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We are thrilled to announce The Global Beauty Group has been named National Wholesaler of the Year at the 2018 Australian Beauty Industry Awards gala in Sydney.
This means you have made a great decision in choosing us as your aesthetic technology and professional skin care machine provider. However, we simply would not be here without you — so from all of the team at The Global Beauty Group, we wish to extend a big thank you to the 1,600+ salons, spas, clinics and practices who have, and continue, to support us.
The 2018 ABIA awards was the most competitive yet — with the panel of industry experts having to judge winners from the largest number of entries ever submitted, so we are sincerely humbled to have received this accolade amongst such a strong group of fellow nominees.
The Global Beauty Group began back in 2011 with a mission to provide unmatched service, quality and support to the beauty and aesthetics industry, and we continue to strive not only to be the best in Australia — but the best in the world.
So, if there is anything we can do to help — whether it be advice on which beauty technology will best grow your business, or which devices will deliver the quickest ROI — our friendly and knowledgeable team of aesthetics experts are ready and waiting for your call.
With thanks and gratitude,
The Global Beauty Group team


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KENDALLVILLE, Ind. (www.incnow.tv) -- It’s been a busy year for Kendallville, more businesses moving in downtown…and sprucing things up thanks to a new city grant program that helps storeowners pay for improvements to their facades.
Kendallville’s downtown is fast becoming known for designer eateries and great food but other parts of town are growing as well…explosive growth in fact along the newly rebuilt U.S. 6 corridor, and new industry moving in to the Eastside Industrial Park and elsewhere…Wolfpack Chassis is a newcomer. The company builds chassis's for the RV industry.
“So they're hiring welders as they're coming out of school,” says Mayor Suzanne Handshoe. “They go to the graduation class and recruit right there.”
Wolfpack CEO Robert Frost says moving to Kendallville was an easy choice.
“Strategically it's a great location because it's centrally located, close to all our customers,” he says. “We think Kendallville’s a great community and it's got an excellent workforce.”
Industry is in Kendallville’s DNA thanks in part to the early arrival of the railroad, which early on helped convince two world class manufacturers to set up shop here. Flint and Walling began manufacturing windmills and hand-operated water pumps in the 1860's. The company's still here, still making quality pumps and accessories. McCray Refrigeration opened in 1890 and soon became one of the largest refrigeration companies in the world. For many years one-third of Kendallville’s residents earned their living at McCray Refrigeration. So Kendallville will have much to celebrate next week during its sesquicentennial…150 years of manufacturing, creating…growing. And really, no end in sight.
People in Kendallville have to eat as well. There are a couple entrepreneurs who've recently opened restaurants in the area.
Right downtown, you'll find 7 Scoops and a Bun. While you're there, you can get a hot dog, a Chicago Dog, or something called a Chupacabra dog - if you're brave enough. And as the name of their shop says, you'll be able to find some ice cream for a cold treat on a hot Summer day.
At the north end of Kendallville, Dawson's American Grill recently opened. It's the same Dawson's from Fort Wayne, but they're trying new things and adding items to the menu. They even came up with a "Fat Kid Menu," or "FKM." Nearly everything is deep fried and delicious. This is just a sampling of the good eats in Kendallville that make life a little better.
So whether you're looking for something hot or
What are your thoughts CLICK HERE to leave us a "QUESTION OF THE DAY” comment.
© Copyright 2016, A Quincy Media broadcasting station. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

domain: news


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November 1, 2011
C Spire, the Ridgeland, Mississippi-based mobile carrier, today announced it will begin selling the iPhone 4S on Friday, November 11. When it does, C Spire will offer service plans that include unlimited data. It was only last month it was announced that C Spire would join AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint as an official U.S. iPhone carrier. While C Spire is offering the iPhone 4/4S at competitive prices, its service plans are different. C Spire is offering four different plans to select from, beginning with a $50 per month plan which includes 500 minutes, unlimited SMS, and “unlimited” data. However, this plan (along with the one for $70/month) does not allow customers to “stream” data. For that, you’ll need to purchase a $90 or $100 plan. Take a look at each plan: C Spire will join Sprint as the only U.S. carriers to offer unlimited iPhone data plans. AT&T and Verizon no longer offer these type of plans to new customers. According to Hu Meena, president and chief executive officer for C Spire.
“As a carrier dedicated to delivering the best personalized wireless experience, we’re proud to offer the amazing new iPhone 4S to our customers. iPhone 4S offers an abundance of new features, and with our Choice Infinite data plans customers can enjoy all of them on our network without having to think about their next bill.”C Spire is currently offering pre-orders for the iPhone 4/4S. The service is available in Mississippi, as well as parts of Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee.
C Spire Launching iPhone 4S On November 11 - Offering Unlimited Non-Streaming Data For Just $50 Per Month


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Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited is a British luxury car manufacturer owned by German conglomerate BMW. Rolls-Royce has expanded its wings all the way to Kenya, with its headquarters in West Sussex.
The cost of Rolls Royce cars varies from $300, 000 to $450, 000, which is between 30 million and 45 million Kenyan shillings.
The cars are owned by super rich Kenyan business men and Politicians. Below are the Kenyans who drive the exquisite car.
1. Jimmy Wanjigi
The One Kenya Alliance principal and Billionaire owns this super car. His rolls royce has his initials JMW in its number plate. The business mogul also owns a number of high end cars.
2. Evans Kidero
The ex Nairobi Governor also drives the luxurious car. After losing the 2017 Nairobi County Governiship to Mike Sonko, Kidero is eyeing the Homabay county top seat in August 9.
3. Steve Mbogo
The young politician drives the expensive British machine.
4. Charles Jaguar
Charles Njagua Kanyi, better known by his stage name Jaguar, is a Kenyan politician, singer, entrepreneur and philanthropist. From humble beginnings, Jaguar was born in a family of three siblings. He grew up in the suburbs of Nairobi where he attended school. Jaguar has a number of cars in his garage but the Rolls Royce stands out.
5. Samia Barry
He is a renown business man in the capital Nairobi.


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Ofcom have launched an investigation into the soaring costs of certain telephone service numbers. The regulator will examine directory enquiries numbers, which begin with 118, after some providers were found to be charging up to £10.50 a call. They will also be looking at 070 numbers, which allow users to be contacted on any phone at any location, and can cost up to £3.40 a minute.
Today’s charges are more than 20 times the cost of the 40p BT 192 number that was used for this purpose in 2003, when 118 numbers were introduced by then regulator Oftel to increase competition and cut prices for consumers.
There are now more than 400 directory enquiry services offering a variety of options and prices, with call costs ranging from 35p per call to £10.50. There is no limit on such charges, meaning operators are free to charge up to a maximum of £23.97 for calls of less than a minute.
Ofcom also plans to examine 070 numbers, which enable calls to be diverted from one phone number to another, so that the person being called can keep their own number private, and remain contactable wherever they go. Small businesses and sole traders often use them to make it easier to manage calls.
However, Ofcom said it was concerned they could be confused with mobile phone numbers, which also start ’07’.
“Ofcom is concerned about evidence of scams designed to make consumers believe they are calling a mobile number,” it said.
“When people call the 070 number back, they are actually dialling a service costing up to £3.40 a minute.”
The regulator said it expected to publish detailed proposals following its review later this year.


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- Popeyes has launched its first-ever loyalty program, called Popeyes Rewards, which provides exclusive access to deals, celebrations, swag and the chance to earn and redeem points from menu purchases, according to a press release emailed to Restaurant Dive.
- The program is designed so members can earn points with each transaction. The chain is offering a "Welcome to the Popeyes Fam" meal to promote the launch, available exclusively for loyalty members on the Popeyes' app or online. Those ordering this meal from June 17 to July 1 will receive 500 loyalty points.
- The program's launch comes as Popeyes' digital sales make up about 17% of total sales in the U.S. as of Q1 2021 and have contributed to the chain's continued double-digit same-store sales growth throughout the COVID-19 crisis. As of Q1, Popeyes' same-store sales were up 30% on a two-year basis and up 1% over Q1 2020.
Adding a loyalty program will likely bolster Popeyes' digital sales and could help the chain gain ground against Chick-fil-A in the intensely competitive chicken category. Chick-fil-A's loyalty program is wildly popular and ranked second, following El Pollo Loco, in a recent consumer survey ranking fast food rewards programs conducted by data research firm Statista.
In 2018, Chick-fil-A had 13 million active users, according to Digiday, and that number has no doubt increased since. Those millions of users interacting with the brand on their mobile phones could perhaps explain why the brand has such a commanding market share lead on money spent on chicken sandwich delivery orders, securing 41% of that spending. Popeyes has a corner on just 12% of that money.
But Popeyes has strong potential for sales growth, driven by a triple-digit increase in digital orders industrywide throughout the past year, coupled with the brand's wildly popular chicken sandwich, which has lifted average unit volumes across the system. In a statement, CMO Bruno Cardinali said Popeyes' fans have expressed their loyalty "time and time again."
"Our goal has been to create a perfect loyalty program that matches and rewards their unparalleled enthusiasm," he said.
There is no doubt plenty of enthusiasm for loyalty incentives across the industry right now, as brands from McDonald's and Wendy's to Chuck E. Cheese and Taco Bell roll out new programs. These rewards programs help restaurants capture a targeted fan base that tends to spend more. Diners are also hungry for increased value and access across their favorite brands.
Popeyes' new rewards program should also enable the brand to better understand its customers' ordering behaviors and more effectively market to them. Another benefit is the potential to drive new customer acquisition, as well. According to a 2019 Publishers Clearing House study, 19% of consumers said a loyalty program would be enough for them to try a new QSR and 30% of respondents said they would download a restaurant app to gain loyalty points.
One potential challenge as Popeyes joins an increasingly crowded loyalty space, however, is the fight over mobile phone space and how many apps consumers are willing to download. Differentiated perks are critical here, but Popeyes' chicken sandwich, which continues to drive a staggering amount of sales, could be a big enough on its own to motivate adoption.


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Appointment25 November 2021
Valor Hospitality has proudly announced the appointment of Elaine Nandlal as Sales Manager of the much-anticipated voco™ Johannesburg Rosebank. voco™ Johannesburg Rosebank will be InterContinental Hotels Group' first voco™ brand on the African continent as it prepares to welcome the first guests on 1 February 2022.
Elaine started out in front of house operations in various luxury properties. She made the career change to sales over 10 years ago representing properties as far afield as the Kruger and Mozambique. With the last 8 years Elaine has been in various properties in and around the Rosebank node, such as (ex) Crowne Plaza Rosebank Hotel, InterContinental Sandton Towers, as well as her recent stint at RH Hotels representing various Holiday Inn's and Holiday Inn Express in South Africa.
Recent Appointments at Valor Hospitality
10 August 2021 — Valor Hospitality Partners, a global, full-service hotel management company, announced today the expansion of their corporate leadership team with the appointment of Paige Harris as corporate director of design and development.
4 June 2021 — 106 Jefferson, a Curio Collection hotel by Hilton, managed by Valor Hospitality Partners announced today the appointment of Mary Beth Lewis as director of sales and marketing.
As director of sales and marketing, Lewis will lead the sales and marketing team with a strong focus on client and community engagement, guest services touch points and profitability.
4 June 2021 — 106 Jefferson, a Curio Collection hotel by Hilton, managed by Valor Hospitality Partners announced today the appointment of Hugo Reyes Duran as general manager.
As general manager, Reyes Duran will oversee all aspects of the hotel's opening process, as well as day-to-day operations, guest relations and staff management.


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Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy hosts gaming sector workshop
In the seventh of a series of digital industry workshops
- Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy led discussions on topics surrounding legislation, talent, opportunities and growth in the gaming industry.
- Bin Byat: We need to gain a holistic understanding of the gaming sector, working closely together to ensure that current government policies, initiatives and strategies promote innovation and business friendliness for gaming companies.”
Dubai, UAE – Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, one of the three chambers operating under Dubai Chambers, has hosted the seventh episode of a series of digital industry workshops – this time focusing on the gaming sector.
This sector-specific workshop saw leading players in the gaming sector gather to discuss the opportunities and challenges the sector faces.
The workshop series provides a platform for key players, start-ups, investors and interested parties to discuss the state of the sector and help create a framework for future success.
During the event, H.E. Ahmad Bin Byat, Vice Chairman of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, said: “With an affluent, youthful and gaming savvy population, the opportunities for local, global and regional game developers is incredible. We need to work fast, decisively and intelligently to create the right environment for all gaming sector companies to thrive. There’s no reason why Dubai cannot become a regional – if not global – gaming industry hub.”
“We need to gain a holistic understanding of the gaming sector, working closely together to ensure that current government policies, initiatives and strategies promote innovation and business friendliness for gaming companies,” he added.
The Vice Chairman told attendees that the Chamber is working to create a business environment supportive of the gaming sector, emphasising that the role of the Chamber is purely to act in support of digital industries, to help promote a well-organized, well-regulated and professional work environment for the ever-growing digital sector – of which gaming is a key part.
“Dubai enjoys the market, infrastructure and investment that qualifies it to become a global leader in gaming, especially given the sector’s overlaps with emerging Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies including AR, VR and blockchain,” H.E. bin Byat concluded.
Meanwhile, pundits suggest the GCC’s gaming industry will increase in value from US$1.3 billion in 2019 to US$4.5 billion in 2025. Nine out of ten adults in the UAE currently play video games, according to data from Statista. The UAE’s extensive gaming audience is boosted by the rising popularity of mobile gaming and a blazing 5G network.
Another topic during the workshop was the challenge of greater localization in gaming, especially given that Arabic is the fifth most spoken language globally.
Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy will hold regular workshops in the future with key gaming industry players, to ensure gaming plays a valuable role in the emerging digital economy, and to track progress of the discussions, ideas and initiatives raised at the workshop.
The Chamber is committed to involving all relevant parties in building a clear sector roadmap and assisting in finding solutions to any challenges discussed.
Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy plays a prominent role in engaging stakeholders from various digital sectors to promote an environment conducive to growth of the digital economy.
Dubai Chamber of Commerce have recently launched 29 new business groups, bringing the current total to 105 with further additions already in the pipeline. Lootah: “Business groups are the key to further improving Dubai’s already favourable business environment. They reflect the diversity and agility of the emirate’s economy, as well…Read more
The Gold Manufacturers, Gold Bullion & Refinery Group as well as the Gold Designers Business Groups will serve as a platform for members to advocate for policy changes beneficial to Dubai’s gold industry and drive the competitiveness of the market. The three new gold sector-specific business groups will play a…Read more
Lootah: By leveraging Dubai’s Economic Agenda ‘D33’, we anticipate enormous opportunities for residential and infrastructure construction to continue to support the emirate’s economy. Sultan Butti Bin Mejren: The launch of the business groups is aligned with our role of spreading real estate knowledge and promoting the culture of conducting sound…Read more
Al Hashemi: Our goal is to empower the business councils and commercial offices to expand their efforts to promote cross-border business opportunities and boost trade and investment flows between Dubai and other markets. The International Partners Network is an initiative created by Dubai International Chamber to enhance cross-border dialogue and…Read more
With a valuation of $20 billion and ranked as the 16th largest unicorn globally, J&T Express is a rapidly expanding international logistics company. With Dubai International Chamber’s support, J&T Express has leveraged its regional base in Dubai as a strategic hub to access and expand in other Middle Eastern markets.…Read more


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by Abdirahman Mohamed
Tuesday May 23, 2023
The U.S. lifestyle makes it harder for East African women to stay fit, Muna says. The most pressing needs are culturally sensitive clothing and programming.
Muna Mohamed poses with her Kalsoni activewear line at the REI store in Roseville, Minnesota, in 2023. Credit: Courtesy of Kalsoni
Growing up as a Somali girl in Minneapolis’ Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, Muna Mohamed took on an uncommon passion for basketball. While it isn’t unusual to see East African women shooting hoops today, Muna spent many years as the only girl on the court, holding her own against the boys. In looking to share that passion, Muna would go on to coach in her old neighborhood and work to break the barriers that have often kept young Muslim women out of the game.
Years later, when her family moved to South St. Paul, Muna joined her school’s basketball team. She pursued her love of the sport all the way to playing semi-professional ball with the TC Elite.
While coaching, Muna observed that some of her players grew frustrated with their hijabs falling off and interfering with their game. This made her recall her own experience of feeling as though she had to choose between properly observing her faith and playing the game she loved.
Playing high school basketball, Muna wore long sleeved shirts under her jersey and wrapped her hijab in a way that it wouldn’t flow too much. Still, it didn’t seem modest enough for her beliefs. She also recalls referees who singled her out for wearing the hijab, deeming it a safety hazard.
“I just got sad that the girls were struggling. I saw myself in them,” she said. “If I could go back and look at what I wore, I would’ve never worn it, but I only did it for the game of basketball and I wish there was someone there advocating for me.”
Realizing that her players were struggling with the same issue inspired Muna to launch Kalsoni, a modest activewear brand that helps Muslim women feel confident while living a healthy lifestyle. In just a few years, Muna has progressed from promoting her brand by word of mouth and holding popup shops to now launching her website and selling her clothes at local retailers such as REI.
The first key moment came while Muna was pursuing her degree in Exercise Science at the University of Minnesota in 2013. She took part in a research project that aimed to create culturally appropriate activewear. The GIRLS Community co-design project initiated by the University of Minnesota sought the feedback of 25 local girls of East African background. A large part of the project’s goals was to include community input and empower community members to find a solution that fit the needs of young athletes.
The project culminated in a fashion show where apparel design students and local tailors created the clothes imagined by the young participants. The findings were published in the Fashion Studies Journal with photos of the process.
With money left over from the program, Muna developed a sports uniform in collaboration with Jennifer Weber, co-founder and director of the Cedar Riverside Athletics Enrichment Program. That led in turn to the founding of the Lady Warriors, the neighborhood’s first traveling basketball team and a member of the Amateur Athletic Union.
After finishing her bachelor’s degree, Muna pursued a master’s in Kinesiology at the University of Minnesota, continuing her work in the area of modest activewear in order to encourage people to be more physically active, and healthier.
“That’s where my passion lies,” she said.
Muna worked as a graduate research assistant on another university study that introduced different healthy ways of living for East African women and their daughters. As in the previous study, participants were given the opportunity to design and produce their own culturally affirming activewear.
Muna and her colleagues concluded that there were two simple issues that prevented local Muslim women from maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
“The top two barriers to sports and physical activity was lack of culturally sensitive clothing and also a lack of culturally sensitive programming,” she explained. “A lot of the fitness spaces don’t have culturally inclusive spaces, where there’s an understanding that some women need an all-woman space.”
Many East African women suffer from, or are at risk of, cardiovascular issues and high blood pressure, Muna said. She believes that living in the West has exacerbated these issues because many people live a more sedentary lifestyle than they would have in their native countries.
Muna’s mother often told her that people in Somalia didn’t have to go out of their way to be healthy because of their daily activity level. “We would always be walking or we would always be on the move, but over here is a different reality,” she said.
It was interest from community members that helped turn Muna’s academic research into a business. Several young women were aware of these unique outfits, but there was nowhere for the average consumer to buy them.
In creating the brand for a product marketed to Muslim women in the East African community, it was important to maintain a sense of cultural expression. She settled on the Somali word kalsoni, which translates to “confidence,” a feeling that Muna said is crucial for any Muslim woman working on her physical fitness.
“I realized we shouldn’t run away from our culture and I wanted a word that represented what I was, who the girls were, and whether we’re on the court or off the court, there was a sense of confidence,” she said. That is especially true for Black Muslim women.
Muna’s personal experience as an athlete and researcher gives her a unique perspective on design. While well-known athletic brands such as Nike and Lululemon carry their own versions of modest athleisure wear, Muna believes that they fall short of what Muslim women need.
“They often don’t understand the type of hijabs that you need to create to cater to all Muslims,” she said. “That’s whyI have the different versatile hijabs from sports shawls to the sports hijab for everyone.”
In addition to Kalsoni’s pullover sports hijab, there also is a sports shawl option that looks similar to the shawls Muslim women are used to wearing. Both contain a headband that helps keep the hijabs secure, and are made from breathable materials.
Customers also can also purchase loose-fitting tunics of varying lengths with zippers on bottom of both sides to allow for more mobility. The tunics come in separate colors such as blue, rose, plum, and gray. There are also unisex long sleeve shirts to give men options.
In 2019, Muna was a student finalist in the MN Cup, an annual startup competition hosted by the university’s Carlson School of Management that awards hundreds of thousands of dollars to entrepreneurs. This was the first time she publicly pitched the business. She went on to participate in many business accelerators and incubator programs such as Target Accelerator Cohort in 2020 and REI in 2021, where she was a Embark Program Finalist, recognition that she took as a validation of her idea.
Based on her experience as a researcher, Muna knew that building a product line wouldn’t come quickly. She surveyed potential customers about the sort of fabrics they preferred and what length of clothing they were most comfortable wearing. She knew she would have to offer a range of items because everyone’s definition of modesty is different.
Sourcing the fabrics was also an arduous process. After finding a fabric store in the Twin Cities that sold the materials she needed, she took her sketches of her outfits to a Somali mall and paid a tailor to create a prototype. Then it was on to finding a manufacturer that not only matched Muna’s needs on price, logistics and quantities, but also her values.
Her search for a manufacturing partner went global, but she found a local company that met all her needs.
“Mostly I looked for the culture, how they treated their employees, their work culture, and if my missions and my values align with them,” she said.
She started selling the Kalsoni brand at local pop up shops starting in 2020.
Muna held one pop up partnership with Lifetime Fitness in Fridley after sheconnected with the local manager. She explained to him the difficulties that many of the gym’s Muslim clients faced comfortable clothes to work out in.
Several non-Muslim members had complained about Muslim women being in the gym or pool areas wearing clothing that they felt wasn’t sanitary, or were so loose that they could cause drowning. Muna made the case that Lifetime should partner with herto give their many Muslim members the opportunity to purchase clothing they could work out or swim in.
Having relationships with businesses such as REI, Lifetime Fitness and the Hype, a streetwear retailer located in Minneapolis, highlights Muna’s plans to ensure Kalsoni’s success through partnerships with local and national companies. Relationships, she learned, make or break a business.
Kalsoni also partnered with Girls on the Run, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to boosting confidence in girls through physical activity and supporting their emotional health. Through this partnership, Kalsoni provided customized sports hijabs for young Muslims.
Kalsoni launched its website earlier this year with a list of products for direct purchase. Items are named after some of Muna’s peers and the young women she once coached who affectionately refer to her as Coach Muna.
Even before selling her product online, she received international inquiries on her product.
“I’ve sold to folks in Finland, Norway, Sweden, and now getting orders from South Africa and Kenya,” she said. “It was nice to see it validated in Minnesota, but then it was a unique opportunity when folks were reaching out to me.”
There are plenty of challenges ahead. Sometimes deadlines aren’t met and goals need to be shifted. The road to building something truly great, she knows, will be long.


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Birmingham City University's school of jewellery is set to expand after it acquired new space in St Paul's Square.
Previously home to Abbey College, the school will take on 10 St Paul's Square in the Jewellery Quarter ahead of opening a new facility in September for postgraduate jewellery design and research.
It will have design studios and offices for staff and doctoral researchers after signing a ten-year lease.
The school's library and computer suite will also move to the new 11,200 sq ft building, enabling the conversion of rooms at BCU's existing site in Vittoria Street for additional studio space for undergraduates.
Founded in 1890, the school of jewellery celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2015 and is said to be the largest of its kind in Europe.
It runs degrees in horology and gemmology and courses in jewellery designing and business.
Courses to be delivered at the new site include a masters in jewellery and related products and luxury jewellery management programme.
Head of the school Professor Stephen Bottomley said: "We're delighted to be building for the future within the historic heart of the Jewellery Quarter.
"It is a great pleasure to be able to announce growth, investment and support for craft and design in higher education, especially after years that have seen some significant national losses in our specialist subject.
"This is positive and exciting news for our students and our staff and addresses the high demand from our academic partners across the world while enabling the school of jewellery to reach to new countries to achieve greater diversity."


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Online video views from U.K. users grew 37 percent in 12 months, according to data from comScore. The measurement firm estimates users streamed a total of 5.5 billion videos in February 2010, up from around 4 billion in February 2009.
As in the U.S., Google sites continued to dominate the space, accounting for just under half of videos streamed during the month. However, its growth in views lagged behind the 37 percent benchmark, increasing by 17 percent, year-over-year.
The main growth drivers, however, were sites such as BBC properties, Megavideo.com, and Facebook.com, which experienced growth of 143 percent, 103 percent, and 205 percent, respectively.
|Top U.K. Online Video Content Properties by Videos Viewed, February 2010 vs February 2009|
|Videos Viewed (000)|
|Property||Feb 2009||Feb 2010||Change (%)|
|Source: comScore Media Metrix, 2010|
Video content is popular on social media and it is among the most effective formats for advertising. Time to go beyond Facebook ... read more
The technology industry is lagging behind many other sectors when it comes to the proportion of women taking up entry level positions. ... read more
Programmatic is taking over the digital advertising world, and at an even faster rate than expected, according to eMarketer, which raised its forecast for programmatic ad spending in the U.S. on the back of growth in mobile and video programmatic buys.
A new study underlines the massive influence that Amazon exerts over the ecommerce market, with the site being the first port of call ... read more


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Amazon is to hold its second annual Prime Day this month. More than 100,000 deals will be available exclusively to Prime Members on the day, July 12.
The day is a key part of the retailer’s strategic move towards the subscription model. Prime Day is one of a number of member-only events and services. Free delivery plus a range of faster, premium deliveries are available to Prime members. This week saw the expansion of the Amazon Fresh grocery delivery service to 128 London postcodes, from 69 previously. Again, this is a Prime members-only service.
The retailer promises there’ll be something for everybody in the event, which will cover all departments on 10 websites in the UK, Europe, North America and Japan.
“The response to Prime Day in 2015 surpassed all our expectations here in the UK, so we’re delighted to be bringing this major summer deals day back for our UK Prime members in 2016 with even more great deals available,” said Doug Gurr, managing director at Amazon UK. “Not only are there great deals to shop, there are also great prizes to be won for our Prime members through the Prime Music ‘stream to win’ competitions here in the UK. From tickets to Chase & Status’ gig in Ibiza to tea for two with Len Goodman, there are great prizes every Prime member will want to win in this Prime Day celebration.”
The retailer also suggests that access will be improved if members step further into the Amazon sphere by downloading its app.
Greg Greeley, vice president, Amazon Prime, said: “We anticipate massive demand for the offers on Prime Day, so we recommend customers download the Amazon shopping app to receive notifications on their favourite deals.”
Last year’s Prime Day was rivalled only by Black Friday for the number of orders placed on a single shopping day. Like Black Friday, this year’s event will start well ahead of July 12, with ‘countdown deals’ starting from July 5.


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Drivers could save thousands with electric vehicle grants – ‘good time to buy’
Vauxhall set to build new electric vans at Ellesmere Port
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With the incoming ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in 2030, the UK Government is pushing for a shift to electric. The sales of electric cars in recent months and years continues to increase as more people become concerned about their carbon emissions output.
Those who are considering buying a new electric car may be eligible to receive up to £2,500 off the price of the vehicle.
This grant is provided by the Government in partnership with vehicle dealerships and manufactures designed at making EVs an attractive option for those looking to invest in a new car.
Broken down, this grant equates to 20 percent of the purchase price of the vehicle, and drivers don’t need to do anything – the discount is automatically applied.
There are conditions that have to be met, including the total cost must be under £35,000 and the vehicle must be capable of driving for at least 70 miles on electric power only.
Recent figures have also shown that the popularity of used cars is also on the increase.
These cars will typically only be a few years old, meaning they will often still be within the manufacturer’s warranty period.
Supply chain disruption means it may be more difficult to get hold of a new EV, with drivers being able to drive away the used EV the same day.
Tom Church, co-founder of money-saving community LatestDeals.co.uk, spoke of a shift in buying intentions when it comes to electric vehicles.
New car tax changes could be a ‘hammer blow’ to low-income drivers [INSIGHT]
E10 petrol: Drivers warned of ‘risky’ fuel storage methods [WARNING]
Parking dispute: Angry notes stuck on windscreen with super glue [SHOCKING]
He said: “It’s clear that increasing numbers of drivers are being sold on the idea of going electric, and the petrol crisis has likely accelerated this pattern.
“However, it’s important not to rush into your purchase simply because petrol is currently hard to get hold of.
“Now is a good time to consider which type of electric car to buy, especially as there are so many money-saving incentives.
“Before you make the plunge, ensure you’ve done your research about the grants and resources that are available.”
Save 10% on your MOT
It’s Kwik Fits’ Midsommer Madness sale and you can take 10% off your MOT Test with the UK’s #1 MOT tester – just click the link to book online.
Source: Read Full Article


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WICKER PARK — Bikes painted bright orange have been locked to racks throughout Wicker Park for two weeks as part of a marketing effort by Orangetheory Fitness, a franchise that is using the bikes to "create buzz," a spokeswoman confirmed.
However, not all the buzz is of the positive kind: some are complaining the bikes are taking up bike parking and resent the company using public space in its marketing efforts.
One of the bikes, parked in front of a Walgreen's at 1601 N. Milwaukee Ave., features a child's seat in the back which has served as a trash receptacle, with an empty pack of cigarettes in the basket as well as other debris and snow.
Jessica Wobbekind, a program manager for Wicker Park's Special Service Area No. 33, which installed branded "WPB" orange bike racks throughout the neighborhood in 2011, said Friday, "We would never condone taking up bike parking like that."
Pete Scales, a CDOT spokesman, was not immediately available for a comment on whether the bikes have a permit to be on city sidewalks and locked to city bike racks.
A Orangetheory corporate spokeswoman said the bikes were placed on the sidewalks about two weeks ago to publicize the opening a location at 1634 W. North Ave.
"Every Orange Theory Fitness is owned by a franchisee. They use the bikes to create buzz. It's a buzz marketing campaign to celebrate the new opening," the spokeswoman said.
On Thursday, the city issued a permit for a $150,000 interior construction at 1634 W. North Ave. Orangetheory's new location is inside of a nearly 4,000-square-foot storefront that has been vacant since ABC Daycare shuttered last January.
John Schrieffer, the owner of the new franchise on North Avenue, said he is shooting for an April opening.
"I chose bikes with as much character as I could find that would represent and resonate with the locals in the Wicker Park Bucktown area," he said in an e-mail. He said he had received only one complaint and immediately removed that bike.
Schrieffer said he took into consideration the bike parking situation in the neighborhood and, considering it is winter, felt there was enough room for the marketing campaign, which involved ten bikes. He said he plans to keep the bikes parked though Orangetheory's opening.
Curbed.com's Vancouver website wrote about a similar influx of orange bikes, chained to trees and street signs, that appeared in April as part of new Orangetheory outposts there.
Based in Ft. Lauderdale-Fla., Orangetheory Fitness is a franchise that was started in 2009 and has nearly 130 studios, with over 350 in development, according to an online tour for prospective franchisees.
Orangetheory offers monitored group fitness interval training that claims to burn between 500 and 1,000 calories per hour, according to a flier.
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here:


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Downtown Crossing will welcome a new coffee shop bright and early tomorrow (Wednesday, June 8), according to Boston Restaurant Talk. George Howell Coffee makes its grand public debut inside The Godfrey Hotel at 6:30 a.m., an employee at the hotel confirmed.
George Howell Coffee is an Acton-based roastery with an existing cafe in Newtonville. The Downtown Crossing cafe will be situated adjacent to the hotel's lobby, and customers will be able to access the shop through the lobby and from the street, as previously reported. The 505 Washington St. coffee shop will be a European-style espresso bar, featuring everything from quick-serve coffee for those in a rush to coffee tasting flights, classes, and much more.
George Howell started The Coffee Connection in 1974, and after building up 24 stores in the northeast, he sold the company to Starbucks in 1994. In 2004, he launched George Howell Coffee with a goal of bringing high-quality regional and single farm-sourced coffees to customers.
Also on the docket for the hotel: Ruka, a high-end restaurant inspired by Peruvian cuisine, including Japanese-Peruvian and Chinese Peruvian fusion (nikkei and chifa respectively). It'll open this fall, courtesy of the Yvonne's team and Oishii's Ting Yen.


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Business News›Manish Kheterpal
WaterBridge Ventures raises $150 Million second fund
WaterBridge Ventures has raised its second fund at $150 million, 50% more than the planned size of $100 million, owing to heightened investor interest in a year which has seen unprecedented flow of liquidity into Indian startup ecosystem.
Chalo raises $40 million in Series C led by Lightrock, Filter Capital
With this fundraise, Chalo hopes to invest further in technology, deepen its presence in India, and expand to international cities.
Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal joins Magicpin board
Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal, as an inpedendent director on the Magicpin board, brings a wealth of experience from scaling up Zomato into the tech giant it is today, Magicpin CEO Anshoo Sharma says.
PocketPills gets $30 million funding at $150 million valuation
PocketPills, an online pharmacy, is expected to use the funding from investors Telus Ventures and WaterBridge Capital to broaden its product offerings and accelerate its expansion plans in Canada.
Smaller VC firms see good returns from startup bets
Whiteboard Capital and Fireside Ventures have also seen a number of their portfolio firms record up-rounds in the last six months, according to publicly available information.
- Go To Page 1
Shriram Automall acquires online car selling portal BlueJackPre-owned vehicle exchange platform Shriram Automall India Ltd (SAMIL) on Monday said it has acquired BlueJack, an online car selling portal.
Rs 18 crore for data company Atlan in Series A fundingThe company works with more than 200 corporations globally, including Unilever, GroupM, Mahindra Group, Kotak Mahindra Bank and In-Mobi.
MagicPin parent raises $20 million in round led by Lightspeed USThe latest funding round values three-year-old discovery and rewards platform at $100 million.
WaterBridge Ventures leads Rs 28 crore Series A round in 9stacksProceeds from the latest funding round will be used by the 14 month-old company to expand its team, and further build its technology platform.
With 150% internal returns, WaterBridge exits UnacademyWaterBridge Ventures had invested $1 million in Unacademy in 2016, in the process marking its debut transaction from its maiden fund — the $30 million WaterBridge Ventures Fund-I.
VC firm WaterBridge closes $30m maiden fundThe development comes at a time when seed and Series-A investments in India continue to be muted, driven down by a combination of reduced investor appetite and shortage in quality deal flow.
Hyper local discovery co MagicPin raises Series B fundingThe company had earlier raised $3 million in Series A from Lightspeed India Partners. MagicPin uses location intelligence to deliver discovery, recommendations and rewards for local experiences.
How new breed of early-stage venture funds mark the return of classic venture investingMore than a dozen such funds have been launched in the past year, show data from research firm VCCEdge, each of them redefining traditional investment strategies.
WaterBridge is ready to venture out with $15 millionWaterBridge Ventures, which has made its first close at $5 million, is the latest VC fund to be launched in 2016, has already seen the entry of numerous investment.
PE veteran Manish Kheterpal launches new $15 million early-stage fundWaterBridge Ventures will primarily look to invest between Rs 75 lakh and Rs 3.5 crore in 12-15 ventures, and has a fund life cycle of 5-7 years, according to Kheterpal.
Baxi app to now work without InternetThe company, which plans to extend services to Noida and Ghaziabad later this month, offers rides at base fare of Rs 10, followed by Rs 4 per km and Rs 1 per minute of ride time charges.
Gurgaon-based Baxi to expand operations, eyes UP marketBaxi will start services in Noida and Ghaziabad in the next few weeks as it expands operations and tap into the booming on-demand motorbike taxi segment.
Why are investors writing larger cheques for startupsIt has never been as good for new startups. Hungry investors in pursuit of the next big winner are writing larger cheques than ever for yet unproven firms, while essential capital eludes larger companies. ETs scopes the factors driving this trend.
Bling quotient: Melorra sees light with Rs 33 cr in the boxFounded by Saroja Yeramilli in 2015, Melorra caters to urban Indian women, by developing, designing and retailing contemporary jewellery through its mobile app.
How bike taxi startups in Gurgaon, Baxi & M-Taxi, are positioning themselves as cheap options for commutersBesides providing cost and time advantage, M-Taxi is looking at large-scale employment generation for young men.
Bike ride-hailing app Baxi raises Rs 10 crore in fundingBike ride-hailing app Baxi has raised Rs 10 crore in funding from a number of high-profile investors, making this one of the largest seed rounds raised by an Indian startup.
YouWeCan Ventures and United Finsec lead Rs 6.4 cr investment round in education services marketplace EduKartYuvraj said, “Focus on education is also a must in today’s cut-throat competitive environment. EduKart can really become your trusted partner.”Load More
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Charter Communications CEO Tom Rutledge threw his hat into the skinny bundle ring, telling analysts Tuesday that the MSO is working toward creating a high-quality, low-cost video package, but adding that he doesn’t expect to come up with a compelling offering anytime soon.
“We’re working through programming rights and access platforms …” Rutledge said on a conference call to discuss second quarter results. “We haven’t found the right mix yet, and we don’t think anyone else has either.”
Other operators have been experimenting with so-called skinny bundles – smaller packages of programming offered at a lower price point. Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Verizon FiOS all have introduced lower cost video packages to varying degrees of success. In April, ESPN sued FiOS over its “Custom TV” skinny bundle, claiming it was a breach of their existing programming contract.
Later, Rutledge said that the biggest roadblock to skinny bundles is content rights. And he added that customers interested in skinny packages aren’t critical of the larger bundles offered by pay TV companies, they just can’t afford them.
“It’s a cost issue,” Rutledge said. “When you look at the demographic changes in behavior, some of that is situational. People don’t have houses, don’t have big-screen TVs, don’t have money. You put that all together and the only way to get access to video is through over-the-top or on the small screen kinds of services. It doesn’t mean the bigger product is not desirable. It’s just that it’s expensive and people’s lifestyles are putting them in a situation where they don’t have access to them. A lot of that is a function of the economic situation.”
Asked if skinny bundles would ultimately lead to ala carte, Rutledge said ideally, Charter and other pay TV companies would buy content on a wholesale ala carte basis and make their own packages for customers. But he said given that the current distribution model is so lucrative for programmers, he doesn’t see a shift toward full ala carte in the near future.
“My sense is that this isn’t all about to fall apart,” Rutledge said. “We will be having this same conversation three years from now. I think there is nothing to incent anyone to pull it all apart.”
But with several content companies already testing the direct-consumer waters – HBO Now, Showtime and CBS All Access – and others mulling the possibility, Rutledge warned that programmers could be devaluing their product.
“To the extent that people go ala carte direct, I think they lower their value to us,” Rutledge said. “I think you have a little of that already occurring in the ecosystem to the extent that people have leaked out content out of what they sell us into other spaces and in trying to go after ancillary revenues, they have devalued the core product. They may or may not be carried in the future as a result of that. Like all things, no trend goes unchecked forever.”


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Check out our Toyota Fun Vii photo gallery
with HQ pics.
Last update in Fun Vii gallery: 2011-11-30
Toyota announced the premiere date of the new Corolla Sedan.
Toyota is launching a revocable campaign of about 1.6 million cars worldwide due to airbag problems. The stock is known to affect Avensis and Corolla models.
Toyota Motor said that will return more than 1 million cars for repair work.
The "Northerly loop" of the Nürburgring became a place for the accident of the new generation Toyota Supra prototype.
Toyota started test of the new Toyota Auris Touring Sports wagon .
YouTube channel Cars Evolution published a video that is dedicated to the historical procession of a famous Japanese car.
We select only big size toyota fun vii photos
for our photogallery.


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According to market intelligence firm IDC, smartwatch shipments have fallen by over fifty percent for the third quarter of 2016.
A report released Monday by IDC outlined the overall decline in smartwatch sales of approximately 51.6%. Apple reportedly saw shipments of the Apple Watch drop by up to 71.6% despite the greatest share of the smartwatch market at 41.3% of all smartwatches.
However, according to IDC’s estimates, Apple only shipped 1.1 million Apple Watches in the third quarter of 2016, a vast difference to the 3.9 million shipped in 2015. The release of the Apple Watch 2 may account for some of the decline in sales but not entirely. According to the IDC, the only company thriving in the smartwatch market is Garmin, known better for their GPS navigation systems but which recently released a brand of fitness and health based smartwatches.
Jitesh Ubrani, a senior research analyst for IDC Mobile Device Trackers, has an explanation for the drop off:
It has also become evident that at present smartwatches are not for everyone… Having a clear purpose and use case is paramount, hence many vendors are focusing on fitness due to its simplicity. However, moving forward, differentiating the experience of a smartwatch from the smartphone will be key and we’re starting to see early signs of this as cellular integration is rising and as the commercial audience begins to pilot these devices.
Lucas Nolan is a reporter for Breitbart Tech covering issues of free speech and online censorship. Follow him on Twitter @LucasNolan_ or email him at firstname.lastname@example.org


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After reporting another disappointing quarterly results, HTC is looking to focus more on mid-tier handsets to cater to consumers demands and to help increase its market share.HTC’s co-founder and chairwoman, Cher Wang, said to Reuters that the company will sell products in the 150-300$ range to cater to emerging and developing markets, as well as high-end phones costing above $600. The company, however, will not get into the “very, very low-end market”, which is being dominated by many Chinese and Indian OEMs in emerging markets.
“The problem with us last year was we only concentrated on our flagship. We missed a huge chunk of the mid-tier market,” — HTC’s co-founder, Cher Wang
HTC has always focused on its high-end offerings, with its mid-range handsets generally being overpriced and under-spec’d. Last year, the company focused solely on its flagship handset — the HTC One — with a very disappointing and under spec’d mini version of the handset coming much later. Rumors have suggested that this year the company will release the HTC M8 and its mini version at the same event, to be held sometime in March.


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Sony is now looking to take full advantage of any such opportunity. Sony CEO Kaz Hirai has said that the Japanese company is now looking to...
We're getting close to the last day of 2015 , so let's look back and decide which was the absolute worst PC game we've bought and played this year.
What do you think? :confused:
Separate names with a comma.


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Marley Jay, Associated Press | Posted Oct 25th - 9:41am
U.S. stocks are edging lower Tuesday as company earnings continue to stream in. Consumer companies are falling as athletic apparel maker Under Armour, appliance maker Whirlpool and automaker GM suffer hefty losses. However strong results for household goods maker Procter & Gamble are sending its stock higher.
John Raby, Associated Press | Posted Oct 25th - 9:34am
Attorneys for Don Blankenship and the federal government are back in court this week as the former coal operator appeals his conviction in connection with the deadliest U.S. mine disaster in four decades.
Greece's labor minister says negotiators from the International Monetary Fund have adopted "extreme neoliberal" positions at the start of a new round of bailout talks in Athens, pressing to aggressively scale back union powers and employment rights.


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|There has been an increase in domestic tourists to Đà Nẵng beaches after social distancing regulations have been eased. — VNA/VNS Photo Trần Lê Lâm
HÀ NỘI Many popular tourist attractions across Việt Nam have seen a gradual increase in domestic tourists on being re-opened after nearly two months hibernating due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
When the pandemic in the country has been under control with no new cases in nearly 20 days and the social distancing regulations have been eased, many families have gone on vacation after weeks being confined at home.
However, many are still wary of the virus, so they opt to travel by private vehicles to nearby destinations instead of buying tours. There has also been an increase in online bookings for hotels or flight tickets instead of via travel agencies.
Hà Thị Thu Thảo’s family, consisting of eight adults and four children from Hà Nội, have chosen a resort that is located around 60km from the city for their holiday.
“I feel quite worried that the COVID-19 epidemic is not over yet, so I booked a separate villa with a private pool and used our own car to drive to the resort instead of using a service car,” she said, adding that her family also brought along food and drinks from home.
After checking in at the resort, they abided by regulations on virus prevention by wearing masks, washing hands with disinfectant solution and filing online medical declarations for family members.
The staff at the resort also regularly remind tourists to practice prevention measures, so Thảo felt secure when her children played around in the villa before coming back to school on May 11.
Many provinces have also come up with tourism products and offered many promotions or discounts to attract tourists.
Notably, as many tourist attractions have re-opened their doors, the tourism authority of HCM City has cooperated with travel agencies to launch tours entitled "Following the Sài Gòn Special Force Footprint".
Joining the tour, tourists will disguise themselves as the liberation special force members operating in Sài Gòn during the anti-American war. They will be able to drive the old cars and motorcycles that belong to the real Sài Gòn Special Force, creep in the tunnels or eat at the places where special force members used to gather. Particularly, most destinations within the tour have been equipped with modern technology combined with practical experiences.
Travel agencies wait to recover
|Tourists have their temperature checked before visiting the Imperial City of Huế. — VNA/VNS Photo Mai Trang
According to Nguyễn Tiến Đạt, the general director of AZA Tourism Company, he has never witnessed such a gloomy time for domestic travel agencies over 20 years working in the field.
In contrast, in previous years, he used to warn tourists about tours or booking shortages as well as price increases, overcharging or traffic congestion in many destinations.
The tourism demand during holidays is still high this year but short-term tours, family trips, small groups or groups of youngsters backpacking have become more common, he added.
According to travel consulting firm Outbox Consulting, domestic travel is poised to drive Việt Nam’s tourism recovery this summer.
Domestic tours with short-haul and safe destinations would be preferred after the pandemic crisis, and travel companies should focus on working individuals and millennials instead of groups of guests.
“For now, the city’s tourism sector will focus on domestic travel,” said Bùi Tá Hoàng Vũ, director of HCM City’s Department of Tourism.
Travel agencies and tour operators that meet safety standards based on a set of evaluation indicators for Covid-19 risk assessment at tourism and travel businesses will be allowed to operate tours, Vũ said.
As businesses resume operation, preventive measures to ensure the health and safety of customers is a priority to adapt to the new normal, he said.
At least 90 per cent of small- and medium-sized travel companies have suspended operations, while state-owned businesses are operating on low capacity as the coronavirus shut down travel.
He said it was a positive sign that some travel companies were set to resume operations after the holiday.
HCM City tourism authorities are gearing up for intensive promotions to encourage locals to travel.
Trần Việt Hùng, chairman of HCM City Tourism Association, said the association has kicked off stimulus tour programmes with discounts of 40 per cent. — VNS


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Phone battery life is becoming a more prominent feature when choosing a new phone, and while it’s nice to have a quad-core super phone, what’s the use when you’re out of juice by lunch? Thankfully, Lenovo has heard our cries and comes to our aid with the P770.
The Lenovo P770 is the Chinese electronics manufacturer first stab at the stamina phone market, which will put it in direct competition with the RAZR MAXX HD. To attempt to topple the reigning king, Lenovo have equipped the P770 with a 3,500mAh battery, together with a 4.5 inch 960 x 540 display, 1.2Ghz MediaTek MT6577 dual-core CPU and 1GB RAM. Android comes in 4.1 Jelly Bean variety with Lenovo’s own UI on top.
While the P770 could be a great alternative to the mighty RAZR MAXX, Lenovo have decided to only launch the phone in China where it will cost 1699 Yuan ($272).


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Spanning 1,700km, Inland Rail is a freight rail infrastructure project that will change the way goods move around our country.
Construction began in 2018, to build new freight connections between Melbourne and Brisbane via regional Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
As each new section takes shape, it’s delivering a faster and more reliable way to deliver goods to our growing population and connect Australian businesses to more regional and global markets.
Better freight connections that benefit our nation
Inland Rail is a fast freight backbone that will transform how goods are moved around Australia and connect regional businesses, producers, and manufacturers to more markets, more efficiently.
The project has already awarded more than 1,600 contracts to local businesses big and small right across Australia, totalling more than $2 billion.
“Coming out of drought and into the rain, people start to see hope again. Then you have contracts for Inland Rail come ... and towns like ours really start to thrive.”
Local communities are already benefiting from Inland Rail and capitalising on more than 21,500 jobs which will be supported during the peak of construction.
Inland Rail will transform how everyday goods are transported across our vast country and help cut rail freight travel time between Melbourne and Brisbane (our fastest growing cities) by almost a third.
The project will also create more reliable freight connections and help keep store shelves stocked, all while reducing Australia’s carbon emissions and heavy reliance on trucks.
“It’ll help provide quicker freight transit times along Australia’s east coast.”
Building momentum in Queensland
More than half the jobs during the construction of Inland Rail will be in Queensland. That’s 11,800 jobs at the peak of construction across a range of different industries.
The project will also give the Queensland economy a massive boost, injecting $7.8 billion into the gross state product. To date, Inland Rail has awarded more than 630 contracts to local Queensland businesses, worth more than $1.5 billion.
“The scale of the project is unprecedented. It’s a once in a generation project to be working on.”
Delivering opportunity in
New South Wales
Further south, regional New South Wales communities are already benefitting from Inland Rail’s construction.
With more than 7,500 direct and indirect jobs supported during construction, regional New South Wales workers like Craig Whitfield, are already gaining new skills and opportunities.
“Working on a project like this is one of the best opportunities I’ve had in my life.”
The construction of Inland Rail is not only providing more opportunities for workers. It’s also boosting the New South Wales' economy, injecting $3.4 billion into the overall gross state product.
Regional producers now have access to new supply chain opportunities, helping them connect to more markets, more efficiently.
“The project is building the infrastructure agriculture needs. The knock-on effects of Inland Rail are potentially huge.”
To date, more than 650 contracts have been awarded to New South Wales businesses worth more than $450 million. Importantly, Inland Rail is locally sourcing construction material, driving more jobs and growth in the state including:
- 365,000 rail clips from Blacktown
- 356,562 tonnes of ballast from Parkes
- 200,000 concrete sleepers from Mittagong
- 26,625 tonnes of pre-cast culverts from Tamworth.
“We’re proud to be contributing locally sourced materials for this national project.”
Future proofing freight in Victoria
Victoria will enjoy some of the largest long-term benefits of Inland Rail. The project is not only set to increase employment but boost the gross state product by $8 billion.
Inland Rail is enabling national logistics suppliers to move an even larger range of goods and is encouraging industry investment in better facilities for the future.
“COVID really showed the logistics industry the importance of domestic rail transport. The reliance on rail freight keeping supply into our supermarkets was huge.”
Importantly for all Victorians, transporting more freight by rail reduces large truck congestion and improves safety on busy roads, such as the Hume Highway. One 1,800m-long, double-stacked freight train could carry the same amount of freight as 110 B-Double trucks.
Moving freight by rail not only has safety benefits, it is also four times more fuel-efficient than road transport and has a much lower carbon footprint.
Australia’s population continues to grow. As a result, our freight demands are set to increase by a third by 2040, when it’s estimated we’ll need to move approximately 14 million tonnes of freight between Melbourne and Brisbane. That’s almost double the amount of freight our roads and current rail network can handle now.
With a country as big as ours, we need to future-proof our freight infrastructure and Inland Rail is doing just that. It’s transforming the way goods move around Australia, supporting more jobs and new business opportunities that give our country the momentum we need for tomorrow.


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SEVEN Knowsley restaurants require “major improvement” after failing random Scores on the Doors hygiene inspections.
The eateries, including chip shops and a Chinese takeaway, could face prosecution unless they improve standards ahead of further inspections.
Restaurants, takeaways, pubs, schools, shops, hotels and care homes were among the premises rated between zero and five stars in environmental health officers’ spot checks.
The strict kitchen surveys carried out by food safety inspectors have seen 55 eateries score full marks.
Scores on the Doors was launched in Knowsley a year ago to publicly rank the results of food hygiene inspections.
Since it was launched, nearly 450 food businesses have signed up to the scheme.
Nearly 100 businesses have improved their star rating since their first inspection.
The biggest leap has seen one business improve from zero stars to three stars. The percentage of businesses awarded two stars (“fair”) or above has risen from 82% to 90%.
Cllr Ken Keith, Knowsley Council’s cabinet member for corporate and customer services, said: “I’m delighted by how positively businesses in Knowsley have welcomed Scores on the Doors over the last year.
“I think this scheme really helps people to decide where to eat.”
The ratings for local businesses are available to the public through the Knowsley Council website - www.knowsley.gov.uk/scoresonthedoors
The restaurants that failed the inspection >>>>
The restaurants that failed the inspection
Captain Cod - Page Moss Parade, Roby, Knowsley, L36 2PA
Hamans - Byron Avenue, Whiston, Knowsley, L35 2YD
Ho's Restaurant - Warrington Road, Prescot, Knowsley, L34 5RB
Knowsley S.T.A.R.T. - Link Road, Huyton, Knowsley, L36 6AP
Lifestyle Express - Loweswater Way, Kirkby, Knowsley, L33 2DL
Roy’s Supper Bar - Liverpool Road, Huyton, Knowsley, L36 3RG
Salad Bowl - Acacia Avenue, Huyton, Knowsley, L36 5TN


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BOOM! Studios has provided CBR with advance looks at new titles on sale February 22, including "Incorruptible" #27 and "Too Much Coffee Man; Cutie Island," a collection of Shannon Wheeler's classic strips!
Cartoonist Dave Ryan spoke with CBR News about his long in development project, "War of the Independents," a self-funded series which embroils indie comics characters in their own universe-spanning, epic event.
We celebrate the opening of "Too Much Coffee Man Opera: The Refill" with an
interview with TMCM creator Shannon Wheeler, conducted by comics creator


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As spring gets under way in Anchorage, many of you may be heading to the local automotive dealerships to purchase a new pickup truck. As an Alaska personal injury attorney, I’ve unfortunately seen many truck accidents leave innocent people severely injured—or worse.
At Kelley & Canterbury LLC, we want everyone in Anchorage to be as safe as possible when out on the road. If you feel inclined to purchase a new pickup this spring, we hope you factor safety into your decision.
In an effort to keep you, your family, and all your passengers safe for years to come, we recently found a list of the safest pickup trucks currently on the road. According to US News & World Report, the following full-size pickup trucks rank in this order in the safety category (scores are on a scale of 1-10, 10 being the best rating):
- 2014 Toyota Tundra: 10.0
- 2014 Chevrolet Silverado: 9.4
- 2014 GMC Sierra 1500: 9.4
- 2014 Ford F-150: 9.3
- 2014 Ram 1500: 8.5
- 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid: 8.1
- 2013 GMC Sierra 1500 Hybrid: 8.1
- 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche: N/A
- 2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT: N/A
- 2014 Nissan Titan: N/A
It is important to remember that when organizing this list, we looked only at the safety ranking, not the overall ranking. (For example, the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is ranked the best overall full-size pickup truck, but is second on the safety list.)
In 2012, there were 59 total traffic-related fatalities in Alaska, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 39 of those deaths were passengers. When purchasing a pickup truck in Anchorage, it is important to not only consider your own safety, but also the well being of your passengers.
If you have questions about pickup truck accident injuries in Alaska, or have been injured in an accident at the fault of another, contact an experienced Anchorage truck accident injury attorney today.
Good luck with your pickup truck shopping in Anchorage this spring and please remember: safety is the most important thing to consider when purchasing a vehicle.


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Ringing Bells, the company that created a stir a few months ago by claiming that it will come up with the cheapest smartphone, started first phase of delivery of Freedom251 from July 8.
“We will start delivery of 5,000 Freedom 251 phones in the first phase in online and offline mode from tomorrow,” Ringing Bells Director Mohit Goel said here while unveiling other products that included LED TV priced Rs 9,990 per unit.
He claimed that the company is ready to ship 2 lakh units of the smartphone for Rs 251 each, but “only if it gets government support”. Goel further said some 30,000 customers went ahead with the booking despite a glitch and 7 crore people signed up.
But the company withdrew the product and refunded the money to customers after government agencies mounted a closer scrutiny. Later, the firm said it will deliver the phone through cash-on-delivery to those who had placed the order.
As for the cost of the phone, Goel claimed to have tied up with mobile applications, including with Hike Messenger, a Bharti Softbank venture, for keeping the price so low. The company also unveiled four new feature phones in the range of Rs 699-999 and two smartphones between Rs 3,999 and Rs 4,499.


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New Mexico’s first recreational marijuana consumption lounge opened in Las Cruces near the border with El Paso, Texas, according to media reports.
“This is really groundbreaking not only for us, but for the state of New Mexico. We’re putting cannabis on the map,” Sol Cannabis co-founder Kwame Ponshock told El Paso TV station KFOX.
Sol Cannabis’ recreational marijuana store and consumption area is well-positioned to take advantage of the expected influx of shoppers crossing the border from Texas, which has only a limited medical marijuana industry.
Ponshock told KFOX that he wanted to create a cannabis-friendly “refuge” for his customers and the public.
The consumption area was busy Saturday when filmed by the television station.
New Mexico lawmakers added medical marijuana consumption areas to the MMJ law in 2019, according to the NM Political Report.
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But MMJ regulators said the concept didn’t take off then in part because the coronavirus pandemic hit soon after, in early 2020.
While New Mexico’s adult-use marijuana law allows cannabis consumption areas, it’s unclear how many municipalities will embrace the concept.


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Shares of Tilray, Inc. (TLRY) rose 2.1% to close at $11.02 on Thursday after the global cannabis-lifestyle and consumer packaged goods company met first-quarter Fiscal 2022 loss estimates. The company, however, missed analysts’ expectations on the revenue front.
TLRY reported a loss of $0.08 per share in the first quarter, in line with the consensus estimate. Results compare favorably with the loss of $0.09 per share recorded in the same quarter last year.
Additionally, revenues surged 43% year-over-year to $168 million, but still disappointed by missing analysts’ expectations of $177.92 million.
Segment-wise, the company’s cannabis revenue jumped 38% year-over-year, while distribution revenue grew 1.4%. Additionally, net beverage alcohol revenue came in at $15 million following the SweetWater acquisition last year, and wellness revenue stood at $15 million from Manitoba Harvest. (See Tilray stock charts on TipRanks)
Recording the tenth consecutive quarter of positive adjusted EBITDA, Tilray reported adjusted EBITDA of $12.7 million in the quarter, up 58% year-over-year.
Markedly, the company achieved cost-saving synergies of $55 million on a run-rate basis year-to-date, with actual cash savings near to $20 million. The company said it was on track to achieve at least $80 million in cost-savings from Aphria and Tilray business combination synergies.
Following the results, Tilray CEO Irwin D. Simon commented, “Tilray’s first quarter 2022 results affirm that, amid the paradigm shift towards global cannabis legalization, we are unquestionably executing against two key objectives. The first is maximizing near-term profitability through leadership in both higher-margin international medical markets and in Canada…The second objective is to fully realize the promise and potential of Tilray by capitalizing on the nearly $200 billion global cannabis market opportunity.”
In response to the first-quarter results, Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Pablo Zuanic reiterated a Buy rating and a price target of $18 (63.3% upside potential) on the stock.
Fitzgerald said, “Looking forward, we see several positives: cost synergies are ahead of plan, the company is innovating across the domestic recreation and medical portfolio, it claims good momentum in the export markets, and M&A will remain part of the story.”
The rest of the Street is cautiously optimistic about the stock and has a Moderate Buy consensus rating based on 3 Buys and 8 Holds. The average Tilray price target of $16.13 implies 46.4% upside potential to current levels. Shares have increased 79.2% over the past year.
Bloggers are also enthusiastic about Tilray. TipRanks data shows that financial blogger opinions are 68% Bullish on TLRY, compared to a sector average of 72%.


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The campaign showcases an image which depicts an African afro hairstyle that was created using school shoes – with the words – A natural appearance looks just as polished #ProFro.
It was published on the Pretoria News print publication prime spot, a South African newspaper owned by the Independent Group.
The brand played on the recent and trending story of a hairstyle debacle that was sparked by Pretoria Girls High School students.
As parents took their children back to school, they also placed stickers on their cars with the iconic hairstyle image that uses stacked up shoes to create a powerful afro effect.
Nugget shoe polish managed to spread its #ProFro message and at the same time showcase the brand’s stance in the whole debate.
Eoin Welsh, HAVAS Johannesburg Chief Creative Officer praised the creative team for their brilliant work and bold initiative.
In our view, Nugget was very bold for getting involved for a good cause, he further comments.
Welsh complimented Ryan and Tams for their smart work and for volunteering their time over the weekend to post flyers all over Pretoria.
In addition, Fi and Tumi for championing the #ProFo campaign – Luc, Dav and the RB AM team for getting the Nugget advert bought and sold – Aletha for finding the right advertising spot.
The Nugget advert even went as far as getting a double orchid on the Saturday Star for a clever media placement.
The HAVAS Johannesburg team keeps an eye on the world around them, are innovative and are constantly seeking new opportunities to link our brands to the public.
This campaign certainly got South Africans talking. It was great to see a brand take a position rather than just a positioning.
Welsh has made a plea for the HAVAS Johannesburg team to come up with even more brilliant plan that will knock his socks off.


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In the latest issue of W Magazine, supermodel Daria Werbowy looks larger than life. Shot by renoun photographer Mario Sorrenti
Japanese fashion brand COMME des GARCONS and outerwear company Moncler recently collaborated on a clothing line entitled, 365. The line More from Unbiased Writer!
According to sources, Pharrell Williams furniture piece entitled The “Tank Chair,” recently debut at the Collette store in Paris. The More from Unbiased Writer!
According to sources, a New York memorabilia dealer is selling the last privately-owned copy of a World War Two manuscript More from Unbiased Writer!
Barneys just released its latest CO-OP catalog for the Spring 2010 season. This new look-book has a wide array of More from Unbiased Writer!
Your favorite roller coaster may change after taking a ride on the Ferrari World Abu Dhabi GT roller coaster. The More from Unbiased Writer!
GQ recently published an article entitled “The 50 Most Stylish Leading Men of the Past Half Century.” The article profiles More from Unbiased Writer!
At age 34, supermodel Kate Moss has become an internationally known fashion icon. Photographer Mario Sorrenti recently took portraits
Vice Magazine’s Bruce LaBruce recently had the chance to interview fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld in Paris. Karl Lagerfeld not only More from Unbiased Writer!
A handful of celebrities including musician Pharrell Williams, actress Julianne Moore, contemporary artist Jeff Koons, and pro surfer Malia Jones More from Unbiased Writer!


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German High Tech Items Shown in Seoul
KGCCI Hosts "German World 2005" at COEX
A large-scale German business fair is currently underway in Seoul, offering a rare chance for South Koreans to view high-quality products ranging from electric, electronic, education, pharmacy, and machinery to automobile.There are around 100 items in seven different kinds are shown at the business fair dubbed "German World 2005" at COEX Indian Hall in Samsung-dong in Seoul from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. everyday until May 15, 2005. It was started on May 12.Sixty German companies operating in Seoul are participating in the exhibition organized by the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI).The German companies include Siemens Ltd. Seoul, BMW Group Korea, Lufthansa German Airlines, Bayer Korea Ltd., EADS Astrium GmbH, MAN Turbo Ltd., Merck Limited Korea, Lahmeyer International GmbH, BASF Company Ltd., Adidas Korea Ltd., and Fuchs Lubricants (Korea) Ltd.
|Sec. Gen. of KGGCI Wolfgang Niedermark (center) is attending the press conference (center) with KGCCI President Dieter Brinkmann (2nd from right), German Amb. Michael Geier (2nd from left), head of DAAD Frau Liane Garnatz (far left), and the representative of invest of Germany Gerhart Maier (far right).|
Among the exhibition items are Bosch, Generators CT, Angiography, Gas Turbine, Compressors & turbine oil, Refineries, Petrochemical plant, Motors, 7 Series car, Motorcycles, Agrochemicals, Plastics, Polyurethane, Coatings, Space radars, Pigments and Cosmetic Ingredients, Liquid Crystal, Styrene Monomer, Lysine and Vitamin B2, Sports item, Industrial Oils, Engine Oils, Greases, and Rust Preventives."German World 2005 is an image fair organized by the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry to promote German high-tech products and world-class services," said KGCCI President Dieter Brinkmann at a press meeting held at the Millennium Seoul Hilton Hotel in Seoul on May 11, 2005."We want to attract our Korean customers and let them experience the excellent quality and high standard for which 'Made in Germany' stands," said Brinkmann.Also attended at the press meeting were Amb. Michael Geier of German embassy in Seoul, secretary general of KGGCI Wolfgang Niedermark, head of DAAD Frau Liane Garnatz, and representative of invest of Germany Gerhart Maier.The exhibition is the fourth hosted by KGCCI, and the largest in its scale.As part of the "the German World 2005," the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD- Deautscher Akademischer Dienst) hosted a German education fair in the same exhibition area.Approximately 15 universities are introducing the German academic system for the future Korean students to highlight the prospects and possibilities of study and research in Germany.The Goethe Institute is also doing its part to help local spectators sample contemporary German culture. Traditional German cuisines and beverages are also availabe in the restaurant set up at the exhibition area.KGCCI was established in 1981 with the aim of promoting economic relations between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of Korea.With the steady increase in bilateral trade between Korea and Germany over the past several decades, the activities of the KGCCI and the demand for its professional services have been increased accordingly.South Korea is Germany's third largest trade partner in Asia whereas Germany is the world's six biggest economic partner to Korea. Bilateral trade volume reached 16 billion US dollars in 2004.KGCCI has now over 350 corporations as its member covering all types of businesses and all fields of industry.
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While there is a perception that regulation is a threat to innovation in the Canadian financial services space, that’s not the case, say executives from a fintech hub.
“[For] any start-up here in Canada, I think there’s a bit of a discussion around how regulation can hurt innovation, but we truly don’t believe that’s the case,” says Elvis Wong, director of financial health with Montreal-based Fintech Cadence. “What start-ups want…isn’t ‘no regulation.’ What they want is clear regulation and guidelines so that they know how to operate and what they can do.”
Wong was part of a discussion on innovation at the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario’s (FSRA) 2022 Exchange Event in late January. The session was moderated by Marlena Labieniec, director of FSRA’s Innovation Office, which recently released an innovation framework along with a test-and-learn environment. She said the regulator has often heard that regulation is a seen as a threat to innovation and asked for thoughts on FSRA undertaking an innovation facilitation role.
“We believe that regulation is necessary for fintech innovation in Canada, because we want the good players to survive and the good players to thrive,” Wong says. “And if we do know that there’s other start-ups that might not be in the best interest of Canadians, we want the regulators to be able to both encourage good innovation to thrive, and the bad actors to potentially be monitored.”
Layial El-Hadi, executive director of Fintech Cadence, adds that fintechs often hesitate to engage with regulators because they find regulation very complicated. “These are not individuals who know how to navigate compliance,” El-Hadi says. “They don’t necessarily know how to…understand what role regulations might even play.”
Clockwise from left: Layial El-Hadi, executive director of Fintech Cadence, moderator Marlena Labieniec, director of FSRA’s Innovation Office, and Elvis Wong, director of financial health at Fintech Cadence, at FSRA’s 2022 Exchange Event.
Sometimes fintechs may not only lack a thorough understanding of regulation, but think it comes with a big price tag as well, El-Hadi says. Once entrepreneurs understand that regulation doesn’t necessarily mean they have to hire lawyers or pay for somebody to manage compliance for them, she says, they may be more onboard with the idea.
“With this innovation framework, if it’s implemented the way it’s been designed to, [and] it’s really transparent… I think fintechs would be more willing to engage in the conversation, [and] other stakeholders as well.”
Wong notes ambiguous regulations in the past have hurt Canadian fintechs (not necessarily in Ontario, the insurance industry or FSRA’s domain). “But definitely there’s been quite a few start-ups that we know of that have launched in Canada, launched in Ontario, were successful in getting customers, helping them, but because of unclear regulations around, in their case, open banking…[and] what they can do, they have actually moved to the U.S. to serve U.S. customers.
“Or some of our start-ups have actually shut down because they just felt like they couldn’t operate under that regulatory environment,” Wong adds. “And it was purely because of regulations, not because of customers, not because of funding. The challenge would be just making sure that there is a clarity and guidance for these innovations to happen.”
Sometimes, other stakeholders that could be partners or customers of fintechs will not want to dabble in uncertain regulatory areas, El-Hadi adds.
Dr. Cristie Ford, a professor at the University of British Columbia’s Allard School of Law, says it’s important to recognize that innovation is not, by definition, beneficial across the board.
“To assume that innovation is always going to sort of lift all boats, or is going to be congruent with the kinds of objectives that the regulator wants to see is, I think, not reasonable,” she says during a separate panel at the Exchange Event. “Understanding who’s innovating, in what contexts and for what purposes, is essential.”


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automotiveEV.com brings you the latest news in the electric vehicle sector, see the latest developments in Infrastructure, Powertrain, Battery, Supply Chain and Technology.
Nissan has unveiled a new electric vehicle charging service, Nissan Charge, which has been designed to make the EV ownership experience better than ever. Created in partnership with Plugsurfing, Europe’s leading Electro Mobility Service Provider, Nissan Charge enables LEAF owners to find and access a network of over 100,000+ charging points across Europe through one subscription, for easy charging while on the move.
Toyota announced that it will supply up to 20 specially-designed “Tokyo 2020 Version” e-Palette vehicles to support athlete mobility at the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, where it will provide automated, loop-line transportation in the Olympic and Paralympic villages for athletes and related staff.
To anticipate and support the deep changes in lifestyles and consumption patterns, Groupe Renault has been involved in new mobility services for the past four years by developing car services with or without drivers (Renault MOBILITY, Zity in Madrid, Moov’in.Paris, Marcel) and by making highly targeted acquisitions and equity investments in various start-ups specialised in this field (Karhoo, Yuso, Como, iCabbi, Glide).
Toyota teased what will become the most powerful RAV4 yet, the 2021 RAV4 plug-in. Bringing with it a new colour, Supersonic Red, the teaser image of the RAV4 plug-in highlights the new PHEV’s surprising performance capabilities.
Vodafone Idea, one of India’s leading telecom service providers, and Kia Motors, have signed partnership for the India debut of UVO connected car system with the new Kia Seltos – a technologically advanced and refined mid-SUV equipped with a range of market and world-first features designed to make driving safer and less stressful.
Publisher: Shaun Hunter
Global News Editor: Trisha Chowdhury
Legal Affairs Editor: Julian Wilkins
Chief Executive: Peter Wooding
Main Switchboard: +44 (0) 203 325 4414


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Dangote, Glo and Nasco lead six of Nigeria’s representation in the top 100 most admired brands in Africa in the latest release by the Brand Africa rankings.
Other Nigerian companies in the global rankings include Jumia and Maltina.
Nigeria’s Dangote moved up 10 places in this year’s ranking from 25th position in 2019, leading Nigerian contingent in the rankings this year.
The brand with the most valuable publicly quoted company on Nigeria’s stock market led other African brands in the consumer and non-cyclical category.
On the continental level, South Africa’s telecom provider, MTN and Dangote championed Africa’s showing in the ranking’s top 20, with MTN moving up a place from last year’s showing, while Nigeria’s telecom service brand, Glo moved up two places in 28th position in the year under review.
Meanwhile, in the sub-survey which focused on financial services, Guarantee Trust Bank led First Bank of Nigeria and regional bank, Ecobank who came in second and third positions, respectively.
According to Brand Africa, this year which marks its 10th anniversary saw data polled by Geopoll from 26 countries which account for over 80 percent of the continent’s population across five economic regions.
In his remarks, Thebe Ikalafeng, Brand Africa Chairman, who spoke during an online session said, “African brands have an important role in helping to build the image, competitiveness and transforming the continent’s promise into a real change.”
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March 17, 2011 |
Bangalore: Warren Buffett's maiden trip to India has run into uncertainty following the tragedy in Japan. Buffett, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway and the third richest man in the world, was scheduled to be here between March 23 and 25 after stopovers in Korea and Japan. Several media reports have said that Buffett has cancelled the Japan leg of his trip. That has led to speculation that the entire trip may have been cancelled. Some officials involved in organizing events during his visit to India said there was uncertainty.
December 12, 2011 |
February 15, 2011 |
NEW DELHI: IT major Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) today commercially launched cloud computing services and said they could generate $1 billion in revenue over five years from the small and medium business segment. Cloud computing helps users get access to hardware and software from companies like TCS on pay-per-use basis, without having to set up their own IT infrastructure. "We have been running pilot of our cloud computing services since last one year.
August 20, 2015 |
By Farrha Khan Final Fantasy 7 is finally seeing its release on iOS today, and interestingly, this version of the game will allow you to turn off enemy encounters. Square Enix had announced back in June during E3 that Final Fantasy 7 would be making its way to iOS by the end of summer. In this iOS version of the game, you'll be using a virtual controller , with the choice between a virtual analogue control or a fixed 4-way digital control pad. And as stated above, you'll also essentially be able to cheat through the game with the ability to turn off enemy encounters and area maps.
November 21, 2011 |
BANGALORE: Aditi Technologies, a software product and application development services provider, has acquired Seattle-based cloud-computing start-up, Cumulux. Cumulux, founded in 2008 by former Microsoft employees Paddy Srinivasan and Ranjith Ramakrishnan, provides cloud computing services to customers such as US automaker Ford Motor, power generation equipment maker General Electric and Unicef, the United Nations Children's Fund. "Aditi is betting its business on the cloud.
April 26, 2011
By Bob McDowall Cloud computing, defined as a subscription-based or pay-per-use service that in real time, and over the Internet, extends existing capabilities of Information Technology, remains at an early stage of conceptual development. Services do range from full scale applications such as accounting and storage to niche services such as spam filtering. Proponents of cloud computing contend that it erodes the requirements for major capital expenditures on IT infrastructure to customer applications.
August 25, 2014 |
NEW DELHI: IT services firm Sonata Software today said it has acquired a controlling stake in US-based cloud services firm Rezopia for an undisclosed amount. Headquartered in California, Rezopia Inc provides cloud based end to end reservations, contracts, operations and distribution management systems platform for travel providers. Sonata said in a statement that it has acquired a "strategic controlling stake in Rezopia Inc. The acquisition is aimed at enabling both companies to leverage mutual strengths and opportunities in serving emerging IT solution needs in the global Travel industry".
September 1, 2015 |
Today there's no easy way to escape your cloud provider . Some firms are trying to fix that. All the major cloud providers use technology different enough so that switching from one to another would require customers to rewrite much of their software. Still, in the next five years about one-third of companies using the cloud may either switch providers to get a lower price, or add another provider to get servers closer to customers or have a backup should one company suffer a meltdown.
September 11, 2012 |
New Delhi: Technology trainer NIIT inked a strategic alliance with Microsoft Corporation to develop cloud-ready professionals, to take on assignments in the global IT industry. Under this alliance NIIT will offer new programs in cloud and emerging technologies in association with Microsoft. This initiative will allow students to look at the next generation opportunities in the field of cloud computing, cloud services, and apps development. Further, the benefit of Microsoft Certification integrated with NIIT programs will be made available to students both in the retail and academic space, by NIIT.
July 8, 2012 |
NEW DELHI: As more firms in India embrace cloud computing, there is an increasing need to have a dedicated policy for defining the standards for procurement and usage of the technology, especially by government agencies, says a report by industry body CII. Cloud computing allows storage of data and access to software on a pay-per-use model, helping companies to cut costs as they do not have to invest in infrastructure. Major cloud service providers include Google, Amazon and Microsoft, who store the data of clients on servers across the globe.


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Australian stores of US chain Toys ‘R’ Us will shut down after administrators said Wednesday they were unable to find a buyer, the latest victim of the growth of online retail.
Toys ‘R’ Us Australia was put into administration last month after a failed auction to sell the stores, just months after the retailer’s US and British stores wound down their activities.
Administrators McGrathNicol had kept the 44 Toys ‘R’ Us and Babies ‘R’ Us outlets in the country open as they searched for a buyer or looked for options to recapitalise the business, without success.
“Despite productive discussions with a number of interested parties, all of the parties have now advised the administrators that they have withdrawn from the sale process,” McGrathNicol said in a statement.
Existing stock will be sold off at the stores as they close in the next few weeks. The closures will also see 700 staff lose their jobs.
Founded in 1948 as a small child care store in Washington, DC, Toys ‘R’ Us evolved into one of the world’s most recognisable kids’ brands.
But like other bricks-and-mortar retailers, it has struggled amid the rise of e-commerce and an internet buying culture.
Toys ‘R’ Us announced in March that it would liquidate its US operations and shut down all 735 stores. The British arm of the embattled retailer said in February it was winding down its activities.


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The majority of Sheffield people will give pre-Christmas bargain shopping days a miss this festive season, according to a new study from Blue Yonder.
65 per cent of city folk said they would be avoiding the shops this Black Friday - the retail industry’s mass discount day ahead of Christmas.
Of these, 33 per cent said bargain shopping was too much of a headache, while ten per cent said the shops were always too busy and 22 per cent said there was not enough of a discount to entice them to tackle the crowds.
One in ten also said there was too much web traffic on last year’s Cyber Monday - the online version of the retail bargain day - and that the websites they were using were either too slow or crashed.
Last year, an estimated £810 million was splashed out on Black Friday in the UK - more than double the previous year - as websites crashed and people fought in the aisles to grab deals. Three days later, UK consumers doled out a further £720m on Cyber Monday. This year, online sales during each 24-hour period are expected to surpass £1bn for the first time in UK history.
The study also unveiled a surprising trend nationally, showing 20 per cent of purchases were being bought to be sold on - having a possible impact on the retailers’ ability to sell the products in future. People in Sheffield also admitted to being impulsive shoppers, with 12 per cent saying they often bought sale items they didn’t need, had never used, or they wished they hadn’t.
But the news isn’t all doom and gloom, with 14 per cent of people in Sheffield estimating they had saved more than £50 by shopping on Black Friday or Cyber Monday.