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☆ FIFA appointment of supermodel Lima 'baffling' - ex-Council member Dodd
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 2 (Reuters) - FIFA's appointment of supermodel Adriana Lima as its global fan ambassador in a Women's World Cup year is "baffling" and sends the wrong message to players and fans, former FIFA Council member Moya Dodd said. "I asked whether the FIFA ambassador will be delivering messages on body image, wellbeing and healthy eating. A prominent women's soccer advocate, Dodd represented Australia 24 times from 1986-95 and played in FIFA's women's invitational tournament in 1988, three years before the inaugural Women's World Cup. "In a FIFA World Cup year, that's the message that should be ringing loud and true around the world. This month, Dodd criticised FIFA for a lack of understanding of the women's game amid reports that Saudi Arabia's tourism authority would sponsor the July 20-Aug. 20 World Cup.

☆ Being a digital nomad isn't just for singles. Here's how families make it work
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( Chris Dwyer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

To many, the lifestyle of a "digital nomad" is an aspirational one — you can live anywhere in the world, visa permitting, with your laptop as your office. But one factor deters many from the lifestyle: kids. He added that now more resources exist to help people learn about the digital nomad lifestyle, thanks to its growing popularity. Elledge-Penner family: 20 countriesThe beautiful Indonesian island of Bali, famed for its laidback lifestyle, is a popular destination for digital nomads. Penner said the key to making the lifestyle work for them is "connecting with people" and not approaching places "as a travel highlight hit list."

☆ Tesla and Elon Musk sued by shareholders over Autopilot safety risks after a $38 billion drop in market value, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( Ryan Hogg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Tesla shareholders are suing the EV maker and its CEO Elon Musk over its claimed self-driving capabilities. Tesla's self-driving technology is suspected to be the cause of several high-profile accidents, which have forced recalls by regulators. That coincided with a 5.7% drop in its stock price, equivalent to a $38.6 billion drop in market value for the company. According to Reuters, shareholders argued that the drop in stocks was one of several instances where shareholder value was harmed by the company's self-driving claims. Scrutiny has grown on self-driving technology in recent months, with Tesla's own cofounder Martin Eberhard calling it "crap."

Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has vowed not to allow an increase in the $31.4 trillion legal limit on federal borrowing without an agreement from President Joe Biden's Democrats in Congress to rein in federal spending. Failing to lift the debt ceiling could trigger a default on the federal government's debt that would take a heavy toll on the American and probably world economies. Vought, whose plan also calls for $150 billion in cuts, said Democratic control of the Senate makes limited austerity more politically realistic. Another Budget Committee Republican, Freedom Caucus member Ralph Norman, described in general terms a debt-ceiling playbook, backed by other conservatives, that aligned with Vought's plan. McCarthy spokesman Mark Bednar said federal spending growth was "entirely unsustainable, and House Republicans were elected to bring it to an end."

☆ Tesla recalling nearly 363,000 vehicles equipped with ‘Full Self-Driving’
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Chris Isidore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Tesla is recalling nearly 363,000 vehicles with its so-called “Full Self Driving” driver assist feature due to risks it can pose at intersections, even if the driver is paying attention and ready to take over control of the car. Tesla will attempt to fix the the FSD feature, which costs $15,000, through an over-the-air software update, the notice added. NHTSA itself has identified at least 273 crashes that involved one of Tesla’s driver assist systems. Tesla owners have filed a class-action lawsuit over the predictions and missed deadlines, which is still pending. Tesla, which has disbanded its public relations staff and has not responded to press inquiries for several years, could not be reached for comment.

Choice PrivilegesWells Fargo will soon launch a new co-branded credit card with Choice Privileges, the loyalty program of Choice Hotels. Now, Choice and Wells Fargo are teaming up to launch the new Choice Privileges® Mastercard® this spring. Here's what to know about Wells Fargo's new Choice Privileges credit card, and what its arrival means for those who already have the Barclays Choice credit card. Wells Fargo Choice Privileges Mastercard coming soonThe Choice Privileges® Mastercard® will open to applications by May 1, 2023, and at that time, existing Barclays cardholders will be converted to the new card. Unless you stay at Choice Hotels properties frequently, you'll probably want to give the Choice Privileges® Mastercard® a skip.

☆ Aspirational luxury brands doing well despite inflation, says Jan Kniffen
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailAspirational luxury brands doing well despite inflation, says Jan KniffenJan Kniffen, CEO of J. Rogers Kniffen Worldwide, joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss inflations impact on consumer discretionary spending, luxury retail doing better than low end, and Pharrell Williams taking over LVMH's artistic direction.

[1/2] A man looks at a window display outside a Gucci store, part of the Kering group, at Tsim Sha Tsui shopping district in Hong Kong January 17, 2013. But while Gucci, which accounts for the bulk of profits and revenues at Kering, was the only brand to post a fall in sales, analysts said other labels too posted lower-than-forecast results. Kering said sales fell by 15% in North America in the fourth quarter and by 19% in Asia Pacific. But the situation has been more complicated for Kering, since Gucci relies more heavily on China than competitors. LVMH's fashion and leather goods division, home to Louis Vuitton and Dior, grew sales by 10% over the fourth quarter.

You can earn Marriott points from paid stays, co-branded credit cards, or flexible points transfers. How to earn Marriott pointsEarn points from Marriott Bonvoy hotel staysThere are plenty of different ways to earn Marriott points, but let's start with the simplest: earning points on hotel stays. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. 6X Marriott Bonvoy Points on purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy4X Marriott Bonvoy Points on up to $15,000 in combined purchases per year at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets2X Marriott Bonvoy Points on all other eligible purchases1,000 Marriott Bonvoy Bonus Points with each qualifying stayComplimentary Gold Elite statusA Free Night Award (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points) after making $15,000 in purchases per year.

☆ An estimated $16 billion worth of bets will be placed on the Super Bowl
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-12 | by ( Paul R. La Monica | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —With more states legalizing gambling on sports, Super Bowl LVII will probably be the biggest event for the industry ever. But how will casino and online/mobile sports betting companies stand out in an increasingly crowded field? “We have prepared for this Super Bowl like never before,” Greenblatt said. That’s more than double the number of wagers on last year’s Super Bowl. That’s different from 2021 when customer growth was being rewarded.”That being said, both DraftKings and FanDuel still plan to advertise during this year’s Super Bowl.

Review: Is the US Bank Altitude Connect the Best Credit Card for You? How to Earn Rewards From the US Bank Altitude Connect CardThe U.S. Bank Altitude Connect has a straightforward earning structure that awards bonus points in popular spending categories. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightFees and CostsThe U.S. Bank Altitude Connect has an annual fee of $0 intro for the first year, then $95. Is the US Bank Altitude Connect card worth it? If you're looking for a metal card from US Bank, consider the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card or U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card instead.

☆ The return of El Nino could make the world even hotter — endangering a critical climate threshold
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The El Nino Southern Oscillation system is composed of El Nino and La Nina — two opposite states of fluctuation in the Earth's climate system, which can have significant consequences on weather, wildfires, ecosystems and economies across the world. An El Nino event is declared when sea temperatures in the tropical eastern Pacific rise 0.5 degrees Celsius above the long-term average. The warmest year ever recorded, 2016, started off with a powerful El Nino that helped to boost global temperatures. This lagged effect is why forecasters believe 2024 could be the first year that humanity surpasses 1.5 degrees Celsius. Weather conditions are likely to be drier than average in Indonesia during an El Nino event as rainfall moves out to the Pacific Ocean.

☆ Neiman Marcus says it's only targeting ultra-wealthy customers who can spend around $27,000 a year at the retailer
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Avery Hartmans | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Neiman Marcus is only going after millionaire shoppers who spend upwards of $27,000 there per year. Neiman Marcus was an early pandemic casualty, filing for then emerging from bankruptcy in 2020. He added that many Neiman Marcus' customers shop there 25 times per year. Like many of its fellow department stores, Neiman Marcus had operated an outlet chain, Neiman Marcus Last Call, where shoppers could find discounted designer wares. "We made a clear choice that we're going to do one thing and do it well," van Raemdonck said.

☆ Shania Twain dreams up joyful new music for post-pandemic celebrations
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( Rollo Ross | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LOS ANGELES, Feb 7 (Reuters) - After a life-threatening bout of COVID-19, five-time Grammy winner Shania Twain hopes to bring joy to the world with her new album "Queen of Me". But instead of navel gazing, Twain, 57, said she put herself in a playful frame of mind. That's the mode I'm in and I sense it with the fans as well," she said. "When I'm getting into the songwriting mode, I'm just dreaming. The country music phenomenon is ready to tour the world with her new album, starting out in Spokane, Washington, in April and finishing in Vancouver, British Columbia, in mid-November.

☆ How to snag discounts through Beni, an online shopping tool that hunts for resale deals on Poshmark, eBay, and The RealReal
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( Danni Santana | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Beni, a browser extension, helps shoppers curate resale listings while browsing retail sites online. BeniShoppers are required to download the Beni extension on Google Chrome or Safari. Then, they must enable the extension while shopping online to view resale listings. "So let's say you find a Patagonia jacket that you really love, we'd show you 20 jackets often that are exactly the same from places like eBay or The RealReal," Pinner said. In return for real-time listings data, Beni markets new resale items to customers as they shop outside of their platforms.

☆ Meet the DINKWADs: The TikTok legion making everyone jealous with their double incomes, no kids, and a dog
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-04 | by ( Juliana Kaplan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

There's a new American Dream: Becoming a DINKWAD — double income, no kids, with a dog. It stands for double income, no kids, with a dog. You can also be a DINK — double income, no kids — or a SINK, meaning single income, no kids. And then I heard the phrase DINKWAD, which is double income, no kids, with a dog. There's an increasing acceptability of not having children; there's a decreasing stigma around not having children," Pamela Aronson, a professor of sociology and an affiliate of women's and gender studies at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, told Insider.

☆ Tech layoffs strip the facade of TikTok's 'day in the life' videos
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-29 | by ( Morgan Sung | Morgan Sung Is A Trends Reporter For Nbc News Digital. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

Meta, Salesforce, Twitter, Snap and other tech companies have also announced layoffs in recent months. Others are using their platforms to raise awareness of labor rights in wake of recent layoffs. So yeah, I’m unemployed, but I have a hell of a lot of confidence in myself.”Educating viewers about their rights has also gained popularity after recent layoffs. TikTok user alberta.nyc, a Google software engineer and self-described “tech cynic," has made videos about the importance of unions in the tech industry. In a video, creator alejandra_n_h expressed solidarity with former Amazon employees who had been affected by recent layoffs.

If everyone in the world expertly utilized credit card rewards to travel for free, there wouldn't be such amazing travel opportunities out there. Identify your travel goalsBefore you begin collecting credit card rewards, you should first identify your travel goals. Amex Membership Rewards points Capital One miles Chase Ultimate Rewards points Choice Privileges points Citi ThankYou points Hilton Honors points Hyatt points IHG Rewards points Marriott Bonvoy points Wyndham Rewards pointsYou travel with a large family Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Recommended credit card strategies for beginnersThe best practice for anyone new to credit card rewards is to invest in flexible points. You'll need: An annual fee-incurring Hilton credit card One of the greatest deals in credit card rewards is the free night certificate that comes with select American Express Hilton credit cards.

☆ Kim Kardashian's Skims campaign with 'The White Lotus' breakout stars shows the power of pop culture in marketing
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-24 | by ( Alexandra York | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Kim Kardashian's shapewear brand, Skims, launched a campaign with stars of "The White Lotus." Watson added that with this campaign, Skims is leveraging characters who are both relatable and aspirational to evoke that perception of the products. Here's why the latest Skims campaign works and what other business owners can learn for their brand marketing, according to Watson. For fans of 'The White Lotus,' we feel this source of pride, like 'here's our friend getting a platform.'" "You're not going to be able to emulate the reach of Kim Kardashian overnight," he said.

☆ ‘Big Oil peddled the big lie’: UN chief slams energy giants for ignoring their own climate science
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that without further action, humanity was on course for a global temperature increase of 2.8 degrees Ceslius. "Some in Big Oil peddled the big lie," Guterres said during a special address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The study, published last week in the journal Science, said that Exxon's private projections of global temperature rise were often more accurate than world-leading NASA scientists. The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and gas, is the chief driver of the climate emergency. Guterres said that without further action, humanity was on course for a global temperature increase of 2.8 degrees Celsius.

☆ Rolls Royce and Porsche's gravity-defying sales numbers show the rich aren't cutting back on luxury spending just yet
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-16 | by ( Dominick Reuter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ultra-wealthy shoppers meanwhile have kept up spending, driving record sales for Rolls Royce and Porsche. But the 2022 sales of brands like Rolls Royce and Porsche appear to defy this financial gravity. Rolls Royce CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös. Porsche 2022 Taycan GTS and Taycan GTS Sport Turismo. While most average households are balancing the math of higher-priced eggs against shifting energy bills, an exclusive few are busy making sure the Rolls Royce they buy is one-of-a-kind.

What are credit card and bank rewards points worth? One great feature of the program is that all points are equal, so any account that earns Membership Rewards points has access to transfer partners. If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards customer, you'll earn 25% to 75% more points, depending on how much you have on deposit, but your rewards points are still worth 1 cent apiece. You can transfer points from Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, and Citi ThankYou to JetBlue, but the ratio varies depending on the rewards program. However, those miles expire after 36 months regardless of your account activity, so only transfer miles when you have immediate plans to redeem them.

How to earn Alaska Airlines milesThere are two types of Alaska miles: Elite-qualifying miles and redeemable miles. Earn Alaska miles for car rentalsYou can opt-in to earn Alaska miles when you rent cars through Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, National, or Thrifty. Redeem Alaska miles for domestic flightsOne of the most popular ways to redeem Alaska miles is for domestic award flights on Alaska and its partner American Airlines. Redeem Alaska miles for flights on partner airlinesUsing Alaska Airlines miles for award flights on partner airlines is perhaps the best way to use your Alaska miles. Donate Alaska Airlines miles to charityYou can donate your Alaska miles to over a dozen different charities, in 1,000-mile increments, and with no maximums or fees.

David Slotnick/Business InsiderAmerican Express Membership Rewards points are among the most valuable card rewards you can earn. You'll usually get the most value from Amex points by transferring them to airline and hotel partners. In fact, the Amex Membership Rewards program debuted way back in 1991 with just seven US airline partners. More Information Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. What to know about transferring Amex points to partnersAmerican Express Membership Rewards points are among the most valuable and versatile travel rewards out there.

☆ Here are 3 big luxury retail trends for 2023, according to experts
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-31 | by ( Lakshmi Varanasi | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Luxury resale will boom in 2023 as more brands take control of their second-hand markets. The personal luxury market is expected to grow 3%-8% over the next year, according to Bain & Company. This year, without those stimulus checks, and amid a possibly pending recession, there will be a shift in who is buying luxury items, according to Oliver Chen, a managing director in the retail and luxury section for investment bank Cowen. Insider chatted with four experts, from former merchandisers to retail analysts, to understand how the luxury retail market is bound to change in 2023. Next year, experts expect to see more luxury brands taking control of their own second-hand markets.

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