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The deplorable propaganda pontificated by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran earlier this week at the United Nations did little to reveal the real intentions of their government that have long had ties to Hezbollah and Hamas. Ahmadinejad’s diatribe repeated breathings of peril for Israel as the president of Iran repeated threats from the past to “eliminate Israel” and that the cancerous tumor of Israel had to be removed.http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Foreign-Policy/2012/0926/Iran-s-Ahmadinejad-touts-new-world-order-not-led-by-arrogant-powers
The posturing was typical from the Iranians as they presented one face to the governments of the world, but behind the scenes are doing things that clearly point to the preparation of war.
Is it stockpiling weapons? Troop movements? Intelligent reports? No, the simplest things can give a better warning of what to expect down the road.
How about how the Iranian diplomats treat their wives and their shopping lists?
In the past years a trip to the United States by Iranian diplomats’ wives was a shopping opportunity that was well taken advantage of. Nearly every wife of the contingent of Iranian officials would take advantage of the trip by shopping at Macys, Saks and Nordstroms. The bags of merchandise from these fashionable stores were a common practice.
Not this year. Many of the Iranian officials left their wives at home. The Iranian wives that came to the United States and went shopping this year did not hit the fashion circuit, but this time came back from drug stores and hardware stores with supplies as shampoo, toothpaste and pain relievers. No doubt this signals that Iranians are gathering the bare essentials that point to the prospect of not being able to acquire basic necessities for a long time. A female’s intuition is not to be ignored.
President Benjamin Netanyahu gave an impassionate speech at the UN about the dangers of a nuclear Iran and came out with a tentative red line in the sand of next spring. Perhaps the arm twisting of President Barack Obama may have worked or Israel is gambling that Iran’s nuclear program won’t achieve nuclear capability before next year.http://wizardofil.wordpress.com/2012/09/28/pm-netanyahus-speech-at-the-un/
What is not being considered is a pre-emptive strike by Iran against Israel. While the major concern is against Israel launching an attack against Iran, there is no guarantee Iran would use a proxy force to degrade Israel’s offensive capability.
Hezbollah has tens of thousands of rockets that are clearly offensive weapons. Iran has built up a stockpile of mobile and fixed launchers that could rain a cloud of destructive force on Israel. The Israelis have put in a defensive shield to protect itself against incoming rockets. Israel is aware of the menace of Iranian rockets, however the Israeli’s know they can’t stop every rocket from a barrage.http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/07/israeli-iron-dome-missile-shield
The shopping spree of basic needs by the wives of the Iranian diplomats is an indicator that Iran will expect a long struggle once war breaks out. All signs point to not if the conflict will explode but when.
While Israel may have given a sign she is willing to wait perhaps until spring well after the American presidential elections, one can’t be too sure. Not only the option is open for Israel to strike first, but the possibility of an Iranian first strike is not out of the question.
It’s been proven that the best defensive is a good offense.


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Dell warned of a challenging second half of the year on Tuesday and cut its full-year earnings outlook as customers cut back on computer purchases ahead of the introduction of Microsoft’s Windows 8 software.
The warning came as Dell reported an 18 percent drop in earnings for its fiscal second quarter, and revenue that missed analysts’ expectations.
Dell, once the world’s top personal computer maker and a pioneer in computer supply chain management, is struggling to defend its market share against Asian rivals like Acer and Lenovo and consumers’ fast-growing adoption of tablets like Apple’s iPad in place of PCs.
Dell forecast that its revenue would slide 2 percent to 5 percent in its fiscal third quarter from the second, to $13.8 billion to $14.2 billion. Wall Street had been expecting third-quarter revenue of $14.85 billion.Continue reading the main story
It is predicting earnings of “at least” $1.70 a share for fiscal 2013, compared with a previous forecast for more than $2.13 a share.
“People had already expected them to take down numbers, but I think the level to which they are taking down numbers is pretty severe compared to expectations,” said Shannon Cross, an analyst at Cross Research.
Dell’s chief financial officer, Brian Gladden, said in an interview that the company had tempered its outlook for the fiscal third quarter partly because it expected distributors to hold off on buying new computers before the late October release of the latest version of Microsoft’s Windows operating system.
Dell posted net income of $732 million, or 42 cents a share, in its second financial quarter, which ended Aug. 3. Excluding one-time items, Dell earned 50 cents a share, beating an average forecast for 45 cents.
It also reported that revenue in the quarter dropped about 8 percent, to $14.5 billion, below the $14.64 billion analysts had expected on average, according to a survey by Thomson Reuters.Continue reading the main story

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Renault will hold an extraordinary general meeting today to discuss the botched industrial espionage investigation that led it to wrongfully dismiss three executives in January.
Investigators said last week they could find no evidence for the allegation that a senior executive at the French carmaker, along with two of his deputies, had accepted bribes in return for sensitive information relating to Renault’s electric-car business and hidden the cash in bank accounts in Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
At the time, a lawyer for one of the executives, Mathieu Tenenbaum, recounted how Renault threw his client out of the building “in a matter of minutes, with no justification apart from a laconic and enigmatic ‘we know what you have done, you should admit it’.”
The case is certainly embarrassing for Renault, which is 15% owned by the French government, and particularly for its celebrated chief executive Carlos Ghosn, who is credited with saving Nissan from bankruptcy after the two companies merged in 1999. To add to his misery, his government bosses have been savagely critical, with a spokesman accusing Renault of “unbelievable amateurism”. Ghosn has given up his $2.2 million bonus for 2010 as a result of the affair.
The reaction from the Elysee is understandable given its own embarrassment. When the scandal broke in January, French government sources told reporters that its secret service was investigating a Chinese link and spoke of the “threat” posed by China to French industry, even before the start of a formal inquiry. It later toned down the rhetoric in official statements, but the damage had been done.
It now seems that Renault might have been tricked by the company’s own security chief. French newspapers have quoted sources in the investigation as saying that Dominique Gevrey, a former French spy, is suspected of inventing the whistleblower to defraud Renault of the $433,000 used to fund the investigation.
Prosecutors in Paris say they found some of the money in accounts in Dubai and Spain, and arrested Gevrey 10 days ago.
Tadashi Kageyama, Kroll’s senior managing director in Hong Kong and an 11-year veteran of investigating such cases throughout Asia, said the case seemed unusual from the start. “My impression was that Renault had rock-solid evidence, but at the same time I was also quite surprised to hear how the Chinese company was alleged to have stolen the information,” he said.
The strangest part of the accusation was the supposed target of the theft: information relating to “our economic model”, according to Ghosn, rather than technology. While it is certainly true that a profitable electric car would be like a goose that lays golden eggs for carmakers, it is more common in China to target technology — doing things cheaper than global rivals is hardly something the Chinese struggle at.
The story of a single anonymous whistleblower approached by men offering cash for trade secrets also seemed too good to be true. “It all seemed so black-and-white, and almost clichéd. You don’t really see that when there’s a large organisation or even a government involved.”
Renault has not yet released much information about its investigation into the allegation, but, based on the case’s collapse, Kageyama said it was likely insufficient. “They probably should have done more.”
At a minimum, Renault should have hired someone independent from outside the organisation to run the investigation. This should be standard practice, said Kageyama, because allegations from within a company always run the risk of being politically motivated, particularly after recent regulatory changes that offer financial reward to whistleblowers in many jurisdictions.
Even so, Renault was certainly right to take the allegations seriously. Industrial espionage is a real threat for companies that compete in highly competitive global markets, but Kageyama stressed the importance of putting the right controls in place to protect trade secrets and other intellectual property.
“This is not done in many companies,” he said. “They don’t know what their trade secrets are, the threats or what the company’s crown jewels are, and they don’t know the techniques competitors, employees or customers might use to get this information or technology. It’s shocking but we have seen cases where employees were able to download product schematics on to a USB device and simply walk out, or documents showing machine configurations left on the photocopier of a biotech plant that a customer picked up. Protecting trade secrets or information must emcompass IT, operational and physical security."
Classic counter-intelligence measures are certainly useful in some circumstances, such as when engineers involved in key development projects are travelling abroad. It is not quite James Bond, but staff should be equipped with and know how to use secure devices such as smartphones and laptops, and should be aware of their surroundings when making sensitive phone calls.
“Before that, good counter-intelligence starts from organisations assessing the risk they’re facing and identifying the valuable information or intellectual property they need to protect,” said Kageyama. “What are the controls and measures in place? What are the loopholes? They need to look for any connection to the competition among vendors, suppliers and so on. It’s a broad-ranging practice and not just sweeping rooms for listening devices.”
Protecting such information is notoriously difficult in the financial industry, where rivals share clients and employees frequently switch jobs, but Kageyama said they could do a better job. “Historically, the financial industry has approached information security from the perspective of customer information, private data and so on, and less emphasis on trade or commercial secrets. The banks are waking up to that but it’s not simple because in many countries in Asia non-compete and non-solicitation is very hard to enforce.”
The industries most at threat from espionage are those with high research-and-development costs such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and robotics.
Renault’s electric-car technology is also a likely target and it is yet possible that it was the victim of a deliberate sabotage, rather than a simple fraud. It is the only carmaker in the world to have developed its own engines, batteries and charging equipment for electric cars.
Clearly, the first company to develop a practical solution will earn a huge competitive advantage. What seems more likely than sabotage is that such a golden opportunity caused Renault to act rashly in protecting its perceived lead. Pride, as they say, comes before a fall.


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On the heels of New York City’s landmark beverage ban, one intended to curb rising rates of obesity in the city, a new article published in the International Journal of Obesity indicates that beverages produced with high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) should not be singled out as less healthy than their sugar-sweetened counterparts. The article concluded that because HFSC is nutritionally equivalently to sugar and that both sweeteners are “absorbed identically in the human GI tract,” HFCS cannot be specifically linked as the cause of the obesity epidemic in the U.S.
“The public discussion about HFCS will likely continue to rage on and more studies will be conducted,” said James M. Rippe, M.D., a Professor of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Central Florida, and a co-author of the article. “However, at this point there is simply no evidence to suggest that the use of HFCS alone is directly responsible for increased obesity rates or other health concerns.”
The article cites an “extensive review of all available HFCS research” and determined that there is no evidence of short-term health differences between individuals who consume HFCS versus sugar. Specifically, weight gain, glucose levels, insulin and appetite in humans “were not adversely affected by the use of HFCS over sugar,” according to the article.
In a footnote titled “Conflict of Interest,” the article noted the Dr. Rippe has received research grants from some companies represented by the Corn Refiners Association (CFA), a trade group representing the U.S. corn refining industry. The CFA has for years funded studies and a public relations campaign to counter negative media reports about HFCS.


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- ACT Fibernet rolls-out 1 Gbps plan in Bengaluru after Hyderabad
- Vishnu Shankar takes charge as &TV business head
- Unitech Shares Plunge 13% As Supreme Court Stays NCLT Order
- Tax department probes unregulated bitcoin exchanges after valuations jump
- Coal scam: Fmr Jharkhand CM Madhu Koda, Fmr coal Secy held guilty
- Deadline for linking PAN with Aadhaar was extended to March 31, 2018
TRAI to start inspections to monitor quality of service
BENGALURU: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is firming up plans to start inspections to monitor the quality of service (QoS) in the cable and broadcasting sector.
Talking at TelevisionPost.com’s on-ground initiative GroundPost in Bengaluru, TRAI advisor for Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala and Goa region Dr Sibichen K Mathew said that the regulator will soon be coming out with QoS inspections to do a check on all service aspects, from installation of set-top boxes to repair to consumer grievances to choice of channels.
“This inspection is going to start soon, as well as technical audits to monitor the quality of delivery. We will check what MSOs (multi-system operators), broadcasters and LCOs (local cable operators) are promising and whether or not they are delivering on them,” he explained.
TRAI has been patient for a long time and this is the time when it will have to take a stand and enforce the regulations. “This is the fourth year (from DAS notification) and now even people are asking that why the regulator is not taking action in this sector,” Mathew said.
He added that TRAI monitors QoS and can come up with financial disincentives as all the regulation is in place. “But, the regulator is being very patient. We know that the sector, which has been totally unorganised, is slowly coming out of the mess,” he said.
He also emphasised that these are very necessary steps to ensure digitisation in Phases III and IV.
Talking about Karnataka, he said that at least on paper it seems digitisation has completed in Bengaluru and Mysore. “We are not very happy with grievance redressal system and it has to strengthen,” he added.
Overall in Karnataka, he said 56.2 per cent digitisation is achieved, which shows that “we need to work hard, and with good coordination, we can achieve 100 per cent”.
In Maharashtra and Kerala, he said, TRAI is getting very positive response. “In fact, in Kerala the MSOs who we met recently requested us not to let the deadline extend.”
Talking about the concerns with digitisation, he said that there are many of them.
“First, there is a lot of disagreement between MSOs, LCOs, and broadcasters. Until and unless you sort out these issues, you are not going to achieve the targets.”
He further added that cable and broadcasting is one of the best industries, and is going to earn a lot of revenue. “But the biggest bottleneck is that there is absolutely no coordination between MSOs, LCOs, and the broadcasters,” he said.
“Until and unless you have proper agreements on services, revenue sharing, etc., how are you going to do business? There is no consensus on small things like STB repair. Who will do the service? But you have to understand that these are important issues for the consumers,” he noted.
The second concern, he said, was the one coming from LCOs or independent MSOs that big companies are reducing the prices. “Here we are in an open market economy. The question is how much we can regulate the pricing. Only condition is that we cannot have a price fixed which will affect the consumer.”
Another area of concern is regarding STBs.
Dr Mathew said that transformation has happened in the delivery platform of TV as the younger generation is consuming content not just on TV but also on different screens. “But now the time is of turning the idiot box into intelligent box.”
He emphasised that the government of India is giving a lot of importance to the sector as TV helps to provide not just entertainment but also information across the nation. The first step towards convergence is digitisation.
However, despite covering two phases of digitisation, no one is happy with the achievement mainly because of the challenges faced in Phases III and IV, he added.
“We need to take lessons from Phases I and II, and create a proper roadmap for the next phases. The main reason for this bottleneck that we are envisaging is the large geographical region of this country and the sector has been completely unorganised for several years.”
He added that the services are cheap and that India has one of the lowest tariffs for the cable services on the consumer side. “They [consumers] get to see the channels at a much cheaper price. But the scope of increasing the quality and expanding is unlimited. But for that, you need more resources.”
On the whole, many a time we confuse digitisation with putting set-top boxes at consumer premises. “That may be just a 5 per cent. While it starts with putting STBs at consumer homes, the second step is registering every consumer enrolled with the customer application form where the consumer says what his choice is. Unfortunately, there are many procedural lapses in even Phases I and II. Whenever there is a lapse, the ultimate objective is not fulfilled,” he added.
On TRAI’s expectations, he said that all the regulator wants is the choice to the consumer, CAF forms dully filled, and the subscriber management system (SMS) in place. “Every MSO should have the SMS in place, which doesn’t mean only subscriber details but a proper grievance redressal mechanism.”
“Unless you have a proper grievance redressal mechanism for Phases I and II, we are going to fail in Phases III and IV. Do you have proper billing, call centres, procedures for STB repair, refunds, shifting, etc. in the first two phases? Ultimately, the end consumer should be allowed a smile as he is giving you revenue,” he added.
“The biggest challenge before going into the next two phases lies in the backlog. We have to set the process right in Phases I and II, he said.


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DHAKA, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh businesses have expressed deep concern over India's recent anti-dumping duty on jute and jute goods exported from the neighboring country.
Jute industry insiders urged India to withdraw the anti-dumping duty on jute items which enjoyed duty-free access to India under the South Asia Free Trade Area (SAFTA) agreement.
They, however, urged the Bangladeshi government to discuss the matter with the relevant Indian ministry in the greater interests of bilateral trade between the two countries.
The Indian government reportedly on Jan. 5 imposed anti-dumping duty ranging from 6.30 U.S. dollars to 351.72 U.S. dollars per tonne on imports of jute and its products from Bangladesh and Nepal to protect domestic industry.
An official in Bangladesh's Ministry of Commerce told Xinhua Tuesday that imposition of anti-dumping duty on jute export to India is "unexpected and unfortunate."
The decision irked not merely businesses but also officials as it would affect the local jute industry severely, said the official who preferred to be unnamed.
Sector insiders said many jute spinning mills will suffer big blow due to the high duty and will ultimately be closed, leaving hundreds of thousands of workers uncertain with futures.
They stressed the need for lobbying with the Indian government to withdraw the decision.
MS Siddiqui, a legal economist, said Bangladesh usually exports jute and jute goods, yarn, twine, sacks and bags worth around 900 million U.S. dollars a year and 20 percent of Bangladesh's export to Indian market.
"The anti-dumping duty will decrease the formal export and increase smuggling to India," said Siddiqui, also immediate past president of the Bangladesh Indenting Agents Association (BIAA).
He said Bangladesh now needs to look for alternate market of jute and jute products and should try to export value added products in order to get better price.
Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI), the largest and most vibrant business chamber in Bangladesh, recently in a statement said the imposition of the duty will affect the glorious heritage of the golden fiber of Bangladesh and spur further trade imbalance, which is currently heavily tilted to India.
DCCI President Hossain Khaled said due to the anti-dumping duty, about 170 million U.S. dollars of export of Jute goods will be challenged and almost 1 billion U.S. dollars jute export market will be destabilized.
A leader of Bangladesh Jute Mills Association who did not like to be named said such duty will have ample negative impact on parties involved in jute sector in Bangladesh, India and Nepal.
He said relevant government agencies must take up the issue to Indian authorities now instead of later.
The ministry official, however, said the government through its formal channels will soon take the matter to the attention of the Indian government.


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Cotton prices have been on a wild ride since January, up one month and down the next, and the see-saw pattern continued in July.
According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the seven-market U.S. average cotton spot price fell by almost 6.5% in July, down more than $0.04 per pound from June’s month-end price, to $0.6079.
This follows a 4 percent increase in June, which was on the heels of an almost 3 percent drop in May.
Many analysts are viewing the 2014-2015 crop year as a period of transition following the reforms in Chinese policies emphasizing increased use of reserve supplies and sharply lower imports by the world’s largest user of cotton.
The world production estimate for the current season increased by 120,000 bales to 119 million, primarily due to a reduction in the Indian crop forecast. Global mill-use figures dropped by 610,000 bales, however, to 110.9 million bales, primarily due to a drop in Chinese demand, which explains the decline in prices. World cotton stocks are now expected to end the 2014-2015 season at 111 million bales, 1 percent higher than the 110 million previously forecasted.
Estimates for the 2015-2016 season reflect the expectation that world cotton production will decline by 7.6 million bales to 111.3 million next year. Although cotton mill-use is expected to increase by more than 4 million bales, since China is the world’s largest user of cotton, much of this will be supplied out of the country’s sizable cotton reserves. Softer demand is expected next year in Brazil, Bangladesh and Pakistan. These declines will be partially offset by expected increases in demand by Vietnam and India.
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Jeff Gennette is the new CEO of and president Macy's, plus Citi Trends announces changes to its executive fleet.Read more
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Macy’s board of directors voted to appoint Jeff Gennette CEO of the retail giant yesterday.Read more
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Just like a bookshelf, a watch list will tell us who we are as human beings. They reflect our interests and the things that motivate us.Taking advantage of this, Google is launching a new TV The function is called Watch with meAs part of the ongoing series, it will share content recommendations from celebrities and artists. Each spotlight will also include an interview in which featured characters will talk about their choices. The first Watch With Me will be starring Emmy nominated actress and LGBTQ+ advocate Laverne Cox.
Google is not the first company to integrate such functions. If you’ve used HBO Max recently, you may have seen playlists shared by streaming services around events such as Asian American and Pacific Islander Tradition Month.In this case, HBO Max emphasized Crazy rich asian Director Jon M. Chu. But as far as Google TV is concerned, the difference with Watch With Me is that you will get recommendations from various sources, not just a streaming service, which may make you more inclined to use Google TV as a hub.
All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you purchase goods through one of these links, we may earn member commissions.


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Schuster Products candy wins award at ECRM event
MILWAUKEE Schuster Products’ newest candy received an award at ECRM’s 2010 annual candy planning session.
The Sour Face Twisters Silly Swirl Ginormous Sour Bubble Gum Stik took second place in the kid’s candy choice awards at the ECRM event.
Schuster Products is based in Milwaukee.
Hy-Vee, Lund receive MAXX awards from FMI
ARLINGTON, Va. The Food Marketing Institute recognized two companies for investing in the growth and development of their employees and positively impacting their bottom line through human resource programs and training.
Supermarket chains Lund Food Holdings and Hy-Vee each were awarded the 2010 Maximizing People Potential award at the FMI Human Resources/Training Development Conference held last week in Baltimore, Md.
Hy-Vee, an Iowa-based supermarket chain, was recognized for its healthy lifestyle program, which encourages employees to become engaged in managing their health by offering rewards for active participation.
Lund — the parent company to 10 Lunds and 11 Byerly’s supermarkets in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area — was awarded for developing a program to address unresolved disputes that could affect productivity and profitability and also could diminish the work experience, harm morale and foster distrust, FMI said. The company also received the MAXX award in 2007.
Kellogg kicks off contest for Frosted Flakes cereal
BATTLE CREEK, Mich. Kellogg has kicked off a contest that celebrates sharing the brand’s Frosted Flakes cereal with friends and loved ones.
The Share What You Love about Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes contest will give one lucky adult and his or her kids the opportunity to win a VIP sports practice session with former New York Yankee Tino Martinez. In addition, the winners will have a delicious breakfast with Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes and Tony the Tiger.
"Kellogg Co. knows the importance of sharing the things you love with family, and we know Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes is a favorite breakfast cereal that parents love," said Kathleen Piper, Kellogg marketing director. "We hope this contest encourages parents, coaches and mentors to share what they love with their kids and create even more memories that last a lifetime."


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Seventy Websites that were illegally selling counterfeit merchandise have been put out of business.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) -led National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) seized the sites as part of Project Copy Cat, an iteration of Operation In Our Sites (IOS).
The bogus sites closely mimicked legitimate Websites selling authentic merchandise and duped consumers into unknowingly buying counterfeit goods. In fact, many of them so closely resembled the legitimate Websites that it would be difficult for even the most discerning consumer to tell the difference.
The Websites are now shut down and their domain names are in the custody of the federal government. Visitors to the sites will find a seizure banner that notifies them that the domain name has been seized by federal authorities and educates them about the federal crime of willful copyright infringement.
"This operation targeted criminals making a buck by trying to trick consumers into believing they were buying name brand products from legitimate websites when in fact they were buying counterfeits from illegal but sophisticated imposter sites located overseas," said ICE Director John Morton. "The imposter sites were simply a fraud from start to finish and served no purpose other than to defraud and dupe unwary shoppers."
A new twist in the Websites seized in Project Copy Cat involved the appearance of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificates. SSL certificates provide authentication for financial information, meaning consumers should be able to trust that they are sending information to the intended server and not to a criminal's server.
Trusted SSL providers should only issue SSL certificates to verified companies that have gone through several identity checks.
In addition to providing authentication, SSL certificates also provide encryption, enhancing the security of credit card numbers, usernames, passwords and other sensitive information.
These Websites, however, displayed SSL certificates, further duping the consumer into thinking they were shopping on a legitimate website, potentially putting customers' financial information at risk.
During this operation, federal law enforcement officers made undercover purchases of a host of products, including baby carriers, professional sports jerseys, language and fitness DVD sets, and a variety of clothing, jewelry and luxury goods from online retailers who were suspected of selling counterfeit products.
In most cases, the goods were shipped directly into the United States from suppliers in other countries. If the copyright holders confirmed that the purchased products were counterfeit or otherwise illegal, seizure orders for the domain names of the Websites that sold the goods were obtained from federal magistrate judges.
"Every day the U.S. economy and American jobs are negatively impacted by criminal organizations engaged in the sale of counterfeit merchandise through rogue websites. Even more importantly, consumer's health and safety can be threatened when they unknowingly purchase counterfeit products," said IPR Center Director Lev Kubiak. "Our goal at the IPR Center is to protect the public's safety and economic welfare through robust intellectual property enforcement and we hope that today's enforcement actions raise the public's awareness to this pervasive crime."
This operation was the next phase of IOS, a sustained law enforcement initiative that began two years ago to protect consumers by targeting the sale of counterfeit merchandise on the Internet. These 70 domain name seizures bring the total number of IOS domain names seized in the last two years to 839.


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China vs. Mexico: How the China Tariff War Has Changed Things
By Doug Donahue, Entrada Group
“We’re concerned about tariffs on our Chinese-made products. Can Mexico help us?”
Within the past six months, this is the most common question we hear from manufacturers contacting Entrada for the first time.
Despite President Trump announcing the extension of a March 1 deadline on tariffs for goods made in China, many manufacturers with production facilities in China remain concerned. That’s because many pundits and policy watchers feel that the Trump administration is fomenting a trade war with China merely for short-term political gain, as a negotiating ploy to bring Beijing to the table and close the $375 Billion-plus trade deficit between the two countries. This get-tough approach can potentially be extremely harmful, both to international manufacturers already operating in China (companies that have spent millions of dollars and many years setting up operations and relationships, and otherwise investing in China) as well as to manufacturers that are putting overseas expansion plans on hold (in China, Mexico or elsewhere) as they wait out an uncertain future clouded by the threat of tariffs. The longer the issue drags out, the greater the potential economic effects may be.
Weighing the Options: Mexico vs. China
So if you’re an international manufacturer contemplating Mexico or China, what elements do you need to consider? Should you assume that the 30% tariff is just a negotiating chip and that, eventually, tariffs will stabilize at a lower rate?
Consider how a Mexico production footprint would support your growth over the long-term. Over the past five years, Mexico has decreased in cost due to the ongoing decline of the Peso against the US Dollar. Over the same period, costs in China have all gone up: labor, transport, overall operations, etc. So from purely a cost standpoint, the countries are at parity.
At the same time, Mexico holds two tremendous advantages over China (no matter what happens on the tariff front): protection of intellectual property and proximity to US/Canadian markets. These key factors won’t change anytime soon, and they help tilt the scale to Mexico’s favor.
It’s at this point that the China tariff factor assumes greater importance, depending on whether or not you already have your own production in China. If you concede that Mexico already holds two key advantages over China, while also assuming that costs are roughly equal, the threat of a 30% tariff on China-made goods takes China off the table completely. Unless, of course, you’re already producing at your own China facility. In which case, you’re stuck until the trade war has fully played out.
It’s important to point out that this aspect applies to producers that control their own manufacturing. This approach does NOT apply if you work with a subcontractor, and are not locked into a long-term production contract. In the event that you work with a subcontractor, you could switch to Mexico subcontracting while you wait out the tariff outcome, and then switch back once the trade war is resolved. In fact, if you can find a capable subcontractor for your product in Mexico, you may benefit from such a strategy.
Another Angle to Consider
Of course, on one level, deciding between China OR Mexico isn’t even necessary. That’s because, over the long-term, you will eventually be better off with both cost-competitive production locations, as your customers will prioritize suppliers that have regional production nearby, by rewarding them with global production contracts.
This global/local low-cost production solution (cost-competitive regional production in the Americas, Europe and Asia) positions savvy producers best of all, giving them multiple cost-effective hubs to be closer to customers and also minimize risks against global events outside of their control.
So a presence in the Americas (Mexico) and Asia (China) keeps you ahead of the competition and brings Mexico production online in the event there are complicating factors in China, like a trade war.


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McDonald’s is to roll out table service and cooked-to-order gourmet burgers to 400 UK restaurants in an effort to revamp its image amid intensifying competition from upmarket rivals.
The fast food giant said customers will soon be able to order from digital kiosks at their table after the feature proved successful when it was trialed at 14 locations across Britain.
Kiosks will be included in all newly-transformed restaurants from February in an attempt to modernise McDonald’s restaurants and attract more families. Once ordered on the kiosk, a waiter will bring the order to the customer’s table.
McDonald’s will also double the number of its restaurants selling a new range of premium burgers, called the signature collection.
It comes as the American company continues to do battle with gourmet burger brands such as Five Guys and Shake Shack, and its more established rivals Burger King and KFC.


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Intel brings a six-core i9 CPU to laptops
- UK: Girl shot dead in London
- Lies in Mueller Probe Send Dutch Attorney to Prison
- YouTube Employees Report Shooter At California Headquarters
- Ex-spy poisoning row: Britain unable to identify source of nerve agent
- Turkey's Erdogan says Akkuyu nuclear plant investment to exceed $20 billion
- Egypt's Sisi re-elected with 97pc of vote
- Second Death Due to Synthetic Cannabinoids
- Israeli PM suspends deportation plan for African migrants
- Mark Zuckerberg Calls Tim Cook's Facebook Criticism Extremely Glib'
- 'Deeply moved': Kim watches S. Korea pop stars in concert
- President Ramaphosa Remembers Winnie Mandela As 'Voice Of Defiance'
- President Trump hits out at online retailer Amazon again over tax payments
- The Second Blue Moon from this March is Associated with the Easter


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The company offers development tools for crypto-powered gamers. Framework Ventures led the $30 Million Series A round.
Framework Ventures led a $30 million funding round for Stardust, which is a platform that offers development tools to crypto-powered game developers.
Distributed Global, Blockchain Capital, Acrew Capital and Blockchain Capital all participated in the Series A round. Bloomberg reported the. There was no valuation.
Stardust is a self-professed platform that aims to be the infrastructure layer for blockchain-based games. It offers a set of tools that, according to the platform, simplify the building process for crypto gaming apps.
Stardust raised $5 Million in a Seed Round in 2021.
Vance Spencer, co-founder of Framework, told The Block that web3 gaming would result in both the creation of interesting assets and exciting, consumer-friendly applications that will be more attractive in terms of onboarding new, non-native crypto users.
Venture backers seem to be in agreement. According to The Block Research, the NFT and crypto gaming space have been the most significant investment sectors in venture funding over the past two quarters.


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Digital money that’s instant, private, and free from bank fees. Download our official wallet app and start using Bitcoin today. Read news, start mining, and buy BTC or BCH. CoinDesk is preparing for the invest: ethereum economy virtual event on Oct. 14 with a special series of newsletters focused on Ethereum’s past, present and future. Every day until the event the ... This is a periodic section that features the most important news in the blockchain and crypto world of the last 7 days. Bitcoin. MIT comes up with three ways to take bitcoin down. Cons of Ethereum. Our Bitcoin vs. Ethereum debate has also taken cognizance of the major downsides of Ethereum. High volatility: Ethereum is highly volatile in nature just like Bitcoin. Scalability: Like Bitcoin and other cryptos, the Ethereum blockchain is still suffering like all scalability issues in terms of transactions per second. Bitcoin and Ethereum are totally different animals, developed for different reasons and with different internal dynamics. [ Artificial Intelligence Stocks: The 10 Best AI Companies.
[index]
Episode 89: Bitcoin and Ethereum Go Crazy In this episode, we discuss—mobile phone mining, a top 3 coin, basics of bitcoin investing, and open-flame cooking medium. Purchase Ethereum/Bitcoin/Litecoin Safely and Securely with a Coinbase Account. Use my link to get $10 in free Bitcoin after spending $100. Holders of Over 11 Million Bitcoin are Proving That Hodl Is Not Just a Meme. #bitcoin worth $30 billion sits still for five years. Bitcoin Volatility Is Up, Liquidity Stagnant. Istanbul upgrade ... ETHEREUM'S DERIVATIVE MACHINE SYNTHETIX $100 PRICE PREDICTION EXPLAINED - Duration: 12:03. Lark Davis 9,593 views. New; 12:03. $2000 Gold Price NEXT WEEK? - Duration: 32:35. The cryptocurrecny market is around $130 billion today. Bitcoin remains under $3900 today and today ethereum is around $138. Binance Coin gained the most out of the top 20 with gains of more than 6%.


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USA finance and payments news summary | 19 May 2022
Headlines: 19 May 2022
- White House secures first batch of overseas baby formula as part of Operation Fly Formula program
- The Great Resignation continued in April with eight states seeing an increase in the number of workers who quit their jobs
- Number of people receiving unemployment insurance falls below 1% for the first time since 1969
- The average price of a gallon of gasoline now exceeds $4 in all fifty states for the first time in US history
- Crude oil prices hit $114, an 11% increase over prices recorded this time last month
- The Bitcoin and crypto-collapse continues to have massive impacts on Wall Street, some coins like Luna have hit zero
- Inflation continues to cut into the purchasing power of consumers: what products have seen a decrease in price?
Helpful information & links
- Does working after one’s full retirement age increase Social Security benefits?
- New York State offers home loan forgiveness program
- Wide support for California $400 gas check
Those who lose their job through no fault of their own in New York and meet other requirements can expect at most $504 in weekly jobless financial assistance. However, the real amount will be determined by the state based on a worker’s “base period” with a minimum weekly amount set at $116.
In order to calculate an individual’s unemployment compensation, officials at the New York Department of Labor (NYDOL) will look at a “basic base period” or your “alternate base period. The agency will not “automatically” consider the latter in the event that you have enough wages in your basic base period to assess if you would get a higher weekly amount.
Employment gains in one out of three metropolitan areas over past year
During the past 12 months nonfarm payroll employment increased in 147 metropolitan areas. The remaining 242 areas were essentially unchanged. The largest percentage employment gains from March 2021 to 2022 occurred in:
Atlantic City, New Jersey (+12.3 percent)
Las Vegas, Nevada (+12.1 percent)
Flagstaff, Arizona (+10.2 percent)
Memorial Day weekend gas prices set to hit all-time high
Gas Buddy released its annual summer travel survey, and despite gas prices $1.50 higher than last year 58 percent of respondents say they plan to hit the road, an increase from 2021. However, they are keeping their options open with around two-thirds waiting to confirm their travel plans.
Gas prices are predicted to go over $4.60 per gallon for the start of the summer holiday travel season. Minus any significant events, drives can expect to see prices around $4.40 at the pump on average nationwide through Labor Day weekend.
White House response to baby formula shortages
Supple chain pressures and a major product recall have combined to create a dangerous shortage of infant formula in the United States. President Biden is looking to increase the supply and make parents aware when new products become available near them. There have been reports of baby formula products being resold online at a huge mark-up as parents are desperate to stock up on the essentials.
During the first year of the pandemic the federal government introduced a variety of financial relief programs to ensure that people could cover the cost of essentials amid the economic uncertainty. Tens of millions of people lost their jobs, businesses were shuttered and any savings were quickly depleted.
The government authorised three rounds of stimulus checks to provide the short-term relief needed, worth a total of $3,200 per person. We take a look back at those payments, and the prospects of another round of stimulus checks...
"America is back to work. The number of Americans who are forced to rely on unemployment insurance programs for their support fell to its lowest level in over 52 years. When I took office, there were nearly 20 million Americans on unemployment insurance to feed their families and keep a roof over their heads. Today, that number is about 1.3 million. That’s millions of families moving from government support to earning a paycheck."
"Today, the percentage of people receiving unemployment insurance fell below 1 percent for the first time since 1969. This historic progress is the result of my economic plan to grow the economy from the bottom up and middle out."
Record gas prices could cause major issues during the summer travel period
The high price of gaosline continued today as the United States once again broke the all-time record price, with the average gallon of gasoline now costing $4.589. At current rates the average American household is expected to spend more than $5,000 per year on motor fuel, a staggering increase on the $2,800 predicted at the same point last year.
This will be a particular concern as we head towards the summer travel period, when millions of Americans are expected to embark on long road trips. Not only will the high prices make this extremely expensive for travellers, but the imminent surge in demand could serve to push the price up even higher.
High inflation slows the economic recovery
The United States fell dramatically into recession in 2020, due in large part to the restrictions imposed as a result of covid-19 and the disruption brought about to the global supply chain. This rocked investor confidence and it has taken two years for some businesses to return to pre-pandemic practices.
However the rapid rate of inflation is now causing a major problem for investors after the markets were flooded with stimulus spending in recent years. President Biden has named inflation control as his top domestic priority, but his efforts are yet to have any real effect.
For concered parents the recent shortage of baby formula products across the country has been a major cause for concern, with some forced to search for extortionately priced resale options online. In reponse to the situation many major retailers have imposed new purchasing restrictions on infant formula.
The shortage has been exacerbated by a product recall from top supplier Abbott Laboratories back in February that has reduced the supply significantly. Baby formula products, including Similac, Alimentum and EleCare, have been recalled owing to concerns about bacterial infections in a small number of infants who came into contact with the products.
Bitcoin price drop continues
The cryptocurrency collapse has continued with one Bitcoin now worth less than $30,000, a far cry from the record heights reached in 2021. Cryptocurrencies in general enjoyed a positive 18 months with solid growth across the board, but a variety of factors have served to push down the price in recent months. The fluctuating prices may be good for investors, who see the opportunity to take advantage of the uncertainty, but the rapid devaluation makes its future as a fully-fledged currency look less likely.
Which countries have the highest rates of inflation?
President Biden is under severe pressure to address the high rate of inflation, but the United States is far from the only country to be suffering. Nations around the world have fallen victim the volatie economic climate and supply chain pressures across the world have effect the supply of various products, pushing up the price.
What are today's gas prices in the US?
The average price of a gallon of gasoline has risen to $4.589 today, according to figures gathered by AAA. After more than a week of consistent gains the price is once again at a record high, causing major concerns for motorists and consumers alike. As we approach the summer months, when people are more likely to embark on long roadtrips, the cost could continue to rise with the high demand.
The age at which a worker can retire and receive their maximum Social Security benefit amount depends on the year they were born. At sixty-two, Social Security benefits can be claimed, but it is not until almost a decade later that the maximum benefit becomes available.
How can I check my Social Security entitlement?
The amount of money on offer from the Social Security Administration (SSA) varies from person to person, because your personal entitlement is a reflection of your working history and personal situation. However it can be difficult to calculate how much you are entitled to get, and to work out how best to maximise your earning potential and ensure youre all set for retirement.
Fortunately the SSA offers a free-to-use online portal which shows your earnings history, allowing you to work out your future payment size...
Since April 2021, food prices have increased 10.8 percent
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that over the last twelve months, food prices have increased more than 10.8 percent. This represents the greatest year over year increase since 1980.
Some of the foods that saw the greatest increase at 14.3 percent include meats, poultry, fish, and eggs.
Imports of baby formula will serve as a bridge to this ramped up production, therefore, I am requesting you take all appropriate measures available to get additional safe formula into the country immediately.
Directing firms to prioritize and allocate the production of key infant formula inputs will help increase production and speed up in supply chains.
Defense Production Act invoked to increase baby formula production
The White House announced that President Joe Biden would use a Cold War-era law to require suppliers to “direct needed resources to infant formula manufacturers before any other customer who may have ordered that good.”
It will include the priritising of formula production as well as licensing the Defense Department to purchase and fly formual that meets US standards to the country from abroad.
A number of major retailers in the United States have imposed new purchasing restrictions on infant formula in response to a worrying supply shortage.
Last month CVS said it was limiting both in-store and online purchases of baby formula to three per order, following a similar cap introduced by Walgreens in March. Kroger has opted for a four-item limit per customer while Target has also placed restrictions on order size.
The shortage has been exacerbated by a product recall from top supplier Abbott Laboratories back in February that has reduced the supply significantly.
A new study showed just how much families needed the Child Tax Credit
The enhanced Child Tax Credit which was distributed last year as a part of the American Rescue Plan was a lifeline for many struggling families. Estimates on the impact of the credit show that child poverty was cut in half as a result of over 24 million more children, many of whom come from low-income families, becoming eligible to receive the benefit.
For those wondering the credit will be extended, such a prospect seems unlikely. There is currently very little movement on Capitol Hill surrounding the issue with much of the legislative focus set towards inflation, the War in Ukraine, and the draft opinion overturning Roe V Wade which was leaked earlier this month.
Members of Congress continue to call for the extension of the Child Tax Credit
In light of the baby formula shortage in the US, California Congresswomen Barbara Lee has called on Congress to extend the enhanced child tax credit another year.
The formula crisis has left low-income families extremely vulnerable as prices the product have surged around the country. For Lee, extending the credit would provide these families with a lifeline that could help them better compete in the market.
For more on the baby formula shortage, read our full coverage.
The high cost of oil, the key ingredient in gasoline, is driving these high pump prices for consumers. Even the annual seasonal demand dip for gasoline during the lull between spring break and Memorial Day, which would normally help lower prices, is having no effect this year.
Will there be $6 gasoline this summer?
It is no secret that motorists and consumers in general are suffering under the weight of rapidly increasing gasoline prices, which has once again reached new height today. This morning AAA confirmed that the average price of a gallon of gasoline in the United States had risen to $4.567, nearly 50 cents higher than it was just a month earlier.
As we approach the summer months, when Americans are most likely to embark on long holiday trips, pushing the demand up, it is thought that the average price could go even higher. Experts are now warning that a $6 gallon of gasoline could become the reality for millions of people in the coming months.
Prices of fuel have been rising since the turn of the year. According to the AAA, the average price for a gallon of fuel was $3.28 in January, but it now stands at nearly $5. While it had been rising after the lows of the pandemic, the Russian war in Ukraine has caused a huge surge in prices.
While the national average has been greater than $4 since March, there were three midwestern states that were under $4 a gallon: Georgia, Kansas and Oklahoma. With price rises on Tuesday, these three are over the mark. Some drivers, like those in California, are paying over $6 for a gallon.
Every states records $4 gasoline average
For the first time, the average price of a gallon of gasoline exceeds $4 in every state. The price of motor fuel has soared in recent months, along with other products made using crude oil, in response to inflationary pressures and the trade sanctions on Russia. Americans all across the country are feeling the consequences at the pump and the situation looks like being a major factor in the upcoming midterm elections.
Hello and welcome to AS USA's Financial News live blog for Thursday, 19 May 2022.
We will be bringing you all the investment and monetary news you need.
Still haven't received your tax refund? Do not worry, we have you covered on how to contact the IRS.
Cryptocurrency is seeing one of its largest decreases in years, with many long-term investors exiting the market, what does this mean for Bitcoin?
Gas prices are up around the country, a sign that while inflation began to slow in April, numbers could spike again in May.


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Duo UK will design, manufacture and supply branded packaging for the Irish shoe retailer who stocks well known brands such as UGG, Gabor, Irregular Choice, and Barker amongst many others.
Donaghys Shoes has previously never used a branded mailing bag before, however after realizing that buying in bulk meant a branded bag cost the same as an off-the-shelf plain grey bag, e-commerce director Peter McVeigh described the decision to switch as a “no brainer”.
He said: “What impressed us most about Duo UK was their passion, creativity, and positive attitude to finding a packaging solution that worked for us. They opened our eyes to how beneficial branded packaging is for our customers being able to recognize that the parcel that’s landed on their doorstep is from Donaghys Shoes.
“We’re looking forward to working much more closely with Duo UK in the future, their price, short lead time and high quality product has impressed us to date and I’m sure will continue to impress us moving forward.”
Zoe Brimelow, brand director at Duo UK added: “It’s great for us to work with such a recognisable brand in Ireland, and we’re thrilled that Donaghys Shoes has chosen to take the step to using branded packaging when it sends out customer orders.
“Branded packaging is an important step in ensuring customers are confident in the brand their buying into when they receive their packaging – not only does it look polished and professional but studies show branded packaging also increases customer satisfaction so it’s a win-win all round!”
The new contract means Duo UK now counts yet another well-known fashion brand as a client as Donaghys Shoes joins the ranks of JD Williams, ASOS, and Tesco who are also Duo UK customers.
For more stories of local business success, sign up for our BQ Breakfast.
Our BQ Bulletin emails will land in your inbox at 7.30am, Monday to Friday, with a mix of the latest local business news, national news, and features to inspire you. Sign up here!
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Vineeth Joel Patel
Joel Patel has been covering all aspects of the automotive industry for four years as an editor and freelance writer for various websites. When it comes to cars, he enjoys covering the merger between technology and cars. In his spare time, Joel likes to watch baseball, work on his car, and try new foods
Feb 23, 2017 3:00 PM WST
General Motor’s car-sharing service, Maven, will benefit from over 100 Chevrolet Bolts that will be added to the company’s fleet in Los Angeles, CA.
Feb 21, 2017 6:30 PM WST
At the Canadian International Auto Show, Aston Martin CEO Dr. Andy Palmer revealed that the automaker would reveal an autonomous car in the near future, but would be focusing its efforts on cybersecurity before doing so.
Feb 19, 2017 12:30 PM WST
Various technology firms including Intel, Uber, and IoT provider Aeris, have formed an alliance to ensure that connected cars of the future are secure.
Feb 15, 2017 7:30 PM WST
Ride-hailing app Uber and car-sharing service Zipcar announced a partnership where Zipcar would offer its vehicles Uber drivers. The deal is currently only available to drivers in Boston, MA, but could expand to other cities in the United States.
Feb 14, 2017 3:15 PM WST
Last week, Ford announces plans to invest $1 billion, which will be doled out over a five-year period, to an artifical intelligence startup called Argo AI.
Feb 12, 2017 11:15 AM WST
In a lengthy report put out by the GHSA, the administration warns states of the pitfalls of having autonomous cars sharing the road with conventional vehicles.
Feb 07, 2017 2:55 PM WST
Ford Motor Co. launched a new parts brand, Omnicraft, which will allow the automaker’s dealerships to service and provide parts for cars that are manufactured by other car manufacturers.
Feb 06, 2017 4:15 PM WST
German automaker Volkswagen has announced plans to update its existing factories to accommodate for its new Modular Electric Drive kit (MEB) platform that will underpin the majority of its vehicles in the future.
Feb 03, 2017 10:55 AM WST
General Motors and Honda announced plans to invest $42.5 million each into furthering the automakers’ expansion in their fuel-cell partnership.
Feb 02, 2017 5:20 PM WST
Daimler and Uber have partnered to add autonomous vehicles from Mercedes-Benz into the ride-sharing company’s fleet of cars.


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At G-20, is Obama sincere about open trade?
His actions toward protectionism speak louder than his words.
The world has looked to the US for leadership in opening markets since 1945, when American officials cited protectionism as helping prolong the Depression and as a cause for World War II.
As post-war US presidents have achieved greater free trade, the world has also experienced its fastest growth in prosperity, with even the communist regimes in China and Russia eventually hopping on the open-market bandwagon.
Now, despite a deep recession, Mr. Obama cannot simply mouth support for trade and then act differently, as he has done. Trade may not be the spark for economic recovery but the raising of barriers would only dampen a recovery. That certainly was the case with the 1930 Smoot-Hawley law that raised tariffs on some 20,000 imported items.
Although the US is far from such a drastic step, Obama has so far equivocated on free trade, which only sets an example for other nations to resort to protectionism. He did little to keep Congress from putting a "buy American" provision in the giant stimulus bill. And he signed onto a measure that violates NAFTA by barring Mexican trucks in the US.
Mexico had every right to retaliate, which it did with higher tariffs on 89 American products. By some estimates, those tariffs will cost 40,000 US jobs.
The Obama administration has also raised the prospect of slapping tariffs on imports from countries that don't limit carbon emissions – "in order to protect American industries."
Protectionism comes in several forms, from "green" rules to subsidies for domestic industries to outright import bans. Many governments don't want their economic stimulus money "to go to foreigners." France has ordered its automakers to only lay off workers in their foreign plants. Britain has a "British jobs for British workers" campaign. China plans rebates for its steel exporters.
Even trade barriers that are legally consistent with World Trade Organization rules can have protectionist effects. "The danger today is of an incremental build-up of restrictions that could slowly strangle international trade," the WTO warns.
Since last November's G-20 summit – which also pledged to fight protection – 17 of those 20 countries have issued 47 policies that restrict trade, according to the World Bank. The bank also notes that it expects global trade in goods and services to drop by 6.1 percent this year, the worst performance since WWII. That will contribute to an expected 1 percent contraction in the world economy.
Despite a renewed pledge not to resort to trade-distorting steps, the G-20 must also allow the WTO to disclose the names of countries engaging in new protectionism. Such shaming by naming would at least bring a level of honesty to all the free-trade rhetoric, starting with the US.
Obama should also push to renew negotiations aimed at completing a new international trade pact – the so-called Doha round – which at least would keep up pressure for free trade.
Brazil's president (a former union leader) says the solution to the global crisis "is more free trade." That in part reflects a global hope that the US, as the world's largest market, won't close its doors to other nations' goods.
As the "hope" president, Obama should not disappoint.


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Quincy College's biotechnology and compliance lab is teaching students how to be technicians at a biotechnology company.» Read More
Pay hikes have picked up in sectors such as leisure and hospitality, business services, construction and retail. USA Today reports.
CNBC's Steve Liesman takes a look at this week's top economic news, including Friday's jobs report and Janet Yellen's first big challenge.
You don't have to hold the wheel, says Filip Brabec, Audi of America product management, discussing the automaker's self-driving car. And Gov. Rick Scott, (R-Fla), explains how the Sunshine State intends to make sure the technology is safe for the road while creating more jobs.
From China's twin factory data to a raft of corporate earnings, CNBC's Pauline Chiou highlights what will drive markets this week.
Additional rules and enforcement from federal agencies have a majority of employers worried about how to run their firms.
Economists shaved growth expectations for the second quarter after the June durable goods report revealed weak shipments and dampened hopes for business spending.
Rep. Kevin Brady, chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, (R-Texas), weighs in on President Obama¿s views on tax inversions and tax reform. Brady says inversions will stop when the broken tax code is fixed.
Orders for big-ticket U.S. manufactured goods rose strongly in June, a sign of increased business spending and better growth.
The risk of losing your job is getting smaller and smaller.
Gina Sanchez, Chairwoman & Founder of Chantico Global, says a fall in U.S. new home sales for June, along with issues in wage growth and participation rate, underscore a weak U.S. recovery.
In an exclusive CNBC interview, President Obama took aim at tax inversions. Watch the interview here.
A more than eight-year low in jobless claims is the latest evidence that hiring is picking up, but whether companies are willing to spend is another matter.
Health care workers with less than a four-year degree make up 61% of the industry's 12.1 million employees, USA Today reports.
New U.S. single-family homes sales fell sharply in June, suggesting the housing market would struggle to regain momentum.
New U.S. unemployment claims tumbled to the lowest level in nearly 9 years, suggesting the labor market recovery was gaining traction.
If this turning point comes, the U.S. may soon see the fortunes of middle- and lower-class workers rising.
Andrew Rees, Crocs president, discusses the company's CEO search, restructuring plans and how he's positioning Crocs for growth.
In the good old days, a job posting to Asia's financial hubs commonly included a lavish benefit package but those days are gone.
It seems at first glance that firms should be finding it harder, not easier, to attract skilled workers. The Fiscal Times reports.
A former grocery store chain president has asked his family company to reinstate employees who were fired for protesting his termination.
Get the best of CNBC in your inbox
Quincy College's biotechnology and compliance lab is teaching students how to be technicians at a biotechnology company.
Hiring for two new SCE&G reactors underscores the need for replacing retiring nuclear workers in coming years.
Taking advantage of tax incentives, chipmaker GlobalFoundries opened its first U.S. plant and created 2,200 jobs.


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Covestro Mobility Day, Leverkusen, Germany
Our first ever Mobility Day offered automotive journalists an insight into the future, and showed the key role we’re playing in the development of sustainable mobility.
“It does not matter what mobility will look like in the future, Covestro will help shape it,” said Dr Markus Steilemann, future CEO of Covestro, during his welcome speech at the recently refurbished PCS Technical Center in Leverkusen, Germany.
Dr Markus Steilemann, future CEO of Covestro, and Professor Gerd Leonhard at our Mobility Day in Leverkusen.
With our high-performance material portfolio, we’re already offering groundbreaking future solutions and creating unique design spaces for our automotive industry customers.
During the day, Gerd Leonhard, Humanist, Futurist and Author, discussed his predictions for technology and humans.
“Consumer behavior with respect to the car will change dramatically: people will share vehicles and no longer own them. Within ten years, electric mobility will be a standard worldwide,” he told journalists.
He added that the automotive future “will not be possible without materials as they are produced by Covestro”.
As well as expert presentations from our Coatings, Adhesives, Specialties (CAS), Polyurethanes (PUR) and Polycarbonates (PCS) business units, journalists were given the opportunity to experience concept cars up close.
These included the “Sonnenwagen” solar car, which has been developed in collaboration with students from RWTH Aachen University and the FH Aachen for the most challenging solar car race in the world: the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in Australia.
The original K67, the first plastic material car in the world, was also on show.
This special event, which took place on January 18th, is one of many activities we are planning around the world to delve deeper into the ever-changing landscape in order to identify the right material solutions that support the evolution of mobility.
Watch highlights from the first Covestro Mobility Day and hear the views of Professor Gerd Leonhard.
Covestro and Tongji University NEV workshop
Meanwhile in China, we held the 2018 Covestro-Tongji New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) Materials Workshop on January 12th in order to gauge industry insights and explore new ways in which we can further enable smart mobility.
The workshop, held in collaboration with the prestigious Tongji University, attracted 120 experts in the fields of advanced materials, alongside Professor Ding Han and Professor Ouyang Minggao from the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
During the keynote speeches, Professor Ding introduced the latest trends of intelligent manufacturing, while Professor Ouyang spoke about the development trends of EV lithium battery technology.
As well as speeches, panel discussions and group brainstorming, guests were also invited to visit the Shanghai Automotive Wind Tunnel Center.
“With the joint efforts of the industry and academics, we are confident of generating a more impactful collaboration that explores more opportunities for the building of a beautiful China,” says Professor Yu Zhuoping, Assistant to President of Tongji University.
China’s government is working to end the sales of fossil-fuel-powered vehicles and has announced a strategy and action plan to boost the innovation and development of intelligent vehicles.
These advancements aim to ease air population in the country, curb its dependence on imported oil and seize the initiative in this emerging industry. We are dedicated to supporting their agenda with our innovative solutions.
“Covestro strives to work with our value chain partners in ushering China and the world into a future of sustainable city and smart mobility,” says Bjoern Skogum, President of Covestro China.”


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Region’s hospitality industry needs a convention center, agency says
By Carrie Napoleon Post-Tribune correspondent January 10, 2013 6:48PM
Speros Batistatos, president of the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority. | Post-Tribune File Photo
Updated: February 12, 2013 2:34PM
MERRILLVILLE — Last year was a banner year for the Northwest Indiana hospitality industry with more than 30,000 room nights booked and creating an estimated economic impact of more than $5 million.
The figures, provided by the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority during the 2013 partnership summit, highlight what the region is capable of and puts a spotlight on the opportunities that will be missed without a major brick-and-mortar investment in the hospitality sector.
Bookings are expected to plunge in 2013, due in part to the loss of some larger events such as the Salvation Army convention, which needs a venue large enough to accommodate 4,000 attendees. A little more than 12,400 room nights are expected to be booked in 2013 creating an estimated economic impact of just over $3.1 million.
Speros Batistatos, CEO of the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority, said the region has had much success in recent years through the booking of sporting events such as the National Softball Association Girls Fast-Pitch Class B World Series and through the bring-it-back promotion encouraging members to bring their annual association meetings back to the South Shore.
However, sustained growth of the hospitality sector by attracting larger conventions will not be possible until the region has the proper venue to support those groups.
“I am the eternal optimist. We can build a convention center. … If we want to change at the local level, we have to bite the bullet and pay a food and beverage tax,” he said.
Batistatos said a convention center is a vital component to the continued success and expansion of the hospitality sector. Hotels, restaurants, retail centers and ancillary businesses would all see an increase in business if the region were able to consistently attract larger conventions and expositions.
In the coming weeks Batistatos said he plans to present a comprehensive package outlining the need for a 3 percent food and beverage tax and how the tax can be used to spur economic development in the hospitality sector throughout Lake County.
“We are going to be raising some interesting and controversial ideas in the next few weeks,” he said.
The plan, which will leverage the anticipated $21 million in revenues for a $210 million, 10-year bond issue, will include brick-and-mortar projects throughout the seven districts of Lake County designed to attract visitors, including a proposed convention center.
He said the SSCVA also will work to protect the existing hotel and motel tax, and any potential food and beverage tax, so it is used to spur economic development in the hospital sector and not raided by cash-strapped municipalities to fill budget shortfalls.
Rohit Patel, who owns three limited-service hotels in Northwest Indiana — the Best Western and Comfort Inn in Hammond and the Best Western University Inn in Valparaiso, the latter two of which are under renovation — and one in Lansing, Ill., said the region needs a “demand generator” that would create a steady flow of business to the region’s hotels and restaurants throughout the year.
Patel said while he and Batistatos may not always agree, he shares the SSCVA chief’s view regarding the convention center.
“One-hundred percent we agree on funding a convention center,” said Patel, who also owns a restaurant, adding he would support the food and beverage tax if it would bring the convention center to fruition.


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Chip sales down 25% from last year
But up from last month
Global chip sales in April are down 25 per cent from a year earlier, though at least they've improved over the last two months.
The Semiconductor Industry Association said today that chip sales worldwide tallied $15.6bn in April, compared to $20.9bn for the same month in 2008.
The upside is that two sequential months of improvement may indicate the slump is getting a bit less slumpy. April's $15.6bn was a 6.4 per cent increase from March, which was proceeded by a 3.3 per cent sequential rise from February. SIA attributes the rise to stronger-than-expected semiconductor sales for PCs and cellphones. Both markets account for nearly 60 per cent of total chip consumption, the trade association says.
Because of the rising sales, SIA now forecasts PC unit sales in 2009 will decline about 6 per cent compared to earlier predictions of a 12 per cent slide. Cell phone unit sales are anticipated to drop around 7 per cent compared to earlier predictions of 15 per cent.
Despite this, "visibility remains limited," according to SIA president George Scalise. "Two consecutive months of sequential sales growth may be an indication of a return to more normal seasonal sales patters in some market sectors, albeit at lower sales level than last year."
There's still plenty of semiconductor markets that remain weak, such as the worldwide automotive market, and corporate information technology spending.
The consumer electronics sector is a mixed bag, according to SIA. The trade group forecasts increased chip sales for digital televisions and hand-held game consoles, but a drop for most other consumer electronic products. ®


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Tax break has benefited
Published 9:53 am Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Gov. John Kasich’s tax break for small businesses has performed as promised: It has allowed these risk-takers, who cumulatively are a massive employer and the backbone of the economy, to thrive a bit more.
So far this year, Ohioans have saved an estimated $253 million in taxes under the new small-business tax break, claiming more than $6.3 billion in income deductions. And that number will grow by the Oct. 15 deadline for those given filing extensions.
The tax benefit allows Ohioans to deduct half of their business’ income, up to the first $250,000, on their individual tax returns. Next year, the deduction is to increase to 75 percent of that income.
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“It means these businesses will be able to reinvest … (and) be healthier,” Kasich said last year as the legislature passed a package of tax changes.
Critics said that most businesses would qualify for less than $1,000 — an impact they said was so small that it wouldn’t be enough to create jobs. They branded it a tax cut for the wealthy and said the loss in government revenues, which could fund more services, wouldn’t be worth it.
But for a small-business owner, $1,000 is significant. It can help to repair equipment, advertise the business, buy supplies or add hours for employees.
And more than 85 percent of the 348,600 taxpayers who’ve claimed the deduction had business incomes of $80,000 or less, Northeast Ohio Media Group reports.
These hardly are “wealthy business owners.” Money that stays in the economy and helps businesses thrive will yield additional tax revenue in the long run.
The Columbus Dispatch


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Zelensky went to a supermarket in Donbass for coffee: video and photo
The President visited a grocery store
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited a grocery store in Bakhmut, Donetsk region.
This was announced by his press secretary Yulia Mendel and posted a video on Instagram.
"In the Donetsk region, the President decided to buy coffee and sweets. An ordinary grocery store in Bakhmut. A 5-minute stop and chat with people," she commented.
Video Mendel posted without real sound. It is not known what the president talked about with people. From the interior of the store you can find out that this is ATB.
"I bought coffee and sweets in Bakhmut in the Donetsk region. You need to recharge on trips. Especially with the smiles of our sincere people," Zelensky commented on his visit to the store.
The President noted in his Telegram channel that local residents in Bakhmut adhere to quarantine rules.
"What I want to emphasize. This is very important, in my opinion. It is clear that I stopped by the first grocery store that I saw. Without any prior preparation. And you know what? The locals here wear masks - without warning and reminders "Practically everyone. Because everyone understands and takes care of themselves. They took them off only to take pictures. And it is clear everywhere that people understand the danger caused by the coronavirus pandemic. This indicates a great responsibility and social culture of the Donetsk region. I am grateful for this to every Ukrainian "And one more thing. Only the "political background" for speculation disappears, everything immediately falls into place. Therefore, I am calm for our very mature and mature society," Zelensky wrote.
Earlier Klymenko Time reported about the visit President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky to Donbass.
Zelensky will submit to the Rada a bill to raise the minimum wage: when and by how much will payments be increased
An outbreak of coronavirus was recorded in the regional council of Ivano-Frankivsk: the reason is named
"I would have fought for the Crimea!" Gordon's wife leaked fragments of an interview with Lukashenka
Revival of the region or tax evasion: what will Kravchuk's idea of a free economic zone for ORDLO lead to


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Since it opened in 2018, Industry has aimed to provide quality food options to members of the San Marcos community. The restaurant’s dedication to including diverse plant-based meal options has earned it best vegetarian in the Stars of San Marcos competition.
One of the most popular vegan menu options is the “Industry Bowl,” which comes with a cashew-garlic dressing that Industry makes in house. Industry also provides plant-based alternatives of popular dishes, such as mac & cheese, green chilli con queso and chilli cheese fries.
“I think where Industry really fills a niche is that we’ve always wanted to be a third place away from home and work — not just a restaurant,” says Harlan Scott, co-owner of Industry. “We wanted a common place where people from all walks of life could come in, sit down and break bread together.”
Like many businesses, Industry has used social distancing measures and required its employees to wear masks since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also instituted temperature checks for all employees.
“I’ve been very open about the fact that in the first 18 months we were open, before we had to shut down for the pandemic, we barely made it,” Scott says. “But when we reopened, we actually shattered our previous sales record. I think the online focus on local businesses because of the pandemic actually got people to understand what we were about.”
Industry is located at 110 E. Martin Luther King Dr. in downtown San Marcos and is open every day from 11 a.m. to midnight with the exception of Sunday, when it opens at 10:30 a.m.
For more information about Industry, visit its website.
2nd Place: Nostimos, Don Japanese Kitchen, Root Cellar, Italian Garden, Taiwan Bowl (tie)
3rd Place: Jo's Cafe


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A no-deal Brexit would deliver a “knockout blow” to the competitiveness of Britain’s automotive sector and could cost it more than £70m a day due to delays at the border, the industry’s trade body has warned.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders on Tuesday said leaving the EU without a deal would lead to the end of borderless trade that could bring “crippling disruption” to the industry’s just-in-time operating model.
New analysis by SMMT concluded that if all the 1,100 trucks that deliver some 42m components into the UK from the continent every day were held up for 24 hours, the resulting production stoppages could cost the industry about £50,000 a minute, or more than £70m a day in this worst-case scenario.
Combined with tariffs that would apply under World Trade Organization rules, this would deliver “a knockout blow to the sector’s competitiveness, undermining a decade of extraordinary growth”, the study found.
“No-deal remains the clear and present danger,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive.
“The next PM’s first job in office must be to secure a deal that maintains frictionless trade because, for our industry, ‘no deal’ is not an option,” he added, insisting that “this is not project fear”.
The industry, Mr Hawes warned, faced “death by a thousand cuts,” where a gradual erosion of competitiveness would make it harder for companies to invest.
Britain’s automotive sector is the UK’s biggest exporter of goods, and executives have repeatedly warned of the impact of a hard Brexit on its operations. The uncertainty over the terms of Britain’s eventual exit from the EU, currently scheduled for October 31, has already led to new investment falling by 80 per cent over the past three years, according to the SMMT.
A number of car companies moved production shutdowns from the summer to April ahead of March 29, the first scheduled date for Britain’s exit from the EU. This would no longer be possible in the autumn, according to Mr Hawes.
Britain’s car industry was revived by a raft of inward investment, led by Japanese manufacturers, in the 1980s and 1990s, but it is struggling to secure new capital spending to safeguard existing factories amid Brexit uncertainty.
The sector’s predicament has been exacerbated by non-Brexit developments. Ford announced earlier this month it would shut its Bridgend factory in 2020 with the loss of 1,700 jobs while Japanese rival Honda has said it plans to close its Swindon car plant. Both companies said their decisions were for commercial reasons and not related to the UK’s departure from the EU.
Without the automotive industry the UK risked losing its status as the world’s 10th-largest exporter of goods, dropping down to 14th place, the SMMT said.
Copyright The Financial Times Limited . All rights reserved. Please don't copy articles from FT.com and redistribute by email or post to the web.


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Apple is making a big push into TV. With it’s upcoming Apple TV Plus, the company is looking to battle with Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon in the streaming game, and and you can expect some of the biggest names in Hollywood to be part of it. Joel Kinnaman is starring in For All Mankind, an alternate history series about the space race, while Steve Carrell, Jennifer Anniston, and Reese Witherspoon are set for The Morning Show, a comedy-drama set in and around a Good Morning America-style TV series.
Kinnaman’s show already has a pulse-pounding trailer, and now The Morning Show has a first look with its new trailer. The show follows a longtime morning TV duo, Alex Levy and Mitch Kessler (played by Jennifer Anniston and Steve Carrell), who get broken up by a scandal that costs Kessler his job. To help revamp the show, a producer Cory Ellison (Billy Crudup) tries to shake things up by bringing in a reporter, Bradley Jackson (Reece Witherspoon), to take Kessler’s place.
The show will follow the drama behind the scenes—and in front of the camera—as the new show gets its footing and Levy tries to save her job. Along with the big trio of Carrell, Anniston, and Witherspoon, the show also stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Néstor Carbonell, Bel Powley, and Mark Duplass. Anniston and Witherspoon are producing the series, and it comes after Witherspoon has been ramping up production on a bunch of TV series, including both Big Little Lies and Sharp Objects at HBO.
Here’s the trailer:
The Morning Show will debut on Apple TV Plus in Fall 2019.
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!


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YU-GI-OH! x HYPLAND NEW YORK POP UP EXPERIENCE THIS WEEKEND!... Read More
PhatMojo Named Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Toy Partner
Konami Cross Media NY, Inc. has named PhatMojo®, as the new Master Toy licensee for the Yu-Gi-Oh! brand. The announcement was made today by Jennifer Coleman, Vice President, Licensing and Marketing at Konami.... Read More
Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V launches in Yu-Gi-Oh! DUEL LINKS on September 28th bringing Pendulum Summoning along with it
Konami Digital Entertainment is delighted to reveal that the vibrant world of the manga and anime Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V launches in Yu-Gi-Oh! DUEL LINKS on 28th of September. The new world is part of a major update to the hit mobile and PC game.... Read More
The great Dark Magician has a disciple who can more than hold her own! Say hello to Dark Magician Girl!
From the popular anime series Yu-Gi-Oh! comes a POP UP PARADE figure of Dark Magician Girl set with a release date: 090/2021! She has been recreated in her cute pose from when being summoned.... Read More
Cinedigm, the leading independent streaming company super-serving enthusiast fan bases, announced today that the popular anime brand Yu-Gi-Oh! is included in Pluto TV’s newly updated and expanded category, Pluto TV en español, which launched earlier this month. With this expansion, Pluto TV has doubled their Spanish language channel lineup, resulting in a diverse offering of over 40 channels now being featured in the category. While the Yu-Gi-Oh! channel on Pluto TV remains a popular channel in their gaming and anime category, the Yu-Gi-Oh! en español channel is featured within the new Pluto TV en español category and includes all five seasons of the original Yu-Gi-Oh! series, as well as season one of Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS.... Read More
Major VOD Agreements Concluded with Sky Kids’ app and Madman Entertainment’s Anime Streaming Site AnimeLab
Continuing to expand its digital reach, Konami Cross Media NY, Inc. has secured new streaming/digital agreements for its flagship anime property Yu-Gi-Oh! in the United Kingdom and in Australia/New Zealand.... Read More
Cinedigm announced that the leading free streaming television service, Pluto TV, has secured exclusive rights in multiple territories to Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS, the sixth anime series in the fan-favorite global franchise based on the Yu-Gi-Oh! collectible trading card game. In a nod to the shifting streaming landscape, Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS will bypass broadcast and other windows in the U.S., Latin America, and beyond to make its debut on Pluto TV. The deal is part of a larger initiative to launch an exclusive Yu-Gi-Oh! branded channel on Pluto TV, which the service will bring to the U.S. later this month with LATAM to follow.... Read More
Konami Cross Media NY, Inc. has scored a handful of new licensing agreements in the collectibles category for its Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise. New agreements have been signed with MegaHouse Corp., Kotobukiya, The Yetee, and Traly Group. ... Read More
Multiple partnerships have been announced for the Konami property.
... Read More
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links Zexal World Release Date, Cards & More Revealed
During the official Konami panel at this year’s Tokyo Game Show, Duel Links players learned Zexal World will be arriving in the popular mobile game September 29th. The addition of Zexal World will bring in a new generation of dueling in Duel Links as it introduces the new Xyz monsters and the Xyz summoning mechanic that accompanies it.... Read More


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Massie Signs On as Co-Sponsor of Hemp Legislation
U.S. Rep.-elect Thomas Massie is co-sponsoring legislation that would require the federal government to honor state laws allowing production of industrial hemp. The proposed Industrial Hemp Farming Act would exclude industrial hemp from the definition of marijuana. A similar bill is being co-sponsored in the U.S. Senate by Kentucky Republican Rand Paul.
Massie said industrial hemp, a cousin to marijuana, could be an important agricultural product for Kentucky farmers if the feds would allow it to be grown in the U.S.
Kentucky was once a leading producer of industrial hemp that's used in hundreds of products from cosmetics to clothing to canvas.
Massie said it also can be used in bio-fuels more efficiently than corn or switch grass. Federal and state law enforcement agencies oppose loosening restrictions on industrial hemp.


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Fellow South Africans, we’re launching a newspaper. In the middle of the pandemic…
That’s the news from Daily Maverick, which is launching a weekly print newspaper in a move some believe is “madder than a bag of snakes”.
In an editorial published on the independent digital newspaper’s website today, the Daily Maverick’s management team announced Daily Maverick 168 (168 is a reference to the number of hours in the week) will sell for R20.00 but will be freely available to Pick n Pay Smart Shopper cardholders on Saturday mornings. The launch date is still to be announced.
“The team at Pick n Pay saw our bold, crazy vision and quickly became supportive partners in this project to help launch this global innovation in news media,” Daily Maverick said in its editorial. “Together, we’ll ask our most loyal readers, and Smart Shopper customers who read newspapers and magazines, to vote for the Pick n Pay store they would like us to launch with. The more votes your local store receives the greater the chance it’ll be included in our launch plan.”
Daily Maverick 168 will fall under the editorial stewardship of Heather Robertson and founding editor, Branko Brkic.
So what are they thinking? The idea of launching a print title in the midst of a global pandemic and “the greatest calamity to ever hit the global print media” seems insane, or “madder than a bag of snakes”.
“After surveying thousands of our loyal and engaged readers and analysing the consumption of our articles on our platforms, some aspects stood out for us. Even the most ardent Daily Maverick reader struggles to consume more than 5% of all the great stories we publish, which is these days up to 250 full features a week.
“This, coupled with the near-doubling of screen time for most of us these past few months, there is also a deep desire to indulge in current affairs without having to crook one’s neck while thumbing aimlessly into an endless scroll abyss on a tiny screen.
“We are all feeling overwhelmed, and these factors combined, overlaid with another significant issue of our time, the one of trust, belief and faith in news brands, has made digital media consumption an unhealthy habit,” the editorial reads.
It continues: “This may all seem anecdotal, but a survey of more than 30 000 digital consumers in the 2019 BrandMapp survey revealed that 81% of our readers, (and the country’s largest news website readers), still regularly read a newspaper – they just don’t want to pay for products that don’t make the grade.”
The team point out that the immediacy of digital is “taking control of our dopamine receptors by jabbing us with an intravenous drip of news with high-sugar and low nutrition, coupled with an endless feed of tweets and twak. The role of newspapers in our information diet was changing, and we knew that it would evolve into greater demand for the kind of long-form quality journalism that we had bet the house on”.
More to come on this story. In the meanwhile, the full editorial is here.
Want to continue this conversation on The Media Online platforms? Comment on Twitter @MediaTMO or on our Facebook page. Send us your suggestions, comments, contributions or tip-offs via e-mail to email@example.com.


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Geoff Foster's market report: Lonrho making hay on shares
During the early 1990s hardly a day passed by without Lonrho - literally 'London-Rhodesia' - hitting the headlines for one controversial thing after another.
For many years its founder, tycoon Tiny Rowland, rode high both in the City of London and across Africa.
But he eventually became victim of the demise of the conglomerate and was ousted before Lonmin was born from Lonrho's mining assets.
With the help of soaring platinum prices Lonmin became a Footsie constituent, while the rump of Lonrho's other assets were listed on AIM.
Heyday: Lonrho's Tiny Rowland in 1994
Lonrho certainly caught the eye yesterday when more than 137million shares changed hands and the close was 0.24p better at 4.35p.
Toscafund, the hedge fund run by former number one banking analyst Martin Hughes, sold 27.5million shares, or 6 per cent, at 4p a share to various institutional shareholders.
Toscafund has had an horrendous time of it this year, having lost 67 per cent of its value during the credit crunch.
The sale comes barely a month after Lonrho raised £15.6million via a placing of 308.8million shares at 5p. Lonrho has a market capitalisation of about £48million and has £32million cash in the bank.
Word is its Luba Freeport project in Equatorial Guinea will be completed soon. It will house a port allowing super tankers in. That property alone could be worth £50million.
Broker Collins Stewart's target price for Lonrho is 30p. It says it offers significant value in and additionally exposure to a geographical area partially uncorrelated with the global economic situation.
More than 21million shares in Titan Europe were traded and dealers looked on in amazement as Germany's Mefro, a specialist in the wheels business, bought 20.5million shares, or 24.8 per cent, of the company at 40p a share. TE had closed at 7.375p on Tuesday.
The startling premium price paid sent the stock up to 20p before Mefro said it currently had no intention of launching a full-scale bid for TE. The close was 5.625p higher at 13p.
Titan Europe manufactures and sells steel wheels and also supplies wet brake systems. Mefro could have possibly bought Titan International's 17.2 per cent stake. It held bid talks with TE earlier this year but walked away in September.
Meanwhile, Titan Europe director Cecilia La Manna bought 188,000 shares at 8.33p each on Tuesday. Oops!
Speculation that Mervyn King and his happy team at the Bank of England could today slash UK interest rates by a further one-and-a-half percentage points to 1.5 per cent, the lowest on record, helped the Footsie retrieve an 80-point deficit and close 47.1 points up at 4169.96.
The Bank surprised everyone on November 6 when it cut rates by one-and-a-half percentage points to 3 per cent, the lowest level since 1955, to try and stave off a long and deep recession. Since then economic data has been dire and further dramatic action is required.
Wall Street lost 184 points at the outset after data showed the US service sector hit a record low in November, adding to the pessimism created by results from Blackberry maker Research in Motion.
It soon bounced to trade 172.60 up at 8591.69 after reports of a big jump in online spending which saw shares of Amazon leap almost 10 per cent in early trading.
Nervous selling on talk of a pending rights issue saw pest control group Rentokil sold down to 30p before it closed 1½p cheaper at 33p. Miner Rio Tinto denied it had any plans to raise cash but still ended 122p off at 1148p.
Buying on consideration of the drug sector's defensive qualities lifted AstraZeneca 133p to 2608p and GlaxoSmithKline 49½p to 1170p. Shire added 16p at 926p.
Drug manufacturer Goldshield soared 32½p to 242½p after the Court of Appeal refused the Serious Fraud Office leave to appeal Mr Justice Pitchford's decision to refuse its application to amend its indictment of Goldshield.
The decision marks the end of a six-year period during which the allegations have affected the company and dragged the share price lower. The case involved the accusation that Goldshield and four other firms defrauded the NHS of £40million by price-fixing drugs.
Stockbroker Numis eased 1p to 110p following resilient results, including an increased dividend. It has won 21 new corporate brokerships during the year, has a strong balance sheet and current cash and collateral balances of £80.6million.
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