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Overstock, a purveyor of myriad discount items, was just recently in the top results for queries like "area rug" or "duvet cover" but has since dropped to the fifth or sixth page in Google's search listings as a result of the discovery.
Google's PageRank system gives better placement to pages that are linked to heavily, giving links from certain kinds of sites more weight than others. Overstock, apparently aware of the fact, offered discounts of 10 percent to students and teachers in exchange for links on keywords like "futon" or "curtain rod." Links that come from .edu sites are given greater weight than other sites.
In Overstock's case, the retailer offered discounts of 10% on some merchandise to students and faculty. In exchange, it asked college and university websites to embed links on certain keywords like "bunk beds" or "gift baskets" that then led to Overstock product pages.
"Google has made clear they believe these links should not factor into their search algorithm," said Patrick Byrne, Overstock's chief executive, told the Wall Street Journal. "We understand Google's position and have made the appropriate changes to remain within Google's guidelines."
Overstock may have crossed the line, but the quest to get on top of Google's search rankings is a familiar game for all websites. And they're not the only ones to go a little too far in the quest for better SEO, or search engine optimization: JC Penney and Forbes were both recently punished for what Google considered inappropriate techniques to up rankings.


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BBC Good Food Magazine
Kids’ meal kits
In the past year, meal kits have become super-popular. Now, the kids can get involved, too
The team behind Cook School, a nationwide project offering affordable cookery lessons for students aged five to 19, has just launched a recipe box to encourage kids to cook. Proceeds go towards funding its education programmes. Their recipe boxes teach kids how to independently cook a veggie meal, and can be ordered as a one-off or fortnightly delivery. Along with the ingredients, you’ll receive a stepby-step recipe card, QR code with a video guide and booklet packed with facts about what you’re cooking. My four-year-old daughter (above) and I made a delicious cauliflower curry this way. She was so proud and cleaned her plate! For more details go to cookschool.club.

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Epic Games Adding Age Ratings for All Fortnite Experiences
Building a safer metaverse in Fortnite, one age rating at a time.
To ensure player safety in its popular battle royale game, Epic Games announced it is rolling out age ratings for all Fortnite experiences, starting November 14.
Epic Games notes the new system includes "all first and third-party playable content" in Fortnite. Specifically, these age ratings will be used to examine and issue a rating to all content built in Fortnite's Creative mode. The new system is part of a new partnership Epic Games formed with the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC), an initiative that works with rating boards, including the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB).
Epic Games said that when a creator is ready to publish their island into Fortnite, they have to fill out an IARC content rating questionnaire. The creator must then submit their island to Epic moderators, who will review and publish the content.
Once the questionnaire is finished, an age-based rating is automatically issued to the creator's island. Epic Games noted that the rating is region-specific, with the participating rating boards having the authority to alter one or more of the ratings assigned based on their review after the island has been published.
The news comes at a difficult time for Epic Games after the company announced less than a week ago that it was laying off 830 employees, or about 16 percent of its workforce. Epic is also spinning off most of SuperAwesome, a tech company it acquired in 2020 that focuses on making internet safety tools and tech for children.
Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.


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This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.
On May 12, 2017 Steve Grzanich shares today’s potential market drivers:
- USDOL releases inflation statistics of April today
- US Retails Sales figures are due out today
- University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Report is released today
- JCPenny rounds out the week of retail earnings
- G7 countries meet again today in Italy


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New York, NY, March 15, 2008 --(PR.com
)-- eShave, the world’s premiere brand of luxury shaving essentials, and Immaculee Ilibagiza, author of “Left To Tell” and founder of Left To Tell Charitable Fund (LTTCF) will be holding a fundraising event on March 22, 2008. Thirty percent of the proceeds from the sale of eShave merchandise sold in-store and online at www.eshave.com will go directly to LTTCF to build a fresh water well in a village in Rwanda. The kick-off party will take place on Wednesday, March 19th at eShave New York, 993B 1st Avenue, from 5pm-9m.
Established by the United Nations, World Water Day (www.worldwaterday.org) is an annual international day of observance and action to draw attention to the plight of the more than 1 billion people worldwide without adequate access to water and more than 2.4 billion without adequate sanitation. According to the World Health Organization, 50,000 children die each day and 1.6 million more will die this year because of diarrheal diseases, many of which could be prevented by safe drinking water.
“We decided to organize this event as we feel that the access to safe water is one of the important challenges of this millennium. It is our goal to help bring those numbers down and save lives,” commented Danielle Malka, President of eShave.
eShave has arranged for Immaculee to be the guest speaker at the kick-off event on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at the eShave New York store. She will share her personal story of what she lived through and witnessed during the Rwanda genocide in 1994. She will be signing copies of her book, “Left to Tell,” which has raised over $150,000 for the LTTCF.
“We are thrilled to be able to start this campaign on a very grass roots level where we can witness, directly, the impact our donation will have on this village,” noted Malka. “It has been my dream to put such an event on, and finally, it is coming true.”
Ideal Cheese and Apolo Wines & Spirits will be generously donating gourmet cheeses from around the world and fine French wines to be served during the kick-off event.
About ê Shave
ê Shave, defined by its unique style and unparalleled luxury, is known around the globe for its beautiful and sophisticated collection of shaving essentials. Based on the principals of fine jewelry making, ê Shave creates one-of-a-kind, artistic tools and accessories. ê Shave continues to be the only company that hand-sculpts its own designs to appeal to the discerning tastes of aesthetically discriminating and design conscious men & women. ê Shave has modernized the wet-shaving tradition. ê Shave products are available at the eShave New York Store, as well as online at www.eshave.com and in select upscale retailers/spas worldwide. 800-94-SHAVE
Stop by eShave New York for a complimentary shaving consultation with their shaving experts.
Immaculee Ilibagiza was born in Rwanda and studied Electronic and Mechanical Engineering at the National University of Rwanda. Her life transformed in 1994 during the Rwanda genocide in which she lost most of her family. She lived through this horrific war and wrote about her experience with her book, Left to tell which has sold more than 250,000 copies worldwide and has helped to raise over $150,000 for the Left to Tell Charitable Fund. Immaculee has been invited to speak to a range of audiences all over the world including multinational corporations. The importance of her story has been recognized and honored by the Mahatma Gandhi International Award for reconciliation and Peace 2007. www.immaculee.com
About Left to Tell Charitable Fund:
The Rwandan genocide left many children without homes and families. After surviving this tragic event, Immaculée Ilibagiza vowed to raise money to help not only orphaned children in Rwanda, but all children of Africa to build better lives. This dream has become a reality with Immaculée’s Left to Tell Charitable Fund. The Left to Tell Charitable Fund has already relocated more than 60 Rwandan orphans and has offered support and communication outlets for the past pains and guilt of the tragic genocide.
Started in 1952, Ideal Cheese has created a reputation as the best cheese shop in the country for its fine selection of exotic cheeses from around the world. Ideal Cheese Shop is located at: 942 1st Avenue (at 52nd St.) NY, NY 10022. www.idealcheese.com
Apolo Wines & Spirits:
A purveyor of fine wines and spirits from around the world, Apolo Wines & Spirits are distributed in wine shops and restaurants throughout New York.


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Coinbase crypto list top
Amid a broad crypto sell-off that saw the overall crypto market lose 2. This token, ranked No. ET on Tuesday. On a day like today, when the market is bright red, picking through the tokens that came out ahead in a big way can be a valuable exercise.
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- Demystifying Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain, and ICOs
- 10 Best Crypto Exchanges & Platforms of January 2022
- Biden’s SEC is ready to regulate cryptocurrency
- Subscribe to RSS
- 5 Best New Cryptocurrencies To Buy in 2022
- Coinbase listing marks latest step in crypto's march to the mainstream
- Coinbase Global Inc.
Demystifying Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain, and ICOs
Coinbase Global Inc. An IPO is the most common way that companies choose to join the public markets in order to raise capital while in Direct Floor listings, companies are allowed to list their shares directly and begin trading publicly on the exchange. Founded by Brian Armstrong and Fred Ersham in , Coinbase is a decentralized company that powers the crypto economy. The platform enables approximately 43 million retail users, 7, institutions, and , ecosystem partners in over countries to participate in the crypto economy.
While the recognition of cryptos as an asset class may still be in a disputed territory and the jury is still out on whether the cryptos will come into the mainstream or remain a speculative asset, investors get an opportunity to be a part of the rising crypto economy. Indian investors looking to invest in the shares of Coinbase may consider opening an international trading account with any foreign brokerage firm and start investing. Looking to invest in US Stocks?
Financial Express is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest Biz news and updates. Written by Sunil Dhawan. Updated: April 15, am. Next Story. US Stock Market. This is how U. Latest News. Equation of post, determination of pay scales primary function of executive and not judiciary: SC.
Union budget: ICAI seeks tax, accounting reforms. Most Read. Omicron sub-lineage BA. NIFT admit card released today: Step by step ways to download the hall ticket. Satellite images show huge damage in Tonga; Scientists say this underwater volcanic eruption may harm environment for years.
Budget With swings likely this year, RBI policy, faster stock rotation will drive market volatility. Karnataka: BJP government changed chief minister but corruption continues, says Siddaramaiah.
Why is pace of vaccination slowing down among kids in age group? Know details here.
10 Best Crypto Exchanges & Platforms of January 2022
Bitcoin has not only been a trendsetter, ushering in a wave of cryptocurrencies built on a decentralized peer-to-peer network, but has also become the de facto standard for cryptocurrencies, inspiring an ever-growing legion of followers and spinoffs. Cryptocurrencies are almost always designed to be free from government manipulation and control—although, as they have grown more popular, this foundational aspect of the industry has come under fire. The cryptocurrencies modeled after Bitcoin are collectively called altcoins, and in some cases, shitcoins , and have often tried to present themselves as modified or improved versions of Bitcoin. First, though, a caveat: It is impossible for a list like this to be entirely comprehensive. One reason for this is the fact that there are more than 8, cryptocurrencies in existence as of January
Biden’s SEC is ready to regulate cryptocurrency
With all the buzz around cryptocurrencies, are you planning to start your investment in ? Right now, there are more than a thousand cryptocurrencies in the market to make you feel spoilt for choice. So, how can you make a smart decision? This article is here to help you. Firstly, you will need a source to buy cryptocurrencies. This can either be done through cryptocurrency exchanges or other sources like PayPal. But for wider cryptocurrency management tools, read about choosing the right cryptocurrency exchange here. You will also require a cryptocurrency wallet that can store your blockchain link to access crypto coins. Get all the information about that here.
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The initial valuation put Coinbase ahead of many well-known firms, such as oil giant BP and key stock exchanges. The listing was seen as the latest step toward cryptocurrencies gaining wider acceptance among traditional investors. US-based Coinbase, which makes money primarily by charging transaction fees, has benefited from the soaring demand. Wednesday's listing was set to make Coinbase co-founder and chief executive Brian Armstrong one of the wealthiest people in the world.
5 Best New Cryptocurrencies To Buy in 2022
The top cryptocurrencies are attracting investors looking to diversify their portfolios. Now many growing companies are accepting cryptocurrencies as legitimate means of payment, now is a good time to invest in cryptocurrencies based on your budget. Here's a guide to help you figure out which coins are the best to invest in now. Here are some inexpensive coins that appear to be decent investments in , as there are a lot of choices for the cheapest Altcoins with potential. Although Bitcoin remains the most popular cryptocurrency , there are many others on the rise that smaller investors should consider. Here are ten Bitcoin alternatives to consider.
Coinbase listing marks latest step in crypto's march to the mainstream
With all the noise -- and it's fair to say, craziness -- associated with cryptocurrency, we thought you might like a bit of an overview. Like the off-the-rails GameStop stock hack , the cryptocurrency Dogecoin has been on a bit of an undeserved roll. And, because what's a fake currency without a bonkers billionaire, much of Dogecoin's recent moment and that of Bitcoin, too can be attributed to Elon Musk and his fondness for tweeting. In this article, we'll take a quick look at the 12 cryptocurrencies we find most interesting. If you haven't heard of many of them, you're not alone. There are, of course, a whole lot more than twelve cryptocurrencies out there. Some of these are, well, let's just say that if you read the whole article, you'll find a currency based on the market value of weed. Need I say more?
Coinbase Global Inc.
According to the study, Robinhood topped the list of crypto companies that have secured the most investment through funding rounds. Of the 50 crypto companies studied by Crypto Head, 28 are located in the U. Fifteen of these U.
Coinbase, the largest crypto exchange in the United States, began trading shortly before p. Coinbase is the largest cryptocurrency company to go public. It's the world's second-largest digital asset exchange by trading volume, according to CoinMarketCap, and has been credited with bringing crypto into the mainstream with its easy-to-use app. The firm's listing has led to renewed excitement in the crypto market, with some investors labeling it as a " watershed " moment for the industry. Analysts say the Coinbase debut shows crypto has matured a great deal in the last two to three years — but it's still in its infancy and remains clouded by price volatility and regulatory uncertainty. Bitcoin bulls see it as a kind of "digital gold" that is uncorrelated with other assets and can serve as a hedge against rising inflation.
Expert insights, analysis and smart data help you cut through the noise to spot trends, risks and opportunities. Sign in. Accessibility help Skip to navigation Skip to content Skip to footer. Become an FT subscriber to read: The Coinbase model: profit from the crypto assets it lists Leverage our market expertise Expert insights, analysis and smart data help you cut through the noise to spot trends, risks and opportunities. Join over , Finance professionals who already subscribe to the FT. Choose your subscription. Trial Try full digital access and see why over 1 million readers subscribe to the FT.
Previously, she was…. Bitcoin early adopters have been buying and trading coins on Coinbase since , but the platform gained mainstream attention in when it became the first crypto exchange to go public on the Nasdaq. It has the third-highest trade volume of all exchanges, according to crypto data firm CoinMarketCap. No control of your own private keys when you keep coins on your account.


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PayMaya Philippines brought home 11 Quills at the recently held 18th Philippine Quill Awards Night for its initiatives that enabled various stakeholders amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The digital financial services leader was conferred three Excellence Awards and eight Merit Awards this year by the International Association of Business Communicators-Philippines (IABC-Philippines), a prestigious award-giving body that recognizes strategic and excellent programs, campaigns, and materials in business communications.
It won Excellence Awards for:
- #OneAgainstCOVID19, a corporate social responsibility (CSR) campaign that helped raised over Php34 million through PayMaya’s payment channels for over 50 humanitarian and non-profit organizations that are helping combat the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines;
- LGUs Embracing and Accelerating Digitalization (LEAD) Program Webinar Series for local government units (LGUs) to help enable their organizations and citizens with digital and cashless technologies under the New Normal; and,
- PayMaya Academy: Preparing Our Talent to be ‘Mission-Ready’ for the Future of Work, an all-digital learning program for PayMaya’s employees to enable personal growth and development while working from home under the community quarantine.
PayMaya also received 8 Merit Awards for various marketing, government sector, employee program, and media relations campaigns, namely:
- Spreading the joys of going cashless through the “Don’t Pay Cash. PayMaya!“;
- Bayanihan para sa Digital Ayuda: Building the Philippine Government’s Cashless Infrastructure for Financial Aid with PayMaya;
- I am PayMaya: Forging Employee’s Ownership of PayMaya’s Growth Narrative through Internal Communication; Embracing the Culture of SAFEwork: PayMaya’s Health and Safety Principle in the New Normal;
- I am PayMaya: Utilizing the 4Cs in the New Normal;
- VHUB: Providing PayMaya Employees Freshest Information–Anytime, Anywhere, and on Any Device;
- PayMaya Squad: Creating a national micro-community of Filipinos living the cashless lifestyle, an influencer community program; and,
- Empowering the Media Industry with Safe Contactless Payments Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic, a media relations program.
“These awards are testaments to PayMaya’s unwavering drive to enable consumers, the government, and businesses with its innovative cashless technologies amid the pandemic. We will continue to go beyond in creating and rolling out inclusive programs and campaigns to accelerate the adoption of digital financial services especially during this critical time,” said Nick Bautista Wilwayco PayMaya Head of Public Affairs and Communications.
PayMaya is the only end-to-end digital payments ecosystem enabler in the Philippines with platforms and services that cut across consumers, merchants, communities, and government. Through its enterprise business, it is the largest digital payments processor for key industries in the country including “everyday” merchants such as the largest retail, food, gas, and eCommerce merchants as well as government agencies and units.
Through its app and wallet, PayMaya provides over 28 million Filipinos with access to financial services. Customers can conveniently pay, add money, cash out or remit through its over 200,000 digital touchpoints nationwide. Its Smart Padala by PayMaya network of over 37,000 partner agent touchpoints nationwide serves as last-mile digital financial hubs in communities, providing the unbanked and underserved with access to digital services. To know more about PayMaya’s products and services, visit www.PayMaya.com or follow @PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.


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Arizona, June dos (Reuters) – The U.S. agency charged with securing people out of monetary discipline announced a proposal towards Thursday who would restriction small-term borrowings known as “payday” fund, that carry rates as much as 390 percent.
The consumer Economic Coverage Bureau’s suggestion boasts with loan providers determine if specific consumers can afford to pull out loans. What’s more, it calls for constraints on the financing rollovers.
Pay check lenders generally speaking serve lower-income individuals who need profit a-pinch but dont availability money out-of main-stream banks. Title is inspired by the theory that a borrower carry out take away an emergency mortgage and pay it off towards the next salary. As financing usually aren’t collateralized, loan providers make risk of not paid down and you can charge high prices.
“Too many borrowers seeking to a primary-identity bucks augment was saddled having fund they cannot manage and you will sink towards the a lot of time-name loans,” told you CFPB Manager Richard Cordray when you look at the an announcement, contacting the fresh new proposition “mainstream” and “common-experience.”
“It’s comparable to getting into a taxi in order to experience across the urban area and you can ending up stuck into the an effective ruinously expensive get across-country trip.”
The industry possess braced for brand new controls on CFPB while the the new 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform legislation gave it expert across the payday financing business, and you can expectation of brand new government laws and regulations has authored governmental fractures to the Capitol Hill. Read more


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Going under the knife for cosmetic surgery is not as rare these days, but these surgeons aren’t just operating on people – they’re cutting into their pets. The most recent revelation may be the plastic surgery done – in Singapore – on fish. You read that right.
The idea of cosmetic surgery for a fish may sound extreme, but we’re talking about the Asian arowana, which can cost up to tens of thousands of dollars. Even the tanks they’re housed in are actually custom-made ‘tanning salons’ made to enhance the fish’s reddish hue. In Singapore, owning one is supposed to bring you luck and wealth – plus, it means you have status.
But having a perfect fish – with straight feelers, bright eyes, large round fins and tails, and shimmering red scales – is even better, so you’ll find owners dropping more cash to give their prized pets chin jobs (costing about S$80) and eyelifts, the most popular procedure in Singapore (costing around S$120) which involves loosening tissues behind the fish’s eye and pushing the eyeball up into the socket!
However, some owners insist that it ‘beautifies’ the fish instead of harming it.
It’s no surprise that some owners spend upwards of half a million dollars over the years on their prized fish. At one point, the demand for Arowanas was so crazy in Singapore that there were four fish heists in one week; during one of the robberies, the thief punched an elderly woman and ran away her sloshing bucket of fish.
Botox and Balls
South Korea may be famous (infamous?) for plastic surgery, but their client list has since expanded to those with four legs and fur, following a trend in the US.
According to Chosun Ilbo, popular procedures for dogs in South Korea include tail shortening and ear trimming (which is common for breeds like Dobermanns), as well as procedures humans get. These include facelifts, eyelid lift, removing stomach stretch marks, canine breast reduction, and even botox and liposuction! In fact, both doggies and kitties actually get liposuction for weight loss.
Most bizarrely for male dogs, owners can opt to give them ‘neuticles’ – fake testicular implants! Apparently it makes Fido think that he didn’t really get neutered, so that he doesn’t get too depressed.
Thankfully, while some crazy pet owners have no qualms putting their pets under the knife for beautification purposes, a majority of pet owners believe that the practice should be banned, citing that these unnecessary procedures tantamount to animal abuse.
Meanwhile in Saudi Arabia, another kind of 4-legged pet has been in the news recently for having cosmetic surgeries performed on them – basically going under the knife to make their ears more perky, or having botox injections to ‘improve’ their facial features.
These camels were participants of the King Abdulaziz camel festival – a major competition where the most ‘beautiful’ camel takes home the prize money of up to $57 million. It’s no surprise that some owners would buy cheaper camels and have surgeries done on them – as this practice is illegal, 12 camels found to have undergone surgery have been disqualified.


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Follow real-time updates on Union Budget 2023Catch exclusive videos on Union Budget 2023 from CNBC-TV18
India's retail inflation breached the central bank's medium-term target of 4 percent in October for the first time in 15 months, on the back of higher food prices. Most economists, however, expect the Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee to look past the inflation data and cut rates for a sixth straight time next month with economic growth and industrial output sagging to six-year lows.
India's retail inflation breached the central bank's medium-term target of 4 percent in October for the first time in 15 months, on the back of higher food prices. Most economists, however, expect the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to look past the inflation data and cut rates for a sixth straight time next month with economic growth and industrial output sagging to six-year lows.
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Annual retail inflation rose to 4.62 percent last month, according to data released on Wednesday, up from 3.99 percent in September, and higher than the 4.25 percent forecast in a Reuters poll of analysts.
Siddhartha Sanyal, chief economist & head of research, Bandhan Bank
"Despite today's uptick, largely due to a temporary rise in food prices, inflationary pressures broadly still remain very much under control and the growth momentum continues to be very weak. So today's inflation numbers should not jeopardise the RBI's accommodative stance."
"The numbers may create some uncertainty in the market over the next few days given the spike in the headline inflation number. But considering all factors, one more rate cut by the RBI in December remains reasonably likely. Another rate cut beyond that should not be ruled out."
"We haven't seen this kind of a spell of benign inflation on average for a long time. Generally, the RBI is much more comfortable now on the inflation front, and given the sharp weakness on the growth front of late, the RBI cannot focus on inflation alone."
Aditi Nayar, principal economist, Icra
"Looking ahead, we expect the core-CPI inflation to inch up modestly from the level recorded in October 2019, but not breach 4%. The pace of normalisation in vegetable prices will be the key driver of the trend in food inflation over the next few months."
"Overall, the CPI inflation may continue to print higher than 4% in the remainder of FY2020, complicating policy choices in light of the slowdown in economic growth momentum."
"In our view, the extent to which the Q2 FY2020 GDP growth reading eases further from the 5% recorded in the previous quarter, will influence the MPC's decision on whether to cut rates further, and by how much, in the December 2019 policy review."
Rahul Gupta, head of currency, Emkay Global Financial Services
"For the first time in 15 months, inflation print has exceeded RBI's medium term target of 4%. October CPI has increased to 4.62% from 3.99% in September, and has surprisingly came in at more than what the market was expecting."
"This sharp rise was especially due to an uptick in food prices amid erratic monsoon. Despite rising inflation, we expect RBI to continue its easing cycle on the back of sluggish growth and weak core inflation and cut repo rate at December meeting."
Devendra Pant, chief economist, India Ratings
"Although headline CPI inflation in October 2019 has breached central point of RBI's inflation targeting framework, the increase is due to seasonal items and strong base effect."
"With economic growth slowdown, India Ratings and Research believes growth concerns will dominate in RBI's monetary policy review and RBI to continue with accommodative policy and expect further rate cut in the policy review of December 2019."
Vidya Bala, co-founder, PrimeInvestor.in
"The increase is steadily seen in the food component of consumer inflation. Having crossed the RBI's mid-point of 4%, one needs to see whether this trend is only temporary or if it will creep up further."
"While the central bank may start taking note of this uptick, there are more concerning factors such as the IIP (Index of Industrial Production) being at an eight-year low. So one would have to worry more about growth at this stage rather than the rising inflation."
Anagha Deodhar, economist, ICICI Securities
"We expect CPI to remain above 4% for the remaining five months of the fiscal. It could touch as high as 4.6% in January-February 2020 before moderating to 4.3% in March. The current level of inflation indicates weak demand in the economy."
"Growth concerns have become far more important than inflation in the current context. We expect growth in Q2FY20 to come in at ~4.5% which would be a big concern. Although inflation is increasing, it is still comfortably within the RBI's target range. So, it's unlikely to give inflation much importance in the December review."
"We expect growth to fall to ~4.5% in Q2. Also, the pick up in growth in H2 is likely to be lower than previously thought. Hence, growth in FY20 could come between 5.5% and 5.7%."
"More rate cuts are definitely on the cards, especially given the weak growth outlook. I expect a large rate cut in December followed by one more rate cut in early 2020."
Rupa Rege-Nitsure, chief economist, L&T Finance Holdings
"This was expected given the spikes in vegetables, meat & fish and egg prices due to disruption in transportation caused by excessive and unpredictable rains. Inflation in pulses too is on the higher side due to demand-supply mismatch."
"However, core inflation has collapsed to 3.44% in October versus 4.01% in September due to broad based weakness in demand. While the RBI will continue to provide comfort on the liquidity front, it makes sense to take a pause in the rate cutting cycle."
"The need of the hour is to boost investment confidence at the individual sector level through corrective measures and a fiscal boost. India needs to focus on growth and arrest the deflationary trends."
Madhavi Arora, economist, Edelweiss Securities
"We think the current underlying growth-inflation mix continues to be favourable for counter-cyclical monetary stance."
"The domestic demand state, as reflected in various activity indicators, has weakened further in recent months, while fragile external growth backdrop convolutes the domestic slowdown further. We think the monetary accommodation has further steam of 50-65bps cut more in the cycle, contingent on data outcomes."
"We will closely watch out for the evolution of inflation amid various domestic and global idiosyncrasies, and fiscal fragilities that could impact the MPC's reaction function."


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In 2022, the global Medical Devices Industry got a value of USD 495 bn., and it is projected that by 2030 its worth will be around US 720 bn.
But which country is the largest producer of medical equipment? Although the United States tops the list of countries with the largest export of medical equipment in the world, a big part of their production is carried out in other countries.
Over the last 30 years, many U.S. companies have decided to establish themselves in Tijuana, Mexico, due to the competitive costs and the quality of work. Keep reading and discover why Tijuana is and will continue to be the mecca of medical equipment manufacturing worldwide.
Medical Device Manufacturing in Tijuana
We know that the market for medical devices is quite competitive and controlled. Unsurprisingly, Tijuana has become the North American city with the highest medical device manufacturing jobs concentration due to its high standards, skilled workforce, and logistical benefits. With almost 50,000 people directly working in the field, Tijuana has the highest employment rates among all other North American locations producing medical devices.
In addition, Tijuana is part of the Binational Mega Region, which includes the San Diego and Imperial Counties in southern California and the state of Baja California, forged as a strategy to promote economic development in Mexico.
Why Mexico and Tijuana?
While numerous locations advertise themselves as potential places for businesses looking to expand internationally, no other global metropolis provides a unique combination:
- A base of 50 active medical device manufacturers
- As a next-door nearshoring destination, Tijuana has logistically rapid access to the West Coast and is surrounded by international seaports and airports
- Around 14,000 students in Tijuana are enrolled in engineering careers or technical programs related to engineering, technology, and manufacturing, forming a qualified and bilingual workforce in a business-friendly environment
- Free trade agreements like USMCA, TRIPS, and others provide strong protections for intellectual property rights
- Experience, just-in-time production skills, and competitive costs
The World’s Top Medical Device Companies
Tijuana is home to 50 significant medical device producers, including well-known international brands like Medtronic, which has had a factory there since 1970. Medtronic is at the vanguard of medical technology, employing over 90,000 individuals across 150 nations. The American firm reported revenues of $31.7 billion in 2022, an increase of 8% over the $29.4 billion reported in the previous year.
Now that you know which country is the largest producer of medical equipment, invest in the country and enjoy the benefits of setting up your business in Tijuana, Mexico.
At Tijuana EDC, we offer consulting, connection, and follow-up services to provide your company with all the requirements to settle properly in a foreign city and take advantage of the business opportunities in Mexico.


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The Chinese tech powerhouse wants people to be able to shop as they drive.
Amazon just killed off its restaurant delivery service. Why doesn’t it just replace it with the market leader instead?
Huawei users that want it can still easily install Facebook’s app from two different app stores.
Confusing tiers, high bandwidth requirements, and a lack of compelling games could doom the so-called “Netflix for games."
Its latest earnings report shows the mall-based apparel retailer is still defying the odds even as its rivals burn out.
The two tech rivals are joining forces against a common cloud platform enemy.
Apple doesn’t want Facebook or Google to gather data from iOS users anymore.
Google controls a bigger slice of the market, but the iPhone maker rakes in more profits.
Google is integrating its gameplay videos into its main site as part of its unification of YouTube’s fragmented universe.
The Chinese tech giant doesn't generate that much revenue for either company.
The mobile chipmaker this week introduces the world’s first 5G laptop, the Snapdragon-powered "Project Limitless."
The off-price retailer expects its comps to rise for the 24th straight year.
As part of a strategic partnership, Microsoft plans to develop new AI-powered image sensors with Sony.
DoorDash’s market share growth is alarming, but it probably won’t torpedo Grubhub’s business anytime soon.
Is the world’s largest social network developing its own currency?
Some little accounting mistakes over the past two years are coming back to haunt the packaged foods maker.
The search giant still wants a slice of the e-commerce market.
But it won’t become a growth engine anytime soon.
Mattel lands licenses for Pixar’s old and new films.
The “Google of Russia” is also the “Uber of Russia."


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A vast new deep-sea container port for London officially opens today.
London Gateway in Stanford-le-Hope, Essex, is a £1.5 billion "super port", which is expected to save British importers and exporters hundreds of millions of pounds every year from reduced transportation of goods across the UK.
It is the closest deep sea port to London, Birmingham and Manchester.
London Gateway is Europe's largest logistics park with 9.25 million square feet of warehouse capacity, and it is thought the development will add £3.2 billion to the economy each year and 12,000 direct jobs.
The port will take approximately 2,000 trucks off the roads a day and 148,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide, saving money for freight forwarders and cargo owners by giving them more direct access to consumer markets across the UK.


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Walmart is closing a bunch of stores in the Portland, OR area. They aren’t alone. Excerpt:
Walmart announced it is permanently closing all of its locations in Portland, Oregon, over financial reasons.
“We have nearly 5,000 stores across the U.S. and unfortunately some do not meet our financial expectations,” Walmart said in its announcement, according to KPTV. “While our underlying business is strong, these specific stores haven’t performed as well as we hoped.”
Both Walmart locations at Hayden Meadows and East Port Plaza will officially close on March 24.
Financial reasons. Uh huh.
Here’s the onion:
The announcements come just a few months after the Walmart CEO warned stores could close and prices could increase in light of sky-high retail crimes affecting stores across the country.
“Theft is an issue. It’s higher than what it has historically been,” Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said in December on CNBC. He added that “prices will be higher and/or stores will close” if authorities don’t crack down on prosecuting shoplifting crimes.
Walmart’s announcement comes after other stores in Portland have closed, many of which cited crime specifically.
In other words, theft is a major issue, and for some reason – maybe a desire to get back into the market if the people of Portland ever regain some semblance of sanity and vote out the idiots that run that city now – they are downplaying the extent to which theft is a part of the decision.
Oh, remember when I said “they aren’t alone”?
A clothing shop called Rains PDX permanently shut down in November after facing a string of break-ins that left the store financially gutted. The store owner even posted a blistering note on the shop’s doors slamming the city’s crime rate.
“Our city is in peril,” a printed note posted on Rains PDX store read. “Small businesses (and large) cannot sustain doing business, in our city’s current state. We have no protection, or recourse, against the criminal behavior that goes unpunished. Do not be fooled into thinking that insurance companies cover losses. We have sustained 15 break-ins … we have not received any financial reimbursement since the 3rd.”
In other words, Walmart can survive without these Portland stores, but the small businesses cannot.
Look at that quote above. It’s hard for me to contain my utter contempt and disgust with the people who proclaim, “oh, they’re insured.” That’s a horrible, heartless and disgusting thing to say to someone who is watching their life’s work come apart on them while being recompensed pennies on the dollar.
As economist Herb Stein famously said, “something that can’t continue, won’t.” Most of our big cities, not just Portland, are on a trajectory that can’t continue. But they keep voting in the people that put them on that trajectory.
What happens now?


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Consumers across the country are expected to spend more than $727 billion this holiday season, according to the National Retail Federation. But for tens of thousands of Hawaiʻi residents without a bank account, shopping means high-interest loans, prepaid cards with fees, and sometimes a continuing cycle of debt.
This is the world of the unbanked.
When Nānākuli resident and mother of two Shyla Lafaele lost her job a year ago, her bank account took a hit.
“I was unable to keep up with my payments on my credit card, and then it went negative and I couldn’t get out of it,” Lafaele said.
The account eventually closed, which only made matters worse for her once she started earning a paycheck again.
“I was unable to open up any kind of bank account. The only route I had was to turn to like a prepaid card…But with that it comes with fees,” she said.
Alternative financial services such as prepaid debit cards, cash checking services, and pay day loans, were created for the “unbanked” population, folks like Lafaele.
THE COST OF BEING UNDERBANKED
These services may seem convenient in the short-term for folks without access to mainstream banking services, but they often come with hefty fees, which add up in the long run says Jeff Gilbreath. Heʻs the director of Lending and Development at Hawaiian Community Assets.
“We are seeing the average cost of what families are spending if theyʻre underbanked or even unbanked is about $1,200 annually,” Gilbreath said.


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Regional food hub facilitates farm-to-school efforts in northwest Michigan
As the local food movement builds across Michigan and demand increases for locally grown agricultural products, an opportunity exists for Michigan farmers to expand their markets to include institutional buyers.
As the local food movement builds across Michigan and demand increases for locally-grown agricultural products, an opportunity exists for Michigan farmers to expand their markets to include institutional buyers. However, without access to expensive washing, sorting and processing equipment, this market demand may remain unmet.
Food hubs may provide an avenue for small and mid-scale producers to enter this growing market. In a 2012 resource guide, the USDA defines regional food hub as: “a business or organization that actively manages the aggregation, distribution, and marketing of source-identified food products primarily from local and regional producers to strengthen their ability to satisfy wholesale, retail, and institutional demand.”
Shared processing equipment and storage can help overcome the large capital costs that are increasingly prohibitive for a single farmer or business and can also encourage regional economic development. As USDA Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack suggests:
“Skyrocketing consumer demand for local and regional food is an economic opportunity for America's farmers and ranchers. Food hubs facilitate access to these markets by offering critical aggregation, marketing, distribution and other services to farmers and ranchers. By serving as a link between the farm or ranch and regional buyers, food hubs keep more of the retail food dollar circulating in the local economy. In effect, the success of regional food hubs comes from entrepreneurship, sound business sense and a desire for social impact.“
In northwest Michigan, Michigan State University Extension and project partners including the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments, Michigan Land Use Institute, Oryana Natural Foods Coop, Cherry Capital Foods and others recently formed a 501(c)(3) non-profit, the “Grand Traverse Foodshed Alliance” (GTFA), to help build the region’s local food economy and facilitate farm-to-school purchasing. A Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Value Added grant and USDA Farm to School grant helped offset the cost of washing and processing equipment, refrigerator and freezer storage and infrastructure improvements. Once the hub is complete, the GTFA will be located alongside Cherry Capital Foods, a regional food distributor, as well as several agri-food related businesses. One of the first tenants will be a farmer consortium that is comprised of several vegetable farmers in the region who will be collectively processing and supplying local schools. Being located next to a regional foods distributor that is already making deliveries to schools is an important benefit, since each farmer is not responsible for delivery to multiple schools.
Co-location and collaboration are the key elements helping farmers meet the demand for locally grown agricultural products. However, it takes time and effort in the form of facilitated discussions with farmers, food service directors, distributors and other agri-food interests. But with continued effort, farmers, school children and the local economy stand to benefit.


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Mission NewEnergy Ltd (ASX:MBT) (OTCMKTS:MNELF) is an Australian Securities Exchange ("ASX") listed company.
Mission NewEnergy Limited
A record-breaking prize pool was paid out to more than 1600 savvy punters by Australia's biggest fantasy sports platform, Draftstars, following the conclusion of the AFL Grand Final. The final capped the biggest year in the platform's history, after being acquired earlier in the year by fellow Australian fantasy sports operator PlayUp.
The Board of The BetMakers Holdings Limited (ASX:TBH) (OTCMKTS:TPBTF) would like to provide an update in respect of the sale of 100% of the shares in TopBetta Pty Ltd and the associated TopBetta and MadBookie retail brands, to PlayUp Australia Pty Limited, along with the expansion of services into the US market between BetMakers, PlayUp and the Global Tote.
Australian gaming token PlayChip has announced its official listing on HitBTC, a top-10 cryptocurrency exchange by market cap.
The PlayChip Foundation has been registered as the first digital currency exchange in Australia with its own native token. Last week the PlayChip Foundation Ltd was registered to provide Digital Currency Exchange services by Australian regulatory body AUSTRAC.
PlayUp Ltd has announced the latest addition to its growing online gaming ecosystem -- PlayUp Bet.
PlayChip, the Universal Gaming Token, is cementing its status as one of the most promising token sales of 2018. The PlayChip Foundation, whose token is in pre-sale until October 31, today announced that its combined user count has hit 1 million, a milestone they had initially forecasted surpassing in December.
PlayUp Limited has announced it has signed an agreement to acquire 123gaming Limited. 123gaming was founded in New Zealand in 2006 and today is a multi-award winning gaming company based in the UK & USA. The business is licensed in numerous states in the USA including a license in Washington State.
Further to the announcements released on 18 April 2018 and 23 April 2018, The BetMakers Holdings Limited (ASX:TBH) (formally TopBetta Holdings Limited) is pleased to announce that it has completed the sale to PlayUp Australia Pty Limited of 100% of the shares in the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, TopBetta Pty Ltd, and the associated retail assets, TopBetta and Mad Bookie.
TopBetta Holdings Limited (ASX:TBH) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a binding, conditional heads of agreement to acquire 100% of the shares in data and betting tools company, DynamicOdds Pty Ltd, and its associated licensing brands.
PlayUp Limited (PlayUp) has acquired online wagering operator betting.club, as part of its continued growth strategy. betting.club was acquired from its owners which comprised three of Sydney's leading club organisations - the iconic Mounties Group, Campsie RSL and Club Rivers.


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Zico Pure Premium Coconut Water
Zico launched its Zico Pure Premium Coconut Water in 1-liter containers. Previously available in 11-ounce Tetra Paks, the new size is designed to offer consumers more options in a take-home size, the company says. The new 1-liter containers of Mango and Passion Fruit have the same nutrient profile as Zico Natural, which already is available in a 1-liter size. The new size retails for $5.49.


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Music Canada applauds Supreme Court of Canada decision confirming that Internet intermediaries can be ordered to deindex illegal sites worldwide
June 28, 2017, Toronto: Music Canada welcomes today’s landmark Supreme Court of Canada decision in Equustek Solutions v. Google upholding a ruling that Google can no longer provide search results anywhere in the world that point to a website that unlawfully sells the intellectual property of another company. Music Canada joined several other creative industry associations as interveners supporting Equustek in the case.
The case establishes principles that will guide the responsibilities of Internet intermediaries to reduce or eliminate harms amplified by their activities. In the case, Google admitted that it employs a team of more than 40 employees to remove search results to material that offend its company policies, but resisted a court order compelling it to do the same with respect to sites trafficking in goods created from stolen trade secrets.
The Supreme Court ordered Google to stop directing people to the illegal sites. It rejected Google’s approach of only de-listing individual pages within sites, which a lower court described as promoting a “Whack-A-Mole” approach to online infringement. It also rejected Google’s claim that, as a non-party, it was “immune” to court orders. It concluded that Google was “the determinative player in allowing the harm to occur” and suggested it had a “duty to assist the person wronged”.
Importantly, today’s decision also ensured that the order applies worldwide and across all of Google’s search engines, a crucial development given that the Internet has largely dissolved boundaries between countries and allowed virtual wrongdoers to move from jurisdiction to jurisdiction in search of the weakest enforcement setting.
In particular, the Supreme Court emphasized:
“The problem in this case is occurring online and globally. The Internet has no borders – its natural habitat is global. The only way to ensure the interlocutory injunction [order] attained its objective was to have it apply where Google operates – globally.”
The only way to protect the plaintiff was to prevent the search results from being displayed where they do the most harm: on Google’s global search results.
Last, the Supreme Court concluded that freedom of expression concerns raised by Google and its supportive interveners were at best theoretical. The speech contained on the sites did not engage any freedom of expression values, but rather violated multiple court orders. The Supreme Court found that “most countries will likely recognize… the selling of pirated products as a legal wrong” and that freedom of expression does not require Google to engage in “the facilitation of the unlawful sale of goods.”
Music Canada, together with the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), has been actively involved in this case since it was first appealed to the British Columbia Court of Appeal. Both the Supreme Court and the British Columbia Court of Appeal referred to their assistance in rendering their decisions.
“Today’s decision confirms that online service providers cannot turn a blind eye to illegal activity that they facilitate; on the contrary, they have an affirmative duty to take steps to prevent the Internet from becoming a black market,” said Graham Henderson, President and CEO of Music Canada. “This is welcome news for creators of all stripes who rely on the Internet as their primary market and for whom illegal online activity can instantly wipe out careers and destroy investment in new releases. Today’s decision provides a vital remedy to address illegal online activities and enforce the rights of creators.”
̶ Ends ̶
For more information:
Corey Poole, Music Canada
+1 (647) 808-7359
About Music Canada
Music Canada is a non-profit trade organization that represents the major record companies in Canada: Sony Music Entertainment Canada, Universal Music Canada and Warner Music Canada. Music Canada also works with some of the leading independent record labels and distributors, recording studios, live music venues, concert promoters, managers and artists in the promotion and development of the music cluster.


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Japan Motors Trading Company Ltd. donated three brand-new Yamaha AG125 motorcycles to the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council in support of the ‘Let’s Make Accra Work’ campaign. The motorbikes will facilitate the transportation of law enforcement and security personnel to discharge their duties in the component of the campaign that aims at decongesting the city and regulating the use of motorbikes.
Mr. Nouhad Kalmoni, Executive Director of Japan Motors Trading Company Ltd said that as the official distributor of Yamaha motorbikes, JMTC thought it important to support the transportation of personnel with Yamaha motorbikes, which support rapid response in all terrains. Mr. Kalmoni commended government for the initiative and hoped it will give a new phase to Accra.
Mr. Henry Quartey, Greater Accra Regional Minister, received the motorbikes and thanked Japan Motors for supporting the ‘Let’s make Accra work’ campaign, a vision of Ghana’s President to make Ghana the cleanest country in Africa. He noted that the donated motorbikes will be invaluable to security and law enforcement agencies for the component of the campaign on the decongestion and motorbike regulation campaign.
“These motorbikes have come very handy because as part of the campaign, we’re embarking on decongestion exercise and ensuring that sanitation improves in the region. We’ll also ensure motorbikers obey traffic regulations and duly are registered. As such, this donation [of motorbikes] will be of great use to the security and law enforcement agencies for this particular component of the campaign”.Mr. Henry Quartey | Greater Accra Regional Minister
Marketing Manager of Japan Motors Ms. Harriet Esi Mensah urged the transport industry to rely on Yamaha motorbikes as an alternative to achieve work efficiency during these days of huge traffic in Accra. She said the company has invested in quality after-sales service and and to ensure that quality parts are available for all its products. Japan Motors is the official Distributor of Nissan, the official sole distributor of Yamaha Motor Company, Lassa Tyres as well as FOTON Trucks in Ghana.


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Mumbai: The suspension of the Mumbai locals, might be a bane for most Mumbaikars but it has turned out to be an absolute boon for auto-rickshaw drivers. While more and more people are coming out after 'Unlock 4.0' there's not enough public transport services available.
Those living in the suburbs are now heavily dependent on autos for which auto drivers are able to generate a better revenue as Mumbaikars have started to make deals with auto rickshaw owners who ferry them to their workplace regularly.
"I have two clients who go to their office at Andheri East and Goregaon Nesco grounds twice and thrice a week from Kandivali. I provide them pick-up and drop. It helps me earn a few extra bucks," said Deepak Kumar (32) an auto rickshaw driver.
"Getting inside a BEST bus is a task and travelling in cabs or four-wheelers is expensive, hence auto rickshaw is the best way. I travel every Monday Wednesday and Friday while the other customer travels on Tuesday and Thursday. Hence, distance is also maintained," said Akash Punamiya, Kumar's client who traveled to Andheri east.
The state government has allowed a maximum of two passengers in an auto. Many passengers are finding autos to be a safer option. "As trains are shut, we can travel throughout the suburbs easily via auto rickshaws. It is expensive, but at the same time it's cheaper than taxis and private vehicles," said Anita Doshi, a private firm executive, who resumed office from September 1.
"Our union has told us to sanitise the vehicles regularly. We provide passengers with sanitisers and have installed aluminium sheets. Passengers feel safer to travel in autos now," said Omar Ali, an auto rickshaw owner.
Meanwhile, sharing auto services are not functional which is giving auto drivers more time to ply on longer routes.
"Earlier most of my trips would include shorter routes within 4 km, now three-four trips range between 8-12 km daily," said Amir Siddique, an auto driver.
"The BEST buses get overcrowded in peak hours and there's no local trains, so people are opting for rickshaws" said Manoj Kamble, general secretary of independent Auto Rickshaw outfit, Goregaon.
Chief of Mumbai Rickshawmen's association, Thampi Qurien said that during the lockdown the earnings of auto drivers were badly hit. “Even on the first few phases of unlocking, people were not coming out. But now people have started to step out and they are dependent on rickshaws," Kurien said. He added that when locals resume, auto drivers may not get such high paying fares on longer routes. “By that time, shared auto services will be back. It will serve the purpose," he said.
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Six other people have died from a coronavirus outbreak in China as officers warned it’s more likely to unfold within the coming days.
All of the sufferers had been in Wuhan, the capital of China’s central Hubei province the place the virus originated at its seafood marketplace. The virus has been dubbed “Wuhan Virus” after the town.
Officers showed the brand new thriller virus, which has no treatment, can unfold between people, and 15 scientific personnel in Wuhan have now been inflamed, prompting fears of an epidemic.
Issues are rising as masses of thousands and thousands of other people in China are set to go back and forth house, frequently from towns to the geographical region, or go back and forth in another country for the week-long Lunar New 12 months vacation which begins on Saturday.
The International Well being Organisation (WHO) has known as an emergency assembly for Wednesday to believe mentioning a global well being emergency, a transfer simplest used for the worst epidemics.
WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic warned: “Extra circumstances must be anticipated in different portions of China and most likely different international locations within the coming days.”
China’s Nationwide Well being Fee stated 291 other people were inflamed within the nation – principally in Wuhan – for the reason that virus emerged in mid-December, however studies are coming in always from other Chinese language areas indicating the virus is spreading speedy.
A find out about via Hong Kong College in collaboration with WHO estimated via Tuesday 1,343 other people have been inflamed, along side 116 other people in 20 different Chinese language towns.
Thailand has additionally reported two circumstances, whilst South Korea, Japan and Taiwai have all reported one case, all individuals who have been to Wuhan.
The Philippines reported its first suspected case on Tuesday.
Airports throughout China have presented temperature screening, whilst increasingly more airports world wide are doing the similar.
Russia, Australia, Singapore, the USA, Thailand, South Korea, Malaysia and Japan are some of the international locations expanding airport screenings.
One of the most circumstances in Thailand used to be came upon after a lady used to be screened in Bangkok airport.
The virus has introduced again dangerous recollections from 2002-03, when Critical Acute Respiration Syndrome (SARS), which belongs to the similar circle of relatives of coronaviruses as the brand new outbreak, killed just about 800 other people world wide after beginning in China.
Docs started seeing signs together with fever, coughing and respiring difficulties in individuals who labored at or visited Wuhan’s seafood marketplace closing month.
Because the choice of deaths and circumstances of the brand new virus higher, monetary markets reacted, with China’s onshore yuan falling zero.6%, its greatest day-to-day drop since 26 August, 2019.
Airline and go back and forth shares around the area additionally fell.
Ecu stocks additionally dropped, with luxurious items corporations in particular hard-hit over worries of weaker call for from Chinese language customers forward of the Lunar New 12 months which outlets frequently depend on.
Masks gross sales have surged, with lengthy queues out of doors pharmacies and a few on-line distributors restricting gross sales of mask and hand sanitisers as call for higher.
Shanghai’s marketplace regulator warned it’ll punish speculators who hoard mask and different merchandise used for fighting sicknesses, in line with the Communist Birthday celebration-backed Shanghai Observer.


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Musicians Pick Up The Tempo On Adopting Digital Payments
The conventional wisdom may hold that creative types — musicians among them — are not the savviest of business mavens.
Anecdotes abound, of course, in the popular music industry of artists who had huge hits — and rarely saw much cash flow, as royalties were siphoned off by others, or simply never made it into the right accounts. Or accountants did not do much accounting.
Online platforms have done much to transform payments — especially in terms of transparency, speed and distribution — across any number of verticals from ride-hailing to food delivery.
One company, Stem, seeks to leverage the platform model to help independent musicians and the host of people who may be behind a recording (the composers, the producers and others) get paid through what’s known in the industry as the “splits” — what they’re owed when its owed as music is uploaded to streaming services such as Spotify.
In an interview with PYMNTS, Milana Rabkin Lewis, CEO, said that automating the splits of the royalties is but one component of the model, which also offers financing that helps musicians complete their projects and get on the road without giving up control of master recordings in order to tap into much-needed capital (a common practice with labels).
Stem’s target client base, said Rabkin Lewis, consists of “not just the artists, but also their management teams, the labels that work with and all the various collaborators, songwriters, producers … all of them are part of a population of creators that we see as being underserved by financial tools and technologies.”
She noted that during her previous stints with a talent agency, she observed that even the smallest of small business owners had access to online tools — through Square, Shopify and others — to build their businesses and manage their fund flows.
No such offerings existed for artists — through use of an intuitive platform and dashboard — to understand how much money they were making.
“And in a world where I could use Venmo personally to send money to anyone, there was no easy way for an artist to pay out their co-creators,” Rabkin Lewis said. “And it wasn’t that the technology wasn’t there, it’s just that the technology wasn’t built to suit their unique needs.”
To solve the payments problem in the music industry, she said, it’s imperative to solve the receivables problem — an ambitious undertaking in a space where the population is made up of a network, basically, of freelance workers.
After all, the term “gig” economy comes from the music industry. And compensation can be related to back-end participation, or representing a party while garnering a direct commission from that artist’s earnings.
Memorializing the Splits
No piece of music is done in a vacuum, and there are layers of copyrights involved, tied to the master recording and the publishing. Many times, the splits are done in conversation in the studio, divvying who owns what — and how much of a piece of it (the recording, the rights) they own.
Rabkin Lewis stated that Stem focuses primarily on the master side of the recording — which she noted is where the bulk of revenue in the industry is (it is the master that is commonly uploaded to the streaming service).
Memorializing the splits early in the process, said Rabkin Lewis, eliminates the process of remembering those conversations that take place during the creative process.
“That’s a behavioral problem,” noted Rabkin Lewis. “So how do we build a product that encourages artists to capture the splits early on?”
She said that the “draft mode” of Stem’s platform allows for songs, as they are completed, to be uploaded into a dashboard that also delineates the collaborators and their splits (across currencies and international markets, too; Stem’s payments take into account foreign exchange or FX rates).
Another challenge is how to get music onto the services — in a bid to monetize those creations across Apple Music and other services. Before the days of digital streaming, noted Rabkin Lewis, the only way to get music to audiences was through record labels or other distributers with retail presence.
The labels would have to invest in physical production, manufacturing and distribution. That’s, of course, not the case today. Stem provides access to the digital supply chain, shoring up distribution, and can help artists gain visibility — and, even if they are independent artists, have infrastructure and a team at their disposal.
As to the capital that is needed — upfront — to help grow a musician’s brand and business, Rabkin Lewis contended that most traditional financial institutions (FIs) don’t really understand the needs of artists and are hesitant to extend loans. The options are limited, as musicians give up revenue — or even control of a master — to get an advance (which must then be paid down).
“Because artists were already making money within Stem, we understood their music as assets,” said Rabkin Lewis. “And we felt that we could create an offering to give them access to more capital.”
Stem offers Scale, a cash advance tool that is backed by CoVenture, and which through a $100 million artist advance fund lets borrowers pay back loans over time (the charge for the loan is a flat percentage fee, and Stem underwrites the loans). Rabkin Lewis noted that artists get to keep ownership of their masters.
“The quicker you’re able to pay back the money, the lower the fee,” explained Rabkin Lewis, who added that the musicians control the sizes of the advances — and how much of their royalty income can be allocated to (automatically) pay down the loan over time.
The company said last month that it raised $10 million in an investment round led by Slow Ventures. The funds will be earmarked for product development, Rabkin Lewis told PYMNTS.


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CARS ARE ALL about numbers, especially those exotic machines built specifically for driving enthusiasts. The bigger the number, the faster it is. The more desirable it is. And usually the more expensive it is. So, what happens when a car is missing one of those crucial figures? Well, in the
Ford’s Mustang Lithium EV shows us that electric propulsion might kill the V8, but the manual has a future.
Ford Australia has unveiled the country’s first supercharged Mustang, developed and designed in Australia and in partnership with Herrod Performance.
Your 5.0-litre V8 Mustang too tame? Try this: Harrop’s monster supercharged ‘Stang.
A new high-performance 2.3L Ford Mustang will arrive in Australia in 2020 boasting 236kW and 448Nm of torque – the highest output of any four-cylinder Mustang.
The refreshed 2020 Ford Mustang GT has been announced boasting new colours from Ford’s heritage collection, new alloy wheels, and more.
The 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 has been confirmed with a 5.2-litre supercharged V8 that’ll make 760hp which makes it the most-powerful street-legal Ford ever.
The Ford Mustang Supercar got its first outing last weekend at the Superloop Adelaide 500 taking wins in both races and setting a lap record of the Adelaide street circuit.
Isaac Bober’s 2019 Ford Mustang EcoBoost Review with Price, Specs, Performance, Ride and Handling, Safety, Verdict and Score.
The 2019 Ford Mustang Supercar has been revealed ahead of its debut at the first-round of the 2019 Virgin Australia Supercars Championship in Adelaide later this month.
Isaac Bober’s 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt Review with Price, Specs, Performance, Ride and Handling, Ownership, Safety, Verdict and Score.
DJR Team Penske and Tickford Racing get the stamp needed from Supercars Australia to go racing with the Ford Mustang in 2019.
The Ford Mustang has completed its first Supercar test ahead of its first race at the Adelaide 500 in February.
The refreshed 2019 Ford Mustant EcoBoost is on-sale now joining its V8-powered sibling which was launched here in June.


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The FTSE MIB in Milan lost 2 percent to 21,745.71, followed by the CAC 40 in Paris and the DAX in Frankfurt: Both were down 1.8 percent, to 4,572.02 and to 10,136.85 respectively. The FTSE 100 in London fell 1.6 percent to 6,095.85.
Next was the biggest faller in London, down 3.6 percent to 75.60 pounds. According to reports, the British retailer’s stock had fallen as Exane BNP Paribas lowered its rating on the firm to “underperform” from “neutral.” Investors are also said to be taking a cautious approach ahead of U.S. non-farm payroll data due later on Friday.
Fashion, luxury and retail stocks mirrored the markets’ downward trend.
Aside from Next, the biggest fallers numbered Asos, 3.7 percent to 27.92 pounds; Kering, 4.2 percent to 144.60 euros; French Connection, 6.7 percent to 0.33 pounds, and Yoox Group, 3.4 percent to 26.90 euros.
Another backdrop to the retail stocks’ falls was downbeat data released Friday by the U.K.’s BDO monthly high street sales tracker. The index showed that high street sales in the U.K. fell 4.3 percent in August, compared to the same month last year. That represented the biggest fall since November 2008. Sophie Michael, head of retail and wholesale at BDO, said that Brits has spent on “leisure pursuits, eating out and holidays,” instead of buying products.
At 12:25 p.m. CET, the pound traded for $1.53, while the euro went for $1.12.


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It has been clear to everyone that every major tech company is jumping on the bandwagon to join the ever-expanding branch of self-driving cars. Ranging from Apple to Huawei: every company has started developing its own self-driving technology, and the consumers are waiting for the self-driving cars to be mass-produced.
Another Chinese tech giant, Xiaomi, is not far behind. In fact, there were many updates on Xiaomi’s self-driving technology, and the company has officially revealed that the company will start the mass production stage for the same in 2024. But Xiaomi is constantly adding more improvements to this area, and according to the Qicha App, Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co., Ltd. has recently announced a patent called “autonomous driving control methods, equipment and storage media.”
The patent specification reveals that autonomous driving technology is what every major company is eyeing right now in the current automotive industry. As per SAE’s autonomous driving classification, the technology is divided into six autonomous driving levs starting from L0 up to L5.
The L0 refers to vehicles sans any autonomous driving functions, the L1 and L2 level autopilot is a driving assistance system, L3 level autopilot could be called a quasi-autonomous driving system, and finally the L4 and L5 level autopilot could be a truly autopilot system.
The patent reveals an automatic driving system, device, and storage medium. The present patent also reveals how the system controls the target vehicle to drive automatically as per the usual auto-driving capabilities level. Moreover, the technology also ensures that the current road level adjusts the self-driving ability level so that the vehicle can carry out the function of automatic driving.
As of now, the degree of automation of automatic driving of vehicles is not very high which means that it directly affects the user experience, but according to the latest patent made public by Xiaomi, the degree of automation of automatic driving is high, making the user experience better than before.


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For visitors wandering around the bustling souvenir stores and restaurants on the scenic Nanluoguxiang Lane in downtown Beijing, a quiet bookstore nestled in the corner of an ancient building is a pocket of serenity among the chaos of the street.
The newest, 24-hour branch of state-owned Cathay Bookshop opened on Monday night just 2 kilometers away from the Forbidden City in Yanchi tower, an ancient garrison dating back to 1420.
While local officials hope the project will help make the ancient street "affluent with book culture", for most it is simply a pleasant change of pace while visiting the buzzing downtown area.
"It's nice to take a rest reading books in a historical space after walking for a long time in the hectic area," one visitor, surnamed Yuan, said.
From the outside, the two-story hip-and-gable-roofed building, complete with blazing yellow roof tiles, reflects the building's history.
Inside the shop sits an array of contemporary best-sellers and Chinese classics. Seniors and children were sitting on the ground reading when Xinhua reporters visited the shop on Monday night. On the second floor, an exhibition on ancient Chinese books drew a small crowd of bookworms.
"The round-the-clock book shop offers not only antique books, but popular novels and children's books," said manager Yu Huagang. "It's a new cultural landmark in the city center."
The idea of the ancient bookstore came in May, when local officials in Xicheng launched a campaign to bring more book culture to the area.
The Chinese government is keen to promote reading nationwide. Favorable taxation policies and funding supports have been implemented to help the country's bookstores following the 2014 and 2015 government work reports.
Chinese leaders, including President Xi Jinping, have also emphasized the importance of reading.
With state policy and financial support, enthusiasm for the printed word has picked up among the public in recent years. Sanlian Taofen Bookstore (STB) opened its first 24-hour bookstore in Beijing in April 2014. It ended up seeing a 58-percent increase in sales and a 111-percent increase in profits last year.
Zhang Yiwu, a professor with Peking University, said the 24-hour store is a good way to spread culture to Chinese people, particularly the young, many of whom are night owls.
"Many people looking for entertainment at night have little choice other than bars or nightclubs," Zhang said. "The service not only allows young urbanites to indulge their passion for books around the clock, but also provides a platform for them to socialize and relax."
Sun Jinsong, director with the district culture commission, said the store is a smart way to spread the Chinese culture.
"Opening a bookstore in the ancient building helps liven up the Yanchi Tower, which embodies Chinese history and culture," Sun said. "It also enriches people's cultural lives."


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It’s that time of year again; where top ten tech lists and this year’s must have gadgets fill column inches.
Whilst you’ve probably been wondering whether or not it’s too early to eat a mince pie, a lot has been going on in the world of I.T. and Tech, and as always we’re here to roundup the biggest stories from the last week.
Data privacy the theme for 2018
As you’re probably aware if you are a regular reader of our blogs, May 2018 sees the implementation of European General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). Positive steps are being taken alongside this to make the internet a safer place, to protect your data and to place strict regulations on how your personal information is stored and used online.
It’s a little too complicated to cover everything in this roundup so head here to learn all about the ePrivacy Directive and what it might mean for your business.
UK industries a major target for Russian hackers
Russian hackers have been targeting the UK’s energy, telecoms and media sectors. Speaking at the Times Tech Summit in London, Ciaran Martin the head of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), believes Russia is looking to “undermine the international system” which should be seen as a “cause for concern”.
This is unwelcome news to say the least and adds to the recent claims by the Prime Minster, Theresa May that Russia have been responsible for a “sustained campaign of cyber espionage and disruption”.
It will be interesting to see how this one develops on the international stage.
£21m boost for UK digital tech sector
The UK has announced plans to invest £21m in the technology sector and with it, create a network of regional tech hubs in the Midlands, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Tech City UK and Tech North will form a national organisation known as Tech Nation with an end goal of speeding up the growth of the UK’s digital companies and clusters.
As a result of this investment, Tech City UK will provide the opportunity for 40,000+ people to develop the skills needed to start or grow a digital business as well as offering support for up to 4,000 UK tech businesses.
Those were some of this week’s biggest stories in I.T. and tech but if you want more content, follow us across our four social media channels.


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Looking to sell or let your property? Great news, we now offer free online market appraisals with the launch of our innovative new tool. The tool provides a personalised valuation to users from the comfort of their own home - by simply filling in a few details about the home in question, Living in London’s expert property specialists promise to give you an honest sales or rental appraisal within 24 hours.
“Staying ahead of the curve is vital in business,” says Ben Miller, Director at Living in London. “Traditional estate agents who don’t adapt to new technologies get left behind. For a small agency, we pride ourselves in our marketing efforts and with everything moving online, an online valuation tool was the logical next step for us. In the lead up to our 15th Anniversary, we wanted to launch something that would put us on the map for people who may not have heard of us in SE16 and we think the valuation tool does just that.”
With a sleek design to reflect our state-of-the-art website, the tool offers nifty functionality including sliders and graphics that boast our striking colours.
“Opting for a personal valuation tool over an automated instant tool was a big decision for us,” explains Adam Miller, Director at Living in London. “We wanted to offer sellers and landlords the opportunity to find out the value of their home, while still providing the exceptional customer service we’ve become renowned for. We’re thrilled with the response we’ve had from the tool, receiving loads of really positive feedback from users who have then gone on to become clients.”
We’ve been busy promoting the tool across our website, social media and other marketing.
To try the tool out for yourself, click here.


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Residential real estate sales firms haven’t wasted any time scaling back business because of the expected slowdowns from the coronavirus pandemic.
Housing economists are predicting a decline in home purchase activity as consumers hunker down under shelter-in-place orders.
One of the country’s fastest-growing home sales firms — Compass Real Estate — has already pared back its nationwide staff by more than 10%, according to multiple media reports.
Compass, best known for its black yard signs, expanded into North Texas in 2018 and has quickly become a major player in this market.
But CEO Robert Reffkin is reporting that the company has experienced a 60% drop in home showings and expects a substantial decline in revenues.
“We aren’t just facing an economic recession, we are facing an economic standstill,” Reffkin said in a widely reported message to employees. “Many parts of our economy will be completely shut down for months.
“This will almost certainly result in a recession,” he said. “The best we can hope for is a V-shaped recovery as opposed to an extended recession.”
Other so-called disrupters in the real estate sales arena are also shifting gears.
Zillow Group has announced a nationwide halt to its home purchase program.
“Given the concerns for public safety and rapid developments by governments that restrict local real estate activities, we determined it was prudent to pause our homebuying to preserve our capital,” Zillow Group CEO and co-founder Rich Barton said in a statement. “In the meantime, we are working to support our customers and partners in these uncertain times when home has never been more important.”
Home sales firm Redfin, which also operates in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, is cutting back as well.
“This week, homebuying demand took a big hit, with year-over-year growth dropping from nearly 27% in January and February to 1% growth over the past seven days,” Redfin CFO Chris Nielsen said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. “Traffic growth to Redfin’s website has also slowed from around 20% through the first two months of 2020 to high single digits over the past week.
“Redfin has canceled open houses nationwide for public safety.”
Other companies including Opendoor and Realogy‘s RealSure are also suspending cash offers for homes.
“With the volatility of the current market, we do not believe that RealSure can now provide the value the program was designed to deliver,” the company said in a statement. “To maintain the integrity and future of RealSure, we made the difficult decision to suspend all cash offers at this time.”
The National Association of Realtors reported last week that almost half of its agents have seen a decline in homebuyer interest because of the pandemic and resulting economic impacts.
Along with concerns about the drop in home shopper traffic, the industry is worried about a potential decline in residential values in some markets.
Fitch Ratings is warning in a new report that some major home markets — including those in Texas — could see declines in home prices due to the pandemic and declines in the securities market and pending recession.
Frank Nothaft, chief economist with CoreLogic, said it’s too early to determine whether home prices are headed for a reset.
“Even if demand falls off — and I would expect there would be a big drop in the demand to buy homes — home prices could hold up okay,” Nothaft said. “Inventory for sale is still very low.”


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We have some Kingdom Hearts 3 news to bring you now, thanks to one juicy rumor suggesting that there is going to be one new Kingdom Hearts 3 character coming along with a potential new world to boot.
You’ll be excited to hear that this appears to be a rather strong rumor too. If correct, we could be seeing Winnie the Pooh and Tigger in Kingdom Hearts 3, thanks to some details shared by original voice actor Jim Cummings who recently spoke to fans at the Albuquerque Comic Con.
When inevitably asked about any roles in Kingdom Hearts 3, Cummings replied that working on Tigger was ‘fun’ – according to KHInsider.
You can’t have Tigger without Winnie, so it looks like we have confirmation on both characters appearing in the upcoming game.
Remember that Square-Enix nor Disney have confirmed anything yet about Winnie the Pooh or Tigger in the game, so it’s very exciting stuff.
It’s also worth discussing that if both characters are in the game, then the world they feature in ‘Hundred Acre Wood’ could be added as well.
Cummings also said at the event that his work on the characters was completed, so hopefully it means that we may see an official confirmation from Square-Enix soon in the next Kingdom Hearts 3 trailer.
What are your thoughts on this rumor, would you be very happy if Winnie the Pooh and Tigger are confirmed? What other Disney characters would you like to see?
*Identifying Monetised Links - outgoing links that we monetise are marked with an '*' symbol.


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UPDATE: Cougar No. 1 owner Jim Pinkerton helped us sort out the details on his car's history, which we've corrected below.
Next year will be a milestone for a car that's no longer built, and for a company that's no longer around.
We're talking about the Mercury Cougar, as 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of the marque's most popular model. A rather special example is soon to make an appearance, as the first-ever Cougar produced has been found and it's in the hands of a major fan.
ALSO SEE: Jay Leno samples an unrestored 1970 Plymouth Barracuda
The Carlisle Ford Nationals is one of the largest Ford Motor Company [NYSE:F] events on the planet. The 2017 event will host a large number of Mercury fans because that's where the 50th Anniversary celebration will take place. Cougar No. 1 will likely be the star attraction, as it's going to be on site for all of the festivities.
This Cougar took a unique path to arrive where it is now. It was originally one of eight show cars for the automaker, and Lee Iacocca himself sent the very first Cougar to Dryden Motors in New Brunswick, Canada, on loan until the first order of Cougars arrived. Dryden couldn't sell the car so it was leased to a nearby car wash owner for three years on a closed-end lease.
1967 Mercury Cougar (#001)
The car was returned to the dealership in 1979, but when the dealer's principal died, and the contract with the automaker expired, the Cougar was sold at auction to a local hardware store owner. He drove it for a few years until he parked it in a Quonset hut and tried to sell it in 1982 via an ad in Cars & Parts magazine, but he never managed to move the vehicle to a new owner.
Almost 12 years later, a Cougar fan came across the ad when he found an old issue of the aforementioned magazine at a swap meet. On a whim, the fan called up the man who placed the ad and discovered—almost unbelievably—that he still owned the car and was willing to sell. The hardware store owner sold the car to the swap-meet shopper, who sold the car 9 months later to Jim Pinkerton—who eloquently tells the story in the video below.
It's an improbable story with a feel-good ending, mostly because now that car will be on hand for all Cougar fans to enjoy.
So if you're one of those fans, make sure you plan to be at the fairgrounds of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, on June 2-4, 2017. Information on previous years' events can be found here.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misstated the purpose for the first Mercury Cougar. It was intended to be a factory show car and was sent, on loan, to an auto dealer in Canada.


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Investors have secured a $450 million tentative settlement arising out of the 2015 merger that created the Kraft Heinz Company, one of the largest food companies in the world. For many shareholders, the merger has been viewed as a “mess,” demonstrating that ketchup and mac & cheese do not mix. Anguish over the merger has even come from co-owner Berkshire Hathaway’s Warren Buffet, who later admitted to overpaying for the food and beverage company.
In February 2019, Kraft Heinz took a record-breaking $15.4 billion write-down and its stock fell 27% the following day, and more than 50% from November 2015 to August 2019. The mega-settlement though will provide investors that file claims the opportunity to recoup some of their losses.
The 2015 merger between Kraft Foods Group, Inc. and The H.J. Heinz Company was allegedly orchestrated by prominent buyout firm 3G Capital Partners with a plan to extract $1.5 billion in cost savings. 3G and Kraft purportedly touted these “synergies” to the market for years following the merger. In reality, however, there allegedly were fewer savings to be had, and Kraft Heinz had instead implemented extreme cost-cutting measures that decimated its supply chain and innovation.
According to the lawsuit, the undisclosed cost cuts ultimately led to a massive $15.4 billion impairment write-down of the value of Kraft and Oscar Mayer in February 2019 — the largest in the U.S. consumer staples industry in a decade. Kraft Heinz also disclosed that it received a subpoena from the SEC and subsequently issued a restatement of its financial statements since 2016. The bad news led to a drastic decline in Kraft Heinz’s stock price from $56.20 in November 2015 to $26.50 in August 2019, wiping out about $36 billion in market capitalization.
The complaint specifically alleges:
- After the merger of Kraft and Heinz in 2015, the company’s newly-hired Chief Executive Officer Bernardo Hees and his hand-picked 3G Capital management team announced a plan to eliminate over a billion dollars in cost-savings by creating synergies and eliminating redundancies.
- Defendants then told investors for years that their efforts were a success, Kraft Heinz was using the savings to promote innovation and brand growth, and that this was not “merely a cost-cutting exercise.”
- In actuality, however, 3G Capital and the other executives implemented an “across the board” cost-cutting program that “gutted” innovation and supply-chain capabilities. The drastic measures led the food and beverage company to internally cut its cost-saving and revenue targets, despite projecting more cost-savings and greater revenue to the market.
- Behind the scenes, the SEC also began investigating the company’s accounting practices. With the inside knowledge of the SEC investigation and Kraft Heinz’s precarious financial condition, 3G Capital sold over $1 billion in Kraft Heinz stock.
- In February 2019, the company was forced to disclose a $15.4 billion write-down in the value of Kraft and Oscar Mayer and other intangible assets and that an SEC subpoena triggered an internal investigation.
- In May 2019, the company disclosed misconduct in its procurement department that would force it to restate $208 million of revenue since 2016. In August 2019, Kraft Heinz admitted that virtually all the “savings” it touted would need to be reinvested back into the company to revive its “ravaged” infrastructure.
The settlement comes following the denial of the defendants’ motions to dismiss in their entirety and extensive discovery. Based upon its review of the settlement stipulation, the D&O Diary concludes that insurance is funding only some of the settlement, but it is not clear how much.
Once legally resolved, this shareholder class action will become one of the Top 100 U.S. class actions of all time, specifically placing it around the 43rd largest settlement. The tentative settlement is also the second largest to be announced in 2023 so far – behind the recently announced Wells Fargo settlement of $1 billion.
Kraft Heinz also settled similar SEC-related allegations by paying $62.3 million in a fair fund for the benefit of investors. The SEC specifically accused Kraft Heinz of engaging in various types of accounting misconduct, including recognizing unearned discounts and maintaining false and misleading supplier contracts, which allegedly achieved “cost savings.”
The deadline for investors to submit claims in the Kraft Heinz SEC fair fund is June 21, 2023.
ISS Securities Class Action Services will continue to closely monitor this high-profile class action as well as the SEC fair fund, communicate updates to its clients and the investment community, and file claims for its institutional investor clients, as those opportunities occur.
Jarett Sena, Esq., Director of Litigation Analysis, ISS Securities Class Action Services


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Recently, Microsoft announced some recent changes to the Windows Phone Marketplace for developers that would also affect consumers. The changes were divided into four areas, including trademarks, bulk publishing, keywords and content policy. What concerns us here is the trademarks section.
In short, apps that violate trademarks of other companies are now subject to more restrictive oversight in the Marketplace. Microsoft had this to say on the matter, which is a fair position:
"When a trademark or copyright owner contacts us about a suspected violation, we investigate and pull apps when the complaint is valid. Lately we’ve been doing more of this, especially for trademark misuse. Sometimes the requests come from the owners of big, well-known brands. Other times they come from new brands. Either way, we often find trademark violations are unintentional: some developers just aren’t clear on what constitutes a violation. But these investigations—and the time and money they can cost—can be avoided by doing a little homework before submitting or updating your app."
Did you notice anything in common with those? If you said those sound like Google names, you would be right and evidently Google are rightly flexing their muscle on the matter, sending out copyright infringement complaints to numerous developers over their use of their trademarked names.
The developer of YouTube Live, which we've covered before, just received such a notice which is partially re-printed below:
"This message is to notify you that Microsoft has received Content Infringement Complaint (“Complaint”) regarding your application Youtube Live. A copy of the Complaint is attached for your review.
Remove Application Access Immediately
You must remove access to the application from the Marketplace within one business day. If your application is still available for download after one business day,Microsoft may remove the application without further notice. Please note that under certain circumstances Microsoft may remove your app immediately without providing you the opportunity to remove it."
While this is certainly a blow to many of our favorite developers on the platform, it should not come too much as a surprise that these apps infringe on Google's ownership of those names. Of course, being as we're more of a Microsoft site and Google is not on good terms with Windows Phone this will certainly rub people the wrong way. Especially since Google has not bothered to support Windows Phone at all with their services.
Having said that, Google is technically in the right here and we don't begrudge them for taking action. We also want to let devs know that Microsoft is serious about this copyright stuff so give some thought to your app's name before Marketplace submission, m'kay?
We hope to see these outstanding apps back in the Marketplace soon but under new names.


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Yorkshire Tea has replaced the Yorkshire landscape on its packaging with a bespoke piece of artwork featuring children's character The Gruffalo.
The limited edition packs aim to attract new audiences into the brand through driving awareness of its latest campaign in support of trees, in partnership with the famous literary character.
Yorkshire Tea has also changed its name on pack to Yorkshire Tree, to further raise awareness of the campaign, which will see one million trees planted over the next five years – half in the UK through and the other half in Kenya – one of the places from which it sources its tea.
Tom Blair, brand manager at Yorkshire Tea, said: “The character and story of the Gruffalo really brings to life the rationale for the tree planting and we think this will really help us engage the next generation in the importance of trees.
"The new pack design will create huge standout on shelf and draw both children and parents alike to Yorkshire Tea, encouraging not only existing tea drinkers to pick up a pack, but also consumers who may never have bought our brand before to add it to their baskets.”
This is year one of the tree planting pledge, which has seen a half a million pound investment in tree planting and a supporting integrated campaign, of which the new pack forms a part.
The Yorkshire Tree campaign forms part of Yorkshire Tea’s mission to become carbon neutral by 2020.


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By: Ayu Musa Kamal
VALUE Hospitality Group, a privately-held company, has submitted a proposal to manage
three hotels owned by public-listed company (PLC), said its group general manager,
"The proposal was submitted in April, while the presentation was done in May," said
Tan in an interview with Mail Money.
He, however, didn't want to name the PLC.
According to Tan, as many as eight companies had submitted their bids to the PLC
in an invited tender exercise.
Value Hospitality was included in the list because of its good track record in managing
hotels for third parties.
Tan also didn't want to reveal the details of Value Hospitality's bid but he did
say the company would normally charge between RM10,000 and RM25,000 a month to manage
a modest hotel with about 100 to 200 rooms.
"For hotels with more than 200 rooms, the charges start at about RM25,000 and go
up to as much as RM50,000 a month," said Tan.
Outsourcing the operations and management of hotels in Malaysia is becoming more
popular, especially since room rates and occupancy levels of Malaysian hotels, starting
with luxury category may stagnate over the next five years as another 10,000 rooms
are added to the current 140,000.
The oversupply is most visible in Kuala Lumpur, which has 36,000 hotel rooms, accounting
for slightly more than a quarter of Malaysia's hotel rooms. Hotel occupancy in Malaysia
since 1986 has been around 60 per cent and 65 per cent.
On Value Hospitality's chances of winning the contract, Tan said the company is
hoping that its good track record should put it in good stead, because apart from
managing hotels, it also has experience in hotel design and investment.
"But I must add that things are still in the preliminary stage and ots too early
to seriously talk about of our chances of winning the job," said Tan.
Value Hospitality currently manages seven hotels throughout Malaysia, namely the
Beverly Hotel in Kota Kinabalu, Parkcity Everly Hotel chain in Bintulu and Miri,
Prescott Hotel chain in Bongawan and Klang, Prescott Inn in Kuala Lumpur, Prescott
Metro Inn in Kajang and the Borneo Golf and Country Club.