Covid 19

When Covid-19 struck in 2020, it affected every sphere of our daily lives and worldwide economy in ways most people couldn't have imagined. As the lockdowns forced everyone to work remotely, and most brick-and-mortar businesses went online, thousands of companies were about to face unanticipated changes. On the one hand, the global pandemic profoundly affected every business and team management process. But on the other, the pandemic has been the most significant driver of digitalization for U.S. and European businesses. According to the Flexera 2021 State of Tech Spend Report , one of the top concerns of CIOs in 2022 continues to be digital transformation. A report by McKinsey states that the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of digital technologies by several years. The vast majority of these changes will remain even after the Covid-19 pandemic has passed. During the global pandemic, many consumers transitioned to online services, and companies and … [Read more...] about Developing Team Efficiency in the Post-Pandemic IT Landscape

LONDON (AP) — Britain's Metropolitan Police says it has concluded its investigation into breaches of COVID-19 regulations at British government offices, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s official residence, and has issued a total of 126 fines. Police said Thursday that they issued fixed-penalty notices to 53 men and 73 women for gatherings that took place on eight dates between May 2020, at the height of the first wave of the U.K.'s pandemic, and April 2021. Some people received multiple fines. The scandal, dubbed “partygate” by the media, has dealt a heavy blow to Johnson's leadership. The conclusion of the police investigation means that results from a separate probe by a senior civil servant, Sue Gray, can now be published. Government officials say the Gray report, which is being closely watched for the extent to which it censures Johnson and his Conservative government, will be published as soon as possible, though unlikely before next week. Johnson apologized … [Read more...] about UK police conclude probe into Johnson’s ‘partygate’ scandal

The Grand Prix Trust, an organisation which exists to help F1 team staff who have fallen on hard times, held a reunion lunch at Silverstone on Monday, bringing members together for the first time since the Covid-19 outbreak. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free The organisation was set up by Sir Jackie Stewart over three decades ago, when it was originally known as the Grand Prix Mechanics’ Charitable Trust. Among its 10 trustees are its chairman Martin Brundle , F1 motorsport director Ross Brawn, former Williams designer Sir Patrick Head and Red Bull’s sporting director Jonathan Wheatley. A registered charity, the trust provides help and advice to F1 team personnel and others directly involved in the sport, including those who have worked for companies in the F1 supply chain for at least two years. Over more than three decades it has helped hundreds of F1 team staff and their families who have been affected by injury, ill health or loss of income. The … [Read more...] about How the Grand Prix Trust is reaching out to F1 team staff seeking support · RaceFans

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 8 For the first time since the pandemic began, Texas public schools will be rated based on how students score on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness — more commonly known as the annual STAAR test. It’s the latest big step toward normalcy for the state’s 8,866 public schools — which includes 782 charter schools — since the COVID-19 pandemic forced school closures in early 2020. But this year’s ratings come with a few changes. For this year only, schools will receive an A-C rating. Districts and schools that score D or F will receive a “Not Rated” label instead. Schools who fall in those bottom tiers will also evade possible sanctions from the Texas Education Agency during the 2022-2023 school year. The news comes as thousands of students in grades 3 through 12 are taking the exam this spring. Last year, students had the option to take … [Read more...] about Texas will resume grading public schools based on students’ STAAR test results

Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives boasts 112 spacious villas. Centara Hotels and Resorts reported that its overseas hotels, particularly in the Maldives, performed strongly in the first quarter, 2022. Centara Hotels and Resorts posted total revenue of 3.8 billion baht for the first quarter of 2022, a rise of 40% compared to the same period last year. The firm attributed the revenue increase to its food and hotel businesses due to the country's reopening and lifting of restrictions to prevent the pandemic. Its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) stood at 951 million baht for this quarter, skyrocketing 96% compared to the corresponding period last year. The Ebitda margin of 24% was also higher than the level recorded in the previous year. The firm recorded a profit before interest and taxes of 184 million baht, an improvement of 157% year-on-year, while the net loss decreased by 91%. As for its hotel business, overseas hotels … [Read more...] about Centara revenue up 40% in first quarter

For almost three months, President Joe Biden and his top foreign policy aides have been immersed in the Russian war in Ukraine, wrestling with how to punish Moscow and bolster the beleaguered Ukrainians. On Thursday, Biden embarks on his first trip to Asia, hoping to reassure Asian allies that the United States is not too preoccupied with Ukraine to take a leading role in blunting the influence of China. Biden has called China America's chief global competitor. As the war in Ukraine settles into what may be a long slog, Biden is seeking to show that his administration can multitask when it comes to leading coalitions against aggressive superpowers. Biden lands in South Korea on Friday and heads to Japan three days later. "I think both countries are naturally worried - not because they doubt U.S. desire or U.S. aspiration, but more about the bandwidth the U.S. really has," said Yun Sun, co-director of the East Asia Program at the Stimson Center, a foreign affairs think tank. … [Read more...] about Biden, after months focused on Ukraine, makes first trip to Asia

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha addresses the 'Better Thailand: Open Dialogue' forum at Siam Paragon on Thursday. (Photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut) Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha defended his administration's performance over the past eight years, saying he has managed to lead the country through one crisis after another and that he is trying his best to move the nation forward. Gen Prayut was speaking at the "Better Thailand: Open Dialogue" seminar on Thursday, initiated by the government at Siam Paragon. He recounted the day when he decided to seize power almost eight years ago, saying the country was deeply divided, with society polarised over political lines for over a decade. He said the country was bogged down in conflict, leaving the people in distress while Thailand was becoming the "sick man of Asia". "Some people may have forgotten this. When the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) was formed, we were aware that [restoring order] would come at a price ... … [Read more...] about Prayut defends performance

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, centre, and leaders from the public and private sectors pose for a photograph at the Better Thailand Open Dialogue seminar. The two-day seminar on May 19-20 presents an opportunity to address key issues for Thailand's economic development. Nutthawat Wicheanbut Thailand's economic recovery is relatively slower than that of its Asean peers because the domestic economic structure in the country is reliant on conventional industries. Danucha Pichayanan, secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Council, was speaking on Thursday at the opening of the two-day Better Thailand Open Dialogue. The event is co-hosted by the Chulalongkorn University Engineering Alumni Association, Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy Alumni Association, and Economics Alumni Association, in collaboration with the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry, and Banking. The forum allows leaders from the public and private sectors to share ideas … [Read more...] about Shift in economic structure urged

From left are Mr Nishioka, Mr Zhu and Mr Pongthep. According to Mr Zhu, the overall TV market in Thailand has reached saturation with an annual growth of only 3%. TVS REGZA Corporation, the operator of Toshiba TV, has resumed its active expansion in Thailand's 30-billion-baht television market, in an attempt to substantially raise its market share. Jason Zhu, assistant general manager of the company's global operation division, said that the recent reopening of the borders to overseas visitors and the imminent reclassification of Covid-19 as an endemic disease are both positive factors for economic recovery. The forecast growth in exports due to the recovering global economy, an accelerating real estate market and expanding urbanisation all contribute positively to Toshiba TV in driving consumer demand for televisions once again, he said. Chinese electronics maker Hisense Group, the parent company of TVS REGZA Corporation, took over TV and other visual products of a subsidiary … [Read more...] about TV manufacturer eyes growth in Thai market