County Cook Financial News

NEW DELHI : The year that’s drawing to a close saw many more young Indians flying abroad than before, a trend that Madhavan Menon, executive chairman, Thomas Cook India, expects to continue in the years ahead. In an interview, Menon spoke about visa-free travel, hotel rates and emerging trends. Edited excerpts: There is enough and more written about 2023, and it has been a great year, despite challenges of higher airfare, travel and hotel costs.

Indians might be holidaying overseas this Christmas-New Year season than last year as relatively cheaper fares and packages, better connectivity, and easier entry requirements have made the proposition more compelling. Tour and travel companies such as Thomas Cook, SOTC and EaseMyTrip have seen up to 30% uptick in demand for short-haul international routes compared to last year. Packages for many of these destinations are comparable with those for popular domestic spots, as some countries are actively wooing Indian travellers with visa-free entry and by nudging airlines to offer easy connectivity at affordable rates. Consider this.

Thomas Cook India and its subsidiary SOTC are seeing at least 20% growth in bookings for October-December 2023, from a year ago for these destinations, with their customers favouring either no-visa destinations or those offering easy terms or those granting visas on arrival. Thailand is already seeing 30% growth for the upcoming holiday season over November 2022 and January 2023. It waived visa requirements for Indians, allowing 30 days stay from 10 November to 10 May.

Last week, the government reported that consumer prices didn't rise at all from September to October, the latest sign that inflation is steadily cooling from the heights of last year. A separate report showed that while Americans slowed their retail purchases in October from the previous month's brisk pace, they're still spending enough to drive economic growth. Even so, according to a poll last month by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, about three-quarters of respondents described the economy as poor.

Infrastructure Department officials are considering cancelling special allowances given to major cargo operators to fly outside the Sydney Airport curfew after Scott Morrison wrote to Labor demanding it be scrapped.

A jury in Illinois has ordered Chicago-based Conagra Brands to pay $7.1 million to a Pennsylvania woman who was badly injured in 2017 when a can of cooking spray ignited in a commercial kitchen at her workplace and set her aflame

Israel-Hamas War LIVE: President Joe Biden expressed his opposition on Wednesday to retaliatory attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank following the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.“It has to stop. They have to be held accountable.

For decades, Apple has navigated an escalating series of challenges in China, from fake stores and factory protests to tightening censorship and app rules. Now, the iPhone maker risks getting dragged into the most volatile issue in U.S.-China relations: the future of Taiwan. On Sunday, Taiwanese contract manufacturer Foxconn Technology—one of Apple’s largest suppliers—said it is cooperating with Chinese authorities after state media reported China had opened tax and land-use probes into the company.

NFL player Sergio Brown, missing since his mother's tragic death last month, has been apprehended and is set to face first-degree murder charges related to the killing of his 73-year-old mother, Myrtle Brown. The arrest warrant was issued by Maywood, Illinois police, and Brown, who was found in Mexico, is awaiting extradition from San Diego, California, to Illinois.

₹50.91 billion in fiscal 2023 from ₹19.31 billion – owing to the strong resurgence in demand and robust recovery in all business segments. “Revenue witnessed sustained momentum across segments in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 as well, with an increase of 94% yoy to ₹18.98 billion.

Dane Cook is officially a married man at the age of 51. He tied the knot with his fiancée, fitness instructor Kelsi Taylor, who is 24 years old, in an intimate ceremony on the beautiful island of O'ahu, Hawaii. The couple had been together for five years before taking this step, and their wedding was a special event attended by just 20 close guests. The wedding was hosted at a private estate on the picturesque island of O'ahu, Hawaii. Guests were welcomed with fresh coconuts on their tables and enjoyed a romantic atmosphere created by dreamy string lights, with '80s music providing the soundtrack for the evening. The delectable dinner, prepared by Memoirs Hawaii, featured wedge and local green salads with a yuzu honey dressing, seared beef tenderloin, and roasted carrots. Dessert options included cakes from A Cake Life and Erin McKenna's Bakery, offering both vegan and gluten-free vanilla cakes along with traditional vanilla cake. Additionally, a dessert bar featured chocolate-covered strawberries and mini donuts. Dane Cook and Kelsi Taylor revealed that they already had prepared themselves to face criticism due to their significant 26-year age gap when they got engaged in July 2022. Despite the potential backlash, they publicly announced their engagement in August of the same year, and now they've taken the next step in their journey together by getting married.

Apple stores in Delhi and Mumbai, some even camping overnight, as the Cupertino, US-based company began sales of its iPhone 15 series of smartphones in India. Apple's latest iPhone launch is considered highly significant because, for the first time, iPhones made in India and China are being offered simultaneously to customers, who flocked to stores to pick up their units. Apple afficionados also travelled from neighbouring states and cities to buy their chosen handsets. The outlets in Delhi and Mumbai are the only two Apple stores in India and were opened by Apple chief executive Tim Cook in April.Ujval Shah, a final year CA student and a long time Apple fan, saw to it that he was the first to buy the new phone from Apple’s Bandra Kurla Complex outlet in Mumbai, even if it meant travelling from Ahmedabad a day prior, and waiting outside the mall where the outlet is located for the better half of the night. “My friend and I waited outside under the bridge for most of the night and then started queuing up outside the mall.

NFL player Sergio Brown has gone missing, while his mother, Myrtle, was tragically discovered deceased near a creek in a Chicago suburb. Law enforcement authorities are actively seeking answers, and a cloud of uncertainty hovers over the case.

Apple announced the new iPhone 15 lineup at the Wonderlust event at the company's Cupertino-based headquarters on Tuesday. The event featured the launch of 4 new iPhones - iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max along with the new Apple Watch series and AirPods Pro with USB-C functionality. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 plus have received an essential upgrade in terms of display.

Thomas Cook (India) on Thursday said it has partnered with National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to launch a RuPay prepaid forex card for Indians travelling to the UAE as a pilot. «We are bullish about our forex card business and I am delighted to partner with NPCI for the upcoming launch of our pioneering RuPay prepaid forex card. »This unique Made in India initiative will go live with UAE as the pilot destination, followed by a phase wise global rollout," Thomas Cook (India) Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mahesh Iyer said in a statement. Thomas Cook RuPay card will be offering many benefits, including Thomas Cook travel vouchers worth Rs 13,900, lounge access at International Airports in India, free ATM withdrawal, free replacement on loss of card, complimentary insurance cover and more, he added. NPCI said, «We extend gratitude to our partners, Thomas Cook and Card91, for their collaborative efforts in crafting and developing this rewarding card.

Finra said Monday that it appointed Bill St. Louis as head of enforcement, making him responsible for the agency’s 350 enforcement staffers in 11 offices across the United States.

Drake continued to showcase his extravagant lifestyle, gifting a pink Hermès Birkin bag to a lucky fan. The moment was captured on camera by TikTok personality Designer Ave. Drake, known for his lavish purchases like buying Tupac’s crown ring for $1 million, took the opportunity to display his wealth once again. During the performance, Drake appeared on stage holding a pink Hermès Birkin bag, likely the Birkin 30 model made from Epsom or Togo leather. He proudly declared, «Drake ain't cheap,» as the crowd erupted in cheers. The chosen recipient of the gift was a woman seated in the front row, and Drake made sure to mention, «Make sure she has security on the way out.» This act of generosity aligns with Drake's documented love for Birkin bags. In a 2017 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he revealed his collection was intended for the future woman in his life. He even showcased his assortment of these luxury bags in an Architectural Digest spread, stored in an opulent two-story closet adorned with intricate details. Birkin bags come in various styles, colors, sizes, and textures, with new pieces typically priced between $8,000 and over $30,000. Drake's musical success is no secret either, with 12 No. 1 titles on the Billboard 200 chart, including albums like «Take Care,» «Views,» and «Honestly Nevermind.» His reign continues on the Billboard Hot 100, where he has secured 11 chart-toppers, including hits like «God's Plan,» «Nice For What,» and «In My Feelings.» Collaborating with 21 Savage, Drake also achieved a Billboard 200 No. 1 album with «Her Loss» in 2022 and a Hot 100 No. 1 single with «Jimmy Cooks» in the same year.

CHICAGO—DaJuan Robinson was remodeling a house on the South Side, not far from the University of Chicago, when he spotted a vacant lot two doors away. He thought it might be worth developing. Then he learned about the back taxes, unpaid water bills and other hurdles that would take too much time and money to clear.

Carnarvon Energy boss Adrian Cook said Australia is losing some of its hard-earned reputation as a reliable jurisdiction for oil and gas investment at the hands of policy tinkering by the Albanese government.

Thomas Cook India reported an income from operations of Rs 1899 crore in its consolidated results for the quarter ended June, up from Rs 976 crore in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal. The company reported a profit of Rs 71 crore for the quarter ended June, up from Rs 6 crore in the corresponding period of the last financial year.