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☆ Fed hopes buoy shares, China COVID easing boosts oil
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( Huw Jones | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Oil prices jumped after health authorities in top global crude importer China eased some of the country's heavy COVID curbs. The S&P 500 (.SPX) and Nasdaq (.IXIC) racked up their biggest daily percentage gains in over 2-1/2 years on Thursday after U.S. data showed prices rose less-than-expected in October. Market bets on the Fed raising rates by 50 basis points instead of 75 basis points increased. US inflation, Fed rates and marketsDOLLAR DIVEInvestors poured into risky assets after the U.S. data, with the dollar suffering its biggest daily drop in 13 years on Thursday. Meanwhile, oil prices rose on Friday after the U.S. inflation data but were on track for weekly declines of more than 4% due to COVID-related worries in China.

☆ Elon Musk took over a struggling business with Twitter and has quickly made it worse
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Jonathan Vanian | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

In this article TWTR Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNTThe Twitter profile page belonging to Elon Musk is seen on an Apple iPhone mobile phone. watch nowCompared to larger rivals Facebook and Google , Twitter never managed to develop an online ad business that matched the scale of its influence in popular culture and society at large. Twitter's revenue in the second quarter declined from a year earlier. Other opportunities are emerging, such as connected TVs and streaming services as well as Amazon's growing online ad business for retail-oriented companies, Tipograph said. González said she was willing to give Musk "the benefit of the doubt" when he told the group that Twitter was aligned with them.

☆ Twitter exec says there will soon be three types of accounts: official, paid, and unlabeled
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Lora Kolodny | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Some originally verified accounts will soon sport an "official" label, she said, while any user who pays $7.99 per month for Twitter Blue, the company's subscription product, will sport a blue checkmark. Musk himself has benefitted from having the Twitter verification checkmark. Under Musk's direction, the new Twitter Blue checkmark will instead work as a paying subscriber badge that the company nonetheless plans to call "verification." "The new Twitter Blue does not include ID verification – it's an opt-in, paid subscription that offers a blue checkmark and access to select features. "Not all previously verified accounts will get the 'Official' label and the label is not available for purchase.

☆ Kohl’s CEO leaves for Levi’s
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Activist groups have pushed Kohl’s (KSS) to spin-off its online business, sell its real estate or take the company private. Michelle Gass is leaving Kohl's for Levi's. “It is fair to say that Gass has saved Kohl’s from more serious decline.”Meanwhile, Levi (LEVI) has grown since it went public again in 2019. Gass will join the company in January as president and take over as CEO within 18 months, succeeding current CEO Chip Bergh, Levi’s said in statement. Gass leaving Kohl’s for Levi’s is symbolic of a larger shift in retail’s power balance.

Net worth is 30% higher than before the pandemic, more so for those in the bottom half. Overall, the economy is expected to grow in 2022, albeit slowly, after concerns earlier in the year that it had begun to contract. The unemployment rate has averaged 3.6% since March - better than before the 2018 midterm elections under Trump, and unrivaled really since the 1966 midterm elections. But a third of both Democrats and Republicans said they had delayed a "home, office or other purchase" because of higher rates - decisions that can sting as families plan for the years ahead. But for the last year the growth has stalled, and heading into the elections on Tuesday there seems little optimism left.

Comedian Kathy Griffin's Twitter account was suspended Sunday, the same day she changed her page's title to "Elon Musk" and mocked the new CEO. Musk would appear to be the main beneficiary of his policy, which might seem to contradict his claim to be a "free speech absolutist." Griffin used her "Elon Musk" account Sunday to urge Americans to vote for Democrats in the midterm elections Tuesday to preserve abortion rights. Musk has been widely criticized for his shaky start running Twitter after he criticized its content moderation and promised a new era of free speech. That appears to be part of what inspired many to switch their page names to Elon Musk.

Delta Amex credit card increased offersAmex Delta credit cards give you the ability to use Delta miles in a way that non-cardholders can't. However, Insider estimates that Delta miles are worth 1.1 cents each, on average, when booking award flights. And if you know the best ways to use Delta miles, you can get significantly more value. The card's main draw is the ability to earn Delta miles on every purchase: 2x miles on Delta purchases, at restaurants worldwide, and on takeout and delivery in the US, and 1 mile per dollar on everything else. That's double the miles of the previous card bonus, which was 50,000 bonus miles and 10,000 MQMs after meeting minimum spending requirements.

☆ Twitter could be a new wild card for the midterms
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN Business —For years, Twitter has been a leader in countering misinformation and protecting elections. But concerns are growing that tumult inside Twitter in the first week after it was acquired by Elon Musk could weaken its safeguards for elections, just before the midterms are set to take place. Musk promised not to alter any of Twitter’s content policies until after the midterms. He tweeted: “Going forward, any Twitter handles engaging in impersonation without clearly specifying ‘parody’ will be permanently suspended,” and without warning. The shakeup at Twitter has turned the company itself into an election wildcard.

☆ Kathy Griffin suspended from Twitter for impersonating Elon Musk
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( Donie O'Sullivan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN Business —Twitter has suspended comedian Kathy Griffin for impersonating the company’s new owner, Elon Musk. Musk has made an $8 Twitter subscription plan his signature bid to bolster the company’s revenue. Comedian Sarah Silverman used her verified account to troll Musk, copying his profile picture, cover image and name. “This will be clearly identified as a condition for signing up to Twitter Blue,” he tweeted. Musk mocked Griffin Sunday, quipping that “she was suspended for impersonating a comedian.” Musk also tweeted that Griffin could get her account back by paying $8 a month for Twitter Blue, although it wasn’t clear whether Musk was serious.

☆ Twitter delays $8 ‘blue check’ verification plan until after the midterms
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-06 | by ( Jennifer Korn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN Business —Twitter is delaying the rollout of account verifications for its paid Twitter Blue subscription plan until after the midterm elections, a source with knowledge of the decision confirmed to CNN. A fresh Twitter account created by CNN that opted for the paid feature did not show the checkmark on its public profile. The decision to delay the rollout comes as the entire decision to charge users for verification has faced wide public backlash. Television actress Valerie Bertinelli similarly changed her account name to the Twitter CEO’s, tweeting Friday that “[t]he blue checkmark simply meant your identity was verified. Musk has also said he will limit the company’s content restrictions and require the paid subscription for account verification.

CNN —“Mattress Mack” had reason to celebrate the Houston Astros’ World Series win on Saturday – and not just because he’s an Astros superfan. Houston furniture store owner Jim McIngvale, known as “Mattress Mack,” made a series of bets amounting to $10 million on the Astros to win the World Series. The Houston Astros celebrate their World Series win against the Philadelphia Phillies in Houston, Texas, on Saturday, November 5. Peña was awarded the World Series MVP for his stellar play during the series. He is just the second rookie to be named LCS and World Series MVP in the same postseason.

CNN —The Houston Astros won the franchise’s second World Series title on Saturday after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1 in Game 6 at Minute Maid Park. After falling behind 2-1 through the first three games of the World Series, Houston evened up the series after throwing a combined no-hitter in Game 4. Party!”The Houston Astros celebrate their World Series win against the Philadelphia Phillies in Houston, Texas, on Saturday, November 5. Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos/Getty Images The Houston Astros celebrate their win in Game 5 of the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, November 4. The Phillies hit five home runs in the game, tying a World Series record, and they won 7-0 to take a 2-1 series lead over the Houston Astros.

CNN —It was an anxious, exciting night to be a Philadelphia or Houston sports fan Thursday, with a two-sport high-stakes showdown played at the same time that gave Houston an edge in the World Series and kept Philadelphia perfect on the gridiron. In Pennsylvania, there was Game 5 of the World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros, each looking to take the advantage in a 2-2 series. The Houston Astros celebrate their win in Game 5 of the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, November 4. Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images Philadelphia right fielder Nick Castellanos makes a diving catch on the first play of Game 3 on Tuesday night. Houston vs. Philly, againAs the World Series was underway Thursday night, the Eagles held off the Texans in Houston 29-17 to start 8-0 for the first time in franchise history.

☆ Canadian Olympic bobsledder de Bruin hit with three-year ban
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 4 (Reuters) - Canadian Olympic bobsledder Christine de Bruin, winner of the monobob bronze at the Beijing Games, has been handed a three-year suspension after testing positive for a banned substance the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) said on Friday. De Bruin, who also competed for Canada at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, admitted to the violation in October and waived her right to a hearing. De Bruin's suspension started on Sept. 28 and runs until Sept. 27, 2025. "Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton (BCS) is deeply disappointed to learn that one of our athletes was found to have violated anti-doping rules," said Sarah Storey, president, Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton in a statement. "BCS has zero tolerance for doping; we believe in clean sport and fair play.

☆ Miller Lite is selling a Christmas tree stand that doubles as a beer keg
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Jennifer Korn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

New York CNN Business —Miller Lite has quite a gift waiting under the tree for beer lovers this year: a new Christmas Tree Keg Stand. The tree stand – basically a small table used to support the tree – can fit around a quarter-barrel keg beneath it. The design “makes it seem as if beer is being poured from the tree,” Sarah Showak, associate marketing manager at Miller Lite, said in a company blog post Wednesday. The holiday line is meant to target consumers during a season that traditionally boosts liquor sales in general, at the expense of beer, according to the blog post. Miller Lite is a unit of Molson Coors (TAP), a beverage giant that also owns brands that include Coors Lite and Blue Moon.

☆ Don’t use infant head shaping pillows, FDA warns
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Raenu Charles | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

“The FDA is not aware of any demonstrated benefit with the use of infant head shaping pillows for any medical purpose,” the agency said in a statement. “If you own an infant head shaping pillow, throw it away; do not donate or give it to anyone else,” the agency said. For health care providers, the FDA recommends they discourage the use of infant head shaping pillows, and ensure that patients understand the risk of infant death with use. Infant head shaping pillows are easily available, and found at many major infant retailers according to Dr. Sarah Schaffer, pediatrician at the National Children’s Hospital. “Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), which includes Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), is the leading cause of injury death in infancy,” said the American Academy of Pediatrics on their website.

Millie Bobby Brown returns as a free-spirited teenage detective in "Enola Holmes 2." Enola Holmes, the teenage sister of the brilliant and famous detective Sherlock Holmes, shares her family's wit and penchant for mystery. How to watch 'Enola Holmes 2'You can watch "Enola Holmes 2" on Netflix starting November 4. Once you subscribe, you can watch "Enola Holmes 2" on just about any smart TV, smartphone, tablet, console, and web browser. The "Enola Holmes" films are based on the young adult fiction series of the same name written by Nancy Springer.

☆ U.S. holiday sales to slow as inflation tests consumer resilience -report
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] A boy and his father walk through the toy section of Walmart on Black Friday, a day that kicks off the holiday shopping season, in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, U.S., on November 29, 2019. REUTERS/Sarah Silbiger./File PhotoNov 3 (Reuters) - U.S. holiday sales are expected to rise at a slower pace this year, a trade group said on Thursday, at a time when decades-high inflation has left Americans struggling to pay bills, draining some of the Christmas cheer from households. The National Retail Federation (NRF) forecast holiday sales, including e-commerce and non-store sales, to rise between 6% and 8% to between $942.6 billion and $960.4 billion during November and December. "While (early discounts) may result in some sales being pulled forward, we expect to see continued deals and promotions throughout the remaining months," NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said. "In the face of these challenges, many households will supplement spending with savings and credit to provide a cushion and result in a positive holiday season," President and Chief Executive Matthew Shay said.

Amazon has announced that its Prime Music service is now expanding its library to over 100 million songs — a drastic improvement from the original two million songs the service initially offered. In addition to more songs, Amazon Music also now offers ad-free podcasts, including exclusive shows. That said, Amazon Music Prime still has some key limitations compared to the more expensive Amazon Music Unlimited plan. Here's a full breakdown of what Amazon Music Prime does and does not offer following this new update. What's now included with Amazon Music PrimeAmazon Music Prime comes with a ton of great features making it a solid music streaming choice for Prime members who don't want to pay extra.

Travel insurance weekly rates at a glance:Average premium: $285.59Average trip cost: $5,939.12Average trip length: 16 daysAverage cost of travel insurance by most popular destinationsSome countries are naturally more expensive travel destinations due to higher flight and lodging costs, which could ultimately increase your travel insurance costs. Policy type Average days between purchase to trip Average Trip length (days) Average trip cost Average cost of travel insurance Cancellation 53 13 $5,949.67 $373.05 Non-cancellation 16 21 N/A $94.95Source: SquareMouthAverage cost of travel insurance by ageA traveler's age is a significant factor in determining the cost of travel insurance. When calculating your travel insurance premium, travel insurance providers consider the likelihood of a medical emergency. When calculating your travel insurance premium, travel insurance providers consider the likelihood of a medical emergency. Editor's Rating 4.5/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star Editor's Rating 4.7/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star Editor's Rating 4.45/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star Compare quotes On SquareMouth's website Compare quotes On SquareMouth's website Compare quotes On Travelex's websiteWhat does travel insurance cover?

Black Friday is the biggest sale event of the year, when many products are heavily discounted. Since its widespread popularity, differing theories have spread about the origin of the name "Black Friday." But have you ever wondered where the holiday shopping extravaganza got its name? The term "Black Friday" was first coined in 1869 when two investors, Jay Gould, and Jim Fisk, caused a market crash by driving up the price of gold. Of course, the name stuck, and since then, Black Friday has evolved into a season-long event that's spawned more shopping holidays, like Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday.

According to travel agency Squaremouth, the average travel insurance premium is now $278.76, well under the $300 mark. Travel insurance weekly rates at a glance:Average premium: $278.76Average trip cost: $5,796.50Average trip length: 16 daysAverage cost of travel insurance by most popular destinationsSome countries are naturally more expensive travel destinations due to higher flight and lodging costs, which could ultimately increase your travel insurance costs. Policy type Average days between purchase to trip Average Trip length (days) Average trip cost Average cost of travel insurance Cancellation 53 13 $5,949.67 $370.15 Non-cancellation 16 21 N/A $96.36Source: SquareMouthAverage cost of travel insurance by ageA traveler's age is a significant factor in determining the cost of travel insurance. When calculating your travel insurance premium, travel insurance providers consider the likelihood of a medical emergency. Before getting a travel insurance policy, it's essential to make sure that the terms match your needs or concerns.

HBO Max is home to tons of horror films that are perfect for the spooky season. Some of the service's best horror flicks include classics like "The Shining" and newer hits like "The Witch." You can sign up for HBO Max for $10/month with ads or $15/month without ads. With Halloween right around the corner, it's also home to tons of excellent horror films perfect for watching this spooky season. Below, we've highlighted some of the best ones the service offers, from "A Nightmare on Elm Street" to "The Witch."

☆ Inflation worries hurt U.S. consumer confidence; house prices decelerating
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

The Conference Board's consumer confidence index fell to 102.5 this month from 107.8 in September. Consumers were also more inclined to buy a house, probably encouraged by a sharp slowdown in house price inflation. On a monthly basis, prices fell 0.9% in August, the second straight monthly drop. Prices fell 0.7% on a monthly basis after decreasing 0.6% in July. It was the first time since March 2011 that monthly prices posted back-to-back declines.

WASHINGTON, Oct 25 (Reuters) - The White House on Tuesday welcomed moves taken by Saudi Arabia to help Ukraine in its war with Russia as President Joe Biden ponders how tough to be against the Saudis for joining an oil output cut. White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that Biden and his team would take their time in assessing what consequences Saudi Arabia should face for an Oct. 12 decision by Saudi-led OPEC+ to cut oil output. U.S. President Joe Biden gestures towards reporters before boarding Marine One for travel to Delaware from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., October 21, 2022. REUTERS/Sarah SilbigerSince the OPEC+ decision, Saudi Arabia’s representative to the United Nations has condemned Russia’s annexation of four regions inside Ukraine. The White House has given no timeline for completing a policy review on Saudi Arabia.

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