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LG will unveil the upcoming LG G8 ThinQ during the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2019. The device will allegedly feature a 3,400 mAh battery.
The report has come to Android Updated courtesy of Letsgodigital.
What will be the battery capacity of the upcoming LG G8 ThinQ?
Our Dutch colleagues over at Mobiel Kopen have found battery certification documents of the Brazilian certification institution Anatel. The certificate is issued to LG Electronics for a Li-Ion battery with model number BL-T41.
The battery has a nominal capacity of 3.400 mAh. On the battery itself, a typical capacity of 3.500 mAh is mentioned. The certification also unveils which smartphone model will make use of this battery. As an additional comment, it is stated the LG BL-T41 is compatible with ‘Projecto Alpha’.
As mentioned, the G8 has code name Alpha it, therefore, seems almost certain this will be the battery of the upcoming LG G8 ThinQ. To compare, the current G7 comes with a 3.000 mAh battery, an increase of 500m Ah would certainly be beneficial.
On the other hand, it is considerably less than LG’s first 5G smartphone. This phone – likely the LG V50 ThinQ – will incorporate a 4.000 mAh battery, as LG mentioned in their press release last week. Both phones are expected to launch at MWC 2019.
Other than the battery capacity, the rest of the specifications of the device are still under the wraps, but we can expect to receive further intel on the same in the coming days.
Meanwhile, LG is also working on launching two new smartphones. You can check out everything about them by following our existing coverage of the same.
What are your thoughts on the LG G8 ThinQ flagship smartphone? Do let us know in the comments section down below. Also, do not forget to subscribe to Android Updated. To do so, just tap the bell icon at the bottom of your device screen.


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Chancellor Rishi Sunak is set to unveil an emergency Covid-19 rescue plan that aims to protect jobs.
Following warnings from MPs and unions, the chancellor has ruled out the autumn budget and will instead launch a ‘Winter Economy Plan’, Sky News reports.
To help the economy cope with the latest restrictions, including 10pm curfews on pubs and restaurants and office staff told to work from home, the scheme will be centred around a multi-billion-pound package.
Modelled on a similar scheme in Germany, the scheme will subsidise wages of workers who are returning to work part-time after being furloughed.
It is also expected that the VAT cut to 5% will be extended until the end of March rather than January.
Those hard-hit businesses are also likely to see the extension of four loan schemes until the end of November, which include terms increased from six to 10 years to reduce monthly repayments.
Mr Sunak spoke of the unusual step to not announce a November Budget because ‘now is not the right time to outline long-term plans and people want to see us focused on the here and now’.
A source told Sky News: “No-one wanted to be in this situation but we need to respond to it. The chancellor has shown he has been creative in the past and we hope that people will trust us to continue in that vein.
“Giving people reassurance and businesses the help they need to get through this is uppermost in his mind.”
They added: “It is not about health versus the economy, but about the balance between keeping people in jobs and finding them new ones, and that ‘what remains true is that our priority is one word: jobs’.”
The Treasury explained that the chancellor is promising a ‘flexible and adaptable approach to economic support, because people have needed the help and they’ve needed it quickly and at the right time’.
Adding that he will be ‘very honest with people’ about the trade-offs the government faces as it deals with rising infection rates and an economic slump.
Shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds told Sky News that Labour has been: “saying for a very long time that it’s critical we have a targeted system of wage support in place”.
Dodds added: “I’ve called for that 40 times and 20 times the government has said they’re not willing to put that into place.
“Obviously, if the government has shifted, I’m pleased. It’s come very late, however. We’ve already seen a number of redundancies because of the one-size-fits-all withdrawal of the furlough scheme.”
The Prime Minister told MPs: “What we will do is continue to put our arms around the people of this country going through a very tough time and come up with the appropriate creative and imaginative schemes to keep them in work and keep the economy moving.”
Labour MP Grahame Morris demanded an expansion of the Covid Job Retention Scheme, saying: “Make no mistake: a tsunami of job losses is in the pipeline within 38 days.”
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer warned of a ‘wave of job losses in the winter’ because ‘it makes no sense to bring in new restrictions at the same time as phasing out support for jobs and businesses’.
The shop workers union also warned of ‘a tsunami of job losses’.
General secretary Paddy Lillis added: “If we are going to save the high street, there needs to be radical and bold action to level the playing field between online retail and ‘bricks and mortar’ shops.
“The time is long overdue for the government to look seriously at introducing some form of online sales tax.
“As a society we have a choice, do we want to see the high street go to the wall or do we want to save it.
“Retail is the cornerstone of our towns, cities and communities. It employs around three million people and needs urgent assistance to get the industry back on its feet.”
People on working tax credits will get a £500 one-off payment, Rishi Sunak confirms
Make sure you know about this
Brits on tax credits get a one-off benefits payment of £500, Rishi Sunak reveals in budget.
Outlined in the budget, Sunak explained that a £20 weekly increase in universal credit will extend for a further six months.
The chancellor explains that by the way Working Tax Credits system works people will not be able to receive the extra £20 weekly.
Instead, people will benefit from a £500 one-off payment.
Mr Sunak said: “To support low-income households, the Universal Credit uplift of £20 a week will continue for a further six months, well beyond the end of this national lockdown
“We’ll provide Working Tax Credit claimants with equivalent support for the next six months.
“Because of the way that system works operationally, we’ll need to do so with a one-off payment of £500.”
The £500 tax credit boost will run in the same way that the Universal Credit is paid – automatically.
Lots of people have switched from the old ‘Tax Credit’ to the new ‘Universal Credit’ system. Anyone who hasn’t yet been transferred across will now be eligible for this new one-off payment.
The number of people claiming universal credit in the UK has doubled since the start of the pandemic, reaching 6 million people at the start of this year.
The extra benefit support is welcomed but many are raising concerns that six months is not long enough.
Sunak also revealed in today’s budget that furlough will be extended until September but employers will have to pay 10% of the employee’s wages in July and 20% in August and September.
You can see a round-up of all the key points from the budget here.
What Rishi Sunak’s new budget means for people in Greater Manchester
Everything you need to know
Rishi Sunak has said he wants to be honest about the government’s plans for fixing the public finances.
The chancellor says there has been ‘acute damage’ to the economy, with more than 700,000 people losing jobs and the economy shrinking by 10% – the largest fall in 300 years.
Borrowing has also been as high as during wartime.
He said: “It’s going to take this country, and the whole world, a long time to recover from this extraordinary situation.”
Here are the key points from his 2021 budget announcement….
- Sunak explains that 1.8 million fewer people are expected to be out of work than previously thought, with the peak at 6.5% down from the forecasted peak of 11.9%.
- Furlough is set to be extended until the end of September this year, however, firms will be asked to contribute 10% of employee’s wages in July and 20% in August and September as the scheme is gradually phased out.
- A fourth grant worth 80% of average trading profits up to £7,500 covering February to April that will help self-employed people.
- The £20 increase in universal credit will extend for six months
- Total cash support to businesses has reached £25bn. A further £5bn restart grant has now been confirmed to help companies get going after lockdown.
- Hospitality and leisure businesses will pay no business rates for three months, then discounted for the remaining nine months of the year by two-thirds.
- The 5% VAT cut will be extended to the end of September and gradually increased at 12.5% for six months before returning to the normal rate in April 2022.
- The stamp duty holiday will be extended on properties up to £500,000 to the end of June. It will return to normal levels from October 1st.
- Mortgage guarantees were also confirmed to help first-time buyers access 95% mortgages, with just 5% deposits.
- The government will take a ‘fair’ approach to ‘fixing the public finances’ the chancellor confirms.
- There will be no increase in national insurance, income tax or VAT.
- The personal allowance will remain at £12,750 until 2026 and the higher rate will increase to £50,270 next year.
- Inheritance tax threshold, pensions lifetime allowance, annual exempt allowance from capital gains tax and VAT exemption thresholds will all be frozen.
- New minimum wage rates come into force in England on April 1st. Basic rate workers will see a 2.2% increase, with the National Living Wage rising to £8.91 an hour.
- The budget deficit will reach £355billion this year (17% of GDP) – the highest level in peacetime.
- Sunak said: “It’s going to be the work of many governments over many decades to pay it back, just as it would be irresponsible to withdraw support too soon, it would also be irresponsible to allow our future borrowing and debt to rise unchecked.”
- The chancellor explains that the economy will recover more quickly than previously thought.
- GDP will grow by 4% this year and 7.3% next year according to official forecasts.
Contactless payment limit set to increase to £100
It’s hoped this will provide a much-needed boost to the retail sector
Rishi Sunak is set to announce in the budget today an increase in contactless payment limit up to £100.
At the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the contactless limit was increased from £30 to £45 and it is hoped this second increase will provide a much-needed boost to the retail sector.
Some industry sources have expressed alarm at the new threshold, warning of the potential increase in fraud, according to Sky News.
The increase in the limit was made possible due to Brexit. The European Commission set the limit to €50.
Sunak is expected to highlight the important of ‘pinging’ payments as shoppers continue to rely less on cash.
Speaking to the Evening Standard, he said: “London’s retail sector is famous across the world, with Oxford Street, Covent Garden and Westfield seen as global destinations for shopping.
“As we begin to open the UK economy and people return to the high street, the contactless limit increase will make it easier than ever before for people to pay for their shopping, providing a welcome boost to retail that will protect jobs and drive growth across the capital.”
The chancellor is set to unveil the budget at 12:30pm today. He is expected to offer more information on the mortgage scheme that will offer 5% deposit as well as extending the stamp duty holiday and increase corporation tax from 19% to 23%.
Sunak is also set to announce the extension of furlough until September and information on a £5bn scheme to help firms such as shops, clubs and gyms.

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Indian Bodal Chemicals forays into agrochemicals space
Oct. 13, 2010
The proposed SSP plant with a planned production capacity of 3.5 lakh tonnes per annum will be ready within 18 months. The new SSP facility is planned to be set up near Bodal’s existing manufacturing plant at Padra near Vadodara.
Bodal AgroTech will also produce NPK mixed fertilizers (nitrogen–phosphorous –potassium), used in different concentrations for various crops. Since SSP is not a standalone fertilizer, it can be used to provide various micro nutrients useful for the growth of different crops. The company will manufacture SSP in both powder and granulated form.
"India is the second largest producer of agrochemicals in Asia. The domestic agrochemicals and fertilizers is growing at the rate of 10 per cent. Bodal AgroTech’s SSP plant is a perfect forward integration as its main raw material is spent sulphuric acid, which is readily available in house in large quantities," said Suresh Patel, chairman and managing director, Bodal Chemicals.
By setting up the SSP plant, the company will save substantially on purification and raw material costs of the sulphuric acid. It is expected to have 20-25 per cent operating profitability margin. "The SSP plant when fully operational is expected to generate a 240 crore per year turnover," he added.
Bodal Chemicals turnover stood at Rs 467 crore in 2009-10, which it expects to rise to Rs 650 crore by the fiscal 2010-11. Bodal Chemicals currently produces 2000 metric tonne per month of major dye intermediates (like Vinyl Sulphone Esater, DASA, F C Acid) that generates 150 metric tonnes per day of spent sulphuric acid. This will be consumed as raw material in the SSP plant.
The company initially focus on Gujarat and Rajasthan for marketing SSP and later on it plans to cover other states such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Chhattisgarh.
"The newly launched Bodal AgroTech may also venture in to high tech farming and food processing sectors," said Ramesh Patel, director, Bodal Chemicals Ltd.
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The U.S. remains easily the largest market for the machines as competition for new bitcoin on-ramps continues to heat up.
The total number of bitcoin ATMs (BTMs) worldwide reached 5,000 for the first time, monitoring resource CoinATMRadar confirmed on June 24.
According to the latest statistics, there are now 5,006 standalone BTMs in around 90 countries, where cryptocurrency users can buy or sell bitcoin (BTC). Some machines offer both services simultaneously.
The data caps a protracted period of growth in the BTM sector, with the U.S. leading the trend as more and more locations and formats appear.
June has seen a total of 150 installations, around 6 per day. General Bytes recently overtook Genesis Coin as the manufacturer with the largest number of BTMs installed.
As Cointelegraph reported, in 2019, it is not just the ‘classic’ BTM model which is expanding, but other methods of procuring BTC. A deal earlier in the year involving coin counting kiosk operator Coinstar brought bitcoin functionality to over 2,200 U.S. locations.
The U.S. currently has more than half of the world’s BTMs at 3,229, with a new pilot scheme this month bringing the machines to Circle K convenience stores in Arizona and Nevada.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with a respected organization like Circle K,” Marc Grens, president and co-founder of cryptocurrency provider DigitalMint said in a press release issued June 20.
“This partnership opens the door for massive expansion of Bitcoin access to new markets around the globe.”
Increasing competition in the BTM market is likely to reduce the fees charged to users, which tend to be noticeably higher than online alternatives.
Other in-person options, such as buying vouchers, are also gaining popularity with users keen on avoiding burdensome identity requirements.
This content was originally published here.


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Steroids, Antibiotics, Sprays; Are food manufacturers killing us?
In 2016 World estimated population is 7.4 billion which is growing at the rate of 1.1% annually i.e. 75 million annually with this increasing burden of a population. In these years we are still waiting for a paradigm shift towards efforts on earth recreation. The cultivable land of the world has however experienced a dramatic decrease in an area due to various factors such as land is being taken over for the development of industries and residential complexes, erosion, improper land use practices, etc.
This stark contrast between the growth of mouths to feed and the decrease in an area on which food can be grown or raised has forced agriculturists, livestock and poultry farmers and food manufacturers as well as the governments of the world to search new method of increasing production or yield. In the recent survey by renowned food organization, the results were more shocking. It revealed that approximate 1576 tonnes of cereals were produced during period 1979-81 whereas it was 2270 tonnes in 2004 which was quite low in comparison to increased population.
Similarly, meat production was a 136 million tonnes during the period 1989-91 and 260 million tonnes in the year 2004 alone. Since food resources are decreasing and to meet the increasing demand Industries, have started the use of fertilisers, hormonal growth boosters in the form of steroid, and a various other chemicals, biochemical and organic products. It also becomes imperative that crops, livestock and poultry are protected from diseases and pests.
Researchers and farmers have been adding antibiotics and hormones for increasing the weight of the animals so it could sell for more, more meat equals more money. There is a famous line by Mark Hyman that-
"In the 21st century, our tastes buds, our brain chemistry, our biochemistry, our hormones and in our kitchens all have been hijacked by the food industry."
Not only the non-veg industry but on the other hand plant-based food products also use harmful pesticides even if it is "organic"(consisting a source of carbon) it doesn't mean it is free of chemicals. Fruits and vegetables often contain residues of such substances which are harmful to us, called pesticides, were being used by farmers to control pests and other pest-related diseases.
The food thus produced has to be transported in many areas and delivered to sales in towns and cities. Various preservatives are added to prevent the food from going bad. Due to the intense competition in the markets, food manufacturers start mixing additives in the food to make them more attractive, tasty and nutritious.
As we grow, we are more conscious about the quality of life and health, and start refusing to take the food-promoting advertisements of the food manufacturers at face value.
In many countries, it is the responsibility of the FDA to ensure that food from livestock that consists of steroids and medicated feeds are safe for consumption by human beings. Recently FDA had approved various naturally occurring steroids such as progesterone, estradiol and testosterone for many clinical, pathological conditions and other related uses. On the other hand, recent studies have found that the estradiol levels found in the meat of animals treated with the steroid could be enough to have harmful effects. In many countries of the world, livestock and poultry are treated with antibiotics to prevent diseases and promote growth.
Hormone residues excreted in manure also wind up in rivers and streams. Fertilisers indirectly affect human health by interfering with the ecosystem and biodiversity. When applied inefficiently only 30-40 percent of the fertilisers are absorbed by the plants while the rest move away to pollute ground water, soil and various other elements of the ecosystem.
Children are more affected by pesticides they consume more potentially pesticide-laced food and drinks, as their internal organs are more susceptible to pesticides, So due to exposure of pesticides Children suffer from many problems like- blurred vision, headaches, salivation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, wheezing, eye problems, skin conditions, coma, and even death.
Nitrates and Nitrites (sources of nitrogen) from fertilisers are amongst the most common contaminants in drinking water. The maximum allowable concentration of nitrates in drinking water is 10-12 mg per liter. Any greater concentration affects the health of all living beings including human being who drink the water. High concentration of nitrates in drinking water is a cause of blue baby syndrome in infants less than six-year-old, and also leads to miscarriage in pregnant women.
Highly toxic metals such as uranium, mercury, lead and cadmium damage to the kidney, liver and lungs if they are taken indirectly through the medium of water, at very high concentrations.
It seems that though we are in a changing phase where old methods such as using steroids, fertilisers, antibiotics and pesticides are giving way to new and modern technologies. It is need of an hour that we should be adaptable to new emerging technologies. We should be very cautious and strict towards monitoring and evaluation of food products so that we can avoid potential threat to human being and give a better healthy world to our new generations.


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California exports continued to sputter in February.
The state’s merchandise exports had a total value of $12.13 billion in February, down nearly 3.5 percent from $12.55 billion a year earlier, according to a report from Beacon Economics, a consulting firm with offices in the Bay Area and Los Angeles.
Analysts said the February numbers, based on U.S. Commerce Department data, reflected slowing economies worldwide and falling prices, particularly in commodities.
Sometimes, farmers just can’t catch a break.
Jock O’Connell, Beacon Economics’ international trade adviser
Christopher Thornberg, founding partner of Beacon, noted: “National numbers show that the prices exporters are receiving for their goods have fallen by 7 percent. On that basis, real exports are up. But while volumes are steady, bottom lines are still being hurt by lower prices, particularly in a state that is as expensive to do business in as California.”
“Considering the way the global economy has been wobbling of late and the falling prices many California exporters are getting for their products, February’s numbers weren’t too shabby,” said Jock O’Connell, Beacon’s international trade adviser.
Beacon said state exports of manufactured goods in February fell 3.8 percent, to $7.72 billion from $8.02 billion a year earlier. Exports of nonmanufactured goods – chiefly agricultural products and raw materials – were down 7 percent, to $1.46 billion in February compared with $1.57 billion last year.
“We are seeing year-over-year declines in the dollar value of many agricultural products exported from California,” O’Connell said. “With (California) ports operating with reasonable efficiency this year, we might have expected a rebound in farm trade. However, commodity prices have fallen sharply. Sometimes, farmers just can’t catch a break.”
Beacon said re-exports slipped 0.4 percent year-over-year, to $2.95 billion from $2.96 billion.
On the import side, California took in $31.41 billion in February, up nearly 20 percent from $26.25 billion in February 2015. The sharp increase was attributed to labor disruptions at California ports last year.
Some goods entering California go to other states, so exports are considered a more accurate measure of the state’s trade health.


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Almost 43 million Americans participated in camping last year, according to a new study released today by The Outdoor Foundation and sponsored by Kampgrounds of America Inc. (KOA) and The Coleman Co. Inc. According to a press release, that equates to 14.9% of Americans over age six. The findings are part of the 2012 American Camper Report, a leading report tracking participation in camping in the United States.
The Outdoor Foundation’s American Camper Report provides data and analysis on overall camping participation and explores preferences, buying behavior and the future of camping. For the first time in the history of this report, people within the camping industry share trends that they are seeing in the field, and the report takes an in-depth look at Hispanic American campers to examine this growing minority’s unique motivations, preferences and barriers. The findings are based on an online survey of more than 38,000 Americans ages six and older and a supplementary survey of camping participants 18 and older.
“The American Camper Report shows that camping gained popularity in 2011 – adding nearly three million participants since 2010,” said Chris Fanning, executive director of The Outdoor Foundation. “The information and analysis in this report will help the outdoor industry and all stakeholders engage even more Americans in camping and transform non-participants into active outdoor enthusiasts and committed environmental stewards.”
KOA’s CEO Jim Rogers stated, “2012 is KOA’s 50th anniversary and KOA hopes that its outdoor hospitality legacy will continue to expand along with the businesses of other outdoor enterprises as we learn more about the needs, trends and outdoor behaviors of the American camper. The report’s special focus on Hispanic campers also aligns with KOA’s goals to find new ways to increase the engagement of ethnically diverse populations in camping and outdoor fun.”
“Throughout our 112-year history, Coleman has maintained a reputation for creating innovative, high-quality outdoor gear. Insights from studies like the American Camper Report are a foundational piece of Coleman’s ability to build and maintain that reputation,” said Robert Marcovitch, President and CEO of Coleman. “Thanks to the knowledge we gain from the Camper Report, Coleman continues to develop exciting gear for both the new and experienced outdoor enthusiast alike.”
The insights detailed in the 2012 American Camper Report are critical to understanding both campers and non-campers and building participation in the activity.
Some additional findings include:
Overview of Camping Participation
* Almost 43 million Americans went camping in 2011 for a total of 534.9 million days. Participation is up from 39.9 million campers and 514.8 million days in 2010.
* Almost all age brackets added participants, except the adolescent group.
* Camping gained a net of 2.6 million participants from 2010 to 2011, but it has a fairly high churn rate at 16 percent.
* Reports from public and private campsites and the Outdoor Industry Association illustrate a general uptick in camping participation.
* The Mountain Region has the highest camping participation rate.
* Seventy-seven percent of all campers are married or living with a domestic partner.
* Eighty-four percent of campers participate in multiple outdoor activities.
Profile of a Camping Trip
* Sixty-seven percent of participants camped the most in public campgrounds.
* The average camper went on 4.97 camping trips.
* Participants traveled a mean of 190.6 miles away from home to camp.
* Almost half of all American campers plan their trips at least one month in advance.
* Seventy percent of all trips are taken with friends.
* Hiking is the most popular activity to participate in while camping.
* More than half of camping participants are employed, and 29 percent are students.
* Battery lighting was the most popular purchase during the past year and was especially popular among older campers.
* Most camping purchases are planned at home before taking a camping trip.
Hispanic Campers: A Focused Look
* At 5.52 camping trips per year per participant, the average Hispanic participant goes camping more than the average Caucasian participant.
* Hispanics bought more camping equipment in the last 12 months than non-Hispanics.
* Twenty-three percent of Hispanic campers ages 18 and over tried camping for the first time in 2011.
Future of Camping
* Campers are planning an average of 4.33 camping trips next year.
* Fathers are the most likely person to take someone camping for the first time.
* The most cited reason for reducing the number of camping trips is a lack of time due to work and family commitments.
It was a year ago this week when Casey Loyd, president of spa-maker LMS Inc. in Pomona, Calif, sat down with executives from Coleman over coffee and made a proposal he was really sure would hold water, according to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.
What if, he said, Coleman, which for more than 100 years has built up a camping-supply empire, would attach its names to spas that his 30-year-old company made?
Lo and behold, Coleman liked the idea.
On Tuesday (April 20), Loyd’s proposal started bearing fruit, as his Pomona-based, 1-million-square-foot manufacturing plant churned out Coleman hot tubs.
“This is truly a winning combination,” he told an audience of about 100 spa dealers from around the country and from Canada, who came to an open house at LMS’ Cal Spas plant in Pomona.
And consumers, even in a sluggish economy, are ready for it, he said, adding that there’s pent-up demand among people ready to invest in their homes’ backyards.
“We think the big investment that consumers are going to make — besides their home — is in their backyard,” he said.
Coleman agreed. And if consumers do, the licensing agreement with the camping-supply titan could mean the creation of 250 jobs over the next 12 to 18 months, Loyd said.
The spas, complete with features that include an iPod dock, speakers and energy efficient “smart” technology, will carry the Coleman brand name and will ultimately be distributed worldwide, Loyd said.
Dealers and LMS distributor Poolcorp representatives said Coleman’s entry into the spa marketplace will be a boon for the industry. The company has felt the hit from a recession that began in a housing market that was vital for the spa business.
Most people really don’t know what the brand of their spa is, many observers said. But with Coleman in the picture, that changes.
“It brings out that name recognition to the industry,” said Jim Dale, president of Pelican Pool Supply, based in Quakertown, Penn.
And frankly, he added, “(The industry) could use a little shove here and there.”
If that shove comes, Loyd said it will also be a boon for manufacturing in California – a sector he still has seemingly boundless faith in.
“You just have got to have the will … and if there’s a will, there’s a way,” he said.


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Amazon's Alexa is jumping into the health care world.
The company announced Thursday that its signature voice assistant will now be able to manage certain personal health information under HIPAA compliance rules.
HIPAA is the nation's health privacy law, and it protects patients' sensitive medical data.
Amazon says it's partnered with six health care providers, allowing them to build voice programs that can safely transfer health information on Alexa-enabled devices.
Users will be able to complete tasks like checking prescription delivery status, providing medical updates and scheduling appointments at nearby urgent care centers.
The companies include well-known providers, like Express Scripts, Boston Children's Hospital and Atrium Health.
Amazon says it expects to add other companies to the service in the future.


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Macy’s to burn midnight oil for Black Friday
With 55 days until Christmas, department stores are putting their holiday shopping plans into full gear.
Macy’s announced Monday that it will, for the first time, open most of its stores nationwide at midnight on Thanksgiving for Black Friday, the traditional kickoff to the holiday season.
“This year, in response to our customers’ eagerness to shop early for great deals, Macy’s stores across the country will open for the first time at midnight following Thanksgiving, giving customers the opportunity to get a head start on our extraordinary Black Friday deals," Chairman, President and CEO Terry Lundgren said in a news release.
Macy’s has more than 800 stores nationwide, with 29 in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, including furniture galleries. A complete list of stores opening at midnight will be released prior to Thanksgiving, a company spokesman said.
As I reported earlier this month, many retailers and malls are opening earlier on Black Friday, including Sawgrass Mills, which announced plans to open at 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving – two hours earlier than last year. Many others started selling holiday decorations long before Halloween.
“We think our associates deserve time to spend with their families,” he said.
I’ll have more on JCPenney’s holiday strategy this week.
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DCMS Releases Cyber Breaches Survey 2019
DCMS Releases Cyber Breaches Survey 2019 showing reduction in percentage of businesses suffering cyber breaches.
Yesterday the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) have released the 2019 Cyber Security Breaches Survey. Statistics within the report show a reduction in the percentage of businesses suffering a cyber breach or attack in the last year.
Key findings include:
- Percentage of businesses experiencing cyber breaches or attacks drops from 43% to 32%.
- New laws to strengthen data protection have had a positive impact on cyber security.
- Businesses and charities urged to train more people to help manage cyber risks.
The report suggests that reductions are partly due to the introduction of Data Protection Act and the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). 30% of businesses and 36% of charities have made changes to their cyber security policies and processes as a result of GDPR coming into force in May 2018.
However, those organisations that were attacked saw the median number of associated breaches rise from 4 in 2018 to 6 in 2019. The report also suggests that the average cost of a cyber-attack has risen to £4,180. These figures illustrate that threats to organisations are persistent and continue to develop in terms of sophistication and scale.
Digital Minister Margot James yesterday said:
Following the introduction of new data protection laws in the UK it’s encouraging to see that business and charity leaders are taking cyber security more seriously than ever before. However, with less than three in ten of those companies having trained staff to deal with cyber threats, there’s still a long way to go to make sure that organisations are better protected.
We know that tackling cyber threats is not always at the top of business and charities list of things to do, but with the rising costs of attacks, it’s not something organisations can choose to ignore any longer.
Through the CyberFirst programme, the Government is working with industry and education to improve cyber security and get more young people interested in taking up a career in cyber. The Cyber Discovery initiative has already encouraged 46,000 14 to 18 year olds to get on a path towards the cyber security profession, over 1,800 students have attended free CyberFirst courses and nearly 12,000 girls have taken part in the CyberFirst Girls competition. The Government’s initial Cyber Skills Strategy, published in December, will be followed by a full strategy later this year.
Business and charity leaders are being encouraged to download the free small business guide and free small charity guide to help make sure that they don’t fall victim to cyber attacks. This is available through the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
Clare Gardiner, Director of Engagement at the NCSC, yesterday said:
We are committed to making the UK the safest place to live and do business online, and welcome the significant reduction in the number of businesses experiencing cyber breaches.
However, the cyber security landscape remains complex and continues to evolve, and organisations need to continue to be vigilant.
The NCSC has a range of products and services to assist businesses, charities and other organisations to protect themselves from cyber attacks, and to deal with attacks when they occur. These include the Board Toolkit providing advice to Board level leaders, and guides aimed at small businesses and small charities.
Small businesses and charities are being urged to take up tailored advice from the National Cyber Security Centre. All businesses should consider adopting the Ten Steps to Cyber Security, which provides a comprehensive approach to managing cyber risks. Implementation of the 10 Steps will help organisations reduce the likelihood and cost of a cyber attack or cyber related data breach.
Organisations can also raise their basic defences by enrolling on the Cyber Essentials initiative and following the regularly updated technical guidance on Cyber Security Information Sharing Partnership available on the NCSC website.
Talal Rajab, Head of Cyber and National Security, techUK yesterday said:
The figures within this report are a welcome indication that efforts to better protect organisations from cyber-attacks through regulation and awareness arehaving a positive effect. The changes in behaviour due to the introduction of the GDPR is reassuring and we should continue to see an upward curve in data protection amongst UK businesses over the coming years.
However, the report also illustrates that cyber-attacks are becoming increasingly costly to organisations who suffer serious breaches. This is a particularly acute threat to SMEs and charities, many of whom do not have the resources to spend significant sums on cyber products and solutions. We would encourage those organisations to utilise the guidance provided by NCSC and to enrol in schemes like Cyber Essentials to better prepare them for potential attacks.
The full report can be read here.
Latest News from
‘Cyber Security is a Team Sport’ - CYBERUK 2021 begins11/05/2021 16:25:00
This morning, the National Centre for Cyber Security’s CEO, Lindy Cameron, kicked off the first ever virtual CYBERUK event, which is currently streaming across the world, enabling the conference to reach more people than ever before.
The Battle For Our Bank Accounts – How Machine Learning and Continuous Monitoring Can Prevent Fraud Attacks11/05/2021 13:05:00
The ultimate prize for cybercriminals is to obtain access to other people’s money - so it’s no wonder that account takeover attacks are on the rise.
DWP complete their Virtual Machine Environment Replacement Programme11/05/2021 11:25:00
The Virtual Machine Environment Replacement (VME-R) project replaced aging legacy infrastructure necessary to enable future welfare policy changes to be implemented.
The Improvement of Citizen Experiences in the Digital Age10/05/2021 16:25:00
Guest blog: Jamie Gillan, Customer Experience Applications Director – UK Public Sector, Oracle.
This is our time10/05/2021 13:05:00
Guest blog: Martin Ferguson, Director of Policy & Research, Socitm, outlines how we can embrace digital to make positive change.
Local government services, reimagined10/05/2021 11:25:00
Guest blog by Capita as part of our #DigitalPlace week (07 May 2021).
The local government great opportunity10/05/2021 09:05:00
Guest blog: Simon Freeman, Managing Director, Capita Local Public Services.
How Greater Manchester is putting residents at the heart of digital innovations07/05/2021 16:05:00
Guest blog: Phil Swan, GMCA Digital Director as part of our #DigitalPlace week.
Adopting a citizen led approach to reinventing service delivery through artificial intelligence and robotics07/05/2021 13:05:00
Guest blog: Elizabeth Ajayi – Liz is PwC Consulting CoE lead for intelligent automation in the UK. She also leads PwC’s local public sector Intelligent Automation team which is currently supporting multiple council’s across the UK with their automation journey.


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UK marketing budgets continued to fall in the opening quarter of 2021, as the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown restrictions forced businesses to further look at reducing costs amid decreased economic activity, according to the latest IPA Bellwether Report. But, for the third quarter in a row, downward movement lessened.
A net balance of -11.5% of Bellwether survey panellists reported a reduction in their marketing budgets in Q1 2021, compared to the -24% recorded in the final quarter of 2020. Overall, 25.7% of the around 300 UK-based companies surveyed saw a decrease in available funds, with 14.2% noting an increase.
When broken down into the Bellwether’s seven monitored marketing categories, Events was once again the hardest hit. However, the net balance of firms reporting a contraction in the category improved to -43.2% from -62.9% in Q4 2020. Elsewhere, Market Research (-17.8%), Sales Promotions (-16.2%), Other (-14.7%), Direct Marketing (-11.8%), Main Media (-8.2%), and Public Relations (-8.0%) all also continued on their downward trajectories.
A positive future
Looking forward, the general consensus is that budgets will recover in the next financial year, with a net balance of +17.4% of businesses expecting their total marketing budgets to increase over the next 12 months. Much of this higher expenditure is expected within Main Media advertising, where +10.1% of firms predict growth. Meanwhile, Public Relations (+7.4%) and Direct Marketing (+6.8%) are there only other areas where a rise in budget is anticipated.
For the first time since the end of 2015, the Bellwether panellists were optimistic about industry-wide financial prospects. Overall, 41.2% feel positive about the industry-wide outlook compared to three months ago, while just 15% are on the pessimistic side of the fence.
On their own-company financial prospects, businesses continue to be increasingly upbeat. A net balance of +36.6% are confident of an improvement in their own financial prospects – the strongest level of optimism for six years.
With the ongoing success of the UK’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout and, alongside that, the relaxing of lockdown restrictions, IHS Markit forecasts a 3.5% expansion of GDP in 2021, followed by a growth of 5.8% in 2022. On the ad spend front, the Bellwether author predicts increases of 3.5% and 6.9% in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
“Despite remaining in negative territory overall, the vital signs from this quarter’s Bellwether Report are looking ‘V’ encouraging for a bounce back in UK marketing investment,” said Paul Bainsfair, IPA Director General. “With companies’ confidence levels regarding their financial prospects soaring and with almost three quarters of UK companies either revising their marketing budgets upwards or keeping them the same this quarter versus last, the trajectory is very much moving in a positive direction and at a good pace.
“As the nation comes out of lockdown consumers will be actively seeking out new products, experiences and entertainment, for which it will be more important than ever for companies to build and rebuild their brand awareness.”
Elliot Kerr, Economist at IHS Markit and author of the Bellwether Report, added, “Although marketing budgets continued to decline at a marked pace amid ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, it was positive to see a further trend towards stabilisation. Meanwhile, upbeat forecasts from UK marketers for the coming financial year, after the marked reduction in budgets through 2020, bolsters expectations for a post-pandemic recovery and bodes well for the UK economy.
“Without a doubt, the improvement in budget plans from the previous survey period will have been supported by the release of the UK governments roadmap to relaxing restrictions. It has allowed businesses to look beyond the current climate and begin to build towards a time when demand will recover. If all goes to plan, a strong economic recovery should see ad spending rise sharply in the second half of the year.”


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Blockchain compatible EVM ( Ethereum Virtual Machine) platform built on NEAR protocol, Aurora Labs, with offices in Business Bay in Duba, has launched its Aurora Cloud in the MENA region.
The platform is designed to integrate blockchain technology to their business without friction or the need for expert teams, significant resources, or large investments in time. With Aurora Cloud, businesses can connect their existing products to their own blockchain, allowing for a seamless end user experience that still looks familiar to what their customers use every day.
The platform enables businesses to choose to operate on their own private blockchain, known as an Aurora Silo, implementing KYC/KYB access restrictions and dictating which apps and tokens are available to trade and use, allowing for a bespoke and tailored experience. The ability to control whether they or their customers are responsible for gas fees is another game-changing feature that provides total commercial flexibility and a strong incentive to both businesses and their consumers.
Whilst Aurora Cloud is largely an industry agnostic solution that can provide blockchain benefits across a wide range of industries, the company sees significant benefits for Fintech companies, brokers, banks, investment funds, the energy sector, and those operating within the luxury goods and retail spaces.
“The launch of Aurora Cloud is an exciting moment for Aurora Labs and the wider blockchain industry. With our unique products and innovative approach, we are breaking down the technical barriers and increasing the transition of traditional businesses to the blockchain,” said Alex Shevchenko the CEO of Aurora Labs. “We are confident that Aurora Cloud will position us at the forefront of this shift and provide the industry with a much wider pool of potential customers and partners.”
Aurora raised $12 million in October of 2021.


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The new Lamborghini yacht, the result of the merger of Tecnomar, from The Italian Sea Group, and Automobili Lamborghini with a limited edition of only 63 machines of its type has just arrived on the shores of Miami.
Baptized as Tecnomar per Lamborghini 63, it can reach a speed of 63 knots per hour (117 km/h) and its market price amounts to 3.5 million dollars. So far only four of these yachts have been sold to South American buyers.
Giovanni Costantino, founder and CEO of The Italian Sea Group commented in a release that it is “a high-performance yacht designed with a very shallow draft, which allows it to moor in shallow waters and with its 63 knots it can reach the Bahamas from Miami in one hour.”
“The selected people from all over the world will own not only the fastest Tecnomar motor yacht in the fleet, but also a Tecnomar masterpiece for Lamborghini 63”, added the businessman.
For his part, Brett David, CEO of Prestige Imports Lamborghini, said he felt “honored to have been the first to offer this incredible yacht.” He also added that five or six will be assigned to the US market and other strong markets such as Italy and Japan.
The Tecnomar per Lamborghini 63 is made of carbon fiber and its design is based on the iconic Lamborghini Miura and Countach of the 60s and 70s.
Lamborghini yacht cruises the shores of Miami
This new creation of the famous automobile brand was recently included in the “Best of the Best” of Robb Report magazine, cataloged as “Best Weekend Cruise” and was awarded the prize in the category “Motor Yacht under 25 meters ” (motor yacht under 25 meters) at the 2022 International Yacht & Aviation Awards.
The length of this luxurious The yacht measures 19.20 meters, weighs 24 tons and has hexagonal seats.
The 63 included in the name represents the year Ferruccio Lamborghini founded his company.
“This yacht is proof that shared values and the perfect synergy of the two teams are the key to executing excellent projects,” said Stefano Rutigliano, director of strategy at Automobili Lamborghini.


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RSA Data Security Inc., which makes cryptography software that is a key component of secure transactions on the Internet and corporate computer networks, said yesterday that it had agreed to be acquired by Security Dynamics Technologies Inc. for four million shares of stock.
Investors, sensing that Security Dynamics got a bargain in the midst of Wall Street's feeding frenzy for Internet stocks, sent the company's shares up sharply yesterday and, as a result, increased the potential value of the deal. Shares of Security Dynamics, which closed last week at $49.625, rose $13.125 yesterday to close at $62.75, making the deal worth $251 million.
If approved by Security Dynamics shareholders, the acquisition would give the company control of RSA's portfolio of data encryption and authentication technologies, which are licensed to virtually all of the major companies involved in electronic commerce, including the Netscape Communications Corporation, the Microsoft Corporation, I.B.M., Sun Microsystems Inc., Motorola Inc., Mastercard International and Visa International.
RSA's three largest shareholders: Addison Fischer, a Florida investor; D. James Bidzos, the president and chief executive; and Leonard M. Adleman, one of the inventor's of RSA's technology, who together own 70 percent of the company, have agreed to the deal.
Security Dynamics, of Cambridge, Mass., makes a variety of products used by corporations to verify the identity of computer network users. The company specializes in so-called smart tokens, electronic packets that verify a network user's identity and grant access to specific network computers and services.Continue reading the main story
The tentative $251 million purchase price appears to be a windfall for investors and employees of RSA, of Redwood City, Calif., which reported profits of less than $1 million last year on revenue of $11.6 million. However, the company also owns interests in other Internet companies, including Netscape, Cybercash Inc. and Verifone Inc.
RSA's decision to sell out to Security Dynamics, rather than test its luck in the hot market for Internet public offerings, raised some eyebrows among analysts. Internet companies with even smaller revenues have garnered hundreds of millions of dollars from investors.
"If we go public, we get a lot of money," said Mr. Bidzos. "But if we do it this way, we get a lot of synergy. We think there is a real market opportunity for enterprise security solutions."
"The union of RSA and Security Dynamics is a very positive one," agreed Paul L. Merenbloom, vice president for technology research at Piper Jaffray Inc. in Minneapolis. "It would be a very logical move for the folks at Security Dynamics to extend their installed base into other cryptographic products."
In addition, Mr. Merenbloom and others suggested that the appeal of RSA on Wall Street might be tempered by its potential liability in several legal disputes with a rival company, the Cylink Corporation, arising from a failed joint venture called Public Key Partners. The lawsuits, which challenge the validity of the patents on which RSA's technology is based, are expected to go to trial this summer.Continue reading the main story


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The charity said the gap between the cheapest and most expensive tariffs widened by up to a third in six months.
Co-Operative Energy, which had the widest gap of £405, responded by saying it was cutting its pre-payment rates.
The BBC reports that the results come ahead of an inquiry into the whole energy industry.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) began its investigation a year ago, and is due to report on Tuesday.
“The CMA investigation provides an opportunity to overhaul the energy industry and make it fairer,” said Gillian Guy, the chief executive of Citizens Advice.
“Giving pre-payment meter customers a better deal is a crucial part of this.”
It’s not new that those least-able to afford high bills are paying over the odds for energy. But what’s striking about this report is both the size of the differential – up to £400 – and the timing of the publication.
It comes just days before the the initial findings from the year-long CMA probe into the energy sector.
That’s expected to highlight the plight of millions of customers who either can’t or don’t switch and come up with remedies to change this.
It could be a landmark moment for the entire industry.
The Citizens Advice report feels like a shot across the CMA’s bows – a warning that the energy market has to change to work better for millions of vulnerable customers – not least the increasing number of households that are tied to a pre-payment meter.
Those who have pre-payments meters are more likely to be on a low income, and 80% of those getting them installed are already in debt.
Users pay for their electricity or gas in advance, by topping up cards or buying tokens.
In the most extreme example, a customer of Co-operative Energy would have had to pay £951 a year if on the cheapest online direct debit deal, but £1,356 if they had a pre-payment meter – a difference of £405 a year.
But having had the contrast pointed out to them by Citizens Advice, the company said they would close some of the gap.
Co-operative Energy told the BBC: “Following contact with Citizens Advice, we have taken the opportunity to review our dual fuel pre-payment tariff and will be reducing it to match the cheapest of the Big Six rates immediately.”
It said the tariff had 214 customers and was expensive to manage because accounts were updated manually.
By contrast, British Gas charges pre-payment customers £22 extra.
Responding to the figures, the energy industry said it was committed to delivering fair and competitive tariffs for all customers.
“Suppliers are constantly reviewing their tariffs. We urge customers to shop around for the deal that suits them best,” said a spokesperson for Energy UK.
Last month the energy regulator Ofgem found that some pre-payment customers were charged as much as £180 to have meters installed – and up to £160 to have them removed.
It wants energy suppliers to stop the practice by the autumn.


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Jeanne Carpenter loves blogging about cheese. 'It took me about 35 years,' she noted, 'but I finally found a job I liked and felt like getting up for.'
If there was an overarching theme to the presentation on Wisconsin cheese Tuesday night at Fromagination, the lovely cheese shop that just opened at 12 S. Carroll St., it was that in Wisconsin, cheese is, well, a big deal.
"Where else do people wear cheese on their heads?" asked Fromagination's Laurie Greenberg, rhetorically. She led the seminar -- the first of a series the store is sponsoring -- with Jeanne Carpenter, who blogs about cheese at Cheese Underground.
None of the 14 who came wore cheese on their heads, but they did arrive ready to eat cheese -- nine cheeses in all, including sheep's milk cheese, washed-rind cheese, firm cheese and semi-firm cheese. All were from artisanal Wisconsin cheese makers, and all were of very high quality. All were delicious. Along with the cheese, the people ate dried fruit and nuts, the better to cleanse the palate between cheeses. Water was drunk from plastic cups.
Greenberg began the talk with a little history. Many years ago, she said, "There was a cheese factory at almost every crossroads. If you had a lot of milk, the best way to preserve it was to convert it into cheese." Alas, Wisconsin cheese production peaked in 1922.
But Wisconsin cheese still is going strong. There are 115 cheese plants here, she said, the most in any state -- as compared to the 62 in California, the runner-up. True, California recently surpassed Wisconsin in sheer volume of cheese produced. "But the focus in Wisconsin has always been on quality," she said.
The people assembled sat knee to knee in the front of the store, where Greenberg and Carpenter spoke before a flat-panel display. On the screen they displayed old pictures from Wisconsin dairy history, and photos of today's cheese makers.
Overhead, ceiling fans slowly spun. Lining the walls were shelves of honey, crackers, fancy olive oil. There were humming refrigerated cases full of Wisconsin cheese -- grass-based cheddar from Edelweiss Creamery, Crave Brothers Mascarpone. (For the first month, the store is selling only Wisconsin cheese.)
A red-faced man interrupted Greenberg. "I read that Maryland consumes the most Velveeta per capita," he volunteered. Everyone laughed.
"And it's so small!" someone said, referring to Maryland.
Then Carpenter gave some opening remarks. She loves blogging about cheese, she said. "It took me about 35 years," she noted, "but I finally found a job I liked and felt like getting up for."
At last it was time to eat cheese. A large tray circulated the room. It contained all the evening's samples, the first of which was a smooth, subtle sheep's milk cheese called Driftless, from Westby's Hidden Springs Creamery. On the screen appeared a picture of Hidden Springs' Brenda Jensen. "They use draft horses," said Carpenter. There were appreciative murmurs.
Then came morsels of something called Mobay, from Carr Valley in La Valle. Mobay actually is two cheeses, a layer of goat cheese and a layer of sheep cheese, separated by grapevine ash. It had a tang.
"Did you like that one?" Greenberg asked.
"M-hm!" came a chorus. Everyone was still chewing.
Carpenter distributed slices of Fleuri Noir, from Fantme Farm, in Ridgeway. "Soft; bloomy rind," read a description of the cheese in the evening's syllabus. "Dusted with ash & salt; hand-ladled."
"Look at the bloomy rind!" Greenberg said, brandishing a piece of the Fleuri Noir. "I'd pass it around, but we don't need to get it on everyone's fingers."
And so came all that glorious cheese: aged Swiss wheel from Monroe's Chalet Cheese; Pleasant Ridge Reserve from Uplands Cheese, in Dodgeville; delightful brick cheese from Widmer's Cheese Cellars in Theresa.
As the Widmer's was going around, a slide of proprietor Joe Widmer appeared on the screen. He wore a beard, a paper hat, and a stern expression. Behind him was a pile of bricks. They are used, Greenberg said, to force the whey from the cheese, and that is why it is called brick cheese. "Those are the bricks his grandfather used," said Greenberg. "Nobody makes brick cheese like Joe."
The tasting was winding down. "You always want to start a tasting with a mild cheese and end with a strong one," said Carpenter, who had begun passing around slices of aromatic gorgonzola, from North Hendren Co-op in Willard. It was the best cheese of the evening, an explosion of flavor.


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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating whether e-cigarette companies are marketing their products illegally, according to The Washington Post.
The agency sent letters to 21 manufacturers and importers, asking them to provide information on when more than 40 products went on the market. Tobacco products introduced or changed after August 8, 2016 must receive FDA clearance before being sold. If the FDA determines products are being sold illegally, the manufacturers could face fines, seizures or a court order to take the products off the market.
The new actions are part of the FDA’s plan to address the epidemic of youth e-cigarette use, the agency said in a news release.
Full story at drugfree.org
Youth e-cigarette use in the United States is an epidemic, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said Wednesday. He announced new steps the agency is taking to prevent youth vaping.
The FDA will stop sales of flavored e-cigarettes if major manufacturers cannot prove they are doing enough to keep them out of the hands of children and teens, USA Today reports. The agency is giving manufacturers 60 days to submit plans to prevent youth e-cigarette use. If the FDA does not approve the plans, it could order their products off the market.
Full story at drugfree.org
A new UCLA study found that healthy nonsmokers experienced increased adrenaline levels in their heart after one electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) with nicotine but there were no increased adrenaline levels when the study subjects used an a nicotine-free or empty e-cig.
The findings are published in Journal of the American Heart Association, the Open Access Journal of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.
Unlike cigarettes, e-cigs have no combustion or tobacco. Instead, these electronic, handheld devices deliver nicotine with flavoring and other chemicals in a vapor instead of smoke.
Full story at Science Daily
Attorneys general in more than a dozen states are using state and local laws to pressure the e-cigarette industry to stop marketing to minors, according to Reuters.
The attorneys general of states including California, New York, Indiana and Ohio are applying pressure at all levels, from large tobacco companies to neighborhood vape shops, the article notes.
Their campaign has accelerated since government researchers published a report in April that found e-cigarette use among teens tripled from 2013 to 2014. An estimated 13 percent of high school students used e-cigarettes last year—compared with 9 percent who smoked traditional cigarettes.
Full story of e-cigarette industry targeting minors at drugfree.org
E-cigarette makers are quickly producing new flavors to attract customers, The New York Times reports. More than 7,000 flavors are now available, with an estimated 250 new varieties being introduced each month.
As fewer Americans smoke, tobacco companies are increasingly turning their attention to e-cigarettes. This week, Reynolds American agree to buy Lorillard, joining two of the country’s largest tobacco manufacturers. Both companies are ramping up their production of e-cigarettes.
E-cigarette makers say offering a variety of flavors differentiates them from regular cigarettes.
Full story of e-cigarette flavors to attract customers at drugfree.org


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a new yayoi kusama infinity room is coming to nyc
Get ready to get in line this fall.
yayoi kusama's infinity rooms are more than instagram opportunities
Australia's first permanent infinity room just got installed at the National Gallery of Australia, and it might be one of Kusama’s most nuanced, abstract works yet.
yayoi kusama is about to drop the year’s hottest skate line 🔥
The Japanese artist has teamed up with MoMA on some very dotty, very limited edition skate decks.
the new yayoi kusama documentary will explore mental health in japanese culture
'Kusama -- Infinity' will uncover how Kusama overcame the trauma of growing up in Japan during World War II to become one of the biggest selling and most popular artists in the world.
yayoi kusama is coming to a nyc beach this summer
The legendary Japanese artist will reimagine one of her most beautiful works in collaboration with MoMA PS1.
step inside yayoi kusama’s mind-bending selfie wonderland
Arrive with a fully charged phone battery — Kusama's latest exhibition, “Festival of Life,” includes two brand new Infinity Mirrored Rooms.
yayoi kusama’s life story has been turned into a vibrant picture book
A children's book we're eager to flip through.
yayoi kusama's pumpkin installation reopens after selfie accident
A over-enthused visitor lost their balance, damaging an $800,000 sculpture.
the infinite joy of yayoi kusama
As the beloved Japanese artist opens a major exhibition in London, celebrate what makes her work so unique.
shigeo anzaï has spent a lifetime documenting the inimitable characters of the art world
The Japanese photographer who captured visual iconoclasts including Damien Hirst and Yayoi Kusama returns to London, where his new exhibition opens at White Rainbow Gallery.
yayoi kusama wants to make your bedroom her next work of art
Airbnb and the Tate Modern are teaming up with the legendary Japanese artist to transform one lucky Londoner’s spare room into a cosmic hall of mirrors or neon sticker paradise.
watch adele perform inside yayoi kusama's iconic installation
The artist's 'Infinity Mirrored Room -- The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away' played stage to a stirring rendition of 'When We Were Young.'


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Posting pictures or posts to your MySpace page via mobile device is not new. AT&T and T-Mobile have been doing it for a little while now. What makes this news about Verizon different is that their strategy is one of “hurry up and wait.”
Instead of jumping in and creating platforms using the current 3G technology, they are putting most of their eggs into the 4G basket. Video is the prize to be won, the segment of social networking via mobile that they are targeting. Currently, downloading video to mobile devices isn’t hard. The problem is with uploading.
Verizon believes that 4G will solve this, making it possible to quickly, easily, and inexpensively upload videos mobile to mobile or mobile to web. While the smart money would say that getting in fast is the best way to go in an everchanging market, recent innovators have shown that hitting the market second is a way to make it to the top. Nintendo Wii and Facebook are two high profile examples of this in practice.
Verizon is hoping for similar results.


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XM Issues Statement About RIAA Lawsuit
May 21, 2006 3:33 PM
comment(s) - last by
XM will not concede to the RIAA quietly
that the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is planning to sue XM radio over the use of the Pioneer Inno XM2go portable XM player. Users with the device from Pioneer are able to save music files that XM broadcasts onto the player -- the RIAA claims that the device infringes on copyright laws, and the organization should get higher music licensing fees.
recently published a letter to its users
claiming "They [The RIAA] don't get it. These devices are clearly legal. Consumers have enjoyed the right to tape off the air for their personal use for decades, from reel-to-reel and the cassette to the VCR and TiVo."
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)
has also spoken out against
the lawsuit by the RIAA. Michael Petricone, Vice President of Government Affairs for the CEA took time to protect the rights of XM allowing users to have a device like the Pioneer Inno.
This article is over a month old, voting and posting comments is disabled
RE: What about Sirius?
5/22/2006 11:07:57 AM
The funny thing is that this could be what finally breaks XM.
I wonder if my cable company has to pay more when i timeshift or record content? If the RIAA wins this, what's next?
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Lucid Group has been sued by securities regulators investigating the electric automaker’s merger, turning it into a publicly traded company.
Lucid said in a regulatory filing Monday morning that the Securities and Exchange Commission has requested certain documents related to its investigation.
“While there is no certainty as to the scope or outcome of this case, the investigation appears to relate to the business combination between the company (f/k/a Churchill Capital Corp. IV) and Atieva, Inc. and certain forecasts and statements,” Lucid’s regulatory filing says.
Lucid said it is fully cooperating with the SEC in its assessment.
Shares of Lucid fell more than 9.5% on the news.
In February, Lucid Motors announced it had reached an agreement to become a publicly traded company through a merger with special acquisition company Churchill Capital IV Corp. At the time, it was considered one of the biggest deals between a blank check company and electric vehicle startup.
Shareholders approved the merger between Lucid Motors and Churchill Capital IV in late July, after the companies extended the deadline by one day because not enough private investors showed up to cast their votes. The company is now called Lucid Group.
Since then, Lucid Group has begun delivery of its first all-electric luxury vehicle, the Lucid Air, and has announced plans to expand its Casa Grande, Arizona facility by 2.7 million square feet. Some of that expansion will be used for Project Gravity, a luxury electric vehicle SUV that is scheduled to enter production in 2023.
SPACs, a financial tool that came back into vogue two years ago, has been framed as a better, faster way for companies to go public. A number of venture capitalists have also jumped into the SPAC game, helping to speed up the pace of deals. But that has also led to regulators taking a closer look at some of these mergers. At least three mobility-related SPAC mergers have been scrutinized by the SEC. Regulators’ investigations into Nikola Motors led to the founder’s resignation and three charges of fraud. Lordstown Motors is under investigation by the SEC and the Justice Department.


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About a month after Dallas police stopped responding to or taking reports in some minor shoplifting cases, total reported crimes in that category have dropped by more than half.
But Dallas Police Chief David Brown said Monday that the decrease — from 154 to 66 through January from the same period last year — accounts for only a small percentage of overall crime. He added that it’s also too early in the year and overall reported offense totals are too small to determine any lasting trends.
The shoplifting policy, which was first reported by The Dallas Morning News in December, pertains to less serious Class C misdemeanor cases and doesn’t bar police from responding in all cases. Under the policy, officers generally no longer respond or take reports in shoplifting cases in which a suspect took less than $50 in merchandise.
Brown also noted an increase in felony shoplifting arrests, which rose from 35 through January last year to 45 through the first month of this year. Class A and B misdemeanor arrests rose from 162 to 192 in the same period.
“We are arresting the right people,” Brown told the Dallas City Council Public Safety Committee on Monday. “Our strategy was the lower-level Class C crimes were not getting the conviction results we needed, and we needed to focus on the higher-grade thefts, the habitual thief who commits several thousands of crimes over a year, in order to have an impact on shoplifts.”
Police can still respond to the scene if the suspected shoplifter has outstanding warrants or cannot be positively identified or if the business owner wants to file a criminal trespass notice, for example.
According to the policy, retailers are still supposed to call police when they detain a suspected shoplifter who has taken less than $50 in merchandise. The retailers are supposed to provide police with the identification information so the suspect can be checked for outstanding warrants.
But even if the person is wanted and an officer responds to make an arrest, they won’t cite the suspect for shoplifting or make a police report. Instead, the onus is on the retailer to complete required paperwork and send it to prosecutors. The paperwork includes a notice that the retailer may be required to appear in court.
A key reason for the policy is that the conviction rate for Class C misdemeanors was about 4 percent, largely because retailers failed to show up in court to prosecute, Brown has said.
Shoplifting less than $50 worth of merchandise is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500. Higher charges are possible if a suspect has theft convictions.
Retailers’ reactions to the new policy in December were mixed. Dallas police said it was part of a broad strategy to target organized shoplifting rings and fencing operations.
“That was the point of our strategy, to focus on the habitual, repeat thief who really by the time we catch them they’ve stolen thousands of items out of these stores,” Brown said. He added that he believes convicting repeat offenders will drive down all types of thefts.
In an interview after the committee meeting, Brown acknowledged there are some misperceptions about the policy change, including the idea that police no longer respond to certain calls.
“We contacted over 700 small businesses to encourage them to first of all fill out the form and … show up in court and convict,” Brown said. “But also call us out because you don’t want that person back in your store. You have us give them a criminal trespass” warning.


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Painted Cottage in Topsfield is closing
The Painted Cottage in downtown Topsfield is closing. Owner Jennifer Travis is holding a clearance sale this weekend to wrap things up.
“I’m moving on to new adventures,” Travis said.
The store has been open for a year. Travis said the pandemic has made things difficult, and she has a daughter who is in high school and is home part time. Travis said she just hasn’t had the time to put into the store.
However, she said, “It’s all good.”
She’s taken a full-time position in the software industry and will be able to work from home. She said she’s just going to wrap up the Painted Cottage business after this weekend’s sale and look back on it as having been a fun adventure for a year.
The Painted Cottage is at 54 Main St. and features a range of home decor. The sale will run Saturday, Oct. 31, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 1, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. All inventory will be 50% off.


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One of the main reasons why electric vehicles (EV) haven’t quite caught on in this country? Their cost. But back in July, Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk announced news that lots of people were waiting to hear — that his car company is working on the first EV for the mainstream.
Called the Model 3, Musk claims that the car (targeted for release in 2016 and available to the general public in 2017) will cost $35,000 and can travel 200 miles on a single charge. The only other major EV that can reach 200-something miles is the Tesla Model S, which starts at a much more costly $70,000.
If the Model 3 succeeds, Tesla could dominate a very niche and profitable sector. But not if General Motors gets there first.
Quartz recently detailed the tense and exciting battle between the two auto companies vying to make the first mass-market electric car. Here, some of the most interesting findings:
1. Tesla or GM could sell a LOT of electric cars. Like the highly popular and desirable BMW 3 series, there is a serious market for entry-level luxury cars. And now that consumers are more open to plug-ins, plus the trendiness of sustainable products, the sky’s the limit. Experts tell Quartz that the potential of an affordable 200-mile EV could really sway buyers to make the switch to electric, since that’s the point at which people no longer feel scared about their battery running out of juice in the middle of nowhere. Sales of electric cars — which currently stand at 2,000 to 3,000 vehicles a month — could swell to 15 to 20 times that amount once this technology proves successful, Quartz reports.
2. Tesla’s “gigafactory.” The reason why EVs are currently so expensive: batteries are costly. However, as technology improves, batteries will get cheaper. For example, the Tesla Model S lithium-ion battery currently costs about $15,000 per car, but Musk is building an enormous plant called the “gigafactory” that aims to double the global production of batteries — thus cutting expenses. Musk expects his new batteries will cost about $10,500 each.
3. GM is worried. Can a 106-year-old car company (riddled with controversy and recalls) actually compete against the technological whizzbangery of 10-year-old Tesla and its charismatic rockstar of a CEO? Steve Girsky, GM’s vice chairman, says that former GM CEO Dan Akerson was worried about Tesla and assigned a small team to study Musk’s EV’s and how it might threaten GM’s business.
4. GM, however, has a card up its sleeve. Tesla isn’t the only one working on a cheaper super battery. According to Quartz, Korean chemical company LG Chemical is working on their own battery that could be 200-mile ready by 2016. And while LG hasn’t said which automaker is getting the battery, since LG is GM’s supplier, we have a good guess as to which company will get it.
5. Still, the smart money is on Tesla. “We just haven’t seen any incumbent carmaker that has been able to make a compelling plug-in car in the way that Tesla has,” Navigant’s Sam Jaffe tells Quartz.
The drama between Tesla and GM is already exciting, but the best part about this EV battle? The planet is much better off for it. With so many environmentally friendly cars potentially flooding our roads, this would reduce the demand on fossil fuels and maybe, one day, even put a serious dent in the earth-damaging oil industry.
Competition spurs the best in innovation and as Tesla spokesperson Simon Sproule said after Musk surprisingly released his electric car patents to all in June, “The mission of the company is to accelerate the widespread adoption of electric cars. If Tesla acts as the catalyst for other manufacturers … that will have been achieved.”
Guess we only have to wait two years to find out which company comes out on top.


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Retired couple helping struggling families to clothe their children struck by complaint over foot traffic
For the past five years Queensland's Brian and Narelle Jeffriess have fostered a free service, where parents donate clothing, toys, even furniture, often swapping them for other donated items.
The retired couple coordinate the Redland Kids Clothes Swap with the help of 25 volunteers, sorting and washing bags of donations each week before opening their home to the public on Friday mornings.
"We have lots of parents who just simply can't afford to go to the shops and kit their kids out," Brian said.
"They come here just astounded that, 'Oh, my God, we're getting it for free'," Narelle said.
But now the entire initiative is hanging by a thread because of one complaint to council, claiming the operation attracts too much foot traffic in the residential area.
"Basically (council said) people who live here have the right to not have that traffic and people walking around," Narelle said.
"I can't see why doing this is hurting anybody but obviously you have to abide by the law."
Tracy Sommerfeld has been using the service to help with her grandson.
"Financially it's been hard, so I come here to swap his clothes over and dress him, and he's been a lucky boy, he gets some good brands here," she said.
"People come from miles around to use the service because it helps them with the day to day budget, they don't have to spend money on clothes or toys or prams or cots."
Local mum Ella said that on top of helping the family budget, the service stopped her hand-me-downs from heading to landfill.
"Just cycling through different clothes and not having that financial pressure of needing to go and spend hundreds of dollars to get some new clothes.
"(But) on top of the cost of living just the recycling point of being able to not see all of these clothes not end up in landfill ... it's a really amazing service that they offer.
"It would be devastating, for me, for the community, for my kids, really sad (for it to close down)."
Narelle and Brian have copped the odd complaint in the past over parking.
Council addressed the problem by adding yellow lines to problem areas, but now the foot traffic also appears to be an issue.
Redland City Council told A Current Affair not-for-profit charities "are not exempt from home business regulations under State planning laws".
"Council will look to provide alternative solutions that may assist Redlands Kids Clothes Swap," A council spokesperson said.
That could involve an alternative venue, but Narelle and Brian said that wouldn't work for them.
"Ideally, what we would like would be an exemption, so we can continue for three hours once a week,' the pair said.
Narelle and Brian have another meeting with the council this week, they said being forced to operate out of a separate venue would make it impossible for them to continue.
A petition has been set up to support the charity's mission to continue operating.
FULL REDLAND CITY COUNCIL STATEMENT
Redland City Council acknowledges the work being undertaken by Redlands Kids Clothes Swap and the value and importance it has had for the Redlands Coast community.
Following concerns from some in the community regarding the operation of the charity in a low-density residential area, including issues of parking and visitation of up to 100 people an event, Council was required to commence an investigation into the operation of the service.
Council has not formally directed the service to stop operating, but has sought to assist the operators over the last six months in regards to how they could become compliant.
This could be through reducing the number of times they are open to the public though the year or seeking a planning permit for a home-based enterprise.
Not-for-profit charities are not exempt from home business regulations under State planning laws.
While Council's investigation is ongoing, if the service cannot operate consistent with the planning regulations, Council will look to provide alternative solutions that may assist Redlands Kids Clothes Swap.
A further meeting with the operators has been scheduled for later this week in this regard.
Council notes that alternative premises does not seem to be an outcome sought by the operators.


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Western Union Buys 15% Stake In Saudi Telecom's Stc Pay For $200 Mln
(RTTNews) - Western Union Co (WU) announced that it has agreed to acquire 15 percent stake in Saudi Digital Payments Company, or stc pay, a unit of Saudi Telecom Co., for $200 million. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2021 and the proceeds of the deal will be used to finance stc pay's capital.
Saudi Telecom said it will inject 400 million Saudi riyals as additional capital stc pay and a further 802 million Saudi riyals if it manages to obtain a digital banking license.
stc pay is a unit of Saudi Telecom Co. focused on digital payments and financial technology services has a strong base of over 4 million customers and an established regional brand in the fast-growing digital wallet market.
Western Union currently partners with stc pay, providing money transfer services that allow stc pay's users to send money from its app to 200+ countries and territories in 130+ currencies through Western Union's extensive global network of accounts, wallets, cards and retail.


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CRM giant Salesforce.com is doing some bragging this week, reporting 'soaring adoption' of its new Salesforce1 platform for social, mobile and cloud applications, and also pushing its new concept called "The Internet of Customers."
The company coined the phrase late last year. It refers to the infrastructure connects applications and databases in the Salesforce marketing cloud to the so-called “Internet of Things." For its part, Cisco has busy promoting the "Internet of Things" concept into mainstream tech language, referring to the network of physical objects that are accessible and manageable through the Internet, thanks to sensors and other technology embedded in those objects.
But ultimately, as Salesforce points out, connectivity is not just about connecting things, it's about connecting people.
Internet of Customers Finds Traction
Here’s the overarching concept as Salesforce.com sees it: Every day, millions of new products, apps and devices are connecting to the Internet. By 2020, there will be more than 50 billion connected things -- from smartphones and wearables to jet engines and ultrasound machines. And behind every product, every app and every device, there is a customer.
With that in mind, Salesforce.com wants to position the Web not as the Internet of Things, but as the Internet of Customers. The company predicts somewhat of a tech revolution, where companies will connect every employee, partner, product, app and device to their customers using the power of social networks, mobile devices, and cloud computing. Indeed, customers have never been so close, and companies must be prepared to sell, service and market to them anytime, anywhere, and on any device.
In its first month, Salesforce says its new Salesforce1 Customer Platform drove a 96 percent increase in Salesforce1 mobile app active users and a 46 percent increase in active users of custom mobile apps.
What’s more, the company reports that partner apps built and optimized for the Salesforce1 Customer Platform have already doubled since its launch. More than 250 partners have committed to delivering new Salesforce1 apps on the Salesforce1 AppExchange. One such partner is DocuSign, and the company's CEO spoke about the benefit of linking up with Salesforce.
"DocuSign for Salesforce1 creates new opportunities for DocuSign customers to extend the value of Salesforce by delivering apps and data in a single place where everything is connected in the context of the customer," said Keith Krach, chairman and CEO of DocuSign. "As the global standard for eSignature, DocuSign for Salesforce1 brings our powerful and easy-to-use eSignature solution to more customers globally so they can close deals faster in the cloud and in person from the convenience of their mobile device."
Golden Age in Enterprise Apps
Steve Hodgkinson, research director of IT at market research firm Ovum, said Salesforce.com’s strategy is for Salesforce1 to fuel "a golden age in enterprise apps" by acting as a platform upon which both enterprise customers and independent software vendors can develop and run new apps that are fully integrated into the Salesforce user experience.
"This heralds a new platform-as-a-service era for enterprise applications," he said. "Cloud service platforms will drive an even bigger revolution in enterprise IT as we all try to make sense of the opportunities created by tens of billions of connected devices, thousands of apps, and the customers and citizens that own and use them.""


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Amazon has determined to close down all of its success centers in France after a French courtroom dominated the company may well be fined €1 million per merchandise for delivery anything else indirectly related to clinical supplies, hygiene merchandise, and meals items. the company, which plans to attraction the ruling, says that on the moment the “chance is too top” that it is going to run afoul of the ruling as a result of complexities in its warehouse operations. The shutdown will remaining from no less than April 16th to April 20th. Reuters in the beginning published the inside track on Wednesday morning.
“Following the judgement of a French court on Tuesday, now we have to briefly suspend operations in our Fulfilment Centres in France. This Is in spite of the huge investment we made in additional safety measures to maintain our exhausting-operating, devoted colleagues safe, even as making sure that they had persevered employment at this tough time,” an Amazon spokesperson tells The Verge in observation. “Our FC operations are complicated and varied, and with the punitive 1M euro in line with incident fines imposed by way of the courtroom, the risk was once too high. We remain at a loss for words by means of the court’s choice, which was made in spite of the overwhelming proof we equipped in regards to the protection measures we have implemented, and feature launched an attraction.”
“with the punitive 1M euro consistent with incident fines imposed through the court docket, the risk was too high”
Amazon has come under fire both within the US and out of the country for its coping with of health and protection issues throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The health challenge has best made the e-trade massive’s services extra essential as other folks refuge at home and depend more on online ordering and supply of family goods, food, and other pieces. However greater than 50 Amazon-owned amenities have showed COVID-19 instances, consistent with the Monetary Times, and the company is now development its own trying out lab to take a look at to maintain its operations operating amid panic surrounding the virus’s speedy spread via its warehouses.
inside the main issue, Amazon has been criticized by way of employees, activists, and politicians for not correctly speaking to warehouse workers whilst a co-employee has been recognized with the illness and for not taking sufficient precautionary measures to stop the sickness from spreading by way of ultimate down amenities and deep cleansing them. In some cases, Amazon workers say they just pay attention a few COVID-19 prognosis from co-staff, and in Kentucky, the governor ordered Amazon to maintain its returns facility closed after a large number of confirmed circumstances some of the staff.
in keeping with Amazon, the Kentucky warehouse reopened on April 1st. the corporate provided this commentary to The Verge regarding its measures to make sure employee well being and safety:
Not Anything is extra important than the well being and safety of our groups. for the reason that early days of this situation, we have now labored carefully with well being authorities to proactively reply, ensuring we proceed to serve other folks at the same time as taking care of our associates and groups. we now have additionally implemented proactive measures at our amenities to give protection to workers, together with necessary social distancing, including distance between drivers and those in the neighborhood when making deliveries, and providing mask for everybody to make use of, as we stay devoted to retaining our teams healthy and safe.
in a single particularly high-profile controversy, Amazon also fired a warehouse employee in Ny Town who organized a protest against the company’s managing of health and questions of safety related to COVID-19. the placement, through which Amazon claimed the employee violated the company’s self-isolation tips to wait the protest, drew the eye of Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) and accusations of retaliation. It was once later found out Amazon executives internally mentioned the way to smear the organizer within the media.
Warehouse workers are forcing Amazon to take COVID-19 critically
Amazon warehouse workers stroll out in emerging tide of COVID-19 protests
In France, the Union Syndicale Solidaires trade union filed lawsuits pushing for more oversight of Amazon’s coping with of well being problems throughout the pandemic and calling for the closure of amenities due to overcrowding. Amazon now says it’s asking its fulfillment center workers to stay home. Amazon employs approximately 10,000 other people in warehouses in France, in step with Reuters.
“within the imply-time, we’re running thru what this court’s resolution means for them and our French operation,” the commentary reads. “Whilst we will be able to do our greatest to attenuate the have an effect on on French small businesses, individuals who rely on our FC network to deliver their products shall be negatively impacted by means of this ruling.”
Amazon says it is going to proceed to serve French consumers the use of its Marketplace sellers and “powerful global fulfillment community.” Alternatively, it’s not clear if that suggests French customers will have to order from Market sellers out of doors the rustic and have those merchandise shipped in without routing thru a warehouse, or if French Market dealers will probably be capable of ship the pieces directly or via an Amazon spouse.
Replace April 15th, 5:05PM ET: Delivered further comment from Amazon referring to its measures to give protection to workers throughout COVID-19.