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☆ New Delhi’s Iron Pillar has been exposed to the elements for centuries. So why hasn’t it ever shown signs of rust?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Poonam Binayak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque is part of the UNESCO-listed Qutb Minar complex. Scientists both in India and abroad began studying the iron pillar in Delhi in 1912 to try to figure out why it hadn’t corroded. Stuart Forster/ShutterstockBeyond its metallurgical intrigue, the origin of the Iron Pillar is also veiled in mystery. In the epic poem “Prithviraj Raso,” penned by Chand Bardai, a courtier in the Chahamana dynasty under King Prithviraj Chauhan, the Iron Pillar holds great significance. “Bardai describes the Iron Pillar in Raso as a nail holding the Earth on the hoof of Sheshnag, the serpent king in Hindu mythology,” says Vikramjit.

Persons: Qutb, Anders Blomqvist, Balasubramaniam, Stuart Forster, Gupta, Chandragupta II, Vikramaditya, Vishnu, It’s, Garuda, Vikramjit Singh Rooprai, King Vikramaditya, Siddhanta, ”, Raja Anangpal, Qutbuddin, Prithviraj Raso, Chand Bardai, King Prithviraj Chauhan, “ Bardai, “ Raso, Anangpal, Qutub, Ravi Pratap Singh, Pragya Nagar Organizations: CNN, New Delhi’s UNESCO, UNESCO, Indian Institute of Technology, National Metallurgical Laboratory, Indian Institute of Metals, Varāhamihira, ASI, Survey Locations: Mehrauli, Islam, India, Delhi, Kanpur, Varah, Udayagiri Caves, Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh, “, Mihirapuri, Tomar, Raso

☆ Your vacation was ruined, and the company apologized — with a heartfelt note written by ChatGPT
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-05 | by ( Monica Pitrelli | Poonam Binayak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

'A pretty good job'For all its faults, ChatGPT "does a pretty good job" responding to customer complaints, Natasha said. A screenshot of a discussion about using ChatGPT to write reviews on Airhosts Forum, a website for Airbnb hosts. His company, which counts Priceline, Hopper and AvantStay as customers, uses AI to help customer service agents sound more professional, he said. More discovering itMichael Friedman, CEO of the family-run vacation rental company Simple Life Hospitality, said his company does not use AI to respond to customers. But after learning that other travel companies are, she decided to test ChatGPT with a real-life problem she recently faced.

Persons: Natasha, Reddit, Luca Zambello, Brad Birnbaum, Hopper, Birnbaum, Michael Friedman, …, Aw, Tokudaw, ChatGPT Organizations: CNBC, Airhosts, Airbnb, Mt Fuji Locations: TripAdvisor, Yelp

☆ This family traveled for a year. Here are the biggest mistakes they made
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Vivien Soo | Poonam Binayak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Life-changing experiences, unforgettable memories and beautiful pictures — these are things that come to mind when people think of a year-long family trip. The Sullivan family, shown here at Machu Picchu in Peru, ran into several unforeseen circumstances throughout the year. Source: Margaret Bensfield Sullivan"We had packed every conceivable medication, and it never occurred to me that we would encounter lice," she said. After a year abroad, Sullivan, shown here in Egypt, said her family returned home with a stronger bond. Margaret Bensfield Sullivan

Persons: Margaret Bensfield Sullivan, Sullivan, Teddy Organizations: Sullivans Locations: piranhas, Brazil, Mozambique, New York, Tanzania, South America, Africa, East, Europe, Asia, Oceania, Beijing, Peru, Berlin, Machu Picchu, Germany, Sullivan, Vietnam, Cambodia, France, Japan, Egypt

☆ Covid caused a ‘massive spike’ in yacht sales — now some of those boats are back on the market
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Monica Pitrelli | Poonam Binayak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The pandemic spurred a "massive spike" in yacht sales, said Richard Allen, chief operating officer of the Hong Kong-based yachting company Simpson Marine. "We've seen a lot of those people, that had their boats for two years, sort of now wanting to travel," he told CNBC. Prices in the pre-owned marketEnthusiasm for yachting remains high, even if sales have fallen since 2021, said Casani. Casani and Allen, who spoke to CNBC on April 26 while attending the second annual Singapore Yachting Festival, agreed that the continent's yachting market is growing. "We need to do a lot of lobbying with governments to make it easier to import boats," said Allen.

Persons: Richard Allen, we've, Paolo Casani, Allen —, Allen, Casani Organizations: Simpson, CNBC, Singapore Yachting Festival, International Council of Marine Industry Associations Locations: Hong Kong, Monaco, Asia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam

Those are some of the most fascinating items found in lost luggage in 2023, according to a new report by Unclaimed Baggage, a store that buys lost items from airlines, sight unseen. The company has long-term contracts to buy unclaimed items from airlines, as well as hotels, trains and rental car companies. Unclaimed Baggage opened a "Found Treasures" museum in Scottsboro, Alabama, in 2023 to showcase the oddest items acquired through the years. Then he found them at Unclaimed Baggage and brought them back to her." Source: Unclaimed Baggage

Persons: Richard Nixon, Louis, Bryan Owens, Cartier, Owens, Owen's, Doyle Owens, Doyle, There's, … we're, Owen, Louis Vuitton, —, …, Jimmy Choo, Yves Saint Laurent —, it's, they've, David Bowie Organizations: Louis Vuitton Nike Air Force, CNBC Travel, Rolex Locations: Scottsboro , Alabama, Scottsboro, America, West Coast, Atlanta

Singapore's Changi Airport has lost its pole position as the world's best airport to Doha's Hamad International Airport, according to air transport rating firm Skytrax. Travelers of more than 100 nationalities participated in the Skytrax survey, which also named Hamad International Airport as the best airport in the world for shopping. Changi Airport has been crowned the world's best airport 12 times by Skytrax, including winning first place consecutively from 2013 to 2020, and again in 2023. In this year's survey, the city-state's airport won the titles of "Best Airport in Asia" and the "World's Best Airport Immigration Service." Tokyo's other major international airport, Narita International Airport, ranked No.

Organizations: Doha's Hamad International Airport, Hamad International Airport, Changi, Immigration Service, Korea's, Narita International Airport, Best Airport Staff, Passengers Locations: Doha's, state's, Asia, —, Narita

Luxury trains in India date back to its colonial era, when opulent carriages transported dignitaries, officials and royalty. Without the money to maintain them, India's luxury rail carriages were abandoned. Blending historical elegance with modern comforts, these trains are a glimpse into India's regal past. A peek inside a dining car and a cabin show the ornate details on board India's Palace on Wheels train. Indian food served in one of the dining cars on board the luxury Maharajas' Express.

Persons: —, Sergi Reboredo Organizations: Railways, Local, The Times, Vw, Getty Locations: India, Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Rajasthan, India Price, South India, Mysore, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi Price

☆ An influencer who faked her death from cervical cancer says she did it to raise awareness for women who actually died from the disease
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Katie Balevic | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Pandey said she did it to raise awareness for women who have actually died from cervical cancer. "Deeply saddened to inform you that we have lost our beloved Poonam to cervical cancer," a post on Poonam Pandey's Instagram read. I didn't die because of cervical cancer. But this is not just lip service, instead I'm committing my entire body to the service of Cervical Cancer." The American Cancer Society recommends women undergo cervical cancer screenings starting at age 25.

Persons: Poonam Pandey, Pandey, —, Instagram, chastized Pandey Organizations: Service, Business, American Cancer Society, BI

___Their recommendations include securing land rights for women, promoting women's cooperatives and encouraging women to lead on developing climate policy. The link between phenomena like uterine prolapse and climate change is indirect but significant, said Seema Bhaskaran, who tracks gender issues for the nonprofit Transform Rural India Foundation. “It must prioritize awareness programs that emphasize the specific health challenges women face in the wake of climate change as a critical step towards increasing public knowledge. These efforts will also serve as a call to action for governments, institutions, and communities to prioritize women’s health and well-being as a central component of their climate initiatives,” she added. “Definitely there is a very clear recognition that climate has a health impact and health needs to be considered more seriously,” she said.

Persons: Manju Devi, Devi, hadn’t, ___, Seema Bhaskaran, Bhaskaran, Savita Singh, Singh's, Singh, ”, Babita Kumari, Kumari, Poonam, COP28, Anjal Prakash, Shweta Narayan Organizations: DELHI, India Climate Journalism, Associated Press, Stanley Center for Peace, Security, Press Trust of India, India's, Transform Rural, Foundation, Climate Central, Population Foundation of India, Bharat Institute of Public, Indian School of Business, United Nations, Health, AP Locations: Delhi, Dubai, India, New Delhi, Syaraul, Uttar Pradesh, Nanu, U.S

☆ Goldman Sachs just promoted 608 employees to the coveted role of managing directors. See the full list here.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Emmalyse Brownstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

Goldman Sachs announced its 2023 class of managing directors Thursday afternoon, giving 608 employees the coveted title. It's a smaller cohort than the bank's 2021 MD class, down 5% amid a dealmaking slowdown. Still, Goldman appears to have taken pains to promote employees in revenue-generating divisions like investment banking and trading. Goldman says the percentage of women it promoted as part of the 2023 MD class sets a record, up 1% from 2021. Two years ago, Goldman promoted the largest managing director class in its history, naming 643 employees to the designation in 2021.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Goldman, David Solomon, John Waldron, we've, Solomon, Waldron, Goldman Sachs Fereshteh Abbasi Thomas Abe Devina Abreo Francesca Adamski Emmanuel Adenitire Gopal Agarwal Prasoon Agarwal Udit Agrawal Khamran Ali Omar Alzaim Dorothee Amar Akbar Amin Joe Amsler Wilfred Amuri Jack Anstey Paul Antonios Hidemi Aoki, Carolina Aragon Gonzalez Nelson Armbrust Georgina Aspden Laurene, Gisha, Sharon Babick Navin Babu Alexey Bachurin Alberto Bacis Patrick Badaro Rahul Bajaj Elise Bal Tanya Ballaram Brian Baltz Guillaume Banderet Nirav Bansal Nitin Bansal Swati, Chalapathi, Andrei Banu Camella Barnes James Barry Elisa Anna Bassu Aman Batra Eleanor Beasley Nicole Beavan Michael Becker Yukiko Beer Omar Benchekroune Richard Bennett Nigel Beslee Ashima Bhalla Nikhil Bhandari Nimita Bhargava Bodha Bhattacharya Rebecca Bibb Roseline, Rahul Bindu Mark Bird Leo Biselman Christian Blanc Patrick Bogues Michael Boratin Katherine Bordlemay Gabriela Borges Kate Boucher Erik Bouland Joanne Braidi Chris Brett Joseph Briggs Charles Brockett Emmeline Brothers Aaron Brown Adrienne Brown Kevin Bryck Archana Budida Oliver Bunn Rebecca Burgoyne Andrew Burpitt Todd Byers Patrick Byrne Michael Cahill Ashley Caldwell Jake Caldwell Serdar Caliskan Jon Calluzzo Stewart Campbell Samantha Cantor Yuri Cantor Dan Carabas Gemma Carlaw Laura Carroll Tim Carson Matt Carter Quentin Cezard Alex Cham Simon Chamama Heidi Chan Patrick Chan Suraj Chandran Kim Cheah Jon Cheh CP Chen Nelly Cheng Sarrah Cherhabil Jackson Cheung Michael Cheung Rama, Stan Chiu Anish, Kunal Choraria Ankit Chowdhari Dario Claus Cosimo Codacci, Michael Coleman David Collerd Shannon Collins Francesca Condini Lee Coppersmith John Couch Tim Creamer Maziar, Satish Damodaran Gareth Davies Serkan, Nick De Kock Ann de la, Nick De Kock Ann de la Montaigne Jan Debeuckelaer Molly Decker Gabrielle Decrion Laurent Dedieu Antoine Demongeot Yannick Derippe Deepalakshmi Desai Tim Desiano Joshua Dezube Randeep Dhillon Javier Diaz, Merry Matheus, Jared Dickow Alex Doell Mao Dong Praneil Doolabh Daniel Dooling Michelle Dorea Szymon Doroz Jacqueline Du Benjamin Duell Kelsey Dumont Julie Duval Todd Ebe Dayo, Jeremy Eisenstein Chris Elmore Ryan Erickson Joaquin Escribano Larry Estrada Pavel Fadeev Will Fairbourn Jeremy Falgiani Fabio Federici Wenlong Fei David Felman Sophia Ferguson Zach Fernandez David Fernandez Miguez Scott, William Fio Rito Duffy Fischer Lisa Florentine Akshay Fomra Janice Foo Nicholas Forbat Elie Franko Georgina Fraser Jason Freeman Nicole Freeman Oliver Friedberg Gavriel Friedland Ross Fuller Angela Fung Greg Furness Nikhil Gadodia Stefano Gamba Amit Singh Gambhir Javier Gandara Giorgio Gandola Amit Gangrade Sudha Garimella Mima Garland Mingmin Ge Graziano Gemma Shefali Gera Constance Germain Brad Gifford Benjamin Giles Abbas Ginwala Marlene Giorgio Thomas Giovachini Zachary Glasser Guillaume Gnech Harley Golding Yuriy Goldman Jesse Goldstein Roy Golender Sharon Gonnella Alejandro Gonzalez Steven Gooden Jessie Gould Varun, George Graf von Waldersee Florian Granier Jamie Greenberg Brian Grzelakowski Alessandro Guicciardi Michael Guiliano Samuel Guinness Bivash Gunpath Deepa Gupta Parikshit Gupta Lauren Gutierrez Johannes Hahn Chris Hallam Alex Halpern Christina Halpin Michael Hamilton Brooke Hammel Saki Hanioka John Hanson Mathew Harris Ally Hart Amy Harwood Tom, Emily Hashimoto Rob Haslam Michael Heino Brandon Herde Sarah Higgins Camilla Hill Spencer Hill Sho, Cecilia Ho Jonathan Ho Bryan Hoffman Kevin Hoffmeyer Eliza Hollyday Simon Holmes Mehdi, Lily, Derek Hu Jennifer Hui Tim Huiszoon Camille Humbert Kurt Humes Kelley Hutchison Masayuki Ichioka Andrew Imber Calvin Isaac Jackson Isaacs Sharif Ismail Yu, Doug Michael Jaffa Nitin Jagga Rahul Jain, Jataprolu Fiona Jervis Yinpeng Jin Sandeep Jindal Jennifer Jochinger Steven Johnson David Johnstone Megan Jordan Nicolas Joseph Bob Kadel Jean Kam Harneet Kaur Vinay Kaura Peter Kelman Stephanie Kenary Maggie Keohan Humayun Khalid Sunil Khandelwal Scott Kilpatrick Jenny Kim Ashley King Joel Klaus Rene Klos Rossitsa, Michael Kondoleon Gregory Kontopoulos Larry Kornreich Shrivathsa Kota Konrad Krallmann Ken Kraska Alexander Kretzberg Bryant Krongard Simon Kubbies Adam Kulik Peter Kulka Ajeya Kumar Aditya Kurella Sara Lachapelle Raagini, Langalia Chaim Langer Alexander Langley Raven LaRue Dolapo Lawal Claire Leblanc, Langalia Chaim Langer Alexander Langley Raven LaRue Dolapo Lawal Claire Leblanc Mary LeDonne, Allison Lee Michael Lee Soohyun Lee Victoria Lewis Alice Li Qing Li George Lin Ali Lippert David Lipworth Bozhena Lisko, Murphy Mark Littlewood Zhenyi Liu Yelli Lobel Avinash Lobo Burke Loeffler Gabriela Lopez Cristian Lopez, Balboa Carlos Lopez Torrero Stephanie Louie Edward Lowe Reynolds Lowry Fei Luo Ranjan Luthra Sangeetha M Martin Ma Matthew Maciaszek Michael Magee Steffen Mahringer Poonam Majithia Terres Maloney Gopal Manchikanti Jade Mandel, Manfay Varun, Pierre Marboeuf Matt Margolin Thiago Marinheiro Kevin Martens Masato Maruyama Lucinda Mataka Rishi Mathur Pierre Maugest Scott Maxfield Andrei Maxim Michael McClurg Selina McCole Jeff McCown Andrea McGee Sinead McGuigan John McGuinness Benjamin McRoberts Amit Mehrotra Gaurav Mehta Kelly Mellecker Josef Menasche Raf Mercado Alexander Mielke Rachel Miles Christopher Miller Megan Miller Robert Miller Max Minton Edward Mitchell Oliver Money Tyler Moni Anna Montvai Taylor Moore Anthony Moschella Brandon Moy Faraz Munaim Sasha Munn Ashok Musuvathy Negar, Julian Naden Robinson Hiroki Nagamine Srijith Nair Cornelius Namiluko Sanjiv Nanwani Jay Narain Robert Andranik Nazarian Jovan Negovan Ryan Newman Michael Ng, Tasuku Nishihara John Nixon Kristy Nomi Alexandre Nunes Patrick O'Callaghan Yusuke Ochi KC O'Connor David Olivares Erica Olsen Victoria Ortengren Anas, Peter Pace Robert Packwood Nitin, Ellen Pak Ruth Pan Pedro Panizo Jayshri, Rahul Parikh Dan Parisi Freddie Parker Phil Parsons Peter Paruch Paul Pate Bella Patel Preya Patel Rakesh Patel Amit Patni Ed Paulinski Adam Pennacchio Kyle Penton Abhishek Periwal Michael Perrier Yoric Perrin Rasmus Persson Tommy Pinhas, Marco Poletti Megan Prasad Avijit Praveer James Puccinelli Sameer Punde Rob Pyne Na Qiao Valentina Quadri Marco Quirico Anya Radford Abhishek Rai Rahul Raj Ram Rajamony Ryan Ramsay Rami Rankoussi Nach Rao Pawan Rao Anurag Rathi Philip Renton Noel Reyes Ruth Reynolds Timothy Richards Peter Richter Brigid Riley Hutchinson Nick Rill Kristina Ristagno Vicky Ritter Martin Roberson James Roberts James Robinson Giorgio, Erin Roos Erin Ross Sumit Roy Conrad Ryan Soo, Ryu David Sage Jai Sahani Namita, Sarah Sakkej Karim Saleh Ayesha Salman Divya Samani Henrik Samuelsson Ryan Sansalone Vikram Sarker Shalini Satish Babu Charlotte Saury, Hania Schmidt Helene Schmitt Emily Schorr Wendy Schrunk Thomas Schwegler Michael Sciancalepore Brandon Seaman Benjamin Seigel Gamal Selvarajah Nicholas Semeniuk Devjoy Sengupta Michael Shafik Arpan Shah Shashwat Shah Shahnawaz Shahbaz Manoj Sharma Sachin Sharma Wazila, Gunduz Shirin Alex Silver Asmita Singh Kamalpreet Singh Andrew Sinnott Sapna, Dan Skinner Andrew Snow Stephanie Snyder Farouk Soussa Christopher Spahr Erik Sparks Matt Speltz Naveen Srinivasan Bhargav, Warren, Damian Steele Tobias Stein Catherine Stemp Dave Stringer Shekar Subramanian Jordan Sudy Philipp Suess Fatima Sultana Lu Sun Kumar Sundaram Fiona Syer Matthew Sykes Tofi, Filippo Taddei Sandhya Tadishetty Omer Tanvir Rita Taylor Zachary Tcheyan Brian Teague Wesley, Caitlin Terry Thomas Tesauro Hemal, Justin Therry Christine Thornburg Gregory Thysheril Angelo Tierno Alexander Tingle Ryan Townsend Cynthia Trillo Dimitris, Jessica Tung Jonathan Tung Ezgi, Zachary Upcheshaw Kiyomi, Nadine Urseanu Jim Vais Pim Valantagul Perrin Van Allen Annerieke van Dijk Jeroen van Dorp Dennis van Laer Todd van Stolk, Riley Jacqueline Vargas Alexander Vavalidis Edwin Velez Prasanna Venugopal Tim Verheyden Amanda Verstegen Ankit Vijay Vargiya Salvador Villanueva Arthur Villard Sichel Denzel Voesenek Bradley Wainwright Adam Walker Barbara Walters Omar Waly Daniel Wang Kenneth Wang Kristen Ward Gavin Warren Michael Washington Harry Webster Fredrik Weege Brian Weiss Thomas Weitz Nat Wells Joe Wenzel Tim Whitehead Henry Willans Matthew Williams Taylor Williams Katie Wilson Richard Wilson Stephanie Wisner Ilana Wolfe Jake Woodson Jeff Wu Qi Wu Jackson Yang Esma, Yoon Harm, John Zhai Jenny Zhang Lynn Zhang Raye Zhu Jane Zhuang Hans Zijlmans Carolyn Zimmer Samia Zitouni Mira Zorkot Organizations: Goldman, Wall, Carolina, Nick De Kock Ann de la Montaigne, Langalia Chaim Langer Alexander Langley Raven LaRue Dolapo Lawal Claire Leblanc Mary Locations: Europe, Asia, India

☆ Virgin Australia's IPO executive David Marr resigns
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Aircraft from Australia's second largest airline, Virgin Australia, sit on the tarmac at the domestic terminal of Sydney Airport in Australia, August 19, 2018. Picture taken August 19, 2018. REUTERS/David Gray/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 17 (Reuters) - Bain Capital-owned Virgin Australia (IPO-VIR.AX) on Tuesday said its Chief Development Officer David Marr, who was assigned to lead the airline's plans for an eventual initial public offering (IPO), has stepped down from his role. "A significant amount of this work is now complete and while we are committed to an IPO as soon as practicable, the timing of an actual listing is dependent on capital markets conditions," the airline said in an emailed response to Reuters. Reporting by Poonam Behura in Bengaluru; Editing by Janane VenkatramanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: David Gray, David Marr, Poonam, Janane Organizations: Virgin, Sydney Airport, REUTERS, Bain Capital, Virgin Australia, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Australia's, Virgin Australia, Australia, Bengaluru

☆ A village on an Italian island is providing free housing to digital nomads
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Silvia Marchetti | Poonam Binayak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Last week, Partis landed in the Sardinian village of Ollolai in Italy for a free stay paid by the local municipality. She's the first digital nomad to arrive — and already she said it feels like a life-changer. Source: Veronica Matta"That was a major success — many foreigners bought and restyled dozens of forsaken dwellings," said Mayor Francesco Columbu told CNBC. "Now, after investing in high-speed internet, with this new project 'Work from Ollolai' we want to make our village a digital nomad hub." Source: Veronica Matta"I just had to give my landowner a symbolic one euro for the house rental," said Partis.

Persons: Clarese, Partis, Ollolai, Antonio Meloni, Francesco Columbu, Veronica Matta, Sa, Matta, Veronica Matta Partis, —, that's Organizations: CNBC, Workers Locations: Los Angeles, Sardinian, Ollolai, Italy, Zanzibar, Sardinia, Singapore, Sardinia —, Partis

☆ Years in the making, Venice approves a tax on daytrippers
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Monica Pitrelli | Poonam Binayak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Venice's city council on Tuesday approved a long-awaited regulation to tax day visitors 5 euros ($5.38) to visit the city. Overnight travelers are exempt, though they're subject to a separate tourist tax implemented in 2011. Why is Venice taxing day visitors? The new tax is an attempt to "protect the city from mass tourism," Luigi Brugnaro, Venice's mayor, posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. The city of Venice currently fines visitors who eat or drink on the ground, sit on monuments and bridges, or swim in its canals, according to the city's website.

Persons: Luigi Brugnaro, overtourism, Tatyana Tsukanova, Tsukanova, Miguel Medina Organizations: EHL Hospitality Business School, Venice, Afp, Getty Locations: Venice's, Venice, Belgium, Lausanne, Switzerland, Bhutan

☆ Where to stay in India? Here are 8 former palaces that are now hotels
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Poonam Binayak | Lisa Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Source: Heritage DharampuraIt's now a 14-room boutique hotel, which received an honorable mention in 2017's UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. It was transformed into a heritage hotel in the 1960s and is now impeccably managed by the Taj Group. Taj Lake Palace Source: Taj Lake PalaceStraight out of a fairy tale, the Taj Lake Palace boasts domed pavilions, ornamental turrets, crystal chandeliers, and 83 antique-filled rooms and suites, some which overlook a gleaming courtyard that hosts nightly folk dances. Source: Taj Usha Kiran PalaceToday, it's a lavish Taj hotel that balances old-world vibes with contemporary style. It is now a heritage hotel managed by the Taj Group.

Persons: Jehan Numa, Jehan, Palace, General Obaidullah Khan, Vijay Goel, James Bond, Taj Falaknuma, —, Taj Usha Kiran, it's, King Charles , Louis Mountbatten, Jacqueline Kennedy, Bhanj Deo, There's Organizations: UNESCO, Cultural Heritage Conservation, Taj, Taj Group, Royal, Rambagh, Jaipur, Cochin — Locations: India, Odisha, Rajasthan, Bhopal, Dharampura, Delhi, UNESCO Asia, Jama Masjid, Old Delhi, Udaipur, Pichola, Mewar, Taj Lake, Lake, lavishness, Falaknuma, Nizam, Hyderabad, Windsor, Gwalior, Rambagh, Jaipur, Baripada, Chittoor Kottaram, Kochi, Chittoor, —, Cochin

☆ Aussie lender NAB to cut 222 back-office jobs, says trade union
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Poonam Behura | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The National Australia Bank Logo is seen on a branch in central Sydney, Australia, February 8, 2018. REUTERS/Daniel Munoz Acquire Licensing RightsSept 6 (Reuters) - National Australia Bank (NAB.AX) is planning to cut 222 back-office jobs, the Finance Sector Union (FSU) said in an emailed response to Reuters. FSU, a white-collar trade union, said NAB’s restructuring will impact its departments such as Personal Direct Lending, Technology and Operations, Corporate Finance and Client Coverage. "This means certain roles may no longer be required or need to be moved to support other teams." NAB reported a 5% jump in third-quarter cash earnings in August, including a decline in its margins due to higher home lending competition and deposit costs.

Persons: Daniel Munoz, Julia Angrisano, Poonam, Shilpi Majumdar, Devika Organizations: National, REUTERS, National Australia Bank, Finance Sector Union, FSU, Reuters, Technology, Corporate Finance, NAB, Australian, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Westpac Banking Corp, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, Bengaluru

☆ Australian regulator sues PayPal unit over unfair term in small business contracts
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The PayPal logo is seen at an office building in Berlin, Germany, March 5, 2019. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) said it has started proceedings against PayPal Australia Pty Ltd in a case that highlights a contract term that gives PayPal business account holders 60 days to notify discrepancies in fees charged. The regulator views the term as unfair as it authorises PayPal to retain fees it has inaccurately charged. "We allege this term is unfair because it allows PayPal to escape the consequences of its own errors in overcharging small businesses, and places additional burdens on small businesses to detect and correct charging errors," ASIC Deputy Chair Sarah Court said. As at June 30, there were about 608,275 business account contracts between PayPal and active users in the country.

Persons: Fabrizio Bensch, Sarah Court, Roushni Nair, Poonam Behura, Shailesh Organizations: PayPal, REUTERS, Australian Securities and Investments Commission, PayPal Australia, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Germany, Bengaluru

☆ Australia's TPG Telecom extends due diligence period for $4 bln fibre assets offer
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 6 (Reuters) - Australia's TPG Telecom Ltd (TPG.AX) has extended until Oct. 4 an exclusive due diligence period granted to rival Vocus Group for the A$6.3 billion ($4.02 billion) offer for its non-mobile fibre assets. Discussions between the parties are ongoing and incomplete and its board has not made any decision to accept any offer, TPG said on Wednesday. Reuters in August reported that TPG, one of the country's top telecom firms, had received a non-binding offer from Vocus to buy some of its non-mobile fibre assets. Vocus, formed by infrastructure investors Macquarie Infrastructure and Aware Super, specialises in wholesale fibre networks. It has offered to buy certain Enterprise, Government and Wholesale (EGW) assets and associated fixed infrastructure assets, including the wholesale broadband business, Vision Network.

Persons: Poonam, Devika Syamnath Organizations: Australia's TPG Telecom Ltd, Vocus Group, TPG, Reuters, Macquarie Infrastructure, Enterprise, Government, Wholesale, Vision, Thomson Locations: dealmaking, Bengaluru

A sign at the approach road leads to Albemarle's lithium evaporation ponds at its facility in Silver Peak, Nevada, U.S., January 9, 2019. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 4 (Reuters) - Australia's Liontown Resources (LTR.AX) shares shot 11.5% higher after the lithium developer's board on Monday backed a refreshed A$6.6 billion ($4.26 billion) bid from Albemarle Corp (ALB.N), the world's biggest lithium producer. The news prompted Liontown shares to shoot up 11.5% to A$2.92, the highest since July 14. Liontown controls two major lithium deposits in Western Australia, including its flagship Kathleen Valley project slated for first production in mid-2024, which is among the world's largest and highest-grade hard rock lithium deposits. Albemarle's latest offer for Liontown was its fourth, having also proposed A$2.20 per share on Oct. 20 last year and A$2.35 per share earlier in March before its rejected A$2.50 a share offer was made public.

Persons: Ernest Scheyder, Liontown, Albemarle, Kathleen, Greenhill, Scott Murdoch, Poonam, Jamie Freed, Christopher Cushing Organizations: REUTERS, Albemarle Corp, Australia, Ford Motor, LG, Co, UBS, JPMorgan, Thomson Locations: Silver, , Nevada, U.S, Australian, Chile, Western Australia, South, Albemarle, Sydney

☆ Lithium developer Liontown backs Albemarle's sweetened $4.3 billion offer
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A sign at the approach road leads to Albemarle's lithium evaporation ponds at its facility in Silver Peak, Nevada, U.S., January 9, 2019. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 4 (Reuters) - Australian lithium developer Liontown Resources (LTR.AX) said on Monday its board had recommended an improved takeover proposal from the world's biggest lithium producer Albemarle Corp (ALB.N) valuing the company at A$6.6 billion ($4.26 billion). Liontown said its board intended to unanimously recommend shareholders vote in favour of the new takeover proposal, adding that an independent expert concluded that it was in the best interests of shareholders. Albemarle's latest offer for Liontown was its fourth, having also proposed A$2.20 per share on Oct. 20 last year and A$2.35 per share earlier in March before its rejected A$2.50 a share offer was made public. Liontown said Greenhill & Co and UBS would act as financial advisers and Allens as its legal adviser in relation to the revised proposal.

Persons: Ernest Scheyder, Liontown, Kathleen, Greenhill, Poonam Behura, Kim Coghill, Christian Schmollinger, Jamie Freed Organizations: REUTERS, Liontown Resources, Albemarle Corp, Co, UBS, Thomson Locations: Silver, , Nevada, U.S, Albemarle, Australian, Western Australia

☆ Australia regulator sues Qantas alleging sale of tickets on cancelled flights
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Byron Kaye | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Qantas aircraft are seen on the tarmac at Melbourne International Airport in Melbourne, Australia, November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Phil Noble//File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Qantas Airways Ltd FollowSYDNEY, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Australia's competition regulator sued Qantas Airways (QAN.AX) on Thursday, accusing it of selling tickets to thousands of flights after they were cancelled, putting the airline at risk of huge fines and reputational turbulence. The airline kept selling tickets for an average of 16 days after it had cancelled flights for reasons often within its control, such as "network optimisation", the ACCC added. Qantas kept selling tickets to one Sydney-to-San Francisco flight 40 days after it had been cancelled, the regulator said. At the Senate hearing, Joyce confirmed Qantas had written to the federal government in 2022 asking it to deny a request from Qatar Airways, a Qantas competitor on international routes, to increase flights to Australia.

Persons: Phil Noble, Rico Merkert, Alan Joyce, Joyce, Gina Cass, Gottlieb, Byron Kaye, Poonam, Shailesh Kuber, Rashmi Aich, Gerry Doyle, Edmund Klamann Organizations: Qantas, Melbourne International Airport, REUTERS, Rights Companies Qantas Airways Ltd, SYDNEY, Qantas Airways, Australian Competition, Consumer Commission, ACCC, Sydney University's Institute of Transport, Logistics Studies, Australia, Senate, Qatar Airways, Qatar, Thomson Locations: Melbourne, Australia, Sydney, Francisco, Bengaluru

☆ Aussie regulator takes Qantas to court for selling cancelled flights' tickets
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Aug 31 (Reuters) - Australian competition regulator has taken Qantas Airways (QAN.AX) to court, alleging the flagship carrier in mid-2022 kept selling tickets for more than 8,000 cancelled flights for an average of over two weeks after the flights were called off. "We have commenced these proceedings alleging that Qantas continued selling tickets for thousands of cancelled flights, likely affecting the travel plans of tens of thousands of people," ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said. "However, this case does not involve any alleged breach in relation to the actual cancellation of flights, but rather relates to Qantas' conduct after it had cancelled the flights." ACCC said it would pursue orders including penalties, injunctions, declarations, and costs against the airline for its conduct after flight cancellations. Reporting by Poonam Behura in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber and Rashmi AichOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Gina Cass, Gottlieb, Poonam, Shailesh Kuber Organizations: Qantas Airways, Qantas, Australian Competition, Consumer Commission, Airlines, ACCC, Qantas Group, Jetstar, Thomson Locations: Australian, Bengaluru

☆ Australia's Appen slumps to over 7-year low on weak half-yearly results
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Aug 28 (Reuters) - Shares of Australian artificial intelligence training provider Appen Ltd (APX.AX) on Monday hit their lowest level in more than seven years after reporting a significantly wider half-yearly loss on weak demand. The shares tanked as much as 28%, logging its sharpest losses since May 10. They pared some of the early losses and was down 27.2% at A$1.630 as of 0216 GMT. It also projected its annualised operating cost base on a run-rate basis to be lower than $113 million for fiscal 2023. Reporting by Navya Mittal and Poonam Behura; Editing by Dhanya Ann ThoppilOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Navya Mittal, Poonam, Dhanya Ann Thoppil Organizations: Appen, Thomson

☆ Aussie lender NAB to cut 10% jobs in markets division, Australian Financial Review reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The National Australia Bank Logo is seen on a branch in central Sydney, Australia, February 8, 2018. REUTERS/Daniel Munoz/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsAug 28 (Reuters) - National Australia Bank (NAB.AX) is preparing to cut around 60 jobs of the 600-staff at its markets division and undertake a broad restructuring exercise across its seven business, the Australian Financial Review said on early on Monday citing sources. The country's second-biggest bank would begin the layoffs as early as this week but is yet to announce the changes internally, AFR said. Layoffs at NAB would include capital markets types working within its corporate and institutional banking unit, where its markets business sits with a team of about 600. Reporting by Poonam Behura in Bengaluru; Editing by Alison WilliamsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Daniel Munoz, AFR, Poonam, Alison Williams Organizations: National, REUTERS, National Australia Bank, Australian Financial, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Westpac Banking Corp, NAB, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, Bengaluru

☆ Australia's Pexa set for biggest weekly loss in 11 months on annual profit miss
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( Poonam Behura | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Aug 25 (Reuters) - Shares of Australia's Pexa Group (PXA.AX) on Friday were poised for their biggest weekly decline since last September after the online property company posted a lower-than-expected annual profit. The company's net profit after tax attributable for the year ended June 30 came in at A$17.6 million ($11.29 million), below UBS estimate of A$43.3 million. The group posted a net loss from ordinary activities after tax attributable of A$21.8 million, as opposed to a profit of A$21.9 million in the year-ago period. "FY23 was a highly challenging year for property markets," Group Managing Director and CEO Glenn King said. The group's annual business revenue was A$283.4 million for 2023 fiscal, compared with A$279.8 million a year ago.

Persons: Glenn King, Poonam Behura, Sherry Jacob, Phillips Organizations: UBS, Thomson

☆ Australia's Telstra shelves InfraCo stake sale plan, shares down
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Poonam Behura | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The country's largest telecoms firm decided against selling a stake in InfraCo Fixed, saying the unit "plays an important role" in achieving its long-term goals. InfraCo Fixed posted a 4.1% rise in annual income to A$2.56 billion ($1.64 billion), contributing 11% to Telstra's total income of A$23.25 billion. Telstra is targeting net cost reductions of A$500 million and mid-single digit underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) growth through to FY25. It expects underlying EBITDA between A$8.2 billion and A$8.4 billion for fiscal 2024, higher than A$7.86 billion in the previous year. We remain absolutely committed to delivering our FY25 underlying EBITDA and EPS growth ambitions," Brady said.

Persons: David Gray, Henry Jennings, Vicki Brady, Brady, Poonam Behura, Anil D'Silva, Subhranshu Organizations: Telstra, REUTERS, Australia's Telstra, InfraCo, Marcustoday, TPG Telecom, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, Bengaluru

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