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Google is getting back into the consumer goods market with an online store and a co-branded tablet, according to a story in the Wall Street Journal. On Thursday evening the Journal said that the search engine would try directly targeting the consumer market again, this time with tablets. Since consumers tend to buy tablets without a carrier contract, this time Google’s direct-to-consumer strategy might work.
The Internet search company is planning to market and sell tablets directly to consumers through an online store, similar to rivals Apple and Amazon.com Inc., according to people familiar with the matter. The move is an effort to turn around sluggish sales of tablet computers powered by Google’s Android software.
Some of the online store’s future tablets are expected to be co-branded with Google’s name, said people familiar with the matter. Google won’t make the devices and its existing partners such as Samsung Electronics Co. and ASUSTeK Computer Inc. will be responsible for the hardware. One Android tablet that may be sold in the online store is due to be released later this year by Taiwan-based Asus, said one of these people.
This isn’t a totally foreign rumor to hit the media in the last few weeks, although the online store strategy is new.
While it’s true that Google’s Android OS isn’t making huge dents in the tablet market compared with Apple’s iPad, it’s not clear if the issue is the retail strategy associated with it. The Android tablet market has been beset by glitchy hardware and slow upgrades to tablet-capable versions of Android. By making a co-branded tablet with hardware companies, Google may be able to help set the tone and experience for Android on a tablet, something it did really well with the Nexus phone.
Unlike Apple, which controls its ecosystem, Google leaves nearly everything to partners, which can lead to a disjointed or fragmented user experience that can tarnish the entire Android brand. In fact, in many ways the Nexus program, while not a great seller, has shown hardware makers, consumers and developers what the Android OS can do.
Plus, the tablet market is different than the handset markets, as for the most part carriers aren’t involved in the consumer’s purchase. In fact, as Kevin Tofel recently reported nine out of 10 tablet buyers don’t go through their carrier, which means that Google might be a viable seller. When Google shut down its Nexus store back in May 2010, Kevin pointed out that much of the failure was associated with the lack of subsidized handsets and the customers being willing to purchase a handset sight unseen. Google also didn’t spend money or time marketing the store.
The subsidy isn’t an issue with tablets, and Amazon has proven that people will buy the Kindle tablet online. So perhaps if Google puts some marketing muscle behind its new store this time the ending will be different.


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Ford Motor Company is issuing a safety recall for approximately 37,000 2015 Ford F-150 vehicles for a potential issue with adaptive cruise control.
When passing a large, highly reflective truck, the adaptive cruise control radar in some vehicles could incorrectly identify the truck as being in the F-150 lane of travel when it is not. As a result, the vehicle might apply the brakes until the truck is no longer perceived to be in the lane of travel. The collision warning system red warning light might also flash and a tone might be heard at the same time. When this happens, the brake lights will illuminate. The potential duration of this unexpected adaptive cruise control braking could increase the risk of a crash involving a vehicle behind the F-150.
Ford received a report of one accident that could be related to this issue; no injuries were reported.
Affected vehicles include certain 2015 Ford F-150 vehicles built at Dearborn Truck Plant, March 18, 2014 through Aug. 5, 2015, and at Kansas City Assembly Plant, Aug. 11, 2014 through Aug. 6, 2015.
There are a total of approximately 37,000 (actual 36,857) vehicles that might be affected in North America. There are 33,481 vehicles in the United States and federalized territories, and 3,376 in Canada.
Dealers will update the adaptive cruise control module software at no cost to the customer.

domain: news


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IT (information technology) services major Wipro has been busy with a slew of announcements these past few days.
On June 11, the company said it onboarded new CTO, Anup Purohit. This was followed by an Oracle cloud infrastructure partnership on June 14. A day later, the company revealed it has roped in Levi Strausss for digital commerce initiatives and separately, announced an open innovation lab with automotive solutions provider FEV.
On Wednesday, Wipro joined The World Economic Forum’s partnership for New Work Standards initiative.
Wipro has said that it intends to join IBM’s partner ecosystem in a bid to modernise mission critical workloads across hybrid cloud environments. This will be accomplished through IBM’s proprietary solution, ‘Cloud Paks for Automation’ along with the help of IBMs AI/ML platform, the ‘IBM Automation Foundation’. The solution will provide recommendations along with automation of migration to the cloud for its clients.
Wipro has also joined hands with Oracle to launch another cloud migration solution, called as the ‘Wipro Zero Cost Transformation’.
The solution will help companies to migrate workloads to the Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), while moving towards a pay as you use model (CapEx to OpEx) under a managed services framework. Wipro said that the move will help to mitigate the issues of having multiple service providers for migration efforts.
Wipro said it has increased its Oracle Cloud certifications consultants by 400% over the past three years.
Partnership with Levi Strauss and initiative for new work standards
Wipro has extended its multi-year engagement partnership with global apparel maker Levi Strauss & Co.
The Indian IT services major, on June 15, said that it will help Levi in the areas of e-commerce, B2B commerce, consumer data hub, retail infrastructure, store applications, point of sale and global retail concierge.
Wipro also said that it has joined the World Economic Forum’s Partnership for its New Work Standards initiative. The move is expected to work towards more human centric policies and to build human-first work standards. The initiative is expected to help establish a ‘healthy, resilient and equitable future of work’, according to the WEF.
Open Innovation lab for software based vehicles
On Tuesday, Wipro partnered with Aachen, Germany headquartered global engineering solutions provider FEV to create solutions that can be installed on vehicles, which are referred to as software defined vehicles.
The two companies have opened an innovation lab in New York to develop automotive use cases, build software that is scalabe and to develop system features.
“By leveraging such innovative competences, we seek to accelerate the product development activities and develop significant competitive advantage,” Thomas Hülshorst, Global Vice President Intelligent Mobility & Software FEV, said.


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Sasapay, CBK regulated Fintech is flontearing as the emerging reliable superhero of online transactions, here to save the day! Their new Escrow service is like payment superpower.
A protective bubble that keeps your money safe and sound until both parties in a transaction are happy.
“SasaPay provides you with an Escrow e-wallet account which receives and disburses money for the primary transacting parties, with the disbursement dependent on conditions agreed to by the transacting parties.”
The escrow services are also available through sasapay API’s giving the innovators and e-commerce providers access to uterize it on their solutions.
” Our dream is to empower our customers to build trust within payment processes. This will foster growth and innovative solutions built through SasaPay platform.
Its exciting for us as we witness all payments solutions converging at sasapay platform”
In late last year the Electronic payment company Viewtech Limited signed a partnership with OMA Service to allow customers using electronic buses to pay fares digitally.
Through the mobile money platform, travelers will are now using the platform to pay for their trips.
The collaboration was aimed at promoting the use of electric buses provided by BasiGo while simplifying passenger payment processes.
The move to go cashless in the matatu industry has been a debate in the country in recent past with the Matatu Owners Association calling for the introduction of a cashless system in Nairobi city transport.
Passengers can top up their accounts and pay for their tickets directly from the app or through a USSD code, eliminating the need for physical cash or physical tickets.


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The world’s famous Russian security-technology giant Kaspersky has created the world’s first free IoT device scanner. This application, which is known as Kaspersky IoT Scanner, is aimed at providing security for the smart devices in smart homes and offices. The application is free, in beta mode, and currently available on Android platform. Kaspersky IoT device scanner scans IoT-powered smart devices using the domestic Wi-Fi network inside the home and warns the user on his/her smartphone about possible threats, as well as the current security level.
The rapid growth of IoT industry, as is already been described by numerous notable analytics, has also opened up another competitive market: The IoT software industry. Big players of the software industry are now starting to consider providing software to support the massively growing IoT infrastructure globally. The entrance of Kaspersky with a free device scanner invites more and more competition with the other leading security technology companies who, as clearly expected, must be eyeing opportunities in Internet of Things as well.
Obviously, the rapidly growing IoT technology is not without its quota of cyber criminals. Some of the recent attacks being made on IoT-connected things have clearly shown the potential of devastation that can be caused by such unethical onslaughts. In such critical times for IoT industry, the arrival of Kaspersky IoT device scanner is nothing less than a divine blessing (at least for now).
The operation of Kaspersky free IoT device scanner is quite straight forward to understand: The application automatically monitors smart “Home” devices such as CCTV cameras, internet routers, NAS devices, computers, laptops, gaming consoles, smartphones, tablets, Smart TVs, Smart Fridges, connected printers and much more on the home network. The application memorizes all of the devices under scrutiny and warns the user anytime an unauthorized access is detected on his home network.
Furthermore, the application scans for weak points in the connected devices in order to ensure that there are no vulnerabilities that a hacker can exploit. And if this is not enough for a smart home/office owner, Kaspersky IoT Device Scanner also notifies the main user about the strength of the passwords of such crucial devices like Wi-Fi routers or other main internet gateways.
Therefore, considering all these functionalities, and also the fact that the application is in a beta testing mode right now, one may easily realize the important role such kind of apps are going to play soon in near future. We are quite hopeful that the security issues that are too much hyped about IoT technology will now be dealt with, one by one and effectively as well.


text: WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- Consumer credit rebounded in April, the Federal Reserve reported Friday. U.S. consumers increased their debt in April by a seasonally adjusted $11.1 billion, up from an $8.4 billion gain in March. However, the increase is below Wall Street expectations of a $13 billion gain. Monthly debt rose at a 4.7% annual rate in April, compared with a 3.6% rate in the prior month. As has been the recent trend, the April gain in consumer credit was led by the non-revolving category of debt, such as auto loans, personal loans, and student loans, which jumped $10.38 billion, or at a 6.4% rate, following a 5.7% gain in March. Credit-card debt rose by a slim $682.2 million, or a 1.0% rate, in April, after a 1.3% drop in the prior month.


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Social Networking Apps
Twitter vs. Facebook vs. Google+ vs. Instagram. The list is never ending! For a list of our favorites, check out AppCraver’s Editor Picks of the Best Social Networking Apps for iPhone and iPad, or read on for breaking news and reviews of social media and networking applications in the App Store.
Get in the Loop - Shoot and Share Videos Instantly with Looplr
Looplr, a burgeoning Startup with presence in San Diego CA, and Odessa, Ukraine is excited today to announce the recent launch of an updated version of Looplr for the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and all Android devices.
PixUploader - Upload Multiple Photos to Facebook with as little as 1 tap
PixUploader, an iPhone app by Lab57 that makes uploading photos to Facebook practically effortless, was recently launched on Apple's App Store. PixUploader allows users to start uploading photos within seconds with features such as preloading of most recent photos when the app is started, the use of simple drag and flick gestures to arrange photos and the ability to upload up to 8 photos at a time in the background.
Nyan Cat Adventure Game Soundtrack Released on iTunes
21st Street Games released the official Nyan Cat Adventure game soundtrack on iTunes today, featuring original music inspired by the beloved Nyan Cat meme embraced by the internet community.
Facebook Videos Become Interactive ClickBerry for Facebook on iOS
ClickBerry, a Palo Alto-based company that develops interactive video software, announces the launch of their free interactive video enhancing tool, ClickBerry for Facebook. ClickBerry for Facebook instantly turns videos into an interactive experience unlike any other.
Take a Chance on that Second Glance with eye saw you
A flirty glance can translate to the perfect opportunity to connect with new and exciting individuals. With its immediate release, eye saw you for iPhone and Android takes those quick encounters, whether it's a brief eye contact in a local coffee shop or a quick smile and hello in the elevator, and provides users with a unique opportunity to turn an enticing second look into a fun, social connection!
Zoomline Aims to Help Clubgoers Move to the Head of the Line
Zoomline™ is designed to allow users to be VIPs when they choose to be. This slick smart phone app made its debut at the Las Vegas Nightclub and Bar Convention and was one of the most discussed new concepts at the show.
G memo 1.0 for iOS - Let others remind you
Zain Dev today is pleased to announce the release of G memo 1.0 for iOS, their English language social network app that features a new concept in dealing with daily reminders. Ideal for both individual and business use, the app gives user the capability to create reminders, "so called Gs," with time, date and/or location then Send them to other friends.
WebileApps Releases Slide Ur Buddy Puzzle Game App with a New Design
Continuing its habit of constantly improving and updating its apps, WebileApps is now proud to release Slide Ur Buddy V2.1, the revamped version of their addictive and challenging puzzle game.
YouTube, Mashable wish Nyan Cat a Happy Birthday
In honor of the star of iOS game Nyan Cat Adventure, 21st Street Games held a birthday party for Nyan Cat's first year as one of the most viral videos on YouTube, totaling almost 70 million views since its release on April 5 of 2011.
AP Mobile SXSW Interactive Booth Drives Massive Foot and Web Traffic
AP Mobile, the official mobile app of The Associated Press, hosted a booth at the 2012 SXSW Interactive conference from March 12-15 which garnered hundreds of fans in foot traffic, and tens of thousands over the internet.
First iPhone App To Tell Users Who Is Blocking Them On Twitter
iinvent is pleased to announce the release of Twitter Manager, a comprehensive tool for managing Twitter accounts, designed for the iOS devices. With Twitter Manager, users can find out who is unfollowing them, blocking them, not following them back, and more.
Do Not Be Limited to Text - Unleash the Power of Voice
Onmsoft is pleased to announce Voisak 1.0.3, an update to their social networking app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices. Voisak is a new micro audio blogging or social voicemail network, where people can record and publish short voice messages up to 30 seconds.
iPhone App is Raising Money and Awareness for Students with Autism
Brandy Wheeler is on a mission to place iPads in the hands of every local student with Autism. To meet this lofty goal she partnered with Traverse City Area Public Schools to expand their iPads for Autism program.
Lotto Fever Grips Nation: Hatchi Grips App World
Driven by its extreme popularity, the Hatchi universe just exploded, with new features, platforms and an exciting new fan art contest. The first addition you will notice is the Hatchi store, a place where you can buy coins to accelerate your Hatchi's evolution, fill its stats, change its gender, and much, much more.
Express Yourself With MEmoticon's Personalized Emoticons
For the truly creative (or narcissistic), having a personalized emoticon made from your very own face (or faces of friends, family, or celebrities) is a novel concept and the new MEmoticon app makes it possible.


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Tags » Party City
'It just felt kind of repulsive': Edmonton woman wants stores to stop selling Indigenous-themed costumes
Zoe Glassman is urging shoppers to pay extra attention to the meaning behind the costumes they choose this Halloween.
Glassman posed the question to all Canadians after recently coming across an Indigenous-themed costume and accessory display in an Edmonton store. 336 more words


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Rumor has it, Twitter is planning a big move into the realm of ecommerce – and this is a pretty big hint that the company is headed in that direction.
A handful of users spotted something interesting in their mobile settings today – a ‘Payment & Shipping’ tab buried betwixt other security preferences. When tapped, it doesn’t do anything…yet. Check it out:
Huh. A 'Payment and Shipping' tab was just added to my Twitter app. Currently does nothing when tapped. pic.twitter.com/chbUEJBdm5
— Daniel Bader (@journeydan) August 4, 2014
Last month, users spotted a ‘Buy Now’ button inside tweets, apparently coming from shopping app Fancy. Of course, having the ability to buy stuff by simply tapping a button inside a tweet would be huge for mobile shopping. Like Facebook’s own recently announced Buy Button, the little temptations could appear inside promoted posts and give advertisers a huge incentive to promote their goods and services on Twitter.


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FOIE GRAS- A GROWING CONCERN FOR ANIMAL WELFARE IN MAURITIUS?
MHP to end production of foie gras
MHP of Ukraine, regarded as amongst the top ten poultry production companies of the world, has announced that it will cease foie gras production in September 2019 as it is not consistent with the company’s strategies and policies concerning animal welfare, or those related to environment and sustainability.
Foie gras production, which has long been opposed by animal rights groups, has been banned in many European countries including the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Turkey and the United Kingdom, as well as most provinces in Austria. Outside of Europe, it has been outlawed in India, Australia and Argentina. Predictably, other countries will follow.
Still considered as a delicacy in many countries including Mauritius, imports and exports of that rare and expensive commodity continue albeit at a low level.


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In today’s digital age, where information travels at the speed of light and attention spans are fleeting, businesses must leverage every available tool to capture the spotlight. Among the array of digital marketing strategies, the online press release stands out as a potent weapon for enhancing brand visibility and reaching a wider audience. In this article, we’ll delve into the power of online press releases and provide insights into crafting a compelling press release strategy that yields maximum impact.
The Evolution of Press Releases in the Digital Era
Gone are the days when press releases were exclusively sent to newspapers and magazines for possible inclusion in print media. With the advent of the internet, press releases have taken on a new form and purpose. Online press releases serve as a dynamic medium to disseminate news, updates, and announcements directly to the masses through various online platforms. This transformation has opened up a world of opportunities for businesses to connect with their target audience on a global scale.
Why Online Press Releases Matter
- Instant Reach: Online press releases enable businesses to reach a vast audience in real time. Through distribution on news websites, social media platforms, and industry-specific forums, companies can instantly share their latest developments with a worldwide audience, fostering engagement and interaction.
- Search Engine Visibility: Crafting press releases with strategic keywords and phrases can significantly improve a brand’s search engine visibility. Search engines often prioritize news content, ensuring that well-optimized press releases appear prominently in search results, driving organic traffic to a company’s website.
- Credibility and Authority: When a respected news outlet or industry publication picks up and features your press release, it lends credibility and authority to your brand. Such endorsements can positively impact public perception and build trust among potential customers.
- Targeted Audience Engagement: Online press releases can be tailored to specific demographics and interests. By choosing the right platforms and outlets for distribution, businesses can ensure their message reaches the right people, increasing the chances of engagement and conversion.
Crafting a Compelling Online Press Release Strategy
- Define Your Objectives: Before crafting a press release, outline your goals. Are you announcing a new product, sharing a company milestone, or addressing a relevant industry issue? Clear objectives will guide the tone, content, and distribution strategy of your press release.
- Craft a Captivating Headline: The headline is your first impression. It should be concise, attention-grabbing, and informative. Include keywords related to your announcement to improve search engine visibility.
See More – Peter Alexander Pyjamas
- Focus on the Lead: In journalism, the lead (or first paragraph) is crucial. It should succinctly answer the who, what, when, where, why, and how of your news. A compelling lead will encourage readers to continue reading the entire release.
- Provide Value: Ensure that your press release offers value to readers. Avoid excessive self-promotion and focus on providing information that is relevant, educational, or entertaining.
- Incorporate Multimedia: Incorporating images, infographics, and videos can enhance the visual appeal of your press release and make it more shareable on social media platforms.
- Quotes and Insights: Including quotes from key stakeholders, experts, or customers can add depth and authenticity to your press release. These quotes can provide insights, opinions, or endorsements related to your news.
See More – Trixie Tongue Tricks
- Distribution Strategy: Choose the right platforms for distribution based on your target audience and industry. Consider using online press release distribution services that have a wide reach and established connections with news outlets.
- Social Media Amplification: Share your press release across your social media channels to further amplify its reach. Encourage your followers to share the news, sparking conversations and engagement.
- Monitor and Analyze: After distribution, monitor the performance of your press release. Track metrics such as views, engagement, and referral traffic to gauge its impact. Use these insights to refine your future press release strategies.
In the digital age, where attention is a precious commodity, the power of online press releases cannot be underestimated. Their ability to instantly connect businesses with a global audience, boost search engine visibility, and enhance brand credibility makes them an indispensable tool in the modern marketing toolkit. By crafting compelling press releases that resonate with your target audience and employing strategic distribution methods, you can harness the full potential of online press releases to elevate your brand’s visibility and success.


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|REEDSPORT||| Print ||
REEDSPORT — Partners announced that Oregon’s much-anticipated first wave-power park will open in late 2007, 2.5 miles off the coast near Reedsport. Oregon Power Technologies and Pacific Northwest Generating Cooperative have teamed up to develop the demonstrational power park. OPT will install one of its PowerBuoy systems which will generate about 2 megawatts of power, enough to power 500 homes. PNGC will purchase the electrical energy created by the wave-power park and will pay to help get the park up and running. This is the first wave-power operation in the country to receive a permit.
|Powerball jackpot hits new record|
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|How a Seattle school launched Bill Gates career|
|Windows Phone surpasses Blackberry|
|Kim Dotcom doesn't want 3D gun plans on Mega's servers|
|David Beckham retires from soccer|
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Oregon Business magazine's 5th annual
100 Best Green Companies to Work For in Oregon
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
From Oregon Translational Research and Development Institute: OTRADI today announced its plans to open and operate a 13,000 square-foot multi-tenant bioscience complex in the Willamette Wharf building at 4640 SW Macadam Avenue. Slated to be complete in spring 2013, the OTRADI Bioscience Incubator (OBI) will house up to six companies.
MEDIAmerica, publisher of Oregon Business and Oregon Home magazines, announces a new retail website: HalfOffOregon.com. The website offers lodging, dining, recreation and many other items at half off their regular cost.
As you probably know by now, The Vernon Company is a national leader in the promotional products industry with annual sales of over $60 million. We are a family owned business, led by the fourth generation of the Vernon family.


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Don Groves is a Deadline contributor based in Sydney.
Late last year, OmniLab Media and George Miller and Doug Mitchell’s Kennedy Miller Mitchell disbanded their digital production joint venture Dr D Studios after making Happy Feet Two. Now, OmniLab Media is selling its visual effects and post-production businesses to Deluxe Australia, a subsidiary of Deluxe Entertainment Services Group. OmniLab will continue to produce films and TV series, notably holding onto production divisions Ambience Entertainment (Killer Elite, Tomorrow, When The War Began) and New Zealand-based Oktobor Animation (which supplied visual effects to the TV series The Penguins of Madagascar, Fanboy and Chum Chum and Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness). Margins are tight in the local post business, amid a prolonged downturn in Australian film production and international films that location in Oz. Read More »
Creative America, the coalition formed by labor unions, guilds, studios and networks that launched in July, said today that it has kicked off awareness campaign as well as a redesigned website. The group also said the AFL-CIO, the Association of Talent Agents, the Copyright Alliance, Deluxe Entertainment Services Group, FilmL.A., the National Association of Theatre Owners, the Producers Guild of America and the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society have joined the cause since its formation. The new campaign includes a PSA on NBCUniversal networks that we just saw on CNBC. Here it is:
It looks like Paramount will be the first major studio to take its “For Your Consideration” screeners online, announcing today a deal with Deluxe Entertainment Services Group that will provide streams of its awards-season offerings including Rango, Super 8 and Like Crazy. The Visual Effects Society will be the first recipient of the online screeners, getting them as early as Friday. From the release:
The Deluxe solution allows Paramount to securely stream films backed by unique watermarking of the content tied to the individual recipients with DVD quality picture and a controlled window of availability. Content can be played back on a variety of PC and Mac devices, including the iPad and iPad2, as well as home entertainment systems with compatible HDMI cable connection.
Said Paramount’s President of Domestic Marketing & Distribution Megan Colligan: “We are excited to present these films for online streaming and are hopeful that this will be a quality experience allowing us to offer more opportunities for our filmmaker partners to reach appreciative viewers.”


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Welcome to the official website of China - ASEAN Expo
The 15th CAEXPO will be held on：
Sep 12th-15th,2018 8:30-17:00 (Trade Days)
Sep. 15th,2018(Public Day)
A promotion conference on Singapore was held on schedule at the 12th CAEXPO on September 19th, attracting participants who represented the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the International Enterprise (IE) Singapore, the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) and the business community.
The 12th CAEXPO themed on Building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road aims at exploring more opportunities for deepening economic and trade cooperation between China and ASEAN and strengthening the China-ASEAN cooperative relations. Singapore is a hub along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and a pivot that links ASEAN and regional market. 。This promotion conference facilitated communication and exchanges between representatives of different professions, promoted them explore cooperation opportunities, accelerated the upgrade of the China-ASEAN FTA and strengthened the China-Singapore economic and trade cooperation.
Mr. Teo Siong Seng, chairman of the Singapore Business Federation, said that Singapore and China have concluded a lot of major cooperation projects and the bilateral friendly relations would beyond doubt grow from strength to strength with the Belt and Road initiative being implemented.
33 large-scaled companies and SMEs of Singapore participated in the 12th CAEXPO, bringing distinctive products and services for exhibition.
Madam Antonio with the Singapore Development Bank (SDB) Nanning Branch gave high credits on the CAEXPO, who believing that the CAEXPO boasts unique charm and attracts exhibitors of Singapore every year. The Event provides Singapore a highly-efficient platform for making new acquaintances with more business partners.
Customer Hotline: +86-771-12343 Email: email@example.com
Address: NO.33 Jin Pu Road,Qingxiu District, Nanning, Guangxi, P.R. China
Internet Technology Supported by China-ASEAN EXPO International Information Co.,Ltd


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At this year’s Game Developers Conference (GDC) which was concluded recently, Unity Technologies, creator of the world’s most widely used real-time 3D development platform, announced several updates to its platform that enables developers to move further towards innovation. In Unity’s annual keynote address, the company provided an exclusive first look of The Heretic, the first ever real-time digital humans featured video, introduced the Lightweight Render Pipeline (LWRP) is coming out of preview this year, announced the open beta of the Unity Distribution Portal (UDP), and much more.
The Heretic, is a short film by Unity’s award-winning Demo Team, the creators of Adam and Book of the Dead. The Heretic is also Unity’s first ever showcase of real-time digital humans. Unity’s demo team combined data acquired through both 3D and 4D scanning, and then built a complete pipeline from data acquisition to real-time rendering in Unity, aligning services offered by various commercially available service providers.
Also, Unity announced that the Lightweight Render Pipeline (LWRP) is now out of preview and will be ready for production use in the 2019.1 release. This rendering pipeline has been designed from scratch to offer the most scalable solution for Unity graphics, with a lean and optimized approach that allows optimum performance on the maximum amount of supported Unity platforms.
Unity also announced the open beta launch of the Unity Distribution Portal(UDP) at the conference. UDP allows developers to scale their business and expand their player base globally by distributing mobile games on apps stores in emerging markets. Distributing a mobile game to different apps stores comes with a lot of hurdles, complexities, and challenges. UDP automatically creates builds for each of the participating stores and enables distribution regardless of individual store requirements.
“We believe that the world is a better place with more creators in it,” said Hubert Larenaudie, President Asia Pacific & Global Lead Unity Distribution Platform at Unity Technologies. “We invest heavily in our technology to ensure that we’re powering our community’s ideas and enabling them to create, operate, and monetize on our platform. Our announcements at GDC 2019 underscore that commitment”.
Follow us on Twitter for more news and updates.


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NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Could you go a day without your smartphone? How about a week? A month?
Drink company VitaminWater is offering $100,000 for people to give up using smart phones for one year, or $10,000 if you only last six months.
It’s not a small ask: Studies say people spend, on average, five hours a day online – and dropping offline can feel a lot like suffering withdrawal from alcohol, marijuana and heroin.
If you wouldn’t give up your phone, what else might you part with to pocket that $100,000 in 365 days if you could?
Ironically, the Coca‑Cola Company – sponsor behind the contest – requires participants to post on Twitter or Instagram, which for many would be their last update in a while without their phones.
A winner will be determined based on creativity, branding and humor.
To enter the contest, check out the official rules.


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Calls to drop Brazil plan grow
A growing number of livestock organizations are rallying against the plan issued by USDA two weeks ago to allow imports of fresh beef from Brazil. As part of the negotiation over the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) ruling that the U.S. unfairly supports cotton growers, WTO allowed retaliatory tariffs to be placed on U.S. products shipped to Brazil. In an effort to appease Brazilian officials and stop the tariffs, the U.S. put forward a comprehensive plan which included declaring beef imports from the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina free of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). Last week in a letter sent to USDA and the U.S. Trade Representative’s office, 32 producer groups asked that the plan be reconsidered on the grounds that FMD could threaten the safety of the U.S. animal population and the livelihoods of producers.
Cargill profit doubles
Cargill said last week that net earnings during the fiscal third quarter, which ended Feb. 28, nearly doubled on gains in all five of its business segments. Net earnings were $898 million, compared with $326 million in the same period last year. The company reported $729 million in earnings from continuing operations and a $169 million net gain from discontinued operations, reflecting the sale of its Brazilian poultry and pork business to Marfrig Alimentos S.A. Cargill’s meat businesses fall under its food ingredients and applications unit, whose results, the company said, improved from the recessionary conditions that negatively affected last year’s third quarter.
Running on the power of protein
The National Beef Ambassadors are teaming up with the beef checkoff through the Northeast Beef Promotion Initiative to inform Boston Marathon runners and spectators about the protein power found in lean beef. At the 2010 John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo Boston Marathon April 16-19, ambassadors were on hand to extend the message about research that shows incorporating high-quality protein into the diet throughout the day can help in maintaining a healthy weight, building muscle and fueling physical activity.
CAB posts strong sales
A trend toward more Angus genetic influence in U.S. cattle, along with higher quality grades, has led to a series of strong growth months for the Certified Angus Beef (CAB) brand. The 32-year-old company, a not-forprofit subsidiary of the American Angus Association, reported sales volume significantly higher than expected over the past six months. CAB Senior Vice President Brent Eichar noted that February began with a record 66 percent of the harvest mix being Angus-influenced cattle. That helps explain why three weeks in February each saw more than 70,000 cattle qualifying for the brand, an increase of nearly 45,000 head over the same weeks in 2009. For the first six months of the CAB fiscal year that began last Oct. 1, supplies for the brand are up sharply, with record sales that average nearly 21 percent higher than the previous year. Four of those six months lead the list of historically high sales volume. Eichar said sales volume could finish the year up 12 percent to 15 percent. At the upper range, that’s a 100 million pound increase over the 663 million in 2009.
Restaurants see improvement
After more than two years of slow sales and anemic guest traffic for restaurant operators, Wall Street analysts say a recovery in consumer spending may finally be here. Restaurant same-store sales appear to be rising at restaurant chains, a phenomenon witnessed in 2003 as the industry came out of a recession. Following a gain in same-store sales in May 2003, restaurant stocks jumped 45 percent over the next year. RBC Capital Markets analyst Larry Miller agreed that a recovery may be imminent, if not already in progress. In a note to investors earlier last week, he said consumer confidence rose for the second straight month in the RBC Consumer Outlook Index. He also noted that the company’s monthly survey of restaurant spending in April showed that 16 percent of consumers plan to spend more at restaurants over the next 90 days, versus 14 percent in March.
SD Beef Ambassador event slated
The South Dakota Beef Industry Council is hosting the 2010 South Dakota Beef Ambassador competition. The state contest will be held July 23, 2010, starting at 1:00 p.m. at the Huron Event Center in conjunction with the South Dakota Spotlight Show. Cash prizes will be awarded to all three age groups. The winner in the beginner division will receive $100 and the junior will be awarded $150. The senior finalist will win $500 plus an all-expense-paid trip to the 2011 National Beef Ambassador Contest in Rapid City, SD, on Oct. 1-3, 2010. For additional information, visit www.sdbeef.org and www.nationalbeefambassador.org. To register for this event, please contact Amanda Nolz at beefnews@ hotmail.com or 605/999-4300. Registration is open until July 9, 2010.


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It’s no secret that geotagging locations on Instagram posts has led to an increased traffic at many national monument and natural landmarks. Now, a huge cave discovered in British Columbia, Canada, is having its precise location kept secret in an attempt to avoid Instagram users visiting and causing potential damage.
Golden light kissed Matt McDonald's face and fresh snow greeted him while he walked out of Iceland's Keflavík airport. McDonald recently flew to Iceland for the first time in his life to research for a book he is co-authoring with Chris Burkard. But how did a former Silicon Valley entrepreneur get to this stage in the first place?
Documentary photographers have the opportunity to see the world in ways the everyday photographer may never understand. With the ability to chronicle events, they can tell stories from inside the action. However, this can also take a toll on the mind, making even the most hopeful person become cynical.
Thomas Heaton breaks down an essential woodland editing technique, known as the Orton effect. He recommends using it when shooting natural, woodland scenes. It provides just the right amount of pleasing glow and softness to take down the artificial and overly contrasty look that can sometimes crop up with photos of trees.
Merrell, an outdoor footwear brand, wanted a photography concept that would celebrate diversity on trails, but in a way that felt genuine and reflected reality. While outdoor brands usually look towards more of a traditional commercial photography approach, Tim Kemple had something else in mind to achieve their goals.


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Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the distribution of e-property cards under the SVAMITVA scheme on National Panchayati Raj Day on April 24, 2021, through video conferencing. SVAMITVA stands for Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas. The launch marked the rollout of the implementation of the SVAMITVA scheme across the entire country. About 4.09 lakh property owners were given their e-property cards during the event, in more than 5 thousand villages.
Buy Prime Test Series for all Banking, SSC, Insurance & other exams
- The Svamitva Scheme was launched by Prime Minister on 24 April 2020 as a Central Sector Scheme to promote a socio-economically empowered and self-reliant rural India.
- It was launched on pilot basis in the 6 states, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh.
- The Scheme will ensure the demarcation of inhabited land in rural areas.
- It will use drones in surveying and mapping of properties in villages.
- This will help in reducing disputes over property.
- The Scheme will cover around 6.62 Lakh villages of the entire country during 2021-2025.


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Try Microsoft Edge, a fast and secure browser that's designed for Windows 10
June 13, 2014
Office for iPad and Enterprise Mobility Suite showcase Microsoft’s mobile-first, cloud-first approach.
At Build 2013, Microsoft announces Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Release Preview, Windows Azure enhancements and new partner offerings.
One in 10 people say February means the end for relationships gone bad — time to give Google the boot?
Unique Bing news selector lets people see the news the way they like it, filtered by the right, left or center viewpoint.
In celebration of new search experience, Bing launches the Bing Summer of Doing with DoSomething.org.
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Microsoft will open store at Lenox Square
- Lisa R. Schoolcraft , Staff Writer
Microsoft Corp. will open its first retail store in the Southeast at Lenox Square in Atlanta.
The store should open by April on the first floor of the Buckhead mall.
Microsoft opened its first retail store a year ago in Scottsdale, Ariz. Since then, it opened stores in Mission Viejo, Calif.; Lone Tree, Colo., near Denver; and San Diego. Stores are set to open near Minneapolis Nov. 6 and in Seattle Nov. 18.
Its 7,900-square-foot Lenox Square store will be in the former Mark Shale space, across from 7 For All Mankind, near the center of the mall.
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer toured the store site July 20 while he was in Atlanta for the “Microsoft Global Experience” conference, said Tisha Maley, assistant vice president of leasing for Simon Property Group Inc. (NYSE: SPG), which owns Lenox Square and seven other malls or shopping centers in metro Atlanta.
“It helped [for Ballmer to see the space],” she said. “It helped bring ours to priority. They are only now starting to roll out from the West Coast.”
Microsoft rival Apple Inc. has an 8,100-square-foot store at Lenox, one floor above where the Microsoft store will be located. Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) opened the store in 2002, its first in Georgia.
Atlanta has become a top market for retailers, Simon’s Maley said, “So I think we rank right up there with D.C. and other markets [vying for a Microsoft store site].”
Microsoft’s Atlanta store “will be very consistent with all of their other stores,” she said. “We’re fortunate to be grabbing them in Atlanta before they go anywhere else.”
Reach Schoolcraft at firstname.lastname@example.org.
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Australians will get the opportunity to grill the lead game designer of World of Warcraft at a special event later this month. To celebrate the November launch of the Warlords of Draenor expansion, Blizzard is putting on a free event at Event Cinemas in Sydney's CBD on October 23.
Lead game designer Ion Hazzikosta will be in attendance for a Q&A, while light refreshments will be provided (read: there won't be VB served in barrels, which is a deal breaker for some people). Tickets are free, but you'll need to register in advance on Eventbrite come October 14, as capacity is limited. If you happen to be under 15, you'll need be accompanied by an adult.
Warlords of Draenor releases November 13. It's one of the most exciting expansions yet, especially since we'll be seeing a nice visual revamp for the decade old MMO. Check it out in action with these gameplay videos.


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The UK has signed a temporary agreement with Norway to ensure trade of goods can continue between the two nations in the case of a no-deal Brexit after 31 December.
Trade talks between the UK and EU have broken down over the previous week, with Boris Johnson walking away from the negotiating table last Friday.
A statement from the Norwegian Industry Ministry said it was important to have arrangements in the event that the UK leaves the EU customs union and single market without a trade deal.
Norway, while not a member of the customs union, is part of the EU’s single market due to its European Economic Area membership.
“Norway and Britain realise it is unrealistic to have a deal in place by Jan. 1 and so have put in place a temporary agreement for goods,” the statement read.
The Norwegian government said it was also looking into closing temporary arrangements with Britain on services and investments as well.
Downing Street and Brussels have been publicly sparring over trade talks this week, with Boris Johnson saying he will only return to negotiating unless the EU makes several key compromises.
This morning, EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier made loud overtures to the UK by indicating he was willing to compromise to get a trade deal in place before 31 December.
“An agreement is possible if we are both ready to work constructively and in a spirit of compromise over the next days, on the basis of legal texts,” he said.
A Number 10 spokesperson said it would “study carefully what was said” and that chief UK negotiator Lord David Frost would speak with Barnier today.


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- toyota and subaru are planning a joint reveal event on april 5.
- we think this has to be for the 2022 86 sports car, as it's closely related to the 2022 subaru brz.
- the debut will be live-streamed online at this link.
a teaser image from toyota and subaru promising a joint debut on april 5 could only mean one thing: the 2022 toyota 86 is nearly ready to greet the world. the second-generation subaru brz has been out for several months, and—despite recent rumors that the toyota version of this rear-wheel-drive sports car would be delayed in order to further differentiate it from its twin—it appears the 86 is on track to arrive later this year.
toyota says that the president of its gazoo racing division, koji sato, will be part of the reveal event a few weeks from now, so we can expect the second-gen 86 to wear the "gr" designation currently affixed to the supra and the global gr yaris hot hatch. it's otherwise likely to share its mechanicals with the 2022 brz, which has a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter flat-four that makes 228 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque.
a six-speed manual transmission will be standard with a six-speed automatic transmission optional. the 86 should feature a few styling differences compared with the subaru, but its chassis will be the same, meaning it will be lower, wider, and longer than its predecessor.
subaru says that the 2022 brz will go on sale in the fall of 2021. given that the toyota is debuting a few months later, we might expect its on-sale date to be later as well, meaning it might reach dealerships by the end of 2021 or possibly the beginning of 2022.


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- Global Vice President of Buick and GMC Duncan Aldred said this week that buyouts will be offered to dealerships not willing to invest in EV equipment.
- With a goal of selling only EVs after 2030, the brand is readying its network for the shift.
- Buick has roughly 2,000 dealerships across the United States.
Buick Offering Buyouts to Dealerships Saying No to EVs
Dealerships resisting the EV wave will be dispatched with a monetary going-away gift
Following Cadillac's lead in the GM family, Buick is offering a save-face option for dealerships that don't wish to partake in the electric vehicle revolution. Two years ago, Cadillac offered a similar buyout to its 880 dealerships nationwide with sums ranging from $300,000 to $1 million, and one in six reportedly accepted the offer. For some, that was more palatable than investing the necessary $200,000 and up to buy the equipment and infrastructure to support EVs like the Cadillac Lyriq.
GM has put its commitment to EVs on display in a multitude of ways, including multibillion-dollar injections of cash into its Ultium battery development and production. GMC revived the Hummer as an EV with a tight development turnaround (only 18 months), and dealers that wanted to sell the Hummer EV were required to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars to equip their facilities with the proper lift and charging stations. Buick is planning to exclusively sell electric vehicles by 2030, so it's up next on the dealership culling program.
Preparing for the dealership shuffle
Of the roughly 2,000 Buick dealerships in the U.S., most of them share a showroom with GMC and may have already transitioned to EV-ready status. According to Automotive News, only 13 of those are stand-alone Buick shops and the rest share space with GMC. It stands to reason the independent shops in smaller markets could be the first to take the buyout.
"Not everyone necessarily wants to make that journey, depending on where they're located or the level of expenditure that the transition will demand," Aldred told the Wall Street Journal. "So if they want to exit the Buick franchise, then we will give them monetary assistance to do so."
If a Buick dealer opts to take the buyout, it forfeits the Buick franchise and can no longer sell Buick models.
Bo Mandal, chairman of the Buick-GMC National Dealer Council, told Automotive News that Buick leaders presented the program to dealer council members recently and support was "unanimous."
"When they talked about the Buick initiative, we were clear on one thing: No. 1, it's absolutely, 100 percent, dealer choice and it's voluntary," Mandal said. "We would not have ever supported an agenda on this Buick initiative any other way. And to be completely transparent, they didn't present it in any other way, so we were very thankful for that."
Buick's future rides on the new Electra line
The first Buick Electra was a fin-wearing full-size luxury car that was manufactured from 1959 to 1990. Buick revealed that all of its EVs will carry the revived Electra name, with the first one beginning production in 2024 as a 2025 model.
Unveiled in June, Buick's Wildcat EV concept showcases the brand's new face, logo and design language for Buick's upcoming electric vehicles. While the concept is a two-plus-two coupe, the brand has already stated that Electra models will all be SUVs. After that, the market will determine which shape Buick cars will take.
As dealership structures shift in the U.S., it's smart business for Buick to join its GM siblings to trim the herd. Moving to an all-EV lineup will require full buy-in from the dealerships that remain.


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Hyundai Motor Team intends to spend $5.54 billion in its very first committed electrical car or truck and battery plant in the U.S., becoming a member of General Motors, Ford, Volkswagen and other worldwide automobile giants that search for to dethrone Tesla as the world’s major EV model.
The Seoul-dependent carmaker intends to construct the factory on a 2,923-acre website in Bryan County, Georgia, in close proximity to the port city of Savanah, with manufacturing there to commence in the 1st half of 2025. The facility will have the potential to make 300,000 autos annually and need to utilize a lot more than 8,000 workers when fully operational.
“The U.S. has constantly held an important put in the group’s world-wide approach, and we are thrilled to companion with the condition of Georgia to achieve our shared intention of electrified mobility and sustainability in the U.S.,” Govt Chairman Euisun Chung reported in organized remarks. The facility will be Hyundai’s initially committed EV plant in North The united states.
Hyundai’s multibillion U.S. financial investment strategy follows identical bulletins from GM and Ford which are also pouring billions of dollars into new and expanded factories to churn out electrical automobiles amid force to reduce climate-harmful emissions from cars and vehicles. The firm has set a aim of position among the major a few EV sellers in the U.S. by 2026 and boosting its income of battery-driven autos to 3.2 million models annually by 2030. Tesla sold about 1 million battery-electric powered motor vehicles in 2021 and accounted for about 75% of EVs sold in the U.S. very last 12 months.
Hyundai also follows startup Rivian which introduced programs late past 12 months to make electric powered vehicles in Ga at a new $5 billion facility in Morgan and Walton Counties, east of Atlanta.
The information arrives the similar day that President Joe Biden, who is pushing for a remarkable increase in U.S. manufacturing and revenue of electric vehicles to reduce carbon emissions and boost domestic producing, began his first official pay a visit to to strengthen ties with South Korea. Hyundai this 7 days claimed it options to invest $16.5 billion through the conclusion of the 10 years to broaden its world electrical car business.
Hyundai CEO Jay Chang and president and COO José Muñoz attended a signing ceremony Friday in Bryan County with Ga Governor Brian Kemp. Hyundai currently builds autos for the U.S. in Alabama and said it will supply added information about battery creation in Ga at a later date. Potentially, battery packs built there could also offer electric vehicles developed in West Issue, Ga, by Kia, a Hyundai Group affiliate.
Shares of Hyundai rose 2.5% to near at 186,500 received in Seoul on Friday.


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Blue Star Ltd
Blue Star’s commercial refrigeration business is currently worth Rs 600 crore, while it is targeting 10% of the Rs 2800 crore electric water purifier market by 2020.
Besides, Blue Star has also set a target to expand its distribution in FY2019, according to a communication by the company to the stock exchanges.
Citing the reasons, Thiagarajan said the quantum of benefit the company would get (from Jammu and Kashmir Government) was not clear following implementation of GST.
The company said it has received an MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) order of Rs 145 crore for Sands Infinit IT park project in Kochi Smart City.
Thiagarajan, who was speaking after launching a new range of air-conditioners here, said the company was eyeing double digit growth in the room air conditioners segment.


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ESCAPE AHEAD?: The financially struggling Ittierre might be able to avoid bankruptcy. According to local newspaper Il Giornale del Molise, the Court of Isernia, where Ittierre is based, has approved the petition for a composition with creditors filed by the apparel manufacturer.
The composition procedure, which is now being evaluated by creditors, is expected to be approved at the end of next month.
Il Giornale del Molise also said that HdC Holding has presented the best offer to acquire Ittierre. The Lombardy- based holding company, managed by Antonio Rosati, counts investments in different fields, including soccer, transportations, logistic and fashion — in 2012 it acquired a majority stake in clothing label Lorenzo Riva.
HdC, which is said to be willing to invest 20 million euros, or $27.4 million at current exchange rate, in the Isernia-based company, presented a proposal to rent part of Ittierre and acquire it at a later date.
Rosati’s offer was double the amount proposed by investment group IKF, while Gruppo Colella, the Italian company behind mineral water labels Castellina and Santa Croce, has withdrawn its bid.
Reached by phone on Friday, a HdC Holding spokesperson declined to comment on the news.


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Manufacturers will increase the price of feeds by up to Sh400 starting this week for a 70-kilo bag following a sharp rise in the cost of maize and delays in the importation of the yellow variety in the country, setting the stage for costlier eggs and meat.
The current average price of a 70 kilogramme bag of dairy meal is Sh2,700, having already jumped from Sh2,000 a year ago. Layers mash is going for Sh4,000 from Sh3,200, broiler starter mash Sh4,750 from Sh4,200 while pig feed is averaging Sh3,000, up from Sh2,400.
The Association of Kenya Animal Feeds Manufacturers (Akefema) says the price of maize has jumped to Sh4,300 for a 90 kilogramme bag from Sh3,700 previously, making it costly to process the feeds.
Addressing a news conference in Nairobi on Monday, the association’s secretary-general Martin Kinoti said the rising cost of white maize has been caused by stiff competition between animals and humans for the commodity amid a shortage in supply at the market.
Mr Kinoti said the delay in publishing the revised directive that will allow millers to import yellow maize that has traces of genetically modified organisms (GMO) of up to 0.9 percent has also contributed to the rising cost.
“The price of a 70 kilogramme bag of animal feeds will be going up by between Sh300 to Sh400 because of the scarcity in the market at the moment amid pressure on white maize,” said Mr Kinoti.
The delay in publishing the changes, which will lower levels of GMO purity in a bag from the current 100 percent purity to 99.1 percent has seen millers fail to import the produce for fears that it would be confiscated by authorities for having exceeded the limits.


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China is making the best case yet for eating locally.
On Thursday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned the importation of several types of farm-raised seafood from China because it was contaminated with illicit chemicals, some cancer causing.
Included in the ban are catfish, shrimp, eels, basa -- a kind of catfish -- and the carp-like dace. The FDA is not requiring that the imports be pulled from restaurants or store shelves but said that incoming shipments would be stopped immediately.
U.S. health officials said the chemically-tainted seafood poses no immediate health risk and that the levels found were just over the detectable level.
According to The Washington Post, the potential toxins include a chemical called malachite green, which is used to treat fungal infections in fish and has caused cancer in laboratory animals. Fluoroquinolones, also found in the Chinese fish, can increase antibiotic resistance in humans, the FDA said. The chemicals are often used to battle fish diseases caused by China's polluted waterways, fish experts said.
The Post reported that the FDA had already barred individual Chinese manufacturers found to be exporting tainted fish, as the problems date to 2001. But heightened FDA inspections over the past several months have found that as much as 15 percent of the newly halted seafood contained the harmful chemicals, leading to the countrywide ban.
But then, environmentalists had already been warning us about the dangers of imported, farmed seafood. Shrimp farmed in Asia, for instance, is on the "avoid" list at the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch Program.
Alabama and Mississippi, two of the largest catfish-producing states, banned sales of Chinese catfish last month after tests found two antibiotics prohibited by the FDA.
So why do we keep importing food from China?
Coincidentally, the Rambling Spoon blog, having been based in Southeast Asia, reports that Asians typically avoid Chinese food products.
"It may be news to Americans, but many Asians have long treated Chinese food imports as suspect (see my posts on this topic at Gourmet’s Choptalk, here and here). Of particular concern are fruits and vegetables susceptible to pesticide poisoning, fish and seafood from contaminated waters, and meat injected with steroids," writes Rambling Spoon author Karen Coates, the Asia correspondent for Gourmet.
Coates recalls a stroll through a marketplace in Hanoi, when her host warned her: "Don't buy those pears in the little white wrappers. They're from China. Bad pesticides."
In a Gourmet Choptalk column dated March 28, Coates also reported:
"A Chinese doping expert warns that some Chinese foods are so loaded with steroids, athletes could test positive for drugs during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Steroids pose a risk to all Chinese. Last fall, more than 330 in Shanghai fell sick after consuming pork tainted with a weight-loss steroid, which farmers apparently had given their pigs to make them leaner. And steroids aren't the only issue. Recently, Chinese duck eggs were reportedly found with a potentially carcinogenic dye. Farmers presumed people would find the red yolks auspicious. But they're just cancerous. Add to that general hygiene issues, pesticides, fertilizers, and chemical additives, and eating in China can be dangerous."
The Chinese lately have been fighting back, blocking U.S. food products at the border over alleged contamination issues. But this week Chinese officials acknowledged shutting down 180 food manufacturers this year after finding such potentially toxic ingredients as formaldehyde in candy, pickles, biscuits and other common foods. Those represent just a fraction of China's estimated 1 million food processing plants, most of them small and unlicensed.
"These are not isolated cases," Han Yi, director of the government's quality control and inspection department, was quoted as saying.
But it's not just the food factories in China. Chinese state media in April reported that 10 percent of the country's farmland is heavily polluted, posing a "serious threat" to the nation's food supply.
Elsewhere, Chinese-made toothpaste containing toxic diethylene glycol (normally used in antifreeze) continues to surface in stores here. The New York Times reports that approximately 900,000 tubes have been distributed in prison, hospitals for the mentally ill and in some public hospitals. And the Japanese have also recalled Chinese toothpaste.
But apparently that's not enough to put Americans off Chinese food products. U.S. officials, currently engaged in trade talks with the Chinese, are considering allowing poultry raised and processed in China to be sold in this country without country-of-origin labeling.
On the brighter side...A United Nations report concludes that climate change could turn enough fertile land into desert within the next generation to create "an environmental crisis of global proportions."
We all trust the labels on the food we buy, right? Turns out the U.S. Food and Drug Administration doesn't have enough staff to track those labels and often the labels just flat-out lie.
Delia Hammock, nutrition director for the Good Housekeeping Institute, describes a Pirate's Bounty puffed rice snack that claimed 120 calories per serving and just 2.5 grams of fat. Tests showed the real contents were 147 calories and 8.5 grams of fat. Then there were the Rising Dough Bakery cookies that claimed just 70 calories per serving, but actually contained 150.
Check the story here.
Over the bounding main...More signs of fish disappearing from the oceans: Japanese chefs are searching for substitutes for tuna in their sushi. The bluefin tuna, prized by sushi lovers, is now endangered, but pirate fishing is still rampant, as we have noted here before.
By now, everyone has heard how Vice President Dick "Shotgun" Cheney invervened in a water dispute on Oregon's Klamath River to divert water to farmers, thus helping Republican pals, causing the largest salmon kill in modern history. Thanks, Dick.
The price of Beluga caviar has risen to new heights--guess why?--because the sturgeon that produce the luxury roe are nearly extinct. What's the answer? Why, fisherman are trying to track down the last remaining sturgeon to cash in, of course.
Read about it here.
Popular Science declares that the second-worst job in science is oceanography. Why? "Nothing but bad news, day in and day out..."
Eat any fish lately?
We've been covering the spike in food prices caused by turning food (such as corn) into gasoline. But here's a survey that finds 52 percent of American drivers would be willing to cut back on groceries if gas prices rose $1.


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BERLIN (Reuters) -Germany's Economy Minister Robert Habeck wants to make the German economy more independent from China by focusing on alternative future markets, news portal The Pioneer reported, citing a strategy paper it said Habeck adopted this week.
The portal added that officials at the ministry expected Taiwan to be annexed by China by 2027 at the latest. There was no comment immediately available from the ministry when contacted by Reuters.
Germany, which has Europe's largest economy, is seeking to reduce its dependence on Beijing and is developing a new China strategy, but it could be a tricky task with deep trade ties between Europe's and Asia's biggest economies.
In the 100-page paper, economy ministry officials called for a diversification of trade relations away from China and a new "technological sovereignty".
"While China is reducing its dependence, China's economic importance for the EU and Germany continues to increase," The Pioneer quoted the report as reading.
It is open "to what extent the Chinese market will still be open to foreign companies", Habeck's officials wrote in the paper, according to the news portal.
The ministry proposed, among other things, a focus on "alternative future markets such as Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Africa".
China became Germany's top trade partner in 2016.
German carmakers are especially heavily exposed to the Chinese market, with Volkswagen making around half its profits there. Germany, and Europe, also rely on China for certain raw materials, such as rare earths.
(Writing by Paul CarrelEditing by Lincoln Feast and Raissa Kasolowsky)


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Just as predicted, women and children have been sexually harassed due to Target's transgender bathroom policy. Just shy of three months, this policy has had several cases where men, posing as women, have taken pictures of women in bathroom stalls and dressing rooms.
Sean Patrick Smith, 43, was allegedly dressed in women’s clothing when he entered the fitting room in the women’s section of the store in Ammon on Monday, East Idaho News reported. Smith, also known as Shauna Patricia Smith, then began taking pictures of a woman in the changing stall next to him, police said.
Detectives found Smith on Tuesday and charged him with one felony count of voyeurism. He was booked into the Bonneville County Jail and was set to make a court appearance Wednesday.
Many progressives have argued that those opposed to this policy are transphobic, ignoring the fact that perverts will take advantage of this unsafe policy and prey on innocent children and women.
Target’s new transgender friendly policy has already caused harm to young girls since its implementation, as men have used the policy to enter bathrooms and changing rooms to photograph females.
Frisco police are looking for a man they say photographed a young girl in a Target changing room.
Benito Valdez with police says it happened at the Super Target on Preston Road. “The man was in a female dressing room at the Target and was seen by the victim, over the wall with his cell phone, taking photos of the victim.”
He says the girl ran and told Target staff who told police.
“The suspect was described as a skinny, white, man, approximately 5’11 in height, with dark hair. He was last seen wearing a dark color baseball style hat.”
Target has experienced financial loss due to the boycott of the store since the April decision to ignore the majority's opinion and go with 0.25% of the population.
The financial losses due to Target’s revolutionary policy and political agenda have been substantial.
That tough feedback includes a consumer boycott that now has 1.2 million supporters, much damage to the company’s brand, and a massive sell-off on Wall Street that has chopped the company’s share price from almost $84 on April 19 to $75.70 on May 11.
That’s a loss of $8.30 per share, or 10 percent, or almost $5 billion since April 19. Of course, some part of that loss is due to President Barack Obama’s weak economy — but no company is helped by many management decisions that anger so many customers.
He told Squawk Box that the retail giant has received “a lot of tough feedback”…. “But sitting here today, we know we made the right decision.
But his pitch failed — the company’s stock crashed by roughly $3.50 per share after his appearance, down to the $75.70 level, despite a reassuring thumbs-up from one of the channel’s experts. “Target – it’s going higher, this thing is too cheap,” said CNBC’s Pete Najarian.
For all those advocates who screamed that the transgender would never abuse the Target policy, it is time to reflect that perhaps this mental illness newly renamed in the DSM-5 as Gender dysphoria or gender identity disorder, should be medically treated and not passed off as a neutral non-issue. It is diagnosed as an illness for a reason and therefore society should help the mentally ill to find a place of healing, while not placing innocent women and children in danger by validating it as normal like Target has done.
Source: Fox News


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Gobi-Core appointed as a co-investment partner for Philippine government’s Startup Venture Fund
By Digital News Asia February 28, 2023
- The fund currently has an allocation of US$10mil
- Gobi-Core, SVF to co-invest in high potential startups
The Gobi-Core Philippine Fund (Gobi-Core) has been officially accredited, this month, as a Co-Investment Partner (CIP) of the Philippine government’s Startup Venture Fund (SVF), one of the first since the fund’s inception in 2021.
In a statement, the fund said, as per the Innovative Startup Act, the SVF shall be used to match investments by selected investors in startups of varying stages based in the Philippines.
It said the fund, a joint effort by the Department of Trade and Industry and National Development Company currently has an allocation of US$10 million (RM44.2 million).
It added that through this role, Gobi-Core, a joint-venture partnership co-managed by Manila-based venture capital firm Core Capital and Pan-Asian Gobi Partners, will be able to co-invest with the SVF in Philippine-based high-potential startups.
Additionally, it will bridge these investees to the rest of the region via the firm’s 15 countries ASEAN presence and track record of performance.
On the selection, Core Capital managing partner, Jason Gaisano said, “We are incredibly grateful for this recognition in being appointed as the co-investment partner to the government’s SVF initiative.”
“We strongly believe in the effectiveness of public-private partnerships in the tech ecosystem and with this endeavor we emphasise both locally and internationally that the Philippines is bound for an inflection point,” he added.
“From our success in the past four years in creating opportunities, jobs, and empowering brilliant founders, we are excited about what's to come and are assured that by working together, we can bring our country's talented entrepreneurs to new heights,” Gaisano said.
Since its establishment in 2018, Core Capital has already invested in startups which have now become local household names such as Tier One – a premier esports and entertainment brand which ranked first on LinkedIn’s Top PH Startups list last year and Kumu, the Philippines’ largest social entertainment app and one of the country’s top tech companies.
It said these examples join the ranks of other startups that have a strong regional presence or are set for regional expansion, a signature quality in its portfolio.
The firm added that it has been active in documenting and developing the Philippine tech ecosystem outside of its investing too, publishing the Philippine Startup Ecosystem Report 2021 and the State of Talent in Tech Report 2022.
Additionally, it sits on the startup grant investment committee for the Department of Information and Communications Technology and functions as the yearly organiser for the Alibaba Netpreneur and e-Founders Programme in the country which has trained over 200 entrepreneurs nationwide for the past three years.
In line with the country’s growing inclination to environmental and social sustainability, Gobi Core said it is staying ahead of the curve by prioritising Environmental, Social and Governance initiatives through its investments, with over half of its existing portfolios being founded or led by women.
It said one such example is the pioneer and largest Philippine-based cloud kitchen company CloudEats, founded by current chief executive officer, Kimberly Yao, to create next-generation digital brands and proprietary cloud kitchen technology.
It added that as of December 2022, having recently secured a Series A extension round of US$7 million (RM29.8 million), the company has raised US$14 million and has served over five million dishes since its launch in 2019, becoming one of the region’s leading cloud kitchen players.
[RM1 = US$0.225]
As a proven history of successful investments remains the leading requirement for the SVF’s CIP accreditation, Gobi-Core’s distinctly strong track record of investing in highly-successful talents is what has earned the firm this role.
The Philippines’ National Development Company general manager and SVF Investment Committee chairman, Antonilo Mauricio said the firm expects Gobi-Core to leverage on its international network to fast-track technology transfer and provide much-needed capital to Philippine startups.
“The startup economy in the Philippines needs the kind of guidance and expertise that Gobi-Core can provide,” he added.
“As a pioneer CIP of the SVF, we are hopeful that Gobi-Core can be the key to producing the next round of true unicorns from the country,” Antonilo said.
In terms of responsibilities, Gobi-Core said, all investment partners shall provide mentorship, managerial oversight, business networks or other support necessary for capacity building and to ensure that the beneficiary startups are given the needed resources to achieve their goals.
It added that startups may be enrolled in DTI’s current accelerator or incubator program to assist them further.
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Amid widespread reports of major technical and gaming issues in the PS4 and Xbox One versions of Cyberpunk 2077CD Projekt Red admits that it took “the wrong approach” in development prior to release.
“After three delays, we as the board of directors were too focused on the game’s release,” CDPR joint CEO Adam Kiciński said on a recent conference call regarding issues with the PS4 and Xbox One versions of the game. “We underestimated the scale and complexity of the issues. We ignored the signals that additional time was needed to refine the game on the latest generation of base consoles. This has caused the loss of player trust and reputation we have.” worked through a large part of our life. “
How did it come about that such a marquee title was published in such a condition? A big part of the problem was that we were looking at the next generation PC and performance rather than the current generation [consoles]”Said CDPR board member Michał Nowakowski during the call.” We definitely haven’t spent enough time looking into it. “The COVID-19 pandemic also affected the usual testing plans for the title, CDPR said.” External testers who work for external companies could not test the game from home – they have test centers and when they are not there they cannot work, “said Kiciński.
Although the console version wasn’t widely used before the game was released, CDPR co-founder and CEO Marcin Iwiński said it was simply because “we updated the game on last-generation consoles up to the last minute and we thought.” We’d make it in time. Unfortunately, this resulted in it being passed on to reviewers just a day before it was released, which was definitely too late and the media didn’t get a chance to review it properly. It wasn’t intended, we just fixed the game until the last moment. “
Nowakowski said he did not accuse Sony or Microsoft of approving the game in its current state. “This is definitely on our side. I can only assume that they trusted that we will fix things on release and that this obviously didn’t come together exactly as we planned.”
While CDPR faced a strict schedule for releasing the often-late game last week, Nowakowski insisted that the team felt no “external or internal pressure to start the date – other than the normal pressure that is typical.” any publication. “
And amid reports of forced overtime in the studio in the weeks leading up to its release, Nowakowski also suggested that simply throwing more developers on the problem would have had no effect. “When it comes to the game’s delivery at any given time, it’s really not about the number of people. It’s not like about 200 people actually help out in the last month.”
Going forward, it seems that these intense work schedules will not continue as the company works on patches after launch. “We are also planning vacations. The people are tired and regardless of the situation and the patches, we will not just continue to work as before. Our people need to rest a bit,” said Kiciński.
Refunds and Patches
In a statement yesterday, CDPR said that players who “were not happy with the game on their console and don’t want to wait for updates” should seek refunds from retailers or digital platform owners. However, in the Q&A, the company made it clear that it has not agreed to any special offers to approve these refunds beyond the sellers’ standard policies.
“Microsoft and Sony have a refund policy for any product that is digitally posted on their store fronts,” Nowakowski said. “These guidelines exist and have always been in place. They are not offered specifically for us. Anyone who has bought a title on PlayStation Network or the Microsoft Store can request a refund, and if this is within certain limits. Usually This refund may be requested in terms of time, usage, etc. Our process here at Microsoft and Sony is no different from any other title posted on any of these storefronts. “
A Microsoft spokesperson told Ars Technica, “We offer refunds on digital game products as part of a consistent and reliable buying experience.” Cyberpunk 2077 on CD Projekt Red. Sony did not respond to a request for comment from Ars Technica.
Microsoft’s digital purchase refund policy considers all sales as final, except under “extenuating circumstances,” and takes into account “a variety of factors such as the time since the date of purchase, the time since the product was released, and the use of the product” when considering whether to approve refunds.
Sony’s policy allows you to refund PlayStation Network games within 14 days of purchase, but only “provided you have not started downloading or streaming”. Exceptions are only made when “the content is incorrect,” and individual reports suggest that Sony generally does not believe an exception is warranted Cyberpunk 2077.
In any case, Iwiński also emphasized that the company “is not encouraging players to return the game; we hope they will give us the opportunity to improve it on old generation consoles … I sincerely hope players do.” can do for Christmas. ” In order to enjoy the game on consoles, the most important updates will of course take place in January and February. So we ask players again to wait humbly – and they will have an even better experience. “
The major updates planned for the next two months should bring the game to a point where “it will be a good, playable and stable game with no glitches or crashes,” said Nowakowski, adding, “We want both improve performance as well as graphic fidelity. “
“The game is currently playable. This can be an important statement as it is not as if the game does not start or is not playable,” answered Nowakowski when asked about the state of the game. “I fully understand that for a lot of people the experience is far from satisfactory – and we acknowledge that – but ‘not playable’ sounds like it won’t start at all, which it doesn’t.”


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Individuals and institutions across Canada are following the same deep-cleaning and product quarantining practices that were expected at the outbreak’s inception. Increased sanitation efforts for all shared surfaces. However, researchers say it’s time to go beyond “hygiene theatre,” or cleaning practices that give people a false sense of security and safety but are unlikely to lessen the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Furthermore, the environmental impact of disposable wipes, the cost of disinfection supplies, and the stress placed on restaurant and shop personnel to adhere to high COVID-19 cleaning standards are all reasons to become pragmatic – and stop wiping off groceries and mail.
“Part of the challenge that we’re having, I think as infectious disease doctors and virologists, is [getting] people to understand that just because a virus is present on a surface or in an aerosol doesn’t mean that it’s an efficient mechanism for the virus to get itself transmitted because viruses go through all kinds of modifications that might influence their infectivity, their capacity to connect to cells, and so on,” she says.
One of the concerns with disposable wipes, according to Dr. Evans, is that they contribute to “general garbage concerns.”
UV radiation also helps to disinfect surfaces in outdoor public spaces, such as playgrounds, according to Dr. Jüni.
Dr. Evans cited a German study that found grocery stores were “decidedly unusual” as a source of COVID-19 transmission. “It’s probably related to the fact that individuals don’t spend a lot of time in a grocery store,” he added.
However, for other people, such as Toronto-based professional photographer and videographer Rob Stilez, COVID-19 cleaning measures – notably in grocery stores – are reassuring.
Mr. Stilez, who had his first dosage of the vaccine last month but still keeps a pair of disposable gloves in his back pocket and disinfects every mail-order parcel before letting it lie on his balcony, said, “Honestly, I believe it’s mentally… soothing, a little bit.”
COVID-19 cleaning processes have become a source of distraction for others.
“There’s a cognitive dissonance between reality and what you perceive as being safe,” said Dr. Leighanne Parkes, an infectious disease specialist and microbiologist who specializes in infection prevention and control at McGill University and Jewish General Hospital.
“Should we clean the library’s paperbacks or put them in quarantine for 24 hours before releasing them? Dr. Parkes stated, “I don’t believe that plays a substantial part in transmission.”
Rather, this emphasis on surface disinfection diverts attention away from “what’s actually important,” according to Dr. Parkes, such as “increasing ventilation in places where we know we have the highest risk of transmissions, such as our long-term care facilities, et cetera,” or redesigning physical space for persons in workplaces and institutions.
Mike Barber, a Toronto-based copywriter, and editor said he used to quarantine his cannabis shipments from British Columbia until he realized it was just adding to his worry.
Mr. Barber now considers the cost of COVID-19 cleaning for grocery store employees, retail employees, and servers.
“Those who bear the brunt of it are those who are paid the least to do so,” Mr. Barber explained. “Especially now that the evidence [about transmission] has borne out, I’ve been extremely curious to see when corporations, in particular, will abandon those practices.”
While scientists agree that hand hygiene should be a lifetime habit beyond the pandemic and that vaccination is the best form of COVID-19 protection, they believe it is time for hygiene theatre to end.
“I think we can definitely loosen up on a lot of the cleaning of our surroundings, independent of vaccine,” Dr. Parkes added.


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Even without the impacts of COVID or precarious economies, neighborhood classics from bookshops to bars must someday close. Such is the case for Aux Delices at 2327 Polk Street in Russian Hill, a familiar Vietnamese restaurant to many residents, thanks to its almost 50-year history in the city. The Chronicle reports the restaurant will close on Friday, June 30, so owners Chris and Thiet “Tina” Nguyen can retire.
Chris’ mom opened the original restaurant in 1975 in Potrero Hill, one of the first Vietnamese restaurants in the area. Once the business moved to Polk Street, it gained lots of attention thanks to coverage in the New York Times and visits from interstellar celebrities including William Shatner. “Everybody asked me, ‘What is captain Kirk having?’” Chris told the paper. The Nguyens attempted to sell the business, but since no buyer fit the bill, the restaurant will go dark at the end of the month.
Silicon Valley favorite chocolatier expands to downtown
Shekoh Moosavi, the Iranian entrepreneur and chef behind myriad restaurants, will open a new chocolate shop in downtown Palo Alto. Palo Alto Online writes the confectioner will open Shekoh Confections Cafe at 444 University Avenue, complete with a mezzanine to enjoy bonbons and tea while overlooking the street below.
Record rainfall promises a booming year for wine
After years of drought and wildfires, the grapes in Napa County — and throughout the Bay Area broadly — are making a rebound thanks to enormous rainfall in 2023. That said, the Mercury reports the subsequent cold weather is keeping grapes from fully ripening. Elias Fernandez, Shafer Vineyards’ winemaker of 40 years, told the paper that while fruit production is up 10 to 15 percent, the summer’s cooler temperatures could delay harvest. “It looks pretty set up to be a nice vintage,” Fernandez told the outlet. “We really just need a little more sun.”
Bay Area celebrity chef partners with groundbreaking local coffee roaster
Tanya Holland, the Oakland chef known for her restaurant Brown Sugar Kitchen and cookbooks including California Soul, is linking up with one of California’s first-queer-owned coffee companies Equator Coffees for their Chef Collection series. The blend, called the California Soul Blend, gives $1 from every purchase of a 12-ounce bag — and $2 from every two-pound bag — to West Oakland food security nonprofit Mandela Partners.


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Microsoft Gets Huge Windows 7 Lift
Last April, the economy was crashing worse than a Lindsay Lohan SUV, and critics were predicting the fall of the Redmond empire. I wrote a long essay, "The Strength to Endure," arguing that Microsoft would be just fine.
Microsoft's latest earnings report backs my case, as rampant Windows 7 sales have Microsoft bean counters working overtime. Not only did Microsoft pull in nearly $19 billion (with an impressive net income of nearly $7 billion), but sales rose 60 percent compared to a year ago.
In fact, this is Microsoft's best quarter ever! Driving this success is some 60 million Windows 7 licenses. Xbox Live is no slouch, either, with 23 million current members (I have a pretty rabid one in the house).
How will Microsoft do in the coming decade? Let us know by writing [email protected].
Posted by Doug Barney on February 01, 2010 at 11:53 AM


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At CES 2022, Samsung Display unveiled its long-awaited next-gen TV tech: QD-OLED (also known as QD Display). Mixing the glorious colour of Quantum Dots (used in Samsung's QLED screens) with an OLED panel creates a screen that promises to be brighter and more colourful than the best OLED TVs, but with the perfect per-pixel contrast of OLED that even the best Samsung TVs so far can't quite match.
The technology is so new that Samsung itself hasn't actually publicly unveiled a TV with it built-in yet (though a secret Samsung TV did win an award at CES). In fact, the first QD-OLED TV has been announced by Sony: the Sony A95K (pictured above). This will be the new top-of-the-range for Sony in 2022, and we've got a breakdown of what's different between the A95K and the current A90J here.
Update: Samsung has now unveiled the Samsung S95B QD-OLED TV, and the price is not as bad as we feared! Though it's still quite high…
So: this QD-OLED tech is the new hotness, but will it cost insane amounts of money, like Samsung's microLED TVs? We don't have any official prices yet, but while it doesn't look like it'll cost anywhere near as much as those microLED TVs, early word is to expect a big price premium over current OLED TVs… and now it's clear why that is, thanks to a report in The Elec (opens in new tab).
The report cites sources saying that the current yield rate for making QD-OLED panels is around 30%, and that Samsung is currently holding off on investing any more into improving its manufacturing to improve that.
Yield rate is, basically, the efficiency of your manufacturing process. A 100% yield rate means there's effectively no wastage: everything you try to make comes out in a good enough state to sell. This isn't really possible with advanced electronics – when you're putting together something so complex, there's a pretty good chance of something in there not working right. A yield rate of 50% means that only half of what you make is actually good enough to sell. As you can image, this affects the price that a manufacturer charges for something – twice as much resources have to be used to create one thing that works, and that has to be paid for.
A yield rate of 30% is, therefore, not great news for prices of the QD-OLED screens. OLED TV manufacturing has really advanced in the last few years, which is why the technology has seen a good 30% drop in prices recently. QD-OLED is kind of starting back at square one (not quite – but, like, square three or something).
So you should brace yourself for the 55-inch Sony A95K to start at a higher price than the £2,699/$2,799 that the Sony A90J launched at in 2021. The eventual Samsung QD-OLED screen may be a little cheaper than the Sony, but not by much.
"Ah," you say, "but today's TVs drop in price so quickly after launch! Won't that help?"
That's where the 'Samsung holding off on investing more' part comes in. The Elec's source says Samsung Display will wait to see what early reaction to QD-OLED is like before maybe investing more in the technology later in 2022. The only real way to solve yield problems is to throw money at it: make more at once to increase economy of scale, or develop better techniques so you reduce the wastage.
So here's hoping that 2022's first QD-OLED TVs are a hit with people who can afford them, enough to make Samsung Display invest in production, and maybe in 2023 the price will come down notably.
In the meantime, most people looking for an OLED experience should expect to stick with regular OLED this year. But with the LG C2 adding more brightness this year for a similar price to before – as well as being available in a 42-inch version for the first time – that's probably just fine.


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Trump to get U.S. Commerce Dept recommendation on auto tariffs
The U.S. Commerce Department is set to meet a Sunday deadline to deliver its recommendations to President Donald Trump on whether imported vehicles and parts pose a national security risk and to outline options on how to address the issue, officials said Thursday.
WASHINGTON: The U.S. Commerce Department is set to meet a Sunday deadline to deliver its recommendations to President Donald Trump on whether imported vehicles and parts pose a national security risk and to outline options on how to address the issue, officials said Thursday.
Trump is expected to initially keep the department's recommendation secret as he focuses on China and other pressing trade issues. He may not disclose details until he decides on whether to impose tariffs, a decision automakers believe could take weeks or months.
Last May, Trump said he was considering tariffs of up to 25 percent on imported vehicles. Automakers and foreign governments opposed the idea.
In June, Trump said the Commerce investigation about whether vehicle imports pose a national security risk would be done by the end of July. In November, Trump again threatened to impose tariffs after General Motors announced thousands of job cuts.
But in the face of strong opposition from Congress and automakers, Trump has moved slowly on the issue.
Major automakers said last year that tariffs of 25 percent on imported cars and parts would raise the price of U.S. vehicles by $83 billion annually and cost hundreds of thousands of jobs.
They argued there is no evidence auto imports pose a national security risk. Canada and Mexico each won duty-free access to 2.6 million vehicles as part of a new North American free trade deal even if the administration moves ahead with the tariffs.
Administration officials have said tariff threats were a way to win concessions from Japan and the European Union at the bargaining table. Last year, Trump agreed not to impose tariffs as long as talks were proceeding in a productive manner.
Several Republican senators oppose tariffs. Some back legislation to restrict presidential authority to impose tariffs on national security grounds.
Senator Charles Grassley, a Republican who chairs the Finance Committee, said Thursday new auto tariffs would damage the U.S. economy. "Raising tariffs on cars and parts would be a huge tax on consumers who buy or service their cars, whether they are imported or domestically produced," he said.
Trump has urged the EU to drop its 10 percent tariff on imported vehicles. The U.S. passenger car tariff is 2.5 percent, while it imposes 25 percent tariffs on pickup trucks.
The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, whose members include General Motors Co, Volkswagen AG, Toyota Motor Corp, has warned tariffs would boost imported car prices nearly $6,000 on average.
The company will stop producing Jazz after October 2022 while the crossover WR-V will not be produced beyond March 2023. The carmaker will also stop the production and sale of the 4th Generation Honda City by December 2022 in the country. However, the 5th generation of the sedan will continue to be available in the market, a source in the know of things told ETAuto.