text:
SINGAPORE, Nov. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital disruption is set to be the norm across industries as they look to transform to keep their business relevant amidst the ever changing technological landscape. The implementation of enabling technologies such as low cost sensors, cloud computing, advanced data analytics and mobility are expected to drive this revolution.
Key examples of industries expected to undergo IT driven transformations include Energy (Smart Grids), Media (Content Streaming) and Manufacturing (3D Printing), all of which will be influenced by the Internet of Things.
Mr. Andrew Milroy, Senior Vice President, ICT Practice, Asia Pacific at Frost & Sullivan identifies 5 key areas that will be driven by the influence of the Internet of Things.
"By 2017, the Internet of Things (IoT) market will be one of the fastest growing segments in the Asia Pacific technology industry. The total Asia Pacific spending on IoT spending is forecasted to be US$59 billion by 2020. This offers real opportunities, especially in areas of manufacturing and consumer technology, which are expected to be two of the fastest growing segments over the next two years," opined Mr. Milroy.
The level of digitization in the manufacturing industry has not kept up with the pace of other industries such as telecoms but the onset of Industry 4.0 is set to change that. Various initiatives by organizations such as the Smart Manufacturing Leadership Coalition (SMLC), aim to bring together stakeholders to develop the measures needed to facilitate the broad adoption of manufacturing intelligence.
Besides manufacturing, the wearables market is also experiencing strong growth. Frost & Sullivan estimates the global wearable technology market at US$8.58 billion in 2014 and will reach US$38 billion in 2017 with a CAGR of 34% from 2014 to 2018. According to Mr. Milroy, the Asia Pacific region accounts for just over 4% of the global market and will lag behind other mature markets in North America and Europe in the uptake of wearables, which are currently dominated by standalone devices such as activity trackers and wearable recordings.
"It is expected that wearables such as smart watches and smart glasses with a wider range of functions will eventually overtake all other wearable devices to adopt a premium position in the market. Notably, the smart glasses are anticipated to do extremely well, with many promising application opportunities across industries such as healthcare and manufacturing," noted Mr. Milroy.
2015 is seen to be the year of software-defined everything as the software defined revolution spreads beyond the boundaries of the data centres. Programmable networks will enable the creation of new business applications and services which will drive efficiencies and new service models.
The adoption of the Internet of Things is however not without its challenges, as there are several hurdles that could prevent it from achieving rapid growth. Security and information privacy are some of the largest hurdles to the adoption of IoT. With smart and connected devices embedded in business processes and tied to critical functions, the ability to negatively affect enterprises and individuals is increased significantly.
Mobile Outlook 2015
Traditional mobile communications revenue comprising of voice and non-voice (mobile data and SMS services) was estimated to be US$567 billion in 2014. The market will continue to grow, albeit at a modest rate of 2.7% over a 5-year CAGR to reach US$627 billion by 2018. To buffer the decline in voice and SMS, data consumption is expected to drive revenue growth across most of Asia, with key factors including LTE services, smartphone proliferation and an increase in the consumption of multimedia content such as real time gaming and video entertainment; all of which are bandwidth intensive especially for larger screen devices.
In particular, Mr. Ajay Sunder, Vice President of Telecoms, Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific pointed out that data driven devices, rise of the digital consumer and declining revenue per unit of data are key trends that service providers should take note in devising their strategy in the digital era.
"Whilst falling smartphone prices, generous telecom plans and a high smartphone penetration rate of 72% in Singapore provides growth opportunities for service providers to generate revenue through digital media, they must be mindful of the exponential data surge and resulting network congestion which will compromise the quality of experience that is expected in a mature market like Singapore," Mr. Sunder noted.
2015: Data Driven Devices
Smartphone penetration across the region is steadily rising, along with a growing number of smart devices. These data driven devices are accelerating the shift from voice to data usage transition. "The multi-screen trend continues as consumers benefit from declining prices especially with popularity of new brands such as Xiaomi. Rising smartphone users are causing a faster shift from voice heavy users to data heavy users especially in the more developed markets," said Mr. Sunder.
"Vendors that are able to support the seamless sharing of content and applications across multiple devices will have an advantage. Nevertheless, with the recent popularity of phablets (hybrid of smartphones and tablet), there is a trend towards multi-tasking on a single device," he added.
As the growth in data is leading to an increase in ARPU for operators, revenue per incremental MB is falling. Operators are buffering the decline with multi-SIM packages to take advantage of the multi-device trend. However, the consolidation of devices via a phablet may challenge that strategy.
2015: Rise of the Digital Consumer
The usage of social media is becoming more prevalent across Asia with Facebook being the most popular social media platform in many countries. In view that 59% of the 3.2 million Internet users in Singapore uses Facebook, service providers are increasingly leveraging upon social media platform as an important tool in their promotion and marketing campaigns.
"Besides social media, there is a growing necessity for service providers to re-evaluate their reliance on traditional mobile services and invest in new areas of growth. The Internet of Things offers opportunities across different industry verticals such as transportation because the service provider sits right in the middle of the eco-system," said Mr Sunder.
"Service providers have to move beyond their comfort zones and establish partnerships with third parties such as vendors, device makers and chip set modules providers in developing an ecosystem that will incentivize the proliferation of value-added service that consumers and enterprises are willing to pay to fill the void in traditional revenue," Mr Sunder added.
About Frost & Sullivan
Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Is your organization prepared for the next profound wave of industry convergence, disruptive technologies, increasing competitive intensity, Mega Trends, breakthrough best practices, changing customer dynamics and emerging economies? Contact us: Start the discussion
Corporate Communications – Asia Pacific
P: +65 6890 0926
E: [email protected]
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/industry-transformation-software-defined-everything-the-internet-of-things-and-cybersecurity-to-offer-greatest-opportunities-in-apac-for-2015-says-frost--sullivan-300002121.html
SOURCE Frost & Sullivan


text:
How #Canada can capitalize on #US auto sector’s pivot to electric
China is already working hard to become the “source of a new way” to power vehicles, U.S. President Joe Biden warned last week.
“We just have to step up.”
Canada has both the resources and expertise to do the same, says Mr. Volpe (President of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association), whose ambitious Project Arrow concept – a homegrown zero-emissions vehicle named for the 1950s-era Avro interceptor jet – is designed to showcase exactly that.
“We’re going to prove to the market, we’re going to prove to the [manufacturers] around the planet, that everything that goes into your zero-emission vehicle can be made or sourced here in Canada,” he says.
Read more at: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-how-canada-can-capitalize-on-us-auto-sectors-abrupt-pivot-to-electric/

domain: news


text:
Posted: February 10, 2014
There is no such thing as public opinion. There is only published opinion.
- Winston Churchill -
Some of the nation’s largest media outlets were on-line for the conference call Thursday announcing the new “Coalition for Safe Affordable Food” (CFSAF), a group of nearly 30 companies and organizations united to seed a federal solution on the labeling of food products derived from genetically modified ingredients (GMOs). Many of the resulting reports were predictably cynical of the effort.
Several of the headlines read some modification of Bloomberg’s “Food Industry Forms Group to Stop Gene-Modified Labeling Laws”, referring to CFSAF as an “anti-labeling coalition.”
The goal of the group makes perfect sense in seeking national standards for labeling of food that may or may not contain genetically modified crops, instead of the looming potential of a patchwork quilt of laws in different states and municipalities. “A federal solution on GMO labeling will bolster consumer confidence in the safety of American food by reaffirming the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) role as the nation’s foremost authority on the use and labeling of foods containing genetically modified ingredients,” said National Corn Growers Association president Martin Barbre.
American Soybean Association President Ray Gaesser of Iowa used Missouri, bordered by eight states, as an example of what kind of nightmare various labeling laws could create. “If every one of those states passed their own labeling requirements with different thresholds for GM ingredients, your average soybean farmer would have to establish eight different supply chains, sanitize his equipment between each one, and then trace them religiously,” he said, noting that it could increase prices by 15-30%.
“When you look at the real world impact of these state-by-state regulations, it simply becomes too much for farmers to bear,” Gaesser said.
With a growing number of states and municipalities from Hawaii to Vermont considering some kind of GMO labeling, the coalition is asking Congress to take action, but as of yet no bills have been offered. With the farm bill off the plate now, farmers are optimistic it will happen soon.
Listen to the conference call here: GMO Coalition Announcement


text:
In January 2018, a federal court ruled in favor of Airbnb in a lawsuit filed by Aimco involving its tenants illegally subletting their rented spaces on Airbnb. The court defended Airbnb under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act which does not hold Internet based services liable for the actions of their users. Instead the tenants are believed to be held responsible for illegally subletting their spaces without attaining prior consent from their landlords.
Forget about searching all over town for vacancies. Thanks to our selection of hotels, you can spend more time enjoying the city and less time worrying about finding a place to sleep. We have hotels located within easy access of the airport, downtown, public transportation stations, and top attractions, so you can conveniently find a hotel near your current location—no matter where you are.
The rigidity can also cause drama at the airport, where it can produce uneven customer service, as agents may close out flights before connecting passengers arrive. Isom said he understands the criticism, but said in many cases keeping operational integrity helps more customers. American has 6,700 daily flights, and sometimes it’s easier to put passengers on the next one, rather than hold doors open.
Right now, as you read this, thousands of people are enjoying the rooms they booked at Hotels.com. That’s a thought that makes us smile. It’s reason enough to come in to work every day. But luckily for us, it isn’t the only reason. Hotels.com is a global company with the spirit of a start-up. Our people are experts in their fields but there are no big egos here. Collaboration is in. Red tape and politics are out. Let your guard down. Relax. Have fun. You’re in good hands now.
One year later, there were 15 people working from Chesky and Gebbia's loft apartment on Rausch Street in San Francisco. To make room for employees, Brian Chesky gave up his bedroom and lived at lodging booked via the Airbnb service until the company moved into its first office space. In April 2009, the company received $600,000 in seed money from Sequoia Capital and, in November 2010, raised $7.2 million in financing from Greylock Partners and, again, from Sequoia Capital, in a Series A round, then announcing that out of 700,000 nights booked, 80% had occurred in the previous six months.


text:
251 posts and columns on LTE
This summer is turning out to be a hot one … for wireless news. AT&T just sent out a teaser email inviting us to “Get ready for what’s next in wireless” on July 16, and included a list of accolades for its 4G LTE network. While this won’t be an actual event, I expect the carrier will talk about its upcoming LTE-Advanced network. LTE-Advanced promises significantly faster data speeds (theoretical download speeds of three gigabits per second and 1.5Gbps up); AT&T is expected to roll out its service during the second half of 2013.
News ByteZTE Avid 4G, an LTE-capable smartphone priced at $149 without contract. Running Android 4.0, the midrange handset has a four-inch, 800 x 480-pixel touchscreen, a five-megapixel camera on the back and a front-facing VGA camera. It can also be used as a mobile hotspot for an additional fee. The Avid 4G is available in stores now. Monthly plans range between $40 and $70.
News ByteMotorola Photon Q 4G LTE will be available on Aug. 19 for $200 with a two-year contract. The Photon Q is the carrier’s first 4G LTE smartphone with a full physical keyboard and world-roaming capabilities and also has a 4.3-inch touchscreen and a rear-facing eight-megapixel camera. Preorders of the Android smartphone start today online, and customers may receive it as early as two days before the Photon is available in stores.


text:
The Downtown Mystic Merchants Association is supporting an
ordinance that will ban peddlers from downtown Mystic and Pawcatuck.
According to a report in The Day, downtown businesses have complained that hot dog vendors and the like have set up in front of stores, which deterred potential customers and filled their shops with unsavory odors.
The crux of the ordinance says, “No peddler shall operate on a public sidewalk or street in front of an established business. Further, no peddler shall be permitted to operate in the downtown Mystic District and the downtown Pawcatuck District."
In other locations, peddlers are allowed to operate for 30 minutes in one location and then have to move on and they have to relocate more than 100 feet away from the previous spot.
Stonington First Selectman Ed Haberek said there may be exceptions for special events. The Board of Selectmen will have a public hearing before sending the ordinance to a town meeting vote.


text:
Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) is proud to be the Principal Partner, Cow Milk Cheese, of the Canadian Cheese Awards.
DFC has long supported our country's cheese makers and we are excited to participate in the upcoming Canadian Cheese Awards as sponsor of the cow’s milk cheese category. Cheese makers who are currently using the 100% Canadian Milk logo or the new DFC Certification Mark of Origin are eligible to compete for the Best Cow’s Milk Cheese in Canada award and win a $5,000 cash prize.
Held for the first time in 2014, the Canadian Cheese Awards are now Canada’s largest cheese competition; organized by The Great Canadian Cheese Festival, the contest is open to Canadian cheeses made from cows, goats, sheep and water buffalo milk. It is a great opportunity for Canada's world-class cheese makers to showcase their creativity.
The deadline to submit entries is February 16. Winners will be announced June 6 at the Awards Ceremony and Tasting Gala in Toronto. For more information, visit www.cheeseawards.ca.
About Dairy Farmers of Canada
Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) is the national policy, lobbying and promotional organization representing Canada’s farmers living on over 10,950 dairy farms. DFC strives to create stable conditions for the Canadian dairy industry, today and in the future. It works to maintain policies that foster the viability of Canadian dairy farmers and promote dairy products and their health benefits.
Dairy Farmers of Canada


text:
>> For the first time since 2003, Gap swung positive in year-over-year sales last year. But, Gap Inc. CEO Glenn Murphy says, "We’re still not happy. There isn’t a day that goes by that we don’t turn over a rock and find opportunity.”
Gap is closing 200 of its 900 worldwide stores by 2013, and will focus more on modernizing its look. Murphy cited “a huge opportunity . . . to fill in with trend-right product and chase products that make sense to us . . . and focus on new category development.” Adds Gap's head of global PR, Anita Borzyszkowska: "We focused on the denim collection 18 months ago: improving the fabric, fit and details [at a reasonable price]. Gap is most successful when it finds its place within the season's trends. The flare and the wide-leg pants are good examples. They are the sort of pieces that could appeal regardless of how closely you follow trends."
The company is shifting marketing dollars to win over new customers, particularly younger ones, as well as African-, Asian- and Hispanic-Americans, since Murphy finds the company's market share in all of those categories too low. In the past, he says, “we didn’t put enough money into acquiring new customers.”
Growth for Gap is primarily expected to come through global expansion, online, and outlets — in fact, the company sees international and online transactions representing 30 percent of its total revenue by 2013, up from 22 percent in 2010.


text:
There have been plenty of fundraisers and even some businesses run by students in the history of our school. However, the International Club is doing something unique this year as part of their focus on international cultures. Students in this club are selling bracelets made in South America. All profits earned go to the Pulsera Project, who pay the artists before giving the bracelets to schools.
“It’s a nonprofit organization that gets the bracelets from different artists in Nicaragua and Guatemala,” International Club member Trinity Krouse said. “Then they send them to different schools to be sold. Any extra proceeds go to charity.”
The profits are used for several benefits, but the main one is supporting artists in the countries where the bracelets are made.
“It’s really just a way for different people in South America to be able from work from home and make money,” Krouse said. “That way they don’t have to work twelve-hour days and are able to watch their kids at home.”
According to PulseraProject.org, the project began in 2009 and has grown to the sale of more than 800,000 pulseras—the Spanish word for “bracelet”—in over 2,100 schools. There are a variety of styles of bracelets from the different artists – the majority of them are made out of colorful string, but some are made of leather or beaded.
The bracelets are being sold in the lunchroom Oct. 1 through 5 during Bobcat Advisory. Each bracelet costs $5.


text:
Silver-coin sales will climb as investors seek to protect their wealth from weakening currencies, according to the Perth Mint, producer of about 6 percent of the world’s gold bullion.
“There seems to be more upside with silver than gold right now,” said Ron Currie, sales and marketing director. The mint, founded in 1899, also wants to sell more gold to China even as it scales back production rates from the peak levels seen last year after the 2008 financial crisis, Currie said.
The mint’s outlook adds to signs that global demand for silver, which trades for about 50 times less than gold per ounce, will increase. The Royal Canadian Mint said last week that silver-coin sales will jump more than 50 percent this year. The Perth Mint may match that gain, Currie said in an interview.
Some customers have moved gold holdings into silver, Currie said on Nov. 19. There are no fundamentals to the silver market “but people are buying it,” he said from the mint, which is controlled by the Western Australian government.
Immediate-delivery silver has surged 64 percent this year, peaking at $29.36 an ounce earlier this month, the highest price since September 1980. That’s beaten gold’s 24 percent jump in 2010. Gold traded at a record $1,424.60 an ounce on Nov. 9.
READ MORE http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-11-22/silver-sales-to-surge-as-i...


text:
Digital TV News: Mirada
Mirada helps izzi bring Disney+ to Mexico
Nov 19, 2020 – Mirada has integrated Disney+ into its Iris multiscreen product, with deployment on the izzi pay TV platform in Mexico. Customers can now access Disney+ directly on 'izzitv smart' without the need for a separate subscription.
News categories: Mirada, izzi, José Luis Vázquez, Salvi Folch, Apps, Cable TV, Digital TV, Mexico, Set Top Box
izzi deploys Android TV custom launcher from Mirada
Oct 26, 2020 – Mirada has announced the commercial launch of its Android TV Operator Tier with custom launcher for Mexican operator, izzi. The launch extends izzi’s pay TV service to Android TV hybrid set-top boxes.
News categories: Mirada, izzi, José Luis Vázquez, Salvi Folch, Android TV, Cable TV, Digital TV, Mexico, Set Top Box, UX
Zapi OTT pay TV service launches in Spain with Mirada
Sep 29, 2020 – Mirada has announced the commercial launch of Zapi, an OTT-based Pay TV platform from Plataforma Multimedia de Operadores (PMO) in Spain. The service is based on Mirada's Iris with its custom launcher for Android TV Operator Tier STBs.
News categories: Mirada, Plataforma Multimedia de Operadores, José Luis Vázquez, José Carrillo, Digital TV, Set Top Box, Spain, Streaming, UX
Viya TV+ launches in the US Virgin Islands with Mirada
Aug 10, 2020 – Mirada has announced the commercial launch of its Iris multiscreen solution by Viya. The deployment across the US Virgin Islands brings islanders a cutting-edge entertainment experience through the Viya TV+ service.
News categories: Mirada, Viya, José Luis Vázquez, Mark Jensen, Caribbean, Content Distribution, Digital TV, IPTV, UX
Mirada multiscreen solution available as a turn-key proposition
May 11, 2020 – Mirada has announced that it has made its Iris end-to-end multiscreen solution available as a turn-key proposition. Iris in Swift Mode provides operators with a proven solution helping to reduce time-to-market and avoid high upfront costs.
News categories: Mirada, Antonio Rodríguez, Content Distribution, Digital TV, Worldwide
Plataforma Multimedia de Operadores selects Verimatrix security
Nov 21, 2019 – Verimatrix (Paris: VMX) has announced that Plataforma Multimedia de Operadores has selected Verimatrix to provide multi-DRM security for its OTT service. The service is delivered via Android set-top boxes, smartphones, tablets, laptops and smart TVs.
News categories: Verimatrix, Plataforma Multimedia de Operadores, Steve Oetegenn, Jose Carrillo, Content Protection, Digital TV, DRM, Spain, Streaming
Mirada interim results for the six months to 30 September 2019
Nov 18, 2019 – Mirada (AIM: MIRA) has announced results for the six months to 30 September 2019. izzi Telecom further increased its adoption of Mirada's technology during the period, with a high increase in both the installation rate of STBs and number of households using Mirada products.
News categories: Mirada, Digital TV, Middleware, Results, Set Top Box, Worldwide
Mirada to deploy Iris at Plataforma Multimedia de Operadores
Sep 4, 2019 – Mirada has announced that it is working with Plataforma Multimedia de Operadores on the development of an OTT-based TV platform for deployment across the operator's Spanish network.
News categories: Mirada, José Luis Vázquez, Amelia Carrillo, Android TV, Digital TV, Set Top Box, Spain, Streaming, UX
Mirada to empower pay TV operators with Netflix integration
Jul 17, 2019 – Mirada (AIM: MIRA) has integrated Netflix into its Iris multiscreen product, with a first deployment at izzi in Mexico. The integration adds to the other third-party content provider integrations that Mirada currently offers, such as Fox Play and HBO Go.
News categories: Mirada, Netflix, José-Luis Vázquez, Apps, Digital TV, Mexico, Set Top Box, Streaming, Worldwide
- Roku launches player line-up for Germany
- 5G Broadcast and DTT can share UHF band and broadcast infrastructure
- SVOD household penetration in Malaysia to reach 27% in 2025
- Accedo powers Arabic SVOD service from TenTime
- Wurl unveils performance marketing service for streamers
- Origin selects Kantar for UK media measurement
- Germany to overtake the UK by SVOD subscribers
- Roku launches OneView ad platform for Canada
- NEXTGEN TV launched on five local TV stations in St. Louis, MO
- Redbox signs distribution agreement with Vewd
- SpringServe first independent ad server to integrate with IRIS.TV
- Robust growth forecast for SVOD revenue in India
- Latest Vestel TVs certified for DTS:X immersive audio
- Wiztivi develops UI for Sagemcom Video Soundbox STB
- AlphaOTT partners with STI Telecom for OTT/IPTV headend services
- UEI providing voice-enabled remote for Astro's Ultra set-tops
- Ross Video withdraws from IBC 2021 exhibition
- Comcast brings XiOne streaming box to the U.S.
- Liberty Global to sell UPC Polska to iliad’s Play subsidiary
- Subscription fatigue in Australia? Not yet but on the way


text:
Audi’s annual press conference, held today, has brought confirmation of a number of new models for the German luxury marque.
Details for the new 3 Series and C-Class rival are still to come, although our spy photos reveal that we can expect elements of the extravagant Prologue concepts to feature in the new midsizer’s styling.
A broad new take on the familiar Audi grille will dominate the new A4’s face, flanked by longer and sharper headlights.
A more streamlined roofline will also feature, positioning the new A4 in the packed space between ‘regular sedan’ and ‘four-door coupe’.
Expect the new-gen A4 to sit on Audi’s new MLB-Evo platform, which evolves the current model’s architecture with a number of new lightweight aluminium components.
As for the now confirmed Q1, confirmation of the new model first came more than a year ago, although today’s announcement makes the first official word of an early 2016 production date.
Audi released a teaser sketch of the new compact SUV in late 2013 (top of article), revealing a heavily angular body with a tapered rear and a bold upright face.
“The Audi Q1 is part of our broad-based SUV strategy. It is designed on the basis of the modular transverse engine concept and will round off our Q series at the bottom end,” Audi CEO Rupert Stadler said at the time.
Technical details for the Q1 are still to be revealed, although it is known the range will ride on the smallest version of Volkswagen’s MQB platform.
Reports claim the Q1 will come in at 3800mm long, making it around 500mm shorter than the Q3 - and even 150mm shorter than the already tiny A1 hatch.
Expect the Q1 to share its powertrains with the A1 and Polo, and watch for a performance-focused SQ1 model to eventually headline the range.
The Q1's debut will form part of an expansion that will see Audi's global line-up grow from 52 models today to 60 models by 2020.
- Interested in buying AUDI A4? Visit our AUDI A4 showroom for more information.


text:
Concept was jointly-developed with college students.
Toyota has teamed up with students at Clemson University’s International Center for Automotive Research to create the uBox concept.
Created over the course of two years, the uBox concept features unique styling that is designed to appeal to Generation Z buyers who are people born after 1995.
The car's unique styling won't appeal to everyone but the model has LED daytime running lights, reverse opening rear doors, and a curved glass roof that is supported by "composite carbon fiber rails bonded with aluminum."
The interior is highly customizable as it features reconfigurable and removable seats which are mounted on sliding tracks. The students wanted drivers to be able to personalize the interior so they envisioned an online community where owners can share designs for customized air vents and display bezels as well as unique door trim. These designs could then be downloaded and reproduced using a 3D printer.
Toyota declined to mention performance specifications but confirmed the uBox has an electric powertrain. The model also has an assortment of 110-volt outlets which can be used to power everything from tools to a laptop.
The uBox was created as part of a unique partnership called Deep Orange. Toyota says it immerses students into every aspect of automotive development including everything from market research and design studies to engineering and manufacturing.


text:
If you've followed international stocks over the past few years, you've surely noticed a trend: Foreign companies delisting their stocks from major U.S. exchanges.
In fact, well-known foreign companies such as British Airways, Fiat, and Bayer have either announced or implemented their departure from the NYSE in recent weeks.
And we can expect this flight from New York to continue.
It's nothing personal; it's just business
This spring, U.S. regulators made it a lot easier for foreign companies to deregister their shares, and many companies have capitalized on the opportunity. Why, you ask? Put simply, the extra costs of following Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) and various exchange regulations, as well as anemic trading volumes on U.S. exchanges, often outweighed the benefits for these companies.
Professors Joseph D. Piotroski and Suraj Srinivasan at the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business recently studied this phenomenon and discovered that, since SOX was passed in 2002, "The frequency of foreign listings on the NYSE and Nasdaq has fallen by nearly 63%. ... In contrast, the frequency of foreign listings on the (London Stock Exchange) has more than doubled since the Act."
Piotroski and Srinivasan also noted that smaller foreign companies in particular are avoiding NYSE or Nasdaq listings because U.S. regulatory costs can have a significant impact on their bottom lines.
While some larger companies have also packed their bags, you're unlikely to see large foreign firms with high daily trading volume -- think CVRD
The good news is that you still have access to foreign companies that have delisted their shares: You can pick them up via the Pink Sheets.
Oh, the humanity!
While the Fool typically dissuades investors from patrolling the Pink Sheets, using it to purchase foreign shares is an exception. Trading guidelines for these over-the-counter shares (place only limit orders, etc.), however, should still be followed.
Here are three foreign firms that trade on the Pink Sheets and deserve your attention:
CSR (CSRXF): This Cambridge, U.K.-based firm designs more than half of the world's Bluetooth chips, sports an impressive balance sheet ($185 million in cash and no long-term debt), and grew its bottom line 33% in 2006. The company competes with Broadcom
(NASDAQ:BRCM)and supplies a who's-who list of tech companies such as Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL)and Dell (NASDAQ:DELL)with its Bluetooth chips.
- Wal-Mart de Mexico (WMMVY): As the largest retailer in Mexico, Wal-Mart de Mexico (Walmex) has plenty of room to expand in a growing economy. The region also seems to be more accepting of Wal-Mart's brand and operating methods, so this is not likely to be a repeat of Wal-Mart's failed and expensive attempt to penetrate the German market.
Lukoil (LUKOY): If you're in the market for a large oil conglomerate and can handle the extra political and economic risks associated with Russia, Lukoil is worth your attention. It has the world's second-largest hydrocarbon reserves behind only ExxonMobil
(NYSE:XOM), has grown net income by 33% per year on average over the past five years, and posted a 25% return on equity in 2006.
Before you press the "buy" button ...
Even though following SOX and U.S. exchange regulations can be costly for companies, it's important to note that these regulations were largely designed to protect shareholder interests by requiring greater disclosure and adherence to U.S. GAAP. As such, it can be much more difficult to interpret financial statements and estimate a valuation for non-U.S.-listed firms.
Yet simply ignoring non-U.S.-listed foreign companies for this reason would be folly. The growth potential is just too great, and, with the trend of foreign companies delisting their shares, the foreign stocks you own today may be off the U.S. exchanges down the road.
If you'd like some help navigating the complex international markets, Motley Fool Global Gains is here for you. Fool senior analyst Bill Mann and the Global Gains team take the time to explain the intricacies of the global markets and teach you what to look for and what to avoid.
You can see all of their past recommendations and receive two new stock ideas each month with a free 30-day trial to Global Gains. Simply click here to take advantage of our offer. There is no obligation to subscribe.
Fool contributor Todd Wenning commemorated "Talk Like a Pirate Day" on Sept. 19 by wearing arrrgh-yle socks. He does not own shares of any company mentioned. Wal-Mart de Mexico is a Global Gains pick. Wal-Mart and Dell are Inside Value choices. Dell is also a Stock Advisor recommendation. Petrobras is an Income Investor selection and Baidu.com is a Rule Breakers pick. The Fool's disclosure policy is full of booty.


text:
Loading, Please Wait...
Announces Longstanding Clients Including Google Express, Farfetch and Others
MENLO PARK, CA --(Marketwired - January 28, 2016) - Deliv, the leading crowdsourced, last mile delivery company today announced several longstanding relationships with top shopping platforms and e-commerce companies. Deliv is best known for powering same-day delivery from the websites of leading omnichannel retailers like Macy's, Best Buy, Bloomingdale's, Kohl's, 1-800-FLOWERS.com, Williams-Sonoma and Walgreens. Over the last year, it has also been quietly powering delivery for many leading shopping platforms and e-commerce companies including Google Express, Farfetch, Casper, Handy, Plated, The Bouqs, BlueApron, Drync, Urban Stems, BloomThat and others. Retailers can tie directly into Deliv's API so that deliveries are seamlessly passed to Deliv directly from the retailers' websites.
Deliv's vision is to make last mile delivery ubiquitous by creating an asset-free logistics network and powering same-day delivery and returns for any business. The company is focused solely on the business of package delivery, making it unique in the last mile market as Deliv does not transport people, nor does it sell goods. Instead, Deliv works exclusively as a back-end same-day delivery service for businesses and can integrate directly into their enterprise ecommerce websites and inventory management systems so that companies never lose their direct connection to customers.
Deliv also stands out in the last mile logistics space because of its ability to offer scheduled deliveries for time-definite windows, now or in the future. Deliv's data shows that when given the choice, the majority of customers choose scheduled deliveries later in the day vs on-demand within an hour, proving that predictability trumps speed with retail.
Deliv's focus has proven to be a winning strategy with the nation's top retailers, leading e-commerce players, and local merchants and businesses as it services more than 4,000 companies.
Deliv is a leading crowdsourced, last mile logistics company that powers scheduled, same-day delivery and returns for omnichannel retailers, local businesses, and e-commerce companies. Deliv is focused exclusively on moving packages; it does not sell goods. It powers same-day delivery for over 4,000 businesses including leading retailers such as Macy's, Best Buy, Kohl's, 1-800-Flowers and Walgreens. The company currently operates in 17 markets and more than 100 cities. Deliv is headquartered in Menlo Park, California and is backed some of Silicon Valley's leading venture capital firms. For more information, visit www.deliv.co.


text:
Ballmer feels backlash over Microsoft’s myriad licences
Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer felt the brunt of British business frustration over Microsoft’s licensing regime at an event in London today.
During a Q&A session with a hand-picked selection of Microsoft’s corporate customers, Ballmer was asked whether he planned to do anything to simplify Microsoft’s licensing schemes, which are regularly criticised for being over-complex.
The questioner said that he sometimes felt like Microsoft’s licensing enforcers attempted to “trip people up” with the small print on contracts, a statement that was met with several calls of “hear, hear” and a round of applause.
Ballmer attempted to laugh off the question, but said the company wouldn’t be making any radical changes. “I don’t anticipate a big round of simplifying our licences,” Ballmer said. “Every time you simplify something you get rid of something.”
“A lot of the footnotes and fineprint are there to reduce someone’s costs. We’re trying to help people use products the way we intended,” he added.
Last time, we succeeded on simplification and our customer satisfaction figures plummeted for two years. We don’t want to do that again
Ballmer said that businesses regularly requested simpler SQL Server licences, which can currently be purchased on either a per processor or per Client Access License (CAL) basis. The Microsoft boss said the company has often been asked to pick one or the other, but that “the customer always finds the one that’s cheapest for them.”
Ballmer did concede that “I’m sure we have fineprint we don’t need”, and invited attendees to email him personally with specific examples, but stopped short of offering any concessions.
He said the company’s last attempt to streamline the licences backfired. “Last time, we succeeded on simplification and our customer satisfaction figures plummeted for two years,” he said. “We don’t want to do that again”.
The event was arranged to coincide with the forthcoming launch of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, and the Microsoft boss was once again put on the spot when he was asked whether he thought Windows 7 would prove to be more popular with businesses than Vista.
“As much of our installed base moved from XP to Vista as moved to XP from its predecessor,” Ballmer hit back.
“There was certainly more vibrations in the marketplace around Vista than I’d hope to see around Windows 7,” Ballmer added to laughter in the audience.
“My hope is we’ll be able to, in the first three to six months of Windows 7 availability, persuade you that any new PC should come with Windows 7. It would be a shame to see people acquire XP machines in 2010.”


text:
2017 has been the year of partnerships for Oerlikon. The Swiss company has been pursuing additive manufacturing with new intensity over the past six months or so, opening a new advanced materials manufacturing facility towards the end of 2016 and forming 3D printing research partnerships earlier this year. This week, Oerlikon has been busy attending the International Paris Air Show, and while there, the company had a big announcement: it’s now partnering with GE Additive.
The two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at accelerating the industrialization of additive manufacturing. This news, of course, comes only a day after GE Additive announced that it will be releasing its own metal 3D printer, the massive ATLAS, set to be the largest laser-powder additive manufacturing system in the world. It was a long-awaited announcement, and we can’t help but wonder if Oerlikon may now get to be one of the first to try the machine out. Under the terms of the five-year agreement, GE Additive, along with its affiliates Concept Laser and Arcam, will supply additive manufacturing machines and services to Oerlikon, while Oerlikon will become a preferred AM component manufacturer and materials supplier to GE Additive and its affiliates.
In addition, the companies will work together on research and development into additive manufacturing machines and materials.
“Developing innovative technology is key to our growth strategy and a distinct advantage Oerlikon brings to customers,” said Dr. Roland Fischer, CEO of the Oerlikon Group. “Partnering with GE Additive, Concept Laser and Arcam AB on innovative AM materials and machines will strengthen both companies’ positions in additive manufacturing, and allows us to meet the growing demand for additive components, materials and services in many industries.”
GE Additive has already announced that it will be working with other companies on materials development; when 3DPrint.com spoke with GE’s Dr. Kirk Rogers a few weeks ago, he commented that he’d like to see the company follow an open materials development model similar to that being used by HP. It’s unclear, at this point, if GE Additive will actually go down that road to the extent that HP has, but the announcement of a research and development collaboration immediately after the announcement of the new 3D printer points to a definite openness towards working with others in the industry.
Oerlikon is a smart choice of a partner, as well, as it’s already a leader in advanced materials and will only strengthen its capabilities with the new facility in Michigan. As additive manufacturing shifts from a strictly prototyping to a production technology, many companies are turning their attention to the development of advanced materials in order to speed that shift.
GE Additive’s announcement of the ATLAS 3D printer may have been the biggest piece of news the company has released since the formation of the additive division itself in 2016. Now that the company is officially in the 3D printer market, it’s not surprising that collaborations such as this one are already in the works. We’re seeing plenty of companies unite with the goal of driving the industrialization of 3D printing, and this latest may very well be the first of many for GE Additive as it works toward bringing the ATLAS to market. Discuss in the Oerlikon GE forum at 3DPB.com.
“GE Additive and Oerlikon both understand the transformative power of additive manufacturing,” said Mohammad Ehteshami, Vice President and General Manager of GE Additive. “As the adoption rate of AM grows rapidly, it is through strategic partnerships that we can push forward the uptake of AM in industries, and we’re proud to partner with Oerlikon.”
Subscribe to Our Email Newsletter
Stay up-to-date on all the latest news from the 3D printing industry and recieve information and offers from thrid party vendors.
You May Also Like
Covestro Joins Stratasys’s 3D Printing Materials Ecosystem with Rail-Ready Nylon
Stratasys was always a closed shop when it came to materials. This limited material library limited applications, use cases, and use. However, a few years ago the company opened itself...
3D Printing News Briefs, April 30, 2022: Business, Medical, & More
We’re starting with business in 3D Printing News Briefs today, as Aconity3D will be distributing metal AM powders by Equispheres and Photocentric has partnered up with umati. Moving on, the...
ASTM to Offer Certification Program for Metal 3D Printer Operators
Knowledgeable and experienced 3D printing operations people are in short supply. There were very few sites doing any kind of 3D printing at scale ten years ago. People well-versed in...
Steel Giant Takes Home Large-Scale Metal 3D Printer from Eplus3D
Rapidly expanding metal powder bed fusion (PBF) manufacturer Eplus3D has found an important client in JINGYE Additive Manufacturing, a subsidiary of Hebei JINGYE Group. Best known for being the owners...


text:
$230 Million In Food Assistance Available To Many In New York State
As food prices continue to soar, New York State has $230 million available for certain residents. Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that all New Yorkers who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will get the maximum allowable level of food benefits for February. Even households already at the maximum level of benefits will receive additional funds.
Gov. Hochul said,
The pandemic continues to exacerbate food insecurity throughout New York State, which is reflected by the large number of households that continue to rely on the lifeline that is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. These vital food benefits are playing an integral role in helping New Yorkers put food on the table, providing much-needed relief as we continue to take aggressive measures in our fight against COVID-19.
When Will New Yorkers Receive Their Benefits?
Households in all counties outside of the New York City area will receive benefits between now and the end of the day Thursday, February 17, 2023. Households in the New York City area counties will receive benefits between Thursday, February 10, and Friday, February 25. New Yorkers already near or at the maximum benefit level will receive an extra payment of at least $95.
The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance has distributed nearly $2.5 billion in supplemental benefits. In December, almost 1.6 million households received the extra payment. The new payments will be made available to recipients in their Electronic Benefit Transfer accounts and can be used with existing EBT cards.


text:
Jakarta: Indonesian shipping company Soechi Lines has made its trading debut on the Indonesian Stock Exchange today.
Manila: The transportation department will roll out a public-private partnership (PPP) program this month for a port upgrade in the far south of the country.
Singapore: The Executive Board of Singapore-listed Swissco Holdings has seen a reshuffle.
Manila: Congestion at Manila’s ports has cost food and garment exporters in the Philippines between P13.5m to P20.2m ($300,000 to $449,000) in cancelled orders and lost business opportunities, despite authorities’ efforts to ease traffic.
Singapore: Singapore has severe human resources issues that may well stymie its growth as an international maritime centre.
Melbourne: A Vietnamese tanker has been dragged into a rapidly escalating debate over fuel security and the environment in Australia. The 18 crew of the Tandara Spirit product tanker have been on strike in Melbourne’s Port Phillip Bay for the past two weeks, refusing to take the ship back to Singapore.
BRITISH Shipping Minister John Hayes said he will finds ways to use taxpayers' money to help pay for a government mandate for ships to use costly low-sulphur fuel from January.
A STRIKE of Los Angeles and Long Beach harbour truckers, seeking to be recognised as employees rather than independent contractors, has spread to two more companies and now takes in rail yards, reports American Shipper.
HAVING dropped Southampton for Felixstowe in 2010, Maersk Line is to return as part of its re-configuration of 2M rotations with alliance partner Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC).
MAERSK has doubled the surcharge on Manila-bound boxes from North America to US$300 per TEU and $600 per FEU from November 1 because of relentless port congestion.
Other news :


text:
posted: 07/28/2014 3:44 a.m.
One 22-year-old college student started a business at age 13 that now includes managing 200 head of cattle and 100 head of sheep.
posted: 07/28/2014 2:35 a.m.
When Joe Hurst founded Little Rock-based Tipton & Hurst Flower Shops in 1886, the telegraph was the most advanced method of communication.
posted: 07/28/2014 2:34 a.m.
As Mike Roth steps into Amazon.com's newest warehouse in Kent, he spreads his arms wide and asks what is different about this facility from the 96 other warehouses the Web giant operates around the world.
posted: 07/28/2014 2:32 a.m.
A Zillow purchase of Trulia would create a dominant search website for U.S. house hunters, reshaping an online industry the companies helped popularize.
posted: 07/28/2014 2:31 a.m.
Facebook and most other social networks are built on the premise that just about everything should be shared -- except the money those posts produce.
posted: 07/28/2014 2:28 a.m.
I've spent the past couple of weeks talking about regular cameras souped up for use outdoors. This week, I'm going a step further with a camera made to be on the go all the time.
posted: 07/28/2014 2:26 a.m.
We know it's the age of "selfies" (self portraits), but this has got to be the ultimate: You can have your likeness burned into a piece of toast. All it takes is the right toaster.
posted: 07/28/2014 2:24 a.m.
Every evening, when New York's Bronx Library Center closes at 9, a group of young people carrying mobile phones clusters outside its entrance on a busy commercial street. They are there to access the Internet through a wireless signal leaking from inside.
posted: 07/28/2014 2:23 a.m.
IBM opens Watson to consumer testing NEW YORK -- IBM is putting its Watson natural-language technology to the test with consumers on a wide scale for the first time.
posted: 07/28/2014 2:19 a.m.
Baidu Inc., which operates China's most popular search engine, said Friday that its quarterly profit rose 34 percent over a year earlier as its mobile business grew.
posted: 07/28/2014 2:18 a.m.
ALEXANDER Catherine M. Peel, 1094 Kob, July 18, 2014, Chapter 7.
posted: 07/27/2014 2:28 a.m.
The Little Rock Port Authority soon will be headquartered on the Arkansas River.
posted: 07/27/2014 2:26 a.m.
Retail experts expect 2014 back-to-school shopping receipts to jump 5 percent to $670 per household over last year's spending.
posted: 07/27/2014 2:24 a.m.
Out of a seemingly hollow recovery from the recession, a more durable, if still slow-growing, U.S. economy has emerged.
posted: 07/27/2014 2:21 a.m.
A federal judge in Tennessee has given preliminary approval for a settlement in which Tyson Foods would pay $7.75 million to workers at the company's Goodlettsville facility.


text:
The amount of data we keep on and access with our smartphones is increasing day by day. But even though our smartphones are evolving rapidly to keep up with our usage demands, the security of our smartphones however is still a long ways away from being competent.
This becomes an especially big problem for people who work with highly sensitive information on a daily basis, such as CEO’s, celebrities and government officials.
To provide this elite crowd an option for secure mobile communication, Sirin Labs, a Switzerland based company has launched the Solarin, the World’s Most Secure Phone.
This phone uses military grade encryption to keep your data save from all sorts of attacks. In addition, the company also provides a 24/7 monitoring facility that makes sure all possible attacks are dealt with immediately, without any intervention from the customer side.
What separates this phone from others of this type is the fact that, it doesn’t just provide you will high end security, but also gives you strong enough specs to make it a phone worth using.
The specs include the Snapdragon 810 processor, combined with 4GB RAM and 128 GB storage. The phone has a 23.8MP camera for high quality photos and videos as well.
All these specs are enclosed in a premium body made from high quality materials and a beautiful 5.5-inch IPS LED 2K display, making it a truly high end device for a very exclusive clientele.
In addition to the specs and the security, the price itself also plays a big role in making this phone a premium offering, with each piece costing a whopping $17,000.
By now it must be easy to understand why this phone is being heralded as such an exclusive offering. If you want to become part of this exclusive club, you can go to the Sirin Labs Website and order one for yourself.


text:
Sure, Facebook is apparently rebranding as a metaverse company — because that will fix its trust deficit — but this morning we’re jumping right back into the IPO game instead of making rude jokes at the social giant’s expense.
This time our target is Backblaze, which you may not be familiar with. Frankly, given how limited my knowledge of the storage-focused software company was before reading its IPO filing, I was almost ready to stick it in The Exchange newsletter for the weekend.
The Exchange explores startups, markets and money.
Read it every morning on TechCrunch+ or get The Exchange newsletter every Saturday.
It turns out that there are a few twists to the company’s filing that make it really worth our time. So, we’re digging in.
Backblaze, based in San Mateo, California, has a very limited venture capital history. That’s because it has a track record of not losing money. Indeed, per Crunchbase data, it only raised a handful of millions during its private life. The company confirmed that in its filing, stating that:
Our operations have historically been efficient with limited outside investment. Prior to issuing $10.0 million of convertible notes (which we also refer to as a Simple Agreement for Future Equity agreement (SAFE)) in a private financing round in August 2021, we had raised less than $3.0 million in outside equity since our founding in 2007.
Did anyone else mostly forget that you can build IPO-ready software companies without utter truckloads of external cash? Here’s a reminder.
Naturally, we’re going to figure out just how the company managed to grow to its current size without losing nine figures worth of venture money. And we’ll want to look at its gross margins.
Why? Because by offering storage, our presumption is that Backblaze has somewhat lackluster gross margins. But we could be wrong. Finally, we’ll pick up a topic we touched on last weekend, namely specialty cloud infra providers and how they may stack up with the public cloud giants.
How Backblaze grew to IPO scale without losing all of god’s money
Backblaze has two main products, both of which sit atop its “storage cloud.” Or, as I like to think of it, a large bucket of online storage capacity. The company offers “B2 Cloud Storage,” a tool that includes API access for developers looking to back up information, mesh with third-party content delivery networks (CDNs) and the like. Its second product is called “Computer Backup.” It does what it says on the tin, for one computer or many.
For whom does Backblaze build? While the company claims that its “solutions are designed for individuals and businesses of all sizes and across all industries,” it does note a “particularly strong appeal to midmarket organizations,” or those with under 1,000 employees.
All of this matters because it frames our question: How did Backblaze grow to a greater than $60 million annual run rate (based on H1 2021 data; more on the matter shortly) without more venture dollars?
Here’s a hint:
When we were first reading the company’s S-1 filing, this statistic caught our eye and we laughed at it. What a silly non-GAAP metric! However, it turns out that online demand generation through native content is actually a huge lever for Backblaze, so, sure, the blog readers metric actually does matter.


text:
Paperchase promotion causes public outcry
Paperchase bowed to public pressure following social media criticism of a promotion it ran in the Daily Mail, so how carefully should brands tread when it comes to partnerships?
The retail chain ran a free Christmas gift-wrap offer in a recent Saturday edition of the Daily Mail. Stop Funding Hate is a group that seeks to apply pressure on what they call sensationalist newspapers such as The Sun and the Daily Mail, by “getting Britain’s best loved brands to pull their advertising” from these titles. Using social media, the group managed to create a huge commotion and by Monday morning Paperchase responded with an apologetic Tweet promising to never do it again. The Daily Mail retorted “it is deeply worrying that Paperchase should have allowed itself to be bullied into apologising” and public opinion has been divided over the affair. Many Paperchase followers applauded their decision whilst other commentators thought it weak and that it could spell financial disaster for the retailer. The backlash even reached BBC’s Newsnight where Sarah Baxter, the Deputy Editor of the Sunday Times described the situation as “…a company being bullied by a small group of social media trolls”.
There is no doubt that the promotion was well intended and the readership of the Daily Mail was probably right for the offer. However increasingly small minority groups have proved capable of inflicting significant damage to a brand reputation through their power to communicate negative messages effectively. There are frequent calls to boycott many brands for ethical or environmental reasons – for instance the BBC dropped Crufts from its airtime after PETA highlighted the serious health issues of the dogs involved. Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus dropped Ivanka Trump’s fashion line because of the anti-Trump #GrabYourWallet campaign (there are 99 other companies on their list) and Ben & Jerry’s are amongst numerous brands boycotted by the Arab inspired BDS movement because of the brands positive relations with Israel. Even FedEx have been boycotted over their sponsorship of the Washington Redskins because of the clubs racially offensive name. Earlier this year, Pepsi caused a media sensation with TV advert featuring Kendal Jenner, supposedly making peace with both sides of an apparently ugly dispute that was deemed insensitive to the #blacklivesmatter movement. They were forced into making a grovelling apology.
So what can we learn?
The lesson here is that whilst brands need to seriously consider the ramifications of connecting with certain brands you simply can’t please everyone, all of the time, so the best advice is to plan for criticism. But sometimes it can do wonders for a brand’s reputation to act as a trailblazer or as a company ‘to do the right thing’ even in the face of certain public interest groups. There is no accounting for the public!


text:
The big Apple event is finally a couple of hours away and the excitement among the tech geeks and Apple enthusiasts is at its peak. The Cupertino based company will be holding this event at the Steve Jobs Theater in their brand new campus. There are about five products which Apple is expected to release today. Also with these products, Apple is also expected to push updates to three of its product lineups – the MacOS, iOS, WatchOS and tvOS.
The event is expected to begin at 10AM California time which in Indian Standard time is 10.30PM. Apple is known to host one of the most flawless events in the past and we can expect the same from this year’s as well. This year’s event has been highly anticipated as it marks 10 years of iPhone launches! Although we almost know what the iPhone X would look like, there are still so many things that Apple could surprise us with.
How you can watch the event:
Gone are the days where you actually had to be at the venue to know about the product launch or wait till the press release and advertisements to actually know about what was launched. The digital era has made it possible to actually view the event live. To view the Apple 2017 event, you can use the Safari browser on any Apple device and navigate to this site.
It is also vital that you ensure your Apple device is up to date. For the iPhone or iPod touch, you should be running iOS 9 and above; tvOS 6.2 and above in case you intend to stream through your Apple TV.
If you do not own an Apple device or own one that’s out dated, you could also stream through your Windows PC running Windows 10. On your Windows PC, you will need to use the Edge browser to navigate to the launch event page. Windows PCs running anything under Windows 10 will not be able to stream the event.
Also, in case you own an Android device, unfortunately, you wouldn’t be able to stream live, however, you could follow us @Pricebaba as we tweet live.
What can you expect?
Apple is expected to release the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and the iPhone X today, marking this year as the year with the highest number of iPhones, deviating from Apple’s two iPhones per year rollout cycle. Together with that, today’s event will also see the launch of the new Apple Watch Series 3 and the new Apple TV.
Read also: New iPhones, Watch Series 3, iOS 11 & More


text:
Several of the world’s biggest mobile technology brands gathered together to showcase their latest gear at the Mobile World Congress 2017. After the disappointing lack of smartphone-related announcements at the first big tech event of the year – the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas – the Mobile World Congress comes as a great venue for catching up on the latest in smartphones, smartwatches, and other devices.
Being one of the biggest conferences and exhibitions for the mobile industry, the Mobile World Congress is quickly building up quite the anticipation not only from consumers, but also from mobile operators, device manufacturers, and technology providers from across the globe.
About The Mobile World Congress
The Mobile World Congress is an annual mobile conference, exhibition, and trade show organized and run by the GSMA, or the GSM Association, a trade body that represents the interests of mobile operators all around the globe. The event took place in different locations, but for the past three years it has been held in Barcelona, Spain, which has been chosen as the GSMA Mobile World Capital. The Mobile World Congress will be the site of future Mobile World Congress events through 2023.
As one of the most prominent mobile technology launch platforms in the world, the Mobile World Congress has brought on some of the best and most popular smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and other devices in history. Aside from bringing in the industry’s heavyweights, it also draws in futurists and idealists, those who think about innovations such as 5G and virtual reality, and decide which direction mobile technology is heading.
Mobile World Congress Schedule
First held in 1987 as the GSM World Congress, the Mobile World Congress has generally been held in the first quarter of the year. The 2017 edition of the tech trade show will be no different, running from February 27 to March 3. During that week, the show will feature some of the latest mobile technology innovations by the biggest names in the mobile industry, such as Nokia, Huawei, Apple, Samsung, and more. Scheduled announcements and press briefings will be held prior to the opening of the exhibit.
BlackBerry at the 2017 Mobile World Congress
One surprising participant at the Mobile World Congress 2017 is BlackBerry. The company has held off on producing their own line of mobile phones and has instead handed down that task, and the manufacturing licenses, to TCL. However, the company has uncharacteristically unveiled a prototype of a new handset – codenamed Mercury – which is rumored to have a 2017 release date. Chances are, it will be launched at the Mobile World Congress.
According to first-hand accounts from those who have seen the Mercury in person, BlackBerry’s new touch and type candybar handset brings back the traditional BlackBerry keyboard integrated into its Android OS. It seems to have some pretty solid specs, although any final assessments won’t happen until the Mercury – or the DTEK70 as it is sometimes referred to – is officially released.


text:
Low minimum orders of 1,000 with quick turnaround times. Plain flexible stand up pouches.
Rotogravure custom printed stand up pouches with minimum runs of 5,000. Brands ready to go to the next level.
With the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day fast approaching, it’s time to start thinking about how upcoming holidays in China will affect shipping, transportation, and overall operations for your...Read more
Donald Trump’s race to the White House has been filled with much discussion and debate from both sides — one of the most interesting hot topics involves his views on the future of the...Read more
Let’s face it — not every food brand on the market specializes in clean label products with organic, natural ingredients. Though consumer demand for wholesome, nutritious meals and snacks is soaring,...Read more


text:
Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth is advising dispensary owners who hope to legally operate recreational marijuana shops in B.C. to shut their doors before Wednesday.
Farnworth spoke to reporters on Monday morning, two days before cannabis becomes legal in Canada. There will be one government-run store open, in Kamloops, on Wednesday and no private stores have yet been approved to open through the permitting process.
“My advice is that there are new rules coming into effect on October 17 and they should abide by those rules,” said Farnworth. “There is no grandfathering of dispensaries. They have to apply like everyone else. My understanding is a lot of them are applying and they have to go through the local government approval process.”
– Read the entire article at Global News.


text:
Pressure has mounted on the WA Government to deregulate retail trading hours across the state, after the Productivity Commission called for rules on opening times across Australia to be relaxed.
The Commission’s final report on the state of Australian retail, released on Friday, features a raft of recommendations for the Federal Government to consider as it attempts to prop up the sector.
Get daily business news.
The latest stories, funding information, and expert advice. Free to sign up.
Of these recommendations, the Commission is calling for retail trading hours to be fully deregulated in all states, including on public holidays.
In its response to the report, the Federal Government refused to buy into the argument, saying retail trading hours are “primarily the responsibility of the State and Territory governments”.
This has prompted the Retail Traders’ Association of WA – along with Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi – to put pressure on the WA Government to deregulate retail trading hours.
In November 2010, new WA laws came into effect allowing general retail shops the choice to stay open until 9pm on weeknights.
Before then, general retail shops were allowed to trade at any time during 8am-6pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 8am-9pm on Thursday, and 8am-5pm on Saturday.
However, only retailers in certain areas are able to trade on Sunday.
Wayne Spencer, director of the Retail Traders’ Association, says it “doesn’t take a rocket scientist” to work out that consumers want Sunday trading.
“Sunday trading is the most convenient trading day for consumers and, considering that 70% of Perth households are double income earners, it is sometimes the only day that consumers are able to shop,” Spencer says.
Spencer warns “pent-up dollars” will end up being spent online because people are unable to find the time in their working lives to make it to the shops.
Many small businesses in WA claim it’s not worth opening their store every Sunday because of higher overhead costs, namely higher penalty rates.
However, Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi has also thrown her support behind the Commission’s recommendation, saying deregulation is inevitable.
“[If retailers are] giving good value for money and also providing good service, they should have nothing to fear,” Scaffidi told the ABC.
The Commission said in its report WA is beginning to relax trading hour regulations, noting Premier Colin Barnett’s commitment to take deregulated shopping hours to the next election.
Small Business and Commerce Minister Simon O’Brien said the government is unable to make the change now because it doesn’t have enough numbers in Parliament to change retail laws.
O’Brien said it will be at least 2013 before any re-elected government can introduce Sunday trading across the board in WA.


text:
NEW YORK — Covington-based Omnicare Inc. on Tuesday went public with a $457 million offer for Louisville-based pharmacy management services company PharMerica Corp., sending shares of both companies surging.
Omnicare dispenses drugs for nursing homes and other long-term care centers. Omnicare CEO John Figueroa wrote in a letter sent Tuesday to the PharMerica board that its CEO, Gregory Weishar, approached him about exploring a combination of the companies back in April, and Figueroa expressed interest to Weishar several times. PharMerica's CEO was not named in the letter.
Figueroa wrote that PharMerica then refused to start negotiations. Omnicare's all-cash bid values PharMerica at $15 per share, a premium of 37 percent based on Monday's closing price of PharMerica shares. PharMerica has traded between $6.88 and $14.80 over the past year. Counting PharMerica's debt, Omnicare values the deal at about $716 million.
PharMerica shares (NYSE: PMC) closed Tuesday at $13.89, up $2.96, or 27 percent. Omnicare shares (NYSE: OCR) closed Tuesday at $29.85, up $2.95, or 11 percent.
Figueroa said a combination of the companies would save money and broaden services, among other benefits. The CEO also said in the letter that Omnicare's "strong preference" is to negotiate a mutually acceptable deal with PharMerica. The company's proposal is not subject to financing contingencies.
"However, if you continue to refuse to engage in meaningful negotiations, we are prepared to submit our proposal directly to your stockholders," he wrote.
Credit Suisse analyst Glen Santangelo said he expects either an increased bid from Omnicare, or an offer from a private equity firm that is interested in PharMerica.
PharMerica operates 94 pharmacies in 44 states, serving nursing centers, hospitals and other long-term care providers. It was formed by the July 2007 spin-off and combination of the institutional pharmacy businesses of AmerisourceBergen Corp. and Kindred Healthcare Inc. into a stand-alone company.
Both companies stand to benefit as blockbuster drugs like Lipitor, Plavix and others lose patent protection over the next few years. That will allow cheaper generic versions to enter the market, and it means bigger profit margins for Omnicare and PharMerica.
PharMerica accused Omnicare of "self-serving tactics" in taking the offer public. The company said it has rejected Omnicare's offers because they undervalue the company and are not in the best interest of PharMerica's shareholders. PharMerica added that it is open to discussing a transaction but that a deal with Omnicare could be disruptive to its customers and employees, and Omnicare is not willing to assume the risks involved in completing the proposed deal.


text:
What Your Hair Colour Reveals About Your Health
Your hair colour can provide important clues about your overall health, from vitamin deficiencies to your cancer risk.
If you’re a light blond or redhead
We’ll be blunt: light blonds and redheads have a higher risk of developing skin cancer. This is problematic because of the skin cancer itself, but also because light blonds and redheads tend to have a lower pain tolerance. “They will have a more difficult time when it comes to pain from laser procedures used to reverse sun damage and pre-cancerous lesions,” explains Dr. Dusan Sajic, a board-certified dermatologist in the United States and Canada who also earned his PhD in molecular immunology virology and inflammation. “This is especially true for a procedure called photodynamic therapy,” Dr. Sajic explains. “Not only is it more painful for these individuals, but it will also lead to much more of a severe reaction.”
Bottom line? Wear sunscreen every day (yes, even in the winter) and follow the Skin Cancer Foundation’s skin cancer prevention tips, such as covering up with UPF clothing, seeking shade during midday, and seeing your dermatologist for regular skin exams.
In addition, a study showed a correlation between decreased pigmentation in hair and an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease. This applies to both redheads and blonds with lighter hair. “People with lighter hair colour have a higher chance of developing Parkinson’s disease,” Dr. Sajic says, “but more studies are needed. In the meantime, report any neurological problems to your doctor as early detection is key.”
Good news for redheads!
There is some good news for redheads. “A Finnish study showed redheads have a lower risk of prostate cancer,” says Dr. Carmen Castilla, a New York City-based, board-certified dermatologist. “However the precise reason for this benefit is unknown.”
If your hair turned grey prematurely
First, let’s get clear of what “premature” means in this context. If your hair goes grey before you’re 30 (if you’re Black) or before you’re 20 (if you’re white), that is considered a premature loss of pigment. You may feel too young to have grey hair in your forties, but that’s a typical time for it to start transitioning.
“Genetics play a large role in when your hair turns grey,” explains Dr. Castilla. “However, premature grey hair can have underlying metabolic causes. Both B12 deficiency and thyroid dysfunction can cause premature grey hair.”
Dr. Reid Maclellan, Adjunct Professor of Plastic Surgery at both Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital, points to the research. “When you start greying young, it could possibly mean there are certain health issues associated with the greying, like a B12 deficiency, thyroid disease, vitiligo, and alopecia areata.” Dr. Maclellan says, “If you’re noticing greying at a young age, it’s worth seeing a dermatologist, hair specialist, or another certified expert if it’s of concern.”
Another thing is if your hair goes white or grey when you’re young, but it’s restricted to a streak. “If the white hair is in a streak on their forehead, they have a higher chance of neurological disorders and should talk to their doctor about this,” Dr. Sajic says. A “white forelock” is technically known as poliosis, and includes white eyebrows and eyelashes.
For brunettes, hair loss is a problem to look out for. According to Cleveland Clinic, hair loss isn’t just for men, and “50 per cent of women will experience noticeable hair loss.” Brunettes are more likely to show signs of baldness both because of genetics and because sparse patches are more noticeable with darker hair. Cleveland Clinic recommends increasing iron through iron-rich foods such as spinach, broccoli, peas, tofu and iron-rich meats like beef, lamb, and oats.
Dyed hair colour
Because dyed hair can be any colour, we can’t generalize about conditions that could be connected to a hair colour that’s not your own. That said, those who dye their hair are at a greater risk of developing cancer, and if you dye your hair darker shades of brown or black you might want to think again.
“While there are many non-toxic hair dyes on the market, there are other hair dyes that contain chemicals and possible carcinogens in their formulations,” explains Dr. Maclellan. “Lifestyle choices including certain hair dyes in studies have been linked to a greater chance of developing Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). People with a family history of NHL should pay extra attention to this. People who use darker hair dye, especially over time, could run the increased risk of developing NHL since there’s a higher amount of chemicals used to turn hair darker.”
Those who bleach their hair to achieve a lighter shade may not have the same genetic risks that blonds and redheads have, but there are risks associated with repeated use of hydrogen peroxide and other bleaching agents.
Next, discover the sneaky reasons your hair is falling out.


text:
The Swiss high precision manufacturing trade show, EPHJ, is back on track and will now take place from 15 to 18 September this year. The organisers say that it is essential that we now begin to prepare for the future.
The show was originally due to take place in June but has been postponed due to Covid-19. It is the largest annual trade fair for the watchmaking, jewellery, and micro- and medical technologies sectors in Switzerland and is held at Palexpo in Geneva.
“We have held widespread discussions over the past few weeks with numerous exhibitors to obtain as accurate picture as possible of the situation on the ground”, explains Alexandre Catton, Director of the EPHJ Trade Show.
“We received the following feedback. Some of them believe that the situation is difficult and that the market trend, the persistent uncertainties and the potential fall in footfall mean that they should concentrate on other priorities. For others, the majority, the desire is a return to normality; for them, to be able to present their innovations and to meet clients and prospective customers at the Trade Show is a priority.”
At present, the vast majority of exhibitors have retained their booking for the 2020 show.
The organisers say that it is very important in the current environment, which makes recovery extremely difficulty for an industry like the watchmaking and jewellery sector, to bring together all the players and to stand shoulder to shoulder with them.
“Since its inception, the EPHJ Trade Show has been at the service of the watchmaking community and the microtechnical industries as a whole. It is therefore our duty to remain at the service of all those exhibitors who want the Trade Show to take place to help them to relaunch their business activities.”
The organisers are fully aware that it will not be business as usual, even if the current travel restrictions in place for certain major businesses will have much less impact on manufacturing businesses and companies established in Switzerland who are subject to fewer constraints in travelling to Geneva. However, they prefer to take this economic and commercial risk together with the exhibitors rather than to let down all those who want to come to the Trade Fair.
“This decision has been taken based on the data currently available”, specifies Alexandre Catton. “Depending on how the health restrictions evolve between now and September and on the authorisations granted to the EPHJ Trade show, we will make adjustments and put in place the health and safety measures required.”
He says that the EPHJ Trade Show wants to stand alongside all those companies who are battling for their future. Trade visitors should come to the event at this this difficult time for their suppliers and all those companies who are the heart and soul of the high-precision world.


text:
MasterCard recently published a report, “Benefits of Open Payments Systems and the Role of Interchange.” (direct link, background). I interviewed MasterCard’s Shawn Miles, Group Head, Global Public Policy and Regulatory Strategy Counsel.
Aneace: One of the benefits of interchange is that it helps fund innovation, and we have definitely seen in Australia that lower interchange means lower innovation in the card industry. However, much innovation seems to be focused on benefits for card issuers. Since interchange is paid by merchants, what kind of interchange funded innovation focuses on merchant benefits instead?
Shawn: We think that our payments network itself is a huge innovation that benefits merchants every day considering the complexities and costs merchants would have to undertake to run their own card programs. But one very good specific example of an innovation that benefits merchants tremendously is PayPass, the "touch and go" technology that provides merchants who benefit from improved speed of transactions, like fast food restaurants, transit systems, vending machines or taxis. Our Time and Motion study indicated a 52% increase in speed over cash payments. Not only do merchants benefit from the increased speed of people moving through their stores, but research shows people spend more when they use PayPass - and even New York City taxicab drivers are admitting they're getting higher tips when people use PayPass.
Aneace: Given the credit crisis today, and given the loss of revenues that many retailers are now facing, one could imagine two very different scenarios regarding interchange. One would be that merchants will now fight even harder to reduce their costs and cut interchange fees. But another opposite scenario might be that merchants will be more open to paying interchange fees for transactions which they might not have made if cards were not available. Which scenario do you see playing out?
Shawn: Some merchants may only want to focus on cost, rather than benefits. We certainly recognize that, particularly in this environment, everyone wants to lower their costs of doing business. But you're absolutely right that the continued availability of credit is one of the things that is helping drive transactions, even more so in this environment than in general, and we would hope that some merchants will recognize the benefits they're receiving from accepting payment cards. One of the reasons we produced this brochure is to remind people, including merchants, of the enormous benefits that open, four-party payments systems bring to the economy and society.
Aneace: Retailers seem to understand that there are costs involved in offering card payment services, and say that they are willing to cover a certain level of interchange for those costs. However they don’t like the idea of card issuers using their interchange revenues to fund their own loyalty and rewards programs. How do you see this trend evolving, especially given the current financial climate?
Shawn: Merchants are the ultimate beneficiaries of so-called "premium" cards, as there's ample evidence that people who use them spend more, so merchants’ revenues are higher. According to Nilson Report issue #898 from March 2008, as part of a report/article on “Merchant-Funded Rewards Programs”, “the average monthly spending on a credit card with no rewards program is $465. That figure increases to $890 for a rewards card.” So the Nilson data shows that the affluent shoppers who use these cards spend, on average, double what people using standard cards spend. That's a pretty big benefit for the relatively low cost of acceptance.


text:
President of the Chamber of Agricultural Engineers, Özden Güngör, argued that the price of onions may increase to 10 Liras in 2019, right after the elections.
Gungor also claimed that the current ‘Tanzim’ method of selling food products directly to the public may soon fail, with food prices rising even higher in the coming months.
The ruling government made a quick decision to apply the Tanzim method of sales prior to the local elections of March 31. Güngör holds that although this method was put in place to deal with food inflation, it will be discontinued after the elections that will take place in March.
“Since the state sells the products directly to the public, prices will automatically fall. This method of sales is geared towards the elections. When the elections end, it will go back to the way it was before. After 31 March, food inflation will increase,” Gungor claimed.
Using potatoes and onions specifically as an example of the most bought food products, Güngör predicted that the prices may go up as much as 9-10 Liras after March 2019.
Güngör also commented on the reasons why the state employed the Tanzim method after raiding warehouses for inspection. “Producers decided not to buy products that preserve the vegetables stored in warehouses, arguing that they do not make any profit anyway. As a result, the products in the warehouses become spoiled.”
Regarding the price increase in 2018, Gungor said, “The poor conditions of some warehouses is another factor. In October 2018, we said that onion prices could reach 6-7 Liras in January, and this has happened because planting areas have become scarce, production is low, and onion consumption is high.”
“In 2019, onion prices could be as high as 9-10 Liras. We need to calculate per capita consumption and produce accordingly,” Gungor said.


text:
By Euro Weekly News Media • 17 October 2012 • 16:38
NERJA businesses want flexible opening hours during summer and Easter next year.During these busy periods of the year, the population rises beyond 80,000 people with the influx of tourists and less strict opening hours are essential. The Nerja Businessmen Association (AEN) has shown its support to the town hall, which recently asked the Andalucian Government to consider Nerja a High Tourism Affluence Town (Municipio de Gran Afluencia Turistica).Under this condition, it would be legal for shops to open and close at their wish, from July 1 to September 15 and during official Easter dates (which differ from year to year). Other requirements include a proven increase in hotel and tourist urbanisation bookings, as well as a higher demand of energy, water and sewage services.Towns in the province such as Manilva, Benalmadena, Estepona, Fuengirola, Mijas or Marbella have already been granted this special condition. It would not be the first time, however, for Nerja to be considered a High Tourism Affluence Town. For the latest four years in a row (2009 to 2012), the Andalucian Government approved it. Now the town is looking for a fifth holiday season. “It is extremely important for the business sector in Nerja to be free to open at any time during summer and Easter, especially in these troubled times,” AEN president Jonathan Mendez said.
Share this story
Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox!
By signing up, you will create a Euro Weekly News account if you don’t already have one. Review our
Share your story with us by emailing [email protected], by calling +34 951 38 61 61 or by messaging our Facebook page www.facebook.com/EuroWeeklyNews
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Downlaod our media pack in either English or Spanish.


text:
Search Biz: Google Ups And Downs, Yahoo’s Jekyll And Hyde Sides, The Revolving (Personnel) Door, & More
Writing the Search Biz column is challenging because of the diverse group of stories that get collected every day. Today there’s an unusually large number; however, there are basically three broad themes: Google and the company’s legal challenges, Yahoo’s Jekyll and Hyde positions on China and human rights, and the revolving personnel door at both […]
Writing the Search Biz column is challenging because of the diverse group of stories that get collected every day. Today there’s an unusually large number; however, there are basically three broad themes: Google and the company’s legal challenges, Yahoo’s Jekyll and Hyde positions on China and human rights, and the revolving personnel door at both companies.
Since it’s Friday I’ll start with the least serious items first: personnel changes at Google and Yahoo. Google has lost another important employee (per ValleyWag) to Facebook. This time it’s executive chef Josef Desimone, who reportedly is joining Facebook because of his loyalty to former Google VP Sheryl Sandberg, who is the new COO of Facebook. The move gives employee “poaching” a new meaning (I stole the joke).
Google has also apparently lost Ash ElDifrawi, who had responsibility for brand advertising at Google and YouTube. ElDifrawi joins NetShops Inc. as CMO. However, the company has gained Javier Zapatero, former vice president of sales for Yahoo! Europe. Zapatero will become Google’s country manager for Spain.
Yahoo’s former news Editor in Chief Neil Budde, after a brief stint with the LA Times, joins the news aggregation site DailyMe as president and chief product officer.
Yahoo has made plenty of negative news for itself with some unsavory assists to the repressive Chinese government in its efforts to crack down on dissent. However, Yahoo CEO Jerry Yang posts about some of the good Yahoo is doing around the world in seeking to promote human rights. That post followed a speech given by Yang at Georgetown University in Washington DC, in which Yang spoke about the complexities and “gray areas” of dealing with China, among other issues.
Meanwhile in China itself, search engine Baidu said that it had signed deals with 15 local radio stations to stream their content online to users and that it expects to expand the program with additional services and partners in the future.
Now back to Google . . . The company is facing a lawsuit from a Pittsburgh couple who says that photos of the exterior of their home on Google Maps’ StreetView invade and violate their privacy because the house is clearly on a private road. Without looking at the privacy statutes it’s pretty clear that this claim would be dead on arrival but for the “private road” aspect of the case. That may not be enough to get beyond a motion to dismiss, however. Home and building exteriors are clearly in the public domain as a general matter.
In other Google legal news, a US Federal Appeals court struggled in oral arguments with another of the various AdWords trademark cases. The underlying case, brought by Rescuecom Corp., was originally dismissed in 2006 on the grounds that using a trademarked term as a keyword that didn’t appear in ad copy didn’t violate US trademark law. The case (as well as similar cases) illustrate the challenge that the legal system has in dealing with new technology developments.
In a bit of positive news, Google provides a kind of “post mortem” on the 700MHz wireless spectrum auction and recounts its strategy to ensure the coveted “C Block” would meet minimum bid requirements triggering the consumer openness provisions.
Finally today, Jon Fine at BusinessWeek explores the tensions between tech companies and media companies. Recounting a long-running debate about whether Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, and AOL are tech companies, media companies, or both, the piece presents a range of opinions and frames the debate as content vs. search.
New on Search Engine Land


text:
Silverthorne economy shows improvement in March
summit daily news
Vail, CO Colorado
SILVERTHORNE – Sales tax revenue in Silverthorne is on the rise for the second month in a row – an encouraging sign for the local economy.
March sales tax revenue was up 5.7 percent over March 2009, pushing 2010 year-to-date sales tax collections up 1.8 percent over the same period last year. Sales tax revenues for February were up almost 5 percent over February 2009 – the first time the town had reported month-over-month growth in the local economy in 17 straight months.
“Having another positive month is certainly good news,” said Ryan Hyland, assistant to the town manager. “March followed a positive month in February, and this is the first time since February and March of 2008 that we’ve had two consecutive positive-growth months.”
According to Hyland, the first-quarter sales tax revenues were in line with the town’s revenue budget.
“One potential bright spot for Silverthorne sales tax revenues that could show up at the end of the second quarter is the addition of a much larger grocery component at Target, including meat and produce, which will be introduced in June,” Hyland added.
Activity in the consumer retail sector, which includes Silverthorne’s OfficeMax and Target stores, has improved significantly in 2010, with a year-to-date increase of 23 percent over the January-March period in 2009. March revenues from the Outlets at Silverthorne were flat compared to March 2009, but total first-quarter revenues at the Outlets were up 7.3 percent compared to those in the first quarter of 2009.
The auto sector, which includes automobile sales, rentals, parts and services, posted a 1.9 percent increase in March revenue, compared to March 2009.
Revenues from retailers in the building sector are still sluggish, with year-to-date figures down 40.7 percent from last year. For the month of March alone, revenues were down 20.4 percent from March 2009.
“That particular sector is still very much struggling,” Hyland said.
The town’s food-and-liquor sector was up 5.4 percent in March, but was still down by 4.6 percent for the year.
Julie Sutor can be reached at (970) 668-4630 or email@example.com.


text:
IDs Proposed For Persian Carpets
Production has decreased to five million square meters from the previous 7.5 million square meters. TEHRAN, March 6--Managing director of the Company for Export Development and Carpet Evaluation said that the export potential of Iranian carpets is not higher than the present capacity. Speaking to ISNA, Soleiman Madadpour called for issuing IDS for carpets and said, according to the latest figures, carpet production has decreased to five million square meters from the previous 7.5 million square meters as a result of which more than 900,000 employees have been laid off. Commenting on the national coding system for hand-woven carpets, Madadpour pointed out that national coding is done by National Center for Coding Goods and has nothing to do with issuing IDs for carpets. Asked about the reason for the decline in carpet export, he noted that Iranian hand-woven carpet lacks specific identity in international carpets where fake carpets are abundant. Criticizing the performance of the National Carpet Center in holding exhibitions, Madadpour noted that holding hand-woven carpet exhibitions by the association of carpet exporters is tantamount to granting special privileges to certain people which they use against their rivals in international markets.
Asked about bringing carpet export out of the prevailing stalemate, he said that Persian carpets should be provided with IDs after undergoing quality control.


text:
EC Prepares to Help Dairy Exporters Cope with Russian Food Imports Ban
The European Commission on Friday said it is ready to support exporters of dairy products hit by Russia’s ban on food imports from the West.
According to a statement by the Commission, it [...] “will not hesitate to take any further emergency market support measures if necessary, notably for certain dairy products where the impact of the Russian ban seems obvious."
The move adds up to emergency measures already taken for fruit and vegetables, Reuters noted in its coverage of the news.
The Commission said last week it would provide up to EUR 125 M in aid to EU farmers unable to sell their produce, especially fruit and vegetables, because of the Russian ban.
Russia imported more than EUR 1.3 B worth of dairy products from the EU last year.
Earlier this month Moscow banned imports of food from the US, the EU, Australia, Canada and Norway in response to the sanctions imposed on Russia over the Ukraine crisis.
- » Bulgaria Boasts Highest Recognition Rate of Asylum Applications in EU
- » Bulgaria's Defence Minister to Call for Common EU Policy on Tackling Refugee Wave
- » World Bank to Help Bulgaria Improve Absorption of EU Funds
- » Bulgaria Plans to Initiate EU Discussion to Make Anti-IS Strategy More Efficient
- » Workers from Bulgaria, Romania Arriving in Britain Nearly Double in Year to March
- » Bulgarian Farmers Invited to Apply for EU Funding of EUR 50 M for New Equipment
It seems Russia has forgotten the cold hard winter, nutrition, public health, quality of life that contains dignity to protect the children with fine nutrition.
Now Russia bites the hand that feeds them with absurd economic sanctions.
Food is not a weapon but a form of security.


text:
If the new Hyundai Genesis has its way speed camera fines could become a thing of the past. The luxury sedan is capable of outsmarting speed cameras with a combination of GPS and braking technology.
At the launch of the Hyundai Genesis, company spokesman Guido Schenken told journalists that the car could identify speed cameras and slow down if drivers are going too fast. The feature works for fixed speed cameras and average speed cameras, although it will not give drivers an advantage over mobile speed cameras or handheld police speed guns.
"It knows there is a speed camera there, it knows where the speed camera is and it will adopt the correct speed," he says.
"It will beep 800 metres before a camera and show the legal speed, and it will beep at you if your speed is over that."
The Genesis is designed to be a cut price alternative to models sold by Mercedes-Benz and BMW, it features a suite of high-tech driver aids that include an automated emergency braking technology that will stop the car to prevent a collision and cruise control that will preserve a safe distance from the car in front by applying the brakes.