DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Opinion: Why Britain is so weirded out by pledging allegiance to Charles
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Opinion Laura Beers | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

In a break with tradition, the public will be invited to pledge allegiance to King Charles III during the coronation ceremony on Saturday May 6. While many Brits I’ve spoken to are simply indifferent to the proposed pledge, there has also been an unprecedent degree of public vitriol over the scheme. Yet, objections to the proposed pledge are as much about its content as its form. The proposed coronation pledge, in contrast, invites Britons to pledge their loyalty to the King, and to his “heirs and successors” – a positively undemocratic pronouncement. That complexity cannot simply be smoothed away by inviting people to pledge allegiance to the crown.

☆ Princess Cruises has unveiled its longest 116-day world cruise as extended itineraries continue to see 'record' success
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

But half of the booked customers have committed to the nine months at sea. Let's just hope they — along with the rest of these extended cruise fans — have sea legs. The Insignia. Oceania Cruises

☆ Ubben’s Inclusive sees opportunity to boost value at Dutch chemical maker and help the environment
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-08 | by ( Kenneth Squire | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

It operates through the following segments: Methanol U.S., Methanol Europe, Nitrogen U.S., Nitrogen Europe and Fertiglobe. It will be a state-of-the-art facility at the forefront of blue ammonia production and is expected to come online in 2025 and produce 1.1 million tons of blue ammonia annually. This facility will combine nitrogen with blue hydrogen to create blue ammonia. It is considered "blue" ammonia because the carbon emissions produced from the hydrogen production process are captured and stored. Second, this blue ammonia will be sold through an ammonia terminal at the port of Rotterdam that OCI owns and operates.

☆ Column: Middle East starts cleaning up its power act with renewable push
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( Gavin Maguire | Thomson Reuters | Gavin Maguire Is The Global Energy Transition Columnist. He Was Previously Asia Commodities | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Middle East renewables capacity jumped by 12.8% in 2022 from the year before, the biggest gain in percentage terms of any region last year, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The region's largest renewables producers - Iran, Israel, United Arab Emirates and Jordan - all lifted green capacity to new highs in 2022. Middle East renewable energy supply capacity increased by 12.8% in 2022 from the year beforeIn addition, Qatar, Oman and Lebanon all connected more renewable capacity in 2022 than was installed over the previous decade in those countries, IRENA data shows. In combination, these factors have fostered rapidly growing support for renewable energy development throughout the Middle East, and expectations for further accelerations in renewable capacity development in the years ahead. Asia, Middle East & Africa are the only regions that increased power sector fossil fuel emissions since 2015Asia, Africa and the Middle East are also the only regions to steadily increase power sector emissions since 2015, while Europe, North America, Latin America and Oceania have all pushed power emissions lower.

☆ Travelers are paying upwards of $267,000 for months-long cruises as extended itineraries continue to see 'record' success
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

But half of the booked customers have committed to the nine months at sea. Let's just hope they — along with the rest of these extended cruise fans — have sea legs. The Insignia. Oceania Cruises

Kishida said there were four "pillars" to Japan's new Indo-Pacific plan: maintaining peace, dealing with new global issues in cooperation with Indo-Pacific countries, achieving global connectivity through various platforms, and ensuring the safety of the open seas and skies. Japan pledged $75 billion to the region by 2030 via private investment and yen loans and by ramping up aid through official governmental assistance and grants. "We plan to expand the cooperation of the free and open Indo-Pacific framework," Kishida told the Indian Council of World Affairs. China has ramped up its military presence in the Indo-Pacific and rapidly modernised its navy while promoting its Belt and Road Initiative. "Giving voice to the priorities of the Global South is an important pillar of our G20 presidency," Modi said after his talks with Kishida.

☆ Norwegian Cruise Line says wealthy customers are still splashing out on cruise trips despite the sluggish economy
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line says passengers are still splurging on luxury trips. There's no indication that consumers are "shying away from taking cruise vacations," its CEO said. "We simply haven't seen any indication that the consumer is shying away from taking cruise vacations," Frank del Rio, the CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, said at its earnings call Tuesday. The Miami-based company owns Norwegian Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas, and Oceania, which currently have 29 ships between them. Del Rio said that Norwegian Cruise Line reported record sales in November, in part because of Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.

☆ Norwegian Cruise 2023 profit forecast falls short; shares slide
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Feb 28 (Reuters) - Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NCLH.N) forecast for its first annual profit in three years fell short of estimates on Tuesday, as the cruise operator battles soaring fuel and labor costs. Shares fell about 7% in premarket trading after the company's first-quarter loss expectation was bigger than expected. The cruise operator forecast an adjusted profit of 70 cents per share for 2023, compared with estimates of $1.06, according to IBES data from Refinitiv. However, affluent passengers unaffected by high inflation have boosted booking volumes and occupancy rates, helping the company beat fourth-quarter revenue estimates. The "wave season" is the period during January - March where cruise operators offer special deals and discounts for the year to attract customers.

☆ US wage growth is slowing and not keeping pace with inflation — but that doesn't mean the Fed will stop hiking rates
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Growth in US wages and salaries slowed to 1% in the fourth quarter of 2022, down from 1.3% in the previous quarter. As inflation remains high, the Fed may continue hiking interest rates — meaning wage growth could continue to trend slower. Wages and salaries for civilians rose 1% in the fourth quarter from a quarter ago, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said in a Tuesday report. In real terms though, wages and salaries actually declined by 1.2% for the whole of 2022, thanks to high inflation rates. But it doesn't mean the Fed's going to walk away from hiking rates because inflation remains elevated.

You can get many thousands of dollars in value from Aeroplan points even if you never step foot on an Air Canada plane. Earn Aeroplan points with credit cards and points transfersThe Aeroplan® Credit Card is the only US credit card that earns Aeroplan points directly. So if you transferred 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, you'd end up with 20,000 Aeroplan points, plus a 5,000-point bonus for a total of 25,000 Aeroplan points. Earn Aeroplan points flying Air CanadaThe next easiest way to rack up Aeroplan points is by actually flying Air Canada, but the earning formula is going to change later this year. As far as we know, it will look like this:Basic fares: Earn 2x points per (Canadian) dollarStandard fares: Earn 3x points per (Canadian) dollarFlex/Comfort fares: Earn 3x points per (Canadian) dollarLatitude fares: Earn 3x points per (Canadian) dollarPremium economy fares: Earn 3x points per (Canadian) dollarBusiness fares: Earn 3x points per (Canadian) dollarEssentially, everything but basic economy fares will earn 3x per dollar.

☆ Ericsson shares slide as fourth-quarter earnings disappoint
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Supantha Mukherjee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The company has already announced plans to cut costs by 9 billion crowns ($880 million) by the end of 2023. The company's net sales rose in the fourth quarter, but margins, net income and core earnings fell. The company's fourth-quarter adjusted operating earnings, excluding restructuring charges, fell to 9.3 billion Swedish crowns from 12.8 billion a year earlier. Net sales rose 21% to 86 billion crowns, beating estimates of 84.2 billion. A settlement of a patent deal with Apple (AAPL.O) last month resulted in revenue of 6 billion crowns, but Ericsson also took 4 billion crowns in charges, including a provision for a potential fine from U.S. regulators and divestments.

☆ Viking cruise passengers tried to maintain their sense of humor after marine growth on the ship's hull left them trapped onboard for 10 days: 'It was a plot twist'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Passengers aboard the Viking Orion missed several port stops due to marine growth on the ship. It was to be the "trip of a lifetime," Heydrick told Insider. The Viking Orion made headlines last month after the cruise ship missed several planned port stops due to "marine growth" found in the ship's hull. Cruise liner Viking Orion (L) is moored in Melbourne's Port Philip Bay on March 24, 2020. "Viking Orion" cruise ship under the flag of Norway is seen anchored at Bodrum Cruise Port in Bodrum district of Mugla, Turkey on April 18, 2021.

☆ Travel abroad is poised 'for a big comeback' in 2023 as Americans eye trips to Asia, Europe
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-25 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Jackyenjoyphotography | Moment | Getty ImagesAmericans are poised to travel overseas in a big way in 2023. Why travel abroad is poised 'for a big comeback'D3sign | Moment | Getty ImagesThirty-one percent of Americans are more interested in international than domestic travel, according to a recent poll by tourism market research firm Destination Analysts. It cited international travel among the top three trends for 2023, saying it's poised "for a big comeback." Karl Hendon | Moment | Getty Imageswatch nowWhere travel is ramping up mostHo Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Global demand for travel has played out similarly, with most interest directed at Europe and Asia, according to Expedia data.

☆ Morocco rewrite Africa's World Cup history
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Cameroon upset holders Argentina in the opening match of the 1990 World Cup in Italy and went on to the quarter-finals while Senegal did the same to France when they began the defence of their title in 2002. Of the 160 matches played by African sides at the World Cup, only 37 have been won for a success rate below 25%. Most of Africa was still under colonial rule when the World Cup resumed after the Second World War but as countries gained independence, so CAF membership increased and Africa began to flex some muscle. HANDBALLThat achievement held out the promise that Africa would not take long to produce a World Cup winner, but only Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010 were able to make the last eight. It got even worse in Russia in 2018 when no African teams made it to the last 16, sparking serious reflection about the direction of the game on the continent.

☆ Shocks aplenty but Asia again unrepresented at business end
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Nick Mulvenney | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

DOHA, Dec 6 (Reuters) - Asia will again be unrepresented in the World Cup quarter-finals but several upset wins and vibrant displays have many in the continent feeling that the gap to the best teams is closing. Japan, South Korea and Australia made it out of the group stage for a record representation in the last 16 but none were able emulate the 2002 Taegeuk Warriors and the North Korean side of 1966 by making the quarter-finals. All the people that are involved in the football in Asia as well as Japan I think can share our happiness." Of all the success for the Asian confederation sides, Australia's progressing to the last 16 was perhaps the most surprising given they had scraped into the tournament via two playoffs. "I do believe that Asian football is getting stronger and stronger and stronger, and we're catching up quickly."

☆ The 10 countries with the least paid vacation—the U.S. is No. 2
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Ashton Jackson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The report, which reviewed data on laws governing annual statutory paid leave and paid public holidays in 197 countries, found that the United States is the second worst country for paid vacation days. NigeriaContinent: AfricaTotal Paid Vacation Days: 17According to van Rijswijk, the U.S. also falls short in the paid leave department. Though most countries have a norm of 4 weeks of paid leave, the U.S. is the only "developed country with no statutory paid leave." For employees vying for more paid vacation days or paid leave, van Rijswijk recommends advocating for yourself by expressing your needs with leadership. "Another way countries with the least paid vacation days can push for change is by putting pressure on government groups and representatives.

☆ Timberland Manager Manulife Moving Into Forest Carbon-Offset Market
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Ryan Dezember | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

One of the country’s largest timberland owners is branching out into forest-offset markets, raising a pool of cash to buy properties where sequestering the carbon in standing trees will be prioritized over cutting them down to make wood products. Manulife Investment Management, which manages on behalf of big investors about 6 million acres of timberland in the Americas and Oceania, said it is aiming to raise a $500 million fund with cash from its parent company, Toronto insurance and financial-services firm Manulife Financial Corp., and other institutional investors.

☆ India watchdog ire cools foreign banks’ ambitions
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Shritama Bose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

India is bristling at the idea of foreign regulators inspecting its entities which settle trades in government bonds, foreign exchange and more. The higher costs will make the services of European Union and British banks in India uncompetitive, prompting clients to switch to other foreign or domestic banks. Bosses of smaller foreign banks already complain in private that their returns in India are lousy. The Reserve Bank of India, for example, could in theory strike a deal that sets boundaries on on-site visits, as Singapore has done. The Indian regulators include Reserve Bank of India, Securities and Exchange Board of India and International Financial Services Centres Authority, ESMA said.

☆ Factbox: Energy crisis revives coal demand and production
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

France - The Emile Huchet coal power plant restarted in early October, only six months after it closed, according to local media. Netherlands - Dutch energy minister Rob Jetten said in June the Netherlands will remove a production cap at coal-fired energy plants to preserve gas. In June, it said it plans to "increase thermal coal production from existing mines this year maximum by 1.5 million tonnes". Spain - The ministry for the ecological transition requested in May the delay of Endesa's As Pontes coal power station closure. (** Note that Ukraine's government has stopped releasing coal production data since the start of the war).

☆ The Chase Sapphire Reserve's 80K bonus is effectively a blank airline ticket — here's how to use it to get (almost) anywhere in the world
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( Joseph Hostetler | Credit Cards Reporter | Read More | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

By transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards® points to airline partners, you can fly just about anywhere on earth. Show more Regular APR 19.99% - 26.99% Variable Editor's Rating 4.65 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4.65 out of 5 Stars Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available. By transferring 80,000 Chase points to Southwest, you can expect an average value of $1,120 in free flights. You can save quite a few Chase points if you're willing to pay a bit in taxes, however. Bottom lineThe 84,000 Chase points you'll have after opening the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and meeting its minimum spending requirement is basically a blank airline ticket to nearly anywhere on earth's surface.

Below are the details of NavIC's inception, why India wants smartphone makers to adopt it and how the system compares to other global or regional navigation systems. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterNavIC, or Navigation with Indian Constellation, is an independent stand-alone navigation satellite system developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Like GPS, there are three more navigation systems that have global coverage - Galileo from the European Union, Russia-owned GLONASS and China's Beidou. QZSS, operated by Japan, is another regional navigation system coveringAsia-Oceania region, with a focus on Japan. India says NavIC is conceived with the aim of removing dependence on foreign satellite systems for navigation service requirements, particularly for "strategic sectors."

☆ The Winter Olympics don’t really represent the world: Costs, climate and quotas keep the majority off the podium
▼ + stars: | 2022-02-21 | by ( Amy Woodyatt Cnn Graphics Carlotta Dotto Marco Chacon | Amy Woodyatt | Marco Chacon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +25 min

That’s five times more than the number of teams represented in the first Winter Games in Chamonix, France in 1924. “They want to keep the girls pretty, in a special way,” Bonaly told CNN Sport as she reflected on her career. India has never won a medal at the Winter Games and does not have a prominent winter sports federation, Keshavan told CNN Sport. Shiva Keshavan of India reacts following run 3 during the Luge Men's Singles on day two of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games. Hopefully, it just encourages more and more Black athletes to come out to winter sports and not just Black athletes, winter sports for everybody.

With the launch of the new Chase Aeroplan credit card, there are now more ways than ever to earn Air Canada Aeroplan points. How to earn Aeroplan pointsUnder the new scheme, Aeroplan members can earn points (not miles) in a number of ways. Earn Aeroplan points with credit cards and points transfersThe new Aeroplan® Credit Card is the only US credit card that earns Aeroplan points directly. So if you transferred 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points, you'd end up with 20,000 Aeroplan points, plus a 5,000-point bonus for a total of 25,000 Aeroplan points. As far as we know, it will look like this:Basic fares: Earn 2x points per (Canadian) dollarStandard fares: Earn 3x points per (Canadian) dollarFlex/Comfort fares: Earn 3x points per (Canadian) dollarLatitude fares: Earn 3x points per (Canadian) dollarPremium economy fares: Earn 3x points per (Canadian) dollarBusiness fares: Earn 3x points per (Canadian) dollarEssentially, everything but basic economy fares will earn 3x per dollar.

☆ Peste un miliard de doze de vaccinuri anti-COVID-19, administrate în lume, la mai puțin de cinci luni de la începerea campaniei de imunizare
▼ + stars: | 2021-04-25 | by ( Publika.Md - Aici Sunt Știrile | ) www.publika.md time to read: +1 min

Peste un miliard de doze de vaccinuri anti-Covid au fost administrate în întreaga lume, la mai puțin de cinci luni de la începerea primelor campanii de imunizare în masă. Potrivit unui bilanţ a celor de la AFP, întocmit pe baza datelor oficiale, mai mult de jumătate din totalul acestor doze a fost administrate în trei ţări. Statele Unite cu 225,6 milioane de doze, China cu 216,1 milioane de doze și India cu 138,4 milioane. Totodată, în Uniunea Europeană, în total au fost administrate circa 128 de milioane de doze. În timp ce majoritatea țărilor sărace au început recent să vaccineze, în principal datorită mecanismului Covax, campania de imunizare rămâne un privilegiu al țărilor cu venituri ridicate.

Persons: El Organizations: Uniunea Europeană, Moderna, Sputnik Locations: Statele Unite, China, India, Israel, Africa, Oceania, Oxford

Cel puţin 1.002.938.540 de doze au fost injectate în 207 de ţări sau teritorii, conform acestui bilanţ întocmit pe baza datelor oficiale. Mai mult de jumătate din total (58%) au fost administrate în trei ţări: Statele Unite (225,6 milioane), China (216,1 milioane) şi India (138,4 milioane). Dar, raportat la populaţie, Israelul este liderul, circa şase din zece israelieni fiind deja complet vaccinaţi, relatează AFP, citată de Agerpres. În timp ce doza cu numărul 500 de milioane a fost administrată după patru luni, la 25 martie, a durat mai puţin de o lună pentru a dubla datele. Ţările cu venituri mici se mulţumesc deocamdată cu 0,2% din doze.

Persons: El Organizations: Israelul, Agerpres, Emiratele Arabe Unite, OMS, Banca Mondială, Moderna, Sputnik Locations: Statele Unite, China, India, Emiratele Arabe, Chile, Bahrein, Uruguay, Maltei, Ungariei, Franţa, Germania, Italia, Spania, Africa, Tanzania, Madagascar, Burkina Faso, Ciad, Burundi, Republica Centrafricană, Eritreea, Oceania, Vanuatu, Samoa, Kiribati, Asia, Coreea de Nord, Caraibe, Haiti, Oxford

Search resuls for: "oceania"

25 mentions found