text:
The owner of a branch of one of the community’s best known jewellers has been handed a large fine after being found guilty of selling counterfeit goods and non-hallmarked jewellery.
Meftuni Erbil, 40, who was responsible for the Edmonton branch of Erbiller Jewellers, was fined £5,480 at Tottenham Magistrates Court on 18 Feb. 2016 after failing to comply with trading standards set by Enfield Council.
According to a news report in This Is Local London trading standards officers visited Erbil’s premises on 16 Dec. 2014 where they discovered he was selling non-hallmarked jewellery. He was told to remove these. However, in a follow-up visit two months later, officers found jewellery had still not been submitted for hallmarking and seized a dozen items as examples of counterfeit jewellery. But the problems for the Edmonton jeweller did not end there.
In April, the council also received complaints that the shop was selling fake watches and sunglasses, prompting the council to launch legal action against Meftuni Erbil.
Following last month’s successful prosecution, Enfield Council’s Cabinet member for environment Cllr Daniel Anderson told the press: “There are some unscrupulous dealers who will try and pass off items of jewellery with low amounts of precious metal content as having high amounts.”
“By using a hallmark, the exact purity of an items precious metal can be clarified and confirmed – so that consumers can be safe in the knowledge that what they are buying is a genuine and legitimate product.”
“Not only did Mr Erbil believe he was above the law by failing to hallmark his jewellery but it seems he was also selling counterfeit items.”
About Erbiller Jewellers
Erbiller Jewellers started from humble beginnings to become one of the British Turkish community’s best known brands. The chain was established by İsmail Erbil, who opened the first store in Harringay in 1990, and with help from his family in Kahraman Maraş began to export gold and silver jewellery from Afşin. As demand from the community grew, Erbil and his family added more branches, which now total six across northeast London, between them stocking thousands of items.
Main photo: Harringay branch of Erbiller Jewellers – the chain’s first-ever store


text:
Consumer electronics retailer InterTan ITN, -1.11% ca:ita said fiscal second quarter earnings were tracking in line with previous expectations. The Toronto-based company, which operates stores under the names of RadioShack, Rogers AT&T Wireless Communications Express and Battery Plus, said November sales of its Canadian subsidiary rose 5 percent over the same period a year earlier to $38.5 million. Same-store sales from the month increased 3 percent. The stock closed Tuesday down 32 cents at $6.85.
Have breaking news sent to your inbox. Subscribe to MarketWatch's free Bulletin emails. Sign up here.

domain: news


text:
The news around the responsive web design world is that Bootstrap version 4 is now in development and they are making it even better. They have modified and enhanced the breakpoints to make it easier for more mobile devices to use our websites. Web designers around the world need that. They call them “Sassy Media Queries”, because as you can guess, they use Sass in their media queries, as per the title of this news item.
We patiently await this new improved version as web designers everywhere continue to work with Bootstrap 3.
You can visit the page at http://saddamazad.com/2015/12/bootstrap-4-media-queries-using-sass/ to learn more about the project and see the dependencies in motion. There is a whole page on usage here as well.


text:
Nutrition experts contend that all we need is what's typically found in a routine diet. Industry representatives, backed by a fascinating history, argue that foods don't contain enough, and we need supplements.
Jonathan Franzen, Margaret Atwood, David Gilbert, Roxane Gay, and other writers share their thoughts on what makes an inviting and memorable opening sentence. AP and Library of Congress. When I interviewed
A roundup of affordable vacation destinations around the world We've rounded up more affordable alternatives to pricey vacation destinations around the world, from the new European Riviera to the fashion
8 Servings When peaches are in season, there's nothing that tops a classic peach cobbler recipe crisped to perfection in a cast-iron pan. And this recipe garners some bonus points with whipped cream doctored
As of July 23, according to the report, more than 250 cases of cyclospora infections had been reported in several states, including Iowa, Nebraska, Texas, Wisconsin, Georgia and Connecticut. Illinois Kansas
From madness to seizures, to crime and lack of sleep, people have long blamed the full moon for a range of problems. Research, on the other hand, has found little evidence over the years to support these
A jailed member of Russian female punk group Pussy Riot lost a court battle to be released but remained unrepentant over last year's protest against President Vladimir Putin in a Moscow cathedral. Nadezhda
(Wikipedia) A dying Sam Simon takes a big swipe at environmental groups while announcing plans to give away everything July 25, 2013 9:30pm (UTC) Sam Simon, the 58-year-old nine-time Emmy-winning "Simpsons"


text:
The online game company Nexon has released financial results for the first quarter of its 2017 fiscal year, ending March 31, 2017.
During that first quarter, the Japanese company clocked revenue at ¥74.8 billion ($659.7 million), for both a 30 percent increase year-over-year and a quarterly record high since the company’s 2011 IPO.
Operating income came higher than Nexon expected at in at ¥39.8 billion ($351 million), but net income failed to reach earlier predictions and landed at ¥19.9 billion ($175.5 million) for the quarter. Nexon attributes this quarter’s results to strong performance in its Japanese and Chinese markets, as well as to the success of its mobile games Hit and Hide and Fire.
Going forward, the company expects revenue for ints second quarter to fall between ¥41.3 billion and ¥44.8 billion ($364.3 million to $395.1 million).
The bulk of that predicted revenue, ¥30.3 billion to ¥32.6 billion ($267.2 million to $287.5 million), is expected to come from online PC games while the remainder, ¥11 billion to ¥12.2 billion ($97 million to $107.6 million), is dependent on mobile game performance.


text:
At least 2,150 terminals have been removed in the recent June quarter alone. This has brought the number of ATM terminals across the country to just 25,720 – their lowest level in 12 years – according to the Australian Payments Network.
According to Tony Richards, head of payments policy at the Reserve Bank of Australia, most of the ATM closures were in metropolitan areas, in locations such as shopping centers.
In addition, Australia’s “Big Four” banks – ANZ, Commonwealth, NAB and Westpac – have also shut down a combined 175 branches over the past 12 months. Of these, ANZ has the highest with 68 branches closed, followed by Commonwealth with 44. Meanwhile, Westpac and NAB have shut down 36 and 27 branches, respectively.
The widespread closures have divided public opinion and, more importantly, left 2.5 million elderly Australians who don’t do online banking with no way to access their money.
Even as the closures inconvenience some of Australia’s most vulnerable, banking officials are saying that they expect the trend of moving away from cash to continue in the long-term.
“Overall the bank expects the long-term downward trend in the use of cash to continue,” Richards said.
Meanwhile, the Australian Banking Association’s chief executive officer, Anna Bligh, said that the nation’s banks had already been investing to move into the cashless economy.
“Australia’s banks have invested heavily to keep up with the [customers’] banking preferences with technology and data now playing a key role in how banks do their business,” she said.
But not everyone is happy with the move by the banks.
Ian Heschke, chief advocate for National Seniors Australia, stated that many of the nation’s elderly feel more comfortable using cash amid fears of being scammed online.
“Many of them are older Australians and taking away services from them is going to be extremely difficult for them,” he lamented.
A number of Australians have decried the closures and expressed their anger online.
“This is stupid If I wasn’t living with my son and family I would not be able to have the Internet,” posted one woman on Facebook. “So how the hell do low income and pensioners get their money. Oh right we will be forced to walk into a bank and will be charged. Profit before people as usual.”
Some have even accused the closures as part of a conspiracy, with the government and banks using the pandemic as an excuse to push towards a fully cashless society.
“Banks ‘forced ‘don’t believe that, it more they wanted to shut them down so we move cashless,” added another. “Cash is still legal tender. Not to [mention] all the people young and old that would suffer from a cashless society. The banks and the government are pushing this. And they use COVID as a way to push this forward even more suggests business to accept contactless payment only. The government needs a wake up call.”
Others disagreed with this take.
“I work in retail and I call BS on this. I don’t see the cashless society. I see people working to budgets using cash, the elderly and not so elderly using cash,” posted another woman online.
Regardless of the reason, data shows that the coronavirus pandemic has pushed more Australians away from cash and towards e-commerce. New research from PayPal Australia shows that 23 percent fo Australian businesses and 21 percent of consumers are now completely cashless. (Related: Here it comes - Globalists call for cashless society in response to coronavirus, warning physical money is dirty.)
In addition, PayPal’s research also showed that around 2.5 million Australian adults started shopping online for the first time during the pandemic. Finally, 57 percent of those surveyed stated that they expect cash to be phased out of personal spending by 2030.
“The impact of COVID-19 on e-commerce in Australia is difficult to overstate. Millions of transactions that would normally have taken place in stores shifted to digital and more than two million Australians started shopping online for the first time,” stated PayPal’s Australian senior director Peter Cowan.
However, the data also shows that younger generations are leading the move to cashless. Older Australians, on the other hand, are more reluctant, with 46 percent saying that they’ll always use cash.
With this in mind, the question now then is what will happen to these older Australians if the expected move to a fully cashless society eventually happens.
Learn more about how the coronavirus is changing the way people spend at Pandemic.news.


text:
At the 13th China Automotive Bleu Book forum, Wang Jun, president of Huawei Smart Car Solutions BU said that the company is working on new autonomous driving solutions and aims to make fully autonomous cars by 2025.
Wang also added that the current status of cars before 2025 is still under works and the scope of extension is not much high. So, it remains the question, if the priority is the scope for the modification and if we can use the car as a smart space.
He further elaborated that the company’s goal is to add a smart space inside the car and it will be a major upgrade to autonomous vehicles to make them smart and enhance the autonomous driving experience.
The chief also mentions some importance to make an application ecosystem for smart cars and develop a new version of the cockpit system. The use of the HarmonyOS system in all the future smart car solutions will also be the priority of the company.
“Autonomous driving has a boundary and it could disruptive when it’s completed. But what it could hold in the future, will it be the power or what kind of change it could bring in terms of the new cockpit.” said Wang
Looking at the incidents that the Tesla car owners are facing eventually, we expect Huawei to bring more reliability to its future autonomous vehicles. The user’s safety is an important concern for any car-making company in order to become trustworthy and grab the market.
(Via – HuaweiCentral)


text:
An Extension of Your Team
The mightiest force of the U.S. economy—small business—deserves a team and resources that match the unrivaled impact small manufacturers have on jobs, communities and the nation. Power of Small is the National Association of Manufacturers’ exclusive resource network for small and medium-sized manufacturers. We provide representation, insights and analysis and trusted advisers to serve as an extension of your team and deliver advocacy, legal action, workforce development and operational excellence that not only support manufacturers through today’s uncertainty, supply chain challenges and record inflation but also work to advance their success for the long term.
The NAM has been focused on helping small manufacturers navigate the supply chain crisis and advocating for policies that would mitigate bottlenecks, increase the skilled workforce, boost industrial investment, and strengthen manufacturing in America.
Below are some of the latest key resources for small manufacturers.
|News, Insights and Stories: Click here to stay up to speed on the latest related to the NAM’s policy advocacy to invest in and improve manufacturers’ supply chain resiliency.
Broken down by issue: Below are quick links to our most recent news pieces and stories across the major issue areas that play a role in our larger supply chain effort:
Immigration: Immigration reform is essential to our competitiveness worldwide and is a priority of manufacturing leaders across the U.S. as we work to solve the worker shortage that is contributing to our supply chain crisis.
Infrastructure: Our global supply chain network depends on strong and reliable infrastructure. From roads and rails to pipelines and broadband—a healthy supply chain means that manufacturers can move materials and products efficiently, giving our hardworking employees the tools to succeed.
Manufacturing Operations: Facing supply chain challenges, manufacturers are implementing innovative programs that are supporting their efforts to keep their doors open and their workforce strong.
Research, Innovation and Technology: Manufacturing doesn’t just use cutting-edge technology—we create it. But our proven ability to stay innovate and competitive relies on the health of our global supply chain.
Trade: With a level playing field and an accessible market, manufacturers in America can out-perform any competitor. That’s why solving the supply chain crisis is paramount to expanding opportunities to sell our products around the world and ensure global trade is open and healthy.
Workforce: From a historic worker shortage to wage inflation, manufacturers understand that focusing on growing and supporting our workforce is critical to solving our supply chain crisis.
- Watch the most recent coverage of NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons as he speaks on how manufacturers can rise to the solution.
For additional resources, click here.
Insights and Analysis
Delivering support small businesses and educating the public on the impact of small manufacturers in America
For Small Manufacturers
Power of Small — A weekly email newsletter that provides resources and actionable intelligence for small and medium-sized companies on everything from loan programs and regulatory changes to workforce strategies, as well as inspiring stories showcasing the powerful leadership of small manufacturers.
Free forums, virtual meetings and webinars — As the largest and oldest manufacturing association in the United States, the NAM brings together the top CEOs, experts and innovators in the industry to network and share insights and practices to help small manufacturers prosper.
About Small Manufacturers
The NAM is putting the nation’s spotlight on small manufacturers, with original reporting on small and medium-sized manufacturers through NAM.org and by drawing attention to member content on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.
The NAM Team at Work
Advocacy: Fighting for the policies that secure small manufacturing in America
For the latest policy and legal news, click here.
Legal Action: Championing legal issues that protect small manufacturers
For the latest policy and legal news, click here.
Operational Excellence: Providing the programs and services to equip small manufacturers with the know-how and resources for the challenges and opportunities of today and tomorrow
- Leading Edge — The NAM’s premier thought leadership program that gives small—and all—manufacturers access to leading business luminaries on mission-critical topics impacting manufacturing operations and business.
- NAM Health Care — Available to NAM members and members of affiliated associations with 2–99 employees, this plan with UnitedHealthcare enables small manufacturing companies across the country to purchase affordable health care at rates previously only available to large corporations.
- NAM Cyber Cover — An exclusive cybersecurity and risk mitigation program for NAM member companies and organizations. This critically important and timely offering was developed in partnership with AHT Insurance and Coalition, which specializes in underwriting cyber and technology insurance.
- Member Benefits — Discounts and other benefits to boost manufacturers’ bottom lines.
- CONNEX Marketplace — Online platform that connects manufacturers in the U.S. to help each other find what they need. It’s the most advanced buyer/seller digital network in America, customized for manufacturers to search by certifications, capabilities, equipment and other unique parameters.
- NAM Incentives Locator — Government incentives for business can accelerate small manufacturers’ growth, and the NAM helps manufacturers claim U.S. government agency support.
- NAM Energy — Manufacturers can access this partnership to simplify the energy procurement process and secure the best prices.
For the latest business operations news, click here.
Workforce Development: Advancing the dignity of manufacturing work in America and providing solutions to boost workforce efforts
Bolstering the manufacturing workforce
The Manufacturing Institute grows and supports the manufacturing industry’s skilled workers for the advancement of modern manufacturing. The Institute’s diverse initiatives support women, veterans, students and workers through skills training programs, community building and supporting the advancement of their career in manufacturing. As the workforce development and education partner of the NAM, the Institute is a trusted adviser to manufacturers, equipping them with resources necessary to solve the industry’s toughest challenges.
- Creators Wanted and MFG Day — Our unprecedented effort to build the workforce of the future
Making Manufacturing Cool
For the latest workforce development news, click here.
Join the NAM
The NAM works for the success of the men and women who make things in America. Representing 14,000 member companies—from small businesses to global leaders—in every industrial sector, we are the nation’s most effective resource and most influential advocate for manufacturers across the country. Ninety percent of the NAM’s members are small and medium-sized firms, relying on us to be a trusted adviser and an extension of their teams.
We can ensure that this is the “American century” that brings success to manufacturers and citizens alike—but only through swift…
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has proposed a rule that would impose new cybersecurity disclosure requirements on manufacturers—and the…
Policymakers can help alleviate the pain Americans are feeling at the pump and elsewhere—but by increasing domestic energy production, not…
Today, Pivot Manufacturing is a far cry from the shop it was just five years ago. Starting small: “For the…
Washington, D.C. – Following today’s Senate–House conference committee meeting on the China competition legislation, National Association of Manufacturers President and…


text:
As running sales have reported impressive growth throughout recent months, FN gathered together a number of executives from the industry for a conversation on “Making the Most of the Running Boom.” The event took place today, Oct. 14, at a time when the weather is cooling down and restrictions are loosening — but consumers are still showing a committed interest to running.
Moderated by FN senior athletic and outdoor editor Peter Verry, the roundtable brought together Saucony president Anne Cavassa; Brooks COO Dan Sheridan; Asics VP of categories Ian Dickinson; Heartbreak Hill Running Co. co-owner Justin Burdon; and Afterpay co-founder and North America CEO Nick Molnar.
The panel discussed the impact of the boom on their business; its likely longevity and how the industry could sustain growth; and what the industry can be doing to improve diversity and strengthen their communities. Highlights of the conversation are shared below.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Sales
Dan Sheridan: “We started tracking all the signals as COVID hit throughout our regions and we quickly saw this big demand shock that happened in the marketplace and with retailers. The very first thing was that the impact in sales was significant in brick and mortar around the world. And then I would say pretty quickly we saw the trend start to accelerate on the online channels – and that hasn’t changed. Brick and mortar has come back but the stickiness of what’s happening online is what we’re paying attention to because we think it’s a long term trend that’s accelerating. And that’s happening in all channels, whether it’s specialty run or more general sporting goods.”
Justin Burdon: “Similar sentiments but we had a bit of a different experience; we have four brick and mortar stores so we were actually effectively shut down from mid-March through mid-June at most of our stores. We obviously had to ramp up the e-commerce side of things but once we got fully operational, sales have been great and continue to be strong. To what Dan’s saying, I think there’s going to be that flip between the brick and mortar and digital side of things; the change in the channel through which people buy my shoes going forward.”
Nick Molnar: “We have seen different trends by state as they’ve gone into lockdown at different points in time. March through June saw a pretty material uptick in spending; from July it’s largely plateaued, then following seasonal trends. A lot of customers come to Afterpay.com or our app to start their shopping experience and searches for sneakers were up 57% over that period of time. When we speak with our economic and banking partners, the share of wallet that is no longer spent [on travel and entertainment] is very material and you’re seeing it shift into retail across the board.”
The Shift in How People Shop
Ian Dickinson: “We did see an increase in returning visitors and purchases on our own Asics.com site. I think [another] notable change was members utilizing our OneAsics loyalty program. But the biggest change we saw was conversion rates going through the roof. People came on knowing what they wanted to buy and browsing turned to purchase. The biggest differentiator is people were probably going out less but they were going out to a physical store with purpose and looking for a certain level of service. I think that’s where you see the resilience of channels specific to run specialty. They’re deeply connected with their communities. And it’s pretty amazing to watch retailers bring creative, cutting edge approaches to virtual fittings, product pickups, drop off delivery to loyal customer.”
Anne Cavassa: “We’ve been doing consumer research since the start of COVID and our research is telling us that buy online pickup in store has gone up 62% since COVID hit, which is massive. And we believe this trend, it’s actually far beyond omnichannel. It is that great accelerator to a kind of unified commerce, where a consumer wants a branded shopping experience, whether they’re on your site or in a store. Wherever they’re at, they want a similar experience that’s really around emphasizing convenience and safety and education, and that their product assortment is similar and their experience is similar. They’re just going to different channels depending on when and how it’s convenient for them.”
The Pandemic’s Impact on Races
DS: “Ultimately we believe that events will be here again at some point, in a robust way. Running is so unique in terms of how people engage in the sport — at the root of it it’s about achievement, confidence, goals and that’s not going to change over time. People sign up for events for all different types of reasons but right now, in the short term, it’s really challenging and brutal. Major marathons, if we’re being real, will be in a tough spot for a while until a vaccine is delivered and they can build a model where there’s safety and people feel safe to travel. But if you look at the local events and everything that’s happening even geographically right now, with restrictions being loosened in some of the states, we’re seeing events pop up and be robust in a safe way.”
AC: “For us, races aren’t a major driver of our running shoe sales; it’s more about creating buzz and energy for the brand. I think that being vibrant and continuing to engage, create and partner on those opportunities and being present as runners are finding ways to continue to enjoy running together, is really important. And then really doubling down on the local community events and figuring out how to help them create ways to have safe events: Fewer people, staggered start times, big open spaces. People want to celebrate. I think COVID is this moment of reflection, where you want to do the things that are meaningful to you. And we know that running is incredibly meaningful in people’s lives and sharing it with their community is incredibly important, so finding ways to support that is important.”
JB: “There is a moment in time right now where there are all these other things that are important, other than major world marathons. For example, we just did a run a couple of nights ago which was a protest run because a black man got stopped running on the VFW by law enforcement — presumably because he’s black. No other good reason. It was a moment in time in our community where we teamed up with some of the running crews around: Pioneers, Unnamed, Trailblazers. It was an important time for us to use our platform to speak out about racial injustice and that’s the time we’re in right now. There are a lot more things going on than just major world marathons and for us, being part of the community and using our platform and our voice and being a part of it in that way, is really important for us right now.”
How to Keep The Momentum Going
ID: “The simplest way is to begin and end with the consumer. You have to be tapped in to what they’re looking for, that’s where our job begins and ends. Being engaged with them and understanding what their needs are, what their wants are and what’s important to them, that’s super important. One of the unique things about Asics is our brand was founded coming out of World War Two, inspiring the people of Japan to get moving. ‘Sound mind, sound body’ is actually our founding philosophy. So right now with people isolated and on their own, mental health is a real issue. So getting people active and getting them to move, that is hopefully a connection a person has with our brand that transcends design.”
DS: “One of the things that we’re seeing through COVID is that we’re seeing more people than ever, specifically in the US market, opt into running as their activity for fitness. What we’re seeing is that the new people coming in, 50% are saying that this is a sport and activity that they think they will continue with after COVID so the quantitative data is good – and the qualitative data is good as well. What we’re finding is their mindset is shifting from a casual runner to more permanency in what they’re getting benefits from. It’s not just physical but it’s mental. That’s the light switch for us. Once we understand that, we can figure out strategies to engage with them, whether that’s local events, whether that’s being authentic in how we come to market or sustainability measures we’re working on.”
NM: “There are two components we see in our data: we’ve spoken a lot about performance but there is also very meaningful growth in the casual sneaker world too — very, very meaningful. Last month in the US we sent 15 million leads to our retail partners and there has been a very material shift to home workouts, to running, we’re seeing that well in our data. And we actually looked at it at a very micro, local level and as certain states that are in better form come out of lockdown, the trends aren’t hugely changing so we have quite a bit of confidence [it will last]. We can also see, in the UK and Australia which are at very different points in the cycle of the pandemic cycles, how the trends have changed and we’re very confident that the tide has risen and that we’re at least 12 months away from it largely changing. There might be a slight shift but the ocean isn’t changing form.”
Improving Diversity Within the Industry
DS: “It’s not going to just happen, we all have to focus on it. This industry is not there, we know we’ve got a long way to go, but the way we’re approaching it is looking at all the communities in which we serve, our employees and the industry that we’re in, and then the sport. We’re building programs and initiatives in those three categories. Most recently we started, alongside the Running Industry Association, a new coalition called The Running Industry Diversity Coalition that launched last week and we’re extremely proud to be one of the founding brands in that coalition. I think it’s going to make incredible change in this industry. Our efforts around it are in the right place right now but it’s not just going to happen to us, we have to have goals and initiatives and strategies — and I think we can.”
AC: “I think we are a really inclusive industry but we’re not very diverse. So when we think about positive momentum and how we bring a love of running to everyone, we have a responsibility to actively go out and build a diverse running community. Coming through all of the social injustices that have been occurring, it really started with the death of George Floyd: it was a grassroots, from the bottom-up, group of individuals within Saucony that started a support group that quickly became very action-oriented. They have brought forward some things that we can do within Saucony from a business perspective, from a partnership perspective and then something much more broad across 12 [Wolverine] brands from a corporate perspective. So that’s happening. And one of the pillars of that is absolutely around recruiting and retaining the best, most diverse talent in the industry.”
ID: “What we’ve been doing at Asics is education, an education internally and to our audience in Japan about what’s happening in our country but also beyond that, it’s taking a look at ourselves. We’re forming a task force committee to lay out what we need to do. It doesn’t happen like that and it won’t happen like that. You can’t just have a certain percentage of the executives be people of color. It has to be purposeful in the approach, there needs to be KPIs to put in place. But bigger than that, we’re in Boston — as is Anne, as is Justin as are many in our industry — and I think there are opportunities to come together as a footwear industry in Boston and create opportunities for networking, for people to come together for opportunity, for human connection, so we can have the pipeline for people to get into higher roles.”


text:
December 20, 2021 – Dalmatian hotel brand Sunce plans to invest a huge amount of money in the general ‘redevelopment’ of their many facilities with the hope that 2022 will be the year that tourism and travel return to pre-pandemic standards.
Like Jozo Vrdoljak / Novac / Jutarnji List writes, Sunce hotels informed the Zagreb Stock Exchange that their supervisory board has approved investments to further improve the quality and services in the company’s facilities for the year 2022 for a significant amount of 44.2 million d ‘euros.
The largest amount, up to 13.6 million euros, is expected to be invested in the Elaphusa hotel in Bol sur Brac, followed by the Soline hotel in Brela, for which 9.7 million euros have been invested. reserved. The third largest investment concerns the Borak hotel in Bol for 7.9 million euros, and 6.7 million euros will be invested in the Maestral hotel in Brela. Around 2.5 million euros will be invested in the Kastelet hotel, and 150,000 euros in Neptune. 2.9 million euros will be invested in employee housing, and around 800,000 euros will be injected into other support investments.
They explained from Sunce hotels that these investments confirm the intentions of their majority shareholders to develop the future activities of the company by strengthening their position in the market by the establishment of new and existing capacities and services, as well as of continue to invest in improving the quality of accommodation for their employees.
Out of a total investment of 44 million euros, it is planned to raise around 29 million by capital increase through the issue of new shares, on the occasion of which an extraordinary general meeting of the joint stock company has been convened. As for the rest of the funds, Sunce Hotels plan to raise funds by borrowing from commercial banks, using the option to withdraw funds for this purpose as agreed upon when refinancing the company’s financial obligations on November 2, 2021.
Hrvoje Veselko, member of the board of directors of Sunce hotels, explained that all these investments will be mainly focused on the refreshing of the existing accommodation units of the company, that is, on what leaves a real impression on customers.
These are not investments in additional capacity, that is to say investments that require obtaining possible permits. All this concerns mainly the furnishing of the rooms with new furniture, the refreshing of our hotel rooms, the reconstruction of the bathrooms, the decoration and refreshing of the common and public spaces, the horticultural planning and similar investments. We have chosen the least invasive path because it is important for us to complete most of these investments by the start of the summer season next year, i.e. May 15, 2022 ”, Hrvoje Veselko explained.
Under the Bluesun Hotels & Resorts brand, Sunce Hotels operates 11 hotels along the Croatian Adriatic coast, one campsite and one leased establishment, for a total of 2,973 accommodation units, making it one of the largest hotel companies from all over the Republic of Croatia. They also own 50.2% of Brac airport. In addition to tourist facilities in Tucepi, Brela, Starigrad Paklenica and Bol on the island of Brac, they are in joint venture with tour operator TUI AG and have a high-end hotel, TUI Blue Jadran, with 161 units in ‘accommodation to brag about.
Since March of this year, the majority owner of Sunce Hotels has changed to Eagle Hills Real Estate, which has taken over the stake from Jako Andabak’s family for around 101 million euros. Eagle Hills Real Estate is engaged in real estate investment and property development with a focus on the European, Middle Eastern and African markets, and is led by Mohamed Ali Rashed Alabbar, who currently manages development in the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Serbia and a few other destinations. These are mixed installations worth 50 billion euros. The company intended to build Zagreb’s so-called ‘Manhattan’, and is also known for the Belgrade on Water project, which it developed.
In the first nine months of 2021, Sunce Hotels generated an impressive operating revenue of 333.8 million kuna, an increase of 107.1 compared to the same period in 2020, dominated by the global coronavirus pandemic. The Group achieved a positive EBITDA of 116,405 million kuna, which is a better result than 102,650 million kuna, the amount recorded during the same period last year. The main reason for the strong EBITDA growth is the growth in operating income from the sale of accommodation services and non-pension income.
Most of Sunce’s hotel operating expenses are personnel costs amounting to 98.5 million Kuna, which is 23.5 million Kuna more in the first nine months of 2021 compared to the same period last year, and the material costs amount to 85 million kuna. and are higher by 58.7% compared to the same period in 2020, mainly due to the increase in activities and operating revenues generated by the sale of hosting services.
The finance costs of Sunce hotels have fallen significantly in the first nine months of 2021, mainly because there have been no net negative exchange rate differences. The total finance charge amounts to Kuna 9.7 million, which is a decrease of Kuna 8196 million compared to the first nine months of 2020, when the total finance charge amounted to Kuna 17.9 million. The net profit during the observed period amounted to 68.8 million Kuna, and during the same period last year, the loss amounted to 45.6 million Kuna, again due to the pandemic crisis.
To find out more, see our company section.


text:
Published on : Tuesday, August 19, 2014
As a continuous promotion effort to the Indian market, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia in collaboration with 21 numbers of Indonesia tourism industries organized a sales mission to India. Held on 14th of August in Kolkata, the event was mainly directed to promote different Indonesia destinations, especially those beyond Bali destinations where plenty of tourism attractions can be enjoyed.
India has been included the big top 10 visitor to Indonesia due to the one of the primary markets in term of increasing the number of foreign visits who come to Indonesia. Based on the foreign visits realization data of 2013, the number of India visits increased about 15.55% ; to 204,756 compared to 2012, 177,194 visits. The positive trend of the increasing India tourists can also be seen in January-April 2014 period where India tourists are numbered 72,056, an increase of 14.48% compared to the same period last year.
In an exclusive interview with Ms. Iyung Masruroh – Deputy Director International Tourism Promotion – Ministry of Tourism & Creative Economy, Indonesia, speaks about Indonesia’s thriving MICE and tourism industry and how it intends to promote itself in the global travel and tourism market. See the video to know more!


text:
Apple has a big stalker problem. The company’s head honcho Tim Cook is currently going through a strange stalker situation with a woman claiming to be his wife. Besides responding to the issue in the legal battlefield, Apple has marched through the digital landscape, addressing the CEO’s privacy in ways that it is familiar with — hiding Tim Cook’s house on Apple Maps.
Tim Cook’s “wife”
Earlier this month, authorities in San Francisco granted Apple a temporary restraining order against a woman who is claiming to be Tim Cook’s wife and the mother of his twin children. Tim Cook is, of course, openly gay.
That hasn’t stopped the apparent stalker from harassing the CEO. The stalker has previously tweeted at Cook in 2020, asking him to come out as straight. Also, according to documents released publicly, she sent strange and allegedly threatening emails to Cook. The clincher, however, was when the Virginia woman drover her Porsche all the way to Cook’s house in Palo Alto, California. Because of the restraining order, police have investigated the woman and towed her car due to an expired license.
The digital fence
A restraining order isn’t Cook’s only recourse, though. Shortly after the restraining order, Cook’s house stopped being visible on both Apple Maps and Google Maps (via Cult of Mac). Instead of the house, anyone looking at the CEO’s address will see only a blurred box. It’s basically a digital fence.
Of course, one can argue that such a measure ultimately won’t work. After all, Cook’s address in Palo Alto isn’t a complete secret. However, blurring the house does hinder would-be stalkers from doing their business online. And, if anything, it adds a layer of privacy especially for public personalities who have their entire lives scrutinized by paparazzi and die-hard fanatics.
Besides Cook, pop singer Billie Eilish also has her residence blurred out because of a recent stalker situation.
How to hide your house like Tim Cook
Now, hearing of Cook’s blurring might spark some talks of celebrity privilege. “Of course, he can do that; he owns Apple,” you might think. But did you know you can blur your own house, too?
At their best, Apple Maps’ Look Around and Google’s Street View offer an easy way to truly get your bearings when navigating unfamiliar roads. At their quirkiest, both features are unique methods to tour a city from the comfort of your home. However, at their worst, they can open victims to potential stalkers.
Recognizing that risk, Apple and Google have rigorous standards to protect the general public’s privacy. That’s why a lot of faces and license plates on both apps are blurred.
Of course, some faces, plates, and houses can slip through the cracks of Apple’s and Google’s blurring methods. For that, users can submit emails and request to blur the identifying information.
Though most people will likely never encounter a stalker situation, the feature is still a useful tool to protect everyone’s privacy, especially in today’s security-centric world.
Apple, Google, and Microsoft are getting rid of the password
It’s an ultra-rare partnership
A partnership between two of the biggest tech companies comes once in a blue moon. A joint project between three companies, though, is even rarer. Yet, here we are, on World Password Day, staring at three of those companies — Apple, Google, and Microsoft — as they take on their biggest challenge together: the password.
Announced through the FIDO Alliance (an organization building better security), the three companies have committed to bringing password-less sign-ins to their respective platforms. In lieu of a single password, the new standard will use a device’s locking method — PINs, fingerprint readers, and face unlocking — as the user input to access the account. Additionally, it will also authenticate the log-in attempt using credentials stored inside the device.
Though a staple of today’s internet culture, passwords have turned into huge hassles for ordinary users. Almost every service today requires users to create an account and, therefore, new passwords. Remembering dozens of different passwords is nigh impossible, forcing users to reuse passwords. Not everyone uses a password manager either.
In the past few years, companies have started to use other methods to supplement the measly password. Some accounts require users to input a timed authenticator code or answer a prompt on another device.
With the FIDO Alliance’s efforts, logging in might become simpler but more secure. As of yet, there is no timetable as to when Apple, Google, and Microsoft will completely transition into the new standard. If anything, Microsoft already announced their transition last year.
SEE ALSO: Microsoft is going password-less
Android is working on a built-in detector for AirTags
And other trackers
Because of ongoing issues, Apple started diving deeper into what the AirTags are capable of. The company specifically wanted to address unauthorized tracking by stalkers. However, Apple isn’t the only ecosystem with tracking technology. Android has its own set of trackers. Google, following Apple’s lead, is working on its own detector for attached trackers.
Spotted by 9to5Google, the company is developing a built-in Bluetooth feature that detects trackers that might be attached to the user without their permission. As such, Android users will eventually get the feature without installing a third-party app. The added lines of code specifically mention the AirTag and Tile devices.
Tracking these devices on Android isn’t exactly new. Both Apple and Tile previously released Android apps and features that detected unauthorized trackers for users. However, both solutions naturally depend on the user installing the apps in the first place. Users who don’t own AirTags or a Tile tracker won’t likely have the app on hand.
With a pre-installed tracking feature, users won’t need any external app anymore since the feature will be built into Play services. Anyone on Android will be automatically notified if an unregistered device suddenly starts following them.
However, according to the report, the feature is still in early development. There is no indication if or when it makes out of the development stage. If anything, Google has preface for releasing such a feature, especially as the Google I/O event approaches.
Apple workers are using Android phones for privacy
To hide unionization plans
In the United States, the tech-based workforce is going through a revolution. Prompted by abuse at work, a lot of workers are protesting for better pay and working conditions. Of course, one form of protest is boycotting their company’s products. Apple’s employees are doing just that by using Android phones instead of iPhones.
Though one can easily chalk this off as a boycotting protest, Apple’s employees have another reason for doing so. Reported by The Washington Post, they have turned to Android phones to protect their privacy while they form unionization plans.
Most protests ongoing today revolve around unionization. Retail employees in the United States are earning way below inflation rates. Unionization will prompt more representation to push Apple to increase wages and adequately fight bullying in the workplace.
Naturally, Apple and its contemporaries are either fighting against union efforts or finding loopholes around it. For corporations, knowing what their employees are doing is imperative. For an Apple employee, using an iPhone might be problematic and risky.
Besides using Android phones, employees are also using encrypted messaging. The source did not reveal which app they are using — likely for privacy reasons.
Most of the issue centers around the woes of Apple’s employees. However, it does highlight some claims made by Apple in the past. A few years ago, Apple focused their marketing on their product’s proclivity towards privacy and security. Though it should be taken as given now, Apple likely isn’t as secure as they claim, based on the employees’ refusal to use iPhones for privacy purposes.
This is what the Nothing phone (1) looks like
iPhone 14 series reportedly delayed by China lockdowns
SteelSeries adds world’s lightest gaming mice to Aerox series
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II release date, official artwork revealed
Sony’s Days of Play sale for PlayStation peripherals, titles is on
Mercury in retrograde: When technology and communications go haywire
Latest ‘PC-like’ Huawei MatePad 10.4 now available
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs iPhone 13 Pro Max: Camera Shootout
Huawei Watch GT 3 Pro melds elegance with fitness
Arcwave Voy removes the pressure on your hands during self-pleasure
Wearables1 week ago
Huawei Watch GT 3 Pro melds elegance with fitness
Philippines1 week ago
13 Reasons Why I keep coming back to an iPhone
Apps2 weeks ago
Here’s what’s coming in Android 13
Videos2 weeks ago
Sundar Pichai – Up Close & Personal at Google I/O 2022
Smartphones1 week ago
Sony Xperia 10 IV is just as impressive as a flagship
Smartphones1 week ago
Sony Xperia 1 IV offers what other flagships dropped
Convenient Smart Home2 weeks ago
LG release five new Soundbars in SG
Laptops2 weeks ago
LG gram 2022 lineup in Singapore unveiled


text:
Britain’s leading designer, Paul Smith, has created a series of playlists for Apple Music celebrating his music taste and the role music plays in his career. “From the album artwork to the friendships I’ve built over the years with musicians, it’s all a part of my creative process”, says Paul. Paul’s contribution will include three […]
Issued every year in a strictly limited edition worldwide since 1992, the Montblanc Writers Edition pays tribute to the greatest icons of literary history. On the occasion of the 400th anniversary of his life’s achievements, Montblanc celebrates the revered English playwright, poet and actor William Shakespeare, creator of Romeo & Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth and many other […]
Gap is proud to commemorate (RED)’s 10th anniversary and its role as the founding apparel partner of the AIDS organization founded by Bono and Bobby Shriver. Gap has contributed $10 million dollars to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and has encouraged customers to support the fight through its (RED) partnership product […]
Bold print, colour and individuality define collection
Opera Gallery Dubai presents the work of portraitist and contemporary photographer of the great and the good of the world
Jimmy Choo unveils its Autumn Winter 2016 Women’s campaign starring a powerful line up of seven models in a series of striking images; Amber Valletta, Milla Jovovich, Sasha Pivovarova, Lexi Boling, Taylor Hill, Jasmine Tookes and Xiao Wen Ju. The casting represents the dynamism of the Jimmy Choo brand which celebrates its 20th Anniversary this […]
Mother Nature’s Energy Bar
TUMI, the leading international brand of premium travel, business and lifestyle accessories, announces the launch of TUMI V3 for Fall 2016. The V3 collection, TUMI’s lightest-ever hardside luggage offering, will raise the bar for design and technology excellence and set a new standard for the future of travel. A clear-cut expression and display of […]
This summer will play host to number of athletic showcases, including the 2016 Olympic games and the UEFA Euros. While most spectators will be tuning in to watch the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Roger Federer in action, we’ve decided to highlight the venues in which these tournaments will be hosted. From Marseille’s Stade Vélodrome to the Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio De Janeiro, here’s a look at some of the most captivating venues from this summer’s tournaments.
In recent times, the low-carb, high-fat diet (LCHF) has been making the research headlines time and time again. Is this just another fad diet, or is there scientific evidence to back it up?


text:
The City of Newport has launched a small business emergency assistance program to provide financial aid to entrepreneurs within the Northern Kentucky neighborhood that have experienced economic hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Emergency Business Assistance Program began in early April and provides $500 a month up to $2,000 to approved businesses to use for their rent, mortgage or lease payments while being closed due to the crisis.
So far, 11 businesses have been approved for the program, including York Street Cafe, Drive Media House, Newport Fitness, Southgate House Revival and Sis's Family Restaurant.
"I'm just so grateful for what the city is doing for my business and other businesses in Newport during this very difficult time," said Sis's owner Sandy Schweitzer in a press release. "This is another example of how the city appreciates and supports small businesses in Newport."
Funding for the incentive is sourced through the federal Community Development Block Grant program and the city's general fund.
"Small businesses are a tremendous and important part of Newport's economy and history," said Newport Assistant Manager Larisa Sims, who crafted the basis of the incentive program, in a press release. "They provide jobs, generate taxes and investment, attract visitors and help create the wonderful and inviting neighborhood feel Newport is known for.
"Small businesses do so much for the city, that we wanted to do something for them during this unprecedented health and economic crisis."


text:
A nationwide grocery tracking system will be set up and a crackdown has been launched on unlicensed food vendors to ensure product quality and food safety, a senior official said yesterday.
By the end of the year, all food markets and supermarkets in cities above county level would have set up a tracking system requiring invoices and documents to be attached to goods, Zhou Bohua, director of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC), told a news conference.
All township, street-side and community groceries shall keep real-time business records.
The moves will allow inspectors to trace the origin of food products easily.
The official also vowed to "thoroughly" tackle all unlicensed small groceries and stores at township-level and above by the year-end.
"This is a special battle to protect people's health and basic interests, and safeguard the credibility and image of Chinese products," Zhou said.
According to official data, the authorities at various levels have inspected 372,000 enterprises and individuals, 17,332 marketplaces and 7,633 key areas in the past month.
In addition, inspectors shut down 9,098 unlicensed food vendors in the first seven months this year.
Food producers and sellers are under increased scrutiny with quality thresholds being raised for renewal or granting of licenses, Zhou said.
Those operating without a license will be shut down, he added.
It is estimated that there are more than 4.69 million food vendors in the country.
The crackdown is part of a nationwide four-month campaign started in late August to improve product and food safety.
In addition, a 1-year campaign has been initiated to improve food quality in rural areas.
(China Daily September 19, 2007)


text:
World Bank says India has potential to triple its trade with South Asia….reports Asian Lite News
India has the potential to more than triple its trade in goods with its South Asian neighbours to $62 billion against its actual trade of $19 billion, said a World Bank report.
“A Glass Half Full: The Promise of Regional Trade in South Asia” pointed out that intra-regional trade in South Asia falls short of its potential because of significant barriers, including tariff, para-tariff barriers, non-tariff barriers and trust deficit among the countries in the region.
Trade between India and Pakistan is a mere $2 billion — which could be $37 billion — without trade barriers, said the report launched in partnership with Cuts International.
The report estimates “India’s potential trade in goods with South Asia at $62 billion against its actual trade of $19 billion, which is a mere three per cent of its global trade and about $43 billion below its potential”.
According to the report, all the countries in the region stand to gain from increasing trade cooperation.
For India, the deeper regional trade and connectivity could reduce the isolation of Northeast India, give Indian firms better access to markets of South and East Asia and allow it to substitute fossil fuels by cleaner hydro-power from Nepal and Bhutan.
“Given its complicated history, size asymmetries, and a trust deficit, small steps backed by policy persistence is probably the right way to go for South Asia,” World Bank’s Lead Economist and Lead Author of the report Sanjay Kathuria said.
He said an incremental approach towards deeper trade cooperation could be powerful. The region has already witnessed this in the form of India-Sri Lanka air-services liberalisation and India-Bangladesh border haats (markets).
The border haats, an initiative by the governments of Bangladesh and India aimed at recapturing the once thriving economic and cultural relationships, is now changing cross-border relations and reducing incentives for smuggling, he added.
The report also said countries around the world harness the potential of intra-regional trade to prosper together with their neighbours.
However, while intra-regional trade accounts for 50 per cent of total trade in East Asia and the Pacific and 22 per cent in sub-Saharan Africa, it forms only five per cent of South Asia’s total trade.
Despite significant liberalisation in tariff regimes by South Asian countries since the 1980s, average tariffs are still high.
“In 2016, average tariffs in South Asia were 13.6 percent, more than double the world average (6.3 percent) and the highest among major regions of the world despite a regional free trade agreement (SAFTA) that came into force in 2006,” the report pointed out.
According to it, each country maintains a long “sensitive” list of products that are exempted from the tariff liberalisation programme.
Almost 35 per cent of the value of intra-regional trade in South Asia is subject to sensitive list tariffs and over 39 percent of India’s exports to the region fall under the sensitive lists of various partners, it said.
Also, several countries in the region maintain high para tariffs (that is, duties imposed on imports, but not on domestic production), which have not been included in the tariff preference programmes in free trade agreements.


text:
More and more small businesses and local merchants are turning to Facebook ads and deals, pushing the social network closer to making a dent in similar offerings by Google, Groupon, and LivingSocial.
This comes from from the latest MerchantCircle quarterly survey of nearly 5,000 local business owners across the U.S. Sp,e 66 percent of respondents use Facebook for marketing, but while 94 percent are aware of targeted ad offerings, only 22 percent have used them.
Of those 22 percent, 65 percent said they would buy Facebook ads again, with 67 percent of potential returnees praising their ease of use and 65 percent happy with the ability to stop and start campaigns.
Of the 35 percent that will not be returning to Facebook ads, 69 percent reported a lack of new customers due to the ads, while 35 percent mentioned their high cost.
Pricing is no small factor, as MerchantCircle found that 61 percent of local merchants are spending less than $2,500 per year on marketing, and 73 percent have no plans to raise their budgets in 2011.
And 52 percent of respondents citing familiarity with Facebook and Google as a reason why they would opt for Facebook deals or Google offers instead of established incumbents Groupon and LivingSocial.
Those leaning toward Facebook deals pointed out a bigger audience size (26 percent), and better local targeting (21 percent), while the Google offers fans highlighted larger audience size (42 percent), and the search-engine giant’s brand reputation (34 percent).
Location-based marketing services slumped compared with the past quarter, with the most recent survey showing that 22 percent of businesses are using Facebook places to market their business, and seven percent are using Foursquare, compared with 32 percent and nine percent, respectively, in the January survey.
MerchantCircle vice president of marketing Darren Waddell said in a press release:
Facebook and other social networks have already established themselves as important marketing channels for local businesses, and the company is effectively parlaying this popularity into local ad sales. Most local merchants are working with very small budgets and tend to prefer marketing methods that are easy and familiar, so it stands to reason that many merchants will gravitate toward a well-known brand such as Facebook when it comes to trying locally targeted display ads and group buying.
Readers, what do you think of MerchantCircle’s latest findings?


text:
This content is sourced and brought to you by The Money Cloud – comparing the best rates for sending money overseas offered by hand-picked, regulated brokers and money transfer agencies.
TransferWise is targeting “expats, second homeowners, freelancers and more” with a new bank account that allows users to make transactions in 28 different currencies.
The account is free to set up, and does not charge a monthly fee, or a fee for receiving cash, either; although there will be a charge for converting across into different currencies, the FinTech “Unicorn” money transfer company says on its website.
Anyone opening a borderless account will instantaneously receive a British bank account number and sort code, a European IBAN, and an Australian account number and BSB code, whilst TransferWise say that they are working on offering US bank account details, but cannot do so yet due to “local regulations and partner requirements”.
The account lets users hold money in any one of the 28 currencies; useful when you are preparing to make a series of overseas payments; and it is also possible to send money to more than 50 different currencies, listed on the TransferWise site.
Fees for switching between major currencies are also quoted: 0.85% for USD to GBP, 1% for USD to EUR, 0.5% for EUR to USD, and 0.7% for AUD to USD. Money can be added to the borderless bank account either via bank transfer, which is free, or by credit or debit card, which incurs a small fee.
TransferWise says that security is provided by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), which covers Alabama and Alaska in the US, and that in all other states transactions are provided by its partner bank, Community Federal Savings Bank, which is supervised by the Office of the Comptroller of Currency.
The company hopes to capitalise on the fact that it can be a bureaucratic headache attempting to open a bank account in a foreign country, especially without a local address, and whilst multi-currency bank accounts are nothing new, the company believes that its cheaper fees and free services will give it the edge over its competitors, in much the same way as its core money transfer business has done.
Although, as fintech expert Trevor Clawson argues in a recent article, the borderless account may not attract casual users of overseas money transfer services, such as holidaymakers whose losses on exchange rate fluctuations are extremely minor, small businesses, owners of second homes and so-called “digital nomads”, modern day overseas workers, could benefit significantly from the savings permitted by the account.
They would have the opportunity to manage their overseas transfers ahead of time, switching between currencies whilst keeping track of their spending in one place, and hedge against future currency movements.
The competition is fierce, however, as Clawson also points out. The likes of Revolut, WorldFirst, and also MoneyCorp, are offering similar access to many different currencies within one bank account. According to WorldFirst, small and medium-sized companies carry out foreign-exchange trades to an average value of £76bn every month.
The size of the market will be very attractive to the emerging fintech firms TransferWise, Revolut, and others besides, such as World Remit, who are looking to find the next generation of services that will help them compete with major market players such as Ria Money Transfer, Western Union, and the big banks.
TransferWise says that currently, its platform helps move an average of $1.5 billion of international money transfers, every month.


text:
The Orlando Chili Cook-Off will be taking place on Saturday, February 16 at Festival Park in The Milk District from noon-6 p.m. This year’s event will feature over 100 chili booths featuring local restaurants and chefs from across the country. Guests will be able to enjoy food truck fare, live music, games, vendors, a kids zone, and the inaugural Dixie Dharma World Vegan chili Dog Eating Challenge on the main stage where local big wigs will face off to see who can eat the most vegan chili and vegan hot dogs in only six minutes. Winner gets the coveted synthetic leather championship belt pictured below.
Article by: Brendan O’Connor
See in Events Calendar


text:
MacBooks Get Hacked Within 60 Seconds
August 4, 2006 12:46 PM
comment(s) - last by
Security experts say poor driver design leaves doors wide open
Two security researchers from Black Hat this week revealed a method in which
a MacBook can be broken into and taken control of
. In fact, the intrusion method is at such a low level that even firewalls and anti-virus applications can't help. Based on flaws in wireless network driver design, Apple's line of MacBooks -- and MacBook Pros -- allows an attacker to remotely bypass the security of the laptop and the operating system.
Jon Ellch and David Maynor from Black Hat say that drivers for Apple's notebooks are developed not in house, but outside using contracted development companies. Ellch says that often times, these development people are under so much pressure from higher management to get working drivers so that companies can rush our products to market. Under circumstances like this, drivers for devices such as wireless network processors enter "the wild" in an untested state.
However, Mayner said that "we're not picking specifically on Macs here, but if you watch those 'Get a Mac' commercials enough, it eventually makes you want to stab one of those users in the eye with a lit cigarette or something." Mayner cites that many of Apple's commercials claim that Macs don't suffer from the same security vulnerabilities that PCs do but in fact, they do.
The team at Black Hat demonstrated that they could circumvent the Wi-Fi security and OS level security in a MacBook and within just 60 seconds, were able to take complete control of the machine. Black Hat demonstrated the technique through a pre-recorded video to prevent anyone from intercepting the wireless network traffic to deconstruct the attack and release it elsewhere. Black Hat said that it has been in contact with both Apple and Microsoft, because the vulnerability exists on both sides.
This article is over a month old, voting and posting comments is disabled
8/6/2006 2:33:54 AM
Maybe we'll see some less of those pain-in-the-ass Mac commercials?
8/6/2006 5:19:42 PM
No, the Mac is like an impenetrable fortress against the malevolence being seiged upon the Windows users of the world. The Mac is completly and utterly incapable of receiving viruses, spyware, or any form of malware whatsoever. Also, it is so well designed and built that no hacker can penetrate it's balmy bellweather no matter what they attempt to, even stabbing it with the rubbery eraser end of a sharpened pencil will not cause it to ooze any sort of Mac goo. In short, this article is actually an attack by a spyware infected Windows computer on the dailytech site.
8/6/2006 8:08:07 PM
But, you have to admit, those Mac commercials are sooo pathetic you just have to laugh. The sad part comes when you realize just how many uninformed people out there are buying into that load of excrement. And yes, not even Superman could penetrate a Mac. Must be the kryptonite core they have, because they are truly otherwordly.
"If you look at the last five years, if you look at what major innovations have occurred in computing technology, every single one of them came from AMD. Not a single innovation came from Intel." -- AMD CEO Hector Ruiz in 2007
LinkNYC Terminals to Blanket New York City With Free WiFi, Free Calls, and Ads
November 17, 2014, 6:50 PM
Microsoft is Open-Sourcing Most of .NET, Adding OS X and Linux Support
November 12, 2014, 8:27 PM
Home Depot Lost 53 Million Emails, Blames Windows, Buys Execs New Macs
November 9, 2014, 5:00 PM
Former NSA Lawyer: If Google, Apple Encrypt User Data, They’ll Wither on the Vine Like Blackberry
November 6, 2014, 12:15 PM
Report: AT&T Eyeing $40B DirecTV Purchase
May 1, 2014, 8:00 AM
WebOS Class Action Settlement Costs HP $57 Million
April 1, 2014, 10:22 AM
Most Popular Articles
Paramount Bans Team America Screenings, Cowers Submissively to North Korea
December 18, 2014, 10:26 PM
Android-Powered BLU Studio 7.0 Claims to be the "World's Largest Smartphone"
December 19, 2014, 2:40 PM
News Corp's Fox is Terrified of North Korea, Kills Upcoming Steve Carell Film
December 18, 2014, 4:09 PM
Amazon's Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 Drops to $299 (30 Percent Off) for a Day
December 22, 2014, 10:57 AM
Miyamoto: Nintendo is Prepping Successor to Troubled Wii U
December 22, 2014, 6:28 PM
Latest Blog Posts
Sceptre Airs 27", 120 Hz. 1080p Monitor/HDTV w/ 5 ms Response Time for $220
Dec 3, 2014, 10:32 PM
Costco Gives Employees Thanksgiving Off; Wal-Mart Leads "Black Thursday" Charge
Oct 29, 2014, 9:57 PM
"Bear Selfies" Fad Could Turn Deadly, Warn Nevada Wildlife Officials
Oct 28, 2014, 12:00 PM
The Surface Mini That Was Never Released Gets "Hands On" Treatment
Sep 26, 2014, 8:22 AM
ISIS Imposes Ban on Teaching Evolution in Iraq
Sep 17, 2014, 5:22 PM
More Blog Posts
Copyright 2014 DailyTech LLC. -
Terms, Conditions & Privacy Information


text:
The Apple Watch officially launched on April 24, 2015 in three variants including Apple Watch, Apple Watch Edition and Apple Watch Sport. Earlier this month Apple introduced watchOS 2 along with new colorful band choices as noted above including PRODUCT(RED)™. Today the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published Apple's Registered Trademark (RTM) certificate that was awarded yesterday for the stylized Apple Watch Sport logo (or technically a 'Design Mark') as noted in our cover graphic.
Apple's RTM Certificate for the Design Mark Representing the 'Apple Watch Sport'
Apple filed their trademark under international class 14 which covers the following specifically: "Horological and chronometric instruments; watches; timepieces; chronographs for use as timepieces; chronometers; watchstraps; watch bands; cases for watches, and horological and chronometric instruments; parts for watches, and horological and chronometric instruments."


text:
News and Features
News & Features:
Constellation Sells Budget Wine Brands to Gallo
The drinks behemoth has long signaled its desire to offload its cheap brands.
By W. Blake Gray | Posted Thursday, 04-Apr-2019
DRC Toppled as Leroy Takes Price Crown
Wow, there's really no stopping Burgundy's crazy price rises, as even the biggest of names is eclipsed.
By Don Kavanagh | Posted Wednesday, 03-Apr-2019
Bordeaux's Make or Break Moment
Négociants say that price will be crucial for the big châteaux at this year's En Primeur campaign.
By Margaret Rand | Posted Tuesday, 02-Apr-2019
How Design Can Sell More Wine
Architects and designers offer tips for wineries on how to maximize the visitor experience.
By Liza B. Zimmerman | Posted Monday, 01-Apr-2019
Pour Yourself a Glass of Fake News
Tired of wine writers? Perhaps we don't know how lucky we are to have them.
By Don Kavanagh | Posted Sunday, 31-Mar-2019
Chianti Classico's Greatest Hits
W. Blake Gray
is let loose at a tasting and finds small isn't always better.
Posted Saturday, 30-Mar-2019
Saving Wine from the Sober Generation
If you thought the Millennials were hard to please, wait until you see what's coming after them.
By James Lawrence | Posted Friday, 29-Mar-2019
Getting Funky with Reductive Wines
Writers and critics often rave about reductive wines, but what exactly are they? asks
Posted Thursday, 28-Mar-2019
Meeting the Man Behind Lafite
It's one of the greatest wines in the world, but it doesn't just happen by magic,
Posted Wednesday, 27-Mar-2019
Baijiu Ready to Meet the World
It's the world's biggest-selling spirit and very few people have even heard of it,
Posted Tuesday, 26-Mar-2019
Vineyard Lawsuit a Test for Napa
A court must decide – again – whether Napa's iconic To Kalon Vineyard is a place or a brand.
By W. Blake Gray | Posted Monday, 25-Mar-2019
Finest Fizz – Champagne's Prestige Cuvées
You don't mess with a Champagne house's top wine. Or do you?
Posted Sunday, 24-Mar-2019
Napa's Rise of the Machines
California's wine mecca might be perfect on the surface, but there is a battle for its soul.
By Kathleen Willcox | Posted Saturday, 23-Mar-2019
DRC Smashes Through Another Price Ceiling
Just when you thought the Burgundy legend couldn't get any more expensive, it does.
By Don Kavanagh | Posted Friday, 22-Mar-2019
Napa Cabs and a Night with Katy Perry
A Perry serenade, Ayesha Curry's food and top-notch wine? Auction Napa Valley is a bargain at $2000.
By W. Blake Gray | Posted Thursday, 21-Mar-2019
Austria in a Case
As Austrian wine celebrates a record year,
picks 12 of its best representatives.
By Margaret Rand | Posted Wednesday, 20-Mar-2019
Sommeliers Map the Wine World
Exploring the world one wine at a time with two leading experts and their new book.
Interview by Vicki Denig
Posted Tuesday, 19-Mar-2019
2016 – Year of the Vino Nobile
Long outshone by it's neighbor, a bad vintage for Brunello might just be what Vino Nobile di Montepulciano needs.
By W. Blake Gray | Posted Monday, 18-Mar-2019
Fine China: Wine from the Middle Kingdom
looks at some Chinese wines available in the wider world.
Posted Sunday, 17-Mar-2019
Koshu Wine's Rosy Future
Grapes don't come much prettier than Japan's pink native, but the wines have been underwhelming – until now.
By Margaret Rand | Posted Saturday, 16-Mar-2019
Invasion of the Vineyard Robots
The wine industry takes the first tentative steps to replacing humans among the vines.
By Liza B. Zimmerman | Posted Friday, 15-Mar-2019
Talking Bordeaux with Allan Sichel
A former chartered accountant, Allan Sichel now heads up the CIVB and he talks Bordeaux with
Posted Thursday, 14-Mar-2019
TTB Slated Over Wine Labeling
Consumer advocates demand both calorie and nutritional information should be on wine labels.
By Liza B. Zimmerman | Posted Wednesday, 13-Mar-2019
The Maddening Business of Marketing to Millennials
Is feverish marketing to Millennials misplaced and are other generations overlooked?
By James Lawrence | Posted Tuesday, 12-Mar-2019
New Laws Cane Oregon Interlopers
New state legislature steps in to protect wine labelled Oregon.
By Liza B. Zimmerman | Posted Monday, 11-Mar-2019
Viticulture Versus Climate Change
A leading expert on the influence of climate change on grapegrowing talks about adapting to a new paradigm.
By Tom Jarvis | Posted Sunday, 10-Mar-2019
The Man Who Invented Napa Cab
W. Blake Gray
remembers Napa pioneer John Shafer, who died this week.
Posted Saturday, 09-Mar-2019
Chianti Sale Saves a Piece of History
A looming financial crisis has had a happy ending for a historic Italian cooperative.
By Wine-Searcher staff | Posted Friday, 08-Mar-2019
Napa Plan Denounced as "Land Grab"
The controversial agriculture plan was defeated last year, but its replacement could be even more unpopular.
By W. Blake Gray | Posted Thursday, 07-Mar-2019
Challenging Times Ahead for US Wine
A changing landscape will require a change in approach from the traditional way of selling wine.
By Liza B. Zimmerman | Posted Wednesday, 06-Mar-2019
Only the first 20 pages shown
How Wine-Searcher Works
United States - Change
? 2020 Wine-Searcher? All rights reserved.


text:
Tesla Model 3
Berenberg, a German private banking firm, upgraded Tesla to a 'Buy' rating and bumped up its share target price nearly 30 percent.
Berenberg previously had Tesla stock on 'Hold' status, with a price forecast of only $193. But now, the firm says that Tesla will not face notable competition from mass-market automakers anytime soon. Analyst, Alexander Haissl, believes that there is no way traditional OEMs can pave a "clear pathway to high-volume EV production" in time to hinder Tesla's efforts. He told clients (via Teslarati):
Tesla's flagship Model S
‘With no clear pathway to high-volume EV production for these OEMs before the mid-2020s, Tesla will be given a near-monopolistic opportunity to gain market share and outcompete the incumbent automotive industry."
With this in mind, Haissl is predicting a whopping target of $464 for Tesla stock. This is up about 30 percent from the electric automaker's pricing at the time of the call at $359.01 on June 13th. At the closing price as of yesterday (Thursday, June 22nd) the stock had moved to $382.61...so the direction is certainly going the way of the prediction in the near term.
Haissl says that the battle will be uphill for major automakers for many years to come. Regardless of how quickly the Palo Alto carmaker is able to ramp up Model 3 production, the fact is that the company plans to begin sometime next month. This is many years ahead of Haissl's "mid-2020's" estimate for OEMs, and still about three years ahead of most traditional automakers' commonly publicized target of 2020. Haissl continued:
‘Tesla’s disruptive potential encompasses the vehicle, the entire production process and the product-to-market strategy. Once the business reaches scale, the cash generation potential is significantly superior to existing premium OEMs."
Tesla aims to manufacture about a half-million vehicles per year by the end of 2018, and will bring the Model Y, a fully-electric compact crossover SUV, to market the following year. At the company's recent shareholder meeting, CEO Elon Musk spoke to the potential for at least 10 (and perhaps 20) new Gigafactories in the coming years. These mammoth factories would make batteries and vehicles and could produce some 12 to 24 million vehicles per year at maximum capacity.
If Tesla executes even a portion of its plans, and even remains "somewhat" on time, OEMs will have a considerable amount of catching up to do. Haissl estimates that Elon Musk and company will invest $33 billion over the next five years, to further growth. This is more than similar future investments from Volkswagen and Daimler combined. Haissl also thinks that in years to come, due to Tesla's all-encompassing production process and cost reductions, the Silicon Valley automaker will see 50 percent more per vehicle profit than traditional automakers electric car profits.
Per Teslarati, FactSet shows that Haissl's aggressive target is currently the highest among 19 Wall Street analysts.


text:
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong addressed the country in his National Day Message 2022 yesterday (8 August), acknowledging that the cost of living is at the top of everyone’s minds.
He said that the government is doing everything necessary to help Singaporeans with the rising cost of living, as he listed out some of the measures that the government has done/is doing to help the people:
- Multiple support packages have been released, targeting the neediest, with more packages to be introduced in the coming months to complement the support programmes.
- The government is also trying to alleviate skyrocketing food prices by securing supplies from diversified sources, as well as stockpiling supplies.
- Exchange rate policies have been tightened and our currency has been strengthened to dampen the imported inflation.
PM Lee added that should the situation worsen, the government is ready to do more to help Singaporeans.
“Around us, a storm is gathering”
He also warned that the world is unlikely to return to low inflation and interest rates anytime soon because of the shifting in international economic conditions.
He added that although Singapore’s economy has emerged strongly from the pandemic, the outlook has clouded considerably due to overseas conflicts worsening the existing inflation, as well as the supply chain being disrupted by Covid.
He also pointed to other overseas tensions and said that “around us, a storm is gathering”, and Singapore will be buffeted by intense rivalry and tensions in the region around us.
He also urged Singaporeans to stay united, and keep our armed forces strong and credible, while also preparing ourselves for a less peaceful and stable region in the decades to come.


text:
2,000 promises to Ho Chi Minh City
In 2020, Trang and her husband came back to Vietnam.
After ten years of living abroad, she was motivated to initiate something meaningful.
Observing that popular coffee chains use single-use plastic bottles, Trang along with her two close friends Nguyen Van Tho and Truong Thi Thuong opened an artistic coffee shop with all decorations, tables, and chairs made from recycled materials in District 2.
They assembled thousands of plastic bottles to build an insulation panel.
“There are 2,000 plastic bottles donated by our customers which symbolize 2,000 promises to reduce and recycle plastic for a greener Saigon,” she explained, referring to the former but still popular name of Ho Chi Minh City.
The café opened in December 2020 and has become a favorite haunt of art and recycling circles.
Trang frequently hosts workshops on environmental protection for children there.
She saves a small corner in her shop to exhibit books exclusively on Indochina.
“My hometown is Nam Dinh, where French people opened Nam Dinh Textile Factory during the colonial Indochina period," said Trang.
"Therefore, I put books on Indochina, sewing techniques, arts, and even an old spinning machine for our guests to catch a brief glimpse of my city.”
During her tenure at the museum, Trang developed many activities to bring Vietnam closer to Georgian people, including workshops on Dong Ho paintings, Vietnamese weaving techniques, and cooking classes.
She also donated a traditional spinner and weaving loom to the museum.
There was a time when she wore ao dai to model for some 20 art students.
“They drew me in Vietnam’s traditional attire from different angles," she recounted.
"It took three months to finish those artworks.
"By modelling, I hoped to trigger their curiosity about Vietnam and bring good impressions about my motherland to international friends."


text:
Orange Niger and its local partners* have helped to set-up CIPMEN, a small- and medium-sized business (SME) incubator designed to encourage the creation of new and innovative companies in the country.
30 May 2014 11:22
Niger has deactivated a third of its mobile phone connections to curb anonymous phone calls used for criminal activity, the country's telecoms regulator has announced.
2 Dec 2013 10:14
Etisalat Group has announced the expansion of its mobile phone-based commerce service, Flous, through its subsidiary Etisalat Moov in Niger.
7 Oct 2013 12:25
Bharti Airtel, a telecommunications services provider with operations Africa, has been named the Most Socially Responsible Company in Niger at the 3rd Edition of the National Excellence Awards Ceremony.
2 Apr 2013 10:42
WASHINGTON, US: The International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF) is seeking nominations for its 2013 Courage in Journalism Awards and Lifetime Achievement Award.
22 Feb 2013 10:33
SAN FRANCISCO, US: Apple has announced that the latest version of its hot-selling iPhones will be released in China and 21 other countries on 13 January. It is already available in South Africa.
6 Jan 2012 09:43
NIAMEY, NIGER: The president of Niger, Mahamadou Issoufou, has become the first African head of state to endorse the Declaration of Table Mountain, which calls for repeal of criminal defamation and 'insult' laws and for putting press freedom higher on the agenda in Africa.
1 Dec 2011 11:42
NEW YORK, US: Global online consumer confidence fell for the seventh consecutive quarter as confidence in 31 of 56 global markets measured declined, according to from Nielsen, a leading global provider of insights and analytics into what consumers watch and buy.
9 Nov 2011 09:36
NEW YORK, US: Consumer confidence fell in 25 out of 52 countries in Q4 2010 as hope for a global economic recovery evaporated at the end of last year, according to the latest edition of the Nielsen Global Consumer Confidence Index, which tracks consumer confidence, major concerns and spending intentions among online consumers.
27 Jan 2011 11:00
ATLANTA, US: CNN has announced the launch of a new initiative for journalism students, called CNN iReport University, linked to iReport, the network's user-generated news community.
16 Sep 2010 10:35


text:
In an era when businesses seem to be constantly diversifying and opening up new revenue streams, Lexmark is going in the other direction and discontinuing its range of consumer inkjet printers. Despite positive feedback for its home inkjet machines, this division of the company has been losing money, thanks largely to a decline in consumer business for legacy machines.
Partly as a result of the poor performance of its inkjet division, Lexmark has seen its total sales revenue fall for five of the last six years, with printer sales plummeting from 20.4 million units in 2005 to 4.9 million in 2010. In contrast, Lexmark's core business of laser and high-end inkjet printers has remained healthy and, indeed, demonstrated some growth. By jettisoning the struggling sector of its business, Lexmark is hoping that the benefits will be felt across this business, although it concedes that this will take some time, possibly two years or more.
So, what does this mean for consumers? Well, from now on, Lexmark home inkjet printers are no longer available, although you can still purchase the business-orientated OfficeEdge devices. This does mean less choice for the consumer but with so many great products on the market, this shouldn't present too big a problem. Slightly more concerning for consumers who've already purchased one of the discontinued machines is the availability of consumables. However, in common with other printer manufacturers, Lexmark has confirmed that will continue to manufacture inks for all its discontinued printers for several years and Printware will continue to stock the full range of Lexmark ink cartridges.
by Anthony Morgan


text:
This is CNET and here are the stories that matter right now.
Apple announce it is expanding its offices in the US.
First up they will build a new billion dollar campus in Austin Texas.
Apple will also create new offices in Seattle San Diego and Culver City.
The company plans to expand in Boulder, Pittsburgh and New York over the next three years.
Apple said it expects to create 20,000 jobs in the US by the year 2023.
The Google Chromecast is available on Amazon The video streaming device was taken down from Amazon store in 2015.
Back in December of 2017 an Amazon spokesperson said the Chromecast would be back.
During Google and Amazon's tussle, Google hold YouTube from Amazon devices.
So a year later, here we are.
The Chromecasts are eligible for Prime shipping too.
Virgin Galactic is celebrating, as one of its supersonic planes made its way into space for the first time.
The Spaceship 2 BSS Unity hit an altitude of 51.4 miles.
The U.S. Air Force defines space as reaching above 50 miles.
The federal aviation administration will present to the pilots with astronaut wings next year.
Stay up to date with the latest by visiting cnet.com.


text:
Google CEO Larry Page announced today that Google Play downloads have surpassed 50 billion. Page dropped the news during the company’s second quarter earnings call.
Last may at Google I/O, Google announced that people had downloaded 48 billion apps. Right around the same time, Apple announced its iTunes App Store had surpassed 50 billion downloads.
Back in early June, analyst Shen Ye, whose algorithm correctly predicted the date that Google Play downloads would reach 25 billion, predicted that Google Play would hit the 50bn mark on June 9th. Ye’s algorithm was close, but a bit more than a month off.
Larry Page also highlighted the fact that more money has been paid out to app developers in the first half of 2013 than all of 2012, showing a marked growth in Android app market.
So, Apple, you’ve got your work cut out for you! The Android ecosystem and Google Play are chomping at iTunes’ heels. Android’s growing install base will only speed this growth.


text:
Hershey Won’t Be Able To Meet Halloween Candy Demand
Folks looking to satisfy their sweet tooth this Halloween are going to get more tricks than treats, as Hershey won’t be able to meet the candy demand.
“We will not be able to fully meet consumer demand,” Hershey CEO Michele Buck said Thursday (July 28). Per CNN, consumers are demanding more regular and Halloween-themed candy than Hershey can make at this time.
Bad news for Halloween enthusiasts. This year, you might be out of luck in the candy aisle. https://t.co/vnJIATwg6K— CNN (@CNN) July 28, 2022
Demand for sweets surged during the pandemic and has remained high, as has the interest in Halloween. Hershey, which has reported double-digit sales growth in the quarter compared to last year won’t be able to keep up with the upcoming Halloween demand. This is because the chocolate maker uses the same manufacturing lines for its regular and seasonal products, so they have to choose one or the other.
In addition to supply chain restrictions, the candy company has to source higher-priced dairy and scarce ingredients from other suppliers.
“We had a strategy of prioritizing everyday on-shelf availability,” Buck said. “That was a choice that we needed to make. It was a tough decision.”
Hershey is adding more manufacturing lines in the next few years, but that means that competitors like Mars Wrigley, who makes M&M’s, Snickers and Skittles, will most likely take the lead this Halloween season.


text:
Dead Space is science fiction survival horror game developed by EA Motive and published by EA.
It is a ground-up remake of the 2008 game of the same name, which was developed by Visceral Games (then known as EA Redwood Shores).
The remake of Visceral Studios' acclaimed survival horror title is slated to release on January 27th, 2023 for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.
We're in the thick of another golden age of horror games.
Motive also hosted a recent livestream about crafting the game's art, showcasing visual aspects that have been updated over the original.
Streaming on YouTube and Twitch at 10 AM PST, "Crafting the Tension" will focus on the remake's art and feature topics from the community.
Community manager Caden House says the feedback provided "was definitely valid." He also explained the different changes made.
Motive Studio will hold another developer livestream in a couple of months, with the focus this time being the art of the Dead Space remake.
Motive Studios also showcased revamped sound effects, audio occlusion and the A.L.I.V.E. system in a recent livestream.
A development update will reportedly be coming tomorrow. Originally, the remake was rumored to be releasing in Fall 2022.
Motive Studios will offer another early look at development. The remake is currently rumored to release this Fall for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC.
As per the LinkedIn pages of various members of the development team, work on the survival horror remake started roughly halfway through 2020.
Play as The Drifter, Skul, and Juan among other heroes with unique new outfits and weapons. The update is live for PC and coming later to consoles.
Certain weapons are better at damaging flesh while others are more suited for dismemberment. Also, Gunner Wright returns to voice Isaac.
In a new livestream, Motive Studios offered a very early look at the upcoming remake, along with many of its visual improvements.
Motive Studio will be showing early behind-the-scenes glimpses of the upcoming survival horror remake's development.
A new report claims that if development goes according to plan, the survival horror remake will be out in a little over a year.
Eric Baptizat is also known for being lead designer on titles like Assassin's Creed Origins and Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag.
Remaking a beloved horror game is no easy task. Thankfully, the upcoming Dead Space remake can take notes from a recent game that did just that.
EA Motive's upcoming remake needs to ensure it improves upon the original in these key ways.
In an interview with IGN, the Dead Space remake's creative director talks about his plans for including accessibility options in the game.
The beloved sci-fi survival horror series is returning at long last, with a remake of the very first game- here's what you should know about it,
"Directing the original Dead Space was one of the highlights of my career," says Glen Schofield, who is currently working on a horror game of his own.
Motive Studios is "learning from mistakes such as microtransactions" and will "never" have them in the remake, says senior producer Phil Ducharme.
Motive's Philippe Ducharme and Roman Campos-Oriola talk about staying true to the original's vision while enhancing the immersion.
Rebuilt from the ground up with the Frostbite Engine, the remake of the 2008 horror classic promises gameplay and visual improvements.
Motive Studios' title is reportedly a "full-fledged remake" that will reboot the franchise and use the first game as a "strong foundation."
Multiple outlets have seemingly confirmed a rumor that EA is planning to unveil a Dead Space revival at their EA Play Live event in a month.
Journalist Jeff Grubb says the game's probably not going to be at EA Play Live either.
The developer of Star Wars: Squadrons seems to be at work on an interesting new project.
The recent mention of a new Star Wars game was due to "human error."


text:
A Toronto trucking firm is complaining that most Ontario companies were frozen out of a competition to be the exclusive 2015 Pan Am Games logistics provider, which was eventually won by a German-based operation.
“This is a low blow for Ontario-based logistics companies,” said John Flynn, vice-president of sales and marketing for Seneca Transportation & Logistics Inc.
Flynn said he is frustrated there was no public tendering process, but rather TO2015 official approached only eight companies to see if they would be interested in being sponsors with a minimum buy-in of $1 million.
“The problem is they just shut everyone out,” he said.
DB Schenker of Canada in Mississauga got the nod when it made an offer exceeding more than $1 million in in-kind services, and will supply trucking during the games.
“DB Schenker is owned by the German railroad (Deutsche Bahn) and it has got deep pockets,” Flynn said, adding that “we are in a really slow economy here in Ontario and we are fighting out for survival.”
But a TO2015 official, who refused to say exactly how much Schenker put up for the bragging rights of being an official supplier to the Games, acknowledged that if and when the threshold of in-kind service is exceeded, the company could end making money off the Games.
The minimum threshold to become an official supplier and sponsor of the Games is an investment of $1 million.
The Pan Am Games has many sponsors, including the Toronto Star.
The Tories’ Pan Am critic MPP Rod Jackson (Barrie) said the sponsorship process is no way to make the Games open and transparent, especially when officials even refuse to name the eight logistics companies that were approached or how much Schenker kicked in.
“It’s highly inappropriate. I wouldn’t go as far as to say it is illegal … but it is certainly unethical,” Jackson said. “Other businesses that may have been able to provide a better, more cost-efficient service were left out.”
Pan Am officials have flatly refused to release details on individual sponsorship agreements, but in Schenker’s case it revealed it is expected to unload more than a million items, from furniture to specialized sporting equipment, at 50-plus venues.
Former Liberal premier David Peterson, Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee chair, defended the practice of getting companies to put up cash or in-kind services, which he says is common practice in these kinds of multi-sport events.
“You are always working with sponsors to sponsor the games and you cut deals with these people,” he said, explaining that the company becomes not only a sponsor but also a supplier.
“There is nothing weird about this. It happens in every Games … there is no subverting the process.”
Peterson said the winners in all of this are the taxpayers, because there is an infusion of private money to help offset the cost of putting on the Games. He added that some sponsors will recoup their buy-in and more while others are content to do it just for the publicity.
It will cost taxpayers at least $2.5 billion to host the Games, which will host 7,666 athletes competing in 51 sports at venues in 14 municipalities, including Toronto, Hamilton, Milton, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Caledon, St. Catharines, and Welland.
Rick Ramsbottom, vice-president for sponsorship sales and Partnership Services at Toronto 2015, said there will “likely” be additional logistics costs that would benefit Schenker, but wouldn’t say what they might be.
“I can’t get into the details. I can’t tell you exactly this is how much the sponsorship investment is and this is how much the spend is,” he said, adding that “we are ecstatic with having Schenker as a partner in the Games.”
Eric Dewey, president and CEO of Schenker of Canada, told the Star in an email statement that “DB Schenker has a history showcasing our expertise and commitment to staging world-class sporting events, including the Sochi, London, Vancouver, and Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
Dewey emphasized that being the official logistics supplier will give “Schenker of Canada the public awareness and promotion we need to strengthen our visibility and position in the Canadian market.”
Tourism, Culture and Sport Minister Michael Chan’s office defended the sponsorship process in a statement to the Star: “Sponsorship is critical in making sure revenue targets are achieved with a maximized investment for a defined set of benefits like access to marketing, branding and affiliation with the event.”


text:
Total 5 Posts
NFT (non-fungible token) is a new type of cryptocurrency that exists exclusively in its cryptosystem. Simply put, this is a special form of digital art ownership, secured by a unique token. The owner of this token becomes the sole owner of a certain digital object, be it a picture, GIF, video, tweet, or song.
An NFT artwork created by humanoid robot Sophia was sold at auction for $688 thousand. This is the first-ever sale of an NFT artwork created by artificial intelligence, based on the work of the Italian artist Andrea Bonaceto.
Non-fungible tokens act as a certificate of authenticity for digital objects such as GIF, JPEG, MP3, or other digital art forms. Over the past month, people have spent over $1 billion on digital assets.
Time will also begin accepting cryptocurrency as payment for subscriptions within the next 30 days. The company is also looking for a new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) who will, among other things, work with cryptocurrency.
This week’s stories feature a shouting booth created by a Dutch inventor for more convenient coronavirus testing, and a techno song about NFTs by Elon Musk.
NFTs have received a lot of attention over the past few weeks, with artists, musicians, and people in the media getting involved in selling digital rights to different things.


text:
Three Billion Visitors to Windows Store
Whatever the fuss over apps for Windows 10, users are still coming to the Windows Store.
Microsoft’s latest trends report for developers about all things app celebrates the three billionth visits. That’s from the base of 200 million or so Windows 10 devices now out there.
To read more
Three Billion Visitors to Windows Store - Windows 10 News and Updates