text:
The sudden collapse of a prime Silicon Valley lender has pushed tech buyers and startups to scramble to determine out their money publicity and the impact on their skill to run, at a time when quite a few companies had been currently on edge from prevalent layoffs and much less obtain to money in an uncertain overall economy.
California regulators closed down Silicon Valley Financial institution on Friday and place it beneath manage of the US Federal Deposit Insurance policies Corporation. The FDIC is acting as a receiver, which usually usually means it will liquidate the bank’s assets to pay back again its buyers, which includes depositors and creditors.
The go capped off a gorgeous 48 several hours all through which uncertainty about the distinguished tech lender’s liquidity prompted some startups to weigh withdrawing funds and also sparked fears of a contagion risk for the broader economic sector.
Following the bank’s collapse on Friday, uncertainty in the startup local community only grew, with founders stressing about receiving their money out, producing payroll and covering operating charges.
“Now that the bank has folded, I just want to know what happens next,” Ashley Tyrner, founder of wellbeing food stuff shipping and delivery business FarmboxRx, told CNN in an e-mail. “The FDIC handles 250K, but am I heading to recuperate my full 8 figures?”
Parker Conrad, the CEO and co-founder of HR system Rippling, reported Friday that his business has discovered that some customers’ payrolls are currently being delayed thanks to the bank’s “solvency issues.”
“Our leading precedence is to get our customers’ staff members paid out as soon as we maybe can, and we’re operating diligently toward that on all accessible channels, and seeking to master what the FDIC takeover usually means for today’s payments,” he wrote on Twitter.
Arjun Sethi, an investor at Tribe, tweeted Friday that “right now VCs are composing e-mails to disclose SVB publicity.” Meanwhile, Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAi and previous president of startup accelerator Y Combinator, mentioned investors should think about presenting “emergency money to your startups that have to have it for payroll or regardless of what.”
He added: “no docs, no conditions, just send funds.”
At the very least one particular company tried to get income brief, by offering a last-minute sale.
Ben Kaufman, co-founder of the undertaking-backed toy store and online retailer Camp, said in an e-mail to prospects that “most of our company’s income assets” have been held “at a lender which just collapsed.” In the exact electronic mail, Kaufman introduced a 40% off offer on all on line products for shoppers using the code: “BANKRUN.”
“Or you can fork out total cost devoid of the code– which is also appreciated,” he wrote. Kaufman mentioned all gross sales from this position forward “allow us to produce the cash necessary to continue functions so we can keep on to deliver unforgettable spouse and children recollections.”
Even prior to the collapse, a amount of startups were said to have weighed pulling their cash from the bank, in accordance to media studies and general public posts from undertaking capitalists.
Founders Fund, an influential enterprise cash organization launched by billionaire Peter Thiel, reportedly recommended its portfolio corporations to pull revenue from the financial institution. (A Founders Fund rep declined CNN’s request for remark). Tribe Funds, meanwhile, urged firms to be conscious of in which they continue to keep their dollars and how they fundraise.
“Any financial institution with a company model is lifeless if anyone moves,” Sethi wrote in a memo to founders, which he shared on Twitter. “Since possibility is nonzero and the charge, it is better to diversify your danger, if not all.”
Sethi urged founders to “hold your assets in the most liquid standard banking institutions, and do not choose pointless threats.” He also encouraged founders “call every personal debt line, near all key rounds, do it now, and be prepared to make concessions.”
But by time Tyrner’s firm experimented with to pull resources, it was as well late, she explained.
“The full SVB method was down,” she instructed CNN. “We could not log in to our accounts, could not make contact with everyone, their helpline rang to a “disconnected” concept or just hung up… none of our account reps would react to phone calls or e-mails.”
Other prominent enterprise capitalists had termed for tranquil in an evident bid to stay clear of fueling panic. Mark Suster, a companion at undertaking cash agency Upfront Ventures, urged these in the VC neighborhood to “speak out publicly to quell the panic” all around Silicon Valley Financial institution, expressing in a lengthy Twitter thread that “classic ‘runs on the bank’ hurt our entire procedure.”
While urging people to keep serene, however, he extra, “I know some have previously withdrawn revenue. I know some are advising this. I know it’s scary…What issues is that we really do not have or generate mass hysteria.”
Villi Iltchev, a partner at Two Sigma Ventures, equally said his friends must “support” the bank. “SVB is the most essential capital company to tech startups and the major supporter of the local community,” he explained in a tweet. “Now is the time to support them.”
The swiftly unfolding fallout at Silicon Valley Bank arrives at a hard second for the tech market. Mounting curiosity costs have eroded the straightforward entry to funds that served fuel soaring startup valuations and funded bold, revenue-losing projects. Enterprise funding in the United States fell 37% in 2022 in contrast to the year prior, according to data introduced in January by CBInsights.
At the exact same time, broader macroeconomic uncertainty and recession fears have prompted some advertisers and buyers to tighten spending, slicing into the industry’s income drivers. As a outcome, the the moment high-traveling tech entire world has fallen into a steep cost-slicing season marked by mass layoffs and a renewed concentration on “efficiency.”
The problem at Silicon Valley Financial institution may have been worsened by additional startups emotion pinched for hard cash and needing to withdraw funds. Now, the bank’s collapse dangers compounding the industry’s funds crunch and broader turbulence.
In his post suggesting a bailout might be needed, Ackman mentioned a Silicon Valley Bank “failure” could “destroy an important extensive-phrase driver of the financial system as VC-backed providers rely on SVB for loans and holding their running cash.”
Ackman as opposed SVB’s predicament to Bear Stearns, the very first bank to collapse at the start of the 2007-2008 global money disaster. But this time, the hassle is brewing in Silicon Valley’s backyard.
– CNN’s Allison Morrow contributed to this report.


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Crowds, gunfire greet release of coveted PlayStation 3NEW YORK (AP) -- Days of waiting paid off for Sergio Rodriguez, one of the relatively few able to buy Sony's PlayStation 3 when the coveted console went on sale early Friday.
He was among the die-hard gamers and entrepreneurs across the country who braved foul weather and heckling by passers-by all week for the chance to shell out $500 or more for the sleek game machine.
With shortages resulting from production problems, many had camped out for days without knowing if they'd be going home empty-handed. At some stores, the crowds got rowdy and stampeded for the shelves, injuring a man in Wisconsin and forcing authorities to shut down a Wal-Mart store in California.
In Connecticut, two armed thugs who got wise to the PS3's high price and tried to rob a line of people waiting outside a Putnam Wal-Mart store at 3 a.m. One person who refused to give up the money was shot, state police said. In Lexington, Kentucky, four people waiting outside a Best Buy were hit by BB pellets, though none was seriously injured, according to television station WKYT, whose own reporter was hit as she interviewed buyers.
Rodriguez had been waiting outside the New York Circuit City store since Sunday for the a midnight launch event, and he was the first to walk away with the PS3 as people still standing in line outside the store cheered.
"This is the best game ever. It's so worth the wait," the 25-year-old graphics designer said. "Some people may call me crazy, but I really love to play."
With Sony promising only 400,000 systems for the nationwide launch, the chance of disappointment was high. While retailers tried to keep expectations low, lines snaked around the block at many stores -- even those that weren't going to begin sales until later Friday.
Saby Madrigal, an 18-year-old college student who worked for a month at a liquor store to save for a PS3, waited in line outside the Circuit City for 24 hours without success. Still, she vowed to keep looking.
"For the work we had to do to get all the money to get the stupid system, I'm going to search every single store in town," she said. "I don't care, I'm going to get it."Read the full story at http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/11/17/playstation.ap/index.html.
This is craziness. David, who is about to cream his pants waiting for the release of the Nintendo Wii on Sat at midnight, has asked me to wait with him or at another location (motherfucker!). It is supposedly supposed to be about 35 degrees at midnight that night. Give me a gun and a bottle of Rumple. Do not worry about chilling it, it will be plenty cold. Luckily, Nintendo is not as greedy as Sony and has shipped more stations to the U.S., all the while being almost $ 300 cheaper. Some Playstation 3's have already reached $1,800

domain: news


text: This week marks the tenth anniversary of the iPhone. For hundreds of millions of us, this device has come to dominate our lives. But as with every revolution, something or somebody loses. Yes, there is darker side to how the iPhone — and its smartphone copycats — have changed us. Read more at CNN.


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Kia Teams Up with Google for UVO eServices
January 2, 2013 1:17 PM
comment(s) - last by
Google Maps and Google Places will come to Kia's UVO eServices telematics system
Kia is partnering up with Google to allow drivers access to applications like
and Google Places for a more convenient driving experience.
Google will provide its applications to Kia's UVO eServices telematics system, which offers various driving solutions such as directions. The new partnership will allow Kia drivers to locate Points of Interest (POI) and driving directions either in-car or via a mobile device.
Using the Send2Car feature, Kia drivers will be able to deliver a POI or set of directions to their car through the Google Maps via their Smartphone UVO app. Once inside the car, owners can use Google Places for other destination options such as finding a dealership.
The UVO eServices telematics system offers Google integration, an eServices Guide that explains what it does to the user, Car Care Web for vehicle information like behavior and maintenance, My POI for sending destinations from Google Maps to the UVO eServices system, Vehicle Diagnostics, 911 Connect and Parking Minder for when drivers forget where they left their car.
"The newest iteration of the UVO platform is a breakthrough as one of the industry's first mobile pure app-based telematics systems, and now with the Google solutions and APIs, we take the platform to yet another level of enhancement for the Kia customer," said Henry Bzeih, head of the connected car program and chief technology strategist at Kia Motors America. "Due to the popularity and ease-of-use of Google Maps, owners can remain confident in the technology and information being delivered to them."
The new Google-integrated generation of the UVO eServices telematics system will initially be available in the
Kia was recently busted by the EPA for
overstating estimated gas mileage claims
on most of its 2012-2013 vehicles.
It (as well as Hyundai) will be lowering the fuel economy estimates on the majority of their 2012 to 2013 models.
Some of the MPG window stickers that will require a change include the Hyundai Accent and the Kia Soul ECO. The Accent had its 30/40/33 (city/highway/combined) rating drop to 28/37/31. The Kia Soul ECO saw the biggest drop of any affected model going from 27/35/30 to 24/29/26.
This article is over a month old, voting and posting comments is disabled
RE: Never again...
1/2/2013 3:26:45 PM
Um, maybe you should get a better understanding of engine dynamics before spewing such nonsense, or try responding seriously. 4k in normal traffic? If you've actually had this problem before, maybe you should tried shifting?
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text:
Shares in Endologix (NSDQ:ELGX) slipped by 8% to $6.06 apiece in midday trading today following yesterday’s second-quarter results that beat The Street on earnings expectations and sales.
The Irvine, Calif.-based company reported a net loss of $27.1 million or -$1.50 per share on sales of $36.24 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019, for a loss of 13.6% on sales that fell by 19% compared with Q2 2019.
Adjusted to exclude one-time items, earnings per share were –$0.37, 43¢ ahead of The Street, where analysts were looking for sales of $36.09 million.
“We are pleased with our second-quarter results, as stronger execution led to a sequential improvement in revenue,” said CEO John Onopchenko in a news release. “Our culture of accountability is yielding tangible results, and our team continues to steadily leverage a growing body of clinical evidence to rebuild credibility in the marketplace. We are excited about the progress we made during the first half of the year against both our near- and long-term targets, providing us confidence in our full-year outlook. We will remain focused on execution as we continue to take meaningful and necessary steps to position the Company for sustainable long-term success.”
EU notifying body GMED reinstated the CE Mark for Endologix’s Nellix stent graft system in June, following a suspension in January triggered by a halt to unrestricted sales of the stent grafts and a voluntary recall of all existing inventory. Nellix was designed for treating abdominal aortic aneurysms.
Nellix is only approved as an investigational device in the United States. The company’s Ovation Alto system is only approved as an investigational device and is not currently approved in any market.
In other news, the FDA yesterday gave Endologix an IDE exemption approval to begin a pivotal study on its Nellix Chimney endovascular aneurysm sealing device (ChEVAS) system. CheVAS was designed to combine the Nellix 3.5 endograft with parallel visceral stents to enable treatment of patients with juxta-renal, para-renal, and suprarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm.
“China is one of the largest and fastest-growing EVAR markets in the world, representing an exciting market opportunity for Endologix,” Onopchenko said in a separate news release. We look forward to building our brand in this important market by leveraging the Boston Scientific team’s extensive experience introducing new products for patients suffering from vascular disease.”
Endologix reaffirmed its previously issued annual guidance and continues to expect 2019 sales of at least $140 million. The company anticipates Q3 2019 sales of $35 million to $37 million and continues to expect full-year operating expenses of $130 million to $140 million.
The current consensus EPS estimate is -$0.72 on $34.31 million in sales for the Q3 2019 coming quarter and -$3.23 on $142.24 million in sales for the current fiscal year, according to a report by Zacks.


text:
Tapping into the growing number of newcomers, women and returned riders, Ducati Australia has launched free “beginner” training events, called Ducati 101.
It takes new and returned riders through the basics of motorcycling, from picking up a bike to general motorcycle riding tips, servicing and maintenance. It sounds a little like Harley’s popular Garage Parties for women.
Ducati Australia says the events allow riders to ask questions “in a comfortable environment, to get to know more about the Ducati world, away from a typical buying situation”.
It’s a great idea for newcomers, women and returned riders who may feel intimidated or nervous when they walk into a bike dealership.
The courses are being held in Ducati dealerships around Australia and will include a special introduction to their leaner-legal (LAMS) Monster 659 with ABS. Bookings are essential and can be made at participating dealers listed below.
Meanwhile, six-time world champion motorcycle racer Max Biaggi has paid over $50,000 for the first Ducati 1199 Panigale S Senna special edition. Max outbid Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa at a charity auction for the bike which is dedicated to F1 legend Ayrton Senna. The remaining 160 limited-edition bikes will be sold in Brazil with proceeds going to the Senna Foundation’s local education projects.
DUCATI 101 EVENTS
NEW SOUTH WALES
North Coast V-Twins, Coffs Harbour, Thursday July 10, 6pm, (02) 6650 4200


text:
The Morrison Government’s reforms to Australia’s insolvency framework will help small regional tourism businesses restructure and survive the economic impact of COVID-19.
Assistant Minister for Regional Tourism Jonno Duniam said the reforms would cover around 76 per cent of businesses subject to insolvencies today.
“Our regional tourism businesses have been hard hit by COVID-19,” Assistant Minister Jonno Duniam said.
“We want to ensure they can survive this and return to being strong businesses that offer exceptional visitor experiences on the other side of the pandemic.
“Of the 300,000 tourism businesses across Australia, one-third of those are in our regions, and 95 per cent are small and micro businesses.
“It’s so important we support these small businesses through this tough time, because by supporting regional tourism businesses, we’re supporting jobs and our regional communities.
“Regional tourism contributes around $21 billion to our regional economy and accounts for around eight per cent of regional jobs.”
The new processes will be available for small businesses from 1 January 2021.
In addition to these regulatory changes the Government is providing an unprecedented level of support totalling $314 billion to cushion the blow for households and businesses as part of our economic recovery plan for Australia.


text:
Doylestown's restaurant scene has a new entry.
Doc Baker’s Farmulations will open to the public on Wednesday, March 20 in the Doylestown Inn. The owners says it will be the only juice bar and restaurant in Central Bucks featuring "all-organic, all-natural, all-vegan, mostly raw, all supremely nutritious and delicious fare."
The juice bar has been holding sneak peek tastings for a couple weeks, and is nearly ready to open for business.
Angelo A. Greco, a pharmacist and former owner of an independent pharmacy chain, is president of the new company, which features cold-pressed, plant-based juices.
To develop Doc Baker’s juices, Greco said he "drew on his family’s long history of providing exacting and personalized pharmaceutical preparation, compounding, dispensing and oversight."
Doc Baker’s chef also will produce dishes made without dairy, soy or animal ingredients; most preparations are gluten-free, as well.
The juice bar is situated in the Doylestown Inn, just west of the Inn’s main entrance, at 18 W. State Street.


text:
With any new release of an Apple operating system, there are a legion of fanboys sniffing around the code, trying to suss out any new devices being referred to. The latest version of iOS is no exception.
This time, iOS 5 seems to suggest that a new version of Apple TV could be arriving soon. According to 9to5Mac, a line of code refers to "Apple TV 3,1" in the file system. The site then speculates as to what a new Apple TV could bring -- most importantly, the new A5 chip that powers the iPhone 4S and iPad 2, and, with that, the ability to stream 1080p HD videos at long last.
Such a move gibes with the other rumor floating around that Apple is working on adding movie streaming to its new iCloud service. The latest iOS 5 upgrade also gives Apple TV the ability to mirror content from another iOS device via AirPlay (particularly useful for game playing) and access to the new Photo Stream feature that syncs digital photos across iOS devices.
New Apple TV or not, the latest black box with the rounded corners is turning out to be more than just a "hobby," as the company once led us to believe it was.


text:
Blaming a lousy economy and a weak U.S. dollar, mobile phone giant Nokia Corp. reported that its second-quarter net profit fell 28 percent from last year.
The Espoo, Finland, company earned 624 million Euros ($693 million) in the quarter ending June 30, compared with 862 million Euros in the second quarter of 2002.
Net sales rose one percent from last year: 7.019 billion Euros ($7.8 billion) up from 6.935 billion Euros last year.
Mobile phone sales were up by only 2 percent in terms of dollars, but in terms of units shipped, the sales were up 14 percent.
“Key to our success has been, and will continue to be, our winning execution and strong competitive position in all major technologies and segments,” said Nokia Chairman and CEO Jorma Ollila, in a statement. “For the full year 2003 we are looking to enhance our leadership with a record launch of more than 35 new models.”
Nokia expects phone shipments to increase by 10 percent in the third quarter, but revenue is expected to be flat or slightly down, again because of dollar depreciation.
To woo business customers, Nokia is forming a group called Nokia Enterprise Solutions, which will marry various corporate efforts from the companys mobile phone and ventures businesses. Enterprise Solutions will begin financial reporting in 2004.
For the companys network equipment business, Ollila said that “Decisive restructuring efforts are now underway.” By the end of 2003, Nokia Networks will have about 15,000 employees, compared with 17,361 at the end of 2002, he said.
Nokia expects a year-on-year sales decline of 15 to 20 percent for the third quarter for the network business.


text: Tech-On Avengers S.H. Figuarts Iron Man Photos Latest News June 25, 2021 New photos have been released for the upcoming Tech-On Avengers S.H. Figuarts Iron Man Figure. The 6″ scale figure is part of the new Tech-On Avengers line, based on a story and designs by a joint venture between Bandai and Marvel. The story and figures will feature Marvel characters in Tokusatsu inspired armors. The first three figures will be Iron Man, Captain America, and Wolverine. Additional characters featured in the story are Black Panther, Thor, Captain Marvel, Spider-Man, Loki, Red Skull and more. Tamashii Nations posted an article, giving fans a closer look at the new S.H. Figuarts Tech-On » Continue Reading. The post Tech-On Avengers S.H. Figuarts Iron Man Photos appeared first on The Toyark – News.


text:
Footwear e-tailer ShoeBuy.com has a new executive walking its halls. The Boston-based company announced today that Bob Mullaney has joined the firm in the newly created role of president and COO, and Mullaney is already hard at work.
“I started on Monday and have been busy meeting the team and getting to know everyone,” the executive told Footwear News in an exclusive conversation.
Most recently, Mullaney was president of the Americas for Rockport, where he oversaw the wholesale and retail businesses and was part of the team that facilitated Rockport’s sale early this year from Adidas AG to Berkshire Partners and New Balance. Prior to that, he held various leadership positions at Brown Shoe Co. (now Caleres), Vida Group and Stride Rite Corp.
In his new role at ShoeBuy, Mullaney will report directly to company CEO Mike Sorabella and work closely with longtime EVP of merchandising Trisha Sweeney to help fuel growth for the 15-year-old dot-com, a division of IAC.
“Phase one of my duties is to develop strong brand partnerships,” said Mullaney. “Hopefully with my experience on the brand side, it will allow me to have a better understanding of our partner’s businesses and how our collaborations can be a lot stronger.”
In addition to strengthening current relationships, Mullaney said he will also work to forge ties with new labels, particularly in the hot athletic category and in the designer fashion arena. He added, “The comfort/wellness category is also one of our biggest strengths, so we’ll continue to push that as well.”
This year, ShoeBuy has taken a number of bold steps to invigorate its business. In early January the e-tailer dipped its toe into shoe manufacturing by acquiring a minority stake in Boston Boot Co. And in February it rolled out a new site design and brand identity to improve the overall customer experience.
In a statement today, Sorabella said, “The investments and improvements we have made over the past year have helped build a great site and brand experience for our customers. Bob joins at the perfect time to lead this repositioning of ShoeBuy to help drive growth and increase market share within the developing and fragmented online footwear market. His energy, industry expertise and proven track record make him an ideal leader to capitalize on these opportunities.”


text:
Get ready for the ultimate thrill as the world’s top board game maestro enters the United Arab Emirates, unveiling an unprecedented MONOPOLY board game edition! Abu Dhabi, a city that offers a unique blend of culture, heritage, and groundbreaking attractions, is a treasure trove of must-see marvels! The exciting question is alive: which of these iconic experiences will claim the spotlight on the illustrious board?
Mr. Monopoly, the legacy of MONOPOLY is set to intertwine with the rich cultural tapestry of the Emirate! The prestigious Louvre Abu Dhabi is the first to welcome Mr. Monopoly to Abu Dhabi, marking the beginning of a remarkable adventure to select the finest iconic experiences for the new Abu Dhabi Monopoly board.Starting today, both residents and tourists have the golden opportunity to spot Mr. Monopoly in key locations around the city, with chances to meet and greet him. Follow and join him in numerous activities across town on Instagram through hashtags #MrMonopolyinTown and #MonopolyAbuDhabi.
Winning Moves, the masterminds behind the official Abu Dhabi Monopoly board game under license from Hasbro, express their excitement: “We are thrilled to bring the magic of MONOPOLY to Abu Dhabi. This edition will encapsulate the essence of the Emirate, ensuring a game that resonates with both locals and visitors for generations to come.”
Players will get the chance to “Pass Go” when Mr. Monopoly launches and reveals his new Abu Dhabi Exclusive Edition board in December. Until then, the guessing game is on!


text:
Forest industry’s priorities for federal budget
June 8, 2009
By Canadian Biomass
Ottawa, ON – In December 2008, the Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) laid out five urgent priorities that the federal government
Ottawa, ON – In December 2008, the Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) laid out five urgent priorities that the federal government must address in its upcoming budget if it wants to secure the forest products industry as a cornerstone of the Canadian economy.
|Avrim Lazar, president and CEO of the
Forest Products Association of Canada.
“What we need is smart spending and bolder economic policies to make
sure our industry not only perseveres, but is able to capitalize on the
investments it has already made modernizing its mills, diversifying its
markets, and greening its product,” says Avrim Lazar, president and CEO
of FPAC. Three of the priorities are related to biomass and
bioenergy: help spur the transformation to bioenergy; provide tax
incentives for investment and innovation; and invest in research and
development, market development, and product promotion.
Print this page


text:
MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) today announced a major electric vehicle (EV) charging program, which will be available at 50 U.S. hotels by the end of this year with plans to rapidly expand to 100 U.S. hotels by the end of 2016. The program will cover all types of electric vehicles, including Teslas. Current, powered by GE, will provide stations to charge other car makes.
Electric vehicle owners can now road trip from New York City to Los Angeles with the peace of mind that multiple Hilton properties will be along the way to accommodate their charging needs. This is one of many cutting-edge amenities that give our customers choices to customize their stay. Over the past year, Hilton has also rolled out several exciting enhancements to its highly-rated Hilton HHonors app, including Digital Key and digital check-in with room selection.
“By teaming with leading organizations like Tesla and GE to add more electric vehicle charging stations, we’re making the travel process easier for a growing number of our guests,” said Jim Holthouser, executive vice president, Global Brands, Hilton Worldwide. “We believe technology can and should take the friction out of travel – no matter if you’re road-tripping in an electric vehicle or flying into town and need to find the best way to get to one of our hotels. Our goal is to support our guests in their travels no matter what technology they’re using.”
These charging stations are available at a range of Hilton Worldwide properties from luxury to focused service, including The Waldorf Astoria New York, DoubleTree by Hilton Durango, Hampton Inn by Hilton Reno, and Hilton Los Angeles Airport. Hilton also plans to expand its charging program internationally in the coming year.
As part of the charging program, Hilton hotel owners can receive free charging equipment to accelerate the adoption of charging solutions at qualifying hotels and resorts. Hilton is working with property owners to install the charging stations, with the only associated cost being installation and electricity usage.
EV sales have increased dramatically in the last few years as the number of affordable vehicle options have increased. Since 2010, more than 350,000 EV’s have been sold in the U.S. and approximately 120,000 of those were sold in 2014 alone, according to InsideEVs Monthly Scorecard. Opportunity abounds for Hilton property owners as guest use of EVs continues to increase.
Providing hotel guests with even more choices to manage their environmental footprint while on the road is just one of the ways Hilton is incorporating responsible business options into the guest experience. Earlier this year, Hilton launched Meet with Purpose, a meeting concept focused on sustainable choices for meetings and events. Hilton also manages its own environmental performance through a series of programs, partnerships and hotel activations that improve its overall impact on the environment.
About Hilton Worldwide
Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxury and full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and focused-service hotels. For more than 95 years, Hilton Worldwide has been dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences. The company's portfolio of twelve world-class global brands is comprised of over 4,440 managed, franchised, owned and leased hotels and timeshare properties, with more than 730,000 rooms in 95 countries and territories, including Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Curio - A Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages an award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton HHonors®. Visit news.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide at facebook.com/hiltonworldwide, twitter.com/hiltonworldwide, youtube.com/hiltonworldwide, flickr.com/hiltonworldwide, and linkedin.com/company/hilton-worldwide.


text:
AMSTERDAM, Nov. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Stellantis N.V. and CATL today announced the signing of a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the local supply of LFP battery cells and modules for the production of Stellantis electric vehicles in Europe. To further support Stellantis' ambitious electrification strategy, the two companies are studying the possibility of forming a joint venture with equal contributions.
The MOU establishes a long-term collaboration between CATL and Stellantis on two strategic fronts: creating a bold technology roadmap to support Stellantis' advanced battery electric vehicles and identifying opportunities to further strengthen the battery value chain.
"This memorandum with CATL on the chemistry of LFP batteries is another ingredient of our long-term strategy to protect the freedom of mobility of the European middle class," said Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis. "CATL is the leader in this sector and, together with our iconic vehicle brands, we will bring innovative and accessible battery technology to our customers, helping us achieve our ambition of net zero carbon emissions by 2038" .
"We are delighted to raise our cooperation with Stellantis to a new level. With Stellantis' renowned expertise in automobile manufacturing and CATL's advanced battery technology, we believe the partnership will be a decisive step in the path of both parties toward carbon neutrality goals," said Robin Zeng, Chairman and General Manager of CATL. "We will continue to offer more competitive and sustainable solutions for our partners to promote the global energy transition."
With a long lifespan and high thermal stability, LFP technology can enable Stellantis to offer high-quality, durable and affordable electric vehicles in passenger cars, crossovers and SUVs in the B and C segments.
As part of the Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan, Stellantis has announced plans to achieve 100% battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales in Europe and 50% BEV passenger car and light-duty truck sales in the United States by 2030 Stellantis is on track to become a net-zero carbon corporation by 2038. Stellantis is making a number of partnerships to ensure a stable, low-carbon supply of key materials for its electrified future.
For more information, please visit https://www.catl.com/en/
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The European Commission is looking to make sustainability and circularity “the norm” across the 27-member bloc. In a new package of legislative proposals released on Wednesday, including a proposal for a Regulation on Ecodesign for Sustainable Products, an EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles, and a revision of the Construction Products Regulation, the governing body of the European Union aims to ensure that “almost all physical goods on the EU market are more friendly to the environment, circular, and energy efficient throughout their whole lifecycle from the design phase through to daily use, repurposing and end-of-life.”
The proposed sustainability-focused legislation coming out of the European Union puts forth new requirements for textiles, “setting mandatory minimums for the inclusion of recycled fibers in textiles,” while also banning “the destruction of unsold products under certain conditions, including unsold or returned textiles.” Additionally, the Commission states that product-specific information requirements will ensure consumers know the environmental impacts of their purchases, with “all regulated products” – including apparel – to come with Digital Product Passports, which will help to cut down on rampant greenwashing and “make it easier [for consumers] to repair or recycle products,” and will aid in the facilitation of “tracking substances of concern along the supply chain.”
“In a competitive, resilient, and innovative textiles sector,” the Commission states that producers have to take responsibility for their products along the value chain, including at the end-of-life stage, hence, the introduction of a mandatory – and harmonized – EU-wide extended producer responsibility scheme as part of the revision of the Waste Framework Directive in 2023. The content of textiles is also coming within the purview of the European Commission’s proposal, with the governing body angling to set “mandatory minimums for the inclusion of recycled fibers in textiles,” in furtherance of an effort to “make them longer-lasting, and easier to repair and recycle.”
As for other key takeaways, the EU Commission endeavors to address the sheer volume of goods manufactured by the fashion/apparel industry every year, calling on companies to “reduce the number of collections per year and take responsibility and act to minimize their carbon and environmental footprints,” while also looking to the individual Member States to “adopt favorable taxation measures for the reuse and repair sector” in order to provide “incentives” for the introduction of sustainable products and services.
Ultimately, the proposals set a framework and a process through which the Commission, working in close cooperation with relevant stakeholders, “will progressively set out requirements for each product or group of products,” the Commission states. In other words, the new proposals “leave most of the key details to the delegated acts that the (Commission) will work on in the coming years,” Joan Marc Simon, executive director of non-profit organization Zero Waste Europe told Reuters. The European Union proposals follow from climate and sustainability-centric efforts from the United Kingdom, namely, to target greenwashing in the retail sector; France, which has implemented a law that bans the destruction of unsold apparel, and the U.S., with the Securities and Exchange Commission proposing uniform rules for Environmental, Social, and Governance disclosures by publicly traded companies.


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UPDATE: Walgreens confirmed the deal late Tuesday. Watch CSP Daily News for details.
DEERFIELD, Ill. -- In a deal that would unite two of the nation’s three largest drugstore chains, but which could draw antitrust scrutiny, Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. is in advanced talks to buy Rite Aid Corp., The Wall Street Journal reported.
As reported in a 21st Century/CSP Daily News Flash, people familiar with the matter told the newspaper that they expect the companies to announce a deal on Wednesday.
Walgreens, Deerfield, Ill., has more approximately 8,250 drugstores in all 50 states.
Woonsocket, R.I.-based CVS Health has approximately 7,800 CVS and Longs Drugs stores in the United States.
Camp Hill, Pa.-based Rite Aid is one of the nation's leading drugstore chains with nearly 4,600 stores in 31 states and the District of Columbia.
Rite Aid had revenue in the fiscal year ended in February of $26.5 billion. Walgreens had revenue in the 12 months ended in August 2014 of $76.4 billion, while CVS had 2014 sales of $139.4 billion.
Rite Aid currently has a market value of more than $6 billion, meaning that with a typical premium a takeover deal could value the company at close to $10 billion, said the report.
Given their sizes, the deal would be expected to draw scrutiny from antitrust regulators, and big store and other divestitures could be required to win their blessing, the report said. Both companies have big store counts in states like California, New York and Massachusetts, while in others like Florida, Texas and Illinois, there is no overlap.
Walgreens has been on a merger & acquisition trajectory for several years.
In late 2014, Walgreens and international pharmacy group Alliance Boots completed a merger announced in 2012 to form Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.
In mid-2012, in a deal involving 144 locations, Walgreens acquired the USA Drug, Super D Drug, May's Drug, Med-X and Drug Warehouse chains from Stephen L. LaFrance Holdings Inc., for $438 million.
And in late 2010, Walgreens acquired New York City-based Duane Reade, which operates more than 250 drugstores, for $1.075 billion. The chain continues to operate under that brand.
Walgreens, the nation's largest drugstore chain, is the Retail Pharmacy USA Division of Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. It operates approximately 8,240 drugstores with a presence in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.


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EU-based leading iGaming company, AXL Affiliates, pursues its development goals thanks to the acquisition of NewFreeSpinsCasino.com for a record breaking sum.
Established in 2006, AXL hosts a vast network of iGaming affiliate sites and has gradually built up its offer in the sports betting and casino affiliate sector by carrying out major acquisitions. NewFreeSpinsCasino.com is this year’s second big acquisition after the addition of mVideoslots to its business portfolio earlier this month.
Following this consistent investment, AXL’s integrated offer is now based on the complementary services of NewFreeSpinsCasino, a website specialised in the marketing of free casino spins. This transaction illustrates AXL’s strategy, namely to focus on value-added transactions to strengthen its position in the online casino affiliate sector.
With NewFreeSpinsCasino.com as a major player in the casino affiliate business on board, AXL becomes a strong presence with double identity in the iGaming affiliate sector: sports and casino. With a consolidated expertise always available to its sports and gaming customers and a proven strong potential, AXL has built a solid brand and spares no effort to maintain its reputation as one of the best iGaming affiliate company.
“We are very pleased to announce the acquisition of NewFreeSpinsCasino.com and welcome its team on board AXL Affiliates. NewFreeSpinsCasino will allow us to accelerate our development in the integrated delivery of leads to our partners. NewFreeSpinsCasino brings us a very strong expertise in the delivery of casino players. We want to provide AXL Affiliates with the means to accelerate its development, particularly on the highly competitive European market.” – Alex Munteanu, CEO and Founder of AXL Affiliates.
”It is a real satisfaction to see NewFreeSpinsCasino join AXL Affiliates as the complementarity between our two companies is strong. This represents a tremendous opportunity that we need to continue our growth as the gaming industry has stepped into the era of zero breakdown.” – Daniel Rodriguez, Head of Casino, AXL Affiliates.
It is to be noted that this transaction was conducted with the help of Fairwinds Management Limited, one of the best commercial law companies in Malta specialised in assisting local and international, individual and commercial clients, covering a broad range of legal areas.


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Check Out Banky W, Kate Henshaw, Jumoke Okikiolu & Victor Olaotan Selfie At Samsung Galaxy S5 Launch
Remember the Ellen DeGeneres Famous Oscar Selfie with Lupita Nyong’o, Bradley Cooper, Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lawrence, Brad
Pitt, Julia Roberts and a host of other celebs at the 2014 Academy Awards. That selfie was retweeted over 2 million times on Twitter.
Banky W shared their own version of the famous selfie in the world on Instagram today. The picture was taken at the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S5 which took place at Intercontinental Hotel in Lagos yesterday.


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Mexico, Other Global Markets to Follow Using ‘26 World Cup as ‘Launching Pad,’ BodyArmor CEO Says
September 6, 2023
Coca-Cola will launch BodyArmor sports drink across Canada in January 2024, marking the US brand’s first international expansion since BodyArmor’s 2011 founding and Coke’s late 2021 takeover. “One of the first goals of the...
Interview: 'We’re Created to Honor the Three-Tier System.’
July 25, 2023
Despite PepsiCo’s considerable work to keep its Blue Cloud alcohol distribution operation separate from its non-alcoholic business, the subsidiary has become a magnet for criticism as it forges new ground in the highly regulated and competitive US alcohol beverage market. In a new interview, Blue Cloud Distribution GM Emiliano Di Vincenzo, and Blue Cloud Chief Legal Officer Randy Liebowitz, said the organization has...
Coca-Cola Bottlers Eager to Distribute Bang Energy, They Say
July 12, 2023
Bang Energy owner Vital Pharmaceuticals won approval from a Florida bankruptcy judge today for a $362 million acquisition of most of the company’s assets by major creditor and competitor Monster Beverage.The companies formaly announced the asset purchase agreement July 3 after the Federal Trade Commission ended an antitrust review early. The sale would include...
Concentrate list pricing for flagship Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and other carbonated soft drinks produced by US Coke bottlers jumped...GREEN SHEET included: Concentrate-Pricing-2023-06-27
The following is transcript of Beverage Digest's podcast, The Breeze, Episode 4. Today we talk with Sigi Hale, Principal Neuroscientist and Director of Research at market research and consulting firm Alpha-Diver. Sigi's work takes him deep into consumer behavior to understand why brand purchase decisions are made and how companies can act on that learning. Alpha-Diver, in partnership with Beverage Digest, just released the world's first ranking of beverage brands by consumer psychology. The Bev50 report and webinar are available for download here. During the episode, Duane and Sigi discuss the research findings and the ways neuroscience is illuminating consumer research.
Alpha-Diver, in Partnership With Beverage Digest, Delved into the Consumer Behavior Behind Brand Choices
June 28, 2023
Alpha-Diver and Beverage Digest are pleased to unveil the industry’s first comprehensive psychology-based ranking of consumer beverage brands – The BEV50. The study was conducted by neuro-market researchers at Alpha-Diver in partnership with Beverage Digest to help beverage companies understand the WHY of consumer behavior.
In this exclusive webinar, registrants will learn...
Coca-Cola Appears Content to Focus on Coke Zero, Creations
June 20, 2023
In the two and a half years since Coca-Cola discontinued Tab, a consumer group calling itself the SaveTabSoda Committee has been lobbying Coke executives to bring back the 60-year-old diet soft drink now available only on fountains at a handful of Coca-Cola museum stores. The committee has organized...
The sale process for bankrupt Bang Energy may finally be headed for a conclusion in late June after a two month delay. A bankruptcy judge in Florida has set a sale hearing date for June 30 to approve a winning bidder. That hearing date could yet be pushed back, however. According to BD sources, remaining bidders are...
AHA Volume Down -42%. PepsiCo’s Bubly Grows. LaCroix Slips
May 26, 2023
Sales of Coca-Cola’s sparkling water brand, AHA, have deteriorated amid competition with PepsiCo’s growing sparkling water brand, Bubly, according to new BD data. Both brands were created to take on ...
The following is transcript of Beverage Digest's podcast, The Breeze, Episode 5. In this episode, industry expert John Sicher joins Beverage Digest Editor and Publisher Duane Stanford to break down their top takeaways from the just-released 28th Edition of Beverage Digest’s Fact Book. The Fact Book captures performance results for the full non-alcoholic drinks market, not just what’s measured by store scanners. That includes everything from groceries to the fountain channel, where a lot of brand activity happens. Listen in as they talk shop.


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Nestle on Monday said it is buying Allergan’s Zenpep to expand in medical nutrition with a product for people who cannot digest food properly because their pancreas does not provide enough enzymes to break down fat, protein, and carbohydrates.
Zenpep had sales of $237 million in 2018.
“This is a significant opportunity for our business in the United States to add a complementary product to our existing range of nutrition products that support food ingestion, digestion and absorption,” said Greg Behar, head of Nestle Health Science in a statement.
By John Miller
The agri-food powerhouse is now eyeing the potential sale of a 50 percent stake Alvean, a joint venture with Brazilian sugar giant Copersucar. Following the pending divestiture, Cargill would pivot its focus toward its food processing and meat activities.
The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) conducted by Ramboll suggests advantages are primarily driven by the carbon emissions related to the amount of energy and freshwater required to wash the multi-use tableware.
The brewer’s South African arm says there has been significant impact from bans on alcohol sales and Covid-19 trading restrictions. At the end of December, the country banned alcohol sales for the third time to help reduce the pressure on emergency services.


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International News Archive - June 04, 2012
Samsung's Galaxy S3 has surpassed Apple's iPhone 4S as the most popular smartphone in the UK, according to new statistics based on sales and live searches released on Sunday.
Word of the Day
- A beast of burden; also, a beast in general.
'Jument' ultimately comes from the Latin 'jugum,' yoke.


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Google to cut 1,200 Motorola Mobility jobs, including in India
New York: Google Inc’s Motorola Mobility hardware unit is laying off about 1,200 employees, around 10 percent of its headcount in the US, China and India, the Wall Street Journal said in a report.
Staffers of Motorola Mobility, which is trying to return to profitability, were informed by the company via an email this week about the said layoffs.
The email reviewed by the Wall Street Journal said “while we’re very optimistic about the new products in our pipeline, we still face challenges. …Our costs are too high, we’re operating in markets where we’re not competitive and we’re losing money.”
The layoffs will affect workers in the US, China and India, WSJ said.
The new cuts come on top of a 20 percent reduction of Motorola’s workforce that started last August, when it said it would lay off 4,000 employees. As of the end of 2012, Google said Motorola had 11,113 employees.
Google agreed to pay USD 12.5 billion for Motorola in a deal struck in mid-2011. Since the acquisition was completed, Motorola has continued to show operating losses as its smartphone and tablet market share fell.
In the third quarter of 2012, it posted an operating loss of more than USD 500 million and a loss of more than USD 350 million in the fourth quarter, WSJ added.


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BANGKOK, Jan 9 – The caretaker government will seek permission from the Election Commission (EC) to borrow Bt130 billion to buy rice from farmers under the subsidy scheme, according to the caretaker commerce minister.
Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisarn said the EC has allowed the ministry to continue the rice pledging plan, one of the Yingluck Shinawatra government’s major policies, but it will need to seek Bt130 billion loans to buy rice from farmers in the 2013/14 harvest season.
He said the Commerce Ministry will soon conduct an auction to sell 500,000 tonnes of rice on government-to-government basis in order to earn revenue to pay farmers.
The ministry has sold rice at a total value of Bt180 billion since 2011 while the new batch of 10 million tonnes of rice, which will be pledged with the government in the 2013/14 harvest season, will cost Bt150 billion.
The ministry has paid Bt30 billion to farmers and the remaining Bt77 billion will be given to them by January 25, he said.
Tanith Sriprateth, EC deputy secretary general, said the Commerce Ministry’s requested Bt130 billion in loans is a big issue which needs thorough study.
The EC must consider the law, particularly Section 181 of the Constitution, to ensure that the caretaker government’s spending will not become a burden to the next administration, he said.


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Mixing high- and low-cost styles is a well-worn fashion trick, and Korean pop sensations BTS are taking the approach to a whole new level in marketing deals announced this week.
After first agreeing with McDonald's to promote a new meal selling for just over $6, the six-strong boyband have also been named brand ambassadors for Louis Vuitton, the purveyor of handbags that sell for well above $1,000, reports Reuters.
The Grammy-nominated South Korean group, which now releases English-language songs too, has topped the album charts several times in the US.
Louis Vuitton, the biggest sales driver at French luxury goods conglomerate LVMH, already works with a roster of celebrities to promote its wares, from actresses Emma Stone and Jennifer Connelly to actor and singer Jaden Smith.
Many brand ambassadors have starred in advertising campaigns but also popped up in the front row at fashion shows, helping drive buzz on social media, a marketing avenue top luxury brands have invested heavily in.
According to the Reuters report, Asia, and especially China, where K-pop is also popular, provides major markets for luxury brands, and has fuelled sales bounces as covid-19 restrictions ease. Louis Vuitton's menswear designer Virgil Abloh, known for his streetwear-style creations and who is friends with hip-hop star Kanye West, said the BTS partnership added "a modern chapter to the House, merging luxury and contemporary culture".
Luxury brands have not traditionally liked working with so-called influencers who represent other labels that do not fit with their high-end image, although the boundaries between sports and fashion for instance is starting to blur.
"As disparate as their businesses might seem, McDonald's and Louis Vuitton share a need to onboard new generations of consumers," Carol Spieckerman, president at retail consultancy Spieckerman Retail, told Reuters.
LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault and Tod’s founder Diego Dalle Valle are, meanwhile, further cementing their 20-year friendship with a deal for the French group to increase its stake in the Italian luxury goods make, according to an AP report. Shares in the Italian luxury footwear and fashion group Tod’s jumped by more than 10%, to 39.02 euros Friday on news of the 75-million-euro ($90.5 million) deal.
That’s well-above the per-share price of 33.10 euros that LVMH, a longtime investor in Tod’s, agreed to pay for 2.25 million shares, representing a 6.8% stake. The deal finalizes on 28 April.
The Tod's deal got more expensive after the Italian group added popular social influencer and brand founder Chiara Ferragni to its board earlier this month, boosting shares by 12% as it signaled its intent to target younger buyers.


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Tiger Claws release new single “Lady Strange” from upcoming EP ‘Uncaged’
American rockers Tigers Claws featuring Steel Mountain Crossing guitarist Dennis D. have released a new single titled “Lady Strange” from their upcoming new EP Uncaged.
You can listen and download the new single for free via Dragon City Demo‘s Bandcamp page.
Tiger Claws‘ press release indicates (with slight edits)
“Some refreshing facts about Tiger Claws — None of them are the boy next door, and they aren’t about to buy into the dream of record sales through huge major label support. Instead, the quartet from New York City present a new single with the same brutal truth of their reality.
Sonically, it is harsh but so is the world they live in and Tiger Claws feel no need to sugar coat.
It is their passion that sets them apart from their peers. Combining insights that are untempered by conventional political correctness, a blunt delivery and lyrics that delve deeper than their titles suggest Tiger Claws transcend the commercial ease of disposable teen angst and easily packaged pop metal. This is sleaze metal boys and girls.”


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Sony has been hacked once again, although this time is not as serious. Security firm F-Secure has discovered that a Web server belonging to Sony is hosting a phishing site that targets customers of the Italian credit card company Carta Si. The good news is that this time, the PlayStation Network is unaffected!
Sony Thailand has the domain sony.co.th, and this attack is hosted on hdworld.sony.co.th. F-Secure has notified Sony about the issue.
Phishing attack sites work by tricking people into entering their login credentials and other sensitive data into a fake website, which looks as if it is legitimate. Users and their browsers should always check the URL of the page they are on before handing in such information to a webpage.
In this case, the malicious site is hosted on Sony's servers, which means that if a browser checks the domain, it will look valid. Thankfully, browsers eventually catch up on these hijacks (some browsers are already warning users if they navigate to this Sony domain). Still, users should always check the URL, just in case. It's not clear what other phishing attacks the server in question could be hosting, but Sony will likely take them all down as soon as possible.
At the beginning of April, Anonymous executed a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack against the Sony PlayStation website. Later last month, the PlayStation Network was hacked. Earlier this month, Sony was announced that 24.6 million Sony Online Entertainment accounts were compromised. Earlier this week, Sony PlayStation Network logins were exploited again.


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It looks like it’s really happening. After a few years of persistent rumors, word now comes that Amoeba Music and its iconic Sunset Boulevard location will be redeveloped into a new complex with 200 residential units and retail space. The Los Angeles City Council approved changes to the zoning for the spot earlier in the week.
Amoeba opened at its current location in 2001, and it couldn’t ask for a better address at the corner of Sunset and Cahuenga Blvd right in the middle of downtown Hollywood. Since that time it has led the way in physical music sales in Los Angeles, and has been a home for artists big and small for in-store promo concerts.
The company says that although this particular location will be closing, Amoeba will still maintain a presence in Los Angeles somewhere, although just where has yet to be determined. In fact, the company has plans to even include one of its Hi-Fidelity cannabis dispensaries in its next L.A. store, which has proved to be a very successful addition to its Berkley, CA store.
Amoeba has always been ground zero for most everything a serious music collector could want, thanks to a knowledgeable staff that is a throwback to the old days of the local record store. And the company has thrived even in the face of digital music.
Let’s hope that the new location has as much of a good vibe as the last one.


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Plastic, which has contributed greatly to mankind, is gradually becoming the main culprit of destroying the Earth's ecosystem due to its reckless use. In particular, plastic packaging materials that are not composed of a single material are eventually not recycled and are being buried. Recently, the paper packaging industry for plastic replacement has been in the spotlight for these issues.
[Functional limitations of paper - Left (Oil resistance limit), Right (Water resistance limit)]
But paper still has limitations to replace plastic. In particular, the water resistance and oil resistance required to serve as packaging materials are significantly insufficient. In the past, polyethylene (PE) was used in combination to overcome these functional limitations, but alternative resources are needed due to the significant reduction in paper recycling rate.
Previously, fluorine-based products were mainly used as substances that can impart both water resistance and oil resistance to paper. Fluorine has the lowest surface energy and can effectively block both water and oil, but the European Environment Agency (EEA) recently reported that fluoride compounds are likely to accumulate in the environment and body, and the global environmental group Greenpeace has launched a detox campaign to regulate 11 hazardous chemicals by 2020. With most global brand companies prohibiting fluorine use, products that can replace it and give paper functionality are urgently needed.
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Bimba y Lola accelerates international expansion
Bimba y Lola’s international ambitions are clear. The Spanish, upscale womenswear brand is accelerating its international development in Europe and beyond. To date, 60 of the 184 company’s points of sale (concessions and combined stores) are located outside of Spain. It intends to invert this proportion with a slew of new openings.
Beginning in Europe, the brand opened a new, directly managed store in September in Berlin. Located at Leipziger Platz, in Mitte, it is Bimba y Lola’s first store in Germany. The brand has forty or so branches of the kind distributed between Spain, Portugal, France and the United Kingdom, but it also relies on partnerships and franchises.
Already present in South America and the Middle East through these kinds of agreements, the brand recently signed a new deal in Asia. Following Singapore, the first country that the brand embarked upon, it has turned its sights to South Korea, where it has signed a deal with Lotte department stores, through which the label hopes to open 25 shop-in-shops in the coming years.
What’s more, the Spanish brand has begun to develop an organization structure for some of its most advanced developments. The brand established a subsidiary in Mexico and Chile last year. These milestone developments seem to be bearing fruit with the brand’s global sales having risen by 11.5% translating into a £68 million ($108 million) turnover in 2013. Growth outside of Spain was estimated at 23%.
Copyright © 2023 FashionNetwork.com All rights reserved.


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After been released few days ago, there is a few reports of problems on some Asus Padfone 2. From Padfoneclub forum Padfone 2 is known that some issue and had problems that could not be revived.
Those report problem stems from various countries such as Malaysia and Taiwan. Some of the reporting has made various efforts such as the hard-reset and soft-reset, but to no avail, even some data is lost.
Luckyly, Asus is aware of this issue and have released a statement regarding it. The problem arises from the firmware and eMMC mounted on Padfone 2. Asus said it will replace the faulty device and user Padfone two problematic can contact Asus nearest service center.


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One of the biggest global challenges facing today’s farmers is insect damage to their thin wall drip line/tape. Jus...
04 Jan 2018
"With 2,803 exhibitors and 450,000 visitors, including more than 100,000 from outside Germany, Agritechnica has further extended its reputation as the largest international gathering of professionals from the agriculture and agricultural machinery sector," said Dr. Reinhard Grandke, Chief Executive Officer, DLG (German Agricultural Society), when the trade fair concluded in Hanover on 18th November 2017. "The innovations presented at Agritechnica under the main theme ‘A Green Future - Smart Technology’ offer agriculture the best conditions for a sustained intensification of production, aiming to increase efficiency while at the same time conserving resources. Digitization is the main driver of innovation in this respect." 2,803 companies from 53 countries, including most of the world's leading manufacturers, exhibited a full range of tractors, farm machinery, equipment, spare parts and accessories. International participation at the event, at 60 percent of the total present, has never been higher. According to figures take on the final day, Agritechnica received 450,000 visitors this year, once again matching the previous record achieved in 2015. There were 350,000 visitors from Germany and more than 100,000 visitors from abroad. According to the registrations, these visitors came from 138 countries; primarily from the Netherlands, followed by Denmark, Switzerland, Austria and Italy. Irrigation manufacturers were pleased with the record attendances and the globalisation of the show. The overall mood of the industry at Agritechnica was one of great confidence, reflected in a willingness to invest. As the visitor survey shows, more than two-thirds of the farmers, contractors and machinery manufacturers questioned intend to invest over the next two years. This future investment will mainly be directed towards the replacement or introduction of new installations, to the delight of the manufacturers of irrigation equipment.


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Developments from the Maldives of the new Hulhumalé Yacht Marina continues, according to Asia Pacific Superyachts Maldives Director Mohamed Hameed. Hameed said the marina will service 300 yachts and provide numerous attractions and benefits for arriving yachts.
Hulhumalé Island lies 8km off the northeast coast of Malè, the capital of Maldives. Managed by the government-owned Housing Development Corp. (HDC), the city broke ground in 1997 with a total land area of 432 hectares and is now home to more than 40,000 residents.
The Hulhumalé Yacht Marina will offer water sports facilities, retail shops, a yacht club that includes exhibition space, and dry berth facilities.
“The new Hulhumalé Yacht Marina will be of enormous benefit to visiting superyachts and yachts,” Hameed stated in a company news release. “In the meantime, we have some wonderful itineraries and special anchorages to share with captains and owners now.”
For more information, visit asia-pacific-superyachts.com.


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The Lexington Selected Yearling Sale concluded Saturday with records for gross, average, median and number of six-figure yearlings sold — and topped the previous best gross by more than $10 million. In all, the sale set 18 sales records, including surpassing $5 million for the first time in a final session.
quotes by James Platz / story by Dave Briggs
The 2021 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale concluded Saturday night (Oct. 9) setting 18 records, including new standards for gross ($56,692,500), average ($65,692), median ($44,000) and number of yearlings sold for $100,000 or more (159).
The gross exceeded the previous record ($46,480,000 in 2019) by some $10 million or 22 per cent.
Each of the five sessions set a new record for gross sales.
The sale also set the following records:
First session gross: $18,540,000
First session average: $161,217
First session 100,000+: 69
Second session gross: $17,927,000
Second session average: $84,164
Second session 100,000+: 61
Third session gross: $10,169,000
Third session 100,000+: 20
Fourth session gross: $4,771,000
Fourth session average: $28,915
Fifth session gross: $5,285,500
Fifth session average: $35,713
Fifth session 100,000+: 7
Fifth session median: $28,500
“I think everybody used the word, ‘Wow’ so I’ll just piggyback on that,” said Diamond Creek owner Adam Bowden. “I think the market is good, the amount of money to race for is good, the stallions are good, the pedigrees were good and the physicals matched and people were happy to pay money for the good ones.”
Randy Manages, who manages the sale with David Reid, was philosophical about the results.
“This is my 29th sale. Of course, when I came to work here it was Kentucky Standardbred. When we merged the two sale companies, several years ago, I think that really helped everybody,” Manges said. “Obviously, we have some great farms in this area and that’s helped. Our breeders, they have always improved their broodmare bands, which helps us. I’m a big believer that the consignors have built the sale over the years. It’s probably been the last five years that it’s just progressed. When good things happen in the industry, it just seems to help us. We’ve really grown. We have a great group of people that come to the sale and participate in the sale. The last couple of years with COVID and everything, you would think that would hurt us, but with online bidding it was a big savior last year and it really stepped up this year also.”
Saturday’s session, which was made up of mostly Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky-breds, saw 148 yearlings sell for a total gross of $5,285,500 for an average of $35,713 and a median of $28,500. Seven yearlings reached $100,000 or more.
“It was very strong from top to bottom,” Manges said. “In fact, I was hoping we would progress the way it progressed and it worked out for us. There were a lot of guys that came in for our last two days and stayed. We had a good crowd right up until the last horse sold tonight, which is a very positive thing for the industry. I think it will carry through for the rest of the year. I think Harrisburg will have a good sale and some of the regional sales that have not taken place yet will feed off the good sale we’ve had. We seem to feed off – when all the sales are good, we seem to do even better.
“The Ohio Jug sale was good, the Goshen sale was good, the Canadian sale was good and they’ve got a virtual sale in Canada in a couple of weeks and I anticipate it will be good. I’m just happy for the industry. It’s a positive for the industry.”
Reid said he was delighted with the results.
“We averaged $35,000 tonight. That’s a record for the last night of the sale. It was up 20 per cent on the average from last year and 50 per cent over two years ago,” Reid said. “It’s just a phenomenal way to end the night.”
Manges added, “The one good thing about this sale, in particular, is that the breeders have great mares and when they get bred to those kind of horses that are in high demand then you see these high prices.”
DOWNBYTHESEASIDE COLT TOPS SESSION
The session topper was hip 757 Country Line Cred, a Downbytheseaside colt out of Tookaloo Hanover purchased for $230,000 by Diamond Creek Farm from Reid’s Preferred Equine consignment.
“For us, he was the best colt in the sale and we’ve made so much money with Seaside so far that we wanted to come here and buy what we thought was the best one. I’m happy to do that,” said Bowden.
Reid said the colt was bred and raised by Dr. Steve Dey from Heritage Farms in New Jersey.
“They’ve been around a long time. They sold a Downbytheseaside down here last year quite well. They are a small, boutique type of breeder. We brought three or four yearlings down here to pick the big spots and I’m very happy for their success. To see them come down here and maybe take a chance on my suggestion, then to sell the sales topper is awesome.”
Diamond Creek stands Downbytheseaside in Ohio at Sugar Valley Farm. Bowden said the success of the stallion at this year’s sale was expected.
“I don’t want to be cocky, but it was sort of expected that they were going to do well. Sea Silk winning last week, Pebble Beach, the sale in Ohio… I’m just thrilled. The horse has done it all and we’re riding the wave,” Bowden said.
Twenty-three Downbytheseasides were sold Saturday, grossing $1,789,000 for an average of $77,783.
“The top seven yearlings sold tonight were Downbytheseasides and they were all over $100,000. I just think that it’s great to see a young sire get off to a start like that,” Reid said.
Hunterton’s Steve Stewart said it was the right decision to sell all the Downbytheseasides on the final night.
“They wrote about whether they should have the Seasides sell earlier and absolutely not. You had Hannelore Hanover’s full-sister (sell earlier) and that’s fine. But I think the crowd was bigger tonight than it’s been all week almost. It’s a different crowd, which is important, but I don’t think there was hardly any of them that we were disappointed in all the way through. It was very rewarding,” Stewart said.
BURKE TOPS SATURDAY BUYERS
Ron Burke led all buyers on Saturday, spending $652,000 to buy nine yearlings, including three of the seven that sold for $100,000 or more — hip 854 Boardwalk Jack, a Downbytheseaside colt out of Restive Hanover for $130,000 from Winbak; hip 808 Act Fast, a Downbytheseaside colt out Act Like A Diva for $125,000 from All American and hip 761 Queen Of The South, a Downbytheseaside filly out of Vaquera Deo for $100,000 from Preferred Equine.
Burke said the attraction was the Ohio program.
“We didn’t get enough bought at the previous sale and we need a strong bunch to race as much as we like to race in Ohio, so it’s good for us to only ship a couple of hours a day to either of our farms. We’ve got the best young driver there and Chris (Page) does a great job educating them… it’s really been successful, so there was no way we weren’t going back,” Burke said.
As for Downbytheseaside in particular, Burke said having one race on the Grand Circuit is possible, “but the biggest thing is that we want to race in Ohio. The program is great and it’s set up that there’s plenty of races between the Sires Stakes, the state fair, the breeder’s championship… there’s plenty and you don’t need to worry about racing anywhere else.”
LUTHER’S MILLION-DOLLAR EXPERIMENT EXPANDS
Keeping it in Ohio, HRU also checked in with owner Greg Luther who last year launched his “million dollar experiment.” Luther said the experiment continues, but will be a little different in 2022.
“We had a great year so far this year, still some big races coming up. We’ve brought in a little over $2 million in purses, so that’s been fun and we’ve won some big races,” Luther said. “Obviously, Catch The Fire has been the star so we’ve had fun there and we’re starting to get into the breeding business as well. We’re buying a bunch of babies and I’ve got pretty close to 30 2-year-olds so far. The Harrisburg sale is still coming up and I’ll buy a bunch of broodmares, too, that we can breed to Catch The Fire.
“We’re Ohio, born and bred, ourselves so we’re trying to get as many Ohio-breds as we can… and, heck, they are starting to take the big stage, too. They are winning some Grand Circuit races.”
Overall, Luther said he’s purchased horses from Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York, “so I better buy some more trucks and trailers.
“It’s been a lot of fun and obviously we’re going in pretty big. We’ve probably put another $2 million in so far this year, trying to hit the big time.
“I’m just trying to convince everyone to keep building barns for us, so we have enough space to store these things – I’m at 70 head now. I own 69-and-a-half of those. I only have half of Catch The Fire. That horse, he’s got so much fight in him and I’m hoping that goes on to his babies as well. So, we’re really going to go big on breeding him.”
PREFERRED LEADS CONSIGNORS
Reid’s Preferred Equine led all consignors with $8,128,000 in sales for 134 yearlings sold. In 2019, Preferred set a personal record for gross sales with $9,731,000 for 137 yearlings sold.
This year, Preferred was followed by Hunterton ($7,863,000 for 97 yearlings), Kentuckiana ($6,668,000 for 101 yearlings) and Diamond Creek ($3,610,000 for 47 yearlings).
“For Preferred Equine, I think we’re the leading consignor again, but that’s just a number,” Reid said. “The service to our clients and the service to the industry. We pride ourselves on making a professional presentation and hope it pays dividends for everybody. We hope our customers are satisfied and, more importantly, we appreciate their trust in us to sell their horses for them.”
Stewart said, “Hunterton Farm and our partners are being rewarded for us believing in the business for the last 10 years. When people were seeing Perretti going out of business and Yankeeland going out of business and so many others… Armstrong Brothers. A lot of people thought, ‘Oh, boy, those people must know something.’
“I always say that the breeder takes the biggest risk of anybody, because what we do now, we get paid three years from now. You’re really projecting success. It’s like the wine business where you’re projecting future profits. The people buying horses might get money back in nine months and that’s a big difference.”
Concord Stud led all consignors in average with $186,429 for seven sold. Hanover Shoe Farms was second in average ($155,100 for 20 yearlings sold), followed by Brittany Farms LLC ($115,542 for 24 sold).
TAKTER TOPS BUYERS, ALAGNA SECOND
Nancy Takter was the top buyer with $2,907,000 spent, in total, on 12 yearlings. Tony Alagna was second with $2,725,000 spent on 26 yearlings, followed by Steve Heimbecker ($2,342,000 on 19 yearlings) and Burke Racing Stable ($2,019,000 on 24 yearlings).
WALNER IS KING
Walner led all stallions in gross sales ($7,718,000) and average ($160,792) with three or more sold. The leading pacer by money and average was Captaintreacherous ($6,652,000 and $133,040).
Canadians accounted for $9,437,500 in sales or 16.6 per cent of the total. Europeans purchased $1,645,000 worth of yearlings or 2.9 per cent of the total, with Sweden strongly leading the way ($1,230,000).
“Now, as we always conclude, we just want these horses to go on and perform on the racetrack,” Reid said. “The Lexington sale has done that year after year. They give you Classic winners, Triple Crown winners, Hambletonian winners, Breeders Crown winners. We pride ourselves in selling winners and that’s basically the success of our sale.”


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Companies in the Philippines are urged to register to trade and export with EFTA countries Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland to take advantage of the benefits of the free trade agreement (FTA) between the countries.
In a recent online briefing, Swiss Ambassador to the Philippines Alain Gaschen said that the utilization rate of the FTA between the Philippines and EFTA is still low both ways. But “there is still a potential for savings for all involved,” he said.
The Philippines-EFTA FTA entered into force in June 2018 and through the deal, Philippine exporters can benefit through lower or zero tariffs for goods entering the EFTA states, liberal rules of origin, and trade facilitation measures.
The Ambassador said that efforts are being taken to promote the instrument given the potential to benefit from the FTA and that there is also a focus on encouraging sustainable business practices.
“We want to promote sustainable and responsible business because I think this is relevant in the future and the crisis has shown both consumers and regulators and also the workforce are now demanding more responsibility and more sustainability and this will be one of our major focuses this year,” he said.
Source: Phill Star


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24 January 2012 -
Ravensdown announces today that, with immediate effect, it is suspending the sales and application of its eco-n product which contains DCD.
“The reputation of New Zealand as a quality food producer is as important to us as it is to our farmer owners. So it is reassuring that both the MPI’s and our own peer-reviewed research shows there are no food safety issues with DCD or eco-n,” comments Greg Campbell Ravensdown Chief Executive. “What’s changed is that last year, organisations like the US Food and Drug Administration added DCD to a list of substances to test for. This, combined with increasingly sophisticated scanning technology now presents a possible trade risk. Given the risk to NZ’s dairy export reputation, Ravensdown has taken the initiative and is suspending the single product which uses DCD for this calendar year.”“As DCD has been used safely around the world for 30 years, there has never been a set of international standards around maximum residue level in food products. Because no standard exists for DCD, no detectable presence is acceptable. And because zero detection of DCD cannot be guaranteed, Ravensdown has taken the responsible, voluntary step to suspend its use while the trade issues are resolved,” added Greg.In December last year, the Ministry for Primary Industries initiated a working party to assess the use of dicyandiamide (DCD) on farm land. The working group comprises representatives from MPI, Fonterra, the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand and fertiliser companies Ravensdown and Ballance.The working group was set up after testing on whole milk powder detected the occasional presence of low levels of DCD coinciding with the times of the year that the product is applied.DCD, which is applied to pasture in autumn, winter and spring, has been used to reduce nitrate leaching and greenhouse gas emissions in New Zealand for nearly a decade.“Though this news is disappointing for the 500 customers who use eco-n, the potential risk demanded decisive and pre-emptive action ahead of the autumn application season,” said Ravensdown’s Greg Campbell.Even without eco-n, Ravensdown continues to help farmers lift their production and lower their environmental footprint. The farmer-owned co-operative does this through whole-farm testing, nutrient management planning and advice plus precise fertiliser application.“We continue to help farmers produce top quality food and do all we can to support New Zealand’s export story in a complex world of international trading partners and regulations. We’ll be foregoing sales of eco-n, which makes up about 1% of Ravensdown’s annual revenues, but we are a 100% farmer-owned co-operative concerned with the long-term future of the rural sector,” added Greg Campbell.“In the long-term, mitigating nitrate leaching is vital for sustainable New Zealand farming. The effectiveness of nitrification inhibitors like DCD is well proven and helps farmers in the face of stricter requirements being imposed on them. So we’ll be looking to the Ministry for Primary Industries through the working party to initiate the potentially-lengthy process of seeking a new international standard to recognise DCD. This would then specify a level or maximum residue which New Zealand dairy exporters and producers could work below,” concluded Greg.Meanwhile customers who have any questions about eco-n should call Ravensdown on 0800 100 123.
Greg Campbell is Ravensdown CEO
Facts about dicyandiamideMinistry for Primary Industries website


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Fanatics Likely Gearing Towards An Initial Public Offering In 2023
Long before Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin sold his leadership stake in the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils, the rumors had been swirling. The company known as a sports merchandising giant had been linked to an entry into the competitive world of sports wagering.
As we would quickly learn, Rubin’s parting of ways with both major league teams was only the beginning. Days later the Maryland lottery gave the company initial approval for a sports wagering facility operator license.
We have seen many companies flirt with the idea of getting involved in the sports wagering space, but up until this point, companies without a sports media or sports betting brand have remained on the sidelines.
So why Fanatics and why now?
The answer may lie somewhere in the fact that the company has been growing rapidly. In March of this year, Fanatics announced they had raised $1.5 billion in new funding which put them at a $27 billion valuation—a $9 billion increase in less than a year.
The explosive growth has been a signature of Rubin himself. From his humble beginnings operating a ski equipment company out his parent’s basement to completing deals with hundreds of professional leagues, sports and teams as part of the Fanatics brand.
When asked back in February about the idea of Fanatics entering the sports wagering world, Rubin told Sports Business Journal, “We can be the No. 1 player in the world in that business in 10 years. That does seem ambitious for someone who’s not in the business today, but our strategic advantages are that we are one of the best-known digital sports brands and we touch so many fans.”
The move outside of what Fanatics is known for wouldn’t be uncommon for Rubin either. In January, the company made a $500 million move for The Topps Company, Inc trading card company, and followed that up in February by joining the consortium responsible for acquiring Mitchell & Ness for $250 million.
Estimates out this week from Vantage Market Research suggest the wagering industry revenue could be valued as high as $129.3 billion by 2028. So what does Fanatics path look like into the space?
According to CNBC “the company has been in active talks with German company Tipico.” Tipico is a leading sports betting provider in Germany, but also has small sports betting pieces in the United States.
Part of Tipico’s operation began in 2019 when the company launched an online Sportsbook and casino in the state of New Jersey. Two years later the company selected Colorado as the site for its new betting technology hub.
Both states would be attractive entry points for a company like Fanatics, however a deal with Tipico is far from a sure thing at this point. CNBC quotes sources familiar with the talks “that the two sides are currently at an impasse on price.”
Whether the Tipico deal works out or not, it is particularly evident that Fanatics is a company capable of moving in many different directions while attempting to create a one stop digital sports platform for fans.
In the Spring of 2021 Rubin, along with Mike Novogratz of Galaxy Digital and serial entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk, launched Candy Digital. Described as a company changing the world of sports collectibles, and seamlessly blending the emerging the world of NFTs with a fast paced sports environment.
Candy Digital was able to secure a partnership with Major League Baseball last summer and launched a 1-of-1 Lou Gehrig NFT, the partnership proved to be successful and the two sides expanded their memorabilia partnership for the 2022 baseball season.
The success on all fronts has caused rampant speculation that Fanatics may put forward an initial public offering. However, unidentified sources have indicated to CNBC that may not happen until at least next year.
TDR will have additional coverage on Fanatics trek to the public markets as warranted.


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Cliff Avril, the former Seahawk and Super Bowl champion, is part of an effort to provide special back-to-school backpacks to Seattle-area kids in need.
The “Cliff Has Your Back” campaign is an effort of the Cliff Avril Family Foundation, Ascend Hospitality Group and Amazon. They were brought together by a common interest in education and feeding the community. In addition, Avril is committed to raising awareness of Type 2 diabetes in youth. He also aims to encourage nutrition and exercise in general.
Each backpack will include school supplies, food and nutrition information, food-related activity sheets and a $25 Amazon Fresh gift card.
The 250 backpacks were custom-designed by Avril in a process that you have to see to believe. There’s a video here. Let’s just say it involved footballs and paint-filled balloons. It must have been a lot of fun — and a major mess.
Cliff Avril backpacks: the players
“I think it’s extremely important that we’re fortunate enough to play a game for a living, fortunate to be in the spotlight and have a platform,” Avril said. “It’s only right to be able to give back to the community that you come from.”
Bellevue-based AHG is the parent company of restaurants in four states. You might recognize the names Stanford’s, Famous Dave’s BBQ, Ascend Prime Steak and Sushi and the Lincoln South Food Hall in downtown Bellevue.
“AHG feeds people, but we also feed people’s souls,” said Elaina Morris, AHG president and CEO. “Partnering with Cliff provides us with the opportunity to give back to the community that’s given so generously to us.”
How will they get these Cliff Avril backpacks to kids who need them? That’s where we all come in. First, nominations will be accepted online through Aug. 13. Then, Avril will be on hand for a special pickup event Aug. 22 at The Marketplace at Factoria.
More in Seattle’s Child:
As eviction moratorium ends, families will need even more help


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TECH SUPPLIER Sep 2020 - Market Note - Doc # EUR146793520
European AI Systems: Market Roundup, 2Q20 — Algorithms Struggle to Adjust to the New COVID-19 Context
By: Jack Vernon, Massimiliano Claps, Erica Spinoni, Neil Ward-Dutton, Ewa ZborowskaResearch Director, IDC Poland
This IDC Market Note summarizes noteworthy developments in the European AI systems marketplace in 2Q20 as selected by IDC's European AI practice members.
"Demand for AI technology has remained relatively resilient throughout the second quarter of 2020. A greater focus on business resiliency and automation is also causing a new wave of AI use cases to be prioritized by tech buyers. However, organizations in Europe are clearly struggling with the robustness of their existing AI models, and a core priority of tech vendors should be to support existing users that are updating their models and redesigning some of their systems that leverage AI," said Jack Vernon, senior research analyst, European AI Systems.


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Google's in-house incubator, Area 120, has released a Minecraft-style game that helps normal people build their own games called Game Builder.
I’d never heard of Carlos Maza until this month, when the Vox video producer made a supercuts video of all the homophobic and racist ranting by a popular YouTuber called Steven Crowder. The right-wing pundit has 3.8m subscribers to his YouTube channel has attacked Maza repeatedly, called him an “anchor baby, a lispy queer, [and] a Mexican”.
Google has decided to change the way Photos and Drive work together because apparently its users are confused by the platforms and their functions.
Dropbox is getting a makeover and you’ll now be able to link with and work on Google Docs and Slack, in addition to a few other tools like Zoom.
But the big news on Monday was that the Department of Justice was investigating Google and Apple; while the and Federal Trade Commission (FTCO is looking into Facebook and Amazon. All of accused of anticompetitive tactics for promoting their own services over that of rivals.
The first problem I encountered, as I gave up Google for a week, was that I couldn't get my email. As the possibility of living without Android and Google services emerged as the US government banned American firms from dealing with Huawei, I tried to live without the world's biggest mobile operating system (OS). The short answer: it’s virtually impossible to live without Google in this smartphone...[Read More]
The more tech companies know about their users, the more effectively they can direct them to goods and services that they are likely to buy. The more companies know about their users, the more competitive they are in the market.
Over the past few days, we’ve seen US-based companies line up to sever their ties with the Chinese telecom giant, Huawei.
Talk about an unexpected comeback. Google's Glass, those augmented reality specs that we were convinced had fallen off the map in 2015, have returned. And, like all good sequels, they're better than ever in addition to being back. Meet the redesigned (and ponderously named) Google Glass Enterprise Edition 2. Catchy, yeah?


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Dedalus Global and Ibex Frontier are Pleasured to Assert a Strategic Bloc with APO Group for Africa Fintech Summit 2020
By Abdul Rahman Bangura–
NEW AFRICA BUSINESS NEWS (NABN) Freetown, Sierra Leone- The coalition is aimed at to slingshot the advancement of Africa’s tech ecosystem- one that earned over $2billion in VC allotment in 2019, to a worldwide audience. Financing this endeavor are sixty panelists and Summit keynotes by Hon. Cina Lawson – Minister of Digital Economy and Digital Transformation of Togo, Admassu Tadesse, President and CEO of Trade and Development Bank (TDB), and Jack Dorsey, Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO of Square.
APO Group is the outstanding Pan-African information and business consultancy which has wielded its robust bonds and knowledge of Africa to enable corporations flourish. The partnership with Africa Fintech Summit 2020 exemplifies APO Group’s obligation to African greatness by enabling firms, startups, and entrepreneurs to develop in both regional and universal contexts.
With low bank penetration rates and high adoption of alternative methods like mobile money, Africa is anticipated to be the future of fintech. The Summit has promoted the growth of this sector by boosting over $30 million in capital upgrade endeavors for startups, regulatory roundtables, job creation, and investor-related workshops. APO Group’s reach and the participation of global tech influencers, like Jack Dorsey of Square and Michael Seibel of Y Combinator, is foreseen to steer an additional investor interest in the region.
A three-day virtual event held in November 9th,10th, and 12th, 2020. The Summit will accentuate keynotes from Hon. Cina Lawson, Minister of Digital Economy and Digital Transformation of Togo, Jack Dorsey, the Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder of Square, and Admassu Tadesse, President and CEO of TDB and 2019 African Banker of the
Thomas Debass – the Managing Director of the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Global Partnerships, will oversee a fireside chat with Michael Seibel, the CEO of US based Y Combinator, Shola Akinlade, Co-Founder and CEO of the previously developed Paystack, and VertoFx, to seek and showcase opportunities in Africa’s tech ecosystem Sixty senior-level administrators from corporations like MFS Africa, DPO Group, World Remit, Libra, DHL, JUMIA, Flutterwave, Citigroup, BIMA, TransUnion, EFG Hermes, Mercy Corps Ventures, Yoco, and Global Ventures will join us for panel symposia. Topics contain decentralized finance, cryptocurrency, pan-African interoperability, administration evolutions to cashless and digital economies, ecommerce, healthcare, and investment strategies during and post-COVID-19. Surmising the summit is the regional final of Pegasus Tech Ventures’ Startup World Cup, the vastest global tilt competition. The winner of the Summit’s regional final will compete against 60 other startups for US$1million in Silicon Valley in May 2021.
“APO Group is thrilled to be the strategic partner for this year’s African Fintech Summit. I cannot think of a more important time than now, for some of the best innovators and investors in the world to come together to provide input on how global economies can recover. I look forward to thought provoking and insightful discussions from the more than sixty speakers, from six continents,” said Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, Founder and chairman of APO Group. The summit is carried with the support of its strategic partners, U.S. State Department’s Office of Global Partnerships and APO Group, and premier sponsors MFS Africa, Flutterwave, and AMOLE. And up to 250 gratis delegate passes, sponsored by Jack Dorsey, are accessible to students. Students may desire to obtain an approving delegate pass, by contacting email@example.com.
For New Africa Business News (NABN) Abdul Rahman Bangura Reports, Africa Correspondent
AFRICA’S MOST READ AND FASTEST GROWING GLOBAL NEWSPAPER – www.newafricabusinessnews.com


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Does Spending = Stimulus?
It seems as though much of the current debate in Congress around what is necessary to help kick-start the U.S economy centers on spending. I agree that spending should be the primary focus of this economic recovery but it is consumer spending, not government spending, that is critical. Consumer spending now accounts for over 70% of our Gross Domestic Product (“GDP”). As spending decreases, the economy begins to slow, and if severe enough, contract. As confidence wanes and more and more Americans are out of work, the American consumer will inevitably spend less and save more. While one can argue that perhaps we can all benefit from a re-emphasis on household saving, economic recovery efforts clearly can be hampered by increased savings.
Hence, the question then becomes what is the most appropriate course of action to get consumers to feel comfortable spending again? I do not believe that Government spending is the only way to promote, or rather stimulate, consumer spending which in turn would help to energize economic activity to a level that would lead us out of this current recession. However, it appears as though the Bill currently on the floor of Congress, that is likely to be passed this week, will rely primarily on Government spending to achieve this end. For the economy’s sake, I hope that it does work and that we begin to see tangible results of its effectiveness during the first half of 2009.


text: Will Star Trek: Discovery address its behind-the-scenes turmoil? Will Jodie Whittaker say anything about Doctor Who trolls? And what will be the biggest topic at The Walking Dead panel: Andrew Lincoln’s departure or Chris Hardwick’s absence? ALSO: The Walking Dead and Mayans M.C. look like marketing winners so far at Comic-Con.