Spahub.com Launches New Spa & Wellness Blog | Health and

Spahub.com, the largest online spa directory, launches their new wellness blog as the latest addition to their website, with contributing writers covering a range of health and wellness topics; everything from spa facials to cosmetic surgical procedures.

Best Prices on all YOUR Health and Fitness Requirements! CLICK HERE

Source: http://www.16g.org/spahub-com-launches-new-spa-wellness-blog/

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Source: http://carolinian-showstopping.blogspot.com/2013/03/spahubcom-launches-new-spa-wellness.html

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Lazaridis to keep BlackBerry stake, focus on new venture

By Euan Rocha

TORONTO (Reuters) - BlackBerry co-founder Mike Lazaridis said on Thursday he has no plans to sell his stake in the smartphone maker even as he steps down from the board to focus on a new quantum computing investment fund.

BlackBerry, formerly Research In Motion, announced the former co-CEO's departure from the board on Thursday as it reported its first quarterly earnings since launching its make-or-break new BlackBerry 10 smartphones.

"I'm really proud of what we built together at RIM, and I believe I'm leaving it in good hands, and remain one of its largest shareholders," said Lazaridis in an interview.

Asked whether he will hold on to that investment, Lazaridis said he has no plans to do otherwise. He owns 5.7 percent of the Waterloo, Ontario-based company, according to Thomson Reuters data from December 31, 2012.

Lazaridis, a silver-haired engineer who was born in Turkey, immigrated to Canada with his Greek parents as a child, and attended university in Waterloo, where he co-founded RIM in 1984.

Lazaridis also offered new details on his exit from the executive suite - he and co-CEO Jim Balsillie stepped down in January 2012, as the company bled market share to Apple Inc's iPhone and phones based on Google Inc's Android operating system, and its BlackBerry 10 ran behind schedule.

Lazaridis said he went to the board that month and asked them to make Thorsten Heins chief executive.

"I was asked to reconsider my decision to give up the CEO post, but I promised the board that I would assist Thorsten and his team in the completion of the development of BB10," he said. "I believe I've now fulfilled my commitment to the board."

Lazaridis and Doug Fregin, RIM's co-founder, announced their new $100 million Quantum Valley Investments fund earlier this month.

Those who do time-consuming calculations have for years longed for quantum computers, which could theoretically complete tasks many orders of magnitude faster than a conventional machine by tapping some peculiar properties of matter to do many calculations simultaneously.

Lazaridis, a physics buff who used some of his fortune to found the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Waterloo, said he sees the quantum computing field "producing opportunities in the near-term." He said the fund has started making investments, but gave no details.

"This is ground-breaking work," he said. "We have the resources to put us in a position to help them fulfill the potential of these breakthroughs."

(Writing by Allison Martell; Additional reporting by Alastair Sharp; Editing by Janet Guttsman and Gunna Dickson)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/lazaridis-keep-blackberry-stake-focus-venture-172732896--sector.html

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Supreme Court, in next gay marriage case, eyes federal law (reuters)

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Street View Hits Mars With This 4-Gigapixel Panoramic

There's been no shortage of Mars pictures since Curiosity landed. We've got Martian mountains, rover selfies, the works. But thanks to a little image stitching by a clever dude back here on Earth, now we have Mars Street View, kind of. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/tp9oxzmdyrY/street-view-hits-mars-with-this-4+gigapixel-panoramic

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Libya considers aid for Egypt, no decision yet: PM

DOHA (Reuters) - Libya is considering extending financial aid to Egypt to help its North African neighbor overcome a severe economic crisis, Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zaidan said on Wednesday.

Egypt, which has endured more than two years of political instability since the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak in 2011, is struggling with sliding currency reserves, falling tourism and a soaring budget deficit.

OPEC-producer Libya is itself rebuilding after the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Several newspapers had reported this week that Libya will deposit $2 billion at Egypt's central bank to support the economy but Zaidan said nothing had been decided yet.

"It has been under consultation. This issue has not been decided yet," Zaidan told reporters in the Qatari capital Doha when asked about the reports. He declined further comment.

A Libyan central bank official also told Reuters that Tripoli with its sovereign wealth fund would continue to look for investment opportunities in Egypt.

"Libya owns stakes in three banks in Egypt and companies in various sectors. We will invest whenever these companies need liquidity, debt repayments and capital for operation," he said, declining to be identified.

"Our investments in Egypt are very strategic and we will do what's needed to support that. Egypt's security and stability are as important to us as our own," he added.

Earlier, Libya said it would provide Egypt with the equivalent of one million barrels of crude per month at world prices to support the economy, according to Libya's state news agency.

(Reporting by Regan Doherty and Mirna Sleiman in Doha; Writing by Ulf Laessing in Cairo; Editing by Angus MacSwan)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/libya-considers-aid-egypt-no-decision-yet-pm-174638548.html

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Samsung Reportedly Debuting Stores-Within-A-Store At Best Buy Locations For Galaxy S4 Launch

Samsung will reportedly be launching Samsung Stores in select Best Buy locations ahead of the Galaxy S4's U.S. launch, a new report from Geek.com claims. The new sections, which will occupy spots close to the mobile department, will feature Samsung branding throughout and highlight a number of Samsung products, not just the upcoming Galaxy S4, though that flagship device will be the core focus.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/Jcm4HeD1ROQ/

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Character Sheet [Don't post]

Generally, a character skeleton sheet is here for the purpose of making things simple. That means that you are not restricted to what's on the skeleton. It's built to be customizable, to provide information about your character. The provided sheet is simple yet effective, allowing you to add/remove portions that might or might not pertain to your character.

Code: Select all

[b]Personal Information[/b]
[i]Name:
Nickname:
Callsign:
Age: [18-45]
Gender:
Fireteam:
Specialization: [Assault? Team's medic?]
Skills: [3 primary skills maximum]
[/i]
[b]Description:[/b]
[b]Bio:[/b] [This form regards to your character's history, skills, ect.]
[b]Specialty Weapon:[/b] [This question regards as to if the character prefers a certain weapon.]
[b]Sidearms:[/b]
[b]Equipment:[/b] [Include everything that range from possible armor (including modifications) to miscellaneous items.]
[b]Song / lyrics:[/b] [If you can, please provide a link to the song as well. It helps add to the atmosphere that represents the character. Theme song in other words.]


Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RolePlayGateway/~3/-Atu6NbVfco/viewtopic.php

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Video: DPS: The Bus doesn't?agree with rule change

Sorry, Readability was unable to parse this page for content.

Source: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/21134540/vp/51273948#51273948

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Brain mapping reveals neurological basis of decision-making in rats

Mar. 20, 2013 ? Scientists at UC San Francisco have discovered how memory recall is linked to decision-making in rats, showing that measurable activity in one part of the brain occurs when rats in a maze are playing out memories that help them decide which way to turn. The more they play out these memories, the more likely they are to find their way correctly to the end of the maze.

In their study, reported this week in the journal Neuron, the UCSF researchers implanted electrodes directly on a region of the rat brain known as the hippocampus, which is already known to play a key role in the formation and recall of memory. This same region is active when animals are learning, and it is damaged in people who have Alzheimer's and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The study showed that when the rats paused before an upcoming choice, sometimes the hippocampus was more active and sometimes it was less active. When it was more active it did a better job of recalling memories of places the animal could go next, and the animal was more likely to go to the right place.

"We know that considering possibilities is important for decision-making, but we haven't really known how this happens in the brain," said neuroscientist Loren Frank, PhD, who led the research. Frank is an associate professor of physiology and a member of the UCSF Center for Integrative Neuroscience at UCSF.

The work builds upon several years of investigations in Frank's laboratory that have shown how activity in the hippocampus is a fundamental constituent of memory retrieval. Their recent work shows that this activity is not just about remembering the past -- it is also important for thinking about the future. When the brain does a better job of thinking about future possibilities, it makes better decisions.

Next, the team wants to tease out why sometimes the hippocampus does not do a good job of playing out future options. Problems with memory and decision-making are central to age-related cognitive decline, and a deeper understanding of how this works could pave the way for interventions that make the brain work better.

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of California - San Francisco. The original article was written by Jason Socrates Bardi.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

---

Journal Reference:

1. Annabelle?C. Singer, Margaret?F. Carr, Mattias?P. Karlsson, Loren?M. Frank. Hippocampal SWR Activity Predicts Correct Decisions during the Initial Learning of an Alternation Task. Neuron, 2013; 77 (6): 1163 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2013.01.027

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_science/~3/JNFxv-uIy0g/130320155232.htm

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States' aid to public colleges has fallen 28 percent since 2008

(Reuters) - State governments, which have been battling slow economic growth, cut aid to public colleges for five years and now spend 28 percent less per student than they did in 2008, according to a study published on Tuesday.

The reductions in every state except Wyoming and North Dakota average $2,353 for the 75 percent of undergraduates who attend public colleges and show few signs of easing soon, according to the study's lead writer, Phil Oliff of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

"The rate of decline has moderated somewhat, but we don't see clear signs that states are reinvesting in their higher education systems," Oliff said in a conference call with reporters. "They are coming out of an enormous hole."

Revenues for state governments have risen for nearly three years, but are not matching the bounceback after previous recessions, with the rate of increase slowing in the 2012 third quarter, according to the Rockefeller Institute of Government.

The cuts by state governments range from nearly $4,800 annually per student in New Mexico to $561 in Alaska and have spurred tuition hikes at public colleges, staff cuts, larger classes and the elimination of courses and departments, the study said.

"Thirty-six states have cut funding by more than 20 percent, with 11 states cutting funding by more than one-third. Two states -- Arizona and New Hampshire -- have cut their higher education spending in half," the study said.

Florida, Oregon, Louisiana and Alabama were among states that pulled back most sharply on college aid, while New York, North Carolina and Maine made the smallest reductions in the years tracked in the study.

Tuition at four-year public colleges has grown on average by $1,850 a year, or 27 percent when adjusted for inflation, since the 2007-2008 academic year, the study said. Tuition in Arizona and California has shot up more than 70 percent.

Other big percentage hikes were in Florida, Georgia, Washington state, Hawaii and Alabama.

State policymakers need to ease away from tax cuts and to consider increasing revenues to reinvigorate their public colleges, the study said.

(Reporting by Michael Connor in Miami; Editing by Leslie Adler)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/states-aid-public-colleges-fallen-28-percent-since-214747188.html

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Biden honors Irish prime minister, heritage (The Arizona Republic)

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Treadmill Talks: Most Women Misunderstand IUD Birth Control ...

Do IUDs increase your risk of STDs? Are they better or worse at protecting against pregnancy than birth control pills? In this Treadmill Talk, Sharecare expert Dr. Michael Roizen, chief wellness officer for Cleveland Clinic, clears up some common contraceptive misunderstandings and gives a smart tip to reduce your risk of blood clots associated with taking the Pill.

Join the largest health conversation in 140 characters or less! Tweet what you want to talk about to?@SharecareNow?and let?s start chatting!

File under: Expert Spotlight

Contributor

Dr. Michael Roizen

Michael F. Roizen, MD, a Sharecare expert, is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Williams College, Alpha Omega Alpha graduate of the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, is board certified in both Anesthesiology and Internal Medicine. In 2007 Dr. Roizen was named the Chief Wellness Officer (the first such position in a major healthcare institution in the United States) for Cleveland Clinic, and Chair of its Wellness Institute. Dr. Roizen co-founded RealAge and chairs its Scientific Advisory Board. He is 64 calendar years of age, but his RealAge is 44.3. He and Dr Oz have authored 8 NY Times bestsellers between them, and three separately, including 4 #1 NY Times Bestsellers, including RealAge, Are You As Young As You Can Be, YOU: The Owner?s Manual, YOU: On A Diet, the Owner?s Manual for Waist Management, and YOU Staying Young, the Owner?s Manual for Extending Your Warranty.

View my Sharecare profile

Source: http://blog.sharecare.com/2013/03/19/treadmill-talks-most-women-misunderstand-iud-birth-control/

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Tiny RNA molecule may have role in polycystic ovary syndrome, insulin resistance

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

A group of tiny RNA molecules with a big role in regulating gene expression also appear to have a role in causing insulin resistance in woman with polycystic ovary syndrome and, perhaps, in all women, researchers report.

Research in the journal Diabetes, indicates that high activity levels of a microRNA called miR-93 in fat cells impedes insulin's use of glucose, contributing to PCOS as well as insulin resistance, said Dr. Ricardo Azziz, reproductive endocrinologist and PCOS expert at the Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Regents University.

"This is one of the first reports of a defect that may occur both in women who are insulin resistant and, in particular, in women with PCOS," said Azziz, the study's corresponding author. "Identifying this molecular mechanism helps us understand these common conditions better and points us toward targeted therapies to correct these problems in women."

PCOS affects about 10 percent of women and is characterized by excess male hormone, irregular ovulation and menstruation and is associated with an increased risk for insulin resistance, which can lead to diabetes and heart disease.

Researchers looked at fat cells from the lower abdomen of 21 women with PCOS and 20 controls. In all the women with PCOS, they found over expression of miR-93 and decreased expression of GLUT4, a key protein that regulates fat's use of glucose for energy. Fat, a large organ in even a thin individual, is where a lot of glucose usage via insulin occurs.

GLUT4 expression was lowest in the women with PCOS who also were insulin resistant. They also found the expression was low in members of the control group who were insulin resistant.

"Low levels of GLUT4 in fat appear to be affecting insulin resistance in general and to have a more dramatic impact in PCOS," Azziz said. MiR-93 was known to impact GLUT4 in other cell types and to have a role in reproduction, infertility and lipid metabolism. "There has been no clear mechanism to describe insulin resistance in PCOS and we believe this is one of the pathways," said Dr. Yen-Hao Chen, cell biologist at MCG and the study's first author.

Interestingly, the investigators found that two other microRNAS - miR-133 and miR-223, which are known to regulate GLUT4 expression in heart muscle cells - also were over expressed but only in the fat cells of PCOS patients, Chen said. This exclusivity implicates the tiny molecules in the underlying condition of PCOS, Chen said. The researchers don't know yet if the two are related to miR-93. "We are just beginning to understand the role of these small molecules in PCOS and insulin resistance and much work remains to be done," Azziz said.

Follow up studies include better understanding just how microRNAs impact GLUT4, identifying other microRNAS that do ? including looking further at miR-133 and 223 ? and identifying what factors impact the tiny RNA molecules.

Humans use both insulin and non-insulin related mechanisms to use blood sugar, or glucose, as an energy source.

Azziz and his colleagues recently showed in Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism that women with PCOS have defects in both mechanisms. In fact, PCOS women who had the most difficulty controlling glucose via insulin were also the ones with the greatest declines in their ability to use non-insulin approaches. More typically, when insulin resistance increases, the body's non-insulin dependent usage increases, apparently to help compensate.

###

Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Regents University: http://www.mcghealth.org

Thanks to Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Regents University for this article.

This press release was posted to serve as a topic for discussion. Please comment below. We try our best to only post press releases that are associated with peer reviewed scientific literature. Critical discussions of the research are appreciated. If you need help finding a link to the original article, please contact us on twitter or via e-mail.

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Source: http://www.labspaces.net/127373/Tiny_RNA_molecule_may_have_role_in_polycystic_ovary_syndrome__insulin_resistance

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Five Crisis Communication Tips for Businesses ... - Communiqu? PR

03.20.2013 | Melissa Cafiero

By now, you?ve likely heard about the Carnival Triumph debacle: In early February, the Carnival Triumph cruise ship was on day three of a four-day outing when a fire broke out in the engine room and the ship lost power, leaving passengers and crew members stranded on the stalled ship in the Gulf of Mexico. Tug boats began towing the ship toward Mobile, Ala., after it was decided that towing it to Progreso, Mexico, would not be the best option, given the ship drifted northward in currents and many passengers did not have passports.

Through social media and communications with family members and friends who contacted news outlets, it became clear that living conditions on the ship were less than favorable (and potentially dangerous). From human waste to sleeping on mattresses dragged into common areas on the vessel, along with limited food supply and waning patience, the situation ? and the public?s perception ? deteriorated quickly.

Regardless of your company?s industry, there are a few lessons to be learned in handling a crisis:

1. Prepare in advance. You can?t control whether a crisis situation will happen or not, so it?s best to be prepared for the worst case scenario. Identify all (or most) of the potential issues your company could experience and develop an overarching reactive plan (or multiple plans) to address them. These plans should include some standard components:
   • Determine roles and responsibilities, such as identifying spokesperson(s), assigning materials development, naming approvers for statements and other public-facing materials, etc.
   • Set the communication channels, like Twitter, Facebook, direct mail, the company blog, etc. This will differ based on your audience, so make sure it?s an outlet they?re familiar with and in a format they prefer.
   • Identify who is in charge. This person will assign tasks, determine priorities and next steps, and manage the issue. This should be someone who has authority to make decisions quickly.
   • Outline general reactive statements (example below) and include a FAQ to handle potential media questions and inquiries.
2. Communication is key. In a crisis situation, a company has a number of audiences with which to communicate: affected customers, media, company stakeholders, the general public and more, depending on the situation, company and industry. Communication should be tailored to each audience as much as possible and given in a timely manner. What constitutes timely? In the current 24/7 news cycle, when word travels globally within minutes thanks to social media, timely means as soon as you know about the issue. You don?t need to know all the details, but an immediate response, even if it?s as simple as, ?We heard about X problem and we are working to investigate. We?ll provide more details and guidance as we learn more. We apologize for this inconvenience,? can work wonders. Carnival?s CEO Gerry Cahill didn?t apologize until two days after the issue, and passengers reported getting news slowly from staff while onboard the ship.
3. Remain truthful. Prevent a situation going from bad to worse by being honest, even if the information isn?t positive. From investigative reporters to savvy customers, and even employees who like to share information, the truth will eventually come to light. And if your company isn?t holding the microphone when it does, the situation is guaranteed to get worse. What?s worse than a company having a crisis? A company having a crisis where facts trickle out slowly and diverge from statements being given to media. Not only will the company have a negative perception to change, it will also have to rebuild customer trust. Additionally, the accuracy of any future statements, details or information provided will be questioned.
4. Investigate. It?s always a best practice to investigate any kind of crisis that arises. Whether it?s a security breach, a downed website or a stalled cruise ship, it?s imperative that the company investigate what caused the issue, how it was resolved and how it will be prevented in the future. Following an investigation, some companies like to publish a post mortem that highlights these details and reiterates the company?s commitment to quality. Amazon Web Services does a great job publishing post mortems following service outages.
5. Be human. Lastly, while you?re concerned about your company?s image, gathering details on the issue, communicating with internal stakeholders and other factors, don?t forget to be human. Show empathy, apologize, acknowledge the magnitude of the situation and reaffirm your commitment to customers. When a crisis happens, you?re suddenly the goldfish swimming around while everyone else watches everything you do. Don?t say anything you don?t mean ? the public can identify an insincere statement in a flash ? but don?t be afraid to show remorse.

What other best practices would you offer to companies dealing with a crisis? How have you successfully managed them in the past?

?

Tags: Best Practices, best practices in crisis communications, Carnival Triumph, Carnival Triumph crisis, case study, Crisis Communications

Source: http://www.communiquepr.com/blog/?p=5094

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Americans think Iraq war was a mistake

By Steve Keating LONDON, Ontario, March 16 (Reuters) - A day after claiming a third consecutive figure skating world championship, Patrick Chan was still profusely apologising on Saturday for his performance but the defiant Canadian was making no apologies for the win. With figure skating's credibility under ever-intensifying scrutiny, Chan sparked yet another judging controversy when he took the men's title with a sloppy free skate that in the eyes of many was not medal worthy performance. ...

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/poll-most-americans-think-iraq-war-mistake-135156561--election.html

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The Weekly Roundup for 03.11.2013

You might say the week is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workweek, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Weekly Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 7 days -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.

Comments

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/uB-izfseRc8/

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Living Wage A Test Of Small Business' Mettle | Stuff.co.nz

If small businesses can't afford to pay their staff a living wage, they should probably not be in business at all, a union leader says.

First (Finance, Industrial, Retail, Stores and Transport) Union general secretary Robert Reid said that while the movement supporting a living wage of $18.40 an hour minimum was generally targeted at large corporations and city councils, some undercapitalised SMEs needed to think about their business practices as well.

"Why should a worker suffer for being employed by a business that maybe shouldn't exist," Reid said.

"One which won't invest in technology but thinks it can exist because it pays staff starvation wages."

Reid was responding to earlier comments from Auckland employment law specialist Max Whitehead who said the introduction of the proposed living wage would send thousands of Kiwi business owners fleeing across the Tasman after their small businesses failed.

With most Kiwi SMEs already borrowing to stay alive and many business owners themselves taking home the equivalent of the minimum wage, the proposed living wage would be the last straw, he said.

Reid said there was a danger of having a "race backwards" if key decisions on the country's direction were based only on placating SMEs.

"We are in danger of those business owners then saying they'd be better off if the minimum wage was $10 or $5 or nothing at all." Reid added that several SME owners had already "been among the first" to commit to paying staff the proposed living wage.

One is Jesse Chalmers, owner of West Auckland company Tonzu, producers of organic tofu.

Chalmers said the company's decision to pay several of its staff the $18.40 rate was a mix of ethics and business. The crucial thing was there had to be tangible rewards for the business.

One of the key provable rewards should be a reduction in staff turnover, which was a burden for many SMEs, she said.

"Less tangible but still definitely a reward would be having employees that want to be here and who are proud to work for the company." But the increased wage bill still had to make good business sense, she said.

"As a producer of organic products which are very competitive on price with mainstream products, we have a very close relationship with our finances," Chalmers said.

"We are always looking for saving and efficiencies, less wastage. So that is where the cost of implementing the wage increase would come from.

"It's amazing how, when you really have an incentive, you can always find cost savings."

Tonzu had "eight to nine" staff, six of whom would be affected by the wage increase, which would be implemented over a year and be based on an incentive system.

"We do expect something back from our employees in exchange," Chalmers said. "It's not just a case of you get this for turning up to work."

She did not support across-the-board implementation of the living wage as it would hit a lot of SMEs hard.

It was best floated as an option for owners to consider.

"Some SMEs really struggle with their financial management as it is and these times people are struggling.

"It needs to be done carefully.

"But I think it's important to at least have the conversation," she said.

Westpac chief economist Dominick Stephens said an across-the-board shift to the proposed "living wage" would lead to increased unemployment as businesses increasingly opted for automated technology instead of paying staff, and greater reliance on imports.

"Ultimately, whether you implement these things is a judgment for society to make," Stephens said.

"Do we want a society with a greater reliance in imports, automation and [to] improve the lot of those in employment at the expense of those young people coming in?

"That's for a democracy to decide."

Large increases lifting the minimum wage above where the free market put it - "and I think it [proposed living wage] may be moving toward that" - very clearly affected employment, Stephens said. "It would worsen things for the most vulnerable members of society and improve the lot of those who stayed employed."

- ? Fairfax NZ News

Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/small-business/8437166/Living-wage-a-test-of-small-business-mettle

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USC starts a web hub for DIY, open source virtual reality projects

For the sheer variety of virtual reality headsets available, there's been few resources available for those who want to craft their own devices. USC wants to save us the effort of searching around. Its MxR Lab has just launched a showcase of creations and modifications that DIY enthusiasts can build, including open source code for both the devices and integrating full-body motion control through Kinect for Windows or OpenNI. The most ambitious is Socket HMD, a complete 1,280 x 800 headset that involves a 3D-printed shell and custom-assembled electronics. If your own ambitions don't stretch that far, you can still build the VR2GO viewer, which uses iPhones and iPod touch players as the eyepieces, as well as mods for the Oculus Rift developer kit that add stereo cameras or increase the field of view. Yes, you'll need a 3D printer and a knack for programming to get most of these projects going, but you won't have to wait for someone to make them for you -- a big help when many ready-made VR displays are either in development or priced out of reach for the average person.

Filed under: Displays, Wearables

Comments

Via: Road to VR

Source: USC

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/W0DbkOkBb5Y/

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Deal of the Day: Cruzerlite Clone Army Skin Case for LG Nexus 4

The March 12 ShopAndroid.com Deal of the Day is the Cruzerlite Clone Army Skin Case for LG Nexus 4. This completely flexible skin is made from a durable TPU that features an army of Androids etched into the back of each case. Leaving access to the screen, ports and cameras, this case even protects against minor drops. Comes in a variety of colors to choose from.

The Cruzerlite Clone Army Skin Case is available for just $6.00, 70% off today only. Grab yours while supplies last!

Never miss a deal. Sign up for Daily Deal alerts

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/z7yMcnrS86w/story01.htm

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Mali media outlets go silent over editor's arrest

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) ? The airwaves in Mali's capital fell silent on Tuesday and newspapers did not print a morning edition in protest over the arrest last week of an editor who published an open letter challenging the salary of the country's coup leader.

Boukary Daou, editor-in-chief of The Republican newspaper, was taken away by agents from Mali's intelligence service on March 6, soon after his newspaper published a letter from an army officer denouncing Capt. Amadou Haya Sanogo's recently-decreed salary of $8,000 per month, an incredibly high salary in the impoverished country. The letter argues that the salary ? as much as 26 times what Sanogo earned before last year's coup ? is in fact an incentive for future coups.

Sanogo seized power a year ago last March. Faced with international sanctions, he was forced to relinquish control just weeks later, but succeeded in negotiating a golden parachute for himself, including the salary of an ex-head of state. Despite officially stepping down, country watchers say Sanogo remains the power behind the throne, as Daou's arrest seven days ago underscores.

In a statement, Mali's press association said that the "The No Press Day will start on Tuesday, March 12, 2013 and will continue until the liberation of Boukary Daou."

Kassim Traore, the president of the Young Journalists' Organization of Mali said that Daou has refused to disclose the identity of the officer, who penned the letter under the name Capt. Toure.

"The security agents demanded that Daou give the name of his source and Daou refused, which is his duty as a journalist," said Traore. "It's because he would not disclose the name of his source that they are still detaining him, which is why the leaders of the Malian press have organized this No Press Day in order to free our colleague," he said.

In the chaos that followed Sanogo's coup last year, a mixture of rebel groups allied with al-Qaida occupied Mali's northern half, plunging the country and the region into crisis. Since January, French troops, helped by Malian soldiers, have been methodically clearing the north. The letter published in The Republican threatened that if Sanogo's salary is not reduced, soldiers deployed in Mali's north will refuse to fight. The average salary of a rank-and-file soldier is just $100 per month, 80 times less than what Sanogo is now earning.

The incendiary letter began: "Mr. President, we have learned that while we are dying in the great desert (in northern Mali), Capt. Sanogo, in return for leading a coup that plunged the country into the current situation, enjoys a salary of 4 million francs ($8,000). And the others in his group, in his clan, who are refusing to come fight are enjoying the same treatment," wrote Capt. Toure. "If this decision (to accord him this salary) is not reversed within the next two weeks, we will cease ... fighting."

A communique read on state television late Monday said Mali's military had not been able to find an officer of that rank with that name, and urged the press "to be more vigilant in the face of the obscure endeavors (of those) seeking to compromise the unity and discipline of our troops in the field." The communique added that "the investigation is in progress by the relevant authorities in order to identify the real author of this fake letter whose aim was to destabilize our army."

___

Associated Press writer Rukmini Callimachi contributed to this report from Dakar, Senegal.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/mali-media-outlets-silent-over-editors-arrest-114904855.html

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Global Health: Graphic Novel on H.I.V./AIDS Is Aimed at Southern Teenagers

[unable to retrieve full-text content]With the plotline and dialogue written by imprisoned teenagers, a graphic novel aims to explain the disease in language youths can relate to.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/12/health/graphic-novel-on-hiv-aids-is-aimed-at-southern-teenagers.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

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BlackBerry's Z10 Will Make Its AT&T Debut On March 22 For $199, Pre-Orders Kick Off Tomorrow

Just days after Bloomberg ran a report claiming that AT&T would release BlackBerry's long-awaited Z10 smartphone on March 22, AT&T has issued a statement confirming that launch will indeed go forward as reported. Prospective BlackBerry owners will have to shell out $199 for the Canadian company's new flagship and (for better or worse) sign a two year contract.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/YqsA96QPVA4/

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Batman's mythology getting new boost from DC

In this image provided by DC Entertainment, Batman?s mythology is going to be tweaked by writer Scott Snyder in an 11-part story dubbed ?The Zero Year.? Batman, created by Bob Kane, is one of DC?s iconic characters, having first appeared in May 1939 in ?Detective Comics? No. 27. Snyder says Batman?s origin is not being revised but being built upon. (AP Photo/DC Entertainment)

In this image provided by DC Entertainment, Batman?s mythology is going to be tweaked by writer Scott Snyder in an 11-part story dubbed ?The Zero Year.? Batman, created by Bob Kane, is one of DC?s iconic characters, having first appeared in May 1939 in ?Detective Comics? No. 27. Snyder says Batman?s origin is not being revised but being built upon. (AP Photo/DC Entertainment)

Batman's transformative years are getting a few new twists.

DC Entertainment is going back into Bruce Wayne's past to see how he began his transformation from wealthy socialite to the scourge of Gotham's criminal underworld.

Key elements of the character's history are staying the same ? the murder of Wayne's parents, for example ? says Scott Snyder, the writer of "Batman" since its relaunch debuted in 2011.

"It's not 'let's redo the origin,'" he said Monday. "It's time for a new story showing how Batman became who he is in the New 52."

Snyder said the decision grew out of the success of the first year-and-a-half of DC's New 52, a sweeping reorganization of the publisher's characters that saw many given new origins and costumes that blended those from their first appearances decades ago with contemporary changes.

Snyder said readers will see how the crime fighter found his calling and what challenges he faced when first donning the costume of the Dark Knight.

The augmented origin begins June in the pages of "Batman" in an 11-issue story called "The Zero Year" that is illustrated by Greg Capullo.

"We tried to preserve as much of Batman's history as we could and keep what we could of this history intact," Snyder said of the change. "It's 'The Zero Year,' the one that no one has told the story of before. We see how Bruce became the Batman, built the cave, faced off with his first super villain."

It's not so much an origin story as it is a view into Batman's formative years.

"We're not going to take apart 'Year One,'" Snyder said, referring to the Frank Miller-David Mazzucchelli four-issue arc that recounted how Wayne began to fight crime after years away.

Instead Snyder, an Eagle Award-winning writer whose other efforts for DC include "Swamp Thing" and "American Vampire," said the "Zero Year" story will give readers new glimpses into the Bob Kane-created character who made his first appearance in the pages of "Detective Comics" No. 27 in May 1939.

"It's time for a new story showing how Batman became who he is in the New 52," said Snyder. "It builds up the mythology."

___

Moore reported from Philadelphia. Follow him at http://www.twitter.com/mattmooreap

___

Online:

http://www.dccomics.com.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/4e67281c3f754d0696fbfdee0f3f1469/Article_2013-03-11-Batman's%20Beginning/id-2a8dd052716e40e992cc4d7dc6510107

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Nigerian extremists claim they killed 7 hostages

KADUNA, Nigeria (AP) ? A breakaway Islamic extremist group said Saturday it had killed seven foreigners who its members kidnapped from northern Nigeria, according to an online message purportedly from the group.

The message, identified as coming from Ansaru, could not be immediately verified by The Associated Press, though it included photographs the group claimed showed the dead, who were kidnapped from a construction company compound in February. Those kidnapped included four Lebanese citizens and one each from Britain, Greece and Italy ? all employees of Setraco, a Lebanese construction company with an operation in Bauchi state, officials said.

Two Nigerian military spokesmen declined to immediately comment when reached by the AP, while a presidential spokesman and a spokeswoman for the country's domestic spy service could not be immediately reached. In a statement later Saturday, the British Foreign Office said it was "urgently investigating" the killings claimed by the group.

The message, posted to an Islamic extremist website Saturday, said Ansaru members killed the hostages after British warplanes were reported to have been seen in the northern Nigerian city of Bauchi by local journalists. However, the reports referenced in the online statement actually referred to the airplanes being seen at the international airport in Abuja, Nigeria's capital.

"As a result of this operation, the seven hostages were killed," the group said in the statement. It said a video of the killings would be posted online. An online image accompanying the posting appeared to show a gunman standing over dead bodies.

Ansaru said its decision to kill the hostages was also sparked by a statement immediately after the abduction from Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan who said the government would do anything in its power to free the hostages. The group said security forces had recently arrested an unspecified number of its members.

Ansaru previously issued a short statement in which it said its fighters kidnapped the foreigners Feb. 16 from a construction company's camp at Jama'are, a town about 200 kilometers (125 miles) north of Bauchi, the capital of Bauchi state. The attack saw gunmen first assault a local prison and burn police trucks, authorities said. Then the attackers blew up a back fence at the construction company's compound and took over, killing a guard in the process, witnesses and police said.

The gunmen appeared to be organized and knew who they wanted to target, leaving the Nigerian household staff at the residence unharmed, while quickly abducting the foreigners, a witness said. Local officials in Nigeria initially identified one of the hostages as a Filipino, something the Philippines government later denied.

In January 2013, Ansaru declared itself a splinter group independent from Boko Haram, the north's main Islamic terrorist group, analysts say. Boko Haram, whose name means "Western education is sacrilege," has launched a guerrilla campaign of bombings and shootings across Nigeria's predominantly Muslim north. Boko Haram is blamed for at least 792 killings last year alone, according to an AP count.

On Saturday, a military spokesman said at least two soldiers and 52 Boko Haram fighters were killed in Maiduguri in fighting after a visit by the president. Those tallies could not be independently confirmed by the AP. Security forces often downplay their casualties, as well as those of civilians in the ongoing fight with guerrillas.

Britain has previously linked Ansaru to the May 2011 kidnapping of Christopher McManus, who was abducted with Italian Franco Lamolinara from a home in Kebbi state. The men were held for months, before their captors killed them in March 2012 during a failed Nigerian military raid backed up by British special forces in Sokoto, the main city in Nigeria's northwest. That rescue mission strained Italian-British relations, and out of it came pledges from Italy and Britain to beef up their cooperation on security matters and share information.

Ansaru earlier claimed the kidnapping in December of a French national working on a renewable energy project in Nigeria's northern Katsina state. Meanwhile, a group of men claiming to belong to Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of seven French tourists from northern Cameroon late February ? a first for the group.

Analysts say Ansaru likely has closer ties to al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, the Africa branch of the terror network. Analysts have warned that there likely will be more attacks by Ansaru targeting Westerners and Western interests in Nigeria, as well as neighboring nations. Ansaru initially said it carried out the kidnappings in part as a response to the French military intervention in Mali. The French, backed up by Malian soldiers, have been fighting the Islamic militants who seized control of northern cities there in the weeks following a coup that toppled the West African nation's democratically elected government.

Despite the deployment of more soldiers and police to northern Nigeria, the nation's weak central government has been unable to stop the killings. Meanwhile, human rights groups and local citizens blame both Boko Haram and security forces for committing violent atrocities against the local civilian population, fueling rage in the region

___

Associated Press writers Maamoun Youssef in Cairo, Sylvia Hui in London, Haruna Umar in Maiduguri, Nigeria, and Andrew Meldrum in Johannesburg contributed to this report.

___

Jon Gambrell can be reached at www.twitter.com/jongambrellAP .

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2013-03-09-Nigeria-Hostages%20Killed/id-670fe337b4a54f51a731d1ab6dfcc3c1

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Play pinball at home with the Duo Pinball controller

Pinball may be a game that is known to kids young and old, but it is a game that doesn’t port over to a touch screen very easily. Duo Games now has a controller that can be used with Gameprom’s free Pinball HD Collection app to bring life-like pinball to the iPad. Connecting via Bluetooth, [...]

Source: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2013/03/10/play-pinball-at-home-with-the-duo-pinball-controller/

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Japan routs Netherlands 16-4, advance to WBC semis

Japan's starter Kenta Maeda poses with a Japanese flag for photographers after beating the Netherlands in their World Baseball Classic second round game at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Sunday, March 10, 2013. The game was called in the bottom of the seventh inning with a score of 16-4. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

Japan's starter Kenta Maeda poses with a Japanese flag for photographers after beating the Netherlands in their World Baseball Classic second round game at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Sunday, March 10, 2013. The game was called in the bottom of the seventh inning with a score of 16-4. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

Japan's shortstop Hayato Sakamoto rounds bases after hitting a grand slam off Netherlands' pitcher Berry Van Driel in the seventh inning of their World Baseball Classic second round game at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Sunday, March 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

Japan's shortstop Hayato Sakamoto, right, celebrates with teammate Atsunori Inaba after hitting a grand slam off Netherlands' pitcher Berry Van Driel in the seventh inning of their World Baseball Classic second round game at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Sunday, March 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

Netherlands players sit at their dugout after being beaten by Japan in their World Baseball Classic second round game at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Sunday, March 10, 2013. The game was called in the bottom of the seventh inning with a score of 16-4. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

Netherlands' manager Hensley Meulens, left, scratches his head next to coach Robert Eenhoorn at their dugout in the fifth inning of their World Baseball Classic second round game against Japan at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Sunday, March 10, 2013. Japan won 16-4 in the bottom of the seventh inning. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

TOKYO (AP) ? Two-time defending champion Japan hit a record-tying six home runs, scoring in all seven innings Sunday to rout the Netherlands 16-4 and reach the World Baseball Classic semifinals.

Japan built a 12-0 lead by the sixth inning, when the Netherlands closed on Wladimir Balentine's three-run double and Andruw Jones' RBI single.

Hayato Sakamoto's grand slam in the seventh that made it 16-4 and tied the team record of six homers, set by Cuba against South Africa in 2009. The game was called under the 10-run mercy rule when the Netherlands failed to close the gap in the bottom half.

"We've achieved our first goal of advancing to the final round," Japan manager Koji Yamamoto said. "The hitters swung the bats today, and getting some early runs was a huge boost for us."

Takashi Toritani homered leading off the game, the first home run for Japan in five games at 16-nation tournament.

Nobuhiro Matsuda widened the lead to 3-0 with a two-run homer in the second, and Seiichi Uchikawa made it 6-0 with a three-run drive that chased Rob Cordemans, who allowed six runs and five hits in 1 1-3 innings.

Atsunori Inaba hit a solo homer in the third against Tom Stuifbergen, and Yoshio Itoi had a three-run homer in the fourth. Sakamoto's slam came off Berry Van Driel.

Japan outhit the Dutch 17-6. The Netherlands plays Cuba on Tuesday, with the winners joining Japan in the semifinals at San Francisco on March 17 or 18,

Japan scored 17 runs in its first four games of the tournament and wasn't expected to rely on the long ball. Yamamoto's team has no players from the American major leagues.

Kenta Maeda allowed one hit in five innings, struck out nine and walked one.

"My fastball and offspeed pitches were working well today," Maeda said. "I knew it was a big game, so just tried to stay calm and pitch in my usual way. We're happy to be going to the United States."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2013-03-10-BBI-WBC-Japan-Netherlands/id-340f12ae028842b0b292ca7648184d41

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Ezzat Atallah, Egyptian Christian Accused Of Spreading Christianity, Dies In Libyan Detention

CAIRO -- An Egyptian Foreign Ministry official says a man suspected of trying to spread Christianity in Libya has died in prison there.

The diplomat says Ezzat Atallah, who suffered from diabetes and heart ailments, likely died of natural causes. He spoke anonymously Sunday in line with regulations.

Atallah was among five Evangelical Christian Egyptians detained in Libya for allegedly proselytizing in the predominantly Muslim nation.

Last week, Egypt's Foreign Ministry intervened to win release from Libya of 55 Egyptians who were also suspected of proselytizing. Thirty-five of them were deported for illegally entering the country, while 20 were cleared to stay in Libya.

Also, four foreigners under investigation for alleged espionage and proselytizing remain in a Libyan prison. They are a Swedish-American, a South Korean, a South African and an Egyptian.

Related on HuffPost:

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/10/egyptian-christian-ezzat-atallah_n_2849709.html

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Al Taameer Real Estate Investment publishes MENA hospitality ...

MENA Region
Cairo (Egypt) reported the largest increase in occupancy rate in calendar year 2012. Hotel occupancy rate in the city surged to 45.6% from 36.6% a year ago, indicating signs of recovery following the political unrest in 2011. Hotel occupancy rate in Amman, Jordan, also rose to 65.0% in 2012 from 56.4% in 2011.

In 2012, Jeddah (KSA) recorded the largest increase in ADR (up 9.0% to $221.97 compared to 2011), driven by strong corporate and leisure demand. Compared to 2011, Dubai's ADR also improved 7.9% to $234.99 in 2012 due to several events, conferences and festivals, which boosted demand. During the same year, Beirut (Lebanon) reported the largest decrease in ADR (down 10.2% to $186.62 compared to 2011).

Country Focus: Yemen
In 2011, Yemen's travel & tourism sector ranked 92nd globally in terms of absolute contribution to GDP. Around 502,000 international tourists are estimated to have visited the country in 2012, generating annual revenues of YER207.3bn. During 2012-22, the number of tourists visiting Yemen is estimated to increase at a CAGR of 4.1% to 750,000, generating YER279.4bn in revenues in 2022.

The tourism sector's direct contribution to Yemen's GDP is estimated to fall to YER271.8bn in 2012 from YER279.3bn in 2011. Thereafter, it is projected to expand at a CAGR of 3.4% to YER380.0bn in 2022.

In 2012, investments in Yemen's travel & tourism sector is forecast to increase 1.4% to YER53.6bn compared to YER52.9bn in 2011. Investments are projected to expand at a CAGR of 4.7% to YER84.7bn during 2012-22.

The tourism industry in Yemen suffered an estimated loss of $1.0bn following the 2011 political crisis. Since then, the tourism ministry has been taking efforts to attract international tourists. Yemen's tourism ministry is taking part in international tourism fairs, including the six international fairs in Europe. Yemeni groups are also arranging exhibitions, which include traditional, popular and artisanal crafts, as well as folkloric dance performances, in these fairs.

Tourism in Yemen presents lot of opportunities. Tourists can opt for cultural tourism (historical cities) or an adventurous one (with towering mountains for climbing enthusiasts). In addition, tourists can go on desert safari or enjoy environmental tourism through nature reserves.

Dubai Shopping Festival
Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), started in 1996, is organized annually for around a month at the beginning of the year. The festival, known as the shopper's paradise, is organized to promote trade and commerce in Dubai. DSF has been a key contributor to Dubai's economy, as millions visit the city during the one-month festival.

Since its inception, DSF has attracted more than 50 million visitors, who spend an approximate Dhs117bn ($31.88bn) during the festival. Industries like retail, tourism, airlines, transport, restaurants and entertainment sectors have benefitted, as they thrive on higher sales during the month.

In 2012, DSF contributed Dhs14.7bn ($4bn) to Dubai's economy. Shopping expenditure accounted for around 61% of total spend ($2.4bn), while spending on accommodation constituted 19% ($0.76bn) of total spend. The number of visitors increased from 3.98 million in 2011 to 4.36 million visitors in 2012. According to industry experts, around 4.66 million visitors visited the 18th DSF in 2013 (3 Jan- 3 Feb). International tourists accounted for around 21% (895,000) of total number of tourists in 2012. Majority of international tourists were from Russia, the UK, Saudi Arabia and India.

In 2013, more than 6,000 outlets and 70 shopping malls participated in DSF and offered discounts of up to 75%. Besides shopping activities, in 2013, DSF featured an extensive line-up of entertainment that includes world-class musicals, fashion shows and an international comedy carnival.

Key Developments
Hotel Construction Pipeline
As of December 2012, the active hotel development pipeline in the MENA region comprised 478 hotels with 119,233 rooms.

During calendar year 2012, 68 new hotels were launched in the region with 15,735 rooms.

Upper Upscale segment added the most rooms (3,600 rooms in 10 properties), followed by the Luxury segment (11 hotels with 3,508 rooms) and the Upscale segment (16 hotels with 3,467 rooms).

In 2012, the Midscale segment reported the largest increase of new rooms (up 79.5% to 1,431 rooms compared to 2011). The Economy segment added just 242 rooms during the year.

New Hotel Openings and Expansions in MENA
Sundus Investments Projects LLC, a pioneer in mixed-use development in the Middle East, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Rotana Hotel Management Company to develop a four-star Sundus Rotana by Rotana Hotels and Resorts at Airport Heights in Bausher, Muscat. The hotel is projected to be completed by the first quarter of 2015 and will have 245 guest rooms (standard and suite) spanning four floors. The lobby level of the property will also feature a shopping avenue. The property will host a wide choice of fine dining options, a ballroom, one executive board room and seven conference rooms. Leisure facilities will include a well-appointed spa, swimming pool, full-fledged fitness centre, in addition to steam, Jacuzzi, sauna and massage rooms.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc signed an agreement with Khaldia Towers Company to operate Four Points by Sheraton hotel in Riyadh which will open in the second quarter of 2013. The hotel will mark the entry of Starwood's Four Points by Sheraton brand in Saudi Arabia. The hotel will feature 376 guest rooms (including 138 suites), three restaurants and lounges, and an ultra-modern meeting and event space, including 18 purpose built meeting rooms along with a spa and fitness centre.

Hilton Worldwide and Al Ain Hospitality Investments LLC signed an agreement to operate a new Double Tree by Hilton hotel in the Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) district of Dubai, scheduled to open by late 2013. The property will be the third Hilton Worldwide Hotel in Dubai's JBR district and will have 110 suites.

Restaurant Industry in GCC
Key Statistics/Trends
UAE is the largest restaurant market in GCC. According to a survey by Table Talk, Abu Dhabi and Dubai account for 80% of total foodservice demand among the seven Emirates. In 2011, sales of the restaurant sector stood at $2.7bn. Going forward, restaurant sales are expected to increase on a growing economy, changing demographics and social factors, led by increasing ethnic diversity and a flourishing tourism sector.

Eating out culture is gaining prominence across the GCC region, a good sign for casual dining and quick service restaurants industry. According to Table Talk, 78% of UAE residents eat out up to twice a week. Currently, there are around 11,000 stand alone restaurants in the UAE and this number is expected to grow by 500 per year. This will further encourage the eating out norm in the country.

Quality of food & beverages is the most popular reason behind choosing an outlet, followed by good value for money and good service, according to Table Talk survey. According to Table Talk research, around 45% of people choose a restaurant for the first time based on friends' recommendations, 14% try a new restaurant based on group deals and offers from websites, while around 7% is influenced by social media.

High disposable income, global exposure and limited sources of entertainment, coupled with an increasing number of malls, present immense opportunity for casual dining restaurants to expand their operations at a faster pace in KSA. The number of casual dining outlets in the Kingdom is expected to reach approximately 17,000 by 2014, while overall value of the casual dining segment is estimated to be SR28.9bn ($7.69bn) by 2014. Riyadh, Jeddah and the Eastern Province are the main casual dining markets in KSA. Meanwhile, smaller markets are also becoming attractive hubs for investment.

Major Brands/Expansion Plans
Smashburger, an expanding burger chain, announced opening of its first restaurant in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The restaurant is estimated to be around 7,700 square feet and would be the largest Smashburger store globally. The group plans to open 20 more restaurants, including two more in KSA (in 2013) with its franchise partner Al Taqa Alia.

Alshaya, the first international licensee for Cheesecake Factory, opened its second Cheesecake Factory restaurant in the UAE at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. It is the largest Cheesecake Factory restaurant in the world, occupying an area of 2,120 square meters with 526 seats.

Al-Ahlia restaurants- Americana, a franchisee of T.G.I. Friday's brand in Middle East, opened its 43rd restaurant in the region (9th in Saudi Arabia) at Rabiah District, Riyadh. The restaurant has 170 seats and serves a variety of Friday's menu items, including steaks, Tex-Mex, pastas, burgers, chicken, seafood, appetizers, desserts and non-alcoholic cocktails.

Bennigan's, a chef-driven neighborhood restaurant chain in Dubai, UAE, offers a wide selection of American fare, which includes signature Certified Angus Beef hand cut according to guests' preferences along with Monte Cristo. Bennigan's forms a part of Dynamic Hospitality, a food and beverage investment company operating under the umbrella conglomerate Al Aroud Group. Al Aroud Group has already invested Dhs200m in the food and beverage industry in the UAE and the MENA region through Dynamic Hospitality.

Dine Equity Inc, parent company of Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar and IHOP Restaurants opened the first IHOP restaurant in Kuwait as a part of multi-restaurant franchise agreement with M.H. Alshaya Co. The new Kuwait IHOP restaurant is located at the Grand Avenue, The Avenues, the largest shopping and entertainment complex in Kuwait. The menu items ranges from signature pancakes to a wide variety of omelettes, french toast and waffles, crepes, sandwiches and burgers, appetizers, soups, salads and desserts

Samir Group, the master franchisor of Pizza Fusion in the MENA region, opened its eighth restaurant in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The restaurant is famous for superior quality gourmet organic pizza in the region. Samir group plans to open 40 more Pizza Fusion restaurants throughout the region, focusing mainly on Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

In 2013, Hakkasan, the modern Cantonese fine dining restaurant opened its third restaurant at The St. Regis Doha. The restaurant is designed by Woods Bagot UK and features a private valet service access set within the gardens of the St. Regis Hotel Doha. The restaurant has a capacity to host 120 persons, with an outside terrace that can sit another 60 persons.

Source: http://www.ameinfo.com/taameers-february-2013-mena-hospitality-report-332704

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