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Employees of two Thomas Cook travel agency offices in Dublin, Ireland have occupied their offices in response to management’s announcement of earlier closure dates for the sites. On Friday, July 31, 40 employees at the Thomas Cook store in Grafton Street began an occupation protest after the sudden announcement of the store’s immediate closure; workers at the store had previously been told, when the closures were announced on May 12, that the businesses would remain open until September 6.
We were not in any position to consult with senior managers who had their own hidden agenda
Pauline McManigan, Direct Holidays employee

Before the occupations began, workers at Thomas Cook’s locations, who are members of trade union the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) had voted unanimously to strike, alleging that the closures were being done without sufficient consultation of staff by Thomas Cook management. Caroline Cullen, accounts assistant and TSSA staff representative at the Grafton Street location, characterises the behaviour of Thomas Cook management as “intimidation”.
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When the consultation period had finished, she said, Thomas Cook management sent Simon Robinson, an executive director of the company, and a male colleague of his to close the office. The presence of the Thomas Cook executives, two high-ranking, business-suited men, in an office where forty-two of forty-four employees are women is itself intimidating, Cullen asserts; she says that Robinson furthermore attempted to “bully” the employees into accepting the five-week redundancy offer by saying that if they did not accept, they would receive only the statutory minimum. “You cannot live on 5 weeks”, says Cullen. “Travel agents are closing every week. There’s a hiring freeze at the banks. There are no jobs out there…We need 8 weeks to live on for the next two years while we look for jobs.” The extra three weeks’ redundancy pay would, she estimates, cost Thomas Cook €400,000.
A series of TSSA demonstrations against Thomas Cook took place
Thomas Cook has accused the TSSA of making use of “dirty tactics”, according to a statement from Thomas Cook UK & Ireland CEO Pete Constanti. A court order has been delivered to the Grafton Street office requiring the occupiers to turn the keys over to Thomas Cook management. The TSSA, meanwhile, says that Thomas Cook is “riding roughshod over the right to take industrial action by marching staff into a room and telling them they are going to close immediately”.
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Cullen says that the occupation began spontaneously. “We didn’t think it would go so far”, she told Wikinews, but when the closure of the office was announced, the staff “opened the windows and started screaming, ‘we’re not moving, we’re not moving’. We haven’t moved since.”
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Monday, August 3 is a bank holiday in Ireland. Both sides in the dispute have delivered ultimata: Thomas Cook management demands that all staff return to work on Tuesday morning as usual or else the offer of five weeks’ pay will be reduced to the statutory two week’s pay, while the TSSA says that if Thomas Cook management do not produce a better redundancy offer by Tuesday then the business will face a boycott by the TSSA’s 800,000 members.

Ireland’s Socialist Party and Dublin MEP Joe Higgins have declared their support for the Thomas Cook occupiers, with a press release on Higgins’ official webpage saying
You are clear ahead
The High Court order for workers to end their occupation and the threat of Garda action is a disgrace….The trade union movement must mobilise to prevent the Gardaí being used against these workers. Supporters and trade union activists should come to the offices to support the workers’ action and defend the occupation against any attempt to force them out.
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Socialist Party members have been leafletting Dublin over the weekend promoting demonstrations in support of the Thomas Cook employees. The smaller Socialist Workers Party has also declared its support and conducted demonstrations for the occupiers.
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‘Ek Shaam Papa Ke Naam’: IndiaFirst Life Celebrates the Man Beyond the Father Figure
Through relatable storytelling, IndiaFirst Life highlights how fathers are often recognised for their sacrifices and contributions but rarely appreciated as individuals with their own journeys and emotions.
IndiaFirst Life Insurance has launched its emotionally driven campaign, ‘Ek Shaam Papa Ke Naam’, encouraging families to spend meaningful time with their fathers and understand the person behind the responsibilities. Moving beyond the traditional Father’s Day narrative, the campaign focuses on building deeper emotional connections through conversation, reflection, and shared experiences.
At the heart of the initiative lies a simple yet powerful insight: while fathers often dedicate their lives to supporting and caring for their families, their personal stories, dreams, struggles, and aspirations frequently remain unheard. The campaign encourages people to set aside time for meaningful conversations and discover aspects of their fathers’ lives that may have never been discussed before.
Through relatable storytelling, IndiaFirst Life highlights how fathers are often recognised for their sacrifices and contributions but rarely appreciated as individuals with their own journeys and emotions. By shifting the focus from gratitude alone to genuine understanding, the campaign creates a more intimate and human perspective on parent-child relationships.
The initiative also reflects the brand’s larger commitment to helping families build stronger emotional and financial foundations. Instead of relying on conventional insurance messaging, the campaign addresses a universal family dynamic that resonates across generations.
In today’s fast-paced world, where schedules, responsibilities, and digital distractions often limit meaningful interactions, ‘Ek Shaam Papa Ke Naam’ serves as a reminder to pause and reconnect. The campaign reinforces the importance of listening, sharing, and creating memories that go beyond everyday routines.
With this initiative, IndiaFirst Life delivers a heartfelt message about family bonds, emotional wellbeing, and the value of truly knowing the people who have shaped our lives.
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Coca-Cola Bottles the Emotional Highs and Lows of Football Fandom in New World Cup Campaign
The campaign also reflects Coca-Cola’s long-standing association with global sporting events and its continued investment in emotionally driven storytelling.
Coca-Cola has launched a new FIFA World Cup campaign that places football fans at the centre of the story, celebrating the intense emotions that define the sport’s biggest tournament. Rather than focusing solely on players or on-field action, the campaign captures the emotional journey experienced by millions of supporters around the world.
The creative concept explores the highs and lows of football fandom—from nervous anticipation and nail-biting tension to moments of pure joy, celebration, and heartbreak. Through a series of dynamic and relatable scenes, Coca-Cola highlights how football has the power to unite people across cultures, generations, and geographies through shared emotional experiences.
At the heart of the campaign is the idea that every World Cup match is more than just a game. It is a collection of unforgettable moments that bring families, friends, and communities together. By focusing on fan reactions rather than match results, the brand taps into the universal emotions that make football the world’s most-watched sport.
The campaign also reflects Coca-Cola’s long-standing association with global sporting events and its continued investment in emotionally driven storytelling. The brand uses cinematic visuals and energetic pacing to recreate the rollercoaster of feelings that fans experience throughout the tournament.
Launching across multiple channels, including digital, social media, television, and experiential platforms, the campaign is designed to engage football audiences worldwide as excitement for the FIFA World Cup continues to build.
With this latest initiative, Coca-Cola reinforces its position as a brand deeply connected to moments of celebration and togetherness. By capturing the passion and unpredictability of football fandom, the campaign transforms everyday fan emotions into a powerful and relatable global story.
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Horlicks Steps into RTD Space with New Milkshake Launch
Horlicks has officially entered India’s ready-to-drink (RTD) milkshake category with a new product launch, expanding its portfolio in the country’s fast-growing convenience beverage market. The move reflects the brand’s strategy to evolve beyond its traditional powdered nutrition offerings and strengthen its presence in modern consumption formats.
The launch comes at a time when Indian consumers are increasingly seeking convenient, portable, and nutrition-led food and beverage options. Busy lifestyles, changing eating habits, and rising demand for on-the-go products have accelerated growth in the RTD segment, making it a highly competitive and opportunity-driven category.
By stepping into the milkshake space, Horlicks is combining its trusted nutritional legacy with the ease and convenience of ready-to-consume beverages. The new offering is expected to appeal to families, working professionals, young adults, and consumers looking for quick nutrition without sacrificing taste or accessibility.
The expansion also reflects broader shifts in consumer behaviour, where convenience, flavour, and functional benefits are becoming equally important purchase drivers. Supported by modern retail expansion, quick commerce growth, and digital shopping trends, ready-to-drink beverages are gaining stronger visibility across urban and emerging markets.
A key part of Horlicks’ strategy is extending its established health-focused brand identity into new consumption occasions while maintaining familiarity among loyal consumers. The RTD milkshake format allows the brand to diversify its offerings and participate more actively in a category witnessing rapid innovation and rising consumer interest.
With this launch, Horlicks reinforces its focus on product innovation, category expansion, and evolving nutrition trends, positioning itself to capture growing demand in India’s dynamic ready-to-drink beverage landscape.
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