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☆ Dollar shaky after U.S. credit rating downgrade
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The dollar struggled to make headway on Wednesday after a cut on the U.S. government's top credit rating by Fitch raised questions about the country's fiscal outlook, though it drew some support from a relatively resilient run of economic data. "We don't think the Fitch decision is that material. Elsewhere, the Japanese yen was roughly 0.1% stronger at 143.21 per dollar, paring some of its gains from earlier in the morning. "I think the market is still trying to get their head around what this whole thing means," said NAB's Catril. The New Zealand dollar fell 0.23% to $0.6136, after data on Wednesday showed the country's jobless rate hit a two-year high in the second quarter.

Persons: Fitch, Sterling, we've, Rodrigo Catril, NAB's Catril, Matt Simpson Organizations: AAA, White, U.S, Fitch, National Australia Bank, NAB, Bank of Japan's, Reserve Bank of Australia, Index, New Zealand Locations: States

☆ Brazil police violence reignites after deadly Rio, Sao Paulo raids
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 2 (Reuters) - Police in Rio de Janeiro killed at least nine people in a raid on Wednesday, in the latest example of deadly violence by Brazil's security officials after 16 people died at the hands of Sao Paulo state police earlier this week. Police in Rio said they were attacked by armed assailants during Wednesday's operation in the Penha neighborhood. Lopsided death tolls have become a common occurrence in Rio raids, leading critics to allege excessive force or even summary executions by the police. REUTERS/Pilar OlivaresSao Paulo, Brazil's wealthiest and most populous state, has been less blighted by police violence than neighboring Rio. Among those killed in the Rio operation were "Fiel" and "Du Leme," two alleged gang leaders in the impoverished Juramento and Chatuba neighborhoods, police said.

Persons: Jair Bolsonaro, Bolsonaro, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Pilar Olivares Sao, Santos, Tarcisio de Freitas, Freitas, Du Leme, Marco Andrade, Rodrigo Viga Gaier, Eduardo Simoes, Steven Grattan, Gabriel Stargardter, Jonathan Oatis, Richard Chang, Alistair Bell Organizations: RIO DE, Police, REUTERS, Paulo, Thomson Locations: RIO DE JANEIRO, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Rio, Penha, Guaruja

☆ Yen advances on BOJ policy tweak speculation, dollar steady
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Ankur Banerjee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Nikkei newspaper reported the central bank will maintain its 0.5% cap for the 10-year government bond yield, but discuss allowing long-term interest rates to rise above that level by a certain degree. The Japanese yen strengthened as much as 0.55% to 138.72 per dollar before losing steam to trade at 139.37 on Friday. The BOJ last December stunned the market by widening the yield band and allowing the 10-year yield to rise by up to 0.5%. The story so far has been of policymakers sticking to expectations with the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank hiking by 25 basis point each earlier in the week. Against a basket of currencies, the dollar shot up 0.059% at 101.74, having risen 0.66% overnight.

Persons: Carol Kong, Christine Lagarde, Lagarde, Jerome Powell, Rodrigo Catril, Ankur Banerjee, Sam Holmes Organizations: Bank of Japan, Nikkei, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, ECB, Fed, National Australia Bank . Data, Labor Department, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, U.S, Singapore

THE REVIEWUnder the terms of the $44 billion program agreed in 2022, the funds are released in tranches based on regular reviews of steps Argentina takes to shore up its economy. The IMF did not respond to a request for comment on the likelihood of a board meeting soon to discuss the Argentina program. Argentina made the last IMF payment due end-June partially with its holdings of IMF special-drawing rights (SDRs), but analysts calculated that this has wiped out the country's $1.65 billion in IMF reserve assets. Argentina used $1.1 billion in yuan from a recently extended and expanded swap line with China to complete the June payment to the IMF. Reuters GraphicsFALLING INTO ARREARSMissing payments would automatically put Argentina in default with the IMF because there is no grace period with the multilateral lender.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Sergio Massa, Gordian Kemen, Kemen, Gross, Jorgelina, Rosario, Rodrigo Campos, Karin Strohecker, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: International Monetary Fund, IMF, Standard Chartered Bank, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Argentina, Buenos Aires, Beijing, China

☆ Euro staggers as traders wary of hawkish ECB; dollar gains
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Rae Wee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SINGAPORE, July 25 (Reuters) - The euro hit a two-week low on Tuesday as a worsening downturn in euro zone business muddied the bloc's rate outlook against a still-hawkish European Central Bank (ECB), while the dollar rose ahead of this week's trio of major central bank meetings. The offshore yuan strengthened in early Asia trade, following comments from China's top leaders on Monday pledging to step up policy support for its flailing economy. Elsewhere, sterling fell 0.11% to $1.2811, while the U.S. dollar index steadied at 101.39. "We continue to expect a combination of monetary, fiscal, property and consumption support measures to be rolled out in the next few months." The Australian dollar , often used as a liquid proxy for the yuan, gained 0.18% to $0.67515, while the kiwi rose 0.06% to $0.6209.

Persons: Rodrigo Catril, Guillermo Felices, Goldman Sachs, Rae Wee, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: Central Bank, ECB, National Australia Bank, NAB, U.S, PMI, Federal Reserve, Reuters, Bank of Japan, Australian, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, Asia, Germany

If it cannot secure fresh funds before an approaching deadline, Argentina risks defaulting on repayments to the IMF. Analysts say the central aim of these economic adjustments is to signal to the IMF that Buenos Aires is committed to the program. The left-wing administration has been locked in negotiations with the IMF for months over whether to front-load tranches of the $44 billion program. Both parties said on Sunday that an agreement on the fifth IMF review was close, but not yet finalized. Reporting by Lucinda Elliott in Montevideo, Anna-Catherine Brigida in Buenos Aires, Rodrigo Campos in New York.

Persons: Sergio Massa, Eduardo Levy Yeyati, Eyeing, Marina dal, EcoGo, Alejo Czerwonko, Yeyati, Lucinda Elliott, Catherine Brigida, Rodrigo Campos, Jorgelina de, Karin Strohecker, Catherine Evans Organizations: International Monetary Fund, Economy, Peronist, IMF, Reuters, Emerging, UBS, Analysts, Thomson Locations: BUENOS AIRES, Buenos Aires, Argentina, refinance, Washington, Beijing, Montevideo, Anna, New York, Jorgelina de Rosario, London

☆ Euro staggers as traders wary of hawkish European Central Bank, dollar gains
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The euro hit a two-week low on Tuesday as a worsening downturn in euro zone business muddied the bloc's rate outlook against a still-hawkish European Central Bank, or ECB, while the dollar rose ahead of this week's trio of major central bank meetings. The offshore yuan strengthened in early Asia trade, following comments from China's top leaders on Monday pledging to step up policy support for its flailing economy. Elsewhere, sterling fell 0.11% to $1.2811, while the U.S. dollar index steadied at 101.39. "We continue to expect a combination of monetary, fiscal, property and consumption support measures to be rolled out in the next few months." The Australian dollar , often used as a liquid proxy for the yuan, gained 0.18% to $0.67515, while the kiwi rose 0.06% to $0.6209.

Persons: Rodrigo Catril, Guillermo Felices, Goldman Sachs Organizations: Central Bank, ECB, National Australia Bank, NAB, Markets, U.S, PMI, Federal Reserve, Reuters, Bank of Japan, Australian Locations: Asia, Germany

☆ Jason Aldean, Decrying ‘Cancel Culture,’ Has a No. 2 Hit
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Ben Sisario | More About Ben Sisario | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In May, the country star Jason Aldean released a single, “Try That in a Small Town,” with lyrics that paint contemporary urban life as a hellscape of crime and anarchy: “Sucker punch somebody on a sidewalk/Carjack an old lady at a red light.”“You think you’re tough,” Aldean sings. “Well, try that in a small town.”Initially, the track got relatively little notice, landing at No. “Try That in a Small Town” makes its debut at No. 2 on the Hot 100, Aldean’s best showing ever on Billboard’s all-genre pop chart, beating current hits by Olivia Rodrigo and Morgan Wallen. Aldean was surpassed this week only by Jung Kook of the South Korean supergroup BTS, whose debut solo single, “Seven,” opens at No.

Persons: Jason Aldean, Aldean, Aldean —, “, Olivia Rodrigo, Morgan Wallen, Jung Kook, ”, Henry Choate, — Organizations: Korean, BTS Locations: ”, Maury, Columbia, Tenn

Rising tensions between Washington and President Nayib Bukele's government, dwindling prospects of a financing deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the fallout from bitcoin becoming legal tender against a wider difficult macro backdrop had seen El Salvador bonds drop to a quarter of face value last July. "In the summer of 2022, El Salvador bond prices were divorced from fundamentals," said Aaron Stern, managing partner and chief investment officer at Converium Capital in Toronto, who has been holding the country's bonds since last year. "The market was concerned about the administration's willingness to pay," he said, but even now El Salvador offers attractive value when compared to a number of better priced emerging market sovereigns. These were the best performing among sovereign bonds in the first half of the year, with total returns near 60%. "In a year where carry is the main driver of total returns, investors are going to be reticent to take profits too early," said BNP Paribas' Nathalie Marshik, a managing director for Latin America fixed income.

Persons: Nayib Bukele's, buybacks, Aaron Stern, Alejandro Werner, Bukele, there's, Shamaila Khan, Nathalie Marshik, Marshik, Rodrigo Campos, Karin Strohecker, William Maclean Organizations: YORK, Central, International Monetary Fund, El, IMF, Converium Capital, Reuters, Emerging Markets, Asia Pacific, UBS Asset Management, Reuters Graphics JPMorgan, Thomson Locations: El Salvador, Central American, Washington, Toronto, it's, America

☆ Drug onslaught pushes violence to record levels in Costa Rica: Security Minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Alvaro Murillo | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Costa Rica closed 2022 with a record 656 murders. In parts of Costa Rica, authorities are seeing violence synonymous with Mexican cartels like torture, gang killings, and assassinations carried out by highly trained hitmen. In May, Chaves named as security minister Zamora, who also held the post under the 2010-2014 presidency of Laura Chinchilla, and has a reputation for being tough on crime. Zamora said the situation was very different to when he was first security minister. The measures are due to be rolled out across Costa Rica by 2025.

Persons: We've, Mario Zamora, Costa, Rodrigo Chaves, Chaves, Zamora, Laura Chinchilla, Moin, Alvaro Murillo, Diego Ore, Sarah Kinosian, Stephen Coates Organizations: JOSE, Costa, Costa Rican Security, Reuters, Costa Ricans, Central American, Authorities, Thomson Locations: Colombia, Costa Rica, Costa Rican, Sinaloa, Central America, Europe, Costa Rica's, Limon, Costa

☆ Newly Published, From a Bayou Thriller to Drugs in America
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A young Colombian American grapples with injury, a fractured family and his personal identity in this transnational coming-of-age journey. QUICK FIXES: Drugs in America From Prohibition to the 21st Century Binge, by Benjamin Y. Fong. In this account, Fong examines America’s historical relationship to nine different drugs, highlighting the tension between an embrace of pharmaceuticals and the belligerence of the “war” on drugs. FRAGMENTED: A Doctor’s Quest to Piece Together American Health Care, by Ilana Yurkiewicz. Discontinuities caused by insurance companies, reliance on software and contemporary medical culture are the U.S. health care system’s “greatest problem,” writes Yurkiewicz.

Persons: Shumona Sinha, Teresa Lavender Fagan, GREGORIO PASOS, Rodrigo Restrepo Montoya, Benjamin Y, Fong, Ilana Yurkiewicz, ” Organizations: Health Locations: Paris, Colombian American, America, U.S

☆ ICC ruling opens way to investigation on killings in Philippines
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

In a ruling on July 18, the ICC appeals judges rejected an attempt by the Philippines to block an investigation into the bloody anti-narcotics campaign of former President Rodrigo Duterte. A majority of judges rejected all four points of Manila's appeal, including that the ICC has no jurisdiction in the Philippines and that authorities there were conducting their own investigation. "The ICC appeals judges' ruling marks the next step toward justice for victims of 'drug war' killings and their families," Bryony Lau, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch (HRW), said in a statement. The decision left some of the families of drug war victims in tears after they watched the court proceeding online. But appeals judges ruled prosecutors still had jurisdiction over the alleged crimes because they occurred when the Philippines was still an ICC member.

Persons: Rodrigo Duterte, Harry Roque, Roque, Marc Perrin de Brichambaut, Bryony Lau, Kristina Conti, HRW's Lau, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Anthony Deutsch, Benoit Van Overstraeten, Neil Jerome Morales, Eloisa Lopez, Charlotte Van Campenhout, Emma Rumney, Alex Richardson Organizations: Criminal Court, ICC, Philippine, Human Rights Watch, Duterte, Police, Thomson Locations: AMSTERDAM, MANILA, Philippines, Manila, Asia, Amsterdam

☆ International Criminal Court rejects Philippine attempt to block drugs war killings probe
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The decision comes after the ICC said in January it would revive its investigation into possible “crimes against humanity” during Duterte’s tenure. More than 6,000 people have been killed in anti-drug operations since Duterte launched his controversial drug war soon after taking office in 2016, according to police data. Duterte’s administration and its successor under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. have pushed back against the ICC’s probe into drug war killings in the country, denouncing the investigations as unjust. The Philippines was formerly a signatory to the ICC but Duterte canceled the country’s membership after the court began probing his drug war. Remulla accused the ICC of having a “political agenda” to resume the investigation, and is an interference to the freedom and sovereignty of the country.

Persons: Rodrigo Duterte’s, Marc Perrin de Brichambaut, ”, Duterte, Kristina Conti, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, pullout, Marcos Jr, Jesus Crispin Remulla, Remulla, ” Bryony Lau, “, Marcos Organizations: CNN, Criminal Court, ICC, Hague, Twitter, Duterte, Human Rights Locations: Philippine, Philippines, Manila, Asia

☆ Analysis: Pakistan and Argentina bonds' surge belies bigger reform hurdles
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Libgeorge Jorgelina Do Rosario | Jorgelina Do Rosario | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Reuters GraphicsBut the boost in the bonds belies the difficulties both nations face implementing major reforms once new leaders arrive after upcoming elections. Pakistan's 11th hour deal for $3 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), after months of talks got official approval this week. Saudi Arabia and the UAE followed with $2 billion and $1 billion infusions. This fresh cash means Pakistan is unlikely to default on its debt in the next six to nine months, said de Sousa. Investors and pollsters said the tough times could force Pakistan and Argentina's leaders to reckon with needed fiscal reforms.

Persons: Carlos de Sousa, de Sousa, JPMorgan, Roberto H, Sifon Arevalo, refinance, Jimena Blanco, pollsters, Alejandro Catterberg, Sergio Massa, Horacio Rodriguez Larreta, Patricia Bullrich, Javier Milei, Shamaila Khan, Libby George, Jorgelina, Rodrigo Campos, Karin Strohecker, Toby Chopra Organizations: JPMorgan, Vontobel Asset Management, International Monetary Fund, UAE, Elections, Pakistan, P, Reuters, Peronist, Asia Pacific, UBS Asset Management, Thomson Locations: Pakistan, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Washington, Beijing, Buenos Aires, Asia, Rosario

☆ Xi tells ex-Philippine president Duterte to promote ties with China
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING, July 17 (Reuters) - China's President Xi Jinping told former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to continue to promote cooperation between the two countries, after bilateral relations cooled with Duterte's successor seeking closer ties with Washington. Ferdinand Marcos Jr was elected as president for a six-year term in 2022, taking over from Duterte who had adopted a more pro-China stance. Under Marcos, relations between China and the Philippines have grown tense, with Manila pivoting back to its traditional ally, the United States. "During your tenure as president of the Philippines, you had resolutely made the strategic choice to improve relations with China in an attitude of being responsible to the people and to history," Xi told Duterte. Last month, Duterte told domestic media that the Philippines could become a "graveyard" if it gets caught up in U.S.-China tensions.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Rodrigo Duterte, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Xi, Marcos, Joe Biden, Duterte, Ryan Woo, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Washington, . Washington, Beijing, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Philippine, Duterte, China, Philippines, Beijing, Manila, United States, U.S, ., Taiwan

"Everyone is expecting a rate cut," Finance Minister Fernando Haddad noted in an interview with RedeTV journalist Kennedy Alencar. Planning Minister Simone Tebet was even more emphatic, saying at an event in Rio de Janeiro that the central bank must start its easing cycle with a 50-basis-point cut. She said high interest rate levels were hurting the retail sector. However, they still diverge on the size of the cut, with 55% of those polled betting on a 25 basis point move while 32% expect a 50 basis point cut. On Thursday, Lula himself renewed calls on the central bank to cut interest rates.

Persons: Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's, Fernando Haddad, Kennedy Alencar, Haddad, Simone Tebet, Lula, Gabriel Galipolo, Ailton Aquino, Lula's, Bernardo Caram, Rodrigo Viga Gaier, Gabriel Araujo, Steven Grattan, Josie Kao, Frances Kerry Organizations: RIO DE, Finance, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Thomson Locations: BRASILIA, RIO, RIO DE JANEIRO, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Brasilia

BOGOTA, July 12 (Reuters) - Deforestation in Colombia fell 29.1% in 2022 versus the previous year spurred by sharp decreases in the country's Amazon region, the government said on Wednesday, marking the lowest level since 2013. Nationally, deforestation fell by just over 500 square kilometers (193 square miles) last year to just over 1,235 square kilometers (477 square miles). That is down from 1,741 square kilometers in 2021 and surpassed the government's target of cutting the rate to 1,400 square kilometers a year by 2026. Deforestation in Amazon provinces, where a majority of the activity occurs, fell significantly, the environment ministry said in its report, with a 50% decrease in Caqueta province alone. Despite smashing the deforestation reduction target, both the government and Botero cautioned against declaring victory.

Persons: Gustavo Petro, Susana Muhamad, Muhamad, Rodrigo Botero, Botero, audios, Oliver Griffin, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Foundation for Conservation, Sustainable Development, Thomson Locations: BOGOTA, Colombia, Bogota, Brazil, Amazon, Caqueta

☆ Asian shares rise, dollar dips as traders await US inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Ankur Banerjee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The Japanese yen strengthened against most major currencies and last fetched 139.43 against the dollar, its highest in a month. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) was 0.61% higher, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index (.AXJO) rose 0.54%. "However, if the core CPI decelerates as anticipated, investors may continue to keep the odds for September and November rate hikes low." China shares (.SSEC) eased 0.14%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index (.HSI) rose 0.5% in early trading. The dollar index , which measures the U.S. currency against six peers, fell 0.197% at 101.40, having slid as low as 101.37, its lowest in two months.

Persons: Australia's, Hong, Rodrigo Catril, Wells, Saira Malik, Brent, Ankur Banerjee Organizations: Federal, Japan's Nikkei, Reuters, Saxo Markets, National Australia Bank, Investor, JPMorgan, Citigroup, New Zealand, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, Asia, Pacific, Japan, China, Wall, dealmaking

"We first need to see Zambia's updated macroeconomic package, which is in part why we have to get restricted," one of the sources said. There will be a restriction period of two weeks, with the option to extend it if both sides agree, two sources added. Amia Capital, Amundi, BlueBay Asset Management, Farallon Capital Management, Greylock Capital and T. Rowe Price comprise the steering committee. Besides net present value (NPV) reductions, talks will focus on how to incorporate the impact of a potential improvement of Zambia's debt carrying capacity, or its ability to handle debt payments. Including in the overhaul a mechanism that would allow for higher payments through coupon payments, debt maturities or a combination of both if Zambia's debt capacity improves was "sacrosanct", one of the sources said.

Persons: Weil, Rowe Price, Jorgelina, Rodrigo Campos, Karin Strohecker Organizations: Paris Club, Newstate Partners, BlueBay Asset Management, Farallon Capital Management, Greylock, Monetary Fund, Bank, IMF, World Bank, Thomson Locations: China, Ghana, Sri Lanka, Zambia, U.S, Amia, Rosario, London, New York, Lincoln

☆ EMEA credit rating trends see bright spots - S&P
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Nigerian and Turkish governments are adjusting their monetary policy settings in a way that S&P says could help them rebuild foreign-exchange reserves and stop the population from dollarizing their savings. Despite the "bright spots" S&P acknowledges, the outlook balance among the 55 countries in their EMEA universe remains the same as a year ago. There are seven countries with negative outlook and four with a positive one, from six and three respectively in June 2022. All negative outlooks, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Turkey, Uganda, and Ukraine are rated 'B' or below by S&P. Reporting by Rodrigo Campos; editing by David EvansOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Frank Gill, Rodrigo Campos, David Evans Organizations: P Global, Federal, Thomson Locations: United States, Europe, East, Africa, Ukraine, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Turkey, Uganda, Russia, Egypt

☆ Argentina delegation set to travel to US next week for IMF talks
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( Jorge Otaola | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A person walks by the Ministry of Economy building in Buenos Aires’ financial district, Argentina, July 4, 2022. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian/File PhotoBUENOS AIRES, July 7 (Reuters) - The Argentine government will send a delegation next week to Washington in a bid to finalize the renegotiation of its $44 billion loan with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a source involved in the talks told Reuters on Friday. The delegation had initially planned to travel as early as June. "The negotiation is fine, next week our team will be there (in Washington) all week. The government also this week postponed its $2.6 billion loan repayments for July until the end of the month, which include $1.3 billion that were due Friday.

Persons: Agustin Marcarian, Jorge Otaola, Rodrigo Campos, Eliana Raszewski, David Gregorio, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: Ministry, REUTERS, International Monetary Fund, Reuters, Grupo SBS, ., Thomson Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, BUENOS AIRES, Argentine, Washington, America, New York

BRASILIA, July 7 (Reuters) - Brazil's lower house of Congress approved on Friday the main text of a tax reform that will restructure the country's complex consumption taxes, a move President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva touted as a "great victory". The bill will now be sent to the Senate, where it will also be voted on in two rounds. "Brazil will have its first tax reform of the democratic period ... We are working towards a better future for everyone." Markets reacted positively to the lower house approval, with Brazil's real strengthening more than 1% against the dollar, while benchmark stock index Bovespa (.BVSP) jumped 1.65%. 'A NECESSITY'The lower house approved the reform by 382-118 in the first round of voting held late on Thursday.

Persons: Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Lula, Fernando Haddad, Haddad, Rodrigo Pacheco, Arthur Lira, Jair Bolsonaro, Maria Carolina Marcello, Carolina Pulice, Gabriel Araujo, Michael Perry, Devika Syamnath, Alistair Bell Organizations: Lawmakers, Senate, Markets, JPMorgan, Finance, Workers ' Party, Thomson Locations: BRASILIA, Brazil

☆ Threads: An Early Vibe Check
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

I come to you with a breaking news vibes report from Threads, the new Twitter clone that Mark Zuckerberg unveiled on Wednesday. It has already signed up 30 million users, according to Zuckerberg, and appears to be the most rapidly downloaded app ever. “Can’t get enough of your threads,” the actress Jennifer Lopez said in a Threads post. For an app that has caused a lot of drama — Twitter is already threatening legal action — the user experience feels basic, even rote. If there’s a dominant topic of conversation, it’s how weird it is to be on Threads.

Persons: Madison, I’ve, Mark Zuckerberg, Zuckerberg, you’ve, Olivia Rodrigo, Al Roker, Slim Jim, Wendy’s, MrBeast, “ Can’t, Jennifer Lopez, Paris Hilton, ”, Ellen DeGeneres Organizations: Twitter, Elon

☆ Olivia Rodrigo and the Art of Doing the Same Thing Twice
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( Neil Shah | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/articles/olivia-rodrigo-vampire-new-song-5a29f207

Persons: Dow Jones, olivia, rodrigo

☆ Popcast (Deluxe): Olivia Rodrigo Returns, Fall Out Boy Denies History
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

The new single by Olivia Rodrigo, “Vampire,” and a discussion of the directions her career may be taking

Persons: Olivia Rodrigo, “

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