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☆ Asda retail boss Towle leaves after less than ten months
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, Feb 20 (Reuters) - British supermarket group Asda said on Monday retail director Ken Towle is leaving the business less than ten months after starting the job. Asda also said on Monday it had appointed Aldi UK veteran David Hills as its new chief customer officer. Hills has been at the German-owned discounter since 2007 and is currently group director, marketing & communications. Asda said acting chief customer officer, Sam Dickson, will continue in the role until Hills arrives later this year and will then assume a strategy role for the Asda and George brands. Asda had a tough 2022 but in November reported a return to quarterly sales growth, while industry data has shown its sales growth matching that of Tesco and Sainsbury's.

☆ Costcutter owner Bestway buys Sainsbury's stake
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( James Davey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Sainsbury's shares were up 4.5% on Friday, hitting their highest since April and leading gainers on the FTSE 100 (.FTSE) index. The 3.45% stake makes Bestway Sainsbury's sixth largest investor, Refinitiv Eikon data showed. Asda was purchased by brothers Mohsin and Zuber Issa and private equity company TDR Capital for an enterprise value of 6.8 billion pounds, while Morrisons was bought by U.S. private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice for 7 billion pounds. Sainsbury's proposed 7.3 billion pounds takeover of Asda was blocked by Britain's competition regulator in 2019. Shares in Sainsbury's closed on Thursday at 239.4 pence, valuing the business at 5.6 billion pounds.

☆ Matt Gaetz revels in his slackerdom while other House speaker vote rebels assume flashier roles: 'I'm making back benching great again'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( Warren Rojas | Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Rep. Matt Gaetz was one of 20 House Republicans who challenged Kevin McCarthy's speaker bid. Gaetz told Insider that he's happier cruising along than climbing the political ladder. Earlier this week McCarthy named the 12 House Republicans spearheading a new "weaponization of federal government" subcommittee that was one of Gaetz's top priorities during the speaker vote negotiations. Jordan and other House Republicans are already stepping all over each other to chip away at President Joe Biden's reelection prospects ahead of the 2024 election. As one GOP strategist told Insider earlier this month about Gaetz: "I don't think this guy's looking to be a policymaker."

McCarthy made good on his promise to block former House Intelligence chair Adam Schiff and Rep. Eric Swalwell — both California Democrats — from serving on that panel. In addition to keeping Schiff and Swalwell off the Intelligence Committee, McCarthy previously said he intended to remove Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., from the Foreign Affairs Committee. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who backed McCarthy but has caused headaches for GOP leadership in the past, also got a slot on the panel. The coronavirus committeeRep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, will chair the special committee investigating the spread of the coronavirus. Last week, McCarthy named GOP members to a third select committee, focused on competition between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party.

☆ Owners of UK supermarket Asda and EG Group considering merger, the Times reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, Jan 21 (Reuters) - British supermarket chain Asda could be merged with petrol forecourts business EG Group under plans being explored by the owners of both companies, the London-based Times reported on Saturday. The combination would create a retail giant worth between 11 billion and 13 billion pounds ($13.6 billion-$16.1 billion) which would have more than 581 supermarkets, 700 petrol forecourts and 100 convenience stores in Britain, the newspaper said. Brothers Zuber and Mohsin Issa and London-based private equity group TDR Capital have owned EG Group together since 2016. Asda and TDR Capital declined to comment. Talks over merging the two businesses come ahead of a refinancing of EG Group, which has 7 billion pounds of debt due in 2025, according to the report.

☆ Thousands of Tunisians rally against president on revolution anniversary
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-14 | by ( Tarek Amara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

TUNIS, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Thousands of protesters marched against Tunisian President Kais Saied's seizure of near total power in central Tunis on Saturday, demanding he step down as they marked the anniversary of a key date in the 2011 revolution that brought democracy. "We were on Bourguiba in January 2011 when Saied was not present... today he is closing Bourguiba to us. We will reach it whatever the price," said Chaima Issa, an activist who took part in the 2011 revolution before the crowd pushed through the barriers. [1/5] Demonstrators hold placards during a protest against Tunisian President Kais Saied, on the anniversary of the 2011 uprising, in Tunis, Tunisia January 14, 2023. However, Saied unilaterally changed the official anniversary date and has said he regards Jan. 14 as a moment when the revolution went astray.

Actor Ezra Miller is expected to plea guilty to a lesser charge of trespassing in Vermont after being accused of stealing several bottles of alcohol from someone's home. They were later charged with unlawful trespassing, two charges for burglary into an unoccupied dwelling and petit larceny. A clerk for Vermont Superior Court confirmed to NBC News Wednesday that the parties have come to an agreement to drop the burglary and larceny charges. Miller is expected to enter his guilty plea at a hearing Friday in Bennington County Superior Criminal Court. In another case from Hawaii, Miller allegedly threw a chair at a 26-year-old woman during a private get-together in Pāhoa.

☆ Fact Check-Canadian TV reporter’s on-air medical incident not linked to COVID-19 vaccines
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

One person on Facebook shared the clip and wrote: “TV reporters stroking out...brought to you by Pfizer” (here). In a Jan. 8 segment, CTV News Edmonton reporter Jessica Robb can be heard telling anchor Nahreman Issa: “Sorry Nahreman. CTV Edmonton tweeted about Robb’s health on Jan. 9, stating that she “is feeling better and is now resting” (here). The Canadian broadcaster also released a statement on Twitter on Robb’s behalf, where the reporter dismissed claims linking the incident to COVID-19 vaccines. A statement from CTV on Jessica Robb’s behalf said the incident was not related to the COVID-19 vaccine.

☆ Anita Pointer of the Pointer Sisters dead at 74
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-01 | by ( Daniel Trotta | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Dec 31 (Reuters) - Anita Pointer, one of the Grammy-winning Pointer Sisters whose string of pop, country and R&B hits in the 1970s and '80s included "I'm So Excited," "Jump (For My Love)" and "Fire," died of cancer on Saturday at age 74, her publicist said. Pointer was surrounded by family at her Beverly Hills home when she died, publicist Roger Neal said. The Pointer Sisters later became a quartet for a while with Ruth, the only one of the original singing sisters still alive, though Bonnie left the group in the late 1970s and they became a trio once again. The Pointer sisters also have two surviving brothers, Fritz and Aaron. Anita was preceded in death by her daughter Jada, who died in 2003, when Anita took over raising her granddaughter, Roxie McKain Pointer.

☆ Our ancestors may have evolved to walk upright in trees rather than on the ground, new study suggests
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Jack Guy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Humans’ ability to walk upright on two legs may have evolved in trees, rather than on the ground, according to scientists studying wild chimpanzees in Tanzania. Rhianna Drummond-Clarke/AAASThe team recorded every time that the chimpanzees were upright, and whether it occurred while they were on the ground or in the trees. In addition, more than 85% of the times that the chimpanzees walked upright occurred in the trees, rather than on the ground. “A long-held assumption has been: Less trees means more time on the ground, more time on the ground means more time upright,” Piel said. Rhianna Drummond-Clarke/AAASThe next question for researchers is why the Issa Valley chimpanzees spend more time in trees despite being around fewer trees than other chimpanzee communities, Piel said.

☆ 'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse' trailer: Miles Morales goes on another mindbending trip
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-13 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —After a breathtaking debut in 2018’s Oscar-winning animated “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” Miles Morales is back for more universe-crossing adventures. The first trailer for “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” dropped on Tuesday, starting off with a contemplative moment between Morales – one of multiple Spider-Men throughout the multiverse – talking to his mother Rio as they look out on a view of New York City. Actor Shameik Moore is returning to supply the voice of Morales, as is Luna Lauren Vélez in the role of Rio, Hailee Steinfeld as Gwen Stacy/Spider-Gwen and Jake Johnson as Peter Parker. Other notable stars lending their vocals to the sequel include Daniel Kaluuya, Rachel Dratch, Brian Tyree Henry, Issa Rae and Oscar Isaac. “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” swings into theaters on June 2, 2023.

☆ Morocco rewrite Africa's World Cup history
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Cameroon upset holders Argentina in the opening match of the 1990 World Cup in Italy and went on to the quarter-finals while Senegal did the same to France when they began the defence of their title in 2002. Of the 160 matches played by African sides at the World Cup, only 37 have been won for a success rate below 25%. Most of Africa was still under colonial rule when the World Cup resumed after the Second World War but as countries gained independence, so CAF membership increased and Africa began to flex some muscle. HANDBALLThat achievement held out the promise that Africa would not take long to produce a World Cup winner, but only Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010 were able to make the last eight. It got even worse in Russia in 2018 when no African teams made it to the last 16, sparking serious reflection about the direction of the game on the continent.

☆ Trevor Noah celebrates his last episode hosting ‘The Daily Show’ after 7 years behind the desk
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Elizabeth Wolfe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Noah noted the strong influence American political parties hold, encouraging his audience to consider issues outside the lens of democrat or republican ideals. From my mom, my gran, my aunt – all these Black women in my life,” the host said. “If you truly want to learn about America, talk to Black women,” he continued. Noah took over the program in 2015 from long-time host Jon Stewart whose 16-year run of the show shaped it into a late-night staple. He kicks off his “Trevor Noah: Off The Record” tour in Atlanta on January 20.

Alito authored that decision, called Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, and the Hobby Lobby one. Schenck said he was motivated to come forward out of fear Supreme Court staff could unfairly take the blame for this year's leak. Chief Justice John Roberts directed the Supreme Court's marshal to investigate the leak in the Dobbs case, calling it a "betrayal." Democratic lawmakers said Schenck's account underscored the need for legislation requiring the U.S. Supreme Court, which now has a 6-3 conservative majority, to adopt a code of ethics, which unlike lower-level federal courts the high court lacks. "I believe we pushed the boundaries of Christian ethics and compromised the high court's promise to administer equal justice," Schenck said.

☆ HBO star Issa Rae recalls 'crippling' experience with credit card debt: 'I was their ideal target'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Issa Rae may have an eight-figure TV deal with WarnerMedia and a successful career in showbusiness, but as a college student she fell into credit card debt like so many Americans. "I was targeted by credit card companies when I was in college because I was their ideal target. "I got really, really wrapped up in credit card debt early on and it felt like it weighed on me. For Rae, the wake up call moment came after her aunt died, leaving behind an inheritance for her nieces and nephews. "It was meant to invest in our futures," Rae explains, "and it broke my heart, but I used that to get myself out of credit card debt."

☆ The Visions of Octavia Butler
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Lynell George | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +27 min

As a science fiction writer, Butler forged a new path and envisioned bold possibilities. Mural with a portrait of Octavia Butler and her name, composed of dots of various densities in 3-D space. In 1995, she became the first science fiction writer to be awarded a MacArthur “genius” grant. “‘Kindred’ was a story of ordinary people trapped in fantastic circumstances,” Butler wrote in a 1988 notebook. Her point of view was one not traditionally found in science fiction and, simply by writing, she demanded a larger world.

☆ Ammar Campa-Najjar faces off against John McCann in Chula Vista, California's mayoral election
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Hanna Kang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Ammar Campa-Najjar is running against John McCann in Chula Vista, California's mayoral race. The San Diego State University graduate ran two unsuccessful congressional campaigns, one against Rep. Darrell Issa in California's 50th Congressional District. He is endorsed by the San Diego County Democratic Party, Chula Vista Firefighters, and several high-profile elected officials, including Gov. McCann is currently serving his fourth term as deputy mayor on the Chula Vista City Council. He is endorsed by the Chula Vista Police Officers Association, the Republican Party of San Diego County, and the San Diego County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Rep. Mike Levin is running against Republican Brian Maryott in California's 49th Congressional District. 2022 General EmbedsCalifornia's 49th Congressional District candidatesLevin is serving his second term in the House and sits on the Committee of Veterans Affairs, where he is vice chairman. This is his third time running for the 49th Congressional District seat. Voting history for California's 49th Congressional DistrictCalifornia's 49th Congressional District is located in northern San Diego County and includes the cities of Oceanside and Encinitas. Republican hybrid PAC Congressional Leadership Fund leads all spenders, with Democratic hybrid PAC House Majority PAC and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee so far placing second and third.

☆ Democratic Rep. Mike Levin faces off against Republican Brian Maryott in California's 49th Congressional District election
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Hanna Kang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Rep. Mike Levin is running against Republican Brian Maryott in California's 49th Congressional District. California's 49th Congressional District candidatesLevin is serving his second term in the House and sits on the Committee of Veterans Affairs, where he is vice chairman. This is his third time running for the 49th Congressional District seat. Voting history for California's 49th Congressional DistrictCalifornia's 49th Congressional District is located in northern San Diego County and includes the cities of Oceanside and Encinitas. Republican hybrid PAC Congressional Leadership Fund leads all spenders, with Democratic hybrid PAC House Majority PAC and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee so far placing second and third.

☆ I'm one of 11 writers on 'Abbott Elementary.' The job is just as fun as it seems — we argue about whose joke is best and collaborate on every episode.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Eboni Boykin-Patterson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Courtesy of Cerise CastleThe first episode I wrote for season two of "Abbott" was episode four, "Principal's Office," which aired in October. We always have a lot of fun in the writers room. At the same time, other writers get at least a joke or a substantial moment in another writer's episode. Writers are on set during filming to help problem solveThe job of a writer on set is really to problem solve. It's come up in the "Abbott" writers' room occasionally when we're casting and someone will say, "Hey, what about this person?"

☆ How George Clooney and Julia Roberts spent their first big paychecks
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( Morgan Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

George Clooney and Julia Roberts have been working in Hollywood for over three decades — but the stars of "Ticket to Paradise" and longtime friends can still recall the excitement of receiving their first paychecks like it was yesterday. Roberts, 55, celebrated her first big payday by buying a boombox, she told POPSUGAR during a recent joint interview with Clooney. "Oh, that's great," Clooney said of Roberts' big purchase. "I was living in a closet of my buddy's apartment with his grandmother," he told POPSUGAR. Roberts and Clooney have worked on six films together before: "Ocean's Eleven," "Ocean's Twelve," "Money Monster," "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind" and "August: Osage County."

☆ Issa Rae's best career advice: Don't be afraid of being labeled a 'difficult' person to work with
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-29 | by ( Morgan Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Even right before her TV show "Insecure" premiered in 2016, Rae was "scared of being seen as difficult" to work with, she said at the Indeed FutureWorks 2022 conference earlier this month. In response, she sought guidance from other Black women she admired in the entertainment industry: Shonda Rhimes, Ava DuVernay, Debbie Allen and Mara Brock Akil. At the Indeed conference, Rae called it "the best career advice" she ever received. "I don't care how settled I may feel in my career, I don't care how much praise I get," she said. The advice Rae received from her career idols helped, she added: "I take away the fear of being labeled as [difficult].

☆ Meghan Markle discusses the ‘angry Black woman’ stereotype with Issa Rae and Ziwe
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Alex Portee | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

On Tuesday, Oct. 25, the former actor tackled the stereotype’s concept, history and impact with actor Issa Rae and television host and comedian Ziwe. Meghan recalled how the book’s author typed “why are Black women so...” on a search engine, resulting in options like, “Why are Black women so loud?”; “Why are Black women so mean?”; and “Why are Black women so angry?”“Those were the seeds being planted,” Meghan noted at the start of the podcast. Yet, this trope of the angry Black woman, it persists.”Meghan went on to share her own experience in encountering the stereotype during her days as an actress. “It was this ruthless Black woman or this uncouth Black woman,” Rae noted. For all three women, unpacking the angry Black woman stereotype has meant understanding how it has impacted them in their everyday lives.

☆ Palestinians resisting forced removal by the Israeli government are moving into caves
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-23 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Palestinians are resisting Israel's Supreme Court order that they be removed from their homeland. The people of Masafer Yatta are relying on their history of living in caves to resist eviction. The United Nations says the forcible removal of the Palestinians could be a war crime. Though their ancestors once used the caves willingly, residents now feel stuck, facing full Israeli control and the demolition of their existing homes. The landmark decision was one of the largest removal rulings made by the court since Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories began in 1967.

☆ Dollar gains with Treasury yields, sterling tumbles on hot inflation
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( Karen Brettell | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

British Pound Sterling and U.S. Dollar notes are seen in this June 22, 2017 illustration photo. Benchmark 10-year Treasury yields resumed their march higher as investors maintained expectations that the Federal Reserve will continue to aggressively raise rates to bring down soaring inflation, boosting demand for the U.S. currency. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterThe U.S. central bank is expected to lift rates by another 75 basis points when it meets on November 1-2, with an additional 50 basis points or 75 basis points increase also likely in December. Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said on Wednesday that he was checking currency rates "meticulously" and with more frequency, local media reported. The BOJ remains an outlier among a global wave of central banks tightening monetary policy to combat soaring inflation, as it focuses on underpinning a fragile economy.

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