Top Headlines - part 64
Canada’s Libya Mission: Worth the Cost?
WORLD August 3, 2011 | 11:31 AM
- CDN$26 million spent on Canada’s military mission in Libya to June 2011
- Budget predicted to hit CDN$60 million if mission extends to September 2011
- Allied countries moving to transfer funds to Libya’s Transitional National Council
In June, Canadian Defence Minister Peter MacKay revealed that Canada had spent CDN$26 million on its military mission in Libya, and that this amount could balloon to $60 million by September.
According to the CBC, these funds paid for: two CP-140 Aurora patrol planes, six CF–8 fighter jets, the HMCS Vancouver (a multi-purpose warship including a CH-124 Sea King helicopter meant to patrol for danger), over 400 laser-guided bombs from March-June 2 and 650 Canadian Forces personnel.
Read more »Mubarak Denies Charges of Corruption, Murder of Protesters
WORLD August 3, 2011 | 9:44 AM
- Mubarak pleads not guilty to corruption and death orders
- Judge orders Mubarak be held at military hospital
- Court proceedings to reconvene on August 15
Egypt's ousted President Hosni Mubarak is on trial facing charges of corruption and ordering protesters be put to death during the uprising that began on January 25.
The trial is being held at Cairo’s police academy to maintain security where 3,000 government security officials were posted to keep the peace on the opening day of the trial. Emotions are high as the proceedings began and unrest was rife outside the police academy where clashes broke out between those supporting and opposing Mubarak, with more than 53 wounded reports news network Al Jazeera.
Read more »Microsoft Unveils New Smartphone Platform “Mango”
BUSINESS August 2, 2011 | 11:56 AM
- Microsoft signs off on new smartphone operating system, Mango
- Last year Mango’s predecessor, Windows Phone 7, was overshadowed by new Google Android devices and Apple iPhone updates
- Microsoft smartphone market share falls from 7.1% in Q1 of 2010 to 2.7% for same period this year
Microsoft recently released the latest version of its Windows Phone smartphone platform in a new push to take back market share from rivals Apple and Google. The announcement in Tokyo was followed just hours later by a demonstration of the first handset – manufactured by Fujitsu-Toshiba – to be built around the new platform, “Mango”.
Many more devices are scheduled for release over the coming months.
Read more »Study: Sunscreen Users Tend To Burn
WORLD August 2, 2011 | 11:21 AM
- New study shows sunscreen users experience 23% more sunburns
- Recent studies show users do not apply enough sunscreen to properly protect skin
- FDA issues new sunscreen regulations and labels
A new study published by the journal Cancer Causes & Control suggests that those who apply a generous amount of sunscreen onto exposed areas of the body are more likely to experience painful, damaging sunburns.
The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey analyzed how 3,000 people in the US protect themselves from UV rays. Sunscreen was the most common form of protection, with over 30% of users choosing this form of sun protection. The second-place slot goes to shade seekers, who made up 25% of the testers. Finally hat wearers (16%) and those wearing long-sleeve shirts (6%) made up the distant third and fourth places.
Read more »Williams-Sonoma to Make British Debut Next Year
FINANCE August 1, 2011 | 4:01 PM
- Williams-Sonoma to open shop in London within first half of 2012
- WSM rating downgraded by S&P and Stock Scouter
- UK becoming popular alternative for overseas expansion
San Francisco-based Williams-Sonoma retail chain is making plans to bring its gourmet cookware and upmarket furnishings to the United Kingdom. Williams-Sonoma hopes to debut its first UK store in London, seeking a 5,000 to 8,000 square foot unit for its new shop.
Williams-Sonoma, which currently operates a mail-order service to over 75 countries, has appointed Property Agent Harper Dennis Hobbs to assist in securing their first store, which is set to launch within the first half of 2012.
Read more »Top Luxury Hotels Looking for New Ways to Fill Beds
BUSINESS August 1, 2011 | 12:31 PM
- Luxury hotel chains trying to find new, less expensive and creative ways of luring upscale travelers
- Marriott and Hilton looking to form partnerships to create desirable “guest experiences”
- Stakes are high for both expansion-minded chains as they look to add new products worldwide
The global economic tourism recovery is slight and perhaps still in its infancy, but luxury hotels are looking for new, more creative and less expensive ways to convince upscale travelers to stay at their high-end properties.
The market there has improved but it has not remained the same. Revenue per available room for United States luxury hotels reached a peak of close to $205 in 2007, then fell 5.4% in 2008, according to Smith Travel Research. Revenue dropped even further in 2009 to 23.2%.
Read more »Sony Ericsson On the Move to Stay in the Game
BUSINESS August 1, 2011 | 11:44 AM
- Xperia X10 owners given chance to upgrade to Android 2.3 Gingerbread
- Commitment made to Chinese market with opening of global R&D center in Beijing
- The Swedish-Japanese joint venture reports €50 million losses in Q2 2011, following interruptions to its supply chain as a result of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan
Sony Ericsson has announced that some Xperia X10 owners will finally have the opportunity to upgrade the operating system of their device to Android 2.3 Gingerbread.
In an official statement that accompanied the announcement, Sony Ericsson said that the availability of Gingerbread "is dependent on operator and/or country" and for this reason the company is unable to provide an "exact date for when the update will be available."
Read more »Walmart Announces New Movie Streaming Service
BUSINESS August 1, 2011 | 11:44 AM
- Walmart makes a renewed attempt at breaking into online film market after industry leader Netflix announces a price hike
- Teaming up with recent acquisition Vudu, new service will offer movie titles for rent and purchase with no monthly subscription
- Service is not yet available on iPad or other tablet PC devices
Super retailer Walmart has launched a renewed assault on the online movie industry with the announcement of its new streaming service. Walmart’s website now provides options for streaming and purchasing films online the same day as the DVD release.
All online streaming websites will be watching closely, but the warning bells will sound loudest for the likes of popular movie website Netflix, who just two weeks ago announced a new hike in prices for their rental services.
Read more »BlackBerry 7 Devices - Coming Soon?
BUSINESS August 1, 2011 | 11:11 AM
- Devices running BlackBerry 7 operating system to ship over next few months
- Release of new handsets an attempt to make up for falling sales
- Job cuts and executive reshuffle as Research in Motion tries to cut costs
Research in Motion (RIM) is trying to build expectations ahead of the upcoming launch of several new handsets running BlackBerry 7, the next release of its mobile operating system (OS).
The Canadian phone manufacturer announced late July, via the company's official Twitter page, that "... new #BlackBerry devices are coming w/ our new OS, BlackBerry 7! Check back tmrw 4 deets on #BB7FanNight."
Read more »AT&T to Serve Out New Gingerbread on Android Handsets
BUSINESS August 1, 2011 | 10:52 AM
- AT&T announces update for Google’s smartphone operating system
- 6 Android handsets have access to new Gingerbread platform
- Google promises to work with mobile manufacturers and network operators to guarantee updates for all new Android handsets
Android device users who purchased handsets this year through AT&T will be getting an upgrade to Gingerbread, the latest version of Google’s smartphone operating system.
The US telecommunications giant announced Tuesday that six Android-powered handsets released in 2011 will receive the Android 2.3 platform update that offers users a range of upgrades, including enhanced tactile keyboards, optimized battery life, smoother interfaces, improved copy-and-paste functionality and an overall tweak in smartphone performance.
Read more »