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☆ Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy file for union vote at Disneyland
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Chris Isidore | Natasha Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The group had announced a union organizing effort in February, but very often such campaigns fall short of filing to hold a vote. Union organizing efforts have picked up in the last year, especially in the wake of a number of high profile contract wins by unions that provided union members with large pay raises. There are more than 21,000 Disneyland “cast member” employees, who are represented by more than a dozen unions. But it doesn’t include the performers who dress up as characters such as Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy and interact with visitors. Vo said it’s difficult for cast members to afford living on their own, and many have roommates.

Persons: “, ”, Kate Shindle, Mickey, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Disney, Mai Vo, Vo, Zach Elefante, Elefante Organizations: California CNN, Actor’s Equity Association, National Labor Relations Board, Disneyland, Disney, Union, Workers, CNN, showtime, Magic Kingdom Locations: Anaheim, California, Los Angeles, Orlando , Florida, Orlando, Southern California, Vo

☆ Tycoon’s death penalty in $12.5 billion fraud case highlights Vietnam’s corruption crisis
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

The scale of the fraud was said to be equivalent to roughly 3% of Vietnam’s economy. Though widely considered ceremonial, the presidency is one of the top three positions in Vietnam’s political hierarchy after the CPV’s Secretary General, currently Nguyen Phu Trong. In fact, the International Monetary Fund expects Vietnam’s economy to grow by 5.8% this year, compared to 4.6% for China. Their fate remains unclear, given the highly secretive nature of Vietnam’s political system. But Vietnamese political experts said a permanent appointment would not end the instability.

Persons: Truong My Lan, Van Thinh, siphoned, “, Eric Chu, Vietnam’s, Vo Van, Trong, Thuong, Vo Van Thuong, Richard A, Brooks, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Pham Binh, Le Hong Hiep, Yusof, ” Hiep, ”, Thu, General Trong, Xi Jinping, ” Zachary Abuza, Salt Bae, Lam, ” Abuza, Nguyen Phu Trong, Evelyn Hockstein, Abuza, Bui Thanh Soh, ” Soh, Vo, Xuan, Thuong’s, Le Hong Organizations: CNN, Van Thinh Phat Holdings Group, Stock Commercial Bank, Reuters, SCB, Express, Communist Party, Institute, Crisis Group, National War College, Vietnamese Communist Party, Public Security, Vietnam, International Monetary Fund, Companies, Apple, Intel, Vietnam's Communist Party General, Yusof, Brookings Institution, “, Crisis Locations: Vietnam, Saigon, People’s, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Duc, Singapore, Asia, China, Washington, “, London, Turkish, Hanoi, Bangkok

Truong My Lan, a Vietnamese real estate tycoon, was sentenced to death on Thursday for her role in a financial fraud case, in a major display of the ruling Communist Party’s resolve to crack down on corruption. The trial for Ms. Lan, who was the chairwoman of the real estate developer Van Thinh Phat Group, was part of the government’s campaign against corruption. The leader of Vietnam’s Communist Party, Nguyen Phu Trong, has sought for years to stamp out corruption as the nation emerges as a major manufacturing hub and as one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies. Mr. Trong launched the anti-corruption drive in 2016, saying that graft could threaten the survival of the Communist Party, which has governed the country for nearly half a century. The campaign has led to the downfall of many business leaders and top officials, including former President Vo Van Tong, who resigned in March amid corruption allegations.

Persons: Truong, Lan, Van Thinh, Nguyen Phu Trong, Trong, Vo Van Tong Organizations: Vietnam’s Communist Party, Communist Party Locations: Vietnamese, Ho Chi Minh City

That's because a subsidy that helps people with limited resources afford internet access is set to expire this spring. If the program expires, participating families, including nearly 900,000 in North Carolina, will either lose internet access or have to pay more to stay connected. Most of that money will be awarded to internet providers to build internet infrastructure in areas that need it most. Several states incorporated the ACP subsidies into those draft plans in ways that would lower the cost for internet access to zero for some customers. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

Persons: Joe Biden, ” North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, “, Shirleen Alexander of Charlotte, ”, Alexander, Biden, Franklin Roosevelt, Brian Vo, ” Vo, Nate Denny, he's “, ” Denny, Denny, Gina Raimondo, ” Cooper, ___ Organizations: ANGELES, Program, ” North, ” North Carolina Governor, Democrat, Administration, New, ”, Connect, Biden, Federal Communications Commission, Sense Media, Boston Consulting, Broadband Equity, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Associated Press, America Statehouse News Initiative, America Locations: North Carolina, U.S, ”, ” North Carolina, America, Raleigh

☆ Tech stocks dominated 2023 investing. Here's where the sector finds growth in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-31 | by ( Samantha Subin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

After 2023's blowout run, it's hard to recall the once gloomy investing setup for technology stocks last December. As the calendar year turns, don't expect technology stocks to match 2023's blowout gains, but the year's performance is no fluke. AI stocks may dominate tech-focused investing, but don't sleep on the other emerging themes. GOOGL YTD mountain Alphabet shares in 2023 Both companies have rolled out new initiatives in the months since. Arm Holdings made headlines this year as one of the first major companies to go public , reviving the IPO market after a roughly two-year drought.

Persons: behemoths, Jay Woods, Mark Zuckerberg, didn't, chipmakers, David Waddell, Everybody's, Copilot, Paul Meeks, Gene Munster, Alphabet's, Meeks, Morgan Stanley, Andrew Slimmon, They're, Slimmon, CNBC's, Wall, Nvidia's, He's, Mahoney, Ken Mahoney, it's, Brent Fredberg, Munster's, Management's Albert Tsuei, Tsuei, William Blair's Jonathan Vo, Keith Weiss Organizations: Federal Reserve, Treasury, Freedom, Microsoft, Waddell & Associates, Oracle, Arista Networks, Morgan, Morgan Stanley Investment, Meta, Nvidia, Devices, Dell, Hewlett Packard Enterprises, Broadcom, Holdings, Micron Technology, Brandes Investment Partners, Micron, Samsung, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, MGM Resorts, Johnson, Okta, UBS, Management's, Palo Alto Networks, Palo Alto Locations: British, Clorox

☆ Vietnam upgrades ties with Japan to highest level
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Vietnam's President Vo Van Thuong speaks as he attends the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) Leaders event at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in San Francisco, California, U.S. November 16, 2023. REUTERS/Brittany Hosea-Small/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsHANOI, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Vietnam and Japan on Monday officially upgraded their relations to a "comprehensive strategic partnership" during a visit by Vietnamese president Vo Van Thuong to Tokyo. Vietnam has designated five other countries as comprehensive strategic partners, including China, India, Russia, South Korea and the United States. Japan is Vietnam's third-largest source of foreign investment and its fourth-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $50 billion last year. Vietnam and Japan, both embroiled in separate maritime disputes with China, in 2020 reached a $348 million Japanese loan agreement for Vietnam to build six patrol vessels.

Persons: Vo Van Thuong, Brittany Hosea, Vo Van, Thuong, Khanh Vu, Ed Osmond Organizations: Economic, Economic Cooperation, REUTERS, Rights, Monday, Japan, Honda, Panasonic, Bridgestone, Thomson Locations: Asia, San Francisco , California, U.S, Rights HANOI, Vietnam, Japan, Tokyo, China, United States, India, Russia, South Korea

☆ APEC's 'San Francisco Principles' on sustainability, inclusiveness
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The so-called "San Francisco Principles on Integrating Inclusivity and Sustainability into Trade and Investment Policy" are aimed at considering "economic, social and environmental dimensions in a balanced way" in APEC members' policies. -- Strengthening data collection and research on trade and investment policies to monitor economic, environmental and social impacts. But the final language in the San Francisco Principles accounts for differences among the 21 diverse APEC economies that include China, the U.S. and Brunei. "Measures should consider economic, social and environmental dimensions in a balanced way, in line with economies' circumstances, and should not exacerbate inequalities." Reporting by David Lawder; Editing by Chizu NomiyamaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joe Biden, Yoon Suk, Fumio Kishida, Joko Widodo, Lee Hsien Loong, Vo Van, Bongbong Marcos, David Lawder, Chizu Organizations: South, Japan's, FRANCISCO, Asia, Economic Cooperation, Trade, Investment, APEC, San Francisco, Thomson Locations: Singapore, Vietnam, Vo Van Thuong, Philippines, China, U.S, Francisco, San Francisco, Brunei

Protests are expected throughout this week's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders’ conference, which could draw more than 20,000 attendees, including hundreds of international journalists. San Francisco has a long tradition of loud and vigorous protests, as do trade talks. In 1999, tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Seattle during a World Trade Organization conference. San Francisco Police Department Chief Bill Scott said he expects several protests a day, although it's uncertain how many will materialize. “People are welcome to exercise their constitutional rights in San Francisco, but we will not tolerate people committing acts of violence, or property destruction or any other crime,” Scott said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Suzanne Ali, ”, Bill Scott, ” Scott, “, Biden, Xi Jinping, Rory McVeigh, Xi, Vo Van Thuong, Bongbong Marcos, Ferdinand Marcos, Nik Evasco, “ It's, Huizhong Wu Organizations: FRANCISCO, —, Sunday, Economic Cooperation, ’, APEC, Moscone Center, Palestinian Youth Movement, U.S, Hamas, Trade Organization, Protesters, Thai, San Francisco Police Department, Center, University of Notre Dame, United Vietnamese American Community of, International Coalition for Human Rights, Associated Press Locations: Israel, San Francisco, Asia, Francisco, Seattle, Chile, Thailand, Bangkok, China, U.S, Mexico, Brazil, Philippines, United Vietnamese American Community of Northern California, Vietnam

☆ Trump kid says the darnedest things: Donald Trump, Jr. gives guarded, sometimes flip, testimony at fraud trial
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Donald Trump, Jr., was well-spoken, but guarded during 90 minutes of testimony on Wednesday. He cracked a couple of jokes and protected his father during week 5 of the Trump civil fraud trial. Eric Trump testifies next, with Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump scheduled for next week. Donald Trump, Jr., jokes he "should have worn makeup" while photographed at the defense table in the Trump civil fraud trial in New York. Ivanka Trump was once a defendant in the AG case, along with Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and Eric Trump.

Persons: Donald Trump , Jr, Trump, Eric Trump, Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump, —, Donald J, Jr, Colleen Faherty, I'm, Faherty, Letitia James, James, Alina Habba, Seth Wenig, Donald Trump Jr Organizations: Service, New, Trump Revocable Trust, Trump, ocable, Trump Organization Locations: Manhattan, New York

☆ In Mexico, modern art is for dogs too as exhibition opens
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/5] A dog sits in front of a poem during the "Art and Dogs" exhibition at the Rufino Tamayo Contemporary Art Museum, in Mexico City, Mexico October 21, 2023. Now, the Museo Tamayo in Mexico City has put together an exhibition of modern art pieces that both humans and their furry friends can visit. The second #ArteyPerros, or Art and Dogs, exhibition includes pieces by Haris Epaminonda, Max Ernst, Mathias Goeritz, Pierre Huyghe, Danh Vo and Mario Garcia Torres as well as a poem by Luis Felipe Fabre. Mila Cohen, a sixth-grade student who visited the exhibition, said she appreciated the idea that she could take her dog, Sakura. "It would be incredible if there were more spaces like this, with art, where we could spend time with our dogs," said Manu Exheverria, a photographer.

Persons: Rufino Tamayo, Lorenza, Haris Epaminonda, Max Ernst, Mathias Goeritz, Pierre Huyghe, Danh Vo, Mario Garcia Torres, Luis Felipe Fabre, Mila Cohen, Manu Exheverria, Diego Delgado, Stefanie Eschenbacher, Mark Porter Organizations: Rufino Tamayo Contemporary Art Museum, REUTERS, MEXICO CITY, Museo, Thomson Locations: Mexico City, Mexico, MEXICO

☆ China's Xi tells Vietnam not to forget roots of their friendship
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Kham/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Chinese leader Xi Jinping told Vietnam's second-highest ranking official on Friday that both countries must not forget the "original intention" of their traditional friendship. China has traditionally strong ties with Vietnam since diplomatic relations were established in 1950, despite a brief war in 1979. "Faced with the ever-changing international situation and arduous domestic development tasks, the two countries must not forget the original intention of their traditional friendship," Xi told visiting Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong. "The two sides should adhere to the principle of joint consultation," Xi told Thuong, adding that China and Vietnam should capitalise on their geographical proximity and industrial complementarity. There was no mention of any Xi visit in the Chinese state media readout of their meeting.

Persons: Wang Yi, Pham Binh Minh, Xi Jinping, Vietnam's, Xi, Vo Van, Nguyen Phu Trong, Thuong, Vladimir Putin, Joe Biden, Ryan Woo, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: China's, Government, REUTERS, Rights, Beijing, Communist Party General, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Hanoi, Vietnam, Rights BEIJING, China, United States, Washington, Moscow, Beijing, France, Saigon

[1/2] Performers dance to welcome Vietnam's President Vo Van Thuong at Beijing Capital International Airport ahead of the Third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China, October 17, 2023. The conciliatory approach towards rivals as well as China's partners in the developing world comes as President Xi Jinping gets to grips with the most significant domestic economic problems seen in years. China has not changed its tone on every issue. It has not backed away from escalating maritime confrontation with the Philippines in the South China Sea. Stabilizing the U.S. relationship, including with a meeting between Xi and U.S. President Joe Biden at an upcoming Asia- Pacific summit, could give China breathing room.

Persons: Vo Van Thuong, Parker, Biden, Xi Jinping, Noah Barkin, Barkin, Cheng Lei, Xi, Chuck Schumer, Willy Lam, Huiyao Wang, Qin Gang, Li Shangfu, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Zack Cooper, Don Durfee, Robert Birsel Organizations: Beijing Capital International, Forum, U.S, Initiative, Jamestown Foundation, for, Marshall, American Enterprise Institute, Washington, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, San Francisco China, HONG KONG, WASHINGTON, Sri Lanka, United States, Asia, Europe, Australia, U.S, Zambia, Philippines, South China, Africa, for China

☆ Neighbors app floods police inboxes with alerts that have nothing to do with crimes
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Lam Thuy Vo | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +17 min

People can use Neighbors to publish footage alongside their posts; when the posts are forwarded to police officers, officers can click through to view the accompanying media. "All posts and comments on Neighbors are publicly viewable on the Neighbors feed by users and public safety agencies alike. As with Poole, other LAPD officers The Markup identified as using Neighbors to keep tabs on crime did not respond to requests for interviews. To familiarize LAPD officers with the platform, the company organized in-person training sessions as well as video calls. In this dataset, at least 26 LAPD officers posted in Neighbors at least once and received responses from users.

Persons: —, Poole, Craig Newmark, Detective Poole, Albert Fox Cahn, isn't, It's, Cahn, Ring, Mai Nguyen, Nguyen, Sarah Brayne, Peter Polack, Jamie Siminoff, didn't, Siminoff, Shaquille O'Neal, Neighbors, Andrew Guthrie Ferguson, Andrea Han, Drake Madison Organizations: Service, Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Police Department, Ring News, LAPD, NYCity, Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, CUNY, NBC, University of Texas, Employees, Intercept, Ebay, Neighbors Public Safety Service, Neighbors, Ring's, Los Angeles, Guardian, American University Washington College of Law, Data, didn't, Network Locations: Jeffry, United States, Neighbors, Angeles, Austin, Los, Shadow, Tuna, North Hollywood, RVs, Panera

☆ Inside the Elaborate, Enviable Design of Three New York Homes
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +34 min

If You Can Make It Here Great design for a great city (New York, of course — where else?) In the oak-paneled living room of Justinian Kfoury’s apartment in a townhouse on Washington Square Park, an Audubon-style print and a Hans Wegner Papa Bear chair. “She was eccentric, grand, but not afraid of making weird decisions about design.” In the living room, a 1975 Leonid Berman painting of the Venice Lagoon hangs between the French doors. A view of the double-height living room from the curved balcony on the third floor. A sculpture by Huma Bhabha and a configuration of five Isamu Noguchi L7 pendants in the landing that separates the primary suite from the living room.

Persons: it’s, Mishan, there’s, —, Justinian, Hans Wegner Papa Bear, Paavo, Marc Hundley, that’s, Adriana Lara, Nicholas Krushenick, ”, Justinian Kfoury, downtowners, He’d, Trish Goff, Kfoury, “, Leonid Berman, Jelto ”, Tomma Abts, Paul Cadmus, Edith Wharton, Henry James, Paul van der, ” Kfoury, Joe Roberts, Mary Cameron Goodyear, Kfoury’s, He’s, Wolfgang Tillmans, they’d, It’s, Lorna Simpson, Mario Bellini, Misha Kahn, Michael Anastassiades, Glenn Ligon’s, Frank Bowling, Piet Hein Eek, Miriam Cahn, Paul Pfeiffer’s, Leah Panlilio, Tal Schori, Rustam Mehta, Adam Pogue, Constantino Buccolieri, Michael Kirkland, Alvar Aalto, Cy Twombly’s, Ho, Huma Bhabha, Isamu Noguchi, Nairy Baghramian, Coco Fusco, Robert Vinas Jr, Duro Olowu, Mark Ellison, Adam Marelli, Bob Chan, Isamu Noguchi Akari, Danh Vo, Nairy, ‘, Laura Mac Donald, Theaster Gates, Frank Lloyd, Kirkland, Ettore, Parsons, Jasper Johns, Merce Cunningham, Julianne Moore, Bart Freundlich’s Montauk, Bart Freundlich’s, Moore, Tom Volk, Oliver Freundlich, Anne’s, Pierre Jeanneret, Willy Van Der, Ori Gersht, she’s, ” It’s, Bart Freundlich, Tomas Maier, Bottega, Andrew Geller, Norman Jaffe, Freundlich, ” Moore, Moore’s, Liv, Caleb, Robert Gurr, Pierre, Noguchi, Alma Allen, Joseph Dirand, Oliver, “ I’m, ” Oliver, grins, MOORE, Anne Love Smith, Massimiliano Locatelli, Daniel Romualdez, Vincent Van Duysen, Charlotte Perriand, Pierre Chapo, Willy Van Der Meeren, Friedrich Kunath, Mark Wilson, Donald Judd, Wilson, Karl Springer, Rogan Gregory, Nancy Pearce, Oscar, Alice ”, Alexander Calder, Andrea Zittel, JB Blunk, AFTRA, Hope, ‘ You’re, ’ ” Organizations: Manhattan’s, Yorkers, that’s, Audubon, Washington, East Village, brac, AS, Fifth, Fort Standard, GRT Architects, Architects, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Soane Britain, Hamptons, WHO, Writers Guild of America, SAG, “ Locations: New York, Paris, London, Rome , New York, It’s, Washington, Manhattan, Harlem, Montauk, American, Chinatown, York, New York’s Washington, Kennebunkport, England, East, Boston, Lebanon, Maine, Vermont, Venice, Moroccan, North, Kfoury’s, New York’s Harlem, Westchester County, N.Y, Brooklyn, Italian, Finnish, Rome, Los Angeles, Korean, Berlin, Iranian, Chicago, North Carolina, California, Summerhill, Long, Fort Pond, New York City, Pond, Morentz, Scottish, Japanese American, Belgian, East Hampton, Japan, “, Swiss

☆ Julianne Moore’s Montauk Sanctuary
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Nick Haramis | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +34 min

— HANYA YANAGIHARASpeak Softly In a wild meadow by the sea, Julianne Moore and Bart Freundlich’s Montauk house uses just a few materials to say many things. In Moore’s office, a Pierre Jeanneret desk and chair, an Alvar Aalto stool and a Willy Van Der Meeren cabinet. In the oak-paneled living room of Justinian Kfoury’s apartment in a townhouse on Washington Square Park, an Audubon-style print and a Hans Wegner Papa Bear chair. A view of the double-height living room from the curved balcony on the third floor. A sculpture by Huma Bhabha and a configuration of five Isamu Noguchi L7 pendants in the landing that separates the primary suite from the living room.

Persons: it’s, Mishan, there’s, —, Julianne Moore, Bart Freundlich’s Montauk, Bart Freundlich’s, Moore, Tom Volk, Oliver Freundlich, Anne’s, Pierre Jeanneret, Alvar Aalto, Willy Van Der, Ori Gersht, she’s, ” It’s, ”, “, Bart Freundlich, Tomas Maier, Bottega, Andrew Geller, Norman Jaffe, Freundlich, ” Moore, Moore’s, Liv, Caleb, Robert Gurr, Isamu Noguchi, Pierre, Noguchi, Alma Allen, Joseph Dirand, Oliver, “ I’m, ” Oliver, grins, MOORE, Anne Love Smith, Massimiliano Locatelli, Daniel Romualdez, Vincent Van Duysen, Charlotte Perriand, Pierre Chapo, Willy Van Der Meeren, Friedrich Kunath, Mark Wilson, Donald Judd, Wilson, Mario Bellini, Karl Springer, Rogan Gregory, Nancy Pearce, Oscar, Alice ”, Alexander Calder, Andrea Zittel, JB Blunk, AFTRA, Hope, It’s, ‘ You’re, ’ ”, Justinian, Hans Wegner Papa Bear, Paavo, Marc Hundley, that’s, Adriana Lara, Nicholas Krushenick, Justinian Kfoury, downtowners, He’d, Trish Goff, Kfoury, Leonid Berman, Jelto ”, Tomma Abts, Paul Cadmus, Edith Wharton, Henry James, Paul van der, ” Kfoury, Joe Roberts, Mary Cameron Goodyear, Kfoury’s, He’s, Wolfgang Tillmans, they’d, Lorna Simpson, Misha Kahn, Michael Anastassiades, Glenn Ligon’s, Frank Bowling, Piet Hein Eek, Miriam Cahn, Paul Pfeiffer’s, Leah Panlilio, Tal Schori, Rustam Mehta, Adam Pogue, Constantino Buccolieri, Michael Kirkland, Cy Twombly’s, Ho, Huma Bhabha, Nairy Baghramian, Coco Fusco, Robert Vinas Jr, Duro Olowu, Mark Ellison, Adam Marelli, Bob Chan, Isamu Noguchi Akari, Danh Vo, Nairy, ‘, Laura Mac Donald, Theaster Gates, Frank Lloyd, Kirkland, Ettore, Parsons, Jasper Johns, Merce Cunningham Organizations: Manhattan’s, Yorkers, that’s, Hamptons, WHO, Writers Guild of America, SAG, “, Audubon, Washington, East Village, brac, AS, Fifth, Fort Standard, GRT Architects, Architects, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Soane Britain Locations: New York, Paris, London, Rome , New York, It’s, Washington, Manhattan, Harlem, Montauk, American, Chinatown, York, N.Y, Summerhill, Long, Fort Pond, New York City, Pond, North Carolina, Morentz, Scottish, Japanese American, Belgian, East Hampton, Japan, “, California, Swiss, New York’s Washington, Kennebunkport, England, East, Boston, Lebanon, Maine, Vermont, Venice, Moroccan, North, Kfoury’s, New York’s Harlem, Westchester County, Brooklyn, Italian, Finnish, Rome, Los Angeles, Korean, Berlin, Iranian, Chicago

He'll also visit a Hanoi memorial honoring his late friend and colleague Sen. John McCain, who was held for more than five years as a prisoner during the Vietnam War . Biden met with Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, who also accompanied Biden to a quick drop by at a meeting of business leaders. Biden said the shift demonstrated how far bilateral relations had evolved from the “bitter past” of the Vietnam War. The North Vietnamese wanted to make a show of releasing McCain early as his father assumed command over the Pacific. Despite his experience in Vietnam, McCain was a strong advocate of restoring diplomatic relations with the country that had so badly mistreated him.

Persons: Joe Biden, He'll, Sen, John McCain, Biden, Phạm Minh Chính, Võ Văn Thưởng, Biden's, Nguyễn Phú Trong, Trong, Sidney McCain, McCain, McCain’s, ”, “, Democrat Barack Obama, John Kerry, Obama, ” Biden Organizations: U.S, White, Vietnam Airlines, Communist Party of Vietnam, cellmates, Navy, Senate, Republican, Democrat, Democratic, Joint Base Elmendorf Locations: HANOI, Vietnam, Hanoi, U.S, Arizona, Bac Ninh Province, China, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Beijing, Asia, Hanoi , North Vietnam, American, Washington, Richardson, Anchorage , Alaska, New York, Washington and Pennsylvania

☆ Vietnamese Catholics travel to Mongolia to see pope, ask him to visit
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( Joseph Campbell | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins Acquire Licensing RightsULAANBAATAR, Sept 2 (Reuters) - Vietnamese Catholics who flew thousands of miles to see Pope Francis in Mongolia had one message for the pontiff: They want him to visit their communist-run country too. It was announced on July 27 when the pope received Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong at the Vatican. "I really hope that he will visit Vietnam in the short term," Pham said, mentioning the hope spawned by president's visit to the Vatican. "I cannot tell (you) my feelings right now, because I'm so happy," said Vo, seeing the pope for the first time. "Vietnamese people, we love him and are waiting for him to visit us in Vietnam."

Persons: Mai Anh, Peter, Paul Cathedral, Pope Francis, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Cindy Pham, Ho, Vo Van Thuong, Pham, president's, Maria Vo, Francis, Joseph Campbell, Philip Pullella, Ros Russell Organizations: REUTERS, Catholic, Catholic Church, Thomson Locations: Vietnam, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, ULAANBAATAR, Saturday, France, Ho Chi Minh City, Vatican, Hanoi, Vietnamese, Philippines

☆ Tech workers react to UPS drivers landing a $170,000 a year package with a mixture of anger and admiration
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Grace Kay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Tech workers said the boost could make UPS driver pay competitive with tech salaries. Some tech workers said they feel "underpaid" in comparison and others pointed out UPS drivers have difficult jobs. The average UPS driver could get six-figure pay under a new contract, and tech workers have mixed feelings about it. LM Otero/APDespite some tech workers' resentment, many workers pointed out UPS drivers work under difficult conditions. UPS workers often must work holiday shifts, which are known for being grueling as package volume increases.

Persons: Carol Tomé, TuSimple, Centene, LM Otero, Santa Claus, Claire Vo Organizations: Tech, Morning, Teamsters, UPS, Microsoft, Bloomberg Locations: LCOL, Texas, Santa

The National Bank of Canada logo is seen outside of a branch in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, February 14, 2019. National Bank said in a statement it will acquire the C$1 billion ($752 million) loan portfolio made up of technology, life science and global fund banking sectors. National Bank already has made a number of bets in the tech space in Canada investing in fintech firms such as KOHO, Synctera and Flinks over the years. Veritas Investment Research analyst Nigel D'Souza said the deal does not restrict National Bank from acquiring Laurentian Bank (LB.TO), but that deal was now less likely. "We continue to view National Bank as the best fit among the Big Six banks for Laurentian," D'Souza said.

Persons: Chris Wattie, Michael Denham, Denham, Tuyen Vo, Nigel D'Souza, D'Souza, Jaiveer Singh, Will Dunham, Krishna Chandra Eluri, Shilpi Majumdar Organizations: National Bank of Canada, REUTERS, National Bank, National Bank's Technology, Innovation Banking, Bank, Veritas Investment Research, Laurentian Bank, Big, Thomson Locations: Ottawa , Ontario, Canada, U.S, Silicon, Bengaluru

Every month, Jimmy Ly usually orders nearly 150 bottles of sriracha from Huy Fong Foods for one of his Vietnamese restaurants in New York City. The sauce opens the richness of a pho broth or adds a blast of heat to a banh xeo, a Vietnamese crepe. Sriracha can “really hit the sweet spot in terms of spice, sweetness, acidity, just that tang.”But a few months ago, supply began to dry up. So he, like some other Huy Fong enthusiasts, bought two large bottles on eBay for $35 each, about five times the usual price, to use at home. For the second year in a row, Huy Fong, the maker of the most popular variety of sriracha, is facing production issues, the company said in a statement this month, because of “a shortage of raw material” with “no estimations of when supply will increase.”

Persons: Jimmy Ly, It’s, Mr, Ly, Sriracha, Madame Vo, Monsieur Vo, Huy Fong Organizations: Huy Fong Foods, of, eBay Locations: Huy, New York City, East, of Manhattan

☆ A.I. human-voice clones are coming for the Amazon, Apple, Google audiobook
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-17 | by ( Trevor Laurence Jockims | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +14 min

"For many publishers, audiobook production can be a major investment," said Judy Chang, director of product management for Google Play Books. Even with AI voice, there is nominally a voice actor somewhere in the process. What voice actors sayFor some voice actors, the choice is being made to stay away. Kinsella noted that AI voice played a foundational role in the integration of AI into daily life at an earlier point. But he added, "I've yet to find a client who tells me they've chosen an AI voice over hiring me.

Persons: Ciccarell, Ciccarelli, David Ciccarelli, Alexa, Judy Chang, It's, it's, Bret Kinsella, Brad Ziffer, Michele Cobb, Cobb, Siri, OpenAI's ChatGPT, Kinsella, … Siri, ChatGPT, Ziffer, Andrea Collins, Collins, John Kubin, I've, Kubin Organizations: Google, Apple, Audio Publishers Association, Alexa Locations: U.S

☆ AI-generated narrators threaten voice actors hoping for audiobook gigs
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-17 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

AI is entering the publishing industry in the form of artificial human voices narrating audiobooks. Some voice actors are avoiding jobs that could lead to their voices being cloned by AI. Audiobooks could soon be narrated by artificial intelligence instead of voice actors as technological advancements make professionals across the industry question their futures. As the industry booms, voice actors are becoming more wary of AI's potential to be used to clone their voices, according to CNBC. Synthesized voice algorithms aren't there yet to be able to fully reproduce all the nuances of the human voice."

Persons: Jackson, Katherine Tangalakis, Brad Ziffer, David Ciccarelli, Ciccarelli, weren't, Ziffer Organizations: CNBC, Morning, Google, Apple

☆ Where to Find Family-Style Dining, and More Reader Questions
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( Nikita Richardson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

I’m looking forward to eating outdoors as much as humanly possible before it gets unbearably hot. That said, it’s reader question time and, as usual, my inbox was full of thoughtful and fun requests, including where to go for large-format dining, where to find carciofi alla giudia (Jewish-style artichokes) and where to have great nonalcoholic drinks. As always, please email your questions to wheretoeat@nytimes.com, and you may see them answered in a future newsletter. One of our favorite things to do with friends is to go out to eat where fixed-menu, family-style dining is offered. — Joy W.Francie, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, has a whole roast duck for $135 that’s presented with various flora before it’s carved up.

Persons: W, Francie, It’s, Pete Wells, Monsieur Vo Locations: Williamsburg , Brooklyn, NoLIta, East

☆ Moscow's 'special' forces: An inside look at how Russia's famed Spetsnaz really operate
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-30 | by ( Mark Galeotti | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +24 min

Russia's Spetsnaz forces are often depicted as a kind of Russian super troops. Osprey PublishingMost countries' special forces emphasize physical fitness, determination and aggression. Special people, for special tasksMembers of the Russian military's 16th Separate Special Purpose Brigade during an exercise in 2018. Even so, being better than most of the Soviet army's miserable and recalcitrant conscript forces did not make most of them truly special, special forces. The special operations commandMembers of Russian's 22nd Separate Guards Special Purpose Brigade during an exercise in November 2017.

☆ Virgin Orbit COO calls out company leadership for failures in goodbye memo. Read the full email
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Gingiss' email appears to call out Virgin Orbit CEO Dan Hart, although not by name, and offers an apology to employees that they "have not heard from the person who should be saying it." With Virgin Orbit now under bankruptcy protection, departing Chief Operating Officer Tony Gingiss had some choice words for the company's leadership, as well as a lengthy and detailed apology to its employees. Dear Virgin Orbit and Virgin Orbit National Systems current and former employees,Like many of you, today is my last day at Virgin Orbit. Thank you for everything you gave to me personally and to the dream of Virgin Orbit. Go boldly onto your next adventure and bring that special you that you brought to Virgin Orbit.

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