Latest news with #Freenow
Scottish Sun
22-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
How women can get started in taxi jobs or bouncer roles… and save Britain's nightlife
Read on to find out five common email phrases to avoid SUNEMPLOYMENT How women can get started in taxi jobs or bouncer roles… and save Britain's nightlife Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THIS Bank Holiday weekend will see spending in pubs, clubs and restaurants soar by ten per cent, as the nation makes the most of the extra day off. But with the cost-of-living crisis, living wage hikes and employers' National Insurance payments, the sector faces serious challenges. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Lisa Baskott, who is 55 and from Worthing, East Sussex, is the founder of a female security agency Credit: Supplied 5 Cabbie Ellie Knapp, 32, from New Eltham in south-east London, is campaigning for more women to get behind the wheel Credit: Supplied Although the 'night-time economy' is worth £153billion to UK coffers, research by the Night Time Industries Association shows the country has lost 37 per cent of its nightclubs since 2020, while six pubs are closing every week. So what can be done? Currently 36 per cent of young people feel unsafe at night. Eighty-one per cent of women back improved safety in bars and clubs, so the answer could lie in more female security staff and taxi drivers. Official figures show women make up just 11 per cent of the UK's security workforce and seven per cent of cab drivers — but encouraging more females into the sector could up visitor numbers. Ellie Knapp, 32, from New Eltham in south-east London, is campaigning for more women to get behind the wheel. The black-cab driver for taxi app Freenow said: 'I love being my own boss. I can work as much or as little as I need to, and take my holidays when I want. Surprised 'People love that I'm a woman in a male-dominated field, and that is something I am proud of. 'I occasionally get a surprised look from clients, but people are genuinely interested and want to see more female drivers.' Lisa Baskott, 55, from Worthing, East Sussex, is the founder of a female-friendly security agency. BEST PUB IN UK She said: 'When women are visible on the door and the venue's security, it sends a message that safety and inclusivity are priorities. 'It creates a more welcoming atmosphere and can change the whole vibe of a venue for the better. 'One of the biggest misconceptions about being a door supervisor, or any other security role, is that you need to be a big, burly bloke. 'The qualities you really need are more about character and mindset than muscles.' As well as protecting pubs and clubs, female security staff are in high demand for other events, from music festivals to corporate conferences and VIP personal protection. 5 Lisa, with her team, says security is not all about having muscles Credit: Supplied Once fully qualified and experienced, the job can also provide a springboard into other areas. Skills learnt include communication, conflict resolution, quick thinking and teamwork. Security staff move on to work in venue management, event planning, policing or health and safety roles. Lisa adds: 'Change is happening — I see more women joining every month and more organisations waking up to the benefits of a diverse security team. GET STARTED IN SECURITY BELIEVE IN YOUR ABILITIES: Confidence is key and you don't have to be 'one of the lads' to fit in. Skills like communication, empathy and resilience are what the industry needs. Confidence is key and you don't have to be 'one of the lads' to fit in. Skills like communication, empathy and resilience are what the industry needs. QUALIFY AND KEEP LEARNING: You need to obtain an SIA (Security Industry Authority) licence then additional training such as first aid and self-defence. You need to obtain an SIA (Security Industry Authority) licence then additional training such as first aid and self-defence. FIND MENTORS AND ALLIES: Reach out to other women in the industry as there are formal and informal networks. Most of the industry is male, and many of them are incredibly supportive and want to see more women succeed, so find male allies too. Reach out to other women in the industry as there are formal and informal networks. Most of the industry is male, and many of them are incredibly supportive and want to see more women succeed, so find male allies too. JOIN PROFESSIONAL BODIES OR FORUMS: It's valuable to learn from others' experiences. It's valuable to learn from others' experiences. USE UNIQUE STRENGTHS: Women often bring different qualities to security – perhaps a calmer tone, a talent for defusing conflict with words, or being more approachable to certain patrons. Leverage that. Women often bring different qualities to security – perhaps a calmer tone, a talent for defusing conflict with words, or being more approachable to certain patrons. Leverage that. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF: This job can be demanding, so look after your wellbeing. HOW TO MAIL LIKE A PRO... YOU may think it's a polite email, but could it be upsetting your colleague? Almost two thirds of staff believe poor communication is a problem at their work. 5 Employment specialist Renae Shaw shares five common email phrases to avoid and suggests more user-friendly alternatives for each Credit: Supplied With the average employee spending five hours a week answering emails, HR experts are warning workers to improve their etiquette when sending messages. Here employment specialist Renae Shaw, from retailer Furniture At Work, shares five common email phrases to avoid and suggests more user-friendly alternatives for each. 1. AS PER MY LAST EMAIL: This is the corporate equivalent of 'I already told you this' and can feel passive-aggressive or critical. Instead, try using: 'Just following up on the email I sent (day/time) regarding (topic)…' This more direct and friendly follow-up shows you are referencing a past message without implying blame. 2. URGENT!: Slapping this on everything is a fast track to being ignored. Being specific about the timeline and expectations is more effective and respectful of others' workloads. A better version is: 'Flagging this as important' before specifying the deadline. 3. I HOPE THIS EMAIL FINDS YOU WELL: Let's be honest, no one has ever replied 'Thanks! It did!' Although polite, this phrase can feel impersonal or overly formal. Instead use something like 'I hope you're having a good week so far', which is less formal. Or skip it altogether as your colleague may appreciate the efficiency. 4. REATTACHING FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE: This phrase can come off as passive-aggressive, as it implies the recipient didn't read the document the first time. Instead consider: 'I've reattached the document here in case it's helpful'. 5. ANY UPDATES ON THIS?: This wording can feel abrupt or demanding of the other person's time. Consider softening it with: 'Just checking in to see if there's been any progress on this – no rush if you're still working on it.' JOBSPOT HERE are posts that could be right up your street. Lingerie store Boux Avenue is recruiting sales assistants, store managers and a social media manager. See BE A HIGH-FLYER TRAINING to become a pilot can cost up to £100,000, but Jet2's new fully-funded programme lets you take to the skies for free. With places for up to 60 aspiring pilots, the training course aims to boost social mobility and promote diversity within the profession. Applicants need at least five GCSEs at grade four or above, including maths and a science subject, or equivalent qualifications. Steve Heapy, CEO of said: 'We know that the cost of training is an obstacle to many people who dream of becoming a commercial airline pilot, so we are very proud to announce this groundbreaking programme.' Apply at JOBSPOT THINK you have an eye for what's bang on trend and know how to sell? Fashion chain Dune has vacancies now for store managers and supervisors. You can search at GIG FOR VICTORY ALL aboard for a new career as a shipwright, with women more than welcome. The National Museum of the Royal Navy is seeking a shipwright heritage carpenter to work in Portsmouth as part of the team preserving HMS Victory, the world's oldest commissioned ship. 5 Shipwright Betzy Shell Credit: National Museum of the Royal Navy Applicants need a Level 3 City & Guilds Boatbuilding and specialist knowledge of construction of maritime joinery. Clementine Mollier, lead shipwright on HMS Victory said: 'It's not just a job for the men. There are brilliant female shipbuilders, who should be role models for the next generation.' Apply at by Sunday, June 1.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lyft, Inc. (LYFT): A Bull Case Theory
We came across a bullish thesis on Lyft, Inc. (LYFT) on Substack by Stefan Waldhauser. In this article, we will summarize the bulls' thesis on LYFT. Lyft, Inc. (LYFT)'s share was trading at $11.16 as of April 17th. LYFT's trailing and forward P/E were 186 and 10.94 respectively according to Yahoo Finance. Is Uber Technologies, Inc. (UBER) the Least Risky Internet Stock To Invest In? A close up view of a hand holding a smartphone, using a ride sharing app. Lyft's $197 million acquisition of European mobility platform Freenow marks a pivotal shift in the company's strategy, ending its North America-only focus and unlocking a broader global footprint. Freenow operates across nine European countries and more than 150 cities, with a leading position in the taxi-hailing segment. The deal, expected to close in late 2025, nearly doubles Lyft's total addressable market to over 300 billion rides per year, though it adds only ~$1 billion to gross bookings, or around 5% in inorganic growth. With Freenow estimated to generate €150–250 million in annual revenue and having just turned profitable in 2024 after years of losses, the $197 million price tag reflects roughly 1x sales—a modest valuation for an established European leader. Lyft, trading at less than 0.7x EV/sales compared to Uber's 3.5x, appears to be executing a strategic move at a compelling price. CEO David Risher has highlighted this as a transformational moment for Lyft, leveraging Freenow's deep regulatory ties, regional expertise, and dominant market share in key cities like Berlin, London, and Madrid. Freenow's heavy focus on taxi bookings (90% of gross bookings in 2024) gives Lyft access to an under-digitized market where half of bookings still occur offline—presenting a long runway for tech-enabled growth. Initially, Lyft will retain the Freenow brand and support both apps, with integration allowing cross-platform use by customers in both continents. Over time, rebranding is likely as Lyft unifies its global identity. While the short-term financial impact is minimal, the strategic value is substantial. Lyft's entry into international markets erases a key investor concern and potentially sets the stage for renewed interest in its stock, particularly as the global mobility space evolves with autonomous vehicle technology. The acquisition represents a low-risk, high-upside catalyst for a company long discounted for its domestic limitations. Lyft, Inc. (LYFT) is not on our list of the 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 55 hedge fund portfolios held LYFT at the end of the fourth quarter which was 51 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the risk and potential of LYFT as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than LYFT but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
Boston Globe
16-04-2025
- Health
- Boston Globe
Retail sales rise 1.4% in March as shoppers stock up on big ticket items ahead of tariffs
Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up HIGHER EDUCATION Advertisement UMass Chan Medical School lays off or furloughs about 200 employees after NIH funding shortfall Advertisement UMass Chan Medical School has laid off or furloughed an estimated 200 employees, a spokesperson said Wednesday. UMass Chan Medical School UMass Chan Medical School has laid off or furloughed an estimated 200 employees, a spokesperson confirmed Wednesday. The cuts come after the school saw a $30 million funding shortfall from long delays in funding new research grants from the National Institutes of Health after President Trump took office in January, said Sarah Willey, the UMass Chan spokesperson. UMass Chan received $193 million from the NIH last year, Willey said, and is preparing for uncertain federal funding in the coming year. Under the Trump administration's proposed caps on indirect NIH funding, the school projects a $50 million loss in funding. The school has also paused faculty recruitment and significantly reduced the incoming class size of the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. All hiring and discretionary spending has also been paused, the spokesperson said. During a Tuesday visit to the school, which employs 6,000 people and contributes more than $2 billion annually to the economy, Governor Maura Healey highlighted the dangers of lost and unstable funding on the state's only public medical school. 'The funding cuts are very extensive, including supporting critical work in gene therapy, rare disease research, HIV research, digital medicine, neuroscience, and more,' Healey said. 'UMass Chan has held groundbreaking clinical trials of new genetic therapies for devastating conditions like ALS and so many other diseases. 'But this kind of progress is now at risk, and with that, hope is being stripped away from patients and families.' — MAREN HALPIN ACQUISITIONS Lyft to buy Freenow app for $197 million in global expansion Lyft signage on a vehicle in New York. Shelby Knowles/Bloomberg Lyft Inc. agreed to buy the European taxi-hailing app Freenow for about $197 million, marking its first global expansion beyond the United States and Canada. Lyft will acquire the app from BMW Group and Mercedes-Benz Mobility in a cash transaction expected to close in the second half of 2025, according to a statement Wednesday. Freenow will continue operating in nine countries and more than 150 cities across Ireland, the UK, Germany, Greece, Spain, Italy, Poland, France, and Austria, Lyft said, but added that the two companies will be working on integration so riders can use either app 'seamlessly' across the Atlantic. Bloomberg reported last month that BMW and Mercedes were considering selling Freenow. While well known in the United States and Canada, Lyft currently doesn't operate outside of North America. In contrast, Lyft's much-larger ride-hailing rival, Uber Technologies Inc., operates in more than 70 countries globally. — BLOOMBERG NEWS Advertisement TECH On the stand, Zuckerberg says TikTok is a major competitive threat Mark Zuckerberg, the chief executive of Meta, left the federal courthouse in Washington on Wednesday. TOM BRENNER/NYT Mark Zuckerberg, the chief executive of Meta, took the witness stand in a landmark antitrust trial for a third day, saying on Wednesday that the video app TikTok has emerged as a serious competitor in social networking. In a friendly exchange led by lawyers for Meta, Zuckerberg said that the fast growth of the Chinese-owned app was 'probably the highest competitive threat for Instagram and Facebook over the last few years.' Zuckerberg's lawyers were trying to poke holes in the case, Federal Trade Commission v. Meta Platforms, which went to trial on Monday. The FTC has accused the social media company, which was previously known as Facebook, of acquiring Instagram and WhatsApp when they were tiny startups in a 'buy-or-bury strategy' to snuff out competition. Meta's core function is connecting friends and family, making Snapchat its only serious social media competitor, the FTC has said. Zuckerberg countered during his more than seven hours of testimony so far this week that Meta faces significant competition in the world of social networking, including from TikTok and Apple's iMessage. On Wednesday, he said Meta's addition of a short-video feature known as Reels to Instagram and Facebook was in large part a response to TikTok's rise. Users continue to engage more on TikTok than with his apps, he said. 'TikTok is still bigger than either Facebook or Instagram, and I don't like it when our competitors do better than us,' Zuckerberg said. — NEW YORK TIMES Advertisement FINANCE Court scraps $8 credit card late fee limit, at Consumer Bureau's request A shopper paid with a credit card at a farmer's market in San Francisco. David Paul Morris/Bloomberg A government-imposed $8 limit on most credit card late fees is the latest consumer protection regulation to be scrapped by President Trump's administration. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau adopted the fee cap last year, estimating that it would save households $10 billion a year. A coalition of banking and business trade groups immediately sued to block the rule, arguing that the bureau had exceeded its statutory authority, and won an injunction that prevented it from taking effect. On Tuesday, a federal judge in Texas vacated the fee limit at the joint request of the banks and the consumer bureau. Now under the leadership of Russell T. Vought, the White House budget office leader who is also serving as the bureau's acting director, the consumer bureau reversed its stance and said in court filings that it agreed with the banks that the fee limit illegally stretched beyond the agency's bounds. Banks and lenders, whose late fees typically average around $32, celebrated their victory. 'If the CFPB's rule had gone into effect, it would have resulted in more late payments, lower credit scores, higher interest rates and reduced credit access for those who need it most,' the lawsuit's plaintiffs said in a joint statement. The group included the American Bankers Association, the Consumer Bankers Association, and the United States Chamber of Commerce, along with three Texas business associations. Consumer advocates took the opposite stance. 'This decision will allow big banks to exploit consumers to the tune of $10 billion annually by charging inflated late fees that far exceed what late payments cost them to collect,' said Chi Chi Wu, a senior lawyer with the National Consumer Law Center. — NEW YORK TIMES Advertisement MEDIA Don't like a columnist's opinion? Los Angeles Times offers an AI-generated opposing viewpoint. The Los Angeles Times newspaper logo is seen at its headquarters in El Segundo, Calif. Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press In a colorful commentary for the Los Angeles Times, Matt K. Lewis argued that callousness is a central feature of the second Trump administration, particularly its policies of deportation and bureaucratic cutbacks. 'Once you normalize cruelty,' Lewis concluded in the piece, 'the hammer eventually swings for everyone. Even the ones who thought they were swinging it.' Lewis's word wasn't the last, however. As they have with opinion pieces the past several weeks, Times online readers had the option to click on a button labeled 'Insights,' which judged the column politically as 'center-left.' Then it offers an AI-generated synopsis — a CliffsNotes version of the column — and a similarly-produced opposing viewpoint. One dissenting argument reads: 'Restricting birthright citizenship and refugee admissions is framed as correcting alleged exploitation of immigration loopholes, with proponents arguing these steps protect American workers and resources.' The feature symbolizes changes to opinion coverage ordered over the past six months by Times owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, who has said he wants the famously liberal opinion pages to reflect different points of view. Critics accuse him of trying to curry favor with President Trump. — ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bloomberg
16-04-2025
- Automotive
- Bloomberg
Lyft Expands to Europe With $197 Million Acquisition of Freenow
Lyft Inc. agreed to buy the European taxi-hailing app Freenow for about €175 million ($197 million), marking its first global expansion beyond the US and Canada. Lyft will acquire the app from BMW Group and Mercedes-Benz Mobility in a cash transaction expected to close in the second half of 2025, according to a statement Wednesday. Freenow will continue operating in nine countries and more than 150 cities across Ireland, the UK, Germany, Greece, Spain, Italy, Poland, France and Austria, Lyft said. Bloomberg reported last month that BMW and Mercedes were considering selling Freenow.
