May 24, 2012, 10:09 amNew Orleans Times-Picayune to Cut Staff and Cease Daily Print Edition By DAVID CARRThe New Orleans Times-Picayune confirmed on Thursday that it will cut back its daily print publishing schedule to three days a week and lay off an unknown number of staff members.This memo to the staff of the Times-Picayune from the publisher was sent out on Thursday morning, following a New York Times report about the plans on Wednesday night:To all employees:We wanted to make you aware of a news story that will be posted on NOLA.com regarding the future of the company, and to alert you that we will be scheduling meetings to discuss it with groups of employees today.The story, which can be accessed through this link, ... Continue reading →

A Small Fortune Harris Anwar is a British Pakistani, proud of his Eastern heritage. In fact, it’s fair to say he’s proud, full stop: proud he installed his own central heating; proud of his swanky blue Citroen; even proud he’s owned the same Hoover for over twenty years. The only thing rivalling his pride is his Muslim sense of responsibility and obligation. He longs to do well by those dearest to him. Whether it’s his nineteen-year-old daughter, Alia, a student in London, his cousin Nawaz and his family, living on top of their burgeoning takeaway in Yorkshire, or his friends and family back in Pakistan, Harris feels compelled to help his nearest and dearest. But there’s a problem: Harris’ best intentions always seem to breed ... Continue reading →

Review "In Dastgir's delicious debut novel, a clan of Pakistani immigrants navigates the treacherous territory between two cultures in an England of curry puddles, cunning imams, and failing convenience stores. Funny, compassionate and vivid with detail."--Nayana Currimbhoy, author of "Miss Timmins' School for Girls""Assimilation and self-interest are the competing themes in this wickedly witty, deeply moving novel. Yet it's humanity in all its well-intentioned ineptitude that forms the real theme here--and for which Rosie Dastgir saves her choicest prose. A whole, complex world is on display here. I couldn't put it down."--Lucinda Rosenfeld, author of "I'm So Happy For You" and (forthcoming) "The Pretty One""Beautiful, intelligent and poignant. With honesty and insight, Rosie Dastgir reveals the triumphs and tragedies--not only when East meets West--but when ... Continue reading →

Opera News, 76 years old and one of the leading classical music magazines in the country, said on Monday that it would stop reviewing the Metropolitan Opera, a policy prompted by the Met’s dissatisfaction over negative critiques. The decision by the magazine, which is published by a Met fund-raising affiliate, the Metropolitan Opera Guild, and which freely reviews companies around the world, troubles some opera experts. It is also the latest sign of sensitivity from the Met under its general manager, Peter Gelb, in the face of criticism over its productions. The move came after a review in April took aim at the Met’s new production of Wagner’s “Ring” cycle — a hallmark of Mr. Gelb’s tenure that has led to a firestorm — and ... Continue reading →