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A $500 Walmart gift card was the smoking gun that led to the arrest of a Manhattan husband and wife – who dubbed herself the Crocodile of Wall Street – in a $4.5 billion bitcoin heist.
Ilya ‘Dutch’ Lichtenstein, 34, and Heather R. Morgan, 31, were arrested this month after they allegedly conspired to launder cryptocurrency that was stolen during the 2016 hack of Bitfinex, a virtual currency exchange platform.
Federal investigators say they were able to crack the six-year-old case and tie the couple to the missing cryptocurrency by tracking the $500 gift card after it was sent to a Russian-registered email. The The transaction was conducted via an IP address linked to a cloud service provider in New York that investigators were able to tie to Lichtenstein, officials said.
Court documents said that portions of the gift card were redeemed through Walmart’s phone app and three purchases were conducted online using Morgan’s name, one of her emails, and the couple’s Wall Street apartment address for delivery.
That was one of more than a dozen other gift cards – including for Uber, Hotels.com and PlayStation – that investigators were able to trace back to emails and cloud service providers belonging to the couple, according to prosecutors.
Heather Morgan and Ilya Lichtenstein have been accused of creating a scheme to launder $4.5 billion in bitcoin in 2016
In this courtroom sketch, attorney Sam Enzer, center, sits between Heather Morgan, left, and her husband, Ilya ‘Dutch’ Lichtenstein, in federal court last week
On Monday, a New York City judge freed Morgan, pending trial by a federal court, but ordered the pretrial of Lichtenstein due to detention prosecutors’ fears that he could seek immunity in Russia, where he is also a citizen.
‘Their financial resources could be easily used to facilitate flight…and could all be used to evade’ liability in this case, the judge said.
Morgan is a tech entrepreneur and journalist who called herself the Crocodile of Wall Street in rap songs about investing in meme stocks, dealing with the pandemic and getting high in a cemetery.
The couple are accused of using several techniques to launder Bitcoin, including using fake identifies to create accounts; coding computer programs to execute fast, automated transactions; depositing stolen funds in several accounts across one crypto exchange to cover their previous transactions; converting Bitcoin to other forms of cryptocurrency; and creating US-based business accounts to wire their funds and make them seem legitimate.
They are not being accused for actually stealing the bitcoin in the hack. The hackers have never been identified.
Over five years, someone allegedly laundered 119,754 bitcoin through 2,000 transactions on Bitfinex’s website before transferring the crypto funds into Lichtenstein’s digital wallet.
A $500 gift card for Walmart was sent to a Russian-registered email that investigators were able to link to Lichtenstein
It revealed last week in court that more than $3.6 billion worth of bitcoin linked the 2016 hack has been seized having allegedly been in crypto wallets controlled by the couple
Investigators analyzed the public transaction ledger for all Bitcoin using a process called cluster analysis to find patterns that can reveal groups that seem to share a common source or connection.
One cluster of bitcoin addresses, identified in court filings as 36B6mu, was the one that led them to the couple.
‘The money laundering accusations in the Government’s complaint are predicated on a series of circumstantial inferences and assumptions drawn from a complex web of convoluted blockchain and cryptocurrency tracing assertions,’ the couple’s lawyers said in a court memo.
Bitfinex is a cryptocurrency exchange registered in the British Virgin Islands. In August 2016, hackers were able to breach its security firewall before stealing about 120,000 bitcoin from its customers.
The amount that was stolen was worth roughly $70 million at the time, when the price of bitcoin was around $600. The cryptocurrency is currently valued at $44,295.60 for one bitcoin
Prosecutors said they had seized more than $3.6 billion worth of bitcoin linked to the 2016 hack that was held in crypto wallets controlled by the couple.
When the breach occurred, 120,000 bitcoins were allegedly transferred into a crypto wallet that Lichtenstein still had access to the last month, they said.
Prosecutors also stated how despite having recovered ‘the majority of the stolen funds, there are at least 24 virtual current addresses linked to the hack [and believed to be in the defendants’ control] for which law enforcement does not possess the private keys.
‘The remaining addresses contain about 7,500 bitcoin, which is currently valued at over $328 million,’ prosecutors said.
At the time, Bitfinex announced to its customers that they would lose 36 percent of their funds to compensate for the losses from the incident. It also created special digital tokens that were able to keep track of customers’ losses.
Some of the tokens could be exchanged for shares of iFinex, the company that operates Bitfinex, while other tokens could be redeemed if the stolen bitcoins were recovered in the future.
The US Department of Justice announced that it would create a special judicial process for victims of the hack to reclaim their losses.


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In-app mobile ad revenue at USD7bn in three years
VALUE ADDED SERVICESBy BiztechAfrica - July 5, 2012, 10:18 a.m.
A new report from Juniper Research finds that in-app advertising spend across all mobile devices will reach USD7.1 billion by 2015, up from USD2.4 billion in 2012.
The increasing spend on in-app ads will be driven by greater use of rich media in ads allied to greater app usage. This growth, from one of the key mobile advertising segments, will help to triple spend on mobile advertising by 2017.
The report found that the more engaged the user is with the advertising material, the more likely they are to click on it and with brands experimenting with using apps like Shazam to increase the interactivity of their ads, engagement with mobile advertising will rise.
Innovative brands are using rich media ads not only to draw consumers in with highly appealing experiences, but also to adapt adverts to meet their business needs. This could mean adding a map of nearby stores to an ad or even a button which dials a sales line so the user can discuss their needs.
Consumers are spending ever more time using apps on their smartphones and tablets and it is crucial to ensure that marketing material is adapted for mobile. However, while some brands have been willing to experiment with mobile advertising, there are many more that have yet to even develop a suitable mobile website. Juniper says these brands risk missing a key opportunity to reach consumers; critical when you consider that mobile has higher response rates than those seen elsewhere.
According to report author Charlotte Miller: “Mobile advertising gives marketers the chance to reach consumers on a more personal level than any other type of advertising. Creating immersive and entertaining experiences to attract the attention of the consumer is essential for marketers wanting to take advantage of the massive increase in app usage.”
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Clickatell aims to be Nigeria’s largest PINless prepaid airtime providerClickatell says it aims to strengthen its position as a leading mobile enablement provider in Nigeria and be the largest PINless airtime provider by the end of the fiscal year. Read More
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domain: news


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This is the latest version of our now-weekly Android apps roundup, spotlighting the best new apps from the last seven days. It doesn't include games – they get a separate roundup. Meanwhile, the weekly iOS apps roundup can be found here.
Here's this week's Android selection:
Amazon's Android app store, er, app has been out for some time in the US. Now it's available in the UK and other European countries too, via a download link on the Amazon website. The app enables you to browse apps, get recommendations and download them to the device, while also offering Amazon's daily free app deal.
Microsoft's SkyDrive cloud service has made its way onto Android. The app helps people access the files they've stored in their SkyDrive locker – including opening them in other apps – upload photos and videos from their smartphones, and send links to those files to others.
As on iOS, Channel 4's official Paralympic Games app offers live text commentary, video highlights, schedules, results and news on smartphones, with added livestreaming video for the tablet version.
US entrepreneur Dalton Caldwell sailed past his $500k crowdfunding goal to build a "real-time social feed" as a more-open alternative to Twitter, and the service is already up and running in alpha. Now a developer has made its first mobile app for Android. Hooha is equally "raw alpha" in its nature, helping users view their streams, mentions and global posts, while composing and replying.
Video-editing app Magisto has been a hit on iOS, and now it's available for Android too. The twist is that the actual video-editing process is automated: users upload footage from their phones and choose soundtracks, before Magisto's software handles the splicing part. Facebook, Twitter and YouTube sharing are all included.
This roundup is a little late for the Republican convention, but CNN and Time's joint app was available beforehand – and is still good for the Democrats' event. The app offers news and analysis from CNN and Time's political journalists, while tying in Twitter, Foursquare and CNN's own iReport citizen journalism service.
Oceanhouse Media has released dozens of apps based on different Dr. Seuss books. This uses a different source: an unpublished 1960s book by Berenstain Bears authors Stan and Jan Berenstain about the South Pole. Aimed at children, it follows the journey of a penguin looking for icy excitement.
Intro is a social location app designed for business rather than personal use, helping people meet potential work contacts when in the same area. It also sims to match freelancers to projects that suit their skills, cutting out the recruitment agency middlemen.
Stereomood made our iOS roundup this week thanks to its iPhone version being upgraded to iPad. The same thing has happened on Android, with the app now native for tablets. It's all about mood-music: providing more than 100 playlists for moods and activities including calm, working, cooking, chill and optimistic.
This livestreaming app just graduated from beta on the Google Play store. It's for broadcasting live video from an Android device over 3G, 4G or Wi-Fi, while inviting friends to watch and text-chat. It works on an individual device, but can also be paired with one of Looxcie's standalone video cameras.
US newspaper the Washington Post has launched its Social Reader app for Android, as part of the wider trend for newspapers (yes, this one included) to build Facebook into their digital offerings. In this case, the app pulls in news from the Post's own site as well as Slate, the Daily Beast, Mashable and others, while sharing details of articles read on the social network.
US magazine Shape wants to help Android users "look and feel amazing on the beach this summer". Yes, it's a bit late. This is a digital edition of the magazine offering workout plans, cardio routines and case studies.
Paging Clint Eastwood... Chair is a prototype app, interesting as much for the way it shows some of augmented reality technology's potential as for its one use: visualising what a room would look like with a chair in it. Its developer is using Qualcomm's Vuforia AR platform, which is picking up a head of steam in 2012.
Get beyond the mobile 2.0-speak ("the social marketplace for geolocalized audioguides") and AudioPlayce is interesting: an app for recording your own audio-guides to cities around the world, and for accessing those recorded by other users. Badges and social features are included.
Also included in this week's iOS roundup, musician Dan Deacon's official app is designed to be used mainly during his live gigs. It "synchronizes all the phones in the room, turning you and the rest of the audience into the light show and sound system for the concert". Elsewhere, it provides a virtual synthesizer instrument, and news about Deacon's activities.
Looking to wirelessly pipe photos, videos and music from an Android device to a TV? There are numerous ways, depending on device and TV manufacturer. Dayglows' new app focuses on Samsung TVs, and is able to play from websites including YouTube and Vevo, as well as tying into a number of on-demand TV services.
Photo-sharing app Instagram is, obviously, about pictures rather than words. InstaTalks wants to provide a layer of words – messages – on top of all those filtered snaps though. Claiming to be "the easiest and fastest way to chat with all your Instagram friends", it's a private messaging system for Instagram, with added location features to connect with nearby strangers.
Plenty of apps have tried to be, in Flimby's words, an "all-in-one social toolbox". The idea: a way to post to Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr and Yammer from within one app. It also offers a "Live Blast" feature that promises shared web browsing with other people – something that may well prove to be Flimby's trump card as it evolves, rather than the personal side of things.
Another app to make both our iOS and Android roundups this week, the UK Tea Council's new app aims to solve office tea-making disputes. It creates "tea groups", stores everyone's cuppa preferences, and then at pre-determined intervals picks a colleague at random to make the next round.
One of the interesting things about the Google Play store is the ability to dig deep and find some new and interesting betas. Holo Music Player is one of those: a Holo-themed music-player app with a heavy emphasis on swipe gestures to navigate around your music collection.
That's our selection, now tell us yours. What Android apps have impressed you this week, and what do you think of those above? Post a comment and make your thoughts known.
This article contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. All our journalism is independent and is in no way influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative.
The links are powered by Skimlinks. By clicking on an affiliate link, you accept that Skimlinks cookies will be set. More information.


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Friday, 29 August 2014 - 15:31
Audi drivers fined most often in NL: report
A survey done by insurance company Netpolis shows that Audi drivers commit the most traffic violations per year on average. The results of the survey indicate that all participating Audi drivers received at least one fine per year for speeding. 45% of these Audi drivers said they have ran a red light. Netpolis also claims that 17% of the Audi drivers managed to be fined more than ten times per year. Autoblog.nl says that these results are questionable at best. Only 1081 people took part in this survey. Taking into consideration that 18 car brands were handled in the survey, a very small group of drivers represents each brand. Autoblog.nl also notes that no clarity was given on the number of drivers per brand that was accessed. Some of the other questionable results found in the survey is that only Renault drivers ever tailgate and that Peugeot and Volkswagen drivers are never fined for their lights not working properly, Autoblog.nl reports.


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January 22 2009 / by Garry Golden
We might be closer to reframing the public conversation about the future of the auto industry.
The real problem for the auto industry is its manufacturing footprint, not its carbon footprint.
Of course we must build more efficient vehicles.
But the industry's problems have nothing to with small cars vs big cars, or fuel efficiency.
The real problem is the manufacturing intensity of building mechanical engines, and their inability to produce multiple chassis on one factory floor. The other problem is that they build new cars then have them sit on dealership lots until someone buys it.
Yes, we must reduce the eco-impact of vehicles, but to get there we must recognize that the real revolution is changing how we build cars, not how we fuel them. Need more evidence?
Fiat exchanges Access for Equity
Fiat is negotiating a 35% stake in Chrysler in exchange for access to its small vehicle manufacturing capacity and revival of its European brands in the US.
But we should not be confused. The future is not 'small cars', but leaner manufacturing.
Does Chrysler need small vehicles to meet current market demand? Probably.
But the real takeaway is Chrysler's inabilty to build different types of vehicles (small or large) without major retooling investments.
So the company exchanges access to manufacturing for equity.
The future is modular manufacturing
The future is a factory floor that can build multiple chassis using modular electric motors and energy storage devices (batteries, fuel cells and capacitors).
What does the auto industry need to do?


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A new Caltech robot could use machine studying to navigate through turbulent and unknown terrains within the ocean. Federal officials are getting ready to offer those that received Pfizer or Moderna covid vaccines a 3rd dose in September. Every Wednesday and Friday, TechNode’s Briefing e-newsletter delivers a roundup of an important news in China tech, straight to your inbox.
The search big noted that the sophisticated botnet defends itself utilizing blockchain technology, enabling it to get well more quickly from disruptions. In an earlier statement in response to the lawsuit, a Meta spokesperson mentioned the company was “appalled by the crimes committed towards Graphic Design the Rohingya individuals in Myanmar.” Here’s our curated list of essential tech news from this week in byte measurement. Apple rolled out an replace of its iOS operating system in April with new privacy controls designed to limit digital advertisers from tracking iPhone customers.
- We have already got most applied sciences Australia must make the clear energy transition.
- Tech Stocks Fall On Red-Hot Inflation Report A red-hot inflation report despatched tech shares down once more on Tuesday as a correction spread from growth shares to defensive,…
- That’s why scientists have now created a fully biodegradable paper-based battery.
- Magazine, are printed by the Society for Science, a nonprofit 501 membership organization devoted to public engagement in scientific research and training.
Google is developing an all-new OS to stand out from its Android, Chrome OS, and Cast working methods. The firm is seeking to develop it for its major new strand of gadgets, somewhat than it being a mere extension for its mobile ecosystem. Oracle mentioned on Wednesday it has opened its first cloud area within the Nordics in Stockholm, along with one in Milan, Italy, because the pandemic increased demand for cloud computing tools from private- and public-sector organizations. Shares of digital funds agency Paytm tumbled as much as 13% to hit their lowest since a dismal debut last month after a lock-in period for anchor traders within the company’s initial public offering ended on Wednesday. The Federal Government is preparing to make this ground-breaking technology commonplace in all new automobiles, however it’s not all good news.
Arts & Communication Alumna Enters Global Music Trade
It stays a mystery, however biologist Jette Lengefeld suspects it has something to do with the size of stem cells. In this video, she describes the findings of a new examine published in Science Advances. 24M Technologies, an MIT startup, and Volkswagen Group are becoming a member of forces to “manufacture next-generation lithium-ion EV batteries using the 24M SemiSolid platform,” reports Mark Kane for Inside EVs. Eng ’13 and Gaurab Chakrabarti co-founded Solugen after discovering a method to make chemicals from corn syrup instead of fossil fuels, reports Adele Peters for Fast Company. “Based on an in depth evaluation of present products, the corporate estimates that it might theoretically produce 90% of the chemical compounds that are actually produced by fossil fuels,” writes Peters. Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler as he takes a brand new method to his function as head of the SEC.
December 10, 2021 • Masayuki Uemura was the lead architect behind the Nintendo Entertainment System, which dominated the home online game trade and helped launch games like Mario and Donkey Kong. This month marks the 30-year anniversary of the primary website in North America, launched at SLAC. In this Q&A, one of the Wizards recalls the motivation that spawned the development and the way it has modified the work of scientists. Staying knowledgeable during Network occasions of uncertainty is essential, which is why The Japan Times is providing free access to pick out stories about the coronavirus pandemic. Please think about subscribing at present and support our efforts to ship the news that matters. IBD Videos Get market updates, educational videos, webinars, and inventory evaluation.
While the definition of “metaverse” is broad, it typically refers to immersive digital worlds that might be accessed through the web and quite a lot of gadgets, like digital actuality headsets. Computation is the driving technological force behind many fashionable social and financial shifts. To higher perceive how computer systems will impression crucial areas of our lives, we discover how they’re being used at present and what forces will shape their future.
Drivers Playing Video Games? Us Is Wanting Into Tesla Case
Todd Gustafson of HP Federal and An Nguyen of NCS Technologies join the podcast to discuss IT priorities for government. The global provide chain is slowing down on the very moment when Americans are demanding that it go into overdrive. You can forge a happier relationship along with your gadgets by utilizing them extra mindfully. Elections tech skilled Programming Ross Underwood joins the podcast to discuss voting safety. The vaccines supply robust safety towards critical sickness but US health officials now suggest boosters for some folks at higher threat for extreme sickness from COVID-19.
Digital Customs Platform Klearnow Lands Investor Infusion
Hello pals and welcome to Daily Crunch, bringing you an important startup, tech and venture capital news in a single package deal. Sign Up NowGet this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our services. Solving for XX The business seeks to beat outdated ideas about “women in tech.” To the Moon The space race, NASA’s moon landings and our future on the moon. Tech Enabled CNET chronicles tech’s position in offering new kinds of accessibility.


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Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Commission (EC), have taken important steps to open the market for the sale of molluscan shellfish, including oysters, clams, mussels and scallops, from both the United States and the European Union to their consumers. Initially, certain firms in Washington and Massachusetts will have access to the EU market. U.S. firms in other states soon will have an opportunity to be considered, using a streamlined process established by FDA and the EC.
Today, the FDA announced its first-ever equivalence determination with a notice in the Federal Register. The equivalence determination will enable Spain and the Netherlands to export raw bivalve molluscan shellfish to the United States. Specifically, FDA’s equivalence determination finds that the adoption and implementation by Spain and the Netherlands of the European Union’s (EU’s) system of food safety control measures for raw bivalve molluscan shellfish, along with their application of additional measures specifically adopted for export to the United States, provides at least the same level of sanitary protection as comparable food safety measures in the United States and is therefore equivalent. The FDA and the EU have not allowed the import of raw molluscan shellfish from each other since 2010.
FDA will host a Webinar with the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference for the shellfish industry and state shellfish control authorities on-or-about October 1, 2020. Details will be posted on Workshops, Meetings & Webinars on Food and Dietary Supplements.
For more information


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From January 1st, LEMAN welcomes the Swiss freight forwarding company Nauta SA as part of the growing LEMAN Group. The integration marks an important milestone in LEMAN's strategy to expand its presence and expertise worldwide.
"With this integration, we will strengthen our position as a global freight forwarding company and achieve significant business benefits. Both companies, Nauta and LEMAN, share remarkable similarities in their business models, and the sound and solid nature of Nauta as an established player in the industry opens up significant opportunities for synergies and strengthening of LEMAN's position on the international market," says Bo Lindberg Andersen , Group CEO of LEMAN.
Nauta SA, headquartered in Pratteln, Switzerland, was founded in 1947 and has built a solid reputation as a reliable forwarding and logistics company. Nauta has a strong brand in Switzerland, which is why the 80 new colleagues, spread over six offices, will continue under the Nauta brand for now, but as part of the LEMAN Group with full access to all the group's resources.
"For Nauta, this integration means that we become part of the LEMAN Group with access to a global customer portfolio and the positive benefits that come with it. The integration with LEMAN also provides great benefits, as we become part of a global network that opens doors to new collaboration opportunities, expanded resources, support from the LEMAN Group and increased expertise.” All in all, we see the new opportunities very positively," states Rene Wernli, CEO of Nauta SA.
Both companies are already engaged in transforming our business models towards becoming more modern and more people-centric, which shows in an increased focus on flexibility, work-life balance, freedom and trust as shared values that will drive growth and development of the new LEMAN.


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Scientists have revealed that millions of Android users are susceptible to having their personal data accessed due to lack of protection.
The BBC is reporting that over 13,500 Android apps were tested with nearly eight per cent failing to protect users' social media login details and even bank account information.
Though there's no suggestion that the apps themselves are using this security breach for improper means, personal data could be accessed by a "man-in-the-middle" as information is passed between devices and websites linked to the apps.
The apps tested, though unnamed are said to be some of the most popular found in the Google Play store, some of which have been downloaded millions of times.
The scientists, from the Leibniz University in Hanover, Germany, set up a fake Wi-Fi hotspot and used a form of malware to spy on data sent from the app.
The group was able to capture login details for banks, email accounts and social media sites, disable security programs and implement codes that made apps carry out specific commands.
According to the researchers, the majority of Android users would be completely unaware that their data had been accessed.
Google has so far yet to comment on the report.
© copyright Pocket-lint 2012


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OLYMPIA, Wash., April 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Retired program manager of the tobacco tax enforcement program for the Washington Liquor Control Board, Carter Mitchell, announced today his opposition to the proposed $1.00 per pack increase in the state's excise tax on cigarettes.
"This tax is a job-killer," said Mitchell, now a consultant with Washington Neighborhood Stores (WNS). "From 1997-2006, my officers and I witnessed the effect that high cigarette taxes have on consumer buying habits," said Mitchell. "We are surrounded by lower-tax states. People will gladly flee the state's high taxes by going to Oregon or Idaho and that hurts businesses right here in the state."
If the legislature approves the $1.00 per pack increase, Washington cigarette tax rates would be $18.45 per carton higher than in Oregon and $24.55 per carton higher than in Idaho. "In today's economy, those are big differences and people are willing to travel across state lines in order to save that kind of money," said Mitchell.
In fact, several economists estimate that legal, taxed cigarette sales will drop in excess of 20 percent. Such a large drop in sales will have a significant impact on small businesses across the state. Estimates are that retailers and wholesalers will lose more than $150 million as well as hundreds of jobs.
Both Democrat and Republican members of the Washington House of Representatives recently expressed their concern about the impact of the proposed cigarette tax increase.
Rep. Steve Kirby (District 29) recognizes that the cigarette tax increase is a "money loser for the state of Washington." Rep. Kirby acknowledges that the vast majority of people who do not quit smoking, will look for "non-taxed alternatives whether they be legal or non-legal." Mitchell noted that shifting to these types of sources for tobacco products hurts legitimate businesses all across the state.
"In fact, research shows that as much as 85 percent of individuals respond to high taxes in this way," adds Mitchell. "This could include casual trips to Oregon or Idaho to buy tobacco, as well as organized cigarette smuggling that crime syndicates have increasingly embraced over the last several years. It's become a real problem."
Rep. Doug Erikson (District 42) - representing a Northwest Washington district - joined the bi-partisan chorus of legislators opposed to the tax. Providing a dose of reality for tax-supporters, Rep. Erikson flatly stated that people will go to Oregon or Idaho to buy their tobacco products. He went on to remind legislators that is exactly what happened when Washington raised the tax on other tobacco products a few years ago. Eventually state legislators lowered the tax and sales returned.
"My experiences in statewide tax enforcement reinforce all that I have heard from distinguished state legislators of both parties, as well as respected economists across the country, " said Mitchell. "People will go to great lengths to get their tobacco products as cheaply as possible and Washington businesses and employees will suffer as a result."
SOURCE Washington Neighborhood Stores


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September 16, 2014 |
BANGALORE: Online recommendation and personalisation technology start-up Targeting-Mantra has raised the first round of funds from investors including 500Startups, Nexus Venture Partners and One97 Mobility Fund . A group of angel investors including Google India head Rajan Anandan and Groupon Asia head Ankur Warikoo also participated in the exercise that helped raise $1.1 million (over Rs 6 crore) for the firm which has offices in Delhi and the US. While declining to share revenue details, TargetingMantra executives said the funds would be used for product development and hiring.
April 26, 2014 |
While angel networks in India began to put down their roots almost seven years ago, it is only in the last two to three years that startup ventures backed by them, have begun to scale and cause a blip globally. Data protection software provider Druva and mobile ad network InMobi are examples of Indian startups that were backed by angel investors, and are now being touted as veritable success stories. More recently, Bangalore-based Little Eye Labs, which uses analysis and monitoring tools to help improve mobile apps, was purchased by Facebook for, reportedly, $10 million to $15 million, in January earlier this year, making it the first high profile acquisition of a homegrown Indian startup.
January 3, 2011
Anup Bhaiya | 33 years Age at starting business: 30 years Company Name: Money Honey Financial Services Ltd Seed capital: Rs 1 Lakh Source of money: Self, Angel investors Thank god. It is the first thing I do when I enter my Goregaon office and look back at the past 30 months. When I launched a financial services business in May 2008, I never planned for events as epochal as the global meltdown of September 2008 and the recession that followed.
August 17, 2014 |
Till not too long ago, the only way to lay one's hands on a bottle of imported grog was by making that not-too-discreet trip to your not-so-friendly neighbourhood bootlegger. Today, the well-heeled Indian has few such problems — fine wines, exotic liqueurs and hand-crafted single malts are available off-the-shelf of your favourite retailer thanks to the emergence of specialized importers. Imports of alco-beverages in India are highly regulated and subject to a high and complex tax structure.
July 21, 2014 |
BANGALORE: Delhi-based mobile travel marketplace SeekSherpa has raised seed investment from a group of angels associated with earlystage accelerator VentureNursery. The company will use the funding to expand operations and for hiring. SeekSherpa, which is still in test mode, was part of the January batch of VentureNursery. The accelerator conducts about two bootcamps a year for eight startups each. The angel investors in the company include Patni scions Amit and Arihant, Everest Flavours founder Anand Ladsariya, Fame Cinemas founder Shravan Shroff and former chief executive (South East & South Asia )
July 30, 2014 |
BANGALORE: What could be the next goal for two entrepreneurs who have just raised $1 billion in a single round of funding? Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal, who have done just that, have set their sights on making their company a $100-billion entity by valuation in the next few years from $7 billion now. "We wish to be the first $100 billion internet company from India. Globally there are only five; three from US and two from China. This funding gears us up to achieve that," said Sachin Bansal, 32, cofounder and chief executive of seven-year-old Flipkart.
January 31, 2014 |
Turning seaweed into bio fuel was an idea so audacious that most people who heard of it dismissed it as a pipe dream. But for a group of tenacious students at IIT-Madras the naysayers were no deterrent. In just four years, the team of five has successfully transformed a futuristic idea into a new business venture. "The thought of failure didn't come to me. I saw it as a huge opportunity to apply what I had learnt," said Sri Sailaja Nori, 25, cofounder of Sea6 Energy, the Bangalore based startup which has struck a partnership with global industrial enzyme maker Novozymes to create new products to enhance the process of converting seaweed into ethanol.
May 8, 2014 |
BANGALORE: Hopscotch, a portal that sells products for children, has acquired an online school supplies retailer SkoolShop. The deal, an all-stock transaction, marks growing consolidation in the Indian e-commerce industry as portals combine forces to meet rising demand. "We found a lot of synergies between the two companies. The acquisition will help expand our customer base rapidly and also give us a larger vendor base," said Rahul Anand, 36, co-founder of Hopscotch which raised seed funding of about Rs 12 crore earlier this year from a group of investors, including Godrej family scion Nisaba Godrej, Singapore-based family office LionRock Capital, Skype co-founder Toivo Annus and Diapers.com co-founder and CTO Wei Yan, who also handles technology operations for the one- year-old company.
February 17, 2014 |
One of the first and most important requirements for setting up a business is the seed capital needed for the venture. This can range from a few thousand rupees to crores, depending on the type and size of the business. Estimating the cost is not the main challenge here; arranging funds is. This is where venture capitalists and angel investors come in. These investors lend money to start-ups or take a stake in a venture if they see potential, but they don't give money to anybody and everybody.
June 24, 2014 |
BANGALORE: Serial investor Krishnan Ganesh has invested an undisclosed amount in ecommerce marketplace Overcart.com as the TutorVista founder ramps up his exposure to the country's burgeoning digital commerce sector. While the Bangalore-based investor did not disclose the exact investment ticket size, he typically invests between $500,000 and $2.5 million in early-stage ventures for a significant minority stake. Overcart.com, which sells the unsold stock and sealed open products of larger ecommerce companies to the end consumer and smaller retailers, will use the proceeds from the Series A round of funding to build its team, amongst others.


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Automotive veteran Larry Denton is leaving his consulting gig to become president of fuel-line maker Nobel Automotive Group.
Denton, 60, has been working as an independent consultant since 2008, when he left the post of Dura Automotive Systems Inc. CEO shortly after steering the maker of door modules and cables through a 20-month bankruptcy restructuring.
Denton hopes to branch out from Nobel's core business, making lines that run between the fuel tank and the injector, to include brake lines and potentially upstream products such as fuel gauges.
He also wants to diversify Nobel beyond its core customer base, which includes PSA Peugeot Citroen, Renault SA and Ford Motor Co.
“Nobel has excellent growth opportunities around the world,” Denton said in an interview today. “What we need now is to accelerate our opportunities with other OEMs and capitalize on those we have with our best customers.”
He said he'll also be “looking at acquisitions and further joint ventures.”
Nobel, which has its North American headquarters in suburban Detroit, is a French unit of Turkish conglomerate Orhan Holding A.S.
Orhan CEO Murat Orhan had been running Nobel prior to Denton's appointment.
Nobel, created in 2007 when Orhan acquired its assets from Dana Holding Corp., has $189 million in revenue, 1,535 employees and eight manufacturing plants across North America, Europe and Asia, according to its Web site.
Before joining Dura in 2003, Denton was president of Dow Automotive for seven years. Before that, he spent 24 years at Ford in a variety of management positions.


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Last year this time, Spier had just put on one of the most talked about food events of the year. The Secret Festival was a food conference/adventure concept that combined two days of talking about the local food landscape with one night of Secret Dinners (intimate evenings where delegates were treated to dinner prepared by food bloggers and chefs at undisclosed locations) and a final afternoon of stall-hopping at The Secret Market, filled with selected purveyors of quality food and stand-up wines.
Twelve months down the line and the Secret Festival and Market are back for a second run. Though this time around it’s clear that the secret is out. In contrast to last year’s one-night-only affair, this year’s Secret Dinners have been running over various evenings for the last few months, to allow those with a penchant for mysterious dining to sign up for more than just one dinner with a famous foodie. The result has been a continuous stream of tweets from attendees, recording everything from their anticipation before the events to their post-consumption bliss as they made their way home.
All this buzz culminated earlier today in the second annual Secret Market, transforming Spier into a glowing hotspot of edible action for Cape Town’s fans of food. And their families. And their friends. And everyone they told at the office on Friday afternoon. And their friends. And anyone else they mentioned it to on Facebook. And Twitter. And their friends. Yes, really, there were that many people there. And even more arriving as we were leaving. It was nothing short of packed, flooded with the collective drool of wide-eyed visitors around every corner, of which I was an unashamed contributor.
Set out on a far bigger lawn than last year’s event, the market featured many more stalls this time around. The food trucks were on full display, including the El Burro donkey cart, Black Market Foods and Die Wors-Rol. Judging by the length of the queues, the crowd seemed to be loving the restaurants on wheels, which is an encouraging sign of support for such an exciting food trend. Speaking of which, given the long-overdue summer temperatures this afternoon, the Chenin and fruit slush drinks were an absolute hit. And The Creamery‘s homemade ice cream stall must’ve had a tough time keeping up with the endless stream of customers craving their velvety cones and tubs.
My unexpected choice for lunch was a delightfully luscious and perfectly baked beef pie from The Real Curry Pie. Though the ex-Durbanite in me could always have more heat in anything I eat, the curry’s milder flavours mix wonderfully to create a sauce that gently pulls together the cubes of beef just waiting to fall apart in your mouth. You’ll need to go a long way to find a more well-constructed piece of pastry and my only regret is that I didn’t buy a few more to keep in the freezer.
The wine choice seemed varied too. Dotted around the outside of the food stalls, various farms hosted wine barrel tasting zones, waiting for you to wonder over and order a glass of something cold and crisp. I didn’t do it personally but there were conversations happening at barrels all over, including one about a vanilla-flavoured blend. What doesn’t vanilla go well with?
In the background, a band played something soothing that blended seamlessly into the to-ing and fro-ing of people coming (mostly) and going (rarely). And while I was pleased to be escaping the growing mass of food tourists, I left munching happily on a sweet and salty rocky road bar, wondering what the guys at Spier will come up with next year. I think it goes without saying that it’ll be huge. Just don’t tell anyone else, ok? It’s a secret ;)


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Between Black Friday and Cyber Monday comes Small Business Saturday, a nationwide recognition of the role of small businesses in communities across the country.
In Alaska, they help generate the majority of net employment growth in the private sector, said Britteny Cioni-Haywood, director of the state’s Division of Economic Development.
“Small businesses also employ about half of the workforce, typically,” she said. “And so I think in Alaska it can be really important to understand how those small businesses contribute to our communities.”
The Anchorage Downtown Partnership has coordinated Small Business Saturday events for years. This year on Nov. 24, shoppers can find special deals at 33 participating shops and restaurants around Downtown Anchorage, said ADP Marketing Director Penny Smythe.
Smythe said shoppers who make purchases at participating businesses on Small Business Saturday can bring the receipts to the ADP tent in Town Square Park from 5-7:30 p.m. to receive a free tote bag, discounts to shows at the Performing Arts Center and a chance to win two airline tickets.
Small businesses are an important part of Downtown Anchorage’s economic ecosystem, Smythe said. They hire Alaskans, provide a variety of services to Anchorage residents and shape the local streetscape.
“So the more that we can really support our local community and our local businesses, and spend money physically in that shop, that really supports everything around us, not just that specific business,” Smythe said.


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The video game industry is in turmoil right now, as major publishers are facing the prospect of losing billions of dollars in revenue.
But, as a new report by IGN shows, the industry is still making a big difference.
According to the research, video games and other interactive media are making an unprecedented comeback.
We interviewed some of the industry’s most trusted sources to get a better understanding of the games industry and what’s next for the industry.
IGN: How did you get involved with the IGN Video Games Awards?
Raytheon Technologies: I’m Raytheons senior vice president of development, and I’m the author of the book, “The Rise of the Videogame Industry.”
I worked with my team to write the book on video game development, the video game market, and how it’s changing.
We created a guide to the video games industry, called the Video Games Industry Atlas, to help consumers and developers better understand the industry and the games that make it.
IGN’s Tom Veltman: I was a big fan of the game industry for a long time, and it’s really cool to see the industry grow in a way that’s very different than anything I’ve seen in the past.
Raytheones goal with the award is to recognize those who have created the most groundbreaking games and technologies.
Raynor Studios: Raynor was a company that was in the video-game business for a number of years.
They made an ambitious goal in terms of how they were going to go about their business.
The first game that we did, we made a game called “Minesweeper.”
It was a first-person shooter, but we wanted to make something that had a lot of depth and a lot more personality.
And so we were very proud of the work that they did with the game, and we had a good relationship with them.
That was a really big moment for Raynor and we have a lot to look forward to.
IGN is part of IGN Entertainment, Inc.


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The return policy extension applies to items bought in store or online from Nov. 1 until Dec. 24. The regular time period is 15 to 90 days after purchase, so returns will still be honored if the item's regular return window extends past Jan. 31.
"With the busyness of the holidays, it can be easy to let the time for returning a gift lapse," said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Luis Reyes, the exchange's senior enlisted adviser. "The exchange wants to make sure service members and their families have the opportunity to return any gifts they need to."
The exchange is the 62nd largest retailer in the U.S. and serves 31 million service members. Last year, it had revenue of $8.7 billion.
Military shoppers can ask staff at their local exchange for more information or call 1-800-527-2345 for online returns.
-- Dorothy Mills-Gregg can be reached at email@example.com.
Read more: Tricare Open Enrollment Is Now Open


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- Date : 27/06/2020
- Read: 5 mins
From making borrowing cheaper to extending repayment tenures and providing relief to workers, the Indian government is taking definite steps to help MSMEs tide over the pandemic crisis
The coronavirus pandemic has pretty much brought all economic activity to a standstill around the world. The proactive nationwide lockdown in India that was enforced on March 25 as a means to slow the spread of the virus will soon be touching the 60-day mark.
Businesses are dealing with supply chain disruptions, displaced labour, and a stifling liquidity crunch in addition to slowing demand. MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) are among the worst affected and there’s a risk that almost 25% of the businesses from this segment will slip into default as compared to 6% from the corporate sector. MSMEs employ over 114 million people, contribute to about 30% of the country’s GDP, and account for almost half the total exports.
To minimise the permanent damage to the lives and livelihood of various entrepreneurs and small industry workers, the Central Government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) are looking to tweak regulatory and compliance procedures and provide a financial stimulus to businesses that are effectively the backbone of this country.
Borrowing to get cheaper
The RBI has taken the initiative to establish business continuity measures by introducing long-term repo operation (LTRO) to the tune of Rs 100,000 crore. Through this, RBI offers loans to banks for durations ranging from one to three years at short-term repo rates. This makes medium-term borrowing cheaper for banks, the benefit of which can be passed on to MSME customers.
State-run banks have been encouraged to earmark loans worth Rs 60,000 crore for such disbursement. Many public sector banks have also extended emergency credit lines for existing borrowers for loans up to Rs 200 crore or 10% of the working capital limit sanctioned, though this varies from bank to bank.
Additionally, MSMEs that manufacture products or provide services related to the COVID-19 fightback can avail of concessional loans at 5% from the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) within 48 hours. This entails minimal paperwork and there’s no need for any collateral.
Extension on repayment tenures
Businesses can avail of a three-month moratorium on all loan repayments, including term loans, working capital loans, retail loans, and crop loans. For funding-related working capital sanctioned in the form of cash credit/overdraft, banks can defer the recovery of interest applied during the said period. This breather in the repayment schedule is expected to let businesses navigate cash flow issues and take care of immediate payments such as salaries, rent, and utilities.
Additionally, the government is looking to relax the norms for classification of non-performing assets by increasing the delinquency period from 90 to 180 days. Also, the lockdown period will not be counted for businesses that are on the clock to complete activities relating to a corporate insolvency resolution process, as per the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI).
Deferment on IT and GST filing
In view of the challenges faced by taxpayers, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced various relief measures related to statutory and regulatory compliance matters for direct and indirect taxation.
The last date for filing original as well as revised income tax returns for FY 2018-19 has been extended from March 31 to June 30. Moreover, the penalty for non-payment of income tax, TDS, STT, etc. has been reduced to 9%, without the risk of additional penalty/prosecution initiated for such non-payment.
On the GST front, the Central Excise returns due for March, April, and May have a deadline of June 30. Applications pertaining to appeals, refund applications etc., under Customs or Service Tax too can be deferred till June 30.
Relief for workers
Workers employed in the formal sector who are subscribed to the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) will be able to withdraw three months of PF contribution. The Central Government will be making an allocation of Rs 5000 crore towards the PF reimbursement scheme as a part of its Rs 1.70-trillion Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan package.
The funds will be disbursed in the form of reimbursements to businesses that will be paying wages to their employees for the next three months. Employers will have to show proof of payment of three months’ salary to workers to claim the benefit. This scheme is specifically for establishments that employ less than 100 workers. It is set to benefit about 7.9 million workers employed across 3,77,000 MSMEs.
Related: Small businesses: Taxation 101
The government has taken some immediate steps to soften the blow for MSMEs; however, over 99% of the enterprises are categorised as ‘micro’ businesses that employ a majority of the labour from the unorganised sector. Experts suggest that the government should consider wage support or subsidy packages to incentivise smaller micro organisations to retain employees during this crisis.
In addition, there is a need to devise a policy framework with a plan of action based on how the different scenarios play out. This could outline compensation for loss of business, deference of utility bills and taxes, and easier access to credit. Experts are of the opinion that the government also needs to draw up a ‘reopening plan’ that will allow businesses to resume operating in a phased manner with all social distancing norms in place.
Though the future may seem unpredictable, there’s a way for India to emerge stronger out of this mess. The government and businesses – both big and small – must arrive at a consensus on structural changes in business policy for the future, protection of the workforce, and risk management strategies. This will encourage a re-jig of the economy. Look at these initiatives by the Indian government to boost startups in India.


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Chinese manufacturer ZTE is set to home in on producing more mid- to high-end smartphones through 2013 as it seeks to break into the uppermost echelons of the mobile industry.
Now the fourth-largest handset maker in the world, the foundations of ZTE’s success came from releasing mostly budget phones which have been snapped up in huge quantities across the Asian market.
But the company’s head of handset strategy, Lv Qianhao, told Reuters that ZTE is now hoping to make bigger margins from selling higher end devices. Accordingly, he said the firm expects to ship more than 50 million smartphones this year, making up 70 per cent of ZTE’s overall consumer device sales forecasted for 2013.
"We would like to raise the percentage of mid- to high-range smartphones,” Qianhao said. “That's the direction we're heading."
The strategy has already begun to materialise with the launch of the ZTE Grand S at CES in January. The super-thin 5in ‘phablet’ packs some impressive specifications and runs Google’s latest Android 4.2 Jelly Bean OS. ZTE will no doubt be hoping the Grand S is soon mentioned in the same breath as market leaders such as the iPhone and Samsung’s flagship smartphones.
A fresh burst of market competition will arrive for ZTE today however, as RIM finally reveals BlackBerry 10 and its accompanying handsets. Check out our BlackBerry 10 index which will be updated throughout the day with everything you need to know about the launch.


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The world’s biggest container shipping line has been stopped from transporting goods in or out of Qatar as the Gulf crisis rumbles on, Maersk reported on June 7, 2017.
Trade in commodities from crude oil to metals and food are among the goods thought to be affected by the isolating move.
Shipping lines normally transship cargoes from the United Arab Emirates port of Jebel Ali to Qatar, which relies heavily on imports by sea and land.
The Maersk Line spokesman said: «We have confirmation that we will not be able to move Qatar cargo in and out of Jebel Ali.»
«We expect disruptions to our Qatar services. The situation is very fluid.»
The spokesman added that the company would notify customers about alternative options as soon as possible.
Larger container ships are unable to dock at ports in Qatar due in part to shallow waters so shipping lines use feeder services, which transport container boxes from the larger port of Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates.
Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE and Bahrain severed relations with Qatar and closed their airspace to commercial flights on Monday, in the worst split between powerful Arab states in decades.
The ban has meant that any ship sailing to and from Qatar will be prevented from calling at major ports in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, which include Jebel Ali, as well as Bahrain.


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Famous Fashion designer Nickie Nina showcased their collection at the 11th TBCW 2015, 1st day, Friday December 11th 2015 at Faletti’s Hotel.
Fashion sensation, HSY was there with his resounding voice and created superb effects via choreographing the show.
Bridal Couture Week was pioneered by HUM Network five years ago with the objective of promoting Pakistan’s bridal industry. The grand bridal show has now become the most eagerly awaited event of the fashion industry, and continues to exceed expectations of its fans, viewers and designers with each passing show.
Nickie Nina Collection 2015 exhibited the luxurious bridal collection at Telenor Bridal Couture Week 2015.


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Wiz Khalifa's Favourite Artist Creates Creepy Custom AF-1s
When Kanye tweeted at Wiz Khalifa, 'I went to look at your Twitter and you were wearing cool pants' back in their 2016 feud, young designer Warren Lotas was unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight. Though Lotas is best known for creating the Taylor Gang leader's now-infamous custom jeans, he's since turned his hand to the sneaker game.
In images recently posted to the , Lotas gave us a taste of his upcoming "Skull Force One" custom release. Two make-ups have been given a morbid makeover, with the Swoosh swapped out for a ghoulish skull that stretches across the shoe's upper. Black and white colourways are on offer.
The shoe will be available on August 26, releasing exclusively on . There's just one catch: Lotas will only take cryptocurrency, not cash. It's selling for one. There's still a few days left to boost up your black market bank balance before the release.


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Development of new energy vehicles in the United States has seen several setbacks over the past few months. Aptera Motors, a developer of high-mileage electric vehicles, went bankrupt in December. And in the most recent case, the U.S.-based EV battery maker Ener1 just filed for bankruptcy protection in late January 2012.
The irony is that both Aptera and Ener1 were supposed to have received heavy backing in government loans. Aptera’s demise came after it failed to raise enough funds to match its $150 million federal loan, as investors cooled on EV startups, according to former Aptera CEO Paul Wilbur. Meanwhile, Ener1 received a $118.5 million grant in 2009 as part of a government stimulus package to boost the country’s electric vehicle industry. But it still faces critical time amid market competition.
These two sad episodes may demonstrate that some of the industry’s bubbles may have burst. The States is not alone in this conundrum. China has made a great leap in developing new energy vehicles over the past few years. In battery manufacturing alone, the number of EV battery makers in the country has soared to over 500 from just 30 years ago. Insiders have said this bubble in battery manufacturing will bust in 5-10 years, with only 50 battery manufacturers left alive.
It is hard to tell what would happen if Aptera had received the loan. Based on what happened to Ener1, Aptera would still have a hard time even it had received the government grant. Ener1 said it was affected by the bankruptcy of its major client Think Global and plagued by intense competition from Toyota, as well as Chinese and Korean rivals that have lower manufacturing costs. In this light, it is the market that determines the life and death of any company like Ener1.
That should not imply that government is in the wrong by fostering the fledging NEV industry. Government’s helping hand can provide needed support to this rising industry, but there are setbacks to such policy. In China, the government offers considerable purchase subsidies for NEV buyers. Yet these subsidies have given rise to speculation and bubbles in the country’s NEV industry.
After all, it is competitive prowess that defines a company’s own fate. Given all the setbacks and bubbles, vehicle electrification is the inevitable trend and a potential new market is out there waiting to be tapped.
The recent sales figures show that the Volt and Leaf sold 17,345 units combined in the States in 2011, the first year they were available. Back in 2000, the first year the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius hybrids were offered in the States, 9,350 vehicles were sold. So in comparison, the 2011 numbers look pretty good. The number of new energy vehicle sales in China in 2011 was 8,159 units, a slight increase over 2010.


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We’ve all been there, lying awake at night, tossing and turning, unable to get to sleep. We look for reasons why it might be happening, asking questions such as, ‘Is it something I’ve eaten?’ ‘Is it what I drink?’ ‘Could it be stress?’. It could be any of those. But equally, it could also be because of your smartphone!
Using Smartphones Like Never Before
Across all age groups, smartphone ownership has never been higher in the UK. And it’s predicted that by 2019, these owners will on average spend just over 2 hours a day on their phones. The worst offenders are those aged 16 to 24, who are currently spending more than seven hours a day on them; gaming, chatting on social media and watching YouTube.
Smartphones Creeping into our Bedrooms
Increasingly, using a smartphone has become part of our night-time routine. According to research by Deloitte, at the end of the day, more than three-quarters of us (79 per cent) check our smartphones within the last hour before going to sleep. And again, this is worse amongst younger people, with 66 per cent of 16-19 year old checking their phones in the middle of the night too!
But Why Are Smartphones Bad for Sleep?
When we are trying to fall asleep, it’s recommended that we try and unwind beforehand. We can read a book, practise mindfulness, even count sheep. Checking social media, watching videos and playing games on your phone would appear to be the opposite of this. Smartphones are hugely stimulating, putting the brain into overdrive at just the wrong time.
And Then There’s the Light!
‘People are exposing their eyes to this stream of photons from these objects that basically tells your brain, 'Stay awake! It's not time to go to sleep yet’ Dr. Dan Siegel, clinical professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine, told Business Insider.
In 2013, a study undertaken by the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute found that blue light (which is the ‘stream of photons’ emitted by all smartphones), can suppress melatonin, the hormone that regulates the human body’s sleep-wake cycle. Without normal levels, sleep can be significantly disrupted.
Why Do We Need Sleep?
Far from being for ‘wimps’, sleep is vital to the health and the wellbeing of body and mind. It’s the time when muscles and tissues are repaired. It’s the time when the brain consolidates memories. And it’s the time when the brain cleans itself.
This latter reason for sleep is one that is increasingly seen as important. It is thought that the glymphatic system, which removes toxins from the brain, works better when we are asleep.
What Happens if We Don’t Get Good Sleep?
Lack of sleep can have various short-term and long-term effects. On a day-to-day basis, poor sleep can leave us bad tempered, unfocused and lethargic. In the long-term, for those who suffer from chronic sleep problems, it can be the cause of serious medical conditions, including obesity, heart disease and diabetes. And it can also shorten your life expectancy.
How Much Sleep Do We Need?
Although sleep requirements can vary slightly from person to person (with a small group able to get by on 5 to 6 hours), most healthy adults need between 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night to be at their best. Children and teens need even more. And despite the idea that our sleep requirements decrease with age, most older people still need at least 7 hours.
So, What Can We Do About Smartphones then?
Well, the easiest option available is to simply turn your phone off a few hours before bed and forget about it. Even light use can affect your brain, so it’s better to just leave it alone. And don’t take it up to your room as the temptation might be too great to just have a quick look at Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.
Or, Alternatively, Block the Blue Light!
If you’re determined to bring the phone into the bedroom, then there are now a number of ways that you can limit exposure to blue light, which might help reduce the impact that your smartphone is having on your sleep.
Several phones now come with blue light filters, such as the one on Samsung phones which is available in the drop-down menu.
There are also various glasses you can buy that filter out blue light. As an extra bonus, these glasses can be used to block out the blue light from other sources during the day, such as laptops, tablets and PCs (which can also impact on your sleep.)
There are so many reasons why you might not get a good night's sleep, why add to the problem with smartphones? Emails can wait until morning, the news is still going to be there when you wake up and just how important are those tweets? Much better instead to get the sleep you need.


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Adobe quietly warns that a patch is required to fix potential security threat in Photoshop
Almost a week ago, Adobe posted an advisory on its support knowledgebase warning of a security risk in Windows versions of Adobe Photoshop CS, Adobe Creative Suite 1.0 and Adobe Premiere Pro 1.5, though no press announcement, as far as we know, was made.
It seems that there is a software flaw in these titles' product activation modules that could be maliciously exploited to gain unauthorised access to your computer. Adobe says it has simply spotted the flaw and is not aware of any case where the flaw has been exploited. A software patch has already been made available.
If you use a Windows version of Adobe Photoshop CS, Adobe Creative Suite 1.0 or Adobe Premiere Pro 1.5, you can find more information on the related support knowledgebase advisory and download the necessary software patch.


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After announcing in September that it would divest from Unilever — the parent company of Ben & Jerry’s — the State of New Jersey has begun to withdraw $182 million from stock ownership in the British conglomerate, according to NorthJersey.com.
Apparently Unilever was given an opportunity to respond to the allegations of illegal boycott actions against Israel by its ice cream maker, before the Garden State moved to start actually selling its stock, but the company reportedly had no response during the state’s investigation:
“The Division of Investment did not receive a response from Unilever within the 90-day window, and therefore the provisional determination of ineligibility for Unilever became final on Dec. 1,” Danielle Currie, a spokeswoman for the New Jersey Department of Treasury, said in a statement.
“The Division has placed the company on its prohibited investment list. It is now looking at next steps to appropriately divest existing Unilever plc holdings in accordance with the statute.”…
Its contract with Ben & Jerry’s allows its independent board to make decisions about its social mission, the company has stated. In July, the ice cream maker known for social justice activism announced it would end sales in settlements in occupied Palestinian territory because it was “inconsistent with our values.”
In September, New Jersey officials warned Unilever that its subsidiary’s actions had triggered a five-year-old New Jersey law requiring state pension funds to divest from pro-boycott businesses.
NorthJersey.com said Unilever’s media team replied in an email, “Ben & Jerry’s has stated it is not boycotting Israel. Although Ben & Jerry’s and its Board have decided to stop selling ice cream in the West Bank, it will remain in Israel through a different business arrangement.”
As NLPC has reported, however, Unilever and Ben & Jerry’s may not have that choice, as Israel has laws that prohibit discrimination against parts of its population, including those in the so-called “occupied territories.”


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If you’ve been paying any attention to the news, you have probably heard that parents across the U.S. are grappling with a baby formula shortage. This situation is causing huge amounts of stress to new parents, some of whom are uncertain if they’ll have enough formula for their baby’s next meal.
The COVID-19 pandemic revealed some glaring weaknesses in the global supply chain. Businesses around the world learned that their networks were rife with error-prone, repeatable, process-oriented tasks, ranging from stocking and picking errors to manual documentation mistakes to problems with shipping and receiving.
Nearly half a century ago, barcodes were the revolutionary solution promising to bring massive improvements to the supply chain. And they did. But supply chains weren't nearly as complex as they are today, with online orders, multi-location warehouses, and the expectation of fast and error-free delivery.
The logistics, warehousing, and transportation industries are complex. Consequently, any business that sells, stores, or ships products needs to learn to work smarter by using all the available resources to improve the efficiency of the supply chain.
Inventory remains one of the most tangible and significant investments of any retail, eCommerce, or manufacturing business. Many business owners fail to realize that inventory can account for up to 30% of the total budget. So, for every $100,000 in products you store, you could be paying up to $30,000 to hold and move them around your warehouse.
The explosion of eCommerce sales is excellent news when it comes to revenue reports for sellers. But, it presents a host of challenges for the supply chain and warehouse managers as online retailers struggle to keep up with the volume and the demands of consumers.
It’s a common misconception that anything wireless is unsafe. Sure, data breaches and hackers are out there and want to steal information. But they generally look for easy targets. Provided your business isn’t one of them, your wireless network and its connected solutions should be safe.
But just how safe will it be? Here is what you need to know about wireless networks for business purposes and some best practices for making sure yours is as secure as possible.
The field of artificial intelligence is advancing rapidly. We have seen dramatic breakthroughs in speech recognition, image recognition, language tasks, autonomous robotics, and game playing in recent years. And we are likely to see much more as researchers and scientists make even more progress.
Since their invention, robots have been helping humans in manufacturing and other industries be more efficient and have safer processes. Over the past several years, modern technology has offered immersive platforms using augmented reality (AR) for media and gaming. But the two are now merging where the field of augmented reality is beginning to change the face of robotics.
When it comes to robots, bigger may not be better. Someday soon, tiny robotic “bugs” might help people with medical issues, search for survivors in a collapsed building, or diagnose a problem in your factory. Here is what you need to know about these tiny robots and how they could be poised to revolutionize the industry.


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© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Ships waiting to be loaded with iron ore are seen at the Fortescue loading dock located at Port Hedland, in the Pilbara region of Western Australia December 3, 2013. REUTERS/David Gray/File Photo
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia’s trade surplus shrank by more than expected in July as exports of iron ore and coal cooled after a very strong run, while more Australians travelled and spent abroad.
Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics out on Thursday showed the surplus on goods and services narrowed to A$8.7 billion ($5.66 billion), from June’s A$17.1 billion and well under forecasts of $14.5 billion.
Exports fell a steep 9.9%, led by a 15% dive in iron ore and a 17% drop in coal. Imports jumped 5.2% as Australians bought more cars and clothes, while rushing abroad as coronavirus restrictions lapsed.


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Pat Regnier from CNN Money described Senator Obama’s method to improve the economy as a “a fairly traditional Keynesian approach to managing a slump, designed to keep consumers and businesses spending until the storm passes. A similar logic was behind the two emergency tax rebates George W. Bush approved.”
Mr. Regnier also described Senator McCain’s method to improve the economy. “His basic plan for growth is pure Reagan-era supply-side economics: Keep top tax rates low, including taxes on business, to provide incentives for enterprise and investment.”
To read the entire article, click on What You’re Really Voting For.


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In a few short weeks, the Houston Business Journal will reveal its rankings for the 100 fastest-growing companies in the city.
In the meantime, we are profiling the winners on our website. However, the final ranking of the companies, which is determined by revenue percentage growth between 2009 and 2011, will not be revealed until the Fast 100 awards ceremony Sept. 7.
In order to make the list, companies had to make more than $1 million in revenue in 2011 and be at least five years old.
Merrick and US LED Ltd. are two of the companies to make the 2012 list.
Click on the image to the right to see other HBJ lists these companies made in 2011.
• Merrick, an industrial information technology provider founded in 1989, specializes in solutions for oil and gas companies. Led by relatives and co-founders Kemal Farid, president and CEO, and Samina Farid, COO and executive vice president, the company raked in close to $11 million in 2011. Also in 2011, HitecVision, a Norwegian private equity investor, became Merrick’s majority investor. Currently, the company has 43 employees.
• US LED Ltd., an LED lighting systems provider founded in 2001, has made many other fast-growing company lists, including the 2011 Inc. 5000 list, which ranks the 5,000 fastest-growing companies in the country. In 2011, the company brought in more than $42 million in revenue. The company has 45 employees and is led by CEO Ron Famer.


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August is National Black Business Month, and I am reflecting on what action we can all take to support Black-owned businesses and shine a light on Black entrepreneurs.
First, some good news: A new survey by the National Black Chamber of Commerce and Groupon of more than 400 Black small business owners found that 75% have seen an increase in business since the protests sparked by the death of George Floyd began in June.
People are taking action, but we still have a long way to go in recognizing the contributions of Black-owned businesses across the country and their important role in the community, as well as the national economy.
Black business owners currently make up 10% of U.S. businesses and about 30% of all minority-owned businesses, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, which amounts to about 2 million companies in the country. These companies create one million jobs and generate annual revenues of about $187 million, according to blackdemographics.com
But they face a disproportionate amount of challenges. The survey of Black business owners also reported that:
- 80% said they faced more challenges launching their businesses due to their race.
- 74% said they’ve had fewer opportunities due to a lack of capital investment and resources targeted towards Black communities.
- 76% of Black-owned businesses said they were negatively impacted by COVID-19, but only 5% of those that applied for Paycheck Protection Program loan received one.
At SEEMA, we continue to employ, spotlight, and support Black entrepreneurs and businesses! As a platform that empowers women, we have a particular interest in showcasing business owned by Black women.
On the cover this week we showcase our all Black creative team that worked on the stunning SEEMA cover shoot last year, featuring breast cancer survivor, Sheetal Sheth, who was still going through chemotherapy during the shoot. The incredible team of professional photographers, stylists, and creative artists made Sheetal and other strong women we featured feel comfortable and their best selves.
Also photographed were Harman’s Roopa Unnikrishnan and CNN’s Mitra Kalita, who commented on how refreshing it was to see an all-Black team. As make up artist Tiffani Rains, who made all the women look their absolute gorgeous selves, said in her post, moments like these should not be rare, they should be the norm. “We deserve to be in the room and in abundance. We want the same opportunities because we deserve them. People think we are asking for jobs because we are Black, but the truth is we are asking not to be overlooked for the job because we are Black. We want the job because we are qualified.” Tiffany, we support and thank you and thank all the artists and writers and creative teams that have worked on our SEEMA platforms.
This Black Business Month, we observe and recognize the important role that Black owned businesses play for our community and economy as well.
We also take this opportunity to reiterate that Black Lives Matter and that economic empowerment and entrepreneurship of the Black community matters.
As a network that supports South Asian Women and other minorities, we aspire to showcase and invest in minority and women owned businesses. Please join us in showing your support for Black-owned businesses in your community this August and, more importantly, beyond.


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FAW to launch a hatchback in Pakistan
It seems that everyone is on a roll these days to launch hatchbacks in the country. Suzuki recently began importing Karimun Wagon R from Indonesia, Toyota is preparing to introduce Etios Valco whereas Honda Atlas is supposedly inching closer to Jazz/Fit.
The Chinese aren’t far behind in this race of hatchbacks, FAW launched the Sirius S80 XPV which we test drove a while ago to an almost positive review, now, they are coming close to launch the V2.
Yes, that’s the name of the vehicle. We don’t know whether it would be revised for Pakistan but it is known as FAW V2 in other markets.
The V2 comes equipped with a 1.3 liter engine which has VCTI (Variable Cam Timing) as opposed to Honda’s VTEC and Toyota VVTI. It is a 16-valve, DOHC, electronically-controlled multi-port fuel injection gasoline engine which produces 67 hp and 120 torque. ABS and airbags come as standard.
We’ll updated you with more information as it comes to us.


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The Massachusetts totalitarian lawmakers will take your car if you are caught with untaxed or flavored vaping products should a new law go through. Massachusetts is the worst offender of civil asset forfeiture in the country, and that is saying something.
It’s yet another case of the abuse of power. No one voted for this.
CAR FOR VAPING
Reason’s Jacob Sullum reported that the Massachusetts House just passed a law which would “ban flavored e-cigarettes, impose a 75% excise tax on ‘electronic nicotine delivery systems’ (including e-1liquids as well as devices), and authorize forfeiture of cars driven by vapers caught with ‘untaxed’ products.” The measure is now set for consideration by the state Senate.
We are not even sure there is a problem with vaping. It seems more of a manufactured crisis than a real one, but for now, let’s consider these civil forfeiture laws.
House bill H4183 has passed the state House and, if approved, it will permanently ban “flavored tobacco products,” including menthol cigarettes as well as vaping liquids that taste or smell like anything other than tobacco. It does not apply to hookah bars or marijuana vapes.
The bill says that “a person who knowingly purchases or possesses an electronic nicotine delivery system not manufactured, purchased or imported by a licensed electronic nicotine delivery system distributor or licensed electronic nicotine delivery system retailer shall…be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 for the first offense and not more than $25,000 for a second or subsequent offense,” Sullum writes.
The bill also says a police officer who “discovers an untaxed electronic nicotine
delivery system in the possession of a person who is not a licensed or commissioner-authorized electronic nicotine delivery system distributor” may seize both the product and the “receptacle” in which it is found, “including, but not limited to, a motor vehicle, boat or airplane in which the electronic nicotine delivery systems are contained or transported.”
An airplane!!! They can take your airplane! That’s nuts.
The forfeited goods are then turned over to the IRS who launder it and send money back to the Commiewealth of Massachusetts.
GOVERNMENT GAVE ITSELF THE RIGHT TO STEAL
Civil Asset Forfeiture is the government’s right to steal. It was originally directed at the mob, but now all kinds of innocent persons are victimized by it.
Thanks to civil forfeiture laws, the ever-expanding IRS can seize the accounts of innocent people without their ever having committed a crime. The victims aren’t given notice and are subjected to expensive court proceedings to get the money or property back, if they get it back at all. Victims have to prove their innocence without ever having been found guilty.
Civil asset forfeiture is a proceeding by the government that can find property guilty of a crime.
If your son gets caught with drugs in your house, they can take your house. If a renter gets caught doing drug buys in your motel too often, they can take your motel. Those events have happened.
The war on drugs expands to vapers: The Massachusetts House of Representatives just passed a bill that bans flavored e-cigarettes, taxes the rest, and authorizes police to seize cars carrying untaxed vaping products. https://t.co/0DIvd9rvwz
— Jacob Sullum (@jacobsullum) November 14, 2019


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News By Tag
News By Location
South Florida Global Marketing Volunteers at Poverello Center
MIAMI, FL– South Florida Global Marketing strengthened its commitment to community service by recently volunteering at the Poverello Center. John, Jessica, and Nicole served during the non-profit organization’s home and clothing outreach program.
The South Florida Global Marketing executives spent three hours organizing the clothing and home store, which sells items as a way to raise money to help families in need. According to the Poverello Center website, donated items such as sofas can be sold and the proceeds used to feed a family for a month. In this way, the team had a direct impact on local families. It was a rewarding experience, Mark said. “I would love for this to be a monthly event as we all had a great time. I want my team members to learn the value of giving back.”
The team was given a meaningful lesson in serving others, with each of the executives giving up time on the weekend to be a part of an important day. “The workers at the facility actually told us that they don’t get many volunteers on Sundays,” Mark said. “They’d love to have us again.”
The volunteers were honored to be a part of the Poverello Center’s mission to help community members in need. It was an opportunity to look beyond themselves and touch the lives of other people. “I was in charge of organizing the clothing section of the store,” Nicole said. “I had a great time bonding with my team and giving back to my community.”
John echoed Nicole’s feelings, focusing on the positive impact South Florida Global Marketing was able to have by serving a respected organization such as the Poverello Center. “The organization has provided life-saving food and basic essentials for low-income residents living with HIV/AIDS,” John said. “So it felt good to help those who are going through these difficult times.”
South Florida Global Marketing Announces Team Expansion
As South Florida Global Marketing continues to thrive as leaders in the promotional events industry, they have announced plans to expand their team. Recently increased demand for their interactive marketing services has led to a need to open several new roles within the company. Mark explained that he is specifically looking for driven individuals who can quickly adapt to different challenges and objectives.
Mark also said that while some experience would be helpful, it is not absolutely necessary. Their in-depth training program will bring inexperienced team members quickly up to speed. Although the market has become more reliant on technology in recent years, Mark said that his firm still needs people who can connect with consumers on a personal level. Overall, he is looking for career-oriented professionals who can uphold certain values such as integrity and excellence in their work. He invited anyone interested in more information to visit the corporate website.
About South Florida Global Marketing
South Florida Global Marketing is an innovative leader in the promotional events industry. They are committed to designing and executing interactive campaigns that generate greater consumer engagement and retention while increasing revenue and bottom-line results. By utilizing careful market research and analysis, they create exclusive customer initiatives and rewards packages that connect with the ideal audience, every time. As a result, clients are able to focus on their core business while South Florida Global Marketing’s highly-trained team of promotional experts leads exciting outreach programs that forge meaningful relationships and create lasting growth.
South Florida Global Marketing


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When it comes to cocktails, we’ve got to say, we’ve seen it all. Fancy ingredients, celebrity inspiration, and even diamonds (no, you didn’t read that wrong, we seriously meant diamonds), we’ve heard it all before, so you can be sure that it takes a lot to impress us. But when we heard that a newly opened restaurant in London had created the most expensive cocktail in the world, we had to sit up and take notice. Gigi’s restaurant raised the stakes at its star studded opening on Thursday by creating an utterly extravagant drink for actress Grace Jones who was in attendance. Called “The Gigi’s” the cocktail is priced at £8,888 which is about $14,437.
So what turns a simple champagne cocktail into a bank breaking beverage? For starters, a good glug of some 1990 Vintage Cristal (yes, that’s the champagne that every rapper worth his salt has sung about) followed by a splash of 1888 Samalens Vieille Relique Vintage Bas Armagnac topped with “lashings” of gold leaf. In fact, its only affordable ingredients are sugar and Angostura Bitters.
Gigi’s manager Cesare Papagna claims that the cocktail tastes like liquid gold, but we’ll just have to wait for our next trip across the pond to be sure. At nearly £9,000 The Gigi’s has dethroned The Winston as the world’s most expensive cocktail. Reka Moscow’s diamond cocktail is conspicuously absent from the list, perhaps due to owing its value to diamond decorations rather than ingredients.
[Via – Mirror]


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Last week Prime Minister Scott Morrison called the Australian federal election for the 18th May 2019, only a few weeks away. It has felt as if the campaign has been in full swing for a lot longer than this given the amount of conjecture in financial markets over the impact this election will have on equity prices.
We are not going to speculate here on the outcome from a party nor from a policy perspective. There is a lot of water yet to flow under that bridge. However, irrespective of the outcome, we suspect that the folk at oOH!media (one of our portfolio holdings) will be cheering the end of the election campaign come the 18th May.
oOH!media provides out of home advertising on more than 30,000 high profile sites across Australia, including in airports, on billboards alongside major arterial motorways in cities, retail precincts, office and university locations. Originally all static billboards (think posters physically stuck onto the billboard), these have progressively been replaced with digital billboards, providing an additional advertising revenue opportunity as adverts can be rotated more frequently through digital sites.
This digitisation dynamic has helped the outdoor advertising industry to grow revenues throughout the decade and increase its share of the total advertising pie (from 4% in 2010 to approx. 6% today). This is in contrast to many traditional media channels which have lost advertising dollars to the internet and social media companies. Given spending trends internationally, we think this growth could continue for a number of years.
The industry structure in Australia has also improved lately with two mergers in 2018 reducing the number of major out of home competitors from five to three players. oOH!media played a part in this, acquiring Adshel, a business which added rail and street furniture sites to their portfolio of assets.
With a strong management team, a favourable competitive structure and structural advertising tailwinds we like oOH!media’s longer-term outlook.
Management have however been cautious on their nearer term outlook, primarily because of the upcoming general election.
The election impact
Intuitively, one would think elections result in increased advertising by political parties so this should benefit the advertising industry. With outdoor advertising it is a bit different. Billboards on many roadsides, CBD locations and around airports are located on government owned land. Given the restrictions around using government property for political party advertising, the outdoor media industry can often miss out on election related advertising spend.
Also, businesses sometimes reduce advertising spend or defer marketing campaigns until the election is out of the way to avoid having their marketing messages diluted by the political noise.
These factors both play into oOH!media’s caution about the near term. The good news is that the election is taking place in a seasonally low period for advertising spend in the year. Coupled with the relatively short length (~5 weeks) of the campaign, this should reduce the degree of the impact.
Like the electorate, which seems to be tired of the endless political posturing on both sides of the aisle, we are looking forward to putting the 18th May behind us and focussing on the brighter, longer term future which underpins oOH!media’s growth.


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WASHINGTON – A Federal Reserve survey released Wednesday found that the U.S. economy held steady during the 16-day partial government shutdown in October, growing moderately in most regions from October through late November.
The Fed said seven of its 12 banking districts described growth as moderate. Four – Philadelphia, Chicago, Kansas City and San Francisco – said growth was modest. Boston said growth was up.
Manufacturing strengthened in most districts, helped by production of autos and high-tech products. Consumers boosted spending in most regions, and retailers were hopeful yet cautious about the holiday shopping season. Hiring improved in five of the districts.
The Beige Book survey, as it is known, is based on anecdotal reports from businesses and will be considered along with other data when the Fed meets Dec. 17 and 18.


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In June, Facebook made hashtags live on the site, borrowing a page from Twitter’s playbook. However, analytics firm Simply Measured noted that adoption has been slow for brands, finding that 20 percent of posts from the Interbrand 100 (a list of the top 100 brands in the world) have incorporated hashtags on Facebook, but there has been no measurable effect.
Simply Measured found that 98 percent of the top brands (such as Coca-Cola, McDonald’s and IBM) have a presence on Facebook. Apple and Morgan Stanley are the two companies on the Interbrand 100 list without a dedicated, company-managed Facebook page.
Nate Smitha, a marketing analyst for Simply Measured, talked with Inside Facebook about why brands using hashtags hasn’t led to more engagement. He noted that most brands that have started embracing hashtags haven’t really utilized Facebook hashtags in a concerted effort with their Twitter and Instagram hashtags. For a Facebook hashtag to be successful, Smitha said that brands should think about a cohesive cross-platform promotion:
At this point, hashtags are still new for Facebook users and I think that brands have not really implemented them in a way that ties them to other campaigns. As users become more familiar with seeing hashtags used on Twitter in conjunction with Facebook, they will start searching those hashtags out on Facebook. … There have not been a lot of good examples of brands consistently using hashtags across channels. I think that it’s just a little early in the game.
Here’s a look at how these top brands have used hashtags over time:
Simply Measured discovered that posting visual content is still the best way to go, as that leads to 98 percent of engagement, among the top 100 brands. Photos by these brands gained an average of 9,400 engagements per post, and video had an engagement rate of 2,500 per post.
Furthermore, Simply Measured’s study shows why Facebook ended its questions product for pages. In terms of engagement, it scored the lowest, by far.
Other findings from the study:
- Twitter might have some effect on Facebook, as users tend to like short and sweet posts (but not too short). Analysis of more than 500 status updates from top brands indicated that the longer a status update is, the less engagement it tended to receive. If it’s too short, that can also hinder engagement.
- Auto brands are the best at engagement on Facebook. Smitha noticed that these types of brands are usually posting interesting photos and videos of their products, leading to more feedback from fans. Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Harley-Davidson and Audi USA all rank among the top 10 in engagement.
- 29 percent of the top brands don’t allow users to post on their Facebook timeline — leading to a 15 percent dip in engagement. However, users that don’t allow user posts have 71 percent more fans than those that do.
- The top 10 most engaging brands average 19.9 million fans (the average among the top 98 brands on Facebook is 7.9 million), and post 2.5 times per day. Facebook is the most liked brand page, naturally, with 93 million fans, followed by Coca-Cola and MTV with 68.6 million and 45.8 million fans.
Readers: How often do you use hashtags on your page?
Hashtag image courtesy of Shutterstock.


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VIVA LAS VEGAS: WATCH THE ISRAELI PAVILION AT JCK
24 diamond companies, Get-Diamonds search terminals, refreshments and plenty of surprises awaited the many visitors who arrived at the Israel Diamond Pavilion at JCK Las Vegas, which opened Friday (May 31) and closed today (Monday, June 3).
As happens every year, the Israeli pavilion was organized by the Israel Diamond Institute (IDI). Both the show and the pavilion changed locations this year, and the IDI promoted the goods sold by the Israeli diamond companies through several channels. Among other promotional efforts, the IDI Booth, located at the center of the pavilion, held raffle draws for buyers who purchased goods from the pavilion, and offered Get Diamonds terminals that enable buyers to search for goods among the Israeli exhibitors. The IDI Booth and Lounge offered refreshments throughout the day, including an attractive Happy Hour that served to draw even more visitors. Finally, the IDI produced a promo video inspired by the recent Avengers films, featuring the Israeli exhibitors at the show as its heroes. Judging from the robust traffic at the pavilion, these promotional efforts certainly worked.
Aviel Elia, recently appointed as IDI’s Managing Director, visited JCK for the first time, and commented: “I was happy to see our marketing team in the field, after long months of work and preparation. This year’s show is different than last year’s in several aspects, among them the show’s location, the location of the booths, and the organization. The IDI booth is located at the center of the Israeli pavilion, and draws many visitors. I hope this translates into good sales for our exhibitors as well”.
Ira Tsirlina, Chief Marketing Officer of IDI, added: “The changes this year are well-felt and positive. Last year, the Luxury show was held on a separate floor. This year, all the shows run in the same location, and with a sensible internal organization. We are very happy and excited about the new Israeli pavilion”.
Written by Iris Hortman


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is one beauty of a phone but it's still missing one promised feature, the Bixby voice assistant. This is the case in the US at least, and it's disappointing, since Samsung said it would debut on the company's flagship handset at launch.
Launched on April 21, Bixby Voice failed to make an immediate appearance. To explain this absence, the electronics giant clarified that parts of its assistant did actually make it to the S8, such as "Vision, Home and Reminder" and that the main Bixby Voice function will arrive on US versions of the phone "later this spring."
While Memorial Day (this Monday just gone) is the traditional start of summer in the US, the official start of the season is the summer solstice, June 21. That gives Samsung three more weeks to hit the deadline. With the Wall Street Journal reporting Wednesday that Bixby "won't likely debut in the US until at least late June," Samsung is coming down to the wire.
"Bixby Voice benefits from time to further enhance natural language understanding, and we are currently growing our user testing in the US to prepare for launch," a Samsung representative told CNET. No date has been set for the feature's launch in the UK or Australia.
With Google's Assistant, Amazon's Alexa and
's Siri already locked in a heated three-way battle to dominate AI and control your connected home, any delay is costly.
Correction, 5:40 p.m.: This story has been updated to include the official start date of summer.
Samsung Galaxy S8, S8 Plus and Bixby pix: Come and get 'em