Saturday, 29 October 2011

Traveling Wilburys (2 CD / 1 DVD)

Traveling Wilburys (2 CD / 1 DVD)The Traveling Wilburys were one of the few supergroups that lived up to their promise, because they didn't try to. Things started inauspiciously when George Harrison, needing a B-side for a 1988 single, called in friends Jeff Lynne, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, and Roy Orbison for assistance. Two albums later--the second without Orbison, who had passed away shortly after the first was released--the loose-knit collective had recorded material that was as durable, and occasionally eclipsed, the participants' legendary solo work. The Wilburys succeeded due to a genial and contagious camaraderie that permeates both discs. What could have been a train wreck of ego clashes instead resulted in a frothy meeting of the minds. These guys are having a blast, trading lead vocals and harmonies on energetic folk-rock, quirky rockabilly, and Beatlesque pop that shimmers with the respect and esteem the members clearly hold for each other. Harrison and Lynne's rather slick production polishes off edges that might better have been left unvarnished, but there's no denying the loosey-goosey craftsmanship at work in tunes such as "Handle with Care," "End of the Line," and a striking Orbison performance on "Not Alone Anymore" that ranks with any of his finest. Both albums were million-sellers, but oddly went out of print for about a decade until Rhino resurrected them, adding two rare tracks per disc as well as a DVD of music videos and a band documentary. The resulting package is a comprehensive overview of a once--well, twice--in-a-lifetime project that, especially after Harrison's passing, will never be repeated. --Hal Horowitz

Price: $29.98


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Friday, 28 October 2011

All-in-One Travel Power Plug Adapter for US, UK, EU, AU

All-in-One Travel Power Plug Adapter for US, UK, EU, AUSpecifications Portable Plug Adapter with built In plugs, No more fumbling with a jumble of confusing international power adapters. In one convenient and easy-to-use unit, this travel adapter plugs into the power outlets of more than 150 countries. Simply slide out one of the four built-in plugs and safely power laptops, cell phones, battery chargers, and other consumer electronics.

Price: $19.99


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Vladivostok Air Launches Flights to Singapore

Russia?s Vladivostok Air has launched twice-weekly services between Singapore and Vladivostok via Hong Kong.

Vladivostok Air will operate the A320 aircraft in a two-class configuration on the route, departing Vladivostok International Airport on Tuesday and Friday mornings to arrive in Changi Airport at 18:20 on the same day.

 The return flight will depart Changi at 20:10 hours to arrive in Vladivostok the following morning.

Vladivostok, in the Russian Far East, is the ninth new city link for Changi this year. Since the launch of the Russia-Singapore Business Forum in 2006, bilateral trade between the two countries has more than doubled to reach Sin$5.2 billion in 2010.

With several Singapore-based companies already establishing inroads to the Russian Far East, Changi?s new connection to Vladivostok will stimulate further business links between Singapore and Vladivostok as well as the greater Primorsky Krai region ? the largest economy in the Russian Far East.

Passenger traffic between Singapore and Russia reached an all-time-high of 65,000 in 2010, representing a 31% growth year-on-year. Singapore also welcomed 55,000 Russian visitors in 2010, an increase of 9% compared to 2009. During the first eight months of this year, air traffic movements and visitor arrivals from Russia increased by a further 34% and 5% respectively compared to the same period last year.

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Hilton Unveils LightStay 2010 Results

Hilton Worldwide and its portfolio of 10 hotel brands has unveiled the 2010 results of LightStay, its sustainability measurement system.

Since the introduction of LightStay, the company continues to improve sustainability and economic performance and has saved more than US$74 million in utility costs as a result of the following reductions:

? 6.6% reduction of energy use
? 7.8% reduction of carbon output
? 19% reduction of waste output
? 3.8% reduction of water use

To date, Hilton Worldwide?s efforts are equivalent to the removal of more than 50,000 cars from the road, water savings that could fill more than 1,000 swimming pools and energy conservation that could provide power to nearly 20,000 homes a year.

?Sustainability is a priority for Hilton Worldwide and a central part of how the company does business,? said Christopher J. Nassetta, president and chief executive officer, Hilton Worldwide. ?LightStay has provided us with a platform to measure hotel performance and economic improvement, proving to be invaluable given today?s increased operational demands and resource constraints.?

 All of the more than 3,750 Hilton properties are required to use LightStay by this December, bringing the company even closer to its long-term goals.

New features were recently built into LightStay to allow hotels to track projects, share best practices and communicate with one another through a ?social network? dashboard. Thus far, LightStay has more than 1,200 projects in the system, which is expected to double by next year conserving additional resources.

As a result of these actions, Hilton Worldwide recently earned ISO 14001 certification for Environmental Management Systems.

Over the next three years, Hilton Worldwide will continue to invest in its owned assets to improve building performance, illustrating the company?s commitment to both long-term cost and energy savings. Projects will include the installation of energy-efficient chillers, boilers, motors, building automation systems, water reclamation systems, high-efficient windows and white roofs. Hilton New York, for example, with be installing an onsite cogeneration system, which will offset 54% of its electrical needs and 33% of its thermal needs.

By 2014, Hilton Worldwide is aiming to reduce energy consumption, CO2 emissions and waste output by 20%, as well as reduce water consumption by 10% from direct operations within the company?s owned hotels and corporate properties.

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AAPA Reports Asia Pacific Airline Traffic for September 2011

Preliminary traffic figures for the month of September 2011 show sustained growth in international air passenger traffic, whilst international air freight markets continued to soften.

According to figures from the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA), Asia Pacific based airlines flew a total of 16 million international passengers in September 2011, a growth of 5.4% compared to the same month last year, underpinned by business and leisure demand on Asian routes.

 Measured in revenue passenger kilometre terms (RPK), international passenger traffic grew by 5.2%. With available seat capacity expanding by 6.8%, the average international passenger load factor fell 1.1 percentage points to 77.3%.

As a result of a slowdown in trade activities, Asia Pacific international air cargo demand, in freight tonne kilometre (FTK) terms, declined by 6.5% compared to the same month last year. Offered freight capacity contracted by 1.3%, resulting in a 3.5 percentage point decline in the average international air cargo load factor for the region?s carriers to 63.8% for the month.

 ?Overall, for the first three quarters of the year, Asia Pacific airlines saw a 3.7% increase in the number of international passengers carried, whereas international air cargo demand fell by 4.1%,? said Mr. Andrew Herdman, AAPA Director General. ?Resilient Asian economies, with relatively strong domestic spending power, helped support leisure and business travel markets. However, a slowdown in export demand, as a result of the ongoing European economic crisis and softening North American economies, contributed to the fall in overall cargo traffic. As a result, Asian airlines have seen only modest revenue growth this year. At the same time, airlines have had to grapple with a 40% increase in jet fuel prices, squeezing what are typically already very thin margins.?

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aTiX Scanner Gains EU Approval for Checked Baggage Screening

Smiths Detection?s explosives detection scanner for carry-on baggage, the HI-SCAN 7555aTiX, has gained EU Explosive Detection Systems (EDS) approval for hold luggage.

The 7555aTiX is now the only multi-purpose, multi-threat detection system for aviation security applications, which is officially EU standard approved and can be used either for liquids detection or bulk explosives screening.

The EDS Standard 2 approval for the 7555aTiX adds to the previously received liquid detection approval, in which Smiths Detection?s aTiX product line achieved the EU?s most stringent screening (LEDS Type C Standard 2) requirements.

Mal Maginnis, President of Smiths Detection, said, ?Our advanced scanners for multi-purpose, multi-threat detection provide detection capabilities for liquid and bulk explosives that meet the most stringent international security requirements. They are also designed for easy application of software enhancements to meet evolving threats and regulatory requirements. These latest approvals underline Smiths Detection?s technological leadership.?

Compliance under the new Common Evaluation Program (CEP) for deployment in the EU means that strict image quality and detection performance standards for automatic evaluation have been met. Approval, mandatory for use in all EU/ECAC (European Civil Aviation Conference) member states, followed lengthy testing under ECAC procedures.

The compact HI-SCAN 7555aTiX is ideal for use at aviation security checkpoints and for checked baggage EDS screening in low bag volume airports. The system joins Smiths Detection?s HI-SCAN 10080 EDX-2is and HI-SCAN 10080 EDtS on the list of hold baggage screeners to have achieved EDS Standard 2 under the CEP.

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BAA to Sell Edinburgh Airport

Following the UK Competition Commission?s decision requiring BAA to sell either Edinburgh or Glasgow airport, BAA has confirmed that it will sell Edinburgh Airport.

BAA is now commencing preparations for a sale and expects to formally approach the market in the New Year with a view to agreeing a sale by Summer 2012.

 ?Edinburgh is a great airport with a great team and a great future and we will be very sorry to see it leave BAA. We remain committed to Scotland and we will continue our long-term investment to improve passenger and airline experience at Aberdeen and Glasgow, as well as at Edinburgh until the sale is complete,? said BAA Chief Executive, Colin Matthews. ?Choosing which airport to sell has been a difficult decision. Edinburgh Airport has shown itself to be a strong and resilient asset throughout the economic downturn. Passenger numbers at Edinburgh have grown by more than 6% over the past year and in an uncertain market we expect it to be an attractive asset to prospective buyers. Glasgow Airport has great opportunities for future growth and development and we think BAA is well-placed to build on its recent success. Both airports are of national importance and have a bright future.?

Edinburgh Airport is Scotland?s largest airport with approximately 9.2m passengers passing through it every year and with over 100,000 flights. 2011 has seen the airport named Best European Airport (5-10m Passengers) by ACI Europe and consolidate its position as the fifth largest airport in the UK with the best passenger numbers in its history. Passenger numbers have grown by 6.1% over the last 12 months and by 9.5% since the start of 2011. Around 40 airlines connect Edinburgh to over 120 destinations. The airport is also a burgeoning cargo hub with 10,200 tonnes of cargo in the past year.

The airport directly employs 485 staff and supports 7,500 jobs across Scotland.

A ?42m investment in 2010 in the departure lounge and security hall has improved the customer experience and provided the airport with the platform to develop and attract further long haul and short haul routes.

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