Research in Motion is reportedly close to reaching a deal that would give government officials in Saudi Arabia access to BlackBerry communications, wrote the Toronto Star Aug. 10.
But the Waterloo-based technology giant is not giving details of its negotiations with authorities over encrypted e-mail and text messages. That has left observers to puzzle over what concessions the smart phone maker may be making with governments in Saudi Arabia, India, China, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates. Governments there have threatened to ban BlackBerry services unless RIM provides access to user communications.
“The important point there seems to be that they find agreement, of whatever kind, with the government, and then it’s fine,” said Burkard Eberlein, professor of public policy at the Schulich School of Business at York University. “Some people may be happy with that, but it sidesteps the issue of, ‘Are we setting a dangerous precedent?’”
High-flying clothier goes eco-friendly
Steven Sal Debus invested every cent he had in saving [his clothing] company and, in March, he opened the Modrobes Sustainable Garment Shop at 620 Queen St. W., marketing the line as an eco-friendly utility brand, wrote the Toronto Star Aug. 10.
Alan Middleton, a marketing professor in the Schulich School of Business at York University, says Modrobes is well-positioned to tap into a rising demand for well-constructed clothing with mid-range pricing. “It isn’t the pant that is going to make or break them now, it’s the whole proposition, of which the pant is one of the elements,” says Middleton.
Ticats owner says team will leave Hamilton
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are threatening to leave town, wrote the National Post Aug. 10.
Ticats owner Bob Young sent Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger a letter yesterday hinting that he will move the Canadian Football League club from the city. The team and the city have been engaged in a debate over where a new stadium – to be used as a soccer venue in the 2015 Pan American Games – will be located.
If the city of Hamilton moves forward without the Ticats, it is possible the organizing committee may decide to move the stadium from Hamilton altogether. York University’s [Keele] campus is considered a fallback option if the plans in Hamilton do not work out, wrote the Post.
Hurler takes home bronze
Heading into the Canadian Senior Track and Field Championships, Daniel Novia wasn’t a medal favourite, wrote The Mississauga News Aug. 9.
The 20-year-old Mississauga resident was ranked seventh in the 16-pound hammer throw, but surprised the crowd at University of Toronto by winning bronze on July 30.
Novia will attend York University this year, where he’ll major in kinesiology & health science.
On air
- All major radio and television outlets in Toronto continued their coverage of the Rogers Cup tennis tournament Aug. 10 with routine mentions that the event is taking place at the Rexall Centre on York University’s Keele campus.