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☆ Biotech Founder Vivek Ramaswamy Enters 2024 GOP Presidential Race
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( John Mccormick | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Vivek Ramaswamy says the nation faces an identity crisis over what it stands for and where it needs to go. Vivek Ramaswamy , a multimillionaire biotech company founder and investor, said Tuesday that he is entering the 2024 Republican presidential nomination race. The native of southwestern Ohio has criticized what he calls woke capitalism, including investment based on environmental, social and corporate-governance principles. Under ESG, individuals seek to invest in ways consistent with their own values and to benefit from growth in sectors such as renewable energy.

☆ Chinese provinces give 30 days' paid 'marriage leave' to boost birth rate
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] A newly wed couple pose for pictures on Valentine's Day at a marriage registration office in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China February 14, 2023. China Daily via REUTERSHONG KONG, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Some Chinese provinces are giving young newlyweds 30 days of paid leave in the hope of encouraging marriage and boosting a flagging birth rate, the Communist Party mouthpiece People's Daily Health said on Tuesday. China's minimum paid marriage leave is three days, but provinces have been able to set their own more generous allowances since February. "Extending marriage leave is one of the effective ways of increasing the fertility rate," Yang Haiyang, dean of the Social Development Research Institute of Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, was quoted as saying. Yang said a host of other supporting policies were still needed, including housing subsidies and paid paternity leave for men.

☆ Reasons Plane Travel, Airline Customer Service, Airports Are so Terrible
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( Bartie Scott | Juliana Kaplan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +15 min

It's almost impossible to imagine a time when air travel was pleasant, much less enjoyable. Lost baggage, overbooked flights, outdated equipment, hidden fees, and disorganized staffing have fliers at their wits' end; consumer complaints about airline service have risen by 300% from pre-pandemic levels. Many of these measures had been put in place to improve safety following some rattling accidents in the early days of commercial air travel. So in 1978, at the urging of the economist and "inflation czar" Alfred Kahn, President Jimmy Carter enacted the Airline Deregulation Act. He added that "airline service, by any standard, has become unacceptable."

Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightThe Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card is ideal for small-business owners who fly Southwest frequently. Review: Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card the Best Card for You? How to Earn Points From the Southwest Performance Business Credit CardThe Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card makes it easy to earn lots of Southwest points. The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card is the most feature-packed Southwest card on the market. The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card is a small-business rewards credit card.

☆ The Southwest personal credit cards are offering a rare welcome bonus that includes a Companion Pass, but only for a limited time
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( Joseph Hostetler | Credit Cards Reporter | Read More | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +17 min

This is a great deal, but the promotional Companion Pass isn't quite as valuable as a standard Companion Pass. But through March 13, 2023, three of Southwest's best credit cards (the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, and Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card) come with a welcome bonus that includes a promotional Companion Pass. Compare Southwest credit cards Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit CardSouthwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit CardSouthwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. The Southwest Companion Pass allows you to change your designated companion up to three times per calendar year. You can achieve the Southwest Companion Pass after earning 135,000 Southwest points in a calendar year.

☆ A FedEx aircraft aborted landing to avoid a Southwest Airlines passenger jet that was mistakenly cleared for the same runway
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-05 | by ( Stephanie Stacey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A FedEx aircraft aborted its landing to avoid a Southwest Airlines jet on Saturday during heavy fog. Both were mistakenly cleared for the same runway at Austin Bergstrom International Airport. "The pilot of the FedEx airplane discontinued the landing and initiated a climb out," said the FAA. "Shortly before the FedEx aircraft was due to land, the controller cleared Southwest Flight 708 to depart from the same runway," the FAA said, per Reuters. Southwest Airlines, FedEx, and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Insider.

☆ The Biden administration gave Southwest a deadline to issue refunds for the flight chaos over Christmas. A month later, some passengers were still waiting to be paid.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Pete Buttigieg gave the airline a deadline for refunds, but it came and went. John Erickson, a Southwest passenger who was stuck in Denver for three days after Southwest canceled his flight, told WFLA the airline told him it would take months to receive his refund. In a statement provided to Insider, Southwest rebuked the possibility it engaged in unrealistic flight schedules. Southwest previously told Insider last week it was still working daily to process refund and reimbursement requests from passengers. The spokesperson said DOT "will hold Southwest accountable if it fails" to issue timely refunds or reimbursements.

☆ Before Sending a Child on a Flight Alone, Read the Fine Print
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Dawn Gilbertson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Nina Simon’s 9-year-old daughter spent five extra days with her grandparents in Washington state. Annalee Hickman Pierson’s 7-year-old daughter missed her first Christmas with her baby sister in Utah, where matching pajamas and velvet dresses awaited. The children were flying solo as part of Southwest Airlines Co.’s service for unaccompanied minors. They were among the youngest travelers caught in the carrier’s holiday meltdown.

☆ Putin says military must stop Ukrainian shelling of Russian regions
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting on the restoration of destroyed housing and infrastructure in regions of southwest Russia that border Ukraine, via a video conference at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Russia February 1, 2023. Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Kremlin via REUTERSFeb 1 (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Russia's military must stop the shelling of Russian regions from Ukrainian territory, which he said had left many people homeless or without power. Putin was addressing a government meeting about restoring destroyed housing and infrastructure in regions of southwest Russia that border Ukraine. But this is the business of the military department," Putin said in remarks published on the Kremlin website. Putin cited the Russian regions of Belgorod, Bryansk and Kursk, as well as Crimea, which Russia seized from Ukraine and annexed in 2014, as areas where housing had been damaged or destroyed.

The storm was concentrated in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, home to both American and Southwest airlines — though with 419 canceled departures, Southwest had the lion's share of affected flights, according to FlightAware. An alternative measure of cancellation rates on flight-tracking site Anuvu.com showed 9% of Southwest's flights had been canceled, compared with 6% of American's flights. On Monday, it issued a winter weather waiver for 12 airports in the region that will allow affected travelers to get a refund or rebook for any flights canceled from January 30 to February 1. The outsized Southwest cancellations come just weeks after a holiday travel meltdown prompted nearly 17,000 flights to be canceled, potentially affecting millions of travelers. If your flight is delayed for any other reason, like weather, you are not entitled to any compensation or refund.

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Chevron, Tesla, Seagate Technology, United Rentals and more
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Hakyung Kim | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Analysts called for earnings of 10 cents per share on $1.83 billion in revenue, according to Refinitiv. Though United Rentals missed analysts' expectations for per-share earnings, it was in-line with Wall Street's forecasts for revenue, per FactSet. The company forecasted 2023 revenue to range between $13.7 billion and $14.2 billion, surpassing analysts' estimates, according to FactSet. Sherwin-Williams earned an adjusted $1.89 per share last quarter, topping estimates by 2 cents, according to Refinitiv. Tractor Supply's EPS came in at $2.43 versus analysts' estimate of $2.35 per share, according to Refinitiv.

☆ DOT is probing whether Southwest's schedules were 'unrealistic' during holiday meltdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The Transportation Department said Wednesday that it is in the initial phase of an investigation of Southwest Airlines ' holiday meltdown and looking at whether the carrier's schedules was unrealistic. The company and labor unions have pointed to outmoded scheduling platforms that weren't designed to handle the number of flight changes that occurred over that period. "DOT is also probing whether Southwest executives engaged in unrealistic scheduling of flights which under federal law is considered an unfair and deceptive practice," a DOT spokesperson said. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has previously vowed to hold Southwest accountable for the disruptions, which left hundreds of thousands of travelers stranded. "Our holiday flight schedule was thoughtfully designed and offered to our Customers with the backing of a solid plan to operate it, and with ample staffing," Southwest said in a statement late Wednesday.

☆ Southwest Airlines to pay pilots millions in bonuses as 'gratitude' for working during meltdown: CNN
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( Marielle Descalsota | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Southwest will pay pilots an estimated $45 million in bonuses for working during the service meltdown last year, per CNN. Some 9,400 pilots are expected to be paid 50% of their regular pay, CNN reported. Southwest employs some 9,400 pilots who are expected to be compensated 50% of their regular pay, CNN reported, citing a message sent by the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association to a member. These bonuses, or "gratitude pay," are meant to compensate pilots for working through the airline's service meltdown last December, the report states. Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan took responsibility for the carrier's operational meltdown over the recent holiday season.

☆ Southwest pilots, others to get bonus pay for working during meltdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Chris Isidore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Southwest Airlines has agreed to pay its pilots an estimated $45 million in bonus “gratitude pay” for working through the company’s service meltdown during the holiday travel period at the end of last year. Southwest has about 9,400 pilots. The estimated cost of their bonus pay was disclosed in a message from the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association to its membership saying the “gratitude pay” will be equal 50% of the pilots’ regular pay, excluding holiday pay, sick pay or vacation time. Southwest said the “gratitude” pay to employees is included in that estimate. About 83% of Southwest employees are represented by union groups, and the airline is currently in negotiations concerning seven separate contracts that cover most of those union members.

☆ Southwest Airlines pilot union calls for strike authorization vote
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Jan 18 (Reuters) - Southwest Airlines Co's (LUV.N) pilot union has called for a strike authorization vote, weeks after a tech meltdown at the carrier left tens of thousands of passengers stranded across the United States. Casey Murray, president of Southwest Airlines Pilot Association (SWAPA), said in a statement. The strike authorization vote will take place beginning May 1 and will be counted at the end of that month, said SWAPA, which represents more than 10,000 pilots. Southwest pilots have been locked in talks over a new contract with the airline for nearly three years. Reporting by Kannaki Deka in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber and Shinjini GanguliOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Wall Street sees big gains ahead in these industrial stocks, even with a recession on the horizon
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( Samantha Subin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Conventional wisdom says to steer clear of industrial stocks heading into a recession, in anticipation of sputtering economic growth and factory production. But even in the face of a looming downturn this year, Wall Street still expects a host of industrial companies to weather the turmoil, and sees strong gains in the months ahead. XLI YTD mountain The XLI is up more than 2% this year Industrial stocks outperformed last year and continue to fare well in 2023. Delta shares could see the greatest upside of the three, with the consensus target implying a 32% potential rally in the shares. Auxiliary power equipment maker Generac also made the list, with the average price target suggesting shares stand to gain as much as 20%.

☆ Shareholders sue Southwest Airlines over flight meltdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Jonathan Stempel | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Shelby Tauber//File PhotoJan 12 (Reuters) - Shareholders filed a lawsuit against Southwest Airlines Co (LUV.N) on Thursday, accusing the carrier of fraudulently concealing problems that led last month to an operational meltdown and more than 15,000 flight cancellations. Flight operations at Dallas-based Southwest buckled shortly before Christmas as a fierce winter storm swept across the United States. The carrier largely restored normal operations by Dec. 30, several days after other airlines had recovered. In an interview on Thursday, Jordan said Southwest was looking at all operations to avoid a repeat of the meltdown. The case is Teroganesian v Southwest Airlines Co, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, No.

☆ Aging, outdated technology leaves air travel at risk of meltdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

As early as 2012, the FAA decided it wanted to replace aging legacy voice switches used in air traffic control communications with new, internet-based communications technology. Trying to integrate old systems with newer ones — always in real time, because the global aviation industry never sleeps — can also create its own opportunities for catastrophic mistakes. Many more things can go wrong than you might expect — highlighting the sheer complexity of the aviation industry, and underscoring how there isn’t a quick easy fix for IT-related travel disruptions. But it has had lasting effects on FAA technology. That bureaucratic myopia is its own cause of today’s technological malaise in the aviation industry.

☆ Southwest shareholders are suing the airline, saying it hid the problems that caused its winter meltdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Southwest shareholders are suing the airline following its mass flight cancellations in December. The lawsuit accuses it of downplaying or not noting previous issues in its scheduling system. The company cancelled almost 17,000 flights in December and said its scheduling system was a factor. Southwest cancelled significantly more flights than any other airline during the severe December weather. The vice captain of the Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association accused former Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly, who stepped down in January 2022 but is still the company's executive chairman, of turning the airline "into a headquarters-centric cult."

☆ Key Senate Democrats push Southwest CEO for answers on holiday meltdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Southwest Airlines Executive Vice President Bob Jordan speaks as he is interviewed by CNBC outside the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., December 9, 2021. The questions push for details about the causes of the meltdown, including Southwest's outdated software and staffing failures. The mass cancellations came alongside an intense snowstorm and elevated holiday travel demand, which posed a challenge to many airlines. The senators' letter also highlights Southwest's use of funds, claiming it neglected to update company-wide systems that have long been out of date. "Southwest has long known that its software was outdated, and the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association had warned that such a debacle was inevitable unless Southwest invested in new scheduling systems," the letter says.

"At this time, we do not believe the cause is related to the FAA outage experienced earlier today." Share this -Link copiedNearly half of Southwest flights delayed just weeks after mass cancellations Nearly half of Southwest Airlines flights were delayed as of about 11:15 a.m. Share this -Link copiedMore than 540 Delta flights delayed, 14 canceled More than 540 Delta flights were delayed as of 9:13 a.m. ET, the airline had three flights canceled and 208 flights delayed, amounting to 21% of its overall flights, according to FlightAware. Alaska Airlines had 11 flights canceled and 149 flights delayed, also amounting to 21% of its overall flights, FlightAware noted as of 8:53 a.m.

While all airlines were affected, one stood out as the grounding of domestic flights had a cascading effect on air travel: Southwest Airlines. According to the flight tracking company Flight Aware, Southwest had as many as 49% of its flights delayed as of noon Wednesday. Anuvu, another site that tracks flights, showed just 7% of Southwest flights were departing on time, compared with 15% for American Airlines, 21% for United Airlines, and 33% for Delta Airlines. Southwest is still reeling from the huge disruption it experienced over the Christmas holiday that saw an estimated 11,000 of its flights canceled. Southwest said Wednesday it would rebook customers on the next available Southwest flight with seats available to the customer’s ticketed destination, at no additional cost.

How to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards pointsThe only way to earn rewards in the Chase Ultimate Rewards ecosystem is by opening and using a Chase credit card that operates within this program. Pay Yourself Back with Chase points (up to 1.5 cents per point)During the pandemic, Chase introduced a compelling new way to redeem points for everyday, non-travel expenses. Redeem points for experiences (point values vary)You can also use Chase Ultimate Rewards points to book special experiences, including one-of-a-kind events hosted by Chase. Book hotels through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portalWhile the Chase Ultimate Rewards program partners with IHG Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, and World of Hyatt, it's important to price shop awards before you transfer Chase points to these programs. For example, you may find that a Marriott stay that costs 50,000 points will only set you back 12,000 Chase points through the portal.

☆ Europe had second-warmest year on record in 2022, EU scientists say
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Kate Abnett | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

REUTERS/Stephane MaheBRUSSELS, Jan 10 (Reuters) - Europe experienced its second-warmest year on record in 2022, European Union scientists said on Tuesday, as climate change unleashed record-breaking weather extremes that slashed crop yields, dried up rivers and led to thousands of deaths. The EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) said 2022 was also the world's fifth-warmest year, by a small margin. The last eight years were the world's eight hottest on record, C3S said. Britain experienced its hottest year on record in 2022, its national weather service said on Wednesday. The European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service shares its findings on the global climate for 2022 The annual global average temperature in 2022 was 0.3 degrees Celsius above the reference period of 1991-2020.

☆ The New York state pension fund overseer has asked Southwest Airlines to explain how it plans to prevent future operational catastrophes, like the one over the holiday season
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The New York State comptroller pressed Southwest Airlines to explain how it plans to avoid another operational meltdown. The carrier canceled more than 16,700 flights between December 21 and 31, amid the holiday travel season. The New York state pension fund is one of the top-100 largest investors in Southwest. A spokesperson for the comptroller's office told WSJ it's waiting for a response from Southwest, but had no immediate plans for action. The New York State Comptroller office and Southwest Airlines did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment sent outside regular business hours.

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