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Pick Up A Purple Top From The Club Shop
Port Vale’s official club shop now has the purple away shirt back in stock.
The jersey, which was worn away at Notts County earlier this season and will continue to be used in 2015/16 as an alternative, is available in all sizes.
It is priced at £29.99 for children and £39.99 for adults.
Remember, the club will be revealing its brand new 2015/16 home kit at Sunday’s Sky Bet League One clash with Fleetwood Town.
Fans will be able to view the shirt in person in Vale’s club shop after the game and it will be available to purchase before Fathers’ Day.
The shop also has a limited number of Errea items available at ‘staying up sale’ prices after the Valiants secured League One safety last weekend at Yeovil Town.
The stock includes t-shirts starting at £7.50 and shorts from only £5.


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With Apple's September Event only a few days away, AppleInsider discusses everything including iPhones, iOS 12, AirPower, and budget MacBooks are either expected or rumored to debut.
Let's go through everything anticipated to be in the pipeline and whether we're likely see them released at the event next week, within a couple months or sometime in 2019.
The main event: iPhones
First of all, there's a reason why many call Apple's gathering the iPhone event. New iPhones have been released at the September media event for the past six years. There's also been quite a few leaks from Apple parts suppliers, and even Apple itself.
Just a few days ago, Apple inadvertently leaked images of what is believed to be the next-generation iPhone, now sporting a new gold frame. 9to5Mac shared those images, saying the device will likely be called the iPhone XS.
There have been a number of leaks pointing to a cheaper 6.1-inch LCD model as well, a device rumored to pack a TrueDepth notch for Face ID authentication, just like the higher-end OLED models.
Apple Watch Series 4
The Apple Watch Series 4 has been rumored for quite a while, and an image of the supposed device was discovered alongside the iPhone XS leak, hinting that both products could be released at the same time.
Since the Series 1, 2 and 3 were released at Apple's September Events, it's almost guaranteed that the new Series 4 will be announced on the 12th.
This one may be completely obvious, but we're almost 100% guaranteed to see the release of macOS Mojave, iOS 12, tvOS 12 and watchOS 5 at Apple's upcoming event on the 12th.
The software will be available as free updates, but only if your hardware supports it. For example, the original Series 0 Apple Watch won't support WatchOS 5.
Since this is an iPhone-focused event, the chances of other rumored Apple devices making an appearance are less firm.
Let's start with the iPad Pro.
Back in June, Apple filed new part numbers for 2018 MacBooks and iPads, which basically guarantee the company is readying those new devices for release.
When the new 2018 MacBook Pros were released, the new iPad Pro models mentioned in the government filings were left out, as were two MacBook products that could easily be related to new low-cost MacBooks.
Further proof that Apple is developing new iPad hardware with the TrueDepth camera system came in July when a developer found evidence of the Animoji framework being adapted to support an iPad-sized screen.
There were also some interesting changes in the iOS 12 beta that brought a lot of iPhone X-inspired gestures to iPad, hinting at a redesign that integrates Face ID.
There have been a lot of rumors and supply chain leaks hinting at a release in the fall timeline, and there is a chance that a new iPad will be part of next week's festivities, but Apple has in the past elected to debut refresh tablets at a separate event. That could be the case this year, as a major redesign is expected in order to accommodate the removal of Touch ID and the introduction of TrueDepth.
At least year's September Event, Apple announced AirPower, a wireless charger than can charge multiple devices at the same time, regardless of how you place them.
Seeing as it's already been a year since that announcement, and the product was delayed, a September launch alongside iPhone and Apple Watch is likely. A report from DigiTimes claimed we'll likely see Apple announce a release date for the charger on the 12th. They also mentioned the price will range from around $161-193, but if my personal opinion means anything, I think it'll be priced at around $149.
Apple also announced an optional new AirPods wireless charging case, which has yet to be released. That is almost guaranteed to debut alongside the AirPower mat, since it was used to market the wireless charger last year.
Now onto some other hardware, like a low-cost MacBook refresh.
Apple recently updated its MacBook Pro line, but for some reason, they chose to leave the cheaper MacBooks alone.
That question was potentially answered last month when Intel revealed six new notebook-oriented processors that would be perfect candidates to power Apple's upcoming MacBook refresh, and Intel themselves claimed notebooks packing those chips would be available starting this fall.
It now makes perfect sense why Apple would wait to update the cheaper MacBooks, but will they get released at Apple's September event? There's a chance, but probably not, since the event is mostly focused on iPhones.
Some of those new processors would be perfect for the Mac mini, which is also rumored to be refreshed sometime this fall. It hasn't seen an update since 2014, and it's beginning to become outdated compared to the rest of the market.
This year would be perfect for a refresh, and it'll likely be released at the same time as the low-cost MacBook. As to whether we'll see a release at Apple's Event, most likely not, for the same reasons.
Last year, Apple released new iMacs alongside new MacBook Pros, which, to our surprise, didn't happen this year. It could be the case that Apple would skip out on iMac updates like they did in 2016, but there have been some analysts, like Ming-Chi Kuo, who believe Apple will release new iMacs this year.
Kuo predicts the new model to have a significant display-performance upgrade, which could mean the addition of Apple's variable framerate ProMotion technology, which debuted on the 2017 iPad Pro.
Since the event on the 12th is iPhone-oriented, we likely won't see iMacs being released. There's a much higher chance that the new iMacs, low-cost MacBooks and Mac Mini will be released at the same time, and that seems like far too much to add to the September event.
We're most likely looking at some time later in the Fall, possibly October, but there's no way to know for sure.
AirPods 2.0 and Apple-branded over-ear headphones have also been rumored to be in the pipeline.
The AirPods will feature upgrades like "Hey Siri" support and better water resistance, while the headphones are expected to feature premium audio technology as part of Apple's new push into that market.
Earlier rumors pointed to a possible release this year, but more recent rumors are pushing those dates into 2019, so don't wait on those devices.
There's also been rumors of a cheaper HomePod in the works, and the story's the same for its release schedule.
Early rumors pointed to a 2018 release due to slow current HomePod sales, but recent rumors again hint at a 2019 release, so definitely don't expect that at Apple's upcoming event.
Finally, let's talk about the 2019 Mac Pro. Obviously, we're not expecting a release until 2019, but there is a chance that Apple will give us a sneak peak during the event on Sept. 12th.
To wrap it up, definitely expect to see releases of the new iPhones, a new Apple Watch, software updates and potentially the new AirPower mat and AirPods case.
There's a chance we'll see new iPad Pros, but they may end up being released sometime later this fall, perhaps alongside a low-cost MacBook, iMac and Mac mini.
AppleInsider will be covering the September 12 event, along with rumors and news before and after Apple's anticipated launches.

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- Hong Kong property sales fell 60% in April 2013 year-on-year
- Government policies aimed at short term investors, mainland Chinese taking effect
- Fall in sales volumes hit both residential and commercial properties
- Analyst: Average property prices fell 2-3% since March; may fall no more than 10%
The volume of Hong Kong property sales fell 60% compared with last year in a sign that recent government policies are cooling one of the world's most expensive real estate markets.
The Hong Kong Lands Registry recorded about 4,400 sale and purchase agreements in April with a valuation of $4 billion -- a 48% drop compared with the previous year.
"I'm not surprised," says Buggle Lau, chief analyst for strategic development and research at Midland Realty. "This is largely due to the measures implemented by the government. Residential property transactions -- primary and secondary -- dropped significantly. Non-residential transactions also dropped -- industrial spaces, car parks, commercial spaces."
The slowdown in Hong Kong's property sales was expected, echoes Simon Lo, executive director of research and advisory at Colliers International in Hong Kong.
"Most homeowners find they don't have a very strong reason to sell," he says. "They can wait for a couple of years" because of the government's property policies.
On February 22, the city announced a doubling of the existing stamp duty, or DSD, to 8.5% to target investors who want to buy a second property to lease. From April 2010, that rate had been set at 4.25%.
In October 2012, to target short-term investors seeking to flip a house for profit, Hong Kong extended the existing special stamp duty, or SSD, on property resales from two to three years. If the owner sold the property within six months of purchase, a 20% duty would apply -- between one and three years, a 10% levy would apply.
Also in October, Hong Kong enacted a 15% buyer's stamp duty, or BSD, against home purchases by foreigners.
"Altogether, we're talking about an additional 40-plus percent increase in costs," says Lo. "So you can imagine if you're the buyer then you're just going to hold on and wait."
Hong Kong's layers of levies have also stifled interest from mainland Chinese buyers -- with the 15% tax for foreigners widely interpreted as an attempt to stop them.
"Two years ago, 40% to 50% of all home transactions in Hong Kong were by mainlanders," adds Lo. "Now most buyers are local and most mainlanders aren't making any moves."
In Hong Kong's super luxury market, defined around $13 million and above by Colliers, "mainland buyers have all dried up" says Lo. Regular luxury homes, defined at around $2.5 million and above, can often be found in Hong Kong's prime districts of the Mid-Levels and the Peak.
"Two years ago, we would normally have ten to 15 luxury home sales every week. Now it's less than five," Lo says.
Hong Kong property has notoriously been some of the most expensive in the world for years. As recently as spring 2012, Savills found Hong Kong as the most expensive in a company survey, outranking Singapore, London, Tokyo and Paris. Property prices soared in the special administrative region 50% between 2010 and 2012.
Just last year, Hong Kong's priciest apartment -- the Frank Gehry-designed Opus -- sold for $58 million making it one of the most expensive residential properties in the world.
But now, as property transactions fall, property prices will follow, say Lau.
"They are falling already," he says. "The average price correction has been 2-3% from March and April -- and it will carry on in May. But property prices have dropped by as much as 6% between January and March for some properties already."
Lau adds that property prices "are very likely" to continue to fall but by "no more than 10%".
"It's all supply and demand. Demand has dropped significantly even as supply has stayed the same. The only option is to lower the price."


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Dr. Charles Nyaaba, the Executive Director, Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana has explained that the Russia-Ukraine geopolitics has minimal impact on the fertilizer industry.
“Even though global geopolitics is affecting fertilizer, its impact is minimal,” he told the host of Sunrise Morning Show on 3 FM on Tuesday.
He added that the distributors of fertilizer have not been paid since 2021 and this has made it difficult for smaller companies to import fertilizers because of locked up capital.
“From 2021 no single distributor has been paid making it difficult for smaller companies to import fertilizer. Even those supplying to Planting for Food and Jobs have not been paid.’’
The Chamber of Agriculture had earlier complained that prices of Fertilizer have gone up by 120 % within one year. A bag of Fertilizer now costs as much as 450 cedis per 50 kg depending on one’s location in the country. The 15% government subsidy amounts to just 52 cedis which only cushions transportation cost. The cost of ploughing has shot up due to increase in fuel prices whereas labour cost has doubled and even farmers are struggling to get labour.
“We agree post COVID and Russia Ukraine fight has affected prices. Even before the Ukraine problem, the government had already reduced subsidies on fertilizer. Government could have done better in solving the issue if it had been proactive. Dr. Nyaaba further stated’
Currently over 200 members of the Peasant Farmers Association are in a meeting in Kumasi to look at how to improve their capacity to enhance food production in Ghana.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Mr. Joseph Boahen Aidoo, has suggested to cocoa farmers in Ghana to resort to the use of poultry manure for farming due to the shortage of inorganic fertilizers across the world.
He said “There is no way those materials will come. So we must all brace ourselves that come next year, it won’t be there, or even if it is going to be there maybe from other countries but it will be very limited.
“We as a country will then have to look for alternatives. We have been telling the farmers that when you talk about fertilizer it is not just the inorganic fertilizer, even the organic fertilizer, poultry manure is the best, this is the time. Now we cannot get the fertilizer, let alone to make it free.”
By Samuel Afriyie Owusu|3news.com|Ghana


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It was back in September 2016 at the Paris Motor Show where VW signalled its EV agenda with a Golf-sized hatchback dubbed I.D. capable of doing up to 373 miles on a single charge. Several months later, the folks from Wolfsburg traveled to Detroit for the 2017 NAIAS in January to show off the I.D. Buzz, taking the shape of a futuristic all-electric Microbus featuring autonomous driving tech.
A third I.D.-badged concept will follow later this month at Auto Shanghai in China where VW will take the wraps off an SUV. Several months from now, these three EV concepts are going to be joined by a saloon, which according to VW design chief Klaus Bischoff will be a “surprise”. Not only that, but the vehicle scheduled to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September has already managed to impress many employees within the group.
Little else is known about the saloon, but VW does say this quartet of I.D. concepts previews “families” of models set to arrive in the years to come based on the newly developed MEB platform for electric vehicles. All of these cars are going to boast a lower air intake necessary for cooling down the battery pack during recharging. To set them apart from the conventional models, VW will install distinctive headlights and will light up the company’s badge.
An I.D. sports car concept could follow if we were to rely on the rumour mill, but it’s too early to know for sure. Meanwhile, the show in Shanghai will open its doors to the press on April 19th, so chances are VW will unveil the SUV concept online as early as next week.
The first MEB-based production EV is slated to go on sale in 2020 and will be a follow-up to the first I.D. concept. Other models will follow shortly in a bid to help the company achieve the bold objective of selling 1 million EVs by the middle of the next decade. Needless to say, other marques from the VW Group will take advantage of the new platform, with Audi, Skoda, and SEAT already working on their own models.
Note: Top image shows the original I.D. concept.
Source: Volkswagen via Autocar


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The Danish government will attempt to head off a legal battle with the EU by changing its national paid holiday laws, Politiken reported on Monday.
The EU Commission sent the Danish government a letter in November stating that Denmark’s holiday rules are in potential violation of the EU Working Time Directive, which states that all workers must be given an annual leave of at least four weeks per year.
While the Danish Holiday Act gives workers five weeks of annual holiday, the right to holiday is built up over the course of a calendar year but used over a ‘holiday year’ that runs from May to April.
For example, an employee who started a job in January 2015 would not be able to take paid holiday until May 2016 unless they had carry-over holiday from a previous position.
Under the Danish rules, an employee is entitled to take holiday during their first year on the job but it must be unpaid if they are entering the labour market for the first time or switching jobs without a surplus of built-up holiday days. This results in tens of thousands of employees in Denmark taking unpaid holiday during each year.
The EU Commission argues that Denmark’s ‘holiday year’ model results in unfair delays in taking paid holiday and is in violation of the Working Directive.
The Danish employment minister, Jørn Neergaard Larsen, told Politiken that the government is establishing a commission made up of representatives from the labour market to come up with an overhaul of the Danish Holiday Act, which he characterized as “a patchwork” in need of clearer rules.
“The starting point for the international cooperation that we are a part of is that one should have the right to hold paid holiday in the same year it is earned. We should adopt a system in which one takes holiday parallel to its accrual,” Larsen said.
“Those who will immediately experience the changes when the new law is ready will particularly be new graduates and those who are changing jobs,” he added.
A spokeswoman for the workers’ union Dansk Magisterforening applauded the coming changes.
“It has been a big problem for new graduates that they don’t have the right to take paid holiday. It is perhaps in the first year on the labour market that one needs holiday the most,” Camilla Gregersen told Politiken.
The Confederation of Danish Employers (DA), which in November called the EU’s interference in Danish holiday rules “the work of some pen pusher,” maintained on Monday that the Danish system works as it is, but acknowledged the need for changes to remain in line with European rules.
DA spokesman Flemming Dreesen told Politiken that new national holiday rules should be simpler than their current form in order to cut down on administrative work for employers. He also called on the Employment Ministry to come up with a transitional scheme before fully going over to a new set of rules.


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A judge has ordered Apple to pay $506 million to the University of Wisconsin after ruling that the tech giant infringed upon patents registered by the the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation.
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) sued Apple in 2014 over their implementation of its A7, A8, and A8X processing chips, which WARF alleged had infringed upon U.S. Patent No. 5,781,752. In 2015, a Wisconsin jury found that Apple had co-opted proprietary technology made possible by the patent, a “table based data speculation circuit.” This decision resulted in a $234 million payout for WARF.
On Tuesday, US District Judge William Conley signed an order that will require Apple to pay the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation $1.61 per unit the iPad and iPhone devices that utilize those processing chips. A portion of Apple’s device sales will have an additional $2.74 per unit for WARF based on the judgment. The order from Judge Conley will pay the WARF’s an additional $506 million in royalties due to Apple’s use of their patent in iPad and iPhone devices.
Due to some files in the court order being redacted, it is unclear how many units the royalty fee was applied to. Apple has already filed papers to appeal the judge’s decision.
According to Ars Technica, WARF was one of the first university research groups to engage in patent litigation with big firms who they believed have infringed upon their semiconductor technology. Since 2002, WARF has successfully sued a number of big tech firms, including Siemens, AMD, and Intel. Each of these companies settled with WARF outside of court.
Despite high volume of lawsuits, WARF has worked amicably with Silicon Valley giants willing to pay a license to use their patented technology. In the past, the University of Wisconsin has licensed their patented technology Intel, Sony Corp., Hitachi, amongst others.
Tom Ciccotta is a libertarian who writes about economics and higher education for Breitbart News. You can follow him on Twitter @tciccotta or email him at firstname.lastname@example.org


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With the pandemic still in full swing, every large gathering include all of our favorite conventions have been canceled. Luckily, a lot of companies are doing virtual festivals/cons and one such is Brazil’s Independent Game Festival. Learn more about how they’re getting some of the biggest developers “together” below.
Join Ubisoft, Marvelous, DANGEN Entertainment, and Others in Workshops, Panels, and Virtual One-on-One Video Game Industry Business Networking from June 22 to 26, 2020
Brazil’s Independent Game (BIG) Festival, the largest independent games festival in Latin America, is thrilled to announce today that registration is now open for its inaugural online edition, BIG Digital 2020.Video game developers, buyers, international investors, and industry professionals are invited to register to participate in free virtual lectures and presentations covering a wide range of valuable industry-specific topics, strategies, and advice. For a nominal fee, from June 22 through June 26, registrants will have the opportunity to meet and connect with some of the biggest names in gaming, including Ubisoft, Marvelous, DANGEN Entertainment, and many others.
Since 2012, BIG Festival — which hosted more than 20,000 visitors last year — has become the most important business-to-business gaming event in Latin America, where hundreds of innovative studios connect with global publishers and investors. BIG estimates that last year’s event generated $65 million (USD) in business, with over 4,000 meetings between 630 industry professionals from 24 countries during the festival’s tenure.
BIG Festival recently announced BIG Digital — a fully online version of its traditional event. Its aim is to ensure developers have access to industry peers, strategic partners, and presentations that are vital to their ongoing success and growth. The event’s dedicated matchmaking platform will provide crucial business networking opportunities previously only possible at the physical event.
“We’re thrilled to be able to bring together developers, publishers, and industry video game industry leaders to meet and learn from each other,” said Eliana Russi, executive manager of Brazil Games — the export program created by the Brazilian Independent Game Companies Association, ABRAGAMES, in partnership with Apex-Brasil, the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency. “The ability to meet with the leading companies within the industry is essential to the growth of independent studios, and we are thrilled to facilitate these critical meetings through BIG Digital 2020.”
Those interested in participating in BIG Digital, including those interested in presenting workshops or on panels, can register here: https://event.bigfestival.com.
Early registrants can participate in “Finding and Pitching the Right Publisher For Your Game” — a pre-show warm-up session to help developers get the most out of BIG Digital. Taking place on May 21, this webinar, which will be led by industry veteran and founder of The Powell Group, Jay Powell, will empower developers when pitching potential publishers. Attendees will be provided with valuable information such as selecting the appropriate publishers to pitch, how to reach them, what to include in their pitch package, and what’s needed to close the deal.
The complete BIG Digital 2020 program, as well as additional guests and speakers, will be announced soon. More information about the BIG Digital festival and its attendees can be found at the official Festival website, here: https://www.bigfestival.com.br
Follow BIG Digital on LinkedIn to receive the latest news directly, and keep up to date with BIG Digital 2020 and BIG Festival 2021 by following them on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and subscribe to the BIG Festival YouTubechannel.


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Steep To Add Sledding With Upcoming Winterfest DLC
Today Ubisoft announced that the latest DLC for its ambitious sports game is coming and is called Winterfest. Perhaps the most notable addition is that the DLC is adding a new sport, sledding, to Steep's already impressive bundle of activities:
With the Winterfest add-on content, players will be able to jump into Steep’s stunning Alps to participate in the craziest in-game snow sports festival ever organized. Steep's massive open world playground gets even more fun with the introduction of a new sport: the Winter Sled. In addition to this new sport, Winterfest delivers 21 wacky Winterfest challenges, more than 10 zany costumes, customization items and brand new bosses that will draw players into a breathtaking adventure and invite them to defeat fantastic new foes.
The content hits PS4, Xbox One, and PC all on May 3. It will cost $11.99 but will already be accessible to those who have the season pass.
For more on Steep, be sure to check out our review.


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It took a while, but Facebook finally seems to be jumping on the 4K bandwagon with a series of recent tests allowing 4K video uploads.
You can forgive Facebook for being late to the 4K video party. After all, it started offering video long after its big rival – YouTube. In terms of 4K, Facebook has been especially slow though, starting to test the format 7 years later than YouTube.
The Google-owned video platform rolled out 4K video further in 2014 and 2015 and even added 4K live-streaming last year. Either way, it seems that proper 4K is finally coming to the social network.
As a reminder, Facebook’s Live 360 4K support isn’t “real 4K.”
Facebook confirmed to TechCrunch recently that it has been testing 4K uploads and video viewing, even allowing some pages and profiles to upload and access the format in the 2160p UHD-1 Ultra-High-Definition Television standard.
Judging that Facebook recently launched its Watch tab, 4K video comes at a very opportune time for the platform, as it is set to improve the experience for users significantly. It also goes hand in hand with Facebook’s recent turn to long form video content, that may soon put in in direct competition with streaming sites like Netflix.
Up until now, what Facebook has been offering might be ok for most users, but if it wants to up its game it will need 4K to make things happen. You can check whether 4K is available to you on Facebook by clicking the gear on any Facebook video and seeing whether you can switch 2160p.
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Due to some weather restrictions and yeast inactivity Alpine Beer Company will be pushing back their release of Exponential Hoppiness. Keeping with their theme of ‘no beer will be released before it’s time’ Alpine hopes to launch the beer between February 12-15. There will be no growler fills and there is a 4 bottle per person per day limit thanks to their stance on beers being sold on eBay.
Style: Imperial IPA
Availability: on tap, 12 oz bottles
Arrival: February 2013


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KUCHING, May 25: Sarawak should call the recent Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) a lockdown as all the standard operating procedures are almost the same as those in Peninsular Malaysia, to allow Sarawakians to be qualified for any assistance provided by the federal government.
Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers’ Association (Sheda) Kuching chairman Dato Sim Kiang Chiok who stated this, believed that Sarawak business owners are as affected by Covid-19 under the CMCO, as their peers in Peninsular Malaysia under MCO.
“If there is any new assistance from the federal government, we don’t want to be disqualified such as under Permai package on the wage subsidies where the MCO 2.0 is almost the same as our CMCO, and under the present Pemerkasa Package announced in March 17, 2021 by our Prime Minister, where targeted industries such as tourism sector, wholesale and retail trade, as well as other businesses closed such as gymnasium and spa sports centres, qualified for three months’ wage subsidies till June 2021 under MCO 2.0,” said Sim in a statement today.
According to Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s speech on March 12, 2021, “…the Government is aware that there are still sectors that are affected. Therefore, the Government will allocate 700 million ringgit to extend the Wage Subsidy Programme 3.0 for another three months in a more targeted manner. This is mainly to the tourism sector, wholesale and retail trade, as well as other businesses closed during the PKP such as gymnasium and spa sports centres. This initiative is expected to help 400 thousand workers and 37 thousand employers”.
“I hope our State government will reclassify our present lockdown as MCO 3.0 too so as not to lose out on any assistance from our federal government that our businesses and employees badly need,” said Sim.
He said business owners are still recovering from the MCO 1.0 and MCO 2.0, and most of them are still struggling to turn over business volume to cover their overhead.
“Businesses and industries need to be extra resilient to go through this tough time and all banks and our government must assist to ensure minimum business closure due to various lockdown measures to stop the spread of the virus.
“Our federal government should extend the wage subsidy to Sarawak, automatic bank loan moratorium, cash handouts especially for the small traders, hawkers and daily paid workers while at the same time, relaxing collection of income tax and other duties and taxes,” said Sim.
He said the Sarawak government could also delay collection and extend discounts on utilities charges, assessment and land rates, licensing fees and other state statutory taxes while extending cash assistance to small traders and hawkers just like the assistance it gave under Bamtuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang during MCO 1.0. — DayakDaily


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The biggest side effect of YouTube 's success is the growth in sites aping the concept. Jalipo is the latest; it has launched with two major names as partners - BBC World and Al Jazeera English. The new service is hoping to persuade punters to pay for live and on-demand content. This, says the group, will enable it to control the content it shows.
Jalipo aims for a place in the 'high-quality' content market - not the first time a YouTube competitor has sought to distance itself from the skater-boi movies and Jackass copycats that are the bread and butter of the Google-owned network.
Chief executive Alex Taylor told Reuters : "We're hoping to create a much more user friendly way to buy video content that means you can now monetise your content online while still maintaining your rights.
"This is absolutely not for user-generated content. If you were looking to put us into the marketplace, I would put us at the other end of the market to YouTube. This is rights protected, territory restricted and monetised every minute."
Ooh, get him. The new site is headed-up by the former president of Sony Europe Chris Deering as its chairman, who is clearly hoping to avoid situations such as Viacom's litigation against YouTube .
Viewers are set to be charged at a per-minute rate, something that we're not sure will go down too well with web-savvy consumers used to the best things in life being free.


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Design-led retailer Paperchase is really getting behind the On The Cards initiative, which not only highlights the potential of the greeting card industry to creative graduates, but also sees the two winning concepts be produced and put on sale in Paperchase stores.
The On The Cards greeting card design competition, which is now in its third year, is the brainchild of Reggie Pugh, creative director of Paper Rose and GF Smith’s Mark Jessett, conceived out of a shared frustration of “how most art tutors and therefore students were just not aware of the vibrancy of greeting card industry and how greeting cards offer a real opportunity to see their creativity reach the consumer,” Reggie told PG Buzz.
This year five leading universities and art colleges are participating in On The Cards – Staffordshire University, Falmouth School of Art, Nottingham Trent University, Leeds Arts University and Swansea College of Art – each of which benefitted from presentaions and workshops held by the Paper Rose and GF Smith teams when the design brief for the competition was explained.
There are two categories – Design/Illustration and Format/Innovation/Technology.
The Art Group’s Philippa Phipps who has been the main liaison with the art colleges explained that the graduates have tasked “to create a beautifully designed and innovative greeting card that can be put into an envelope and posted to a recipient. We asked the students to think about design, innovation and new formats, prompting them to think about their perception of a greeting card, asking whether technology and social media could interface with the product?”
Having revealed some of the current design trends, the students were asked to predict what the ‘next big thing’ could be in terms of subject matter.
As sponsors of the initiative, The Sherwood Group is to produce the winning designs into finished products which Paperchase will then be put on sale in its stores.
The winners of the On the Cards 2018 will continue in the wake of Joe Cox, winner of last year’s Design and Illustration award with his timely Political Pals range which is still on sale and has been extended to include some Royal Pals designs. Meanwhile the Say Selfie range, created by Danielle Whetton, a winner in the inaugural year is still on sale and the range has just been extended by Paper Rose.
This year’s On The Cards entries will be judged by representatives from Paperchase, Paper Rose, GF Smith, The Sherwood Group, GCA, Progressive Greetings as well as House of Illustration’s Michael Czerwinski and Ilona Drew, founder of I Drew This, who is this year’s ‘guest illustrator’ judge.


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Consumers: Get ready. The effect of this year’s drought will show up on supermarket shelves as early as this fall.
In its first estimate of what will happen to 2013 food prices because of withered crops and grazing land, the U.S. Department of Agriculture forecast that prices will rise 3 percent to 4 percent next year.
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And by the end of this year, food prices may rise a total of 2.5 percent to 3.5 percent, the government estimates.
The change is likely to be noticeable. So far this year, overall food prices have risen only 1 percent.
“Some farmers are starting to sell off their cattle rather than continuing to feed them. That could mean an abundance and lower prices for awhile, but then it will catch up down the line,” said Ruth Comer, spokeswoman for Hy-Vee, which has about a dozen Kansas City area grocery stores.
“Right now, with the weather we have been getting (and) the crop forecast, it looks like we will be looking at price increases this fall. Where it is going to hit and when it is going to hit we just don’t know yet.”
Beef prices are likely to show the highest inflation rate, rising 4 percent to 5 percent next year, according to the USDA report. That’s because corn, a primary cattle feed, has been hard hit by the drought. Smaller crops mean rising prices for feed.
This year’s corn harvest is expected to be the smallest since 2006. Already, corn prices have risen 50 percent this summer, up to $7.88 a bushel.
Any time corn gets more expensive that has a ripple effect throughout the food industry. Corn products are found in everything from baby food to beverages. When corn prices rise 50 percent, overall food costs jump 1 percent, the USDA calculates.
The items at the supermarket set to see the quickest price increases from the drought are expected to be eggs and poultry. That’s because birds are raised mostly on corn and, since they have shorter lifespans, thosedrought-affected products will hit groceries soon.
The USDA report said to expect 3 percent to 4 percent price increases for eggs this year, at least doubling previous projections. Dairy prices overall are forecast to rise 3.5 percent to 4.5 percent in 2012.
Still, “the transmission of commodity price changes into retail prices typically takes several months to occur, and most of the impact of the drought is expected to be realized in 2013,” said Richard Volpe, the USDA’s food economist.
The USDA has declared natural disasters in 29 states, many of them crop-growing and livestock-raising powerhouses such as Kansas and Missouri.
The government said 88 percent of the U.S. corn crop is drought-affected, as is 77 percent of the soybean crop. Soybeans, also used in animal feed, rose to $16.15 a bushel, more than a $3-a-bushel increase in two months.
Corn and soybean futures hit records this week, and wheat equaled its previous high in 2008.
Because the life cycle of livestock is longer than for chickens, it will take more months for meat prices to show the effects of higher costs for grain-fed animals.
Because of lost grassland and higher feed costs, herd reduction has the short-term effect of increasing meat supplies and thus temporarily holding cost increases at bay. Longer term though, smaller herds mean meat prices will rise. Analysts said the U.S. cattle herd was its smallest on July 1 than on any July 1 since 1973.
Some companies have said they’re able to moderate price increases. McDonald’s, the world’s largest restaurant chain, said earlier this week in a conference call with stock analysts that it had locked in some lower commodity and grain prices before the drought affected costs.
McDonald’s said it estimated its food cost increases at about 4 percent.
Larger restaurants and school districts tend to lock in prices with long-term wholesale contracts, so price increases won’t show up for several months, or even a year.
“We have warehouse and freezer space and vendor contracts for the coming year,” said Nancy Coughenour, food services manager for the Shawnee Mission School District. “The shorter term won’t be affecting us as much as a smaller restaurant or family watching their pennies.”
Kansas City-based Applebee’s has been closely monitoring the weather, it said in a statement, but said it expects “minimal disruption” to its operations.
Several months out, though, some food service providers are concerned.
Prices might drop for a little bit as producers pare their herds, but “in another five or six months they won’t have that cattle and chicken they normally have so we will see prices skyrocket,” said Kevin Lyman, president of The Kansas City Originals, a group of locally owned restaurants. “A lot of the big suppliers will be stocking up, but there is only so much room.”
Thus smaller restaurant operators are planning ahead.
“We are a small company, so our prices fluctuate quite a bit with our wholesalers,” said Jay Carpenter, a partner in The Big Biscuit Co., which has four area restaurants.
“To keep our prices competitive we always have to look out. So if that means moving to more pork items, we’ll move to more pork items. Or it could mean more fish items.”
When beef prices started increasing a year ago, for example, Big Biscuit introduced turkey and chicken items, Carpenter said.
Other food sellers say they’re not too worried.
Donna Pittman, owner operator of Curt’s Famous Meats, 10101 E. Truman Road, said she is not “significantly concerned” about price increases.
“I don’t think the increases will be that drastic for the consumer, and we try to keep our prices reasonable” by offering daily specials and discounts on quantity purchases, Pittman said.
Another reason why supermarket shoppers may not see an overall boost in their food tab this summer, said Bob Young, chief economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, is that some cost increases in fruits and vegetables occurred earlier this year. Those already-absorbed price increases took place after crop-killing frosts.
Food costs in the United States account for about one-seventh of the consumer price index. So, while food inflation is noticed prominently by consumers — just like gasoline prices at the pump — food is not a major influence on the overall economy.
And, even with smaller crops or herds this year, overall food supplies aren’t expected to be a problem for U.S. consumers, given the ability to import food from other countries.
But, because the United States is the world’s largest food exporter, drought-related supply problems or price increases could have a greater effect in developing countries, according to research from the New England Complex Systems Institute.
The effect would most likely be in commodity speculation, which would push prices higher.


text: Free People, a bohemian fashion retailer, opens its store in Virginia Beach Town Center today at 10 a.m. The store plans to open in the former Red Star Tavern space in the first floor of the Armada Hoffler office tower. Free People is part of Philadelphia-based Urban Outfitters Inc., which also owns women's fashion retailer Anthropologie. Anthropologie plans to open in the new Main Street tower across the street on Oct. 31. Click here for more information on the openings.


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Meme cryptocurrency dogecoin (DOGE) has soared in January 2021, demonstrating the power of investor sentiment in financial markets.
2021 has been a year full of surprises for the world of finance. Between GameStop soaring 1,400% in January and bitcoin (BTC) reaching new all-time highs, dogecoin is now seeing increased participation from retail investors.
Over the past month or so, the cryptocurrency has witnessed stellar price growth outperforming nearly every other asset in the market.
At the end of December 2020, dogecoin was trading for a mere $0.004. Only a month later, each token is trading for around $0.08. That represents a nearly 2,000% appreciation, which is pretty much unheard of even in volatile crypto markets.
Dogecoin’s buying pressure has become too big to ignore, with daily trading volumes routinely peaking above $10 billion as well.
So how did dogecoin go from being a meme currency to dominating the news cycle alongside bitcoin and ethereum (ETH)? Will this particular cryptocurrency continue to see skyrocketing valuations throughout 2021?
What even is dogecoin?
Launched in 2013, dogecoin got its name from the then-popular “doge” meme involving images of a Shiba Inu. This is also why the official mascot and logo of the digital currency prominently feature the Japanese dog.
The biggest criticism of dogecoin has always been that it follows an inflationary policy. Traditional cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin have a fixed supply preventing inflation commonly seen in fiat currencies. For context, the supply of dogecoin is infinite, while there will only ever be 21 million BTC in total.
Dogecoin already has approximately 128 billion coins in circulation, with more expected to flow in over time. This is also why the cryptocurrency’s market capitalization is in the billions despite its low, sub-$1 price point.
Dogecoin’s recent price movements aside, its community has gone a long way towards making the token usable as a currency.
Back when bitcoin was released in 2009, crypto enthusiasts envisioned a future where money would be decentralized. By decoupling wealth from the state apparatus, Satoshi Nakamoto hoped to steer the world away from yet another economic crisis.
Over a decade later, and bitcoin has strayed away from its founding goal of serving as a peer-to-peer (P2P) transfer of value. These days, the asset is mostly regarded as an excellent store of value. The institutions that bitcoin sought to overthrow are now investing in it — as a hedge against fiat currencies such as the United States dollar.
Dogecoin, on the other hand, is still an asset that can be used to complete user and merchant transactions. Even better, dogecoin can do that for cheap, while cryptocurrencies such as BTC and ETH now have exorbitant fees.
In other words, DOGE has gone from being a satirical take on finance to an actual, usable cryptocurrency.
According to Cryptwerk, over a thousand merchants already accept payments in dogecoin for various goods and services. In contrast, around 6,000 merchants are known to accept payments in bitcoin. Still, dogecoin’s rise from a meme currency to one of utility is proof that anything is possible with a coordinated community.
Individual investors shaping DOGE’s success
Most of dogecoin’s recent success comes at the behest of individual investors. This is unlike more mainstream cryptocurrencies, which have attracted significant investments from Wall Street traders and institutions. Bitcoin and ethereum, for instance, have seen inflows worth billions of dollars from entities such as Grayscale and Galaxy Digital.
Indeed, retail investors banding together is a phenomenon that appears to be increasingly commonplace. In January 2021, share prices of video game retailer GameStop surged by 400% amidst calls for a short squeeze.
The GameStop situation was a unique scenario wherein large hedge funds had shorted the stock to oblivion. By betting against the company, these funds expected to make money as share prices fell.
Once Reddit’s r/WallStreetBets (WSB) community got wind of the situation, its users began aggressively buying up all available shares. This pushed GameStop’s stock price upwards, forcing hedge funds and traditional finance firms to swallow an unprecedented loss.
According to data from S3 Partners, short sellers lost $20 billion to investors within the first month of 2021.
The WSB community caught the attention (and ire) of almost every entity operating on Wall Street. Mainstream media was rife with stories about how a bunch of Reddit investors were beating billionaires at their own game. Slowly but steadily, the community’s sentiment managed to propel GameStop’s stock to an all-time high price of $483.
Over the course of a single month, r/WallStreetBets gained six million readers, totaling a staggering eight million.
Even though dogecoin does not carry significant short interest capital, many retail investors are hoping for a similar success story as GameStop. Armed with nothing more than positive sentiment, the dogecoin community claims it is ready to shed the “meme coin” moniker.
r/SatoshiStreetBets, a subreddit pitched as the crypto equivalent of r/WallStreetBets, has amassed over 300,000 subscribers. Throughout January 2021, the vast majority of discussions within that community involved dogecoin in one way or another. For proof of their conviction and loyalty to dogecoin, look no further than some of the most popular content on the subreddit.
One user loudly proclaimed:
“It [Doge] will become the currency of the internet.”
The post continued:
“You need to understand that DOGE coin is not a joke anymore, and it has a great future and is currently backed by the biggest influencers. If bitcoin becomes an alternative for gold as a way to store money, DOGE could become the internet currency by excellence!”
The post went on to garner over 1,300 upvotes, at the time of writing.
While WallStreetBets exploded in popularity only recently, dogecoin has been steadily gaining momentum for several months, if not years. With DOGE, users have an established platform that can be used for good and create an economy free of central banks and hedge funds. Even though WSB has attracted millions, the community does not have the tools necessary to create a decentralized economy.
Creating a cryptocurrency is no tall ordeal — after all, there are now over 8,000 of them on the market. Maintaining one and generating enough hype to be a top ten digital currency by market cap, on the other hand, is a feat only dogecoin has achieved. Starting from scratch is not an option for WSB, which is perhaps why many have chosen DOGE as their preferred asset.
DOGE for good: A history of philanthropy
Whether or not dogecoin enables wider crypto adoption, it has already succeeded in bringing public attention to the cryptocurrency market. In fact, the community has managed to hold its own for several years now.
In 2014, for instance, a Reddit user successfully managed to convince the dogecoin community to sponsor a NASCAR race car. Through a Reddit-wide fundraiser amounting to over $50,000, racer #98 at Talladega in Alabama was eventually sponsored by Dogecoin. Over 65 million dogecoins were donated within the first week of the fundraiser — equivalent to around $4.2 million, at the time of writing.
Another time, the dogecoin community organized a fundraiser aimed at providing service dogs to special needs children. This Doge4Kids campaign reached its 20 million DOGE goal by September 2015.
In yet another instance of community service, the Dogecoin Foundation raised $50,000 to build two wells in Kenya. The African country was suffering from a severe drought and multi-year water crisis, at the time.
Thanks to its highly approachable premise and philanthropic efforts, dogecoin has grown in popularity as a people’s cryptocurrency. Indeed, the cryptocurrency community has always pushed for democratization of wealth. What remains to be seen, however, is if dogecoin can fulfill the condition of sound money.
So far this year, dogecoin has experienced far greater volatility than any other cryptocurrency. Even then, most long-term DOGE holders are looking at a net gain as long as their entry point was in 2020 or prior.
Dogecoin and the Musk effect
An important factor to consider is the fact that dogecoin’s recent price action was not motivated by a singular Reddit group alone. Elon Musk, of Tesla and SpaceX fame, has taken a newfound interest in dogecoin.
Musk’s barrage of dogecoin-related tweets began in late 2020. On Dec. 20, 2020, he simply tweeted, “One word: Doge.” These three words were enough to spark a 40% price bump for the cryptocurrency.
In a later statement on Jan. 31, Musk acknowledged that some of his past dogecoin comments were made in jest. Nevertheless, he continued:
“The most entertaining outcome and the most ironic outcome would be that dogecoin becomes the currency of Earth in the future.”
By Feb. 6, 2021, Musk was back at it. He encouraged his Twitter followers to vote for “The future currency of Earth.” The only two options were “Dogecoin to the Moooonn” and “All other crypto combined.”
Musk is not the only high profile billionaire that has spoken favorably about dogecoin of late. Mark Cuban, famed tech entrepreneur, said that he would pick dogecoin over a lottery ticket.
Then, on Feb. 7, rap artist Snoop Dogg tweeted out an image of dogecoin’s mascot with the caption “Snoop Doge.” The rapper also tagged Musk, reaching millions of Twitter users between the two accounts. This event was enough stimulus to pump dogecoin to a new all-time high of $0.0872.
Snoop Dogg’s tweet was also enough to propel dogecoin to the list of the top ten cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. With a valuation of over $10 billion, the token briefly became more valuable than litecoin (LTC) and bitcoin cash (BCH).
CoinMarketCap, a cryptocurrency price aggregation platform, also joined in on the dogecoin humor. The website now prominently features dogecoin’s price and recent movements at the top instead of a more typical market-wide summary.
Then, Tesla revealed that it had been silently scooping up bitcoin throughout January 2021. With a portfolio amounting to a whooping $1.5 billion, Tesla’s stake in the world’s largest cryptocurrency sparked a new rally for the entire market. Bitcoin’s price rose by 22% over 12 hours, peaking at $47,500 — a new all-time high.
Unfortunately for dogecoin investors though, Tesla did not purchase any cryptocurrency other than bitcoin. Nevertheless, news of the company embracing the asset class sent dogecoin prices soaring as well — allowing it to breach the $0.085 price point again. A few hours later, Musk was back on Twitter — this time, to post an “instructional video” on dogecoin.
On Feb. 10, however, Musk confirmed his DOGE purchase, though how much he has bought remains unclear.
With support for dogecoin pouring in from all facets of the world, it appears to be only a matter of time before the community realizes its target of $0.1 per DOGE. Still, for many within the dogecoin community, this will not be a victory. To them, the cryptocurrency is worth much more than its price alone.
Dogecoin creator speaks up on Its “true value”
On Feb. 8, dogecoin creator Billy Markus, published an open letter on Reddit denouncing the recent mania surrounding the coin. He stated:
“People are talking about dogecoin going to $1 — that would make the ‘market cap’ larger than actual companies that provide services to millions, such as Boeing, Starbucks, American Express, IBM. Does dogecoin deserve that? That is not something I can comprehend, let alone answer,”.
Two years after creating dogecoin, Markus quit working on the project in 2015. He claims to have liquidated his entire dogecoin holdings at the time, which was only enough to “buy a used Honda Civic.”
Markus somberly concluded:
“Joy, kindness, learning, giving, empathy, fun, community, inspiration, creativity, generosity, silliness, absurdity. These types of things are what makes dogecoin worthwhile to me. If the community embodies these things, that’s True Value,”
In line with the Trust Project guidelines, this price analysis article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. BeInCrypto is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a professional before making any financial decisions.


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Clothes Design Software Enables Apparel Retailers
The consumers are returning to normal life again. Many experts have observed that retailers are increasingly restructuring themselves as consumers are increasingly visiting shopping malls and stores. The pandemic seems to have receded in the US market, giving ample opportunities to fashion houses to experiment with their business model. In such scenarios, customization comes in handy. It allows brands to make the most of the changing consumer behavior and empowers them to let their consumers set their fashion trends using digital technology. Our fashion designing software works on similar lines and enables apparel companies to blend the offline and online business model with its incredible modern-day solutions.
Clothes Design Software Helps Brands to Change with Evolving Customer Needs
Many clothing manufacturers and retailers lean on a direct-to-consumer approach that helps them nimble their inventory and rethink the conventional business operation style. As the consumer shopping trend has shifted completely, it is high time that the companies, too, test the waters and adopt an approach that more equitably split between a retail store and fashion label.
Last year, according to theCommon Thread Collective, the apparel industry across the globe saw a boom in ecommerce sales by approximately 39 per cent. This provided a huge space for the brands to channelize their resources in the online marketplace and enabled consumers to shop from the comfort of their homes. Besides, last year we saw a surge in many SMEs and Startups that quickly rose to fame with their unique customer service and never seen before fashion styles. Customers, too, showed interest in open ideas and unfamiliar brands. The statistics provided by Mckinsey suggest that more than 44 per cent of millennials and Gen Z tried new brands last year.
To know more - https://www.idesignibuy.com/clothes-design-software-for-remoulding-business-models/


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Last month, we announced our most anticipated openings of 2015, which included Avanti Food & Beverage, a two-level food hall collective in LoHi that's scheduled to open in the spring. At the time, Avanti had announced five of its seven tenants, all of which are housed in self-contained shipping containers.
This week, Avanti released the names and concepts of its last two restaurants: MiJo, a globalized, Japanese-influenced noodle shop from chefs John DePierro and Michael Nevarez, both of Bones, and Farmer Girl, a farm-to-table concept courtesy of Tim Payne (pictured above), a pedigreed Colorado chef who's overseen several kitchens, including Z Cuisine and the now-closed Row 14 Bistro & Wine Bar and and Terroir, in Longmont. With the additions of MiJo and Farmer Girl, Avanti is shaping up to showcase a diverse culinary lineup that also includes Quiero Arepas, a Venezuelan concept; Souk Shawarma, a Lebanese-inspired eatery from Jon Robbins, owner-chef of Bistro Barbes; PoCo Torteria, a torta shop from Kevin Morrison, chef-owner of Pinche Taqueria; Bixo, a modern Mediterranean spot from Marco Gonzales and David Bravdica’s Brava!, a wood-fired pizza creation.
We chatted with Payne, who also owns and operates The Tasterie food truck, about his vision for Farmer Girl, whose named is inspired by his farmer wife. Here's the scoop on his new endeavor.
The allure of Avanti: Payne, who closed Terroir in 2012, following the end of a five-year lease, bought his food truck in November of last year, and while the truck turns out terrific, world-spanning comfort food, Payne wanted to do a bona fide farm-to-table concept without breaking the bank. "I wasn't ready to take the six-figure plunge — or more — and do a build-out, especially in a booming metropolis like Denver where rents are high," he explains, adding that Avanti is "cutting-edge insomuch that it's giving business startups a space that's designed to mitigate financial risk and stimulate entrepreneurs without investor angles. Payne, who signed a two-year lease, the maximum allowed by Avanti's developers, also contends that the collective offers "how-to" support in terms of understanding the business side of launching a start-up restaurant. "No one teaches you that kind of stuff in culinary school, but Avanti eases the difficulties of navigating the bureaucratic red tape by providing all the necessary resources and giving all of its tenants a built-out kitchen, plus a bar program, which makes it a win-win," he notes.
The food: Payne and his wife, Melissa Newell, currently a manager at Duo, both have solid backgrounds in the local, sustainable and organic food movement, not to mention their own one-acre farm, from which he'll source produce. "Farmer Girl will have a hyper-seasonal menu," says Payne, "and we'll make use of the produce from our farm, as well as other local farms to showcase artisans, farmers and ranchers." Expect a constantly changing menu, including small plates and composed salads that are ingredient- and season-specific. Payne is still developing his menu, but since Farmer Girl will sprout in the spring, he's concentrating on produce that's available during Colorado's early growing season. "I'll have a picnic salad with baby spring vegetables — think braised radishes, roasted baby turnips, spring peas and roasted baby carrots," reveals Payne, which he'll pair with sauce gribiche, fingerling potatoes, smoked Colorado trout and fresh goat cheese whipped with spring herbs. "It's my version of salad Niçoise," he says. Weather patterns, he stresses, will play a big part in the what he serves. "During the summer months, we'll do light and refreshing dishes with more raw foods and acid, and in the winter, meats will likely become more of a focal point," he notes, and no matter the season, he'll highlight an array of grains and legumes.
Nothing preachy about it: Farm-to-table cooking has "become too pretentious and mostly associated with fine-dining," insists Payne, who's determined to alter that perception. While he's all for local, sustainable and organic food, Payne's goal is to eliminate the "preachiness" and simply create everyday cooking that's affordable for everyone. "We just want to put out an incredible product that people are interested in eating, and if that leads to a discussion about sourcing, great, but I'm not going to shout about it."
The details: 3200 Pecos Street. When Farmer girl opens at Avanti, it'll serve lunch and dinner seven days a week. And if all goes well, Payne's long-term goal is to roll the concept into a freestanding brick-and-mortar or launch a second food truck.


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The first-ever NFT platform is now live, allowing creators to turn their top social content into rare collectibles.
Top Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Twitch creators are selling their viral content as NFTs on the new Melon platform. Melon is the first platform to convert popular digital content into rare digital collectibles that fans can collect, trade, and redeem for exclusive rewards.
Creators can turn their top social content into valuable digital assets that can be easily monetized, while fans can share in the success of their favorite influencers.
The creator economy is ripe for upheaval. The rise of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and blockchain technology is creating new opportunities for content creators and fans to earn and monetize their work.
In this space, TikTok recently announced an upcoming NFT collection of iconic content from some of its top creators. This allows fans to collect viral moments that broke the Internet and resell them for profit, while creators earn directly from their content – both the initial and all future sales.
Previously, it was impossible to truly and verifiably own a piece of online content; it could be freely copied, duplicated, and altered.
With the introduction of NFTs, fans can now be the verified owners of digital content, such as their favorite influencer’s most viral TikTok.
Previous NFT sales of social content and Internet memes have demonstrated that there is a market for owning authenticated pieces of content from top influencers.
These have included Jack Dorsey’s first tweet, which sold for a whopping $2.9 million, as well as internet memes Nyan Cat and Doge, which sold for $590 and $4 million, respectively. Other viral memes, such as ‘Disaster Girl’ and ‘Charlie Bit My Finger,’ have recently been sold as exclusive NFTs for exorbitant prices.
Melon, a new NFT platform, builds on this initial validation by expanding the concept to all types of social content, including TikTok and YouTube clips, Instagram posts, Twitch streams, and more.
The world’s first platform for launching viral NFTs.
Melon innovates by introducing a new category of NFT assets: viral NFTs, which are both viral in nature and in short supply. As a collectible NFT, the more viral a piece of content becomes, the rarer and more valuable it becomes.
Melon stands out in the market by combining social media virality with the scarcity created by NFT technology. Top social moments from major influencers are sold as rare digital collectibles on Melon.
All of the content on Melon is based on existing, viral, and iconic social moments that cannot be replicated or created from scratch. Views, likes, comments, and impressions prove and validate the demand for these social posts before they are turned into limited-edition NFTs.
By virtue of the sheer volume of views and engagement, as well as their cultural significance in today’s digital world, these are the one-of-a-kind moments that set trends and sent shockwaves throughout the Internet.
Melon was chosen by over 100 major influencers to transform their content into rare NFTs.
Melon collaborates with an impressive roster of global talent, each of whom has been personally onboarded to the platform in order to ensure quality and provide the best-curated experience for fans and NFT collectors.
Already, the platform has signed 100 top influencers with a combined reach of more than 250 million people.
The list of celebrities who have chosen Melon to turn their iconic moments into rare collectibles is impressive.
The utility associated with NFTs is also appealing.
NFTs with a utility boost
A fan who collects a rare NFT from Melon, for example, could get a ticket to LA for a meet and greet with a top-tier influencer and shoot a TikTok with them—a significant value-add given that this type of content receives millions of views. Another NFT allows a fan to obtain a previously unseen merchandise item.
Another exclusive NFT from an athlete and Super Bowl champion includes a face-to-face personal training session with the NFT holder.
This is yet another one-of-a-kind benefit that cannot be obtained anywhere else.
The creator economy is being transformed.
Melon represents a radical departure from current, centralized creator platforms.
The content of creators is locked inside the walled gardens of large tech companies, which capture the majority of the value generated by the content in the centralized paradigm.
Melon, on the other hand, is a cross-chain platform that operates on open standards. There are no restrictions or censorship on how creators choose to monetize their content. This also implies that assets created and sold on Melon can communicate with other platforms and spread freely throughout the decentralized web.
Melon’s vision is to aggregate all of the top social assets from the decentralized web into a single, user-friendly interface.
Designed for scale and environmental friendliness
Furthermore, the platform is primarily based on the Polygon network, which is a scalable and energy-efficient alternative to Ethereum. This saves users money on “gas fees” and reduces the environmental impact.
For the first time, fans can trade viral NFTs on an efficient and eco-friendly platform that provides them with the best experience of the Internet’s top curated social content.
In short, the Melon launch is expected to be one of the most significant in the NFT space this year, transforming the way creators monetize their content while also providing new ways for them to connect with fans.
Melon is the platform of choice for creators who want to engage with their fans in novel ways and monetize their top social content as rare NFT collectibles. Melon allows fans to own iconic social moments from influencers as digital collectibles that they can trade, earn, and redeem exclusive rewards against.


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IBM is paying $1.4 billion in cash to acquire Sterling Commerce from AT&T, the companies announced today.
IBM is buying AT&T subsidiary Sterling Commerce, maker of business-to-business data integration software, for about US $1.4 billion in cash, the companies announced Monday.
IBM's newest supercomputer utilizes both Intel and Nvidia chips--the first time that IBM has ever mixed the two processors in a supercomputer, ...
IBM on Tuesday updated its System x iDataPlex servers to include graphics processors from Nvidia as it tries bring high-performance capabilities to its scale-out servers.
The next time you choose an emoticon to spice up a comment about a company, product or service online, know this: There's a chance that a software program is capturing the sentiment expressed by your smiley or frowny for analysis.
Samsung Electronics plans to invest a massive amount of money to develop new businesses ranging from green energy to healthcare, such as solar cells and biopharmaceuticals.
A full year into its 'smarter planet' initiative, IT behemoth IBM is now pushing nations to adopt its government industry framework, which seeks to translate the same streamlined processes found in most enterprises into the public sector.
A Chinese official appeared to take aim at IBM as he warned recently against "Smarter Planet" projects, or the use of technology like networks of sensors in cities to gather and analyze data.
IBM on Monday reported first-quarter earnings of US$1.97 per share on $22.9 billion in revenue, a rise of 16 percent and 5 percent, respectively, over the same period last year.
IBM is beefing up its server line-up with the first blades based on its Power7 processor, the company announced Tuesday. It is also introducing a new, low-end edition of its AIX operating system for smaller businesses and enterprises doing consolidat...
IBM will not use its open-source patents in any potential legal actions it may bring against TurboHercules, an IBM company executive seemingly asserted on Wednesday.
IBM on Wednesday announced a new range of integrated systems for large-scale data analysis, mounting a fresh challenge to rival Oracle's Exadata platform.
Software developer and political lobbyist Florian Mueller weighed in on the European Commission's investigation of monopoly abuse claims against IBM, accusing the computing giant of deserting the interests of the open-source software community.
Orthodox server designs are receiving a face-lift with Intel's Nehalem-EX processor, with vendors implementing new memory features to boost application performance.
IBM's former server chief, Robert Moffat, on Monday pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit securities fraud in a case connected to an insider-trading scandal.
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GGG Evaluation Team
First impression on unpacking the Q702 test unit was the solid feel and clean, minimalist styling.
For work use, Microsoft Word and Excel programs pre-installed on the device are adequate for preparing short documents.
The Fujitsu LifeBook UH574 allowed for great mobility without being obnoxiously heavy or clunky. Its twelve hours of battery life did not disappoint.
The screen was particularly good. It is bright and visible from most angles, however heat is an issue, particularly around the Windows button on the front, and on the back where the battery housing is located.
My first impression after unboxing the Q702 is that it is a nice looking unit. Styling is somewhat minimalist but very effective. The tablet part, once detached, has a nice weight, and no buttons or switches are located in awkward or intrusive positions.
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- CCeFinance Change ManagerNSW
- FTService Operations DirectorNZ
- FTRelationship/Partnerships ManagerNSW
- FTMarketing Communications Executive - B2BNSW


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Honda Siel Cars India appears to be in the look out for more cash. The Indo-Japanese partnership is looking to raise about Rs.2,100 crores to invest in diesel engine development and a new production line in its Tapukara plant.
An Economic Times reports says that the Honda's Indian partner Siel might not be too keen to make further investments after it lost some of its stake through a rights issue worth Rs.1,200 in November last year. Japanese carmaker currenly holds a stake little less than 97 per cent and if Siel is not able to raise the required money in proportion to its stake in HSCI, its stake could further shrink to a much smaller number.
Reports say Honda is planning to buy the entire stake of Siel. Honda is planning to build diesel engines in India and also intends to boost production to higher levels. The carmaker has not seen much sales success in the recent two years as the lack of diesel cars and the shortage of supply dented its performance.
Te company has already developed a prototype of a diesel engine which will be made available with the Civic hatchback in Europe and America. This diesel engine might not be made available to Honda's best selling cars, the City sedan and Jazz hatchback. The engine needs to be modified to suit the Indian cars and HSCI is keen to make these modifications quickly so that it can regain some of the lost market share.
Honda which had earlier been among the top five Indian carmakers has now been overtaken by recently arrived car brands such as Toyota and Volkswagen. Honda started its Indian operations through Honda Siel Cars India way back in 1999.


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An Estimated 7,000 Fans Trade In Ray Rice Jerseys
More than 7,000 fans showed up to exchange their Ray Rice jerseys for those of other Ravens players during a two-day event at Baltimore’s home team officials said Saturday, the Associated Press reports.
According to team spokesman Kevin Byrne,the jerseys collected by the team will be given to companies that deal in scrap materials. After revelations that Ray Rice punched his then-fiancee out cold in an elevator, then dragged her unconscious body out, the spotlight is on the NFL over their mishandling of the incident.
Mixed feelings were expressed by those waiting in the long line.
[su_center_ad]5,595 new jerseys were handed out by the Ravens before running out by midday on Saturday. They then issued more than 2,400 vouchers for fans to pick up their jerseys once new shipments arrive in October.
Byrne said the Ravens spent “six figures” on the trade-in. He declined to disclose the exact amount which was spent.
“We anticipated over the two days getting about 5,000 people, so we got about 2,000 more,” Byrne said. “We just felt it was the right thing to do, and that’s why we did it.”
Watch courtesy of the AP:


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Outed by its Amazon listing earlier this year, Sleeping Dogs: The Definitive Edition puts players back in the seasoned shoes of Wei Shen later this fall in the seedy city of Hong Kong that Square Enix promises will become “its own character.”
Running in native 1080p and including such features as heavier traffic and even grittier violence, the definitive edition brings with it a more realized asian underworld in which you’re caught between two worlds: that of the law and the lawless.
A spiritual successor, Triad Wars, will continue the Sleeping Dogs universe exclusively on PC. The online, open-world action game similarly places you squarely in the line of fire as an “Enforcer” building a criminal empire drenched in cash, guns, and other debauchery.
To us, Sleeping Dogs was an undeniable “Game of the Year candidate” that pushed and exceeded “the bar higher for open-world sandbox games.”
Sleeping Dogs: The Definitive Edition releases this Oct. 14th for Playstation 4, Xbox One, and PC.


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Thanks to the Internet access campaign in Cuba, Bangladesh Email List some cell phones can now connect to the network. All smartphones are expected to be able to access the internet by the end of the year. The Government of Cuba has taken an important step towards openness, since from now on it will allow some mobile devices in the country to connect to the internet . Edessa ,Bangladesh Email List the Cuban telecommunications monopoly, will be in charge of providing this mobile connection. Among the first users who will be able to use the internet on their smartphones are the country’s journalists .
Since last December, postpaid customers , Bangladesh Email List such as some companies, embassies and non-governmental organizations, have been able to purchase limited data plans. Bangladesh Email List This, as they have explained from Edessa, has allowed them to access some online apps online . This is the first step in the internet access campaign launched by Miguel Díaz-Camel, current president of Cuba. In this sense, Bangladesh Email List it is expected that all smartphones in the country will be able to have this internet connection by the end of this year .
In fact, Tania Velázquez, Bangladesh Email List Gambling Email List vice president of the Cuban telecommunications monopoly, highlighted last June that they would soon reveal when this service will be extended to the 4.5 million smartphone customers in the country, Bangladesh Email List which represents practically half of the Cuban population. Some analysts think that internet access from any smartphone will weaken the Cuban government’s control over what information reaches the population. Bangladesh Email List In the Latin American country the media are still controlled and the government does not allow browsing some dissident web pages.


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Through this association, the m-wallet service will become a preferred partner for providing digital payment solution to the residents and tourists visiting the state, reported the DNA.
Pramod Saxena, chairman and managing director, Oxigen Services signed the MoU with the state government in the presence of Kiren Rijiju, union minister of State for Home, Government of India, key dignitaries of the state and key officials from various companies.
“Oxigen services is proud to be associated with the Tourism department of Arunachal Pradesh by becoming a payments solutions partner to in providing digital payment solutions to the residents and tourists visiting the state. Arunachal Pradesh is considered to be the nature’s treasure trove. Every year the state attracts a huge number of domestic and foreign tourists,” said Pramod Saxena, chairman and managing director, Oxigen Services.
“With this partnership, we would like to provide a reliable, efficient and robust service of our digital payment solutions, with access to Oxigen Wallet and Oxigen Micro ATM. This alliance is one step forward in the evolution of Digital India,” added Saxena.


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The chemical industry is always a leading indicator of the global economy. One of the blog’s oldest friends used to be a central banker, and he made no secret of the fact that our discussions about demand levels were often an important factor in his overall analysis. So it is no great surprise that the […]
Tag Archives | China
China has been a major beneficiary of the globalisation movement in recent years. In turn, it has become a tremendous importer of most chemicals. It accounts for up to 50% of total demand for many Asian chemical producers, and is a critical factor in most supply/demand balances. This position was already changing, however, as China […]
A year ago today, China banned the issue of free plastic bags from supermarkets, shops and open markets. And it seems the ban has had considerable success. Supermarkets have used 66% fewer bags, according to government figures. The ban has saved 1.6m tons of oil, whilst also reducing pollution. Although street markets seem to have […]
The Financial Times today highlights the overwhelming importance of falling US house prices to the outlook for the global economy. It notes that prices are now falling by 2.2%/month, causing a $380bn wealth loss in March alone. It adds that if prices continue to fall at this rate, “the total loss in 2009 would be […]
The high level of speculation accompanying China’s apparent economic revival worries the World Bank. “Until we see a recovery in private investment, it’s hard to get too excited about the future,” according to David Dollar, the Bank’s country director for China, at a Beijing seminar today. Dollar added that “private investment, the main driver of […]
China’s exports continue to disappoint. They fell 18% in January and 26% in February. March showed a slightly better performance, with a 17% fall. But April was weak again, with a 23% decline in exports and imports. China’s problem today is based on its past success in becoming the manufacturing capital of the world. Exports […]
The Chinese government continues to express firm faith in its economy’s ability to withstand the global economic crisis. And certainly its recent imports of chemicals and polymers have been a lifeline for many companies outside the country. But now Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer, has reinforced the blog’s concerns about the economy. Wal-Mart reports that […]
BASF, the world’s largest chemical company, said today that they see “weak demand for chemical products” continuing through 2009. In response, plants and sites “will be closed or sold where necessary”. These are clear statements about the outlook, backed up by commitments to take action. Yet volumes and prices in financial markets are rising, as […]
Japan’s auto exports tumbled 71% in February, and its US exports fell 58%, causing total exports to decline 49%. Imports also fell 43%. Exports to China, however, were ‘only’ down 40%. And other NEA exporters, more dependent on Chinese markets, showed an improving position. S Korea’s exports were only down 17%, versus -34% in January. […]
Japan’s exports fell 46% in January, after a 35% fall in December. Exports to the US fell 53%, and to China fell 45%. This makes it likely that Japan’s economy will shrink further, after the 3.3% decline in 2008. It could soon become the first G-7 economy to fall into depression – defined as a […]
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Paul Hodges is Chairman of International eChem, trusted commercial advisers to the global chemical industry.
The aim of this blog is to share ideas about the influences that may shape the chemical industry over the next 12 – 18 months. It will try to look behind today’s headlines, to understand what may happen next in important issues such oil prices, economic growth and the environment. We may also have some fun, investigating a few of the more offbeat events that take place from time to time. Please do join me and share your thoughts.
Between us, we will hopefully develop useful insights into the key factors that will drive the industry's future performance.


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Google May Be Forced to Face European Antitrust Regulators Again
Description:European Union antitrust regulators may attempt to revise the terms of a proposed settlement with Google, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.
google antitrust regulators
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Twitter Refreshes Web Design to Match Mobile Look
This week Twitter announced (via a tweet, of course) that it has begun the rollout of a new Web design that more closely aligns the social media network’s website with its mobile offerings.
For anyone who uses Twitter’s iOS or Android apps, the new web design will look very familiar. The Twitter.com navigation colors and layout have changed a bit, mimicking the mobile design, and users’ profile photos and information have moved to the left-hand side. There is also an inline “new tweet” compose box on the main page.
A few of the icons have gotten a refresh as well, and overall the interface looks brighter and cleaner than the previous version. As GeekWire puts it, the site’s dark aesthetic is gone and “there’s a new white-and-pastel sheriff in town.”
The update also includes an additional option for profile personalization with accent colors.
— Twitter (@twitter) January 13, 2014
As TechCrunch notes, the new Web interface may not look new to everyone, since Twitter has been testing various elements of the design on certain users for a while.
The changes shouldn’t dramatically affect how consumers use the platform, though the easier-to-access compose box may inspire some people to tweet more often. However, the update is important because it serves as a reminder that mobile, rather than Web, is often leading the way these days when it comes to digital designs and interfaces.
Keep up with the latest in Twitter and social media marketing. Contact MDG.
MDG is a full-service advertising agency and one of Florida’s top creative branding firms. With offices in Boca Raton and New York City, MDG’s core capabilities include branding, logo design, print advertising, digital marketing, mobile marketing, email marketing, media planning and buying, TV and radio, outdoor advertising, newspaper, video marketing, Web design and development, content marketing, mobile marketing, social media marketing, and SEO. To discover the latest trends in branding and advertising, contact MDG.


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F.D.A. Seeks More Testing of a Device to Detect Breast Cancer
Published: September 4, 1994
WASHINGTON, Sept. 3— The Food and Drug Administration has recommended further clinical studies for devices intended to help women perform breast self-examinations.
In 1992, the agency had stopped sales of the device, the Sensor Pad, a 10-inch polyurethane pouch filled with silicone lubricant, after a court classified it as a medical device, making it subject to F.D.A. control. The company that makes the pad, Inventive Products Inc. of Decatur, Ill., began selling the pads, which are placed over the breast to reduce friction and make lumps easier to find, to hospitals in 1988.
On Thursday, an F.D.A. panel suggested further clinical testing, including studies that compare women who perform breast self-examination with and without the device, before the company seeks agency approval.
During the discussion about the pads on Thursday, the panel said it also wanted to be sure that women knew the device was intended to make regular self-exams easier, not be a substitute for other screening measures. It suggested focus groups to study women's perceptions and expectations about the devices once they were approved.
"The basic question we are trying to answer is what kind of information we should require before allowing wide marketing of the product," Dr. Susan Alpert, director of the Office of Device Evaluation at the Center for Devices and Radiological Health at the F.D.A., told the panel.
Doctors tell women to examine their breasts themselves, get regular medical visits and have mammograms beginning at age 50.
Mary Gorman of Chevy Chase, Md., who found a lump doing a self-exam with the Sensor Pad four months after a mammogram turned up nothing, said to the panel, "I feel like it saved my life." Lumps are "easier to detect with the pad," because it "takes away the heat of your body and the texture of your skin," she added.
Others at the discussion said the device was good for women who do not like to touch their own bodies.
The Sensor Pad, which resembles a flat water balloon, has been debated since it was invented by Earl Wright in 1985. No studies have been conducted that indicate whether exams with the pad are more effective than an ordinary breast self-exam with a bare hand.
Studies conducted on foam model breasts have shown that the product may help in detecting masses, but there have been no clinical studies of women using the pads on their own breasts. Most of the studies have focused on whether the pad would be more likely to make women perform self-examinations. Large Number of Variables
Because of the number of variables involved with a study of breast self-exams, including arm position, skill level and amount of lubrication, "there's no good way to do a human trial," said Grant Wright, the inventor's son and president of Inventive Products.
Skeptics worry that advertising for the products make false medical claims that could mislead women.
"Inventive Products has persuaded a lot of women and influential reporters that the Sensor Pad saves lives when they don't have the proof to back up their claim," said Cynthia Pearson, program director of the National Women's Health Network.
Dr. Randi Isaacs of the Hackensack Medical Center in Hackensack, N.J., agreed. "If a company is going to make a claim that a device reduces mortality, it had better show it," she said.
Grant Wright said the pad had never been offered as a replacement to existing screening, but as a supplement to manual breast self-exams. He called it a convenient form of "dry lubrication to complement prescribed breast self-exam as prescribed by a physician."
Inventive Products submitted two unsuccessful applications for F.D.A. approval in the 1980's. Each time, the agency requested more clinical trials.


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Mobileye: Tesla allowed hands-free driving over Mobileye’s objections
In its filing with the U.S. Securities Commission on Friday, Israeli firm Mobileye - a company known for its vision systems for vehicles - accused its former partner Tesla Motors of allowing the drivers of its electric vehicles to drive hands-free while using the 'Autopilot' driving assistance system even despite Mobileye's objections.
In the filing, Mobileye said that Elon Musk - the CEO of Tesla - had assured Mobileye's senior executives, during the product-planning communications between the top executives of the two companies in May 2015, that the drivers of Tesla vehicles will not be allowed to take their hands off the wheel while using the 'Autopilot' system.
However, the filing by Mobileye further claims that Tesla eventually backed off its promise when it launched hands-free activation features in late 2015.
Asserting that Tesla allowed hands-free driving to users of Autopilot system over Mobileye's objections, Mobileye said that that had expressed safety concerns, during product-planning communications, over Tesla's plans to allow drivers to drive hands-free while using Autopilot.
Mobileye further emphasized that it has long been the company's position that "Tesla's Autopilot should not be allowed to operate hands-free without proper and substantial technological restrictions and limitations."
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China’s competition body probes Tencent Music over licences
The three largest record labels have sold exclusive rights to part of their music catalogues to Tencent Music, which then sub-licenses that content to smaller rivals
Hong Kong/Los Angeles — Tencent Music Entertainment is under investigation by China’s antitrust authority in a review that could end exclusive licensing deals it forged with the world’s biggest record labels, people familiar with the matter said.
The State Administration of Market Regulation launched the probe in January and is scrutinising the Shenzhen-based company’s dealings with music labels including Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Music, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing a private matter.
The three largest record labels have all sold exclusive rights to a major chunk of their music catalogues to Tencent Music, which is controlled by social media titan Tencent Holdings but also backed by Sony and Warner. Tencent Music then sub-licenses that content to smaller rivals, an arrangement they complain is unfair. Tencent Music pays fees that are unreasonably high and passes along much of those costs to its competitors, they say. Licensing songs from Tencent Music for use in China can be twice as expensive compared to when licensing directly from major labels for the rest of the world, one person said.
Music and video platforms, including those operated by Alibaba Group Holding, Baidu and ByteDance, all have to sub-license content from Tencent Music. The regulator’s actions pose a threat to Tencent, which leveraged a billion-plus social media users to dominate a Chinese online music industry expected to be worth $30 billion by 2023. Music is now a key driver for the WeChat-operator, which is struggling to sustain growth as US-China trade tensions depress its home economy.
Tencent Music, NetEase, ByteDance, Baidu and Alibaba declined to comment on the probe, which was previously reported by Capitol Forum and MLex without giving details of the pricing concerns of other platforms. The regulator didn’t respond to a fax seeking comment.
Tencent Music, which floated in the US last year, boasts the country’s largest music content offering with more than 20-million tracks from over 200 domestic and international labels, according to the company’s prospectus. For the June quarter, it had over 650-million monthly active users and 31 million paying subscribers across its QQ Music, Kugou and Kuwo apps. Revenue from online music services rose 20% to 1.56-billion yuan ($218m) in the period.
But its gross margin fell to 33% from 40% in the June quarter in part because of waning sub-licensing revenue from competing platforms, CFO Shirley Hu said on a conference call in August.
Long a haven for piracy, China became one of the 10 largest music markets in the world in 2017 and climbed to seventh position in 2018. Major record labels’ sales have ballooned in the country thanks largely to the exclusive deals with Tencent. Music publishers are still hoping more people in the world’s most populous country will opt to pay for music.
Tencent Music isn’t the only company to own exclusive rights. NetEase Music has also acquired exclusive rights to individual artist and record labels and continues to bid on licensing, according to industry figures. Many independent record labels have opted not to sell anyone exclusive rights, and say they have benefited from that arrangement.
As part of the ongoing investigation, regulators solicited input from competing music platforms as well as the record labels involved, according to the people. China’s copyright watchdog in 2017 warned streaming services including Tencent Music against entering exclusive licensing deals. Under such pressure, Tencent Music and distant-second rival NetEase Music agreed to sub-license more than 99% of their music catalogs to each other, in 2018.
The investigation may complicate Tencent’s expansion ambitions. It’s in talks to buy 10% of UMG in a deal that would value the world’s biggest music label at $34bn and help bolster its Asia presence.
Music streaming is one of Tencent’s few business units that has made it big beyond its home market. Tencent Music said its karaoke app WeSing has been topping the download chart in the Philippines’ Google Play in recent months after it was launched in Southeast Asia. Tencent also owns a stake in the world’s leading music streaming service, Spotify, while the Swedish company is invested in Tencent Music.
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