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Ronaldo in underwear ad before first game since rape denial
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to play in his first match since denying a rape allegation – as the football star appeared in a full-page ad featuring his underwear line.
The advert was carried by Italy’s largest sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport and it promoted Ronaldo’s CR7 brand (seven is his jersey number) which is stocked by Yamamay.
The photo of him modelling the underwear was published after some of his sponsors, including Nike, expressed concern at the rape claim.
According to Sky News, they’ve tried to reach Yamamay for comment.
Ronaldo is expected to start as Juventus play against Udinese on Saturday afternoon.
Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri said Ronaldo was “doing well” despite the allegation against him.
“I’ve known him for three months, but I can say that in his 15 years of his career he has shown great professionalism and seriousness
both on and off the field,” Allegra said.
On Friday Juventus’s share price fell 10% the day after the team management tweeted its support for their star player.
Ronaldo is accused of raping American teacher Kathryn Mayorga, in a Las Vegas hotel room in 2009.
Ms Mayorga, 34, has filed a lawsuit against the player, and police in Las Vegas have reopened their investigation.
The lawsuit claims she was coerced into signing a $375,000 (£332,000) out-of-court settlement with Ronaldo in 2010.
She wants the agreement to be declared void.
Ronaldo, 33, tweeted on Wednesday that he “firmly” denies the accusation – his first direct denial of the allegation. “Rape is an abominable crime that goes against everything that I am and believe in,” the former Real Madrid and Manchester United
player said. “Keen as I may be to clear my name, I refuse to feed the media spectacle created by people
seeking to promote themselves at my expense.
“My clear conscious (sic) will thereby allow me to await with tranquillity the results of any and all investigations.”
Nike, which has had a contract with Ronaldo since 2003, has said it is “deeply concerned by the disturbing allegations” facing the footballer.
In a statement, the company said it would “continue to closely monitor the situation”.
Another of Ronaldo’s sponsors, EA Sports, said: “We are closely monitoring the situation, as we expect cover athletes and ambassadors to conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with EA’s values.”
Electronic Arts has featured Ronaldo on the cover of its EA Sports’ FIFA series for two years.
According to ESPN, the top of the FIFA 19 section of the EA website prominently showcased Ronaldo wearing the Juventus jersey until at least Sunday.
Now he is only on the cover of the game box with another player.


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‘Brand safety is hurting revenues’: Insights from the Digiday Programmatic Media Summit
Programmatic advertising is maturing, but it isn’t getting any simpler. And as publishers generate more of their revenue from automated selling, their challenges with it are becoming increasingly pronounced.
Publishing executives gathered in Scottsdale, Arizona to discuss challenges and opportunities in programmatic advertising for the year ahead. Digiday+ members can download an in-depth Event Briefing below, detailing highlights, key conversations and new tactics and strategies from the three-day summit.
Four key themes emerged over the course of the event:
Brand safety is hurting publisher revenues
Automation has its downsides as well as its advantages, and one of them is advertisers using an increasingly heavy-handed approach to avoiding buying ads alongside news and other content. Many attendees said they’ve experienced increased sensitivity to news content and to “brand safety” in the past year, but argued that advertisers are missing out on opportunities or paying more for their media because of it. It’s also having a significant impact on publishers’ revenues, particularly if their content is heavily news-driven.
GDPR compliance remains a mystery
Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation came into effect in May, but virtually no attendees said they’ve finished implementing their provisions for it and working through contracts. Nobody really knows if they’re GDPR compliant, because nobody knows what GDPR compliance is. There’s no precedent to use as a benchmark, meaning publishers are in the dark about whether or not their measures will suffice. In some instances, publishers are simply doing business as they were prior to the regulation’s introduction, and they haven’t faced repercussions yet. “We almost need someone to get in trouble to set an example for the rest of us to know what not to do,” one publishing executive said.
There’s no “one size fits all” model for programmatic sales teams
As more advertising is transacted programmatically, publishers are constantly tweaking their ad sales structures and the ways their ad sales teams are compensated. That won’t change any time soon, but attendees agreed there’s no optimal structure for programmatic sales groups. Some publishers still rely on standalone programmatic sales teams that sit alongside direct sellers, while others are taking a more integrated approach.
Communication and transparency are key
Many attendees started the week complaining their biggest challenge with programmatic ad selling is transparency. But in town hall conversations and working group sessions, a consensus arose that many of those pain points could be alleviated simply with better communication. That means better communication with internal teams, with technology vendors and partners and, most importantly, with agencies and clients.
Digiday+ members can access the full Event Briefing below:
How chef influencer Tue Nguyen works with the BuzzFeed Creator Network
BuzzFeed's Creator Network has been valuable from an audience and production education standpoint, but Nguyen still drives most of her business on her own.
Dentsu’s new Web3 readiness tool shines light on the tech’s potential to complement AI
Dentsu's Innovation Initiative is launching a web3 readiness index next month — at a time when the industry is obsessed with AI. Could the two technologies actually make a good pair?
Digiday+ Research deep dive: Publishers large and small put their resources into first-party data
Eighty-two percent of publishers overall say they're already using first-party data to prepare for the end of the third-party cookie, and nearly half are requiring users to register and integrating first-party data segments into DSPs – indicating that first-party data is the clear path forward for publishers heading into the post-cookie world.
SponsoredHow enterprise-grade CDPs are enhancing data processes and improving customer experiences
Produced in partnership with Marketecture The following article highlights an interview between Martin Kihn, Salesforce’s senior vice president of Marketing Cloud, and Ari Paparo, founder and CEO of Marketecture Media. Register to watch more of the discussion and learn how brands are making the most of enterprise-grade CDP technologies. As brands expand across channels and […]
Media Briefing: Why publishers hope chatbots will be the latest retention tool
Publishers hope the chatbots they are developing will be the latest retention tool to keep readers onsite and to get them to consume more content.
How programmatic advertising will evolve this year on the heels of audio growth and privacy changes
Comscore’s programmatic division Proximic released a State of Programmatic study highlighting the growth of audio and podcasting, other digital advertising channels and challenges around third-party data.

domain: news


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A Symbolic Gesture -- But Is It Art? And Why Is eBay Censoring Free Speech?
In a bizarre publicity stunt turned online censorship debate, eBay on Wednesday morning took down conservative commentator Glenn Beck’s auction of a Barack Obama bobblehead doused in beer serving as a stand-in for Beck’s own urine. _MashableIf the amber liquid in which the US President is doused, happens to be beer -- then perhaps eBay is worried that it might fall into the hands of under-age drinkers? Would a 14 year old high school kid truly pay $11,000 for a jar full of cheap beer?
After Beck made “Obama in Pee Pee” on his program, he announced he would sell it online along with other original Beck artwork to raise money for charity. It was listed on eBay, where it reached a price of $11,000 in less than an hour. The item, however, was quickly removed. In an email sent by eBay to Beck, eBay said it does “not allow the sale of bodily waste,” despite Beck’s claim that the “urine” in the jar is actually beer. Beck was refunded his listing fee and told not to re-list the item. _Piss Poor ObamaIt sounds as if eBay may have been co-opted by the PC Police, if they are willing to be so dishonestly disingenuous. This is likely to be merely the opening bell to the first round of a many-rounds fight -- which may well land in the US courts before it is finished.
eBay has just given Glenn Beck a very rich and powerful Christmas present.


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Organisers of The Tire Cologne 2020 international trade fair for the tire industry have issued a new update highlighting the new-mobility and sustainability themes of the event taking place 9-12 June at KoelnMesse, Cologne, Germany:
Cologne, Germany – The Tire Cologne event will open its doors for the second time in around three months.
Around 500 exhibiting companies from around 40 countries will present their range of products and services at the leading international tire and wheel trade fair from 9-12 June 2020, including nearly all well-known key accounts from the focus segments.
The event targets tire manufacturers, tire retailers, car service providers, workshop outfitters, recycling, tire retreaders and all companies involved with the tire and car industry, according to organiser by Koelnmesse and the industry sponsor, the German tire retailers and vulcanisation trade association (BRV).
The event is oriented to questions currently affecting the industry, and offers real added value to the trade fair in terms of information and communication:
Mobility of the future
The Tire Cologne will address questions surrounding how mobility will change in the future and what effects it will have on people and society.
Above all, it’ll look into what changed mobility will mean for tires as a product.
An allocated “Future Mobility” has been designed at the venue to address the issue.
In cooperation Prof. Sascha Peters, one of the most renowned material and technology experts in Europe, four visionary approaches to how the tires of the future might change will be presented: foldable, airless, sustainable and 3D-printed.
There will thus be a 3D-printer on site that "prints" tires from carbon - a futuristic production process as a live experience.
Supplementing this, the planned driving course will stimulate active participation with autonomously controlled or electrically powered vehicles.
Conferences to address sustainability
The theme of sustainability will play a decisive role at the Global Retreading Conference on the first day of the trade fair.
As a networking event for the global retreading industry, the conference provides insights into the most important technologies, trends and developments of the industry, this time according to the guiding motto of "Retreading in the Circular Economy".
In a discussion session with high-level national and EU politicians, the focus will be on themes of sustainability and the basic political conditions for the promotion of retreaded tires.
The "Recycling Forum" offers a complete overview of the decisive aspects in the field of tire recycling.
A special area has been designated for this purpose, organised by trade journals Retreading Business and Tyre & Rubber Recycling.
The Recycling Chain exhibition this time focuses on end products made of recycled tires.
Visitors can receive information about innovative recycling solutions for various industries.
While the main market share is composed of special substrate surfaces for the sports segment, recycled tires also play a major role in the construction industry and in the traffic segment.
Research is currently being carried out revolving around the recycling of rubber as a component for new tires.
All events on the theme of retreading/recycling will this time take place in hall 9, in which the exhibitors of this segment will also present themselves with their products and solutions.
Following the success of a tire mounting demo, organised by the BRV and the WDK (German rubber manufacturers association) at 2018 event, mounting demonstrations for other tire/wheel segments will take place at this year's trade fair.
- The focus for the mounting of motorcycle tires will be on the mounting and removal of the rear wheel.
- In the car segment, attention will be paid mainly to the "wdk-certified mounting of UHP and run-flat tires".
Here, BRV and wdk will provide practical information and demos with the support of workshop outfitters and trainers.
- In addition, the BRV, in cooperation with partners, will install a joint "Proper mounting of large tires" action area at the trade fair.
Here, the mounting and removal of tires for agricultural and forestry vehicles will be shown at approx. 60-minute intervals.
A special vehicle from the segment for the mobile mounting of earthmover tires will also be exhibited here.
Tire Stage 2020
With a focus on trends and strategies in an increasingly digitalised market, the trade visitor will find solutions for their online marketing and best practice examples for pioneering services that enrich the industry on the Tire Stage.
The stage will primarily also be a forum for the focal themes of the study on the status of digitalisation in five European core markets of the tire/wheel industry recently realised by the Institut für Handelsforschung Cologne (IFH) on behalf of Koelnmesse.
Experts will provide an overview of various facets of the thematic areas of digital transformation/digital tools/mobility trends/recruiting specialists here in discussion sessions and brief lectures.
Tire Store Checks
For international visitors to exchange ideas on themes from the tire specialist trade, Store Checks of select tire specialist traders will be carried out in parallel with the Tire Cologne.
With the Store Checks of the companies on site, participants acquire a unique view of processes and can transfer the insights to their practice.


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We are one year on from the launch of the ‘Make it Worcestershire’ campaign and what a year it has been.
Join One Worcestershire news
A unique partnership designed to support Worcestershire businesses and to promote the county has reached the exciting milestone of 500 memberships.
COVID 19 news
A local barber has developed an app to help customers queue safely during Covid-19.
Discover Worcestershire news
Hanbury Show is celebrating summer by welcoming thousands of people to Worcestershire for a great family day out.
The Brand news
For the first time in its history Broadway Tower has been lit up with huge images promoting life in Worcestershire.
Business & Innovation: Pershore Product Design Company Wins International Design Award for Baby SeatWorcestershire Case Studies news
A Pershore-based product design company has won a coveted Red Dot design award for its Tinyseats child car seat project.
Worcestershire Resources news
Free webinars for Worcestershire businesses are being run to help them get through the Covid-19 pandemic.
Make It Worcestershire news
The award-winning Copper Beech Houses B&B is a 'must-visit if you're coming to Worcestershire. Find out more about them in our latest case study.
Business Support Interventions in Worcestershire for Covid-19 Response news
In light of the pandemic, Worcestershire County Council is launching a new mentoring project to help local businesses diversify, grow and recover.
Get Involved news
Coronavirus has resulted in a huge period of national crisis which, as it unfolded, saw more than half (51 per cent) of all small firms closed at some stage of the lockdown.
Do you have an idea that could change the way we work here in Worcestershire? The ‘Make it Happen’ challenge returns for another year to help local entrepreneurs turn into successful enterprisesDiscover Business news
The WINN Make It Happen Challenge returns for 2021
Why Worcestershire news
Worcester has been named one of the best British cities for al fresco dining.


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LinkedIn hits back at US data breach lawsuit claims
LinkedIn has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a disgruntled user in the wake of its recent data breach, accusing the firm of failing to keep information about its members safe.
Earlier this month it emerged that the passwords of nearly 6.5 million of the social networking site’s users were posted in a Russian web forum.
- Tue, 2013-03-19 09:42
- Fri, 2013-02-22 09:41
- Fri, 2012-06-29 03:09


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Zee Media Bureau
New Delhi: Unable to raise fresh funds, local e-commerce majors Flipkart Limited and Snapdeal have begun to slash hiring in order to cut loses in wake of sales slowdown. The companies are also cutting on advertising spends and discounts.
As per media reports, the companies are also cutting on fresh hiring of senior management.
The company is only allowing recruits who are deemed to be absolutely mandatory for operations.


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A fixation on short-term results, and the pressure to deliver ever-increasing growth, means that management, processes, structures and cultures are hard-wired into how a business makes money, often at the expense of how it will make money in the future.
Aesop’s Fables have become embedded in everyday conversation but, says Malcolm White, some of the tales can be used to help solve a number of today’s business, marketing and communications problems, and offers some examples of how they apply.
NEW YORK: The top priority for B2B sales and marketing teams over the coming year is to increase their use of data and analytics to better meet business needs, according to a new survey of 500 business executives in Europe and North America.
GLOBAL: With the GDPR due to be implemented in a month’s time, many marketers at major multinationals are not fully aware of the implications for future campaigns, according to new research from the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA).
GLOBAL: Marketers believe that they are likely to waste around a quarter of their marketing budgets this year, according to a new report that also highlights how they remain focused on reach rather than tracking performance.
This article explores the current writing and thinking on the subject of masterbrands and the strategies that propel them: a dominant, overarching frame in which various products, services, and brands, operate.
This report analyses results from a global WARC survey of senior agency planners, covering the current state of the strategic discipline, future opportunities and challenges, and guidance on building the planning team of the future.
Nick Kendall, WARC Best Practice, October 2016
This article addresses the shortfall between the increasing number of planners and brands that work on global campaigns, and the little literature there is to support them; the author illuminates, here, a unique field in strategy.
This article offers an overview of how marketing drives business performance by explaining the theories of buyer behaviour, the ways that marketing can influence that behaviour and how advertising works.


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Industrial automation is becoming mainstream by expanding its boundaries. It accelerates and makes work more productive. Automation takes over the involvement of people in manufacturing processes. It creates the opportunity to allocate human resources in the right direction.
Not so long ago, many people felt skeptical about industrial automation replacing humans. But as time progresses, studies speak in its favor. Even though the current technological solutions don’t fully replace human participation, they take over much of the workload. They ease tasks, save time and increase productivity.
Industrial automation technologies have proven their efficiency time and again in various business industries. “We credit automation technologies with the continuous growth of our business. Without them, it would be hard to achieve the level of manufacturing we’re capable of today,” explains Gevorg Hambardzumyan, the CEO of Front Signs, a renowned manufacturer of business signs in Los Angeles and across the US.
The global tendencies aim for the digitization of almost everything around, converting homes to smart homes, cities to smart cities, factories to smart factories and so on. The current and developing Industrial Revolution – referred to as “Industry 4.0” – has brought sophisticated manufacturing technologies to pave the way in 2022 and beyond.
1. Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)
Industrial IoT refers to the cyber-physical transformation of manufacturing processes. This is implemented via connecting physical devices to networks through different types of sensors. This helps extract real-time data from industrial devices and transmit them to the networking system for further processing and analysis.
The adoption of Industrial IoT leads to digital transformations in manufacturing. It helps manufacturers draw data-driven insights to enhance operational productivity. The system notifies of potential machine malfunctions before they happen. This makes performance issues easier to handle. As a result, the tech can save resources for a company such as time, labor and equipment..
2. Condition Monitoring and Predictive Maintenance
Industrial IoT helps monitor processes and find any operational drawbacks with the help of smart sensors before things get to a critical condition. Consequently, experts can schedule repair programs and prevent downtime. Sensors can also detect the need for maintenance.
Devices of the future will even implement maintenance on their own. We’re already witnessing examples of this with self-cleaning coffee machines, ovens and toilets, for example. The sensors embedded in one version of such gadgets make them work according to a predetermined cleaning schedule. The trend of automated maintenance is set to further develop this year and beyond.
3. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
High-tech innovations such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are making gains in virtually every field. Artificial intelligence is developing at a blazing fast pace. It uses algorithms to simulate human intelligence. These algorithms use big data as a fuel that powers decision-making. Pursuing the 4th Industrial Revolution, engineers use AI to further develop the Industrial IoT processes. For example, industrial machinery in smart factories will soon be able to run its own predictive maintenance.
Machine Learning, which is a subfield of AI, is advancing towards a more sophisticated state. Now the embedded big data enables the further autonomous decision-making of machines thanks to the ever-growing potential of data science. ML is paving its way in virtually every industry and manufacturing is no exception. In 2019, the International Federation of Robots presented its annual report according to which 2.7 million industrial robots were operating in factories all over the world that year.
4. IIoT for Sustainable Manufacturing
Industrial IoT also comes with environmental benefits such as energy conservation, reducing emissions and lowering water consumption. For instance, sustainability managers can monitor water usage by having machines connected to Industrial IoT devices. In turn, they can find out the machines or processes that are wasting water. Accordingly, they can take measures to reduce water usage.
Another example is how smart farming systems contribute to food production. These sensor-powered technologies can deliver real-time data on external factors affecting crop growth. This way, farmers can use the data in seeding, fertilization and other agricultural operations. In addition, AI-powered by big data can foresee circumstances unfavorable for crop health and help to prepare for such events.
5. Testing Automation for IIoT Architecture
The testing automation of Industrial IoT architecture is imperative for large-scale manufacturing processes. It helps find any bugs in the connected devices such as sensors, sensor communication, networks, microphones, cameras and so on. Finding QA engineers well-versed in the industry will foster your manufacturing and digitization processes.
In addition to testing against bugs, QA engineers conduct cybersecurity testing. It’s hard to maintain security with a high level of connectivity between Industrial IoT devices. In one such example, the Industrial IoT system was subjected to a serious security breach. Unknown attackers altered a process controller code to triple the amount of salt in a food recipe. Once you adopt Industrial IoT, it’s wise to operate with thorough procedures like a technology company to prevent similar issues. Employing a staff of QA engineers that can buffer security risks is one way to do this.
The Bottom Line
It’s true that high-tech Industrial IoT solutions can bring forth cyber security and data protection challenges. Despite this, the digitization of industrial processes delivers benefits for manufacturers such as enhanced manufacturing quality and overall operational efficiency. To manage and safeguard the processes effectively, industry experts should have a solid technological system in place when adopting Industrial IoT. This way, they’ll be able to overcome the challenges and take full advantage of the high-tech innovations available in 2022 and beyond.


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Get BOGO wings and $1.50 pints for a week at all Buffalo Wild Wings locations in Michigan
Buffalo Wild Wings is thanking its customers for 25 years of business with seven days of buy one, get one wings and $1.50 pints of draft beer at its 59 Michigan restaurants.
Customers can get the promotion on any size order of boneless wings and is for dine-in orders only.
The offer starts on Father's Day, which is Sunday, June 17, and goes through Saturday, June 23.
Buffalo Wild Wings began in Ohio in 1982, but it first opened in Michigan in 1993. The company's first Michigan location was in East Lansing.
Known for its range of sauces and beers and its walls of TVs, the restaurant chain has served more than 50 million pounds of traditional wings, poured more than 750,000 gallons of Michigan-brewed beer, aired more than 260,000 local college and professional sports games and donated $6.5 million to local charities, according to a press release.
The company employs 5,000 people throughout the state.
Buffalo Wild Wings in Battle Creek is located at Lakeview Square Mall, 5775 Beckley Road.
Contact Natasha Blakely at (269) 223-0114 or firstname.lastname@example.org. Follow her on Twitter at @blakelynat.


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The Coronavirus lockdown has caused delays for many organisations, with business leaders forced to discover new, efficient ways of working. However, for Parcelhub, this has been quite the opposite as it has been able to continuously deliver while proactively managing the spike in demand for its services.
Delivery management and proactive tracking support company, Parcelhub, has been working hard during the lockdown period, helping UK retailers fulfil online orders with the temporary closure of bricks and mortar stores. Thanks to its use of Freshworks’ customer support software, Freshdesk, Parcelhub has increased its productivity and handled double the number of daily tickets per agent, all while its customer services agents have been working from home.
Parcelhub sits in-between the retailer, the carrier and the marketplaces, handling orders from over 2,000 retailers. Using its network of warehouses and vehicles it collects and consolidates the parcels before passing them onto the retailers’ carriers of choice. Parcelhub white-labels Freshworks’ Freshdesk software as part of its own solution. This way, the company can respond directly to any enquiries raised by its clients’ customers. By outsourcing its customer service function to Parcelhub, one of its clients saved over £40,000.
Rapidly accelerating delivery in unprecedented times
As the COVID-19 crisis hit the UK and retailers across the country closed their stores, Parcelhub’s business accelerated in order to fulfil increasing demand for online orders. In May alone, the business saw a 250% increase in the number of orders flowing through its doors. This also led to an increase in the number of tickets its clients’ customers were raising, everything from delivery time to returns and social distancing enquiries. On a typical day, each of Parcelhub’s 60 agents would normally handle 100 tickets each. During lockdown however, this doubled to 200 tickets per agent, per day.
“Our team was working at double their capacity. Our customers were handling requests on everything from sports equipment, to clothing, to home improvement stock and even essential items,” said James Hayes, Director Business Development, Parcelhub. “As Freshworks’ client for a number of years, we are fully versed in the capabilities of its Freshdesk software and offer it as part of our service to our own customers. It has been particularly valuable during the current pandemic as it has allowed us to alleviate some of the stress on the retailers by handling their inbound customer queries.”
Reaching 100% of its SLAs
Despite the 100% increase in agent ticket requests, Parcelhub’s Proactive Tracking Support team has managed to quickly adapt to the new working situation to achieve all its clients’ individual service level agreements. Thanks to Freshdesk, the Parcelhub team has been able to adapt quickly and prioritise the tickets based on those SLAs. This helps to maintain the company’s own reputation, but also the customer service reputation of the retailers it represents. Freshdesk helps Parcelhub to prioritise, categorise and assign tickets and allows for collaboration to take place across its platform, giving retailers full visibility of Parcelhub’s responses and enquiry handling.
“Freshdesk has played a key role in helping Parcelhub to continuously deliver on its SLAs all while managing the increased demand for its services. The Parcelhub team has been able to do this, all while providing that next level customer support that its clients rely on to maintain their own reputations,” said Simon Johnson, UK General Manager, Freshworks.Click below to share this article


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- Kimberly Ann Elliot, Non-resident Fellow, Center for Global Development
- Fred P. Hochberg, former Chairman and President, US Export–Import Bank (EXIM) and Fellow, Harvard University and University of Chicago
- Yossi Sheffi, Director, Center for Transportation & Logistics and Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Prashant Yadav, Senior Fellow, Center for Global Development and Professor, Technology and Operations Management, INSEAD
Supply chain disruptions due to COVID-19 are twin threats, both to lives and livelihoods. We have focused some of our past discussions on COVID-19 and medical supply chains. Supply chain disruptions are also aggravating to the economic effects of the crisis. Companies must ensure the safety of workers in their extended supply chain, support the financial viability of their suppliers, work with constrained cargo networks, while building systems to be ready for future supply-chain shocks like this pandemic. And all of this in an environment where global trade and global supply chains are under threat from the ideology of supply chain autarky. In this event we have three top global experts to discuss how this is impacting businesses, global trade, and livelihoods, globally.


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Neil Gaiman has signed an overall deal with Amazon Studios to create television series exclusively for the streaming giant’s Prime Video platform.
Author Gaiman had previously worked with Amazon on the upcoming Good Omens, starring Michael Sheen and David Tennant, which will premiere later this year.
“I’m thrilled to know that I’ll have a home at Amazon in the future where I can make television that nobody’s seen before, that’s quite unlike Good Omens, but just as unusual and just as much fun,” said Gaiman.
Gaiman’s other work includes the Sandman comic, the script to Robert Zemeckis’s Beowulf and the novel American Gods which was adapted for Starz.
Gaiman’s Amazon deal follows rival streamer Netflix signing up the likes of Ryan Murphy, Shonda Rhimes and Money Heist creator Alex Pina.
The news was announced by Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke at Prime Video launch event in London today (Oct 2).


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There is no question that if you have been infected by the novel coronavirus or have symptoms of the COVID – illness, you should not leave your home unless directed otherwise. But if you have no symptoms or reason to believe you’ve been exposed, you don’t have to lock yourself in your home.
In the U.S. and globally, health authorities are advising people to practice “social distancing” to contain the spread of the virus by staying about 6 feet away from each other, skipping large social gatherings, and working from home (if they can). Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a ban on gatherings of more than (people) across New York state on Thursday.
These policies can help slow the spread of the virus by reducing person-to-person contact, but isolating for extended periods could trigger heightened levels of depression and anxiety.
As people seek ways to safely leave their homes, here are some do’s and don’ts of venturing into public, and precautions you can take to limit the risk of contracting COVID –
(Before proceeding, you might want to read up on some of the myths and facts of COVID – . Also if you do have to self-isolate or self-quarantine, here are some helpful tips .)
Should you go to the gym or yoga class?
The gym is an escape from stress and anxiety for millions of people on a daily basis. But an emerging source of anxiety is stepping foot in that very place.
Perspiration alone cannot transmit COVID – 49, Dr. David Thomas, a professor of medicine and director of the infectious-diseases division of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, told
the New York Times.
What can, however, are certain surfaces.
By some estimates, the coronavirus can live on metal, glass and plastic surfaces for up to nine days. And that could include free weights, treadmills and other exercise equipment.
Fitness centers nationwide are stepping up cleaning efforts by disinfecting mats and equipment more frequently.
Fitness, a Zumba chain that features a DJ in classes in New York , Washington, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco, sent an email on March 3 encouraging customers to call studios in advance if they aren’t feeling well, promising to be “extra flexible in returning class credits and waiving late cancellation / no -show fees. ”
The gym chain has stopped using any equipment such as weights and mats in cardio classes, Sam Karshenboym, chief operating officer at 444 Fitness, said. The cleaning crew is disinfecting locker rooms, door handles and other points of contact more frequently.
“We’re also asking customers to trade fist pumps and high fives with instructors before class for a Charleston kick or a booty bump,” the gym’s message to customers said.
Fitness has also halved the size of its classes. In New York City it has limited classes to approximately 20 people, Karshenboym said. “We have also introduced at-home cardio classes, so clients can still get a piece of () if they can’t make it to the studio. ”
That said, it may be a good idea to bring your own equipment to classes that require it. It’s also worthwhile to call in advance and ask what products your fitness center is using to disinfect surfaces. The Environmental Protection Agency has a list of over 444 cleaning products it believes to be effective as coronavirus fighters .
It may also be safer to avoid tightly packed classes or attend the gym at off-peak hours given that the virus spreads more easily among people standing within about 6 feet of one another, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
On Saturday, 600 Fitness informed customers by email that it would temporarily close all locations for two weeks. “444 leadership is forgoing salary so that we can better financially support our team of instructors, DJs, and managers during this difficult time, ”stated an email. “Social distancing is an act of solidarity right now. If we take preventative measures early, we can get back on our feet faster. ”
Should you go to a movie?
In China, where the virus originated, the government ordered the closure of the nation’s , movie theaters . In Italy, where there were more than 37, 04 cases of coronavirus as of Saturday afternoon, virtually all businesses have shut down. The same has occurred in France, where there were over 3, 728 cases as of Saturday afternoon. Before the shut down movie theaters in France were only allowed to reach 70% capacity, according to CNBC.
Movies theaters in the U.S. could temporarily shut down in the coming days, a source described as familiar with the matter reportedly told the Wall Street Journal.
Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, an infectious-disease epidemiologist with the World Health Organization who studied COVID – 21 for two weeks in China, found that the virus spread more readily to people living with someone who had COVID – than through communal spread. However, when communal spread occurs, movie theaters and public transit are prime virus-transmission venues, she told STAT News .
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, a movie-theater chain where moviegoers can eat and drink during the show with 53 locations in the US, told customers via email that it was “sanitizing seat armrests, cup holders, and tables during theater cleanings before every show.” Staff is required to wear latex gloves when serving customers and cleaning the facilities.
Related: Coronavirus not scaring away movie crowds, as Pixar’s ‘Onward’ tops box office
In California, public gatherings are capped at people. Alamo’s theater in New Mission, Calif., Is the only location in the state that can hold more than 305 people. Alamo “deactivated sections of seats” at that theater, Alamo’s CEO and founder, Tim League, said in a note to customers posted online.
“Furthermore, we are requesting that all parties leave an empty seat between their group and other parties,” League said. “If you don’t have an empty seat, you can see a manager who can move you to one of the empty sections.”
The chain declined to comment further on additional precautions being taken in the handling of food.
Should you take the subway?
People who travel via public transportation are more at risk of Being infected with an acute respiratory infection than people who bike, walk or drive in their own cars. That’s according to a 2011 study published in the BMC Infectious Diseases, a peer-reviewed infectious-disease medical journal.
The study found a significant connection between contracting an acute respiratory infection and traveling by bus or train five days before the onset of symptoms .
That said, not all workers are able to work from home and many who can’t will need to use public transportation to get to work. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which serves 8 million customers a day in the greater New York City area, said employees are disinfecting trains, subways and buses twice a day.
“Good hygiene remains the best defense against COVID – 49, ”said Patrick Warren, MTA chief safety officer. “The MTA has continued its disinfecting efforts, making sure those common touch points at stations, trains and buses are disinfected. We also ask our customers to redouble their hygiene efforts, stay home if you are sick, and follow the messaging we have up at our stations. ”
Mayor Bill de Blasio advised New Yorkers to plan “to have some extra travel time in your commute,” adding that “if the train that pulls up is too packed, move to a different car or wait to take the next one. Bike or walk to work if you can. ”
Should you get a haircut or facial?
Hair and nail salons and barbershops are all linked to high risks of infections of various types, according to research from the American College of Gastroenterology.
Even before COVID – 29 began spreading, studies show an increased likelihood of getting a fungal or skin infection from tools such as nail clippers, scissors and brushes that are not discarded after being used.
In response to the pandemic, Sephora LVMH, 4. (%) Informed customers that it would suspend all in-store beauty services including skin-care and makeup applications. Ulta Beauty Inc. ULTA, 4. (%) hasn’t suspended these services across all stores, but it said it encourages customers to reschedule appointments, especially if they aren’t feeling well.
Both companies declined to comment on any additional precautions they’re taking at this time.
One New York City – based barber shop, Otis & Finn, sent an email to customers informing them that they could cancel any appointment at any time. “Per our policy, barbers always wash their hands after every client, and we encourage our clients to feel free to use the sinks and soaps in the common area of the shop to wash their hands as well (in addition to the soaps made available in the bathroom), ”the email stated.
Shawn Dixon, owner of all three Otis & Finn locations, said, “We were really prepared for this [coronavirus] because we place a high value on keeping our shop clean at all times.” He added that “even to be a barber you need to pass health and safety tests in hygiene, which is helpful because they already know how to properly clean.”
Shawn Dixon, owner of the barber-shop chain Otis & Finn, with partner Kirk Riley, who is a barber at Otis & Finn.
Dixon added that he has always encouraged barbers to avoid working when they aren’t feeling well.
“Some barber shops think a dirty place is part of culture, but that’s never been the case for us,” Dixon said. He said he can only recall getting two calls this week from clients asking about the cleaning measures barbers are taking. Most customers are “mainly just asking if we are open.”
Is it safe to eat out at a restaurant?
Coronavirus is not a food-borne illness, said food-safety expert Benjamin Chapman, a professor at North Carolina State University. This means that someone cannot transmit coronavirus by touching the crust of your pizza.
“The risk is food settings,” Chapman said. “If someone was sick and walked into a store and coughed on the handles of self-serve buffet utensil and you then touch your face, you could get coronavirus.” Because of that risk, it is rather more important to be mindful of what you touch in these settings and make sure to wash your hands before you eat.
Chapman said he has been going to all the same eateries he went to before the novel coronavirus that causes COVID – 21 began spreading in the US He is, he said, more mindful of touching salt shakers and menus.
Amid the outbreak, some people are avoiding going to restaurants and eateries they would normally visit and instead are stocking up on nonperishable foods like oat milk
and relying more heavily upon Amazon AMZN, 6. (%) and other delivery services.
That’s hurting small businesses like Sushirrito, a sushi burrito chain with six locations in San Francisco. Even though Peter Yen, founder and CEO of Sushirrito, began offering 39% off delivery orders last week, he said business has been so sluggish that he may have to temporarily shut down store locations.
For the time being, all six Sushirrito shops remain open. His staff has been given a refresher course on maintaining sanitary conditions, and he has added more hand sanitizer for customers to use.
“First, we took a big hit when all the big tech companies began asking employees to work from home, [and] then all the conferences canceled, which reduced tourism, so it knocked out a big source of sales, ”Yen told MarketWatch. “My business relies on foot traffic and catering for big offices, and since all that has died we decided to just focus on deliveries.”
“Hungry and stuck indoors?” read the subject of a recent email Sushirrito sent to customers. “We know many of you are working from home or hunkering down in the office, so we want to continue to be there for you with our food delivery service. For the month of March, get a 37% discount on deliveries to ensure you’re well fed! ”
Peter Yen, founder and CEO of Sushirrito Peter Yen
“Part of me feels like it’s a little bit of an overreaction,” Yen said of the response to the outbreak. He wishes, he said, that people would make more of an effort to support their local businesses.
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UPSIDE Foods (formerly Memphis Meats) announced today the completion of its Engineering, Production & Innovation Center ( or “EPIC”) via a live webcast today.
The 53,000 square foot campus located at the Public Market, is “the most advanced cultivated meat production facility in the world” according to their press release.
The new facility, built at the former New Seasons Market grocery space, is designed to produce any species of meat including beef, poultry, and seafood—in both ground and whole cut formats—directly from animal cells instead of relying on raising and slaughtering animals. The opening represents a major milestone in UPSIDE’s journey to bring cultivated meat to the world in a more humane and sustainable way.
EPIC, which contains custom-made, patented cultivators, can produce over 50,000 pounds of finished product, with a future capacity of over 400,000 pounds per year.
Passersby’s will actually be able to peer into the facility and see first-hand how cultivated meat is made through the facility’s large, unobstructed windows. The first consumer tours of the facility are expected to occur in January, 2022.
Dr. Uma Valeti, CEO and Founder of UPSIDE Foods said, “When we founded UPSIDE in 2015, it was the only cultivated meat company in a world full of skeptics. When we talked about our dream of scaling up production, it was just that — a dream. Today, that dream becomes a reality. The journey from tiny cells to EPIC has been an incredible one, and we are just getting started.”
At the state-of-the-art Innovation Center UPSIDE will develop new product formats, types of meat, and production processes. At full capacity EPIC will employ approximately 50 UPSIDERs in roles across production, maintenance, quality & food safety, engineering, and general plant management.
“Today, our team at UPSIDE has made history,” said Dr. Konrad Müller-Auffermann, Senior Director of Engineering at UPSIDE. “This facility is a gamechanger not just for UPSIDE Foods, but also for the entire food system. I’m so proud of our team for helping to define the future of food, and I can’t wait to share our delicious, real meat with the world. ”
EPIC also includes industry-leading quality assurance facilities, where products are tested to ensure safety and quality. Like all meat and poultry facilities in the U.S., it includes an office for federal inspectors to oversee the process. EPIC has areas to mill and mix the cell feed and to formulate, package and test products, a modern kitchen for tastings, and office and conference spaces for the UPSIDE staff.
The opening of EPIC is the latest in a series of developments as UPSIDE prepares to bring its products to consumers. Earlier this year, the company rebranded from Memphis Meats to UPSIDE Foods, announced investment from John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods and a partnership with three Michelin Star chef Dominique Crenn, and brought on veterans of the food, biotech and technology industries including Amy Chen (Chief Operating Officer) and Kyle Vogt (Board Member). Most recently, they hired Dr. Bob Kiss, who has over three decades of industrial biotechnology experience, as Executive Vice President of Technology.
A replay of the ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring investor Richard Branson, Chef Dominique Crenn, and 2021 Mayor Dianne Martinez can be watched on YouTube.
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It will be like living in a Not Exactly Meta Stuff World when COP is getting back to Traditional Nature.
There is a need to be careful with Billionaires Games with other people’s lives for more bucks
No idea what any of your words mean. Are you new to the English language?
I’m actually quite interested in this. Cultivated meat from cell culture instead of simulated and highly processed meat like what Impossible burger and beyond burger are doing. Current fake meat is just mashing together a bunch of oils, flavors, and tons of processing which arguably much less healthy than meat, but more humane. Cultivated meat would be as healthy and flavorful (hopefully) and still be humane. I’m willing to give this a try.


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A BEER that reveals a full-frontal busty blonde when drinkers scratch off her swimsuit has been stripped from off-licence shelves.
Watchdogs ruled the £1.50 Belgian Rubbel Sexy Lager encouraged one-night stands and heavy drinking.
But brewery owner Alain de Laet labelled the ban stupid and said Brits were a bunch of killjoys.
He added: "The beer sells very well in Europe, Australia and Japan and is a drink for men who like women. What's wrong with that? It's all a bit of fun."
A spokesman for the Portman Group, which oversees the industry, said: "Our code disallows drinks being linked to sexual success."


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Samsung is holding an event on Thursday, June 20 where it will be premiering both new 2013 Galaxy and ATIV devices. We’ve already heard about the Galaxy S4 mini, the Galaxy S4 Active and the Galaxy S4 Zoom, though we might hear about carrier partners for both the S4 mini and the Zoom. Who knows, maybe we’ll even learn about the rumored Galaxy S4 with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chip.
We’re largely in the dark when it comes to the company’s plans for its ATIV products, which are typically reserved for Windows-based products, so we might be treated to some new tablets and laptops, possibly running Windows RT or Windows 8.
The event is about to get started, so sit back, grab a bowl of potato chips and join us for the ride.
The event kicks off at the following times on June 20, 2013:
- 2:00 p.m. Eastern
- 1:00 p.m. Central
- 12:00 p.m. Mountain
- 11:00 a.m. Pacific
- 7:00 p.m. London
- 3:00 a.m. Tokyo (June 21)
Be sure to tune in for all of the coverage and hands-on with the devices following the event.


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The model has a 12th generation Core i9-12900h processor and NVIDIA RTX 3070Ti GPU.
Razer announced the launch last Tuesday (3) Razer Blade 15A new generation of its notebook known for delivering the latest features to demanding players. The new model features a new 15.6-inch OLED display with QHD resolution. And maximum update speed 240 Hz.
According to the manufacturer, Adoption of panel technology provides brighter and brighter colors, Which brings the incomparable user experience to one of the fastest response speeds on the market when combined with a screen. Following these achievements, Razer has equipped the device with a 12th generation Core i-12900H processor and a powerful NVIDIA RTX 3070Ti GPU..
In addition to being an excellent option for players, The Razer Blade 15 also promises to be a powerful alternative for content creators who need high computing power. The company promises that the device can reproduce 100% DCI-P3 standard colors, while its OLED screen provides ideal conditions for editing videos and photos, playing games or consuming different types of media.
Razer Blade 15 Features
- 240Hz OLED gaming screen
- RTX 3070 Ti
- I9 12900H
- 32 GB DDR5 RAM
- 1TB SSD
The model will soon be released in the international market
This is confirmed by Razer The new Razer Blade model features a CNC-machined aluminum chassisLaser speaker grille and multiple connection options: Thunder 4, USB-C, USB-A, SD card reader Is HDMI input. The model has 32 GB DDR5 DRAM memory and 1 TB SSD – memory expansion is possible using the additional M.2 slot.
The company has not yet announced the official price of the model, but an investigation confirms it on its official website It should not come down to $ 2700 – There is no forecast on product availability in Brazil. In addition to the OLED version of the Razer Blade 15, The manufacturer also bets on models with 4K screens and GPUs up to RTX 3080.Which easily exceed $ 3000 in their prices.
Thinking of buying a product online? Discover the Adrenaline Save extension for Google Chrome. It is free and offers price comparisons in major stores and coupons so you can always buy at the best price. Sign up now.


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Amazon has acknowledged that it retains the voice recordings and transcripts of customers’ interactions with its Alexa voice assistant indefinitely. The admission raises questions about how long companies should be able to save highly-personal data collected from voice assistant devices.
After U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) demanded Amazon outline its data privacy policies, Amazon in a letter that was publicly disclosed on Tuesday said that consumers have the option to delete their recordings – but even if they do, the company or third-party developers may still save records of customers’ interactions with Alexa.
“Amazon’s acknowledgement has only left users with further concerns regarding the privacy of their data,” Tim Mackey, principal security strategist, with Synopsys’ Cybersecurity Research Center (CyRC), told Threatpost. “That it took an official request from a U.S. Senator to uncover this data retention policy indicates that data collection and retention policies were not readily available to the public… Had Amazon originally disclosed that Alexa retained transcripts of all data processed by the service for an indefinite time, it’s likely that Alexa adoption wouldn’t be what it is today.”
Amazon said that it keeps data “to provide the Alexa service and improve the customer experience” for its Echo devices. The company also said that it needed to retain certain “records” regardless of whether the audio and transcripts had been deleted by the consumer or not. For instance, if a consumers uses Alexa to request a car from Uber or order a pizza from Domino’s, Amazon or the applicable skill developer would keep a record of that transaction.
“When a customer deletes a voice recording, we delete the transcripts associated with the customer’s account of both of the customer’s request and Alexa’s response,” according to the letter by Brian Huseman, vice president of Public Policy at Amazon. “We already delete those transcripts from all of Alexa’s primary storage systems, and we have an ongoing effort to ensure those transcripts do not remain in any of Alexa’s other storage systems… However, we may still retain other records of customers’ Alexa interactions, including records of actions Alexa took in response to the customer’s request.”
The fact that Amazon saves this data is a “clear example” of why data retention is a key component of regulations like General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), Mackey said. For instance, Article 5 of GDPR establishes that data retention should be “for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which the personal data are processed,” he said.
“Clearly an indefinite retention in any form is far longer than is necessary for Alexa to respond to a request for a Skill,” said Mackey. “An example of a more customer centric policy might be if Amazon had only retained transcripts of failed Skills activations for the purposes of improvement for a period not longer than the update cycle for Alexa software. In that case, the policy aligns with customer objectives and has a clear end date.”
In a tweet, Coons said he was still concerned about data privacy on Echo devices: “Amazon’s response leaves open the possibility that transcripts of user voice interactions with Alexa are not deleted from all of Amazon’s servers, even after a user has deleted the voice recording.”
I wrote Amazon in May with concerns about the privacy practices for Alexa devices. I’m encouraged that Amazon's response demonstrates an understanding of the importance of and a commitment to protecting users’ personal information. However, I still have concerns.
— Senator Chris Coons (@ChrisCoons) July 2, 2019
The level of data being saved and shared by Amazon is heightening concerns about privacy policies when it comes to voice assistant devices – but it’s not just Amazon.
Google for its part also acknowledged that its saves a history of user voice interactions with Google Home voice assistant devices until consumers choose to delete them – and, like Amazon, may also retain customer interaction data even if that has been manually deleted from the account.
Neither Google nor Amazon immediately responded to a request for comment from Threatpost.
Amazon continues to find itself in hot water regarding privacy policies around its Echo devices. In April, Amazon came under fire after a report revealed the company employs thousands of auditors to listen to Echo users’ voice recordings. Last year Amazon inadvertently sent 1,700 audio files containing recordings of Alexa interactions by a customer to a random person –and later characterized it as a “mishap” that came down to one employee’s mistake.


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Artistic products made from cow dung by a women self-help group of Gokul Nagar Gothan in Raipur is making a mark in the market.
The members are making meaningful and artistic products using cow dung.
Neelam Agarwal, president of the self-help group with 13 members, said the Gauthan has more than 400 cows. Around 3,000 kg of dung is generated every day. Around 30 types of products are made here.
Products like pots, incense, havan material, manure, gulal, idols, pots and tiles are made. The innovative products are cow dung slippers, suitcases, watches and paintings, an official communication said on Sunday.
Gauthans earn up to Rs 30 lakhs annually from the sale of the products.


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Comesa treaty greeted with cloud of EAC bloc challenges
Posted Tuesday, January 22 2013 at 02:00
Overcoming obstacles. The challenge Uganda has is to get people to understand this opportunity and help the private sector sustain the market.
Despite the hurdles that have denied Uganda the benefits that accrue from regional economic blocs, the year 2012 closed with a ray of hope.
After seven years of wriggling on whether Uganda was ready to compete within the Comesa Free Trade Area or not, this – Uganda becoming a Comesa FTA member – finally came to fruition when the government accepted to sign the treaty.
This was a good move for the private sector, consumers and country–because it created a bigger market of more than 400 million people.
Already the Comesa was Uganda’s leading exporting destination with a market worth $1.3 billion as of 2011 up from $795 million in 2010. Comesa FTA means that Ugandan goods and services will access a market of more than 400 million people without paying import tax.
Private Sector Foundation Uganda’s executive director, Mr Gideon Badagawa, who lauded the move however, said Uganda needs to take up the advantages of this opportunity.
“The challenge Uganda has is to get people to understand this opportunity and help the private sector sustain the market,” Mr Badagawa said, adding: “Let the private sector pay much attention to quality of the produce and standards, and increase volumes to take advantage of this opportunity.”
He further challenged the government to collaborate with the private sector to boost production while government handles the regulations, standards and research.
Fears over Comesa FTA
Some people have mixed reactions over Comesa FTA deal saying that it is likely to block the achievements earned thus far by the East African Community (EAC). However, experts say this will instead boost its operations.
In 2012, the EAC celebrated 12 years since its re-establishment when the original three member states of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda signed the protocol in 2000 and later Rwanda and Burundi joined in 2007.
It’s this same year that East Africans were supposed to witness the signing of the Monetary Union (Common Currency) protocol in December but some thorny issues still stand in the way.
Responding to this issue, Mr Badagawa said EAC leaders are not in a hurry to endorse decisions having realized that they need to move in unison.
He said that everybody is refocusing: “We have just realised that as far as the Monetary Union is concerned, we do not know what we were talking about.”
The Secretary General also noted one of the reasons which led to the collapse of the former EAC, was a lack of participation of the civil society and the private sector.
Two years into the fully fledged Common Market which allows freedoms like that of movement; it’s unfortunate that there is still very little realised as far as the implementation of this protocol is concern.
This has been witnessed especially under the provision on free movement of labour.
Despite the EAC’s facilitation of mutual recognition agreements of professional qualifications among engineers, accountants and architects to enable them to practice anywhere in the region, free movement is not guaranteed.
The passing of a Bill for one stop border posts (OSBPs), this year is expected to lower transaction times for businesses and travelers alike by merging operations of borders.
Uganda Revenue Authority Commissioner Customs, Mr Richard Kamajugo, says a one-stop-border points ease clearing of goods and also saves time.
“We have also linked our IT systems to see that there is ease in the collection of revenues so when goods are declared at the Kenyan border we are able to see the movement in our systems and avoid smuggling,” Mr Kamajugo adds.
Last year, the EAC presidents agreed to adopt the “destination model” for collecting customs duties as part of the planned single customs territory. This means taxes on goods going to Uganda for example, would be collected at Mombasa or Dar and not Malaba or Busia, translating into faster clearance of goods and curbing tax evasion.


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Amazon’s AI generates images of clothing to match text queries Kyle Wiggers
Generative adversarial networks (GANs) two-part AI models consisting of a generator that creates samples and a discriminator that attempts to differentiate between the generated samples and real-world samples have been applied to tasks ranging from video, artwork, and music synthesis to drug discovery and misleading media detection. They’ve also made their way into ecommerce, as Amazon revealed in a blog post this morning. Scientists at Amazon describe a GAN that generates clothing examples to match product descriptions, which they say could be used to refine customer text queries. For instance, if a shopper searched for “women’s black pants” and then add the word “petite” and then the word “capri,” the on-screen images would adjust accordingly with each new word.


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2015 Press Releases
My job - Myriam Cronin Gateway UCC
Gateway UCC Manager Myriam Cronin talks job creation, innovation and entrepreneurship with the Irish Examiner and how the initiative contributes heavily to the lifeblood of our economy.
(Reproduced courtesy of the Irish Examiner and journalist John Daly. Originally published Friday 9 January 2015)
Interview: John Daly
Name: Myriam Cronin
Occupation: Manager, Gateway UCC Business Innovation and Incubation Centre
Background: Established in 2010, Gateway provides a commercial eco-system supporting campus based businesses both at spin-in and spin-out development stages. The centre provides start-up companies with a complete business supports and mentoring programme, with access to the full range of University facilities.
“Supporting job creation, innovation and entrepreneurship in the knowledge-based sector is a key remit of Gateway UCC,” explains Myriam Cronin. “We actively support start-ups and entrepreneurs through our state-of-the-art on-campus facilities, access to a world-class research environment, mentoring, business coaching and support services.”
To date, Gateway incubated companies support 140 jobs with over 20 company stare-ups ranging across a wide spectrum, including IT/ICT; food; education; health; energy; medical devices and pharma.
“The centre is fast becoming a hub of knowledge transfer activities in the areas of IT, ICT and food/bio/pharma,” she adds.
Prior to working with UCC, Ms Cronin worked with Enterprise Ireland for 20 years as a Development Advisor, implementing regional strategy, addressing barriers to economic development in the region and liaising with third-level institutions to strengthen linkages with industry and the research community. She has worked as Manager of the centre from its initial establishment in 2010 to oversee its current status as a vibrant business incubator providing 1,200 sq mt divided into twenty-one units of high quality IT office and wet laboratory accommodation.
With global demand for milk expected to hit 350 billion litres in 2020, one of Gateway’s incubation companies is poised to capitalise on the opportunity. Luxcel Biosciences had developed a technology to monitor the growth and viability of cells for food, beverage and pharmaceutical safety. The company has developed a ‘dairy industry game-changing’ platform suite of rapid microbiology testing products - the Luxcel Biosciences Greenlight test - which assess the quality of the milk right through the supply chain from the dairy parlour to the finished product.
The optical sensing technology monitors the ability of bacteria to grow in liquid or powder milk, and is a faster and more sensitive testing solution than standard technologies. More importantly, it detects spoilage in dairy that current technologies are missing. With the global dairy industry entering a long-term boom, driven by demand from new emerging markets in China and India as well as the abolition of EU milk quotas in 2015, competition within the dairy sector has never been more intense, and the highest quality in the dairy production supply chain has now become a major factor for international competition.
Luxcel Biosciences develops 'game-changing' tests for dairy industry http://t.co/xIAHVnBAut via @thebusinessday @uccgateway @myriamcronin— CAMEO Communications (@CAMEO_ie) December 1, 2014
“Luxcel Biosciences is a great example of a company, spun outfrom UCC, with a focus on global markets and with enormous potential to change the sector in which they operate through creative and collaborative research and development,” said Myriam Cronin.
“The product has huge revenue generating potential on a global scale, and as the first test capable of offering same day results really is a game changing development within the dairy industry. The company currently employs ten people, but we would clearly expect that to increase. Like so many of our companies at Gateway, they look to horizons well beyond Ireland, and with the potential to generate significant sales, revenue and employment down the line. Ireland has built a justified worldwide reputation for the quality of its food, but food safety has now become equally important and this is such an significant addition to the flagship of Ireland internationally,” she adds.
As a catalyst for entrepreneurship though the development of spin-out companies exploiting university generated intellectual property, Gateway supports include mentoring, access to financial advice, seminars, one-to-one consultancy, workshops, introduction to venture capital opportunities and business angels programmes. “Companies work in a uniquely supportive environment with access to UCC’s network of researchers and excellent support through linkages into academic departments.”
The Centre also contains hot-desk spaces for entrepreneurs at the pre-start-up stage, providing a stimulating environment to nurture and explore the feasibility of their business opportunity. Since the opening of Gateway UCC in 2010, successful spin-outs including Thinksmart
Technologies, Solvotrin Therapeutics, Metabolomic Diagnostics and Energywatch have all availed of the centre’s services to scale up and develop their businesses.
“At the moment the pre and start up companies within Gateway would collectively employ around 80 people - in effect, the size of a medium enterprise. Their products and services are very much a cross section, and include food, food safety, health, ICT, wearable technology and medical devices.”
While the Gateway centre assists entrepreneurs with the identification, protection and exploitation of intellectual property, the UCC Technology Transfer Office is the main point of contact for companies seeking partners for collaborative research and advice on licensing and other commercial opportunities. Gateway, in association with Enterprise Ireland and the City and County Enterprise Boards, provide access to a panel of mentors and entrepreneurs with advisory services.
“We collaborate with our strategic partners in the business community, like Enterprise Ireland and Cork Chamber, working constantly towards creating an eco system to benefit our client companies,” says Myriam Cronin.
“We effectively work with clients from the very early petri-dish stage of their idea development right through to the eventual commercialisation of their product or service. Along this process we keep them informed of upcoming calls for grant applications, provide visiting speakers on topics relevant to their development, and outlining what they need to do in terms of submitting proposals to potential venture capital companies.”
Having worked with Enterprise Ireland for two decades, Myriam Cronin is well equipped to understand the needs of fledgling companies in their journey from the initial idea stage to the major leap of ‘jumping off the diving board’ into a new commercial landscape.
“It is about getting a client from having a viable opportunity it can exploit all the way to getting that product into the global marketplace. All of the companies currently going through Gateway are very optimistic about their prospects in 2015, and I would look to the areas of wave and renewable energy as particular areas where new technologies will likely emerge in the year ahead.”
Great exposure for Gateway companies in today's .@irishexaminer #incubation, #innovation #startup .@UCC pic.twitter.com/VTD2pKO2U4— uccgateway (@uccgateway) January 9, 2015
#HappyNewYear to all @uccgateway clients & followers. Looking forward to an innovative 2015.— uccgateway (@uccgateway) December 31, 2014


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At the Global Hotel Alliance ceo conference in Madrid Choe Peng Sum, CEO, Pan Pacific Hotels talks to Phil Blizzard about their expansion plans and how their business is doing well in Kuala Lumpur, Melbourne and London. He also talks about the conference and how winning World Travel Awards is a big motivator for his staff.
Pan Pacific London is expected to open at the end of the year, coronavirus permitting, and will represent a number of firsts for the British capital. Here Breaking Travel News speaks to Anne Golden, newly appointed general manager of the hotel, to find out more
Pan Pacific London has announced the appointment of Steven Drewery as executive assistant manager at the property. The hotel is expected to open in the autumn.
Pan Pacific Hotels Groups will plant its first flag in Europe next autumn, with the opening of Pan Pacific London. The developers hope the property will become the unparalleled address for the discerning well-heeled travellers who seek to find a balance in life.
Pan Pacific is planning to open its first property in the UK, with parent UOL Group snapping up a prime site in central London. UOL Group purchased the Heron Plaza site in Bishopsgate, in the City of London, for £97 million. Previously owned by property investment firm Heron International, the site already has permission for a 43-storey building.
Pan Pacific Hotels has announced the appointment of Kumiko Shafer as director, global sales, North America. Based in San Francisco and working closely with the global sales office in New York, Shafer will lead the global sales strategies for North America with the aim of growing the market and enhancing client engagement to drive revenue for the group’s properties within and outside the region.
In line with its focus on nurturing talent and developing its associates, Pan Pacific Hotels has announced two internal management appointments for its properties in Singapore and Malaysia. Sharmini Moganasundram moves from her general manager role at ParkRoyal Serviced Suites Kuala Lumpur to become the group’s first female hotel general manager, in charge of ParkRoyal on Kitchener Road in Singapore.
Pan Pacific Hotels Group has announced the appointment of Ilkin Ilyaszade as vice president, corporate hotel management & pre-opening. In his role, Ilyaszade will actively drive the implementation of operational projects and manage all pre-openings to enhance product and service excellence across the Group’s portfolio of over 30 Pan Pacific and ParkRoyal hotels, resorts and serviced suites in Asia, Oceania and North America.
Pan Pacific Hotels Group has announced the opening of a new global sales office in Beijing, complementing its existing global sales office in Shanghai to grow its share of the burgeoning Chinese travel market. Over the past year, Pan Pacific Hotels Group has been ramping up its developments in China, where it now owns and/or manages four Pan Pacific properties – namely Pan Pacific Xiamen, Pan Pacific Suzhou, Pan Pacific Ningbo and Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Ningbo.
Seeking to capture some of 31.7 million international travellers expected to visit Malaysia by the end of 2015, the award winning Pan Pacific Kuala Lumpur International Airport Hotel – with average occupancy levels of 85 per cent - is about to undergo a major refurb programme that will result in a fresh look and feel for all its guest rooms. Mr Hans Winsnes, general manager of the property, speaks to BTN about his cautious optimism for 2012 and why so many guests return to the Pan Pacific Kuala Lumpur time after time.


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LAST FEW DAYS TO REGISTER FOR APTRA & KPMG INSIGHTS SEMINAR ROADSHOW IN SEOUL, SHANGHAI AND HONG KONG
Registrations for the fourth annual APTRA KPMG Insights Seminars, which take place in South Korea, China and Hong Kong on 28, 29 and 30th November, will remain open for the remainder of this week. There is no registration fee but places are limited so interested parties are advised to register by email as early as possible (details below).
The agenda for the seminars in all three locations will be the same, while in Hong Kong, the seminar will be part of a larger programme, KPMG’s “holiday season update” of its Retail Asia Conference. APTRA and KPMG, together with research partner m1ndset, will share the principal findings of their recent research studies and to explain how stakeholders can drive growth for the industry.
– KPMG’s Anson Bailey will share their latest research on disruptive technology in retail and give some insights to what the near future holds for consumer technology in the retail environment.
– Clara Perez of m1nd-set will share detailed findings of the latest consumer research on the shopping behaviour and differences between travellers from China, Japan, Korea and India. This latest APTRA research will also focus on Asia Pacific travellers’ current and forecast travel trends, to give delegates a taste of what to expect in 2018 from the region’s key outbound markets.
All three seminars will be hosted at KPMG’s offices on the following dates:
– Tuesday 28th November in Seoul – Registration: [email protected]
– Wednesday 29th November in Shanghai – Registration: [email protected]
– Thursday 30th November in Hong Kong – Registration: [email protected]
Full details, including the KPMG office address in each location can be found on aptra.asia.
Andrew Ford, President APTRA, commented: “APTRA’s Insights Seminar programme has developed considerably since its inception. The annual APTRA Airport Forum, hosted by Changi Airport earlier this year, is a valuable addition to the programme. The partnership we have with KPMG, now in its fourth year, is an example of how we at APTRA are developing our services on behalf of the industry, alongside our core advocacy mission. The latest research findings from both KPMG and m1nd-set are much anticipated and greatly appreciated by our members.”
APTRA is grateful to the sponsors of the seminars which include Bommidala Group, Brown Forman, Changi Airport Group, DFS, Distell, Eastern Duty Free, The Edrington Group, Jonathan Holland & Associates, Moet Hennessy, Regent Asia Group and Treasury Wine Estates.
APTRA is the trade association for the duty free and travel retail industry in the Asia Pacific region, serving all members and the industry to help grow the business and protect it when challenges arise.
The geographical area covered by APTRA includes countries in Eastern Asia, South Eastern Asia, South Central Asia and Oceania.
|For trade information please contact:
|For press information please contact:


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Reported mostly on the iPhone 14 Pro Max series, the appearance of horizontal lines when the screen starts up gives users the jitters. But Apple comes to allay these fears, confirming that the “phenomenon” is the result of a software bug that will be fixed in the next iOS update.
Apparently, the issue that manifests itself when the screen turns on after a longer period of inactivity is an unintended consequence of power saving features. Even though incorrectly turning on the screen induces visual artifacts very similar to those manifested by phones with faulty screens, Apple gives assurances that this is not the case for service center visits.
While the iOS patch is pending, more and more iPhone 14 owners are reporting the problem on Reddit and other platforms, describing similar but not quite identical symptoms. Thus, the number and colors of horizontal lines tend to differ from device to device, disappearing after about a second.
“We are aware of the problem and this is due to the drivers […] It is definitely a software issue and an update is expected to come soon,” says an Apple support representative.
According to Apple’s independent investigations, visual artifacts only manifest on iPhones with LG screens, not those equipped with Samsung-supplied displays. Although initially suspicion hovered over the iOS 16.2 beta version, reports are beginning to surface for devices equipped with other iOS 16 revisions as well, the exact cause cannot be pinpointed.


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But it’s not too soon to get your green thumb ready.
Spring is March 20, but folks in Monroe, Mich., are already making plans for a community garden, that will bring people together, put homegrown food in their hands and cut a few gas-powered trips to the grocery store.
The city of Monroe runs a community garden program every year, charging $15 for a 25-by-25 foot plot where people can grow tomatoes, cucumbers and the like, according to The Evening News. The price includes water, and the plots are especially nice for city residents who don’t have the room in their backyards.
A city official predicts increased demand for space this year, due to rising food costs and interest in locally grown food.
Those of us who don’t live in Monroe or another city with a similar program might want to start their own. The American Community Gardening Association has an online guide and other resources.


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Information security spending to grow 8 percent in 2014
Worldwide spending on information security is set to top $71.1 billion this year, up almost 8 percent over 2013, according to forecasts by Gartner. It's also forecast to grow by a similar percentage next year to reach $76.9 billion.
Gartner says increased use of mobile, cloud and social services will drive new security technology through 2016. There's been a democratization of security threats too, driven by the easy availability of malware and infrastructure, via the underground economy, that can be used to launch targeted attacks.
"This Nexus of Forces is impacting security in terms of new vulnerabilities," says Gartner research director Lawrence Pingree. "It is also creating new opportunities to improve effectiveness, particularly as a result of better understanding security threats by using contextual information and other security intelligence".
Among Gartner's forecasts are that by 2015 around 10 percent of IT security for enterprises will be delivered via the cloud. This is higher for small and medium businesses which are expected to have around 30 percent of their security controls cloud based by 2015.
Increased regulatory pressure is also expected to drive spending with new data privacy and compliance legislation being introduced in several countries. By 2018, more than half of organizations are predicted to be using security services firms that specialize in data protection, security risk and infrastructure management to enhance their security positions. In addition Gartner predicts a rise in the number of infrastructure protection products bought in package form to 30 percent by 2015.
Finally it sees mobile security becoming a higher priority for consumers who at the moment don’t recognize that antivirus is important on mobile devices. Protection is expected to become a higher priority from 2017 onward, when new market opportunities for security providers are likely to emerge.
Security trends will be discussed further at Gartner Security and Risk Management Summits in Australia, London and Dubai in coming weeks.


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Early adopters who will be among the first to unbox and fire up an Apple iPad in a couple of months, will have nearly 140,000 applications readily available from the App Store right out the gate. That’s the approximate number of applications that are currently offered for free or for a fixed fee on the iPhone / iPod Touch App Store, which will soon be known only as the App Store (or under an entirely different moniker, though unlikely).
This is, in my opinion at least, one of the key benefits of being one of those early adopters: they won’t have to wait for developers to get acquainted with an entirely new SDK first, nor will they have to wait for them to build and get Apple’s approval for the apps they want to publish. Just in case you forgot: more than 3 billion apps have been downloaded from the App Store onto devices since its debut. Thriving, the platform is, as Yoda would put it.
And as WSJ’s Walt Mossberg put it: it happens to be all about the software here.
You’ll be able to run most iPhone apps on the iPad, either with pixel-for-pixel accuracy in a centered black box, or pixel-double running in full-screen. That also implies that in some cases you’ll be seeing mobile advertising units with pixel-for-pixel accuracy or pixel-double running in full-screen. Bigger ads that feel more ‘natural’ than on smaller-size screens, in other words, which undoubtedly means more revenue from in-app display advertising, not to mention an almost certain increase of in-app purchases in most cases.
It also speaks volumes that former Quattro Wireless CEO Andy Miller was named VP of Mobile Advertising at Apple, an entirely new position for the company, and that in this new role he will be reporting directly to chief executive Steve Jobs.
During the latest Apple earnings call, the company made it clear that they did not step into the mobile advertising game as an afterthought, and that they want developers to make money off their apps through advertising with a network they own and control, too.
Meaning, Apple will not let Google / AdMob and third-party mobile advertising players run the show. Owning Quattro, Apple has picked up another moneymaker from the App Store goldrush it has itself unleased, and the iPad will only reinforce that situation.
In my view, the purchase of Quattro Wireless was always about advancing the hit rate of in-app advertising rather than the monetization of websites viewed on the iPhone or iPad browser anyway.
An estimated 75% to 80% of all apps published on the App Store are free and thus has its makers relying heavily on advertising and in-app purchases of premium apps in order to profit from their work.
The same will likely be true on the iPad, but the extra screen real estate gives publishers and ad networks a lot more leverage. And conveniently, Apple is now in a position where it controls both the development environment, the hardware apps run on, the distribution and purchasing platform, as well as a powerful mobile advertising network developers can tap in order to grow their returns on development and marketing investments.
Advertisers spent just $416 million on mobile ads in 2009, compared with $22 billion on Web sites, according to eMarketer, but mobile ad spending is expected to grow to $1.6 billion by 2013. Apple clearly wants a significant piece of that pie, and it already has a lot of what it takes to get just that in place.
I’m convinced that in a few years, the purchase of Quattro Wireless will prove to be one of the key acquisitions Apple has made since its inception.


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In response to growing concerns about spam and AI bots infiltrating direct messages (DMs) on Twitter, the social media platform’s owner, Elon Musk, has confirmed that Twitter will soon limit the ability to send DMs to non-followers exclusively to Twitter Blue accounts. Musk made this announcement in a reply to a frustrated user who shared a screenshot of their inbox filled with spam from bots. He assured users that an update would be rolled out this week to address the issue.
Elon Musk’s Confirmation on DM Restriction for Non-Followers
The Twitter tracking handle, @TitterDaily, shared news confirming that Twitter will restrict the sending of DMs to non-followers to verified users only. In his response, Musk reiterated that the forthcoming update would aid in distinguishing AI bots, leading to a significant reduction in Twitter DM spam in the coming weeks.
Additionally, reports indicate that Twitter is also working on limiting the number of DMs per day for non-Blue users. While the exact limit remains unclear, the current cap stands at 500 DMs per day. However, speculations suggest that Twitter may drastically reduce this number, potentially limiting non-verified accounts to just 30 DMs per day.
Hopefully releasing the update this week.— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 11, 2023
As I’ve said many times, it is increasingly difficult to distinguish between AI bots. Soon, it will be impossible.
The only “social networks” that survive will be those that require verification. The payment system is a means of…
Elon Musk’s announcement garnered mixed reactions from users in the tweet thread. Many users welcomed the change, as it would provide relief from bot-driven spam, which occasionally includes harmful and malicious links. On the other hand, marketers and influencers who rely on direct marketing expressed their dissatisfaction with the decision.
This move is part of Twitter’s ongoing efforts to promote its Twitter Blue subscription service, which Elon Musk has been endorsing for some time. The platform has been actively encouraging users to sign up for Twitter Blue, restricting certain highly anticipated features like tweet editing, longer tweets, and undoing tweets. Now, with the restriction on DMs for non-followers, Twitter is further incentivizing users to subscribe to the Blue service.
For those unfamiliar with Twitter Blue, it is a premium subscription available for a monthly fee of Rs 650 on the web and Rs 900 on mobile devices. While the service offers additional features and benefits, the upcoming restriction on DMs for non-followers will be exclusive to Twitter Blue subscribers.
As Twitter takes steps to combat spam and enhance user experience, the implementation of these new restrictions marks a notable change in the way DMs can be sent on the platform. Users can expect a safer and more controlled DM environment, albeit with potential implications for marketers and influencers who heavily rely on direct marketing strategies.
Rumors Suggest iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max to Feature 5x Optical Zoom
As we already know the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s tetraprism camera comes with 5x optical zoom. But now, Apple is planning to add it in both Pro models of iPhone 16 i.e. iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
This is a rumor that we have already heard from many big sources such as MacRumors, Taiwanese research firm Trendforce, and Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In today’s press release, Taiwanese research firm Trendforce has adverted regarding this.
Following the successful launch of the iPhone 15 Pro Max with its exclusive Tetraprism telephoto zoom lens, the industry is expected to see an increase in the adoption of periscopic lens modules. Apple plans to bring this advanced hardware upgrade to the iPhone 16 Pro, making it accessible to more users in the Pro series.
The design of the tetraprism camera system in the iPhone 15 Pro Max is folded due to which it can be easily fitted into the smartphone. This tetraprism camera system enables 5x optical zoom and 25x digital zoom. The Pro Max models of iPhones i.e. iPhone 15 Pro Max have a bigger display size i.e. 6.7 inches.
But, on the other hand, if we talk about the Pro models i.e. iPhone 15 Pro, then the display is 6.1 inches as like the iPhone 15 which is small if we compare it with Pro Max. So, as per rumors, Apple will increase the size of the iPhone 16 Pro from 6.1 inches to 6.3 inches to fit the tetraprism camera system in the Pro model of the iPhone 16.
What do you guys think whether we get 5x optical zoom in iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max? Do let us know in the comment box. Also, tell us whether you like this post or not.
Featured Image from MacRumors
Apple Introducing New iMessage Feature in iOS 17.4 Update Next Month
Apple, an American-based Premium Smartphone Manufacturing Company is going to roll out stable iOS 17.4 in March. If you want to know about the features that are coming with this 17.4 update, then we already have a dedicated post for that. Additionally, Apple is introducing a new cryptographic security feature to its iMessage called PQ3. It is a new encryption protocol which is advanced. PQ3 is designed to protect against potential threats from quantum computing. It helps us to keep our sensitive data safe.
As we know, Apple’s iMessage supports end-to-end encryption like other messaging apps. However, some of the researchers found that existing cryptographic protocols used by messaging apps depend on mathematical problems that can be solved by future quantum computers.
To remain ahead of the cryptographic curve and lighten the risks from future quantum computers, Apple is introducing this new PQ3 messaging protocol. Apple calls this PQ3 protocol as Level 3 security which can offer better protocol protections than other popular messaging apps.
According to Apple, this new PQ3 is a new standard in the security of messaging app which reflects the privacy and security of the company in this quantum computing era. PQ3 feature will be rolled out in the March update, starting with iOS 17.4, iPadOS 17.4, macOS 14.4, and watchOS 10.4. Apple says that this PQ3 feature is already available in the iOS 17.4 public and developer beta testers.
What do you guys think, how useful will be this new PQ3 cryptographic security feature in iApple’s iMessage? Do let us know in the comment box. Also, tell us whether you like this post or not.
OnePlus Watch 2 Price Leaked Before Launch
As we already know, the OnePlus upcoming flagship Watch 2 is going to be launched tomorrow at MWC 2024 (Mobile World Congress). If you want to know about the specifications, then do consider this post. Additionally, if you want to know about the color variants and some features of the Watch 2, then consider this post.
OnePlus Watch 2 Price Leaked Before Launch
Recently, the price of the upcoming OnePlus Watch 2 has been leaked. Ishan Aggarwal, a popular tipster, has recently posted a thread on their X (formerly Twitter) account. According to Tipster, the price of the upcoming OnePlus Watch 2 will be:
- India: Rs.24,999
- US: $299
- Europe: €329
- UK: £299
As we already said the OnePlus Watch 2 will be launched in India at the same time as it is launched globally. Do you guys think that it can compete with the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6? Also, do let us know, whether you consider the OnePlus Watch 2 at this price in the comment box.


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The MWC 2019 doors are all set to open and we’re expecting dozens of OEMs from all over the world to arrive in Barcelona next month. The Mobile World Congress will be the launching pad of most mobile brands we know with the likes of Samsung, Huawei, and LG headlining the tech event. Sony and Nokia are also scheduled to roll out their new products like the Sony Xperia XZ4 and the Nokia 9. We also know the LG G8 ThinQ and the Samsung Galaxy S10 will join the game.
The Nokia 9 is believed to finally be announced after more than a year of being in the works. You see, this particular model has gone through a lot of developments not only in design but also in features, functions, and specs.
Nokia has recently confirmed a February 24 announcement. A teaser shows us the new flagship from the brand—the Nokia 9–will be unveiled. How do we know it’s the Nokia 9? Because of the multiple cameras in the image.
The Nokia 9 is special because of the many delays and changes it has gone through. The final design now shows a penta-camera system so it’s one of the first phones to implement multiple camera lenses. We’ve seen the dual rear, triple rear, and quad rear camera systems in other phones but we think the five camera system is too much. But then again, we haven’t really tried the technology yet.
Here’s what we know so far about the Nokia 9: up to 8GB RAM, iris scanner, OZO spatial audio, 5.9-inch QHD+ display, 128GB storage, Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, water-and-dust-resistant rating, 4150mAh battery, and Android 9 Pie (Android One).
We’ve also seen a second teaser. This one shows what appears to be a punch hole camera display. It’s only one so the selfie camera doesn’t take much space. There is no notch, just the punch hole camera on the upper left area of the screen.
Nokia is also expected to announce other phones like the Nokia 1 Plus and Nokia 8.1 Plus at next month’s Mobile World Congress. Let’s wait and see.