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US-Russia? China-India? Phooey. The thrilling new space race is Elon Musk/Jeff Bezos/Richard Branson. While Bezos’s successful landing of Blue Origin seems to put him in the lead, we vote for Richard Branson, whose Virgin Galactic already has more than 700 cash deposits for seats on his $200,000 suborbital space excursion. So we now know the answer to the question, “What would you do with a billion dollars?” It seems tech nerds want what they’ve wanted since they were six: their own private spaceship. If you had the money, what dream(s) would you pursue?
November 2015 - PS Insights
CFO.com reported that hiring at small businesses “screeched to a halt in October” citing a report by the National Federation of Independent Businesses. According to the report, owners added a net zero workers per firm (1,400 surveyed) down from 0.05 workers per firm in September (not much to brag about, either). While economists and Wall Street might feel bullish about the economy, Main Street continues to have its doubts. How are you promoting and working with small businesses in today’s market?
We’ve written before about “Spec” being a 4-letter word. Now Zulu Alpha Kilo –a Toronto (agency? Freelancer? Production company? We have no idea from their website) has taken a bold step with a short video addressing the absurdities of spec work. 1.5 million people have viewed this satire where a “client” calls on different businesses such as a restaurant, coffee shop and framing store and attempts to get them to fill out an RFP or serve him a spec meal or ice cream cone. Will ZAK change the prevailing attitude? We doubt it. But we salute their attempt. How do you deal with requests for spec work?
A report from the BBC last week highlighted an Italian company that surveyed its employees about their main concerns. The #1 response was, “Too much eMail.” As a result, the company has asked everyone to stop sending internal eMails for one week and to try talking to each other. Ironically, the company sent out an eMail announcing the experiment. How do you manage the overwhelming digital flow in your organization?
Target stores certainly goofed with a new Christmas sweater that reassigned OCD to mean “Obsessive Christmas Disorder.” Neither funny nor smart. But they say they’ll keep on selling it and we should all lighten up. Making fun of anxiety disorders is certainly not in the spirit of giving. What marketing overreach have you done that you wish you could take back?
A&P has gone bankrupt and is now closing all its stores. Various supermarkets are taking over individual properties. The strategy has been to close the stores for a day and reopen as the new branded store the next day. It’s efficient and minimizes disruption. But it’s also disappointing to see that, for the most part, only the brand name changes. The supermarket shopping experience remains creaky, user-unfriendly and decidedly rear view mirror. What do you do and what do you wish the supermarket industry would do to update and improve customer experience?
So McDonald’s has finally turned some positive news and positive business numbers. All day breakfast is winning. To millennials, breakfast is not a time of day. It’s a menu desire whenever they want it. Breakfast is a McDonald’s menu strength and now it’s a business strength, too. What do you do to read your target audience needs, mine your assets and put your best offering forward?
Being visible has a price to pay. The latest brouhaha has people angry at Starbucks for their annual Christmas cups. It seems people want more Christmas cues on the cup. A simple red tone with the green logo just won’t do. It’s a perfectly good cup to us. What other minutiae do you find customers attacking?
We were impressed with Jonathan Mindenhall’s recent presentation on airbnb. As a company committed to shared experiences it struck us that he is the perfect CMO for the company. It’s not surprising to us that Mindenhall’s last job was at Coca-Cola. The airbnb work seems to us to be a perfect follow on to Coke’s Open Happiness. airbnb’s “Belong Anywhere” feels a lot to us like “Open Humanity.” What do you do to wrap your brand in higher order experiences?


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The following is a Special Topic in the latest (March 2020) Monthly Economic Indicator report from Treasury. The original is here.
With the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the economic outlook has become increasingly uncertain. Despite the uncertainty, it is becoming more likely that New Zealand will see a deeper economic contraction in the June quarter than we have seen in our recorded history. Global spread of COVID-19 has already severely curtailed activity in New Zealand's services export sectors. The move to Alert Level 4 in New Zealand put most of the country in lockdown for a number of weeks. This will have an unprecedented impact on economic activity. Government support, including wage subsidies, increases in welfare benefits, business tax relief measures, the business finance guarantee scheme and industry support packages will cushion the impacts on households and businesses.
As restrictions are lifted, we expect economic activity in many sectors to bounce back quickly. Some though, including those exposed to international markets will take longer, possibly years, to recover. The recovery will also depend on the ability of the governments of our trading partners to limit the spread of the virus and restore the confidence in their economic outlook.
In this special topic we look at the possible impacts of COVID-19 on the New Zealand economy, describing the likely transmission channels and possible size of impacts we may see.
The situation is rapidly changing ...
The number of COVID-19 cases globally is rising exponentially. It took around three months to reach the first 100,000 confirmed cases; the next 100,000 took twelve days, and the next just three days. On 19 March, the cumulative number of deaths registered in Italy exceeded deaths in China as the epicentre of the virus shifted from Asia to Europe and the United States. As of writing, there were 1,346,566 cases worldwide, and 74,697 deaths. The number of confirmed and probable cases in New Zealand stands at 1160 as of 7 April (Figure 11).
Activity will be weaker …
The move to Alert Level 4 in New Zealand put most of the country in lockdown for a number of weeks. Given the spread of the virus and the accompanying social distancing measures taken to save lives, the resulting shutdown of New Zealand businesses will constrain economic activity in a way never seen before. This analysis provides a rough guide based on our current understanding of essential services and the nature of COVID-19 transmission.
Under the current classification of “essential services”, “accommodation and food services”, “trade” and “construction” components of GDP are likely to be particularly affected, while the public (education, health, and central government agencies) and primary sectors will be less impacted.
Forecasting sharp downturns
Another way to assess the possible impact of COVID-19 is to look back at past recessions as a guide. What we learn from reviewing past recessions is that economic downturns are inherently difficult to forecast as the typical economic relationships may not hold. This makes forecasting models less useful, and increases the reliance on professional judgement. We also see that in past recessions annual growth typically declines by less than 5% and activity recovers to post-recession levels within eight to twelve quarters (Figure 12). The measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 will curtail activity more acutely than we have seen in the past.
Transmission channels of COVID-19
The pandemic is creating a combination of supply and demand shocks to the economy, with complex interactions between the two.
Demand shocks arise from global and domestic travel restrictions and social distancing measures, resulting in lower tourism and non-essential consumption of both goods and services. Higher consumer and investor uncertainty and weaker export demand abroad lower aggregate demand further through lower investment and consumption.
Social distancing measures will have direct impacts on activity in the short run, but if successful in limiting the spread of the virus, will have benefits in the long run. The more stringent the “social distancing” measures, the greater the impacts will be in the short-run, but also the lower the infection and death rates, lowering the adverse long-run effects of the pandemic on New Zealand’s economic activity.
Weaker demand for New Zealand’s exports of goods and services
Recent data shows a sharp fall in tourist arrivals to New Zealand, while goods exports are expected to weaken in the face of falling international demand. Prices for many of the commodities New Zealand exports will also decline as demand weakens. It will take some time for this to turn around.
Lifting the border controls for tourists is unlikely to result in a quick resumption in arrivals as we may anticipate that travellers would be cautious about travelling abroad until the global pandemic has been controlled. The depreciation in the New Zealand dollar, as investors shift into safe haven commodities and currencies, will provide a partial offset.
Consumer confidence lowers private consumption
Discretionary spending, which includes non-essential purchases like restaurant meals, recreation and motor vehicles, is expected to fall sharply due to the ongoing measures to limit the spread of COVID-19. Discretionary spending makes up around 38% of private consumption (Figure 13). Nondiscretionary spending, which includes essential purchases like food and housing, makes up around 55% of private consumption and is forecast to remain fairly stable.
Much of the decline in activity due to COVID-19 is likely to come from weaker demand. And the supplyside of the economy, including the effective labour force, will also be adversely affected.
The reduction in demand will directly flow into the labour market, particularly due to the near-total shutdown of the tourism sector in the near term. A high share of employees in the tourism sector tend to work on casual and temporary contracts.
The closure of non-essential businesses will also have direct impacts, although the wage support measures that have been announced will lessen the effect of weaker demand on unemployment. Forced work closures, sicknesses, and caring for others will result in fewer hours worked. If the labour market outlook remains weak for a long period, job hunters will leave the job market as they believe their chances of being hired are low as more job seekers chase fewer jobs. This will lower the labour force participation rate.
Production in some sectors like agriculture and horticulture will continue, and won’t be as adversely affected by the downturn in demand. Agricultural sector jobs, including primary manufacturing are considered essential, and will endure.
As more long-term and permanent migrants arrive into New Zealand than leave, restricting people’s movement will result in lower net migration. Migrants are more attached to the labour market as they tend to be younger than the average Kiwi. A reduction in migration will therefore impact adversely on labour supply and lower demand, particularly in sectors like housing.
The policy response will mitigate the shock
The impact of the initial shock will be cushioned through monetary and fiscal policy, although this may have a limited impact on activity while social distancing measures remain in place. Supportive macroeconomic policy will play a significant role in influencing how the recovery period will play out.
Although interest rates are near zero, the Reserve Bank’s quantitative easing programme will provide support to the economy through lowering long-term interest rates.
The New Zealand government’s low net debt provides capacity to increase spending to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic on both the supply and demand sides of the New Zealand economy.
Highlighted in the recent fiscal stimulus packages are allocations of funding towards wage subsidies and provision of guarantees for working capital support. The measures are intended to decrease the likelihood of business failures, maintain household incomes and support attachment to the labour market. These are expected to lower the impact of the pandemic on business and consumer confidence and underpin a quicker recovery.
4. Hall, V. B. & McDermott J C. (2016), Recessions and recoveries in New Zealand’s post-Second World War business cycles. New Zealand Economic Papers, 50(3), 261-280.

domain: news


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British health and beauty retailer Boots is cutting about 700 jobs as part of an overhaul of its business.
The British arm of Nasdaq-listed group Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA.O) said on Monday it hoped to achieve the reduction of the “non-store” based roles through a combination of natural attrition, redeployment, retraining and redundancy. “Boots is simplifying the structure of support functions in order to provide a better level of service for stores and allow for a more focused investment in key areas to drive future growth,” the firm said.
It said the plan formed part of Walgreens Boots Alliance's cost restructuring programme, set out in April.
Boots trades from 2,511 stores in the UK and 633 Boots Opticians practices


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If You Waited for Black Friday/Cyber Monday, You Were Probably Too Late
ADOTAS – While holiday shoppers have been conditioned to believe they receive the best deals on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it may not actually be the case.
AdGooroo posted a new blog today which analyzes the average price advertised for five hot products in Google’s Product Listing Ads (PLAs) this November. The findings suggests consumers might be better off shopping earlier in the month. Advertised prices were, on average, 19 percent higher on Black Friday and 18 percent higher on Cyber Monday than they were during the first three weeks of November.
The products analyzed include:
- iPad Mini
- iPhone 5s
- Microsoft Surface Pro
- Android tablets
- PlayStation 4
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Recently, TE Connectivity (TE) China Automotive Division Kunshan K2 plant (“K2 factory”) to expand the project held a start-up ceremony. The plant is another important step in TE’s localization of China, following the automotive division’s three major plants in Suzhou. The renovation and expansion project for the first phase of K2, building area of 15,000 square meters, will be stationed in injection molding, assembly, combination molding and other production lines.
Previously, TE China Automotive had two proprietary production sites and a rental plant, both located in Suzhou Industrial Park, Jiangsu Province, with a total production area of 95,000 square meters. Mainly produce terminals and connectors, sensors, high-voltage products developed specifically for new energy vehicles, high-speed data connection and wireless connectivity solutions for intelligent networking, as well as relays, central electrical boxes, special wire sets, electromechanical complexes and shrink sleeves and other products.
In the current complex market environment, the expansion initiative undoubtedly releases a positive signal. As Mr. Li Wanxiang, Vice President and General Manager of TE China Automotive, said, “In a challenging environment, TE Kunshan K2 plant expansion project is still successfully started, which shows that TE has full confidence in the development of China Automotive Division.” It is reported that te Kunshan K2 plant is expected to be successfully put into operation in 2021, thereby further expanding TE’s production and operation capacity in China.


text: Bhaderwah town of Jammu region is bedecked with flowers to receive tourists this year. The good news is that tourists are already arriving here in encouraging numbers.In the April, which traditionally marks the beginning of Spring tourism , dozens of tourists arrived Bhaderwah and tourism players are optimistic about increased inflows.“Our Bhaderwah town presents a unique and complete package for its visitors. We have declared 2016 as Visit Bhaderwah year,” CEO Bhaderwah Development Authority Bal Krishan added. “I am an optimist, we should remain positive. The tourist flow is gradually picking up in Bhaderwah . It will take time, but I seriously believe it will gain pace,” Chief Executive Officer Bhaderwah Development Authority Bal Krishan told .He also said the BDA with the help of the tourism department , has planned various activities to woo tourists to the Bhaderwah .“Some Tour and travel operators inside the state and country have promised to act as tourism ambassadors for the Bhaderwah valley this year,” he said.“So far, bookings mainly comprise domestic tourists. Bad roads are, however, worrying tour and travel operators, CEO accepted.


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German carmaker Volkswagen, is getting ready to launch its all new crossover, the T-Cross later this year. Based on the Volkswagen Polo, the new Volkswagen T-Cross was recently spotted testing somewhere in Austria. The all new Volkswagen T-Cross is the small crossover from the German stable and will borrow design cues from its elder sibling, the VW T-Roc SUV. Volkswagen had showcased the T-Cross Breeze concept at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, and going by the spy shots, the company has made minor change to its design and the production version looks similar to the concept, which we like!
Now, the all new Volkswagen T-Cross is built on the company's MQB platform, which also underpins the new Polo and also the SEAT Arona. The VW T-Cross is part of the brand's plan to launch 19 new products by 2020. In terms of dimensions, the new VW T-Cross will be quite similar to that of the new Golf and the wide grille up front only adds to its huge demeanor. In profile, the VW T-Cross is boxy in its stance while the thick C-Pillar is quite drool-worthy. The Hyundai Creta rival in India will also take on the likes of Renault Duster, Ford EcoSport and also the upcoming Jeep Renegade. Moreover, the VW T-Cross will also feature a two-tone body featuring a contrasting roof.
At heart, expect the VW T-Cross to carry the same turbocharged three-cylinder engine from the new Polo. Volkswagen will most likely add the front-wheel drive as standard with an option to choose the all-wheel drive for the top-specced variant. Moreover, there are slight chances of the T-Cross coming in hybrid version, but these are only initial reports and rumors, so we'll bring in more information on that.


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|Description: Reuters.com is your source for breaking news, business, financial and investing news, including personal finance and stocks. Reuters is the leading global provider of news, financial information and technology solutions to the world's media, financial institutions, businesses and individuals.
- Wall Street ends higher despite government shutdown threat
Fri, 19 Jan 2018 17:30:33 -0500
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wall Street rose on Friday, led by gains in consumer stocks, even as a possible government shutdown loomed.
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Fri, 19 Jan 2018 20:25:39 -0500
(Reuters) - Greg Abel, considered by many investors the top contender to succeed Warren Buffett as Berkshire Hathaway Inc's chief executive officer, on Friday reported owning about $2.1 million of the conglomerate's stock.
- FTC makes second request on Broadcom's bid for Qualcomm
Fri, 19 Jan 2018 20:29:52 -0500
(Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has made a second request for information on chipmaker Broadcom Ltd's $103 billion hostile bid for Qualcomm Inc, Broadcom said in a statement on Friday, a move that could indicate heightened antitrust scrutiny.
- ADM pursues big ag merger with grain trader Bunge: WSJ
Fri, 19 Jan 2018 20:28:58 -0500
CHICAGO/CALGARY, Alberta (Reuters) - Top U.S. grains merchant Archer Daniels Midland Co has proposed a takeover of Bunge Ltd , The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, a move that could set up a battle for Bunge with Swiss-based rival Glencore Plc .
- Twitter to notify users exposed to Russian propaganda during U.S. elections
Sat, 20 Jan 2018 02:13:16 -0500
(Reuters) - Twitter Inc , which is reviewing Russian interference during the 2016 U.S. elections, said on Friday it would notify some of its users whether they were exposed to content generated by a suspected Russian propaganda service.
- Judge overseeing AT&T, Time Warner merger trial hears document dispute
Fri, 19 Jan 2018 20:36:53 -0500
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - AT&T, owner of DirecTV, is asking for documents from a long list of companies as part of preparation for a trial to determine if they will be allowed to buy movie and TV show maker Time Warner, their lawyer Daniel Petrocelli said in a pre-trial hearing on Friday.
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Fri, 19 Jan 2018 18:02:30 -0500
HOUSTON (Reuters) - U.S. oilfield service companies exposed to Venezuela face new hits to earnings from the South American nation's ongoing economic turmoil and U.S. sanctions on the country and state-run oil company PDVSA.
- Parent company of 7-Eleven agrees to divest some U.S. stores in Sunoco deal
Fri, 19 Jan 2018 18:07:47 -0500
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Seven & i Holdings Co Ltd , the Tokyo-based parent company of the 7-Eleven network of stores, agreed to sell and divest some of its stores in its proposed $3.3 billion acquisition of 1,100 Sunoco LP outlets, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission said Friday.
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Fri, 19 Jan 2018 20:38:54 -0500
(Reuters) - McDonald's Corp and a U.S. labor board are in talks to settle a case claiming the fast food company is liable for purported labor law violations by its franchisees, leading a judge on Friday to pause a trial that began in 2015.
- GE shares stumble to worst week since financial crisis
Fri, 19 Jan 2018 16:27:43 -0500
NEW YORK (Reuters) - General Electric shares tumbled for a fifth straight session on Friday, sending the stock to its biggest weekly percentage drop since the financial crisis, after the company flagged a possible breakup and more than $11 billion in charges earlier in the week.


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'Inflation has no impact on the rich'Prasanna Zore in Mumbai
It's budget time again and, as always, the best comments are expected from somebody who's loosely referred to as the common man: his expectations, his dreams, his concerns make up for wonderful gyaan if only the people who matter listen.
Mohammed, who hails from Kerala, has been working at a grocery shop in Mumbai for the last 25 years.
"The price rise makes a dent in the pockets of the poor only. Inflation has no impact on the rich," he complains about the discrimnatory government policies that work only in the favour of the rich.
"Just because a person is poor will she/he stop consuming sugar? Is it possible? Whatever the budget announcement has it ever help reduce prices of foodgrains that we eat?"
He demands that the prices of essentials that the poor consume should be brought down. "While the prices of goods and commodities rise there is no proportionate increase in the income of the poor people," he laments.


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From YouTube channels to Instagram hashtags to blogs, social networks already offer foodies plenty to salivate over. While one would think that #foodporn is a pretty cluttered space, YouTube co-founder Steve Chen hopes to break through with the launch of a new platform, where cooking fans, amateurs and pros alike, can broadcast their kitchen adventures live.
The platform, which recently got nearly $5 million in funding, is very much inspired by its gaming counterpart, Twitch. The homepage lists live and future so-called ‘nom casts’, and viewers can easily interact with the broadcasters through real-time chats, and a handful of reaction buttons. Alternatively, users can also create static posts filled with text and images.
The idea is to quickly build a strong community of foodies, and to do so, Nom makes it easy for foodies to become content producers. In just a few clicks, their cooking show can be up and running.
To kickstart the launch of Nom, CEO Vijay Karunamurthy is working hand-in-hand with chefs, like 3-star Michelin Corey Lee and other food pundits, to produce quality content from the get-go. However, Palo Alto-based Nom will only begin to take hold if food enthusiasts at large – especially amateurs – tag along, and start a show of their own.
If you like our stories, there is an easy way to stay updated:
As a fledgling platform, only a few broadcasters are already sharing their food experiences, and content is somewhat limited. If Nom tickles your fancy, you should probably give it a go now, and reap the benefits of becoming an early adopter. Who knows, you may be the next foodie sensation!
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New ad options exist for targeting audiences
Nontraditional ads carry upsides, risks
Everyone expects to see ads in the popular mobile device game Angry Birds. Enthusiasts sit through them patiently, excited to get to the next level — unless of course, they have paid to upgrade to the no-ads version.
But what many people are surprised to see is an ad for a company that could be just a mile down the street from them.
With the technology available today, localizing ads in video games only scratches the surface of the vast possibilities for new, alternative advertising options.
“Everywhere they turn there’s a message,” said Marty McDonald, managing director of the Dayton office of Fahlgren Mortine. “It is overwhelming. How do we come up with campaigns that cut through that and aren’t going to be overwhelming?”
While there was a time when putting an ad on the radio, the TV and the daily newspaper was almost guaranteed to hit the desired audience, those days are gone, said Dave Hafenbrack, president of Dayton-based Hafenbrack Marketing.
“What’s gone is that you just broadcast on TV and hope your audience sees it,” he said.
Companies now look to target a specific audience, which can involve a whole package of media, including finding places to display ads that have never had ads before. These nontraditional spaces can be innovative and cheaper than traditional media, but they present a challenge to advertisers.
McDonald said many companies are embracing alternative advertising, but they need to be able to see a return on their investment.
For example, McDonald said she has seen companies advertise on giant stickers on supermarket floors, parking garage gates or even posters on the backs of bathroom stall doors.
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Google got the digital health community talking in the past few weeks as its meeting with the FDA first emerged in reports sparse on details. Soon after the company announced its Google[x] team's project for glucose sensing contact lenses, which more than one MobiHealthNews reader has panned as a non-starter.
Perhaps even more interestingly, the company's high-profile acquisition of smart thermostat company Nest for $3.2 billion has drummed up some speculation around Google's interest in the Internet of Things and the Connected Home, which Forrester Research VP and Principal Analyst Frank Gillett summed up nicely in a recent column over at Forbes.
If Google is interested in a company like Nest, which helps people track and manage their home energy usage, it follows that any number of digital health tracking companies could be on Google's acquisition radar, right?
While Gillett is mostly focused on sucking the wind out of the hype surrounding the Google-Nest deal, he apparently agrees that Google might make a move to acquire the digital health equivalent of Nest -- if such a company exists today.
"This won’t ignite an M&A rush," he writes. "There aren’t many companies or talent available for acquisition, not at the level of Nest. Two I would call out as very interesting: SmartThings, in Virginia, is building a home hub to link together disparate smart products and connect them to it’s cloud service platform. I spoke to the CEO, Alex Hawkinson, last week at CES – they’ve got 5,000 developers on their platform already. The other is Withings, in France. CEO Cédric Hutchings leads a team that has built software interconnects with dozens of services for the results from their body scale, blood pressure cuff, and activity monitor."
Withings is an interesting choice, but there are many contenders. What do you think: Is this the beginning of Google's connected home strategy?


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International hotel and hospitality services company Thunderbird Resorts has announced that its Peruvian subsidiary, Thunderbird Hoteles Las Americas, closed the sale of its Thunderbird Hotel Pardo (Miraflores, Lima) on 24 February 2010, for a price of USD 8.40mn (EUR 6.21mn).
The firm has entered into a one year hotel management agreement with the new owner of the Thunderbird Hotel Pardo, in conjunction with the sale of the establishment. Proceeds from the sale, after taxes and closing costs, will be used to pay off secured debt relating to the hotel. Thunderbird Hoteles Las Americas continues to pursue the sale of the Thunderbird Hotel Principal, Thunderbird Hotel Bellavista and Thunderbird Resorts El Pueblo hotel properties, as previously announced in the final quarter of 2009.
Publication: Esmerk - News monitoring
March 1, 2010


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Several meat companies are investing in plant-based meat alternatives
KFC is launching vegan Beyond fried chicken
Europe’s largest slaughterhouse group: We were wrong
Oumph! debuts terrifying plant-based ‘human meat’ burger for halloween
Vegan kebab wins grocery product of the year competition in Sweden
Oumph! releases Döner Style Kebab och Crispy Buffalo Bite in Sweden
Looking forward to try them both.
All amazing new vegan products from swedish Anamma
Especially looking forward for the Pirog and the Kebab pizza.


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Ryanair under investigation over controversial “jab and go” ad
The low-cost carrier has landed itself in hot water with an advertising watchdog after encouraging consumers to book their summer holidays so they can “jab and go”.
Global Business Travel Association CEO cleared of misconduct following “troubling allegations”
However, despite being cleared of any alleged misconduct, GBTA’s boss has agreed to step down from the lead role.
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Current news, information and trends in the commercial motor freight industry covering trucking, freight lines and carriers, logistics and classification.
Posted 03/14 · 12:08 PM · LM Editorial
As truck tonnage levels show decent annual growth levels with capacity remaining tight, it does not come as a surprise to see the trucking spot market continue running along at a swift level. That is the consensus from TransCore which said in a recent release that truckload freight availability increased by 12 percent for the week ending March 5, according to traffic in its TransCore TrendLines report.
Posted 03/14 · 09:17 AM · LM Editorial
Despite an 11 percent decline in net orders for Class 8 vehicles from January to February, the fundamentals that support demand in the heavy-duty commercial vehicle market remain strong, according to ACT Research, a provider of data and analysis for trucks and other commercial vehicles.
Posted 03/08 · 09:41 AM · LM Editorial
On the heels of a 14.3 cent weekly gain, diesel prices saw their single highest weekly increase since May 2008, with a 15.5 cent bump to $3.871 per gallon, according to data from the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Posted 03/08 · 08:12 AM · LM Editorial
Freight transportation services provider ABF said this week it has rolled out its RPM service to the western one-third of the United States.
Posted 03/04 · 12:04 PM · LM Editorial
Earlier this week, the Federal Reserve released the most recent edition of its “Beige Book,” which tracks economic activity. This edition covers the period from January 3-February 18. A look at the results seems to be in line with many other economic indices, many of which have the same theme. That theme being something like this: “things are moving at a slow and steady pace, with cautious signs of improvement.”
Posted 03/04 · 06:43 AM · LM Editorial
In a political battle that has seen more than its fair share of tension, the United States and Mexico have finally hammered out an agreement to resolve the issues surrounding the countries cross-border trucking program.
Posted 03/02 · 02:40 PM · LM Editorial
Net orders for heavy-duty Class 8 commercial vehicles continue to maintain a strong growth rate, according to data from ACT Research, a provider of data and analysis for trucks and other commercial vehicles. In a preliminary reading of net orders for February, ACT reported that there were 24,300 units ordered in February, which is 3,000 less than January, which came in at 27,300 units and was up 320 percent from January 2010.
Posted 03/02 · 11:51 AM · LM Editorial
An improving market in the trucking sector is apparent, according to the most recent edition of the Trucking Update from FTR Associates, a freight transportation forecasting firm. FTR said that its Trucking Conditions Index (TCI), which is a compilation of factors affecting trucking, ticked up to 9.1 in January from December’s 7.1, adding that the TCI has seen steady gains since last October.
Posted 03/01 · 01:57 PM · LM Editorial
Less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation services provider YRC Worldwide (YRCW) said yesterday that it has reached an agreement in principle with key stakeholders for a comprehensive restructuring plan.
Posted 03/01 · 01:44 PM · LM Editorial
What are the nation’s private fleet managers doing to help mitigate the costs of two new expensive regulatory initiatives? We found some of the best private fleet operators and most knowledgeable industry insiders to discover how they’re preparing their operations for this ongoing one-two regulatory punch.


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Bank of America® is contemplating offering more options for customers to avoid the new $5 debit card fee coming next year.
The massive outrage erupted as a result of Bank of America®’s decision to impose a $5 monthly debit card usage fee may have led to a positive outcome, apparently.
Bank of America® (NYSE: BAC) is considering more options for customers to waive the fee, according to an unnamed source. Under new plans being discussed, direct deposit of employee paychecks, maintaining minimum balances, or having a linked Bank of America® credit card are among some of the new ways that a customer can escape the fee.
Announced in late September, the $5 fee will be charged in every month that customers use their debit cards to make a purchase. Originally, the fee was applied to customers with account balances of $20,000 or more.
The debit card fee is to accompany an early 2012 roll-out of new checking accounts that Bank of America® has been testing in several states.
Spotlight on Debit Cards
The second thoughts by Bank of America® come as other big banks rethink their own debit card fee initiatives. On Friday, Wells Fargo said that it would be canceling its debit card fee pilot program. Chase also said that it would discontinue its debit card fee testing program – with no plans charge these fees.
Currently, SunTrust and Regions Bank are among the large banks that have not made announcements regarding changes to their debit card fees.
Meanwhile, a slew of competing banks have made vows to not introduce fees for using debit cards.
The fees stemmed from the new debit card swipe fee rules that was effectively cut banks’ debit card interchange fee revenue by roughly a half. In 2010, the average debit card transaction netted 44 cents to banks. Starting October 1, 2011, such a fee is capped at 21 to 24 cents per transaction.


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American River College’s fashion department held a model casting call on Friday, Feb. 22, inviting people of all genders, shapes, and sizes to audition for the annual fashion show that will be held later this spring.
An estimated 86 students and nonstudents alike swarmed the Arts & Science building last week, quickly filling the buildings with excited contestants.
The aspiring models were asked to fill out paperwork before moving to the room down the hall to get their measurements and headshots taken. Once finished, they stood in the rapidly growing line to walk in front of the designers, who selected the models they felt best fit their designs.
Dyanne Marte, fashion professor and department head chair, is one of the figures that supervises the show and advises the designers.
“I was telling everyone that [the fashion show] is like a scaffolding process,” Marte said. “With scaffolding you’re building on these skills and we’re kind of here to suggest gently like ‘Have you tried this method, or this route, or this?’ because it is a lot of information.”
Tiffany Samson, nursing major at American River College, was one of the many women who lined up for the show.
“I feel pretty good,” Samson said, while waiting in the line to walk for the designers. “This is my third year doing the show. My passion for modeling [brought me here today]. Everything fashion, beauty, anything that has to do with that, I’m gonna be there.”
Tamika Huff, one of the designers for this years’ collection, kept her eyes sharp for models she felt would suit her collection best.
“[My collection this year] is very ethnic,” Huff said. “It has some West African culture vibes in it — African drums, palm trees … just the whole idea and the aesthetic behind it. So I want to keep everything ethnic and relate it into the culture.”
Marte, along with fashion professor Anne Dieu, are the the fashion instructors for the show. Marte described the fashion show as an amalgamation of the designers’ knowledge from their fashion courses put into motion.
“That’s what this is all about, for them to tap into everything they’ve learned and to be able to understand how to use that information and actually apply it,” Dieu said.
Both Dieu and Marte said they look forward to the fashion show, since it is where students are able to showcase what they have learned from the fashion courses.
“They’ve done all these class projects and done what the teachers have instructed them to do as far as projects,” Dieu said. “So now this is their chance to take all that information that they’ve learned and apply it to something that they want to do.”
The fashion department’s annual show this year will be titled “Homagony: Deconstructing Borders” and will be held on May 4.


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ORLANDO – May 19, 2015 – Central Florida Audi partners with Orlando City Soccer Club, one of Major League Soccer’s newest expansion team, as the German manufacture extends its committed to raising the profile of soccer in the United States.
The Official & Exclusive Luxury Automobile partner of Orlando City has rights to field-level signage, fan activations and broadcast space during home games. They will also have a branded premium space within the new stadium and their own digital content on the club’s website. Per Club policy, financial deal terms were not disclosed.
“Over the years, Audi has ramped up its soccer marketing in the U.S., and we are grateful for their commitment to our Club specifically,” said Orlando City Founder and President Phil Rawlins. “We share the same passionate, diverse group of aficionados, and we look forward to welcoming Audi’s ideas and activations to enhance their soccer experiences during home games.”
Audi is the Official Automotive Partner of MLS and the presenting sponsor of the MLS Cup Playoffs airs MLS-themed commercials during the games that highlights the sport’s excitement and emotion through media partners ESPN, FOX and Univision Deportes Network.
“We are excited to partner with Orlando City in their inaugural season as an MLS franchise,” said Kirk Preiser, Area General Manager, Audi of America. “Orlando City has a huge following in central Florida, so this is a great opportunity for us to showcase the Audi brand on a local level by leveraging the national partnership that we have with MLS.”


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One of the key selling points of Google’s Pixel smartphone (and Nexus phones before them) is that, unlike most Android devices, they come with a guarantee of two years of major operating system updates and three years of monthly security updates.
Sometimes you get lucky and Google keeps supporting them for a little longer than promised. The original Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones launched in October, 2016 and weren’t expected to get Android 10. But they did.
Then Google rolled out a November security update for the Pixel 2, 3, and 4 series phones… and skipped the first-gen Pixels. Much digital ink was spilled memorializing the original Pixel reaching the end of life.
It turns out the phones aren’t quite out of updates… they’re just almost out of updates.
According to The Verge, Google has one more update planned — the company will release a December update that includes security updates and/or bug fixes for the phone. And then that’ll be it.
That said, there’s always the DIY option. If you’re willing to unlock the bootloader of your phone you’ll lose a little bit of security that comes with keeping it locked, but you’ll also be able to load custom ROMs that incorporate the latest bug fixes and features, among other things.
And that leads to another benefit of buying Pixel-branded phones. They tend to be popular with hackers and independent developers, which means there’s a pretty active community of folks building custom ROMs and other software tweaks for phones like the original Pixels.


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More than a quarter (26%) of cardholders in Singapore now use a mobile digital wallet, with Apple Pay the most popular ahead of Android Pay and then Samsung Pay, Singapore Business Review reports. The average satisfaction score among users of mobile digital wallets is 718, 29 points higher than those who do not. Mobile wallet users spend an average of SGD$1,183 monthly, or $280 higher than among those who do not.
- Beijing metro looks to biometrics to speed up payments at turnstiles
- Bankwest wins new customers with NFC payments ring
- Paytm integrates games, TV, sports and news into its mobile wallet app
- Spanish banks to build blockchain customer identity verification platform
- Garmin adds NFC payments to Fenix smartwatches


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Investors are becoming more bullish after the sharp decrease in the NFT sector. This indicates a high probability of reaching the local bottom and a market recovery in the next weeks.
Market Trends of Late
CryptoPunks’ 24-hour trading volume has surged by 371 percent to $3.98 million, according to Wu Blockchain. The floor price of the collection has also increased correspondingly to 53.8 ETH. At the same time, the market capitalization of CryptoPunks has surpassed $1.67 billion.
With a current price of $323,163, the top-price of the item sold in the last 24 hours is 155 ETH. Investors’ confidence in the project is expanding, as evidenced by such trends. It comes with the chance of a reversal of the previous months’ negative market tendencies.
The market capitalization of CryptoPunks is constant and even increasing over time. However, from November 2021 until the middle of May 2022, the trade volume tended to decrease. The most popular NFT-collections remained useful as a value repository. The falling trading volume, on the other hand, indicated that crypto investors and enthusiasts were less interested in such things.
The NFTs market segment was a major contributor to the long-running crypto winter. It includes a source of investor concerns about future crypto projects’ financial potential. However, current trends show that the big NFT collections are receiving renewed interest. It has the potential to benefit the entire market as well as some associated cryptocurrencies like Ethereum.
Looking at the Big Picture
The previous weeks marked mounting doubts regarding the NFT segment’s long-term viability. Many experts speculated about a possible collapse of the big NFT-collections after hearing that CryptoPunk #273 sold for only $139,000, compared to its $1 million price six months ago. They also speculate on the reorientation of investors to alternative market choices.
However, for the following reasons, such concerns were unfounded. First, Ethereum’s price has dropped dramatically in recent months. This means that the increasing volatility of the major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin is mostly to blame for the shift in the fiat value of CryptoPunks’ products.
Second, while certain objects were sold for far less than their initial value, the NFT-aggregate collection’s capitalization remained consistent. The recent week has seen an increase in market activity in all three key categories: holders, buyers, and sellers. Holders are becoming more aware of the expanding chances to profit from market appreciation of their assets. Due to their scarcity and the absence of superior alternatives on the market, buyers are more likely to invest in these things.
Sellers are also more active as prices rise, allowing them to lock in short-term profits. Such tendencies may persist in the next weeks, resulting in the NFT segment’s expanding position within the broader crypto market.
Consequences for the Crypto Market
The crypto market will be affected by the rising favorable trends in a number of ways. First, the NFT-early segment’s positive indications could suggest a reversal of broader market trends in other crypto sectors. The NFT-downturn segment’s began several weeks before the major cryptocurrencies’ historical highs were reached, according to historical statistics.
Second, the reintroduction of the NFT-segment could help redistribute liquidity movements within the market. Despite the liquidity concerns caused by Terra’s demise, the liquidity levels in CryptoPunks and other NFT-collections show a good trend.
Third, the increasing trading volume in the largest NFT-collections could help Ethereum’s price rise. The solid support level of $1,750 keeps ETH from falling any lower. At the same time, Ethereum’s key aim for the next few months could be the $3,600 significant resistance level. This occurs if market improvements prove to be long-term.
As a result, relative positions of key altcoins may improve accordingly, resulting in a shift in the crypto market’s structure.


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Hyundai Motor Group has announced an investment of 63 trillion won in South Korea to establish its hub for future businesses at its home turf.
The new investment plan presented on Tuesday includes the group's three major companies Hyundai Motor, Kia and Hyundai Mobis, and runs through 2025.
Hyundai Motor Group said 16-point-two trillion won of the overall investment will be injected into automation and environment-friendly businesses such as electric vehicles and hydroelectric vehicles.
Eight-point-nine trillion won will be spent on new technologies and industries, while 38 trillion won will be earmarked for enhancing existing businesses and services.
The group earlier had promised 10-point-five billion dollars in new investment for the U.S. during U.S. President Joe Biden’s visit to South Korea over the weekend.


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To push the entrepreneurs of textile sector in a big way, Andhra Pradesh government exorted manufacturers to make best use of the benefits offered by the state and as well as the special textile package announced by the centre in the budget for setting up more textile units.
Speaking with entrepreneurs at an interaction session, K. Srikanth Prabhakar, the joint director in the office of the Commissioner of Handlooms and Textiles, Andhra Pradesh government, pointed out that during the recent CII partnership summit in the state 12 Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) were signed by the state government with different companies for setting up 12 apparel units in the state entailing an investment of Rs. 963 crores.
12 projects will come up in the next one-and-a-half years. Four of the units will be set up in the Brandix apparel park, including two by Chinese companies, five units in Anantapur district and the remaining in Chittoor district which will together generate around 46,000 jobs.
State government officials, the union government and the Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries Federation had participated in the interaction session.
Alok Dwivedi, the deputy director-general of Foreign Trade, B. Punnam Kumar, the assistant director-general of Foreign Trade also addressed the meeting. Ramalinga Raju, general manager of the Vishakhapatanam district industries centre said that the clearance of the projects will be given speedily under the single window scheme and entrepreneurs should make best use of this opportunity.
Apparel and Textile News, Apparel Talk, Indian Apparel


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OK, this is getting ridiculous. Siliconera has contacted Konami to get to the bottom of the Metal Gear Solid 5/The Phantom Pain/Ground Zeroes mess and to figure out how many new Metal Gear Solid games are actually in development. The answer they got may surprise you.
Jay Boor, Konami’s Director of Public Relations, said: “Ground Zeroes and The Phantom Pain are two separate games. GZ will be a prologue to The Phantom Pain.”
That seems to contradict what Hideo Kojima said earlier this morning when he stated that “Ground Zeroes” is the tutorial that leads to the nine-year time skip before “The Phantom Pain” in Metal Gear Solid V.
I take it back, this whole situation isn’t almost as absurd as the plot of your average Metal Gear Solid game, it’s worse.


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Bulgarian AgriMin Begs Retail Chains for Mercy on Christmas
Bulgarian Agriculture Minister Miroslav Naydenov has called upon retail chains in the country to lower their prices on Christmas instead of increasing them.
Naydenov met with retail chain representatives on Tuesday, local media inform.
He reminded that prices are being lowered around Christmas in other countries, which he said would be a "miracle" in Bulgaria.
The retail chains in the country are in a severe competition with each other, and yet the consumption is low, he noted.
The position of the retail chains is yet to be made clear.
- » Bulgaria Plans to Keep ADIS State-Owned
- » Bulgaria Cannot Uphold Agreement on Kozloduy NPP Unit 7 with US Westinghouse - PM
- » Profit of Bulgarian Banks Grew by BGN 47 M Y/Y in Feb 2015
- » Bulgarian Timber Companies Stage New Protest over 3-Month Export Ban
- » Bulgaria Registers BGN 250 M Budget Surplus for First Quarter of 2015
- » Two Banks to Cooperate in Funding Bulgarian Business Projects


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AP Photo/Ron Harris
This April 25, 2014 photo shows the Lenovo Flex 15D laptop computer, in Atlanta. The Flex 15D has a touch-sensitive screen and can be positioned with the keybord facing down and act as a stand for touch screen use. (AP Photo/Ron Harris) Ron Harris/Associated Press
Computer manufacturer Lenovo is in hot water with some of its customers for refusing to live up to a deal — laptops at extremely low prices — that was erroneously posted on its website.
On the weekend, Lenovo's website offered a "door-crasher" special for the Y410P laptop of $279 — the regular price is $1,389.
Consumers were asked to enter the rebate code "DOORCRASHER" to access the deal. Many did, and received emails confirming their orders and processing payment, only to receive another email from the company the next day informing them that the deal had been offered in error.
"Due to a pricing error on our website, we will have to cancel your order," the email reads. "We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this has caused, and would like to help you place a new order."
But customers are upset about feeling duped, and insist that the company must live up to the bargain it had promised — especially since there are reports that the offer was still online for new customers, even after customers who'd already signed up were advised it wouldn't be honoured.
"Even upwards to 12 hours afterwards, the website was still fully functional and allowing more orders to be placed," customer Calvin Leung told CBC News.
"We believe that Lenovo should honour their pricing advertisement since they have already taken our money and kept the advertisement up for longer than an acceptable amount of time considering it occurred on business days," Leung added.
"Not only did Lenovo charge people's credit cards, but [they] have baited consumers to get their credit card and personal information," customer Emilio Lutchman said.
More than 2,700 people have signed an online petition asking Lenovo to live up to its end of the bargain. Many customers have complained to Canada's Competition Bureau — under Sec. 74.05 of Canada's Competition Act, companies are liable for a fine of up to $10 million for failing to prohibit "the sale or rent of a product at a price higher than its advertised price."
But the act specifies the provision does not apply if the advertised price was a mistake and the error was immediately corrected.
The Competition Bureau confirmed in an email to CBC News that it has received multiple complaints about the glitch, but stopped short of confirming or denying whether an investigation is underway. "We cannot speculate on whether or not the Competition Act has been violated, as we have a responsibility to do a thorough and complete examination prior to drawing any conclusions," a spokesman for the watchdog says.
Lenovo Canada did not immediately respond to requests for comment from CBC News.
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In the summer, southeastern Alaska's waters teem with humpback whales that have migrated north to feed on herring and other fish. One of their most fas... More In the summer, southeastern Alaska's waters teem with humpback whales that have migrated north to feed on herring and other fish. One of their most fascinating behaviors is bubble-net feeding, a complex and coordinated tactic for capturing many fish at once. Andy Szabo, director of the Alaska Whale Foundation, and naturalist Steve Maclean explain the phenomenon while aboard the National Geographic fleet on a recent voyage to Alaska's Inside Passage. Learn more about the expedition to Alaska's Inside Passage: http://www.nationalgeographicexpeditions.com/expeditions/alaska-cruise/detail?utm_source=NGdotcom-Video&utm_medium=link&utm_content=20140619_LEX_Video_BubbleNet_AlaskaInsidePassage&utm_campaign=NGdotcom Click to see more video highlights from the National Geographic - Lindblad fleet of expedition ships traveling around the globe: video.nationalgeographic.com/video/ngexpeditions/
Date 7 hrs ago, Duration 1:44, Views 134


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With negative news about the impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures on businesses taking up most news online and offline, starting a business might be the last thing in your mind. You might even consider the idea impractical and out of touch. Businesses reporting a massive decrease in revenue, people losing their jobs, and, most of all, businesses deciding to close their doors to customers permanently.
The current economic climate doesn’t look very ideal for businesses. You’re probably thinking venturing into business at this time screams financial trouble. However, in this article, we’ll talk about starting a business amid the coronavirus pandemic—a ridiculous-sounding idea. But don’t good ideas sound bad the first few times you think of them?
How are small businesses faring?
If you already have started your own business in mind, you might want to know how small businesses are doing in the midst of it all. A research paper written by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that in April this year when the effects of movement restrictions were starting to be felt, no groups or types of businesses were spared from the restrictions’ negative impact. The social distancing efforts that forced establishments, both small and big, inevitably contributed to the decrease in business transactions, which led to business closures and job loss. However, according to the same study, all affected groups showed a partial bounce back. This gives a sliver of hope for current and potential business owners.
As establishments are starting to reopen, businesses, regardless of size, are thinking of ways to say afloat. Small businesses are preparing to collaborate with others their size to make enough to avoid closing for good. Ones with physical stores are strategizing ways to maximize their spaces without disregarding social distancing measures in place. Another concern for small businesses is the reluctance of customers to engage in businesses that require face-to-face transactions.
Is it the right time to make a business move?
The answer depends on you having a concrete idea of what type of business you want to run and what kinds of customers you want to serve. Despite the number of negative impacts of the virus on small businesses, there are ones that managed to thrive through tackling business management in a way that doesn’t separate digital and physical. They were able to grow at this time due to future proof business models that have allowed them to continue operations without requiring customers to transact in-store.
The act of business planning with future adversaries in mind has been highlighted by how the pandemic took its hit on businesses, both large and small. If you already have an idea in mind, do note that the business you’re planning to start should be able to thrive in environments similar to what we’re currently in. It is impossible for anyone—not even the brightest of us—to predict the next problem that’ll potentially harm businesses.
On the flip side, businesses are thriving at this time. Businesses such as cleaning, courier service, grocery stores, meal preparation, and video game sellers are currently enjoying the spotlight. You can base your ideas on businesses similar to those types.
Your impending business move should be able to serve the needs of customers today. They should be accessible without the need to go out. A good option would be to start managing your small venture online. Make use of Facebook, Instagram, etc. to reach your target customers. That is why we’ll reiterate the importance of utilizing online platforms in doing business. Movement restrictions won’t permit your potential business to operate—establishing a good online presence is your key to reach people.
Businesses start with ideas. But the success will depend on how you’ll manage it and how you’ll serve your consumer base. If you’re looking to join the competition, this could be the right time to innovate and take advantage of your competitors’ downtime. It may sound harsh, but competition is at the heart of running businesses. It pushes participants to come up with ideas that will give them a competitive advantage, allow them to grow, and provide better services to stand out.
If you’re a brave, innovative, and idealistic soul with a business idea in mind, there’s no reason for you not to take this article as your green light. Concretize that idea. Act on it when you find the excellent timing. And most especially, establish your presence. There’s not a single business that started with customers waiting to transact with them. They all started with ideas and the grind for visibility.


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Kim Yeon-joo and Cho Jeehyun
South Korea's producer prices in August fell for the second consecutive month against previous year, raising a further alarm for monetary authorities against unprecedented deflationary risk after consumer prices last month touched sub-zero territory for the first time.
The Bank of Korea said Tuesday the producer price index for August came to 103.73, gaining 0.2 percent from the previous month but retreating 0.6 percent against the same month last year. It is the second month in a row for the index to decline compared to the previous year.
The on-year fall in supply prices was largely due to stabilized farm produce prices under much favorable weather conditions this year compared to last summer when a prolonged heat wave damaged crop production, said the central bank.
Also, weaker international oil prices brought down the costs for producers, the bank explained. The price of Dubai crude, the country's benchmark that makes up nearly 85 percent of total oil imports, averaged $59.13 per barrel in August, compared with $72.49 on the same month last year.
The fall in producer prices will likely lead to further weakening in consumer prices in September as a change in the production prices of goods and services tends to be reflected in consumer prices later. Consumer prices in August slipped 0.04 percent on year to mark the country's first-ever experience with negative inflation.
In August, agricultural, livestock and fishery product prices dropped 8.7 percent compared to the same month last year. Prices of white radish plunged 66.1 percent, napa cabbage 53.8 percent, and spinach 45.9 percent.
Coal and petroleum product prices declined 9.5 percent from a year ago period amid softening in global oil prices. Naphtha prices dropped 22.7 percent, gasoline 10.6 percent and diesel 6.2 percent.
But against the previous month, prices of domestic air flight services rose 9.3 percent and accommodation 14.8 percent due to a hike in demand for summer vacation.
DRAM chip prices also rebounded 2.5 percent on month, snapping its losing streak of the last 13 straight months on stagnant global demand.
Meanwhile, domestic supplier prices index, which includes prices of imported goods, fell 0.2 percent on year. Total output price index, which includes exports, was down 1.2 percent.


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Symantec has released findings from the 2013 Norton Report, which shows that while the number of online adults who have experienced cybercrime has decreased, the average cost per victim has risen by 50 percent.
‚”Today’s cybercriminals are using more sophisticated attacks, such as ransomware and spear-phishing, that yield them more money per attack than ever before,‚” said David Ribiero, Norton Consumer and Small Business Manager for South Africa, Symantec. ‚”With the findings from the Norton Report that 49% of consumers use their personal mobile device for both work and play, this creates entirely new security risks for enterprises as cybercriminals have the potential to access even more valuable information.‚”
The report also found that despite the fact that nearly half of all smartphone users care enough about their devices to sleep with them, they are not protecting them. Forty-eight percent of smartphone and tablet users do not take even the basic precautions such as using passwords, having security software or backing up files from their mobile devices. This carelessness places them, and their digital identities, at risk.
‚”If this was a test, mobile consumers would be failing,‚” said Marian Merritt, Internet Safety Advocate, Symantec. ‚”While consumers are protecting their computers, there is a general lack of awareness to safeguard their smartphones and tablets. It’s as if they have alarm systems for their homes, but they’re leaving their cars unlocked with the windows wide open.‚”
Notable Findings for South Africa
¬∑ 70% of South Africans have been victim of cybercrime and risky behavior compared to 50% globally.
¬∑ 47% of South Africans smart phone users have experienced mobile cybercrime in the past 12 months compared to 38% globally.
¬∑ Only 37% of South African smartphone users have basic free security software compared to 33% globally.
Telcos want one face
The investments that telecommunications service providers are making in reshaping their online properties into customer-centric portals reflects the growing maturity of self-service and Internet uptake in the industry, says KEVIN MELTZER of Consology.
Many telcos around the world are overhauling their websites to offer customers more holistic portals that give them a single point of entry into the organisation.
They are doing so because they recognise that service will be a key point of differentiation for their businesses in a market that is becoming increasingly competitive. They have also realised that they have a major opportunity to shift customers away from expensive contact centres towards low-cost electronic channels.
In the past, most telecommunications operators ran multiple sites across multiple domains and subdomains. These web-based properties were built around the way that telcos structured their own businesses rather than around the needs of the customer. But we are now seeing the leading operators take a more user-centric approach to the way that they design their web and mobile sites.
This coincides with a change in the industry from slicing customers into numerous segments and then serving them across a range of functional and product areas. For example, many operators split customers into prepaid and postpaid segments or voice and data users, distinctions that are becoming less meaningful in a world of technology convergence. They now want to present a single face to the customer rather than servicing the subscriber through silos.
These changes are starting to percolate through to operators’ customer service and sales strategies. Telcos are starting to pull together disparate products and services that once resided across multiple sites into customer service portals.
These sites put a wide range of information at the subscriber’s fingertips, he adds. Increasingly, for example, subscribers can log directly into their accounts from the operator’s homepage and then access a wealth of services and information. This marks an evolution from the fractured and inconsistent customer experience of the past.
Leading operators are even thinking about how their Self-Service platforms should be integrated with social media strategies to allow customers to pay their electronic bills or top up airtime with a single click from within a social network.
Whereas Self-Service portals on telco sites were once purely about account management functions, they increasingly offer far richer functionality. In addition to allowing subscribers to pay their bills and check their account information, they are also increasingly becoming the first stop for service and commerce.
Operators have started to recognise that splintering their e-commerce, service and account management functions simply makes no sense. Customers want to be able to do everything through one interface rather than needing to visit two or three Web sites, or eventually possibly needing to phone a call centre or visit a store for certain transactions.
Integrated and easy to use online customer service channels will be central for telco operators who want to be competitive in the markets of tomorrow. They form an advantage in an industry where it will be customer relationships rather than cost or service that drive loyalty and purchasing decisions.
Talk for less with MWEB Talk
Today, MWEB announced its consumer VoIP package called MWEB Talk, which allows users to make free network calls and get discounted rates made to landlines and mobile phones.
MWEB, today launched its new Voice over IP (VoIP) offering to South African consumers. The service, MWEB Talk, will offer users’ free on network calls to fellow MWEB Talk users’ and cheap calls to landline and mobile phone numbers. This follows the success and demand of the ISP’s existing VoIP products in recent months.
‚”We have seen a noticeable transformation in users’ Internet behaviour with consumers wanting services that complement their ADSL connectivity solution. We have seen phenomenal growth and by the end of the year will deliver over 100 million minutes on our VoIP platform,‚” says Carolyn Holgate, General Manager of MWEB Connect, the ISP’s Consumer and Small Office/ Home Office Division.
MWEB has made significant investments in its infrastructure and VoIP has been prioritised on its network to ensure performance and stability of the MWEB Talk service for both businesses and consumers.
‚”In addition to the high quality of the service, MWEB Talk is also simple to set-up and users’ should experience a significant reduction in their telephone bills. By implementing a VoIP service consumers and small businesses can cut their monthly telecommunication bills by up to 55% to landline and mobile numbers,‚” says Holgate.
With no subscription fee, existing MWEB customers can log into their MWEB account, register for the service and download the application for PC and Mac as well as mobile applications that turn an iPhone, Android, and Nokia smartphone into a VoIP phone. Customers will also be able to purchase a Desktop VoIP Handset for R99 which will be HD voice ready and will support multi-extensions.
‚”We believe that VoIP is the future of telephony in South Africa and we are extremely excited to see the consumer market shift into the VoIP space,‚” concludes Holgate.


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3-D Technology to watch for car safety
Auto safety manufacturer Takata has decided to invest the healthy sum of $4 million in Tyzx, Inc., and while no specific technology has yet to reach the drawing board (or screen), safety systems such as sensors that monitor passengers to maximize airbag deployment have been mentioned, as well as technology that monitors surrounding vehicles and even nearby pedestrians. Manufacturers in Europe and Japan are especially interested in that last bit of tech due to new laws requiring that vehicles minimize pedestrian injuries upon impact.
[Source: Tyzx, Inc. via PR Newswire]
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Although it was originally supposed to appear in 2021.
Of course, now it’s not a problem to find an option to buy an Apple iPhone in installments, but all such offers are not directly related to the manufacturer of these smartphones. According to Bloomberg, the Cupertino company has long been preparing a proprietary subscription program, under which customers could receive a new iPhone under a contract that provides for monthly payments over a period of time.
Image Source: Apple
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In 2021, it was not possible to implement it, as in the past, and some technical obstacles are to blame, but Apple is determined to offer such a financial service to its customers sooner or later. The amount of the monthly payment will depend on the model of the device, as the source explains. In general, Apple is developing a range of financial services, including installment payments for most purchases and the withdrawal of a branded payment card outside the United States. In theory, by offering more payment options for its devices and services, Apple ultimately increases the reach of its customer audience, which benefits the company’s revenue.
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The announcement that destination management company Allied PRA was purchased by the large private equity firm CI Capital Partners for an undisclosed sum led to some predictions that more purchases might be coming in the future. The announcement came with a statement that defined the destination management sector as a sub-segment of a $280 billion business events industry and defined the acquired as a company that supports its clients’ offsite business events by providing activity and transportation solutions. “AlliedPRA works closely with its clients, which include Fortune 100 companies, to ensure their business events are successful.”
Tony Lorenz, CEO of Allied PRA, will presumably continue in his role as the announcement said the management team of Allied PRA will continue to lead the company and have a significant equity ownership in the company.
“We believe there is an opportunity to extend AlliedPRA’s scale and scope, creating more value for our customers in this critical area,” Lorenz said.
CI Capital Managing Director Timothy Hall was more direct: “We believe [AlliedPRA] is well-positioned to consolidate the fragmented destination management industry.”


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prnewswire | May 09, 2023
Wego, the largest online travel marketplace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), recently signed a new partnership with Egyptian Tourism Authority as part of its efforts to boost tourism in the region.
This partnership is aimed at promoting Egypt's rich history, culture, and tourism opportunities. Through this campaign under the theme "In Egypt, your expectations are history", Wego will work closely with Egyptian Tourism Authority to promote this campaign on all its marketing channels and bring travelers the best of Egypt's summer and Eid Al Adha celebrations, including festivals, events, and attractions.
Mamoun Hmedan, CCO and MD, MENA and India, Wego, said: "We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with Egyptian Tourism Authority. Egypt is a perfect destination for travelers looking for a mix of history, culture, and adventure. Summer and Eid Al Adha are the ideal times to visit Egypt. We have recorded over 24 million searches from MENA to Egypt between 1 January to 27 April 2023 and we expect to see a surge around the Eid Al Adha period."
Wego will be presenting its users with a comprehensive guide highlighting the best places to visit, things to do, and experiences to enjoy. To reward travelers, a social media competition will run online to give people the chance to visit this must-see destination.
Egypt has a variety of activities and experiences to offer visitors during summer and Eid Al Adha. Travelers can explore ancient monuments as Egypt is home to some of the world's most iconic ancient monuments, including the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and the temples of Luxor and Aswan.
Amr ElKady, CEO of Egyptian Tourism Authority, commented: "We are excited to partner with Wego for another year. With Egypt's rich cultural heritage, diverse landscape, and welcoming people, and Wego's large user base in MENA, we are confident that we can attract more visitors to Egypt and provide them with an unforgettable experience."
Suzan Mostafa, General director of Tourism Promotion at Egyptian Tourism Authority, said: "We are thrilled to partner with Wego and promote our country through this joint campaign. We will benefit from Wego's large user base in the MENA region, which will enable us to drive more traffic to Egypt and attract holidaymakers in the summer season."
During this period, Egypt comes alive with music, dance, and traditional festivities. Moreover, tourists can explore Egypt's stunning beaches, desert landscapes, all of which make Egypt a unique and unforgettable destination.
Wego provides award-winning travel search websites and top-ranked mobile apps for travelers living in the Asia Pacific and the Middle East regions. Wego harnesses powerful yet simple to use technology that automates the process of searching and comparing results from hundreds of airlines, hotels, and online travel agency websites.
Wego presents an unbiased comparison of all travel products and prices offered in the marketplace by merchants, both local and global, and enables shoppers to quickly find the best deal and place to book whether it is from an airline or hotel directly or with a third-party aggregator website.
Brand USA | May 23, 2023
Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization, opened IPW 2023 with an immersive press conference showcasing the USA as an unrivalled travel destination, as well as the reveal of the organization’s latest consumer marketing campaign, provided international travel forecast, and consumer sentiment insights. IPW is the leading trade show for inbound travel to the United States, bringing more than 5,000 industry professionals from more than 60 countries to San Antonio, Texas for the first time. Brand USA is the premier sponsor of the annual event produced by the U.S. Travel Association and taking place for the first time in San Antonio, Texas.
The press conference featured iconic and lesser-known destinations and attractions, from the best places to taste local cuisine to stepping into the song lyrics or movie locations that first inspired a visit, being pampered in the lap of luxury, or experiencing the USA through the eyes of a sports enthusiast.
“There’s no other destination like the United States,” said Brand USA President and CEO, Chris Thompson to over 200 international journalists. “What sets the USA apart is the diversity of our geography, the diversity of our experiences, the diversity of our people, and our one-of-a-kind pop culture.”
Mr. Thompson described how USA pop culture is often the way people around the world first get to know the United States, asking: “How did you first come to know the United States? Were you on the road with Jack Kerouac, walking the line with Johnny Cash, or having breakfast with Audrey Hepburn at Tiffany’s? Regardless, I bet you were left with a dream, an idea, and an intangible excitement, and you knew you just had to experience it all for yourself.”
Thompson, who is bullish on inbound travel to the USA, gave examples of how pent-up demand continues to drive economic recovery in communities throughout the country as more and more people are now booking travel and living out their dreams. During the press conference Thompson highlighted how two recent barriers to travel have been alleviated: that overall airlines expect a near 100 percent return of connectivity by the end of the year, and that effective May 12, international travelers are no longer required to have a COVID-19 vaccination to enter the United States.
The worldwide travel restart has created a highly competitive global market for the lucrative international visitor. To move consumers more quickly from aspiration to action, Brand USA recently launched a marketing campaign across 10 key markets. The campaign showcases how the USA delivers on the consumer promise that whoever you want to be and whatever experience you long for, the United States is where you can find it. Thompson shared two of the latest campaign assets which speak to travelers seeking adventure or family fun.
About Brand USA
Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the United States, was established by the Travel Promotion Act as the nation’s first public-private partnership to promote the United States as a premier travel destination and to communicate U.S. travel policies and procedures to worldwide travelers. The organization’s mission is to increase international visitation to the United States in order to fuel the U.S. economy and enhance the image of the United States worldwide. Formed as the Corporation for Travel Promotion in 2010, the public-private entity began operations in May 2011 and does business as Brand USA. According to studies by Oxford Economics, over the past 10 years Brand USA's marketing initiatives have helped welcome 8 million incremental visitors to the United States, benefiting the U.S. economy with more than $58 billion in total economic impact and supporting, on average, more than 37,000 incremental jobs a year.
businesswire | May 22, 2023
Against a surge in both business and personal travel, global fintech Airwallex and leading travel technology company Expedia Group announced today a joint promotion to help customers save when booking hotel stays.
Jessica Chiu, Head of North American Strategic Partnerships at Airwallex said global business and personal travel was regaining momentum and the new partnership with the world’s leading traveler technology platform, Expedia Group, meant existing and new Airwallex customers could enjoy an exclusive 10 per cent discount off hotel stays when booking on the platform, starting from today. The partnership gives Airwallex’s customers access to exclusive perks and highlights the two companies’ shared core value of customer-centricity.
“We know the cost pressures many companies are facing in their budgets but we also understand how important work travel can be to building new relationships and growing a business,” Jessica added.
“Whether it’s meeting new business prospects, attending a conference or an internal team gathering, we recognize face-to-face engagements help build better connections.”
“With so many business travelers looking to book trips amid rising costs and inflation, this partnership with Expedia makes travel more affordable for all Airwallex customers around the world.”
Clayton Nelson, Vice President, Retail Partnerships at Expedia Group said, “We are delighted to be partnering with Airwallex to offer their members a way to access discounts across our depth and breadth of global travel supply on our sites. We’re always looking for ways to connect our partners with travelers via our industry-leading affiliate technology.”
According to Expedia’s Traveler Value Index 2023, one in three people are planning on business travel in the year ahead. With this increase in demand, and as Covid restrictions are lifted all around the world, Airwallex has been identifying ways to continue to support businesses as they look to travel and grow across borders.
Airwallex is a global payments and financial platform for modern businesses. We remove the unnecessary friction and cost inherent in the traditional financial system to help entrepreneurs achieve their global ambitions. Leading companies around the world trust Airwallex to manage everything from payments, treasury, and spend to embedded finance -- all in one single platform. Our purpose is to connect entrepreneurs, business builders, makers and creators with opportunities in every corner of the world. With an international footprint across the Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America, we empower businesses to grow without borders.


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- Wednesday June 14th, 2017
- Posted by: Vincent Lecamus
- Category: Rail, Exhibitions & Conferences
Railways Africa is the rail sector trade magazine in Africa since 61 years. As the AfricaRail exhibition started on 13rd June, Railways Africa wrote an article regarding different French companies attending the event on Business France stand.
And we are one of them!
Read the article online and come and see us on Business France stand (F2)!


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Unilever PLC announced its results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2011.
Turnover was €12.1 billion in the third quarter and €34.9 billion at nine months
Underlying sales growth was 7.8 percent in the third quarter and 6.5 percent at nine months
Underlying volume growth was 1.9 percent in the third quarter and 2.1 percent at nine months.
Emerging markets were up 13.1 percent in the third quarter and strong growth was reported across all categories, in particular personal care at 11.3 percent.
A strongly positive contribution to turnover growth, of 2.2 percent in the quarter, came from bolt-on acquisitions with the integration of the Sara Lee body care and Alberto Culver businesses largely complete.
The recently announced acquisition of Concern Kalina – the leading local personal care company in Russia – will significantly strengthen the business in this important market.
Commenting on the results, CEO Paul Polman said in a prepared statement: “I am pleased to report another good quarterly performance, with particularly strong growth in personal care and the emerging markets, reinforcing our position as the emerging markets consumer goods company.
“Growth was strong across all categories and helped by technology-based innovation, now routinely rolled out quickly to multiple markets. In addition we are increasingly driving the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan as an integral part of the way we do business.”


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The current system has led to profound inequality. To fix it, we need businesses and executives to value purpose alongside profit.
Steve CaseWe Need a New Capitalism nyti.ms/2oIaudH@Benioff: “When we finally start focusing on stakeholder value as well as shareholder value, our companies will be more successful, our communities will be more equal, our societies will be more just & our planet will be healthier” pic.twitter.com/UV61O7IE3z
Politicians want to rein in the retail giant. But Jeff Bezos, the master of cutthroat capitalism, is ready to fight back.
Steve CaseIs Amazon Unstoppable? bit.ly/33k4aI4 “Bezos adamantly refuses to consider slowing the company’s growth, fearing that its culture will break down if the pace slackens. He is determined to defend his creation aggressively.” pic.twitter.com/qVlhjju771
The two parties represent radically different slices of the American economy.
Steve CaseDemocrats and Republicans Aren’t Just Divided. They Live in Different Worlds. on.wsj.com/2pg7GUZ “America’s political polarization is almost complete. Its two main political parties increasingly represent two different economies. And they barely overlap.” pic.twitter.com/UBgIaIP0Lv
Mariana Mazzucato has demonstrated that the real driver of innovation isn't lone geniuses but state investment. Now she's working with the UK government, EU and UN to apply her moonshot approach to the world's biggest challenges
Steve Case“History tells us that innovation is an outcome of a massive collective effort – not just from a narrow group of young white men in California. And if we want to solve the world’s biggest problems, we better understand that.” bit.ly/312dOxF “#RiseOfRest pic.twitter.com/ErZ6VOIVsi


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TOKYO (AFP) - The Tokyo police said Thursday they had arrested an engineer for allegedly stealing massive amounts of personal data from an educational services firm, a leak that may ultimately affect more than 20 million people.
Private details - including names, addresses, phone numbers and birthdays - were stolen by 39-year-old suspect Masaomi Matsuzaki, police said, with Japanese media reporting that he sold the information for about 2.5 million yen (S$305,500).
The magnitude of the leak, which has been headline news in Japan, prompted angry calls for an explanation from Benesse, one of the country's best-known companies.
The company, whose holdings include the Berlitz language education brand, offers services ranging from teaching babies how to use toys to English instruction.
Benesse said last week that it had confirmed the leak of personal data of at least 7.6 million people, but it added that the problem could ultimately affect more than 20 million.
However, other details such as credit card numbers, banking data and student performance evaluations were safe, it said.
Mr Matsuzaki was a systems engineer at a Benesse affiliate when he allegedly copied personal details of customers who had supplied the information to the educational services company, according to police. They said a minimum of 10 million were affected.
The theft was discovered when people started receiving phone calls and advertising letters from Benesse rivals that should not have had the information, the authorities said.


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Oakland pizza shop owner arrested on drug charges
Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. wants to close down a pizza shop in Oakland in which he says drugs were being sold a short distance away from the University of Pittsburgh campus.
The sales were being conducted inside Larry & Carol's Pizza Shop in the 400 block of Semple Street, Zappala said on Tuesday when one of the business owners, Fadi Marwan Aboud, 35, was arrested on dozens of drug-related charges.
Narcotics officers recovered a half kilo of cocaine, two pounds of marijuana, several dozen pain-killing pills and cash from searches of the pizza shop and Aboud's Downtown apartment, according to a statement by Zappala spokesman Mike Manko.
“Due to activity that we believe was taking place inside of the pizza shop combined with the large amount of narcotics confiscated during the arrest and the fact that this pizza shop is within walking distance of the Pitt campus, District Attorney Zappala will immediately begin the process of declaring this shop a nuisance property with the goal of closing it down,” Manko said in the statement.
A criminal complaint states that Aboud was arrested after a six-month investigation by the District Attorney's Narcotics Enforcement Team, state police and officers from Wilkins, Swissvale, North Versailles and McKees Rocks.
There was no precise value given for the confiscated narcotics, but a half kilo of cocaine could fetch about $15,000 on the street, veteran Pittsburgh narcotics officers said.
A pound of marijuana could be sold for about $12,000. The value of each OxyContin pill is based on strength, so a 10 milligram oxycontin pill would be worth $10, the officers said.
The criminal complaint identifies Aboud as the owner of the pizza shop and states that he admitted selling cocaine, marijuana and pills for about two years. He was awaiting arraignment in Night Court.
A man who answered the phone at the pizza shop Tuesday evening said the shop was open.
He did not identify himself and said no one there had any comment.
Michael Hasch is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-320-7820 or firstname.lastname@example.org.


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New ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ comic-inspired promo art released
More than a month ahead of the release of Thor: Love and Thunder, some new comic-inspired artwork is hitting the web in promotion of the Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman-led film.
The various pieces of artwork, which are all styled after different eras of comic book covers, were created by illustrators Russell Dauterman and Olivier Coipel, according to the Twitter account @lovethundernews.
Marvel fans online were understandably stoked about the new artwork, which showcases Hemsworth’s Thor Odinson and Portman’s Mighty Thor teaming up to thwart evil.
“Ahh epic!” one user wrote.
Another fan summed up their feelings with a Tobey Maguire meme.
“YES AESIR UNITE!!!” was the reaction of another fan who has an obvious penchant for Norse terminology.
Another comic fanatic noted, “The Way Olivier Coipel draws Thor just hits different!”
“[T]his promo is everything to me,” another user said.
A series of starry-eyed emojis was all that one fan could muster in reaction to the artwork.
With last year’s Spider-Man: No Way Home achieving the high watermark of box office receipts for films released during the coronavirus pandemic, there’s little doubt that anticipation is quite high for Marvel’s forthcoming offerings, including the fourth installment of the Thor franchise. As a testament to that hype, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, releasing next week, has already racked up $42 million in ticket pre-sales.
With co-writer and director Taika Waititi ⏤ who arguably revitalized the Thor franchise with the widely well-regarded Thor: Ragnarok in 2017 ⏤ back at the helm, as well as a record-shattering amount of trailer views, calling the forthcoming Thor fourthquel a heavy-hitter would be an understatement.
Thor: Love and Thunder bolts into theaters June 8.


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Have you spent more than normal on your garden in the past year? Well, you may not be alone! We recently carried out the STIHL British Garden Census, surveying 2000 people which revealed that the average British household has been investing both time and money in their gardens in 2020.
This possibly isn’t a huge surprise in a year when COVID-19 restrictions have stopped people from being able to venture far from home. 46% of people surveyed said that their garden had become more important to them in lockdown and it’s clear from our garden survey that British people have been focussed on improving their own patches of nature. This has meant that the average household spent:
- £241 on garden renovations
- £180 on garden accessories
- £140 has been spent on garden tools
The additional investment in tools is reflected in another statistic from the census; over 50% of those surveyed had been doing their own DIY garden updates as they found they had more time on their hands, so it’s even more important to have the right tools for the job when you are tackling your garden yourself.
This trend looks set to continue into 2021 as well, with nearly two-thirds of survey respondents saying they were planning to continue their new hobby of gardening. But a third of participants from the garden survey said they still weren’t happy with how their garden looks. In fact, looking to the future, British gardens look set for even more improvements:
- Over 25% want to make their garden more colourful. Bedding plants are a great way to do that and award-winning gardener, Jane Moore, shares her top 10 spring bedding plants in this post.
- 17% are keen to follow the wildflower planting trend
- 26% are planning to grow their own fruit and vegetables this year
For those of us lucky enough to have gardens, they have proved to be welcome sanctuaries in a year of restrictions on movement and travel. They have also introduced many people to the joys and benefits of gardening, even if it’s just regular garden maintenance such as mowing the lawn and trimming bushes.
For anyone new to gardening, the STIHL Blog has a host of useful information from a wide range of experts, including advice on growing plants, keeping your garden in check and tool maintenance as well as which products can help you get the job done.
To keep up-to-date with the latest gardening content, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on social media.