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☆ World’s worst polluted cities are in Asia - India’s Begusarai topping IQAir report
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

“We see that in every part of our lives that air pollution has an impact,” said IQAir Global CEO Frank Hammes. “And it typically, in some of the most polluted countries, is likely shaving off anywhere between three to six years of people’s lives. Central and South Asia were the worst performing regions globally, home to all four of the most polluted countries last year: Bangladesh, Pakistan, India and Tajikistan. South Asia is of particular concern, with 29 of the 30 most polluted cities in India, Pakistan or Bangladesh. One bright spot is increasing pressure and civic engagement from communities, NGOs, companies, and scientists to monitor air quality.

Persons: ”, Frank Hammes, Hammes, “ What’s, IQAir, Chiang Mai, that’s, ” Hammes Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Health, IQAir, WHO, Dhaka, CNN, America, Reuters Locations: Hong Kong, Asia, India, India’s Bihar, Guwahati, Assam, Delhi, Mullanpur, Punjab, South Asia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Lahore, New Delhi, Finland, Estonia, Puerto Rico, Australia, New Zealand, Bermuda, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius, French Polynesia, Canada, Alberta, United States, Minneapolis, Detroit, Columbus , Ohio, Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles, China, Beijing, Hotan, Southeast Asia, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Bangkok, Africa, South America, Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Chad

☆ 34-year-old mom dropped $50,000 to cruise the world with her family: 'It was some of the best money I ever spent'
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( Michelle Schroeder-Gardner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Last year, I paid $50,000 to go on a four-month cruise that took my family and me to 30 countries. I see the money spent as an investment — not just in travel, but in a collection of memories that we will treasure forever. "Our room for four months months on the cruise, with our balcony view." Photo: Michelle Schroeder-GardnerI bonded with my family in a unique wayAfter our daughter was born, the idea of a world cruise piqued our interest. For example, when we lived on our sailboat, we spent six months in the Bahamas every year.

Persons: Michelle Schroeder, Gardner, Sultan, We're Organizations: Santa Cruz de La Locations: Cartagena , Colombia, Florida, Moorea, French Polynesia, Panama, Polynesia, New Zealand, Asia, Bahamas, Sultan Qaboos, Oman, Australia, Thailand, Turkey, Montenegro, Spain, Mexico, Canary, Santa Cruz de, Santa Cruz de La Palma

☆ For years, I dreamed of overwater bungalows in destinations like the Maldives and Tahiti. Then, I found one just a 6-hour flight away in Belize.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

I dreamed of overwater bungalows in places like the Maldives but dreaded the long flight there. And I believed the best place to create that experience would be in an overwater bungalow — the epitome of a luxury tropical vacation. Levente Bodo/Getty ImagesThere's a reason overwater bungalows aren't as popular in the CaribbeanOverwater bungalow resorts are more than 55 years old. And Ra'iātea's calm waters made it the ideal place for an overwater bungalow, Kelley said. My first overwater bungalow stay reminded me I don't need to hop on an all-day flight to experience the accommodation.

Persons: —, Levente Bodo, — Jay Carlisle, Hugh Kelley, Donald McCallum —, Hugh Kelley's, Vaihiria Kelley, Kelley, Condé, hasn't, Monica Humphries Organizations: Service, Levente, Muy'Ono Locations: Maldives, Central America, Caribbean, Belize, Tahiti, Polynesia, Moorea, Bali, Ra'iātea, South Pacific, Montego Bay, Jamaica, Aruba, Panama, Antigua, Mexico, St, Lucia, Vincent, Turks, Caicos, Denver , Colorado

☆ More than 1 billion people in the world now live with obesity, analysis finds
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Mira Cheng | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Previous estimates by the World Obesity Federation suggested that there would be 1 billion people living with obesity by 2030, but that number was already surpassed in 2022, Ezzati said. The analysis focused on rates of underweight and obesity, both forms of malnutrition that are detrimental to people’s health. Obesity rates among children and adolescents worldwide increased fourfold from 1990 to 2022, while obesity rates among adults more than doubled. Obesity rates are now higher than rates of underweight in two-thirds of the world’s countries, according to the analysis. These countries now have higher obesity rates than those of many wealthy industrialized countries, according to the analysis.

Persons: Majid Ezzati, Ezzati, “ We’ve, ”, “, Dr, Francesco Branca, ” Ezzati, we’ve, ” Branca, Branca, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Sanjay Gupta Organizations: CNN, Imperial College London, World Obesity Federation, World Health Organization, WHO Department of Nutrition and Food, WHO, Get CNN, CNN Health, United Nations, Fund, Nutrition Locations: Polynesia, Micronesia, Caribbean, East, North Africa, Tonga, American Samoa, Nauru, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, France, South America, Mexico, Chile

☆ I refused to let my travel dreams die when I became a mom. Here's how I budget to keep my family of 4 traveling the world full-time.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Beth Mccarter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

They maintain a modest budget by renting out their home, spending less, and embracing slow travel. We've since traveled across Europe, Mexico, French Polynesia, and most of the southern United States, all on a modest budget. AdvertisementAuthor and her husband both left teaching and are fulfilling their lifelong travel dreams. We've found that balancing frugal living and quality of life is key to living out our worldschooling dreams while maintaining financial stability. By living out my travel dreams, I'm showing my children, especially my daughter, that your dreams shouldn't die when you become a mom.

Persons: Beth McCarter, —, I'm, that's, I'd, we're, We've, I've, isn't, COVID, worldschooling, Worldschooling isn't Organizations: Service, Travel, Disney, slobbery bulldogs Locations: Tahiti, Europe, Mexico, French Polynesia, United States, Texas, France, Asia

☆ Disney is releasing a 'Moana' sequel in theaters this Thanksgiving
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

On Wednesday, Disney CEO Bob Iger revealed that the untitled Disney Animation film slated for Thanksgiving is a sequel to the beloved 2016 film "Moana." Disney's animation studios — Walt Disney Animation and Pixar — have struggled at the box office in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. The decision trained parents to seek out new Disney titles on streaming, not theaters, even when Disney opted to return its films to the big screen. As a result, no Disney animated feature from Pixar or Walt Disney Animation has generated more than $480 million at the global box office since 2019. A sequel to "Moana" will arrive about six months after the theatrical release of "Inside Out 2," a sequel to the hit 2015 animated film about what really goes on inside a person's head.

Persons: Bob Iger, Iger, Pixar — Organizations: Disney, Walt Disney Animation, Pixar, CNBC PRO Locations: Polynesia

☆ I'm a travel expert and often travel with my family. These 5 romantic destinations are surprisingly great for families.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Taryn White | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

In fact, the world is brimming with destinations that effortlessly cater to both lovebirds and jet-setting families, merging fine dining, lavish lodging, and kid-approved activities. Go adventuring in St. LuciaSt. Lucia holds a special place in my family's hearts, as one of our first international destinations. Taryn White says that while CrossKeys Vineyard is great for couples, families with kids can also enjoy the atmosphere. Courtesy The Trip Wish ListFor those seeking a luxurious family retreat, there are many options, like Salamander Middleburg in Loudoun County. It also has family suites complete with bunk beds or twin beds, ensuring that everyone has plenty of space to unwind after a day of sightseeing.

Persons: —, I've, Lucia St, Lucia, Bean, there's, Walsh, Taryn White, CrossKeys, Paris isn't, Gigi, Angelina Organizations: Service, des Pitons, Gros, Petit, Resorts, Aurora, Aurora Entertainment, Virginia Wine, Veritas, Keswick Hall, Michelin, Jardin du, Jardin des, Louvre Museum, Fish Locations: Maldives, French Polynesia, Caribbean, St, Sulphur Springs, New Jerusalem, Morne, des, Anguilla, Little Bay, Sandy Islands, Zemi, Aurora, Morais, Salamander Middleburg, Loudoun County, Albemarle County, Clifton, Paris, Jardin, Jardin du Luxembourg, Jardin des Tuileries, Hana, Makena

☆ Pacific Islands Need to Boost Digital Security to Join Undersea Cable, Says US Official
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Kirsty NeedhamSYDNEY (Reuters) - Pacific Islands nations that want to connect to U.S.-funded undersea cables will need to secure their digital ecosystems to guard against data risks from China, a senior U.S. State Department official said. The United States pledged last year to jointly fund two undersea cables, to be built by Google, connecting the U.S. territory of Guam with hubs in Fiji and French Polynesia, and further branching out across remote Pacific Islands. The proposed intra-Pacific cable project has offered to branch out to Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tuvalu, Fiji, Nauru, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Cook Islands, Wallis and Futuna and the Federated States of Micronesia. China and the U.S. are jostling for influence in the Pacific Islands with competing offers for infrastructure. The Solomon Islands, which struck a security pact with Beijing, is rolling out a Chinese-funded mobile network built by Chinese telecommunications company Huawei.

Persons: Kirsty Needham SYDNEY, Nathaniel Fick, Kirsty Needham, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Pacific, U.S . State Department, United, Google, Futuna, Federated, The U.S . Department of, Washington, Sydney, Huawei, Telstra, Microsoft, U.S Locations: U.S, China, Guam, Fiji, French Polynesia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tuvalu, Nauru, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Cook Islands, Wallis, Federated States, Micronesia, The, Solomon, Beijing, Australia, Asia, Pacific

☆ Where Are People Going This Year?
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Ceylan Yeginsu | More About Ceylan Yeginsu | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

London, Rome, Tokyo, Cancún and Las Vegas, some of the most visited destinations in 2023, are still among the top places travelers are searching to go to this year, according to the travel sites Kayak and Hopper. Beach destinations like the Cayman Islands and French Polynesia are also trending destinations for 2024. “Americans are looking for fun in the sun,” said Laura Lindsay, a global travel trends expert at the travel search engine Skyscanner. “Our data shows that they are seeking out destinations with equal opportunities for relaxation and outdoor adventures.”After the extreme weather events of 2023 and overcrowding at popular destinations, travelers are also looking for cooler, less crowded spots.

Persons: ”, Laura Lindsay Locations: London, Rome, Tokyo, Cancún, Las Vegas, Cayman Islands, Polynesia

☆ Falling Domestic Fares and an A.I. Arms Race: What Travelers Can Expect in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Christine Chung | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +21 min

Arms Race: What Travelers Can Expect in 2024 At the start of what promises to be a very busy year, we look ahead at what you’re likely to encounter. With 2023 in the rearview mirror, we look ahead at what travelers will face in 2024. At United Airlines, for example, smarter software can offer rebooking options and issue food and lodging vouchers when a flight is canceled, rather than just rebooking a flight. United Airlines has suspended its flights indefinitely, said Josh Freed, a United spokesman. This year, travelers are expected to choose faraway places and board small ships, according to Virtuoso, the consortium of luxury travel agencies.

Persons: Chanelle, Hayley Berg, ” Ms, Berg, “, Robert W, Mann Jr, ”, Chad Burt, Oren Etzioni, Gilbert Ott, Hopper, Greg Forbes, Delta’s, Neville Pattinson, Mr, Pattinson, biometrics, Laura Lindsay, Joshua Smith, Smith, Laurel Brunvoll, Michael Zeiler, Airbnb, We’ve, Jamie Lane, ‘, ’ ”, Jan Freitag, “ We’ve, David Whiteside, Brian Kelly, Guy, Leigh Rowan, “ There’s, Kelly, Rowan, ” Mr, James Thornton, Sharm el Sheikh, Khaled Ibrahim, Harry Rubenstein, Rubenstein, Eyal Carlin, Josh Freed, Jack Ezon, Tom Marchant, Beth McGroarty Organizations: World Tourism Organization, International Air Transport Association, Analysts, Express Global, ”, airfare, University of Washington, United Airlines, Transportation, Administration, Salt Lake, International Airport, Denver International Airport, Delta Air Lines, U.S . Customs, Border Protection, La Guardia Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, biometrics, Thales, Air, American Airlines, Global, “, —, MidX Studios, LivSmart Studios, Hilton, Hyatt Studios, Accor Hotels, Boston University, Visa, Mastercard, Walmart, Target, Savanti, Chase, Intrepid Travel, Amisol Travel, East Travel Alliance, United, Consumers, Ki’ama, Wellness, Global Wellness Institute Locations: United States, Point.me, Salt, North America, London, Rome, Tokyo, Cancún, Las Vegas, Cayman Islands, Polynesia, Europe, Norway, Denmark, Air Canada, Bergen, Flam, Scandinavia, Italy, France, Malta, Slovenia, Maryland, Spain, Portugal, Britain, Egypt, India, Mexico ; Cape Girardeau, Mo, Niagara Falls, N.Y . Texas, Burnet, Sulphur Springs, New York, Vienna, Marriott, Israel, Jordan, Oman, Oman —, Tunisia, Northern Africa, Sharm, Cairo, Amisol Travel Egypt, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Ramle, Kimberley, Western Australia, Mitre, Patagonia, Ki’ama Bahamas, Bahamas, South Africa, Hudson, Tuxedo Park, N.Y, Malibu , Calif, Mexico

☆ Pope Francis considers first trip home as pontiff to ‘suffering’ Argentina
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Christopher Lamb | Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Pope Francis on Sunday said he hopes to make his first trip to his homeland of Argentina since becoming pontiff more than a decade ago, as the South American nation grapples with an economic crisis. New Argentine President Javier Milei, who once called Francis “an envoy of Satan,” last week formally invited the pontiff to the country, which faces triple-digit hyperinflation and soaring poverty. It’s a difficult moment for the country,” the 87-year-old pope told talk show “Che Tempo Che Fa,” on Italian channel Nove. The “possibility of making a trip to Argentina in the second half of the year” is being considered, possibly after a visit in Polynesia in August, Francis said. “I would make the trip to Argentina if it can be done.

Persons: Pope Francis, Javier Milei, Francis “, Satan, ”, Francis, “ Organizations: CNN, Sunday, New, ”, Warner Bros, Discovery, “ Locations: Argentina, American, New Argentine, Polynesia, Nove, Ukraine

Pope Francis said Sunday that if he can, he'll visit his native Argentina in the latter part of 2024, a trip that would see him there for the first time in his nearly 11-year-old papacy and while his fellow Argentines are suffering economically. Francis hasn't been back to his homeland since he was elected pope in 2013. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesFrancis has long been dogged by questions about why he hasn't gone home since he became pope. The pope, who had a long conversation with Milei after he won, has indicated he has forgiven him for the campaign rhetoric. “I'd like to go,'' the pope added, making a reference to the ”10 years" since he has been away.

Persons: Pope Francis, he'll, Francis hasn't, Francis, ”, Javier Milei, hasn't, Milei, “ Organizations: Sunday, Argentine Locations: Argentina, Italian, Polynesia, Argentine

☆ Pope Says He Hopes to Visit 'Suffering' Argentina This Year
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Philip PullellaROME (Reuters) - Pope Francis said on Sunday that the people of Argentina are suffering and that he hopes to be able make his first trip back to his homeland in the second half of this year. On Thursday, Argentine President Javier Milei's office said he had invited the 87-year-old Francis to visit, appearing to extend an olive branch after attacking the Catholic leader in recent years. He said an eventual trip to Argentina would take place after August, when he is planning to visit some countries in Polynesia. "After that, the trip to Argentina, if it can be done, but I would like to go. Francis has made more than 40 trips outside Italy, including many in Latin America, since his election nearly 11 years ago as the first Latin American pontiff but has yet to visit Argentina.

Persons: Philip Pullella ROME, Pope Francis, Javier Milei's, Francis, Milei, It's, imbecile, Philip Pullella, Diane Craft Organizations: Argentine, Catholic Locations: Argentina, Italian, Polynesia, Buenos Aires, Italy, Latin America

☆ Deals to the Maldives, Paris and Palm Springs: How to take advantage of ‘Travel Tuesday’
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Ryan Ermey | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Shoppers compete for the best deals on merchandise and retailers compete for consumer dollars. Here's how to strategize to score the best deals, according to experts. One of the biggest open secrets in the travel industry is that the best deals on airfare aren't on advertised deals — it's the ones that are running in the background," says Scott Keyes, founder of Going.com. "Advertised sales that are slightly better than normal are nowhere near the best deals that you tend to see on flights." In the past, Air New Zealand has offered Black Friday weekend deals on flights to Australia and New Zealand.

Persons: Julie Ramhold, it's, Ramhold, It's, Scott Keyes, Keyes Organizations: Black, DealNews.com, Air New Zealand, Discount, Bee Locations: Palm Springs, Maldives, U.S, Australia, New Zealand, Emirates, Athens, Milan, Paris, French Polynesia

☆ Australia to form rapid cyber assist teams for Pacific Islands
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A man holds a laptop computer as cyber code is projected on him in this illustration picture taken on May 13, 2017. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Australia said on Wednesday it would spend A$26.2 million ($17 million) to establish "rapid assistance" teams to respond to cyber crises in the Pacific region, and another A$16.7 million to identify cyber vulnerabilities in the Pacific Islands. The cyber security boost comes after Australia and the United States committed last month to funding two new undersea cables to be rolled out by Google in the Pacific Islands to increase connectivity for eight remote island countries. Minister for the Pacific Pat Conroy said the rapid response teams would "build long-term resilience in the Pacific" and provide critical support. A second undersea cable would connect the United States to Australia via French Polynesia.

Persons: Kacper, Pacific Pat Conroy, Kirsty Needham, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Google, Pacific, Thomson Locations: Australia, Pacific, United States, Fiji, French Polynesia

Trautman purchased a 53-foot sailboat called the SV Delos for $398,000 with a $81,000 down payment. WE SailSince he started traveling the world by boat, Trautman has visited over 45 countries and has racked up 70,000 ocean miles. When Sierra turned four months old, the now family of three returned to life on the sailboat. To stay connected with their family members on land, Trautman says they have their loved ones visit them when they are docked. The couple stays connected to their family online and by planning trips to places they're docked.

Persons: Brian Trautman, Trautman, maxed, Karin, Sierra Organizations: Microsoft, CNBC, SV Delos, YouTube, Sailing SV Delos, WE Locations: Redmond , Washington, Bellingham , Washington, New Zealand, Polynesia, Sweden, Caribbean, Philippines, they're

☆ Pacific Islands leaders confirm former Nauru president as next top official
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nauru President Baron Divavesi Waqa addresses the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York, U.S., September 26, 2018. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Nov 10 (Reuters) - The Pacific Islands Forum confirmed the selection of former Nauru President Baron Waqa as the 18-member bloc's next top official at a meeting on Friday in the Cook Islands. Current Nauru President David Adeang had abruptly left the annual leaders meeting a day earlier after objections were raised by at least one Pacific Islands leader over Waqa's nomination. Adeang did not travel with the other leaders to the island of Aitutaki, where meetings resumed on Friday. "I inherited a fractured Pacific forum.

Persons: Baron Divavesi Waqa, Eduardo Munoz, Baron Waqa, bloc's, David Adeang, Adeang, Waqa, Sitiveni Rabuka, Henry Puna, Kirsty Needham, Tom Hogue Organizations: United Nations General Assembly, REUTERS, Rights, Pacific Islands Forum, Nauru, Fiji, Thomson Locations: Nauru, U.N, New York, U.S, Cook, Aitutaki, Taiwan, China, Micronesia, Polynesia, Melanesia

☆ Citigroup considers deep job cuts for CEO Jane Fraser’s overhaul, called 'Project Bora Bora'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Hugh Son | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Fraser is under mounting pressure to fix Citigroup, a global bank so difficult to manage that its challenges consumed three predecessors dating back to 2007. Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Citigroup's stock has been mired in a slump under CEO Jane Fraser. While competitors have been cutting jobs this year, Citigroup's staff levels remained at 240,000. That leaves Citigroup with the biggest workforce of any American bank except the larger and far more profitable JPMorgan. Executives will see cuts beyond 10% because of Fraser's push to eliminate regional managers, co-heads and others with overlapping responsibilities, they said.

Persons: Citigroup Jane Fraser, Alex Wong, Jane Fraser, Fraser, JPMorgan Chase, James Shanahan, Edward Jones, Mike Corbat, they'll, Mike Mayo, Titi Cole, Citigroup's, Cole, Wells, I'm, Dana Neibert Organizations: Citigroup, Financial Services, Rayburn House, JPMorgan, Citi, Bank of America, Boston Consulting, Bank, Getty, Operations Locations: Washington , DC, U.S, Wells Fargo, Tahiti, Polynesia

☆ Storylines Residential Cruise Faces Backlash From Investors, Ex-Employees
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Kate Taylor | Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +31 min

Storylines' first cruise ship was initially scheduled to launch in 2019; it's now set for December 2026. Nine former employees, consultants, and investors told Insider that they'd come to doubt the MV Narrative would ever be built. The only existing residential cruise ship is The World. Many Storylines buyers remain optimistic about the residential cruise ship. "The ball is in your court," Punton told buyers in July in a video that's since been taken down.

Persons: Alister Punton, Punton, Shannon Lee, Mike Kasperzak, Jim Holt, Holt, Angela Nuran, Paul Cosentino, Cosentino, We're, Lee, it's, Alexandre Caillol, Condé, superyachts, Sean Fremder, Weeks, Caillol —, —, Marco Polo —, PitchBook, Alexandra Zodian —, Caillol, Michael Edwards, Edwards, he'd, Martin Buggy, Melissa Edyvean, Edyvean, Paul Read, Salvatore R, Mercogliano, Pat Helmers, Helmers, Michael Perisi, Andrew Lentz, didn't, Lentz, Wrocław . Lentz, Andrew, I'm, Lee ., Dick Rosman —, Lee —, Krzysztof Kontek, Kontek's, Michal Jackiewicz, Brodosplit, Brian Martin, Read, Nuran, We've, he's, New Zealand —, Kasperzak, " Lentz Organizations: Punton, Army, West —, Industry, CNN, Brodosplit, Regent Seven Seas, Wall Street Journal, Korea's Samsung Heavy Industries, Utopia, Beverly Hills, Rock City, The Raiders, Raiders, Holland America's, Mariners, New Zealand Locations: massages, Croatian, Beverly, Punton, Queensland, Australia, Broadbeach, California, Rock, Brisbane, Netherlands, Caillol, Polynesia, French Polynesia, France, London, Australian, British, Delaware, Sweden, Tahiti, Perth, Ecuador, Poland, Wrocław, Mexico, Florida, New

☆ Chair hogs, dining divas and boorish boozers: Is cruising etiquette lost at sea?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( Forrest Brown | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

When it comes to uncouth, uncultured and downright unacceptable behavior on ships, experts in travel etiquette and cruising have seen it all. Chair squattingNow this is a true prize on a cruise ship — empty lounge chairs! Jeff R Clow/Moment RF/Getty ImagesIt’s a quintessential cruising experience – hanging out on the deck enjoying the sun and sea. Ramunas Bruzas/Alamy Stock PhotoVertical travel within a cruise ship is another place where things can go sideways. In the end, Leighton said basic good manners applicable to living in general will serve you on a cruise ship.

Persons: CNN —, You’re, looter, Nick Leighton, Angel Wilson, Scotsman, ’, ”, Wilson, Andrew Matthews, Maryanne Parker, Manners, Patience, ” Parker, Jeff R, “, Leighton, ” Leighton, …, ” Wilson, Ramunas, gripes Wilson, Costa, Frans Lemmens, Parker, Don’t, Anthony Devlin, there’s, they’re, l'amour, it’s, Puff Organizations: CNN, CNN Travel, MSC, Getty, Cruise, Alamy, Royal Caribbean, Disney Locations: Port, Southampton, England, “, NAPA, overindulging, Opunohu, Moorea, French Polynesia, Royal Caribbean, Caribbean, Japan

☆ I Paid for My Dream Honeymoon With Credit Card Points—Here’s How I Did It
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Emily Sherman | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +6 min

Our first year of dating, we took a spontaneous trip to Iceland paid for with points from a Chase Sapphire Preferred card (his) and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (mine). Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Learn More Base rewards rate: 2xBonus rewards: 10x on hotels and rental cars, plus 5x on flights, if booked through Capital One; 10,000-mile annual bonus. After researching a number of hotel-branded cards, the $99 a year IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card emerged as the best fit for this trip. Sign-up bonus: 140,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 in the first three months. With a few weeks to go before the big day, I’m excited to say our trip is booked and paid for almost entirely with credit card points.

Persons: Emily Sherman, I’ve Organizations: Texas Capitol, Chase Sapphire, Venture, Air Tahiti, Intercontinental Tahiti Locations: Texas, Iceland, Austin , Texas, Maldives, Polynesia, IHG

Pacific islands leaders gathered Monday for the start of a two-day Washington summit. As part of the summit, the U.S. is formally establishing diplomatic relations with two South Pacific nations, the Cook Islands and Niue. Biden announced Monday that later this year he would deploy a U.S. Coast Guard vessel to the region to collaborate and train with Pacific islands nations. The administration pledged the U.S. would add $810 million in new aid for Pacific islands nations over the next decade, including $130 million on efforts to stymie the impacts of climate change. The leaders will also meet on Monday with Biden's special envoy on climate, John Kerry, for talks focused on climate change.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, ” Biden, “, Antony Blinken, Niue Premier Dalton Tagelagi, Mark Brown, Brown, ” Brown, John Kerry, Linda Thomas, Greenfield, Kerry, Samantha Power, Janet Yellen, Anthony Albanese Organizations: WASHINGTON, Monday, Pacific Islands Forum, South Pacific, Niue Premier, Cook Islands, U.S ., U.S, Corporation, NFL, U.S . Coast Guard, White House, State Department, U.S . Agency for International Development, USAID, Marshall, Federated, Australian Locations: Washington, United States, U.S, Cook Islands, Niue, Cook, Australia, Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia , New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Baltimore, Pacific, Federated States, The U.S

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is set to announce the opening of new U.S. embassies on Cook Islands and Niue on Monday as the Democratic administration aims to demonstrate to Pacific Island leaders that it remains committed to increasing American presence in the region. The announcement about the new diplomatic missions in the South Pacific comes as Biden prepares to welcome leaders to Washington for the two-day U.S.-Pacific Island Forum Summit. Talks are expected to heavily focus on the impact of climate change in the region. They also will meet on Monday with Biden's special envoy on climate, John Kerry, for talks focused on climate change. Kerry and USAID administrator Samantha Power will host the leaders on Tuesday for climate talks with members of the philanthropic community.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Karine Jean, Pierre, John Kerry, Antony Blinken, Linda Thomas, Greenfield, Samantha Power, Janet Yellen, Manasseh Sogavare, Meltek Sato Kilman, Ishmael Kalsakau, Anthony Albanese Organizations: WASHINGTON, Democratic, Forum, White, Baltimore Ravens, Coast Guard, U.S . Coast Guard, White House, Pacific, State Department, USAID, Marshall, Federated, Solomon Islands, General Assembly, The U.S, Australian Locations: Cook Islands, Niue, South, Washington, Baltimore Harbor, Australia, Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia , New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Kerry, Federated States, The U.S, Solomon, New York, China, Papua, Guinea, The

☆ Beware Tech Billionaires Building Brand New Cities - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-17 | by ( Molly Turner | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

But with so many tech investors at the helm who are eager to pilot new technologies like flying cars, I’m not optimistic. It’s challenging to transform our existing cities and to pilot new tech solutions on our streets. Wouldn’t it be easier to test new technologies, business models and government structures in cities free of pesky people? Market them to people who choose to join and see what the world learns.”But, these new cities are never really built from scratch. Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Twitter (@NYTopinion) and Instagram.

Persons: Technotopians, they’ve, they’re, That’s, Lonsdale, Solano, They’ve, ” John Garamendi, we’ll, Molly Turner Organizations: Democrat, Haas School of Business, University of California, New York, Facebook, Twitter Locations: Toronto, Polynesia, Solano County, University of California Berkeley, ”

☆ Opinion | One Thing Not to Fear at Burning Man
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( Zeynep Tufekci | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

No matter how this mess is resolved — and many there seem to be coping — the common belief that civilization is but a thin veneer that will fall apart when authority disappears is not only false, the false belief itself is harmful. Rutger Bregman, who wrote a book called “Humankind: A Hopeful History,” had read “Lord of the Flies” as a teenager like many, and didn’t doubt its terrible implication about human nature. However, Bregman got curious about whether there were any real-life cases of boys of that age getting stranded on an island. They were stranded on an island for more than a year. When one of them broke his leg, they took care of him.

Persons: Rutger Bregman, ”, Bregman Locations: Nevada, Tonga, Polynesia

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