Murray recovers to put away Kohlschreiber at Indian Wells |
- Murray recovers to put away Kohlschreiber at Indian Wells
- Reuters Video: Fans react at late Paul Walker’s ‘Furious 7’ screening
- I hate fat, white Americans, rapper Azealia Banks says
- Telco storm brews in Singapore over social media smears
- LIMA 2015 kicks off today
- SIM Kad Rakyat 1Malaysia introduces RM5.90 starter packs
| Murray recovers to put away Kohlschreiber at Indian Wells Posted: 16 Mar 2015 05:57 PM PDT
Seemingly in total control breezing through the opening set in just 25 minutes at a sun-drenched Indian Wells Tennis Garden, the Scot was broken after a marathon eighth game in the second as the battling Kohlschreiber levelled the contest. However, it was then back to business in the third for Murray as he broke the German's serve in the second and fourth games sealing victory in a little under two hours when his opponent hit a forehand wide. "Towards the end of the second set, there were a lot of long games and he was creating a lot of opportunities," Murray said. "I then felt I served a lot better and I made a great start to the third set. I went ahead and there weren't many momentum shifts. I did well at the end." Murray, who battled past Kohlschreiber after a five-set marathon in their most recent meeting at last year's French Open, will next face Frenchman Adrian Mannarino, who beat Latvia's Ernests Gulbis 6-4 6-4. Later yesterday, Australian Open champion and world number one Novak Djokovic continues his bid for a fourth title at Indian Wells when he takes on Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas in an evening match. — Reuters  |
| Reuters Video: Fans react at late Paul Walker’s ‘Furious 7’ screening Posted: 16 Mar 2015 05:45 PM PDT Duration: 02:46, Published 17 Mar 2015 Paul Walker's final appearance in the street-racing franchise "Fast & Furious" left a preview audience teary-eyed at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival Sunday (March 15) for the first public screening of the last film the actor made before he died in a car crash. ― Reuters |
| I hate fat, white Americans, rapper Azealia Banks says Posted: 16 Mar 2015 05:44 PM PDT
The rapper was raised in Harlem, New York, but it seems growing up in the United States hasn't endeared her to the country. In an interview with Playboy magazine, the 23-year-old pulled no punches when it came to explaining exactly what she disliked. "I hate everything about this country. Like, I hate fat white Americans," she told the publication. "All the people who are crunched into the middle of America, the real fat and meat of America, are these racist conservative white people who live on their farms. Those little teenage girls who work at Kmart and have a racist grandma — that's really America." Azealia has never been afraid to speak her mind since she made her mark on the music industry with her debut track "212" in 2011. But the singer has no plans to change her ways and is completely unapologetic for the statements she makes. "Yeah, I am loud and boisterous. And I am black, and I am a pain in your ass," she said. "I get annoyed with the fact that I'm even asked to explain myself. I get upset when people are like, 'Why don't you just make music?' What would happen if I couldn't sing? Then I'd just be another black b***h to y'all. It's really f**king annoying." To Azealia, race is a huge issue that she feels the need to speak out about, and she won't stop until she is heard. "Black people need reparations for building this country, and we deserve way more f**king credit and respect," she raged. — Cover Media |
| Telco storm brews in Singapore over social media smears Posted: 16 Mar 2015 05:44 PM PDT
Singtel has distanced itself from Gushcloud's actions and clarified that it did not issue the brief that asked the influencers — a term used to describe people having a substantial reach and following on social media platforms — to complain about the other two telcos' services or network connections. The brief, written by a Gushcloud employee, has since been circulated online. Singtel said it uses different digital agencies for its campaigns and Gushcloud was among the agencies that it had hired in June last year. "It is Singtel's policy to focus on the strengths and differentiators when marketing our products and services. It is not our practice to run negative campaigns against any individual or organisation. This is not the way we manage our marketing promotions. We will remind our agencies to strictly adhere to this policy when running campaigns for Singtel." Both M1 and StarHub said they were taking up the matter with Singtel and the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA). An M1 spokesperson said: "Such practices are unethical and we intend to seek clarification with the relevant operator on this matter. We will also request the IDA to look into this pursuant to the Telecom Competition Code and will explore further action if necessary." StarHub chief marketing officer Jeannie Ong said the company is "deeply disturbed by the tactics employed and the possible damage to our brand". "We will be engaging with both the IDA and the relevant operator on this issue," she said. The IDA said it was aware of the matter. A spokesperson said the authority has always encouraged its licensees to "focus on promoting the availability, price and quality of their own services or equipment, and refrain from negative campaigns against their competitors". She added: "This will allow end users to make informed choices. Operators should abide by the Singapore Code of Advertising Practice when conducting marketing activities." On Saturday, prominent blogger Wendy Cheng, who is involved in a long-running spat with Gushcloud, had posted the agency's brief, which promised incentives — including cash, discounts on mobile phones and VIP invites to Singtel events — for its influencers if they drove new subscribers to Singtel's Youth Plan by complaining about the services of M1 and StarHub. It also provided templates for the influencers to voice their dissatisfaction. Cheng, better known by her moniker Xiaxue, also put up screenshots of subsequent social media postings by Gushcloud's influencers criticising the services of M1 and StarHub. Singtel did not respond by press time when asked if it is still hiring Gushcloud for its campaigns, and whether the Singtel logo, which was found on Gushcloud's brief documents, was used without its permission. Contacted yesterday, Gushcloud co-founder Vincent Ha said the agency is investigating the matter. On Saturday, Gushcloud said on Facebook that it was an internal brief and apologised for any misunderstanding. "The brief is not meant to be read in isolation without the full context and verbal briefings given by Gushcloud. Singtel's brief for the campaign was to focus on key differentiators in the services and strengths," it said. The Singapore Code of Advertising Practice states that advertisements "should not unfairly attack or discredit other products, organisations or professions directly or by implication". The Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore, which handles complaints about advertising practices, is an advisory council to the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE). CASE executive director Seah Seng Choon said: "As far as this matter is concerned, we are not certain whether the information put out by Gushcloud is an advertisement, because it is not clear whether Singtel authorised all the content released by the bloggers contacted by Gushcloud." Still, experts stressed the need for marketers to be above board. PRecious Communications founder Lars Voedisch said while there is an unspoken rule that companies should highlight their strengths instead of running down their competitors, they can criticise their rivals' products as long as it is done transparently. Direct Marketing Association of Singapore chairperson Lisa Watson said it is "not proper marketing practice" to engage bloggers to complain about companies. Stressing the importance of credibility and trustworthiness, she said: "You might, as a marketer, get away with (transgressions) once or twice, but eventually it is likely you are going to be found out, and (will) pose far more damage than good." — TODAY |
| Posted: 16 Mar 2015 05:41 PM PDT
With the participation of 512 companies from 36 countries worldwide and 110 aircraft and 65 ships, LIMA 2015 in its 13th edition of the exhibition reaffirms its position as the leading defence technology in the Asian region. "With the participation of 512 companies it represents an increase of 18 per cent from the previous edition and we are also eyeing 168,000 trade visitors and the general public," said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein in a press conference aboard the KD Jebat yesterday. According to him, 70 per cent of the 25 major defence companies in the world and five of the world's largest helicopter manufacturers will be present at the biennial exhibition on Langkawi, which will be opened by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. Hishammuddin said LIMA will also feature local defense companies such as Deftech, Sapura, National Aerospace Defence Industries, Boustead Heavy Industries Corp and MARA Aerotech. Yesterday, two Jupiter Aerobatic Team aircraft belonging to the Indonesian Air Force crashed at 2.04 pm after grazing each other during a practice session, but the four pilots survived. Today, the Jupiter team confirmed it had decided to withdraw from the LIMA 2015 exhibition and returned to Indonesia. This year's LIMA has not only attracted the largest warships and aircraft in history, it also has the presence of all 10 defence ministers of the Asean member countries, something that has never happened before. Among the highlights tomorrow is the cross country flight by a new asset, a transport aircraft Atlas A400M, accompanied by Royal Malaysian Air Force fighter aircraft. Among the conventions to be held during LIMA are 'Chief of Navy Roundtable Talk', 'Air Chief Conference' and 'Aviation Summit'. — AFP |
| SIM Kad Rakyat 1Malaysia introduces RM5.90 starter packs Posted: 16 Mar 2015 05:38 PM PDT
Launched by Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hasan Malek here yesterday, SR1M provides affordable internet access, calls and short messaging service (SMS) with quality services that are comparable with the big local telcos. At prices as low as RM5.90 for a starter pack, users will get a free credit of RM5 and 150MB internet access. In his opening speech, Hasan said the prepaid SIM is another initiative under the 1Malaysia People's products aimed at helping low- and middle-income people to reduce the burden of the rising cost of living. "SR1M has been introduced not to add competition to the industry and the mobile phone network provider but as an alternative for those who need a mobile phone as a primary communications tool, among the lower income group as well as students," he said. "SR1M's rate will attract mobile phone users who want easy and free use without necessarily being tied with phone bills or hidden charges," he said, adding SR1M was targeting one million users nationwide this year. SR1M's call charge is RM0.08 for every 30 seconds and RM0.08/SMS, while for internet data download the charge will be RM0.05 per MB. Hasan said SR1M is an initiative of a private company without any form of funding or financial incentives from the government. It is run by Optic Tech Sdn Bhd in collaboration with U-Mobile Sdn Bhd as the mobile network provider. "SR1M coverage is extensive and it will be improved from time to time so that users can enjoy quality telecommunications services," he said, adding that currently there is slight interference in the interior of Sabah which will be improved in the immediate future. SR1M now focuses on the prepaid system but the service will be extended for postpaid services soon. SR1M also established a network of bumiputera-owned shops in the telecommunications sector in line with the government's Bumiputera economic empowerment policy, he said. — Bernama |
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