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☆ Russian Oligarch Seizes 400,000 Acres of Ukrainian Farmland, Owners Say
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Alistair Macdonald | Oksana Pyrozhok | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Soon after Russian tanks rolled into eastern Ukraine, three of that country’s biggest farming operators lost tracts of land equivalent to more than twice the area of New York City. It wasn’t taken by the military. In all three cases, leaders of the Ukrainian farming operations say, the land ended up in the hands of the family company of a former Russian agriculture minister, Alexander Tkachev .

☆ Nigeria resumes Abuja-Kaduna train service attacked by gunmen
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/7] A policeman stands next to the door of a train as Abuja-Kaduna train resumes services after an attack on its passengers by bandits in March, in Abuja, Nigeria December 5, 2022. REUTERS/Afolabi SotundeABUJA, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Nigeria's state railway company on Monday resumed a popular train service between the capital Abuja and the northern state of Kaduna, suspended since in March after gunmen killed passengers and kidnapped several dozen. The Nigerian military in October secured the release of the remaining 23 hostages from the train attack. President Muhammadu Buhari's government had said the train service would only start once all hostages were freed. Passengers were required to provide national identification numbers, while armed security were on board the train.

☆ Gunmen in Nigeria kill a dozen people, abduct others from mosque
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Gunmen in Nigeria killed a dozen worshippers, including an imam, and kidnapped several others from a mosque on Saturday night, local residents said on Sunday, in the latest attack by armed gangs in the north of the country. Armed gangs, known as bandits, attack communities where security is stretched, killing people or kidnapping them for ransom. The gangs also demand villagers pay protection fees to be allowed to farm and harvest their crops. About 12, who were attending night prayers, were caught in the gunfire and killed, including the chief imam, said Haruna. I'm praying that the bandits release the innocent people they abducted," said Abdullahi Mohammed, another resident of Funtua.

☆ West African leaders plan peacekeeping force to counter 'coup belt' reputation
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Felix Onuah | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Afolabi SotundeABUJA, Dec 4 (Reuters) - West African leaders said on Sunday they would establish a regional peacekeeping force to intervene in member states to help restore security and constitutional order in a region that has witnessed several coups in the past two years. West and Central Africa has made strides in the past decade to shed its reputation as a "coup belt", but the Economic Commission for West African States (ECOWAS) wants to do more to boost constitutional government in its member states. The ECOWAS leaders also expressed concern over the continued detention of 46 Ivorian soldiers in Mali. They asked Malian authorities to release the soldiers by the end of this month. Reporting by Felix Onuah; Writing by MacDonald Dzirutwe; Editing by David HolmesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Alaska Airlines shipped hops 2,700 miles so a brewery in Hawaii could make a specific kind of beer
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Brady Macdonald | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

Then one day Spotts had an idea: If Alaska Airlines could ship fresh salmon to the lower 48 states and around the world, why couldn't the carrier deliver fresh Northwest hops across the Pacific? Alaska Airlines Alaska Airlines

☆ Ukraine Hunts the World for Parts to Fix Crippled Energy Grid
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Alistair Macdonald | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

As Russia targets Ukraine’s energy grid with missiles and drones, Kyiv is running out of vital parts needed to repair a network that provides electricity for homes, businesses and hospitals. Moscow has deliberately attacked Ukraine’s ability to generate and transport power in a bid to sap the country’s morale, leaving millions without heat and light as temperatures fall below freezing.

☆ 25 new airlines have launched globally since the pandemic rocked the industry in 2020 — see the list
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Brady Macdonald | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

ValueJet, which had its inaugural flight in October 2022, plans to expand its routes as its fleet of Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft continues to grow. The Nigerian upstart positions itself as a hybrid carrier with both low-cost and premium options for passengers. Bombardier CRJ-900 BombardierSource: The Guardian Nigeria

☆ Delta Sky Club lounge access is becoming super exclusive — making the Amex Platinum and Delta Reserve cards more valuable than ever
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Joseph Hostetler | Credit Cards Reporter | Read More | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +16 min

If you've got a qualifying Amex card, such as The Platinum Card® from American Express , you don't have to worry about these new rules. But they're excellent news for anyone with a flavor of The Platinum Card® from American Express or Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu. Day passes will also increase to $50 for those with cards like the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card charges a $550 annual fee ($145 cheaper than purchasing an annual membership).

Vessels linked to Russia’s largest grain trader shipped thousands of tons of stolen Ukrainian grain to global buyers, using a sophisticated system of feeder vessels and floating cranes, according to an investigation by The Wall Street Journal. The ships are linked either through their management or ownership to companies controlled by Russian businessman Peter Khodykin , who in turn owns RIF Trading House LLC, the country’s largest grain exporter and a big player in global grain markets, according to corporate and legal documents reviewed by the Journal.

☆ A Gen Z-led company tapped TikTok influencers to turn out young voters in midterm elections, creating a “blueprint” for 2024
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Nicole Gaudiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

A Gen Z-led company tapped TikTok influencers in November to persuade young people to vote. "I think the people that cracked the youth voter turnout code are the youth," said Narayanan, whose staff is mostly Gen Z. President Joe Biden, who also courted TikTok influencers, especially thanked young people for the election results. Social Currant worked with nearly 300 creators in the last two months to produce more than 500 pieces of content, he said. Rapper Ryze Hendricks, who has 6.3 million TikTok followers, delivered his message in rhyme: "I got a message for the youth.

☆ A new Canadian airline with a smiling emoji logo just launched in September and is coming to the US next year — meet Jetlines
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Brady Macdonald | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

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☆ Nigeria's Lagos shortlists Mota-Engil, Chinese ventures for $2.5 bln bridge
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LAGOS, Nov 27 (Reuters) - A consortium led by Portugal's builder Mota-Engil and two Chinese ventures has been shortlisted by Nigeria's Lagos state to build a $2.5 billion bridge that is expected to relieve severe congestion in the mega city, an official said on Sunday. The 37 kilometre Fourth Mainland Bridge, will be built under a public-private partnership. It will include three toll plazas, nine interchanges and a design speed of 120 kilometres per hour, said Jubril Gawat, a senior spokesperson for the Lagos state governor. Mota-Engil is partnering with China Communication and Construction Corporation and China Road and Bridge Corporation in the bid. China Gezhouba Group Company and China Geo-Engineering Corporation joint venture and a consortium led by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation are the two other shortlisted bidders.

The true-crime drama tells the story of the Chippendales dance troupe and its founder. How to watch 'Welcome to Chippendales'You can watch "Welcome to Chippendales" exclusively on Hulu. For $14 a month, subscribers can bundle ad-supported Hulu with Disney Plus and ESPN+, or for $20 a month, subscribers can bundle those services with ad-free Hulu. After the first month, Hulu with ads is $8 a month and Hulu without ads is $15 a month. "Welcome to Chippendales" is based on the novel "Deadly Dance: The Chippendales Murders" by authors K. Scot Macdonald and Patrick MontesDeOca.

☆ Flights just before Christmas cost 39% more this year and it might only get more expensive
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Brady Macdonald | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The Friday before Christmas is shaping up to be one of the busiest travel days of the year. More than half of Americans plan to travel during the Thanksgiving or Christmas holiday seasons this year, according to Hopper. The most expensive days to travelWith Christmas falling on a weekend, the Friday before and the Monday after the holiday will be the most expensive days to fly, according to Hopper. With New Year's Eve also falling on a weekend, January 1 and 2 will be the most expensive days for return flights, according to Hopper. Expect to pay a premium for Christmas travel if you book in December with more connections and undesirable flight times, according to The Vacationer.

☆ See how Singapore Airlines' chefs develop meals for the world's longest flights in a luxury spa test kitchen
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-19 | by ( Brady Macdonald | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

"A little bit of theater is important, but ultimately we want to reflect the value of the meals and the ingredients that are being used," Singapore Airlines Global Food and Beverage Director Antony McNeil said. Singapore Airlines Global Food and Beverage Director Antony McNeil. Singapore Airlines

☆ U.K. Orders Chinese-Owned Company to Unwind Chip-Factory Deal
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Alistair Macdonald | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Newport Wafer sits in the middle of the semiconductor supply chain that transforms logs of silicon into circular wafers that eventually get cut into chips. The U.K. government said a Chinese-owned company must unwind its acquisition of a British computer-chip factory more than a year after the takeover was completed, saying the deal posed a risk to national security. In a decision published late Wednesday, the U.K. ordered Nexperia BV—a Dutch subsidiary of China’s Wingtech Technology Co.—to sell at least 86% of Newport Wafer Fab , a manufacturing facility in Wales.

☆ Spain's steely roller derby skaters championing inclusivity in sport
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Horaci Garcia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] A view of tattoos on the leg of a skater of Barcelona’s Steel Groin roller derby team as the skaters stand during a training session in Barcelona, Spain November 16, 2022. REUTERS/Nacho Doce 1 2 3 4 5There are about 25 roller derby teams in Spain and over 1,200 leagues worldwide, mostly in the United States. Roller derby was developed in the United States in the 1930s. The Barcelona team began playing on the streets of the coastal city in 2010 and registered as a club in April 2011. "I'm able to be myself in roller derby".

☆ Low-cost airline Sun Country is launching 15 new non-stop routes to New York, Charlotte, and Atlantic City from its Minneapolis hub — see the list
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Brady Macdonald | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Sun Country Airlines will fly 15 nonstop routes from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to new and returning destinations. Sun Country operates 120 routes to more than 90 destinations but is one of the smaller US airlines. Sun Country Airlines will fly 15 nonstop routes from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to new and returning destinations including Charlotte, Detroit, St. Louis, Milwaukee, Colorado Springs, and Atlantic City, the airline announced. Sun Country partners China Airlines, Emirates, and Icelandair all fly out of JFK to international destinations. Sun Country has been adding routes as the carrier's network continues to expand.

☆ Take a look at the planes upstart airline Northern Pacific plans to use to connect Japan and Korea with major US cities through Alaska
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Brady Macdonald | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

Northern Pacific CEO Rob McKinney, a professional pilot who has logged "more miles than Santa Claus and Superman combined," has vowed to create an airline seat so comfortable that passengers will want to take it home. Northern Pacific CEO Rob McKinney Northern Pacific

☆ JetBlue is launching service to Paris from JFK and Boston
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Brady Macdonald | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

JetBlue looks to disrupt United, Delta, and American with the expanded European service. New European routes from JetBlue, United, and Delta tap into pent-up demand for overseas travel. Non-stop service between Boston Logan International Airport and CDG will be added at a later date. The move effectively doubles JetBlue's transatlantic presence following the 2021 launch of service to London from New York and Boston. In pre-pandemic 2019, the lucrative transatlantic travel market accounted for 11% to 17% of passenger revenues at United, Delta, and American airlines, according to Reuters.

☆ Low-cost startup airline Breeze is launching 3 new routes from North Carolina
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Brady Macdonald | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The low-cost carrier will fly between Raleigh-Durham and New Orleans, Hartford, and Providence. The new non-stop flights join the Breeze route map in February. The Research Triangle made up of Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Durham is home to the University of North Carolina, North Carolina State University, and Duke University. Breeze also announced non-stop flights on select days from Pittsburgh to Hartford and NOLA with returning routes starting in early February. Breeze also recently announced it is launching 2 new routes from Southern California's John Wayne Airport in Orange County.

LONDON, Nov 15 (Reuters) - The moment of truth is almost here for Britain's new prime minister Rishi Sunak and finance minister Jeremy Hunt. British markets have regained some poise after the carnage triggered by September's fiscal statement, but as the UK slips into recession, the outlook is far from rosy. Here's a look at some of the likely winners and losers from Thursday's budget. "Domestic UK equities are being treated with caution by investors both domestically and internationally," he said. snapshotA CRUDE TARGETEnergy companies have reported bumper profits this year, thanks to soaring crude oil and gas prices.

☆ Here's what critics are saying about Marvel's 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Danai Gurira and Letitia Wright star as Okoye and Shuri in Marvel Studio's "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever." DisneyIt's impossible to replace the irreplaceable, but that was Ryan Coogler's task as the director and co-writer of Disney's latest Marvel Cinematic Universe film, "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever." Here's what some critics thought of "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" ahead of its Friday debut:Kristy Puchko, MashablePuchko says the film, while action-packed, is at its core about how people handle loss differently. Still from Marvel Studio's "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever." Winston Duke stars as M'Baku in Marvel Studio's "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever."

☆ Allegiant and Spirit among the worst airlines in the world, behind only one other carrier, according to a new study
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Brady Macdonald | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

After years of battling it out for the title of Worst Airline in America, Spirit and Allegiant now find themselves near the top of an even more dishonorable list: Worst Airline in the World. Spirit Airlines aircraft. Carlos Yudica/Shutterstock

☆ Low-cost startup airline Breeze is launching 2 new routes from Southern California
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Brady Macdonald | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Breeze is launching its 100th route, a new transcontinental flight from California to Florida. Breeze plans to expand service at the slot-constrained John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California. Breeze is adding John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, California to its map with new nonstop routes from Southern California to Orlando International Airport and Provo Municipal Airport in Utah near Salt Lake City starting on February 16. The upstart's new routes fits into the Breeze model of connecting leisure-heavy locations without nonstop service. Most major airlines serve John Wayne and Orlando, but flights between them require one or more stops.

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