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Although the draft regulation mentions only a ban on the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors, a letter from the Director of Public Health to tobacco sellers refers to an outright "ban on the sale of e-cigarettes." A knowledgeable source told the Rest of the Story that the Board is indeed considering a ban on the sale of electronic cigarettes, not only to minors but to adults as well.
The rationale for the Board's proposed ban on the sale of electronic cigarettes is not clear, since there is nothing in the preamble of the draft regulation that mentions electronic cigarettes or why they pose a danger to the public's health.
The Rest of the Story
I believe that enactment of this regulation would be a serious mistake. There is strong evidence that electronic cigarettes are much safer than tobacco cigarettes. These products contain no tobacco and do not involve combustion. Multiple studies have confirmed that there are only a few chemicals present beyond the nicotine, and so far, only trace or low levels of potentially concerning constituents have been detected - levels which are much lower than in real cigarettes. Users of these products generally report an immediate and dramatic reduction in respiratory symptoms. Moreover, there is strong evidence that electronic cigarettes can be effective in smoking cessation and that they may actually be more effective than traditional nicotine replacement products such as nicotine patches, gum, or lozenges.
So why would the Board of Health want to ban the sale of these products?
There is a legitimate concern about the potential for youth to get their hands on these products, and that concern warrants the regulation of the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors. But why ban the sale of this smoking cessation aid to adult smokers who are trying to quit?
It makes no sense, from a public health perspective, to ban a product which is almost uniformly used by smokers in an effort to quit smoking or significantly reduce the amount of cigarette consumption, while at the same time, to sanction the sale of the real thing: deadly cigarettes. What the Board of Health would be saying, if it enacts this regulation, is that they would rather have smokers continue to smoke cigarettes than quit smoking with the aid of a much safer alternative product.
If the West Springfield Board of Health were truly committed to protecting the health of its residents from the dangers of cigarette smoking, it would address the problem head on by simply banning the sale of cigarettes. Why ban the non-tobacco cigarettes that have not been shown to be hazardous and which are helping thousands of smokers get off cigarettes, while leaving the real ones on the market to continue to kill West Springfield residents?
I have published extensively on this topic, co-authoring studies which review the safety and effectiveness of electronic cigarettes, demonstrate the widespread use of electronic cigarettes to quit smoking, and discuss the reasons why electronic cigarettes are essential as a harm reduction strategy in tobacco control. These articles, as well as multiple commentaries on this blog, address each of the concerns expressed by the FDA about these products and show that the agency has not presented an objective picture of the relative safety and efficacy of electronic cigarettes.
Briefly, my research with Zachary Cahn was the first to comprehensively review the scientific evidence about the safety and effectiveness of electronic cigarettes and was published in the Journal of Public Health Policy. After reviewing 16 laboratory studies of the constituents of electronic cigarettes, we conclude that electronic cigarettes are much safer than the real ones and therefore show tremendous promise in the fight against tobacco-related morbidity and mortality. Banning these products from the market would benefit the tobacco companies at the expense of the public’s health.
The FDA and major anti-smoking groups keep saying that we don’t know anything about what is in electronic cigarettes. The truth is, we know a lot more about what is in electronic cigarettes than regular cigarettes. Our review shows that carcinogen levels in electronic cigarettes are up to 1,000 times lower than in tobacco cigarettes. No other constituents have been detected at levels that are of significant health concern. Thus, using electronic cigarettes (also called vaping) appears to be much safer than smoking. Taking these products off the market would force thousands of vapers to return to cigarette smoking. Why would the FDA and the anti-smoking groups want to take an action that is going to seriously harm the public’s health? The only ones who would be protected by a ban on e-cigarettes are the tobacco companies, as these new products represent the first real threat to their profits in decades.
Regarding the relative safety of electronic cigarettes, the study concludes that “few, if any, chemicals at levels detected in electronic cigarettes raise serious health concerns. Although the existing research does not warrant a conclusion that electronic cigarettes are safe in absolute terms and further clinical studies are needed to comprehensively assess the safety of electronic cigarettes, a preponderance of the available evidence shows them to be much safer than tobacco cigarettes and comparable in toxicity to conventional nicotine replacement products.”
The study also reviews preliminary evidence that electronic cigarettes can be effective in suppressing the urge to smoke, largely because they simulate the act of smoking a real cigarette. The fact that bothers the anti-smoking groups the most – that vaping looks like smoking – is precisely the fact which appears to make e-cigarettes an effective tool for smoking cessation.
Regarding the effectiveness of electronic cigarettes for smoking cessation, the study concludes as follows: “Although more research is needed before we will know how effective electronic cigarettes are at achieving smoking abstinence, there is now sufficient evidence to conclude that these products are at least capable of suppressing the urge to smoke.” There is also reason to believe that they offer an advantage over traditional nicotine delivery devices, the study argues, because smoking-related stimuli alone have been found capable of suppressing tobacco abstinence symptoms for long periods of time.
The article concludes: "The evidence reviewed in this article suggests that electronic cigarettes are a much safer alternative to tobacco cigarettes. They are likely to improve upon the efficacy of traditional pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation." While more research is needed, the article concludes that electronic cigarettes show promise as a harm reduction strategy and that removing them from the market would substantially harm the public’s health.
I hope that the West Springfield Board of Health will consider this research and these arguments before it makes a decision that I believe will harm, rather than protect, the public's health.


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Maserati will be the first Fiat Chrysler brand to launch a fully electric car
However, 2020 could be a record year for Maserati which will present the first all-electric car of the group Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. This record will be conquered by the Modenese home thanks to the debut of a sports car that could be called Alfieri in homage to the concept car that in 2014 the Italian house revealed at the Geneva Motor Show. Just in March it is possible that the car will be unveiled in preview.
On the occasion of the next edition of Geneva Motor Show therefore it is possible that we will know the first official data and the first certain information of this car destined to make people talk for a long time in the world of engines and to report the Maserati brand general attention after a few years of anonymity.
This will only be the starter of the one that promises to be an authentic revolution for the range of the Italian car manufacturer that is part of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Subsequently, in fact, a compact SUV on a Stelvio basis produced in Cassino and the new versions of will arrive Levante, Quattroporte, Ghibli, GranCabrio and GranTurismo. This without forgetting that the entire Trident range will be electrified. In short, it is not prohibitive to think that soon the Italian brand will break 50,000 annual registrations with the possibility of approaching broadly to 70,000.
You might be interested in: Alfa Romeo: from the Maserati Alfieri will a new model derive?
To keep up to date, follow us on: Facebook – Twitter – Gnews – Instragram – Pinterest and WhatsApp at +39 3515397062

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Simon Joinson, Editor-in-chief
Let me start by extending you a warm welcome to Connect, a new website dedicated to the technology, community and culture of 'mobile photography', including smart phones, tablets, apps, connected cameras and the creativity and community, brought to you by the team behind Digital Photography Review.
With billions of images being shared by millions of smart phone photographers around the globe, the world of photography is experiencing an explosion of creativity and engagement that hasn't been seen since the first consumer digital cameras arrived almost two decades ago. This time it's different though. It's about the power of the snapshot to tell a story, to build a community, to record the mundane as well as the remarkable. It's about people who don't even think of themselves as photographers never stepping out of the door without a camera. It's about photography's power to connect. And that's why we're here.
Erin Lodi - Editor: DPReview Connect
There’s never been a better time to introduce Connect. As always, things are changing. But today, perhaps faster than ever before.
Cameras on phones are nothing new, but it took the birth of the modern smartphone, with its full-time web connectivity and image processing apps, to really kickstart mobile photography. Most people agree that the smartphone era truly dawned with the release of the original Apple iPhone, in 2007. In the five years since, mobile photography has skyrocketed in popularity. In 2011, the iPhone 4 became the most used camera on Flickr, and its successor the iPhone 4S currently holds that title. The social networking platform Instagram has fed (and fed off) this fascination with mobile photography and more than 100 million registered users now share billions of images on Instagram, a mere two years after the service was launched.
The growth in smartphones has put a lot of pressure on the sales of conventional compact cameras, and as sales slip, camera manufacturers are running to catch up.
They are adding wi-fi connectivity, in-camera effects filters, and recently even mobile operating systems, which allow users to expand a camera's usefulness exponentially by installing third-party apps. As well as wi-fi, there's the promise of 3G and 4G LTE technology in the very near future, and already, Samsung is exploring that space with the recently announced Galaxy Camera.
New slogans from major players like Canon ('The Power to Connect') and Samsung ('Shoot now, share wow') indicate only too clearly how much the traditional manufacturers want connected consumers to look beyond their phones, to a 'proper' camera.
Simultaneously, smartphone manufacturers are responding to the demand for better and better photographic features by improving their own offerings with every new model and software update. With larger sensors, better lenses and improved digital camera technology, camera phones are performing and behaving more and more like cameras, and as you'll see from the cellphone camera reviews here on Connect, the image quality gap is closing with incredible speed.
Some may even argue that we’re nearing a tipping point as the line between camera and phone blurs further and further until the devices must converge.
Yet as camera and photo sharing technology becomes more powerful and more capable than ever before, many of us are feeling a stronger sense of disconnection with others. Our Facebook 'friends' number in the hundreds. We’re LinkedIn to work colleagues past, present and potentially future. When Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone, he described it as holding "your life in your hand" and he's been proven right. These days we've got the whole world in our hands thanks to a new generation of smartphones that let us surf the web, research and write reviews of places we've been, and places we want to go, shop for most anything we need, and entertain ourselves in any number of ways, including by taking photographs. And yet, there’s a sense of separation for many of us, a sense of community that’s missing.
Maybe that’s why we love social image-sharing platforms so much. The simplicity of the medium seems to be tying us together again. As we share our images we have access to the images of millions of other people around the world. But it's not just about looking. Suddenly, we can interact with others in a way that transcends geographical boundaries and even language – a smiley face is a smiley face in any dialect. And while we may share our most intimate moments or emotions through an image, there’s an anonymity in the process that ironically makes it easier, by creating a sense of safety. Many users share under a creative handle — not their real name. You don’t even need to subscribe or “friend” someone’s feed to like or comment on an image. In this way, we can reach out without giving too much of ourselves away. Or at least no more than we want to.
As we prepared for the launch of Connect, we did a lot of research and a lot of reaching out. We encountered reoccurring themes when talking to influencers and experts in the field. Again and again they marveled at how the small, unimposing stature of the device tends to break down barriers between photographer and subject, inviting conversation and fostering our ability to relate to one another. Over and over we heard stories of true and lasting relationships (even marriages!) that were created through Instagram, and services like it. We repeatedly heard about people who found their voice, even their calling, through a newfound love of mobile photography and the support from the communities created through social photo sharing platforms.
The rise of mobile photography has created a new way for us to express ourselves, to share our lives, to connect with one another.
We intend to continue in this spirit by delivering information and of course photographs through Connect in an engaging and accessible format that delights and inspires our readers and encourages discovery. Connect will foster community among socially-connected photographers as we enable sharing, learning and feedback related to mobile photography news, opinion, and culture. The site will serve as an authoritative source of information about smart phones, connected cameras, tablets, apps, accessories, social platforms and related services.
We look forward to connecting with you.
Barnaby Britton - Reviews Editor: DPReview.com
Today's crop of smartphones are incredible machines. I've got one, it's nuts. In one hand, I'm holding more computer power than the machines that took Neil Armstrong to the moon (although Apollo 11's on-board Hasselblad cameras were higher-resolution).
Significant improvements in sensor technology and miniaturization, coupled with changing expectations amongst social media-savvy consumers mean that if you buy a smartphone now, the chances are you're getting a pretty capable digital camera, too. As mobile devices are becoming better at taking pictures, major manufacturers in the photo industry are beginning to include smartphone-like connectivity options in their cameras. How should we react?
We could put our heads in the sand and ignore this new development, but we prefer to see it as an opportunity. Not to radically change dpreview, but to speak to a broader audience.
So rather than adding a new category of content to dpreview, we decided to launch a new site - and you're looking at it. Connect is the only site on the web devoted specifically to mobile photography, and as you poke around you'll find technique articles, detailed feature stories on photographers using mobile devices, and the most in-depth reviews of phone cameras on the Internet. Inevitably, creating, commissioning and editing all of this content for launch has been a team effort, but in the long run, Connect will be a separately resourced, editorially independent site, operating under the dpreview 'umbrella.' This means that while we'll continue to share the wider team's expertise, the two sites will complement one another, rather than compete.
Is dpreview.com going to fundamentally change? No. Absolutely not. You might see some Connect content featured on dpreview, and vis-versa, especially as the new site settles into its groove, but the dpreview team will keep on doing what we've always done best - reviewing cameras and being first with industry news and product analysis.
So whoever you are, and wherever you've come from, we want to welcome you to Connect.
The venerable Canon PowerShot G1 was announced seventeen years ago this week, marking the start of a line of enthusiast-focused compacts that's still alive and kicking.
Super macro photographer Can Tuncer captured these incredible close-ups of a single peacock feather using a special setup and three different microscope lenses.
After successfully crowdfunding the Biotar 75mm F1.5, Oprema Jena is at it again. This time they're bringing back the Biotar 58mm F2: the world's only lens with a 17-blade aperture.
Adobe's move to a subscription model is treating it very well indeed. The company has posted record revenue for the second quarter in a row, hauling in a mind-boggling $1.84 billion.
More details have emerged about the potential sale of Blackstone's 45% stake in iconic camera brand Leica.
Popular mobile editing app Snapseed just got a major update that includes a new interface and 11 new presets for both Android and iOS, as well as adding the Perspective tool to the iOS version.
It might sound like a strange idea, but taking macro photos of boiling water can actually result in some really cool photographs. A good photo experiment for a rainy day.
The database was created to "break with the narrow lens through which history… has been recorded" by equipping those who commission photography with "the resources to discover photographers of color available for assignments.
Lensbaby has released two new optics for their special "optic swap system." The Lensbaby Sweet 80 Optic gives you that trademark sweet spot of focus, while the Creative Bokeh optic gives you 9 different drop in aperture plate options to play with.
TechCrunch has already posted their review of the upcoming iPhone 8 (not yet the iPhone X), and they're calling it "a look into the augmented future of photography."
Affinity Photo is a $50 photo editing software with no subscriptions. That's it – pay for it once and you're done. And we think it's actually pretty darn good.
Instagram is currently testing a major change to the app's profile layout: replacing the 3-photo across grid with a 4-photo grid... and some users are NOT taking the news well.
A report by USSRPhoto is shedding some light on the return of the famed Zenit camera brand. It seems the full-frame mirrorless camera they're working on will be made in part by Leica using components from the Leica SL.
According to a reliable Korean report, Samsung is developing a smartphone sensor that's capable of super slow motion. Translation: Samsung's next batch of Galaxy smartphones may be able to shoot 1,000fps.
This simple photograph of a seahorse and Q-tip has taken the internet by storm. We spoke to photographer Justin Hofman about how it was captured, and what it means to him.
After a massive leak last week, Profoto has officially debuted the Profoto A1: the company's first on-camera flash system that they're calling "the world's smallest studio flash."
"When the first hyperfocal distance charts were designed, someone decided that an acceptably sharp background contained some blur — enough to notice in a medium-sized print [...] After that point, nearly every other hyperfocal chart followed suit."
The Canon EOS Rebel SL2 (also known as the EOS 200D) is the company's impressively compact entry-level DSLR. Packing a 24MP APS-C sensor, DIGIC 7 processor and Dual Pixel AF, it promises a lot of bang for the buck. And while not mind-blowing, it handles most tasks very well.
Correct these four common composition mistakes and your photos will be more balanced, tell a better story, and lead your viewer's eye where you want it to go.
The rugged, compact 360° action camera Kodak unveiled at Photokina in 2016, the Kodak PixPro Orbit 360, is finally available in the United States.
iOS 11 launches tomorrow, and it'll save all of your pictures in a new high efficiency image format called HEIC. Fortunately, there's now a converter that will let you turn those photos back into JPEGs.
Photo protection company ImageRights recently released a new service that lets non-subscribers take advantage of their streamlined copyright registration system that checks for errors and fills out all the required forms for you.
What's the difference between a $200 circular polarizing filter and a $100 circular polarizing filter? Roger Cicala at Lens Rentals put six different filters through a few tests to find out.
A flurry of leaks reveal that GoPro's upcoming Hero6 will shoot 4K at 60fps, 1080p at 240fps, will cost $500, and is scheduled for announcement/release on September 28th.
Before he became the iconic director whose name we've all heard, a teenage Stanley Kubrick struck up a business relationship with New York’s Look magazine. No surprise: he was an incredibly talented photographer.
WD's new G-Technology G-Drive mobile SSD R-Series is a portable solid state option for photographers who want the reliability of an SSD in a rugged water and dust-resistant package.
Fast, stabilized and affordable is an appealing combination when it comes to lenses. With its latest 24-70mm F2.8, Tamron aims to upgrade autofocus speed and stabilization. We've got a full gallery from this updated full-frame zoom.
Photographer Clay Cook tells the story of his most ambitious photographic dream and career goal coming true: photographing A-list actress Jennifer Lawrence.
In an interview with a Chinese website, Nikon Japan's Director of Development dropped a bombshell, saying that a Nikon mirrorless camera "must be full-frame."
Here's a side-by-side spec comparison of two flagship devices with particular attention to the things that really matter – at least to people who prioritize photography features.


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Luxury car brand, Porsche, is set to launch its first NFT collection in January 2023. The project was made known at the Art Basel event in Miami. The car company is making advancements in the Web3 space, where it’s been exploring blockchain tools.
The project will see a former architect and 3D designer, Patrick Vogel of ALT/SHIFT studio, create designs for the NFTs. Further details also show that owners of the NFTs can influence the look of the collectibles by choosing any of the three core designs of the Porsche brand, which can be integrated into the design of their NFT.
According to the announcement, those who want to be part of the project need to enter the Allowlist, which will allow users to gain access to the 7,500 unique NFTs in January 2023. Each user is allowed to purchase not more than three NFTs.
Porsche Web3 journey
Speaking about the NFTs that will be created using Unreal Engine, Lutz Meschke, Porsche’s Deputy Chairman and Member of the Executive Board for Finance and IT, explained that the project is part of the company’s digitalization strategy. “We’ve made our commitment for the long haul, and our Web3 team has the autonomy to develop innovations in this dimension as well,” he added.
Supporting the assertion of Lutz, Detlev von Platen, a Member of the Executive Board for Sales and Marketing, noted that NFTs will enable Porsche to integrate its brand positioning as a luxurious company in the digital world.
Organizations like UP.Labs, nft now, and GmbH by Fanzone as well as subsidiaries such as Porsche Digital and MHP, are part of the team making the NFT project a reality.


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The marketing message is getting personal for fall.
In a harsh mediascape marked by sharp advertising budget cuts and play-it-safe campaigns hawking discounts, change is stirring among fashion marketers. They are making appeals to the individual rather than the masses, reversing the pattern of the past 50 years. They are focusing locally and leveraging lower-cost platforms such as store settings and the Internet to reach their most passionate customers. And they are tapping into the public’s desire to escape day-to-day drudgery in the recession and indulge in fantasies — signaled by the rising popularity of vampires, video gaming and some big-budget movies, among other things.
“The days of big, anthemic, conceptual campaigns are over for now,” said John Gerzema, chief creative officer at Young & Rubicam.
Smaller scale, closer-to-home marketing venues or far-reaching, efficient media like the Internet are being chosen as lower-cost, targeted strategies.
Regularly Tweeting into the wee hours with her 6,300 followers, Lisa Gavales, executive vice president and chief marketing officer at Express, has been experiencing unaccustomed demands on her time. Many of her followers, she said, “want a window into who’s wearing our clothes — celebrities, models — who’s shopping our stores, what’s going on behind the scenes at photo shoots.” (Express, which operates more than 550 U.S. stores with annual sales of more than $1.8 billion, also addresses these issues in videos, promotional offers and the like to 48,000 of its “fans” on Facebook.)
The second phase of Express’ fall campaign, starting in September, will spotlight the brand’s young, forward fashions — such as strong-shouldered jackets and military-inspired styles — in print and online, including the word from Gavales to her followers on Twitter, people she sees as Express loyalists.
“I much better understand who my customer is, now,” she said of her fellow Tweeters. “It’s having the conversations with the customers who want to know what’s next.”
Paragon, the century-old sporting gear and apparel institution in Manhattan, is using Twitter’s new media messaging to draw people to real-time events. The sports specialist’s Twitter page recently invited people to join in a Nike training run (“...at 6:30! Try the latest and greatest Nike shoes!”); to get discounted tickets to World Team Tennis, and it listed offers of previous days, like that of free 7.11-oz. Slurpees on 7-Eleven’s 82nd birthday, July 11 (...“for everyone! Find a store near you.”)
While enabling companies to take the temperature of “communities talking about [them] in real time,” Twitter’s burst onto the scene, Gerzema said, raises a “big concern” for marketers: “How do you keep Tweets from becoming spam?”
More broadly, he said, businesses are entering a period when their brands “have to connect on a value and values level” — by speaking directly to consumers’ personal values that are consistent with the value of the things brands are offering, such as high-quality craftsmanship, the cachet of a limited edition, or a strong ethical stance.
“These collections continue to build on that vision, empowering differently abled adults to express themselves through fashion,” said @tommyhilfiger of his line of adaptive apparel, which launches today. The line consists of 37 men’s and 34 women’s styles based upon the pieces from the spring Tommy Hilfiger sportswear collection. #wwdnews
“Stranger Things” is getting a new cast member for season 2. Meet @sadiesink_, the 15-year-old who will be joining the Netflix series for its new season. You may recognize her from “The Glass Castle” with Brie Larson and Woody Harrelson, but the Texas native’s next role goes in an entirely different direction. She describes her character, Max, as “a rough and tumble skater girl [who] becomes friends with the boys at school.” The second season debuts on October 27. (📷: @jgreenery) #wwdeye
Amid the Harvey Weinstein controversy, there’s another sector that’s being put under the spotlight for sexual abuse: the modeling industry. While rumors about abuse and sexual harassment of female and male models — and the photographers, agents and others who perpetrated it — have circulated within the fashion world for years, model @cameronrussell started posting stories from models on Instagram last week about abusive situations they’ve encountered — from sexual harassment and molestation to attempted rape. Over 75 have weighed in so far. Read more on WWD.com. Link in bio. #wwdnews
To celebrate its 16th anniversary, @dylanscandybar tapped designers and celebrities to create mosaics out of candy. The mosaics will be auctioned off to support the philanthropic cause of each participant’s choice. Pictured here is the mural created by @aliceandolivia's Stacey Bendet. For a first look at some of the other artwork being unveiled tonight, go to WWD.com. #wwdeye
The annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic in Pacific Palisades this weekend drew Kate Hudson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Laura Dern and more. See pictures of the star-studded event on WWD.com. (📷: @chelsealaurenla) #wwdeye
In his new book “Hollywood Royale,” Andy Warhol’s Protégé Matthew Rolston celebrates the Eighties revival of Hollywood glamour. Featuring more than 100 portraits taken by Rolston from 1977 to 1993, the book contains photos of icons like Michael Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, and @drewbarrymore, pictured here in 1991. “Hollywood Royale,” out today, will be accompanied by an exhibition opening at Los Angeles’ Fahey/Klein Gallery on March 1. #wwdeye
"Nowadays when life is not so happy with everything going on in the world, I think people come to me for a little bit of whimsy and color and fun." - Designer Rebecca De Ravenel on her cult-favorite jewelry line. (📸 : @vsteves) #wwd40
“Everyone is talking about how the retail industry is struggling, but I think it’s an incredible time because brands who are doing something different and innovative are setting themselves up for the future,” said @adamgoldston, who founded the luxury athletic brand @apl with his brother @ryangoldsten. The Goldston’s are part of WWD’s 40 under 40: a group of industry notables. See the rest of the list on WWD.com. (📷: @vsteves) #wwd40
@eyeswoon blogger Athena Calderone debuted her first-ever cookbook, “Cook Beautiful,” which is heavily centered on the presentation and visual expression of food. Pictured here are her miso glazed carrots from the book. Get the recipe on WWD.com. (📷: @johnny_miller_) #wwdeye


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As a Christmas treat we present the full soundtrack of World of Color: Season of Light for your enjoyment!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNb2LfuFluo Welcome to Geeks Corner! This week not only have the Avengers come to the Disneyland Resort, but so have the Holidays! DAPs Murray joins the cast this week to talk about his adventures running [...]
This last weekend was full of events at the Disneyland Resort. The holidays at the parks kicked off with several festivities to celebrate the season. It was also the 2016 Super Heroes Half Marathon weekend [...]
Disney Parks Blog has announced that there will be some new additions to the traditional Christmastime shows and attractions this year. Starting November 10, the Resort will be decked out in decoration, like the Winter [...]


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A three-day Victorian Christmas Market is coming to Oxford's city centre.
Visitors will be transported back to the era when they step onto Broad Street and Gloucester Green from Friday, November 19 until November 21.
Broad Street will close to vehicles from 5am until 9pm each day for the event, meaning you won't be able to park on the street.
If you attend the market, you can expect the area to be fully decked in a Victorian style, with all traders dressing up for the occasion.
Organisers say there will be chances to shop for Christmas gifts from around 100 stalls, and of course - Christmas food and drink.
You can buy glasses of warm mulled wine, or even a hot chocolate laced with Bailey's to keep you cosy.
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There will also be carol singers, Victorian-themed stilt walkers and Christmassy photo opportunities.
Entry to the market is completely free, and runs from 10am-8pm on Friday and Saturday, and from 10am until 5pm on Sunday.
To get to the event, the organisers ask that guests use public transport if they live in Oxford, or use the city's Park & Ride service.
It looks like the market will be incredibly popular, with almost 10,000 people marking themselves as 'interested' in attending on Facebook.
Want the latest news from across Oxfordshire? Make sure to subscribe to our free newsletter so you never miss a story.


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Williams-Sonoma has begun sourcing more than 90% of the paper used in the company’s seven catalogs (Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Bed and Bath, Pottery Barn Kids, PBteen, west elm and Williams-Sonoma Home) from sources certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. FSC certification will ensure that catalog paper comes from well-managed forests that adhere to strict environmental and socioeconomic standards.
“We could not have achieved this certification without the support and determined efforts of our supply chain partner, NewPage Corporation,” said Pat Connolly, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Williams-Sonoma. “Securing FSC certification demonstrates their continued dedication to responsible forest management and long-term sustainability.”
Williams-Sonoma will begin to display the FSC Mixed Sources label on its catalogs in early 2007.
Williams-Sonoma also incorporates 10 percent post consumer recycled content into its Williams-Sonoma catalog and 30 percent post consumer recycled content in shipping cartons, in-store collateral, gift wrap, gift boxes, copy paper, and corporate stationary.


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After Google announced the latest Android 6.0 Marshmallow at the 29th September event, it was declared that all the Google Nexus devices would be receiving the updates soon. It did not take a long time for the news to develop and soon we got to know that the Moto X (2nd Gen) might get the update soon. And fresh news suggests that other OEMs will be providing the update soon to their flagships.
HTC has given a confirmation that it will be releasing Android 6.0 for its present flagships, while some latest rumors suggest that LG might skip Android 5.1.1 and might roll out the Marshmallow update directly. Some relevant data has been found on the company’s Korea-specific support page and the data indicates that the LG G3 and LG G4 devices will be getting the Android 6 Marshmallow update soon. LG hasn’t announced it officially, but screenshots of the support page clearly show a new category for “Android 6” apart from the previous versions.
Though that is the end to the news and when one clicks on the Android 6 category on that support page, it automatically redirects to an irrelevant page. However, it is clear that LG does intend to bring the latest Android to its LG G3 and G4 smartphones.
Talking of LG smartphones that are queued up for the Android 6.0 update, the list includes LG G3 F400K, F400L, and F400S, LG G4 F500K, F500L, and F500S are the only smartphones queued up for Marshmallow. Other LG G3 variants are not included, but we’re sure they will eventually get the update too.


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Figures published today show that GDP is estimated to have increased by 0.6 per cent during the final quarter of 2016, with the retail trade making the largest contribution to headline GDP growth.
UK GDP was estimated to have increased by 2.0 per cent during 2016, slowing slightly from 2.2 per cent in 2015 and from 3.1 per cent in 2014.
Commenting on the figures, Rupert Eastell, head of retail at RSM said:
‘The latest GDP figures underline the important contribution of the retail sector to the UK economy. However, the picture in the final months of the year was mixed. While many supermarkets recorded some good year-on-year figures, other High Street retailers didn’t fare so well and the ONS data for retail sales in December showed a 1.9 per cent fall compared to a 0.1 per cent fall in November.
Over the next year, retailers will face a number of challenges. Key among these will be having to cope with the lower pound, which is down by around 15 per cent on a trade-weighted basis since January 2016, and is likely to stay at these levels.
‘We could once again see inflation outstripping wage growth which could affect discretionary spending, and the decline in consumer confidence could lead to a reduction in business investment.
‘Retailers therefore need to review their business plans for the next two years and identify any required realignment and risk mitigation activities. They also need to assess the ‘knock-on’ effects for the post-Brexit plan.
‘Businesses must also evaluate the scope for changes in their international activities. With the pound set to remain around current levels for some time, both export and import activities should be re-assessed. The US could become a more attractive market if President Trump delivers the widely-anticipated stimulus, while strengthening commodity and oil prices may boost emerging markets. However, rising import prices may mean sourcing and location strategies need reviewing.’


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LG Electronics is testing a prototype for its next flagship smartphone G3, equipped with fingerprint recognition technology, according to industry sources.
“LG has recently made a decision to adopt the fingerprint scanner on the upcoming G3, the successor of the G2, and is conducting a series of tests for the product,” said an official close to the matter.
The fingerprint recognition technology would likely come as a swipe fingerprint sensor, different from the area-type system utilized on Apple’s iPhone 5S, according to the official.
The Korean tech giant is also developing wearable devices including its smart watch G-Arch and health and fitness wristband G-Health, both of which are expected to sync with the G3.
Other features expected to appear on LG’s latest handset include Google’s Android 4.4 Kitkat, Quad HD display and a 2.2 GHz octa-core processor.
It is said that LG’s flagship smartphone and the wearable gadgets will be unveiled at the Mobile World Congress to be held in Barcelona in February next year.
The official forecast that more smartphone makers would roll out smartphone models with the fingerprint technology next year.
Apple will install fingerprint scanners on a broader range of its products including smartphones and tablet PCs, according to a source.
Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy 5S is one of the candidates to adopt biometric authentication technology, whether it be iris or fingerprint recognition.
By Kim Young-won (email@example.com


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This entry was posted on July 22, 2016 by usblog.
BitTorrent is entering the legal music and video market to compete with Spotify and Netflix with BitTorrent Now. But unlike Popcorn Time, BitTorrent Now will not contain any pirated content. It's completely legal and mostly free to use! Check out more info down below!
Until now, BitTorrent has been known as a torrent client that allows millions of people to download movies, series and music. The company's name is often associated with the world of online piracy, similar to The Pirate Bay and KickAssTorrents. Over 170 million users use the service on a consistent basis!
BitTorrent Now is an audio and video streaming application that will not offer any illegal streaming options like Popcorn Time or Stremio. You can think of the service as a combination of Spotify and Netflix. In hindsight, the entire idea of BitTorrent is intriguing, because Spotify and Netflix are quickly growing services that are used worldwide. So creating a service that combines the best of both worlds has a lot of potential behind it.
BitTorrent Now allows artists to upload their work to BitTorrent’s platform, where it can then be discovered by a broader community. The creators of the app have said that the contents will be free with occassional advertisements popping up, however, there will be paid subscriptions to avoid these ads. However, be careful though, because BitTorrent has made payment dependent on creators, so some of them will have the option to create paid content.
Unlike most other torrenting services, BitTorrent Now will not use a peer-to-peer architecture, but instead a more traditional client/server architecture. It's possible that the new service will be migrated to peer-to-peer, but for now, the company has taken the safer route.
In the app, users can follow their favourite artists, create playlists, see what's trending in the community and receive recommendations. You can explore content within the app by using tags, similar to SoundCloud, or search by genre.
Currently, BitTorrent Now is available on the web and on Android, but versions of iOS and Apple TV are already on their way.
In addition of its new service and its *illegal* torrent client , BitTorrent also offers many other services. The company is also experimenting a new service. Bleep is a fun & safe messaging app for private conversations and Project Maelstrom allows you to listen to music or watch videos before the entire download is completed.
Also, BitTorrent is launching US peer-to-peer news channel this month: BitTorrent News.
In May, the American company launched BitTorrent Live, which allows to broadcast television (legally) on the internet. And recently, we heard that it will offer BitTorrent News, a television channel. The company explained that because of its distributed architecture, BitTorrent Live, which publish the new news channel, has the advantage to be able to quickly adapt to a very wide audience.
We are not sure yet if BitTorrent News will be launched in Europe but for sure we will enjoy using BitTorrent Now to legally stream series and movies.


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The Mercedes-Benz presented a special series of the A 45 AMG created just for Japan OA 45 AMG Petronas Green Edition mentions the Formula 1 team Mercedes AMG and is based on Edition1 version has been launched at the CLA.
BMW scrapped for now, offer CSL versions (made with lighter materials) of the newly launched M3 and M4. Speaking to website Top Gear, Matt Collins, product manager of the brand, explained that the current models are already light enough.
Honda reported overall profit of 1.57 billion dollars in the fourth and final quarter of 2013. According to figures released on Friday (31), the gains of this period is double that obtained between October and December 2012.
The BMW had already announced the official presentation of the 4 Series Gran Coupe to the next Geneva Motor Show, scheduled to open March 5. Some pictures of the model, however, circulating the Internet on Friday (31).
The MINI confirmed on Friday (31) Specifications new One, which will hit the European market in late 2014. The model will be equipped with TwinPower Turbo 1.2 engine, while the One D (diesel) will feature TwinPower Turbo 1.5 block, both three cylinders.
Nissan launched the UK Limited Edition Micra hatchback sold in the Brazilian market as March. The model has an initial price of 12,300 GBP and is based on an intermediate version (there treated as Acenta).
The first leaked images of the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe had been exposed on the Internet on Friday (31). This Saturday, however, official photos of the new model have already appeared in several international sites.
Daimler is willing to maintain partnership with Renault-Nissan in the coming years. Speaking at the Automotive News website, Dieter Zetsche, CEO of the company, said that work together need not be restricted to a model or a segment.
Renault revealed this Saturday (1) submit a new version of the Clio RS (pictured) during the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in March. The French brand gave no clues about the new model, but the international press suggests that it may be the new top version Gordini line.
Leaked images, speculations and official images. After a few hectic days in the 4 Series Gran Coupe became one of the main issues of the automotive environment, BMW finally undid the mysteries and confirmed the official information on the model.


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NEW YORK, April 25 (Reuters) - The Nasdaq Composite index crossed the 6,000 threshold on Tuesday, aided by gains in a handful of large-cap tech names, more than seventeen years after it last marked a 1,000 point milestone.
The Nasdaq index first breached the 5,000 mark on March 7, 2000 and closed above that level two days later during the height of the tech boom. It had taken the index only slightly more than three months to climb from the 4,000 level to the 5,000 mark.
The top five U.S. companies by market capitalization, Apple , Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon and Facebook, are Nasdaq components. Among them, they have increased in market cap by more than $400 billion since the start of the year. (Reporting by Chuck Mikolajczak; Editing by Meredith Mazzilli)


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Expanded Kohler KD Series industrial generators now available
March 9, 2018 | By Ellen Cools
March 9, 2018 — Kohler recently announced the expansion of its KD Series industries generators, which now includes models ranging up to 3250kW.
Two EPA-certified Kohler V16 engines power the new units. The updated KD1250 and new KD1350 industrial generators are powered by the Kohler KD36V16 — a 16-cylinder engine with 36-litre displacement — while the new KD2800, KD3000 and KD3250 generators are powered by the Kohler KD83V16 — a 16-cylinder engine with 83-litre displacement.
“These new EPA-certified engines deliver highly efficient, dependable performance and feature a modular design for optimal serviceability,” said Jim Rummel, senior product manager, Kohler. “Numerous industries that require an ironclad backup power solution will benefit from these newest models now available with the Kohler KD Series. These generators are ideally suited to data centre, healthcare, telecommunications and water-treatment applications, among others.”
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London’s transport regulator stripped Uber on Friday of its license to operate from the end of September. The decision will affect more than 40,000 drivers in a massive blow to the taxi app.
“Uber’s approach and conduct demonstrate a lack of corporate responsibility in relation to a number of issues which have potential public safety and security implications,” Transport for London (TfL) said.
Uber has the right to appeal the decision within 21 days.
Globally, Uber has went through a tumultuous few months after a chain of scandals involving allegations of sexism and bullying at the company, leading to investor pressure which forced out former CEO and co-founder Travis Kalanick.
In London, Uber has faced criticism from unions, lawmakers and traditional black cab drivers over working conditions, Reuters Reported.
The app has been forced to quit several other countries.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he backed the decision.
“All companies in London must play by the rules and adhere to the high standards we expect – particularly when it comes to the safety of customers,” he said.
“It would be wrong if TfL continued to license Uber if there is any way that this could pose a threat to Londoners’ safety and security.”
In a break with the startup’s usual combative tone, Uber’s new Chief Executive Dara Khosrowshahi asked London to please work with the ride service. He told employees the company needed to act with integrity but that he did not believe Uber had done everything it was accused of in London.


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HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud, Founder and CEO of KBW Ventures, announces winners of inaugural Five-Star Pitch Fest as US-based A Dozen Cousins scoops US$30,000 top prize
A recipe book showcases the growing power of generative artificial intelligence, while ‘Queen of the Arabian Kitchen’ discusses benefits of social media in retaining food heritage
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -: InFlavour ended its three-day run at Riyadh Exhibition and Conference Centre, Malham, today, with the region’s growing start-up industry at the top of the menu. Prominent figures from across the Middle East took to the inaugural event’s various stages to share personal growth stories, while the first Five-Star Pitch Fest – a three-day knock-out competition for F&B start-ups – confirmed its winners.
Speaking on the Main Course stage early in the afternoon, Jordanian chef Manal Al Alem discussed the importance of keeping tradition and culture alive. With more than four million followers on Instagram and in excess of 2.6 million subscribed to her YouTube channel, the “Queen of the Arabian Kitchen” believes social media can help rather than hinder when it comes to ensuring younger generations remain connected with their food heritage.
“It is an ongoing challenge with the new generation as they are so used to quick food – the press of a button nowadays means you can have any cuisine you wish,” she said. “Also, traditional food can sometimes be one-dimensional in terms of flavours and the new generation prefers multiple flavours when they eat a meal.
“I like to use my influence on social media to try and encourage my followers to try different things. I work with them to find ways of merging tradition with current trends and have seen some incredible recipes come out of social media. I always like to engage with my followers and leave comments on how they can improve their creations – I believe this is very important when trying to inject traditional culture into modern cuisine trends.”
Later on the same stage, the grand finale of InFlavour’s inaugural Five-Star Pitch Fest saw the industry’s brightest and best start-ups compete to win one of three coveted prizes: The ‘Plant The Idea Award’ for best early-stage start-up included a US$10,000 prize; ‘Flourishing Founder Award’ celebrated the best well-established start-up and also provided a prize of US$10,000; while the ‘InFlavour Award’ was given to the most impressive startup overall, rewarding the winners with a cheque for US$30,000.
Starting on InFlavour’s opening day, 33 semi-finalists battled it out on stage to impress the 24 investors-turned-judges and secure one of six finalist spots. The grand finale welcomed His Royal Highness Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud, the founder and CEO of KBW Ventures, alongside industry veterans Andrew D Ive, founder and managing general partner of Big Idea Ventures, and Dana Al Salem, founder of Merit Capital, as part of the judging panel, who scored the start-ups based on how each tackled creativity, innovation, potential, functionality, impact, and people and society.
Taking home the ‘Plant The Idea Award’ for best early-stage start-up was Saudi-based Terraxy, a spin-off from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). Commercialising its SandX and CarboSoil technologies, Terraxy aims to address the ongoing challenges posed by harsh and arid environments by ultimately providing low-cost and environmentally friendly solutions for growing plants in deserts. The ‘Flourishing Founder Award’ for best well-established start-up, meanwhile, was Saudi-based Barakah, an online marketplace that enables food retailers to sell their surplus products and meals to consumers at heavily discounted prices.
Taking home the ‘InFlavour Award’ and its US$30,000 prize was US-based A Dozen Cousins, a natural food brand that makes convenient and nutrient-rich meals, side dishes, and sauces inspired by traditional Creole, Caribbean and Latin American recipes.
“I was thrilled to showcase our brand and what we’ve built over the years,” said Ibraheem Basir, company founder and CEO. “It was so refreshing to hear all the pitches and it’s always a privilege to emerge as the winner. Looking ahead, our future involves continued growth, expanding distribution, and entering new markets. The prize money will help us expand our team and allocate resources efficiently.”
Speaking on the experience of judging some of the most innovative start-ups in the F&B ecosystem, HRH Prince Khaled added: “It has been an incredible three days of pitches. We’ve seen some truly groundbreaking innovations and products from around the world. It is really exciting to see how these start-ups plan to transform not only the wider world’s F&B landscape, but also specifically Saudi Arabia’s. Congratulations once again to all participants and especially the three winners.”
Earlier in the day, Alia AlKasimi, the co-founder of Oh Delices Creative, had delivered a masterclass focused on current trends, spotlighting a cookbook her company created using only generative artificial intelligence (AI), and what potential repercussions the technology could have on the food marketing industry.
“After seeing so much talk about the possibilities of AI, my team and I got together in February of this year to explore how we could use these tools in our work, and in particular, the culinary space,” she said. “We set out to make a cookbook solely using both text and image-based generative AI. As we are a Morocco-based company, we asked the programme to come up with dishes that have never been done before, but still encompass the tradition of Moroccan food. What came out was nothing short of amazing.”
Some of the dishes that made the final cut of Spice & Machine: 10 Moroccan Recipes Born From Artificial Intelligence include a strawberry harissa gazpacho, orange honey quinoa, and a Moroccan mint tea cake. Yet before they could be included, first Al Kasimi and her team needed to generate supporting images – and then, of course, the best part: Testing the recipes for real.
“I’ll be honest, we were all expecting the dishes to taste horrible, but we ended up changing next to nothing as every dish worked perfectly,” she said. “It was a real eye-opener for us all just how powerful AI can be if you learn to harness it properly. A project like this would usually take seven people up to four weeks to create – we did this with two people in less than a week. Is AI going to replace humans? It’s a broad question, but what I do know is humans who have learnt to properly utilise AI will replace humans who haven’t. That much is certain.”
Organised by Tahaluf, the Informa LLC joint venture with the Events Investment Fund and SAFCSP, and with the support of the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture, the inaugural InFlavour proved a hive of activity with tens of thousands of visitors being joined by 400 brands, 200 investors, and 200 speakers representing 143 countries across the three days.


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Noida is now India's mobile production hub
The flurry of investments to the region was perhaps prompted by the presence of Korean giants Samsung and LG. Samsung, which started local manufacturing a decade ago.
NITI Aayog looks to make India hub for commercial arbitration
President Pranab Mukherjee will inaugurate the three-day programme to be held f...
AAP government plans to set up mohalla clinics in commercial hubs
Government has identified 300 schools where such clinics will be set up for...
India world's third biggest tech startup hub: Study
"In the technology driven startups, India has moved up to third position with the US occupying the top position with more than 47,000 and the UK with over 4,500."
Amnesty seeks to set up South Asian hub in India
Amnesty had in 2014 and 2015 issued statements to the media making it clear that it would not register under the FCRA, which it described as "much-abused".
Work on Integrated Aviation Hub at Hisar soon
The state-of-the-art aviation hub would be developed over an area of over 3000 acres. The government has been urged to include Hisar in Regional Connectivity Scheme.
A Shipping hub to boost trade, take on China
India is building two transshipment ports in its southern tip rivalling Chinese facilities in the region.
After Pune, Nashik is emerging as latest hub for tech startups in India
Roughly 200 km away, in Pune, Nashik the newest hub for tech startups in India, there is a similar spot: Parvati Hill.
Bengaluru IBM unit to be global hub for iOS app development
This facility will serve as a global development hub for iOS apps and will work with existing design locations in Atlanta, Chicago, Cupertino and Toronto.
Government to appoint team soon on India’s status as innovation hub: Nirmala Sitharaman
The group will take an in-depth look into the report launched by industry lobby CII, Cornell University, INSEAD, World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and AT Kearney.
Snapdeal opens 6 logistics hubs to ramp up delivery operations
All processes -- from receipt of stocks, quality inspection, preparation for dispatch and return handling -- would be available to sellers under one roof.
Pune is new hub for health-tech startups
“Also institutes like Symbiosis Institute of Health Sciences and Ashtang Ayurveda ensure access to experts with domain knowledge and expertise,” said an expert.
Telangana districts gradually emerging as start-up hubs
Over 500 youth and 75 faculty members from across Telangana were provided skill development training on Samsung’s Tizen OS platform.
West Bengal to set up three biotechnology hubs
Biotechnology Dept of the State has already taken up an elaborate scheme to not only tie up with other departments like Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Processing.
India's real estate sector is again emerging as key hub for investment: CBRE
If the proposal is accepted, REITs will be able to invest up to 20% in under-construction projects compared with 10% currently allowed.
How old business bastions of Ahmedabad and Vadodara are becoming hubs for new-age entrepreneurship
Industry watchers such as Thyagrajan believe that Ahmedabad has several enabling factors that are catalysing this new wave of entrepreneurship<b>.</b>
New cyber-control hub to check pornography, online trolls
The Rs 400-crore state-of-the-art centre, Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (IC4), is being set up to tackle all cyber crime including child pornography and online abuse.
Nitin Gadkari asks Tesla to make India its Asia manufacturing hub
Gadkari said the Indian government was committed to encouraging alternate pollution-free transport in the country by providing incentives to bio-fuel, CNG, ethanol and electric vehicles.
GST will bring a great demand for hub based warehousing: P Alli Rani,Container Corp
The benefit is for the customer ultimately and also for the trader who has to generally pay at various levels all these taxes.
Sarbananda Sonowal for organic hub in Assam
Sonowal said that various new ways and means must be adopted by the departments concerned to generate revenue in a big way and leakages must be plugged so that the revenue goes to the state exchequer.
India to be made defence export hub: Manohar Parrikar
"The government has taken steps in defence sector by increasing FDI. This has been done in order to make India an export hub over the years,"Parrikar said.
Oracle to open 'digital' sales hub in Bengaluru
Apart from India, the "Digital Selling hubs" will be opened in Australia, China, Korea and Singapore.
China promises to help Sri Lanka become a shipping hub
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday his country will align its maritime silk road project with Sri Lanka's development plans to enable the island nation to become a shipping hub in the Indian Ocean.
Rs 300 crore tourist hub to come up in West Bengal's Gajoldoba
Sighting of the Kanchenjungha is possible from the area on a bright sunny day with other offerings like the rivers of Teesta and Torsa.
DIPP asks states, UTs to set up Startup Hubs, incubators for entrepreneurs
DIPP has already set up the hub, which was operationalised since April. It helps in resolving queries and provides handholding support to startups.
Jmatek plans to make India its export hub for South East Asia, Africa
"We would invest around Rs 100 crore. This would be for setting up design and development centre and a new production unit," Jmatek MD and CEO Naresh Kumra told PTI.
With centre in tow, T-Hub eyes own fund
During this year, they plan to focus on sectors like health technology, financial technology, agricultural technology, renewable energy, smart cities, social impact and aviation.
In race to be Asia's fintech hub, Singapore leads Hong Kong
Singapore's traditional shipping and manufacturing growth drivers are faltering amid a global economic slowdown and a slump in commodity prices and demand.
In race to be Asia's fintech hub, Singapore leads Hong Kong
State funding, light-touch regulation and a recent move to allow start-ups to test financial products in a controlled environment have put Singapore ahead of rival Hong Kong.
RBS appoints Punit Sood as head of technology for its India global hub
Sood previously worked at JP Morgan Chase, where he was responsible for strategy and delivery within the JPMC Global Service Centre.
T-Hub partners with entrepreneurship centre in Israel
In a joint statement, they said this collaboration will create an international gateway for exchange of start-ups between Hyderabad and Israel.
Government plans to set up petrochem hubs around 22 oil refineries
The proposed petrochemical complexes would not just be confined to Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and parts of Tamil Nadu.
Mumbai least expensive commercial-hub in APAC region: Qlik app
"Mumbai least expensive; Tokyo most expensive with Hong Kong and Sydney close behind," Qlik said in a statement.
Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal has emerged as terror hub: Police to court
The charge sheet was filed against 17 suspected AQIS members, of whom 12 are absconding, for allegedly trying to set up a base for Al Qaeda in India under the banner of AQIS.
Hong Kong bourse confirms working on China metals trading hub
Qianhai, a new free trade zone near Hong Kong, is set to host the platform for trading metals before stretching into other commodities, pending regulatory approval.
Startup India Hub resolves over 12,000 queries in three months
The Start-up India Hub was operationalised on April 1, 2016, to resolve queries and provide hand-holding support to startups.
T-Hub, Aeries Technology ink MoU for 'fault-tolerant server' for startups
T-Hub CEO Jay Krishnan said it is challenging for organisations, especially start-ups, to maintain their IT applications and service capabilities round-the-clock.
IKEA keen to set up facility at hub near Kandla port
The shipping ministry is setting up a smart port industrial city spread over 1,400 acre, of which about 450 acre would be reserved for furniture cluster.
Eye on furniture hub, IKEA seeks 450 acres at Kandla port
"We have proposed furniture clusters at the Kandla port. IKEA wants 450 acres of land," Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari said.
Logistics service provider DTDC Express Limited sets up regional hub in Guwahati
With Northeast India witnessing an e-commerce boom, logistics service provider DTDC Express Limited has set up regional hub in Guwahati.
Mizoram chief minister, Lalthanhawla asked the railway to develop Sairang as a transport hub
The General Manager, Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), H. K. Jaggi, called on the Governor of Mizoram, Lt General (Rtd) Nirbhay Sharma at Aizwal and chief minister.
Eyeing e-commerce boom, DTDC has set up regional hub in Guwahati
Subasish Chakraborty, MD, DTDC added, “With regional hub in place, we will add another eight routes in next one year with these we will have 16 dedicated routes.”
Singur is past, West Bengal making strides to be an industry hub: Amit Mitra
“The issue has been bloated far beyond reality . Both the government and the Tatas are highly committed to give the state a better tomorrow,“ Mitra said.
Telangana may set up T-Hub's outpost in Silicon Valley
Telangana government today said it may set up an outpost of T-Hub, its technological incubator, in Silicon Valley, United States.
Icrisat inks pact with T-Hub for agricultural sector
Under the partnership, an international Agricultural Innovation Programme will be launched and the initiative will begin by sourcing agri-technology startups from Israel.
India keen to make Morocco its economic hub for Africa: Hamid Ansari
Five Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) had been finalised between India and Morocco for improving bilateral relations but only two could be signed.
Jharkhand will be a power hub by 2019: Raghubar Das
A joint venture by Jharkhand Electricity Board and NTPC will produce 4000 MW here and the entire state will have electricity by 2019.
MRO hub policy, 0/20 rule all good but disappointed with 50% FDI: Amber Dubey, KPMG
While critical sectors like defence, telecom and banking have been opened to 74 per cent to 100 per cent FDI, aviation has been unfairly restrained
DBS Bank to set up offshore tech hub in Hyderabad
It has created a wholly-owned subsidiary -- DBS Asia Hub 2 -- for this purpose and according to a filing with the exchanges, the initial and paid-up capital for the same stands at Rs 70.5 crore.


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Horizon Prohibition is a long-awaited sequel to be praised by West critics Horizon zero morning That was during Sony’s time PS5 games A gameplay trailer during Sony’s reign of events in June and the recent Play Event.
Is coming PS5, And maybe somewhat surprisingly, PS4, Horizon Forbidden West continues the story of Alo, and takes him to the wild border of America. We didn’t see much in Sony’s game PS5 event Live stream in September, unfortunately, but the game’s latest gameplay trailer (embedded below) shows us what to expect.
Namely, it’s a whole new open world to explore with new machines, gadgets for traversals and weapons to take down the new rider faction. In the latest 14-minute trailer for the game, we get a chance to see Aloe in action using new griplih hooks, breathing masks and gliders to navigate the wreckage and debris of the beach environment, as well as pick up two new weapons. Trimorsk down like a mammoth.
The scenes look amazing, but it is – acceptable – still seen with a framerate in the process as they drop below f0 fps at the point.
Want all the juicy details? Here we find out about Horizon Prohibition West, including its release date, trailer and more.
Horizon Prohibition West: What you need to know
- What is this Critic critic-acclaimed Horizon Zero Dr
- When is it released? At the end of 2021
- On what platforms will it be available? PS5 / PS4
Horizon Restricted West release date
The Horizon Freedom West release date was absent from the previous state’s play trailer, developer Guerrilla Games has since released the Dewey Diary video that Horizon Zero Morning Sequel 2021 will have a special release for the PS5. Now we know it will come. Even on the PS4 – meaning you don’t have to upgrade to new hardware to play the game.
Thanks for watching our #Horizon ForbedWest gameplay! We don’t have an exact release date yet, but development is on track and we’ll have an update for you soon – thank you so much for your continued support!May 2, 2021
Although Sony has not officially announced any delays and will return in February, PlayStation owner Jim Ryan said. GQ He felt “very good” that Horizon Forbidden West would arrive in 2021. Recent social media ads have also said that Horizon Forbidden West will arrive in “Late 2021” or “Second Part of 2020”, which means we probably won’t. Watch the game by the end of this year’s tail.
Horizon Prohibition West Trailers
Sony and Guerrilla Games have announced the first Horizon Forbidden West trailer for the PS5 Games on June 11, 2020. The trailer below gives you a three-minute glimpse into the variety of scenarios you’ll find in the second game, and what machines you can expect to battle (giant it and its alligators).
We also realized that Horizon Forbidden West will be heavy in the underwater gameplay, with the trailer using the alloy scuba gear at the 1:40 mark above and a great deal on shots of cities that have collapsed underwater.
The Horizon sequel looks amazing, though, it’s hard to show what’s shown is real gameplay and not pre-rendered.
Of course, the state’s play trailer is also worth watching.
Horizon Prohibition West setting, story and gameplay
We know that Horizon Forbidden West sees Alo travel to post-apocalyptic California and presents places like San Francisco and Yosemite. Based on the trailer, it seems that Aloi’s journey could have taken him to the west coast, to the coast of Mexico, and possibly to the Caribbean Sea from the east.
Along the way we’ll see a bunch of new enemies, including Velosyraptor-esque clusters and some new aquatic machines that look very scary. To make matters worse, the Raiders have learned to control some of the machines, making Alloy’s life in the West even more difficult.
We can learn more about the game’s plot as we get closer to the launch, but the main thing is that this blight can destroy all of the planet’s life there – and it’s up to Aloy and his team to stop it before it does.
Horizon West News and rumors forbidden
We’ve compiled all the latest Horizon Fordbiden West news and rumors below for your viewing.
Still on track for a 2021 release
Despite rumors that the Horizon ban has been delayed in the West, it looks like (currently) Sony still wants to release a sequel in 2021.
PlayStation owner Jim Ryan’s comment that he’s “feeling very good” about hitting the release window target of Horizon Forbidden West seems to be catching up with us in this year’s sequel.
Virtually no loading screens
During the Daewoo Diary video from Guerrilla Games, Horizon Forbidden West game director Matthias de Jones described how the sequel would use the PS5’s super-fast SSD.
“With the PS5 SSD, there won’t be any loading screens,” Janje said in the video. “In an open-world game like Horizon Forbidden West, if you open the map and travel fast from one side to the other, or restart from a checkpoint, it will be super fast. When you boot the game, you’re in. There’s work.”
Check out the video below:
You can expect improved use of haptic response and customized triggers on the PS5, and Horizon Forbidden West is no exception, with its unique mix of bows, slings, and ropecasters. Guerrilla Game Director Matthew the Jones said: ” DualSense Wireless controller adapter triggers help us make weapons even more unique and satisfying to use. “


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LONDON - Aston Martin took a first step into the lucrative SUV market on Wednesday with an eye on winning female customers, hoping it can dig itself out of a financial black hole.
Whilst around 10% of the buyers of its signature line-up of sports cars, including the six-figure sum DB11 and Vantage models, are women, half of its customers in China are female, where the firm chose to launch its first SUV, the DBX.
"That’s something we aspire to elsewhere," Chief Executive Andy Palmer told Reuters.
"Aston is cool but if you can make it cool amongst both male and female, that makes it very, very powerful," he said.
Aston is trying hard to turn around its performance and winning new customers will be key to its success.


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New Delhi : The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai
) has slammed Reliance Communications
(RCom) for trying to “pocket” the unspent pre-paid balances and security deposits of its mobile subscribers after shutting down its wireless operations, and warned of action if the telco failed to refund users’ money.
“We have responded to them (RCom), saying either you refund or face action,” Trai chairman RS Sharma told ET. “They don’t have any moral, ethical or legal basis to say that they can’t refund the money.” Sharma said a back-of-the-envelope calculation shows that RCom has some 50 million customers.
“And if there is an average ₹30 balance for each customer, they (RCom) will be enriched by ₹150 crore. RCom will have to refund,” Sharma said.
RCom didn’t respond to ET’s emailed queries.
Trai issued a notice last month to Anil Ambani-owned RCom and its unit, Reliance Telecom
, to refund the unused balance of the telco’s prepaid customers and security deposit of the postpaid subscribers by January 31, 2018. This, after RCom said it was shutting its wireless operations.
RCom responded by asking Trai to withdraw its directive and cited mobile number portability (MNP) rules to argue its case that it is not required to give the money back. The company added that it wasn’t sure under what provisions the regulator had asked RCom to refund the money. The telco wrote a followup letter, pointing out that there was no precedent of customer refunds in other cases of operators closing down services in the country.
“This is ridiculous. On the one hand, in a way, RCom has left the customer high and dry, and now it has the audacity to say it will not refund the money,” Sharma said, adding that the regulator has received thousands of customer complaints.
“We have given directions under the relevant provisions of the Trai Act. We have the powers to give directions to RCom,” he added. Further, Sharma said MNP rules are made for normal situations when customers have the option of shifting between two operational operators.
“What is happening today is a very exceptional situation. In a normal MNP case, I typically exhaust all my balance before I port out because I know I won’t get a refund. But in this situation, the operator (RCom) has shut down services, so the consumer doesn’t have the opportunity to exhaust the balance. Therefore, this is a very abnormal situation,” Sharma explained.


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Lennar’s Kennedy Farm community in Ridgefield showcases two stunning collections of new home designs including open layouts, Everything’s Included® features plus Lennar’s innovative Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ Home Design. With models now open, there’s no better time than now to visit this remarkable neighborhood and discover your dream home at Kennedy Farm. Learn more in this The Columbian article.
Lennar’s Kennedy Farm community is one of several developments in Clark County from the national homebuilding company. And as one of the newest developments, it serves as a “smart homes” showcase — displaying a suite of devices that can be remotely controlled using Amazon’s Alexa virtual assistant.
The features now are standard with houses by Lennar, the United States’ largest home construction company. Lennar embarked on the smart homes program in partnership with Amazon in the summer of 2017.
The rollout came to Lennar’s Orchards office — which serves Portland and Southwest Washington — in November 2017.
All Lennar homes built in the region after that point — such as homes at the Kennedy Farm subdivision, which is located next to the new View Ridge Middle School in Ridgefield — come with the smart home features.
“Any community in our division open after November 2017 has the technology,” says Kelli Cunningham, Lennar director of sales at the Orchards office.
So far, feedback from Vancouver- and Portland-area homebuyers has been enthusiastic, she says. In fact, the Orchards office created a position called “Home Automation Specialist” to help buyers understand the technology.
“What we’re hearing,” Cunningham says, “is ‘what took so long?’”
Some of the smart home features will be readily apparent for visitors walking around a model homes at Kennedy Farm. There are Alexa devices in the kitchen and bedroom, and the front doorbell camera and thermostat are clearly high-tech devices.
Some features are subtle. You might not realize that the TV, all of the lights and even the living room window shades are all connected to Alexa until you instruct the kitchen unit to switch to “movie time” and watch as the living room transforms itself into a darkened home theater.
The movie-time command is just a placeholder for the model unit, Cunningham said. Alexa can be taught any number of specific phrases that trigger customized sets of adjustments to the lighting, shades and smart music speakers.
Homebuyers and visitors will likely interpret the phrase “smart home” to refer to gadgets and commands. But Cunningham says that from Lennar’s perspective, the program’s core feature is the house’s Wi-Fi network.
Lennar’s smart homes feature built-in Wi-Fi networks that are designed to provide a clear, wireless signal anywhere in the house, using designs certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance, an organization that owns the Wi-Fi trademark and certifies products to ensure compatibility.
“We make sure there’s absolutely no dead zones in your home,” Cunningham says.
That’s the foundational feature that guarantees all of the baseline smart devices will work, Cunningham says. And it provides a level of standardization to ensure that future devices can be seamlessly integrated into the network, including other devices that homebuyers might want to add.
Amazon makes the Alexa software and devices, but most of the smart hardware comes from other companies. Baldwin supplies the locks, the thermostat comes from Honeywell, the video doorbell is produced by Ring, and most of the lights and shades come from Lutron.
Those manufacturers aren’t the only makers of each of kind of smart device, but they were chosen by Lennar through a vetting process to be included in the company’s new homes. Lennar chose a set of devices that emphasized secure communications, Cunningham says, and there are also some common-sense restrictions. The front door, for example, can be locked via a voice command, but it has to be unlocked either manually or via a smartphone app.
Continue Reading the Full Article Here.


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Google Finance has been renovated. As a part of this process, the Portfolios feature will be taken down soon.
You can continue to follow stocks in the new Google Finance. Initially up to 50 stocks were migrated from your portfolio list,
and soon you’ll be able to add stocks from your portfolio to the new Google Finance. You can also download your full portfolio
in csv format, which can be imported into other portfolio services during the transition period.
In this Thursday, April 27, 2017, file photo, people walk past an Amazon Go store in Seattle. More than a year after it introduced the concept, Amazon is opening its artificial intelligence-powered Amazon Go store in downtown Seattle on Monday, Jan. 22 ...
New Delhi, India - Up to 670 million Indians, who comprise the poorest half of the population, saw just one percent increase in their wealth while the richest one percent cornered 73 percent of the national income generated in the country last year ...
Sobeys has partnered with Ocado to launch an online grocery ordering and delivery system soon. (Andrew Vaughan/Canadian Press). Nova Scotia based grocery chain Sobeys will partner with British firm Ocado to launch an online grocery store.


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Over the past two weeks, Litera Microsystems has received positive and valuable feedback from its customers and the industry as a whole on our integration news. Our focus on transparency during this process has helped both our customers and employees stay informed of our progress.
We have received a few questions from our customers concerning accounts and our integrated products as we move forward. These have included whether primary points of contact will change or when customers will begin receiving a single invoice for their cross-company products. For answers to these and other questions, please visit the FAQ section of our integration page.


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THE UNITED STATES AND THE People's Republic of China have not yet reversed their positions in the world manufacturing hierarchy, but the trend lines are not good. In 2006, China will almost certainly overtake the United States as the number one exporter of manufactured goods. This is all the more remarkable because as recently as 2001 the manufactured exports of the United States were more than double those of China.
Nor is there any reason for comfort in the composition of Chinese exports, as an analysis by the Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI shows. Labor intensive industries account for only 25 percent of Chinese manufactured exports, with higher technology now accounting for as much as 60 percent of the total. As with the Japanese before them, the Chinese are rapidly moving up the technology food chain.
As one would expect with this remarkable growth in manufacturing, the machine tool sector has responded with increased consumption. In 2000, China consumed less than half as many machine tools as U.S. factories. By 2002, China had drawn even.
In two short years after that, China's consumption reached double the U.S. level. Not surprisingly, given the trend lines, China's machine tool consumption is likely to be three times ours this year.
That rapid pace in the employment of machine tools reflects the demands of both internal consumption and a manufactured export growth that is, to say the least, remarkable.
From 2002 to 2005, China more than doubled its manufactured exports. While textiles and apparel still led the way with $115 billion in exports, machinery excluding electronics accounted for $43.5 billion last year and had a much faster growth than the traditional textiles and apparel sector. In keeping with the new emphasis on high technology exports, scientific instruments and road vehicles and parts grew 54 percent and 33 percent respectively, substantially faster than the 22 percent growth for textiles and apparel (despite the phasing out of WTO quotas).
What do all these statistics mean for public policy?
First of all, China is not simply accomplishing this dramatic manufacturing growth on the back of its underpaid workers. It is the higher tech and more capital intensive industries that have grown the fastest. Modern factories and productivity enhancing machinery have played a large role.
Second, the strategy of undervaluing their currency by as much as 40 percent and then slow-walking all remedial measures to correct the undervaluation has been an important factor in all this growth. How much of a factor we do not know; but under-pricing your goods by as much as 40 percent can be a powerful stimulant to export growth.
Third, since the Chinese are producing more and more sophisticated products, the only way to compete is by producing even more sophisticated products.
The U.S. Government needs to recognize the challenge posed by China, and put more money and resources into public sector research and development.
President George W. Bush acknowledged this in the State of the Union message, but few resources were devoted to becoming competitive - and almost none in the manufacturing sector.
Congress also might turn its attention to this problem. The U.S. has the highest corporate tax rate of any country but Japan, while China gives 10-year tax holidays to some high tech investors. Getting serious about regulatory and legal reform also would help. Most of U.S. industry spends more money on tort litigation than R & D. Republicans are portrayed as the party of big business. But lately they sure aren't acting like it. America's position as the predominant manufacturing nation in the world is being eroded, and no one in Washington seems to be paying attention. If they are, they certainly are not doing enough to reverse the trend.
|You can help revitalize U.S. manufacturing! Send this page to your Congressman, local and state government leaders, or your local newspaper editor. Add your own comments on the importance of manufacturing innovation to the health of our economy. Your comments are also welcome at [email protected]|


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Experts criticize Tesla’s fully driverless option
- ZMR NEWS
Tesla has introduced cars in the market with self-driving potential. However, this feature is highly criticized by experts who have doubts about self-driving technology of Tesla cars. They have also criticized Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, commenting that he has been exaggerating this technology to increase sale and also causing safety concerns.
Tesla had announced on February 28, 2019 the price of Model 3 cars to be $35,000. Customers need to pay an additional $5000 to avail the self driving potential. Tesla’s website had earlier mentioned that with the new update which would come later this year. These cars would be able to drive automatically on the streets of the city. A spokeswoman from Tesla although denied to reveal details on this potential but said that these cars would require active supervision from drivers and the cars are not autonomous by themselves.
Experts have stated that the self driving potential is merely partial. It would be able to perform small driving skills like maintaining the speed on highways with other cars but only with wise and careful supervision from drivers. Vehicle experts said that when a car has complete self driving technology, it means that individuals can sleep in the back seat without hesitation. They would not even need to handle pedals or steering wheel.
Self-Driving Coalition for Safer Streets, which is a group working with biggest companies in self driving technology like Volvo, Waymo, Uber, Lyft or Ford also said that self driving cars provides advantages to customers to safely leave control in some specified areas, for instance, cities. However, public are not able to understand this technology and as a certain result, there are several misconceptions. A study conducted in 2018 said that 71% drivers said they can afford self driving cars in spite of zero availability of such cars in the market at present. If Tesla feeds the misconceptions of people, it would crash down sooner.


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E-commerce major Flipkart will acquire the Indian operations of eBay Inc. as part of a $1.4 billion (Rs 9,000 crore) fundraising round that will help it stave off intensifying competition from Amazon.com Inc.
Flipkart secured the money from Chinese Internet giant Tencent Holdings Ltd, US online retailer eBay and software giant Microsoft Corp, the Indian company said in a statement, ending weeks of speculation about the fundraising.
In a separate statement, eBay said it is investing $500 million and selling its India business in exchange for a stake in Flipkart. The portal eBay.in will continue to operate as an independent entity. Flipkart didn't specify the amounts Tencent and Microsoft are investing.
This is the largest fundraising in the Indian Internet sector and values Flipkart at $11.6 billion, the company said in a statement. This is down about a fourth from the $15.2 billion peak valuation when it last raised funding in 2015.
On the positive side, this is a tad more than double the $5.6 billion valuation after US mutual funds managed by Fidelity and Morgan Stanley marked down their value of investments in the company.
Flipkart said the latest round takes the total it has raised so far to $5 billion, the maximum mobilised by any domestic online platform. “This is a landmark deal for Flipkart and for India as it endorses our tech prowess, our innovative mindset and the potential we have to disrupt traditional markets,” said Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal, the company’s founders.
The announcement comes at a time when speculation is rife about a potential merger with Snapdeal, an e-tailer in which eBay has a stake and which is backed by Japanese Internet and telecom conglomerate SoftBank Group Corp.
Last week, VCCircle reported that Flipkart had raised capital from Tencent, Microsoft and eBay even as merger talks with Snapdeal were progressing. The report also said that Flipkart would raise a total of $2 billion, with $500 million coming from SoftBank as part of a merger deal with Snapdeal.
VCCircle had also reported that Flipkart was aiming to raise $1.5 billion, and looking to get a fourth investor other than Microsoft, eBay and Tencent to close the current round, which would see Tiger Global making a partial exit.
VCCircle was the first to report in August 2016 that Snapdeal was exploring merger talks with Flipkart. Now, the negotiations seem to be between SoftBank and Tiger Global, the major investors in Snapdeal and Flipkart, respectively.
Flipkart’s other major investors include Naspers Group, Accel Partners and DST Global.
Sandy Shen, research director at Gartner, said the funding will help Flipkart solidify its position as the market leader, at least in the short term, keeping Amazon and other rivals at bay. Amazon has previously committed to invest $5 billion in India.
Shen added that the investment from strategic investors will also bring technology and market expertise that Flipkart earnestly needs. “Flipkart has been and will continue to make acquisitions to increase scale, and the next challenge is to strategize the path to a sustainable business model within a set time frame,” she said.
Face-saving exit for eBay
The deal offers eBay India a face-saving exit from the Indian market. It had entered India’s e-commerce market much before Flipkart or Amazon with the acquisition of Bazee.com in 2004.
“The combination of eBay’s position as a leading global e-commerce company and Flipkart’s market stature will allow us to accelerate and maximise the opportunity for both companies in India,” said Devin Wenig, president and CEO of eBay Inc.
Though a small company by marketplace revenue, eBay was making a net profit, albeit tiny, till as late as 2009-10.
According to VCCEdge, the data research platform of News Corp VCCircle, it posted a net profit of Rs 2.24 crore and Rs 2.17 crore in 2009-10 and 2008-09, respectively. However, the arrival of Flipkart and Snapdeal, and the money they had raised to extend deep discounts to customers, completely disrupted eBay’s business model.
In 2015-16, eBay India reported a three-fold rise in revenue to Rs 392 crore from Rs 132 crore the year before, according to filings with the Registrar of Companies. Its net loss widened to Rs 262 crore from Rs 172 crore.
In 2014, eBay led a $134-million funding round in Snapdeal, acquiring a significant minority stake in the e-commerce firm. Subsequently, it pared its stake in a $500-million funding round that Snapdeal had raised from Foxconn and Alibaba, among others, in 2015. As of March 2016, it held a 6% stake in Snapdeal.
In November 2016, eBay had fired nearly 30% of its product and technology teams at the Bengaluru development centre. Latif Nathani, who was heading eBay’s India business until recently, had resigned from the company early this month. Last month, Ramkumar Narayanan, general manager and global head of monetisation products at eBay Marketplaces in India, had quit the company.
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Kenyan fintech startup 4G Capital has opened offices in Kampala to make its financial services solutions available to micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs) across Uganda.
Launched in 2013, 4G Capital provides financial literacy training with working capital loans to help small businesses grow sustainably. Its customers receive a bespoke programme of business training to help them use micro-loans, with training delivered via mobile apps and face-to-face outreach.
The company, which in Kenya has consistently achieved high collections rates without collateral or refinancing its clients by only lending to viable businesses on terms that are right-sized for them, already serves customers in Uganda and Ghana as well and has now physically launched in the former to further build its presence. 4G Capital is expanding across the continent and on target to positively impact over one million people by 2020.
4G Capital has commenced operations in Kalerwe and Nakawa markets in Kampala, bringing financial inclusion services to traders and small businesses. The company will be expanding its operations across Uganda and is hiring staff now.
It is also partnering with Uganda-based multinationals and distributors, to help boost and sustainably strengthen the FMCG supply chain. By providing short term credit to retailers, 4G Capital’s B2B product offering KUZA aims to unlock potential and increases retail purchasing power.
The company recently secured funding from FSD Uganda to conduct important research and support its rollout across the country. The joint research will provide valuable disaggregated insights on the finance gap nationwide that will ensure 4G Capital continues to tailor its solution to support those most in need.


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The company's iOS 7 adoption widget shows that as of 10:00 a.m. UTC 30.71% of Apple's mobile devices were already running the new OS.
Fortune notes that Apple has sold roughly 700 million devices with half those still in use. That means about 105 million people upgraded their device yesterday.
Notably, the Internet saw a significant spike in traffic yesterday afternoon. Global Nerdy posted the image below from Akamai showing traffic at 112% above normal.
You can find more information about iOS 7 and where to download it here.


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Research suggests that globally, the Internet piracy business is around USD 18-20 billion with film and software piracy constituting almost 60 per cent of it. Sneha Mahale on the changing laws of online piracy.
Research suggests that globally, the Internet piracy business is around USD 18-20 billion with film and software piracy constituting almost 60 per cent of it.
In India, there are two laws that prevent piracy — the Copyright Act and Information Technology Act, 2000. In the last five years, they have been instrumental in shutting down 630 illegal internet sites. But, by and large, they are not effective. In fact, to make the laws relevant, the government recently amended the Acts to make the laws stricter and bring more online crimes under its purview. Hrishi Dutt, a law professor says, "The problem is that despite these amendments, there is a lack of awareness about cyber laws. In the U S, cyber crime is treated as a serious crime and laws are strictly enforced. But India is still lagging when it comes to effective enforcement."
Legal factor Downloads from unauthorised sites are illegal. Among authorised sites, downloads are legal only after subscribers pay a small fee. This fee is then forwarded to the artiste. However, very few people adhere to this law. Despite losing ₹1,000 crore and more annually, companies are helpless.
Reason: most of the people who indulge in piracy are from outside India. And even if they are in India, they are not from the same city. This makes it difficult to track them and eventually the company has to put in money to do so The other culprit in piracy is the cost factor. Shadaab Nagree, 21, BMS student downloads music from the web on a regular basis and has no idea about the law. He reasons, "Companies should price the original thing at cheaper rates." Aatish M, 29, a computer software engineer, agrees that most software in the market is unaffordable.
"These days everyone has a computer and they want the best music and software. So the only way out is finding cracks for these things and downloading it.
In fact, Internet piracy has seen such upswings that even the illegal music MP3 and CD sellers outside Bandra and Andheri station are complaining about the drop in business. Raju, a seller outside Bandra station, says, "There is a drop of nearly 50-60 per cent when it comes to music sales.
The FM radio and the Internet are responsible for this lull in business." He adds that the only reason why film piracy still works is because it takes a few days for the movie to be released on the Internet and the ticket prices at most multiplexes is sky-high. Some companies have taken steps to stop such practice.
Music companies like T-Series and Moserbaer have slashed prices of original film CDs to ₹100 and ₹150 in a bid to stop piracy. But they cannot compete against Internet sites that offer the same music and software free. Online gamut Aman Arneja, 23, business development, knows about the law amendments but prefers to ignore it. He feels that even though he knows he is breaking the law there is nothing that can be done to stop him.
Besides, he downloads music from the web because he thinks it is a waste of money to spend ₹300 on a CD that has only one good song. Downloading is more convenient.
"But, if an album as a whole is good then I don't mind paying for it," he says. Supriya Mehta, 23 years, a call centre employee feels "Internet is all about freedom... so what is this law all about? I have not heard of anyone getting in trouble because of it. And it is as simple as, if something is available for free, why would any sane person want to pay for it?"


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SCA Hygiene to shut New Zealand tissue and napkin converting site
SCA Hygiene Australasia is to restructure its New Zealand tissue manufacturing operations over the next 20 months with the loss of 140 jobs.
It will consolidate its two tissue manufacturing plants at Te Rapa, Hamilton and Kawera, into one site at Kawerau.
The Te Rapa plant is expected to close in 1Q 2014 resulting in approximately 140 job losses.
SCA HA will invest NZ$57m to upgrade the Kawerau tissue manufacturing site. SCA HA president Peter Diplaris said: “These are difficult times for local manufacturers but we are confident that with the right approach we can build a strong and competitive future for our company in this region. Site optimisation at Kawerau is the key to achieving this.
“This decision is not a reflection on the efforts or contribution of our people in Te Rapa, but rather reflects the challenging economic and market environment we continue to operate within, including the pressure of imports.”
Diplaris added that SCA HA wants to keep manufacturing in New Zealand but in order to be competitive changes are necessary. “Unfortunately, maintaining the status quo for our local tissue manufacturing is not sustainable. We want to ensure the majority of our products for our New Zealand customers and consumers continue to be manufactured in New Zealand.”