Tag: World news

Microsoft unveils Windows 11 as it takes direct aim at rival Apple’s lucrative App Store business model

Frank

WORLD – Tech giant Microsoft has unveiled Windows 11, its first major operating system revamp since 2015 with new changes that take direct aim at Apple’s lucrative App Store business model, reports Reuters and Tech Central. Windows 11, which will hit the market by the end of this year, will include a new Windows Store that will let software developers use their own in-app payment systems and pay no commissions to Microsoft and also let users both find and run Android mobile applications on their laptops and PCs, thanks to technology…

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IKEA Foundation and Rockefeller set up a historic US$1b initiative to catalyze investments in distributed renewable energy

Frank

WORLD – The IKEA Foundation and The Rockefeller Foundation have announced they will join forces to set up a US$1 billion global platform to fight climate change and energy poverty. The platform, which is set to be launched this year 2021 aims to reduce 1 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions and to empower 1 billion people with distributed renewable energy (DRE), a renewable energy generated from sources such as mini-grid and off-grid solutions, located near the point of use, rather than centralized sources like power plants. The new global…

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DHL Global Forwarding adds sustainable marine fuel option for full-container load shipments

Frank

WORLD – DHL Global Forwarding, the air and ocean freight specialist division of Deutsche Post DHL Group, has introduced another Sustainable Marine Fuel (SMF) service for ocean freight as part of their sustainability strategy. Following the success of the launch of a similar service for Less-than-Container Load (LCL) shipments, they are now extending the carbon reduction option to Full-Container Load (FCL) shipments. DHL customers can easily choose the use of sustainable biofuels, such as via the myDHLi Quote + Book function, which also includes a carbon calculator and offering the…

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UN confirms appointment Rebeca Grynspan as UNCTAD Secretary-General

Frank

WORLD – Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica will be the new Secretary-General of United Nation Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the UN trade and development body after her nomination to the post by UN Secretary-General António Guterres was approved by the UN General Assembly. Ms. Grynspan, the first woman and Central American to be appointed as Secretary-General of UNCTAD, is an economist and current Ibero-American Secretary-General. She replaces Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi of Kenya who stepped down after serving his year terms. “I am grateful and honoured for the trust…

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Total rebrands as TotalEnergies, transforms into a broad energy company

Frank

WORLD – Shareholders of French energy giant Total have approved, almost unanimously, the resolution to change the company’s name to TotalEnergies, reflecting its strategic transformation into a broad energy company. In tandem with this name change, TotalEnergies is adopting a new visual identity. “Energy is life. We all need it and it’s a source of progress. So today, to contribute to the sustainable development of the planet facing the climate challenge, we are moving forward, together, towards new energies. Energy is reinventing itself, and this energy journey is ours. Our ambition is…

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Kuehne+Nagel completes acquisition of Apex Logistics

Frank

WORLD – Global transport and logistics company Kuehne Nagel, has completed the acquisition of Apex International Corporation, following the satisfaction of all closing conditions. Apex is an Asian freight forwarder, especially on the transpacific and intra-Asia trade routes. In 2020, the company generated turnover of CHF 2.2 billion (US$2.4 billion), gross profit of CHF 296 million (US$327 million) and earnings before taxes of CHF 126 million (US$139 million) and ranked seventh in terms of global air freight forwarding volume. In the first quarter of 2021, Apex has continued to perform…

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Radisson Blu celebrates a decade as the largest upper upscale brand in Europe, confirms 16 new signings in EMEA

Frank

WORLD – Radisson Hotel Group is celebrating Radisson Blu’s reconfirmed position as the largest upper upscale brand in Europe for the past decade and continues its successful portfolio growth in Europe, Middle East and Africa with over 2,000 rooms and 16 signings added to the Group’s portfolio in quarter 1. In a year of historic challenges, Radisson Hotel Group has remained actively committed to its five-year development plan to be recognized as one of the top hotel brands in the world and the brand of choice for owners, guests, and…

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Verizon Communications to dispose of Yahoo, AOL in US$5b mega-deal

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WORLD – US-based telecoms company Verizon Communications is disposing of its media businesses, which include Yahoo and AOL, for US$5 billion. In a press statement, Verizon and Apollo Global Management announced that funds managed by affiliates of Apollo entered into an agreement to acquire Verizon Media for US$5 billion. Verizon will retain a 10% stake in the company, which will be known as Yahoo at close of the transaction and continue to be led by Chief Executive Officer Guru Gowrappan. One of the world’s premier global technology and media companies, Verizon Media…

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Global e-commerce jumps to US$26.7 trillion, Covid-19 boosts online retail sales – UNCTAD

Frank

WORLD – According to a new  report by United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), online retail sales grew markedly in several countries, with the Republic of Korea reporting the highest share at 25.9% in 2020, up from 20.8% the year before. Meanwhile, global e-commerce sales jumped to US$26.7 trillion globally in 2019, up 4% from 2018, according to the latest available estimates. This includes business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) sales and is equivalent to 30% of global gross domestic product (GDP) that year. “These statistics show the growing…

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WaterEquity secures US$25m funding from DFC to finance water and sanitation projects

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AFRICA – The U.S. Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has provided US$25 million to WaterEquity Fund, a facility designed to support institutions that finance water and sanitation projects in Africa and other regions of the world. The US$25 million is the first tranche of a US$100 million loan. “At least five million people will be able to access improved water and sanitation services on these three continents,” said the DFC. The loan is being provided with “the issuance of fixed income instruments in accordance with the International Capital Market Association (ICMA) guidelines on…

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