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HONG KONG, May 16 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Investing in China need not be too stressful, provided you avoid investing in Chinese companies. A spending pop in the transport, food and beverage and hospitality sectors helped lift first-quarter GDP to 4.5%. But that data was flattered by comparison to a grim 2022, and April data on imports, inflation and bank loans all disappointed. While Beijing’s crackdowns on domestic technology companies and property developers have eased, other risks are rising. Separately, quarterly revenue at Alibaba is expected to rise 3% year-on-year to 211 billion yuan ($30.5 billion) in the three months to March, according to the average analyst forecast on Refinitiv.

☆ What’s a President to Do When a Nation’s Capital Is Sinking? Move It.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Hannah Beech | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +38 min

A new capital city for a place with such disparities and diversity presents both a challenge and a chance for reinvention. Moving the Seat of Power From Java to Borneo Detail area Malaysia Nusantara Borneo Java Sea Indonesia Jakarta Java Indian Ocean Detail area Malaysia Nusantara Borneo Java Sea Indonesia Jakarta Java Indian Ocean Indonesia’s new capital, Nusantara, will be about 800 miles from the current capital, Jakarta. It cannot be overnight, it’s not like Aladdin comes with his genie,” said Bambang Susantono, the head of the Nusantara Capital City Authority. We have to prove that this will be a self-propelling city.” — Bambang Susantono, head of the Nusantara Capital City AuthorityCritics of I.K.N. Indonesia’s capital city faces sinking land and rising seas.

☆ Claire Chase Is Changing How People Think of the Flute
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Joshua Barone | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Something unusual happens when people speak about the flutist Claire Chase. They use superlatives that would seem reckless if they weren’t repeated so often. “It’s so difficult to talk about Claire,” the composer Marcos Balter said. “She’s so much more than a virtuoso flutist or a pedagogue. Earlier in May, she played Kaija Saariaho’s concerto “L’Aile du Songe” with the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra at Carnegie Hall.

Sembcorp, which is 49.3% owned by Singapore's state investor Temasek Holdings, has hired HSBC (HSBA.L) to run the sale of SembWaste, according to the sources. First-round of non-binding bids are due by early June, said one of the sources, declining to be named as the matter is private. Last year, SembWaste's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization was S$50 million ($37.75 million), one of the sources added. Last year, Singapore's asset manager Keppel consortium bought a 80% stake in environmental services firm 800 Super Holdings for S$304 million. SembWaste is one of three public waste collectors appointed by Singapore's National Environment Agency to provide waste and recyclable collection services to residential, schools and trade premises in the city-state, according to its website.

The Citi Premier® Card and Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card are two of the best travel rewards credit cards that offer flexible rewards and generous earning opportunities. Compare the Citi Premier and Capital One Venture Citi Premier® CardCapital One Venture Rewards Credit Card Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Here's how the Citi Premier® stacks up against the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card to help you make the choice. Their spending requirements are identical, but the Citi Premier® offers more points than the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers this coverage while Citi Premier® does not.

☆ Health Plan Coverage of Abortion and Related Services
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Practical Law Employee Benefits | Executive Compensation | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +36 min

The Dobbs ruling, which returned the regulation of abortion to the individual states, has led to legislation that restricts abortion, including medication abortion, in many states. In response to the rapidly changing post-Dobbs legal landscape, this article addresses health plan coverage of abortion, medication abortion coverage and litigation, abortion-related travel benefits, and related Practical Law resources concerning these topics. The insurer in a fully insured health plan, health maintenance organization (HMO), or similar arrangement:Assumes the risk of providing health coverage for insured events by paying medical costs for eligible claims incurred under the plan. Self-Funded Health PlansBy contrast, employers with self-funded arrangements may have more discretion in providing coverage for abortion and related services. Changes to plan coverage of medication abortion will likely require plan administrators to:(For more on coverage of medication abortion, see Newly Launched, ReproductiveRights.gov Website Addresses Access to Medication Abortion (Mifepristone) Using Telehealth on Practical Law.)

☆ ‘R.M.N.’ Review: A Bleak Diagnosis for Romania
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Manohla Dargis | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Deep into “R.M.N.,” an anatomy of the human condition, this powerhouse of a movie gets deeper, creepier and unnervingly familiar. At that point, dozens of residents in a Romanian village have gathered for an impromptu town hall. I’ve called the movie an anatomy, but this scene is more of an autopsy. “R.M.N.” is set in motion by Matthias (Marin Grigore), a hulking brute who stalks the movie like a threat. He moves back in with his wary wife and young son, and pursues and beds a former lover.

☆ NHL roundup: Isles edge Hurricanes, extend series
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Paul Stastny and Sebastian Aho scored the Carolina goals, and Antti Raanta recorded 19 saves. The Islanders, who began the third with a 3-1 lead, were in a protective mode in the period, producing only five shots on goal. Hintz has 11 points in the series (four goals, seven assists), surpassing Mike Modano for the most points in a playoff series in team history. Oilers 6, Kings 3Nick Bjugstad posted his first career two-goal playoff game to pace Edmonton to a victory over visiting Los Angeles, putting the Oilers one win away from claiming their Western Conference first-round playoff series. Evander Kane, Leon Draisaitl, Brett Kulak and Zach Hyman also scored for the Oilers, who hold a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.

☆ Dr. Fauci Looks Back: ‘Something Clearly Went Wrong’
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( David Wallace-Wells | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +55 min

Dr. Fauci Looks Back: ‘Something Clearly Went Wrong’ In his most extensive interview yet, Anthony Fauci wrestles with the hard lessons of the pandemic — and the decisions that will define his legacy. But when people say, “Fauci shut down the economy” — it wasn’t Fauci. But somehow or other, the general public didn’t get that feeling that the vulnerable are really, really heavily weighted toward the elderly. We also had a public-health system that we thought was really, really good. But it was really, really antiquated.

☆ Allianz picks acceptable time to quit N26
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, April 19 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Allianz (ALVG.DE) is striking a blow for forlorn investors of privately held startups. While that would be a 68% discount to N26’s $9 billion valuation as of October 2021, Allianz’s exit route looks agreeably straightforward. N26 has enough cash to finance its operations until the end of 2024, when it is expected to reach profitability. The fight between banks for consumer deposits will force N26 to offer better interest rates for its customers, limiting its profit margin going foward. More to the point, Allianz doesn’t have to inform N26 of an intention to sell.

☆ Jim Cramer's top 10 things to watch in the stock market Friday: Stars of first quarter and Alphabet's AI risk
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Jim Cramer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

AI is a real problem for Club holding Alphabet (GOOGL), according to Piper Sandler, which lowers price target to $117 per share from $120. Raises price target to $75 per share from $72. Baird raises price target on Okta (OKTA) to $100 per share from $92. Morgan Stanley raises price target on e.l.f. As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade.

☆ Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp says he's not running for the White House in 2024, hasn't heard from Trump, and will keep 'an open mind' on the GOP presidential field
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-25 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp told The Wall Street Journal he won't run for the White House in 2024. Kemp, who was reelected to a second term last fall, said he was keeping "an open mind" on the GOP field. Kemp's endorsement in swing state Georgia could be a boon to the eventual Republican nominee. So I'm kind of like everybody else, I'm just seeing how things are playing out and keeping an open mind," he added.

In a package engineered by Swiss regulators on Sunday, UBS will pay 3 billion Swiss francs ($3.23 billion) for 167-year-old Credit Suisse Group AG (CSGN.S) and assume up to $5.4 billion in losses. Investor focus has now shifted to the massive blow some Credit Suisse bondholders will take, adding to anxiety about other banking sector risks including contagion and the fragile state of U.S. regional lenders. UBS acquiring Credit Suisse for 3 billion francs a week ago would have seemed like a terrific deal. Buildings of Swiss banks UBS and Credit Suisse are seen on the Paradeplatz in Zurich, Switzerland March 20, 2023. QUESTIONS FOR UBSThe deal to buy Credit Suisse will make UBS Switzerland’s only global bank and the Swiss economy more dependent on a single lender.

Emerson dropped that threat once the sale process for National Instruments got underway. National Instruments ended trading on Thursday at $50.62 a share. National Instruments expects the sale process to be completed by early April, according to the sources. National Instruments, Fortive and Keysight did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Austin, Texas-based National Instruments specializes in the production of automated testing and measurement tools for the semiconductor, transportation, aerospace and defense industries.

☆ Travelers say hotel resort fees have gotten completely out of control. Now Biden wants to get rid of them.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Resort fees are a top frustration for travelers, who are dismayed by the added costs to hotel rates. President Biden in his recent State of the Union address called on lawmakers to bar resort fees. How resort fees began to spreadResort fees aren't a totally new phenomenon. As the resort fees migrated to other properties, they took on other names, like "amenity fees" or "facility fees." President Biden spoke out against resort fees during his State of the Union address earlier this month.

☆ BHP investors aren’t seeing the wood for the trees
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( Antony Currie | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Granted, BHP’s earnings of $6.5 billion for the six months to the end of December missed estimates by some 7%. BHP’s investors are missing a bit of the wood for the trees. Iron age: Miners are rallying as iron ore prices riseFollow @AntonyMCurrie on Twitter(The author is a Reuters Breakingviews columnist. The company attributed the drop to lower prices for iron ore and copper. BHP is paying a dividend of 90 cents a share for the period, down from $1.50 a share a year earlier.

☆ 'The Last of Us' is a critically acclaimed show based on the hit video game series — here's how to stream new episodes of the HBO drama
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( Jordan Williams | Freelance Writer | Read More | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

"The Last of Us" premiered January 15 exclusively on HBO and HBO Max. The series is an adaptation of the 2013 post-apocalyptic video game of the same name. The series is based on the critically acclaimed post-apocalyptic video game series of the same name. How to watch 'The Last of Us'You can watch "The Last of Us" exclusively on HBO and HBO Max. Critics praise the HBO series' deep dive into the game's story, the cast's performances, and the writing.

☆ Netflix to feature electric cars from GM and others in programming
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] A Cadillac Lyriq electric vehicle (EV) under General Motors is seen during its world premiere on a media day for the Auto Shanghai show in Shanghai, China April 19, 2021. REUTERS/Aly SongLOS ANGELES, Feb 2 (Reuters) - Netflix Inc (NFLX.O) has unveiled a new star for some of its upcoming programming: electric vehicles from General Motors (GM.N) and other automakers. The streaming service announced an agreement on Thursday to feature vehicles including the Chevrolet Bolt, the electric GMC Hummer pickup and the Cadillac Lyriq in TV series and films "where relevant." Shows that will feature GM's electric vehicles include "Love is Blind," "Queer Eye" and "Unstable." Netflix productions also will include electric vehicles made by other automakers, the company said.

Nudged by private equity funds, those supplying the booming luxury goods industry are now finding strength in unity. Largely family-owned and small in size, these businesses often struggle to meet the changing needs of the luxury brands they work for. "Luxury brands have been growing exponentially: our customers needed us to grow with them," said Nicola Giuntini, whose Tuscany-based company makes luxury coats and jackets for brands including Celine, Burberry (BRBY.L) and Stella McCartney. PRODUCTION NICHESItaly's manufacturing sector has also been a hunting ground for big luxury brands keen to secure their supply chain. Italian private equity firm XENON International, for example, has bet on producers of materials and finishes for luxury items which it has grouped together in MinervaHub.

☆ The biggest announcements from CES 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Harry Rabinowitz | Harry Rabinowitz Is A Reporter For Select On Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

Every year, the biggest brands in tech make their way to Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show, or CES. TelevisionRoku, one of the top streaming platforms for smart TVs, announced that it is releasing its own Roku-branded televisions. Now, Roku will be launching its own brand, with Roku Select and Roku Plus TVs, alongside a Roku TV Wireless Soundbar. TCL, a top smart TV brand, is rebranding and overhauling its TV lineup. Now, all of its smart TVs will fall into two groups: the higher-end Q-Series and the budget-friendly S-Series.

Share this -Link copiedMcCarthy elected speaker in 15th round McCarthy was elected House speaker Saturday shortly after midnight on the 15th ballot. Share this -Link copiedHouse reconvenes to hold 14th round of speaker votes The House has reconvened to begin the 14th round of speaker votes. Read the rest of the story, The House speaker election, in three charts. Share this -Link copiedHouse begins 13th round The House is beginning the 13th round of speaker votes. At least 14 House GOP flip to support McCarthy in twelfth speaker vote Jan. 6, 2023 01:52 Share this -Link copied

☆ Week 18 N.F.L. Playoff Picture Preview: A Team-by-Team Guide
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-07 | by ( Josh Katz | Kevin Quealy | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

On Thursday, the league announced that games would go on as scheduled and that the Bills-Bengals game would not be made up. noted in its announcement, any decision it could have made would have come with “competitive inequities.” But for most teams, the playoff picture is unchanged. In the N.F.C., three teams — the Lions, Packers and Seahawks — are vying for the last conference spot in the postseason. We’ll update them throughout the weekend, and they’ll all link back to our interactive playoff simulator, which lets you explore any scenario. But we have included a button with each tree if you’d like to explore how ties affect each team’s playoff path.

☆ A mysterious 'Doe 183' is trying to keep Jeffrey Epstein documents under seal. Could it be Les Wexner?
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Jacob Shamsian | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

"In the court's view, there's no reason to redact Doe 183 from the documents." And when Insider asked that lawyer about his work for Doe 183, a representative for Wexner responded, declining to comment. But if Doe 183 wins their fight to keep the documents redacted, their name and the context surrounding it would remain behind those blacked-out lines. While he never identified himself verbally, the transcript's cover sheet identifies him as an attorney representing Doe 183. Of those 21 documents, there are seven docket entries where Doe 183 is the sole Doe mentioned.

☆ DeSantis' second inauguration as governor will have a 'Free State of Florida' theme, an intimate candlelight dinner, and a toast to moms supporting the GOP governor
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-01 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | Warren Rojas | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

The overarching theme is "The Free State of Florida," the Florida Standard first reported. "The Free State of Florida" is a motto mirroring DeSantis' 2022 campaign theme. Officials stand on stage during an inauguration ceremony where Ron DeSantis was sworn in as Florida Governor, Tuesday, January 8, 2019, in Tallahassee, Florida. This inauguration, DeSantis is considering turning down donations from Big Tech companies, The New York Times reported. "I support Governor DeSantis and am honored to have been invited to his inauguration," GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida told Insider.

☆ The legendary SR-71 spy plane first flew 58 years ago, and enemy jets and missiles could never catch up
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( Brent M. Eastwood | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The spy plane set a number of flight speed records. Spy planes such as the SR-71 Blackbird could really boogey. This allowed it to outrun and evade over 4,000 enemy missiles that were fired at it over the years. Sometimes enemy radar worked; sometimes it didn'tThe SR-71 Blackbird Judson Brohmer/USAFAnother thing that helped the SR-71 was its reduced radar cross section. The Swedes came closeAn underside view of an SR-71 Blackbird strategic reconnaissance aircraft in flight at an undisclosed location.

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