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"We are seeing evidence of slowing labor markets as evidenced by slowing wage growth, lower job postings and an increase in Canadian unemployment. The country's second-largest bank Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD.TO), however, missed analysts' estimates for quarterly profit, which was hurt by higher expenses, rainy day funds to cover for unpaid loans and weakness in its U.S. business. RBC reported adjusted earnings of C$2.84 per share, beating analysts' estimates of C$2.71 per share, according to Refinitiv data. The bank's earnings were also impacted by a C$306 million payment related to the termination of its First Horizon acquisition. RBC and TD together account for half of the market share among the big six Canadian banks with a market capitalization of C$168 billion and C$151 billion respectively.

Persons: Dave McKay, McKay, May, John Aiken, Kelvin Tran, TD, Nivedita Balu, Manya Saini, Sri Hari, Pritam Biswas, Shilpi Majumdar, Mark Potter, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Royal Bank of Canada, RBC, Barclays, Dominion Bank, Bank of Canada, Thomson Locations: China, Toronto, Canada, Bengaluru

The country's second-largest bank Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD.TO), however, missed Bay Street estimates for quarterly profit hurt by higher expenses and rainy day funds to cover for unpaid loans. The bank's earnings were also impacted by a C$306 million charge related to the termination of its First Horizon acquisition. "The higher interest rate would put pressure on the consumer. The banks set aside more money for bad loans compared to the prior quarter as consumers struggle to make payments amid high costs of living. RBC set aside C$616 million for credit losses, up from C$340 million a year ago, and TD set aside C$766 million, a jump from C$351 million.

Persons: Mark Blinch, Dave McKay, John Aiken, Kelvin Tran, Nivedita Balu, Sri Hari, Pritam Biswas, Shilpi Majumdar, Mark Potter Organizations: Royal Bank of Canada, REUTERS, RBC, Barclays, Dominion Bank, The Bank of Canada, Thomson Locations: Toronto, Canada, Sri, Bengaluru

☆ Huy Fong Foods' sriracha shortage has been ongoing for three years. Here's why it could have been prevented
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( Ryan Baker | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Huy Fong Foods' sriracha hot sauce, in the green-capped bottle with the rooster label, has been hard to find for the past few years. Strained supplier relations coupled with adverse agricultural conditions have left Huy Fong Foods' sriracha out of stock at many grocers nationwide. Underwood Ranches, a farm owned by Craig Underwood based in Ventura County, California, supplied Huy Fong Foods' peppers for 28 years. Huy Fong Foods claimed it overpaid Underwood Ranches for its crops from the 2016 season. Huy Fong Foods declined CNBC's request for an interview.

Persons: Huy Fong, Underwood, Craig Underwood, David Tran, Jane Wells, Fong, Stephanie Walker Organizations: Huy Fong Foods, Huy Fong, CNBC, New Mexico State University Locations: Ventura County , California, Huy, Ventura County, California, California , New Mexico, Mexico, North America

☆ Dunedin delight as Dutch put seven past Vietnam to top group
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Roord drew a fantastic save from Kim Thanh just before halftime, but Van de Donk was on hand to tap in the rebound. After Brugts' superb sixth with another fierce strike, Roord, who had hit the crossbar, headed in the seventh with seven minutes remaining. "I was afraid that the gap would be even bigger," Vietnam coach Mai Duc Chung said. "We have tried our best but it is clear that we cannot close the gap between us and the Netherlands. Reporting by Hritika Sharma in Hyderabad, editing by Nick Mulvenney and Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Danielle van de Donk, Jill Roord, Sherida Spitse, Molly Darlington, Esmee Brugts, Brugts, Vivianne Miedema, Lieke Martens, Katja Snoeijs, Dominique Janssen, Martens, Tran Thi Kim Thanh, Snoeijs, Van de Donk, Roord, Kim Thanh, Mai Duc Chung, Hritika Sharma, Nick Mulvenney Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Forsyth Barr, Sherida Spitse REUTERS, Vietnam, Portugal, Sweden, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Vietnam, Netherlands, Dunedin , New Zealand, Molly Darlington DUNEDIN , New Zealand, United States, Auckland, Sydney, Italy, Vietnam's, Roord, Janssen's, Hyderabad

☆ How to watch Australia, Canada and Nigeria battle for Wwomen's World Cup knockout phase spot
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-30 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +23 min

Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images Norway celebrates scoring in its 6-0 victory against the Philippines on Sunday. Aisha Schulz/AP Sweden's Amanda Ilestedt, center, heads the ball to score the opening goal against Italy on July 29. John Cowpland/AP Italy's fans cheer before their team's match against Sweden at Wellington Regional Stadium, New Zealand. John Cowpland/AP China's Wang Shuang celebrates after scoring against Haiti during a Women's World Cup match on Friday, July 28. John Cowpland/AP US forward Alex Morgan is surrounded by Vietnam defenders during their opening match on July 22.

Persons: Colombia's Manuela Vanegas, Franck Fife, Alexandra Popp, Ulrik Pedersen, Manuela Vanegas, Sajad, Jaimi Joy, Reuters Linda Caicedo, Phil Walter, Getty, Dominique Randle, Hannah Peters, Hali, Rafaela Pontes, Olivia McDaniel, Norway's Caroline Graham Hansen, Abbie Parr, Sophie Roman Haug of, Jessika Cowart, Buda Mendes, Ali Riley, Katie Bowen, Molly Darlington, Julia Stierli, Alessandra Tarantino, Ramona Bachmann, Sanka Vidanagama, James Elsby, Benzina, Edina Alves Batista, Hannah Mckay, Brenton Edwards, Panama's Aldrith Quintero, Jamaica's Deneisha Blackwood, Kameron Simmonds, Luisa Gonzalez, Allyson Swaby, Herve Renard, Wendie Renard, Debinha, Katie Tucker, Aisha Schulz, Amanda Ilestedt, John Cowpland, Rebecka Blomqvist, Wang Shuang, Maddie Meyer, Dumornay, China's Dou Jiaxing, Alex Pantling, Chloe Kelly, Carl Recine, Mary Earps, Andy Cheung, Janni Thomsen, Alex Greenwood, Lauren James, Justin Setterfield, Keira Walsh, Walsh, Argentina's Mariana Larroquette, Yamila Rodriguez, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Matthew Lewis, Linda Motlhalo, Lars Baron, Osinachi Ohale, Bradley Kanaris, Dan Peled, Anthony Albanese, Matt Roberts, Jéssica Silva, Vietnam's, Saeed Khan, Fiona Goodall, Daphne van Domselaar, Julie Ertz, Brad Smith, Andrew Cornaga, Lindsey Horan, Joe Prior, Catherine Ivill, Amanda Perobelli, Canada's Vanessa Gilles, Ireland's Niamh Fahey, Louise Quinn, Murty, Katie McCabe applauds, Paul Kane, Kailen Sheridan, McCabe, Stephen McCarthy, Adriana Leon, Colin Murty, Jennifer Hermoso, David Rowland, Reuters Hermoso, Spain's Alexia Putellas, Mary Wilombe, Naomoto, Japan's Mina Tanaka, Daniela Solera, Sarina Bolden, Bolden's, Hannah Wilkinson, Bolden, Victoria Esson, Katelyn Mulcahy, Hagen Hopkins, Catalina Usme, Korea's Cho, Colombia's Jorelyn, Carolina Arias, Cameron Spencer, Reuters Usme, Kim Hye, Rebecca Welch, David Gray, Brazil's Marta, Matt Turner, Borges, Khadija Er, Victoria Adkins, Germany's Alexandra Popp, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, Morocco's Fatima Tagnaout, Hamish Blair, Cristiana Girelli, Kim Price, Francesca Durante, German Portanova, Reuters Italy's Giulia Dragoni, Estefania Banini, Dragoni, Grace Geyoro, Mark Baker, Rebecca Spencer, Robert Cianflone, Bunny, Shaw, Estelle Cascarino, Portugal's Ines Pereira, Stefanie van der, Van der Gragt, Portugal's Jessica Silva, Silva, Joe Allison, Magaia, Sweden's Elin Rubensson, Amalie Vangsgaard's, Zhang Linyan, Denmark's Pernille Harder, Gary Day, Shui, Reuters England's Alessia Russo, Haiti's Tabita Joseph, England's Lionesses, Reuters Nicolas Delépine, Kerly Theus, Zac Goodwin, Jun Endo, Zambia's Agnes Musase, Reuters Aoba, Catherine Musonda, Alex Morgan, Carmen Mandato, Megan Rapinoe, Horan, Trần Thị Kim Thanh, Sophia Smith dribbles, Ane, Esther González, Costa, Costa Rica's Mariana Benavides, Katrina Guillou, Switzerland's Gaëlle Thalmann, William West, Uchenna Kanu, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Canada's Christine Sinclair, Steph Catley, Heather Payne, Australia's Kyra Cooney, Mackenzie Arnold, Ria Percival, Ada Hegerberg, Jan Kruger, Zealand's CJ Bott, Norway's Mathilde Harviken vie, Jose Breton, Benee, Ireland's, Niamh Fahey, Vanessa Gilles, Coliin Murty, Sam Kerr, Kerr, Tony Gustavsson, Christine Sinclair, Ireland, Spain –, Japan's Hikaru Naomoto Organizations: CNN, Germany, Getty, Colombia, Reuters, Norway, Sunday, FIFA, AP, New Zealand, South, Jamaica, Brazil, France, Italy, Sweden, Wellington Regional, Haiti, China, Denmark, England, Argentina, Nigeria, Australia, Canada, Reuters Australian, Vietnam, Portugal, USSF, Ireland, Spain, Eden, Costa, Forsyth, AP Costa, Japan, New, Victoria, Panama, Morocco, Cristiana, Atlanta Primus, Zambia, Zambian, Costa Rica's, Getty Images, Zealand, AP Norway, Nations, FOX Sports, Telemundo, Seven Network, Optus Sport, BBC, ITV, Republic of Ireland, Super Falcons, coy Locations: Japan, Spain, Costa Rica, Zambia, Australia, Canada, Nigeria, AFP, Colombia, Philippines, AP Philippines, Sophie Roman Haug of Norway, New, Reuters, Morocco, South Korea, Perth, Reuters Jamaica, Brisbane, New Zealand, Reuters England, Reuters Argentina, Argentina, South Africa, Ireland, Portugal, Vietnam, United States, Netherlands, Wellington , New Zealand, Auckland , New Zealand, Costa Rican, Dunedin , New Zealand, AP Costa Rican, Reuters Switzerland, Norway, Switzerland, Sydney, Reuters Colombia, Panama, Adelaide, Germany, AP Argentina, German, Italy, Atlanta, Africa, China, European, Reuters England's Georgia, Ane Frosaker, Eurasia, Melbourne, Reuters Norway, Zealand, Eden, United Kingdom, Republic of, Republic of Ireland, Wellington

☆ Women’s World Cup: Australia Faces Its Injuries, While Newcomers Face Off
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Claire Fahy | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Thursday’s World Cup matches feature unlikely upstarts who faced top contenders in their opening games and fared better than most expectations. Portugal and Vietnam, both World Cup debutantes, will be vying on Thursday for their first-ever wins. Australia vs. Nigeria Australia will be without star striker Sam Kerr for a second straight game. Nigeria is emerging as a threat after its performance against Canada, but is also no stranger to the World Cup stage — the Nigerians advanced to the round of 16 in 2019 and have qualified for all nine World Cup tournaments. Playing in its fourth World Cup, Argentina is still hunting for its first-ever win.

Persons: Bradley Kanaris, Sam Kerr, Kerr, upstarts, Thi Kim Thanh Tran, Alex Morgan, Simply, Mary Fowler, Aivi Luik, Tony Gustavsson, Fowler, Luik Organizations: Australia, Canada, ., Nigeria, Ireland, South Locations: Portugal, Vietnam, Nigeria, Australia, Nigerian, Vietnam Portugal, Netherlands, United States, American, . Nigeria Australia, Argentina, Africa South Africa, Sweden, South Africa, Dunedin , New Zealand, Italy

☆ Encarnacao shines as Portugal beat Vietnam 2-0 for first World Cup win
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Portugal coach Francisco Neto made seven changes to the team that lost 1-0 to the Netherlands in their Group E opener and the decision paid off as first-half goals from Encarnacao and Francisca Nazareth earned them a first ever World Cup win. In stark contrast to their struggling display against the Netherlands, Portugal dazzled under the floodlights in Hamilton and Neto was delighted with the victory even though the scoreline did not reflect their dominance. "This is very important and it means a lot for all the players," said the Portugal coach, who has been in charge since 2014. "In the first half, I was not satisfied with the team," Vietnam coach Mai Duc Chung said. "They are 11 ranks higher than us and they come from Europe so, yes, they are much better than us ...

Persons: Jessica Silva, David Rowland HAMILTON, Telma Encarnacao, Francisco Neto, Francisca Nazareth, Neto, Encarnacao, Lucia Alves, Tran Thi Kim Thanh, Kim Thanh, Kim Thanh's, Nguyen Thi, Thuy, Patricia Morais, Mai Duc Chung, Hritika Sharma, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, REUTERS, Vietnam, Waikato, Encarnacao, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Portugal, Vietnam, Waikato, Hamilton , New Zealand, David Rowland HAMILTON , New Zealand, Netherlands, U.S, Auckland, Dunedin, Hamilton, United States, Nazareth, Europe, Hyderabad

☆ Vietnam aims to raise raw rare earths output to 2 mln t/yr by 2030
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Khanh Vu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Samples of rare earth minerals from left: Cerium oxide, Bastnaesite, Neodymium oxide and Lanthanum carbonate at Molycorp's Mountain Pass Rare Earth facility in Mountain Pass, California June 29, 2015. Its rare earths production jumped to 4,300 tonnes last year from 400 tonnes in 2021, the USGS said. Vietnam will develop three to four new mines after 2030, aiming to raise its raw rare earths output to 2.11 million tonnes by 2050, the document showed. "The objective of the plan is for the country to develop a synchronised and sustainable industry of rare earths mining and processing," it said. Rare earths are a group of elements that have applications in electronics manufacturing and batteries, making them important for the global transition towards cleaner sources of energy and in defence.

Persons: David Becker, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Tran Hong Ha, Khanh Vu, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, United States Geological Survey, Deputy, REO, Thomson Locations: Pass , California, HANOI, Vietnam, China, Lai Chau, Lao

CNN —The search of Rex Heuermann’s Long Island home has ended after investigators turned up “quite a lot of evidence” in the Gilgo Beach serial killings, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said Tuesday. “We are for all intents and purposes done with the search,” Tierney told reporters. Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney says the search of Rex Heuermann's home turned up "quite a lot of evidence." “I did not do this,” his court appointed-attorney, Michael Brown, said Heuermann told him. “We’re going to look at the other instances where the bodies were recovered in that area as well,” Tierney said Tuesday.

Persons: Rex Heuermann’s, Ray Tierney, “, ” Tierney, Rodney Harrison, ”, Tierney, Rex Heuermann's, Heuermann, Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Lynn Costello, Michael Brown, Maureen Brainard, Barnes, Harrison, “ We’re Organizations: CNN, Suffolk County Police, CNN Authorities, Investigators, Police Locations: Suffolk County, New York City, Gilgo Beach, Las Vegas, South Carolina’s Chester County, Shore

☆ Opinion: Messi mania meets USWNT three-peat fever
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-22 | by ( Opinion Amy Bass | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

On the other side of the world in Auckland, the USWNT took down World Cup newcomer Vietnam 3-0. It was nonsense to worry about what to watch or whether Messi would upstage the women. MLS chief Don Garber, for one, says he’s not worried about the impact Saudi money could have on the ability of the MLS to expand into markets outside the US, especially as it failed to win Messi. Friday may have been the first time in his life that Messi was someone else’s opening act. The USWNT did what was expected, beating a lesser team in Vietnam, but they also have a lot of work in front of them.

Persons: Amy Bass, Read, Lionel Messi, Amy Bass Rodney Bedsole, Cruz Azul, Messi, Pelé, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo’s, Al Nassr, LIV, Don Garber, he’s, Messi subbed, ” Garber, “, ”, Inter Miami’s, King ” LeBron James, Sophia Smith, —, Trinity Rodman, Rodman, Tran Thi, Alex Morgan, Tran Thị Kim Thanh, Captain Lindsey Horan, Megan Rapinoe, David, anyone’s, Brenda Elsey, England, Sam Kerr Organizations: Manhattanville College, CNN, Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami, US, National, Cruz, Leagues, Vietnam, National American Soccer League’s New York Cosmos, Inter Miami, Messi, LA Galaxy, MLS, Saudi Pro, Major League Soccer, Inter, Trinity, Colombian, Twitter, Facebook, Canada, Haiti Locations: Florida, New Zealand, Fort Lauderdale, Auckland, American, Miami, Inter Miami, Vietnam, Haiti, Philippines, Zambia, Germany, Morocco, Qatar, Nigeria

☆ Smith scores brace to power champions US past Vietnam
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-22 | by ( Amy Tennery | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] Jul 22, 2023; Auckland, NZL; USA forward Sophia Smith (11) gets the ball past Vietnam forward Huynh Nhu (9) in the second half of a group stage match in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup at Eden Park. The four-times champions have put their trust in the next generation this year and were rewarded with a showstopping performance from the 22-year-old forward, who also provided the assist for co-captain Lindsey Horan's goal in the second half. "We tried to be more tactical, skillful," Vietnam coach Mai Duc Chung told reporters via a translator. The U.S. face the Netherlands on Thursday in their second Group E game, a rematch of the 2019 World Cup final, while Vietnam next play Portugal. "The first one is in the books and the focus immediately shifts to game two," Andonovski said.

Persons: Sophia Smith, Huynh Nhu, Jenna Watson, Lindsey Horan's, Tran Thi Kim Thanh, Alex Morgan's, Vlatko Andonovski, Smith, Horan, Mai Duc Chung, Megan Rapinoe, Rose Lavelle, Andonovski, Amy Tennery, Robert Birsel Organizations: FIFA, USA, Sports AUCKLAND, Vietnam, Thomson Locations: Auckland, NZL, USA, Vietnam, Eden, United States, Morgan, U.S, Netherlands, Portugal

☆ Sophia Smith stars as USWNT eases past Vietnam in its Women’s World Cup opener
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The US Women’s National Team (USWNT) kicked off their Women’s World Cup campaign with a comfortable 3-0 victory against Vietnam. A brace from US soccer’s newest superstar Sophia Smith and a late goal from Lindsey Horan was enough to give the defending champion a dream start as it begins a historic World Cup campaign. The USWNT are chasing a third World Cup in a row and could not have asked for a better start,dominating proceedings from the outset before Smith opened the scoring just 14 minutes into her World Cup debut. The Portland Thorns forward squeezed the ball into the net – albeit with a much scrappier effort than her opener. As chances came and went for the USWNT, it took more brilliant work from Smith to extend the lead.

Persons: Sophia Smith, Lindsey Horan, Smith, Horan, Alex Morgan, Andrew Cornaga, Trinity Rodman, Morgan, Trần Thị Kim Thanh, Phil Walter, ” Smith, “ We’re, Vlatko Andonovski, ” Organizations: CNN, US Women’s National, Vietnam, Portland, Getty Locations: Vietnam

☆ In-N-Out is barring staff from wearing masks unless they have a medical note. The burger icon wants customers to see employees' smiles.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The chain said workers must have a medical note to wear a mask in five states where it operates. "No masks shall be worn in the store or support facility unless an associate has a valid medical note exempting him or her from this requirement," the memo said. Employees must provide a valid medical note to a store manager, divisional manager, manager, or human resources, the memo said. "Without disclosing the medical diagnosis or confidential medical information, the medical note should clearly state the reason for the exemption and include the estimated duration, if applicable," the memo said. Employees who require a mask for medical reasons must wear a company-provided N-95 mask, according to the memo.

Persons: Lynsi Snyder, Biden, Lucky Tran, Snyder's, Harry, Esther Snyder Organizations: Service, Twitter, Employees, Public Locations: Southern California, Wall, Silicon, Arizona , Colorado , Nevada , Texas, Utah, Tennessee, California, Oregon

☆ Old Cold War tool could help in new era of tension
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Hugo Dixon | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

The United States may soon expand its export controls to cover semiconductors used in artificial intelligence and access to cloud computing. The People’s Republic has responded with tit-for-tat export controls on gallium and germanium, two strategic metals used in chips and other technologies where it has a dominant position. This is what the U.S. and its allies did during the last Cold War, when they established the Coordinating Committee for Multilateral Export Controls (CoCom). The United States’ subsidies for green technologies via its Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) caused tension with its allies. Its premier, Li Qiang, travelled to Germany last month hoping to persuade it not to row in behind the United States.

Persons: Joe Biden, Hung Tran, Li Qiang, –, Biden, Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, Frances Burwell, Canada –, George Hay, Oliver Taslic, Pranav Kiran Organizations: Reuters, NATO, Soviet, Atlantic Council, Reuters Graphics Reuters, European Union, Multilateral Export Controls, United, Republican, Florida, EU, U.S, U.S . Trade, Technology Council, Twitter, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, China, Republic, U.S, Netherlands, Japan, States, United States, People’s Republic, Germany, Beijing, ’, Russia, Britain, Canada, Australia, South Korea

☆ Read the pitch decks from these creator economy startups that helped raise millions of dollars
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( Sydney Bradley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Here are the pitch decks that 24 startups used in Series A, Seed, and pre-Seed rounds. The phrase "creator economy" skyrocketed as a buzzword in 2021 as creators, VCs, and entrepreneurs rushed to cash in on a booming industry. So, how do creator economy startups land those investments? They broke down the pitch decks they used to secure millions of dollars in funding. Read the pitch decks that helped 24 creator-focused startups to fundraise millions of dollars:

Persons: —, Alexis Ohanian's Seven, Tony Tran, Tran, Jessica Wolf, who've Organizations: United Talent, Intelligence Locations: Skye

☆ Sriracha sauce is selling for as much as $120 amid prolonged shortage
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

New York CNN —The prolonged shortage of a certain red sauce is making the black market go wild. Prices of Sriracha sauce are as high as $70 on eBay as people look to snap up the spicy sauce. Huy Fong Foods, which makes the rooster-adorned bottled sauce, has been dealing with a years-long shortage of the chilis, which is hurting production and causing some shortages. At this time, we have no estimations of when supply will increase,” a Huy Fong spokesperson said. There’s been a shortage for the past three years, as Huy Fong has said that its chili peppers have consistently been in short supply.

Persons: Huy Fong, it’s, There’s, Fong’s, David Tran Organizations: New, New York CNN, eBay, Huy Fong Foods, CNN, Target, Foods Locations: New York, Huy

☆ New York is choking on smog. But for these cities, it’s just another day
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( Jessie Yeung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Hong Kong CNN —For days, images of New York choking in smoke have stunned the United States, as residents struggle to deal with the unfamiliar challenge of severe air pollution. That means its people are exposed to high levels of fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, a widely used indicator of harmful air pollution. It culminated in the infamous 2013 “air-pocalypse,” when the air quality index hit 755, smashing what was supposed to be the top of the scale at 500, according to the US Embassy in Beijing that kept a daily air quality monitor. In 2021, Beijing recorded its best monthly air quality since records began in 2013; photos now show mostly blue skies in the city. It’s an encouraging sign, and evidence that the right policies and investment can help fix air quality.

Persons: smothers, Andrew Kelly, Sanchit Khanna, Chiang Mai, Nicolas Asfouri, Justin Trudeau, Joe Biden, ”, Lucky Tran Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Rockefeller Center, Reuters, Hindustan Times, Embassy, Canadian, United Nations, East Coasters Locations: Hong Kong, York, United States, Canada, Coast, West Coast, California, Asia, New York, India, New Delhi, Southeast Asia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Beijing, AFP, –, China, It’s, South Carolina, Quebec, Yorkers

☆ US, European hotel rates may keep rising, industry executives say
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Doyinsola Oladipo | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NEW YORK, June 7 (Reuters) - Hotel room rates in the U.S. and Europe are rising and may get even more expensive as supply has failed to keep up with demand, industry executives said. The number of U.S. hotel rooms increased about 3% in April of 2023 from the same month in 2019. Some 153,000 hotel rooms were under construction in April of 2023, down from a peak of 220,000 in the same month in 2020, according to hotel analytics firm STR. U.S. hotel rates in May averaged $157.45 a night, up 17% from the same month in 2019. "For the past 20 years hotel operators were not daring enough to restate the prices of hotel rooms," he said.

Persons: Keith Barr, Barr, It's, Mark Hoplamazian, Michael Tran, Sebastien Bazin, Bazin, There's, IHG's Barr, Doyinsola Oladipo, Richard Chang, Paul Simao Organizations: YORK, Resorts, NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference, RBC Capital Markets, Thomson Locations: U.S, Europe, Paris, London, New York

☆ ‘Anatomy of a Fall’ wins Palme d’Or at Cannes Film Festival
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The 76th Cannes Film Festival - The Palme d'Or Award - Cannes, France, May 16, 2023. A Chopard representative displays the Palme d'Or, the highest prize awarded to competing films, during an interview on the day of the opening ceremony of the festival. Justine Triet's "Anatomy of a Fall" won the Palme d'Or at the 76th Cannes Film Festival in a ceremony Saturday that handed the festival's prestigious top prize to a twisty French Alps courtroom drama. "Anatomy of a Fall," which stars Sandra Hüller as a writer trying to prove her innocence in her husband's death, is only the third film directed by a woman to win the Palme d'Or. Quentin Tarantino, who won Cannes' top award for "Pulp Fiction," attended the ceremony to present a tribute to filmmaker Roger Corman.

☆ Man charged in baseball bat attack on two U.S. congressional staffers
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Dan Whitcomb | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Xuan-Kha Tran Pham, 49, was taken into custody by Fairfax police following the attack in the offices of Representative Gerry Connolly on Monday. Attorneys Office in eastern Virginia, which filed the charges, have not said what they believe motivated the attack but said in a written statement that the suspect was demanding to speak to Connolly. Connolly, a Democrat from Northern Virginia, said on Twitter that the two staff members had been released from hospital. Prosecutors say Pham entered Connolly's office in Fairfax carrying the baseball bat, then struck a female in the head and hit an intern in the ribs. He then returned to the first victim, striking her a total of eight times, according to prosecutors.

☆ What Your Therapist Doesn't Tell You
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Amy X. Wang | Illustrations Liana Finck | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +8 min

What Your Therapist Doesn’t Tell You A dozen counselors on what it’s really like to sit in the other armchair. “ ‘I need to pee so bad.’ Clients don’t realize that we have five minutes between sessions and sometimes making it to the bathroom is not possible.” — Jessa White, L.M.H.C.A. You can’t do psychotherapy if a person doesn’t feel safe — there’s no way that’s going to happen. But it’s frustrating too, because as a therapist, you feel you can’t really offer what you signed up for.” — Gabriela Sehinkman, Ph.D., L.I.S.W.-S. To me, therapy is very much like dating, except, you know, obviously you don’t really want to date the person.” — Thien Pham, L.M.F.T.

☆ When is Cannes Film Festival 2023 and what can we expect?
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/6] The 75th Cannes Film Festival - The Palme d'Or Award - Cannes, France, May 17, 2022. Below are some facts about the Cannes Film Festival and this year's contenders. WHAT IS THE CANNES FILM FESTIVAL AND WHY IS IT CELEBRATED? Cannes is the world's biggest film festival, first conceived in 1939 as an alternative to the then-fascist-influenced Venice Film Festival. Other awards include the Grand Prix, jury prize, best director, best actor, best actress, best screenplay and best short film.

☆ Chinese automaker BYD to make EVs in Vietnam
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

HANOI, May 8 (Reuters) - Chinese automaker BYD Co. (002594.SZ) plans to expand into electric vehicles manufacturing and assembly in Vietnam, according to a Vietnamese government statement citing the company's chair. Reuters in January exclusively reported that the Xian-based EV maker had plans to open a plant in Vietnam to produce car parts, with the aim to export components to an assembly plant planned in neighbouring Thailand. The statement did not mention how much new investment BYD would top up for the expansion. The presence of BYD would pose a direct challenge to VinFast, a Vietnamese EV maker that began selling cars in 2019 and plans to expand in the United States and Europe. Last September, BYD, backed by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, announced that it would build an EV assembly plant in Thailand with annual capacity of 150,000 cars from 2024.

Programming note: The full interview with Richard Glossip will air Friday, May 5, on “The Lead with Jake Tapper,” which starts at 4 p.m. Lea Glossip, left, wife of death row inmate Richard Glossip, listens with death penalty opponent Sister Helen Prejean, right, during a news conference on Thursday, May 4, in Oklahoma City. Sneed admitted to killing Van Treese, but at trial, prosecutors portrayed the killing as a murder-for-hire plot orchestrated by Glossip. Ultimately, Reed Smith concluded “that no reasonable juror hearing the complete record would have convicted Richard Glossip of first-degree murder,” said Stan Perry, a partner at the firm. The Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester, where Richard Glossip is set to be executed, is seen in 2015.

☆ The fabulous life of billionaire fashion designer Tom Ford, who just announced his final collection for his eponymous line
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

The move came just months after Estée Lauder and Tom Ford inked the luxury industry's biggest deal of 2022 in a $2.8 billion buyout of the American designer's eponymous brand. "I could not be happier with this acquisition as The Estée Lauder Companies is the ideal home for the brand, " Ford said when the deal was announced in November. Tom Ford attends the 2018 Hammer Museum Gala In The Garden in Los Angeles, California. Michael Tran/FilmMagic

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