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Updated Aug 21, 2018 - Technology
Uber (finally) hires a CFO to take it public
Uber on Tuesday announced that it has hired veteran Wall Street executive Nelson Chai as chief financial officer, a position that has been empty since 2015.
Why it matters: Companies need CFOs to go public, which is what Uber wants to do next year.
- Chai most recently was CEO of Warranty Group, a Chicago-based provider of protection plans that private equity firm TPG recently sold to Assurant for $2.5 billion. TPG is an early Uber investor, and has a seat on its board.
- Before that he was CFO at CIT Group and Merrill Lynch. Both companies were led at the time by John Thain, who was added as an Uber director late last year by fired CEO Travis Kalanick during a legal battle.
- Chai also was CFO of the New York Stock Exchange.
The 53 year-old Chai tells Axios that he is he is looking forward to "the challenge" of leading finance for what he calls an "iconic and generational" company. As for his role in an IPO, he says:
"The company has made comments about it, but I can't say I'm on board yet with going public next year. I’ve been impressed with the information I’ve seen, but I don’t have enough insight until I really get in there to make sure we have the right processes and controls to be a public company.”
Chai will begin his role next month.


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Uber, Lyft add fuel surcharge as gas prices soar
LOS ANGELES - Rideshare companies Uber and Lyft are rolling out fuel surcharges to help offset the rising cost of gas.
Uber’s new fee goes into effect on March 16, which adds about 45 to 50 cents for each trip depending on distance and 35 to 45 cents for each UberEats delivery.
- Uber adds fuel surcharge for drivers struggling with recent gas price hikes
- Lyft follows Uber in adding fuel surcharge to rides amid high gas prices
Due to Prop 22, rideshare drivers in California classify as independent contractors, which means they aren’t eligible for legal protection under federal labor laws like the right to minimum wage, overtime, or to unionize.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Prop 22 passes: California Uber, Lyft workers once again independent contractors
Some drivers say the surcharge is simply not enough to help with the pain at the pump and protested Wednesday for higher pay.
"Gas prices as you all know, are almost hitting $7 and because [rideshare drivers are] misclassified as independent contractors…they’re losing money, they cannot continue to provide the services. That 55 cents per ride is a joke when you have to drive from 30, 20, 10 miles…it doesn’t cover anything," said Martin Manteca with Mobile Workers Alliance.
Uber’s fuel surcharge will be in effect for 60 days before the company says it’ll reassess and Lyft said it plans to implement similar measures.
Tune in to FOX 11 Los Angeles for the latest Southern California news.

domain: news


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Sustainble Freight in 2023
Read our blog on Sustainable Freight in the UK in 2023, as the UK looks to take a step towards a greener future.
In recent years, there has been a growing concern about the impact of freight transport on the environment. As the global demand for goods continues to rise, it is crucial to find sustainable solutions that minimize the carbon footprint of freight transportation. The United Kingdom has been a frontrunner in adopting eco-friendly practices, and in 2023, it is set to introduce significant changes in the freight industry. This blog post will explore the sustainable freight initiatives taking place in the UK in 2023 and their potential for a greener future.
The Shift towards Electric Vehicles
One of the most significant changes we can expect in the UK's freight industry in 2023 is the transition towards electric vehicles (EVs). The government has introduced several incentives to encourage companies to switch to electric or hybrid vehicles for their transportation needs. By 2023, it is estimated that a significant portion of the freight fleet will consist of EVs, reducing carbon emissions significantly.
Expansion of Rail Freight
Another promising development in the UK's freight sector is the expansion of rail freight services. Rail transportation is renowned for its low carbon emissions compared to road transport. In 2023, the UK government plans to invest in infrastructure upgrades, creating efficient rail networks that can accommodate the increasing freight demands. This shift towards rail freight will not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also reduce road congestion, leading to improved overall transportation efficiency.
Implementing Sustainable Packaging
Freight transport is not just about the vehicles; it also involves the packaging used to transport goods. In 2023, the UK aims to tackle this issue by promoting the use of sustainable packaging materials. Many businesses have already started adopting biodegradable, recyclable, and reusable packaging solutions. By encouraging sustainable packaging practices, the UK will contribute to reducing waste and the reliance on single-use plastics in the freight industry.
Green Logistics Hubs
To optimize the freight supply chain in a sustainable manner, the UK plans to establish green logistics hubs across the country. These hubs will act as centralized locations where goods can be efficiently stored, sorted, and distributed using environmentally friendly practices. The implementation of green logistics hubs will not only reduce transportation distances but also enable the consolidation of loads, resulting in reduced fuel consumption and emissions.
The year 2023 holds much promise for the sustainable freight industry in the UK. With the adoption of electric vehicles, expansion of rail freight, promotion of sustainable packaging, and the establishment of green logistics hubs, the country is taking significant steps towards a greener future. By embracing these initiatives, the UK aims to not only minimize the carbon footprint of freight transportation but also lead by example in sustainable practices. As we look ahead, it is encouraging to see the efforts being made to ensure a more sustainable and eco-friendly freight industry.


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|The highest percentage of drivers who would definitely buy their car again own the all-electric Tesla Model S, according to Consumer Reports annual Owner Satisfaction Survey.|
By VICTOR E. SASSON
Consumer Reports lists 22 hybrid or electric cars in its annual Owner Satisfaction Survey.
When asked, "Would you buy your car again," 98 percent of Tesla Model S owners delivered an emphatic "yes."
The next highest percentage are owners of the Chevrolet Volt, a plug-in hybrid, and Honda Accord Hybrid, both at 85 percent.
They are followed by the Ford Fusion Energi, 84 percent; Toyota Prius, 82 percent; Lexus ES 300h Hybrid, 81 percent; and Toyota Avalon Hybrid, 80 percent.
Only 77 percent of Nissan Leaf owners would buy the all-electric car again, according to the Consumer Reports survey, published in the January 2015 issue.
The lowest percentage of drivers who would be repeat buyers own the Kia Optima Hybrid, at 56 percent.
The best three sedans are listed as the Tesla Model S (98), Mercedes-Benz E250 BlueTec (88) and a second diesel, the BMW 328d (86).
"Tesla Motors has built a rabid following since the car's 2012 launch, reflected in 98 percent of owners saying they would definitely purchase it again," the magazine reports.
"Not only is the Tesla roomy, comfortable and a lot of fun to drive, but it also has low operating costs -- returning the equivalent of 84 mpg."


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On the heels of all 50 states in the USA officially legalizing public breastfeeding we are thrilled to kick off this year's World Breastfeeding Week! Designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a week we celebrate awareness, diversity and the importance of breast milk World Breastfeeding Week has become an opportunity to spotlight moms, babies and the important work of organizations and companies around the world.
Moms Pump Here is kicking off the week with lots planned for our moms around the globe. From great breastfeeding information and blogs to giveaways and events! Here is how we are kicking it off:
4th Annual Virtual Latch On
There are so many Latch On events happening around the globe to bring awareness to the importance of breastfeeding. But many moms cannot participate. Moms Pump Here created the Virtual Latch On in 2015 to encourage moms everywhere to get latched. With the initial launch of our #breastfeedingselfie Sundays we encouraged moms to share breastfeeding selfies all year around. It was such a success and quickly became normalized as moms actively share their breastfeeding photos we decided to create an official celebration for the LATCH! Join us for the month of August as we kick off our tradition with the 4th Annual Virtual Latch On starting with World Breastfedding Week and continuing with National Breastfeeding Month.
The Mama Ladder Mama Spring Break
We are excited to share and be part of the 2019 Mama Spring Break hosted by The Mama Ladder!! On August 1st this amazing mompreneur company is kicking off its promotion for 2 Mama Spring Break Business and Adventure Retreats in Utah, March 14-16 and April 25-27, 2019. AND our Founder, Priya Nembhard, is part of the March faculty!! Tickets go on sale August 1st, don't miss out!!
2018 EPIC World Breastfeeding Week Giveaway
We are SO EXCITED to be part of the 2018 EPIC WBW Giveaway! Hosted by Sara Wells Bags, Moms Pump Here is giving away a #LoveYourself package in addition to products for amazing mom companies. You have one week to enter! Stay tuned for the social media promos to enter for your chance to win!


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The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s June “World Agricultural Supply & Demand Estimates” (WASDE) report revealed a reduction in the forecast for 2019 red meat and poultry production versus the May report. USDA said the decrease to 104.2 billion lb. was due to lower projected beef, pork and turkey production, which more than offset higher broiler production.
According to the WASDE report, the lower beef production forecast of 27.2 billion lb. largely reflects reduced steer and heifer slaughter in the second half of the year. The pork production forecast, at 27.3 billion lb., was lowered from last month primarily because the pace of slaughter to date has been slower than expected. USDA raised the broiler production forecast to 43.1 billion lb. based on recent hatchery data and expectations for heavier bird weights. Turkey production, on the other hand, was lowered slightly to 5.9 billion lb.
USDA also lowered the 2020 red meat and poultry production forecast to 105.7 billion lb. from the previous month.
“Production growth for livestock and poultry is expected to be slower as producers respond to higher feed costs,” USDA noted, adding that the beef production forecast was reduced due to lower expected steer and heifer slaughter as incentives to add weight on pasture will slow the pace of feedlot placements.
For 2019, the cattle, hog and broiler price forecasts were reduced from last month, reflecting current price weakness. However, the 2019 turkey price forecast was raised slightly based on higher second-quarter prices. For 2020, USDA reduced cattle, broiler and egg price forecasts on continued demand weakness. The 2020 hog price forecast remained unchanged as slower production growth and stronger exports should support prices. The 2020 turkey price forecast was also left unchanged.
USDA raised the beef import forecast for 2019 based on recent trade data, but the export forecast was reduced from the previous month on the current pace of beef exports to a number of trading partners. No change was made to the 2020 beef trade forecasts.
The removal of Mexico’s tariffs on U.S. pork products in late May led USDA to raise both the 2019 and 2020 export forecasts.
On the poultry side, USDA slightly reduced the 2019 broiler export forecast but left the 2020 forecast unchanged. The turkey export forecasts remained unchanged for 2019 and 2020.


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Amazon will host a launch event for new devices, features, and services on September 28th. In all likelihood, Amazon will unveil several new Alexa-powered devices, including updates for some of its most popular product lines. The company has not offered any specific details ahead of the event, but secrets never stay hidden long in the world of technology. On Friday, Bloomberg revealed a bunch of unannounced devices that Amazon is currently working on behind closed doors.
Amazon’s upcoming devices leaked by new report
The first device that Bloomberg leaked goes by the codename Hoya. The site describes the device as a massive Echo with a 15-inch display. Users can either mount Hoya on a wall or place it on a table with a stand. The primary use case is apparently for controlling smart home products, such as appliances, lights, and locks. Sources say that users will be able to check the status of Amazon deliveries on the screen as well. Hoya will also have widgets on its UI for weather, timers, calendars, and photos.
Hoya also has helpful features for people who want to use it in the kitchen. Its massive display should make it even easier to read recipes or watch cooking videos. Third-party video apps like Netflix will be available on the device as well. Amazon could launch Hoya as soon as this fall.
Other products in the works at Amazon
Amazon is also said to be working on a sound bar for TVs. As Bloomberg notes, there are a number of sound bars on the market with support for Alexa. Unsurprisingly, Amazon thinks it can compete with those third-party devices. Amazon is already doing the same thing with TVs.
Additionally, Amazon wants to integrate even further with our cars. The company is currently working on a second-generation Echo Auto codenamed Marion. The second version of the device will have an updated design and might be able to charge your phone with inductive technology.
Finally, the future of the home robot codenamed Vesta is apparently in jeopardy. Initially, Amazon planned to market Vesta as a security tool for your home. Amazon has since shifted the focus of its Ring line to cover security as well. The need for a security bot has diminished over time, and Bloomberg says that even Amazon employees are doubtful that anyone needs a moving Echo Show.
As for the classic lineup of Echo devices, Amazon already refreshed the Echo, Echo Show, and Echo Dot in 2020. Therefore, we shouldn’t expect any major updates at the September event.


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Hong Kong-listed Summit Ascent Holdings Ltd said on Tuesday that its main shareholder, First Steamship Co Ltd, and Summit Ascent’s chairman, Kuo Jen Hao, are considering selling their stakes in the company.
Summit Ascent is the lead developer of the Tigre de Cristal casino resort (pictured) in the Russian Far East.
The company said in a filing to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange that the potential sellers “have been approached by a third party to acquire their entire shareholdings” in Summit Ascent.
“The potential sellers are considering the proposed offer to acquire their shares but have not come to a decision,” said Summit Ascent. “They will inform the board once they come to a definitive decision in this respect,” it added.
Mr Kuo has been chairman and a non-executive director of Summit Ascent since December 2017, when Taiwan-listed shipping operator First Steamship acquired a 12.67 percent shareholding in the casino firm. The acquisition was conducted via First Steamship’s subsidiary Heritage Riches Ltd.
First Steamship also controls a 19.21-percent stake of Summit Ascent, following the acquisition of about 286 million shares in the latter company in October 2018.
Mr Kuo is also chairman and general manager of First Steamship. The businessman has a personal 6.44-percent stake in Summit Ascent, acquired in January this year.
First Steamship became a shareholder in Summit Ascent on the same day that the Hong Kong-listed company announced that Asian casino investor Lawrence Ho Yau Lung planned to sell 20 million shares in Summit Ascent, thereby ending his role as a direct shareholder in the firm.
Summit Ascent reported last month a profit of HKD7.6 million (US$968,191) for full calendar year 2018, compared to a profit of approximately HKD13.8 million a year earlier.
Jul 07, 2022Starting from Friday (July 8), two more hotels at major Macau casino resorts will be used for Covid-19 quarantine purposes. It will double the number of large gaming-resort hotels on Cotai that are...
”Linda’s leadership throughout the many phases of our development in Macau has been important to our success. She will work with Ian to ensure a smooth transition”
Chief executive of Wynn Macau Ltd


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Cannes Lions has changed its 2019 jury guidelines, urging judges to check ads for damaging stereotypes and inequalities.
The new guidelines ask jury members to consider whether the work represents deep-rooted stereotypical portrayals of gender, age, race, ethnicity, disability or other biases.
The update was introduced following Cannes Lions partnership with the Unstereotype Alliance – an initiative chaired by UN Women in tandem with Unilever, P&G and other global brands that are working to eliminate damaging stereotypes from creative works.
Cannes Lions chairman Philip Thomas said: “The Lions our Juries award each year act as a benchmark for the global creative community, and it is more important than ever for our industry to showcase and champion inclusive, empowering, forward-thinking ideas.”
Thomas added that consumers are demanding more from brands and businesses in terms of diversity and equality, and said the guidelines rethink will help make sure Cannes Lions work is “admired not only for its creative brilliance but for its reflection of the world as a place of equality and tolerance.”
The refreshed criteria forms part of Cannes Lions’ ongoing efforts to support a more diverse and inclusive industry.
At B&T, we believe initiatives like this can shape and influence culture. That’s one of the reasons we created Changing the Ratio, Australia’s diversity and inclusion conference for the advertising industry. Check out the 2019 schedule today.
Full-service agency Mediahub has appointed renowned strategist Linda Fagerlund to the newly created role of chief strategy officer in Australia and New Zealand. She will be responsible for delivering Mediahub’s trans-Tasman strategic support for key clients and will also join Mediahub’s senior leadership team. Fagerlund brings 15+ years of diverse strategy experience to the new […]
BMF has made a series of promotions, including Dave Roberts and Tom Hoskins, to the role of group creative directors. Lead image: BMF Team Hoskins joined BMF as an award-winning creative director in 2021 with a wealth of industry experience, having worked in the UK, US, Asia, and Australia. During his time at BMF, Hoskins […]
The digital outdoor media company, which launches it Paris 2024 network today, says it will bring Olympic and Paralympic content to 80 per cent of Australian adults. Lead image: A QMS City of Sydney digital billboard on Pitt Street, Sydney. QMS secured the rights as the official outdoor partner of the Australian Olympic and Paralympic […]
Publicis Groupe Asia Pacific has announced four key appointments as part of its efforts to strengthen its senior leadership team to power growth in the region. Lead Image: L-R – Jessica Farrell; Pauly Grant; Anushka Methananda These appointments are promotions from within the group, reflecting the organisation’s stance on talent recognition and its success in […]
Award-winning creative communications agency History Will Be Kind (HWBK) has built a successful first quarter with two senior promotions and a new hire. Lead image: L-R – Lizzy Chadwick, Group Account Director; Rachael Gadgil, Group Account Director, Brooke Gascoigne, Senior Account Executive Talented senior leads Lizzy Chadwick and Rachael Gadgil kick off the year strong […]
Australian-born on-demand delivery platform Menulog has today launched a brand new social series with US rapper Latto titled ‘Talking Snack with Latto’. Created via Thinkerbell, the social series was shot when Latto was in Australia for the first time ever, shortly after Menulog introduced the next chapter of the ‘Did Somebody Say’ Brand platform starring […]
ING has launched a finance partnership with the Seven Network. ING’s head of consumer and market insights, Matt Bowen, will feature on daily and monthly Sunrise segments and, in weeks to come, join 7NEWS. Matt will provide viewers with expert insights into the day’s top money stories and deep dives into key finance topics to […]
Jewellery brand Gregory Jewellers has launched a comprehensive digital platform with integrated eCommerce and enhanced search and discovery capabilities to deliver a more seamless experience for customers. Developed by independent digital agency Wonderful, the new platform has been optimised for mobile-first and features simplified navigation across Gregory Jewellers’ extensive product catalogue. This enables customers to […]
With around 12 million addressable, opted-in, privacy-compliant emails of Australians, carsales doesn’t see itself as competing with other online auto classifieds businesses, instead it sees itself as in the fight with Meta, TikTok and the other global tech giants. Davor Vilusic, executive general manager – media carsales, and Stephen Kyefulumya, general manager – media product […]


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While rivals such as Sainsbury were congratulating themselves on keeping the decline in Christmas sales to 'just' 1.3 per cent, Tesco was basking in the glory of a performance which saw it outperform not only the rest of the food retail sector but pretty much all the other British retailers to boot.
Total growth for the seven weeks to 8 January was 13 per cent, with like-for-like sales up 9.3 per cent or 7.6 per cent excluding the impact of strong petrol volumes.
Tesco gave no more details in its brief trading statement except to add that its international sales had grown by 16.1 per cent over the Christmas and New Year period, despite tough trading conditions in some markets in central Europe.
"The group's strong sales performance means that, despite higher energy and fuel costs and adverse movements in exchange rates, we remain confident that our out-turn for the year will be in line with current market consensus," the company said.
The rise in sales came despite a 1.6 per cent drop in average selling prices at the chain as it continued to its aggressive move towards ever lower prices. Tesco's decision to cut prices once again across a wide range of products in December helped it narrow the gap with the cheapest UK grocer Asda in some product categories, such as vegetables and pet food, although in some key areas such as dairy Asda remains significantly cheaper, according to the latest retail pricing survey from analysts Goldman Sachs.
This deflationary atmosphere is likely to continue well into 2005, especially as prices at the Safeway chain are brought into line with those of its new owner, Morrisons. Indeed, Safeway was the most aggressive price cutter in January, and has narrowed the gap with Asda from 25.6 per cent in February 2004 to just 6.2 per cent. Further price cuts by Morrisons are expected to narrow the gap further this year.
Perhaps more importantly, Safeway is now cheaper on average than Sainsbury, whose own price cutting measures have nonetheless left it some 7.4 per cent more expensive than Asda, the cheapest operator.
Price cuts will not be the only weapon used by Tesco in the coming year, however. The comapny has said it will follow the route already taken by rival Asda and launch a stand-alone non-food store this year.
The group is yet to decide where the store will be located, but it has already hinted that it will be the first of several stores should the concept prove a hit.
With non-food sales accounting for around 20 per cent of Tesco's UK grocery revenues, the company is keen to increase its share of the market for clothing, white goods, electronics and homeware. At present, it has around 6.5 per cent of the non-food retail market compared to a whopping 29 per cent in the food sector.
The move will also encroach on a territory previously held exclusively by Asda. Owned by US giant Wal-Mart, the pioneer of the hypermarket format in the US, Asda has become the leading non-food grocery chain in the UK, selling its own range of clothing under the George brand for years. Asda recently opened a stand-alone clothing store and a new lifestyle outlet.


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The Meegahakiula Pradeshiya Sabha imposed a temporary ban on tourists spending the night in tents at Mini World's End in Madulsima.
Meegahakiula Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Lalith Jayawardena said the decision was taken after a 34-year-old man reported missing during an excursion to the Mini World's End in Madulsima, due to the insecure nature of the area.
He said local and foreign tourists often come to the Mini World's End to spend the night in tents and there were several accidents have been reported in the past and also the temporary camping causes environmental damage.
The Pradeshiya Sabha has imposed a temporary ban on tourists spending nights in tents until appropriate facilities are made for tourists. It was decided to install booths made of glass panels to view the nature's beauty and erect a safety fence at the location. (Lunugala Prasanna Pathmasiri)


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Mercedes-Benz records sales of 10,201 units in India in 2014
Not so long back we got news that Audi India had recorded sales of more than 10,000 units in 2014 and now Mercedes has issued a press release stating that it too has sold more than 10k cars. While Audi registered the number in November, Mercedes used the entire 12 months to cover 10,000 plus units. Mercedes says that it has achieved a 13 per cent growth compared to last year and that 2014 was its best year as far as launches and sales numbers were concerned. The company launched 10 new cars in India in 2014 and inaugurated around 12 sales outlets. Mercedes also opened a pre-owned luxury car sales outlet called Mercedes-Benz Certified in India in December 2014.
Eberhard Kern, MD and CEO of MBIL said, "In 2014 we witnessed a strong demand growth for our products, leading to long waitlist on some of the key products, which eventually limited our total sales numbers. Our aggressive product strategy saw 10 new launches, coupled with our strategic network expansion strategy which witnessed a record 14 new outlets inaugurated. Also, the fastest expansion of the AMG Performance Centre in three cities in three days ensured we kept our patrons excited and fascinated with the brand through the year. Our industry best service packages combined with value added finance programmes from Mercedes-Benz Financial enabled us to create high satisfaction in the vehicle ownership and purchase experience."
In 2015, Mercedes-Benz will launch the CLA sedan, E400 Cabriolet and many other models. 2015 promises to be an equally exciting year for the company and us petrolheads too.
Starts Rs 31.72 Lakhs
- Electric vehicles - Why they don't have a gearbox and how it's possible to go as fast backwards, as forward
- Honda Drive to Discover 10: A new discovery with the City, WR-V, Amaze and Jazz
- Maharashtra lockdown: How to maintain your vehicle while you stay at home
- 2021 Skoda Kodiaq facelift unveiled, India launch by July
- 2021 Audi Q4 e-tron electric SUVs debut with up to 520 km range


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Collection bins will be placed in nearly 1,000 locations in the U.S. and Puerto Rico
Customers who donate can receive a discount on parts, accessories or service
PHILADELPHIA & KENNESAW, Ga.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Pep Boys has announced it is now a national sponsor of Toys for Tots, the program run by U.S. Marines which brings the joy of the holiday season to less fortunate children. Starting Nov. 4, the well-recognized Toys for Tots donation bins will be in service waiting areas of Pep Boys locations throughout the country where customers can donate new, unwrapped toys. Pep Boys corporate offices and distribution centers will also have bins so the Company’s 22,000 employees can also participate. Customers who bring a Toys for Tots donation to Pep Boys this holiday season will receive 25%1 off their purchase of parts, accessories, or service as a thank you for their generosity.
“Pep Boys has long been a part of our local communities and a supporter of our nation’s military. As a national service network, a partnership with the Marine Toys for Tots Program was a perfect fit to contribute to the community and bring joy to children during the holiday season,” said Brian Kaner, CEO-Service. “We know our employees, customers, and neighbors will give generously to this much-loved tradition, and we’re looking forward to helping to make the holidays happy for children in need.”
“We’re pleased to welcome Pep Boys as a National Corporate Sponsor of the 2019 Marine Toys for Tots Program. Having toy collection bins in their nearly 1,000 locations across the country will provide an opportunity for even more donors to find a location in their neighborhood to assist children-in-need,” said Ted Silvester, Vice President-Marketing and Development, Toys for Tots and Colonel, USMC (Ret). “Pep Boys community service efforts certainly align with those the Marine Corps has promoted for over 72 years through our Toys for Tots Program and their support will enable us to fulfill the Christmas holiday dreams of less fortunate children.”
As a corporate sponsor, Pep Boys has committed a $25,000 donation and, over the next two months, employees will work with dedicated U.S. Marines and Toys for Tots volunteers in their areas to collect and distribute toys. Pep Boys teams will be holding local donation drives and events, including car shows and cruise-ins where admission will include a Toys for Tots donation.
Pep Boys is part of Icahn Automotive, which, together with national and regional service providers such as AAMCO, Precision Tune, and RPM Automotive, comprises one of the nation’s largest service networks. Icahn Automotive has invested in growing its service model through acquisition and the improvement of existing locations and a focus on people, programs, training and technology.
About Pep Boys
Since 1921, Pep Boys has been one of the nation’s leading automotive aftermarket chains, providing premium tires; automotive maintenance and repair; premium-brand parts and expert advice for the do-it-yourselfer; commercial auto parts delivery; and fleet maintenance and repair to customers across the U.S. Pep Boys operates more than 9,000 service bays in approximately 1,000 locations in 35 states and Puerto Rico, and the Pep Boy Mobile Crew service trailer, which offers automotive maintenance on location. Customers can find the nearest location by calling 1-800-PEP BOYS (1-800-737-2697), by visiting www.pepboys.com, or following Pep Boys on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
About Icahn Automotive
Icahn Automotive Group LLC (Icahn Automotive) was formed by its parent, Icahn Enterprises L.P. (NASDAQ: IEP), to invest in and operate businesses involved in aftermarket parts distribution and service. Our businesses have a singular focus: provide premium automotive parts and services at a great value. Icahn Automotive today consists of Pep Boys® automotive aftermarket retail and service chain, Auto Plus® automotive aftermarket parts distributor, Precision Tune Auto Care® owned and franchised automotive service centers, and AAMCO Total Auto Care franchised service centers. The Company also is the licensor of Cottman Transmission and operates under several local brands. The businesses of Icahn Automotive total over 22,000 employees, over 2,000 company-owned and franchise locations, and 25 distribution centers throughout the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit IcahnAutomotive.com.
1 Limit one coupon per customer. Must surrender coupon. Not valid on tires, wheels, alignments, oil, antifreeze, refrigerant, electronics, gift cards, special orders, commercial or fleet purchases. Not valid in combination with any other discounts or promotions. Service maintains a maximum savings limit of $25.
Arianna Stefanoni Sherlock


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Following last December's reveal of a DNF Duel Nintendo Switch port, Nexon and Arc System Works have now announced a Season Pass roadmap.
Part one will launch in Summer 2023 with Spectre (the new playable fighter) and will also include a "new awakening system" and "new system". Additional details haven't been revealed just yet. This will be followed with Fall and Winter updaters - adding new characters.
There's also content planned all the way through to 2024 including even more new fighters.
DNF Duel will launch on 20th April 2023 on the Nintendo Switch and is available now on other platforms. Here's a look at the upcoming character Spectre:


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A court of Germany has been the protagonist of a new sentence in favor of Qualcomm in the legal disputes that they currently have with Apple. In China the sale of iPhone for patent infringement and in Germany the case will also occur, since Apple would be banned when selling iPhone other than this year's models.
As reported by Reuters, Apple would have been convicted of patent infringement in the same way as in China and would be in big trouble to be able to sell their iPhone that have technology Qualcomm. This will have no immediate effect if Apple he appeals the sentence, which they will do, but it is still a blow to the company of Tim cook, which says goodbye to the year.
Apple has issued a statement to the CNBC stating that while they appeal, the iPhone 7 and 8 will no longer be for sale in Germany Stop avoiding major problems with Qualcomm. “The campaign they are conducting (Qualcomm) is a desperate attempt to distract us from the real problems between our companies & rdquor ;, has declared Apple, which still hopes to hear more judgments from different countries.


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Kaleido is a blockchain business cloud, and enterprise is in its DNA.
The aim of Kaleido is to make it easier for enterprises to implement the blockchain technology by conquering the complexities of blockchain.
Following a week filled with bullish news, we have one more you shouldn't miss: tech giant Amazon has made a decision to partner up with a start-up named Kaleido, with the goal of making it easier for customers to transfer their services on the blockchain. By offering a full solution way beyond do-it-yourself scripts or templates, Kaleido significantly speeds up development and deployment cycles and dramatically lowers operating costs. "We believe Kaleido will become a de-facto standard and a global blockchain platform for business, providing an underlying foundation that until today was missing from the enterprise toolkit". "Additional first-of-a-kind capabilities include linking between private networks and the public Ethereum main net, integrated analytics, and support for multiple protocol options and consensus mechanisms", blockchain incubator ConsenSys said.
Kaleido operates by integrating the greater security and diversification of the public blockchain, or Ethereum main net, with private chains.
Kaleido streamlines the process of standing up secure, permissioned blockchain networks without sacrificing the ability to customize the environment.
Enterprises can anchor their chain to mainnet and store the state on public blockchain.
The move will let companies uninitiated in the cryptoverse quickly embrace the space's keystone tech, blockchain, with as little friction as possible. The anchoring will happen automatically at regular checkpoints, so that enterprises get better proof of confirmation over all the transactions.
"Public and private blockchains have been evolving largely independently for the last couple years".
The AWS Partner Network (APN) is a global partner programme, focused on helping thousands of partners build successful businesses or solutions on AWS Cloud. "In partnership with ConsenSys and running on the Kaleido platform, we successfully accelerated Project i2i into active pilot without the complexity and cost of starting from scratch". "Kaleido is the first software-as-a-service firm to feature popular Ethereum packages Geth and Quorum".
"Since the inception of ConsenSys in 2014, we have been on a mission to accelerate the adoption of Ethereum and all the benefits that decentralization can bring to business and societies around the world", says Joseph Lubin, co-founder of Ethereum and founder of ConsenSys.


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As of Jan 1, 2021, Alliance Tire Group and Alliance Tire Americas, Inc. changed their names to Yokohama Off-Highway Tires and Yokohama Off-Highway Tires America, Inc respectively. The Alliance, Galaxy and Primex brands and product names remain unchanged. Product information is available at www.yokohama-oht.com.
Launching a new brand of truck tires is a huge task, even for a company with a global reputation for the quality of its Galaxy, Alliance, and Primex off-highway tire (OHT) brands. Truckers want to know that the new line of Galaxy truck tires have proven themselves on the road.


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Sony has revealed that Gearbox’s chaotic yesteryear best-seller Borderlands 2 will be available free for PS Plus members as part of the Instant Game Collection.
In a recent post on the PlayStation Blog, Sony has announced that one of 2012’s most acclaimed co-op loot-and-shoot PS3 games is coming to PS Plus’ library of free digital games.
Although many gamers already own Borderlands 2, the inclusion gives players the chance to delve into the distinct raw and hilarious style offered by the franchise–all in an expansive and action-packed online co-op experience. This addition is a bonus as Sony is already offering Guacamelee! and GRiD 2.
While a lot of PS4 owners have a PS3 to take advantage of PS Plus titles, gamers who crossed over from Xbox 360 may feel left out of these deals. Seeing a plethora of content being given away to PlayStation 3 owners when you’ve just picked up Sony’s new high-profile console is frustrating, especially since no new free PS4 content has been added for PS Plus members in December–we are still stuck with Contrast and Resogun.
Both of those PS4 games are pretty nice to be sure, and we can bide our time with free-to-play titles like Warframe, DC Universe Online, and Blacklight Retribution, but many feel that PS4 owners should get more perks.
It’ll be a while before Gaikai rolls out (sometime in 2014), but once it does, users should be able to get PS3 games onto their PS4 with the service–a concept which hopefully will bridge the “unfairness gap” that many current PS4 owners feel.
In addition to the new Instant Game Collection offering, Sony has shown off the current discounts available in week 2 of their PlayStation Store Holiday Sale. Slashed titles include Dragon’s Crown for both PS3 and PS Vita, Marvel Vs. Capcom 2, Spelunky, Dungeons and Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara and more:
|Game Title||PS Plus Price||Sale Price||Regular Price|
|Tomb Raider Bundle||$13.49||$14.99||$29.99|
|MLB 13 The Show||$9.99||$19.99||$39.99|
|Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara||$3.75||$7.49||$14.99|
|Dynasty Warriors 6 Empires||$5.00||$9.99||$19.99|
|The Amazing Spider-Man||$35.99||$39.99||$49.99|
|MARVEL VS CAPCOM ORIGINS||$3.75||$7.49||$14.99|
|MARVEL VS CAPCOM 2||$3.75||$7.49||$14.99|
|Dragon’s Crown PS Vita||$26.99||$29.99||$39.99|
|One Piece Pirate Warriors 2||$12.50||$24.99||$49.99|
|SpongeBob SquarePants: Plankton’s Robotic Revenge||$22.49||$24.99||$29.99|
Be sure to hop on over to the PlayStation Blog for more info, and make sure to check out the Last Chance section to pick up any titles you might have missed.
Via PlayStation Blog


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The company recently successfully revolutionized the charging infrastructure in Pune by setting up robust EV charging equipment across the city in housing societies and public spaces
In light of responsible and sustainable means of transportation making a mainstay among the masses globally, electric vehicles have turned to be the modern-day disruptor in easing environmental detriments and proving to be cost-effective in the long run. However, the EV charging infrastructure to date remains nascent in key markets including India. Revolutionizing this space, goEgoNetwork – a homegrown EV charging solutions provider has been on a war-footing in making the EV charging experience seamless throughout the country. Having flourished in the Pune market by installing a robust network of EV charging equipment in housing societies and public places like parking lots, malls, and workplaces, the company is poised to pave its way into the Goa market.
Goa has been encouraging electric mobility quite aggressively. Testimony of the same is the Electricity Mobility Promotion Policy 2021 flagged off by the chief minister of Goa, Mr. Pramod Sawant. Encouraging and promoting the usage of electric vehicles, in the words of Mr. Sawant the policy’s objective is to promote the usage of battery-driven vehicles in the state by incentivizing the process of adoption of EVs.
Interestingly, subsidizing two, three, and four-wheeler electric vehicles, Mr. Sawant noted that the state will subsidize two-wheelers by 30% and 40% for three-wheelers. The four-wheeler EVs will receive a subsidy of up to ₹3 lakhs. Encouraging the adoption furthermore, Mr. Sawant informed that the state will set up charging infrastructures every 25 km on highways, and will also set up charging stations on shorter distances in the city.
Recently, goEgoNetwork participated in the Goa Renewable Energy Conference 2021, the expo graced the presence of the who’s who of the e-mobility industry. Witnessing movers and shakers of the industry, goEgoNetwork’s outpost at the conference saw several EV charging service providers in the state, potentially looking to partner to make the EV charging infrastructure in Goa streamlined. Following the meaningful deliberations exchanged with them, goEgoNetwork is optmistic to transform Goa’s e-mobility market strategically.
Knowing the potential that Goa possesses in readily adopting EVs as the main means of mobility, Dheeman Kadam, CMO and Co-founder, goEgoNetwork, said, “Goa, the highly sought-after travel destination attracting both domestic and international travellers, is well on track of electrifying the mobility across the state. The recent EV mobility policy subsidising both Electric Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure will furthermore promote adoption by the end users.”


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Tanzania capped an eight-month surge in exports to Uganda during June, replacing Kenya as Uganda’s biggest source of imports within the East African Community (EAC), according to data from Bank of Uganda.
Uganda’s imports from Tanzania have for the last three-months doubled, increasing by an average of 18 per cent.
During June, Uganda imported goods worth $125.12m (Shs444b) from Tanzania, indicating a 43 per cent surge from $70.07m in the same period last year.
However, this was a reduction from $149.38m and $125.91m that had, according to Bank of Uganda, been recorded during May and April, respectively.
However, the report indicates a wide trade imbalance between the two countries with Uganda exporting goods worth $10.07m during June. Exports during May and April stood at $8.78m and $9.34m, respectively.
During the three months from April to June, Uganda’s imports from Kenya stood at $83.25m, $71.78m and $66.85m, respectively.
This put Tanzania ahead of Kenya as Uganda’s main source of imports within EAC.
Imports from Rwanda during June, stood at just $0.14m, reducing from $0.24m and $0.32m during May and April, respectively.
During June imports from Burundi stood at $0.05m while DR Congo contributed $1.82m, which was a growth from May’s $1.72m and April’s $1.71m.
Uganda imported goods worth $0.71m from South Sudan, a reduction from $0.96m and $0.79m in May and April, respectively.
According to data from Uganda Bureau of Statistics (Ubos), major imports from Tanzania include gold, rice, trailers and semi-trailers, rolled iron and non-alloy steel and dried and salted fish as well as rice and wheat.
Uganda is, however, concerned by the increasing trade deficit that currently stands at $105.31m within EAC.
Of this, Tanzania accounts for the largest share, standing at $138.2m.
During the period, South Sudan and Kenya accounted for the largest export destinations in the region for Uganda’s exports, accounting for $51.5m and $48m, respectively.
Uganda’s export receipts within EAC have grown by 73 per cent from $67.31m in May last year to $116.56m, while imports have almost doubled, growing by 44 per cent from $153.95m to $221.87m over the same period.
Beyond the EAC market, Uganda’s export receipts increased by 6.7 per cent to $455.22m in May 2021 from $426.56m the previous month, attributed to higher receipts from bigger volumes of mainly non-coffee exports such as mineral products, electricity, tea and beans.
The Middle East has in the last one year become Uganda’s top destination for merchandise exports, accounting for 44 per cent of total exports, while other major destinations were the EAC (25.6 per cent), the rest of Africa (13.64 percent) and the European Union (11.62 percent).
However, Uganda still traded at a deficit with all regions except for the Middle East, the report notes, citing the merchandise trade surplus with the Middle East, which grew by 3.2 per cent to $102.9m in May.
Uganda’s largest trade deficit, $258.57m, was with Asia, which represents a growth of 16.3 per cent compared with the previous month owing to increased imports from the region


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Hop House 13 was launched by Diageo in 2015 to target premium lager drinkers and was the fourth beer from the Brewers Project, joining Dublin Porter, Guinness West Indies Porter and Guinness Golden Pale Ale.
Following Hop House 13's launch in Ireland last year, it is now available on draught in more than 1,000 high-end on-trade businesses, including Greene King, Stonegate and Novus Leisure outlets. It is also widely available in the on-trade.
Hop House 13:
- On-trade RRP: £4.50 a pint or £3.80 a bottle
- Tasting notes: double-hopped lager made with Irish barley and aromatic hops. Crisp and full-flavoured
- ABV: 5%
- Twitter: #HopHouse13
Diageo will use its marketing campaign to showcase the craftsmanship of the brand, with the first advert running for five weeks later this year.
The ad will trace the journey of Hop House 13 from its creation in the St James Gate, Dublin, brewery, to customers' first tastes.
A YouTube ad will also launch around the same time and social media activity will support the campaign.
Stephen O'Kelly, marketing director at Guinness, said: "Consumer excitement for products created with craftsmanship and character has brought a new energy into the world of beer.
"The launch of Hop House 13 and our supporting campaign is positioned to help licensees maximise the opportunity to drive incremental sales as a result.
Passion and heritage
"The Guinness endorsement also enables licenses to tap into the strength of 256 years of brewing passion and heritage."
At the time of the launch in Ireland Nick Curtis-Davis, head of innovation for Guinness, said: "The new lager is set to inspire consumers to broaden their beer repertoires and, ultimately, drive incremental sales into the category."


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With food sustainability a hot topic at the moment, a new kind of food source is creeping onto supermarket shelves.
The humble insect is growing in popularity as a sustainable source of protein, with insect-based snacks and staples such as pasta and granola hitting pantries in Europe, and it won’t be long before we start seeing them on Australian supermarket shelves.
While neither Coles, Woolworths or Aldi confirmed such products to Inside FMCG, food scientist and entomologist Skye Blackburn, who owns the Edible Bug Shop, hinted that Australian supermarkets are very close to getting on board with these products and we could be seeing signs of that as early as March this year.
“We currently sell online in health food stores, and within the next year you’ll be seeing edible insects on Australian supermarket shelves,” Blackburn told Inside FMCG.
Blackburn started up her business in 2007 after visiting Thailand and trying edible insects for the first time. On coming back to Australia and realising there wasn’t anyone doing this, Blackburn put her science background to use and started researching the nutritional benefits.
“When I got the results back I was really shocked that we weren’t using insects as a source of food because of how nutrient dense they are, so it was my mission to educate people about the amazing health, nutrition and sustainability benefits from eating insects,” Blackburn said.
“In the past five years we’ve seen a really big increase in the number of people that are wanting to include insects in their everyday diet. Most people think that you have to eat a whole bug, we actually manufacture products that have invisible edible insects in there.
“We make a bread but instead of normal white bread, it’s enriched with insect protein, so you don’t even know it’s there. We’ve got a line of corn chips that have edible insects in them as well. So I think it makes it a little bit easier for people to introduce them to edible insects in foods that they eat everyday rather than trying to get them to eat something that’s a little bit out of the box.”
Although Blackburn didn’t specify what supermarkets we can expect to stock products like these, we are likely to find out more in the next couple of months.
Kaufland and Selfridges get onboard with grubs
This week, German supermarket Kaufland introduced a range of Jimini’s insect snacks to its stores including protein bars made from buffalo and mealworms as well as crickets and insects, and worm noodles, cereal and bars to hit shelves soon in a range of flavours.
The french company Jimini’s has also designed an exclusive line for Selfridges in the UK which will hit food halls by the end of the week.
Products include basil-flavoured fusilli pasta, pumpkin seed granola and dark chocolate protein bars which are all created using either ground buffalo worms or cricket-based flour. While Jimini’s already produces similar snacks for the Spanish and German supermarket sector, this is its first UK venture.
With about 1,900 different edible insects in the world, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that people are seeing the potential of this food source. Worms and insects require less space, water and food compared to other animal sources of protein such as chickens, pigs and cows, and better still they grow and multiply faster.
They are also rich in fiber, unsaturated fatty acids and micronutrients such as copper, iron and magnesium, and are low in calories.
While the consumption of insects is still a sticky subject for many Westerners, it’s part of everyday life in many parts of Asia, Africa and Latin America, often consumed whole or ground as powder or paste.


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Over four million people are said to have entered Airtel Malawi competition where subscribers are expected to win ten Toyota Hilux and a Toyota Prado vehicles as main prizes. This was revealed on Tuesday, 3 May 2011, by Airtel Malawi marketing manager Enwell Kadango at a draw for the first Toyota Hilux vehicle which was won by a business man based in Malawi's northern city of Mzuzu.
"We have seen a lot of excitement amongst Malawians and our system recorded about four million entries into the promotion in less than two weeks," he said, adding that many subscribers have now joined the network since the competition which has been branded as Airtel Lololo promotion started mid last month.
He said many of their customers are also buying more airtime than usual while others are talking longer or using their handsets more for browsing and downloading data. To enter this competition, prepaid customers are required to top-up and use their phones with a minimum of MK200 or more per day. At an average of K200 per entry, Airtel Malawi has made more than K800 million in this first round alone.


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PORTLAND, OR --
Chips Ahoy's wildly successful “Convertible” campaign launched the brand in China. Since then, the Chips Ahoy! Cookie Guy has kept igniting the enthusiasm of cookie fans with his amusing singing and dancing performances.
This year’s campaign, “Love Story,” is a tribute to the original campaign, serving as a saucy sequel to the cookie guys’ road trip in “Convertible.”
The new campaign sees our Cookie falling in love on the road with a Chocolate Lady -- her chocolate kisses leave a lasting impression on him.
Kraft & Draft FCB were keen that this year the Cookie Guy gets more recognition, not only for his fun personality, but also for the rich chocolate chips packed in his delicious cookie. The new campaign was created to expand the consumers’ awareness and appetite.
Tom Shum, Group Creative Director at Draft FCB Shanghai describes the new campaign as “The best combination of beauty and taste. The product truth – told in a romantic and fun way.”
“After years of research, we finally found what the brand means to local consumers,” said Denis Dong, Brand Manager at Kraft. “It’s greatly satisfying to present the brand attributes and emotional benefits in such a fun approach. All thanks to a great strategy and top-call execution.”
The production companies, Bent Image Lab animation (Portland), and Tribe (Shanghai) were thrilled to be part of “bringing convertible back” to the Chinese public. Tribe and Bent have been collaborating with Kraft and Draft FCB Shanghai for the past three campaigns. Director Paul Harrod says, “It is great to continue the storyline of the original ‘Convertible’ spot that was done by my friend, Bent director Ken Lidster.”
“We love working with Kraft, Tribe and Draft FCB on these spots,” says Bent executive director Ray Di Carlo. “The humorous stories and charismatic cookie characters always make great spots for Bent to produce.”
Source: Bent Image Lab


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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — As the number of coronavirus cases increases statewide, the number of new coronavirus cases in China
has slowed to a trickle.
"The numbers have gone down a great deal," Andrew Delo said. "I don't really think it's the worst idea for the vast majority of the world to take two weeks off."
Andrew Delo is a Western New York native, and he is living in China for work. He's a University at Buffalo graduate who has lived in China for ten years. He's seen the impact of the coronavirus firsthand.
He is fine and has not been quarantined, but many of his friends and colleagues are.
"I'm trying to be a good person and doing some grocery shopping for some of my friends and coworkers-- some of whom are older-- and they are in quarantine."
Delo says store shelves are stocked and that bare store shelves, here in the United States, are making headlines in China.
He explained while some restaurants are open, only two people are allowed at any table. They have to sit meters apart.
Having experienced this pandemic first hand, months before we have, Delo says it's important we measure our words and manage our actions. He says we all have a role to play in this.


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The Bank of Botswana (BoB) has warned that efforts to broaden the country’s export base and ultimately diversify Botswana’s diamond dependent economy are yet to produce the desired results.
Since the discovery of local diamonds in 1967, shortly after Independence, Botswana has relied heavily on revenue raised from the precious stone. Indeed, minerals have long overtaken agriculture in terms of GDP contribution.
While the diamond-created revenue has sustained the country over the last 50 years, propelling it to higher-middle income status, economists have repeatedly cautioned against over-reliance on minerals as they are exposed to shocks.
Briefing the media on the latest economic developments on Tuesday this week, BoB’s Director of Research and Financial Stability, Dr. Tshokologo Kganetsano admitted there has been a limited success when it comes to economic diversification.
Due to the volatile performance of the mining sector, Kganetsano said one would expect other sectors to have grown significantly.
However, Kganestano grimly noted this has not been the case.
“Because of poor productivity, the economic structure remains pretty much unchanged or the change is highly insignificant. We also have a high dependence on imports across a wide range of consumer and capital goods,” he revealed.
The money-man went on to label Botswana as ‘practically’ an extension of South Africa.
“What I mean is, if you look at the companies that are operating, in Botswana, many of them are from South Africa, so it is just an extension of the South African industry,” he clarified.
In terms of exports, Kganetsane said nothing much has changed, with diamonds still accounting for 90.6 percent of total exports.
Despite this, the BoB boss stressed that the diamond industry was increasingly coming under threat.
“For example, diamond mining is affected by the potential contraction of deposits, increasing costs of production, and as we know some mines are planning to go underground which is more expensive,” said Kganetsane, who also mentioned reduced demand and added competition from synthetic diamonds as further threats to Botswana’s main revenue earner.
Kganetsano also indicated Botswana could find itself in a ‘tight financial position’ as the country’s foreign exchange reserves are fast declining.
As at end of May this year, the country’s foreign reserves stood at P66 billion, representing 11 months of import cover. But Kganetsano said the months covered by the reserves would have gone down this week as Botswana Public Officers Pension Fund (BPOPF) looks to externalize about P1.6 billion.
Botswana‘s second revenue earner after diamonds is the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) receipts which are considered volatile as well.
According to Kganetsano, the country receives roughly P3.5 billion every three months in SACU receipts, while the country’s import bill stands at P5.5 billion monthly.
“What we are receiving every three months is lower than what we need every month,” pointed out Kganetsano, adding that with no revenue from diamonds, the country is faced with an increasingly worrying situation.
In light of these developments, Kganetsano stressed that economic diversification is more urgent than ever before.


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BALTIMORE — Under the grayest of skies, outside a stark black and white building with red accents located just south of I-95 in a barren — for now — landscape three miles from the heart of the city, Under Armour founder and CEO Kevin Plank spoke like a man attuned to the rhetoric of our most inescapable campaign for president.
He lamented that half of all millennials had given up on the American Dream and swore to show them that it was more attainable than ever. He gushed about the possibilities of “Main Street,” a business incubator, and “The Foundery,” where community members can get trained on and use industrial-grade tools. These are two of the occupants of City Garage, the refurbished building where Baltimore’s buses once stopped between runs.
The centerpiece of the project, though, goes by the name UA Lighthouse. It is 35,000 square feet packed with what Under Armour says is the most state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment in the world. Though the facility will only employ about 100 people (most of whom wear lab coats to work) by the end of the year, and is for now used mainly on high-end products — like the first ever 3D printed shoe pushed to market, at a cost of $300 per pair — Plank envisions this as his boldest step yet (this for a man who says often that “blowing people’s mind” is one of his favorite things to do). He sees Lighthouse as part agent, part inspiration of seismic change in the world of manufacturing, imagining no less than a return of thousands upon thousands of jobs to the United States that were long ago shipped overseas where miniscule wages allow for monstrous profits. The Lighthouse is supposed to guide them back home.
The path toward that change remains amorphous, but Plank is not known for idle bluster. He’s cultivated the image of his company carefully, crafting slogans and mantras like a junior high football coach, but he has in most cases lived up to what he promises. Lately, though, the aim of his proposals has soared. Plank no longer seems content challenging Nike with better moisture wicking material or fancier sewing on shoes. He’s turned his attention to rebuilding a broken city and now, apparently, a gutted economy.
Lighthouse, which is a partnership with University of Maryland, Epson, Dow Chemical and others, is focused on developing innovative ways to create product with the hope of then exporting those methods to manufacturing facilities embedded throughout the communities where those products are sold. The company wants to be better at reacting to market forces with this “local-for-local” approach. So if a certain style of shoes is selling more in, say, Los Angeles, the nearby manufacturing center can quickly increase its output of that model. The end goal is to have a more nimble operation, where new products can be polished at Lighthouse, then assembled near the markets where they will be sold. Right now it might take an Under Armour product 18 months to reach consumers and this would cut that time considerably.
And though there’s a focus on advanced technology and automation that may take the number of people needed to assemble a shoe from 300 to 30, the goal, according to Plank and Kevin Haley, the company’s president for product and innovation, is to stop relying on cheap labor.
“The chase of low-cost labor around the globe has been very successful,” Haley said. “But it’s actually impeded the ability of the industry to make things in a better way using the available technology that’s out there.”
Plank has always positioned Under Armour as an agent of disruption, and also an underdog. This is true in this case: Nike, with its $30.6 billion in revenues in fiscal year 2015 compared to Under Armour’s $3.96 billion, opened its Advanced Product Creation Center last year. The name is not as snazzy but the function of the facility mirrors Lighthouse.
So it is no surprise that Plank would try to change the terms of the competition. For a long while he has talked of making athletes better. Having now built the second-largest sports apparel supplier in the U.S., with endorsers like Steph Curry, Cam Newton, Bryce Harper, Tom Brady, Michael Phelps and Misty Copeland, Plank has begun repositioning himself as someone who can make his community and country better.
First up: blighted, beaten-down Baltimore. Across Route 2 from Lighthouse sits a massive, little-used site on the water called Port Covington where Plank is proposing to build a completely new, 50-block neighborhood over the next two decades, its main purpose to house a 4 million square foot headquarters for the company. Yet Plank also sees the neighborhood as a way to boost the city, attracting new workers and visitors, thus generating more spending and tax revenue.
Plank has requested $535 million from the city in the form of tax increment financing, commonly called TIF, to cover the cost of infrastructure improvements on the land. The municipal bonds would be repaid using new property tax revenue generated by the project, but one analysis showed that would not happen until 2038. There’s fear in the city that investing so much in Plank would impede future spending on things like decaying schools. Baltimore remains a deeply segregated city in many ways, too, and Plank’s plan includes — but does not promise — that only 10 percent of the new housing units would qualify as “affordable.” Finally, Plank’s real estate arm, Sagamore, has a limited track record while asking to be entrusted with one of the largest TIF grants in history.
Under Armour, which has already outgrown its offices in another part of the city, is eager to expand its workforce and has pressured city leaders to move quickly, even though a new mayor and re-made city council will take over after this election cycle.
The fight figures to grow ever-more contentious. Hours after opening the Lighthouse to city and state officials, a presentation by Sagamore outlining plans for the new neighborhood was interrupted by protestors demanding more low-income housing. The TIF seems likely to pass — most business and city leaders have praised the project — but Under Armour’s days as Baltimore’s scrappy, loveable upstart appear to be over.
Whether the Lighthouse can actually produce enough manufacturing jobs to make a difference also remains to be seen. Robert E. Scott, the Senior Economist and Director of Trade and Manufacturing Policy Research at the Economic Policy Institute, said he believes Under Armour may generate a scattering of opportunities but would have little influence on overall losses (the U.S. is down 5 million manufacturing jobs since 1997, he said.) Too many external factors are likely to continue making it more cost-effective for many products to be made overseas.
Plank no doubt remains undeterred. He has reached a point where he’s no longer coy about the scope of the change he thinks his company can create, and admitting to such grand plans only means having to do more if you hope to blow anyone’s mind.


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News Highlights: Google completes the acquisition of Fitbit
Fitbit Charge 2 heart rate and fitness bracelet.
Google, owned by Alphabet, announced on Thursday that it has finally completed the acquisition of Fitbit, which was first announced in November 2019.
The deal was subject to months of investigation into whether it could further bolster Google’s market position in the online ad business if it uses Fitbit data to personalize ads. But while Google said the deal was closed, Reuters said the U.S. Department of Justice investigation into the merger is still ongoing. Enforcement agencies typically have strict time windows to block mergers before they are completed, but can still take enforcement action at any time.
A DOJ spokesperson was not immediately available to comment.
Fitbit can help strengthen Google’s presence in the wearable market. While Google doesn’t build its own smartwatches or fitness trackers, it provides the software used by other companies to build smartwatches. But they have not provided that much in depth information …


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Stocks that moved substantially or traded heavily Wednesday on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stock Market:
BJ's Wholesale Club Inc., up 82 cents at $48.52
The New York Post reported that Leonard Green & Partners and CVC Capital will make a joint bid for the wholesale club chain.
McDonald's Corp., up 1 cent at $81.15
A key sales measure rose 3.1 percent last month, slower than the same time last year as growth weakened in the U.S. and Europe.
Abercrombie & Fitch Inc., down $3.62 at $66.28
The preppy retailer's CFO said the company doesn't expect to do as well in the second quarter as it did in the first quarter.
Ciena Corp., down $3.92 at $20.29
The network equipment maker reported a larger loss and lower revenue than Wall Street expected, and its forecast disappointed.
Analogic Corp., up $1.50 at $51.83
The medical and security imaging equipment maker posted quarterly results that topped Wall Street analysts' expectations.
Bob Evans Farms Inc., up $3.39 at $32.91
The restaurant chain and packaged food maker's quarterly earnings declined as commodity costs grew, but a key sales measure rose.
QuinStreet Inc., down $3.51 at $11.16
The online marketing company's revenue forecast for its next fiscal year fell short of analyst expectations.
Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance Inc., up $6.29 at $55.90
The company posted strong quarterly growth in revenue and profit as customer traffic rose in stores and online.


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YouTube is big in podcasts already thanks to the plethora of shows uploading video recordings of their episodes to its service. However, the company has big plans, some of which have been revealed this week in a leaked slide deck published by the Podnews website.
It suggests that YouTube is planning to launch a new podcasts homepage (akin to what it does for gaming and music); that will make it easier to get podcasts onto its platform, including via the traditional method of RSS feeds; and a new push for Google-sold audio ads to help podcasters make money.
The deck also says YouTube will “update analytics with new metrics for audio-first creators”, and will also integrate its data into industry measurement tools including Podtrac, Nielsen and Chartable – the latter of which was recently acquired by Spotify.
Remember that phrase ‘audio-first creators’ though. Long synonymous with video, YouTube is clearly determined not to be left behind by Spotify, Apple and Amazon as they expand beyond music and try to attract listeners and advertising dollars alike away from radio.


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Slow wage growth, surging electricity prices keep consumer confidence at its lowest ebb
The FNB/BER Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) stayed unchanged at -7 index points during the fourth quarter, having plunged from +5 index points during the second quarter to -7 during the third quarter.
This means consumer confidence remained at its lowest level since the fourth quarter of 2017, despite consumer inflation touching 3.6 percent in November, its lowest rate since February 2011.
FNB said on Tuesday that the majority of consumers still expected South Africa’s economic prospects to deteriorate over the next 12 months.
Business confidence in South Africa is already at the lowest in more than 30 years.
Senior economist at FNB, Siphamandla Mkhwanazi, said consumer sentiment remained depressed on the back of weak economic growth, record-high unemployment and Eskom’s ongoing electricity-supply crisis and financial woes.
Mkhwanazi said this weak consumer confidence suggested a general pessimism among South African households, and would likely translate into lower consumption expenditure in the fourth quarter of 2019.
“Although still optimistic, consumers are increasingly becoming weary of their financial standing, and are therefore unwilling to commit to substantial financial obligations at this stage,” Mkhwanazi said.
“This consumer reticence is more prominent among high-income earners, while low-income earners were relatively neutral in their outlook.”
Mkhwanazi said the index that tracks the South African consumers economic outlook suggested that there was a general expectation that there would be a deterioration in South Africa’s economic prospects over the next 12 months.
Retail sales growth slowed to the weakest level in seven months in October but there was some optimism over Black Friday trade.
“The bottom line is that with household budgets and consumer sentiment now under pressure, consumer spending on luxury items is likely to take a further hit and consumers are likely to divert more spending towards basic necessities,” Mkhwanazi said.
FNB said the confidence gains since President Cyril Ramaphosa’s election had now been completely reversed, and South Africa’s grim economic reality has become apparent to consumers.
The economic growth has been floundering at 0.5 percent year on year since mid-2018, and is forecast to be below 1 percent for the year when the fourth quarter figures are released.
Investec chief economist Annabel Bishop said South Africa was likely to see an economic growth rate of only 0.8 percent, as a number of structural problems remain unresolved.
This comes after a growth rate of close to 0.2 percent year on year in 2019, not least due to substantial, periodic losses of electricity supply.
“Besides Eskom outages, consumers are likely also concerned about the elevation in borrowing costs,” she said.


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And, we’re back in school! Beyond the usual new clothes, new shoes, new supplies, back-to-school shopping tends to include books. Right?
When college kids set out to the school bookstore, lately, they aren’t seeing any books.
Sweatshirts, baseball caps and other garb, sure. But books? Not so much.
SUNY Stony Brook is one of many schools who have teamed up with Amazon as the official book retailer for the school. Now, students purchase texts — more than just books — through the school’s specially promoted Amazon page. Those books and texts — along with all sorts of other things you can get on Amazon — are delivered to the student on campus.
Those pickup locations? Amazon operates 12 of them on college campuses across the U.S. and said it plans to add at least five more by next year.
It’s happening across the country. Students are buying their learning materials online. As a result, bookstores are no longer stores full of books.
Amazon Student Programs is the primary course materials provider for Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.
According to an article in The Chronicle of Higher Education, Amazon will give approximately 2 percent of sales from the web retailer to those schools that it works with. Purdue’s treasurer’s office disclosed that it made $1 million since 2014 when it shook on the deal.
But Amazon isn’t the only player in the game.
Columbia University announced a partnership with Barnes & Noble this week. Interestingly, 98 percent of the stores Barnes & Noble College operates will continue to carry course materials in various formats, for now. Barnes & Nobles reps said they believe in physical stores, as shoppers still want that experience.
But some schools have done away with having a brick-and-mortar location. The bookstore at University of Massachusetts Amherst now only sells novels and campus merchandise. In April, the Queens College bookstore turned digital. So digital, in fact, that the building is permanently closed. The college uses eFollet.com and bkstr.com for connecting students with the necessary texts.
Even competitors of college bookstores are closing because of the digital text buying trend. In Collegetown, just off of Cornell University’s campus in Ithaca, NY, a main bookstore recently closed. The owner thanked his customers for their business, after being in business for more than 10 years.
No doubt, the reason for this is not just digital enterprise and convenience. Students have to shell out a ton of money on books and other texts, never mind tuition. Textbook prices have risen astronomically. Some data shows a rise more than three times the rate of inflation from Jan. 1977 to June 2015. That’s a 1,041 percent increase! That’s all while student spending on textbooks has only increased by 13 percent.
Students can shop around, too. Websites like Textsurf, BIGWORDS, BookFinder and SlugBooks each have the sole purpose of comparing textbooks.
And that’s also where the sharing economy comes in and fights back against the big boys, like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Student Monitor, a research firm, said the incidence of renting as an alternative to buying, as well as eTextbooks as an alternative to print, is at a record high.
So, what does that mean for your alma mater’s bookstore? Next time you go back for a reunion, it might be called GarbStore, ApparelShop or might have a sign that says, "See You Online."


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Chinese container port volume falls 10.6pc in January-February
CHINA's Ministry of Transport released port throughput figures for January-February, showing a decline several major ports, especially in terms of container volumes
26 March 2020 - 12:54
During the first two months of this year, China's cargo throughput is 1.87 billion tons, and container throughput was 34.48 million TEU, down six per cent and 10.6 per cent respectively, reports Colchester's Seatrade Maritime News.
The top 10 container ports are Shanghai (5.9 million TEU, which suffered a decline of 10.7 per cent), Ningbo-Zhoushan (4.06 million TEU, a decline of 10.7 per cent), Shenzhen (3.5 million TEU, a decline of 12.8 per cent), Qingdao (3.17 million TEU, a decline of 1.4 per cent), Guangzhou (2.85 million TEU, a decline of 13.7 per cent), Tianjin (2.28 million TEU, a decline of 3.9 per cent), Xiamen (1.56 million TEU, a decline of 8 per cent), Dalian (1.06 million TEU, a decline of 24 per cent), Suzhou (790,000 TEU, a decline of 23.9 per cent,), Lianyugang (770,000 TEU a decline of 2.2 per cent), all the major ports posted container volume decline for the first two months.
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak Chinese ports have faced a decline of the cargo since the beginning of this year. China has now been promoting the work and production resumption from March.
This news 319 hits received.


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Honda, Japan's second largest carmaker, today almost tripled its full-year earnings forecast, in another sign that the country's battered car industry is beginning to emerge from its year of turmoil.
The firm raised its net profit forecast for the current year to ¥155bn (£1bn) from an earlier forecast of ¥55bn.
Earnings for the July-September quarter were down by 56.2% from last year, although the drop was smaller than forecast.
Analysts attributed the boost in sales to global "cash-for-clunkers" schemes, which reward consumers who trade in old cars for new, fuel-efficient models.
Honda said it expected to sell 3.4m vehicles for the year through the end of March 2010, a slight improvement on an earlier projection but still well down on the 3.52m it sold last year.
Second-quarter operating profit fell to ¥65.54bn from ¥148.85bn in the same period last year, due to falling sales and the yen's appreciation against the dollar.
Toyota, the world's biggest carmaker, and Nissan are also expected to report improved second-quarter earnings next week, but Honda will emerge as the healthiest financially for the full year due to its more modest range of models and lower production costs.
While sales of its Insight petrol-electric hybrid, Fit compact hatchback and Freed compact minivan have all benefited from government incentives to buy energy-efficient cars, there are fears that sales will stumble again once the measures are withdrawn.
Government attempts to spur demand saw Honda's sales rise 15% in Japan last month and by 27% in China. Honda executives believe sales may start to rise next year in North America, the firm's most profitable market.
Kazutaka Oshima, chief executive of Rakuten Investment Management in Tokyo, said Honda's range of small and medium-sized cars was better suited to current consumer preferences, but added that it still faced tough competition from its South Korean rival, Hyundai.
"[Hyundai] seems to be doing better, helped by a cheaper [currency, the] won," he said. "Japanese makers are also losing the quality advantage that could have made up for the price gap with their South Korean rivals.
"I would like to wait a little longer to see the effects of the end of government incentive programmes before talking about Honda's outlook for the next year onwards."


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A U.S. judge has ruled in Apple’s favor in litigation filed against the company by Canadian patent licensing company WiLan, reports Reuters, after the judge issued a public statement on the case Wednesday afternoon.
Apple was being sued for supposedly violating two LTE patents held by WiLan, but a summary judgement from Judge Dana Sabraw ruled that the patents were invalid and note infringed.
Future iOS devices could vary user alerts based on where you are at any given moment.
Call alerts are all well and good but — even on the Apple Watch, when they’re being delivered directly to your wrist — it’s likely that there will be situations when users won’t be aware of them, and could miss important calls or alerts as a result.
Apple’s trying to crack that problem with a new patent published Tuesday, describing a “Self adapting alert device” that would vary the volume or style of user notifications to your iPhone or Apple Watch depending on where you are at the time.
Apple’s new patent application shows how Apple might further strengthen its sapphire crystal using an “ion implanting” method.
Whether or not the upcoming iPhone 6 will sport a sapphire crystal display or not is something we’ll have to wait to find out for sure, but the ultra-strong material used by many high end watch manufacturers is certainly something Apple has spent a lot of time investigating.
Some of those investigations have led to a new patent application published today, revealing how Apple plans a technique for strengthening glass by using an “ion implanting” method as opposed to the kind of chemical coatings used for, say, Corning’s Gorilla Glass.
According to the application, the reason for this is that the kind of traditional chemical strengthening techniques used on glass screens might not be effective when used on materials like sapphire.
The use of radial menus would give Apple an alternative to the pull-down menus currently used in most applications — allowing context-specific menus and submenus to be created at optimal positions close to a user’s mouse cursor or, in the case of an iPhone or iPad, their finger.
Today the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published a new series of Apple-related patents, including an historic 2008 filing for an Apple camera. While the patent covers both a standalone camera (something Apple hasn’t done since the QuickTake camera launched in 1994) and a camera integrated into a PDA, it is likely that this is the patent which covers the original iPhone.
Could Apple be working on a higher-resolution version of FaceTime for use in enterprise?
A new patent published Tuesday suggests that it’s at least something the company is looking at, as it describes a multi-view video conferencing camera system that uses scalable video encoding. The patented device, which was first applied for back in June 2012, could compete with Microsoft’s 360 degrees Roundtable conferencing technology, as shown below.
Given Apple’s recent deal with IBM to make hardware and software for businesses, and its successful focus on enterprise under Tim Cook, this could certainly be a valuable area for Apple to explore — particularly since it could conceivably work with a range of Apple devices, including Macs, iPads and iPhones.
Apple filed a motion with the U.S. Court of Appeals yesterday, dropping its cross-appeal of Judge Lucy Koh’s verdict in its lawsuit against Samsung, and officially ending Apple’s pursuit of a product ban for the rival company.
It’s easy to poke fun at Microsoft when it comes up with its own knockoff version of an Apple’s long-awaited iWatch, iPad, iPhone, iPod, or pretty much any other innovation in the company’s history. However, when it comes up with its own ideas, it kind of makes us think that “thinking different” isn’t really in Microsoft’s DNA at all.
According to a recently filed patent application, Redmond’s latest Apple slaying idea is for something Apple hasn’t expressed any apparent interest in: a mood changing/health device in the form of a robotic butterfly. Yes, really.
Future Apple devices may be able to dynamically modify user interface elements, security levels, and other types of behavior based on location, according to a new patent application published Thursday.
Referred to as “Location-sensitive security levels and setting profiles based on detected location,” Apple’s application describes a setup in which both the hardware and software of your iPhone, iPad, and whatever other mobile devices Apple releases in future can seamlessly work together to automatically adjust various UI and device behavior settings.


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eComCharge is certified as an official Visa token requestor
On October 5, 2021, eComCharge successfully completed certification and acquired the status of a Visa token requestor in CEMEA. Since May 2020, eComCharge has officially been a member of the global Visa Digital Enablement Program (VDEP).
Payment service providers who lease the beGateway payment platform are already able to use the global token from Visa when working with acquiring banks that participate in the Visa Digital Enablement Program (VDEP). Read more…
How to get the beGateway payment platform?
beGateway is the white-label payment platform developed and supported by eComCharge UAB. eComCharge offers the beGateway payment platform for PSPs who need to get payment gateways and payment processing systems under their own brand names.
Choose an option that suits you. Read more…
Who is the client of the beGateway payment platform
“70% of our tenants are PSPs serving high-risk merchants”
Alexander Mihailovski, one of the founders and Development director of eComCharge LLC, explains to whom he and his team have been leasing branded payment gateways and online payment processing systems built on the beGateway payment platform for 8 years. Read more…
New feature in the beGateway back-office: transaction logs
The eComCharge team has launched a system for finding and displaying server transaction processing logs for its customers: every PSP, running on the beGateway platform, in their back-office now has access to a log of requests and responses between its leased processing system and the acquiring banks with which it works.
“Each of our customers has received an opportunity to view the logs of communication between its processing system and acquiring banks on the transactions of interest to them in a back-office of the leased online payments receiving and processing system, without recourse to our Technical Support,” comments the Chief Business Development Officer of eComCharge LLC, Alexander Mihailovski. Read more…
Opinion: beGateway is in Demand Even at Such Time
Talking to startap.info about himself, eComcharge and COVID-19 Alexander Mihailovski said that this year, payment service providers will see a new version of the beGateway white label payment platform.
“I would not say that the coronavirus pandemic affected our business in some bad way as it did with some particular business segments as travel or HoReCa. Read more…
How can I customize a payment widget on the beGateway white label payment platform?
Last year, we announced our new payment widget with 3-D Secure inside for the tenants of the beGateway white label payment gateway solution. One widget to combine all payment means for a merchant to receive payments.
To see a basic widget and to view how it works, please visit our page “Payment widget“: Read more…
Mobile SDKs for Android and iOS in the beGateway white label payment platform
If you are a payment service provider who rents the beGateway white label payment platform for payment accepting and processing under your own brand, you are most interested in the platform’s functionality. Today we want to talk about SDKs (Software Development Kit) for Android and iOS for accepting payments in sellers’ mobile apps.
Why do we need mobile SDKs for Android and iOS?
Why does eComCharge, the developer of the beGateway payment gateway join Hi-Tech Park Belarus?
The beGateway payment gateway developer officially joined Hi-Tech Park Belarus on October 3, 2019.
Being a resident of the Republic of Belarus and having worked with foreign customers for 14 years, HTP residency is a logical step for the company to strengthen and develop its business. Read more…
See you at the Oman E-Commerce Conference (OEC 2019| September 16th-17th)
Our white label payment gateway beGateway is rented by completely different businesses from different parts of the globe. Next week we will fly to Oman to attend the Oman E-Commerce Conference (OEC 2019| September 16th-17th).
According to the organizers of the conference “The Oman E-Commerce Conference – OEC 2019, hosted by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry from the Sultanate of Oman, The Most innovative ecommerce conference accelerating digital economy with one focus “Everything Online””. Read more…


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Coffee aficionados love pairing up their java with a dizzying variety of tastes, including French vanilla, chocolate, hazelnut, citrus and amaretto. Potato, however, is not on the the list of coffee flavors for even the more adventurous palates.
That unappetizing spudsy taste isn't added by any human. Some hypothesize it comes from an insect called the antestia or coffee bug . And its appearance in Rwanda threatens exports of specialty coffee from the African country.
Coffee represents 26 percent of the country's agricultural exports, and coffee buyers are becoming concerned about whether they can trust Rwandan coffee. So Thomas Miller , a professor of entomology at UC Riverside, has traveled to Rwanda to help solve the mystery.
UC Riverside is a logical place to look for help. The university has developed a reputation for expertise in combating agricultural pests, such as the glassy winged sharpshooter that threatened grape vines in Temecula in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The university focuses on threats to California agriculture at its Center for Invasive Species Research . And it ranks among its faculty the famed plant geneticist Norman Ellstrand ,
Miller is scheduled to work with French scientist Christian Cilas and colleagues from the National University of Rwanda to solve the mystery surrounding potato taste. They will attempt to determine whether the potato taste hypothesis is true, and if so, how the antestia bug causes that unpleasant smell and taste.
Rwanda's coffee sales plunged in the late 1990s during the genocide in that country and bad global market conditions. Rebuilding the coffee industry, especially through cultivation of specialty beans, is seen as critical to helping the country rebuild, not only economically but socially between its ethnic groups.
The effort to eliminate potato taste in Rwandan specialty coffee is coordinated by the Global Knowledge Initiative , an international nonprofit. The initiative helps scientists, innovators and entrepreneurs around the world build their own teams to tackle issues like the Rwandan potato taste problem.
The initiative is a catalyst for organizing collaborative efforts, Sara Farley, GKI's chief operating officer, said in a statement.
"We believe science has entered The Collaboration Era," Farley said. "By lowering the transaction cost of partnerships and clarifying the context for them, we think the 21st century will be marked by unprecedented levels of knowledge partnerships like this one. We hope to engage UC Riverside in as many of them as possible."


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Britain's largest contract hire and leasing company said it bought 20,000 cars last year with the Vectra narrowly in number one spot ahead of the Mondeo. The Vauxhall Astra was in third place, followed by the Peugeot 406, Rover 400 series, Renault Laguna, Ford Escort, Volkswagen Passat, BMW 3-series and Audi A4. Vauxhall also took top spot in the manufacturer's league table on the Lex fleet followed by Ford, Peugeot and Rover.
Vectra is Lex's fleet favourite
26/03/1999 in NEWS


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Yggdrasil gaming has finalised a new agreement alongside GVC holdings, relating to three of the UK’s largest betting and gaming brands.
Liron Snir, Chief Product officer at GVC holdings, said: “We are delighted to enhance our offer for Ladbrokes and Coral customers with Yggdrasil’s dynamic slot content.
“The High production Value and innovative features they bring have already proven to be hugely popular with customers across our broader brand portfolio in regulated markets.”
Customers of each GVC three brands are enjoy access to Yggdrasil’s entire portfolio of casino slots, including latest release Trolls Bridge, Baron Samedi.
Fredrik, Chief Executive officer of Company said: “This is a significant agreement with some of the industry’s largest brand and i am thrilled to be able to announce it today ahead of Europe’s largest gaming event, ICE london In a few weeks time.
Marcus Honney, head of table games at Yggdrasil, said:” The release of lucky Blackjack, features is really exciting for us, as it marks the evolution of our interactive table game offerings.”


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This could be a banner year for fintech, according to one of the industry’s most dialed-in CEOs.
Zach Perret runs Plaid, which links more than 20 million customer bank accounts to financial technology apps like Robinhood, Venmo and Coinbase. The start-up recently raised $250 million at a $2.7 billion valuation and added Kleiner Perkins partner Mary Meeker to its board.
The San Francisco-based firm is also backed by Andreessen Horowitz, Index Ventures, NEA, and the venture arms of Citi, American Express, Google and Goldman Sachs, among others.
The start-up, founded by Perret and the company’s chief technology officer, William Hockey, plays an important role in the fintech ecosystem. As of December, 25 percent of people in the United States with bank accounts have connected to Plaid through an app — a 13 percent increase from last year, the company said.
If nothing else, Perret has a unique bird’s-eye view based on Plaid’s back-end role for the most well-known start-ups in Silicon Valley. He has 11 things to watch in the burgeoning industry in 2019:


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I certainly wouldn’t mind going to the mechanic a little less.
Most car owners know that regular maintenance is the key to getting the most out of your car. For Tesla though, that’s not the case. According to the car maker’s new policy, customers are asked to only bring their cars in for maintenance on an ‘as-needed’ basis.
This is apparently because of the fact that Tesla’s electric cars don’t need much maintenance, at least when compared to other fuel-driven cars or internal-combustion cars. Unlike electric cars, internal-combustion cars require consistent general maintenance, and on a schedule, not just on an as-needed basis. Maintenance includes regular oil changes and replacements of parts like tires, belts, and brakes. They also have to be checked regularly if everything is working smoothly, just to ensure that there’s nothing wrong inside the hood.
Electric cars, on the other hand, don’t need such maintenance practices. They don’t need regular oil changes as they don’t run on oil, and their parts last much longer since the car uses mainly energy to operate and not physical parts. The only parts that require scheduled ‘maintenance’ are the brakes and tires, but the former only requires water contamination checks biennially and the latter only needs replacements if they’re already worn out.
This shows how different Tesla service centers are compared to traditional car dealers, who get a large part of their revenue from these scheduled maintenance practices


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5 Min Read
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. bankruptcy judge overseeing Chrysler LLC's bankruptcy case said on Friday he would issue an opinion "sometime on Monday" on the automaker's proposed sale of most assets to a new company run by Italy's Fiat SpA.
The sale seeks to create a "New Chrysler" owned by Fiat FIA.MI, labor unions and the U.S. and Canadian governments, in exchange for $2 billion paid to its lenders.
Unwanted plants and businesses would remain in bankruptcy court, although the company's chief financial officer said some unsecured claims may get nothing.
If approved, the plan would vindicate the White House, which had been criticized by many bankruptcy specialists for setting a seemingly unrealistic goal of bringing the automaker's operations through Chapter 11 in as little as 30 days.
In three days of hearings, which included testimony from the automaker's chief executive Robert Nardelli and chief financial officer Ron Kolka, objectors to the deal argued that Chrysler was moving too quickly, that its sale violated bankruptcy principals, and that it was needlessly closing hundreds of its dealerships.
Lawyers in support of the deal, however, argued that the quick sale was Chrysler's only choice to avoid liquidation, preserve the value of Chrysler's operations, save more than 100,000 auto-related jobs and prevent further shock waves to the U.S. economy.
"It's not perfect, innocent people are being harmed here, but the fact is this company will live," Thomas Moers Mayer, an attorney at Kramer Levin who represents Chrysler's unsecured creditors' committee, said as he urged the Judge Arthur Gonzalez to sign off on the deal.
Nardelli said in his testimony on Thursday that he expected the deal to close on Friday, but Gonzalez has put that closing off by delaying his ruling.
In his written decision on the sale next week, Judge Gonzalez is likely to address a number of the objectors key concerns. Throughout the hearing Judge Gonzalez asked attorneys on both sides pointed questions about issues like dealership obligations and the U.S. Treasury's involvement in the deal.
"What's unique about this transaction is that the government is the lender," said Gonzalez on Friday. "It's a political issue whether people believe the government should be involved to this extent. I don't think it's a legal issue."
Gonzalez also focused on Chrysler's arguments that the transaction was the best way to preserve the value of the company to pay claims for all parties.
Chrysler's bankruptcy proceedings show the possibility of an orderly restructuring of a major U.S. carmaker and could be a model for General Motors (GM.N), the White House said on Friday.
DEALERS, DEBTS & TORTS
The three main groups of objectors to the deal were rejected dealerships, product liability claimants and a group of Indiana pension funds that hold a small portion of Chrysler's secured debt.
The pension funds argued their secured loans to Chrysler were being subverted to more junior creditors such as union retiree claims in violation of the bankruptcy code.
"The result proposed here is not the thing any lender would have expected when they made that loan," said Tom Lauria, an attorney with White & Case in New York who is representing the funds.
"The courts should not permit that inversion of priority to occur."
The dealers also mounted a challenge to the sale, calling several rejected dealership owners to the stand and raising questions about Chrysler's business judgment.
"There is no condition to the sale that says that any dealers' agreements need to be rejected," Stephen Lerner, an attorney for a group of rejected dealers told the court in his closing arguments.
Chrysler has proposed closing 789 dealers, about a quarter of its network of franchises.
Lawyers for consumer groups, tort claimants and injured customers and workers also argued against the deal, saying that plans by "New Chrysler" to leave their liabilities with the old company were improper and that no one would stand behind the cars Chrysler has made and sold prior to its bankruptcy.
Opponents to the sale expect the transaction to be approved, in part because of the argument that there is little alternative and the Chrysler operations, which have been shut during bankruptcy, were rapidly losing value.
But even once the Judge issues his decision, they plan to continue fighting.
"We will prepare our documents and appeal," said Lauria outside the courtroom.
Lauria said he expected the judge to give a few days before the sale takes effect to allow for appeals. Chrysler has asked that the sale be allowed to take effect immediately.
The case is In re Chrysler LLC, US Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of New York, No. 09-50002.
Reporting by Tom Hals and Emily Chasan; Additional reporting by Chelsea Emery, and Ajay Kamalakaran; Editing by Steve Orlofsky, Gerald E. McCormick, Gary Hill, Dhara Ranasinghe