Air New Zealand has scrapped its 2030 carbon emissions reduction targets, citing lags in producing new planes, a lack of alternative fuel and “challenging” regulatory and policy settings. The move by the national carrier highlighted the hurdles vexing carriers and policymakers in confronting aviation emissions. The airline said on Tuesday it was still committed to a target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement. The carrier would establish new “near-term” emissions reduction targets that would “better reflect the challenges relating to aircraft and alternative jet fuel availability,” CEO Greg Foran said in a written statement.
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McDonald’s global same-stores fell for the first time in nearly four years in the second quarter as inflation-weary consumers skipped eating out or chose cheaper options. The company says it’s working on fixes, like meal deals and new menu items, but it expects same-store sales to be down for the next few quarters. The Chicago burger giant said on Monday that same-store sales fell 1% worldwide in the April-June period. McDonald's said nearly all of its U.S. franchisees have agreed to extend the company's $5 meal deal through August. The company's second-quarter revenue and profit also fell short of Wall Street's forecasts.
Imagine planning a vacation and not being able to check Airbnb or another online booking site for an apartment in which to spend a few days living among the locals. Would a hotel do? That’s the future confronting visitors to Barcelona in four years. Local authorities want to rid the Spanish city known for its architecture, beaches and Catalan culture of the 10,000 apartments licensed as short-term rentals in order to safeguard the housing supply for full-time residents. Barcelona City Hall announced last month that it would not renew any tourist apartment licenses after 2028. Other cities are struggling to reconcile the needs of year-round residents with the economic allure of being a top tourist destination.
Small business owners in Paris expected a boon in visitors once the Olympics arrived. Instead, some, particularly in heavily touristed areas in central Paris, say they're experiencing a bust. Because of major security restrictions on movement in the French capital, tourists are having trouble getting around and in some cases, staying put. Many bustling shops, cafes and bars say they're getting much less business as a result. Other factors: Some would-be tourists have avoided traveling to Paris altogether during the Games, dissuaded by high prices or the crowds. And Parisians have been leaving on their usual summer exodus.
The Philippine coast guard says there has been no indication that a big cargo of industrial fuel oil stored in a tanker that sank in stormy weather in Manila Bay has started to leak out. Plans are being firmed up to try to siphon off the highly toxic shipment to prevent a major spill that could reach the bustling capital. The tanker Terra Nova left Bataan province en route to the central province of Iloilo with about 1.4 million liters (370,000 gallons) of industrial fuel oil stored in watertight tanks when it got lashed by waves and took on water. The crew struggled to steer the tanker back to port but it sank early Thursday. The coast guard rescued 16 crewmembers but one drowned, the coast guard said.
Venice city officials say the day-tripper tax netted 2.4 million euros during a test phase this summer, and that decisions on how to proceed would be made in the fall after a full analysis of the data. According to the city, the 5-euro tax was paid 485,062 times over the 29 test days, mostly weekends and holidays, from April 25 to July 14. Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said that the city would consider adjusting the fee based on whether pay the tax in advance, or at the last minute. He defended the tourist tax from critics, who called it a failure because it failed to deter arrivals, as envisioned.
SANTA MONICA, California — Once Santa’s Monica’s signature destination for shopping and dining, the Third Street Promenade is showing its age.
The Mirage's signature volcano has erupted for the last time. The iconic Las Vegas tropical island-themed hotel-casino closed its doors with a ceremony Wednesday. The Mirage reshaped the casino industry and sparked a resort-building boom when casino mogul Steve Wynn opened it in 1989. New operators Hard Rock International and Florida-based Seminole Gaming are planning a three-year renovation to update the existing property. That includes replacing the fire-spewing volcano with a towering guitar-shaped hotel with 600 rooms. The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas is due to open in 2027.
The parent company of Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Yard House and other chains says it's buying the Tex-Mex chain Chuy’s as it seeks to expand its dining options. Darden Restaurants said Wednesday that it will spend approximately $605 million on the deal. Darden will acquire all outstanding shares of Chuy’s for $37.50 per share. Chuy’s Holdings Inc. was founded in Austin, Texas, in 1982. It now operates 101 restaurants in 15 states and has 7,400 employees. Darden, based in Orlando, Florida, operates more than 1,900 restaurants and has 190,000 employees. The deal comes as both restaurant companies have been struggling with a downturn in customer traffic due to consumer concerns about inflation.
Tourists take video of the final "volcano eruption" show in front of the Mirage hotel-casino before the casino was closed Wednesday, July 17, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)