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☆ UK's M&S plans to open 20 new stores in Britain, the Times reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Jan 16 (Reuters) - British retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) (MKS.L) plans to open 20 new stores creating 3,400 jobs throughout Britain, The Times reported on Monday. It also will open 12 food halls, including in Stockport, Barnsley and the North Ayrshire seaside town of Largs, Scotland. The group last November had proposed a target to reduce its full line stores by 67 to 180 by 2028, while increasing its food only stores by 104 to 420. The openings will bring new store investment to 480 million pounds ($586.94 million), the newspaper added. ($1 = 0.8178 pounds)Reporting by Baranjot Kaur in Bengaluru; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Diane CraftOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ The first NY cannabis licenses have been approved – but these are the 3 obstacles dispensaries are still facing
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-14 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A real estate expert says license holders now face challenges with finding the right property for their businesses. Business owners are up against strict regulations and uneducated landlords in their search for a storefront. The next hurdle, real estate exec Gregory Tannor of Lee & Associates NYC told Insider, is finding the right real estate for stores. There are "buffer zones" that cannabis business owners must abide by while shopping for real estate. Despite the uphill battle to open legal dispensaries in New York, Tannor told Insider to expect more places to purchase weed opening up in the next few weeks.

☆ A battle between Disney and activist Peltz brews. Here’s how the situation may unfold
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-14 | by ( Kenneth Squire | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Disney offered Peltz, founding partner of Trian Fund Management, a role as a board observer and asked him to sign a standstill agreement, which Peltz declined. Offer of a board observer positionSometimes a board observer position can be beneficial, particularly for investors who do not have a lot of board experience and are less likely to be a regular contributor to board discussions. But offering Peltz a position as a board observer is like saying to Whitney Houston, "You can join the band, but you are not allowed to sing." It is curious as to why Peltz started this proxy fight in the first place and why Disney is resisting it. Peltz acquired his position when Bob Chapek was CEO and likely had a plan to replace him with someone Peltz had already identified.

Like most European countries, Portugal is accelerating its shift to renewables to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels whose prices have surged since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He expected Europe's accelerating push for renewable energies to help streamline the licensing of hybrid projects and shorten their implementation times from up to six years now. It is already building four other parks in Iberia and plans to bring online 1.6 GW of hybrid capacity there this decade. EDPR has an installed capacity of 3.4 GW in Iberia alone and 14.3 GW globally. Reporting by Sergio Goncalves and Miguel Pereira, editing by Andrei Khalip and David EvansOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ U.S. National Parks, including Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon, will be free on MLK Day—and 4 other days this year
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The US National Park Service will be offering no-cost admission to all of its parks, including Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon and Zion National Park on Monday, Jan. 16 as part of its 2023 "fee-free days." If you've been looking for an excuse to visit one of America's more than 400 national parks, now is your chance. The Colorado River wraps around Horseshoe Bend in the in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Page, Arizona. "National parks are really amazing places and we want everyone to experience them," NPS director Chuck Sams said in a statement announcing the free 2023 dates. "The entrance fee-free days encourage people to discover the beauty, history and inspiration awaiting them ... throughout the country."

☆ Investors sit on a plastic waste ticking bomb
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Lisa Jucca | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

In the United States 73% of plastic waste ends up in landfills, where it takes up to 500 years to decompose. Using recycled plastic, while less energy-intensive than creating virgin plastic, can cost more overall. In March, 175 governments agreed to work out binding laws to end plastic pollution by end-2024. Reuters GraphicsFollow @LJucca on TwitterloadingCONTEXT NEWSRepresentatives of 175 countries endorsed in March a landmark resolution to develop international legally binding instruments to end plastic pollution. In 2008 the Netherlands introduced a packaging waste management levy.

☆ Kumail Nanjiani defends Tarantino and Scorsese’s right to criticize Marvel
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Brahmjot Kaur | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

Kumail Nanjiani, star of Marvel’s “Eternals,” recently defended directors Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino’s right to criticize Marvel Cinematic Universe. The actor, who played Kingo in the 2021 Marvel film, told Esquire in an interview this week he believes Tarantino and Scorsese’s long-standing contribution to the film industry is enough to justify their right. “I obviously love the movies Tarantino makes or Scorsese makes, and I may disagree with Scorsese’s opinion on superhero movies, but I mean, who else has earned the right to have an opinion? If Scorsese hasn’t earned the right to have an opinion on movies, then none of us should have an opinion on movies,” Nanjiani said in the interview. “If the only gatekeepers to movie stardom came from Tarantino and Scorsese, I would never have had the opportunity to lead a $400 million plus movie,” Liu tweeted.

☆ Disney braces for boardroom battle
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Jan 12 (Reuters) - Activist investor Nelson Peltz on Thursday bid for a seat on the board of Walt Disney Co (DIS.N), stirring the pot for what appears to be a boardroom battle brewing at the Magic Kingdom. This comes after company veteran Bob Iger returned to the helm at the Marvel-parent to help a push for profitability at its streaming business, Disney+. Peltz's Trian Fund, after Third Point's Daniel Loeb, have 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 Krishna Chandra EluriOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

The tussle with Disney could be Peltz's biggest proxy battle since an acrimonious fight to bag a seat on the board of Tide detergent-maker P&G (PG.N). During his more than three-year tenure on P&G's board, the firm's stock price rose nearly 80%. Peltz's Trian Fund Management on Thursday filed documents with the U.S. securities regulator for his election as a director after Disney denied him a board seat. "Iger is a well-liked CEO, not only within Disney and its employees but also in Hollywood and the stock market. Investors will vote later this year on whether Peltz should sit on the company's board, unless it's settled before.

☆ Disney Tax District Shores Up Development Plans Amid Florida Tensions
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Robbie Whelan | Arian Campo-Flores | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The Florida legislature in April passed a law eliminating the Reedy Creek district, which has permitted Disney to manage its theme parks and resorts in Florida with little red tape. City officials from the special tax district in Florida controlled by the Walt Disney Co. moved to make changes that would allow Disney to build new theme parks and additional hotel rooms at Walt Disney World, steps that come as the state is trying to rein in the company. At a meeting Wednesday officials from the two cities that make up the Reedy Creek Improvement District, Lake Buena Vista and Bay Lake, Fla., approved a resolution to consider changing land-use regulations to accommodate the district’s comprehensive plan, which serves as a 10-year road map for development at Walt Disney World, according to minutes of the meeting and a spokeswoman for Reedy Creek.

[1/3] The logo of the Times Square Disney store is seen in Times Square, New York City, U.S. December 5, 2019. Peltz, a billionaire activist who operates via his Trian Partners hedge fund, called for Disney to cut costs and turn a profit at its Disney+ streaming business, which has been losing money despite expanding at a fast clip. Its shares sank last year as losses deepened in its streaming business, and the price is now less than half the stock's 2021 high. Disney, Trian said, had overpaid for the assets of 21st Century Fox and bid aggressively for pay-TV giant Sky PLC. Disney said Trian would file with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday to elect Peltz for a board seat in opposition to the company's nominees.

☆ Nelson Peltz's attempt to join Disney's board could force much-needed accountability
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Paulina Likos | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

If Nelson Peltz were to win his fight to join Walt Disney 's (DIS) board of directors, the activist investor could force a level of accountability at the company that's sorely needed. Disney's board made the decision to not endorse Peltz and swiftly announced Wednesday that they named Mark Parker, a director since 2016 and executive chairman at Nike (NKE), as chairman, succeeding Susan Arnold. Disney, Peltz explained, "is a lot more than a media company." Disney's streaming business lost nearly $1.5 billion last quarter. Given Disney's distressed balance sheet, Jim asked Peltz about streaming service Hulu.

☆ Universal will open a new theme park in Texas and a horror experience in Las Vegas in a massive expansion
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Universal Parks and Resorts has announced two new developments in Frisco, Texas, and Las Vegas. The 110,000-square-foot project in Las Vegas will become a permanent horror experience. Instead, the Texas property will be a first-of-its-kind theme park for families while the Las Vegas development will become a go-to destination for horror fanatics. But similar to Universal Orlando park and resort, this Texas property will grow to include a themed hotel as well. A rendering of Universal Parks and Resorts' upcoming horror attraction in Las Vegas.

☆ Australia withdraw from ODI series against Afghanistan in March
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Jan 12 (Reuters) - Australia's men's team has withdrawn from their one-day international (ODI) series against Afghanistan in March following further restrictions on women's and girls' rights imposed by the Taliban, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Thursday. Australia and Afghanistan were scheduled to play three ODIs in the United Arab Emirates but CA scrapped the series after "extensive consultation" with stakeholders, including the Australian government. The series formed part of the International Cricket Council's (ICC) Super League, where the top eight teams automatically qualify for the 2023 World Cup. Australia were scheduled to play a test match against Afghanistan in November 2021 but the fixture was postponed after the Taliban seized power in August of that year. They have continued to appear at ICC events since the Taliban takeover, however, and faced Australia during last year's Twenty20 World Cup.

"It’s a direct hit to the Mexican population of Boyle Heights and Lincoln Heights," Villalobos added. L.A. City Councilman Arthur Snyder during opening day ceremonies at Parque de Mexico in Los Angeles in 1978. A bust of Venustiano Carranza is among the missing sculptures at Parque de Mexico in Los Angeles. But only a few pieces remain today at the park, which is an extension of Lincoln Park in Lincoln Heights, one of the city's oldest neighborhoods and predominantly Latino. "Everyone goes and spends time ... at Lincoln Park, but Parque Mexico is kind of left alone especially as it’s gone into worse shape.

☆ Disney Adds Lower Priced Theme Park Access and Perks
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( Robbie Whelan | Jacob Passy | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Disney fans have grown increasingly critical of the parks business as the company’s theme parks in California and Florida have grown more expensive and more complicated to book. Robert Iger is making a peace offering to Disney ‘s most fervent fans, in what amounts to his first major change to Walt Disney Co.’s theme-parks business since returning to the company as chief executive in November. Effective immediately, holders of annual passes to Disney’s Orlando-area Walt Disney World Resort will be able to visit the theme parks during afternoon hours without making a reservation, the company’s head of parks Josh D’Amaro said in a memo to staff Tuesday.

NEW YORK, Jan 11 (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed New York to enforce a Democratic-backed gun control law adopted after the justices last year struck down the state's limits on carrying concealed handguns outside the home in a landmark ruling that expanded gun rights. Circuit Court of Appeals in December put that decision on hold while the state pursues an appeal. Wednesday's action may not be the last time the Supreme Court addresses New York's new gun law. New York state Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, praised the court's decision to keep the law in effect. Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law the Concealed Carry Improvement Act on July 1, a week after the Supreme Court's landmark ruling against a New York concealed carry permit restriction.

☆ Supreme Court allows New York gun law to remain in effect
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( Lawrence Hurley | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Supporters of gun control and firearm safety measures hold a protest rally outside the US Supreme Court as the Court hears oral arguments in State Rifle and Pistol v. City of New York, NY, in Washington, DC, December 2, 2019. WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed a New York gun control law that was enacted in the wake of the high court's landmark ruling in June that dramatically expanded the right to bear arms outside the home to remain in effect while a legal challenge against it continues. The challenge was brought by Ivan Antonyuk and five other individuals who say they would like to carry firearms outside the home. Various gun owners have challenged provisions of the law, with three federal district courts ruling in favor of plaintiffs In each case, the New York-based 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals allowed the law to remain in place in full pending appeals.

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves premarket: CarMax, Salesforce, Coinbase and more
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( Tanaya Macheel | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

CarMax fell 53% in 2022 but has risen 18% since its disappointing quarterly results in December. Coinbase shares dropped 86% in 2022 as macro conditions and scandal dragged down the crypto market. Tesla — Tesla shares rose 2% after the EV maker registered with the state of Texas to expand its electric vehicle factory in Austin this year. Levi Strauss & Co — Shares of the clothing company slipped 2.2% after Citi downgraded the stock to neutral from buy. Shares were higher by less than 1% premarket.

☆ Disney is rolling back unpopular price hikes at its theme parks that were made under former CEO Bob Chapek
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Disney is revising many of the unpopular theme park policies made under former CEO Bob Chapek. Current CEO Bob Iger reportedly complained to friends at length about theme park price hikes done under Chapek. A former parks executive himself, Bob Chapek angered many of Disney's most passionate theme park fans by jacking up prices and axing free services at the company's theme parks while CEO. "He's killing the soul of the company," Iger reportedly said. During Chapek's less-than-3-year stint as Disney CEO, he angered many of the company's most diehard fans: annual theme park pass holders.

☆ U.S. sets up office to oversee abandoned oil well cleanup
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Jan 10 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland on Tuesday issued an order to establish an office to ensure efficient use of the Biden administration's $4.7 billion investment in the cleanup of abandoned oil and gas wells. The Orphaned Wells Program Office will be led by Kimbra Davis, who has worked at the Interior Department since 2009. Orphaned oil and gas wells are those that generally have been abandoned and are no longer producing. "The Department is standing up a new office to support states, tribes and federal land managers as they close and remediate orphaned oil and gas wells that pose environmental hazards to communities across the country," Haaland said in a statement. The number of abandoned U.S. wells has grown over the last decade, and many experts believe it will keep growing as fossil fuels are replaced with cleaner energy.

☆ Disney CEO Bob Iger tells staff to return to the office 4 days a week, saying 'nothing can replace' in-person work
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Disney staff have been told to return to the office four days a week from March. CEO Bob Iger, who returned to the company in late 2022, announced the policy in a memo to staff. "It is my belief that working together more in-person will benefit the company's creativity, culture, and our employees' careers," Iger told staff. For roughly the past year, most Disney staff have been required to visit the office three days a week, The New York Times reported. Disney is following in the footsteps of other companies who have told staff to return to the office as coronavirus cases largely decline.

☆ Disney is making it easier for its most loyal customers to visit its theme parks
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Disney is making some changes at its theme parks this year, prompted by feedback from guests who have complained about rising prices and longer wait times. In a letter Tuesday, parks and resorts Chairperson Josh D'Amaro told employees about a number of modifications to its reservation and ticketing system as well as its annual pass membership perks. This included the integration of an online reservation system, which required guests to plan visits in advance of arriving at the parks, and a reduction in capacity. During this time, Disney also pushed guests towards no-touch payment options, like its magic bands and mobile order and pay. While contactless payments are no longer required, guests can once again pay with cash, many guests have made the transition to these new methods.

☆ New guidelines for treating childhood obesity include medications and surgery for first time
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Kaitlin Sullivan | Kaitlin Sullivan Is A Contributor For Nbcnews.Com Who Has Worked With Nbc News Investigations. She Reports On Health | Science | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

Intensive behavioral and lifestyle changes should be the first-line approach, but the AAP also includes recommendations for anti-obesity medications and surgery for the first time. The guidelines say that pediatricians should offer weight-loss drugs for children age 12 and up with obesity. She also acknowledged that these lifestyle changes can be really hard to adopt, especially for overworked and low-income parents. The more adverse the environment around you, the harder it is to live a healthy lifestyle,” Hassink said. Medications and surgery are expensive, and asking overstretched parents to implement lifestyle changes is not always realistic.

☆ Biden inspects busy port of entry along US-Mexico border
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-08 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks about U.S.-Mexico border security and enforcement, in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., January 5, 2023. President Joe Biden inspected a busy port of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border on Sunday, his first trip to the region after two years in office as Republicans hammer him for being soft on border security while the number of migrants crossing spirals. Biden watched as border officers in El Paso demonstrated how they search vehicles for drugs, money and other contraband. The numbers of migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border has risen dramatically during Biden's first two years in office. For all of his international travel over his 50 years in public service, Biden has not spent much time at the U.S.-Mexico border.

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