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☆ 'Avatar' sequel rings up $17 million in U.S. debut night
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Lisa Richwine | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Director James Cameron arrives at the world premiere of 'Avatar: The Way of Water' in London, Britain December 6, 2022. REUTERS/Toby MelvilleLOS ANGELES, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Director James Cameron's long-awaited "Avatar: The Way of Water" pulled in $17 million at U.S. and Canadian box offices from its first showings on Thursday night, distributor Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) said. With international sales, the sequel to the highest-grossing movie of all time has generated $50.4 million at theaters around the globe since the movie started rolling out on Wednesday. The sequel should end the opening weekend with at least $140 million from domestic theaters, forecasters said. "The Way of Water" was released 13 years after the first film wowed audiences with pioneering 3D technology.

☆ Irish soldier killed on U.N. peacekeeping mission in Lebanon
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DUBLIN, Dec 15 (Reuters) - An Irish soldier was killed on a U.N. peackeeping mission in Lebanon late on Wednesday when a convoy of two armoured utility vehicles travelling to Beirut came under small arms fire, Ireland's defence forces said in a statement. Another Irish member of the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is in a serious condition having undergone surgery following the incident, the statement said. "It is with deep regret that Óglaigh na hÉireann (the Irish defence forces) can confirm the death of one of our peacekeepers in a serious incident in Lebanon last night," the defence forces said, adding that a full investigation will commence. Irish Defence Minister Simon Coveney, who is in New York for a U.N. Security Council meeting, said he will meet U.N. Secretary General António Guterres later on Thursday to discuss the incident. "As a people, we take great pride in our unbroken record of peacekeeping with the United Nations.

☆ 'Avatar: The Way of Water' review roundup: See it on the biggest screen possible, critics say
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

"The Way of Water" follows Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) who are now the parents of four Na'vi children. Read more: "Avatar: The Way of Water" could be headed for a $175 million opening weekend Critics are adamant that audiences should watch "The Way of Water" on the biggest screen possible, lauding the film for its you-won't-believe-this-is-computer-generated visuals and bombastic sound design. Here's what critics thought of "Avatar: The Way of Water" before its Friday release. Avatar: The Way of Water Courtesy: Disney Co.Ma did note that "The Way of Water" is "jaw-droppingly beautiful," likening it to watching a David Attenborough documentary rather than a CGI feature. Avatar: The Way of Water Courtesy Disney Co.Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

☆ ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ rekindles the wonder in a way that demands to be seen
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-13 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —“Avatar” took a very basic story and adorned it with eye-popping spectacle, in a way that made the film a must-see commodity, and a record-breaking hit in the process. Thirteen years later, braving much different theatrical tides, director James Cameron has done it again with “Avatar: The Way of Water,” a state-of-the-art exercise that rekindles that sense of wonder and demands to be seen by anyone with lingering interest in watching movies in theaters. The children, in particular, must grapple with the personalities and pettiness associated with becoming the new kids on the reef. Ultimately, though, “The Way of Water” melts away any skepticism that it might be too late or too long in its return to Pandora. “Avatar: The Way of Water” premieres December 16 in US theaters.

☆ 'Avatar' sequel earns film critics' praise for visual spectacle
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-13 | by ( Lisa Richwine | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Fans attend a premiere for the film Avatar: The Way of Water, at Dolby theatre in Los Angeles, California, U.S., December 12, 2022. REUTERS/Mario AnzuoniLOS ANGELES, Dec 13 (Reuters) - The long-awaited sequel to groundbreaking movie "Avatar" won praise on Tuesday from movie critics who said they were awed again by director James Cameron's visual artistry. The sequel offers more advanced 3D images, showcasing aquatic creatures on the lush moon of Pandora. "'Avatar: The Way of Water' is such a screen-popping visual feast it earns the 3-hour, 12-minute running time," said Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times. Studios split ticket sales with theaters, and Cameron told GQ magazine that "The Way of Water" will need to make $2 billion just to break even.

[1/4] Director James Cameron arrives at the world premiere of 'Avatar: The Way of Water' in London, Britain December 6, 2022. Hollywood's big question about "Avatar: The Way of Water" is whether the follow-up to the highest-grossing movie of all time can attract enough moviegoers to recoup its massive production and marketing costs. The 2009 movie remains the highest-grossing film in history with $2.9 billion in global ticket sales. Some disliked wearing 3D glasses, or objected to paying the 3D ticket surcharge. On opening weekend, Robbins predicts "The Way of Water" will rack up at least $150 million at domestic theaters.

For decades, searching for such hard-to-reach plants and collecting samples was carried out by intrepid botanists who rappelled by rope down dangerous cliffs to hunt for what was lost. Now, we may have a little more time before extinction.”DIRE SITUATIONToday, two in five plant species globally are threatened with extinction. Kauai has 250 plant species that can be found only on the island. To protect species in the long run, botanists need to collect samples — seeds and genetic material — which they can cultivate in greenhouse nurseries. They might even use drones to bomb down collected seeds, packing them into sticky fertilizer balls that can adhere to steep cliffs.

Dec 8 (Reuters) - In a monastery in central Myanmar, a Buddhist monk, Wathawa, rallies his militia with a cry: "What's our spirit like?" shout a group of rifle-bearing men, loyalists of the military junta that seized power last year, now fighting to crush fledgling pro-democracy groups. Myanmar's Buddhist clergy previously sought to topple successive military dictatorships that kept citizens impoverished and isolated. Myanmar monks teach laypeople who in turn provide them with essentials such as food and clothing. State media broadcasts have shown military commanders showering Wathawa and his militia with cash and food donations.

☆ James Cameron on releasing long-awaited 'Avatar' sequel: "It's a relief"
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Edward Baran | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Filmmaker James Cameron is taking audiences back to his visually mesmerizing world of Pandora, releasing the sequel to his 2009 epic "Avatar", the top-grossing movie of all time. The stakes are high for "Avatar: The Way of Water", which reportedly cost more than $350 million and comes 13 years after the original that grossed $2.9 billion worldwide, with more "Avatar" movies in the pipeline. Sully, Neytiri and their children flee to a far-flung territory, seeking refuge with the oceanic Metkayina clan. They quickly have to learn the ways of the water to survive amid the approaching threat of their enemy. The new movie, which begins its global cinema rollout from Dec. 14, reunites Cameron with his "Titanic" star Kate Winslet, who plays the Metkayina clan's shamanic matriarch.

☆ Dollar kept aloft by higher Fed rates bets, RBA rate hike lifts Aussie
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Joice Alves | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Australian dollar perked up from near one-week lows after the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) raised rates for the eighth time in as many months. After recording its biggest rally in two weeks on Monday, the U.S. dollar index , which measures the currency against six major peers, was 0.1% lower at 105.05 at 1200 GMT. It later reversed course after data showing U.S. services industry activity unexpectedly picked up in November, with employment rebounding. Traders currently expect a half-point hike to a 4.25-4.5% policy band and a terminal rate of just above 5% in May. European Central Bank policymaker Constantinos Herodotou said on Tuesday interest rates will go up again but are now "very near" their neutral level.

The Australian dollar perked up from near one-week lows after the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) raised rates for the eighth time in as many months. The U.S. dollar index , which measures the currency against six major peers, was at 105.24, steady after Monday's 0.7% rally, its biggest since Nov. 21. It later reversed course after data showing U.S. services industry activity unexpectedly picked up in November, with employment rebounding. Traders currently expect a half-point hike to a 4.25-4.5% policy band and a terminal rate of just above 5% in May. Reporting by Joice Alves and Kevin Buckland; Editing by Alexander SmithOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ 'Avatar' sequel finally premieres 13 years after original
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Hanna Rantala | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] Actor Zoe Saldana arrives at the world premiere of 'Avatar: The Way of Water' in London, Britain December 6, 2022. REUTERS/Toby MelvilleLONDON, Dec 6 (Reuters) - Thirteen years after James Cameron released the highest-grossing film of all time, "Avatar", the filmmaker finally premiered its long-awaited sequel in London on Tuesday. "Avatar: The Way of Water" takes audiences back to the enchanting world of Pandora, where in the first film the native blue Na'vi people battled human colonists for the moon’s natural resources. To protect their family and their tribe, Sully, Neytiri and their children flee to a far-flung territory and seek refuge with the oceanic Metkayina clan. Released in 2009, "Avatar" ranks as the top-grossing film of all time with more than $2.9 billion in global ticket sales.

☆ TD Bank quarterly profit jumps on higher rates boost
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Dec 1 (Reuters) - Canada's TD Bank (TD.TO) posted a surge in fourth-quarter profit on Thursday as gains from higher interest rates boosted its personal and commercial business and helped offset weakness in underwriting and capital markets. The lender set aside C$617 million in loan loss provisions, compared to a release of C$123 million a year earlier. TD Bank joined peers Royal Bank of Canada (RY.TO), Bank of Nova Scotia and National Bank of Canada (NA.TO) to mark higher funds this year to prepare for potential loan losses as worries of an economic downturn grow. read moreThe bank's personal and commercial business posted an 11% increase in net income, reflecting higher margins and strong volume growth. Overall net profit was C$6.67 billion, or C$3.62 per share, compared with C$3.78 billion, or C$2.04 per share.

☆ National Bank of Canada quarterly profit falls on higher expenses, provisions
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 30 (Reuters) - National Bank of Canada (NA.TO) posted a lower fourth-quarter profit on Wednesday, as the Canadian lender set aside higher provisions in the face of an economic downturn. The company recorded $87 million in provisions for the three months ended Oct 31, compared to $41 million a year ago. The Canadian lender's personal and commercial unit saw net income jump 13% on strong lending as the central bank pumps up interest rates to combat decades-high inflation. The Canadian lender joined Bank of Nova Scotia in reporting a lower profit as fees from advisory and deals tank due to escalating worries of an economic downturn. ($1 = 1.3526 Canadian dollars)Reporting by Mehnaz Yasmin in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju SamuelOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Top Canada banks RBC, National Bank's profits dip as bad debt provisions mount
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Profit from personal and commercial banking for RBC and National Bank in the quarter grew 5% and 13%, respectively. RBC earmarked C$381 million in provisions for credit losses (PCL), compared with a C$227 million release last year. National Bank reported C$87 million versus a C$41 million release a year ago. Shares of RBC, which agreed to buy HSBC's (HSBA.L) Canadian business on Tuesday, were down 1.4%, while National Bank fell nearly 4%. National Bank, on the other hand, posted an adjusted profit of C$2.08 per share, below analysts' expectation of C$2.24.

Nov 27 (Reuters) - Top Canadian banks are expected to post a decline in fourth-quarter profits as choppy markets hurt wealth management and a slow deal pipeline dents income from investment banking, offsetting expected gains from business loans. On average, profit for the Big Six banks are expected to drop 4% from last year, hurt by lower investment banking activity. Royal Bank of Canada (RY.TO) and Bank of Montreal (BMO.TO), which have the largest capital markets businesses, are expected to see the biggest hit to profits. "Business lending was particularly strong and aided by strength in balances outside of Canada," KBW analysts Mike Rizvanovic and Abhilash Shashidharan said. National Bank of Canada (NA.TO) and Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD.TO), also among the Big Six, will report earnings on Wednesday and Friday, respectively.

☆ As Election Day approaches, Democrats warn that Social Security and Medicare are at stake
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

He also pointed to impending risks to Social Security based on plans floated by certain Republican lawmakers, namely Sens. What's more, it would mean letting two of the most important laws that established Social Security and Medicare expire, he said. It is unclear what his opponent Kean's stance is on Social Security and Medicare. While that's in keeping with years past, the difference this year is Social Security has been more of a front-burner issue. "Usually, it's a lot of lip service to Social Security and how they think it's a great program."

☆ HSBC's Canada unit loses National Bank, CIBC as bidders, Global and Mail reports
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

HSBC disclosed on Oct. 4 that it was considering selling HSBC Bank Canada, a unit that analysts estimate to be valued around C$8 billion ($5.88 billion) to C$10 billion ($7.35 billion). The Globe and Mail, in its report on Friday, quoted sources familiar with the process as saying that the field of contenders to acquire HSBC Bank Canada from the British lender was narrowing. HSBC Bank Canada includes four divisions covering HSBC's commercial banking, personal banking, investment banking and markets services business in the country. National Bank of Canada declined to comment on the Global and Mail report. HSBC, CIBC and BMO did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

☆ JPMorgan Strikes Deal to End Former Compliance Employee’s Retaliation Lawsuit
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Dylan Tokar | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +2 min

A former compliance employee for JPMorgan Chase Bank NA has agreed to drop a retaliation lawsuit against the bank. Shaquala Williams, a former JPMorgan vice president, had sued her former employer last year, alleging the bank fired her for raising concerns about its compliance program. The agreement with Ms. Williams allows JPMorgan to avoid a trial, which would likely have involved further airing of the bank’s internal compliance matters. A lawyer for Ms. Williams didn’t immediately return a request for comment. In her lawsuit, Ms. Williams said she was fired after raising concerns about insufficient sanctions screening and anticorruption practices.

☆ 'Rings of Power' series reveals another underdiscussed aspect of representation
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-14 | by ( Kimmy Yam | Kimmy Yam Is A Reporter For Nbc Asian America. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

Polynesian scholars are pointing out “Lord of the Rings” productions have traditionally been filmed on their land, but with Pacific Islander actors relegated to the background. The new prequel on Amazon Prime did slightly better with representation, but experts stopped short of declaring it true progress. Na'puti pointed out that the Māori community experienced significant land loss, now holding just roughly 5% of all land there. McCartney also said that indigenous, Polynesian representation means incorporating the culture into the writing, given the Māori displacement in the country. And so if you’re on it, you have a responsibility.”Ultimately, Young questioned the necessity to continuously adapt the work of Tolkien, who wrote the “Lord of The Rings” series in the early 1900s.

☆ ‘The Joy Luck Club’ may be getting a sequel
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Almost 30 years after the groundbreaking Asian American film “The Joy Luck Club” released, plans are being made for a new movie that will catch up with the characters from the original. According to Deadline, a sequel is in development with Oscar-winning screenwriter Ron Bass and author Amy Tan that will continue the story based on her bestselling novel of the same name. The 1993 film starred Rosalind Chao, Lisa Lu, Tamlyn Tomita, and Ming-Na Wen. It told the multi-generational tale of a group of Chinese mothers and their Chinese American daughters. A director has yet to be announced for the new film.

☆ Grief and shock over Thailand attack on 'tiny angels' at preschool
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-07 | by ( Dave Lucas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

The coffin of a victim is placed in an air-conditioned coffin at Sri Uthai temple in Na Klang district, following a mass shooting in the town of Uthai Sawan in the province of Nong Bua Lam Phu, Thailand October 7, 2022. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Bangkok, Thailand CNN —Thailand recoiled in horror Thursday after at least 36 people were killed, at least 24 of them children, in a massacre at a child care center in northeastern Thailand believed to be the country’s deadliest incident of its kind. Among the dozens of victims are Panya’s wife and stepson, whom investigators say he killed before taking his own life. “He also used a knife to stab both children and staff at the center,” Paisan said. Police General Damrongsak Kittiprapas said that the attacker “mainly used a knife” to kill the children. TPBS/ReutersMedics arrive at the child care center on Thursday, where more than 30 people, mainly children, were killed.

☆ Factbox: U.S. companies brace for Hurricane Ian
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Sept 28 (Reuters) - Hurricane Ian is set to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday, pushing residents to empty grocery shelves, board up windows and rush to evacuation shelters. Since then, it has been working to redeploy offshore personnel after determining Hurricane Ian no longer posed a significant threat to its assets. NextEra Energy Inc's (NEE.N) Florida Power & Light Co, the largest utility in the state, deployed nearly 16,000 workers from 27 states to restore power. A spokesperson said the company was monitoring the hurricane and making adjustments to operations to keep warehouse staff and drivers safe. CRUISE OPERATORSWalt Disney Co's Disney Cruise Line on Tuesday canceled its Disney Wish ship that was to set sail from Florida on Friday.

☆ Factbox: U.S. companies gird themselves as Hurricane Ian makes landfall
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Sept 28 (Reuters) - Hurricane Ian makes landfall in Florida with Category 4 fury on Wednesday, pushing residents to empty grocery shelves, board up windows and rush to evacuation shelters. Since then, it has been working to redeploy offshore personnel after determining Hurricane Ian no longer posed a significant threat to its assets. A spokesperson said the company was monitoring the hurricane and making adjustments to operations to keep warehouse staff and drivers safe. Costco Wholesale Corp closed nine stores located in Florida due to an impact of Hurricane Ian. CRUISE OPERATORSWalt Disney Co's Disney Cruise Line on Tuesday canceled its Disney Wish ship that was to set sail from Florida on Friday.

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