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‘It’s the land of tech but we do not talk about it’: Why Wirral and Merseyside should celebrate gaming and technology success

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Start Yard boss says Birkenhead can rival Shoreditch or the Meatpacking District

Chris Lee, creative director at Start Yard in Birkenhead

Chris Lee, creative director at Start Yard in Birkenhead(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)

Liverpool and the areas around it need to move on from The Beatles’ and celebrate what Liverpool is best at now, a business owner has said.

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David Tully, who runs virtual reality company Scene Graph Studios, said more needs to be done to promote technology companies in the region, adding: “Liverpool is a fantastic place in the UK, it’s been said so many times, but I think we need to carry on and celebrate ourselves a bit more.”

The business was one of the first tenants in Start Yard, a collection of different start up businesses based at a former Cammell Laird depot in Birkenhead. While the hub’s early days “were a bit quiet”, Start Yard now has 22 spaces with 19 of them filled. It is bringing people in from Liverpool, and its owner hopes to have eight more units in the next year.

David said: “We did look at the Baltic but for something that we get here, you could probably get a closet for the same price. This place is very good, it’s flexible.

“Birkenhead companies can compete with the big players. You have just got be good at what you do. That gives you hope.”

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However he feels Merseyside should do more to shout about the gaming and other tech industries that are based in the region, adding: “Liverpool has been seen as the land of music since the Beatles but it’s not.

“It’s the land of tech but we do not talk about it. The amount of games companies in Liverpool, we do not talk about it. I think everybody has got their head down working so hard you do not have the time to celebrate ourselves.”

Pointing to Birkenhead’s decline in recent decades, he said: “We have got to bring back the tech money and the jobs but no one is going to do it for us.

“We have got to make a change and we have got the infrastructure for it. We have got good companies, good students, and good universities.

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Dave Tully at Scenegraph Studios in Start Yard in Birkenhead

Dave Tully at Scenegraph Studios in Start Yard in Birkenhead(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)

“Now we just need to get tech jobs to come in. The amount of brain drain from Liverpool is insane.”

Start Yard is the idea of Chris Lee, who also worked on the regeneration of Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle from its earliest days. Central Birkenhead he feels could follow in its footsteps with Start Yard offering an affordable and easier place to set up a business and create jobs in the area.

Comparing Birkenhead’s potential to Shoreditch in London or the Meatpacking District in New York, Chris said: “It’s no different here. The biggest issue is you can always make it happen fast with a bit of joined up action.”

Four years after it started supported by funding awarded to Wirral Council to regenerate the town, Start Yard is hosting a free start-up event on April 16 aimed at bringing more young people into business.

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Chris said: “I know how difficult it is to start a business and I know in the first three to four years, they can fail.

Darren Medley, of MIF Industries, at Start Yard in Birkenhead

Darren Medley, of MIF Industries, at Start Yard in Birkenhead (Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)

“They could be brilliant ideas but if you do not have luck or determination, it’s difficult to make things happen. It hasn’t been easy for us but we are four years in and the community has flourished.”

Another Start Yard tenant, Darran Medley, who works for fashion networking company MIF Industries, said: “Getting people out of London isn’t easy but you can get a train here in two hours and you can’t do that across London sometimes. This place really does make sense.

“Sometimes people are surprised this is here but then that leads to what else is going on in Birkenhead. There’s lots going on here. Perhaps the reputation isn’t good but the opportunity to change that narrative is there and places like Start Yard do that.”

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Thailand’s Public and Private Sectors Unite to Advance Sustainable Tourism and Protect Marine Ecosystems

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Thailand's Public and Private Sectors Unite to Advance Sustainable Tourism and Protect Marine Ecosystems

Thailand’s “Save Maya, Save Pakarang” project promotes sustainable tourism and marine conservation in the Andaman Sea, featuring educational activities and restoration efforts at Maya Bay to protect natural resources.


Key Points

  • Thailand’s “Save Maya, Save Pakarang” project was launched by the Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, in collaboration with the Andaman Natural Resources Conservation Foundation, to promote sustainable tourism and marine conservation in the Andaman Sea.
  • The project’s opening ceremony, attended by notable officials, featured a conservation forum with discussions on natural resource preservation and educational activities aimed at raising awareness among locals and youth about marine conservation.
  • Participants engaged in hands-on restoration efforts at Maya Bay, including planting coastal trees and installing mooring buoys to protect sensitive coral reefs, showcasing collaboration among government, private sector, educational institutions, and civil society for sustainable natural heritage in Krabi.

Thailand’s Public and Private Sectors Launch Project to Promote Sustainable Tourism and Marine Conservation

Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, together with the Andaman Natural Resources Conservation Foundation and network partners, launched the “Save Maya, Save Pakarang” project. The initiative aims to promote sustainable tourism and marine conservation in the Andaman Sea.

Krabi Governor Angkoon Silathewakul presided over the opening ceremony at the Hat Noppharat Thara activity grounds. The event was attended by high-ranking officials, including Samran Sinthong, representing the Senate’s Extraordinary Commission on the Protection and Consolidation of the Monarchy, and Protected Areas Regional Office 5 Director Surasak Anuson.

​The project included educational and environmental activities. These featured a conservation forum, where park directors and environmental experts led a panel discussion on natural resource preservation. Learning stations were also set up to raise awareness among local residents and youth about marine conservation.

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The initiative is dedicated to fulfilling the Royal initiatives to conserve and restore Thailand’s marine resources. After the opening ceremony, participants traveled to the world-renowned Maya Bay to engage in hands-on restoration efforts, including planting coastal trees to rehabilitate the shoreline ecosystem and installing mooring buoys. These buoys serve to organize maritime tourism and prevent anchor damage to sensitive coral reefs.

This collaborative effort highlights the commitment of government agencies, the private sector, educational institutions, and civil society to ensuring the long-term sustainability of Krabi’s natural heritage.

Source : Thailand’s Public and Private Sectors Launch Project to Promote Sustainable Tourism and Marine Conservation

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Analysis-Toyota’s buyout deal is a bigger win for Elliott than for governance

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Analysis-Toyota’s buyout deal is a bigger win for Elliott than for governance


Analysis-Toyota’s buyout deal is a bigger win for Elliott than for governance

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Barclays cuts St. James’s Place stock rating on AI disruption risk

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Barclays cuts St. James’s Place stock rating on AI disruption risk

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Outback car culture on show at 2026 Revealed Aboriginal arts exhibition

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Outback car culture on show at 2026 Revealed Aboriginal arts exhibition

An outback ode to the automobile will be front-and-centre of this year’s Revealed Aboriginal art exhibition in Perth.

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Donald Trump’s War On Iran May Have Just Saved America’s Oil Industry (Commodity:CL1:COM)

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Donald Trump's War On Iran May Have Just Saved America's Oil Industry (Commodity:CL1:COM)

This article was written by

Daniel is an avid and active professional investor.
He runs Crude Value Insights, a value-oriented newsletter aimed at analyzing the cash flows and assessing the value of companies in the oil and gas space. His primary focus is on finding businesses that are trading at a significant discount to their intrinsic value by employing a combination of Benjamin Graham’s investment philosophy and a contrarian approach to the market and the securities therein. Learn more.

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

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The Bidvest Group Limited (BDVSY) Q2 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

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OneWater Marine Inc. (ONEW) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

The Bidvest Group Limited (BDVSY) Q2 2026 Earnings Call March 2, 2026 5:00 AM EST

Company Participants

Ilze Roux – Investor Relation Officer
Nompumelelo Madisa – CEO & Executive Director
Mark Steyn – CFO & Executive Director

Presentation

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Operator

Good day, everyone, and welcome to The Bidvest Interim Results Presentation FY ’26. [Operator Instructions] Please note that this event is being recorded. I would now hand you over to Corporate Affairs Executive, Ilze Roux. Please go ahead, ma’am.

Ilze Roux
Investor Relation Officer

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Thank you, Judith. Good morning and good afternoon, everyone. My name is Ilze Roux, the Corporate Affairs Executive, and I have the pleasure of welcoming you to this call today. Thank you for your interest in Bidvest. These results reflect resilience and our focus on operational excellence and cash generation. As is customary, Mpumi Madisa, Group CEO, will make some high-level remarks before Mark Steyn, our Group CFO, delve deeper into these income numbers. Mpumi will then follow with a detailed review of each division’s performance and close with a reflection of progress against our priorities and the outlook. There will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the session.

Without further delay, I hand over to Mpumi. Thank you.

Nompumelelo Madisa
CEO & Executive Director

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Thank you very much, Ilze, and good morning or good afternoon, depending on which part of the world you’re joining us from. Thank you for joining us this morning. We are very pleased to present a resilient set of results for the first half year. Reflecting on progress made since the unbundling of Bidcorp in 2016, it’s really pleasing to note the portfolio realignment and the extent to which we have rebuilt our international footprint.

Our 130,000 employees are located in 14 countries across approximately 750 branch locations. Our client

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Fairway Villages flags retirement living build in Herne Hill

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Fairway Villages flags retirement living build in Herne Hill

A development company co-owned by former WA premier Brian Burke has earmarked a Swan Valley site for a 105-lot retirement village.

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Key Dates, Top Players, Rumors and What to Expect as League Year Opens

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Arman Tsarukyan

The NFL’s frenetic free agency period is set to officially launch on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 4 p.m. ET, when the new league year begins and teams can sign unrestricted free agents and execute trades. But the real action starts earlier with the legal tampering window — the two-day negotiation period beginning Monday, March 9, at noon ET — where deals are often struck verbally, setting the stage for a whirlwind of roster changes across the league.

Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass against the Miami Dolphins during the second half of their NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on October 11, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. Miami won the game 43-17.
Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass against the Miami Dolphins during the second half of their NFL football game at Levi’s Stadium on October 11, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. Miami won the game 43-17.

With the franchise tag deadline having passed on Tuesday, March 3, teams have locked in or released key players, paving the way for one of the most anticipated offseasons in recent memory. Analysts describe the 2026 free agent class as deep rather than top-heavy, offering value at multiple positions despite lacking superstar headliners.

The legal tampering period, often mislabeled as “tampering” but fully permitted under NFL rules, allows clubs to contact and negotiate with certified agents of impending unrestricted free agents. No contracts can be executed until the official start on March 11, but reports of agreements flood in almost immediately after noon on March 9. This window typically sees the biggest names decide their futures within hours, reshaping contenders and rebuilding teams alike.

Key dates leading up to and during free agency include:

– March 9 (noon ET) to March 11 (3:59 p.m. ET): Legal negotiation window opens. Teams can discuss terms, but signings remain unofficial.

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– March 11 (4 p.m. ET): 2026 league year begins. Free agency signing period starts, trades become official, and all 2025 contracts expire.

The NFL’s official operations calendar confirms these timelines, with the league emphasizing that no prospective unrestricted free agent may sign until the 4 p.m. ET mark on March 11. Trading windows also activate at that time.

This year’s market features intriguing names across positions. Quarterback options include backups and veterans like Malik Willis (Packers), Daniel Jones (Colts) and even Aaron Rodgers (Steelers), though many teams prioritize stability through extensions or drafts. Running back Kenneth Walker III (Seahawks) headlines the position after a strong season, with reports indicating Seattle is unlikely to tag him again. Wide receiver Mike Evans, fresh off announcing his intent to play in 2026 and explore free agency after a storied tenure in Tampa Bay, draws significant interest.

Defensive standouts include edge rusher Trey Hendrickson (Bengals), projected for a high-value deal in tiered analyses from ESPN’s Field Yates and others. Interior offensive line help abounds, offering sensible fits for teams like the Detroit Lions seeking upgrades.

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Analysts note the class lacks elite options at some spots but provides capable starters and depth. ESPN’s Dan Graziano tiered defensive free agents into six categories, highlighting a solid group of edge rushers, linebackers and secondary pieces. NFL Network’s Gregg Rosenthal ranked the top 101 available players, calling the group “incredibly deep” despite consensus views of it being weaker at the top.

Several teams face tough decisions or potential losses. The reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks could be hit hard, with Walker and other contributors testing the market. Other squads bracing for departures include those with aging rosters or cap constraints.

Projections abound for where top talents might land. ESPN’s latest piece matched one free agent signing to each of the 32 teams, suggesting realistic fits like Evans to the Buffalo Bills or tight end Isaiah Likely elsewhere. Trades are also in play, with analysts proposing moves involving notable names to address needs pre-free agency.

Cap space remains a critical factor. Teams with room to maneuver — often those who cleared dead money or restructured deals — are poised to be aggressive. The salary cap continues its upward trajectory, giving franchises flexibility to absorb big contracts.

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The combine buzz from late February carried over, with intel on free agent markets, trade talks and quarterback landscapes influencing early decisions. Some players sought deals post-combine, while others waited for the tag deadline.

As March 9 approaches, expect a surge in rumors, reported agreements and instant analysis. The period from March 9-11 often defines the offseason’s direction, with headlines declaring winners and losers before a single official signature.

Free agency remains one of the NFL’s most exciting periods, blending strategy, player empowerment and team-building drama. While the draft in late April garners attention, the moves made in early March frequently prove pivotal to 2026 success.

Fans and analysts will watch closely as the league year flips on March 11, turning speculation into reality and setting the stage for another competitive season.

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At Close of Business podcast March 3 2026

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At Close of Business podcast March 3 2026

Nadia Budihardjo and Ella Loneragan discuss the future of WAAPA in the new ECU campus.

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Wales' richest man says Britain is 'uncomfortable place' for Jews

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Wales' richest man says Britain is 'uncomfortable place' for Jews

The billionaire says “anti-semitism is always in the air” with parallels to the persecution his ancestors faced.

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