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☆ Meet the executive who found his calling in Singapore restoring hearing for millions
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Sponsor Post | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

He runs manufacturing operations at WS Audiology, a global leader in the hearing aid industry. During my recent visit to WSA's regional headquarters in Singapore, I met with Marcin Dabrowski, director of manufacturing. In 2019, he jumped at the opportunity to join hearing aid manufacturing at the WSA Singapore headquarters, where he also relocated with his family. Starting as a senior manager, he quickly rose to a position overseeing manufacturing operations at the Singapore facility, where he manages WSA's global product volume. He's immensely proud of the awareness his work and WSA's mission have brought to the millions of people worldwide facing hearing loss.

Persons: Marcin Dabrowski, Kris LeBoutillier, he's, Dabrowski Organizations: WS Audiology, WSA, WSA Singapore, Changi, ExploreAI, Insider Studios, Singapore Economic Development Board Locations: Poland, Singapore, Asia, Denmark, Germany, Asia Pacific, Philippines

☆ Singapore claims to have world-class talent. One executive living and working here for 17 years shares why this is true.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Sponsor Post | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Darul Kisai, director of manufacturing and supply network operations, has dedicated 17 years to Procter & Gamble's Singapore plant. P&G benefits from the contributions of dedicated, top-tier talents like Kisai, who chose Singapore to pursue a meaningful career. Darul Kisai, manufacturing and supply network operations director, P&G, Singapore. "Singapore and P&G serve as magnets for top talent because they offer a platform where individuals can contribute significantly both professionally and personally." Here to stayFor those contemplating a move to Singapore, Kisai suggests conducting thorough research on potential employers and the country itself.

Persons: Kisai, Kris LeBoutillier, he's, I've, Darul Kisai, — Organizations: Singapore, Procter, Gamble's, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT, Procter & Gamble, Insider Studios, Singapore Economic Development Board Locations: Gamble's Singapore, Singapore, Asia, Malaysia, US, Darul Kisai, Darul, New York City, Pakistan

☆ I visited the ExploreAI summit in Singapore. Here's how AI is helping businesses solve real-world problems.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Sponsor Post | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

I attended the ExploreAI summit on January 29, which marked the successful conclusion of the AI Trailblazers initiative. Minister Josephine revealed AI Trailblazers 2.0 to advance Singapore's National AI Strategy 2.0 and deepen AI use across Singapore. The event marked the successful conclusion of the AI Trailblazers initiative — an effort to help Singapore-based organizations develop 100 generative AI (GenAI) solutions over 100 days. Minister Teo announced plans to build on the success of the first AI Trailblazers program with AI Trailblazers 2.0. This collaboration between AI Trailblazers and Google exemplifies Singapore's dedication to using AI for the betterment of everyone, from residents to businesses.

Persons: Josephine, Kris LeBoutillier, he's, I'm, Mark Micallef, John Ang, Temus, Ang, Tan, Keow, —, Long Yin, What's, Josephine Teo, Teo Organizations: Google Asia Pacific, Singapore's Ministry of Communications, Information, MCI, Digital Industry Singapore, Smart Nation Group, Enterprise Singapore, Google, Southeast, of Information Technology, Nanyang Polytechnic, People's Association, AI, Ministry of Communications, Insider Studios, Singapore Economic Development Board Locations: Singapore, Asia, ExploreAI, Southeast Asia, Temus

☆ They met in culinary school and renovated a $444,000 public housing apartment together. The kitchen was the heart of the project.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Amanda Goh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Colin Yong, who works in the food and beverage industry, lives in a cozy, five-room public housing apartment in Singapore with his wife. But she wasn't always keen on it because she preferred a new house," Yong said. But my wife wanted more shelving and everything, so we learned to meet in the middle." Amanda Goh/Business InsiderWarm, dim lights create a soothing atmosphere that puts people at ease. Amanda Goh/Business InsiderNot settling for lessThe couple has one tip for other first-time homeowners: Don't settle for less.

Persons: Colin Yong, —, It's, homeownership, Yong, they're, Eddy Kur, Amanda Goh, I've, wasn't Organizations: Service, Housing, Development Board, BTO, Amazon Locations: Singapore, Hougang, Amazon Germany

☆ Urban solar projects are becoming more common in Singapore. Here's how one company is powering the way forward.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Sponsor Post | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

EDP Renewables, a leading global renewables player, has its APAC regional headquarters based in Singapore. At street level, most people never see the solar revolution happening right above them — one that generates zero emissions and boosts Singapore's energy security. Singapore's solar ambitionsSingapore is in an obvious position to integrate solar into the national power grid. In 2023, EDP Renewables APAC greened Pulau Ubin's micro-grid with renewables. Singapore has 1 gigawatt (GW) of solar energy in operation, of which EDPR has more than 30% market share of fully-owned installed solar capacity.

Persons: Kris LeBoutillier, he's, Pedro Vasconcelos, Vasconcelos, EDPR, — Pedro Vasconcelos Organizations: EDP Renewables, Public, Housing & Development Board, JTC Corporation, Singapore Technologies, Singapore Authority, SolarNova, EDB, Renewables, EDP, Insider Studios, Singapore Economic Development Board Locations: Singapore, Asia, Singtel, Jurong Port, Port, Straits, Johor, Malaysia, APAC, 1GWp

☆ Skull and Bones, Singapore's first major video game title, launches to mixed reviews after decade-long wait
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Dylan Butts | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Justin Farren, Creative Director at Ubisoft Singapore, reveals "Skull & Bones" during the Ubisoft E3 conference at the Orpheum Theater on June 11, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. Ubisoft Singapore officially launched its first major video game, Skull And Bones, for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on Friday, ending an unusually long development saga that spanned over a decade. Ubisoft Singapore received a grant from the Economic Development Board in 2016 to aid in the development of an "AAA" game title from the city-state. The "AAA" game classification refers to titles that are produced and distributed by large, well-known publishers that will typically have high development and marketing budgets. According to data collected by market research company YouGov in 2020, at least three-quarters of the population in Singapore plays video or mobile games, which jumps to 90% among those aged 18 to 24.

Persons: Justin Farren, Jean, Francois Vallee, CNBC's Organizations: Ubisoft Singapore, Ubisoft, Orpheum, PlayStation, Economic, AAA Locations: Los Angeles , California, AAA, Singapore

☆ Comac C919: China’s homegrown passenger aircraft makes international debut
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

China calls the C919, which can carry just under 200 passengers, its first large homegrown passenger jet. It s certified to carry passengers only within mainland China and flies with China Eastern Airlines. The C919’s overseas debut comes at a time when Boeing is making headlines for all the wrong reasons. “There is a lot of interest to see the actual aircraft, how it performs and how it is in flight,” he said. “It will become a competitor in a small way, but it won’t be in the same league as Airbus and Boeing,” he said.

Persons: Cindy Koh, Shukor Yusof, ”, Edgar Su, Yusof, TransNusa Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Boeing, Airbus, Singapore Airshow, Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, China Eastern Airlines, Singapore’s Economic, Board, Sunday, Max, Air, Endau, Singapore, Reuters, Center for Strategic, International Studies, American Locations: China, Hong Kong, Western, Air Alaska, United States, Washington, Hong, Victoria, Beijing, Southeast Asia, Africa, Central Asia, Indonesian

☆ Why Singapore is quickly becoming the choice location for firms to support global carbon markets
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Sponsor Post | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Carbon credits continue to play an important role in the global transition towards net zero. As an innovative financing mechanism, carbon credits allow corporates to mobilize capital to support emission-reduction projects. The decision to anchor CAD Trust in Singapore stems from acknowledging that transparency and governance are rooted in its DNA. Why Singapore is a prime location for firms to support global carbon marketsSingapore has successfully attracted more than 100 carbon market and services players to establish the city-state as their home base in Southeast Asia. Singapore's expertise in carbon services and its trailblazing move implementing Southeast Asia's first carbon tax in 2019, also appealed to Calyx Global.

Persons: — Dinesh Babu, Grace Fu, Duncan van Bergen, Van Bergen, — Duncan van Bergen Organizations: Reuters, Singapore, for Nature, National University of Singapore, Data Trust, Government of, Emissions Trading Association, Singapore's, Sustainability, Meta, Trust, Insider Studios, Singapore Economic Development Board Locations: Dubai, Singapore, Government of Singapore, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania, Africa, Paris, Bhutan, COP28, Asia

☆ A millennial couple in Singapore bought a 30-year-old public housing apartment for $535,000. They turned it into an artsy, industrial-style home.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Amanda Goh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Amanda Goh/Business InsiderBTO flats are new apartments sold by the Housing Development Board on 99-year leases . Amanda Goh/Business InsiderThe couple paid 720,000 Singapore dollars, or about $535,000, for the apartment in late 2022. Amanda Goh/Business InsiderThere's hardly anything they would like to change about their home — except maybe the couch. Amanda Goh/Business InsiderThe couple has a tip for those who want to renovate their homes: Don't be afraid to let your personality shine through. "Sometimes it's more meaningful to buy loose items instead of having built-in things," Imran said.

Persons: —, Imran Ismail, Fadzeera Fadzully, they've, Amanda Goh, Imran, we're, we've, Fadzeera, We've, There's, I've Organizations: Service, Housing, Business Locations: Singapore, Bedok

☆ Strong economic growth but high unemployment: A look at Nevada’s economy
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Alicia Wallace | Tami Luhby | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

In Las Vegas, the cacophony of voices, music, ringing slot machines and car horns that typically pulsed through the Las Vegas Strip was replaced by silence, the chirps of birds and the wails of sirens. In tourism-dependent Nevada, the unemployment rate rocketed even higher, topping out at 30.6% that month. “This is an unemployment rate that’s not driven by job losers, this is an unemployment rate driven by job seekers,” he said. Homes under construction in the Summerlin community, on July 31, 2023, in Las Vegas, Nevada. As of December 2023, the Reno metro area’s unemployment rate was just 0.2 percentage points above the nation’s 3.7% rate.

Persons: John Simpson, Steve, Sisolak, ” Simpson, It’s, ”, they’re, I’ve, Stephen M, Miller, Mario Tama, Bob Potts, there’s, There’s, Nevadans, Annie E, Casey Foundation’s, Jamelle Nance, Marty Elquist, ” Elquist, “, Andrew Woods, Nicholas Irwin, Start’s Simpson, Irwin, Ethan Miller, Maurice Page, Page, Tesla, ” Potts, Carolyn Cole, Potts, You’ve, you’ve Organizations: CNN, Las, Republican Party, of Labor Statistics, University of Nevada, Lee Business School’s Center for Business, Economic Research, New York, Nevada Governor’s, Economic, Las Vegas, New, Workforce, Children’s, Alliance of Nevada, Education, Development, Silver State, Center for Business, UNLV, Reno, ”, Homes, Nevada Housing Coalition, Harvard University’s, for Housing Studies, Silver, Means, Reno Industrial Park, Apple, Panasonic, Google, Reno Industrial, Los Angeles Times, NCAA, NFL, NFL Pro Bowl Locations: Nevada, Las Vegas, Reno, ” Nevada, State, New York, New, Las, New Mexico, Vegas, “ Nevada, Silver, UNLV . Nevada, California, Sparks, Las Vegas , Nevada, Florida, Hawaii, Clark County, Sparks , Nevada, New Orleans, Denver, Southern Nevada, Northern Nevada, Los Angeles

☆ Your next plane ride could be powered by used cooking oil. Here's how a refinery in Singapore is already helping to make it happen.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Sponsor Post | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Sustainable aviation fuel is an alternative to fossil-based jet fuel made from refining used cooking oil and waste animal fats. Further expansion efforts happening at Neste's renewable refinery in The Netherlands are anticipated to boost capacity to a whopping 2.2 million tons by 2026. The results indicated the company's readiness to incorporate renewable fuel into its fuel mix. The Association of Asia-Pacific Airlines (AAPA), comprising 14 member airlines, including Singapore Airlines, pledged to use up to 5% SAF by 2030. In 2024, Singapore plans to launch the Singapore Sustainable Hub Blueprint, aiming to bolster the market for SAF.

Persons: Kris LeBoutillier, he's, Sami Jauhiainen, Jauhiainen, Neste Organizations: SAF, Virgin, Neste, Aviation, Renewable Aviation, Research, ASTM, Jauhiainen, Innovation, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, Air France, KLM, All Nippon Airways, The Association of Asia, Pacific Airlines, Insider Studios, Singapore Economic Development Board Locations: Finland, Singapore, Asia, London, New York City, Emirates, Tuas, Buffalo, Netherlands, Changi, Neste

☆ Why Singapore is so attractive to business leaders looking to make a real difference in their careers, lives, and the world
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Sponsor Post | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

This article is part of our "Business for Good" series spotlighting business leaders and companies that are driving meaningful changes from Singapore. Currently based in Singapore, he's serving as our trusted resource for the innovative projects unfolding in one of the world's most advanced and progressive business hubs. The city-state's government is nimble and efficient; the business atmosphere is open and collegial; and the quality of life is unparalleled. NesteSingapore is considered a global business hub thanks to its great sea and air connectivity, developed infrastructure, stable political and regulatory environment, and skilled workforce. Bartholomeusz shares my appreciation for Singapore's public safety.

Persons: Kris LeBoutillier, he's, It's, Steven Bartholomeusz, APAC, it's, José Pedro Borges, Borges, Maya Hari, — Hari, Hari, Terrascope Organizations: EDP Renewables, APAC, Cisco, Google, Microsoft, José Pedro Borges Companies, Insider Studios, Singapore Economic Development Board Locations: Singapore, Asia, Thailand, Indonesia, New York City, Neste, Neste Singapore, Lisbon, EDPR

☆ Take a look inside Singapore's public housing estates, where 80% of the resident population resides
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Amanda Goh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Singapore's public housing apartments are home to about 80% of the country's resident population. AdvertisementSingapore's skyline would not be complete without its candy-colored, high-rise public housing apartment blocks. In the US, public housing is intended for low-income families, seniors, or people with disabilities. AdvertisementIn Singapore, however, it's a different situation: Public housing units are where about 80% of the country's resident population lives. And in Singapore, public housing does not mean inexpensive housing.

Persons: —, I've, It's Organizations: Service, Housing Development Board, Straits Times Locations: Singapore, New York City

☆ How Singapore is helping 'future-food' companies scale up
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Sponsor Post | Created Insider Studios With Edb Singapore | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Global food-tech innovators like Corning Life Sciences and ScaleUp Bio are among those setting up shop. Inside a lab on the west coast of Singapore, the future of food production is being developed — or fermented, to be more precise. The company is ScaleUp Bio, a local contract development and manufacturing organization that provides submerged microbial and precision fermentation for food-tech startups. In the long term, this will reduce costs compared to traditional agricultural methods and help make food production more sustainable. Despite the sector's immediate funding challenges, Singapore is committed to being a consistent partner and helping companies with similar goals achieve success.

Persons: ScaleUp, Francisco Codoner, John Shyu, Shyu, ScaleUp's Codoner Organizations: Global, Life Sciences, ADM, Nurasa, Temasek, Deloitte, Good Food Institute, Singapore Government, Corning Life Sciences, Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology, Research, GFI, Food, Insider Studios, Singapore Economic Development Board Locations: Singapore, Southeast Asia, agrifood, Asia

☆ They viewed 16 apartments in 3 days, and finally bought their dream home for $371,000. It wasn't even on their initial list.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Amanda Goh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Soh Jun Hao and Grace Lim bought their public housing apartment in Singapore right before the pandemic. They viewed 16 apartments in 3 days and came across their forever home by chance. HaosofGraceIt took them 16 apartment viewings to find their dream home, which wasn't even on their initial list. A screengrab from Google Maps Street View showing the couple's apartment block. Amanda Goh/InsiderThe couple's apartment faces a park, and the view from their living room is hard to beat.

Persons: Soh Jun Hao, Grace Lim, —, Jun Hao, they've, Lim, Amanda Goh, " Lim, Soh, Lim's grandmother's, it's Organizations: Service, Housing Development Board, Google Locations: Singapore, Tampines

Lhonak Lake in Sikkim state overflowed on Wednesday, causing major flooding that authorities said had impacted the lives of 22,000 people. The latest flooding was exacerbated by water released from state-run NHPC's Teesta V dam, local officials said. As of Thursday evening, 98 people were missing, 17 of whom were army personnel, state chief secretary V.B. "Due to bad weather conditions we cannot have air service towards the northern part of the state," Rai told Reuters. [1/4]An area affected by the flood is seen in this undated handout image released on October 4, 2023, in Sikkim, India.

Persons: V.B, Pathak, Prabhakar Rai, Rai, G.T, Dhungel, Subrata Nag Choudhury, Jatindra, Tanvi Mehta, Krishn Kaushik, Sarita Chaganti Singh, Ruma Paul, Rajendra Jadhav, YP Rajesh, Robert Birsel, Michael Perry, Kim Coghill, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: NEW, Authorities, Reuters Graphics Reuters Graphics, Disaster Management Authority, Reuters, India Army, REUTERS Acquire, Army, National Disaster Management Agency, Nature Communications, YP, Thomson Locations: NEW DELHI, KOLKATA, India, Sikkim, Asia's, Bangladesh, Chungthang, Mangan, Gangtok, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Siliguri, West Bengal, Pakistan, Peru, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, New Delhi

☆ Their mortgage was bogging them down, so they sold their apartment in Singapore and bought a smaller one for $220,000. It was a blast from the past.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Amanda Goh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Tobby Toh and Goh Kai Yi downsized to a three-room public-housing apartment in Singapore in 2021. AdvertisementAdvertisementWhen Tobby Toh and Goh Kai Yi were looking for a new home, they knew they wanted a smaller place. At that point, they were still living in their four-room public housing apartment in Singapore. Tobby Toh and Goh KaiyiDue to its age, the 45-year-old apartment wasn't exactly in the most well-kept condition, Toh said. "We did approach designers, but we didn't go ahead with it because we just felt that we already knew what we wanted," Goh said.

Persons: Tobby Toh, Goh Kai Yi, —, Toh, Goh, Goh Kaiyi, Amanda Goh, Toh's, it's Organizations: Service, Housing, Housing Development Board Locations: Singapore, Geylang Bahru, Tobby, BTOs

☆ Singapore is the world's 6th Blue Zone — and a look at its urban planning helps explain why
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Amanda Goh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Singapore is the world's sixth Blue Zone, according to Dan Buettner, a journalist who popularized the term. In the Netflix series "Live to 100," Buettner shows how the country is designed to encourage its residents to live healthier. Policies on housing, transportation, and hawker centers come together to create what he calls a "Blue Zone 2.0." The original five Blue Zone regions include Okinawa in Japan, Ikaria in Greece, Sardinia in Italy, Nicoya in Costa Rica, as well as Loma Linda in California. "You share tables and you're interacting with the stall user, interacting with the person next to you," Buettner told Fortune.

Persons: Dan Buettner, Buettner, Amanda Goh, Chan Heng Chee, Chan Organizations: Netflix, Service, World Bank, Housing Development Board, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Transportation, Singapore, Hawker Locations: Singapore, Wall, Silicon, Okinawa, Japan, Ikaria, Greece, Sardinia, Italy, Nicoya, Costa Rica, California

☆ GlobalFoundries opens $4 billion Singapore expansion fab to meet 'demand for essential semiconductor chips'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Sheila Chiang | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

A robotic arm moves 300 mm silicon semiconductor wafers inside a sorting machine in a cleanroom at a Globalfoundries Inc. semiconductor fabrication plant. Liesa Johannssen | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesU.S.-headquartered GlobalFoundries announced Tuesday the opening of its $4 billion expansion fabrication plant in Singapore as the contract chipmaker expects "growth in demand for essential semiconductor chips." Singapore supplies 11% of the world's semiconductors, according to the Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association. GlobalFoundries acquired Singapore's Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing and took over its fabs in 2010. The following June, the Nasdaq-listed semiconductor manufacturer said its first tool had been moved into the Singapore facility.

Persons: Johannssen, GlobalFoundries, chipmaker, Thomas Caulfield, Caulfield, CNBC's Organizations: Inc, Bloomberg, Getty, CNBC, Qualcomm, MediaTek, NXP Semiconductors, 5G, Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association, Partnership, Samsung, Semiconductor Manufacturing, Economic, Board, Nasdaq, CNBC's Sri Locations: Singapore, U.S, Germany

☆ Maui business owners need tourism to survive, but say visitors should rethink how they use resources: 'It's not Disneyland'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | Juliana Kaplan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Now, businesses say they need tourism to stay afloat and keep their workers employed. Kawakami said in the short term, though, local businesses need visitors to come back. But right now, local businesses need tourists in the short run to survive, and some told Insider that residents urging tourists to stay away were misguided. What locals say relief should look likeOn Thursday, Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii said on Twitter that South Maui resorts "NEED visitors," adding "now we have housed virtually everyone, temporarily." AdvertisementAdvertisement"It was through the efforts of local community, not the government," Nakoa said.

Persons: Garrett Marrero, Marrero, Kyle Kawakami, Kawakami, COVID, we're, Kaniela Ing, " Marrero, Sen, Brian Schatz, Josh Green of, Green, Ing, Julia Tallman, Leonard Junya Nakoa, Nakoa, Tallman, She's, she's Organizations: Service, Maui Brewing Company, Maui Brewing, —, Green New Deal Network, Hawaii, Twitter, Maui Economic Development Board, New Deal Locations: Maui, Wall, Silicon, Lahaina, West Maui, Josh Green of Hawaii

☆ As Maui rebuilds, residents reckon with tourism's role in their recovery
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The Maui Economic Development Board says tourism is "irrefutably" the economic engine of Maui, which saw 1.4 million visitors in just the first half of 2023. About 70% of every dollar generated in Maui can be attributed to tourism, according to the board. Yet as the island looks to rebuild, residents like Keahi wonder what role tourism should play in the long road ahead to recovery. "So if they're saying Maui is closed, then there are no tourists coming in, and then we lose our jobs." "We just wanted to stay out of the way," Bailey said, adding that he understands the local residents "need time."

Persons: Hawaii's, Kapali Keahi, Keahi, Rafael Villanueva, Villanueva, that's, " Villanueva, Josh Green, Julie Sumibtay, Sumibtay, Tom Bailey, Bailey Organizations: Maui Economic Development Board, Tourism Expert, Las Vegas Convention, Visitors Authority, Las, Las Vegas, Hawaii Gov Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Nahale St, Long, America, Las, West Maui, It's, Kihei, Sacramento, California, Kaanapali, Oahu

The industry is Maui's "economic engine," generating 80% of its wealth, according to the island's economic development board. Hotels in West Maui have temporarily stopped accepting bookings. Many are housing their employees and preparing to house evacuees and first-responders working on disaster recovery, according to the tourism authority. "Maui is not closed," Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said at the weekend press conference alongside the governor. Tour operators who continued to offer services in or around West Maui after the fires faced a flood of criticism.

Persons: Mike Blake, Jason Momoa, Maui, Josh Green, Green, Ilihia Gionson, Richard Bissen, Jack Richards, Rich McKay, Doyinsola Oladipo, Julia Harte, Colleen Jenkins, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, Hawaii, Hawaii Department of Business, Economic, Tourism, U.S . Census, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Hotels, Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Los, Thomson Locations: Wahikuli, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S, West Maui, Maui County, Wailea, South Maui, Los Angeles

☆ Lucasfilm shutters its Singapore studio after nearly 2 decades in the country amid Disney's plan to save $5.5 billion this year
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Kai Xiang Teo | Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Lucasfilm is shutting down its Singapore operations after nearly 20 years in the country. The shuttering comes amid Disney's push to save $5.5 billion in costs this year. Lucasfilm Singapore was the company's first international studio, located in its Star Wars-inspired "Sandcrawler" office. Lucasfilm is shutting down its Singapore operations after nearly two decades, the city-state's government said Tuesday. "Over the next several months, ILM will be consolidating its global footprint and winding down its Singapore studio due to economic factors affecting the industry," Disney said in a statement to the AFP.

Persons: Disney, Bob Iger, George Lucas Organizations: Lucasfilm, Lucasfilm Singapore, Morning, ILM, Force, AFP, Infocomm Media Development Authority, Disney, Channel News Asia, Cartoon Network, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Blackstone Group Locations: Singapore

The wildfires that leveled the town of Lahaina on Maui wiped out shops, restaurants and a hotel built more than century ago, burning across some of the most spectacular and wealthiest enclaves of the state. High-profile billionaires including Oprah Winfrey, Peter Thiel and Jeff Bezos all have homes on Maui. But the deadly blaze also destroyed something less visible yet vital to this island’s economic survival: modest houses and apartments where many workers running Maui’s booming tourism industry lived. The destruction in Lahaina has highlighted Maui’s longstanding challenge with housing for the people who work in its hotels and on its golf courses, without whom the island could not function as a beloved destination for visitors from around the world. “We already had a housing crisis,’’ said Leslie Wilkins, president of the Maui Economic Development Board.

Persons: Oprah Winfrey, Peter Thiel, Jeff Bezos, ’ ’, Leslie Wilkins, ” Organizations: Maui Economic Development Board Locations: Lahaina, Maui

New York CNN —The catastrophic wildfires in Maui have destroyed homes, churches, businesses and key cultural sites on Hawaii’s second-largest island. Maui authorities have asked tourists to leave the island and strongly discouraged nonessential travel to Maui. That means $4 of every $5 the island generates comes directly or indirectly from tourism, according to the Maui Economic Development Board. In 2019, 3.1 million people visited Maui. But that figure plunged to 793,000 during the height of the pandemic in 2020, according to the Maui Economic Development Board.

Organizations: New, New York CNN, Hawaii Tourism, Maui Economic Development Board, Tourism, Hawaii . Local, Maui Economic Development, Hawaii Tourism Authority Locations: New York, Maui, United States, Japan, Canada, Oahu, Hawaii, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Hawaii ., Tourism, Lahaina

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