Tag: global

  • K-pop sensation Stray kids celebrates global return at the London festival

    K-pop sensation Stray kids celebrates global return at the London festival

    Stray Kids, a popular K-pop group, called it a “career highlight” as they headlined the British Summer Time (BST) Hyde Park Festival on Sunday.
    The eight-member group from South Korea started in 2018 through a reality show by JYP Entertainment. They have fans all over the world with their unique sound and hit songs like ‘God’s Menu,’ ‘S-Class,’ and ‘Maniac.’

    The members, Changbin, Felix, Hyunjin, Lee Know, Han, Seungmin, Bang Chan, and I.N, returned to London after almost five years for their first UK festival performance.

    “It’s a huge festival with a big space. We’re excited to see how our energy will change it,” said Han before their one-hour-and-40-minute set in front of thousands of fans.

    Time magazine named Stray Kids as one of the Next Generation Leaders. Last year, they were third on the global recording artists list by IFPI, and their album “5-Star” was the second biggest-selling album globally.

    In May, all eight members walked the famous MET Gala red carpet in custom Tommy Hilfiger suits. Bang Chan said they are thankful for their streaming success but want to keep making meaningful music for their fans, known as STAYs.

    “A lot of STAYs and people are supporting us, so we keep working hard,” said Seungmin.

    The group is also preparing for their “comeback” with a new EP called ‘ATE,’ released on July 19. Felix said ‘ATE’ stands for the eight members who have “eaten up” their comeback, and fans can expect new styles and concepts.

    “It’s been a while since our last album. With this one, we want to show how genuine we are with music and offer various styles for everyone to enjoy,” said Bang Chan.

    “We’re giving our all, and that makes us confident,” added Changbin.

  • Inflation in France hits record-high since 1990s

    Inflation in France hits record-high since 1990s

    Preliminary EU-harmonised statistics indicated that inflation in France surged more than projected in May to a new high, putting additional pressure on President Emmanuel Macron before upcoming legislative elections.

    Consumer prices rose 0.7 per cent in May, for a 12-month inflation rate of 5.8 per cent, up from 5.4 per cent in the last month and the highest rate since France started working on European Union methodology to generate the numbers in the early 1990s, as per the INSEE statistics.

    Inflation was predicted to grow to 5.6 per cent on average, considering a poll of eight economists in a report by Reuters.

    High inflation is at the top of France’s political agenda, and following the elections, Macron’s government has promised a new wave of measures to protect buying power.

    Apart from Malta, France has managed to maintain the inflation lower than the rest of the EU due to a 25 billion euro package of measures that includes, among other things, hefty price limits on gas and electricity.

    Annual inflation in France, as measured by the national consumer price index, climbed to 5.2 per cent in May from 4.8 per cent in April, reaching its highest level since September 1985, according to INSEE.

    This month, economists surveyed by Reuters projected an average growth rate of 5.0 per cent. In France, the national index is regularly monitored, whilst outside the country, the EU-harmonised index is used to assess inflation rates among euro-area nations.

  • Samsung shipped 73.7 million cellphones in Q1 2022

    Samsung shipped 73.7 million cellphones in Q1 2022

    Samsung does not like surrendering its position as the world’s leading smartphone manufacturer. Even though Apple temporarily dethroned it, the firm has fought back and reclaimed what it considers to be its rightful position.

    1st quarter of 2022 According to data from market research organisations Canalys and Counterpoint, Samsung is the global leader in smartphone shipments. Apple did well as well, but it was only able to finish second to the Korean behemoth.

    Samsung’s Galaxy S22 series has contributed to the company’s strong performance in the first quarter of this year. Many Galaxy Note fans were enticed back to Samsung with the Galaxy S22 Ultra in particular.

    According to Canalys, worldwide smartphone shipments hit 311.2 million units in the first quarter of 2022, down 11 per cent year on year. While Samsung regained the lead, delivering 73.7 million units, the company saw a 43 per cent drop in sales.

    Read more: HP to launch its first 17-inch foldable OLED notebook

    Xiaomi came in third place in the ‘top 5 shipping’ list, with 39.2 million units shipped, a 20 per cent decrease. Oppo shipped 29 million units, a decrease of 27 per cent, and Vivo’s growth slowed by 30 per cent.