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☆ James Cameron on releasing long-awaited 'Avatar' sequel: "It's a relief"
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Edward Baran | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Filmmaker James Cameron is taking audiences back to his visually mesmerizing world of Pandora, releasing the sequel to his 2009 epic "Avatar", the top-grossing movie of all time. The stakes are high for "Avatar: The Way of Water", which reportedly cost more than $350 million and comes 13 years after the original that grossed $2.9 billion worldwide, with more "Avatar" movies in the pipeline. Sully, Neytiri and their children flee to a far-flung territory, seeking refuge with the oceanic Metkayina clan. They quickly have to learn the ways of the water to survive amid the approaching threat of their enemy. The new movie, which begins its global cinema rollout from Dec. 14, reunites Cameron with his "Titanic" star Kate Winslet, who plays the Metkayina clan's shamanic matriarch.

☆ Dollar kept aloft by higher Fed rates bets, RBA rate hike lifts Aussie
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Joice Alves | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Australian dollar perked up from near one-week lows after the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) raised rates for the eighth time in as many months. After recording its biggest rally in two weeks on Monday, the U.S. dollar index , which measures the currency against six major peers, was 0.1% lower at 105.05 at 1200 GMT. It later reversed course after data showing U.S. services industry activity unexpectedly picked up in November, with employment rebounding. Traders currently expect a half-point hike to a 4.25-4.5% policy band and a terminal rate of just above 5% in May. European Central Bank policymaker Constantinos Herodotou said on Tuesday interest rates will go up again but are now "very near" their neutral level.

The Australian dollar perked up from near one-week lows after the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) raised rates for the eighth time in as many months. The U.S. dollar index , which measures the currency against six major peers, was at 105.24, steady after Monday's 0.7% rally, its biggest since Nov. 21. It later reversed course after data showing U.S. services industry activity unexpectedly picked up in November, with employment rebounding. Traders currently expect a half-point hike to a 4.25-4.5% policy band and a terminal rate of just above 5% in May. Reporting by Joice Alves and Kevin Buckland; Editing by Alexander SmithOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ 'Avatar' sequel finally premieres 13 years after original
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Hanna Rantala | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] Actor Zoe Saldana arrives at the world premiere of 'Avatar: The Way of Water' in London, Britain December 6, 2022. REUTERS/Toby MelvilleLONDON, Dec 6 (Reuters) - Thirteen years after James Cameron released the highest-grossing film of all time, "Avatar", the filmmaker finally premiered its long-awaited sequel in London on Tuesday. "Avatar: The Way of Water" takes audiences back to the enchanting world of Pandora, where in the first film the native blue Na'vi people battled human colonists for the moon’s natural resources. To protect their family and their tribe, Sully, Neytiri and their children flee to a far-flung territory and seek refuge with the oceanic Metkayina clan. Released in 2009, "Avatar" ranks as the top-grossing film of all time with more than $2.9 billion in global ticket sales.

☆ TD Bank quarterly profit jumps on higher rates boost
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Dec 1 (Reuters) - Canada's TD Bank (TD.TO) posted a surge in fourth-quarter profit on Thursday as gains from higher interest rates boosted its personal and commercial business and helped offset weakness in underwriting and capital markets. The lender set aside C$617 million in loan loss provisions, compared to a release of C$123 million a year earlier. TD Bank joined peers Royal Bank of Canada (RY.TO), Bank of Nova Scotia and National Bank of Canada (NA.TO) to mark higher funds this year to prepare for potential loan losses as worries of an economic downturn grow. read moreThe bank's personal and commercial business posted an 11% increase in net income, reflecting higher margins and strong volume growth. Overall net profit was C$6.67 billion, or C$3.62 per share, compared with C$3.78 billion, or C$2.04 per share.

☆ National Bank of Canada quarterly profit falls on higher expenses, provisions
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 30 (Reuters) - National Bank of Canada (NA.TO) posted a lower fourth-quarter profit on Wednesday, as the Canadian lender set aside higher provisions in the face of an economic downturn. The company recorded $87 million in provisions for the three months ended Oct 31, compared to $41 million a year ago. The Canadian lender's personal and commercial unit saw net income jump 13% on strong lending as the central bank pumps up interest rates to combat decades-high inflation. The Canadian lender joined Bank of Nova Scotia in reporting a lower profit as fees from advisory and deals tank due to escalating worries of an economic downturn. ($1 = 1.3526 Canadian dollars)Reporting by Mehnaz Yasmin in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju SamuelOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Top Canada banks RBC, National Bank's profits dip as bad debt provisions mount
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Profit from personal and commercial banking for RBC and National Bank in the quarter grew 5% and 13%, respectively. RBC earmarked C$381 million in provisions for credit losses (PCL), compared with a C$227 million release last year. National Bank reported C$87 million versus a C$41 million release a year ago. Shares of RBC, which agreed to buy HSBC's (HSBA.L) Canadian business on Tuesday, were down 1.4%, while National Bank fell nearly 4%. National Bank, on the other hand, posted an adjusted profit of C$2.08 per share, below analysts' expectation of C$2.24.

Nov 27 (Reuters) - Top Canadian banks are expected to post a decline in fourth-quarter profits as choppy markets hurt wealth management and a slow deal pipeline dents income from investment banking, offsetting expected gains from business loans. On average, profit for the Big Six banks are expected to drop 4% from last year, hurt by lower investment banking activity. Royal Bank of Canada (RY.TO) and Bank of Montreal (BMO.TO), which have the largest capital markets businesses, are expected to see the biggest hit to profits. "Business lending was particularly strong and aided by strength in balances outside of Canada," KBW analysts Mike Rizvanovic and Abhilash Shashidharan said. National Bank of Canada (NA.TO) and Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD.TO), also among the Big Six, will report earnings on Wednesday and Friday, respectively.

☆ As Election Day approaches, Democrats warn that Social Security and Medicare are at stake
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

He also pointed to impending risks to Social Security based on plans floated by certain Republican lawmakers, namely Sens. What's more, it would mean letting two of the most important laws that established Social Security and Medicare expire, he said. It is unclear what his opponent Kean's stance is on Social Security and Medicare. While that's in keeping with years past, the difference this year is Social Security has been more of a front-burner issue. "Usually, it's a lot of lip service to Social Security and how they think it's a great program."

☆ HSBC's Canada unit loses National Bank, CIBC as bidders, Global and Mail reports
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

HSBC disclosed on Oct. 4 that it was considering selling HSBC Bank Canada, a unit that analysts estimate to be valued around C$8 billion ($5.88 billion) to C$10 billion ($7.35 billion). The Globe and Mail, in its report on Friday, quoted sources familiar with the process as saying that the field of contenders to acquire HSBC Bank Canada from the British lender was narrowing. HSBC Bank Canada includes four divisions covering HSBC's commercial banking, personal banking, investment banking and markets services business in the country. National Bank of Canada declined to comment on the Global and Mail report. HSBC, CIBC and BMO did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

☆ JPMorgan Strikes Deal to End Former Compliance Employee’s Retaliation Lawsuit
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Dylan Tokar | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +2 min

A former compliance employee for JPMorgan Chase Bank NA has agreed to drop a retaliation lawsuit against the bank. Shaquala Williams, a former JPMorgan vice president, had sued her former employer last year, alleging the bank fired her for raising concerns about its compliance program. The agreement with Ms. Williams allows JPMorgan to avoid a trial, which would likely have involved further airing of the bank’s internal compliance matters. A lawyer for Ms. Williams didn’t immediately return a request for comment. In her lawsuit, Ms. Williams said she was fired after raising concerns about insufficient sanctions screening and anticorruption practices.

☆ 'Rings of Power' series reveals another underdiscussed aspect of representation
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-14 | by ( Kimmy Yam | Kimmy Yam Is A Reporter For Nbc Asian America. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

Polynesian scholars are pointing out “Lord of the Rings” productions have traditionally been filmed on their land, but with Pacific Islander actors relegated to the background. The new prequel on Amazon Prime did slightly better with representation, but experts stopped short of declaring it true progress. Na'puti pointed out that the Māori community experienced significant land loss, now holding just roughly 5% of all land there. McCartney also said that indigenous, Polynesian representation means incorporating the culture into the writing, given the Māori displacement in the country. And so if you’re on it, you have a responsibility.”Ultimately, Young questioned the necessity to continuously adapt the work of Tolkien, who wrote the “Lord of The Rings” series in the early 1900s.

☆ ‘The Joy Luck Club’ may be getting a sequel
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Almost 30 years after the groundbreaking Asian American film “The Joy Luck Club” released, plans are being made for a new movie that will catch up with the characters from the original. According to Deadline, a sequel is in development with Oscar-winning screenwriter Ron Bass and author Amy Tan that will continue the story based on her bestselling novel of the same name. The 1993 film starred Rosalind Chao, Lisa Lu, Tamlyn Tomita, and Ming-Na Wen. It told the multi-generational tale of a group of Chinese mothers and their Chinese American daughters. A director has yet to be announced for the new film.

☆ Grief and shock over Thailand attack on 'tiny angels' at preschool
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-07 | by ( Dave Lucas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

The coffin of a victim is placed in an air-conditioned coffin at Sri Uthai temple in Na Klang district, following a mass shooting in the town of Uthai Sawan in the province of Nong Bua Lam Phu, Thailand October 7, 2022. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Bangkok, Thailand CNN —Thailand recoiled in horror Thursday after at least 36 people were killed, at least 24 of them children, in a massacre at a child care center in northeastern Thailand believed to be the country’s deadliest incident of its kind. Among the dozens of victims are Panya’s wife and stepson, whom investigators say he killed before taking his own life. “He also used a knife to stab both children and staff at the center,” Paisan said. Police General Damrongsak Kittiprapas said that the attacker “mainly used a knife” to kill the children. TPBS/ReutersMedics arrive at the child care center on Thursday, where more than 30 people, mainly children, were killed.

☆ Factbox: U.S. companies brace for Hurricane Ian
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Sept 28 (Reuters) - Hurricane Ian is set to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday, pushing residents to empty grocery shelves, board up windows and rush to evacuation shelters. Since then, it has been working to redeploy offshore personnel after determining Hurricane Ian no longer posed a significant threat to its assets. NextEra Energy Inc's (NEE.N) Florida Power & Light Co, the largest utility in the state, deployed nearly 16,000 workers from 27 states to restore power. A spokesperson said the company was monitoring the hurricane and making adjustments to operations to keep warehouse staff and drivers safe. CRUISE OPERATORSWalt Disney Co's Disney Cruise Line on Tuesday canceled its Disney Wish ship that was to set sail from Florida on Friday.

☆ Factbox: U.S. companies gird themselves as Hurricane Ian makes landfall
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Sept 28 (Reuters) - Hurricane Ian makes landfall in Florida with Category 4 fury on Wednesday, pushing residents to empty grocery shelves, board up windows and rush to evacuation shelters. Since then, it has been working to redeploy offshore personnel after determining Hurricane Ian no longer posed a significant threat to its assets. A spokesperson said the company was monitoring the hurricane and making adjustments to operations to keep warehouse staff and drivers safe. Costco Wholesale Corp closed nine stores located in Florida due to an impact of Hurricane Ian. CRUISE OPERATORSWalt Disney Co's Disney Cruise Line on Tuesday canceled its Disney Wish ship that was to set sail from Florida on Friday.

☆ Reactions: Britain's pound crumbles to record lows in firesale of UK assets
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

Wads of British Pound Sterling banknotes are stacked in piles at the Money Service Austria company's headquarters in Vienna, Austria, November 16, 2017. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger/File PhotoLONDON, Sept 26 (Reuters) - Britain's pound plunged to record lows on Monday and bonds were slammed for a second day, as investors punished UK assets after the government's mini-budget announcement last week. The presentation of the mini-budget was received quite badly by the markets – sterling literally collapsed. The significant tax cuts announced by the Treasury Secretary cause concerns for the currency markets because of rising government debt." One is the loss of confidence in UK fiscal policy and that won't help sterling.

☆ 'Avatar' returns to theaters as Disney tries to hype audiences for its long-delayed sequel
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Bringing the highest-grossing film of all time back to theaters has two purposes for Disney: drum up excitement for "The Way of Water" and fill a vacant spot on the theatrical calendar. The rerelease of the original film is a sort of litmus test for whether audiences still want to visit its eco-conscious science fiction world. But it never captured the cultural relevance that Star Wars or the Marvel Cinematic Universe – both also owned by Disney – have enjoyed. "Avatar" captivated audiences more than a decade ago, in part because of the technology that Cameron helped develop to film and animate the movie. Set more than a decade after the events of the first film, "Avatar: The Way of Water" tells the story of the Sully family.

☆ Thirteen years later, 'Avatar' to return with a focus on family
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( Lisa Keddie | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

James Cameron's "Avatar: The Way of Water" is scheduled to reach theaters in December. The first "Avatar" movie focused on a battle for natural resources between human colonists and the blue Na'vi people on a moon called Pandora. "We now have a family and to be honest, to me, the movie is about protecting your family." It could be a communal family, the family that we choose," he added. "He's a man that cares about the story he's telling and has dedicated a great portion of his life to telling, sharing this with the world," Worthington said.

☆ Barclays downgrades Nike heading into earnings next week, cites slew of challenges for apparel maker
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( Sarah Min | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Steer clear of Nike heading into the company's earnings release next week, Barclays advised. Analyst Adrienne Yih downgraded shares to equal weight from overweight, saying the sports apparel retailer could report "potential low-quality" earnings results next week as it continues to deal with inventory issues. Shares of Nike are down 36% this year, and roughly 40% off its 52-week high, as the sports apparel giant dealt with rising inflation, supply chain issues and Covid lockdowns in China. The analyst lowered her price target to $110, a 12% cut from $125 previously. The new price target is roughly in line with Monday's closing price of $107.21.

☆ Ion Iovcev, despre demiterea sa: „M-au făcut să mă simt ca o haină care a fost folosită și apoi aruncată la gunoi. E atât de înjositor, încât îmi pierd graiul”
▼ + stars: | 2021-07-03 | by ( ) www.zdg.md time to read: +16 min

La 22 iunie 2021, Ion Iovcev a fost eliberat din funcția de director al Liceului „Lucian Blaga”. La 19 mai, el a fost luat de acasă și a fost găsit în septembrie, într-o fântână părăsită. Oamenii bătrâni spuneau că în al doilea război mondial nu a fost atât de strașnic cum a fost în vara anului 1992 – grenade, automate. Așa a și fost. M-au făcut să mă simt o haină care a fost folosită și apoi aruncată la gunoi.

Persons: Iovcev, Traian Băsescu, Ion Iovcev, Lucian Blaga, ministra, Organizația Națiunilor Unite ., Alexei Conovalov, Mircea Snegur, Smirnov, Tolstoi, Pușkin, Caraman, Cineva, Pogolșa, Ion, Eugen Tomac, Putin, Mă, Nicolae Romanov, Teoctist Arăpașu, Dodon Organizations: Steaua, Organizația Națiunilor Unite, Corporatistă, KGB, Chișinăului, Universitatea din Locations: Tiraspol, României, Educației, transnistreană, Slobozia, Moldova, România, Deva, Tighina, Bender, Chișinău, Transnistriei, nazistă, nikto, Monaco, Universitatea din Iași, București, Victoria, Italia, Franța, America, Basarabia, Siberia, Rusia

☆ Мнение: Порядок в доме должен наводить хозяин
▼ + stars: | 2021-07-01 | by ( Выжга Елена | ) aif.md time to read: +10 min

Порядок в доме должен наводить хозяин, молдавский народ, а нас пытаются убедить в том, что порядок наведёт чёрный риэлтор. Двенадцать лет республика живёт в состоянии внутриполитической войны, двенадцать лет в её дела беспардонно и нагло вмешивается западный «старший брат». Нормальное развитие станет возможным лишь когда власть окажется в руках людей, искренне заинтересованных в укреплении молдавского суверенитета. Рассуждая об историческом долге Румынии «протянуть руку помощи» бедным молдаванам, автор называет Молдову румынской «прародительницей». Отдай свой голос за Молдову независимую, Молдову православную, Молдову традиционных семейных ценностей!

Persons: Плахотнюк, Даниел Ионицэ, Майя Санду, Дональд Туск, Лаура Кевеши, Санду, Григорий Богослов, Валерий РеницэИсточник Organizations: EU, NATO, Washington Times, PAS, Демократическая партия, Московское православие, Румынская православная церковь, Константинополь, Европейский совет, Церковь, Молдова независимая, Молдову православная Locations: Moldova, Молдова, Румыния, Африка, Бухарест, Брюссель, Киев, Москва, Германия, Австрия, Сербия, Черногория, Чехия, Словакия, Россия, Молдавское княжество, Евросоюз, Балканы, Запад, Бессарабия, Кишинев, Европа, Польша, Ближний Восток, Северная Африка, Восток

☆ VIDEO/ Un senator AUR din Parlamentul României, originar din R. Moldova, arestat acum cinci ani după ce poliția a găsit sute de tufe de cânepă în curtea casei în care locuia
▼ + stars: | 2021-07-01 | by ( Buzdugan Loredana | ) www.zdg.md time to read: +3 min

„În 2015, poliția din Chișinău l-a arestat pe Andrei Busuioc, comerciant de accesorii auto la vremea aceea. Poliția i-a inventariat plantația și a găsit la percheziții un sac deja recoltat. Busuioc a zăbovit câteva zile în arest preventiv, iar dosarul său instrumentat de Procuratura sect. „Un cincinal mai târziu, îl regăsim pe Andrei Busuioc în Senatul României, ales în circumscripția Vaslui. Zilele acestea, senatorul Busuioc a combătut fervent educația sexuală în școli și a îndemnat pe Facebook „ca și ceilalți aleși ai poporului să dea dovadă de rațiune pentru a proteja copiii României”.

Persons: ., Andrei Busuioc, Andrei, Busuioc, RISE, Claudiu Târziu Organizations: Brigada, Facebook, Libertatea Locations: Chișinău, . Moldova, București, AUR, Republica Moldova, România, României, Vaslui, Moldova, Senat

☆ VIDEO/ Un actualul senator AUR, din Parlamentul de la București, arestat acum cinci ani, după ce agenții antidrog au găsit în curtea casei lui sute de tufe de cânepă
▼ + stars: | 2021-07-01 | by ( Buzdugan Loredana | ) www.zdg.md time to read: +3 min

Acum cinci ani, agenții antidrog de la Chișinău au descoperit în curtea casei unui cetățean al R. Moldova, Andrei Busuioc, actual senator în Parlamentul României ales pe listele AUR, peste trei sute de tufe de cânepă. O „prășea frumos” actualul senator AUR, Andrei Busuoic, acum cinci ani, la el acasă, în comuna Grătiești din Republica Moldova. Potrivit Rise.md, în 2015, poliția din Chișinău l-a arestat pe Andrei Busuioc, comerciant de accesorii auto la vremea aceea. Brigada Antidrog descoperise că Busuioc creștea marijuana în curtea casei sale de la țară și o comercializa pe piața neagră din republică. Poliția i-a inventariat plantația și a găsit la percheziții un sac deja recoltat.

Persons: ., Andrei Busuioc, Andrei, Busuioc, RISE, Claudiu Târziu Organizations: Moldova, Brigada, Apel Chișinău, Facebook, Libertatea Locations: Chișinău, . Moldova, AUR, Republica Moldova, României, Vaslui, Moldova, Senat

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