| TheStar.com | Business | Halal flexes its marketing muscle
Several Canadian delegations and government officials attended the forum, at which Maple Lodge Farms was awarded "most creative marketing campaign" by Malaysia's king and prime minister. Forum organizers estimate the industry's global market is 1.6 billion people and worth at least $580 billion per year. Canadian purchasing power lies in a population of 850,000 Muslims, according to statistician Daood Hamdani. Half live in Ontario, and half of those reside in the GTA. Islam is the fastest growing religion in the country. But numbers don't tell the whole story. Money makes the industry chirp, but adherence to its religious principles makes it sing. And while the food market is growing like gangbusters, the potential for others – like the Muslim women's market, including makeup and toiletries – is just waiting to be tested.
Tories demand Salmond quit as MP
However, the First Minister later announced he would be donating the one-third of his Holyrood salary to which he is entitled as a so-called "dual mandate" politician to a special trust fund to help community projects in the north-east of Scotland. It means that when his First Minister's salary of £76,907 a year is added to his £60,277 Westminster wage, Mr Salmond's total annual income is £137,184. A spokesman for Mr Salmond yesterday accused the Tories of "scraping the bottom of the barrel" and ignoring the Scottish national interest. "There is a clear advantage to Scotland in having a First Minister who can make key interventions at Westminster on Scotland's behalf," the spokesman said. "For example, on the UK Government's legislative programme or, for that matter, his exchanges with the Prime Minister on co-operating against terrorism." He added: "There is much more to being an MP than trooping the lobbies at Westminster, as is shown in the latest available league table for MPs' participation.
Sky Italia for IPO?
It has made offers to Barcelona and Real Madrid to exclusively acquire their TV rights for around E120 million per year each, (doubling their current TV revenues), from the 2008-2009 season for a five year period. Mediapro is also in talks with other important football teams, like Valencia and Atletico de Madrid.
With this move, Mediapro (La Sexta) is challenging Sogecable, owner of DTH platform Digital Plus, which currently controls most of the football TV rights in Spain through its subsidiary Audiovisual Sport. La Sexta is betting on football to make itself room in the Spanish TV market in a very short time. It has already acquired this summers World Cup rights for around E100m.
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US cablecos to bid for mobile According to US press cable television operators including Time Warner and Comcast are considering a joint bid with Sprint Nextel, the third largest mobile carrier, for wireless spectrum in the auction set to attract bids from a long list of media and telecoms companies.
It's all about location; Even in slump, still big differences in bang ...
It might seem an easy choice. Buy the well-maintained house with seven relatively small rooms, a one-car garage, a cramped yard, red cedar siding that looks pretty good after 50 years and nearly 1,600 square feet of living space. Or the buy the brand-new home with eight soaring, high-ceilinged rooms, a view of a golf course, a two-car garage, central air conditioning, closets the size of small rooms and 2,260 square feet of living space. Of course, the prices vary. The first house — despite its smaller size and age — actually costs more than the second. It's on the market now for nearly $560,000. The second house, which includes a gleaming, modern kitchen, might seem like an incredible bargain at $525,000. So what gives? The new house is part of the Strongwater Crossing development in Salem.
Gas-saving tips ::
Make sure your tires are properly inflated. According to www.gasbuddy.com, a single tire under-inflated by 2 PSI increases fuel consumption by 1percent. Get regular oil changes and fluid checks, and make sure you've got clear air and fuel filters. Dirty air filters, old spark plugs or low fluid levels can contribute to poor fuel economy. Use the air conditioner conservatively, using the "economy" or "recirculation" setting, which reduces the amount of hot outside air that must be chilled. Don't drive over the speed limit, and do use cruise control to maintain a constant speed. Driving 62 mph versus 75 mph will reduce fuel consumption by about 15 percent. Don't drive with a lead foot: accelerating or braking hard uses a lot more gas. Slow, steady driving can increase your fuel economy by as much as 20 percent.
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