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☆ Biden to host French President Macron at his first state dinner
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Peter Nicholas | Peter Nicholas Is A Senior National Political Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

White House executive chef Cris Comerford gave a media preview Wednesday of the state dinner for French President Emmanuel Macron. “You need France.”Then-President Trump hosted French President Macron at a state dinner in 2018. The state dinner may be the Biden administration’s way of apologizing for an unforced error of such magnitude, Fried said. “We owed the French one after that.”A dish is previewed for the Macron state dinner. The last state dinner at the White House was in 2019.

☆ Crunch time: U.N. puts baguette on cultural heritage list
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

PARIS — The humble baguette — the crunchy ambassador for French baking around the world — is being added to the U.N.’s list of intangible cultural heritage as a cherished tradition to be preserved by humanity. With the bread’s new status, the French government said it planned to create an artisanal baguette day, called the “Open Bakehouse Day,” to connect the French better with their heritage. With the bread’s new status, the French government said it planned to create an artisanal baguette day. It’s the traditional baguette from the traditional bakery that’s in danger. The “artisanal know-how and culture of baguette bread” was inscribed at the Morocco meeting among other global cultural heritage items, including Japan’s Furyu-odori ritual dances, and Cuba’s light rum masters.

☆ French baguette makes it onto World Cultural Heritage list
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, Nov 30 (Reuters) - The humble baguette, France's staple bread, has made it onto the United Nation's cultural heritage list. Paris-based U.N. heritage body UNESCO on Wednesday voted to include the "artisanal know-how and culture of baguette bread" on its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which already includes around 600 traditions from over 130 countries. This "celebrates the French way of life: the baguette is a daily ritual, a structuring element of the meal, synonymous with sharing and conviviality," said UNESCO chief Audrey Azoulay. These days a baguette - which means "wand" or "baton" - is sold for around 1 euro ($1.04) each. ($1 = 0.9645 euros)Reporting by Geert De Clercq and Elizabeth Pineau; Editing by Ingrid Melander and Raissa KasolowskyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Why Saudi Arabia is hosting one of the world's biggest raves
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

The kingdom’s Soundstorm music festival, which began in 2019, is back again for its fourth year and will start on Thursday. “(It) is a particularly powerful example because it seeks to bring together young people and women from across Saudi Arabia and the world,” she said. By contrast, Las Vegas’ Electric Daisy Carnival, considered North America’s biggest dance music festival, had an attendance of over 400,000 this year. Last year, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said that performers should either “speak up” about Saudi Arabia’s human rights violations or not attend the festival at all. Some however argue that opening up countries to international norms and values can allow for better discussion on human rights shortcomings.

☆ Everything in Elon Musk's bedside table photo, including what appears to be 2 replica guns and a Buddhist ritual object
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Travis Clark | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Objects on the table include cans of caffeine-free Diet Coke and what appear to be two replica guns. In a 2007 profile of Musk, Inc. wrote that Musk was drinking eight cans of Diet Coke a day, until he started cutting back. "Now, the office has caffeine-free Diet Coke." Musk must really like George WashingtonThe replica gun and painting aren't the only Washington-related things on Musk's table. Twitter/@elonmuskThere also appears to be a Buddhist ritual object on the tableIn the bottom-left corner of the photo appears to be a Buddhist ritual object called a Vajra Dorje, according to the New York Post.

☆ Tom Stoppard Fears the Virus of Antisemitism Has Been Reactivated
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( David Marchese | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +19 min

I don’t think that it’s an equal participant in some kind of debate. I don’t think so. If you’re sitting there enjoying the structure, then I don’t think that’s entirely good news for the writer. I don’t know that I would actually pursue the subject as a playwright. You know, I’m told there is such a thing as the long view.

☆ ‘Stability Maintenance’ Means Repressing the Chinese Spirit
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( Chen Guangcheng | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

“What does the Chinese Communist Party fear most?” Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo asked me this question during a private meeting in Washington in January. Having been persecuted by Beijing for more than seven years for my human-rights work, I know that it is crucial to ask these fundamental questions. It’s the only way to begin to break down the bulwarks that prop up tyrants everywhere. That’s why many dictators—from Vladimir Putin to Saddam Hussein—make a ritual show of holding elections even when few are convinced the results will be legitimate. Real elections would mean an end to the dictators’ power.

☆ Kevin McCarthy could face a floor fight for speaker. That hasn’t happened in a century.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-26 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Kyle-Stewart-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Kyle Stewart | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

Republican leader Kevin McCarthy is struggling to secure the 218 votes he needs to be elected speaker of the House in January. In this game of chicken, if the conservatives don’t blink and McCarthy refuses to back down, it could result in a chaotic floor fight with House members taking multiple votes for speaker — something that has not happened in a century. The House was called to order at noon and the chamber moved to the first order of business: electing the speaker. The House held three more unsuccessful votes for speaker that day before adjourning just after 2 p.m. The date was Feb. 2, 1856, two months after the first speaker vote.

☆ In Mexico, Aztec dig sets new records as royal mystery deepens
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( David Alire Garcia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/10] A general view of the Templo Mayor where several ritual offerings have recently been found just off the steps of the Templo Mayor, the Aztec empire’s most sacred temple, in Mexico City, Mexico November 15 , 2022. MEXICO CITY, Nov 24 (Reuters) - An extensive cache of Aztec ritual offerings found underneath downtown Mexico City, off the steps of what would have been the empire's holiest shrine, provides new insight into pre-Hispanic religious rites and political propaganda. Archeologists believe Aztec priests carefully layered these offerings in the box within the elevated platform for a ceremony likely attended by thousands of rapt spectators amid the thunder-clap of drums. AZTEC WORLDVIEWTo date, no Aztec royal tomb has ever been found despite more than 40 years of digging around the Templo Mayor, where more than 200 offerings boxes have been found. Reporting by David Alire Garcia; Editing by Stephen Eisenhammer and Josie KaoOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

[1/5] A French toreador apprentice of the Arles bullfighting school practices before a bullfight show at the Monumental de Gimeaux arena in Arles, France, November 20, 2022. "Corrida is a tradition, an art, a dance with the bull," said Baptiste, one of about a dozen students who learn to wave the traditional red muleta cloth in front of bulls in the Arles bullfighting school. At the weekend, pro and anti ban protesters marched in several southern France cities where corrida is still allowed. For Caron, exceptions that allow bullfighting in some parts of France and have under a thousand bulls killed per year, should be scrapped. "Since (bullfighting) exists, there are people who have tried to ban it, " said Yves Lebas, president of the Arles bullfighting school.

☆ Pope sacks leadership of worldwide Catholic charity, names commissioner
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Philip Pullella | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

VATICAN CITY, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Tuesday fired the entire leadership of the Roman Catholic Church's worldwide charity arm following accusations of bullying and humiliation of employees, and appointed a commissioner to run it. The surprise move involved the executives of Caritas Internationalis (CI), a Vatican-based confederation of 162 Catholic relief, development and social services organisations working in more 200 countries. "Real deficiencies were noted in management and procedures, seriously prejudicing team spirit and staff morale," it said. The former staffer said employees had left jobs at the headquarters because of a climate of bullying, fear and "ritual humiliation". Apart from Tagle and one priest, all members of the CI executive were lay people.

☆ Seven European World Cup captains ditch OneLove armband following FIFA pressure
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

FIFA has threatened to issue yellow cards to any player wearing the multi-coloured armband which was introduced to support diversity and inclusion. England captain Harry Kane spoke on Sunday of his desire to wear the armband in Monday's Group B opener against Iran. "I will not carry the confrontation created by FIFA onto the back of (Germany team captain) Manuel Neuer." FIFA launched its own captain's armband campaign ahead of the tournament to promote different causes for each round. According to FIFA rules, team equipment must not have any political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images, and during FIFA Final Competitions, the captain of each team "must wear the captain's armband provided by FIFA".

☆ How small-town Maine embraced a family that fled the Taliban
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Elyse Lightman Samuels | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +36 min

CAPE ELIZABETH, Maine — Last November, at about midnight, Omid was lying in bed in his new home in Cape Elizabeth, Maine — exhausted, but unable to sleep. On this night, and on many nights during Omid's first few months in Maine, Nasir was soon at his door. Omid's family arrived in Maine just before Halloween in 2021 and recently celebrated one year in Maine. Catholic Charities, the local refugee-resettlement organization in Maine, was working with Omid's family to help them resettle. After Omid's family escaped Kabul, members of his extended family came by to collect some of their more precious items, and gave other things away.

One highly recommended and inexpensive treatment is light therapy, which mimics the elements found in sunlight. Light therapy, in a nutshell, includes siting by or working near a light-emanating device that essentially mimics the elements of bright, natural light. When looking for a light therapy box, you want to search for something with 10,000-lux light. To use it most effectively, the light from the light box needs to enter your eyes indirectly. You should not replace regular in-person therapy sessions with light therapy, but it may be an affordable supplement.

☆ How Silicon Valley could be impacted by a Republican-controlled House
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Democrats have hammered away at online platforms’ handling of hate speech and white nationalism, while promoting legislation that could drastically affect the business models of big tech companies. The return of heated tech CEO hearingsIn general, tech companies may face more political noise with a Republican House but potentially less policy risk. With Republicans likely to take control of the House, tech companies could face more hearings, but not necessarily more legislation. Privacy legislationMultiple Congress-watchers told CNN that support for federal privacy legislation is still bipartisan and the area remains one of a handful where lawmakers could make progress in the next Congress. It was approved by a key House committee this year and policy analysts say it could see more opportunities to advance next year.

☆ Wall Street titan Apollo has a new class of dealmakers. Here's how 3 rose to partner while in their 30s.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Casey Sullivan | Hayley Cuccinello | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +23 min

He persevered through the brutal all-nighters, the perplexing spreadsheets, and the temperamental bosses who walked the halls of the midtown Manhattan investment firm. At Apollo, executives tend to grow up quickly. Some of their former colleagues have tried to make more money elsewhere, such as the hedge funds run by billionaire personalities that Apollo's executives quietly root against. Associates sometimes dealt with burnout from heavy workloads and demanding bosses by escaping for a walk through Central Park to let off steam, according to the former firm associates. We're Rayman Apollo!'"

The worst-kept secret in U.S. politics is finally out: Donald Trump is running for president. But, of course, the GOP itself crashed, with many of Trump’s hand-picked candidates headlining the disaster. He was the political black hole from which so few GOP candidates escaped. “The question is: What happens when he goes head-to-head with the guy he’s imitating?”Well, with Trump’s official 2024 bid, we are one step closer to seeing what will happen. A Trump party in all but name.

☆ Having a Positive Attitude Toward Aging Is Key. But What Does That Mean?
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( Marc Agronin | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +4 min

And that’s a positive attitude toward aging. Dr. Levy uses an “Attitude Towards Aging” scale, which asks respondents to answer five questions: Do things keep getting worse as you get older? Gauging oneself as being capable, useful and hopeful equates to having a positive attitude. One technique is to make a list of negative thoughts and then counter each one with a positive example of something you can or hope to accomplish. You will find similar positive attitudes toward life among many aging individuals who are living better even as they live longer.

☆ Namor: Marvel's watertight efforts to make him different from Aquaman
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-13 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Editor’s Note: The following contains minor spoilers about “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”CNN —In “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” the aquatic adversary known as Namor wastes no time establishing himself as one of those beguiling but strange characters that can polarize an audience: the ocean-dwelling deity uses conch shells like smartphones and has feathered wings on his ankles. (CNN, DC Films and Warner Bros, which produced “Aquaman,” are part of the same parent company, Warner Bros. Also known as the Sub-Mariner, Namor first appeared in comics in 1939, while DC’s Aquaman debuted in 1941. “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” also had the daunting task of presenting Namor’s origins in a way that swam clear of those seen in “Aquaman,” and of doing it a movie not meant to operate solely as an origin story. But before that happens, and thanks to Mejía’s nuanced performance in “Wakanda Forever,” Namor should be able to avoid many more comparisons to other oceanic demigods, and ride his own wave into the future.

As a teen, I remember watching “Friends” star Jennifer Aniston host “Saturday Night Live” back in 2004. In the interview, Aniston divulged that all of the speculation was “really hard,” yet that in the midst of it, she kept trying to get pregnant. If you follow any IVF or childless-not-by-choice communities on social media, you’ll see that people stop trying for different reasons. Whatever the cause, none of us need a reminder that we could’ve just “tried harder.”The comments asserting that Aniston should have adopted after IVF didn’t work are equally obnoxious. It’s too late to undo the damage Aniston experienced, but it is still possible to spare the next childless woman the same treatment.

☆ Wall Street layoffs pick up steam as Citigroup and Barclays cut hundreds of workers
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Hugh Son | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A trader, center, wears a Citigroup jacket while working on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York. Global investment banks Citigroup and Barclays cut advisory and trading personnel this week as Wall Street grapples with sharp declines in revenue and dimming prospects for next year. New York-based Citigroup let go of roughly 50 trading personnel this week, according to people with knowledge of the moves who declined to be identified speaking about layoffs. London-based Barclays cut about 200 positions across its banking and trading desks this week, according to a person with knowledge of the decision. The moves show the industry has returned to an annual ritual that's been part of what has defined life on Wall Street: Cutting workers who are deemed to be underperformers.

☆ 'Exceptional' discovery as ancient bronze statues emerge in Tuscany
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Alvise Armellini | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/7] People work at the site where 2,300-year-old bronze statues have been discovered, in San Casciano dei Bagni, Italy, in this handout photo obtained by Reuters on November 8, 2022. Ministero della Cultura/Handout via REUTERSROME, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Archaeologists in Italy have found more than two dozen beautifully preserved bronze statues dating back to ancient Roman times in thermal baths in Tuscany, in what experts are hailing as an "exceptional" discovery. The statues were found over the last two weeks in San Casciano dei Bagni, a hilltop town about 160 kilometres (100 miles) north of Rome where archaeologists have been exploring ancient ruins for the last three years. "This is an exceptional discovery which confirms once again that Italy is a country of immense and unique treasures," he said in a statement. According to ANSA, which first reported on the discovery, the statues have been taken to a restoration laboratory in Grosseto, another town in Tuscany, but will eventually be returned to San Casciano dei Bagni to be displayed in a new museum.

☆ Kyrie Irving's 'sorry' to Jews shows how celebrity apologies have become meaningless
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( Lux Alptraum | Lux Alptraum Is A Writer | Producer Who Served As Development Producer For Fusion S Peabody-Nominated Show | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

Are we really supposed to believe that it’s a genuine change of heart and not a response to a pressure campaign from his employers? Like most Instagram apologies, Irving’s felt a bit perfunctory and performative, not least because it came the same day he was suspended indefinitely by the Nets over the controversy. Are we really supposed to believe that Irving underwent such a massive amount of personal growth in the span of hours? Are we really supposed to believe that it’s a genuine change of heart and not a response to a pressure campaign from his employers? And if they’d actually done that, well — who knows, they might have even spared us from having to read yet another celebrity apology on Instagram.

When their kids were young, Jeff and Leslie Fuller set up an allowance system that involved taxes. When Jeff shared his unconventional plan with his wife, Leslie Fuller, she loved the idea, and together they implemented the system. Unlike many of their peers, Danielle and Sami didn't beg and harass their parents to satisfy their every whim. These kinds of stories illustrate Danielle's description of her parents' system as "cradle-to-grave financial literacy." The system evolved over the years as the girls grew upOver the years, Jeff and Leslie evolved the system to reflect their daughters' ages.

KIRYAT ARBA, West Bank—Military towers loom over the highway leading to far-right lawmaker Itamar Ben-Gvir ’s hometown, a settlement next to the Palestinian city of Hebron. Residents walk around with pistols strapped to their thighs, just beside their tzitzit, the ritual tassels mandated by Jewish law, as clusters of children play in the streets. Once largely confined to the fringes of Israeli society, an ultranationalist political outlook forged in Jewish West Bank settlements like Kiryat Arba has now been thrust to the center of Israeli public life by Mr. Ben-Gvir’s success in last week’s election. The Religious Zionism ticket co-led by Mr. Ben-Gvir won 14 seats in the 120-seat Parliament, or Knesset, making it the third-largest party in Israel.

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