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Hotel occupancy levels in Victoria Falls averaged 50% over the Easter holiday period this year, the highest in four years, buoyed by local visitors, industry players said .
Domestic tourism is geared towards a range of local experiences, particularly day trips and weekends, as well as business trips to key customers and suppliers.
The chairman of the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) Matabeleland, Anald Musonza, said the Easter holiday which had just ended was much busier than last year as travel was not restricted.
“Victoria Falls hotels were averaging about 50% occupancy over the Easter period, that huge growth over last year,” he said.
Mr Musonza said the Easter holidays this year were the best in terms of occupancy compared to the past four years, due to a better state of the economy and a reduction in Covid infections -19.
“This year has been the best year in terms of occupancy in the past four years, as previous years have been affected by the currency shift coupled with inflation and Covid-19 over the past two years,” did he declare.
The association had predicted that hotels in Victoria Falls would see occupancy levels well above 50% of capacity.
“This year’s Easter coincided with Independence Day and more locals visited Victoria Falls,” Musonza said.
While domestic tourism alone is not enough to fill the void created by the loss of lost international business, more Zimbabweans traveling to the country have the potential to drive much-needed revenue growth.
“We still see more domestic tourists as the main anchor for our industry at this time, with regional and international markets beginning to open up and international travel picking up.”
Mr Musonza, on the effect of the eased closures, said: “Obviously with the reopening of the border we have also seen a lot of self-driving traffic coming in, across the country. We can see occupancy rates varying by less than 50% compared to the previous year during the same period when the occupancy rate was around 20%.
Tourism contributes to poverty reduction through job creation, encourages entrepreneurship and promotes social cohesion.
The 10th Victoria Falls Carnival scheduled for April 29-May 1, 2022 is set to increase occupancy.
With tourism being a key economic driver in the country, experts say it is imperative that policy makers are informed about how the sector is performing year on year, in order to maximize its potential. While the average employment potential in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) was 7.1% in 2012, Zimbabwe employed 8.7% of its workers in this sector, reflecting the importance industry for national development.
Regardless of the impressive employment record, the country still has underutilized capacity in the industry, hence the drive to grow the industry to a $2 billion industry by 2024. The arrival of the new waiver in 2017 resulted in a record $1.4. billion in tourism revenue in 2018, showing the global goodwill the new government has towed, according to the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority.
However, the huge drop to $359 million in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic on travel and tourism.
Under the National Tourism Recovery and Growth Strategy – Vision 2025, the government aims to increase tourist arrivals to over 5.5 million by 2023, as well as boost tourism receipts by 1 billion US dollars in 2017 to 3.5 billion US dollars by 2023.


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Dairy could potentially be the lead export from Michigan to Cuba when the trade embargo is lifted between the U.S. and Cuba.
Michigan agricultural officials met, this week, to discuss the future of trade with Cuba.
In recent weeks, the Obama administration has taken steps to improve relations with the island nation. A trade embargo has been in place since 1960.
Federal government officials say it could be several years before trade between U.S. states and Cuba is plausible.
Until then, Michigan agriculture officials say they are exploring options to prepare for the embargo – one day – being lifted.
Jim Byrum is the President of Michigan Agri-Business Association.
“It’s also incumbent on us, and that’s why we are holding this precedent, to make sure that we carry the message that Michigan is open for business and that we want to do business with Cuba,” he said. “We’re going to start reaching out to those Cuban entities, we’re going to start exploring opportunities and see what types of things may happen.”
Byrum said Michigan is a leader in black bean production, and could one day be one of the state’s top exports to Cuba.
In addition to black beans, and fruit Byrum says, the state agriculture officials agreed that dairy products may be the biggest potential trade with Cuba.
Sheila Burkhardt is with the Michigan Milk Producers Association, and she said it’s like the dairy industry was meant to bring Michigan and Cuba together.
“Exports are contributing about twice as much new market growth from U.S. milk production than the domestic dairy market,” she said. “Due to the close proximity to the Cuban market, it’s an ideal market for the U.S. dairy market. Cuba currently imports $200 million worth of dairy products, but virtually none comes from the U.S. due to the restrictions that have been in place.”
Burkhardt said the Michigan Milk Producers Association is prepared to expand to Cuba.
Anyone’s guess is as good as any in terms of when the trade embargo will be lifted between the United States and Cuba. Some Michigan officials think, like Byrum with the Agri-Business Association, it’s only a matter of time before Michigan becomes a trade partner with Cuba.
“We’re confident that in the next few years, if we can lift the embargo, if we can enact even more policies to encourage work with the Cuban government and Cuban people, that we will see a robust trade develop with Cuba,” Byrum said.
To be clear, the embargo has not been lifted. Federal officials say it could be several years before that happens.
Posted by Anthony Rizzo, WCMU
January 26, 2015

domain: news


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The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in a 6-3 opinion that “ first sale doctrine” applies to books purchased overseas.
The court decided that Supap Kirtsaeng did not violate copyright when he purchased textbooks overseas to sell to friends and families in the United States. Textbook publisher Wiley had sued Kirtsaeng for reselling these books.
You can read the complete Supreme Court decision at this PDF link. First sale doctrine applies to the sale of copyrighted goods, letting the buyer’s copy be “resold or otherwise redistributed without the copyright owner’s authorization.”


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One of the main reasons behind the explosion of the gift-card industry is how easy it makes the process from both ends: The gift giver avoids the process of traveling to stores, choosing gifts, transporting them, wrapping them, and making sure they get to recipients; recipients, in turn, can choose exactly what they want to spend the amount of the card on, and they are spared the hassle of returning unwanted gifts. Logistical reasons also fueled Facebook’s decision to scrap physical gifts from its Gifts offering and shift its focus to its own gift card, the Facebook Card.
Facebook is continuing its push to get users to buy Gifts — even after birthdays have passed. Some users have started to see, when they click on their birthday notifications, prompts to buy Gifts for users who have already had their birthdays. Facebook also lets users know who has birthdays coming up, so they can schedule Gifts.
Mother’s Day is this Sunday. If you haven’t bought something for your mom, Facebook wants to solve that problem. Facebook is prompting some users to buy a Facebook Gift for their mother. Additionally, cloud-based video service Grovo wants to let users know that a great gift for mom is accepting her Facebook friend request.
Facebook is continuing to push its Gifts program, but this time, users are being prompted to give gifts based on keywords in friends’ status updates. As sister site Inside Facebook discovered, when some users post that they’ve got good news, such as new jobs, their friends can also see a button suggesting that they purchase a Facebook Gift. A Facebook spokesperson confirmed to AllFacebook that the prompt is triggered by keywords.
Facebook Gifts, which was highly promoted by the site on Valentine’s Day, has apparently given its main page a bit of an aesthetic upgrade. Sister site Inside Facebook wrote Friday that the main interface of Gifts has changed, but only for those users who have already given presents through the site.
Did you forget to plan something special for your significant other on Valentine’s Day? Facebook would rather you skip getting a rose from outside of the gas station and instead get your special someone a Facebook Gift. Users who are in relationships have been prompted on desktop and mobile to buy gifts for their partners, and those who are single have been asked to buy gifts for friends.
Facebook’s friendship pages, which show the history of two people who are connected through the social network, have now begun trickling out to the mobile Web and native application. According to sister site Inside Facebook, the friendship page is fully functional on the mobile Web version of Facebook and can be accessed sometimes on Facebook Gifts posts on the native app.
Last week, Facebook entered the gift card market with the Facebook Card — a new addition to Facebook Gifts. Unlike other gift card options offered by Gifts, this is a plastic card that can be used at Target, Sephora, Jamba Juice, and Olive Garden. Noah Mallin, vice president of social media for brand agency Digitas, thinks that the Facebook Card could be a very powerful way that brands learn more about users’ spending habits, and it could also revolutionize mobile ads.
Facebook made a serious entry into the social gifting fray with Facebook Gifts last year, and now it’s looking to go deeper into the market. The company Thursday announced the Facebook Card, a plastic gift card that hold all electronic gift cards users have received through the social network. This will roll out gradually to U.S. users.
Late last month, Facebook rolled out its Gifts feature to all U.S. users. Now the social network is making sure that users know it’s an option for birthdays. Recently, Facebook tweaked the top-right corner life events notification area to make Gifts a more prominent factor.


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Despite significant economic improvement in 2021, consumer debt in the U.S. has once again hit an all-time high. By the first quarter of 2022 it climbed to $15.83 trillion – more than double what it was in 2003 and 20.9% higher than the total pre-pandemic.
In these uncertain times, relief through debt settlement is an essential service. Below are a few things you should know about the debt settlement industry and how it can positively affect the consumer as well as the economy.
Watchdogs of the Debt Settlement Industry
The industry is federally regulated under the watchful eye of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Likewise, the American Fair Credit Council (AFCC) is an alliance that creates standards and guidelines to improve compliance, transparency and consumer advocacy within the industry.
Together, these organizations help prevent disreputable companies from manipulating consumers and provide accredited members with important updates and information. Only reputable companies can be accredited by the AFCC. The FTC takes complaints against deb settlement companies seriously.
AFCC Code of Conduct Highlights
- No Upfront fees
- Fee Transparency
- Fair and Reasonable Fees
- Good Faith Communication
- Upfront Disclosure of Program Risks and Benefits
- Zero Compensation from Creditors
- No Exaggerated Claims
- Program Cost and Duration Estimates Based on Real Data
The Debt Settlement Industry Offers Significant Contributions to the Economy
n addition to being one of the most consumer-focused financial services available, the benefits of debt settlement positively impact the economy.
When people move beyond crippling debt, they can spend more of their hard-earned money in the local economy, supporting small businesses and investing in their communities.
Debt Settlement Helps People Who Are Struggling With Debt Avoid Bankruptcy
Debt Settlement is one of the few reliable alternatives to bankruptcy. Many who qualify for settlement programs are ineligible for other forms of debt relief like debt consolidation loans. Keeping the option legal and accessible helps consumers who feel they have nowhere else to turn and puts them on a path to recovery.
Creditors Who Work With Debt Settlement Companies Benefit From the Program Too
Creditors participating in settlement programs in 2019 received more than $658 million in revenue that might otherwise have been delayed or not received at all. Although debt settlement companies and creditors are not necessarily allies, they are not adversaries.
Debt settlement companies have strong, good-faith relationships with creditors that allow them to negotiate fair settlements that are a win for both the consumer and the creditor.


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How to predict the new seasons markets and efficiencies
“This is the second time we’ve been here and I feel like we’ve already got it figured out,” said Mike O’Brien, a veteran market analyst for the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
“There are probably some big things that we can learn here.”
O’Donnell says he expects the markets to be more efficient for the first time in more than a decade, and it may even be a bit more of a boon to the economy.
“I think we’re looking at a lot more opportunities for consumers,” he said.
But as the season begins, O’Malley warns that consumers will be paying attention.
“They’ll start to worry about that stuff,” he told CNBC.
“The people that work for us, they’ll be asking questions about how are you going to pay your bills.
You’ve got to be prepared.”
The first signs of the season’s efficiency will be the way consumers are shopping.
Consumers are spending less than they did a year ago, but there’s still a lot of uncertainty over what the economy will look like in the next six months.
As consumers head into the season, Orenstein says he’s keeping a close eye on the prices of products, and is confident that there will be more discounts.
“It’s really a matter of how much we can charge for the products that consumers are buying, how much it’s going to cost them to buy them, and then how much of it is going to be free,” he added.
“People are going to feel that they can afford to spend a little bit more.”
But while consumers will feel better about their financial situation, it’s not as if they’ll have a lot to complain about.
“We’re going to see a lot less of the stuff that we think consumers are most worried about, because the big ones are probably still going to happen,” Orenstine said.
“But it’s probably not going to go as badly as people are worried about.”


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Symantec has had another record quarter, making $577 million last quarter, up 48 percent on last year. Net income more than doubled to $131 million.
The company's fortunes are thanks in part to the appearance of serious new threats, including the Sasser worm in May, said Greg Myers, the company's chief financial officer. Business was split evenly between Symantec's consumer and enterprise groups, with consumer purchases just edging it at 52 percent of total revenue, Myers said.
Demand in both areas was strong, but consumer demand for the company's security software spiked with the appearance of Sasser, driving consumer revenue up 79 percent over the same quarter a year earlier. Sales of enterprise products increased 24 percent. "The outbreak of Sasser had a powerful impact on our consumer channel, but enterprise revenue grew by 29 percent, which is better than our peer group," he said, referring to Symantec's competitors.
Within the enterprise business, sales of enterprise security products accounted for 35 percent of total revenue. Enterprise administration products, such as the company's life cycle management tools, accounted for 11 percent of total revenue. Symantec's security services business accounted for two percent of total revenue, and grew by 14 percent over last year.
Besides the steady stream of new threats and malicious code on the Internet, international sales helped boost Symantec's performance, Myers said. Revenue internationally grew 51 percent year-over-year and represented 52 percent of total revenue in the first quarter. Symantec saw big increases in sales over last year in Asia (62 percent); Europe, the Middle East and Africa (49 percent), and the Americas (43 percent).
While Symantec can't predict, and doesn't expect, continued windfalls like the Sasser worm, the company is confident that it will finish the year stronger than it initially estimated, Myers said. "The holiday season is usually one of our strongest periods. Assuming we meet our guidance for the September quarter, I anticipate we'll do well as we approach the end of the calendar year," he said.


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The Cask and Vine
A haven for lovers of wine, food and, of course, beer
One of the Granite State's hottest new places to grab a beer, Derry's Cask and Vine, has its roots in – of all places – a film festival. Concord's annual SNOB Film Festival to be specific. That's where, in 2010, owner Andy Day was exposed to the artistry of local craft beer. At the event, Day sampled White Birch Brewing's Barrel Aged Tripel, a brew aged in Pinot Noir barrels. The beer, made in Hooksett, blew him away.
"White Birch Brewing's beer started everything for us," Day says. "It was the best thing I'd ever tasted to that point."
It's an experience that has stuck with him. Since Day and co-owner Alana Wentworth opened Cask and Vine earlier this year, supporting local brewers has been a top priority for the business. Flagship selections from emerging New Hampshire breweries such as Throwback Brewery and the aforementioned White Birch Brewing are always featured on tap at the restaurant's bar.
"Being small guys, we like to support other small guys," Day says of their commitment to local beer.
Aside from just "small guys helping small guys," support of local brewing is in step with another element that is so important to the character of Cask and Vine: being different. Above all else, Day and Wentworth strive to push the envelope and make their restaurant a place where new and exciting things happen all the time.
"We're always doing something different here," Day says. "We try and do things no one has ever done before."
One example of their boundary pushing came in August, when for one week Cask and Vine was completely transformed into a beach. Yes. Completely.
"We filled the entire bar with sand four-inches-deep," Day explains.
He's not exaggerating, either. Check out the pictures of the event posted on Cask and Vine's Facebook page. The sand was real, and there was a lot of it.
Another example of the outside-the-box thinking employed at Cask and Vine is the "Distributor Showdown" that took place in July. Four beer distributors were pitted against one another in a four-round competition for the chance to take over Cask and Vine's taps for a month. Customers were allowed to vote for the winner.
The "Distributor Showdown" was an ingenious bit of marketing and quality control. All in one, the competition served to boost customer involvement, while forcing distributors to up their game and come up with the finest beers possible. According to Day, that's what Cask and Vine is really all about: providing the most exciting and enriching experience possible for the customer.
"We want people to go, 'Wow, what a great night,'" Day says. "It's about the experience."


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Yesterday, Wikipedia has started to accept Bitcoin Cash donations thanks to BitPay.
The online encyclopedia has been already accepting bitcoin donations since 2014 thanks to a collaboration with Coinbase, but yesterday they also started to accept BCH and has opted for BitPay as a payment gateway instead of Brian Armstrong’s platform.
BitPay has added Bitcoin Cash less than a year ago, precisely in April 2018.
“Our donors have shown an increased interest for different cryptocurrencies, so accepting Bitcoin Cash was a natural next step. We accept donations globally, and we strive to provide a large variety of donation options. It’s very important that we can get international donations processed in ways that are efficient and cost-effective,” explained Pats Pena, director of payments at the Wikimedia Foundation.
In 2018, Bitpay processed over 1 billion dollars in crypto payments, up 255% from 2017.
“Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash are one of the cheapest payment options available so more money goes to charity rather than paying fees. Wikimedia does so much good around the world that it is a privilege to help them raise money,” said Sonny Singh, BitPay’s business manager.


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Entries are now open for Scottish Edge Round 17! Win Up To £100,000 For Your Games Business
Autonauts, the robot-based colonise-em-up developed by Denki & published by Curve, has picked up the 2020 BAFTA Scotland Game Award trophy at last night's virtual ceremony.
We all love an award ceremony: the glamour, the drama, the bit where someone reads the wrong name - and who doesn’t like winning prizes? Perhaps the real value of award shows however, in the world of games anyway, is the annual chance to take a look backwards in an industry that’s always hurtling ahead. We can celebrate our achievements, sure, but we can also take stock of things and dig into just what goes into making award-worthy projects. This was the sentiment behind BAFTA Scotland’s recent Game Design event, which hosted a candid discussion between some of the personnel from this year’s nominees for the BAFTA Scotland Game Award.
Entries have now opened for the 11th BAFTA Young Game Designers (YGD) competition. Inspiring the UK’s future game makers, and celebrating new gaming talent, the competition, gives young people (from ages 10-18) the chance to design or make their own game.
The nominees for the 2020 TIGA Awards have been announced, with several Scottish titles and companies up for awards.
The Queen's birthday honours list was published a few days ago, with our very own Chris van der Kuyl receiving a CBE (or Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for services to the economy. A CBE comes in third place in the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, just behind the GBE... Continue Reading →
Two Scottish games technology companies have made it to the Scotland Tech 50 - a list of the country's top tech firms. Speech Graphics (16) and Krotos (40), both based in Edinburgh, have made the list, which was created by a panel of business experts, as well as a public vote on the shortlist. Created... Continue Reading →
Yaldi Games, a new game development studio has claimed the Converge Creative Challenge prize at the 2020 Converge awards. Elena Höge, a Design and Digital Media Masters graduate from the University of Edinburgh, and the founder of Yaldi, won the award for its first title, Wholesome, an original new game which focuses on foraging real-world... Continue Reading →
Three well-known figures in Scotland's videogames sector have been nominated in the Game Dev Heroes 2020 competition. Korina Abbott, Nick Barret and Phil Harris are now in the running for the competition which recognises individual achievement within the videogames sector, with winners announced in October 2020.


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(Note: Each day this week I'll be writing about one key takeaway from CES 2011.)
Broadcast TV networks were conspicuously absent from the buzz of last week's CES 2011, even through one of the main themes of the show was enhanced video viewing through connected devices. Aside from a deal giving boxee the right to sell CBS episodes, and an expected, forward-looking announcement that Hulu Plus would soon be available on Android-powered devices, broadcast TV networks didn't participate in any of the excitement around new connected and mobile devices.
Their absence was both a missed opportunity, and also a clear illustration of how backward-looking their posture toward connected devices is. At a time when the entire CE industry sees the big prize of untethering video viewing from the living room, while creating boundless opportunities for new interactivity and higher engagement, the broadcast TV networks and Hulu have taken exactly the opposite approach, choosing to block access to their programs by connected devices, even though these programs are already available online.
I've previously written about the folly of broadcasters trying to force an artificial distinction between computer and TV screens (here and here with respect to Google TV), noting that their motivation for doing so is the pot of gold they see in retransmission consent payments from pay-TV distributors. But while those payments are a bonanza, they shouldn't come at the price of non-participation with connected devices. Indeed, three key things broadcasters risk by shunning connected devices emerged at CES last week.
VideoNuze is the authoritative online source for original analysis and news aggregation focused on the burgeoning online video industry. Founded in 2007 by Will Richmond, a 20-year veteran of the broadband, cable TV, content and technology industries, VideoNuze is read by executive-level decision-makers who need to get beyond the standard headlines and achieve a deep understanding of online video’s disruptive impact.


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In Industry First, IHG to Phase Out Plastic Toiletry Bottles From All 17 of Its Hotel Brands
Could mini shampoo bottles be the next target in the war on plastic pollution?
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), which owns the Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza chains, announced Tuesday it would phase out travel-sized plastic toiletry bottles from its 843,000 rooms, replacing them with bulk gels, shampoos and conditioners by 2021, CNN Business reported.
"It's more important than ever that companies challenge themselves to operate responsibly," IHG CEO Keith Barr said in the announcement. "We know it's what our guests, owners, colleagues, investors and suppliers rightly expect. Switching to larger-size amenities across more than 5,600 hotels around the world is a big step in the right direction and will allow us to significantly reduce our waste footprint and environmental impact as we make the change."
As part of our ongoing efforts to reduce plastic waste, we’re delighted to announce that every IHG hotel worldwide will switch to bulk-size bathroom amenities – replacing miniatures. Good things come in big packages… #truehospitality https://t.co/7ROtM4YyvA pic.twitter.com/jzUhPG0zFY— IHG (@IHGCorporate) July 30, 2019
"This, to me, was the next logical step," Barr told The New York Times.
The hotel group has already made the switch in nearly one third of its hotels, Barr said in the announcement. And, while it is the first hotel group to institute a ban across all 17 of its brands, other hotels have taken steps in a similar direction. Marriott announced in 2018 it would use bulk soaps and shampoos in 1,500 North American hotels, and Hilton said in March it was recycling used soap into new bars, CNN reported.
Such initiatives may not be optional in the future. California is considering a bill that would make it illegal for hotels to offer small plastic bottles beginning in 2023, according to The New York Times. But replacing personal bottles with bulk dispensers can also have economic benefits for hotels.
"Budget hotels have always been more likely to have bulk shampoo and conditioner dispensers in the shower, and some also have them by the sink. The reason is cost," Atmosphere Research Group President and travel industry expert Henry H. Harteveldt told The New York Times. "It costs them less to install and service these bulk dispensers than providing individual cakes of soap and bottles of shampoo, conditioner and the like."
The news comes amidst growing concern about the impact of plastic waste on marine life. One million birds and more than 100,000 marine mammals die each year because of the approximately eight million metric tons of plastic that enter the world's oceans each year. And a study released this month found that seabirds who don't die from eating plastic are still smaller and less healthy because of their artificial diet.
Despite these concerns, plastic use is projected to increase this decade, CBS reported.
By Andrea Germanos
President Joe Biden is being called on to back newly reintroduced legislation that seeks to remedy the nation's drinking water injustices with boosts to infrastructure and the creation of a water trust fund.
- Restoring Our Water Systems Should Be Top Priority for Biden ... ›
- How Will the Biden Administration Tackle 'Forever Chemicals ... ›
- New Bill Says Biden Must Declare a National Climate Emergency ... ›
EcoWatch Daily Newsletter
By Stephanie Eick
You may not realize it, but you likely encounter phthalates every day. These chemicals are found in many plastics, including food packaging, and they can migrate into food products during processing. They're in personal care products like shampoos, soaps and laundry detergents, and in the vinyl flooring in many homes.
- 7 Types of Plastic Wreaking Havoc on Our Health - EcoWatch ›
- Campaign for Safe Cosmetics Results in Decline in Toxic Phthalates ... ›
- Phthalates Exposure in Womb Linked to Autistic Traits in Boys ... ›
Many congressional districts with the most clean energy potential are current fossil fuel hubs, potentially reducing political barriers to a just transition away from the energy sources that cause climate change, a Brookings report says.
- Israeli Oil Spill Is a 'Severe Ecological Disaster' - EcoWatch ›
- Endangered Sea Turtles Recovering After 'Cold Stunning' Event ... ›
As the weather grows more severe, and its damages more expensive and fatal, current weather predictions fall short in providing reliable information on Earth's rapidly changing systems.
- Are New Extreme Global Warming Projections Correct? - EcoWatch ›
- Are We Really Past the Point of No Return on Climate? Scientists ... ›


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Hemp-derived products such as cannabidiol (CBD) are on the rise largely due to the legalization of states in the U.S. and other parts of the world. CBD products contain medical benefits without the psychoactive effects. However, consumers are encouraged to exercise due diligence before purchasing or consuming any CBD product as some may cause more harm than good, especially synthetic CBD. Some could even lead to tragic endings.
There is a saying that imitation is the highest form of flattery, but that is not applicable especially in an unregulated industry such as the cannabis industry. Companies will try to cash in on the momentum of the CBD even if it means releasing products that did not undergo proper guidance and supervision from experts.
Some may claim that synthetic CBD is a product of lab research, and it has received approval from Food and Drug Administration (FDA). But the truth is that no company has done testing its effectiveness on humans, most studies only used mice. As such, its effect, when tested on people, is still largely unknown. The FDA allowed selling of synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) called Marinol as a prescription drug. However, it has adverse effects such as dizziness, confusion, and drowsiness. It is not the first time synthetic CBD has been linked to negative side effects.
“Spice,” a known synthetic CBD, was made illegal in 2014 due to its link to deaths and health implications. The number of poison-related incidents with “spice” also surged at that time. Although “spice” is proven effective in inhibiting tumor growth in mice, it has also proven to have side effects on humans such as seizure, anxiety, and irritability.
As such, there is really no way of knowing that a CBD product is clean or organic but with the use of third-party lab examinations. Results from third-party labs assure that the examinations are done by independent companies and they can be solid proofs of impartiality.
For instance, Diamond CBD, under the PotNetwork Holding, Inc. (OTCMKTS:POTN) umbrella, is a company which retails different CBD products. They offer candies, edibles, vapes, oils and pet products, among others. To ensure effectiveness and safety of consumers, Diamond CBD conducted an independent research to test if their products contain any form of synthetic CBD.
The Drug Detection Laboratories Inc. revealed that Diamond CBD products are made using 100 percent natural hemp-derived CBD and do not contain synthetic drugs. All of the results are released and published on the company’s website for transparency’s sake.
The results of the lab examinations are proofs that Diamond CBD remains an industry leader when it comes to CBD products. They set an example for other companies, which are also into marijuana industry.
When consumers doubt if their CBD oils or edibles contain synthetic drugs, it pays to check the label or search the website for proof that it is clean and organic. In delicate matters that concern health and well-being, taking risks is not an option. Lives are at stake here. It is best to use products that passed lab test examinations because safety and effectiveness are guaranteed.


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The move is an effort to grab industries that need more performance out of their cloud servers.
Yes, Big Iron can do Big Data and Machine Learning, even while it keeps chugging away at its appointed transactional tasks. In fact, putting the two together makes all kinds of sense.
A mystery bug at Google's end caused a mass outage on Wifi and OnHub routers connected to networks that were operating normally.
At just $250, it's tough not to recommend the Honor 6X for first-time smartphone owners, younger customers, and those looking to get 90 percent of the functionality of a high end flagship for a third of the cost.
Exclusive: The files included gigabytes of emails, sensitive government files, and a password list, which researchers say could give hackers 'full access' to the airport's systems.
The companies say blockchain technology can be used to improve everything from security to IoT applications in the telecommunications industry.


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Kenya holds promotional forum for 3rd China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo
NAIROBI, May 11 (Xinhua) -- A promotional conference for the third China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo was held in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi on Thursday, drawing a diverse cast of participants including senior officials, diplomats, and business executives.
In attendance at the forum that reaffirmed commitment to deepening China-Kenya trade and investment cooperation is a high-profile delegation from Yiyang City in central China's Hunan Province.
Zhang Yijun, the minister counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, noted that Sino-Kenya cooperation in diverse fields has broken new ground, only to unleash immense socio-economic benefits.
"There are great potentials for the two sides to deepen their cooperation in economy, trade, and investment, to further their collaboration in agriculture, manufacturing, green development, and digital economy," said Zhang.
Zhang said the third edition of the expo, slated for June 29 to July 2 in Changsha City, the capital of Hunan Province, offers an opportunity for Kenya to market its agricultural commodities to the Asian Nation.
Yang Zhihua, the deputy mayor of Yiyang, said the expo, which will feature seminars, matchmaking negotiations, and outdoor commodity pavilions, will culminate with the release of the inaugural China-Africa trade index.
Yang stressed that China and Africa can explore broad areas of cooperation, including agricultural modernization, health, and infrastructure development.
Senior Kenyan officials and representatives of business lobby groups also attended the promotional forum for the expo, a testimony to its growing significance.
Teresa Wanjagua, the deputy commissioner of the Trade Facilitation Division at the Kenya Revenue Authority, said Kenya stands to gain from the expo, given its vantage position as a logistics and trading hub in the East African region.
Kenya intends to showcase investment opportunities in diverse sectors like the blue economy, affordable housing, manufacturing, digital superhighway, and agro-processing during the upcoming expo, said Michael Ogutu, an investment promotion officer at the Kenya Investment Authority.
Ogutu said the government has created a conducive regulatory environment to attract capital, technology, and expertise from China amid the quest to realize people-centered economic transformation.
Patrick Nyangweso, the chief executive officer of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the country should leverage the expo to scout for investors while exploring new markets for value-added agricultural produce.


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Scenery developer Drzewiecki Design has shared some brand new behind the scene previews for their upcoming Sheremetyevo UUEE V2. The airport, announced back in May, will build on the original 2014 release, but with new details and bring it to today’s standards.
Sheremetyevo UUEE V2 will be made with all new ground poly details, additional buildings and all new lighting and interior modelling design. The airport will take full advantage of the new 64-bit technologies, but will be made available for 32-bit simulators also.
No estimated time frame was given, but it is great to see a more unique look at the progress being made.
In related Drzewiecki Design news, they recently released Chicago Airports X for Prepar3D and FSX. You can buy it from simMarket for €38.00.


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National: Equipment Reviews
Last Updated on Thursday, 22 January 2015 20:04 Thursday, 22 January 2015 19:54
Building on the success of the men’s Nike Lunar Control franchise, Nike Golf introduces the women’s Nike Lunar Control. Not only is this the first women’s shoe in the Lunarlon collection but also the first women’s golf shoe available for customization on NIKEiD.
Last Updated on Thursday, 22 January 2015 19:53 Thursday, 22 January 2015 19:49
TourMARK’s flagship new release is patent-pending Reverse Dimple (RD) grip texture that allows better traction, moisture management, tactile feedback, and an automatically reduced grip pressure. The RD grip line is available in 3 putter grip sizes and is also available in iron/wood grips which are a game-changer.
TourMARK Grips has partnered with Team Golf to offer over 150 team grips including top NFL, NCAA, MLB, and NHL putter grips. This agreement gives TourMARK the most diverse range of grip patterns currently offered by any grip company currently on the market.
Last Updated on Thursday, 22 January 2015 19:49 Thursday, 22 January 2015 19:33
FAIRHAVEN, Massachusetts — It’s hard to belive 15 years have passed since the first Titleist Pro V1 was introduced.
It was in October 2000 when the original Pro V1 prototype first appeared on the PGA Tour at the Invensys Classic in Las Vegas. Forty-seven players put the ball in play that week, marking one of the largest pluralistic shifts of equipment at one event in golf history. In March 2001, just months after launching to golf shops, Titleist Pro V1 became the best-selling golf ball in the marketplace.
Bridgestone’s Newly Redesigned E-Series Balls Tackle Flight Challenges and Deliver Increased Distance
Last Updated on Thursday, 22 January 2015 06:20 Thursday, 22 January 2015 06:10
COVINGTON, Georgia — Bridgestone Golf announced the launch of its newly redesigned e-Series golf balls. The 2015 e-Series models will continue to deliver the exceptional flight performance golfers trust and expect and the introduction of Bridgestone’s proprietary, breakthrough WEB Dimple Technology brings added distance across the line. Bridgestone will continue to proudly manufacture the e-Series in the USA.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 21 January 2015 19:44 Wednesday, 21 January 2015 19:30
CARLSBAD, California — Adams Golf announced the arrival of the new Red hybrid. The benchmark product in the Adams stable, Red delivers players of all abilities an appealing, confidence-inspiring shape with proven performance. Red’s versatility delivers on what golfers need, when and where they need it. Shot-shaping properties make it easy to find optimal ball flight (draw, fade, low, high), while sole, crown and head features deliver easy launch conditions for Tour players and amateurs alike.
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General Motors, the world’s third largest automobile maker, has seen a consistent fall in its market share in India over the past one year.
A year after its global chief executive officer Mary Barra announced ambitions to make the Indian operations sustainable its share has fallen below one per cent in a growing car market. The saving grace for the firm remains a rise in exports.
Announcing its decision to shut the Halol (Gujarat) plant and for capacity expansion in Talegaon (Maharashtra) with a $1-billion (Rs 6,755 crore) investment, Barra said in July last year the company was restructuring and consolidating its Indian operations to have a sustainable business.
The company had invested about $1 billion in the country since 1996, when the Halol plant was set up, but its Indian operations remained marred by losses. In FY15, the company incurred a loss of Rs 1,033 crore. The loss in FY14 was much higher at Rs 3,812 crore.
In the April-May period this year, GM sold 4,678 units in the country, with a market share of 0.98 per cent, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers data showed. In the year ended March 31, 2015, GM had a small share of two per cent, which slipped further to 1.2 per cent in the year ended March 31, 2016.
Exports rose to 7,217 units against a mere 590 units in April-May 2015.
Its decision to shut down its Halol plant by the end of June this year has also not played out.
Last week, the company said it would continue production at the Gujarat unit till March next year.
“We are exploring a number of options in relation to the Halol site, including its sale. Selling the plant may include contract manufacturing to ensure continuity for the upgraded Chevrolet Tavera. This extension will ensure an orderly transition for employees, suppliers and other stakeholders,” the company said. China’s largest automaker, SAIC, has been reportedly in talks to buy the plant to enter the Indian market.
To give a perspective, Maruti Suzuki’s crossover S Cross which is considered to have a limited success sold 4,600 units in the April-May period. GM’s position in the domestic market slipped from eighth in FY15 to eleventh now, just ahead of Skoda and Fiat. Globally, GM sold 9.8 million vehicles in calendar year 2015 to end as third largest after Toyota and Volkswagen.
The company is confident of expanding its share. “Chevrolet aims to significantly increase its market share in the next five years by delivering quality products and care that our customers in India expect and deserve along with an enhanced customer experience,” a spokesperson for GM India said.
While its existing product line up continues to lose volumes, it is pinning its hopes on the new products. “We have a strong plan to launch at least five new Chevrolet models within the space of 24 months including the new Trailblazer, new Beat, Essentia, new Cruze and Beat Activ,” the spokesperson said. It is not that the company does not have a product portfolio now. It has eight products available and is present is the small car, sedan and utility vehicle segments.
It is also learnt that a number of unhappy GM dealers have exited the brand to move to rivals. The company did not specify the number of such dealers. Considering its 202 sales points and monthly total volumes of average 2,300 units, monthly sales average for one sales point works out to just 12 units.
“In order to create a sustainable business environment for us and our dealers, we have taken some important steps in the past 18 months. The focus is on consolidating our network and enhancing the quality of the existing dealerships in order to provide a great customer experience,” she said.


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Building trade with China
The Translation People marked the Year of the Ox at a high-profile event to encourage greater UK trade with China.
The company sponsored the GO CHINA Chinese New Year dinner and Greater China Awards, organised by the North West International Trade Team of government agency UK Trade & Investment.
Directors Steve Wilde and David Nichols, along with Alan White and Jo Clarke from the business’ Manchester office, joined 200 guests at the awards dinner in early February.
The event celebrated the successes of North West businesses in building links with mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Despite the global financial downturn, the Chinese economy remains a key target for UK exporters. UK exports to the region increased by almost 18% in 2008 to £4.4bn and that figure is expected to rise to £10bn by 2010.
Steve Wilde, Managing Director of The Translation People, said: “We were encouraged to hear so many success stories on the night, and inspired at the wealth of opportunities that are available to our clients.”
Alan White, Manager of the Manchester office, added: “Doing business in China requires specialist support – not just in terms of translation services but also to ensure the correct design and typesetting of printed and online materials.
“You also need to be very careful about the correct spelling of people’s names.
“For example, most Chinese businesspeople give themselves an English ‘name’ that is just a phonetic English translation of their real name; for any letters or emails, it’s important to find out the correct Chinese spelling.
For more advice on language and cultural issues around the Chinese market, click here.
Media enquiries to:
Libby Howard, tel. 07879 446277, email
Suzanne Judge, tel. 079364 10933, email


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Displaying items by tag: SAP
SAP to cut 3,000 jobs as part of €1bn restructuring plan
German software behemoth SAP has stunned staff by announcing that it will cut 3,000 jobs as part of a €1bn restructuring plan after profits stagnated in 2018.
However, the upbeat company insists it is still on track to grow revenues and earnings for this year, but that a restructuring of its overall operations and practices are necessary.
SAP’s CFO, Luka Mucic said the company expects a higher number of employees to leave that during its last job cull which occurred in 2015. He said, “We are talking about a completely voluntary program, we expect a number slightly higher than in 2015 of employees to leave.”
In 2015, SAP cut around 2,200 positions in a move that was described at that time as the company’s transition away from traditional software towards cloud computing. SAP plan to spend between 800m and 1bn on restructuring the company in an effort to simplify its structures and processes.
CEO Bill McDermott acknowledged that the job cuts are painful but reiterated that they were necessary in order to pave the way for SAP to make new investments in emerging growth areas within the software ecosystem.
The SAP CEO said, “We are going to move our people and our focus to the areas SAP needs the most, AI (artificial intelligence), blockchain, internet of things, quantum computing. We currently have 95,000 people in the company, if we talk in a few years it will be more.”
Despite the messaging from SAP that the job cuts are necessary in order to create capital to invest in new areas, it’s clear the stagnation of profits and stunting of growth have heightened the pressure on the German software leader.
SAP announced that its net profits had grown by just 1% last year reaching 4.1bn euros. In 2018, SAP continued its transformation away from the perception that it’s a traditional one-off sales’ of business software licenses to cloud computing, under which it charges customers a subscription fee to process data on the firm's computers.
Revenue from cloud subscriptions and support grew 32 percent over the year, to almost 3.8 billion euros. Meanwhile software licenses and support revenue shrank one percent, although it remains a far bigger source of income for now at almost 15.8 billion euros.
German automotive supplier ZF to transform its global IT landscape
One of the largest automotive suppliers in the world, ZF Friedrichshafen, known as ZF, said it will adopt a selection of SAP software solutions to help transform its global IT landscape. The implementation and integration of the solutions will help provide the company with a single source to connect with suppliers, customers and business networks.
SAP’s software, including SAP S/4HANA and SAP BW/4HANA, will provide ZF with the foundation for new digital business models. The software was selected by ZF to support its ambitious growth strategy, using cutting-edge technology to enable processes and the organization to scale. Through the implementation of the solutions, ZF will further extend its existing IT system landscape to the world of cloud.
Following its merger with automotive supplier TRW, ZF’s implementation of these solutions will help drive synergies across all corporate departments, allow for the fast adoption of global business processes, and drive digitalization, speed and agility.
The SAP S/4HANA Finance solution, for instance, provides comprehensive financial management and accounting functionality on one standardized platform, enabling ZF to pursue its growth strategy while focusing on new opportunities.
In addition, the solution can help the company better manage regulatory requirements such as International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as well as help optimize financial processes to provide a single source of truth for corporate management.
The company will also implement the SAP S/4HANA Sourcing and Procurement solution, the SAP HANA platform, the SAP Extended Warehouse Management application and governance, risk and compliance solutions such as the SAP Enterprise Threat Detection application.
“SAP allows us to protect and simplify our existing assets while building the future business platform for tomorrow’s growth,” said Jürgen Sturm, CIO of ZF Friedrichshafen AG. “New capabilities can be provided to the business based on latest technologies offering great business value. By combining various cloud solutions with a strategic digital core we will unleash new business potentials and will become more agile in their implementation.”
Middle East and Africa driving $8 billion IoT market, says SAP
Middle East organizations are adopting the latest Internet of Things (IoT) technology infrastructure to drive the wider region’s US$ 8 billion market, SAP said.
As the inter-connected Internet of Things era advances, Middle East organizations are forced to manage a vast network of connected devices, wearables, and physical objects – from cars to oil drills. Using machine-to-machine technology, organizations can provide a secure, usable infrastructure that shares machine and sensor data for actionable information in real-time.
In the Middle East and Africa, the Internet of Things spend is set to reach US$ 8 billion in 2017, according to a recent report by IDC. In particular, the highest-spending industry verticals include manufacturing and transportation, both at USD 1.3 billion, and utilities at USD 918 million.
“Every industry vertical in the Middle East is set to be transformed by the Internet of Things – from smart utilities predicting service outages, to healthcare providers predicting patient treatments,” said Gergi Abboud, Managing Director for the Gulf, Levant, North Africa, and Pakistan at SAP.
"The strength of an Internet of Things use case improves exponentially when you unleash the connectivity between all of the ‘things’ inside and outside of an enterprise across its supply chain. Hence, a secure Internet of Things platform on the cloud becomes vital for supporting next generation applications, which can scale up quickly and easily," added Abboud.
Showing the strong demand, 82 percent of organizations see the Internet of Things as “strategic” or “transformational” to their business, according to a recent survey by IDC.
In the Middle East, SAP is seeing strong demand for the SAP Leonardo digital innovation system. SAP Leonardo provides breakthrough technologies and services that let organizations take advantage of embedded Internet of Things capabilities and other technology innovations on the cloud.
SAP is already working closely with Middle East organizations on Internet of Things co-innovations, such as a remote inspection robot for the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, and Emirates NBD bank on augmented reality housing loans.
Exchanging global best practices, SAP’s global Internet of Things customers include Italy’s Trenitalia, Buenos Aires, Argentina to prevent floods, and the Hamburg Port Authority for smart port logistics.
Saudi oil giant partners with SAP to launch digital business marketplace
SAP is partnering with oil giant Saudi Aramco in creating a new solutions platform to enable Saudi Aramco to launch a digital business marketplace with thousands of Saudi Aramco buyers and suppliers in partnership with SAP Ariba.
Saudi Aramco says the move forms part of its digital transformation strategy and will help it and its global subsidiaries to manage and simplify real-time collaboration between their buyers and suppliers.
The deal will make it Saudi Arabia’s first company that will run solutions on the SAP Cloud Hub, which will launch shortly as part of SAP’s four-year SAR 285 million investment plan in the Kingdom. As a result, the firm will be able to run cloud-based business applications to optimize business processes and costs, and enhance customer and supplier relationships.
Using SAP Ariba, Saudi Aramco can capitalize on several solution functionalities, including e-Bidding, e-Sourcing, Contracts Life-Cycle Management and Supplier Onboarding, to create a collaborative supply chain environment that will enhance supply chain efficiency and open wider business opportunities for the local and regional supplier-base.
SAP Ariba combines industry-leading cloud-based applications with the world’s largest Internet-based trading community to help companies discover and collaborate with a global network of partners. Companies around the world use the software to simplify inter-enterprise commerce and enhance the results that they deliver.
“Saudi Aramco is showing global leadership in digital business innovation in the oil and gas sector. Through the SAP Cloud Hub, SAP continues to co-innovate with the Kingdom’s leading players to drive Saudi Vision 2030 digital transformation and support Saudi job creation through our academies,” said Ahmed Al-Faifi, Managing Director of SAP Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Yemen.
“Using the Ariba business platform, Saudi Aramco buyers and suppliers can gain new levels of business competitiveness, and simpler, smarter sourcing. SAP fully supports Saudi Aramco’s digital transformation agenda for long-term and sustainable business and economic growth” said Mohammad AlZaubi, Global Director for Saudi Aramco, SAP.
Through the SAP Ariba source-to-pay applications, buyers and suppliers worldwide have benefitted from 60 percent lower costs, at least 50 percent greater efficiency, at least 5 percent more sales, and about 15 percent improved customer retention.
84% of global firms say digital transformation is critical to their survival
While 84 percent of global companies say that digital transformation is critical to their survival in the next five years, only three percent have completed company-wide transformation efforts, shows a new study from SAP. The study, supported by Oxford Economics, was released at SAP Leonardo Live, held July 11–12 in Frankfurt, Germany.
Significantly, the results could spell possible peril for companies lagging in digital transformation: those that have embraced mass digital changes reported significantly higher levels of market share (85 percent vs. 41 percent) and profitability (80 percent vs. 53 percent).
Companies named as the leaders in the survey expect to see roughly 23 percent more revenue growth over the next two years than the rest of the organizations surveyed. The study also found that digital transformation was cited as a top-three driver of future revenue, across all industries and among companies of all sizes.
“SAP Digital Transformation Executive Study: 4 Ways Leaders Set Themselves Apart” is the most comprehensive of its kind. Based on survey results from more than 3,000 senior executives across 17 countries and regions, it identifies the challenges, opportunities, value and key technologies driving digital transformation. The results also identify the Top 100 companies — called Digital Leaders — who are best at connecting people, things and businesses.
Digital Leaders hold four key traits, according to the study. They see digital transformation as truly transformational: 96 percent of Leaders say digital transformation is a core business goal, compared to 61 percent of all others. The transformation extends through their company, to how they interact with customers, suppliers and partners.
Digital Leaders also focus on customer-facing functions first: 70 percent of Leaders say digital transformation is already delivering increased customer satisfaction vs. 22 percent of all others. The customer experience is the gateway to a successful digital transformation. They also prioritize talent: 71 percent of Leaders say that digital transformation efforts make it easier to attract and retain talent vs. 54 percent of all others. They also spend more on retraining the existing workforce than their peers.
Finally, Digital Leaders invest in next-generation technologies: 50 percent of Leaders are already working with artificial intelligence and machine learning, compared to 7 percent of all others. They are also investing more heavily in Big Data and analytics (94 percent vs. 60 percent) and the Internet of Things (76 percent vs. 52 percent). Using a bimodal IT architecture lets them run legacy systems efficiently while rapidly integrating new technologies.
“Digital transformation is no longer a choice, it’s an essential driver of revenue, profit and growth,” said Vivek Bapat, senior vice president, global head of Marketing Strategy and Thought Leadership, SAP SE. “Executives need to move from simply understanding the high stakes to activating complete end-to-end execution across their business. This requires innovative breakthrough technologies, investing in digital skills, and retraining the existing workforce. The next two years will be a key inflection point, which will separate the digital winners from those left behind.”
Pakistan Vision 2025 drives future smart cities growth
Pakistan Vision 2025 and the China Pakistan Economic Corridor are driving investment in Future Cities to deliver economic growth and enhance urban livability, the new country manager for Future Cities enabler SAP announced.
With the United Nations projecting over half of Pakistan set to live in cities by 2025, the China Pakistan Economic Corridor partnership is investing millions of rupees in Future City projects in Islamabad, along with Gwadar, and Quetta, and supporting Pakistan Vision 2025 digital transformation goals.
Using innovations such as 3D printing, blockchain, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, Pakistan is transforming key industry verticals such as government, healthcare, logistics, and transportation. Smart utilities and the smart grid, the smart supply chain, and public safety all present major opportunities.
“Pakistan’s cities face complex challenges that require innovative thinking and vision to reinvent how the country tackles economic, social, and environmental issues. Urban leaders in Pakistan are at the forefront of using citywide digital transformation to deliver better public services, good governance, safer cities, and economic prosperity,” said Saquib Ahmad, County Manager, for SAP Pakistan.
Supporting Pakistan’s Future Cities, SAP is exchanging global best practices from the recently-launched SAP Leonardo digital innovation system, the Future Cities program that co-innovates with over 4,500 local governments worldwide, and the SAP Training and Development Institute that upskills youth.
With more than 16 years of IT experience in the region, Saquib Ahmad is committed to supporting new digital business models in Pakistan and driving Digital Economy growth.
“Pakistan is a strategic growth market for SAP, and we are exchanging global best practices in using real-time technology to deliver clean, safe, and competitive cities. Saquib Ahmad has the experience, leadership, and disruptor vision to drive public-private partnerships that support Pakistan Vision 2025,” said Gergi Abboud, Managing Director for the Gulf and Pakistan at SAP.
#MWC17: Ushering in a new era of IoT, 5G and cloud – the next element!
Mobile World Congress, the world's annual gathering for the mobile industry, was held in Barcelona this year from 27 February to 2 March. As the most anticipated event of the year for the industry, thousands of people come to Spain's Mobile Capital to meet and greet industry experts, witness the latest mobile and technology announcements and trends in the sector, and to find out what the next year's technologies will be.
This year's MWC event saw plenty of exciting releases, including phones, tablets, and other smart devices. Huawei, LG, Sony, ZTE, Nokia and even BlackBerry announced new smartphones at the event. Huawei unveiled an impressive new smartphone, the Huawei P10 and the larger P10 Plus, featuring dual Leica rear camera lenses, a longer-lasting battery and fingerprint sensor system.
Finnish startup HMD Global relaunched one of Nokia's most popular devices at MWC - the 3310 - which was first launched to the mobile phone industry 17 years ago. Nokia's 3310 is considered an iconic handset due to its incredible popularity amongst customers in the early 00's when Nokia dominated the mobile phone market. Nokia also introduced a range three new Android smartphones: the Nokia 6, Nokia 5 and Nokia 3.
TCL Communication launched a new high-end BlackBerry device at MWC, the KEYone, which brings back the brand's signature physical keyboard and has a larger screen than previous models. Like Nokia, BlackBerry phones will be made under license by another manufacturer.
Samsung, which didn't unveil a new smartphone, announced a premium tablet at MWC, and two all-in-one PCs at the event. The Galaxy Tab S3 is powered by Android 7.0, and now comes with an S-pen for jotting notes and sketching on the screen. The company also announced a new keyboard for the Tab S3, available as an additional purchase. With Android 7.0 installed on the Tab S3, Samsung adopted Google's multi-window mode, and quick app switching, in lieu of the company's previous TouchWiz solution.
Vendors vowing to make comebacks
On day one of Mobile World Congress, Ericsson's newly appointed CEO, Borje Ekholm, vowed to restore the Swedish company's reputation - and declared that under his guidance the organization will be at the forefront of the evolution of 5G technologies. Ekholm was appointed as the new CEO in October 2016, but didn't officially become CEO until January 16. He replaced Hans Vesterberg, who had been Ericsson's CEO for the previous seven years.
At a press briefing, Ekholm pledged to turn around Ericsson's flailing fortunes and lead them out of one of the most tumultuous periods of its history. Ericsson has endured a difficult number of years - last year the Swedish telecommunications giant was forced to axe thousands of staff in both Sweden and Italy in a desperate effort to reduce costs.
In addition, Ericsson was rocked to the core by allegations from former executives that Ericsson had allegedly bribed a string of high profile politicians across different regions in an effort to secure major contracts in those countries. Former executive Liss-Olof Nenzell handed the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) documents relating to the alleged kickbacks.
In defense, Ekholm delivered a passionate address at MWC, declaring that Ericsson is ready to explore 'unchartered territory' in its bid to rollout 5G technologies. Ekholm disclosed that Ericsson was making 'significant headway' and was adamant that the firm would be at the forefront of the 5G evolution.
Ekholm said: "Of course 5G has been a buzzword and nothing has really happened, right? But what you are seeing now is the momentum we are building. We are entering into a whole new market, in a way (it's) uncharted territory. We are connecting new things, this will require us to enter into new partnerships and new collaborations and new business models basically."
The CEO said there was 'real momentum' starting to build towards 5G and added that organizations ranging from network companies, to mobile phone makers, to semiconductor businesses are united in their efforts to make 5G a reality - the future of mobile internet was a key theme and prominent feature of discussions all week at MWC 2017.
Ekholm also declared that Ericsson's future will require grit and grace in an attempt to transform itself back into a global leader. Ekholm concluded by saying, "At Ericsson we're focused on setting our future direction - but the process will take a lot of grit, grace and huge amount of team work."
Another leading vendor at MWC, Chinese smartphone vendor Huawei, caused a stir at the event when it unveiled its latest smartphone with a better camera in an attempt to exploit the gap in the market left by Samsung's withdrawal of its flagship device due to problems with the battery.
Samsung was forced to recall all of its flagship Galaxy Note 7 units last October after reports emerged that the devices were catching fire and in some cases even self-combusting. The South Korean conglomerate is subsequently delaying the launch of its new flagship smartphone until later this year. Apple traditionally avoids Mobile World Congress, so that left Huawei - the world's third largest smartphone maker - with a brilliant opportunity to seize the spotlight at the show.
Huawei launched the P10 and the larger P10 Plus which feature dual Leica rear camera lenses, a longer-lasting battery and fingerprint sensor system. "The P10 and the P10 Plus will make every shot a cover shot," said Richard Yu, chief executive of Huawei's consumer business group, at a presentation.
The company managed to gain ground on Samsung and Apple in terms of market share last year, increasing its share of the smartphone sector to 8.9 percent in 2016 from 7.3 percent a year earlier, according to the Gartner consultancy group. Samsung saw its market share shrink over the same period by two full percentage points to 20.5 percent and Apple contracted to 14.4 percent from 15.9 percent.
The P10 will sell for 649 euros ($685), the P10+ will cost 799 euros. Huawei also unveiled a 'smartwatch' that contains a sportier look than the first device it introduced two years ago, targeting fitness users.
In other vendor news, Nokia delivered on its strategy to lead in 5G, IoT and cloud, tap new growth markets. On the eve of MWC, Nokia's launches of solutions covering 5G, the Internet of Things (IoT), software and cloud underscored the breadth and strength of a product portfolio bolstered by the acquisition of Alcatel-Lucent in 2016.
Nokia outlined how the rapid execution of its new strategy is delivering industry-leading innovation for communication service providers in network speed, agility and efficiency, while broadening the company's footprint in faster-growing areas including software and the utilities and transport markets.
"Nokia comes to Mobile World Congress this year with a bigger and fully end-to-end portfolio to sell, and with groundbreaking innovations to share," Nokia President and CEO Rajeev Suri said.
"All of this is underpinned by an organization squarely focused on the execution of our strategy to lead in high-performance networks with communication service providers, expand to new verticals, build a strong standalone software business and create new business and licensing opportunities in the consumer ecosystem," he added.
New products like 5G FIRST, announced at the company's press and analyst event, showed Nokia's innovation strength to deliver differentiated products that connect not only millions of users but interconnect billions of things to create what Nokia calls the 'global nervous system,' Suri added.
Nokia 5G FIRST comprises its radio access network (RAN) including Nokia AirScale massive MIMO Adaptive Antennas, packet core and mobile transport solutions as well as a full service offer using Intel architecture and the Intel 5G modem for initial deployments starting in 2017. With the introduction of 5G FIRST, operators will gain a first-to-market advantage based on early specifications. In addition, Nokia will use the lessons learned through real-world deployment to contribute to final 3GPP standardization of the technology.
While each operator has its own timeline for moving to 5G, some leading providers are eager to take advantage of the extremely high capacity and low latency connectivity it promises to deliver. To meet early-adopter demands, Nokia confirmed it will make its commercial 5G FIRST end-to-end solution available later this year.
Leveraging Nokia's end-to-end network capabilities, 5G FIRST also incorporates the multi-access Nokia Cloud Packet Core and the Nokia Shared Data Layer as part of a cloud-native core architecture to deliver the flexibility, massive scalability and performance operators need to rapidly and cost-effectively deliver 5G services.
A comprehensive array of mobile transport offerings from Nokia address the critical capacity, reliability and latency requirements of the 5G era. As a next step in a new technology collaboration with Intel, Nokia will leverage the Intel 5G modem for initial deployments of 5G FIRST to deliver ultra-broadband to the home using fixed wireless access as an alternative to existing fiber deployments.
To share insight on future innovations, Nokia also demonstrated a 5G wireless mmWave-based small cell deployment with self-backhauling capabilities. Using an innovative cloud-based mesh topology manager, it creates an in-band meshed network with self-organizing, self-healing and load-balancing capabilities.
What's more, SAP made a splash at MWC this year, demonstrating new technology to make life easier for drivers and rental car users through Internet of Things (IoT) in collaboration with Concur Technologies, Hertz and Nokia. A part of the SAP Leonardo portfolio, the SAP Vehicles Network solution creates an intelligent, automated experience - from car rental to parking and fueling location and payment, to integrated navigation and expense management for business travelers.
SAP also announced that Mojio, the connected vehicle platform and app provider for Deutsche Telekom and T-Mobile USA, has joined SAP Vehicles Network and will provide parking and fueling through its app in the United States and Europe. SAP Vehicles Network, built on SAP Cloud Platform, enables participating network companies to provide mobility services to drivers and passengers.
By standardizing the business processes, SAP Vehicles Network enables integration and collaboration to facilitate new revenue streams and business opportunities for network members. Through the network, member companies can offer secure, convenient services - independent of devices or vehicles - such as parking, fueling and location-based food services, tailored for the business traveler or the individual consumer.
Leading operators looking to the future
Leading Qatari mobile operator Ooredoo showcased next-generation solutions and services on its pavilion at MWC, demonstrating the incredible progress it has made in recent years. The company took visitors on a journey from the days of voice and text through to the super-connected era of 4.5G and 5G now made possible by Ooredoo's advanced Supernet technologies.
Using a special video demonstration of 5G-enabled robotics, Ooredoo showed the faster and smoother performance of Ooredoo 5G and the potential for Internet of Things applications, with the reduced latency and high-speed network enabling real-time communication between machines.
Joining next-generation and lifesaving technology together, Ooredoo also premiered its 'Ooredoo Rescue' concept. Using pioneering drone technology, Ooredoo aims to enable Coast Guards to respond faster and more accurately to emergencies by providing a live video feed of the situation remotely and deploying an emergency raft via the drone. The Ooredoo Rescue solution includes a host of stations on a series of made-to-order buoys that are anchored around the coast. Each buoy is equipped with cameras, powered by solar technologies that can monitor the seas in real time.
Ooredoo also presented a broad range of mobile health solutions, including "You Click, We Care", which brings advanced medical monitoring and interaction straight to the home. Patients with chronic diseases can receive full medical attention from professionals with just one click on a mobile device, while advanced monitoring and alerting algorithms enable doctors to intervene as required before an emergency situation.
In addition, Zain Group was recognized as the winner of the GSMA's "Outstanding Contribution to the Mobile Industry Award" for 2017. The award was presented to Zain Group and four other mobile operators Asiacell, Deutsche Telekom, Turkcell and Vodafone on 26 February 2017, the eve of Mobile World Congress, at the GSMA's annual Welcome Dinner at the Palau de la Música Catalana in Barcelona, in the presence of His Majesty, King Felipe VI of Spain.
Zain's recognition in this manner was based on the work the telco continues to undertake around the region to assist and improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable sectors of society, including those fleeing the crisis in Syria. In particular, GSMA applauded Zain's creation of several commercial packages in the Middle East intended to facilitate connectivity, which is much needed amongst refugees and internally displaced people.
Another major development at MWC was the announcement of MoU's (Memorandum of Understanding) between Huawei and Zain Saudi Arabia. The collaboration between the two organizations will see them partner on a number of new technologies and services in an attempt to further develop the operator's ICT offering to its customers. In addition to this, the collaboration will also help them contribute significantly to the Kingdom's digital transformation goals.
Present at the signing of the MoU's were Zain Saudi Arabia CEO, Peter Kaliaropoulos and CEO of Huawei Tech Investment Saudi Arabia, Mr. Ramadan Ding. Under the first MoU, both companies will explore new avenues of cooperation to accelerate the Kingdom's digital transformation - which is one of the key factors of the Saudi 2030 Vision - as they define a network evolution path to help Zain deliver advanced services across its network.
Zain Saudi Arabia and Huawei have also identified several revenue-generating services to be implemented in the Kingdom, those of which rely on Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities, like smart homes and utilities, connected cars, Huawei's MuchTV, Game RS and digital music services.
Another MoU will focus on Zain's B2B solutions and include developing a Fiber to the x (FTTX), Public Cloud domain and unified communication which will see launch of a business hotline and develop 15,000 SME in 2017.
Since the beginning of 2017, Zain Saudi Arabia and Huawei Tech Investment Saudi Arabia have jointly announced a number of partnerships, with the most recent being the launch of a commercial NFV-based IMS network, which makes Zain the first operator in the world to move legacy networks onto clouds and simplify the network structure, resulting in a significant enhancement to the telecom provider's ability to cope with the future demand and network requirements.
Wrapping up on a positive note
On the third day of MWC, and in line with the event, Lebanese Minister of Telecommunications, Hi Excellency Jammal Jarrah, held a welcoming gathering with the Lebanese ICT Diaspora to provide updates about the Lebanese Telecom sector in a Q&A environment.
Five members in the panel were present with his Excellency, including Imad Kreidieh, head of the state-owned telecommunications company Ogero; Bassel Ayoubi, general director of investment and maintenance at the Ministry of Telecommunication; Naji Andraous, general director of installation and equipment; Naji Abboud, head of Owner Supervisory Board and the Minister's consultant Nabil Yamout. The conference was moderated by our very own Toni Eid, Editor-in-Chief of Telecom Review.
In his speech, the Minister of Telecommunication began by welcoming the Lebanese community present at Mobile World Congress, mentioning his astonishment with the Lebanese potential in the telecom sector and the diversification of the Lebanese skills in the region and abroad, knowing that most of the world's renowned companies comprise Lebanese people.
According to the Minister, the telecom sector is an essential pillar in the progress of any country, economically speaking. "It's part of the community's daily social and economical life. For this reason we have to enhance this sector as much as we can in order to keep pace with other nations and give the Lebanese community the best services," he said.
SAP and Apple partner to deliver SAP Cloud Platform SDK for iOS #MWC17
SAP announced at MWC 2017 plans to deliver SAP Cloud Platform SDK for iOS on March 30, giving developers the tools needed to build powerful enterprise apps for iPhone and iPad.
evelopers can now register for the SAP Academy for iOS to get the necessary training to create their own native apps. Additionally, early adopter customers have already seen improvements in their business with iOS built on SAP's platforms.
"As promised, SAP is delivering real-time enterprise software to iOS devices, transforming core work processes for companies of all sizes with powerful native apps built specifically for iPhone and iPad," said Bernd Leukert, member of the Executive Board, SAP SE, Products & Innovation. "Customers, partners and SAP can now quickly develop apps that deliver data with the cutting-edge capabilities of SAP Cloud Platform and SAP S/4HANA. The partnership comes at the right time for our customers as more and more companies build their mobile strategies around iOS."
Susan Prescott, vice president of Product Marketing, Apple, said: "When we set out on this partnership with SAP, we knew we had an incredible opportunity to transform how people around the world work by combining the innovation and security of iOS with SAP's leadership in enterprise software. We're already seeing the impact that the combination of iOS and SAP brings to businesses to enable better, more efficient and effective processes across industries. Now even more developers will be able to take advantage of the new SDK, and we can't wait to see how they transform their businesses."
SAP Cloud Platform SDK for iOS aims to give developers, designers, and businesses around the world the tools and scalability they need to quickly and efficiently build powerful enterprise-grade apps for iPhone and iPad, based on SAP Cloud Platform and built-in Swift, Apple's modern programming language. The software development kit (SDK) is also intended to provide a rich library of prebuilt user experience (UX) components and easier access to innovative device capabilities - such as Touch ID, location services and notifications - to accelerate app development and increase adoption.
The new SDK is designed to enable developers to leverage mobile services and other capabilities of SAP Cloud Platform, providing enterprise features like single sign-on, offline data synchronization and enhanced supportability to fulfill the complex requirements of today's digital enterprises. The SDK is intended to be complemented with innovative tools to identify available UX building blocks, existing enterprise services and application programming interfaces (APIs) to access SAP S/4HANA and other third-party systems, and to generate code snippets to reduce complexity and let the developers focus on creating apps that deliver incredible user experiences.
SAP Academy for iOS available to enable and expand the developer ecosystem
Engaging the power of the global developer community of 2.5 million SAP developers and 13 million Apple developers, SAP Academy for iOS is now available with initial training and workshops. A global rollout is planned for later this year.
To complement the new SDK and SAP Fiori for iOS design language, Apple and SAP have jointly developed the first set of offerings as part of the SAP Academy for iOS curriculum and courses. The courses aim to provide mobile developers and designers with knowledge, tools, education and training needed to build a new class of mobile apps that take full advantage of the new SDK, SAP Cloud Platform, SAP Fiori for iOS and the latest features of Apple hardware and software.
The learning journey for mobile developers within SAP Academy for iOS provides a suggested learning path along with related learning assets. It will be updated regularly as new offers and additional roles are added.
SAP developing native iOS apps for industries
SAP is currently building native iOS apps for industries ranging from manufacturing to retail, designed to transform core work processes. The first of these, the SAP Project Companion mobile app with versions for managers and for consultants, developed for professional services, is planned for release March 30 and aims to improve collaboration within project teams on iPhone and iPad.
The apps plan to integrate through SAP Cloud Platform into the SAP S/4HANA Professional Services Cloud solution, taking advantage of real-time data and dramatically simplifying the experience for consultants, project managers and other users who are typically on the go.
As a core asset of the partnership, SAP Fiori for iOS design language simplifies the user experience by combining a consumer-grade iOS experience with business user needs in the enterprise, and enables developers to build next-generation apps.
Various businesses around the world are participating in the early adopter program for the SDK and are already realizing benefits. The collaboration between Apple and SAP makes it simpler for users to build transformative mobile apps to consume and use their most critical data on iPhone and iPad devices and digitally transform their processes with enterprise mobility.
By redefining the customer experience, Apple and SAP are enabling businesses to access real-time information from anywhere and helping companies like Burberry provide an improved user experience for their own customers. Burberry, a long-standing partner of Apple and SAP, has used iPad and iPhones as in-store devices since 2012, enabling it to quickly and easily anticipate and respond to customer needs in real time.
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia (KAUST) is both an academic campus and a city. Students, staff and faculty all live in the community with their families. To serve the diverse needs of this community, the strategy was to create a series of apps to support and improve all aspects of life and work.
"The iOS SDK will help us compete with other universities by providing the best experience for both our students and professors in addition to a top-notch education," said Abdulmajeed Serajuddin, the manager of IT enterprise applications at KAUST. "Innovapptive, an SAP partner, is working with us through all the critical steps of implementation."
FunderMax is one of Europe's leading suppliers of derived timber products and decorative laminates. The company has three production facilities in Austria, with more than 1,050 dedicated employees passionate about quality. FunderMax is committed to using digital technologies to transform its sales processes as well as how it collaborates with its channel partners such as architects and retailers.
"We are transforming the way construction materials providers work with architects," said Hartwig Schwarzlmüller, vice president of FunderMax. "At FunderMax, we strive for the perfect user experience, and Apple and SAP are enabling us to do just that with the help of our strategic partner Atos."
SAP showcases new technology for connected vehicles with Concur, Hertz, Nokia and Mojio
At MWC 2017, SAP demonstrated new technology to make life easier for drivers and rental car users through Internet of Things (IoT) collaboration with Concur Technologies, Hertz and Nokia. A part of the SAP Leonardo portfolio, the SAP Vehicles Network solution creates an intelligent, automated experience - from car rental to parking and fueling location and payment, to integrated navigation and expense management for business travelers.
SAP also announced that Mojio, the connected vehicle platform and app provider for Deutsche Telekom and T-Mobile USA, has joined SAP Vehicles Network and will provide parking and fueling through its app in the United States and Europe.
SAP Vehicles Network, built on SAP Cloud Platform, enables participating network companies to provide mobility services to drivers and passengers. By standardizing the business processes, SAP Vehicles Network enables integration and collaboration to facilitate new revenue streams and business opportunities for network members.
Through the network, member companies can offer secure, convenient services - independent of devices or vehicles - such as parking, fueling and location-based food services, tailored for the business traveler or the individual consumer.
The new collaboration showcased at Mobile World Congress draws on the strengths of each participating vendor: Concur, Hertz, SAP and other members of the Nokia-founded IoT Community, a worldwide ecosystem of companies collaborating on the development of innovative IoT solutions, drove the development of the connected rental car experience.
Nokia provided its Intelligent Management Platform for All Connected Things (IMPACT) to securely control and manage devices and sensors in the vehicle, including the personalization of driver settings and entertainment systems, as well as the automatic configuration of in-vehicle communications without Bluetooth paring, which ensures data privacy for drivers.
The Nokia IMPACT IoT Platform works in conjunction with payment systems in SAP Vehicles Network for parking and fueling authorization to create a seamless and driver-optimized experience.
Hertz, one of the world's leading rental car companies, is developing new products and services for its next 100 years of meeting customers' needs. By exploring the use of connected-car technology in collaboration with leading technology and travel players such as SAP, Nokia and Concur, Hertz is evaluating the opportunity to integrate travel and itinerary planning, along with in-car personalization, through its customer apps as part of an elevated car-rental experience.
With the connected car prototype, business travelers can automate route guidance through Triplink integration with Concur solutions in addition to accessing seamless trip reporting capabilities for all travel-related expenses, including parking and fueling transactions. All in-trip payment transactions can be effortlessly reported in Concur Expense solutions in real time and be ready for the traveler to submit by the time the trip is complete.
Mojio's cloud integration with SAP Vehicles Network takes the guesswork out of parking, enabling drivers to plan and reserve a parking spot based on calendar events or search, as well as to find and pay for a spot in real time based on the connected vehicle's location.
A "tap" inside Mojio's app toggles between personal and business, allowing for automated expense reporting to Concur solutions. Together, Mojio and SAP plan to bring automated parking and fueling services to a growing base of connected drivers around the world.
SAP Vehicles Network makes any car smart and transactional by providing drivers with cashless access to on- and off-street parking and connected fueling stations. It minimizes unnecessary drive time and fuel expenditures and helps reduce traffic and emissions caused by drivers searching for open spaces.
"With leading partners like Hertz and Nokia and new customers like Mojio, SAP is delivering new levels of value for businesses and end consumers based on SAP Cloud Platform, SAP Leonardo and tight integration with Concur solutions," said Dr. Tanja Rueckert, executive vice president, IoT and Digital Supply Chain, SAP. "SAP Vehicles Network puts the end consumer in the driver's seat by transforming the vehicle into the ultimate digital wallet and making car rental into a seamless, intelligent experience."
Lenovo to deliver enterprise cloud solution for SAP customers in China
SAP and Lenovo announced a partnership under which Lenovo will deliver a new enterprise cloud solution created exclusively for customers holding licenses for the SAP HANA platform in China. The solution will be named “Lenovo Enterprise Cloud designed for SAP HANA” and is intended to open a simple and powerful migration path for China customers seeking to leverage their investments in SAP HANA offsite in a cloud environment.
SAP and Lenovo passed the one-year mark of an expanded strategic alliance announced last year in January. The latest announcement follows several other significant milestones achieved in 2016 as part of the companies’ joint commitment to develop new cloud solutions for the Chinese market, pioneer global innovations leveraging SAP HANA and Lenovo server technologies, and executive collaborative go-to-market programs.
The two companies have worked together since 2010, particularly in China. Lenovo’s new solution will be customized with support from SAP, to optimize performance availability running SAP HANA-based applications such as real-time data analytics. The core infrastructure will employ Lenovo’s effective System x3850 and x3950 X6 servers, while the System x3650 M5 will power the application servers.
“This new dimension of our partnership with Lenovo gives China enterprises access to a powerful, highly scalable cloud solution for rapidly and efficiently deploying applications running on SAP HANA off premise,” said Edward Chen, chief business officer, SAP Greater China. “Also, we anticipate that Lenovo Enterprise Cloud designed for SAP HANA will be a compelling option for customers because it leverages the company’s high-performance server technology, as well as its deep skills and experience in delivering these applications.”
Lenovo will build and operate the end-to-end cloud data center infrastructure for the solution in China, while also managing and supporting its SAP HANA database and applications, including customer technical support such as a hotline service. SAP and Lenovo will together expand market presence and offer off-premise solutions to customers in China. SAP will help Lenovo with quality assurance during the deployment and support process.
With the agreement, Lenovo gains a major new channel for its industry-leading capabilities in deploying SAP HANA and delivering its benefits. The company currently is among the largest SAP customers in China and also runs one of the largest instances of SAP HANA in the Asia Pacific region. By deploying SAP HANA in-memory database technology deeply in its own organization using its own infrastructure, Lenovo has developed vast knowledge of how to optimize application performance, as well as implement the technology rapidly and efficiently, which it applies to customer engagements.


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Long-time critic of the Democratic Party, Rep. Jim Jordan, says that the Biden Administration has failed at every issue it has attempted to handle.
During a recent interview, the Ohio Republican said Biden has given America record-setting crime and inflation rates. Jordan added, “democrat policies have also reduced and eroded America’s constitutional freedoms.”
He stressed Biden is doing everything wrong.
Jordan made the comments on “Sunday Morning Futures” three days after it was revealed that annual inflation is running at the hottest pace in nearly four decades as widespread supply disruptions, extraordinarily high consumer demand, and worker shortages fuel rapidly rising price increases.
Prices soared by 5.7% through November, according to the Personal Consumption Expenditures price index data released Thursday morning. That topped the previous month’s rate of 5%, becoming the fastest pace increase since February 1982, when the gauge hit 6.17%.
The inflation spike largely reflected surging energy costs, which rose 34% from a year ago, and food costs, which were up 5.6% over that same time period. Services inflation rose by 4.3% in November, and goods inflation increased 8.5% – up from the 7.6% pace a month prior, the data shows.
“The American people would like safe streets, they’d like affordable gas, and they’d like freedom,” Rep. Jordan argued during the interview. “Instead, what Biden is giving them is record crime, record inflation, and Dr. Fauci.”
“You pick the policy area, they’ve [The Biden administration has] done it wrong,” he added.
Jordan then argued that in “literally in 11 months,” the country “went from safe streets to record crime.”
“We went from a secure border to complete chaos,” he continued. “We went from stable prices to now record inflation. We went from projecting strength around the world to the debacle that was the exit in Afghanistan.”
As of this post, the White House has not responded to any of Jordan’s accusations.


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‘Wrap the Cape’ in purple bows to fight cancer
A Relay for Life team is asking citizens and businesses to get involved for just a few bucks.
Team Friends, for the Relay for Life of Cape Coral, is hosting a fundraiser called Wrap the Cape in Purple. The team is selling handmade 8-inch bows for display outside of homes and businesses.
Team captain Linda Biondi explained that this is the first year Relay for Life will take place in the South Cape. It will kick off on April 23 at noon at Four Freedoms Park, at 4818 Tarpon Court.
“We started thinking about what we could do – the restaurants and bars always have something fun going on,” she said. “We said, ‘Let’s do something to make people aware of the Relay for Life.'”
They came up with the idea to “wrap” the Cape in purple, which is the official event color.
“We’re making up the bows,” Biondi said. “They’re nice big bows. It’s a big ribbon.”
The bows are available for purchase for $3 each or two for $5.
As of Thursday, the team had sold 100 and have additional orders that still have to be filled.
“I’m waiting for more material to come in,” she said.
Biondi noted that the owner of BackStreets Sports Bar bought a bunch of the purple bows to put up around her establishment, as did the owner of Dixie Roadhouse and other businesses in the area.
“I want every business in the South Cape to have at least one,” she said.
But, that does not mean those located outside of the downtown area cannot show their support for Relay for Life. Biondi encouraged homeowners and businesses throughout the city to pick up a bow.
“This is the first time we’ve done anything like this,” she said.
The team anticipated selling 100 or 150 bows.
“I think we’re going to end up selling a lot more,” Biondi said.
“This is definitely a successful fundraiser,” she added. “It’s being very well received.”
To buy a Wrap the Cape in Purple bow, contact Raso Realty at (239) 542-2254. People can also call Linda Biondi at (239) 246-1157 or Gloria Tate, a member of Team Friends, at (239) 851-6324.
Cash is acceptable, as well as checks made payable to Team Friends.


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Tesla Inc. is recalling nearly 6,000 cars because brake caliper bolts may be lose and cause a loss of tire pressure, Reuters reported. The recall covers certain 2019 to 2021 Model 3 vehicles and 2020 to 2021 Model Y vehicles, the news agency reported. Tesla announced the news in a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, but said the issue had not caused any crashes or injuries. Tesla shares were down 2.6% premarket and have fallen 14% in the year to date, while the S&P 500 has gained 12%.
Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.


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“We are looking at doing more manufacturing in the U.S. because, in general, customers want more to be done there,” Louis Woo, a Foxconn spokesman, said in a phone interview.
Foxconn says it has about 1.6 million workers globally some of which are located in California and Texas. Those plants make partially-assembled products such as servers.
“Supply chain is one of the big challenges for U.S. expansion,” Woo said. “In addition, any manufacturing we take back to the U.S. needs to leverage high-value engineering talent there in comparison to the low-cost labor of China.”
Foxconn has recently started to replace its factory workers with robots and its possible that these robots could offset some of the higher labor costs in an American plant.


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Aquatic RPG Sunless Sea has been a big win for British indie developer Failbetter Games. The well-reviewed game has sold half a million copies since its 2015 PC release, and soon, iPad users will be able to get in on the Victorian Gothic adventure. Not long after sequel Sunless Skies very quickly exceeded its Kickstarter funding goal, Failbetter Games announced that Sunless Sea is headed to iPad on March 23rd.
In a statement, the developer said it's bringing the game to iOS with help from porting specialists BlitWorks, which previously worked on mobile adaptations of Bastion, Invisible, Inc. and other titles. The iPad version is a direct port of the PC game and includes all updates and additional content. Well, almost all, since October's "Zubmariner" extension won't be included. While that's a bummer, the port will include critical updates like "Steel," which replaced the game's turn-based battles with a real-time combat system. That's big, since the sluggish fighting pace was one of few criticisms Joystiq cited in its review of Sunless Sea's Steam Early Access release.
Failbetter Games has yet to reveal the app's price. For reference, though, the game currently retails on Steam for $19. That would be pricey for an iPad game, but the BlitWorks-assisted adaptations mentioned earlier currently go for $5 each on the App Store, so perhaps that's closer to the truth.