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Prestonians are to be shown full plans for the proposal to demolish the current Indoor Market and create a new multiplex cinema.Advertisement
New artist impressions for the 11-screen cinema, backed by The Light cinema group, were released on Friday.
How the markets area would develop is to be laid out with models, drawings and explanations in a temporary display in the St George’s Shopping Centre.
Two consultation events are being held and representatives from Preston City Council, Muse Developments and Frank Whittle Partnership, are to be at the events to answer questions from the public.
John Bridge, Frank Whittle Partnership, said: “As a company based in the city we are delighted to be working on the Markets Quarter development, along with Greig and Stephenson Architects. We’re really looking to change the face of Market Quarter and to build a lasting legacy for the future, by both respecting our city’s heritage and moving with the times.
“It’s an ambitious project and rightly so, as the development is the key to unlocking wider development in Preston city centre. In our sensitive vision for the new Market Hall we believe we’ve created an exciting new space for traders and customers. And we’re working with those traders to retain and enhance the city’s vibrant market offer. We’re very keen to listen to what people think.”
The events are in the Upper Mall area of the shopping centre, at the Friargate end, from 11am to 3pm on Saturday 9 April and the same time on Monday 11 April.
Online information about the Markets scheme with more detailed plans is to appear on the city council website from Thursday evening.
Plans for the scheme, which is to cost around £50m, are yet to be formally submitted.
What do you think of the cinema announcement? Will you be going to the consultation event? Let us know in the comments below


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Russian Outdoor Village, the collective stand of major Russian companies — the leading Russian producers of sports clothes and outfit, opened at the professional exhibition of sports products and services ISPO Munich 2017 in Munich on February 5, 2017.
The outfit of Russian aeronautics record breakers is presented at Munich exhibition
MOSCOW, Russia, February 06, 2017 – Russian Outdoor Village, the collective stand of major Russian companies — the leading Russian producers of sports clothes and outfit, opened at the professional exhibition of sports products and services ISPO Munich 2017 in Munich on February 5, 2017.
The stand is organized at the initiative of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation within the framework of the national light industry development program.
Viktor Evtukhov, State Secretary, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, the heads of the major Russian companies in this industrial sector (BASK, RedFox, Stayer, etc.), and journalists of the central Russian and specialized German media took part in the opening ceremony.
Russian Outdoor Village represents four segments of the Russian products: Clothes, Footwear, Outfit and Accessories, Fabrics. Here, the visitors can see the unique achievements of Russian specialists throughout the exhibition period.
One of the collective stand participants is HISPO, a Russian producer of outdoor activity clothes under its own brand since 2012. The company is ready to offer foreign partners its production facilities for clothes and outfit tailoring. The state-of-the-art equipment of the company makes it possible to produce each down part in whole without stuffing them piece by piece. This significantly reduces labour costs and production period, as well as improves the product quality. In addition, HISPO is the first Russian company that has started supplying natural fur hair to Korea, China, and Japan. At year-end 2016, the scope of supply exceeded 115 tons.
We would like to note that Fyodor Konyukhov, traveller and pilot, and Ivan Menyaylo, Master of Sports in aeronautics, are planning to make an attempt of setting a new world record for time aloft in a hot air balloon. The official equipment provider for the team is RedFox. This Russian company is also an exhibitor of the Russian stand.
Viktor Evtukhov, State Secretary, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, pointed out, “Russian companies traditionally demonstrate their foreign partners the best models of clothes and footwear for outdoor activities, sports equipment, as well as fabrics and garment accessories with high application performance. That is the way it was at the exhibitions in Munich and Friedrichshafen in 2015, and the way it is now here, at ISPO Munich 2017. It is nice to see that the Russian stand Russian Outdoor Village is becoming an attraction centre at ISPO, and the number of its visitors is growing every year. Our government takes essential measures to support the national light industry: it modernizes the legislation, promotes the renovation of productive capacities and performance of research and development activities. We are purposefully changing the economy structure, update the existing branches, and support the establishment of modern companies capable of working in international markets. I can say with confidence — clothes for sports, outdoor activities and work in extreme conditions with the label “Made in Russia” spark a growing interest and are in great demand among foreign customers. This year, we have presented Russian producers of fabrics and accessories at the stand for the first time. They include BTK, Baltex, Textime, Parizhskaya kommuna (hi-tech fabrics), 3R (zip fastener producer), Ves mir (insulants).”
The Russian stand at ISPO Munich 2017 will work till February 8, 2017. Pavilion A1, stand 522, Messe München exhibition complex.

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People are 'panic-buying' Necco wafers in bulk
What would you give up for your favorite piece of candy? One person is willing to part ways with their car.
The recent announcement that Necco might shut down is causing a stir with lovers of the New England wafer. Candystore.com, an online bulk candy store, reports that people are “panic-buying” Necco wafers as a result.
Necco, short for The New England Confectionery Company, has been looking for a buyer, but hasn’t been able to find one, causing the company to announce the centuries-old maker of candy could close, souring many sweet-tooth enthusiasts.
How bad do people want their Necco wafers? Candystore.com said a young woman named Katie contacted them offering to trade her used Honda Accord for all of their Necco wafers.
“She ended up buying a couple boxes on her credit card anyway,” the report said.
Necco says sales have jumped since their financial troubles were reported.


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Home decor and gardening retail company Leroy Merlin announced plans to create 102 jobs at its new store in Kutno in 2021.
The unit, with an area of nearly 7,500 square metres, is expected to be launched in the second half of 2021. The source reports that the chain has already initiated a recruitment process; Leroy Merlin is looking for logistics coordinators, managers, customer advisors, cashiers, logistics and warehouse staff. All employees will receive an additional benefit package, including private medical care and life insurance.
The company has been operating in the country since 1994, it runs over 60 stores employing over 10,000 people.


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Fortnite update 11.40.1 patch notes: New maintenance download hits PS4, Xbox One
Fortnite update 11.40.1 has been released today by Epic Games, with the brand new download available right now on PS4 and Xbox One – but a number of platforms have missed out.
The new maintenance patch is available to download today and comes after the release yesterday of Fortnite update 11.40.
The new Fortnite download which has gone live looks like it fixes a number of bugs that players have been reporting recently.
However, Fortnite update 11.40.1 isn’t available immediately on all platforms.
Fortnite update 11.40.1 is available to download today on PS4, Xbox One, PCs and Android – however iOS and Nintendo Switch fans will have to wait a little longer.
The news was revealed by the official Fortnite Status Twitter account who posted brief details on what fans can expect from the download in lieu of full patch notes
The account posted: “Players on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Mac, and Android can now download the v11.40.1 maintenance patch.
“We’ll provide an update once this patch is available on Nintendo Switch and iOS.”
More to follow…
Source: Read Full Article


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The Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG now has a price attached to it. We wish we could afford it.
Read This Article
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class configurator is now live, and lets perspective buyers build an S550 to taste. We play around with it.
When the all-new Cadillac XTS sedan made its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show last year, more observant press members noted something immediately: the XTS was too small.
Say hello to the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT.


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Tema, June 10, GNA – To scientifically ascertain the average time for the clearing of cargoes at Ghana’s Ports, the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has commenced a ‘time-release study’ in line with international best practices.
The study, expected to fully begin this month and be completed by January 2023 already had its preliminary engagements which started last year.
It would be funded by the USAID and GIZ with technical assistance from the World Customs Organisation.
Ms. Daina Ayorkor Agbenyega, Principal Officer, at the Policy and Programmes Unit at the Customs Division of the GRA disclosed this at a media forum organized by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) in Tema.
Ms Agbenyaga said the study was part of GRA’s strategic actions to enhance administrative efficiency, adding that it also aligned with Ghana’s commitment to the Trade Facilitation Agreements at the international level.
She said although Customs had a fair estimate of the average time of clearance at the ports, the trade facilitation agreements required them to publish results using scientific processes.
She noted that “the recommended and approved tool for customs administrations is the World Customs Organisation Time Release Study (WCO TRS) Tool across the world and that is what we want to use to undertake the study so we can officially publish it based on empirical evidence, so it can be recognised internationally.”
The Custom Principal Officer explained that the study would also fish out the operational inefficiencies which were not associated with the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS).
She said, for instance, the study would ascertain how long it would take for the laboratory to take samples and provide an analysis of a product, emphasising that the study would not be limited to customs processes but would examine the entire clearance chain.
Ms Agbenyaga stated that the study would cover the Tema Collection, the Kotoka International Airport, the Paga, and Aflao Collections to have a well-represented sample size.
She said customs authorities around the world were being encouraged to simplify processes and expedite trade by saving time and money.
Touching on the trade facilitation agreements, she said they were about eliminating non-tariff barriers to trade which was estimated to constitute an alarming 214 percent of trade cost.
“These trade barriers are what we call red tapes, and these red tapes are what we intend to eliminate. In line with the TFA, we are embarking on simplification, harmonisation, transparency, and modernisation of our systems,” she noted.
According to her, when the processes were simplified and transparent, more investments would come in, trade volumes would increase, and more taxes would be collected.
She added that as such, measures have been instituted for Customs authorities to implement to achieve the trade facilitation objectives, saying the Revised Kyoto Convention which Ghana was a signatory to, required all Customs authorities to enhance processes toward the simplification, harmonization, and predictability of systems.


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The John Abraham – Emraan Hashmi starrer Mumbai Saga has been making news since director Sanjay Gupta announced the venture. The film which wrapped up shooting before the pandemic lockdown has been in the post production stage for a while. Now, we hear that the makers of Mumbai Saga have decided to release the film directly on OTT and have in fact locked a deal with the streaming giant Amazon Prime Video.
As per reports, Mumbai Saga has been acquired by Amazon Prime Video for a staggering amount, the likes of which have not been seen till date. Claims a well-placed industry source, “Amazon has shelled out an amount in high double digit figures to acquire Mumbai Saga, which has now made the film one of, if not the most costly acquisition of recent times.” Ask the source for more details on the price and whether the deal between Amazon and the makers of Mumbai Saga has been signed and he adds, “Talks are still on, but the moneys are on the table and the makers of the film are pretty happy with the offer. All that remains now is to thresh out the promotion details and sign the dotted line.”
While an official announcement of the acquisition is awaited, the grapevine states that Amazon Prime Video will soon be adding the film to its catalogue and will commence promotion of the same as well.
As for the film itself, Mumbai Saga is a period gangster flick set in the 80s that will show the transition from Bombay to Mumbai. It is a Gulshan Kumar presentation, and is backed by T-Series and White Feather Films production. Produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Sangiita Ahir and Anuradha Gupta Mumbai Saga, is directed by Sanjay Gupta.


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TJX group, owner of TK Maxx and HomeSense has reported increased sales and market share growth in its first quarter of the year.
The US-based home and fashion retailers posted a 7% rise to $7.5bn in total like-for-like store sales in the quarter to April 30.
TJX‘s UK and international businesses saw a like-for-like sales increase of 4% to $981m. As its largest international sector, TK Maxx stores in the UK grew from 456 to 471 and HomeSense also added 41 locations to its estate.
TJX Chief Executive and President Ernie Herrman said: “It is great to start 2016 with such a strong quarter. We are particularly pleased with our very strong customer traffic, which drove the increases at every division.
“This tells us that our strategies to bring consumers exciting values on an eclectic and ever-changing mix of the right fashions and brands, sourced from across the globe, are working.
“We are confident that we are growing our customer base and gaining market share. We see many opportunities in the US and internationally for continued successful growth.
“We are extremely focused on achieving our goals for 2016 and motivated to surpass them. TJX has an exciting future ahead, and we have a strategic long-term vision to grow to be a $40bn company and beyond.”
TJX recently announced a 4% like-for-like growth across its international arm for the full year to 30 January in its preliminary results.


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This Veteran spotlight is brought to you by the Law Office of Ken Bruce.
US Marine Sgt. John Shamblin was honored with a Quilt of Valor on Wednesday at his home. Due to COVID-19 there was not a big ceremony for the Veteran.
Sgt. Shamblin served in the First Marine Wing from 1943-1945. His unit was close to the action at Okinawa, Green Island, and Boganville and bases all over the South Pacific. His job in the Marines was to repair fighter planes. He spent two Christmases in the South Pacific Islands.
After the war he came home to Chattooga County, Georgia and got a job at Crawford Hardware (the Crawfords’ owned two hardware stores at the time, one in Lyerly and Summerville). Mr. Shamblin recalled that Mr. Crawford told him after he was there for three or four years that he’d make sure Mr. Shamblin got the store.
Mr. Crawford was true to his word and in 1955 Shamblin and his wife Bobbie bought the hardware store in Summerville and changed the name to Shamblin Hardware. He ran the hardware store for 30 years.
These days the 97 year old Veteran takes it easy, and while he said he doesn’t have much family left, Mr. Crawford’s son, Johnny Crawford stops by for a visit every Sunday.


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The Princess of Wales caught the attention of many over the weekend as she wore a glamourous rental gown and glittering emerald jewellery on the 2022 Earthshot Prize awards' green carpet.
Attending the event in Boston on Friday night, Kate Middleton sent a sustainable message in an elegant Solace London dress that was rented for the occasion.
The royal chose to source a rental gown in adherence with the Prize's earth-friendly theme, with guests asked not to purchase new outfits.
Kate continued her sustainable streak as she recycled Princess Diana's Art Deco emerald and diamond choker, in addition to a pair of droplet earrings from her personal jewellery collection.
While onlookers were thrilled by the prospect they could wear the exact same dress as Kate, available on HURR Collective for the price of £74 ($133), the rest of her look was significantly less attainable.
To complement Diana's emerald choker, the princess wore a sparkling pair of emerald and diamond halo earrings from the prestigious jewellery brand Asprey, which retail for a whopping $US11,375 ($16,641).
Per Asprey's website, the earrings are made with four emeralds (totalling 1.27ct) and 72 diamonds (totalling 0.79ct) and are mounted in platinum – certainly a luxurious choice from the princess, who has never been photographed in them before.
While Kate's gown and earrings were stylish choices, the central focus of the ensemble was undoubtedly the choker, which was made for Queen Mary by the brand Garrard in 1921 from emeralds gifted by the Ladies of India in 1911.
It is part of a larger parure of emerald and diamond pieces, which were inherited by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Her Majesty gave Diana the choker on a long-term loan and the former Princess of Wales wore it many times during her life, sometimes as a headband.
The event marked the end of Kate and Prince William's three-day visit to the United States and took place at the MGM Music Hall at Fenway, Boston.
For a daily dose of 9Honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.


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Videolarmâ€™s new RC3 ceiling camera
Videolarm has released its RC3, a ceiling camera with 360-degree manual rotation for surveillance in indoor environments. The camera replaces a standard two-foot by two-foot ceiling tile and retains a ceilingâ€™s fire-retardant properties.
Each RC3 features a choice of standard or high-resolution black and white or color cameras. A new day/night-resolution camera is also available.
For more information, contact Videolarm at 800-554-1124 or visit www.videolarm.com.


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If you are not swapping your newspaper for an iPad, and if you have no interest in teenage vampire movies, you'll have good reason to question whether the consumer prices index (CPI) is a suitable measure of inflation.
Last week the Office for National Statistics said the iPad and the Twilight fiction series had made it into the official basket of goods used to calculate inflation, while stepladders were out.
Certainly there are campaigners who argue that some of the new items highlight how unsuitable the CPI is for older people. Saga director general Ros Altmann pointed out that while cumulative inflation, as measured on the retail prices index (RPI), since September 2007 had been 15.1pc, the Saga Price Index showed inflation for 50-64 year-olds ran at 19.6pc.
Household bills have been rising for many – only this week energy experts speculated that gas and electricity providers could soon be about to increase prices again.
Those who want to step on the brakes of their financial roller-coaster may be tempted to opt for fixed-rate deals in a bid to stay on top of their budget. Research from Halifax found that more than two-thirds of consumers have received a bill which has increased without their knowledge – and, as a result, nearly three-quarters of households are considering signing up for fixed-rate deals this year.
But will fixing your household expenses cut your cost of living? We look at four bills to see if locking in deals will actually save you cash.
Last week Halifax launched a home insurance product that allows you to fix your premiums for three years.
So, would locking in your home insurance premiums today mean paying less in the long run? It is questionable.
For instance, an average annual premium for a three-bedroom, semi-detached home in Manchester would cost £175.43 with the Halifax fixed-rate deal – nearly £30 more than the cheapest best-buy policy from eSure, which would cost just £145.60. So in the first year alone, you would pay above the odds for your cover.
"Fixing premiums for three years could be a false economy," said Peter Harrison, head of insurance at Moneysupermarket.com.
"Home insurance premiums remain at relatively low levels, with average home insurance premiums only up a couple of pounds year-on-year, so opting for a fixed product may not be beneficial in the long term," he said.
He pointed out that while there may be benefits in guaranteeing one's household outgoings, especially when times are tight, policyholders will not benefit from a "no claims discount" until the end of the three-year period.
However, Mike Powell, insight analyst at statisticians Defaqto, pointed out that there is no "tie in" for policyholders to renew their policies for three years to receive the fixed price.
"Policyholders can cancel at any time, subject to the normal terms and conditions. However, the issue that consumers must be aware of is that the offer is subject to no claims being made during this period," he said.
"If a claim is made, the offer comes to an end at the renewal of the policy and is then subject to the insurer's normal underwriting rules."
But there are other ways to save on your home insurance costs rather than fixing your premiums. For instance, many providers offer discounts for buying online as their overheads are greatly reduced.
An example of these savings, which come in handy during times such as these: by choosing a home insurance policy from Direct Line, you can save up to 25pc just by going online.
There are special websites that list retailers and product providers and get paid if you click through them. Importantly, they then give some or all of this cash to you. For example, a visit to the website Quidco.com shows that the RAC is offering £75 cashback for a combined buildings and contents policy while Aviva will pay £65 for a new policy. But remember to read the small print, only genuine transactions that are completed wholly online will pay. Visit quidco.com for details.
The cost of heating and lighting the average home now exceeds £1,200 annually – an increase of £190 over the last year. So it is not surprising that energy bills have become a top financial concern for many householders.
To avoid further strain on their household budgets, millions of consumers have opted to fix their tariffs, but prices might be on the turn. On Thursday, OVO energy increased the price of two of its fixed-price tariffs by 7.7pc, adding £81 to the dual fuel bill for a customer with average energy usage. But does fixing your rate ensure significant savings? Not necessarily.
This is because it is impossible to guarantee that fixing will be best for the long term, as prices could fall during the period and the peace of mind provided by fixed-rate energy deals comes at a premium – more costly tariffs.
Scott Byrom, energy manager at Moneysupermarket, said: "Consumers wanting the security of knowing how much they will pay for their energy each month should consider fixing their bills. Taking out a fixed energy tariff would also bring comfort for those who believe that the only way is up for the cost of gas and electricity as they would protect themselves from rising prices."
However, those looking to fix needn't pay much more as the gap between the cheapest online deal and a fixed rate has started to narrow. For instance, npower's Go Fix 11 will cost the average household £1,033 a year for gas and electricity – just £6 more than the cheapest online deal available, iSave v10 from First Utility.
For those languishing on a standard tariff and reluctant to lock into a fixed-rate deal, simply switching to an online tariff can save as much as £320 a year. Worth a look is First Utility's iSave v10, as mentioned above, and Scottish Power's Online Energy Saver 18, which costs £1,085 annually.
Consumers can make further savings by signing up to a cashback website. Quidco.com currently pays £40 for switching to a Go Fix tariff with npower and £40 for those switching to First Utility.
Paying by a fixed monthly direct debit based on the supplier's estimate can also cut your bill by 10pc, saving you more than £100 a year.
With the Bank Rate at an all-time low of 0.5pc for the last three years, many savers will be earning dismal rates on their deposits. Putting money into a fixed-rate savings account is the only good way of getting a better return, said Andrew Hagger, spokesman for Moneynet.co.uk. And with many economists predicting low interest rates for some time to come, the risk of losing out because of higher rates is diminishing.
Mr Hagger pointed out that for consumers with a savings pot of £10,000, putting it into a one-year fixed-rate bond with Close Brothers Savings, paying 3.4pc, would earn a net return of £272 after basic-rate tax. While those with a larger savings pot of £25,000 who opt for a one-year fixed-rate bond with Cahoot, paying 3.65pc, would receive a net return of £730 after basic-rate tax.
"There are higher returns possible but that involves locking your cash away for longer – with up to 4.65pc available from BM Savings for a five-year fix," said Mr Hagger. "However people may not be comfortable fixing, and losing access to their cash, for that length of time."
This is the big dilemma for many households. Bank Rate hasn't moved for three years, but lenders are beginning to raise their standard variable rates (SVRs).
Mark Harris, chief executive of mortgage broker SPF Private Clients, said: "These rates are set at the lender's discretion so, in theory, anyone on a SVR is at risk. If you are in this position, it may be worth considering a fixed rate to help with budgeting," he said.
Mr Harris said now is a good time to opt for a longer-term fix as there are some very cheap deals available, particularly for borrowers with 25pc equity in their home.
For instance, borrowers with a £200,000 interest-only mortgage from Woolwich, on a rate of 4.99pc, would be paying £832 a month. But they could save £250 a month – or £3,000 a year – by switching to the five-year-fixed deal from Yorkshire Building Society. Charging an interest rate of 3.49pc and including the £495 arrangement fee, those with 25pc equity in their property would face monthly payments of just £582 per month.
That said, the consensus for borrowers on SVRs that lenders can't budge, such as Lloyds and Nationwide, is that it might pay to sit tight.


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We all know very well that during the last week, the Chinese smartphone manufacturers have been the protagonists of the news in smart telephony. But, now according to the latest reports, the well-known Chinese smartphone manufacturer, Huawei is developing its own OS.
An Android Alternative? Huawei Is Developing Its Own OS
During the last week, the Chinese smartphone manufacturers have been the protagonists of the news in smart telephony. ZTE is facing no exports from the United States, which means not having access to the Android operating system or the components of manufacturers such as Qualcomm.
The second is not the biggest problem, because they can count on MediaTek – among others – but would they survive without Android? It is a question that arises also for Huawei, while the Department of Justice of the United States investigates the Chinese brand.
Only a few days ago it became known that the US Department of Justice was investigating Huawei for a possible violation of sanctions against Iran. The Government of the United States is jealous of the Chinese industry and has strongly pressed several brands in this and other sectors.
In some aspects, it is not very relevant, because in China they can use their own ‘raw material’ and they control the manufacturing and assembly of a large part of the mobile market. Now, Android comes from the United States and that could be a problem. It has been said that Huawei could be developing an alternative to Android.
Huawei preparing an alternative operating system to Android OS
Between iOS and Android meets 99.9% of the current mobile phone market. Android is the option for any smartphone manufacturer other than Apple and is currently the choice of Huawei and its main competitors, such as Samsung, Oppo and Xiaomi.
If it were left without the option to use the Android operating system, which is still a remote option, could be an operating system of its own. Something Samsung already tested, for example, with the operating system Tizen OS that was finally for TVs and wearables, among others.
The key in this matter, and wanting to believe that Huawei really can run out of Android, is that this alternative operating system is not new. This source of information ensures that the Chinese brand would have been working on it since 2012, when the United States Government accused Huawei and ZTE of espionage for the first time.
The founder of the brand then commented that his own operating system was being developed for strategic reasons, because, ‘would not we be condemned, if they suddenly took away our food?’
As Apple has done in recent years, Huawei has been reducing the dependencies of other manufacturers, brands and companies. In terms of hardware, for example, they have their own processors and are among the best in the market. The brand, during this week, has already clarified that Huawei has the ability to create its own operating system, but that it will not be necessary.
Recently, the Chinese brand Huawei said that ‘they work very close to Google and will continue to use their operating system.’ In addition, to the most recent controversy, they have responded directly by ensuring that ‘there are no plans to launch an own operating system in the foreseeable future’.
The United States is strong in the technology sector. More specifically, in the component segment. However, the smartphone market does not correspond to the United States, much less. It is clearly dominated by South Korea, if you look at Samsung who is leading the market, and also China thanks to Huawei, Oppo and Xiaomi. Yes, Apple has an important part of this market, but it is not comparable with the rest of the manufacturers, that none of them – in the ‘top 10’ – is also from the United States.
But if we go further into the detail of the industry, they have important manufacturers such as Qualcomm, but with strong dependencies with China for assembly and production. And they have Google, with its Android operating system, which is also from the United States and undoubtedly dominates the mobile phone market.
However, China has the production and assembly industry completely dominated, even with Apple as one of its main ‘clients’. So, although it seems that the United States can put China on the ropes, in reality, China could complicate the market to the United States without too much difficulty.
So, what do you think about this? Simply share all your views and thoughts in the comment section below.


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FCC to promote high-speed broadband competition
The FCC plans to promote more choices and protect competition for Internet service because a lack of adequate consumer choice inhibits innovation, investment and economic benefits.
The New York Times
WASHINGTON — Americans lack real choices among providers of high-speed Internet service, with fewer than one in four homes having access to two or more providers of the broadband speeds that are quickly becoming “table stakes” in modern communications, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman said Thursday.
The chairman, Tom Wheeler, said in a speech that the FCC planned to promote more choices and protect competition, because a lack of adequate consumer choice inhibits innovation, investment and economic benefits.
“There is an inverse relationship between competition and the kind of broadband performance that consumers are increasingly demanding,” Wheeler said. “This is not tolerable.”
While about 80 percent of U.S. homes have access to a wired broadband connection that provides service at 25 megabits per second or greater, an overwhelming majority of those have no choice among providers because there is only one in their community, Wheeler said, citing statistics from the Commerce Department’s State Broadband Initiative.
Even that overstates the level of competition because “users cannot respond by easily switching providers,” Wheeler said. “Once consumers choose a broadband provider, they face high switching costs that include early-termination fees and equipment-rental fees.”
Wheeler said the FCC would protect competition where it existed and encourage greater competition where it could exist. That includes insuring “that the Internet remains free of barriers erected by last-mile providers,” the companies like Comcast and Verizon that provide the link between a consumer’s home and the Internet writ large.
Those comments could hold significant implications for Comcast, which is trying to gain FCC approval to buy Time Warner Cable. Comcast and Time Warner Cable do not compete in any markets, so the acquisition would not reduce competition, the companies say. But eliminating an independent operator that could later expand its service into competing markets could adversely affect future competition.
Wheeler said that the commission would work to create competition where it did not exist, including in municipalities that want to build fiber networks for residents but are restricted from doing so by state laws.
Wheeler cited the long-distance market of the 1990s, when consumers could easily switch from one long-distance carrier to another, as “what a truly competitive telecommunications marketplace looks like.”


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Blueprint Creative, one of Barbados’ leading branding agencies, is partnering with Antilles Economics, one of the Barbados’ leading research firms, to undertake a survey on Customer Experience in Barbados. The results of the survey will be used by both companies to help corporate Barbados gain a better understanding of the impact that customer experience has on businesses operating on the island.
According to Ron Johnson, Managing Director of Blueprint Creative, Barbadian businesses will be in a better position to run more profitable organisations if they have a deeper understanding of how factors such as customer service expectations can impact consumer behaviour. He said that the results of the survey will help uncover a number of important insights, including: whether consumers are willing to pay more for superior service; how likely they are to switch service providers after receiving poor customer service; and, the likelihood of consumers using social media to tell their friends about their customer service experiences.
According to Mr. Johnson, businesses that don’t take a comprehensive approach to building their brands may be taking a huge risk. “Companies cannot afford to focus only on factors such as pricing strategies and advertising campaigns,” he said. “Businesses also need to consider the impact of factors such as customer service, referral rates and brand loyalty.”
Stacia Howard, Managing Director of Antilles Economics, said that it is extremely important for Barbadian CEOs, Marketing Managers and other decision-makers to have access to the most relevant, up-to-date data that can help them make the best strategic decisions for their businesses. She noted that in her experience, a number of Caribbean business executives rely on consumer data from the USA and other countries to provide strategic insights. She acknowledged that in the absence of Caribbean-specific data, referencing data from other countries may be a “decent” starting point, but cautioned that from a statistical standpoint, data that is extrapolated from one consumer market to another consumer market may not be a good fit and may result in poor strategic decisions.
“It is very important that businesses have access to insights that are relevant to the markets in which they operate,” she said. “Even within the Caribbean, each territory has its own peculiarities that can impact consumer demographics, behaviours and expectations. Access to market-specific insights can be a huge competitive advantage for companies committed to making data-driven decisions.”
Both Johnson and Howard said that they expect the survey to uncover important insights that companies can use to build stronger, more profitable brands. If you’d like to participate in the survey, please click here.


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Nestlé Waters is offering top prizes for the next big retail talent in the convenience industry.
The competition - an extension of Buxton’s Up and Coming marketing campaign launched earlier this month - is designed to unearth talented individuals who have shown resilience, commitment and dedication to the bottled water category, sustainability or their local community.
Entries are open now to convenience retailers and a panel of experts from NRFN and Nestlé Waters will review all submissions to find a winner for each of the three categories.
The judges will mark candidates against their work and dedication, with particular attention given to the challenges that each retailer has had to overcome. The prize for winners includes a weekend for two in the Peak District, as well as free Buxton water stock (worth £200) and expert category advice from Nestle Waters.
Severine Hemms, shopper marketing manager at Nestlé Waters UK, said: “I am thrilled to launch this channel specific competition to excite and reward convenience retailers who are working extremely hard. The “Up and Coming competition allows us to celebrate talent and create strong retail partnerships for the future with Nestle Waters.”
To enter the competition, retailers can either nominate themselves or ask an industry peer or colleague to enter on their behalf. Entries must include a few words with images explaining why they should win.
All submissions must also include a name, email address, phone number, store name and the category of entry. Retailers can email their entires to firstname.lastname@example.org from now until 31 August 2019.


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In which we present a regular round-up of news from the world of Grown-up Travel
Please exit the plane by the forward forklift
Passengers on a Qantas jet have been evacuated using a cage and forklift after an emergency landing at a tiny rural airport.
The Boeing 767 carrying more than 160 passengers was flying from Darwin to Brisbane when the crew smelt fumes.
The plane made the forced landing at the remote mining town of Mount Isa and had to use the forklift because there were no stairs that would fit.
“A two-tonne forklift and a cage – five passengers at a time,” passenger Carl Hannin told the ABC of the evacuation.
“I must say though the ground crew have done a terrific job to organise it so quickly.
“I think we sat there for an hour and then they realised they didn’t have air stairs that would fit the aircraft, so they improvised with a fork lift.”
New website lets hotels bid for your business
A new hotel-booking site, BackBid, turns hotel shopping on its head: As a potential guest, you become the pursued rather than the pursuer.
Taking a lot of the hassle out of online searching and comparing of hotel rates, Montreal-based BackBid lets you post an existing hotel reservation made on another hotel or online travel agency website, then sit back as competing hotels bid for your business.
Unlike “opaque” discounting sites such as Priceline and Hotwire, with BackBid you know the identities of the hotels upfront.
BackBid, which operates in 16 U.S. markets, launched in beta in November. Here’s how it works: You create a free profile and can include your rewards programs and AAA membership, as well as your preferred amenities, such as valet parking, Wi-Fi and hotel spa.
You then enter information about a hotel reservation you’ve made elsewhere, including check-in and checkout dates, your confirmation number and where you booked the property. Finally, you e-mail the reservation to email@example.com.
I did this one evening for upcoming stays at the Holiday Inn Chicago-Midway Airport, Hotel Vintage Park in Seattle and the Waldorf Astoria in Manhattan.
By dawn the next morning, I’d received e-mail notifications from BackBid indicating there were seven bids from Chicago hotels, ranging from the Hyatt Regency Chicago to the Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown to the Dana Hotel & Spa.
Among the seven hotels trying to woo me: the Holiday Inn Chicago-Midway Airport, the original hotel that I had reserved on HolidayInn.com. The hotel was offering me a $120 rate instead of the $159 I had reserved.
Tourism gold? Olympics set to lose Britain billions
Organisers accused of scaring off visitors by creating damaging spike in hotel rates.
Unwanted hotel rooms needlessly reserved for dignitaries by Olympic organisers will be a key factor in a tourism slump set to cost Britain billions this summer, top travel industry figures have warned.
The organising committee for the London 2012 Games, Locog, revealed yesterday that it had over-estimated by a quarter the number of rooms needed by officials, media and sponsors. It has now handed back 120,000 of the total 600,000 nights booked for the sporting event.
The large-scale reservation of rooms in early preparation for the Games has caused increased prices across the capital and has put many regular tourists off visiting this summer.
Tour operators warned last night that a sudden flood of vacant rooms would be too late to boost visitor numbers. Analysis for The Independent suggests up to one million beds will now go unsold over the Olympic period, hitting hoteliers and others working in the tourism industry. One trade association estimated income could slump by up to £3.5bn during July and August.
Premium Tours, a leading sightseeing operator based in London, expects business to decline by one-third this year. Neil Wootton, the managing director, said: “Prices have been so high that tourists are moving elsewhere. Overseas wholesalers who traditionally push London have switched to other cities this year. If the Parisian and Italian hoteliers do their job then the tours may never return to London.”
On the Spot: Airline seating
Question: Why won’t some airlines allow me to select my seat in advance?
Answer: Money and power.
That’s the answer to lots of questions, including this one, which I’ve received several times of late in various forms.
If you’re traveling steerage on some airlines, you often can’t select your seat more than 24 hours in advance without paying to do so. That gives the airline an opportunity to prey upon your worst-case-scenario fears. (Mine is being stuck in a nonreclining middle seat near the restroom on an 11-hour flight from Honolulu to Sydney. I would rather have a root canal — without Novocain — than ever do that again.)
If you want to ensure that you’re not going to be a captive audience, so to speak, you’ll fork over additional cash to get the seat you want. This is, said Jami Counter, a senior director of SeatGuru, “one more revenue stream,” adding, “Customers will pay for what they deem ‘value,'” said Counter, whose company helps you select the best seat by providing “maps” to hundreds of aircraft. (By way of example, if you’re on anAmerican Airlines 737-800 to Austin, Texas, you might want to reconsider all the seats in rows 26, 27 and 28; SeatGuru says they have “some drawbacks.”)
Some smaller carriers hold seats for their best customers, a perk in this day of increasingly perkless travel. This sometimes means the “elite” customer who has a zillion frequent-flier miles. If it’s a really small carrier, the “elite” customer sometimes means friends, family or airline execs, which isn’t a bad idea for interpersonal relationships or job security but not so good for the customer. But that’s not what this is about.


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In an effort to combat a "weaker" business climate, Nokia plans to eliminate up to 14,000 positions, the company announced in a statement.
The announcement of the action was made as part of a larger reorganization that would reduce the company's workforce to between 72,000 and 77,000 employees. The Finnish telecom giant, a significant supplier of 5G equipment, employs 86,000 workers.
According to the company's projections, the move will enable it to decrease employment expenditures by 10% to 15% and save at least €400 million ($421.4 million) in 2024 alone.
Overall, it stated that by the end of 2026, the reductions are anticipated to reduce Nokia's expenses by up to €1.2 billion (about $1.3 billion). Nokia (NOK) promised to "act quickly" to implement the adjustments.
CEO Pekka Lundmark stated in the statement, "The most difficult business decisions to make are the ones that impact our people." "Everyone impacted by this process will receive support from Nokia, as we have incredibly talented staff members."
The news was released on the same day that Nokia revealed lower-than-anticipated earnings. It stated that because of "macroeconomic uncertainty and higher interest rates continuing to pressure operator spending," revenues in the third quarter were 15% lower than they were during the same period last year.
The business said that a slowdown in the pace of 5G implementation in areas like India was the reason why mobile network revenues dropped 19% in the third quarter over the same period last year.
This week, rival Swedish company Ericsson issued a similar warning, citing a "challenging environment and macroeconomic uncertainty" to support Nokia's prediction that sales in 2023 would probably be lower than typical in the second half.
However, Nokia has not changed its prediction for 2023, estimating revenues for the entire year to range between €23.2 billion and €24.6 billion ($24.4 billion and $25.9 billion).
According to Lundmark, "We continue to believe in the mid-to-long-term attractiveness of our markets."


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Hi all! It has been a crazy, difficult, and eventful year, capped off by our successful integration with Props and some great early engagement and results on the Listia platform. The combined network is now growing quickly.
As we look forward to working more closely with the Props ecosystem, here is a look at some of the latest updates from their team. It looks to be a very eventful January with things like an updated white paper, exchange listings, and partnerships. Staking and other great features are also coming to Props, so be on the lookout for that, with additional…
Hi everyone! After a busy summer, we are pleased to announce that we have completed a successful integration and launch with our new partner, Props!
As we announced earlier this year, this is the first step in trying to build a much larger, combined community for consumer token adoption. You can read about the features in one of our other blog posts here.
Hi everyone! It has been about a month since we announced our partnership with Props and things have been moving very quickly on the product and development front. Props has been making waves in some other apps recently as well, which is great news for the network! They also recently passed 1.7M unique token users.
The team is currently working on wrapping up some of the back-end changes to support the new rewards system and a lot of work has been completed on the web front-end, Android and iOS apps now as well. The next piece is building all the…
We have some big news to share! Listia will be partnering with Props to integrate their consumer-facing token into the Listia marketplace and apps. The Props Token, which has already been earned and used by more than 1 million users, will power a newly revamped rewards and loyalty system on Listia. We are huge believers in the power of a token that not only unlocks features and gives you more value within marketplaces, but also gives you a true financial stake in the network. …
You can now list items and services directly on Replin without going through a social channel such as Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. While most of our sellers still find their buyers on social media, the native listing format allows them to easily list once and sell across multiple channels.
Take a look at the super simple flow below:
Hi everyone! Ever since our previous Replin Checkouts launch, we have noticed that our early users really love the idea of a personal shop or storefront. It’s a lot easier to understand than a “seller profile” and has a lot more utility as well. Sellers can put up things they are selling in a light and easy way, while showing off their Ink Protocol reputation, and of course accepting payment instantly.
So, we will now be referring the Replin marketplace as simply “Replin Stores”. The home page of Replin now also talks about stores and not just a “selling profile”…
We recently introduced personal storefronts to the Replin marketplace, but buyers still needed to click through to the original social post in order to buy. We’ve been hard at continuing to improve the experience and are extremely excited to announce that you can now checkout directly on a store listing!
Every seller can now create listings and show off their reputation on a simple, easy-to-use storefront page, that is populated directly from their social media selling activity. Currently, we support Twitter sellers and are looking into other platforms soon.
This is a huge step in getting more transactions onto Replin…
Today we are happy to announce the launch of personal shops on Replin! All Replin sellers now automatically get a free storefront page that can be used to sell across many platforms. It’s like having a free eBay/Etsy/Shopify store that you own and that can be used everywhere, with absolutely NO marketplace fees! Sellers get paid directly via their existing PayPal account and continue earning feedback via Ink Protocol to build up their reputation.
We are already seeing hundreds of new listings added each day to the Replin Marketplace, and early user feedback has been great for the new storefront…
Today, we are taking a huge step forward in our goal of building a global, decentralized p2p marketplaces powered by Ink Protocol’s blockchain-based reputation system. Anyone who sells on Twitter can now add their listings to the Replin Marketplace for free to reach more buyers and sell online without the high fees that traditional centralized marketplaces charge.
Just mention @OnReplin in your tweet, include a photo, and add a price.
See it in action: https://on.replin.com
Today we dropped another powerful feature on Replin! Replin sellers can now proudly display all of their listings in one place, right on their own personal selling profile. This is a great way to attract more buyers, build trust, and start making more money when you sell online. Avoid those super high marketplace fees and getting locked into marketplaces that own your data. Take control of your own personal brand and sell direct!


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Edinburgh Airport has announced new routes with Jet2 to popular ski destinations that you can travel to this winter.
Jet2 hope they can grant skiers and snowboarders access to the best slopes in Europe with Edinburgh locals now able to travel to Geneva Innsbruck, Salzburg, and Turin.
The travel operator are currently doing a promotion offer until March 31 offering all customers 10 per cent off their winter ski destination flights.
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: “We know how much skiers and snowboarders missed the slopes in Winter 20/21, so we are absolutely thrilled to be launching such an exciting ski programme for Winter 21/22.
"With the best slopes across Europe available from all ten of our UK bases, we know that snow sports fans will be clamouring to book the best of the action for Winter 21/22 and ski flights are selling very well as a result.
“In addition to Geneva, Grenoble, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Turin and Barcelona (Andorra), we are delighted to be adding Chambery to our ski programme for Winter 21/22. Chambery provides fantastic access to the best ski resorts in the French Alps, so whether you are a beginner or an expert, the best slopes are within easy reach.
"With perfectly timed flights, we’re giving skiers access to the best ski resorts across Europe and we know the return of our ski programme will be a huge hit with snow sports enthusiasts.”
The capital airport tweeted out the news saying: "New route announcement! @jet2tweets have today announced a new winter ski service to Innsbruck This means you can now hit the slopes in four top ski destinations including Geneva, Salzburg, and Turin."
Join our Traffic Facebook group to get up-to-the-minute traffic news from across Edinburgh and the Lothians: Edinburgh Traffic
- Belfast International – Salzburg
- Birmingham – Chambery, Geneva, Grenoble, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Turin and Barcelona (Andorra)
- Bristol – Chambery, Grenoble, Innsbruck and Salzburg
- East Midlands – Geneva and Salzburg
- Edinburgh – Geneva, Salzburg, Innsbruck and Turin
- Glasgow – Geneva
- Leeds Bradford – Chambery, Geneva, Salzburg and Barcelona (Andorra)
- London Stansted – Chambery, Geneva, Grenoble, Innsbruck and Salzburg
- Manchester – Chambery, Geneva, Grenoble, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Turin and Barcelona (Andorra)
- Newcastle – Geneva, Grenoble and Salzburg


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'Home of Foie Gras' Bans the Pâté from Official City Events
Foie gras is still a popular delicacy in France.
The Strasbourg Mayor Jeanne Barseghian, who is part of the Europe Ecology Greens party, confirmed her decision to stop serving the pâté at all official city events. Foie gras is made from the livers of ducks and geese who are force-fed, a practice animal rights activists have condemned as cruel and inhumane.
“Cruelty to geese and ducks has no place in modern society, and PETA thanks the mayor of Strasbourg for her compassionate decision to stop serving vile foie gras,” said Mimi Bekhechi from the animal rights group. “Torture doesn’t belong on dining tables – faux gras [a vegan substitute] is the way forward.”
The mayor's decision to ban one of Alsace's flagship products was reportedly made after she took office in 2020 but has only just become public. It has dismayed local producers, who point out that Strasbourg was known as ‘the capital of foie gras’ in the 19th century, according to Le Figaro.
“It's a somewhat surprising announcement, one day before the opening of the Christmas Market," Nicolas Lechner, the president of the foie gras producers of Alsace, told the newspaper. "Is she going to unbolt the Gänseliesel in the Parc de l'Orangerie?" he asked, referring to a statue sculpted in 1898 of a young girl leading a flock of geese.
Another producer, Vincent Heusch, questioned whether the mayor, who is vegetarian, would now remove all animal products, including meat and fish, from official tables.
Foie gras production is illegal in the UK, the Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, Poland, and Turkey, while many countries and states have also banned its import. The Guardian reported last week that the UK is looking to clamp down on foie gras imports and has invited chefs to discuss how to create plant-based “faux gras” in the event of an upcoming ban.
Many luxury shops and restaurants in the UK have already turned their back on foie gras, including Fortnum & Mason and Selfridges, following protests and pressure from celebrities like Sir Roger Moore and Joanna Lumley.
FIND OUT MORE
Americans Urged to Adopt Turkeys for ThanksgivingAmericans are being asked to adopt a turkey rather than serve one up for dinner during the holiday season.
Pandemic-Chicken Craze Comes Home to RoostThe pandemic drove a surge in demand for backyard poultry flocks as people sought a steady supply of fresh eggs during lockdown.
Climate Change: Insects as Food of the FutureFear of climate change is an ever more common reason given for abstaining from eating meat. On the other hand, human beings need protein....
Michelin Unexpectedly Adds Six Restaurants to New York GuideThe renowned French-owned guide is breaking with tradition by adding some of its NYC selections throughout the year, instead of annually.
Michelin-starred Chef to Leave Berlin Restaurant after Eleven YearsHendrik Otto, who has cooked up two Michelin stars for the renowned restaurant Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer, is leaving in January.
Sushi is an addiction that has conquered the world in the last 50 years. Here is our list of the 25 top sushi places, outside Japan.
You might have overdone it a little but that's no reason to throw cheese away...here's a few ideas for using up all those gnarly looking bits and bobs...
While each species of deer from roe to reindeer has subtle flavour differences, the most important factors are cut and cuisson. Here are the top 10...
Fondue chalets are very much in vogue. Falstaff presents the most beautiful pop-up chalets in Swiss cities.
Cheese fondue belongs to Switzerland like schnitzel to Austria and roast beef to England. Our Swiss editorial team get to the bottom of the...
Cheese fondue is a winter classic: we asked eight top sommeliers for the perfect wine accompaniment.
Cooking is a skill and an art – but there are many food-related skills that are nothing to do with prepping meals. Here are seven of the best.
Deep-fried potato sticks attract not only ordinary mortals, but also star chefs. Why and what does it take to prepare them perfectly?


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BEIJING — Premier Li Keqiang has demanded a high level of opening up and innovation to bolster economic growth.
The promotion of reform, opening up and innovation can help China combat downward pressure on the economy, Premier Li said during a three-day visit to the cities of Xiamen, Quanzhou and Fuzhou of southeast China’s Fujian province.
China has launched three new free trade zones (FTZ) in Tianjin, Guangdong and Fujian, 18 months after the first FTZ opened in Shanghai.
“China’s economy is resilient,” he said. “Through targeted control and keeping the growth within a range, China can develop during structural changes.”
“The FTZ should foster the world’s best business environment, setting an example for the whole country in pushing reform and opening up and promoting quality growth,” he said.
The Premier demanded that innovation, entrepreneurship and streamlining of administration continue.
China should press ahead with its strategy of “going global” and “bringing in”. International cooperation will help China achieve medium high growth and elevate its economy to a medium-high level, he said.
Entrepreneurs from Taiwan were advised by Li to make the most business opportunities as more beneficial policies are on the way, alongside the old preferential policies.
During the visit to a branch of the Industrial Bank Co., Ltd. in Fuzhou, he urged financial institutions to come up with more innovative and streamlined approaches to meet the needs of the real economy.
He encouraged students to read while touring Xiamen University, both books that provide cutting-edge knowledge and classics that can cultivate the mind.
The Premier also asked for substandard accommodation to be renovated well and for the protection of traditional culture in the modernization of cities.


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Tue, Mar 21, 2017 at 3:42 PM
Closing Ceremony of Commerce Society and Consumer Forum
Ludhiana: 21 March 2017: (Punjab Screen Bureau)::
Department of commerce organized the closing ceremony of commerce society and consumer forum at Govt. College for Girls, Ludhiana in the college auditorium. Prof. (Dr.) Pushpinder Singh Gill, Professor at the school of management studies, Punjabi University Patiala came as the chief guest on the occasion. He was accorded a warm welcome by College Principal Prof. (Dr.) Mohinder Kaur Grewal and Dr. Gurpreet Kaur, Head of Commerce department.
On this occasion, Dr. Gill delivered a lecture on "Future of Marketing". He threw light on converting the traditional methods of 4P's (Product, Price, Place and Promotion) to 4C's (Customer, Cost, Convenience, Communication) respectively. There was an interactive session with the students in which the guest speaker answered the queries of the students. The Students of commerce department mesmerized the audience with a beautiful cultural program. A musical skit on demonetization, welcome song, PPT on consumer awareness were main highlights of the program. The principal of the college Prof.(Dr.) Mohinder Kaur Grewal and chief guest appreciated the teachers and students of commerce department and gave away trophies and certificate to the winners. A vote of thanks was proposed by Shivangi, President of the commerce Society.


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The latest details revealed about the Home Depot breach are "eerily" similar to the Target compromise and point to the need for retailers to closely monitor the security measures of their third-party vendors and ramp up breach detection efforts.
Troy Leach of the PCI Security Standards Council says log monitoring is an effective data breach detection tool that, unfortunately, not enough merchants put to use. He explains how upcoming PCI guidance could help with implementation.
Following its massive breach, Target has hired a chief risk and compliance officer reporting directly to the CEO. Analysts say this move could signify the importance cybersecurity has reached within retail organizations.
A hotel booking website hack - resulting in stolen payment cards - triggers a regulator's warning that businesses still need to pay close attention to eliminating SQL injection vulnerabilities from their websites and emphasizing secure coding.
In addition to 56 million payment cards being compromised in the Home Depot data breach, approximately 53 million e-mail addresses also were stolen, the retailer reported in an investigation update on Nov. 6.
Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., the presumptive chairman of the Senate committee with government IT security oversight, hasn't immersed himself heavily in cybersecurity issues during his 4-year Senate tenure.
JPMorgan Chase in September confirmed that it was the victim of a cyber-attack that compromised customer information. This infographic provides an overview of what we know so far and what questions remain unanswered.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology has released a draft of guidance aimed at helping government agencies and businesses establish, participate in and maintain cyberthreat information sharing relationships.
The debate between leading retail and banking associations over accountability for card fraud has heated up in recent weeks. One retail group now says claims about merchant security and fraud liability have been misstated.
Hackers launched a successful phishing attack against Fidelity National Financial employees, then used the stolen information to attempt to reroute money transfers, the title insurance and mortgage services firm warns.
In this post-Target era of "It's not a matter of if, but when," how prepared is your organization for a data breach? Michael Buratowski of General Dynamics Fidelis Cybersecurity Solutions offers tips for breach planning and response.
The developer of CurrentC, a mobile wallet application, has confirmed a breach at its e-mail provider, which has resulted in the compromise of e-mail addresses for those participating in a pilot program or who requested information about it.


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In the merger and acquisition market there have been many flavors of the month, but the demand for industrial companies is the equivalent of chocolate: almost universally and consistently liked by acquirers. Industrial companies including, manufacturing, distribution and services, are a significant portion of the American economy and will remain so well into the future. At one time, the demise of the industrial sector was predicted as low cost manufacturing transitioned overseas. In recent years the demand for industrial products produced in the U.S. has expanded. Throughout these differing viewpoints M&A activity in the industrial sector has remained strong.
The recent events in Ukraine are likely to have significant effects on the global market for natural gas with the likely winners being non-Russian companies that fulfill the demand for this commodity. Current events have proven that Russia, whose credibility in this sector was marginal to begin with, cannot be counted on as a partner that can reliably deliver natural gas to customers. Today, Russia is the dominant provider of natural gas to many European countries, due to their abundant supply. Although there is great economic incentive for Russia to build a consistent and reliable supply chain, this natural resource has become a political weapon for the Russian government.
The industrial services sector is undergoing a resurgence as merger and acquisition activity continues to grow. As with most sectors, transaction activity decreased substantially after the economic downturn in 2008. The industrial services sector was hit particularly hard due to cutbacks in spending by the private and public sectors.
PCE recently participated on a panel regarding “Capital Markets Trends in Distribution” at the Strategic Pricing Associates Distribution Strategy Seminar in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In attendance were owners and senior executives from over 70 different distributors and manufacturers across all major industries.
Orlando, FL – PCE Investment Bankers announces the recent recapitalization of Crane Rental Corp., one of the country’s leading crane rental, hauling and rigging services. The partnership with Hammond, Kennedy, Whitney & Co. Inc. (HKW), a private equity firm, will enable Crane Rental, a family-owned and operated business, to continue to expand and grow in response to increasing demand.
The economic slowdown continues to provide challenges and opportunities to distributors of all descriptions. While a limited group of distributors have proved to be immune to the current downturn, by and large most participants within the marketplace are affected by an uneasy environment. With no signs of the weakness abating, it is critical to consider all options available to most successfully maintain and/or add value during these turbulent times.
During the recent National Association of Wholesale Distributors Annual Executive Summit in Washington, D.C., I was fortunate enough to hear the outlooks given by economists Alan Beaulieu and Steve Moore. Unfortunately, their economic outlooks were not particularly positive in nature. These presentations seemed to set the tone for the rest of the summit. Most conversations I had with distribution business owners surrounded the softening economy and the status of the M&A environment relating to the economic slowdown and stressed capital markets.
Ongoing M&A activity within the wholesale distribution industry has an increasing number of owner’s contemplating the sale of their business. Those who properly prepare and consider the criteria buyers use for an acquisition consistently achieve more favorable outcomes.
Capital from financial institutions, strategic buyers, private equity firms and individuals continues to flow into the wholesale distribution industry. This influx has led to strong valuations for publicly traded distributors and solid transaction multiples for operators who sold businesses. In our opinion, two main fundamental drivers lead this charge – the attractiveness of the distribution industry and the current availability of capital.
The optics and photonics industry has been important to Central Florida ever since efforts by state leaders to expand Florida’s economy beyond its dependence on tourism and citrus in the 1980s. Initiatives by visionaries such as Bill Schwartz led to the founding of Florida’s laser industry and the 1986 establishment of the Center for Research in Electro-Optics and Lasers (CREOL) in Orlando.


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Manuel Antonio Cazares Castro, President of the Tomato Product System, said tomato prices in the domestic market would remain high until the tomato harvest is generalized.
He noted that the harvest of greenhouse tomatoes in southern Sonora would begin next week and that it had already started in the neighbouring state of Sinaloa.
He said that tomatoes prices remained above 25 pesos ($ 1.75) per kilogram because there wasn't enough production to meet demand.
Next week, he said, the first harvests of greenhouse tomatoes will start in the Yaqui Valley - south of Sonora - especially for the cherry and chambray varieties.
He also noted that the harvest of the saladet tomato variety would start next February so prices would continue to rise and benefit producers. However, he acknowledged, consumers must pay a high price for a food product that is used on a daily basis.
Tomatoes are being sold between 25 and 30 pesos in the supply centres and supermarkets in the capital of Sonora, but their normal price is quoted for up to 40 pesos per kilogram.


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James Bullard said he dissented on this week's Fed decision to lower rates by a quarter percentage point because he didn't think the cut was big enough.The Fedread more
More than 400 Chinese products will be temporarily exempted from tariffs that President Donald Trump's administration imposed last year.China Economyread more
"I feel like I've contributed all I can to this primary election," he told MSNBC's "Morning Joe." "And it's clearly not my time. So I'm going to end my presidential campaign."2020 Electionsread more
Apple will get a taste of whether upgraded features on the new iPhone 11 are enough to lure shoppers to retail stores around the world as the new smartphones officially hit...Technologyread more
The complaint made by an unnamed intelligence official about the president centers on Ukraine, the Washington post reported.Politicsread more
Apple CEO Tim Cook greeted iPhone 11 customers at the reopening of the Fifth Avenue Apple store on Friday. CNBC also took a tour inside. Here's a look.Technologyread more
The Pentagon on Thursday said the recent attack on Saudi Arabian oil facilities were "sophisticated" and represented a "dramatic escalation" in tensions within the region.Defenseread more
U.S. stock futures are modestly higher, with the S&P 500 just a little more than 20 points away from July's all-time high ahead of Friday's open on Wall Street.Marketsread more
Bank of America says Amazon's plans to build its own fleet of carbon-neutral delivery trucks bode well for its bottom line.Investingread more
The show comes as social media platforms and legacy media companies alike have launched a flurry of original content alongside new streaming platforms like Apple TV+ and...Technologyread more
Pivotal Research Group began coverage of Roku with a sell rating on FridayInvestingread more
Volkswagen said Friday it's recalling 679,000 U.S. vehicles sold since 2011 with an electrical issue that could cause the car to roll away.
The automaker said drivers could remove the key after stopping without placing the car in park, increasing the risk of the car rolling away.
VW attributed the problem to a buildup of silicate on a shift lever micro switch contact. The company said dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board and disable a micro switch on affected cars.
Volkswagen spokesman Mark Gillies said there are no reported injuries or accidents related to the recall.
The recall covers the company's Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf Sportwagen and GTI models from 2011 through 2019.


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Orange offers Visa mobile prepaid accounts in Africa
The carrier is offering Orange Money subscribers in the region applications such as person to person transfers, bill payments, and agent-based cash-in and cash-out services for loading or withdrawing funds.
The CEO of Altice, Dexter Goei has indicated the French cable group could acquire Bouygues Telecom. According to a report, Goei said the firm, owned by billionare Patrick Darhi, would make a perfect candidate to buy the Telecom arm of Bouygues Group, a fellow French firm.
In the name of variety the Informer reports from Cape Town, South Africa this week. It’s hard to think of a location that would contrast more with last week’s venue – Stockholm – than Cape Town, but they do have a few things in common. They’re both coastal, cultured and cosmopolitan, but the Informer must report that a beer here is a tenth of the price than it is in Sweden.
Ericsson has announced its Wallet Platform has been deployed by Millicom-owned Tigo Senegal to offer financial services to customers across West Africa. Tigo Cash mobile services allow subscribers to make payments, store, transfer and withdraw money using a mobile device, even if the user doesn’t have access to traditional banking services.
Day two of AfricaCom 2014 saw a group of the continent’s most influential telecoms companies engaged in a panel discussion around the importance of LTE to Africa’s digital economy. With fixed broadband infrastructure still relatively thin on the ground, mobile broadband represents the only opportunity many Africans have to get online. While 3G may be the entry point for this, LTE offers many advantages, including simplicity, speed and data-optimization.


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Updated: Apr 25
Identifying the chipset that will be powering your Galaxy S flagship phone used to be simple. Your phone would be equipped with the most recent Snapdragon processor if you resided in China or North America. Your Galaxy S phone would run on the most recent Exynos chipset created by Samsung everywhere. The Galaxy S6's Snapdragon 810's overheating issue in 2015 was the only exception.
Snapdragon chips have gotten highly powerful and energy-efficient over the years. This year, all Galaxy S23 variants were equipped with an overclocked Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. But what about next year?
Twitter tipper Revegnus tweeted (via SamMobile) that Samsung's MX (Mobile eXperience) unit has approved mass manufacturing of the Exynos 2400, and that the chipset will power the Galaxy S24 series in certain regions. The Exynos 2400 chipset would, according to the source, include a 10-core CPU based on the ARMv9 architecture. AMD's RDNA2 GPU will be used.
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It is important that the MX unit has already approved the Exynos 2400's mass manufacturing. According to the leakster, the SoC will incorporate a new RDNA2-based graphics unit with 6WGP. This has four times the compute units of the Xclipse 920 GPU in the Exynos 2200.
Workgroup processor, or WGP for short, is a component of AMD's RDNA architecture. The new RDNA2 approach gives us 12 compute units altogether, with one WGP including two compute units. The prior GPU, however, only had 3CU. It goes without saying that factors like clock speed and architecture will also affect overall performance.
Ray tracing technologies are being included into Samsung's most recent CPUs through partnerships with AMD and game developers. but optimisation of apps and games for the exynos chips is still an issue.
Ice Universe, revealed there is an Exynos 2400 in the pipelines which will have 10 cores - 1x Cortex-X4 + 2x Cortex-A720 (higher frequency) + 3x Cortex-A720 (lower frequency) + 4x Cortex-520.
Having said that, a recent rumour suggests that the Exynos 2400 might be released in the Q4 of this year. According to a tipster the new Samsung processor will be constructed utilising a packaging technique known as fan-out wafer-level packaging, or FoWLP. (Source: Android Headlines)
The tipster goes on to explain that because the chip is attached directly to the silicon wafers utilising FoWLP technology, the manufacturer may avoid using a printed circuit board (PCB), resulting in smaller semiconductors with improved performance. If we apply the logic presented here, this should result in improved device performance and increased power efficiency.
Will the Exynos chip be included in the Galaxy S24 series?
it is extremely unlikely that Samsung would resume using Exynos CPUs in its flagship devices this soon. It is difficult to believe that Samsung would go back to exynos on flagship as it has already entered into a deal with Qualcomm for a number of years.
If this rumoured Exynos 2400 processor is true, it's more likely to be found in other Android smartphones like pixel 8 pro and Galaxy s23 FE etc.
Recently Samsung and AMD announced that they are extending their multi-year partnership to bring "multiple generations of high-performance, ultra-low-power AMD Radeon graphics solutions to an expanded portfolio of Samsung Exynos SoCs"
As a result, AMD's graphics technology will undoubtedly be included into more Exynos SoCs in the future. That means Exynos processors will still power many of Samsungs devices but they may not be used to power high-end Samsung Galaxy handsets.
It appears that we could even see the chip in a few Samsung handsets, at least in a few markets, assuming the Exynos 2400 SoC is as strong as the rumoured specifications make it sound. Samsung's 4nm yields are also increasing.
Also do keep that in mind that losing the Galaxy S23 market may have had an effect on how the Exynos line performed in comparison to other chip brands globally. With an 8% share of shipments, Exynos was ranked fifth among chip brands by Counterpoint Research during the fourth quarter of 2022.
According to Revengus Samsung lost all its bargaining power with Qualcomm by equipping all Galaxy S23 series phones with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy processor. And many of us will remember how universally disliked Qualcomm's "no licence, no chips" approach is by phone makers.
So surely Samsung will try to use the Exynos 2400 processor in many devices in a few markets.


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By Jim Karpen updated on 03/05/2013
A team of 100 product designers are hard at work developing a new product — a wristwatch computer for Apple, Bloomberg reported Tuesday. The news strongly suggests the product has moved beyond the experimentation phase.
Apple develops many experimental products it never brings to market, but dedicating so many resources to the watch indicates we may be seeing this rumored wearable computer at some point in the not-too-distant future. Bloomberg cites sources familiar with Apple's plans — and even names two top executives who are working on the project. The team not only includes hardware and software engineers according to the article, but also managers and members of the marketing group. If the marketing group is involved, it suggests Apple is already thinking about how it’s going to position and sell this device.
Bloomberg’s report comes on the heels of similar news from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. And while the iWatch is generating some buzz, enthusiasts are not showing nearly the same level of enthusiasm occasioned by rumors of a new iPhone or iPad. Perhaps it's because watches are a bit passé. But Apple has a way of re-conceptualizing familiar objects and disrupting the market. After all, the market already was saturated with MP3 players when Apple came out with the iPod. And when Apple announced the iPhone, experts greeted the news with scorn. Since the big players in the industry already dominated the market, no one imagined a phone from Apple would have any impact. Of course, in the end it completely transformed the industry. And today Apple takes home 70 percent of the profit in the smartphone market.
What is the potential of the iWatch? No one knows at this point. But according to what I've read, it would be nearly impossible to replicate the functionality of the iPhone in a watch. It probably won't have a FaceTime camera, and I'm guessing it wouldn't be able to run Siri or offer maps. The most likely scenario is that, like the Pebble watch, it would be an adjunct to an iPhone, receiving and displaying information from your iPhone such as alerts and text messages. However, one never knows. And as the Bloomberg piece notes, Apple's offerings are often underestimated at launch. As people realize how cool and useful the products are, they begin to snap them up.
The image accompanying this post is by artist Yrving Torrealba.


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Judge Haldane Mayer on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit halted an import ban on mobile phones by Qualcomm Inc. yesterday, a rare legal victory in a long-standing patent dispute with rival Broadcom Corp. The lifting of the ban was requested by several mobile phone manufacturers and AT&T Inc.'s wireless division who argued that since Broadcom only filed its complaint against Qualcomm, the ITC did not have the authority to block imports by companies other than Qualcomm.
The judge agreed with the appealing companies and stayed the ITC's order pending their appeal. The stay applies only to the companies that filed the appeal. "We are pleased that the Court of Appeals recognized the undeserved harm to parties who were not named in the lawsuit, and that our customers will continue to be able to introduce new products into the U.S. marketplace during the appeals process," said Alex H. Rogers, Qualcomm's senior vice president and legal counsel.


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Join gaming leaders, alongside GamesBeat and Facebook Gaming, for their 2nd Annual GamesBeat & Facebook Gaming Summit | GamesBeat: Into the Metaverse 2 this upcoming January 25-27, 2022. Learn more about the event.
Nintendo’s four-player fighting game is still the reigning champ in Japan.
Super Smash Bros. for 3DS is outselling everything else in Nintendo’s home country, according to the Japanese game-tracking company Media Create. The brawler is one of the publisher’s most popular games. It has players taking control of beloved characters like Mario and Donkey Kong to come out on top in a punching-and-kicking free-for-all. Since its Sept. 13 debut, Smash Bros. has sold 1.2 million copies. That makes it easily one of the biggest games of the year on any platform in Japan.
Smash’s success has also helped Nintendo’s handheld sell extraordinarily well. From Sept. 15 through Sept. 21, Nintendo sold 35,622 3DS XLs. That is on top of the 7,970 standard 3DSes the company sold.
Nailing a big launch for Smash Bros. on its handheld platform is likely very important to Nintendo. The company lost $229 million during its last fiscal year, and it needs to squeeze every dollar it can from its massive fighting game franchise. It looks like it is on the path to do that. While Smash for 3DS is moving software and hardware, Nintendo will likely continue that momentum in Japan when it launches the New 3DS, a completely revised version of the handheld, in October.
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Later this year, potentially in late November or in December, Nintendo will release Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. That game has the potential to also move a ton of software and hardware.
Nintendo still hasn’t announced a firm release date for the Wii U Smash Bros., and the 3DS version’s strong performance is actually making that look like a good idea. With fans of the franchise unsure of when the high-definition console version will debut, many of them probably ran into the arms of the portable game. Nintendo’s silence on the Wii U Smash release date now seems like a deliberate ploy to keep excitement for the handheld game as high as possible. With 1.2 million copies sold, it is working in Japan.
Smash Bros. for 3DS will debut in North America on Oct. 3. Nintendo will probably keep the release date for Smash Bros. for Wii U quiet at least until then.
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The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont is holding its 22nd annual Share the Harvest event at more than 60 food businesses around the state today, Thursday, Oct. 6.
Up to 15 percent of sales at participating restaurants, co-ops and stores will be donated to NOFA-VT’s Farm Share Program, which helps limited-income Vermonters obtain farm fresh fruits and vegetables through subsidized Community Supported Agriculture shares. Donations to the Farm Share Program go into a fund that is then disbursed to participating farms offering CSA programs.
In 2016, more than 1,400 people benefited from the Vermont Farm Share Program, and there was a waiting list of others hoping to take part.
Participating local businesses include Arvads Grill & Pub, Hen of the Wood, Pete’s Greens and Prohibition Pig in Waterbury; Doc Ponds and Harvest Market in Stowe; Nutty Steph’s and Red Hen Baking Co. in Middlesex, Sweet Simone’s and Toscano Café & Bistro in Richmond; Buffalo Mountain Co-op in Hardwick; and American Flatbread in Waitsfield.
More information at nofavt.org.


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Shrinking household incomes and rising fuel prices that risk sapping the lifeblood from a nascent recovery gave Europe's car executives little reason for cheer at the Geneva Auto Show, which usually marks a crucial spring thaw in industry sales.
Leading economic indicators have rebounded from the lows late last year while stock and bond markets have rallied since January, prompting some economists to begin revising forecasts upwards in expectation of business activity bottoming out.
But there could be a long timelag before any pick-up in the broader economy trickles down to European consumers, as cash-strapped governments take their pound of flesh from shoppers in an attempt to shore up their sagging tax base.
Exacerbating things, record high oil prices in Europe force drivers to reach deeper into their pockets to fill up the tank.
We have no indications that make us believe things will improve in six months time, said Christian Klingler, Volkswagen's
Many governments need money, so we've seen changes to the tax code since the first of January, in Belgium, in Spain and in Italy for example, where they were kind enough to shift the burden onto car drivers, and that naturally has effects on purchasing behaviour, said Klingler.
That VW's sales chief is so glum about Europe despite tentative signs of an improvement, is particularly alarming as the industry heads into the second quarter, when car buyers in major markets like Germany and France are usually most active.
Goldman Sachs now forecasts a shallower recession for the euro zone, admitting it underestimated how much the ECB's 3-year loans, and less stringent collateral rules would ease concerns over bank funding and peripheral sovereign debt markets.
We thought that the weakness of economic activity seen in Q4 2011 would intensify at the turn of the year, it wrote last month. The evidence suggests otherwise.
German car dealer Paul Ebbinghaus immediately noticed an impact on his business after policymakers in Europe seemed to have built a firewall strong enough to protect Italy and Spain from the worst fallout of Greece's debt crisis.
New orders were truly horrible in November and December, when no one knew whether the euro would still exist in the future, the owner of 7 showrooms in and around the industrial city of Dortmund told Reuters.
But ever since mid-January, when the euro crisis no longer always made headlines on the 8 o'clock news, business has bounced back to last year's levels.
Jonathon Poskitt, sales forecaster at LMC Automotive, agreed that the improved liquidity at banks was at the least a positive start, even if the ECB's efforts to kickstart the economy were not yet feeding through to increased consumer credit.
Only a few weeks ago risks were skewed more to the downside, whereas things are now looking more positive, he said. We're still cautious though, since hopes that we were out of the woods have repeatedly proven false in the past.
South Korean carmaker Hyundai <005380.KS> isn't convinced, and wants to slash inventory and meet its market share targets early to shield itself from any possible dangers down the road.
It's such a recent phenomenon. My planning for the year is still where it was in January, which is to make a fast start and get ahead of the game, said Allan Rushforth, Senior Vice President of Hyundai Motor Europe, in an interview.
Ebbinghaus, whose business makes about 100 million euros in annual revenue selling some 5,000 new and used cars, readily admits that Germany is a rare bright spot and what's good for the consumer is not always good for dealers or carmakers.
What worries me are the high inventories. New cars intended for southern Europe are showing up here in Germany since it is the last healthy market left and that's driving down prices.
One manifestation has been a continued high number of new car registered by dealerships and manufacturers directly -- often seen as a last resort to meet quarterly sales targets. Germany's ZDK federation for motor trade has estimated this is double the level it considers healthy.
Research firm Markit estimates output in the auto industry contracted further last month compared to January, making it the fifth worst performing sector out of 22 in the euro zone.
A poisonous brew of high public and private sector debt, austerity, record unemployment and falling disposable income led Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne to warn last week that Europe was at a critical juncture, with its car market poised to stagnate for three years under even his most optimistic forecast.
Geneva Auto Show TAKE A LOOK:
Geneva slideshow: http://www.reuters.com/news/pictures/slideshow?articleId=USRTR2YX5F
Graphic on European car registrations: http://r.reuters.com/cyz86s
Graphic on Euro Zone auto industry: http://link.reuters.com/tyd96s
Reuters Insider TV: http://link.reuters.com/ved96s
OIL THE NEXT GREECE
Some of the very medicine the ECB used to treat the debt crisis -- quantitative easing in the form of bond buys and three-year unlimited loans --- may also be partly responsible for creating a new risk.
Brent crude oil topped $128 a barrel on Thursday, levels not reached since July 2008. Petrol prices have in turn risen at an annual rate of 9.3 percent in the euro zone.
Warning last week that oil is the new Greece, HSBC Chief Global Economist Stephen King said the euro-era record highs were a peculiarity, since the whole idea of monetary policy easing was to try to stimulate activity and demand.
But if the consequence is rising commodity prices, that then eats away at Western real incomes, he said.
The Syrian uprising, fears Israel may attack Iran's nuclear development sites and a crude export ban imposed on the UK and France by the Islamic republic have also driven prices higher.
While German carmakers like Volkswagen, Mercedes
I don't believe consumers will suddenly become very optimistic in the coming weeks and in the coming months, said Toyota Motor Europe President Didier Leroy, worried that the big crisis of confidence was a long-term issue for the market.
Many people said the first half will be difficult, the second half will recover. Very frankly speaking, nobody knows -- nobody knows what will happen.
(Additional reporting by Hyunjoo Jin in Geneva; Editing by Helen Massy-Beresford)


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Sometimes excessive regulation can even make entrepreneurship impossible by limiting or prohibiting market entry in certain economic sectors through strict licensing controls. Licenses and licences can be considered non-competitive agreements. Overregulated markets can transform potentially productive entrepreneurs into non-productive, asset-creating activities. And because there are many potential markets for high-tech innovation around the world, innovative companies, discouraged by over-regulation of one market, can turn to another market. Eighteen nations have a higher GDP per person than the United States, but that does not make them powerful. Most of them are either financial centres, oil-exporting countries, or both. Norway and Bermuda, for example, have a higher GDP per capita, but they are not the engines of the global economic engine like the United States. Although China is the world`s largest economy, its GDP per capita was only $18,200. It is not an economic power if it cannot create a high standard of living for its inhabitants. The author thanks an anonymous arbitrator and IZA World of Labor editors for many useful suggestions on previous projects.
In many countries, a single aborted business effort refers to a person losing for life. Experience to the contrary in the United States, where it is easier to give entrepreneurs a second chance, even after a bankruptcy, shows that destigmatizing failure is essential to the development of a rich corporate culture. The creation of such a culture also reduces the fear of failure, which remains the main obstacle to entrepreneurship. Sixth, the agreement contributed to government spending. Government contracts for each country have been made available to suppliers in the three member countries. This has increased competition and reduced costs. “Brainly has become one of the largest learning communities in the world and is achieving significant organic growth in more than 35 countries,” Said Vinit Sukhija, a partner at Learn Capital, in a statement. Third, THE stronger growth of NAFTA has created jobs.
According to a 2010 report, U.S. free trade agreements – the lion`s share came from NAFTA – directly supported 5.4 million jobs, while trade with those countries unlocked 17.7 million.


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Amazon Kindle Tablet will be biggest Android slate by close of 2011
Amazon will shift two million Kindle Tablets before the close of 2011, says a Barclays analyst
Amazon’s Honeycomb-powered Kindle Tablet is all set for a Q4 release date and while there’s no official release date in place, analysts are predicting big things - 2 to 5 million will be shipped before the close of the year.
The news comes via BGR, which reports that, ‘Barclays analyst Anthony DiClemente offered up what is seemingly a more realistic sales projection than prior estimates: 2 million units in 2011.’
Forrester went even further, though, suggesting Amazon could very well ship five million before the close of the year. Earlier claims from additional analyst firms have ranged from two million to four million - Forrester is currently way out in front with its predictions.
Either way, it’s looking increasing likely that many experts have a lot of high-hopes for Amazon’s first Android Honeycomb-powered tablet device. But are they justified in the confidence?
In a word: yes. Amazon is nearly as big a deal as Apple in the retail world. It’s reach across markets on a global scale cannot be doubted and the success of its Kindle eReader is empirical proof of this.
But the big cheeses at Amazon aren’t stupid - they’ve got to get the pricing right. And if early reports of a sub-$250 tablet device are true, we think they might just have hit the nail on the head.
$250 undercuts Apple, Motorola, Samsung and RIM by quite a bit - as much as 50 per cent in some instances - and while price-points don’t seem to matter to Apple, they certainly do to manufacturers that are bringing new technology to market.
‘DiClemente thinks adoption of Amazon’s affordable tablet will remain solid next year,’ says BGR, ‘with 6.4 million devices expects to sell in 2012 - and as sales climb into the high single-digit millions, Amazon’s tablet could become the top-selling Android tablet in the segment’s short history.’
‘The analyst also believes Amazon’s 10-inch offering will become a reality next year, and Amazon will sell 1.5 million units on top of sales of its 7-inch slate.’
What do you think? Can Amazon apply its successes with its Kindle device to a tablet venture?
Answers on a postcard.


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Over the last two decades, California oil refiners have averaged about 30 cents per gallon in profits, and rarely made more than 50 cents per gallon in profit. Now the oil refiners are raking in more than $1 per gallon in profits. With Governor Newsom's price gouging rebate, the excess profits oil companies make from manipulating the market will go back to California drivers. Oil refiners will have to return to the public whatever profits they make over 50 cents per gallon. [Voiceover by Mike Farrell]
Consumer Watchdog's Jamie Court talks with KGO's Michael Finney about reducing the high price of gasoline in California by imposing a price gouging penalty on oil refiners for making unprecedented profits.
Consumer Watchdog's Jamie Court explains how Big Oil's 5 refineries that control 97% of the gas production in CA collude to all schedule maintenance at the same time to artificially drive up the price at the pump and gouge Californians.
Consumer Watchdog's Jamie Court explains how Big Oil companies are artificially lowering supply so they can price gouge Californians at the pump and calls for a windfall profit tax to give the money back to consumers.