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Agnes Chow, 27 - a core member of a now-disbanded group of younger activists including Joshua Wong who helped drive Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement - said in posts on her Instagram account late on Sunday that she had left Hong Kong for studies in Canada. Their group, Demosisto, dissolved hours after Beijing passed a sweeping national security law in 2020. Beijing says the law has brought stability to Hong Kong after mass pro-democracy protests in 2019. There was no immediate response from the Hong Kong police. Chow was due to report to Hong Kong's security police later this month but decided not to return out of consideration for her personal safety and wellbeing.

Persons: Agnes Chow, Tyrone Siu, Hong, Joshua Wong, Chow, Jimmy Lai, hadn't, Chow couldn't, David Holmes Organizations: REUTERS, Hong, Reuters, Hong Kong, Thomson Locations: Hong Kong, China, HONG KONG, Canada, Beijing, Toronto, Shenzhen, Hong

☆ John Woo Has Seen a Lot in Hollywood. He’s Finally Back for More.
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Brandon Yu | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

When John Woo was a child, living in the dangerous slums of Hong Kong, he had two sanctuaries: the church and the movie theater. Both provided respite from a world of poverty and intense violence. He’d use a flashlight to illuminate the glass and, shifting the light, project moving images onto the wall. That 1989 film, starring his frequent collaborator Chow Yun-fat, proved a major work that established both Woo’s style and our notion of modern action cinema. And yet, even as his so-called “bullet ballet” films went on to influence an array of popular culture makers, including the Wu-Tang Clan and Quentin Tarantino, Woo said he never particularly cared for action films.

Persons: John Woo, Woo, Oz ”, it’s, Chow Yun, Wu, Wu - Tang Clan, Quentin Tarantino Organizations: Wu - Locations: Hong Kong, Wu - Tang

Listen and follow The DailyApple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon MusicFor many millennials, buying a home has become almost entirely out of reach. Average 30-year mortgage rates are hovering around 7 percent — the highest they’ve been since 2007 — largely because of the Federal Reserve’s efforts to tame inflation. David Leonhardt, a senior writer for The New York Times, discusses whether it is time to change how we think about buying vs. renting.

Persons: David Leonhardt Organizations: Spotify, The New York Times

Listen and follow The DailyApple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon MusicThe American economy, by many measures, is doing better than it has done in years. But for many Americans, that is not how it feels. Their feelings point to an enduring mystery: Why do Americans feel so bad when the economy is so good? Jeanna Smialek, who covers the Federal Reserve and the U.S. economy for The Times, discusses a new way to understand the disconnect.

Persons: Smialek Organizations: Spotify, Federal Reserve, The Times Locations: U.S

Owen Chow Ka-shing, one of the 47 pro-democracy activists charged with conspiracy to commit subversion under the national security law, arrives at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts building, in Hong Kong, China November 29, 2021. On the first day of closing submissions, one of the handpicked national security judges, Andrew Chan, said a verdict would "tentatively" come in three to four months, with 10 days set aside for closing submissions. Beijing says the national security law brought stability to the city after monthslong pro-democracy protests in 2019. "Communication with the public is much easier, (it's) easy to manipulate those means in order to endanger national security," he added. Thirty-one of the 47 charged have pleaded guilty - which could qualify them for reduced sentences.

Persons: Owen Chow Ka, Lam, Andrew Chan, Hong, Jonathan Man, Man, Gwyneth Ho, Owen Chow, Gordon Ng, Leung Kwok, Helena Wong, Benny Tai, Joshua Wong, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Hong, Thomson Locations: Kowloon, Hong Kong, China, HONG KONG, United States, Beijing

Listen and follow The DailyApple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon MusicHostages are at the heart of the fragile cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, now in its fifth day. As of Monday night, 50 Israeli hostages had been released, as had 150 Palestinian prisoners. More releases were expected on Tuesday, under what Qatari mediators said was a deal to extend the cease-fire by two days. Isabel Kershner, a Jerusalem-based reporter for The New York Times, explains how a grass-roots movement managed to pause the war, and what it will mean for the rest of the conflict.

Persons: Isabel Kershner Organizations: Spotify, Hamas, The New York Times Locations: Israel, Jerusalem

Firms like PetroChina (601857.SS) and CNOOC Gas and Power have signed long-term contracts with Shell (SHEL.L) to buy "carbon neutral" liquefied natural gas (LNG), which uses "forest offsets" to balance out carbon emissions. Greenpeace, which has long opposed fossil fuel producers counting carbon offsets toward their emissions reduction goals, said the "carbon neutral" branding was misleading the public. "For oil and gas companies in particular, carbon offsets are a smokescreen to obscure their continued, redoubled carbon emissions," said Li Jiatong, project leader with Greenpeace in Beijing. Rising sales of "carbon neutral" LNG are being driven by a surge in gas demand, particularly in Asia. While it is still a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, gas is cleaner than coal and has been described as a "bridge fuel" in the global energy transition, but anti-fossil fuel groups oppose any new gas projects.

Persons: Stringer, Li Jiatong, PetroChina, COP28, Polly Hemming, Hemming, David Stanway, Andrew Hayley, Emily Chow, Sonali Paul Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Greenpeace, CNOOC, Power, Shell, International Energy Agency, Energy, Australia Institute, Thomson Locations: Nantong, Jiangsu province, China, Rights SINGAPORE, Beijing, Asia

Listen and follow The DailyApple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon MusicThe board of OpenAI, the maker of the ChatGPT chatbot and one of the world’s highest-profile artificial intelligence companies, reversed course late last night and brought back Sam Altman as chief executive. Cade Metz, a technology reporter for The Times, discusses a whirlwind five days at the company and analyzes what the fallout could mean for the future of the transformational technology.

Persons: Sam Altman, Cade Metz Organizations: Spotify, The Times

☆ A realtor says a $660 apartment listing asking tenants to share a bed proves how 'grim' the affordable housing crisis is
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Maria Noyen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Anya Ettinger said the listing paints a "grim" picture of housing affordability in major cities. But, according to the listing, you wouldn't just be sharing the apartment space — you'd be sharing a queen-sized bed too. According to Ettinger, listings like this one are a result of the affordable housing crisis in Toronto. But as of today, Ettinger said the listing she discovered is just another example of how severe the housing crisis is. "It just paints a very grim picture of the affordability crisis that we're experiencing here," she said.

Persons: Anya Ettinger, —, she's, Ettinger, she'd, They're, Insider's Alcynna Lloyd, Olivia Chow Organizations: Facebook, Service, UBS, CBC Locations: Toronto, Canada

☆ Brent crude futures climb over 2% to gain $2
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Erwin Seba | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Brent crude futures were up $2.00 to $82.61 a barrel by 9:39 a.m. CDT (1539 GMT). Oil prices have dropped by almost 20% since late September while prompt inter-month spreads for Brent and WTI slipped into contango last week. "If additional cuts are agreed, a short-term price boost is expected, but its longer-term price impact seems dubious as enforcement and adherence will be the salient issue." Investors are also keeping an eye on Russian crude oil trade after Washington imposed sanctions on three ships that have sent Sokol crude to India. The number of oil and gas rigs operated by U.S. companies rose last week, the first gain in three weeks, energy services business Baker Hughes said on Friday.

Persons: Leonhard Foeger, WTI, Tamas Varga, Sokol, Baker Hughes, Erwin Seba, Paul Carsten, Florence Tan, Emily Chow, David Goodman, Ed Osmond Organizations: REUTERS, Brent, . West Texas, Reuters, of, Petroleum, Moscow, IIR Energy, Thomson Locations: Vienna, Austria, HOUSTON, Russia, Brent, Washington, India, U.S, East, Gaza, Houston

Oil prices have dropped by almost 20% since late September while prompt inter-month spreads for Brent and WTI slipped into contango last week. "In light of last week's obliteration of oil bulls, some kind of response was forthcoming from the (OPEC) producer group," said Tamas Varga of oil broker PVM. Investors are also keeping an eye on Russian crude oil trade after Washington imposed sanctions on three ships that have sent Sokol crude to India. U.S. energy companies last week added oil and gas rigs for the first time in three weeks, energy services business Baker Hughes said on Friday. The oil and gas rig count serves as an early indicator of future output.

Persons: Leonhard Foeger, Brent, WTI, Tamas Varga, Sokol, Baker Hughes, Paul Carsten, Florence Tan, Emily Chow, David Goodman Organizations: REUTERS, . West Texas, Reuters, of, Petroleum, Moscow, IIR Energy, Thomson Locations: Vienna, Austria, Israel, Russia, Brent, Washington, India, U.S, East, Gaza, London

☆ Oil extends gains on expectations of further OPEC+ supply cuts
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Emily Chow | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SummaryCompanies Brent, WTI prices rise nearly 1%OPEC+ set to consider whether to make more supply cuts -sourcesUS adds oil, gas rigs, first time in three weeks -Baker HughesSINGAPORE, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Oil futures edged higher on Monday, extending gains on expectations of OPEC+ deepening supply cuts to shore up prices, which have fallen for four weeks on easing concern of Middle East supply disruption amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. Both contracts settled 4% higher on Friday after three OPEC+ sources told Reuters that the producer group, made up of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and their allies including Russia, is set to consider whether to make additional oil supply cuts when it meets on Nov. 26. Oil prices have dropped by almost 20% since late September while prompt inter-month spreads for Brent and WTI slipped into contango last week. In a contango market, prompt prices are lower than those in future months, signalling sufficient supply. Investors are also eyeing disruption in Russian crude oil trade after Washington imposed sanctions on three ships that have sent Sokol crude to India.

Persons: Brent, Baker Hughes, WTI, OPEC's, Jorge Leon, Leon, Tony Sycamore, Biden, Sycamore, Sokol, Florence Tan, Emily Chow, Christopher Cushing Organizations: West Texas, Reuters, Organization of, Petroleum, Rystad Energy, Monetary, . Strategic Petroleum Reserve, Thomson Locations: Baker Hughes SINGAPORE, East, Israel, Russia, Brent, Saudi Arabia, Saudi, OPEC, Washington, India, Moscow, U.S, Gaza

It also slightly raised its 2023 forecast for growth in global oil demand and stuck to its relatively high 2024 prediction. Last week, oil prices slid to their lowest level since July, hurt by concerns that demand could wane in in top oil consumers U.S. and China. A U.S. crackdown on Russian oil exports could potentially disrupt supply, supporting prices further. Iraq's oil minister expects to reach an agreement with the Kurdistan Regional Government and foreign oil companies to resume oil production from the Kurdish region's oilfields and resume northern oil exports through the Iraq-Turkey pipeline. Focal points for the market include the International Energy Agency's latest monthly oil market report later in the day.

Persons: Dun Jiao, Tatiana Meel, Leon Li, Emily Chow, Edwina Gibbs, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Brent, ING, Organization of, Petroleum, Strategic Petroleum Reserve, U.S . Treasury Department, Kurdistan Regional Government, of Commerce, International Energy, APEC, Markets, Thomson Locations: Nakhodka, Russia, Rights SINGAPORE, U.S, China, Washington, Moscow, Iraq, Kurdish, Turkey, Shanghai

☆ Oil prices edge up after OPEC says market fundamentals are strong
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Tatiana Meel/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSINGAPORE, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Oil prices inched up on Tuesday after an OPEC report said market fundamentals remained strong and due to concerns supplies might be disrupted as the U.S. cracks down on Russian oil exports. Last week, oil prices slid to their lowest level since July, hurt by concerns that demand could wane in in top oil consumers U.S. and China. Iraq's oil minister expects to reach an agreement with the Kurdistan Regional Government and foreign oil companies to resume oil production from the Kurdish region's oilfields and resume northern oil exports through the Iraq-Turkey pipeline. Oil prices were also supported by a U.S. crackdown on Russian oil exports, potentially disrupting supply. Focal points for the market include the International Energy Agency's latest monthly oil market report later in the day.

Persons: Dun Jiao, Tatiana Meel, Emily Chow, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Brent, Organization of, Petroleum, ANZ Research, Kurdistan Regional Government, of Commerce, U.S . Treasury Department, Strategic Petroleum Reserve, International Energy, Energy, Thomson Locations: Nakhodka, Russia, Rights SINGAPORE, U.S, China, Iraq, Kurdish, Turkey, Washington, Moscow

☆ Beijing Bishop Visits Hong Kong Amid Tensions Between China and Vatican
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Jessie Pang and Joyce ZhouHONG KONG (Reuters) - China's state-backed Bishop of Beijing visited Hong Kong on Tuesday amid fears among some Catholics that Beijing wants tighter control over religious affairs in Hong Kong. The visit is the first trip by a mainland Chinese bishop since the former British colony was returned to China in 1997 and follows a landmark visit to the Chinese capital by his Hong Kong counterpart in April. Hong Kong has traditionally been seen as a regional Catholic hub on the edge of the Chinese mainland under officially-atheist Communist Party rule. Hong Kong has 600,000 Catholics. Tensions between Beijing and the Vatican over the appointment of bishops saw a confidential pact struck in 2018.

Persons: Jessie Pang, Joyce Zhou HONG, Bishop, Pope, Bishop Joseph Li, Li, of Hong Kong Stephen Chow, Chow, Cardinal Joseph Zen, Zen, Tyrone Siu, Joyce Zhou, Michael Perry Organizations: Reuters, Hong, Hong Kong Catholic Cathedral, Hong Kong Liaison Office, Communist Party Locations: Joyce Zhou HONG KONG, Beijing, Hong Kong, China, of Hong Kong, Vatican, China . Hong Kong, Asia

Listen and follow The DailyApple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon MusicWarning: This episode contains descriptions of injuries and death. As Israel’s war on Hamas enters its sixth week, hospitals in Gaza have found themselves on the front lines. Hospitals have become a refuge for the growing number of civilians fleeing the violence, but one that has become increasingly dangerous as Israel’s military targets what it says are Hamas fighters hiding inside and beneath them. Today, three doctors working in the Gaza Strip describe what the war looks like from inside their hospitals and what they are doing to keep up with the flood of patients. On today’s episode

Organizations: Spotify Locations: Gaza

An aerial view shows an oil factory of Idemitsu Kosan Co. in Ichihara, east of Tokyo, Japan November 12, 2021, in this photo taken by Kyodo. Brent January crude futures rose 0.3%, or 28 cents, to $85.30 a barrel by 0330 GMT, after falling more than 1% on Tuesday. Brent December futures settled 4 cents lower at $87.41 a barrel at the contract's expiry on Tuesday. Interest rate hikes aimed at taming inflation can slow economic growth and reduce oil demand, while rate cuts to spur spending could increase oil consumption. The Fed, which will end its meeting on Wednesday, is expected to hold rates steady, according to a poll by CME's Fedwatch tool.

Persons: Brent, Edward Moya, CME's, Goldman Sachs, Antony Blinken, Mohi Narayan, Emily Chow, Jamie Freed Organizations: Kyodo, U.S . Federal Reserve, . West Texas, Treasury, Federal, Market, American Petroleum Institute, Central Bank, Bank of England, Israel, Thomson Locations: Idemitsu, Ichihara, Tokyo, Japan, DELHI, Israel, ., U.S, Europe, China, East, Gaza, New Delhi, Singapore

Listen and follow The DailyApple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon MusicOver the weekend, the Israeli military appears to have begun an invasion of the Gaza Strip, with tanks rolling into the enclave and Israeli soldiers fighting Hamas inside. But the operation remains shrouded in secrecy, and Israel is revealing little about its actions. Raja Abdulrahim, a Middle East correspondent for The Times, and Patrick Kingsley, the Jerusalem bureau chief, discuss the latest escalation in the war.

Persons: Raja Abdulrahim, Patrick Kingsley Organizations: Spotify, The Times Locations: Gaza, Israel, East, Jerusalem

Listen and follow The DailyApple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon MusicOver the past few days, two of the lawyers who tried to help former President Donald J. Trump stay in power after losing the 2020 election pleaded guilty in a Georgia racketeering case and have agreed to cooperate with prosecutors against him. Richard Faussett, who writes about politics in the American South for The Times, explains why two of Mr. Trump’s former allies have now turned against him.

Persons: Donald J, Trump, Richard Faussett, Trump’s Organizations: Spotify, The Times Locations: Georgia, American

Listen and follow The DailyApple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon MusicOver a year, the federal deficit — the gap between what the U.S. government spends and what it earns — has doubled, to nearly $2 trillion. That figure seems to validate the worries of congressional Republicans about government spending, which have been at the center of the messy fight over who should be House speaker. Jim Tankersley, who covers economic policy at the White House for The Times, explains the Republicans’ concerns — and why their plans would not come close to solving the problem.

Persons: —, Jim Tankersley Organizations: Spotify, White, The Times

☆ ‘AKA Mr. Chow’ Review: Portrait of the Artist as a Restaurateur
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( John Anderson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

Michael Chow Photo: HBOAmong his many talents, the celebrity restaurateur Michael Chow , the subject of “AKA Mr. Chow,” has the seemingly savant-ish ability to recall the first shot of any movie he’s seen. “Why are first scenes so important?” asks director Nick Hooker . “Is your birth important?” asks Mr. Chow. AKA Mr. Chow Sunday, 9 p.m., HBOA film-critic colleague once observed, or conceded, that few movies get any better after the first five minutes. Over the great operatic journey that is Mr. Chow’s life, can anything top the overture performed by this supremely self-confident, mildly abrasive, quasi-pugnacious but likable impresario-artist-actor and feeder of the elite?

Persons: Michael Chow, Chow, ”, “ Lawrence, Nick Hooker, “, Hooker, Jean Tsien, Chow — Organizations: HBO Locations: Northwest, Arabia

Listen and follow The DailyApple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon MusicA devastating blast at a hospital in Gaza on Tuesday killed hundreds and ignited protests across the broader Middle East, deepening the crisis in the region. As President Biden visits Israel looking to ease tensions and avoid a broader conflict, Edward Wong, a diplomatic correspondent for The Times, discusses the narrow path the American leader must navigate.

Persons: Biden, Edward Wong Organizations: Spotify, The Times Locations: Gaza, Israel

☆ 28 Best Gifts for Dog Lovers
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Jennifer Tzeses | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +15 min

Browse the ideas below, and take a look at our roundups of expert-approved products to keep your pet calm and the best gifts for cat lovers too. For the bakerThe Dash Dog Treat Maker—a small waffle iron with bone-shaped plates—lets your pal whip up homemade dog treats. Many similar custom pet portraits are available on Etsy, including a Mini Custom Watercolor Pet Portrait from Riverry Studio and a Custom Watercolor Pet Portrait from Pet Portrait Galaxy. “I will treasure them forever.” Haussmann also loves custom pet portraits and gifted one to his brother-in-law. For any dog ownerBaapet Dog Leash with Padded Handle $9+ at AmazonWe included the Baapet Dog Leash with Padded Handle as the best for everyday use in our list of the best leashes for every type of dog.

Persons: Jennifer Tzeses, —, Juliana DeWillems, ” DeWillems, Fido, DeWillems, ”, Robert Haussmann, he’s, Hernandez, AJ Hernandez, ’, Roxy, Maggie Marton, she’s, Marton, “, ” Haussmann, they’re, Cynthia Dockx, Haussmann, “ It’s, can’t, it’s, Buddy, Licking, Sophie Gamand, Hunter Finn, Dr, Finn, Mikkel Becker, Julie Burgess, Lucy, Pilar Scratch, Shih Tzu, Oddie, Ingrid Johnson, Johnson, Bob, It’s, Bellamy Richardson Organizations: Behavior Consulting, Washington , D.C, Dogboy, Riverry, BPA, Rover, Homes, Colo, Etsy, Apple Locations: Washington ,, Boston, Indiana, Morris Plains, N.J, Haussmann, McKinney , Texas, Seattle, Chihuahua, It’s, . New York, Petsafe

The Offshore Alliance union said it had called off strikes originally planned for Thursday at the U.S. energy major's Gorgon and Wheatstone projects in Western Australia, which supply around 6% of the world's LNG. Workers have showed "incredible patience" with Chevron, Offshore Alliance spokesperson Brad Gandy said in a statement, blaming the company for trying to back away from the tentative deal agreed last month. "There was some real compromises by Chevron at the 11th hour that enabled a deal to be re-struck and strikes withdrawn," energy analyst Saul Kavonic said. Kavonic said the agreement would end the risks of strikes across Australia's largest offshore LNG projects. The Offshore Alliance, a coalition of the Australian Workers' Union and the Maritime Union of Australia, said workers would vote on the proposed enterprise agreements.

Persons: Brad Gandy, Gandy, Saul Kavonic, Kavonic, Renju Jose, Lewis Jackson, Emily Chow, Stephen Coates Organizations: Reuters, Chevron, Handout, REUTERS, Union, SYDNEY, Offshore Alliance, Traders, Workers, Australian Workers ' Union, Maritime Union of Australia, Thomson Locations: Wheatstone, Western Australia, Australian, Chevron's, Australia, U.S, Asia, Norway, Sydney, Singapore, Bengaluru

☆ Oil falls below $90 a barrel on report of US-Venezuela deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Erwin Seba | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell by 0.29 cents, or 0.37%, to $87.30 a barrel. Easing sanctions on Venezuela's oil industry could result in increased oil supply. "It's more of the same on Monday in terms of the conflict in the Middle East being contained from affecting crude oil supplies," said John Kilduff, partner with Again Capital LLC. Both oil benchmarks had climbed nearly 6% on Friday, taking Brent 7.5% higher on the week and WTI up 5.9%. Crude oil storage tanks are seen in an aerial photograph at the Cushing oil hub in Cushing, Oklahoma, U.S. April 21, 2020.

Persons: Israel, Brent, John Kilduff, Antony Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, Vladimir Putin, Putin, John Evans, Robert Harvey, Yuka Obayashi, Emily Chow, Susan Fenton, David Evans, Deepa Babington, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Monday HOUSTON, . West Texas, Traders, Brent, REUTERS, U.S, Israeli, United, US, Thomson Locations: Venezuela, Gaza, Israel, U.S, Barbados, Palestinian, Cushing , Oklahoma, Rafah, Egypt, Israel's, Russia, Iran, Syria, United States, Moscow, Russian, Saudi, London, Tokyo

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