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Recently, the clothing brand H&M inadvertently went to war with graffiti and street artists. H&M had an outdoor photo shoot that consisted of a street art piece by Jason Williams, aka “Revok”. Mr. Williams then sent a cease-and-desist letter, but H&M responded with countersuit stating that all intellectual property rights were given up when the artist committed vandalism when painting his piece. H&M also stated that anyone can use the piece for free based on those grounds.
The graffiti/street art community did not take too kindly to that. Taggers have been defacing store fronts and painted various protest images. This isn’t the first time that street artist had to defend their works, this event did relight the conversation on the legalities of these illegally painted art pieces. Credit is very important to the artists, and the worry is that a slippery slope would have formed should nothing had been done. People saw potential for companies to use the pieces in advertisements then start using them on their products, all without compensation or crediting artist.
That is where the question stands, do these pieces of art belong to the world because they are for the public to see and anyone can use them. Or do they belong to the artist and they should get credit/compensation. I personally they should be credited/compensated because it is their work regardless of the form it was presented.


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Calendly, the scheduling platform founded by Nigerian-born Tope Awotana has raised $350 million from Open View Venture Partners and Iconic capital. This has raised the company’s valuation to over $3 billion.
According to the founder, the company made the decision to partner with the two investment companies because of their insight and extended network within the tech industry.
The company intends to use this new funding to add some new tools that will enhance their customers’ appointment scheduling experiences and to provide liquidity for early shareholders, employees and continue product innovation.
Speaking about the funding, Awotana said, “Our profitable, unique, product-led growth model has led to Calendly becoming the most used, most integrated, most loved scheduling platform for individuals and large enterprises alike.”
“While we considered outside investment an unnecessary distraction, we made the decision to partner with OpenView and Iconiq because of their insight and extended network within the tech industry,” Awotona continued in the announcement,” he added.
Calendly was founded in 2013 at the Atlanta Tech Village, a startup incubator started by serial software entrepreneur David Cummings.Awotana who moved to the United States when he was a teenager started the company with his savings and struggled to get funding over the years.In 2016 the company started becoming profitable and raised $500,000. Later in 2019, the company started expanding with at the time growing to almost one million users and was thriving.
However, as soon as the pandemic hit, its customer base increased to about 10 million as more people began to embrace remote working with new sets of users, including health workers, teachers, contractors, entrepreneurs, and freelancers now using the app.In 2021, the company doubled its subscription earnings to $70 million.

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Partner Jeff McKenzie Comments on Downtown Louisville’s Urban Bourbon Distilleries
In 2011, Michter’s Distillery disclosed that they had purchased the historic Fort Nelson Building in Louisville in order to transform it into a distillery that would be open to the public. Locals and downtown regulars were excited and hopeful that the distillery would give the old, historic building life again with the attraction of tourists who would be ready to embrace the experience of some of Kentucky’s most famous products.
Heaven Hill then announced its distillery, The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, to be located in another historic structure on Main Street. With Louisville’s already exciting atmosphere, the urban bourbon phenomenon will fit right in with the facilities that downtown Louisville has to offer. The Michter’s, Heaven Hill and Angel’s Envy projects will transform historic buildings into distilleries that will soon be neighbors to some of Louisville’s excellent bars and restaurants and the world class downtown basketball and concert facility.
Partner Jeff McKenzie, who is a member of the firm’s Corporate and Transactional Practice Group, recently commented on the projects in an Insider Louisville article. According to McKenzie, it won’t be long before Louisville will be able to enjoy these distilleries. However, with historic buildings such as these, it’s important to preserve the bones of the building, and the nature of these types of renovations naturally progress slowly. However, McKenzie says that these distilleries are “primary players” and that soon more retail and restaurants will follow and hotel rooms will fill up. McKenzie also explains that these renovations will truly transform downtown and that every city in America is looking for an opportunity like this.
For more on Jeff McKenzie’s thoughts and the renovations, read the full article here.


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Federal government offers help to farmers hit hard by COVID-19
NEPHI, Utah – Farmers and ranchers in Utah struggling during COVID-19 now have a new source of help. The Small Business Administration announced Monday that farm businesses can apply for an economic disaster loan from the SBA, to help stay in business.
Some cattle ranchers and dairy farmers say it could be the difference between closing a family business or surviving the pandemic.
On Monday evening, a large tractor pulling a side-dumping trailer unit slowly rolled down a row between the cattle pens.
The dairy cows were poking their heads out of the pen, quickly munching on the mixture of hay and other nutrients.
It’s part of the daily routine at Cedar Ridge Farms, and that routine has remained largely unaffected by COVID-19.
“These girls don’t really know there is a pandemic, so they work hard every day, as they normally do,” said farm manager Sheila Sherwood.
From feeding to milking, operations continued.
This is what happens after the milk leaves the farm, which is radically different. “The overall price has come down,” Sherwood said of the cost of milk.
Pair the drop in prices with the 50% loss in demand for milk when the restaurant industry practically came to a halt – and it created a huge struggle for dairy farmers.
Sherwood explained that the industry does not necessarily take 50% of the milk in liquid form, but rather uses it for butter, cream, etc.
Cedar Ridge Farms continues to ship their milk daily. They don’t really have a choice. It is not really an option to reduce the feeding of the cows or to milk them. “So far he has found a home,” she said of the milk.
Sometimes that home is the food bank, whether in Utah or Idaho. While giving milk at least means it won’t go to waste, for Sherwood that means there is no pay. “You can only operate at a loss for that long,” she said.
Wade Garrett, vice president of public policy for the Utah Farm Bureau, said they’ve never seen the market crash like this.
As a farmer and rancher himself, he is used to the gamble that can arise from the weather, fluctuating trade agreements and changing consumption habits.
He’s never seen what a global pandemic can do.
“Spin the market almost overnight,” he said.
Garrett, who is a partner to his siblings and father at Garrett Farms, raises cattle and grows hay and alfalfa.
He explained that an interruption in exports means there is nowhere to send his crops. And if dairy farmers or other customers are having a hard time, they don’t buy it either.
Some meat-packing plants have closed due to COVID-19 issues and the restaurant industry has collapsed.
Restaurants normally represent a huge share of the demand for meat in the agricultural industry, and Garrett said restaurants generally accept the more expensive cuts like T-bone and Filet Mignon.
As demand from grocery stores increased, he said it was mostly for cheaper meats like hamburger. And hamburger meat doesn’t fill the vacuum left by restaurants.
Garrett said that means no one is willing to buy their cattle, as all of these factors have created an uncertain future.
COVID-19 has clearly sent a wave through the agriculture industry, with ripples affecting just about everyone.
That’s why he and Sherwood were happy to hear about federal government assistance.
“They released a portion of the SBA that was generally not open to farming,” Garrett said.
He said he needed to review all the details of the economic disaster loan and see if he was eligible to apply. But, he said, any help is welcome.
“A family farm like ours – where I am the 3rd generation and my children are the 4th generation – It can make a difference for us to continue to stay in business and to be a continuing family farm, I hope. , for many generations … or close our doors, ”said Sherwood.
Cedar Ridge Farms was lucky enough to get an SBA loan in the past.
So even though they may not always get paid for their milk, they can keep the daily routine unchanged during COVID-19.
She is still able to pay the employees and feed her cows, until things get back to normal.


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Tech titan Google on Tuesday announced it will slash the service fee that Google Play receives to 15 per cent for the first USD 1 million of revenue earned by a developer each year. Announcing the “significant change” for those developers that sell in-app digital goods and services on Google Play (say, gems in a game), Google said that service fee reduction will be effective from July 1, 2021. With this change, 99 per cent of developers globally that sell digital goods and services with Play will see a 50 per cent reduction in fees, Google said in a blogpost.
“Starting on 1st July, 2021 we are reducing the service fee Google Play receives to 15 per cent for the first USD 1 million of revenue every developer earns each year,” it said. These are funds that can help developers ramp up at a critical phase of their growth by hiring more engineers, adding to their marketing staff, and increasing server capacity. “Last year when we clarified the requirements of Google Play’s Payments policy, we explained that the service fee for Google Play is only applicable to developers who offer in-app sale of digital goods and services. More than 97 per cent of apps globally do not sell digital goods, and therefore do not pay any service fee,” it noted.
Google further said that for the developers in India who sell digital goods but have not yet integrated with Play’s billing system, they continue to have time until March 31, 2022, as stated previously. “For the thousands of developers in India that are already using Play to sell digital goods, they can start receiving the benefit of this change as soon as it goes into effect in July,” the blogpost said.


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Google I / O will begin next week and even though it̵7;s a developer conference. But it’s likely we’ll be seeing some major product announcements, including more details about Android 12 and Pixel hardware.The company skipped I / O last year due to the outbreak, so there’s a lot to keep up with.
How to view Google I / O
Google I / O is totally virtual this year and is free to everyone, starting May 18th to 20th, keynote kicks off at 10:00 AM PT / 1:00 PM ET on May 18 Google. It has also published an official schedule for keynotes and conferences. To apply for Google I / O, you simply log into your Google account and register for the event.
Here’s everything we can expect to see in Google I / O.
Android 12 update
Android 12 is the biggest operating system change in years. A leaked screenshot earlier this year shows the interface, widgets and privacy features.
While the first developer beta released in February had a lot of changes under the hood. But there are a few hints in the Settings app that point to a completely redesign in the meantime, called “Material NEXT”. In a leak from XDA Developers, we may see a change in the lock screen, notification panel, and so on. New theme system
It is likely that Google will announce the public beta of Android 12 at Google I / O, so we got the first official look at the new Android paint job too.The I / O timing is also in line with Google’s schedule shown below. For Android 12 beta
Pixel Watch, Pixel Buds A-Series, WearOS
We’ve been hearing rumors about the Pixel Watch for years now.Can Google I / O finally be Google’s first brand wearable show? An April leak from Jon Prosser suggests that the round watch is likely to be powered by a newer version of WearOS.The display will show a bezel-less watch around the screen, no physical buttons, replaceable watchbands and watch indicators. There will be a heart rate sensor.
This is Google’s first major event since acquiring Fitbit.It seems unlikely that we’ll see new hardware as the Fitbit Luxe just announced, but Google could announce Fitbit integration in the broader Google ecosystem, or even. In WearOS itself
Another WearOS rumor from Korean news agency MT points to the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, which uses Google’s operating system instead of Samsung’s Tizen, which we may hear more during I / O.
Google may have accidentally leaked the latest Pixel Buds in an email to Nest users in April, followed by an accidental tweet from Google’s Android account in May. As with the “A series” Pixel phones, the Pixel Buds A may cost less than the original Buds sold for $ 180.The leak also reveals the new mint green color, and the tweet says the earbuds will support it. New Fast Pair feature for quick pairing of Bluetooth devices on Android.
It seems highly unlikely that we will see the Pixel 5a announced at Google I / O as there is currently a global shortage of chips and the company has also released an official statement that the phone will be available later in the year. The Pixel 4a was released in August 2020, so by then Google should save the 5a announcement until next year.
The other wildcard could be Google’s rumored mobile processor, codenamed Whitechapel, which could be co-developed with Samsung and once again released on the upcoming Pixel 6. That phone was announced in the I / O, but the chip announcement could help developers find out.
Google Assistant and smart home products
Google I / O used to have demos that have stopped showing in the past, such as when Google Duplex AI had a phone conversation with a real person to appoint me. While we don’t have any leaks pointing to the exact capabilities coming to Google Assistant, perhaps we can hear the news of the new Assistant coming to other Android devices, not just Pixel phones.
The official blog post also says that new features and new product announcements are expected in the smart home.Google recently released the $ 99 Nest Audio in late 2020, so maybe it will get some new features or we may see it. New version of Nest Hub Max.
There is also speculation about Chromecast updated with an FCC filing that appeared in March.


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- New customers will have to complete level 1 know-your-customer (KYC) verification starting Sept. 1.
- Regulators often criticized crypto exchanges for a perceived laxity in KYC checks, saying they lead to fraud, money laundering and terrorist financing.
Seychelles-based cryptocurrency exchange Bitget is to tighten its know-your-customer (KYC) requirements for users wishing to deposit or trade on its platform from the start of next month.
From Sept. 1, new customers will have to complete level 1 KYC verification, which involves submitting an identity document like a passport and completing facial authentication. Existing customers have until Oct. 1 to complete the process, after which time they will only be able to withdraw, cancel orders or close positions, Bitget announced on Monday.
Crypto exchanges have been criticized for a perceived lack of stringent KYC checks, with regulators saying that these lead to fraud, money laundering and terrorist financing. As a result, some exchanges have been tightening these requirements in recent months. Larger rival Kucoin introduced a similar program in June.
CORRECTION (Aug. 21, 11:05 UTC): Corrects Bitget's location. Article previously said Bitget is Singapore-based.
CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.


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Qblox is a Dutch manufacturer of control electronics units that provide the controls to the qubits in a quantum computer. ScalinQ is a manufacturer of cryogenic hardware components that quantum processor engineers need to use to build their systems. The components include LINQER, a sample holder for quantum chips, CliQ, a compact lowpass infrared quantum filter, and BriQ, a high density breakout box. By marketing the devices together, they can ensure that these components can be integrated easily and make it more convenient for the engineers building up the quantum processor. A press release from the two companies announcing their agreement to work together has been posted on the ScalinQ website here.
September 14, 2023


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“Sonic 2” isn’t streaming yet, but could be coming tonight on Paramount Plus
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 hit theaters — and only theaters — on April 8 and hasn’t made it to a streaming service in the weeks since. But the film is nearing the end of its theatrical run, which could mean it will start streaming shortly. Here’s everything you need to know.
Where is Sonic the Hedgehog 2 streaming?
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is expected to stream first. The film is distributed by Paramount Pictures, which is owned by the same parent company as Paramount Plus.
When will the Sonic 2 streaming release date be?
It could be as early as tonight, but Paramount hasn’t confirmed a streaming release date just yet. Still, the company’s past practice may help make some educated guesses about when it will be available to stream.
For films similar to Sonic 2, Paramount guarantees a minimum of 45 days of exclusive theater use before making them available for streaming on Paramount Plus. If Sonic the Hedgehog 2 follows a 45-day schedule exactly, it would be available to stream on Tuesday – meaning it would be available to stream tonight at 9pm PT / midnight ET.
If the film does indeed release tonight, Paramount would announce the timing sometime Monday, just as they announced the timing of the last film released this way. However, if Paramount doesn’t say anything about the timing of Sonic 2 on Monday, the streaming release date will be a mystery.
Paramount doesn’t switch a movie to streaming like clockwork. Jackass Forever, which hit theaters in February, landed on Paramount Plus almost exactly 45 days after its theatrical release; as well as The Lost City, a theatrical release in March. But Scream, which hit theaters in January, lasted about a week longer at around 53 days.
Will Sonic 2 be “free” to stream?
Paramount Plus has never charged an additional fee to watch a movie through its service. And while there are two distinct tiers, there’s never a movie behind the higher-priced membership tier. However, Paramount Plus requires a paid subscription, so nothing on the service is literally free — unless you’re viewing it while signed up for a free trial. By default, Paramount Plus offers all new members a seven-day free trial.


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Paddy McGuinness, Freddie Flintoff and Chris Harris have unveiled their cars of the year, with the Land Rover Defender taking the top prize at the TopGear.com Awards.
The presenting trio chose three distinctly different motors for their personal favourites during a virtual ceremony on Top Gear’s YouTube page.
McGuinness went for Mr Nippy, the all-electric ice cream van he created for the latest Top Gear series, while Flintoff opted for the 30-year-old Jaguar XJ220 he drove at over 200mph on the show.
And Harris voted for the Porsche 911 Turbo S. However, car of the year was won by the Land Rover Defender.
Explaining his left-field choice, McGuinness said: “There’s only one that changes the game completely when it comes to electric cars. Everything about it, the size of it, the performance, the handling, the looks you get on the road and its all-round capabilities. It’s just an absolutely mind-blowing, amazing car to drive.
“And that car is Mr Nippy. It’s like a supercar in many ways – you look at it and know it’s completely impractical, but it just makes you smile.”
Flintoff said: “I’m talking about the cars you had on your bedroom wall, and the XJ220 is definitely one of them. You know what? If I was in a position where money was no object, I’d probably get two.”
And Harris said: “I know a Porsche 911 Turbo S isn’t an everyman choice, given it cost the best part of £200,000 with some options, but the paradox of the 911 gets more and more interesting as the car gets older. Porsche has made a car that drives so purely and so easily and still has all that space inside that you wouldn’t expect.”
During the ceremony, 18 awards were handed out voted for by the Top Gear team. As well as car of the year, the Defender also won unstoppable force of the year.
Other winners included the Aston Martin DBX, which was named super-SUV of the year, the Honda e was crowned city car of the year and the Rolls Royce Ghost was the winner of luxury car of the year.
Ford was named manufacturer of the year. The ceremony is available to watch now on the official Top Gear YouTube page.
The December issue of Top Gear Magazine is out now.


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Super Bullet Break now available on Switch
It's time to shoot your shot!
Publisher PQube and developer BeXide have announced that the anime-inspired deckbuilding roguelite ‘Super Bullet Break’ is out now on Switch. The title is priced at $20 and takes up 552 MB of space. Super Bullet Break includes English, French, German, Japanese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, and Traditional Chinese language support.
In Super Bullet Break, you can collect over 160 Bullets (girls), each with their own special skills and back stories. Collect them all to build a strong deck, which you’ll need to defeat rogue AI and its minions. There’s also tough bosses to take on, and if you manage to best them in battle, you’ll come away with some major rewards.
Save the online game world from total destruction in the world of ‘Super Bullet Break’, where online multiplayer games have been taken over by a rogue AI! With levels inspired by your favourite games, this one-of-a-kind strategy deckbuilder is filled with a wild bunch of cute and colourful characters –‘Bullets’ – each and every one of them unique in their own way. Can you save the world and defeat enemies in strategic turn-based battles and beat ‘Super Bullet Break’?


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GoPro Inc took preliminary steps to move most of its US-bound camera production away from China. The goal is to be completely relocated by the summer of 2019 in anticipation of new Chinese tariffs from US sanctions.
Previously, GoPro has simply said they were being “very proactive” about the US-China tariff situation out of this increasingly bitter trade war, a conflict which involves both nations imposing tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of imports.
Indeed, the trading relationship between the United States and China is the biggest in the world. With pending tariffs comes an inevitable trade war and this disruption has some electronics manufacturers, fashion brands, and industrial machinery manufacturers looking to shift some of their assembly line locations.
Those countries who are looking to depart China, however, are not necessarily flocking their resources to the United States. Most are looking towards Asia—perhaps Cambodia or Vietnam—where these tariffs do not apply and where labor is already cheap. And since GoPro owns all of the production equipment involved for the manufacture of cameras—as the company claims—and only relies on its Chinese manufacturing partner as a facility, the total relocation process should not take a big financial toil, according to GoPro executive vice president and chief financial officer Brian McGee.
This move could be crucial for GoPro, who has been trying to reinvigorate the same excitement their products generated when they were fresh out of the gate, but its fourth-quarter revenue forecast was below analyst estimates. As competition continues to ramp up for these “action cameras”—once highly coveted by surfers, skaters, skydivers, and other action junkie-types—demand for GoPro’s trademark products are falling. Even as the company launched a new low-price model and a new flagship Hero model for the holiday season, the forecast was still disappointing. After all, GoPro’s stock has fallen 94 percent from its highest level in 2014.
Still, GoPro contends it will definitely be profitable in the fourth quarter, expecting “low channel inventory,” which will position them very well at the top of the year. At the same time, GoPro also said they will keep international-bound camera production in China.


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It's a bumper crop for Black-Eyed Pea Day
It’s not quite New Year’s Eve, but its harbinger of good luck, the black-eyed pea, will be plentiful at the Wichita Falls Downtown Farmers Market this weekend.
The Charlie-Thornberry Farmers Market Association will be celebrating the local black-eyed pea harvest with Black-Eyed Pea Day, running from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. July 15 at Eighth and Ohio streets.
“It (the black-eyed pea harvest) is just beginning. It’s a late harvest because of the early weather events. We expect to have a bumper harvest that will last into September,” said Steve Young, owner/operator of Young’s Farm and Young's Orchard.
Young said attendees to the farmers market can find not only hulled black-eyed peas, “but Jan (Young) and I vacuum-seal shelled peas until we’re blue in the face,” Young said with a laugh.
The day before heading to the farmers market, you can find the Youngs up at 3:30 a.m. readying for the day’s events.
For Black-Eyed Pea Day, visitors can sample black-eyed peas and cornbread, as well as Texas Caviar salsa, black-eyed pea salad and black-eyed pea dip.
In addition, more than 20 vendors will be at the market hawking everything from crafts to artisan breads, cheeses, meat, speciality soaps, fresh-roasted coffee beans and more.
Food trucks will be on hand, offering goodies to eat, and the farmers of Givens Farm, the Morath Orchard, Young’s Farm and Young’s Orchard will be offering fresh produce.
Following Black-Eyed Pea Day, the farmers market will celebrate the watermelon harvest with the popular Watermelon Festival July 29.
The market is open from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays during the summer.
IF YOU GO
What: Black-Eyed Pea Day
Where: Wichita Falls Downtown Farmers Market, Eighth and Ohio streets
When: 9-11 a.m. July 15 (though the market is open from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.)


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Double-digit price gains for homes from just a year ago are disappearing, and suddenly it's no longer a seller's market.
Like a music hipster, NASA is using SoundCloud to create a playlist of audio clips from historic space voyages that cut across decades.
One survey found that gender diversity on corporate boards is correlated to steady, positive performance.
Federal health officials revealed an $840 million program they hope will lead to better patient outcomes and reduced health-care costs.
Facebook announced a new stand-alone mobile app that enables people to communicate anonymously—a change in the company's long-standing policy.
Steve James was impressed by the work ethic of the minimum-wage workers he met while making his documentary, "The Value of Work." He thinks they deserve better.
ISIS makes its fortune by selling oil from seized territory to its enemies, NBC News reports.
After recent stock selloffs, the market appears to have regained its bullish trend, strategist Ed Yardeni says.
Microsoft bought the Finnish firm's mobile division in April and has gradually removed the Nokia brand name.
Bank customers can expect a flurry of thick mail as credit companies rush to get chip cards into their hands ahead of the holiday season.
The Chinese e-commerce giant has so much growth that its stock will likely continue to climb, says CNBC's Jim Cramer.
In 2013, Americans forfeited 169 million vacation days, amounting to $52.4 billion in lost benefits, according to a new study.
IHS Technology tore apart a 2013 Tesla Model S to find out all the components that make the vehicle—the head unit alone holds nearly 5,300 parts.
This is a direct link to a re/code story.
Silicon Valley wages are back in the spotlight again, but not for the reason you think.
A new email malware pretends to provide information about the disease, but it actually infects the computer with malicious programs.
"The Walking Dead" versus "Homeland"? That question can actually start a stock-picking discussion, believe it or not.
CNBC reporter Morgan Brennan chats with Jill Duffy, writer at PC Mag about the introduction of Google's new Inbox app, an invite only service that allows users to reorganize their Gmail.
Even if you don't owe some of the more than $1.2 trillion of student loan debt, you'll be affected by it. Here's why.
Even if your team didn't make the World Series, it may have performed better—financially—than the eventual pennant winner.


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When the first international cruise ship sets sail from Australia next month, it'll be the first time in more than two years the mammoth vessels have been allowed to depart from the nation's waters due to COVID-19.
The return of cruise ships will bring a much-needed cash injection back into the $5 billion industry including supporting 18,000 Aussie jobs.
Plus they'll allow cruise addicts to indulge in the holidays they love - a total of 1.35 million Aussies took a cruise in 2018.
But getting that first ship - P&O Australia's Pacific Explorer - ready, and the ones that follow, is a mammoth feat involving thousands of people from Australia and around the globe.
Now cruise ships are returning, Graeme Blackman from Sydney ship chandler, Inter-Marine is rehiring some of the people he had to lay off during the ban.
He also needs to get his tools which have lay idle for two years, checked over and working again.
His firm helps maintain the vessels when they come into port.
The business lost 90 per cent of its $7 million turnover in the shut-down.
"JobKeeper couldn't keep our technical staff on," he said.
"It'll be a slow, progressive start but we're so glad we could last this long."
Steven Biviano, from Sydney Select Fresh Providores, is responsible for restocking the ships with the indulgent food they're famous for.
He was delivering up to 40 semi-trailers a week of fruit and veg to cruise ships before the COVID-19 pandemic arrived.
His team of 30 was cut to three and he lost millions of dollars - with the ban also impacting produce growers. But they're now gearing up to return to work.
"(I'll be) getting a team re-established, speaking to growers, agents," he said.
And Jeremy Goodman, admits he has "a very long shopping list".
As Supply Chain Director for P&O Cruises Australia he oversees buying all that's needed and gets it to the ship.
For the first cruise alone that includes 4,500 dozen eggs, 15 tonnes of fresh vegetables and 6.5 tonnes of poultry.
"When Pacific Explorer resumes cruising on May 31, more than 300 pallets of products of various kinds will be delivered," he said.
"Each pallet weighs around 500k kilograms so that is around 50 tonnes of fresh produce."
He said "emotions will be high" when the vessel honks its horn to leave Sydney Harbour.
Cooking up new dishes
Meanwhile it'll be up to P&O Cruises Australia Corporate Executive Chef Uwe Stiefel to create tasty dishes with all that food.
And while there have been no passengers for the past couple of years, he's been busy taking care of crew who remained on the ships, plus planning for the restart.
That includes testing out new recipes and dishes in his Sydney home kitchen.
He said he's interested to see how food demands have changed on board, with people so used to lockdown takeaways.
Limbering up to entertain
Entertainment, from theatre shows to pool aerobics, is always a highlight for cruisers.
P&O Cruises Australia's Head of Entertainment Brett Annable and Corporate Entertainment Director, Zoltina-J Medwik Daley will keep guests happy again when ships return.
Ms Medwik Daley said she was devastated as her ship left Sydney back in 2020, as the pandemic hit and ships were banned.
"The day we were told to leave, the crew were crying, I was crying and even Sydney was crying as it was a gloomy rainy day," he said.
This time, she said she'll cry happy tears - once she's finished her busy role.
"Whilst everything on board has been kept warm and running, without guests, the onboard entertainment venues have been 'asleep' for two years so we are getting them ready," he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Annable is busy recruiting entertainers.
"We are also about to welcome our first production show cast into rehearsals for their debut at the end of May and we are putting the finishing touches to our brand-new production show, 'Musicology', which is launching later this year on Pacific Encounter and Pacific Adventure," he said.
Marguerite Fitzgerald, President of Carnival Cruise Line Australia and P&O Cruises Australia, said the suppliers' job-filling plans confirmed the importance of the cruising ecosystem in supporting many businesses and jobs in Australia.
"We have seen and felt the pain of our suppliers as they have negotiated two difficult years with the suspension of cruising," Ms Fitzgerald said.
"Their determination to emerge on the other side was an inspiration to us all and, even at the hardest of times, they were planning for the future."
And while cruise line Royal Caribbean isn't due to return to Australia until October, staff and crew are also gearing up.
The firm will bring ships, which have already resumed cruising across the globe to Aussie waters, via special Trans-Pacific sailings.
Sheldon Thompson, International Port Operations Manager, Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific at the company said while there's always a team on board a ship, even when there are no passengers.
But getting the thousands of crew back on board ready for passengers is a feat.
"The biggest challenge in getting a ship ready for sailing after a lay-up period will be getting the crew on safely and preparing the ship, bearing in mind that there can be over 65 different nationalities on one ship," he said.
"Depending on the size of the ship, it can take up to 60 to 90 days to bring a ship out of layup."
Cruising COVID-19 rules
No specific cruising rules have been released yet.
But it's likely all guests and crew must be vaccinated, unless exempt, and must provide a negative COVID-19 test.
Social distancing, extra sanitation and monitoring such as temperature checks will also be rolled out, according to cruise firms.
Which cruise lines are sailing where
P&O Cruises Australia Pacific Explorer will be the first cruise ship to sail in Australian waters since March 2020, when it sets off from Sydney on May 31 to make the first call at the new Brisbane International Cruise Terminal on June 2. The ship will return to Sydney on April 18, ready for the first cruise.
Princess Cruises' Coral Princess will begin her maiden Australian deployment in Brisbane, setting sail on June 16 with a three-night cruise.
Carnival Cruise Line will sail Carnival Splendor to Moreton Island, Queensland from Sydney on October 5.
Celebrity Cruises will return to Australia from October 22, with a 12-night jaunt to New Zealand.
Royal Caribbean's first Sydney cruise will sail from Sydney to New Zealand on October 21, followed by Brisbane on November 9.
Upmarket cruise line Seabourn will star calling at Sydney again in December.
Cunard's lavish ships will return to Australian waters on November 7, sailing from Fremantle, WA, to Sydney.
Virgin Voyages, the new cruise line by tycoon Richard Branson, which boasts A-lister Jennifer Lopez as its 'chief entertainment and lifestyle officer', has also hinted it's bringing its adults-only ships Down Under next year.
Holland America will also bring flagship vessel, Noordam back to Sydney in November.
Contact journalist Sarah Swain: email@example.com


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The Internet is becoming more expansive and more complicated at the same time. That’s the theme of the annual Internet Trends Report from Bond Capital.
First presented on stage at the Vox / Recode Conference in early June, the report describes the massive digital economy of today, comparing it to a data firehose for consumers, businesses and regulators with all the challenges in tow.
At the same time, the data economy’s integrated and critical nature makes the companies that store this information particularly vulnerable to cyber-attacks. On the subject, the report notes, “We are in a new cyber security era where technology issues are increasingly mixed with international diplomacy & defense.” This duality is present throughout the 333-slide report with risks and rewards that seem to accompany every metric.
For example, after years of rapid technological adoption, rates are beginning to slow with consumers becoming more aware of their internet usage and taking steps to reduce it as privacy becomes an increasingly valuable commodity after years of unbridled participation in the digital economy.
Bond Capital’s analysis highlights the importance of harnessing customer data to create a compelling user experience with built-in sales opposition, in addition to detailing emerging trends about media consumption and digital platform involvement. It found, for example, that the vast majority of consumers prefer brands offering customized offers. Moreover, 83 percent are willing to passively share data in exchange for a personalized experience.
This data analytics emphasis places businesses at odds with their customers and even shifts regulatory sentiments. Although there is a plateauing number of people concerned with privacy, the regulatory landscape is only accelerating. The global regulatory framework is far from unified, making matters more complicated, which means that companies operating on a global scale will have to be diligent about compliance.
With privacy playing a prominent role in the landscape of technology, businesses are forced to balance these priorities without compromising either.
As Frank Bien, CEO and Looker’s president writes in the report, “Data is now critical to how people work and the most successful companies have smartly integrated it into the daily workflow of everyone. Data is the new application. “While companies have a critical mandate to protect this information, while protecting the privacy of their employees, they are entrusted with the complicated responsibility of both data protection and intellectual property. As a result, approximately 80 percent of organizations turn to some form of monitoring software to secure this data.
It is obvious that the digital economy of today will continue to proliferate, becoming both more prominent and more complicated along the way. For companies navigating this landscape, they need to be prepared to effectively manage the coming data deluge. This includes designing systems to make this information useful and developing protocols to ensure that it is protected. With both regulatory standards and consumer sentiments demanding excellence on both fronts, organizations certainly need to assess their standing on each of these priorities.
This article was originally published on IT Security Central.


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HarperCollins Publishers is issuing an app challenge in an open call to developers for software and apps that improve the e-reading and book-discovery experience. The BookSmash Challenge, which begins today, will award three cash prizes to developers who best use the HarperCollins OpenBookAPI, which includes book and author data, to create smartphone, tablet, web, or desktop apps.
HarperCollins joins other traditional publishers who have embarked on their own digital hackathons in search of better apps for book discovery, including a recent competition co-hosted by The Perseus Books Group and William Morris Endeavor. The winning discovery app in that contest, called Evoke, offered a way to discover young-adult literature through books’ individual characters.
Publisher-agnostic startups is also attempting to tackle the problem of book discovery. New York-based Oyster, for example, is currently working on an app that taps a Spotify-style subscription model for books.
The BookSmash Challenge runs through September 5.


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Washington’s first Gyu-Kaku is currently dealing with permits and hiring management, but Cecilia Gao, the Bellevue franchise owner, is aiming for a January soft open.
Gyu-Kaku is a global chain that does yakiniku, Japan's version of Korean barbecue. Diners are presented with plates of thinly sliced raw meats and then become amateur pitmasters, managing each table's small gas grill. Gyu-Kaku specializes in a variety of dry-aged, miso-brushed beef, along with dishes like sukiyaki bibimbap and something called a "spicy tuna volcano." Gao plans to expand the standard franchise menu with a few local signatures, once she gets a feel for what PNW people want.
The initial restaurant will seat 96, and tables will be equipped with the brand’s proudly touted downdraft ventilated grills, which vacuum grill smoke away from diners. Gao plans to add a patio dinning area by next summer, with electric grills at the tables.
This is the first of five planned Gyu-Kakus in the greater Seattle area. Gao is already considering a downtown Seattle location and hopes to start this expansion within the next year.
The Bellevue location will have a month-long soft opening, with dinner-only (5-11pm) hours. If all goes well, they’ll add lunches and expand their hours to 11am to 10:30pm Sunday through Thursday and 11am-midnight Friday and Saturday. Signage is already up in Bellevue at 14506 NE 20th St., and more details should come as January nears.
Though the location isn’t listed yet, you can see the menu and steep yourself in general Gyu-Kakuness on their website.


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NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Following a much-watched review that ultimately encompassed more than 100 shops, Zappos has selected Interpublic Group of Cos.' Mullen as its creative agency.
"It was a very difficult decision, as we were talking to some agencies that were best in class," said Aaron Magness, a Zappos executive who ran the review for the marketer. "We're really excited about moving forward with this partnership."
Interpublic sibling DraftFCB and CHI & Partners were among the finalists. Mullen, notably, spent almost a decade handling creative for retailer T.J. Maxx.
Zappos' agency review, launched this summer, quickly attracted widespread interest from the agency community, as the marketer has been a darling of the advertising world with much-admired customer-service smarts. Its CEO, Tony Hsieh, is also one of the savvier when it comes to social media and has 1.3 million people following him on Twitter. Zappos was also a candidate for Ad Age's Marketer of the Year last year.
Zappos had worked with Ad Store, New York, and Gotham Direct. Originally, the retailer contacted 16 agencies but later opened up the process to more respondents, eventually attracting more than 100 shops.
One of the participating shops, called Ignited, tracked the amount of time Zappos spent reviewing its submission. With the help of Google Analytics, Ignited found that the retailer had only viewed five pages of its 25-page submission, with an average page-view time of 14 seconds. Ignited then publicly criticized Zappos for what it felt was an inadequate review.
Bid to be a one-stop shop
Zappos has been working to convince consumers it's a one-stop shop for far more than just footwear. Still, while it has grand aspirations -- Mr. Hsieh is fond of saying Zappos is first and foremost a customer-service company and has said an airline isn't out of the question -- its budget is tiny. Last year, Zappos spent just $12 million on measured media. In the first half of this year it spent $2 million.
But the plucky young e-commerce company, which was snapped up for $880 million by Amazon in July, is an appealing client that has seen rapid growth in its 10 years. In 2007, it recorded $527 million in net revenue, followed by $635 million in net revenue last year. Zappos hasn't been immune to the recession, however. Late last year it was forced to cut 8% of its staff and said it was considering the closure of its bricks-and-mortar outlets in Nevada and Kentucky.


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- News tagged "galaxy note"
Monday, 24 Sep 2012
Samsung reveals a list of devices that will be getting the Android 4.1 update.
Friday, 31 Aug 2012
Following in the tradition of the Samsung Galaxy S III, Samsung and Dropbox have both confirmed that the Galaxy Note II and Galaxy camera will comes with 50GB of free storage for two years.
Thursday, 30 Aug 2012
Piloted by a 1.6GHz Exynos quad-core processor, the Galaxy Note II also comes equipped with a large 5.5-inch HD Super AMOLED screen, the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS and a new S Pen.
Thursday, 16 Aug 2012
Samsung announced that the global sales of its Galaxy Note has hit 10 million.
Friday, 3 Aug 2012
Samsung is sending out invites for its upcoming Mobile Unpacked event at IFA 2012. The event is scheduled on 29 August in Berlin.
Thursday, 24 May 2012
The redesigned Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 will come with the S-Pen, an S-Pen slot and a quad-core processor.
Wednesday, 18 Apr 2012
The Samsung Premium Suite upgrade for the Samsung Galaxy Note will come with a collection of S-Pen optimized apps including tons of new customization and e-card options.
Friday, 13 Apr 2012
The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1, first glimpsed at MWC 2012, is expected to be delayed due to changes in its hardware, The Verge reports.
Thursday, 15 Mar 2012
Reports regarding Samsung's anticipated flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S III, surface once again in cyberspace with claims of possible specs, launch date, press image, and water-resistant characteristic.
Thursday, 16 Feb 2012
Samsung may have unknowingly leaked a 10.1-inch tablet version of its popular Galaxy Note on its official blog. The device is expected to be launched at Samsung Developer Day at Mobile World Congress 2012.


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NEW YORK - Small business owner Sean Hilty is getting more customers - and more sleep - now that he's ditched his pen for a keyboard.
The owner of auto repair shop HBH MotorWerks used to stay up past 2 a.m. writing his customer's invoices by hand. "I'm a chicken pecker when it comes to typing," says Mr. Hilty, 39, about his two-finger typing. "I thought it would take longer to type than it does to write down."
After some pushing from his kids, Mr. Hilty started using a Web-based service to type invoices on a computer after writing them by hand for years.
"They're more tech savvy than me," says Mr. Hilty, who currently runs his business from his Bartlett, Tenn., home. "They said, "Dad, you're taking way too long to do that.' I grew up not even having a computer. I finally caved in."
Whether it's a Web-based tool like the invoice system that Mr. Hilty uses, a software program, social media sites or mobile payment systems that allow them to take payments using a smartphone, small business owners are often slow to invest in, and use, technology. The vast majority - 86 percent - say they rely on word of mouth and customer referrals to drum up business, according to a recent Bank of America survey. Just 41 percent cited social media as an effective marketing tactic. According to a separate survey released earlier this year by American Express, as many as 52 percent of small businesses don't use social media.
Small business advocates say the avoidance of technology and social media is costing small business owners time, money and potential customers.
"They're stymieing their growth," says Ramon Ray, an author and editor at Smallbiztechnology.com, a media company that educates small businesses about technology.
Small business owners usually say they don't have enough time to look for ways to use technology to attract business or save time. But finding the right technology can be as simple as doing an Internet search, or asking others for advice, says Deb Lee, the founder of Soho Tech Training, a Washington D.C.-based company that helps small businesses identify which technologies it needs.
"Many are slow to just take a step forward," says Ms. Lee. "When you stall, you become less productive."
Like Mr. Hilty, Alicia Villarosa was slow to add technology to her toolbox. She started her personal training business 10 years ago, but only launched a website last year. "I wanted to seem professional," she says, about her reasons for wanting a website. "It makes me more official." She created AliciaVillarosa.net using IM Creator, an online website builder.
Besides looking professional, a website makes it easier for potential customers to find a business. Often people check out a business online first, says Shama Kabani, the founder of Web marketing company the Marketing Zen Group.
Ms. Villarosa says the site was easy to build, but she struggled with uploading photos. So she asked her 13-year-old nephew to do that.
"It's second nature for him," says Ms. Villarosa, 51, who trains her clients in Brooklyn, N.Y.
"He Instagrams everything," she says, referring to the popular photo-sharing service. "I take my camera out once a year when I'm on vacation."
The website proves its value when she's working out with her clients in Brooklyn's Prospect Park. "When people approach me outside they're going to search me right there on their phones," says Ms. Villarosa. She says that about two out of five people who approach her follow up and make an appointment.
Social media networks can give small businesses a boost, too. Whether it's Facebook, Twitter or review-site Yelp, customers expect to find small businesses on the social media networks like they do for big companies and brands.
ONLINE: Alicia Villarosa's website: aliciavillarosa.net Barrow's Intense Ginger Liqueur's Twitter account: twitter.com/barrowsintense Cookshop's Twitter account: twitter.com/cookshopny IM Creator: imcreator.com PlanetSoho: www.planetsoho.com Follow Joseph Pisani: @josephpisani


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Acer anticipates big growth figures for ‘99
Notebooks & OEM sales to lead the way, but chips could still be down
Taiwanese manufacturer Acer is in bullish mood, predicting 40 per cent sales growth in the first quarter of 1999. It expects to see increased demand for its own-brand PC-based products as well as in its OEM business, with overall growth for the year thought to be in the region of 20 per cent. Last year, Acer saw a 40 per cent jump in sales, but profit dropped by around one third. Stan Shih, Acer CEO, cut his own salary by a third last year in a symbolic gesture. It has also suspended its plans to float, citing unstable market conditions. Back in January, Acer’s financial director, Philip Peng said the float could go ahead in May – but not before. According to today’s Financial Times, Acer is banking heavily on sales of notebooks for this year’s growth – it is the number one notebook vendor in Italy, but in the UK it only owns around two per cent of the market. The company expects notebook shipments to grow from last year’s figure of 800,000 to perhaps as much as 1.5 million units. The long-running thorn in Acer’s side has been its semiconductor business. Plans to sell it off have come to nothing, but rising chip prices could see the chip division return to profitability. ®
Sponsored: Fast data protection ROI?


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Nestlé S.A, a renowned Switzerland based consumer goods giant and parent company of Nestlé Nigeria, has increased its stake in its Nigerian subsidiary with the acquisition of shares worth N4.9 billion.
According to a recent notice signed by the Secretary of Nestle Nigeria, Bode Ayeku, and filed with the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), the Swiss-based firm purchased an additional 3,520,974 units of shares in its Nigeria subsidiary, at a unit price of N1, 395 per share.
This puts the total purchase consideration for the shares of Nestlé Nigeria by the Swiss multinational at N4.91 billion.
The breakdown of the deal which occurred on the floor of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) in Lagos showed that transaction took place in two tranches. In the first tranche, the parent company purchased 179,030 additional units of its Nigerian subsidiary shares at a unit price of N1400 per share, totaling N250.6 million. It subsequently followed this up with the acquisition of an additional 3,341,944 units of its Nigerian subsidiary shares, at a unit price of N1,390 per share, totalling N4.65 billion. The transactions occurred on the 15th and 16th of November 2021, respectively.
It is pertinent to note that dealings by insiders of listed companies are corporate actions to be disclosed by the management of the company. This is in compliance with NGX’s policy on insider dealing, aimed towards ensuring transparency and reinforcing the trust of the investing public.
Recall that as at 30th of June, 2021, Nestle S.A owned about 533,270,982 units of ordinary shares in Nestle Nigeria Plc., translating to about 67.28% of the latter’s total shareholdings. In a bid to strengthen its ownership and control in the company, the Swiss-based consumer goods giant have in recent times purchased additional shares in its Nigerian subsidiary.
As of press time, Nestle Nigeria Plc is currently trading N1, 390 per share on the local bourse. It is one of the five stocks worth over one trillion in market capitalization (SWOOT).


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NEW YORK (AP) -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is expected to show slower revenue growth in the company's U.S. namesake business when it reports fourth-quarter results on Thursday.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Wal-Mart's results will be examined for signs about the mindset of shoppers, both in the U.S. and abroad.
Analysts expect Wal-Mart to have enjoyed a decent holiday shopping season, which is included in the fourth-quarter results, as the world's largest retailer plied shoppers with low prices and other enticements like layaway.
But the results may offer more signs of shoppers under financial stress. Concern is mounting about how a 2 percent rise in payroll taxes that started last month, delayed tax refunds and rising gas prices are hurting the retailer's low-income shoppers after a Bloomberg News report included leaked an email from a top executive characterizing the first two weeks of February as “a total disaster.”
In response, Wal-Mart spokesman Dave Tovar said, “As with any organization, we often see internal communications that are not entirely accurate, that lack the proper context and represent individual opinions.”
Analysts will want to know more details about Wal-Mart's shoppers during the holiday season and the start of the new year. In particular, they'll want to know whether its consumers are having even harder time stretching their dollars to the next payday because of the payroll tax hike, and how that is affecting what they buy.
Analysts expect Wal-Mart to report its sixth consecutive quarterly revenue gain at its namesake U.S. stores open at least a year. That sales figure is a measure of a retailer's health because it excludes results from locations that open and close during the year.
Analysts expect Wal-Mart's namesake U.S. business to post an increase of 1.4 percent in revenue at stores open at least a year for the fourth quarter, according to FactSet. Analysts expect a 1.8 percent increase for its entire U.S. business, including a 2.8 percent rise at Sam's Clubs.
But that growth pace has slowed in recent quarters as it's getting harder for Wal-Mart to lap increases from year-ago gains.
JP Morgan analyst Christopher Horvers estimates that payroll tax increase will equate to $70 per month less in take-home pay, assuming the average annual income for a Wal-Mart customer is $42,500.
Meanwhile, analysts caution not to underestimate the impact from the delay in tax refunds. Citi Investment Research analyst Deborah Weinswig estimated in a report published Sunday that federal tax refunds paid to consumers are down 21.1 percent, or $13.8 billion, through Feb. 13 because the government's didn't start taking returns until Jan.30, with longer delays for certain kinds of returns.
Investors also will want an update on the company's investigation into allegations of bribery in its Mexico operations, which surfaced in late April of 2012. Wal-Mart has launched its own internal investigation and is working with government officials in the U.S. and Mexico.
Last November, the retailer said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it was looking into potential U.S. bribery law violations in Brazil, China and India.
Still, investors, who pushed the stock down to around $57 after the allegations surfaced in April 2012, have sent shares up 22 percent since mid-May. Shares fell 2 percent to close at $69.30 on Friday, the day the news report broke about Wal-Mart's February sales.
WHY IT MATTERS: Wal-Mart's results are considered a bellwether of consumer spending because the company draws nearly 10 percent of all nonautomotive retail spending in the U.S.
WHAT'S EXPECTED: Analysts expect earnings of $1.57 per share on net sales of $127.88 billion, according to FactSet.
LAST YEAR'S QUARTER: Wal-Mart earned $1.45 per share on net sales of $122.47 billion, according to FactSet.


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FLO Launches Personal TV, Audiovox Puts Dealers in Driver Seat
"This provides a good opportunity for 12-volt specialists to add an exciting technology to their existing product lines," said Audivox chairman and founder John Shalam, who attended the event. "It opens up a whole new market for dealers and installers and gives them an edge for gaining new business."
On the handheld front, FLO said the new device and service will be available at Amazon.com and Best Buy. RadioShack will begin selling the device online and in stores this holiday season. As part of the launch and for a limited time, FLO TV said the first six months of subscription service will be bundled into the overall retail price of $249.99, after which it will charge a monthly subscription fee.
The FLO TV Personal Television includes the following features in one package:


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, the world’s largest bicycle maker, named Pankaj Munjal
its chairman, replacing his father and company founder OP Munjal
. Pankaj Munjal has been the company’s co-chairman and managing director since December 2011. He will continue to hold the MD’s post as well. The senior Munjal, who led Ludhiana-based Hero Cycles for more than 60 years, has been made chairman emeritus. Under Pankaj Munjal, the group companies plan to take annual turnover to Rs. 8,000 crore by 2018 from the current Rs. 3,000 crore, Hero Cycles said in press release.
The group comprises cycle major Hero Cycles, auto parts manufacturing companies -- Hero Motors Ltd, ZF Hero Chassis Systems and Munjal Kiriu Industries -- hospitality arm Munjal Hospitality and luxury home decor products company Oma Livings.
Pankaj had joined the group as a trainee in 1988 and was appointed as its co-chairman and managing director in December 2011.
Incorporated in 1956, Hero Cycles is the largest cycle manufacturer in the world. The company has a manufacturing capacity of 7.5 million bicycles per year, with its unit in Ludhiana (Punjab), Bihta (Bihar) and Ghaziabad (UP).


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Nearly one-fifth (18%) of all U.S. subscribers to cable or streaming services report using another household’s password and 18% report sharing a password with another household, according to data from Interpret’s VideoWatch.
Another 9% of consumers indicate that they split the cost of a single subscription service and then share that service’s password with other households.
Password sharing has taken center stage after Netflix in a recent financial report blamed it for poor results. Netflix executives are looking at an ad-based tier to give consumers a lower-priced option. Given that 48% of Netflix subscribers watch ad-supported content from other streaming providers, an ad-based version of Netflix could be a winner, according to Interpret.
Netflix’s foray into ad-supported subscription streaming video could be a reality after October. The streaming behemoth last month announced it was considering the move after it lost 200,000 net subscribers globally and projected another 2 million sub loss in the current quarter, ending June 30.
Now The New York Times, citing sources familiar with the situation, said that senior Netflix management, in a note to staffers, said it wanted the less expensive ad-supported subscription plan up and running in the final three months of the year.
Co-founder and co-CEO Reed Hastings, on the company’s most recent earnings call, said the streamer was looking into an ad-supported option. The news was unexpected, since Hastings and other executives have long stated an aversion to including advertising on the platform and its 221 million global subs.
But that was before Netflix saw more than $50 billion in market valuation wiped out as investors dumped shares following the Q1 financial results, which included a $100 million decline in quarterly profit.
“Yes, it’s fast and ambitious and it will require some trade-offs,” read the Netflix note, per TheTimes. “Every major streaming company excluding Apple has or has announced an ad-supported service,” the note said. “For good reason, people want lower-priced options.”
And Netflix wants incremental ad revenue.
The streamer is also looking for incremental revenue gains by charging subscribers who share their account with third parties. Like advertising, Netflix had long turned a blind eye to password sharing — considering the practice organic marketing. But that mindset, too has changed.
“So, if you’ve got a sister, let’s say, that’s living in a different city; you want to share Netflix with her, that’s great,” Greg Peters, Netflix’s chief operating officer, said on last month’s fiscal call. “We’re not trying to shut down that sharing but we’re going to ask you to pay a bit more to be able to share with her.”
Peters said Netflix plans to launch the password sharing option in about a year after testing the concept.
With Netflix testing charging subscribers in Chile, Costa Rica and Peru a reduced fee if they share passwords with third parties, the streamer is attempting to put a lid on a growing trend: password mooching.
While Netflix initially encouraged password sharing as an organic way to entice subscriber growth, with the SVOD behemoth now realizing lower quarterly net sub adds, new data from Cordcutting.com estimates the service will lose more than $790 million in membership revenue this year due to password sharing — tops among all SVOD services.
Other streaming platforms such as HBO Max, Disney+ and Hulu will lose $477 million, $440 million and $436 million, respectively. That “breakage” revenue collectively tops $2.3 billion in annual membership revenue lost when including Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video and Peacock.
Of the 215 million people in the U.S. using SVOD services, the report contends 25% are using someone else’s paid-for account. Indeed, the average account borrower accesses up to two, third-party accounts, which equates to almost 86 million shared accounts.
The report, citing a survey of 790 U.S. adults early this year, found that the most-shared accounts include HBO Max, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video. Among survey respondents, Netflix remains the overwhelming favorite platform with 92% market share.
As platforms attempt to clamp down on password sharing, the report found that among moochers unable to access third-party SVOD accounts, 45% would pay for Paramount+, followed by 38% paying for Peacock, 31% for Hulu, 30% for Netflix, 26% for HBO Max, 25% for Disney+ and 21% for Prime Video.
“The vast majority of American adults watch streaming platforms, and even though most people are no longer isolating at home [due to the pandemic], it’s reasonable to assume that we will still devote billions of minutes to our favorite streaming shows and movies in 2022,” read the report. “And as long as there is demand for streaming content, mooching (or sharing, if you prefer) will continue.”
With Netflix testing the concept of charging subscribers when they share passwords with up to two-third parties in Chile, Costa Rica and Peru, John Blackledge, analyst with Cowen & Co., believes the move could be a money maker for the SVOD behemoth when rolled out globally.
Blackledge believes Netflix could increase its annual revenue by 4%, or $1.6 billion, when enabling password sharing.
“We think Netflix’s recent efforts reflect a natural progression across more mature markets and could add incremental subs and revenue if the test is rolled out globally,” Blackledge wrote.
The analyst bases his projection in part on half of non-paying Netflix users becoming lower-paying ($2.99 monthly) subscribers. The streamer ended 2021 with 222 million paid subs worldwide, including more than 75 million in North America.
Blackledge also based his reports on an internal survey that found 42% of Netflix subs in the U.S. share a password, and 10% of respondents said they had access to the service without paying. That compares with 7% of survey respondents in a similar survey conducted in early 2017.
In addition to reportedly losing billions annually in lost revenue due to password sharing, new data suggests the black market for third-party login details and passwords is big business.
Credential sharing continues to be a hot topic as more businesses turn to subscription-based revenue models. Netflix’s recent efforts to mitigate exposure is the latest example. Red Points, a brand-protection services company, surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults to better understand if they sell their personal login details and passwords for streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, Twitch, Microsoft Office, Disney+, HBO Max and Peacock, among others.
Notably, 40% of respondents said they have resold their login details and password; out of those that are using someone else’s personal login details, 58% paid for the information online. Last November, data from KillTheCableBill.com found that a majority (54%) of Netflix subscribers share with friends outside the home.
Separate data from Citi Global Markets analyst Jason Bazinet contends the SVOD behemoth is losing about $6.2 billion each year from lost revenue when non-subs stream content using someone else’s password.
Red Points found that 51% of respondents said they are currently using someone else’s personal login details and passwords for streaming services. Another 40% said they have resold login details and passwords for streaming services, with 66% of 18-30-year-olds purchasing access to login details and passwords online.
About 65% respondents resell personal login and passwords information on social media; 64% resell on e-commerce websites; 56% resell on marketplaces; and 56% resell on end-to-end encrypted messaging sites.
Now it’s costing SVOD platforms big money. Around $300 million alone in lost 2020 revenue. New data from Swedish research group Mediavision found that 40% of (largely Netflix) SVOD subscribers in the Nordics (Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Denmark) admit to sharing a password to a standalone SVOD service with someone outside the household. Shared passwords are especially common among the younger users, with sharing up to 60% among subs under the age of 24.
“If all Nordic households sharing a SVOD service instead were to pay, approximately an additional EUR 250 million would have been added to total revenue for the full year 2020,” read the report.
Mediavision contends that password sharing has helped grow the SVOD market since consumer cost of entry remains relatively low.
“It could well be argued that sharing has been one of the reasons for the very quick transformation of the market by (unintentionally) enabling additional potential subscribers ease of access, and thereby increasing awareness,” read the report. “So far this seems to have served [the SVOD services] very well. But the times they are a changing.”
Netflix has quietly begun cracking down on the sharing of subscriber passwords among non-paying users. As the SVOD pioneer surpassed 203 million subscribers through 2020, so too has the market become crowded, adding tens of millions of subs each at industry newcomers Disney+, HBO Max and Peacock, among others.
Subscribers have begun seeing emails from Netflix reminding them about not letting non-subscribers use their password.
“If you don’t live with the owner of this account, you need your own account to keep watching,” read the email.
With a saturated market, Netflix’s ability to grow its subscriber base — key to sustaining content spend and stock valuation among investors — is slowly being undermined by password sharing. More importantly, shared passwords reportedly cost Netflix as much as $135 million in lost revenue. Research firm Magid contends 33% of all Netflix customers share their password with at least one other person.
Currently, multiple users can share one account by setting up different viewing profiles using one login. Users must purchase premium plans to watch Netflix on more than one screen.
Back in 2019, Greg Peters, chief product officer and chief technology officer, said Netflix was looking for ways to limit password sharing. As a result, the service is testing select subscribers nationwide to address password sharing.
“This test is designed to help ensure that people using Netflix accounts are authorized to do so,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
Charter Spectrum joined other pay-TV distributors reporting ongoing subscriber losses of traditional linear video entertainment in the home.
The company Oct. 25 said it lost 77,000 video subs in the third quarter, ended Sept. 30. That compared with a loss of 66,000 subs in the previous-year period.
The service has jettisoned 415,000 video subs in the past fiscal year, ending the period with 15.7 million.
Charter did add 351,000 broadband subscribers, underscoring ongoing consumer migration towards over-the-top video services such as Netflix and online TV. It added 266,000 high-speed Internet subs during the previous-year period.
The service ended the period with 24.5 million broadband subs, up from 23.3 million subs a year ago.
With the onslaught of high-profile SVOD services from Disney and Apple, in addition to WarnerMedia early next year, CEO Tom Rutledge was asked about the growing industry concern regarding the sharing of user passwords among non-subscribers.
Without naming offending OTT services, Rutledge alluded to third-party streaming services affording simultaneous access to five separate users with no location-based security.
“I feel like I’m beating my head against the wall talking about privacy or piracy, password sharing and pricing, but they’re all inter-related issues,” Rutledge said on the fiscal call.
He criticized content creators entering the distribution market seemingly indifferent to where their programming is going.
Indeed, Netflix, which has heretofore turned a blind eye toward password sharing, has begun looking into the practice.
“It has not been part of their DNA [worrying about it],” Rutledge said. “Most households in the United States have two or less people in them. And as a result of that, there are more streams available [for free] than there are households.”
The executive contends that until there is increased scrutiny on video access in and out of the home on a single account, “it’s just too easy to get the product without paying for it.”
“When we look at data consumption, we can see that video consumption isn’t going down even when people disconnect their paid video,” Rutledge said. “And as a result of that, it makes the [subscription] price value relationship really difficult when it’s free.”
Separately, Rutledge said Spectrum was considering partnering with Comcast’s Flex SVOD service for broadband-only subscribers.
Charter several years ago bowed Spectrum TV Plus, a $12.99 monthly online TV service for its broadband-only subs. The service included a free Roku player.
In 2018, the service was changed to $14.99 Spectrum TV Plus. Last year Charter unveiled “TV Essentials,” a $15 monthly “skinny bundle” option for pay-TV subs.
“We have a significant number of app based relationships that we’ve developed on multiple devices, and that strategy is working for us,” Rutledge said. “And putting inexpensive devices out with your service makes some sense to us.”
With Netflix having largest SVOD subscriber base in the United States and globally, conventional wisdom suggests the sharing of passwords among subs would be problematic.
Not so, according to new data from Ampere Analysis, which contends sharing of passwords among Netflix subs is less than 10%. The report found that password sharing among Netflix subs remains low globally — even in regions historically rampant in content piracy.
Ampere found that password sharing among Amazon Prime households (about 22% of U.S. households) greatly exceeds Netflix households (25%) — a factor the research firm attributed to Prime’s overarching ecommerce component.
In addition, the report found that a vast majority of Amazon Prime and Netflix households (97%) are not multi-user streaming video households.
“There is a widely-held belief that password sharing among Netflix homes is rife, but our data is telling a different story,” Guy Bisson, research director at Ampere, said in a statement.
Moving forward, it looks as if password sharing is a fact of life for SVOD players, with Amazon too suffering from account sharing for its Prime Video service.
Bisson said the 9% password sharing among Netflix households represents a revenue opportunity for the SVOD leader.
“Netflix has a potential revenue gain that can be switched on at will by locking down account sharing, but it’s more likely to be seen as an additional — and likely very effective — marketing and subscriber acquisition cost,” he said.


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Competition watchdog investigates Stonegate pub deal
The Competition and Markets Authority has launched a first-stage inquiry into the £1.28 billion deal first agreed in July.
Owners of the Slug & Lettuce pub chain are under investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority over their £1.28 billion takeover of rival Ei Group.
The watchdog launched a “Phase One” inquiry and has invited the industry to submit evidence over whether the deal could lead to a reduction in competition in the pubs sector.
Typically, most major deals are looked at by the CMA but if there is real cause for concern a “Phase Two” in-depth inquiry could be launched.
The CMA said it is considering “whether the creation of that situation (the deal) may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.”
Stonegate’s deal with Ei Group – formerly known as Enterprise Inns – was first announced in July and would make it the biggest pub owner in the UK.
The new owners completed a £1.3 billion debt raising to fund the deal, and it will see them control 4,000 pubs and properties across the country.
The deal is the second for TDR Capital, the private equity firm which owns Stonegate, after it bought We Buy Any Car owner BCA Marketplace for £1.9 billion last month.
The company explained at the time: “With greater scale and diversification, Stonegate believes that the combined group will be better positioned to compete effectively in what is expected to be a challenging operating environment for the foreseeable future, which would be to the benefit of all stakeholders including tenants, employees, customers and local communities.”
Stonegate was first set up by TDR in 2010 as a vehicle to buy 333 pubs from Mitchells and Butlers.
The company has subsequently spent £350 million on expansions and now has more than 765 sites following 11 acquisitions in the last nine years.
The CMA said it will make a decision on what happens next by December 16.
Previous deals to have gone to a Phase Two decision include Sainsbury’s failed takeover of Asda and Tesco’s successful purchase of wholesale business Booker.


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Japan's Oct factory activity growth picks up - PMI
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's factory activity expanded at the fastest pace in six months in October, an encouraging sign for the world's third-largest economy as it navigates the challenges posed by persistent global raw material and chips shortages.
Manufacturers said the material shortages and delivery disruptions continued to affect their operations, resulting in the sharpest jump of input prices in more than 13 years, a private-sector survey showed.
The final au Jibun Bank Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) in October rose to 53.2 on a seasonally adjusted basis from 51.5 in the previous month, expanding for the ninth consecutive month.
The headline figure, which was slightly better than a 53.0 flash reading, was helped by a return to growth in output and overall orders, though their rate of expansion was modest and supply problems remained a drag.
"Manufacturers continued to note concern regarding significant supply chain disruption which dampened output and demand," said Usamah Bhatti, economist at IHS Markit, which compiled the survey.
"Material shortages and delivery delays induced sharp rises in input prices... This contributed to higher charges for clients in attempts to cover margins, with factory gate inflation quickening to a 13-year high."
Data last week Japan's factory output shrank for the third straight month in September as the auto sector was hit by a persistent global supply shortage, raising the risk of an economic contraction in the third quarter and throwing the recovery into doubt showed Japan's factory output shrank for the third straight month in September as the auto sector was hit by the global supply shortage, raising the risk of an economic contraction in the third quarter and throwing the recovery into doubt.
On the brighter side for consumption, the PMI survey's the headline figure for consumer goods rose to its highest since May 2019, HIS Markit said, as firms were helped by the waning impact of the coronavirus pandemic at home.
Manufacturers also remained optimistic regarding the outlook for production for the 12 months ahead, suggesting firms had high hopes of better conditions.
The overall level of positive sentiment came in at its highest since the data was first collected in July 2012.
(Reporting by Daniel Leussink; Editing by Shri Navaratnam)


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Amazon is offering a bundle which includes the Amazon Tap and Fire Tablet for $119.98. This is the first time a bundle like this has ever been available. The included tablet is the 16GB version which costs $69.99, so buying the two items together saves you $80 off of their regular prices. Referring to my Amazon Device Buyer’s Guide, the combined “Great Price” for these two devices comes out to $113.32, so this deal is pretty good if you’re in the market for both of these two items. The bundled sale price ends tonight at midnight.
SiriusXM Radio has just released a brand new app for the Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick. The app gives access to all 155 channels of commercial-free music, sports, news, and comedy from the satellite radio provider. You will need a subscription to the service before listening to any of the programming. Streaming online-only subscriptions start at $15.99 per month, or you can add streaming access to any of SiriusXM’s satellite plans for an extra $4 per month. The app is compatible with all Fire TV and Fire TV Stick models.
MMX Hill Climb, a very popular mobile game, has just been released onto the Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick. This game has a 4.5 out of 5 star rating with over 5 million installs on the Google Play Store. This is a physics based racing game, similar to the immensely popular Hill Climb Racing game. It’s compatible with all Fire TV and Fire TV Stick models, new and old.
My Downloader app has been reinstated back into the Amazon appstore and is once again available on all Fire TVs and Fire TV Sticks. After the app was taken down on Friday by Amazon with no explanation, I used the developer’s contact form to ask why it was removed. On Saturday evening, the app’s review status was updated to state the app was removed because “it can be used to facilitate the piracy or illegal download of content.” This was the same reason given to Kodi’s developers when Kodi was removed from the Amazon appstore. Then, this morning, I received a response to my original inquiry which simply stated my app was once again live in the appstore. Read more ›
A Reddit user by the name of darkcellmp has discovered that if you ask Alexa to order an add-on item from Amazon, an order will be placed for that single item, even though the order total doesn’t meet the $25 minimum that is usually required when purchasing add-on items. If you’re a Prime member, you won’t be charged for shipping either, since all add-on items are technically eligible for free Prime shipping. So the next time you find yourself needing an add-on item, but don’t want to buy anything else, place the order through Alexa.
This week there were 28 new apps and games released for the Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick. It has been a big week for streaming video apps. DirecTV Now arrived with an all new OTT streaming service you can learn more about here. For those of you with cable subscriptions, you’ll be happy to hear that Syfy and Bravo have released their full fledged apps this week. There are also a pair of new streaming video apps from Verizon you might want to take a look at. If you have little kids, they might like the animated videos in the new Om Nom Toons app. As for games, Prison Run and Gun looks like a fun new puzzle platformer worth checking out. If you prefer your puzzle games at a slower pace, then Sudoku Party might be a better choice. Continue on for the full list of new apps and games released in the last 7 days. Read more ›
A joint venture between Verizon and Hearst has spawned a pair of video channels tailored for the millennial generation, and now those channels have made their way onto the Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick by way of a couple new video apps. Seriously.TV is a news and politics comedy channel based in New York for young adults. Rated Red is a channel based in Nashville producing heartland-focused content with coverage of breaking news, live music, military, food, politics, and outdoor life for millennials.
NBCUniversal has released the full versions of their Syfy and Bravo apps for the Amazon Fire TV & Fire TV Stick. A month ago, preview versions of each app were released with access to various clips from each network, but now these complete versions give access to full episodes. Just as with other NBCUniversal apps, like the USA Now app, you need to activate these apps with a cable provider in order to view any of their content.
In addition to the standard Bravo app, a new Bravo Watch & Shop app has also been released. This app lets you watch a limited assortment of Bravo content and it lets you purchase products directly from the app that appear in the Bravo shows.
My Downloader app has been pulled from the Amazon Appstore by Amazon. I have not been told why it was removed. Amazon didn’t even notify me of the app’s removal. I found out when a reader emailed me asking why they couldn’t find the app. The message you see above in my Amazon developer panel says the app is “suppressed” and to check the “review status tab for further details.” The app’s review status tab incorrectly states the app is live, with no information about the suppression, so it seems this isn’t a standard app rejection. I’ve contacted Amazon asking why the app was removed and will update everyone once I receive a response. Read more ›


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Despite the fact that its full-sized truck competitors from Ford, General Motors and Dodge will all offer new small-displacement diesel engines within the next year or so, Toyota has reportedly canceled plans for a similar powertrain for its Tundra. Instead of dumping money into the stalled full-size market, the automaker has reportedly contacted key suppliers for quotes on systems for its radical A-BAT concept truck from the Detroit Auto Show.
Toyota has confirmed that it is looking for potential suppliers for the vehicle but stresses that it has not been given the green light. Suppliers have been asked to bid on making parts for the compact truck, with the list of items including a four-cylinder petrol engine as well as a hybrid module,possibly sourced from the Camry hybrid. If it went into production, the A-BAT would join the lonely Ford Ranger in the small pickup market and would use a uni-body platform in lieu of a full frame, which is standard fare on most other trucks.
According to Toyota, seeking bids on components is a standard practice in evaluating the costs of production, and the A-BAT could still be in competition for a place in the company’s compact car lineup against the Urban Cruiser compact SUV. If the costs end up too high for the A-BAT then Toyota will be forced to abandon the project, a situation which is looking increasingly likely due to the vehicle’s expensive unibody platform.
The Toyota A-BAT hybrid truck, which offers improved fuel economy and lower emissions, comes with a distinctive un-truck-like profile that has already reminded a lot of observers of Chevrolet’s old El Caminos from the 1970s.
The A-BAT isn’t exactly an old-school-style truck. It is built on unibody like a car for improved handling and a smoother ride. It also features wireless Internet, a portable battery pack stowed in the center console and a solar panels on top of instrument panel which captures sunlight and converts it to energy used to charge up the navigation system.
The four-passenger A-BAT also features a relatively short, four-foot bed and a bed extender to handle the ubiquitous six-foot long sheet of plywood beyond the tailgate as well as a translucent roof panel, which slides open to allow for tall cargo inside the cab.
The A-BAT is an example of why other automakers fear Toyota.


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Chinese smartphone vendor, iVoomi, after announcing the iVoomi iV505 smartphone in India has now announced two new smartphones in India under the new ‘Me’ series. The Chinese firm has outed Me 1+ and Me 1 in India with entry-level specifications. These smartphones are priced at Rs. 3,999 and Rs. 4,999 respectively.
The highlight of both the phones is the support for VoLTE. They boast decent specifications for the asking price. Both the iVoomi Me 1 and Me 1+ come with a 5-inch HD display and have a 2.5D curved glass on top.
Under-the-hood, both the phones are powered by a quad-core chipset with a 1.2GHz CPU. While the iVoomi Me 1 has only 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage, the Me 1+ comes with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. Both the phones have support for microSD card for storage expansion up to 128GB.
The iVoomi Me 1 has a 5MP snapper at the rear along with a LED flash. There’s also a 5MP sensor on the front as well for selfies and video calls. The Me 1+ rocks an 8MP rear facing the camera with support for LED flash along with a 5MP front-facing camera.
Another highlight in both the phones is that they run Android Marshmallow. The company is even promising Android Nougat update in coming days. Generally, smartphones in the similar price range come with an outdated version of Android with no scope for software updates, but that doesn't seem to be the case with iVoomi phones, thankfully.
The iVoomi Me 1 and Me 1+ have connectivity options such as 4G LTE, VoLTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and micro USB port. They also pack a 3,000mAh battery with an unspecified fast charging technology on board.
The phones will be sold exclusively via Shopclues from tonight. iVoomi has entered a partnership with Shopclues to sell their phones in India since the previously launched iVoomi iV505 was also sold via Shopclues. The Chinese vendor is expecting a market share of three to four percent by the end of 2018.


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Unilever CEO Says Russia Still Land Of Opportunities
Consumer goods maker Unilever is keeping faith in Russia as an important growth market and is ready to plow money into factories and acquisitions there despite a slowing economy. Unilever Chief Executive Paul Polman said he met Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich last week and they discussed the Anglo-Dutch company’s long-term investments.
“Unilever CEO Says Russia Still Land Of Opportunities” is categorized as “business”. This video was licensed from Grab Networks. For additional video content, click the “video” tab at the top of this page.
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According to national property broker Redfin, demand for second homes in the U.S. was up 70% from pre-pandemic levels in October 2021. This outpaced August's 48% gain but below January's record 91% growth.
The Auto Club Group predicts 53.4 million Americans will travel for the Thanksgiving holiday, up 13% from 2020. This brings travel volumes within 5% of pre-pandemic levels for the 2019 holiday.
According to global property consultant CBRE, Australian hotels sales have surged to almost $2 billion this year - hitting a five-year high and up from just $681 million 2020 - despite a year of lockdowns and ongoing travel restrictions.
On a quarter-over-quarter basis, Q2 2021 saw $2.3 billion in hotel transaction volume across the region, a 5.1% slide from Q1 2021. Japan, Mainland China, Korea and Australia made up the bulk of sales volume during the second quarter, says CBRE.
International property consultant Knight Frank is predicting the end of the stamp duty taper next week will bookend an extraordinary period for the UK property market and usher in a return to normality.
Posted on May 10, 2021


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Go behind the scenes as Liverpool's first-team stars got their first look at the club's new Nike away kit.
Several members of Jürgen Klopp’s squad saw the strip they’ll be wearing on the road in 2021-22 - which is now available to pre-order online here - during a media shoot at Anfield recently.
Watch their reactions in the clip below.
"Retro mate, retro!" The Reds’ first reaction to our new away kit 🤩 🙌 @LFCRetail 🙌 https://t.co/qN7Ai4jHtL— LFC (Liverpool FC) 8th Jul 10:00


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- Ernesto Torres Cantu, currently CEO of Citibanamex, will succeed Jane as CEO of Latin America
- Jane has been at Citi for 15 years
- Ernesto is a 30-year veteran of Citi
Citi CEO Michael Corbat announced that he "asked Jane Fraser to serve as President of Citi, a role that has been open since earlier this year. Stephen Bird has informed me of his decision to leave Citi to pursue an opportunity outside our firm, so Jane will also become CEO of Global Consumer Banking. Stephen will be available over the next few weeks to ensure a smooth transition."
Ernesto Torres Cantu, currently CEO of Citibanamex, will succeed Jane as CEO of Latin America. "Ernesto is well prepared to take on the role of CEO of the region." Corbat added. According to him, an announcement about the leadership in Mexico will be made in the near future.
Jane has been at Citi for 15 years, since she joined from McKinsey to run Client Strategy in the Corporate and Investment Bank. "During the financial crisis, she led our Corporate Strategy and M&A group and, in many ways, Jane helped shape the company we are today. She subsequently ran two of our businesses, the Global Private Bank followed by U.S. Consumer and Commercial Banking & Mortgages".
Most recently, Jane served as CEO of Latin America, where she and Ernesto have been overseeing Citi's substantial investment in Citibanamex, which has strengthened their franchise as well as improved our products and services.
Ernesto is a 30-year veteran of Citi, having joined as a corporate banker in 1989. He was appointed CEO of Citibanamex in 2014. He has an excellent track record of driving business results while also prioritizing our culture and controls.
"Working together, we have made tremendous progress. I remain committed to leading our firm in the coming years and look forward to working even more closely with Jane in her new roles. We will continue to execute our strategy so we can deliver the results our stakeholders expect and deserve." Corbat concluded.


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Syndicates are behind the disastrous slump in prices of rawhide collected after Eid‑ul‑Azha, says Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi.
He made the remark while talking to the media at his house in Shalbon area of Rangpur town on Wednesday (Aug 14) morning.
The prices for rawhide had been fixed after holding discussions with leather business owners and traders before Eid, he said.
The unreasonably low prices offered for the hides on Eid day had forced the government to decide to export the hides, he added.
The leather business owners and traders, who say that the government move to export the hides would harm their business, are going to sit in a meeting on the issue on Wednesday.
Vowing to protect the leather industry at any cost, the minister said that the government would take further decisions on the matter after the leather businesses reach a decision of their won at today's meeting.


text: If agency's proposal to ban proxy services goes through, anyone who operates a "commercial'' website would have their phone number and physical address available publicly online. ICANN, the agency that looks after global internet domain names, is considering a plan that would make it difficult for website owners to prevent their personal details from becoming publicly accessible online. People or companies registering a domain are required to publicly list their details – including phone number and physical address – although many make use of "proxy" services that mask that information from regular web users. It's these services ICANN proposes to ban. While the agency's proposal would apply only to "commercial" websites, many fear that could be interpreted to include any site that profits from content or advertisements. The Electronic Frontier Federation claims the proposal is being pushed by US entertainment companies, frustrated at the anonymity many site owners enjoy. Advertisement "These and other companies want new tools to discover the identities of website owners whom they want to accuse of copyright and trademark infringement, preferably without a court order", the EFF wrote in a blog post. Anybody can perform a search to find the individual or company behind a website by entering its domain at the Whois lookup site. Proxy services are required to hand over their clients' actual details if asked but ICANN's proposal, if approved later this year, would mean the contact details of anybody running a "commercial" site would be accessible directly to anybody on the web. As the EFF points out, the change could be particularly worrying for owners of sites that regularly attract online hate, such as those tackling gender and sexuality issues. Under the proposed changes these site-owners – assuming they make money from ads on their sites – could find their personal addresses and details published on the web for anyone to see. "I run a number of sites that allow me to earn a full-time living online ... I have been stalked, harassed, and have had the content of my sites stolen," reads one of the thousands of letters of protest sent to ICANN. "I have turned to using private WHOIS data to prevent unscrupulous internet users from finding my sites, home address, and phone number. Removing this privacy will only serve to put my home, life, and loved ones' lives and safety in danger. "I'm a single female and live alone. I don't want my personal address available to every pervert/troll/angered citizen that wants it after visiting my small website," reads another letter. "Seemingly innocent topics, like vegan cooking, can spark outrage in certain individuals".


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Cumbrian council scraps taxi rank idea after shops protest
Last updated at 12:40, Wednesday, 14 November 2012
A taxi rank will not run through the middle of Workington’s shopping centre.
When consultation started earlier this year into finding a new location for the night-time rank, shoppers and business owners were outraged that it could be placed in the middle of the £35 million pedestrianised shopping centre.
But Allerdale Council’s licensing panel has now crossed off that option from its list of locations.
Following the results of the three-month consultation, the panel will now choose a site out of a list of three possibilities when it meets next week.
The remaining locations are Jane Street, Murray Road and Udale Street.
The news will be welcomed by many who feared that if the rank moved to the Washington Square Shopping Centre, it would lead to traffic problems and the possibility of drunken anti-social behaviour at the flagship development.
The consultation was launched earlier this year after taxi drivers approached Allerdale Council and Cumbria Police with alternative sites because of reports of problems with the existing Washington Street rank.
These included drivers doing U-turns and parking at the traffic lights and up Ramsay Brow.
At a meeting of last month’s licensing panel, members agreed to defer their decision until they held a site visit.
Inspector Craig Lory said that the rank needed to be moved from Washington Street, where it is currently located, as it was “an accident waiting to happen”.
He added: “Our preferred option would be Murray Road.
“It disperses people out of the town centre and only people who want a taxi will go there – and I can dedicate a patrol to it.”
The county council’s highways department stated their preferred option as Udale Street and Murray Road as their second option. Allerdale’s town centre manager Toni Meagan agreed with these preferences.
Dave Fletcher, Washington Square development manager, said that if people were walking through the shopping centre to get to a new rank and damage was caused to shops, he would apply to have shutters put on the shop windows, which would turn the town centre into “Beirut”.
A site visit on the three proposed locations will take place next Tuesday, ahead of the official meeting.
First published at 12:34, Wednesday, 14 November 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk