A frightening second wave of Covid-19 has begun to sweep over the world’s second-biggest nation. Case numbers and deaths are spiking in India, threatening to overwhelm hospital systems; the financial capital Mumbai has re-imposed stringent lockdown rules. The government, which had earned global goodwill by exporting Indian-made vaccines to over 80 countries, is now holding back supplies for domestic use. ...
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How Covid changed NYC realty deals
$68,750: That’s how much my husband and I will be paying in rent over the course of our two-year lease in New York City. It was startling to see the total amount on our agreement — this could buy a home (albeit a fixer upper) in some places in the US or constitute a hefty down payment in others. I ...
Read More »Are you thrilled about tourism re-opening?
Although Hawaii re-opened to tourists in October, it took a combination of spring break and pent-up travel fever before the airports felt close to normal again. By mid-March, the number of arriving domestic passengers exceeded 2020’s anemic levels by 400%. A surge in visitors is undoubtedly good for the state’s hard-hit tourism economy. But is it good for Hawaiians? A ...
Read More »Biden’s infrastructure plan does need work
Like much of Joe Biden’s presidency to date, the $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan he laid out is remarkably ambitious. Rightly so. America’s economic future is at stake. The country needs a bold new commitment to public investment. The US is visibly falling behind. Any recent traveller to Beijing or Shanghai is struck by how shabby American airports and city grids ...
Read More »France, EU reach good deal on Air France aid: Le Maire
Bloomberg The French government and the European Commission have reached an agreement in principle on fresh financial support for Air France, which has been hurt by a drop in air travel since the start of the pandemic, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said. “It’s very good news for Air France, it’s very good news for the whole French aviation sector,†...
Read More »Delta cancels 100 flights, temporarily reopens some of its middle seats
Bloomberg Delta Air Lines Inc said it’s cancelled about 100 flights due to a staffing shortage, and as a result will allow travellers to book middle seats on some planes a month ahead of plan. “Delta teams have been working through various factors, including staffing, large numbers of employee vaccinations, and pilots returning to active status,†a spokeswoman said in ...
Read More »GameStop to offer up to $1b in shares; stock declines
Bloomberg GameStop fell on Monday after the company said it may sell up to $1 billion worth of additional shares in an at-the-market equity offering program. Shares of the video game retailer declined more than 15% to $160.96 as of 7:19 am in New York. Jefferies will manage the offering of up to 3.5 million shares, according to a statement, ...
Read More »Philippines warns China of daily protests if ‘militia’ stays
Bloomberg The Philippines warned Beijing it would face a barrage of diplomatic protests if Chinese vessels believed to be part of a “maritime militia†do not leave disputed South China Sea areas, escalating the spat between the two nations. “For every day of delay, the Republic of the Philippines will lodge a diplomatic protest,†the Department of Foreign Affairs said ...
Read More »China tests Biden with South China Sea tactic that misled Obama
Bloomberg Based on the official view from Beijing, the Philippines has no reason to worry about Chinese fishing boats sitting along a disputed reef in the South China Sea. The vessels — initially numbering in the hundreds — were simply “taking shelter from the wind†and the Philippines should view the situation in a “rational light,†Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman ...
Read More »Donald Trump keeps history at bay by putting off presidential library
Bloomberg Donald Trump is spending his first months as an ex-president trying to ensure that he’s remembered the way he wants — but he’s holding off on plans to establish a library that would enshrine his version of his presidency. Refusing to cede the limelight, the former president has issued almost daily statements, set up a website and turned up ...
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