DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Venezuela’s Oil Industry, Reopening to Investors, Is Major Polluter
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Kejal Vyas | Patricia Garip | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Venezuela’s oil industry suffers from maintenance and management problems, a likely challenge for Western companies looking to resume work there. Across Venezuela’s once-thriving oil industry, environmentalists say rusty pipelines and storage tanks routinely leak contaminants into the ground. Frequent spills stain the mangroves of national parks with oil. Refinery explosions in recent years have sent black smoke billowing into the sky. And Venezuela’s national oil company, unable to process the natural gas that is a byproduct of oil production, burns enough each day to supply the state of Georgia.

☆ Subway envisions an oasis where diners can picnic and play while charging their cars
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

On Tuesday, the chain announced plans to build EV charging stations at select restaurants in the US. 'Subway Oasis' parks will have charging stations, picnic tables, Wi-Fi, and playgrounds. Dubbed Subway Oasis, the EV parks will be outfitted with "charging canopies with multiple ports, picnic tables, Wi-Fi, restrooms, green space, and even playgrounds," the chain said Tuesday. Subway joins Taco Bell as one of the first fast-food chains to announce plans to add public EV charging stations to restaurants. Subway did not specify how much it would cost consumers to charge their cars at their new charging stations.

☆ Florida Great Displacement: Climate Change Forces Residents to Leave State
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( Jake Bittle | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

The Keys are also the first flock of canaries in the coal mine of climate change. The hurricane made undeniable what previous floods had only suggested: that climate change will someday make life in the archipelago impossible to sustain. The decision to leave, on the other hand, which once signified surrender, now looks more like acceptance of the inevitable. It's this messiness that is reflected in the word "displacement": the migratory shifts caused by climate change are as chaotic as the weather events that cause them. This is an excerpt adapted from THE GREAT DISPLACEMENT: Climate Change and the Next American Migration by Jake Bittle.

☆ Reuters wins George Polk Award for uncovering child labor in Hyundai supply chain
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Cheney OrrNew York, Feb 20 (Reuters) - A team of Reuters reporters on Monday won a George Polk Award for reports that revealed the widespread use of child labor among suppliers to Hyundai Motor Co in the U.S. state of Alabama. The Polk jury, awarding the prize in its "state reporting" category, said Reuters "sparked increased scrutiny from federal and state agencies and led Hyundai to demand more accountability from its suppliers." Also in February, Hyundai itself said it was in discussions with the Labor Department to resolve concerns about the child labor. After discovering that staffing agencies hired child workers for employment in Alabama poultry plants, they learned that migrant minors were also building parts for Hyundai and Kia (000270.KS). Both companies have said they don't tolerate child labor and are taking measures to ensure underage workers don't find their way back into their supply chains.

☆ Russia targets Netherlands' North Sea infrastructure, says Dutch intelligence agency
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

THE HAGUE, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Russia has in recent months tried to gain intelligence to sabotage critical infrastructure in the Dutch part of the North Sea, Dutch military intelligence agency MIVD said on Monday. A Russian ship has been detected at an offshore wind farm in the North Sea as it tried to map out energy infrastructure, MIVD head General Jan Swillens said at a news conference. The vessel was escorted out of the North Sea by Dutch marine and coast guard ships before any sabotage effort could become successful, he added. "We saw in recent months Russian actors tried to uncover how the energy system works in the North Sea. "Russia is mapping how our wind parks in the North Sea function.

☆ Alligator captured in Brooklyn's Prospect Park Lake
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Members of the Parks Enforcement Patrol and Urban Park Rangers capture an alligator from a lake in Prospect Park in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, U.S., February 19, 2023. Courtesy of NYC Parks/Handout via REUTERSFeb 20 (Reuters) - New York City park staff stumbled across a sickly alligator in Brooklyn's Prospect Park this weekend, the Parks Department said, and rangers captured the lost reptile and brought it to the Bronx Zoo for care. Park maintenance staff found the alligator in Prospect Park Lake on Sunday morning, in the heart of the concrete jungle, and noted that it appeared lethargic and in a state of cold shock. The New York City Parks department issued a public warning against releasing non-native animals into the city's environment, which is illegal. New York City Urban Park Rangers respond to about 500 calls regarding animals in poor condition each year.

☆ A 4-foot-long alligator that was pulled from a lake in Brooklyn's Prospect Park may have been an unwanted pet, officials say
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( Sophia Ankel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

An alligator was spotted floating in Brooklyn's Prospect Park Lake in New York City on Sunday. The 4-foot-long alligator was pulled out by park officials and is being evaluated in the Bronx Zoo. It might have been an unwanted pet that was released into the lake, a park spokesperson said. The alligator was spotted floating in Brooklyn's Prospect Park Lake in New York City early on Sunday morning, Dan Kastanis, a spokesperson for the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation told Insider. Puelo said that when park officials arrived at the lake, the reptile "wasn't moving really at all."

☆ Want to work from anywhere? These are the top 10 U.S. cities for digital nomads
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-19 | by ( Jennifer Liu | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

It tops the best U.S. cities for digital nomads, according to a new analysis from Reviews.org, which ranked the country's top 100 metros based on various work and life factors. Austin, Texas, comes in third and is one of three Texas cities that crack the top 10. Here are the top 10 U.S. cities for digital nomads:Atlanta Portland, Oregon Austin, Texas Seattle Phoenix Houston Dallas Chicago Las Vegas San FranciscoReviews.org ranked each city based on several work and life factors. Texas makes a strong showing, with three cities ranking well for digital nomads, buoyed in part by its agreeable weather and low cost of real estate. The two most populated cities in the U.S., meanwhile, don't come close to cracking the top 10 best cities for digital nomads.

☆ A real estate investor who owns over 1,000 units explains how he was able to officially retire at age 36 by 'reverse engineering' his financial freedom
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-19 | by ( Lisa Kailai Han | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

He was able to achieve this feat by "reverse engineering" his financial freedom. In fact, he attributes much of his success today as a real estate investor to setting "audacious" goals for himself — and achieving them by whatever means necessary. To Allred, achieving true financial freedom meant having enough recurring passive income to entirely cover his family's cost of living. At that time, he decided to officially retire from door-to-door sales and go into real estate full-time. Continuing to grow his real estate fundAround 2015, Allred also began getting involved in real estate syndications.

☆ Jimmy Carter, the 39th U.S. president, is in hospice care
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-18 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Former President Jimmy Carter speaks to the congregation at Maranatha Baptist Church before teaching Sunday school in his hometown of Plains, Georgia on April 28, 2019. Former President Jimmy Carter, who at 98 years old is the longest-lived American president, has entered home hospice care in Plains, Georgia, a statement from The Carter Center confirmed Saturday. Jason Carter, the couple's grandson who now chairs The Carter Center governing board, said Saturday in a tweet that he "saw both of my grandparents yesterday. That's a staggering drop from when The Carter Center began leading the global eradication effort in 1986, when the parasitic disease infected 3.5 million people. I would not deserve to be your president," Carter said often as he campaigned.

☆ Look inside Super Nintendo World, which just opened at Universal Studios Hollywood
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-17 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Mario poses at the "SUPER NINTENDO WORLD" welcome celebration at Universal Studios Hollywood on February 16, 2023 in Universal City, California. Princess Peach's castle in Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood. Mario Kart visors from Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge at Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood. Merchandise available at 1-UP Factory inside Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood. Toadstool Cafe during a media preview of Super Nintendo World theme park at Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City, California, US, on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.

☆ Here are Friday's biggest analyst calls: Tesla, Nvidia, Roku, Coinbase, DraftKings, Disney & more
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-17 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Here are the biggest calls on Wall Street on Friday: Compass Point upgrades Coinbase to buy from neutral Compass said the "long-term opportunities outweigh near-term risks." Goldman Sachs reiterates Tesla as buy Goldman said it's bullish heading into the company's investor day on March 1. KeyBanc reiterates Nvidia as overweight KeyBanc raised its price target on the stock to $280 per share from $220. Daiwa reiterates Disney as buy Daiwa said it sees international growth for Disney which will further drive parks outperformance. Evercore ISI adds a positive tactical call on Walmart Evercore said it's bullish on Walmart heading into earnings next week.

☆ Disney clash with activist Peltz will have sequel
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Lauren Silva Laughlin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

NEW YORK, Feb 16 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Activist investor Nelson Peltz often plays a long game. Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger unveiled $5.5 billion of cost cuts last week when the $200 billion theme-parks-to-streaming company released fourth-quarter earnings. "The proxy fight is over,” a spokesperson for his outfit Trian Fund Management told Reuters. Could Peltz still end up on the Disney board? "The proxy fight is over.

☆ They Wanted to Live in Greece Full Time. But What Would They Find for $300,000?
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Ronda Kaysen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

But by early 2022, they wanted something big enough to live in full time. There’s a lot of young people, a lot of energy,” said Mr. Hados, an architect. The hilly neighborhood also offered streets with fantastic city views, and Mr. Hados wanted an apartment with a view of the Acropolis and the Parthenon. Instead, they scoured various real estate listing sites. With the money in hand and their options narrowed to a few finalists they found online, Mr. Hados flew to Greece in February in search of their ideal home.

☆ Seen Big Ben already? Here's a Londoner's guide to visiting other parts of the city
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Lucy Handley | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

Central London's City of Westminster is its political heart, while the City of London is where the capital's financial decisions happen. But be warned: Several paths across Hyde Park are pedestrian-only, and police often fine people who cycle on them. The City of London is a blend of old and new, with St Paul's Cathedral close to skyscrapers as well as Roman ruins. While north London has Hampstead Heath, south of the river is Richmond Park, which dwarfs its northern counterpart in size. There's also a branch in central London's Covent Garden — the flower-filled restaurant The Petersham — that has an sit-down deli and bar.

☆ Trump wants back in the casino biz — as Bally's landlord in the Bronx. Many approvals would still be needed.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-14 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Under a deal struck in December, Trump would sub-lease 17 acres of his Bronx golf course to Bally's. Bally's bid for a new casino on the city-owned grounds of Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point was first reported on Sunday by the New York Post. Proposals must be approved by a local community advisory committee that includes the governor, the mayor, the local state senator and assembly member, the borough president, and the local city council member. "We are incredibly excited at the prospect of bringing Bally's community-centered approach to gaming and entertainment to the Bronx," a casino spokesperson told Insider. One of those leaders is local city council member Marjorie Velazquez, who applauded the prospect of bringing jobs to her neighborhood.

☆ JPMorgan says Disney can surge 20% this year as streaming losses ease
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( Sarah Min | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

It's time for investors to consider buying Disney after the media giant's latest quarterly results , according to JPMorgan. Analyst Philip Cusick resumed coverage of Disney with an overweight rating, and a December 2023 price target of $135 that implies shares could advance more than 20% through year-end. "For F2023 we now model year-over-year total company revenue and segment operating income growth of 9.9% and 7.8% vs. F2022. We model the return of a $1/share dividend in F2024," Cusick wrote. Disney shares have jumped 24% in 2023, after falling more than 43% in 2022 and roughly 14% in 2021.

[1/4] Survivors rest while a woman reacts at a hospital in the aftermath of an earthquake, in Kahramanmaras, Turkey February 10, 2023. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem 1 2 3 4Authorities say some 6,500 buildings in Turkey collapsed and countless more were damaged. The U.S. Agency for International Development will provide $85 million in urgent humanitarian assistance to Turkey and Syria. SYRIA OVERWHELMEDIn Syria, relief efforts are complicated by a conflict that has partitioned the country and wrecked its infrastructure. The Syrian government views the delivery of aid to rebel-held areas from Turkey as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

☆ Disney Special Tax-District Bill Is Approved by Florida Senate
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Arian Campo-Flores | Robbie Whelan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The Florida Senate on Friday approved a bill that would dramatically alter the governance of a special-tax district near Orlando that has allowed Walt Disney Co. to self-govern the land that houses its theme parks, sending the measure to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis , who is expected to sign it into law. The bill would rename the Reedy Creek Improvement District—which houses Walt Disney World Resort and other parks and has existed for more than 50 years—the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. The measure would give Mr. DeSantis the authority to appoint members to its governing body, the five-member board of supervisors, which under current law is essentially handpicked by Disney.

☆ Premarket stocks: Share buybacks could beat last year's record $1.2 trillion
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Companies have announced about $175 billion worth of planned stock buybacks so far this year. This year will likely be the first with at least $1 trillion in completed S&P 500 company buybacks, said Howard Silverblatt at S&P Dow Jones Indices. ▸ GM (GM) just inked an exclusive deal for the hottest product in automaking: Semiconductors. The strong dollar is hurting multinationalsThe rip-roaring dollar cut deeply into the earnings of multinational companies selling their wares overseas last quarter. “We got hit with that.”McDonald’s (MCD) and 3M (MMM) also said in earnings reports that they were worried that the strong dollar would affect future sales.

Disney CEO Bob Iger announced a new business structure Wednesday and further details emerged Thursday. ESPN and ESPN+ will form a separate unit, led by Jimmy Pitaro. Hollywood is already busy sharing memes about Bergman and Walden and how they will share and compete for power. As part of the cuts, Iger has directed his reports to lay off 7,000 staffers. A Thursday morning press release outlined all the shared services units that will now come under Bergman, Walden, and Pitaro.

☆ Florida governor gains control over Disney district board
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Dawn Chmielewski | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] Sunlight breaks through clouds near Disney World in Orlando, Florida, U.S. September 8, 2017. REUTERS/Gregg Newton/File PhotoFeb 10 (Reuters) - Florida lawmakers on Friday granted Governor Ron DeSantis effective control of the board that oversees development in and around Walt Disney Co's (DIS.N) central Florida theme parks, escalating the Republican's battle with the company. DeSantis' spokesperson Bryan Griffin said the prior system, under which the Florida legislature in 1967 gave Disney sole control over the district, lacked accountability. Disney World is the largest employer in central Florida with close to 75,000 employees and drew 36.2 million visitors in 2021, according to the Themed Entertainment Association. The new bill preserves the Reedy Creek special district, though within two years it will be renamed Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.

☆ Florida governor assumes control over Disney district board
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Dawn Chmielewski | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Feb 10 (Reuters) - Florida lawmakers granted Governor Ron DeSantis effective control of the board that oversees development in and around Walt Disney Co's (DIS.N) central Florida theme parks, escalating the Republican's battle with the emblematic company. The board members will be confirmed by the Senate, and will have no involvement in the day-to-day operations of the theme parks. "Reedy Creek gifted extraordinary special privileges to a single corporation," DeSantis' spokesman Bryan Griffin wrote on Twitter. Disney World is the largest employer in central Florida with close to 75,000 employees, drawing 36.2 million visitors in 2021, according to the Themed Entertainment Association. The new bill preserves the Reedy Creek special district, though within two years it will be renamed Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.

☆ Bed Bath & Beyond used to have over 1,000 stores. Soon, it will have just 360.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Dominick Reuter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Bed Bath & Beyond plans to slim down to just 360 housewares stores nationwide. "We continue to put our customers at the center of every decision, positioning Bed Bath & Beyond to meet and exceed their expectations," CEO Sue Gove said in a statement. Bed Bath & Beyond did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. "Store closings, especially of this magnitude, are a symptom of a problem," Saunders said. "Suppliers are very nervous about Bed Bath & Beyond," Saunders said.

☆ Peltz ends Disney proxy fight as Iger launches restructuring
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Nelson Peltz founding partner of Trian Fund Management LP. speak at the WSJD Live conference in Laguna Beach, California October 25, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File PhotoFeb 9 (Reuters) - Activist investor Nelson Peltz called off his bid for a seat on the board of Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) on Thursday after Chief Executive Bob Iger revealed a plan to restructure and cut costs. Peltz's Trian Fund, after Third Point's Daniel Loeb, pushed the company to make changes after the pandemic crushed its parks business and forced it to increase expenditure to weed out competition in the streaming industry. Here is what happened since Iger retired in 2020:Reporting by Akash Sriram and Tiyashi Datta in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj KalluvilaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Search resuls for: "SeaWorld Parks

25 mentions found