Today's Must-Reads from Reuters - Nov 17

Obama as role model? Not so fast

ATLANTA - Some African Americans living in inner city Atlanta said that while Barack Obama is a good role model, his life appeared so far removed from their own struggles that it was difficult to see how they could use it to spur their own success. (USA-OBAMA/ROLEMODEL (GENERAL FEATURE), moved at 0003 Sunday, by Matthew Bigg, 800 words)

Microfinance is victim of financial crisis

MUMBAI - A global credit crisis that has felled large investment banks and prompted multi-billion dollar bailout packages is also hurting unlikely victims half a world away: small south Asian businesses dependent on microfinance (MICROFINANCE/ (BUSINESS FEATURE), moved at 0003 Monday, pix, by Rina Chandran, 1,100 words)

COMING TUESDAY, NOV. 18

London trader tries life as professional fighter

LONDON - Former investment banker Steven Hopwood has traded the cut and thrust of financial markets for the kicks and jabs of cage fighting -- a fast-growing mix of martial arts and an old-fashioned pub brawl. (FINANCIAL/CAGEFIGHTER (BUSINESS FEATURE), pix, by Michael Taylor, 700 words)

COMING WEDNESDAY, NOV. 19

Tripoli gets taste of consumer culture

TRIPOLI - As economic barriers fall between Libya and the West, a boom-town atmosphere fed by the novelty of consumer culture has gripped its capital Tripoli. (LIBYA-CITY/ (BUSINESS FEATURE), pix, by Tom Pfeiffer)

Hedge fund hub feels market's pain

GREENWICH, Conn. - In Greenwich, Connecticut, the town most identified with hedge funds, luxury car dealers are silent, the prices of its mansions are declining, and the retailers who have made a decent living out of its wealthy residents are complaining. (FINANCIAL-GREENWICH/ (BUSINESS FEATURE), pix, by Joseph A. Giannone, 1,000 words)

COMING THURSDAY, NOV. 20

Location is key to investing in Indonesia

SEKAYU, Indonesia - Since Indonesia launched a decentralisaton strategy nearly a decade ago, foreign investors have learned that the sprawling Southeast Asian archipelago is really a patchwork of districts, some business-friendly, others profligate, and picking the right region can make a big difference. (INDONESIA-DECENTRALISATION/