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☆ Investors Retreat From Commercial Real Estate Bonds
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( Sam Goldfarb | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Office vacancies are soaring in many cities, fueling concern that delinquencies and defaults will continue to climb. Prices of bonds backed by commercial mortgages have recently dropped to levels not seen since the early days of the pandemic, pointing to a growing economic threat stemming from office vacancies and rising interest rates. A small corner of the U.S. bond market, so-called commercial-mortgage-backed securities, or CMBS, have taken a beating for over a year owing to fears that owners of business parks, high-rises and other office properties could default on loans extended at a time of different work habits and lower financing costs.

☆ As National Parks Visits Surge, Booz Allen Benefits
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( Allison Pohle | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Visitors driving into Montana’s Glacier National Park this summer must buy a vehicle pass on Recreation.gov. The pass is free, but visitors pay a $2 fee to book the reservation. Visitors might assume that, like entrance fees, the reservation charges help pay for improving trails around the park’s Running Eagle Falls or expanding the park’s volunteer program. But a chunk of the money ends up with consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton Inc.

☆ Clarence Thomas said he loves RVs and Walmarts in a documentary financed by the billionaire who was taking him on luxury vacations
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( Natalie Musumeci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas once said in a documentary that he prefers RV parks and Walmarts. A new ProPublica report found Thomas has been taking luxury vacations paid for by a GOP megadonor for years. A Supreme Court spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comment by Insider on Thursday. "Justice Thomas and Ginni never asked for any of this hospitality," Crow said. "We have never asked about a pending or lower court case, and Justice Thomas has never discussed one, and we have never sought to influence Justice Thomas on any legal or political issue," said Crow.

☆ DeSantis leaves everyone on a cliffhanger on his retribution over the Disney power play: 'Buckle up'
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Ron DeSantis acknowledged Disney had "tried to pull a fast one" over control in Florida. Ron DeSantis of Florida has pledged he isn't done with trying to control Walt Disney World. DeSantis didn't say what would come next in his battle with the family-favorite company, a feud that first began in early 2022. First DeSantis signed a bill into law in April 2022 to dissolve the Reedy Creek district that oversees Disney. On his book tour stops, DeSantis frequently boasts about taking on Disney over the Parental Rights bill, which he said was necessary to protect children.

The move to integrate FedEx Ground, its outsourced package delivery arm, with the FedEx Express overnight air delivery business was announced almost a year after activist investor D.E. FedEx Express is already handling FedEx Ground's pickup and deliveries in Alaska and Hawaii - fueling concerns that Ground contractors in the lower 48 states could be let go. John Smith will become president and CEO of U.S. and Canada ground operations at FedEx Express and assume leadership of surface operations across the FedEx Express, FedEx Ground and FedEx Freight businesses from April 16. FedEx Freight will continue to provide freight transportation services as a standalone company under the Federal Express Corp banner, the company added. Shares in FedEx, which also announced a 10% dividend boost on Wednesday, were up about 2% in mid-morning trade.

☆ I did the Disney College Program 4 times and had years of free access to the parks. Here's how I got in.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( Jamie Killin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Keller participated in the Disney College program four times, working at the parks as a student. When I was 12 years old, I learned about the Disney College Program. When I got older, I learned that travel and tourism was a college degree programI went that route for my bachelor's and master's degrees while in the Disney College Program. I was there until the following August, then went back to Florida to do the Disney College Program again while I started graduate school. I had to apply for the Disney College Program each time, so I learned the process wellThe college program application just requests super basic information from you — it's not one of those long, 100-question type things.

☆ South Africa revokes 'state of disaster' declared over power crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( Kopano Gumbi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The state of disaster gave the government additional powers to respond to the crisis, including by permitting emergency procurement procedures with fewer bureaucratic delays and less oversight. The newly appointed electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said some crisis measures would remain in place. "The state is withdrawing the national state of disaster in response to OUTA's legal action challenging its rationality," said OUTA, a non-profit organisation that focuses on fighting government corruption and tax abuses. REUTERS/Esa AlexanderOUTA said the disaster regulations would have enabled corruption and that the crisis could be managed using existing laws. President Cyril Ramaphosa invoked disaster regulations on Feb. 9 to fight a paralysing power crisis that has included daily rolling power cuts by Eskom.

☆ Apple CEO Tim Cook shares his No. 1 strategy for clearing his head: 'It's better than any other thing you could possibly do'
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( Ashton Jackson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

At least, that's what Apple CEO Tim Cook does. Getting out into nature eases those tensions and helps Cook mentally reset, he told GQ on Monday. Its data showed that good health and wellbeing peaked after spending 200-300 minutes outside. Cook, who has an estimated net worth of $1.8 billion, isn't the only billionaire who prioritizes outdoor time. Take this survey and tell us how you want to take your money and career to the next level.

☆ Netflix vs. Disney? Analysts have a favorite, and give it nearly 30% upside
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( Zavier Ong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

There's plenty of competition in streaming services, but Netflix and Disney are undoubtedly two of the biggest names — and both are facing a number of headwinds. However, analysts' average potential upside tells a different story: Disney gets average potential upside of 26%, according to FactSet data, while Netflix's comes in at just 3.8%. The case for Netflix For Bank of America, Netflix is a "world class brand" with a "leading global subscriber base." "I think Netflix is certainly going to have a lot of leverage on revenue growth and cost discipline. With the kind of blended businesses and the opportunities for improvement, I think Disney is a little bit better in my favor," he said.

☆ America's Parking Addiction Hurts the Economy, Drives up Housing Costs
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Jeral Poskey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

A society committed to housing and feeding its people will ensure plenty of land is dedicated to homes and farms. According to the builder WGI, the average parking stall in the US costs $27,900 to build, more than the cost of many new compact cars. The money and resources dedicated to parking could be used for other purposes, but breaking our country's reliance on parking has been difficult. Parking accounted for about 27% of per-unit costs, regardless of whether the resident owned a car or not. Better transportation, better land use, better citiesEfforts are underway to finally rid America of its unhealthy devotion to parking.

☆ An all-female lizard species that reproduces asexually stress-eats to cope with the deafening racket of jets at a nearby military base
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Noise pollution from aircraft flyovers at Fort Carson in Colorado piqued the reptiles' anxiety. The rare, all-female species, which reproduce asexually, live exclusively in Colorado and boast long, thin tails, giving them their name. Researchers zeroed in on a collection of the reptiles located near Colorado Springs at the Fort Carson US military installation. A Javelin missile fired by soldiers with the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team heads toward a target during a live-fire training exercise on April 28, 2022 in Fort Carson, Colorado. "Behavioral responses to noise pollution often translate into stress responses, as loud noises increase cortisol levels in several species," the study authors wrote.

☆ Why fans say trips to Disney World are now 'incredibly complicated' to pull off
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Monica Pitrelli | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +12 min

But some travelers aren't thrilled about what it takes to pull off a trip to Walt Disney World these days. He said he goes to Disney World about "once a month." They will leave thinking food at Disney World is a "cheeseburger and a hot dog … which could not be farther from the truth," he said. Walt Disney World comprises four theme parks, two water parks and dozens of themed hotels, plus a shopping and entertainment area called Disney Springs. He called Disney World an "amazing spa destination" and said Disney Springs, formerly known as Downtown Disney, has shopping, live music and fantastic restaurants.

☆ The NYC park where Marjorie Taylor Greene is hosting the rally for Trump used to be an open sewer the city tried to fill in with land but it sunk (and stunk)
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Rebecca Cohen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The NYC park where Marjorie Taylor Greene is hosting a Trump rally used to be an open sewer. Collect Pond Park was then a blossoming new neighborhood, and later the center of a gang-filled slum. It took six years for the city to fill the hole that was once Collect Pond, according to the parks department. The area finally became a park in 1960Luciano Garbati's statue 'Medusa With The Head of Perseus' at Collect Pond Park on October 13, 2020. REUTERS/Brendan McDermidIt wasn't until 1960 that NYC's Board of Estimate gave the area Parks jurisdiction.

☆ Planning a trip to Disney World? Why you need a "game plan" in place
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Monica Pitrelli | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailPlanning a trip to Disney World? Why you need a "game plan" in placeLike many places, trips to Walt Disney World are all about booking in advance — hotels, restaurants, parks, even rides. Here's how the Orlando park is managing its own popularity in an era of overtourism and rapid technological change, CNBC's Monica Pitrelli reports.

☆ See the 6 private islands in the Caribbean owned by cruise lines with amenities like water parks, luxury villas, and private beaches
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-02 | by ( Hannah Towey | Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

And of course, cabanas can be rented at an extra cost. It wouldn’t be a private island owned by a cruise line without some paid amenities, after all.

☆ Gavin Newsom heckles Ron DeSantis over latest Disney power struggle, on the Florida governor's home turf
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-01 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Gavin Newsom of California praised Walt Disney World for its "masterclass" of putting Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida "back in his place" after the company created a loophole to maintain control of its land. News broke this week that a law giving the Florida governor power to take over Disney World's governing board is likely toothless. Democratic governors frequently criticize DeSantis' policies in Florida, and DeSantis last month mocked people who do so yet "end up being spotted on the beach somewhere vacationing in Florida." As for a potential 2024 GOP nomination contest between the former president and DeSantis, Newsom predicted Trump would "clean his clock."

☆ Tesla recalls semi trucks for faulty parking brakes
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Tesla has issued a recall for 35 of its new electric Semi trucks because the parking brake might not engage when applied by the driver. A Tesla Semi prototype seen durings its 2017 unveiling. PepsiCo also did not immediately respond to a request for information about its Tesla Semi truck fleet. There have been numerous reports of Tesla Semi trucks apparently breaking down on the road. Besides being fully electric, the Tesla Semi also has an unusual design in which the driver sits in the center of the cab rather on one side.

☆ Florida insiders react with shock, amusement, and dread after Disney outmaneuvers DeSantis to keep most of its power
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

It appears Walt Disney World won't be losing power over its land after all — at least not yet — following a high-profile battle with Republican Gov. "It was a pretty brilliant move by the outgoing board to basically take all the power away," one Florida-based lobbyist, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Insider. Ron DeSantis got married at Disney World in 2009. Aubrey Jewett, a political science professor at the University of Central Florida who co-authored the book "Politics in Florida," told Insider. The company told Insider in a statement that it was "discussed and approved in open, noticed public forums."

☆ These are the 10 best states in the U.S. for a long, healthy life—California didn't make the top 5
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Renée Onque | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

We already know that lifestyle choices can help influence how long you live. 40 for life expectancy when compared to other countries, according to the World Health Organization. With America's advanced healthcare system in mind, an average life expectancy of 78.5 years, prior to Covid-19, was pretty low. But there are some states where residents have a better chance at living longer lives, and it may be due, in large part, to their healthy lifestyles. Life Extension, a company that aims to "extend the healthy human lifespan," compiled federal data to determine the best states for longevity based on life expectancy at birth and eight lifestyle factors:ExerciseHealthy dietHealthy weightSleep qualityStress levelsSocial isolationProximity to parksAmount that people spend on outdoor recreationStates ranked high not only because of long life expectancies, but also if their residents live a healthy lifestyle.

☆ Fact Check-‘15-minute city’ is an urban planning concept that promotes easy access to essential amenities
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

A “15-minute city” is an urban planning model that envisions an environment where people can access amenities within a 15-minute walk, bike ride, or public transport journey from their homes. However, multiple experts who spoke to Reuters said the urban planning idea has been widely misinterpreted online. WHAT IS A 15-MINUTE CITY? Versions of a 15-minute city have been implemented in Paris and Melbourne, while other areas like Ottawa (here) and Scotland (bit.ly/3Hil13x) (page 61) have proposals in place. The 15-minute city is an urban planning concept that envisions a living environment with easily accessible essentials.

☆ Disney blocks Ron DeSantis' Florida power play with a royal family clause
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Disney used a legal clause that name checks King Charles III to apparently thwart Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' attempt to strip the company of its self-governance power in the state. For nearly a year, state legislators, encouraged by DeSantis, have sought to exert more control over the company's Florida-based theme parks by passing a bill that would dissolve Disney's special tax district. DeSantis also wanted to rename the area the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and plant a new board to oversee it. As part a 30-year development agreement, Disney no longer needs board approval to build high-density projects or buildings of any height and can sell or assign development rights.

☆ Disney's Florida surprise: an end run around DeSantis
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] People gather at the Magic Kingdom theme park before the "Festival of Fantasy" parade at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, U.S. July 30, 2022. Florida lawmakers passed a bill in February giving Governor Ron DeSantis effective control over a board that oversees municipal services and development in a special district that encompasses Walt Disney World resort. "It completely circumvents the authority of this board to govern," board member Brian Aungst Jr. was quoted as saying. Disney's then-chief executive officer, Bob Chapek, publicly voiced disappointment with the measure, saying he called DeSantis to express concern about it becoming law. In a move political observers viewed as retaliation for Disney's criticism of the Parental Rights in Education Act, Florida lawmakers passed legislation that ended Disney's virtual autonomy in developing 25,000 acres in central Florida where its theme parks are located.

☆ Club meeting recap: Buy, Buy, Buy — why Jim Cramer likes Disney, AMD and Caterpillar so much
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Paulina Likos | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Every weekday the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer holds a "Morning Meeting" livestream at 10:20 a.m. Buy Disney Buy Advanced Micro Devices Buy Caterpillar 1. Buy Disney Needham reflected in a research note Thursday that Apple (AAPL) and Walt Disney (DIS) could be worth more together than separately. While unlikely Apple would (or even be allowed by regulators) to buy Disney, Jim Cramer highlighted Needham's analysis, saying it shows Disney is "worth substantially more than people realize." Buy Caterpillar Jim sees a "tremendous opportunity" to buy Club holding Caterpillar (CAT) with the stock down about 6% year-to-date.

☆ Margaritaville's cruise company just unveiled a $900 pass for nearly unlimited cruises through the end of the year
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Margaritaville at Sea announced a $900 cruise pass that allows travelers to sail on the majority of its 2023 cruises. Margaritaville launched its cruise brand in 2022 with its Margaritaville at Sea Paradise vessel. The cruise line is currently operating nonstop two-night sailings from Florida's Port of Palm Beach to the Bahama's Freeport, Grand Bahama island. But if there's nowhere you'd rather be than on a Margaritaville cruise ship, you could potentially save hundreds of dollars with its newly announced cruise pass. Before its refresh, the ship was known as the Grand Classica, a 30-year-old flagship vessel owned by budget cruise company Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line.

☆ Jim Cramer says these 7 currently undervalued 'franchise names' are stocks worth buying
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Kevin Stankiewicz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

"Franchise names, doing well, undervalued in the portfolio," Jim said during the Club's Morning Meeting on Thursday. TJX 1Y mountain TJX Companies' 12-month stock performance. CAT 1Y mountain Caterpillar's 12-month stock performance. SBUX 1Y mountain Starbucks' 12-month stock performance. As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade.

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