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☆ Squishmallow and Build-a-Bear head into legal battle over ‘knock-offs’
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Build-a-Bear fired back with its own legal complaint, claiming “Skoosherz” is its own version of a popular toy style. The lawsuit claims Build-A-Bear has been trying to “trick” customers with such obvious knock-offs, stealing potential customers and sales from Squishmallows. Build-A-Bear claims it has sold pre-made stuffed animals on its site and on Amazon. It claims Skoosherz designs match its original stuffed animals, such as the Strawberry Cow and Spring Green Frog. “If each aspect of the claimed trade dress were in fact protected trade dress, it would be virtually impossible for competitors to create alternative designs,” the lawsuit claimed.

Persons: Bear, “, Jazwares, Kelly Toys, Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway, Skoosherz, Kawaii, “ Squishmallows, Moez Organizations: New, New York CNN, Warren, Central, ‘, CNN Locations: New York, Squishmallow, U.S, Central District, California, Missouri, St, Louis

☆ TikTok is pissing everyone off right now. Here's how its brute-force tactics could pay off — or backfire.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Dan Whateley | Sydney Bradley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. The move was an about-face for the president, whose administration had spent years calling it a national security risk. AdvertisementIt’s been deep in a public spat over music licensing with one of its most important partners, Universal Music Group. Some users have said it’s ruining the app by promoting shopping over the funny skits and dancing videos that first made TikTok popular. For leaders at ByteDance, who often have the final say over product decisions at TikTok, copying ideas from Douyin to TikTok is part of their playbook.

Persons: —, TikTok, Joe Biden, Biden, Brandon, TikTok isn’t, it's, Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, UMG, ” TikTok, it’s, TikTok's, ByteDance, It’s, Meghana, Pissing, ” Michael Huppe, Katie Notopoulos, ” Dhar Organizations: Service, White, Business, Universal Music Group, Music, Black, Facebook, Google, Big Tech, ”, YouTube, Shopping Network Locations: TikTok, Washington, Meghana Dhar, China, ByteDance

☆ Hasbro stock plunges after revenue drop, downbeat outlook
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Laya Neelakandan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Toy company Hasbro reported a more than 20% hit to its fourth-quarter revenue and issued a downbeat 2024 forecast Tuesday morning. Here's how Hasbro performed in the fourth quarter compared with estimates from LSEG, formerly known as Refinitiv:Earnings per share: 38 cents vs. 66 cents per share expected. 38 cents vs. 66 cents per share expected. Revenue: $1.29 billion vs. $1.36 billion expected. Hasbro expects further revenue declines in the year ahead.

Persons: Gina Goetter Organizations: Hasbro, Brand, ExCel, Toy, Revenue Locations: London, England, LSEG

☆ I scored a spot as a Super Bowl volunteer for the first time. I'd do it again even though I didn't get to watch the game.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Melody Pittman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewLast June, a segment on FOX 5 Vegas calling for Super Bowl LVIII volunteers caught my attention. I'd always wanted to go to the Super Bowl, but at over $5,000 a ticket, that dream is way beyond the financial reality of the average Joe. AdvertisementSince the Super Bowl is one of the highest-ranked security events in the nation, the session had a government-agency safety briefing, too. Melody PittmanWe also picked up our free swag with the Super Bowl LVIII logo. Melody PittmanOur tasks ranged from capturing guests' smiles in front of Super Bowl LVIII displays to distributing collectible swag items.

Persons: —, I'd, Volunteers aren't, Melody Pittman, Harry Reid, weren't Organizations: Service, FOX, Super Bowl LVIII, Super, Business, Volunteers, Team, Vegas, The, Harry Reid International Airport, Fremont, Allegiant Locations: Vegas, Mesquite , Nevada, Canada, Kansas, Alaska , Florida , California , Massachusetts, New Mexico, Mesquite

When Israel established a checkpoint near the Mousas' land a decade ago, the family converted their ancestral farm into a parking lot for Palestinian workers entering Israel. But the lot has been empty since Oct. 7, when Hamas militants attacked Israel from the Gaza Strip, and Israel, fearing more attacks, barred Palestinian workers from the West Bank from entering Israel. Before October, over 10,000 Palestinian workers crossed the checkpoint there daily, heading to Israeli construction sites and farms. An estimated 200,000 Palestinians worked in Israel and Israeli settlements before the war, according to the Israeli workers' hotline Kav LaOved. The Palestinian economy in the West Bank contracted by over a fifth in the last quarter of 2023, according to the Palestinian economic ministry.

Persons: Mohammed Mousa’s, They've, Israel, “ I've, Mousa, “, Alaa Mousa, Ahmad Srour, ”, Srour, “ We’ve, we’ve, Nidal Khawaja, Khawaja, Israel's, Bezalel Smotrich, Khalid Al, Esseily, Khalidi, Raul Sargo, Mohammed Mousa Organizations: West Bank, —, Palestinian Authority, Bank, World Bank, Palestinian Economic Ministry, Palestinian, Associated Press, Israel, Israel's Finance Ministry, Israeli Builders Association Locations: West Bank, Nilin, Israel, Gaza, Palestinian, U.S, israel

☆ Taylor Swift's bad fashion isn't bad taste. It's strategy.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Savannah Bradley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

AdvertisementIn December, Taylor Swift — Time's Person of the Year — glittered in front of the camera in a black bodysuit, a floor-skimming chenille dress, and a studded bustier gown. Crafting Swift's public imageThe Swiftian brand philosophy revolves around one essential idea: Taylor Swift is everyone's best friend. These choices are attainable, predictable, and unthreatening — purchases made by your best friend during a mall shopping spree. Lauren Sherman , Fashion Correspondent at Puck News , astutely labeled Swift's style as "Anthropologie Gone Wild" — mismatched, outdated, pedestrian, but instinctual. He's been running his own fashion brand for 20 years .

Persons: Taylor Swift, —, inoffensive, Swift, Jean Paul Gaultier, She's, doesn't, J, Lauren Sherman, astutely, Sherman, Swift's, Joseph Cassell Falconer, bedazzled Zuhair Murad bodysuits, Cookie Cohen, Taylor, Cohen, Yves Saint Laurent, they're, Kevin Mazur, Pharrell, Louis Vuitton, Rihanna, He's, Angelina Jolie Organizations: Service, Chiefs, Balmain, Urban Outfitters, Fashion, Puck, Swift, The New York Times, MTV Locations: Zara

☆ Putin references Russian hitman in German jail as he suggests ‘agreement can be reached’ on detained US reporter Gershkovich
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Nathan Hodge | Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested “an agreement can be reached” with the United States to release detained American journalist Evan Gershkovich, as he brought up the conviction of a “patriotic” Russian hitman in Germany. Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter, was arrested last March while on a reporting trip in the country. When Putin said Gershkovich was working with US special services, Carlson did push the Russian president, saying: “This guy is obviously not a spy, he’s a kid. In fact, journalists have repeatedly been requesting interviews with Putin, but the Russian President had declined to grant access. The Russian President suggested that the path to ending the war in Ukraine was through direct negotiations between Washington and Moscow.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Evan Gershkovich, Tucker Carlson, Putin’s, Carlson, Putin, “, ” Putin, ”, Natalia Kolesnikova, Gershkovich’s, “ He’s, Evan, ” Danielle Gershkovich, Biden, Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, He’s, Vadim Krasikov, Krasikov, Viktor Bout, Brittney Griner, Whelan, “ Evan, ” “ Evan, “ We’re, Viktor Orbán, Javier Milei, Volodymyr Zelensky, “ Putin, railroaded Tucker Carlson, Jill Dougherty, Dougherty, Armin Wolf, Joe Biden, Dmitry Medvedev Organizations: CNN, Fox News, Street Journal, Federal Security Service, Novosti, US State Department, Getty, White, Russian, Street, Big Tech, International Criminal Court, Rights Watch, Russia’s, Kremlin, NATO, Republicans Locations: United States, American, Russian, Germany, Ukraine, Moscow, Europe, Russia, US, AFP, Berlin, Chechen, Ukrainian, Mariupol, Austrian, Washington, Poland, Belarus, Israel

☆ Putin questioned about American journalist Evan Gershkovich, who has been detained in Russia for more than 300 days
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Marielle Descalsota | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Vladimir Putin was asked about Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich in an interview with Tucker Carlson. Putin said that he believes an agreement between the US and Russia regarding Gershkovich's release can be reached and that the two countries have been in discussions. Advertisement"At the end of the day, it does not make any sense to keep him in prison in Russia," Putin said. While Putin said he would not rule out Gershkovich's release, he appeared to double down on charging the journalist with espionage. In 2020, Paul Whelan, a former US Marine, was sentenced to 16 years in prison after Russia charged him with espionage.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Evan Gershkovich, Tucker Carlson, Putin, Gershkovich, —, Evan Gershkovich's, he'd, Dow Jones, Evan, Paul Whelan Organizations: Wall Street, Service, Street, Fox News, US State Department, Federal Security Service Locations: Moscow, Russian, American, Russia

☆ Opinion: The making of a Black conservative
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Opinion Coleman Hughes | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

I had Black friends, White friends, Asian friends, Hispanic friends and mixed-race friends. But I didn’t think of them as “Black,” “White,” “Hispanic” and “mixed race.” I thought of them as Rodney, Stephen, Javier and Jordan. Where my White friends had the wind of White supremacy at their backs, I faced a headwind. I huddled with the Black kids in one corner of the room, and watched as the White kids, Hispanic kids and Asian kids awkwardly shuffled to their respective corners. Why were Black students in one of the most progressive, non-racist environments on Earth claiming to experience racism all the time?

Persons: Coleman Hughes, podcaster, CNN — I’ve, White, Rodney, Stephen, Javier, Jordan, Coleman Hughes Evan Mann, Martin Luther King Jr, ’, pimply White, Emmett Till, I’d Organizations: The New York Times, Street Journal, National, City Journal, CNN, Free Press, Forbes, Penguin Publishing, Newark Academy, Color Conference, Selma, Columbia University, Columbia, White, Ivy League Locations: Montclair , New Jersey, Montclair, Houston

☆ Iraq Bans 8 Local Banks From US Dollar Transactions
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Timour AzhariBAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq has banned eight local commercial banks from engaging in U.S. dollar transactions, taking action to reduce fraud, money laundering and other illegal uses of U.S. currency days after a visit by a top U.S. Treasury official. The banks are banned from accessing the Iraqi central bank's daily dollar auction, a main source of hard currency in the import-dependent country that has become a focal point of a U.S. crackdown on currency smuggling to neighbouring Iran. A central bank document verified by an official at the bank listed the banned banks. War in Israel and Gaza View All 194 ImagesThey are: Ahsur International Bank for Investment; Investment Bank of Iraq; Union Bank of Iraq; Kurdistan International Islamic Bank for Investment and Development; Al Huda Bank; Al Janoob Islamic Bank for Investment and Finance; Arabia Islamic Bank and Hammurabi Commercial Bank. Banks banned from dollar transactions are allowed to continue operating and are allowed to engage in transactions in other currencies, the central bank says.

Persons: Timour Azhari, Al Huda, Ashur, Hammurabi, ”, Banks, Brian Nelson, Mohammed Shia, Giles Elgood Organizations: Treasury, Ahsur, Bank for Investment, Investment Bank of Iraq, Union Bank of, Kurdistan International Islamic Bank for Investment, Development, Al, Al Huda Bank, Islamic Bank for Investment, Finance, Arabia Islamic Bank, Hammurabi Commercial Bank, Central Bank of, U.S . Treasury, Huda Bank, Reuters, Iraqi Locations: Timour, Timour Azhari BAGHDAD, Iraq, U.S, Iran, United States, Israel, Gaza, Union Bank of Iraq, Kurdistan, Central Bank of Iraq, Washington, Baghdad

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves after hours: Whirlpool, F5, Cleveland-Cliffs and more
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Calix said to expect adjusted earnings between 17 cents and 23 cents per share, while analysts surveyed by FactSet forecasted 38 cents per share. Harmonic projected earnings per share between 49 cents and 72 cents, compared to estimates of 74 cents per share. In the fourth quarter, the company posted adjusted earnings of 80 cents per share on revenue of $566.6 million. Analysts polled by FactSet anticipated earnings of 79 cents per share and $561.9 million in revenue. Graco's management also offered full-year 2024 revenue guidance of "low single-digits on an organic, constant currency basis."

Persons: Woodward, FactSet, Sanmina, Calix, LSEG, Graco, Darla Mercado, Samantha Subin, Lisa Kailai Han, Tanaya Macheel, Jesse Pound Organizations: Woodward —, FactSet, Revenue, Whirlpool, Wall Locations: Cleveland

☆ 5 reasons why Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell's rom-com 'Anyone but You' has become a box-office sensation
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Jason Guerrasio | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewWhen the romantic comedy "Anyone but You" opened in theaters over Christmas weekend, the competition for audience attention was stiff. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Suddenly, thanks to bigger titles underperforming (sorry, Aquaman) and an enormous amount of word-of-mouth goodwill, "Anyone but You" became must-see. Below, five reasons why "Anyone but You" garnered so much buzz and became a box-office hit.

Persons: —, Glen Powell, Sydney Sweeney Organizations: Service, DC Comics, Business, Sony

☆ Ukrainian-born model sparks debate by winning Miss Japan pageant
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Christy Choi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —The face of Japanese beauty is now a Ukrainian-born model — at least according to pageant judges who sparked a debate on cultural identity by naming 26-year-old Karolina Shiino as Miss Japan on Monday. Ukrainian-born model Karolina Shiino was crowned Miss Nippon on Monday. Miss Japan Association/Handout via ReutersShiino’s win comes almost 10 years after Ariana Miyamoto became the first biracial contestant to be crowned Miss Universe Japan, one of several other national-level pageant titles. Miss Nippon is not part of the international beauty pageant circuit and is unaffiliated with global competitions like Miss World and Miss Universe. The first Miss Nippon contest, held in 1950, was sponsored by one of Japan’s largest newspapers, the Yomiuri Shimbun.

Persons: Karolina Shiino, “, ”, Shiino, Kazuki Oishi, I’m, Karolina, ” Karolina Shiino, Hiroe Yamashita, Karolina Shiino’s, Ariana Miyamoto, Miyamoto, Fujiko Yamamoto, Shizuo Wada, Ai Wada Organizations: CNN, Japan, Miss Nippon, Miss, Pew, Miss Japan Association, Handout, Reuters Shiino’s, Miss Universe Japan, Yomiuri Shimbun, Miss Nippon contest’s Locations: Ukrainian, Nagoya, Tokyo, Miss Japan, Japan, United States

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The estate of George Carlin has filed a lawsuit against the media company behind a fake hourlong comedy special that purportedly uses artificial intelligence to recreate the late standup comic’s style and material. The named defendants are Dudesy and podcast hosts Will Sasso and Chad Kultgen. “None of the Defendants had permission to use Carlin’s likeness for the AI-generated ‘George Carlin Special,’ nor did they have a license to use any of the late comedian’s copyrighted materials,” the lawsuit says. The company, as it often does on similar projects, also released a podcast episode with Sasso and Kultgen introducing and commenting on the mock Carlin. “Yeah, that sounded exactly like George Carlin,” Sasso responds.

Persons: George Carlin, “ George Carlin, I'm, Carlin, Kelly Carlin, Jerold Hamza, Will Sasso, Chad Kultgen, Dudesy, Sasso, Kultgen, ” Sasso, Josh Schiller Organizations: ANGELES, YouTube Locations: Los Angeles

☆ BYD: Why Hungary and Mexico could be key to the Chinese carmaker’s global domination
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

The cars come from BYD, the Chinese carmaker that is backed by Warren Buffett and has surpassed Tesla as the world’s biggest seller of electric vehicles (EVs). 1," a shipping carrier vessel intended to export BYD vehicles, at Yantai port in eastern China's Shandong province in January. BYD Mexico did not respond to a request for comment. “The US government is not going to like that Mexico is creating a back door.”A BYD electric vehicle, operated by Vemo taxi, in Mexico City in November. But as it continues to grow overseas, BYD will have to take a more localized approach, analysts say.

Persons: Warren Buffett, Tesla, BYD, Viktor Orbán’s, Yucatán, what’s, Elon Musk, Tu Le, carmaker, Hungary —, Matthias Schmidt, ”, “, Schmidt, Bill Russo, it’s, Le, Mariceu Ethrall, It’s, “ It’s, ‘ We’re, ’ ”, Stella Li, México, ” Li, Wang Chuanfu, BYD “, Russo, they’ve, ” Russo Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Xinhua, Getty, CNN, Tesla, BMW, Audi, European Union, Schmidt Automotive Research, EV, European Commission, Bloomberg, BYD, El Locations: Hong Kong, China, Europe, BYD, Shenzhen, Germany, Netherlands, Hungary, Mexico, North America, China's Shandong, Szeged, Komárom, France, Shanghai, Hungarian, United States, Canada, Mexico City, Mexican, Dutch, Rotterdam, California, Brazil, Indonesia, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Macao, Taiwan, Japan, what’s

☆ Watch CNBC's full interview wiith Michelle Yeoh
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Tania Bryer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWatch CNBC's full interview wiith Michelle YeohSpeaking exclusively to CNBC's Tania Bryer, actress, producer and UNDP Goodwill Ambassador, Michelle Yeoh, reveals what it means to be awarded a Crystal Award at the 2024 World Economic Forum, how she chooses the charitable causes that matter to her, and how her historic Academy Award win for Best Actress changed her life.

Persons: wiith Michelle Yeoh, CNBC's Tania Bryer, Michelle Yeoh Organizations: UNDP Goodwill, Academy

☆ Who is Lai Ching-te, Taiwan’s new leader and why does China dislike him?
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

On Saturday, Lai, 64, the current vice president from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), won a widely watched election to become Taiwan’s next president. Confetti flies over crowds as Lai Ching-te speaks to supporters at a rally at the DPP's headquarters on January 13, 2024 in Taipei, Taiwan. It was 1994, less than a decade after the DPP first emerged from Taiwan’s democracy movement against the authoritarian rule of the Kuomintang (KMT). Louise Delmotte/AP‘Chill out’In the lead-up to the election, China made no secret of its desire to prevent a Lai victory. Hours after Lai declared victory, China dismissed the outcome of Taiwan’s elections, saying the DPP “does not represent mainstream public opinion” on the island.

Persons: CNN — Lai Ching, Lai, Taiwan’s, “, ” Lai, we’re, ”, Xi Jinping, ” “, –, Tsai Ing, Lai Ching, Annice Lyn, I’ve, Louise Delmotte, Hou Yu, Beijing’s, Tsai, Xi, Beijing, Hsiao Bi, Hsiao, ” Lai Ching, Ann Wang, ’ Lai, ” Yang Wei Organizations: CNN, Communist Party, Democratic Progressive Party, “, DPP, Kuomintang, KMT, Communist, ih, National Taiwan University, Reuters, Taiwan People’s Party, Taiwan Affairs Office Locations: Taiwan, China, Taiwan Strait, Beijing, Tainan, Taipei, United States, ”

☆ How Disney made Star Wars the top film franchise of 2023 without a theatrical release
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-30 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Sunset Boulevard | Corbis Historical | Getty ImagesThe Force remains strong with the Star Wars franchise. Despite not releasing a theatrical film since 2019, Star Wars has been named the top film franchise of 2023 by Fandom, the world's largest platform for entertainment fans. In between each film in the sequel trilogy, Disney released a film that harkened back to an important plot point from past Star Wars films. "At the time, Disney's strategy was to essentially release one new Star Wars film theatrically each year," said Peter Csathy, founder and chair of advisory firm Creative Media. Rebuilding an empireDisney isn't set to release another Star Wars film in cinemas until 2026.

Persons: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Georges Lucas, Paul Dergarabedian, Star Wars Disney Harry Potter, James Bond, Disney, Harry Potter, Kylo Ren, Emperor Palpatine, Darth Vader, —, Princess Leia, Han, Peter Csathy, Csathy, Boba Fett, Rosario Dawson, Tano, Ahsoka, Count Dooku, Stephanie Fried, Diego Luna, Cassian Andor, Alan Tudyk Organizations: Star Wars, Star, Disney, Comscore, Star Wars Disney, Marvel, Warner Bros, DC Studios, Lucasfilm, Wars, Creative Media, Lucasfilm Disney Locations: Florida

☆ From ‘Barbenheimer’ to Taylor Swift, here are the most important films of 2023 and why they worked
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-27 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

Hannah Beier | The Washington Post | Getty ImagesCall 2023 an explosive comeback at the box office. Together, those three films contributed more than $1.5 billion to the domestic box office, according to data from Comscore. But in the meantime, here's a look at some of the most important theatrical releases of 2023 — and why they worked. Meanwhile, Disney has seen its animated content lag at the box office in the wake of the pandemic. "His Only Son," a biblical drama released in early 2023, cost $250,000 to make and generated $12.4 million at the box office.

Persons: Barbie, Oppenheimer, Hannah Beier, Mario, Comscore, Greta Gerwig, Christopher Nolan's, J, Robert Oppenheimer, Chris Pratt, Charlie, Luigi, Disney, Kung, Taylor Swift, Michael Jackson's, Buda Mendes, tas23, Swift, Beyoncé, Tim Ballard, Jim Caviezel, Covid, Blumhouse, Cabrini, Saint Francesca Cabrini, Bonhoeffer, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Organizations: Washington Post, Getty, Warner Bros, Mario Bros, Universal, Disney, Pixar, Walt Disney Animation, Swift, AMC, National Football League, Angel Studios, Century Fox, Roman Catholic, Reich Locations: Somerdale , New Jersey, There's, New York, Universal, Hollywood, Colombia

☆ Marvel drops actor Jonathan Majors after assault conviction, source says
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-18 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Jonathan Majors is out at Marvel after his misdemeanor assault and harassment conviction Monday, a person familiar with the matter told CNBC. The Marvel franchise is in a state of flux right now, with audience goodwill dwindling with each new entrant. Following the incident, but prior to his conviction, Majors was dropped from several marketing campaigns as well as by his talent agency. Disney previously pulled his film "Magazine Dreams," once considered an Oscar contender, was also pulled from the calendar. With Majors' conviction, Disney now has to make a choice: recast the role of Kang or completely alter its plans for the MCU.

Persons: Jonathan Majors, Meagan, Priya Chaudhry, Majors didn't, Bob Iger, Loki, Majors, he's, Kang, Josh Brolin's Thanos, Major's Kang Organizations: Marvel, CNBC, Majors, Disney Locations: New York City, New York

☆ I went to my first sample sale, where designer clothes sell for up to 90% off. Here's what I did right — and 5 mistakes I won't make next time.
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Jordyn Bradley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

I recently shopped my first sample sale, where brands sell clothes at discounted rates. I was glad I wore an outfit I could try clothes on top of because the fitting room wasn't private. AdvertisementI love to shop, and my most recent hunt for good deals led me to my first sample sale. AdvertisementHere's what I did right at my first sample sale, and what I'd do differently next time. AdvertisementAt my next sale, I'll inspect the pieces betterSome pieces at the sample sale clearly noted when they had stains.

Persons: I'd, —, Bradley It's, Jordyn Bradley, wasn't, there's Organizations: Service Locations: Chicago

Signage is seen for British utility company Thames Water at a repair site in London, Britain, June 28, 2023. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Thames Water, Britain's biggest water utility, is proceeding with a three-year turnaround plan, it said on Tuesday, adding it had a high level of liquidity and the support of investors, as it seeks to ease concern over its financial stability. Thames Water's environment record has also come under scrutiny. "Our shareholders support this much needed investment, underscoring their commitment to delivering Thames' turnaround." Robert Goodwill, chairman of Britain's environment, food and rural affairs committee, said that he may need to ask Thames Water bosses further questions.

Persons: Toby Melville, Cathryn Ross, Alastair Cochran, Robert Goodwill, Sarah Young, Kate Holton, Barbara Lewis Organizations: Thames, REUTERS, Media, Thames Water, Ontario, China Investment Corp, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Thames

For years, the school psychologist has been active in Muslim-Jewish interfaith dialogue, but the Israel-Hamas war left her reeling. These conversations are becoming increasingly difficult, with the war and its polarizing reverberations in America testing and straining some interfaith relationships more than ever. “We’re very courageous, you and I, because we don’t stop talking,” Seltzer told Quaizar. The Kaufman Interfaith Institute held a meeting that highlighted the challenges ahead, said Fred Stella, who is a member of the organization’s advisory board. At the Sisterhood conference, Quaizar said communicating with Jewish members has helped her through her anger.

Persons: Shireen Quaizar, ”, Quaizar, Aviva Seltzer, ” Seltzer, ” Quaizar nodded, “ We’re, Atiya Aftab, Roberta Elliott, who’s, ” They’ve, ” Aftab, She’s, she’s, Elliott, ’, “ We’ve, we’ve, Aftab, “, ” Andrea Hodos, we’re, Fred Stella, they’ve, there’s, ” Hodos, — Rawda Elbatrawish, Liora Pelavin, Jewish —, Elbatrawish, Pelavin —, who's, —, Seltzer Organizations: Aviva, ”, Los, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, ” Interfaith, Jewish, Israel Defense Forces, Sisterhood, “, Lilly Endowment Inc, AP Locations: Israel, New Brunswick , New Jersey, Salaam Shalom, America, Los Angeles, Teaneck , New Jersey, Egypt

☆ The Storm Brewing Inside Elon Musk’s Mind Gets Out
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Tim Higgins | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The complicated mind of Elon Musk has taken center stage—intentionally or not. This could have been— should have been—a week all about Musk’s goodwill trip to Israel that he made Monday after an outcry followed his tweeting in support of antisemitic vitriol.

Persons: Elon Musk Locations: Israel

☆ Live updates: Israel-Hamas war, Gaza airstrikes, IDF offensive
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Chris Lau | Andrew Raine | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty ImagesAcclaimed artist Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye is providing four million meals to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to help people in Gaza, the UN's body has said. Tesfaye, who is a UN Goodwill Ambassador, has directed $2.5 million from his XO Humanitarian Fund towards WFP humanitarian efforts in Gaza, according to WFP's statement Friday. The WFP didn't indicate when the aid could reach Gaza. His XO Humanitarian Fund, which was established in partnership with WFP USA in 2022, has raised $5 million to date. The first $2.5 million of the fund went to support emergency food assistance to women and children in Ethiopia, and the rest will be allocated to the Gaza response, according to the statement.

Persons: Samir Hussein, Abel, Tesfaye, Corrine Fleisher, ” Organizations: United Nations, Food Programme, UN Goodwill, Fund, USA Locations: London, Gaza, Ethiopia

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