated

media environment.

Read more

Livestream of Kim Dotcom extradition hearing a first for New Zealand

WELLINGTON, Aug 30 (Reuters) - A New Zealand judge gave

permission on Tuesday for the hearing of German tech

entrepreneur Kim Dotcom's appeal against his extradition to be

streamed on YouTube, making it the country's first court case to

be broadcast on the Internet.

Read more

S. Korea July dept stores surge on MERS base effect, hot weather

SEOUL, Aug 30 (Reuters) - South Korea's department store

sales increased at a brisk pace in July, trade ministry data

showed on Tuesday, helped by warmer weather and the low

base-effect from last year's Middle East Respiratory Syndrome

outbreak.

Read more

Mitsubishi Motors overstated fuel economy on 8 more models - Nikkei

TOKYO, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Mitsubishi Motors Corp

overstated the fuel economy on eight of its vehicle models, in

addition to four others the embattled Japanese automaker

admitted to earlier this year, the Nikkei newspaper reported on

Tuesday.

Read more

Chinese private investment funds to conduct 'self-inspection'

SHANGHAI, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Chinese private investment

funds will conduct a "self-inspection" of their business

practices in compliance with a directive from the State Council,

China's cabinet, according to a notice posted on the website of

the Asset Management Association of China.

Read more

Fox News calls anchor an 'opportunist' over her harassment claim

Aug 29 (Reuters) - Fox News Network LLC on Monday said

anchor Andrea Tantaros was an "opportunist" who made sexual

harassment claims against former chairman Roger Ailes only after

she was taken off the air for writing a book without permission.

Read more

Taylor Swift poses with fans at jury duty a day after VMA snub

LOS ANGELES, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Taylor Swift was the most

high-profile absence at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) but on

Monday but the singer happily took photos with fans after

reporting for jury duty in Nashville.

Read more

Actor Gene Wilder dead at 83

LOS ANGELES, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Actor Gene Wilder, best

known for his role in the fantasy film "Willy Wonka & the

Chocolate Factory" and comedic star turns in such Mel Brooks

farces as "Blazing Saddles" and "Young Frankenstein," died on

Monday at age 83, his family said in a statement.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Truck carrying Takata air bag inflators explodes in U.S., killing one

Aug 29 (Reuters) - A truck that was transporting Takata Corp

air bag inflators and propellant material at the center

of a global recall exploded in Texas last week, killing one

woman and injuring four other people, the auto parts supplier

said on Monday.

Read more

UPDATE 3-Chinese-owned Zhongwang USA enters U.S. aluminum market with Aleris buy

NEW YORK, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Zhongwang USA LLC, backed by

Chinese aluminum magnate Liu Zhongtian, said on Monday it would

buy U.S. aluminum company Aleris Corp in a bet by the

billionaire that the nascent U.S. automotive aluminum sector

will be the industry's next big growth market.

Read more

Olympics-Lawyers for jailed former Irish IOC exec seek release this week

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Lawyers for Patrick Hickey, the top European official of the International Olympic Committee until his arrest this month on accusations of illegal ticket sales, said on Monday they hope to secure at least a temporary release from prison for him this week.

Read more

Luxury spending slump hit Chanel's 2015 profit and sales

PARIS/AMSTERDAM, Aug 29 (Reuters) - French luxury goods

maker Chanel was hit hard by the luxury spending slump last

year, leading to a sharp drop in profit and sales, according to

figures filed with the Amsterdam exchange.

Read more

Apple is sued over unresponsive iPhone 6 touchscreens

Aug 29 (Reuters) - Apple Inc has been sued by

owners of iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus smartphones who say a

design defect causes the phones' touchscreens to become

unresponsive, making them unusable.

Read more

REFILE-Lebanese journalist fined for disclosing witnesses' identities

AMSTERDAM, Aug 29 (Reuters) - A Lebanese journalist was

fined on Monday for disclosing the names of protected witnesses

at the international tribunal investigating the murder of

Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri in 2005.

Read more

Caesars shares plummet as it faces $11 bln in lawsuits

CHICAGO, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Shares in Caesars Entertainment

Corp shed 16 percent on Monday after a U.S. judge

cleared the way for $11.4 billion in lawsuits against the casino

group, which Caesars had warned could plunge it into bankruptcy

alongside its operating unit.

Read more

MIDEAST STOCKS-Qatar outperforms, rest of region sluggish

DUBAI, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Qatar's stock market outperformed

the Gulf on Monday as large-caps carried the index higher, but

other bourses were little changed as a fresh slide in oil prices

and a retreat in Asian share markets kept buyers away.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Chinese food maker Tingyi quarterly profit drops 87 pct, says outlook challenging

* Blames China's slowing economy

(Add further earnings details, context)

Read more

Iran deploys Russian-made S-300 missiles at its Fordow nuclear site -TV

ANKARA, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Iran has deployed the

Russian-supplied S-300 surface-to-air missile defence system

around its Fordow underground uranium enrichment facility,

Iranian state media reported on Monday.

Read more

China's GOME says H1 net profit falls 82 pct

HONG KONG, Aug 29 (Reuters) - GOME Electrical Appliances

Holding Ltd said on Monday first-half net profit fell

82 percent as it revamped stores, which increased its selling

costs and expenses.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Hong Kong July retail sales fall for 17th straight month

* Retail sales fall 7.7 pct y/y in value terms, down for 17

months

Read more

Truck carrying Takata air bag inflators causes blast in U.S., 1 killed

TOKYO, Aug 29 (Reuters) - A truck transporting Takata Corp

air bag inflators and propellants that are at the

centre of a global recall exploded in Texas earlier this month,

resulting in one death and four injuries, the embattled auto

parts supplier said on Monday.

Read more

Hong Kong July retail sales fall for 17th straight month

Aug 29 (Reuters) - July retail sales data

(percent change from a year earlier):

2016

July June May Apr Mar Feb Jan

Value -7.7 -8.9 -8.3 -7.5 -9.8 -20.6 -6.6

Volume -8.5 -9.6 -8.8 -7.7 -8.8 -19.5 -5.2



CONTEXT:

-- In the three months through July, the volume of total

retail sales remained virtually unchanged over the same period.



COMMENTARY:

A government sp

Read more

CORRECTED-Prada H1 profit slips 25 pct, hit by sluggish China sales

HONG KONG, Aug 26 (Reuters) - Italian luxury goods maker

Prada SpA said on Friday its first-half net profit

fell 24.7 percent as Chinese consumers developed a taste for

cheaper brands amid slowing economic growth and a Beijing

clampdown on lavish spending by officials.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Drake wins early Video Music Award, all eyes on Beyonce

NEW YORK, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Canadian rapper Drake and

British DJ Calvin Harris took home early awards at the MTV Video

Music Awards (VMAs) on Sunday on a night expected to be

dominated by "Lemonade" singer Beyonce.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Box Office: 'Don't Breathe' Scares Up $26.1 Million As Hot Summer for Horror Continues

LOS ANGELES, Aug 28 (Variety.com) - "Don't Breathe," a

twisty story of a group of teenage delinquents who pick the

wrong house to burglarize, dominated the late summer box office,

debuting to a potent $26.1 million and topping charts. It joins

a long list of recent horror films such as "The Purge: Election

Year," "The Conjuring 2," "Lights Out," and "The Shallows" that

have all found success with audiences. It's a genre that's

particularly attractive to studios, because these films don't

require

Read more

Former Obama aide calls Trump a 'psychopath'

WASHINGTON, Aug 28 (Reuters) - A former top adviser to

President Barack Obama on Sunday labeled Donald Trump a

"psychopath", saying the Republican presidential nominee met the

clinical definition of the personality disorder.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Merkel urges Turks not to bring conflicts to Germany

BERLIN, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel on

Sunday urged people of Turkish origin living in Germany to take

part in German society and not to bring conflicts taking place

back in Turkey to Germany.

Read more

Spanish economic recovery helps boost El Corte Ingles profit

MADRID, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Core earnings for Spanish

department store chain El Corte Ingles were up 10 percent in

2015, it said on Sunday, buoyed by a consumer-driven economic

recovery, a strong tourism season and a lower debt burden.

Read more

Iraq asks Saudi Arabia to replace Saudi ambassador -Iraqi state TV

BAGHDAD, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Iraq's foreign ministry has

asked Saudi Arabia to replace its ambassador in Baghdad, Thamer

al-Sabhan, Iraqi state TV said on Sunday.

Read more

Iraq's youth orchestra - a musical dream that shattered

LONDON, Aug 28 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - For nearly six

years, young Iraqis defied the war, coming from all over the

country to play in an orchestra, but the emergence of Islamic

State has dashed their dream of making music to bridge deadly

sectarian divides.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Brazil court frees Ireland's Mallon arrested in Rio Olympic ticket scam

SAO PAULO, Aug 27 (Reuters) - A Brazilian court said on Saturday it has authorized the release of Ireland's Kevin James Mallon, a director of international sports hospitality company THG who was arrested on Aug. 5 for the alleged illegal scalping of Olympic tickets.

Read more

Fire severely damages "Knightfall" set in Prague - media

PRAGUE, Aug 27 (Reuters) - A fire severely damaged a set for

the "Knightfall" television series at studios in Prague

overnight, causing damage worth about $4 million, Czech media

reported on Saturday.

Read more

Brazil court frees Ireland's Mallon arrested in Rio Olympic ticket scam

SAO PAULO, Aug 27 (Reuters) - A Brazilian court authorized the release of Ireland's Kevin James Mallon, the director of international sports hospitality company THG arrested on Aug. 5 for alleged illegal scalping of Olympic tickets, the local G1 news site said late on Friday.

Read more

Burkina Faso bans big buttocks beauty contest

OUAGADOUGOU, Aug 27 (Reuters) - The government of Burkina

Faso has banned an annual beauty contest for women with the

biggest buttocks, saying such events are sexist.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Hong Kong's first Zika case tests negative

HONG KONG, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's first Zika patient

tested negative for the virus on Friday and was discharged from

hospital, the government said in a statement.

Read more

Yellowstone employee falls to death in park canyon

Aug 26 (Reuters) - A 21-year-old worker at the Yellowstone

National Park plunged to her death early on Friday from the edge

of a canyon while socializing with colleagues, park officials

said.

Read more

Hong Kong's first suspected Zika case tests negative - radio

HONG KONG, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's first suspected

Zika patient tested negative for the virus and has been

discharged from hospital, broadcaster Radio Television Hong Kong

(RTHK) reported on Saturday.

Read more

INVESTMENT FOCUS-From toilets to trainers, search for yield finds unlikely shares

LONDON, Aug 25 (Reuters) - European equities have defied the

gloom and doom predicted after Britain voted to leave the

European Union, and record-high gains by stocks like Adidas and

Just Eat suggest investors are looking for growth anywhere they

can find it.

Read more

Batman suit boasting 23 gadgets earns Guinness World Record

LONDON, Aug 26 (Reuters) - Boasting a "bat tracker", a bat

sign projector for the nighttime sky, smoke guns and an array of

other devices, a Batman costume fitted with 23 gadgets has

earned a place in the Guinness World Records book.

Read more

U.S. second-quarter growth trimmed to 1.1 percent; consumer spending raised

WASHINGTON, Aug 26 (Reuters) - U.S. economic growth was a

bit more sluggish than initially thought in the second quarter

as businesses aggressively ran down stocks of unsold goods,

offsetting a spurt in consumer spending.

Read more

Kurdish militant PKK claims attack on Turkish police HQ -website

ISTANBUL, Aug 26 (Reuters) - The Kurdistan Workers' Party

(PKK) militant group claimed responsibility for an attack on a

police headquarters in southeast Turkey on Friday, according to

a statement on a website affiliated to the group.

Read more

UPDATE 1-British economy escapes Brexit blow, for now

* Economists say too soon to judge how economy will fare

(Adds YouGov/CEBR survey)

Read more

Dirty laundry: Welspun tangle highlights India's quality challenge

* Govt officials say isolated case, but need export quality

push

Read more

Takata shortlists Daicel, KKR, Ningbo, others in rescue search -sources

TOKYO, Aug 26 (Reuters) - Takata Corp has

shortlisted six or seven companies, including a competitor and

private-equity funds, as potential financial investors to bail

out the Japanese car-parts maker, people involved in the process

said.

Read more

Greeting refugees, US city draws on wisdom learned decades ago from Laotian immigrants

MISSOULA, Montana, Aug 26 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) -

D ecades after hosting Hmong families who had fled Laos, the

small city of Missoula, Montana, nestled in the Rocky Mountains,

is drawing on the success of that experience to welcome a new

set of refugees.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Hong Kong confirms first Zika case in woman who went to Caribbean

HONG KONG, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Hong Kong has confirmed its

first case of Zika in a woman who had travelled to the

Caribbean, putting the Asian financial hub on high alert for any

spread of the mosquito-borne virus that has wreaked havoc in

Latin America, the Caribbean and beyond.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Lotte Group vice chairman found dead, suicide suspected

* Lotte Group Vice Chairman Lee In-won has died - Lotte

Group

Read more

RPT-Energy company problems expose cracks in Singapore bond market

SINGAPORE, Aug 25 (Reuters) - The collapse of an oil

services company and the deterioration in the finances of some

other energy firms have exposed structural cracks in the

Singapore dollar corporate bond market.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Apple fixes security flaw after UAE dissident's iPhone targeted

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Apple Inc issued

a patch on Thursday to fix a dangerous security flaw in iPhones

and iPads after researchers discovered that a prominent United

Arab Emirates dissident's phone had been targeted with a

previously unknown method of hacking.

Read more

U.S. Homeland Security probes hacking of actress Leslie Jones' website

Aug 25 (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security

is investigating a new incident involving actress Leslie Jones,

who has been targeted by online abusers, after hackers posted

nude photos and personal information on the "Ghostbusters"

star's website.

Read more

UPDATE 1-GM cleared in second verdict over crash blamed on ignition switch

NEW YORK, Aug 25 (Reuters) - A Texas jury said on Thursday a

General Motors Co ignition switch was not to blame for a

fatal 2011 crash, according to a statement from the company.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Clinton ramps up Asian outreach in three closely fought states

NEW YORK, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Democrat Hillary Clinton's

presidential campaign is focusing an effort to win over Asian

American voters on three states where it believes the small but

rapidly growing group could make the difference in her race

against Republican Donald Trump.

Read more

WRAPUP 2-Trump, Clinton spar over who is best for minority voters

PALO ALTO, Calif./MANCHESTER, N.H., Aug 25 (Reuters) -

H illary Clinton and Donald Trump clashed on Thursday over who

would make a better U.S. president for minority voters, accusing

each other of posing a threat to the interests of blacks and

Latinos.

Read more

UPDATE 3-Muddy Waters shorts St Jude on heart device hacking fears; shares drop

Aug 25 (Reuters) - The stock of pacemaker manufacturer St

Jude Medical Inc fell sharply on Thursday after

short-selling firm Muddy Waters said it had placed a bet that

the shares would fall because of cyber security vulnerabilities

in the company's cardiac devices.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Al Shabaab militants bomb Somali beach restaurant, gunfight ongoing

MOGADISHU, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Al Shabaab militants attacked

a beach restaurant in the capital Mogadishu on Thursday, with

gunmen raiding the building after setting off a car bomb, police

and the insurgent group said.

Read more

Olympics marathon medalist's protest shines spotlight on unrest in Ethiopia

LONDON, Aug 25 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - When marathon

silver medalist Feyisa Lilesa crossed the finish line at the Rio

Olympics, he crossed his arms above his head in an "X", a sign

of protest against the Ethiopian government's treatment of his

people, the ethnic Oromo.

Read more

Al Shabaab militants bomb Somali beach restaurant, gunfight ongoing

MOGADISHU, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Al Shabaab militants attacked

a beach restaurant in the capital Mogadishu with a car bomb and

a gunfight was still ongoing, police and the group said on

Thursday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-French fashion designer Sonia Rykiel dies aged 86

* Designer said she made the clothes for one person: herself

(Adds reaction, detail)

Read more

UPDATE 4-Dollar General takes the battle to Wal-Mart with price cuts

* Dollar Tree 2nd-qtr sales $5.00 bln vs est $5.09 bln

(Adds details from Dollar General call, analyst comment,

updates shares)

Read more

REFILE-Social media giants must do more to police sites - UK lawmakers

LONDON, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Facebook, Twitter

and YouTube should hire more people to monitor hate

speech and material inciting violence as well as putting staff

in police operation centres to remove offending posts faster,

British lawmakers said.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Investor group rebukes Sports Direct, wants review of management

* Shares down 48 pct so far this year

(Adds stance of shareholder Legal & General)

Read more

UPDATE 2-Luxury jeweler Tiffany posts surprise rise in quarterly profit

Aug 25 (Reuters) - Upscale jeweler Tiffany & Co

reported an unexpected rise in second-quarter profit as margins

got a boost from lower product input costs, changes in product

sales mix and price increases.

Read more

Dollar Tree quarterly sales miss estimates

Aug 25 (Reuters) - Dollar Tree Inc, the biggest

U.S. discount chain, reported lower-than-expected quarterly

comparable sales and cited a "challenging" retail environment.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Britain's ITV withdraws offer for Peppa Pig-owner eOne

LONDON, Aug 25 (Reuters) - British broadcaster ITV

said on Thursday it would not bid for Entertainment One

after failing to persuade the owner of the children's TV

character Peppa Pig to enter into a formal process.

Read more

Brussels rebuffs U.S. attack on EU tax investigations

BRUSSELS, Aug 25 (Reuters) - The European Commission

rebuffed an attack by the U.S. Treasury on its investigations

into alleged sweetheart tax deals between companies such as

Apple and McDonald's and European governments,

saying there was no anti-U.S. bias.

Read more

Clinton to accuse Trump of embracing nativist political movement

PALO ALTO, California, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Democrat Hillary

Clinton will accuse Donald Trump of embracing a brand of U.S.

political conservatism associated with white nationalism and

nativism when she makes a Nevada campaign stop on Thursday.

Read more

Tech firms' encryption foe struggles for U.S. Senate re-election

WASHINGTON, Aug 25 (Reuters) - A U.S. senator seen by

Silicon Valley as one of the technology industry's main foes in

Congress is fighting for his political life as Donald Trump's

slumping poll numbers threaten to damage Republican candidates

across the board.

Read more

British car output up in July but growth slows

LONDON, Aug 25 (Reuters) - British car production rose in

July but at a slower pace than in June, according to an industry

group which urged the government to make sure the country's exit

from the European Union does not hamper the sector.

Read more

UPDATE 1-UK's Playtech to seek more deals; makes special payout

Aug 25 (Reuters) - Gambling technology company Playtech Plc

would continue to seek deals, its chief executive said,

after it announced a special payout worth 150 million euros

($169 million) to shareholders.

Read more

Playtech to pay 150 mln euros as special dividend

Aug 25 (Reuters) - Gambling technology company Playtech Plc

said on Thursday it would return 150 million euros

($169 million) to shareholders through a special dividend after

reporting an 18 percent jump in first-half revenue, helped by

strong performance in its gaming division.

Read more

Pizza by drone - unmanned air delivery set to take off in New Zealand

WELLINGTON/SYDNEY, Aug 25 (Reuters) - A New Zealand pizza

chain aims to become the world's first company to offer a

commercial drone delivery service, a milestone in the

once-unthinkable quest to save time and money with an air-borne

supply chain dispensing with people.

Read more

HK independence activists claim harassment from pro-China media

* Three activists say followed or harassed by pro-China

papers

Read more

UPDATE 2-Japanese truck driver playing Pokemon Go kills pedestrian

TOKYO, Aug 25 (Reuters) - A Japanese truck driver playing

Pokemon Go while driving hit two women, killing one and injuring

the other, in Japan's first death related to the Nintendo Co

craze.

Read more

France denies it omitted elements in Renault emissions report

PARIS, Aug 24 (Reuters) - France's Environment Ministry on

Wednesday denied it had omitted key elements concerning some

Renault cars in a report on vehicle pollution it

commissioned following the Volkswagen emissions

scandal last year.

Read more

UPDATE 2-More U.S. retailers probing phony Egyptian cotton

CHICAGO/NEW DELHI, Aug 24 (Reuters) - U.S. retailer Bed Bath

& Beyond on Wednesday said it ordered an external audit

of textiles from Welspun India, after Target Corp

last week accused the Indian manufacturer of passing off

cheap sheets as premium Egyptian cotton for two years.

Read more

French Muslims fear renewed stigmatisation in burkini ban

PARIS, Aug 24 (Reuters) - French Muslims are concerned that

decisions taken by some municipal authorities to ban the burkini

could lead to further stigmatisation of Muslims, the head of a

body representing Muslims in France said on Wednesday.

Read more

'Birth of a Nation' slavery movie stumbles in Hollywood

Aug 24 (Reuters) - The American Film Institute has called

off a Los Angeles screening of slavery movie "The Birth of a

Nation" amid controversy over an old rape case involving the

film's director just as Hollywood's awards season swings into

gear.

Read more

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels CEO Lee to resign

Aug 24 (Reuters) - Hotel operator Millennium & Copthorne

Hotels Plc said on Wednesday Chief Executive Aloysius

Lee notified the board of his impending resignation.

Read more

Britain's FTSE underperforms European peers, miners hinder

LONDON, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Britain's blue-chip share index

retreated on Wednesday, underperforming its European peers, as a

sharp drop in metals prices put pressure on the mining sector

and South Africa-exposed stocks fell as the rand slipped.

Read more

Handelsbanken to sell stake in owner Industrivarden

STOCKHOLM, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Swedish bank Handelsbanken

said on Wednesday it planned to sell its 29.4 million

shares in its parent Industrivarden to institutional

investors.

Read more

VW sees car output back to normal by Monday after supplier deal

HAMBURG/BERLIN, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Volkswagen

said on Wednesday production of cars at its German plants should

be back to normal by next Monday after it resolved a dispute

with parts suppliers over contract terms.

Read more

Israeli zoo welcomes newborn white rhino

RAMAT GAN, Israel, Aug 24 (Reuters) - A wildlife park in

Israel is celebrating a new arrival for one of its species - a

baby white rhino.

Read more

UPDATE 4-RBC keeps close eye on Vancouver and Toronto housing markets

* Earnings per share of C$1.72 edge past expectations

(Recasts to add CEO comments from conference call)

Read more

Norwegian politician rebuked for playing Pokemon Go during defence hearing

OSLO, Aug 24 (Reuters) - A senior Norwegian politician drew

criticism on Wednesday for playing Pokemon Go on her smart phone

during a parliamentary hearing about the country's defence

policy.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Ex-Performance Sports chairman may bid for hockey gear maker

TORONTO/NEW YORK, Aug 24 (Reuters) - The former chairman of

Performance Sports Group Ltd, Graeme Roustan, told

Reuters he has hired investment banks Jefferies Group LLC and

Canaccord Genuity to explore a possible bid for the troubled

maker of hockey gear.

Read more

U.S. existing home sales decline in July

WASHINGTON, Aug 24 (Reuters) - U.S. home resales fell more

than expected in July after four straight months of strong gains

as a lack of inventory limited choice for buyers, but further

gains in prices suggested the housing market remained on solid

ground.

Read more

Turkish Airlines resuming flights to Sharm al-Sheikh

CAIRO, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Turkish Airlines will resume

flights next month to Sharm al-Sheikh, nearly a year after they

were suspended following the bombing of a Russian jet which took

off from the Egyptian resort, the Turkish embassy in Cairo said

on Wednesday.

Read more

REFILE-Germany unveils national crisis plan, first overhaul in 20 years

BERLIN, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Germany has told its citizens to

stock up on water and food in the event of a terrorist attack or

national catastrophe and may even consider re-introducing

conscription in its first overhaul of civil defences in two

decades.

Read more

Australia sees upturn in public investment, home building booms

SYDNEY, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Australia is finally enjoying a

long-awaited recovery in government investment as spending on

public works expanded at a double-digit pace last quarter to hit

the highest in more than two years.

Read more

BuzzFeed splits itself into news, entertainment departments

Aug 23 (Reuters) - Online media outlet BuzzFeed will split

itself into two new departments that will focus on news and

entertainment, CEO Jonah Peretti wrote in a memo sent to

employees.

Read more

UPDATE 2-New York Times says suspected Russian hackers targeted Moscow bureau

WASHINGTON, Aug 23 (Reuters) - The New York Times

said on Tuesday its Moscow bureau was targeted by a cyber attack

this month but that there was no evidence the hackers, believed

to be Russian, were successful.

Read more

Nikkei rises as yen pauses; BOJ's ETF buying supports mood

* BOJ's ETF buying supports market but limits gains -

analyst

Read more

Tesla's Musk buying over half of SolarCity bond offer - filing

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Tesla Motors

Chief Executive Elon Musk is buying $65 million of bonds from

SolarCity Corp in the latest debt offering by the solar

panel company that Tesla plans to acquire for $2.6 billion,

according to a filing on Tuesday.

Read more

Wesfarmers FY profit falls 83 pct on impairment charges

SYDNEY, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Retail and resources conglomerate

Wesfarmers Ltd, Australia's No.1 company by sales, has

recorded its worst net profit in 15 years due to impairment

charges to cover an overhaul of discount department stores and

lower coal prices.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Judge denies GM's mid-trial bid to toss Texas ignition switch case

NEW YORK, Aug 23 (Reuters) - General Motors Co said

Tuesday a Texas judge had denied its bid to throw out a lawsuit

over a fatal 2011 crash blamed on a faulty ignition switch,

after the company accused a car driver and his lawyers of

fabricating evidence about the vehicle's key.

Read more

Caesars argues fresh lawsuit shield will help bankruptcy deal

CHICAGO, Aug 23 (Reuters) - The bankrupt operating unit of

Caesars Entertainment Corp asked a judge on Tuesday to

extend a lawsuit shield for its parent company, which a

financial advisor said is critical to making progress toward a

settlement with holdout creditors.

Read more

UPDATE 1-VW, U.S. states to hold settlement talks over excess emissions

Aug 23 (Reuters) - Volkswagen AG has agreed to

hold settlement talks with several U.S. states that sued the

German automaker for hundreds of millions of dollars over

environmental law violations, the automaker said in a court

filing on Tuesday.

Read more

Former anchor says Fox News a 'sex-fueled cult' in harassment lawsuit

Aug 23 (Reuters) - A former Fox News anchor claims in a

lawsuit that former network Chairman Roger Ailes, who resigned

amid allegations of sexual harassment and is reportedly advising

Republican presidential candidate Donald J. Trump, fueled a

misogynistic culture at the top-rated channel enforced by other

executives.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Tesla to unveil new product Tuesday, shares rise

Aug 23 (Reuters) - Tesla Motors Inc Chief Executive

Elon Musk said on Tuesday that the company planned to make a

product announcement later in the day, sending the company's

share price higher.

Read more

Britain's FTSE buoyed by resilient Persimmon

* Tesco gains after industry data

(Adds detail and quote, updates prices at close)

Read more

VW, states agree to hold settlement talks over environmental claims

Aug 23 (Reuters) - Volkswagen AG and several

U.S. states that sued the German automaker seeking hundreds of

millions of dollars in damages for state law violations agreed

to hold settlement talks, the automaker said in a court filing

Tuesday.

Read more

MIDEAST STOCKS-Gulf slides with oil but closes off lows

DUBAI, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Most major Gulf stock markets fell

on Tuesday after Brent crude oil dropped back below $49

a barrel, but most closed well off their lows as investors

bought blue chips in late trade.

Read more

UPDATE 3-Best Buy profits beats estimates; shares surge

Aug 23 (Reuters) - Best Buy Co Inc reported a much

higher-than-expected quarterly profit on strength in health and

wearable items like smartwatches, and the largest U.S.

electronics retailer raised its earnings outlook, sending its

shares up nearly 16 percent.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Mobileye, Delphi aim to release self-driving system in 2019

Aug 23 (Reuters) - A new technology partnership between top

auto suppliers Mobileye NV and Delphi Automotive Plc

could pull ahead production of self-driving cars to

late 2019, executives of both companies said Tuesday.

Read more

Mobileye, Delphi to develop self-driving system

Aug 23 (Reuters) - Israeli driving assistant software maker

Mobileye NV said on Tuesday it was developing a

self-driving system with Delphi Automotive Plc that

will be ready for production by 2019.

Read more

Reuters Business News Schedule at 1230 GMT/0830 AM ET

Euro zone business growth stable in August, France surprises

upwards

Read more

UPDATE 1-Paris tourism chiefs demand rescue plan as attacks scare off visitors

* Wealthy tourists stay away in greater numbers

(recasts, adds comments from hotel federation, hotel industry

analyst, details)

Read more

U.S. overtakes Hong Kong as biggest Swiss watch market

ZURICH, Aug 23 (Reuters) - The United States overtook Hong

Kong as the No.1 market for Swiss watch exports in July as

cash-strapped watch retailers in Hong Kong held back from

ordering new timepieces.

Read more

UPDATE 1-India's Idea Cellular denies report on merger talks with Vodafone

MUMBAI, Aug 23 (Reuters) - India's No. 3 mobile phone

carrier, Idea Cellular, strongly denied a news report

on Tuesday that it was in exploratory talks about a merger with

larger rival Vodafone India.

Read more

Violinist Stirling says new album "Brave Enough" therapeutic

NEW YORK, Aug 23 (Reuters) - American violinist Lindsey

Stirling deals with love and loss in new album "Brave Enough",

with overcoming adversity the backdrop for her latest work

following a year that included her best friend's death and a

cancer diagnosis for her father.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Toll Brothers revenue beats estimates on higher home sales

Aug 23 (Reuters) - Toll Brothers Inc reported a rise

in revenue for the fourth straight quarter, beating analysts'

estimates, as it sold more luxury homes at higher prices,

suggesting a steady growth in the U.S. housing market.

Read more

Volkswagen says production to resume as deal struck with suppliers

HAMBURG, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Volkswagen said on

Tuesday that the two auto parts suppliers with which it has been

at loggerheads over a contract dispute had agreed to start

delivering parts again and that the affected plants would

gradually resume production.

Read more

Toll Brothers revenue jumps 23.5 pct

Aug 23 (Reuters) - U.S. luxury homebuilder Toll Brothers Inc

reported a 23.5 percent rise in quarterly revenue,

boosted by an increase in home sales and prices.

Read more

Illicit gold: India's smugglers shut out refiners, banks

MUMBAI, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Indian gold refiners just months

ago were ramping up capacity and struggling to secure enough ore

from miners. Now, they are suspending operations as a surge in

smuggled bullion wipes out wafer thin margins.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Builder Persimmon shrugs off Brexit as reservation rate rises

* Surveys see possible slowdown, especially in London

(Adds CEO quotes, details, background)

Read more

UPDATE 1-Bookmaker Rank Group sees no direct impact from Brexit

(Adds details)

Aug 23 (Reuters) - Casino operator Rank Group Plc

said on Tuesday Britain's decision to leave the European Union

would have little or no direct impact on its performance, days

after it dropped its joint bid to buy bookie William Hill Plc

.

Rank, the operator of Grosvenor casinos and Mecca bingo

hall, said it was mainly a UK-focused business with limited

exposure to non-sterling earnings.

However, the company said any impact of Brexit could be

driven by lower UK gro

Read more

Bookmakers Rank Group sees no direct impact from Brexit

Aug 23 (Reuters) - Casino operator Rank Group Plc

said on Tuesday Britain's decision to leave the European Union

would have little or no direct impact on its performance, days

after it dropped its joint bid to buy bookie William Hill Plc

.

Rank, the operator of Grosvenor casinos and Mecca bingo

hall, said it was mainly a UK-focused business with limited

exposure to non-sterling earnings.

The company, however, said any impact of Brexit could be

driven by lower UK growth rates or loss of

Read more

Thailand's tiger tourism expands despite raid on infamous tiger temple

BANGKOK, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Thailand's tiger tourism

business is booming and the captive tiger population is growing

fast, experts say, more than two months after Thai wildlife

authorities found scores of dead cubs while rescuing animals

from the popular Tiger Temple.

Read more

VW, suppliers struggle to resolve dispute in marathon talks

BERLIN, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Volkswagen and two of

its auto parts suppliers were pushing to resolve a contract

dispute early on Tuesday, spokespeople said, but had no progress

to report despite marathon talks as the conflict threatens to

cost the carmaker thousands of vehicles in lost output this

week.

Read more

UPDATE 1-VW, suppliers struggle to resolve dispute in marathon talks

* VW needs to trim Golf output on falling demand -analyst

(Adds analyst comment, detail and background)

Read more

CORRECTED-Amazon working on music subscription service for $5 a month -Recode

Aug 22 (Reuters) - Amazon.com Inc is working on a

music subscription service that would cost about $5 a month and

would only work on its Echo hardware, tech news website Recode

reported, citing sources.

Read more

UPDATE 2-U.S. rejects automakers' request to extend fuel comment deadline

WASHINGTON, Aug 22 (Reuters) - U.S. regulators on Monday

denied a request by major automakers to extend the comment

period on environmental analysis to determine whether government

fuel efficiency requirements are feasible through 2025.

Read more

Retailer Target to focus on digital efforts, CIO says

Aug 22 (Reuters) - U.S. retailer Target Corp will

focus on technologies that enhance customers' store experience

and on other digital efforts, Chief Information Officer Mike

McNamara said.

Read more

U.S. rejects automakers request to extend fuel comment deadline

WASHINGTON, Aug 22 (Reuters) - U.S. regulators late on

Monday denied a request by major automakers to extend the

comment period on a key environmental analysis to determine

whether government fuel efficiency requirements are feasible

through 2025.

Read more

COLUMN-An Iranian refugee on becoming American - legally, then in spirit

Aug 22 (Reuters) - It's lucky that my mother and I were

admitted as refugees to America before the topic of immigration

became so contentious. If the current laws were to change to add

skills or financial requirements, we could have never gotten in.

Hell, I myself, a bitter teenager then, thought us perfectly

useless and was stunned that anybody wanted us at all. We came

empty-handed in 1985, without even suitcases to declare at

Customs. And without any English, for that matter. On my first

outi

Read more

In Iraq, Nigeria and now Turkey, child bombers strike

ISTANBUL, Aug 22 (Reuters) - The boy looked scared and

younger than 16 when Iraqi police grabbed him on the street in

the northern city of Kirkuk. Pulling off his shirt, they found a

two-kilogram bomb strapped to his skinny frame.

Read more

Zambian regulator suspends three broadcasters for conduct during election

LUSAKA, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Zambia's broadcasting regulator

on Monday suspended the licences of three private broadcasters,

saying they had posed a risk to peace and stability during this

month's presidential election.

Read more

UPDATE 3-Sarkozy announces bid for 2017 presidential race

* Socialists fractured as candidate list swells

(Adds Sarkozy quote, details on primaries, Socialist divisions)

Read more

UPDATE 2-Speedo USA ends Ryan Lochte sponsorship

Aug 22 (Reuters) - Swimwear maker Speedo USA said on Monday

it had decided to end its sponsorship of Ryan Lochte, two days

after the U.S. Olympic gold medalist swimmer admitted to

exaggerating his story about being robbed at gunpoint in Rio de

Janeiro.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Chinese investors buy ad tech startup Media.net for $900 mln

Aug 22 (Reuters) - Advertising technology startup Media.net,

founded by tech entrepreneur Divyank Turakhia, said on Monday it

had been acquired for about $900 million by a group of Chinese

investors.

Read more

Weaker commodity-related stocks push FTSE to 2-week low

LONDON, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Britain's top share index slipped

to its lowest level in nearly two weeks on Monday, with

commodity-related stocks leading the market lower following a

drop in metals and crude oil prices.

Read more

Eyed by Panasonic, Slovenia's Gorenje returns to profit

LJUBLJANA, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Slovenian household appliances

maker Gorenje, a possible takeover target for its

Japanese investor Panasonic, returned to profit in the

first six months of 2016, the company said on Monday.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Office Depot CEO Roland Smith to retire

Aug 22 (Reuters) - Office Depot Inc said on Monday

Chief Executive Roland Smith would retire, three months after

the second-largest U.S. office supplies retailer and bigger

rival Staples Inc abandoned their planned merger.

Read more

Former US Secretary of State Powell brushes off Clinton over emails

WASHINGTON, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Former Secretary of State

Colin Powell over the weekend dismissed reports that Democratic

U.S. presidential nominee Hillary Clinton told federal

investigators that it was at his suggestion that she used a

personal email account, according to a media report.

Read more

UPDATE 2-VW says six German plants hit by supplier dispute

* VW says continues to seek agreement with suppliers

(Adds analyst comment, detail and shares)

Read more

Global tourism GDP resilient this year, but woes for France, Turkey

BERLIN, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Travel and tourism will

contribute less than previously forecast to the economies of

France, Turkey and Brazil this year, hit by attacks, political

and economic turmoil, though globally the sector is resilient,

the World Travel and Tourism Council said.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Mercedes' China H2 sales may slow as new E-Class output raised - Daimler

BEIJING, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Mercedes-Benz sales in China may

slow in the second half of 2016 while the company ramps up

production of its new E-Class model, Daimler's China

head said on Monday.

Read more

Telenor sets sights on ads as network revenue stagnates

ARENDAL, Norway, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Norway's Telenor

will set up a separate business unit to claim a share

of the rapidly growing mobile advertising market in Asia, Chief

Executive Sigve Brekke told Reuters.

Read more

Chinese investor group buys Media.net for $900 mln

Aug 22 (Reuters) - Advertising technology startup Media.net

said on Monday it had been acquired for about $900 million in

cash by a group of Chinese investors.

Read more

Britain's FTSE edges up as housebuilders rise, miners lag

LONDON, Aug 22 (Reuters) - British shares edged higher on

Monday, led by a rise in housebuilding stocks, with gains capped

by a fall in the mining sector.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Taiwan July export orders fall for 16th month, but China demand picks up

* Govt expects August export order value to be higher than

July

Read more

Britain to create isolation units to counter extremism in jails

LONDON, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Britain will isolate Islamist

extremists in special units in high security jails to limit

their ability to radicalise other inmates, the government said

on Monday.

Read more

RPT-Olympics broadcasting outlook as clear as Rio's diving pool

* Hours viewed inc. online more than double from London to

Rio

Read more

UPDATE 1-Olympics-Wrestling-Furious Mongolians strip off over bronze medal defeat

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Two Mongolian coaches stripped off and hurled their shoes in protest on Sunday after their wrestler Mandakhnaran Ganzorig was denied victory for running away from his Uzbek opponent in the dying seconds of their bronze medal contest.

Read more

Former China boom town learns hard lessons about service economy

* Former resources centre hailed as model for re-tooling

economy

Read more

Olympics-Wrestling-Mongolians strip off in protest after their man loses

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Furious Mongolian officials stripped off and hurled their shoes to the floor in protest on Sunday after their wrestler Mandakhnaran Ganzorig was judged the loser of a bronze medal contest with Ikhtiyor Navruzov of Uzbekistan.

Read more

Health official warns Zika could spread across U.S. Gulf

Aug 21 (Reuters) - One of the top U.S. public health

officials on Sunday warned that the mosquito-borne Zika virus

could extend its reach across the U.S. Gulf Coast after

officials last week confirmed it as active in the popular

tourist destination of Miami Beach.

Read more

UPDATE 8-Turkey's Erdogan blames child bomber for attack that killed 51

* Map showing location of bombing http://tmsnrt.rs/2busMrI

(Adds White House spokesman)

Read more

Box Office: 'Ben-Hur' Flops With $11.4 Million, 'Suicide Squad' Still on Top

LOS ANGELES, Aug 21 (Variety.com) - "Ben-Hur" derailed

spectacularly at the multiplexes this weekend, as the latest

attempt to revive the chariot racing epic opened to an anemic

$11.4 million. That's a disastrous result for the $100 million

production, putting "Ben-Hur" in the ranks of the summer's

biggest flops.

Read more

Bomb attack on wedding kills at least 27 in southern Turkey - Erdogan

GAZIANTEP, Turkey, Aug 21 (Reuters) - At least 27 people

were killed when a suspected suicide bomber targeted a wedding

celebration in the Turkish city of Gaziantep on Saturday,

President Tayyip Erdogan said in a statement condemning the

attack.

Read more

Goldman, S.Korea fund to buy majority stake in cookware firm Happycall

SEOUL, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Goldman Sachs Group Inc and

South Korean private equity firm EastBridge Partners said on

Sunday they have agreed to acquire a majority stake in cookware

and kitchen appliances maker Happycall Co Ltd.

Read more

Olympics-Taekwondo-Abdoulrazak's silver boosts African medal count

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Niger's Issoufou Alfaga Abdoulrazak won his country's second Olympic medal on Saturday as he clinched silver in the men's over-80 kilogram taekwondo competition, boosting the number of medals won by African fighters at Rio to five in a sport typically dominated by Asian countries.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Canada celebrates, mourns as rockers Tragically Hip say good-bye

OTTAWA, Aug 20 (Reuters) - The Tragically Hip, the Canadian

rock band beloved for songs about local culture, small towns and

hockey, wrapped up an emotional tour with a hometown concert on

Saturday, giving fans a chance to bid farewell to lead singer

Gord Downie, who has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.

Read more

UPDATE 3-Olympics-US swimmer Lochte apologizes to Brazil on national TV

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 20 (Reuters) - U.S. gold medalist Ryan Lochte admitted to Brazil's largest broadcaster Saturday night that he had exaggerated his story about being robbed at gunpoint in Rio - but insisted he did not lie.

Read more

UPDATE 4-Twenty-two killed, 94 injured in bomb attack of Turkish wedding

ANKARA/ISTANBUL, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Twenty-two people were

killed and 94 wounded when a suspected suicide bomber targeted a

wedding celebration in the Turkish city of Gaziantep on

Saturday, adding to a surge in violence this week in the mainly

Kurdish southeast.

Read more

Viacom says CEO Dauman to leave in September

NEW YORK, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Viacom Inc said on

Saturday that Chief Executive Philippe Dauman will leave the

company next month, marking a victory for the family of

controlling shareholder Sumner Redstone in the battle for the

$40 billion media empire.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Olympics-Rio 2016 was an "iconic Games", says IOC's Bach

* Organisers struggled with cash, preparations and crime (Updates with more quotes and details)

Read more

Canada celebrates, mourns as rockers Tragically Hip say good-bye

OTTAWA, Aug 20 (Reuters) - The Tragically Hip, the Canadian

rock band beloved for songs about local culture, small towns and

hockey, will wrap up an emotional tour with a hometown concert

on Saturday, giving fans a chance to bid farewell to lead singer

Gord Downie, who has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.

Read more

Olympics-Rio 2016 was an "iconic Games", says IOC's Bach

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 20 (Reuters) - The Rio de Janeiro Olympics, which come to an end on Sunday, were an iconic Games despite a long list of problems and a lack of cash, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach said on Saturday.

Read more

German right-wing leader backs citizens' right to arm themselves

BERLIN, Aug 20 (Reuters) - The leader of the populist

Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has spoken out in favour of

people arming themselves with guns and self-defence devices

following a series of violent attacks last month.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Olympics-Athletics-Politics to Puma, Bolt considers his options

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 19 (Reuters) - As he blazed through the Rio Games, winning an historic third batch of three sprint gold medals, Jamaica's Usain Bolt was clear this is his last time on the Olympic track, where he feels he has nothing left to prove.

Read more

Deadly fish parasite forces Yellowstone River closure in Montana

Aug 19 (Reuters) - Montana wildlife officials have closed a

lengthy stretch of the Yellowstone River to all recreational

activities at the height of the summer tourist season following

the deaths of thousands of fish this week from a rare but

virulent microbial parasite.

Read more

Olympics-Athletics-Politics to Puma, Bolt considers his options

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 19 (Reuters) - As he blazes through the Rio Games aiming for his historic third batch of three sprint gold medals, Jamaica's Usain Bolt has been clear this is his last time on the Olympic track, where he feels he has nothing left to prove.

Read more

Olympics-Brazil says foreign tourism met half-million forecast for Games

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 19 (Reuters) - At least 500,000 foreign visitors arrived in Brazil to attend the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, the government said on Friday, citing recent immigration figures that met a forecast made well before the Games.

Read more

Exxon touts clean tech in Olympic ads as climate pressure grows

HOUSTON, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Exxon Mobil Corp is running television advertisements at the Rio Olympics to showcase its work on clean energy, a high-profile blitz as the company faces pressure over global warming in an intense year of climate politics.

Read more

Turkey arrests novelist for ties to Kurdish militants - media

ISTANBUL, Aug 19 (Reuters) - A Turkish court arrested

prize-winning novelist Asli Erdogan on Friday over alleged links

to Kurdish militants, the Haberturk newspaper reported, three

days after she and two dozen more staff from the pro-Kurdish

Ozgur Gundem newspaper were detained.

Read more

Incoming Viacom CEO plans investor campaign as shakeup looms

NEW YORK, Aug 19 (Reuters) - As Viacom Inc prepares

to announce the impending departure of CEO Philippe Dauman, his

interim replacement, Thomas Dooley, is planning to reach out to

investors, setting a new tone for a company that has kept

communications minimal.

Read more

Canada's Dick Assman of David Letterman TV fame dies at 82

TORONTO, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Dick Assman, a Canadian man with

an unusual name who rose to fame in 1995 after being featured on

the U.S. television program "Late Show with David Letterman,"

died on Monday, according to an online funeral home obituary. He

was 82.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Mediaset seeks court enforcement of Vivendi contract

MILAN, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Italian broadcaster Mediaset

said on Friday it had asked a Milan court to enforce the

agreed sale of its pay-TV arm to French media company Vivendi

.

Read more

UPDATE 1-NBA moves all-star game to New Orleans over transgender law

NEW YORK, Aug 19 (Reuters) - The NBA awarded its 2017 All-Star Game to New Orleans on Friday, a month after removing the game from Charlotte, North Carolina, to protest a state law forcing transgender people to use public restrooms matching their gender assigned at birth.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Florida governor confirms Zika transmission in Miami Beach

MIAMI, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Florida officials said on Friday

they have identified a new area of Zika virus transmission

through local mosquitoes in a small area in Miami Beach, the

second area in Miami-Dade county where the Zika virus is

spreading.

Read more

UPDATE 1-AT&T, Apple, Google to work on 'robocall' crackdown

WASHINGTON, Aug 19 (Reuters) - More than 30 major technology

companies are joining the U.S. government to crack down on

automated, prerecorded telephone calls that regulators have

labeled a "scourge."

Read more

Shareholder to oppose Randstad $429 mln bid for job-site firm Monster

AMSTERDAM, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Monster Worldwide

shareholder MediaNews said on Friday it will oppose global

staffing firm Randstad's $429 million bid for the U.S.

job-posting site.

Read more

WRAPUP 1-Canadian retail sales disappoint in June as consumers take pause

OTTAWA, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Canadian retail sales

unexpectedly fell in June, reinforcing expectations that growth

contracted in the second quarter as the economic malaise hit the

consumer, who has been a key pillar of support in recent years.

Read more

Turkish airport advert warns travellers about Sweden rape danger

ISTANBUL, Aug 19 (Reuters) - A billboard displayed this week

in Istanbul's main airport warned travellers against visiting

Sweden, describing it as having the highest rate of rape in the

world, the latest salvo between EU-candidate Turkey and its

European allies.

Read more

INVESTMENT FOCUS-Investors see British infrastructure getting stimulus boost after Brexit

LONDON, Aug 19 (Reuters) - UK infrastructure funds are

hitting record highs on the prospect of more government spending

after Britain's vote to leave the European Union, bolstered by

the view that the effectiveness of ultra-loose monetary policy

is reaching its limits.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Estee Lauder's quarterly sales rise as demand for makeup grows

Aug 19 (Reuters) - Cosmetics maker Estee Lauder Cos Inc's

quarterly sales jumped 4.8 percent, its fourth

consecutive rise, helped by higher demand for its makeup brands

including M.A.C, Smashbox and Bobbi Brown.

Read more

Kalashnikov gunmaker opens store at Moscow's largest airport

MOSCOW, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Gunmaker Kalashnikov, whose AK-47

assault rifle has armed Russian forces for 70 years and been the

preferred weapon of insurgents across continents, has opened a

store at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport selling souvenirs

including plastic model guns, the company said.

Read more

After years of delay, London's "night tube" trains start running

LONDON, Aug 19 (Reuters) - The world's oldest underground

rail network takes a big step forward this weekend when the

"tube" starts all-night Friday and Saturday services after years

of obstruction and delay.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Opel cuts working hours at German plants due to Brexit

* UK is biggest market for Corsa Insignia

(Adds background)

Read more

Singapore's Keppel Land sees China home sales rising on big-city demand

SINGAPORE, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Singapore's Keppel Land, the

real estate arm of conglomerate Keppel Corp, sees

sales of its homes in China rising this year compared to last

year, its CEO said, helped by a focus on larger cities where

demand has been strong.

Read more

Slowing China home price rises could dent economic growth prospects

Read more

UPDATE 1-Australia denies banks interim approval to jointly negotiate with Apple on payment apps

SYDNEY, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Australia's anti-trust regulator

on Friday said it would not grant the country's three biggest

banks interim approval to collectively negotiate with Apple Inc

to install their own electronic payments applications

on iPhones.

Read more

Australia denies banks interim approval to jointly negotiate with Apple on payment apps

SYDNEY, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Australia's anti-trust regulator

on Friday said it would not grant the country's three biggest

banks interim approval to collectively negotiate with Apple Inc

to install their own electronic payments applications

on iPhones.

Read more

UPDATE 3-Locally transmitted Zika virus identified in Miami Beach -source

Aug 18 (Reuters) - Florida health officials have found

evidence of local Zika virus transmission in Miami Beach, one of

the world's most popular tourist destinations, opening a new

front in the fight against the mosquito-borne virus, according

to a source familiar with the investigation.

Read more

UPDATE 3-Viacom and controlling shareholder Sumner Redstone agree on settlement -sources

NEW YORK, Aug 18 (Reuters) - - Viacom Inc and

controlling shareholder Sumner Redstone have come to an

agreement on terms of a settlement that would result in the

departure of Chief Executive Philippe Dauman, two sources

familiar with the situation told Reuters on Thursday.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Gap's profit forecast misses as Banana Republic remains weak

* Merchandise margins increase

(Adds executive comment; updates shares)

Read more

Amber Heard donates $7 mln settlement from Johnny Depp to charity

LOS ANGELES, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Actress Amber Heard said on

Thursday she is donating her $7 million divorce settlement from

actor Johnny Depp to charity.

Read more

Apparel retailer Gap's adjusted profit beats estimates

Aug 18 (Reuters) - Apparel retailer Gap Inc reported

a better-than-expected adjusted quarterly profit largely due to

higher customer visits to its Old Navy stores in June.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Gawker.com to shut down next week

Aug 18 (Reuters) - U.S. internet publisher Gawker Media

Group said on Thursday that it would shut down Gawker.com next

week, ending the online news and gossip website's 14-year run.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Bookmakers Rank Group, 888 drop pursuit of rival William Hill

* William Hill sees FY operating profit at top end of

guidance

Read more

UPDATE 2-Harley-Davidson to pay $12 mln fine over motorcycle emissions

WASHINGTON, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Harley-Davidson Inc

agreed to pay a $12 million civil fine and stop selling illegal

after-market devices that cause its motorcycles to emit too much

pollution, the U.S. Justice Department said on Thursday.

Read more

Volkswagen to cut hours at four plants amid supply row -minister

HAMBURG, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Volkswagen is

looking to cut working hours in some parts of production at its

core factory and three other plants across Germany, a German

state minister said on Thursday.

Read more

Twitter suspended 360,000 accounts for 'promotion of terrorism' in a year

Aug 18 (Reuters) - Twitter Inc said it had shut

down 360,000 accounts related to "promotion of terrorism" since

the middle of 2015, the company said in a blog post on Thursday.

Read more

Pressure mounts in Iran for law against animal cruelty after videos cause outrage

BEIRUT, Aug 18 (Reuters) - A man grabs a dog by the ears and

bashes it against the side of a pickup truck in a rural area of

northern Iran. As the dog tries to find shelter in the back of

the truck, the man beats it with a shovel.

Read more

Austria releases U.S. rapper Freddie Gibbs on bail

VIENNA, Aug 18 (Reuters) - U.S. rapper Freddie Gibbs was

released on bail in Austria on Thursday after being charged with

sexual assault, a Vienna court spokeswoman said.

Read more

VW gets German approval for tech fixes on 140,000 2.0-liter cars

BERLIN, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Volkswagen has

received approval by Germany's motor vehicle authority KBA for

technical fixes on another 140,000 2.0-litre diesel cars with

illegal emissions control software, a spokesman said.

Read more

UPDATE 1-UK supermarket Asda has worst ever quarter

LONDON, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Supermarket chain Asda, the

British arm of Wal-Mart, reported its worst ever

quarterly sales performance on Thursday, blaming fierce

competition and food deflation.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Turkey seizes assets as post-coup crackdown turns to business

* Turkey wants U.S.-based cleric extradited

(Adds details on purge)

Read more

Britain's Sports Direct says board to face external review

LONDON, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Britain's Sports Direct

said on Thursday its board would face an "external evaluation"

later this financial year after revelations about working

practices at its main warehouse sparked criticism of the firm's

corporate governance.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Volvo and Uber team up to develop self-driving cars

STOCKHOLM, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Volvo Car Group has agreed a

$300 million alliance with Uber to develop self-driving cars,

the latest move by traditional vehicle manufacturers to team up

with Silicon Valley firms seen as threats to their industry.

Read more

RPT-Tech industry's legal shield is feeling the heat

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug 18(Reuters) - When San Francisco passed

an ordinance this year imposing fines on home rental companies

for listings by hosts not registered with the city, Airbnb sued,

saying the measure runs afoul of Section 230 of the U.S.

Communications Decency Act.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Clinton Foundation hired cyber firm after suspected hacking -sources

WASHINGTON, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Bill and Hillary Clinton's

charitable foundation hired the security firm FireEye to examine

its data systems after seeing indications they might have been

hacked, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

Read more

UPDATE 1-China July home prices showing signs of fatigue

BEIJING, Aug 18 (Reuters) - China home prices rose 0.8

percent in July nationwide, but stalled or fell in more cities

than in June, adding to concerns that one of the economy's key

growth drivers is losing steam but offering some relief for

policymakers worried about property bubbles.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Olympics-Half the world watching Games, opening ceremony ratings flat -IOC

* Early estimates show Rio opening ceremony likely drew same number of viewers as London-executive (Adds quotes from Lumme)

Read more

Lenovo Q1 net profit rises 64 pct, beating estimates

HONG KONG, Aug 18 (Reuters) - China's Lenovo Group Ltd

, the world's biggest personal computer (PC) maker,

said on Thursday its first-quarter net profit rose 64 percent,

beating estimates, as solid PC sales offset tepid smartphone

demand.

Read more

REFILE-UPDATE 1-Olympics-Taekwondo-Octagonal mat means there's nowhere to hide

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 17 (Reuters) - There is no hiding place for competitors in Olympic taekwondo, which kicked off on Wednesday, after a significant change designed to make the sport more accessible to fighters and spectators.

Read more

Olympics-Taekwondo-Octagonal mat means there's nowhere to hide

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 17 (Reuters) - There is no hiding place for competitors in the Olympic taekwondo, which kicked off on Wednesday, after a significant change designed to make the sport more accessible to fighters and spectators.

Read more

App unites diners and restaurants in fight against food waste

LONDON, Aug 17 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - More than

100,000 meals in Europe have been saved from the rubbish bin

over the past 10 months thanks to an app that allows hungry

diners to buy leftover food from restaurants at a fraction of

the price, its founders said on Wednesday.

Read more

Austria charges U.S. rapper Freddie Gibbs with sexual assault

VIENNA, Aug 17 (Reuters) - U.S. rapper Freddie Gibbs has

been charged in Austria with sexually assaulting a woman while

on tour last year in Vienna, a court spokesman said on

Wednesday.

Read more

Mixed Russian data for July strengthens case for rate cut -economists

MOSCOW, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Russia's economy weakened overall

at the beginning of the third quarter, mixed macroeconomic data

for July showed on Wednesday, strengthening the case for the

central bank to cut interest rates at its next meeting in

September, economists said.

Read more

BBC picks private weather forecaster as it ditches Met Office after 94 years

LONDON, Aug 17 (Reuters) - BBC weather forecasts, closely

watched by millions in Britain, will be provided from next year

by a private company, replacing the Met Office after 94 years.

Read more

CORRECTED-UPDATE 1-Canada's Performance Sports Group faces SEC investigation

Aug 17 (Reuters) - Canada's Performance Sports Group Ltd

said on Wednesday it was facing an

investigation by the U.S. securities regulator, two days after

the sports equipment maker said it was conducting an internal

probe into its financials.

Read more

Turkish police detain two dozen journalists after closing pro-Kurdish daily

ISTANBUL, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Turkish police have detained at

least 24 people working for a pro-Kurdish newspaper since it was

banned this week on suspicion of supporting Kurdish militants,

the newspaper said.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Canada's Performance Sports Group faces SEC investigation

Aug 17 (Reuters) - Canada's Performance Sports Group Ltd

said on Wednesday it was facing an

investigation by the U.S. securities regulator, two days after

the sports equipment maker said it was conducting an internal

probe into its financials.

Read more

Aerie lifts American Eagle's comparable sales above estimates

Aug 17 (Reuters) - Teen apparel retailer American Eagle

Outfitters Inc reported a bigger-than-expected rise in

quarterly comparable sales, largely due to strong demand for its

Aerie line of lingerie and personal care products.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Target cuts full-year profit forecast as sales decline

Aug 17 (Reuters) - Retail chain Target Corp cut its

fiscal-year profit outlook on Wednesday after quarterly sales

fell more than expected, sending its shares down nearly 5

percent.

Read more

UPDATE 2-North Korea deputy ambassador in UK defects to South

SEOUL, Aug 17 (Reuters) - North Korea's deputy ambassador in

London has defected with his family to South Korea, making him

the highest-ranking Pyongyang diplomat ever to flee the isolated

regime for the democratic South, South Korea said on Wednesday.

Read more

REFILE-Staples quarterly sales fall 3.7 pct

Aug 17 (Reuters) - Staples Inc, the No. 1 U.S.

office supplies retailer, reported a 3.7 percent fall in

quarterly sales, reflecting a lower store count and a strong

dollar.

Read more

Hold the lift! - Japan Inc's answer to the rising yen

* Exporters hit but no plans to shift more production

overseas

Read more

UPDATE 1-Wynn calls Macau's bluff with new $4 bln resort

* Analysts warn of rising competition, increasing supply

(Adds details on resort, Wynn quotes and colour)

Read more

UPDATE 1-Australia's Crown Resorts full-year profit falls 23 pct

SYDNEY, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Crown Resorts Ltd,

Australia's No. 1 casino company, posted a 22.7 percent decline

in full-year net profit due to subdued turnover at its resorts

in the Asian gambling hub of Macau, while Australian operations

reported small gains.

Read more

Australia's Crown Resorts full-year profit falls 23 pct

SYDNEY, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Crown Resorts Ltd,

Australia's No. 1 casino company, posted a 22.7 percent decline

in full-year net profit due to subdued turnover at its resorts

in the Asian gambling hub of Macau while Australian operations

reported small gains.

Read more

'A Star is Born' again with Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga

LOS ANGELES, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Pop singer Lady Gaga and

Oscar-nominated actor Bradley Cooper are joining forces to

remake classic Hollywood musical drama "A Star is Born," Warner

Bros said on Tuesday.

Read more

Barnes & Noble fires CEO Ronald Boire

Aug 16 (Reuters) - Barnes & Noble Inc said on

Tuesday that Chief Executive Ronald Boire would leave the

company as the board decided he was not a "good fit" for the

bookstore chain operator.

Read more

Olympics-Rio's reputation on the line as organisers struggle for answers

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 16 (Reuters) - With the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in imminent danger of cementing a reputation as the most trouble-plagued Games in recent history, organisers are struggling to convince the world of their good intentions as problems increase by the day.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Ford plans self-driving car for ride share fleets in 2021

DETROIT, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co plans to

offer a fully automated driverless vehicle to commercial ride

sharing fleets such as Uber in 2021, the automaker

announced Tuesday.

Read more

CORRECTED-Wave of car burning crimes in Sweden moves to poor Stockholm suburb

STOCKHOLM, Aug 16 (Reuters) - A wave of car burnings across

Sweden that has seen more than 2,000 vehicles damaged or

destroyed this year, moved on Monday night to the Stockholm

suburb of Husby, where mass riots began three years ago and

spread across the capital's poorer suburbs.

Read more

UPDATE 3-T.J. Maxx owner's profit forecast disappoints, shares marked down

Aug 16 (Reuters) - TJX Cos Inc, operator of

off-price retail chains T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, forecast a

profit for full year that fell short of analyst estimates as

costs rise due to higher wages and a strong dollar erodes

revenue from outside the United States.

Read more

UPDATE 1-US regulators to unveil final rule on truck emissions limits-source

WASHINGTON, Aug 16 (Reuters) - U.S. regulators on Tuesday

will announce final regulations setting fuel efficiency

standards on medium- and heavy-duty trucks through 2027 that

will cut 1.1 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions, a source

briefed on the matter told Reuters.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Radical UK Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary guilty of inviting support for IS

LONDON, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Anjem Choudary, Britain's most

high-profile Islamist preacher whose followers have been linked

to numerous militant plots across the world, has been found

guilty of inviting support for Islamic State.

Read more

WRAPUP 1-U.S. consumer prices unchanged; underlying inflation slowing

WASHINGTON, Aug 16 (Reuters) - U.S. consumer prices were

unchanged in July as the cost of gasoline fell for the first

time in five months and underlying inflation moderated, which

could further diminish the prospect of a Federal Reserve

interest rate increase this year.

Read more

Ford, Baidu co-invest in autonomous tech firm Velodyne

DETROIT, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co and Baidu

Inc, the Chinese search engine giant, have jointly

invested $150 million in Velodyne, which makes a key component

in self-driving cars as Ford ramps up development in the

autonomous field.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Blackstone pulls out of Taipei 101 tower deal - sources

TAIPEI, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Blackstone has pulled out

of a potential $700 million investment in the Taipei 101 tower

operator after the Taiwanese group declined to disclose certain

financial details, two sources with direct knowledge of the

situation told Reuters.

Read more

Turkish court orders closure of pro-Kurdish newspaper Ozgur Gundem

ANKARA, Aug 16 (Reuters) - A Turkish court ordered the

closure of a leftist pro-Kurdish newspaper on Tuesday for

spreading terrorist propaganda, saying it had acted as the "de

facto news outlet" of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militant

group, a court document showed.

Read more

Advance Auto Parts quarterly revenue falls 4.8 pct

Aug 16 (Reuters) - U.S. auto parts retailer Advance Auto

Parts Inc reported a 4.8 percent fall in quarterly

revenue due to store closures last year and as it consolidates

its Carquest stores.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Home Depot lifts profit forecast as housing market strengthens

Aug 16 (Reuters) - Home Depot Inc raised its

full-year earnings forecast after reporting a 6.6 percent rise

in quarterly sales as customers spent more in a strong housing

market.

Read more