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☆ China’s state media focuses on US divisions as America awaits election results
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-06 | by ( Nectar Gan | Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Hong Kong CNN —As the election results roll in and America holds its breath, Chinese state media hasn’t missed the chance to accentuate US political polarization – and play up the threat of post-vote turmoil in its democratic superpower rival. “US Election Day voting begins amid fears of violence, unrest,” declared a headline in nationalist tabloid Global Times. “The US election, once considered a highlight of the so-called ‘beacon of democracy,’ may now become the starting gun of ‘social unrest,’” the state-run Beijing Daily claimed in a commentary on social media. Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto/Getty ImagesOn Chinese social media, the US election featured high among the trending topics throughout Tuesday and Wednesday. “(It) doesn’t matter who it is (that wins),” one social media user wrote in a popular comment on Weibo.

Persons: hasn’t, Xi Jinping, ”, ’, Nicolas Economou, Li Shuo, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Trump’s, Joe Biden, Biden Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, America, Global Times, White House, Capitol, Beijing Daily, ”, CNN, Huawei, Biden Locations: Hong Kong, Beijing, United States, China, Washington, Washington , DC, Weibo, Taiwan

☆ World’s best airline for 2024 named by Skytrax
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-24 | by ( Barry Neild | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

We look forward to more wins in the future.”Close-run contestSaudia was named by Skytrax as winner of the World's Most Improved Airline award. Singapore also won for Best First Class service and Best Airline in Asia. ANA, meanwhile, picked up the accolade for World’s Best Airport Services, as well as Best Airline Staff Service in Asia. Saudia was named World’s Most Improved Airline, beating Taiwan’s Starlux and Iceland’s Play into second and third places. Delta Air Lines was declared the Best Airline in North America, also picking up the award for Best Airline Staff Service for the region.

Persons: weren’t, ”, Edward Plaisted, Badr Mohammed Al, Meer, Saudia, Skytrax, Nicolas Economou, Tan, Tan Pee Teck, Taiwan’s Starlux, Singapore’s Scoot, Tony Fernandes, “, ISMOYO, Vistara, airBaltic Organizations: CNN, Qatar Airways, Hamad International, Dubai, Boeing, Airbus, Singapore Airlines, Dubai’s Emirates, ANA All Nippon Airways, Hong, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Air France, Swiss International Airlines, Singapore, Best, ANA, World’s Best, Services, Best Airline Staff Service, AirAsia, Airline, Airasia, Rai International, Getty, Bangkok Airways, Fiji Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Hainan Airlines, China . Delta Air Lines, Airlines, Emirates, Cathay, Air, Swiss International Air Lines, Korean, British Airways, Iberia, Virgin, Lufthansa, Etihad Airways, Saudi, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Garuda, Cathay Pacific Airways, Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Transavia, Vueling Airlines, Ryanair, SKY, JetSMART, Aegean Airlines, Azerbaijan Airlines, Rex Airlines, Azul, Royal Air Maroc, Porter Airlines, . Alaska Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Asiana Airlines, China Airlines, Korean Air Locations: Qatar, London’s, Abu Dhabi, Qatar’s, Tan Pee, Asia, Denpasar, Bali, AFP, India, Australia, Pacific, Eastern, China ., North America, Singapore, Air France, Saudi Arabian, Garuda Indonesia, Transavia France

☆ Why we're still skeptical of Starbucks' turnaround despite a major Wall Street endorsement
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-13 | by ( Paulina Likos | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

A new endorsement of Starbucks from a top Wall Street research firm doesn't budge our skepticism about the coffee giant's ability to deal with the multiple challenges holding back its stock. Goldman Sachs on Thursday initiated coverage of Club name Starbucks with a buy rating and a $100-per-share price target. That price target represents more than 25% upside to the prior session's close. That night, we downgraded the stock to a 2 rating and cut our price target to $90 per share. A store of Starbucks Coffee shop chain located in Amsterdam city center with people sitting inside, enjoying a coffee after shopping in the cafe, while others are walking by.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Jim Cramer, Goldman, Jim, Laxman Narasimhan, Narasimhan, Jim Cramer's, Nicolas Economou Organizations: Starbucks, CNBC, Nurphoto, Getty Locations: China, Amsterdam

☆ These are the best airlines right now, according to The Points Guy
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-12 | by ( Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Travel website The Points Guy published its annual list of the 10 best airlines in the US on Wednesday. Markus Mainka/Shutterstock2022 Rank: 6Best areas: Involuntary bumpsWorst areas: Route networkAdvertisement6. HUM Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images2022 Rank: 5AdvertisementBest areas: Bags and change feesWorst areas: Lounges4. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images2022 Rank: 4Best areas: Route network, award availability (flights that can be booked with points or miles)AdvertisementWorst areas: Mishandled baggage and affordability3. Getty Images2022 Rank: 1AdvertisementBest areas: Timeliness and involuntary bumpsWorst areas: Affordability

Persons: —, Guy, Power, Allegiant, Here's, Elizabeth Page Brumley, Joe Cavaretta, Tom Williams, Markus Mainka, Robert Alexander, CHARLY TRIBALLEAU, Nicolas Economou, Mario Tama Organizations: Service, Business, Delta Air Lines, Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Delta, Wall Street, TPG, Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Frontier, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, Department of Transportation, Frontier Airlines Frontier Airlines, Las Vegas, Tribune, Getty, South Florida Sun Sentinel, Air Allegiant, US, JetBlue Airways JetBlue, Southwest Airlines Southwest, American Airlines American, United Airlines United, Delta Air Lines Delta Air Lines Locations: Delta, South, Hawaii, Pacific, Asia, US West Coast, AFP, Alaska

☆ Airlines That Offer 'Stopover' Programs, Some With Free Hotels
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Airlines capitalize on this trend with "stopover" programs, some even offering free hotels and food. Airlines have jumped on this growing trend with built-in "stopover" programs, which can come with free or discounted hotels, excursions, transportation, and food at the layover destination. Essentially, you can't intentionally book a longer layover to quality for the free stopover hotel. Massimo Insabato/Archivio Massimo Insabato/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty ImagesSingapore Airlines' stopover program is available via the multi-city tool, similar to other carriers, where travelers can add hotels, transfers, and activities. Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesTurkish Airlines' stopover program gives economy travelers a one-night free hotel stay and business flyers a two-night free stay if the period between their connecting flights in Istanbul exceeds 20 hours.

Persons: —, Robert Smith, Markus Mainka, Liang Xu, Nicolas Economou, Thomas Mukoya, Suparat, Finnair, Shutterstock Icelandair, Marcio Rodrigo Machado, Bauer, Griffin, Alexi Rosenfeld, CHARLY TRIBALLEAU, Massimo Insabato, It's, Matheus Organizations: Service, Airlines, Travelers, An Air Canada Boeing, Getty Images Air, Air France, KLM Air France, KLM, Air, China Southern Airlines, China Southern Airlines Airbus, Getty Images China Southern Airlines, Copa Airlines AP Copa Airlines, Copa, Emirates, Emirates Airbus, Getty Images Emirates, Dubai Connect, Ethiopian Airlines Ethiopian Airlines, Reuters Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Etihad Airways Airbus, Shutterstock.com Etihad Airways, Fiji Airways Fiji Airways, Shutterstock Fiji Airways, Iberia Airbus, Japan, Japan Airlines Boeing, Japan Airlines, Latam Airlines Boeing, Latam Airlines, Hotels, An Oman Air, Getty Images Oman Air, Qantas, Getty, JAL, Oneworld, Qatar Airways, Qatar Airways Boeing, Getty Images Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian Airlines Royal Jordanian Airlines Boeing, Getty Images Royal Jordanian Airlines, Air Lines, Swiss International Air Lines Airbus, Getty Images Swiss, Singapore Airlines, Airbus, Getty Images Singapore Airlines, Portugal, TAP Air Portugal Airbus, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Turkish Airlines Airbus, Getty Images Turkish Airlines Locations: Getty Images Air Canada, Canada, Air France, Xinhua, Panama, Panama City, Emirates, Dubai, UAE, Addis Ababa, Abu Dhabi, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, Pacific, Helsinki, Iberia, Iberia Airbus Iberia, Madrid, Icelandair, Reykjavik, Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, São Paulo, Brasilia, Fortaleza, Recife, Manaus, Curitiba, Belem, Oman, Muscat, layover, Bangkok, San Francisco, AFP, Switzerland, Singapore, Lisbon, Porto, Portuguese, Azores, Madeira, Istanbul

☆ Their partially sighted cat went missing on a flight. Weeks later they still don’t know what happened to it
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Julia Buckley | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

That’s what happened to Alyssa Kopp and her mother Mary Gomes Kopp when their cat Rodri went missing on a flight in Europe on March 8. ‘She was so grateful’Alyssa Kopp and her mother Mary Gomes Kopp rescue stray animals on Crete. Gomes Kopp and her husband, Alyssa’s stepfather, are German but have a home on the Greek island of Crete. They had been adopted by a German family, and Gomes Kopp had offered to bring them over. Gomes Kopp was allowed into an aircraft loading area one time, but has not been allowed back since.

Persons: CNN —, they’ve, Alyssa Kopp, Mary Gomes Kopp, Rodri, Gomes Kopp, Alyssa’s, ”, Kopp, “, it’d, ” Rodri, Alyssa, Alyssa Kopp Rodri, we’d, ” Kopp, –, ‘, Nicolas Economou, Goldair, ‘ Rodri, ’ Gomes Kopp, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, Aegean Airlines, Rodri, Airlines, Staff, Athens International, Iberia, Naia, Tenerife Locations: Europe, Aegean, Crete, It’s, Germany, Munich, Chania, Athens, –, “, Greece, Iberia, Spain, Madrid

☆ Global airlines are governed by strict 'freedoms of the air' dating back 80 years. They've created some funky routes.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Global airlines are governed by nine "freedoms of the air," drafted 80 years ago in 1944. The fifth freedom can give airlines a competitive edge and help capitalize on demand. "Five Freedom Agreements"Qantas flies a Boeing 787 on its fifth freedom route between Sydney and New York. Seventh FreedomThe seventh freedom is similar to the fifth freedom but takes out the limitation of where the route must start or end. Ninth FreedomAdvertisementThis cabotage freedom allows an airline of one nation to fly between two points in a separate single country.

Persons: —, Vytautas Kielaitis, Taylor Rains, Toshi, Nicolas Economou Organizations: Service, International Civil Aviation Organization, United Nations, Chicago Convention, ICAO, Chicago, European Union, Singapore Airlines, Airbus, Qantas, Google Flights, United Airlines, FAA, Emirates, Latam Airlines, Atlantic . Emirates, luxe, Forbes, Air Senegal, Boeing, Ryanair, Getty, Nice Locations: New York, Singapore, Frankfurt, Germany, Emirates, JFK, Milan, Newark, Athens, Dubai, Australian, Sydney, Auckland , New Zealand, Cebu, Philippines, Tokyo, —, Mexico City, Barcelona, Santiago, Chile, Auckland, Amsterdam, Buenos Aires, Los Angeles, Australia, Dakar, Baltimore, Ireland, Rome, Vilnius, Lithuania, Paris

☆ Airline pilots at Delta, American, and United can make more than $500k a year — here's how their pay compares
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Recent pay raises have made commercial airline pilots some of the highest-paid workers in the US. The 3 major airlines, American, Delta, and United, all offer similar base pay for captains of up to $447 per hour. AdvertisementCommercial airline pilots have become some of the highest-paid workers in the US thanks to a suite of post-pandemic pay raises. Airline pilots at Delta and United have gotten heft profit-sharing in recent years. These hours pay the same rate and have guaranteed minimums of 70-75 hours, depending on the airline, according to the Air Line Pilots Association.

Persons: —, Tim Boyle, ALPA, Nicolas Economou, widebodies, Boeing narrowbodies Organizations: Service, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Delta, Airbus, Boeing, Veterans, American, United, Airline, Getty, Air Line Pilots Association, BI, Delta Air Lines Delta Airlines Airbus, United Airlines Boeing Locations: Europe, Americas, South Africa, Japan, Australia, widebodies

☆ Airline pilots at Delta, American, and United can make more than $500K a year — here's how their pay compares
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Three major airlines, American, Delta, and United, offer similar captain base pay of up to $447 an hour. AdvertisementCommercial-airline pilots have become some of the highest-paid workers in the US thanks to a suite of post-pandemic pay raises. These pilots earn hundreds of dollars for every hour of flight time, with pay increasing with every year of seniority. These hours pay the same rate and have guaranteed minimums of 70 to 75 hours, depending on the airline, according to the Air Line Pilots Association. Related storiesHere's a breakdown of the base pay pilots at American, Delta, and United earn per hour of payable time, according to contracts sent to Business Insider from the airline or its union.

Persons: —, Tim Boyle, ALPA, Nicolas Economou Organizations: United, Service, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Delta, Airbus, Boeing, Veterans, American, Airline, Getty, Air Line Pilots Association, Business, Delta Air Lines Delta Airlines Airbus, United Airlines Boeing Locations: Europe, Americas, South Africa, Japan, Australia

☆ 10 things airport passengers should stop wasting money on, according to a former flight attendant
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Arina Bloom | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

I worked as a flight attendant for two years and picked up tips for saving money while traveling. Don't waste your money on food and water at the airport or the overpriced snacks on the plane. But don't wait until you get on the plane — flight attendants don't usually have that much power. You already paid for the ticket, taxi, and luggage, so don't waste your money on overpriced airport water. It's almost never worth it to exchange money at the airportIt's usually cheapest to exchange your money at a bank.

Persons: —, I've, F, it's, Nicolas Economou, It's Organizations: Service, Kennedy International Airport, Transportation Security Administration, TSA, Getty Locations: York City

☆ The best and worst airlines in the US for 2023, according to the WSJ
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

American and United sat in the middle of the group, mostly losing points for cancelations, tarmac delays, and baggage mishaps. AdvertisementHere's a closer look at the best and worst airlines in the US for 2023 — and how they ranked in each category in the WSJ rankings:9. JetBlue AirwaysJetBlue Airways ranked dead last in the WSJ's annual list of best and worst US airlines for 2023. AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images via Getty Images2022 Rank: 1Delta is the best airline in the US for 2023, according to The Wall Street Journal's ranking. It was second for extreme delays, fourth for tarmac delays and mishandled baggage, and fifth for flight cancelations — its lowest finish overall.

Persons: —, Delta, Allegiant, Andrew Watterson, United, Marcus Mainka, Tayfun, Mario Tama, Nicolas Economou, Robert Alexander, Tom Williams, Bauer, Griffin Organizations: Delta Air Lines, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Service, Delta, Allegiant, Department of Transportation, — United Airlines, American Airlines, Max, Southwest Airlines, Journal ., Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Jetblue, JetBlue, Airlines, JetBlue Airways JetBlue Airways, Anadolu Agency, Getty, cancelations, Spirit Airlines Spirit Airlines, United Airlines United, American Airlines American Airlines, Southwest Airlines Southwest Airlines, Southwest, Delta Air Lines Delta Air Lines Locations: West Coast, Seattle, Alaska, New York City, New York, Southwest

☆ The top 9 'must-have' travel experiences of 2024, according to luxury advisors
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Monica Pitrelli | Jonathan Delise | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

If that sounds like a tall order for a summer getaway, the luxury travel company Virtuoso asked 20,000 of its travel advisors to share their top experiences for 2024. Dark sky tourism focuses on rural locations without light pollution, such as Greece's Olympus Mountain National Park. Departing in August, Virtuoso recommends travelers first take in the Olympic Games before departing the city in style. Passion travelsHobbies may be associated with the home, but Virtuoso recommends taking your passions on the road. Virtuoso recommends exploring Peruvian cuisine at the Mistura Food Festival, or checking out the street food of Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Persons: Nicolas Economou, Manoj Shah, Belles, Bhutan's, Young, Peter Adams, Chiang Mai, Koh, Wiphop, Sakura, James Cole, Hillary, Cousteau, Shackleton, pricey, Yasin Akgul, bookworms, Wolfgang Kaehler, Brian Curtice, Levente Bodo, ERNESTO BENAVIDES Organizations: Nurphoto, DarkSky, Stone, InterContinental, UNESCO, Istock, Expedition, Getty, CNBC Travel, Orient, Afp, Departing, Olympic Games, Chelsea Flower, Lightrocket, Festival Locations: stargazing, Norway, Iceland, Canada, Northern Mexico, Blanco , Texas, Albanya, Spain, Africa, Bhutan, Thailand, Pana, Yai, Bangkok, Japan Japan, United States, North America, Japan, Hakodate, Hokkaido, Kyoto, Kanazawa, Fuji's, Antarctica, Paris, Istanbul, Turkey, Asia, Europe, Venice, Turkish, Strahov, Riau, Isla, Ljubljana, Slovenia

☆ McDonald's investor day is Wednesday. Expect to hear about expansion, tech and China
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The company also projected mid-single-digit sales growth in 2021 and 2022. McDonalds is a multinational fast food chain with thousands or restaurants over the world with headquarters in Chicago Illinois. It is the world's largest fast food restaurant chain famous for the burgers and fries. While the U.S. may seem saturated with McDonald's locations, executives have said that its current footprint doesn't reflect where consumers currently live, including the shift to the South and Southeast. Some McDonald's locations have also tested using artificial intelligence to take drive-thru orders.

Persons: Luke Sharrett, McDonald's, aren't, Chris Kempczinski, Nicolas Economou, remodels, Kempczinski Organizations: McDonald's Corp, Bloomberg, Getty, Wall Street, McDonalds, Nurphoto, Technology Locations: Louisville , Kentucky, U.S, New York City, USA, Chicago Illinois, Manhattan , New York, Texas, Canada, Germany, Australia, France, China

☆ Dutch vote in tight election with far right set for gains
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Story Reuters | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Dutch voters cast their ballots on Wednesday in a nail-biting election in which opinion polls show at least three parties - including the far right -could hope for the top spot. ”I hope I don’t wake up tomorrow and we have Wilders as a prime minister. Mark Rutte will be leaving the post of prime minister after 13 years. A hard-right coalition could also soften plans to reduce livestock and fertilizer use, which are strongly opposed by farmers. Rutte will remain in a caretaker role until a new government is installed, likely in the first half of 2024.

Persons: Geert Wilders, Mark Rutte, Wilders, That’s, ”, Arie van der, Nicolas Economou, Rutte, Frans Timmermans, It’s, ” Wilders, Dilan Yesilgoz, Pieter Omtzigt Organizations: CNN, Freedom Party, People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy, ”, Christian Democrats, NOS Locations: Amsterdam, Netherlands, Turkish

AdvertisementAdvertisementYou can get Southwest's Companion Pass by earning 135,000 Rapid Rewards points within a year — and this credit card bonus will get you more than halfway there. This elevated welcome bonus is available on all three personal credit cards:AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit CardThe Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit CardAnd the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card Apply now lock icon An icon in the shape of lock. Annual fee Insider’s Take The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is worth considering if you fly Southwest, even occasionally. Otherwise, have a look at other Southwest cards like the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card and Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, which have lower annual fees but the same elevated welcome bonus offer.

Persons: Nicolas Economou, Getty Images We're, —, We'll, you've, Miles, you'll Organizations: Rapid, Getty Images, Southwest, Rewards, Card, Southwest Airlines, Service, Southwest ®, FDIC, Rapid Rewards, Chase, eBay, Southwest Hotels Locations: U.S, Southwest

☆ How the airline boarding process became such a mess
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

And airlines have made it chaotic by design — so people will pay to get an easier boarding process. Decades ago, airlines used to board first class and use an open boarding process for the main cabin. A better boarding processAirlines have been experimenting with different boarding schemes to try to speed up the process. Jason Steffen, a University of Nevada, Las Vegas physics professor developed a boarding method that boards passengers in rows of two. Southwest Airlines has the fastest boarding process of any major airline by simply allowing people to claim the first available seat.

Persons: New York CNN —, Don’t, Nathan Howard, it’s, you’ve, ”, Henry Harteveldt, Robert Mann, Nicolas Economou, Harteveldt, Massoud Bazargan, Jeffrey Greenberg, ” Bazargan, Aircrafts, —, Wilma, Jason Steffen, Charlie Riedel, Steffen, “ Organizations: New, New York CNN, Atmosphere Research, Carriers, Airlines, Embry, Riddle Aeronautical University, Universal, Transportation Department, Companies, University of Nevada, Southwest Airlines Locations: New York, Daytona Beach , Florida, Las Vegas

☆ Greece wildfires: A losing battle to save the lungs of Athens
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( Eleni Giokos | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The national park, known as the "lungs of Athens" is now home to a battle to repel wildfires. Now it is the home to a raging battle, as the emergency services try to repel more than 200 wildfires in Greece since Monday alone. Firefighters look at a wildfire burning on Mount Parnitha, in Athens, Greece, August 24, 2023. Burning cars destroyed by the fire on Mount Parnitha in Athens, Greece, on August 23, 2023. It was a welcome glimmer of hope, but it will take more than a little water to protect Greece from these wildfires and those that will surely come again.

Persons: Nikos, Eleni Giokos, CNN Nikos, ”, Nicolas Economou, Kostas, Michalis Diakakis, Parnitha, Giorgos Arapekos, Dr Diakakis, Nikos ’ Organizations: Greece CNN, CNN, Reuters, of Geology, Kapodistrian University of Athens, AP, Police Locations: Athens, Greece, Paraskevi, Panitha, Greece’s, ”, Parnitha, Dadia, Alexandroupoli, Evros

During Greece's peak power demand this year, also on July 24, solar photovoltaics covered 3.5GW of the total 10.35GW demand, grid operator IPTO said. Even in cooler and less sunny western countries such as Belgium, solar energy has covered more than 100% of the extra energy needed during midday spikes in power demand. Analysts say a second factor has helped to keep Europe's energy systems running this summer: overall, power demand has been relatively low. That has been the case since Europe's energy crisis last year, when Russia cut gas deliveries to Europe. "The only reason why this has been bearable is the low power demand environment that we're currently in," Refinitiv's Gerl said.

Persons: Nicolas Economou, Kristian Ruby, Electrica, Nathalie Gerl, IPTO, Spain's, Refinitiv's Gerl, Simone Tagliapietra, Kate Abnett, Susanna Twidale, Barbara Lewis Organizations: REUTERS, Analysts, Energy, European Commission, SolarPower, Thomson Locations: Rhodes, Greece, Europe, BRUSSELS, LONDON, Spain, Ukraine, Catania, Etna, Sicily, Athens, Belgium, Russia

☆ Wild weather turns up heat on EU debt stragglers
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Lisa Jucca | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Meanwhile, record-high temperatures and dryness triggered devastating blazes in Greece, forcing thousands to flee popular summer destinations such as Rhodes. The extreme weather may be limited to southern European countries, but its fiscal repercussions make this a Europe-wide emergency. Reuters GraphicsAgriculture accounts for just 4.4% of GDP in Greece, and less than 3% in Spain and Italy, according to Moody’s. Letting Greece, Italy and Spain deal with such climate nightmares, on top of other economic challenges, risks landing them with a Sisyphean task. As climate risks intensify, the EU will need to consider widening its joint borrowing plans.

Persons: Nicolas Economou CATANIA, Rhodes, heatwaves disproportionally, Francesco Guerrera, Oliver Taslic Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Cogeca, Reuters Graphics, European Environment Agency, Union, Copa Cogeca, Thomson Locations: Rhodes, Greece, Italy, Sicily, Europe, Spain, EU, Corfu

☆ Greece sees some wildfire respite, though stubborn blazes rage on
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"Wildfires across Greece have abated but firefighters are still operating at different spots," a fire brigade official said. Greece is heavily reliant on tourism and Rhodes, one of its biggest islands, is among its top summer destinations, attracting about 1.5 million foreign tourists in the summer months. [1/4]Flames and smoke rise as a wildfire burns near the village of Gennadi, on the island of Rhodes, Greece, July 25, 2023. REUTERS/Nicolas Economou/File PhotoTourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni said that wildfires have affected only a small part of the island. On the island of Corfu, where a wildfire rekindled overnight without threatening homes, a local governor said he suspected arson.

Persons: Rhodes, Nicolas Economou, Olga Kefalogianni, Nikos Mouzakitis, Angeliki Koutantou, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Firefighters, Canadair CL, Rhodes, REUTERS, ERT, Thomson Locations: ATHENS, Greece, Evia, Rhodes, Gennadi, Corfu, Athens

☆ EU plans to buy new firefighting planes as climate crisis worsens
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Kate Abnett | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The EU doubled its existing reserve fleet of firefighting aircraft in the past year, after devastating fires last summer in southern Europe exhausted its previous 13-craft capacity. That fleet comprises 28 aircraft, which the EU pays to lease from EU countries' own fleets or the market, to form a bloc-wide buffer during the wildfire season. The EU would finance the purchase of the 12 planes for its own fleet, while member states would pay for their own. EU countries are responsible for responding to wildfires, and request assistance from the EU reserve only when they need back-up. The bloc received 11 such requests in 2022 and has had four this year so far - including in Greece and Tunisia, where EU reserve planes are currently battling blazes.

Persons: Nicolas Economou BRUSSELS, Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic, Lenarcic, Kate Abnett, Alison Williams Organizations: REUTERS, European Union, EU, Crisis Management, Reuters, Manufacturer, Havilland, Canadair, Thomson Locations: Gennadi, Rhodes, Greece, Europe, Brussels, Croatia, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, EU, Tunisia

☆ 'My life stopped': local people say they lost all in Greece wildfires
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Fedja Grulovic | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Inside his destroyed business in the coastal village of Gennadi, stacks of plates are covered in ash and debris near a burned-down kitchen. For the residents of Rhodes, which like most Greek islands depends heavily on tourism for jobs and income, the scars run deep. [1/2]The destroyed restaurant of Dimitris Hajifotis is seen, as a wildfire burns on the island of Rhodes, Greece, July 26. Summer wildfires are common in Greece but a record temperatures in recent weeks have worsened conditions. A heatwave is forecast to persist this week with temperatures set to exceed 44 Celsius (111.2 Fahrenheit) in some areas.

Persons: RHODES, Dimitris Hajifotis, Nicolas Economou, Hadjifotis, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Laoudikos, Karolina Tagaris, Aurora Ellis Organizations: ERT, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Greece, Rhodes, Gennadi, Kiotari

☆ The world’s most eco-conscious airlines
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( Elissa Garay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

CNN —Most sustainability experts will scoff at the idea of “sustainable” and “airlines” in the same sentence. In 2022, an Airbus wide-body Beluga XL transport aircraft was filled with Sustainable Aviation Fuel" (SAF) for the first time. WiderøeNorway-based Widerøe, the largest regional airline in Scandinavia, says it is on track to become one of the world’s first fully emissions-free airlines. Alaska AirlinesAlaska Airlines has invested heavily in Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images/Getty ImagesWhile most major global airlines are targeting 2050 for net-zero carbon emissions, Alaska Airlines intends to meet that target as soon as 2040.

Persons: ”, Pedro Piris, Sola Zheng, Sina Schuldt, Nicolas Jammes, ” Akbar Al Baker, “, Zheng, –, that’s, it’s, Beata Zawrzel, Fabrizio Gandolfo, Nicolas Economou, Bauer, Griffin, It’s Organizations: CNN, Environmental Defense Fund, International Council, Clean Transportation, Commercial, International Air Transport Association, UN, Airbus, Beluga XL, Sustainable Aviation, Qatar Airways, SAF, European Union, Google, Environmental Defense, Airlines, United Airlines United, Aerospace, United, Flight Fund, Widerøe Norway, Widerøe, Royce, SAS SAS, Scandinavian, SAS, Wizz, Wizz Air, Etihad Airways Etihad, Getty, Etihad Airways, United Arab Emirates, Boeing, Etihad, Alaska Airlines Alaska Airlines, Aviation Fuels, AaronP, Alaska Airlines, Air Canada Canadian, Air Canada Locations: Europe, Denmark, Sweden, ICCT, Scandinavia, Norway, Canada

The new United credit card bonus offers can get you free flights on United and its partners. Other cards offering increased welcome bonuses are the United Quest℠ Card, United℠ Explorer Card, and United Gateway℠ Card. For a limited time, four United credit cards are offering elevated welcome bonuses, worth up to 80,000 miles and 1,000 Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) toward elite status. Earn 3x miles on United® purchases, 2x miles on dining, select streaming services & all other travel, 1x on all other purchases. Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases including tickets, Economy Plus, inflight food, beverages and Wi-Fi, and other United charges.

Persons: Nicolas Economou, —, we've, Here's, We're, You'll, It's, Cardholders, it's Organizations: United, Getty, Service, United Airlines, Star Alliance, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, Chase United, PQP United, United Club, Reading Chevron, Canada, Quest, TSA, Airlines, Chevron, Card, Free Locations: Chevron

☆ Travel news: Underwater metro routes and marine discoveries
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-29 | by ( Maureen O'Hare | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Get the latest news in aviation, food and drink, where to stay and other travel developments. CNN —Incredible Italian home makeovers, jaw-dropping marine discoveries and ritzy new trains in Scotland and Taiwan: We’ve got all this and more in our latest roundup of news and features from CNN Travel. Massachusetts couple Doug and Leah Johnson renovated a 14th-century apartment in the town of Vasanello in Lazio that they bought for less than $14,000. Life on the railsAustralia and India are celebrating milestones in underwater travel. And on April 12, Kolkata’s new underwater metro route completed its maiden run, ahead of opening to the public in November.

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