Bloomberg Hershey Co. is spending $500 million in the hopes of producing its iconic chocolate Kisses from more sustainable cocoa. Through its so-called Cocoa for Good programme, the company will invest the funds through 2030 to support four key areas: nourishing children, empowering youth, building prosperous communities and preserving natural ecosystems. The initiative’s goals include eliminating child labor and increasing ...

Bloomberg Southwest Airlines Co. is considering an order for “more than a handful” of Boeing Co.’s 737 Max aircraft as the nation’s largest discount carrier benefits from lower tax rates and expanding travel demand. Discussions with Boeing are ongoing, Southwest Chief Executive Officer Gary Kelly said without specifying a number for a potential order. The CEO reaffirmed that the airline ...

Bloomberg Taco Bell, increasingly focussed on global growth amid a saturated US market, is expanding Down Under. In November, the chain opened its first Australian restaurant in Brisbane, and it has exceeded management’s expectations, said Liz Williams, president of Taco Bell International. Sales are several million dollars higher than a typical unit, she said, declining to provide specifics. Now, Taco ...

Abu Dhabi / Emirates Business Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the third edition of Mother of Nation Festival has concluded with the event entertaining and delighting more than 151,000 visitors from across Abu Dhabi, the UAE and beyond with a highly interactive programme for the entire family to enjoy, including performances, ...

Abu Dhabi / WAM The Board of Management of the UAE Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), convened its second meeting in 2018 to review the progress of its operational activities and discuss its initiatives for the current year. During the meeting, the Board learned about the latest updates in its operating licence application for units 1 and 2 of ...

Dubai / WAM While Artificial Intelligence (AI), is making inroads into journalism, human journalists will not be replaced by robots. AI will mainly be used to assist humans in adapting to the latest technology trends to better suit the needs of new age media, said an expert. Lisa Gibbs, Director of News Partnerships of The Associated Press (AP), was addressing ...

Geneva / WAM Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, said, “We are confirming the UAE’s support, as part of the Arab Coalition, for any efforts to ease the suffering of the Yemeni people, and I am pleased, on my country’s behalf, to announce our support for the UN’s 2018 humanitarian plan for Yemen, with the ...

ABU DHABI / WAM Senaat, one of the leading industrial investment holding companies in the UAE, announced on Tuesday a 16 percent increase in operating earnings in 2017 compared to 2016. The Abu Dhabi-based group said its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) rose to AED2.1 billion from AED1.8 billion a year earlier as revenues surged 18 percent ...

ABU DHABI / WAM The value of subsidy and social privileges and benefits provided by the Federal Government during the first nine months of 2017 amounted to AED38.4 billion against AED34 billion during the corresponding period in 2016, according to the Ministry of Finance data. These include price subsidies, social benefits and other privileges provided to UAE nationals, including plots ...

ABU DHABI / WAM Lending by UAE banks for industrial and business operations amounted to AED7.4 billion during the first two months of the year, a growth of 1 percent over the end of last year, bringing to AED755 billion the cumulative balance of funding provided to industrial and business activities. The gross credit lent to the industrial and business ...