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FanDuel Parent Flutter Is Gaining Traction in the U.S. Gambling. Bet on the Stock. – Barron’s

Posted on March 23, 2023 by Danzig

Shares of FanDuel parent Flutter Entertainment are beginning to find momentum after the company started exploring a U.S. listingbut its not too late to bet on the stock.

Theres no doubting FanDuels strength in the U.S. sports betting market. It reached a 50% share of the online sportsbook market in the fourth quarter, Flutter says, citing data from the 17 states the brand operates in.

Flutters full-year earnings reported earlier this month only served to accentuate that strength, flagging a record Super Bowl, adding 1.2 million new customers in the first two months of this year, making progress on an additional New York listing, and remaining on track for its U.S. business to turn profitable in 2023.

Its a significant, but very achievable, milestone. The segment generated positive Ebitda in the second and fourth quarters, when excluding investment in state launches in Maryland and Ohio.

Despite that, the stock (ticker: FLTR.United Kingdom) initially fell after earnings. The move was indicative of a longstanding issueinvestors underplaying the U.S. growth opportunityon this occasion focusing on weakness in Australia.

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The U.K. market may also be a factor. Citi analysts said earlier this month that the U.K. stock market currently trades at a record 40% discount to the U.S.

In addition to FanDuel, the sports betting and gaming company owns a number of brands, including Paddy Power, PokerStars, Betfair, and SportsBet, operating in more than 100 countries.

Flutter stock has climbed 24% so far this year, and has moved higher since its postearnings dip. Perhaps investors are starting to wake up to the bigger picture.

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Susquehanna analyst Joe Stauff says a New York listing, which he assumes will happen in the fourth quarter of 2023, would be a value-creating event, which would reduce the 20% conglomerate discount it currently applies to the value of Flutters U.S. business. He has a Buy rating on the stock and a price target of 163 ($197), implying a 21% upside to its recent price of 135.

For context, the U.S. market size for Flutter over the next two years will be as large as the combined nine largest countries it currently competes in today, which includes the U.K., Australia, and Brazil, Stauff noted.

Analysts covering the stock, of which 80% rate it as a Buy, expect strong growth over the next few years. Flutter is expected to post revenue of 9.1 billion this year, and 10.2 billion in 2024, up from 7.7 billion last year. Earnings per share are also seen growing to 3.80 in 2023 and 5.69 the following year, up from 1.89 in 2022.

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With our combined U.S. business on track to deliver a positive Ebitda for the full year 2023 for the first time, the Group is currently at an earnings transformation point and we look forward to delivering future growth and progressing further against Flutters strategic priorities in the coming year, Flutter CEO Peter Jackson said in a statement earlier this month.

There are other reasons to be positive. Flutters U.K. and international performance held up well in the fourth quarter, in the face of a challenging macroeconomic environment.

The stock also isnt too expensive, trading at 24.7 times estimated 2024 earnings, lower than an average of around 34 times among a basket of competitors, according to FactSet data.

Stricter-than-anticipated U.K. gambling reforms, expected to be put forward later this year, present a risk to the stock but theres many more reasons to consider a bet on the shares continuing higher.

FanDuel Parent Flutter Is Gaining Traction in the U.S. Gambling. Bet on the Stock. - Barron's

Online Gambling And Its Advantages To Players – Salon Priv Magazine

Posted on March 23, 2023 by Danzig

Online gambling has attracted a lot of players because of its advantages and benefits that casino players find very hard to say no to.

Online gambling refers to the act of wagering money or something of value on an uncertain outcome of an event or game, using the internet as the medium of communication. It involves playing games of chance or skill, betting on sports events, or participating in lotteries, bingo, poker, or casino games via electronic devices such as computers, smartphones, or tablets.

Online gambling can take place through websites, apps, or social media platforms and can involve real money or virtual currencies. You will find more information at onlinecasino-thai that can help you understand online casino gambling better.

One of the reasons why people gamble online is because of the advantages they get from it. These benefits cannot be enjoyed when playing at land-based casinos.

Convenience and accessibility are two significant advantages of online gambling that attract a growing number of players. Here are some reasons why:

Online gambling offers a vast variety of games and betting options, including:

Online gambling offers increased privacy compared to traditional gambling methods. Here are some reasons why:

While increased privacy can be a benefit of online gambling, it is essential to remember that it can also contribute to problem gambling behaviours. Players may be more likely to gamble beyond their means or in secret, which can lead to negative consequences. Therefore, it is essential to practice responsible gambling habits and seek help if needed.

Online gambling sites offer various bonuses and promotions to entice new players and keep their existing players interested. Here are some examples of bonuses and promotions in online gambling:

While bonuses and promotions can be enticing, it is important to read and understand the terms and conditions carefully before accepting them. Players should understand the wagering requirements, expiration dates, and any other restrictions that may apply to the bonus or promotion.

Its also essential to gamble responsibly, not letting bonuses and promotions encourage excessive or problematic gambling behaviour.

In conclusion, online gambling offers a range of benefits, including convenience, accessibility, variety, increased privacy, and bonuses and promotions. You will find all the information you might need at onlinecasino-thai. However, it is essential to approach online gambling responsibly and within ones means to avoid negative consequences.

Players should also ensure that they gamble on reputable and licensed online gambling sites to protect their personal and financial information. It is also imperative to be aware of the potential risks of online gambling, such as addiction and financial loss, and seek help if needed. Online gambling can be a fun and entertaining pastime as long as it is approached with caution and responsible gambling practices.

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Online Gambling And Its Advantages To Players - Salon Priv Magazine

Toney gets England call-up as potential gambling ban looms – The Associated Press

Posted on March 23, 2023 by Danzig

With a possible suspension looming for apparently breaching multiple gambling rules, Ivan Toney was called up by England for its upcoming European Championship qualifiers as a reward for being the third-leading scorer in the Premier League.

It is the second time the Brentford striker has been summoned by England. The first was ahead of Nations League qualifiers in September but he didnt get onto the field and failed to make the squad for the World Cup a few weeks later.

Toney has scored 16 league goals for Brentford this season only Erling Haaland and England striker Harry Kane have more but his future is clouded after being charged with a total of 262 breaches of the Football Associations gambling laws, dating back to 2017.

Sections of the British media reported this month that Toney has admitted to the majority of the breaches and was facing a lengthy spell out of the game. That led to Toney criticizing the FA about the process behind his impending disciplinary hearing and over what he perceives to be potential lapses of confidentiality as he prepares to argue his case.

The issue hasnt stopped England coach Gareth Southgate from selecting Toney as one of six forwards in a 25-man squad ahead of Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine.

The fact is, he is available for his club, Southgate said about the selection of Toney. There hasnt been a trial as yet or any judgment so I dont know on what basis we wouldnt pick him.

They are Englands first games since the national team lost to France the World Cup quarterfinals in December.

___

More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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Toney gets England call-up as potential gambling ban looms - The Associated Press

In Cancun, the Visitors Keep Coming – Caribbean Journal

Posted on March 15, 2023 by Danzig

Its been the story since the summer of 2020: people are traveling to Cancun in droves.

And the story continues through the third year since the pandemic, as Cancun keeps showing surging air passenger traffic so far in 2023.

Passenger traffic at Cancun International Airport last month reached 5.5 million passengers, a nearly 24 percent increase over the same period last year.

Passenger traffic in Cancun last month was more than 2.61 million, up from 2.11 million in February 2022, according to ASUR, which manages Cancun along with eight other airports in Mexico (along with San Juans Luis Munoz International Airport, another pandemic-era success story).

For the year, the numbers are even better: passenger traffic of 5.508 million, a 27.9 percent increase compared to the first two months of 2022.

Its another strong sign for Cancuns continued growth, joining the Dominican Republic as the two most popular destinations in the wider Caribbean right now, as measured by visitor volume.

Heading to Cancun? Dont miss our rankings of the best resorts in Cancun for 2023.

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In Cancun, the Visitors Keep Coming - Caribbean Journal

Giant tide of seaweed visible from space threatening beaches in Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico – The Mirror

Posted on March 15, 2023 by Danzig

A giant tide of seaweed known as 'sargassum' that is visible from space is threatening beaches in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. The huge bulk is getting larger every year and can have negative impacts on tourism and local ecosystems

A huge mass of seaweed in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean is so big it can be seen from space and is now threatening beaches.

The Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt is a colossal 5,000 miles across and could cause problems for tourism in Mexico and Florida in the US as ocean currents push it towards land.

Brian LaPointe, a research professor at Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, told NBC News that this year's seaweed bloom is a particular concern.

Despite alarming scientists for some time, LaPoitne said this year was "incredible" but that "what we're seeing in the satellite imagery does not bode well for a clean beach year."

Seaweed, or sargassum, usually washes ashore in around May, but this year's large quantity means beaches are already being covered.

The problem has been around for years but appears to be getting gradually worse.

Though seaweed is good for the planet in terms of its ability to absorb carbon emissions and its uses as a renewable material, but such large quantities of the plant near beaches is a big problem.

When it rots, it can cause a bad smell that is bad for tourism, as well as reducing the air and water quality.

Brian Barnes, an assistant research professor at the University of South Florida's College of Marine Science, added: "Even if it's just out in coastal waters, it can block intake valves for things like power plants or desalination plants, marinas can get completely inundated and boats can't navigate through.

"It can really threaten critical infrastructure."

It can also choke coral, creating disastrous consequences for local ecosystems.

The US Virgin Islands was forced to declare a state of emergency last year after masses of sargassum led to water shortages.

Currently, the brown algae mass reaches across from the coast of West Africa, right over to the Americas and weighs around 20 million tons.

Barnes added: "Historically, as far back as we have records, Sargassum has been a part of the ecosystem, but the scale now is just so much bigger.

"What we would have thought was a major bloom five years ago is no longer even a blip."

At present, parts of Mexico including areas like Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum, are preparing for around three feet of Sargussum buildup.

Patricia Estridge, CEO of Seaweed Generation, told the Guardian: "I think Ive replaced my climate change anxiety with sargassum anxiety."

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Giant tide of seaweed visible from space threatening beaches in Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico - The Mirror

Why Carnival, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean Stocks Dropped Today – The Motley Fool

Posted on March 15, 2023 by Danzig

What happened

Stock markets zigzagged early Monday as investors tried to make heads or tails of the situation in Silicon Valley this morning. As the morning wears on...it seems they still haven't made up their minds. The generally stolid Dow Jones Industrial Average is up a small fraction of a percent as of 10:50 a.m. EDT, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq is down -- but also by only a small fraction of 1 percent.

Curiously, though, investors are taking a decided negative stance against one group of NYSE stocks in particular. Cruise stocks Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH -1.04%), Carnival Corporation (CCL -1.84%), and Royal Caribbean (RCL 0.56%) are down 3.6%, 4.3%, and 4.6%, respectively. Why is that?

Well if you look beyond the banking kerfuffle in California, it turns out that for the cruise industry...it's earnings season!

Just a couple of weeks ago, Norwegian Cruise Line reported its 2022 final results, and the news wasn't great. Norwegian missed analyst earnings targets by a pretty wide margin, and burned through about $1.6 billion in cash. Management also threw a bucket of cold seawater on analyst forecasts for Q1 2023 -- and for the year as a whole, predicting a smaller profit than Wall Street wants to see for the year and a loss for the first quarter.

Suffice it to say that this sets up investors for another possible disappointment when the much larger cruise company Carnival reports its earnings for its own Q1 2023 just a couple of weeks from now. Carnival had been expected to report earnings next Monday, March 20, but this morning the company announced that it will actually hold on to its news another week and not report until March 27, before market open.

Analysts are expecting both good and bad news from Carnival when it finally does report. On the good-news side, sales are forecast to grow 167% year over year, approaching $4.3 billion. Losses are expected to slim significantly, from $1.66 per share a year ago to a $0.61-per-share loss for Q1 2023.

(Data from S&P Global Market Intelligence confirms that these are pro forma figures, but the results as calculated according to generally accepted accounting principles -- GAAP -- won't be far off. Carnival's GAAP loss in Q1 2022 was also $1.66 per share. Its GAAP loss for Q1 2023 is expected to be $0.60.)

So that's one way Carnival could potentially disappoint cruise line investors this month -- by missing on its quarterly results. With Norwegian having just warned us that business isn't improving for it in its first quarter, it makes sense that its competitor might be sailing on choppy seas as well.

Another way Carnival could disappoint is on guidance. Currently, analysts see Carnival having a chance to earn a profit only in the seasonally strong summer vacation quarter. Wall Street thinks revenues will grow more than 50% year over year in Carnival's Q3 2023 and is hoping the company can flip from a year-ago loss to an $0.89-per-share profit in this year's third quarter. (For the full year, Wall Street thinks Carnival will still end up losing $0.08 per share despite revenues growing 71%.) If Carnival warns of an even bigger loss this year, however -- or merely warns that revenues may come in lighter than expected -- that could set off alarm bells across the cruise industry and weigh on shares of Norwegian Cruise and Royal Caribbean as well as Carnival.

All that being said, let's not count our cracked eggs before the chickens have even laid them.

While Carnival could spook investors later this month, it could also reassure them. Predicting only an $0.08-per-share loss for the year isn't all that far away from predicting a profit. If Carnival beats the odds and guides investors to expect even a tiny profit in 2023, rather than the loss Wall Street is warning of, this could potentially spark a buying frenzy -- both for Carnival and for Royal Caribbean and even Norwegian Cruise as well.

Fingers crossed, cruise investors. And keep them crossed for the next two weeks.

Rich Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Carnival Corp. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Pirates of the Caribbean Faces Extended Downtime Unexpectedly Inside Magic Kingdom – WDW News Today

Posted on March 15, 2023 by Danzig

Magic Kingdom guests looking to set sail on the seven seas may have to find an alternative voyage for the time being. Pirates of the Caribbean has been down for much of the past two days and the attraction is not expected to open for the remainder of the day.

Walt Disney Worlds Pirates of the Caribbean attraction went down around 2:30 p.m. yesterday afternoon and has largely remained down since, with the exception of a brief half-hour window earlier this afternoon. In a pop-up message within the MyDisneyExperience mobile app, Magic Kingdom President Melissa Valiquette apologized to guests for the extended downtime. The pop-up message reads:

Pardon The Inconvenience

On behalf of the entire team at MagicKingdom Park, Id like to apologize thatPirates of the Caribbean is currentlyunavailable today. Our Cast Membershave been working diligently to get theattraction up and running again, andwe are sorry you are not able toexperience this attraction on your visit.I hope you will enjoy some of our otherattractions during your experience inthe park today.

While guests seemed to have avoided any unfavorable experiences on the Walt Disney World attraction this week, Disneyland guests could not say the same last month when their Pirates of the Caribbean boat took on water and began to sink. True pirates may want to pillage for this Pirates of the Caribbean dig kit we found at Plaza del Sol Caribe Bazaar in Magic Kingdom.

It is unknown when Pirates of the Caribbean will reopen, but guests are encouraged to check the MyDisneyExperience app for the latest information on this and all attractions throughout Walt Disney World. Be sure to follow WDWNT for the latest updates.

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today onTwitter,Facebook, andInstagram.

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Pirates of the Caribbean Faces Extended Downtime Unexpectedly Inside Magic Kingdom - WDW News Today

Pirates of the Caribbean Producer "Would Love" for Johnny Depp to Return to Franchise – ComicBook.com

Posted on March 15, 2023 by Danzig

Kofi Outlaw

03/14/2023 05:28 pm EDT

The tides have really shifted when it comes to Johnny Depp and his future in the Pirates of the Caribbeanfranchise. Now we have producer Jerry Bruckheimer making very public signals at The Oscars that the gates are open for Depp's return to the franchise. Bruckheimer went as far as to tell ET's reporters that when it comes to Depp and Pirates of the Caribbean "We'll see. I would love it. I would love him in the movie. That's all I can tell you."

Anyone following the saga of the Pirates franchise knows that Jerry Bruckheimer has never wavered in his support of the idea of Depp continuing as Jack Sparrow he has simply changed the timing and volume of saying it, depending on the moment. However, all things being Hollywood, the red carpet at the 2023 Academy Awards is about one of the most public stages in all entertainment to sell new products and as one of the biggest producers in the game, it's hard to imagine Bruckheimer letting that statement go without full knowledge and intention of its obvious implications...

For years it looked like Disney was moving on from Depp's Captain Jack Sparrow after the actor became embroiled in a controversial public divorce from his ex-wife Amber Heard. However, following the equally controversial and public ruling in Depp's favor last year and subsequent final settlement by Heard Depp seems to be clearing a way back into Hollywood.

Jerry Bruckheimer dropped some additional smoke signals when he let it be known that things with the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise are indeed progressing now: "We're all working on it. We'll see how it comes out. But we're very excited. I think we'll have a great screenplay. And we're getting close."

That's a big step forward from what Bruckheimer said late last year, regarding the expansion of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise specifically the race between Pirates of the Caribbean 6 and a spinoff/reboot entry that had Barbie star Margot Robbie attached:

"I think that that script will come forward at a certain point. We developed two different stories forPiratesand the other one's going forward first, so that's what we're working on, to try to get that one made."

So again: was Jerry Bruckheimer expressing some wishful thinking or doing some early promotion of Johnny Depp's return in Pirates of the Caribbean 6? Time may soon tell...

You can stream the Pirates of the Caribbean movies on Disney+.

Disclosure: ComicBook is owned by CBS Interactive, a division of Paramount. Sign up for Paramount+ by clicking here.

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Pirates of the Caribbean Producer "Would Love" for Johnny Depp to Return to Franchise - ComicBook.com

Utopia of the Seas: Itinerary, features, and more – Royal Caribbean Blog

Posted on March 15, 2023 by Danzig

Utopia of the Seas will be the sixth ship in Royal Caribbeans Oasis Class when she launches in 2024, and she will also be one of the biggest cruise ships in the world.

Royal Caribbean has not released many details about Utopia of the Seas, but this page will be updated whenever Royal Caribbean announces more information about the ships amenities and features.

Like all Oasis Class ships, many people are eager for the launch of Utopia of the Seas. The ship is sure to provide high quality entertainment, modern accommodations, diverse dining venues, and a plethora of activities for guests of all ages.

Here is a look at everything we know about Utopia of the Seas.

Utopia of the Seas is the final ship in the Oasis Class, unless Royal Caribbean decides to order additional Oasis Class cruise ships in the future.

Information on entertainment, restaurants, cabin categories, and activities have not yet been announced. However, Its expected that Utopia of the Seas will share the same features of other ships in the class, including:

The fifth Oasis Class ship, Wonder of the Seas, has a slightly different layout compared to previous Oasis Class ships. She features a large suites-only neighborhood, larger Windjammer buffet, and climate-controlled Solarium.

Related: Wonder of the Seas vs other Oasis Class ships

Its unknown whether Utopia of the Seas will share the same design as Wonder of the Seas, or if she will be constructed more similarly to previous Oasis Class ships like Symphony of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas.

Utopia of the Seas is under construction at the Chantiers de lAtlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. The ship began construction in April 2022.

Utopia of the Seas will be 362m (1,188 ft.) with around 2,800 cabins. Like other Oasis Class ships, its expected that Utopia of the Seas will weigh over 230,000 gross tons and have a maximum capacity of around 7,000 guests.

This will make Utopia of the Seas about the same size as other Oasis Class ships, but smaller than the Icon Class cruise ships.

Utopia of the Seas is scheduled for delivery to Royal Caribbean in the spring of 2024. Cruise ship delivery is the transfer of ownership of the ship from the shipyard to the buyer, in this case Royal Caribbean. This marks an important milestone in the construction process.

Delivery, however, does not mean the ship begins sailing with passengers in spring 2024. Wonder of the Seas, for example, was delivered to Royal Caribbean in January 2022, but her inaugural sailing was not until March 4, 2022.

Regardless, we can expect the inaugural sailing of Utopia of the Seas to be sometime in the late spring or summer of 2024.

Utopia of the Seas will be the first Oasis Class cruise ship to be powered by Liquified Natural Gas, or LNG. LNG is the cleanest fossil fuel that can power ships today. It has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by around 30%, sulfur emissions by nearly 100%, and nitrogen oxide emissions by around 85%.

Related: Which Royal Caribbean ships are powered by LNG?

In addition to being powered by LNG, Utopia of the Seas will continue the environmentally-friendly practices found on other Royal Caribbean ships, including shore power connection and waste heat recovery applications.

Its not yet known from which port Utopia of the Seas will offer cruises. Royal Caribbean sends most of its new ships to South Florida, where they cruise to the Caribbean from either Fort Lauderdale or Miami.

Currently, though, there are already three Oasis Class ships and one Icon Class ship sailing from South Florida from spring 2024 to spring 2025. Allure of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, and Icon of the Seas will offer Caribbean cruises during this time frame.

Its possible that Royal Caribbean will also deploy Utopia of the Seas to Miami or Fort Lauderdale in addition to the other vessels. Its also possible, however, that Utopia of the Seas may take the place of one of these ships.

There has been other speculation that Utopia of the Seas could be sent to a different region of the world instead of Florida, but no concrete information has been announced yet.

Compared to Icon of the Seas, there has been little information announced about Utopia of the Seas. Some Royal Caribbean fans have been curious as to why weve heard little about the ship, but there are a few reasons why this might be the case.

The first is that Royal Caribbean is driving most of their marketing efforts toward Icon of the Seas. When a cruise line prepares to launch a new ship, they want the consumers to focus on whats next, not what is further down the line.

Building hype and excitement about Icon of the Seas will lead many people to book a sailing on the ship. If these same consumers were to see promotional material for Utopia of the Seas, they could change their mind and book a cruise on Utopia instead.

Related: Icon of the Seas: Itinerary, features, and more

The other reason why there has been little information announced about Utopia of the Seas is that Utopia is the sixth ship in her class whereas Icon of the Seas is the first.

Royal Caribbean has not launched a new class of ships since the Quantum Class in 2014, so there is a lot of excitement about the Icon Class. A completely new layout and unique offerings like a waterpark and indoor AquaDome currently make Icon of the Seas more newsworthy than Utopia of the Seas.

We should expect to hear more about Utopia of the Seas throughout this year and early next year, so be sure to check back periodically for new updates.

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Utopia of the Seas: Itinerary, features, and more - Royal Caribbean Blog

Is Something Going On With Magic Kingdom’s Pirates of the Caribbean Attraction? – Disney Dining

Posted on March 15, 2023 by Danzig

When Guests visit Walt Disney World Resort, they can count on Magic Kingdom for the quintessential experience.

Magic Kingdom is the Disney Resort with all of the classic rides, as in, the attractions that have been replicated across different Disney Parks in other countries.

READ MORE:VIDEO: Religious Disney World Guest Creates Awkward Situation at This EPCOT Attraction

These attractions include the Haunted Mansion, its a small world, the Jungle Cruise, until recently, Splash Mountain, and the Pirates of the Caribbean.

The Pirates of the Caribbean ride is one of Walt Disney Imagineerings best accomplishments! This attraction is well-beloved, from Disneyland Resort to Walt Disney World to Disney Parks in other countries.

However, it seems that something is going on with Magic Kingdoms version of the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction.

Dose anyone know whats going on with PotC? from WaltDisneyWorld

READ MORE:As the Sun Goes Down In Magic Kingdom, This Classic Attraction Goes Down With It

According to this post recently made by a Disney Guest on Reddit, the Pirates of the Caribbean ride went down around 2:30 p.m. yesterday (March 12).

Not only that, but the post also mentions that its the second time in a week that the attraction was experiencing technical difficulties.

READ MORE:Johnny Depp Co-Star Reveals the Shocking Truth About Her Experience Filming Pirates of the Caribbean Series

Usually, when attractions go down with little notice in Walt Disney World, theyre only temporary closures. In most cases, Guests can expect Temporarily Unavailable attractions to be up and running again soon.

However, according to the Walt Disney World mobile app, Pirates of the Caribbean is still listed as Temporarily Unavailable.

READ MORE:Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products Recently Spotted Filming at Magic Kingdom

This is leading many Guests to ask: whats going on with Pirates of the Caribbean?

So, unfortunately, Disney has not released any statement or announcement regarding the attractions closure, so we can only speculate about the rides status.

Fortunately, however, we can take comfort in knowing that this attraction is decades old and is most likely undergoing common technical difficulties. We can also take comfort in a lack of announcement from Disney, as it further cements that this closure is truly temporary.

Fret not, fans of Pirates of the Caribbean! Soon enough, this attraction will likely re-open to delight Guests again.

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Is Something Going On With Magic Kingdom's Pirates of the Caribbean Attraction? - Disney Dining

Ex-Haiti mayor accused of killing, torture faces civil trial – Jamaica Gleaner

Posted on March 15, 2023 by Danzig

BOSTON (AP) Accusations of political violence and terror have followed a former Haitian mayor all the way to a Boston courtroom, where a civil trial began Monday that shines a light on the wider issue of bloodshed and unaccountability in the Caribbean nation's politics.

Attorneys painted widely different pictures of Jean Morose Viliena during opening arguments in US District Court in Boston.

Those included claims of a killing, torture and arson or a successful mayor who helped improve the town of Les Irois in the late 2000s.

Viliena, who now lives in Massachusetts, is being sued by three Haitian citizens who say they or their relatives were persecuted by him and his political allies.

The suit was filed under the Torture Victim Protection Act of 1991, which allows civil lawsuits to be filed in the US against foreign officials who allegedly committed torture or extrajudicial killing if all legal avenues in their home country have been exhausted.

It was filed by the Center for Justice and Accountability in San Francisco.

The defence said Viliena was not involved in violence and increased services while leading Les Irois, a town of around 22,000 people on Haiti's westernmost tip, about 140 miles from the capital Port-au-Prince.

Viliena's attorney, Peter Haley told the 12-person jury during opening statements about a farmer's son who got an education, ran for mayor in 2006 and brought more paved roads, a medical clinic, waste pickup and a better education system all lacking before his election.

Viliena is a lawful permanent resident of the US, and he moved to the Boston suburb of Malden in 2009, drives a truck and is a very productive member of the community, Haley said.

Follow The Gleaner on Twitter and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.

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Ex-Haiti mayor accused of killing, torture faces civil trial - Jamaica Gleaner

Opinion | Chinese Companies Are Doing Risky Business in the Caribbean – The New York Times

Posted on March 15, 2023 by Danzig

I spoke to two U.S. senators on opposite sides of the aisle Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat, and Rick Scott, a Florida Republican who in September announced they were sponsoring a bill to protect American investors from risky investments in variable interest entities.

On 99 percent of issues, Im not aligned at all with Scott, Van Hollen said. He said the two share an interest in consumer protection. When I told him about the new findings about Chinas increased use of tax havens, he said, That makes it even more important that we move with urgency.

Scott said hes concerned about not only consumer protection but also avoiding financial support for the Chinese government through investment in Chinese companies. It all just keeps adding up, he said. The balloons, Uyghurs, Hong Kong, Taiwan. Four years ago, I said nobody should buy anything made in China. When I say that now, people applaud.

The authors of the latest paper, aside from Maggiori, are Christopher Clayton of the Yale School of Management, Antonio Coppola of the Stanford Graduate School of Business and Amanda Dos Santos and Jesse Schreger of the Columbia Business School. (They are also all part of the Global Capital Allocation Project, a research lab thats directed by Maggiori and Schreger.)

As they explain in the paper, when you buy a share in a company such as Alibaba, Tencent or Baidu using a variable interest entity structure, you dont own shares in the operating Chinese company. You own shares in a shell. Even the shell doesnt own shares in the operating company. Instead, the shell owns a unit in China called a wholly foreign-owned enterprise, or WFOE (pronounced woofy). The woofy oops, WFOE has contracts with the operating company and its owners. These contracts entitle the WFOE to a share of the companys profits and a voice in its operations. The WFOE can funnel dividends to the tax haven shell, which passes them through to investors in New York, London and elsewhere (though most dont pay dividends).

The beauty of this Rube Goldberg arrangement is that the variable interest entity structure counts as equity for foreigners by international accounting standards, while the companies operating in China can report to local regulators that they are fully owned by residents of China.

The risk is that this is too clever by half. For now, the Chinese government seems to tolerate variable interest entities because its companies need to raise money abroad. But if the Chinese government doesnt recognize the foreign holders as true owners, it might not respect their interests if push comes to shove. The authors note that when Jianzhi Education used a variable interest entity to list on Nasdaq in October, Jianzhi warned that the Chinese government could find these contractual arrangements noncompliant with the restrictions on direct foreign investment in the relevant industries.

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Opinion | Chinese Companies Are Doing Risky Business in the Caribbean - The New York Times

Royal Caribbeans Explorer of the Seas Resumes Service Following Drydock – Cruise Industry News

Posted on March 15, 2023 by Danzig

Royal Caribbean Internationals Explorer of the Seas is re-entering service today following a 21-day drydock in Spain.

Sailing from Miami, the Voyager-class vessel is resuming a program of six- to eight-night cruises to Southern and Western Caribbean.

For its first voyage after the refit, the 2000-built cruise ship is offering a six-night itinerary to Jamaica and Grand Cayman that includes George Town and Falmouth as ports of call.

Before returning to PortMiami, the Explorer is also set to visit Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbeans private island destination in the Bahamas.

In addition to routine maintenance and technical overhaul, the Explorer of the Seas received new waterslides during its recent stay at the Navantia shipyard.

Named The Perfect Storm, the pair of slides were added to the ships 13th deck on an area previously occupied by sun loungers.

The drydock work scope also included hotel upkeep, as well as minor upgrades and class work.

As the second ship in Royal Caribbean Internationals Voyager Class, the Explorer of the Seas originally entered service in 2000.

With capacity for 3,100 guests, the Explorer was also one of the first ships to offer the Royal Promenade, Royal Caribbeans trademark indoor boulevard surrounded by shops, bars, and restaurants.

In 2015, the ship underwent a major refurbishment that added new features, such as the FlowRider surf simulator and a 3-D movie theater.

While new cabins and suites were added to different parts of the ship, the existing staterooms were also equipped with virtual balconies during the refit. According to Royal Caribbean, the large screens added were designed to bring live ocean and destination views into the interior of the cabins.

Completing its winter season in the Caribbean, the Explorer of Seas is set to kick off a summer program in the Mediterranean on May 8.

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Royal Caribbeans Explorer of the Seas Resumes Service Following Drydock - Cruise Industry News

Clive Lewis calls for UK to negotiate Caribbean slavery reparations – The Guardian

Posted on March 15, 2023 by Danzig

Slavery

Labour MP says Rishi Sunak should talk to regions leaders after Trevelyan family announcements

The Labour MP Clive Lewis has called on Rishi Sunak to enter negotiations with Caribbean leaders on paying reparations for Britains role in slavery, following the historic announcements by the Trevelyan family.

Speaking at a parliamentary debate on promoting financial security in the Caribbean, Lewis said the issue of reparations could not be dismissed as an obsession among a small group of so-called woke extremists.

He pointed to the recent announcements by the Trevelyans, an aristocratic British family, who made history by travelling to the Caribbean to publicly apologise for the ownership of more than 1,000 enslaved Africans and committed to paying reparations.

They did what no British government has ever done before. They apologised for their ancestors part in the exploitation of the 1,000 slaves they owned on six plantations, he said. They acknowledge the financial and cultural advantage this has generated for them and urge the British government, as I will today, to enter into meaningful negotiations with the government of the Caribbeans in order to make appropriate reparations.

Lewis added the announcements by the Trevelyan family had opened the door of this debate just a little wider.

Lewis went on to liken the relationship between the UK and the Commonwealth to an abusive relationship in which one partner has endured 400 years of the most hideous abuse, one who now seeks not charity, but restitution.

He added: This country will not be able to move on as a cohesive whole until these issues are resolved.

During the debate, the Conservative MP Daniel Kawczynski questioned whether reparations were the best way forward: I think all members of this house will be incentivised and motivated to ensure that there is the greatest flow of capital to our allies and the Caribbean, but would he not agree with me that more importantly than reparations is giving the Caribbean states active tariff-free access to the United Kingdom, the worlds fifth largest economy, rather than the protectionist racket that they have experienced from the European Union, which inherently tried to restrict the flow of goods from the Caribbean to the European Union?

Kawczynski stated that one of the reasons he campaigned for Brexit was the exclusion of Commonwealth citizens from freedom of movement.

In response, Lewis said: I think we can have both a fair immigration system in this country, which we dont have at the moment, and we can also have justice for the Caribbean. The two are not controversial and theyre not incompatible.

Among the other handful of MPs at the debate was Labours Nadia Whittome, who spoke in support of Lewis. The case for former colonial powers to pay reparations to the descendants of enslaved peoples is particularly strong, she said, given that the UK government was making compensation payments to descendants of enslavers, families and organisations in 2015.

And the reason why reparations is the right and fair thing to do is, yes, because of the legacy of slavery and because wealthier countries like ours extracted and underdeveloped those societies, but also because of our role in the climate crisis and the fact that threatens the very future of the Caribbean.

In 1835, the Trevelyan family received 26,898, a significant sum at the time, in compensation from the British government for the abolition of slavery a year earlier. The enslaved men, women and children on their plantations received nothing, and were forced to work a further eight years unpaid as apprentices.

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Clive Lewis calls for UK to negotiate Caribbean slavery reparations - The Guardian

Royal Caribbean Now Has 3 Cruise Ships Under Construction – Cruise Fever

Posted on March 15, 2023 by Danzig

Royal Caribbean is the worlds largest cruise line with 26 ships in service and they currently have three more cruise ships under construction.

Royal Caribbean has four more cruise ships entering service over the next several years and three of those vessels are currently under construction at shipyards in Turku, Finland and Saint-Nazaire, France.

Last month, Royal Caribbean cut the first piece of steel on their second Icon class ship. The vessel is currently unnamed and scheduled to enter service in 2025. If keeping with the cruise lines tradition of making sister ships slightly larger than previous ones, it will be the largest cruise ship ever built when she makes her debut.

The vessel is under construction at Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland. The ships name, homeport, and itineraries have yet to be announced.

Research: Migration, Integration, and Diaspora Eng.. – Migration Policy Institute

Posted on March 15, 2023 by Danzig

The Caribbean is commonly viewed as a region of emigration, and some countries do have sizeable diasporas in North America and Europe. But many people also move among Caribbean countriesfor work or study, to join family, or to seek safety from persecution. Climate change and natural disasters have also spurred intraregional migration and are likely to do so with growing intensity in the years to come.

This report explores the many different forms migration takes in the Caribbean, and the policies and institutions in place in the region to manage it. The primary countries of study are The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. To a more limited extent, the study also covers Aruba, Curaao, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), and the remaining Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Member States.

Among other things, the report offers data on immigrant populations in the region overall and in different countries, and an overview of national migration and humanitarian protection institutions, regional free mobility pathways and agreements, and immigrant integration policies. It also looks at how Caribbean countries have increasingly sought to engage their diasporas, including via remittances and private-sector development efforts.

Research: Migration, Integration, and Diaspora Eng.. - Migration Policy Institute

Grenadian PM calls for Caribbean business to invest in artificial … – Caribbean Life

Posted on March 15, 2023 by Danzig

ST. GEORGES, Grenada. March 13, 2023 Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell is calling for Caribbean business leaders and entrepreneurs to invest in artificial intelligence technologies, or AI.

AI refers to the ability of computer systems to do tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making. Globally, AI is applied across a range of industries, including self-driving cars, virtual assistants, fraud detection, and medical diagnosis. It can help companies boost efficiency, cut costs, and gain data-driven insights.

The advent of artificial intelligence has the potential to transform businesses in the Caribbean and around the world. Through the use of AI, businesses can analyse data faster and more accurately, identify trends and make better decisions. OpenAI, for example, has made significant strides in the field of natural language processing and machine learning, creating new opportunities for businesses to improve customer service and create new products. The impact of AI will continue to grow, and investing in AI will ensure a competitive edge in regional and global markets, he said.

AI was among several topics on the agenda at an international business forum held at the Grenada Trade Centre, St. Georges on Feb. 28, where Mitchell delivered the opening keynote address. Several leading voices in the regions business and technology sectors supported Mitchells call.

The Caribbean is ready right now to take the next step in the digital revolution, and AI is part of our arriving future. However, our adoption of AI or any emerging technology should align with what our businesses and societies need, said Bevil Wooding, director of Caribbean Affairs at the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN), and co-founder of CaribNOG, the Caribbean Network Operators Group.

It is critical that Caribbean governments, business leaders, technocrats and academics make technology the servant not the master of our development agenda, as we collectively pursue our business interests, national priorities and regional development programs, he added.

AI is going to significantly impact Caribbean businesses, and it is critical that we understand that. Business leaders must connect business strategy with technology adoption, said Kevin Khelawan, co-founder of Pneuko Inc., which helps businesses with digital transformation, workflow automation, field operations and AI-driven analytics.

AI will likely move a lot faster than the Internet did, in terms of its transformative and disruptive power. So Caribbean business leaders will need to be proactive in considering how we transform our businesses to remain relevant in a world where AI proliferates, added Khelawan, who is also the co-founder of Teleios Systems Limited.

Expertise in next-generation technologies like AI should be something that the Caribbean region is producing and exporting, not just importing and consuming, said Stephen Lee, CEO of Arkitechs Inc. and program director of CaribNOG.

It is not enough to simply future-proof Caribbean networks at the infrastructure level against climate-related threats, such as hurricanes. As a region, we must go further, and prioritise the development of expertise in emergent technologies that are relevant to our Caribbean context, through deliberate capacity-building and knowledge-sharing, so that Caribbean thinkers and doers can work together to build regionally relevant solutions that are globally marketable.

The business forum was part of Grenada ICT Week, held from Feb. 27 to March 3, organized by the Grenada Chamber of Industry and Commerce in collaboration with ARIN, CaribNOG and the Grenada National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission. It brought together business leaders, government officials, ICT professionals, academics, and members of civil society, alongside local, regional, and international experts to discuss the increasing role of technology in business, government, and society. Wooding, Khelawan and Lee were speaking in a post-event interview.

From Sept. 11 to 15, Saint Lucia will hold its ICT Week, organized by the Caribbean Telecommunications Union, ARIN and CaribNOG, in collaboration with Government of Saint Lucia, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, the Internet Society, the Internet Registry for Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States.

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Keira Knightley Says Lusty Pirates of the Caribbean Role Made Her Feel Caged In and Stuck: I Wanted to Break Out of That – Variety

Posted on March 15, 2023 by Danzig

Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

Keira Knightley was only 17, going on 18, when she became an international star with 2003s Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. But in a new interview with Harpers Bazaar U.K., the Oscar nominee said playing an object of desire like Elizabeth Swann at such a young age left her feeling stuck and constrained in the industry.

I had quite an entrance into adult life, an extreme landing because of the experience of fame at a very early age, Knightley said. Theres a funny place where women are meant to sit, publicly, and I never felt comfortable with that. It was a big jolt.

[Elizabeth Swann] was the object of everybodys lust, Knightley continued. Not that she doesnt have a lot of fight in her. But it was interesting coming from being really tomboyish to getting projected as quite the opposite. I felt very constrained. I felt very stuck. So the roles afterwards were about trying to break out of thatI didnt have a sense of how to articulate it. It very much felt like I was caged in a thing I didnt understand.

While Knightley starred in two more Pirates of the Caribbean films in 2006 (Dead Mans Chest) and 2007 (At Worlds End), she also tried to counteract such Hollywood tentpoles with prestige projects such as Joe Wrights Pride and Prejudice (2005) and Atonement (2007), the former of which earned an Oscar nomination for best actress at just 20 years old.

I was incredibly hard on myself, Knightley said about this period of her career. I was never good enough. I was utterly single-minded. I was so ambitious. I was so driven. I was always trying to get better and better and improve, which is an exhausting way to live your life. Exhausting. I am in awe of my 22-year-old self, because Id like a bit more of her back. And its only by not being like that any longer that I realise how extraordinary it was. But it does have a cost.

When asked what exactly that cost is, Knightley answered: Burnout.

Knightley is back this month in the crime mystery Boston Strangler, which is streaming March 17 on Hulu. Knightley stars in the true story drama as Loretta McLaughlin, a reporter for the Record-American newspaper who becomes the first journalist to connect the Boston Strangler murders.

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Keira Knightley Says Lusty Pirates of the Caribbean Role Made Her Feel Caged In and Stuck: I Wanted to Break Out of That - Variety

Millions of women take to the streets across Latin America and … – Peoples Dispatch

Posted on March 15, 2023 by Danzig

The future is feminist, reads the banner. Photo: Junior Lima via Brasil de Fato

This March 8, on the International Womens Day, millions of women across Latin America and the Caribbean took to the streets to protest against patriarchy in all its forms and manifestations and demand equal rights in all spheres of life. From Argentina to Mexico, women and gender-diverse people demonstrated against gender inequality, gender based violence, femicides, transvesticides as well as the neoliberal economic policies that worsen hunger and poverty in the region.

In Argentina, women and gender-diverse people participated in a national strike, organized for the seventh consecutive year, and mobilized throughout the country demanding an end to gender discrimination and violence against women and members of the LGBTQI+ community. According to official data, in Argentina, a woman or a diverse-gender person is murdered every 29 hours. According to the La Casa del Encuentro organization, between January 1 and February 28, 2023, 56 women were murdered for the simple fact of being a woman.

The feminist movements and womens rights organizations such as the Ni Una Menos collective also rejected the countrys debt with the IMF, stating that its repayment is preventing the growth of women, diverse-gender people and children due to the decrease in the states social policies. They stressed that the countrys historical economic debt is with women and diverse-gender people, not the IMF.

They also demanded the reform of the justice system in the country, pointing out it discriminates against women and LGBTQI+ minorities. They argued that the system is patriarchal and inefficient when it comes to providing responses in terms of protection and justice to victims of gender based violence.

In the capital Buenos Aires, tens of thousands marched to the National Congress in Plaza de Mayo, raising slogans such as We want to be alive, free and debt-free and With this justice system there are no rights or democracy.

Massive, colorful and peaceful marches were carried out in the provinces of Crdoba, Entre Ros, Jujuy, Neuqun, Santa Fe, Santiago del Estero and Tucumn, among others.

In Brazil, tens of thousands of women hit the streets of major cities against patriarchal violence, gender inequality and the high rate of femicides in the country. According to a recent report, 1,410 women were killed in gender-based violence in 2022. The number suggest that there was nearly one victim every six hours. In the capital Braslia, women rights organizations marched to the district governments office to demand comprehensive policies to confront gender-based violence.

In Rio de Janeiro, women held a massive march demanding equal rights and reproductive rights. According to Human Rights Watch, Brazilian women workers typically earn 23% less than men, regardless of whether their educational level is higher. Likewise, abortion is illegal in Brazil except when performed to save the womans life or in cases of rape.

The residents of Rio also paid homage to Afro-descendant activist and councilwoman Marielle Franco, who was assassinated on March 14, 2018. Throughout her life, Marielle, a lesbian and human rights activist, fought for the rights of Black people, women and gender-diverse people and the poor living in rural areas.

Demonstrations were also held in Porto Alegre, Teresina, Porto Velho, Crato, Goinia, Altamira, So Lus, Natal and Curitiba, among other cities. The demands included an end to violence against women, in addition to state specific demands such as affordable public services, affordable housing, compliance with conditions for the construction of dams, preservation of the Amazon and food sovereignty.

Additionally, under the banner of Agribusiness profits from hunger and violence, for land and democracy, women in resistance, women workers associated with the Landless Rural Workers Movement (MST) organized different protest actions in 24 states of the country.

In Ecuador, thousands of women mobilized in various cities across the country in rejection of the growing gender-based violence and sharp increase in the number of femicides. According to reports, in Ecuador a woman is murdered every 26 hours on account of their gender. According to data from the Latin American Association for Alternative Development (ALDEA), during 2022, 332 femicides were registered in Ecuador. The year was the most violent year for women since 2014, when femicide was criminalized in the Comprehensive Organic Criminal Code (COIP).

In the capital Quito, despite pouring rain, hundreds of women gathered at Plaza Indoamrica and marched to El Arbolito demanding guarantees of a fear free life for women. Elizabeth Otavalo, the mother of Mara Beln Bernal, also took part in the march. Her daughter was a victim of femicide. She was allegedly killed by her husband Lieutenant Germn Fernando Cceres in the Quito Police Training School in September 2022. Otavalo demanded justice for her daughter and that the government of President Guillermo Lasso provide guarantees of a decent life for the orphans of femicide victims.

Delegations of Indigenous women as well as members of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) and the National Confederation of Peasant, Indigenous and Afro-descendant Organizations (FENOCIN) also joined the mobilization.

In Mexico, hundreds of thousands of women rose up against patriarchy, gender inequality and gender-based violence. According to official statistics, between January and December 2022, in Mexico, a total of 968 women were murdered because they are female.

In the capital Mexico City, a massive green and purple tide of women spread through the streets to demand an end to femicides, disappearances of women, rapes, harrasment and gender inequality, as well as justice for their mothers, grandmothers, sisters, friends and colleagues who have been victims of the patriarchal system. The women affirmed that they fight for a life without fear for themselves and future generations.

In Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela, hundreds of thousands of women flooded the streets demanding equality in the worlds most unequal region, refusing to continue being marginalized, discriminated against, excluded, and murdered.

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Millions of women take to the streets across Latin America and ... - Peoples Dispatch

Caribbean Airlines Is Making It Easier to Visit Dominica – Caribbean Journal

Posted on March 15, 2023 by Danzig

Caribbean Airlines is expanding its service to the Eastern Caribbean island of Dominica, making it easier to take a vacation in the nature-filled paradise.

Beginning April 7, the airline will increase its service to Dominica from Trinidad, adding a return service on Fridays.

Right now, Caribbean Airlines runs service from Port of Spain to Dominica on Thursdays, and then onward to Barbados.

The carrier also operates service from Barbados to Dominica on Mondays, onward to Port of Spain.

Travelers can now fly from Trinidad on Thursdays and Fridays, departing Dominica on Mondays, for a total of three weekly flights.

The move also opens up the United States market more for Dominica, with the option for same-day travel to Dominica from New York.

You can leave New York on Friday morning and arrive in Dominica by 6:45 PM; you can then vacation for a week and leave Dominica on Friday, arriving back in New York the following morning.

The addition of this Friday return flight between Trinidad and Dominica not only increases the options of those resident in Trinidad to visit Dominica but also allow our friends from the TriState area to travel inbound sameday to Dominica via convenient service from JFK through POS and outbound on the redeye to return to JFK to begin their day, said Colin Piper, Dominicas Director of Tourism.