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Happy Tuesday! Hope everyone enjoyed the weekend.
Dan is on vacation this week so I'll be your captain — but don't fret, he's making some appearances throughout the week, including in today's newsletter. As always, send me your best gossip, tips and scoops at email@example.com or on Twitter @imkialikethecar!
Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios
Playground Global is rebuilding, months after the departure of controversial founder Andy Rubin and just days after the failure of its highest-profile investment, Rubin's mobile-phone startup Essential Products, Dan writes.
What's new: Laurie Yoler, a Silicon Valley veteran with both investing and operating chops, has joined Playground Global as its fifth general partner.
Details: Yoler tells Axios she was recruited by several venture capital firms, but chose Playground Global because she felt it was going after some of the toughest challenges in autonomous tech and artificial intelligence.
"We didn't overlap and, honestly, Andy wasn't even a thought for me," Yoler says.
2020 election: The N.Y. Times got a preview of presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg’s plan to regulate Wall Street. Here are the highlights...
Yes, but: As the NYT notes, many of these are reversals of Bloomberg’s prior stances, hinting that even the more moderate Democratic candidates feel they need to take a big step to the left to compete in this election. (Of course, Bloomberg’s campaign insists that he’s been consistent.)
• No deal: If you missed Dan’s tweets (and posts in Axios’ new app, currently in invite-only beta), HQ Trivia was almost sold to Whistle Sports Network.
Editor's note: The top story has been corrected to show Playground Global's correct name and that is has five (not four) partners.
Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
Dairy Farmers of America, the country’s largest milk co-op, said on Monday that it’s reached a deal to purchase a “substantial portion” of the bankrupt milk company Dean Foods. DFA will pay a base purchase price of $425 million to acquire 44 of Dean’s facilities and associated direct store delivery system plus other assets.
• Toast, Boston-based maker of payment processing hardware and software for restaurants, has raised $400 million in Series F funding at a post-money valuation of $4.9 billion led by Bessemer Venture Partners, TPG, Greenoaks Capital, and Tiger Global Management, with Durable Capital Partners, TCV, funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates, G Squared, Light Street Capital, Alta Park Capital, and others also participating. http://axios.link/AvCS
🚑 Nyxoah, a Belgian maker of a neurostimulator that's implanted in the chin to address sleep-disordered breathing conditions, has raised €25 million from ResMed and others. http://axios.link/plQj
• Concirrus, a London-based seller of marine and automotive insurance data to U.S. and Asia-based insurancers, has raised $20 million in Series B funding round led by AlbionVC, with IQ Capital, EOS Venture Partners and angel investors also participating. http://axios.link/kSjE
• UltraSense Systems, a San Jose-based maker of touch user interface technology using 3D ultrasound, has raised $20 million in Series B funding led by Artiman Ventures and Robert Bosch Venture Capital, with Abies Ventures, Asahi Kasei Corporation, Hui Capital and Sony Innovation Fund also participating. www.ultrasensesys.com
• Eureka AI, an Indonesia-based AI enterprise software company, has raised $20 million in series B funding led by Apis Partners, Gobi Partners, the Riyad Taqnia Fund, and MEC Ventures, with SG Innovate, GDP Ventures, Pacific Bridge, and Cianna Capital also participating. http://axios.link/mOLr
• Wiliot, an Israel-based internet-of-things chip company, has raised $20 million in new funding led by Vintage Investment Partners, with Verizon Ventures, Maersk Growth, PepsiCo and NTT DOCOMO Venture also participating. http://axios.link/ju1O
🚑 Apos Medical Assets, a New York-based medical device company, has raised $11 million in new funding from current investor aMoon, company insiders and directors. www.apostherapy.com
• Enveil, a Washington, D.C.-based data security company, has raised $10 million in Series A funding ed by C5 Capital, with Mastercard, Capital One Ventures, Bloomberg Beta, and 1843 Capital also participating. www.enveil.com
• Range, a San Francisco-based maker of software collaboration tools, has raised $6 million from General Catalyst, First Round Capital, Bloomberg Beta, Biz Stone and Ellen Pao, among others. http://axios.link/E37q
• Sharpist, a Germany-based provider of professional skills development tools, has raised $5 million in seed funding led by Vorwerk Ventures, with btov Partners and APX also participating. http://axios.link/jcYy
• Ready2order, an Austria-based maker of point-of-sale tech tools, has raised €5 million in seed funding led by Reimann Investors and Speedinvest. http://axios.link/nQwY
• Dovetail, an Australia-based maker of user research software, has raised $4 million in seed funding led by Blackbird Ventures, with Felicis Ventures and Culture Amp CEO and co-founder Didier Elzinga also participating. http://axios.link/DvuQ
• Lev, a New York-based company that uses machine learning (and humans) for real estate pricing, has raised $2.1 million in seed funding led by Animo Ventures, Ludlow Ventures, and Joel Schreiber. www.lev.co
• N2uitive, a Seattle-based maker of insurance claims software, has raised $1.3 million in funding led by Cascade Seed Fund. http://axios.link/irfH
• Dell Technologies is nearing a deal to sell its RSA cybersecurity business to STG Partners for more than $2 billion, according to the WSJ. http://axios.link/CMIc
• Stir Foods, an Orange, Calif.-based custom food manufacturer backed by Wind Point Partners, has acquired Celtrade Canada from The Succession Fund, a private equity firm managed by Argosy Partners. www.stirfoods.com
• TA Associates has agreed to acquire Auction Technology Group, an online auctions platform, from ECI Partners and Proxibid, an online marketplace, from Primus Capital. www.ta.com
• Platinum Equity has acquired Biscuit International, a Paris-based manufacturer of private label cookies, from Qualium Investissement. http://axios.link/1mex
• Prudent Growth Partners has completed its $3.5 million acquisition of the Hickory Promenade shopping center in Hickory, N.C. www.prudentgrowth.com
• New York’s attorney general said on Sunday it dropped its fight against the $40 billion merger of U.S. wireless carriers T-Mobile and Sprint, adding that the state would not appeal a judge’s approval of the deal. http://axios.link/nzgQ
• France’s Alstom has agreed to buy the rail division of Canada’s Bombardier for up to €6.2 billion ($6.7 billion). http://axios.link/3KWH
• Franklin Templeton has agreed to acquire Legg Mason for $50 per share, or $4.5 billion, in an all-cash deal and assume about $2 billion of debt as part of the purchase. http://axios.link/4HVR
• Trax, a Singapore-based maker of image-capturing tech for digitizing store aisles, has acquired Qopius, a Paris-based AI in-store software company. http://axios.link/fDSk
• Quorum Software has acquired acquired EnergyIQ, a Denver-based provider of well master data management software applications. www.quorumsoftware.com
• Gojek, an Indonesia-based ride-hailing company, reportedly purchased a 4.3% stake in local taxi operator Blue Bird for $30 million, according to Bloomberg. http://axios.link/FMn4
• Cole Haan, a Greenland, N.H.-based manufacturer of shoes and other luxury accessories, filed on Friday to go public and raise up to $100 million in an initial public offering, though likely a placeholder amount. The company will not receive any of the proceeds as the shares will be offered by existing shareholders. It plans to list on the Nasdaq under the symbol CLHN. BofA Securities, Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs are the joint bookrunners on the deal. http://axios.link/Hncd
• Vontier, a Raleigh, N.C.-based carve-out of Fortive's mobility infrastructure services unit, filed on Friday with the SEC to raise up to $100 million in an initial public offering, though likely a placeholder amount. It plans to list on the NYSE under the symbol VNT. Goldman Sachs is the sole bookrunner. http://axios.link/hx7v
🚑 LifeSci Acquisition, a New York-based blank check company targeting healthcare industry, announced terms for its IPO on Friday. It plans to raise $50 million by offering 5 million units at a price of $10 and would command a market value of $63 million. Each unit consists of one share of common stock and one warrant exercisable at $11.50. It plans to list on the Nasdaq under the symbol LSACU. Chardan Capital Markets is the sole bookrunner on the deal. http://axios.link/ToKv
🚑 Imara, a Boston-based Phase 2 biotech developing small molecule therapies for rare genetic disorders, filed on Friday with the SEC to raise up to $86 million in an initial public offering. It plans to list on the Nasdaq under the symbol IMRA. Morgan Stanley, Citi and SVB Leerink are the joint bookrunners on the deal. http://axios.link/zImB
• Atomico, a London-based venture capital firm, has raised $820 million for its fifth flagship fund to back European startups. http://axios.link/DLYM
• Grove Ventures, an Israel-based VC firm focused on “deep tech,” announced the final close of its second fund, with total commitments of $120 million. http://axios.link/rOOM
• Pamlico Capital, a Charlotte, N.C.-based lower middle market private equity firm, has raised $1.4 billion for its fifth flagship fund. www.pamlicocapital.com


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Boat, sport, RV show returning to Houma for 13th time
HOUMA — Local sportsmen can go ahead and mark their calendars for the upcoming 13th annual Southern Louisiana Boat, Sport and RV Show.
The event, to be held Jan 14-16 at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, 346 Civic Center Blvd., will feature more than 100,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor displays that include more than 140 brands of boats and recreational vehicles.
“The Southern Boat, Sport and RV Show provides something for everyone,” said Bart Caple, the show’s producer. “Whether you’re looking to enhance your current outdoor experience, buy an affordable flat-bottom (boat) or even a few $300,000 motorhomes. This three-day event is the ultimate destination to view the latest outdoor products, features and related items.”
Because of its size, the show is considered one of the largest on the Gulf Coast. Last year’s event drew several thousand people, according to representatives from the Civic Center.
“We get a lot of calls and I get asked about it (show) by people when they see me out and about in the community,” said Lori Toups-Benoit, the Civic Center’s sales manager. “It’s definitely a popular show that all of us look forward to.”
For more on this story, read Friday’s Big Fun on the Bayou or check back at bigfunonthebayou.com.

domain: news


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According to the announcement, with the approval of the State Council, Shanghai Nokia bell Co., Ltd. will no longer be listed in the list of enterprises performing the responsibilities of investors by the state owned assets supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, and will be managed by relevant central enterprises according to the equity relationship.
As a joint venture between Nokia and China Huaxin post and Telecommunications Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Huaxin post and Telecommunications), Shanghai Nokia bell Co., Ltd. was once the only joint venture directly under the central government, the daily economic news reported.
Photo source: tianyancha
Read more about the UK governments contact with Japanese and Korean suppliers to reduce its dependence on Chinas 5g technology. The US Department of Commerce has imposed restrictions on 33 Chinese institutions since Friday. Q1 report on the market share of European smart phones is published! Apple, Huawei and Samsung are the top three sources of this paper: Liu Fei, editor in charge of micro network_ NBJS10390


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ISLAMABAD, : Chinese firms HanGeng Agricultural Group and China Machinery Engineering Corp(CMEC) are exploring the agriculture and livestock sectors of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province for possible investment, according to Gwadar Pro.
This was stated by KP Board of Investment and Trade (KP-BOIT) CEO Hassan Daud while talking to Gwadar Pro.
HanGeng Group is developing an agricultural industrial park in Gwadar Free Trade Zone to industrialise livestock and agriculture sectors in Pakistan. The park will have facilities for animal husbandry, a slaughter house and processing and packaging units for exporting livestock and agricultural goods from Pakistan.
Dr. Hassan said that Hangeng Group’s GM Andy Liao met him on June 23 and discussed possibilities of establishing agricultural and livestock linkages between KP and Gwadar. The firm intends to procure animals from KP for export purposes after taking care of them at their husbandry in Gwadar, Dr. Hassan said. The firm is interested in purchasing animals and poultry of around 200 different breeds, the KP-BOIT CEO said.
He also informed that a senior CMEC official Huang Pei met him in Islamabad on Sunday and discussed possibilities of extending the red chilli contract farming concept to KP. The firm is already growing red chillies in Sindh and Punjab provinces.
Other Chinese enterprises are also interested in investing in KP and their officials are visiting the province to identify potential areas for investment, Dr. Hassan said. He added that Chinese investors are aggressively looking around for investment opportunities after travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 have been lifted. They are taking a keen interest in KP because of its unique location including proximity to China, improved infrastructure and development of special economic zones, especially Rashakai SEZ of CPEC, he said. The Chinese enterprises are expected to bring huge employment opportunities in the agriculture and livestock sectors of KP, Dr. Hassan said.


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We now have 56 businesses on site trading locally, in the UK or worldwide. Several businesses have recently taken on additional space and many more are really optimistic about future prospects.
Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire (PRWeb UK) July 9, 2009
The new £8.8m Milton Keynes Business Centre is now more than half full and interest in the offices studios and workshops there is significantly increasing.
Centre Manager Lynn Patey-Smith says that local businesses are clearly determined to beat the recession and are finding new opportunities for growth. The Milton Keynes Business Centre does not just offer Serviced office space in Milton Keynes to client, it gives you the opportunity to utilise studios and workshops for skilled trade businesses and leisure sports businesses such as Boxing, Karate and Training centres.
She said: "We now have 56 businesses on site trading locally, in the UK or worldwide. Several businesses have recently taken on additional space and many more are really optimistic about future prospects."
"The number of businesses enquiring about space at the Centre has also risen significantly across a wide range of sectors including legal and accountancy services, ICT, medical, marketing, human resources, franchising and distribution."
The Centre's reputation for attracting successful companies was acknowledged by Shadow Chancellor George Osborne in a recent visit when he met several businesses. Mr Osborne said: "I was very impressed by what I saw and the businesses I met."
Milton Keynes North East MP Mark Lancaster has also toured the Milton Keynes Business Centre and highlighted the success of companies based there. The latest visitor was Iain Stewart, the Conservative candidate for the new parliamentary seat of Milton Keynes South. He met several companies that had managers and staff who were prospective constituents.
Iain told businesses that he believes Milton Keynes can be a magnet again for new jobs, new ideas, and new firms.
Lynn Patey-Smith added: "It's good to see so much activity at the Centre and to have visitors highlight the success of the businesses here. There is so much hard work that the companies put into building their businesses and it's great to have that acknowledged in such a positive way."
If you would like more details of the Milton Keynes Business Centre contact the Centre Manager Lynn Patey-Smith on 01908 698700 or log on to Capital Space Business Centres.


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In Karachi it is the positive impact of an enormous currency decrease of around 35% in the past 15 months has started evolving as zero-rated export sectors, mostly the textile industries are reporting a surge in export orders, prominent many companies to increase their operations.
Masood Textile Mills is a vertically joined textile manufacturing firm, based in Faisalabad, has declared in a notification sent to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) that it will problem of Rs5 billion worth of Sukuk bonds. It said the firm was proposing the Islamic bond to increase funds to meet its working capital requirement.
When a firm builds its working capital, it resources it is anticipating higher orders,” said an industry source requesting privacy. Corporations need working capital to achieve their day-to-day functions and by raising the amount from the marketplace, Masood Textile looks to be performing very well.
After the rupee depreciation, prices of Pakistani products have to convert attractive and domestic corporations have started getting more orders. It is said by the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association’s former chairman Mr Yasin Siddique the Overall situation of the textile sector is better now as order notebooks of the firms are full.
Masood Textile recorded in 2018 a turnover of Rs30.85 billion against Rs23.38 billion last year, according to the company’s yearly report. The firm earned a net profit of Rs1.11 billion with a strong increase of 25.48% against the previous year.
It is said by the company record Currency reduction has given a chance to the company to regain its product footprint in the global market.
The development in textile exports is mainly attributed to rupee reduction, which has helped get more orders for exporters from the international marketplace. Knitted garments in the textile group showed 11.36% increase in exports, in the term of dollars from July to February, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
According to the Masood Textile report, the rupee reduction has also affected the imported raw material cost because of a rise in prices of basic raw material.


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JAKARTA (The Jakarta Post/ANN): The Association of Indonesian Automotive Manufacturers (Gaikindo) has forecast that domestic car sales will remain at a pre-pandemic level next year, as an economic rebound is expected to take time with Covid-19 still impacting the auto industry.
Gaikindo projects domestic car sales in 2021 to hit 800,000, lower than last year’s wholesale sales of 1.03 million cars.
“We believe it will take around two years for the economy to return to a pre-pandemic level. Therefore, we project that domestic sales will only reach 800,000 units by 2021, ” Gaikindo chairperson Yohannes Nangoi said on Wednesday (Nov 19) during a webinar held by BNI Asset Management.
The forecast came as the association slashed this year’s domestic car sales forecast for the second time to 525,000, from the previous 600,000 cars.
The revision was also made following October’s underwhelming car sales figure of around 49,000 units, a mere 1 per cent growth month-to-month (mtm) and around half of last year’s figure at around 96,100.
The October result also contrasts with September’s mtm jump in car sales of 30.4 per cent to around 48,500 vehicles.
“It will be challenging for us to reach this year’s target even though we believe the conditions will improve by next year, ” he said.
Wholesale sales for domestic cars between January and October this year reached around 421,000 units, a 50.5 per cent year-on-year (yoy) drop from the same period last year, according to Gaikindo data.
The declining sales also caused car production to stall at around 549,000 units by October, around half of last year’s 1.1 million in car production by October, and only 22.8 per cent of Indonesia’s annual production capacity.
In order to keep the production line moving, Yohannes said Indonesian carmakers were vying to lobby car brands to facilitate export market expansion.
“We have been working together with the Industry Ministry to approach each [car brand] to propose export destination expansion to new countries. We are planning to travel to several countries such as Japan and South Korea, ” he said.
According to Gaikindo data, Indonesian car manufacturers have exported around 180,900 completely built up (CBU) vehicles as of October, exceeding the association’s revised annual export target of 175,000 CBU vehicles.
However, it remains lower than Gaikindo’s initial export target of 350,000 vehicles.
In 2019, the Philippines became Indonesia’s largest car export destination with more than 86,000 CBU cars shipped to the country, followed by Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Japan.
Yohannes said that carmakers could expand their export market to Australia, as the country had a relatively large car market but had yet to import automotive products from Indonesia.
Furthermore, the recent signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) by the 10 members of Asean alongside China, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and Australia would gradually reduce tariffs for passenger vehicles and automotive products, the association stated.
“We have sufficient manufacturing infrastructure. Both Indonesia and Australia use the right-hand steering wheel and we’re closer to Australia than other car-manufacturing countries.
With the RCEP, tariff barrier would also no longer be a problem in the future, ” Yohannes said.
During the discussion, BNI Asset Management equity fund manager Jefrix Kosiady said that Indonesia’s automotive industry had the potential to recover quickly if it followed China’s rebound trajectory.
Vehicle sales in China, the world’s biggest vehicle market, rose 12.5 per cent yoy in October from the same month last year, the seventh straight monthly rise, according to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), as reported by Reuters.
“We believe that Indonesia could follow China’s trajectory on vehicle spending once the pandemic is controlled, where big ticket items such as cars and properties become the first to recover, ” Jefrix said.
Furthermore, the return of people’s mobility is also expected to create demand for passenger vehicles especially as Covid-19 transmission remains prevalent as the public refrains from using public transportation, opting instead to use private vehicles.
“People still need to go out of their house, which means demand for vehicles still exist, ” he said. - The Jakarta Post/Asia News Network
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Mati Greenspan, a senior investigator at eToro and an outstanding bitcoin master, told the Express in a meeting that the redress of bitcoin from the $20,000 check was normal, and he sees the bitcoin cost outperforming its unequaled high later on with outright conviction.
“I don’t have the foggiest idea about what will occur later on. I’m truly not a soothsayer or anything like that. I trust that more than dread of control that decrease from the $20,000 crest was a greater amount of only a typical retracement,” Greenspan stated, underlining that an unexpected increment in estimation of an advantage is regularly caught up with a retracement.
“At whatever point the bitcoin value moves and bounces into another request of extent, we have to see a type of retracement on that. It’s a similar thing that when it hopped up from eight pennies to $3.50 then it had a retracement back to a dollar. That is an extremely ordinary thing after that sort of jump. So in the event that we take a gander at it now I trust we are around five or six percent up finished the value a year back,” he included.
A few investigators in the course of recent months have expressed that the redress of bitcoin from $20,000 to $6,000 is reminiscent of its droop in 2014, amid a period in which bitcoin neglected to recoup for more than a year following an underlying 80 percent decrease in esteem caused by the now-dead digital money trade Mt. Gox.
Be that as it may, the market is in an alternate state and the worldwide digital currency trade advertise has a day by day exchanging volume of $30 billion. The liquidity and volume of the market are unique to the levels in 2014 and the association of institutional financial specialists and expansive scale retail dealers has prompted different open instruments, for example, bitcoin fates that have enabled the market to develop.
Most as of late, CCN revealed that Goldman Sachs, one of the biggest speculation banks in the back part, has formally chosen to dispatch a cryptographic money exchanging work area subsequent to prodding its passageway into the bitcoin showcase for well more than a half year.
Rana Yared, an official at Goldman Sachs, said that most merchants and financial specialists at Goldman Sachs stay doubtful towards cryptographic forms of money. In any case, because of overpowering interest from its customers and the ability of its speculators to possess bitcoin as an elective store of significant worth, Yared said that the bank needed to begin encouraging the interest for bitcoin.
“I would not portray myself as a genuine adherent who awakens figuring Bitcoin will assume control over the world. For relatively every individual required, there has been close to home incredulity conveyed to the table. It impacts us when a customer says, ‘I need to hold Bitcoin or Bitcoin fates since I think it is a substitute store of significant worth,'” said Yared.
Greenspan, extremely rich person financial specialist Mike Novogratz, and digital money speculation firm Pantera Capital CEO Dan Morehead, alongside numerous other real cryptographic money speculators have noticed that the bitcoin cost is probably going to outperform its unsurpassed high in 2018. Given its development rate over the previous month and its fast recuperation, bitcoin will be able to come to the $20,000 stamp on the off chance that it can support its exchanging and exchange volume.


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A Russian court seconded a prior decision today when it determined that Google violated anti-trust laws by forcing Android phone manufacturers to include its apps on devices by default. The suit claimed that the company broke Russian law by requiring the country's manufacturers to bundle its apps on Android devices that came with the Play Store pre-installed. Essentially, if a phone manufacturer wants to include the official Play Store on its devices by default, Google stipulates that 10 other apps have to be included on the device, as well.
Naturally, Russian search engine competitor Yandex wasn’t thrilled with these requirements, prompting it to bring this suit to court. It won in October, and although Google attempted to appeal, this decision suggests the company will have to change the requirements put on its hardware partners, at least in Russia.
Ten of Google's other apps have to be pre-installed in addition to the Play Store
Google faces similar allegations in the EU. The European Commission launched an investigation nearly a year ago that's looking into Google's bundling practices and whether its control over Android systems allows its apps to dominate the market. For its part, the company said because its services are free, it can't be violating anti-trust laws. Still, the EU claims this isn't the case and that Google's practices give it the upperhand on competition.
Google couldn't comment on the court case in Russia, a spokesperson told The Verge, as it hadn't yet received the full court judgment.
Correction March 15th, 2:11 PM ET: This story was updated to clarify and reflect a more accurate count of the number of apps that must be bundled with the Play Store. We also removed mention of a settlement in the EU's Android investigation, as this hasn't happened yet, and Google is still waiting for action.


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- Lawyers warn Elon Musk could face an SEC probe for pumping BTC price through his tweets.
- Tesla revealed that it has purchased $1.5 billion worth of Bitcoin.
- However, Tesla’s public invasion into BTC has contributed to this latest price spike, with Musk’s influential tweets.
Elon’s BTC Pumping Tweets Could Get Him in Trouble
Elon tweeted about Bitcoin on a number of occasions. This helped the Bitcoin price to reach its highest level. Because of this, Elon might get in trouble with the SEC. However, a lawyer said it is not clear if it’s because Tesla bought $1.5 billion worth of BTC.
Earlier this week, Tesla said that it has bought $1.5 billion worth of Bitcoin. The announcement led to speculation over whether many major corporates would do the same.
Prior to this, Tesla said in December 2020 they were looking into buying Bitcoin. Between December and now Elon has tweeted a lot about Bitcoin which affected its price. In late January, the Bitcoin price surged 20% after Musk added #Bitcoin to his Twitter bio.
Even more, in late December he posted an explicit meme suggesting he was strongly tempted to buy Bitcoin. However, Tesla’s public invasion into BTC has contributed to this latest price spike, with Musk’s influential tweets.
Nevertheless, Tesla filed the $1.5 billion BTC purchase with the SEC, so the latter should have had knowledge about the act. Also, if they wanted to act on it, they would have done so already.
Not Elon’s First Time
Other celebrities also posted multiple tweets backing Bitcoin. However, some in the crypto world aren’t impressed. More so, social media activity for Bitcoin is at an all-time high following a massive endorsement from Elon.
Joshua Frank, Co-Founder and CEO of crypto data provider The TIE, mentioned there have been 143,000 tweets over the past 24 hours from “non-bot accounts.”
However, this is not the first time that Elon has encountered this threat. Last year he was accused of posting misinformation on the platform with regard to the “closing” of one of his factories.
Furthermore, Galaxy Digital CEO Mike Novogratz compared Elon’s comments with his notorious “funding secured” tweet in 2018. During this time, he asserted he was thinking about taking Tesla private at $420. Elon agreed to pay a fine and stepped down as Tesla chairman to settle with the US SEC over the matter.


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Capcom has released the first Wii U trailer of Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate. The trailer includes gameplay footage, and we have to say, it’s looking pretty good, with lots of different and lush environments showcased. It also showcases the Wii U and 3DS cross-play feature. Mosnter Hunter 3 Ultimate will be released in March 2013, exclusively for the Wii U and 3DS. Players will be able to import and share their save games between the two platforms, and play together on the Wii U console. Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate will run in 1080p on Nintendo’s new console. For more media, check out some of the recent screenshots of the game.
- Lost Reavers is a great… concept [VIDEO
- Humble Friends of Nintendo Bundle gets 3 new titles
- Terraria headed to Wii U on June 28
- Super Meat Boy Wii U release on May 12


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Riyadh: The Saudi Ministry of Commerce has imposed fines on those who violate the online trade law.
According to foreign media, the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement on Twitter that fines were imposed on those who violated the law of online commerce, who were involved in the violation of the law regarding the advertising campaign.
24 people were fined for violating the online trading law, including 14 women.
The Ministry of Commerce said that the advertisers were guilty of fraudulent, misrepresentation, advertising illegal activities, they kept consumers unaware that what they were posting on social media was part of an advertising campaign.
The Ministry of Commerce said that the advertisement campaign that misleads the consumers will be taken into consideration in the future as well.


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Layered Technologies, Named on 2009 Tech Titans List
Worldwide supplier of on-demand IT infrastructure, Layered Technologies, Inc, has been named to the 2009 Tech Titans Fast Tech 5 Year Listing by the Metroplex Technology Business Council, the biggest technology trade organization in Texas. The Tech Titans Fast Tech Award yearly recognizes the quickest growing technology corporations in the DFW Metroplex, primarily based on proportion of revenue expansion during five-year or 1 year periods.
Jack Finlayson,CEO of Layered Tech discussed “Layered Tech is happy to be discussed alongside other DFW-area technology suppliers and to be famed for the technology innovation and expansion that our team has worked so problematical to achieve. Layered Tech’s double-digit rate of growth is driven by our capability to meet customers’ desires by ceaselessly developing, augmenting and broadening our solution sets with a stress on automated solutions that create operational and cost efficiencies for our consumers and Layered Tech.
While we measure our performance by making a contribution to our customers’ success, industry recognition like the Tech Titans Fast Tech Award reflects our powerful market position. North Texas is one of the state’s technology epicenters, and Layered Tech was listed among powerhouses like ATT and rising leaders like MetroPCS. Corporations considered for the Tech Titans Fast Tech Award can be public or personal and from any technology segment, including communications, PC and marginals, Web , life sciences, semiconductors, software and media.
To be accepted for the ranking, firms must own exclusive technology ; Layered Tech has a completely automated Web hosting platform called Astro that significantly accelerates the availability and provisioning of servers for shoppers and channel partners alike.
As a winner in the five-year expansion class, Layered Tech is fit for the Deloitte Technology Fast 5 hundred, which recognizes the five hundred fastest-growing technology firms in the States and Canada. The ranking of the 2009 five-year and one-year list is scheduled to be announced at the yearly Tech Titans / Fast Tech Awards Gala Event on August twenty-eight, 2009 at the Renaissance Hotel Dallas-Richardson in Richardson, Texas.
Cindi Keith, partner / technology promoting business frontrunner, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and co-chair of the MTBC’s Tech Titans steering panel added, “The Tech Titans and Tech Titans Fast Tech Awards give the premier recognition of fast-growing, highly leading edge firms that make a contribution to the vibrancy of the North Texas economy and make our area an exciting place to live and work. We’re looking forward to showcasing the true leaders in our industry and celebrating their tough work and creativity.”. The Tech Titans Awards were launched in 2001 by the Metroplex Technology Business Council, North Texas’ most complete organization supporting technology.
The respected yearly contest recognizes excellent technology firms and people in the North Texas area who have made contributions during the last year hereabouts, as well as to the technology industry overall. The Tech Titans council is a grouping of dedicated volunteers who organize the awards rite every year, and judges for the challenge are drawn from a number of disciplines in technology, leaders in the DFW area and past winners.
The MTBC produces numerous events, including monthly Management Luncheons, Technical Luncheons, RFID Special Interest Group events, Chairman Forums, Tech Week in Austin and the yearly Tech Titans Awards and Fast Tech event.
Layered Technologies is a leading global provider of managed dedicated hosting, on-demand virtualization/cloud computing and Web services. By providing high-quality technology, infrastructure and support, Layered Tech enables customers to eliminate capital expenses and save on operating costs while focusing on core business issues. Layered Tech’s scalable infrastructure powers millions of sites and Internet-enabled applications including e-commerce, software as a service (SaaS), content distribution and more. Our clients range from leading-edge Web 2.0 startups, successful mid-sized enterprises and some the world’s largest consultancy and integration firms.
For more information about Metroplex Technology Business Council (MTBC), please visit: www.metroplextbc.org/techtitans.
To learn more information about Layered Technologies, please visit: www.LayeredTech.com.
Tags: annual tech titans, awards, business, business council, companies, customers, fastest-growing technology companies, growth, industry, layered, layered tech, metroplex, metroplex technology, metroplex technology business, mtbc, north, north texas, tech, tech award, tech titans, tech titans awards, technology, technology business, technology business council, technology companies, texas, titans, titans fast tech


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The Trump Organization laid off 1,500 people after it closed over a dozen properties due to the novel coronavirus pandemic
The Trump Organization has laid off or furloughed around 1,500 employees as a result of closures related to the novel coronavirus, the Washington Post reported. The move mirrors those made like other major hotel chains, like Marriott International. A report from The New York Times said the organization had contacted Deutsche Bank to ask if it could defer payments on outstanding loans. The president previously admitted his businesses have suffered as a result of COVID-19 and said he was not sure if the company would take government bailout assistance. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
The Trump Organization, the company owned by President Donald Trump and managed by his two sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, has laid off around 1,500 people due to COVID-19. The furloughs and layoffs have taken place in both the US and in Canada, at the president's properties in New York, D.C., Miami, Chicago, Las Vegas, Vancouver, and Honolulu, according to the report. More than 200 of the layoffs occurred at the president's hotel in Vancouver, and 75% of the employees at his Chicago hotel were laid off. The layoffs were first reported on Friday by The Washington Post. According to the report, 17 Trump properties around the world have been closed due to the novel coronavirus. The properties that remain open are running at a "fraction" of their normal capacity, The Washington Post reported. Combined, the closed properties generated about $650,000 each day for the organization, according to the president's previous financial disclosures, the Washington Post said. The Trump Organization did not immediately return a Business Insider request for comment. Other major hotel chains have taken similar steps as the pandemic has had a severely negative impact on the businesses and the global economy. Marriott International announced it expected that "tens of thousands" of employees would be furloughed as it, too, shutters hotels worldwide due to the pandemic, The Wall Street Journal reported. Marriott had not laid off or furloughed any corporate employees, according to the report. According to a Thursday report from The New York Times, the Trump Organization reportedly reached out to Deutsche Bank at the end of March to ask if they could delay payments of some of the "hundreds of millions of dollars of outstanding loans," they've taken from the bank. Last month, the president admitted his businesses were struggling due to measures taken to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. At the time, Trump said he wasn't sure whether his organization would accept any government bailout money and told reporters he did not discuss his businesses with his sons who run them. "I wouldn't say it's thriving when you decide to close down your hotels and your businesses, no," Trump told reporters. "Yeah, it's hurting me. It's hurting Hilton and it's hurting all of the great hotel chains all over the world. It's hurting everybody. He added: "I don't know. I just don't know what the government assistance would be for what I have. I have hotels. Everybody knew I had hotels when I got elected. They knew I was a successful person when I got elected, so it's one of those things."
Over the course of the month, Trump properties will owe more than $1.8 million in property-tax bills from local jurisdictions, The Washington Post reported. The Trump Organization has not paid $54,534.25 in rent — due April 1 — on land leased from Palm Beach County for the Trump International Golf Club West Palm Beach, a county representative told the Washington Post. The DC paper reported the company has until April 10 to pay the rent without penalty. Join the conversation about this story » NOW WATCH: Why Pikes Peak is the most dangerous racetrack in America
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An iconic LA hotel known for its celebrity clientele might be converted into a private residential club. It's one of many signs the pandemic has thrown the hotel industry into chaos.
The celebrity-beloved Chateau Marmont hotel in Los Angeles may be turned into a private residential club,...The celebrity-beloved Chateau Marmont hotel in Los Angeles may be turned into a private residential club, Craig Karmin reported for The Wall Street Journal. The owner, hotelier André Balazs, told the Journal that the coronavirus pandemic had sped up his plans to transform the iconic Hollywood hotel. The proposed transformation is a sign of the uncertain future of the hotel industry, which has scrambled to adapt to the coronavirus era. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Chateau Marmont, an iconic Los Angeles hotel beloved by celebrities, may be converted into a private residential club by the end of the year, its owner told The Wall Street Journal. Hotelier André Balazs said the coronavirus pandemic had sped up his plans to transform the hotel, which he'd been considering for three years. Like hotels across the US, the Chateau has suffered during the pandemic. The hotel laid off most of its staff without severance — more than 200 employees — in late March. Page Six reported that Balazs himself created a GoFundMe relief fund for the staffers — but by May 1, many of them said they hadn't yet received the funds. A spokesperson for Balazs told the Journal that the hotel's lack of severance pay was consistent with other non-union properties and that the money from the GoFundMe was distributed to laid-off staffers in order of seniority. Although Chateau Marmont has been a traditional hotel that can be booked online, its exclusivity means it wouldn't be such a stretch to turn it into a members-only club, according to the owner. "We have always screened our guests," Balazs told the Journal. "Guests are never more than one degree of separation away." Chateau Marmont has built up a reputation as an iconic Hollywood destination. Over the years, the hotel's guests have included writer F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Doors musician Jim Morrison, and countless other celebrities. Late celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain once said the Chateau was his favorite hotel in the world. In 2012, actress Lindsay Lohan was reportedly banned from the Los Angeles property after skipping out on paying a more than $46,000 tab following her 47-day stay. Through his André Balazs Properties, Balazs also owns the Mercer Hotel in New York City, the Chiltern Firehouse hotel in London, and Sunset Beach, a beachside property near the the Hamptons. The hotelier told the Journal that depending on the response to Chateau Marmont's transformation, he may open up members-only clubs around the world in places like Milan, Paris, Tokyo, and the south of France or a private island in Greece. An uncertain future for hotels The upcoming transformation of Chateau Marmont is just one example of the shifting landscape of the hotel industry, which has been ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic. On May 20, seven out of 10 hotel rooms in the US were sitting empty and thousands of hotels were completely closed, according to the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA). Hotels have lost billions in room revenue since the start of the pandemic, and at least 70% of hotel employees were laid off or furloughed, per the AHLA. To make guests feel safe and attract desperately-needed business, the industry scrambled to implement creative solutions. Hotels started offering contactless check-in, limiting capacity, and cutting out daily housekeeping in order to reduce person-to-person interaction. In the long-term, some top travel and hospitality CEOs expect the pandemic to prompt a shift toward smaller, boutique hotels. Hotel designers and architects predict that amenities like gyms will be replaced by in-room fitness offerings, meetings and conference space swill be reconfigured, and the hotel breakfast buffet will be no more, as Alesandra Dubin reported for Business Insider.SEE ALSO: Hotels, motels, and resorts are never going to be the same. What you can expect the next time you plan a vacation. DON'T MISS: This is the future of hotel design after coronavirus, according to hospitality architects Join the conversation about this story » NOW WATCH: Why electric planes haven't taken off yet
Hotels, motels, and resorts are never going to be the same. Here's what you can expect the next time you plan a vacation.
Hotels, motels, and resorts will be forever changed by the coronavirus pandemic. Business Insider spoke to...Hotels, motels, and resorts will be forever changed by the coronavirus pandemic. Business Insider spoke to top travel CEOs from companies like Hilton, Club Med, and Aman Resorts about how the coronavirus will change the experience of staying in a hotel. Hoteliers predict that travelers will prefer smaller, less dense hotels and outdoor amenities. Breakfast buffets could become a thing of the past, and room service could come in the form of a bag dropped outside your door. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Hotels and resorts are in a state of crisis. As of May 20, seven out of 10 hotel rooms in the US were sitting empty and thousands of hotels are completely closed, according to the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA). Hotels have lost more than $25 billion in room revenue since the start of the pandemic, and 70% of hotel employees have been laid off or furloughed, per the AHLA. Empty hotels are desperately selling bonds for future discounted travel. But as US states and other countries start to reopen, hotel companies are looking ahead to make travelers feel safe and to entice them into coming back to their properties. Many major hotel brands, including Marriott — the world's biggest hotel company — Best Western, Hilton, and Hyatt Hotels, have pledged to abide by the AHLA's new Safe Stay guidelines for everything from contactless check-in to new cleaning standards and protocols. Here's what you can expect the next time you stay at a hotel or resort. People may seek out smaller, less dense lodging One major change travelers might see in hotels in the future is a change in design. "I think that people are going to migrate towards smaller properties, or perhaps migrate to properties that have larger open spaces and are not as high-volume," Mark Durliat, CEO and cofounder of Grace Bay Resorts in Turks and Caicos, recently told Business Insider's Madeline Stone. Carolyne Doyon, CEO and President of Club Med North America, told Business Insider that she believes "there will be increased demand for resort options that are less dense ... resorts that are integrated in, and respectful of, their surrounding natural environments and are spread out across larger areas." Visually, she predicts a big change to the design of resorts too, with a pivot to "low-rise buildings that blend in rather than traditional concrete high-rises." The humble motel may even make a comeback. Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, which has adopted the AHLA's Safe Stay protocols and owns brands like Super 8 and Days Inn, is already seeing rising demand for its properties with exterior corridors — also known as motels — per The New York Times. Dave DeCecco, Wyndham's vice president of global communications, told Business Insider that motel owners are finding several benefits to the traditional motel design. For one, motels don't have interior hallways or large social spaces, limiting guests' exposure to other people and lowering the risk of infection. On top of that, the fact that guests can park directly outside their room further limits their exposure to strangers. Contactless check-in and temperature screenings upon arrival Hotels that didn't already have contactless check-in are now offering it via smartphone app to cut down on person-to-person interaction. At Hilton, for example, guests can check in using its Digital Key system, which opens any door a guest would normally access with a key card. That includes guest rooms, elevators, side doors, and fitness centers. Many brands, including Club Med and Loews Hotels, have said they will screen guests' temperatures when they arrive at the hotel. No more noisy neighbors: Some hotels will only fill 50% of their rooms Contactless check-in isn't the ony way your next hotel experience may involve fewer people. The next time you stay in a hotel, the rooms on either side of yours may be empty. Some cities, counties, and hotel brands have announced they will operate at no more than 50% occupancy for the foreseeable future. At some of its resorts that are reopening, luxury resort brand Aman Resorts will "skip a key," or only make every other room available for reservation, COO Roland Fasel told Business Insider. California's San Luis Obispo County is limiting hotel and short-term lodging occupancy rates to no more than 50% — and only for essential travel — in an order by the county health officer that went into effect May 17 and will be reevaluated every two weeks. And Pensacola Beach in Florida limited its hotels to half-capacity back in March, keeping them open throughout the pandemic. No more daily housekeeping Your hotel room itself may look a bit different than it did before the pandemic. The Four Seasons will place "Lead With Care" kits in each guest room that include masks, hand sanitizer, and sanitization wipes. Best Western, which has more than 5,000 hotels worldwide, said it will remove "unnecessary items" like decorative pillows from guest rooms as part of its enhanced sanitization procedures. And Hilton is doing away with the pen, paper, and guest directory normally provided in each room unless specifically requested. Another major change travelers can expect to see is the frequency of housekeeping. The standard that guests have come to expect in hotels is daily housekeeping unless they request their room be skipped. That's an expectation that's about to invert. For those hotels abiding by the AHLA's Stay Safe guidelines, housekeeping will no longer enter a guest's room during their stay unless specifically requested. Rooms will continue to be cleaned thoroughly after check-out. The new room service: a bag outside your door, or a server in full PPE Travelers who frequent high-end hotels may be accustomed to room service delivered straight into their room by a dapper server pushing a white tablecloth-clad cart. But in the time of coronavirus, the AHLA recommends that traditional room service be replaced with a no-contact delivery method. Gregg Fracassa, general manager at Snow King Resort in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, recently told Business Insider that in-room dining service will come "in the form of a market bag left at the door." Aman Resorts said it has seen increased demand for in-room dining during the pandemic. Staff is still delivering meals into rooms — while wearing full PPE. "All in-room dining is served with food and drinks covered, and staff wear PPE [personal protective equipment] upon delivery," Fasel said. "If guests feel comfortable with us dropping the food off in their room we do so, however we can also place it on a table in the entrance." Say goodbye to the traditional hotel buffet The beloved continental breakfast buffet may be a thing of the past. Traditional buffet service should be limited and prepackaged foods and "grab and go" items should be the preferred method of food delivery, per the AHLA. Best Western has said that some of its breakfast rooms could be closed to avoid unnecessary guest congregation, and some of its hotels may switch to a pre-plated breakfast to minimize guest contact. If a hotel does choose to offer a buffet, it should be served by an attendant wearing PPP and food displays should include sneeze and cough screens. Expect to be wearing a mask during your spa treatments That brings us to amenities: Hotels love to tout their amenities, from pools and saunas to gyms and restaurants. But during a pandemic, shared spaces where groups of people gather can be cause for unease. The good news for amenity-seekers is that AHLA guidelines allow for fitness centers, pool areas, and meeting spaces to stay open — as long as they are configured for social distancing and disinfected multiple times per day. However, some amenities will take on a different look. Luxury spa treatments will continue, but they might take place inside your hotel room rather than at the hotel spa, and your massage therapist may be wearing full PPE. At Aman Resorts, which is known for its wellness offerings, all spa therapists will wear masks, as well as gloves if the guest requests them, Fasel told Business Insider. Therapists will change their PPE between each treatment and treatment rooms will have a minimum 30-minute turnover time to ensure proper cleaning and sanitization. Aman recommends that guests wear masks during treatments. Aman has also expanded its in-room spa services. In the spa area, only one person is allowed at a time inside shared enclosed spaces like steam rooms and saunas. These changes could also be accompanied by a growing demand for outdoor amenities. "When social distancing restrictions are lifted, we foresee our guests wanting to be outside, rather than confined indoors," David Bowd, CEO of Salt Hotels and operator of The Asbury and Asbury Ocean Club in Asbury Park, New Jersey, recently told Business Insider. "Catering to this expected demand, we'll be focusing on outdoor programming, such as outdoor movies and pool events." Aman Resorts will expand its nature experiences, such as offering a new foraging trek combined with a kitchen garden tour and outdoor cooking class at its Amankila resort in Bali, Fasel said. Ramped-up cleaning protocols and social distancing rules Hotels have vowed to boost their cleaning procedures and train employees in proper safety protocols. Per the AHLA's Stay Safe guidelines, hotels will offer employees COVID-19 safety and protocol training and require that workers frequently wash their hands and wear proper PPE based on CDC recommendations. Common spaces like lobbies, gym equipment, pool seating, and dining surfaces, as well as other high-touch surfaces like elevator buttons and door handles, are to be disinfected multiple times per day. Many hotels have said they're installing hand sanitizing stations throughout their properties. Marriott is rolling out new cleaning technologies, like electrostatic sprayers that use hospital-grade disinfectant to sanitize surfaces, with the help of its new Global Cleanliness Council that was created to develop enhanced health and safety guidelines for Marriott's 7,300 properties, Business Insider's Melissa Wiley reported. Per the AHLA guidelines, hotels will advise guests to practice social distancing and stay at least six feet away from people not traveling with them. Hotels will make certain areas for appropriate distancing and, where possible, encourage one-way walkways. In some cases, lobby furniture and other seating areas, such as pool chairs and cabanas, will be spaced far enough apart to promote social distancing.SEE ALSO: An empty lot on Miami's 'Billionaire Bunker' is listed for $32 million, and it shows just how valuable land is on the high-security island with its own 13-person police force DON'T MISS: Staying in a hotel will be very different post-pandemic — here are the new safety and cleaning plans and precautions being implemented by every major hotel brand Join the conversation about this story » NOW WATCH: How waste is dealt with on the world's largest cruise ship


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TV heart-throb Jimmy Doherty hailed the “world beating” qualities of food produced in North Wales when he opened the two-day Llangollen Food Festival.
After the official opening, Jimmy, star of the hit BBC series, Jimmy’s Farm, was mobbed by fans wanting his autograph.
He later signed copies of his book and took part in cookery demonstrations.
The organisers, the Cadwyn Clwyd Rural Development Agency, was delighted with the turn-out which saw thousands of food lovers flock to the International Eisteddfod pavilion where the event was held.
Appropriately, there was an international flavour to this year’s event with food producers travelling from Spain, Portugal, France and Ireland to join the annual crop of indigenous companies.
The increasingly popular festival is now a firm favourite on Wales’ culinary calendar – and it was certainly a hit with Jimmy Doherty.
The 30-year-old said: “I am very impressed with the Llangollen Food Festival because it started very small with just 20 producers and has grown so that it has 82 producers.
“There’s also a nice dash of international food producers. I think that’s important for a local food festival because it adds diversity and it shows that this region is world-class and world-beating.
“You can compare your produce to some of the best food from Spain, Italy and France and you can say: ‘what we do in Wales is really, really good’.”
“I think it’s important for people to be patriotic about their local food culture and to understand that you’ve got to pay a fair price for real food.
“There’s no such thing as cheap food. You can go to a supermarket and get your buy one, get one free but down the line someone pays for it – be it the environment, transportation and whatever else.
“Buying local well-produced food does cost a bit more but it’s well worth it.
“Events like the Llangollen Food Festival provide an ideal shop window and also it’s a bit of fun.
“You sit down and have a chat with your friends and you get to talk to the producer, that’s key.
“When the consumer talks to the producer you cut out the middle man and it’s good for the food chain and it’s good for your health.”
A new development at the festival this year was the fact that it expanded into the town of Llangollen.
The award-winning Dai Chef held a number of the cookery demonstrations at his restaurant, Room 29, housed in the newly-refurbished Royal Hotel in the town centre.


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— Japan Nov Core CPI -0.5% Y/Y, 21st Drop In Row, But Above Oct -0.6%
— Japan Nov Total CPI +0.1% Y/Y, 2nd Y/Y Rise in Row
— Central Tokyo Dec Core CPI -0.4% Y/Y Vs Nov -0.5%, 20th Drop In Row
— Japan CPI Shows Nov Energy Costs +3.9% Y/Y Vs Oct +4.0%
TOKYO (MNI) – Japan’s national core consumer prices fell 0.5% in
November from a year earlier, posting the 21st straight y/y drop and
indicating that the economy is still mired in deflation, data released
Tuesday by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications showed.
But the pace of decline in the core CPI — excluding fresh food but
including energy — slowed from -0.6% in October, due largely to the
tobacco tax hike that took effect on Oct. 1.
Total national CPI, meantime, rose 0.1% in November from a year
earlier on higher costs for fresh vegetables, cigarettes and utilities,
marking the second straight monthly rise. In October, it posted the
first y/y rise since +0.4% in December 2008.
The tax hike raised cigarette prices 38.6% on year at the national
level in November, pushing up total CPI by 0.27 percentage point.
The November core CPI came in slightly better than the -0.6% median
forecast in an MNI survey of economists.
Continued sharp discounts on durable goods – refrigerators,
flat-screen TVs and personal computers — contributed to the core price
drop, overwhelming year-over-year gains in costs for tobacco as well as
gasoline and heating oil.
Core CPI has shown widespread declines in prices of goods and
services as retailers cut prices to lure cautious customers. In
addition, technological advances has made higher quality products
available at the same or lower prices.
High school tuition costs fell 17.4% in November from a year
before, contributing -0.49 percentage point to the total CPI.
Overall energy costs in November rose 3.9% following a gain of 4.0%
Electricity costs were up 2.0% y/y in November vs. +3.0% in October
while city gas was up 6.1% vs. +6.8% the previous month. Prices of
refined petroleum products rose 5.0% in November following a +4.0% in
October, but slower than +7.0% in August, +7.8% in July and +12.3% in
June. The y/y rise in gasoline prices was faster at +4.3% in November
from +2.7% in October, while the pace of increase in heating oil
accelerated to +12.4% in November from +12.3% in the previous month.
The average price of regular gasoline in Japan rose to Y133.7
($1.60) per liter, or $6.1 per gallon, last week from Y133.2 in the
previous week, posting the fourth straight weekly rise, according to
data released last week by the Oil Information Center.
The Bank of Japan has said high school tuition cuts, whose effect
on CPI will last for 12 months from last April, should be excluded when
gauging the consumer price trend.
The BOJ has also said that the year-on-year rate of decline in core
CPI is expected to slow as the negative output gap — excess capacity
vs. slack demand — continues to shrink gradually. The bank’s board
expects the core CPI to rise 0.1% on average in fiscal 2011 after two
years of declines.
The government also expects the CPI to start rising on a
year-on-year basis in fiscal 2011 and seeks to achieve an average 1%
rise in prices through fiscal 2020. Unlike some other countries, Japan’s
government and central bank do not set a common inflation target.
On a month-over-month basis, the core national CPI fell 0.1% in
November after a gain of 0.4% in October, due chiefly to lower food
Meanwhile, central Tokyo core CPI fell 0.4% year-on-year in
December, the 20th straight y/y drop, but a slight improvement from
-0.5% in November.
The December decline was the smallest since the unchanged reading
in April 2009. It was the smallest drop during the current downtrend
that began with -0.7% in May 2009 and bottomed out at -2.2% in October
Tokyo-area gasoline and heating oil prices continued to rise from
year-earlier levels. Gasoline rose 4.2% y/y in December vs. +3.9% in
November while kerosene was up 10.1% in December vs. +7.9% in the
Overall energy costs in the area rose 3.2% y/y in December, down
from +4.1% in November
Month-on-month, core central Tokyo CPI fell 0.1% in December after
dipping 0.1% in November.
CPI figures date to 1970 under the current 2005 base year.
Other details from the latest data:
National CPI excluding food and energy, or the U.S. style core CPI
(y/y): November -0.9% vs October -0.8%, the 23rd straight on-year drop.
Tokyo CPI excluding food and energy (y/y): December -0.5% vs
November -0.6%, in negative territory for the 24th straight month.
** Market News International Tokyo Newsroom: 81-3-5403-4835 **


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News - Geely
Ambitious Geely heads into ride hailing
CaoCao trademark registration reveals Geely’s ambition for EV Uber rival
15 Feb 2018
CHINA’S biggest privately owned car-maker, Geely Automobile, appears to have ambitions to take its all-electric ride-hailing operation, CaoCao, to the world, including Australia.
Not content with buying up a string of western motor manufacturers, including Volvo Cars, London Taxi, Lotus Cars, Proton, truck-maker Volvo AB and, most recently, a chunk of Daimler, Geely’s billionaire founder Li Shufu has turned CaoCao into China’s biggest electric ride-sharing and car rental company in just one year.
CaoCao – named after a warlord in ancient China – reportedly has 12,000 Geely electric vehicles on its fleet, covering 17 of China’s biggest cities. So far, 10 million users have reportedly used the CaoCao ride-hailing app.
In Australia, Geely Holding Group has applied for trademark registration for CaoCao. The application is pending, with a decision imminent.
The company has also registered Lynk & Co, the name of Geely’s upmarket car brand that most pundits expect Geely will use to take its home-grown products into western markets, alongside Volvo, Lotus and Proton.
Unlike Uber, CaoCao exclusively uses one brand of vehicle – Geely – and one model – the mid-sized Emgrand EV sedan, which is an electric conversion of its top-selling Emgrand 7 sedan.
Powered by a 41kWh battery that can propel the car a claimed 300km on a single charge, the Emgrand EV was launched in 2017. Geely claims the battery can be 80 per cent charged in 48 minutes on a quick charger, or seven hours on a home socket.
The single 95kW/240Nm electric motor pushes the car from zero to 100km/h in 9.9 seconds.
Geely’s move into ride-hailing in China will help it to achieve increasingly stringent new government requirements for all motor manufacturers to sell at least 10 per cent electric vehicles by next year, and 12 per cent by 2020 and 20 per cent by 2025.
The rules – announced in September – are not only designed to counter shocking air pollution over Chinese cities and stem CO2 emission, but to also set China up as a world leader in electric car design and production.
Last year, Chinese motorists bought a record 605,500 plug-in passenger vehicles, along with a further 198,000 commercial vehicles.
This dwarfs the EV take up of other countries, with China now accounting for 49 per cent of the world’s EV passenger car volume.
Apart from electric propulsion, CaoCao says it is keen on pursuing autonomous driving technologies from Geely subsidiary Volvo to guide its cars most efficiently through mega cities.
It also has its eye on another Geely subsidiary, Terrafugia, a United States-based flying car start up that promises to have its products taking off from 2019.
The Road to Recovery podcast series
17th of November 2017
Geely takes off with Terrafugia
Chinese giant Geely acquires US-based flying car company Terrafugia
21st of July 2017
Volvo deepens tech ties with Geely, Lynk & Co
Electrification at heart of Volvo’s Lynk & Co buy-in and expanded Geely tech sharing
25th of May 2017
China’s Geely moves on Proton, Lotus
Proton acquisition by Geely may prove to be another win for DSI’s Aussie engineers
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Motor industry news


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Snoop Dogg has announced the launch of his new cigar brand Executive Branch.
The rapper, who was recently arrested in Texas for marijuana possession, plans to unveil the cigar brand during Coachella 2012, which he’s co-headlining with Dr. Dre. At the festival, patrons will be able to purchase Executive Branch Cigarillos, which will be sold for $0.99 a pouch with two cigars in each package.
The brand uses premium tobacco from the Dominican Republic and was hand-picked by Snoop “to ensure the highest quality,” according to a press release.
Watch a clip below where Snoop announces his brand.


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The hilarious Lewis Black took to The Daily Show last night to
rail against technology. It seems that our present isn't the
future he was promised growing up. Plus he has a great take on
Amazon's proposed delivery drones.
The Daily Show
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The hilarious Lewis Black took to The Daily...
Inside the world's biggest Maker Faire
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Welcome to Digital Industry Insider, our collaboration with GE to cover the 'Industrial Internet'
More "Digital Industry Insider" »


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21 October 2016 – Raphaels Bank, at the forefront of supporting the payments sector for more than a decade, has continued its successful run of Award wins. Last night it received recognition for its commitment to ground-breaking innovation in the prestigious 2016 Payment Awards by being named Financial Services Institution of the Year.
“We have a clear commitment to giving Payment Service Providers (PSPs) the ability to add value to their services through a wide range of payment solutions”, explained Janet Johnston, Head of Raphaels Bank Payment Services. “And this latest Award win, closely following last week’s success in the Emerging Payment Awards, is great recognition of that commitment.
“By opening up the Faster Payment Scheme for PSPs through a new direct access model, we are breaking new ground. And we expect to continue to expand our Faster Payments Scheme direct connection sponsorships during 2017 with a number of other innovative launches, further demonstrating our on-going commitment to collaboration with innovative and exciting fintech players.”
In the last year, Raphaels Bank Payment Services has developed and launched innovative payment propositions for both long-term and new partners, including Cash Passport, Avuba and Vodafone Pay. In August 2016 Raphaels also became the first new fully-operational participant of the Faster Payments Scheme, the UK’s 24/7 real-time payment service, since the scheme’s launch in 2008, allowing it to tailor solutions for fintech disruptors such as TransferWise.


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Mon, May 14, 2012 | 07:50 BST
Famitsu: Next Tales of game a “mothership” title
Famitsu’s said the announcement of the next Tales game in June will be a “mothership” game.
It basically means you can expect it to be a brand new game for HD consoles – like Vesperia, Graces or Xillia – rather than a remake or a spin-off.
The announcement at Tales Festival will be aired live online for Tales members on June 2, but commercials for the announces will air on Japanese network Fuji TV on May 21 and May 28.
Namco Bandai’s kicked off a countdown clock to the announce, currently at 19 days and ticking.


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John Deere has teamed up with National Grid to joint test an electric backhoe concept to meet the demands of customers who want to enhance machine reliability while lowering daily operating costs and overall emissions. Deere has already developed a battery-powered, electric vehicle design, referred to as E-Power. It will target the ease of operation and performance level of the diesel-powered 100 horsepower 310L Backhoe.
“We are excited to work with National Grid, a leader in promoting clean energy solutions, to test the John Deere electric backhoe design in real-world conditions,” said Jason Daly, global director, production systems, technology and marketing, John Deere. “John Deere is committed to developing innovative, robustly tested, and reliable equipment for our customers, unlocking measurable value through the incorporation of smart technology solutions in our machines. This project is another stepping stone in our backhoe innovation journey, intended to lead to subsequent electrification testing and design refinement.”
During the testing period, National Grid will be able to expand its use of electric equipment on jobsites. The company specializes in delivering electricity, natural gas, and clean energy to more than 20 million people across the northwestern United States. Currently, Deere is in the early Phase 1 development stage with its electric backhoe.
“National Grid is one of only two energy companies in the US to add electric backhoes to their fleets,” said Badar Khan, President, National Grid, US. “We are excited to work with John Deere to take an important step in electrifying our company vehicles, which could be revolutionary for our industry. Decarbonizing transportation remains a challenge in the journey to net-zero, and we’re hopeful that bringing on more electrified heavy-duty vehicles and equipment will help us make significant progress.”
More information on John Deere’s backhoe lineup can be found by visiting www.JohnDeere.com.


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Scientists at Stanford University and the U.S. Department of Energy’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in California have developed a coating for lithium metal batteries which they say could overcome safety and performance issues that hold back the promising technology.
Lithium metal batteries could offer far better energy density and much lower weight than current lithium-ion technology as they replace heavier graphite with lithium metal as the anode material. However, lithium metals don’t work well with conventional electrolytes, leaving scientists searching for a way to improve low efficiency and mitigate serious safety concerns to enable the technology to shine.
While other approaches have relied on engineering the electrolyte to be compatible with lithium metal, the Stanford researchers chose to focus on the lithium metal itself. They developed a coating that delivers lithium ions to the electrode uniformly, reducing the formation of dendrites and performance-damaging chemical buildup on the anode.
Solution processed coating
The coating, described in a paper published in the journal Joule, is solution processed and applied to the lithium metal anode. The anode was then combined with other commercially available components to create an operational battery. In the device, the coating was found to “simultaneously hinder electrolyte penetration, mitigate side reactions between Li [lithium] and electrolyte, maintain low interfacial impedance and allow homogenous Li deposition”, according to the summary of the paper published in Joule.
The battery maintained 85% of its initial power after 160 cycles. Though that is far lower than the figure for conventional li-ion batteries, the Stanford group noted, ‘regular’ lithium metal battery cells can only deliver around 30% after 160 cycles – the ones that haven’t exploded, that is.
“Our new coating design makes lithium metal batteries stable and promising for further development,” said Stanford Ph.D. student Zhiao Yu.
The group will now focus on refining design of the coating to further increase capacity retention and increase the number of cycles in battery testing.
“While use in electric vehicles may be the ultimate goal,” said Yi Cui, professor of materials science and engineering and of photon science at SLAC, “commercialization would likely start with consumer electronics, to demonstrate the battery’s safety.”
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Introducing a previously unreleased collaboration between Daft Punk and Jay Z, titled “Computerized”..
Washington DJ/Producer ENFERNO ties a firework to Drake’s “Pound Cake” single here..
This golden remix from Amsterdam producer Full Crates, smashes into Bey’s R&B record, injecting some..
L.A producer Amika Akaya drops a brand new hot release, in the shape of this edit of Beyonce’s..
Hip-Hop fans are treated to a brand new record from Timbaland, titled “Know Bout Me”, featuring Jay-Z, Drake…
This remix bleeds new life into an already firm favorite of mine, making this a hats off moment to No Pets Allowed from TML
With the release date of The Dream’s fifth solo album ‘IV Play’ set on May 28th, the NC R&B star releases his highly anticipated single ‘High Art’
CD quality finally surfaces of the brand new official remix of Kendrick Lamar‘s “B*tch Don’t Kill My Vibe” featuring none
Florida based production duo Urban Noize return with this Jay-Z & Lana Del Rey fused remix of Jay’s “Dirt Off Your
Kendrick Lamar just picked up the ultimate co-sign from Jay-Z, arguably Hip-Hop’s finest emcee.
So Justin Timberlake‘s music comeback is officially on, since the release of his brand new single “Suit & Tie” weeks
Florida’s finest remixers Urban Noize are back, and this time around un-leash a heavy remix of Beyonce‘s “Crazy In Love” smash hit
Justin Timberlake put on his first live concert in three years last night in New Orleans. Along with his live
It’s been some time since we had some new music from Justin Timberlake, and the world certainly has missed his
DC area native ENFERNO, fresh off ADE (Amsterdam Dance Event) buzz chart success, and a slew of major label remixes,


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Tampa Bay Business Journal by Michael Hinman Staff writer
Breaking News on the outcome of the Auction at the Place in Channelside-Tampa, Fl
The identity of the group in line to buy The Place at Channelside has yet to be revealed, but the purchase price is now public.
The 243-unit complex on Channelside Drive sold for $21.9 million during a bankruptcy court-ordered auction Wednesday, representing about $128,000 each for the unsold 171 units plus 12,930 square feet of retail.
Fisher Auction Co. Inc. and Cushman & Wakefield of Florida Inc. conducted the auction meant to help settle a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing from Key Developers Group LLC, which had hoped to maintain the property during the reorganization. However, the court instead chose an auction plan offered by KeyBank National Association – still owed $47.8 million – and a minimum bid was set at $17.25 million, or about 24 cents on the dollar.
More than 50 people gathered to participate in the auction, led by Lamar Fisher. Several people were involved in the bidding early on, but after amounts hit $19 million, it was a battle between two potential buyers, creeping up about $100,000 a time until the final amount fell just short of $22 million.
The bankruptcy court still has to approve the winning bid. Closing is scheduled for the end of October. If the bid stands, it will represent a sale of about $92.18 per square foot, well below the estimated original value of $350 per square foot.
“We opened the bidding low enough to get the market excited about it,” Byron Moger, executive director of apartment brokerage services for , said last month when the auction was first announced. “It won’t have high velocity, but it will have decent velocity, especially at a lower price point.”
Key Developers filed for bankruptcy in March, and joined several other condominium developments in the Channel District that sought bankruptcy protection or simply gave ownership back to the bank since the beginning of the year following the crash of the condominium market.
If you are interested in receiving notification when pricing on units becomes available please send an emaito: [email protected]
with the subject of “The Place”
We will be contacting you once the new grand opening occurs
The Place at Channelside sells for $21.9M


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Bentley the well known British automobile manufacturer is opting for a total switch to their combustion engine to electric engine by the year 2025. This total change to electric engine is the new plan of the ‘beyond 100’ business plan of Bentley. In this new strategy of beyond 100 the prime focus of the company is to take the growing environmental pollution due to the rising number of car in the road. With this new plan of a complete switch to fully electronic automobile Bentley is surely giving some major goals in protecting the environment. According to the statement made by the boss of Bentley Adrian Hallmark Bentley has defined the luxury grand touring since 1919 and the original Bentley boys were pioneers and leader, he all mentioned the beyond 100 plan and stated that they will continue to lead by reinventing the brand and become a benchmark to the world in luxury car business. On the issue of switching to fully electric engine hallmark commented that the most important thing is just not to make electric cars but to make Bentleys and to take 100 years of Bentley DNA and put it in modern context.
Bentleys Commitments and transition to EVs by 2030
- By 2021 Bentley will be launching two models equipped in plug in hybrids.
- Another models expected to launch in 2021 but still not confirmed is the Bentley Flying Spur PHEV, will come in power train featured from Porsche Panamera 4E Hybrid model.
- Bentley also made commitment to only launch plug in hybrids and fully electric models in the market by 2026.
- Finally the vision is to make Bentley a fully electric brand by 2030. Also the date is similar to the earliest date set by the UK government to fully ban all the sale of combustion engine cars.
- According to the previous news the company’s very first EV models will be a crossover sedan that is between a Traditional car and SUV. Although there is no details known yet, but during an event of beyond 100 Bentleys engineer Mattias Rabe stated that the car will be build on a totally new platform and also likely to be an electric- only version of architecture developed by the Porsche and Audi sister firm of Bentley.
- The company already revealed about their cars electric motor that will range from 811 hp to 1,359 hp that will depend on the spec of the car.
- Bentley will also become the first company to launch 2025 EV models with carbon neutral capacity in it.
- Although the number of electric car Bentley plans to launch other than the initial cars but engineer Rabe confirmed that work is going on a whole family of electric cars.
Another big part of beyond 100 plans is to make all the Bentley cars fully carbon neutral organization along with the switch to electric motors. As already Bentley is the only brand to have a carbon neutral factory in UK, the company has also targeted to make the firm more climate friendly and plastic neutral as a precautionary measure for our environment.


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In large multinational corporations, expertise that could jump start a stumbling marketing or development plan may be hidden within the staff ranks. Finding that staffer has long been a problem for corporate executives and project managers.
Managers at Procter and Gamble and Cisco Systems now have a variety of options, ranging from high-definition videoconferencing to instant messaging and wikis, for quickly bringing together people and their ideas.
P&G and Cisco have been sharing information and technology for seven years in their separate efforts to roll out a variety of collaboration tools - from both Cisco and other firms.
Using the tools have brought both companies the expected cost savings on travel and less wear and tear on their workers.
And as a bonus, both companies have been able to discover ideas and intellectual property previously hidden in cubicles in cavernous office buildings, said the managers during a roundtable discussion that took place over telepresence technology yesterday.
"We connect in clicks, with video anywhere and work everywhere, so work is not a place but something you do," said Laurie Heltsley, director of global business services at Cincinnati-based P&G. "The ultimate IP we have is [our] people and the collection of their expertise and everything associated with their identity."
With 138,000 workers in 80 countries, the $80 billion consumer products giant now finds collaboration tools to be a vital part of the business, she said. "It is an absolute necessity to be able to collaborate every day. We have a mandate to brainstorm, to listen, to innovate, where competition is fierce."
P&G found years ago that its product research and development teams could benefit from tapping expertise spread throughout the company, Heltsley said. "We've found we achieve more together than we achieve alone."
Heltsley said that the ability to detect the presence of another worker through an Internet connection - and to find out if they are available for an IM or phone chat or via other modes such as a video conference - has become the most important feature of collaboration tools for P&G. "It's not chat that's so important, although that's still central to this whole collaboration process," she said. "It's knowing someone is available and having the mechanism to know somebody is there you can contact that person."
Heltsley didn't offer specific savings figures from using the collaboration tools, though she noted that the company has saved $4 for every $1 invested in 70 high-end telepresence systems in four regions of the world the company started installing two years ago. Those high-definition systems are used four times as often as the prior versions of videoconferencing systems installed at the company.


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New Cadbury owner plugs 'inferior' Milka bar and chocolate lovers say it's a Krafty move to sideline Dairy Milk
The American food giant that bought Cadbury earlier this year has launched a multi-million-pound campaign promoting a rival to its much-loved Dairy Milk chocolate.
But Kraft’s sales drive for German-made Milka bars has fuelled concerns that Cadbury’s iconic products are to be sidelined.
Milka is made with powdered milk, compared with the famous ‘glass and a half’ of fresh milk in every half-pound of Dairy Milk, and is widely considered an inferior product by chocolate connoisseurs.
Kraft’s campaign includes supermarket discounting of Milka and adverts featuring Alpine cows.
Alpine advert: Kraft's Milka commercial sparked fears for Cadbury's bars
One senior executive within Cadbury said: ‘Kraft is developing Milka chocolate buttons and other parallel products to push Cadbury chocolate to the back of the shelf and then, eventually, off it.
‘Kraft doesn’t have loyalty to the Cadbury brand and it didn’t buy the company to promote its products in Britain – they bought Cadbury for its distribution network in India where there are a billion consumers.
‘They want to make the traditional Cadbury products a minor brand in favour of Milka.’
John Reynolds from Marketing magazine said:
‘Within Cadbury there is definitely concern about how Milka is being positioned and whether it will cannibalise sales of Dairy Milk.’
The Milka television advertisement features alpine cows, all of which are disguised as horses, sheep, ducks and chickens in an attempt to keep the great ‘secret’ of Milka hidden.
Cadbury is also running advertisements for Dairy Milk, which show the ‘Cadbury charmer’ magically creating towers of chocolate and milk out of spinning glass bowls, which he then mixes together.
Kraft’s £11.5billion hostile bid for Cadbury triggered fears about the company falling into foreign hands.
A Mail on Sunday campaign to Keep Cadbury British was supported by 28,000 readers, and Business Secretary Lord Mandelson warned the US giant he would keep a close eye on the takeover.
Since buying the company in February, Kraft provoked fresh fury after reneging on a pledge not to close down the Cadbury factory near Bristol with the loss of hundreds of jobs.
Production of Crunchies and Curly Wurlys is being moved 1,200 miles from the Somerdale plant to Poland.
The influential Business, Innovation and Skills committee of MPs said last month that the American multinational had acted ‘irresponsibly and unwisely’, had damaged its UK reputation and soured relations with employees.
Despite new pledges made by Kraft, worries remain about the future of the historic Bournville factory in Birmingham where the Cadbury brothers began making chocolate in 1879.
Last month, Cadbury marketing director Phil Rumbol, the man responsible for the award-winning advertisements featuring a gorilla playing the drums, added to the unease by quitting the company.
Felicity Loudon, the great-great-granddaughter of company founder John Cadbury, said: ‘Many people have commented on the sudden promotion of Milka chocolate so soon after Kraft took over Cadbury and I’m sure it’s not a coincidence.
‘I fear Kraft is intent on burying the iconic Cadbury brands.
‘All that was predicted before the takeover is coming to pass and any promises to the contrary by Kraft will not be believed by the public in the light of their dealings over the Somerdale factory.’
Amoree Radford, who ran the campaign to try to save the Somerdale factory, said: ‘We haven’t got a clue what Kraft are planning for the Cadbury brands except that it’s not likely to be positive.
‘The Somerdale workers can’t help but notice that Milka products are being pushed on telly.
'The taste of my youth': Tom with his favourite bar
‘It won’t make any difference to Somerdale, which is going to close, but we also think that Bournville only has four to six years left before they move production to Poland. It all fits in, really.’
But Kraft spokesman Jonathan Horrell insisted: ‘These fears are totally unfounded. We bought Cadbury because we want to grow its fantastic brands across the world and we have been consistent and clear about that throughout.
‘We have been selling Milka for some time. The campaign is totally unrelated to our plans for Cadbury Dairy Milk, which are as ambitious as ever.’
Milka, complete with its distinctive logo, a lilac Montbeliard cow sporting a bell around its neck, was bought by Kraft in 1990 when the brand was sold in just two countries.
The chocolate was created in 1901 by Swiss chocolate company Suchard. Both The Kaiser’s and Hitler’s troops took Milka chocolate to war.
With powdered milk making up more than a fifth of each Milka bar, the brand is now available in 22 countries and has annual sales of about £1billion. The main production site is in Lorrach in Germany.
Dairy Milk is Britain’s most popular chocolate, with 2009 sales of £371million.
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Video Shows Teen Trying To Stop Friends In East Harlem Shopping Cart TossThe husband of the woman critically injured by a falling shopping cart in East Harlem last year said he never wants to see the chilling video of the incident.
Boy, 12, Sentenced In Shopping Cart Drop At Harlem TargetA Manhattan Family Court judge sentenced the boy Thursday to at least six and up to 16 months in a therapeutic foster home. She could later extend his stay.
Boy Headed To Boarding School After East Harlem Shopping Cart Drop A Manhattan Family Court judge decided Tuesday the boy should spend six to 16 months in the program. She could later extend his stay.
Taxi Union Head Says Turf War May Have Sparked Bronx Shopping Cart TossFernando Mateo, spokesman for the Federation of Taxi Drivers, said the incident that left two men seriously injured Monday night stems from a rivalry between legal and illegal livery drivers.
Judge To Rule Next Week In Harlem Shopping Cart TossOn Oct. 30, prosecutors say the boys, who were both 12 at the time, pushed a shopping cart off the fourth-floor walkway of an East Harlem parking garage critically injuring a woman.
Sentencing Delayed For Boy In Harlem Shopping Cart TossSentencing has been delayed for a 13-year-old boy who admitted to throwing a shopping cart off the fourth floor of a parking garage that injured a woman below.
Second Boy In Harlem Shopping Cart Toss Pleads GuiltyThe boys were accused of pushing a shopping cart off the fourth floor walkway of an East Harlem parking garage on Oct. 30.
Exclusive: Husband Of Shopping Cart Victim Marion Hedges: Her Health's 'In Fate's Hands'On Tuesday night he spoke about what happened to his wife and her ongoing fight to survive. Michael Hedges talked about the incident that’s made national headlines: his wife severely injured by a shopping cart tossed from four stories up.


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French publishing giant Ubisoft has scored the rights to stream Activision Blizzard's stable of games.
The Assassin's Creed maker has bought the right to do so via a one off transaction that sees the company receive the ability to stream Activision Blizzard games past and present for the 15 years following the deal.
“We’re dedicated to delivering amazing experiences to our players wherever they choose to play,” Ubisoft's SVP of strategic partnerships and business development Chris Early said.
“Over the past 15 years we’ve built and honed our online services and distribution ecosystem into one of the most complete in the industry. Today’s deal will give players even more opportunities to access and enjoy some of the biggest brands in gaming.”
This move is part of a restructured deal between Microsoft and Activision Blizzard designed to appease the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). That organisation is currently the only major regulatory body that is still opposing the deal. The CMA blocked the acquisition due to concerns over Microsoft's existing dominance in the cloud games space, something that would be enhanced by the addition of Activision Blizzard's line-up of content, including Call of Duty.
"To address the UK CMA’s concerns regarding cloud streaming, Microsoft announced it filed a new merger application in the UK that includes a divestiture for cloud streaming rights at closing with respect to current and new PC and console games," Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick wrote.
"We welcome Microsoft's decision to enter into this agreement and submit a new application to the CMA, which Microsoft believes will address the CMA’s concerns.
"For us, nothing substantially changes with the addition of this divestiture: our merger agreement with Microsoft, closing deadline, and the cash consideration to be paid for each Activision Blizzard share at closing remain the same. We will continue to work closely with Microsoft and the CMA throughout the remaining review process, and we are committed to help Microsoft clear any final hurdles as quickly as possible."
Microsoft president Brad Smith added in a blog post: "Under the restructured transaction, Microsoft will not be in a position either to release Activision Blizzard games exclusively on its own cloud streaming service – Xbox Cloud Gaming – or to exclusively control the licensing terms of Activision Blizzard games for rival services."