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☆ How the super rich will watch the 2024 Paris Olympics
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Chrissie Mcclatchie | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Olympic luxury packages are already on sale, offering exclusive access to the sporting spectacle, alongside very upscale travel and accommodation experiences. And this year, there’s no bigger sporting event than the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Tour operator Kensington Tours says it has two clients coming into Paris for the first seven nights of the Games. “Paris presents a wealth of opportunities for luxury travelers to indulge in during the Olympics,” Adto Teppa says. Pierre MonettaTo ensure their clients have access to Paris’ most prestigious hotels, many luxury travel advisers have made blanket bookings at properties across the city.

Persons: cher, Barnabas Carrega, “, ” Carrega, ’ Carrega, Ducasse, Alain Ducasse, won’t, They’ll, they’ll, AZA, Angela Adto Teppa, ” Adto Teppa, Palais, Paris, Andrea Galvez, ”, Galvez, Pierre Monetta, We’ve, Dave Guenter, Crillon, Nicolas De Gols, De Gols, Fraser Yachts, Askari, Patrick Locqueneux, Clément Bru, Charles de Brosses, Cookoon, “ We’ve, ” Bru, Henri Jayer Vosne, Domaine, Conti, de Mars, Simone Biles Organizations: CNN, Paris, CNN Travel, Michelin, Olympic, Kensington, Eiffel, Palais Garnier, Travel, Opera Ballet, Travel Group, Le Bristol Paris, Paris ’, Royal, Raffles, “, Royal Monceau’s, Nice, Tahiti, Fraser Locations: Paris, American, Alma, Kensington, Oahu, Hawaii, New York, Rosewood, Le Bristol, Raffles Paris, Marseille, Polynesia, Teahupo’o, Tahiti, Monaco, France, Burgundy

☆ Travel news: The world’s best airports for food and drink
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-06 | by ( Maureen O'Hare | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Get the latest news in aviation, food and drink, where to stay and other travel developments. CNN —This week in travel news: Europe’s highest pedestrian suspension bridge, a groundbreaking “blended wing” plane, North America’s solar eclipse and the world’s best airports to arrive at hungry. Airport diningThere’s no more captive consumer than a traveler caught between airport security and the departure gate, which is why Food & Wine’s 2024 roundup of the world’s best airports for food and drink got our mouths watering. “Like interest on a bank account we never knew we had.”Solar eclipse across North AmericaVideo Ad Feedback A total solar eclipse will darken skies across the US. There won’t be another total solar eclipse in the contiguous United States until 2044, so make sure you’re prepped.

Persons: bartenders, Shakira, Blake Scholl, ”, don’t, CNN’s Chris Isidore, he’s, won’t Organizations: CNN, hawker, Singapore, Narita International, Dubai International, Pathfinder, America, Disney Locations: Changi, Raffles, Tokyo, Dubai, Italy, Umbria, Africa, Kalandula Falls, Angola, South America, American, Costa Rican, Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes, California, Colorado, vida, Mexico, United States, Spain, “ Andalusia, North America, Alicudi, Bogota

☆ Crowdfunding, Auctions and Raffles: How Ukrainians Are Aiding the Army
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-07 | by ( Constant Méheut | Daria Mitiuk | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Earlier this year, Daria Chervona, a photo retoucher from Kyiv, was busy trying to raise 78 million Ukrainian hryvnia, about $2 million, for Ukraine’s army, posting daily on social media to urge friends and acquaintances to chip in. That was a high bar, but after a few weeks she announced she had cleared it, reaching her target. Each fund-raiser is then highlighted in a social media post with their picture, tapping into civilians’ desire to be recognized as active participants in the war effort. “They need to be able to tell themselves, ‘I’m doing something, I’m helping,’” Ms. Chervona, 28, said in a recent interview. “I simply understood that any reasonably active person on Instagram could pull in 50K,” she added, referring to 50,000 Ukrainian hryvnias, about $1,300.

Persons: Daria Chervona, ”, Instagram, Chervona, ‘, ’, “ Locations: Kyiv

☆ Raffles Medical: 'We are in China for the long-term' and will expand
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailRaffles Medical Group: 'We are in China for the long-term' and will expand operations when confidentLoo Choon Yong, Chairman of Raffles Medical Group discusses the group's financial performance for fiscal year 2023 and business plans for its operations in China.

Persons: Yong Organizations: Raffles Medical, Raffles Medical Group Locations: China

☆ What do we know about China’s respiratory illness surge?
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Andrew Silver | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

SHANGHAI, Dec 1 (Reuters) - A request by the World Health Organization for more information on a surge in respiratory illnesses and clusters of pneumonia in children in China has attracted global attention. The following is what we know about the surge in illness in the world's second most populous country so far, and why experts think there is no need to panic. The National Health Commission told a news conference on Nov. 13 that there was an increase in incidence of respiratory disease without providing further details. IS MYCOPLASMA PNEUMONIAE A BIG WORRY? One concern about the surge in respiratory illness is mycoplasma pneumoniae, which has also spiked in other countries.

Persons: Maria Van Kerkhove, Rajib Dasgupta, mycoplasma pneumoniae, it's, Cecille Brion, Van Kerkhove, We're, Andrew Silver, Miyoung Kim Organizations: World Health Organization, WHO, Program, National Health Commission, Reuters, Pacific, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Doctors, Raffles Medical Group Beijing, Thomson Locations: SHANGHAI, China, Taiwan, WHO China, COVID, South East Asia, New Delhi

☆ A new ranking shows the best luxury hotel brands in the world
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Quek Jie Ann | Marylou Costa | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

But a new list, released by the members-only group LTI – Luxury Travel Intelligence, ranks hotel brands rather than individual properties. Luxury Travel Intelligence memberships cost $700 per year and grant access to the group's travel research. Source: LTI — Luxury Travel IntelligenceOetker Collection's Hotel La Palma in Capri, Italy. Source: LTI – Luxury Travel IntelligenceTwo brands are new to the list this year: Peninsula Hotels and Raffles Hotels & Resorts. The scoring systemLuxury Travel Intelligence uses an algorithm to assess hotel brands, which has a maximum of 4,663 points, said Crompton.

Persons: Aman, Rocco Forte, Michael Crompton, Crompton, Travel Intelligence Crompton Organizations: Travel Intelligence, Raffles, Intelligence, La, Raffles Hotels & Resorts, Luxury Travel Intelligence, CNBC Travel Locations: Oriental Singapore, Capri , Italy, Raffles Doha, Qatar

☆ Take a look inside the new Raffles hotel in London
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | Marylou Costa | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Fiona Harris Communications director, Raffles London"It's the magic combination: the building, the location and the name, Raffles," Fiona Harris, Raffles London's communications director, told CNBC Travel. All in, the hotel houses 120 suites and rooms, including five heritage suites in the former offices of political and military leaders, and eight corner suites named after notable women and female spies. Raffles London is home to 120 rooms and suites, including eight corner suites named after notable women and female spies. Saison, run by Argentine Michelin star chef Mauro Colagreco, is one of nine restaurants and three bars at Raffles London. London's new luxury waveA stay at Raffles London is not without a significant price tag.

Persons: Winston Churchill's, Fiona Harris, Sir Stamford, Henry VIII, Ian Fleming's James Bond, Churchill, David Lloyd George, Lord Kitchener, Harris, Winston Churchill, Thierry Despont, Raffles, Argentina's Mauro Colagreco, sipping, Mauro Colagreco, James Bond, Ian Fleming, It's, Christine Granville, Gopichand Hinduja —, —, Hinduja Organizations: Raffles, Downing, Fiona Harris Communications, CNBC Travel, Sir Stamford Raffles, Hinduja, Ministry of Defense, British Army, Architects, British Secret Service, CNBC, Suite, Liberty, Michelin, Raffles London, Guards, London Sling, Argentine Michelin, Ministry, Hyde Park, Royal British Legion, British Armed Forces Locations: Whitehall, London, Raffles London, British, Singapore, India, Argentine, U.S, China, Granville, Hyde, Rosewood, Claridge's, The Emory

☆ Oil gains ahead of Fed meeting as Middle East conflict persists
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices edged up in early Asian trade on Wednesday ahead of key global central bank meetings this week including the U.S. Federal Reserve, as the market also closely watches the latest developments in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Brent January crude futures rose 36 cents, or 0.4%, to $85.38 a barrel by 0040 GMT, after falling $1.33 on Tuesday. Brent December futures settled 4 cents lower at $87.41 a barrel at the contract's expiry on Tuesday. Interest rate hikes aimed at taming inflation can slow economic growth and reduce oil demand, while rate cuts to spur spending could increase oil consumption. The Fed, which will end its meeting on Wednesday, is expected to hold rates steady, according to a poll by CME's Fedwatch tool.

Persons: Brent, Edward Moya, CME's, Goldman Sachs, Antony Blinken Organizations: Raffles, U.S . Federal Reserve, . West Texas, Treasury, Federal, Market, American Petroleum Institute, Central Bank, Bank of England, Israel Locations: Yantai, East China's Shandong province, Israel, ., Europe, East, Gaza, U.S

☆ Oil dips as caution about data-heavy week offsets Mid-East war boost
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Oil prices slipped $1 a barrel on Monday as investors adopted caution ahead of the Fed policy meeting and China's manufacturing data later this week, offsetting support from geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. "Despite an escalation in the Hamas-Israel war, the ground invasion was widely expected," Teng said. "The weekend playout signals no further expansion into a wider regional war, which caused a retreat in oil prices." Last week, Brent and WTI marked their first weekly fall in three weeks as developments in the Middle East keep investors on edge and prices volatile. 2 oil consumer after Beijing launched a burst of supportive policy measures.

Persons: Tina Teng, Brent, WTI, Israel, stoking, Teng Organizations: Raffles, Brent, West Texas, Federal Reserve, Apple Inc, CMC Locations: Yantai, East China's Shandong province, Gaza, Hamas, Israel, China, Beijing

☆ Singapore bank UOB sees stronger 2024 outlook, third-quarter net profit trails estimate
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The United Overseas Bank (UOB) building is pictured in the Raffles Place financial district in Singapore on August 10, 2023. Singapore's United Overseas Bank , or UOB, expected a stronger outlook for next year including better loan and fees growth, as it reported on Thursday a weaker-than-expected 1% drop in third-quarter net profit from a year earlier. UOB, Singapore's third-largest bank by assets, projected mid single-digit loan growth and double-digit fee growth for its 2024 outlook, versus low-to-mid single-digit loan growth and high single-digit fees growth for this year's outlook. UOB said July-September net profit dropped to S$1.38 billion ($1 billion) from S$1.40 billion a year earlier, mainly on the back of higher allowances for credit and other losses, as well as Citigroup integration costs. The profit was lower than the mean estimate of S$1.46 billion from four analysts polled by LSEG.

Persons: Wee Ee Cheong, UOB's, UOB Organizations: United Overseas Bank, Raffles, Singapore's United Overseas Bank, Citigroup, LSEG Locations: Singapore, Southeast, ASEAN

☆ World’s 50 best hotels for 2023 revealed
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Tamara Hardingham-Gill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

London CNN —It opened just over a year ago, but a luxurious 24-key Italian property has already been named the best hotel in the world. Passalacqua, which overlooks Lake Como, beat off stiff competition to receive the top spot on the first-ever edition of the World’s 50 Best Hotels list, which was announced at an awards ceremony in the UK on Tuesday night. The highly-anticipated list honored 50 hotels from 35 destinations across the world. “After seeing the devastating impact of Covid-19 on the hospitality industry, it’s been especially fulfilling to see so many hoteliers from around the world gather in London to celebrate each other’s achievements under one roof for the first-ever awards ceremony of The World’s 50 Best Hotels,” Tim Brooke-Webb, managing director for the World’s 50 Best Hotels, said in a statement. The World’s 50 Best Hotels: Full list1.

Persons: –, Aman Tokyo, ’ Capello, Aman, Rosewood São, ” Valentina De Santis, Passalacqua, Silvio Vettorello, Vincenzo Bellini, ”, De Santis, it’s, Tim Brooke, Webb, Soneva, Chablé, Aman Venice, Le Sirenuse, Borgo, Royal Mansour, São, Cheval Blanc, Soneva Jani, Eden, Oberoi, Hôtel de Crillon Organizations: CNN, London CNN, Firenze, Rosewood, ’ Capello Bangkok, Capella, Hudson Yards, NoMad, CNN Travel, Somerset, Park, Eco, Hospitality, Lodges, Hotel Academy, Singita, Raffles, Madrid, Capella Singapore, Le Bristol Paris, Hyatt Kyoto, Hoshinoya, Atlantis, Equinox Locations: London, Lake Como, Europe, Florence, Asia, Rosewood Hong Kong, Bangkok, Chao Phraya, Hong Kong, Capella Bangkok, Aman New York, York, Hudson, Connaught, Rosewood São Paulo, Brisbane, South Africa, Scotland, Bruton , Somerset, Utah, Italy, Aman Tokyo, Mamounia, Marrakech, Morocco, Soneva Fushi, Maldives, Puerto Vallarta , Mexico, Australia, Chocholá, Mexico, Claridge’s, Raffles Singapore, Wanokaka, Indonesia, Tulum, France, São Paulo, Brazil, Kyoto, Japan, Réserve, Paris, Auchterarder, Du, Antibes, Somerset, Bruton, United Kingdom, Sri Lanka, Hoshinoya Tokyo, Bali, Barths, Siam, Badrutt’s, Moritz, Switzerland, Dubai, Agra, India, Spain

☆ Oil prices rise on supply deficit concerns
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The "Bay Drill 3" jack-up drilling rig is pulled by a tugboat at CIMC Raffles' construction base in Yantai, East China's Shandong province, April 26, 2023. Oil prices rose in early trade on Tuesday for the fourth consecutive session, as weak shale output in the U.S. spurred further concerns about a supply deficit stemming from extended production cuts by Saudi Arabia and Russia. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 90 cents, or 1%, to $92.38, by 0018 GMT, just under a 10-month high reached on Monday, while global oil benchmark Brent crude futures rose 27 cents, or 0.3%, to $94.70 a barrel. U.S. oil output from top shale-producing regions is on track to fall to 9.393 million barrels per day in October, the lowest level since May 2023, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said on Monday. Those estimates come after Saudi Arabia and Russia this month extended a combined 1.3 million barrels per day of supply cuts to the end of the year.

Persons: Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Organizations: Raffles, U.S . West Texas, Brent, U.S . Energy, Administration, Saudi Arabia's Energy Locations: Yantai, East China's Shandong province, U.S, Saudi Arabia, Russia

☆ Historic war office used by Winston Churchill is transformed into luxury Raffles London hotel
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Tamara Hardingham-Gill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

But in a few weeks time, the former Old War Office in London, Whitehall will finally open its doors after a multi-million-dollar transformation. Previously home to the operations of military leaders like Winston Churchill, the property has been reinvented as the UK’s first Raffles hotel, with luxurious rooms starting at £1,100 (around $1,392) per night. Monumental buildingA rendering of luxury hotel Raffles London at The OWO, located at the former home to the war offices of military leaders such as Winston Churchill. And according to Jill O’Hare, director of sales and marketing for Raffles London, there was as much restoration as there was construction during the extensive process of transforming the historic building into a luxury hotel. Steeped in historyThis grand staircase is one of the standout features at Raffles London at The OWO, which is scheduled to open in late September.

Persons: London CNN — It’s, Winston Churchill, London’s, Thierry Despont, Ian Fleming, James Bond, Armenian hoteliers, Sir Stamford Raffles, ” Philippe Leboeuf, Jill O’Hare, ”, Churchill, Granville, Christine Granville, Krystyna Skarbek, Raffles, “, Mauro Colagreco, Endo Kazutoshi, Leboeuf Organizations: London CNN, Raffles, British Naval Intelligence, CNN Travel, Raffles London, Army, Horse Locations: London, Whitehall, Raffles London, French, Armenian, Singapore, Polish, Argentine, Mayfair, Buckingham

☆ Oil eases on stronger dollar, China demand concerns
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices eased on Monday after seven straight weeks of gains supported by tightening supply on OPEC+ output cuts, as concerns about China's faltering economic recovery and a stronger dollar weighed. Oil may be range-bound this week as China's sluggish economic recovery and a stronger U.S. dollar could depress prices, but OPEC+ would do whatever it takes to keep supply tight and stabilize markets, CMC Markets analyst Tina Teng said. A Russian warship fired warning shots at a cargo ship in the Black Sea on Sunday, ratcheting up tensions in a key area for commodities exports from Ukraine and Russia. "Escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine has raised the prospect of disruption to trade in the Black Sea," ANZ analysts said in a note, adding that the Black Sea handles around 15%-20% of oil that Russia sells. In the U.S., the number of operating oil rigs held steady at 525 last week, after falling for eight weeks in a row, according to Baker Hughes weekly report.

Persons: Tina Teng, Brent, Baker Hughes Organizations: Raffles, Brent, West Texas, U.S, Federal, CMC, Organization of, Petroleum, International Energy Agency, ANZ Locations: Yantai, East China's Shandong province, OPEC, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Russian, Ukraine, U.S

☆ Sun bear: World's smallest bear finally has its time in the sun. But is that a good thing?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-05 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Hong Kong CNN —The world’s smallest bear is finally having its moment in the sun – thanks to a viral video that sparked a conspiracy theory on Chinese social media. “With all the media attention surrounding the (sun bear videos) we have a good opportunity to further educate ourselves to save this species.”Taronga Zoo is not alone. A sun bear inside at the Vietnam bear rescue centre, in Tam Dao national park, Vinh Phuc, Vietnam, 09 July 2019. Cubs are especially cute and docile and can be easily tamed compared to bigger and more aggressive bears, said bear expert Dave Garshelis, chair of the IUCN SSC Bear Specialist Group. Will the viral videos actually help save these amazing bears?

Persons: Angela, ”, Wong Siew Te, Wong, Taronga zookeeper Logan Dudley, “, ” Afiqah Nasir, Bosco Chan, ” Chan, Minh Hoang, Dave Garshelis, Thomas Stamford, Garshelis, Shao Zhenzhen Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, CNN, Sun Bear Conservation Center, Taronga Zoo, Singapore Zoo, World Wildlife Fund, Cubs, IUCN SSC Bear Specialist Group, Thomas Stamford Raffles, Singapore Locations: Hong Kong, Hangzhou, China, Sabah, Malaysia, Southeast Asia, Sydney, Australia, Vietnam, Tam Dao, Vinh Phuc, British, Indonesia, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore

☆ Oil holds near three-month high on signs supply is tightening
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil price were little changed on Tuesday, trading near a three-month high reached on Monday, on signs of tightening global supply as producers implement output cuts and strong demand in the United States, the world's biggest fuel consumer. Brent crude futures for October were at $85.30 a barrel at 0135 GMT, down 13 cents or 0.15% lower from its close. The data showing the supply cuts coincided with U.S. figures released on Monday showing fuel demand rose to 20.78 million bpd in May, the highest since August 2019. The data from the Energy Information Administration also showed gasoline demand, expressed as product supplied to the market, surged to 9.11 million bpd, the highest since June 2022. U.S. crude oil and gasoline stockpiles were expected to have declined last week, according to a Reuters poll which estimated on average that crude inventories fell by about 900,000 barrels in the week to July 28.

Persons: Brent Organizations: Raffles, Brent, . West Texas, of Petroleum, National Australia Bank, Organization of, Petroleum, Energy, Administration Locations: Yantai, East China's Shandong province, United States, ., Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Russia

☆ There's a global shortage of nurses, says Raffles Medical Group
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailThere's a global shortage of nurses, says Raffles Medical GroupLoo Choon Yong of Raffles Medical Group says Singapore has been losing nurses to Australia and New Zealand.

Persons: Yong Organizations: Raffles, Raffles Medical Group Locations: Singapore, Australia, New Zealand

☆ Oil prices up on tighter supply, lower U.S. inflation
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Oil prices rose on Friday on support from tighter supply amid issues in Libya and Nigeria and easing U.S. inflation, which markets hope may bring an end to interest rate hikes in the world's biggest economy. U.S. consumer prices rose modestly in June at the smallest annual increase rate in more than two years as inflation continued to subside. Producer prices also barely rose in June, and the annual increase was the smallest in nearly three years. Separately, Shell has suspended loadings of Nigeria's Forcados crude oil due to a potential leak at a terminal. Saudi Arabia and Russia, the world's biggest oil exporters, this month agreed to deepen oil cuts in place since November last year, providing further support to crude prices.

Organizations: Raffles, Brent, . West Texas, U.S . Federal, ANZ Research, Shell Locations: Yantai, East China's Shandong province, Libya, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Russia

☆ Oil prices ease as worries over global economic slowdown weigh
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices eased on Wednesday, paring the previous day's gain as fears over a global economic slowdown denting fuel demand outweighed expectations of tighter supply due to output cuts announced by top exporters Saudi Arabia and Russia for August. Brent crude was down 14 cents, or 0.2%, at $76.11 a barrel by 0027 GMT, after climbing $1.60 on Tuesday. "Oil prices came under pressure again due to lingering worries over a slowdown in the global economy and further hikes of interest rates in the United States and Europe," said Tomomichi Akuta, senior economist at Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting. The latest decision by Saudi and Russia could be viewed as a bearish signal for prices, as it confirms that optimistic views on demand growth are faltering. Investors remained concerned about oil demand, however, after business surveys showed a slump in global factory activity because of sluggish demand in China and in Europe.

Persons: paring, Brent, Tomomichi Akuta Organizations: Raffles, . West Texas, Mitsubishi UFJ Research, Consulting, Saudi, OPEC, of, Petroleum, Investors, Traders, American Petroleum Institute, Reuters Locations: Yantai, East China's Shandong province, Saudi Arabia, Russia, ., Monday's, U.S, United States, Europe, China, Algeria

☆ Citi has added Accor Hotels as a transfer partner, making ThankYou points more useful for stays at brands like Fairmont, Raffles, Sofitel, and Ibis
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Joseph Hostetler | Jasmin Baron | Credit Cards Reporter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

You'll receive 500 Accor points for every 1,000 Citi ThankYou points you transfer (a 2:1 ratio). Examples of popular Accor brands are:Banyan TreeFairmontIbisRafflesSLSSofitelSwissotelAccor has now been added to the list of Citi ThankYou Rewards points transfer partners, bringing Citi's number of partners to a whopping 17. For every 1,000 Citi ThankYou points you transfer, you'll receive 500 Accor points. That's significantly lower than Insider's valuation of Citi ThankYou points at 1.6 cents apiece, on average. The best way to use Citi ThankYou points for maximum value is usually for award flights instead of free hotels.

☆ Chinese tourists flock to gambling hub Macau for Labour Day holiday
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-30 | by ( Joyce Zhou | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] A view of visitors in front of the ruins of Saint Paul's during Labour Day holiday in Macau, China, April 30, 2023. REUTERS/Lam YikMACAU, April 30 (Reuters) - Hundreds of thousands of mainland Chinese visitors have descended on the world's biggest gambling hub of Macau for the Labour Day holiday, packing tightly into its narrow cobblestone streets and placing bets in its glitzy casinos. Coco Li, a 42-year-old woman from Hubei province who was visiting with her husband, said they chose to come to Macau because travel rules had relaxed. "We've been actively working with the Macau government on our labour requirements," the company said. Reporting by Joyce Zhou in Macau; Writing by Farah Master; Editing by Jamie FreedOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Inside Qatar’s ‘city of the future’
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( Ulrike Lemmin-Woolfrey | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Like others, it has moved from the capital Doha to this, Qatar’s newest city – 10 miles north. Andrej Isakovic/AFP/Getty ImagesLusail claims to be Qatar’s first sustainable city – no easy task for a newbuild in the desert. There’s an extensive choice from food trucks at the Lusail Marina Food Arena, abundant cafes, and fine dining restaurants.”A sprawling city of the futureThe Marina area is fast proving a hit for residents. Al Tara – the district, by Al Maha Island, where Warner lives – is home to the Lusail Marina. There is a rumor – as yet unsubstantiated – that Lusail might eventually become Qatar’s capital city.

☆ Singapore's central bank warns of dim growth in 2023, but expects inflation to be significantly lower by year end
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A staff member counts Singapore dollar currency notes at Raffles Place financial business district in Singapore on October 6, 2022. However, compared with the previous quarter, GDP contracted by 0.7%, the first contraction since the second quarter of 2022. However, it expects that tighter financial conditions globally will lead to an intensified drag on global investment and manufacturing. The MAS said "growth in Singapore's major trading partners will be slower in 2023, below the pace recorded in the previous two years." The MAS expects 2023 GDP growth of between 0.5% and 2.5%, down from the 3.6% growth in 2022.watch nowSingapore's manufacturing sector makes up the largest portion of its GDP, standing at 21.6% of nominal GDP in 2022.

☆ Asia is aging rapidly. Strategists reveal stocks to cash in — including tech
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( Weizhen Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

He recommended the Global X Aging Population ETF , which includes not just health-care companies and pharmaceutical firms, but also wearables and medical device companies such as Cochlear, GN Store Nord and Teleflex. China's 'very promising bets' Investors can look to focus on China's aging population by market reach or income segment, according to Leverage Shares' Rao. As for investors looking to get exposure to China's wealthier income segment, he named Raffles Medical, Asian Healthcare Specialists and IHH Healthcare — stocks that will also give similar exposure in other Asian countries. Dividend payers and financial services High-dividend-paying stocks as well as financial services are set to benefit from the aging population, according to analysts. Another potential beneficiary of aging populations is financial services, according to Rob Clarry, investment strategist at wealth manager Evelyn Partners.

☆ Betting on the Super Bowl? Here's how it will affect your tax bill
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-11 | by ( Mike Winters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

If you win money betting on the Super Bowl this weekend, don't spend it all at once — you'll have to pay taxes on those earnings. Typically, when you win $600 or more, gambling businesses will send you and the IRS tax forms, commonly a W-2G, but sometimes a 1099-MISC for raffle or sweepstake prizes. If the winnings are $5,000 or greater, the business that processed your bet might withhold up to 31% of the proceeds for federal income tax, according to the IRS. If you didn't receive the forms, you're not off the hook, either. That total is then added to Form 1040 line 8, under "other income."

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