How to Watch FIFA World Cup 2026, Your Ultimate Global Viewing Guide

How to Watch FIFA World Cup 2026, Your Ultimate Global Viewing Guide

World Team    Juni 14, 2026    Comment   

world.campusnesia.co.id - The biggest sporting event on the planet is officially here! The FIFA World Cup 2026 is making history as the first-ever tournament co-hosted by three nations—the United States, Canada, and Mexico. With an expanded format featuring 48 teams and a massive schedule of 104 matches, you won’t want to miss a single second of the action.

Whether you are a cord-cutter looking for the best live streams or prefer watching on traditional TV, this ultimate guide will show you how to watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 from anywhere in the world.

1. Where to Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 for Free

You don't necessarily need a pricey cable subscription to enjoy the matches. Several countries are offering fully legal, free-to-air (FTA) broadcasts and complimentary digital streaming platforms.

If you live in or are traveling to these regions, you can stream the games for free:

- United Kingdom: The BBC and ITV share the broadcasting rights. You can stream all 104 matches for free via BBC iPlayer and ITVX.

- Australia: SBS holds the exclusive rights. Every single match is available to watch live and free on SBS On Demand.

- Brazil: In a historic partnership, CazéTV is streaming tournament matches for free via their YouTube channel.

- Ireland: Football fans can catch the live action with English commentary on the RTÉ Player.

- Netherlands: Catch the local coverage for free via NOS.

2. Official Broadcasters in Key Regions

If you want to catch the premium network coverage tailored to your local home team, here are the official broadcasting partners in major regions:

United States

In the US, English-language rights belong to Fox Sports, while Spanish-language broadcasts are managed by Telemundo.

- TV Channels: Fox, FS1, Telemundo, and Universo.

- Live Streaming: Fox One, Peacock (Spanish commentary), and live TV streaming services like Fubo TV, YouTube TV, and Sling TV.

Canada

Canadian viewers can follow their national team’s journey across multiple platforms.

- TV Channels & Streaming: CTV, TSN, and RDS (French-language coverage).

Asia & Other Regions

- India: Broadcasted via Doordarshan and associated sports streaming networks.

- Indonesia: Free terrestrial coverage is available on TVRI, while digital mobile users can stream via Folaplay and Maxstream.

3. How to Watch World Cup 2026 Live Streams From Anywhere

If you are traveling abroad during the tournament, you might find that your local streaming app is geo-blocked due to licensing restrictions. Luckily, there is a simple workaround to safely access your home streams: using a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

Here is how you can use a VPN to watch the World Cup 2026 without any interruptions:

1.Choose a Reliable VPN:

Takes 2 mins.

Sign up for a premium VPN service known for fast streaming speeds and strong privacy policies, such as ExpressVPN, NordVPN, or Norton VPN. Avoid completely free VPNs as they often restrict bandwidth or block streaming traffic.


2.Download and Install:

Compatible with major devices.

Download the VPN app onto your preferred device—whether it's your smartphone, laptop, tablet, or Smart TV.


3.Connect to a Server:

Match your home region.

Open the app and select a server located in your home country. For instance, if you want to access your UK BBC iPlayer or ITVX account, connect to a UK server.


4.Start Streaming:

Enjoy the match!.

Go to your chosen streaming platform, clear your browser cookies if necessary, load up the stream, and enjoy the FIFA World Cup live!


Tournament Pro-Tip: The FIFA World Cup 2026 matches are played across multiple time zones in North America. Make sure to download an official schedule app or bookmark the FIFA match center to convert kick-off times to your local time zone so you don't miss any marquee matchups!


With 48 nations competing across 16 iconic host cities, the 2026 edition promises to be unforgettable. Bookmark this page or share it with your fellow football fanatics to ensure everyone knows exactly how to tune in when the referee blows the whistle. Who are you rooting for this year? Let us know in the comments below!

Singapore and Malaysia Reject Purbaya’s Proposal to Tax Ships Passing Through the Strait of Malacca

Singapore and Malaysia Reject Purbaya’s Proposal to Tax Ships Passing Through the Strait of Malacca

World Team    April 24, 2026    Comment   

 

world.campusnesia.co.id - Singapore and Malaysia have strongly rejected the proposal by Indonesia's Minister of Finance, Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, to impose taxes on vessels traversing the Strait of Malacca.

Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan emphasized that the Strait of Malacca must remain free and open. He added that no single country should restrict navigation or impose new fees on ships utilizing the route. Similarly, Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan asserted that any decision concerning the Strait of Malacca cannot be made unilaterally.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yvonne Mewengkang, assured that all government policies regarding the Strait of Malacca will align with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Previously, Purbaya identified the potential for implementing a tax on ships passing through the strait, citing the model used by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz. "As per the President's direction, Indonesia is not a peripheral nation; we are situated in a strategic global trade and energy corridor," he stated during the PT SMI Symposium at the Ayana Hotel, Jakarta, on Wednesday (April 22).

Purbaya suggested that if a scheme similar to the Strait of Hormuz were applied to the Strait of Malacca, Indonesia could secure significant additional revenue. This income, he noted, could be shared among the three littoral states: Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Starting February 2027, All Smartphones in Europe Must Feature User-Replaceable Batteries

Starting February 2027, All Smartphones in Europe Must Feature User-Replaceable Batteries

World Team    April 24, 2026    Comment   

 

world.campusnesia.co.id - The European Union has officially passed a new regulation requiring all mobile phones sold within its territory to feature repairable designs, specifically focusing on easily replaceable batteries. This regulation is set to take effect starting February 2027.

Under this law, manufacturers are required to design smartphone batteries that can be easily removed and replaced without the need for specialized tools. If specific tools are required for the process, manufacturers must provide them free of charge within the product packaging.

This regulation does not only target smartphones. Tablets, handheld gaming consoles, smart glasses, e-bikes, and even electronic toys are also affected. Exceptions are only granted for medical devices and products specifically designed for underwater use.

Interestingly, not all devices will be impacted immediately.

The policy provides an exemption for batteries capable of maintaining 80 percent of their original capacity after 1,000 charging cycles. According to official Apple documentation, the iPhone 15 lineup has already met this standard since 2023.

Exploring the Success of Jacob Rothschild, A Modern Icon of Wealth and Philanthropy

Exploring the Success of Jacob Rothschild, A Modern Icon of Wealth and Philanthropy

World Team    Februari 29, 2024    Comment   

 

Nesianetwork.id - In the echelons of global finance and philanthropy, few names resonate with as much gravitas as Jacob Rothschild. Born into one of the wealthiest and most influential families in history, Rothschild has carved out a remarkable legacy of his own, blending astute business acumen with a deep commitment to philanthropy and social responsibility. This article delves into the life, career, and success of Jacob Rothschild, shedding light on the factors that have shaped his journey and the enduring impact he has had on the world stage.

Jacob Rothschild was born on April 29, 1936, into the illustrious Rothschild banking dynasty, which traces its origins back to Mayer Amschel Rothschild in the late 18th century. Raised in a family steeped in tradition and finance, he received a world-class education at Eton College and Christ Church, Oxford. These formative years instilled in him a strong sense of duty, coupled with a thirst for knowledge and excellence.

Rothschild's entry into the world of finance was marked by his tenure at N M Rothschild & Sons, the family's banking business. He quickly rose through the ranks, demonstrating a keen intellect and a knack for strategic decision-making. In 1980, he founded J. Rothschild Assurance Group, a pioneering insurance company that became a cornerstone of his financial empire.

Throughout his career, Rothschild has been a shrewd investor, navigating complex markets with aplomb. His ventures span a wide array of industries, from finance and mining to agriculture and technology. Through his investment vehicle, RIT Capital Partners plc, he has amassed a diverse portfolio of assets, generating substantial wealth for himself and his investors.

Beyond his success in the financial realm, Jacob Rothschild is perhaps equally renowned for his philanthropic endeavors. He has long been a champion of causes related to education, healthcare, and the arts, channeling his resources towards initiatives that promote social progress and cultural enrichment.

Rothschild's philanthropic footprint extends across the globe, with contributions to numerous charitable organizations and institutions. His support for educational initiatives, such as scholarships and research grants, has empowered countless individuals to pursue their academic and intellectual aspirations. Likewise, his patronage of the arts has helped preserve and promote cultural heritage for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.

As Jacob Rothschild approaches his twilight years, his legacy looms large, encompassing not only his remarkable financial success but also his enduring commitment to philanthropy and social responsibility. He stands as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs and altruists alike, showcasing the transformative power of wealth when wielded with integrity and compassion.

In a world grappling with economic inequality and social injustice, the example set by Jacob Rothschild serves as a potent reminder of the potential for positive change when individuals of means dedicate themselves to the greater good. Through his tireless efforts and unwavering dedication, he has left an indelible mark on the tapestry of human history, enriching the lives of countless individuals and leaving a legacy that will endure for generations to come.

Despite his unparalleled success and philanthropic efforts, Jacob Rothschild has not been immune to criticism and controversy. The Rothschild family's immense wealth and influence have often been the subject of speculation and conspiracy theories, fueling mistrust and skepticism in certain circles. Accusations of undue political influence and economic manipulation have dogged the family for generations, though evidence to substantiate such claims remains elusive.

Moreover, Rothschild's business dealings have occasionally drawn scrutiny from regulatory authorities and watchdog groups. Allegations of market manipulation and conflicts of interest have surfaced over the years, prompting inquiries and investigations into his financial activities. While Rothschild has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, these incidents have cast a shadow over his otherwise sterling reputation.

As the global landscape evolves, Jacob Rothschild has demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt and thrive in the face of uncertainty. In an era marked by technological disruption and geopolitical upheaval, he has remained at the forefront of innovation, leveraging his vast resources and expertise to capitalize on emerging opportunities.

Rothschild's investment strategy reflects a keen understanding of macroeconomic trends and geopolitical dynamics, allowing him to anticipate market shifts and position himself accordingly. Whether it be navigating the complexities of Brexit or navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, he has exhibited a steady hand and a deft touch in steering his financial empire through turbulent waters.

As Jacob Rothschild enters the twilight of his illustrious career, the question of succession looms large. With no clear heir apparent, speculation abounds regarding the future direction of the Rothschild dynasty. Will the next generation uphold the family's legacy of wealth and philanthropy, or will they forge their own path in an increasingly interconnected world?

Regardless of what the future may hold, one thing remains certain: the impact of Jacob Rothschild's life and legacy will endure for generations to come. From his pioneering efforts in finance to his unwavering commitment to philanthropy, he has left an indelible mark on the world stage, inspiring countless individuals to strive for excellence and to make a positive difference in the world. As history continues to unfold, the Rothschild name will stand as a testament to the power of vision, perseverance, and compassion in shaping the course of human destiny.

Jacob Rothschild, a wealthy financier, patron of the arts and philanthropist with close ties to Israel, who broke with his family’s fabled banking dynasty at a time of radical change in the world of high finance, has died. He was 87.

His death was announced on Monday by the Rothschild Foundation, a British charity of which he was the chairman. It did not specify when or where he died or give the cause of death. (https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/26/business/jacob-rothschild-dead.html)

From TechCrunch: Tech for Palestine launches to provide tools to help support Palestinians

From TechCrunch: Tech for Palestine launches to provide tools to help support Palestinians

World Team    Januari 03, 2024    Comment   

 

Nesianetwork.id - More than 40 founders, investors, engineers and others in the tech industry are today announcing a coalition called Tech for Palestine to build open source projects, tools and data to help others in the industry advocate for the Palestinian people.

The launch of the group comes during a tense time in the region. Hamas’s October 7th attack on Israel led to the deaths of more than 1,100 individuals. The war in the Gaza Strip that followed has seen the displacement of millions of Palestinians and tens of thousands of deaths.

The Israel-Hamas war has proved divisive to the tech industry. Israel, home to a well-known technology and startup market, has seen strong support from tech individuals and institutions. In contrast, calls for ceasefires and speaking in support of Palestine have caused some to lose their jobs.

Paul Biggar, the founder of Tech for Palestine, hopes to raise more awareness of the war in Gaza, fight for a permanent ceasefire and provide ways for those who are afraid to speak publicly in support of Palestine to still offer support. It is one of the first tech initiatives to take a public stance supporting Palestine and could represent a turning point in the venture industry’s posture regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict as more people seek to speak out in favor of a ceasefire.

Biggar, the founder of the company CircleCI — last valued at $1.7 billion — formed the coalition after writing a viral blog post that criticized the lack of support the tech industry has shown Palestinians. He said that after he wrote his blog post, thousands of people reached out to him with words of support, many of them afraid to speak up themselves for fear of potential career impacts.

Among them, he said, were “dozens of people not only speaking up but who had started projects to change the industry to ensure that people speaking up for Palestine could be heard. Dozens of others were volunteering to help,” Biggar added. “I started connecting these folks together, and the [Tech for Palestine] community came together very quickly.”

The platform, still in its early days, will feature projects run by small groups and serve as a place to share resources and advice, something many pro-Palestinian tech workers are already doing privately. It has already secured names like Idris Mokhtarzada, founder of the unicorn Truebill, to help build out the platform. So far, it has created a badge for engineers to use on GitHub that calls for a ceasefire and created HTML snippets for people to use on their websites to put up a support ceasefire banner.

Biggar said there are plans to eventually work more with Palestinian organizations and help Palestinian startups with mentorship and cloud credits. TechCrunch previously reported that the war has destroyed much of Palestine’s burgeoning tech industry.

Arfah Farooq, founder of Muslamic Makers, said the last three months have changed everyone in many ways. At the same time, there has been a togetherness and activism that she has never seen before. “I’ve seen firsthand people come together to work for Palestine with nothing but their laptops from across the globe,” she said.

She decided to work with Tech for Palestine after reading Biggar’s viral blog post and has already started to share resources on how to support Palestine. “Due to the siege, we can’t go to Gaza and help on the ground, but we help regardless of where we are in the world,” Farooq said.

One engineer, who asked to remain anonymous, decided to join the coalition because this person felt suffocated at work. This person has agreed to work as an engineer and product manager to help build resources for Tech for Palestine, saying, “I hope this initiative will spark a significant shift and give people their voices back.”

A former tech brand marketer, who is also scared to speak out publicly for fear it will impact a new job search, also told TechCrunch about feeling happy to have a way to get involved with the cause.

“This period has been incredibly isolating to Arabs, Muslims and other people of color in VC and tech,” she said. “Tech for Palestine is a necessary initiative. When we are seeing mobilization around the world and the U.S. in the numbers of hundreds of thousands calling for peace and [the] humanization of the Palestinians, the tech community can no longer be silent.”

The Tech for Palestine initiative comes as the death toll among Palestinians continues to rise. In recent weeks, U.S. officials have reportedly prodded Israel to do more to protect civilians in Gaza even as they have called U.S. support for Israeli security unshakable.

Biggar hopes, at the very least, that this new coalition will augur a larger shift in people speaking up.

“The narrative has only just turned,” he said. “We are working to enable many more who feel silenced to speak out, we are only getting started.”

Source:

https://techcrunch.com/2024/01/02/tech-for-palestine-launches-to-provide-tools-and-projects-to-help-advocate-for-palestinians/

by Dominic-Madori Davis

This is Success Story of The New York Times $100M Side Business

This is Success Story of The New York Times $100M Side Business

World Team    Januari 03, 2024    Comment   

 

Nesianetwork.id - This is Success Story of The New York Times’ $100M Side Business. Print media is dying, and the internet killed it. Daily newspaper circulation has dropped by over 50% since 2020, and roughly two newspapers go out of business every week. 

Now, amidst all this chaos, the New York Times hasn't just weathered the storm of declining newspaper sales, but their revenue has actually been growing since 2016. And while many attribute this to "digital transformation," beneath the surface lies a secret, a strategic move that most haven't noticed. 

And the answer probably isn't what you're thinking. Because it has nothing to do with journalism - but it has everything to do with how we shop. But before we get there, we need to talk about this so-called "digital transformation." In March 2011, the New York Times announced that it would be launching digital subscriptions. 

This meant that you could read up to 20 articles on their site each month and have access to some of their apps. And adoption was actually quite good. Their digital subscription revenue has been growing year over year for over a decade. And today, it brings in around a billion dollars per year in revenue. 

Now, that digital subscription has evolved into what the New York Times CEO, Meredeth Kopit Levien refers to as a "digital product experience". And this "experience" can be bought for around $6 per week to gain access to news, games like Wordle, the Cooking App, and more. But this 'digital product experience' narrative was far from the whole story. 

Under the hood, something else was brewing — a pivotal change that kick-started near the end of 2016. You see, while the rest of the print world  continued sinking, The New York Times' revenue grew a notable amount for the first time in over a decade. And while much of this growth is because of more digital subscriptions, the part that no one's really talking about is this "Other" revenue source which has nearly tripled since 2016, making up roughly 10% of their total revenue today. 

So what's this mysterious 9-figure side business all about? Well, according to the New York Times' 2022 annual report, they state that "Other revenues primarily consist of revenues from licensing," and right after that, "Wirecutter affiliate referrals," which was not so coincidentally acquired in October 2016, right before they began a new wave of growth. 

And in their Q2 earnings call from that same year, they noted that "other revenues" came in higher than guidance, specifically calling out "higher Wirecutter affiliate referrals." Now, affiliate referrals are commissions that are generated through affiliate marketing. And this is when a company is compensated a commission in exchange for referring leads or sales to an affiliate merchant. 

This is the primary monetization method used by the Wirecutter. To better illustrate what this looks like in action, say you want to buy an air fryer. You'll probably go to Google and  search for "best air fryer." In fact, your search is just one of 123,000 that happen in any given month in the US alone. Now, you click on the link to the New York Times Wirecutter because it ranks high and you know the brand. Then you scroll through the article, click some links to Amazon, and then make a purchase based on some Amazon reviews and your budget. Nothing out of the ordinary here. 

But what you might have missed while  shopping is that the links you clicked   have a tracking tag attached to them. This is called an affiliate link. And when someone clicks this affiliate link, it tells Amazon that the Wirecutter referred those shoppers to them. And when those clickers make a purchase, Amazon is going to give the New York Times a cut of that sale. How much of a cut? Well, according to Amazon Associate's  commissions table, an air fryer falls into the "kitchen" category so it pays out 4.5%. 

So for a $100 air fryer, a standard affiliate would get around $4.50. And while this may not sound like a hundred million dollar business, the scale at which the New York Times is doing affiliate marketing is absolutely bonkers. And I'll show you exactly how big they've taken this site soon, but first, it's vital that you understand why affiliate marketing was and still is the perfect add-on business for the New York Times. 

And there's two main reasons. First: It doesn't require a lot of cash to start or operate. In fact, there are plenty of solo bloggers who are running multi-six-, seven- and even eight-figure affiliate marketing sites – perfect for a company that was probably being a bit more cash-conscious. And second and perhaps the most important part: the New York Times is one of the most authoritative brands on the planet. 

They have around 100 million followers across their social accounts. And from a search engine standpoint, their website is just outside of the top 100 most powerful domains, making nytimes.com an optimal home to attract substantial organic traffic. So basically, The New York Times has all three ingredients to make an untouchable affiliate site: a content and editorial team that can produce top-notch content, the domain and audience to quickly generate tons of traffic, and a brand name that's well-known and trusted, which I'm sure contributes to higher conversion rates. And they knew all this and capitalized on it. Let's look at the journey of the Wirecutter. 

So, pre-acquisition, thewirecutter.com was getting around 1 million monthly visits from Google search. Then in October 2016, the site was acquired for a reported $30 million. Now, their first act of order was to do what they do best: scale content like crazy. And within just one year from the acquisition date, they more than doubled content and tripled organic traffic. And they continued to scale content and rank it in Google on thewirecutter.com domain. 

Then in May 2020, the New York Times would take a risk that not many marketing professionals would do with a site that's getting five million monthly visits from Google and generating tens of millions of dollars. They migrated all of the content from thewirecutter.com to the New York Times domain, dropping their traffic to zero. And if you've ever dealt with migrations, you know that they almost always come with problems. But something absolutely crazy happened once the migration was done. 

They restored all of their traffic on the New York Times domain and by November that same year, they had hit over eight million monthly organic visits from Google. And using their brand and authority, they've tripled search traffic to nearly 15 million monthly visits from Google search alone. 

So with 15X the organic traffic since the acquisition and likely higher commission rates with affiliate merchants, I'd say that their 30 million dollar bet paid off big time. And today, the New York Times' Wirecutter  ranks for just about every "best product name"  query in Google like "best air purifier," "best gifts for dad," "best wireless outdoor home security cameras," and thousands more. 

Now, unfortunately, we can't put an exact dollar amount on the Wirecutter's revenue because, even if we knew the affiliate numbers, that's not the whole picture. And the reason for that is because some Wirecutter visitors almost certainly end up buying the New York times main cash cow: the digital subscription. And other digital subscribers are probably buying the subscription because it includes full, unrestricted access to the Wirecutter's content. 

What we do know is that when the New York Times took over the Wirecutter, an already successful business, they continued to publish high-quality reviews at scale, leveraged SEO as their primary marketing tactic to get free and consistent visitors to their site, and used the affiliate marketing model to passively generate revenue, creating this amazing, yet valuable eight to nine-figure side business.

Source:

Youtube Channel Ahrefs

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjvIph3Sx4c

This is How Watermelon Became a Symbol of Resistance in Palestine

This is How Watermelon Became a Symbol of Resistance in Palestine

World Team    Desember 31, 2023    Comment   

 

Nesianetwork.id - T he watermelon may be a enormous portion of Palestinian culture, including in numerous dishes and crossing into the craftsmanship world where it has ended up a image of resistance. The ruddy, green, white and dark colored natural product held in hand, portrayed in craftsmanship or posted as an emoji has moreover ended up a way for Palestinians and their supporters to dissent against Israel. 

We've been seeing the natural product including in social media posts over the web ever since the Gaza intrusion started after Hamas assault on Israel on October 7. As of nowadays, more than 6,546 Palestinians have been murdered, counting 2,704 children, and over 17,000 individuals have been injured so distant in continuous Israeli retaliatory strikes.

The utilize of the watermelon as a Palestinian image isn't modern. It to begin with developed in 1967, when Israel seized control of the West Bank and Gaza and added East Jerusalem. Taking after this, the Israeli government utilized a military arrange to create open shows of the Palestinian hail a criminal offense in Gaza and the West Bank. In arrange to bypass the forbiddance, Palestinians begun utilizing watermelons since, when cut open, the natural product shows the energetic tints of the Palestinian hail - the ruddy watermelon substance, dark seeds, white skin, and green external skin.

Israel lifted the ban on the Palestinian flag in 1993, as part of the Oslo Accords, which entailed mutual recognition by Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organisation and were the first formal agreements to try to resolve the Israel-Palestine situation. The flag was accepted as representing the Palestinian Authority, which would administer Gaza and the West Bank. 

In 2007, just after the Second Intifada, artist Khaled Hourani created The Story of the Watermelon for a book titled Subjective Atlas of Palestine. In 2013, he isolated one print and named it The Colours of the Palestinian Flag, which has since been seen by people across the globe. In 2021, the symbol returned when settlers, supported by an Israeli court ruling, took over the homes of Palestinian families in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of East Jerusalem.

In January 2023, Israel’s national security minister granted the police the power to confiscate Palestinian flags. There was an attempt to turn this into a law but before that could happen the government collapsed.

In June, Zazim, an Arab-Israeli community organisation, launched a campaign to protest against the ensuing arrests and confiscation of flags. Images of watermelons were plastered on to 16 taxis operating in Tel Aviv, with the accompanying text: “This is not a Palestinian flag.” Amal Saad, a Palestinian from Haifa who worked on the Zazim campaign, told Al Jazeera they had a clear message: “If you want to stop us, we’ll find another way to express ourselves.” Since the invasion began, many authors, activists, journalists, filmmakers, and ordinary users across the world have reported that social posts containing hashtags such as “Free Palestine” or “I Stand With Palestine” are receiving less engagement than their other posts. They believe their messages expressing support for Palestinian civilians killed by Israeli forces are being shadowbanned by social media platforms. A shadowban is when social media platforms actively censore accounts or reduce the reach of certain posts and content. To counter this blockade of information X, Instagram and Facebook users have started using the watermelon emoji in their usernames, stories and posts in place of Palestine.

Sara Jamil, a lecturer at Indus Valley School and graphic designer, experienced something similar. “My Instagram account kept getting shadowbanned, which made me angry and frustrated,” she said. In a bid to do something, Jamil created an artwork around the resistance symbol and posted it on Instagram. Unsurprisingly, it got thousands of views. “People will always find a way to express themselves, sitting so far, they can’t do much. Hence, they connected with the issue through small actions like these,” the designer added. Social media is battleground right now, with many people trying to fight for Palestine online. Spreading awareness and keeping the movement alive the best way they know how, they too have adopted the watermelon as a symbol of hope for Palestine.

This article was published in thejakartapost.com. Click to read: https://www.thejakartapost.com/world/2023/11/06/how-watermelon-became-a-symbol-of-resistance-in-palestine.html.

This is How Airbnb Fell From Successful Startup to Crisis Mode

This is How Airbnb Fell From Successful Startup to Crisis Mode

World Team    Desember 27, 2023    Comment   

 

Nesianetwork.id - 2020 was supposed to be the golden year for Airbnb, it was supposed to be the year that Airbnb went public. They were supposed to be the hottest offering of this year.

In just under a decade, Airbnb went from a single air mattress for rent to a global company valued at more than 30 billion dollars. The home sharing giant has thousands of employees, over three million hosts, and seven million listings in over 220 countries. It even branched out with a new division called Experiences. Which allows guests to book outings. But travel is now at a stand still. Airbnb's planned listing is in doubt. 

Expected revenue is down by at least half, and CEO Brian Chesky said 25% of staff will be cut. So how did one of the most successful startups of the decade become such a vulnerable company? - Airbnb was founded in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. A lot of ordinary people had lost their jobs and were looking for secondary income. 

Once the idea of sharing your home with someone took off, a lot of people bought into that promise. - You know we had revenue from day one. And we didn't actually need to raise money at any given point. We decided that we invest ahead of growth and we've always tried to think about it like a throttle. So that we could at any given point throttle into profitability. - Airbnb was profitable by a certain measure in 2017 and 2018. So that gave investors a lot of confidence and excited everyone, really, about the prospect of a startup like this that has become a household name around the world to go public. - These are beautiful homes. 

The company spent big during this period of growth. Administrative costs increased 113% between 2017 and 2019 as they hired thousands of employees and built out a corporate headquarters in a trendy San Francisco neighborhood. Then 2019 ended with a tragedy. - Airbnb now says it is banning house parties. That after a shooting left five people dead in San Francisco in a suburb there on Halloween night. - This mass shooting was really a moment of reckoning for Airbnb and that's what led them to invest over 100 million dollars into safety initiatives. 

These expenses helped bring Airbnb's total costs to 5.3 billion dollars last year. More than double what they were in 2017. - You had board members grilling some of the executives and saying, "Hey, your costs "are outpacing your revenue growth. "Lets reign that in, let's control that." And then of course the pandemic hit and changed everything for Airbnb. - China says the number of people infected by a mysterious respiratory virus has more than tripled over the weekend. In January, officials in China issued local travel warnings and restrictions following the spread of Covid-19. - It wiped out bookings over night in China. So remember at the time, no one thought this would become a global problem. 

And then on March 11th, President Donald Trump announced new international travel restrictions. As Airbnb bookings fell, Chesky held in-person meetings with employees to discuss what these new developments meant for Airbnb and their plans to go public. - What was happening was a lot of anxiety was building among employees because a lot of them have stock options. And those are set to expire later this year, which meant that if they didn't go public this year, a lot of valuable options that employees hold would just be worthless. So Mr. Chesky really took it upon himself to reassure employees, to say, "It's gonna be okay. "We are still very much going to list this year." That changed in a matter of days. By the end of March, he struck a more cautious tone. He held a video conference with employees where he said everything is on the table. 

Around this time many guests began to demand refunds for reservations. But Airbnb had a long time practice of allowing hosts to set their own cancellation policies. - But in a world where you have guests fighting back and saying, "Hosts are not giving us any refunds, "what's Airbnb gonna do about it?" I think that really shook the company as well. 

This led to a sudden decision by Chesky to give guests refunds for certain bookings. After backlash from some hosts, Chesky issued an apology to them. - I am sorry. I'm sorry we didn't consult you as partners. And I've heard from you ever since that decision. 

Airbnb said it would pay hosts 25% of what they would have received for canceled bookings. They also created a 17 million dollar mortgage fund to help top rated hosts cover mortgages. By April the company had barely any revenue coming in from short term stays. - So they ended up raising a billion dollars in debt at a very high interest rate that is associated with distressed assets. So overnight Airbnb went from being the Silicon Valley unicorn that is a household name around the world, to being reduced to business that is in distress. 

On May fifth, Brian Chesky announced massive staff cuts in a memo that has drawn praise for addressing the impending layoffs with compassion and clarity. Chesky said nearly 2000 employees, a quarter of Airbnb's workforce would be cut. He also said 2020 revenue would be less than half of what it was in 2019. - I think everyone would be very surprised if they choose to go public later on this year. What I'm hearing from investors is that Airbnb would need at least two good quarters before they go public. 

The pandemic has shifted Airbnb in fundamental ways. The company is pivoting to longterm stays, and recently rolled out cleaning guidelines to help guests feel safe whenever they do return to rentals. The sudden collapse of the Airbnb economy that was a lifeline for many has also exposed deep cracks in the sharing economy. 

If you think about it, Airbnb is really a property manager without the property risk. Unlike hotels that run and manage their properties, Airbnb doesn't own any of the properties. The pandemic has really held a mirror and has really made us all question the very fundamentals of the sharing economy. Who takes on the risk.

Source:

Youtue Channel Wall Street Journal

Link:

https://youtu.be/c-y69rCGx_8?si=5ekNo_hx00N0HlH4