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☆ Alice Munro, a Literary Alchemist Who Made Great Fiction From Humble Lives
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Gregory Cowles | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

The last story in her last book evoked her mother’s death. Does it seem reductive or limiting to derive a kind of artist’s statement from the title of that early book? Munro was hardly a doctrinaire feminist, but with implacable authority and command she demonstrated throughout her career that the lives of girls and women were as rich, as tumultuous, as dramatic and as important as the lives of men and boys. For a writer whose book titles gestured repeatedly at love (“The Progress of Love,” “The Love of a Good Woman,” “Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage”), her narratives recoiled from sentimentality. You got the feeling that, if the GPS ever offered her a shorter route, she would decline.

Persons: Alice Munro, Munro, “, ”, Rose, Del Jordan, —, gestured Organizations: “ Boys, Yorker, GPS Locations: Ontario, Lake Huron

It swerves and is hit by a grenade, dropped from a Ukrainian drone. Russian soldiers appear to stagger away from it, one rolling. Yet since the fall of Avdiivka on February 17, Ukrainian military officials have reported regular Russian assaults on Robotyne. Two Russian soldiers can be seen clambering inside the ruins of a dugout, one manhandling a shovel. Ukrainian drone pilots now face Russian counterparts who have replaced their units but at a much larger scale, they said.

Persons: Ukraine CNN —, Maja Rappard, “, ” Bohdan, ”, Anton, shellfire Organizations: Ukraine CNN, CNN, 15th National Guard, Robotyne, 65th Mechanised Brigade, NATO Locations: Orikhiv, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Belgian, Russian, Avdiivka, Lviv

☆ ‘In the Know’ Review: This American Narcissist
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Mike Hale | More About Mike Hale | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Within that sphere we’re treated to a voice performance by Woods that is a small, hilarious, somewhat dismaying tour de force. Lauren doesn’t bother to keep a lid on his simmering contempt, he just recodes it as a stream of virtue-signaling cant. But on balance their subplots are just a distraction from the endless permutations of Lauren’s perpetual ego trip. (It’s less able to afford the dull stretches that start to crop up in later episodes.) But all things considered, “In the Know” is pretty funny.

Persons: Kaia Gerber, Ken Burns, Mike Tyson, Tegan, Sara —, Woods, Gabe Lewis, Lauren doesn’t, Jonathan Van Ness, Van Ness, Jennifer Lopez, “, Norah Jones, James Earl Jones, Indiana Jones, Ravi Shankar, Lauren’s, Fabian, Caitlin Reilly, who’s, Sandy, Charlie Bushnell, Barb, Smith, Cameron, Carl, Carl Tart Organizations: ” Locations: Indian, Silicon

☆ Israeli troops kill two Palestinian gunmen, suspected shooter, in West Bank
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] A Palestinian protestor kicks a tear-gas canister during clashes with the Israeli forces, near Tulkarm, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, October 5, 2023. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta Acquire Licensing RightsTULKARM, West Bank, Oct 5 (Reuters) - Two Palestinian gunmen were killed and five Israeli soldiers were wounded in occupied West Bank clashes on Thursday and Israeli troops killed the suspect in a later shooting attack on Israeli motorists. It said a pursuit and gunfight ensued, and soldiers killed the two men before recovering an assault rifle from their car. Hours later, a suspected Palestinian gunman shot at an Israeli vehicle driving through the village of Huwara, emergency services said. The West Bank, among the territories where Palestinians seek statehood, has experienced a surge of violence in recent months amid an almost decade-old impasse in U.S.-sponsored peacemaking.

Persons: Raneen, Jihad, Ali Sawafta, Nidal, Bernadette Baum, Howard Goller Organizations: West Bank, REUTERS, Hamas, Reuters, Palestinian Health Ministry, Thomson Locations: Palestinian, Tulkarm, TULKARM, West, Huwara

☆ Singapore’s central bank boss faces a tough start
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SINGAPORE, Sept 5 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Central banks pride themselves on being predictable. He is a former deputy to Menon, and currently a permanent secretary at the manpower ministry after spending 18 years in various stints at the central bank. He has led MAS’ financial stability assessment of the city state and completed a two-year secondment to the International Monetary Fund. During his 12-year term, he built up Singapore’s reputation as a global fintech hub and boosted its appeal as a leading financial centre. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

Persons: Ravi Menon, Chia Der, There’s, Chia, Menon, Pernod Ricard, Una Galani, Katrina Hamlin Organizations: Reuters, Monetary Authority of, MAS, International Monetary Fund, X, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, Monetary Authority of Singapore, Singapore, China

☆ Shelved L’Occitane buyout is no win for Hong Kong
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A woman walks past a L'Occitane advertisement in Hong Kong April 19, 2010. Cosmetics retailer L'Occitane International S.A. plans to raise up to $708 million in a Hong Kong initial public offering, a source close to the deal said on Sunday night. Reinold Geiger has given up on his tentative plan to buy out the minority of shares he doesn’t already own of L’Occitane (0973.HK), a move that would have delisted the European skincare group from Hong Kong in the Asian hub’s largest take-private. The Austrian billionaire didn’t explain why he shelved the idea, which was probably a prelude to a relisting in Europe – mostly likely France. The appeal of such a move is unlikely to have diminished as global investors turn cold on both Hong Kong and China stocks, possibly for the long term.

Persons: Reinold Geiger, doesn’t, didn’t, Geiger, Una Galani, Thomas Shum Organizations: L'Occitane International S.A, Reuters, HK, Prada, Bloomberg, X, Thomson Locations: Hong Kong, MUMBAI, Austrian, Europe, France, China, Una

☆ Lithium miners’ $4.3 bln dance is a two-way hedge
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Albemarle's Chile country manager Ignacio Mehech shows an illustration of brines purification process to obtain lithium carbonate at their lithium plant placed on the Atacama salt flat, Chile, May 4, 2023. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado Acquire Licensing RightsMELBOURNE, Sept 4 (Reuters Breakingviews) - On the surface, offering a near-100% premium for an as yet unproductive lithium miner may seem over the top. Dig down a bit, though, and U.S.-based Albemarle’s (ALB.N)A$6.6 billion($4.3 billion) sweetened all-cash offer on Monday for Australian rival Liontown Resources (LTR.AX) has financial merit, as well as offering each side a handy hedge. A plan by Chile’s government to nationalise lithium resources adds more reason for the deal. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

Persons: Ignacio Mehech, Ivan Alvarado, Albemarle, Kathleen, Antony Currie, Pernod Ricard, Una Galani, Thomas Shum Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Liontown Resources, Alpha, X, Thomson Locations: Chile, U.S, Western Australia, EBITDA, Albemarle

☆ Fewer US temp jobs may flag longer lasting concern
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Sept 1 (Reuters Breakingviews) - A steady drop in the temporary worker employment is a concerning blight in an otherwise steady U.S. labor market. Companies that recruit and place temps tend to cut payrolls when the first signs of an economic slowdown emerge. The crest, at 3.2 million, occurred 17 months ago, in March 2022, signaling that weakness could be ahead. Although the jobless rate reached 3.8% in August, its highest since early 2022, there are few other glaring employment concerns. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

Persons: Ben Winck, Pernod Ricard, Jeffrey Goldfarb, Sharon Lam Organizations: Reuters, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Companies, X, Thomson

☆ India's twin growth engines face turbulent weather
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MUMBAI, Sept 1 (Reuters Breakingviews) - India’s gross domestic product grew 7.8% in the April to June quarter, its fastest pace in a year. The print preserves the South Asian nation’s title for the fastest-growing major economy, yet the eye-popping level may not sustain. A patchy monsoon and high food costs threaten the twin engines behind the latest headline figure. Meanwhile, El Nino weather conditions mean the winter agriculture crop could be as weak as the summer yield, keeping prices high for longer. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

Persons: Narendra Modi’s, Modi, Shritama Bose, Pernod Ricard, Una Galani, Thomas Shum Organizations: Reuters, Tata Consultancy Services, Reserve Bank, India’s, X, Microsoft, Thomson Locations: MUMBAI, El Nino

☆ Microsoft swerves to avoid EU speeding ticket
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Microsoft Teams app is seen on the smartphone placed on the keyboard in this illustration taken, July 26, 2021. Yet Microsoft has arguably created a lot more value using its market clout. Back in 2016, Slack was the hottest new product for helping office workers communicate with over 4 million users. Combining Teams with its Office 365 and Microsoft 365 software bundles gave the messaging and collaboration app a big leg up. Microsoft said on a call in April that Teams had over 300 million monthly users.

Persons: Slack, Robert Cyran, Pernod Ricard, Mukesh Ambani’s, Peter Thal Larsen, Sharon Lam Organizations: Microsoft, Reuters, Big Tech, European Union, Apps, X, Thomson Locations: Europe

☆ Thriving US makes Dollar General a tougher sell
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NEW YORK, Aug 31 (Reuters Breakingviews) - The U.S. economy’s gain is shaping up to be Dollar General’s (DG.N) loss. Dollar General sales grew a record 16.3% when Covid-19 slammed the U.S. in 2020, but rose only 2.5% when the economy reopened in 2021. During the recession years of 2008 and 2009, sales grew 9% and 9.5%, respectively. Dollar General now reckons earnings in the year to January 2024 could fall as much as 34%, compared to a previous estimate of a drop of up to 8%. Dollar General’s valuation is still far from discounted.

Persons: Jeff Owen, Ben Winck, Pernod Ricard, Peter Thal Larsen, Sharon Lam Organizations: Reuters, Atlanta Federal, X, Microsoft, Thomson

☆ Kylian Mbappé: New PSG coach Luis Enrique swerves question on French star’s future
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —New Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique swerved multiple questions about the future of the club’s star attacker Kylian Mbappé during his official unveiling on Wednesday. This is a French club, and as he has said, he is not planning to leave for free. It is very clear.”The future of Mbappé will be one of the biggest question marks hanging over Enrique’s beginning as PSG manager after joining on Wednesday. However, despite the star-studded nature of the squad, PSG once again suffered a humiliating from the Champions League in the knockout stages, losing to Bayern Munich. CNN reached out to Galtier’s representation and PSG for comment at the time but did not receive a response.

Persons: Germain, Luis Enrique swerved, Kylian Mbappé, Enrique, Mbappé, “, … He’s, Nasser Al, Khelaifi, Luis, Campos, Gonzalo Fuentes, Christophe Galtier, Galtier, John Valovic, ”, Olivier Martin Organizations: CNN, New, New Paris Saint, Spanish national, PSG, ” PSG, League, UEFA Nations League, Roma, Celta Vigo, Real Madrid, Spain national, La Roja, French League, Ligue, Champions League, Bayern Munich Locations: New Paris, Barcelona, Paris, French, Spain, Italian, Barça, Nice, France, Galtier

Velyka Novosilka, Ukraine CNN —Under clear and sunny skies, a Ukrainian soldier speeds down a long, straight road toward forward positions close to the front line. Combat medic "Winnie" says he and his fellow physicians try to provide first aid to advancing Ukrainian forces as soon as possible and reduce the amount of casualties. Vasco Cotovio/CNNUkrainian forces have been working to stabilize some of the liberated villages but when CNN visited Velyka Novosilka, the situation remained very fluid. But I think we will win.”The frontline town of Velyka Novosilka bears the scars of a year and a half of shelling. That superiority was on full display during the CNN team’s visit when the Ukrainian forces came under repeated attack by Russian Su-25 ground attack fighter jets.

Persons: Velyka Novosilka, swerves, ”, Vasco Cotovio, “, Winnie, “ There’s, ” Velyka, Jaeger, Mara, ” Skrypal, Novosilka, Jaeger Brigade’s, Vasyl Matyiev, ” Matyiev, Ukraine's, Russian Su, Velyka, “ I’ve, Tatiana, – Organizations: Ukraine CNN, CNN, CNN Ukrainian, Vasco, intel, 68th Jaeger, Ukrainian, “ Volunteers Locations: Ukraine, Ukrainian, Velyka, Neskuchne, Russia, Western, Moscow, Russian, Bakhmut, Velyka Novosilka

☆ Opinion: Mitch McConnell’s confidence is being put to the test
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( Richard Galant | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

We’re looking back at the strongest, smartest opinion takes of the week from CNN and other outlets. Not to worry, said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a veteran of debt limit battles. McConnell’s reassurance that all will work out in the end is validated by history, but that doesn’t mean this time couldn’t be different. “If female voters are key to a Donald Trump victory in 2024, the former president should be in big trouble – but he doesn’t seem to care,” Jill Filipovic observed. “The town hall audience – selected on the basis of their intention to vote in the Republican primary in New Hampshire – appeared to be made up mostly of Trump fans.

☆ Airbnb swerves tech rout with constant change: podcast
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Lauren Silva Laughlin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

NEW YORK, May 2 (Reuters Breakingviews) - The $77 bln travel company weathered the pandemic and is now navigating a tech valuation bloodbath. Its co-founder Nathan Blecharczyk told The Exchange podcast that lessons learned during Covid-19 about disruption and never sitting still are key to its future. Listen to the podcastFollow @thereallsl on TwitterSubscribe to Breakingviews’ podcasts, Viewsroom and The Exchange. Editing by Amanda Gomez and Oliver TaslicOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

☆ Super Bowl ad slams Tesla’s ‘Full Self-Driving’ tech
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-12 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —Electric carmaker Tesla will face a hit on Super Bowl Sunday, when an ad will play showing the alleged dangers of its Full Self-Driving technology. The ad is part of a multimillion dollar advertising campaign by The Dawn Project. The ad cost $598,000, a Dawn Project spokesperson told CNN. “Tesla’s Full Self-Driving is endangering the public,” the ad said. “Tesla’s reckless deployment of Full Self-Driving software on public roads is a major threat to public safety.

☆ George Santos admits he 'lied to everyone' in leaked audio recorded this week by a prospective staffer
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-03 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A prospective staffer secretly recorded Rep. George Santos, Talking Points Memo reported. In the recording, Santos remarks that he "lied to everyone." The recording was reportedly made on January 30 inside Santos' office by Derek Myers, a journalist and prospective staffer that Santos ultimately decided not to hire. Myers told TPM the remark stunned him, given the accusations Santos faces about his own misconduct. "I trust his judgment more than my own judgment," Santos added.

☆ Leaked internal documents show Amazon is cutting costs further in anticipation of a severe economic downturn
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( Eugene Kim | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Amazon's economists expect the company's growth to slow as cost cuts continue. They said Amazon's growth and profitability have historically been "negatively correlated." Amazon is cutting costs across the board in anticipation of a severe economic downturn. That likely means Amazon's revenue growth will also slow down, according to an internal macroeconomic report obtained by Insider. The report, put together by Amazon's economic, finance, and science teams, is part of the company's internal research into the broader macroeconomic landscape.

☆ Leaked internal document shows Amazon expects a soft landing for the US economy and little chance of a recession, a rosier outlook than many other forecasters
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( Eugene Kim | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Amazon estimates a 30% chance of US recession in the next 6 months, internal analysis shows. Amazon anticipates a soft landing for the US economy, according to the leaked analysis. A leaked internal document from Amazon suggests a brighter outlook, especially for the US economy. Yet, even if a recession were to come and unemployment rose, Amazon appears less concerned about the impact on its sales. The internal report from November said the US economic outlook for 2023 has "worsened significantly" and baseline forecasts now see growth falling below 1%.

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