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Kenwright founded Evolution Studios and Digital Image Design and is voicing his mission statement. While this isn't directly related with the layoffs as the new studio was founded last year, it does show that UK gaming studios can still flourish under a fluctuating games market. One of them is Starship studios.
Their aims include entertainment and surprise, health. While health has been a booming market in the video games sector it does call into question whether these products are healthy for you than an actual product that benefits your health. Like exercise. Or watching the foods you eat and I'm looking at you Popeyes. All that chicken isn't good for you.
Here's what Martin Kenwright has to say about the reveal today: "The name Starship hints at the height of our ambitions," Kenwright stated to Games Industry. "Evolution and D.I.D paved the way for what we're doing now, we're aiming to disrupt the market with revolutionary products that fulfill a genuine use and need for consumers."
Thanks Destructoid for breaking the news. Stay tuned for more information on newly revealed Starship studios.Source: Destructoid


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Facebook – following in the footsteps of Amazon, Google and Apple – is rumoured to be building its own smart home device with a built in touchscreen and speaker.
Rumours first started circulating after DigiTimes reported that sources from the “upstream supply chain” had claimed that Chinese iPhone manufacturer Pegatron had started work on the device. A small pilot run of the Facebook-developed hardware has, apparently, already taken place and used an LG in-cell touchscreen with a magnesium-alloy casing.
Little else is known about Facebook’s connected home hub, but chances are it’s intended to bring your Facebook friends into the heart of your home, displaying a flipbook of photos and videos, and enabling the easy contact of friends via voice recognition. Essentially, it’s about taking Facebook out of your pocket and placing it on your kitchen counter. Facebook wants you to make sure you’re always paying attention to it, and push notifications alone don’t cut it any more.
The Amazon Echo Show
As concrete details are scant, it’s unclear whether it will come packaged with an AI voice assistant to help you create posts and events, or search through your Facebook feed. Back in September, Facebook’s head of Messenger David Marcus told TechCrunch the company wasn’t wasn’t working on voice technology – but in 2015 it bought voice-command developer Wit.ai, indicating it could well be fiddling with it in the background. If Facebook’s speaker did launch without such a feature, it would almost certainly be dead on arrival.
The challenges facing Facebook
The social media behemoth doesn’t currently have a hand in the connected home environment like its technological peers. Without developing such a device, Facebook would look like it’s not keeping up with the companies it perceives itself as going head to head with. However, up against devices such as Amazon Echo and Google Home, I can’t really see much need for Apple’s HomePod, let alone a Facebook-powered device. Not to mention that Amazon, Google and Apple all have their own music and video streaming services to drive subscriptions – Facebook does not.
Facebook also doesn’t have a strong past in the hardware game. Back in 2013, it tried to release Facebook Home on a dedicated HTC handset. By the end of its experiment, phones were practically being given away for free due to a total lack of interest. Even the Facebook Home launcher on Android failed to gain traction – those REALLY ANNOYING floating Messenger Chat Heads are its only legacy.
By including a screen in its rumoured device, Facebook could be hoping to stand apart from the crowd, but Amazon is already working on the Echo Show – an Echo speaker with a built-in touchscreen. A screen also has the downside of opening up your private Facebook feed to others. Most people would prefer to browse their Facebook feeds via their phones, rather than on a central home hub. It keeps things private and personal, sharing it with others only when you feel comfortable to do so. Imagine having everything visible on a panel displayed in the heart of your home; I can’t see younger family members or those who share a home with others (hello, almost anyone living in a city) loving such a prospect.
Google’s screenless Google Home smart speaker and home hub
Privacy is also a big issue. People may be worried about what Google knows about them, but as it offers up a plethora of services in exchange, most give them a free pass. Amazon is similar, but Jeff Bezos is only really interested in ecommerce data, and Apple has continually said it has zero interest in your digital footprint (although I don’t quite believe them).
Facebook, on the other hand, loves your data. It loves to push relevant content to you, it loves to sell you things and use your personal information to let advertisers put together personality maps about their target demographics. People already feel fearful of the amount of information Facebook knows about their personal lives, so why would they opt to bring an always-on, Facebook-connected microphone into their homes?
What’s more, if Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg did run for US presidency in 2020, would people feel comfortable owning a Facebook device like the one rumoured to be in development?
Facebook’s connected trump card
It’s not all doom and gloom for a Facebook-made smart device, since it has a potential trump card over everything else on the market – parity.
Apple’s Siri-enabled HomePod
Due to the siloing of services Thanks to the petty siloing of services, Google Home can’t make use of Amazon’s Prime Video nor Music services. Conversely, Amazon Echo has no Google Cast nor Google Music, Play, or Video. Neither platform has a decent messaging app, and it’s unlikely Amazon Echo Show will support Facebook integration for the few curious enough to try it.
But Facebook could easily bring together a decent messaging network with solid voice and video calling in your home. It also has the potential to offer both Google Cast and support for the Amazon Fire TV Stick – perhaps even Apple’s AirPlay. It sits in a middle ground where, despite perceiving itself as a rival company, Google, Amazon and Apple aren’t particularly phased by it occupying the same space.
Facebook also has another ace up its sleeve, too: the top-secret development lab where this smart speaker is rumoured to be being developed is actually up to some pretty cool things.
Known as Building 8, this development arm of Facebook has already worked on tech to let people type with their thoughts or “hear” through their skin. It’s also the team responsible for developing Facebook’s rumoured modular phone. Building 8 seems to be a place filled with interesting ideas, so it’s possible that this rumoured smart speaker is far more than it seems.
You only need to look to the advancements Facebook has made in the virtual-reality space since buying Oculus. If this Facebook home hub could become a portal to wireless VR play though the in-development, untethered “Santa Cruz” prototype Rift headset, this could be an exciting prospect after all.

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On April 26, 2017, Suniva, Inc., a U.S. solar panel manufacturer that recently filed for bankruptcy, filed a trade petition asking the Trump Administration to provide relief from the serious injury that U.S. producers are alleged to be suffering at the hands of foreign imports of solar cells and panels. Filed under a rarely invoked provision of the U.S. trade laws, the petition seeks an initial tariff of $0.40 per watt on all solar cells imported into the United States, from any country, and an initial floor price on solar modules of $0.78 per watt. Suniva is also asking for a recommendation that the President negotiate with trading partners to address the global supply chain imbalance in and overcapacity of solar cells and modules. A fact sheet on the petition is available here.
Also known as the “Global Safeguards” provision, section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974 allows a U.S. industry to petition for relief from the injurious effects of imports. A successful case must show that the product at issue is being imported into the United States in such increased quantities as to be a substantial cause of serious injury or threat of serious injury to the petitioning industry. The objective of a section 201 safeguards proceeding is not to remedy unfair trade, but to provide temporary relief to allow a U.S. industry to adjust to import competition. There is thus no requirement to show that the imports under investigation are being subsidized or sold at less than fair value, as is the case in traditional antidumping and countervailing duty investigations. Relief can include import duties and quotas and is potentially (though not necessarily) global in scope. Initial relief is limited to four years, with the possibility of extending for an additional four years.
The U.S. International Trade Commission (“ITC”) has up to 150 days to make a determination of whether the U.S. solar cell and panel industry is seriously injured or threatened with serious injury, and must then transmit its recommendation to the President within 180 days. The President has sole discretion to decide what relief, if any, will be provided to the domestic industry, and can adopt, modify, reject, or ignore the ITC’s recommendations. Once the ITC’s recommendation is transmitted, the President has 60 days to make a final decision.


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Set up in December 2016, HMD shipped more than 70 million Nokia-branded phones in its first year.
The new Samsung models go on sales from May 22 at all retail stores and Samsung eshop website.
Although McAfee already works with mobile wallet companies, it is now looking at strengthening its range of products further both from consumer and back end.
For countries like India, the mobile phone is the first and only computing device for a majority of the population. Today's smartphone is more powerful than the supercomputers of yesteryear.
Sensing newer opportunities, Huawei recently brought its "P20 Pro" premium smartphone to India for Rs 64,999.
The official said the company in April 2014 served the notice of arbitration after out-of-the-court dispute resolution talks failed.
In terms of details of users or account sought, requests from Indian government stood the highest after the US at 17262 followed by the US at 53625.
The 6GB RAM and 128GB internal storage variant is priced at Rs 13,990.
The Artificial Intelligence (AI) is also facing the challenge of appropriate use of data, group programme manager of Microsoft Learning Matt Winkler told.
The merged entity will have in its fold more than 163,000 towers across India - largest after China Tower.
According to analysts, the international roaming segment has grown at a compounded rate of 15% over the past two years.
The police, also, seized various communication equipment from the arrested duo.
Google recently opened a cloud location in Mumbai as it battles for market share with AWS and Microsoft’s Azure.
The government is planning to introduce rules to effect the change proposed in the budget in the coming weeks, said one of the persons quoted above.
In a bid to disrupt the mid-segment smartphone market, Samsung is set to launch four new smartphones with "Infinity Display" in India in May.
The Africa move shows that Sunil Mittal, Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, the holding company of Airtel, is in no mood to go down for want of money.
The smartphone audience in India saw a 16% growth, which is the highest rate of any country in the world.
Editor's Picks ›
DoT clears Idea-ATC tower deal / Reliance JioPhone becomes best-selling feature phone model in the world: Report / Google pips Amazon for the first time in the smart speaker segment: Canalys / Huawei to begin smartphone PCB assembling in two months; says heavily impacted by PCB duty, INR depreciation / Airtel Payments Bank ropes in Anubrata Biswas as its chief executive / Wearable band shipments grow 35% in Q1; Apple, Xiaomi maintain lead: Canalys report / Qualcomm eyes premium mid-range smartphones with Snapdragon 710 mobile platform / Norms on telecom data privacy, security & ownership in two weeks: TRAI / Telcos told to report tariff plans on Trai's website from June 30 / Reliance Jio adds maximum 9.42 million users in March; Idea and Airtel follow


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She’s had her bike licence for five years and she’s finally ready to take the plunge and buy her first bike.
And Jennifer Bergan was just one of hundreds of women taking control of the bikes and decisions yesterday at the 2009 Calgary Motorcycle Show.
“I’ve noticed there are so many more girls here that are interested in bikes. It used to be wives and girlfriends and now there is a lot more girls on their own, wanting bikes for themselves,” Bergan said. “It’s cool to see we are taking control.”
Until now, the commerce student couldn’t afford to buy a bike. But now she can. “Oh, I’m so ready. I love bikes, they are hot, and liberating and just so much fun,” Bergan said.
Bike lovers flocked to the weekend event including Brian Salo, owner of four Ducatis, one of which he won in a contest — a pizza-eating contest.
The bike fan said he loves the freedom of riding and bought his first bike only four years ago.
“Riding is a tension release, you don’t think about the mowing the lawn, walking the dog or paying bills, you just focus on the road,” he said. “With Ducatis, it’s like a nice family feeling.”
Salo was happy to see the turnout at the weekend event. “Despite the economy, things are busy here and I don’t think it’s been affected too much.”
- PHOTOS: What's Brewing in Steamy Hallows, the Harry Potter-Inspired Cafe19 Pictures
- All of these celebrities have had their nudes leaked 36 Pictures


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Baku. 9 May. REPORT.AZ/ On May 15, Azerbaijan-Saudi Arabia Business Forum will be held in Baku in the framework of the visit of the delegation headed by the Minister of Trade and Industry of Saudi Arabia Tavfigom Favzanom Alrabiahi to Azerbaijan.
Report informs referring to the Azerbaijani Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (Azpromo), more than 100 companies of Saudi Arabia, representing various sectors of the economy are expected to take part in the business.
The forum will take place with the support of the Ministry of Economy and Industry and the organization of the Azpromo company.


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Aella is an OnlyFans creator who is in the top 0.08% of all creators on the platform. Founded in 2016, OnlyFans is a platform that is revolutionizing sex work, allowing creators to sell subscriptions for premium content, as well as earn tips from their fans and charge for pay-per-view messages.
The website is mainly used for adult content, but also has a market with chefs, fitness creators, and musicians. In past months some well-known celebrities/influencers have joined the platform, including Cardi B and Bella Thorne. Per recent media reports, OnlyFans now has around 30 million registered users and around 450,000 content creators. Its growth is only accelerating during the pandemic; earlier this summer, the company said it was seeing a 75% month-on-month increase in signups since March.
Aella started creating content on OnlyFans earlier this year but has been involved with various forms of sex work for over 8 years. She also runs a private telegram group for OnlyFans girls, and was previously a data analyst for a crypto startup.
In this interview, we talk about:
- Aella’s backstory and what led her to becoming a creator on OnlyFans
- What creators in other fields can learn from OnlyFans
- What people misunderstand about OnlyFans creators and subscribers
- Shifts in societal attitudes towards sex work
- How the rise of OnlyFans affects the broader social platform landscape
- What new software products are needed for this segment of creators
- And more!
Brought to you by the Means of Creation newsletter: meansofcreation.substack.com


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EDITOR NOTE: Supply chain disruptions, rising commodity prices, component production shortages, and high demand have all contributed to a spike in home and car prices. Total household debt has risen by $85 billion in the first quarter of 2021, bringing total debt to a whopping $14.6 TRILLION. Credit card balances may have fallen substantially, a good sign for your characteristically debt-enslaved Americans, but we fear this is just the start. You’ve noticed from your trip to the grocery store that almost everything, from fuel to produce to meat, is more expensive now. The Fed says this will be transitory, and we’re supposed to trust the central bank because it has everything all under control. But remember that the Fed, a supposedly “private” bank, has, like every bank, its shareholders or stakeholders to appease. The American public is its “customers.” And we know how that kind of relationship goes. The dramatic increase to the money supply we saw in 2020 benefits a few at the expense of many. And how deep will those “expenses” reach into your purchasing power, and your pocketbook? The one way to counter this wealth transfer is to take the “higher ground” on money itself, converting your declining cash into non-CUSIP gold and silver.
Consumer debt edged higher during the first three months of 2021, due primarily to a jump in mortgages and auto loans, the Federal Reserve reported Wednesday.
Total household debt balances rose by $85 billion in the first quarter, a 0.6% increase that brought the total level to $14.64 trillion.
Fueled by low rates and a red-hot housing market, mortgage debt swelled in the period by $117 billion, or about 1.2%, to $10.16 trillion, according to the New York Fed’s quarterly Report on Household Debt and Credit. Auto loans increased by $8 billion, to $1.38 trillion, while student debt balances rose by $29 billion to $1.58 trillion, even though many loans are in forbearance granted during the coronavirus pandemic.
One surprise in the report came from a substantial decline in credit card balances. That level fell by $49 billion in the quarter, the second-largest drop since the New York Fed began tracking it in 1999.
Credit card balances now total $770 billion, or $157 billion lower than they were at the end of 2019, “consistent with both paydowns among borrowers and reduced consumption opportunities,” the report stated.
New York Fed researchers said the latest round of declines also was helped substantially by another round of government stimulus checks, this time for $1,400. While retail sales have jumped higher, so has the savings rate as well as the share put toward reducing debt.
The report also noted a general upswing in credit quality among borrowers.
The median credit scare for newly originated mortgages increased to 788 while the score for new auto loans rose to 720. Just 15% of the newly originated auto loans were to subprime borrowers with scores lower than 620.
Delinquency rates also continued to drop, edging lower to 3.1% of all debt, a 1.5 percentage point decline from the same period in 2020.
Originally posted on CNBC


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News: Press Release: Alec Bradley Cigar Co. to Release the Limited Edition Black Market EstelÍ Diamond.
For Immediate Release
Alec Bradley Cigar Co. to Release the Limited Edition Black Market EstelÍ Diamond
The Proprietary Diamond Shaped Cigar Slated for a June 2020 Release
Fort Lauderdale, FL (March 7, 2020) – Alec Bradley Cigar Co. today announced that they will be producing their proprietary ‘Diamond’ shape in the ‘Cigar Aficionado’ 93- Rated Black Market EstelÍ blend. The Black Market EstelÍ Diamond will be a limited edition 6 ¼” X 54 ring gauge extension to the line. Only 1500, sixteen-count boxes will be produced for global consumption in 2020.
The Black Market EstelÍ Diamond is the follow-up to the popular and critically acclaimed Nica Puro Diamond Rough-Cut which was first introduced in 2014. In 2020 the Black Market EstelÍ Diamond will be replacing the Nica Puro Diamond Rough-Cut.
“The Nica Puro Diamond Rough-Cut has been a hit with premium cigar enthusiasts every year since it was introduced,” said Alec Bradley Director of Sales and Marketing, Jonathan Lipson. “The shape pays homage to (Alec Bradley Founder) Alan Rubin’s triangular cigar – Trilogy. For 2020, we wanted change things up a bit and try diamond pressing the superb Black Market EstelÍ blend. The Black Market EstelÍ Diamond is sure to please palates globally!”
The unique diamond shape requires extra care in the blending process. To bolster the blend, Alec Bradley needed to add an extra leaf of Ligero Habano from Nicaragua. The addition of the leaf makes the blend a little bolder than its regular release cousins.
The 1500 boxes of Black Market EstelÍ Diamond are on pre-sale now to tobacconists worldwide, with plans to ship in June. The medium to full bodied Diamond features a dark natural wrapper from Nicaragua, a double binder combination of Honduran and Nicaraguan leaves and fillers from Nicaragua. Black Market EstelÍ Diamonds are being presented in 16 count diamond shaped boxes and will retail in the US, before any applicable taxes, for $9.85 per cigar. Alec Bradley Black Market Esteli Diamond cigars are being produced at Plasencia Cigars Nicaragua. For more pictures click here.
For media inquiries please contact Director of Sales and Marketing, Jonathan Lipson- email@example.com
Summary: Fort Lauderdale, FL (March 7, 2020) – Alec Bradley Cigar Co. announced today the pre-sale of the Limited Edition Black Market EstelÍ Diamond. Only 1500 sixteen-count boxes of the Black Market EstelÍ Diamond will be produced for global consumption. Black Market EstelÍ Diamonds are being presented in 16 count diamond shaped boxes and will retail in the US, before any applicable taxes, for $9.85 per cigar.
About Alec Bradley Cigars
Founded by Alan Rubin in 1996, Alec Bradley has been acknowledged as one of the world’s leading producers of fine, handmade premium cigars. Alec Bradley has received the cigar industry’s highest critical acclaim for its Prensado, Tempus, MAXX and Black Market premium cigars, to name a few. Their commitment to satisfying cigar enthusiasts worldwide is demonstrated by their passion for excellence, creativity and the highest quality standards.
For Media Inquiries- please contact Alec Bradley Director of Sales & Marketing, Jonathan Lipson –firstname.lastname@example.org
phone: 954.321.5991 – 888.426.4397 / fax: 954.321.9968 – 800.648.8876
email@example.com | www.alecbradley.com
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The global pharmaceutical industry is undergoing a consolidation phase in order to combat price pressure, competition and patent cliffs. Innovation is of vital importance for steady growth of pharmaceutical companies. Pharmaceutical companies have been mainly dependent on a few blockbuster molecules. However,with rapid decline in research and development (R&D) productivity and non-conducive regulatory environment, companies need to find different avenues of growth. The patent expiry of blockbuster drugs is expected to pave way for generics. Due to difference in genetic composition of varied individuals, innovation is becoming more complex.This is influencing players offering complementary products and services to collaborate for new product development.
There are four major factors that are impacting the value creation in pharmaceutical industry:
Demand for personalized medicines is increasing in order to ensure effective treatment of various diseases
Investments in R&D for oncology and NCDs are increasing globally in order to provide cost-effective solutions available to ailing patients.
The industry is facing certain challenges such as patent cliff, cost pressure and regulatory uncertainties across the globe. This is hindering market growth to a certain extent. Moreover, regulatory authorities are becoming more stringent with the drug approval process. However, with respect to drugs for rare diseases, the FDA has offered a fast-track approval process. Moreover, demand for cost-effective treatment for chronic and non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disorder, obesity, and cancer is increasing. However, there is a dearth of strong products in the pipeline that offer better treatment option with fewer side effects. The fear of side effects and long-term treatment costs is encouraging patients to shift to alternative therapies.
Market players need to combat these challenges and keep their pace with the industry to sustain their market share. Mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures of products, companies or business division is a rapidly emerging trend in the market to combat prevalent challenges in the market.Companies are more focused in terms of therapy areas and hence, are divesting less focused therapy businesses. A good example is the swap deal between GSK and Novartis in 2015.
Moreover, pharmaceutical companies are investing in consumer health products,with increasing consumer’s health awareness and emerging trend of self-medication. These trends are encouraging pharmaceutical companies to enter the OTC market and leverage their brand equity among the doctors, chemists and consumers. Companies such as GlaxoSmithKline, Cipla, Pfizer, Merck, Sun Pharma, and Abbott have a focused division or subsidiary for consumer healthcare products and markets.
Moreover, to combat increasing cost pressure, companies are evolving their distribution channel. Establishing facilities or presence through collaboration in regional markets has helped companies meet local demand with reduced costs and delivery time. Emergence of e-pharmacy has resulted in creation of a separate team in the organization to service consumers ordering medicines online. Moreover, companies are connecting with consumers through social media, which helps improve brand visibility. The distribution channel has thus evolved significantly from the decade old channel consisting of only wholesalers and physical retail shops.
Patients are increasingly becoming well informed and organized, sometimes demanding for a particular product from prescribers. Therefore, companies need to be more patient-centric in their approach and provide quality care to consumers. Pharmaceutical companies are focusing on established direct to consumer distribution channels and establishing a more strong relationship with them. Moreover, companies are creating a good purchase experience for consumers through different offerings such as post-purchase medical services, engaging the patient through social media and events, and providing regular product alerts and refilling services.
Growth in Emerging Economies
The pharmaceutical industry is rapidly expanding in emerging economies such as Asia Pacific, Africa, and Latin America. These regions possess immense potential for growth of pharmaceutical companies, owing to inadequate access to medicines, growing population and increasing incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Besides, demand for contract research and manufacturing is also high in these regions. China and India are the largest emerging markets for CRO and CMO. Companies are highly dependent on China for API supply owing to low purchase cost. Overdependence on a single country can pose a challenge for the pharmaceuticals sector in the near future. Therefore, other emerging countries such as India, Brazil and South Africa are encouraging investments in their country. Besides, global companies are establishing their facilities in Asia Pacific, Middle East and Latin America regions to enable close monitoring and servicing of lucrative regional markets.
Pharmaceutical companies need to focus on an integrated, patient-centric, value-driven approach along with technology integration and strategic partnerships in order to capitalize on lucrative growth opportunities in the market. Major global players in the market include Pfizer Inc., Merck & Co., Inc., Bayer AG, GlaxoSmithKline plc., Sanofi, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, AstraZeneca plc. and Novartis AG.
There is a paradigm shift in process in the global pharmaceutical industry from product to a ‘Prodice’ (Product and Service) model, to offer affordable, accessible and quality care to patients.


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This Is What It Will Take To Save London’s Night Time Economy
London’s night-time economy is in a dire state: Perhaps no other sector has been harder hit by the pandemic. But all is not lost.
London’s pubs, bars, restaurants, nightclubs, concert venues and theatres are vital to the UK capital and its property owners. Not only do they provide £66B to the city’s economy, according to the Greater London Authority, but they provide that buzz of excitement that has proved a magnet drawing people in for centuries. The pull they provide for property owners is invaluable.
In spite of the dramatic decreases in revenue that these businesses have seen in the past six months as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, all is not lost, according to panellists on Bisnow’s webinar Saving The Heart and Soul of the Vibrant Nightlife Economy. But it will take a co-ordinated effort between central government, local authorities, operators and, to a massive degree, property owners to make sure everyone gets out of this on the other side.
For property owners, rental concessions are key, but it is not the only thing that can be done to make sure landlords and tenants are working together for the benefit of everyone.
“We need a clear government roadmap to show us the way through the crisis for the night-time sector, but we don’t have it,” Greater London Authority Night Czar Amy Lamé told the webinar audience.
She pointed out that nightclubs are one of only two classes of business that are still forbidden from opening under government rules, alongside sexual entertainment venues, and yet there have been no specific support packages put in place for club operators and venues. The GLA has put in place a £2.3M fund for businesses in the sector, but that doesn’t do much for businesses that have had no revenue for more than six months.
“We’ve been pushing to be allowed to run test events, but we can’t, because venues can’t open,” she said.
Trading for restaurant businesses has been up and down since lockdown ended, according to James Hart, co-founder of the Harts Group, which owns 11 London restaurants including the award-winning Barrafina tapas brand.
“We made money in July, which was a nice surprise since we were expecting to take a loss, and then in August we had our record [best] ever month,” he said. “But that was to a large degree a result of the government’s ‘eat out to help out’ scheme, and we will have to see how things go now that has finished.”
He pointed out that even though restaurants have been trading well, many in London also run catering businesses, which have been completely moribund because of the lack of events to cater for.
Hart said the temporary changes to licensing laws that have allowed restaurants to trade on pavements to increase capacity have been vital in helping restaurants trade profitably — reduced capacities mean that operating only indoors would mean trading at a loss.
But there were worries from him and other panellists that once the temporary legislation expires, local authorities would push back against the changes.
“It’s created an incredible atmosphere,” he said. “I accept that some residents think it’s a negative but if you look at the data, the number of instances of disturbances has been low, and the business case means it must at least be worth exploring making wider changes.”
A number of London boroughs are undertaking a review of their licensing policies, and Lamé warned that some might use the current low footfall at leisure businesses to bring in changes limiting the number of licenses they grant in future, in order to appeal to residents that complain about noise.
“We need to make sure this is about data, not politics,” she said.
Property owners can play a key role in activating streets to draw people back to city centres and get them using night-time leisure businesses.
“A huge part of what Covent Garden, and London in general, does well is culture, the arts, music and festival,” Capco Executive Director Michelle McGrath said. Capco owns the majority of the famous Covent Garden area of London’s West End.
“We have to do everything we can to get the best of our city up and running. We’ve done everything we can to activate the piazza, so we’ve put a free cinema there for people to come and use. I’d encourage landlords to collaborate with what’s on your doorstep. It can be hard to do culture indoors, but we can bring it on to the streets.”
Capco’s near neighbour Grosvenor has also been working with its tenants to bring its Mayfair and Belgravia districts back to life. It has provided financial support to help the local authority and tenants safely institute outdoor dining and drinking and provided capital so its food and drink businesses could keep offering the “eat out to help out” discount beyond August.
It has also provided information to the 65,000 residents in properties it manages in Belgravia about what is going on in their area, encouraging them to get out and use local businesses, and created a partnership with tech firm NearSt, which allows retailers to showcase their inventory to nearby shoppers undertaking digital searches.
Of course, a major part of the support landlords can provide is financial, in the form of rent concessions for struggling tenants, something that both Grosvenor and Capco have provided. Grosvenor waived Q2 rents for all retail and leisure businesses that had been forced to close.
“It’s totally in our interest because in the long term it helps our districts to succeed,” Grosvenor Director of Belgravia Paul O’Grady said.
From here on, the company is undertaking individual negotiations with individual tenants, and deciding on a case-by-case basis what kind of rent support to provide for tenants. And O’Grady made a subtle point that is often overlooked in the debate about negotiations between landlords and tenants over rental payments in the current crisis.
“If those tenants that are better placed financially do pay their rent, then that enables landlords to support those tenants that are struggling.”
“For the majority of hospitality brands, they are experiencing severe cash flow issues, so we are looking at what we can do beyond just a month or two rent holiday.”
Hart said that in the main his company’s landlords had been supportive, but that was not always the case. He added that longer term he expected there to be a move toward turnover rents to allow greater alignment of interest between landlords and tenants.
On the whole, landlords had been supportive of tenants, but around 20% to 30% had been trying to put pressure on tenants to pay even if they couldn’t afford it, RSM partner Damian Webb said. “That is unhelpful because it means the good landlords end up subsidising the bad ones.”
He agreed that the leisure sector in particular would see a widespread shift to turnover leases.
“If you had said to landlords in January that they would have to accept rents amounting to 3-5% of turnover with a series of ratchets, they would have told you where to go,” he said. “But anything that happened before COVID is irrelevant now.”
He added that on the whole banks were not putting undue pressure on borrowers that might not be able to meet interest payments because they’ve given tenants rent cuts.
On top of all this, there is also something more intangible that will ultimately be as important as any of the above factors: creativity and innovation. The people involved in the sectors that fuel the night-time economy are inherently creative, whether their passion is food, drink, music or theatre. And at times of stress, this comes to the fore.
“In challenging times like this, creativity tends to thrive,” McGrath said. “We’ve been so impressed and astonished at just how creative operators, retailers, musicians have been in adapting their offering, connecting to their consumers, and maybe even strengthening their underlying product. They are the ones who will come out of this stronger than ever.”


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Company is bullish after a strong quarter and becoming the top global maker of laptop.
Acer brings 'experience' stores to region
Acer, the second-largest computer maker in the world, is launching an unusual retail presence to take advantage of a 7 per cent increase in sales last year in the UAE that bucked a downturn in the regional market. The "experience" stores will not sell goods but display the company's products in a showroom-type setting that has proved popular in Europe and India.
"It's like going online to our website," said Krishna Murthy, the regional marketing director for Acer in the Middle East and Africa. "Customers can get a feeling of what they are going to get, see what the price is and then go to another shop and negotiate with them there." The Taiwanese company is primarily known as a maker of desktop and laptop computers but has expanded its portfolio to offer servers, storage devices, mobile handsets and, recently, tablet computers.
The company recently posted its strongest profit growth in nine quarters after overtaking Hewlett-Packard globally and beating its own forecast to take top spot in the laptop market. Acer's presence in the Middle East has grown over the past several years, Mr Murthy said. The company invested in an assembly plant in Jebel Ali in 1997 and has consistently seen its revenue grow annually since then, he said. Last year, a rise in spending on laptop computers improved Acer's revenue by 7 per cent in a market in which sales of consumer electronic devices was down by 20 per cent.
"The Middle East is a very potent market," Mr Murthy said. "The purchasing power in this region is much higher than other regions ? These are oil and gas-based economies. The governments that get revenues from that sector are reinvesting into infrastructure." Acer plans to open at least one "experience" retail store in the UAE by the end of the year, Mr Murthy said. The company's expansion efforts come at an opportune time.
The UAE is forecast to spend almost US$5 billion (Dh18.36bn) on technology this year, according to the market research company IDC. Companies in the Middle East and Africa are expected to spend $49.77bn this year, with the Gulf region expected to account for about 25 per cent of the total. To meet growing demand in the region, Acer plans to introduce four brands - Acer, Packard-Bell, eMachines and Gateway - to suit various consumer and business needs.
"There's a lot of economic activities happening here and there's a large technology requirement to meet that," Mr Murthy said. "This region is going to grow, which is why we keep investing in our own infrastructure." @Email:email@example.com


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Oppo’s first 5G smartphone has received the 5G CE certificate, marking the company’s official foray in the new connectivity. The company announced that its first 5G smartphone has successfully passed the 5G CE tests conducted by the Sporton International Inc, the global inspection services authority which checks and certifies networks and devices. After passing the test, the Oppo 5G device was awarded the 5G CE certificate by CTC advanced GmbH.
MWC 2019 which was held last month in Barcelona, Spain saw the launch of a number of new devices and technologies. 5G and foldable smartphones were a rage at the tech show and Oppo was also among the companies that showcased its first 5G device at the MWC 2019. But Oppo’s 5G smartphone is different than other 5G devices, as it holds first multi-frequency, multi-mode, and multi-EN-DC combination.
It became the company’s first 5G smartphone to be approved by the CTC. Oppo’s 5G device holds the advantage of the n78 band which includes more band combinations and wider bandwidth. It also can be applied across a broader range of countries and areas/regions.
Speaking on the development, Alen Wu, OPPO Global Vice President, Head of business overseas markets said, “This is another significant milestone in 5G development for OPPO. Through ongoing technological innovation, we have been preparing extensively for the realization of 5G smartphone commercialization. OPPO looks forward to continued cooperation with strong partners like Sporton that will enable consumers to get closer to 5G.”
With this, Oppo’s 5G smartphone became the first commercial 5G smartphone in Europe as Oppo’s CE certification verifies that the company’s 5G smartphone meets the requirements set by the EU to enter the European smartphone market. The EU looks for areas such as wireless, electromagnetic compatibility, health and safety before giving any device or network a green signal.
— OPPO (@oppo) March 21, 2019
Ivan Xie, Chief of Operation and Engineering of Sporton International, Inc said, “We were pleased to see OPPO’s 5G smartphone perform exceptionally during the stringent tests. The results are a testament to OPPO’s technological capability and great news for users and industry alike. Drawing on our rich experience in wireless communication, Sporton will continue to collaborate with OPPO to usher in the future of 5G connectivity.”
Recently, the Chinese smartphone maker had launched its ‘5G Landing Project’ for which it partnered with several telecom operator partners to accelerate the commercialization of 5G products and services at a worldwide scale. And now that the company had received its 5G CE certification it plans to bring a 5G ready smartphone in the markets soon as OPPO has plans to bring its first 5G ready smartphone to market before June 2019.
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Novell announced on Wednesday that 16 per cent of its 5,500 employees are being laid off in a cost-cutting move as executives at the struggling company continue to look for a solution to its worsening financial situation.
The Utah-based networking software vendor said it plans to eliminate a total of about 900 employees from its global workforce. The job cuts are aimed at realigning "expenses with revenues so we can show profitability," said Steve Adams, senior worldwide marketing vice president at Novell. "We believe this will enable us to do that."
Sources had indicated last Friday that Novell planned to dismiss up to one-quarter of its employees this week. The layoffs come three weeks after the company reported fiscal third-quarter financial results that were significantly below the year-earlier levels. At that time, Eric Schmidt, Novell's chairman and CEO, said the company would "take additional action to ensure our expenses are in line with revenue" during the current quarter.
Cliff Smith, managing director, Novell Australasia said there will be a 2 per cent reduction in local staff numbers.
"Novell Inc has today announced a reduction in staff numbers and other cost savings as management continues to refocus the business on the Net services market," the Australian statement said.
"In Australia and New Zealand, we intend to maintain the growth and progress experienced in the first nine months of this fiscal year.
A few changes have been made to ensure that resources are deployed in the field to accelerate the transition to a Net services business model that is already evident in our markets."
Novell also said it will write off some unidentified assets and take a pretax charge of between US$40 million to $50 million this quarter to pay for the restructuring actions. The company added that it expects to save $25 million per quarter through the layoffs and other adjustments, beginning in the first fiscal quarter of 2001.
The total quarterly savings from the restructuring should amount to $45 million, but about $20 million of that will be offset by increased spending on the company's new Internet services strategy. The layoffs follow an earlier reorganisation announced during the summer, in which Novell set four new business units to manage different Internet services initiatives.
In a statement issued Wednesday, Schmidt noted that the layoffs "are intended to improve [Novell's] business in 2001" by lowering the company's costs. "We're reducing expenses overall, and we are freeing up dollars to spend on key sales, marketing and development initiatives that are part of our strategic focus," he said.
But Dan Kusnetzky, an analyst at International Data Corporation, said the timing of Novell's layoff announcement "couldn't be worse." Rival Microsoft is in the process of celebrating its 25th anniversary, "and Novell has given them a gift," Kusnetzky said.
The bigger problem, Kusnetzky added, is that he's not sure the layoffs will be enough to make Novell's financial problems go away. He noted that the company's market share has been declining since 1997, when Novell had 29 per cent of the market for server operating systems. Last year, according to IDC's research, that figure was down to 19 per cent.
"They've got some products that are technically very good but have been marketed badly," Kusnetzky said.


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Its airlines will soon be the strongest in Europe. Its car industry will lead the switch to electric vehicles. And new technologies such as batteries and green energy will receive massive investment.
Over the last couple of weeks, it has become increasingly clear the ‘level playing field’ between the EU and Britain that Michel Barnier has been insisting is so important has suddenly been scrapped. Germany and France are using the coronavirus crisis to re-boot their economies – and to launch an aggressive, predatory, industrial strategy.
As one of their major economic competitors, the UK has no choice but to respond to that. But how? We should forget about trying to reach a trade deal with the EU if it is simply going to be used as a device for locking our companies up inside a regulatory straitjacket while promoting its own.
We should work out which of our own industries might need help as we re-boot our own economy. And we should look to selective retaliation against competition that is blatantly unfair. Germany and France can come up with any industrial strategy they want to. That is their choice. But it shouldn’t be at our expense.
Every country in the world is launching emergency programmes to rescue their economies from collapse in the wake of Covid-19. Facing the worst slump for a century or more, that is only sensible. But Germany and France are doing something else as well. They are using the crisis to launch a new industrial strategy based on selected national champions, and targeting chosen industries.
Just take a look at the evidence. The German government has stepped in to bail-out Lufthansa with a massive €9bn (£8bn), as well as taking a 20pc stake in the airline, and protecting it from foreign takeovers. Even the airline itself admitted it was far more money than it needed to survive, with its chief executive Carsten Spohr arguing the rescue meant the “government was focused on how Lufthansa can maintain its position as a German national champion”.
Effectively under state control once again, and with a massively strengthened balance sheet, Lufthansa will be able to pick up distressed assets at fire sale prices, and may well lock up the European airline market. Likewise, the latest stimulus package announced by Germany this week included a huge package of support for its auto giants – by far the most important part of the German economy, let’s remember – to switch to electric vehicles. Anyone buying a battery-powered car will get a €6,000 subsidy, and there will be another €2bn to help the manufacturers with R&D. With that kind of help, BMW and Mercedes will be catching up with Tesla very soon.
It is a similar story across the border. Air France-KLM is getting €8bn in state help (and president Emmanuel Macron will no doubt soon find the odd couple of billion to match Lufthansa’s funding). Its auto makers are getting billions to move into electric vehicles (an industry that may soon be a Franco-German stitch-up, at least in Europe) and there will be massive investment, along with Germany, in batteries and green energy.
At the same time, the EU’s new €750bn bail-out fund might be sold as a way of helping the poorer countries recover from Covid-19. The small print is slightly different. A huge chunk of the money will go straight into industrial projects, mostly hand-picked in Berlin and Paris.
You can argue about whether that is a good or bad idea. Industrial strategies have a nasty habit of coming unstuck, with lots of money thrown at “grand projects” that have no real prospect of success. The result may be Concorde rather than Airbus. We will see in time. The question for the UK, however, is surely this. How should we make sure we protect our own economy from a competitive onslaught from the other side of the English Channel? There are three places we should start.
First, forget about trying to reach a free trade deal with the EU. It wasn’t exactly going that well anyway. Right now, the rest of Europe is clearly not interested in “free trade”, and it certainly wants to keep the playing field with its neighbours as unlevel as it possibly can.
There is no point in accepting EU supervision of our state aid and competition rules while it is ripping up the rule book for its own members.
Next, we should work out ways of helping our own companies compete. We don’t have the same tradition of national champions that the French and the Germans do. And we have different strengths. But as the Chancellor bails out sector after sector, he should certainly look at helping our airlines, aerospace and defence manufacturers, chemicals and drugs companies, our banks and asset managers, our media sector, as well as our booming technology start-ups.
Finally, we should look at selective retaliation. Why should a heavily state-subsidised Lufthansa be allowed free access to Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, if it is simply going to undercut airlines that haven’t received billions in state aid? Under World Trade Organisation rules, we can impose tariffs on those state-backed German and French electric cars, and there may be anti-dumping rules that can be invoked as well.
That would help Jaguar Land Rover and Sunderland-based Nissan remain competitive in that growing industry and it would make it harder for Germany and France to dominate the industry. Where possible, we should limit access to the UK market for companies that are backed by foreign governments. In reality, the coronavirus crisis is being used by some countries to advance their own national champions or else to create new ones. The EU, for all its talk of open competition, is letting that happen. Of course countries can do that if they want to. It is their economy, and their money. But if they are our closest competitor, the UK needs to fight back – because there is no point in standing aside and allowing our market to be exploited.


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Are some businesses making claims to be ‘green’ and ‘environmentally-friendly’ online but are actually misleading consumers?
The latest screening of randomly-selected global websites, also known as a sweep, has found around 40% of the green claims made by businesses online could be misleading consumers.
The International Consumer Protection Enforcement Network (ICPEN) hosts an annual sweep of websites, the latest of which was led by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), focusing on misleading environmental claims or ‘greenwashing’ for the first time.
Greenwashing is the practice by which companies claim they are doing more for the environment than they actually are.
The latest sweep analysed almost 500 websites promoting products and services across a range of sectors, including clothing, cosmetics and household equipment.
It found four in 10 of these websites appeared to be making claims that were “exaggerated, false or deceptive” and could potentially qualify as unfair commercial practices, breaking consumer law.
In more than half of the cases, the company did not provide sufficient information for consumers to judge the claim’s accuracy while in many cases, the claim included vague and general statements such as ‘conscious’, ‘eco-friendly’ or ‘sustainable’, without adequate explanation or evidence of the claims.
In addition, own brand eco logos and labels were not associated with an accredited organisation and some websites were “hiding or omitting” certain information, such as a product’s pollution levels, to appear more eco-friendly.
The results of the international sweep will be used to inform the CMA’s ongoing investigation, alongside results from a CMA survey of businesses and consumers, who were invited to have their say on ‘green’ products and marketing last November.
CMA Chief Executive Andrea Coscelli said: “Too many websites appear to be pushing misleading claims onto consumers, which means that companies offering products with a genuine environmental benefit are not getting the customers they deserve. People should be able to easily choose between those companies who are doing the right thing for the environment and those who are not.
“This is a global issue so it’s only right that we look at it in a global context. Our joint work with other regulators will help us identify the big issues facing consumers and protect people from paying a premium for fake ‘eco-friendly’ products.”
The CMA will publish guidance for UK businesses later this year to help them support the transition to a low carbon economy whilst ensuring consumers get the information they need.


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Sunday newspaper share tips: TyraTech | Vodafone | Premier Oil
We round-up the Sunday newspaper share tips. This week TyraTech, which has a revolutionary new treatment for head lice, Vodafone and Premier Oil.
Lice: US supermarket chain Walmart would start stocking Vamousse head lice treatment and preventative shampoo from the start of April.
Mail on Sunday
TyraTech should capture a significant percentage of the £430million a year global head lice treatment market, according to the Midas column.
The company has a revolutionary new treatment that kills all lice and their eggs. The pesticide-free Vamousse products use oils from plants and vegetables.
Shares in the AIM-listed US firm trade at just 6.5p but should rise significantly as Vamousse is rolled out and other ground-breaking products come to market.
TyraTech chairman Alan Reade revealed last month that giant US supermarket chain Walmart would start stocking Vamousse head lice treatment and preventative shampoo from the start of April.
The products are already on sale at about 2,500 independent pharmacies in the US but talks are being held with groups that represent thousands more. In the UK, Mr Reade and chief executive Bruno Jactel are negotiating with several top retailers and deals should be announced within weeks.
The firm has also developed natural insect repellents for humans and animals, a market worth almost £1.5billion a year globally. As a small business, TyraTech is a riskier investment than some but expected to move into profit next year and grow quickly thereafter.
There are high hopes it could become a major player or be acquired by one. Adventurous investors should reap the benefits. Buy.
Vodafone shareholders are about to receive £51billion from its sale of the Verizon wireless stake, working out around 104p a share.
But the challenge of life after the deal was made clear in last week's third quarter trading statement showing revenues down, with Europe continuing to be challenging.
Vodafone is planning to invest £7billion in its technology through 'Project Spring' to improve mobile reception and win customers. Once the Verizon sale is completed, the group will emerge as a European and emerging markets-focused telecommunications company, making it attractive to North American suitors who want to diversify away from US operations.
Analysts from Credit Suisse think any buyer would have to pay around £80billion for Vodafone or up to 280p per share. The shares remain a solid hold because the company will be cash rich after the Verizon deal, giving it plenty of options to grow through acquisition and invest in technology.
Before the deal, they are rated at 16 times earnings per share and afterwards will rise to 25 times. It is a high rating for a low growth company but that could all change very quickly. Wait and see.
Inside the City takes a look at the fading Falkland Islands oil dream.
Last week Premier Oil chief executive Simon Lockett announced his resignation without a successor and while the chairman Mike Welton was out of the country.
It came two days before Premier’s annual capital markets day, where the company gathers investors to inform them how it plans to spend their money.
Premier has pledged its commitment to the Falklands but Inside the City wonders how much value there is in a promise to stick with the Falklands from a boss who won’t be there to see it through.
'If I were an investor, I’d get out' it says.
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High wholesale electricity prices are dampening competition in Connecticut's retail energy market. But a billing restriction is proving more of an obstacle for online energy suppliers licensed to do business here.
Essential.com and SmartEnergy.com said they are unable to bill customers directly for any electricity service they provide in Connecticut -- and that alone could keep them out of Connecticut's emerging competitive market indefinitely.
The reluctance of the online companies to solicit business here means that residential and small-business consumers still have few competitive choices, even though more than a dozen companies have been licensed by state regulators as competitive energy suppliers and marketers.
"We would be in Connecticut right now if this restriction was not in place," said Bob Potter, Essential.com's vice president for business development for energy. The company now competes in electricity markets in New York and Pennsylvania.
"Most companies see billing as their best opportunity to reach their customers. It is a very low-cost customer acquisition tool, and one we can't take advantage of in Connecticut," Potter said.
Essential.com, based in Burlington, Mass., offers competitive long-distance telephone, heating oil, propane, satellite television and other services in the state. But the company is staying out of Connecticut's retail electricity market until it has the option to bill customers, Potter said.
The state law that opened Connecticut's retail electricity market statewide July 1 made billing services the responsibility of the incumbent utility companies -- Connecticut Light & Power Co. and United Illuminating Co.
The arrangement does not require the suppliers to pay to bill their customers. Customers pay for billing expenses through their regulated service charge.
Still, the restriction hurts online businesses, the companies said, because they lose an important point of contact with customers and the opportunity to sell them more energy, telecommunication and other services.
The restriction also hurts customers who want to be billed online or to pay one bill for all of the services they buy from one company, the companies said.
"Connecticut is unique in the United States because we can't send a bill to our customers. That one restriction has caused Connecticut to be unattractive to SmartEnergy.com," said Patrick Jeffrey, assistant vice president of public affairs.
SmartEnergy, a privately held corporation based in Woburn, Mass., has not decided when -- or even whether -- it will compete in the state as long as billing options are closed to competitors.
"We might be in Connecticut at the end of the year or early next year. We might not. A final decision has not been made. But we will not be there in the fall," Jeffrey said.
New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and California -- among other states that have opened their retail markets -- give customers the choice of how they want to be billed, or give billing rights to suppliers and delivery companies.
Energy prices, rather than the billing restriction, are keeping Select Energy Inc. and many other competitive suppliers on the sidelines of Connecticut's market.
But the restriction will affect the range of services it can offer customers when it does enter the market, said John Baksa, Select's general manager of customer information services.
The company was able to put together important deals in other states, in part because of "creative and innovative pricing," Baksa said.
"Connecticut Light & Power Co. could not handle that kind of billing. And if you can't bill it, you can't offer it. [The restriction] limits our flexibility in the marketplace," Baksa said.
Ironically, Select Energy is an unregulated subsidiary of Northeast Utilities, which is also the parent company of CL&P.;
Baksa sees some sense in Connecticut's arrangement, particularly in light of billing snafus that have occurred in other markets.
"In some states, some of the suppliers had real problems billing customers. That shakes the confidence of consumers in the ability of the company to deliver the product," he said.
State regulators said it would take a decision by Connecticut's legislature to change the billing restriction.
SmartEnergy is the latest company approved as a licensed supplier in Connecticut.
It is a licensed supplier in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Massachusetts, and is competing for residential electricity customers in Consolidated Edison's New York City service area, and in Westchester, N.Y.
Regulators Wednesday authorized the company to sell to residential, commercial and industrial customers, but the company said it would focus on residential customers.
Connecticut has licensed seven suppliers and eight marketers to do business here, but only a few companies are actively soliciting residential and small commercial customers.


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Ford Motor Co. reaffirmed its full-year financial guidance Monday even as it said it expects to have a "higher-than-planned" number of vehicles assembled but awaiting parts at the end of the third quarter due to supply shortages.
The Dearborn automaker said in a news release that it expects to have 40,000 to 45,000 vehicles sitting and awaiting parts when the July-September quarter ends. It expects to deliver those vehicles to dealers in the fourth quarter. The vehicles awaiting parts "disproportionately include high-demand, high-margin models of popular trucks and SUVs," according to Ford.
The update comes ahead of the company's third-quarter earnings report on Oct. 26.
During the company's second-quarter earnings report, executives reported that significant progress had been made on completing and shipping vehicles that had been awaiting parts. The company ended the quarter with inventory of about 18,000 vehicles waiting for parts, down from 53,000 at the start of the April-June period.
Executives had previously said they expected vehicle wholesales to improve 10% to 15% this year over 2021. The company did not provide an update on that forecast Monday.
The global automotive industry has been struggling with supply-chain issues, particularly a shortage of semiconductor chips, for well over a year. The parts shortages have curtailed automotive production and resulted in a new-vehicle inventory crunch.
Still, despite the supply-chain snarls and "higher payments made to suppliers to account for the effects of inflation" to the tune of an additional $1 billion this quarter, Ford on Monday reaffirmed its full-year guidance of adjusted earnings before interest and taxes of between $11.5 billion and $12.5 billion.
It also gave guidance for third-quarter financial results, saying it expects adjusted EBIT to land in the range of $1.4 billion to $1.7 billion. In the second quarter, Ford reported net income of $667 million and adjusted EBIT of $3.7 billion. Through the first half of the year, the company has reported a net loss of $2.4 billion and adjusted EBIT of $6 billion.
Ford's stock closed at $14.93 per share Monday. It was down roughly 5% in after-hours trading about 5:30 p.m.©2022 www.detroitnews.com. Visit at detroitnews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


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Following the purchase of the property last year, UK pub chain JD Wetherspoon has penciled in a July opening for its first north Dublin-based establishment.
The Old Boro pub, located at the junction of Main Street Swords and Malahide Road in Dublin, was bought by JD Wetherspoon as part of its wider expansion plan to open several new pubs around the capital.
It's reported that it has plans to open its doors in Swords in late July, following the previous openings of the Three Tun Tavern in Blackrock and Forty Foot premises in Dun Laoghaire.
Those purchases were made for a reported €1.5 million each.
The new Swords pub is likely to be similar in style to the one in Blackrock.
In January, Wetherspoon stated it had no plans to alter their expansion plans in Ireland, despite disappointing sales over the Christmas period.


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Commissioner Karachi Mohammed Iqbal Memon on Saturday notified ex-mill and retail rates of wheat flour in the city.
The wheat rate for millers is set at Rs 95 per kg, the ex-mills pricing is established at Rs 98 per kg, and the independent chakki owners can sell flour for a maximum of Rs 105 per KG, according to a notification released from the commissioner’s office.
The commissioner gave the Deputy Commissioners (DC) and Assistant Commissioners (AC) instructions to monitor the cost of flour in their respective areas.
Additionally, he ordered legal action to be taken against flour mills, chakki mills, and merchants that sell wheat flour for more than the set prices set by the government.
It is important to note that the flour millers are selling their product for between Rs. 110 and Rs. 130 per kg.
After the provincial government granted subsidized wheat quota to mills earlier this month, Sindh millers decreased the price of flour by Rs55 per kg.
Details show that once the province government granted a discounted wheat quota to mills, the price of flour was reduced to Rs95, a reduction of Rs55 per kilogramme.
Additional government wheat quota have been announced by the Sindh Food Department. The letter claimed that “an additional amount of 165,000 metric tonnes of wheat has been released to flour mills.”
Additionally, it said that Miller received the increased allotment for the final 18 days of January. The price per kilogram of wheat would be Rs85.
“The mills should be bound and committed to sell the wheat flour at the rate of Rs95 per kg in the open market,” the notification stated. All Sindh mills will submit a written report on flour sales to Food Department on a daily basis.


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Egypt: The Ministry of Tourism and Archaeology, in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment Egypt, has organized the first edition of the International Bird Watching and Photography Festival in Port Said Governorate in Beautiful Ashtoum Reserve and Manzla Lake.
As per the recent updates, the first edition of the Bird and Photography festival was supervised under the auspicious patronage of the Ministry of Tourism and Archaeology.
The Minister of Tourism stated that, during the festival, various monuments were represented by the Egyptian General Authority for Tourism Activation and the Ministry of Environment, which represented the Device of Environment.
According to the sources, the festival’s first edition was held in December this year. The concerned ministries of Egypt made it clear that the successful organization of the event was only possible through the cooperation of the following management,
– Ashton Reserve
– Egyptian Society for Nature Protection
– Egyptian Society for Wildlife Photographers
Furthermore, the Head of the Central Administration of Tourism Offices of the Egyptian General Authority for Tourism Activation, Mohamed Salama, took time to participate in a press conference held today where he stated,
“the attendees and visitors were welcomed to the festival to explore the beauty of the place enhanced by the sheer efforts of the management and photographers.”
On his part, Mohamed Salama further added that all the boards and parties involved in the smooth conduct of a massive event were focused on Atta Activation of the aim of participation in the event throughout the course.
In addition, the Bird Watching and Photography festival organized in the Reserve of Port Said governorate was designed to attract and promote tourism in the region. Said, officials.
The plan of the organized event was also focused on updating and activating the new age promotional blueprints for the tourism industry in Egypt, along with new facilities and styles in the Port Said region.
The Ministry of Tourism and Archaeology also conveyed the list of their main centre of attention regarding the tourism industry in the country, which is read below,
– Reserve tourism
– bird-watching tourism
the officials from the ministry also stressed that such sectors in tourism of Egypt have the attention of a large sector of tourists.
It adds diversity to the Egyptian tourist product in Port Said Governorate and puts it on the international tourism map.
“Port Said International Bird Watching and Photography Festival is the first of its kind in Port Said Governorate and serves as an open invitation to nature, wildlife, migratory bird watching, and photographer,” said Ms Maha Jalal Eid, Director-General of its kind. Amateurs and professionals enjoy the sanctuary and what it has of birds.
Moreover, the event held in Port Said Governorate was also recognized as the first step towards developing bird-watching tourism and promoting a new sector in the tourism industry for visitors from around the world.
The event was also called the beginning of many events under Port Said’s tourism promotion plans carried out by the Egyptian General Authority for Tourism Activation.
Overall, the Director of the Port Said Authority’s Office, professor Najla Abdelkarim indicated that the press conference was prepared with advertisements and flyers about the tourist and archaeological sites of the Egyptian tourist destination.
In the end, as well as the new Port Said Guide prepared by the Authority, which includes the stand Tourism and archaeological site in Port Said Governorate, where was distributed to the gentlemen and guests, as Souvenirs were provided to the guests
During the press conference, Professor Muhammad Salama also honoured the Major General Governor of Port Said with the body’s Armour, and the Deputy Governor received it on his behalf.
Representatives of the body also presented certificates of appreciation to the participants, knowing their role in making this festival a success.


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Rafaella Apparel Group Inc. narrowed its third-quarter loss despite a reduction in sales.
This story first appeared in the May 26, 2010 issue of WWD. Subscribe Today.
The women’s sportswear firm said the loss attributable to stockholders for the three months ended March 31 was $25,000 compared with a $1.3 million loss a year ago. Excluding the $1 million in dividends accrued on redeemable convertible preferred stock, the company’s net income was $975,000 against a loss of $276,000 last year.
Sales in the third quarter fell 3.3 percent to $33.4 million from $34.6 million. Despite the slip, cost of sales declined 9.2 percent to $22.5 million, and gross profits rose 11.5 percent to $10.9 million, in the quarter. Gross margin hit 32.7 percent of sales versus 28.4 percent in the year-ago period.
The company said in a regulatory filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that an arbitrator on April 10 issued an award directing the firm to pay $400,000 to Kobra International Ltd., which does business as Nicole Miller. The parties were disputing Rafaella’s decision to suspend performance under a licensing agreement. Kobra initially sought $1.5 million in damages.
Additionally, Rafaella said it exited one of its warehouses, in Bayonne, N.J., during the first quarter of this year.
For the nine months, the loss was $553,000, versus the $18.6 million loss last year. Sales fell 29.1 percent to $88.1 million from $124.1 million.


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Samsung Pays Homage to Its Past with the Limited Edition Galaxy Z Flip5 Retro
30 October 2023
Samsung is known for its history in the flip phone market, and it is now celebrating one of its most influential models from two decades ago, the Samsung E700, with a limited edition Galaxy Z Flip5 Retro. This new release combines nostalgia with modern technology, offering a unique and stylish smartphone experience.
The Galaxy Z Flip5 Retro features the same iconic indigo blue and silver colors as the E700, taking users back to a time when flip phones were all the rage. Along with the color scheme, this limited edition device also incorporates nostalgic pixel graphics UI tweaks and a cityscape animation on its Flex Window cover screen. Samsung has ensured that the Flip5 Retro captures the essence of the E700 while still providing all the advanced features and capabilities of a modern smartphone.
Users who purchase the Galaxy Z Flip5 Retro will receive a neat box that showcases the logos of both the Z Flip5 and the E700. The package also includes Flipsuit cards with stickers featuring various Samsung logos from past eras. To make this limited edition device even more special, Samsung has included a collector card engraved with a unique serial number relating to the E700 model.
The Galaxy Z Flip5 Retro will be available in limited quantities beginning November 1 in South Korea. It will then be released in the UK, France, Germany, Spain, and Australia on November 2. Interested consumers in these markets can purchase the limited edition device exclusively through Samsung’s official website. However, pricing details have not yet been provided.
Samsung’s decision to create a limited edition throwback smartphone demonstrates the brand’s commitment to innovation and its recognition of the impact that past models have had on the industry. This move also appeals to consumers who have fond memories of the era when flip phones were at the height of popularity.
The Galaxy Z Flip5 Retro combines the best of both worlds – a modern smartphone with cutting-edge features, while paying tribute to Samsung’s flip phone heritage. As technology continues to evolve, it’s exciting to see how manufacturers like Samsung find ways to honor their past while still pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the present.
Overall, the limited edition Galaxy Z Flip5 Retro is a testament to Samsung’s ability to innovate and create unique and memorable devices. Whether you are a fan of throwback designs or simply appreciate the historical significance of iconic models like the E700, the Galaxy Z Flip5 Retro is sure to captivate and impress.


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Super Robot Taisen – known as Super Robot Wars on this side of the pond – is coming to iOS and Android devices in the form of a card battling game. (That's battling via cards ... not two giant, thin paper sheets scrapping it out for world domination.)
Siliconera reports that Super Robot Taisen: Card Chronicle will launch this fall as a free download with in-game items available for purchase, according to an article in Famitsu.
Joystiq has asked Namco Bandai if the mobile title will appear stateside, but the publisher has yet to respond at the time of publishing. We're going to gas up our mechs, just to be safe.


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Things are looking horrific for the UK PC market in Q2. Even if the Intel 3rd Generation launch goes really well, it might not be enough to save some companies. KitGuru taps its sources and delivers the bad news.
The PC market is seasonal anyway. Christmas etc all bring a surge, warm weather and sports events bring a downturn. That’s a tradition – it’s how it has always been. But this year will be worse.
With record temperatures in March, people are already spending more time outdoors. The launch of the iPad 3 was a bit of a ‘spare budget soaker’. Moving toward summer, we also have the European Football Championships and, if memory serves, there will be a small sporting event in London during the hottest days of the year.
While hot dog vendors might be thanking their own, personal ‘God of the reclaimed meats’, PC manufacturers will be cursing the day that London won its bid to host the biggie. The Olympics will bring London to a standstill, in terms of transport, but it’s also likely to bring the sales lines/webs sites of most computer companies to halt just as effectively.
The compounded problem is that while football will ensure that men (of all shapes, sizes and ages) are glued to their screens, the Olympics creates a much more universal appeal. For every horse lover, there is a diving enthusiast and for every gymnast there is a budding cycle champ. The ‘shut down’ effect on UK trade (especially the PC business) could be dire.
Chris Williamson, chief economist at Markit, was recently quoted as saying “Data from the Office for National Statistics add to signs that the worst may be over for the UK economy and that a double-dip recession will be avoided. We expect to see increasing numbers of overly gloomy analysts start revising up their growth forecasts for 2012 in the light of these better-than-anticipated numbers”. Which is fine, except that he may be counting on the Olympics+Euro+weather calculation to equal such a huge increase in services that the overall effect is a summer boost.
KitGuru says: We have spoken with several multi-billion dollar organisations – all of whom are saying that they will just pretend that most of 2012 did not happen, bury their collective heads in the sand and hope that Apple does not bring the iPhone 5 out just after the Olympics. It’s Hot Dogs over Hot Specs this summer, if you want to retire young/rich.
Comments below or in the KitGuru forums.


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The Magnus Archives concentrates on the workers of the Magnus Institute, a long-standing study facility in London committed to the supernatural. Previously this year, Rusty Quill released a crowdfunding campaign for The Magnus Protocols, a complete three-season followup to The Magnus Archives.
The prominent horror podcast The Magnus Archives is getting a tabletop RPG. Rusty Quill, the production firm behind The Magnus Archives, introduced that Monte Chef Gaming was creating a tabletop RPG established in the globe of the scary franchise business.
This will be the second popular podcast adjusted right into a tabletop RPG by Monte Cook Games in current months. Last year, Monte Chef Gaming ran a crowdfunding project for a tabletop RPG adaptation of Old Gods of Appalachia, which raised over $2 million. It's most likely that The Magnus Archives Role playing Game will have a comparably sized project, given that both podcasts are unbelievably prominent.
Rusty Quill, the production company behind The Magnus Archives, announced that Monte Cook Gaming was developing a tabletop RPG set in the world of the scary franchise business. The Magnus Archives concentrates on the workers of the Magnus Institute, a long-established research study facility in London committed to the mythological. Previously this year, Rusty Quill launched a crowdfunding project for The Magnus Protocols, a full three-season followup to The Magnus Archives.
- Important Duty Reveals Shock Crossover Between Campaigns
- Worlds Beyond Number Podcast Releases to Big Numbers
- New Sea of Thieves Video Game Officially Revealed
You can subscribe to be alerted about added details for the upcoming crowdfunding campaign here.


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Steel distribution group Klöckner & Co has made a strong start to 2021 with its best quarterly earnings in over 12 years.
As a result of an exceptionally strong positive price trend, sales increased despite a pandemic-driven fall in shipments, rising by 5.3% on-year in the first quarter to €1.5 billion ($1.8 billion). The operating income (Ebitda) of €130 million – versus €21m last year – before material special effects was at the upper end of the guidance range, which had been given at €110-130m.
Klöckner sees the overall economic situation and demand for steel increasingly recovering, which is why it forecasts an Ebitda range of €130-160m for the second quarter. At a press conference call, outgoing chief executive Gisbert Rühl said he expects steel prices to continue their journey upwards, but at a slower pace than in the preceding weeks. He added that the surge of recent months and weeks turned out even stronger in the USA than in Europe. The group has a strong representation in both regions.
Regarding lead times from mills, he told Kallanish that the fourth quarter is now the period for deliveries from current orders to arrive. “This is certainly unusually long,” he noted. Rühl added that Klöckner & Co, thanks to its operating strategy of “smart working capital”, has in recent months suffered only slightly from supply shortages. “We did not deplete our inventories towards year-end as many do, because we expected a time of shortage coming, so we maintained our delivery capability,” he said.
Christian Koehl Germany


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Digital TV News: Paul Hastings
Magenta Telekom deploys Whip Media Content Value Management platform
Oct 28, 2020 – Whip Media Group has announced that Deutsche Telekom has completed the implementation of Whip Media’s Content Value Management (CVM) platform to manage its video on demand (VOD) business at its Austrian business, Magenta.
News categories: Whip Media, Magenta Telekom, Paul Hastings, Susanne Rose, Austria, Digital TV
Viacom agrees to acquire Pluto TV
Jan 22, 2019 – Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA) has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Pluto TV, the leading free streaming television service in the U.S., for $340 million in cash.
News categories: Viacom, Pluto TV, Bob Bakish, Tom Ryan, Digital TV, MandA, OTT, USA
Friend MTS to protect DIRECTV Latin America's streamed sports channels
Aug 2, 2018 – Friend MTS has announced that DIRECTV Latin America has selected the company to provide protection against streaming piracy for its sports channels. As part of the agreement, Friend MTS has implemented tracking and monitoring to identify illegal retransmission and streaming activities.
News categories: Friend MTS, DIRECTV Latin America, Paul Hastings, Maria Marino, Content Protection, Digital TV, Latin America, OTT
- Telefonica backs up Movistar+ infrastructure in the cloud with Harmonic
- Irdeto and INVIDI offer integrated addressable TV solution
- Tubi supports Unified ID 2.0 initiative
- 'Go Addressable' TV advertising initiative launched in the U.S.
- Brightcove and ByteArk partner on OTT technology in Thailand
- ATEME powers converged headend at TCCL in India
- NexPlayer joins AWS for Media & Entertainment initiative
- VuClip integrates Bitmovin video encoder on Google Cloud
- Univision to launch unified global streaming service
- View TV Group selects CommScope advertising technology
- Amino Technologies becomes Aferian
- TCL launches Roku TV models in the UK
- OTTera powers gTV by Ubisoft channel on Samsung TV Plus
- ATEME doubles encoding performance with Intel processors
- Globecast, Viaccess-Orca and MainStreaming announce end-to-end OTT platform
- Mola chooses Broadpeak CDN for live sports streaming in Indonesia
- NEXTGEN TV Broadcast Collaborative to bring ATSC 3.0 to Washington D.C.
- Ericsson publishes 2021 Mobility Report
- DataMiner manages ARD's Euro 2020 live OTT broadcasts
- Freecaster secures Live and VOD content with BuyDRM


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While at DVF, Joel Horowitz set up an infrastructure and oversaw the fashion firm’s ceo search.
— October 8, 2015
A total of 47 jobs will be cut.
— October 7, 2015
Edmond Thomas succeeds Daniel Griesemer, who is stepping down.
Carol Meyrowitz will continue with the company, taking on the new role of executive chairman.
Alexander Wirth is to join the Munich-based sportswear house in 2016 as chief operating officer and deputy ceo.
He will continue to work with Nike to grow the Hurley brand.
— October 6, 2015
The appointment is effective Oct. 5.
— October 2, 2015
The majority of those layoffs — 150 — will involve employees at the corporate headquarters in Aschheim, Germany.
— October 1, 2015
April Chang is vice president of engineering.
— September 30, 2015


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PlayStation 3 will still get support even after PS4 launches, promises Sony
PlayStation 3 owners with no plans to upgrade to PS4 can be rest assured that their consoles will continue to get updates even after PlayStation 4 is released.
Sony confirmed that it will not abandon its current money-maker, the PlayStation 3 (PS3), even after the PlayStation 4 makes its debut this holiday season.
During an interview with Japanese gaming publication Weekly Famitsu, translated by Kotaku, Sony Japan president Hiroshi Kawano and Sony Worldwide president Shuhei Yoshida said that support for the PS3 console will continue indefinitely and Sony has "no intention of immediately shifting from the PS3 to the PS4."
Kawano further notes that the 7-year-old PS3 console continues to "sell at a constant pace" despite its age, so it makes sense for the company to continue supporting it. Not only will Sony continue supporting the older console, but Kawano also adds that the system will receive many upcoming titles as well.
"With the 2014 launch of our cloud service in the US allowing users to play PS3 games on the pS4, some people may switch consoles from the PS3 to the PS4," notes Kawano. "But that'll be a gradual process, and to say 'we're releasing a new console, so trade in your old ones for it' would be a maker's ego talking, plain and simple."
Yoshida, meanwhile, elaborated on the company's decision to implement a mandatory PlayStation Plus subscription fee for online play. The service used to be optional, but it "requires a large investment of resources," explains the executive.
"Considering the cost, to try to keep such a service free and consequently lower the quality would be absurd," says Yoshida. "We decided that if that's the case, then it would be better to receive proper payment and continue to offer a good service."
If the main account on a given system had such as PlayStation Plus membership, however, all other accounts on the PS4 would be able to enjoy the same benefits. In other words, families will not have to pay for several memberships. Moreover, online play or video services that were not "realtime" would not require a PlayStation Plus membership.


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WEDNESDAY WRAP UP #389
Facebook launches Bitmoji competitor, Avatars
The new feature lets you customise a virtual lookalike of yourself for use as stickers in chat and News Feed comments. Users can customise characteristics such as facial features, hair and clothes. Just like Bitmoji, they convey a range of emotions and common phrases. Avatars is available in Australia now and will be made available to the rest of the world in late 2019 or early 2020.
New Instagram tool allows brands to create ads from influencer content
Instagram has released a new update which will give brands and marketers the ability to promote an influencer’s organic branded posts. The new branded content ads will be made available to all advertisers over the coming weeks, with a similar update for Stories to be introduced in the coming months.
Snapchat launches more in-app shopping destinations
Building on its current offering which allows some brands, publishers and influencers to add a swipe-up on Snaps for users to buy products directly within the app, Snapchat has introduced a new tool that allows select accounts to have a store within Snapchat. As of last week, only five official accounts were granted access to shops, including Kylie Jenner (Kylie Cosmetics), Kim Kardashian (KKW Beauty), and Spencer Pratt (Pratt Daddy Crystals). But if eyeshadow palettes and moonstones aren’t your thing, Snap plans to release the tool to more official accounts in the coming weeks and will expand the program to publishers later this year.
Twitter simplifies its rules on safety, privacy and more
In an effort to make the rules of its platform more understandable, Twitter has simplified the language around its policies from 2,500 to just 600 words – and now describes each rule in 280 characters or less (see what they did there?). As part of the change, Twitter’s policies can now be found under topics of safety, privacy and authenticity. The platform has also added new rules around election integrity, platform manipulation and spam, and has provided step-by-step instructions on how to report violating content. Sadly, Facebook’s T&C’s still span a whopping 14,000 words. Not happy, Zuck!
Top 100 CEOs with the best social media presence
Global firm Brunswick Group have conducted a study of over 700 of the world’s top business leaders to determine the most connected CEOs. The research was measured according to digital presence on the leading four platforms: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. The CEO of Walmart, Doug McMillon, took out the top spot, while Mark Zuckerberg lagged behind at #51.
This post has been lovingly prepared by Oliver Ryan, with additional reporting by Ryan Dubras


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PETALING JAYA: Malls in the Klang Valley saw crowds that have been missing for months as city dwellers spent the weekends with their families and friends shopping or catching up.
With crowds at shopping malls growing bigger, sales assistants have the unenviable task of reminding patrons to observe the standard operating procedures as they attempt to minimise the risk of spreading Covid-19 at their premises.
Some retail outlets at a mall here imposed limits to enable customers to properly practice physical distancing as shoppers waited for their turn to enter the premises.
One of them, a clothing outlet with a sizable area only allowed 30 people in at any one time.
“Making sure customers observe physical distancing becomes even harder between 2pm and 5pm as that is when we usually have more customers at the shop, ” said 22-year-old shop assistant Mohd Izaham Zulkafliamin.
At a cinema in the mall, staff Nabila Shahidan, 19, noticed an uptick in moviegoers since cinemas reopened on March 5.
She said while most customers followed the SOP, there were others who were clearly not happy with sitting apart from each other inside the halls.
“We usually get such complaints from couples but rules are rules, ” she said.
Meanwhile, for some customers, stepping inside a mall while daily case numbers are still above 1,000 took a lot of courage.
A customer, who only wanted to be known as Hanun, 24, said that she only agreed to keep an appointment with a friend at a mall because she had not seen her in a long time due to the movement control order.
“I was very nervous and tried to avoid people as we made our way around.
“When we were at a shop, I made sure to get what I needed and then quickly made my way out, ” she added.
For 15-year-old student Nessa Lim and her friend Stephanie Lim, it was important to stay cautious and follow the SOP while shopping as Selangor was still under conditional MCO.
In GEORGE TOWN, several shopping malls were busy with patrons enjoying their meals and strolling around.
Student Nor Syifa’darwisyah Sharizal, 17, said it was nice to be out with her family after nearly two months at home.
“It has been a while since we are here. The last time I was at the mall was in January this year. Then when MCO 2.0 was imposed, we could not cross districts as I live in Gelugor.
“My parents, sister and I usually go to the shopping mall every weekend before the inter-district ban and MCO period” she said when met at a mall in Gurney Drive.
In JOHOR BARU, malls around the city however remained quiet with only a handful of people taking advantage of the more relaxed MCO.
A check at a popular mall found that a number of retail outlets were still closed, with some of them believed to have stopped operating for good.
While the number of visitors have increased compared to during the MCO, it was still a far cry from the busy atmosphere the malls used to experience, especially on weekends where dozens of Singaporeans would drop by to shop and have their meals in the city.


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POPxo.com, a digital publication targeted at young women, has raised $2.7 million in a Series B funding round led by Japanese venture capital firm GREE Ventures with participation from its existing investors Kalaari Capital and IDG Ventures India.
The company will invest the fresh capital on product enhancement to build new features and different formats for news presentation on the platform, The Economic Times reported.
Citing an anonymous source, the report said POPxo is aiming to break even by the end of this year and that the company is now focusing more on brand integration to accelerate its revenue growth.
An email query sent to the company seeking confirmation and more details on the fundraising did not elicit an immediate response.
Luxeva Ltd UK, which runs the fashion and lifestyle content portal, was founded by Priyanka Gill and Namrata Bostrom in March 2014. Gill is an angel investor and writer for various Indian and UK publications. Namrata, an MBA from London Business School, earlier worked as a management consultant in London for banks and retailers.
POPxo targets women aged between 18 and 34 across India. It combines witty stories written by in-house writers with content curated by a group of women editors, artists, designers and entrepreneurs.
It had raised $2 million in a Series A funding round in November 2015 led by IDG Ventures and Kalaari Capital, with participation from 500 Startups. Previously, in November 2014, POPxo had raised Rs 3 crore from investors including Google India head Rajan Anandan.
POPxo is among a handful of women-centric startups that have raised external investments over the past couple of years in India.
SheThePeople.TV, a digital storytelling platform for women, founded by journalist Shaili Chopra, had raised funding from Mahindra group chairman Anand Mahindra in May last year.
Besides SheThePeople, women intimate hygiene startup Peebuddy; women exclusive online fashion brand FabAlley.com; women-focused career platform Sheroes; womenâs apparel retailer eShakti; fashion marketplace for women Voonik; smart jewellery startup Leaf Wearables; and Maya App, an app that helps women track their menstrual cycle, have raised venture capital investments over the last couple of years.
In May last year, Japanese venture capital firm GREE Ventures closed the first round of its new fund at $37 million (Rs 246 crore), in which it added India to its list of target markets.
Earlier this month, IDG Ventures India marked the final close of its third fund with a targeted corpus of $200 million (around Rs 1,332 crore).
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