Some leaders in the US are intent on reviving the old dream of high-speed rail. Senator Bernie Sanders is proposing $607 billion for a new high-speed train network as part of his Green New Deal. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez included it in her own plan earlier this year. On Twitter, Sanders’s political allies sing the praises of high-speed rail systems such ...

Dubai / Emirates Business Cebu Pacific, the Philippines’ largest national flag-carrier, signed a Purchase Agreement with Airbus SAS for the order of 15 A320Neo (New Engine Option) family aircraft. The transaction is valued at $2 billion. The 15-aircraft order includes up to 10 A321XLR (Xtra Long Range) jets, the world’s longest-range single-aisle aircraft. The increased capacity of the A320neo will ...

Bloomberg Cabin crew at Deutsche Lufthansa AG’s Germanwings unit began a three-day strike on Monday that will affect around 180 mostly domestic Eurowings flights out of about 1,200 scheduled during the New Year period. The latest industrial action affecting Lufthansa underscores fragile relations between Europe’s biggest airline group and labour representatives as the company fights a continent-wide capacity war with ...

Amman / Emirates Business Emirates customers travelling in First and Business class, and Emirates Skywards Platinum and Gold members can now enjoy a smoother departure and arrival experience at Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) with complimentary Tikram fast-track services. The Tikram services will facilitate smoother journeys for the almost 300 premium passengers that travel on Emirates First and Business Class ...

Dubai / Emirates Business Ted Baker announces the reopening of his prestigious Dubai Mall store. After relocating just around the corner, Ted’s flagship location has undergone a tailor-made makeover. In the heart of Downtown Dubai, known for threading together internationally recognised fashion and fine dining, this is his most grandiose setting of all for the newly improved Ted Baker store. ...

Bloomberg EssilorLuxottica, the newly merged Italian-French eyewear conglomerate, said it was the target of a 190 million euro ($213 million) fraud at a factory in Thailand as a power struggle roils its headquarters. The world’s leading lens maker is working to recover the lost funds, and employees associated with the incident, which occurred at an Essilor plant, have been fired, ...

Bloomberg The chief financial officer of Domino’s Pizza Group Plc died in a snorkeling accident, leaving a growing management void at the franchise holder for the fast-food brand in the UK and Ireland. David Bauernfeind, 51, died while on vacation with his family in Mauritius, according to a spokesman. The company’s chairman and chief executive officer had previously announced plans ...

ABU DHABI / WAM The UAE Cabinet has approved the ‘People of Determination Protection from Abuse Policy’ to empower and protect persons with disabilities by allowing them to participate effectively within a safe community environment that offers them enhanced opportunities and guarantees their right to a dignified life. The policy aims to protect ‘the determined’ from abuse, empowering them, their ...

DUBAI / WAM His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, approved a three-year budget cycle for the Government of Dubai, for the 2020-2022 period. The three-year budget cycle meets the aspirations of Dubai’s future, and confirms its determination to continue raising people’s happiness and stimulating entrepreneurship. The ...

DUBAI / WAM Enoc Group has been awarded the Golden Peacock Award for Sustainability for third year in a row. Among 228 global applicants, the group was recognised for its commitment to improving sustainability standards. Since 2014, Enoc Group reduced its emission intensity by about 24% and water intensity by about 17% in its manufacturing, retail facilities. The group also ...